Tendon disease constitutes an unmet clinical need and remains a critical challenge in the field of orthopaedic surgery. Innovative solutions are required to overcome the limitations of current tendon ...grafting approaches, and bioelectronic therapies show promise in treating musculoskeletal diseases, accelerating functional recovery through the activation of tissue regeneration‐specific signaling pathways. Self‐powered bioelectronic devices, particularly piezoelectric materials, represent a paradigm shift in biomedicine, negating the need for battery or external powering and complementing existing mechanotherapy to accelerate the repair processes. Here, the dynamic response of tendon cells to a piezoelectric collagen‐analogue scaffold comprised of aligned nanoscale fibers made of the ferroelectric material poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐trifluoroethylene) is shown. It is demonstrated that motion‐powered electromechanical stimulation of tendon tissue through piezo‐bioelectric device results in ion channel modulation in vitro and regulates specific tissue regeneration signaling pathways. Finally, the potential of the piezo‐bioelectronic device in modulating the progression of tendinopathy‐associated processes in vivo, using a rat Achilles acute injury model is shown. This study indicates that electromechanical stimulation regulates mechanosensitive ion channel sensitivity and promotes tendon‐specific over non‐tenogenic tissue repair processes.
Under physiological conditions, ion‐channels activity limit membrane depolarization and regulate ion concentration‐dependent signaling cascades. In response to injury or mechanical loading, the activity and expression of the ion‐channels increases, and unspecific tissue‐repair signaling pathways activate, resulting in ectopic calcification. By modulating the mechanosensitive ion‐channels’ expression, electromechanical stimulation regulates specific signaling pathways activation to promote tendon over bone formation processes.
An extensive experimental campaign on Li recovery from relatively dilute LiCl solutions (i.e., Li+ ∼ 4000 ppm) is presented to identify the best operating conditions for a Li2CO3 crystallization ...unit. Lithium is currently mainly produced via solar evaporation, purification, and precipitation from highly concentrated Li brines located in a few world areas. The process requires large surfaces and long times (18–24 months) to concentrate Li+ up to 20,000 ppm. The present work investigates two separation routes to extract Li+ from synthetic solutions, mimicking those obtained from low-content Li+ sources through selective Li+ separation and further concentration steps: (i) addition of Na2CO3 solution and (ii) addition of NaOH solution + CO2 insufflation. A Li recovery up to 80% and purities up to 99% at 80 °C and with high-ionic strength solutions was achieved employing NaOH solution + CO2 insufflation and an ethanol washing step.
Background
The development of the amniote limb has been an important model system to study patterning mechanisms and morphogenesis. For proper growth and patterning, it requires the interaction ...between the distal sub‐apical mesenchyme and the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) that involve the separate implementation of coordinated and tissue‐specific genetic programs.
Results
Here, we produce and analyze the transcriptomes of both distal limb mesenchymal progenitors and the overlying ectodermal cells, following time‐coursed dissections that cover from limb bud initiation to fully patterned limbs. The comparison of transcriptomes within each layer as well as between layers over time, allowed the identification of specific transcriptional signatures for each of the developmental stages. Special attention was given to the identification of genes whose transcription dynamics suggest a previously unnoticed role in the context of limb development and also to signaling pathways enriched between layers.
Conclusion
We interpret the transcriptomic data in light of the known development pattern and we conclude that a major transcriptional transition occurs in distal limb buds between E9.5 and E10.5, coincident with the switch from an early phase continuation of the signature of trunk progenitors, related to the initial proximo distal specification, to a late intrinsic phase of development.
Key Findings
We generate temporal series of transcriptomes of the AER and the micro‐dissected underlying limb progenitor cells, separately and simultaneously, during critical stages of limb development.
We identify a major transition in transcriptional activity occurring between E9.5 and E10.5 in both limb components.
We also report the parallel trajectories of the ectoderm and mesoderm limb components, reflecting the strong connection between these two tissue layers.
We provide some novel insights into the expression changes associated with the morphogenetic capacity of the limb progenitors and the interaction with the distal ectoderm.
The removal of natural organic matter (NOM) and, more particularly, its individual fractions by two different GACs was investigated in full-scale filters in a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP). ...Fractionation of NOM was performed by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) into biopolymers, humic substances, building blocks and low molecular weight organics. The sorption capacity of GAC in terms of iodine number (IN) and apparent surface area (SBET), as well as the filling of narrow- and super-microporosity were monitored over the 1-year operation of the filters. Both GACs demonstrated to be effective at removing NOM over a wide range of fractions, especially the low and intermediate molecular weight fractions. TOC removal initially occurred via adsorption, and smaller (lighter) fractions were more removed as they could enter and diffuse more easily through the pores of the adsorbent. As time progressed, biodegradation also played a role in the TOC removal, and lighter fractions continued to be preferentially removed due to their higher biodegradability. The gained knowledge would assist drinking water utilities in selecting a proper GAC for the removal of NOM from water and, therefore, complying more successfully the latest water regulations.
► Removal and fractionation of NOM by two full-scale GAC filters were investigated. ► Both GACs were effective at removing NOM over a wide range of fractions. ► TOC removal was initially removed via adsorption and gradually via biodegradation. ► Low and intermediate molecular weight fractions seemed to be preferentially removed. ► The most loaded pore size range was clearly the super-microporosity (0.7–2 nm).
The European Union (EU) depends on third markets to supply many important raw materials. Increasing the circularity of critical raw materials within the EU is important not only from an environmental ...perspective, but also as a competitive advantage for the EU economy. In the case of boron, the EU's import dependency is about 100%. This work aims to evaluate the boron recovery from seawater desalination plants (SWDP) brines using ion-exchange resins in a circular economy approach. Commercial boron selective resins Purolite S108, DIAION CRB03 and CRB05 were tested and compared on batch and dynamic experiments. Thermodynamic and kinetic experiments were performed, and results were fitted by linear and non-linear models. After a comparison, results showed a good fit to the Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second order model, respectively, for all the commercial resins tested. The DIAION CRB03 resin presented higher sorption capacity and percentage of boron sorbed than the other resins and was selected as the best option for boron recovery from SWDP brine. Dynamic experiments in fixed bed column using DIAION CRB03 resulted in a sorption capacity of 13 mg/g of resin, a boron recovery of 98% and a concentration factor of 30, for an initial boron concentration of 50 mg/L. In addition, an economic analysis was carried out as a preliminary estimate of the revenues obtained from the production of boric acid from the brine produced by El Prat desalination plant.
•Batch experiments comparing Purolite S108, DIAION CRB03 and CRB05 were conducted.•Results fit linear & non-linear Langmuir isotherm & pseudo-2n order kinetics models.•DIAION CRB03 was selected as the best option for B recovery from SWDP brine.•DIAION CRB03 had a B recovery of 98% and a CF of 30, in column experiments.•2 M€ revenue was estimated producing H3BO3 from El Prat desalination plant brine.
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•COVID-19 may have neurological sequelae that would require an EEG procedure.•A systematic review of EEG findings in COVID-19 was conducted.•Generalized/focal slowing, epileptiform ...and rhythmic periodic discharges were seen.•The EEG findings in COVID-19 were non-specific.•Research on the link between the EEG findings and their prognosis is warranted.
Growing evidence of neurologic involvement seen in COVID-19 infection necessitates the pooling of neurodiagnostic findings like electroencephalography (EEG) that may guide clinical management. The objective of this study was to review the EEG findings in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection through a systematic review of published articles.
We systematically searched until July 25, 2020 for published articles that reported on descriptive EEG findings in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in PUBMED by Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL by the Cochrane Library.
From a total of 94 identified records, 29 relevant articles were included in this review. A total of 177 patients with COVID-19 with descriptive EEG reports were analyzed. The most common indication for EEG was unexplained altered mental status. Disturbances of background activity such as generalized and focal slowing were seen as well epileptiform abnormalities and rhythmic or periodic discharges. There were no consistent EEG findings specific to COVID-19 infection.
The EEG findings in COVID-19 appear to be non-specific. Further research on the relationship of the EEG findings to the clinical state and short- or long-term prognosis of COVID-19 patients may be conducted to help clinicians discern which patients would necessitate an EEG procedure and would eventually require treatment.
A suite of 30 primarily estrogenic organic wastewater contaminants was measured in several influent/effluent wastewater samples from four municipal wastewater treatment plants and effluents from one ...bleached kraft pulp mill (BKME) using an ultra-trace analytical method based on gas chromatography–high resolution mass spectroscopy (GC–HRMS).
In vitro recombinant yeast assay detection of the estrogenic equivalent (EEq) on whole and solid phase extracted (SPE) and fractionated wastewater was also performed. 19-Norethindrone was the most frequently detected and abundant (26–224 ng/L) of all the synthetic estrogens/progesterones in the influent samples. 17α-Ethinylestradiol was the more frequently detected synthetic estrogen/progesterone in the effluents occurring at or below 5 ng/L with some sporadic occurrences of up to 178 ng/L. The greatest levels of steroidal estrogens in municipal effluents were E1
>
E2
>
E3 which were all <
20 ng/L. Nonylphenol and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were found to be the highest non-steroidal synthetic compounds surveyed in both municipal influent and effluent samples, both occurring at 6–7 μg/L in municipal effluents. BKME contained relatively large amounts of the plant sterol stigmasterol (4 μg/L) but low amounts of fecal sterols, and steroidal estrogens (E2 only at 6 ng/L) when compared to the municipal effluents.
In vitro EEq in the wastewater surveyed ranged from 9–106 ng E2/L and ranked from municipal influent
>
municipal effluent
≈
BKME, with most of the estrogenicity fractionating in the 100% methanol SPE fraction followed by a secondary amount in the diethyl ether (for municipal) or methyl-
tert butyl ether (for BKME) SPE fractions. Most correlations between chemical and
in vitro estrogenic equivalency were weak (
p
>
0.05 in most cases). Unexpected inverse correlations between
in vitro estrogenic activity and concentrations of the estrogenic contaminant bisphenol A were found which likely contributed to the weakness of these correlations.
A modified toxicity identification and evaluation procedure was continued with the SPE extracts from the more potent 100% methanol SPE fractions of municipal effluent. High performance liquid chromatography band elution retention times, based on
in vitro estrogen detection, indicated that steroidal estrogens such as E2 were responsible for most of the estrogenicity of the samples. Subsequent collection and GC–MS analysis of active bands did not confirm the presence of steroidal estrogens, but expanded the possibility of phthalate esters (i.e. dibutyl phthalate) and natural sterols (i.e. β-sitosterol) contributing to the overall estrogenic load.
The main drawbacks of cardiovascular bare‐metal stents (BMS) are in‐stent restenosis and stent thrombosis as a result of an incomplete endothelialization after stent implantation. Nano‐ and ...microscale modification of implant surfaces is a strategy to recover the functionality of the artery by stimulating and guiding molecular and biological processes at the implant/tissue interface. In this study, cobalt‐chromium (CoCr) alloy surfaces are modified via direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) in order to create linear patterning onto CoCr surfaces with different periodicities (≈3, 10, 20, and 32 µm) and depths (≈20 and 800 nm). Changes in surface topography, chemistry, and wettability are thoroughly characterized before and after modification. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells' adhesion and spreading are similar for all patterned and plain CoCr surfaces. Moreover, high‐depth series induce cell elongation, alignment, and migration along the patterned lines. Platelet adhesion and aggregation decrease in all patterned surfaces compared to CoCr control, which is associated with changes in wettability and oxide layer characteristics. Cellular studies provide evidence of the potential of DLIP topographies to foster endothelialization without enhancement of platelet adhesion, which will be of high importance when designing new BMS in the future.
This work offers a new use of direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) technique, on cobalt‐chromium (CoCr) alloys, to obtain linear patterned and chemically modified surfaces. The obtained topography induces endothelial cell alignment and migration, and, chemical changes reduce platelet adhesion. Consequently, DLIP can be a one‐step technique to obtain surfaces with the capacity to enhance endothelialization and reduce thrombogenicity.
Climate change is not only changing the mean values of environmental parameters that modulate ecosystems, but also the regime of disturbances. Among them, extreme events have a key role in ...structuring biological communities. Ecosystems are frequently suffering multiple anthropogenic pressures which can cause effects that are not additive. Thus, the effects of extreme events need to be studied in combination with other pressures to adequately evaluate their consequences. We performed a manipulative approach in two rocky shores in the Mediterranean with contrasting levels of anthropogenic pressure (mainly eutrophication) simulating storms with different disturbance regimes in the intertidal and subtidal zones. In the short-term, an extreme storm had a greater impact on the species assemblage than other disturbance regimes, being especially notable in the area suffering from a high anthropogenic pressure. In this area, the species assemblages that suffered from an extreme storm took a longer time to recover than the ones affected by other disturbance regimes and were generally more affected after the disturbance. The intertidal zone, having more variable environmental conditions than the subtidal zone, was more resistant and able to recover from extreme storms. Our results suggest that the effects of extreme events on biological communities could be strengthened when co-occurring with anthropogenic pressures, especially ecosystems adapted to less variable environmental conditions. Thus, limiting other anthropogenic pressures that ecosystems are suffering is crucial to maintain the natural resistance and recovery capacity of ecosystems towards extreme events such as storms.
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•An extreme storm had greater impact on assemblage than other disturbance regimes.•The assemblage in the area with a high anthropogenic pressure was more affected by the extreme events.•The assemblages that suffered an extreme storm were generally more affected after the disturbance.•The effects of extreme events could be strengthened when occurring with anthropogenic pressures.
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