Dicyanamide-Perovskites at the Edge of Dense Hybrid Organic–Inorganic Materials

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade da Coruña/CISUG[Abstract] Hybrid organic–inorganic ABX3 perovskites with dicyanamide-ligands (dca: [N(CN)2]−) on the X-site are emerging as a distinct group of materials courtesy of their multifunctional properties. Here we present an in-depth analysis of the members of this dicyanamide perovskite family, where the presence of the 5 atom-long dca ligand gives rise to relatively open crystal structures - especially when compared with other dense hybrids such as perovskite formates, and which has a profound influence on their chemistry and properties. We compile the synthetic procedures used to obtain these compounds, along with their chemical and structural properties. In terms of their functional properties, dicyanamide-perovskites have already shown an enormous potential for future applications, such as dielectric or magnetic switches, eco-friendly barocaloric refrigerants at low-pressure and room-temperature, or precursors for oil-recovery nanomaterials and thermoelectric glasses, as reviewed here. Additionally, we highlight several emerging phenomena in this family, and anticipate areas with room for development in the field.This work was financially supported by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) and EU-FEDER under the project MAT2017-86453-R, and funding for open access charge was covered by Universidade da Coruña/CISUG J. G.-B. and J. M. B.-G. acknowledges Xunta de Galicia for a Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships, respectivetly. T.D.B. thanks the Royal Society for a University Research Fellowship (UF150021) and the University of Canterbury Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, New Zealand, for a University of Cambridge Visiting Canterbury Fellowship. He would also like to acknowledge, alongside L.N.M, the Leverhulme Trust for a Philip Leverhulme PrizeReino Unido. Royal Society; UF15002

A study of blood contamination of Siqveland matrix bands

AIMS To use a sensitive forensic test to measure blood contamination of used Siqveland matrix bands following routine cleaning and sterilisation procedures in general dental practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen general dental practices in the West of Scotland participated. Details of instrument cleaning procedures were recorded for each practice. A total of 133 Siqveland matrix bands were recovered following cleaning and sterilisation and were examined for residual blood contamination by the Kastle-Meyer test, a well-recognised forensic technique. RESULTS: Ultrasonic baths were used for the cleaning of 62 (47%) bands and retainers and the remainder (53%) were hand scrubbed prior to autoclaving. Overall, 21% of the matrix bands and 19% of the retainers gave a positive Kastle-Meyer test, indicative of residual blood contamination, following cleaning and sterilisation. In relation to cleaning method, 34% of hand-scrubbed bands and 32% of hand-scrubbed retainers were positive for residual blood by the Kastle-Meyer test compared with 6% and 3% respectively of ultrasonically cleaned bands and retainers (P less than 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: If Siqveland matrix bands are re-processed in the assembled state, then adequate pre-sterilisation cleaning cannot be achieved reliably. Ultrasonic baths are significantly more effective than hand cleaning for these items of equipment

Ophthalmic manifestations of Cryptococcus gattii species complex: a case series and review of the literature

AIM: To report 4 cases of Cryptococcus gattii (C. gattii) species complex infection with diverse ophthalmic manifestations, and to review the literature to examine pathobiology of disease, classical ophthalmic presentations and outcomes, and treatment modalities for this emerging pathogen. METHODS: Cases of C. gattii meningoencephalitis with ophthalmic manifestations were identified via chart review at two institutions in Australia and one institution in the mid-west region of the United States and are reported as a case series. Additionally, a MEDLINE literature review was conducted to identify all reported cases of C. gattii with ophthalmic manifestations from 1990-2020. Cases were reviewed and tabulated, together with our series of patients, in this report. RESULTS: Four cases of C. gattii with ophthalmic manifestations are presented; three from Australia and one from the USA. A literature review identified a total of 331 cases of C. gattii with visual sequelae. The majority of cases occurred in immunocompetent individuals. Blurred vision and diplopia were the most common presenting symptoms, with papilloedema the most common sign, reported in 10%-50% of cases. Visual loss was reported in 10%-53% of cases, as compared to rates of visual loss of 1%-9% in C. neoformans infection. Elevated intracranial pressure, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fungal burden, and abnormal neurological exam at presentation correlated with poor visual outcomes. The mainstays of treatment are anti-fungal agents and aggressive management of intracranial hypertension with serial lumbar punctures. CSF diversion procedures should be considered for refractory cases. Acetazolamide and mannitol are associated with high complication rates, and adjuvant corticosteroids have demonstrated higher mortality rates; these treatments should be avoided. CONCLUSION: Permanent visual loss represents a devastating yet potentially preventable sequelae of C. gattii infection. Intracranial hypertension needs to be recognised early and aggressively managed. Referral to an ophthalmologist/neuro-ophthalmologist in all cases of cryptococcal infection independent of visual symptoms at time of diagnosis is recommended

Hospital Nursing Factors Associated with Decreased Odds of Mortality in Older Adult Medicare Surgical Patients with Depression

Background: Depression is common, costly, and has deleterious effects in older adult surgical patients. Little research exists examining older adult surgical patient outcomes and depression and the potential for nursing factors to affect these outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between hospital nursing resources, 30-day mortality; and the impact of depression on this relationship. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study employing a national nurse survey, hospital data, and Medicare claims data from 2006-2007. The sample included: 296,561 older adult patients, aged 65-90, who had general, orthopedic, or vascular surgery in acute care general hospitals from 2006-2007, 533 hospitals and 24,837 nurses. Random effects models were used to analyze the association between depression, hospital nursing resources, and mortality. Results: Every added patient per nurse was associated with a 4% increase in the risk-adjusted odds of mortality in patients with depression (p \u3c 0.05). Among all patients, every 10% increase in the proportion of bachelor\u27s prepared nurses was associated with a 4% decrease in the odds of mortality (p \u3c 0.001) and a one standard deviation increase in the work environment was associated with a 5% decrease in the odds of mortality (p \u3c 0.05). Conclusions: For older adult patients hospitalized for surgery, the risk of mortality is associated with higher patient to nurse ratio, lower proportion of BSN prepared nurses in the hospital, and worse hospital work environment. Addressing the mental health care needs of older adults in the general care hospital setting is critical to ensuring positive outcomes after surgery. Hospital protocols to lower the risk of surgical mortality in older adults with and without depression could include improving nurse resources

N-arachidonoyl glycine, an abundant endogenous lipid, potently drives directed cellular migration through GPR18, the putative abnormal cannabidiol receptor

Background: Microglia provide continuous immune surveillance of the CNS and upon activation rapidly change phenotype to express receptors that respond to chemoattractants during CNS damage or infection. These activated microglia undergo directed migration towards affected tissue. Importantly, the molecular species of chemoattractant encountered determines if microglia respond with pro- or anti-inflammatory behaviour, yet the signaling molecules that trigger migration remain poorly understood. The endogenous cannabinoid system regulates microglial migration via CB2 receptors and an as yet unidentified GPCR termed the 'abnormal cannabidiol' (Abn-CBD) receptor. Abn-CBD is a synthetic isomer of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) and is inactive at CB1 or CB2 receptors, but functions as a selective agonist at this Gi/o-coupled GPCR. N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly) is an endogenous metabolite of the endocannabinoid anandamide and acts as an efficacious agonist at GPR18. Here, we investigate the relationship between NAGly, Abn-CBD, the unidentified 'Abn-CBD' receptor, GPR18, and BV-2 microglial migration. Results: Using Boyden chamber migration experiments, yellow tetrazolium (MTT) conversion, In-cell Western, qPCR and immunocytochemistry we show that NAGly, at sub-nanomolar concentrations, and Abn-CBD potently drive cellular migration in both BV-2 microglia and HEK293-GPR18 transfected cells, but neither induce migration in HEKGPR55 or non-transfected HEK293 wildtype cells. Migration effects are blocked or attenuated in both systems by the 'Abn-CBD' receptor antagonist O-1918, and low efficacy agonists N-arachidonoyl-serine and cannabidiol. NAGly promotes proliferation and activation of MAP kinases in BV-2 microglia and HEK293-GPR18 cells at low nanomolar concentrations - cellular responses correlated with microglial migration. Additionally, BV-2 cells show GPR18 immunocytochemical staining and abundant GPR18 mRNA. qPCR demonstrates that primary microglia, likewise, express abundant amounts of GPR18 mRNA. Conclusions: NAGly is the most effective lipid recruiter of BV-2 microglia currently reported and its effects mimic those of Abn-CBD. The data generated from this study supports the hypothesis that GPR18 is the previously unidentified 'Abn-CBD' receptor. The marked potency of NAGly acting on GPR18 to elicit directed migration, proliferation and perhaps other MAPK-dependent phenomena advances our understanding of the lipid-based signaling mechanisms employed by the CNS to actively recruit microglia to sites of interest. It offers a novel research avenue for developing therapeutics to elicit a self-renewing population of neuroregenerative microglia, or alternatively, to prevent the accumulation of misdirected, pro-inflammatory microglia which contribute to and exacerbate neurodegenerative disease

Nurses\u27 and Patients\u27 Appraisals Show Patient Safety in Hospitals Remains a Concern

In the report To Err is Human (1999), the National Academy of Medicine called for national action to improve patient safety in hospitals. The report concluded that improving nurse work environments—assuring adequate nurse staffing and supporting nurses’ ability to care for patients—was critical to these efforts. Two decades later, have nurse work environments improved, and has that had a noticeable impact on patient safety? To find out, a research team led by LDI Senior Fellow Linda Aiken, PhD, RN surveyed more than 800,000 patients and 53,000 nurses in 535 hospitals in 2005, and again in 2016

CD34‐positive superficial myxofibrosarcoma: a potential diagnostic pitfall

Background Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) arises most commonly in the proximal extremities of the elderly, where it may involve subcutaneous and dermal tissues and masquerade as benign entities in limited biopsy samples. We encountered such a case, in which positivity for CD34 and morphologic features were initially wrongly interpreted as a ‘low‐fat/fat‐free’ spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma. Case series have not assessed prevalence of CD34 reactivity among cutaneous examples of MFS. Methods We performed a systematic review of our institution's experience, selecting from among unequivocal MFS resection specimens those superficial cases in which a limited biopsy sample might prove difficult to interpret. These cases were immunostained for CD34 and tabulated for clinicopathologic characteristics. Results After review of all MFS diagnoses over 5 years (n = 56), we identified a study group of superficial MFS for comparison to the index case (total n = 8). Of these, the index and three additional cases (4 of 8, 50%; 2 low, 2 high grade) demonstrated positive staining for CD34 , with diffuse staining of spindled cells including cellular processes. Four additional cases showed no or equivocal/rare staining. Conclusions CD34 positivity should be recognized as prevalent among such cases and should not be inappropriately construed as inveighing against a diagnosis of MFS in favor of benign entities.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98187/1/cup12158.pd

Evaluation of Potential Protective Factors Against Metabolic Syndrome in Bottlenose Dolphins: Feeding and Activity Patterns of Dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida

Free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) living in Sarasota Bay, Florida appear to have a lower risk of developing insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome compared to a group of dolphins managed under human care. Similar to humans, differences in diet and activity cycles between these groups may explain why Sarasota dolphins have lower insulin, glucose, and lipids. To identify potential protective factors against metabolic syndrome, existing and new data were incorporated to describe feeding and activity patterns of the Sarasota Bay wild dolphin community. Sarasota dolphins eat a wide variety of live fish and spend 10–20% of daylight hours foraging and feeding. Feeding occurs throughout the day, with the dolphins eating small proportions of their total daily intake in brief bouts. The natural pattern of wild dolphins is to feed as necessary and possible at any time of the day or night. Wild dolphins rarely eat dead fish or consume large amounts of prey in concentrated time periods. Wild dolphins are active throughout the day and night; they may engage in bouts of each key activity category at any time during daytime. Dive patterns of radio-tagged dolphins varied only slightly with time of day. Travel rates may be slightly lower at night, suggesting a diurnal rhythm, albeit not one involving complete, extended rest. In comparison, the managed dolphins are older; often fed a smaller variety of frozen-thawed fish types; fed fish species not in their natural diet; feedings and engaged activities are often during the day; and they are fed larger but fewer meals. In summary, potential protective factors against metabolic syndrome in dolphins may include young age, activity, and small meals fed throughout the day and night, and specific fish nutrients. These protective factors against insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are similar to those reported in humans. Further studies may benefit humans and dolphins

Chronic Hospital Nurse Understaffing Meets COVID-19

A study of hospitals in New York and Illinois at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic found that most did not meet benchmark patient-to-nurse staffing ratios for medical-surgical or intensive care units. New York City hospitals had especially low staffing ratios. Understaffed hospitals were associated with less job satisfaction among nurses, unfavorable grades for patient safety and quality of care, and hesitance by nurses and patients to recommend their hospitals

Effects of capecitabine treatment on the uptake of thymidine analogs using exploratory PET imaging agents: 18F-FAU, 18F-FMAU, and 18F-FLT

Patient Image Data. (XLSX 19 kb