Enhanced Photoluminescence of Europium-Doped TiO Nanoparticles Using a Single-Source Precursor Strategy.

TiO:Eu nanoparticles with varying europium concentrations were successfully synthesized via a one-pot sol-gel approach using a molecular heterometallic single-source precursor (SSP) Eu-Ti. For comparison, nanomaterials with similar europium levels were also produced by impregnating europium salts onto the same TiO substrate. All the nanomaterials were thoroughly characterized using Eu elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning (SEM), transmission (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL).

A rare case of presumptive pleural toxocariasis.

Toxocariasis is a cosmopolitan helminthiasis linked to contamination with Toxocara cati or Toxocara canis. Only six isolated cases of pleural toxocariasis have been reported in the literature. We describe a case of pleurisy with isolated eosinophilia varying between 600 and 1500/mm likely linked o presumptive toxocariasis in a 72-year-old patient.

Nano-Structuration of WO Nanoleaves by Localized Hydrolysis of an Organometallic Zn Precursor: Application to Photocatalytic NO Abatement.

WO is a known photocatalytic metal oxide frequently studied for its depollution properties. However, it suffers from a high recombination rate of the photogenerated electron/holes pair that is detrimental to its performance. In this paper, we present a new chemical method to decorate WO nanoleaves (NLs) with a complementary metal oxide (ZnWO) in order to improve the photocatalytic performance of the composite material for the abatement of 400 ppb NO under mild UV exposure.

Unraveling Ce detection at the surface of ceria nanopowders by UPS analysis.

A sequential analysis using Ultra-violet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) on ceria nanopowders has been implemented to identify the influence of the X-ray beam on the surface of this oxide. For the first time, UPS analysis evidenced the photoreductive effect of XPS analysis on ceria after an oxidative pretreatment, leading to an overestimation of the Ce/Ce ratio obtained by XPS. Based on this spectroscopy methodology, UPS imposes itself as a leading technique for analyzing powders with minimal impact on the authentic chemical state, thus paving the way for identifying the real ratio of Ce and Ce of ceria after oxidative and reductive treatments.

A Pilot Clinical Study on Post-Operative Recurrence Provides Biological Clues for a Role of Yeasts and Fluconazole in Crohn's Disease.

Background And Aims: This study prompted by growing evidence of the relationship between the yeast and Crohn's disease (CD) was intended to assess the effect of a 6-month course of the antifungal fluconazole (FCZ) on post-operative recurrence of CD.

Methods: Mycological samples (mouth swabs and stools) and serum samples were collected from 28 CD patients randomized to receive either FCZ ( = 14) or placebo ( = 14) before surgical resection. Serological analysis focused on levels of calprotectin, anti-glycan antibodies, and antibody markers of pathogenic transition.

Potential role of tocilizumab in severe gastrointestinal barrier damage after CAR T-cell therapy.

We report a septicemia and disseminated candidiasis due to delayed gastrointestinal mucosae repair in a patient treated with tocilizumab after anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. Tocilizumab could have inhibited intestinal tissue repair and furthered bacteria translocation leading to the invasion of intestinal mucosa by yeasts as IL-6 is known to be involved in mucosal wound healing.

Acidity of SiO-Supported Metal Oxides in the Presence of HO Using the AEIR Method: 2. Adsorption and Coadsorption of NH and HO on TiO/SiO Catalysts.

Two different TiO/SiO compounds containing TiO nanodomains dispersed over SiO were investigated applying the AEIR method at the adsorption equilibrium of NH and HO from 300 to 723 K, particularly for the measurement of the individual heats of adsorption of the different species on Lewis acidic sites (LAS) and Brønsted acidic sites (BAS) as evaluation of the strength of the sites. It revealed two types of NH adsorption sites: the first ones could correspond either to NH species H-bonded to free OH groups or to coordinated weak LAS (named L1). The second ones (L2) were attributed to strongest LAS similar to those present at the surface of TiO nanocrystallites.

Acidity of SiO-Supported Metal Oxides in the Presence of HO Using the Adsorption Equilibrium Infrared Spectroscopy Method: 1. Adsorption and Coadsorption of NH and HO on SiO.

The present study is dedicated to the characterization (identification, heats of adsorption, and coverages) of the adsorbed species formed by the adsorption and coadsorption of NH and HO on two SiO solids. Adsorption equilibrium infrared spectroscopy allowed us (a) to show that NH and HO are mostly adsorbed on free SiOH groups via H bonds and (b) to determine their individual heats of adsorption: 53 and 49 kJ/mol, whatever be their coverages (Langmuir adsorption model), for NH and HO, respectively. These values consistent with the microcalorimetry literature data explain that their coverages are decreased upon NH-HO coadsorption, considering a competitive Langmuir model.

Invasive rhino-orbital-cerebral aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient.

Introduction: Rhino-orbital-aspergillosis (ROA) is a rare but serious disease in immunocompetent patients. Diagnosis is often delayed due to the absence of specific clinical symptoms. We describe the case of a patient who presented initially with ROA which spread progressively to the right ethmoid-sphenoid sinuses and then to the brain.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in an ICU patient with Legionnaires' disease: A diagnostic challenge.

Aspergillus fumigatus can cause a wide range of diseases, from hypersensitivity to invasive infection. Invasive disease usually occurs in severely immunocompromised patients with deep and prolonged neutropenia. It is a less well-recognized complication in critically ill patients without traditional risk factors.

Successful treatment of Aspergillus fumigatus sternal osteomyelitis with isavuconazole in a heart transplant recipient.

A 65-year-old man was diagnosed with an invasive Aspergillus fumigatus infection with sternal osteomyelitis 4 months after heart transplantation. Unfortunately, after 8 weeks patient developed severe cutaneous and neurological toxicities induced by voriconazole leading to drug discontinuation. Therefore, isavuconazole was chosen as second-line therapy.

Hypercalcemia is common during Pneumocystis pneumonia in kidney transplant recipients.

A few cases of hypercalcemia related to Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) have previously been described, supposedly associated with an 1α-hydroxylase enzyme-dependent mechanism. The prevalence and significance of hypercalcemia in PJP remain unclear, especially in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) who frequently display hypercalcemia via persisting hyperparathyroidism. We here retrospectively identified all microbiologically-proven PJP in adult KTR from 2005 to 2017 in the Lille University Hospital, and studied the mineral and bone metabolism parameters during the peri-infectious period.

Successful outcome of disseminated mucormycosis in a 3-year-old child suffering from acute leukaemia: the role of isavuconazole? A case report.

Background: The use of isavuconazole is approved for the management of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis, only in adults, as no paediatric pharmacology studies have been reported to date. Very few paediatric cases have been published concerning the use of isavuconazole. Amphotericin B is the only antifungal agent recommended in paediatric mucormycosis, but adverse effects and especially nephrotoxicity, even with the liposomal formulation, could be problematic.

MoS formation induced by amorphous MoS species under lubricated friction.

Amide molybdate has been recently introduced as a friction modifier for tribological applications. Combined with zinc dithiophosphate (ZDDP) and fatty amines, it provides an ultralow friction coefficient. The ultimate product of Mo compound transformations in tribological contact, due to frictional heating and shearing, as well as chemical interactions with oil additives, is molybdenum sulfide (MoS).

Case Report: Hemianopia: From Suspected Glioblastoma to the Diagnosis of Ectopic Schistosomiasis Haematobium Infection in a Traveler Returning from the Republic of the Congo.

Schistosomiasis due to is a widespread disease usually affecting the urinary tract associated with hematuria and kidney disorders. Neurological damage is rarely reported and symptoms are nonspecific and may suggest brain tumors such as glioma. We describe the first double ectopic haematobium schistosomiasis case involving the brain and intestine.

Case Report: Ocular Microsporidiosis: Case in a Patient Returning from India and Review of the Literature.

Microsporidia are protists close to the kingdom of fungi that may cause eye infections. Most cases are reported in Asia and affect both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Here, we report a rare case of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in an immunocompetent French patient 3 weeks after returning from India.

Sushi, ceviche and gnathostomiasis - A case report and review of imported infections.

We describe a case of imported cutaneous gnathostomiasis in a Thai patient living in France. Gnathostomiasis is a zoonosis of food origin. The disease is endemic in Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Biomarker-based strategy for early discontinuation of empirical antifungal treatment in critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a biomarker-based strategy on early discontinuation of empirical antifungal treatment.

Methods: Prospective randomized controlled single-center unblinded study, performed in a mixed ICU. A total of 110 patients were randomly assigned to a strategy in which empirical antifungal treatment duration was determined by (1,3)-β-D-glucan, mannan, and anti-mannan serum assays, performed on day 0 and day 4; or to a routine care strategy, based on international guidelines, which recommend 14 days of treatment.

Tuning the Structure of Platinum Particles on Ceria In Situ for Enhancing the Catalytic Performance of Exhaust Gas Catalysts.

A dynamic structural behavior of Pt nanoparticles on the ceria surface under reducing/oxidizing conditions was found at moderate temperatures (<500 °C) and exploited to enhance the catalytic activity of Pt/CeO -based exhaust gas catalysts. Redispersion of platinum in an oxidizing atmosphere already occurred at 400 °C. A protocol with reducing pulses at 250-400 °C was applied in a subsequent step for controlled Pt-particle formation.

Humoral immunity links Candida albicans infection and celiac disease.

Objective: The protein Hwp1, expressed on the pathogenic phase of Candida albicans, presents sequence analogy with the gluten protein gliadin and is also a substrate for transglutaminase. This had led to the suggestion that C. albicans infection (CI) may be a triggering factor for Celiac disease (CeD) onset.

One-pot synthesis of sub-3 nm gold nanoparticle networks connected by thio-based multidentate fullerene adducts.

A new organo-soluble [60]fullerene hexaadduct bearing twelve thiocyanate functions has been synthesized and successfully used as a stabilizing/assembling agent to assemble homogeneous sub-3 nm gold nanoparticles into extended tridimensional networks.

Genetic diversity among Candida albicans isolates associated with vertical transmission in preterm triplets.

We report a case of congenital candidiasis in triplets, in the context of premature labor at 25 weeks gestation, without symptomatic vaginitis or chorioamnionitis. All three infants died as a result of prematurity, aggravated by systemic candidiasis. Multi-locus sequence typing confirmed vertical transmission of Candida albicans from the mother to the triplets and revealed a slight diversity among the strains isolated from the neonates.

Impregnation of decamolybdocobaltate heteropolyanions over γ-alumina: detailed description of the physico-chemical phenomena.

In this work, the physicochemical phenomena occurring during equilibrium impregnation of Anderson-like decamolybdocobaltate H(4)Co(2)Mo(10)O(38)(6-) heteropolyanion aqueous solutions over γ-Al(2)O(3) were described in detail comprising chemical analysis, pH measurements, Raman, and UV-vis spectra. For a surface density lower than 2.5 Mo atoms nm(-2), the buffering effect of the support leads to decomposition of H(4)Co(2)Mo(10)O(38)(6-) into monomolybdates MoO(4)(2-) and Co(2+) cobalt cations that are then adsorbed by electrostatic and covalent interactions with γ-alumina.

Decamolybdocobaltate heteropolyanions in aqueous solutions: chemistry driving their formation and domains of stability.

In the present study, aqueous solutions of decamolybdocobaltate H(4)Co(2)Mo(10)O(38)(6-) heteropolyanions were prepared from molybdenum oxide, cobalt carbonate precursors and hydrogen peroxide used as oxidizing agent. The preparation was optimized adding a consecutive hydrothermal treatment at 150 °C to obtain pure H(4)Co(2)Mo(10)O(38)(6-) aqueous solutions for Co/Mo atomic ratio of 0.5.