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Molybdophosphoric acid/silica-alumina composites are synthesized a through a process described, in which the heteropolyacid was impregnated on different silica-aluminas, obtained by sol-gel. Three different techniques were used to prepare the samples. The catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and different thermal treatments were applied. The hybrid systems were characterized by using SBET, DRX, XRD and acidity measurements. The catalytic activity of these materials was tested in the solvent-free cyclization of 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(2-furyl)-1,3-propanedione to 2-(2-furyl)-chromones. The transformation gives very good yields of product, free of secondary products. Environmental benign procedure, and easy catalyst separation, is relevant features of this methodology. In this way the catalyst can be used and reused six cycles without loss of catalytic activity. The most active catalyst was also used in the solvent-free cyclization of 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(2-furyl)-2-propen-1-one and the methodology can be extended to the synthesis of other 2-(2-(furyl)-chromones and chromanones. The green context for this new procedure was confirmed by greenmetrics parameters.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have found a link between nutritional status and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess both nutritional status and dietary habits of PD patients with respect to controls and to compare disease progression in relation to dietary habits, such as protein distribution diet (PRD) adherence. METHODS: We collected anthropometric measurements, Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score, dietary habits, micro- and macronutrients intakes, body composition by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), muscle strength and gait speed of 66 PD patients and 58 controls (40 healthy controls and 18 subjects with essential tremor). Clinical scales and progression indexes were recorded in PD group. RESULTS: No significant differences emerged between PD and controls in anthropometric and BIA measurements; a comparable dietary intake between the two groups was recorded. Sarcopenia and dynapenia were comparable between the two groups. PD resulted more at risk of malnutrition than controls to MNA, only three patients and one control were malnourished. A notable inverse correlation was observed between MNA and PD Questionnaire 8. PD following a PRD showed a slower progression index. CONCLUSION: Nutritional status of PD patients is not so different from elderly controls. PRD is recommended for patients with PD.

Background: Cats with subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (sHCM) have elevated serum insulin levels and serum amyloid A levels correlating with the degree of cardiac hypertrophy. Diet might affect these parameters and other cardiac variables.Objective: Evaluate the effect of a complete, balanced diet with restricted starch and supplemented with eicosapentanoic acid+docosahexaenoic acid (EPA+DHA) on echocardiographic parameters and cardiac biomarkers in cats with sHCM.Animals: Forty-four client-owned cats with sHCM. Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study enrolled cats with end-diastole interventricular septum thickness (IVSd) and/or left ventricular wall thickness (LVWd) ≥6 mm. Non-sedated, fasted cats were examined at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of Test (restricted starch and EPA+DHA supplements) (n=23) or Control (unrestricted starch without EPA+DHA supplementation) (n=21) diet. Assessments included auscultation, body weight, body condition score, echocardiography and blood analysis. Linear and generalized mixed models analyzed diet, time and diet*time interactions (5% significance level). Results: No differences between diet groups were significant for any variable at any timepoint. There were significant decreases in the Test but not Control group in maximum IVSd (P = .031; P = .524), maximum LVWd (P = .022; P = .905) and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels (P = .036; P = .987) after 12 months, and in ultra-sensitive cardiac troponin I (cTnI) (P = .001; P = .745) after 6 months only.Conclusions and clinical importance: Significant decreases in echocardiographic variables of sHCM, cTnI and IGF-1, were observed in the Test group. Further research is needed to evaluate effects on clinical outcomes.

Coastal cliff erosion is alongshore-variable and episodic, with retreat rates that depend upon sediment as either tools of abrasion or protective cover. However, the feedbacks between coastal cliff planform morphology, retreat rate, and sediment cover are poorly quantified. This study investigates Sargent Beach, Texas, USA at the annual to interannual scale to explore (1) the relationship between temporal and spatial variability in both cliff retreat rate and roughness and (2) the response of retreat rate and roughness to changes in sediment cover of the underlying mud substrate and the impact of major storms, using the low-lying mudstone cliff as a rapidly evolving model of a larger cliff system. A storm event in 2009 increased the planform roughness and sinuosity of the coastal cliff at Sargent Beach, TX. Following the storm, satellite image-derived shorelines with annual resolution show a decrease in average alongshore erosion rates from 4 to 12 m yr−1, coincident with a decrease in shoreline roughness and sinuosity (smoothing). A storm event in 2017 again increased the planform roughness and sinuosity of the cliff. The occurrence of storms and the presence of sediment to laterally erode the cliff influence the planform morphology and subsequent retreat. Over shorter timescales, monthly retreat of the sea cliff occurred only when the platform was sparsely covered with sediment cover on the wave cut platform, indicating that the tools and cover effects can significantly affect short-term erosion rates. The timescale to return to a smooth shoreline with a long-term steady-state erosion rate following a storm or roughening event is approximately five years, with the long-term rate suggesting a minimum of ~38 years until Sargent Beach breaches, compromising the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) under current conditions and assuming no future storms or intervention. The observed retreat rate varies, both spatially and temporally, with cliff face morphology, demonstrating the importance of multi-scale measurements and analysis for interpretation of coastal processes and patterns of cliff retreat.

Background Insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and inflammation possibly are involved in cats with asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (aHCM). Objectives To evaluate echocardiography, morphology, cardiac and inflammatory markers, insulin and IGF-1 in cats with aHCM. Animals Fifty-one client-owned cats with aHCM. Methods Observational descriptive study. Variables (body weight [BW], body condition score [BCS], echocardiography, and serum concentrations of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP], ultra-sensitive troponin-I [c-TnI], serum amyloid A [SAA], insulin, glucose and IGF-1) were evaluated for significant increases above echocardiography cutoff values and laboratory reference ranges, associations and effect of left atrial (LA) remodeling and generalized hypertrophy. Results Cats with aHCM had BCS >= 6/9 (P = .01) and insulin (P < .001), NT-proBNP (P = .001) and cTn-I (P < .001) above laboratory reference ranges. Associations were present between NT-proBNP and maximum end-diastolic interventricular septum thickness (IVSd; rho = .32; P = .05), maximum end-diastolic left ventricular free wall thickness;(rho = .41; P = .01), LA/Aorta (rho = .52; P = .001) and LA diameter (LA-max; rho = .32; P = .05); c-TnI and LA/Aorta (rho = .49; P = .003) and LA-max (rho = .28; P = .05); and SAA and number of IVSd regions >= 6 mm thickness (rho = .28; P = .05). Body weight and BCS were associated with IGF-1 (r = 0.44; P = .001), and insulin (rho = .33; P = .02), glucose (rho = .29; P = .04) and IGF-1 (rho = .32; P = .02), respectively. Concentrations of NT-proBNP (P = .02) and c-TnI (P = .01), and SAA (P = .02), were higher in cats with LA remodeling, and generalized hypertrophy, respectively. Conclusions and clinical importance Results suggest potential implications of insulin, IGF-1, and inflammation in cats with aHCM, but it remains to be confirmed whether these findings represent a physiological process or a part of the pathogenesis and development of disease. Royal Canin SAS van Hoek, I (reprint author), Royal Canin SAS, Res & Dev, 650 Ave Petite Camargue, F-30470 Aimargues, France. ingrid.van.hoek@royalcanin.com

Background The emergence of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has evolved into a global pandemic. Systems of care have been reorganized worldwide in an effort to preserve hospital bed capacity. In France, from March 17 to May 11 2020, government imposed a complete lockdown on the whole population. Only urgent cardiac procedures have been ensured such as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) revascularization. Some previously published studies suggest a reduction of admission for STEMI in many countries. Nevertheless, strong evidences and data across different French regions that have been affected variously by the outbreak are still lacking. Purpose We aimed to describe the incidence rates and characteristics of patients presenting with STEMI in order to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on STEMI care in France covering the lockdown period compared to same period one year ago. Methods We performed a retrospective multicenter registry across 60 French interventional cardiology centers including all consecutive STEMI patients referred for urgent revascularization in the heart catheterization laboratory between two periods: March 1st to May 31th 2020 compared with March 1st to May 31th 2019. Comprehensive data, including clinical, biological, COVID status and angiographic variables including time taken for care were recorded at admission. The primary outcome was a composite of invasive mechanical ventilation support or in-hospital death. The secondary outcome was the occurrence of myocardial infarction related complications during hospitalization. Enrollement is not complete at the time of the abstract submission. Conclusion This data collection between two periods with and without COVID19 will gave insights for a complete descriptive cartography of STEMI patients among different French regions which have been variously impacted by the outbreak.

Case series summary Two cats were presented for investigation of bradyarrhythmia detected by their referring veterinarians during routine examination. Both cats had extensive investigations, including haematology, serum biochemistry with electrolytes and thyroxine concentrations, systolic blood pressure measurement, echocardiography, electrocardiography and infectious disease testing. Infectious disease testing included serology for Toxoplasma gondii, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi, and PCR for B burgdorferi antigen in both cats. Case 1 was also assessed by PCR for Bartonella henselae antigen and case 2 was assessed for Dirofilaria immitis by serology. All infectious disease tests, other than for B burgdorferi, were negative. Case 1 was diagnosed with Lyme carditis based on marked bradydysrhythmia, positive B burgdorferi serology, a structurally normal heart and clinical resolution with appropriate treatment with a 4-year follow-up. Case 2 was diagnosed with Lyme carditis based on marked bradydysrhythmia and positive B burgdorferi PCR; however, this cat had structural heart disease that did not resolve with treatment. Relevance and novel information This small case series describes two B burgdorferi positive cats presenting with newly diagnosed cardiac abnormalities consistent with those found in humans and dogs with Lyme carditis. Both cats were asymptomatic as perceived by their owners; the arrhythmia was detected by their veterinarians.

Background Quantitative and semiquantitative methods have been proposed for the assessment of MR severity, and though all are associated with limitations. Measurement of vena contracta width (VCW) has been used in clinical practice. Objective To measure the VCW in dogs with different levels of MR severity. Animals Two hundred and seventy‐nine dogs were classified according to 5 levels of MR severity. Methods This was a retrospective study. EROA and regurgitant volume calculated by the PISA method, were measured and indexed to BSA. Descriptive statistics were calculated for VCW and VCW index for all categories of MR severity. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (ρs) were calculated to compare the results of the different methods (VCW and VCW index vs RV PISA, RV PISA index, EROA, EROA index), and between VCW and VCW index versus MR severity. Results All Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were significant (P

A pericardial cyst developed in a 2-year-old male neutered Maine Coon cat following surgery for an incidentally diagnosed congenital peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia. The cyst caused no clinical signs in the cat, although clinical findings included positional right-sided cardiac tamponade and compression of thoracic structures, associated with a cardiac arrhythmia and axis deviation on electrocardiography. Extensive assessment of the cyst included radiography, echocardiography, computed tomography, exploratory thoracotomy, electrocardiography, histopathology and fluid analysis. Surgical removal of the cyst was curative, and the arrhythmia and axis deviation resolved. This report details case management from initial diagnosis to long-term follow-up, adding to the limited body of literature available on feline pericardial cysts. This is also the first report to associate cardiac arrhythmia with a pericardial cyst.

Background Boxer dogs are reported to be predisposed to arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), but the natural history has not been well characterized and inconsistent diagnostic criteria have been applied to identify affected dogs. Echocardiographic examination findings are unremarkable in many affected Boxer dogs, and in these dogs, 24-hour ambulatory ECG (Holter) monitoring often is used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, despite limited information available relating Holter findings to outcome. Hypothesis/Objectives Boxers with complex ventricular arrhythmias at initial presentation will have shorter survival times. The objective was to investigate the prognostic value of Holter monitoring in Boxer dogs. Animals One hundred and twenty-two Boxer dogs seen at 3 university referral hospitals. Methods Retrospective study. Survival times were obtained for Boxer dogs evaluated by echocardiography and a 24-hour Holter ECG. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the median survival time and Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to identify variables independently associated with cardiac mortality. Results Outcome data were obtained for 122/163 dogs meeting the inclusion criteria. Of the 70 dogs that had died, 45 were considered to have suffered cardiac-related deaths. Median survival was significantly longer in dogs with a left ventricular systolic diameter (LVIDs) ≤ 35 mm compared with those with LVIDs > 35 mm (P 4.5 years, and male sex were independent predictors of cardiac mortality. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Holter monitoring in Boxer dogs provides valuable prognostic information.

Graphene and graphenic derivatives have rapidly emerged as an extremely promising system for electronic, optical, thermal, and electromechanical applications. Several approaches have been developed to produce these materials (i.e. scotch tape, CVD, chemical and solvent exfoliation). In this work we report a chemical approach to produce graphene by reducing graphene oxide (GO) via thermal or electrical methods. A morphological and electrical characterization of these systems has been performed using different techniques such as SPM, SEM, TEM, Raman and XPS. Moreover, we studied the interaction between graphene derivates and organic molecules focusing on the following aspects: - improvement of optical contrast of graphene on different substrates for rapid monolayer identification1 - supramolecular interaction with organic molecules (i.e. thiophene, pyrene etc.)4 - covalent functionalization with optically active molecules2 - preparation and characterization of organic/graphene Field Effect Transistors3-5 Graphene chemistry can potentially allow seamless integration of graphene technology in organic electronics devices to improve device performance and develop new applications for graphene-based materials

Versatile synthetic methods towards a variety of thiophene-nucleobase hybrid systems are reported. Adenine- and thymine-based modified nucleosides characterized by a bithiophene unit linked to the C5' or C8 position through an ethylenamino or an ethylensulfanyl bridge were synthesized and successfully polymerized in the presence of FeCl3. The self-organization properties of the pure polymers as well as their mixtures - with complementary nucleobases - were investigated by means of optical microscopy and AFM in cast film showing complex supramolecular structures resulting from the interplay of multiple intermolecular interactions.

We describe the design and synthesis of carbazole functionalized isocyanides and the detailed investigation of their properties. Characterization by solid state NMR, CD, and IR spectroscopic techniques reveals that the polymer has a well-defined helical architecture. Surface-initiated polymerization of the isocyanide monomers onto various surfaces was carried out to give polymer brushes up to 150 nm thick. Insights into the electronic properties of the materials were obtained by Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and electroabsorption studies

The optimization of the electronic properties of molecular materials based on optically or electrically active organic building blocks requires a fine-tuning of their self-assembly properties at surfaces. Such a fine-tuning can be obtained on a scale up to 10 nm by mastering principles of supramolecular chemistry, i.e., by using suitably designed molecules interacting via pre-programmed noncovalent forces. The control and fine-tuning on a greater length scale is more difficult and challenging. This Research News highlights recent results we obtained on a new class of macromolecules that possess a very rigid backbone and side chains that point away from this backbone. Each side chain contains an organic semiconducting moiety, whose position and electronic interaction with neighboring moieties are dictated by the central macromolecular scaffold. A combined experimental and theoretical approach has made it possible to unravel the physical and chemical properties of this system across multiple length scales. The (opto)electronic properties of the new functional architectures have been explored by constructing prototypes of field-effect transistors and solar cells, thereby providing direct insight into the relationship between architecture and function.

Light-induced generation of charges into an electron acceptor-donor phase-segregated blend is studied. The blend is made of highly ordered nanoscopic crystals of 3?-methyl-4?-hexyl-2,2?:5?,2?:5?,2:5,2??-quinquethiophene-1?,1?-dioxide embedded into a regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) matrix, acting as acceptor and donor materials, respectively. Kelvin probe force microscopy investigations reveal a tendency for the acceptor nanocrystals to capture the generated electrons whereas the donor matrix becomes more positively charged. The presence of particular positively charged defects, i.e., nanocrystals, is also observed within the film. The charging and discharging of both materials is studied in real time, as well as the effect of different acceptor- donor ratios. Upon prolonged thermal annealing at high temperatures the chemical structure of the blend is altered, leading to the disappearance of charge separation upon light irradiation. The obtained results allow a better understanding of the correlation between the nanoscopic structure of the photoactive material and solar-cell performance.

not Available.

Two patients with hypercalcemia crisis and parathyroid adenoma died as a result of pulmonary insufficiency. The administration of phosphate is believed to have contributed to the deaths, since the pulmonary problems appeared when the blood [Ca] X [PO4] product rose and extensive metastatic calcification was present in the pulmonary alveolar lining. The use of phosphates as calcium-lowering agents in hypercalcemia is discouraged, because phosphate appears to lower calcium levels only by intravascular precipitation.

A prospective study of 402 Papanicolaou smears was done comparing the effectiveness of three techniques in obtaining endocervical cells. The Zelsmyr Cytobrush cell collector yielded the greatest concentration of endocervical cells. More than one half (53.6 percent) of all cell samples obtained with the Zelsmyr Cytobrush produced "moderate" or "large" concentrations. The extended-tip spatula and cotton-tip swab techniques produced only 38.5 percent and 24.2 percent, respectively, in these categories. The Zelsmyr Cytobrush cell collector is an effective instrument, yielding increased numbers of endocervical cells on Papanicolaou smear.