Two different acid oxidation syntheses to open C60 fullerene for heavy metal detection

Graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) can be synthesized through a large variety of synthesis methods starting from different carbon allotropes such as nanotubes, graphite, C60 and exploiting various synthesis and reactions. These different approaches have great influence on the properties of the obtained materials, and, consequently, on the potential applications. In this work, Buckminster C60 fullerene has been used to prepare unfolded fullerene nanoparticles (UFNPs) via two distinct synthesis methods namely: Hummer and H2 SO4 + HNO3 solution. The different characteristics of the final materials and the different response in the presence of heavy metal ions have been investigated in view of sensing applications of water contamination

Next-Generation Sequencing for Clinical Management of Multiple Myeloma : Ready for Prime Time?

Personalized treatment is an attractive strategy that promises increased efficacy with reduced side effects in cancer. The feasibility of such an approach has been greatly boosted by next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, which can return detailed information on the genome and on the transcriptome of each patient's tumor, thus highlighting biomarkers of response or druggable targets that may differ from case to case. However, while the number of cancers sequenced is growing exponentially, much fewer cases are amenable to a molecularly-guided treatment outside of clinical trials to date. In multiple myeloma, genomic analysis shows a variety of gene mutations, aneuploidies, segmental copy-number changes, translocations that are extremely heterogeneous, and more numerous than other hematological malignancies. Currently, in routine clinical practice we employ reduced FISH panels that only capture three high-risk features as part of the R-ISS. On the contrary, recent advances have suggested that extending genomic analysis to the full spectrum of recurrent mutations and structural abnormalities in multiple myeloma may have biological and clinical implications. Furthermore, increased efficacy of novel treatments can now produce deeper responses, and standard methods do not have enough sensitivity to stratify patients in complete biochemical remission. Consequently, NGS techniques have been developed to monitor the size of the clone to a sensitivity of up to a cell in a million after treatment. However, even these techniques are not within reach of standard laboratories. In this review we will recapitulate recent advances in multiple myeloma genomics, with special focus on the ones that may have immediate translational impact. We will analyze the benefits and pitfalls of NGS-based diagnostics, highlighting crucial aspects that will need to be taken into account before this can be implemented in most laboratories. We will make the point that a new era in myeloma diagnostics and minimal residual disease monitoring is close and conventional genetic testing will not be able to return the required information. This will mandate that even in routine practice NGS should soon be adopted owing to a higher informative potential with increasing clinical benefits

Zn–al layered double hydroxides synthesized on aluminum foams for fluoride removal from water

Fluoride excess in water represents an environmental issue and a risk for human health since it can cause several diseases, such as fluorosis, osteoporosis, and damage of the nervous system. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) can be exploited to remove this contaminant from water by taking advantage of their high ion-exchange capability. LDHs are generally mixed with polluted water in the form of powders, which then cause the problem of uneasy separation of the contaminated LDH sludge from the purified liquid. In this work, Zn–Al LDH films were directly grown in situ on aluminum foams that acted both as the reactant and substrate. This method enabled the removal of fluoride ions by simple immersion, with ensuing withdrawal of the foam from the de-contaminated water. Different LDH synthesis methods and aluminum foam types were investigated to improve the adsorption process. The contact time, initial fluoride concentration, adsorbent dosage, and pH were studied as the parameters that affect the fluoride adsorption capacity and efficiency. The highest absorption efficiency of approximately 70% was obtained by using two separate growth methods after four hours, and it effectively reduced the fluoride concentration from 3 mg/L to 1.1 mg/L, which is below the threshold value set by WHO for drinking water

Cr segregation and impact fracture in a martensitic stainless steel

The fracture surfaces of a 10.5 wt.% Cr martensitic stainless steel broken in Charpy tests have been investigated through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The specimens have been examined in two different conditions: as-quenched and heat treated for 10 h at 700°C. The trends of Fe/Cr ratio vs. test temperature are similar to the sigmoidal curves of absorbed energy and, after both ductile and quasi-cleavage brittle fractures, such ratio is always significantly lower than the nominal value of the steel chemical composition. Cr segregation does not occur on a macroscopic scale but takes place in microscopic zones which represent weaker spots in the steel matrix and a preferred path for moving cracks. Small area (diameter 300 μm) XPS measurements evidenced a higher density of such microscopic zones in the inner part of probes; this is explained by the different diffusion length of Cr atoms in the external and inner parts during quenching from austenitic field which has been calculated through FEM simulations. No significant differences of Cr concentration were observed in fracture surfaces of probes with and without heat treatment. The results highlight how Cr segregation plays a role not only in the intergranular mode of fracture but also in the quasi-cleavage and ductile ones

Correlation between the bath composition and nanoporosity of DC-electrodeposited Ni-Fe alloy

The outstanding mechanical strength of as-deposited DC-electrodeposited nanocrystalline (nc) Ni-Fe alloys has been the subject of numerous researches in view of their scientific and practical interest. However, recent studies have reported a dramatic drop in ductility upon annealing above 350°C, associated with a concomitant abnormal rapid grain growth. The inherent cause has been ascribed to the presence of a detrimental product or by product in the bath, which affects either the microstructure or causes defects in the concentration and/or distribution of the as-deposited films. The present work has been inspired by the observed abnormal behaviour of annealed electrodeposited nc Ni-Fe alloy, which has here been addressed by considering the relationship between the composition of the bath (iron-chloride, nickel-sulphate solution, saccharin and ascorbic acid) and deposition defects (e.g. grain boundary pores) in the case of an nc Ni-Fe (Fe 48 wt%) alloy. The current investigations have included X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in both as-deposited and post-annealed conditions (300°C–400°C). XPS depth profiling with Ar ion sputtering showed a significant amount of C and O impurities entrapped in the foils during deposition. As such impurities are often overlooked in common analytical techniques, new scenarios may need to be rationalised to explain the observed drop in tensile ductility of the as-deposited Ni-Fe alloys

Patient-level meta-analysis of the EDITION 1, 2 and 3 studies : glycaemic control and hypoglycaemia with new insulin glargine 300 U/ml versus glargine 100 U/ml in people with type 2 diabetes

AimsTo conduct a patient-level meta-analysis of the EDITION 1, 2 and 3 studies, which compared the efficacy and safety of new insulin glargine 300 U/ml (Gla-300) with insulin glargine 100 U/ml (Gla-100) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) on basal and mealtime insulin, basal insulin and oral antihyperglycaemic drugs, or no prior insulin, respectively. MethodsThe EDITION studies were multicentre, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, phase IIIa studies, with similar designs and endpoints. A patient-level meta-analysis of the studies enabled these endpoints to be examined over 6 months in a large population with T2DM (Gla-300, n = 1247; Gla-100, n = 1249). ResultsNo significant study-by-treatment interactions across studies were found, enabling them to be pooled. The mean change in glycated haemoglobin was comparable for Gla-300 and Gla-100 [each -1.02 (standard error 0.03)%; least squares (LS) mean difference 0.00 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.08 to 0.07)%]. Annualized rates of confirmed (3.9 mmol/l) or severe hypoglycaemia were lower with Gla-300 than with Gla-100 during the night (31% difference in rate ratio over 6 months) and at any time (24 h, 14% difference). Consistent reductions were observed in percentage of participants with 1 hypoglycaemic event. Severe hypoglycaemia at any time (24 h) was rare (Gla-300: 2.3%; Gla-100: 2.6%). Weight gain was low ( ConclusionGla-300 provides comparable glycaemic control to Gla-100 in a large population with a broad clinical spectrum of T2DM, with consistently less hypoglycaemia at any time of day and less nocturnal hypoglycaemia.Peer reviewe

Comparative pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics of subcutaneous insulin glulisine and insulin aspart prior to a standard meal in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes

Aims: A multinational, randomized, double-blind, two-way crossover trial to compare the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of bolus, subcutaneously administered insulin glulisine (glulisine) and insulin aspart (aspart) in insulin-naÏve, obese subjects with type 2 diabetes

An accurate, nontraumatic ultrasonic method to monitor myocardial wall thickening in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

AbstractMeasurement of systolic wall thickening by sonomicrometry provides an accurate index of regional left ventricular function, but the trauma of crystal insertion limits its widespread clinical use. The first clinical application of a 10 MHz ultrasonic Doppler probe that can be either sutured or applied by suction to the epicardium and can measure wall thickening at any depth of the left ventricular wall is described. In 18 dogs, measurements obtained with the suction probe correlated well (r = 0.97) with those of a previously validated sutured probe.To assess clinical feasibility, the probe was applied to the epicardium of patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. Good quality wall thickening signals were obtained with no complications. Transmural left ventricular thickening fraction before bypass surgery was 34 ± 3% (mean value ± SE) at the mid-ventricular lateral wall, 33 ± 4% at the anterior basal wall and 26 ± 4% at the mid-ventricular posterior wall. Right ventricular thickening fraction averaged 25 ± 3%. Endocardial thickening fraction tended to exceed epicardial thickening fraction, although the difference attained statistical significance (p < 0.05) only at the anterior basal wall.On average, thickening fraction during the immediate postoperative period remained unchanged compared with the preoperutive values, but a marked individual variability was observed, with 7 of 15 patients exhibiting a decrease and 8 an increase. Exteriorization of the wires attached to the sutured probe allowed continuous in situ monitoring of wall thickening in the postoperative period and subsequent removal of the probe, in six patients the crystal was left in place for 48 to 72 h after surgery and then removed without complications; good wall thickening signals were obtained for the entire period during which the probe was implanted.Thus, the Doppler probe is an accurate, atraumatic method for measuring right and left ventricular regional function. Transmural, endocardial and epicardial function can be mapped at various sites during surgery, and postoperatively one can monitor serial changes of regional function and assess the effects of cardioplegia and other therapeutic interventions. This technique should be useful for both investigative and clinical purposes

One-year sustained glycaemic control and less hypoglycaemia with new insulin glargine 300 U/ml compared with 100 U/ml in people with type 2 diabetes using basal plus meal-time insulin : the EDITION 1 12-month randomized trial, including 6-month extension

AimsTo evaluate the maintenance of efficacy and safety of insulin glargine 300 U/ml (Gla-300) versus glargine 100 U/ml (Gla-100) in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using basal plus meal-time insulin for 12 months in the EDITION 1 trial. MethodsEDITION 1 was a multicentre, randomized, open-label, two-arm, phase IIIa study. Participants completing the initial 6-month treatment period continued to receive Gla-300 or Gla-100, as previously randomized, once daily for a further 6-month open-label extension phase. Changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose concentrations, insulin dose, hypoglycaemic events and body weight were assessed. ResultsOf 807 participants enrolled in the initial phase, 89% (359/404) assigned to Gla-300 and 88% (355/403) assigned to Gla-100 completed 12 months. Glycaemic control was sustained in both groups (mean HbA1c: Gla-300, 7.24%; Gla-100, 7.42%), with more sustained HbA1c reduction for Gla-300 at 12 months: least squares mean difference Gla-300 vs Gla-100: HbA1c -0.17 [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.30 to -0.05]%. The mean daily basal insulin dose at 12 months was 1.03 U/kg for Gla-300 and 0.90 U/kg for Gla-100. Lower percentages of participants had 1 confirmed [3.9 mmol/l (70 mg/dl)] or severe hypoglycaemic event with Gla-300 than Gla-100 at any time of day [24 h; 86 vs 92%; relative risk 0.94 (95% CI 0.89-0.99)] and during the night [54 vs 65%; relative risk 0.84 (95% CI 0.75-0.94)], while the annualized rates of such hypoglycaemic events were similar. No between-treatment differences in adverse events were apparent. ConclusionDuring 12 months of treatment of T2DM requiring basal and meal-time insulin, glycaemic control was better sustained and fewer individuals reported hypoglycaemia with Gla-300 than with Gla-100. The mean basal insulin dose was higher with Gla-300 compared with Gla-100, but total numbers of hypoglycaemic events and overall tolerability did not differ between treatments.Peer reviewe