Nanoceria-modified platinum supported on hierarchical zeolites for selective alcohol oxidation

The highly selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes has been achieved due to the synergic effect of Pt and CeO₂ supported on hierarchical zeolites. The combination of Pt and CeO₂ strongly enhances the catalytic performance of the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde with respect to the isolated materials. In addition, the hierarchical zeolite not only increases the fraction of exposed active sites because of its high surface area that can prevent the aggregation of Pt and CeO₂ nanoparticles, but also affects the oxidation state of cerium. The presence of a high content of trivalent Ce species (Ce³⁺) on the hierarchical zeolite benefits the oxidation reaction, eventually leading to almost 100% yield of an aldehyde product. Moreover, the catalytic performance can be further improved by the easily tunable Si to Al ratio of zeolite catalysts.

Illustration of Pt/CeO₂ supported on hierarchical zeolites promoting the highly selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde.     

Coating-free TiO2@β-SiC alveolar foams as a ready-to-use composite photocatalyst with tunable adsorption properties for water treatment

Coating-free TiO₂@β-SiC photocatalytic composite foams gathered within a ready-to-use shell/core alveolar medium the photocatalytically active TiO₂ phase and the β-SiC foam structure were prepared via a multi-step shape memory synthesis (SMS) replica method. They were fabricated following a sequential two-step carburization approach, in which an external TiC skin was synthesized at the surface of a β-SiC skeleton foam obtained from a pre-shaped polyurethane foam during a first carburization step. The adsorption behaviour of the shell/core TiO₂@β-SiC composite foams towards the Diuron pollutant in water was tuned by submitting the carbide foams to a final calcination treatment within the 550–700 °C temperature range. The controlled calcination step allowed (i) the selective oxidation of the TiC shell into a TiO₂ crystallite shell owing to the β-SiC resistance to oxidation and (ii) the amount of residual unreacted carbon in the foams to be tuned. The lower the calcination temperature, the more pronounced the adsorption profiles of the composites and the higher the Diuron amount removed by adsorption on the residual unreacted carbon. The ready-to-use TiO₂@β-SiC composite foams were active in the degradation of the Diuron pesticide, without any further post-synthesis immobilization or synthesis process at the foam surface. They displayed good reusability with test cycles and benefitted from an enhanced stability in terms of the titania release to water.

Coating-free TiO₂@β-SiC photocatalytic composite foams gathering within a ready-to-use shell/core alveolar medium the TiO₂ photocatalyst and the β-SiC foam structure were prepared via a multi-step shape memory synthesis (SMS) replica method.     

An In Silico and an In Vitro Inhibition Analysis of Glycogen Phosphorylase by Flavonoids,Styrylchromones, and Pyrazoles

Glycogen phosphorylase (GP) is a key enzyme in the glycogenolysis pathway. GP inhibitors are currently under investigation as a new liver-targeted approach to managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the inhibitory activity of a panel of 52 structurally related chromone derivatives; namely, flavonoids, 2-styrylchromones, 2-styrylchromone-related derivatives [2-(4-arylbuta-1,3-dien-1-yl)chromones], and 4- and 5-styrylpyrazoles against GP, using in silico and in vitro microanalysis screening systems. Several of the tested compounds showed a potent inhibitory effect. The structure–activity relationship study indicated that for 2-styrylchromones and 2-styrylchromone-related derivatives, the hydroxylations at the A and B rings, and in the flavonoid family, as well as the hydroxylation of the A ring, were determinants for the inhibitory activity. To support the in vitro experimental findings, molecular docking studies were performed, revealing clear hydrogen bonding patterns that favored the inhibitory effects of flavonoids, 2-styrylchromones, and 2-styrylchromone-related derivatives. Interestingly, the potency of the most active compounds increased almost four-fold when the concentration of glucose increased, presenting an IC₅₀ < 10 µM. This effect may reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, a commonly reported side effect of antidiabetic agents. This work contributes with important considerations and provides a better understanding of potential scaffolds for the study of novel GP inhibitors.     

Bridging the gap in epilepsy care: A single-center experience of 3700 outpatient tele-epilepsy visits

We describe the largest-to-date single-center implementation of tele-epilepsy. Beginning in 2017, all patients at a single tertiary care academic epilepsy center were offered the option to complete outpatient follow-up visits via video-conferencing using personal devices. A retrospective review of all patients who self-selected virtual visits over nearly 3 years showed 2140 patients completed 3698 tele-epilepsy visits, with 41% completing more than one visit during the study period. Based on the distance from the center to the home address, 26.7% of patients were local (≤50 miles), 30.5% were near regional (51-150 miles), 20.1% were far regional (151-270 miles), and 22.7% were remote (>270 miles), from 43 different states. An estimated 928 696 miles of travel was prevented, with a median travel distance saved of 124.5 miles (interquartile range = 45.0-253.0). The mean visit time was 15.7 (±10.4) minutes. More than 90% of patients gave the visit and provider experience the maximum rating, with a nearly 60% response rate on the post-visit survey. Virtual outpatient follow-up care provides a convenient way to connect with epilepsy specialists and reduce the burden of care by cutting travel time. Our experience demonstrates that outpatient tele-epilepsy is feasible, sustainable, and scalable.     

Trends in Cervical Cancer Mortality in Brazilian Women who are Screened and Not Screened

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the trend in cervical cancer (ICD C53) mortality in Brazilian regions in women who are who are screened and not screened from 1996 to 2015. Methods: An epidemiological study, of time series of mortality from cervical cancer performed in 90,856 women under 24 years old (343 women), between 25 and 64 years old (32,703 women), and over 65 years old (10,909 women). The data from this research were collected from the DATASUS, from the SIM Health Surveillance Secretariat files, captured through TABNET selecting the resident population by gender and age group and ICD 10 C53 from 1996 to 2015. Results: Among women, 43.8% were white, and 76% had less than eight years of formal education. Polynomial regression showed an increasing trend in cervical cancer mortality in Brazil for women aged 15 - 24 years (p=0.01). Between 25 - 64 and 65 years or older it remained constant, but high (p=0.07; 0.99). The Northeast region pointed a growing trend in women aged 15 to 24 (p=0.01), 25 to 64 years (p=0.01) and 65 or older (p=0.001). The Northeast presented the highest average growth per year. In the Southeast, South and Midwest regions, decreasing trends were observed despite the high rates. The Joinpoint regression showed a 95% confidence interval, and that mortality from cervical cancer in the North region increased throughout the period analyzed. an increasing trend was observed from 1996 to 1998, whereas in the Midwest region, the trend remained stable throughout the period analyzed. The Federal District presented an upward trend from 1996 to 2015. In Brazil, an upward trend was observed throughout the whole period analyzed. Conclusions: Cervical cancer mortality in younger women is becoming more predominant, in addition to the high rate observed for women aged 65 or older.     

Right single coronary artery as an incidental finding in Takotsubo syndrome and acute heart failure: Case report and review of the literature

Introduction

Single coronary artery (SCA) with no associated congenital heart disease is a rare congenital anomaly. Most cases are asymptomatic and incidental findings, but SCA can cause ischemia, congestive heart failure, and sudden cardiac death (SCD).