Deposition of poly(ethyleneimine)/poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) based comb-branched polymers onto polypropylene nonwoven fabric using the layer-by-layer technique. selected properties of the modified materials

Well-defined comb polymers consisting of branched homo poly(ethyleneimine) (bPEI), or poly(ethyleneimine) with grafted poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEI-PEtOx), having varying degrees of polymerization (DPs) of the main chain and branches, have been successfully deposited onto a poly(propylene) nonwoven textile fabric (PP) using a layer-by-layer technique. The surface properties of the materials have been studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Changes in the net surface charge and the electrostatic behaviour have been studied by employing electrokinetic and electrostatic measurements. The deposition of the electrolytes increased the thermal stability of the nanomaterials and enabled the absorption of copper ions from solution

Transfemoral amputee recovery strategies following trips to their sound and prosthesis sides throughout swing phase

BACKGROUND: Recovering from trips is challenging for transfemoral amputees, and attempts often result in falls. Better understanding of the effects of the sensory-motor deficits brought by amputation and the functional limitations of prosthetic devices could help guide therapy and fall prevention mechanisms in prostheses. However, how transfemoral amputees attempt to recover from trips on the sound and prosthesis sides throughout swing phase is poorly understood. METHODS: We tripped eight able-bodied subjects and eight unilateral transfemoral amputees wearing their prescribed prostheses. The protocol consisted of six repetitions of 6 and 4 points throughout swing phase, respectively. We compared recovery strategies in able-bodied, sound side and prosthesis side limbs. The number of kinematic recovery strategies used, when they were used throughout swing phase, and kinematic characteristics (tripped limb joint angles, bilateral trochanter height and time from foot arrest to foot strike) of each strategy were compared across limb groups. Non-parametric statistical tests with corrections for post-hoc tests were used. RESULTS: Amputees used the same recovery strategies as able-bodied subjects on both sound and prosthesis sides, although not all subjects used all strategies. Compared to able-bodied subjects, amputees used delayed-lowering strategies less often from 30-60 % of swing phase on the sound side, and from 45-60 % of swing phase on the prosthesis side. Within-strategy kinematic differences occurred across limbs; however, these differences were not consistent across all strategies. Amputee-specific recovery strategies—that are not used by control subjects—occurred following trips on both the sound and prosthesis sides in mid- to late swing. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these results suggest that sensory input from the distal tripped leg is not necessary to trigger able-bodied trip recovery strategies. In addition, the differences between sound and prosthesis side recoveries indicate that the ability of the support leg might be more critical than that of the tripped leg when determining the response to a trip. The outcomes of this study have implications for prosthesis control, suggesting that providing correct and intuitive real-time selection of typical able-bodied recovery strategies by a prosthetic device when it is the tripped and the support limb could better enable balance recovery and avoid falls. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12984-015-0067-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Regional Practice Variation and Outcomes in the Standard Versus Accelerated Initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury (STARRT-AKI) Trial: A Post Hoc Secondary Analysis

OBJECTIVES: Among patients with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) admitted to the ICU in high-income countries, regional practice variations for fluid balance (FB) management, timing, and choice of renal replacement therapy (RRT) modality may be significant. DESIGN: Secondary post hoc analysis of the STandard vs. Accelerated initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury (STARRT-AKI) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02568722). SETTING: One hundred-fifty-three ICUs in 13 countries. PATIENTS: Altogether 2693 critically ill patients with AKI, of whom 994 were North American, 1143 European, and 556 from Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Total mean FB to a maximum of 14 days was +7199 mL in North America, +5641 mL in Europe, and +2211 mL in ANZ (p < 0.001). The median time to RRT initiation among patients allocated to the standard strategy was longest in Europe compared with North America and ANZ (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Continuous RRT was the initial RRT modality in 60.8% of patients in North America and 56.8% of patients in Europe, compared with 96.4% of patients in ANZ (p < 0.001). After adjustment for predefined baseline characteristics, compared with North American and European patients, those in ANZ were more likely to survive to ICU (p < 0.001) and hospital discharge (p < 0.001) and to 90 days (for ANZ vs. Europe: risk difference [RD], -11.3%; 95% CI, -17.7% to -4.8%; p < 0.001 and for ANZ vs. North America: RD, -10.3%; 95% CI, -17.5% to -3.1%; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Among STARRT-AKI trial centers, significant regional practice variation exists regarding FB, timing of initiation of RRT, and initial use of continuous RRT. After adjustment, such practice variation was associated with lower ICU and hospital stay and 90-day mortality among ANZ patients compared with other regions

Understanding, diagnosing, and treating Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - State of the art: Report of the 2nd international meeting at the Charité fatigue center.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a devastating disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Due to the 2019 pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), we are facing a significant increase of ME/CFS prevalence. On May 11th to 12th, 2023, the second international ME/CFS conference of the Charité Fatigue Center was held in Berlin, Germany, focusing on pathomechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment. During the two-day conference, more than 100 researchers from various research fields met on-site and over 700 attendees participated online to discuss the state of the art and novel findings in this field. Key topics from the conference included: the role of the immune system, dysfunction of endothelial and autonomic nervous system, and viral reactivation. Furthermore, there were presentations on innovative diagnostic measures and assessments for this complex disease, cutting-edge treatment approaches, and clinical studies. Despite the increased public attention due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the subsequent rise of Long COVID-19 cases, and the rise of funding opportunities to unravel the pathomechanisms underlying ME/CFS, this severe disease remains highly underresearched. Future adequately funded research efforts are needed to further explore the disease etiology and to identify diagnostic markers and targeted therapies

The Son of God and his Works of Creation: On the Relevance of Reading Mk 7:37 in Light of its Septuagint References

Die bisherige Forschung zur Wundererzählung in Mk 7,31–37 hat nachgewiesen, dass die Perikope von zentraler Bedeutung für die markinische Jesusdarstellung ist. Eine intertextuelle Untersuchung zu Mk 7,37 zeigt nun, dass dieser Vers verschiedene Bezüge auf Septuaginta-Texte enthält: Gen 1,31 – das Lob der Schöpfungswerke – und verschiedene Jesaja-Stellen, in denen Gottes eschatologisches Heilshandeln an seiner Schöpfung imaginiert wird. Mittels dieser intertextuellen Verweise ermöglicht der Evangelist seinen Rezipientinnen und Rezipienten, den heilenden Jesus als eine Figur zu lesen, deren Wirken mit dem Wirken Gottes, des Schöpfers, vergleichbar ist. Darin zeigt sich, so die These des Beitrags, dass diemarkinische Darstellung des Gottessohns auch mit schöpfungstheologischen Implikationen arbeitet und eine schöpfungstheologisch sensible Lektüre des Evangeliums nahelegt.As previous scholarship has demonstrated, the miracle story in Mark 7:31–37 is of central importance for Markʼs presentation of Jesusʼ identity and actions. An intertextual analysis of 7:37 reveals that this verse alludes to several Septuagint texts: Gen 1:31, the praise of Godʼs creation, and several passages in Isaiah, visions of Godʼs eschatological healing of his creation. Through these intertextual connections, Mark allows his readers to interpret Jesus as a figure that acts in a way that is comparable to the works of God, the creator. The article argues that certain elements of a theology of creation play a part in Markʼs presentation ofJesus, the son of God

[Rezension von: Bellmann, Simon, 1984-, Politische Theologie im frühen Judentum : Eine Analyse der fünf Versionen des Estherbuches]

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The Old Latin book of Esther: An English translation

In recent decades, a lively debate on the Hebrew and Greek versions of Esther story has developed, focusing on their text-historical and theological relationship. The discussion is enriched further by taking into account the Old Latin Esther, fully edited some 10 years ago by Jean-Claude Haelewyck as part of the Beuron Vetus Latina series. The extant Latin text likely dates back to 330–50 CE and represents an older, now-lost Greek Vorlage. Its numerous peculiarities substantially widen our understanding of ancient Esther traditions. The English translation presented here aims to elicit a broader interest in the Old Latin Esther and to facilitate a fresh discussion of its significance.</jats:p