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In this minireview, electro-catalytic activation of some representative alcohols and greenhouse gases CO 2 are taken as examples to comprehensively analyze the state of the art of electrocatalysis, and then recent research progress in the characterization techniques for electrocatalysis are also summarized, and several viewpoints on the further development of electrocatalysis are promoted in the end. Overall, further development of the electrocatalysis technique depends on design and exploitation of high-efficiency inexpensive catalysts, high-resolution operando characterization methods, accurate reaction process control as well as optimization of reaction systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Prasugrel, a P2Y12 adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor antagonist effectively inhibits ADP-mediated platelet activation and aggregation, and may be useful in reducing vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease (SCD). In this study, we assess the effect of prasugrel on biomarkers of platelet activation and coagulation in patients with SCD. Materials and Methods: Twelve adult patients with SCD and 13 healthy subjects were examined before and after 12±2days of 5.0 or 7.5mg/day oral prasugrel. Assessed cellular biomarkers included monocyte- and neutrophil-platelet aggregates, activated glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (GPIIbIIIa), P-selectin, CD40 ligand (CD40L), tissue factor (TF) expression on circulating platelets and on monocyte-platelet aggregates, and platelet-erythrocyte aggregates. Soluble biomarkers included CD40L, prothrombin fragment 1.2 (F1.2), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), P-selectin, and TF. Results: Patients with SCD had increased platelet baseline activation compared to healthy subjects, as measured by percentages of monocyte-platelet aggregates, neutrophil-platelet aggregates, and platelets expressing CD40L. Likewise, baseline levels of soluble F1.2 and TXB2 were elevated in patients with SCD compared to healthy subjects. After 12days of prasugrel, patients with SCD had a significant reduction in platelet-monocyte aggregates that was not observed in healthy subjects. Following prasugrel administration, those with SCD maintained higher levels of monocyte-platelet aggregates and soluble F1.2, but had lower levels of platelet-erythrocyte aggregates and soluble TF compared to healthy subjects. Conclusions: These results provide evidence for chronic platelet activation in the SCD steady state, activation that was in part attenuated by prasugrel, thereby suggesting that ADP may mediate platelet activation in SCD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pt/CNTs, PtRu/CNTs, Pt/RuO2/CNTs and RuO2/Pt/CNTs were prepared to understand the role of RuO2 in anodic catalyst of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The results show that the presence of Ru, no matter in alloy or in oxide, can improve the CO electrooxidation ability. RuO2 in Pt–Ru binary catalyst, which situates between CNTs and Pt particles, can exert its CO electrooxidation ability best. Another role of RuO2 in Pt–Ru binary catalyst is to promote Pt nanoparticles to disperse uniformly on CNTs to obtain larger EAS, resulting in higher activity of methanol electrocatalytic oxidation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A stereocontrolled vinyl triflate-based synthetic route has been used to prepare four analogues of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) where the terminal isoprene units have been replaced with aromatic moieties. Two of these analogues exhibit no productive interaction with protein farnesyltransferase, but the 2-naphthyl derivative 2 is a modest inhibitor of the enzyme, and the para-biphenyl derivative 4 is a surprisingly effective alternative substrate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was applied to detect pathogens in patients with skin and soft tissue infections. • mNGS detected more rare pathogens, viruses, anaerobes, and multiple pathogen infections more sensitively. • mNGS results directly targeted antibiotic treatment. • The use of mNGS partly benefits clinical outcomes. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), with its comprehensiveness, is widely applied in microbiological diagnosis. Etiological diagnosis is of paramount clinical importance in patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). However, the clinical application of mNGS in SSTIs is relatively less studied. From April 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019, 96 SSTI cases were collected. The positive rates of pathogens detected by mNGS and culture were compared by analyzing tissue samples, pus, swabs, and/or interstitial fluids obtained from the infected parts. Modification of the antibiotic treatment strategy due to mNGS was also assessed. The sensitivity of mNGS for detecting pathogens in SSTI cases was superior to that of culture testing (67.7% vs 35.4%; p < 0.01). Significantly higher identification rates for viruses (10.4% vs 0.0%; p < 0.01) and anaerobes (11.5% vs 1.0%; p < 0.01) were obtained with mNGS compared to culture. Of note, rare pathogens such as Vibrio vulnificus and Bartonella henselae were also detected by mNGS. Importantly, the proportion of multi-pathogen SSTIs detected by mNGS was higher than that of multi-pathogen SSTIs detected by culture (16.7% vs 6.3%; p = 0.035). The rate of targeted antibiotic treatment was significantly higher in mNGS-positive cases than in mNGS-negative cases (41.7% vs 3.8%; p < 0.01). In culture-negative and mNGS-positive cases, the improvement rate was higher than that in mNGS-negative cases, but this was not statistically significant (75.0% vs 73.1%; p = 0.864). mNGS is a promising tool for the etiological diagnosis of SSTIs, particularly in identifying viruses, anaerobes, and multi-pathogen infections. The application of mNGS testing in clinical practice could change antibiotic treatment strategies and partly benefit clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ag/MgCO 3 catalyst is constructed with stable Ag-carbonate interfaces on MgO support. • Ag/MgCO 3 exhibits superior low-temperature H 2 production activity in HCHO reforming than Ag/MgO. • O 2 -involved HCHO/H 2 O reforming pathway is proposed via active intermediates (i.e., O 2 −, OOH, H). • Facile activation of HCHO C H and H 2 O O H bonds contributes to high activity of Ag/MgCO 3. Aqueous-phase reforming of biomass-derived formaldehyde is one of efficient and sustainable routes to generate molecular hydrogen as clean energy resource. In this work, Ag/MgCO 3 catalyst is prepared with constructed stable carbonate-modified metal-support interfaces. Under mild and neutral reaction conditions, it exhibits a near an order of magnitude higher low-temperature activity in formaldehyde reforming reaction for producing hydrogen in comparison with Ag/MgO. The catalytic and spectral observations reveal that the Ag/MgCO 3 -catalyzed reaction follows an O 2 -involved HCHO/H 2 O reforming reaction pathway through O 2 −, OOH and H radicals as highly active intermediates. Ag/MgCO 3 catalyst shows high rates in isotopic H 2 -D 2 exchange and HCHO/D 2 O reforming reactions and displays an apparent activation energy (E a) as low as 7.5 kJ mol−1 within 10–50 °C, indicating facile activation of HCHO C H and H 2 O O H bonds. Furthermore, Ag/MgCO 3 catalyst adsorbs HCHO molecule in a favorable configuration and strength, as evidenced by the HCHO desorption profile. Comprehensive positive factors benefit to the superior hydrogen production activity of carbonate-modified Ag/MgCO 3 than Ag/MgO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study assessed pharmacodynamic (PD) response to the reduced prasugrel maintenance dose of 5 mg in very elderly (VE) patients (≥75 years of age). Background: In the TRITON–TIMI 38 (TRial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet InhibitioN with Prasugrel–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 38) study prasugrel 10 mg reduced ischemic events versus clopidogrel 75 mg, but increased bleeding in VE patients. Methods: We examined PD and active metabolite pharmacokinetics (PKs) with prasugrel 5 and 10 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg in a 3-period (12 days each) blinded, crossover study in VE (n = 73; mean: 79 ± 3 years of age) or (n = 82) nonelderly (NE) (≥45 to <65 years of age; mean: 56 ± 5 years of age) stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients receiving background aspirin. Assays included light transmission aggregometry (LTA), VerifyNow P2Y12 (VN-P2Y12), and vasodilator-associated stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). The primary comparison was noninferiority of maximum platelet aggregation (MPA) comparing the median for prasugrel 5 mg in VE versus the 75th percentile for prasugrel 10 mg in NE, using a pre-specified 1-sided 97.5% confidence interval for the difference <15%. Results: Prasugrel 5 mg in VE met the primary PD noninferiority criterion versus prasugrel 10 mg in NE. For prasugrel 5 mg, MPA was significantly lower (57 ± 14%) than clopidogrel (63 ± 14%; p < 0.001) in VE but higher than prasugrel 10 mg in NE (46 ± 12%; p < 0.001). PD response by LTA, VN-P2Y12, and VASP during all treatments appeared similar between age cohorts. Prasugrel 5 mg resulted in fewer VE poor responders than clopidogrel. Rates of mild bleeding were higher with prasugrel 10 mg but similar for prasugrel 5 mg versus clopidogrel 75 mg. Conclusions: In aspirin-treated stable CAD patients, prasugrel 5 mg in VE attenuated platelet inhibition while meeting pre-specified noninferiority criterion versus prasugrel 10 mg in NE, with significantly better PD response and fewer poor responders compared to clopidogrel 75 mg in VE. (Comparison of Prasugrel and Clopidogrel in Very Elderly and Non-Elderly Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease [GENERATIONS]; NCT01107912) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to confirm prior modeling data suggesting that prasugrel 5 mg in low-body-weight (LBW) patients would be noninferior to prasugrel 10 mg in higher-body-weight (HBW) patients as assessed by maximal platelet aggregation (MPA). Background: Prasugrel 10 mg reduced ischemic events compared with clopidogrel 75 mg but increased bleeding, particularly in LBW patients. Methods: In this blinded, 3-period, crossover study in stable patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) taking aspirin, prasugrel 5 and 10 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg were administered to LBW (56.4 ± 3.7 kg; n = 34) and HBW patients (84.7 ± 14.9 kg; n = 38). Assays included light transmission aggregometry (LTA), VerifyNow P2Y12 (VN), and vasodilator-associated stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) level measured predose and after each 12-day treatment. Results: Median MPA by LTA for prasugrel 5 mg in LBW patients was noninferior to the 75th percentile for prasugrel 10 mg in HBW patients (primary endpoint) and mean MPA was similar, but active metabolite exposure was lowered by 38%. Within LBW patients, prasugrel 5 mg lowered MPA more than clopidogrel (least squares mean difference [95% confidence interval]: −3.7% [−6.72%, −0.69%]) and resulted in lower rates of high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR). Within HBW patients, prasugrel 10 mg lowered MPA more than clopidogrel (−16.9% [−22.3%, −11.5%]). Similar results were observed by VN and VASP. Prasugrel 10 mg in LBW patients was associated with more mild to moderate bleeding (mainly bruising) compared with prasugrel 5 mg and clopidogrel. Conclusions: In aspirin-treated patients with CAD, prasugrel 5 mg in LBW patients reduced platelet reactivity to a similar extent as prasugrel 10 mg in HBW patients and resulted in greater platelet inhibition, lower HPR, and similar bleeding rates compared with clopidogrel. (Comparison of Prasugrel and Clopidogrel in Low Body Weight Versus Higher Body Weight With Coronary Artery Disease [FEATHER]; NCT01107925) [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Pd/H-ZSM-5 achieves hydrogenative rearrangement of furfural to cyclopentanone in H 2 O. • Tandem reaction includes furfural hydrogenation and furfuryl alcohol rearrangement. • Synergy between H-ZSM-5 BAS and Pd site facilitate hydrogenation of furfural. • Spin trapping EPR spectra capture proton and furanylmethoxy intermediates. • 4–hydroxy–2–cyclopentenone and 2–cyclopentenone are converted to cyclopentanone. Aqueous phase hydrogenative rearrangement of furfural (FAL) to cyclopentanone (CPO) via furfuryl alcohol (FOL) has been studied over Pd catalysts supported on H–ZSM–5 zeolites. Pd states, zeolite properties and reaction condition parameters were optimized, affording 98% selectivity and 120 h−1 specific reaction rate over 2% Pd/H–ZSM–5(25) catalyst at 160 °C and 3 MPa H 2. For hydrogenation of FAL–to–FOL, the activity was related to the Si/Al ratio and acid property of zeolite supports. For hydrogenative rearrangement of FOL–to–CPO, pure H–ZSM–5 zeolite could catalyze single–step conversion with relatively low reaction rate, whereas the presence of Pd sites could achieve multi–step transformation with remarkably increased rate, highlighting Pd–zeolite acid sites synergy. Proton and furanylmethoxy–relevant intermediates were captured with spin trapping electron paramagnetic resonance experiments, and 4–hydroxy–2–cyclopentenone and 2–cyclopentenone were also identified as key intermediates in tandem reaction pathway to produce CPO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Volumetric quantitative computed tomography (vQCT), using multiple thin-slice acquisition, measures three-dimensional volumetric bone mineral density (BMD, mg/cm3). vQCT is often used to measure BMD of lumbar vertebrae and may detect early changes in trabecular, cortical, or integral BMD that extend beyond the technical limits of areal dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) BMD measurements. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of 2 years of raloxifene (RLX) treatment on several volumetric BMD measures in a subset of postmenopausal women (n = 58) enrolled in the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) trial. Patients in this study were randomized to one of three treatment groups: placebo (n = 21), RLX 60 mg/day (n = 17), or RLX 120 mg/day (n = 20), and all patients received daily calcium (500 mg) and vitamin D (400–600 IU) supplementation. Data from the raloxifene treatment groups were pooled for each analysis. Following 2 years of raloxifene treatment, there was a significant percent change from baseline in the vQCT regions of interest (ROIs) of midintegral BMD, total trabecular BMD, and total integral BMD (P < 0.05) compared to placebo, while there was no significant change in the spinal DXA BMD measurement. These data provide the first longitudinal assessment by vQCT of changes in vertebral bone density after 2 years of treatment with raloxifene. vQCT appears to be a valuable technique for measuring the effects of raloxifene treatment in this population of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]