Autofluorescence for the Visualization of Microorganisms in Biodeteriorated Materials in the Context of Cultural Heritage.

Microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria, cyanobacteria, and algae, frequently colonize the surfaces of cultural heritage materials. These biological agents can cause biodeterioration through various mechanisms, resulting in aesthetic alteration, physical disruption, or compromise of mechanical integrity. To assess the presence and diversity of microorganisms, a combination of microscopy techniques is commonly used in conjunction with results from both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods.

B-NHL Cases in a Tertiary Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department: A 20-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is among the five most common pediatric cancer diagnoses in children and adolescents and consists of a heterogeneous group of lymphoid tissue malignancies -with B-cell-derived NHL accounting for nearly 80% of cases. Novel and high-throughput diagnostic tools have significantly increased our understanding of B-NHL biology and molecular pathogenesis, leading to new NHL classifications and treatment options. This retrospective cohort study investigated 17 cases of both mature B-cell NHL (Burkitt lymphoma or BL; Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or DLBCL; Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma or PMBCL; Follicular lymphoma or FL) and immature B-cell progenitor NHL (B-lymphoblastic lymphoma or BLL) that were treated in a tertiary Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department during the last 20 years.

Fungal and bacterial species richness in biodeteriorated seventeenth century Venetian manuscripts.

Historical paper documents are susceptible to complex degradation processes, including biodeterioration, which can progressively compromise their aesthetic and structural integrity. This study analyses seventeenth century handwritten historical letters stored at the Correr Museum Library in Venice, Italy, exhibiting pronounced signs of biodeterioration. The techniques used encompassed traditional colony isolation on agar plates and proteomics analyses, employing nanoscale liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (nano-LC-MS).

Tailoring the Properties of Optical Force Probes for Polymer Mechanochemistry.

Invited for the cover of this issue are Robert Göstl and co-workers at DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, RWTH Aachen University and Heidelberg University. The image depicts the tailoring of optical force probes for analyzing polymer materials. Read the full text of the article at 10.

Tailoring the Properties of Optical Force Probes for Polymer Mechanochemistry.

The correlation of mechanical properties of polymer materials with those of their molecular constituents is the foundation for their holistic comprehension and eventually for improved material designs and syntheses. Over the last decade, optical force probes (OFPs) were developed, shedding light on various unique mechanical behaviors of materials. The properties of polymers are diverse, ranging from soft hydrogels to ultra-tough composites, from purely elastic rubbers to viscous colloidal solutions, and from transparent glasses to super black dyed coatings.

Multicolor Mechanofluorophores for the Quantitative Detection of Covalent Bond Scission in Polymers.

The fracture of polymer materials is a multiscale process starting with the scission of a single molecular bond advancing to a site of failure within the bulk. Quantifying the bonds broken during this process remains a big challenge yet would help to understand the distribution and dissipation of macroscopic mechanical energy. We here show the design and synthesis of fluorogenic molecular optical force probes (mechanofluorophores) covering the entire visible spectrum in both absorption and emission.

Methods for Exerting and Sensing Force in Polymer Materials Using Mechanophores.

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Dr. Robert Göstl at DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Germany. The cover shows the mechanochemically induced retro Diels-Alder reaction of the adduct of a π-extended anthracene and maleimide yielding highly fluorescent anthracenes.

Methods for Exerting and Sensing Force in Polymer Materials Using Mechanophores.

In recent years, polymer mechanochemistry has evolved as a methodology to provide insights into the action-reaction relationships of polymers and polymer-based materials and composites in terms of macroscopic force application (stress) and subsequent deformation (strain) through a mechanophore-assisted coupling of mechanical and chemical phenomena. The perplexity of the process, however, from the viewpoint of mechanophore activation via a molecular-scaled disruption of the structure that yields a macroscopically detectable optical signal, renders this otherwise rapidly evolving field challenging. Motivated by this, we highlight here recent advancements of polymer mechanochemistry with particular focus on the establishment of methodologies for the efficient activation and quantification of mechanophores and anticipate to aptly pinpoint unresolved matters and limitations of the respective approaches, thus highlighting possible developments.

Central line-associated bloodstream infection in childhood malignancy: Single-center experience.

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a common complication in children with malignancy, often leading to prolonged hospitalization, delay in chemotherapy or catheter removal. This retrospective epidemiological study reviewed 91 children with malignancy over a 5 year period between 2011 and 2015 and analyzed potential risk factors for CLABSI.

Methods: Symptoms, laboratory and microbiology characteristics, subsequent treatment and outcome were recorded and analyzed.