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Abstract A well-known strategy to achieve higher energy density in lithium-based batteries consists in using metallic lithium as the anode, however, the problematics associated are many and well-known. One solution to enhance battery safety consists in protecting lithium by using a solid electrolyte. Herein the preparation of a new solid polymer composite electrolyte, encompassing room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) and ceramic powder is reported. The methacrylate monomer, easily reticulated by UV-curing allows to obtain a highly crosslinked 3D structure matrix, rich in ethoxy groups, fundamental for Li+ conduction. Encompassing of RTIL and ceramic particles allows an enhancement of the ionic conductivity as well as mechanical properties, therefore highly reducing lithium dendrite formation. Highlights • The methacrylate monomer, easily reticulated by UV-curing allows to obtain a highly crosslinked 3D structure matrix. • The obtained polymer is rich in ethoxy groups favoring Li+ conduction. • Encompassing of RTIL allows an enhancement of the ionic conductivity, as high as 0,45 mS·cm−1 at room-temperature. • Ceramic particles addition improves mechanical properties, therefore highly reducing lithium dendrite formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Actinic keratoses (AK) arise on sun‐exposed regions of the skin. If left untreated, AK may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), although the rate of progression is low. A practical treatment algorithm for the treatment of AK in standard situations has been published by the AKTeam™ expert panel. However, management of particular situations of AK with increasing/higher carcinoma risk or AK progressing into carcinomas with increased aggressiveness due to their anatomical location (risky areas), or in patients with an increased risk of SCC requires further discussion. These include AK on the dorsal hands, forearms, legs, periorbital region, eyelids, ears, or lips, and organ transplant recipients, patients undergoing treatment with carcinogenic agents and patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The main objective was to propose therapeutic strategies for the treatment of AK located in risky areas and in patients with more invasive/aggressive lesions and a higher risk of progression to SCC. A systematic review of the literature was initially performed, and results were discussed by the experts to propose best management practices in specific situations. Finally, adapted management strategies for AK occurring in risky areas and in high‐risk patients are presented, taking into account the experts’ own clinical experience and current guidelines. In most of these ‘at‐risk’ situations, patients can be treated according to the AKTeam™ treatment algorithm. Difficult‐to‐treat lesions should be treated more aggressively due to their higher risk of transformation. For patients with skin that is highly susceptible to actinic damage, monitoring and sun protection strategies are mandatory, and patients should undergo more regular follow‐up. Further assessment of newer therapies in clinical trials is necessary to determine optimal treatment conditions. This expert consensus provides guidance for the management of AK in risky body sites and in patients with an increasing/higher risk for SCCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel oxygen selective highly hydrophobic membrane is prepared by non-solvent induced phase separation in which a dextrin-based nanosponge is incorporated into a poly(vinylidene fluoride co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) matrix. The membrane presents high capability to entrap moisture from air as well as good hydrophobic behaviour. The membrane was assembled in a pouch type Li–air cell, which was cycled in a galvanostatic mode at curtailed capacity, in air with 17% relative humidity (RH). Owing to the protection of the membrane, the Li–air cell was able to discharge and re-charge for approximately 145 cycles, which correspond to about 1450 h of cell operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Le vismodegib, inhibiteur de la voie de signalisation hedgehog, est une nouvelle option thérapeutique dans les carcinomes basocellulaires localement avancés (CBCLa) pour lesquels la chirurgie ou la radiothérapie ne sont pas appropriés. Sa prescription doit faire l’objet d’une décision en réunion de concertation pluridisciplinaire. Si les taux de réponse sont élevés avec une efficacité rapide et prolongée, les réponses complètes sont rares. D’autre part, les effets secondaires fréquents peuvent limiter la poursuite du traitement ou faire discuter des traitements séquentiels. Nous rapportons deux observations qui illustrent la gravité potentielle des CBCLa, tumeurs négligées par les patients et leur entourage rendant alors leur prise en charge chirurgicale impossible ou délabrante sans garantie carcinologique. Ces observations illustrent l’indication du vismodegib et la possibilité d’utiliser une radiothérapie en association ou en relais, après obtention d’une réduction tumorale sous vismodegib. Un tel traitement doit être connu des chirurgiens prenant en charge les CBCLa, à la fois comme alternative mais aussi comme possible traitement néoadjuvant dont la place à ce titre est en cours d’évaluation. Summary The vismodegib, inhibitor of the hedgehog signaling pathway, is a new therapeutic option in locally advanced BCC when surgery or radiotherapy are inappropriate. If the response rate is high with rapid and sustained efficacy, complete responses are rare. Furthermore, the common side effects may limit continuous and prolonged treatment and lead to discuss sequential treatments. We report two cases that illustrate the severity of LaCBC, tumors neglected by patients and their families limiting therapeutic choice especially surgery that become impossible and for which vismodegib is indicated. These observations illustrate the possible interest of radiotherapy in combination or after tumor debulking by vismodegib. Vismodegib must be known by surgeons for LaCBC, mainly as an alternative beyond surgery but also as a possible neoadjuvant treatment to surgery that have to be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we described click chemistry methodology for the incorporation of biocompatible polymer chains to Magnetite nanoparticles (NPs). We used a reduction co-precipitation method to obtain FeO particles in aqueous solution. As a next step, magnetic NPs surface were modified by a silanization reaction with (3-bromopropyl)trimethoxysilane in order to introduce bromine groups on the particles surface which were converted to azide groups by the reaction with sodium azide. Acetylene functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) ( a-PEG) and poly(ε-caprolactone) ( a-PCL) were synthesized and grafted onto the surface of azide functionalized NPs via 'click' reaction to obtain magnetic NPs. Success of the different functionalization processes at different stages was studied using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphologies of magnetic NPs were further investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The magnetization and superparamagnetic behavior of naked FeO NPs and coated NPs at room temperature was investigated by the measurement of hysteresis curves using a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new, fast and convenient method for the preparation of gold–polyethylenglycol core–shell nanoparticles in water was described. The method pertains to the concomitant redox and polymerization reactions of the acrylic formulation induced by photochemically generated radicals from the photoinitiator, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propanone. The nanoparticles were characterized by using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Homogenous core–shell structured nanoparticles obtained this way are expected to find important applications in bio-medical fields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Skin cancer surgery is usually performed on the face, and more specifically on and around the midfacial apertures. Each defect generated by the exeresis of a face tumor can be repaired by various advancement, rotation or transposition flaps techniques. Therefore the choice of the closure axis of a defect and its cicatricial and orificial consequences is decisive. Results The closure of a defect is usually made by symmetrically suturing its edges, across the incision axis according to the rule of halves. However, the closure axis of a defect is intentional and characterized by the subcutaneous suture axis which determines the induced tension orientation, and thus the possible displacement of the aperture free margins. The horizontal stretching principle guarantees the lack of impact on the 3 major apertures of the midfacial frame: eye, nostril and mouth. Conclusions This biomechanical concept is decisive to repair midfacial defect with functional and aesthetic results. It also provides objective arguments for the reparative techniques prioritization and the ability to codify those to be recommended as first-line treatment in the surgical management of the face cutaneous tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dermatological surgery is a relatively new and expanding subspecialty within dermatology. Little information is available about complications in this kind of surgery in the European setting. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of anaesthetic, haemorrhagic and infectious complications in dermatological surgery and to highlight the factors associated with these complications. Methods Data were collected prospectively over a 3-month period for all surgical procedures performed by a network of dermatologists ( n = 84 dermatologists) in France, including the excision of all benign or malignant tumours but excluding sebaceous cysts and pyodermas. Information was collected regarding dermatologists, patients, procedures and complications. Results A total of 3788 surgical procedures were available for review; 236 complications, mostly minor, occurred in a total of 213 surgical procedures (6%), bleeding being the most common (3%). Vaso-vagal syncope was the main anaesthetic complication (51 of 54). Infectious complications occurred in 79 patients (2%). Superficial suppuration accounted for 92% of surgical site infections. Only one patient had a systemic infection. Complications requiring additional antibiotic treatment or repeat surgery accounted for only 22 cases of 3788 (1%). No statistically significant correlation was found with the characteristics of the dermatologists, especially with respect to their training or amount of surgical experience. Similarly, no link could be established between complications and surgical conditions. Multivariate analysis showed that anaesthetic or haemorrhagic complications were independent factors for infectious complications. Sex, administration of an anticoagulant or immunosuppressant, type of procedure performed and duration exceeding 24 min were independent factors for haemorrhagic complications. Conclusions This study shows a low rate of complications associated with dermatological surgery performed by dermatologists under local anaesthesia on an outpatient basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research being done on atopic dermatitis. It references the study "T Helper Cell 2 Immune Skewing in Pregnancy/Early Life: Chemical Exposure and the Development of Atopic Disease and Allergy," by J. P. McFadden et al. published in the 2015 issue. Several issues are noted in this study including the role of T helper (Th) 2 in the maternal-fetal relation, the origin of childhood allergy and the immunological explanation behind atopic diseases for firstborn.

The paper offers a contribution towards solving the problem of the fast capacity decay of pure aluminium anodes for lithium batteries. To this aim, an analysis of the compounds that form during the electrochemical reactions which occur during the working of the anode has been carried out. The phase transformations during lithium insertion and lithium extraction have been studied and the electrochemical behaviour of pure aluminium and 2090-T8 aluminium-copper-lithium alloy powders have been compared. An electrode has been developed with the active material of the powder, without employing a binder, carbon or additives in the electrolyte, in order to follow the lithiation phenomenon by means of X-ray diffraction as closely as possible. It has been found that, at low current density, the rapid capacity decay of pure aluminium is prevalently due to the incomplete reversibility of the lithiated phase, Li 9 Al 4, during the delithiathion of the anode. Lithium extraction has been found to always be incomplete during anode discharge. Partially reversible Li 9 Al 4 is also present in the 2090-T8 aluminium alloy, together with fully reversible crystals of the Al 5 CuLi 3 phase. In this case, the anode capacity fade after the second galvanostatic cycle is modest. As far as the pure aluminium anode is concerned, thick compound layers, made up of oxides and phosphates on the electrode surface, hinder Li diffusion in the host metal to a great extent, at a high current density, thus abating the anode capacity. However, no surface problems have been encountered for the 2090-T8 alloy, and a high capacity was maintained, after the second galvanostatic cycle, due to the presence of the partially reversible Al 4 Li 9 and Al 2 Li 3 crystals, together with the fully reversible Al 6 CuLi 3 quasicrystal. Therefore, one way of overcoming the low capacity of a pure aluminium anode is to adopt an Al 6 CuLi 3 quasicrystal, or its crystal approximant Al 5 CuLi 3 , which may be present in the 2090-T8 alloy because of the previous presence of copper and lithium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–oxygen (Li–O 2 ) battery is considered as one of the most promising technologies among various electrochemical energy systems, since it can offer much higher theoretical energy density than the conventional lithium-ion battery. However, a high voltage gap between charge and discharge significantly limits the round-trip efficiency and cycle stability of Li–O 2 batteries. In the present work, mesoporous Co 3 O 4 is simply prepared and studied as a catalyst in Li–O 2 cells. The Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles possesses a high specific surface area and a spinel crystalline structure. Cyclic voltammetries demonstrate that mesoporous Co 3 O 4 catalyst enhances the kinetics for either oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) or oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Such excellent catalytic performance of Co 3 O 4 could be associated with its larger surface area and 3D ordered mesoporous structure. The electrode with mesoporous Co 3 O 4 exhibits a higher discharge capacity and lowers the over-potential for discharge process, compared with the pure carbon electrode. In Li–O 2 cells, the Co 3 O 4 cathodes show enhanced electrochemical performances, including a high round-trip efficiency and a prolonged cycle life. More than 65 stable cycles are observed with a Co 3 O 4 -catalyzed electrode, which could be attributed to the low recharge voltage, at which main side reactions due to decomposition of TEGDME-based electrolyte can be suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Single step methacrylation of gelatine from the fishing industry waste • One pot photoreticulation of methacrylated gelatine with liquid electrolyte • High ionic conductivity of 2.51 mS cm−1 and lithium transference number of 0.54 • More than 100 cycles at 0.1 mA cm−2, under constant O 2 flow, at room temperature • Reduced solvent degradation thanks to the bio-renewable polymer The lithium-oxygen battery has attracted wide interest thanks to its very high theoretical energy density, and as such it is considered by many as a valid battery of the future candidate. However, the challenges in its practical application are many, such as liquid electrolyte evaporation in semi-open systems, as well as solvents instability in a highly oxidizing environment. In this work, we propose to use gelatin, from cold water fish skin, a waste from the fishing industry, to prepare an efficient gel electrolyte for future Li-O 2 battery applications. After a single step methacrylation in water, methacrylated gelatine is directly cross-linked in presence of liquid electrolyte through UV- initiated radical polymerization. The obtained gel polymer electrolytes present good thermal and mechanical properties, good electrochemical stability against Li metal and ionic conductivities as high as 2.51 mS cm−1 at room temperature. the Li-O 2 cells assembled with this bio-renewable gel polymer electrolytes were able to perform more than 100 cycles at 0.1 mA cm−2, under constant O 2 flow, at room temperature and at a fixed capacity of 0.2 mAh cm−2. Cathodes post- mortem analysis confirmed that the cross-linked gelatin matrix was able to slow down solvent degradation and therefore enhance the cell reversibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the production of commercial Li-ion batteries, the active materials slurries are generally prepared using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) as binder because of its good adhesion properties and electrochemical stability. Unfortunately, there are some disadvantages related to the use of PVdF: the most important is the use of toxic and environmentally unfriendly solvents, such as N-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP), and the second is the high costs. In the light of these considerations, it seemed straightforward to investigate the suitability of some water-soluble, inexpensive, and eco-friendly materials to test as alternative binders (sodium alginate, chitosan tragacanth gum, gelatin). The rheological properties of these materials have been investigated in addition to the electrochemical characterization. Furthermore, graphite electrodes with PVdF, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) binders have been considered for sake of comparison. We found that some of these water-soluble binders, besides good electrochemical performances, showed a high adhesion to the current collector and a good electrochemical stability under the experimental conditions employed, which makes them interesting for the next generation of Li-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding a patient with recurring human papillomavirus (HPV) associated squamous cell cancer on a psoriatic plaque.

The article New eco-friendly low-cost binders for Li-ion anodes, written by D. Versaci, R. Nasi, U. Zubair, J. Amici, M. Sgroi, M. A. Dumitrescu, C. Francia, S. Bodoardo and N. Penazzi, was originally published electronically on the publisher's internet portal (currently SpringerLink). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]