Correction: Carbon dots on LAPONITE® hybrid nanocomposites: solid-state emission and inter-aggregate energy transfer.

Correction for 'Carbon dots on LAPONITE® hybrid nanocomposites: solid-state emission and inter-aggregate energy transfer' by Bruno S. D. Onishi et al., Nanoscale, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1039/d3nr06336d.

Carbon dots on LAPONITE® hybrid nanocomposites: solid-state emission and inter-aggregate energy transfer.

This study delves into the photoluminescent characteristics of solid-state hybrid carbon dots/LAPONITE® (CDLP). These hybrid materials were synthesized using the hydrothermal method with a precise pH control set at 8.5. The LAPONITE® structure remains intact without structural collapse, and we detected the possible deposition of carbon dots (CDs) aggregates on the clay mineral's edges. The use of different concentrations of citric acid (10-, 6-, 2- and 1-times weight/weight of LAPONITE® mass, maintaining the 1 : 1 molar ratio with ethylenediamine) during synthesis results in different CDs concentrations in CDLP-A (low precursors concentration) and CDLP-D (high concentration) with an amorphous structure and average size around 2.8-3.0 nm. The CDLP displayed visible photoluminescence emission in aqueous and powder, which the last underwent quenching according to lifetimes and quantum yield measurements. Low-temperature measurements revealed an enhancement of the non-radiative pathways induced by aggregation. Energy transfer modelling based on Förster-Dexter suggests an approximate mean distance of 9.5 nm between clusters of CDs.

Refined structural studies on the fluorite-related polymorphs of sol-gel undoped and Eu3+-doped yttrium tantalates.

Compounds with the general formula RE3MO7 (RE = rare earth ions; M = Ta, Nb, Sb, Ru, Ir, Os, Re, etc.), crystallize as a fluorite-related structure, forming polymorphs with different space groups. The space group strongly depends on the RE3+ and M5+ ionic radii and processing conditions. Structural characterization is well-established for the lanthanide series, but literature studies have divergent views about how to attribute yttrium tantalate (Y3TaO7) space groups-some authors have described the Y3TaO7 structure as orthorhombic and belonging to space group C2221 or Ccmm, whereas others have assigned a cubic Fm3̄m structure to it. Here, we have characterized the structure of undoped and Eu3+-doped Y3TaO7 (0.1 to 50 mol% of Eu3+) samples synthesized by the sol-gel method that crystallized as a cubic disordered fluorite-type structure, space group Fm3̄m. Their powder X-ray diffraction measurements, Rietveld analyzes and Raman spectra were used as a conclusive technique of the structural properties. We have also investigated whether a secondary phase (M'-YTaO4) emerged in the samples and compared the phase composition of each sample to their Raman spectra. Low-temperature photoluminescence measurements (∼15 K) using Eu3+ as a structural probe helped us analyze the inhomogeneous broadening observed in the emission spectra. These measurements can be used as an important tool to attribute the crystalline phases of rare earth tantalates and niobates.

Thermal properties of nanofluids using hydrophilic and hydrophobic LiYF4:Yb/Er upconverting nanoparticles.

Luminescent nanoparticles have shown great potential for thermal sensing in bio-applications. Nonetheless, these materials lack water dispersibility that can be overcome by modifying their surface properties with water dispersible molecules such as cysteine. Herein, we employ LiYF4:Er3+/Yb3+ upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) capped with oleate or modified with cysteine dispersed in cyclohexane or in water, respectively, as thermal probes. Upconversion emission was used to sense temperature with a relative thermal sensitivity of ∼1.24% K-1 (at 300 K) and a temperature uncertainty of 0.8 K for the oleate capped and of 0.5 K for cysteine modified NPs. To study the effect of the cysteine modification in the heat transfer processes, the thermal conductivity of the nanofluids was determined, yielding 0.123(6) W m-1 K-1 for the oleate capped UCNPs dispersed in cyclohexane and 0.50(7) W m-1 K-1 for the cysteine modified UCNPs dispersed in water. Moreover, through the heating curves, the nanofluids' thermal resistances were estimated, showing that the cysteine modification partially prevents heat transfer.

Predicting the efficiency of luminescent solar concentrators for solar energy harvesting using machine learning.

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is an emerging technology in the solar energy field. It involves using luminescent solar concentrators to convert traditional windows into energy generators by utilizing light harvesting and conversion materials. This study investigates the application of machine learning (ML) to advance the fundamental understanding of optical material design. By leveraging accessible photoluminescent measurements, ML models estimate optical properties, streamlining the process of developing novel materials, offering a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional methods, and facilitating the selection of competitive materials. Regression and clustering methods were used to estimate the optical conversion efficiency and power conversion efficiency. The regression models achieved a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 10%, which demonstrates accuracy within a 10% range of possible values. Both regression and clustering models showed high agreement, with a minimal MAE of 7%, highlighting the efficacy of ML in predicting optical properties of luminescent materials for BIPV.

A comprehensive dataset of photonic features on spectral converters for energy harvesting.

Building integrated photovoltaics is a promising strategy for solar technology, in which luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) stand out. Challenges include the development of materials for sunlight harvesting and conversion, which is an iterative optimization process with several steps: synthesis, processing, and structural and optical characterizations before considering the energy generation figures of merit that requires a prototype fabrication. Thus, simulation models provide a valuable, cost-effective, and time-efficient alternative to experimental implementations, enabling researchers to gain valuable insights for informed decisions. We conducted a literature review on LSCs over the past 47 years from the Web of ScienceTM Core Collection, including published research conducted by our research group, to gather the optical features and identify the material classes that contribute to the performance. The dataset can be further expanded systematically offering a valuable resource for decision-making tools for device design without extensive experimental measurements.

Progesterone hypersensitivity: a cyclical history.

Hypersensitivity reaction to progesterone is rare, with less than 200 cases reported. It occurs mainly in women in their third decade of life and can have a heterogeneous presentation (cutaneous and/or systemic), with temporal relation to serum levels of progesterone. Diagnosis is based on history and physical examination, supported by skin tests. We describe the case of a woman in her late 20s with pruritic erythema on the chest that manifested in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, with spontaneous resolution in less than 5 days, without secondary scarring. The histological diagnosis was non-specific, with evidence of interface dermatitis, but positive skin tests supported the diagnosis of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis. It is intended to alert to the manifestations of a pathology that is rare and difficult to diagnose but with a great impact on daily life.

Exploring the intra-4f and the bright white light upconversion emissions of Gd2O3:Yb3+,Er3+-based materials for thermometry.

Upconversion broadband white light emission driven by low-power near-infrared (NIR) lasers has been reported for many materials, but the mechanisms and effects related to this phenomenon remain unclear. Herein, we investigate the origin of laser-induced continuous white light emission in synthesized nanoparticles (Gd0.89Yb0.10Er0.01)2O3 and a mechanical mixture of commercial oxides with the same composition 89% Gd2O3, 10% Yb2O3, and 1% Er2O3. We report their photophysical features with respect to sample compactness, laser irradiation (wavelength, power density, excitation cycles), pressure, temperature, and temporal dynamics. Despite the sensitizer (Yb3+) and activator (Er3+) being in different particles for the mechanical mixture, efficient discrete and continuous upconversion emissions were observed. Furthermore, the synthesized nanoparticles were developed as primary luminescent thermometers (upon excitation at NIR) in the 299-363 K range, using the Er3+ upconversion 2H11/2 → 4I15/2/4S3/2 → 4I15/2 intensity ratio. They were also operating as secondary ones in the 1949-3086 K, based on the blackbody distribution of the observed white light emission. Our findings provide important insights into the mechanisms and effects related to the transition from discrete to continuous upconversion emissions with potential applications in remote temperature sensing.

An autonomous power temperature sensor based on window-integrated transparent PV using sustainable luminescent carbon dots.

The energy efficiency of buildings can be significantly improved through the use of renewable energy sources. Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) appear to be a solution for integrating photovoltaic (PV) devices into the structure of buildings (windows, for instance) to enable low-voltage devices to be powered. Here, we present transparent planar and cylindrical LSCs based on carbon dots in an aqueous solution and dispersed in organic-inorganic hybrid matrices, which present photoluminescent quantum yield values up to 82%, facilitating an effective solar photon conversion. These LSCs showed the potencial for being incorporated as building windows due to an average light transmittance of up to ∼91% and color rendering index of up to 97, with optical and power conversion efficiency values of 5.4 ± 0.1% and 0.18 ± 0.01%, respectively. In addition, the fabricated devices showed temperature sensing ability enabling the fabrication of an autonomous power mobile temperature sensor. Two independent thermometric parameters were established based on the emission and the electrical power generated by the LSC-PV system, which could both be accessed by a mobile phone, enabling mobile optical sensing through multiparametric thermal reading with relative sensitivity values up to 1.0% °C-1, making real-time mobile temperature sensing accessible to all users.

Remission of primary hyperparathyroidism after fine needle aspiration of a parathyroid nodule mistaken for a thyroid nodule.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is an endocrine disorder characterized by hypercalcaemia and elevated or inappropriately normal concentrations of parathyroid hormone. Remission of PHPT caused by infarction or hemorrhage of a parathyroid adenoma rarely occurs, either spontaneously or induced, not always leading to a definitive cure. We report a case of 72-year-old women with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of a parathyroid adenoma mistaken for a thyroid nodule followed by normalization of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum calcium levels. Parathyroid origin was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. PTH levels began to rise at 4 months after FNAC demonstrating recurrence of the PHPT. This report shows that FNAC induced hemorrhage may cause remission of PHPT. Nevertheless, patient´s levels of PTH and serum calcium should be monitored, as remission may only be transitory.

Lanthanide-based logic: a venture for the future of molecular computing.

Managing the continuous and fast-growing volume of information, the progress in the Internet-of-Things, and the evolution from digitalization to networking are huge technological chores. Si-based integrated chips face increasing demands as they strive to meet these challenges. However, there is growing recognition that information processing and computing based on molecules performing logic operations may play a decisive role in shaping the future of the computer industry. Molecular logic gates are molecular counterparts of electronic devices that, instead of exclusively by electrical signals, can be stimulated by diverse chemical or physical input signals that produce optical outputs according to a well-defined logical transfer function. Several materials have been applied for molecular logic, however, the Ln3+-based ones appear to be a commendable choice, as they can respond to both chemical and physical stimuli, presenting unique photophysical properties that make them quite popular for photonics applications. Here we critically review illustrative molecular logic systems based on Ln3+ ions and discuss their potential for integration in future molecular photonic-electronic hybrid logic computing systems.

Advances on diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infections.

The association of Helicobacter pylori to several gastric diseases, such as chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer, and its high prevalence worldwide, raised the necessity to use methods for a proper and fast diagnosis and monitoring the pathogen eradication. Available diagnostic methods can be classified as invasive or non-invasive, and the selection of the best relies on the clinical condition of the patient, as well as on the sensitivity, specificity, and accessibility of the diagnostic test. This review summarises all diagnostic methods currently available, including the invasive methods: endoscopy, histology, culture, and molecular methods, and the rapid urease test (RUT), as well as the non-invasive methods urea breath test (UBT), serological assays, biosensors, and microfluidic devices and the stool antigen test (SAT). Moreover, it lists the diagnostic advantages and limitations, as well as the main advances for each methodology. In the end, research on the development of new diagnostic methods, such as bacteriophage-based H. pylori diagnostic tools, is also discussed.

Remission of primary hyperparathyroidism after fine needle aspiration of a parathyroid nodule mistaken for a thyroid nodule

SUMMARY Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is an endocrine disorder characterized by hypercalcaemia and elevated or inappropriately normal concentrations of parathyroid hormone. Remission of PHPT caused by infarction or hemorrhage of a parathyroid adenoma rarely occurs, either spontaneously or induced, not always leading to a definitive cure. We report a case of 72-year-old women with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of a parathyroid adenoma mistaken for a thyroid nodule followed by normalization of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum calcium levels. Parathyroid origin was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. PTH levels began to rise at 4 months after FNAC demonstrating recurrence of the PHPT. This report shows that FNAC induced hemorrhage may cause remission of PHPT. Nevertheless, patient´s levels of PTH and serum calcium should be monitored, as remission may only be transitory.

Multiple Brown Tumors Secondary to Parathyroid Carcinoma: A Challenging Diagnosis.

Parathyroid carcinoma is an extremely rare endocrine neoplasm that accounts for less than 1% of the cases of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Continuous exposure to high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) induces an increase in bone remodeling and patients may present with osteitis fibrosa cystica, which is characterized by subperiosteal resorption of the phalanges, diffuse osteopenia, salt and pepper appearance of the skull, bone cysts, and brown tumors. Brown tumors occur in less than 5% of all patients with any form of hyperparathyroidism. Due to similar clinical, radiographic, and histological appearance, differential diagnosis of brown tumors includes primary and secondary bone tumors. We report a case of a 67-year-old female diagnosed with multiple osteolytic lesions initially thought to be bone metastasis of thyroid carcinoma. Further work-up led to the diagnosis of brown tumors due to parathyroid carcinoma. We want to emphasize the inclusion of osteitis fibrosa cystic in the differential diagnosis of osteolytic lesions and the need to perform serum calcium and PTH measurements when investigating these lesions.

A 54-Year-Old Woman with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Associated with Secondary Amyloid Goiter and Thyroid Lipomatosis.

BACKGROUND Amyloid deposition in the thyroid gland can be primary or secondary and can result in goiter. There have been previous reports of amyloid goiter and thyroid lipomatosis or fatty infiltration. Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common thyroid malignancy. We report a rare case of a 54-year-old woman with papillary thyroid carcinoma associated with secondary amyloid goiter and thyroid lipomatosis. CASE REPORT A 54-year-old woman with chronic pyelonephritis and bronchiectasis presented with compressive symptoms due to an enlarged thyroid gland. Thyroid function test results were in the normal range and serum thyroid autoantibodies and serum calcitonin levels were undetectable. Cervical ultrasound showed a diffusely swollen thyroid and a well-defined nodule in the right lobe, of which fine-needle aspiration cytology was suspicious for follicular neoplasm. Computed tomography showed an enlarged thyroid with low attenuation, suggestive of diffuse lipomatosis of the gland. Total thyroidectomy was performed, and a histopathology study indicated the presence of papillary carcinoma and diffuse lipomatosis of the thyroid gland with amyloid deposition. The patient was later diagnosed with secondary amyloidosis. CONCLUSIONS The presentation of secondary amyloidosis as a diffuse goiter with extensive fatty infiltration must be considered in the differential diagnosis of thyroid enlargement, especially those with rapid onset, and particularly in patients with a history of chronic inflammatory disorders or chronic infections predisposing to amyloid deposition. Rarely, differentiated thyroid carcinoma is found within an amyloid goiter and it must be excluded in the differential diagnosis.

Extraction and purification of phycobiliproteins from algae and their applications.

Microalgae, macroalgae and cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microorganisms, prokaryotic or eukaryotic, living in saline or freshwater environments. These have been recognized as valuable carbon sources, able to be used for food, feed, chemicals, and biopharmaceuticals. From the range of valuable compounds produced by these cells, some of the most interesting are the pigments, including chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phycobiliproteins. Phycobiliproteins are photosynthetic light-harvesting and water-soluble proteins. In this work, the downstream processes being applied to recover fluorescent proteins from marine and freshwater biomass are reviewed. The various types of biomasses, namely macroalgae, microalgae, and cyanobacteria, are highlighted and the solvents and techniques applied in the extraction and purification of the fluorescent proteins, as well as their main applications while being fluorescent/luminescent are discussed. In the end, a critical perspective on how the phycobiliproteins business may benefit from the development of cost-effective downstream processes and their integration with the final application demands, namely regarding their stability, will be provided.

Characterization and Genomic Analysis of a New Phage Infecting Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori, a significant human gastric pathogen, has been demonstrating increased antibiotic resistance, causing difficulties in infection treatment. It is therefore important to develop alternatives or complementary approaches to antibiotics to tackle H. pylori infections, and (bacterio)phages have proven to be effective antibacterial agents. In this work, prophage isolation was attempted using H. pylori strains and UV radiation. One phage was isolated and further characterized to assess potential phage-inspired therapeutic alternatives to H. pylori infections. HPy1R is a new podovirus prophage with a genome length of 31,162 bp, 37.1% GC, encoding 36 predicted proteins, of which 17 were identified as structural. Phage particles remained stable at 37 °C, from pH 3 to 11, for 24 h in standard assays. Moreover, when submitted to an in vitro gastric digestion model, only a small decrease was observed in the gastric phase, suggesting that it is adapted to the gastric tract environment. Together with its other characteristics, its capability to suppress H. pylori population levels for up to 24 h post-infection at multiplicities of infection of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 suggests that this newly isolated phage is a potential candidate for phage therapy in the absence of strictly lytic phages.

GREM1 is required to maintain cellular heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) shows pronounced epithelial and mesenchymal cancer cell populations1-4. Cellular heterogeneity in PDAC is an important feature in disease subtype specification3-5, but how distinct PDAC subpopulations interact, and the molecular mechanisms that underlie PDAC cell fate decisions, are incompletely understood. Here we identify the BMP inhibitor GREM16,7 as a key regulator of cellular heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer in human and mouse. Grem1 inactivation in established PDAC in mice resulted in a direct conversion of epithelial into mesenchymal PDAC cells within days, suggesting that persistent GREM1 activity is required to maintain the epithelial PDAC subpopulations. By contrast, Grem1 overexpression caused an almost complete 'epithelialization' of highly mesenchymal PDAC, indicating that high GREM1 activity is sufficient to revert the mesenchymal fate of PDAC cells. Mechanistically, Grem1 was highly expressed in mesenchymal PDAC cells and inhibited the expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factors Snai1 (also known as Snail) and Snai2 (also known as Slug) in the epithelial cell compartment, therefore restricting epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity. Thus, constant suppression of BMP activity is essential to maintain epithelial PDAC cells, indicating that the maintenance of the cellular heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer requires continuous paracrine signalling elicited by a single soluble factor.

Bio-Based Solar Energy Harvesting for Onsite Mobile Optical Temperature Sensing in Smart Cities.

The Internet of Things (IoT) fosters the development of smart city systems for sustainable living and increases comfort for people. One of the current challenges for sustainable buildings is the optimization of energy management. Temperature monitoring in buildings is of prime importance, as heating account for a great part of the total energy consumption. Here, a solar optical temperature sensor is presented with a thermal sensitivity of up to 1.23% °C-1 based on sustainable aqueous solutions of enhanced green fluorescent protein and C-phycocyanin from biological feedstocks. These photonic sensors are presented under the configuration of luminescent solar concentrators widely proposed as a solution to integrate energy-generating devices in buildings, as windows or façades. The developed mobile sensor is inserted in IoT context through the development of a self-powered system able to measure, record, and send data to a user-friendly website.