Chromone-Based Cd(II) Fluorescent Coordination Polymer Fabricated to Study Optoelectronic and Explosive Sensing Properties.

Here, electrical conductivity and explosive sensing properties of multifunctional chromone-Cd(II)-based coordination polymers (CPs) (1-4) have been explored. The presence of different pseudohalide linkers, thiocyanate ions, and dicyanamide ions resulted in 1D and 3D architecture in the CPs. Thin film devices developed from CPs 1-4 (complex-based Schottky devices, CSD1, CSD2, CSD3, and CSD4, respectively) showed semiconductor behavior. Their conductivity values increased under photo illumination (1.37 × 10-5, 1.85 × 10-5, 1.61 × 10-5, and 2.01 × 10-5 S m-1 under dark conditions and 5.06 × 10-5, 8.78 × 10-5, 7.26 × 10-5, and 10.21 × 10-5 S m-1 under light). The nature of the I-V plots of these thin film devices under light irradiation and dark are nonlinear rectifying, which has been observed in Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs). All four CPs (1-4) exhibited highly selective fluorescence quenching-based sensing properties toward well-known explosives, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP). The limit of detection (LOD) values are 55, 28, 27, and 31 µM for TNP and 78, 44, 32, and 41 µM for DNP for complexes 1-4, respectively. A structure property correlation has been established to explain optoelectronic and explosive sensing properties.

Suberic Acid-Based Supramolecular Metallogels of Ni(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) for Anti-Pathogenic Activity and Semiconducting Diode Fabrication.

The importance of three synthesized metallogels of suberic acid distinctly with nickel, zinc, and cadmium acetate salts has been uncovered. For the creation of these soft materials, N,N'-dimethyl formamide was utilized as a source of the trapped solvent. The synthesized metallogels display intriguing viscoelasticity, and the interpretation of experimental parameters obtained from rheological results advocates the gel behavior. Microstructural analysis combined with energy-dispersive X-ray confirms the occurrence of individual gel-developing constituents as observed in different hierarchical microstructural patterns. Significant variations in microstructural arrangements with diverse extent of supramolecular non-covalent patterns inside gel networks were perceived through field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analyses. Fourier transform infrared and electrospray ionization-mass spectral analyses and powder X-ray diffraction analysis of metallogel samples of different gel-establishing ingredients help to investigate the possible supramolecular interactions dictating the metallogel scaffolds. Thermogravimetric analysis of xerogel samples was collected from the synthesized metallogels to understand the thermal stability. These gel materials were characterized by their potential antibacterial efficiency. The potency of metallogels against selective Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was visualized via a spectrophotometer. Human pathogens like Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC 109), Salmonella typhi (MTCC 733), Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Bacillus cereus (MTCC 1272), Lactobacillus fermentum (NCDO 955), and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96) are employed in this study. Apart from the biological significance, our metallogels demonstrate as incredible diode performance of fabricated semiconducting systems, which exhibit a considerable amount of non-linearity demonstrating a non-ohmic conduction mechanism at room temperature in dark conditions. Device fabrication was achieved from these metallogels employing the sandwich model with indium tin oxide-coated glass substrates/metallogel/Al structure.

In Situ Oxidation of Pyridyl-Dihydrobenzoimidazoquinazoline and the Synthesis of a Highly Luminescent Cd(II) Coordination Polymer: A Promising Candidate for Mutagenic Nitroaromatic Detection and Device Fabrication.

Pyridyl-substituted imidazoquinoline, a potent fluorescent framework, is advantageous to architect multifunctional coordination networks for sensing and fabricating emergent electrical conductors. In this work, a Cd(II)-based one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer (1D CP), [Cd(glu)2(pbiq)2(H2O)]n (1), [H2glu = glutaric acid and pbiq = 4-(6-(pyridin-4-yl)benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline)], has been structurally confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The H-bonding and π···π interactions built a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure that strongly emits at 416 nm in acetonitrile suspension. Potentially intrusive nitroaromatics (NAs) and trinitrophenol (TNP) selectively quench the strong emission of 1, and the highest quenching is noted in the case of TNP. A detection limit (limit of detection (LOD)) of 1.51 × 10-7 M for TNP is determined. The band gap (3.31 eV) of 1 recognizes semiconducting behavior, and an electronic device is fabricated. The correlation of current vs voltage (I-V plot) reveals a substantial non-ohmic electrical conductivity of 1 (Λ: 1.10 × 10-5 S m-1) along with a low energy barrier (ΦB: 0.69), and the series resistance (Rs) becomes 6.21 kΩ.

Dr. GAI: Significance of Generative AI in Plastic Surgery.

In this letter to the editor, I offer a critique of the article titled "Consulting the Digital Doctor: Google Versus ChatGPT as Sources of Information on Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma and Breast Implant Illness." While acknowledging the authors' pioneering effort to compare informational outputs from Google and a generative AI (GAI)-ChatGPT, I raise concerns about the methodology, lack of rigorous validation, potential biases, and the overstatement of findings. The letter suggests that the authors' conclusions about the superiority of ChatGPT in providing high-quality medical information may be premature, given the limitations of the study design and the evolving nature of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.No Level Assigned This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Metagenomic tracking of antibiotic resistance genes through a pre-harvest vegetable production system: an integrated lab-, microcosm- and greenhouse-scale analysis.

Prior research demonstrated the potential for agricultural production systems to contribute to the environmental spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, there is a need for integrated assessment of critical management points for minimizing this potential. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing data were analysed to comprehensively compare total ARG profiles characteristic of amendments (manure or compost) derived from either beef or dairy cattle (with and without dosing antibiotics according to conventional practice), soil (loamy sand or silty clay loam) and vegetable (lettuce or radish) samples collected across studies carried out at laboratory-, microcosm- and greenhouse-scale. Vegetables carried the greatest diversity of ARGs (n = 838) as well as the most ARG-mobile genetic element co-occurrences (n = 945). Radishes grown in manure- or compost-amended soils harboured a higher relative abundance of total (0.91 and 0.91 ARGs/16S rRNA gene) and clinically relevant ARGs than vegetables from other experimental conditions (average: 0.36 ARGs/16S rRNA gene). Lettuce carried the highest relative abundance of pathogen gene markers among the metagenomes examined. Total ARG relative abundances were highest on vegetables grown in loamy sand receiving antibiotic-treated beef amendments. The findings emphasize that additional barriers, such as post-harvest processes, merit further study to minimize potential exposure to consumers.

Miniaturised broth microdilution for simplified antibiotic susceptibility testing of Gram negative clinical isolates using microcapillary devices.

Antibiotic resistance is a major global challenge. Although microfluidic antibiotic susceptibility tests (AST) offer great potential for rapid and portable testing to inform correct antibiotic selection, the impact of miniaturisation on broth microdilution (BMD) is not fully understood. We developed a 10-plex microcapillary based broth microdilution using resazurin as a colorimetric indicator for bacterial growth. Each capillary had a 1 microlitre capillary volume, 100 times smaller than microplate broth microdilution. The microcapillary BMD was compared to an in-house standard microplate AST and commercial Vitek 2 system. When tested with 25 uropathogenic isolates (20 Escherichia coli and 5 Klebsiella pneumoniae) and 2 reference E. coli, these devices gave 96.1% (441/459 isolate/antibiotic combinations) categorical agreement, across 17 therapeutically beneficial antibiotics, compared to in-house microplate BMD with resazurin. A further 99 (50 E. coli and 49 K. pneumoniae) clinical isolates were tested against 10 antibiotics and showed 92.3% categorical agreement (914/990 isolate/antibiotic combinations) compared to the Vitek 2 measurements. These microcapillary tests showed excellent analytical agreement with existing AST methods. Furthermore, the small size and simple colour change can be recorded using a smartphone camera or it is feasible to follow growth kinetics using very simple, low-cost readers. The test strips used here are produced in large batches, allowing hundreds of multiplex tests to be made and tested rapidly. Demonstrating performance of miniaturised broth microdilution with clinical isolates paves the way for wider use of microfluidic AST.

Cu(II)-Based Molecular Hexagons Forming Honeycomb-like Networks Exhibit High Electrical Conductivity.

Four new Cu(II)-based hexagonal complexes with the metallomacrocycle formulae [Cu6(5-nip)6(3-py)6(H2O)12] (1), [Cu6(5-nip)6(3-Clpy)6(H2O)12] (2), [Cu6(5-nip)6(3-Brpy)6(H2O)12] (3), and [Cu6(5-nip)6(3-Ipy)6(H2O)12] (4) have been synthesized using 5-nitroisophthalic acid (H25-nip) and pyridine (py)/3-halopyridine (3-Xpy; X = Cl, Br, and I) ligands. The structural features and supramolecular interactions of compounds 1-4 have been investigated using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) technique. Interestingly, the hexagonal complexes undergo hydrogen bonding and π···π stacking interactions to form fascinating two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb-like structures. The synthesized complexes exhibit high electrical conductivity, arising from charge transport through space via π···π contacts. However, complexes containing 3-Brpy (3) and 3-Ipy (4) exhibit photosensitivity due to the presence of halogens with a larger size and lower ionization energy. The conductivity results are also in accordance with the theoretical prediction calculated by density functional theory (DFT) study.

Macromineral and trace element concentrations in milk from Finnish Ayrshire cows fed microalgae (Spirulina platensis) and rapeseed (Brassica napus).

Given the lack of research regarding the effect of microalgal supplementation in dairy cows on milk mineral concentrations, this study investigated the effect of feeding different protein supplements in dairy cow diets on milk, feces, and blood plasma mineral concentrations, associated milk and blood plasma transfer efficiencies, and apparent digestibility. Lactating Finnish Ayrshire cows (n = 8) were allocated at the start of the trial to 4 diets used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment: (1) control diet (CON), (2) a pelleted rapeseed supplement (RSS; 2,550 g/d), (3) a mixture of rapeseed and Spirulina platensis (RSAL; 1,280 g of RSS + 570 g of S. platensis per day), and (4) S. platensis (ALG; 1,130 g of S. platensis per day). In each of the 4 experimental periods, a 2-wk adaptation to the experimental diets was followed by a 7-d sampling and measurement period. Feed samples were composited per measurement period, milk, and feed samples (4 consecutive days; d 17-20), and blood plasma samples (d 21) were composited for each cow period (n = 32). Data were statistically analyzed using a linear mixed effects model with diet, period within square, square and their interaction as fixed factors, and cow within square as a random factor. Cows fed ALG were not significantly different in their milk or blood plasma mineral concentrations compared with CON, although feeding ALG increased fecal concentrations of macrominerals (Ca and Mg) and trace elements (Co, Cu, Fe, I, Mn, and Zn), and reduced their apparent digestibility, compared with CON. When compared with CON and ALG, milk from cows fed RSAL and RSS had lower milk I concentrations (-69.6 and -102.7 µg/kg of milk, respectively), but total plasma I concentrations were not affected significantly. Feeding S. platensis to dairy cows did not affect mineral concentrations in cows' blood or milk, but care should be taken when rapeseed is fed to avoid reducing milk I concentrations which may in turn reduce consumers' I intake from milk and dairy products.

Human Cyclophilin B Nuclease Activity Revealed via Nucleic Acid-Based Electrochemical Sensors.

Human cyclophilin B (CypB) is oversecreted by pancreatic cancer cells, making it a potential biomarker for early-stage disease diagnosis. Our group is motivated to develop aptamer-based assays to measure CypB levels in biofluids. However, human cyclophilins have been postulated to have collateral nuclease activity, which could impede the use of aptamers for CypB detection. To establish if CypB can hydrolyze electrode-bound nucleic acids, we used ultrasensitive electrochemical sensors to measure CypB's hydrolytic activity. Our sensors use ssDNA and dsDNA in the biologically predominant d-DNA form, and in the nuclease resistant l-DNA form. Challenging such sensors with CypB and control proteins, we unequivocally demonstrate that CypB can cleave nucleic acids. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use electrochemical biosensors to reveal the hydrolytic activity of a protein that is not known to be a nuclease. Future development of CypB bioassays will require the use of nuclease-resistant aptamer sequences.

Superior breast cancer metastasis risk stratification using an epithelial-mesenchymal-amoeboid transition gene signature.

BACKGROUND: Cancer cells are known to display varying degrees of metastatic propensity, but the molecular basis underlying such heterogeneity remains unclear. Our aims in this study were to (i) elucidate prognostic subtypes in primary tumors based on an epithelial-to-mesenchymal-to-amoeboid transition (EMAT) continuum that captures the heterogeneity of metastatic propensity and (ii) to more comprehensively define biologically informed subtypes predictive of breast cancer metastasis and survival in lymph node-negative (LNN) patients. METHODS: We constructed a novel metastasis biology-based gene signature (EMAT) derived exclusively from cancer cells induced to undergo either epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) or mesenchymal-to-amoeboid transition (MAT) to gauge their metastatic potential. Genome-wide gene expression data obtained from 913 primary tumors of lymph node-negative breast cancer (LNNBC) patients were analyzed. EMAT gene signature-based prognostic stratification of patients was performed to identify biologically relevant subtypes associated with distinct metastatic propensity. RESULTS: Delineated EMAT subtypes display a biologic range from less stem-like to more stem-like cell states and from less invasive to more invasive modes of cancer progression. Consideration of EMAT subtypes in combination with standard clinical parameters significantly improved survival prediction. EMAT subtypes outperformed prognosis accuracy of receptor or PAM50-based BC intrinsic subtypes even after adjusting for treatment variables in 3 independent, LNNBC cohorts including a treatment-naïve patient cohort. CONCLUSIONS: EMAT classification is a biologically informed method that provides prognostic information beyond that which can be provided by traditional cancer staging or PAM50 molecular subtype status and may improve metastasis risk assessment in early stage, LNNBC patients, who may otherwise be perceived to be at low metastasis risk.

Biporous Cd(II) Coordination Polymer via in Situ Disulfide Bond Formation: Self-Healing and Application to Photosensitive Optoelectronic Device.

A heteroporous metal-organic framework, [Cd2(2,2'-DSB)2(INH)2(H2O)2]n (1), is fabricated by the reaction of CdI2, 2-mercaptobenzoic acid (2-MBAH), and isoniazid (INH). The X-ray structure of the compound 1 shows the bridging INH and 2,2'-disulfanediyldibenzoic acid (H22,2'-DSBA) around the Cd(II) ion center. 2-MBAH has been in situ dimerized to the formation of 2,2'-DSB2- (S-S-bonded dianion), which has further extended to form the 2D network. However, supramolecular assembly via π···π and hydrogen bonds strengthens the structural motif within the 3D array. Optical stimulation generated the thiol radical under an argon environment followed by the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study, but upon exposure to air, the EPR signal gradually disappeared by the formation of the S-S bond, which was commonly known as a self-healing property. Again, compound 1 exhibited as a semiconducting material with a band gap of 3.7 eV. The I-V characteristics of 1 show that the conductivity is intensified by an optical response. The Schottky diode property of 1 shows a lower barrier height, a lower resistance, and a higher conductivity upon illumination at 360 nm.

Multifunctional Ni(II)-Based Metamagnetic Coordination Polymers for Electronic Device Fabrication.

The combination of two 8-aminoquinoline-based Schiff base ligands (L1 and L2) with SCN- and Ni(II) has led to the synthesis of two new one-dimensional thiocyanato-bridged coordination polymers: [Ni(L1)(NCS)2]n (1) and [Ni(L2)(NCS)2]n (2). Both compounds are isostructural and consists of regular zigzag thiocyanato-bridged chains with very weak S···S interchain interactions. The measured room-temperature conductivities of compounds 1 and 2 (7.0 × 10-5 and 2.0 × 10-5 S m-1, respectively) are indicative of semiconductor behavior which increases in the presence of photoillumination (3.5 × 10-4 and 4.9 × 10-4 S m-1, respectively). The measured I-V characteristics of compound 1 and 2 based thin film metal-semiconductor (MS) junction devices under irradiation and nonirradiation conditions show a nonlinear rectifying behavior, typical of a Schottky diode (SD). The rectification ratios (Ion/Ioff) of the SDs in the dark at ±2 V (26.96 and 31.96 for 1- and 2-based devices, respectively) increase to 44.19 and 79.42, respectively, upon light irradiation. The photoinduced behavior has been analyzed by thermionic emission theory, and to determine the diode parameters, the Cheung's method has been employed. These diode parameters indicate that compound 2 has a better performance in comparison to compound 1 and that these materials are good candidates for applications in electrochemical devices. Magnetic measurements show that both compounds present ferromagnetic Ni-Ni intrachain and weak antiferromagnetic interchain interactions. The isothermal magnetizations at 2 K show that both compounds are metamagnets with critical fields of ca. 130 mT in 1 and 90 mT in 2 at 2 K. In the ferromagnetic phase (above the critical field), both compounds exhibit a long-range ferromagnetic order with critical temperatures of around 3.5 K in 1 and 3.0 K in 2. DC and AC measurements with different applied DC fields confirm the metamagnetic behaviors and have allowed the determination of the magnetic phase diagram in both compounds.

Correction: Citrate combustion synthesized Al-doped CaCu3Ti4O12 quadruple perovskite: synthesis, characterization and multifunctional properties.

Correction for 'Citrate combustion synthesized Al-doped CaCu3Ti4O12 quadruple perovskite: synthesis, characterization and multifunctional properties' by Kamalesh Pal et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2020, 22, 3499-3511, DOI: 10.1039/C9CP05005A.

Citrate combustion synthesized Al-doped CaCu3Ti4O12 quadruple perovskite: synthesis, characterization and multifunctional properties.

The facile synthesis of the Al-doped CaCu3Ti4O12 quadruple perovskite, a well-known and vastly studied material for various technological applications, using the modified citrate combustion route along with structural, microstructural, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) characterization and magnetic, dielectric and electrical properties has been investigated and reported here. The possible applications of the material as a Schottky barrier diode (SBD) in optoelectronic devices and as a catalyst in methanol steam reforming (MSR) reaction for hydrogen generation, hitherto unreported in the open literature, have also been explored. The compound is crystallized in the cubic body centered Im3[combining macron] space group and the particle size is found to be in nanodimension with rather narrow size distribution. The enhanced resistivity could be attributed to the grain boundary effect, and consequently, it exhibits better performance as a SBD compared to the undoped sample. Desired cationic composition with expected valence states within the probe range is confirmed by XPS analysis. A better catalytic activity towards MSR is noticed for the Al-doped CaCu3Ti4O12 compared to the undoped composition. These new findings, namely MSR activity and applicability in the Schottky device, have highlighted further the multifunctional nature of the material in energy related issues and would thus be of interest to the materials community searching for functional materials.

Short communication: Increasing temperature and pH can facilitate reductions of cephapirin and antibiotic resistance genes in dairy manure slurries.

Quantifying antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) in manure exposed to various temperature and pH treatments could guide the development of cost-effective manure handling methods to minimize the spread of antibiotic resistance following land application of manure. This study aimed to investigate the effect of various temperatures and initial pH shocks on the persistence of a cephalosporin antibiotic and ARG in dairy manure slurries. Feces and urine were collected from 5 healthy dairy cows administered with cephapirin (cephalosporin antibiotic) at dry-off via intramammary infusion and were mixed with sterile water to generate manure slurries. In a 28-d incubation study, dairy manure slurries either were continuously exposed to 1 of 3 temperatures (10, 35, and 55°C) or received various initial pH (5, 7, 9, and 12) shocks. Cephapirin was detected in the initial samples and on d 1 following all treatments, but it was undetectable thereafter. This indicates that cephapirin can be rapidly degraded irrespective of temperature and pH treatments. However, degradation was greater on d 1 with the mesophilic (35°C) and thermophilic (55°C) environments compared with the psychrophilic environment (10°C). Increasing pH beyond neutral also accelerated degradation as cephapirin concentrations were lower on d 1 after initial alkaline adjustments (pH 9 and 12) than after neutral and acidic adjustments (pH 7 and 5). No significant effect of temperature or initial pH was observed on abundances of a ß-lactam ARG, cfxA, and a tetracycline ARG, tet(W), implying that bacteria that encoded cfxA or tet(W) genes were not sensitive to temperature or pH in dairy manure slurries. However, abundances of a macrolide ARG, mefA, were decreased in the psychrophilic and thermophilic environments and also following exposure to a strong alkaline shock (pH 12). Our results suggest that increasing temperature or pH during storage of dairy manure slurries could be used together with other on-farm practices that are tailored to reduce the transfer of ARG from manure to the environment following land application.

Anosmia, Ageusia and COVID-19.

COVID-19 is certainly the greatest global health problem now and for the foreseeable future. Clinicians and scientists from all over the world have been producing evidence to understand the epidemiology, clinical profile and prognostic factors of COVID-19. In the last six months a large list of COVID-19 symptoms including loss of taste and smell have emerged which can be used for screening and risk stratification. Robust workup of this evidence will help to reach strong conclusions to advance clinical medicine, epidemiology, public health, immunology and evidence-based treatment options in the spectrum of disease that we now know as COVID-19.

Prolonged exposure to manure from livestock-administered antibiotics decreases ecosystem carbon-use efficiency and alters nitrogen cycling.

Microbial communities drive soil ecosystem function but are also susceptible to environmental disturbances. We investigated whether exposure to manure sourced from cattle either administered or not administered antibiotics affected microbially mediated terrestrial ecosystem function. We quantified changes in microbial community composition via amplicon sequencing, and terrestrial elemental cycling via a stable isotope pulse-chase. Exposure to manure from antibiotic-treated cattle caused: (i) changes in microbial community structure; and (ii) alterations in elemental cycling throughout the terrestrial system. This exposure caused changes in fungal : bacterial ratios, as well as changes in bacterial community structure. Additionally, exposure to manure from cattle treated with pirlimycin resulted in an approximate two-fold increase in ecosystem respiration of recently fixed-carbon, and a greater proportion of recently added nitrogen in plant and soil pools compared to the control manure. Manure from antibiotic-treated cattle therefore affects terrestrial ecosystem function via the soil microbiome, causing decreased ecosystem carbon use efficiency, and altered nitrogen cycling.

Sunlight-Induced Topochemical Photodimerization and Switching of the Conductivity of a Metal-Organic Compound.

A metal-organic compound [Cd(quin)2(4-nvp)2] [1; Hquin = quinoline-2-carboxylic acid and 4-nvp = 4-(1-naphthylvinyl)pyridine] undergoes topochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition by sunlight irradiation to generate a one-dimensional coordination polymer. This reaction is thermally reversible, and switching between two crystalline forms can be monitored by conductivity measurements.