Air-Stable and Reusable Cobalt Phosphide Nanoalloy Catalyst for Selective Hydrogenation of Furfural Derivatives

While metal phosphides have begun to attract attention as electrocatalysts, they remain underutilized in the field of liquid-phase molecular transformations. Herein, we describe a supported cobalt phosphide nanoalloy (nano-Co₂P) that functions as a highly efficient, reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of furfural derivatives. The carbonyl moieties of several furfural derivatives were selectively hydrogenated to produce the desired products in high yields. In contrast to conventional nonprecious metal catalysts, nano-Co₂P uniquely exhibited air stability, which enabled easy and safe handling and precluded the need for H₂ pretreatment. Infrared and density functional theory studies revealed that the highly efficient hydrogenation is due to the favorable activation of the carbonyl moiety of furfural derivatives through the backdonation to its π* orbital from the Co d-electrons.Hiroya Ishikawa, Min Sheng, Ayako Nakata, Kiyotaka Nakajima, Seiji Yamazoe, Jun Yamasaki, Sho Yamaguchi, Tomoo Mizugaki, and Takato Mitsudome. Air-Stable and Reusable Cobalt Phosphide Nanoalloy Catalyst for Selective Hydrogenation of Furfural Derivatives. ACS Catalysis 2021, 11, 750-757, DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c03300.This document is the unedited Author’s version of a Submitted Work that was subsequently accepted for publication in ACS Catalysis, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.0c03300

Trials for Risk Assessment of Japanese Encephalitis Based on Serologic Surveys of Wild Animals

Flavivirus Encephaliti

Negatively charged low-density lipoprotein is associated with atherogenic risk in hypertensive patients

Negatively charged low-density lipoprotein (LDL), generated via multiple processes such as oxidation, acetylation, or glycosylation, plays a key role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and related diseases. Anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (AE-HPLC) can subfractionate LDL into LDL-1, LDL-2, and LDL-3 based on LDL particle charge, but the clinical significance of LDL subfractions has not yet been elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of these fractions with particular regard to atherogenic risk in hypertensive patients. Ninety-eight patients with essential hypertension (age 67.0 ± 10.7 years; 54 males) were enrolled in the present study. The relationships between LDL subfractions and atherogenic risk factors, including lipid profiles, blood pressure and plasma 8-isoprostane as a marker of oxidative stress, were examined. LDL-1 levels were significantly and negatively correlated with body mass index (r = -0.384, p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (r = -0.457, p < 0.001), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (r = -0.457, p < 0.001) and 8-isoprostane levels (r = -0.415, p < 0.001). LDL-3, which is the most negatively charged fraction of total LDL, was significantly and positively correlated with these parameters (r = 0.267, 0.481, 0.357, and 0.337, respectively). LDL-1 levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001), and LDL-2 and LDL-3 levels were significantly higher (each p < 0.001) in patients with poorly controlled hypertension than in patients with well-controlled hypertension. In addition, an increase in the total number of traditional risk factors at time of study participation, but not previous diagnosis, was associated with a decrease in LDL-1 levels and increases in LDL-2 and LDL-3 levels. These data suggest that LDL subfractions are associated with multiple atherogenic risk factors and that treatment to modify these risk factors could result in Negatively charged low-density lipoprotein (LDL), generated via multiple processes such as oxidation, acetylation, or glycosylation, plays a key role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and related diseases. Anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (AE-HPLC) can subfractionate LDL into LDL-1, LDL-2, and LDL-3 based on LDL particle charge, but the clinical significance of LDL subfractions has not yet been elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of these fractions with particular regard to atherogenic risk in hypertensive patients. Ninety-eight patients with essential hypertension (age 67.0 ± 10.7 years; 54 males) were enrolled in the present study. The relationships between LDL subfractions and atherogenic risk factors, including lipid profiles, blood pressure and plasma 8-isoprostane as a marker of oxidative stress, were examined. LDL-1 levels were significantly and negatively correlated with body mass index (r = −0.384, p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (r = −0.457, p < 0.001), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (r = −0.457, p < 0.001) and 8-isoprostane levels (r = −0.415, p < 0.001). LDL-3, which is the most negatively charged fraction of total LDL, was significantly and positively correlated with these parameters (r = 0.267, 0.481, 0.357, and 0.337, respectively). LDL-1 levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001), and LDL-2 and LDL-3 levels were significantly higher (each p < 0.001) in patients with poorly controlled hypertension than in patients with well-controlled hypertension. In addition, an increase in the total number of traditional risk factors at time of study participation, but not previous diagnosis, was associated with a decrease in LDL-1 levels and increases in LDL-2 and LDL-3 levels. These data suggest that LDL subfractions are associated with multiple atherogenic risk factors and that treatment to modify these risk factors could result in changes in LDL subfraction levels. In conclusion, LDL subfractions isolated by AE-HPLC may represent a marker of atherogenic risk in patients with hypertension

Culprit segments identified by optical coherence tomography in patients with acute myocardial infarction: Two case reports

The high resolution of optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides detailed information about coronary plaque morphology, which enables the mechanism of acute myocardial infarction to be evaluated. We describe two patients with acute myocardial infarction in whom culprit segments were identified by OCT, but not by either coronary angiography or intravascular ultrasound

Longitudinal strain of right ventricular free wall by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography is useful for detecting pulmonary hypertension

Aims Echocardiography is widely used for screening pulmonary hypertension (PH). More recently developed two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) can assess regional deformation of the myocardium and is useful for detecting left ventricular dysfunction. However, its usefulness to assess right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is not clear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the ability of peak systolic strain (PSS) and post-systolic strain index (PSI) at the RV free wall determined by 2D-STE to detect PH. Main methods Thirty-six images (27 images from PH patients, nine from patients with connective tissue disease without PH) obtained by 2D-STE were analysed. We investigated the relationship between RV hemodynamics measured by right heart catheterization and PSS, PSI and other echocardiographic parameters reflecting RV overload including RV end-diastolic diameter (RVDd) and tricuspid valve regurgitant pressure gradient (TRPG). Key findings PSS, PSI, RVDd and TRPG were all correlated with mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Furthermore, when PSS and MPAP were measured twice, the change in PSS was correlated with the change in MPAP (r = 0.633, p = 0.037). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified PSS as the only independent factor associated with MPAP ? 35 mm Hg [odds ratio (OR), 1.616; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.017-2.567; p = 0.042] and PVR ? 400 dyn・s・cm- 5(OR, 1.804; 95% CI 1.131-2.877; p = 0.013). Furthermore, the optimal PSS cut-off value to detect an elevated MPAP and PVR was - 20.75%, based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Significance PSS of the RV free wall might serve as a useful non-invasive indicator of PH

Spontaneous Spiral Dissection of Left Internal Thoracic Artery Graft Combined Assessment by Optical Coherence Tomography and Intravascular Ultrasound

The left internal thoracic artery (LITA) is considered the most reliable coronary artery bypass grafting conduit due to its high rate of long-term patency. LITA grafts are extremely durable and associated complications are infrequent. We present a case with spontaneous spiral dissection of a LITA graft to the left anterior descending artery, which was assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). OCT was superior in visualizing the disrupted flap, false lumen, and intramural hematoma, but it did not visualize the full extent of the vessel wall. In contrast, IVUS allowed more complete and deeper vessel visualization, and thus better appreciation of the extent of intramural hematoma. Combined use of these two modalities provides complementary details on imaging of a LITA dissection

Effects of Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on the Glomerular Filtration Rate in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Objective Previous studies have shown a possible role for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in the development and/or progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the impact of treatment for OSAS on CKD has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of OSAS and the short-term effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Methods We evaluated 38 men with OSAS diagnosed on polysomnography. The associations between the eGFR and patient characteristics, including polysomnographic parameters, were evaluated. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine the independent variables associated with eGFR. We reassessed the polysomnographic data and eGFR values after three months of CPAP treatment. Results The mean serum creatinine level was 0.83±0.10 mg/dL and the mean eGFR was 77.3±12.0 mL/ min/1.73 m2. A univariate analysis revealed that an older age (p<0.001), a longer mean apnea duration (p= 0.006) and BMI (p=0.022) were significantly associated with lower eGFRs. A multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the independent factors associated with lower eGFRs were older age (p<0.001) and a longer mean apnea duration (p=0.048). Three months after CPAP treatment, there were significant decreases in the serum creatinine levels (p=0.013) and increases in eGFR (p=0.014). Conclusion OSAS, especially that associated with an older age and a longer mean apnea duration, may contribute to lowering eGFR values, which can be reversed by CPAP treatment

Effects of Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Left Ventricular Concentric Hypertrophy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Objective Abnormal left ventricular (LV) geometry, especially concentric hypertrophy, is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and the effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on the LV geometric patterns. Methods The LV morphological parameters, including the LV mass index (LVMI) and the relative wall thickness (RWT), were evaluated using echocardiography in 37 patients with OSAS diagnosed on polysomnography and 34 control subjects. Based on the values of LVMI and RWT, the LV geometry was classified as normal, concentric remodeling, concentric hypertrophy or eccentric hypertrophy. The echocardiographic parameters were reassessed after three months of CPAP treatment. Results Compared with the controls, the OSAS patients had a higher proportion of concentric hypertrophy patterns (54% vs. 0%, p<0.001) and a lower proportion of normal geometric patterns (5% vs. 62%, p<0.001). A univariate logistic regression analysis showed the apnea-hypopnea index, lowest oxygen saturation, hypoxemia index and body mass index to each be significantly associated with the presence of concentric hypertrophy. In a multivariate analysis of these factors, the apnea-hypopnea index was found to be a significant independent factor associated with the presence of concentric hypertrophy (odds ratio: 1.06, p=0.008). Three months of CPAP treatment resulted in significant decreases in LVMI and the proportion of cases with concentric hypertrophy (both p=0.025). Conclusion In our limited study population, OSAS patients were found to be associated with a high prevalence of concentric LV hypertrophy patterns that were able to be reversed with three months of CPAP treatment