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When a few drops of acid (hydrochloric, acrylic, propionic, acetic, or formic) are added to a colloid comprised of 1D lepidocrocite titanate nanofilaments (1DLs)-2 × 2 TiO 6 octahedra in cross-section-a hydrogel forms, in many cases, within seconds. The 1DL synthesis process requires the reaction between titanium diboride with tetramethylammonium (TMA + ), hydroxide. Using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the mass percent of TMA + after synthesis is determined to be ≈ 13.1 ± 0.1%. The TMA + is completely removed from the gels after 2 water soak cycles, resulting in the first completely inorganic, TiO 2 -based hydrogels. Ion exchanging the TMA + with hydronium results in gels with relatively strong hydrogen bonds. The hydrogels' compression strengths increased linearly with 1DL colloid concentration. At a 1DL concentration of 45 g L -1 , the compressive strength, at 80% deformation when acrylic acid is used, is ≈325 kPa. The strengths are ≈ 50% greater after the TMA + is removed. The removal of all residual organic components in the hydrogels, including TMA + , is confirmed by qNMR, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and TGA/DSC. The 1DL phase is retained after gelation, TMA + removal, and 80% compression., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Truly one-dimensional titanium oxide nanofilaments with a lepidocrocite structure (1DLs) were explored in the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of aqueous malachite green (MG), a toxic polluting dye. Decolorization is monitored by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and mineralization is confirmed by total organic carbon analysis. The 1DL/MG flocs are characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. 1DLs, a colloidal nanomaterial, exhibit flocculating behavior while demonstrating high affinity for MG, with a maximum uptake of >680 mg/g rapidly via ion exchange. Additionally, 1DLs decolorize MG under visible light only , unlike most available titania products, via a self-sensitization effect. MG is decolorized by 1DLs by >70% in 30 min under 1 sun exposure of visible light. Counterintuitively, dye adsorption increases as the normalized concentration by mass of 1DL decreases. Demonstrating high adsorption capacity and dye mineralization supports the use of 1DLs in water treatment and self-sensitization for photoelectrochemical devices, like solar cells., Competing Interests: One of the authors, M.W.B., filed for a patent on the 1D titanate which is the subject of this work., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Herein, the self-assembly of one-dimensional titanium oxide lepidocrocite nanofilaments in 10 different water miscible organic solvents was investigated. The nanofilament snippets, with minimal cross sections of ∼5 × 7 Å 2 and lengths around 30 nm, begin as an aqueous colloidal suspension. Upon addition, and brief mixing, of the colloidal suspension into a given solvent, a multitude of morphologies─seemingly based on the hydrophilicity and polarity of the solvent─emerge. These morphologies vary between sheets, highly networked webs, and discrete fibers, all with no apparent change in the lepidocrocite structure. On the micro- and nanoscale, the morphologies are reminiscent of biological, rather than inorganic, materials. The results of this work give insight into the self-assembly of these materials and offer new pathways for novel macrostructures/morphologies assembled from these highly adsorbent and catalytically active low-dimensional materials.

Since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the world has witnessed over 617 million confirmed cases and more than 6.54 million confirmed deaths, but the actual totals are likely much higher. The virus has mutated at a significantly faster rate than initially projected, and positive cases continue to surge with the emergence of ever more transmissible variants. According to the CDC, and at the time of this manuscript submission, more than 77% of all current US cases are a result of the B.5 (omicron). The continued emergence of highly transmissible variants makes clear the need for more effective methods of mitigating disease spread. Herein, we have developed an antimicrobial fabric capable of destroying a myriad of microbes including betacoronaviruses. We have demonstrated the capability of this highly porous and nontoxic metal organic framework (MOF), γ-CD-MOF-1, to serve as a host for varied-length benzalkonium chlorides (BACs; active ingredient in Lysol). Molecular docking simulations predicted a binding affinity of up to -4.12 kcal·mol -1 , which is comparable to that of other reported guest molecules for this MOF. Similar Raman spectra and powder X-ray diffraction patterns between the unloaded and loaded MOFs, accompanied by a decrease in the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area from 616.20 and 155.55 m 2 g -1 respectively, corroborate the suggested potential for pore occupation with BAC. The MOF was grown on polypropylene fabric, exposed to a BAC-loading bath, washed to remove excess BAC from the external surface, and evaluated for its microbicidal activity against various bacterial and viral classes. Significant antimicrobial character was observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , bacteriophage, and betacoronavirus. This study shows that a common mask material (polypropylene) can be coated with BAC-loaded γ-CD-MOF-1 while maintaining the guest molecule's antimicrobial effects.

Black phosphorus (BP) has been gathering great attention for its electronic and optoelectronic applications due to its high electron mobility and high I ON/OFF current switching ratio. The limitations of this material include its low synthetic yield and high cost. One alternative to BP is another type of phosphorus allotrope, red phosphorus (RP), which is much more affordable and easier to process. Although RP has been widely used in industry for hundreds of years and considered as an insulating material, in this study, we demonstrate through field-effect transistors (FET) measurements that amorphous red phosphorus (a-RP) films are semiconductive with a high mobility of 387 cm 2  V -1  s -1 and a current switching ratio of ≈10 3 , which is comparable to the electronic characteristics previously reported for BP. The films were produced via a thermal evaporation method or a facile drop-casting approach onto Si/SiO 2 substrates. We also report a study of the oxidation process of the films over time and a method to stabilize the films via doping a-RP with metal oxides. The doped films retain stability for one thousand I-V cycles, with no signs of degradation., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Background: Granular cell tumor (GCT) (granular cell "myoblastoma") is an uncommon neoplasm that may mimic carcinoma both clinically and morphologically. Fine needle aspiration diagnosis of vulvar GNT has been described on only one prior occasion., Case: A 74-year-old, black female presented with a mass in the left labia. Fine needle aspiration biopsy revealed rare intact cells; abundant, granular, cytoplasmic fragments; and bland, ovoid, stripped nuclei. The intact cells were arranged in loose aggregates. Each sampling was exquisitely painful to the patient despite the use of local anesthesia., Conclusion: Cytologists should be aware of the distinctive clinical and morphologic appearance of GCT. The cytologic findings of vulvar, GCT are identical to those described at other body sites. Definitive diagnosis before extirpation permits definitive therapy.

Background: Lung allograft rejection (AR) is thought to involve T-helper-1 (Th-1) lymphocytes mediating both cellular immunity and alloantibody production. Th-1 lymphocytes produce gamma interferon (gamma IFN) and induce IgG2 production, suggesting that increased IgG2 production might occur during AR. The purpose of this study was to determine if locally altered bronchoalveolar IgG2/IgG1 ratios might correlate with AR., Methods: Eighteen recipients of lung allografts underwent a total of 25 bronchoscopies for surveillance or at times of suspected infection or AR. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), serum collection, and transbronchial biopsy (TB) were performed on all patients. gamma IFN, IgG1, IgG2 levels, and the ratio of IgG2/IgG1 were determined in serum and BAL and matched with TB histology. Five nonsmoking normal volunteers undergoing bronchoscopy, BAL, and serum collection served as controls., Results: IgG2 was upregulated in allograft BAL during AR as determined by the ratio IgG2/IgG1 (2.91 +/- 0.79 SEM vs 0.62 +/- SEM, p < 0.019, IgG2/IgG1, AR BAL vs non-AR BAL, respectively). An IgG2/IgG1 > or = 1 in allograft BAL (95% confidence intervals 1.26 to 4.56) was 80% specific and 91% sensitive for the diagnosis of AR with a positive predictive value of 92%. A BAL IgG2/IgG1 < 1 (95% confidence interval 0.27 to 0.97) had a negative predictive value of 77%. After therapy in two patients the elevated IgG2/IgG1 ratio reversed to normal (ie, < 1) with histologic resolution of AR., Conclusions: Human lung AR is associated with a locally increased IgG2/IgG1 ratio suggesting locally upregulated Th-1 lymphocyte activity during lung AR.

Splenic fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is rarely performed in the United States for several reasons: there is a perception that there is an increased risk of bleeding, and rendering a diagnosis of lymphoma (the most common primary splenic neoplasm) by FNAB is controversial. During a three-year period, we saw 11 cases of splenic FNAB. We present four cases of lymphoreticular neoplasms occurring between 1988 and 1991 in which the spleen was the only or most accessible organ in which to establish a diagnosis by FNAB: one case of small cleaved cell lymphoma, two cases of immunoblastic lymphoma (one T cell, one B cell by immunophenotyping studies) and one case of hairy cell leukemia in which the disease was confined to the spleen. All FNABs were radiologically guided, none of the patients suffered significant complications, and all had specimens sufficiently cellular to establish the diagnosis. Splenic puncture with FNAB may be an important and underutilized procedure for establishing a diagnosis in patients who have undetectable disease at other sites.

Giardia lamblia is a flagellated protozoan that inhabits the upper portions of the small intestine; trophozoites are the usual stage seen in duodenal aspirates, biopsies of the duodenum and jejunum and, infrequently, in stools, in which cysts are more likely to be found. A unique occurrence of G lamblia cysts and trophozoites within the peritoneal fluid of a patient with a blunt abdominal trauma is reported. Cytotechnologists and pathologists should be aware that trophozoites and cysts of G lamblia may appear in peritoneal lavage fluid from patients with blunt abdominal trauma and duodenal injury, indicating a need for exploratory laparotomy.

Transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy (TNAB) is a useful diagnostic technique in the evaluation of thoracic disease. Previous reports have shown that this technique has a high positive but a low negative predictive value. The latter has limited the clinical usefulness of a negative biopsy. To improve the reliability of a negative TNAB, a series of thoracic needle biopsies was done using a team approach, having a cytopathologist, with the necessary equipment to examine the biopsy specimens, in attendance at the biopsy. As biopsy specimens were obtained, they were reviewed to ensure an adequate and representative sampling. The positive predictive value was 98.6 percent and the negative predictive value was 96.7 percent. The high negative predictive value obtained using this approach allows clinical decisions to be based on the results of a negative TNAB.

The authors describe a unique case of osteosarcoma associated with atypical mesonephric rests occurring in the right lateral wall of the uterine cervix. The tumor was examined histologically, cytologically, immunohistochemically, and ultrastructurally and was compared with another osteosarcoma that filled an entire uterine cavity. Comparison with other neoplasms of the uterine cervix indicates that the lesion should be classified separately. Previously reported neoplasms associated with mesonephric rests within the cervix are also reviewed.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a disease process of unknown pathogenesis. Although some cases are believed to be primary hematologic malignancies, this issue remains unsolved. We present a case of HES in whom we have observed a clone of cytogenetically abnormal cells in the bone marrow in parallel with a clinical picture of a hematologic disorder characterized by progressive proliferation and organ infiltration by eosinophils. The cytogenetic abnormality 46,XY,t(7;12)(q11;p11) is previously unreported. Our case, plus other evidence present in the literature, supports the concept that HES is a hematologic malignant neoplasia.

We reviewed 441 transthoracic needle aspiration biopsies to evaluate the use of the procedure in the diagnosis of pulmonary infections. Sixty-seven (15%) of the biopsies were performed because pulmonary infection was suspected. In these 67 cases, a specific diagnosis was made in 45 (67%). In 46 cases in which infection was ultimately found to be present, aspiration biopsy identified the organism in 35 (76%). Overall, clinically useful information was obtained in 54 (81%) of the 67 biopsies performed for pulmonary infection. In 369 biopsies performed for suspected malignant neoplasm, pulmonary infection was diagnosed in 13. The only significant complication was pneumothorax, which occurred in 18% of the biopsies. Chest tube placement was required in 5% of the biopsies. We conclude that transthoracic aspiration needle biopsy is of value in the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary infections.