-
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Many years of foundry practice and much more accurate analytical methods have shown that sands with organic binders, in addition to their many technological advantages,...
Many years of foundry practice and much more accurate analytical methods have shown that sands with organic binders, in addition to their many technological advantages, pose risks associated with the emission of many compounds, including harmful ones (e.g., formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and sulfur), arising during the pouring of liquid casting alloys into molds, their cooling, and knock-out. The aim of this research is to demonstrate the potential benefits of adopting inorganic binders in European iron foundries. This will improve the environmental and working conditions by introducing cleaner and more ecological production methods, while also ranking the tested binders studied in terms of their harmful content. The article pays special attention to the analysis of seven innovative inorganic binders and one organic binder, acting as a reference for emissions of gases from the BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) groups and other compounds such as phenol, formaldehyde, and isocyanates (MDI and TDI) generated during the mold pouring process with liquid metals. The knowledge gained will, for the first time, enrich the database needed to update the Reference Document on The Best Available Techniques for the Smitheries and Foundries Industry (SF BREF).
Topics: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Inorganic Chemicals; Metallurgy; Formaldehyde
PubMed: 38791537
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105496 -
Membranes Apr 2024Membrane contactors are among the available technologies that allow a reduction in the amount of ammoniacal nitrogen released into the environment through a process...
Membrane contactors are among the available technologies that allow a reduction in the amount of ammoniacal nitrogen released into the environment through a process called transmembrane chemical absorption (TMCA). This process can be operated with different substances acting as trapping solutions; however, strong inorganic acids have been studied the most. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate, at laboratory scale, the performance of citric acid as a capturing solution in TMCA processes for recovering ammonia as an organic fertilizer from anaerobic digestor reject water using membrane contactors in a liquid-liquid configuration and to compare it with the most studied solution, sulfuric acid. The experiments were carried out at 22 °C and 40 °C and with a feed water pH of 10 and 10.5. When the system was operated at pH 10, the rates of recovered ammonia from the feed solution obtained with citric acid were 10.7-16.5 percentage points (pp) lower compared to sulfuric acid, and at pH 10.5, the difference decreased to 5-10 pp. Under all tested conditions, the water vapor transport in the system was lower when using citric acid as the trapping solution, and at pH 10 and 40 °C, it was 5.7 times lower. When estimating the operational costs for scaling up the system, citric acid appears to be a better option than sulfuric acid as a trapping solution, but in both cases, the process was not profitable under the studied conditions.
PubMed: 38786937
DOI: 10.3390/membranes14050102 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... May 2024Autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes (APS) encompass m ultiple e ndocrin e gland ins ufficiencies asso ci ated wit h auto immune disease. This c as e report underscores...
Autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes (APS) encompass m ultiple e ndocrin e gland ins ufficiencies asso ci ated wit h auto immune disease. This c as e report underscores the importance of recognising the association between latent auto immune di a betes of ad ults (LADA) and type 3 polyglandular syndrome. A 42-year-old man belonging to R awalpi ndi, Pakistan, p resented to th e out patient department (OPD) of Ali Medi cal Centre, Islamab ad, i n Januar y 2023 with the complaints o f e xtreme thirs t and frequent urination. The patient reported consistently raised app etite an d eating four to five meals a day along with abrupt weight loss, dry mouth, fatigue occasional dizziness, an d dyspnoea. He was diagno s ed with type 3 polygla ndular syndrome w ith associat io n of LADA. Daily administration of 10 units of glargine insulin, along with six units of rapid-acting insulin, was prescribed. The patient's H bA1c level reduce d in a few months afte r succe ssive follow-up. Patients who exhi bit uncontrol led diabe tes despite dietar y and oral hypoglycaemic management should be further investigated for multiple au toimmune endocrine disorders.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Male; Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune; Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults
PubMed: 38783454
DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.10108 -
Journal of the American Heart... Jun 2024Days alive out of hospital (DAOH) is an objective and patient-centered net benefit end point. There are no assessments of DAOH in clinical trials of interventions for... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Days alive out of hospital (DAOH) is an objective and patient-centered net benefit end point. There are no assessments of DAOH in clinical trials of interventions for atrial fibrillation (AF), and it is not known whether this end point is of clinical utility in these populations.
METHODS AND RESULTS
ROCKET AF (Rivaroxaban Once Daily Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared With Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation) was an international double-blind, double-dummy randomized clinical trial that compared rivaroxaban with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation at increased risk for stroke. We assessed DAOH using investigator-reported event data for up to 12 months after randomization in ROCKET AF. We assessed DAOH overall, by treatment group, and by subgroup, including age, sex, and comorbidities, using Poisson regression. The mean±SD number of days dead was 7.3±41.2, days hospitalized was 1.2±7.2, and mean DAOH was 350.7±56.2, with notable left skew. Patients with comorbidities had fewer DAOH overall. There were no differences in DAOH by treatment arm, with mean DAOH of 350.6±56.5 for those randomized to rivaroxaban and 350.7±55.8 for those randomized to warfarin (=0.86). A sensitivity analysis found no difference in DAOH not disabled with rivaroxaban versus warfarin (DAOH not disabled, 349.2±59.5 days and 349.1 days±59.3 days, respectively, =0.88).
CONCLUSIONS
DAOH did not identify a treatment difference between patients randomized to rivaroxaban versus warfarin. This may be driven in part by the low overall event rates in atrial fibrillation anticoagulation trials, which leads to substantial left skew in measures of DAOH.
Topics: Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Rivaroxaban; Female; Male; Stroke; Aged; Warfarin; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Anticoagulants; Double-Blind Method; Middle Aged; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Morpholines; Thiophenes; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38780169
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.122.028951 -
GMS Journal For Medical Education 2024The aim of this paper is to present the development of a longitudinal curriculum for medical students that is rooted in the particularity of the medical sciences and...
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this paper is to present the development of a longitudinal curriculum for medical students that is rooted in the particularity of the medical sciences and that aims to build and strengthen medical students' scientific skills and use thereof in clinical practice.
METHODS
The curriculum development was initiated based on students' feedback on the initial curriculum. To improve and expand the curriculum appropriately, a needs assessment, a literature review to define science specific to the medical sciences and practice, and an analysis of national and international curricula were performed. The curriculum development followed the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act).
RESULTS
The curriculum extends across the entire medical study programme from semesters 1 to 10. It consists of the seminar series on basic conduct and the epistemological groundings of science, scientific methods in medical research and health sciences, statistics and the scientific internship. Up to the sixth semester, the focus is on the acquisition of skills and abilities to work on and carry out a concrete research project; starting in semester seven, the critical evaluation and application of research results in everyday clinical practice are introduced. The curriculum is taught by epidemiologists, anthropologists, statisticians and public health scholars. Starting in semester seven, seminars are generally taught together with clinicians as tandem teaching. The curriculum is regularly assessed and adjusted.
CONCLUSIONS
The Brandenburg Scientific Curriculum can be seen as a model of a longitudinal curriculum to teach scientific thinking and acting. One that is at the same time highly integrated in the medical curriculum overall. A central coordination point seems to be necessary to coordinate the teaching content and to ensure that teachers are interconnected. Furthermore, a complex curriculum in scientific methodology requires a set of teachers from a range of disciplinary backgrounds. To ensure equally high-quality education, the variability of research projects and faculty must be taken into account by establishing generally applicable evaluation criteria and fostering faculty development, and providing all students supporting courses throughout the research project.
Topics: Curriculum; Humans; Schools, Medical; Education, Medical, Undergraduate; Program Development; Germany; Science; Students, Medical
PubMed: 38779698
DOI: 10.3205/zma001671 -
BMC Psychology May 2024The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review regarding the relationship between positive psychological factors, such as psychological well-being and...
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review regarding the relationship between positive psychological factors, such as psychological well-being and pleasant emotions, and sports performance.
METHOD
This study, carried out through a systematic review using PRISMA guidelines considering the Web of Science, PsycINFO, PubMed and SPORT Discus databases, seeks to highlight the relationship between other more 'positive' factors, such as well-being, positive emotions and sports performance.
SETTINGS
The keywords will be decided by a Delphi Method in two rounds with sport psychology experts.
PARTICIPANTS
There are no participants in the present research.
ASSESSMENT
The main exclusion criteria were: Non-sport thema, sample younger or older than 20-65 years old, qualitative or other methodology studies, COVID-related, journals not exclusively about Psychology.
MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES
We obtained a first sample of 238 papers, and finally, this sample was reduced to the final sample of 11 papers.
RESULTS
The results obtained are intended to be a representation of the 'bright side' of sports practice, and as a complement or mediator of the negative variables that have an impact on athletes' and coaches' performance.
CONCLUSIONS
Clear recognition that acting on intrinsic motivation continues to be the best and most effective way to motivate oneself to obtain the highest levels of performance, a good perception of competence and a source of personal satisfaction.
Topics: Humans; Athletic Performance; Athletes; Emotions; Personal Satisfaction; Motivation; Sports
PubMed: 38773650
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01769-8 -
The Journal of Venomous Animals and... 2024Spinal ventral root injuries generate significant motoneuron degeneration, which hinders full functional recovery. The poor prognosis of functional recovery can be...
BACKGROUND
Spinal ventral root injuries generate significant motoneuron degeneration, which hinders full functional recovery. The poor prognosis of functional recovery can be attributed to the use or combination of different therapeutic approaches. Several molecules have been screened as potential treatments in combination with surgical reimplantation of the avulsed roots, the gold standard approach for such injuries. Among the studied molecules, human natural killer-1 (HNK-1) stands out as it is related to the stimulation of motor axon outgrowth. Therefore, we aimed to comparatively investigate the effects of local administration of an HNK-1 mimetic peptide (mp-HNK-1) and systemic treatment with ursolic acid (UA), another HNK-1 mimetic, after ventral root avulsion and reimplantation with heterologous fibrin biopolymer (HFB).
METHODS
Female mice of the isogenic strain C57BL/6JUnib were divided into five experimental groups: Avulsion, Reimplantation, mp-HNK-1 (in situ), and UA (systemic treatment). Mice were evaluated 2 and 12 weeks after surgery. Functional assessment was performed every four days using the Catwalk platform. Neuronal survival was analyzed by cytochemistry, and glial reactions and synaptic coverage were evaluated by immunofluorescence.
RESULTS
Treatment with UA elicited long-term neuroprotection, accompanied by a decrease in microglial reactions, and reactive astrogliosis. The neuroprotective effects of UA were preceded by increased glutamatergic and GABAergic inputs in the ventral spinal cord two weeks after injury. However, a single application of mp-HNK-1 had no significant effects. Functional analysis showed that UA treatment led to an improvement in motor and sensory recovery.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the results indicate that UA is neuroprotective, acting on glial cells and synaptic maintenance, and the combination of these findings led to a better functional recovery.
PubMed: 38770186
DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-JVATITD-2023-0065 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... May 2024Pseudouridine (psi) is one of the most abundant human mRNA modifications generated from the isomerization of uridine via psi synthases, including and . Nanopore direct...
Pseudouridine (psi) is one of the most abundant human mRNA modifications generated from the isomerization of uridine via psi synthases, including and . Nanopore direct RNA sequencing combined with our recent tool, Mod- ID, enables psi mapping, transcriptome-wide, without chemical derivatization of the input RNA and/or conversion to cDNA. This method is sensitive for detecting changes in positional psi occupancies across cell types, which can inform our understanding of the impact on gene expression. We sequenced, mapped, and compared the positional psi occupancy across six immortalized human cell lines derived from diverse tissue types. We found that lung-derived cells have the highest proportion of psi, while liver-derived cells have the lowest. Further, among a list of highly conserved sites across cell types, most are TRUB1 substrates and fall within the coding sequence. We find that these conserved psi positions correspond to higher levels of protein expression than expected, suggesting translation regulation. Interestingly, we identify cell type-specific sites of psi modification in ubiquitously expressed genes. We validate these sites by ruling out single-nucleotide variants, analyzing current traces, and performing enzymatic knockdowns of psi synthases. Finally, we characterize sites with multiple psi modifications on the same transcript (hypermodification type II) and found that these can be conserved or cell type specific. Among these, we discovered examples of multiple psi modifications within the same k-mer for the first time and analyzed the effect on current distribution. Our data support the hypothesis that motif sequence and the presence of psi synthase are insufficient to drive modifications, that psi modifications contribute to regulating translation and that cell type-specific trans-acting factors play a major role in driving pseudouridylation.
PubMed: 38766185
DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.08.593203 -
Epidemiology and Infection May 2024It is so far unclear how the COVID-19 winter waves started and what should be done to prevent possible future waves. In this study, we deciphered the dynamic course of a...
It is so far unclear how the COVID-19 winter waves started and what should be done to prevent possible future waves. In this study, we deciphered the dynamic course of a winter wave in 2021 in Saxony, a state in Eastern Germany neighbouring the Czech Republic and Poland. The study was carried out through the integration of multiple virus genomic epidemiology approaches to track transmission chains, identify emerging variants and investigate dynamic changes in transmission clusters. For identified local variants of interest, functional evaluations were performed. Multiple long-lasting community transmission clusters have been identified acting as driving force for the winter wave 2021. Analysis of the dynamic courses of two representative clusters indicated a similar transmission pattern. However, the transmission cluster caused by a locally occurring new Delta variant AY.36.1 showed a distinct transmission pattern, and functional analyses revealed a replication advantage of it. This study indicated that long-lasting community transmission clusters starting since early autumn caused by imported or locally occurring variants all contributed to the development of the 2021 winter wave. The information we achieved might help future pandemic prevention.
Topics: COVID-19; Germany; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Seasons
PubMed: 38751220
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268824000761