Work-up Procedure Research Articles

63 A Literature Review of Cortical Mapping, fMRI, and Standards of Care in Pediatric Epilepsy Surgical Workup

Objective:Epilepsy includes recurrent, unprovoked seizures and affects 470,000 children in the US, of which 7% have drug-resistant epilepsy due to failing two or more antiseizure medication trials. For some patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, surgery has been successful in reducing seizure burden. Functional MRI (fMRI) and intracranial mapping of neurocognitive functions, especially language, are increasingly done to assess potential functional loss from epilepsy surgery. However, these procedures vary by medical institute. The purpose of this review was to examine published literature on fMRI and intracranial mapping procedures for pediatric epilepsy surgery workup toward development of a standardized protocol that can be used across institutes as a guide to standard-of-care best practices for predicting loss of function associated with epilepsy surgery.Participants and Methods:Our literature review includes information from 8 electronic databases for peer-reviewed, English language studies of evaluation for pediatric epilepsy surgery candidacy. Thirty-one studies were selected based on inclusion criteria. Only studies including fMRI and intracranial mapping conducted with pediatric patients being worked up for epilepsy surgery were selected.Results:Our review revealed that the most common task used in fMRI and intracranial mapping procedures is visual-object naming, but type of naming tasks and the way they are administered varies widely across medical institutes and includes published measures and those created on site. Variability makes examining findings across studies and designing best practice for these procedures challenging.Conclusions:Creating gold-standard procedures for fMRI and intracranial mapping administration for epilepsy surgery evaluations is critical in optimizing treatment and functional outcomes for our pediatric patients. Our review is an initial step in this process.

Metal–organic frameworks-TiO2 as a recyclable photocatalyst for the synthesis of acetals/ketals

Carbonyl compounds are the most critical skeletons in organic synthesis owing to their ubiquitous and versatile reactivities. For instance, ketals and acetals may be employed as carbonyl-protecting groups, and several synthetic methods of preparing ketals and acetals have been reported in the recent decades. However, most of these transformations exhibit several limitations such as long reaction time, harsh reaction conditions, tedious workup procedures and unrecoverable catalyst, etc. Therefore, developing a novel metal–organic framework (MOFs)-TiO2 as an efficient, recyclable photocatalyst for converting carbonyl compounds to acetals/ketals is critical. We demonstrate the efficient acetalisations of carbonyl compounds, enabling access to a wide variety of acyclic/cyclic acetals, ketals or thioacetal by using various aromatic or aliphatic aldehydes/ketones under blue light. This strategy exhibits striking features, such as the use of abundant, sustainable alcohols as solvents and coupling agents, excellent yields, a recyclable photocatalyst and broad substrate scope. Therefore, this strategy may be applied in broadly green catalytic systems in industry.

One‐Pot Three‐Component Synthesis of 4‐Arylpyrimidin‐2‐amines Using Solid Calcium Carbide as a Surrogate of Gaseous Acetylene

AbstractAn efficient method for the synthesis of 4‐arylpyrimidin‐2‐amines by the reactions of various aromatic aldehydes, guanidine and calcium carbide through one‐pot three‐component procedure is described. The salient features for this protocol are the use of an inexpensive and easy‐to‐handle solid calcium carbide instead of flammable and explosive gaseous acetylene as an alkyne source, cheap transition‐metal mediator, commercially available starting materials, wide substrate scope, satisfactory yield, and the simple workup procedure. The related reaction can also be extended to gram scale.

The where, who and how of adrenal vein sampling in Australia and New Zealand.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) causes 10-15% of cases of hypertension, and it is increasingly recognised as being under-diagnosed. An interventional radiology procedure, adrenal vein sampling (AVS), is a necessary and important diagnostic procedure for complete workup of PA. There is an anticipated increase in demand for AVS as detection of PA improves. This study aims to describe the current landscape of AVS in Australia and New Zealand (NZ). Two surveys exploring AVS methodology and performance were conducted of (i) Endocrinology Unit Heads and (ii) interventional radiologists who perform AVS, at public hospitals with Endocrinology Units across Australia and NZ. Responses were received from 48/53 Endocrinology Unit Heads (91%) and 35 radiologists from 26 sites (87% of AVS sites). AVS was provided at 28/48 Endocrinology sites (58%) across Australia and NZ. In Australia, sites were concentrated in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland with none in the Northern Territory; in NZ, sites were more evenly distributed across the North and South Islands. AVS was performed by 1-2 dedicated radiologists at 24 sites, 2-3 radiologists at two sites and a rotating roster of radiologists at two sites. Responses to both surveys revealed significant variation in AVS methodology and interpretation of AVS results. There is significant heterogeneity in the availability of AVS, the procedural details and the interpretation of results across Australia and NZ, which potentially impacts the quality of patient care and ability to scale up AVS capacity to meet increasing demand.

Alfaxalone‐nalbuphine‐dexmedetomidine intramuscular premedication in a captive caracal (Caracal caracal)

AbstractAlfaxalone combinations have been widely used in domestic cats as a part of anaesthesia protocols. Given the advantages of these protocols in the domestic cat, and because caracals are in the same family as domesticated cats, we developed an immobilisation protocol based upon alfaxalone, nalbuphine and dexmedetomidine. A captive 13‐year‐old female caracal required general anaesthesia for a lower urinary tract workup and cystoscopy procedure. Due to temperament, physical examination (including thoracic auscultation) and laboratory workup before premedication was not performed. An immobilisation protocol using alfaxalone, nalbuphine and dexmedetomidine was used to induce anaesthesia. Isoflurane in oxygen was used for maintenance of anaesthesia, and hydromorphone was added for analgesia when it was determined that a surgical incision was required. The caracal did well under general anaesthesia, recovered uneventfully and was discharged the same day. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this drug combination in the caracal.

Ag/g-C3N4 nanocomposite: Green fabrication and its application as a catalyst in the synthesis of new series of depsipeptides as biologically active compounds and investigation on their anti-breast cancer activity

In this study, we bring forward a green and novel eco-friendly strategy for the fabrication of Ag/g-C3N4 nanocomposite via a fast in-situ generation method using Ferula Gummosa extracts as both stabilizer and reducing agent. Ag/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX-MAP), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After procurement and characterization, the catalytic activity of the prepared reagent was surveyed in the synthesis of a new series of depsipeptides using aspirin/ketoprofen, cyclohexyl isocyanide, and aryl aldehydes at ambient temperature in EtOH/H2O as a green media. Taking into account the economic and environmental facets, the method bestows some advantages such as using plant extracts as green media for the preparation of Ag nanoparticles, simple work-up procedure, mild reaction conditions, short reaction times, and high yields of the products. Additionally, the Ag/g-C3N4 nanocomposite catalyst can be recycled effectually and reused several times without a substantial loss in reactivity.

Highly selective hemin-catalyzed three-component aminoselenation and oxyselenation of alkenes

The highly selective hemin-catalyzed three-component aminoselenation and oxyselenation of alkenes has been developed using various nucleophiles. Remarkably, the use of acetonitrile as a green and attractive solvent in an organic reaction, the use of simple TBHP (tert-butyl hydroperoxide) as a mild oxidant, the use of a biodegradable catalyst, simple workup procedure, and good functional group tolerance (39 examples) are added features to this biomimetic method for the preparation of various difunctionalized organoselenium derivatives. These characteristics demonstrate the scalability of the current strategy for academic research and industrial applications.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With and Without Index Chronic Total Occlusion of Coronary Artery: A Propensity Matched Analysis

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) utilization is increasing, along with procedural success. Coronary angiography is frequently performed before the TAVR procedure for coronary artery disease workup. Chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the coronary artery shares common risk factors with aortic stenosis and could be challenging, especially in terms of procedural safety. The outcomes of TAVR among patients with concomitant CTO are not extensively studied. We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample database between October 2015 and December 2020 to evaluate the clinical characteristics, procedural safety, and outcomes among patients who underwent TAVR who had concomitant CTO lesions. A total of 304,330 TAVRs were performed between 2015 and 2020, 5,235 of which (1.72%) were in patients with TAVR-CTO and 299,095 (98.28%) in those with TAVR-no CTO. After propensity matching, there was no difference in the odds of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94 to 1.75, p=0.11). However, TAVR-CTO was associated with an increased incidence of acute myocardial infarction (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.53, p=0.01), cardiac arrest (aOR, 2.60, 95% CI 1.64 to 4.11, p <0.0001), and need for mechanical circulatory support (aOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.88 to 3.59, p <0.0001). There was no difference in the incidence of stroke, major bleeding, complete heart block, or requirement for permanent pacemaker between the 2 groups. However, the TAVR-CTO cohort had a slightly greater length of stay and total hospitalization cost. TAVR is a relatively safe procedure among those with concomitant CTO lesions; however, it is associated with a greater incidence of acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and requirement for mechanical circulatory support.

Copper-catalyzed primary amination of arene C[sbnd]H bond with hydroxylamine derivative

A novel methodology for the primary amination of aromatic C(sp2)-H bond utilizing hydroxylamine derivative as ammonia surrogates has been developed. With a cost-effective and convenient copper oxide, a variety of aromatic primary amines were synthesized without external oxidant with moderate to good yields under the mild conditions. This amination exhibits excellent functional group tolerance, wide substrate scope, the use of readily available substrates, and a facile work-up procedure. Furthermore, the late-stage modification of drug-like small molecules with complex structures was also allowed.

A rapid synthesis of quinoxalines by using Al2O3–ZrO2 as heterogeneous catalyst

In this study, we present a highly efficient and environmentally benign protocol for synthesizing biologically important quinoxaline derivatives. The synthesis involves the reaction of 1,2-diamines with substituted phenacyl bromides or benzil, taking place at room temperature in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent. The reaction is facilitated by a bifunctional heterogeneous catalyst composed of Al2O3–ZrO2 binary metal oxide. Our method offers numerous advantages, including excellent product yield, renewable catalytic conditions, minimal catalyst usage, safer chemistry, short reaction time, and a simple work-up procedure. To determine the chemical structure of the synthesized derivatives, we employed characterization techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Additionally, the Al2O3–ZrO2 catalyst was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDAX), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

One Pot Synthesis of Oximes from Carbonyl Compounds Catalysed by Vanadium( V) Complex

Background: An eco-friendly catalyst was synthesized in good yield and characterized by various physicochemical techniques. The catalytic performance of the environmentally benign complex was investigated via slurry synthesis of oximes. The catalytic studies were successfully carried out using a simple protocol. The fascinating advantage of this protocol is cost effectiveness, simple work up, good yield, short reactions time, and milder reaction conditions. Methods: The complex was prepared by reaction of vanadium pentoxide with hydrazone ligand in 1:1 molar ratios, and to this reaction mixture, potassium carbonate (0.14 g, 1 mmol) was added and ground till fine yellow colour powder appeared. Oximations were carried out by reacting the substrates, 15 % H2O2, ammonia and vanadium(V) complex. The reaction was taken in a mortar and ground till a fine powder appeared. After completion of the reaction, the crude product was extracted using dichloromethane/water in 1:2, v/v, evaporated and dried under vacuum. Results: We synthesized different varieties of oximes using our newly synthesized complex as a catalyst. The products were characterized by 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The completion of the reaction was monitored by checking the complete disappearance of the aldehyde proton and the appearance of oxime protons. We also grew some single crystals of the products to provide further supporting evidences about the formation of products. Conclusion: Oximation of various carbonyl compounds was prepared quantitatively under the slurry condition, using {[K(H¬2O)3][V(O)2L]}2 as a catalyst. The catalytic reactions can be carried out under mild conditions, with ease of scalability, and straightforward work-up procedure, which makes the present protocols greener and better alternative methods for the synthesis of oximes.

One-Pot Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triarylindoles through Cascade Reactions Using Calcium Carbide, Iodoarenes, and Aromatic Amines.

An efficient method for the construction of 1,2,3-triarylindoles through one-pot multicomponent reactions using calcium carbide, 3 mol of iodoarenes, and aromatic amines as starting materials was described. A series of target products were obtained by the simultaneous formation of five bonds in one step. The main advantages for this protocol are the use of a convenient alkyne source, wide scope of substrates, and simple workup procedure. The method can be extended to the gram scale.

SOP: acute hyperkinetic movement disorders

IntroductionMovement disorders emergencies describe acute-onset neurological conditions in which a delay of recognition and treatment may cause severe morbidity and mortality of patients. Hyperkinetic movement disorders include tremor, chorea/ballism, dystonia, myoclonus, and tics. Here we present a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the diagnostic work-up and different treatment options depending on the phenomenology as well as the aetiology of underlying diseases.CommentsThe recognition of the phenomenology is essential for the symptomatic therapy of the acute movement disorder and forms the basis for the choice of ancillary investigations to confirm the suspected underlying causes. Furthermore, we summarise diagnostic techniques, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests and neuroimaging, which provide rapid results and are useful for the indication of causal treatments of specific acute movement disorders.ConclusionsDespite their acute nature, most of these conditions can result in good clinical outcomes, if recognised early.

Humic acid: An unexplored organocatalyst toward the synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols and 1-thioamidoalkyl-2-naphthols through one-pot multi-component system

Humic acid is a group of molecules which are eco-benign, inexpensive, readily attainable, high-molecular-weight, natural acidic organic polymer. In our current protocol a simple, facile, and robust single-pot three-component synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols and 1-thioamidoalkyl-2-naphthols using humic acid as an efficient catalyst in water has been described. The method, we reported, has several advantages such as moderate to excellent yields, easy work-up procedure, mild reaction conditions, use of water as a green solvent, and a commercially available, nontoxic, and reusable catalyst.

Catalyst free, one-pot green synthesis of 2-aryl-2-oxazoline derivatives from aryl nitrile using ionic liquid

A catalyst free methodology for the synthesis of 2-aryl-2-oxazoline derivatives under conventional heating using ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([bmim]Br) as neutral reaction media is described. Various aryl nitriles condensed with 2-aminoethanol was studied to afford corresponding products in good to excellent yields in short reaction time. This method is operationally simple, green, and easy workup procedure.

Location-selective immobilisation of single-atom catalysts on the surface or within the interior of ionic nanocrystals using coordination chemistry

Single-atom catalysts dispersed on support materials show excellent heterogeneous catalytic properties that can be tuned using the interactions between the single atoms and the support. Such interactions depend on whether the single atoms are located on the surface or within the interior of the support. However, little is known about immobilising single atoms on the surface or within the interior of supports deliberately and selectively. Herein, such location-selective placement of single atoms is achieved through the choice of metal complex precursor, solvent, and workup procedure. Using CdSe nanoplatelets as a support, a cis-[PtCl2(SO(CH3)2)2] precursor in an aprotic solvent exclusively attaches single Pt atoms on the surface of the support. In contrast, a [PtCl4]2− precursor in a protic solvent followed by amine treatment places 60% of the single Pt atoms inside the support by cation substitution. The surface-adsorbed single Pt atoms show higher stability in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution than the substituted ones, and the preclusion of substitution as internal Pt maximises the activity. Thus, this study provides a viable strategy for the structurally precise synthesis and design of single-atom catalysts.

Microwave-Assisted, Ionic Liquid-Catalyzed Synthesis of 1,2-Disubstituted Benzimidazoles under Solvent-Free Conditions

An efficient method for the synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles has been developed from 1,2‐diaminobenzenes and aldehydes using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ([Bmim]BF4) as a catalyst under solvent-free conditions. Various products were obtained in good to excellent yields under microwave irradiation. The synthesis features some advantages such as short reaction time, environmentally benign conditions, simple work-up procedure, and high efficiency.

Synthesis of N-aroyl-2-arylindoles using solid calcium carbide as an alkyne source instead of gaseous acetylene

An efficient method for the synthesis of N-aroyl-2-arylindoles by reactions of 2 mol of various N-(2-iodoaryl)arylamides with 1 mol of calcium carbide through one-step procedure is described. This protocol has the salient features of the use of an inexpensive, abundant and easy-to-handle solid calcium carbide instead of flammable and explosive gaseous acetylene as an original alkyne source. In addition, wide scope of substrates, satisfactory yield, and simple workup procedures are also advantages of this method.

Copolymer-Coated Magnetic Graphene Oxide: A Reusable Catalyst for the Preparation of 2,4,6-Triaryl Pyridines via Four-Component Reaction

A magnetic nanocomposite based on graphene oxide was prepared. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were loaded on graphene oxide sheets and GO-Fe3O4 was covered by aniline-pyrrol copolymer to afford poly(Ani-co-Py)@GO-Fe3O4 nanocomposite. The poly(Ani-co-Py)@GO-Fe3O4 nanocomposite was characterized by FT-IR, TEM, VSM, TGA, XRD, and EDX techniques and applied in the synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines derivatives via four-component reaction of various benzaldehydes, acetophenones, and ammonium. The absence of solvent, high yields of products, short reaction times, mild reaction conditions, and easy work-up procedure in combination with non-toxicity, efficiency, high surface area, stability, cheapness, magnetic character, and reusability of the catalyst are noteworthy advantages of the present method.

New task-specific ionic liquids as bifunctional organocatalysts; Synthesis, characterization, and computational insights

A new class of functionalized imidazolium-based Task-Specific Ionic Liquids (TSILs) is designed as low-cost bifunctional organocatalyst. New alkoxymethylimidazolium ILs are efficiently synthesized under solvent free conditions and extensively characterized by physical and spectral studies. The newly synthesized ILs demonstrate excellent catalytic potential in condensation reactions of high importance, such as the Biginelli reaction for the synthesis of medicinally important dihydropyrimidiones. The effect of the alkoxy group and counter-ions in the imidazolium salts were evaluated in detail. Moreover, computational studies were employed to explore the structural dynamics and physicochemical properties of the prepared ionic liquids. 3-(iso-butoxymethyl)-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium tetrafluoroborate (iBOMMIMBF47) exhibited the highest catalytic ability due to the combined influence of the alkoxy group structure, counterion nature, high electrophilicity index, and availability of the reactive C2-H. Some notable advantages of the new TSILs include efficient catalyst preparation, simple work-up procedure, recyclability, short reaction times, and excellent yields.