Correction: Seeking potent anti-tubercular agents: design and synthesis of substituted-N-(6-(4-(pyrazine-2-carbonyl)piperazine/homopiperazine-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl)benzamide derivatives as anti-tubercular agents

Correction for ‘Seeking potent anti-tubercular agents: design and synthesis of substituted-N-(6-(4-(pyrazine-2-carbonyl)piperazine/homopiperazine-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl)benzamide derivatives as anti-tubercular agents’ by Singireddi Srinivasarao et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 12272–12288, DOI: 10.1039/D0RA01348J.

The authors regret that the name of one of the authors (Linda De Vooght) was shown incorrectly in the original article. The corrected author list is as shown above.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

The growth of methylammonium lead iodide perovskites by close space vapor transport

Vapor deposition processes have shown promise for high-quality perovskite solar cells with potential pathways for scale-up to large area manufacturing. Here, we present a sequential close space vapor transport process to deposit CH₃NH₃PbI₃ (MAPI) perovskite thin films by depositing a layer of PbI₂ then reacting it with CH₃NH₃I (MAI) vapor. We find that, at T = 100 °C and pressure = 9 torr, a ∼225 nm-thick PbI₂ film requires ≥125 minutes in MAI vapor to form a fully-reacted MAPI film. Raising the temperature to 160 °C increases the rate of reaction, such that MAPI forms within 15 minutes, but with reduced surface coverage. The reaction kinetics can be approximated as roughly first-order with respect to PbI₂, though there is evidence for a more complicated functional relation. Perovskite films reacted at 100 °C for 150 minutes were fabricated into solar cells with an SLG/ITO/CdS/MAPI/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au structure, and a device efficiency of 12.1% was achieved. These results validate the close space vapor transport process and serve as an advance toward scaled-up, vapor-phase perovskite manufacturing through continuous vapor transport deposition.

This is the first demonstration of an all-vapor close space vapor transport process to deposit methylammonium lead iodide perovskites.     

Screening and characterisation of CdTe/CdS quantum dot-binding peptides for material surface functionalisation

Quantum dots (QDs) are promising nanomaterials due to their unique photophysical properties. For them to be useful in biological applications, the particle surface generally needs to be conjugated to biological molecules, such as antibodies. In this study, we screened CdTe/CdS QD-binding peptides from a phage display library as linkers for simple and bio-friendly QD modification. Among five QD-binding peptide candidates, a series of truncated peptides designed from two high-affinity peptides were subjected to an array-based binding assay with QDs to assess their functional core sequences and characteristics. Linking these isolated, shortened peptides (PWSLNR and SGVYK) with an antibody-binding peptide (NKFRGKYK) created dual-functional peptides that are capable of QD surface functionalisation by antibodies. Consequently, the dual-functional peptides could mediate anti-CD9 antibody functionalisation onto CdTe/CdS QD surface; CD9 protein imaging of cancer cells was also demonstrated. Our proposed peptides offer an effective vehicle for QD surface functionalisation in biological applications.

We explored peptide binders to quantum dots (QDs) and proposed a simple and bio-friendly QD functionalisation using dual-functional peptides.     

A decoupler-free simple paper microchip capillary electrophoresis device for simultaneous detection of dopamine,epinephrine and serotonin

This paper demonstrates a new and simplified configuration for capillary electrophoresis-amperometric detection (CE-AD) using a paper microfluidic chip incorporating inexpensive wax printing and screen printing based methods and then used for electrophoretic separation and simultaneous in-channel amperometric detection of three clinically relevant neurochemicals in a single run without using any decouplers. Detection of neurochemicals e.g., dopamine, epinephrine and serotonin is crucial for early prediction of neurological disorders including Parkinson''s, Alzheimer''s, dementia, as well as progressive neuro-psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, as well as certain cardiovascular diseases. The plasma concentrations of such neurochemicals are as important as those present in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and can be useful for rapid and convenient biosensing. However, simultaneous detection of such neurochemicals in a complex mixture such as human serum requires their separation prior to detection. With the developed microchip, separation and detection of the neurochemicals were exhibited within 650 seconds without pre-treatment and the procedure was validated with spiked fetal bovine serum samples. Beside this, the developed paper microfluidic chip has potential to be integrated in point-of-care diagnosis with onsite detection ability. Moreover, the use of a straight channel capillary, a screen-printed carbon electrode without decoupler, in-channel amperometric detection and low sample volume requirements (2 μL) are shown as additional advantages.

This paper demonstrates a simplified configuration for capillary electrophoresis-amperometric detection using paper microfluidic chip for separation and simultaneous detection of three clinically relevant neurochemicals without using any decouplers.     

Post-mastectomy reconstruction: A risk-stratified comparative analysis of outcomes

IntroductionAlthough breast reconstruction following mastectomy plays a role in the psychological impact of breast cancer, only one in three women undergo reconstruction. Few multi-institutional studies have compared complication profiles of reconstructive patients to non-reconstructive.MethodsUsing the National Surgical Quality Improvement database, all patients undergoing mastectomy from 2006 to 2010, with or without reconstruction, were identified and risk-stratified using propensity scored quintiles. The incidence of complications and comorbidities were compared.ResultsOf 37,723 mastectomies identified, 30% received immediate breast reconstruction. After quintile matching for comorbidities, complications rates between reconstructive and non-reconstructives were similar. This trend was echoed across all quintiles, except in the sub-group with highest comorbidities. Here, the reconstructive patients had significantly more complications than the non-reconstructive (22.8% versus 7.0%, p < 0.001).ConclusionImmediate breast reconstruction is a well-tolerated surgical procedure. However, in patients with high comorbidities, surgeons must carefully counterbalance surgical risks with psychosocial benefits to maximize patient outcomes.Level of evidenceLevel 3