Sequential biological and photocatalysis based treatments for shipboard slop purification: A pilot plant investigation

This study investigated the treatment of a shipboard slop containing commercial gasoline in a pilot plant scale consisting of a membrane biological reactor (MBR) and photocatalytic reactor (PCR) acting in series. The MBR contributed for approximately 70% to the overall slop purification. More precisely, the biological process was able to remove approximately 40%, on average, of the organic pollution in the slop. Nevertheless, the membrane was capable to retain a large amount of organic molecules within the system, amounting for a further 30% of the influent total organic content removal. However, this affected the membrane fouling, thus resulting in the increase of the pore blocking mechanism that accounted for approximately 20% to the total resistance to filtration (2.85∙10 13 m −1 ), even if a significant restoration of the original membrane permeability was obtained after chemical cleanings. On the other hand, the biological treatment produced a clear solution for the photocatalytic system, thereby optimizing the light penetration and generation of highly oxidizing active oxygen species that enabled the degradation of bio-recalcitrant compounds. Indeed, low total organic carbon (TOC) values (<10 mg L −1 ) were achieved in the output of the photocatalytic reactor by means of only 60 Einstein (E) of cumulative impinging energy after the addition of K 2 S 2 O 8 . Overall, coupling the two processes enabled very high TOC removal (ca. 95%)

Myeloid conditioning with c-kit-targeted CAR-T cells enables donor stem cell engraftment

We report a novel approach to bone marrow (BM) conditioning using c-kit-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T (c-kit CAR-T) cells in mice. Previous reports using anti-c-kit or anti-CD45 antibody linked to a toxin such as saporin have been promising. We developed a distinctly different approach using c-kit CAR-T cells. Initial studies demonstrated in vitro killing of hematopoietic stem cells by c-kit CAR-T cells but poor expansion in vivo and poor migration of CAR-T cells into BM. Pre-treatment of recipient mice with low-dose cyclophosphamide (125 mg/kg) together with CXCR4 transduction in the CAR-T cells enhanced trafficking to and expansion in BM (\u3c1%-13.1%). This resulted in significant depletion of the BM c-ki

The association of comorbid conditions with patient-reported outcomes in Veterans with hip and knee osteoarthritis

There is limited understanding of how comorbid health conditions affect osteoarthritis (OA)-related outcomes. This study examined associations of different comorbidity measures with baseline OA-related patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among patients with hip and knee OA. Data were from patients (N=300, 9 % female, mean age = 61.1; SD=9.2) enrolled in a randomized control trial at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Separate multivariable regression models, adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics, examined the association of each comorbidity measure with baseline PROs: pain, physical function, depressive symptoms, fatigue, and insomnia. Comorbidity measures included the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (SACQ), conditions reported as activity-limiting (SACQ-AL), and indicators of depression, diabetes, hypertension, and back pain. Mean (SD) numbers of comorbid conditions and activity-limiting conditions were 3.4 (1.8) and 1.6 (1.4), respectively. Comorbidity scores (SACQ overall and SACQ-AL) and individual comorbidity conditions were each associated with worse OA-related PROs adjusting for demographic and clinical factors. Worse SACQ overall and SACQ-AL scores were associated with worse mean scores for pain, depressive symptoms, fatigue, and insomnia (p values <0.01). Additionally, increasing SACQ-AL scores were associated with worse mean scores for function (p<0.01). Depression was associated with worse pain (p=0.03), fatigue, and insomnia (p values <0.01). Diabetes was associated with worse fatigue (p=0.01), depressive symptoms (p=0.02), and insomnia (p=0.03). Back pain was associated with worse pain scores (p=0.02). Results provide evidence that comorbidity burden, particularly activity-limiting conditions, is associated with worse OA-related PROs. Interventions for patients with OA need to address comorbid conditions and their impact on key outcomes

Glycemic control among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos with diabetes from the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study: Do structural and functional social support play a role?

Social support is one potential source of health-related resiliency in Hispanics with diabetes

DASH diet and prevalent metabolic syndrome in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is recommended for lowering blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD), but little data exist on these associations in US Hispanics/Latinos. We sought to assess associations between DASH score and prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in diverse Hispanics/Latinos. We studied 10,741 adults aged 18–74 in the multicenter Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Dietary intake was measured using two 24-hour recalls, and MetS defined per the 2009 harmonized guidelines. We assessed cross-sectional associations of DASH score and MetS (and its dichotomized components) using survey logistic regression, and DASH and MetS continuous components using linear regression. We also stratified these models by Hispanic/Latino heritage group to explore heritage-specific associations. We found no associations between DASH and MetS prevalence. DASH was inversely associated with both measures of blood pressure (p < 0.01 for systolic and p < 0.001 for diastolic) in the overall cohort. DASH was also inversely associated with diastolic blood pressure in the Mexican (p < 0.05), Central American (p < 0.05), and South American (p < 0.01) groups; triglycerides (p < 0.05) in the Central American group; fasting glucose overall (p < 0.01) and in the Mexican group (p < 0.01); and waist circumference overall (p < 0.05) and in the South American group (p < 0.01). DASH was positively associated with HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.01) in the Central American group. DASH may better capture diet-MetS associations in Hispanic/Latino subpopulations such as Central/South Americans; this study also adds evidence that Hispanics/Latinos should be analyzed by heritage. Further research, and/or culturally tailored DASH measures will help further explain between-heritage differences

Normas técnicas específicas para a produção integrada de cebola.

A publicação das Normas Técnicas da Cebola (NTE) disponibiliza um conjunto de normas e procedimentos para a cadeia produtiva da cebola com base nos conceitos de produção integrada, os quais asseguram elevada qualidade e produtividade para a cultura, com viabilidade econômica e social, proteção ao meio ambiente e qualidade alimentar

The counseling african americans to control hypertension (caatch) trial: baseline demographic, clinical, psychosocial, and behavioral characteristics

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Effectiveness of combined physician and patient-level interventions for blood pressure (BP) control in low-income, hypertensive African Americans with multiple co-morbid conditions remains largely untested in community-based primary care practices. Demographic, clinical, psychosocial, and behavioral characteristics of participants in the Counseling African American to Control Hypertension (CAATCH) Trial are described. CAATCH evaluates the effectiveness of a multi-level, multi-component, evidence-based intervention compared with usual care (UC) in improving BP control among poorly controlled hypertensive African Americans who receive primary care in Community Health Centers (CHCs).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Participants included 1,039 hypertensive African Americans receiving care in 30 CHCs in the New York Metropolitan area. Baseline data on participant demographic, clinical (<it>e.g</it>., BP, anti-hypertensive medications), psychosocial (<it>e.g</it>., depression, medication adherence, self-efficacy), and behavioral (<it>e.g</it>., exercise, diet) characteristics were gathered through direct observation, chart review, and interview.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The sample was primarily female (71.6%), middle-aged (mean age = 56.9 ± 12.1 years), high school educated (62.4%), low-income (72.4% reporting less than $20,000/year income), and received Medicaid (35.9%) or Medicare (12.6%). Mean systolic and diastolic BP were 150.7 ± 16.7 mm Hg and 91.0 ± 10.6 mm Hg, respectively. Participants were prescribed an average of 2.5 ± 1.9 antihypertensive medications; 54.8% were on a diuretic; 33.8% were on a beta blocker; 41.9% were on calcium channel blockers; 64.8% were on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). One-quarter (25.6%) of the sample had resistant hypertension; one-half (55.7%) reported medication non-adherence. Most (79.7%) reported one or more co-morbid medical conditions. The majority of the patients had a Charlson Co-morbidity score ≥ 2. Diabetes mellitus was common (35.8%), and moderate/severe depression was present in 16% of participants. Participants were sedentary (835.3 ± 1,644.2 Kcal burned per week), obese (59.7%), and had poor global physical health, poor eating habits, high health literacy, and good overall mental health.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A majority of patients in the CAATCH trial exhibited adverse lifestyle behaviors, and had significant medical and psychosocial barriers to adequate BP control. Trial outcomes will shed light on the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions for BP control when implemented in real-world medical settings that serve high numbers of low-income hypertensive African-Americans with multiple co-morbidity and significant barriers to behavior change.</p

Innovation and growth in the UK pharmaceuticals: the case of product and marketing introductions

New drug introductions are key to growth for pharmaceutical firms. However, not all innovations are the same and they may have differential effects that vary by firm size. We use quarterly sales data on UK pharmaceuticals in a dynamic panel model to estimate the impact of product (new drugs) and marketing (additional pack varieties) innovations within a therapeutic class on a firm’s business unit growth. We find that product innovations lead to substantial growth in both the short and long run, whereas a new pack variety only produces short-term effects. The strategies are substitutes but the marginal effects are larger for product innovations relative to additional packs, and the effects are larger for smaller business units. Nonetheless, pack introductions offer a viable short-term growth strategy, especially for small- and medium-sized businesses