Green emission from trivalent cerium doped LaAlO3/MgO nano-composite for photonic and latent finger printing applications

A series of Ce³⁺ doped La_1-xCe_xAlO₃/MgO (x = 0, 0.7, 0.9, 1.0 and 2.0 mol%) nano-composites have successfully been synthesized employing the Pechini sol-gel method. XRD profiles assisted with Rietveld refinement results manifested the rhombohedral/face-centered structures of the two phases of the generated composite. Thermogravimetric results corroborate the crystallization temperature of the compound to be 900 °C, that further remains stable up to 1200 °C. Materials have been found to be wide band gap semi-conductors having E_g in the range of 5.5-5.8 eV. Photoluminescence studies reveal their green emission under UV excitation of 272 nm. Application of Dexter's theory and Burshtein model to PL and TRPL profiles, respectively reveals the q-q multipole interlinkages to be the viable cause of concentration quenching beyond optimum concentration of 0.9 mol%. Shifting of the energy transfer route from cross-relaxation to migration assisted mechanism with Ce³⁺ concentration has also been investigated. Other luminescence based parameters such as energy transfer probabilities, efficiencies, CIE and CCT have also been found to be in an admirable range. From the aforesaid results, it was observed that the optimized nano-composite (i.e. La_1-xCe_xAlO₃/MgO (x = 0.9 mol%)) can also be utilized for latent finger-printing (LFP) application that evinces its versatility for photonic as well as imaging applications.

Visceral leishmaniasis masquerading as chronic liver disease

We report a patient with fever, progressive jaundice and abdominal distension, having marked pallor, icterus, ascites and hepatosplenomegaly. Investigations revealed pancytopenia and deranged liver functions. Doppler study revealed portal hypertension and endoscopy showed grade II oesophageal varices. Liver biopsy suggested leishmanial hepatitis and bone marrow demonstrated multiple LD bodies. Diagnosis of "visceral leishmaniasis with leishmanial hepatitis with portal hypertension" was made. The case is being reported because of its rarity apart from it being an unusual presentation of kala-azar.

Mediastinitis presenting as pyrexia of unknown origin

A 55 year old female was admitted as a case of pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) of 2 months duration. She had developed throat ache, progressive dysphagia for both solids and liquids, dry cough and retrosternal pain for one week. Examination revealed fever, tachycardia, tachypnoea and a soft tissue warm tender, erythematous, non-fluctuant swelling in lower anterior neck with chest findings suggestive of bilateral pleural effusion. Plain X-rays of the neck and chest strengthened the clinical suspicion of cellulitis of lower neck with bilateral pleural effusion. CT scan confirmed the radiologic findings and also revealed pericardial effusion and thickening; small mediastinal lymphadenopathy and mediastinitis. Patient responded to parenteral antibiotics (ceftriaxone and metronidazole) and hydrocortisone with complete resolution in 10 days.