Investigation of Immobilization Effects on Ni(P2N2)2 Electrocatalysts.

A new synthetic route to complexes of the type Ni(P2N2)22+ with highly functionalized phosphine substituents and the investigation of immobilization effects on these catalysts is reported. Ni(P2N2)22+ complexes have been extensively studied as homogeneous and surface-attached molecular electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A synthesis based on postsynthetic modification of PArBr2NPh2 was developed and is described here. Phosphonate-modified ligands and their corresponding nickel complexes were isolated and characterized. Subsequent deprotection of the phosphonic ester derivatives provided the first Ni(P2N2)22+ catalyst that can be covalently attached via pendent phosphonate groups to an electrode without involvement of the important pendent amine groups. Mesoporous TiO2 electrodes were surface modified by attachment of the new phosphonate functionalized Ni(P2N2)22+ complexes, and these provided electrocatalytic materials that proved to be competent and stable for sustained HER in aqueous solution at mild pH and low overpotential. We directly compared the new ligand to a previously reported complex that utilized the amine moiety for surface attachment. Using HER as the benchmark reaction, the P-attached catalyst showed a marginally (9-14%) higher turnover number than its N-attached counterpart.

Hepatitis E virus as a cause of acute hepatitis acquired in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Autochthonous hepatitis E is increasingly recognized as zoonotic infection in western countries. Serological assays have varying sensitivity and specificity. METHODS: We implemented molecular testing to identify and characterize acute hepatitis E acquired in Switzerland. RESULTS: Ninety-three cases of mostly symptomatic acute hepatitis E acquired in Switzerland were documented by PCR between November 2011 and December 2016. Median HEV RNA was 7.5 x 104 IU/mL (range, 5.3 to 4.7 x 107 IU/mL). HEV genotyping was successful in 78 patients, revealing genotype 3 in 75 and genotype 4 in three patients. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a few limited geographical and temporal clusters. Of the 91 patients with available anti-HEV IgM serology, four were negative; three of these were also IgG-negative, likely as a result of immunosuppression, and one was IgG-positive, a constellation compatible with HEV reinfection. Median age of the patients was 58 years (range, 20-80 years); 71 (76.3%) were men and 49 of these (69.0%) were ≥ 50 years old. The clinical course was particularly severe in patients with underlying chronic liver disease, with fatal outcome in two patients. Six patients (6.5%) presented with neuralgic amyotrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Nucleic acid-based diagnosis reveals HEV as a relevant cause of acute hepatitis in Switzerland. Middle-aged and elderly men constitute the majority of symptomatic patients. Testing for HEV should be included early in the diagnostic workup of acute hepatitis and of neuralgic amyotrophy, a typical extrahepatic manifestation of HEV genotype 3 infection.

Prevention and treatment of variceal haemorrhage in 2017.

Variceal haemorrhage is a major complication of portal hypertension that still causes high mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Improved knowledge of the pathophysiology of portal hypertension has recently led to a more comprehensive approach to prevent all the complications of this condition. Thus, optimal treatment of portal hypertension requires a strategy that takes into account the clinical stage of the disease and all the major variables that affect the risk of progression to the next stage and death. In patients with compensated liver disease, the correction of factors influencing the progression of fibrosis, in particular aetiologic factors, is now feasible in many cases and should be achieved to prevent the development or progression of gastroesophageal varices and hepatic decompensation. Once gastroesophageal varices have developed, non-selective beta-blockers remain the cornerstone of therapy. Carvedilol provides a greater decrease in portal pressure and is currently indicated as a first-choice therapy for primary prophylaxis. The treatment of acute variceal haemorrhage includes a combination of vasoactive drugs, antibiotics and endoscopic variceal band ligation. In high-risk patients, the early use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) lowers the risk of re-bleeding and improves survival. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is the choice for uncontrolled variceal bleeding; a self-expandable metal stent or balloon tamponade can be used as a bridging measure. The combination of non-selective beta-blockers and endoscopic variceal band ligation reduces the risk of recurrent variceal bleeding and improves survival. In these cases, statins seem to further improve survival. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is indicated in patients who rebleed during secondary prophylaxis.

Two-photon fluorescence imaging with 30 fs laser system tunable around 1 micron.

We developed a low-cost, low-noise, tunable, high-peak-power, ultrafast laser system based on a SESAM-modelocked, solid-state Yb tungstate laser plus spectral broadening via a microstructured fiber followed by pulse compression. The spectral selection, tuning, and pulse compression are performed with a simple prism compressor. The output pulses are tunable from 800 to 1250 nm, with the pulse duration down to 25 fs, and average output power up to 150 mW, at 80 MHz pulse repetition rate. We introduce the figure of merit (FOM) for the two-photon and multi-photon imaging (or other nonlinear processes), which is a useful guideline in discussions and for designing the lasers for an improved microscopy signal. Using a 40 MHz pulse repetition rate laser system, with twice lower FOM, we obtained high signal-to-noise ratio two-photon fluorescence images with or without averaging, of mouse intestine section and zebra fish embryo. The obtained images demonstrate that the developed system is capable of nonlinear (TPE, SHG) imaging in a multimodal operation. The system could be potentially used in a variety of other techniques including, THG, CARS and applications such as nanosurgery.

Alcohol and cannabis consumption in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: prevalence, pattern of consumption and impact on the disease.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: There is little guidance regarding the impact of alcohol and cannabis on the clinical course of inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, sociodemographic characteristics and impact of alcohol and cannabis use on the clinical course of the disease. METHODS: We performed an analysis of prospectively collected data within the Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study with yearly follow-ups and substance-specific questionnaires. We analyzed the prevalence of use, the profile of users at risk for addiction and the impact of alcohol and cannabis on the course of the disease. RESULTS: We collected data of 2828 patients included between 2006 and 2018 and analyzed it according to their completion of specific surveys on alcohol and cannabis use. The prevalence of patient-reported active use was 41.3% for alcohol and 6% for cannabis. Heavy drinkers were over-represented among retired, married smokers receiving mostly aminosalicylates and less immunosuppression. In ulcerative colitis patients, low-to-moderate drinking was associated with less extensive disease. Cannabis users were often students with ileal Crohn's disease. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease consume alcohol or cannabis. Heavy alcohol consumption is most likely in male smokers >50 years, whereas young men with ileal disease rather use cannabis.

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of µ3-SnH capped trinuclear nickel cluster.

Treatment of the trichlorotin-capped trinuclear nickel cluster, [Ni3(dppm)3(µ3-Cl)(µ3-SnCl3)], 1, with 4 eq. NaHB(Et)3 yields a µ3-SnH capped trinuclear nickel cluster, [Ni3(dppm)3(µ3-H)(µ3-SnH)], 2 [dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane]. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and computational studies together support that cluster 2 is a divalent tin hydride. Complex 2 displays a wide range of reactivity including oxidative addition of bromoethane across the Sn center. Addition of 1 eq. iodoethane to complex 2 releases H2 (g) and generates an ethyltin-capped nickel cluster with a µ3-iodide, [Ni3(dppm)3(µ3-I)(µ3-Sn(CH2CH3))], 4. Notably, insertion of alkynes into the Sn-H bond of 2 can be achieved via addition of 1 eq. 1-hexyne to generate the 1-hexen-2-yl-tin-capped nickel cluster, [Ni3(dppm)3(µ3H)(µ3-Sn(C6H11))], 5. Addition of H2 (g) to 5 regenerates the starting material, 2, and hexane. The formally 44-electron cluster 2 also displays significant redox chemistry with two reversible one-electron oxidations (E = -1.3 V, -0.8 V vs. Fc0/+) and one-electron reduction process (E = -2.7 V vs. Fc0/+) observed by cyclic voltammetry.

PM-IRRAS and DFT investigation of the surface orientation of new Ir piano-stool complexes attached to Au(111).

Surface immobilization of organometallic catalysts is a promising approach to developing new catalytic systems that combine molecular catalysts with heterogenous surfaces to probe surface mechanisms. The orientation of the catalyst relative to the surface is one important parameter that must be considered in such hybrid systems. In this work, we synthesize three new sulfide-modified Ir piano-stool complexes with sulfide-modified bipyridine and phenylpyridine ligands for the attachment to Au(111) surfaces. Self-assembled monolayers made from (Cp*Ir(2,2'-bipyridine-4-sulfide)Cl)2[Cl]2 (C1m) and [Cp*Ir(2-phenylpyridine-4-sulfide)Cl]2 (C2m) were characterized by combining polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) with DFT calculations of the minimum energy orientations of the complexes on the surface. We find that the bipyridine and phenylpyridine ligands are oriented at between 73-77° relative to the surface normal, irrespective of the orientation of the other ligands. Additionally, DFT and PM-IRRAS support that there is no orientation preference for C1m and C2m, with both orientations present on the surface.

Autochthonous hepatitis E as a cause of acute-on-chronic liver failure and death: histopathology can be misleading but transaminases may provide a clue.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Acute decompensation and death have been observed in patients with acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection and preexisting liver cirrhosis. However, the clinical, laboratory and histological features need to be fully characterised. METHODS: Some of us recently described the histological presentation of hepatitis E in a large panel of liver tissue specimens. Here, we conducted a case-control study to investigate the clinical and laboratory features of the subset of patients with HEV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and death. Each patient was matched to three control patients with histologically confirmed severe alcoholic hepatitis based on sex, age, total bilirubin, INR, serum creatinine and MELD score on admission. RESULTS: Of 5 patients who died in a context of HEV-related ACLF, 3 (60%) were male and the median age was 66 years (range 51–76). Median alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at presentation was 2610 U/l (range 705–3134) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 2818 U/l (range 1176–8611). Liver function was heavily altered in all patients. Histological analyses revealed steatohepatitis on a background of cirrhosis, suggestive of an alcoholic or nonalcoholic origin. Based on histopathology, alcoholic hepatitis was initially suspected in two patients and corticosteroid treatment was initiated. Ribavirin was started in four patients. Median time from hospitalisation to death was 17 days (range 6–25 days). AST levels in patients with HEV-related ACLF were significantly higher as compared to the matched patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. CONCLUSION: Typical histopathological features of viral hepatitis may be absent in ACLF caused by HEV infection. HEV infection should be sought in acute decompensation of cirrhosis and ACLF even in the absence of histological changes suggesting viral infection.

A UHPLC-MS/MS method for the quantification of 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one to assist in diagnosis of bile acid malabsorption.

Bile acids malabsorption (BAM) is encountered in numerous gastrointestinal pathologies and is a good example of a treatable cause of watery diarrhea after ileal resection. The gold standard for diagnosing BAM is the selenium homocholic acid taurine test (SeHCAT), an expensive and complex analysis. An alternative method is the quantification of 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4). Here, we present a simple, ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method to measure C4 in human serum. To avoid time consuming sample preparation (e.g., derivatization, solid phase extraction), we used absorption chemistry-based extraction plates. This method demonstrates a lower limit of quantification of 5 ng/mL and is linear over a concentration range from 5 to 300 ng/mL (R2 = 0.9977). Inaccuracy and imprecision were less than 15%. The validated method is currently used for routine measurement of C4 from serum in patients to confirm BAM diagnosis.

Fibrillary glomerulonephritis: early diagnosis associated with steroid responsiveness.

Patients with fibrillary glomerulonephritis usually present with nephrotic proteinuria, microscopic hematuria, impaired renal function, and hypertension; 50% develop end-stage renal disease within a few years. There is no known effective therapy for fibrillary glomerulonephritis. We describe three patients with biopsy-proven fibrillary glomerulonephritis, in whom pathognomonic fibrillar deposits of 20-nm diameter were seen by electron microscopy. All patients had nephrotic syndrome and normal renal function at the time of diagnosis. They were treated initially with prednisone, 1 mg/kg body weight, then tapered individually according to the clinical course. Additional therapy consisted of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and diuretics. Proteinuria disappeared in two of three patients after 9 and 12 months of therapy. In one patient, proteinuria was reduced from 7.49 mg/mg creatinine to 0.63 mg/mg creatinine after 6 months of treatment. The kidney function remained normal in all three cases. Two patients are now free of steroid therapy for 9 and 6 months. They show no signs of recurrence of kidney disease and have normal renal function without significant proteinuria. Steroid therapy in patients with biopsy-proven fibrillary glomerulonephritis, starting with prednisone, 1 mg/kg body weight, and tapered individually according to the clinical course, is a promising strategy. Early start of treatment in patients with preserved renal function seems to be crucial for a favorable outcome.

Femtosecond laser nanosurgery of sub-cellular structures in HeLa cells by employing Third Harmonic Generation imaging modality as diagnostic tool.

Femtosecond laser assisted nanosurgery of microscopic biological specimens is a relatively new technique which allows the selective disruption of sub-cellular structures without causing any undesirable damage to the surrounding regions. The targeted structures have to be stained in order to be clearly visualized for the nanosurgery procedure. However, the validation of the final nanosurgery result is difficult, since the targeted structure could be simply photobleached rather than selectively destroyed. This fact comprises a main drawback of this technique. In our study we employed a multimodal system which integrates non-linear imaging modalities with nanosurgery capabilities, for the selective disruption of sub-cellular structures in HeLa cancer cells. Third Harmonic Generation (THG) imaging modality was used as a tool for the identification of structures that were subjected to nanosurgery experiments. No staining of the biological samples was required, since THG is an intrinsic property of matter. Furthermore, cells' viability after nanosurgery processing was verified via Two Photon Excitation Fluorescence (TPEF) measurements.

Open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures using a proximal humeral locked plate: a prospective multicenter analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study is to evaluate the incidence of complications and the functional outcome after open reduction and internal fixation with the proximal humeral locking plate (Philos). DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: Multicenter study in 8 trauma units (levels I, II, and III) with recruitment between September 12, 2002, and January 9, 2005. PATIENTS: One hundred fifty-seven patients with 158 fractures. INTERVENTION: Open reduction and internal fixation with a Philos plate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Occurrence of postoperative complications up to 1 year and active follow-up for 1 year with radiologic assessment to observe fracture healing, alignment, reduction, avascular necrosis, and functional outcome measurements including Constant, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, and Neer scores. RESULTS: One-year follow-up rate was 84%. The incidence of experiencing any implant-related complication was 9% and 35% for nonimplant-related complications. Primary screw perforation was the most frequent problem (14%) followed by secondary screw perforation (8%) and avascular necrosis (8%). After 1 year, a mean Constant score of 72 points (87% of the contralateral noninjured side), a mean Neer score of 76 points, and a mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score of 16 points were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Fixation with Philos plates preserves achieved reduction, and a good functional outcome can be expected. However, complication incidence proportions are high, particularly due to primary and secondary screw perforations into the glenohumeral joint, with an overall complication rate of 35%. More accurate length measurement and shorter screw selection should prevent primary screw perforation. Awareness of obtaining anatomic reduction of the tubercles and restoring the medial support should reduce the incidence of secondary screw perforations, even in osteopenic bone.

Plating in Proximal Humeral Fractures.

Improved imaging, updated knowledge regarding humeral head perfusion and adapted fixation techniques with implants having better purchase also in osteopenic bone, have influenced the treatment of proximal humeral fractures in recent years. Demographic evolution and a more active population even among the older age groups will increase the incidence of this fracture, which is already the third most frequent fracture after hip and distal radius fractures in elderly patients. Long-term morbidity related to the treatment of these fractures like avascular humeral head necrosis, non-union, malunion, shoulder stiffness, persistent pain and functional disability are the challenging factors to be overcome. Plate osteosynthesis with angular stable implants have shown to address some of these problems and to broaden the spectrum of indication towards anatomic fracture stabilization even for severely displaced three- and four-part fractures instead of replacing the humeral head with an endoprosthesis, as long as a stable fixation is possible. Open access surgery is often needed for anatomic reconstruction of complex and displaced fractures. This calls for immediate postoperative mobilization with active-assisted ROM exercise to prevent subdeltoidal adhesions. Even though plating of proximal humeral fractures with angular stable implants has shown promising first clinical results, there still remain elevated complication rates especially in the elderly osteoporotic patient population. Recent clinical reports using angular stable plates provided only data with a low level of evidence to help in decision-making. The comparison with historical series using non-angular stable plates in respect to the long-term morbidity should help to better evaluate the value of locked plates inserted with less-extensive soft-tissue exposure.

Obituary to analgesic nephropathy--an autopsy study.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether classic analgesic nephropathy with renal papillary and urothelial capillary sclerosis could still be detected at autopsy in the beginning of the 21st century, the present study which is similar to a previous one performed in 1980 was undertaken as suggested by the Ad Hoc Committee of the International Study Group on Analgesics and Nephropathy. METHODS: Consecutive autopsies of 616 adults performed at the Basle Institute of Pathology between November 2000 and February 2002 were analysed. Tissue samples of renal cortex and papilla of 1220 kidneys and of each ureter and main renal artery available were subjected to a very careful and meticulous study using classical histopathological methodology. RESULTS: A number of lesions was found macroscopically but not a single case of papillary necrosis or analgesic nephropathy could be detected preceding histological analysis. Histologically, the most frequent lesions were vascular in 57.8% of kidneys followed by glomerular lesions in 13.1% (mostly diabetic glomerulosclerosis). Tubulo-interstitial lesions, mostly pyelonephritis were detected in 9.3% with only a single case of classic analgesic nephropathy with bilateral complete papillary necrosis and ureteral capillary sclerosis in a female who had received a renal transplant 14 years before her demise at the age of 67. In another five cases, complete papillary necrosis was detected associated with pyelonephritis, hydronephrosis or in completely shrunken kidneys. However, in the absence of capillary sclerosis, a histopathological diagnosis of classic analgesic nephropathy could not be made in any of these five cases. CONCLUSIONS: The Basle autopsy prevalence of analgesic nephropathy decreased continuously from some 3% in 1980 to 0.2% in 2000 as shown by the present study. Similarly, capillary sclerosis of the urinary tract, the initiating event in the pathophysiology of papillary necrosis and analgesic nephropathy and the histological hallmark of the effect of toxic metabolites of phenacetin in analgesic abusers decreased from 4% of autopsy cases between 1978 and 1980 to the single case of the present study observed at the end of 2000. Thus, the classic analgesic nephropathy has disappeared some 20 years after the removal of phenacetin from the analgesic market despite the fact that mixed analgesics containing paracetamol, the main metabolite of phenacetin, have continued to be popular and widely used drugs.

Powerful red-green-blue laser source pumped with a mode-locked thin disk laser.

We present a red-green-blue laser source with average powers of 8 W in the red, 23 W in the green, and 10.1 W in the blue. The entire pump power for the nonlinear conversion stages is provided by a single laser oscillator without any amplifier stages. Our system does not require any synchronized cavities, and all nonlinear crystals except one are critically phase matched at room temperature.