Atom efficient PtCu bimetallic catalysts and ultra dilute alloys for the selective hydrogenation of furfural

A range of Pt:Cu bimetallic nanoparticles were investigated for the liquid-phase selective hydrogenation of furfural, an important platform biomass feedstock. Alloying of the two metals had a profound effect on the overall catalytic activity, providing superior rates of reaction and achieving the needed high selectivity towards furfuryl alcohol. Furthermore, we investigated the catalytic activity of an Ultra Dilute Alloy (UDA) formed via the galvanic replacement of Cu atoms by Pt atoms on dispersed host Cu nanoparticles (atomic ratio Pt:Cu 1:20). This UDA, after overcoming an induction period, exhibits exceptionally high initial rates of hydrogenation under modest hydrogen pressures of 10 and 20 bar, rivalling the catalytic turnover for the monometallic Pt (containing 12 times more Pt), and outdoing the pure Cu or other compositions of bimetallic nanoparticle alloy catalysts. These atom efficient catalysts are ideal candidates for the valorization of furfural due to their activity and vastly greater economic viability

Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Mandibular Gingiva

Primary oral leiomyosarcomas are exceptionally rare lesions often associated with poor prognosis. We report a case of leiomyosarcoma arising in the anterior mandibular gingiva, which is a non-prevalent site of occurrence. Clinically, the tumor was far from being firm and solid as it is usually described in the literature. Light microscopy failed to confirm the true nature of the lesion on the biopsy specimen.</p

PdCu single atom alloys supported on alumina for the selective hydrogenation of furfural

Single-atom catalysts serve as a skilful control of precious metals on heterogenous catalysts where all active sites are accessible for catalytic reactions. Here we report the adoption of PdCu single-atom alloys supported on alumina for the selective hydrogenation of furfural. This is a special class of an atom efficient, single-site catalyst where trace concentrations of Pd atoms (0.0067 wt%) displace surface Cu sites on the host nanoparticle. Confirmed by EXAFS, the Pd atoms are entirely coordinated to Cu, with Pd-Cu bond lengths identical to that of a Cu-Cu bond. Selectively surface oxidised catalysts also confirm surface Pd atoms by EXAFS. These catalysts improve the conversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol compared to monometallic catalysts, as they have the advantages of Cu (high selectivity but poor activity) and Pd catalysts (superior activity but unselective) without the drawbacks, making them the optimal catalysts for green/atom efficient catalysis

Patient reported outcome measures in Waldenström macroglobulinaemia: A real‐world data analysis from the WMUK Rory Morrison Registry

Abstract Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) is an incurable chronic B‐cell malignancy, but highly responsive to treatment. Treatments include fixed‐duration chemotherapy and continuous oral chemoimmunotherapy. In this expanding field, it is important to have reliable information on the impact of the various therapies on patients’ quality of life (QoL). Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly recognised as important to understand patient experience of disease beyond traditional clinical outcome measures. Four QoL questionnaires (EORTC QLQ‐C30 [European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life core questionnaire], BIPQ [Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire], HADS [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale], EQ‐5D‐5L [EuroQoL 5‐dimensional descriptive system questionnaire]) are embedded in the UK national WM registry, the Rory Morrison Registry. We reviewed the results from a snapshot of PROMs. As of November 2021, 155 patients completed PROM data with 98% completion rate across all 58 questions. Complete clinical information was available for 52 patients. The majority of QoL questions (69%) failed to elicit a notable median response. Only four questions elicited statistically significant responses when comparing groups, and these were exclusively found in the EuroQoL‐5D‐5L and HADS questionnaires. Our data suggest that widely used questionnaires may not be suitable for patients with WM. We advocate the development of WM‐specific outcome measures to overcome this

Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), Activin-A and Clusterin in Children and Adolescents with Obesity or Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus

Inflammation plays a crucial role in diabetes and obesity through macrophage activation. Macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), activin-A, and clusterin are chemokines with known roles in diabetes and obesity. The aim of this study is to investigate their possible diagnostic and/or early prognostic values in children and adolescents with obesity and type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: We obtained serum samples from children and adolescents with a history of T1DM or obesity, in order to measure and compare MCP-1, activin-A, and clusterin concentrations. Results: Forty-three subjects were included in each of the three groups (controls, T1DM, and obesity). MCP-1 values were positively correlated to BMI z-score. Activin-A was increased in children with obesity compared to the control group. A trend for higher values was detected in children with T1DM. MCP-1 and activin-A levels were positively correlated. Clusterin levels showed a trend towards lower values in children with T1DM or obesity compared to the control group and were negatively correlated to renal function. Conclusions: The inflammation markers MCP-1, activin-A, and clusterin are not altered in children with T1DM. Conversely, obesity in children is positively correlated to serum MCP-1 values and characterized by higher activin-A levels, which may reflect an already established systematic inflammation with obesity since childhood

Prognostic value of serum free light chain ratio at diagnosis in multiple myeloma

The prognostic value of baseline serum free light chain ratio (sFLCR) was investigated in 94 multiple myeloma (MM) patients. sFLCR was calculated as kappa/lambda or lambda/kappa, depending on the patients’ dominating monoclonal light chain. Median baseline sFLCR was 3.57 in kappa-MM patients, 45.09 in lambda-MM. ‘High’ sFLCR (&gt;= the observed median value for kappa- and lambda-MM respectively) correlated with elevated serum creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase, extensive marrow infiltration and light chain type MM. The 5-year disease-specific survival was 82% and 30% in patients with sFLCR lower than and equal or greater than the median, respectively (P = 0.0001). sFLCR was an independent prognostic factor

Are we using the relevant questionnaires to assess health related quality of life in multiple myeloma patients in the era of new generation targeted and novel immunotherapies?

  Therapeutic advances have significantly improved the survival of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Clinicians and researchers should ensure that patients with this incurable cancer are not only living longer, but also living better. Several validated questionnaires are available and frequently used to assess health related quality of life (HRQOL). However, they were developed >20 years ago before the era of new generation treatments, which have unique toxicity profiles. Introduction of new treatment combinations and maintenance therapies also means that these questionnaires may not be able to fully capture all HRQOL aspects. To better understand which of these aspects are truly important, we asked MM patients and healthcare professionals (HCP) from a single centre to indicate the level of relevance of each item in 9 HRQOL questionnaires. Our results revealed that patients ranked items related to social functioning, receiving information about MM and involvement in their management as most relevant. In contrast, HCPs placed highest relevance to items corresponding to symptoms from MM or treatment toxicities. Subgroup analysis of patients revealed additional topics that were deemed relevant: those ≤70 y.o. were more concerned about disease progression whereas those >70 y.o. prioritised items related to physical function; patients with renal impairment and bone disease found having energy and pain more relevant than in the general MM cohort. These findings can contribute to guiding the content development of new HRQOL tools relevant to both MM patients as a whole, as well as specific subgroups receiving newer treatments. </p