Background Interleukin-6-receptor inhibitors like Tocilizumab and Satralizumab are showing promising results in the treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of various Interleukin-6-receptor inhibitors in the management of NMO/NMOSD. Methods PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library were systematically searched for suitable studies. Change in Annualized Relapse Ratio (ARR), Change in Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) s, the proportion of relapse-free patients and proportion of patients with adverse events, including serious adverse events and mortality were the parameters considered for the meta-analysis for Tocilizumab. Mean difference (MD) with 95% CI was used to quantify the change in ARR and change in EDSS before and after treatment. A forest plot was prepared to indicate the efficacy and adverse effects outcomes. The results were compared with those of Satralizumab included in two trials. Results A total of nine studies with 202 patients were included in our study. Tocilizumab found a good proportion (76.95% CI: 0.61–0.91; p < 0.001) of relapse free patients at follow up. It also significantly reduced mean ARR (mean difference: -2.6, 95% CI: − 2.71 to − 1.68; p < 0.001) and but did not show significant difference in change in EDSS score (mean difference = − 0.79, 95% CI: − 1.89 to − 0.31; p = 0.16). Also, the toxicity profile of Tocilizumab was acceptable considering the proportions of patients with adverse events 56% (95% C.I.;0.27–0.85, I2 = 88.95%, p < 0.001), proportions of patients with serious adverse events 11% (95% C.I.; 0.05 to 0.17, I2 = 0%, p < 0.001) and zero treatment related deaths. SAkura studies for Satralizumab showed similar relapse free patients (70% to 80%) and reduction of ARR and EDSS from baseline. Some studies of Tocilizumab have shown to reduce pain and fatigue while trials of Satralizumab had non-significant findings. Conclusion Interleukin-6-receptor inhibitors therapy showed a promising result with good efficacy and acceptable adverse events profile for treatment of NMOSD.

Transparent conducting undoped and Al impurity doped ZnO films were deposited on glass substrate by spin coat technique using 24 days aged ZnO precursor solution with solution of ethanol and diethanolamine. The films were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electrical resistivity (ρ), carrier concentration (n), and hall mobility (µ) measurements. XRD data show that the deposited film shows polycrystalline nature with hexagonal wurtzite structure with preferential orientation along (002) crystal plane. The SEM images show that surface morphology, porosity and grain sizes are affected by doping concentration. The Al doped samples show high transmittance and better resistivity. With increasing Al concentration only mild change in optical band gap is observed. Optical properties are not affected by aging of parent solution. A lowest resistivity (8.5 × 10 -2 ohm cm) is observed at 2 atomic percent (at.%) Al. With further increase in Al concentration, the resistivity started to increase significantly. The decrease resistivity with increasing Al concentration can be attributed to increase in both carrier concentration and hall mobility.

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We report a new strategy for ligand-free attachment of plasmonic Au nanoparticles on the surface of a ZnO nanowire to make high-performance broadband photodetectors using a pulsed laser ablation technique in a liquid medium. The photoresponse of the ZnO-based photodetector is enhanced and the photodetection limit is broadened from UV to visible, which can be controlled by varying the concentration of Au nanoparticles attached to the ZnO surface. This Au nanoparticle concentration can be tuned by varying the number of laser pulses used in the ablation process. We found that the responsivity of the detector is 10 mA W for [Formula: see text] and increases to as much as 0.4 A W for λ ≤ 400 nm for the maximum Au concentration. The enhanced responsivity was found to be linked to increased absorption over a broad spectral range arising from direct and indirect plasmonic processes due to Au nanoparticle attachment, and the enhanced absorption also leads to a large increment in photocurrent generation. We also found that the attachment of Au nanoparticles makes the relaxation of the photocurrent (persistence) considerably faster in both the UV and visible regions of the spectrum and that the persistence directly depends on the concentration of Au nanoparticles attached to the ZnO nanowire. This single-step pulsed laser ablation-based nanoparticle attachment process can be further used to make other plasmonic nanoparticle-decorated nanowire devices.

Background Spontaneous pneumothorax is not an uncommon medical emergency in pulmonary practice. Related data are not available in our setting. In emergency departments, clinical presentation is often confused with other cardiopulmonary problems. Follow up outcome is important for better patient care. Objective To study clinical profile and outcome after non surgical intervention in a tertiary care center. Method This was a prospective observational study carried out in Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar over last 3 years. We enrolled consecutive spontaneous pneumothorax patients over 15 years of age. Each data related to individual patients were collected in predefined proforma. To study follow up outcome of management, we used OPD attendance or if not possible took, at least two telephone numbers from the patients. All patients were followed for recurrences. Data was statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Result Over the last 3 years, we enrolled 65 spontaneous pneumothorax patients. Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax was more common (92.3%). Commonest presentations were acute pleuritic chest pain (92.3%), dyspnea (84.62%) and cough (92.3%). COPD (46.14%), PTB sequelae (15.38%), bronchiectasis (23.07%) and bullous lung disease (23.07%) were common risk factors. Tube thoracostomy (95.38%) with pleurodesis with iodopovidone (84.61%) led to lung expansion in 92.3% cases. During follow up, only 4.61% had recurrences of pneumothorax. There was one mortality. Conclusion Spontaneous pneumothorax is a common pulmonary emergency. Meticulous and careful assessment of the patients may help reach the diagnosis even in primary care setting. Tube thoracostomy followed by pleurodesis with iodo-povidone suffices in most circumstances leading lower future recurrences.