Rethinking the Claisen-Tishchenko Reaction.

Pincer-type complexes [OsH2 (CO){PyCH2 NHCH2 CH2 NHPtBu2 }] and [OsH2 (CO){HN(CH2 CH2 PiPr2 )2 }] catalyze the disproportionation reaction of aldehydes via an outer-sphere bifunctional mechanism achieving turnover frequencies up to 14 000 h-1 . The N-H group of the catalysts is a key player in this process, elucidated with the help of DFT calculations.

Variable change in renal function by hypertonic saline.

AIM: To investigate the effects of hypertonic saline in the neurocritical care population. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our hospital's use of hypertonic saline (HS) since March of 2005, and prospectively since October 2010. Comparisons were made between admission diagnoses, creatinine change (Cr), and HS formulation (3% NaCl, 3% NaCl/sodium acetate mix, and 23.4% NaCl) to patients receiving normal saline or lactated ringers. The patients (n = 1329) of the retrospective portion were identified. The data presented represents the first 230 patients with data. RESULTS: Significant differences in Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores and Glasgow Coma Scale scores occurred between different saline formulations. No significant correlation of Cl(-) or Na(+) with Cr, nor with saline types, occurred. When dichotomized by diagnosis, significant correlations appear. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients demonstrated moderate correlation between Na(+) and Cr of 0.45. Stroke patients demonstrated weak correlations between Na(+) and Cr, and Cl(-) and Cr (0.19 for both). Patients receiving HS and not diagnosed with intracerebral hemorrhage, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or TBI demonstrated a weak but significant correlation between Cl(-) and Cr at 0.29. CONCLUSION: Cr directly correlates with Na(+) or Cl(-) in stroke, Na(+) in TBI, and Cl(-) in other populations. Prospective comparison of HS and renal function is needed.