New Ceramics Precursors Containing Si and Ge Atoms-Cubic Germasilsesquioxanes-Synthesis, Thermal Decomposition and Spectroscopic Analysis.

Compounds of the silsesquioxane type are attractive material precursors. High molecular weights and well-defined structures predestine them to create ceramics with a controlled composition at the molecular level. New molecular precursors of ceramic materials with the ratio of Si:Ge = 7:1 atoms were obtained. The influence of organic substituents on the thermal decomposition processes of germasilsesquioxanes was investigated. Some of the structures obtained are characterized by a high non-volatile residue after the thermal decomposition process. The introduction of the germanium atom to the structure of the silsesquioxane molecular cage reduces the thermal stability of the obtained structures.

4-Methyltetrahydropyran as a Convenient Alternative Solvent for Olefin Metathesis Reaction: Model Studies and Medicinal Chemistry Applications.

A number of metathesis reactions were successfully conducted in 4-methyltetrahydropyran, including both standard model dienes, as well as more complex substrates, such as analogues of biologically active compounds and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To place this solvent in a context of pharmaceutical R + D, larger-scale syntheses of SUAM 1221, a prolyl endopeptidase inhibitor with potential application in Alzheimer disease treatment, and a derivative of sildenafil, an analogue of the popular Viagra drug, were executed. In the latter case, despite all the setup being made in air, the metathesis reaction at a 33 g scale proceeded very well with relatively low catalyst loading and without need of aqueous workup or column chromatography.

Nanocrystalline-Coated Silver Dressings for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes after Surgical Coronary Revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the suitability of nanocrystalline-coated silver dressings versus standard wound dressings in patients with type 2 diabetes after coronary revascularization. METHODS: The study involved 194 patients who were divided into two homogeneous groups. The control group (n = 97) received a standard sterile dressing. The intervention group (n = 97) received silver dressings. Glycosylated hemoglobin, fructosamine, and creatinine were assessed in all patients. The emergence of superficial wound infection within 30 days was the primary endpoint of the study, and deep wound infections were a secondary endpoint. MAIN RESULTS: Superficial wound infections were documented in 26 patients: 11 patients in the study group and 15 in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the analyzed groups regarding the occurrence of the primary endpoint. No deep wound infections were found in either the study or control group. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of sternotomy wound infection in patients with type 2 diabetes is comparable between patients treated with traditional dressings and those receiving silver dressings; therefore, to maximize cost savings, providers should consider using standard wound dressings in this patient population.

Ruthenium Complexes Bearing Thiophene-Based Unsymmetrical N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands as Selective Catalysts for Olefin Metathesis in Toluene and Environmentally Friendly 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran.

Three mono-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ruthenium 2-isopropoxybenzylidene (10 a-c) and one bis(NHC) indenylidene complex (8) bearing an unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene ligand were synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The catalytic activity of the newly obtained complexes were evaluated in ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and ene-yne (RCEYM) reactions in toluene and environmentally friendly 2-MeTHF under air. The results confirmed that although all tested reactions can be successfully mediated by catalysts 10 a-c, their general reactivity is lower than the benchmark all-purpose Ru catalysts with symmetrical NHC ligands. However, the latter cannot compete with specialized ruthenium complex 10 a in industrially relevant self-CM of terminal olefins in neat conditions.