Solid-state carbon-based textile supercapacitors for energy storage applications

In this work, carbon-based conducting electrodes based on two different types of carbon nanofibers (CNF) have been produced by the dip and dry coating method onto cotton substrates. Furthermore, activated carbon (Norit A Supra Eur) and manganese oxide (MnO2) have been subsequenlty added to the CNF-based dip-coated cotton fabrics electrodes and asymmetric supercapacitors have been constructed and tested with the focus of obtaining devices with increased capacitive performance. In particular, the carbon-based active layer was prepared by spreading on the CNF-based electrodes a slurry containing the activated carbon (AC) material, graphite fibres, polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) as binder and N,N dimethylacetamide (DMA) solvent, whereas the MnO2 based active layer was prepared by spreading on the CNF-based textile electrodes a slurry formed by MnO2, carbon black, graphite fibers, PVDF and DMA. A solution of 1M Na2SO4 impregnated in porous paper separator (Nippon Kodoshi Corportion, Japan) was employed as neutral aqueous electrolyte. The supercapacitors were electrochemical investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results indicated that with this particular combination of carbon and manganese oxide active layers on CNF-based cotton fabrics it was possible to obtain specific capacitance of 100 F/g and a high specific energy density of 10 Wh/kg.This work was partly financed by FEDER funds through the Competitivity Factors Operational Programme - COMPETE and by national funds through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology within the scope of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007136. A. J. Paleo acknowledges the support of COST Action CA15107- Multi-Functional Nano-Carbon Composite Materials Network (MultiComp) by means of a short term scientific mission (STSM).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Central nervous system vasculitis in a patient with HIV infection: a diagnostic challenge

Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Div Doencas Infecciosas, Rua Napoleao Barros,715, BR-04023900 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Radiol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Div Doencas Infecciosas, Rua Napoleao Barros,715, BR-04023900 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Radiol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Multifunctional materials for bone cancer treatment

The purpose of this review is to present the most recent findings in bone tissue engineering. Special attention is given to multifunctional materials based on collagen and collagen-hydroxyapatite composites used for skin and bone cancer treatments. The multi-functionality of these materials was obtained by adding to the base regenerative grafts proper components, such as ferrites (magnetite being the most important representative), cytostatics (cisplatin, carboplatin, vincristine, methotrexate, paclitaxel, doxorubicin), silver nanoparticles, antibiotics (anthracyclines, geldanamycin), and/or analgesics (ibuprofen, fentanyl). The suitability of complex systems for the intended applications was systematically analyzed. The developmental possibilities of multifunctional materials with regenerative and curative roles (antitumoral as well as pain management) in the field of skin and bone cancer treatment are discussed. It is worth mentioning that better materials are likely to be developed by combining conventional and unconventional experimental strategies

Squaraine dyes derived from indolenine and benzo[e]indole as potential fluorescent probes for HSA detection and antifungal agents

Four squaraine dyes derived from 2,3,3-trimethylindolenine and 1,1,2-trimethyl-1H-benzo[e]indole with different combinations of barbituric groups attach to the central ring, having ester groups and alkyl chains in the nitrogen atoms of heterocyclic rings were synthesized. These dyes were fully characterized and their photophysical behavior was studied in ethanol and phosphate-buffered saline solution. Absorption and emission bands between 631 and 712 nm were detected, with the formation of aggregates in aqueous media, which is typical of this class of dyes. Tests carried out with 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran allowed us to verify the ability of the dyes to produce singlet oxygen. The interaction of synthesized dyes with human serum albumin (HSA) was also evaluated, being demonstrated a linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and protein concentration. The antifungal potential of the dyes against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was evaluated using a broth microdilution assay. In order to test the photosensitizing capacity of the synthesized dyes, tests were carried out in the dark and with irradiation, using a custom-built light-emitting diode that emits close to the absorption wavelength of the studied dyes. The results showed that the interaction of dyes with HSA and the antifungal activity depends on the different structural modifications of the dyes.We thanks to Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte (CCDR-N) and FEDER (European Fund for Regional Development)-COMPETEQREN-EU for financial support to the research centers CQ/UM (UIDB/00686/2020), CBMA (UID/BIA/04050/2020), CQ/VR (UID/QUI/UI0616/2019) and CICSUBI (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007491), as well as PhD grants to V.S.D.G. (UMINHO/BD/43/2016) and J.C.C.F. (SFRH/BD/133207/2017)

Insertion (22;9)(q11;q34q21) in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia characterized by fluorescence in situ hybridization

An unusual cytogenetic rearrangement, described as ins(22;9)(q11;q34q21), was detected in a 49-year-old male patient diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed a b3a2 fusion transcript. In order to confirm the cytogenetic findings and fully characterize the inverted insertion, we performed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays using locus-specific and whole chromosome painting probes. Our FISH analysis showed the presence of the BCR/ABL fusion gene, verified the insertion and determined that the breakpoint on chromosome 22 where the insertion took place was located proximal to the BCR gene and distal to the TUPLE1 gene on 22q11

Water and soil losses under different patterns of simulated rainfall and soil cover conditions

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de determinar as perdas de solo e água em um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo, submetido a quatro diferentes padrões de precipitação de chuva simulada e duas condições de cobertura: área com solo descoberto e com palhada após plantio de milho. O experimento foi conduzido no Campo Experimental da Embrapa-Agrobiologia, localizado no município de Seropédica-RJ, e consistiu na aplicação de chuvas simuladas com diferentes padrões, caracterizados como avançado (AV), intermediário (IN), atrasado (AT) e constante (CT), em uma área amostral de 0,80 m de largura por 1,0 m de comprimento. Utilizando um simulador de chuvas portátil, foram aplicadas chuvas com 30 mm de lâmina total durante 60 minutos. Nos padrões com intensidade variada, o pico de precipitação foi de 110 mm h-1. Os resultados obtidos possibilitaram concluir que a cobertura do solo com resíduos de milho reduziu substancialmente as taxas e perdas de água e solo, principalmente para o padrão de chuva constante, indicando que a palhada deixada sobre o solo após a colheita auxilia de maneira efetiva no controle da erosão.This study was carried out in order to determine the soil and water losses in a Yellow-red Ultisol, under four different rainfall patterns and two conditions of soil cover: area with soil uncovered and with straw after corn planting. The experiment was conducted at the experimental field of Embrapa Agrobiologia, located at Seropedica municipality, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The treatments consisted in application of simulated rainfall using variable intensity classified in different patterns as: advanced (AV), intermediate (IN), delayed (AT), and constant (CT), in a plots with 0.8 m of width and 1.0 m of length. Using a portable rainfall simulator rainfall with 30 mm total depth during 60 minutes was applied. For the patterns with varied intensity, the peak of precipitation was 110 mm h(-1). The results showed the cover of the soil with corn stubble substantially reduced the rates and the soil and water losses, mainly for the pattern of constant rainfall, indicating that the residues left on the ground after harvest helps effectively in the erosion control

KCa4(BO3)(3):Ln(3+) (Ln = Dy, Eu, Tb) phosphors for near UV excited white-light-emitting diodes

A series of doped KCa4(BO3)(3):Ln(3+) (Ln: Dy, Eu and Tb) compositions were synthesized by solid-state reaction method and their photoluminescent properties were systematically investigated to ascertain their suitability for application in white light emitting diodes. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) data indicates that Ln(3+)-ions are successfully occupied the non-centrosymmetric Ca2+ sites, in the orthorhombic crystalline phase of KCa4(BO3)(3) having space group Ama2, without affecting the boron chemical environment. The present phosphor systems could be efficiently excitable at the broad UV wavelength region, from 250 to 350 nm, compatible to the most commonly available UV light-emitting diode (LED) chips. Photoluminescence studies revealed optimal near white-light emission for KCa4(BO3)(3) with 5 wt.% Dy3+ doping, while warm white-light (CIE; X = 0.353, Y = 0.369) is obtained at 1wt.% Dy3+ ion concentration. The principle of energy transfer between Eu3+ and Tb3+ also demonstrates the potential white-light from KCa4(BO3)(3):Eu3+, Tb3+ phosphor. Whereas, single Tb3+ and Eu3+-doped systems showed bright green (Tb3+) and red (Eu3+) emissions, respectively. Having structural flexibility along with remarkable chemical/thermal stability and suitable quantum efficiency these phosphors can be promising candidates as white-light-emitter for near UV LEDs. Copyright 2013 Author(s). This article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4794189

Incidence and risk factors for Preeclampsia in a cohort of healthy nulliparous pregnant women: a nested case-control study

The objective of this study is to determine the incidence, socio-demographic and clinical risk factors for preeclampsia and associated maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes. This is a nested case-control derived from the multicentre cohort study Preterm SAMBA, in five different centres in Brazil, with nulliparous healthy pregnant women. Clinical data were prospectively collected, and risk factors were assessed comparatively between PE cases and controls using risk ratio (RR) (95% CI) plus multivariate analysis. Complete data were available for 1,165 participants. The incidence of preeclampsia was 7.5%. Body mass index determined at the first medical visit and diastolic blood pressure over 75 mmHg at 20 weeks of gestation were independently associated with the occurrence of preeclampsia. Women with preeclampsia sustained a higher incidence of adverse maternal outcomes, including C-section (3.5 fold), preterm birth below 34 weeks of gestation (3.9 fold) and hospital stay longer than 5 days (5.8 fold) than controls. They also had worse perinatal outcomes, including lower birthweight (a mean 379 g lower), small for gestational age babies (RR 2.45 [1.52-3.95]), 5-minute Apgar score less than 7 (RR 2.11 [1.03-4.29]), NICU admission (RR 3.34 [1.61-6.9]) and Neonatal Near Miss (3.65 [1.78-7.49]). Weight gain rate per week, obesity and diastolic blood pressure equal to or higher than 75 mmHg at 20 weeks of gestation were shown to be associated with preeclampsia. Preeclampsia also led to a higher number of C-sections and prolonged hospital admission, in addition to worse neonatal outcomes9CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQ401636/2013-5Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationGates Foundation [OPP1107597]; CNPqNational Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) [401636/2013-5

Pneumococcal Serotypes Colonise the Nasopharynx in Children at Different Densities.

Prevalence of pneumococcal serotypes in carriage and disease has been described but absolute serotype colonisation densities have not been reported. 515 paediatric nasal swab DNA extracts were subjected to lytA qPCR and molecular serotyping by microarray. Absolute serotype densities were derived from total pneumococcal density (qPCR cycle threshold and standard curve) and relative abundance (microarray) and varied widely. Compared to all serotype densities observed, the strongest evidence of differences was seen for serotypes 21 and 35B (higher) and 3, 38 and non-typeables (lower) (p<0.05) with a similar hierarchy when only a single serotype carriage was assessed. There was no evidence of any overall density differences between children with single or multiple serotypes detected but serotypes with mid-range densities were more prevalent. The hierarchy of distinct pneumococcal serotype carriage densities described here for the first time, may help explain the dynamics of transmission between children

Aging-related predictive factors for oxygenation improvement and mortality in COVID-19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients exposed to prone position: A multicenter cohort study

Background: Elderly patients are more susceptible to Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and are more likely to develop it in severe forms, (e.g., Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome [ARDS]). Prone positioning is a treatment strategy for severe ARDS; however, its response in the elderly population remains poorly understood. The main objective was to evaluate the predictive response and mortality of elderly patients exposed to prone positioning due to ARDS-COVID-19. Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study involved 223 patients aged ≥ 65 years, who received prone position sessions for severe ARDS due to COVID-19, using invasive mechanical ventilation. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio was used to assess the oxygenation response. The 20-point improvement in PaO2/FiO2 after the first prone session was considered for good response. Data were collected from electronic medical records, including demographic data, laboratory/image exams, complications, comorbidities, SAPS III and SOFA scores, use of anticoagulants and vasopressors, ventilator settings, and respiratory system mechanics. Mortality was defined as deaths that occurred until hospital discharge. Results: Most patients were male, with arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus as the most prevalent comorbidities. The non-responders group had higher SAPS III and SOFA scores, and a higher incidence of complications. There was no difference in mortality rate. A lower SAPS III score was a predictor of oxygenation response, and the male sex was a risk predictor of mortality. Conclusion: The present study suggests the oxygenation response to prone positioning in elderly patients with severe COVID-19-ARDS correlates with the SAPS III score. Furthermore, the male sex is a risk predictor of mortality