Polymerisable octahedral rhenium cluster complexes as precursors for photo/electroluminescent polymers

New polymerisable photoluminescent octahedral rhenium cluster complexes trans-[{Re₆Q₈}(TBP)₄VB)₂] (Q = S or Se; TBP – p-tert-butylpyridine; VB – vinyl benzoate) have been synthesised, characterised and used to construct rhe-nium cluster-organic polymer hybrid materials. These novel polymer systems are solution-processable and the rhenium clusters retain their photoluminescent properties within the polymer environment. Notably, when the rhenium cluster complexes are incorporated into the matrix of the electroluminescent polymer poly(N-vinylcarbazole), the resultant cluster polymer hybrid combined properties of both components and was used successfully in the construc-tion of a polymer light emitting diode (PLED). These prototype devices are the first PLEDs to incorporate octahedral rhenium clusters and provide the first direct evidence of the electroluminescent properties of rhenium clusters and indeed, to the best of our knowledge, of any member of the family of 24-electron hexanuclear cluster complexes of molybdenum, tungsten or rhenium

Hexaazide octahedral molybdenum cluster complexes: synthesis, properties and the evidence of hydrolysis

This article reports the synthesis, crystal structure of new molybdenum hexaazide cluster complex (ⁿBu₄N)₂[{Mo₆I₈}(N₃)₆] (3) and comparison of its photophysical and electrochemical properties to those of earlier reported analogues (ⁿBu₄N)₂[{M₆X₈}(N₃)₆] (X = Cl, Br). Additionally, the dimerisation of 3 as a result of hydrolysis was revealed by mass spectrometry and single crystal X-Ray diffraction. Indeed, the structurally characterised compound (ⁿBu₄N)₄[{Mo₆I₈}(N₃)₅)₂O] represents the first example of oxo-bridged dimer of octahedral molybdenum clusters complexes

Luminescent coordination polymers based on Ca²⁺ and octahedral cluster anions [{M₆Clⁱ₈}Clᵃ₆}²⁻ (M = Mo, W) : synthesis and thermal stability studies

Luminescent coordination polymers (CPs) based of inexpensive stable precursors are attractive materials for applications. Here we report the synthesis and evaluation of the stability and photophysical characteristics of the first examples of phosphorescent CPs based on octahedral molybdenum and tungsten cluster anions. Specifically 1D CP trans-[{Ca(OPPh₃)₄}{{M₆Clⁱ₈}Clᵃ₆}]∞ (M = Mo, W) can be obtained either directly at increased temperature or via intermediate phases [cis-Ca(OPPh₃)₄(H₂O)₂][{M₆Clⁱ₈}Clᵃ₆]∙2CH₃CN that are stable at room-temperature, but convert to the titled CP at temperatures above 100 °C

Angiotensin II receptor blockers decreased blood glucose levels: a longitudinal survey using data from electronic medical records

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A beneficial effect on glucose metabolism is reported with angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) treatment of hypertension. The effect on blood glucose level during the course of treatment with ARBs in clinical cases is uncertain. Our objectives were to survey the changes in glucose and HbA1c levels in patients with hypertension over a one-year period, and to study the correlations between these values and the time after the start of ARB therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a retrospective longitudinal survey of blood glucose and HbA1c measurements in Japanese patients aged ≥20 years with newly diagnosed hypertension but without diabetes, who had received ARB monotherapy with candesartan cilexetil, losartan potassium, olmesartan medoxomil, telmisartan, or valsartan during the period from December 2004 to November 2005. Data including 2465 measurements of non-fasting blood glucose in 485 patients and 457 measurements of HbA1c in 155 patients were obtained from electronic medical records of Nihon University School of Medicine. Linear mixed effects models were used to analyze the relationship between these longitudinal data of blood examinations and covariates of patient age, sex, medication, and duration of ARB therapy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Casual blood glucose level was associated with the duration of treatment (P < 0.0001), but not with age, sex, or medication. Blood glucose level was significantly decreased during the periods of 0~3 months (P < 0.0001) and 3~6 months (P = 0.0081) compared with baseline, but was not significantly different between 6~12 months and baseline. There was no association between HbA1c level and covariates of sex, age, medication and duration of treatment.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings provide new clinical evidence that the effects of ARBs on glucose metabolism may change during the course of treatment, suggesting a blood glucose-lowering effect in the short-term after the start of treatment.</p

Refractory precursor components in an Allende ferromagnesian chondrule

Chemical and petrological studies of chondrules revealed that they were formed through melting of pre-existing solid precursor materials, and that one of the refractory lithophile precursors was a high temperature condensate from the nebular gas and related to Ca, Al-rich inclusions (CAIs). Sheng et al. found relict spinel grains with isotopically fractionated Mg in plagioclase-olivine inclusions from CV chondrites and suggested that the major fractionation processes were common to CAIs and chondrules. We have determined the Mg isotopic compositon of five barred olivine chondrules and one coarse-grained rim from the Allende (CV3) meteorite. A reproducibility of instrumental isotope fractionation is plus or minus 2 per thousand per amu. The precision of the Mg-26/Mg-24 data after normalization for mass fractionation can be as good as 0.5 per thousand (2 sigma(mean)). The Mg analytical results are given and indicate that delta Mg-25/Mg-24 and sigma Mg-26 of the chondrules are normal within errors

Water-soluble hybrid materials based on {Mo₆X₈}⁴⁺ (X = Cl, Br, I) cluster complexes and sodium polystyrene sulfonate

Development of water-soluble forms of octahedral molybdenum clusters {Mo₆X₈}⁴⁺ (X = Cl, Br, I) is strongly motivated by the tremendous potential that these complexes have for biological applications, namely as agents for bioimaging and photodynamic therapy. In these work we report the first water-soluble hybrid materials, which represent sodium polystyrene sulfonate doped by molybdenum clusters, and evaluation of their photophysical and biological properties (dark and photoinduced cytotoxicity and cellular uptake) with the use of cervical cancer (HeLa) and human epidermoid larynx carcinoma (Hep-2) cell-lines as models

Study on the Landscape Consolidation of Midosuji Boulevard in Terms of Block Characteristics

application/pdfThe present study aims at examining urban landscape in terms of the transition of block composition and the formation of tree-planting in open spaces resulting from different combinations of lots and buildings, taking as an example Midosuji Boulevard, the street that symbolizes Osaka; and at identifying problems with, and the ideal orientation of, future landscape consolidation of Midosuji Boulevard by evaluating three-dimensional models of present and future street spaces created by a computer graphics (CG) system. The study revealed the following: In terms of utilization, the only currently feasible function of Midosuji Boulevard is merely that of a pedestrian thoroughfare since there are no open spaces. In the future, however, open spaces may be secured in the front of lots and on the lower level of buildings for various usage by pedestrians. In terms of landscape, the present condition tends to be oppressive, as the building walls are situated very near or immediately on the boundary between public and private spaces. In the future, open spaces secured in the foreground of lots and on the lower level of buildings will create a more expansive and spacious atmosphere. At the same time, this change can pose a new problem: continuously located open spaces of a similar size on the lower level of buildings facing the same street may excessively emphasize the continuity of the streetscape, depriving the quarter of special charms that could result from variable and unpredictable "rhythms" of landscape.Bulletin of Osaka Prefecture University. Ser. B, Agriculture and life sciences. 1997, 49, p.39-48departmental bulletin pape

Effect of candesartan monotherapy on lipid metabolism in patients with hypertension: a retrospective longitudinal survey using data from electronic medical records

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies focusing on the add-on effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) other than their antihypertensive effect are receiving attention. However, the effects of prolonged administration of ARBs on lipid metabolism in clinical cases are unclear. Our aims were to survey the changes in plasma lipid profile in patients with hypertension over a one-year period, and to examine the correlations between these values and the time after the start of ARB monotherapy with candesartan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We carried out candesartan monotherapy in patients with mild to moderate hypertension and examined the longitudinal changes in plasma lipid profile. Data from 405 patients for triglyceride (TG), 440 for total cholesterol (TC), 313 for high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and 304 for low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were obtained from the electronic medical records (EMRs) in the Clinical Data Warehouse (CDW) of Nihon University School of Medicine (NUSM). The inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method (calculated from the inverse of the propensity score) was used to balance the covariates and reduce bias in each treatment duration. Linear mixed effects models were used to analyse the relationship between these longitudinal data of blood examinations and covariates of patient sex, age, diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and duration of candesartan monotherapy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Plasma HDL-C level was associated with sex, duration of treatment, and interaction of sex and treatment duration, but not with age or diagnosis of DM. HDL-C level was significantly decreased during the 6~9 months period (p = 0.0218) compared with baseline. TG and TC levels were associated with sex, but not with age, diagnosis of DM or treatment duration. LDL-C level was not associated with any covariate. Analysis of the subjects divided by sex revealed a decrease in HDL-C in female subjects (during the 6~9 months period: p = 0.0054), but not in male subjects.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study revealed that administration of candesartan slightly decreased HDL-C in female subjects. However, TG, TC and LDL-C levels were not influenced by candesartan monotherapy. Candesartan may be safely used for patients with hypertension with respect to lipid metabolism, because the effect of candesartan on lipids may be small.</p

Oncological outcomes in patients with stage I testicular seminoma and nonseminoma: pathological risk factors for relapse and feasibility of surveillance after orchiectomy

Abstract Background Surveillance after orchiectomy has recently been a management option in patients with stage I seminoma, while it remains controversial in those with stage I nonseminoma, and the risk factor associated with relapse is still a matter of concern in both entities. This study was performed to explore pathological risk factors for post-orchiectomy relapse in patients with stage I seminoma and nonseminoma, and to assess oncological outcomes in those managed with surveillance. Methods In this single institution study, 118 and 40 consecutive patients with stage I seminoma and nonseminoma were reviewed, respectively. Of the 118 patients with stage I seminoma, 56 and one received adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, respectively, and 61 were managed with surveillance. Of the 40 men with stage I nonseminoma, 4 underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and 36 were managed with surveillance. Results No patient had cause-specific death during the mean observation period of 104 and 99 months in men with seminoma and nonseminoma, respectively. In men with stage I seminoma, 1 (1.7%) receiving radiotherapy and 4 (6.6%) men managed with surveillance had disease relapse; the 10-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rate was 93.4% in men managed with surveillance, and their RFS was not different from that in patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy (logrank P=0.15). Patients with tunica albuginea involvement showed a poorer RFS than those without (10-year RFS rate 80.0% vs. 94.1%), although the difference was of borderline significance (P=0.09). In men with stage I nonseminoma, 9 (22.5%) patients experienced relapse. Patients with lymphovascular invasion seemingly had a poorer RFS than those without; 40.0% and 18.7% of the patients with and without lymphovascular invasion had disease relapse, respectively, although the difference was not significant (logrank P=0.17). Conclusion In both men with stage I seminoma and nonseminoma, surveillance after orchiectomy is a feasible option. However, disease extension through tunica albuginea might be a factor associated with disease relapse in patients with organ-confined seminoma, and those with stage I nonseminoma showing lymphovascular invasion may possibly be at high risk for disease relapse. </jats:sec

Analysis of Immunity against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella Zoster in Adult Recipients of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience

Vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) infections are more severe in immunocompromised hosts. Vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella zoster (VZV) (MMRV) is therefore recommended for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) recipients. However, studies on adult HCT recipients with VPD infections are limited. At our institution, we have systematically conducted serological MMRV tests as a part of check-up examinations during long-term follow-up (LTFU) after HCT since 2015. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate changes in the serostatus between before and 2 years after allogeneic HCT. Among 161 patients, the pre-transplant seropositivity was 82.7% for measles, 86.8% for mumps, 84.2% for rubella, and 94.3% for VZV. Among 56 patients who underwent LTFU including serological MMRV tests at 2 years after HCT, the percentages maintaining seroprotective antibody levels for measles, mumps, rubella and VZV were 71.5% (40/56), 51.8% (29/56), 48.2% (27/56), and 60.7% (34/56), respectively. Vaccination was recommended for 22 patients, and 12 were vaccinated. Among the 12 vaccinated patients, rates of seroconversion were examined in 2-6 patients for each of the four viruses. They were 100% (3/3) for measles, 33.3% (1/3) for mumps, 50% (3/6) for rubella, and 0% (0/2) for VZV. Further studies are warranted to clarify the effect of vaccination in adult HCT recipients