Deficit of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Acne Patients-A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study in a German Cohort.

Omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs) exert anti-inflammatory effects, including the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, eicosanoids, and insulin-like growth factor-1. Therefore, they may improve acne severity as an adjunct treatment. However, there is a paucity of data regarding patients' existing deficits. The aim of this study was to determine ω-3 FA levels in acne patients in correlation with self-reported dietary preferences and clinical severity. A single-center, cross-sectional study of 100 acne patients was conducted. Patients' blood parameters, including ω-3 FAs levels, were assessed using the HS-omega-3 Index® in erythrocytes (Omegametrix® GmbH, Martinsried, Germany). Dietary preferences were assessed using a standardized food frequency questionnaire. Clinical dermatologic evaluation was performed using the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) of acne. The values of the HS-omega-3 Index® were outside the recommended range of 8-11% in 96 patients (mean 5.15%), independent of the clinical severity or affected anatomic sites. A severe deficit (HS-omega-3 Index® < 4%) was seen more commonly in men than in women (p = 0.021). The regular consumption of legumes was significantly associated with higher ω-3 FA levels (p = 0.003), as was oral ω-3 FA supplementation (p = 0.006) and the lack of sunflower oil intake (p = 0.008). This pilot study demonstrated a deficit of ω-3 FAs in a German acne cohort. Higher ω-3 FAs levels were observed in patients with regular legume intake and oral ω-3 FAs supplementation. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate whether the clinical severity of acne improves in patients with normal HS-omega-3 Index®.

HARE: Unifying the Human Activity Recognition Engineering Workflow.

Sensor-based human activity recognition is becoming ever more prevalent. The increasing importance of distinguishing human movements, particularly in healthcare, coincides with the advent of increasingly compact sensors. A complex sequence of individual steps currently characterizes the activity recognition pipeline. It involves separate data collection, preparation, and processing steps, resulting in a heterogeneous and fragmented process. To address these challenges, we present a comprehensive framework, HARE, which seamlessly integrates all necessary steps. HARE offers synchronized data collection and labeling, integrated pose estimation for data anonymization, a multimodal classification approach, and a novel method for determining optimal sensor placement to enhance classification results. Additionally, our framework incorporates real-time activity recognition with on-device model adaptation capabilities. To validate the effectiveness of our framework, we conducted extensive evaluations using diverse datasets, including our own collected dataset focusing on nursing activities. Our results show that HARE's multimodal and on-device trained model outperforms conventional single-modal and offline variants. Furthermore, our vision-based approach for optimal sensor placement yields comparable results to the trained model. Our work advances the field of sensor-based human activity recognition by introducing a comprehensive framework that streamlines data collection and classification while offering a novel method for determining optimal sensor placement.

SONAR, a nursing activity dataset with inertial sensors.

Accurate and comprehensive nursing documentation is essential to ensure quality patient care. To streamline this process, we present SONAR, a publicly available dataset of nursing activities recorded using inertial sensors in a nursing home. The dataset includes 14 sensor streams, such as acceleration and angular velocity, and 23 activities recorded by 14 caregivers using five sensors for 61.7 hours. The caregivers wore the sensors as they performed their daily tasks, allowing for continuous monitoring of their activities. We additionally provide machine learning models that recognize the nursing activities given the sensor data. In particular, we present benchmarks for three deep learning model architectures and evaluate their performance using different metrics and sensor locations. Our dataset, which can be used for research on sensor-based human activity recognition in real-world settings, has the potential to improve nursing care by providing valuable insights that can identify areas for improvement, facilitate accurate documentation, and tailor care to specific patient conditions.

Dietary Patterns in Acne and Rosacea Patients-A Controlled Study and Comprehensive Analysis.

As the relationship between exposome factors and inflammatory skin diseases is gaining increasing attention, the objective of this study was to investigate dietary patterns among acne and rosacea patients and to establish the disease risk attributable to nutrition. In this cross-sectional, controlled study, patients' dietary habits were assessed via subjective ratings of beneficial and trigger foods, followed by standardized food frequency surveys (FFS). Scores for disease-specific risk stratification based on dietary habits were proposed. Clinical assessments, dermatologic examinations, and laboratory analyses were performed. A total of 296 patients (acne group (AG) n = 120, control group (ACG) n = 32; rosacea group (RG) n = 105, control group (RCG) n = 39) were included. The significant impact of diet on disease severity was self-reported by 80.8% of the AG and 70.5% of the RG. Leading dietary triggers were found in both groups, while beneficial food items were identified more clearly by the AG. FFS revealed significant dietary differences between the AG, RG, and control groups. Disease-specific scores showed greater precision for acne (odds ratio 14.5 AG, 5.5 RG). The AG had higher insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels correlating with dairy intake (p = 0.006). Overall, this study underlines the influence of diet on acne and rosacea, providing valuable disease-specific scores for dietary risk stratification. Consuming vegetables, legumes, oily fish, olive oil, and nuts, and limiting meat, cheese, and alcohol appear to be beneficial for both acne and rosacea. Future studies can build on these data to further improve preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Platinum(II) alkyl complexes of chelating dibridgehead diphosphines P((CH2)n)3P (n = 14, 18, 22); facile cis/trans isomerizations interconverting gyroscope and parachute like adducts.

The gyroscope like dichloride complexes trans-Pt(Cl)2(P((CH2)n)3P) (trans-2; n = c, 14; e, 18; g, 22) and MeLi (2 equiv.) react to yield the parachute like dimethyl complexes cis-Pt(Me)2(P((CH2)n)3P) (cis-4c,e,g, 70-91%). HCl (1 equiv.) and cis-4c react to give cis-Pt(Cl)(Me)(P((CH2)14)3P) (cis-5c, 83%), which upon stirring with silica gel or crystallization affords trans-5c (89%). Similar reactions of HCl and cis-4e,g give cis/trans-5e,g mixtures that upon stirring with silica gel yield trans-5e,g. A parallel sequence with trans-2c/EtLi gives cis-Pt(Et)2(P((CH2)14)3P) (cis-6c, 85%) but subsequent reaction with HCl affords trans-Pt(Cl)(Et)(P((CH2)14)3P) (trans-7c, 45%) directly. When previously reported cis-Pt(Ph)2(P((CH2)14)3P) is treated with HCl (1 equiv.), cis- and trans-Pt(Cl)(Ph)(P((CH2)14)3P) are isolated (44%, 29%), with the former converting to the latter at 100 °C. Reactions of trans-5c and LiBr or NaI afford the halide complexes trans-Pt(X)(Me)(P((CH2)14)3P) (trans-9c, 88%; trans-10c, 87%). Thermolyses and DFT calculations that include acyclic model compounds establish trans > cis stabilities for all except the dialkyl complexes, for which energies can be closely spaced. The σ donor strengths of the non-phosphine ligands are assigned key roles in the trends. The crystal structures of cis-4c, trans-5c, trans-7c, and trans-10c are determined and analyzed together with the computed structures.

Toward Frameworks with Multiple Aligned and Interactive Fe(CO)3 Rotators: Syntheses and Structures of Diiron Complexes Linked by Two trans-Diaxial α,ω-Diphosphine Ligands Ar2P(CH2)nPAr2.

Reactions of (η4-benzylideneacetone)Fe(CO)3 and the α,ω-diphosphines Ar2P(CH2)nPAr2 afford the trigonal bipyramidal diiron tetraphosphorus complexes trans,trans-(CO)3Fe[Ar2P(CH2)nPAr2]2Fe(CO)3 (n/Ar = 3/Ph 3, 4/Ph 4a, 4/p-tol 4b; 56-19%). Crystal structures establish essentially parallel P-Fe-P axes, iron-iron distances of 5.894(9)-5.782(1) Å (3) and 6.403(1)-6.466(1) Å (4a,b), and van der Waals radii of 4.45 Å for the Fe(CO)3 rotators, the planes of which are offset by 0.029-1.665 Å. Analogous reactions of Ph2P(CH2)6PPh2 yield the square pyramidal monoiron complex trans-(CO)3Fe[Ph2P(CH2)6PPh2] (6', 31%), a rare case where a diphosphine spans trans basal positions (∠P-Fe-P 147.4(2)°). Both 3 and 6' exhibit two CO 13C NMR signals at room temperature, indicating slow exchange on the NMR time scale, which in the former could entail Fe(CO)3/Fe(CO)3 gearing. Under analogous conditions, 4a,b exhibit one signal. Previously reported adducts of Fe(CO)3 and Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2 are surveyed (1:1, n = 1-5; 2:2, n = 5), and the IR νC≡O band patterns and energies of all complexes analyzed with the aid of DFT calculations. The diiron complexes are preferred thermodynamically. Attention is given to limiting types of Fe(CO)3/Fe(CO)3 interactions in the diiron complexes.

Non-metal-templated approaches to bis(borane) derivatives of macrocyclic dibridgehead diphosphines via alkene metathesis.

Two routes to the title compounds are evaluated. First, a ca. 0.01 M CH2Cl2 solution of H3B·P((CH2)6CH=CH2)3 (1·BH3) is treated with 5 mol % of Grubbs' first generation catalyst (0 °C to reflux), followed by H2 (5 bar) and Wilkinson's catalyst (55 °C). Column chromatography affords H3B·P(n-C8H17)3 (1%), H3B·P((CH2)13CH2)(n-C8H17) (8%; see text for tie bars that indicate additional phosphorus-carbon linkages, which are coded in the abstract with italics), H3B·P((CH2)13CH2)((CH2)14)P((CH2)13CH2)·BH3 (6·2BH3, 10%), in,out-H3B·P((CH2)14)3P·BH3 (in,out-2·2BH3, 4%) and the stereoisomer (in,in/out,out)-2·2BH3 (2%). Four of these structures are verified by independent syntheses. Second, 1,14-tetradecanedioic acid is converted (reduction, bromination, Arbuzov reaction, LiAlH4) to H2P((CH2)14)PH2 (10; 76% overall yield). The reaction with H3B·SMe2 gives 10·2BH3, which is treated with n-BuLi (4.4 equiv) and Br(CH2)6CH=CH2 (4.0 equiv) to afford the tetraalkenyl precursor (H2C=CH(CH2)6)2(H3B)P((CH2)14)P(BH3)((CH2)6CH=CH2)2 (11·2BH3; 18%). Alternative approaches to 11·2BH3 (e.g., via 11) were unsuccessful. An analogous metathesis/hydrogenation/chromatography sequence with 11·2BH3 (0.0010 M in CH2Cl2) gives 6·2BH3 (5%), in,out-2·2BH3 (6%), and (in,in/out,out)-2·2BH3 (7%). Despite the doubled yield of 2·2BH3, the longer synthesis of 11·2BH3 vs 1·BH3 renders the two routes a toss-up; neither compares favorably with precious metal templated syntheses.

Three-Fold Intramolecular Ring Closing Alkene Metatheses of Square Planar Complexes with cis Phosphorus Donor Ligands P(X(CH2) mCH═CH2)3 (X = -, m = 5-10; X = O, m = 3-5): Syntheses, Structures, and Thermal Properties of Macrocyclic Dibridgehead Diphosphorus Complexes.

Reactions of cis-PtCl2(P((CH2) mCH═CH2)3)2 and Grubbs' first generation catalyst and then hydrogenations afford cis- PtCl2(P((CH2) n)3 P) ( cis-2; n = 2 m + 2 = 12 (b), 14 (c), 16 (d), 18 (e), 20 (f), 22 (g); 6-40%), derived from 3-fold interligand metatheses. The phosphite complexes cis-PtCl2(P(O(CH2) m*CH═CH2)3)2 are similarly converted to cis- PtCl2(P(O(CH2) n*O)3 P) ( cis-5; n* = 8 (a), 10 (b), 12 (c), 10-20%). The substitution products cis- PtPh2(P((CH2) n)3 P) ( cis-6c,d) and cis- PtI2(P(O(CH2)10O)3 P) are prepared using Ph2Zn and NaI, respectively. Crystal structures of cis-2c,d,f, cis-5a,b, and cis-6c show one methylene bridge that roughly lies in the platinum coordination plane and two that are perpendicular. The thermal behavior of the complexes is examined. When the bridges are sufficiently long, they rapidly exchange via an unusual "triple jump rope" motion over the PtX2 moieties. NMR data establish Δ H⧧, Δ S⧧, and Δ G298K⧧/Δ G393K⧧ values of 7.8 kcal/mol, -27.9 eu, and 16.1/18.8 kcal/mol for cis-2d, and a Δ G393K⧧ of ≥19.6 kcal/mol for the shorter bridged cis-2c. While cis-2c,g gradually convert to trans-2c,g at 150-185 °C in haloarenes, trans-2c,g give little reaction under analogous conditions, establishing the stability order trans > cis. Similar metathesis/hydrogenation sequences with octahedral complexes containing two cis phosphine ligands, fac-ReX(CO)3(P((CH2)6CH═CH2)3)2 (X = Cl, Br), give fac- ReX(CO)3( P(CH2)13 CH2)((CH2)14)( P(CH2)13 CH2) (19-50%), which are derived from a combination of interligand and intraligand metathesis. The relative stabilities of cis/ trans and other types of isomers are probed by combinations of molecular dynamics and DFT calculations.

Octahedral Gyroscope-like Molecules Consisting of Rhenium Rotators within Cage-like Dibridgehead Diphosphine Stators: Syntheses, Substitution Reactions, Structures, and Dynamic Properties.

Reactions of Re(CO)5(X) (X = Cl, Br) or [Re2(CO)4(NO)2(µ-Cl)2(Cl)2] and the phosphines P((CH2)mCH═CH2)3 (m = 6, a; 7, b; 8, c) give mer,trans-Re(CO)3(X)(P((CH2)mCH═CH2)3)2 (53-95%) or cis,trans-Re(CO) (NO) (Cl)2(P((CH2)6CH═CH2)3)2 (57%), respectively. Additions of Grubbs' catalyst (5-10 mol %, 0.0010-0.0012 M) and subsequent hydrogenations (PtO2, ≤5 bar) yield the gyroscope-like complexes mer,trans-R e(CO)3(X)(P((CH2)n)3 P) (n = 2m + 2; X = Cl, 7a,c; Br, 8a,c; 18-61%) or cis,trans-R e(CO)(NO)(Cl)2(P((CH2)14)3 P) (14%), respectively, and/or the isomers mer,trans-R e(CO)3(X)( P(CH2)n-1 CH2)((CH2)n)( P(CH2)n-1 CH2) (X = Cl, 7'a-c; Br, 8'b; 6-27%). The latter are derived from a combination of interligand and intraligand metatheses. Reactions of 7a or 8a with NaI, Ph2Zn, or MeLi give mer,trans-R e(CO)3(X)(P((CH2)14)3 P) (X = I, 11a; Ph, 12a; Me, 13a; 34-87%). The 13C NMR spectra of 7a-c, 8a-c, 11a, and 13a show rotation of the Re(CO)3(X) moieties to be fast on the NMR time scale at room temperature (and at -90 °C for 8a). In contrast, the phenyl group in 12a acts as a brake, and two sets of 13C NMR signals (2:1) are observed for the methylene chains. The crystal structures of 7a, 8a, 12a, and 13a are analyzed with respect to Re(CO)3(X) rotation in solution and the solid state.

Gigging Benzene.

Go Aggies! Go Chemikers! The word "gig" applies to a multipronged metal tool for hunting frogs and fish. It constitutes part of a rallying cry, "gig 'em" that inspires Texas A&M Aggies to victory in athletic and academic competitions. This Highlight examines recent victories in the C....._ C cleavage of benzene made possible by a four-pronged iridium gig that yields a "spring-loaded" norbornadiene-like structure with significant ring strain.

Gyroscope like molecules consisting of trigonal or square planar osmium rotators within three-spoked dibridgehead diphosphine stators: syntheses, substitution reactions, structures, and dynamic properties.

Reactions of (NH4)2OsX6 (X = Cl, Br) with CO and the phosphines P((CH2)mCH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH2)3 (m = 6, a; 7, b; 8, c) give cis,cis,trans-Os(CO)2(X)2(P((CH2)mCH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH2)3)2 (46-73%). These are treated with Grubbs' catalyst (7 mol%, 0.0010 M, C6H5Cl). Subsequent hydrogenations (PtO2) yield the gyroscope like complexes cis,cis,trans-Os(CO)2(X)2(P((CH2)n)3P) (n = 2m + 2; X = Cl, 6a-c; Br, 7a-c ; 5-31%) and the isomers cis,cis,trans-Os(CO)2(X)2(P(CH2)n-1CH2)((CH2)n)(P(CH2)n-1CH2) (X = Cl, 6'ac; Br, 7'a-c;12-51%) derived from a combination of interligand and intraligand metatheses. Reductions of 6a,c, 6'b, and 7'b with C8K under CO atmospheres afford trans-Os(CO)3(P((CH2)n)3P) (9a,c, 79-82%) and trans-Os(CO)3(P(CH2)15CH2)((CH2)16)(P(CH2)15CH2) (9'b, 53-84%). Reaction of 9a and CF3SO3H yields the cationic hydride complex mer,trans-[Os(H)(CO)3(P((CH2)14)3P)](+) CF3SO3(-) (9a-H(+) CF3SO3(-); quantitative by NMR). Preparative reactions of 9a,c or 9'b and [H(OEt2)2](+) BArf(-) (BArf(-) = B(3,5-C6H3(CF3)2)4(-)) afford 9a,c-H(+) BArf(-) (80%) or 9'b-H(+) BArf(-) (68%). Reactions of 6a, 6'b, and 7a with MeLi or PhLi give cis,cis,trans-Os(CO)2(Me)2(P((CH2)14)3P) (11a, 98%), cis,cis,trans-Os(CO)2(Me)2(P(CH2)15CH2)((CH2)16)(P(CH2)15CH2) (98%), and cis,cis,trans-Os(CO)2(Ph)2(P((CH2)14)3P) (12a, 58%). NMR data for 6a­c, 7a­c, 9a,c, 9a,c-H(+) X(-), and 11a indicate that rotation of the OsLy moieties is fast on the NMR time scale at room temperature. In contrast, the phenyl groups in 12a act as "brakes" and two sets of (13)C NMR signals are observed for the methylene chains (2 : 1). The crystal structures of 6a­c, 7b,c, 7'a, 9a, 9a -H(+) BArf(-), 11a, and 12a are analyzed with respect to OsLy rotation in solution and the solid state.

Ring opening metathesis polymerization of an η4-benzene complex: a direct synthesis of a polyacetylene with a regular pattern of π bound metal fragments.

The complex (η(5)-C(5)H(5))Ir(η(4)-C(6)H(6)) reacts with Grubbs' catalyst to give a novel polyacetylene consisting of cyclopentadienyliridium bound s-cis butadiene moieties separated by C=C linkages. A crystal structure of the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl analog establishes a strong structural analogy with norbornadiene, a classical ROMP monomer.

Mid-infrared gas filled photonic crystal fiber laser based on population inversion.

We demonstrate for the first time an optically pumped gas laser based on population inversion using a hollow core photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF). The HC-PCF filled with 12C2H2 gas is pumped with ~5 ns pulses at 1.52 µm and lases at 3.12 µm and 3.16 µm in the mid-infrared spectral region. The maximum measured laser pulse energy of ~6 nJ was obtained at a gas pressure of 7 torr with a fiber with 20 dB/m loss near the lasing wavelengths. While the measured slope efficiencies of this prototype did not exceed a few percent due mainly to linear losses of the fiber at the laser wavelengths, 25% slope efficiency and pulse energies of a few mJ are the predicted limits of this laser. Simulations of the laser's behavior agree qualitatively with experimental observations.