Network of Palladium-Based Nanorings Synthesized by Liquid-Phase Reduction Using DMSO-H2O: In Situ Monitoring of Structure Formation and Drying Deformation by ASEM.

We developed a liquid-phase synthesis method for Pd-based nanostructure, in which Pd dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions was precipitated using acid aqueous solution. In the development of the method, in situ monitoring using atmospheric scanning electron microscopy (ASEM) revealed that three-dimensional (3D) Pd-based nanonetworks were deformed to micrometer-size particles possibly by the surface tension of the solutions during the drying process. To avoid surface tension, critical point drying was employed to dry the Pd-based precipitates. By combining ASEM monitoring with critical point drying, the synthesis parameters were optimized, resulting in the formation of lacelike delicate nanonetworks using citric acid aqueous solutions. Precipitation using HCl acid aqueous solutions allowed formation of 500-nm diameter nanorings connected by nanowires. The 3D nanostructure formation was controllable and modifiable into various shapes using different concentrations of the Pd and Cl ions as the parameters.

Effects of candesartan versus amlodipine on home-measured blood pressure, QT dispersion and left ventricular hypertrophy in high-risk hypertensive patients.

The GIFU substudy of the Candesartan Antihypertensive Survival Evaluation in Japan (CASE-J) trial was conducted to compare the long-term effects of candesartan and amlodipine on office- and home-measured blood pressure (BP), QTc dispersion and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in high-risk Japanese patients with hypertension. We used a prospective, randomized, open-label design with blinded assessment of endpoints. Patients were assigned to candesartan-based therapy up to 12 mg/day (n = 100) or amlodipine-based therapy up to 10 mg/day (n = 101) and followed for 3 years. LVMI was assessed by echocardiography and QTc dispersion was obtained from electrocardiograms. Both candesartan and amlodipine lowered and controlled office- and home-measured BP levels with no significant between-treatment differences. In patients diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) at baseline, both candesartan and amlodipine significantly regressed LVMI after 3 years. However, candesartan (41.7 ± 15.1 ms at baseline vs 32.9 ± 16.6 ms after 3 years, p < 0.01), but not amlodipine (41.4 ± 13.5 ms at baseline vs 41.5 ± 16.1 ms after 3 years), produced a significant reduction in QTc dispersion. Larger studies in patients treated for longer periods are needed to determine whether this candesartan effect will translate into improved prognosis in terms of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.

Outlook of the world steel cycle based on the stock and flow dynamics.

We present a comprehensive analysis of steel use in the future compiled using dynamic material flow analysis (MFA). A dynamic MFA for 42 countries depicted the global in-use stock and flow up to the end of 2005. On the basis of the transition of steel stock for 2005, the growth of future steel stock was then estimated considering the economic growth for every country. Future steel demand was estimated using dynamic analysis under the new concept of "stocks drive flows". The significant results follow. World steel stock reached 12.7 billion t in 2005, and has doubled in the last 25 years. The world stock in 2005 mainly consisted of construction (60%) and vehicles (10%). Stock in these end uses will reach 55 billion t in 2050, driven by a 10-fold increase in Asia. Steel demand will reach 1.8 billion t in 2025, then slightly decrease, and rise again by replacement of buildings. The forecast of demand clearly represents the industrial shift; at first the increase is dominated by construction, and then, after 2025, demand for construction decreases and demand for vehicles increases instead. This study thus provides the dynamic mechanism of steel stock and flow toward the future, which contributes to the design of sustainable steel use.

Reduction of QTc dispersion by the angiotensin II receptor blocker valsartan may be related to its anti-oxidative stress effect in patients with essential hypertension.

QT dispersion has been reported to increase in patients with essential hypertension, and abnormal QT dispersion is associated with arrythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, whether change in QT dispersion is related to oxidative stress is unclear. We examined the effect of the angiotensin II receptor blocker valsartan on QT dispersion and the relationship between oxidative stress and QT dispersion in patients with essential hypertension. Hypertensive patients whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) was more than 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was more than 90 mmHg were treated with valsartan. Blood pressure was measured once a month for 6 months. The difference between the maximal and minimal QT intervals within a 12-lead surface ECG was measured and QT dispersion and QTc dispersion corrected by heart rate were obtained before and 6 months after treatment. Left ventricular mass (LVM) assessed by echocardiography was obtained at baseline and 6 months after treatment. Venous blood samples were obtained at baseline and 6 months after treatment to measure serum levels of lipoperoxidation (LPO) and type I and III procollagen. Treatment with valsartan significantly decreased SBP and DBP. QTc dispersion decreased significantly 6 months after treatment with valsartan as compared to the baseline values. Valsartan treatment did not affect the LVM. Valsartan significantly decreased the abnormally high LPO levels. The changes in QTc dispersion were positively correlated with changes in the serum levels of LPO and with changes in DBP. The correlation between changes in LPO and QTc dispersion was more close than that between changes in DBP and QTc dispersion. In conclusion, antihypertensive therapy with valsartan reduces QTc dispersion and this may be related to the ability of valsartan to reduce oxidative stress in patients with essential hypertension.