Gavestinel does not improve outcome after acute intracerebral hemorrhage: an analysis from the GAIN International and GAIN Americas studies

<p><b>Background and Purpose:</b> Glycine Antagonist in Neuroprotection (GAIN) International and GAIN Americas trials were prospectively designed, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of gavestinel, a glycine-site antagonist and putative neuroprotectant drug administered within 6 hours of suspected ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Both trials reported that gavestinel was ineffective in ischemic stroke. This analysis reports the results in those with primary intracerebral hemorrhage.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> The primary hypothesis was that gavestinel treatment did not alter outcome, measured at 3 months by the Barthel Index (BI), from acute intracerebral hemorrhage, based on pooled results from both trials. The BI scores were divided into 3 groups: 95 to 100 (independent), 60 to 90 (assisted independence), and 0 to 55 (dependent) or dead.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> In total, 3450 patients were randomized in GAIN International (N=1804) and GAIN Americas (N=1646). Of these, 571 were ultimately identified to have spontaneous intracerebral hematoma on baseline head computerized tomography scan. The difference in distribution of trichotomized BI scores at 3 months between gavestinel and placebo was not statistically significant (P=0.09). Serious adverse events were reported at similar rates in the 2 treatment groups.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> These observations from the combined GAIN International and GAIN Americas trials suggest that gavestinel is not of substantial benefit or harm to patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage. These findings are similar to results previously reported in patients with ischemic stroke.</p&gt

Physical Study by Surface Characterizations of Sarin Sensor on the Basis of Chemically Functionalized Silicon Nanoribbon Field Effect Transistor

Surface characterizations of an organophosphorus (OP) gas detector based on chemically functionalized silicon nanoribbon field-effect transistor (SiNR-FET) were performed by Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) and ToF-SIMS, and correlated with changes in the current-voltage characteristics of the devices. KPFM measurements on FETs allow (i) to investigate the contact potential difference (CPD) distribution of the polarized device as function of the gate voltage and the exposure to OP traces and, (ii) to analyze the CPD hysteresis associated to the presence of mobile ions on the surface. The CPD measured by KPFM on the silicon nanoribbon was corrected due to side capacitance effects in order to determine the real quantitative surface potential. Comparison with macroscopic Kelvin probe (KP) experiments on larger surfaces was carried out. These two approaches were quantitatively consistent. An important increase of the CPD values (between + 399 mV and + 302 mV) was observed after the OP sensor grafting, corresponding to a decrease of the work function, and a weaker variation after exposure to OP (between - 14 mV and - 61 mV) was measured. Molecular imaging by ToF-SIMS revealed OP presence after SiNR-FET exposure. The OP molecules were essentially localized on the Si-NR confirming effectiveness and selectivity of the OP sensor. A prototype was exposed to Sarin vapors and succeeded in the detection of low vapor concentrations (40 ppm).Comment: Paper and supporting information, J. Phys. Chem. C, 201

Photoswitching of the second-order nonlinearity of a tetrahedral octupolar multi DTE-based copper(I) complex.

International audienceThe modulation of the quadratic NLO response of an octupolar metal-based chromophore featuring four photochromic dithienylethene units is reported. Quantum mechanical simulations are consistent with a full switching of the DTE units and reproduce the strong enhancement of the NLO response

Tunable double photochromism of a family of bis-DTE bipyridine ligands and their dipolar Zn complexes.

International audienceThe photoinduced ring-closure/ring-opening reactions of a series of bis-dithienylethene derivatives, as free ligands and Zn(II)-complexes, are investigated by resorting to theoretical (time-dependent density functional theory) and kinetic analyses in solution. The originality of the system stems from the tunability of the photoreaction quantum yields and conversion yields as a function of the electronic structure. The latter could be varied by modifying the electron-donating character of the DTE-end substituents L(a-d) (o,o) (a, D = H; b, D = OMe; c, D = NMe(2); d, D = NBu(2)) and/or the Lewis character of the metal ion center L(a-d)ZnX(2) (o,o) (L(a-c), X = OAc; L(d), X = Cl). The orbital description of the doubly-open form (o,o) and half-closed form (o,c) predicts that double closure to the form (c,c) would occur using UV irradiation. Photokinetic studies on the complete series demonstrate that photocyclization proceeds following a sequential ring closure mechanism. They clearly point out distinct quantum yields for the first and second ring closures, the latter being characterized by a significantly lower value. Dramatic decrease in both the quantum yields of the ring-closure and ring-opening processes is demonstrated for the complex L(d)ZnCl(2) exhibiting the strongest charge-transfer character in the series investigated. These studies show that this series of DTE derivatives provides an efficient strategy to tune the photochromic properties through the combination of the electron-donor and electron-acceptor (D-A) groups

Western Blot analysis of detoxifying enzymes, cytochrome c and sirtuin expression in patients suffering from mitochondrial complex I deficiency

In recent years, a great deal of interest has been given to sirtuins and their role in mitochondrial metabolism, especially their implication in the process of aging. By activating detoxifying enzymes such as manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) or copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), sirtuins are able to trigger enzymatic cascades leading to the reduction of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). This is of high importance as ROS is one of the main factors implicated in cellular aging. In addition, it has been recently shown that mitochondrial complex I activity influences the expression and function of sirtuins. Complex I or the NADH dehydrogenase is the largest complex of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and a major regulator of energy production. Also, it is the main site for ROS production. That being said, it is important to determine not only the exact connection between sirtuins and ROS production, but also the way complex I affects sirtuin expression and activation. In our study we analyzed selected cell lines carrying mitochondrial DNA mutations in genes encoding for complex I subunits. Our main goal was to identify potential correlations between sirtuin expression, ROS production and specific mitochondrial DNA mutations. This has been done by measuring antioxidant enzymes and sirtuin expression using Western Blot technique. The results demonstrate that complex I deficiencies do have an impact on ROS production and sirtuin expression. Moreover, we identified a particular correlation between SIRT3 and MnSOD

Heteroleptic Ir(III) complexes based on 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-pyridine and bisthienylethene: structures, luminescence and photochromic properties

Two bisthienylethenes 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-bis[2,5-dimethyl(3-thienyl)]-1H-imidazole (L1H) and 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-bis(2,5-dimethyl(3-thienyl))-1-phenyl-imidazole (L2H), which have a chelating N,O-donor binding site attached to the photochromic core, have been synthesized using a one-pot condensation reaction, and used to prepare the heteroleptic complexes [Ir(dfppy)2(L1)]·2CH3OH (1) and [Ir(dfppy)2(L2)] (2) [dfppyH = 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-pyridine]. In the crystal structures of all four compounds, two thiophene groups of each bisthienylethene molecule adopt parallel conformation. Neighboring molecules in L1H and 1 are linked into supramolecular chains through hydrogen bonds. Particularly, the packing structure of 1 contains right- and left-handed 21 helical chains. In contrast, neighboring molecules in L2H and 2 interact only through van der Waals interactions. At room temperature, L1H and L2H in CH2Cl2 show fluorescence emission at 442 nm and 469 nm, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 in CH2Cl2 reveal broad emission band characteristics of the Ir(III)/dfppy− chromophores at 508 nm and 494 nm, respectively, with a mixing of 3MLCT and 3LC characters. At room temperature, the photochromism ability of L2H in CH2Cl2 is clearly weaker than that of L1H. Moreover, no photochromism has been observed in 1 and 2. It has been demonstrated that both the substituent group and {Ir(dfppy)2}+ coordination could significantly influence the crystal structures, luminescence and photochromic properties of L1H, L2H, 1 and 2

Synthesis of Perylene-3,4-mono(dicarboximide)−Fullerene C60 Dyads as New Light-Harvesting Systems

Fullerene C60−perylene-3,4-mono(dicarboximide) (C60−PMI) dyads 1−3 were synthesized in the search for new light-harvesting systems. The synthetic strategy to the PMI intermediate used a cross-coupling Suzuki reaction for the introduction of a formyl group in the ortho, meta, or para position. Subsequent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with C60 led to the target C60−PMI dyad. Cyclic voltammetry showed that the first one-electron reduction process unambiguously occurs onto the C60 moiety and the following two-electron process corresponds to the concomitant second reduction of C60 and the first reduction of PMI. A quasi-quantitative quenching of fluorescence was shown in dyads 1−3, and an intramolecular energy transfer was suggested to occur from the PMI to the fullerene moiety. These C60−PMI dyads constitute good candidates for future photovoltaic applications with expected well-defined roles for both partners, i.e., PMI acting as a light-harvesting antenna and C60 playing the role of the acceptor in the photoactive layer

A Boron Dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-Based Cu-II-Bipyridine Complex for Highly Selective NO Detection

[EN] A BODIPY-containing Cu-II-bipyridine complex for the simple selective fluorogenic detection of NO in air and in live cells is reported. The detection mechanism is based on NO-promoted Cu-II to Cu-I reduction, followed by demetallation of the complex, which results in the clearly enhanced emission of the boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) unit.The authors thank the DGICYT and European FEDER funds (MAT2012-38429-C04-01 and MAT2012-38429-C04-02) and the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEOII/2014/047) for support. SCSIE (Universidad de Valencia) is gratefully acknowledged for all the equipment employed.Juárez, LA.; Barba Bon, A.; Costero Nieto, AM.; Martínez Mañez, R.; Sancenón Galarza, F.; Parra Álvarez, M.; Gaviña Costero, P.... (2015). A Boron Dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-Based Cu-II-Bipyridine Complex for Highly Selective NO Detection. CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL. 21(44):15486-15490. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201502191S1548615490214

A dynamic process model for predicting the performance of horizontal anode baking furnaces

Anode manufacturing is an important step during the production of primary aluminum, and baking is the costliest stage of the anode manufacturing process. The industrial challenge resides in obtaining a good anode quality while keeping the energy consumption, environmental emissions, and cost to minimum. A dynamic process model has been developed for horizontal anode baking furnaces. It covers all important phenomena such as fuel combustion, generation and combustion of volatiles (tar, methane, and hydrogen), air infiltration, and heat losses to the atmosphere and the foundation. The model was built using two coupled sub-models of the flue and the pit and was validated using the plant data. It simulates the dynamic behavior of the furnace and gives a prediction of its operation and performance. In this article, the modelling approach will be described, and the results of a number of case studies will be presented

Impact de la vaccination et de l'antibiothérapie sur l'incidence des troubles de la reproduction et sur la fertilité dans des troupeaux bovins laitiers infectés par Coxiella burnetii

L’étude porte sur les troubles de la reproduction (avortements, rétentions placentaires et métrites) répertoriés dans les registres sanitaires, sur les déclarations d’avortements et sur les séquences d’Insémination Artificielle (IA). La fertilité a été évaluée par l’existence ou non d’un retour après l’IA, défini par la survenue d’une nouvelle IA. L’analyse statistique a reposé sur des modèles de régression logistique multivariée et linéaire. L’administration d’oxytétracycline LA (Tenaline®) au tarissement était associée à un effet préventif sur les avortements (sur les vaches séropositives seulement) et sur les rétentions placentaires (durant les 6 premiers mois seulement suivant l'inclusion dans l'étude). Le possible manque de fiabilité des données issues des registres sanitaires nécessite de considérer ces résultats avec précaution. Une amélioration significative de la fertilité des génisses a été observée lorsqu’elles étaient vaccinées avec le vaccin phase I Coxevac®. De plus, une réduction significative du risque de retour tardif à l’IA (de 27 à 90 jours après l’IA) a été mise en évidence lors de l’administration d’antibiotique au vêlage chez les vache