Natural nanomaterials : reappraising the elusive structure of the nano-sized mineral ferrihydrite through X-Ray absorption spectroscopy at the iron K-edge

Ferrihydrite is natural ferric oxyhydroxide occurring exclusively nanocrystalline. With ideal formula 5 Fe2 O3 . 9 H2 O, ferrihydrite is quite abundant in sediments, weathering crusts and mine wastes, being characteristic of red pre-soils formed by loose weathered rock plus mineral debris (regoliths) and commonly designated as “2-line” or “6-line” on the basis of the broadened maxima observed in the X-ray diffraction pattern. Synthetic nanocrystalline “6-line” ferrihydrite was recently studied through methods based on atomic-pair distribution functions disclosing the possible occurrence of icosahedral clusters formed by twelve octahedra centred by an inner tetrahedron, all filled by Fe 3+ ions. However, Mössbauer studies were inconclusive about the existence of 4-coordinated iron, thus suggesting that the tetrahedral cation may well be Si4+. In view of such structural uncertainty, a XANES study at the Fe K-edge was undertaken on ferrihydrite from a regolith to ascertain the occurrence of tetrahedral iron. Comparison with data collected from well crystallized iron oxide and hydroxide minerals where Fe 3+/2+ ions occur in octahedral and tetrahedral coordination is described and the results so far obtained are discussed, showing that supplementary study is needed on the elusive structure of ferrihydrite

Papillary carcinoma arising in struma ovarii versus ovarian metastasis from primary thyroid carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature

We present a case of a postmenopausal woman diagnosed with an ovarian mass containing thyroid follicles and foci of papillary thyroid carcinoma during pathological examination. This patient referred having had a metachronous thyroid malignancy 10 years before. The differential diagnosis between a thyroid malignancy arising from a struma ovarii and a metastatic ovarian tumor originating from thyroid-cancer is challenging. Struma ovarii should be considered when thyroid components are the predominant element or when thyroid malignant tissue is identified within an ovarian lesion. Thyroid carcinoma arising from a struma ovarii is reported to occur in a minority of cases. Of these, papillary carcinoma is the most frequent subtype encountered. Regarding primary thyroid carcinomas, papillary carcinomas have a lower metastatic potential when compared to follicular carcinomas, and most of the metastases occur in the cervical lymph nodes. Ovarian metastases are exceedingly rare and generally associated with widespread disease. However, they must be considered in the presence of previous history of malignant thyroid carcinoma. The authors review the main clinical, imaging and therapeutic aspects of both these entities and present the most likely diagnosis

Cultural Heritage analysis using Synchrotron Radiaon: case studies in Ceramics, Glasses, and Lithologic Materials

ABSTRACT: Synchrotron radiaton is a powerful tool for non‐destructve analysis of materials in cultural heritage research. It has revolutonized our ability to understand the compositon, structure, and history of cultural heritage objects, leading to significant advances in fields such as archaeology, art conservation, and materials science. Dedicated beamlines for cultural heritage research are available at synchrotron facilites around the world, such as the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), SOLEIL synchrotron, and ALBA synchrotron, providing specialized support and instrumentation for high‐resolution analysis of cultural heritage objects using various techniques, such as X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, X‐ray fluorescence, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray imaging.N/

Paraneoplastic pemphigus with clinical features of lichen planus associated with low-grade B cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND: Neoplasia-induced lichen planus is described as a cell-mediated reaction to unknown epithelial antigens. Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP), characterized by the presence of a specific array of autoantibodies, probably represents a different form of presentation of the same autoimmune syndrome where the mucocutaneous expression depends on the dominant pathologic mechanism. METHODS: The authors report a case of PNP with predominant lichen planus-like lesions and review the relevant literature. We observed a 74-year-old female with vesico-bullous, erosive, target-shaped and flat papular lichenoid lesions on the lower legs, palms and soles, evolving for 3 weeks. Histopathology revealed a lichenoid dermatitis. Direct immunofluorescence showed C3 deposition around keratinocytes and epidermal IgG intranuclear deposition. Indirect immunofluorescence revealed circulating IgG with intercellular staining on rat bladder substrate. Immunoblotting demonstrated bands of 130, 190, 210 and 250 kDa antigens. A pararenal B cell lymphoma was found. RESULTS: Oral corticotherapy with 40 mg prednisolone daily was initiated with a good cutaneous response. Four months later, cyclophosphamide (50 mg/day) was introduced because of a discrete enlargement of the pararenal mass. The patient died on the seventh month of follow up as a result of respiratory insufficiency. CONCLUSION: PNP has different forms of presentation and the lack of a consensus about diagnostic criteria may contribute to underdiagnosed cases. Advances on the knowledge of the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic criteria have allowed a better accuracy of diagnosis

The perception of injury risk and prevention among football players: A systematic review

Football is associated with a certain risk of injury, leading to short- and long-term health consequences. However, the perception of football players about injury risk and prevention strategies is poorly documented. The present article reviewed the literature about perceptions, beliefs, attitudes and knowledge toward injury risk and prevention strategies in football players. An electronic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and APA PsychINFO until July 2022. Studies were eligible if they included the perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge about injury risk and prevention in football players from any competitive level. The risk of bias was assessed in included studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist. A total of 14 studies were included. Most football players agreed that their risk of injury is high and prevention strategies are important, however they do not intend to use some of these strategies. The most frequent perceived injury risk factors were low muscle strength, lack of physical fitness, fatigue, excessive training and type and condition of surfaces. The most frequent perceived injury prevention factors were warm-up, workload monitoring and strength and conditioning training. It is essential to acknowledge perceived injury risk factors, as well as a better understanding of how coaching and medical departments' perceptions match with players' perceptions, and a modification in the perceptions of the several stakeholders at different levels of action. 2022 Cardoso-Marinho, Barbosa, Bolling, Marques, Figueiredo and Brito

Molybdenite as a rhenium carrier : first results of a spectroscopic approach using synchrotron radiation

The chemical and physical properties of rhenium render it a highly demanded metal for advanced applications in important industrial fields. This very scarce element occurs mainly in ores of porphyry copper-molybdenum deposits associated with the mineral molybdenite, MoS2, but it has also been found in granite pegmatites and quartz veins as well as in volcanic gases. Molybdenite is a typical polytype mineral which crystal structure is based on the stacking of [S-Mo-S] with molybdenum in prismatic coordination by sulphide anions; however, it is not yet clearly established if rhenium ions replace Mo4+ cations in a disordered way or else, if such replacement gives rise to dispersed nanodomains of a rhenium-rich phase. As a contribution to clarify this question, an X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES) study using synchrotron radiation was performed at the Re L3-edge of rhenium-containing molybdenite samples. Obtained results are described and discussed supporting the generally accepted structural perspective that rhenium is mainly carried by molybdenite through the isomorphous replacement of Mo, rather than by the formation of dispersed Re-specific nanophase(s)