Enhancing Optical and Thermal Stability of Blue-Emitting Perovskite Nanocrystals through Surface Passivation with Sulfonate or Sulfonic Acid Ligands.

This study aims to enhance the optical and thermal properties of cesium-based perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) through surface passivation with organic sulfonate (or sulfonic acid) ligands. Four different phenylated ligands, including sodium ß-styrenesulfonate (SbSS), sodium benzenesulfonate (SBS), sodium p-toluenesulfonate (SPTS), and 4-dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA), were employed to modify blue-emitting CsPbBr1.5Cl1.5 perovskite NCs, resulting in improved size uniformity and surface functionalization. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the successful anchoring of sulfonate or sulfonic acid ligands on the surface of perovskite NCs. Moreover, the photoluminescence quantum yield increased from 32% of the original perovskite NCs to 63% of the SPTS-modified ones due to effective surface passivation. Time-resolved photoluminescence decay measurements revealed extended PL lifetimes for ligand-modified NCs, indicative of reduced nonradiative recombination. Thermal stability studies demonstrated that the SPTS-modified NCs retained nearly 80% of the initial PL intensity when heated at 60 °C for 10 min, surpassing the performance of the original NCs. These findings emphasize the optical and thermal stability enhancement of cesium-based perovskite NCs through surface passivation with suitable sulfonate ligands.

Plantar Pressure Profiles and Possible Foot Syndromes of Taiwanese College Elite Basketball Players.

BACKGROUND: Plantar pressure assessments are useful for understanding the functions of the foot and lower limb and for predicting injury incidence rates. Musculoskeletal fatigue is likely to affect plantar pressure profiles. This study aimed to characterize college elite basketball players' plantar pressure profiles and pain profiles during static standing and walking. METHODS: Fifty-one male elite basketball players and 85 male recreational basketball players participated in this study. An optical plantar pressure measurement system was used to collect the arch index (AI), regional plantar pressure distributions (PPDs), and footprint characteristics during static and dynamic activities. Elite basketball players' pain profiles were examined for evaluating their common musculoskeletal pain areas. RESULTS: The AI values were in the reference range in recreational basketball players and considerably lower in elite basketball players. Elite basketball players' static PPDs of both feet were mainly exerted on the lateral longitudinal arch and the lateral heel and were relatively lower on the medial longitudinal arch and medial and lateral metatarsal bones. The PPDs mainly transferred to the lateral metatarsal bone and lateral longitudinal arch and decreased at the medial heel during the midstance phase of walking. The footprint characteristics of elite basketball players illustrated the features of calcaneal varus (supinated foot) of high arches and dropped cuboid foot. The lateral ankle joints and anterior cruciate ligaments were the common musculoskeletal pain areas. CONCLUSIONS: Elite basketball players' AI values indicated high arches, and their PPDs tended to parallel the features of the high-arched supinated and dropped cuboid foot. Their pain profiles resonated with the common basketball injuries and reflected the features of Jones fracture and cuboid syndrome. The potential links among high-arched supinated foot, Jones fracture, and cuboid syndrome are worth further study.

Columnaristerol A, a novel 19-norsterol from the Formosan octocoral Nephthea columnaris.

Columnaristerol A (1), a rare natural 19-norsterol possessing a 10ß-hydroxy group was isolated from the Formosan octocoral Nephthea columnaris, and its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Sterol 1 was found to be a cytotoxic agent that exhibited in vitro moderate cytotoxic activity against MOLT-4 and SUP-T1 human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines.

Clinical features and outcomes of spinal tuberculosis in southern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The early diagnosis and appropriate management of spinal tuberculosis (TB) is challenging for clinicians. This study aimed to characterize the clinical features and factors affecting treatment outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with spinal TB over a 7-year period at a medical center in southern Taiwan was conducted. Clinical features, underlying diseases, laboratory results, imaging findings, therapy, treatment duration and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (24 men and 24 women) were diagnosed with spinal TB. Their mean age was 64.3 years. The most common presenting symptoms were backache, neurological deficits, and fever. The most common vertebral area involved was lumbar spine (41.7%). The mean number of vertebra involved was 2.46. Surgery was carried out on 30 patients (62.5%). Patients who had a longer duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis were more likely to have surgery (p = 0.03), and patients who received surgery had a more favorable outcome (p = 0.063). The mean treatment course was 11.4 +/- 3.7 months. A long course treatment did not contribute to favorable outcomes. Twenty-six patients had a favorable outcome and 11 had an unfavorable outcome. Factors associated with an unfavorable outcome included older age, limb weakness, incontinence, spinal kyphotic deformity, and spinal cord compression. CONCLUSION: For elderly patients with chronic back pain in Taiwan, the differential diagnosis of spinal TB should be considered. Image studies and computed tomography-guided aspiration are helpful for early detection. Combined surgical intervention tended to have a more favorable outcome and longer treatment periods had no additional benefit.

Why is in-hospital diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis delayed in southern Taiwan?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: In-hospital diagnosis delay (IHDD) of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) has a significant impact on nosocomial TB transmission. We investigated the risk factors associated with prolonged IHDD in Taiwan, a high-resource, mid-incidence area. METHODS: Between January 2005 and August 2006, we retrospectively enrolled 193 consecutive hospitalized patients. All of them had culture-proven pulmonary TB and did not receive antitubercular treatment at admission. IHDD was defined as the interval between admission and initiation of antitubercular treatment. Patients were grouped according to the median value of IHDD. RESULTS: The median IHDD was 7 days. Patients with IHDD > 7 days were considered the prolonged-delay group, and those with IHDD 65 years [3.19 (1.01-10.05), p = 0.048]. Death attributed to tuberculosis was associated with positive sputum smear (hazard ratio = 21.85; 95% CI = 2.74-174.44; p = 0.004) but not prolonged IHDD (p = 0.325). CONCLUSION: To minimize IHDD, clinicians should carefully manage hospitalized patients with risk factors for prolonged delay, such as those with negative sputum smears, non-cavitary lesions on chest radiographs, admission to departments other than chest medicine/infectious diseases, exposure to fluoroquinolones before antitubercular treatment, underlying malignancy, and age > 65 years.

Streptococcus constellatus causing myocardial abscess complicated by cerebritis.

Streptococcus constellatus infection is a rare cause of myocardial abscess. The complication of cerebritis is also rare. We report a case of S. constellatus bacteremia in a 21-year-old woman who developed fever and watery diarrhea 7 days prior to admission. Computed tomography of the brain showed severe effacement of the cerebral sulci, narrowing of the ventricular system, and severe brain swelling. Echocardiography showed a cystic lesion of about 2 cm(2) over the left atrium. Mannitol and dexamethasone were administered. Hyperventilation was performed. Intravenous penicillin G and ceftazidime were administered but without response. The increased intracranial pressure persisted despite medical treatment. She died 3 days after admission. Culture of cerebrospinal fluid grew S. constellatus and 3 sets of blood cultures grew S. constellatus. This case emphasizes the potential pathogenic role of S. constellatus in myocardial abscess.

Morganella morganii causing solitary liver abscess complicated by pyopericardium and left pleural effusion in a nondiabetic patient.

Morganella morganii is a rare cause of solitary liver abscess in Taiwan. The complication of pyopericardium and pleural effusion in nondiabetic patient with solitary liver abscess are also rare. We present a case of a 48-year-old nondiabetic woman who experienced with epigastric discomfort 1 month prior to admission. Chills and fever developed 2 weeks before admission. Physical examination on admission revealed engorgement of the jugular vein over the right neck, precordial friction rubs, and tenderness over the right upper quadrant of abdomen. Chest film showed mild cardiomegaly and left pleural effusion. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed liver abscess, left hepatic lobe, pyopericardium, and left pleural effusion. M. morganii was isolated from 2 sets of blood cultures, one set of hepatic pus culture, and one set of pericardial pus culture. After pigtail drainage of liver abscess, pyopericardium for 12 days, and ceftriaxone intravenous administration for 19 days, the patient was discharged in stable condition.