Prevalence of Isolated Nocturnal Hypertension and Development of Arterial Stiffness, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, and Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions: The KoGES (Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study).

Background Apart from nondippers' impact on cardiovascular events, the prevalence of isolated nocturnal hypertension (INH) and its consequences on both the heart and brain were not clearly investigated in the general population. Methods and Results The participants underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring evaluations for arterial stiffness, echocardiography, and brain magnetic resonance imaging. They were grouped into normotension, INH, and overt diurnal hypertension, based on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and history of antihypertensive treatment. White matter hyperintensity, arterial stiffness, and echocardiographic parameters were compared. Of the 1734 participants, there were 475 (27.4%) subjects with normotension, 314 with INH (18.1%), and 945 with overt diurnal hypertension (54.5%). Prevalence of INH was not different between sex or age. Of INH, 71.3% (n=224) was caused by elevated diastolic blood pressure. After multivariable adjustment, INH showed higher pulse wave velocity (P<0.001) and central systolic blood pressure (P<0.001), left ventricular mass index (P=0.026), and worse left ventricular diastolic function (early diastolic mitral annular velocity) (P<0.001) than normotension. Mean white matter hyperintensity scores of INH were not different from normotension (P=0.321), but the odds for white matter hyperintensity presence were higher in INH than normotension (odds ratio, 1.504 [95% CI, 1.097-2.062]; P=0.011). Conclusions INH was common in the general population and associated with increased arterial stiffness, left ventricular hypertrophy, and diastolic dysfunction. White matter hyperintensity was more likely to be present in the INH group than in the normotension group. The use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring should be encouraged to identify masked INH and prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular events.

Nanosized CuO and ZnO catalyst supported on titanium chip for conversion of carbon dioxide to methyl alcohol.

In order to reutilize spent metallic titanium chips (TC) as catalyst support or photocatalytic materials, the surface of the TC was modified by thermal treatment under air atmosphere. TC-supported nanosized CuO and ZnO catalysts were prepared by impregnation (IMP) and co-precipitation (CP) method, respectively. The catalytic activity for CO2 hydrogenation to CH3OH was investigated using a flow-typed reactor under various reaction pressures. The crystals of CuO and ZnO was well formed on TC. CO2 conversion, CH3OH selectivity, and CH3OH yield were obtained as a function of time on stream over CuO-ZnO/TC catalysts. Conversion of CO2 to CH3OH over CuO-ZnO/TC catalyst by CP method and CuO/ZnO/TC catalyst by IMP method were ca. 16% and ca. 12%, respectively. Conversion of CO2 over CuO-ZnO/TC catalyst by CP method was increased with increasing reaction temperature in the range of 15-30 atm. Maximum selectivity and yield to CH3OH over CuO-ZnO/TC at 250 degrees C were ca. 90% at 20 atm and ca. 18.2% at 30 atm, respectively.

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue over nanosized TiO2 particles prepared using the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis method.

In order to reutilize the spent metallic titanium chips, TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared using the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) method, and were characterized by N2 gas adsorption, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscope, particle size distribution. Also, their photocatalytic activities were evaluated using methylene blue as a model organic compound. It was confirmed that the crystal structure of TiO2 prepared by SHS method was relatively homogeneous powder of rutile type. Optimum conditions for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under UV-C irradiation were methylene blue 9.5 ppm in solution and at amount of TiO2 added of 0.02 g/L. In addition, it was found that the photocatalytic activity for methylene blue degradation over the prepared TiO2 particles was positively related with BET specific surface area.

Inhibitory effects of Drynaria fortunei extract on house dust mite antigen-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Drynaria fortunei (Kunze) J. Sm has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, rheumatism, and bone healing. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of a 70% ethanol extract of Drynaria fortunei (DFE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of topically applied DFE on house dust mite Dermatophargoides farinae-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. RESULTS: Treatment of NC/Nga mice with DFE reduced the dermatitis score, ear thickness, and serum levels of IgE, IgG1, and IL-6. Histopathological analyses of ear and skin lesions showed inhibition of the thickening of the epidermis and reduced epidermal/dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells. In ear lesions, mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were reduced by DFE treatment. CONCLUSIONS: DFE inhibited the development of dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. These results suggest that DFE may be a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of AD.

Decomposition of MEK and toluene over nanolayered TiO2 photocatalyts prepared from metallic titanium chip.

The Nanolayered TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by thermal treatment of metallic titanium chips. Photocatalytic activity for methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and toluene was investigated using a closed circulating system. The photocatalysts were characterized by SEM and XRD. Surface of the Ti chips changed to be rough with increase of treatment temperature, and severe oxidation over 900 degrees C resulted in TiO2 powder. Uniform TiO2 nanolayer was formed as a rutile type on the metallic chip. Photocatalytic decomposition of MEK over the TiO2 photocatalysts occurred efficiently by UV-C irradiation. The maximum activity for MEK was obtained over Ti Chip treated at 700 degrees C. It was known that the prepared photocatalyts could be applied to remove various VOCs.