Effects of Anacetrapib in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

BACKGROUND: Patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease remain at high risk for cardiovascular events despite effective statin-based treatment of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) by anacetrapib reduces LDL cholesterol levels and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, trials of other CETP inhibitors have shown neutral or adverse effects on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30,449 adults with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive atorvastatin therapy and who had a mean LDL cholesterol level of 61 mg per deciliter (1.58 mmol per liter), a mean non-HDL cholesterol level of 92 mg per deciliter (2.38 mmol per liter), and a mean HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg per deciliter (1.03 mmol per liter). The patients were assigned to receive either 100 mg of anacetrapib once daily (15,225 patients) or matching placebo (15,224 patients). The primary outcome was the first major coronary event, a composite of coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period of 4.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in significantly fewer patients in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (1640 of 15,225 patients [10.8%] vs. 1803 of 15,224 patients [11.8%]; rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.97; P=0.004). The relative difference in risk was similar across multiple prespecified subgroups. At the trial midpoint, the mean level of HDL cholesterol was higher by 43 mg per deciliter (1.12 mmol per liter) in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (a relative difference of 104%), and the mean level of non-HDL cholesterol was lower by 17 mg per deciliter (0.44 mmol per liter), a relative difference of -18%. There were no significant between-group differences in the risk of death, cancer, or other serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive statin therapy, the use of anacetrapib resulted in a lower incidence of major coronary events than the use of placebo. (Funded by Merck and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN48678192 ; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01252953 ; and EudraCT number, 2010-023467-18 .)

Adsorption properties characterization of asphaltenes by inverse gas chromatography

W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań nad możliwością wykorzystania asfaltenów w procesach adsorpcji z fazy gazowej. Wykorzystując technikę odwróconej chromatografii gazowej zbadano właściwości powierzchniowe asfaltenów, takie jak wartość składowej dyspersyjnej i specyficznej swobodnej energii powierzchniowej oraz właściwości elektronodonorowe i elektronoakceptorowe powierzchni asfaltenów. Dodatkowo wyznaczono izotermy adsorpcji dla wybranych lotnych związków organicznych. Uzyskane wyniki wykazały, że asfalteny posiadają unikalne właściwości sorpcyjne i mogą być wykorzystane w procesach adsorpcji do oczyszczania gazowych strumieni procesowych. Otrzymane wartości składowej dyspersyjnej swobodnej energii powierzchniowej są porównywalne do wartości uzyskiwanych dla aktywowanego tlenku glinu.The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the applicability of asphaltenes as sorbent in adsorption processes. To investigate the adsorption properties of asphaltenes, inverse gas chromatography technique was used. It allowed to determine the dispersive and specific components of the surface free energy. Moreover, the electronacceptor and electrondonor properties of the surface were calculated. To explore the potential of the asphaltene adsorbent for removal of volatile organic compounds, adsorption isotherms for selected compounds were determined. Obtained results revealed the high potential of asphaltenes in adsorption processes as they are characterized by unique sorption properties. The value of the dispersive component of the surface free energy indicate that asphaltenes are material with high surface activity, similar to activated alumina

Sorption properties of asphaltene stationary phases for gas chromatography separations

W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań nad możliwością wykorzystania faz stacjonarnych na bazie frakcji asfaltenowych do rozdzielania mieszanin związków chemicznych z wykorzystaniem chromatografii gazowej oraz porównano selektywność faz przygotowanych z frakcji asfaltenowych wyizolowanych z różnych surowców. Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników obliczono wartości liniowych indeksów retencji oraz stałych Rohrschneidera-McReynoldsa, za pomocą których charakter badanych faz określono jako średniopolarny. Przeprowadzone badania wykazały, że przygotowane fazy stacjonarne pozwalają na rozdzielenie związków w ramach grup związków tj. węglowodory aromatyczne, ketony, alkohole, sulfidy. Ponadto zaobserwowano różnice w selektywności faz stacjonarnych w zależności od surowca z jakiego były wyizolowane.The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the usefulness of asphaltene stationary phases for gas chromatography separations and to compare selectivity of asphaltene stationary phases isolated from different raw materials. On the basis of information obtained from test mixture chrom atograms, chromatographic parameters were calculated to characterize prepared columns. The values of linear retention indices and Rohrschneider-McReynolds constants allowed to determine types of interactions between test solutes and stationary phases and for comparison with commercial stationary phases. The use of novel stationary phases enables the separation of substances among classes of compounds e.g. aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, alcohols, sulfides. Calculated values of Rohrschneider-McReynolds constants characterize asphaltene stationary phases as phases of medium polarity and revealed differences in selectivity between phases obtained from different bitumens

The research on properties of asphaltene stationary phase to separate mixtures of optically active compounds with the use of gas chromatography technique

W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań nad możliwością zastosowania asfaltenów jako chiralnej fazy stacjonarnej do chromatografii gazowej. Wyniki uzyskane dla fazy asfaltenowej porównano z wynikami uzyskanymi poprzez zastosowanie komercyjnie dostępnej chiralnej fazy stacjonarnej. Badania wykazały, że frakcja asfaltenowa posiada właściwości umożliwiające uzyskanie rozdzielenia mieszanin związków optycznie czynnych.The paper presents a results of research on the possibility of application of asphaltenes as a chiral stationary phase for gas chromatography. The results obtained for asphaltene stationary phase were compared with results obtained using a commercially available chiral stationary phase. The research showed that asphaltene fraction has properties allowing to separate mixtures of optically active compounds

Unmasking the Mechanism of Structural Para- to Ferroelectric Phase Transition in (NH₄)₂SO₄

New nontoxic and biocompatible ferroelectric materials are a subject undergoing intense study. One of the most promising research branches is focused on H-bonded organic or hybrid ferroelectrics. The engineering of these materials is based on mimicking the phase transition mechanisms of the well-known inorganic ferroelectrics. In our study, a coupled experimental and theoretical methodology was used for a precise investigation of the ferroelectric phase transition mechanism in ammonium sulfate (AS). A series of single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements were performed in the temperature range between 273 and 163 K. The detailed inspection of the obtained static structural data, in the above-mentioned temperature range, allowed us to reveal dynamical effects at the ferroelectric phase transition. Accurate analysis of all geometrical features within the obtained crystal structures was carried out. The results were discussed in the view of previously discovered physical properties. X-ray studies were complemented by the use of quantum theory of atoms in molecules calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis. Valence shell charge concentration analysis allowed us to find the subtle changes between charge density distribution within SO₄^2– in para- and ferroelectric phases. H-bond interactions, geometrically classified in both AS phases, were all confirmed by the appropriate critical points. The interaction energies were estimated for the structures at 273, 233, 213, 183, and 163 K. Correlation between the geometrical approach and the results of theoretical calculations enabled us to discover the differences in interaction equilibrium between the AS phases. The mechanism of the phase transition originates from the disruption of the vibrational lattice mode between sulfate anions. Our studies resolved the problem, which was under discussion for more than 60 years

Unmasking the Mechanism of Structural Para- to Ferroelectric Phase Transition in (NH₄)₂SO₄

New nontoxic and biocompatible ferroelectric materials are a subject undergoing intense study. One of the most promising research branches is focused on H-bonded organic or hybrid ferroelectrics. The engineering of these materials is based on mimicking the phase transition mechanisms of the well-known inorganic ferroelectrics. In our study, a coupled experimental and theoretical methodology was used for a precise investigation of the ferroelectric phase transition mechanism in ammonium sulfate (AS). A series of single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements were performed in the temperature range between 273 and 163 K. The detailed inspection of the obtained static structural data, in the above-mentioned temperature range, allowed us to reveal dynamical effects at the ferroelectric phase transition. Accurate analysis of all geometrical features within the obtained crystal structures was carried out. The results were discussed in the view of previously discovered physical properties. X-ray studies were complemented by the use of quantum theory of atoms in molecules calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis. Valence shell charge concentration analysis allowed us to find the subtle changes between charge density distribution within SO₄^2– in para- and ferroelectric phases. H-bond interactions, geometrically classified in both AS phases, were all confirmed by the appropriate critical points. The interaction energies were estimated for the structures at 273, 233, 213, 183, and 163 K. Correlation between the geometrical approach and the results of theoretical calculations enabled us to discover the differences in interaction equilibrium between the AS phases. The mechanism of the phase transition originates from the disruption of the vibrational lattice mode between sulfate anions. Our studies resolved the problem, which was under discussion for more than 60 years

Szenarien des digital gestützten Lernens evaluieren und erforschen: Praxisbeispiele und Potenziale

Beißwenger M, Boelmann JM, Basten M, et al. Szenarien des digital gestützten Lernens evaluieren und erforschen: Praxisbeispiele und Potenziale. In: Beißwenger M, Bulizek B, Gryl I, Schacht F, eds. Digitale Innovationen und Kompetenzen in der Lehramtsausbildung. Duisburg: UVRR; 2020: 235-262