Frailty measures in immuno-metabolic subtypes of late-life depression; A two-year prospective study:A two-year prospective study

Background/Objectives - Frailty is highly prevalent with increasing age. Based on the concept of depression as a disorder of accelerated aging and its association with inflammation and metabolic dysregulation, we examined whether frailty measures at baseline and over time differed between immuno-metabolic subtypes of late-life depression. Methods - Clinical cohort study in primary and secondary mental health care with two-year follow-up. In total 359 depressed older patients (≥ 60 years) classified in four immuno-metabolic subgroups by latent profile analysis. We compared frailty measures at baseline and two-year follow-up adjusted for confounders between immuno-metabolic based depressed subgroups. Frailty measures included the frailty index, physical frailty phenotype, and two proxies (handgrip strength, gait speed). Results - At baseline, the relatively healthy depressed subgroup (n = 181) performed best on all frailty markers. While frailty markers worsened over time, the two-year course did not differ between the subgroups for any of these markers. Conclusion - The more severe immuno-metabolic dysregulation present in late-life depression, the more frail. Nonetheless, as trajectories over time did not differ between subgroups, the difference probably emerged at midlife. Future studies should examine whether geriatric assessment might become relevant at earlier ages in specialized mental health care

Portland cement production using mineral wastes PORTLAND CEMENT PRODUCTION USING MINERAL WASTES

ABSTRACT A Type I Portland cement has been produced using anorthite from copper-nickel tailings and raw taconite tailings. The cement exhibited better strength properties than ordinary Type I Portland cement and gave a stronger concrete when tested under identical curing conditions. Factors leading to the attainment of these higher strength values are identified and their effects on the ultimate mechanical properties of cement are discussed. It is also anticipated that the compositional variety of tailings may also have other beneficial effects on long-term cement behavior such as resistance to sulfate attack

Burden of organ donation after euthanasia in patients with psychiatric disorder

Organ donation after euthanasia (ODE) is rarely performed but the number has gradually increased over the years. It has been suggested that the preparatory investigations for organ donation parallel to the medical-legal procedures for euthanasia may be too much of a burden for the patients and their relatives. Furthermore, dying in an intensive care unit might contribute to this burden. Based on two patients who were granted euthanasia based on a psychiatric disorder, we show that the actual burden may be minimal for some patients and their relatives and may even be helpful in their process of euthanasia. Therefore, we propose that providing patients with information about donation of organs after euthanasia may be important to incorporate early in the medical-legal process of euthanasia instead of waiting for the patient to bring up organ donation, as currently advised in the Dutch guideline for ODE

Synthetic Nano- and Microfibers

Global production of fibrous material is significantly growing reaching an expected 145 million metric tons in 2030. Fiber production includes mostly synthetic polymers, cotton and man-made cellulose (viscose). The main uses are in clothing, household and furnishing, industrial construction, automotive and other. Increasing consumption of fabric material causes the accumulation of single fibers into the natural environment. Significant numbers are discharged via wastewater from washing clothes, deposition from atmosphere or by other ways of transport. Fibers are now the most prevalent type of anthropogenic particles found by microplastic pollution surveys around the world. Substantial fiber concentrations are found in surface water, deep-sea and fresh water ecosystems. Consequently, fibers are present in food, drinking water, human lungs and digestive tracts of aquatic animals. Currently, there is great concern for the release of plastic nano- and micro fibers and microparticles (microplastics) to the natural environment for which nobody knows, so far, the ultimate consequences for health and ecological homeostasis. The potential risk introduced by the presence of fibers in the environment induces significant interest.These challenges were the source of inspiration for organizing our workshop . A group of scientists from different parts of the world met on Nov 4/5 2019 at Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, to discuss all known aspects of synthetic nano- and microfibers. This included morphology, physicochemical properties, production and origin of nano/micro fibers entering the atmosphere, water and food chain; the potential consequences of inhalation and ingestion for human health; exposure and ingress via life cycle for aquatic biota; analytical and measurement methods; techniques to clean air and water, and protection means against inhalation or other ways to enter the human body