Acute Fulminant Colitis Caused by Idiopathic Mesenteric Inflammatory Veno-Occlusive Disease

Mesenteric inflammatory veno-occlusive disease (MIVOD) is an uncommon but important cause of bowel inflammation. MIVOD is characterised by lymphocytic inflammation and non-thrombotic occlusion of the mesenteric venules and veins. We present the case of a young man who presented with acute fulminant colitis, requiring colectomy. The differential diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment are discussed. This case illustrates the rapid progression from ‘well’ to ‘colectomy’ that can occur with MIVOD. MIVOD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of colitis that does not respond to conventional medical treatment

Challenges in epitaxial growth by RP-CVD of strained and relaxed GeSn epilayers on a Si substrate

High Sn fraction GeSn has been grown by RP-CVD with SnCl4. However, challenges remain in creating device quality material suitable for subsequent growth. Surface segregation of tin, which increases with increased tin fraction, raises doubts about the suitability of GeSn as a platform for subsequent growth. Surface segregation may contribute to difficulties of achieving high growth rates and the growth of alloys with an increased tin fraction. The variability of tin content with depth necessitates the use of specialized compositional characterization such as SIMS. Growth of fully relaxed GeSn epilayers remains elusive, with many grown layers are partially relaxed. However, full relaxation is necessary for a direct bandgap material