Is Left Innominate Vein Ligation during Aortic Arch Surgery Always Safe? A Case Report.

Ligation of the left innominate vein (LIV) expands the surgeon's surgical field for ascending aorta and aortic arch procedures. Although it is considered a safe technique by most surgeons in that it is associated with only minor drawbacks, conflicting views exist regarding this method. We herein describe a 70-year-old woman who underwent ascending aorta replacement due to an aneurysm with subsequent cerebral dysfunction caused by extended brain edema, possibly related to LIV ligation, leading to her death.

Additional data on the investigation of the reaction mechanisms for the production of silica hyperbranched polyethylene imine silver nanoparticle composites.

Silica-organic matrix-silver, nano-catalysts, were synthesized employing four different hyperbranched poly(ethylene imines) (MW 2000 to 750,000) to reduce Ag+ to metal nanoparticles and the formation of formation SiO2 shells. The latter is performed at pH 7,5 employing three different pH regulating agents Hepes, Trizma, and Phosphate Salts. Characterization of the resulting materials with spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ζ-potential is reported. Kinetic studies of standard reactions, 4-nitrophenol and 4-nitroaniline reduction to 4-aminophenol and p-phenylenediamine, respectively by UV-Visible spectroscopy are also included. This data in brief article is related to the "Investigation of two Bioinspired Reaction Mechanisms for the Optimization of Eco Composites-Nano Catalysts Generated from Hyperbranched Polymer Matrices" manuscript submitted to reactive & functional polymers.

Catalytic Neutralization of Water Pollutants Mediated by Dendritic Polymers.

Radially polymerized dendritic compounds are nowadays an established polymer category next to their linear, branched, and cross-linked counterparts. Their uncommon tree-like architecture is characterized by adjustable internal cavities and external groups. They are therefore exceptional absorbents and this attainment of high concentrations in their interior renders them ideal reaction media. In this framework, they are applied in many environmentally benign implementations. One of the most important among them is water purification through pollutant decomposition. Simple and composite catalysts and photo-catalysts containing dendritic polymers and applied in water remediation will be discussed jointly with some unconventional solutions and prospects.

Engineering Mitochondriotropic Carbon Dots for Targeting Cancer Cells.

Aiming to understand and enhance the capacity of carbon dots (CDs) to transport through cell membranes and target subcellular organelles-in particular, mitochondria-a series of nitrogen-doped CDs were prepared by the one-step microwave-assisted pyrolysis of citric acid and ethylenediamine. Following optimization of the reaction conditions for maximum fluorescence, functionalization at various degrees with alkylated triphenylphosphonium functional groups of two different alkyl chain lengths afforded a series of functionalized CDs that exhibited either lysosome or mitochondria subcellular localization. Further functionalization with rhodamine B enabled enhanced fluorescence imaging capabilities in the visible spectrum and allowed the use of low quantities of CDs in relevant experiments. It was thus possible, by the appropriate selection of the alkyl chain length and degree of functionalization, to attain successful mitochondrial targeting, while preserving non-toxicity and biocompatibility. In vitro cell experiments performed on normal as well as cancer cell lines proved their non-cytotoxic character and imaging potential, even at very low concentrations, by fluorescence microscopy. Precise targeting of mitochondria is feasible with carefully designed CDs that, furthermore, are specifically internalized in cells and cell mitochondria of high transmembrane potential and thus exhibit selective uptake in malignant cells compared to normal cells.

Dendritic Polymers as Promising Additives for the Manufacturing of Hybrid Organoceramic Nanocomposites with Ameliorated Properties Suitable for an Extensive Diversity of Applications.

As the field of nanoscience is rapidly evolving, interest in novel, upgraded nanomaterials with combinatory features is also inevitably increasing. Hybrid composites, offer simple, budget-conscious and environmental-friendly solutions that can cater multiple needs at the same time and be applicable in many nanotechnology-related and interdisciplinary studies. The physicochemical idiocrasies of dendritic polymers have inspired their implementation as sorbents, active ingredient carriers and templates for complex composites. Ceramics are distinguished for their mechanical superiority and absorption potential that render them ideal substrates for separation and catalysis technologies. The integration of dendritic compounds to these inorganic hosts can be achieved through chemical attachment of the organic moiety onto functionalized surfaces, impregnation and absorption inside the pores, conventional sol-gel reactions or via biomimetic mediation of dendritic matrices, inducing the formation of usually spherical hybrid nanoparticles. Alternatively, dendritic polymers can propagate from ceramic scaffolds. All these variants are covered in detail. Optimization techniques as well as established and prospected applications are also presented.