Sol–gel synthesis and characterization of Co-doped LSGM perovskites

One of the major requirements for the development and commercialization of low-cost SOFCs is the reduction in the operating temperature. One of the methods to reach this aim is the use of solid electrolytes which exhibit superior ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures (IT, T < 800 °C). Among these ionic conductors, doped LaGaO3 materials show high oxide ionic conductivity in the 600–800 °C range. These perovskites are usually prepared by time- and energy-consuming solid state reaction. In this paper, La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.8 (LSGM) and La0.8Sr0.20Ga0.8Mg0.2−xCoxO3−δ (LSGMC) powders containing different amounts of Co (x = 0.05, 0.085 and 0.10) were prepared from precursors synthesised by citrate sol–gel method. The precursors were calcined at 1000 °C (10 h) and dense high-purity pellets were obtained by pressing (300 MPa) and sintering in air at 1475 °C (5, 10 and 20 h). Sintered pellets of LSGM and LSGMC contained very small amounts (<1%) of SrLaGa3O7 and SrLaGaO4, respectively, as detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by the combined use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The data clearly showed the feasibility of sol–gel methods to produce Co-doped LSGM perovskite type oxides

Sol–gel synthesis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrical conductivity of Co-doped (La, Sr)(Ga, Mg)O3−δ perovskites

La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2−xCoxO3−δ (LSGMC) powders containing different amounts of Co (x = 0.05 and 0.085) were prepared by a citrate sol–gel method. The powders were used to prepare highly phase-pure LSGMC sintered pellets with controlled composition and fractional densities larger than 95%. For the first time, LSGMC materials were subjected to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization. XPS data confirmed the presence of the dopants in the material and allowed to identify two different chemical states for Sr2+ and oxygen, both related to the oxygen-deficient perovskite structure of LSGMC. The conductivity of LSGMC sintered pellets containing different amounts of Co ions in the B sites of the perovskite lattice was assessed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the 250–750 °C temperature range. Conductivity values and apparent activation energies were in good agreement with previously published data referring to materials with same composition, but prepared by solid-state route. Therefore, the physicochemical and electrochemical characterization clearly demonstrated the ability of sol–gel methods to produce high-purity Co-doped LSGM perovskites, which represent promising solid electrolytes for intermediate-temperature SOFCs

Multidisciplinary approach to the forensic identification of a late discovery victim of a motorcycle accident

This paper presents a case of a late discovery of a motorcycle accident victim. The fact that the remains were almost skeletonized required the input of several disciplines in order to identify the victim. Therefore, anthropology, odontology, facial reconstruction, and genetics were employed. It was found that the victim was male, between the ages of 35 to 55 with a number of healed fractures. In addition, perimortem trauma with a pattern that was consistent with a motorcycle accident was found in the head and upper body regions. Dental findings included a tooth out of alignment with the rest of the dental arcade, as well as a heavily decayed tooth that was replaced by a dental bridge. Both of these findings were supported by ante mortem photographs of the victim. A two-dimensional facial reconstruction was carried out and produced a very good likeness of the deceased. The above findings were confirmed by DNA analysis that matched a bone sample to those of the family of the deceased. This case illustrates the benefits of combining several different methods to make an initial assessment of a case and narrow the list of potential candidates. This can help speed up the process of identification and save resources for law enforcement agencies

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains may carry virulence properties of diarrhoeagenic E-coli

To analyze whether Escherichia coli strains that cause urinary tract infections (UPEC) share virulence characteristics with the diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) pathotypes and to recognize their genetic diversity, 225 UPEC strains were examined for the presence of various properties of DEC and UPEC (type of interaction with HeLa cells, serogroups and presence of 30 virulence genes). No correlation between adherence patterns and serogroups was observed. Forty-five serogroups were found, but 64% of the strains belonged to one of the 12 serogroups (O1, O2, O4, O6, O7, O14, O15, O18, O21, O25, O75, and O175) and carried UPEC virulence genes (pap, hly, aer, sfa, cnf). the DEC genes found were: aap, aatA, aggC, agg3C, aggR, astA, eae, ehly, iha, irp2, lpfA(O113), pet, pic, pilS, and shf. Sixteen strains presented aggregative adherence and/or the aatA sequence, which are characteristics of enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), one of the DEC pathotypes. in summary, certain UPEC strains may carry DEC virulence properties, mostly associated to the EAEC pathotype. This finding raises the possibility that at least some faecal EAEC strains might represent potential uropathogens. Alternatively, certain UPEC strains may have acquired EAEC properties, becoming a potential cause of diarrhoea.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Santiago de Compostela, Fac Vet, Dept Microbiol & Parasitol, Lab Referencia E Coli, Lugo, SpainUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Lab Cent Hosp São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilInst Butantan, Bacteriol Lab, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Lab Cent Hosp São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Shared Molecular Mechanisms among Alzheimer’s Disease, Neurovascular Unit Dysfunction and Vascular Risk Factors: A Narrative Review

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, affecting 24 million individuals. Clinical and epidemiological studies have found several links between vascular risk factors (VRF), neurovascular unit dysfunction (NVUd), blood-brain barrier breakdown (BBBb) and AD onset and progression in adulthood, suggesting a pathogenetic continuum between AD and vascular dementia. Shared pathways between AD, VRF, and NVUd/BBB have also been found at the molecular level, underlining the strength of this association. The present paper reviewed the literature describing commonly shared molecular pathways between adult-onset AD, VRF, and NVUd/BBBb. Current evidence suggests that VRF and NVUd/BBBb are involved in AD neurovascular and neurodegenerative pathology and share several molecular pathways. This is strongly supportive of the hypothesis that the presence of VRF can at least facilitate AD onset and progression through several mechanisms, including NVUd/BBBb. Moreover, vascular disease and several comorbidities may have a cumulative effect on VRF and worsen the clinical manifestations of AD. Early detection and correction of VRF and vascular disease by improving NVUd/BBBd could be a potential target to reduce the overall incidence and delay cognitive impairment in AD

High conductivity of ultrathin nanoribbons of SrRuO3 on SrTiO3 probed by infrared spectroscopy

SrRuO3(SRO) is a perovskite increasingly used in oxide-based electronics both for its intrinsic metallicity, which remains unaltered in thin films and for the ease of deposition on dielectric perovskites like SrTiO3, (STO) to implement SRO/STO microcapacitors and other devices. In order to test the reliability of SRO/STO also as high-current on-chip conductor, when the SRO dimensions are pushed to the nanoscale, here we have measured the electrodynamic properties of arrays of nanoribbons, fabricated by lithography starting from an ultrathin film of SRO deposited on a STO substrate. The nanoribbons are 6 or 4 nm thick, 400, 200 and 100 nm wide and 5 mm long. The measurements have been performed by infrared spectroscopy, a non-contact weakly perturbing technique which also allows one to separately determine the carrier density and their scattering rate or mobility. Far-infrared reflectivity spectra have been analyzed by Rigorous Coupled-Wave Analysis (RCWA) and by an Effective Medium Theory, obtaining consistent results. With the radiation polarized along the nanoribbons, we obtain a carrier density similar to that of a flat film used as reference, which in turn is similar to that of bulk SRO. Moreover, in the nanoribbons the carrier scattering rate is even smaller than in the unpatterned film by about a factor of 2. This shows that the transport properties of SRO deposited on STO remain at least unaltered down to nanometric dimensions, with interesting perspectives for implementing on-chip nano-interconnects in an oxide-based electronics. When excited in the perpendicular direction, the nanoribbons appear instead virtually transparent to the radiation field, as predicted by RCWA

Emergency Department and COVID-19 Pandemic Stress Test: A Comparison between Two European Settings

Objective: To analyze the changes in the Emergency Department (ED) activity of two hospitals during the 2020 lockdown and corresponding timeframes in 2019 and 2021 to assess whether a more structured primary healthcare service could have influenced the COVID-19 pressure on the ED. Subject and methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective study on adult subjects registered to the selected ED during the timeframes considered. Patients &lt;16 years old and women with obstetric or gynecological complaints were excluded. Study period: March 09 to May 03 for the Italian ED (55 days) and March 14 to May 10 for the Spanish ED (57 days) in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Primary outcome: difference in the number of ED admissions. Secondary outcomes: differences in hospital admission rates, priority code at triage, and disease group. Results: Overall, a greater number of patients flowed through the Spanish ED (14,034 vs 8,569 in 2019, 7,208 vs 3,101 in 2020, and 13,214 vs 5,555 in 2021), with smaller proportional declines and lower admission rates (13% vs 16.9% in 2019, 19.6% vs 34.3% in 2020, and 14.3% vs 26.3% in 2021) observed. Most referrals were for non-emergency conditions, followed by trauma and intoxications. Conclusions: In comparison to the Italian setting, the Spanish ED showed increased activity alongside lower hospitalization rates. Further investigation is required to evaluate the potential role of more structured primary healthcare assistance in enhancing the discharge rate to homecare or primary healthcare facilities during the specified timeframes

Safety and Efficacy of Long-Term Tocilizumab in a Cohort of Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis: An Italian Monocentric Retrospective Study

Riccardo Terribili,1 Silvia Grazzini,1 Edoardo Conticini,1 Paolo Falsetti,1 Giovanni Biasi,1 Claudia Fabiani,2 Luca Cantarini,1 Bruno Frediani1 1Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; 2Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyCorrespondence: Edoardo Conticini, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy, Email [email protected]: Tocilizumab (TCZ) is the only biologic drug approved for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA), having clinical trials and real-life studies proved its efficacy and safety. However, the optimal duration of the treatment has yet to be determined, being its early interruption associated with an increased risk of relapse. Conversely, prolonged schemes of therapy may rise safety concerns. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of adverse events (AEs) and remission/relapse rate in a cohort of GCA patients treated with TCZ and an accelerated steroid tapering scheme, followed for 24 months.Methods: We retrospectively included patients referring to our clinic from January 2019 to November 2021 who were diagnosed with GCA and started subcutaneous TCZ treatment (162 mg/week). They also received up to 62,5 mg of prednisone (PDN), tapered following an accelerated six-month scheme.Results: We collected 38 patients, with a mean age of 76,4 years, treated with TCZ for an average of 22,3 months. AEs occurred in 11 (29%) subjects, and only one serious AE was reported; 7 (18%) patients permanently discontinued TCZ. At the end of the follow-up, all the patients continuing treatment showed clinical remission, with a PDN dosage < 5mg. We registered 3 (8%) minor relapses under TCZ, after an average of 15 months.Conclusion: Our data support the evidence of a safe and effective long-term use of TCZ in GCA patients, especially when combined with moderate GCs doses for the shortest possible duration.Keywords: giant cell arteritis, vasculitis, tocilizumab, biological therapy, safet