Functionalized conductive activated carbon-polyaniline composite anode for augmented energy recovery in microbial fuel cells.

Internal resistance is one of the limiting factors for power production in microbial fuel cells (MFC). To overcome this, current study designed polyaniline functionalized activated carbon (PANi-FAC) composite as capacitive anode with strategic electrocatalytic capability, and was comparatively assessed with SSM-PANi and bare SSM as anodes in three double chambered MFCs respectively. Power output and COD removal efficiency of PANi-FAC coated on stainless steel mesh (SSM-PANi/FAC) is superior (322 mW/m2; 87.6%) in comparison to SSM-PANi (273 mW/m2; 62.4%) and bare SSM (169 mW/m2; 54%). In addition, maximum specific capacitance of hybrid electrodes is relatively high with SSM-PANi/FAC (360.84 F/g) than SSM-PANi anode (128.26 F/g). Nyquist impedance plots showed less charge-transfer resistance (Rct) with SSM-PANi/FAC (29.9 Ω) than SSM-PANi (206.8 Ω) and SSM anodes (678 Ω). Study infers that, development of electrochemical double layer capacitance makes SSM-PANi/FAC, a potential capacitive anode for augmenting bio-electrocatalytic activity and reducing Ohmic losses.

Risk of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in patients receiving proton pump inhibitors versus proton pump inhibitors plus prokinetics.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Intestinal dysmotility is considered a risk factor for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Prokinetics improve intestinal motility and are often prescribed with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and/or functional dyspepsia. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of SIBO and the orocecal transit time (OCTT) in patients taking PPI compared with those taking PPI plus prokinetics. METHODS: The study is a single-center, cross-sectional study. Enrolled patients (with age > 12 years) were divided into two groups: patients taking PPIs for more than 3 months (Group A) and those taking PPIs with prokinetics for more than 3 months (Group B) for various indications. Lactulose breath test (LBT) for OCTT and glucose breath test (GBT) for SIBO were conducted for all patients. RESULTS: Of the 147 enrolled patients, SIBO was documented in 13.2% patients in Group A versus 1.8% in Group B, P = 0.018. Median OCTT in Group A was 130 (105-160) min compared with 120 (92.5-147.5) min in Group B (P = 0.010). Median OCTT among SIBO-positive patients was 160 (140-172.5) min compared with SIBO-negative patients, where it was 120 (103.75-150) min (P = 0.002). The duration and type of PPI used were not associated with the occurrence of SIBO in our study. CONCLUSION: The use of prokinetics in patients on PPI may reduce the risk of SIBO by enhancing intestinal motility and may reduce SIBO risk associated with long-term PPI use.

Sequential oxonium-olefin-alkyne cyclization for the stereoselective synthesis of (octahydro-1H-pyrano[3,4-c]pyridin-5-yl)methanone derivatives.

A broad range of aldehydes undergo a smooth cascade cyclization with (E)-5-(3-phenylprop-2-ynylamino)pent-3-en-1-ol in the presence of BF3·OEt2 at room temperature to furnish a novel series of (octahydro-1H-pyrano[3,4-c]pyridin-5-yl)methanone derivatives in good yields and diastereoselectivities. This cascade process provides a simple and proficient alternative for the stereoselective construction of fused pyranopiperidine derivatives.

A tandem Prins spirocyclization for the stereoselective synthesis of tetrahydrospiro[chroman-2,4'-pyran] derivatives.

A novel cascade strategy has been developed for the synthesis of tetrahydrospiro[chroman-2,4'-pyran] derivatives by condensation of aldehydes with 2-(5-hydroxy-3-methylenepentyl)phenol. The reaction proceeds smoothly in the presence of BF3·OEt2 under mild conditions in a highly stereoselective manner leading to a single diastereomer. This approach is simple and convenient for the synthesis of pharmacologically relevant spirochroman scaffolds.