Lodging the Sustainable Development Goals in the International Trade Regime: From Trade Rhetoric to Trade Plethoric

While the international community is stimulated by the new Sustainable Development Goals\u27 impetus, the global trade regime lives through its 40\u27s mid-life crisis and anticipates what it does not know what to anticipate. Views of the multilateral trading system being stalled by a proliferation of other preferential trade agreements signal a deep inquiry into this policy trend. This Article intends to highlight how these global trade challenges could be mere air turbulence if lessons are drawn from the new Sustainable Development Goals. By introducing the very needs of states and their constituents through these Goals, an inclusive and more representative international trade regime could be achieved. This does though pose a challenge of how soft and hard norms, or formal and informal rules, may have to interact within a cooperative diversified manner

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome post stem cell transplantation in sickle cell disease: case series and literature review

IntroductionPosterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a serious neurological syndrome that may develop following immunosuppressive therapy for stem cell transplantation (SCT). We report 8 patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who developed PRES, which is likely to be related to immunosuppression.MethodsThis is retrospective cohort analysis of the SCD registry at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Inclusion criteria included all adults SCD patients who underwent SCT from 2011 until 2022. We explored all cases of PRES in patients with SCT. PRES was diagnosed with MRI imaging showing reversible vasogenic cerebral edema associated with neurological symptoms including severe headache, seizures, encephalopathy, delirium, and visual disturbances.ResultsDuring ten years follow-up (2011–2022) we found 8 patients with PRES (age range between 14 to 37 years at diagnosis) PRES occurred 8 to 124 days following SCT in 7 cases and one patient developed PRES 8 months prior to SCT. All patients were on immunosuppressive medications, including tacrolimus, cyclosporine, sirolimus and or mycophenolate mofetil. Headache, seizures, visual hallucinations, confusion, and drowsiness were the most common presenting symptoms. MRI showed abnormalities in the occipital, parietal and frontal lobes in most cases. Recovery was complete in all patients and no recurrences were noted. Two patients had graft versus host disease (GVHD). We compared risk factors for PRES among the 8 cases and 136 SCT in SCD patients who did not develop PRES. There was a significant association between PRES and imaging abnormalities, including previous bi-hemispheric infarctions (p = 0.001), and cerebral microbleeds (CBMs). PRES was strongly associated with presence (p = 0.006), size (p = 0.016) and number (p = 0.005) of CMBs.ConclusionPRES can develop days to weeks following SCT in patients with SCD, and is associated with immunosuppressive therapy, previous bi-hemispheric infarctions and CMB. Prompt recognition and intervention leads to good recovery

IoT & environmental analytical chemistry: Towards a profitable symbiosis

[EN] In a constantly evolving world, where the rising population and increased social awareness have led to a higher concern for the environment, research in this field (most notably in Environmental Analytical Chemistry) should take advantage of the great opportunities offered by new technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Cloud-based services. Both of them are especially suitable when chemical sensors and related devices are used in the continuous in-line monitoring of environmental parameters. In this sense, it is very important to obtain spatially distributed information of these parameters as well as their temporal evolution. In this work, a friendly approach to IoT world for environmental applications is carried out. To get a global vision of these concepts, the starting point is their historical evolution. New trends are also identified along with associated challenges and potential threats. Furthermore, not only there will be (in the near future) a need to rely on distributed analytical sensors but also on even more complex, lab-based techniques that are connected to the IoT through appropriate mechanisms. A revision of the recent literature relating IoT with environmental issues has also been performed, the most relevant contributions being discussed. Finally, the need of a mutual cooperation between IoT and Environmental Analytical Chemistry is outlined and commented in detail. Ignoring the new capabilities offered by Cloud computing and IoT environments is no further an option. In this sense, the main contribution of this paper consists of highlighting the fact that the wiser course is to embrace these opportunities consciously for mutual profit.Capella Hernández, JV.; Bonastre Pina, AM.; Campelo Rivadulla, JC.; Ors Carot, R.; Peris Tortajada, M. (2020). IoT & environmental analytical chemistry: Towards a profitable symbiosis. Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry. 27:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teac.2020.e00095S182

CADASIL in Arabs: clinical and genetic findings

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is increasingly recognized as an inherited arterial disease leading to a step-wise decline and eventually to dementia. CADASIL is caused by mutations in <it>NOTCH3 </it>epidermal growth factor-like repeat that maps to chromosome 19. CADASIL cases have been identified in most countries of Western and Central Europe, the Americas, Japan, Australia, the Caribbean, South America, Tanzania, Turkey, South Africa and Southeast Asia, but not in Arabs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We studied three families from Saudi Arabia (Family A), Kuwait (Family B) and Yemen (Family C) with 19 individuals affected by CADASIL.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean age of onset was 31 ± 6 and the clinical presentation included stroke in 68%, subcortical dementia in 17% and asymptomatic leukoariosis detected by MRI in 15%. Migraine and depression were frequently associated, 38% and 68% respectively. The mean age of death was 56 ± 11. All <it>NOTCH3 </it>exons were screened for mutations, which revealed the presence of previously reported mutations c.406C>T (p.Arg110>Cys) in two families (family A&B) and c.475C>T (p.Arg133>Cys) mutation in family C.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>CADASIL occurs in Arabs, with clinical phenotype and genotype similar to that in other ethnic groups.</p

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Food Ingredients in Periodontal Diseases

Periodontitis is a multi-faceted inflammatory disease that impacts the gingiva and the structures that support our teeth, and may eventually increase tooth mobility and the risk of tooth loss. Inflammation is a viable therapeutic target of periodontitis for both biologic (dietary) and host modulatory agents/drugs. Conventional therapeutic approaches for periodontitis, including nonsurgical or surgical periodontal therapy as well as occasional adjunctive antimicrobial therapy, have been only marginally effective. Malnutrition, or at least poor dietary habits, can be highly prevalent among patients with periodontal diseases. As several food nutrients can aid in periodontal healing and regeneration, there is a critical need to evaluate natural dietary sources and supplement ingredients that can counterbalance the inflammatory processes and improve the periodontal status of our patients. Here, we reviewed the current state of knowledge (search period: 2010 to 2022; PubMed and Web of Science) on the anti-inflammatory actions of food ingredients and supplements in clinical studies of patients with periodontal diseases. A diet that includes fruits and vegetables, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and supplements of vitamins and plant-derived compounds seems to counteract gingival inflammation and has a promising therapeutic impact in patients with periodontal diseases. Despite the positive indications that several nutrients can be used as an adjunct to periodontal therapy, additional studies with bigger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to elucidate their therapeutic benefits and the most effective doses and administration