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Aim: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a moderate‐intensity statin with ezetimibe combination therapy versus high‐intensity statin monotherapy in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Materials and Methods: In this post‐hoc subgroup analysis of the RACING trial, patients were analysed based on the presence of MetS. MetS was defined as meeting at least three of the five following criteria: (a) elevated waist circumference; (b) elevated triglycerides; (c) reduced high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol; (d) elevated blood pressure; and (e) elevated fasting glucose. The primary outcome was a 3‐year composite of cardiovascular death, major cardiovascular events, or non‐fatal stroke. Results: Of the 3780 patients enrolled in the RACING trial, 1703 (45.1%) had MetS at baseline. The primary outcome rate was 10.1% and 10.3% in patients with MetS receiving ezetimibe combination therapy versus high‐intensity statin monotherapy (hazard ratio = 0.97; 95% confidence interval = 0.72‐1.32; p =.868). Lower rates of intolerance‐related drug discontinuation or dose reduction (3.9% vs. 8.0%; p <.001) and lower low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (57 vs. 65 mg/dl; p <.001) were observed with ezetimibe combination therapy versus high‐intensity statin monotherapy. Furthermore, the rate of new‐onset diabetes was 18.5% and 19.1% in each group (p =.822). There were no significant interactions between MetS and therapy regarding study outcomes in the total population. Conclusions: In patients with MetS and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a moderate‐intensity statin with ezetimibe combination therapy had comparable cardiovascular benefits with those of high‐intensity statin monotherapy. Meanwhile, ezetimibe combination therapy was associated with lower drug intolerance and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, but there was no apparent between‐group difference in new‐onset diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the oncological significance of a robot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC)‐related pentafecta in patients with bladder cancer. Patients and Methods: Using the KORARC database, which includes data from 12 centres, data from 730 patients who underwent RARC between April 2007 and May 2019 were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed. Pentafecta was achieved if patients met all of the following criteria: (i) negative soft tissue surgical margin; (ii) ≥16 lymph nodes removed; (iii) no major complications (Clavien–Dindo grade 3–5) within 90 days; (iv) no clinical recurrence within the first 12 months; and (v) no ureteroenteric stricture. Patients were divided into two groups according to pentafecta attainment, and a comparison of overall survival (OS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) using multivariate Cox proportional analysis was then carried out. Results: Of the 730 patients included in this analysis, 208 (28.5%) attained the RARC pentafecta; the remaining 522 (71.5%) did not. The mean age of the patients was 64.67 years, 85.1% were men, 53.6% received a conduit, 37.7% received orthotopic neobladders and the total complication rate was 57.8%. Those who attained the pentafecta received more neobladders (P = 0.039), were more likely to be treated with the intracorporeal technique (P < 0.001), had longer operating times (P = 0.020) and had longer console time (P = 0.021) compared with those who did not attain the pentafecta. Over a mean of 31.1 months of follow‐up, the pentafecta attainment group had significantly higher OS and CSS rates compared with the non‐attainment group (10‐year OS 70.4% vs 58.1%, respectively [P = 0.016]; 10‐year CSS 87.8% vs 70.0%, respectively [P = 0.036]). Multivariate analysis showed that the RARC pentafecta was a significant predictor of overall mortality (hazard ratio 0.561; P = 0.038). Conclusions: Patients who attained the RARC pentafecta had significantly better survival outcomes compared with those who did not. These criteria could be used to standardize assessment of the surgical quality of RARC. In the future, a similar study using an independent cohort is warranted to confirm our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron‐based bimetallic particle has become an attractive material in environmental remediation, particularly for wastewater treatment. However, it is yet to be applied in large scale processes, mainly due to the requirement of multistep syntheses for the desired materials, as well as the rigorous control of the conditions for its synthesis. This study introduces a facile methodology to synthesize micro‐size iron/copper bimetallic particles (mFe/Cu‐BPs) by in situ coating of Cu on the surface of Fe in an acidic media for the removal of azo dye Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in aqueous media. Morphological analyses showed that Cu planted on the surface of the particles exhibit a dense leaf‐like structure with great connectivity and electron movement between Fe0 core and Cu shell. In addition, the effects on the decolorization of AO7 via key parameters such as theoretical Cu mass loading (TMLCu), initial pH, dosage, and initial AO7 concentration were assessed. Experimental results revealed that the decolorization efficiency of AO7 was highly dependent on the operational conditions. Under optimal conditions (TMLCu of 0.6 g Cu/g Fe, initial pH of 3.0, mFe/Cu‐BP dosage of 45 g/L, and initial AO7 concentration of 1000 mg/L), decolorization of AO7 as a function of reaction time was investigated via UV‐vis spectrometry, which confirmed that the azo bond of AO7 successfully cleaved by mFe/Cu‐BPs. The maximum decolorization, COD, and TOC removal efficiencies were found to be 99.55, 83.91, and 73.81% after 30 min of reaction time, respectively. Lastly, the potential mechanism for the decolorization of AO7 is proposed. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1901–1907, 2018 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis and evaluation of antiproliferative activities of 1‐hydroxyindole‐2‐carboxylates 1 were described. The toluene compounds 3 were treated with dimethyl oxalate and then, dimethylmethyleneammonium chloride to give intermediates 2. Compounds 2 were converted to desired compounds 1 by application of the reaction of 1‐hydroxyindole formation using SnCl2·2H2O and thiol (or alcohol). The measurements of antiproliferative activities of compounds 1a, 1b, and 1c against several cell lines revealed that compounds 1a and 1c showed strong antiproliferative activities in HCT116 and A2058 cancer cells and could serve as promising lead compounds for further development of anticancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of new 1-hydroxyindole-2-carboxylates 1 and mechanistic studies on the reaction pathways were described. The substrates 2, prepared through two-step synthetic sequences, were treated with nucleophiles in the presence of SnCl2 · 2H2O to obtain compounds 1. In particular, the mechanistic studies led to a significant finding that reactions with thiol nucleophiles occur through a newly proposed pathway (path B: 1,4-addition followed by reduction/condensation) rather than through a previously assumed pathway (path A: reduction/condensation followed by 1,5-addition). Further mechanistic investigations revealed steric effects of o-substituents in 2 governing the ratio of products ( 1i/ 7). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geotaxis and phototaxis are movements in response to gravity and light, respectively, and are commonly observed in nature. The interactions between these two types of movement have been shown to confer ecological advantages to many taxa. Although several studies have been conducted on phototaxis and geotaxis in various organisms, reports on the interactions between positive phototaxis and negative geotaxis are lacking. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, any direct interactions that exist between positive phototaxis and negative geotaxis are yet to be determined and the ecological significance of such interactions remains unclear. In the present study, the effects of gravity on positive phototaxis in a Y-maze were investigated using the Canton-S wild type and gravity-sensing-deficient pyx3 mutant fruit flies. Gravity sensing was not necessary for horizontal positive phototaxis, but was required for vertical positive phototaxis. These results suggest that gravitoreception may selectively modulate positive phototaxis depending on the vertical and horizontal movements of the fruit flies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of new, highly substituted, and hindered 1-hydroxyindole-2-carboxylates 1 is described. Substrates 2, prepared through a two-step synthetic sequence, were treated with relatively weak nucleophiles in the presence of SnCl2 · 2H2O to afford compounds 1. In particular, nucleophiles of low reactivity and/or high steric hindrance reacted efficiently to give 1 in good to modest yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The syntheses of new 2,3-disubstituted 4-chloro-1-hydroxyindoles were described. The conjugate nitro ketoester was reacted with various thiol and alcohol nucleophiles by the action of stannous chloride dihydrate through the unique processes of reduction of nitro group, intramolecular condensation, and addition of nucleophiles in one pot, to provide multisubstituted 1-hydroxyindoles. The reactions with thiol nucleophiles provided better results than those with alcohols, and, in particular, secondary and tertiary thiols provided best yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In comparison with the hybridization with 0D TiO2 nanoparticle, 2D layered TiO2 nanosheets are much more effective in the improvement of the photocatalytic activity and photostability of semiconducting compounds. The 2D TiO2-Ag3PO4 nanohybrid described in this paper shows a greater decrease in the electron-hole recombination upon hybridization and a stronger chemical interaction between the components than the 0D homologue. This result confirms the benefits of 2D layered TiO2 nanosheets as a building block for efficient hybrid-type photocatalyst materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ordered mesoporous tungsten-oxide/carbon (denoted as m-WO3− x-C-s) nanocomposite is synthesized using a simple one-pot method using polystyrene- block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS- b-PEO) as a structure-directing agent. The hydrophilic PEO block interacts with the carbon and tungsten precursors (resol polymer and WCl6), and the PS block is converted to pores after heating at 700 °C under a nitrogen flow. The m-WO3− x-C-s nanocomposite has a high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and hexagonally ordered pores. Because of its mesoporous structure and high intrinsic density of tungsten oxide, this material exhibits a high average volumetric capacitance and gravimetric capacitance as a pseudocapacitor electrode. In comparison with reduced mesoporous tungsten oxide (denoted as m-WO3− x-h), which is synthesized by a tedious hard template approach and further reduction in a H2/N2 atmosphere, m-WO3− x-C-s shows a high capacitance and enhanced rate performance, as confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The good performance of m-WO3− x-C-s is attributed to the high surface area arising from the mesoporous structure, the large interconnected mesopores, and the low internal resistance from the well-dispersed reduced tungsten oxide and amorphous carbon composite structure. Here, the amorphous carbon acts as an electrical pathway for effective pseudocapacitor behavior of WO 3-x. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and age and obesity, adjusted for systemic health parameters such as sex and mean blood pressure, in a Korean population. Methods: A total of 13 212 healthy participants underwent automated multiphasic tests, including tonometry, automated perimetry, fundus photography, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). Six age groups were used, divided by decades ranging from 20-29 years to 70+ years. The association between IOP and systemic health para­meters was examined using cross-sectional analysis. Results: The median age of participants was 47.6 years (range 20-84 years), and 6684 (50.6%) of participants were men. The mean IOP of participants was 15.5 mmHg. The mean IOP, blood pressure and BMI values were significantly higher in men than in women (P < 0.05). The overall prevalence of ocular hypertension, defined as IOP >21 mmHg without signs of glaucomatous visual field loss or optic disc damage, was 6.1% in men and 2.5% in women. Intraocular pressure was associated with mean blood pressure, sex, age and BMI by multiple regression analysis (P < 0.05). The relationship between IOP and age adjusted for sex, mean blood pressure and BMI had a significantly negative tendency for both sexes (P < 0.05). Body mass index had a significantly positive relation with IOP after controlling for age, sex and mean blood pressure in men (P < 0.05), but not in women. Conclusions: In this Korean population, after multiple adjust­ment, IOP was found to decrease with age and to increase with BMI in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A one-pot protocol for the synthesis of 1-hydroxyindoles from conjugated nitroketones with thiol nucleophiles is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The designed products (VI and XIV) contain penicillin-like structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Serology is widely used for epidemiologic research of Helicobacter pylori. However, there is limited information on the long-term follow up of H. pylori titers after eradication. In addition, it is presumed that the reinfection rate decreases as the H. pylori infection rate decreases. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term follow up of H. pylori IgG, and to evaluate the reinfection rate of H. pylori in Korea., Methods: Among 247 patients, who were enrolled during 2003-07, 185 patients with invasive H. pylori test positive received proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy, and follow-up H. pylori testing, including histology, CLOtest, culture, and serology, were evaluated 2, 10, and 18 months after H. pylori eradication., Results: The initial H. pylori IgG optical density (OD(450 nm)), 2.06, gradually decreased to 0.63 (67% reduction) at 18 months after H. pylori eradication. The seroreversion rate was 5, 10, and 45% at 2, 10, and 18 months after H. pylori eradication, respectively. The recrudescence of H. pylori was 3.49%, and the annual reinfection rate was 2.94% per year. H. pylori IgG titers abruptly increased in cases with recrudescence and reinfection, and correlated with the results of the invasive H. pylori tests., Conclusion: The results of this study showed that H. pylori IgG serology could be used for the determination of reinfection of H. pylori, but not for the diagnosis of H. pylori eradication. The reinfection rate of H. pylori, in Korea, was found to be very low, 2.94% per year.

Background: This study was performed to evaluate whether the addition of probiotics to proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy increases the likelihood of successful Helicobacter pylori eradication., Materials and Methods: Three hundred and forty-seven H. pylori-infected patients were randomized into a triple-plus-yogurt group (yogurt group, n = 168) or a triple-only group (control group, n = 179). Triple therapy consisted of PPI b.i.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d., and amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d. for 7 days. Yogurt group received triple therapy for 1 week and one bottle of Will yogurt per day for at 3 weeks, starting on the first day of triple therapy. Will yogurt (a Korean brand) contains Lactobacillus acidophilus HY2177, Lactobacillus casei HY2743, Bifidobacterium longum HY8001, and Streptococcus thermophilus B-1. (13)C-urea breath test was performed at least 4 weeks after completion of triple therapy. Eradication rates, compliances, and adverse events were compared., Results: By intention-to treat analysis the H. pylori eradication rates in the yogurt group 79.2% (133 of 168) was similar to that in the control group 72.1% (129 of 179) (p = .124). However, by per-protocol (PP) analysis, the eradication rate in the yogurt group, 87.5% (133 of 152) was higher than that in the control group, 78.7% (129 of 164) (p = .037). Common adverse events were metallic taste (11.8%) and diarrhea (8.6%). The frequency of adverse effects in the yogurt group 41.1% (69/168) were higher than in the control group, 26.3% (47 of 179) (p = .003). However, most adverse events were mild to moderate in intensity, and the severities of adverse effects were similar in both groups (p = .401)., Conclusions: The addition of Will yogurt to triple therapy did not reduce the side-effects of triple therapy. But it increased the H. pylori eradication rate by PP analysis, encouraging more research in this field.