A mixed-ligand Co metal-organic framework and its carbon composites as excellent electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction in green-energy devices.

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts are frequently made from noble metal-based oxides like ruthenium/iridium oxides. However, because of their scarcity and high price, researchers are now focusing on creating innovative OER catalysts based on affordable transition metals that have improved electrical conductivity and accessibility to active sites. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a unique class of inorganic materials with excellent physical and chemical properties, have witnessed significant progress in promising green energy systems. In this work, a novel mixed-ligand metal-organic framework [Co(µ-1κN,2κN'-BDP)(µ3-1κoo',2κo''2κo'''-BTC)]n·nH2O (BDP = boron-dipyrromethene or BODIPY; BTC = benzene tricarboxylate) denoted as CoBDPMOF has been synthesized, and its composites with different carbon materials have been designed. Compared to the pristine MOF, the composites showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. In addition, the CoBDPMOF with activated carbon showed the highest OER performance with a low Tafel slope (82 mV dec-1) and the highest j600 (59.8 mA cm-2), outperforming noble metal IrO2, the OER benchmark electrocatalyst. This study presents new insights into the design and application of CoBDPMOF-based materials for energy conversion and suggests promising avenues for further research and development in electrocatalysis.

Spontaneous bilateral hemothorax in neurofibromatosis type 1 due to internal thoracic artery aneurysm: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular lesions are associated with neurofibromatosis 1, including stenosis and aneurysms. PRESENTATION OF A CASE: A 43-year-old man presented with sudden respiratory failure in our emergency medical service. Physical examination suggested diagnosis of neurofibromatosis. Chest computed tomography revealed a sizeable bilateral hemothorax. He was then submitted to arteriography, which evidenced the right internal thoracic artery aneurysm. The aneurysm was selectively catheterized and embolized, followed by a video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery to drain the hemothorax. DISCUSSION: The bleeding dissected to both pleural cavities, causing the bilateral hemothorax. Although the patient did not have a medical diagnosis of neurofibromatosis before the occurrence, the presence of clinical signs of the disease, associated with the exclusion of other causes for hemothorax, allowed differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment. CONCLUSION: The differential diagnosis of neurofibromatosis should be advanced in cases of spontaneous bleeding. In patients diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, the risk of spontaneous bleeding due to the possibility of aneurysmal formation should be considered.

Deep stromal mycobacterial keratitis: viable bacteria after six months of treatment: case report and literature review.

To report the presence of viable mycobacteria in a patient with keratitis treated for 6 months. Species identification was performed using the PRA method (polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction endonuclease analysis). Clonality was evaluated with RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) and ERIC-PCR (enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction) methods. The patient reported trauma due to a metallic foreign body 3 weeks prior to presentation. Initial corneal scraping cultures revealed Mycobacterium abscessus. After 6 months of topical and systemic treatment the patient presented with no active inflammation and was considered clinically cured. An optic penetrating keratoplasty was performed. Culture of the excised cornea revealed Mycobacterium abscessus. Both isolates had the same clonal origin. The most interesting finding of this case report was the positive culture of the excised cornea after 6 months of intensive specific topical therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature showing this possibility in the treatment of Mycobacterial keratitis. Thus, Mycobacterium abscessus may present viable bacteria after long-term treatment and should be followed carefully for a long period of time after tapering the medication.

Deep stromal mycobacterial keratitis: viable bacteria after six months of treatment: case report and literature review

O objetivo do caso é descrever a presença de micobactérias viáveis em pacientes com ceratite, 6 meses após tratamento intensivo. A identificação de espécies, foi efetuada usando método PRA (polymerase chain reaction seguida pela restriction endonuclease analysis). Clonalidade foi avaliada pelos métodos RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) e ERIC-PCR (enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus - polymerase chain reaction). Paciente refere trauma com corpo estranho metálico há 3 semanas. A cultura da córnea revelou Mycobacterium abscessus. Após 6 meses de tratamento tópico e sistêmico, paciente apresentava-se sem inflamação, sendo considerado clinicamente curado. Realizou-se então, uma ceratoplastia penetrante com intuitos ópticos. A cultura da córnea transplantada revelou micobactérias de mesma origem clonal. O achado mais interessante neste relato, foi a positividade da cultura da córnea transplantada após 6 meses de intenso tratamento específico. Ao nosso conhecimento, esse é o primeiro caso relatado na literatura mostrando essa possibilidade em tratamento de ceratites por micobactérias. Assim, os pacientes com ceratite por Mycobacterium abscessus podem apresentar bactérias viáveis após longo tempo de tratamento específico e precisam ser seguidos cuidadosamente por um longo período de tempo.

Hifema traumático: seguimento de um ano / Traumatic hyphema: one-year follow-up

OBJETIVO: Analisar retrospectivamente a evolução de pacientes portadores de hifema decorrente de trauma ocular contuso quanto à acuidade visual inicial e final, aumento da pressão intra-ocular, ocorrência de ressangramento, tempo de absorção do coágulo, e necessidade de cirurgia. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 54 pacientes com idade superior a 15 anos, com diagnóstico de traumatismo ocular fechado, assistidos no Pronto Socorro de Oftalmologia do Hospital São Paulo, no período de dezembro de 2000 a janeiro de 2002. O hifema foi classificado em cinco subgrupos: microscópico; grau I; grau II; grau III e grau IV (hifema total). Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com o comprometimento ou não do segmento posterior, para comparação dos dados pelo teste de Mann-Whitney e o teste exato de Fisher. A acuidade visual final foi avaliada por meio de regressão linear múltipla. RESULTADOS: Noventa e um por cento dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino, com idade média de 32 anos. Na admissão, 37 por cento dos pacientes apresentaram PIO superior a 24 mmHg. O ressangramento ocorreu em 8 por cento deles. Durante a evolução, seis pacientes necessitaram de intervenção cirúrgica. No grupo I (sem lesões de segmento posterior) houve melhora estatisticamente significante da AV (p<0,001), o que não foi observado no grupo II (p=0,4772). CONCLUSAO: A classificação do hifema permite avaliação da gravidade da lesão, prognóstico e conduta. A baixa de visão persistente correlacionou-se principalmente ao comprometimento do seguimento posterior e à acuidade visual na admissão. O sucesso do tratamento depende da identificação dos fatores de risco, medicação apropriada e indicação cirúrgica precisa.