Improved O2-assisted styrene synthesis by double-function purification of SWCNT catalyst

The catalytic performance of SWCNT was notably improved in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene (EB) to styrene (ST) upon a double-function purification in one step of the raw SWCNT. This consists of lowering the MeOx concentration and generating surface C=O groups after processing it in nitric acid at controlled conditions, while preserving the structure. The textural improvement was ascribed to the cutting of the tubes/bundles by oxidation and to MeOx removal itself (dilution effect). Both EB conversion and ST selectivity increased with a parallel lowering of the undesired COx selectivity. The conversion was interpreted by the enhancement of the intrinsic properties (i.e., more surface ketonic groups) but also to the higher load of SWCNT in the bed upon purification; both factors contribute to a higher number of active sites (C=O) in the bed for styrene formation. The most purified catalyst underperformed in conversion once the purification altered the SWCNT structure notably. Thus, preserving the structure is an important condition to achieve high conversion and yield. The better selectivity was explained in two ways; more styrene-forming sites (C=O) or less COx-forming sites (uncoated MeOx) in the bed, or both. The styrene yield per catalyst volume was improved by an average of ca. 240 % in comparison to the non-purified SWCNT. Deactivation is critical in maximizing the purification effect on the intrinsic and volumetric yields. In practical terms, the purification method proved to enhance the reaction; the selectivity towards the unwanted COx was significantly lowered with a gain towards styrene, achieving comparable selectivity values as in the conventional process, but operated at much lower temperature

High-sensitivity troponin T: a potential safety predictive biomarker for discharge from the emergency department of patients with confirmed influenza

The purpose of the study was to analyze the relationship between the high-sensitivity troponin T levels in patients with confirmed influenza virus infection and its severity determined by mortality during the care process. In addition, a high-sensitivity troponin T cut-off value was sought to allow us to a safe discharge from the emergency department. An analytical retrospective observational study was designed in which high-sensitivity troponin T is determined as an exposure factor, patients are followed until the resolution of the clinical picture, and the frequency of mortality is analyzed. We included patients ? 16 years old with confirmed influenza virus infection and determination of high-sensitivity troponin T. One hundred twenty-eight patients were included (96.9% survivors, 3.1% deceased). Mean and median blood levels of high-sensitivity troponin T of survivors were 26.2 ± 58.3 ng/L and 14.5 ng/L (IQR 16 ng/L), respectively, and were statistically different when compared with those of the deceased patients, 120.5 ± 170.1 ng/L and 40.5 ng/L (IQR 266.5 ng/L), respectively, p = 0.012. The Youden index using mortality as the reference method was 0.76, and the cut-off value associated with this index was 24 ng/L (sensitivity 100%, specificity 76%, NPV 100%, PPV 4%) with AUC of 88,8% (95% CI: 79.8?92.2%), p < 0.001. We conclude that high-sensitivity troponin T levels in confirmed virus influenza infection are a good predictor of mortality in our population, and this predictor is useful for safely discharging patients from the emergency department

Stereoselective preparation of quaternary 2-vinyl sphingosines and ceramides and their effect on basal sphingolipid metabolism

The dicyclohexylborane-mediated addition of allene 1 to (E)-2-tridecenal affords a quaternary protected 2-amino-2-vinyl-1,3-diol in good yield as a single diastereomer. This compound is readily transformed into the four stereoisomers of the quaternary (E)-2-vinyl analogs of sphingosine. The metabolic fate and the effect of these compounds on the basal sphingolipid metabolism in human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells has been studied, together with the ceramide analog of the most relevant vinylsphingosine derivative

Les occupations humaines sur le site de plein air du Paléolithique supérieur de Montlleó (Prats i Sansor, Lérida, Espagne) : nouvelles données

Le site de plein air de Montlleó (Prats i Sansor, Lérida, Espagne) a été découvert en 1998 ; le SERP de l’université de Barcelone y fouille depuis l’année 2000. La présence d’industrie lithique et osseuse et de parure a montré l’importance du site pour des chasseurs du Magdalénien et le rôle de la haute vallée du Segre comme carrefour des échanges transpyrénéens de matières premières lithiques sur l’axe Segre-Têt via la Cerdagne. Des nouvelles dates radiométriques suggérant une occupation du site dès 22 000 cal. BP, ainsi que la présence d’un outillage où les raclettes et les pointes à cran sont attestées, ouvrent la possibilité d’une occupation plus ancienne qu’on ne l’envisageait jusqu’ici. Les analyses spatiales de dispersion des vestiges montrent effectivement l’existence de deux niveaux archéologiques séparés par un bref hiatus stérile. Ces données montrent qu’il s’agit de la plus ancienne occupation de l’espace montagnard au cours du Dernier Maximum glaciaire dans la zone pyrénéenne méridionale.The open air site of Montlleó (Prats i Sansor, Lérida, Spain) was discovered in 1998 and has been excavated since 2000 by a multidisciplinary team from the SERP research group, University of Barcelona. The presence of lithic and bone industries, as well as shell ornaments, have shown the importance of the site for hunter-gatherer Magdalenian groups and the role of the high Segre valley as a crossroad for lithic raw materials exchanges on the Segre-Têt axis through the Cerdanya valley. New radiometric dates (which situate the first occupations up to 22,000 cal BP) and the presence of new typological tools such as raclettes and Solutrean shouldered points lead us to think that human occupations were more ancient than first expected, going back up to the beginning of the Last Glacial maximum. The dispersion analyzes actually show the existence of two archeological levels separated by a short sterile hiatus. These data thus show that this site represents the oldest occupation of a mountain area during the LGM in the southeastern Pyrenean region

Prognostic heterogeneity of adult B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients with t(1;19)(q23;p13)/TCF3-PBX1 treated with measurable residual disease-oriented protocols

Programa para el Tratamiento de Hemopatias Malignas (PETHEMA) Group (Spanish Society of Hematology, SEHH).The prognosis of t(1;19)(q23;p13)/transcription factor 3-pre-B-cell leukaemia homeobox 1 (TCF3-PBX1) in adolescent and adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treated with measurable residual disease (MRD)-oriented trials remains controversial. In the present study, we analysed the outcome of adolescent and adult patients with t(1;19)(q23;p13) enrolled in paediatric-inspired trials. The patients with TCF3-PBX1 showed similar MRD clearance and did not have different survival compared with other B-cell precursor ALL patients. However, patients with TCF3-PBX1 had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of relapse, especially among patients aged ≥35 years carrying additional cytogenetic alterations. These patients might benefit from additional/intensified therapy (e.g. immunotherapy in first complete remission with or without subsequent haematopoietic stem cell transplantation).This work was supported in part by CERCA/Generalitat de Catalunya SGR 2017 288 (GRC), a restricted grant from ‘La Caixa’ and Healthcare Alliance for Resourceful Medicine Offensive against Neoplasms (HARMONY)

Prognostic heterogeneity of adult B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients with t(1;19)(q23;p13)/ TCF3‐PBX1 treated with measurable residual disease‐oriented protocols

The prognosis of t(1;19)(q23;p13)/transcription factor 3-pre-B-cell leukaemia homeobox 1 (TCF3-PBX1) in adolescent and adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treated with measurable residual disease (MRD)-oriented trials remains controversial. In the present study, we analysed the outcome of adolescent and adult patients with t(1;19)(q23;p13) enrolled in paediatric-inspired trials. The patients with TCF3-PBX1 showed similar MRD clearance and did not have different survival compared with other B-cell precursor ALL patients. However, patients with TCF3-PBX1 had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of relapse, especially among patients aged ≥35 years carrying additional cytogenetic alterations. These patients might benefit from additional/intensified therapy (e.g. immunotherapy in first complete remission with or without subsequent haematopoietic stem cell transplantation)

A pediatric regimen for adolescents and young adults with Philadelphia chromosome‐negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Results of the ALLRE08 PETHEMA trial

Background: Pediatric-based or -inspired trials have improved the prognosis of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-neg) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods: This study reports the results of treatment of the ALLRE08 trial, a full pediatric trial for AYA aged 15-30 years with standard-risk (SR) ALL. Results: From 2008 to 2018, 89 patients (38 adolescents [15-18 years] and 51 young adults [YA, 19-30 years], median age: 20 [15-29] years) were enrolled in the ALLRE08 trial. The complete response (CR) was 95%. Twenty-two patients were transferred to a high-risk (HR) protocol because of poor marrow response on day 14 (n = 20) or high-level of end-induction minimal residual response (MRD ≥ 0.25%, n = 2). Cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) at 5 years was 35% (95%CI: 23%-47%), with significant differences between adolescents and YA: 13% (4%-28%) vs 52% (34%-67%), P = .012. No treatment-related mortality was observed in 66/66 patients following the ALLRE08 trial vs 3/23 patients moved to a HR trial. The estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) was 74% (95%CI: 63%-85%), with significantly higher rates for adolescents vs YA: 87% (95%CI: 74%-100%) vs 63% (46%-80%), P = .021. Although CIR or OS were lower in patients who were transferred to a HR trial, the differences were not statistically significant (CIR: 34% [21%-47%] vs 37% [14%-61%]; OS: 78% [66%-90%] vs 61% [31%;91%]). Conclusion: A full pediatric trial is feasible and effective for AYA with Ph-neg, SR-ALL, with better results for adolescents than for YA. Outcome of patients with poor early response rescued with a HR trial was not significantly inferior

A pediatric regimen for adolescents and young adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia : Results of the ALLRE08 PETHEMA trial

Altres ajuts: Supported in part by grants from Fundació La Caixa and CIBERONC (JMHR and AO).Pediatric-based or -inspired trials have improved the prognosis of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-neg) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This study reports the results of treatment of the ALLRE08 trial, a full pediatric trial for AYA aged 15-30 years with standard-risk (SR) ALL. From 2008 to 2018, 89 patients (38 adolescents [15-18 years] and 51 young adults [YA, 19-30 years], median age: 20 [15-29] years) were enrolled in the ALLRE08 trial. The complete response (CR) was 95%. Twenty-two patients were transferred to a high-risk (HR) protocol because of poor marrow response on day 14 (n = 20) or high-level of end-induction minimal residual response (MRD ≥ 0.25%, n = 2). Cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) at 5 years was 35% (95%CI: 23%-47%), with significant differences between adolescents and YA: 13% (4%-28%) vs 52% (34%-67%), P = .012. No treatment-related mortality was observed in 66/66 patients following the ALLRE08 trial vs 3/23 patients moved to a HR trial. The estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) was 74% (95%CI: 63%-85%), with significantly higher rates for adolescents vs YA: 87% (95%CI: 74%-100%) vs 63% (46%-80%), P = .021. Although CIR or OS were lower in patients who were transferred to a HR trial, the differences were not statistically significant (CIR: 34% [21%-47%] vs 37% [14%-61%]; OS: 78% [66%-90%] vs 61% [31%;91%]). A full pediatric trial is feasible and effective for AYA with Ph-neg, SR-ALL, with better results for adolescents than for YA. Outcome of patients with poor early response rescued with a HR trial was not significantly inferior. A full pediatric trial is feasible and effective for adolescent and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, with better results for adolescents than for young adults. The outcome of patients showing poor early response was not significantly inferior than that observed for good responders after being transferred to a high-risk trial

Adverse prognostic impact of complex karyotype (≥3 cytogenetic alterations) in adult T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)

The potential prognostic value of conventional karyotyping in adult T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) remains an open question. We hypothesized that a modified cytogenetic classification, based on the number and type of cytogenetic abnormalities, would allow the identification of high-risk adult T-ALL patients. Complex karyotype defined by the presence of ≥3 cytogenetic alterations identified T-ALL patients with poor prognosis in this study. Karyotypes with ≥3 abnormalities accounted for 16 % (22/139) of all evaluable karyotypes, corresponding to the largest poor prognosis cytogenetic subgroup of T-ALL identified so far. Patients carrying karyotypes with ≥3 cytogenetic alterations showed a significantly inferior response to therapy, and a poor outcome in terms of event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS) and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), independently of other baseline characteristics and the end-induction minimal residual disease (MRD) level. Additional molecular analyses of patients carrying ≥3 cytogenetic alterations showed a unique molecular profile that could contribute to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of resistance and to evaluate novel targeted therapies (e.g. IL7R directed) with potential impact on outcome of adult T-ALL patients

Efficacy and safety of native versus pegylated Escherichia coli asparaginase for treatment of adults with high-risk, Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Native or pegylated (PEG) asparaginase (ASP) are commonly used in treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but have been scarcely compared in the same trial in adult patients. Native vs. PEG-ASP administered according to availability in each center were prospectively evaluated in adults with high-risk ALL. Ninety-one patients received native ASP and 35 PEG-ASP in induction. No significant differences were observed in complete remission, minimal residual disease levels after induction and after consolidation, disease-free survival, and overall survival. No significant differences in grades 3–4 toxicity were observed in the induction period, although a trend for higher hepatic toxicity was observed in patients receiving PEG-ASP. In this trial the type of ASP did not influence patient response and outcome.Supported in part with the grants PI10/01417 from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias and RD12/0036/0029 from RTICC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 2014 SGR225(GRE), CERCA Program, Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain, and a funding from ‘La Caixa’ Foundation