A new polymorph of phenylselenium trichloride

A second polymorph of phenylselenium trichloride, PhSeCl3 or C6H5Cl3Se, is disclosed, which is comprised of asymmetric chlorine-bridged noncovalent dimer units rather than polymeric chains. These dimers are each weakly bound to an adjacent dimer through noncovalent Se...Cl bonding interactions. Phenyl rings within each dimer are oriented in a syn fashion. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the putative anti isomer is within 5 kJ mol-1 of the experimentally observed form. This structure represents the first additional polymorph discovered for an organoselenium trihalide compound.https://doi.org/10.1107/S205322961901301

World caf\ue9 method to engage smart energy-district project partners in assessing urban co-benefits

Urban energy-district projects introduce outstanding technological innovation in buildings and energy systems increasing sustainability in city neighborhoods. Such projects generate additional co-benefits for the city beyond changes in physical elements and development of social and institutional relationships (e.g. local employment, environmental quality, public health, property values, innovation attitude, etc.). Since exceeding main declared goals or not always clearly foreseen in the early project phase, these co-benefits are often not properly understood and considered. However, only their explicit recognition will make possible their inclusion in the assessment of the whole project\u2019s performance. From these considerations, this study faces the issue of engaging project partners in assessing co-benefits in order to consider a broad spectrum of relevant, positive effects in the evaluation process. Group knowledge and group thinking of this complex topic are investigated through the world caf\ue9 method, providing an atmosphere of trust and open discussions among participants. This empirical work lays the foundations to go beyond the mere economic measure as the sole criterion for assessing project effects, also including changes in end-user behavior and intangible asset

Crystal structure and computational study of an oxo-bridged bis-titanium(III) complex

The solid-state structure of the new compound mu-oxido-bis[dichloridotris(tetrahydrofuran-kappa-O)titanium(III)], [Ti2Cl4O(C4H8O)6], at 150 K has been determined. The crystal has monoclinic (C2/c) symmetry and the complex features C2 symmetry about the bridging O atom. Positional disorder is evident in one of the three tetrahydrofuran environments. A post-Hartree–Fock computational analysis indicates that the complex has nearly degenerate triplet and singlet spin states, with the former favoured slightly by ca 2 kJ mol-1.Funding for this research was provided by: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (grant No.RGPIN-2019-06725).https://doi.org/10.1107/S205322962100609

Racial disparity and survival outcomes between African-American and Caucasian American men with penile cancer

Objective: To determine whether there is a survival difference for African-American men (AAM) versus Caucasian American men (CM) with penile squamous cell carcinoma (pSCC), particularly in locally advanced and metastatic cases where disease mortality is highest. Patients and Methods: Using the Florida Cancer Data System, we identified men with pSCC from 2005 to 2013. We compared age, follow-up, stage, race, and treatment type between AAM and CM. We performed Kaplan\u2013Meier analysis for overall survival (OS) between AAM and CM for all stages, and for those with locally advanced and metastatic disease. A multivariable model was developed to determine significant predictors of OS. Results: In all, 653 men (94 AAM and 559 CM) had pSCC and 198 (30%) had locally advanced and/or metastatic disease. A higher proportion of AAM had locally advanced and/or metastatic disease compared to CM (38 [40%] vs 160 [29%], P = 0.03). The median (interquartile range) follow-up for the entire cohort was 12.6 (5.4\u201332.0) months. For all stages, AAM had a significantly lower median OS compared to CM (26 vs 36\ua0months, P = 0.03). For locally advanced and metastatic disease, there was a consistent trend toward disparity in median OS between AAM and CM (17 vs 22\ua0months, P = 0.06). After adjusting for age, stage, grade, and treatment type, AAM with pSCC had a greater likelihood of death compared to CM (hazard ratio 1.64, P = 0.014). Conclusions: AAM have worse OS compared to CM with pSCC and this may partly be due to advanced stage at presentation. Treatment disparity may also contribute to lessened survival in AAM, but we were unable to demonstrate a significant difference in treatment utilisation between the groups

Temporal ocular coherence tomography-measured changes in anterior chamber angle and diurnal intraocular pressure after laser iridoplasty: IMPACT study

Aims: To evaluate temporal change in anterior chamber angle anatomy following argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI) in eyes with occludable angles postlaser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) compared with control eyes. Additionally, the effect on diurnal intraocular pressure (DIOP) fluctuation (maximum-minimum IOP) was investigated. Methods: Twenty-two patients with bilateral primary angle closure/suspects with gonioscopically occludable anterior chamber angles following LPI were randomised to receive ALPI (n=11) or no further treatment (n=11). Angle opening distance (AOD), trabecular-iris angle, angle recess area and trabecular-iris space area were measured over eight sections with swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography and DIOP was measured pre-LPI and repeated at 3 months after ALPI (hourly measures). Results: All angle parameters increased following ALPI. This change was maintained for 3 months in seven of the eight sections (eg, inferotemporal AOD500 increased by 0.063 mm, p=0.004 at 1 day; 0.051 mm, p=0.029 at 1 week; 0.059 mm, p=0.006 at 6 weeks and 0.056 mm, p=0.011 at 3 months). The only exception was in the inferior sector (eg, AOD500 increased by 0.041 mm, p=0.025 at 1 day and by 0.029 mm, p=0.054 at 3 months). DIOP at 3 months was significantly reduced (5.04 mm Hg; ±1.61 mm Hg) compared with controls (6.61 mm Hg; ±1.63 mm Hg). Maximum IOP was significantly greater in the non-ALPI group (1.87 mm Hg, p=0.026). Conclusions: ALPI widened all angle sections in eyes that remained occludable post-LPI. Changes were maintained for 3 months. ALPI decreased DIOP fluctuation in the treated eyes by lowering the maximum IOP value

Exfoliation syndrome: assembling the puzzle pieces

PURPOSE: To summarize various topics and the cutting edge approaches to refine XFS pathogenesis that were discussed at the 21st annual Glaucoma Foundation Think Tank meeting in New York City, Sept. 19-20, 2014. METHODS: The highlights of three categories of talks on cutting edge research in the field were summarized. RESULTS: Exfoliation syndrome (XFS) is a systemic disorder with a substantial ocular burden, including high rates of cataract, cataract surgery complications, glaucoma and retinal vein occlusion. New information about XFS is akin to puzzle pieces that do not quite join together to reveal a clear picture regarding how exfoliation material (XFM) forms. CONCLUSION: Meeting participants concluded that it is unclear how the mild homocysteinemia seen in XFS might contribute to the disarrayed extracellular aggregates characteristic of this syndrome. Lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) variants are unequivocally genetic risk factors for XFS but exactly how these variants contribute to the assembly of exfoliation material (XFM) remains unclear. Variants in a new genomic region, CACNA1A associated with XFS, may alter calcium concentrations at the cell surface and facilitate XFM formation but much more work is needed before we can place this new finding in proper context. It is hoped that various animal model and ex vivo systems will emerge that will allow for proper assembly of the puzzle pieces into a coherent picture of XFS pathogenesis. A clear understanding of XFS pathogenesis may lead to 'upstream solutions' to reduce the ocular morbidity produced by XFS

Primary Phacoemulsification and Intraocular Lens Implantation for Acute Primary Angle-Closure

Background: To investigate the effect of primary phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with acute primary angle-closure (PAC) and coexisting cataract. Methodology: Sixteen eyes of 14 patients with acute PAC received phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation as initial management for medically uncontrolled IOP in a retrospective chart review. The effects on IOP, vision, anterior chamber depth (ACD), and number of antiglaucoma medications were evaluated. Principal Findings: The postoperative IOP was reduced in 16 eyes (100%). The mean 6 standard deviation preoperative IOP was 48.81616.83 mm Hg, which decreased postoperatively to 16.46610.67 mm Hg at 1 day, 9.4363.03 mm Hg at 1 week

Heptacarbonyl-1κ3 C,2κ4 C-(4-phenyl­pyridine-1κN)di-μ-phenyltellurido-1:2κ4 Te:Te-dirhenium(I)

In the title complex, [Re2(C6H5Te)2(C11H9N)(CO)7], two Re atoms are coordinated in slightly distorted octa­hedral coordination environments and are bridged by two Te atoms, which are coordinated in trigonal-pyramidal environments. The torsion angle for the Te—Re—Te—Re sequence of atoms is 17.06 (3)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak C—H⋯O and C—H⋯π inter­actions. In addition, there are Te⋯Te distances [4.0392 (12) Å] and O⋯O distances [2.902 (19) Å] which are shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii for these atoms. A short inter­molecular lone pair⋯π distance [C O⋯Cg = 3.31 (2) Å] is also observed

Visual recovery in a patient with total hyphema, neovascular glaucoma, long-standing retinal detachment and no light perception vision: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>We report the case of a patient with total hyphema, neovascular glaucoma, long-standing retinal detachment and no light perception vision, who regained counting fingers vision with complete regression of neovascularization following anterior chamber washout, intravitreal bevacizumab, pars plana vitrectomy, and silicone oil placement. This represents a rare case in which a patient with no light perception vision was able to regain functional vision.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 63-year-old Caucasian man with a 55-year history of long-standing retinal detachment after trauma presented to our facility with pain and redness, a total hyphema, no light perception vision and an intraocular pressure of 60 mmHg (right eye). He had a history of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. Following anterior chamber washout, he was found to have neovascular glaucoma, for which intravitreal bevacizumab was administered. After washout and intraocular pressure control, his visual acuity improved to light perception. He subsequently underwent vitrectomy, membrane peeling, endolaser and silicone oil placement to reattach his retina, and then a second retinal reattachment procedure. Following these procedures, he had visual recovery to counting fingers vision in his right eye at five metres, complete regression of neovascularization, and intraocular pressure of 10 to 12 mmHg on one antiglaucoma medication.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Functional vision can be regained despite long-standing retinal detachment.</p