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Background: Lesions on the external genitalia could be venereal or non-venereal. Non-venereal genital dermatoses are common and may cause considerable anxiety to patients, particularly if noticed after sexual intercourse. However, this aspect has not been studied much till now. Objectives: Our study proposes to describe the profile of non-venereal genital dermatoses and determine their impact on quality of life both social and sexual, using the dermatology life quality index questionnaire. Methods: We recruited patients aged 18 years and above, who were diagnosed to have non-venereal genital dermatoses during the study period. A detailed history was obtained and clinical examination done with relevant investigations when necessary. The dermatology life quality index was assessed and graded in all patients using Finlay dermatology life quality index questionnaire. Results: A total of 293 patients with non-venereal genital dermatoses were seen and 25 different dermatoses were observed. Men 242(82.6%) outnumbered women. The commonest age group affected was 31–50 years 144(50%). Chronic inflammatory dermatoses 135(41.6%) constituted the majority of cases. Scrotal dermatitis 46(15.7%), lichen simplex chronicus 37(12.6%), vitiligo 31(10.6%) were seen most frequently. In the study group, 111(37.9%) patients had moderate and 133(45.4%) had large impact on the quality of life. Erectile dysfunction was seen in 48(19.8%) men and 9(3.7%) had premature ejaculation. A significant effect on dermatology life quality index was found with increasing age (P = 0.007), positive marital status (P = 0.006), history of unprotected sex (P < 0.001), history of recurrences (P = 0.002) and venereophobia. (P = 0.008). Limitations: The number of women in the study group was less compared to men and we could not ascertain the type of sexual dysfunction in them. Conclusion: Non-venereal genital dermatoses are common, more so among men. They have a significant impact on the quality of life of the individual. Recognizing and addressing this problem will help in managing these patients effectively.

Background: Recent data suggests association of lichen planus (LP) with various systemic disorders. Relationship between LP and metabolic syndrome (MS) is not yet taken into account. MS has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Hence, earlier detection and treatment could potentially decrease mortality and improve the quality of life in these patients. Objectives: To find out the association of LP with MS. Materials and Methods: About 100 LP patients and 50 healthy adults were investigated for fasting blood glucose (FBS) and lipid profile. MS was diagnosed as per National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Results: Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) values were significantly increased in cases as compared to controls (P < 0.05 in all). About 42% of patients showed raised FBS level as compared to 10% controls (P = 0.0003). MS was more prevalent in cases than in controls (43% versus 26% respectively, P = 0.045). Odds ratio was highest in FBS and waist circumference. Limitations: As the cases and controls are included from a local area, the result may differ from other parts of the world. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and MS are seen more commonly in LP patients.

Thin films have been prepared by electron beam evaporation of strontium titanate (SrTiO3) on bare (111) p-type silicon substrate held at room temperature. The as deposited films were annealed at 700 degrees C in flowing oxygen to compensate for any loss of O from the sample. The as deposited and the annealed samples were analysed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The AES analysis shows that there is no trace of Si present in the bulk of the film and the Si/film interface is fairly sharp. The results are discussed in the light of the usefulness of the e-beam deposition of SrTiO3 for preparation of a buffer layer on an Si substrate for the deposition of high-Tc superconducting materials in thick- and thin-film form.

The effect of 14N ion irradiation on a bulk Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy high-Tc superconducting system has been studied. Incident energy was kept at 150 keV and the irradiation dose varied between 1*1011 cm-2 and 1*1016 cm-2. It has been observed that the resistive transition occurs at lower temperatures for the irradiated specimens and the width (10-90% transition) of the superconducting transition decreases. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies were carried out to evaluate the change in surface microstructure and XRD peak intensities due to irradiation. The results are discussed in the light of the similarity of atomic sizes of N and O atoms.

Sequentially-deposited layers of Cu/BaF2/Y on buffered Si and SrTiO3 substrates have been synthesised to produce YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin film. An attempt has been made to see the effect of the ZrO2 and Al buffer layers on Si of the annealing of the layered structure. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that on ZrO2-buffered Si the annealing of the layered structure leads to formation of 211 phase while on Al-buffer layer 123 phase is obtained. Noticeable effect in annealed-layered structure of oblique deposition of BaF2 from a Knudson Cell is seen in X-ray diffraction.

Erythema nodosum is a type of septal panniculitis. We report a case of 40 year old male of chronic and recalcitrant erythema nodosum who responded to tetracycline. The possible mechanism of action of tetracycline is analyzed. Tetracycline should be considered as a logical option in recalcitrant erythema nodosum.

16O ions at 75 MeV incident energy have been used to study the irradiation effects on the normal state resistance variation with fluence. The studies conducted include the measurement of resistance variation with dose due to the ion used. The samples were the bulk sintered pellets of YBa2Cu3O7 − x maintained at normal temperature (T ∼ 300 K) and low temperature (T ∼ 100 K). In the case of a sample irradiated at normal temperature there is a continuous decrease in resistance with dose, while in the other case there is a minimal change in the resistance vs fluence curve. These experimental results reveal that the sample temperature has a special effect on the damage mechanism.

The effect of the lithium fluoride (LiF) precoating on the fluctuation-induced conductivity (FIC) of superconducting indium and vanadium films was investigated. Several kinds of samples were used. The measured FIC is well explained by the traditional superconducting fluctuation theory with two fitting parameters, the transition temperature T c and the pair breaking parameter δ. The experimental relation δ= a + b R sq n holds for each type of sample, where R sq n is the normal state sheet resistance. The coefficient b for the unprecoated samples is much smaller than that for the LiF precoated samples in contrast to the lead case. The coefficient b is not so much influenced by the LiF overcoating.

Rapid thermal processing (RTP) for the synthesis of refractory metal silicides has been in use recently. The techniques used in RTP for heating the samples include the use of a graphite strip heater and quartz halogen lamps. In the present case we have synthesized titanium disilicide (TiSi2) by RTP by using a conventional diffusion furnace. The annealing times were 90 and 180 s while the temperature of the hot zone was 800 °C (±0.5 °C) in which the sample was introduced for annealing. Auger electron spectroscopy studies of the samples indicated that there is a thin top layer of oxide of titanium with the titanium silicide buried underneath. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies were also done of the samples to ascertain surface and bulk microstructure. Measured sheet resistance of the samples is ∼1.2 Ω/sq. The present investigations thus suggest an alternative RTP technique for synthesis of silicide.