C-reactive protein (CRP) is a non-specific but sensitive marker of underlying systemic inflammation. High CRP plasma levels correlate with risk for future cardiovascular events. The present study ...evaluated the effects of atorvastatin (10–40 mg) and bezafibrate (400 mg) on CRP concentrations after 6 and 12 months of treatment in 103 patients with combined (mixed) hyperlipidemia. The number of cardiovascular risk factors present in a given patient was associated with baseline CRP levels. After 6 months and 1 year, atorvastatin treatment was associated with significant (
P<0.001) decreases from baseline of CRP concentrations by 29 and 43%, respectively, while bezafibrate-treated patients showed non-significant reductions of 2.3 and 14.6%, respectively (
P=0.056 and 0.005 for the respective differences between the two treatment arms at 6 months and 1 year). The magnitude of change in CRP after 1 year was directly related to baseline CRP levels. Covariance analysis showed that CRP decreases in the atorvastatin group were unrelated to total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol reductions; however, they were directly related to triglyceride changes (
r=0.28,
P=0.047) and inversely related to HDL cholesterol changes (
r=−0.28,
P=0.045). A model including baseline CRP values and treatment effect showed that atorvastatin use was a significant predictor of change in CRP levels over time (
β=0.82,
P=0.023). These results suggest a potential anti-atherosclerotic additional benefit of atorvastatin in patients at a risk of cardiovascular disease.
A suite of AgLa1-xEuxP2O7 (x = 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 100%) diphosphates were prepared by solid state reaction at T = 500 °C. Powder X-rays diffraction analysis (XRD) reveal that AgLaP2O7 phase doped ...with 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of Eu3+ are isostructural with AgLaP2O7 (Hami et al., 2018 1) while AgLaP2O7:100% Eu3+ is isostructural with AgTbP2O7 diphosphate (Rizzi et al., 2019 2). A decreasing trend for unit cell parameters of solid solutions with increasing the Eu3+ content have been observed. The Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectra are in good agreement with structure type, highlighting the characteristic bands of P2O74− groups attributed to the symmetric and asymmetric stretching of P-O-P bridge. Spectroscopic properties of Eu3+ have been used to probe the local environment of the Eu3+ ion in AgLaP2O7:Eu3+. The number of components observed for the 5D0 → 7F0–4 transitions is consistent with that predicted by group theory calculations for Cs symmetry. The CIE chromaticity coordinates (x, y) for AgLaP2O7: 10, 15 and 20% Eu samples have been calculated.
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•A suite of new phosphors AgLa1-xEuxP2O7 (x = 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 and 1) have been successfully synthesized.•The use of spectroscopic properties of Eu3+ to probe to environment of active ion in the host lattice.•Eu3+ ions occupy a non- centrosymmetric site in AgLaP2O7.•The nephelauxetic effect related to the crystal field is discussed.•The chromaticity coordinates of highly doped phosphors are located in the orange-red region.
Series of zircon-type LixY(PO4)1-xF4x (0 < x ≤ 0.4) solid solutions were synthesized by combination of the fluoride LiYF4 (scheelite structure) and the orthophosphate YPO4 (zircon structure) via ...solid state reaction method in sealed platinum tube. X-ray diffraction, MAS-NMR spectroscopy, IR and Raman spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the as-obtained samples. The 31P, 7Li and 19F MAS-NMR indicate a single crystallographic site for P, F and Li atoms in solid solutions for all compositions. The IR and Raman spectra of LixY(PO4)1-xF4x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) showed characteristic vibration bands assigned to the formation of PF bonds. Optical properties of Eu3+ and Tb3+ single-doped Li0.25Y(PO4)0.75F fluorophosphates were analyzed. A local symmetry lowering is confirmed for Eu3+ ions due to a fluorophosphate structural description in a monoclinic system (space group C2/m), as previously investigated by neutron diffraction on polycrystalline samples. Under UV excitation, Li0.25Y(PO4)0.75F:10%Eu3+ and Li0.25Y(PO4)0.75F:10%Tb3+ samples show characteristic orange-red and green emissions. These materials can be considered as promising phosphors for lighting devices.
•LixY(PO4)1-xF4x fluorophosphates were synthesized using solid-state reaction.•Progressive substitution of Li+ by P5+ and F− by O2− induces an increase of the unit cell parameters.•Single crystallographic site for P, F and Li atoms in LixY(PO4)1-xF4x solid solutions.•Red-orange and green emissions of Eu3+ and Tb3+ were registered under UV excitation.
Silver yttrium phosphates AgYP2O7 doped with Tb3+, Sm3+ and Dy3+ (x = 0, 1, 3 5, 10, 15, 20 mol%) were successfully prepared via solid state reaction. The similarity between all diffractograms of ...prepared phosphors confirm that they are a single pure phase. The Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) analysis are in good agreement with structure type, the characteristic bands of P2O74−groups attributed to the symmetric and asymmetric stretching of P-O-P bridge, respectively are identified. The investigation on luminescence of Tb3+, Sm3+ and Dy3+ ions in this phase is reported. The cross-relaxation phenomenon widely known in phosphors based on Tb3+ is pointed out. A prediction of the nature of the occupied site by the rare earth ion was possible using the predominant intensity in both Sm3+ and Dy3+ ions.
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•Solid state method is used to synthesize AgY1−xLnxP2O7 (Ln = Tb3+, Sm3+, Dy3+, x = 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%).•The isostructurality of all solid solutions with AgLuP2O7 (00-049-0105) is confirmed.•FTIR spectroscopy confirms the purity of obtained phases and the presence of characteristic bands of P2O7 group.•Intense green emission of terbium ion in AgYP2O7 is observed.•Yellow-to-blue ratio of Dy3+ and electric dipole transition and Magnetic dipole transition ratio of Sm3+ are used to predict the nature of occupied site by rare earth ions.
Silver lanthanum diphosphates doped with terbium, AgLa1-xTbxP2O7 (x=0%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%), were prepared by solid state reaction at T=500°. The obtained compounds were investigated by means ...of a multi-methodological approach, involving the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS) for morphological investigation and semi-quantitative chemical analysis, respectively; powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) for structural characterization and Rietveld refinement; Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies for qualitative study. Finally, emission spectra were collected in order to detect the fluorescence properties of the compounds.
The unit cell parameters and the space group of all the family members were determined by PXRD data. The compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic Pnma space group, with the AgLaP2O7 cell constants equal to: a = 8.6706(1) Å, b = 5.3218(1) Å, c = 12.8839(1) Å and cell volume V = 594.51(1) Å3. A decreasing trend for unit cell parameters was observed at increase of dopant concentration. For the pure phase, the investigation was completed with the structure solution via Direct Methods and Rietveld refinement. The crystal structure consists of compact layers of LaO9 polyhedra, down the c axis, bridged by P2O7 diphosphate groups and by zig-zag chains of AgO9 polyhedra down b.
The FTIR and Raman analysis supports the chemical structure, highlighting the deformation (δPO3) and stretching (νPO3) vibration of PO3 groups, and the characteristic bands of P2O74- groups attributed to the symmetric and asymmetric stretching (νs and νas) of P-O-P bridge, respectively.
The luminescence properties of Tb3+ activating ion in AgLa1-xTbxP2O7 (x=1%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) were also examined. No concentration quenching of the main 5D4-→7F5 emission, responsible for the well known green emission of Tb3+ ion, was observed in the studied concentration range, whereas a concentration quenching of the emission from 5D3 level, due to 5D3-→5D4 cross relaxation process, was revealed.
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A new bluish white-emitting phosphor based on a phosphate host matrix, CdBaP2O7:Eu2+, was prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction method. The photoluminescence properties were investigated in ...both ultraviolet (UV) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) regions. The band-gaps of Eu-doped CdBaP2O7 powders can be tuned in the ranges of 2.26–2eV. The Eu2+-doped CdBaP2O7 phosphor was efficiently excited at wavelengths of 250–400nm, which is suitable for the blue emission band for near-UV light-emitting-diode (LED) chips (360–400nm) and red emission peaks up to 700nm. CdBaP2O7:Eu2+ displays two different luminescence centers, which were suggested to Ba2+ and Cd2+ sites in the host. The dependence of luminescence intensity on temperatures was measured. The chromaticity coordinates and activation energy for thermal quenching were reported. The phosphor shows a good thermal stability on temperature quenching.
Series of zircon-type LixY(PO4)1-xF4x (0 < x ≤ 0.4) solid solutions were synthesized by combination of the fluoride LiYF4 (scheelite structure) and the orthophosphate YPO4 (zircon structure) via ...solid state reaction method in sealed platinum tube. X-ray diffraction, MAS-NMR spectroscopy, IR and Raman spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the as-obtained samples. The 31P, 7Li and 19F MAS-NMR indicate a single crystallographic site for P, F and Li atoms in solid solutions for all compositions. The IR and Raman spectra of LixY(PO4)1-xF4x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) showed characteristic vibration bands assigned to the formation of PF bonds. Optical properties of Eu3+ and Tb3+ single-doped Li0.25Y(PO4)0.75F fluorophosphates were analyzed. A local symmetry lowering is confirmed for Eu3+ ions due to a fluorophosphate structural description in a monoclinic system (space group C2/m), as previously investigated by neutron diffraction on polycrystalline samples. Under UV excitation, Li0.25Y(PO4)0.75F:10%Eu3+ and Li0.25Y(PO4)0.75F:10%Tb3+ samples show characteristic orange-red and green emissions. These materials can be considered as promising phosphors for lighting devices.
Fibrate treatment induces adverse changes in biliary-lipid and bile-acid composition. Since the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes are still unclear, we have investigated the effect of ...fibrate treatment on key factors involved in bile-acid synthesis, biliary-lipid secretion and cholesterol metabolism in gallstone patients.
Patients with uncomplicated gallstones and a serum level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol >130 mg/dl were randomly assigned to open-label treatment with bezafibrate, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, or placebo for 8 weeks before elective cholecystectomy. A liver specimen was obtained at operation, and the mRNA relative levels for cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 (HNF-4), ATP-binding cassette transporters MDR3, ABCG5, and ABCG8, human homologue scavenger receptor BI, sterol response element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and LDL receptor were determined by means of reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.
Bezafibrate, fenofibrate and gemfibrozil significantly reduced CYP7A1 mRNA levels. The three fibrates tested raised the mRNA levels of ABCG5 and SREBP-2, but only bezafibrate induced significant changes. Although MDR-3 mRNA levels were slightly increased by the three fibrates, no significant differences were obtained.
These results show for the first time that fibrate administration to humans downregulates CYP7A1. Although ABCG5 and SREBP-2 mRNA levels were slightly increased by all treatment groups, only bezafibrate induced significant changes.
Isothermal sections of the diagram representing phase relationships in the NaF-CdO-NaPO3 system have been investigated by solid state reactions and powder X-ray diffraction. This phase diagram ...investigation confirms the polymorphism of the NaCdPO4 side component and the structure of the ß high temperature polymorph (orthorhombic, space group Pnma and unit cell parameters a=9.3118(2), b=7.0459(1), c=5.1849(1) Å has been refined. A new fluorophosphate, Na2CdPO4F, has been discovered and its crystal structure determined and refined from powder X-ray diffraction data. It exhibits a new 3D structure with orthorhombic symmetry, space group Pnma and unit cell parameters a=5.3731(1), b=6.8530(1), c=12.2691(2) Å. The structure is closely related to those of the high temperature polymorph of the nacaphite Na2CaPO4F and the fluorosilicate Ca2NaSiO4F but differs essentially in the cationic repartition since the structure is fully ordered with one Na site (8d) and one Cd site (4c). Relationships with other Na2MIIPO4F (MII=Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) have been examined and the crystal-chemical and topographical analysis of these fluorophosphates is briefly reviewed. IR, Raman, optical and 19F, 23Na, 31P MAS NMR characterizations of Na2CdPO4F have been investigated.
The structure of the compound Na2CdPO4F, discovered during the study of the phase relationships in the NaF-CdO-NaPO3 system, has been determined and compared with other Na2MIIPO4F fluorophosphates. Display omitted
•XRD analysis of the isothermal section of the NaF-CdO-NaPO3 system at 923K.•Rietveld refinement of the high temperature polymorph β-NaCdPO4.•Crystal structure of the new Na2CdPO4F fluorophosphate determined from powder XRD.•Crystal structure - composition relationships of Na2MIIPO4F compounds are reviewed.•IR, Raman, optical and 19F, 23Na, 31P MAS NMR characterizations of Na2CdPO4F.
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