Fabrication of Brønsted acidic ionic liquids functionalized organosilica nanospheres for microwave-assisted fructose valorization.

A series of Brønsted acidic ionic liquids (BAILs) functionalized hollow organosilica nanospheres ([C3/4Im][OTs/OTf]-Si(Et)Si, C3/4 = Pr/BuSO3H) were synthesized by two steps. The process involved the preparation of hollow nanosphere supports via a toluene-swollen sol-gel co-condensation of 1,2-bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane and 3-chloropropyltriethoxysilane in the presence of F127, and followed by a successive quaternary ammonization and protonation with imidazole, 1,3-propane/1,4-butane sultone and trifluoromethane sulfonic acid/p-toluenesulfonic acid. The adjustable acid property, hollow inner diameter (5-15 nm) and shell thickness (5-9 nm) of [C3/4Im][OTs/OTf]-Si(Et)Si are achieved by introducing different organic acids and controlling toluene concentration, respectively. The [C3/4Im][OTs/OTf]-Si(Et)Si were applied in selective conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) under microwave heating. Under the optimized conditions, the [C4Im][OTs]-Si(Et)Si3.0 nanospheres with the largest inner diameter and the smallest shell thickness exhibit the highest HMF yield (79.4%, 15 min) in fructose dehydration. And the [C3Im][OTf]-Si(Et)Si0.5 nanospheres with the highest acid strength possess the highest EMF yield (70.4%, 30 min) in fructose ethanolysis. The high Brønsted acid-site density and acid strength of [C3/4Im][OTs/OTf]-Si(Et)Si catalysts accompanied by high microwave heating energy lead to excellent dehydration/ethanolysis activity. The product selectivity strongly depended on the BAILs structures and morphological characteristics of the catalyst. More importantly, the [C3/4Im][OTs/OTf]-Si(Et)Si can be reused three times without changes in leaching of BAILs, due to strong covalent bond between BAILs and silicon/carbon framework. This work will provide a simple strategy of chemically bonded BAILs on suitable supports as efficient solid acids, and an approach of combining morphology-controlled solid acids with microwave-heating for catalytic conversion of biomass/derivatives to fuels and value-added chemicals.

Association of Helicobacter pylori Infection With Carotid Atherosclerosis in a Northern Chinese Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Numerous studies have shown that Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection may be involved in the development of carotid atherosclerosis (CAS), but this conclusion is still controversial. The aim of this study was to explore whether there is a positive association between HP infection and CAS occurrence. We collected data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and disease history of the participants by questionnaire. We obtained clinical anthropometric data and blood samples of the participants from clinical examinations and laboratory work. The 13C urea breath test (13C-UBT) was performed to assess the HP infection status, and carotid ultrasonography was used to diagnose the CAS and plaque types. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify the relationship between HP infection and CAS. A total of 1,424 participants were recruited for this study. A total of 740 HP-positive individuals and 684 HP-negative individuals were identified, and 345 participants were diagnosed with CAS. The prevalence of CAS was higher in the HP-positive group (26.4%) than in the HP-negative group (21.7%) (P < 0.05). A significantly higher prevalence of carotid intima-media thickening, carotid plaque, and carotid stenosis was identified in the HP-positive group than in the HP-negative group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the detection rate of unstable plaques between the HP-positive and HP-negative groups (P > 0.05). In multivariate models adjusted for covariates, HP infection showed a positive association with CAS, independent of other risk factors (ORs range: 1.283-1.333, P < 0.05). HP infection independently accounted for approximately 5% of the CAS risk in the absence of other cardiovascular risk factors. A positive association between HP infection and CAS was demonstrated in this study. HP infection might be an independent risk factor for CAS. Although the effect of HP infection on CAS observed in our study was less than that of traditional risk factors, we believe that this is an indispensable advance in the etiological study of CAS. These results imply that the microbial population might play an essential role in CAS, which provides a new perspective for the primary prevention of CAS.

The Jidong Eye Cohort Study: objectives, design, and baseline characteristics.

BACKGROUND: To describe the objective, design and baseline characteristics of the Jidong Eye Cohort Study (JECS), a community-based cohort in China based on etiology, imaging and biomarkers. The JECS will clarify the pathogenesis of visual impairment and status of ocular indicators in the occurrence and progression of cardio-cerebrovascular and neurological diseases. METHODS: Between August 2019 and January 2020, the JECS recruited consecutive participants aged 18 years and older from the Jidong communities in China. The demographic and clinical characteristics were collected by trained site personnel via face-to-face interviews. The relevant biological samples were also collected. The participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examination, such as retinal photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography. The following outcomes were measured annually: ocular vascular abnormality, optic nerve degeneration, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and neurological diseases. The study will be performed until 2024. RESULTS: Among 3377 participants, the average age was 45.0 ± 12.5 years and 1809 (53.6%) were women. Hypertension occurred in 825 individuals (25.0%), diabetes in 258 (7.7%), hyperglycemia in 474 (14.2%), and a CVD history in 100 (3.0%). The mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.1 logMAR in the recruited subjects. The average OCT signal index was 8.2 ± 1.2. Additionally, the mean vessel densities for the entire measured area were 46.4% and 50.8% for the superficial and deep vascular complex, respectively. Mean area and perimeter of foveal avascular zone was 0.3 mm2 and 2.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The JECS is a large community-based prospective cohort in North China. Rich data collected from this study will provide the opportunity to identify risk factors, imaging, and biomarkers of visual impairment (either ocular vascular anomalies or optic nerve degeneration) and to evaluate their associations with CVD and neurological diseases.

Evaluation of the relationship between cognitive impairment and suboptimal health status in a northern Chinese population: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Suboptimal health status (SHS) is an intermediate health status between ideal health and illness. As a determinant of cardiovascular disease and stroke, SHS is hypothesized to be associated with the development of cognitive impairment and dementia. This study aimed to investigate whether individuals with SHS have poor cognitive ability based on a community-based cohort in northern Chinese population. METHODS: 3524 participants who were enrolled in Jidong cohort 2015 in Tangshan City were investigated in this study. Cognitive function was measured with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). SHS level was evaluated using a self-reporting Suboptimal Health Status Questionnaire-25 (SHSQ-25). The relationship between SHS and cognitive function was analyzed with logistic regression analysis, by which odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 3.4% (121/3524) in our study, with the prevalence rates of 1.9% (34/1750) among men and 4.9% (87/1774) in women. The medians of total score of MMSE were 28 (interquartile range (IQR) = 27-29) in the SHS group, and 29 (IQR = 27-30) in the ideal health group. Logistic regression analysis showed that SHS was significantly correlated with cognitive impairment (adjusted OR = 2.936, 95% CI = 1.428-6.033). With regard to gender, the OR was 5.067 (95% CI = 1.346-19.068) in men, which was higher than that in women (OR = 2.324, 95% CI = 1.130-4.779). CONCLUSIONS: SHS might be a risk factor for cognitive function in northern Chinese population. Early screening of SHS individuals, as well as urgent treatment of SHS might contribute to the prevention of cognitive impairment.

Jidong cognitive impairment cohort study: objectives, design, and baseline screening.

The risk of dementia increases in patients with cognitive impairment. However, it is not clear what factors contribute to the onset of dementia in those with cognitive impairment. In this prospective cohort study, we will investigate the every-five-year incidence of cognitive impairment and prognostic factors for cognitive impairment. The Jidong cognitive impairment cohort was established from April 2012 to August 2015, during which we recruited 5854 healthy participants (55.1% male) older than 45 years (mean, 57 years). Participants received a health examination in the Staff Hospital, Jidong Oilfield Branch, China National Petroleum Corporation. Baseline data and blood samples were collected. Cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination, and was defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination score of less than 24. Dementia was assessed using the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth edition), the International Working Group criteria, and the Mini-Mental State Examination score. The follow-up will continue until December 2024, during which a prognostic model will be constructed. The primary outcome is the presence/absence of dementia and the secondary outcome is quality of life. Baseline screening results showed the following: (1) Cognitive impairment was apparent in 320 participants (5.5%). These participants will be excluded from the Jidong cohort study, and the remaining participants will be followed up. (2) Of the 320 participants with cognitive impairment, there was a significantly higher prevalence of illiteracy than other education levels (35.9%, P < 0.05). Age, arterial hypertension, alcohol consumption, and passive smoking differed significantly between the cognitive impairment and healthy groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression models showed that age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.059, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.044-1.074) and arterial hypertension (OR = 1.665, 95% CI: 1.143-2.427) were risk factors for mild cognitive impairment. With the increase of educational level (illiteracy, primary school, junior high school, high school, university, and above), cognitive impairment gradually decreased (OR < 1, P < 0.05). (3) This cohort study has initially screened for several risk factors for cognitive impairment at baseline, and subsequent prospective data will further describe, validate, and evaluate the effects of these risk factors on cognitive impairment and dementia. These results can provide clinical evidence for the early prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kailuan General Hospital of Tangshan City and the Medical Ethics Committee, Staff Hospital, Jidong Oilfield Branch, China National Petroleum Corporation on July 12, 2013 (approval No. 2013 YILUNZI 1).

Morphology Tailoring of Sulfonic Acid Functionalized Organosilica Nanohybrids for the Synthesis of Biomass-Derived Alkyl Levulinates.

Morphology evolution of sulfonic acid functionalized organosilica nanohybrids (Si(Et)Si-Pr/ArSO3 H) with a 1D tubular structure (inner diameter of ca. 5 nm), a 2D hexagonal mesostructure (pore diameter of ca. 5 nm), and a 3D hollow spherical structure (shell thickness of 2-3 nm and inner diameter of ca. 15 nm) was successfully realized through P123-templated sol-gel cocondensation strategies and fine-tuning of the acidity followed by aging or a hydrothermal treatment. The Si(Et)Si-Pr/ArSO3 H nanohybrids were applied in synthesis of alkyl levulinates from the esterification of levulinic acid and ethanolysis of furfural alcohol. Hollow spherical Si(Et)Si-Pr/ArSO3 H and hexagonal mesoporous analogues exhibited the highest and lowest catalytic activity, respectively, among three types of nanohybrids; additionally, the activity was influenced by the -SO3 H loading. The activity differences are explained in terms of different Brønsted acid and textural properties, reactant/product diffusion, and mass transfer rate, as well as accessibility of -SO3 H sites to the reactant molecules. The reusability of the nanohybrids was also evaluated.