Unveiling MOF-808 photocycle and its interaction with luminescent guests.

The world of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has become a hot topic in recent years due to the extreme variety and tunability of their structures. There is evidence of MOFs that exhibit intrinsic luminescence properties that arise directly from their organic components or from the interaction between them and metallic counterparts. A new perspective is to exploit the porous nature of MOFs by encapsulating luminescent guests, such as organic dyes, in order to explore possible changes in the luminescence activity of the combined systems. This work is focused on the optical study of zirconium-based MOF-808 and its interaction with encapsulated rhodamine B molecules. Using a plethora of different techniques, we were able to unravel its photocycle. MOF-808 displays intrinsic luminescence activity that derives from an energy transfer process from the linker to the metal sites occurring in 300 ps. The emission is a singlet-singlet transition in aqueous solution, and it is a triplet transition in powdered form. After exploring the bare MOF, we combined it with rhodamine B molecules, following an easy post-synthetic process. Rhodamine B molecules were found to be encapsulated in MOF pores and interact with the MOF's matrix through nanosecond energy transfer. We created a totally new dual-emitting system and suggested a way, based on the time-resolved studies, to clearly unravel the photocycle of MOFs from the very first photoexcitation.

CFA-15 - a perfluorinated metal-organic framework with linear 1-D CuII-chains containing accessible unsaturated, reactive metal centres.

The synthesis and crystal structure of the perfluorinated metal-organic framework CFA-15 (Coordination Framework Augsburg University-15), CuII3(tfpc)2(OH)2·DMF, as well as the crystal structure of its ligand (H2-tfpc = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid) are described. The MOF crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system within the chiral space group C2 (no. 5). It features a 3-D microporous framework with rhombic channels along the c-axis. The MOF is formed by 1-D chains of Cu(ii) ions expanding in the c-direction, bridged by OH- groups, DMF molecules and tfpc2- ligands. Two different Cu(ii) species are located within the structure, bridged in a {Cu1-Cu1-Cu2-Cu1-Cu1-Cu2} mode. By thermal treatment, it was possible to remove coordinated solvent molecules and generate free accessible, unsaturated and reactive metal centres. The structure of activated CFA-15 was refined via Rietveld method. DRIFT measurements, which were used to study adsorption of CO2 and NO in the MOF, showed a formation of a stable NO-CFA-15 complex. CFA-15 was further characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction measurements, IR spectroscopy, as well as photoluminescence and gas sorption measurements. The isosteric heats of adsorption for CO, CO2, H2 and O2 were determined, and compared to DFT calculated sorption energies as well as to data reported in literature for similar materials.

Etoricoxib reduced pain and disability and improved quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain: a 3 month, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a growing health problem. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat this condition, but have not demonstrated efficacy beyond 2 weeks, and no studies have shown that NSAIDs produce durable improvements in disability. METHODS: To evaluate the efficacy and durability of effect of etoricoxib for chronic LBP, a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at 46 centres. Three hundred and twenty-five patients with chronic LBP requiring treatment with an NSAID or paracetamol were randomized 1:1:1 to etoricoxib 60 mg (n=109), 90 mg (n=106), or placebo (n=110), daily for 3 months. Pre-specified endpoints over 3 months included LBP intensity scale (visual analog scale 0-100 mm) time-weighted average change from baseline, the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), the LBP bothersomeness scale, patient and investigator global assessments, and measures of quality of life. RESULTS: Both etoricoxib groups experienced significant reductions in LBP intensity at 4 weeks versus placebo [-15.15 mm and -13.03 mm for 60 and 90 mg, respectively, probability (p)<0.001 for each], which was maintained over 3 months. Treatment resulted in significant improvement from baseline compared to placebo in RMDQ scores (etoricoxib 60 mg, -2.82 and 90 mg, -2.38, p<0.001 for each) over 12 weeks and most other efficacy endpoints. There were no significant differences between treatments in incidence of adverse events (AEs) or discontinuations due to AEs. CONCLUSION: Etoricoxib provided significant relief of symptoms and disability associated with chronic LBP detected at 1 week, confirmed at 4 weeks, and maintained over 3 months. Reductions in chronic LBP severity corresponded to improvements in physical functioning and quality of life. All treatments were generally well tolerated.

Treatment of osteoarthritis with a once-daily dosing regimen of celecoxib: a randomized, controlled trial.

A previous study has shown celecoxib 100 mg b.i.d. to be comparably effective to naproxen 500 mg b.i.d. in treating osteoarthritis (OA). The primary objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of a once-daily regimen of celecoxib (200 mg q.d.) to the 100 mg b.i.d. regimen in treating the signs and symptoms of OA. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter study, 686 patients with OA of the knee in a flare state were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to receive celecoxib 100 mg b.i.d. (N = 231), celecoxib 200 mg q.d. (N = 223), or the placebo (N = 232) for 6 weeks. Arthritis assessments were performed at baseline and at weeks 2 and 6, or at early termination. In all measurements of efficacy, at all assessments, improvements from baseline in both celecoxib groups were statistically superior to those in the placebo group (p

Dose-loading with hydroxychloroquine improves the rate of response in early, active rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind six-week trial with eighteen-week extension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the usefulness of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dose-loading to increase the percentage of responders or rate of response in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Two hundred twelve patients with early RA (mean duration 1.5 years) were enrolled in a 24-week trial. Patients were stabilized with 1,000 mg naproxen/day and then began a 6-week, double-blind trial comparing treatment with HCQ at 400 mg/day (n = 71), 800 mg/day (n = 71), and 1,200 mg/day (n = 66), followed by 18 weeks of open-label HCQ treatment at 400 mg/day. RESULTS: All patients had mild, active disease at the time of initiation of HCQ treatment (31-43% rheumatoid factor positive; no previous disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; mean swollen joint count 8.6-10.4). Based on the Paulus criteria, response during the 6-week double-blind portion of the study was 47.97%, 57.7%, and 63.6% in the 400 mg/day, 800 mg/day, and 1,200 mg/day groups, respectively (P = 0.052). Discontinuations for adverse events were dose related (3 in the 400 mg/day group, 5 in the 800 mg/day group, 6 in the 1,200 mg/day group). Most involved the gastrointestinal (GI) system, with the background naproxen treatment possibly contributing. Ocular abnormalities occurred in 17 of 212 patients (8%) but were not dose related. CONCLUSION: Dose-loading with HCQ increased the degree of response at 6 weeks in this group of patients with early, predominantly seronegative RA. Adverse GI events were dose related, while adverse ocular events were not.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with a recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor (p75)-Fc fusion protein.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, and antagonism of TNF may reduce the activity of the disease. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel TNF antagonist - a recombinant fusion protein that consists of the soluble TNF receptor (p75) linked to the Fc portion of human IgG1 (TNFR:Fc). METHODS: In this multicenter, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 180 patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis to receive subcutaneous injections of placebo or one of three doses of TNFR:Fc (0.25, 2, or 16 mg per square meter of body-surface area) twice weekly for three months. The clinical response was measured by changes in composite symptoms of arthritis defined according to American College of Rheumatology criteria. RESULTS: Treatment with TNFR:Fc led to significant reductions in disease activity, and the therapeutic effects of TNFR:Fc were dose-related. At three months, 75 percent of the patients in the group assigned to 16 mg of TNFR:Fc per square meter had improvement of 20 percent or more in symptoms, as compared with 14 percent in the placebo group (P<0.001). In the group assigned to 16 mg per square meter, the mean percent reduction in the number of tender or swollen joints at three months was 61 percent, as compared with 25 percent in the placebo group (P<0.001). The most common adverse events were mild injection-site reactions and mild upper respiratory tract symptoms. There were no dose-limiting toxic effects, and no antibodies to TNFR:Fc were detected in serum samples. CONCLUSIONS: In this three-month trial TNFR:Fc was safe, well tolerated, and associated with improvement in the inflammatory symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

A senior citizens center and a geriatric transitional house at a state psychiatric hospital.

Many older, severely dependent patients in large psychiatric hospitals, who are often inadequately treated with traditional psychiatric approaches, have no realistic chance of improving or of returning to the community. At Marlboro (N.J.) Psychiatric Hospital, two programs--a senior citizens center and a transitional house--were founded in 1979 and 1981, respectively, to maximize productive life roles for clients. After discussing the goals, admission criteria, and activities of each program, the authors present a profile of a patient who had shown little progress during 15 years of hospitalization but whose participation in the programs facilitated her return to the community.

Polyarteritis nodosa in childhood a clinical pathologic study.

The clinical and pathologic findings of 2 infants and 7 older children with polyarteritis nodosa who were autopsied are reported. The most frequent clinical features included prolonged high fever, skin rash, abdominal symptoms, leukocytosis, proteinuria, and signs of either cardiac or renal failure. The 2 infants died of cardiac arrest, whereas renal or neurologic involvement was the most common cause of death in the older children. A consistent finding at autopsy was arteritis of the epicardial coronary arteries.

Synovial effusions containing cholesterol crystals report of 12 patients and review.

Cholesterol crystals were identified in 16 synovial fluids from 12 patients who were seen over the 14-year period 1964 through 1977. Ten of the 12 patients had rheumatoid arthritis of a median duration of 12 years. One patient had ankylosing spondylitis and another had iliopectineal bursitis without other joint disease. The fluids were usually turbid, white, or yellow in color and of thick consistency. When the synovial fluid concentration of cholesterol was determined, it was higher than the serum level. The swollen joints and bursae did not respond favorably to simple aspiration or corticosteroid injections but did to surgical synovectomy. No relationship was found between synovial fluid accumulation of cholesterol crystal and previous intra-articular corticosteroid therapy, serum lipoprotein abnormalities, intra-articular hemorrhage, or generalized arteriosclerosis. The results suggest that local factors are most important in the development of synovial fluid cholesterol crystals, but the exact mechanisms are unknown. The presence of cholesterol crystals in synovial fluid should suggest a severe persistent synovitis, knowledge of which may be helpful in diagnosis and planning therapy.

Disseminated histoplasmosis diagnosed from peripheral blood film.

Demonstration of Histoplasma capsulatum in conventional films of peripheral blood establishes the diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis. We describe two new examples of this pnenomenon and tabulate relevant data from 11 similar cases.