The decentralized treatment of wastes is studied for an urban scenario considering a high-density population of 2500 inhab./km2. Food and garden waste were assumed to be treated in a co-digestion configuration using several mid-size digesters. In contrast biogas and digestate valorization were carried out in a centralized manner. Electricity and thermal energy were produced from this configuration, accounting for 1.3% of residential electricity demand and 3.2% of thermal demand when using double-turbocharged engines. However, the location of the treatment plants is a factor that may raise social discomfort. Rejection of locating the plant in specific sites close to residential neighbors, nuisance due to possible odor and gaseous emissions, and house market distortions are just a few of a long list of problematic aspects that may threaten the decentralized alternative. These factors are of great relevance and must be given a practical solution if the circular economic model is to be implemented by considering the insertion of waste streams into the production system and generating local energy sources and raw materials.

Arguably the most important parameter in treating cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease is the length of time in which improvement, if achieved at all, is sustained. However, monotherapies such as donepezil and memantine are associated with a more rapid decline than no treatment in patients over multi-year follow-ups {Kennedy, 2018 #535}. Furthermore, anti-amyloid antibody treatment, which at best simply slows decline, is associated with accelerated cerebral atrophy [2], resulting in earlier dementia-associated brain volumes for those treated at the MCI stage than untreated patients. In contrast, a precision medicine approach, in which the multiple potential drivers of cognitive decline are identified for each patient and then targeted with a personalized protocol (such as ReCODE), has led to documented improvement in patients with cognitive decline [3]; [4]; [5], but long-term follow-up (>5 years) has not been reported previously. Therefore, we report here sustained cognitive improvement, in some cases for over a decade, in patients treated with a precision medicine protocol—something that has not been reported in patients treated with anti-cholinesterase, glutamate receptor inhibitory, anti-amyloid, or other therapeutic methods. These case studies warrant long-term cohort studies to determine how frequently such sustained cognitive improvements occur in patients treated with precision medicine protocols.

Background and Objectives: ACTION-France (Awareness, Care and Treatment In Obesity MaNagement in France) aims to identify the perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and potential barriers to effective obesity management in France and guide collaborative actions. Methods: ACTION-France is a cross-sectional survey of people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs), in France. The PwO and HCP questionnaires ran from 27/09/2022 to 01/02/2023 and from 19/12/2022 to 31/03/2023, respectively. Results: The study, encompassing 1226 PwO and 166 HCPs, reveals a shared recognition of obesity as a chronic condition. However, despite being requested by most PwO, weight-related discussions are surprisingly infrequent, leading to delayed diagnosis and care. PwO and HCPs held different views as to why: HCPs often attributed it to PwO’s lack of motivation or disinterest, whereas PwO avoided them because they felt weight managing was their own responsibility and were uncomfortable discussing it. When weight was discussed, primarily with general practitioners (GPs), discussions mostly focused on physical activity and dietary. However, results identified a strong psychosocial impact of obesity: 42% of respondents reported anxiety-depressive symptoms, and many more hesitated to engage in certain social activities because of their weight. Psychotherapy was only discussed by 55% of HCPs. Pharmaceutical options were also rarely discussed (19.5% of HCPs), though 56.1% of PwO reported they would want to. Conclusions: HCPs’ and PwO’s perceptions differed significantly and need to converge through enhanced communication. A holistic approach, integrating comprehensive training for GPs and psychological comorbidities, would help to bridge perceptual gaps effectively and foster more empathetic and effective patient care.

The amino acids (AAs) and vitamins imbalances are observed in celiac disease (CD). This study evaluated the plasma profile of vitamin A and AAs and the expression level of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and TGFβ in CD patients. A total of 60 children and adults with CD and 40 healthy controls (HCs) were included. Plasma profile of Vitamin A and AAs and the mRNA expression levels of target genes were assessed. Active adult patients exhibited a decrease in Vitamin A levels (p=0.04) and an increase in IL-2 (p=0.008) and IL-12 (p=0.007) mRNA expression compared to HCs. Treated adult patients showed elevated Serine (p=0.003) and Glycin (p=0.04) levels, as well as increased IL-12 (P<0.0001) mRNA expression, and a decrease in Tryptophan (p=0.04) levels relative to the controls. Additionally, treated adult patients had higher plasma levels of Threonine compared to both active (p=0.04) and control (p=0.02) subjects, and increased mRNA expression of IL-4 (p=0.01) in comparison to active patients. In active children with CD, IL-2 mRNA level was found to be higher than in controls (P<0.0001) and in treated children (p=0.005). Treated children with CD exhibited decreased plasma levels of Tryptophan (p=0.01) and Isoleucine (p=0.01) relative to the controls, and increased mRNA expression of TGFβ (p=0.04) relative to active patients. Managing Retinoic acid levels is crucial to alleviate intestinal inflammation of CD patients. Threonine, tryptophan, and Isoleucine are potential therapeutic options for treating CD, and targeting serine, histidine, tyrosine, and aspartate may hold promise as therapeutic targets for CD patients.

Encapsulated nanofibers have emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of acne, owing to their ability to provide controlled release, targeted delivery, increased efficacy, and improved stability. Electrospinning is a well-established method for producing encapsulated nanofibers and has been shown to be effective for encapsulating various active ingredients. However, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed in the development of encapsulated nanofibers for acne treatment. One major challenge is the need for comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these treatments. The cost and scalability of production also need to be considered to make these treatments accessible and affordable for patients. In addition, the long-term stability of encapsulated active ingredients is another challenge in the development of encapsulated nanofibers for acne treatment. Regulatory frameworks need to be developed to ensure the safety and efficacy of these treatments. Future research may focus on developing multifunctional nanofibers that combine active ingredients with other properties, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, to provide a comprehensive approach to acne treatment. Moreover, the development of nanofiber-based skincare products may have a significant impact on the cosmetic industry. Overall, while there are still challenges to overcome, the potential benefits of encapsulated nanofibers for acne treatment make them an exciting and promising area of research for the future. In particular, the integration of smart drug delivery systems and responsive materials may enable the development of more personalized and effective treatments for acne. The development of new materials and encapsulation techniques, as well as the exploration of combination therapies that target multiple aspects of acne pathogenesis, are also future perspectives for encapsulated nanofibers in acne treatment.

Abstract: Autoimmune encephalitis is a complex and multifaceted pathology that involves the immune-mediated inflammation of the brain. It is characterized by the body's immune system mistakenly attacking the brain tissue, leading to a cascade of inflammatory processes. What makes autoimmune encephalitis vast is the wide range of causes, mechanisms, clinical presentations, and diagnostic challenges associated with the condition. The clinical presentations of autoimmune encephalitis are broad and can mimic other neurological disorders, making it a challenging differential diagnosis. This diverse clinical presentation can overlap with other conditions, making it crucial for healthcare professionals to maintain a high level of suspicion for autoimmune encephalitis when evaluating patients. The diagnostic challenges associated with autoimmune encephalitis further contribute to its vastness. Due to the variable nature of the condition, there is no definitive diagnostic test that can confirm autoimmune encephalitis in all cases. In this context, personalized patient management is crucial for achieving favorable outcomes. Each patient's treatment plan should be tailored to their specific clinical presentation, underlying cause, and immune response. Our objective is to raise awareness about the frequent yet under-diagnosed nature of autoimmune encephalitis by sharing five cases we encountered, along with a brief literature review.

Doxorubicin, a member of the anthracycline family, is a common anticancer agent often used as a first line treatment for the wide spectrum of cancers. Doxorubicin-based chemotherapy, although effective, is associated with serious side effects, such as irreversible cardiotoxicity or nephrotoxicity. Those often life-threatening adverse risks, responsible for the elongation of the patients' recuperation period and increasing medical expenses, have prompted the need for creating novel and safer drug delivery systems. Among many proposed concepts, polymeric nanocarriers are shown to be a promising approach, allowing for controlled and selective drug delivery simultaneously enhancing its activity towards cancerous cells and reducing toxic effects on healthy tissues. This article is a chronological examination of the history of the work progress on polymeric nanostructures, designed as efficient doxorubicin nanocarriers, with the emphasis on the main achievements of 2010-2020. Numerous publications have been reviewed to provide an essential summation of the nanopolymer types and their essential properties, mechanisms towards efficient drug delivery, as well as active targeting stimuli-responsive strategies that are currently utilized in the doxorubicin transportation field.

Coronavirus that is also known as COVID-19 disease is produced by SARSCoV-2. This causative agent is highly contagious and can cause potentially fatal pneumonia worldwide with serious public health concerns. In the beginning among infected individuals, most of them were those who were mainly shown to the wet animal market in a big city of China known as Wuhan. So, it was suggested that this was almost certainly the zoonotic source of COVID-19illness. The transitional source of origin and their mode of transmission to humans were not known obviously. Conversely, from human to human rapidly transformation have been confirmed generally. Currently, there is no availability of FDA approved clinically antiviral drugs and/or vaccines to be used against the COVID-19. Afterward, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 has been manifested as the third sketch of an enormously pathogenic coronavirus into human population globally. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the history of COVID-19 in Pakistan up-to 18^th weeks after beginning, current situation, epidemiology, and its impact on the human population. Moreover, we focused on physiological variation during the incubation period, genome analysis of SARS-CoV2, supportive treatment approaches, and safety measures in the Pakistani population, which may be supportive for combating the risk of COVID-19 epidemic. We also reviewed the future approaches for the development of therapeutic interventions and vaccines to cope with the COVID-19 epidemic.

Objective: To describe outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the outpatient setting after early treatment with zinc, low dose hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin (the triple therapy) dependent on risk stratification. Design: Retrospective case series study. Setting: General practice. Participants: 141 COVID-19 patients with laboratory confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in the year 2020. Main Outcome Measures: Risk-stratified treatment decision, rate of hospitalization and all-cause death. Results: Of 335 positively PCR-tested COVID-19 patients, 127 were treated with the triple therapy. 104 of 127 met the defined risk stratification criteria and were included in the analysis. In addition, 37 treated and eligible patients who were confirmed by IgG tests were included in the treatment group (total N=141). 208 of the 335 patients did not meet the risk stratification criteria and were not treated. After 4 days (median, IQR 3-6, available for N=66/141) of onset of symptoms, 141 patients (median age 58 years, IQR 40-67; 73% male) got a prescription for the triple therapy for 5 days. Independent public reference data from 377 confirmed COVID-19 patients of the same community were used as untreated control. 4 of 141 treated patients (2.8%) were hospitalized, which was significantly less (p<0.001) compared with 58 of 377 untreated patients (15.4%) (odds ratio 0.16, 95% CI 0.06-0.5). Therefore, the odds of hospitalization of treated patients were 84% less than in the untreated group. One patient (0.7%) died in the treatment group versus 13 patients (3.5%) in the untreated group (odds ratio 0.2, 95% CI 0.03-1.5; p=0.16). There were no cardiac side effects. Conclusions: Risk stratification-based treatment of COVID-19 outpatients as early as possible after symptom onset with the used triple therapy, including the combination of zinc with low dose hydroxychloroquine, was associated with significantly less hospitalizations and 5 times less all-cause deaths.

The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is becoming pandemic with the highest mortality in people with associated comorbidities. These RNA viruses containing four structural proteins usually use spike protein to enter the host cell. It has been demonstrated that Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) ,as a part of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), acts as a host receptor for the virus which is the main target of therapeutic approaches. However, medications acting on RAAS can lead to serious complications especially in people with diabetes and hypertension. To avoid this, other potential treatment modalities should be used in COVID-19 patients with associated comorbidities.

A novel mathematical model is developed to calculate the temperature distribution on the surface and bulk of a steel plate under the laser hardening process. The model starts with the basic heat equation then it is developed into a volumetric form and is connected to the various solid existing phases. The proposed model is based on three influencing parameters of the laser hardening process which are the velocity of the laser spot and irradiation time. The results are compared with the available experimental data reported in the literature. The volumetric model provides an assessment of temperature distribution in both the vertical and horizontal axis. Laser irradiation at sufficiently high fluence can be used to create a solid-state phase change on the surface. Primary calculations show that the temperature profile has a Gaussian distribution in horizontal x and y-axis and presents an exponentially decreasing in the horizontal and vertical depth directions.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disorder, which results in seriously impaired condition in the patients and great global disability burden. In light of its quite diverse etiologies, comorbidity with many other diseases, and complex underlying pathology, it has been a great challenge to understand the physiological basis of MDD, which may be a complex of related diseases, rather than a single one. In addition to the partial understanding of MDD, the individual heterogeneities among patients may render the development of a universal treatment an elusive goal. But studying how each of currently available treatments affects the disease can generate useful information to stratify patients into different subtypes for individualized treatments. In this case report, we present the first report of repeated success of using meditation as the only treatment of MDD, compared to initial success but no remission with other conventional antidepressants on the same patient. We hypothesized that the short but continuous natural pain during one-hour meditation sittings has the therapeutic effect to treat depression in the case of this patient and potentially others with MDD. This special opportunity of eliminating tremendous heterogeneity among different individuals has enabled us to probe deeply into the potential mechanism of depression treatments and the complex physiology of depression itself, both of which have likely profound implications in the treatment of other MDD patients as well. More importantly, this case report helps us dissect one specific component of meditation for its long-known and well-established benefit against depression.

This paper investigates the evolution of microstructures and precipitations of an ultra-low iron alloy 625 subjected to long term aging treatment by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD). Use ASTM G28A acid Fe3(SO4)2 erosion to represent intergranular corrosion weightlessness and corrosive morphology. The result shows that alloy at 750C by aging treatment for 40h, precipitated γ'' phase in the grain boundary. In high density area of γ'' phase, occurs γ'' phase to δ phase degeneration transformation by aging treatment for 200h and the needle-like δ phase becomes more with time prolonged. And γ'' phase degenerated to δ phase completely until treated for 1000h. The sample which has aging treatment tends to have intergranular corrosion and mainly because alloy element spreading leads to dilution area and grain boundary precipitated phase, plus interlaced δ phase’s dissolving, which makes sample grain particle fall off and this results in apparent weightlessness. The weightlessness rate(WLR) is related with precipitated volume score. With aging sensitization time change, can be described by Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation, i.e.: $WLR=44.32\left[1-\text{exp}\left(-\frac{t}{10.99}\right)\right]+44.62\left[1-\text{exp}\left(-\frac{t}{327.8}\right)\right]+1.267\left(mm/a\right)$

Background: Scabies is an unfortunately neglected tropical skin disease. Scabies occurs in Australia, however it is drastically more common amongst select socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Amongst these, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are affected particularly severely, likely secondary to rampant overcrowding. Methods: This literature review has comprehensively explored the relevant evidence available since the year 2000. Objectives: The objective of this article is to provide updates on the identification, management, and control of scabies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The article also aims to reveal issues with these factors that may be contributing to the inflated prevalence of scabies amongst these groups. Conclusions: Diagnosis currently depends upon clinical examination, dermatoscopy, and skin scraping microscopy; all of which are prone to error. In Australia, topical permethrin remains first-line treatment, however resistance is developing. Other management aspects to consider are environmental measures and treating secondary infections. Scabies prevention is far more cost-effective than managing advanced individual cases, typically ensured through mass drug administration of permethrin or ivermectin. Sustained prevention can prove troublesome for some communities. In order to address the status of scabies as a neglected tropical disease, these issues must be managed first.

Providing safe drinking water to people in developing countries is an urgent world-wide water problem and a main issue in the UN Sustainability Goals. One of the most efficient and cheapest methods to attain these goals is the use of slow sand filters. Slow sand filters can efficiently provide safe drinking water to people living in small rural communities not served by central water supply systems. The purpose of this review article is to critically summarize and synthesize features and advantages of slow sand filtration methods to improve the quality of drinking water with special focus on less-developed countries. Even though slow sand filtration is an old technique, its efficiency and cost-effectiveness make it important to continue to develop the method in parallel to other chemical and biological methods. Thus, there are needs to continue to develop methods for slow sand filtration combined with simple disinfection techniques for treatment of microbiological pollutants such as bacteria, microbes, viruses, and parasites. These techniques can be applied before or after the sand filter application. Studies are also needed to investigate other types of porous material in areas where suitable sand and gravel are not readily available. Methods are needed to reduce the contents of emerging environmental pollutants such as surfactants and microplastics. Also, further studies are needed to determine design criteria (particle size distribution, depth of media, residence time, temperature, etc.) for different types of pollutants, existing and emerging. Finally, further research is needed to advise on life cycle time, operation (e.g., batch or continuous flow), and maintenance procedures (cleaning of media, back-flushing, etc.) for used porous media in slow the sand filtration.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the application of chemical defensives and long-life inoculant, in mixtures or not, under the nodulation process of plants and the quality of soy seeds during storage. The first was carried out in a greenhouse and completely randomized design was used, in an 8 x 2 factorial scheme, with three replications, and the treatments consisted of applications of seed treatments via industrial: (T1 - control; T2 - MaximAdvanced; T3 - Fortenza; T4 - long-life inoculant; T5 - MaximAdvanced + Fortenza); T6 - MaximAdvanced + long-life inoculant; T7 - Fortenza + long-life inoculant; T8 - MaximAdvanced + Fortenza + long-life inoculant), which were sown in pots containing soils from two cultivation areas; the second in the laboratory, using a completely randomized design, in a factorial scheme 8 x 7, with four replications, with treatments consisting of eight combinations of industrial seed treatment in the greenhouse, stored for two months. That seed treatment industrial with fungicide/insecticide/inoculant, applied in isolation or not, does not influence the soy nodulation process. Soy seeds, regardless of the type of treatment received with fungicide/insecticide/long-life inoculant products, in mixtures or in isolation, may be stored for a period of 40 days for commercial purposes.

Objective: To perform a systematic review of real-world outcomes for anti-CGRP-mAbs. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed for real-world data of Erenumab, Galcanezumab, Fremanezumab, or Eptinezumab in patients with migraine. Results: We identified 104 publications (73 retrospective), comprising 8 pharmaco-epidemiologic and 63 clinic-based studies, 30 case reports and 3 other articles. None of the clinic-based studies provided follow-up data over more than one year in more than 200 patients. Findings suggest reductions in health insurance claims and days with sick-leave as well as better treatment adherence with anti-CGRP-mAbss. Effectiveness, reported in 59 clinic-based studies, was comparable to randomized controlled trials. A treatment pause was associated with an increase in migraine frequency and switching to another antibody resulted in a better response in some of the patients. Adverse events and safety issues were addressed in 70 papers including 22 single case reports. Conclusion: Real-world data on anti-CGRP-mAbs are limited by retrospective data collection, small patient numbers and short follow-up periods. The majority of papers seem to support good effectiveness and tolerability of anti-CGRP-mAbs in the real-world setting. There is an unmet need for large prospective real-world studies providing long-term follow-up of patients treated with anti-CGRP-mAbs.

In recent years, there is a growing concern about the alarming spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in different environments. Increasingly, many species of bacteria, fungi and viruses are becoming immune to the most commonly used pharmaceuticals. One of the causes of the development of the resistance is the persistence of these drugs, excreted by humans, in municipal and hospital wastewater (WW). Consequently, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a primary source of antimicrobial resistance genes as novel pollutants. This systematic review sought to examine the relevant literature on pharmaceutical residues (PRs) responsible for AMR in municipal and hospital WW in order to propose a classification of the PRs of greatest concern and provide an updated source for AMR management in WWTPs. Among 546 studies collected from four databases, 18 were included in the present review. The internal and external validity of each study was assessed, and the risk of bias was evaluated on a 20-parameter basis. Results were combined in a narrative synthesis discussing influents and effluents PR concentrations at 88 WWTPs, seasonal variations, differences between hospital and municipal WW, environmental risk assessment values of antimicrobial substances and treatment facilities removal efficiencies. Among the 45 PRs responsible for AMR evaluated in this study, the antibiotics ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, metronidazole, ofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim constitute a considerable risk in terms of ubiquitous distribution, worrying concentrations, risk quotients values, and resistance to removal treatments. Gaps in knowledge, data and information reported in this review provide a valuable source for managing AMR in WWTPs.

Based on electromagnetic heat transfer and metal phase transformation co-simulations, we modeled an AISI 1045 specimen under high-frequency heat treatment. Hardening zone predictions were confirmed through cooling and metal phase transformation simulations after obtaining the results from electromagnetic heat transfer simulations. The cooling process was modeled by applying the cooling coefficient of the cooling water in the same way as the actual heat-treatment process. To obtain the current flowing through the coil during high-frequency induction heating, the voltage was measured and applied using the resistance–inductance–capacitance circuit calculation method. Experimental and simulated results of the heating temperature and curing depth of an AISI 1045 specimen with a carbon content of 0.45% were compared; the comparison indicated good agreement between the two. Using the simulation results, we established a method for obtaining the current flowing through the induction coil for predicting the extent and depth of the hardening zone during high-frequency induction heat treatment.

Lyme disease and associated co-infections are increasing worldwide and approximately 20% of individuals develop chronic Lyme disease (CLD)/Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) despite early antibiotics. A 7–8-week protocol of double dose dapsone combination therapy (DDDCT) for CLD/PTLDS results in symptom remission in approximately 50% of patients for one year or longer, with published culture studies indicating higher doses of dapsone demonstrate efficacy against resistant biofilm forms of Borrelia burgdorferi. The purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate higher doses of dapsone in the treatment of resistant CLD/PTLDS and associated co-infections. Twenty-five patients with a history of Lyme and associated co-infections, most of whom had ongoing symptoms despite several courses of DDDCT, took one or more courses of high dose pulsed dapsone combination therapy (200 mg dapsone X 3-4 days and/or 200 mg BID x 4 days), depending on persistent symptoms. The majority of patients noticed sustained improvement in 8 major Lyme symptoms, including fatigue, pain, headaches, neuropathy, insomnia, cognition, and sweating, where dapsone dosage, not just treatment length, positively affected outcomes. High dose pulsed dapsone combination therapy may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of resistant CLD/PTLDS, and should be confirmed in randomized, controlled clinical trials.

The work is devoted to the investigation of virus quasispecies evolution and diversification due to mutations, competition for host cells, and cross-reactive immune responses. The model consists of a nonlocal reaction-diffusion equation for the virus density depending on the genotype considered as a continuous variable and on time. This equation contains two integral terms corresponding to the nonlocal effects of virus interaction with host cells and with immune cells. In the model, a virus strain is represented by a localized solution concentrated around some given genotype. Emergence of new strains corresponds to a periodic wave propagating in the space of genotypes. The conditions of appearance of such waves and their dynamics are described.

Emerging pollutants as pharmaceuticals have been focusing international attention for few decades. Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is a common drug widely found in effluents from hospitals, industrial and different wastewater treatment plants, as well as rivers. In this work, the lab-scale 3D-BER system was established, and more than 90% of the antibiotic CIP removal from the Low C/N wastewater. Best results were obtained with current intensity, and different C/N ratio significantly improve the removal of CIP and nitrates, when the ideal conditions were; C/N = 1.5-3.5, pH =7.0-7.5, and I = 60 mA. The highest removal efficiency of CIP = 94.20 %, NO3--N= 95.53 % and total nitrogen (TN) = 84.27 %, respectively. In this novel system, the autotrophic-heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria played vital role for the removal of CIP and enhanced denitrification process. Thus, autotrophic denitrifying bacteria uses CO2 and H2 as carbon sources to reduce nitrates to N2. This system has the assortment and prosperous community revealed at the current intensity of 60 mA, and the analysis of bacterial community structure in effluent samples fluctuates under different condition of C/N ratios. According to the results of LC-MS/MS analysis, the intermediate products were proposed after efficient biodegradation of CIP. Microbial community on biodegrading was mostly found at phylum, and class level was dominantly responsible for the NO3--N and biodegradation of CIP. This work can provide some new insights towards the biodegradation of CIP and the efficient removal of nitrates from low C/N wastewater treatment by the novel 3D-BER system.

Glaucoma poses a serious public health concern as it is the second leading cause of blindness after cataracts, while also being the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Glaucoma is more prevalent among Black, Latino, and Asian populations and it is essential to examine both racial and ethnic disparities that exist in treatment and prevention. As the number of people with glaucoma continues to grow, it is important to review aspects of this condition in order to better care for those affected. This article will review significant forms of glaucoma and what differentiates them in a diagnosis, treatment options, and recommendations on prevention and improving awareness

Background and Objectives: Treatment of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms (VAP) is always indicated regardless of their diameters, as their risk of rupture is significantly higher than that of visceral artery aneurysms. The invasiveness of surgery and its associated complications have led to a shift in favour of radiological interventions as the initial treatment of choice. However, there are still some unanswered questions on endovascular treatment of VAP regarding the optimal endovascular technique and the efficacy and safety outcomes. The purpose of this multicenter study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endovascular treatment of visceral pseudoaneurysms using Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) Copolymer-Based Non-Adhesive Liquid Embolic Agents (NALEAs). Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent endovascular embolization with EVOH-based NALEAs for visceral artery pseudoaneurysms between January 2018 and June 2023 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: 38 embolizations were performed. Technical success was achieved in all patients. The clinical success rate was high (92.1% overall), with no significant differences between ruptured and unruptured VAPs (p=0.679). 7 patients (18.4%) experienced procedure-related complications, related to a case of non-target embolization, four splenic abscesses due to end-organ infarction and two femoral pseudoaneurysms. The rates of procedure-related complications, end-organ infarction, and vascular access-site complications did not significantly differ between ruptured and unruptured VAPs (p>0.05). Conclusions: Both ruptured and unruptured visceral pseudoaneurysms can be effectively and safely treated with NALEA-based endovascular embolization. We suggest considering the use of NALEAs, particularly in specific clinical cases that highlight their advantages, including patients with coagulopathy, fragile vessels, and embolization targets that are located at a considerable distance from the microcatheter tip and are otherwise difficult to reach.

Facebook (FB) is the most popular online networking platform. There are several FB pages dedicated to spreading awareness about the Celiac disease (CD). To get the latest information, a huge number of CD patients follow Celiac disease Facebook (CD-FB) pages. Such pages frequently post beneficial information. However, very less is known if they provide appropriate information to CD patients. We conducted this study to know if CD-FB pages spread misleading information to CD patients. CD-FB pages from three celiac-influenced countries were explored using the FB platform and Google search engine. From October 2021 to April 2022, a total of 147 CD-FB, Italy (n=63), the USA (n=46), and India (n=38), were found eligible. Of them, 13% of pages (followers Mean±SD; Italy 2478±2011; USA 12635±12486; India 667±313) shared misleading information, particularly about gluten-free ingredients, and treatment of CD. In total,16% of CD-FB pages discussed alternative treatments option. Surprisingly, 7% of pages (followers Mean±SD; USA 23800±10465; India 628±333) supported alternative treatments for CD. CD-FB pages are useful for disseminating celiac-related information. While most of such pages provide useful information, a few pages sometimes contain misleading information. CD patients must consult their treating unit before following any uncertain information posted on CD-FB pages.

Levels of synthetic musk fragrances (SMFs) and various personal care products (PCPs) were measured in the Han River and its tributaries in Seoul, Korea. The most abundant SMF in all river and PCP samples was 4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-1,3,4,7-tetrahydrocyclopenta[g]isochromene (HHCB), followed by 1-(3,5,5,6,8,8-hexamethyl-6,7-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethanone (AHTN), musk ketone (MK), and 1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl-2,5,6,7-tetrahydroinden-4-one (DPMI). There was a significant correlation between the SMF concentration in the PCPs and the Han River samples. Moving from upstream to downstream in the Han River, the median SMF concentration was 6.756, 2.945, 0.304, and 0.141 μg/L in the sewage treatment plant (STP) influent, effluent, tributaries, and mainstream, respectively, implying that effective SMF removal was achieved during the sewage treatment process, followed by dilution in the receiving water. Four STPs using advanced biological treatment processes had removal efficiencies of 55.8%, 50.6%, 43.3% for HHCB, AHTN, and MK, respectively. The highest SMF concentrations in the tributaries were observed at locations close to the STPs. Our study confirmed that the main source of SMFs in the receiving water were sewage effluent containing untreated SMFs, which are largely originated from household PCPs, especially hair care products (e.g., shampoo) and perfumes.

The article presents a hybrid method for calculating the chemical composition of steel with the required hardness after cooling from the austenitizing temperature. Artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms were used to develop the model. Based on 550 diagrams of continuous cooling transformation (CCT) of structural steels available in the literature, a dataset of experimental data was created. Artificial neural networks were used to develop a hardness model describing the relationship between the chemical composition of the steel, the austenitizing temperature, and the hardness of the steel after cooling. A genetic algorithm was used to identify the chemical composition of the steel with the required hardness. The value of the objective function was calculated using the neural network model. The developed method for identifying the chemical composition was implemented in a computer application. Examples of calculations of mass concentrations of steel elements with the required hardness after cooling from the austenitizing temperature are presented. The model proposed in this study can be a valuable tool to support chemical composition design by reducing the number of experiments and minimizing research costs.

The BNT162b2 vaccine is globally used for preventing morbidity and mortality related to COVID-19. Cancer patients have had priority for receiving the vaccine due to their diminished immunity. This study reports the response of administering the 3rd and 4th vaccine doses to can-cer patients receiving active anti-neoplastic treatment. 142 patients have received two doses of the mRNA-based BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine, while 76 and 25 patients have received three and four doses, respectively. The efficacy of the humoral response following two vaccine doses was diminished in cancer patients, especially in the group of patients receiving chemotherapy. In a multivariate analysis, patients after three and four BNT162b2 vaccine doses were more likely to have antibody titers in the upper tertile compared to patients after two doses of the vaccine (odds ratio (OR) 7.62 (95% CI 1.38-42.12), p=0.02 and 17.15 (95% CI 5.01-58.7), p<0.01, respective-ly). Unlike the response after two doses, the 3rd and 4th BNT162b2 vaccine booster doses, had an increased efficacy of 95-100% in cancer patients while on active treatment. This result could be explained by different mechanisms including the development of memory B cells.

With the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is a need for efficient management of patients with mild or no symptoms, which account for the majority. The aim of this study is to introduce the structure and operation protocol of a living and treatment support centre (LTSC) operated by Seoul National University Hospital in South Korea. The existing accommodation facility was converted into a 'patient centre' where patients was isolated. A few Medical staff here performed medical tests and responded to emergencies. Another part of the LTSC was 'remote monitoring centre'. In this center, patients’ self-measured vital signs and symptoms were monitored twice a day, and the medical staff staying here provided video-consultation via a smartphone. During the 3 weeks from March 5 to March 26, 2020, 113 patients were admitted and treated. LTSC could be an efficient alternative to hospital admission in pandemic situation like COVID-19.

The dynamic effects observed in collisions represent a specific area of high-energy interaction located at the boundary of mechanics, hydrodynamics, shock wave physics, and alternating high-pressure regions. The paper shows that in the volume of a solid metal body, as a result of dynamic alloying by a high-speed stream of powder particles in the super-deep penetration mode (SDP), fibre structures of altering material arise, forming the framework of the composite material. The stream of powder particles in the metal obstacle following the path of least resistance and the impact of shock waves on particles results in a volumetric framework from the products of interaction between the injected and matrix materials. When using SDP, defective structural elements (channelled) - germs of reinforcing fibres arise. At the subsequent heat treatment, there is an intensive diffusion. The growth process of reinforcing fibres shifts to higher temperatures (as compared to the standard mode), leading to an increase in the bending strength of the fibre material up to 13 times for high-speed tool W6Mo5Cr4V2 steel. As a result of the completion of the growth of reinforcing fibres in the volume of the W6Mo5Cr4V2 steel, the material's bending strength in 1.2 times is realised. Simultaneously, it provides an increase of wear resistance 1.7-1.8 times.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. The management of AF presents significant challenges due to its complex nature and diverse patient profiles. In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies has emerged as a promising approach to enhance various aspects of AF management. This comprehensive review aims to explore the evolving role of AI in AF management, with a focus on its potential applications in diagnosis, risk prediction, treatment selection, and patient monitoring. Real academic references were employed to provide evidence-based insights into the impact of AI on AF management.

In recent years, the discharge of various emerging pollutants, chemicals and dyes in water and wastewater has represented one of the prominent human problems. Since water pollution is directly related to human health, highly resistant and emerging compounds in aquatic environments will pose many potential risks to the health of all living. Therefore, water pollution is a very acute problem that has constantly increased in recent years with the expansion of various industries. Consequently, choosing efficient and innovative wastewater treatment methods to remove contaminants is crucial. Among advanced oxidation processes, electrochemical oxidation (EO) is the most common and effective method for removing persistent pollutants from municipal and industrial wastewater. However, there are still many gaps despite the great progress in using EO to treat real wastewater. This is due to the lack of comprehensive information on the operating parameters which affect the process and its operating costs. In this paper, among various scientific articles, the impact of operational parameters on the EO performances, a comparison between different electrochemical reactor configurations, and a report on general mechanisms of electrochemical oxidation of organic pollutants have been reported. Moreover, an evaluation of cost analysis and energy consumption requirements have also been discussed. Finally, the combination process between EO and another important advanced oxidation technology, PEC, called photoelectrocatalysis (PEC), has shortly been discussed and reviewed. This article showed that there is a direct relationship between important operating parameters with the amount of costs and the final removal efficiency of emerging pollutants. Optimal operating conditions can be achieved by paying special attention to reactor design, which can lead to higher efficiency and more efficient treatment. The rapid development of EO for removing emerging pollutants from impacted water and its combination with other green methods can result in more efficient approaches to face the pressing water pollution challenge.

Monkeypox virus infection is a recognized public health emergency. Little research has been done on treatment options for this disease. Until recently, there was not a single published work describing the usage of specific drugs in human patients with monkeypox virus infection. This paper gives the first bibliometric analysis of monkeypox treatment options based on data available on PubMed and Scopus. It also reviews the specific drugs used in the treatment of monkeypox. That includes data on Tecovirimat, Cidofovir, Brincidofovir, and Vaccinia Immune Globulin. Tecovirimat is a promising option in progressive disease in terms of efficacy and safety. However, Brincidofovir has been associated with discontinuation of treatment. Cidofovir is also not the preferred drug among physicians. Currently, Tecovirimat can be further used for the management of aggravating cases. More studies should be conducted on Tecovirimat to treat this condition, mainly through controlled trials.

Use of a multi-sensor approach can provide citizens a holistic insight in the air quality in their immediate surroundings and assessment of personal exposure to urban stressors. Our work, as part of the ICARUS H2020 project, which included over 600 participants from 7 European cities, discusses data fusion and harmonization on a diverse set of multi-sensor data streams to provide a comprehensive and understandable report for participants, and offers possible solutions and improvements. Harmonizing the data streams identified issues with the used devices and protocols, such as non-uniform timestamps, data gaps, difficult data retrieval from commercial devices, and coarse activity data logging. Our process of data fusion and harmonization allowed us to automate the process of generating visualizations and reports and consequently provide each participant with a detailed individualized report. Results showed that a key solution was to streamline the code and speed up the process, which necessitated certain compromises in visualizing the data. A thought-out process of data fusion and harmonization on a diverse set of multi-sensor data streams considerably improved the quality and quantity of data that a research participant receives. Though automatization accelerated the production of the reports considerably, manual structured double checks are strongly recommended.

The dye effluent is usually difficult to be degraded by conventional wastewater treatment in leather industry. In order to develop efficient and cost-effective treatment methods, we evaluate the effect of white-rot fungus immobilization for dye decolorisation in this paper. The Phanerochaete chrysosporium BKM-F-1767 was used for immobilization. This research found that the white-rot fungus immobilization had an obviously decolorisation effect in dye wastewater treatment, and plant carriers such as sorghum stalk and corn cob were helpful to the growth of Phanerochaete chrysosporium in white-rot fungus immobilization. Due to the stability and recyclability, the white-rot fungus co-immobilization was considered as the most suitable treatment for decolorisation of dye effluent which enjoyed the advantages of both adsorption immobilization and entrapment immobilization. Furthermore, the dye decolorisation evaluation was carried out to find the most suitable carrier for co-immobilization, and it found that sorghum stalk - calcium-alginate gel spherical particle (SS-CGPB) has better decolorisation effect than corn cobs - calcium-alginate gel spherical particle (CC-CGPB), and the dye decolorisation rate was 86.77%. After 5 cycles, the dye decolorisation rate was 85.87% which indicated the SS-CGPB preserved functional integrity successfully. By further analyzing the biodegradation process with white-rot fungus immobilization, the intermediate products were observed and the degradation pathway of acid golden yellow dye molecular was proposed. The results showed that the C-N single bonds attached to the central benzene in the dye molecule were attacked and destroyed in white-rot fungus co-immobilization treatment, thus the structure of dye molecule could be successfully degraded into small molecules which would be more easily treated by conventional treatment methods. Therefore, the white rot fungus co-immobilization might be appropriate for pre-treatment as an important biotechnology for the advanced treatment of dye effluent.

This study was first time designed to investigate the effect of oxidation on protein digestion and transport properties in boiled sea cucumber body wall (BSCBW) via simulated digestion combine with everted-rat-gut-sac models. Boiling heat treatments led to protein oxidation in SCBW, manifested by increases in free radical intensity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, carbonyl groups, disulfide bonds, dityrosine bonds, advanced glycation end products, protein hydrophobicity and aggregation, declines in free sulfhydryl group, and secondary structure transition from α-helix to β-sheet. Boiling for 2 h caused the anti-digestion collagen unfolding, provided the action site for protease, and improved the protein digestion and transport levels. On the contrary, excessive oxidative modification of 4 h-BSCBW resulted in decreased protein digestion and transport levels. From the perspective of texture, digestion and transport properties, boiling for 2 h can obtain sea cucumber products with better edible and digestible properties, which is considered to be a better processing condition.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been subject of extensive scientific investigation in the last three decades and, currently, are one of the type of compounds most studied to be potentially applied in a wide range of distinct catalytic processes. Pristine MOF compounds provide several intriguing benefits for catalytic applications, including high interior surface areas and densities of active sites, allowing high catalytic reaction rates per volume, post-synthesis modified with com-plementary catalytic groups, enabling multiple functional groups to catalyze the reaction. Most of large-scale catalytic applications, including those in fuel processing, gas emission reduction and chemical synthesis, nevertheless the pristine MOFs often reveal limited stabilities and opportuni-ties for regeneration at high temperatures. As a result, the real applications of MOFs in these tech-nologies are likely to be constrained, and their controlled thermal modification aiming the prepa-ration of MOF-derivative compounds has been applied to induce crystalline structural changes and increase their structural stability, enhancing its potential applicability in more severe catalytic processes. Recent advances concerning the use of this strategy to boost the catalytic potential of the MOF-derivative compounds are outlined in this short-review article.

We introduce the linear subgroup of volume-preserving diffeomorphism as the underlying symmetry to construct an action within the effective field theory framework and the Schwinger-Keldish formalism. The formulated action is posited to effectively incorporate dissipative effects into the Navier-Stokes equations.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe vascular complication of connective tissue diseases (CTD). Patients with CTD may develop PH belonging to different groups: 1) pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), 2) PH secondary to lung disease and/or hypoxia, 3) PH due to left heart disease, and 4) chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). PAH most often develops in systemic scleroderma (SSc), mostly in its limited variant. PAH-CTD is a progressive disease characterized by poor prognosis, therefore the early diagnosis should be established A specific treatment for PAH-CTD is currently available and recommended: prostacyclin derivative (treprostinil, epoprostenol, iloprost, selexipag), nitric oxide and natriuretic pathway: stimulators of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC: riociguat) and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i: sildenafil, tadalafil), endothelin receptor antagonists (ERA: bosentan, macitentan, ambrisentan). Moreover, novel drugs e.g. sotatercept are intensively investigated in the clinical trials. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on the recent advances in treatment strategy and prognosis of patients with PAH-CTD.

To achieve the required mechanical properties in the heat treatment of steel, it is necessary to have an adequate cooling rate and to achieve the desired final temperature of the product. This should be achieved with one cooling unit for different product sizes. In order to provide high variability of the cooling system, different types of nozzles are used in modern cooling systems. Designers often use simplified, inaccurate correlations to predict the heat transfer coefficient, resulting in oversizing of the designed cooling or failure to provide the required cooling regime. This typically results in longer commissioning times and higher manufacturing costs of the new cooling system. Accurate information about the required cooling regime and the heat transfer coefficient of the designed cooling is critical. This paper presents a design approach based on laboratory measurements. Firstly, the way to find or validate the required cooling regime is presented. The paper then focuses on nozzle selection and presents laboratory measurements that provide accurate heat transfer coefficients as a function of position and surface temperature for different cooling configurations. Numerical simulations using the measured heat transfer coefficients allow the optimum design to be found for different product sizes.

Abstract Kidney transplant recipients, because of a weak immune response due to the assumption of immunosuppressant are exposed to the risk of COVID-19 infection. This fact realize the problem on how to treat the severe infection without carrying the risk of acute rejection due to the reduction of the immunosuppressive drugs. The best are the prophylactic measures to be taken before transplantation as vaccination. If the patient is already transplanted, three measures may be undertaken: Vaccination, use of monoclonal antibodies, use of therapeutic antiviral small molecules. Concerning vaccination is still debated which one is the best and how many doses should be given. The surge of new virus variant is the major problem and invites to find new active vaccines. In addition, not all the transplanted patients develop antibodies. The other measure is the use of monoclonal antibodies. They may be used as prophylaxis or in the early stage of the disease. Finally, the antiviral small molecules may be used again as prophylaxis or treatment. Their major drawback are the interference with the immunosuppressive drugs and the fact that some of them cannot be administered to patients with low eGFR.

In this work, we investigated the effects of heat treatment on the microstructure, hydrogen storage characteristics and corrosion rate of a Ti₃₄V₄₀Cr₂₄Fe₂ alloy. The arc melted alloy was divided into three samples, two of which were separately quartz-sealed under vacuum and heated to 1000 °C for 1 h; one of these samples was quenched and the other furnace cooled to ambient temperature. The crystal structures of the samples were studied via X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. Absorption/desorption characteristics were investigated using a Sievert apparatus. Potentiostat corrosion tests on the alloys were performed using an AutoLab^® corrosion test apparatus and electrochemical cell. All samples exhibited a mixture of body-center-cubic (BCC) and Laves phase structures. The corrosion rate, maximum absorption, and useful capacities increased after both heat treatments. The annealed sample had the highest absorption and reversible capacity. The plateau pressure of the as-cast alloy increased after quenching. The corrosion rate increased from 0.0004 mm/y in as-cast sample to 0.0009 mm/y after annealing and 0.0017 mm/y after quenching, due to a decrease in the Cr-content of the C14 phase.

Conventional heat treatment is not capable of converting a sufficient amount of retained austenite into martensite in high-carbon or high-carbon and high-alloyed iron alloys. Cryogenic treatment induces the following alterations in the microstructures: (i) a considerable reduction in the retained austenite amount, (ii) formation of refined martensite coupled with an increased number of lattice defects, such as dislocations and twins, (iii) changes in the precipitation kinetics of nano-sized transient carbides during tempering, and (iv) an increase in the number of small globular carbides. These microstructural alterations are reflected in mechanical property improvements and better dimensional stability. A common consequence of cryogenic treatment is a significant increase in the wear resistance of steels. The current review deals with all the mentioned microstructural changes as well as the variations in strength, toughness, wear performance, and corrosion resistance for a variety of iron alloys, such as carburising steels, hot work tool steels, bearing and eutectoid steels, and high-carbon and high alloyed ledeburitic cold work tool steels.

Telomeres, located at the ends of each chromosome play a vital role in determining cellular fate and aging. Accelerated shortening of telomeres may also result in accelerated aging and occurrence of age-related degenerative diseases. Anti-aging treatments may help in increasing the telomere length along with improving quality of life, reducing dependency for daily life activities, increasing life expectancy and reducing the risks associated with aging. In this study, we evaluated the effect of anti-aging integrative therapy in 36 individuals. The treatment included a combination of HBOT, ozone therapy, colon hydrotherapy, etc. Telomere length was used as a biomarker for objectively quantifying the outcome of the treatment. The effect of treatment was also assessed on various aging symptoms. At the end of the treatment, it was found that that 97.22% individuals showed an increase in telomere length with an average increase of 0.43 Kbp and 94.44% individuals showed reduced biological age with an average decrease of 3.8 years. These improvements were statistically significant. Improvements were also recorded in the majority of the symptoms. No major adverse events were observed. These results indicate that antiaging integrative therapy has the potential to reverse aging symptoms, cellular aging and improve quality of life.

Background: There are limited evidence-based data to guide treatment recommendations for breast cancer (BC) patients ≥ 80 years (P80+). Identifying and addressing unmet needs are critical. Aims: Advocate-BREAST80+ compared the needs of P80+ vs. patients < 80 years (P80-). Methods: In 12/2021, a REDCap survey was circulated electronically to 6,918 persons enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Breast Disease Registry. The survey asked about concerns and satisfaction with multiple aspects of BC care. Results: 2,437 participants responded (35 % response rate); 202 (8.3%) were P80+. P80+ were less likely to undergo local regional and systemic therapies vs. P80- (p

Increasing research has indicated a strong association between identity functioning and eating disorder (ED) symptomatology. However, a detailed investigation of identity throughout ED treatment is lacking. The present longitudinal study examined identity in inpatients with an ED and explored its co-development with ED symptomatology throughout treatment. At admission (Wave 1), 110 women with an ED (Mage=21, SD=6.08, range:14-45) participated, of whom 83.64% participated during treatment (Wave 2) and 55.45% at discharge (Wave 3). Questionnaires on identity synthesis, identity confusion, identity processes, and ED symptomatology were completed. Latent growth curve modeling was used to address the research questions. Throughout treatment, a decrease in identity confusion and an increase in identity synthesis and adaptive identity processes were found. Accordingly, increases in identity synthesis and identification with commitment were related to general decreases in drive for thinness and body dis-satisfaction. Similarly, such decreases in ED symptoms were related to general decreases in identity confusion and ruminative exploration. The present study points to an increase in identity functioning throughout treatment, and longitudinal associations between identity functioning and ED symptomatology were found. Helping the patient to decrease ruminative exploration and to increase identification with previously made life commitments seem important in ED treatment.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa and is associated with various gastrointestinal disorders. H. pylori is a pervasive pathogen, infecting nearly 50% of the world's population, and presents a substantial concern due to its link with gastric cancer, ranking as the third most common cause of global cancer-related mortality. This review article provides an updated and comprehensive overview of the current understanding of H. pylori infection, focusing on its pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. The intricate mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis, including virulence factors and host interactions, are discussed in detail. Diagnostic methods, ranging from traditional techniques to advanced molecular approaches, are explored, highlighting their strengths and limitations. The evolving landscape of treatment strategies, including antibiotic regimens and emerging therapeutic approaches, is thoroughly examined. Through a critical synthesis of recent research findings, this article offers valuable insights into the contemporary knowledge of Helicobacter pylori infection, guiding both clinicians and researchers toward effective management and future directions in combating this global health challenge.

Modification of Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) with heterocyclic compounds, imidazole and succinimide, was investigated. Pressure-impregnation with aqueous solutions containing imidazole, imidazole + citric acid, succinimide, succinimide + citric acid, and citric acid + sorbitol (CIOL®) at 5%, 10%, and 15% solid content was followed by oven-curing at 220 °C for 1 hour. Mass changes during treatment steps, bending properties, and anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) were examined. Results indicate that solid concentrations within the range of 5% to 10% were optimal. Results seem to show there are two differing mechanisms in the modification of imidazole and succinimide, respectively. Mass loss due to the heat treatment was highest in imidazole-treated specimens, whereas it remained low and concentration-independent in succinimide-treated specimens. ASE after three cycles reached 31% for imidazole-treated specimens and improved to 38% with the addition of citric acid. For succinimide, ASE increased from 17% to 41%. Bending properties generally showed improvement, except for succinimide + citric acid and CIOL®, which displayed a reduced modulus of rupture. Chemical analyses are warranted to fully understand the reaction mechanisms of the treatments. Imidazole treatment's positive effects are suggested to stem from a thermal reaction between the chemical and wood, indicated by substantial mass loss during leaching and specimen darkening. Succinimide and citric acid might exhibit polymerization with each other and wood components, akin to the CIOL® process. Further research should delve into reaction mechanisms and the impact of imidazole and succinimide on biological durability.

The study's objective was to assess the impact of Mediterranean diet/lifestyle interventions for weight loss on Positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence, Body mass index (ΒΜΙ), sleepiness, and blood pressure measurements (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We designed a randomized, controlled trial, including overweight and obese patients with moderate-to-severe OSA, randomized to standard care (SCG, n=37) and Mediterranean diet group (MDG, n=37). SCG received healthy lifestyle advice, while MDG underwent a 6-month behavioral intervention aiming to enhance weight loss and adherence to Mediterranean diet. PAP adherence, BMI, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and BP measurements were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. Post-intervention PAP use was higher in MDG compared to SCG (6.1 vs 5.4, p=0.02). Diet/lifestyle intervention was one of the most significant predictive factors for PAP adherence (OR = 5.458, 95% CI = 1.144-26.036, p=0.03). The SCG demonstrated a rise in BMI, while the MDG displayed a decline (0.41 vs -0.75, p=0.02). The MDG also demonstrated a substantial reduction in adjusted SBP (-5.5 vs 2.8, p=0.014) and DBP (-4.0 vs 2.5, p=0.01). Ultimately, incorporating a dietary/lifestyle intervention with standard care yields superior PAP adherence, BMI, and BP measurements in contrast to standard care alone, underscoring the potential benefits of allocating increased time and support within the MDG group. Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT05881824; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Globally, gastric cancer is a major cause of cancer mortality, with a 5-year survival rate of 32% for locally advanced and metastatic gastric cancer. This systematic literature review summarized the clinical, safety, and humanistic outcomes associated with systemic regimens given as first line therapy for locally advanced and metastatic gastric cancer. The search included articles published in English in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting library, from inception to April 2022. Phase II and III randomized controlled trials conducted among western populations diagnosed with stage III and IV locally advanced and metastatic gastric cancer were included. Two investigators independently reviewed the studies, conducted data extraction, and assessed risk of bias in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-four randomized controlled trials totaling 8,705 patients were included. Median overall survival ranged from 5.0-13.1 months, median progression-free survival ranged from 2.0-7.7 months, and objective response ranged from 13.0-64.1%. Two studies reported higher quality of life outcomes. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events were reported in most studies. Improvement in clinical outcomes can be seen in recently published randomized controlled trials for locally advanced and metastatic gastric cancer.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy that predominantly affects the elderly. Prognosis declines with age. For those who cannot tolerate intensive chemotherapy, historically established treatment options have been hypomethylating agents (HMAs), low dose cytarabine (LDAC), and best supportive care (BSC). As the standard of care evolves for those unfit for intensive chemotherapy, there is a need to understand established treatment pathways, clinical outcomes and healthcare resource utilization in Canada. The CURRENT study was a retrospective chart review of AML patients not eligible for intensive chemotherapy who initiated first-line treatment between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018. Data were collected from 170 Canadian patients treated at six hematology centers, of whom 118 received systemic therapy and 52 received BSC as first-line treatment. Median overall survival was 8.58 months and varied from 2.96 months for BSC to 13.31 months for HMAs. Over 80% of patients had at least one outpatient visit, and 67% of patients receiving systemic therapy and 71% of those receiving BSC had at least one admission to hospital, during their first line of therapy. A total of 96 (81.4%) patients receiving first line systemic therapy and 39 (75.0%) of those receiving first line BSC had at least one red blood cell or platelet transfusion. These findings highlight the unmet need for novel therapies for patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

Cognitive rehabilitation is useful for many after traumatic brain injury (TBI), but we lack critical knowledge about which patients benefit the most from different approaches. Advanced neuroimaging techniques have provided important insight into brain pathology and systems plasticity after TBI and have potential to inform new practices in cognitive rehabilitation. In this study, we aimed to identify candidate structural brain measures with relevance for rehabilitation of cognitive control (executive) function after TBI. Twenty-eight patients (9 female, mean age 40.5 (SD = 13.04) years) with moderate/severe TBI (>21 months since injury) that participated in a randomized controlled cognitive rehabilitation trial (NCT02692352) were included in the analyses. Regional brain volume was extracted from T1-weighted MRI scans before treatment using tensor-based morphometry. Both positive and negative associations between treatment outcome (everyday cognitive control function) and regional brain volume were observed. The most robust structural brain measures with relevance for improvement in function were observed in midline fronto-parietal regions, including the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices. The study pro-vides proof of concept and valuable insight for planning future studies focusing on neuroimaging in cognitive rehabilitation after TBI.

Hadhramout Initiative Against Corona (HIAC ) formed a working group of clinicians relevant to the management of COVID-19 to formulate clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for clinicians caring for the patients infected with COVID-19 in Yemen. The regional guidelines on the management of COVID-19 were thoroughly reviewed and its applicability was assessed for Yemen. HIAC’s recommendations covered (2) sections: the first one is the diagnosis, including case definition, risk stratification of the affected cases, investigations (prioritization of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, D-dimer, chest x-ray, and chest computed tomography, while the second part covers the treatments (mainly Favipiravir, Remdesivir, Hydroxychloroquine, and Glucocorticoid, Anticoagulants, and Supportive measures). In conclusion, the adoption of cost-effective and evidence-based guidelines in Yemen will standardize the management of the patients infected with COVID-19 and protect both the patients and the health care workers from malpractice.

Duplex and Super Duplex Stainless Steels are very prone to secondary phases formation related to ferrite decomposition at high temperatures. In the present paper the results on secondary phase precipitation in a 2510 Duplex Stainless Steel, heat treated in the temperature range 850-1050 °C for 3-30 minutes are presented. The precipitation starts at grain boundaries with a consistent ferrite transformation for very short times. The noses of the TTP curves are at 1000 °C for σ-phase and at 900 °C for χ-phase, respectively. The precipitation sequence involves a partial transformation of χ into σ, as previously evidenced in 2205 and 2507 grades. Furthermore, the experimental data were compared to the results of Thermo-Calc calculations.

Our first modern global pandemic is caused by a nanosized lipid vesicle, called SARS-CoV-2. Its molecular structure and biogenesis have remarkable similarities with Extracellular Vesicles (EVs, most notably exosomes) that are constantly shed by all cells during their life. Their resemblance may not be a coincidence. Growing body of evidence has shown that EVs have significant roles in various biological processes, including viral infection, transmission and anti-viral response. Drawing comparison with the virus might shed light on how we could fight the COVID-19 disease. This may include novel EV research and diagnostics technologies as well as novel EV-based treatments.

Background: Cancer has been one of the most critical health problems during the past decades which require serious consideration, especially in developing countries. Methods: 80 parents of the children with different types of cancers were studied via both questionnaire and person-to-person interview after announcing their informed consent. Results: The highest delay in patients' initial referral was due to the following factors: lack of attention or ignoring the first symptoms, delay in referring to the physician, low economic status and even lack of family support for the patient. In addition, visiting several doctors after the initial diagnosis, uncertainty about the first proposed method, and high cost of treatment can be mentioned as the main causes of delays in the start of treatment. Conclusion: Education plays an important role in identifying the signs of cancer. In addition, proper relationship and cooperation between the health system and physicians as well as provision of adequate information to patients could lead to the long-term cooperation of these patients in continuing their treatment.

Coordinated sets of extremely numerous digital data, on a given social or economic event, are treated by Artificial Intelligence tools to obtain reasonably accurate, valuable predictions. The same approach, applied to biomedical issues, as how to choose the right drug to completely cure a given cancer patient, does not reach satisfactory results. It is the “organized biological complexity”, which requires a different systems approach, to integrate, in an Augmented Intelligence strategy, statistical computations of digital data, network construction of “omics” findings, well-designed mathematical models and new experiments in an iterative pathway to reconstruct the “logic” beneath the “organized complexity”, as shown here for Systems Metabolomics of cancer. On this basis new diagnostic approaches, able to identify precision drug treatments, as well as new discovery strategy for more effective anti-cancer drugs are described.

The correlation and comorbidity between depression and chronic pain have been observed for a long time. Generally, it is considered that the two conditions reinforce each other, whereas the causal relationship between them is not clear. However, some evidence suggested that chronic pain may reverse the progression of depression in some cases. This article presents a selective review of clinical and pharmacological relationship between depression and pain, and their interactions at neurochemical and neurobiological levels. In addition, we open a discussion on a recent case report of repeated success of using short but continuous pain (SCP) during meditation as the only treatment for depression, compared to initial success but no remission with other conventional antidepressants on the same patient. Together this review proposes an updated model for depression and its various treatments that is based on synaptic and system homeostasis. More importantly, it suggests that SCP may benefit depression recovery through its properties that are different from either acute or chronic pain and represents a novel research area that has been largely neglected to date.

Infertility affects millions worldwide, posing a significant global health challenge. The proteomic analysis of follicular fluid provides a comprehensive view of the complex molecular landscape within ovarian follicles, offering valuable information on the factors influencing oocyte development and on the overall reproductive health. The follicular fluid is derived from the plasma and contains various proteins that can have different roles in oocyte health and infertility and this fluid is a critical microenvironment for the developing oocytes as well. Using HPLC/MS method we investigated the protein composition of the follicular fluid and after classification we did relative quantification of the identified proteins in the pregnant (P) and non-pregnant (NP) groups. Based on the protein-protein interaction analysis ALB and ApoA1 was found to be hub proteins and the quantitative comparison of the P and NP groups resulted significantly lower concentration of ApoA1 and HDL-cholesterol in the P group. As both molecules are involved in the cholesterol transport, we also investigated their role in the development of oocytes and in the prediction of fertility.

The combination of interstitial hyperthermia treatment (IHT) with high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) for prostate cancer treatment and has the potential to improve clinical outcome, since it highly enhances the efficiency of cell kill, especially when applied simultaneously. Therefore, we have developed the ThermoBrachy applicators. To effectively apply optimal targeted IHT, treatment planning is considered essential. However, treatment planning in IHT is rarely applied since it is regarded difficult to accurately calculate the deposited energy in the tissue in a short enough time for clinical practice. In this study, we investigated various time-efficient methods for fast computation of the electromagnetic (EM) energy deposition resulting from the ThermoBrachy applicators. Initially, we investigated the use of an electro-quasistatic solver. Next, we extended our investigation to the application of geometric simplifications. Furthermore, we investigated the validity of the superpositioning principle, which can enable adaptive treatment plan optimization without the need for continuous recomputation of the EM field. Finally, we evaluated the accuracy of the methods by comparing them to the golden standard Finite-Difference Time-Domain calculation method using gamma-index analysis. The simplifications considerably reduced the computation time needed, improving from &gt;12 h to a few seconds. All investigated methods showed excellent agreement with the golden standard by showing a &gt;99% passing rate with 1%/0.5 mm Dose Difference and Distance-to-Agreement criteria. These results allow the proposed electromagnetic simulation method to be used for fast and accurate adaptive treatment planning.

In this study, a simple machine learning-based quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model was developed to predict the inhibitory potency (pIC50 values) of FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors, pivotal in treating Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Distinctively, our model leverages an extensive and diverse dataset, 14 times larger than those employed in prior studies within this field, enabling an unparalleled scope of compound analysis. This vast dataset, combined with further exploration of molecular descriptors, enabled predictions of extraordinary precision, covering a broader spectrum of FLT3 inhibitors than was previously possible. The Random Forest Regressor (RFR) algorithm, selected for its superior predictive performance, was trained with 1080 inputs and validated through comprehensive external and internal methods. It achieved an remarkable coefficient of determination (R^2) of 0.941 and a standard deviation of 0.235 on a test set of 270 compounds, highlighting the efficacy of model in predicting FLT3 inhibitory activity. Key molecular descriptors were identified, enhancing our understanding of structural requirements for inhibitor potency. Additionally, we developed a user-friendly computational tool that enables the rapid prediction of pIC50 values. Utilizing this tool, potential FLT3 inhibitors were identified through ligand-based virtual screening. This study represents a major advancement in FLT3 inhibitor discovery by utilizing a simple QSAR-machine learning model. It enables more efficient and precise identification of potential drug candidates at an early stage, promising a faster development of targeted therapies and streamlining the ligand-based drug design process.

The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of the developed real-time controlled bio-liquor circulation system (BCS) on a farm-scale to optimize bioreactor operation for manure treatment, and to subsequently reduce both manure-related malodor and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from slurry pits. The BCS was operated sequentially as per swine manure inflow (anoxic, aerobic, and settling) circulation to the slurry pit. The duration of each operational phase was self-adjusted in real-time using a novel algorithm for detecting the control point on the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and pH (mV)-time profiles, the nitrogen break point (NBP), and the nitrate knee point (NKP) in the aerobic and anoxic phases, respectively. The NH₄-N in the slurry manure was thoroughly removed (100%) in the bioreactor, optimizing the duration of each operational phase by accurately detecting real-time control points. The newly-developed real-time BCS decreased the nitrogen and organic matter content in the slurry pit manure by > 70%, and the potential ammonia and methane emissions by 75% and 95%, respectively. This study highlights that the this improved BCS that utilizes ORP tracking and pH (mV)-time profiles can effectively optimize BCS operation, and thereby reduce malodor and GHG emissions from swine farms.

Valorization of excess sludge through the recovery of high-value products, such as biopolymers, could be a crucial step to implement circular economy principles in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). In this frame, the present study was aimed at evaluating the simultaneous production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), obtainable from the treatment of an agro-industrial wastewater. Two biological systems, one implementing aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and the other a conventional activated sludge operating as a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) were operated for 204 and 186 days, respectively. Both the systems involved a three-stage process for mixed microbial culture enrichment and biopolymers accumulation. The maximum biopolymers accumulation capacity was close to 0.60 mg gVSS^-1 in the AGS when the enrichment reactor was operated at 3 kgCODm^-3d^-1, whereas in the SBR it was slightly more than half (0.35 mg gVSS^-1). Biopolymers extracted from the AGS were mainly constituted by EPS (>70%), which percentage increased with the organic loading rate applied in the enrichment reactor up to 95%. In contrast, SBR enabled to obtain a higher PHA production (50% of the biopolymers). Results suggested that organic carbon was mainly channeled toward metabolic pathways for extracellular storing in AGS, likely as a consequence of metabolic stressors (e.g., hydraulic selection pressure, shear forces) applied for promoting aerobic granulation.

Microalgae are known as a rich source of bioactive compounds which exhibit different biological activities. Increased demand for sustainable biomass for production of important bioactive components with various potential especially therapeutic applications has resulted in noticeable interest in algae. Utilization of microalgae in multiple scopes has been growing in various industries ranging from harnessing renewable energy to exploitation of high-value products. The focuses of this review are on the isolation of bioactive compounds from microalgae regarding different metabolites which are currently used and new possible applications of the compounds in industries and future prospects. Moreover, this work discusses the advantage, potential new beneficial strains, applications, limitations, research gaps and future prospect of microalgae in industry.

People with severe mental illness (SMI) are often in poor physical health, resulting in higher mortality and reduced life expectancy compared to the general population. Although eating habits are one of the main predictors of physical health, few studies assess the nutritional status and eating behaviour of people with SMI. The aim of this study was to examine the nutritional status and risk of malnutrition in people with SMI and in need of intensive psychiatric treatment. The cross-sectional study included 65 inpatients and 67 outpatients with psychotic or depressive disorders from the Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich. Patients’ assessments at admission included anthropometric measurements, such as weight and height, and interview data including severity of symptoms and functioning (SCL-K-9, PHQ-D, CGI, m-GAF), personal and medical data, nutrition risk screening tools (adapted NRS, MNA-SF) and laboratory values. The results showed that 32% of the inpatients (body mass index [BMI] = 25.3) and 34% of the outpatients (BMI = 27.9) were at risk of malnutrition, which was associated with higher levels of psychiatric symptoms and lower levels of functioning. These results indicate that a substantial proportion of psychiatric patients seem to be at risk of malnutrition, despite most being overweight, and hence they might benefit from nutritional support during their psychiatric treatment. Moreover, nutritional risk screening tools specifically developed for the mental healthcare setting are needed.

The prevalence and incidence of obesity and the comorbidities linked to it are increasing in the world population. Current therapies for obesity and associated pathologies have proven to cause a broad number of adverse effects and often, they are overpriced or not affordable for all patients. Among the alternatives currently available, natural bioactive compounds stand out. These are frequently contained in pharmaceutical presentations, nutraceutical products, supplements, or functional foods. The clinical evidence for these molecules is increasingly solid, among which epigallocatechin-3-gallate, ellagic acid, resveratrol, berberine, anthocyanins, probiotics, carotenoids, curcumin, silymarin, hydroxy citric acid, and α-lipoic acid stand out. The molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of these molecules have been shown to interact with the endocrine, nervous, and gastroenteric systems, as well as regulate the expression of multiple genes and, therefore, proteins involved in starvation-satiety processes, activation of brown adipose tissue, increased lipolysis, decreased lipogenesis, and inflammation, beneficial changes in metabolism and improved insulin sensitivity. This review provides a comprehensive view of nature-based therapeutic options to address the increasing prevalence of obesity. It offers a valuable perspective for future research and subsequent clinical practice, addressing everything from the molecular, genetic, and physiological bases to the clinical study of the bioactive compound.

The presence of the mite, Varroa destructor, requires the use of acaricide treatments in most honeybee colonies. Amitraz is one of the most common acaricide substances used by beekeepers. Some Varroa mite populations have developed resistance to amitraz leading to a loss of efficacy of amitraz-based treatments. Two products, Apivar and Supatraz were applied in the same apiary. Both treatments are amitraz-based but have a different galenics. Thanks to field data, a dynamic model was used to simulate the action of Apivar and Supatraz on the mite population. We consider two parameters to compare the products: daily mortality rate and treatment duration. In the field, the percentage of efficacy between the two products was not significantly different but Supatraz kills mite faster and decreases 90% of the mite infestation in 28.4 days compared to 50.9 days for Apivar. Thanks to modelling, we showed the daily impact of the two different products on mite population. Supatraz has a higher daily mortality rate during the first two weeks than Apivar. Supatraz requires a lower efficacy to stabilize the varroa mite population due to its faster release of active ingredient than Apivar, needing a shorter period to achieve the same result. Depending on the model, Supatraz conserve a good efficacy for low resistant mites but not for high resistant mites. These results show that the comparison of the efficacy of two products with different characteristics (duration of treatment and daily mortality rate) should be analyzed with caution.

Osteopontin (OPN)-CD44 signaling plays an important role in promoting tumor progression and metastasis. In cancer, OPN and CD44 overexpression is a marker of aggressive disease and poor prognosis, and correlates with therapy resistance. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the OPN and CD44 genes with clinical outcomes in 307 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. The potential impact of the variants on plasma OPN levels was also inves-tigated. Multivariate analysis showed that OPN rs11730582 CC carriers had a significantly in-creased risk of death (p = 0.029), while the CD44 rs187116 A allele correlated with reduced risk of locoregional recurrence (p = 0.016) in the curative treatment subset. The rs11730582/rs187116 combination was associated with an elevated risk of metastasis in these patients (p = 0.016). Fur-thermore, the OPN rs1126772 G variant alone (p = 0.018) and in combination with rs11730582 CC (p = 7x10-5) was associated with poor OS in the squamous cell carcinoma subgroup. The rs11730582 CC, rs187116 GG and rs1126772 G, as well as their respective combinations, were in-dependent risk factors for unfavorable treatment outcomes. The impact of rs11730582-rs1126772 haplotypes on OS was also observed. These data suggest that OPN and CD44 germline variants may predict treatment effects in NSCLC.

In the present work, a comparative evaluation of an MBBR unit performance was carried out for the following cases: when adding 3D-printed biocarriers fabricated with 13X and bentonite, when using K1 commercial biocarriers and when not adding biocarriers at all. For the evaluation of the MBBR efficiency, various physicochemical parameters were measured, while static light scattering and optical microscopy observations were additionally used. Finally, biofilm extracted from the biocarriers was evaluated. The findings suggest that there is an optimal biodegradation of the organic load in all MBBR units. The nitrification and denitrification process were improved at the 3D MBBR as compared to the control MBBR and MBBR K1. The dry mass of the biofilm in the 3D-printed biocarriers was two orders of magnitude larger than the one in the K1 biocarriers. What is more, in the K1 biocarriers the mass of the biofilm varied in relation to time, due to the fact that it could not be kept inside the holes, something that was not observed to happen with the 3D-printed biocarriers. Finally, it was observed, mostly in the 3D MBBR and less in the K1 MBBR, that the growth of nitrifying bacteria and heterotrophs inside the units increased the biomass production in the form of SMP, which in turn favored the adhesion of biomass on the surface of biocarriers.

Water pollution with dyes is a critical environmental issue because off the huge amount of dyes disbarred annually which cause severe damage for the ecosystem and human life. On the other hand, the core-shell based magnetic materials have showed amazing character for controlling the material synthesis with targeted structure to enhance the adsorptive-removal of pollutants. Herein, Fe3O4 core-TiO2/mesoSiO2 and Fe3O4 core-mesoSiO2/TiO2 double shell nanoparticles were prepared by first (R1) and second (R2) routes. The preparation procedure is controlled to prepare the magnetic core with further coating layers from silica and titania for the uptake of methylene blue from aqueous solutions. The reported adsorption capacities for R1-0.2, R1-0.4 and R2 samples were 46, 38 and 50 mg/g respectively at pH 6 after 80 min contact time form 50 ppm methylene blue solution. The adsorption process of methylene blue onto Fe3O4core-meso SiO2/TiO2 double shell was well fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlish isotherm which suggested the quick and multilayer adsorption mechanism. In addition, results of thermodynamic investigation indicated that the surfaces of Fe3O4 core-mesoSiO2/TiO2 and Fe3O4 core-TiO2/mesoSiO2 double shell exhibit spontaneous tendency to adsorb methylene blue from the aqueous solutions. These results will encourage the further application of Fe3O4 core-meso SiO2/TiO2 and Fe3O4 core-TiO2/meso SiO2 double shell for removal of other dyes and pollutants from wastewater.

The selection of biomaterials for biomedical application is a significant challenge. In the last few decades, various bioabsorbable and stable biopolymers have been applied for use as biomedical devices in orthopedic applications. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been extensively used in medical implants, notably in the bearings of hip, knee, and other joint prostheses, owing to its biocompatibility and high wear resistance. For the ACL graft, synthetic UHMWPE is an ideal candidate due to its biocompatibility and its extremely high tensile strength. Despite the appeal of new advanced materials such as carbon fiber, poly-ether-ether ketone, and other load-bearing materials, UHMWPE remains a primary load-bearing candidate material for ACL reconstructions because of its extremely high strength, the simplicity of the fabrication process, its biocompatibility, and low friction. However, some significant problems are observed in UHMWPE based implants, such as wear debris, and oxidative degradation due to the generation of free radicals when exposed to irradiation with gamma rays for grafting or sterilization. Various innovative methodologies have been developed to resolve those problems and enhance the properties of UHMWPE. In this review, we will explore in detail the methods for surface functionalization of UHMWPE and will apply these findings to the case study of UHMWPE for Anterior Cruciate Ligament repair.

Gradual disability worsening in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is indicative of confirmed progression that mostly involves progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) and is associated with neurodegeneration. Insights from pathology reveal grey matter involvement (neocortex, hippocampus, spinal cord, and deep grey matter structures) and microglia activation in early stages of MS. Cortical lesions result in thinning and atrophy and are considered accurate predictors of disability progression and cognitive decline.Neuroimaging biomarkers, such as high-resolution 7T MR images and TSPO-PET, have been examined for the detection of cortical pathology linked to cognitive deficits and thus progression, but are limited in clinical practice due to availability, time constraints, and cost.Electroencephalography (EEG) emerges as a non-invasive, cost-effective tool that reflects cortical activity in MS. Its potential in monitoring cognitive impairment is explored by focusing on nonlinear EEG analysis. The MuST PREDICT^TM project aims to extract linear and nonlinear EEG features, investigating their role in predicting disease progression and optimizing treatment. The study employs retrospective, cross-sectional, and prospective designs, utilizing EEGs from various MS forms, cognitive assessments, serum/cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and neuroimaging. The methodology involves time-based and spectral feature extraction, employing artificial intelligence classifiers and brain criticality-based approaches.The conceptual framework of an innovative modality is herein presented, that would EEG for early MS progression detection. Standardization of the methodology could lead to the creation of a digital tool for better prognostication and treatment strategy optimization.

The aim of this systematic scoping review was to provide scientific evidence on the efficacy and methods of application of hyaluronic acid in the coverage of gingival recessions in terms of recession depth (RD) reduction, clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, probing depth (PD). An electronic search of the literature on the main databases was conducted. Initially, 405 articles were identified. Finally, 4 studies were included after the review process. It was not possible to perform a meta-analysis of the articles selected because of the differences among the surgical treatments and commercial formulations and compositions of hyaluronic acid. Both randomized controlled trials in this research examined Recession Type 1 gingival treated with coronally advanced flap. Recessions were treated with either modified coronally advanced tunnel or laterally closed tunnel combined with subepithelial connective tissue graft and hyaluronic acid (HA) in all case series. The studies analyzed no significant variation was found in PD variable. The results of RD reduction are in accordance with the literature. Modifications of CAL are connected to variations of RD. HA seems to improve the clinical outcomes of the described surgical treatment.

To date, only a few studies focused on carbon monoxide (CO) production during waste composting; all targeted on CO inside piles. Here, the CO net emissions from compost piles and the assessment of worker’s occupational risk of exposure to CO at large-scale composting plants are shown for the first time. CO net emissions were measured at two plants processing green waste, sewage sludge, or undersize fraction of municipal solid waste. Effects of the location of piles (hermetised hall vs. open yard) and turning (before vs. after) were studied. Higher CO net emission rates were observed from piles located in a closed hall. The average CO flux before turning was 23.25 and 0.60 mg‧m-2‧h-1 for hermetised and open piles, respectively, while after – 69.38 and 5.11 mg‧m-2‧h-1. The maximum CO net emissions occurred after the compost was turned (1.7x to 13.7x higher than before turning). The top sections of hermetised piles had greater CO emissions compared to sides. Additionally, 5% of measurement points of hermetised piles switched to ‘CO sinks’. The 1-h concentration in hermetised composting hall can reach max. ~50 mg CO∙m-3 before turning, and &gt;115 mg CO∙m-3 after, exceeding the WHO thresholds for a 1-h and 15-min exposures, respectively.

We use a system biology approach to translate the interaction of Bacillus Calmette-Gurin (BCG) + interleukin 2 (IL-2) for the treatment of bladder cancer into a mathematical model. The model is presented as a system of differential equations with the following variables: number of tumor cells, bacterial cells, immune cells, and cytokines involved in the tumor-immune response. This work investigates the delay effect induced by the proliferation of tumor antigen-specific effector cells after the immune system destroys BCG-infected urothelium cells following BCG and IL-2 immunotherapy in the treatment of bladder cancer. For the proposed model, three equilibrium states are found analytically. The stability of all equilibria is analyzed using the method of Lyapunov functionals construction and the method of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs).

The low-temperature environment significantly inhibits the growth and metabolism of denitrifying bacteria, leading to an excessive concentration of ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen in sewage treatment plants during the cold season. In this study, an efficient denitrifying strain of heterotrophic nitrification–aerobic denitrification(HN-AD) bacteria named HS2 was isolated and screened from industrial sewage of a chemical factory in Inner Mongolia at 8°C. The strain was confirmed to be Achromobacter spiritinus, a colorless rod-shaped bacterium. When cultured with sodium succinate as the carbon source, a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 20-30, a shaking rate of 150-180 r/min, and the initial pH of 6-10, the Strain HS2 exhibited excellent nitrogen removal at 8°C. Through the results of whole-genome sequencing, gene amplification, and gas product detection, the Strain HS2 was determined to possess key enzyme genes in both nitrification and denitrification pathways, suggesting a HN-AD pathway of NH4+-N→NH2OH→NO2--N→NO→N2O→N2. At 8°C, the Strain HS2 could completely remove ammonia nitrogen from industrial sewage with an initial concentration of 127.23 mg/L. Microbial species diversity analysis of the final sewage confirmed Achromobacter sp. as the dominant genus, this indicated that the low-temperature denitrifying strain HS2 plays an important role in nitrogen removal of actual low-temperature sewage.

The identification of cancer predisposition syndromes (CPSs) plays a crucial role in understanding the etiology of pediatric cancers. CPSs are genetic mutations that increase the risk of developing cancer at an earlier age compared to the risk for the general population. This article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of three unique cases involving pediatric patients with CPS who were diagnosed with multiple simultaneous or metachronous cancers. The first case involves a child with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, nephroblastoma, glioma, and subsequent medulloblastoma. Genetic analysis identified two pathogenic variants in the BRCA2 gene. The second case involves a child with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, Xanthogranuloma Juvenile, gliomas, and subsequent JMML/MDS/MPS. A pathogenic variant in the NF1 gene was identified. The third case involves a child with pleuropulmonary blastoma and pediatric cystic nephroma/nefroblastoma in whom a pathogenic variant in the DICER1 gene was identified. Multiple simultaneous and metachronous cancers in pediatric patients with CPSs are a rare but significant phenomenon. Comprehensive analysis and genetic testing play crucial roles in understanding the underlying mechanisms and guiding treatment strategies for these unique cases. Early detection and targeted interventions are crucial for improving outcomes in these individuals.

Endovascular techniques are currently considered as a first line treatment options for lower limb chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), defined by the presence of ischemic rest pain and severe tissue loss such as ulcers or gangrene. Although the technical success rate of endovascular revascularization is high, in specific patients with advanced infrapopliteal disease and absence of run-off tibial vessels ("desert foot"), the chance of successful revascularization is minimal. In order to avoid primary amputation several treatment option are currently being investigated, including different strategies such as gene therapy or venous arterialization techniques. This review focuses on the percutaneous deep venous arterialization technique, recently introduced in everyday clinical practice, as a promising, minimally invasive treatment option for limb salvage in CLTI patients presenting with “desert foot”.

Delayed diagnosis and a lack of adequate care for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are related to worse outcomes and quality of life. This study aimed to identify the profile of service use, barriers to access care, and factors related to those barriers in Brazilian families with children with ASD. A total of 927 families with ASD children (3-17 years) from five Brazilian regions completed an online version of the Caregivers Needs Survey. Results showed that the most used services were behavioral interventions and pharmacotherapy, while the most used professionals were neurologists, nutritionists, speech therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and pediatricians. The main barriers included waiting lists, costs, and the absence of services or treatment. Service use varied according to age, the region of residence, the type of health care system used, and the parents/caregivers' education. Access to behavioral interventions was more frequent among users of the private system/health insurance and families whose caregivers had higher education. The absence of specialized services/treatments was less frequent among residents of state capitals and families whose caregivers had higher levels of education. This study highlights how families with children/adolescents with ASD in Brazil face significant barriers to access care related to sociodemographic factors.

Industries are required to utilize treatment technologies to reduce contaminants in wastewater prior discharge and valorize by-products to increase sustainability and competitiveness. Most acid leaching gypsum purification studies have obviated the treatment of the highly acidic wastewater produced. In this work, acidic wastewater from acid leaching purification of post-consumer gypsum was treated to recover a valuable solid product and reusable water. The main aims of this work were to determine the impact of recirculating acidic and treated wastewaters on the efficiency of the acid leaching purification process and to valorize the impurities in the wastewater. Samples were characterized through X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. SimaPro 9.5 and ReCiPe 2016 midpoint method were used for the life cycle assessment of three wastewater management approaches. The reuse of the acidic wastewater did not improve the chemical purity of gypsum. Soluble impurities were precipitated at pH 10.5 as a magnesium-rich gypsum that could be commercialized as fertilizer or soil ameliorant. The alkaline treated water was reused for 6 acid leaching purification cycles without impacting the efficiency of the purification process. An acid leaching-neutralization-filtration-precipitation approach demonstrated superior overall environmental performance. Barriers and enabling measures for the implementation of an in-house wastewater treatment were identified.

The risk of inhalation exposure to elevated concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and ammonia (NH₃) during the agitation of stored swine manure is high. Once or twice a year, farmers agitate manure before pump-out and application to fields. Agitation of the swine manure causes the short-term releases of highly toxic levels of H₂S and NH₃. In our previous pilot-scale studies, the biochar powder had shown significant mitigation of H₂S and NH₃ emissions when surficially applied to manure immediately before agitation. However, fine biochar powder application poses hazards by itself and may not be practical to apply on a farm scale, especially when livestock and workers are present. We hypothesized that applying pelletized biochar to manure surface is just as effective as applying powder to protect farmers and animals from excessive exposure to H₂S and NH₃. This work reports on the lab-scale proof-of-the-concept trials with biochar pellets on the lab-scale. The objective was to compare the biochar pellets and biochar powder on their effectiveness of mitigation on H₂S and NH₃ gases during 3-hour long swine manure agitation. Three scenarios were compared in (n=3) trials (i) control, (ii) 12.5 mm thick surficial application to manure surface of biochar powder, and (iii) an equivalent (by mass) dose of pelletized biochar applied to manure surface. The biochar powder was bound with 35% (wt) water into ~5 × 10 mm (dia × length) pellets. Biochar powder was significantly (p<0.05) more effective than the biochar pellets. Still, pellets reduced total H₂S and NH₃ emissions by ~72% and ~68%, respectively (p=0.001), compared with ~99% by powder (p=0.001). The maximum H₂S & NH₃ concentrations were reduced from 48.1±4.8 ppm & 1,810±850 ppm to 20.8±2.95 ppm & 775±182 ppm by pellets, and to 22.1±16.9 ppm & 40.3±57 ppm by powder, respectively. These reductions are equivalent to reducing the maximum concentrations of H₂S and NH₃ during the 3-h manure agitation by 57% and 57% (pellets) and 54% and 98% (powder), respectively. Treated manure properties hinted at improved nitrogen retention, yet not significant due to high variability. We recommend scaling-up and trials on the farm-scales using biochar pellets to assess the feasibility of application to large manure surfaces and techno-economic evaluation.

An array of diverse processes and factors have been linked to the pathoetiology and pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD), including systemic CNS factors. This article reviews some of the many processes and factors linked to the emergence and progression of PD that culminates in the loss of substantia nigra pars compacts (SNpc) in PD patients. It is proposed that SNpc astrocytes may be a key hub, with numerous systemic and CNS factors acting to suppress the astrocyte tryptophan-melatonin pathway, leading to a loss of astrocyte melatonin and lactate for SNpc dopamine neurons. Consequently, dopamine neurons show an increase in α-synuclein, oxidative stress and suboptimal mitochondrial function, partly due to the loss of melatonin induced PTEN-associated kinase (PINK)1/parkin and mitophagy. This leads to an increase in the major histocompatibility (MHC)-1 and the chemoattraction of CD8+ T cells that destroy SNpc dopamine neurons in an ‘autoimmune’/’immune-mediated’ manner. The upstream processes driving the end-point ‘chaos’ of SNpc dopamine neuron loss are proposed to be driven by the suppression of night-time pineal melatonin, gut microbiome derived butyrate and possibly bcl2-associated athanogene (BAG)-1, which all act to suppress the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) translocation to the nucleus in all systemic and CNS cells, thereby potentiating the effects of the rising levels of cortisol over the night and accelerated rise in the course of the cortisol awakening response (CAR). The potentiation of cortisol effects at the GR has consequences for the homeostatic regulation of the diverse array of systemic and CNS microenvironments, as well as a distinct regulation of different immune and glia cells. The morning CAR is classically proposed to ‘prepare the body for the coming day’. However, the differential regulation of the GR over the circadian rhythm at night would indicate that such preparation for the coming day may be powerfully determined by night-time factors and processes. The article integrates this systemic, night-time pathoetiology with the ‘immune-mediated’ processes that ultimately drive SNpc dopamine neuron loss. This has a number of novel future research and treatment implications.

Artificial groundwater recharge is commonly used for drinking water supply. The resulting water quality is highly dependent on the raw water quality. In many cases, pre-treatment is required. Pre-treatment improves the drinking water quality, although how and to what extent it affects the subsequent pond water quality and infiltration process, is still unknown. We evaluated two treatment systems by applying different pre-treatment methods for raw water from a eutrophic and temperate lake. An artificial recharge pond was divided into two parts, where one received raw water, only filtered through a micro-screen with 500 µm pores (control treatment), while the other part received pre-treated lake water using chemical flocculation with polyaluminium chloride (PACl) combined with sand filtration, i.e. continuous contact filtration (contact filter treatment). Water quality such as cyanobacterial biomass, microcystin-LR as well as organic matter and nutrients were measured in both treatment processes. We found cyanobacterial biomass and microcystin-LR level after the contact filter treatment was significantly different from the control treatment and also significantly different in the pond water. In addition, with contact filter treatment, total phosphorus (TP) and organic matter removal were significantly improved in the end water, TP was reduced by 96 % (< 20 µg/L) and the total organic carbon (TOC) was reduced by 66 % instead of 55 % (TOC content around 2.1 mg/L instead of 3.0 mg/L). This full-scale onsite experiment demonstrated effective pre-treatment would benefit a more stable water quality system, with less variance and lower cyanotoxin risk. In a broader drinking water management perspective, the presented method is promising to reduce cyanotoxin risk, as well as TP and TOC, which are all predicted to increase with global warming and extreme weather.

Low back pain (LBP) is a pandemic and costly musculoskeletal condition in the United States. Patients with LBP may endure surgery, injections, and expensive visits to emergency departments. Some suggest that using physical therapy or chiropractic in the earlier stage of LBP reduces the utilization of expensive health services and lowers the treatment costs. Nevertheless, there is no consistent evidence to declare which one of these methods is a cost-effective treatment within a short (less than a year) period of time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of chiropractic versus physical therapy in the United States. A decision tree analytic model was used for estimating the economic outcomes. The findings showed that in the chiropractic group, the total average cost was $48.56 lower than the physical therapy group, and daily adjusted life years (DALY) was 0.0043 higher than the physical therapy group. Chiropractic care was shown to be a cost-effective alternative compared with physical therapy for adults with at least three weeks of low back pain over six months.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a continuous decline in kidney function, often persisting for years or even a lifetime. This study presents a new exploration into the extraction and application of insect chitosan (Tenebrio molitor) targeting hemodialysis (HD). Initially, the potential of insect-derived chitosan as a sustainable and effective alternative to traditional sources (i.e. crustaceans) is demonstrated. Efficient extraction methods were developed (totaling between 6 h and 12 h), producing chitosan. Firstly, chitin was efficiently isolated from T. molitor through deproteinization and demineralization, with yields of approximately 5% (w/w). Subsequently, chitosan was obtained from the extracted chitin resulting in yields of between 65.0 ± 0.8% (w/w) and 79.3 ± 0.8% (w/w). Characterization using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed structural similarities with commercial chitosan and degrees of deacetylation in the 73 - 75% range. The bioactive properties of chitosan obtained from T. molitor, including antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, were evaluated. All the microorganisms tested were inhibited, exhibiting minimum lethal concentrations between 2 and 8 mg/mL, confirming the antimicrobial activity of the extracted chitosan. In addition, chitosan showed antioxidant activity in the range of 60 to 65 µmol Trolox equivalent/g, suggesting its viability for various medical applications.This study also developed a chitosan-based membrane (CH - M) culminating in a proof-of-concept phase for hemodialysis. The permeation characteristics of CH-M for urea and albumin were studied in vitro to assess their suitability as HD membranes. Urea was permeable to values of over 70% and albumin was retained.

This research aimed to synthesize Polyvinyl fluoride (PVDF) membranes and coat them with Tannic acid (TA) nanoparticles and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) additives so that the membrane's removal efficacy for humic acid (HA) pollutant from agricultural wastewater was investigated. Thus, six membranes with PEG:TA ratios of 0:0, 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 4:1 and 1:4 were synthesized. Then the membranes' characteristics were identified by FT-IR ATR, FESEM, and AFM analysis, and HA's particle size and zeta potential were also investigated. Based on optimizing effective parameters, the operating pressure of 1.5 bar and HA concentration of 80 ppm were selected as optimal values. The membrane with PEG:TA=4:1, as the optimally modified membrane, had a pure water flux of 446.03 L/m2.h, effluent flux of 72.43 L/m2.h and pollutant removal rate of 86.62% at pH=7 After 60 min had passed. These values for the pristine membrane (PEG:TA=0:0) were 265.64 L/m2.h, 89.39 L/m2.h, and 75.59%, respectively. The results showed that although the effluent flux was lower in the optimized modified membrane than in the pristine membrane, HA removal percentage was increased.

The adsorption of actinide ions (Am(III) and U(VI)) from aqueous solutions by pristine and oxidized carbon fabrics has been investigated by means of batch experiments at different pH values (4, 7 and 9) and temperatures (25, 35 and 45 °C) under ambient atmospheric conditions. The experimental results indicate that both pH and fabric texture affect the adsorption rate and the relative removal efficiency, which results at 70% and 100% for Am(III) and U(VI), respectively. The Kd (L/kg) values for U(VI) have been generally found to be higher (2 &lt; log10(Kd)&lt; 3) than the corresponding values for the Am(III) adsorption (1.5 &lt; log10(Kd) &lt; 2). The data obtained from the experiments regarding the temperature effect imply that the relative adsorption for both actinides increases with temperature and that the adsorption is an endothermic and entropy-driven reaction. Application of the fabrics to remove the two actinides from contaminated seawater samples shows that both the relative removal efficiency and the Kd values decrease significantly due to the presence of competitive cations (e.g., Ca2+ and Fe3+) and complexing anions (CO32-) in the respective waters. Nevertheless, the removal efficiency is still remarkable (50% and 90% for Am(III) and U(VI), respectively), demonstrating that these materials could be attractive candidates for the treatment of radionuclide/actinide contaminated waters.

The emergence of new SARSCoV-2 variants can affect vaccine efficacy, laboratory diagnosis and therapies already available, triggering interest in the search for antiviral agents for SARSCoV-2 infections. Ribavirin (RBV) is a broad-spectrum antiviral with demonstrated in vitro activity against multiple viruses, including SARSCoV-2. Methods. This retrospective study evaluated the dynamic and viral clearance of SARSCoV-2 in hospitalized adult participants (PTs) with COVID-19 pneumonia who received RBV aerosol within a compassionate use study. Was also assessed the impact of RBV on the clinical outcome and the mutational profile of SARSCoV-2. Results. The median RNA values measured in nine PTs included in the study de-creased from baseline to discharge (at BL, threshold cycle (Ct)=22.4, IQR 19.84-5.07; at discharge, Ct=27.92, IQR 26.43-36.11). Seven/9 PTs experienced a clinical improvement, while two PTs deceased during hos-pitalization. In PTs with a favorable outcome the virus clearance rate at discharge was 28.6%. The cumulative clearance rate was 71.4% within day 14th from discharge. A mutational pattern after RBV was detected in 3/5 PTs in whom was available whole genome sequencing. Conclusions. RBV may limit SARSCOV-2 replication resulting in a favorable clinical outcome. Ribavirin may also contribute to the mutational spectrum of SARSCoV-2.

Despite of over 20 years of community directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI), a high prevalence of onchocerciasis and onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy were observed in rural villages in Mahenge, Tanzania. Therefore, we assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice about onchocerciasis in four rural villages in the Mahenge area. This was a qualitative study conducted between June and July 2019. Eleven focus group discussions were organized with persons with epilepsy and their caretakers, community resource persons, and community drug distributors (CDDs), and two in-depth interviews with district programme coordinators of neglected tropical diseases (NTD). Most participants were aware about symptoms of onchocerciasis using local terminologies such as “ukurutu/rough dry skin” and “kuwashwa/itching”. A small proportion of people did not take ivermectin during CDTI for fear of adverse reactions such as itching and swelling. Some men believed that ivermectin may decrease libido. Challenges for high CDTI coverage included, long walking distance by CDDs to deliver drugs to households, persons being away for farming, low awareness of the disease and limited supervision by the NTD coordinators. In conclusion, ivermectin uptake in Mahenge should be optimised by continuous advocacy about the importance of taking ivermectin to prevent onchocerciasis-associated morbidity and by improving supervision during CDTI.

The orthodontic treatment brings numerous benefits and, in most cases, the benefits outweigh the possible disadvantages. Root resorption (RR) is a common adverse phenomenon associated with orthodontic treatment. This study evaluates the role of low-level laser emission / Photobiomodu-lation (LE/P) in quantitative measurements of root resorption (QRR). The application of LE/P was done after each orthodontic activation with 4 types of treatment intervention (TI) on the RR after fixed orthodontic treatment (FOT) of the upper arch with ectopic eye tooth/teeth [EET]. 32 Orthodontic patients scheduled for FOT were selected and assigned to the 4 groups. These were LE/P+Self ligating bracket (SLB), LE/P+Conventional bracket (CB), Non-Photobiomodulation (non-LE/P)+SLB, and non-LE/P+CB. Standard management stages of FOT were followed in the maxilla. Each patient received a single application of LE/P labially/buccally and palatally, a total of 5 different points during each activation or appointment. The main outcome measure was QRR in maxillary anteriors before and after FOT assessed via cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) using 3D OnDemand software. Insignificant QRR was found between before and after FOT in SLB, CLB, and LE/P, non-LE/P groups (p > 0.05). QRR in the SLB vs CB and LE/P vs non-LE/P group was significantly different in 11, 13, and 23 (p < 0.05). QRR in the LE/P+SLB group (p < 0.05) was significantly different in 11, 13, and 23 than that in the other groups. The most severe QRR was found on the 13 (0.88 ± 0.28mm and 0.87±0.27mm) and 23 (1.19 ± 0.14 mm and 1.16±0.13mm) in the CB and non-LE/P group (p < 0.001). LE/P+SLB showed highly significant superior outcome (p < 0.001) in relation to non-LE/P+CB, the QRR of 23 were 0.813± 0.114mm and 1.156± 0.166mm respectively. Significantly higher amount of QRR found in EET patients after FOT treated with the CB, non-LE/P, and non-LE/P+CB system and warrants further investigation to explore potential specific causes.

Aim of this research paper is to introduce a novel method of hybrid orthodontic tooth-borne distalizer treatment of class II malocclusion by using 3D printed biocompatible personalized distalizer. Explains 3D designing, printing and clinical application of individualized biocompatible medical device dedicated for orthodontic teeth distalization. Compares such distalizer manufactured from two different biocompatible photopolymers (white and transparent). Evaluates their clinical performance and also patients’ aesthetical perception. Clinical part includes comparison of treatment debonding on the set of 12 complete orthodontic treatments with uni-lateral class II malocclusion managed with hybrid approach (CAT-Invisalign with 3D printed distalizer). Paper offers an evaluation of the personalized distalizer functioning in regard to current publications and comparison to conventional prefabricated alternatives like Carriere® Distalizer™ appliance. Results showed no significance of material differences on clinical performance of such individualized distalizers. Research showed preference of patients towards transparent biocompatible photopolymer instead of white A2 shade.

The use of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in education brings up new possibilities of promoting the learning and health experiences. In this sense, education contexts of 21st century must consider these two areas of knowledge, especially their integration. This article presents learning practices developed with mobile devices and games, in order to improve learning and well-being in children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment in non-formal educational setting. The methodology is based on qualitative case studies with content-based data analysis, involving informal interviews and observation methods. The study considers data from 5 patients who participated in the research between 2015 and 2019. The results demonstrate a positive influence of the practices with mobile technologies and games in terms of learning and in the well-being feeling of patients during the treatment.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a rare condition characterized by destruction of red blood cells with and without involvement of complement. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia less than 50% of patients remain in a long-term remission following initial steroid therapy and subsequent therapies are required. Cold agglutinin disease is a clonal hematologic disorder which requires therapy in majority of patients and responds poorly to steroids and alkylators. Rituximab has a favorable toxicity profile and has demonstrated efficacy in autoimmune hemolytic anemia in first line as well as relapsed setting. Rituximab is the preferred therapy for steroid refractory wAIHA and as part of the first- and second-line treatment of cold agglutinin disease. This article reviews the mechanism of action of the rituximab and current literature its role in management of primary and secondary warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia and cold agglutinin disease.

Human infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, called COVID-19, is a new pandemic with devastating effects worldwide. Science seeks the rational and systematic explanation of phenomena. In pandemics, decisions on prevention and treatment of people should be consistently taken, supported by scientific knowledge and ethical principles to produce more good than harm. At first, prospective observational studies to systematically collect patient data, correlating protective or therapeutic interventions with outcomes to assess effectiveness and safety, should be prioritized as the most appropriate type of study. The proposed protocol in this article aims to provide doctors with information on the reduction of harm in early COVID-19 patients by applying individualized interventionist or expectant therapeutic strategies, respecting the autonomy and preferences of physicians and patients in clinical decision-making. The evaluation of the clinical status, besides laboratory confirmation of COVID-19, comprises an individualized symptom score for each patient, a global self-perception scale of the severity of the disease, a clinical progression scale developed by the WHO for clinical studies in COVID-19 and, at the first consultation, doctors´ overall impression on the clinical prognosis. The analysis of anonymized data should preferably use descriptive and inferential statistical resources. The case report form is available for free use in the protocol, along with examples of patient informed consent forms for the prescription of off-label medications and authorization to use the data. Their results may be useful to indicate interventions that are candidates for efficacy trials, in randomized controlled trials, with a higher chance of success. It respects the autonomy and preferences of doctors and patients to decide the best options for treatment in uncertain situations. It also allows the gathering of useful information for future more rigorous clinical trials, trying to link science, ethics, and personal clinical experience.

Intermediate filaments constitute the third component of the cellular skeleton. Unlike actin and microtubule cytoskeletons, the intermediate filaments are composed of wide variety of structurally related proteins showing distinct expression patterns in tissues and cell types. Changes in expression patterns of intermediate filaments are often associated with cancer progression, in particular with phenotypes leading to increased cellular migration and invasion. In this review we will describe the role of vimentin intermediate filaments in cancer cell migration, cell adhesion structures, and metastasis formation. The potential for targeting vimentin in cancer treatment and the development of drugs targeting vimentin will be reviewed.

Migraine is a primary headache disorder characterized by unilateral throbbing, pulsing headache, which lasts for hours to days, and the pain can interfere with daily activities. It exhibits various symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, and odors and physical activity consistently contributes to worsening pain. Despite the intensive research, little is still known about the pathomechanism of migraine. It is widely accepted that migraine involves activation and sensitization of the trigeminovascular system. It leads to the release of several pro-inflammatory neuropeptides and neurotransmitters and causes a cascade of inflammatory tissue responses including vasodilation, plasma extravasation secondary to capillary leakage, edema, and mast cell degranulation. Convincing evidence obtained in rodent models suggests that neurogenic inflammation is assumed to contribute to the development of a migraine attack. Chemical stimulation of the dura mater triggers activation and sensitization of the trigeminal system and causes numerous molecular and behavioral changes; therefore, this is a relevant animal model of acute migraine. This review article discusses the emerging evidence supporting the involvement of neurogenic inflammation and neuropeptides in the pathophysiology of migraine, presenting the most recent advances in preclinical research and the novel therapeutic approaches to the disease.

In this paper, mesoporous electrodes consisted of Sb-doped SnO2 deposited onto Ti plates controlled corroded under acidic medium were synthesized by spin-coating method, and morpho structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrodes were electrochemical testing in the degradation/mineralization by electrooxidation (EO) of doxorubicin (DOX) as single-component and multi-component together with capecitabine (CCB)-from cytostatic class and humic acid (HA)-from natural organic matter (NOM) class in the absence/the presence of activated carbon (AC) as particulate electrode. The best mineralization efficiency of 67 % was achieved for DOX mineralization using Sb-doped SnO2 deposited onto Ti plate controlled corroded with oxalic acid in electrooxidation process. The presence of AC within the electrolysis process generated a synergy effect of 52.75 % for TOC parameter removal, which is in accordance and quite better than the result reported in the literature. The aspects related to the complex mechanism of DOX degradation and mineralization are discussed. The superiority of AC assisted electrooxidation, as electrochemical filtering (EF), was proved considering simultaneous degradation and mineralization of mixture of doxorubicin, capecitabine and humic acid.

Radiation therapy is employed in treating various cancer types. However, depending on the type and stage of cancer, its benefits can be limited, and it may cause serious side effects that detrimentally affect the quality of life (QOL) for the patient. Preventing the side effects of radiation therapy can enhance the response to cancer treatment and improve the patient’s QOL. Independently, vitamin C and hydrogen have demonstrated potential in reducing the side effects of anticancer drugs and radiation therapy. Furthermore, both have been postulated to possess direct anticancer properties. However, the effects of their combined therapy remain underexplored. This study investigates the hypothesis that combining vitamin C and hydrogen efficiently prevents radiation-induced injuries. Survival rates were investigated in cancer cell lines (MDA-MB231 and GL261) and normal cells (HUVEC) treated with hydrogen, vitamin C and irradiation. Apoptosis was assessed using the FLICA test, and EMT gene expression was elucidated via the qPCR technique. In the normal cell line, the introduction of vitamin C and hydrogen to the culture medium boosted survival rates, exhibiting a radioprotective effect upon irradiation. In contrast, cancer cells showed a decreased survival rate with the introduction of vitamin C and hydrogen, which was further diminished with irradiation. Treated cancer cells showed signs of apoptosis. Caspase activity in viable cells was reduced by the combination treatment with vitamin C and hydrogen. Additionally, glioblastoma cells treated with this combination showed reduced EMT gene expression. This study reveals that a combined therapy of hydrogen and vitamin C offers radioprotective effects on normal cells and exerts direct anticancer effects on cancer cells, while also amplifying the anticancer effects of radiation. Importantly, this combined therapy attenuated the radiation-induced EMT signature in the GL261 murine glioma cell line, suggesting potential in diminishing treatment resistance and tumor invasion.

Numerous structures at the nano- and microscale manifest distinctive properties with far-reaching implications across diverse fields, including electronics, electricity, medicine, and surface engi-neering. Established methods such as nanoimprint lithography, photolithography, and self-assembly play crucial roles in the fabrication of nano- and microstructures; however, they exhibit limitations in generating high-aspect-ratio structures when utilizing high-viscosity pho-tocurable resins. In response to this inherent challenge, we propose a highly cost-effective ap-proach facilitating the direct replication of high-aspect-ratio structures, specifically nanowires, through the utilization of anodized aluminum substrates. This study elucidates the streamlined fabrication process for multiscale porous surfaces achieved through the evaporation-induced in-tegration of solid nanowires printed with high-viscosity photocurable resin.

The effects of heating rate before solution treatment and cooling rate after solution treatment on the morphological distribution and evolution of precipitation phase of nickel-based single crystal superalloy were studied. The dissolution, precipitation and growth of precipitation phase and matrix phase during heat treatment were analyzed by means of high power scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the morphology of precipitated phase has nothing to do with the distribution of precipitated phase and the heating rate in the heating process, but the cooling rate in the cooling process affects the shape, size and distribution of precipitated phase. The faster the cooling rate, the smaller the precipitated phase is, the more irregular the shape is, the smaller the equivalent edge length is, and the smaller the channel width of matrix phase is.