Polyphenol-Mediated Liquid Metal Composite Architecture for Solar Thermoelectric Generation.

The development of advanced solar energy technologies, which efficiently convert solar energy to heat and then to electricity, remains a significant challenge in the pursuit of clean energy production. Here, this challenge is addressed by designing a photothermal absorber composed of liquid gallium particles and a natural polyphenol-based coordination ink. The design of this composite takes advantage of the tuneable light absorption properties of the polyphenol inks and can also be applied onto flexible substrates. While the ink utilizes two types of coordination complexes to absorb light at different wavelengths, the liquid gallium particles with high thermal and electrical properties provide enhanced thermoelectric effect. As such, the photothermal composite exhibits a broad-spectrum light absorption and highly efficient solar-to-heat conversion. A thermoelectric generator coated with the photothermal composite exhibits an impressive voltage output of ≈185.3 mV when exposed to 1 Sun illumination, without requiring any optical concentration, which sets a new record for a power density at 345.5 µW cm-2 . This work showcases the synergistic combination of natural compound-based light-absorbing coordination complexes with liquid metals to achieve a strong photothermal effect and their integration into thermoelectric devices with powerful light harvesting capabilities.

Gas nanosensors for health and safety applications in mining.

The ever-increasing demand for accurate, miniaturized, and cost-effective gas sensing systems has eclipsed basic research across many disciplines. Along with the rapid progress in nanotechnology, the latest development in gas sensing technology is dominated by the incorporation of nanomaterials with different properties and structures. Such nanomaterials provide a variety of sensing interfaces operating on different principles ranging from chemiresistive and electrochemical to optical modules. Compared to thick film and bulk structures currently used for gas sensing, nanomaterials are advantageous in terms of surface-to-volume ratio, response time, and power consumption. However, designing nanostructured gas sensors for the marketplace requires understanding of key mechanisms in detecting certain gaseous analytes. Herein, we provide an overview of different sensing modules and nanomaterials under development for sensing critical gases in the mining industry, specifically for health and safety monitoring of mining workers. The interactions between target gas molecules and the sensing interface and strategies to tailor the gas sensing interfacial properties are highlighted throughout the review. Finally, challenges of existing nanomaterial-based sensing systems, directions for future studies, and conclusions are discussed.

Toward Precision Deposition of Conductive Charge-Transfer Complex Crystals Using Nanoelectrochemistry.

The lack of understanding for precise synthesis and assembly of nano-entities remains a major challenge for nanofabrication. Electrocrystallization of a charge-transfer complex (CTC), tetrathiafulvalene bromide (TTF)Br, is studied on micro/nanoelectrodes for precision deposition of functional materials. The study reveals new insights into the entire CTC electrocrystallization process from the initial nanocluster nucleation to the final elongated crystals with hollow ends grown from the working electrode to the neighboring receiving electrode. On microelectrodes, the number of nucleation sites is reduced to one by lowering the applied overpotential or precursor concentration. Certain current-time transients exhibit significant induction periods prior to stable nucleus growth. The induction regime contains small fluctuating current spikes consistent with stochastic formation of precritical nanoclusters with lifetimes of 0.1-30 s and sizes of 20-160 nm. Electrochemical analyses further reveal rate, size distribution, and formation/dissipation dynamics of the nanoclusters. Crystal growth of (TTF)Br is further studied on triangular nanoelectrode patterns with thickness of 5-500 nm, which shows a mass-transfer-controlled process applicable for precision deposition of functional (TTF)Br crystals. This study, for the first time, establishes CTC nanoelectrochemistry as a platform technology for precise deposition of conductive crystal assemblies spanning the source and drain electrode for sensing applications.

Anatomy, embryology, and imaging of situs ambiguous with polysplenia and left IVC.

The situs ambiguous or heterotaxy syndrome is a type of syndrome that involves multiple visceral abnormalities, vascular ones and associated with left isomerism. Malformation of gastroenterologic system includes polysplenia (segmented spleen or multiple splenules), agenesis (partial or complete) of the dorsal pancreas and anomalous of the inferior vena cava implantation. Here, we describe and show the anatomy of a patient with left side inferior vena cava, situs ambiguous (complete common mesentery), polysplenia, and short pancreas. We also discuss about the embryologic process and the implications of these anomalies during gynecologic, digestive, and liver surgeries.

Sustained A1 Adenosine Receptor Antagonist Drug Release from Nanoparticles Functionalized by a Neural Tracing Protein.

Respiratory dysfunction is a major cause of death in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). A remaining unsolved problem in treating SCI is the intolerable side effects of the drugs to patients. In a significant departure from conventional targeted nanotherapeutics to overcome the blood-brain barrier (BBB), this work pursues a drug-delivery approach that uses neural tracing retrograde transport proteins to bypass the BBB and deliver an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist drug, 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentyl xanthine, exclusively to the respiratory motoneurons in the spinal cord and the brainstem. A single intradiaphragmatic injection at one thousandth of the native drug dosage induces prolonged respiratory recovery in a hemisection animal model. To translate the discovery into new treatments for respiratory dysfunction, we carry out this study to characterize the purity and quality of synthesis, stability, and drug-release properties of the neural tracing protein (wheat germ agglutinin chemically conjugated to horseradish peroxidase)-coupled nanoconjugate. We show that the batch-to-batch particle size and drug dosage variations are less than 10%. We evaluate the nanoconjugate size against the spatial constraints imposed by transsynaptic transport from pre to postsynaptic neurons. We determine that the nanoconjugate formulation is capable of sustained drug release lasting for days at physiologic pH, a prerequisite for long-distance transport of the drug from the diaphragm muscle to the brainstem. We model the drug-release profiles using a first-order reaction model and the Noyes-Whitney diffusion model. We confirm via biological electron microscopy that the nanoconjugate particles do not accumulate in the tissues at the injection site. We define the nanoconjugate storage conditions after monitoring the solution dispersion stability under various conditions for 4 months. This study supports further development of neural tracing protein-enabled nanotherapeutics for treating respiratory problems associated with SCI.

Atomically dispersed Pb ionic sites in PbCdSe quantum dot gels enhance room-temperature NO2 sensing.

Atmospheric NO2 is of great concern due to its adverse effects on human health and the environment, motivating research on NO2 detection and remediation. Existing low-cost room-temperature NO2 sensors often suffer from low sensitivity at the ppb level or long recovery times, reflecting the trade-off between sensor response and recovery time. Here, we report an atomically dispersed metal ion strategy to address it. We discover that bimetallic PbCdSe quantum dot (QD) gels containing atomically dispersed Pb ionic sites achieve the optimal combination of strong sensor response and fast recovery, leading to a high-performance room-temperature p-type semiconductor NO2 sensor as characterized by a combination of ultra-low limit of detection, high sensitivity and stability, fast response and recovery. With the help of theoretical calculations, we reveal the high performance of the PbCdSe QD gel arises from the unique tuning effects of Pb ionic sites on NO2 binding at their neighboring Cd sites.

Investigation of candidate gene copy number identifies FCGR3B as a potential biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Copy number variants (CNVs) could explain a part of the missing heritability in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our goal is to investigate the association of RA with CNVs of three functional candidate genes, Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1), Glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) and Fcγ receptor type IIIAB (FCGR3B). METHODS: We quantified the absolute copy number of GSTM1, GSTT1 and FCGR3B genes using droplet digital PCR. Transmission of copy number alleles was investigated in trio families with RA using family-based association tests (Transmission Disequilibrium Test and Genotype Haplotype Relative Risk). Clinical, environmental and biological data on RA patients were also used to stratify patients sample in analysis. RESULTS: Copy numbers from zero to three were identified. Genotype combinations characterised in 182 trios allowed testing the association with RA. Genotypes without null allele of FCGR3B gene were significantly associated with RA (3.41x10-7). Three copy numbers of this gene is observed only in cases of RA (n=14) and a protective effect of null allele was characterised (OR=0.3 (0.17-0.53)). CONCLUSIONS: CNVs in FCGR3B are associated with RA in our set of samples. This gene may play a role in physiopathology of this disease.

Whipple Disease Presenting as Cystic Brain Tumor: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Although neurological features are commonly encountered in Whipple"s disease (WD), presentation with purely neurological patterns is uncommon. Exclusive confinement to the central nervous system (CNS) is extremely rare. In these cases, the development of an isolated cerebral mass is exceptional. In the present paper, the authors describe a case of a 68-year-old man who presented with partial seizures. The neurological examination was normal. The imaging showed a cystic lesion. This tumor-like lesion was removed by performing frontal craniotomy. A histopathological investigation revealed the presence of numerous perivascular foamy histiocytes infiltrating the brain parenchyma. The majority of these histiocytes showed Periodic acid-schiff (PAS)-positive intense staining, which is distinctive feature of cerebral WD. The diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. There were no gastrointestinal symptoms and no PAS inclusions in intestinal mucosa. The patient received Ceftriaxone intravenously followed by oral trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) for 12 months and recovered well. This case illustrates atypical WD, confined exclusively to the central nervous system.

Measurement of absolute copy number variation of Glutathione S-Transferase M1 gene by digital droplet PCR and association analysis in Tunisian Rheumatoid Arthritis population.

BACKGROUND: The investigation of copy number variations (CNVs) analysis of candidate genes is currently an important research area in modulating human diseases. We aimed to quantify CNVs in glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) gene and determine its genetic contribution in Tunisian rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its subsets through an innovative technique for quantification. METHODS: A total of 165 RA cases and 102 healthy controls were included in the study. Using a recently powerful approach of digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), we quantified GSTM1 gene to determine the presence of no, one, or multiple copy number (CN) at high levels of sensitivity and specificity. Odds ratio and Fisher exact test were performed to estimate the association risk for GSTM1CNVs in RA. RESULTS: Copy number identified by ddPCR was 0, 1, and 2 copies per diploid genome. A high frequency of '0' copy was revealed with 54% in RA patients. The deletion ('0' copy) of GSTM1 was found to be a significant risk factor for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) positive RA (OR=4.16, CI95% =[1.17-14.7]). In addition, a lack of association was found when comparing between the CNVs of RA patients and those of controls. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the powerful accuracy of ddPCR for the quantification of CNVs and suggests that the variation in the CN of GSTM1 is associated with anti-CCP positivity in RA. However, it does not indicate a specific role in the susceptibility to the disease in our Tunisian sample.

Successful treatment of postoperative multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis by tigecycline.

Tigecycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic with activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. It has limited indications. Studies are necessary to elaborate new guidelines. Here we report a case of postoperative MDR Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis treated by tigecycline combined with colimycin for 21 days. The treatment was well tolerated with a favourable outcome. In conclusion, tigecycline was shown to be effective in a case of MDR A. baumannii meningitis.

Epidural Venous Angioma Presenting with Spinal Cord Compression in a 42-Year-Old Woman with Previous History of Ovarian Malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Venous angioma is an extremely rare vascular malformation of the epidural space. To the best of our knowledge, only 5 cases have been documented to date and none has been reported in the setting of a previous malignancy. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with a previous history of ovarian cancer, treated by surgery plus chemotherapy; who presented with signs of spinal cord compression for 3 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intensely enhancing epidural mass at the T2-T6 level causing major spinal cord compression, for which urgent surgery was indicated. During surgery, the tumor was extremely hemorrhagic and the hemostasis was hazardous. Blood loss was estimated at 1.5 L, causing hemodynamic instability and requiring intensive resuscitation with fluids and blood transfusions. Gross total resection was achieved and the pathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of venous angioma. The patient recovered quickly postoperatively and was able to walk independently within 2 weeks of starting intensive rehabilitation. She was symptom free with no clinical or radiologic evidence of recurrence at 1 year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Venous angioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of spinal epidural masses even in case of previous malignancy. Subtle imaging features should alert clinicians to this rare yet potentially life-threatening condition. Surgery remains the cornerstone of the treatment and can result in remarkable recovery.

An unusual etiology of posttraumatic Collet-Sicard Syndrome: a case report.

Posttraumatic Unilateral paralysis of the last four cranial nerves (IX-XI), known as collet-Sicard syndrome, is rare following closed head injury. A 21-year-old man presented with slurred speech, hoarseness voice and difficulty swallowing his saliva following closed head trauma. The cranial nerve examination revealed left sided severe dysfunction of cranial nerves VII, IX, X, XI, and XII. A CT-Scan of the neck was performed demonstrating a fracture of the left styloid process at the base of the skull. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed unusually well seen lower cranial nerves due to nerve edema. The patient was managed conservatively with steroids and regular sessions of neuromuscular and orthophonic rehabilitation. The nutrition had to be administered by gastrostomy since he was unable to swallow. Six months after the injury a total neurological recovery was noted. We present the exceptional case of Collet-Sicard Syndrome caused by styloid process fracture.

Characterization of copy number variants for CCL3L1 gene in rheumatoid arthritis for French trio families and Tunisian cases and controls.

Analyses of copy number variants (CNVs) for candidate genes in complex diseases are currently a promising research field. CNVs of C-C chemokine ligand 3-like 1 (CCL3L1) gene are candidate genomic factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated CCL3L1 CNVs association with a case-control study in Tunisians and a transmission analysis in French trio families. Relative copy number (rCN) of CCL3L1 gene was quantified by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) in 100 French trio families (RA patients and their two parents) and in 166 RA cases and 102 healthy controls from Tunisia. We calculated odds ratio (OR) to investigate association risk for CCL3L1 CNVs in RA. rCN identified varied from 0 to 4 in the French population and from 0 to 7 in the Tunisian population. A significant difference was observed in the distribution of these rCNs between the two populations (p = 2.34 × 10(-10)), as when rCN from French and Tunisian RA patients were compared (p = 2.83 × 10(-5)). CNVs transmission in French RA trios allowed the characterization of genotypes with the presence of tandem duplication and triplication on the same chromosome. RA association tests highlighted a protective effect of rCN = 5 for CCL3L1 gene in the Tunisian population (OR = 0.056; CI 95 % [0.01-0.46]). Characterization of CCL3L1 CNVs with ddPCR methodology highlighted specific CN genotypes in a French family sample. A copy number polymorphism of a RA candidate gene was quantified, and its significant association with RA was revealed in a Tunisian sample.

Uncommon progression of an extradural spinal meningioma.

Extradural spinal meningiomas are rare. Our understanding of purely extradural spinal meningiomas is still incomplete and they may be easily confused with malignant neoplasms, much more common in this location. We report a rare case of a purely extradural thoracic spine meningioma in a 70-year-old man, with an unusual progression. In addition we discuss the pathogenesis of these tumors and the potential pitfalls in differential diagnosis and review the relevant literature concerning their treatment and outcome.

Hematogenous pasteurella haemolytica brain abscess.

Pasteurella infections are common in domestic animals and very rare in human. We report a hematogenously acquired Pasteurella haemolytica brain abscess, mimicking brain tumor on magnetic resonance imaging, in an 18-year-old female patient known with cardiac interventricular communication, without recent history of animal contact. The outcome was good after abscess complete removal and antimicrobials therapy for 6 weeks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of P. haemolytica brain abscess.

Dural metastasis of Ewing's sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic Ewing's sarcoma to the central nervous system is an uncommon condition and debate concerning the true origin of its metastases is still up to date. To the best of our knowledge, only two cases of dural metastatic Ewing's sarcoma have been published in the English medical literature. We present an additional case in a 24-year-old female and discuss the pathogenesis of these unusual tumors with review of the relevant literature concerning their treatment and outcome. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 24-year-old female with previous history of pelvis Ewing's sarcoma and recently discovered lung metastases, presented with moderate headache for the past 2 weeks and weakness in her left leg for the past 2 days. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extra-axial right frontoparietal mass invading the superior sagittal sinus but with clear delineation with brain parenchyma. Imaging features were suggestive of a meningioma as no abnormalities in the skull abutting to the tumor were noted. The patient underwent surgical removal of her tumor. Near total resection was achieved and histological examination showed evidence of metastatic Ewing's sarcoma. Postoperative adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy were administered. The patient improved well postoperatively with full recovery of her motor weakness. She is symptom free with no signs of progression, at most recent follow-up, 8 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Despite its rarity, metastatic Ewing's sarcoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of extra-axial dural masses particularly meningiomas.

Echinococcosis in Tunisia: a cost analysis.

Echinococcus granulosus infection is a preventable zoonosis of human and veterinary public health importance in Tunisia. We aimed to comprehensively quantify human and animal echinococcosis losses in Tunisia. Itemized cost menus were developed for the health of both domestic animals and humans, and for productivity monetary losses. The incidence and prevalence of the disease in all species were obtained from national and personal reports. The domestic animal and human costs of echinococcosis in Tunisia were estimated using age-stratified rates and losses, productivity losses (including those not formally employed) and Monte Carlo sampling to represent the uncertainty inherent in some epidemiological and economic values. Echinococcosis in Tunisia causes significant direct and indirect losses in both humans and animals of approximately US dollars 10-19 million annually. These estimates are based on numerous methodological improvements over previous studies and are of considerable consequence relative to Tunisia's US dollars 21.2 billion gross domestic product. A cost-benefit analysis of control programmes using the methodological advances presented here and regional comparison to other endemic diseases is warranted. These may provide information to assist policy decision-makers in prioritizing the allocation of scarce resources.