Search

A variation of iron ionic states in Fe 2p spectra for charged and discharged lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) thin film as a cathode corresponds to cathode behavior. The shape of valence band spectra was investigated, and a peak appeared at about 1.6 eV for discharged LiFePO4 thin film. This peak was attributed to the Fe2+ state without oxidation state using oxidized LiFePO4 thin films. The variation of iron ionic states from Fe 2p spectra was confirmed using this peak. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is used in an investigation of thermal decomposition of native oxide on Si(100) subjected to ultrahigh vacuum. Wet chemical treatment (HCl/H2O2/H2O) yields a native oxide, and the treatment atomically cleans surfaces. High temperature heating causes a change in Si 2p and O 1s spectrums, and this is inferred from XPS measurements. Si structure is enhanced, and the full-width-at-half maximum reduces when temperature rises beyond 700 degrees centigrade.

A 100-nm-thick lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) film was deposited by sputtering, and charge-discharge cycle tests were performed using LiFePO4 films as cathodes in electrochemical cells. After removing the electrolyte, the charged and discharged LiFePO4 thin film cathodes were investigated using XPS. XPS results revealed that the peak area intensity of Fe2+ state increases for charged cathodes, while that of Fe3+ increases for discharged cathodes. In addition, the variation of Fe3+ and Fe2+ peak area intensities gradually attenuated as the number of charge-discharged cycles increased. The results reflect the performance of the battery and its degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symptom management is a challenging experience for patients, families and health-care professionals. When a person has a symptom that is troublesome and not being properly managed they may become so focused on that symptom that they cannot enjoy a good quality of life. Nurses know symptoms that are problematic for patients are usually problematic for nurses as well; however, not every nurse knows how to effectively manage patients' symptoms. In response to these challenges, we propose an Integrated Approach to Symptom Management (IASM) that can be used for a variety of patient populations in an effective, efficient and consistent manner. The focus of the IASM is on the patient and is designed to be used by nurses to promote patient self-care symptom management abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein propose that the catalytic concerted S N Ar reaction is a powerful method to prepare functionalized aromatic scaffolds. Classic stepwise S N Ar reactions involving addition/elimination processes require the use of electron-deficient aromatic halides to stabilize Meisenheimer intermediates, despite their widespread use in medicinal chemistry research. Recent efforts have been made to develop concerted S N Ar reactions involving a single transition state, allowing the use of electron-rich substrates based on the use of stoichiometric amounts of strong bases or reactive nucleophiles. This study demonstrates that, without the use of such reagents, the organic superbase t -Bu-P4 efficiently catalyzes the concerted S N Ar reactions of aryl fluorides regardless of their electronic nature. The key to establishing this system is the dual activation of aryl fluoride and anionic nucleophiles by the t -Bu-P4 catalyst. Furthermore, this catalysis allows excellent functional group tolerance, utilization of diverse nucleophiles, and late-stage functionalization of bioactive compound derivatives. These findings make possible diverse applications in chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical development.

Background and Aims: The impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication via direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy on overall mortality, particularly non-liver-related mortality, is understudied., Methods: We recruited 4180 patients with chronic HCV infection who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) (HCV eradication) through DAA therapy (n = 2501, SVR group) or who did not receive antiviral therapy (n = 1679, non-SVR group); 1236 from each group were chosen using propensity score matching. Causes of death and all-cause mortality, including non-liver-related diseases, were investigated., Results: Of the 4180 patients, 592 died during the follow-up period. In the SVR group, the mortality rates from liver-related and non-liver-related diseases were 16.5% and 83.5%, respectively. Compared to the non-SVR group, mortality rates from liver-related and non-liver-related diseases were 50.1% and 49.9%, respectively (p < .001). In non-cirrhotic patients, multivariable analysis revealed that SVR was an independent factor associated with both liver-related (hazard ratio [HR], .251; 95% confidence interval [CI], .092-.686) and non-liver-related (HR, .641; 95% CI, .415-.990) mortalities. In cirrhotic patients, multivariable analysis revealed that SVR remained an independent factor significantly associated with liver-related mortality (HR, .151; 95% CI, .081-.279). In propensity score-matched patients, the eradication of HCV (SVR group) decreased both liver-related (p < .001) and non-liver-related mortality (p = .008) rates compared to persistent HCV infection (non-SVR group)., Conclusions: The elimination of HCV via DAA therapy reduced not only liver-related mortality but also non-liver-related mortality in patients with chronic HCV., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Finding a unified fluorescence mechanism is essential to develop and utilize fluorescent proteins appropriately. Here, we report the unified role of the 145th residue on the fluorescence efficiency of fluorescent proteins developed from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria by demonstrating the difference and similarity between two representative fluorescent proteins, enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), and enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP). We determined the fluorescence lifetimes of the 19 different Y145 mutants of eGFP and eYFP by picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. We found that the effect of the 145th mutation on the fluorescence lifetime is significant for eYFP but moderate for eGFP. We compared known crystal structures to clarify the observed difference between eGFP and eYFP. As a result, we conclude that the efficiency of the steric restriction of the chromophore motion by the 145th side chain is essentially the same for both eGFP and eYFP. Meanwhile, the restriction of the chromophore motion by hydrogen bonds is more pronounced for eGFP than for YFP. Balance of the steric effect and hydrogen bonding controls the lifetime of the Y145 mutants for eGFP and eYFP. Furthermore, the steric restriction is induced by the electrostatic effect; the different 145th residue induces a different electrostatic environment around the chromophore. The finding in this study reasonably explains the reported lifetimes of other fluorescent proteins and allows the prediction of the lifetime of unknown fluorescent proteins from jellyfish.

Background and Aim: In patients with chronic hepatitis C, 8 weeks of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) treatment for chronic hepatitis (non-cirrhosis) and 12 weeks for cirrhosis have been approved in Japan. However, whether 8 weeks of treatment for cirrhosis may reduce treatment efficacy has not been adequately investigated., Methods: This prospective, nationwide, multicenter cohort study enrolled 1275 patients with chronic hepatitis C who received GLE/PIB therapy. The effect of liver fibrosis and treatment periods on the efficiency of GLE/PIB therapy was investigated. The primary endpoint was the sustained virological response (SVR) rate in patients with chronic hepatitis (non-cirrhosis) and cirrhosis. The association between treatment periods and liver fibrosis on the SVR after 12 weeks of treatment rate was investigated., Results: The SVR rates in patients with chronic hepatitis with 8 weeks of treatment, chronic hepatitis with 12 weeks of treatment, cirrhosis with 8 weeks of treatment, and cirrhosis with 12 weeks of treatment were 98.9% (800/809), 100% (87/87), 100% (166/166), and 99.1% (211/213), respectively, and were was not different among these groups ( P  = 0.4)., Conclusion: GLE/PIB therapy for chronic hepatitis C had high efficacy regardless of liver fibrosis status and treatment periods. Periods of GLE/PIB therapy could be chosen with available modalities, and high SVR rates could be achieved regardless of the decision., (© 2024 The Authors. JGH Open published by Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background and Aims: Mortality after sustained virological response (SVR) with interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (IFN-free DAA) therapy is crucial for optimizing post-SVR patient care, but it remains unclear, especially regarding non-liver-related mortality., Methods: Consecutive post-SVR patients from 14 institutions were stratified into three cohorts: A (without advanced fibrosis and without prior HCC), B (with advanced fibrosis and without prior HCC), and C (curative HCC treatment). We assessed mortality (per 1000 person-years [/1000PY]) post-SVR. Mortality rates were compared between cohorts A and B and the general population using age- and sex-adjusted standardized mortality ratio (SMR). Comparison of survival between each cohort was performed using propensity-score (PS) matching with sex, age, and comorbidity., Results: In cohort A (n = 762; median age, 65 years), 22 patients died (median follow-up, 36 months); all-cause mortality was 10.0/1000PY, with 86.4% non-liver-related deaths. In cohort B (n = 519; median age, 73 years), 27 patients died (median follow-up, 39 months); all-cause mortality was 16.7/1000PY, with 88.9% non-liver-related deaths. In both cohorts, malignant neoplasm was the most common cause of death; all-cause mortality was comparable to that of the general population (SMR: 0.96 and 0.92). In cohort C (n = 108; median age, 75 years), 15 patients died (median follow-up, 51 months); all-cause mortality was 36.0/1000PY, with 53.3% liver-related deaths. PS matching showed no significant survival differences between cohorts A and B, both of which had better survival than cohort C., Conclusions: Mortality varies based on HCC history in the DAA era; nevertheless, attention should be paid to non-liver-related deaths in all post-SVR patients., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Herein, we report the copper-catalyzed dehydrogenative C(sp 2 )-N bond formation of 4-pentenamides via nitrogen-centered radicals. This reaction provides a straightforward and efficient preparation method for γ -alkylidene- γ -lactams. Notably, we could controllably synthesize α , β -unsaturated- or α , β -saturated- γ -alkylidene- γ -lactams depending on the reaction conditions.