Structure-led manifestation of photocatalytic activity in magnetically recoverable spinel CuFe2O4nanoparticles and its application in degradation of industrial effluent dyes under solar light.

An efficient removal of the photocatalysts used in the decontamination of water is crucial after its application beside its expected visible light sensitive activities. This study presents the synthesis of magnetically separable CuFe2O4nanoparticles (CFNPs) with enhanced photoactivity under AM 1.5 G sunlight. A simple two-step process involving co-precipitation and hydrothermal treatment is employed, with subsequent annealing at temperatures from 200 °C to 1000 °C to synthesize the CFNPs. The characteristic features of the highest photoactive tetragonal phase of CFNP are confirmed by powder XRD studies with Rietveld refinement. This scheme strategically controls the growth of a highly photoactive tetragonal phase with predominant (224) facets over other less active facets in cubic CuFe2O4. Mott-Schottky analysis confirms thep-type semiconducting nature of CFNPs. A favourable direct optical band gap of 1.73 eV, as well as photoluminescence emission quenching for visible photons, show that the (224) oriented CFNPs are good photocatalysts in the visible spectrum with demonstrated organic dye degradations, including methylene blue and others. A density functional theory-based approach validates that the adsorption of such dye is thermodynamically more favourable on (224) facets of CuFe2O4to facilitate the redox action by the excitons.

Flecked Calcifications in Scalp Tumors: Two Cases of Giant Ulcerated Trichilemmal Cysts.

In the article, the classical radiological findings in trichilemmal cysts of the scalp are described.

Role of nanowire length on the performance of a self-driven NIR photodetector based on mono/bi-layer graphene (camphor)/Si-nanowire Schottky junction.

In this article, we have demonstrated a solid carbon source such as camphor as a natural precursor to synthesize a large area mono/bi-layer graphene (MLG) sheet to fabricate a nanowire junction-based near infrared photodetectors (NIRPDs). In order to increase the surface-to-volume ratio, we have developed Si-nanowire arrays (SiNWAs) of varying lengths by etching planar Si. Then, the camphor-based MLG/Si and MLG/SiNWAs Schottky junction photodetectors have been fabricated to achieve an efficient response with self-driven properties in the near infrared (NIR) regime. Due to a balance between light absorption capability and surface recombination centers, devices having SiNWAs obtained by etching for 30 min shows a better photoresponse, sensitivity and detectivity. Fabricated NIRPDs can also be functioned as self-driven devices which are highly responsive and very stable at low optical power signals up to 2 V with a fast rise and decay time of 34/13 ms. A tremendous enhancement has been witnessed from 36 µA W-1 to 22 mA W-1 in the responsivity at 0 V for MLG/30 min SiNWAs than planar MLG/Si PDs indicating an important development of self-driven NIRPDs based on camphor-based MLG for future optoelectronic devices.

Controlled Island Formation of Large-Area Graphene Sheets by Atmospheric Chemical Vapor Deposition: Role of Natural Camphor.

Camphor-based mono-/bilayer graphene (MLG) sheets have been synthesized by very facile atmospheric chemical vapor deposition processes on Si/SiO2, soda lime glass, and flexible polyethylene terephthalate films. The effect of camphor concentration with respect to distance between camphor and the Cu foil (D) has been varied to investigate the controlled formation of a homogeneous graphene sheet over a large area on Cu foil. Raman studies show a remarkable effect of camphor at a typical distance (D) to form a monolayer to multilayer graphene (MULG) sheet. The signature of MLG to MULG sheets appears due to increase in the number of nucleation sites, even over the subsequent domains that contribute stacks of graphene over each other as observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images. Moreover, the increase in camphor concentration at a particular distance generates more defect states in graphene as denoted by D band at 1360 cm-1. Uniform distribution of large-area MLG demonstrates an intense 2D/G ratio of ∼2.3. Electrical and optical measurements show a sheet resistance of ∼1 kΩ/sq with a maximum transmittance of ∼88% at 550 nm for low camphor concentration. An improvement in the rectification and photodiode behavior is observed from the diodes fabricated on n-Si/MULG as compared to n-Si/MLG in dark and light conditions.

Broadband photoresponse data of transparent all-oxide photovoltaics of ZnO/NiO.

In this data article, the properties of all transparent metal oxide of ZnO/NiO heterostructure "Transparent all-oxide photovoltaics and broadband high-speed energy-efficient optoelectronics" [1] are presented by characteristics of ZnO and NiO layers, open circuit voltage decay (OCVD), broadband light with intensity dependent current-voltage plots. The device performances under the effect of various optical excitation of intermediated-band, bound excitonic, free-excitonic and band-to-band are presented. The ZnO/NiO heterostructure direction grown on ITO/glass substrate by large area sputtering method [1] was characterized by UV-visible plots and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Carrier lifetime using OCVD of ZnO/NiO devices with carbon paint metal contact is presented. Prolonged open circuit voltage plots under UV light intensity are shown for stability and repeatability studies. I-V characteristics of ZnO/NiO heterostructure under the light wavelength from 623 nm to 365 nm are presented for energy efficient broadband optoelectronics.

Development of highly sensitive H2O2 redox sensor from electrodeposited tellurium nanoparticles using ionic liquid.

A new, non-enzymatic, low-cost sensor based on tellurium nanoparticles (TeNPs) for the analytical determination of H2O2 has been proposed. An economically viable electrochemical technique was employed for the synthesis of TeNPs based non-enzymatic H2O2 sensor. Thin films of TeNPs were successfully electrodeposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate using [BMIM][Ac] ionic liquid at 90 °C. The effect of deposition potential on the morphology, phase formation, and electrochemical characterisation of nanostructured Te films has been studied. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to characterize the nanostructured Te films on FTO surface. The electro-catalytic performance of the proposed TeNPs/FTO sensor has been studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) in phosphate buffer (Argon saturated) in the absence and presence of H2O2. TeNPs/FTO fabricated at applied potential of -1.40 V showed an excellent electro-catalytic activity towards H2O2 reduction. The proposed TeNPs/FTO sensor shows an excellent sensitivity of 757 µA mM-1 cm-2. The sensor possess good selectivity and stability with an excellent amperometric response time of about 5 s. The present study also demonstrates that TeNPs/FTO is a promising sensing material suitable for determination of H2O2 in practical samples.

Effective light polarization insensitive and omnidirectional properties of Si nanowire arrays developed on different crystallographic planes.

In this paper, fabrication of vertical Si nanowire arrays (SiNWAs) by a facile metal assisted chemical etching approach on different crystallographic planes of Si has been reported. A very low specular reflectance (R spec ) of 0.04% and 0.03% has been achieved in the whole visible range for SiNWAs grown on Si(100) and Si(111) oriented substrates, respectively. High broadband enhancement has been detected for vertical SiNWAs due to multiple scattering paths inside the nanowire arrays. On the other hand, inclined nanowires showed a fascinating behavior at the longer wavelength regime, where light gets the longer path to reflect back-forth and ease to reflect back outward at normal incidence. Moreover, for [100] SiNWAs, transverse electric field component demonstrates the strong polarization insensitive properties at the expense of transverse magnetic field component with a minimum reflectance of <2% up to 1200 nm. The [100] SiNWAs demonstrates extraordinary omnidirectional properties at θ B ≥ 58°. Theoretical validation of COMSOL with an effective medium approach reveal the effective dipole coupling and the presence of strong absorption modes for vertical SiNWs at a typical wavelength regime. The highly bound states of the particle tunneling through classical forbidden region shows a strong dependence on the gradient in the refractive index (mi ) from 1 to 3.4. The high order scattering effect is observed at ∼520 cm-1 in a disordered optical medium. This novel finding of light localization properties for SiNWAs with different orientation gives a new route to support various photonic applications.

Rigor prophylaxis in stage IV melanoma and renal cell carcinoma patients treated with high dose IL-2.

BACKGROUND: Rigors are a significant adverse event during interleukin-2 (IL2) therapy for metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. Meperidine has been a mainstay for rigor prophylaxis but there is a paucity of data regarding possible alternatives. METHODS: Ninety one patients receiving IL2 therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma and melanoma at Huntsman Cancer institute (HCI), Utah from May 2009 to October 2016 were retrospectively evaluated for rigor prophylaxis. Forty two patients received meperidine and 49 received tramadol. Rigors were tabulated using the proxy of number of doses of as needed (PRN) rigor medications and normalized by IL2 doses. Other outcomes of fever, hypotension, and renal insufficiency were noted on a binary scale and normalized by cycles. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing univariate and multivariate negative binomial models. RESULTS: Ninety one patients were identified with metastatic melanoma or RCC who received high dose IL2 therapy. Forty two received meperidine and 49 received tramadol prophylaxis for rigors. Univariate negative binomial analysis shows incidence rate ratios (IRR): fever 0.41 (95% CI 0.28-0.62, p-value < 0.001), hypotension 1.7 (95% CI 1.11-2.61, p-value 0.015), renal insufficiency 0.58 (95% CI 0.35-0.98, p-value 0.041), rigors per all PRN meds 1.01 (95% CI 0.79-1.28, p-value 0.964), and rigors via opioid PRN meds 0.85 (95% CI 0.67-1.07, p-value 0.168). Multivariate negative binomial analysis shows IRR: fever 0.59 (95% CI 0.28-1.24, p-value 0.163), hypotension 0.93 (95% CI 0.43-2.03, p-value 0.864), renal insufficiency 1.1 (95% CI 0.52-2.32, p-value 0.807), rigors per al PRN meds 0.92 (95% CI 0.67-1.26, p-value 0.604), and rigors via opioid PRN 0.9 (95% CI 0.65-1.26, p-value 0.554). CONCLUSION: Univariate models indicated meperidine pre-treatment was associated with significantly lower rates of fever and renal insufficiency whereas tramadol was associated with significantly lower rate of hypotension. However, when controlled for demographics and other treatment differences, these differences were no longer significant.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) as a predictor for recurrence in patients with stage III melanoma.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a strong predictor for overall survival and disease free survival in many cancers. Our study is the first investigation aiming to determine the predictive value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on prognosis of patients with stage III melanoma. This retrospective study utilized a cohort of 107 patients with stage III melanoma treated at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, from May 2002 to March 2016. The optimal cutoff of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was determined by the significance of log-rank tests. A total of 97 log-rank tests were conducted to find the optimal cutoff. Disease free survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and univariable and multivariable Cox models were applied to evaluate the predictive value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. 2.5 was identified as the optimal cutoff. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the disease free survival rate of the low value group was significantly higher compared to that of high value group. After adjusting for confounders and other prognostic factors, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥ 2.5 remained a strong predictor for disease recurrence in patients with stage III melanoma.

A phase I trial of azacitidine and nanoparticle albumin bound paclitaxel in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

BACKGROUND: Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), an albumin-binding protein, is downregulated by hypermethylation in many cancers. Hypomethylating agents such as azacitidine can upregulate SPARC in tumors, which may enhance the accumulation of albumin-bound drugs at tumor site. The objectives of this phase I trial was to determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose and to assess any clinical activity of the combination of azacytidine and weekly nanoparticle-albumin-bound (nab®) paclitaxel. METHODS: Patients received escalating azacytidine doses daily for 5 days, followed by nab-paclitaxel at the standard 100mg/m2 weekly dose for 3 weeks in 4-week cycles. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were monitored during the first cycle. Serum was obtained at baseline, during and after treatment for correlative study. RESULTS: All sixteen total patients enrolled were evaluable for toxicity, while 13 patients were evaluable for response. Two of five patients treated with 100mg/m2 of azacytidine had DLT of prolonged grade 4 neutropenia. Therefore, the MTD of azacitidine in this regimen is 75 mg/m2. Three additional patients were treated with no grade 4 toxicity in cycle 1. Clinical activity included 1 complete response (CR) in refractory DLBCL, 2 CR in ovarian cancer, 4 partial responses (PR) in ovarian and endometrial cancer, 4 stable diseases (SD) in lung, sarcoma and pancreatic cancer, 1 unconfirmed PR in breast cancer, and 1 progression of disease in CLL/SLL. CONCLUSIONS: Priming with azacitidine 75 mg/m2 daily for 5 days, followed by weekly nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 weekly was well tolerated and results in dramatic responses pre-treated cancer patients.

Sample preparation and electrochemical data of Co3O4 working electrode for seawater splitting.

In this data article, we presented the electrochemical data of the working electrode made of Co3O4 semi-transparent film. Electrochemically stable, porous nature of Kirkendall-diffusion grown Co3O4 films were applied to generate hydrogen from the seawater splitting (Patel et al., 2017) [1]. The data presented in this article includes the photograph of prepared samples, polarization curves for water oxidation and Tafel plot, linear sweep voltammetry measurements under the pulsed light condition in 0.1 M Na2S2O3 electrolyte, and transient photoresponses with natural sea water. Moreover, seawater splitting using the Co3O4 working electrode is demonstrated.

A Phase I Study of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy With Nab-Paclitaxel, Doxorubicin, and Cyclophosphamide in Patients With Stage II to III Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to assess the safety and tolerability of nanoparticle albumin bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel), doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide as combination therapy for breast cancer patients in the neoadjuvant setting and to assess the overall clinical response and pathologic complete response (pCR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six women with newly diagnosed stage II to III histologically or cytologically proven adenocarcinoma of the breast with negative HER2 status were enrolled. Patients were treated with nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 on day 1 and nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 on day 8 in a 21-day cycle for 6 cycles total. RESULTS: Most adverse events attributed to treatment were decreased white blood cell count, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia with a median duration of 8 days. Fifteen of 23 (65.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 45.7%-84.6%) had a complete clinical response and 8 of 23 (34.7%; 95% CI, 15.2%-54.1%) had a partial clinical response for an overall clinical response rate of 100%. Thirteen of 23 patients (56.5%; 95% CI, 36.2%-76.7%) had a pCR. All 10 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients (100%) achieved a pCR. CONCLUSION: The regimen of nab-paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy was well tolerated and resulted in high clinical as well as pathologic responses, particularly in TNBC.

Approaches towards the development of chimeric DPP4/ACE inhibitors for treating metabolic syndrome.

Designing drug candidates exhibiting polypharmacology is one of the strategies adopted by medicinal chemists to address multifactorial diseases. Metabolic disease is one such multifactorial disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia, hypertension and dyslipidaemia among others. In this paper we report a new class of molecular framework combining the pharmacophoric features of DPP4 inhibitors with those of ACE inhibitors to afford potent dual inhibitors of DPP4 and ACE.

Electrodeposition of Si from an Ionic Liquid Bath at Room Temperature in the Presence of Water.

The electrochemical deposition of Si has been carried out in an ionic liquid medium in the presence of water in a limited dry nitrogen environment on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) at room temperature. It has been found that the presence of water in ionic liquids does not affect the available effective potential window to a large extent. Silicon has been successfully deposited electrochemically in the overpotential regime in two different ionic liquids, namely, BMImTf2N and BMImPF6, in the presence of water. Although a Si thin film has been obtained from BMImTf2N; only distinguished Si crystals protected in ionic liquid droplets have been observed from BMImPF6. The most important observation of the present investigation is that the Si precursor, SiCl4, instead of undergoing hydrolysis, even in the presence of water, coexisted with ionic liquids, and elemental Si has been successfully electrodeposited.

A Case Report of Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia in a Patient with Metastatic Breast Cancer.

We describe a 69-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer who developed dyspnea on exertion, persistent cough, fever and fatigue while on everolimus and exemestane combination. The initial differentials included opportunistic infection such as pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) vs. pneumonitis. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from bronchoscopy revealed PJP. The patient recovered after appropriate treatment. We also correlated the progressive decrease in her absolute lymphocyte count with PJP infection and recovery. This is the second case that PJP has been described in patients with breast cancer receiving everolimus. Clinicians should be vigilant in their monitoring of patients on everolimus-based regimens and promptly institute appropriate therapy to reduce and prevent morbidity and mortality.

A phase I study of intratumoral ipilimumab and interleukin-2 in patients with advanced melanoma.

PURPOSE: Intratumoral interleukin-2 (IL-2) is effective but does not generate systemic immunity. Intravenous ipilimumab produces durable clinical response in a minority of patients, with potentially severe toxicities. Circulating anti-tumor T cells activated by ipilimumab may differ greatly from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes activated by intratumoral ipilimumab in phenotypes and functionality. The objective of this study was to primarily assess the safety of intratumoral ipilimumab/IL-2 combination and to obtain data on clinical efficacy. RESULTS: There was no dose limiting toxicity. While local response of injected lesions was observed in 67% patients (95% CI, 40%-93%), an abscopal response was seen in 89% (95% CI, 68%-100%). The overall response rate and clinical benefit rate by immune-related response criteria (irRC) was 40% (95% CI, 10%-70%) and 50% (95% CI, 19%-81%), respectively. Enhanced systemic immune response was observed in most patients and correlated with clinical responses. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Twelve patients with unresectable stages III/IV melanoma were enrolled. A standard 3+3 design was employed to assess highest tolerable intratumoral dose of ipilimumab and IL-2 based on toxicity during the first three weeks. Escalated doses of ipilimumab was injected into only one lesion weekly for eight weeks in cohorts of three patients. A fixed dose of IL-2 was injected three times a week into the same lesion for two weeks, followed by two times a week for six weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Intratumoral injection with the combination of ipilimumab/IL-2 is well tolerated and generates responses in both injected and non-injected lesions in the majority of patients.

Thermally Stable Silver Nanowires-Embedding Metal Oxide for Schottky Junction Solar Cells.

Thermally stable silver nanowires (AgNWs)-embedding metal oxide was applied for Schottky junction solar cells without an intentional doping process in Si. A large scale (100 mm(2)) Schottky solar cell showed a power conversion efficiency of 6.1% under standard illumination, and 8.3% under diffused illumination conditions which is the highest efficiency for AgNWs-involved Schottky junction Si solar cells. Indium-tin-oxide (ITO)-capped AgNWs showed excellent thermal stability with no deformation at 500 °C. The top ITO layer grew in a cylindrical shape along the AgNWs, forming a teardrop shape. The design of ITO/AgNWs/ITO layers is optically beneficial because the AgNWs generate plasmonic photons, due to the AgNWs. Electrical investigations were performed by Mott-Schottky and impedance spectroscopy to reveal the formation of a single space charge region at the interface between Si and AgNWs-embedding ITO layer. We propose a route to design the thermally stable AgNWs for photoelectric device applications with investigation of the optical and electrical aspects.

Nanostructured SnS with inherent anisotropic optical properties for high photoactivity.

In view of the worldwide energy challenge in the 21(st) century, the technology of semiconductor-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has received considerable attention as an alternative approach for solar energy harvesting and storage. Two-dimensional (2D) structures such as nanosheets have the potential to tap the solar energy by unlocking the functional properties at the nanoscale. Tin(ii) sulfide is a fascinating solar energy material due to its anisotropic material properties. In this manuscript, we report on exploiting the 2D structure modulated optical properties of nanocrystalline SnS thin film synthesized by chemical spray pyrolysis using ambient transport in the harvesting of solar energy. We obtained the nanostructured SnS with well-preserved dimensions and morphologies with one step processing. The work demonstrates that the intrinsically ordered SnS nanostructure on FTO coated glass can tap the incident radiation in an efficient manner. The structure-property relationship to explain the photo-response in nanocrystalline-SnS is verified experimentally and theoretically. The novel design scheme for antireflection coating along with the anisotropic properties of SnS is conceived for realizing a PEC cell. The developed PEC cell consists of a SnS photoanode which shows considerably high photocurrent density of 7 mA cm(-2) with aqueous media under AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm(-2) exposure with notably stable operation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that a non-ideal capacitive behavior as well as drift assisted transport across the solid-state interface is responsible for such a high photo-current density in the nanocrystalline-SnS photoanode.