We have developed a facile, fast, and scalable microwave irradiation method for the synthesis of graphene and CdSe nanocrystals of controlled size, shape, and crystalline structure dispersed on graphene sheets. The reduction of graphite oxide into graphene takes place in DMSO within 2 min of microwave irradiation as opposed to 12 h of conventional thermal heating at 180 °C. The method allows the simultaneous reduction of graphite oxide and the nucleation and growth of CdSe nanocrystals using a variety of capping agents. Cubic and hexagonal CdSe nanocrystals with average sizes of 2-4 and 5-7 nm, respectively, have been prepared by the proper choice of the capping agent within a few minutes of microwave irradiation. Highquality nearly monodisperse CdSe nanocrystals have been supported on graphene with no evidence of aggregation. Direct evidence is presented for the efficient quenching of photoluminescence from the CdSe nanocrystals by graphene. The results provide a new approach for exploring the size-tunable optical properties of CdSe nanocrystals supported on graphene which could have important implications for energy conversion applications such as photovoltaic cells where CdSe quantum dots, the light-harvesting material, are supported on the highly conducting flexible graphene electrodes.

Tumor immunoediting consisting of three phases of elimination, equilibrium or dormancy, and escape has been supported by preclinical and clinical data. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which antitumor immune responses regulate these three phases are important for developing highly tailored immunotherapeutics that can control cancer. To this end, IFN-γ produced by Th1 cells, cytotoxic T cells, NK cells, and NKT cells is a pleiotropic cytokine that is involved in all three phases of tumor immunoediting, as well as during inflammation-mediated tumorigenesis processes. This essay presents a review of literature and suggests that overcoming tumor escape is feasible by driving tumor cells into a state of quiescent but not indolent dormancy in order for IFN-γ-producing tumor-specific T cells to prevent tumor relapse.

Acutely, there was no reduction of bacteriuria and pyuria or improvement in subjective urine quality for SCI patients treated with daily concentrated PACs.

Background: We present an intrarenal adrenocortical adenoma discovered incidentally after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy and total adrenalectomy for a suspicious renal mass. Current literature describes the rare occurrence of an adrenocortical adenoma arising from a renal–adrenal fusion. This case represents an uncommon, benign pathology that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an enhancing renal mass.Case Presentation: The patient is a 62-year-old female found to have an enhancing mass at the anterolateral aspect of the upper pole of the right kidney concerning for renal-cell carcinoma. CT imaging was performed to work up a cause for hyperparathyroidism. During robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, the lesion was found to be partially adherent to the lateral limb of the right adrenal gland. Microscopic evaluation with Melan-A staining showed the mass to be of adrenal origin with benign features and lack of capsulation, indicating an adrenal adenoma arising from intrarenal ectopic adrenal rests.Conclusion: An intrarenal adrenal adenoma arising from ectopic adrenal tissue is a unique pathology that represents a benign differential diagnosis in the evaluation of an enhancing renal mass. However, it cannot be differentiated from renal-cell carcinoma based on cross-sectional imaging alone and requires postoperative pathologic assessment to confirm the diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of candidates for residency is difficult. No defined interview metric accurately correlates with residency performance. For family medicine residents, critical thinking skills assessed at the beginning of training did predict academic success. Thus, we explored the feasibility, utility and the candidate's receptiveness to integrating critical thinking and technical skills into residency interviews.METHODS: Three critical thinking questions (spatial insight, communication of complex ideas and divergent thinking) and 2 skill stations (laparoscopic peg transfer and open suturing) were incorporated into the traditional interview. Two separate scores (1-5, Likert scale) were provided based on the candidate's performance in the traditional interview (TI) and in the critical thinking (CT)/skills (SK) stations. Anonymous candidate questionnaires assessed their receptiveness. Scores were analyzed with paired t-tests and questionnaire responses were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum and chisquare tests.RESULTS: Thirty-seven candidates were interviewed. Median TI score of 4.1 (IQR 3.7, 4.3) was significantly different from the median CTSK of 3.8 (IQR 3.3, 4.1) (<0.001). For 8 (22%) candidates, the CTSK score was greater than the TI and for 15 (44.4%) candidates, the difference between the CTSK and TI score was > 0.5 points. Amongst candidates who received the highest TI scores (4-4.4 and 4.5-5.0), their median CTSK was lower: 3.85 (2.8, 4.4) and 3.95 (3.8, 4.7), respectively. Twenty-four (65%) candidates completed the questionnaire. Of these, 15 (63%) and 18 (75%) felt the CT and SK, respectively, gave them the opportunity to demonstrate capabilities not normally assessed. The majority of candidates, 21 (88%) and 18 (60%), believed the CT and SK, respectively, were fair (Table ).CONCLUSIONS: Integrating CTSK into interviews was feasible and provided further insight into a candidate's qualifications. CTSK was well received with the majority of candidates seeing it as an opportunity to demonstrate occult skills. These exploratory results should stimulate further evaluation of the utility of CTSK and its ability to predict a candidate's success in residency via a multi-institutional platform.