Orientation-Induced Redox Isomerism in Planar Supramolecular Systems

In this work, a previously undescribed phenomenon of orientation-induced redox isomerism in a Langmuir monolayer is revealed in the case of cerium bis-[tetra-(15-crown-5)-phthalocyaninate]-(Ce[(15C5)4Pc]2). It was established that intramolecular electron transfer (IET) from the electronic system of phthalocyanine to the 4f-orbital of cerium atom occurs upon spreading of a (Ce[(15C5)4Pc]2) chloroform solution onto the air?water interface (3D -> 2D IET). This process is related to the transformation of Ce4+ cation in the solution to Ce3+ in the monolayer. It was also found that reversible Ce3+ Ce4+ IETs occur upon compression (π1 -> π2) and expansion (π2 -> π1) of monolayer (2Dπ1 2Dπ2 IET, π-surface pressure). The mechanism of genuine redox isomerism was confirmed by the results of in situ UV?vis spectral measurements performed on monolayers and Langmuir?Blodgett films, AFM, and XPS studies of Langmuir?Blodgett films transferred at different surface pressures. The understanding of this reversible IET mechanism is especially important due to possible applications of such redox-isomeric systems in the development of nanoscale multibit information storage devices

The Dietary Quality of Persons with Heart Failure in NHANES 1999–2006

BACKGROUND: Dietary quality may impact heart failure outcomes. However, the current status of the dietary quality of persons with heart failure has not been previously reported. OBJECTIVE: To describe sodium intake, patient factors associated with sodium intake and overall dietary quality in a national sample of persons with heart failure. DESIGN: Analysis of repeated cross-sectional probability sample surveys using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) of 1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2003-2004 and 2005-2006. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample consisted of 574 persons with self-reported heart failure (mean age = 70 years; 52% women). MEASUREMENTS: Diet of each survey participant was assessed using single 24 hour recall. Dietary nutrients of interest included sodium, the mainstay of heart failure dietary recommendations, and additionally potassium, calcium, magnesium, fish oils, saturated fat and fiber. Specific dietary goals were based on established guidelines. RESULTS: Mean sodium intake was 2,719 mg, with 34% consuming less than 2,000 mg per day. Patient factors associated with greater sodium intake included male gender, lower education, lower income and no reported diagnosis of hypertension. Mean potassium intake was 2,367 mg/day, with no differences by type of diuretic used or renal disease status. Adherence rates to established guidelines for other nutrients were 13% for calcium, 10% for magnesium, 2% for fish oils, 13% for saturated fat and 4% for fiber. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary quality of persons with self-reported heart failure was poor. Public health approaches and clinical dietary interventions are needed for persons with this increasingly prevalent clinical syndrome