Influence of Added Cellulose Nanocrystals on the Rheology of Polymers.

The interactions between cellulose nanocrystals and six different polymers (three anionic, two non-ionic, and one cationic) were investigated using rheological measurements of aqueous solutions of nanocrystals and polymers. The experimental viscosity data could be described adequately by a power-law model. The variations in power-law parameters (consistency index and flow behavior index) with concentrations of nanocrystals and polymers were determined for different combinations of nanocrystals and polymers.

Effect of Skin-to-Skin Care on the Day of Birth on Skin Colonization in Preterm Infants: A Pre- and Post-Implementation Study.

Background/objectives: Maternal skin-to-skin contact (MSSC) in neonates has been shown to reduce nosocomial infections. In preterm infants, exposure to maternal skin commensals within the first 24 h may prevent colonization by hospital-acquired pathogens. However, the impact of early MSSC on skin colonization in preterm infants is unknown.

Discordance of 3rd and 4th generation QuantiFERON-TB Gold assays by pregnancy stages in India.

Background: Pregnancy and HIV affect CD4+ T lymphocytes and impact performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT). We compared the results of QFT with QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus), which also measures CD8+ responses to TB antigens, during pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods: We screened 516 pregnant women for TB infection (TBI) with IGRA.

A rare cause of recurrent massive hemoptysis.

Pulmonary artery aneurysmal rupture is a rare cause of massive hemoptysis. When the suspected origin of bleeding is the pulmonary artery, comprehensive evaluation is necessary to determine aetiology and guide appropriate management. Behçet's disease and Hughes-Stovin Syndrome (HSS) are important differentials to consider after infections and malignancy have been ruled out.