Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange and Methylene Blue Dyes by Engineering the Surface Nano-Textures of TiO2 Thin Films Deposited at Different Temperatures via MOCVD.

TiO2 thin films were deposited on quartz substrates by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) at temperatures of 250, 350, and 450 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data revealed the production of a pure anatase phase, a decrease in crystallite size, and a textural change as deposition temperature increased. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the morphological properties and confirm XRD results. UV-Vis.-NIR spectroscopy was used to investigate the optical properties of the samples. The effect of deposition temperature on wettability was investigated using contact angle measurements. Sunlight photocatalytic properties increased with the increase in deposition temperature for methyl orange and methylene blue. Films were post-annealed at 500 °C for 2 h. The effect of annealing on all the above-mentioned properties was explored. The kinetic analysis demonstrated superb agreement with the kinetic pseudo-first-order model. The rate of photocatalytic degradation of MB was ~8, 13, and 12 times that of MO using 250, 350, and 450 °C deposited films, respectively. Photodegradation was found to depend on the specific surface area, type of pollutant, and annealing temperature.

OA foundations - experimental models of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is increasingly recognised as a disease of diverse phenotypes with variable clinical presentation, progression, and response to therapeutic intervention. This same diversity is readily apparent in the many animal models of OA. However, model selection, study design, and interpretation of resultant findings, are not routinely done in the context of the target human (or veterinary) patient OA sub-population or phenotype. This review discusses the selection and use of animal models of OA in discovery and therapeutic-development research. Beyond evaluation of the different animal models on offer, this review suggests focussing the approach to OA-animal model selection on study objective(s), alignment of available models with OA-patient sub-types, and the resources available to achieve valid and translatable results. How this approach impacts model selection is discussed and an experimental design checklist for selecting the optimal model(s) is proposed. This approach should act as a guide to new researchers and a reminder to those already in the field, as to issues that need to be considered before embarking on in vivo pre-clinical research. The ultimate purpose of using an OA animal model is to provide the best possible evidence if, how, when and where a molecule, pathway, cell or process is important in clinical disease. By definition this requires both model and study outcomes to align with and be predictive of outcomes in patients. Keeping this at the forefront of research using pre-clinical OA models, will go a long way to improving the quality of evidence and its translational value.

Benchmark calculations of proton affinity and gas-phase basicity using multilevel (G4 and G3B3), B3LYP and MP2 computational methods of para-substituted benzaldehyde compounds.

This study presents the benchmark calculations of proton affinities (PAs) and gas-phase basicities (GBs) of 8-para substituted benzaldehyde compounds using the multilevel model chemistries (G3B3 and G4), density-functional quantum model (B3LYP) and ab initio model (MP2). The results show that the computed properties are strongly correlated with the available experimental data. The PAs and the GBs of other eight para-substituted benzaldehyde compounds, for which the experimental data does not currently exist, have been calculated using G3B3 and B3LYP methods. The correlations between the experimental PAs and GBs with the computed properties such as PA, GB, chemical properties (bond lengths, electron density and δ1 H NMR chemical shift) of the investigated benzaldehydes have been studied and statistically analyzed. The influence of the substituted groups has been discussed in terms of inductive effect and electron donating and electron withdrawing effect. The results obtained show that the chemical properties of the benzaldehyde compounds are controlled by the strong coupling between the CHO group and the nature of the para-substituent groups through the benzene ring as a conducting linkage.

Synthesis, identification, density functional and Hirshfeld surface studies of 2,2'-disulfanediylbis(tetrahydro-4H-cyclopenta[d][1,3,2]dioxaphosphole-2-sulfide).

The new compound 2,2'-disulfanediylbis (tetrahydro-4H-cyclo penta[d][1,3,2]dioxaphosphole 2-sulfide), the dimeric form of 2-mercaptotetrahydro-4H-cyclopenta[d] [1,3,2] dioxaphosphole 2-sulfide, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molecular weight determination and spectral data (1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, 31 P-NMR, FTIR). The molecular geometry was confirmed by single X-Ray crystallography. The ground state property was examined by PBE0 and B3LYP density functionals using aug-cc-pV(Q+d)Z basis set in the gas phase and in DMSO solution. The preference of PBE0 functional was statistically established. Thermodynamic parameters and standard heat of dissociation reaction ( Δ H R 298 K o ) have been established. The calculated equilibrium constants at different temperatures reflect the stability of the dimer over the monomers at low temperatures and vice versa. Valency and Fukui indices calculations showed that the monomer is more reactive than the dimer. 2D-fingerprint revealed that, while the H…X; [X = H, O and S] nonbonding intermolecular interactions and reciprocals play a crucial role in strengthening of molecules packing in the crystal unit cell while the S…S ones contribute negatively on it.

Pathology-pain relationships in different osteoarthritis animal model phenotypes: it matters what you measure, when you measure, and how you got there.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether osteoarthritis (OA) pain characteristics and mechanistic pathways in pre-clinical models are phenotype-specific. DESIGN: Male 11-week-old C57BL6 mice had unilateral medial-meniscal-destabilization (DMM) or antigen-induced-arthritis (AIA), vs sham-surgery/immunised-controls (Sham/Im-CT). Pain behaviour (allodynia, mechanical- and thermal-hyperalgesia, hindlimb static weight-bearing, stride-length) and lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) gene-expression were measured at baseline, day-3, week-1/-2/-4/-8/-16, and pain-behaviour:gene-expression:joint-pathology associations investigated. RESULTS: DMM and AIA induced structural OA defined by progressively increasing cartilage erosion, subchondral bone sclerosis and osteophyte size and maturation. All pain-behaviours were modified, with model-specific differences in severity and temporal pattern. Tactile allodynia developed acutely in both models and persisted to week-16. During early-OA (wk4-8) there was; reduced right hindlimb weight-bearing in AIA; thermal-hyperalgesia and reduced stride-length in DMM. During chronic-OA (wk12-16); mechanical-hyperalgesia and reduced right hindlimb weight-bearing were observed in DMM only. There were no associations in either model between different pain-behaviour outcomes. A coordinated DRG-expression profile was observed in sham and Im-CT for all 11 genes tested, but not in AIA and DMM. At wk-16 despite equivalent joint pathology, changes in DRG-expression (Calca, Trpa1, Trpv1, Trpv4) were observed only in DMM. In AIA mechanical-hyperalgesia was associated with Trpv1 (r = -0.79) and Il1b (r = 0.53). In DMM stride-length was associated with Calca, Tac1, Trpv1, Trpv2, Trpv4 and Adamts5 (r = 0.4-0.57). DRG gene-expression change was correlated with subchondral-bone sclerosis in DMM, and cartilage damage in AIA. Positive pain-behaviour:joint-pathology associations were only present in AIA - for synovitis, subchondral-bone resorption, chondrocyte-hypertrophy and cartilage damage. CONCLUSION: Pain and peripheral sensory neuronal responses are OA-phenotype-specific with distinct pathology:pain-outcome:molecular-mechanism relationships.

Enhancing the impedance matched bandwidth of bottle microresonator signal processing devices.

Light pulses entering an elongated bottle microresonator (BMR) from a transversely oriented input-output waveguide (microfiber) slowly propagate along the BMR length and bounce between turning points at its constricting edges. To avoid insertion losses and processing errors, a pulse should completely transfer from the waveguide into the BMR and, after being processed, completely return back into the waveguide. For this purpose, the waveguide and BMR should be impedance matched along the pulse bandwidth. Here we show how to enhance the impedance matched bandwidth by optimization of the BMR effective radius variation in a small vicinity of the input-output waveguide.

Microresonator devices lithographically introduced at the optical fiber surface.

We present a simple lithographic method for fabrication of microresonator devices at the optical fiber surface. First, we undress the predetermined surface areas of a fiber segment from the polymer coating with a focused CO2 laser beam. Next, using the remaining coating as a mask, we etch the fiber in a hydrofluoric acid solution. Finally, we completely undress the fiber segment from coating to create a chain of silica bottle microresonators with nanoscale radius variation [surface nanoscale axial photonics (SNAP) microresonators]. We demonstrate the developed method by fabrication of a chain of five 1 mm long and 30 nm high microresonators at the surface of a 125 µm diameter optical fiber and a single 0.5 mm long and 291 nm high microresonator at the surface of a 38 µm diameter fiber. As another application, we fabricate a rectangular 5 mm long SNAP microresonator at the surface of a 38 µm diameter fiber and investigate its performance as a miniature delay line. The propagation of a 100 ps pulse with 1 ns delay, 0.035c velocity, and negligible dispersion is demonstrated. In contrast to previously developed approaches in SNAP technology, the developed method allows the introduction of much larger fiber radius variation ranging from nanoscale to microscale.

Differential patterns of pathology in and interaction between joint tissues in long-term osteoarthritis with different initiating causes: phenotype matters.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if osteoarthritis (OA) progression and joint tissue-pathology associations link specific animal models to different human OA phenotypes. DESIGN: Male 11-week-old C57BL6 mice had unilateral medial-meniscal-destabilization (DMM) or antigen-induced-arthritis (AIA). Joint tissue histopathology was scored day-3 to week-16. Tissue-pathology associations (corrected for time and at week-16) were determined by partial correlation coefficients, and odds ratios (OR) calculated for likelihood of cartilage damage and joint inflammation by ordinal-logistic-regression. RESULTS: Despite distinct temporal patterns of progression, by week-16 joint-wide OA pathology in DMM and AIA was equivalent. Significant pathology associations common to both models included: osteophyte size and maturity (r > 0.4); subchondral bone (SCB) sclerosis and osteophyte maturity (r > 0.25); cartilage erosion and chondrocyte hypertrophy/apoptosis (r > 0.4), SCB sclerosis (r > 0.26), osteophyte size (r > 0.3), and maturity (r > 0.32). DMM-specific associations were between cartilage proteoglycan loss and structural damage (r = 0.56), osteophyte maturity (r = 0.49), size (r = 0.45), and SCB sclerosis (r = 0.28). AIA-specific associations were between SCB sclerosis and chondrocyte hypertrophy/apoptosis (r = 0.40) and osteophyte size (r = 0.37); and synovitis with cartilage structural damage (r = 0.18). No tissue-pathology associations were common to both models at week-16. Increased likelihood of cartilage structural damage was associated with: chondrocyte hypertrophy/apoptosis (OR>1.7), and osteophyte size (OR>2.3) in both models; SCB sclerosis (OR = 2.0) and proteoglycan loss (OR = 2.4) in DMM; and synovitis (OR = 1.2) in AIA. Joint inflammation was associated positively with cartilage proteoglycan loss (OR = 1.4) and inversely with osteophyte size (OR = 0.21) in AIA only. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of defining OA-models by initiating mechanisms and progression, not just end-stage joint-tissue pathology.

Role of topical oxytocin in improving vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of topical oxytocin gel to improve vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 140 postmenopausal women presenting with vaginal atrophy and who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized into two groups each of 70 patients; they received intravaginal oxytocin gel or placebo gel for 30 days. Serum estrogen level, visual, colposcopic and histological vaginal examination were performed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Forty-seven out of 70 women in the oxytocin gel group improved after treatment and none in the placebo group (p = 0.001). Forty-five participants in the oxytocin group and seven in the placebo group reported relief of dyspareunia (p = 0.001). Thirty-four participants in the oxytocin group and seven in the placebo group reported relief of soreness (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the circulating levels of estradiol in both groups before and after treatment (p = 0.4 and 0.6 for the oxytocin group and the placebo group, respectively). CONCLUSION: Oxytocin gel is useful in the restoration of the vaginal epithelium in cases of postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis. Further studies with a longer follow-up period are required to test the long-term effects of oxytocin as a treatment for vaginal atrophy.

N-acetylcysteine versus progesterone on the cisplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin-induced peripheral nerve neurotoxicity (CIPN) is the main obstacle in cisplatin treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the modulatory effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and progesterone on CIPN, because there are scarce literature data on the protective effect of the proge-sterone on the CIPN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups: control, cisplatin-treated, concomitant cisplatin-treated and NAC-treated, and concomitant cisplatin-treated and progesterone-treated. Electron microscopic, immunohistochemical, real time polymerase chain reaction and histomorphome-tric analysis; oxidative/antioxidative markers (MDA/GSH and SOD), neurotoxic/ neuroprotective markers (iNOS/nNOS), inflammatory mediators (TNF-a and NF-kB) and BAX were done. RESULTS: The myelin sheath in the cisplatin-treated group elucidated infolding. The myelin was disfigured, degenerated, and extensively split with areas of focal loss. The axoplasm was atrophic. Ballooning and vacuolations of the mitochon-dria with alterations of Remak bundles structures were observed. Fewer of these changes were noted in the NAC and progesterone-treated groups. Decrease of the antioxidant SOD and GSH (81% and 64%) and increase of the oxidant MDA (9 folds), increment of the neurotoxic iNOS (1.9 folds) and decrement of the neuroprotective nNOS (64%) and elevation of the inflammatory mediators' TNF-a and NF-kB (8.3 and 11 folds) in the cisplatin-treated group. Increase of the antioxidant SOD (1.3 and 2.5 folds) and GSH (120% and 79%) and decrease of the oxidant MDA (69% and 88%), decrement of the neurotoxic iNOS (56% and 68%) and increment of the neuroprotective nNOS (1.6 and one folds) and elevation of the inflammatory mediators' TNF-a and NF-kB were observed in the NAC and progesterone-treated groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The toxic effect of CIPN might be attributed to either oxidative or severe inflammatory stress. Progesterone is efficient in ameliorating these effects; however, NAC is better. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 2: 234-245).

Stress-induced changes in the aged-rat adrenal cortex. Histological and histomorphometric study.

BACKGROUND: Stress exposure exerts direct effects on the morphology and functionality of the adrenal cortex. In addition, ageing effects growth, differentiation, apoptosis and cellularity of the cortex. The missing data is the combined effect of stress and ageing on the adrenal cortex. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the structural changes in the adrenal cortex following the exposure to stress in the adult and aged albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty rats were divided into groups I and II (adult and senile). Each group was further subdivided into subgroups a and b (control and stressed). Light and electron microscopic studies were done. Area per cent of collagen fibres (Masson's trichrome-stained sections), number of proliferating cells (optical density immunoreactivity in the Ki67 stained sections) and thickness of the three adrenal zones were also measured. RESULTS: Lamellar separation of the capsule with subcapsular spindle cell hyperplasia and areas of ghost cells were observed in zona glomerulosa (ZG) and zona fasciculata (ZF) in group I-b. Separation and indentation of the capsule with its lamellar separation were observed in group II-a with the existence of multiple scattered degenerative foci in ZF and zona reticularis (ZR). Similar and aggressive was the architectural pattern of ZF in group II-b with the presence of areas of homogenous degeneration. The nuclei of ZG had marginated chromatin in group I-b and were pyknotic with deformed irregular outlines in group II-b. Multiple lysosomes and vacuolar degeneration mitochondria were also seen in group I-b. The nuclei of ZF were irregular with condensed marginated heterochromatin in group I-b, irregular with scattered chromatin in group II-a and indented with areas of chromatin destruction in group II-b. Mitochondria with disrupted cristae and cristolysis were also detected in group I-b. Numerous lipofuscin granules and dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum were revealed in group II-b. The mean collagen fibre area per cent and the mean number of the proliferating cells in group II-b were significantly higher by 39% and 23%. The thickness of ZG decreased significantly by 20% in group I-b. Contrary, the thickness of both ZF and ZR increased significantly by 10% in group I-b. CONCLUSIONS: Histological alterations occurred in the adrenal cortex in response to stress, especially when coupled with the advance of age. This was accompanied by increase in the area per cent of collagen fibres and increase in the mean number of the proliferating cells in the adrenal cortex.

Utility of circulating serum miRNAs as biomarkers of early cartilage degeneration in animal models of post-traumatic osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if serum microRNA (miRNA) signatures were biomarkers of early cartilage degeneration in preclinical mouse models of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA) and inflammatory arthritis. METHODS: Cartilage degeneration was induced in 10-12 week old male C57BL6 mice by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) or intra-articular injection of methylated-bovine-serum-albumin (AIA), with sham-operated or saline-injected control animals (n = 6/treatment/time). Total serum RNA and knee joints were isolated at 1, 4 and 16 weeks post-induction. Cartilage degeneration was scored histologically. Serum miRNA expression profiling was performed using Agilent microarrays and validated by qPCR. RESULTS: DMM-operated and AIA mice had characteristic cartilage degeneration (proteoglycan loss, chondrocyte hypertrophy, structural damage), that increased significantly with time compared with controls, and with distinct temporal differences between arthritis models. However, expression profiling revealed no statistically significant dysregulation of serum miRNAs between AIA vs saline-injected or DMM vs sham-operated control mice at the critical early disease stages. The inability to detect DMM or AIA serum miRNA signatures compared with controls was not due to the insensitivity of the expression profiling approach since significant changes were observed in miRNA expression between the arthritis models and between time points. CONCLUSION: While distinct patterns of progressive cartilage degradation were induced in the arthritis models, we were unable to identify any serum miRNAs that were significantly dysregulated in early stages of disease compared with controls. This suggests circulating serum miRNAs may not be useful as cartilage biomarkers in distinguishing the early or progressive stages of arthritis cartilage degeneration.

Serious fungal infections in Egypt.

We aimed to estimate the burden of serious fungal infections in Egypt, currently unknown, based on the size of the populations at risk and available epidemiological data. Data were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and published reports with clearcut denominators. When no data existed, risk populations were used to estimate frequencies of fungal infections, using previously described methodology. The population of Egypt in 2011 was ∼82,500,000; 31% children, and 8% women >60 years of age. Amongst about 21.8 million women aged 15-50 years, recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (≥4 episodes/year) is estimated to occur in 1.3 million (3,169/100,000 females). Using a low international average rate of 5/100,000, we estimate 4,127 cases of candidaemia, and 619 patients with intra-abdominal candidiasis. Amongst the survivors of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Egypt in 2012, 319 new cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) are likely, a prevalence of 1,005 post-TB and a total prevalence estimate of 3,015 CPA patients in all. Asthma is common in Egypt, affecting 9.4% of adults, 5.35 million, and so ABPA and SAFS were estimated in around 162/100,000 and 214/100,000 respectively. Invasive aspergillosis is estimated to affect 495 patients following leukaemia therapy, there are an estimated 37 cases in renal and liver transplant recipients, and an estimated 132 patients develop IA in the context of lung cancer. Amongst 641,000 COPD admissions to hospital each year, 8,337 patients develop IA. The total HIV-infected population is small, with an estimated 6,500 patients, 2,500 not on antiretroviral therapy. Amongst HIV-infected patients, 38 (0.6%) cases of cryptococcal meningitis and 125 (1.9%) cases of Pneumocystis pneumonia are estimated each year. Fungal keratitis is common, with 28-55% (mean 40%) of corneal infections being fungal, an estimated total of 11,550 cases. The present study indicates that 2% of the Egyptian population is affected by fungal infections. The estimates are certainly incomplete, and need further epidemiological and diagnostic studies.

Heterodimerization at the dye sensitized TiO2 surface: an efficient strategy toward quick removal of water contaminants.

Sensitization of wide bandgap semiconductors with heterodimers for better solar light sensitivity has attracted widespread attention in the recent times. However, application of heterodimerization for removing soluble water pollutants from waste water is sparse in the literature. In the present study, we have utilized heterodimerization of a model pollutant methylene blue (MB) with a ruthenium based dye N719 for the removal of the pollutant. We have synthesized N719 functionalized carbonate doped TiO2 microspheres (doped MS) which act as a novel material for the detoxification of MB containing water by adsorbing at the surface and eventually killing by photoinduced reduction under visible light irradiation. The mechanism of surface adsorption and photoreduction of MB are explored using steady state and time resolved spectroscopy studies. We have fabricated two types of prototype devices (flow device and active filter) using the functionalized doped MS. Both the devices show excellent dye removal activity and recyclability. The present study would find relevance in the removal of soluble pollutants from waste water.

Transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection through solid organ transplantation: confirmation via whole genome sequencing.

We describe two cases of donor-derived methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia that developed after transplantation of organs from a common donor who died from acute MRSA endocarditis. Both recipients developed recurrent MRSA infection despite appropriate antibiotic therapy, and required prolonged hospitalization and hospital readmission. Comparison of S. aureus whole genome sequence of DNA extracted from fixed donor tissue and recipients' isolates confirmed donor-derived transmission. Current guidelines emphasize the risk posed by donors with bacteremia from multidrug-resistant organisms. This investigation suggests that, particularly in the setting of donor endocarditis, even a standard course of prophylactic antibiotics may not be sufficient to prevent donor-derived infection.

Risk for transmission of Naegleria fowleri from solid organ transplantation.

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by the free-living ameba (FLA) Naegleria fowleri is a rare but rapidly fatal disease of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting predominantly young, previously healthy persons. No effective chemotherapeutic prophylaxis or treatment has been identified. Recently, three transplant-associated clusters of encephalitis caused by another FLA, Balamuthia mandrillaris, have occurred, prompting questions regarding the suitability of extra-CNS solid organ transplantation from donors with PAM. During 1995-2012, 21 transplant recipients of solid organs donated by five patients with fatal cases of PAM were reported in the United States. None of the recipients developed PAM, and several recipients tested negative for N. fowleri by serology. However, historical PAM case reports and animal experiments with N. fowleri, combined with new postmortem findings from four patients with PAM, suggest that extra-CNS dissemination of N. fowleri can occur and might pose a risk for disease transmission via transplantation. The risks of transplantation with an organ possibly harboring N. fowleri should be carefully weighed for each individual recipient against the potentially greater risk of delaying transplantation while waiting for another suitable organ. In this article, we present a case series and review existing data to inform such risk assessments.

Vaccine-associated varicella and rubella infections in severe combined immunodeficiency with isolated CD4 lymphocytopenia and mutations in IL7R detected by tandem whole exome sequencing and chromosomal microarray.

In areas without newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), disease-defining infections may lead to diagnosis, and in some cases, may not be identified prior to the first year of life. We describe a female infant who presented with disseminated vaccine-acquired varicella (VZV) and vaccine-acquired rubella infections at 13 months of age. Immunological evaluations demonstrated neutropenia, isolated CD4 lymphocytopenia, the presence of CD8(+) T cells, poor lymphocyte proliferation, hypergammaglobulinaemia and poor specific antibody production to VZV infection and routine immunizations. A combination of whole exome sequencing and custom-designed chromosomal microarray with exon coverage of primary immunodeficiency genes detected compound heterozygous mutations (one single nucleotide variant and one intragenic copy number variant involving one exon) within the IL7R gene. Mosaicism for wild-type allele (20-30%) was detected in pretransplant blood and buccal DNA and maternal engraftment (5-10%) demonstrated in pretransplant blood DNA. This may be responsible for the patient's unusual immunological phenotype compared to classical interleukin (IL)-7Rα deficiency. Disseminated VZV was controlled with anti-viral and immune-based therapy, and umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation was successful. Retrospectively performed T cell receptor excision circle (TREC) analyses completed on neonatal Guthrie cards identified absent TREC. This case emphasizes the danger of live viral vaccination in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) patients and the importance of newborn screening to identify patients prior to high-risk exposures. It also illustrates the value of aggressive pathogen identification and treatment, the influence newborn screening can have on morbidity and mortality and the significant impact of newer genomic diagnostic tools in identifying the underlying genetic aetiology for SCID patients.

Impact of metal ions in porphyrin-based applied materials for visible-light photocatalysis: key information from ultrafast electronic spectroscopy.

Protoporphyrin IX-zinc oxide (PP-ZnO) nanohybrids have been synthesized for applications in photocatalytic devices. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and steady-state infrared, absorption, and emission spectroscopies have been used to analyze the structural details and optical properties of these nanohybrids. Time-resolved fluorescence and transient absorption techniques have been applied to study the ultrafast dynamic events that are key to photocatalytic activities. The photocatalytic efficiency under visible-light irradiation in the presence of naturally abundant iron(III) and copper(II) ions has been found to be significantly retarded in the former case, but enhanced in the latter case. More importantly, femtosecond (fs) transient absorption data have clearly demonstrated that the residence of photoexcited electrons from the sensitizer PP in the centrally located iron moiety hinders ground-state bleach recovery of the sensitizer, affecting the overall photocatalytic rate of the nanohybrid. The presence of copper(II) ions, on the other hand, offers additional stability against photobleaching and eventually enhances the efficiency of photocatalysis. In addition, we have also explored the role of UV light in the efficiency of photocatalysis and have rationalized our observations from femtosecond- to picosecond-resolved studies.

Study of the human ligamentum flavum in old age: a histological and morphometric study.

BACKGROUND: Ageing is associated with many changes in the ligamentum flavum (LF): ossification, diminish of the cross-sectional area of the elastic fibres, increase of the collagen fibres and change in its mineral and matrix elements. There are limited data about the influence of the ageing process on the structure of the LF at different spinal levels. The aim of the study was to clarify the effect of the ageing process on the LF at different spinal levels. This was done through histological study and morphometric analysis using the image analyser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vertebral column specimens were obtained from 10 human cadavers preserved in a mixture of formaldehyde and carbol. Their average age ranged 60-70 years. The vertebral blocks included 4 vertebrae at cervical level (C 3, 4, 5, 6), thoracic level (T 5, 6, 7, 8) and lumbar level (L 2, 3, 4, 5). Sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, Orcein and Verhoeff stains. The morphometric measurements included the relative collagen area, relative elastic area, collagen area [%] and elastic area [%]. RESULTS: The relative elastic areas reduced in all the spinal levels. The relative collagen areas increased to become 46.1 ± 2.9 in the cervical region, 51.8 ± 1.3 in the thoracic region, and 49.7 ± 2.5 in the lumbar region. The average elastic area was highest in the cervical region, and lowest in the thoracic region. The ratio of elastic area to collagen area was 1.16:1 in the cervical region, 1.01:1 in the lumbar region and 0.93:1 in the thoracic region. The elastic fibres were regular, diffuse and organised in parallel order in the cervical and thoracic regions. Their orientations were craniocaudal with a variation of some fibres in the cervical region. Most of the elastic fibres in the lumbar region were regular and organized in parallel order. Nevertheless, rupture, fragmentation, and abnormal organization of the elastic fibres were discovered in a few specimens of the lumbar region. Increase of the vasculature and degeneration with abnormal body formations within the lumbar ligaments were observed. The LF midline gaps were present in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. In 10% of lumbar specimens, the ligaments fused in the midline with absence of the midline gaps. Ossification was discovered in the thoracic and lumbar ligaments. CONCLUSIONS: Structural differences have been observed among the LF at the different spinal levels, and all these changes were caused by the ageing process. Decrease of the relative elastic area, an increase of the relative collagen area and reduction of the elastic to collagen area ratio affected all the spinal levels of the ligaments. Many changes took place in the lumbar ligaments such as ossification, increase vasculature, degeneration with abnormal body formation, absence of the midline gaps, fragmentation and rupture of the elastic fibres.

Disorders associated with abnormal acylcarnitine profile among high risk Egyptian children.

Acylcarnitine profile (ACP) is a useful tool in the biochemical diagnosis and monitoring of many acquired and inherited metabolic disorders. In the present study, acylcarnitines (ACs) were quantified in dried blood spot samples collected from 150 high risk Egyptian newborns and children using LC/MS/MS technique. They were referred to the Biochemical Genetics department in the National Research Center. Their age ranged from 1 to 36 months. Thirty seven patients had abnormal ACP diagnostic of some inherited metabolic disorders and other acquired conditions. The study revealed 5 (13.5%) with medium chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD), 1 (2.7%) with long chain hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHADD), 1 (2.7%) with multiple acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD), 28 (75.7%) with secondary carnitine deficiency (SCD), 1 (2.7%) with glutaric aciduria type I (GA I), and 1 (2.7%) with methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) (Tab. 8, Ref. 39).