This work presents the first direct quantification of temporal and concentration-dependent changes in red blood cell volume upon ethanol exposure. Our device presents a universally applicable high-resolution and high-throughput platform to measure changes in cell physiology under native and diseased conditions.We propose and demonstrate a flexible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) chip as a versatile platform for femtomolar detection and real-time interfacial molecule analysis. The flexible SERS chip is composed of a flexible and transparent membrane and embedded plasmonic dimers with ultrahigh particle density and ultrasmall dimer gap. The chip enables rapid identification for residuals on solid substrates with irregular surfaces or dissolved analytes in aqueous solution. The sensitivity for liquid-state measurement is down to 0.06 molecule per dimers for 10-14 mol·L-1 Rhodamine 6G molecule without molecule enrichment. Strong signal fluctuation and blinking are observed at this concentration, indicating that the detection limit is close to the single-molecule level. Meanwhile, the homogeneous liquid environment facilities accurate SERS quantification of analytes with a wide dynamic range. The synergy of flexibility and liquid-state measurement opens up avenues for the real-time study of chemical reactions. The reduction from p-nitrothiophenol (PNTP) to p-aminothiophenol (PATP) in the absence of the chemical reducing agents is observed at liquid interfaces by in situ SERS measurements, and the plasmon-induced hot electron is demonstrated to drive the catalytic reaction. We believe this robust and feasible approach is promising in extending the SERS technique as a general method for identifying interfacial molecular traces, tracking the evolution of heterogeneous reactions, elucidating the reaction mechanisms, and evaluating the environmental effects such as pH value and salty ions in SERS.Introduction Bilateral cervical facet dislocation (BCFD) is an uncommon injury with a high incidence of severe neurological impairment. We describe 4 cases of BCFD with preserved neurological function. Case 1 A 78-year-old female who suffered two ground level falls (GLFs). Pre-operative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Score was C5D. Imaging revealed a BCFD at C6/C7 and a C6 laminar fracture. Case 2 A 63-year-old male suffered a fall down 14 steps. Pre-operative ASIA score was E. Imaging demonstrated a BCFD at C7/T1, and a C6 laminar fracture.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html  Case 3 A 46-year-old male collided with a tree while descending a hill on a bicycle. Pre-operative ASIA score was C6D. Imaging revealed a BCFD at C7/T1 and a C7 laminar fracture. Case 4 A 67-year-old male suffered a GLF while exiting a stationary car. Pre-operative ASIA score on admission was E. Imaging revealed a BCFD at C6/C7 with bilateral laminar fractures at C5 and C6. Outcome All cases underwent 2-stage surgical fixation. All cases maintained or had an improved ASIA score post-operatively. Conclusion In all cases, the presence of concurrent laminar fractures resulted in an auto-decompression of the spinal canal, preserving neurological function.
  Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)-associated mortality is a major global health concern. Several clinical and laboratory parameters have been linked to poor prognosis in patients with CDI. In the current study, we aimed to assess the rate of in-hospital mortality among Israeli CDI patients and to look for clinical and laboratory parameters associated to death.
 
  We performed a multicenter retrospective study enrolling all patients above 18-years old who were hospitalized for CDI or with diagnosis made during hospitalization in two regional, teaching hospitals in the north of Israel (Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya and the Nazareth Hospital, Nazareth, Israel), from January 1, 2015 until January 1, 2020. All files of eligible patients were reviewed for demographic (age, gender), medical history and laboratory tests.
 
  Overall, we included in the study 180 patients, among them 56 died in hospital due to CDI (group A) while 124 survived (group B). The average age in groups A and B was 77.02±13 vs. 71.5±19.n elderly comorbid patients, at increased risk of mortality from CDI .Prospective multicenter randomized studies investigating the effect of albumin infusion on in-hospital death of CDI patients are needed, thus enabling us to direct monitoring and treatment accordingly.
 In this retrospective, multicenter study, age, serum albumin level, leucocytes count, and renal failure were the main predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with CDI. Thus, antibiotic use should be weighed carefully in elderly comorbid patients, at increased risk of mortality from CDI .Prospective multicenter randomized studies investigating the effect of albumin infusion on in-hospital death of CDI patients are needed, thus enabling us to direct monitoring and treatment accordingly.Despite the availability of effective treatments, hepatitis C virus (HCV) still remains a threat to public health. HCV is capable to trigger, behind liver damage, extrahepatic manifestations, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). A close association has been reported between HCV infection and cardiovascular disease due to imbalances in metabolic pathways and chronic inflammation. HCV through both direct and indirect mechanisms causes a higher incidence of ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure and peripheral arterial disease. In addition, a higher risk of death from cardiovascular events has been showed in HCV patients. Insulin resistance is a hallmark of HCV infection and represents the link between HCV and T2DM, which is one of the most frequent HCV-associated extrahepatic manifestations. The pathological basis of the increased risk of T2DM in HCV infection is provided by the alterations of the molecular mechanisms of IR induced both by the direct effects of the HCV proteins, and by the indirect effects mediated by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and hepatic steatosis. T2DM increases the risk of compensated and decompensate cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma as well as increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower limb amputation and end stage renal disease. Current evidence suggests that HCV eradication reduces the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular disease and T2DM, further underling the importance of public health strategies for eradication the infection. The aim of this review was to update evidence and management of interaction between HCV, cardiovascular disease, and T2DM in the era of DAA treatment.