Google search trends for itch in Europe : a retrospective longitudinal study

Altres ajuts: European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV, No. 2016-012 to MP).Background: Itch is a common symptom in the general population. Affected individuals often do not seek medical consultation and rely on Internet searches to obtain information regarding their itch. Objectives: The aim of this study was to attain insights into common concerns of the general population regarding itch can by analysing itch-related Internet search behaviour. Methods: Google AdWords Keyword Planner was used to assess search volumes for itch-related terms in 15 European countries between September 2014 and August 2018. All identified keywords were qualitatively categorized. Itch-related terms were descriptively analysed and are shown as number of searches/100 000 inhabitants. Results: The search volume for the keyword 'itch' per 100 000 inhabitants was highest in Northern Europe, followed by Eastern, Central and Southern Europe. In 4/15 countries, itch was searched for more often in the autumn/winter months compared to in the spring/summer months. Most itch-related terms were related to dermatological conditions such as inflammatory skin diseases (e.g. psoriasis, atopic dermatitis), allergic or immunologic conditions (e.g. urticaria), and infectious diseases or infestations (e.g. scabies). In terms of body location, genitoanal itch dominated the searches. Symptoms and signs related to itch, possible non-dermatological aetiologies, and treatment options were also among the most searched terms. Conclusions: These analyses provided for the first time insights into the search behaviour patterns related to itch across Europe. People from Northern and Eastern Europe are more likely to seek online information regarding itch. Causes for the itch, especially dermatological conditions, and genitoanal itch are the most important concerns for Internet users. This unconventional and inexpensive method identifies medical needs of people beyond the medical setting, including people who do not seek medical consultation. Accordingly, the data could be used to guide public health interventions and manage respective inhabitants' medical needs

Chronic nodular prurigo: clinical profile and burden. A European cross-sectional study

Background: Chronic nodular prurigo (CNPG) is a condition characterized by chronic itch, a prolonged scratching behaviour and the presence of pruriginous nodules. A comprehensive understanding of this condition, especially regarding its clinical characteristics and impact on quality of life is still lacking. Objectives: Aim of this pan-European multicentre cross-sectional study was to establish the clinical profile of CNPG, including its associated burden. Methods: Fifteen centres from 12 European countries recruited CNPG patients presenting at the centre or using the centres' own databases. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire in paper or electronic format. Demography, current co-morbidities, underlying disease, itch intensity, additional sensory symptoms, quality of life, highest burden and emotional experience of itch were assessed. Results: A total of 509 patients (210 male, median age: 64 years [52; 72]) were enrolled. Of these, 406 reported itch and CNPG lesions in the previous 7 days and qualified to complete the whole questionnaire. We recorded moderate to severe worst itch intensity scores in the previous 24 h. Scores were higher in patients with lower educational levels and those coming from Eastern or Southern Europe. Most patients experience itch often or always (71%) and report that their everyday life is negatively affected (53%). Itch intensity was considered to be the most burdensome aspect of the disease by 49% of the patients, followed by the visibility of skin lesions (21%) and bleeding of lesions (21%). The majority of patients was unaware of an underlying condition contributing to CNPG (64%), while psychiatric diseases were the conditions most often mentioned in association with CNPG (19%). Conclusions: This multicentre cross-sectional study shows that itch is the dominant symptom in CNPG and reveals that the profile of the disease is similar throughout Europe

Chronic nodular prurigo : clinical profile and burden. A European cross-sectional study

Chronic nodular prurigo (CNPG) is a condition characterized by chronic itch, a prolonged scratching behaviour and the presence of pruriginous nodules. A comprehensive understanding of this condition, especially regarding its clinical characteristics and impact on quality of life is still lacking. Aim of this pan-European multicentre cross-sectional study was to establish the clinical profile of CNPG, including its associated burden. Fifteen centres from 12 European countries recruited CNPG patients presenting at the centre or using the centres' own databases. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire in paper or electronic format. Demography, current co-morbidities, underlying disease, itch intensity, additional sensory symptoms, quality of life, highest burden and emotional experience of itch were assessed. A total of 509 patients (210 male, median age: 64 years [52; 72]) were enrolled. Of these, 406 reported itch and CNPG lesions in the previous 7 days and qualified to complete the whole questionnaire. We recorded moderate to severe worst itch intensity scores in the previous 24 h. Scores were higher in patients with lower educational levels and those coming from Eastern or Southern Europe. Most patients experience itch often or always (71%) and report that their everyday life is negatively affected (53%). Itch intensity was considered to be the most burdensome aspect of the disease by 49% of the patients, followed by the visibility of skin lesions (21%) and bleeding of lesions (21%). The majority of patients was unaware of an underlying condition contributing to CNPG (64%), while psychiatric diseases were the conditions most often mentioned in association with CNPG (19%). This multicentre cross-sectional study shows that itch is the dominant symptom in CNPG and reveals that the profile of the disease is similar throughout Europe

Enhanced optical and electrical properties of PEDOT via nanostructured carbon materials: A comparative investigation

Addressed herein, novel poly(3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene) PEDOT/Nanocarbon Materials (NCMs) composite films have been produced by electropolymerization of EDOT monomers onto NCMs coated indium tin oxide (ITO) glass slides. In this study NCMs/ITO working electrodes were prepared by drop casting method which is simpler, quicker, cheaper and easier than other methods. Then PEDOT/NCMs composite films have been produced and investigated by comparing the electrochemical properties with each other in this study. These novel materials significantly improved conductivity and electrochemical performance of PEDOT such as stability of electrochromic characteristics, coloration efficiency, switching time due to an important role in the electron transfer between NCMs and PEDOT films. The prepared novel PEDOT/NCMs composites exhibit excellent optical contrast that is 2 times higher than that of others. These nanocomposite films can be used for electrochromic and energy storage devices applications in near future. © 2017 Elsevier B.V

Highly Monodisperse Pt/Rh Nanoparticles Confined in the Graphene Oxide for Highly Efficient and Reusable Sorbents for Methylene Blue Removal from Aqueous Solutions

Addressed herein, a robust methodology to generate monodisperse Pt/Rh@GO nanocomposites and their adsorption performances have been reported to clean methylene blue (MB) from the aqueous mixtures. The monodisperse Pt/Rh@GO nanocomposites were produced by the ultrasonic double solvent reduction method. Their characterization was performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanism of MB adsorption was explored in aqueous solutions. The adsorbtion findings revealed that the Pt/Rh@GO nanocomposites are highly effective adsorbents for MB removal offering 346.79 mg/g as the one of the record adsorption capacity. 40 minutes was observed as the equilibrium time for MB adsorption. More than that, they are reusable as they promise cleaning MB from MB-contaminated waters maintaining 97.83 % of their initial efficacy after six sequential cycles of adsorption-desorption. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim2014–05, 2016–75This research was financed by Dumlupinar University Research Funds (grant no. 2014–05, and 2016–75). The partial supports by Science Academy and Fevzi Akkaya Research Funding (FABED) are gratefully acknowledged

Rapid, sensitive, and reusable detection of glucose by highly monodisperse nickel nanoparticles decorated functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

PubMed ID: 28129630Addressed herein, functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) supported highly monodisperse nickel nanoparticles modified on glassy carbon electrode (Ni@f-MWCNT/GCE) were synthesized through microwave assisted method and examined for non-enzymatic glucose sensing in ionic liquids by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results of Ni@f-MWCNT/GCE electrode were compared with Ni NPs/GCE electrode and the results revealed that f-MWCNTs increased the electrocatalytic properties of Ni nanoparticles regarding glucose oxidation. They also demonstrated a good linear span of 0.05–12.0 mM and a detection boundary of 0.021 µM. Specifically, in the amperometric signal of the electrodes after 200th cycles, no major change was observed. This non-enzymatic glucose sensor presents one of the record electrocatalytic activity, stability and response towards glucose under the optimized situations. As a result, prepared novel Ni@f-MWCNT/GCE was utilized to detect glucose in real serum species. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.2016-75, 2014-05 Academy of Health SciencesThis research was supported by Dumlupinar University (2014-05, 2016-75). The partial supports by Science Academy and FABED are gratefully acknowledged