Impact of Alkyl Chain Length on the Formation of Regular- and Reverse-Graded Quasi-2D Perovskite Thin Films.

Crystallization of low-dimensional perovskites is a complex process that leads to multidimensional films comprising two-dimensional (2D), quasi-2D, and three-dimensional (3D) phases. Most quasi-2D perovskite films possess a regular gradient with 2D phases located at the bottom of the film and 3D phases at the top. Recently, multiple studies have reported reverse-graded perovskite films, where the location of the 2D and 3D structures is inverted. The underlying reasons for such a peculiar phase distribution are unclear. While crystallization of regular-graded quasi-2D perovskites has been described as starting with 3D phases from the liquid-air interface, the film formation of reverse-graded films has not been investigated yet. Here, we examine the impact of the alkyl chain length on the formation of regular- and reverse-graded perovskites using n-alkylammonium ions. We find that long alkyl chains reverse the phase distribution gradient. By combining photoluminescence spectroscopy with in situ optical absorption measurements, we demonstrate that crystallization starts at the liquid-N2 interface, though as 3D phases for short-chain n-alkylammonium ions and as quasi-2D phases for long chains. We link this behavior to enhanced van der Waals interactions between long-chain n-alkylammonium ions in polar solvents and their tendency to accumulate at the liquid-N2 interface, creating a concentration gradient along the film thickness.

Use of polyurethane foam inside plaster casts to prevent the onset of heel sores in the population at risk. A controlled clinical study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of polyurethane foam in contact with the heel inside a plaster cast to decrease the rate of pressure sores in the population at most risk. BACKGROUND: The rate of pressure sores caused by the plaster cast is reported to be 14-15% in the paediatric population, 33.3% in patients having undergone chemotherapy for bone tumours and 43% in orthopaedic patients who already have sore skin when the cast is applied (grade 1 lesion) to the heel. DESIGN: Controlled clinical trial. METHODS: From November 2007-January 2009, all consecutive subjects requiring lower limb casts having undergone chemotherapy and/or presenting heel soreness received polyurethane foam in contact with the skin of the heel before applying the cast. The results were compared with those of patients with the same risk factors but were not administered the foam and were enrolled from May 2005-August 2006. RESULTS: In total, 156 patients were enrolled, 85 in the control group and 71 in the experimental group. In the experimental group, 2 of the 56 patients (3.6%) with sore skin developed a pressure sore compared with 21 of 49 (42.9%) in the control group without polyurethane foam (p < 0.0005). In the experimental group, one of the 24 patients (4.2%) patients undergoing chemotherapy developed a pressure sore compared with 18 of 54 (33.3%) in the control group (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Placing polyurethane foam in contact with the skin of the heel inside a plaster cast prevents the formation of pressure sores. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study provides evidence that using polyurethane foam to prevent sores even inside plaster casts in populations at most risk is a simple and cost-effective strategy and decreases the discomfort, pain and risks in these patients.

Synthesis of 3- or 4-phenyl-1,8-naphthyridine derivatives and evaluation of antimycobacterial and antimicrobial activity.

A series of 3- or 4-phenyl-1,8-naphthyridine derivatives variously substituted in the positions 2, 6 and 7 were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro evaluation for their antimycobacterial activity as part of a TAACF TB screening program under the direction of the US National Institute of Health, NIAID division. Several compounds showed an interesting activity when tested at a concentration of 6.25 microg/ml against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv and in particular compounds 2a, 4a,d, 8a,d and 8i, exhibit a % inhibition from 91 to 99. Among these, compounds 2a, 8a and 8d appeared to have a good activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 6.25 microg/ml. On the basis of the biological results, the most effective substituent in position 2 or 7 seems to be the piperidinyl group. The introduction of a morpholinyl group either in position 2 or 7 of the heterocycle ring caused a decrease in activity. The 1,8-naphthyridine derivatives were also tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus as Gram-positive bacteria and Escherichia coli as Gram-negative bacteria.