Concerted Functions of Surface Acid-Base Pairs and Supported Copper Catalysts for Dehydrogenative Synthesis of Esters from Primary Alcohols

Dehydrogenative synthesis of esters from primary alcohols proceeded efficiently over a ZrO₂-supported copper catalyst. A variety of esters were obtained from primary alcohols as well as diols in good to high yields. The key to the dehydrogenative synthesis of esters is the concerted effect of the acid-base pairs on ZrO₂ and metallic copper.

Strong metal-support interaction between Pt and SiO2 following high-temperature reduction: a catalytic interface for propane dehydrogenation

Pt/SiO₂ directly reduced in H₂ at 1073 K exhibited a high catalytic activity in propane dehydrogenation, primarily attributed to the electronic modification of Pt nanoparticles by the SMSI effect.

Usefulness of a simple self-administered joint condition assessment sheet to predict the need for orthopaedic intervention in the management of haemophilic arthropathy

INTRODUCTION

Detecting signs of joint deterioration is important for early effective orthopaedic intervention in managing haemophilic arthropathy.

AIM

We developed a simple, patient self-administered sheet to evaluate the joint condition, and assessed the predictive ability of this assessment sheet for the need for an orthopaedic intervention.

METHODS

This was a single-centre, cross-sectional study. The association between the score of each of the four items of the assessment sheet (bleeding, swelling, pain and physical impairment) and the results of radiological findings and physical examinations based on Haemophilia Joint Health Score 2.1 was assessed. An optimal scoring system was explored by the area under the curve (AUC). The cut-off value for the need for surgery or physiotherapy was determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve procedure.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients were included. The 'physical impairment' item showed the highest correlation coefficient with the results of radiographic and physical examinations (range: 0.57-0.76). The AUC of finally adjusted scoring indicates good ability to discriminate between patients with and without a need for orthopaedic intervention. The positive predictive value was the highest at a cut-off value of 4 points for knees (63.0%) and ankles (70.0%), at 5 points for elbows (66.7%) and the highest predictive accuracy at the cut-off value of 4 points for all the joints. The linear trend of the need for an orthopaedic intervention was observed with an increasing score.

CONCLUSION

The joint condition assessment sheet can help clinicians assess the need for orthopaedic intervention for haemophilic arthropathy in Japanese patients with haemophilia.

Relationship among cervical, thoracic, and lumbopelvic sagittal alignment in healthy adults

PURPOSE

To evaluate the association between cervical sagittal alignment and thoracic/lumbopelvic sagittal alignment in healthy Japanese adults.

METHODS

30 male and 22 female healthy adults aged 22 to 50 years were recruited. Spinal parameters were measured on radiographs, including the cervical sagittal vertical axis, sagittal vertical axis, C7 tilt angle, Ishihara index for cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt, and pelvic incidence.

RESULTS

The C7 tilt angle positively correlated with the Ishihara index (r=0.52, p<0.0001) and thoracic kyphosis (r=0.53, p<0.0001). The Ishihara index positively correlated with thoracic kyphosis (r=0.34, p=0.01) and C7 tilt angle (r=0.52, p<0.0001). Pelvic incidence positively correlated with sacral slope (r=0.45, p=0.001), lumbar lordosis (r=0.26, p=0.07), and pelvic tilt (r=0.29, p=0.03). Compared with men, women had a smaller Ishihara index (0.07 vs. 0.001, p=0.03), thoracic kyphosis (30.5º vs 24.1º, p=0.02), and C7 tilt angle (23.1º vs. 16.8º, p=0.02). Women had less cervical lordosis and thoracic kyphosis, that is, a straighter cervico-thoracic sagittal alignment.

CONCLUSION

In healthy Japanese adults, cervical sagittal alignment is associated with thoracic sagittal alignment but not with lumbopelvic alignment.

Visible-light-assisted selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 on porphyrin derivative-modified TiO2 photocatalysts

Porphyrin derivative-modified TiO₂ photocatalysts exhibited high activity for photo-assisted selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH₃ (NH₃-SCR) under visible-light irradiation.

Coupling of carboxylic acids with internal alkynes by supported ruthenium catalysts: direct and selective syntheses of multi-substituted phthalide derivatives

Supported ruthenium catalysts promote coupling of various kinds of aromatic carboxylic acids with internal alkynes, giving the corresponding multi-substituted phthalide derivatives in high yields. The supported Ru catalyst can be recycled at least five times with no loss of activity.

Nickel-promoted mesoporous ZSM5 for carbon monoxide methanation

Synergistic effect of Ni and the mZSM5 support led to high methanation activity of Ni/mZSM5. Two possible reaction routes emerged: (1) adsorbed CO may be reacted with H₂ to form CH₄ and H₂O; (2) adsorbed H may be reacted with CO to form CH₄ and CO₂.