Sporotrichosis is a chronic granulomatous mycotic infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii, a common saprophyte of soil, decaying wood, hay, and sphagnum moss, that is endemic in tropical/subtropical areas. The recent phylogenetic studies have delineated the geographic distribution of multiple distinct Sporothrix species causing sporotrichosis. It characteristically involves the skin and subcutaneous tissue following traumatic inoculation of the pathogen. After a variable incubation period, progressively enlarging papulo-nodule at the inoculation site develops that may ulcerate (fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis) or multiple nodules appear proximally along lymphatics (lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis). Osteoarticular sporotrichosis or primary pulmonary sporotrichosis are rare and occur from direct inoculation or inhalation of conidia, respectively. Disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis or involvement of multiple visceral organs, particularly the central nervous system, occurs most commonly in persons with immunosuppression. Saturated solution of potassium iodide remains a first line treatment choice for uncomplicated cutaneous sporotrichosis in resource poor countries but itraconazole is currently used/recommended for the treatment of all forms of sporotrichosis. Terbinafine has been observed to be effective in the treatment of cutaneous sporotrichosis. Amphotericin B is used initially for the treatment of severe, systemic disease, during pregnancy and in immunosuppressed patients until recovery, then followed by itraconazole for the rest of the therapy.

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Sporotrichosis: An Overview and Therapeutic Options

Zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine acrylamide) (SBMAA) brushes were grafted from silicon-rich silicon nitride (SixN4, x > 3) surfaces by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and studied in protein adsorption experiments. To this aim ATRP initiators were immobilized onto SixN4 through stable Si-C linkages via three consecutive reactions. A UV-induced reaction of 1,2-epoxy-9-decene with hydrogen-terminated SixN4 surfaces was followed by conversion of the epoxide with 1,2-ethylenediamine resulting in primary and secondary amine-terminated surfaces. A reaction with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide led to ATRP initiator-covered surfaces. Zwitterionic polymer brushes of SBMAA were grown from these initiator-coated surfaces (thickness ∼30 nm), and the polymer-coated surfaces were characterized in detail by static water contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and an atomic force microscope (AFM). The adsorption of proteins onto zwitterionic polymer coated surfaces was evaluated by in situ reflectometry, using a fibrinogen (FIB) solution of 0.1 g·L(-1), and compared to hexadecyl-coated SixN4 surfaces (C16-SixN4), uncoated air-based plasma oxidized SixN4 surfaces (SiOy-SixN4), and hexa(ethylene oxide)-coated SixN4 surfaces (EO6-SixN4). Excellent protein repellence (>99%) was observed for these zwitterionic polymer-coated SixN4 surfaces during exposure to FIB solution as compared to C16-SixN4 surfaces. Furthermore, the stability of these zwitterionic polymer-coated SixN4 surfaces was surveyed by exposing the surfaces for 1 week to phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution at room temperature. The zwitterionic polymer-coated SixN4 surfaces before and after exposure to PBS solution were characterized by XPS, AFM, and water contact angle measurements, and their protein-repelling properties were evaluated by reflectometry. After exposure to PBS solution, the zwitterionic polymer coating remained intact, and its thickness was unchanged within experimental error. No hydrolysis was observed for the zwitterionic polymer after 1 week exposure to PBS solution, and the surfaces still repelled 98% FIB as compared to C16-SixN4 surfaces, demonstrating the long-term efficiency of these easily prepared surface coatings.

Stable Protein-Repellent Zwitterionic Polymer Brushes Grafted from Silicon Nitride

Covalently attached organic monolayers on etched silicon nitride (SixN4; x >/= 3) surfaces were prepared by reaction of SixN4-coated wafers with neat or solutions of 1-alkenes and 1-alkynes in refluxing mesitylene. The surface modification was monitored by measurement of the static water contact angle, XPS, IRRAS, AFM, and ToF-SIMS, and evidence for the formation of Si-C bonds is presented. The etching can be achieved by dilute HF solutions and yields both Si-H and N-H moieties. The resulting etched SixN4 surfaces are functionalized by terminal carboxylic acid groups in either of two ways: (a) via attachment of a 10-undecenoic acid 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl ester (trifluoro ethanol ester) and subsequent thermal acid hydrolysis; (b) through attachment of a photocleavable ester, and subsequent photochemical cleavage, as this would allow photopatterned functionalized SixN4. The carboxylic acids are successfully used for the attachment of oligopeptides (aspartame) and complete proteins using EDC/NHS chemistry. Finally, an amino-terminated organic monolayer can be formed by reaction of HF-treated SixN4 surfaces with a N-(omega-undecylenyl)phthalimide, which yields an amino-terminated surface upon deprotection with hydrazine.

Covalent Biofunctionalization of Silicon Nitride Surfaces

We report the successful fabrication of high-quality a-Si:H thin-film transistors (TFTs) on stainless steel foil substrates. TFTs with an inverted-staggered structure were grown on 200-/spl mu/m thick stainless steel foil. These TFTs show typical ON/OFF current ratios of 10/sup 7/, OFF currents on the order of 10/sup -12/ A, good linear and saturation current behavior, subthreshold slopes of 0.5 V/decade, and linear channel mobilities of 0.5 cm/sup 2//V. In addition, we have demonstrated that these TFTs are capable of withstanding significant mechanical shocks, as well as macroscopic deformation of the substrate, while remaining functional. This work demonstrates that transistor circuits can be made on a flexible, nonbreakable substrate. Such circuits would be highly useful in reflective or emissive displays, and in other applications that require rugged macroelectronic circuits.

Amorphous silicon thin-film transistors on steel foil substrates

Nanocrystalline 3 mm thick Cu1–xNix (0.45 £x £0.87) films are electrodeposited galvanostatically onto Cu/Ti/Si (100) substrates, from a citrate- and sulphate-based bath containing sodium lauryl sulphate and saccharine as additives. The films exhibit large values of reduced Young’s modulus (173 <Er <192GPa) and hardness (6.4 <H <8.2GPa), both of which can be tailored by varying the alloy composition. The outstanding mechanical properties of these metallic films can be ascribed to their nanocrystalline nature—as evidenced by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy—along with the occurrence of stacking faults and the concomitant formation of intragranular nanotwins during film growth. Due to their nanocrystalline character, these films also show very low surface roughness (root mean square deviation of around 2nm). Furthermore, tunable magnetic properties, including a transition from paramagnetic to ferromagnetic behavior, are observed when the Ni percentage is increased. This combination of properties, together with the simplicity of the fabrication method, makes this system attractive for widespread technological applications, including hard metallic coatings or magnetic micro/nano-electromechanical devices.

Nanocrystalline Electroplated Cu-Ni: Metallic Thin Films with Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Tunable Magnetic Behavior

The preparation, properties and applications of silicon nitride thin films deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Oligohydramnios, is associated with increased pregnancy complications, congenital anomalies and perinatal mortality. Its incidence is 2.3% of all the pregnancies(1). An accurate and reproducible method of determining abnormality in amniotic fluid volume (AFV) is sonographic assessment of amniotic fluid index (AFI). An AFI 5 cm, consistent with most sonographic criteria has been used as an indication for delivery of infants at or near term. In this prospective study 50 singleton pregnant females with gestation age 34 weeks with AFI 5 cm were analysed for perinatal outcome. After taking a detailed history and complete examination, AFI was obtained sonographically by dividing the maternal abdomen into four quadrants; the linea nigra was used to divide abdomen into right and left halves and umbilicus was used to separate upper and lower halves. The largest amniotic fluid pocket was identified in each quadrant and its vertical diameter taken. All four vertical diameters were summed up to obtain AFI in cm (2). All women were followed-up till delivery; and pregnancy and perinatal outcomes were recorded. Maximum number of women (n = 24) were in the age group 21-25 years (48%). Sixty per cent women were primigravida, 28% women presented at gestational age 34-36 weeks. Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes are shown in Table I. On relating various perinatal outcomes in relation to sonographic findings of AFI, we found that as the volume of amniotic fluid increases, the rate of complications during pregnancy, labour and perinatal period decreases accordingly (Table II). Labour was spontaneous in onset in 28% and induced in 58% women. Elective caesarean section was done in 14%; 44% women had normal vaginal delivery and 56% underwent caesarean section, out of which 42% had fetal distress (Table II).

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Perinatal Outcome After Antepartum Diagnosis of Oligohydramnios at or Beyond 34 Weeks of Gestation

Twenty two cases of sporotrichosis recorded in 15 years span are discussed. Geographic distribution of the disease in various regions of the country are identified. The clinico-investigative profile of the patients is discussed. An uncommon extracutaneous form having osteomyelitic changes of phalangeal bones in a 14 year old boy is also described.

Manju Gupta

Papers

The preparation, properties and applications of silicon nitride thin films deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Perinatal Outcome After Antepartum Diagnosis of Oligohydramnios at or Beyond 34 Weeks of Gestation

Sporotriciiosis study of 22 cases from Himachal Pradesh

Photo-processing of silicon nitride

The dependence of etch rate of photo-CVD silicon nitride films on NH4F content in buffered HF