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.     

Hodgkin Lymphoma of the Oral Mucosa

In this report, we describe a rare case of relapsed nodular sclerosing Hodgkin lymphoma presenting as a lesion of the oral mucosa. Although this is an uncommon clinical scenario, health care professionals should be aware of this possibility. A brief differential diagnosis and review of Hodgkin lymphoma is discussed.     

Fasting ghrelin is related to skeletal muscle mass in healthy adults

Background/Objectives  

The determinants of plasma ghrelin concentrations including the effects of aging, gender, and body composition, are unclear. Appetite and energy intake decrease with advancing age, and there is a corresponding decline in total body lean tissue, and an increase in fat mass.     

Synthesis, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities evaluation of some bi-, tri- and tetracyclic condensed pyrimidines

Novel series of bicyclic pyrrolo[1,2-c]pyrimidines 3a–g, 5, 6a, b, and 7a, b, tricyclic pyrimido[5,4-e]pyrrolo[1,2-c]pyrimidines 8a–c, 9a–g, 13a–c, 17, 18a, b, 19, 20a,b and 21 and tetracyclic condensed pyrimidines 14, 22 and 23 were synthesized through different chemical reactions. Structures of all synthesized pyrimidine derivatives were supported by spectral and elemental analyses. Analgesic activity evaluation was carried out using acetic acid-induced writhing assay, and all compounds exerted comparable activity to indomethacin. The anti-inflammatory activity evaluation was performed using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats, the potency of the bicyclic derivatives 3a–f and 7b revealed comparable activity to indomethacin without gastric ulceration. The tricyclic derivatives 13a and 20a exerted good activity, however, they induced gastric ulcers while 13b and 13c showed moderate activity without ulceration. In case of tetracyclic derivatives, compound 14 exhibited the highest potency and safety profile.     

Extensive Bone Marrow Necrosis in a Case of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Transformed from a Myeloproliferative Neoplasm

Extensive necrosis affecting more than 50%percnt; of the bone marrow is an extremely rare histopathological finding. Relatively little is known about its clinical significance because it is most commonly identified at autopsy – whether it is an independent prognostic marker or whether it is a surrogate marker of underlying disease burden remains unclear. We describe herein a case of a 66-year-old patient with acute myeloid leukemia who presented with acute bone marrow failure and was found to have extensive necrosis. We include presenting clinical features, pathology attained at biopsy, and the challenge of treatment. Bone marrow necrosis is a rare but important clinicopathological entity whose recognition may herald the way for more effective prognostication of underlying disease.Key Words: Bone marrow necrosis, Acute myeloid leukemia, Myeloproliferative neoplasm