Complementary amide-based donor-acceptor with unique nano-scale aggregation, fluorescence, and band gap-lowering properties: a WORM memory device.

Organic fluorescent semiconducting nanomaterials have gained widespread research interest owing to their potential applications in the arena of high-tech devices. We designed two pyrazaacene-based compounds, their stacked system, and the role of gluing interactions to fabricate nanomaterials, and determined the prospective band gaps utilizing the density functional theory calculation. The two pyrazaacene derivatives containing complementary amide linkages (-CONH and -NHCO) were efficiently synthesized. The synthesized compounds are highly soluble in common organic solvents as well as highly fluorescent and photostable. The heterocycles and their mixture displayed efficient solvent dependent fluorescence in the visible region of the solar spectrum. Notably, the compounds were associated through complementary NH•••O = C type hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and hydrophobic interactions, and thereby afforded nanomaterials with a low band gap. Fascinatingly, the fabricated stacked nanomaterial system exhibited resistive switching behavior, leading to the fabrication of an efficient write-once-read-many-times memory device of crossbar structure.

Correction: Solution-processed Cu2XSnS4 (X = Fe, Co, Ni) photo-electrochemical and thin film solar cells on vertically grown ZnO nanorod arrays.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C6RA24149B.].

Chylous ascites and lymphangiectasia in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis--a rare coexistence: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Nephrotic syndrome is considered a rare cause of chylous ascites. Intestinal lymphangiectasia in a background of chylous ascites and without any lymphatic obstruction has been reported in association with yellow nail syndrome, which is a rare clinical occurrence in itself. The existence of chylous ascites, duodenal and splenic lymphangiectasia (without any lymphatic obstruction) and nephrotic syndrome in the form of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in the same patient makes this case the first of its kind to be reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report the case of a 54-year-old Asian man who presented with recurrent episodes of anasarca for approximately 25 years. He was subsequently found to have chylous ascites, lymphangiectasia and persistent proteinuria. A renal biopsy revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, not otherwise specified. A lymphangiogram, which was performed with the purpose of addressing the intestinal lymphangiectasia, failed to demonstrate any abnormality of lymphatic channels. He was put on oral steroids with consequent remission of his oedema and proteinuria. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the fact that duodenal and splenic lymphangiectasia can exist in a scenario of chylous ascites without any obvious obstruction of lymphatic channels and in the absence of yellow nail syndrome. This case also signifies that chylous ascites may be a rare presenting feature of nephrotic syndrome and hence this aspect should be considered while in diagnostic dilemma regarding such a clinical presentation.

A rare cause of seizures, parkinsonian, and cerebellar signs: brain calcinosis secondary to thyroidectomy.

CONTEXT: Post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism presenting with Parkinsonian features and seizures with extensive intracranial calcifications is uncommon. Acquired intracranial calcification that affects structures other than the basal ganglia is rare. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 45-year-old woman with a history of total thyroidectomy who presented with Parkinsonian features, cerebellar signs, and seizures. Brain imaging revealed extensive intracranial calcifications secondary to long-standing hypoparathyroidism. The patient was treated with intravenous (IV) calcium gluconate therapy and shifted to oral calcium and calcitriol therapy. Her symptoms improved markedly. At four months of follow up, the patient had not suffered another episode of seizure and was being gradually weaned off anti-Parkinsonian therapy. CONCLUSION: This case describes the rare finding of extensive intracranial calcifications in a case of iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism secondary to thyroidectomy with its wide array of features and its remarkable response to restoration of calcium levels to normal limits.

Production of poly-3-hydroxyalkanoic acids by a moderately halophilic bacterium, Halomonas marina HMA 103 isolated from solar saltern of Orissa, India.

Halomonas marina HMA 103 (MTCC 8968), the moderately halophilic bacterium isolated and characterized from the solar saltern of Orissa, India, grows optimally at 10% (w/v) NaCl in culture medium and is able to synthesize poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] during growth. This study is an attempt to optimize the cultural conditions for efficient production of P(3HB) by H. marina in batch cultivation. Growth of the organism under shake-flask culture using 2% (w/v) glucose resulted in P(3HB) accumulation accounting for more than 59% of cell dry weight after 50 h of incubation. The optimum P(3HB) production was attained with a combined supply of NH4Cl and yeast extract as N-source, 0.01% (w/v) phosphate, 1.5% (w/v) sulphate and 10% (w/v) NaCl. Qualitative and quantitative 1HNMR and FT-IR analysis of cells grown in alkanoic acids (C3-C6) as sole source of carbon and co-substrates revealed synthesis of PHA co-polymers composed of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid [P(3HB-co-3HV)]. In two-step cultivation, accumulation of the co-polymer was significantly improved (80% CDW) in glucose medium supplemented with valerate (0.1%, w/v) as co-substrate and the polymer contained 88.1 and 12.8 mol% 3HB and 3HV monomers, respectively.