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Environmental Science and Pollution... Jan 2024Pyrolysis has become an interesting waste valorization method leading to an increasing number of research studies in this field in the last decade. The present study...
Pyrolysis has become an interesting waste valorization method leading to an increasing number of research studies in this field in the last decade. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive knowledge map of scientific production in pyrolysis, discuss the current state of research, and identify the main research hotspots and trends in recent years. The systematic review, supported by analysis of countries and institutions, keyword co-occurrence analysis, analysis of keyword trends, journal analysis, and article impact, was carried out on 6234 journal articles from the Science Citation Index Expanded database of the Web of Science Core Collection. As a result, four main research hotspots were identified: 1) characterization techniques and pyrolysis kinetic models, 2) biochar production and its main applications, 3) bio-oil production and catalytic pyrolysis, and 4) co-pyrolysis, which has become a consolidated research hotspot since 2018. Additionally, the main challenges and opportunities for future research have been identified, such as 1) the development of multi-step kinetic models for studying complex wastes, 2) the integration of biochar into other valorization processes, such as anaerobic digestion, and 3) the development of catalytic hydropyrolysis for the valorization of organic waste. This bibliometric analysis provides a visualization of the current context and future trends in pyrolysis, facilitating future collaborative research and knowledge exchange.
Topics: Bibliometrics; Catalysis; Charcoal; Pyrolysis
PubMed: 38036906
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31186-0 -
Annals of Clinical Microbiology and... Nov 2023Legionnaires' Disease (LD) rarely evolves into pulmonary abscesses. The current systematic review has been designed to explore therapeutical strategies in pulmonary... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Legionnaires' Disease (LD) rarely evolves into pulmonary abscesses. The current systematic review has been designed to explore therapeutical strategies in pulmonary cavitary LD.
METHODS
A research strategy was developed and applied to the databases Embase, Pubmed, and Web of Science from the 1st of January 2000 to the 1st of November 2022. Original articles, case series, case reports, and guidelines written in English, French, German, Italian, and Dutch were considered. Furthermore, medical records of patients treated at the University Hospital UZ Brussel for LD cavitary pneumonia, between the 1st of January 2016 to the 1st of January 2022, were reviewed.
RESULTS
Two patients were found by the UZ Brussel's medical records investigation. Through the literature review, 23 reports describing 29 patients, and seven guidelines were identified. The overall evidence level was low.
RESULT OF SYNTHESIS (CASE REPORTS)
The median age was 48 years and 65% were male. A polymicrobial infection was detected in 11 patients (44%) with other aerobic bacteria being the most commonly found. At diagnosis, 52% of patients received combination therapy, and fluoroquinolones were the preferred antimicrobial class. Anaerobic coverage was neglected in 33% of patients.
RESULT OF SYNTHESIS (GUIDELINES)
Three guidelines favor monotherapy with fluoroquinolones or macrolides, while one suggested an antimicrobial combination in case of severe LD. Four guidelines recommended anaerobic coverage in case of lung abscesses.
CONCLUSION
To date, the evidence supporting cavitary LD treatment is low. Monotherapy lowers toxicity and might be as effective as combination therapy. Finally, anaerobes should not be neglected.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Female; Legionnaires' Disease; Pneumonia; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Fluoroquinolones; Macrolides
PubMed: 38031167
DOI: 10.1186/s12941-023-00652-5 -
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Feb 2024People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are advised by health care professionals to target mild hyperglycaemia before and during exercise, to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are advised by health care professionals to target mild hyperglycaemia before and during exercise, to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia. This review aimed to summarise the available evidence on the effects of acute hyperglycaemia on sports and exercise performance in T1D.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science were searched until 29th May 2023 for studies investigating the effects of acute hyperglycaemia on any sports or exercise performance outcome in T1D. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed using standardised mean differences (SMD) when more than one study reported data for similar outcomes. Certainty of evidence for each outcome was assessed using GRADE.
RESULTS
Seven studies were included in the review, comprising data from 119 people with T1D. Meta-analysis provided moderate-certainty evidence that acute hyperglycaemia does not significantly affect aerobic exercise performance (SMD -0.17; 95 % CI -0.59, 0.26; p = 0.44). There is low- or very-low certainty evidence that acute hyperglycaemia has no effect on anaerobic (two outcomes), neuromuscular (seven outcomes) or neurocognitive performance (three outcomes), except impaired isometric knee extension strength. One study provided low-certainty evidence that the performance effects of hyperglycaemia may depend on circulating insulin levels.
CONCLUSIONS
Acute hyperglycaemia before or during exercise appears unlikely to affect aerobic performance to an extent that is relevant to most people with T1D, based on limited evidence. Future research in this field should focus on anaerobic, neuromuscular and neurocognitive performance, and examine the relevance of circulating insulin levels.
Topics: Humans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Hyperglycemia; Exercise; Sports; Insulins
PubMed: 38030440
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.11.007 -
Nutrients Nov 2023In the pursuit of enhanced athletic prowess in different disciplines, athletes constantly look for strategies to increase their physical performance, encompassing... (Review)
Review
In the pursuit of enhanced athletic prowess in different disciplines, athletes constantly look for strategies to increase their physical performance, encompassing technical skills and dietary components, which inevitably, in most cases, include the incorporation of sports supplements. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of athletes using ergogenic aids. In this context, scientific evidence must play a prominent role in either endorsing or warning against the use of these products, ensuring the preservation of health while promoting the theoretically established positive benefits. In this vein, beetroot juice (BJ) stands out as a key supplement as an ergogenic aid to improve sports performance, given its demonstrated influence on both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. However, despite widespread global demand, there remains a lack of understanding regarding the potential synergistic effects of combining BJ with other supplements. Consequently, our study aims to determine whether the combination of BJ with another nutritional supplement can enhance its beneficial effects and, therefore, optimize physical performance in humans. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in two major databases-Web of Science and PubMed-from 1 January 2018 to 29 January 2023, using specific keywords. After the exclusion criteria, six articles were selected for analysis. Therefore, our study shows that the effectiveness of combining BJ with another supplement mainly depends on the duration of the chronic intervention, which is where the greatest benefits have been observed.
Topics: Humans; Athletic Performance; Dietary Supplements; Diet
PubMed: 38004231
DOI: 10.3390/nu15224838 -
Does aPDT reduce bacterial load in endodontic infected teeth? A systematic review and meta-analysis.Lasers in Medical Science Nov 2023This systematic review investigated whether antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) after chemomechanical root canal disinfection (CD) yields a greater microbial load... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This systematic review investigated whether antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) after chemomechanical root canal disinfection (CD) yields a greater microbial load reduction than only CD. An electronic literature search was conducted on four databases up to November 2022, with no language or publication date restrictions. Randomized and non-randomized clinical trials were included if participants had a primary endodontic infection in permanent teeth, and if microbial loads before and after using aPDT were compared. Two researchers independently screened titles and abstracts to determine study eligibility. Assessments included risk of bias and methodological quality. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020181783). Eight studies were included in the qualitative analysis, and six were eligible for meta-analysis. In the random effects model, aPDT significantly improved the results of root canal disinfection when compared with standard protocols for cleaning and shaping (p = 0.04, 95% CI -1.72, -0.05). Subgroup analysis suggested that aPDT has a better effect on reducing the load of anaerobic microorganisms (p = 0.003, 95% CI -3.36, -0.69). The use of aPDT as an adjunct to chemomechanical disinfection promotes additional reduction of the microbial load and, therefore, seems to improve the results of root canal treatments in permanent teeth with a primary endodontic infection. However, certainty of evidence should be improved.
Topics: Humans; Bacterial Load; Anti-Infective Agents; Disinfection; Photochemotherapy; Root Canal Therapy
PubMed: 37981598
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-023-03938-4 -
Heart (British Cardiac Society) Mar 2024In Fontan circulation, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-targeted therapies could improve the patients' exercise capacity. This study aimed to investigate the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
In Fontan circulation, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-targeted therapies could improve the patients' exercise capacity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PAH agents on different exercise parameters in stable Fontan patients by synthesising evidence of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science databases, as well as of ClinicalTrials.gov, was performed. Primary outcomes were specific cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters: peak oxygen uptake (peak VO), peak heart rate (peak HR), the minute ventilation/produced carbon dioxide (VE/VCO) slope and the oxygen uptake, both measured at the anaerobic threshold (VO@AT).
RESULTS
Five RCTs were included in the analysis including 573 Fontan patients (mean age 21.2 years, 60% male). PAH-targeted therapies did not affect peak VO (mean difference (MD) 0.72, 95% CI -0.25 to 1.70) or peak HR (MD -0.67, 95% CI -3.81 to 2.47), but resulted in a small, significant improvement in VO@AT (standardised MD 0.24, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.47). VE/VCO slope at the anaerobic threshold was also reduced (MD -1.13, 95% CI -2.25 to -0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Although PAH-targeted therapies did not affect exercise parameters at maximal effort, they induced slight improvements in indices of submaximal effort, measured at the anaerobic threshold. Pharmacological improvement of submaximal exercise seems to be a more suitable indicator of Fontan individuals' exercise capacity. Larger RCTs, recruiting specific subpopulations and focusing also on the anaerobic threshold, are warranted to draw more robust conclusions.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022306674.
Topics: Male; Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Female; Fontan Procedure; Vasodilator Agents; Lung; Exercise Test; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension; Oxygen; Oxygen Consumption; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37918902
DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2023-323166 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jan 2024Biological methane, a major source of global methane budget, is traditionally thought to be produced in anaerobic environments. However, the recent reports about methane... (Review)
Review
Biological methane, a major source of global methane budget, is traditionally thought to be produced in anaerobic environments. However, the recent reports about methane supersaturation occurring in oxygenated water layer, termed as "methane paradox", have challenged this prevailing paradigm. Significantly, growing evidence has indicated that phytoplankton including prokaryotic cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae are capable of generating methane under aerobic conditions. In this regard, a systematic review of aerobic methane production by phytoplankton is expected to arouse the public attention, contributing to the understanding of methane paradox. Here, we comprehensively summarize the widespread phenomena of methane supersaturation in oxic layers. The remarkable correlation relationships between methane concentration and several key indicators (depth, chlorophyll a level and organic sulfide concentration) indicate the significance of phytoplankton in in-situ methane accumulation. Subsequently, four mechanisms of aerobic methane production by phytoplankton are illustrated in detail, including photosynthesis-driven metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-driven demethylation of methyl donors, methanogenesis catalyzed by nitrogenase and demethylation of phosphonates catalyzed by CP lyase. The first two pathways occur in various phytoplankton, while the latter two have been specially discovered in cyanobacteria. Additionally, the effects of four crucial factors on aerobic methane production by phytoplankton are also discussed, including phytoplankton species, light, temperature and crucial nutrients. Finally, the measures to control global methane emissions from phytoplankton, the precise intracellular mechanisms of methane production and a more complete global methane budget model are definitely required in the future research on methane production by phytoplankton. This review would provide guidance for future studies of aerobic methane production by phytoplankton and emphasize the potential contribution of aquatic ecosystems to global methane budget.
Topics: Phytoplankton; Ecosystem; Chlorophyll A; Methane; Cyanobacteria
PubMed: 37866611
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167864 -
Nihon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi = the... 2023Metronidazole (MNZ) is a widely used drug for protozoan and anaerobic infections. The continuous use of MNZ causes various neurological symptoms, such as cerebellar...
Metronidazole (MNZ) is a widely used drug for protozoan and anaerobic infections. The continuous use of MNZ causes various neurological symptoms, such as cerebellar ataxia, visual disturbance, vestibulocochlear symptoms, gait disturbance, dysarthria, and epileptic seizures of unknown cause, named MNZ-induced encephalopathy (MIE), in rare cases. MIE is a reversible disease that often improves within a few days of MNZ discontinuation, but irreversible neurological symptoms rarely remain. Herein, we report a case of MIE that developed during MNZ administration for a liver abscess, causing prolonged unconsciousness and death even after drug discontinuation. An 85-year-old female patient complained of fever, elevated liver enzymes, and a multifocal abscess in the right hepatic lobe, as seen on computed tomography. Percutaneous transhepatic abscess drainage and antibiotic therapy were initiated. The causative agent of the liver abscess could not be identified, thus meropenem was started, which demonstrated no inflammation improvement, thus oral MNZ was added. The inflammation recurred when MNZ was discontinued, and the patient continued taking MNZ. Vomiting, upper limb tremors, consciousness disturbance, and convulsions appeared on day 46 (total dose of MNZ 73.5mg), and the patient was hospitalized. T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and FLAIR head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed symmetrical abnormal high-signal areas in the cerebellar dentate nucleus, corpus callosum, cerebral white matter, and periventricular areas. MIE was diagnosed based on the patient's course and MRI images, and MNZ was discontinued. The patient continued to suffer from impaired consciousness and convulsions after MNZ discontinuation and died due to aspiration pneumonia. Suggestively, MIE development is related to long-term MNZ administration, poor nutrition, liver disease, underlying diseases (such as advanced cancer), and serious complications. A systematic review of MIE cases revealed that 4.8-5.9% of the patients demonstrated little improvement of symptoms after MNZ discontinuation, and some deaths were reported. Patients with poor prognosis were often suffering from impaired consciousness and convulsions. Furthermore, impaired consciousness was the most common residual symptom. Abnormal signals in characteristic areas, such as the dentate nucleus cerebri and corpus callosum, on head MRI are useful for MIE diagnosis, especially in patients with abnormal findings in the cerebral white matter, which is associated with a poor prognosis. We should pay close attention to the onset of MIE when MNZ is administered.
Topics: Female; Humans; Aged, 80 and over; Metronidazole; Brain Diseases; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Seizures; Liver Abscess
PubMed: 37821376
DOI: 10.11405/nisshoshi.120.858 -
International Journal of Biological... Dec 2023Lignocellulosic fiber-reinforced polymer composites are the most extensively used modern-day materials with low density and better specific strength specifically... (Review)
Review
Lignocellulosic fiber-reinforced polymer composites are the most extensively used modern-day materials with low density and better specific strength specifically developed to render better physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Synthetic fiber-reinforced composites face some serious issues like low biodegradability, non-environmentally friendly, and low disposability. Lignocellulosic or natural fiber-reinforced composites, which are developed from various plant-based fibers and animal-based fibers are considered potential substitutes for synthetic fiber composites because they are characterized by lightweight, better biodegradability, and are available at low cost. It is very much essential to study end-of-life (EoL) conditions like biodegradability for the biocomposites which occur commonly after their service life. During biodegradation, the physicochemical arrangement of the natural fibers, the environmental conditions, and the microbial populations, to which the natural fiber composites are exposed, play the most influential factors. The current review focuses on a comprehensive discussion of the standards and assessment methods of biodegradation in aerobic and anaerobic conditions on a laboratory scale. This review is expected to serve the materialists and technologists who work on the EoL behaviour of various materials, particularly in natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites to apply these standards and test methods to various classes of biocomposites for developing sustainable materials.
Topics: Animals; Biodegradation, Environmental; Lignin; Plant Structures; Polymers
PubMed: 37804890
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127237 -
Nutrients Sep 2023To summarize available evidence in the literature on the impacts of CoQ supplementation on metabolic, biochemical, and performance outcomes in athletes. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
To summarize available evidence in the literature on the impacts of CoQ supplementation on metabolic, biochemical, and performance outcomes in athletes.
METHODS
Six databases, Cochrane Library (33 articles), PubMed (90 articles), Scopus (55 articles), Embase (60 articles), SPORTDiscus (1056 articles), and Science Direct (165 articles), were researched. After applying the eligibility criteria, articles were selected for peer review independently as they were identified by June 2022. The protocol for this systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022357750).
RESULTS
Of the 1409 articles found, 16 were selected for this systematic review. After CoQ supplementation, a decrease in oxidative stress markers was observed, followed by higher antioxidant activity. On the other hand, lower levels of liver damage markers (ALT); Aspartate aminotransferase (AST); and Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT) were identified. Finally, we found a reduction in fatigue indicators such as Creatine Kinase (CK) and an increase in anaerobic performance.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review concludes that supplementation with orally administered CoQ (30-300 mg) was able to potentiate plasma antioxidant activity and anaerobic performance, reducing markers linked to oxidative stress and liver damage in athletes from different modalities aged 17 years old and older.
PubMed: 37764774
DOI: 10.3390/nu15183990