This trial compared once-daily liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue, with placebo in overweight or obese patients. Liraglutide was associated with clinically meaningful weight loss, a ...decrease in glycemia and risk factors, and improvement in quality of life.
The increase in the rate of obesity, a chronic disease with serious health consequences, largely explains the recent tripling in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes.
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Weight loss of 5 to 10% has been shown to reduce complications related to obesity and improve quality of life
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Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue with 97% homology to human glucagon-like peptide-1, is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes at doses up to 1.8 mg once daily.
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Weight loss with liraglutide is dose-dependent up to 3.0 mg once . . .
Soft exosuits stand out when it comes to the development of walking-assistance devices thanks to both their higher degree of wearability, lower weight, and price compared to the bulkier equivalent ...rigid exoskeletons. In cable-driven exosuits, the acting force is driven by cables from the actuation system to the anchor points; thus, the user's movement is not restricted by a rigid structure. In this paper, a 3D inverse dynamics model is proposed and integrated with a model for a cable-driven actuation to predict the required motor torque and traction force in cables for a walking-assistance exosuit during gait. Joint torques are to be shared between the user and the exosuit for different design configurations, focusing on both hip and ankle assistance. The model is expected to guide the design of the exosuit regarding aspects such as the location of the anchor points, the cable system design, and the actuation units. An inverse dynamics analysis is performed using gait kinematic data from a public dataset to predict the cable forces and position of the exosuit during gait. The obtained joint reactions and cable forces are compared with those in the literature, and prove the model to be accurate and ready to be implemented in an exosuit control scheme. The results obtained in this study are similar to those found in the literature regarding the walking study itself as well as the forces under which cables operate during gait and the cable position cycle.
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The present investigation aimed to develop magnetoliposome nanoparticles loaded with 5-fluorouracil by following a reproducible thin film hydration technique. The physicochemical characterization ...(including electron microscopy analysis, dynamic light scattering, infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, electrophoresis, and surface thermodynamics) suggested that superparamagnetic magnetite nuclei were successfully embedded into a multilamellar lipid vesicle. Magnetic responsiveness of these nanocomposites was quantitatively analyzed by determining the hysteresis cycle and qualitatively confirmed by microscopic visualizations. A high frequency alternating electromagnetic field was further used to define their heating properties. The absence of cytotoxicity in human colon fibroblast CCD-18 and in human colon carcinoma T-84 cell lines and excellent hemocompatibility of these core/shell particles were demonstrated. Additionally, 5-fluorouracil incorporation was investigated by two procedures: (i) entrapment into the nanoparticulate matrix and (ii) surface deposition onto already formed magnetoliposome particles. The former method reported greater drug loading values and a sustained release profile. Interestingly, 5-fluorouracil release was also triggered by the heating properties of the nanoparticles (hyperthermia-triggered drug release). Hence, we put forward that magnetoliposome particles hold important properties, that is, magnetically targeted delivery, hyperthermia inducing capability, high 5-fluorouracil loading capability, and hyperthermia-triggered burst drug release, suggestive of their potential for a combined antitumor therapy against colon cancer.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization has emerged as a promising treatment for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH).
OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety and efficacy of MMA ...embolization.
METHODS
Consecutive patients who underwent MMA embolization for cSDH (primary treatment or recurrence after conventional surgery) at 15 centers were included. Clinical details and follow-up were collected prospectively. Primary clinical and radiographic outcomes were the proportion of patients requiring additional surgical treatment within 90 d after index treatment and proportion with > 50% cSDH thickness reduction on follow-up computed tomography imaging within 90 d. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale and modified Rankin Scale were also clinical outcomes.
RESULTS
A total of 138 patients were included (mean age: 69.8, 29% female). A total of 15 patients underwent bilateral interventions for 154 total embolizations (66.7% primary treatment). At presentation, 30.4% and 23.9% of patients were on antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy, respectively. Median admission cSDH thickness was 14 mm. A total of 46.1% of embolizations were performed under general anesthesia, and 97.4% of procedures were successfully completed. A total of 70.2% of embolizations used particles, and 25.3% used liquid embolics with no significant outcome difference between embolization materials (P > .05). On last follow-up (mean 94.9 d), median cSDH thickness was 4 mm (71% median thickness reduction). A total of 70.8% of patients had >50% improvement on imaging (31.9% improved clinically), and 9 patients (6.5%) required further cSDH treatment. There were 16 complications with 9 (6.5%) because of continued hematoma expansion. Mortality rate was 4.4%, mostly unrelated to the index procedure but because of underlying comorbidities.
CONCLUSION
MMA embolization may provide a safe and efficacious minimally invasive alternative to conventional surgical techniques.
Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract
ABSTRACT
We present an analysis of a sample of robust high-redshift galaxies selected from the ‘blank’ fields of the Prime Extragalactic Areas for Reionization Science (PEARLS) survey and Early ...Release Observations (ERO) data from JWST with the aim of selecting candidate high-redshift active galactic nuclei (AGN). Sources were identified from this parent sample using a threefold selection procedure, which includes spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting to identify sources that are best fitted by AGN SED templates, a further selection based on the relative performance of AGN and non-AGN models, and finally morphological fitting to identify compact sources of emission, resulting in a purity-oriented procedure. Using this procedure, we identify a sample of nine AGN candidates at 6.5 < z < 12, from which we constrain their physical properties as well as measure a lower bound on the AGN fraction in this redshift range of 5 ± 1 per cent. As this is an extreme lower limit due to our focus on purity and our SEDs being calibrated for unobscured Type 1 AGN, this demonstrates that AGN are perhaps quite common at this early epoch. The rest-frame UV colours of our candidate objects suggest that these systems are potentially candidate obese black hole galaxies (OBGs). We also investigate Chandra and VLA maps of these areas from which we calculate detection limits. Of note is a z = 11.9 candidate source exhibiting an abrupt morphological shift in the reddest band as compared to bluer bands, indicating a potential merger or an unusually strong outflow.
In order to maximise European, national and regional research and innovation potential the European Union is investing in these fields through different funding mechanisms such as the ESIF or H2020 ...programme. This investment plan is part of the European 2020 strategy, where the concept of Smart Specialisation is also included.
Smart Specialisation is an innovation policy concept designed to promote the efficient and effective use of public investment in regional innovation in order to achieve economic growth. The Smart Specialisation Platform was created to support this concept by assisting regions and Member States in developing, implementing and reviewing their research and innovation Smart Specialisation strategies.
The Smart Specialisation Platform comprises several thematic platforms. The thematic Smart Specialisation Platform on energy (S3PEnergy) is a joint initiative of three European Commission services: DG REGIO, DG ENER, and the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The main objective of the S3PEnergy is to support the optimal and effective uptake of the Cohesion Policy funds for energy, and to better align energy innovation activities at national, local and regional level through the identification of the technologies and innovative solutions that support in the most cost-effective way the EU energy policy priorities.
In the particular case of hydrogen technologies, the activities of the platform are mainly focused on supporting the new Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) initiative involving regions and cities. To date, more than 80 European cities and regions have committed to participate in this initiative through the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding, and more participants are expected to join. S3PEnergy is helping in the identification of potential combination of H2020 funding (provided through FCH JU) and ESIF.
To identify potential synergies among these two funding sources, a mapping of the different ESIF opportunities has been performed. In order to map these opportunities, Operational Programmes (OPs) and research and innovation strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) of the different European regions and Member States were analysed. The results of this mapping and analysis are presented in this paper.
•Introduction of the smart specialisation concept and its relationship with hydrogen and fuel cells technologies.•Description of initiatives supporting hydrogen and fuel cells technologies deployment.•Mapping of EU funding opportunities for the implementation of hydrogen and fuel cells technologies.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Promotion of renewable energies to substitute carbon-based energy has boosted the development of new membrane technologies based on Salinity Gradient Power (SGP) by Reverse Electrodialysis (RED). ...This paper is focused on providing a useful, feasible and robust tool for the design of this technology, able to predict the behaviour under different operational conditions, critical for RED performance. Therefore, open circuit voltage (OCV), internal resistance (Ri) and gross power (P) are evaluated. Furthermore, the model predictability has been validated with experimental results obtained working with three cases of study corresponding to seawater/WWTP effluent, brines/brackish water and an intermediate concentration gradient scenario. Feed flow rate (Reynolds numbers from 2.7 to 13.6), and temperature (from 286 K to 297 K) have been also tested in a lab-scale set-up with 0.4 m2 of membrane area; the maximum power achieved at 297 ± 1 K was 0.66 W, 1.6 W and 0.3 W for the three cases respectively. The results highlight the strong influence of temperature and the dominance of the low compartment resistance on the process performance; thus, working with the highest possible SG does not always provide the best outcome, but a trade-off between SG and resistance of the dilute solution should be searched.
•Mathematical model proposed matches laboratory results with a global error of 7.88%.•Internal resistance increases with flow rate and decreases with current density.•Dominance of dilute solution resistance on the process performance.•Trade-off between dilute solution resistance and salinity gradient is required.•Strong influence of temperature on internal resistance and gross power is observed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Over the last three decades, the rise of new conceptualizations around the human body in connection with technology and machines has led to the development of new art practices in parallel with ...technological advances in the fields of biology, medicine and computing. This paper examines the human body in art contexts where biotechnology plays a relevant role in the generation of new conceptualizations around the human body topic. Thus, re-contextualized in social and cultural spheres and technical terms, the body will become redesigned, revamped, or augmented through the use of technological advances ranging from plastic surgery to robotic prosthetics. The human body is our vehicle of direct interaction with the environment. Its modification, alteration or expansion implies a redefinition of the existing limits between our corporality and the environment itself. Not only in the physical sense, but metaphysical and social. Hence, the introduced artists and strategies blur these limits and establish new relations through the body as a physical and social entity. In the search of new boundaries far beyond socio-cultural and natural limitations, they will reach new social, perceptual and conceptual statuses, far beyond aesthetic practices, focusing on the generation of political and social debates.
The emergence of computer-aided design (CAD) has propelled the evolution of the sheet metal engineering field. Sheet metal design software tools include parameters associated to the part’s forming ...process during the pattern drawing calculation. Current methods avoid the calculation of a first pattern drawing of the flattened part’s neutral surface, independent of the forming process, leading to several methodological limitations. The study evaluates the reliability of the Computer Extended Descriptive Geometry (CeDG) approach to surpass those limitations. Three study cases that cover a significative range of sheet metal systems are defined and the associated solid models and patterns’ drawings are computed through Geogebra-based CeDG and two selected CAD tools (Solid Edge 2020, LogiTRACE v14), with the aim of comparing their reliability and accuracy. Our results pointed to several methodological lacks in LogiTRACE and Solid Edge that prevented to solve properly several study cases. In opposition, the novel CeDG approach for the computer parametric modeling of 3D geometric systems overcame those limitations so that all models could be built and flattened with accuracy and without methodological limitations. As additional conclusion, the success of CeDG suggests the necessity to recover the relevance of descriptive geometry as a key core in graphic engineering.
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Large head and neck arteriovenous malformations are notoriously difficult to manage given their location and propensity for extreme hemorrhage. We propose a unique approach utilizing a Hyperform ...balloon and percutaneous Surgiflo sclerotherapy to provide intraoperative hemostatic stability during the excision of a left-sided scalp arteriovenous malformation. In a hybrid operating room a microcatheter balloon was fed into the left external carotid artery for occlusion of the malformation's main blood supply, and subsequently followed with digital subtraction angiography guided sclerotherapy of selective vessels. A split thickness graft was used to reconstruct the site of excision. This method offered optimal hemostatic control with a blood loss less than 120 cc. Our approach may offer safety advantages over traditional modalities and allow resection of head and neck lesions previously thought to be inoperable.
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