International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Synthesis, characterization and properties of a soluble polymer with a poly(phenylenevinylene) structure

Soluble poly(2,5-dialkoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene) has been prepared via Stille coupling reaction between 2,5-dialkoxy-1,4-diiodobenzene and E-1,2-bis(tributylstannyl)ethene in the presence of palladium complexes. Characterization of this material by means of H-1 and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ultraviolet/visible (UV/VIS) and infrared (IR) spectra is described. Molecular weights, determined by means of gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis and referred to standard polystyrene, were in the range number-average molecular weights <(M)over bar (n)> = 2061-2544 and weight-average molecular weights <(M)over bar (w)> = 3347-3878. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the polymer showed semicrystalline structure. T-g = 57 degrees C, transition to a stable smectic mesophase at 115 degrees C and clearing point at 210 degrees C were revealed by differential scanning calorimetry analysis, optical microscopy observation and XRD of the annealed polymer

A phosphorescent iridium complex as a probe for diatom cells' viability

Diatoms are unicellular photosynthetic algae that autonomously fabricate a porous organized biosilica shell refined in billion years of evolution. They represent an inexhaustible source of low cost, biocompatible mesoporous silica. Despite the major advances in the genomic field, studies on diatom cell biology are still hampered by a lack of cellular tools. In particular, cell staining assays of diatoms viability are still limited or not well performant. Here we provide a phosphorescent organometallic iridium complex (Ir-Fcx) suitable to act as staining agent to detect diatoms viability

Synthesis and optical investigations of low molecular weight alkoxy-substituted poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s

Low molecular weight poly(2,5-dialkoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene) polymers with branched, macrocyclic, and cyclic polyethereal alkoxy chains have been prepared by Stille cross-coupling reaction between suitable 2,5-dialkoxy-1,4-diiodobenzenes and (E)-1,2-bis(tributylstannyl)ethene. Spectral line narrowing in solution and film under high pulsed excitation intensity is reported. The measurement of the photoluminescence efficiency in film is carried out. The PPV with macrocyclic alkoxy substitution shows higher efficiency but lower damage threshold than the PPV derivative with open alkoxy chains. The potential of these materials in electroluminescent devices is discussed

Diatomaceous earth/polydopamine hybrid microstructures as enzymes support for biological applications

Diatom microalgae represent the most abundant source of mesoporous biosilica in our planet. Their fossil derivative, diatomaceous earth (DE), consisting of diverse algal debris with nanostructured morphologies, is envisaged as a low cost silica support for biological applications. Intriguing features such as high surface/volume ratio and biocompatibility as well as unique absorption and confinement properties, make DE a suitable mesoporous support for biomolecules' immobilization and stabilization.In this work, the model enzyme laccase was immobilized on DE using a polydopamine (PDA) coating that entraps a layer of protein molecules weakly interacting with DE. The DE/PDA/Laccase material, produced in aqueous solution under mild environment-friendly conditions, was characterized by spectroscopy and microscopy. The kinetic parameters and the recycle of the laccase were evaluated. This new hybrid material is in principle suitable for biomedical applications and for bioremediation in different environments

Straightforward and effective removal of phenolic compounds from water by Polydopamine coated Diatomaceous Earth

Diatom microalgae and their fossil Diatomaceous Earth (DE) are an abundant source of mesoporous silica, acting as a low-cost natural nanotextured material. Here we report a straightforward coating method of DE with polydopamine (PDA), an adhesive biocompatible organic polymer that is spontaneously generated by oxidative polymerization of dopamine in mild basic aqueous conditions. The resulting PDA-DE is expected to be a promising porous material for environmental remediation of seawater since it interacts with phenolic species used as model pollutants, enabling their removal from aqueous media

Melanin layer on silicon: an attractive structure for a possible exploitation in bio-polymer based metal-insulator-silicon devices

Synthetic melanin based metal-insulator-semiconductor devices are fabricated for the first time thanks to silicon surface wettability modification by using dielectric barrier discharge plasma. Ambipolar charge trapping in air and ion drift mechanisms under vacuum are identified by capacitance-voltage hysteresis loops. These results aim to foresee the possible integration of synthetic melanin layers as a novel capacitor in organic polymer based devices

A Photoresponsive Red-​Hair-​Inspired Polydopamine-​Based Copolymer for Hybrid Photocapacitive Sensors

Inspired by the powerful photosensitizing properties of the red hair pigments pheomelanins, a photoresponsive cysteine-​contg. variant of the adhesive biopolymer polydopamine (pDA) is developed via oxidative copolymn. of dopamine (DA) and 5-​S-​cysteinyldopamine (CDA) in variable ratios. Chem. and spectral anal. indicate the presence of benzothiazole​/benzothiazine units akin to those of pheomelanins. p(DA​/CDA) copolymers display -​impedance properties similar to those of biol. materials and a marked photoimpedance response to light stimuli. The use of the p(DA​/CDA) copolymer to implement a soln.-​processed hybrid photocapacitive​/resistive metal-​insulator-​semiconductor (MIS) device disclosed herein is the first example of technol. exploitation of photoactive, red-​hair-​inspired biomaterials as soft enhancement layer for silicon in an optoelectronic device. The bio-​inspired materials described herein may provide the active component of new hybrid photocapacitive sensors with a chem. tunable response to visible ligh

Melanin-like polymer layered on a nanotextured silicon surface for a hybrid biomimetic interface

The electrical transport across a biomimetic interface made up of spin coated melanin layers on nanotextured silicon surfaces with different texturing features and wetting properties is discussed. Nanotexturing allows, under certain conditions, the melanin better anchoring on a hydrophobic silicon surface, overcoming the hydrophilic melanin-hydrophobic silicon interface criticism. The feature of the electrical signal transduction across such a structure was studied by impedance spectroscopy and found to be influenced by the nano-texturing chemistry and surface morphology. The effects of a voltage pulse, as external stimulus modifying the electrical transport mechanisms and retention of the subsequently achieved carrier transport conditions have been elucidated. The results let to foresee a possible exploiting of this circuital element for bio and environmental molecules sensing