a new sustainable protocol for the synthesis of nitroaldol derivatives via henry reaction under solvent free conditions

A new protocol for the Henry addition of nitroalkanes to aryl- and alkyl-aldehydes promoted by PS-BEMP under solvent-free conditions (SolFC) is presented. The corresponding nitroaldol products were obtained in good yields and short times; furthermore minimization of the reaction waste was achieved by reducing the use of organic solvents. Extension of the protocol was obtained by setting up the tandem Michael-Henry reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and nitroalkane to yield the corresponding dinitro derivatives

Hyperbolic Metamaterials via Hierarchical Block Copolymer Nanostructures

Hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs) offer unconventional properties in the field of optics, enabling opportunities for confinement and propagation of light at the nanoscale. In‐plane orientation of the optical axis, in the direction coinciding with the anisotropy of the HMMs, is desirable for a variety of novel applications in nanophotonics and imaging. Here, a method for creating localized HMMs with in‐plane optical axis, based on block copolymer (BCP) blend instability, is introduced. The dewetting of BCP thin film over topographically defined substrates generates droplets composed of highly ordered lamellar nanostructures in hierarchical configuration. The hierarchical nanostructures represent a valuable platform for the subsequent pattern transfer into a Au/air HMM, exhibiting hyperbolic behavior in a broad wavelength range in the visible spectrum. A computed Purcell factor as high as 32 at 580 nm supports the strong reduction in the fluorescence lifetime of defects in nanodiamonds placed on top of the HMM

Psychosomatic syndromes are associated with IL-6 pro-inflammatory cytokine in heart failure patients

Psychosomatic syndromes have emerged as an important source of comorbidity in cardiac patients and have been associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Understanding of the mechanisms underlying this connection is limited, however immune activity represents a possible pathway. While there have been numerous studies connecting immune activity to psychosomatic psychopathology, there is a lack of research on patients with HF. We examined forty-one consecutive outpatients affected by HF. We assessed psychosomatic psychopathology using the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15). The Psychosocial Index (PSI) was used for assessing stress and psychosocial dimensions. Depression was evaluated with Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha were ascertained. Univariate and multivariable regression models were used to test for associations between inflammatory cytokines and psychosomatic psychopathology (i.e., DCPR syndromes, PHQ-15) and psychological dimensions (i.e., BDI-II, PSI). A significant positive correlation was found between IL-6 levels and psychosomatic psychopathology even when controlling for any confounding variables (i.e., Body-mass index (BMI), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, statin use, aspirin use, beta blockers use, age, and gender). In contrast, the associations between TNF-alpha levels were non-significant. These findings can contribute to research in support of a psychoneuroimmune connection between psychosomatic psychopathology and HF. Findings also suggest the possibility that elevated IL-6 levels are more relevant for the pathogenesis of psychosomatic syndromes than for depression in patients with HF

Developing Quantitative Nondestructive Characterization of Nanomaterials: A Case Study on Sequential Infiltration Synthesis of Block Copolymers

The sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS) of inorganic materials in nanostructured block copolymer templates has rapidly progressed in the last few years to develop functional nanomaterials with controllable properties. To assist this rapid evolution, expanding the capabilities of nondestructive methods for quantitative characterization of the materials properties is required. In this paper, we characterize the SIS process on three model polymers with different infiltration profiles through ex situ quantification by reference-free grazing incidence X-ray fluorescence. More qualitative depth distribution results were validated by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy

Lithuania

This report is part of the project The Factbook on the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products(henceforth ITTP)

Hybrid Metrology for Nanostructured Optical Metasurfaces

Metasurfaces have garnered increasing research interest in recent years due to their remarkable advantages, such as efficient miniaturization and novel functionalities compared to traditional optical elements such as lenses and filters. These advantages have facilitated their rapid commercial deployment. Recent advancements in nanofabrication have enabled the reduction of optical metasurface dimensions to the nanometer scale, expanding their capabilities to cover visible wavelengths. However, the pursuit of large-scale manufacturing of metasurfaces with customizable functions presents challenges in controlling the dimensions and composition of the constituent dielectric materials. To address these challenges, the combination of block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly and sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS), offers an alternative for fabrication of high-resolution dielectric nanostructures with tailored composition and optical functionalities. However, the absence of metrological techniques capable of providing precise and reliable characterization of the refractive index of dielectric nanostructures persists. This study introduces a hybrid metrology strategy that integrates complementary synchrotron-based traceable X-ray techniques to achieve comprehensive material characterization for the determination of the refractive index on the nanoscale. To establish correlations between material functionality and their underlying chemical, compositional and dimensional properties, TiO2 nanostructures model systems were fabricated by SIS of BCPs. The results from synchrotron-based analyses were integrated into physical models, serving as a validation scheme for laboratory-scale measurements to determine effective refractive indices of the nanoscale dielectric materials

West Nile virus transmission. results from the integrated surveillance system in Italy, 2008 to 2015

IIn Italy a national Plan for the surveillance of imported and autochthonous human vector-borne diseases (chikungunya, dengue, Zika virus disease and West Nile virus (WNV) disease) that integrates human and veterinary (animals and vectors) surveillance, is issued and revised annually according with the observed epidemiological changes. Here we describe results of the WNV integrated veterinary and human surveillance systems in Italy from 2008 to 2015. A real time data exchange protocol is in place between the surveillance systems to rapidly identify occurrence of human and animal cases and to define and update the map of affected areas i.e. provinces during the vector activity period from June to October. WNV continues to cause severe illnesses in Italy during every transmission season, albeit cases are sporadic and the epidemiology varies by virus lineage and geographic area. The integration of surveillance activities and a multidisciplinary approach made it possible and have been fundamental in supporting implementation of and/or strengthening preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of WNV trough blood, tissues and organ donation and to implementing further measures for vector control

Echocardiographic parameters indicating left atrial reverse remodeling after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

BackgroundThe echocardiographic parameters total atrial conduction time (PA-TDI duration), left atrial (LA) volume index (LAVI), and LA strain reflect adverse atrial remodeling and predict atrial fibrillation (AF).ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate echocardiographic parameters indicating reverse LA remodeling and potential associations with AF recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).MethodsThis prospective observational study consecutively enrolled patients scheduled for PVI for symptomatic AF. Electrocardiogram (ECG) test and transthoracic echocardiography were performed the day before and after PVI and again 3 months later. AF recurrence was determined by Holter ECG at 3 months, and telephone follow-up at 12 months, after PVI. The parameters of LA remodeling [PA-TDI, LAVI, and LA strain analysis: reservoir strain (LASr), conduit strain (LAScd), contraction strain (LASct)] were determined by transthoracic echocardiography.ResultsA total of 48 patients were included in the study (mean age: 61.4 ± 12.2 years). PA-TDI significantly decreased the day after PVI compared with the baseline (septal PA-TDI 103 ± 13 vs. 82 ± 14.9 ms, p ≤ 0.001; lateral PA-TDI 122.4 ± 14.8 vs. 106.9 ± 14.4 ms, p ≤ 0.001) and at the 3-month follow-up (septal PA-TDI: 77.8 ± 14.5, p ≤ 0.001; lateral PA-TDI 105.2 ± 16.1, p ≤ 0.001). LAVI showed a significant reduction at the 3-month follow-up compared with the baseline (47.7 ± 14.4 vs. 40.5 ± 9.7, p < 0.05). LASr, LAScd, and LASct did not change after PVI compared with the baseline. AF recurred in 10 patients after PVI (21%). Septal PA-TDI, septal a', and LAVI/a' determined the day after PVI were associated with AF recurrence.ConclusionChanges in echocardiographic parameters of LA remodeling and function indicate that functional electromechanical recovery preceded morphological reverse remodeling of the left atrium after PVI. Furthermore, these changes in echocardiographic parameters indicating LA reverse remodeling after PVI may identify patients at high risk of AF recurrence

Vitamin C Deficiency in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Vitamin C has been shown to play a significant role in suppressing progression of leukemia through epigenetic mechanisms. We aimed to study the role of vitamin C in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) biology and clinical course. To this purpose, the plasma levels of vitamin C at diagnosis in 62 patients with AML (including 5 cases with acute promyelocytic leukemia, APL),7 with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and in 15 healthy donors (HDs) were studied. As controls, vitamins A and E levels were analysed. Expression of the main vitamin C transporters and of the TET2 enzyme were investigated by a specific RQ-PCR while cytoplasmic vitamin C concentration and its uptake were studied in mononuclear cells (MNCs), lymphocytes and blast cells purified from AML samples, and MNCs isolated from HDs. There were no significant differences in vitamin A and E serum levels between patients and HDs. Conversely, vitamin C concentration was significantly lower in AML as compared to HDs (p<0.0001), inversely correlated with peripheral blast-counts (p=0.029), significantly increased at the time of complete remission (CR) (p=0.04) and further decreased in resistant disease (p=0.002). Expression of the main vitamin C transporters SLC23A2, SLC2A1 and SLC2A3 was also significantly reduced in AML compared to HDs. In this line, cytoplasmic vitamin C levels were also significantly lower in AML-MNCs versus HDs, and in sorted blasts compared to normal lymphocytes in individual patients. No association was found between vitamin C plasma levels and the mutation profile of AML patients, as well as when considering cytogenetics or 2017 ELN risk stratification groups. Finally, vitamin C levels did not play a predictive role for overall or relapse-free survival. In conclusion, our study shows that vitamin C levels are significantly decreased in patients with AML at the time of initial diagnosis, further decrease during disease progression and return to normal upon achievement of CR. Correspondingly, low intracellular levels may mirror increased vitamin C metabolic consumption in proliferating AML cells