103 research outputs found
Thermoporosimetry of hard (silica) and soft (cellulosic) materials by isothermal step melting
Matrix-metalloproteinase-2,-8 and-9 in serum and skin blister fluid in patients with severe sepsis
Peer reviewe
Developing Novel Therapies for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [AO Spine RECODE-DCM Research Priority Number 7]: Opportunities From Restorative Neurobiology.
Study design: Narrative review.
Objectives: To provide an overview of contemporary therapies for the James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) question: \u27Can novel therapies, including stem-cell, gene, pharmacological and neuroprotective therapies, be identified to improve the health and wellbeing of people living with DCM and slow down disease progression?\u27
Methods: A review of the literature was conducted to outline the pathophysiology of DCM and present contemporary therapies that may hold therapeutic value in 3 broad categories of neuroprotection, neuroregeneration, and neuromodulation.
Results: Chronic spinal cord compression leads to ischaemia, neuroinflammation, demyelination, and neuronal loss. Surgical intervention may halt progression and improve symptoms, though the majority do not make a full recovery leading to lifelong disability. Neuroprotective agents disrupt deleterious secondary injury pathways, and one agent, Riluzole, has undergone Phase-III investigation in DCM. Although it did not show efficacy on the primary outcome modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale, it showed promising results in pain reduction. Regenerative approaches are in the early stage, with one agent, Ibudilast, currently in a phase-III investigation. Neuromodulation approaches aim to therapeutically alter the state of spinal cord excitation by electrical stimulation with a variety of approaches. Case studies using electrical neuromuscular and spinal cord stimulation have shown positive therapeutic utility.
Conclusion: There is limited research into interventions in the 3 broad areas of neuroprotection, neuroregeneration, and neuromodulation for DCM. Contemporary and novel therapies for DCM are now a top 10 priority, and whilst research in these areas is limited in DCM, it is hoped that this review will encourage research into this priority
Copernicus Ocean State Report, issue 6
The 6th issue of the Copernicus OSR incorporates a large range of topics for the blue, white and green ocean for all European regional seas, and the global ocean over 1993â2020 with a special focus on 2020
A New Framework for Investigating the Biological Basis of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [AO Spine RECODE-DCM Research Priority Number 5]: Mechanical Stress, Vulnerability and Time
Study design: Literature Review (Narrative).
Objective: To propose a new framework, to support the investigation and understanding of the pathobiology of DCM, AO Spine RECODE-DCM research priority number 5.
Methods: Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a common and disabling spinal cord disorder. In this perspective, we review key knowledge gaps between the clinical phenotype and our biological models. We then propose a reappraisal of the key driving forces behind DCM and an individual\u27s susceptibility, including the proposal of a new framework.
Results: Present pathobiological and mechanistic knowledge does not adequately explain the disease phenotype; why only a subset of patients with visualized cord compression show clinical myelopathy, and the amount of cord compression only weakly correlates with disability. We propose that DCM is better represented as a function of several interacting mechanical forces, such as shear, tension and compression, alongside an individual\u27s vulnerability to spinal cord injury, influenced by factors such as age, genetics, their cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and nervous system status, and time.
Conclusion: Understanding the disease pathobiology is a fundamental research priority. We believe a framework of mechanical stress, vulnerability, and time may better represent the disease as a whole. Whilst this remains theoretical, we hope that at the very least it will inspire new avenues of research that better encapsulate the full spectrum of disease
Critical evaluation of approaches toward mass deacidification of paper by dispersed particles
NemateriÄlo aktÄ«vu grÄmatvedÄ«bas metodoloÄŁiskÄs problÄmas Latvijas RepublikÄ
Nonfluorinated hydrophobic surfaces
are of interest for reduced
cost, toxicity, and environmental problems. Searching for such surfaces
together with versatile processing, A200 silica nanoparticles are
modified with an oligodimethylsiloxane and used by themselves or with
a polymer matrix. The goal of the surface modification is controlled
aggregate size and stable suspensions. Characterization is done by
NMR, microanalysis, nitrogen adsorption, and dynamic light scattering.
The feasibility of the concept is then demonstrated. The silica aggregates
are sprayed in a scalable process to form ultrahydrophobic and imperceptible
coatings with surface topographies of controlled nanoscale roughness
onto different supports, including nanofibrillated cellulose. To improve
adhesion and wear properties, the organosilica was mixed with polymers.
The resulting composite coatings are characterized by FE-SEM, AFM,
and contact angle measurements. Depending on the nature of the polymer,
different functionalities can be developed. PolyÂ(methyl methacrylate)
leads to almost superhydrophobic and highly transparent coatings.
Composites based on commercial acrylic car paint show âpearl-bouncingâ
droplet behavior. A light-emitting polyfluorene is synthesized to
prepare luminescent and water repellent coatings on different supports.
The interactions between polymers and the organosilica influence coating
roughness and are critical for wetting behavior. In summary, the feasibility
of a facile, rapid, and fluorine-free hydrophobization concept was
successfully demonstrated in multipurpose antiwetting applications
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