Broadband infrared study of pressure-tunable Fano resonance and metallization transition in 2H-[Formula: see text].

High pressure is a proven effective tool for modulating inter-layer interactions in semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides, which leads to significant band structure changes. Here, we present an extended infrared study of the pressure-induced semiconductor-to-metal transition in 2H-[Formula: see text], which reveals that the metallization process at 13-15 GPa is not associated with the indirect band-gap closure, occurring at 24 GPa. A coherent picture is drawn where n-type doping levels just below the conduction band minimum play a crucial role in the early metallization transition. Doping levels are also responsible for the asymmetric Fano line-shape of the [Formula: see text] infrared-active mode, which has been here detected and analyzed for the first time in a transition metal dichalcogenide compound. The pressure evolution of the phonon profile under pressure shows a symmetrization in the 13-15 GPa pressure range, which occurs simultaneously with the metallization and confirms the scenario proposed for the high pressure behaviour of 2H-[Formula: see text].

Coexistence of pressure-induced structural phases in bulk black phosphorus: a combined x-ray diffraction and Raman study up to 18 GPa.

We report a study of the structural phase transitions induced by pressure in bulk black phosphorus by using both synchrotron x-ray diffraction for pressures up to 12.2 GPa and Raman spectroscopy up to 18.2 GPa. Very recently black phosphorus attracted large attention because of the unique properties of few-layers samples (phosphorene), but some basic questions are still open in the case of the bulk system. As concerning the presence of a Raman spectrum above 10 GPa, which should not be observed in an elemental simple cubic system, we propose a new explanation by attributing a key role to the non-hydrostatic conditions occurring in Raman experiments. Finally, a combined analysis of Raman and XRD data allowed us to obtain quantitative information on presence and extent of coexistences between different structural phases from ~5 up to ~15 GPa. This information can have an important role in theoretical studies on pressure-induced structural and electronic phase transitions in black phosphorus.

Temperature dependent EXAFS study on transition metal dichalcogenides MoX2 (X = S, Se, Te).

The local structure of molybdenum dichalcogenide MoX2 (X = S, Se, Te) single crystal has been studied by means of multi-edge (Mo, Se, and Te K-edges) extended x-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy as function of temperature. The temperature dependences of the interatomic distances Mo-X, Mo-Mo and X-X (X = S, Se, and Te) and of the corresponding Debye-Waller factors have been extracted over the 70-500 K temperature range. Exploiting the correlated Einstein model, we found that the Einstein frequencies of Mo-X and X-X bonds obtained by present data are in close agreement with the frequencies of the optical (Raman and infrared) stretching modes for both MoS2 and MoSe2, whereas a significant deviation has been found for MoTe2. A similar anomaly has been found for the force constants related to the Mo-X bonds in the MoTe2 case. Our findings, accordingly with the results reported in a recent theoretical paper, support the idea that the optical vibrational modes have a dominant role in MoS2 and MoSe2, whereas the effects of acoustic vibrational modes cannot be neglected in the case of MoTe2.

Immediate hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine is increasingly recognised in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine is widely used as an antiseptic agent. It is a potentially allergenic substance that can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions. OBJECTIVE: We describe six patients who had anaphylactic reactions attributed to chlorhexidine during surgery. These patients were exposed to chlorhexidine in gels, swabs and catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients from three UK centres with clinical history suggestive of anaphylaxis during surgery are reported. Detailed history, review of case notes, determination of chlorhexidine specific IgE, mast cell tryptase and skin tests were performed. RESULTS: On detailed assessment five of six patients demonstrated a previous history of reactions on re-exposure to chlorhexidine. All six patients had elevated specific IgE to chlorhexidine. Skin prick test with chlorhexidine was performed in four of the six patients and was found to be positive. CONCLUSION: Immediate hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine appears to be common but underreported in the UK. We recommend that centres investigating patients with reactions during anaesthesia and surgery should routinely include testing for chlorhexidine allergy

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Immediate hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine is increasingly recognised in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine is widely used as an antiseptic agent. It is a potentially allergenic substance that can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions. OBJECTIVE: We describe six patients who had anaphylactic reactions attributed to chlorhexidine during surgery. These patients were exposed to chlorhexidine in gels, swabs and catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients from three UK centres with clinical history suggestive of anaphylaxis during surgery are reported. Detailed history, review of case notes, determination of chlorhexidine specific IgE, mast cell tryptase and skin tests were performed. RESULTS: On detailed assessment five of six patients demonstrated a previous history of reactions on re-exposure to chlorhexidine. All six patients had elevated specific IgE to chlorhexidine. Skin prick test with chlorhexidine was performed in four of the six patients and was found to be positive. CONCLUSION: Immediate hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine appears to be common but underreported in the UK. We recommend that centres investigating patients with reactions during anaesthesia and surgery should routinely include testing for chlorhexidine allergy.

Dispersive x-ray absorption studies at the Fe K-edge on the iron chalcogenide superconductor FeSe under pressure.

The local structure and the electronic properties of FeSe under hydrostatic pressure were studied by means of dispersive x-ray absorption measurements at the Fe K-edge. The pressure dependence of the x-ray absorption near edge structure features seems to follow the behavior of the superconducting transition temperature Tc. The local structure, that has an important impact on the superconducting properties, appears to fall into two regimes: the pressure dependence of the Fe-Fe bond distance shows a clear change in the compressibility at p ∼ 5 GPa; in contrast, the Fe-Se bond distance decreases continuously with increasing pressure with a lower compressibility than the Fe-Fe bond. The results suggest that the pressure dependent changes in Tc of FeSe are closely related to the changes in local structure.

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor therapy in late-life depression is associated with increased marker of bone resorption.

UNLABELLED: Antidepressants are associated with bone loss and fractures in older adults. We treated depressed older adults with an antidepressant and examined its effects on bone turnover by comparing blood samples before and after treatment. Bone resorption increased after antidepressant treatment, which may increase fracture risk. INTRODUCTION: Antidepressants have been associated with increased bone loss and fractures in older adults in observational studies, but the mechanism is unclear. We examined the effects of a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, venlafaxine, on biomarkers of bone turnover in a prospective treatment study of late-life depression. METHODS: Seventy-six individuals aged 60 years and older with current major depressive disorder received a 12-week course of venlafaxine XR 150-300 mg daily. We measured serum C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (ß-CTX) and N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P1NP), measures of bone resorption and formation, respectively, before and after treatment. We then analyzed the change in ß-CTX and P1NP within each participant. Venlafaxine levels were measured at the end of the study. We assessed depression severity at baseline and remission status after treatment. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of venlafaxine, ß-CTX increased significantly, whereas P1NP did not significantly change. The increase in ß-CTX was significant only in participants whose depression did not remit (increase by 10 % in non-remitters vs. 4 % in remitters). Change in ß-CTX was not correlated with serum levels of venlafaxine or norvenlafaxine. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the primary effect of serotonergic antidepressants is to increase bone resorption. However, such an increase in bone resorption seemed to depend on whether or not participants' depression remitted. Our results are in agreement with prior observational studies reporting increased bone loss in older adults taking serotonergic antidepressants. These negative effects on bone homeostasis could potentially contribute to increased fracture risk in older adults.

Vibrational spectrum of solid picene (C22H14).

Recently, Mitsuhashi et al observed superconductivity with a transition temperature up to 18 K in potassium doped picene (C(22)H(14)), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compound (Mitsuhashi et al 2010 Nature 464 76). Theoretical analysis indicates the importance of electron-phonon coupling in the superconducting mechanisms of these systems, with different emphasis on inter- and intra-molecular vibrations, depending on the approximations used. Here we present a combined experimental and ab initio study of the Raman and infrared spectrum of undoped solid picene, which allows us to unambiguously assign the vibrational modes. This combined study enables the identification of the modes which couple strongly to electrons and hence can play an important role in the superconducting properties of the doped samples.

Administering intravenous immunoglobulin during infection is associated with infusion reactions in selected patients.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines vary regarding the safety of administering intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) during infections, although evidence for this advice is lacking and is based on expert opinion. AIMS: We retrospectively studied patients with common variable immunodeficiency who reacted during IVIG therapy as to whether routinely obtained markers of infection such as C-reactive protein (CRP) were elevated. METHODS: 19 patients on replacement IVIG therapy in a hospital-based infusion unit were studied. CRP levels obtained were normalized to baseline levels without reactions (defined as 100). RESULTS: 8 of 19 patients had 16 reactions over a total of 107 infusions. Normalized CRP levels during reactions were higher [mean (±SD) of 258 (±215)] than during infusions with no reaction [mean 100 (±54.9), p = 0.017], and higher than in patients who did not react [mean 100 (±79.7), p = 0.017]. CONCLUSIONS: Some patients with IVIG reactions had elevated CRP levels suggesting that concurrent infection may have caused the reaction. Pre-emptive antibiotic therapy and delaying infusion could prevent unnecessary morbidity.

Do ribosomopathies explain some cases of common variable immunodeficiency?

The considerable clinical heterogeneity of patients with common variable immunodeficiency disorders (CVID) shares some similarity with bone-marrow failure disorders such as Diamond-Blackfan anaemia (DBA) and Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS), now recognized as defects in ribosome biogenesis or ribosomopathies. The recognition of a patient with DBA who subsequently developed CVID lends support to our previous finding of a heterozygous mutation in the SBDS gene of SBDS in another CVID patient, suggesting that ribosome biogenesis defects are responsible for a subset of CVID. Genetic defects in the ribosomal translational machinery responsible for various bone marrow failure syndromes are recognized readily when they manifest in children, but diagnosing these in adults presenting with complex phenotypes and hypogammaglobulinaemia can be a challenge. In this perspective paper, we discuss our clinical experience in CVID patients with ribosomopathies, and review the immunological abnormalities in other conditions associated with ribosomal dysfunction. With genetic testing available for various bone marrow failure syndromes, our hypothesis that ribosomal abnormalities may be present in patients with CVID could be proved in future studies by testing for mutations in specific ribosomal genes. New knowledge might then be translated into novel therapeutic strategies for patients in this group of immunodeficiency disorders.

Far infrared properties of the rare-earth scandate DyScO3.

We present reflectance measurements in the infrared region on a single crystal the rare-earth scandate DyScO(3). Measurements performed between room temperature and 10 K allow us to determine the frequency of the infrared-active phonons, never investigated experimentally, and to get information on their temperature dependence. A comparison with the phonon peak frequency resulting from ab initio computations is also provided. We finally report detailed data on the frequency dependence of the complex refractive index of DyScO(3) in the terahertz region, which is important in the analysis of terahertz measurements on thin films deposited on DyScO(3).

Limited value of testing for intrinsic factor antibodies with negative gastric parietal cell antibodies in pernicious anaemia.

BACKGROUND: The appropriate testing strategy for diagnosing pernicious anaemia using gastric parietal cell (GPC) and/or intrinsic factor antibodies (IFA) is controversial. Intrinsic factor antibodies are found in only about 70% of cases. Indirect immunofluorescence screening for gastric parietal cell antibodies is more sensitive, labour intensive, and less specific. METHODS: The frequency of antibody positivity (IFA and/or GPC) was retrospectively examined in patients tested for both autoantibodies over a three-year period. It was investigated whether B12 levels were related to antibody status. These findings were validated in a prospective study of IFA in 91 GPC negative patients with low B12 levels. RESULTS: Of 847 samples identified in the retrospective study, 4 (0.47%) were positive for only intrinsic factor antibodies, 731 (86.3%) positive for GPC alone, and 112 (13.2%) for both. Student t test on log-transformed data showed B12 levels had no bearing on autoantibody status. 91 consecutive patients with low B12 levels were tested for both autoantibodies; all were negative for gastric parietal cell antibodies. Only one sample was positive for intrinsic factor antibody using the porcine intrinsic factor assay, but was negative by a human recombinant intrinsic factor-based ELISA. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that testing for gastric parietal cell antibodies is an appropriate screening test for pernicious anaemia, with intrinsic factor antibodies reserved for confirmatory testing or in patients with other autoantibodies that mask the GPC pattern; B12 levels are not related to autoantibody status.

The clinical significance of antinucleolar antibodies.

BACKGROUND: The importance of antinucleolar antibodies seen by indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells, although associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc), in unselected patients is unknown. AIMS: To determine the true clinical significance of antinucleolar antibodies in an unselected patient population. METHODS: Antinucleolar antibody (ANoA) positive samples were identified in the immunology laboratory during routine autoimmune screening tests; case notes were reviewed using a standard proforma. RESULTS: 104 patients with ANoA were identified and ANoA+ samples were subclassified into homogeneous, clumpy and speckled antinucleolar types. SSc was evident in only two (1.8%) patients. Other connective tissue diseases were identified in 33 patients (32%); 22 patients (21%) had evidence of various malignancies. Both disordered liver function and anaemia were seen in 22 patients and were the commonest laboratory abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the presence nor subtype of ANoA is specific for systemic sclerosis. Laboratory comments appended to results should reflect this fact.

Abnormal O-glycosylation of CD43 may account for some features of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked immunodeficiency disorder characterized by eczema, recurrent infections, thrombocytopenia and small platelets. There is an increased incidence of autoimmune phenomena particularly autoimmune haemolytic anaemias and vasculitic disorders. Mutations in the WASP gene encoding the cytoskeleton regulatory protein WASp (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein) result in abnormal protein activity with defective cytoplasmic signaling and actin polymerization. This accounts for abnormal T cell responses to proliferation and susceptibility to infections, but does not fully explain the autoimmune phenomena nor the progressive lymphopenia seen in these patients. Wiskott Aldrich patients also demonstrate abnormal O-glycosylation of a highly conserved transmembrane glycoprotein CD43 that is expressed on most haemopoeitic cells. The altered glycosylation pattern on WAS lymphocytes is due to increased beta1-->6 GlcNACtransferase activity which leads to branched core 2 glycans or lower molecular forms of CD43 glycoprotein. The clinical hypothesis put forward is that abnormal O-glycosylation of CD43 may underlie the development of the autoimmune disorders and the progressive lymphopenia observed in WAS patients. Regulation of glycosylation of CD43 is important in the selection process of T cells within the thymus and abnormalities of glycosylation may cause many immune perturbations, such as the escape of self-reactive T cells into the periphery and subsequent development of autoimmune disease in these patients.

Best practice in primary care pathology: review 6.

This sixth best practice review examines four series of common primary care questions in laboratory medicine: (1) laboratory monitoring in hypertension and heart failure abnormalities; (2) markers of inflammatory joint disease; (3) laboratory investigation of chronic diarrhoea; and (4) mumps and chickenpox. The review is presented in question-answer format, referenced for each question series. The recommendations represent a precis of guidance found using a standardised literature search of national and international guidance notes, consensus statements, health policy documents and evidence-based medicine reviews, supplemented by Medline Embase searches to identify relevant primary research documents. They are not standards but form a guide to be set in the clinical context. Most are consensus based rather than evidence based. They will be updated periodically to take account of new information.

Early indicators of immunodeficiency in adults and children: protocols for screening for primary immunological defects.

Early recognition of primary immunodeficiency is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality, and yet failure to recognize these conditions is still a major problem for clinicians around the world. The problem is that general practitioners, physicians and paediatricians lack familiarity with these rare disorders, and lack guidance regarding the appropriate use of immunological investigations. A working party from the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) has published screening protocols for these rare disorders, which aim to help select which tests should be done in which patients. The success of these proposals will depend on all immunologists disseminating this information in a format that is suitable for the busy generalist, who may not be familiar with these immunological tests and concepts. Laboratories should expect increasing requests for these screening investigations, and should make themselves familiar with these protocols so that appropriate second-line investigations can be arranged in a timely fashion. Speedy and effective communication between the laboratory and clinician is essential, and clinically interpreted reports are mandatory. Although these protocols are part of a screening process, their effectiveness in practice remains to be established, and further refinement will be required over time. The early involvement of the clinical immunologist in cases of suspected immunodeficiency is key.