Global, regional, and national burden of low back pain, 1990–2020, its attributable risk factors, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Low back pain is highly prevalent and the main cause of years lived with disability (YLDs). We present the most up-to-date global, regional, and national data on prevalence and YLDs for low back pain from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021. Methods Population-based studies from 1980 to 2019 identified in a systematic review, international surveys, US medical claims data, and dataset contributions by collaborators were used to estimate the prevalence and YLDs for low back pain from 1990 to 2020, for 204 countries and territories. Low back pain was defined as pain between the 12th ribs and the gluteal folds that lasted a day or more; input data using alternative definitions were adjusted in a network meta-regression analysis. Nested Bayesian meta-regression models were used to estimate prevalence and YLDs by age, sex, year, and location. Prevalence was projected to 2050 by running a regression on prevalence rates using Socio-demographic Index as a predictor, then multiplying them by projected population estimates. Findings In 2020, low back pain affected 619 million (95% uncertainty interval 554–694) people globally, with a projection of 843 million (759–933) prevalent cases by 2050. In 2020, the global age-standardised rate of YLDs was 832 per 100 000 (578–1070). Between 1990 and 2020, age-standardised rates of prevalence and YLDs decreased by 10·4% (10·9–10·0) and 10·5% (11·1–10·0), respectively. A total of 38·8% (28·7–47·0) of YLDs were attributed to occupational factors, smoking, and high BMI. Interpretation Low back pain remains the leading cause of YLDs globally, and in 2020, there were more than half a billion prevalent cases of low back pain worldwide. While age-standardised rates have decreased modestly over the past three decades, it is projected that globally in 2050, more than 800 million people will have low back pain. Challenges persist in obtaining primary country-level data on low back pain, and there is an urgent need for more high-quality, primary, country-level data on both prevalence and severity distributions to improve accuracy and monitor change. Funding Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Synthesis and characterization of new thienylpyrrolyl-benzothiazoles as efficient and thermally stable nonlinear optical chromophores

The synthesis and full characterization of new chromophores with second-order nonlinearities containing thienylpyrrolyl and benzothiazolyl moieties are reported. The solvatochromic behavior of the compounds was investigated. The hyperpolarizabilities _ of derivatives 4-6 were measured using hyper-Rayleigh scattering and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to evaluate their thermal stability. The experimental results indicate that good nonlinearity–thermal stability is well balanced specially for chromophores 6b-c, making them good candidates for NLO applications.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologi

Solvent extraction of sodium chloride from codfish (Gadus morhua) salting processing wastewater

Codfish is worldwide mostly consumed salt-cured due to the highly appreciated sensory characteristics promoted by salt. During the salting process huge amounts of salted wastewater are generated – approximately 22% w/w of the codfish – carrying ca. 250 g/L of sodium chloride and ca. 10 g/L of organic compounds, namely proteins and free amino acids. In this study, the salt load of wastewater generated during the salting process of codfish (Gadus morhua) was successfully reduced by ethanol extraction. The effects of time, sample:ethanol ratio, pH and temperature on salt extraction by ethanol addition were assessed by a onevariable-at-a-time approach and then by performing a 32 fractional factorial design. The effects of pH were also assessed in absence of ethanol. The maximum amount of salt precipitated in the wastewater was ca. 33%, at a wastewater-ethanol ratio 1:1 (v/v), at a temperature of 0 °C and after 30 min. Proteins and free amino acids present in the wastewater significantly limited salt precipitation; in a blank solution (salt in water at ca. 250 g/L) a higher amount of salt, ca. 37%, was precipitated in the same conditions. Ethanol and temperature showed a linear effect on salt precipitation for both wastewater and blank solution however ethanol was the driving factor. Changes in pH did not result in salt precipitation either in absence or presence of ethanol. During salt extraction, no precipitation of free amino acids occurred in the wastewater while ca. 1.4% of protein fell into the precipitated phase along with the salt

Characterisation of soluble nitrogen and muscle proteins in wastewater throughout the salting process of Codfish (Gadus morhua)

In Portugal, Atlantic codfish (Gadus morhua) is usually consumed after dry salting; this process is carried out by mixing deboned codfish with food–grade marine salt followed by stacking in a tank for 6 days. Along the salting process, codfish incorporates salt as well as it is partially dried by the release of water - up to 22 % (w/w). Currently, this wastewater is treated as a residue not being further valorized. However, the presence of a significant amount of valuable compounds in this rest, such as amino acids and proteins, may allow for valorization opportunities not yet explored. The present work focuses on the identification of the nitrogen-containing compounds present in such wastewater. Total nitrogen (WSN), trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen (TCASN) and phosphotungstic acid-soluble nitrogen (PTASN) were evaluated by the micro-Kjeldahl method; Biuret method was used for total protein determinations and SDS-Page was performed for protein molecular weight screening. The results revealed an increase of WSN, TCASN and PTASN with time, with corresponding values of 3.17 g/L (WSN), 1.62 g/L (TCASN) and 1.16 g/L (PTASN) by the end of the process; the evolution of WSN versus the released water was approximately constant during the salting process, as well as the ratios of TCASN/WSN and PTASN/WSN with values of 51.25 and 36.55 % (w/w) at equilibrium, respectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Synthesis and cytotoxicity assessment of citrate-coated calcium and manganese ferrite nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia

Calcium-doped manganese ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) are gaining special interest in the biomedical field due to their lower cytotoxicity compared with other ferrites, and the fact that they have improved magnetic properties. Magnetic hyperthermia (MH) is an alternative cancer treatment, in which magnetic nanoparticles promote local heating that can lead to the apoptosis of cancer cells. In this work, manganese/calcium ferrite NPs coated with citrate (CaxMn1−xFe2O4 (x=0, 0.2, 1), were synthesized by the sol-gel method, followed by calcination, and then characterized regarding their crystalline structure (by X-ray diffraction, XRD), size and shape (by Transmission Electron Microscopy, TEM), hydrodynamic size and zeta potential (by Dynamic Light Scattering, DLS), and heating efficiency (measuring the Specific Absorption Rate, SAR, and Intrinsic Loss Power, ILP) under an alternating magnetic field. The obtained NPs showed a particle size within the range of 10 nm to 20 nm (by TEM) with a spherical or cubic shape. Ca0.2Mn0.8Fe2O4 NPs exhibited the highest SAR value of 36.3 W/g at the lowest field frequency tested, and achieved a temperature variation of ~7 °C in 120 s, meaning that these NPs are suitable magnetic hyperthermia agents. In vitro cellular internalization and cytotoxicity experiments, performed using the human cell line HEK 293T, confirmed cytocompatibility over 0–250 µg/mL range and successful internalization after 24 h. Based on these studies, our data suggest that these manganese-calcium ferrite NPs have potential for MH application and further use in in vivo systems.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of CEB (UIDB/04469/2020), CBMA (UIDB/04050/2020) and CF-UM-UP (UIDB/04650/2020) units. R.G.D. Andrade and S.R.S. Veloso acknowledge FCT for the PhD grants 2020.05781.BD and SFRH/BD/144017/2019, respectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Solid polymer electrolytes based on lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide/poly(vinylidene fluoride -co-hexafluoropropylene) for safer rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

The increasing use of electronic portable systems and the consequent energy demand, leads to the need to improve energy storage systems. According to that and due to safety issues, high-performance non-flammable electrolytes and solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) are needed.SPE containing different amounts of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) into a poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), PVDF-HFP, polymer matrix have been prepared by solvent casting. The addition of LiTFSI into PVDF-HFP allows to tailor thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of the composite.In particular, the ionic conductivity of the composites increases with LiTFSI content, the best ionic conductivities of 0.0011 mS/cmat 25 degrees C and 0.23 mS/cmat 90 degrees C were obtained for the PVDF-HFP/LiTFSI composites with 80 wt % of LiTFSI.This solid electrolyte allows the fabrication of Li metallic/SPE/C-LiFePO4 half-cells with a discharge capacity of 51.2 mAh/ g at C/20. Further, theoretical simulations show that the discharge capacity value depends on the lithium concentration and percentage of free ions and is independent of the solid polymer electrolyte thickness. On the other hand, the voltage plateau depends on the SPE thickness. Thus, a solid electrolyte is presented for the next generation of safer solid-state batteries.The authors thank the FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) for financial support under the framework of Strategic Funding grants UID/FIS/04650/2013, UID/EEA/04436/2013 and UID/QUI/0686/2016; and project no. PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017. The authors also thank the FCT for financial support under grant SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C.). Financial support from the Basque Government Industry Department under the ELKARTEK and HAZITEK programs is also acknowledged. JMMD and JLGR acknowledge funding by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the project MAT2016-76039-C4-1 and 3-R (including the FEDER financial support) CIBER-BBN is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&i Plan 2008–2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program, CIBER Actions and financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund

Structure, thermal properties, conductivity and electrochemical stability of di-urethanesil hybrids doped with LiCF3SO3

Variable chain length di-urethane cross-linked poly(oxyethylene) (POE)/siloxane hybrid networks were prepared by application of a sol-gel strategy. These materials, designated as di-urethanesils (represented as d-Ut(Y’), where Y’ indicates the average molecular weight of the polymer segment), were doped with lithium triflate (LiCF3SO3). The two host hybrid matrices used, d-Ut(300) and d-Ut(600), incorporate POE chains with approximately 6 and 13 (OCH2CH2) repeat units, respectively. All the samples studied, with compositions ∞ > n ≥ 1 (where n is the molar ratio of (OCH2CH2) repeat units per Li+),, are entirely amorphous. The di-urethanesils are thermally stable up to at least 200 ºC. At room temperature the conductivity maxima of the d-Ut(300)- and d-Ut(600)-based di-urethanesil families are located at n = 1 (approximately 2.0x10-6 and 7.4x10-5 Scm-1, respectively). At about 100 ºC, both these samples also exhibit the highest conductivity of the two electrolyte systems (approximately 1.6x10-4 and 1.0x10-3 Scm-1, respectively). The d-Ut(600)-based xerogel with n = 1 displays excellent redox stability.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Short-chain di-ureasil ormolytes doped with potassium triflate: Phase diagram and conductivity behavior

Di-urea cross-linked poly(oxyethylene)/siloxane hybrids, synthesized by the sol-gel process and containing a wide concentration range of potassium triflate, KCF3SO3, have been analyzed by x-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The pseudo-phase diagram proposed has been taken into account in the interpretation of the complex impedance measurements. The xerogels prepared are obtained as transparent, thin monoliths . At room temperature the highest conductivity found was 2 x 10-6Scm-1.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Effectiveness of surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis

Background: The management of spinal stenosis by surgery has increased rapidly in the past two decades, however, there is still controversy regarding the efficacy of surgery for this condition. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy and comparative effectiveness of surgery in the management of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods: Electronic searches were performed on MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, Web of Science, LILACS and Cochrane Library from inception to November 2014. Hand searches were conducted on included articles and relevant reviews. We included randomised controlled trials evaluating surgery compared to no treatment, placebo/sham, or to another surgical technique in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Primary outcome measures were pain, disability, recovery and quality of life. The PEDro scale was used for risk of bias assessment. Data were pooled with a random-effects model, and the GRADE approach was used to summarise conclusions. Results: Nineteen published reports (17 trials) were included. No trials were identified comparing surgery to no treatment or placebo/sham. Pooling revealed that decompression plus fusion is not superior to decompression alone for pain (mean difference -3.7, 95% confidence interval -15.6 to 8.1), disability (mean difference 9.8, 95% confidence interval -9.4 to 28.9), or walking ability (risk ratio 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.4 to 1.9). Interspinous process spacer devices are slightly more effective than decompression plus fusion for disability (mean difference 5.7, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 10.0), but they resulted in significantly higher reoperation rates when compared to decompression alone (28% v 7%, P < 0.001). There are no differences in the effectiveness between other surgical techniques for our main outcomes. Conclusions: The relative efficacy of various surgical options for treatment of spinal stenosis remains uncertain. Decompression plus fusion is not more effective than decompression alone. Interspinous process spacer devices result in higher reoperation rates than bony decompression

Targeting cancer resistance via multifunctional gold nanoparticles

POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007728 SFRH/BD/120030/2016 PD/BD/105734/2014 Pest-OE/UID/DTP/04138/2013Resistance to chemotherapy is a major problem facing current cancer therapy, which is continuously aiming at the development of new compounds that are capable of tackling tumors that developed resistance toward common chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin (DOX). Alongside the development of new generations of compounds, nanotechnology-based delivery strategies can significantly improve the in vivo drug stability and target specificity for overcoming drug resistance. In this study, multifunctional gold nanoparticles (AuNP) have been used as a nanoplatform for the targeted delivery of an original anticancer agent, a Zn(II) coordination compound [Zn(DION)2]Cl2 (ZnD), toward better efficacy against DOX-resistant colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT116 DR). Selective delivery of the ZnD nanosystem to cancer cells was achieved by active targeting via cetuximab, NanoZnD, which significantly inhibited cell proliferation and triggered the death of resistant tumor cells, thus improving efficacy. In vivo studies in a colorectal DOX-resistant model corroborated the capability of NanoZnD for the selective targeting of cancer cells, leading to a reduction of tumor growth without systemic toxicity. This approach highlights the potential of gold nanoformulations for the targeting of drug-resistant cancer cells.publishersversionpublishe