Controllable modification of transport properties of single-walled carbon nanotube field effect transistors with in situ Al decoration

We use an in situ Al decoration technique to control the transport characteristics of single-walled carbon nanotube field effect transistors (SWNT-FETs). Al nanoparticle decoration in a high vacuum caused the devices to change from p -type to n -type FETs, and subsequent exposure to the ambient atmosphere induced a gradual recovery of p -type character. In comparison with the bare SWNT-FETs under high vacuum, the channel-open devices with decorated Al particles exhibited reduced current under ambient conditions. However, selective Al decoration only at the contact resulted in an improved p -type current in ambient air.open182

Carbon nanotube diode fabricated by contact engineering with self-assembled molecules

The authors report the construction of carbon nanotube Schottky diodes by covering a selectively exposed area of the electrode with self-assembling molecules. Two self-assembling molecules with different polarities, 2-aminoethanethiol and 3-mercaptopropionic acid, were used to modify the Fermi level lineup at the selected contact. The devices showed p -type behavior with symmetric I-V showing clear rectifying behavior after treatment of one contact with 2-aminoethanethiol. Their experiment, in conjunction with the results of ab initio electronic structure calculations, suggests that the diode action stems from the asymmetric Fermi level lineup between the bare and engineered contacts.open131

Photobiocidal-triboelectric nanolayer coating of photosensitizer/silica-alumina for reusable and visible-light-driven antibacterial/antiviral air filters

Outbreaks of airborne pathogens pose a major threat to public health. Here we present a single-step nanocoating process to endow commercial face mask filters with photobiocidal activity, triboelectric filtration capability, and washability. These functions were successfully achieved with a composite nanolayer of silica-alumina (Si-Al) sol-gel, crystal violet (CV) photosensitizer, and hydrophobic electronegative molecules of 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (PFOTES). The transparent Si-Al matrix strongly immobilized the photosensitizer molecules while dispersing them spatially, thus suppressing self-quenching. During nanolayer formation, PFOTES was anisotropically rearranged on the Si-Al matrix, promoting moisture resistance and triboelectric charging of the Si-Al/PFOTES-CV (SAPC)-coated filter. The SAPC nanolayer stabilized the photoexcited state of the photosensitizer and promoted redox reaction. Compared to pure-photosensitizer-coated filters, the SAPC filter showed substantially higher photobiocidal efficiency (∼99.99 % for bacteria and a virus) and photodurability (∼83 % reduction in bactericidal efficiency for the pure-photosensitizer filter but ∼0.34 % for the SAPC filter after 72 h of light irradiation). Moreover, after five washes with detergent, the SAPC filter maintained its photobiocidal and filtration performance, proving its reusability potential. Therefore, this SAPC nanolayer coating provides a practical strategy for manufacturing an antimicrobial and reusable mask filter for use during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

Bacillus subtilis spores as adjuvants against avian influenza H9N2 induce antigen-specific antibody and T cell responses in White Leghorn chickens

Low-pathogenicity avian influenza H9N2 remains an endemic disease worldwide despite continuous vaccination, indicating the need for an improved vaccine strategy. Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), a gram-positive and endospore-forming bacterium, is a non-pathogenic species that has been used in probiotic formulations for both animals and humans. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the effect of B. subtilis spores as adjuvants in chickens administered inactivated avian influenza virus H9N2. Herein, the adjuvanticity of B. subtilis spores in chickens was demonstrated by enhancement of H9N2 virus-specific IgG responses. B. subtilis spores enhanced the proportion of B cells and the innate cell population in splenocytes from chickens administered both inactivated H9N2 and B. subtilis spores (Spore + H9N2). Furthermore, the H9N2 and spore administration induced significantly increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 compared to that in the H9N2 only group. Additionally, total splenocytes from chickens immunized with inactivated H9N2 in the presence or absence of B. subtilis spores were re-stimulated with inactivated H9N2. The subsequent results showed that the extent of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation was higher in the Spore + H9N2 group than in the group administered only H9N2. Taken together, these data demonstrate that B. subtilis spores, as adjuvants, enhance not only H9N2 virus-specific IgG but also CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine production. This approach to vaccination with inactivated H9N2 together with a B. subtilis spore adjuvant in chickens produces a significant effect on antigen-specific antibody and T cell responses against avian influenza virus.This study and medical writing support were funded by Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Histological features and immune cell changes in skin lesions of engraftment syndrome of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Various skin eruptions are encountered during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) of children with hematologic malignancies. Engraftment syndrome (ES) is a disease characterized by fever, weight gain, maculopapular skin rash and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. ES occurs during neutrophil recovery without identifiable causes of infection. Early detection of ES is critical to reduce mortality and morbidity, but identical morphologic changes found in skin lesions from ES and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are a challenging problem for histology-based diagnosis. To resolve this issue, immunopathologic changes in skin lesions of ES were studied. Five skin biopsies from patients with symptoms clinically compatible with ES were retrieved and compared to 15 age- and sex-matched cases of acute GVHD with antibodies to CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD1a. Mean numbers of epidermal CD8+ cells and CD1a+ cells were lower in ES than in GVHD. However, there were no significant differences in mean score of GVHD grade, mean numbers of lymphoid cells, CD3+ cells, or CD4+ cells. In the setting of HSCT in children, the dominance of CD4+ cells and a decreased number of CD1a+ cells in the epidermis are specific features for the skin lesions of E

A Case of Thermal Esophageal Injury Induced by Sodium Picosulfate with Magnesium Citrate

Although thermal esophageal injuries caused by hot food or tea have been reported, thermal esophageal injury due to sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate (PSMC) used for bowel preparation is rarely reported. We report the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with esophageal injury after ingestion of PSMC. Instead of dissolving the PSMC in water before ingestion, he drank water immediately after swallowing PSMC powder. As soon as he drank water, he developed severe chest pain and hematemesis. Upper endoscopy revealed severe hemorrhagic, ulcerative mucosal change from upper to mid-esophagus. He was hospitalized for nine days, received conservative treatment (fasting and parenteral nutrition), and recovered without complications. When PSMC is used as a colonic cleansing agent, patients should be educated to take it after dissolving it sufficiently in 150 mL of water to avoid esophageal thermal injury