Facile formulation and fabrication of the cathode using a self-lithiated carbon for all-solid-state batteries.

We propose a innovative concept to boost the electrochemical performance of cathode composite electrodes using surface-modified carbons with hydrophilic moieties to increase their dispersion in a Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) cathode and in-situ generate Li-rich carbon surfaces. Using a rapid aqueous process, the hydrophilic carbon is effectively dispersed in NMC particles followed by the conversion of its acid surface groups (e.g. -COOH), which interact with the NMC particles due to their basicity, into grafted Li salt (-COO-Li+). The solid-state batteries prepared using the cathode composites with surface-modified carbon exhibit better electrochemical performance. Such modified carbons led to a better electronic conduction path as well as facilitating Li+ ions transfer at the carbon/NMC interface due to the presence of lithiated carboxylate groups on their surface.

Rheology of polymer solutions using colloidal-probe atomic force microscopy.

We use colloidal-probe atomic force microscope (AFM) to study the rheological behavior of polymer solutions confined between two surfaces: the surface of a sphere and a flat surface on which the fluid is deposited. Measurements of the hydrodynamic force exerted on the sphere by the flowing liquid allowed retrieving the viscosity of the solution for different distances between the sphere and the flat surface. This method has been experimentally tested for Newtonian fluids for which the viscosity does not vary versus the gap dimensions. On the other hand, for non-Newtonian fluids, such as the large molecular weight polymer solutions used here, the measured viscosity depends on the gap height D between the flat surface and the sphere. The decrease of the viscosity versus gap height is similar to previously observed variations in colloidal suspensions. Depletion of polymers in the gap region due to the high shear rates involved is a possible cause for such a variation.

Outbreak of staphylococcal bullous impetigo in a maternity ward linked to an asymptomatic healthcare worker.

An outbreak of staphylococcal bullous impetigo occurred over a period of five months in a maternity ward involving seven infected and two colonised neonates. The skin lesions were due to epidermolytic toxin A-producing Staphylococcus aureus. Infection control measures were implemented and a retrospective case-control study performed. Contact with an auxiliary nurse was the only risk factor for cases of bullous impetigo (P<0.01). The nurse cared for all seven cases and was an asymptomatic nasal carrier of the epidemic strain. Repeated courses of decontamination treatment failed to eradicate carriage. Nine months after the last case, another neonate developed a more severe form of bullous impetigo and the auxiliary nurse was reassigned to an adult ward.

[Bouchut tubercles and AIDS. Apropos of 3 cases]. / Tubercules de Bouchut et SIDA. A propos de 3 cas.

Tuberculosis choroidal granulomas ("tubercules de Bouchut") are rare, even in patients with AIDS and active tuberculosis. The authors report the clinical and angiographical findings of three cases. Choroidal involvement was bilateral, with multiple lesions, mostly located at the posterior pole. The size of the granuloma ranged from 1/8 to 1/2 of a disc diameter. Fluorescein angiography showed early prolonged hypofluorescence and late moderate hyperfluorescence. The lesions remained stable for months despite treatment of tuberculosis, and then gradually subsided. In two cases, the choroidal granulomas were discovered before the diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis and guided the investigations, which allowed the identification of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis bacillus in the body. In the third case, pulmonary tuberculosis had already been diagnosed. The number of tuberculosis cases is increasing together with the number of AIDS cases. This should make the observation of tuberculosis choroidal granulomas more frequent. The discovery of the typical aspects of granulomas described above during fundus examination of AIDS patients can help in diagnosing tuberculosis.

[Amiodarone and fetal supraventricular tachycardia. Apropos of a case with neonatal hypothyroidism]. / Amiodarone et tachycardie supraventriculaire foetale. A propos d'un cas avec hypothyroïdie néonatale.

BACKGROUND: Fetal tachycardia can be a cause of in utero death. Its detection is not always easy and its treatment is still controversial. CASE REPORT: Paroxysms of supraventricular tachycardia were detected on echocardiography at the 25th week of a second pregnancy. The mother was given sotalol, but the supraventricular tachycardia became permanent. At the 27th week of gestation, sotalol was stopped and the mother was given digoxin and the foetus received 2 injections of digoxin, 10 micrograms/kg, via the umbilical cord. As this treatment was only partially effective, the mother was also given amiodarone 800 mg/day at week 28, then the dose was reduced to 400 mg/day. However, at the 31st week, the mother showed signs of digoxin intolerance, and it was replaced by sotalol. Fetal blood tests at week 34 showed a high placental transfer of digoxin and sotalol and a low fetal level of amiodarone. The newborn, a girl, was born at the 36th week having a sinus rhythm. She developed signs of hypothyroidism (T4: 4 micrograms/ml; TSH:325 microliters U/ml at 5 days of life). CONCLUSION: The placental transfers of sotalol, digoxin and amiodarone are in the range of values known to be effective. The amiodarone responsible for hypothyroidism was given to the mother because she was intolerant to digoxin. Its use must be limited to arrhythmias that are resistant to other drugs or complicated by hydrops fetalis. When used, amiodarone should not be given for more than 6 weeks, and at the lowest possible dose.

[Medical treatment of severe uveitis]. / Conduite du traitement médical dans certaines uvéites graves.

135 patients with chronic uveitis were observed and 23 had therapeutic problems by their severity. The corticoid treatment method, always used in a first time, is studied. When there is corticoresistance, corticodependance or absolute contra-indications, the immunosuppressive drugs are used with reduced doses to avoid an AIDS. The corticoid bolus, the plasma exchange and colchicine are adjuvant treatments. Cyclosporin A brings large hopes but its use is now limited by necessity and serious side effects. Serious uveitis does not answer to a unique therapeutic protocol. The treatment must be adaptable and surgery decided in time.