Biocompatibility of Water-Dispersible Pristine Graphene and Graphene Oxide Using a Close-to-Human Animal Model: A Pilot Study on Swine.

Graphene-based materials (GBMs) are of considerable interest for biomedical applications, and the pilot study on the toxicological and immunological impact of pristine graphene (GR) and graphene oxide (GO) using swine as a close-to-human provides valuable insights. First, ex vivo experiments are conducted on swine blood cells, then GBMs are injected intraperitoneally (i.p.

Hydrogel mechanical properties in altered gravity.

Exposure to altered gravity influences cellular behaviour in cell cultures. Hydrogels are amongst the most common materials used to produce tissue-engineering scaffolds, and their mechanical properties play a crucial role in cell-matrix interaction. However, little is known about the influence of altered gravity on hydrogel properties.

Colossal figure of merit and compelling HER catalytic activity of holey graphyne.

Herein, we have conducted a comprehensive study to uncover the thermal transport properties and hydrogen evolution reaction catalytic activity of recently synthesized holey graphyne. Our findings disclose that holey graphyne has a direct bandgap of 1.00 eV using the HSE06 exchange-correlation functional.

Achieving ideal transistor characteristics in conjugated polymer semiconductors.

Organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) with ideal behavior are highly desired, because nonideal devices may overestimate the intrinsic property and yield inferior performance in applications. In reality, most polymer OTFTs reported in the literature do not exhibit ideal characteristics. Supported by a structure-property relationship study of several low-disorder conjugated polymers, here, we present an empirical selection rule for polymer candidates for textbook-like OTFTs with high reliability factors (100% for ideal transistors).

Unencapsulated and washable two-dimensional material electronic-textile for NO sensing in ambient air.

Materials adopted in electronic gas sensors, such as chemiresistive-based NO sensors, for integration in clothing fail to survive standard wash cycles due to the combined effect of aggressive chemicals in washing liquids and mechanical abrasion. Device failure can be mitigated by using encapsulation materials, which, however, reduces the sensor performance in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and therefore utility. A highly sensitive NO electronic textile (e-textile) sensor was fabricated on Nylon fabric, which is resistant to standard washing cycles, by coating Graphene Oxide (GO), and GO/Molybdenum disulfide (GO/MoS) and carrying out in situ reduction of the GO to Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO).

Impact of a training session for prescribers on the relative prescription of cefotaxime over ceftriaxone in elderly patients.

Background: The prescription of ceftriaxone should be limited to patients with biliary tract infections and those lacking intravenous access. A specific training session for prescribers about the clinical relevance and economic value of prescribing cefotaxime instead of ceftriaxone might decrease the use of the latter in geriatric medicine.

Objectives: To determine the clinical and economic impact of a training session for prescribers on the subsequent prescription of third-generation cephalosporin, that is, the percentage of appropriate prescriptions and the cost of third-generation cephalosporin administration before and after the training session.

Covalently interconnected transition metal dichalcogenide networks via defect engineering for high-performance electronic devices.

Solution-processed semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides are at the centre of an ever-increasing research effort in printed (opto)electronics. However, device performance is limited by structural defects resulting from the exfoliation process and poor inter-flake electronic connectivity. Here, we report a new molecular strategy to boost the electrical performance of transition metal dichalcogenide-based devices via the use of dithiolated conjugated molecules, to simultaneously heal sulfur vacancies in solution-processed transition metal disulfides and covalently bridge adjacent flakes, thereby promoting percolation pathways for the charge transport.

Impact of rifampicin dose in bone and joint prosthetic device infections due to Staphylococcus spp: a retrospective single-center study in France.

Background: Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality burden worldwide. While surgical management is well defined, rifampicin (RIF) dose remains controversial. The aim of our study was to determine whether Rifampicin dose impact infection outcomes in PJI due to Staphylococcus spp.

Medical versus surgical treatment in native hip and knee septic arthritis.

Objective: Antibiotic treatment and arthroscopic or open drainage is the gold standard for septic arthritis. Full recovery takes time after surgery and hospital stay is longer than for arthrocentesis at the bedside. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of arthrocentesis (medical approach) versus a surgical approach.

Case Studies and Literature Review of Pneumococcal Septic Arthritis in Adults.

We conducted a retrospective study on all cases of pneumococcal septic arthritis (SA) in patients >18 years of age reported to the Picardie Regional Pneumococcal Network in France during 2005-2016. Among 1,062 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease, we observed 16 (1.5%) SA cases.

Clostridium perfringens panophthalmitis and orbital cellulitis: a case report.

Background: Clostridium perfringens is an uncommon pathogen in endophthalmitis, causing rapid destruction of ocular tissues. Clostridium perfringens infection typically occurs after penetrating injury with soil-contaminated foreign bodies.

Case Report: Here, we describe the case of a 17-year-old male who sustained a penetrating injury with a metallic intraocular foreign body and who rapidly developed severe C.

Outcome of patients with streptococcal prosthetic joint infections with special reference to rifampicin combinations.

Background: Outcome of patients with streptococcal prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) is not well known.

Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter cohort study that involved patients with total hip/knee prosthetic joint (THP/TKP) infections due to Streptococcus spp. from 2001 through 2009.

Tolerability and Plasma Drug Level Monitoring of Prolonged Subcutaneous Teicoplanin Treatment for Bone and Joint Infections.

Teicoplanin is a key drug for the treatment of multiresistant staphylococcal bone and joint infections (BJI), yet can only be administered via a parenteral route. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of subcutaneous (s.c.

Morbimortality in adult patients with septic arthritis: a three-year hospital-based study.

Background: The objective of this ambispective study was to determine outcomes and associated factors for adult patients with confirmed septic arthritis (SA).

Methods: All adult patients admitted to Amiens University Hospital between November 2010 and December 2013 with confirmed SA were included in the study. Patients with prosthetic joint infections were excluded.

Novel graphene foam composite with adjustable sensitivity for sensor applications.

In this study, free-standing graphene foam (GF) was developed by a three-step method: (1) vacuum-assisted dip-coating of nickel foam (Ni-F) with graphene oxide (GO), (2) reduction of GO to reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and then (3) etching out the nickel scaffold. Pure GF samples were tested for their morphology, chemistry, and mechanical integrity. GF mimics the microstructure of Ni-F while individual bones of GF were hollow, because of the complete removal of nickel.

Graphene foam developed with a novel two-step technique for low and high strains and pressure-sensing applications.

Freestanding, mechanically stable, and highly electrically conductive graphene foam (GF) is formed with a two-step facile, adaptable, and scalable technique. This work also demonstrates the formation of graphene foam with tunable densities and its use as strain/pressure sensor for both high and low strains and pressures.

Highly electrically conductive nanocomposites based on polymer-infused graphene sponges.

Conductive polymer composites require a three-dimensional 3D network to impart electrical conductivity. A general method that is applicable to most polymers for achieving a desirable graphene 3D network is still a challenge. We have developed a facile technique to fabricate highly electrical conductive composite using vacuum-assisted infusion of epoxy into graphene sponge GS scaffold.

[Subcutaneous teicoplanin for children with infectious endocarditis].

Background: Infectious endocarditis in children requires prolonged antibiotic therapy. In adults, antibiotics administrated subcutaneously such as teicoplanin are an alternative to intravenous treatment.

Case Report: We report the use of subcutaneous teicoplanin, after an initial antibiotic treatment administrated intravenously, for 2 children treated for infectious endocarditis following an initial cardiac surgery.