π-Extended Coumarins Derived with Nonhydrolyzable Iminophosphoranes as Two-Photon-Excited Fluorophores.

Novel coumarin-iminophosphorane (IPP) fluorophores that have stable resonance contributions from aza-ylides were formed by using the nonhydrolysis Staudinger reaction. The N═P formation reaction kinetics obey the conventional Staudinger reaction. The absorption and emission profiles of the coumarin-IPP derivatives can be fine-tuned: an electron-donating group at PPh3 enhances absorption and fluorescence, whereas an electron-withdrawing group at C-3 drives absorption and emission peaks toward blue-light wavelengths. Two-photon adsorption, accompanied by anti-Stokes fluorescence, is achieved under near-infrared femtosecond laser excitation.

A predictive model for disability in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar disc herniation may influence patients' daily activities and social interactions; however, no predictive models of disability could be found for patients with lumbar disc herniation. We aimed to explore predictive factors for disability in patients with lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: The sample included 216 patients recruited from the orthopedic outpatient clinics at a medical center in northern Taiwan. Data were collected on patients' pain, fatigue, depression, disability, and demographics. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used in model verification. Path analysis was used to investigate causal relationships between disability and other factors. RESULTS: In path analysis, the most influential factor affecting the disability level was the pain level (standardized regression coefficient, b = 0.746), followed by the fatigue level (b = 0.138) and depression level (b = 0.100). The depression level was directly affected by the fatigue level (b = 0.416) and the pain level (b = 0.367), the fatigue level was directly affected by the pain level (b = 0.538), and the pain level was directly affected by age (b = 0.140) and previous surgery (b = 0.260). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that health-care providers regularly assess and treat pain and depression to reduce/prevent disability among patients with lumbar disc herniation, even among those who are apparently functioning well in the community.

Calix[4]arene-based Supramolecular Gels for Mercury Ion Removal in Water.

A calix[4]arene-based gelator 1, with lower-rim mono triazolylpyridine group, capable of spontaneous self-assembly into microspheres in different ethanol/H2 O mixtures, is synthesized. The concentration-dependent 1 H NMR spectra and X-ray single-crystal structure of 1 provided evidence for self-assembly of gelator 1 via cooperative interactions of intermolecular noncovalent forces. Furthermore, metallogels by self-assembly of 1 was found to exhibit remarkable selectivity toward Hg2+ ions. 1 H NMR spectra support that Hg2+ ion was bound to the nitrogen atoms of two coordination sites of 1, which composed of triazole and pyridine. Moreover, the results of field emission scanning electron microscopy and rheology experiments indicated that Hg2+ ions not only enhanced the gelling ability of gelator 1 in ethanol but also led to morphological change of its self-assembly through metal-ligand interactions. Finally, the in situ gelation, triggered by mixing a gelator solution of 1 in ethanol with water samples such as deionized (DI), tap, and lake water, leads to the effective removal of Hg(II) from a water sample which reduced from 400 to 1.6 ppm.

Association between the diagnosis-to-treatment interval and overall survival in Taiwanese patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between the diagnosis-to-treatment interval (DTI) and overall survival (OS) in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: A total of 18,677 patients with first primary OSCC identified in the Taiwanese Cancer Registry Database between 2004 and 2010 were examined. The effect of DTI on 5-year OS rates was investigated with multivariate Cox regression analysis. After the identification of the optimal cutoff for DTI based on the 5-year OS rates, DTI was classified in the following 20-day groups: ≤20 days (57% of the study patients), 21-45 days (34%), 46-90 days (6%) and ≥91 days (3%). In additional exploratory analyses, DTI was reclassified in the following 30-day interval groups: ≤30 days (81% of the study patients), 31-60 days (14%), 61-90 days (2%) and ≥91 days (3%). RESULTS: Multivariate analyses identified DTI (≤20 days versus other subgroups), sex (female versus male), age (<65 versus ≥65 years), clinical stage (p-stage I versus p-stage II, III, IV) and treatment modality (initial surgery versus initial non-surgery) as independent prognostic factors for 5-year OS. Compared with a DTI ≤20 days, the DTI categories ≥91 days (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.28, P < 0.001), 46-90 days (HR: 1.25, P < 0.001) and 21-45 days (HR: 1.07, P = 0.007) were independently associated with a higher risk of 5-year mortality. Similar results were obtained for DTI ≤30 days groups. CONCLUSIONS: DTI is independently associated with 5-year OS in OSCC patients. A DTI longer than 30 days or even 20 days may potentially decrease survival.