K2MnF6 as a precursor for saturated red fluoride phosphors : the struggle for structural stability

Phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are currently taking over the lighting market because of their high luminous efficiency, environmentally friendly nature and long lifetime. A new generation of saturated red fluoride phosphors, using Mn4+ as the activator, has gained interest in further enhancing the color rendering properties and efficiency of white LEDs for lighting and display applications. They can be described as A(2)MF(6):Mn4+ (A = K, Na, Sc, NH4 and M = Si, Ge, Ti, Sn), KNaMF6:Mn4+, BaMF6:Mn4+ (M = Si, Ti) or ZnMF6 center dot H2O (M = Si, Ge) compounds, in which Mn is a substitute for the M(IV) element of the fluoride host. A two-step co-precipitation synthesis method has recently been developed because of the increased control of the Mn valence state and the relatively low cost. In this method, K2MnF6 is first synthesized as a precursor which then serves as a source for the preparation of [MnF6](2-) complexes in further phosphor synthesis. In-house production of K2MnF6 is required as it quickly degrades. Here, we investigate the structural properties after synthesis, as well as the main degradation routes of K2MnF6 when the material is subjected to heat and humidity or used in further synthesis reactions. It is found that impurities, such as KHF2, K2MnF5 center dot H2O and Mn ions in an oxygen coordination, can be formed as a result of parasitic reactions during synthesis. Even in pure K2MnF6, degradation occurs due to heat and hydrolysis both of which induce reduction of the Mn4+ ion. Heating in air causes the material to form Mn2+ as KMnF3/KF center dot MnF2 starts to form at high temperatures due to hydrolysis. In dilute HF solutions the Mn4+ ion is partially reduced to Mn3+, often incorporated in hydrated structures as KMnF4 center dot H2O and K2MnF5 center dot H2O. The Mn3+ ion is found to affect the optical absorption properties

In vitro prediction of stop-codon suppression by intravenous gentamicin in patients with cystic fibrosis: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, which acts as a chloride channel activated by cyclic AMP (cAMP). The most frequent mutation found in 70% of CF patients is F508del, while premature stop mutations are found in about 10% of patients. In vitro aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g. gentamicin) suppress nonsense mutations located in CFTR permitting translation to continue to the natural termination codon. Pharmacologic suppression of stop mutations within the CFTR may be of benefit to a significant number of patients. Our pilot study was conducted to determine whether intravenous gentamicin suppresses stop codons in CF patients and whether it has clinical benefits. METHODS: A dual gene reporter system was used to determine the gentamicin-induced readthrough level of the most frequent stop mutations within the CFTR in the French population. We investigated readthrough efficiency in response to 10 mg/kg once-daily intravenous gentamicin perfusions in patients with and without stop mutations. Respiratory function, sweat chloride concentration, nasal potential difference (NPD) and CFTR expression in nasal epithelial cells were measured at baseline and after 15 days of treatment. RESULTS: After in vitro gentamicin incubation, the readthrough efficiency for the Y122X mutation was at least five times higher than that for G542X, R1162X, and W1282X. In six of the nine patients with the Y122X mutation, CFTR immunodetection showed protein at the membrane of the nasal epithelial cells and the CFTR-dependent Cl(- )secretion in NPD measurements increased significantly. Respiratory status also improved in these patients, irrespective of the gentamicin sensitivity of the bacteria present in the sputum. Mean sweat chloride concentration decreased significantly and normalised in two patients. Clinical status, NPD and sweat Cl(- )values did not change in the Y122X patients with no protein expression, in patients with the other stop mutations investigated in vitro and those without stop mutations. CONCLUSION: Suppression of stop mutations in the CFTR gene with parenteral gentamicin can be predicted in vitro and is associated with clinical benefit and significant modification of the CFTR-mediated Cl(- )transport in nasal and sweat gland epithelium

Influence of cationic phosphorus dendrimers on the surfactant-induced synthesis of mesostructured nanoporous silica

The concomitant use of polycationic dendrimers and cationic surfactants for the elaboration of periodic mesoporous silica of type MCM-41 is described. The hexagonal structure is preserved up to about 26% in weight of dendrimer included in the silica. The cationic surfactant can be selectively removed to liberate the pores, while preserving the non-covalently incorporated dendrimers. These dendrimers included in the mesoporous silica are fully accessible through the mesoporous volume to small molecules such as HCl and tetrahydrofuran

Introducing a nationwide registry: the Swiss study on aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (Swiss SOS)

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) is a haemorrhagic form of stroke and occurs in a younger population compared with ischaemic stroke or intracerebral haemorrhage. It accounts for a large proportion of productive life-years lost to stroke. Its surgical and medical treatment represents a multidisciplinary effort. Due to the complexity of the disease, the management remains difficult to standardise and quality of care is accordingly difficult to assess. Objective: To create a registry to assess management parameters of patients treated for aSAH in Switzerland. Methods: A cohort study was initiated with the aim to record characteristics of patients admitted with aSAH, starting January 1st 2009. Ethical committee approval was obtained or is pending from the institutional review boards of all centres. In the study period, seven Swiss hospitals (five university [U], two non-university medical centres) harbouring a neurosurgery department, an intensive care unit and an interventional neuroradiology team so far agreed to participate in the registry (Aarau, Basel [U], Bern [U], Geneva [U], Lausanne [U], St. Gallen, Zürich [U]). Demographic and clinical parameters are entered into a common database. Discussion: This database will soon provide (1) a nationwide assessment of the current standard of care and (2) the outcomes for patients suffering from aSAH in Switzerland. Based on data from this registry, we can conduct cohort comparisons or design diagnostic or therapeutic studies on a national level. Moreover, a standardised registration system will allow healthcare providers to assess the quality of car