Rotational master equation for cold laser-driven molecules

The equations of motion for the molecular rotation are derived for vibrationally cold dimers that are polarized by off-resonant laser light. It is shown that, by eliminating electronic and vibrational degrees of freedom, a quantum master equation for the reduced rotational density operator can be obtained. The coherent rotational dynamics is caused by stimulated Raman transitions, whereas spontaneous Raman transitions lead to decoherence in the motion of the quantized angular momentum. As an example the molecular dynamics for the optical Kerr effect is chosen, revealing decoherence and heating of the molecular rotation.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

The use of the Airtraq® optical laryngoscope for routine tracheal intubation in high-risk cardio-surgical patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Airtraq^®optical laryngoscope (Prodol Ltd., Vizcaya, Spain) is a novel disposable device facilitating tracheal intubation in routine and difficult airway patients. No data investigating routine tracheal intubation using the Airtaq^®in patients at a high cardiac risk are available at present. Purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and hemodynamic implications of tracheal intubation with the Aitraq^®optical laryngoscope, in high-risk cardio-surgical patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>123 consecutive ASA III patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were routinely intubated with the Airtraq^®laryngoscope. Induction of anesthesia was standardized according to our institutional protocol. All tracheal intubations were performed by six anesthetists trained in the use of the Airtraq^®prior.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall success rate was 100% (n = 123). All but five patients trachea could be intubated in the first attempt (95,9%). 5 patients were intubated in a 2nd (n = 4) or 3rd (n = 1) attempt. Mean intubation time was 24.3 s (range 16-128 s). Heart rate, arterial blood pressure and SpO₂were not significantly altered. Minor complications were observed in 6 patients (4,8%), i.e. two lesions of the lips and four minor superficial mucosal bleedings. Intubation duration (p = 0.62) and number of attempts (p = 0.26) were independent from BMI and Mallampati score.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Tracheal intubation with the Airtraq^®optical laryngoscope was feasible, save and easy to perform in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In all patients, a sufficient view on the vocal cords could be obtained, independent from BMI and preoperative Mallampati score.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>DRKS 00003230</p

ARIA 2016 : Care pathways implementing emerging technologies for predictive medicine in rhinitis and asthma across the life cycle

The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (1) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (2) to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma and rhinitis and (3) to develop guidelines with all stakeholders that could be used globally for all countries and populations. ARIA-disseminated and implemented in over 70 countries globally-is now focusing on the implementation of emerging technologies for individualized and predictive medicine. MASK [MACVIA (Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif)-ARIA Sentinel NetworK] uses mobile technology to develop care pathways for the management of rhinitis and asthma by a multi-disciplinary group and by patients themselves. An app (Android and iOS) is available in 20 countries and 15 languages. It uses a visual analogue scale to assess symptom control and work productivity as well as a clinical decision support system. It is associated with an inter-operable tablet for physicians and other health care professionals. The scaling up strategy uses the recommendations of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The aim of the novel ARIA approach is to provide an active and healthy life to rhinitis sufferers, whatever their age, sex or socio-economic status, in order to reduce health and social inequalities incurred by the disease.Peer reviewe

Preparation of Phosphonic Acid Analogues of Proline and Proline Analogues and Their Biological Evaluation as δ1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylate Reductase Inhibitors

Racemic 1-hydroxy-3-butenyl-, 3-chloro-1-hydroxypropyl-, and 3-bromo-1-hydroxypropylphosphonate and the corresponding (S)-enantiomers obtained by lipase-catalyzed resolution of the respective racemic chloroacetates were subjected to functional group manipulations. These comprised ozonolysis, Mitsunobu reactions with hydrazoic acid and N-hydroxyphthalimide, alkylation of hydrazine derivative, removal of phthaloyl group followed by intramolecular substitution, and global deprotection to deliver the racemates and (R)-enantiomers (ee 92-99% by chiral high-performance liquid chromatography) of pyrrolidin-2-yl-, oxazolidin-3-yl-, oxazolidin-5-yl-, pyrazolidin-3-yl-, and 1,2-oxazinan-3-ylphosphonic acids. These phosphonic acids were evaluated as analogues of proline and proline analogues for the ability to inhibit γ-glutamyl kinase, δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, and δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase. Only the latter enzyme was inhibited by two of them at concentrations exceeding 1 mM

Conversion of nitriles to 1-aminophosphonic acids and preparation of phosphahomocysteines of high enantiomeric excess

<p></p> <p>A variety of nitriles was reduced to diisobutylaluminum salts of aldimines, to which diisopropyl phosphite was added. The corresponding 1-aminophosphonates were either deprotected to give racemic 1-aminophosphonic acids or reacted with Boc₂O to yield <i>N</i>-Boc-protected 1-aminophosphonates. The enantiomers of 2-benzylthio-1-(<i>t</i>-butoxycarbonylamino)propylphosphonate were obtained from the racemate by chiral HPLC and converted to phosphonic acid analogs of (<i>R</i>)- and (<i>S</i>)-homocysteine, (<i>R</i>)- and (<i>S</i>)-2-aminobutyric acid and (<i>S</i>)-methionine, all of ee >97% as determined by chiral HPLC.</p

Prolonged efficacy of the 300IR 5-grass pollen tablet up to 2 years after treatment cessation, as measured by a recommended daily combined score

Abstract Background The 300IR (index of reactivity) 5-grass pollen tablet has favorable short-term and sustained clinical efficacy in patients with grass pollen-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC). Here, we report maintenance of efficacy and safety over 2 years following treatment discontinuation. Methods Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter Phase 3 trial in patients aged 18–50 years with ARC. During study years 1–3, patients received a daily sublingual tablet containing either 300IR 5-grass pollen extract or placebo, according to a discontinuous pre- and coseasonal protocol. Study years 4 and 5 were treatment-free. In response to health authorities’ recommendations, the daily combined score (DCS) was assessed in a post-hoc analysis as the efficacy endpoint. Components of the DCS were daily rhinoconjunctivitis total symptom score (DRTSS) and daily rescue medication score (DRMS). Results 633 patients with ARC were randomized to placebo (n = 219) or 300IR 5-grass pollen tablet, beginning 4 months (4 M, n = 207) or 2 months (2 M, n = 207) prior to the estimated start of the grass pollen season and continuing until season’s end. During the first post-treatment year, a statistically significant difference versus placebo in least squares (LS) mean DCS was noted in patients previously receiving active treatment (300IR (2 M) point estimate: −0.16, 95% confidence interval (CI95%): [−0.26, −0.06], p = 0.0019; −31.1%; 300IR (4 M) point estimate: −0.13, CI95%: [−0.23, −0.03], p = 0.0103, −25.3%). During the second post-treatment year, patients in the 300IR (4 M) group, but not the 300IR (2 M) group, showed a statistically significant difference in LS mean DCS versus placebo (point estimate: −0.11, CI95%: [−0.21; 0.00], p = 0.0478, −28.1%). This significant efficacy seen during the post-treatment years in patients previously treated with 5-grass pollen tablet compared favorably with that during the 3 prior years of active treatment. A statistically significant difference versus placebo was also noted in secondary efficacy measures in both post-treatment years (except for DRTSS in year 5). In the absence of any active treatment, the safety profile was similar in the active groups versus placebo group during either post-treatment year. Conclusions In adults with grass pollen-associated ARC, 5-grass pollen tablet therapy beginning 4 months before the pollen season and continuing to season’s end demonstrated efficacy across all variables during active treatment, and this effect was prolonged for up to 2 years post-treatment. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00418379