On Nina Bandelj and Frederick F. Wherry (2011): The Cultural Wealth of Nations

The authors of this volume investigate their posed questions about the cultural wealth of nations by relying on the traditions of Viviana A. Zelizer and Alejandro Portes, who had ‘visions of an economic sociology that enfolds culture and development into its core’ (p. x.). Cultural economic sociology seeks to analyze the effects that culture, cultural differences and cultural heritage can have on economies through using sociological methods and theories to dissect how (intentionally or unintentionally) cultural advantages/cultural wealth can contribute to economic growth and local development

Ultralong Organic Phosphorescence in the Solid State: The Case of Triphenylene Cocrystals with Halo- and Dihalo-penta/ tetrafluorobenzene

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) triphenylene (TP) has been reacted with halo-pentafluorobenzene (XF5, X = Br, I) and 1,4-dihalo-tetrafluorobenzene (X2F4, X = Br, I) to yield the corresponding cocrystals TP·BrF5, TP·Br2F4, TP·IF5, and TP·I2F4 form I. These materials have been synthesized by dissolving TP into an excess of liquid or molten coformer, and single crystals have been grown via seeding chloroform solutions. They have been fully characterized by a combination of techniques including X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy in the solid state. TP·I2F4 form I was found to undergo a single-crystal to single-crystal (SCSC) polymorphic phase transition induced by temperature (when cooled down to 100 K) leading to the new form TP·I2F4 form II, which is transformed back into the first structure when brought again at RT. This behavior was confirmed also by Raman spectroscopy. Upon cocrystallization and as a result of the external heavy atom effect, all crystalline materials exhibited bright room temperature phosphorescence clearly visible by the naked eye. The latter was almost exclusive for cocrystal TP·I2F4, whereas for TP·Br2F4 both fluorescence and phosphorescence were detected. In TP·Br2F4, the phosphorescence lifetime was on the order of 200 ms, and with the visual outcome of an orange phosphorescence lasting for a couple of seconds upon ceasing the excitation, that makes this compound classifiable as an ultralong organic phosphorescent (UOP) material. The results evidenced the role of the nature of the heavy atom in governing the phosphorescence output from organic cocrystals

Dupilumab in the treatment of severe uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP): A multicentric observational Phase IV real-life study (DUPIREAL)

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is associated with significant morbidity and reduced health-related quality of life. Findings from clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of dupilumab in CRSwNP, although real-world evidence is still limited. Methods This Phase IV real-life, observational, multicenter study assessed the effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in patients with severe uncontrolled CRSwNP (n = 648) over the first year of treatment. We collected data at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of follow-up. We focused on nasal polyps score (NPS), symptoms, and olfactory function. We stratified outcomes by comorbidities, previous surgery, and adherence to intranasal corticosteroids, and examined the success rates based on current guidelines, as well as potential predictors of response at each timepoint. Results We observed a significant decrease in NPS from a median value of 6 (IQR 5–6) at baseline to 1.0 (IQR 0.0–2.0) at 12 months (p < .001), and a significant decrease in Sino-Nasal Outcomes Test-22 (SNOT-22) from a median score of 58 (IQR 49–70) at baseline to 11 (IQR 6–21; p < .001) at 12 months. Sniffin' Sticks scores showed a significant increase over 12 months (p < .001) compared to baseline. The results were unaffected by concomitant diseases, number of previous surgeries, and adherence to topical steroids, except for minor differences in rapidity of action. An excellent-moderate response was observed in 96.9% of patients at 12 months based on EPOS 2020 criteria. Conclusions Our findings from this large-scale real-life study support the effectiveness of dupilumab as an add-on therapy in patients with severe uncontrolled CRSwNP in reducing polyp size and improving the quality of life, severity of symptoms, nasal congestion, and smell

Off-label long acting injectable antipsychotics in real-world clinical practice: a cross-sectional analysis of prescriptive patterns from the STAR Network DEPOT study

Introduction Information on the off-label use of Long-Acting Injectable (LAI) antipsychotics in the real world is lacking. In this study, we aimed to identify the sociodemographic and clinical features of patients treated with on- vs off-label LAIs and predictors of off-label First- or Second-Generation Antipsychotic (FGA vs. SGA) LAI choice in everyday clinical practice. Method In a naturalistic national cohort of 449 patients who initiated LAI treatment in the STAR Network Depot Study, two groups were identified based on off- or on-label prescriptions. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to test several clinically relevant variables and identify those associated with the choice of FGA vs SGA prescription in the off-label group. Results SGA LAIs were more commonly prescribed in everyday practice, without significant differences in their on- and off-label use. Approximately 1 in 4 patients received an off-label prescription. In the off-label group, the most frequent diagnoses were bipolar disorder (67.5%) or any personality disorder (23.7%). FGA vs SGA LAI choice was significantly associated with BPRS thought disorder (OR = 1.22, CI95% 1.04 to 1.43, p = 0.015) and hostility/suspiciousness (OR = 0.83, CI95% 0.71 to 0.97, p = 0.017) dimensions. The likelihood of receiving an SGA LAI grew steadily with the increase of the BPRS thought disturbance score. Conversely, a preference towards prescribing an FGA was observed with higher scores at the BPRS hostility/suspiciousness subscale. Conclusion Our study is the first to identify predictors of FGA vs SGA choice in patients treated with off-label LAI antipsychotics. Demographic characteristics, i.e. age, sex, and substance/alcohol use co-morbidities did not appear to influence the choice towards FGAs or SGAs. Despite a lack of evidence, clinicians tend to favour FGA over SGA LAIs in bipolar or personality disorder patients with relevant hostility. Further research is needed to evaluate treatment adherence and clinical effectiveness of these prescriptive patterns

Preparation of new crystal forms via photochemical, mechanochemical and sol-gel methods

This work of thesis involves various aspects of crystal engineering. Chapter 1 focuses on crystals containing crown ether complexes. Aspects such as the possibility of preparing these materials by non-solution methods, i.e. by direct reaction of the solid components, thermal behavior and also isomorphism and interconversion between hydrates are taken into account. In chapter 2 a study is presented aimed to understanding the relationship between hydrogen bonding capability and shape of the building blocks chosen to construct crystals. The focus is on the control exerted by shape on the organization of sandwich cations such as cobalticinium, decamethylcobalticinium and bisbenzenchromium(I) and on the aggregation of monoanions all containing carboxylic and carboxylate groups, into 0-D, 1-D, 2-D and 3-D networks. Reactions conducted in multi-component molecular assemblies or co-crystals have been recognized as a way to control reactivity in the solid state. The [2+2] photodimerization of olefins is a successful demonstration of how templated solid state synthesis can efficiently synthesize unique materials with remarkable stereoselectivity and under environment-friendly conditions. A demonstration of this synthetic strategy is given in chapter 3. The combination of various types of intermolecular linkages, leading to formation of high order aggregation and crystalline materials or to a random aggregation resulting in an amorphous precipitate, may not go to completeness. In such rare cases an aggregation process intermediate between crystalline and amorphous materials is observed, resulting in the formation of a gel, i.e. a viscoelastic solid-like or liquid-like material. In chapter 4 design of new Low Molecular Weight Gelators is presented. Aspects such as the relationships between molecular structure, crystal packing and gelation properties and the application of this kind of gels as a medium for crystal growth of organic molecules, such as APIs, are also discussed

Enabling Superprotonic Phase Transitions in Solid Acids via Supramolecular Complex Formation: The Case of Crown Ethers and Alkali Hydrogen Sulfates

This investigation, combining both structural and spectroscopic analyses, sheds light on the intricate relationship between conduction properties and the initiation of dynamic motions within the anhydrous crystalline materials of 18-crown-6·KHSO4 (1) and 18-crown-6·RbHSO4 (2) and proves how the formation of supramolecular complexes is pivotal for inducing solid–solid transitions, leading to superprotonic phases, i.e., crystalline solids exhibiting an enhanced ability to conduct protons, as elucidated through impedance spectroscopic measurements. This multifaceted approach deepens our understanding of the phenomenon and sets the stage for further exploration and application in solid-state protonic conductors

Co-Crystals and Salts Obtained from Dinitrogen Bases and 1,2,3,4-Cyclobutane Tetracarboxylic Acid and the Use of the Latter As a Template for Solid-State Photocyclization Reactions

The synthesis, isolation, and characterization of a series of co-crystals and adducts of 1,2,3,4-cyclobutane tetracarboxylic acid (H₄CBTC) with the dinitrogen bases 1,2-bis­(4-pyridyl)­ethane (BPA) and 1,2-bis­(4-pyridyl)­ethylene (BPE), respectively, are reported. The thermal stability and interconversion process between the dihydrated salt [BPAH₂]­[H₂CBTC]·2H₂O and its dehydration product and the use of this latter to obtain the neutral co-crystal [BPA]₂·[H₄CBTC] have been investigated. The products obtained with 1,2-bis­(4-pyridyl)­ethylene (BPE), namely, the salt [BPEH]­[H₃CBTC] and the co-crystal [BPE]₂·[H₄CBTC] are prearranged in space so as to be able to react photochemically yielding <i>rctt</i>-tetrakis­(4-pyridyl)­cyclobutane (TPCB). Recrystallization from ethanol of the photocyclization products yields the channeled structure of the solvated co-crystal [TPCB]·[H₄CBTC]·EtOH