Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Heterogeneous Nanocatalytic Ozonation

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes functionalized by plasma oxygen (CNTs) have been used as heterogeneous catalysts for the ozonation of methyl orange (MO) dye (CI 13025) in aqueous solutions. It was found that the addition of CNTs significantly enhanced the dye decolorization as compared to ozone alone or when activated carbon was used at the same dose as CNTs. Both the initial ozone concentration and catalyst dosage enhanced the removal of MO. However, ozone gas concentrations higher than 6 g/m3 NTP did not further improve the decolorization rates. The removal efficiency of MO increased with pH in the range 2 to 3, while a reverse trend was observed when the pH increased from 3 to 9. The addition of a radical scavenger resulted in only a limited change in the decolorization rates suggesting that molecular ozone was the main pathway by which MO decolorization occurred in solution. However, under favorable conditions for MO attraction to CNT surface (pH = 3), the decolorization rate has significantly increased. At higher pH than the pKa value of MO (3.47) and the point of zero charge of CNT (3.87), a condition that favors the electrostatic repulsion of MO from CNT, the rates were reduced in the presence of CNT as compared to ozone alone possibly due to loss of part of the supplied ozone in un-useful parallel reactions

The Incidence of Spinal Cord Ischaemia Following Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Endovascular Intervention

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the incidence and risk factors for spinal cord ischaemia (SCI) following thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic intervention.MethodsA prospective database of all thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic interventions between 2001 and 2009 was used to investigate the incidence of SCI. All elective and emergency cases for all indications were included. Logistic regression was used to investigate which factors were associated with SCI.Results235 patients underwent thoracic aortic stent grafting; 111(47%) thoracic aortic stent-grafts alone, with an additional 14(6%) branched or fenestrated thoracic grafts, 30(13%) arch hybrid procedures and 80(34%) visceral hybrid surgical and endovascular procedures. The global incidence of SCI for all procedures was 23/235 (9.8%) and this included emergency indications (ruptured TAAA and acute complex dissections) but the incidence varied considerably between types of procedures. Of the 23 cases, death occurred in 4 patients but recovery of function was seen in 6. Thus, permanent paraplegia occurred in 13/235 (5.5%) patients. Of the nine pre-specified factors investigated for association with SCI, only percentage of aortic coverage was significantly associated with the incidence of SCI; adjusted odds ratio per 10% increase in aorta covered = 1.78[95% CI 1.18–2.71], p = 0.007. The procedures in patients who developed SCI took longer (463.5 versus 307.2 minutes) and utilised more stents (4 versus 2).ConclusionSCI following thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic endovascular intervention is associated with the proportion of aorta covered. The degree of risk varies between different types of procedure and this should be carefully considered in both selection and consenting of patients

The effect of pramipexole extended release on the levodopa equivalent daily dose in Lebanese Parkinson diseased patients

Objective: The objective of this study is to compute the potential benefit of Pramipexole ER on total levodopa equivalent dose (LED) and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Score (UPDRS-III) compared to mono- or combined therapy of pramipexole IR and/or carbidopa/levodopa. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study conducted in a specialized PD (Parkinson Disease) and movement disease center in Lebanon between January and December 2017. Results: A total of 176 patient’s record was reviewed. Pramipexole ER showed a significant difference on the mean changes in LED and UPDRS-III score. After 13 weeks of initiating Pramipexole ER, the mean decrease in LED was -49.42 mg for all patients (p < 0.001, CI 95% [35.28-63.55]) and the mean decrease in UPDRS-III score for all patients was -6 points (P< 0.001). According to the subgroup analysis, patients aged 65 years and below, the change in mean total LED from baseline ( 350.80 mg) was a decrease of 63.19 mg with a p<0.001, CI 95% [42.07-84.31]. In patients aged more than 65 years and shifted to mono or combined pramipexole ER therapy, the change in mean total LED from baseline (559.25 mg) was a decrease of 34.67 mg with a p<0.001 CI 95% [16.16-53.18]. In addition the results showed that in patients having an UPDRS-III score of less than or equal to 33, the change in mean total LED from baseline (436.73 mg) was a decrease of 56.76 mg (p<0.001; CI 95% [41.32-72.20]). However, in patients having an UPDRS-III score of more than 33 the change in mean total LED from baseline (545.06 mg) was a decrease of 2.96 mg with a p value < 0.844 CI 95% [27.32-33.15]. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the efficacy of Pramipexole ER on decreasing the total levodopa equivalent dose (LED).The role of health care professionals is to maintain the patient on the lowest effective levodopa equivalent daily dose and optimize the treatment therapy, thus decreasing the side effects that might arise from overdosing of antiparkinsonian drugs

Exploring the evidence base for national and regional policy interventions to combat resistance

The effectiveness of existing policies to control antimicrobial resistance is not yet fully understood. A strengthened evidence base is needed to inform effective policy interventions across countries with different income levels and the human health and animal sectors. We examine three policy domains—responsible use, surveillance, and infection prevention and control—and consider which will be the most effective at national and regional levels. Many complexities exist in the implementation of such policies across sectors and in varying political and regulatory environments. Therefore, we make recommendations for policy action, calling for comprehensive policy assessments, using standardised frameworks, of cost-effectiveness and generalisability. Such assessments are especially important in low-income and middle-income countries, and in the animal and environmental sectors. We also advocate a One Health approach that will enable the development of sensitive policies, accommodating the needs of each sector involved, and addressing concerns of specific countries and regions

Исследование влияния амарантовой муки и стенового материала инкапсулированного орехового масла на качество сырцовых пряников

In recent years, development of confectionery industry is aimed at creating products of increased nutritional value, enriched with macro- and micronutrients, for dietary and prophylactic purposes. One of the most common flour confectionery products in Russia is raw gummy gingerbread. The aim of the research is to study the impact of amaranth flour and encapsulated vegetable oil wall material on the quality of raw gummy gingerbread, development of technology and formulations for raw gingerbread. The optimal ratio of the mixture of starch and amaranth flour has been determined, amounting to 70 and 30 %, respectively. Amaranth flour showed to reduce the density of raw gingerbread to 732 kg/m3 , and moisture content increases to 14.1 % for gingerbread with BPS on IBS, and for gingerbread on BPS with whey - 743 kg/m3 , and humidity increases to 14.9 %. At the same time, organoleptic characteristics and structure of the crumb are fundamentally different from those inherent in gingerbread products: porous structure of the crumb, fragility, irregular shape, uneven color, tears on the surface of gingerbread. Direct impact of protein structural component of encapsulation in the nut oil emulsion on organoleptic indicators of the gingerbread quality (taste, color, smell, appearance, shape, surface, and others) has been revealed. It has been determined that moisture content in gingerbread cooked according to the developed formulation was 1.0-2.0 % higher and they have longer shelf life compared to traditional gingerbread. Formulations with high and low fat content and technology for production of raw gingerbread with encapsulated nut butter have been developed. The developed technology received a patent of the Russian Federation No. 2734 620 “Gingerbread with vegetable oils and milk whey”, which testifies not only to its scientific, but also practical significance.В последние годы развитие кондитерской промышленности направлено на создание изделий повышенной пищевой ценности, обогащенных макро- и микронутриентами, диетического и профилактического назначения. Одними из наиболее распространенных мучных кондитерских изделий в России являются сырцовые пряники. Цель работы – исследование влияния амарантовой муки и стенового материала инкапсулированного растительного масла на качество сырцового пряника, разработка технологии и рецептуры сырцовых пряников. Установлено оптимальное соотношение смеси крахмала и амарантовой муки – 70 и 30 % соответственно. Показано, что введение амарантовой муки снижает плотность сырцового пряника до 732 кг/м3 , а влажность увеличивается до 14,1 % для пряников с БПС на ИСБ, а для пряников на БПС с сывороткой – 743 кг/м3 и 14,9 % соответственно. При этом органолептические показатели и структура мякиша кардинально отличаются от присущих пряничным изделиям: пористая структура мякиша, хрупкость, неправильная форма, неоднородный цвет, надрывы на поверхности пряника. Выявлено прямое влияние белкового структурного компонента оболочек в эмульсии орехового масла на органолептические показатели качества пряников (вкус, цвет, запах, внешний вид, форма, поверхность и др.). Установлено, что влажность пряников, приготовленных по разработанной рецептуре, на 1,0–2,0 % больше, они имеют более длительный срок хранения по сравнению с традиционными изделиями. Разработаны рецептуры с высоким и низким содержанием жировой фракции и технология производства сырцовых пряников с инкапсулированным ореховым маслом. На разработанную технологию получен патент РФ №2734 620 «Пряник на растительных маслах и молочной сыворотке», что свидетельствует не только о научной, но и о практической ее значимости

Building the Future Therapies for Down Syndrome: The Third International Conference of the T21 Research Society

Research focused on Down syndrome has increased in the last several years to advance understanding of the consequences of trisomy 21 (T21) on molecular and cellular processes and, ultimately, on individuals with Down syndrome. The Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS) is the premier scientific organization for researchers and clinicians studying Down syndrome. The Third International Conference of T21RS, held June 6–9, 2019, in Barcelona, Spain, brought together 429 scientists, families, and industry representatives to share the latest discoveries on underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of T21, define cognitive and behavioral challenges and better understand comorbidities associated with Down syndrome, including Alzheimer’s disease and leukemia. Presentation of cutting-edge results in neuroscience, neurology, model systems, psychology, cancer, biomarkers and molecular and phar­ma­cological therapeutic approaches demonstrate the compelling interest and continuing advancement in all aspects of understanding and ameliorating conditions associated with T21

β1 Integrin Maintains Integrity of the Embryonic Neocortical Stem Cell Niche

IInteractions between laminins and integrin receptors hold neural stem cells in place at the ventricular surface of embryonic brain. Transient disruption leads to abnormal stem cell divisions and permanent cortical malformation

Building the Future Therapies for Down Syndrome:The Third International Conference of the T21 Research Society

Research focused on Down syndrome has increased in the last several years to advance understanding of the consequences of trisomy 21 (T21) on molecular and cellular processes and, ultimately, on individuals with Down syndrome. The Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS) is the premier scientific organization for researchers and clinicians studying Down syndrome. The Third International Conference of T21RS, held June 6-9, 2019, in Barcelona, Spain, brought together 429 scientists, families, and industry representatives to share the latest discoveries on underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of T21, define cognitive and behavioral challenges and better understand comorbidities associated with Down syndrome, including Alzheimer's disease and leukemia. Presentation of cutting-edge results in neuroscience, neurology, model systems, psychology, cancer, biomarkers and molecular and phar-ma-cological therapeutic approaches demonstrate the compelling interest and continuing advancement in all aspects of understanding and ameliorating conditions associated with T21

Gene Network Disruptions and Neurogenesis Defects in the Adult Ts1Cje Mouse Model of Down Syndrome

Background: Down syndrome (DS) individuals suffer mental retardation with further cognitive decline and early onset Alzheimer's disease. Methodology/Principal Findings: To understand how trisomy 21 causes these neurological abnormalities we investigated changes in gene expression networks combined with a systematic cell lineage analysis of adult neurogenesis using the Ts1Cje mouse model of DS. We demonstrated down regulation of a number of key genes involved in proliferation and cell cycle progression including Mcm7, Brca2, Prim1, Cenpo and Aurka in trisomic neurospheres. We found that trisomy did not affect the number of adult neural stem cells but resulted in reduced numbers of neural progenitors and neuroblasts. Analysis of differentiating adult Ts1Cje neural progenitors showed a severe reduction in numbers of neurons produced with a tendency for less elaborate neurites, whilst the numbers of astrocytes was increased. Conclusions/Significance: We have shown that trisomy affects a number of elements of adult neurogenesis likely to result in a progressive pathogenesis and consequently providing the potential for the development of therapies to slow progression of, or even ameliorate the neuronal deficits suffered by DS individuals.Chelsee A. Hewitt, King-Hwa Ling, Tobias D. Merson, Ken M. Simpson, Matthew E. Ritchie, Sarah L. King, Melanie A. Pritchard, Gordon K. Smyth, Tim Thomas, Hamish S. Scott and Anne K. Vos