Successful synthesis and characterization of the six-coordinated complex [Ru(STTP)(CO)Cl] (1; STTP = 5,10,15,20-tetratolyl-21-thiaporphyrinato) allowed the development of the coordination chemistry of ruthenium-thiaporphyrin through dechlorination and metathesis reactions. Accordingly, [Ru(II)(STTP)(CO)X] (X = NO(3)(-) (2), NO(2)(-) (3), and N(3)(-) (4)) was synthesized and analyzed by single-crystal X-ray structural determination and NMR, UV-vis, and FT-IR spectroscopic methods. An independent reaction of STPPH and [Ru(COD)Cl(2)] led to [Ru(III)(STTP)Cl(2)] (5), which possessed a higher-valent Ru(III) center and exhibited good stability in the solution state. This stability allowed reversible redox processes in a cyclic voltammetric study. Reactions of [Ru(S(2)TTP)Cl(2)] (S(2)TTP = 5,10,15,20-tetratolyl-21,23-dithiaporphyrinato) with AgNO(3) and NaSePh, also via the metathesis strategy, resulted in novel dithiaporphyrin complexes [Ru(II)(S(2)TTP)(NO(3))(2)] (6) and [Ru(0)(S(2)TTP)(PhSeCH(2)SePh)(2)] (7), respectively. The structures of 6 and 7 were corroborated by X-ray crystallographic analyses. Complex 7 is an unprecedented ruthenium(0)-dithiaporphyrin with two bis(phenylseleno)methanes as axial ligands. A comparison of the analyses of the crude products from reactions of NaSePh and CH(2)Cl(2) with or without [Ru(S(2)TTP)Cl(2)], further supported by UV-vis spectral changes under stoichiometric reactions between [Ru(S(2)TTP)Cl(2)] and NaSePh, suggested a reaction sequence in the order of (1) formation of a putative [Ru(II)(S(2)TTP)(SePh)(2)] intermediate, followed by (2) the concerted formation of PhSe-CH(2)Cl and simultaneously a reduction of Ru(II) to Ru(0) and finally (3) nucleophilic substitution of PhSeCH(2)Cl by excess PhSe(-), resulting in PhSeCH(2)SePh, which readily coordinated to the Ru(0) and completed the formation of bis(phenylseleno)methane complex 7.

Background. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors associated with receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) in patients with incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in a hospital in Southern Taiwan. Methods. The study included all consecutive patients with incident ESRD who participated in a multidisciplinary predialysis education (MPE) program and started their first dialysis therapy between January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2013, in the study hospital. We provided small group teaching sessions to advanced CKD patients and their family to enhance understanding of various dialysis modalities. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of patient characteristics with the chosen dialysis modality. Results. Of the 656 patients, 524 (80%) chose hemodialysis and 132 chose PD. Our data showed that young age, high education level, and high scores of activities of daily living (ADLs) were positively associated with PD treatment. Patients who received small group teaching sessions had higher percentages of PD treatment (30.5% versus 19.5%; P = 0.108) and preparedness for dialysis (61.1% versus 46.6%; P = 0.090). Conclusion. Young age, high education level, and high ADL score were positively associated with choosing PD. Early creation of vascular access may be a barrier for PD.

The association between BN chewing and CKD seemed conditional on demographics, health behaviours, and underlying co-morbidities. This association should be interpreted cautiously.

We present a systematic study in investigating the orientation characteristics of pentacene molecules grown on graphene substrates using polarized Raman spectroscopy. The substrate-induced orientation alignment of pentacene can be well distinguished through the polarized Raman spectra. Interestingly, we found that the nature of polycrystalline graphene not only provides efficient route to control molecular orientation, but also acts as an excellent template allowing conjugated molecules to stack accordingly. The relative orientation of the well-aligned pentacene molecules and the nearby graphene domains exhibits several preferred angles due to atomic interactions. This unique feature is further examined and verified by single domain graphene. Furthermore, polarized Raman spectroscopy contains abundant information allowing us to analyze the ordering level of pentacene films with various thicknesses, which provides insightful perspectives of manipulating molecular orientations with graphene and spatial organization between conjugated systems, in a more quantitative manner.

had a physical examination (blood pressure), and measurements of laboratory data (serum creatinine, serum haemoglobin) and pathological data. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Patients were divided into three groups by individual GFR (mL/min), i.e. > 60 (no/mild CKD), 30-60 (CKD stage 3) and < 30 (CKD stage 4/5). RESULTSThe CKD stages included 81 (30.3%) patients with none/mild CKD, 121 (45.3%) with CKD stage 3 and 65 (24.3%) with CKD stage 4/5. There was a significant and parallel increase in the frequency of UUT-UC as CKD severity increased from none/mild CKD to stage 3 (11% vs 55%), and from CKD stage 3 to 4/5 (55% vs 71%; P < 0.05). Pathologically, the frequency of high-grade and high T stage UT-UC in patients with CKD stage 3 (90% and 35%, respectively) and CKD stage 4/5 (91% and 29%, respectively) were significantly greater than in the group with none/mild CKD ( P < 0.001). Advanced age and more distant metastasis were independent risk factors for patient survival. CONCLUSIONThe aggressiveness of UT-UC increased with the severity of CKD, and this might have important clinical consequences.