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Background: Dermatoglyphics is the study of epidermal ridge patterns on the fingers, palms, and soles. Correlation of dermatoglyphic patterns with many chromosomal abnormalities and genetic predisposing diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, schizophrenia, and bronchial asthma is evidenced by many researchers. Literature on sexual dimorphism of dermatoglyphic patterns revealed it as an important characteristic feature. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study is to study the variance of ridge patterns among male and female patients of Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients of West Bengal and determine the sex-specific digital and palmar ridge patterns in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study has been done on 100 male and 100 female Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Digital and palmar prints were taken by the traditional ink method. Digital ridge pattern, pattern intensity index, total finger ridge count (TFRC), absolute finger ridge count (AFRC), and a-b ridge count were studied. The data on these patterns was recorded and statistically analyzed by Chi-square test and Student's t-test. Results: The frequency of ulnar loop is higher in female diabetics in comparison to male diabetics. Statistically significant increase in mean TFRC and mean AFRC is seen in male diabetics. Conclusion: Our study exhibits that dermatoglyphic pattern significantly differs in male and female diabetics. The knowledge and reference range of dermatoglyphic parameters among male and female diabetics are essential in the use of this study as a screening tool or diagnostic tool in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, by using a co-precipitation method MoO3/CuO/ZnO nanocomposite material was synthesized. Then the prepared material was fully characterized by using XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), EDS (energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy), CV (cyclic voltammetry), and EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy). Zeta potential and hydrodynamic size were measured using a Zetasizer in PBS buffer. By using Scherrer’s formula from XRD, particle size was determined which was around 26.5 nm. For the promising chemical sensor development, MoO3/CuO/ZnO nanocomposite material was fabricated onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to provide a sensor probe with a fast response towards the selective hydrazine (HZ) toxin in phosphate buffer phase. The fabricated sensor probe is exhibited good sensitivity and long-term stability as well as enhanced electrochemical performances. A calibration plot was found linear in the range of 0.2 nM to 2.0 mM (linear dynamic range, LDR) in presence of aqueous HZ solutions with highest sensitivity value and lower limit of detection and good limit of quantification (LOQ). This approach is promising as an efficient technique in developing a highly effective sensor probe with ternary metal oxides for detecting environmental pollutants on a broad scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesized MgTi2O4⋅TiO2⋅Zn2TiO4 nanomaterial was characterized by XRD (X‐Ray diffraction), SEM (Scanning electron microscopy), EDS (Energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and PL (Photoluminescence) study. Particles size of MgTi2O4⋅TiO2⋅Zn2TiO4 nanomaterial was found to be 37.3 nm. PL and PLE (Photoluminescence excitation) spectra are showed several peaks including one red PL at 723 nm, when excited at 320 nm. Nanomaterial was subject to electrochemical sensor study. Thin layer of synthesized MgTi2O4⋅TiO2⋅Zn2TiO4 nanomaterials was fabricated onto the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with conducting binder to result the working electrode of 4‐nitrophenylhydrazine (4‐NPHyd) sensor, which was applied successively to selectively detect the 4‐NPHyd in aqueous phase. The 4‐NPHyd chemical sensor exhibited high sensitivity with lower detection limit, long‐term stability in chemical environment and improved electrochemical responses during sensing performance. The linearity of calibration plot is obtained over the large linear dynamic range (LDR) from 0.1 nM to 0.1 mM of 4‐NPHyd. The sensitivity calculated from the slop of calibration plot (ratio of current to concentration of 4‐NPHyd) is 42.7215 μAmM−1cm−2 with detection limit (DL) of 0.02±0.001 nM at signal to noise ratio of 3(S/N). Therefore, the chemical sensor based on MgTi2O4⋅TiO2⋅Zn2TiO4 nanomaterials may be a promising highly sensitive sensor in electrochemical method for the effective detection of hazardous and carcinogenic chemicals in medical as well as biological sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Ag2O3·SnO2·Cr2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via a simple and quick co-precipitation method. The produced materials were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The hydrodynamic size and zeta potential were measured under acidic and basic pH conditions. The photocatalytic activities of the newly synthesized composite were studied considering various parameters. Antibacterial activity tests showed that Ag2O3·SnO2·Cr2O3 is an excellent anti-bacterial agent. A reliable electrochemical sensor probe was designed by depositing the synthesized Ag2O3·SnO2·Cr2O3 NPs onto the flat part of GCE, which showed excellent oxidation activity and selectivity towards 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in a phosphate buffer medium. During electrochemical analysis, the desired 4-AP sensor responded linearly over a large concentration range (0.1 nM–0.01 mM), which is known as the linear dynamic range (LDR), and exhibited appreciable sensitivity (25.1962 μA μM−1 cm−2). Furthermore, it showed a considerably low limit of detection (98.41 ± 4.92 pM), good reproducibility, fast response (20.0 s), and long-term stability in the phosphate buffer medium. This is an efficient method for the fabrication of a selective electrochemical sensor using the electrochemical approach for safety in environmental and healthcare fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A trimetallic, MoO3·CuO·ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized by co-precipitation method. The nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), atomic forcce microscopy (AFM) and photoluminescence (PL). Particle size was determined to be 40.34 nm by using Scherrer’s formula from XRD data. The SEM-EDS mapping shows that all the elements in this composite are not confined in a single site, rather they are distributed in a solid matrix. PL study of the MoO3·CuO·ZnO nanocomposite showed spectral variation through size and morphology with calcination temperature. Photocatalytic activity of the composite was studied under visible light irradiation. The composite showed excellent visible light dye degradation efficiency of 95.82% at pH 9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium is a vital element for the mineralization of the growing foetus. Quantitative estimation of calcium content of palacenta of normal and hypertensive group with history of antepartum haemorrhage showed no significant difference. The study was carried out to see whether calcified placenta was the cause of poor foetal outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe3O4@Ag@Ni nanoparticles (MO) were synthesized and characterized. In this study, a reduction method was utilized to synthesize the nanoparticles. The Fe3O4@Ag@Ni nanoparticles were cubic with an about 15 nm particle size, established by both TEM and XRD. EDS mapping provided information about the distribution of the materials in the matrix. Optical properties were observed through photoluminescence (PL) studies. Electrochemical sensor applications of Fe3O4@Ag@Ni were assessed. A thin layer of Fe3O4@Ag@Ni nanomaterial film as a chemical sensor was fabricated on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with a 5% nafion conducting binder. The sensor was successfully applied for the detection of 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) using a reliable I–V method at low potential. The sensor-attributes including good sensitivity (3.5217 μA μM−1 cm−2), low detection limit (5.4 ± 0.1 pM; at a signal to noise ratio of 3), low limit of quantification (18.0 ± 0.1 pM), good reliability, good reproducibility, ease of integration, and long-term stability were explored. The sensor response towards 2,4-DNP is linear over a large concentration range (0.1 nM to 1.0 mM). This work initiated a route for sensitive sensor development based on MO nanomaterials using a reliable I–V approach for the detection of hazardous and carcinogenic toxins in environmental and health care fields. The Fe3O4@Ag@Ni nanomaterial showed anti-microbial activity as appraised by a zone of inhibition parameter study, which showed a positive test both for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The highest inhibition zone to well diameter ratio was 3.5, higher than imipenem (ipm 10). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With rapidly increasing technological devices the demand of e book reading is increasing in colleges. The aim of our study is to compare the acceptance of e text book and printed text books among medical students in their Anatomy course in 1st (Prof.) MBBS course. The participants were 100 undergraduate 1st (Prof.) MBBS students of NBMC. They were given printed Questionnaire at the end of 2016-2017 academic years. It is seen that still printed books are preferred and is of choice, because they are in the habit of reading printed book, it is easier to take notes & easier to eye. E book reading is an additional aid but not a replacement of printed text books. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of ternary B2O3·Zn6Al2O9·ZnO nanomaterials by a simple co-precipitation method and their potential application as an efficient photocatalyst and chemical sensor has been reported. The synthesized nanomaterial was studied by XRD, SEM, EDS mapping, photoluminescence (PL), FTIR, and UV-visible spectroscopy. This nanocomposite exhibits enhanced efficiency in photo-catalysis in Methyl Violet 6b (MV) dye degradation. It displays an efficiency of 97.24% under visible light and 78.98% under UV light at pH 9. Moreover, it loses only 2.61% efficiency over three cycles of reuse. What’s more, in the presence of H2O2, it can degrade over 98% of the dye within just 1 hour. The PL and PLE properties were also reported with a change in excitation energy and calcination temperature. The PLE shows three equidistant peaks with 20 nm intervals. For potential chemical sensor development, the B2O3·Zn6Al2O9·ZnO nanomaterial was deposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to produce a sensor with a fast and selective response towards 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in phosphate buffer. The sensor also exhibits good sensitivity and long-term stability, and enhanced electrochemical responses. The calibration plot is linear over the 0.1 nM to 0.01 M 4-AP concentration range. The sensitivity and detection limit are calculated from the slope of the calibration plot to be 0.506329 μA cm−2 nM−1 and 0.019 nM (signal-to-noise ratio, at a SNR of 3), respectively. The synthesized ternary B2O3·Zn6Al2O9·ZnO nanomaterials have great potential to be used in the future development of promising efficient photocatalysts and sensitive chemical sensors for the detection and/or degradation of hazardous and carcinogenic toxic commercial dyes and phenolic compounds for improved safety in the environmental and health care fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A large proportion of adults suffer from neck pain at some points of their life and show altered ranges of spinal canal morphometry in various studies. The differences in values are also seen due to genetic, hormonal and other factors too. Torg's ratio is a widely accepted measurement to eliminate such discrepancies. The measurement of Space Available for Cord (SAC) is also gaining importance as spinal stenosis is a contributor to neck pain. Aim: (1) To examine the cervical spinal canal and spinal cord morphometric determinants in symptomatic sub-Himalayan North Bengal population and to compare the obtained data with other populations; (2) To determine whether Torg's ratio vary with gender or not; (3) To determine SAC values in symptomatic individuals. Materials and Methods: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) based on midsagittal diameter of vertebral body, spinal canal, spinal cord and its Torg's ratio and SAC value of the lower cervical spine (C3-C7) from 71 symptomatic adults were recorded at the Radiology Department of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Bengal, India. Individuals with any evidence of trauma, infection, neoplasia or any congenital anomalies related to spinal canal and below 18 years of age were excluded from the study. Results: The average diameter for vertebral body was significantly larger in males. The average diameter for spinal canal, spinal cord and values of Torg's ratio and SAC has no significant gender difference. But the mean value of Torg's ratio is greater in females is due to smaller vertebral body size in females. Conclusion: It is interpreted from our study that sagittal spinal canal diameter, Torg's ratio and SAC value did not show any significant gender difference. But sagittal vertebral body's diameter showed sexual dimorphism which influenced the mean value of Torg's ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A MnAl 2 O 4 ·ZnAl 2 O 4 nanomaterial was synthesized by co-precipitation and characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, AFM, FTIR, PL, CV and EIS. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite against MV dye and its MDR anti-bacterial functions were studied. The nanocomposite shows excellent photocatalytic as well as anti-bacterial activity. A MnAl 2 O 4 ·ZnAl 2 O 4 nanomaterial/Nafion/GCE electrode was fabricated and implemented as the working electrode of a 3-CP sensor. The sensor exhibited good sensitivity, with the lowest detection limit, fast response time, large linear dynamic range (LDR), and long-term stability in the chemical environment. The estimated sensitivity is 70.07 μA mM -1 cm -2 . The LDR, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ) are 0.1 nM to 0.01 M, 0.0014 ± 0.0001 nM, and 0.004 nM, respectively. The MnAl 2 O 4 ·ZnAl 2 O 4 nanomaterial/Nafion/GCE is a promising fabricated sensor probe for the selective detection of 3-CP for the environmental safety and healthcare fields on a large scale., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

In this work, a tri-metal based nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized. A detailed investigation of the photocatalytic dye degradation efficiency of the nanocomposite under visible light showed promising results in a wide pH range, both acidic and basic medium. Studies on anti-bacterial activity against seven pathogenic bacteria, including both Gram positive and Gram negative species, were conducted in the presence and absence of light and compared with the standard antibiotic gentamicin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of Ag·NiMn 2 O 4 against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens ranged from 0.008 to 0.65 μg μL -1 , while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was found to be 0.0016 μg μL -1 . The nanomaterial, Ag·NiMn 2 O 4 was deposited onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE; 0.0316 cm 2 ) as a thin film to fabricate the chemical sensor probe. The proposed sensor showed linear current ( vs. concentration) response to m -THyd ( m -tolyl hydrazine) from 1.0 pM to 0.01 mM, which is denoted as the linear dynamic range (LDR). The estimated sensitivity and detection limit of the m -THyd sensor were found to be 47.275 μA μM -1 cm -2 and 0.97 ± 0.05 pM, respectively. As a potential sensor, it is reliable due to its good reproducibility, rapid response, higher sensitivity, working stability for long duration and efficiency in the analysis of real environmental samples., Competing Interests: We declare that there is no conflict of interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A novel multi-metal oxide nanocomposite, Ag 2 O·SrO·CaO, was synthesized by a facile co-precipitation method followed by calcinations. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDS, TEM, FTIR spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The composite showed enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation and excellent anti-bacterial performance against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Here, the synthesized Ag 2 O·SrO·CaO nanomaterials were deposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in the form of a thin film to fabricate the desired electrochemical sensor and subjected to I - V analysis of 3-chlorophenol (3-CP) in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS). A calibration curve was plotted from the linear relation of current versus concentration and used to calculate the sensitivity (8.9684 μA μM -1 cm -2 ), linear dynamic range (LDR, 0.1 nM to 0.01 mM) and lower limit of detection (DL, 97.12 ± 4.86 pM). The analytical parameters of the sensor such as response time, reproducibility and long-term stability in the detection of 3-CP were reliable. Finally, it was used to analyze real samples collected from various environmental sources and found to be acceptable., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

The synthesis of a ternary SnO 2 ·ZnO·TiO 2 nanomaterial (NM) by a simple co-precipitation method and its potential applications as an efficient photocatalyst and chemical sensor have been reported. The synthesized nanomaterial was fully characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, XPS, FTIR, AFM and photoluminescence studies. This nanomaterial exhibited enhanced efficiency in photo-catalysis of Methyl Violet 6b (MV) dye degradation. The observed photocatalyst efficiency of the SnO 2 ·ZnO·TiO 2 nanomaterial was 100% under UV light at pH 9. Moreover, it lost around 12% efficiency over five reuses. The PL properties with changing excitation energy were also reported. Glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with the SnO 2 ·ZnO·TiO 2 nanomaterial by an efficient electrochemical technique to develop a chemical sensor for selective benzaldehyde. Hazardous benzaldehyde was carefully chosen as a target analyte by a selectivity study; it displays a rapid response towards the SnO 2 ·ZnO·TiO 2 /Nafion/GCE sensor probe in electrochemical sensing. It also shows superb sensitivity, an ultra-low detection limit, long-term stability, and very good repeatability and reproducibility. In this study, a linear calibration plot was obtained for 0.1 nM to 1.0 mM aqueous benzaldehyde solutions, with a sensitivity value of 4.35 nA μM -1 cm -2 and an exceptionally low detection limit (LOD) of 3.2 ± 0.1 pM (S/N = 3). Hence, a chemical sensor modified with SnO 2 ·ZnO·TiO 2 /GCE may be a promising sensor in the determination of toxic chemicals in the environmental and healthcare fields., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)