In situ synchrotron radiation monitoring of phase transitions during microwave heating of Al-Cu-Fe alloys

The effect of rapid microwave heating has so far been evaluated mainly by comparing the state of materials before and after microwave exposure. Yet, further progress critically depends on the ability to follow the evolution of materials during ultrafast heating in real time. We describe the first in situ time-resolved monitoring of solid-state phase transitions during microwave heating of metallic powders using wide-angle synchrotron radiation diffraction. Single-phase Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal powders were obtained by microwave heating of nanocrystalline alloy precursors at 650 °C in <20

Comparative Results in a Combined Procedure of Intrastromal Corneal Rings Implantation and Cross-linking in Patients with Keratoconus: A Retrospective Study

<p><b>Article full text</b></p> <p><br></p> <p>The full text of this article can be found here<b>.</b> <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40123-017-0112-8">https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40123-017-0112-8</a></p><p></p> <p><br></p> <p><b>Provide enhanced content for this article</b></p> <p><br></p> <p>If you are an author of this publication and would like to provide additional enhanced content for your article then please contact <a href="http://www.medengine.com/Redeem/”mailto:[email protected]”"><b>[email protected]</b></a>.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The journal offers a range of additional features designed to increase visibility and readership. All features will be thoroughly peer reviewed to ensure the content is of the highest scientific standard and all features are marked as ‘peer reviewed’ to ensure readers are aware that the content has been reviewed to the same level as the articles they are being presented alongside. Moreover, all sponsorship and disclosure information is included to provide complete transparency and adherence to good publication practices. This ensures that however the content is reached the reader has a full understanding of its origin. No fees are charged for hosting additional open access content.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Other enhanced features include, but are not limited to:</p> <p><br></p> <p>• Slide decks</p> <p>• Videos and animations</p> <p>• Audio abstracts</p> <p>• Audio slides</p

High-Efficiency Biocidal Solution Based on Radiochemically Synthesized Cu-Au Alloy Nanoparticles

The use of nanotechnologies in the applied biomedical sciences can offer a new way to treat infections and disinfect surfaces, materials, and products contaminated with various types of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The Cu-Au nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained by an eco-friendly method that allowed the obtaining in a one-step process of size controlled, well dispersed, fully reduced, highly stable NPs at very mild conditions, using high energy ionizing radiations. The gamma irradiation was performed in an aqueous system of Cu2+/Au3+/Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS)/Ethylene Glycol. After irradiation, the change of color to ruby-red was the first indicator for the formation of NPs. Moreover, the UV-Vis spectra showed a maximum absorption peak between 524 and 540 nm, depending on the copper amount. The Cu-Au NPs presented nearly spherical shapes, sizes between 20 and 90 nm, and a zeta potential of about &minus;44 mV indicating a good electrostatic stability. The biocidal properties performed according to various standards applied in the medical area, in dirty conditions, showed a 5 lg reduction for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus hirae, a 5 lg reduction for both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses such as Adenovirus type 5, Murine Norovirus, and human Coronavirus 229E, and a 4 lg reduction for Candida albicans, respectively. Thus, the radiochemically synthesized Cu-Au alloy NPs proved to have high biocide efficiency against the tested bacteria, fungi, and viruses (both encapsulated and non-encapsulated). Therefore, these nanoparticle solutions are suitable to be used as disinfectants in the decontamination of hospital surfaces or public areas characterized by high levels of microbiological contamination

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as an Independent Predictor of In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Objectives: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a very low cost, widely available marker of systemic inflammation, has been proposed as a potential predictor of short-term outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: Patients with ICH admitted to the Neurology Department during a two-year period were screened for inclusion. Based on eligibility criteria, 201 patients were included in the present analysis. Clinical, imaging, and laboratory characteristics were collected in a prespecified manner. Logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to assess the performance of NLR assessed at admission (admission NLR) and 72 h later (three-day NLR) in predicting in-hospital death. Results: The median age of the study population was 70 years (IQR: 61–79), median admission NIHSS was 16 (IQR: 6–24), and median hematoma volume was 13.7 mL (IQR: 4.6–35.2 mL). Ninety patients (44.8%) died during hospitalization, and for 35 patients (17.4%) death occurred during the first three days. Several common predictors were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality in univariate analysis, including NLR assessed at admission (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.04–1.18; p = 0.002). However, in multivariate analysis admission, NLR was not an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.9–1.1; p = 0.3). The subgroup analysis of 112 patients who survived the first 72 h of hospitalization showed that three-day NLR (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.09–1.4; p &lt; 0.001) and age (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02–1.08; p = 0.02) were the only independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. ROC curve analysis yielded an optimal cut-off value of three-day NLR for the prediction of in-hospital mortality of ≥6.3 (AUC = 0.819; 95% CI: 0.735–0.885; p &lt; 0.0001) and Kaplan–Meier analysis proved that ICH patients with three-day NLR ≥6.3 had significantly higher odds of in-hospital death (HR: 7.37; 95% CI: 3.62–15; log-rank test; p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusion: NLR assessed 72 h after admission is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in ICH patients and could be widely used in clinical practice to identify the patients at high risk of in-hospital death. Further studies to confirm this finding are needed

Current status and length–weight relation of the European mudminnow, Umbra krameri (Actinopterygii: Esociformes: Umbridae), from Jieț River, Dolj County, southwestern Romania

The habitat of the European mudminnow, Umbra krameri Walbaum, 1792, is continuously decreasing due to human intervention. The species has a “vulnerable” status according to the IUCN Red List. Thus, new information about the species is needed for conservation efforts. Minnow traps were used for capturing Umbra krameri and other small fishes in the Jieț River, Dolj County, southwestern Romania. Captured specimens of U. krameri were measured and weighed. Length–weight relations and relative condition factor were determined for the captured U. krameri specimens. A total of 94 fishes were captured using the minnow traps. They represented 7 species: European bitterling, Rhodeus amarus (Bloch, 1782), roach, Rutilus rutilus (Linnaeus, 1758), rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus (Linnaeus, 1758), Danubian spined loach, Cobitis elongatoides Băcescu et Mayer, 1969, weatherfish, Misgurnus fossilis (Linnaeus, 1758), tubenose goby, Proterorhinus marmoratus (Pallas, 1814), and U. krameri. The specimens of Umbra krameri represented 44% (41 specimens) of the total catch. The wet body weight (BW) of U. krameri ranged from 0.8 to 5.1 g, having a mean value of 2.102 g. The mean total length (TL) was 5.782 cm, ranging from 4.59 to 7.87 cm. According to the length–weight relation (LWR), the growth type of U. krameri was positive allometric based on the determined equation: BW = 0.0068TL3.277. The mean value determined for the relative condition factor (Kn) was 1.0056486. The growth condition of 46% of the specimens was poor (Kn < 1; n = 19), while the other 54% were in good condition (Kn ≥ 1; n = 22). The presently reported study provides information about the presence of U. krameri in the Jieț River (Dolj County, Romania), a location where the species has not been previously reported. The LWRs show an allometric positive growth. The relative condition factor shows that 46% of the specimens had poor growth, while the rest were in good condition. Minnow traps were an efficient tool for small fish capture

Overexpression of Tear Inflammatory Cytokines as Additional Finding in Keratoconus Patients and Their First Degree Family Members

Keratoconus is a progressive corneal ectasia that may lead to severe visual impairment due to the irregular astigmatism caused by corneal thinning. In addition to its association with atopy, eye rubbing, or genetic component, late reports suggest the involvement of inflammation in the pathogenesis of the disease. Our aim was to determine the concentration of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, RANTES, IFN gamma, and TNF alpha in the tear film of patients with keratoconus and their first degree family members. We analyzed forty-eight participants in an observational cross-sectional study. The diagnosis of keratoconus had to be confirmed in addition to a minimum of 47 D corneal refractive power by corneal topography readings provided by a Placido-based topography system and analysis of the pattern: irregular astigmatism with an asymmetric “bow-tie.” As for the other groups, the most important diagnosis criteria were a normal topographic pattern with a regular astigmatism. 17 keratoconus patients, 16 relatives, and 15 controls were recruited after clinical assessment as part of the research. The cytokine’s mean values were similar in the keratoconus group and the relatives’ samples but significantly higher compared to the controls. Important differences were found in IL-4 levels between keratoconus patients and relatives and between relatives and controls (mean difference of 302.42, p<0.0016 and 219.16, p<0.033, Tukey’s HSD procedure). In the keratoconus group, using the CORR procedure, we found statistically strong correlations of IL-6 lacrimal concentrations with the disease stage (r=0.56, p<0.01), keratometry (r=0.55, p<0.02), pachymetry (r=−0.64, p<0.048), and corneal hysteresis (r=−0.53, p<0.02). Cytokine overexpression may be relevant for the inflammatory etiology of keratoconus. In conclusion, in the case of some first degree family members, the elevated tear biomarkers may represent a supplementary risk factor