An evaluation of membrane properties and process characteristics of a scaled-up pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) process

YesThis work presents a systematic evaluation of the membrane and process characteristics of a scaled-up pressure retarded osmosis (PRO). In order to meet pre-defined membrane economic viability ( ≥ 5 W/m2), different operating conditions and design parameters are studied with respect to the increase of the process scale, including the initial flow rates of the draw and feed solution, operating pressure, membrane permeability-selectivity, structural parameter, and the efficiency of the high-pressure pump (HP), energy recovery device (ERD) and hydro-turbine (HT). The numerical results indicate that the performance of the scaled-up PRO process is significantly dependent on the dimensionless flow rate. Furthermore, with the increase of the specific membrane scale, the accumulated solute leakage becomes important. The membrane to achieve the optimal performance moves to the low permeability in order to mitigate the reverse solute permeation. Additionally, the counter-current flow scheme is capable to increase the process performance with a higher permeable and less selectable membrane compared to the co-current flow scheme. Finally, the inefficiencies of the process components move the optimal APD occurring at a higher dimensionless flow rate to reduce the energy losses in the pressurization and at a higher specific membrane scale to increase energy generation

Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral injection of dexamethasone palmitate combined with ropivacaine for the treatment of thoracic herpes zoster-related pain: protocol for a prospective, randomized controlled, single-center study

BackgroundHerpes zoster (HZ) patients often experience herpes zoster-associated pain (ZAP). Thoracic paravertebral nerve block has been proven effective in relieving ZAP and reducing the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Compared to dexamethasone, dexamethasone palmitate (DXP) has stronger anti-inflammatory effects, a longer duration of action, and fewer adverse reactions. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral injection of DXP combined with ropivacaine for treating thoracic ZAP, compared to traditional famciclovir therapy.MethodsThis prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label, endpoint-blinded, single-center trial will recruit 254 patients with ZAP. Patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group (thoracic paravertebral injections of DXP combined with ropivacaine and antiviral therapy) or the control group (antiviral therapy). Assessments will include pain intensity, quality of life, sleep quality, inflammatory markers, and adverse events.Ethics and registrationThis study strictly adheres to the 2013 SPIRIT Statement and the Declaration of Helsinki and has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (Approval Number: 2024-KY(0505)). This clinical trial is registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry platform (ChiCTR) at https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.html (ChiCTR2400087273), registered on 2024-07-24. The results will be disseminated through scientific journals and conferences, aiming to provide evidence supporting the global management of ZAP. The study is expected to start on 1 August 2024, and continue until 31 July 2027

Temporary trigeminal ganglion stimulation can improve zoster-related trigeminal neuralgia: a retrospective study in a single center

IntroductionConventional management approaches have been challenged in dealing with zoster-related trigeminal neuralgia. Percutaneous trigeminal ganglion stimulation (TGS) has been rarely reported as a potential treatment option for alleviating pain associated with this condition. The present study investigated the application of percutaneous TGS in a series of patients suffering from Zoster-related trigeminal neuralgia to evaluate its potential efficacy of pain relief.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent TGS at the Department of Pain Management, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. All patients were followed for up to 6 months. Clinical data, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and medication consumption were recorded before and after treatment. Adverse events related to the treatment were also documented.ResultsA total of nine patients underwent percutaneous TGS for Zoster-related trigeminal neuralgia. Among these patients, five (56%) experienced more than 50% pain relief at discharge. At the six-month follow-up, the mean VAS score decreased from preoperative 6.1 ± 1.5 to 2.5 ± 1.9, demonstrating a statistically significant reduction (t = 4.36, p < 0.05). The PSQI also showed a significant reduction from a baseline score of 14.1 to 6.5 at the six-month follow-up (Z = 4.2, p < 0.05). Seven patients reported satisfaction with the treatment and no serious adverse events occurred.DiscussionThe results of the present study suggest that this contributes growing evidence that percutaneous TGS may be an effective treatment for Zoster - related trigeminal neuralgia

Estimation of the binding modes with important human cytochrome P450 enzymes, drug interaction potential, pharmacokinetics, and hepatotoxicity of ginger components using molecular docking, computational, and pharmacokinetic modeling studies

Ginger is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines for the treatment of numerous ailments and improvement of body functions. It may be used in combination with prescribed drugs. The coadministration of ginger with therapeutic drugs raises a concern of potential deleterious drug interactions via the modulation of the expression and/or activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters, resulting in unfavorable therapeutic outcomes. This study aimed to determine the molecular interactions between 12 main active ginger components (6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 8-shogaol, 10-shogaol, ar-curcumene, β-bisabolene, β-sesquiphelandrene, 6-gingerdione, (−)-zingiberene, and methyl-6-isogingerol) and human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4 and to predict the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) of the 12 ginger components using computational approaches and comprehensive literature search. Docking studies showed that ginger components interacted with a panel of amino acids in the active sites of CYP1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4 mainly through hydrogen bond formation, to a lesser extent, via π–π stacking. The pharmacokinetic simulation studies showed that the [I]/[K(i)] value for CYP2C9, 2C19, and 3A4 ranged from 0.0002 to 19.6 and the R value ranged from 1.0002 to 20.6 and that ginger might exhibit a high risk of drug interaction via inhibition of the activity of human CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, but a low risk of drug interaction toward CYP2C19-mediated drug metabolism. Furthermore, it has been evaluated that the 12 ginger components possessed a favorable ADMET profiles with regard to the solubility, absorption, permeability across the blood–brain barrier, interactions with CYP2D6, hepatotoxicity, and plasma protein binding. The validation results showed that there was no remarkable effect of ginger on the metabolism of warfarin in humans, whereas concurrent use of ginger and nifedipine exhibited a synergistic effect on platelet aggregation in humans. Moreover, ginger components showed a rapid half-life and no to low toxicity in humans. Taken together, this study shows that ginger components may regulate the activity and expression of various human CYPs, probably resulting in alterations in drug clearance and response. More studies are warranted to identify and confirm potential ginger–drug interactions and explore possible interactions of ginger with human CYPs and other functionally important proteins, to reduce and avoid side effects induced by unfavorable ginger–drug interactions

First fracture characteristics of main roof plate structure with goaf (coal pillar) on both sides and elastic-plastic foundation boundary

In order to study the fracture position and engineering significance of the main roof plate structure under the condition of goaf on both sides (coal pillars), the double plasticized foundation boundary mechanical model of the main roof plate structure considering the elastic-plastic deformation of coal and the width and support capacity weakening of coal pillar on both sides is constructed. Based on the finite difference algorithm and the principal moment breaking criterion, the shape characteristics, location attributes and overall position characteristics of the main roof fault line above the asymmetric coal pillars area and the long side solid coal area are systematically calculated, and the new conclusions and important engineering significance of the new model are clarified by comparing with the traditional models from seven levels and four pairs of areas in transverse and longitudinal directions. The conclusions are as follows: ① The asymmetric coal pillars parameters on both sides have little influence on the main roof principal bending moment and fracture position above the long side solid coal area, but significantly affect the principal bending moment, position and fracture shape of the main roof above the coal pillar areas respectively. There are three types of evolution patterns of the main roof fracture line above the coal pillar areas on both sides (strong/wide coal pillar area + weak/narrow coal pillar area). With the increase of main roof thickness and elastic modulus, while coal pillars width, coal pillar bearing capacity and working face span decrease, its evolution law is as follows: asymmetric “continuous single arc + continuous single arc”→ “continuous single arc + open discontinuous double short arc”→ asymmetric “open discontinuous double short arc + open discontinuous double short arc”. ② The fracture line of the main roof above the long side solid coal area mainly has three types of location attributes. With the increase of main roof thickness and elastic modulus, while the plastic zone width and plasticization degree of solid coal and working face span decrease, its evolution law is as follows: the fracture line is above the plastic coal area (C-S type) → elastoplastic coal boundary area (C-TS type) → elastic coal area (C-T type). ③ With the increase of coal pillars width, coal pillar bearing capacity and working face span decrease, and considering the location attribute of the fracture line, the fracture mode and evolution law of the whole area of the main roof are as follows: the mode of C-S ()→the mode of C-TS ()→the mode of C-T ()→ mode of C-T ()→the mode of C-T (). Aiming at the three kinds of mechanical models for studying the fracture of the main roof plate structure with goaf (coal pillar) on both sides, the important differences of the three kinds of models are compared from seven levels, and its important engineering role is expounded from four transverse areas (front and rear of the mining area, coal pillar areas on both sides) and four longitudinal areas (asymmetric left coal pillar underlying and underlying mining space output/input coal pillar/body)

Advanced age is associated with increased adverse outcomes in patients undergoing middle cerebral artery stenting

PurposeThis study tried to evaluate whether advanced age has an increased incidence of major complications in patients undergoing MCA stenting.MethodsA total of 348 patients who underwent MCA stenting were reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. Ninety-day ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and death outcomes were compared among the young (≤40 years old), middle (41–60 years old) and old (≥61 years old) groups. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to investigate different variables associated with 90-day major adverse events. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to determine long-term outcomes during follow-up.ResultsThe incidence of 90-day ischemic stroke was 9.26% in the old group, 2.86% in the middle group, and 0% in the young group (P = 0.024). The incidence of all 90-day major adverse events was 3.33% in patients ≤40 years old, 19.90% in patients 41–60 years old, and 24.07% in patients ≥61 years old, with statistical significance (P = 0.04). Advanced age was associated with increased 90-day ischemic stroke (OR = 1.074, 95% CI: 1.019–1.132, P = 0.007; adjusted OR: 1.071, 95% CI: 1.008–1.138, P = 0.026) and 90-day death (OR = 1.072, 95% CI: 1.012–1.135, P = 0.018; adjusted OR: 1.095, 95% CI: 1.015–1.182, P = 0.018). Meanwhile, advanced age was also associated with decreased long-term survival and ischemic stroke-free survival during follow-up.ConclusionOur data indicated that MCA stenting in elderly patients is associated with a high risk of adverse events and should be cautiously considered

Comparison of the treatment efficacy of herpes zoster neuralgia with temporary spinal cord stimulation at different sites

BackgroundZoster-associated pain (ZAP) is a common complication after herpes zoster infection. In recent years, conventional temporary dorsal column stimulation (tDCS) has been widely used nationally and internationally as a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for ZAP. It has also been shown that temporary dorsal nerve root stimulation (tDNRS) may also be an effective treatment for ZAP. However, there is no direct clinical comparison between the newer tDNRS and the conventional tDCS.ObjectiveTo compare the procedure time, radiation dose, efficacy and cost of the tDNRS and tDCS for the treatment of ZAP. And the complications of the two surgical modalities were recorded.MethodsEighty patients with ZAP who attended the pain department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2022 to July 2023 were selected. They were divided into tDNRS group (n = 40) and tDCS group (n = 40) by using random number table method. The operation time, radiation dose, number of electrodes used, cost of medical consumables, and number of postoperative electrical stimulation adjustments were recorded for each case, and the patients’ pain level, sleep quality, quality of life, and overall efficacy were analysed and compared at preoperative (T0), 1 week (T1), 1 month (T2), 2 months (T3) and 3 months (T4) after the operation.ResultsA total of 76 patients were finally enrolled, 38 in the tDNRS group and 38 in the tDCS group. During the 3-month follow-up period, all patients showed a significant decrease in Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PQSI) scores and a significant increase in quality of life (QL-Index scale) scores after treatment with both methods. And there was no statistically significant difference between the two methods. However, patients who received tDNRS had a significantly shorter operative time and less intraoperative radiation exposure than those who received tDCS (p < 0.0001), and the mean number of postoperative stimulation parameter adjustments and the cost of medical consumables were significantly lower than those in the tDCS group (p < 0.0001).ConclusionBoth tDNRS and tDCS were effective in the treatment of ZAP, but tDNRS had the advantages of more precise coverage, shorter procedure time, less radiation exposure, fewer electrical stimulation adjustments, and lower cost