Electrocatalytic degradation of phenol on Pt- and Ru-doped Ti-SnO2-Sb anodes in an alkaline medium

[EN] In this work, the electrocatalytic performance of Ti/SnO2-Sb(13-x)-Pt-Ru(x) anodes (x = 0.0, 3.25 and 9.75 at.%) towards phenolate elimination has been analyzed and compared to those of conventional Ti/RuO2 and Ti/Co3O4 anodes, to evaluate their application for decontamination of concentrated alkaline phenolic wastewaters. The effects of the applied current density and the nature of the anode on the activity, kinetics and current efficiency for phenolate elimination, COD removal and benzoquinone by-product formation/degradation have been thoroughly examined. The Ti/SnO2-Sb-Pt anode exhibits the best electroactivity, fastest kinetics and highest current efficiency among the studied anodes, but poor electrochemical stability. The introduction of small amounts of Ru (3.25–9.75 at.%) brings about a slight loss of the electrocatalytic performance, but it causes a remarkable increase in the stability of the electrode. In terms of energy consumption and stability, the Ti/SnO2-Sb(9.75)-Pt-Ru(3.25) electrode seems to be the most promising anode material for the electrochemical treatment of alkaline phenolic wastewaters. The increase in current density generally leads to significantly faster phenolate, benzoquinone and COD degradations, but with lower efficiency because of an increasing selectivity to water oxidation. A correction of the ideal kinetic model has been proposed to predict the oxidation of organics on non-active metal oxide anodes. ©2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad and FEDER funds (MAT2013-42007-P, IJCI-2014-20012) and from the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO2013/038) is gratefully acknowledged.Berenguer Betrián, R.; Sieben, JM.; Quijada Tomás, C.; Morallón, E. (2016). Electrocatalytic degradation of phenol on Pt- and Ru-doped Ti-SnO2-Sb anodes in an alkaline medium. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental. 199:394-404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2016.06.038S39440419

Development and assessment of a digital X-ray software tool to determine vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The amount of vertebral rotation in the axial plane is of key importance in the prognosis and treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Current methods to determine vertebral rotation are either designed for use in analogue plain radiographs and not useful in digital images, or lack measurement precision and are therefore less suitable for the follow-up of rotation in AIS patients.PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a digital X-ray software tool with high measurement precision to determine vertebral rotation in AIS, and to assess its (concurrent) validity and reliability.STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: In this study a combination of basic science and reliability methodology applied in both laboratory and clinical settings was used.METHODS: Software was developed using the algorithm of the Perdriolle torsion meter for analogue AP plain radiographs of the spine. Software was then assessed for (1) concurrent validity and (2) intra-and interobserver reliability. Plain radiographs of both human cadaver vertebrae and outpatient AIS patients were used. Concurrent validity was measured by two independent observers, both experienced in the assessment of plain radiographs. Reliability-measurements were performed by three independent spine surgeons.RESULTS: Pearson correlation of the software compared with the analogue Perdriolle torsion meter for mid-thoracic vertebrae was 0.98, for low-thoracic vertebrae 0.97 and for lumbar vertebrae 0.97. Measurement exactness of the software was within 5 degrees in 62% of cases and within 10 degrees in 97% of cases. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for inter-observer reliability was 0.92 (0.91-0.95), ICC for intra-observer reliability was 0.96 (0.94-0.97).CONCLUSIONS: We developed a digital X-ray software tool to determine vertebral rotation in AIS with a substantial concurrent validity and reliability, which may be useful for the follow-up of vertebral rotation in AIS patients. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</p

Erratum:BubR1 allelic effects drive phenotypic heterogeneity in mosaic-variegated aneuploidy progeria syndrome (Journal of Clinical Investigation (2020) 130:1 (171-188) DOI: 10.1172/JCI126863)

During the preparation of this manuscript, the same sample was inadvertently included for the +/L1002P and +/– images in Figure 2E. The authors were able to use the original samples to prepare a corrected version. The correct figure is below. The description in Methods for this panel has also been corrected, as below: To assess the mitotic index of spontaneous lymphatic tumors, mitotic cells were visualized by IF labelling of at least 1 paraffin section for pHH3 (EMD Millipore, catalog 06-570), as described (6, 46). The online version of the article has been updated with the corrected information. The authors regret the errors

BubR1 allelic effects drive phenotypic heterogeneity in mosaic-variegated aneuploidy progeria syndrome

Mosaic-variegated aneuploidy (MVA) syndrome is a rare childhood disorder characterized by biallelic BUBR1, CEP57, or TRIP13 aberrations; increased chromosome missegregation; and a broad spectrum of clinical features, including various cancers, congenital defects, and progeroid pathologies. To investigate the mechanisms underlying this disorder and its phenotypic heterogeneity, we mimicked the BUBR1(L1012P) mutation in mice (BubR1(L1002P)) and combined it with 2 other MVA variants, BUBR1(X753) and BUBR1(H), generating a truncated protein and low amounts of wild-type protein, respectively. Whereas BubR1(X753/L1002P) and BubR1(H/X753) mice died prematurely, BubR1(H/L1002P) mice were viable and exhibited many MVA features, including cancer predisposition and various progeroid phenotypes, such as short lifespan, dwarfism, lipodystrophy, sarcopenia, and low cardiac stress tolerance. Strikingly, although these mice had a reduction in total BUBR1 and spectrum of MVA phenotypes similar to that of BubR1(H/H) mice, several progeroid pathologies were attenuated in severity, which in skeletal muscle coincided with reduced senescence-associated secretory phenotype complexity. Additionally, mice carrying monoallelic BubR1 mutations were prone to select MVA-related pathologies later in life, with predisposition to sarcopenia correlating with mTORC1 hyperactivity. Together, these data demonstrate that BUBR1 allelic effects beyond protein level and aneuploidy contribute to disease heterogeneity in both MVA patients and heterozygous carriers of MVA mutations

A glossary for research on human crowd dynamics

This article presents a glossary of terms that are frequently used in research on human crowds. This topic is inherently multidisciplinary as it includes work in and across computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, psychology and social science, for example. We do not view the glossary presented here as a collection of finalised and formal definitions. Instead, we suggest it is a snapshot of current views and the starting point of an ongoing process that we hope will be useful in providing some guidance on the use of terminology to develop a mutual understanding across disciplines. The glossary was developed collaboratively during a multidisciplinary meeting. We deliberately allow several definitions of terms, to reflect the confluence of disciplines in the field. This also reflects the fact not all contributors necessarily agree with all definitions in this glossary

Proteasome Particle-Rich Structures Are Widely Present in Human Epithelial Neoplasms: Correlative Light, Confocal and Electron Microscopy Study

A novel cytoplasmic structure has been recently characterized by confocal and electron microscopy in H. pylori-infected human gastric epithelium, as an accumulation of barrel-like proteasome reactive particles colocalized with polyubiquitinated proteins, H. pylori toxins and the NOD1 receptor. This proteasome particle-rich cytoplasmic structure (PaCS), a sort of focal proteasome hyperplasia, was also detected in dysplastic cells and was found to be enriched in SHP2 and ERK proteins, known to play a role in H. pylori-mediated gastric carcinogenesis. However, no information is available on its occurrence in neoplastic growths. In this study, surgical specimens of gastric cancer and various other human epithelial neoplasms have been investigated for PaCSs by light, confocal and electron microscopy including correlative confocal and electron microscopy (CCEM). PaCSs were detected in gastric cohesive, pulmonary large cell and bronchioloalveolar, thyroid papillary, parotid gland, hepatocellular, ovarian serous papillary, uterine cervix and colon adenocarcinomas, as well as in pancreatic serous microcystic adenoma. H. pylori bodies, their virulence factors (VacA, CagA, urease, and outer membrane proteins) and the NOD1 bacterial proteoglycan receptor were selectively concentrated inside gastric cancer PaCSs, but not in PaCSs from other neoplasms which did, however, retain proteasome and polyubiquitinated proteins reactivity. No evidence of actual microbial infection was obtained in most PaCS-positive neoplasms, except for H. pylori in gastric cancer and capsulated bacteria in a colon cancer case. Particle lysis and loss of proteasome distinctive immunoreactivities were seen in some tumour cell PaCSs, possibly ending in sequestosomes or autophagic bodies. It is concluded that PaCSs are widely represented in human neoplasms and that both non-infectious and infectious factors activating the ubiquitin-proteasome system are likely to be involved in their origin. PaCS detection might help clarify the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in carcinogenesis

Movement control exercise versus general exercise to reduce disability in patients with low back pain and movement control impairment. A randomised controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) in subacute and chronic stages can be treated effectively with exercise therapy. Research guidelines recommend evaluating different treatments in defined subgroups of patients with NSLBP. A subgroup of patients with movement control impairment (MCI) improved significantly on patient specific function and disability in a previous case series after movement control exercises.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>In a randomised controlled trial (RCT) we will compare the effectiveness of movement control and general exercise in patients with MCI. 106 participants aged 18 - 75 will be recruited in 5 outpatient hospital departments and 7 private practices.</p> <p>Patients randomly assigned to the movement control exercise group will be instructed to perform exercises according to their MCI. The general exercise group will follow an exercise protocol aimed at improving endurance and flexibility. Patients in both groups will receive 9 - 18 treatments and will be instructed to do additional exercises at home.</p> <p>The primary outcome is the level of disability assessed using the patient specific functional scale (PSFS) which links the perceived pain to functional situations and is measured before treatment and at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Secondary outcomes concern low back pain related disability (Roland Morris questionnaire, RMQ), graded chronic pain scale (GCPS), range of motion and tactile acuity.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>To our knowledge this study will be the first to compare two exercise programs for a specific subgroup of patients with NSLBP and MCI. Results of this study will provide insight into the effectiveness of movement control exercise and contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms behind MCI and its relation to NSLBP.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN80064281">ISRCTN80064281</a></p