Low-temperature synthesis of porous high-entropy (CoCrFeMnNi)3O4 spheres and their application to the reverse water-gas shift reaction as catalysts.

A high-entropy porous spinel oxide [(Co0.2Cr0.2Fe0.2Mn0.2Ni0.2)3O4] was synthesized via a solvothermal method and calcination. Solvothermal conditions yielding homogeneous precursor composites with five metals were optimized. Low-temperature calcination of the amorphous composites at 500 °C for 60 min yielded porous spheres formed by small primary particles, with crystal structures attributed to single-phase spinels. The homogeneity of the five elements in the spheres was verified via scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. The high-entropy (Co0.2Cr0.2Fe0.2Mn0.2Ni0.2)3O4 spheres exhibited superior catalytic activity and long-term stability for the reverse water-gas shift reaction at 700 °C for at least 15 h. The importance of the Cr component in stabilizing the spinel structure was demonstrated. Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni served as active sites in the reaction. The advantage of solvothermal synthesis for porous high-entropy materials was discussed.

Insights into the solvothermal reaction for synthesizing tin(iv) oxide porous spheres.

The solvothermal synthesis of SnO2 porous spheres was optimized by varying the reactants, solvents, additives, reaction temperature and reaction time. The products of these trials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. SnO2 possessing a highly ordered spherical structure based on the aggregation of nanometer-sized primary particles was obtained using a simple one-pot solvothermal approach. These spheres were porous with a high specific surface area of more than 200 m2 g-1. The electrical conductivity of this material equaled or exceeded that of commercially available SnO2. SnO2-based spherical porous composites including various elements were easily synthesized by incorporating additional materials in the precursor solution.

Ce3+-enriched spherical porous ceria with an enhanced oxygen storage capacity.

Porous ceria was obtained using a unique solvothermal reaction in acetonitrile, applying high temperature and pressure. The resulting material comprised homogeneous and monodisperse spheres and exhibited an extremely large surface area of 152 m2 g-1. From catalytic performance evaluation by vapor- and liquid-phase reactions, the synthesized porous ceria showed superior and different reaction activity compared with commercial CeO2. To examine the origin of the reaction activity of the present porous ceria, synchrotron hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) measurements were carried out. The systematic study of HAXPES measurements revealed that the obtained porous ceria with the present solvothermal method contained a very high concentration of Ce3+. Moreover, O2-pulse adsorption analyses demonstrated a significant oxygen adsorption capacity exceeding 268 µmol-O g-1 at 400 °C owing to its high contents of Ce3+ species.

Tailored Catalytic Nanoframes from Metal-Organic Frameworks by Anisotropic Surface Modification and Etching for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

A facile anisotropic surface modification and etching strategy is presented for the synthesis of hollow structured ZIF-67 nanoframes. The strategy uses structural and compositional distinctions between each crystallographic facet of truncated rhombic dodecahedrons ZIF-67 (tZIF-67 RDs) and the moderate coordinating and etching effects of cyanuric acid (CA). The CA can anisotropically modify and protect the {110} facets from etching, causing the six {100} facets be selectively etched via an inside-out manner, and finally forming the hollow nanoframes. The surface-modified hollow tZIF-67 RDs can be facet-selectively etched by metal salts in an outside-in manner to give metal-doped tZIF-67 nanoframes. After calcination, the metal-tZIF-67 hybrids are converted into metal-Co alloy/C composite catalysts with hollow nanoframed structures. The PtCo/C catalyst with only 5.9 wt % Pt exhibits high catalytic activities and stabilities in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic solutions.

Circularly polarised luminescence from planar-chiral Phanephos/Tb(iii)(hfa)3 hybrid luminophores.

Planar-chiral Phanephos, containing the coordinatable P(iii), formed P(iii)/Tb(iii)(hfa)3 hybrid luminophores that successfully emitted characteristic circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) due to 5D4→7F5 transitions in solution. On the other hand, BINAP, containing P(iii)[double bond, length as m-dash]O as axially chiral ligand, exhibited no detectable CPL with Tb(iii)(hfa)3.

Solid-state AIEnh-circularly polarised luminescence of chiral perylene diimide fluorophores.

Solid-state organic fluorescent materials are important for the development of electroluminescent sensing devices. Herein, we report that N,N'-bis((R)-1-phenylethyl)perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide [(R,R)-BPP] and its antipode [(S,S)-BPP], which contain extended π-electrons through planar perylenes, emit solid-state aggregation-induced-enhanced (AIEnh) circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) in inorganic (KBr) pellets and organic-polymer-film (PMMA- and myo-IPU-film) states; this CPL is difficult to observe in solution. These chiral perylene fluorophores emit AIEnh-CPL with high dissymmetry factors (g CPL) (up to 2.4 × 10-3) and high quantum yields (Φ F, up to 0.43) in the three solid matrices.

New oral hygiene care regimen reduces postoperative oral bacteria count and number of days with elevated fever in ICU patients with esophageal cancer.

Using a controlled pre/post study design, we investigated the effects of professional mechanical cleaning of the oral cavity with benzethonium chloride, interdental brushes, and hydrogen peroxide on the number of oral bacteria and postoperative complications among esophageal cancer patients in an intensive care unit. Before surgery, 44 patients with esophageal cancer were recruited at Okayama Hospital from January through August 2015. The control group (n = 23) received routine oral hygiene care in the intensive care unit. The intervention group (n = 21) received intensive interdental cleaning with benzethonium chloride solution and tongue cleaning with hydrogen peroxide. The number of oral bacteria on the tongue surface and plaque index were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group on postoperative days 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Additionally, the number of days with elevated fever during a 1-week period was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (P = 0.037). As compared with routine oral hygiene, a new oral hygiene regimen comprising benzethonium chloride, interdental brushes, and hydrogen peroxide significantly reduced the number of oral bacteria and days with elevated fever in patients with esophageal cancer.

Selective Percutaneous Controlled Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation of the Gasserian Ganglion To Control Facial Pain Due to Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.

BACKGROUND: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is an important complication in patients treated with antiresorptive agents such as bisphosphonates and the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand inhibitor (denosumab). Treatment of MRONJ is extremely difficult, which makes it a distressing long-term complication. OBJECTIVES: We report a case of intractable facial pain due to MRONJ that was successfully controlled with selective percutaneous controlled radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion. SETTING: A 68-year-old woman with breast cancer was diagnosed as having MRONJ. She was very distressed because of jaw pain and infections secondary to MRONJ. Her quality of life (QOL) was severely decreased. Since alleviation of the MRONJ could not be expected within the patient's life expectancy, it was decided to investigate the usefulness of selective percutaneous controlled radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion to control the pain. RESULTS: After the procedure, the anesthesia was obtained in the distribution of the third branch of the trigeminal nerve, and the pain completely disappeared. Although hypoesthesia was provoked as a complication, it was tolerated by the patient and she was very satisfied. Up to the time of death, there was no recurrence of pain or worsening of the MRONJ. DISCUSSION: This procedure is a common technique for treating trigeminal neuralgia. Its effect is immediate and long lasting, although it provokes hypoesthesia in treated division, and it is also suited for cancer patients in terminal stage. This case suggests that the procedure was useful for improving the patient's QOL.

[Medroxyprogesterone Acetate as Part of Palliative Care for Terminal-Stage Breast Cancer Patients--A Report of Two Cases].

Various effective strategies have recently been described in the treatment of breast cancer, including endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, and molecular-targeted therapy, providing long-term survival benefits even after cancer recurrence. However, terminal-stage patients experience side effects and worse quality of life (QOL), in addition to deterioration of their general condition caused by the progression of the disease itself. When providing the best supportive care, use of anti-cancer drugs is not taboo and can represent a good option as long as physical, social, psychological, and spiritual supports are provided to both the patients and their families. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is an endocrine therapeutic drug. In Japan, MPA is used only as a late-line endocrine therapy for breast cancer recurrence because many other endocrine therapy drugs are much more effective and MPA increases the risk of thrombosis and obesity. Here, we report 2 patients with breast cancer who reached terminal stage more than 10 years after the first diagnosis. MPA was administered as the final-line treatment. During that time, their appetite and QOL improved and the patients became more active than when they had been undergoing aggressive anticancer treatment. Both patients spent quality time with their families until their death. MPA may be a good option as part of palliative care of breast cancer patients in terminal stage.

[Introduction of a simple audio recording system to the operating room--experience at a small local hospital].

We developed a simple audio recording system using a small personal computer and free audio recording software that makes voice recordings for use in emergencies, particularly for emergency caesarean sections. The system makes a continuous audio recording while the patient receives medical treatment. The recording provides an accurate record of the anesthesia used during treatment. This audio recording system is useful as an auxiliary means of record keeping during medical emergencies.

Dexmedetomidine sedation in children after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine before and after early extubation after pediatric cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: University hospital pediatric intensive care. PARTICIPANTS: Infants and children undergoing cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: The 141 patients, depending on the treatment period, were divided between: 1) usual, postoperative, continuous, intravenous sedation with chlorpromazine, midazolam, or fentanyl (n = 85); and 2) treatment with dexmedetomidine, 0.4 to 0.6 microg/kg/hr (n = 56). Sedation was titrated to reach a Ramsay score of 4 or 5 by administering rescue boluses, as needed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary and secondary study end points were efficacy of sedation and frequency of adverse events, respectively. The numbers of rescue boluses needed and the proportion of ineffectively sedated patients were similar in both groups. The frequency of bradycardia or hypotension in the dexmedetomidine group was 21.4% (8.2% in usual sedative group, p = .04), requiring interventions to restore hemodynamic stability in 5.3% of patients (0% in usual sedative group, p = .06). Rates of respiratory depression (8.2% vs. 0%, p = .04) and involuntary movements (15.3% vs. 3.6%, p = .01) were higher in the usual sedation group. CONCLUSIONS: A usual sedation regimen and dexmedetomidine were similarly efficacious. Although dexmedetomidine was associated with a lower rate of respiratory depression, it caused a higher rate of adverse hemodynamic events, which might be a concern in hemodynamically unstable patients.