Electrodeposition of Polymer Networks as Conformal and Uniform Ultrathin Coatings.

Natural systems, synthetic materials, and devices almost always feature interphases that control the flow of mass and energy or stabilize interfaces between incompatible materials. With technologies transitioning to non-planar and 3D mesoscale architectures, novel deposition methods for realizing ultrathin coatings and interphases are required. Polymer networks are of particular interest for their tunable chemical and physical properties combined with their structural integrity. Here, the electrodeposition of polymer networks (EPoN) is introduced as a general approach to uniformly coat non-planar conductive materials. Conceptually, EPoN utilizes electrochemically activated crosslinkers as polymer end groups to confine their network formation exclusively to the material surface upon charge transfer, yielding a passivating and self-limiting growth of conformal and uniform coatings with tunable submicron thickness on conductive materials. EPoN is found to result in thin functional films of various polymer backbones and side group chemistries as demonstrated for poly(ether) and poly(acrylamide) based polymers as solid electrolyte and thermally responsive interphases, respectively.

Super-resolution microscopy unveils the nanoscale organization and self-limiting clustering of CD47 in human erythrocytes.

The transmembrane protein CD47, an innate immune checkpoint protein, plays a pivotal role in preventing healthy erythrocytes from immune clearance. Our study utilized stochastic optical-reconstruction microscopy (STORM) and single-molecule analysis to investigate the distribution of CD47 on the human erythrocyte membrane. Contrary to previous findings in mouse erythrocytes, we discovered that CD47 exists in randomly distributed monomers rather than in clusters across the human erythrocyte membrane. Using 2nd antibody-induced crosslinking, we found that CD47 aggregates into stable clusters within minutes. By comparing these STORM results with those of the fully mobile protein CD59 and the cytoskeleton-bound membrane protein glycophorin C under similar conditions, as well as devising two-color STORM co-labeling and co-clustering experiments, we further quantitatively revealed an intermediate, self-limiting clustering behavior of CD47, elucidating its fractional (∼14%) attachment to the cytoskeleton. Moreover, we report reductions in both the amount of CD47 and its clustering capability in aged erythrocytes, providing new insight into erythrocyte senescence. Together, the combination of STORM and 2nd antibody-based crosslinking unveils the unique self-limiting clustering behavior of CD47 due to its fractional cytoskeleton attachment.

Hematohidrosis: A Rare Case of Bleeding Ears.

Hematohidrosis is a rare disease and should be treated as a diagnosis of exclusion. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, though several theories have been proposed. It is often associated with psychological stress and anxiety, with the most commonly affected areas being the ears, nose, and oral mucosa. There is no specific management modality for hematohidrosis yet, as it is generally self-limiting. Enhanced monitoring and surveillance are required to avoid complications and determine the severity of the condition.

Comparative Evaluation of the Efficiency of Polymer Bur, Cera Bur, and Tungsten Carbide Bur in Dentin Caries Excavation of Mandibular Primary Molars: An In vivo Study.

Conservative caries removal has become an integral part of minimally invasive dentistry (MID). Polymer and Cera burs are two feasible MID methods. The aim of the study was to compare the efficiency of Polymer, Cera, and Tungsten carbide bur in dentin caries excavation of mandibular primary molars. 45 children in the age group of 6-8 years with dentin caries, not involving pulp in the second mandibular primary molars, were selected for the study. The three burs compared were polymer bur, Cera bur, and Tungsten Carbide bur. The excavation of carious lesion was performed with each burs using a slow-speed handpiece with 500-1000rpm. Caries removal efficiency was evaluated using the Visual-Tactile method and confirmed Dye detection method. The time taken to complete the caries removal was measured using a stopwatch. The patient's pain perception was assessed using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale. The intergroup comparisons based on time, dye, and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS) were arrived at using Mann-Whitney and Fisher Exact tests at P < 0.0001. A statistical significance between the three groups on the time taken for caries removal at P < 0.0001. No statistical significance was observed between the three groups for caries removal efficiency and pain perception using the dye and WBFPRS scores at P > 0.001. Cera burs had shown high caries removal efficiency, which had taken less time in the excavation, with reduced pain perception followed by Tungsten Carbide bur and the polymer bur in mandibular primary molars.

Sonographic features of sternal pseudotumour in children.

Introduction: Sternal pseudotumour is an important but rare entity thought to be an inflammatory, non-neoplastic lesion that can mimic tumours. The purpose of this paper was to illustrate the imaging features of this lesion to avoid unnecessary investigations. Methods: The clinical notes and imaging features of four patients with a diagnosis of sternal pseudotumour were reviewed over a period from February 2016 to July 2019. Results: All patients were afebrile with no history of trauma. The median age at presentation was 12.5 months. The median length of symptoms prior to presentation was 3.5 days. One patient had a mildly elevated C-reactive protein. Chest radiographs showed a pre-sternal soft-tissue mass, with or without osseous destruction of the subjacent sternum. Ultrasound showed a heterogeneous, hypoechoic pre-sternal soft-tissue mass with variable internal vascularity with extension between sternal ossification centres. CT and MRI showed an enhancing dumbbell-shaped lesion with a pre-sternal and retro-sternal soft-tissue component. The median time to complete resolution was 3 months. One patient had a biopsy that showed chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Discussion: These lesions present in young children typically with a 1- to 2-week history of a focal 2- to 4-cm swelling over the sternum. The aetiology is unknown but may be on the basis of a yet-to-be identified pathogen. Inflammatory markers and cultures are normal or mildly elevated. Important differential considerations include sternal osteomyelitis or neoplastic causes such as Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Langerhans cell histiocytosis and infantile fibrosarcoma. Conclusion: Sternal pseudotumor is a rare but important entity to be aware of to avoid unnecessary invasive biopsy or further investigations. Our suggestion is that this is a 'Don't touch' lesion that requires close short-interval follow-up at a surgical outpatient clinic and with ultrasound until resolution.

HOXA-AS2 Epigenetically Inhibits HBV Transcription by Recruiting the MTA1-HDAC1/2 Deacetylase Complex to cccDNA Minichromosome.

Persistent transcription of HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is critical for chronic HBV infection. Silencing cccDNA transcription through epigenetic mechanisms offers an effective strategy to control HBV. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), as important epigenetic regulators, have an unclear role in cccDNA transcription regulation. In this study, lncRNA sequencing (lncRNA seq) is conducted on five pairs of HBV-positive and HBV-negative liver tissue. Through analysis, HOXA-AS2 (HOXA cluster antisense RNA 2) is identified as a significantly upregulated lncRNA in HBV-infected livers. Further experiments demonstrate that HBV DNA polymerase (DNA pol) induces HOXA-AS2 after establishing persistent high-level HBV replication. Functional studies reveal that HOXA-AS2 physically binds to cccDNA and significantly inhibits its transcription. Mechanistically, HOXA-AS2 recruits the MTA1-HDAC1/2 deacetylase complex to cccDNA minichromosome by physically interacting with metastasis associated 1 (MTA1) subunit, resulting in reduced acetylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9ac) and lysine 27 (H3K27ac) associated with cccDNA and subsequently suppressing cccDNA transcription. Altogether, the study reveals a mechanism to self-limit HBV replication, wherein the upregulation of lncRNA HOXA-AS2, induced by HBV DNA pol, can epigenetically suppress cccDNA transcription.

Emergence of lingual dystonia and strabismus in early-onset SCN8A self-limiting familial infantile epilepsy.

Pathogenic variants in SCN8A are associated with a broad phenotypic spectrum, including Self-Limiting Familial Infantile Epilepsy (SeLFIE), characterized by infancy-onset age-related seizures with normal development and cognition. Movement disorders, particularly paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia typically arising after puberty, may represent another core symptom. We present the case of a 1-year-old girl with a familial disposition to self-limiting focal seizures from the maternal side and early-onset orofacial movement disorders associated with SCN8A-SeLFIE. Brain MRI was normal. Genetic testing revealed a maternally inherited SCN8A variant [c.4447G > A; p.(Glu1483Lys)]. After the introduction of valproic acid, she promptly achieved seizure control as well as complete remission of strabismus and a significant decrease in episodes of tongue deviation. Family history, genetic findings, and epilepsy phenotype are consistent with SCN8A-SeLFIE. Movement disorders are an important part of the SCN8A phenotypic spectrum, and this case highlights the novel early-onset orofacial movement disorders associated with this condition. The episodes of tongue deviation and protrusion suggest focal oromandibular (lingual) dystonia. Additionally, while infantile strabismus or esophoria is a common finding in healthy individuals, our case raises the possibility of an ictal origin of the strabismus. This study underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing movement disorders in SCN8A-SeLFIE patients, particularly the rare early-onset orofacial manifestations. It adds to the growing body of knowledge regarding the diverse clinical presentations of SCN8A-associated disorders and suggests potential avenues for clinical management and further research.

Proton-Assisted Assembly of Colloidal Nanoparticles into Wafer-Scale Monolayers in Seconds.

Underwater adhesion processes in nature promise controllable assembly of functional nanoparticles for industrial mass production; However, their artificial strategies have faced challenges to uniformly transfer nanoparticles into a monolayer, particularly those below 100 nm in size, over large areas. Here a scalable "one-shot" self-limiting nanoparticle transfer technique is presented, enabling the efficient transport of nanoparticles from water in microscopic volumes to an entire 2-inch wafer in a remarkably short time of 10 seconds to reach near-maximal surface coverage (≈40%) in a 2D mono-layered fashion. Employing proton engineering in electrostatic assembly accelerates the diffusion of nanoparticles (over 50 µm2/s), resulting in a hundredfold faster coating speed than the previously reported results in the literature. This charge-sensitive process further enables "pick-and-place" nanoparticle patterning at the wafer scale, with large flexibility in surface materials, including flexible metal oxides and 3D-printed polymers. As a result, the fabrication of wafer-scale disordered plasmonic metasurfaces in seconds is successfully demonstrated. These metasurfaces exhibit consistent resonating colors across diverse material and geometrical platforms, showcasing their potential for applications in full-color painting and optical encryption devices.

Radiological and Imaging Evidence in the Diagnosis and Management of Microbial Infections: An Update.

Microbial infections are extremely prevalent throughout the world. Bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses generally cause them. Most microbial infections spread from humans to humans and from animals to humans. A vast majority of microbial infections are self-limiting. However, some microbial infections result in severe morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of microbial infections generally depends on the direct demonstration of microbes in human clinical specimens through microscopy followed by culture. Some microbes are uncultivable, and among those that are cultivable, some take a very long time to grow in the laboratory. This causes delays in the diagnosis that may result in poor patient outcomes. Serological and molecular methods like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively, have been extensively used to diagnose infectious diseases. However, these require costly infrastructure and adequate personnel training. In this context, alternative, more efficient, and rapid detection methods for the diagnosis of microbial infections are warranted. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the role played by radiological investigations in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases.

Osteitis Condensans Ilii: A Case Report.

Hyperostosis triangularis ilii, also called osteitis condensans ilii (OCI), is a rare condition, mostly occurring in females, and the etiology is unknown. This disease is a sclerotic disorder associated with iliac fibrosis, a noninflammatory and self-limiting disorder. This condition primarily affects the iliac part of the sacroiliac joints and sometimes the adjoining bones, such as the sacrum, lumbar vertebrae, and iliac bones. It is an incidental finding in many individuals but rarely associated with lower back pain due to sacroiliac joint involvement. It is mainly treated with physical therapy and medications. OCI should be considered a cause of chronic back pain in females not having ankylosing spondylitis or inflammatory arthritis. Herein, a case of osteitis condensans ilii in a 47-year-old female, presenting with the chief complaints of intermittent lower back pain in the midline and on both sacroiliac regions, without any evidence of ankylosing spondylosis and the X-ray of the pelvis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing features of OCI, is being reported. The case was managed with medications and exercise, and the patient is under regular follow-up.

Focal Active Colitis: What Are Its Clinical Implications? A Narrative Review.

Focal active colitis (FAC) is described as a histolopathological term indicating the isolated finding of focal neutrophil infiltration in the colonic crypts. Currently, there exist numerous debates regarding the clinical significance of diagnosing FAC, which may or may not have clinical relevance as it is frequently detected in colorectal biopsies without any other microscopic abnormalities. The objective of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the available evidence concerning the clinical implications of FAC, both in the adult population (among five studies available in the scientific literature) and in the pediatric context (based on two available studies).

Follicular conjunctivitis in dogs: A retrospective study (2007-2022).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence, clinical features, treatment, and outcome of canine follicular conjunctivitis (CFC). PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs diagnosed with CFC were reviewed. Data recorded included signalment, duration of clinical signs and treatment details prior to presentation, concurrent ocular/systemic diseases, ocular clinical signs, cytology, treatment, follow-up, and outcome. Blepharospasm, signs of self-trauma, hyperemia, chemosis, ocular discharge, and follicle location and severity (0.5-4) were retrospectively evaluated. Based on severity, treatment consisted of topical 0.1% diclofenac or 0.1% dexamethasone sodium eyedrops. Dogs were classified into young (YD < 18 months) and adult (AD ≥ 18 months). RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-three dogs (276 eyes) were included in the study: 83YD (54%) and 70AD (46%). Males and bilateral disease were over-represented in both groups. Severity was associated with young age (p = .032) and bilaterality (p = .025), and not with dermatological diseases (p > .05). No differences in follicular location were observed except for more frequent involvement of the nictitating membrane (MN) in YD (p = .02). Response to treatment was faster in AD (p = .001), with complete resolution in 80.6% of the eyes (100/124) at 1 month. YD treated with diclofenac showed faster resolution than those treated with 0.1% dexamethasone (p = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Although CFC is a bilateral ocular disease occurring at any age, the clinical presentation is influenced by age. Follicular conjunctivitis in adult dogs is less sever, less commonly affects the NM, and responds more quickly to topical treatment. One month of topical diclofenac may be adequate for mild cases, and 1 month of topical 0.1% dexamethasone is recommended as initial therapy for moderate to severely affected cases.

Atypical Presentation of Necrotizing Sialometaplasia of the Hard Palate: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Necrotizing sialometaplasia refers to a benign, uncommon, and self-limiting inflammatory reaction concerning the salivary gland tissue, which both clinically and histologically may be easily mistaken for mucoepidermoid carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. This may cause irrelevant surgical intervention. Minor salivary glands are the most commonly affected salivary gland, with the hard palate being the most usual site. However, it can involve the other areas in which salivary gland tissue is present in the other oral subsites and pharyngeal areas. Due to the lack of knowledge about this entity and its histological similarities with carcinomas, particularly mucoepidermoid carcinoma, the differential diagnosis of this lesion is difficult. Local ischemia is thought to be the primary cause, leading to the pathogenesis of necrotizing sialometaplasia, and the infiltration of local anesthesia following dental procedures at the palatal region is the leading cause.

A prospective 5-year longitudinal study detects neurocognitive and imaging correlates of seizure remission in self-limiting Rolandic epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Self-limiting Rolandic epilepsy (RE) is the most common epilepsy in school-age children. Seizures are generally infrequent, but cognitive, language, and motor coordination problems can significantly impact the child's life. To better understand brain structure and function changes in RE, we longitudinally assessed neurocognition, cortical thickness, and subcortical volumes. METHODS: At baseline, we recruited 30 participants diagnosed with RE and 24-healthy controls and followed up for 4.94 ± 0.8 years when the participants with RE were in seizure remission. Measures included were as follows: T1-weighted magnetic resonance brain imaging (MRI) with FreeSurfer analysis and detailed neuropsychological assessments. MRI and neuropsychological data were compared between baseline and follow-up in seizure remission. RESULTS: Longitudinal MRI revealed excess cortical thinning in the left-orbitofrontal (p = 0.0001) and pre-central gyrus (p = 0.044). There is a significant association (p = 0.003) between a reduction in cortical thickness in the left-orbitofrontal cluster and improved processing of filtered words. Longitudinal neuropsychology revealed significant improvements in the symptoms of developmental coordination disorder (DCD, p = 0.005) in seizure remission. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence for altered development of neocortical regions between active seizure state and seizure remission in RE within two clusters maximal in the left-orbitofrontal and pre-central gyrus. There is significant evidence for improvement in motor coordination between active seizures and seizure remission and suggestive evidence for a decline in fluid intelligence and gains in auditory processing.

A Rare Case of Parotid Nodular Fasciitis in a Six-Month-Old Female.

Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a rare benign self-limiting lesion that is often mistaken for malignancy due to its progressive nature. Reported cases of nodular fasciitis in the parotid gland are uncommon, and its incidence is variable among different age groups. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies are helpful in distinguishing these kinds of lesions. We report a case of a six-month-old baby with a two-month history of progressive rapid-growing mass in the left parotid region. Clinical examination showed some mild facial nerve weakness with no other significant findings locally or systemically. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was inconclusive, and surgical excision was the choice of treatment. On histological examination, the mass was confirmed to be nodular fasciitis, and on follow-up, the patient had no signs of recurrence. Nodular fasciitis can appear in young infants and, if confirmed histopathologically and immunohistochemically, should be treated conservatively.

Calvarial hyperostosis syndrome in a Dalmatian dog.

Key Clinical Message: Calvarial hyperostosis syndrome is an uncommon and self-limiting disease affecting juvenile dogs. Only symptomatic treatment has been described, and diagnosis is based on clinical findings, imaging, and disease progression. Abstract: This is the first reported case of calvarial hyperostosis syndrome in a Dalmatian dog. It is an uncommon osteoproliferative disease with diagnosis frequently based on clinical signs, imaging findings, and disease progression, with only symptomatic treatment described. Case describes a 5-month-old Dalmatian dog presented with a facial mass and difficulty eating. After imaging, mass was observed to be osteoproliferative, nonaggressive, and without affection of the temporomandibular joints and mandibles. Histology revealed an osseous-cartilaginous and proliferative lesion, together with scant amount of neutrophiles. Clinical improvement was observed after symptomatic treatment, and moderate lesion regression was observed in a CT reevaluation 6 months later.

Self-Limiting Growth of Monolayer Tungsten Disulfide Nanoribbons on Tungsten Oxide Nanowires.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are promising two-dimensional (2D) materials for next-generation optoelectronic devices; they can also provide opportunities for further advances in physics. Structuring 2D TMDC sheets as nanoribbons has tremendous potential for electronic state modification. However, a bottom-up synthesis of long TMDC nanoribbons with high monolayer selectivity on a large scale has not yet been reported yet. In this study, we successfully synthesized long WxOy nanowires and grew monolayer WS2 nanoribbons on their surface. The supply of source atoms from a vapor-solid bilayer and chemical reaction at the atomic-scale interface promoted a self-limiting growth process. The developed method exhibited a high monolayer selection yield on a large scale and enabled the growth of long (∼100 µm) WS2 nanoribbons with electronic properties characterized by optical spectroscopy and electrical transport measurements. The produced nanoribbons were isolated from WxOy nanowires by mechanical exfoliation and used as channels for field-effect transistors. The findings of this study can be used in future optoelectronic device applications and advanced physics research.

The epifascial cap: A typical imaging sign for subcutaneous granuloma annulare in children.

Objectives: Subcutaneous granuloma annulare (SGA) is a rare, self-limiting granulomatous disease in children, commonly diagnosed by histopathology following biopsy or surgical excision. This study aimed to identify imaging clues for SGA that could expedite accurate diagnosis and avoid the need for biopsy in children. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed complete hospital records of all children diagnosed with SGA at our institution from January 2001 to December 2020. Detailed disease history, imaging findings, management, and outcome were evaluated. Results: We identified 28 patients (20 girls) at a median age of 3.75 (range 1-12.5 years). Ten patients presented with multiple lesions. Most lesions were located on the lower extremities (n = 26/41). Ultrasound examinations were performed on all patients, and 12 (43%) patients also received an MRI. Surgical intervention was conducted in 18 (64%) patients either by incisional biopsy (n = 6) or total excision of the lump (n = 12). In all patients who did not undergo surgery, SGA resolved spontaneously. A careful review of the MRIs led to the discovery of a characteristic imaging shape of SGA lesions: the epifascial cap with a typical broad circular base laying on the fascia, extending towards the subdermal/dermal tissue. This distinctive shape was evident in every patient in our cohort. Conclusions: The "Epifascial Cap Sign" is a specific imaging sign for SGA, which to the best of our knowledge, helps distinguish this disease from other subcutaneous lesions. Recognition of this novel diagnostic sign combined with the historical and physical findings should enable clinicians to establish SGA diagnosis easily and diminish the need for further invasive diagnostic procedures.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Inflammation, Immunonutrition, and Pathogenesis of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has claimed millions of lives worldwide in the past two years. Fatalities among the elderly with underlying cardiovascular disease, lung disease, and diabetes have particularly been high. A bibliometrics analysis on author's keywords was carried out, and searched for possible links between various coronavirus studies over the past 50 years, and integrated them. We found keywords like immune system, immunity, nutrition, malnutrition, micronutrients, exercise, inflammation, and hyperinflammation were highly related to each other. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that the human immune system is a multilevel super complex system, which employs multiple strategies to contain microorganism infections and restore homeostasis. It was also found that the behavior of the immune system is not able to be described by a single immunological theory. However, one main strategy is "self-destroy and rebuild", which consists of a series of inflammatory responses: 1) active self-destruction of damaged/dysfunctional somatic cells; 2) removal of debris and cells; 3) rebuilding tissues. Thus, invading microorganisms' clearance could be only a passive bystander response to this destroy-rebuild process. Microbial infections could be self-limiting and promoted as an indispensable essential nutrition for the vast number of genes existing in the microorganisms. The transient nutrition surge resulting from the degradation of the self-destroyed cell debris coupled with the existing nutrition state in the patient may play an important role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Finally, a few possible coping strategies to mitigate COVID-19, including vaccination, are discussed.

Monkeypox: Treatment, Vaccination, and Prevention.

In regions where the disease is endemic, Monkeypox (MPV) transmission related to healthcare has been seen on numerous occasions. This disease has episodes of occurrence in certain regions around the globe, such as in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) Tshuapa region. Here, the disease was found with a prevalence of 0.35 per 1000, as per data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States (US). Data also shows approximately 100 confirmed cases of MPV for every infection among Healthcare Workers (HCWs). These findings and scientific research on burns, superficial wounds, herpes, eczema vaccine, and other conditions indicate that MPV sufferers might get an advantage from medical care to lessen the effects of weakened skin and mucosa. This should involve guarding delicate anatomical areas like the eyes and genitalia, maintaining enough hydration and nourishment, and preventing and treating consequences like secondary bacterial diseases. In the DRC, this disease was first recognized in 1970. Since then, it has spread to numerous nations around the globe and gained substantial epidemiological significance. The most recent epidemic has taken place in 2022 worldwide. The viruses that cause MPV and cowpox are currently regarded as emerging. Because of the rise in international travel, the popularity of exotic pets, and the decline in smallpox vaccination rates, they pose a significant danger of spreading. Although it is believed that this viral illness will eventually go away on its own, the possibility of the pandemic raises several serious problems for the general public's health. In addition to providing a broad overview of the Monkeypox Virus (MPXV), this study will detail the epidemiology, clinical hallmarks, assessment, and treatment of MPV sufferers.