Comparative molecular networking analysis of a Rauwolfia plant powder and biological matrices in a fatal ingestion case

Forensic Toxicology - Identifying xenobiotics involved in deaths remains a challenge in toxicology, especially when they are missing from the usual suspect databases. The tool development for the...     

Application of Hydrogen Peroxide to the Control of Eutrophic Lake Systems in Laboratory Assays

We exposed water samples from a recreational lake dominated by the cyanobacterium Planktothrix agardhii to different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). An addition of 0.33 mg·L⁻¹ of H₂O₂ was the lowest effective dose for the decay of chlorophyll-a concentration to half of the original in 14 h with light and 17 h in experiments without light. With 3.33 mg·L⁻¹ of H₂O₂, the values of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) decreased to half at 36 and 126 h in experiments performed with and without light, respectively. With increasing H₂O₂, there is a decrease in the total and faecal coliform, and this effect was made more pronounced by light. Total and faecal coliform were inhibited completely 48 h after addition of 3.33 mg·L⁻¹ H₂O₂. Although the densities of cyanobacterial cells exposed to H₂O₂ did not decrease, transmission electron microscope observation of the trichomes showed several stages of degeneration, and the cells were collapsed after 48 h of 3.33 mg·L⁻¹ of H₂O₂ addition in the presence of light. Our results demonstrate that H₂O₂ could be potentially used in hypertrophic systems because it not only collapses cyanobacterial cells and coliform bacteria but may also reduce chlorophyll-a content and chemical oxygen demand.     

Use of short-term steroids in the prophylaxis of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of corticosteroids in the prophylaxis of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting or valvular heart surgery in terms of reducing its incidence and decreasing the length of hospital stay.

Unravelling the one-pot conversion of biomass-derived furfural and levulinic acid to 1,4-pentanediol catalysed by supported RANEY® Ni–Sn alloy catalysts

Bimetallic Ni–Sn alloys have been recognised as promising catalysts for the transformation of furanic compounds and their derivatives into valuable chemicals. Herein, we report the utilisation of a supported bimetallic RANEY® nickel–tin alloy supported on aluminium hydroxide (RNi–Sn(x)/AlOH; x is Ni/Sn molar ratio) catalysts for the one-pot conversion of biomass-derived furfural and levulinic acid to 1,4-pentanediol (1,4-PeD). The as prepared RNi–Sn(1.4)/AlOH catalyst exhibited the highest yield of 1,4-PeD (78%). The reduction of RNi–Sn(x)/AlOH with H₂ at 673–873 K for 1.5 h resulted in the formation of Ni–Sn alloy phases (e.g., Ni₃Sn and Ni₃Sn₂) and caused the transformation of aluminium hydroxide (AlOH) to amorphous alumina (AA). The RNi–Sn(1.4)/AA 673 K/H₂ catalyst contained a Ni₃Sn₂ alloy as the major phase, which exhibited the best yield of 1,4-PeD from furfural (87%) at 433 K, H₂ 3.0 MPa for 12 h and from levulinic acid (up to 90%) at 503 K, H₂ 4.0 MPa, for 12 h. Supported RANEY® Ni–Sn(1.5)/AC and three types of supported Ni–Sn(1.5) alloy (e.g., Ni–Sn(1.5)/AC, Ni–Sn(1.5)/c-AlOH, and Ni–Sn(1.5)/γ-Al₂O₃) catalysts afforded high yields of 1,4-PeD (65–87%) both from furfural and levulinic acid under the optimised reaction conditions.

The RANEY® Ni–Sn(x) alloy catalysed the one-pot conversion of biomass-derived furfural and levulinic acid to allow remarkable yield of 1,4-pentanediol (up to 90%) under the mild reaction conditions.     

Nurses in medical education: A unique opportunity

Medical students are expected to learn certain procedural skills in addition to clinical skills, such as assessment and decision making. There is much literature that shows proficiency in procedural skills translated to improved outcomes and cost-saving. Given the time constraints placed by increasing clinical demands, physicians have less time to work with students in teaching technical skills. There is a unique opportunity to utilize nurses in clinical clerkships to teach procedural skills. A dedicated nurse educator can provide a consistent curriculum, work with learners to achieve proficiency, and provide measurable outcomes. Future research should explore the role played by nurses in medical education and the comparison of instructional effectiveness.