Photo-electrocatalytic performance of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/TiO2 nano-tree films deposited by oCVD/CVD for H2 production

The hydrogen production from photo-electrocatalytic water splitting attracts extensive attention as a direct way to convert solar energy into chemical fuels. In this work, innovative photo-anodes composed of TiO2 which has a preferable growth orientation [2 1 1] conjugated with PEDOT as bi-layers are prepared by a dry process strategy, combining oxidative and metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Pure anatase, dendritic TiO2 films of variable thickness are obtained at 500 °C by varying the deposition time. Increase of films thickness from 474 to 2133 nm results in morphologies that evolve from dense and angular structures to isolated and nanostructured tree-like columns with a concomitant decrease of the charge transfer resistance due to the enhancement of active facets of anatase structure. The PEDOT/TiO2 bi-layer with an overall thickness of 1350 nm and a 50 nm thick upper-PEDOT layer exhibits the highest photocurrent response (0.26 mA cm−2 at 1.8 V/RHE), a fast photocurrent response under illumination, and the best hydrogen yield up to 4.1 µmol cm-2h−1 with electronic conductivity being three order of magnitude higher than pristine TiO

Long-Term Effectiveness, Safety and Tolerability of Fingolimod in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Real-World Treatment Settings in France: The VIRGILE Study

Online ahead of printInternational audienceIntroduction: It is important to confirm the effectiveness and tolerability of disease-modifying treatments for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in real-world treatment settings. This prospective observational cohort study (VIRGILE) was performed at the request of the French health authorities. The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of fingolimod 0.5 mg in reducing the annualised relapse rate (ARR) in patients with RRMS.Methods: Participating neurologists enrolled all adult patients with RRMS starting fingolimod treatment between 2014 and 2016, who were followed for 3 years. Follow-up consultations took place at the investigator's discretion. The primary outcome measure was the change in ARR at month 24 after fingolimod initiation. Relapses and adverse events were documented at each consultation; disability assessment (EDSS) and magnetic resonance imagery were performed at the investigator's discretion.Results: Of 1055 eligible patients, 633 patients were assessable at month 36; 405 (64.0%) were treated continuously with fingolimod for 3 years. The ARR decreased from 0.92 ± 0.92 at inclusion to 0.31 ± 0.51 at month 24, a significant reduction of 0.58 [95% CI - 0.51 to - 0.65] relapses/year (p < 0.001). Since starting fingolimod, 461 patients (60.9%) remained relapse-free at month 24 and 366 patients (55.5%) at month 36. In multivariate analysis, no previous disease-modifying treatment, number of relapses in the previous year and lower EDSS score at inclusion were associated with a greater on-treatment reduction in ARR. The mean EDSS score remained stable over the course of the study. Sixty-one out of 289 (21.1%) patients presented new radiological signs of disease activity. Treatment-related serious adverse events were lymphopenia (N = 21), bradycardia (N = 19), elevated transaminases (N = 9) and macular oedema (N = 9).Conclusions: The effectiveness and tolerability of fingolimod in everyday clinical practice are consistent with findings of previous phase III studies. Our study highlights the utility of fingolimod for the long-term management of patients with multiple sclerosis