Effects of β-Blockers on the Outcomes in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Stratified by the Presence of Comorbid Conditions: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study (BNP-PL).

Background: Current guidelines do not recommend β-blockers in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) unless indicated by comorbidities. However, the evidence regarding the role of β-blockers in PAH is contradictory.

Research Question: What are the effects of β-blockers on clinical outcomes in patients newly diagnosed with PAH, and how do these outcomes differ based on the presence of cardiovascular comorbidities that are standard indications for β-blocker use?

Study Design And Methods: We analyzed data from 806 patients newly diagnosed with PAH enrolled prospectively in the Database of Pulmonary Hypertension in the Polish Population (BNP-PL).

Right-ventricle heart failure in PAH vs. HFrEF with secondary PH: Hemodynamic, ergospirometric, and organ function correlations.

Purpose: The goal of the study was to identify markers of organ function used in daily routines that could potentially aid in the overall evaluation of the cardiovascular system in patients with right-ventricle heart failure due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and left-ventricle heart failure. We analyzed correlations between parameters from right heart catheterization (RHC), cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), and selected laboratory parameters of thyroid, liver, kidneys function and iron homeostasis.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis included 107 patients (mean age 57.

Pentraxin 3 as a marker of development and severity of stable coronary artery disease.

Purpose: Inflammation plays a crucial role in the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is produced at the site of inflammation and has been identified as a specific marker of atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation, and progression of the coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the study was to establish if PTX3 has potential relations with classical markers of cardiovascular risk, and if PTX3 may act as an independent risk factor of CAD occurrence and advancement.

Promoting Effect of Ball Milling on the Functionalization and Catalytic Performance of Carbon Nanotubes in Glycerol Etherification.

A facile and eco-friendly approach using in situ-generated 4-benzenediazonium sulfonate (BDS) was applied to prepare highly functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The effectiveness of this functionalization was additionally enhanced by a green and short-time ball milling process applied beforehand. The obtained BDS-modified CNTs presented significant activity in glycerol etherification, producing tert-butyl glycerol ethers, which are considered promising fuel additives.

Upgrading Pyrolytic Residue from End-of-Life Tires to Efficient Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Conversion of Glycerol to Acetins.

Recovered carbon blacks (rCBs) produced from end-of-life tires using pyrolysis were transformed into solid acid catalysts for the synthesis of acetins, i.e., products with a wide spectrum of practical applications.

A Green Approach to Obtaining Glycerol Carbonate by Urea Glycerolysis Using Carbon-Supported Metal Oxide Catalysts.

The results of sustainable and selective synthesis of glycerol carbonate (GC) from urea and glycerol under ambient pressure using carbon-fiber-supported metal oxide catalysts are reported. Carbon fibers (CF) were prepared via a catalytic chemical vapor deposition method (CCVD) using Ni as a catalyst and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a cheap carbon source. Supported metal oxide catalysts were obtained by an incipient wetness impregnation technique using Zn, Ba, Cr, and Mg nitrates.

SOH-functionalized carbon fibers for the catalytic transformation of glycerol to glycerol tert-butyl ethers.

Carbon fibers (CFs) of high quality were produced from hydrocarbons such as isobutane or ethylene using the catalytic chemical vapor deposition method (CCVD) and Ni catalyst. The as-prepared samples were functionalized with acidic groups using concentrated sulfuric acid or 4-benzenediazonium sulfonate (BDS) generated in situ from sulfanilic acid and sodium nitrite. The morphological features of the materials were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, whereas their physicochemical properties were characterized by means of elemental and textural analyses, thermogravimetric (TG) method, Raman spectroscopy, potentiometric back titration, and X-ray diffraction analysis.

Production of valuable chemicals from glycerol using carbon fiber catalysts derived from ethylene.

Ethylene was thermocatalytically transformed into carbon products via a CCVD process. The filamentous carbon obtained was further modified with concentrated sulfuric acid or 4-benzenediazonium sulfonate (BDS) to produce acid-type catalysts. The as-prepared samples were characterized by SEM and TEM techniques to confirm their morphological features.

Impact of Thermal Treatment of NbO on Its Performance in Glucose Dehydration to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural in Water.

The cascade dehydration of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was carried out in water over a series of NbO catalysts, which were derived from the thermal treatment of niobic acid at 300 and 550 °C, under air or inert atmosphere. Amorphous niobic acid showed high surface area (366 m/g) and large acidity (2.35 mmol/g).

Interleukin 6 is not necessary for STAT3 phosphorylation and myocardial hypertrophy following short term beta-adrenergic stimulation.

Purpose: In recent years several reports have suggested involvement of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in beta-adrenergic effects on myocardium, particularly in enhancement of STAT3 phosphorylation (downstream signal transducer of IL-6). Here we present a study of isoproterenol effects on hearts of IL-6 deficient mice.

Methods: Male 12 week old C57Bl6/J mice and age and sex matched mice from IL-6 knockout strain (C57Bl6/J(IL6-/-)) received a single intraperitoneal bolus of either isoproterenol (15 mg/kg) or placebo (0.