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The optoelectronic properties of two layered copper oxyselenide compounds, with nominal composition Sr2ZnO2Cu2Se2 and Ba2ZnO2Cu2Se2, have been investigated to determine their suitability as p-type conductors. The structure, band gaps and electrical conductivity of pristine and alkali-metal-doped samples have been determined. We find that the strontium-containing compound, Sr2ZnO2Cu2Se2, adopts the expected tetragonal Sr2Mn3SbO2 structure with I4/mmm symmetry, and has a band gap of 2.16 eV, and a room temperature conductivity of 4.8 × 10−1 S cm−1. The conductivity of the compound could be increased to 4.2 S cm−1 when sodium doped to a nominal composition of Na0.1Sr1.9ZnO2Cu2Se2. In contrast, the barium containing material was found to have a small zinc oxide deficiency, with a sample dependent compositional range of Ba2Zn1−xO2−xCu2Se2 where 0.01 < x < 0.06, as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and powder neutron diffraction. The barium-containing structure could also be modelled using the tetragonal I4/mmm structure, but significant elongation of the oxygen displacement ellipsoid along the Zn–O bonds in the average structure was observed. This indicated that the oxide ion position was better modelled as a disordered split site with a displacement to change the local zinc coordination from square planar to linear. Electron diffraction data confirmed that the oxide site in Ba2Zn1−xO2−xCu2Se2 does not adopt a long range ordered arrangement, but also that the idealised I4/mmm structure with an unsplit oxide site was not consistent with the extra reflections observed in the electron diffractograms. The band gap and conductivity of Ba2Zn1−xO2−xCu2Se2 were determined to be 2.22 eV and 2.0 × 10−3 S cm−1 respectively. The conductivity could be increased to 1.5 × 10−1 S cm−1 with potassium doping in K0.1Ba1.9Zn1−xO2−xCu2Se2. Hall measurements confirmed that both materials were p-type conductors with holes as the dominant charge carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses treatments for intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism. Topics covered include the case of a 33-year-old woman with a saddle pulmonary embolism with clots, parenchymal infiltrates, and cardiac interventricular septum fattening, and the treatment options and recommendations of thrombolysis in addition to heparin therapy and of parenteral herapin therapy only. Also noted are the scope and processes of the two options.

PTPN11 encodes the SHP2 protein tyrosine phosphatase that activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway upstream of KRAS and MEK. PTPN11/Shp2 somatic mutations occur frequently in Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML); however, the role of mutated PTPN11 in lung cancer tumourigenesis and its utility as a therapeutic target has not been fully addressed. We applied mass-spectrometry-based genotyping to DNA extracted from the tumour and matched the normal tissue of 356 NSCLC patients (98 adenocarcinomas (LUAD) and 258 squamous cell carcinomas (LUSC)). Further, PTPN11 mutation cases were identified in additional cohorts, including TCGA, Broad, and MD Anderson datasets and the COSMIC database. PTPN11 constructs harbouring PTPN11 E76A, A72D and C459S mutations were stably expressed in IL-3 dependent BaF3 cells and NSCLC cell lines (NCI-H1703, NCI-H157, NCI-H1299). The MAPK and PI3K pathway activation was evaluated using Western blotting. PTPN11/Shp2 phosphatase activity was measured in whole-cell protein lysates using an Shp2 assay kit. The Shp2 inhibitor (SHPi) was assessed both in vitro and in vivo in a PTPN11-mutated cell line for improved responses to MAPK and PI3K targeting therapies. Somatic PTPN11 hotspot mutations occurred in 4/98 (4.1%) adenocarcinomas and 7/258 (2.7%) squamous cells of 356 NSCLC patients. Additional 26 PTPN11 hotspot mutations occurred in 23 and 3 adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinoma, respectively, across the additional cohorts. Mutant PTPN11 significantly increased the IL-3 independent survival of Ba/F3 cells compared to wildtype PTPN11 (p < 0.0001). Ba/F3, NCI-H1703, and NCI-H157 cells expressing mutant PTPN11 exhibited increased PTPN11/Shp2 phosphatase activity and phospho-ERK1/2 levels compared to cells expressing wildtype PTPN11. The transduction of the PTPN11 inactivating mutation C459S into NSCLC cell lines led to decreased phospho-ERK, as well as decreased phospho-AKT in the PTPN11-mutated NCI-H661 cell line. NCI-H661 cells (PTPN11-mutated, KRAS-wild type) were significantly more sensitive to growth inhibition by the PI3K inhibitor copanlisib (IC50: 13.9 ± 4.7 nM) compared to NCI-H1703 (PTPN11/KRAS-wild type) cells (IC50: >10,000 nM). The SHP2 inhibitor, in combination with the PI3K targeting therapy copanlisib, showed no significant difference in tumour development in vivo; however, this significantly prevented MAPK pathway induction in vitro (p < 0.0001). PTPN11/Shp2 demonstrated the in vitro features of a driver oncogene and could potentially sensitize NSCLC cells to PI3K inhibition and inhibit MAPK pathway activation following PI3K pathway targeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the content accuracy of orthodontic treatment information in patient-focused apps. A cross-sectional review study. Orthodontic apps available on the UK Android and Apple App Stores. Apps identified in a previous research study and those identified via a questionnaire of specialist orthodontists were assessed for accuracy of content utilising an evidence-based checklist. The checklist covered five main orthodontically relevant themes and 32 codes with respective items. The accuracy of information content for 16 patient-focused apps was assessed. Eight apps provided information related to orthodontic treatment and handling emergencies. Five apps were reminder apps and a small number (n = 3) contained games and timers for toothbrushing and aligners. With regard to the accuracy of information content, only two apps contained information across all five themes of the evidence-based checklist. Only one app received a score of 'fair - excellent' under the oral hygiene theme; interestingly, this app was the most commonly used patient-focused app. Eight apps containing orthodontic treatment information scored poorly as they had inaccurate information on handling emergency situations. None of the apps were deemed excellent with regard to accuracy of information content. The orthodontic mobile apps assessed in this study mostly contained information of poor accuracy. Therefore, there is a need for high-quality apps with credible information supported by evidence to be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the awareness and usage of mobile apps and social media among orthodontic clinicians to support patients with orthodontic treatment, support the professional development of orthodontists, and identify any relevant apps and social media platforms currently recommended to patients. Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. United Kingdom. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to members of the British Orthodontic Society (BOS). To increase the response rate, the questionnaire was circulated at three time points between January and March 2020. A total of 149 orthodontists responded to the questionnaire (15% response rate) with 113 orthodontists completing all questions (11.4%). Of those who answered, 81% (n = 111) had been qualified for >10 years, 35% worked in practice (n = 48), 34% worked in a hospital (n = 47) and 26% worked in both hospital and practice (n = 36). The results indicated that 20% of clinicians (n = 22) used apps to support patients and 33% (n = 37) reported using apps for professional purposes. Brush DJ appeared to be the most popular patient focused app (39%, n = 18) whereas the IOTN (17%, n = 8), Invisalign (17%, n = 8) and Dental Monitoring apps (9%, n = 4) were the most popular clinician-focused apps. With regard to social media, 53% (n = 60) of respondents reported that they used social media to communicate generic orthodontic information and promote their practice to patients. The most commonly used social media platforms were Facebook and Instagram. Of respondents, 96% expressed a willingness to recommend an evidence-based mobile app to patients if available, and 88% were willing to recommend an evidence-based social media platform. Orthodontic clinicians are utilising mobile apps and social media to support both patients and their own professional development. There is a willingness to increase the use of evidence-based platforms and apps to support patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]