The Sonophotocatalytic Degradation of Pharmaceuticals in Water by MnOx-TiO2 Systems with Tuned Band-Gaps

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are technologies to degrade organic pollutants to carbon dioxide and water with an eco-friendly approach to form reactive hydroxyl radicals.Photocatalysis is an AOP whereby TiO2 is the most adopted photocatalyst. However, TiO2 features a wide (3.2 eV) and fast electron-hole recombination. When Mn is embedded in TiO2, it shifts the absorption wavelength towards the visible region of light, making it active for natural light applications. We present a systematic study of how the textural and optical properties of Mn-doped TiO2 vary with ultrasound applied during synthesis. We varied ultrasound power, pulse length, and power density (by changing the amount of solvent). Ultrasound produced mesoporous MnOx-TiO2 powders with a higher surface area (101\u2013158 m2 g 121), pore volume (0-13\u20130.29 cc g 121), and smaller particle size (4\u201310 \ub5m) than those obtained with a conventional sol-gel method (48\u2013129 m2 g 121, 0.14\u20130.21 cc g 121 , 181 \ub5m, respectively). Surprisingly, the catalysts obtained with ultrasound had a content of brookite that was at least 28%, while the traditional sol-gel samples only had 7%. The samples synthesized with ultrasound had a wider distribution of the band-gaps, in the 1.6\u20131.91 eV range, while traditional ones ranged from 1.72 eV to 1.8 eV. We tested activity in the sonophotocatalytic degradation of two model pollutants (amoxicillin and acetaminophen). The catalysts synthesized with ultrasound were up to 50% more active than the traditional samples

An ultrasound-assisted photocatalytic treatment to remove an herbicidal pollutant from wastewaters

Pollutants of emerging concern contaminate surface and ground water. Advanced oxidation processes treat these molecules and degrade them into smaller compounds or mineralization products. However, little information on coupled advanced oxidation techniques and on the degradation pathways of these pollutants is available to identify possible ecotoxic subproducts. In the present work, we investigate the ultrasound assisted photocatalytic degradation pathway of the herbicide Isoproturon. We worked in batch mode in a thermostatic glass reactor. We compared the activity of nanometric TiO2 P25 with that of Kronos 1077, a micrometric TiO2. We discuss the individual, additive and synergistic degradation action of photolysis, sonolysis, sonophotolysis, and sonophotocatalysis by varying catalyst loading and/or ultrasound power for the last three techniques. With 0.1 g L 121 catalyst, photocatalysis and sonophotopcatalysis completely degrade Isoproturon within 240 min and 60 min, respectively (>99% conversion). Sonophotocatalysis breaks Isoproturon down into smaller molecules than photocatalysis alone

Induction treatment in high-grade B-cell lymphoma with a concurrent MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangement: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aimHigh-grade B cell lymphomas with concomitant MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements (HGBCL-DH/TH) have a poor prognosis when treated with the standard R-CHOP-like chemoimmunotherapy protocol. Whether this can be improved using intensified regimens is still under debate. However, due to the rarity of HGBCL-DH/TH there are no prospective, randomized controlled trials (RCT) available. Thus, with this systematic review and meta-analysis we attempted to compare survival in HGBCL-DH/TH patients receiving intensified vs. R-CHOP(-like) regimens.MethodsThe PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for original studies reporting on first-line treatment in HGBCL-DH/TH patients from 08/2014 until 04/2022. Studies with only localized stage disease, ≤10 patients, single-arm, non-full peer-reviewed publications, and preclinical studies were excluded. The quality of literature and the risk of bias was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Random-effect models were used to compare R-CHOP-(like) and intensified regimens regarding 2-year overall survival (2y-OS) and 2-year progression-free survival (2y-PFS).ResultsAltogether, 11 retrospective studies, but no RCT, with 891 patients were included. Only four studies were of good quality based on aforementioned criteria. Intensified treatment could improve 2y-OS (hazard ratio [HR]=0.78 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-0.96]; p=0.02) as well as 2y-PFS (HR=0.66 [95% CI 0.44-0.99]; p=0.045).ConclusionsThis meta-analysis indicates that intensified regimens could possibly improve 2y-OS and 2y-PFS in HGBCL-DH/TH patients. However, the significance of these results is mainly limited by data quality, data robustness, and its retrospective nature. There is still a need for innovative controlled clinical trials in this difficult to treat patient population.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42022313234

Improving Human Plateaued Motor Skill with Somatic Stimulation

Procedural motor learning includes a period when no substantial gain in performance improvement is obtained even with repeated, daily practice. Prompted by the potential benefit of high-frequency transcutaneous electrical stimulation, we examined if the stimulation to the hand reduces redundant motor activity that likely exists in an acquired hand motor skill, so as to further upgrade stable motor performance. Healthy participants were trained until their motor performance of continuously rotating two balls in the palm of their right hand became stable. In the series of experiments, they repeated a trial performing this cyclic rotation as many times as possible in 15 s. In trials where we applied the stimulation to the relaxed thumb before they initiated the task, most reported that their movements became smoother and they could perform the movements at a higher cycle compared to the control trials. This was not possible when the dorsal side of the wrist was stimulated. The performance improvement was associated with reduction of amplitude of finger displacement, which was consistently observed irrespective of the task demands. Importantly, this kinematic change occurred without being noticed by the participants, and their intentional changes of motor strategies (reducing amplitude of finger displacement) never improved the performance. Moreover, the performance never spontaneously improved during one-week training without stimulation, whereas the improvement in association with stimulation was consistently observed across days during training on another week combined with the stimulation. The improved effect obtained in stimulation trials on one day partially carried over to the next day, thereby promoting daily improvement of plateaued performance, which could not be unlocked by the first-week intensive training. This study demonstrated the possibility of effectively improving a plateaued motor skill, and pre-movement somatic stimulation driving this behavioral change

Assessing control of postural stability in community-living older adults using performance-based limits of stability

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Balance disability measurements routinely used to identify fall risks in frail populations have limited value in the early detection of postural stability deficits in community-living older adults. The objectives of the study were to 1) measure performance-based limits of stability (LOS) in community-living older adults and compare them to theoretical LOS computed from data proposed by the Balance Master^®system, 2) explore the feasibility of a new measurement approach based on the assessment of postural stability during weight-shifting tasks at performance-based LOS, 3) quantify intra-session performance variability during multiple trials using the performance-based LOS paradigm.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-four healthy community-living older adults (10 men, 14 women) aged between 62 to 85 (mean age ± sd, 71.5 ± 6 yrs) participated in the study. Subjects' performance-based LOS were established by asking them to transfer their body weight as far as possible in three directions (forward, right and left) without changing their base of support. LOS were computed as the maximal excursion of the COP in each direction among three trials. Participants then performed two experimental tasks that consisted in controlling, with the assistance of visual feedback, their centre of pressure (COP) within two predefined targets set at 100% of their performance-based LOS. For each tasks 8 trials were performed. Ground reaction forces and torques during performance-based LOS evaluation and experimental tasks were recorded with a force plate. Sway area and medio-lateral mean COP displacement speed variables were extracted from force plate recordings.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant differences between theoretical LOS computed from maximum leaning angles derived from anthropometric characteristics and performance-based LOS were observed. Results showed that a motor learning effect was present as the participants optimized their weight-shifting strategy through the first three trials of each task using the visual biofeedback provided on their COP. Reliable measures of control of postural stability at performance-based LOS can be obtained after two additional trials after the learning phase (0.69 > ICC > 1.0).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Establishing performance-based LOS instead of relying on estimations of theoretical LOS offers a more individualized and realistic insight on the true LOS of an individual. Performance-based LOS can be used as targets during weight-shifting postural tasks with real time visual feedback of the COP displacement to assess postural stability of community-living older adults. In order to obtain reliable results, a learning phase allowing subjects to learn how to control their COP displacement is needed.</p

Transmission in Heteronymous Spinal Pathways Is Modified after Stroke and Related to Motor Incoordination

Changes in reflex spinal pathways after stroke have been shown to affect motor activity in agonist and antagonist muscles acting at the same joint. However, only a few studies have evaluated the heteronymous reflex pathways modulating motoneuronal activity at different joints. This study investigates whether there are changes in the spinal facilitatory and inhibitory pathways linking knee to ankle extensors and if such changes may be related to motor deficits after stroke. The early facilitation and later inhibition of soleus H reflex evoked by the stimulation of femoral nerve at 2 times the motor threshold of the quadriceps were assessed in 15 healthy participants and on the paretic and the non-paretic sides of 15 stroke participants. The relationships between this reflex modulation and the levels of motor recovery, coordination and spasticity were then studied. Results show a significant (Mann-Whitney U; P<0.05) increase in both the peak amplitude (mean±SEM: 80±22% enhancement of the control H reflex) and duration (4.2±0.5 ms) of the facilitation on the paretic side of the stroke individuals compared to their non-paretic side (36±6% and 2.9±0.4 ms) and to the values of the control subjects (33±4% and 2.8±0.4 ms, respectively). Moreover, the later strong inhibition observed in all control subjects was decreased in the stroke subjects. Both the peak amplitude and the duration of the increased facilitation were inversely correlated (Spearman r = −0.65; P = 0.009 and r = −0.67; P = 0.007, respectively) with the level of coordination (LEMOCOT) of the paretic leg. Duration of this facilitation was also correlated (r = −0.58, P = 0.024) with the level of motor recovery (CMSA). These results confirm changes in transmission in heteronymous spinal pathways that are related to motor deficits after stroke

The RUDY study platform – a novel approach to patient driven research in rare musculoskeletal diseases

Background: Research into rare diseases is becoming more common, with recognition of the significant diagnostic and therapeutic care gaps. Registries are considered a key research methodology to address rare diseases. This report describes the structure of the Rare UK Diseases Study (RUDY) platform that aims to improve research processes and address many of the challenges of carrying out rare musculoskeletal disease research. RUDY is an internet-based platform with online registration, initial verbal consent, online capture of patient reported outcome measures and events within a dynamic consent framework. The database structure, security and governance framework are described. Results: There have been 380 participants recruited into RUDY with completed questionnaire rates in excess of 50 %. There has been one withdrawal and two participants have amended their consent options. Conclusions: The strengths of RUDY include low burden for the clinical team, low research administration costs with high participant recruitment and ease of data collection and access. This platform has the potential to be used as the model for other rare diseases globally

Implementation of a population-based epidemiological rare disease registry: study protocol of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - registry Swabia

BACKGROUND: The social and medical impact of rare diseases is increasingly recognized. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most prevalent of the motor neuron diseases. It is characterized by rapidly progressive damage to the motor neurons with a survival of 2–5 years for the majority of patients. The objective of this work is to describe the study protocol and the implementation steps of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) registry Swabia, located in the South of Germany. METHODS/DESIGN: The ALS registry Swabia started in October 2010 with both, the retrospective (01.10.2008-30.09.2010) and prospective (from 01.10.2010) collection of ALS cases, in a target population of 8.6 million persons in Southern Germany. In addition, a population based case–control study was implemented based on the registry that also included the collection of various biological materials. Retrospectively, 420 patients (222 men and 198 women) were identified. Prospectively data of ALS patients were collected, of which about 70% agreed to participate in the population-based case–control study. All participants in the case–control study provided also a blood sample. The prospective part of the study is ongoing. DISCUSSION: The ALS registry Swabia has been implemented successfully. In rare diseases such as ALS, the collaboration of registries, the comparison with external samples and biorepositories will facilitate to identify risk factors and to further explore the potential underlying pathophysiological mechanisms

Modulation in voluntary neural drive in relation to muscle soreness

The aim of this study was to investigate whether (1) spinal modulation would change after non-exhausting eccentric exercise of the plantar flexor muscles that produced muscle soreness and (2) central modulation of the motor command would be linked to the development of muscle soreness. Ten healthy subjects volunteered to perform a single bout of backward downhill walking exercise (duration 30 min, velocity 1 ms−1, negative grade −25%, load 12% of body weight). Neuromuscular test sessions [H-reflex, M-wave, maximal voluntary torque (MVT)] were performed before, immediately after, as well as 1–3 days after the exercise bout. Immediately after exercise there was a −15% decrease in MVT of the plantar flexors partly attributable to an alteration in contractile properties (−23% in electrically evoked mechanical twitch). However, MVT failed to recover before the third day whereas the contractile properties had significantly recovered within the first day. This delayed recovery of MVT was likely related to a decrement in voluntary muscle drive. The decrease in voluntary activation occurred in the absence of any variation in spinal modulation estimated from the H-reflex. Our findings suggest the development of a supraspinal modulation perhaps linked to the presence of muscle soreness

The supportive care needs of parents with a child with a rare disease : results of an online survey

Background: Parents caring for a child affected by a rare disease have unmet needs, the origins of which are complex and varied. Our aim was to determine the supportive care needs of parents caring for a child with a rare disease. Methods: An online survey was developed consisting of 45 questions (108 items) and separated into six domains. The survey included questions about perceived level of satisfaction with receiving care, experiences and needs of providing daily care, the impacts of disease on relationships, the emotional and psychological burdens of disease, and parents overall satisfaction with the support received. Results: Three-hundred and one parents from Australia and New Zealand completed the survey; 91 % (n = 275/301) were mothers, with 132 distinct rare diseases being reported. Fifty-four percent (n = 140/259) of parents were dissatisfied with health professionals’ level of knowledge and awareness of disease; 71 % (n = 130/183) of parents felt they received less support compared to other parents. Information regarding present (60 %, n = 146/240) and future services (72 %, n = 174/240) available for their child were considered important. Almost half of parents (45 %, n = 106/236) struggled financially, 38 % (n = 99/236) reduced their working hours and 34 % (n = 79/236) ceased paid employment. Forty-two percent (n = 99/223) of parents had no access to a disease specific support group, and 58 % (n = 134/230) stated that their number of friends had reduced since the birth of their child; 75 % (n = 173/230) had no contact with other parents with a child with a similar disease, and 46 % (n = 106/230) reported feeling socially isolated and desperately lonely. Most frequent emotions expressed by parents in the week prior to completing the survey were anxiety and fear (53 %, n = 119/223), anger and frustration (46 %, n = 103/223) and uncertainty (39 %, n = 88/223). Conclusion: This study is the first to develop an online survey specifically for use with parents to investigate their supportive care needs across a large and diverse group of rare diseases. The findings highlight that parents with a child with a rare disease have common unmet needs regardless of what disease their child has. Such information may allow health providers to improve child outcomes through improving parental supportive care