Validation of inflammatory prognostic biomarkers in pleural mesothelioma

Evoked from asbestos-induced inflammation, pleural mesothelioma represents a fatal diagnosis. Therapy ranges from nihilism to aggressive multimodality regimens. However, it is still unclear who ultimately benefits from which treatment. We aimed to re-challenge inflammatory-related biomarkers’ prognostic value in times of modern immune-oncology and lung-sparing surgery. The biomarkers (leukocytes, hemoglobin, platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte–monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein (CRP)) and clinical characteristics (age, sex, histology, therapy) of 98 PM patients were correlated to overall survival (OS). The median OS was 19.4 months. Significant OS advantages (Log-Rank) were observed in multimodal treatment vs. others (26.1 vs. 7.2 months, p < 0.001), surgery (pleurectomy/decortication) vs. no surgery (25.5 vs. 3.8 months, p < 0.001), a high hemoglobin level (cut-off 12 g/dL, 15 vs. 24.2 months, p = 0.021), a low platelet count (cut-off 280 G/L, 26.1 vs. 11.7 months, p < 0.001), and a low PLR (cut-off 194.5, 25.5 vs. 12.3 months, p = 0.023). Histology (epithelioid vs. non-epithelioid, p = 0.002), surgery (p = 0.004), CRP (cut-off 1 mg/dL, p = 0.039), and platelets (p = 0.025) were identified as independent prognostic variables for this cohort in multivariate analysis (Cox regression, covariates: age, sex, histology, stage, CRP, platelets). Our data verified the previously shown prognostic role of systemic inflammatory parameters in patients treated with lung-sparing surgery within multimodality therapy

Cochlear Implant: the complexity involved in the decision making process by the family

El objetivo de esta investigación es comprender los significados atribuidos por la familia a las etapas del proceso de la toma de decisiones para el implante coclear en el hijo

Probing the viability of oxo-coupling pathways in iridium-catalyzed oxygen evolution

[Image: see text] A series of Cp*Ir(III) dimers have been synthesized to elucidate the mechanistic viability of radical oxo-coupling pathways in iridium-catalyzed O(2) evolution. The oxidative stability of the precursors toward nanoparticle formation and their oxygen evolution activity have been investigated and compared to suitable monomeric analogues. We found that precursors bearing monodentate NHC ligands degraded to form nanoparticles (NPs), and accordingly their O(2) evolution rates were not significantly influenced by their nuclearity or distance between the two metals in the dimeric precursors. A doubly chelating bis-pyridine–pyrazolide ligand provided an oxidation-resistant ligand framework that allowed a more meaningful comparison of catalytic performance of dimers with their corresponding monomers. With sodium periodate (NaIO(4)) as the oxidant, the dimers provided significantly lower O(2) evolution rates per [Ir] than the monomer, suggesting a negative interaction instead of cooperativity in the catalytic cycle. Electrochemical analysis of the dimers further substantiates the notion that no radical oxyl-coupling pathways are accessible. We thus conclude that the alternative path, nucleophilic attack of water on high-valent Ir-oxo species, may be the preferred mechanistic pathway of water oxidation with these catalysts, and bimolecular oxo-coupling is not a valid mechanistic alternative as in the related ruthenium chemistry, at least in the present system

Graphite-protected CsPbBr3 perovskite photoanodes functionalised with water oxidation catalyst for oxygen evolution in water

Metal-halide perovskites have been widely investigated in the photovoltaic sector due to their promising optoelectronic properties and inexpensive fabrication techniques based on solution processing. Here we report the development of inorganic CsPbBr3-based photoanodes for direct photoelectrochemical oxygen evolution from aqueous electrolytes. We use a commercial thermal graphite sheet and a mesoporous carbon scaffold to encapsulate CsPbBr3 as an inexpensive and efficient protection strategy. We achieve a record stability of 30 h in aqueous electrolyte under constant simulated solar illumination, with currents above 2 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE. We further demonstrate the versatility of our approach by grafting a molecular Ir-based water oxidation catalyst on the electrolyte-facing surface of the sealing graphite sheet, which cathodically shifts the onset potential of the composite photoanode due to accelerated charge transfer. These results suggest an efficient route to develop stable halide perovskite based electrodes for photoelectrochemical solar fuel generation

Hydrogen-transfer catalysis with Cp*Ir^III complexes:The influence of the ancillary ligands

Fourteen Cp*IrIII complexes, bearing various combinations of N- and C-spectator ligands, are assayed in hydrogen-transfer catalysis from isopropyl alcohol to acetophenone under various conditions to investigate ligand effects in this widely used reaction. The new cationic complexes bearing monodentate pyridine and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were characterized crystallographically and by variable-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance (VT-NMR). Control experiments and mercury poisoning tests showed that iridium(0) nanoparticles, although active in the reaction, are not responsible for the high activity observed for the most active precatalyst [Cp*Ir(IMe) 2Cl]BF4 (6). For efficient catalysis, it was found necessary to have both NHCs in monodentate form; tying them together in a bis-NHC chelate ligand gave greatly reduced activity. The kinetics of the base-assisted reaction showed induction periods as well as deactivation processes, and H/D scrambling experiments cast some doubt on the classical monohydride mechanism. © 2013 American Chemical Society

Performance Analysis of Professional, Semi-Professional and Junior Elite Rugby League Match-Play Using Global Positioning Systems

The aim of the present study was to examine positional differences in physical performance measures of professional, semi-professional and junior elite Rugby League match-play using portable Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Twelve professional, twelve semi-professional and eighteen junior elite male Rugby League players were monitored during five regular season competition matches using portable GPS software. The mean total distance travelled during professional (8371 +/- 897 m) and semi-professional (7277 +/- 734 m) match-play was significantly (p< 0.05) greater than elite junior (4646 +/- 978 m) match-play. Position specific total distance travelled and distance travelled per minute of playing time were significantly (p< 0.05) less for junior elite backs (5768 +/- 765 m; 74 +/- 11 m[middle dot]min-1) and forwards (4774 +/- 564 m; 82 +/- 5 m[middle dot]min-1) in comparison to professional (backs 8158 +/- 673 m; 101 +/- 8 m[middle dot]min-1, forwards 8442 +/- 812 m; 98 +/- 12 m[middle dot]min-1) and semi-professional (backs 7505 +/- 765 m; 94 +/- 8 m[middle dot]min-1, forwards 6701 +/- 678 m; 89 +/- 8 m[middle dot]min-1) match-play. Maximum running speed, maximum sprints and total sprint distance travelled by professional players were all significantly (p< 0.05) greater than junior elite player but not semi-professional players during match-play. Professional backs and forwards performed significantly (p< 0.05) more maximum sprints and travelled greater total distance during match-play in comparison to semi-professional and junior elite players. The present findings demonstrate minimal differences in the physical performance measures of professional and semi-professional Rugby League match-play. The position specific performance characteristics of junior elite match-play indicate current junior elite player development pathways may not provide adequate preparation for players transitioning into professional competition

Continuous-Flow Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Pure Formic Acid using an Integrated scCO₂ Process with Immobilized Catalyst and Base

Doppelrolle für CO2: Reine Ameisensäure lässt sich aus CO2 und H2 kontinuierlich in einem integrierten Verfahren erhalten (siehe Schema). Dabei werden ein immobilisierter metallorganischer Rutheniumkomplex und eine nichtflüchtige Base in einer ionischen Flüssigkeit (IL) mit überkritischem (sc) CO2 kombiniert, das gleichzeitig als Reaktant und Extraktionsmittel fungiert