Integrated synthesis and comprehensive characterization of TiO2/AgBi2S3 ternary thin films via SILAR method

AgBi2S3, a copious and innocuous ternary metal chalcogenide affiliated with the I-V-IV group of semiconductors, was synthesized. With an energy gap of 1.2eV, it closely matches the optimal 1.39eV for solar cell absorbers. Importantly, this chalcogenide exhibits a high absorption coefficient of 105 cm-1 at 600 nm. Using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method; we deposited an AgBi2S3 thin film onto a titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin film. Characterization techniques encompassed XRD, SEM, EDXS, UV-Vis, EIS, and PEC performance analyses. The resulting TiO2/AgBi2S3 composite film ranged in thickness from 8 μm to 13 μm, with particle sizes spanning 20 nm-265 nm. Notably, the deposition of AgBi2S3 onto the TiO2 film caused depreciation in the TiO2 energy gap from 3.1eV to 1.7eV. Furthermore, it significantly enhanced the TiO2 film's absorbance across the visible and near-infrared regions. Intriguingly, the TiO2/AgBi2S3 composite film also exhibited discernible photoelectrochemical behavior.

Anterior Tibial Artery Perforator Plus Flaps: Role in Coverage of Posttumor Excision Defects Around the Knee Joint and Upper Leg

Objective:

Posttumor excision defects can be very large, and many do require postoperative radiotherapy. It is therefore important to provide stable and durable wound coverage to provide ability to withstand radiotherapy as well as providing cover to vital structures.

Methods:

Between July 2014 and June 2016, eight females and six male patients with defects around the knee were operated upon using a perforator plus flap from the anterior tibial artery perforator. In all except two patients, the defects were the result of posttumor extirpation, while in the latter, it was due to impending implant exposure following bone tumor excision and tibial prosthesis. A constant perforator at the neck of the fibula was found using hand-held Doppler. The base of the flap was always kept intact. The flap was then transposed toward the defect and inset in a tensionless manner.

Results:

The average flap dimension was 14 cm × 5.5 cm. The mean follow-up was 11 months (6–20 months). All the flaps survived well except in one patient who developed partial tip necrosis, providing stable coverage of the wound. Two patients developed local recurrence and had to undergo above-knee amputation.

Conclusions:

The planning for the reconstruction of defects following tumor resection is to be done in accordance with a multidisciplinary team approach involving oncosurgeon, reconstructive plastic surgeons, and radiation specialist. The perforator plus flap is an excellent choice in defects around the knee to cover neurovascular structures, bone, or implant.

Rationalization of physicochemical characters of 1,5-diarylpyrazole analogs as dual (COX-2/LOX-5) inhibitors: A QSAR approach

Arachidonic acid metabolizing enzymes cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases lead to the formation of various eicosanoids involved in variety of human diseases, like inflammation, fever, pain, rheumatic and osteoarthritis, etc. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are useful tools in the treatment of prostaglandin mediated complications. The development of dual inhibitors may prevent a drift of arachidonic acid metabolism towards the other pathway, leading to potential side effects. Hence emphasis was focused on quantification of structure-activity relationship, with a view to delineating the influence of key COX-2/LOX-5 activity, to explore structural insights to aid the designing of safer dual inhibitors. The quantification of the structural features of 1,5-diarylpyrazole analogs with various biological activities gave some important structural insights, i.e. Hy (hydrophilic factor) and Mor17v (3D molecular representation of structure based on electron diffraction code). These two physicochemical properties may be helpful in development of more selective dual COX-2/LOX-5 inhibitors.