Lead is a pervasive environmental contaminant. Lead accumulates in the body, impairing a molecular level various cellular processes. Lead exposure during childhood causes adverse and permanent ...neurodevelopmental consequences, sometimes even with “low” blood lead levels. Symptoms are frequently silent, making lead exposure an often unrecognized and underestimated threat for pervasive neurocognitive disorders.
We identified articles focusing on childhood exposure to lead and neurodevelopment via a search of the electronic database PubMed (National Library of Medicine), including journal articles published from 2007 to 2019. These articles were used to evaluate the effect of environmental lead exposure and analyze whether control efforts over the past decades have altered the prevalence of exposed children.
Children are still being exposed to lead despite evidence of the adverse impact of exposure, even for children with blood lead levels below the currently recognized threshold for intervention. Legislative and educational efforts have reduced lead exposure but are not being followed universally. Primary prevention and identification of high-risk populations are the best cost-benefit interventions to fight this public health problem.
► New, fast and green procedure for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles based on sonocatalysis. ► The gold nanoparticles synthesized by this methods are called gold sononanoparticles. ► The synthetic ...process takes place in less than 6min. ► The resources can be optimized at low cost, with low time of synthesis and no waste production. ► This gold sononanoparticles are ideal for building modified amperometric sensors and biosensors.
An easy, cheap and green synthetic route, using high-power ultrasounds and sodium citrate dihydrate as non-toxic reducing and stabilizer agent, produces gold nanoparticles in aqueous solution, and at ambient conditions. The time required for the synthesis is 5.5min. The spherical nanoparticles obtained by this route show a homogeneous size distribution, within the range 5–17nm, with an average diameter of 10±1nm. Moreover, 90% of the particles have a diameter ranging from 7 to 13nm, and their half-life is more than 30days. The gold nanoparticles synthesized following this route are known as sononanoparticles. Gold sononanoparticles have been characterized by TEM and XRD and their stability has been studied by UV–Vis spectroscopy. Alternative experimental designs are compared to optimize the proposed synthesis procedure.
•We propose a biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using geranium leaves extract.•The AuNPs were synthesized by means of a sonocatalysis process.•Experimental design linked to simplex method was used ...to optimize the synthesis.•The validation method and AuNPs stability has been studied by UV–Vis spectroscopy.•The morphology and crystalline phase of AuNPs have been characterized by TEM.
A rapid in situ biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is proposed in which a geranium (Pelargonium zonale) leaf extract was used as a non-toxic reducing and stabilizing agent in a sonocatalysis process based on high-power ultrasound. The synthesis process took only 3.5min in aqueous solution under ambient conditions. The stability of the nanoparticles was studied by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy with reference to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band. AuNPs have an average lifetime of about 8weeks at 4°C in the absence of light. The morphology and crystalline phase of the gold nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The composition of the nanoparticles was evaluated by electron diffraction and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). A total of 80% of the gold nanoparticles obtained in this way have a diameter in the range 8–20nm, with an average size of 12±3nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the presence of biomolecules that could be responsible for reducing and capping the biosynthesized gold nanoparticles. A hypothesis concerning the type of organic molecules involved in this process is also given. Experimental design linked to the simplex method was used to optimize the experimental conditions for this green synthesis route. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a high-power ultrasound-based sonocatalytic process and experimental design coupled to a simplex optimization process has been used in the biosynthesis of AuNPs.
Purpose: The keratoconus end-points assessment questionnaire (KEPAQ) is a disease-specific scale designed to evaluate the quality of life in keratoconus patients and provides the measurement of both ...functional and emotional compromise in keratoconus. It was previously developed, tested, and validated and now we want to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the KEPAQ, in an effort to contribute evidence on its internal consistency and capability of measuring clinical state with minimal inference of random chance. Methods: This is a prospective analytical study, designed to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the KEPAQ through the repeated application of the questionnaire to a group of clinically stable individuals. A number of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of keratoconus underwent double application of the KEPAQ, seven days apart. Mean KEPAQ score was obtained through Rasch analysis, while test-retest reliability was evaluated through Spearman rank-order correlation and intraclass correlation coefficient. Rasch analysis was performed in JMetrik version 4.1.1 (Psychomeasurement Systems LLC; Charlottesville, VA, USA) in a MacBook Air computer running macOS Catalina version 10.15.2 (Apple Inc.; Cupertino, CA, USA). Results: A total of 100 patients were included. For KEPAQ-E, Spearman correlation was R = 0.963 while ICC was 0.981 (95% confidence interval 0.972-0.987). For KEPAQ-F, Spearman correlation was R = 0.921 while ICC was 0.952 (95% confidence interval 0.929-0.968). Conclusion: The KEPAQ is a robust, well-developed, extremely reliable scale which can be confidently used for clinical and research endeavors.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A previously healthy 23-month-old girl presented with acute paraparesis and bilaterally upgoing toes. MRI revealed a spinal perimedullary arteriovenous fistula (PMAVF) between T6 and the conus ...medullaris. Trans-arterial Onyx® embolization was performed. She had complete recovery post-therapy. Follow-up MRIs showed no recurrence of PMAVF. PMAVFs, or type IV arteriovenous malformations, are intradural spinal vascular abnormalities (in contrast to dural arteriovenous fistulas) that lack a nidus (as opposed to type II-III arteriovenous malformations). Asymptomatic PMAVFs are uncommon; most cause slowly progressive medullary/radicular signs, although symptoms can develop acutely. When treated, PMAVFs typically have a more favorable prognosis than other spinal arteriovenous malformations.
OBJECTIVETo evaluate long-term quality of life (QoL) in patients who have experienced a stroke and to analyse differences in QoL between sexes. METHODSWe conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional, ...observational study to gather sociodemographic variables and risk factors; data were also obtained on QoL, mood, and functional status using validated scales. The study was approved by our centre's ethics committee. RESULTSOur final sample included 124 patients; mean age was 71.30±11.99 years. In the QoL study, the EuroQol-5D dimensions in which participants presented most problems were anxiety/depression (66.7%) and pain/discomfort (62.2%). We found significant inter-sex differences in the dimensions of mobility and usual activities (P=.016 and P=.005, respectively). Women also achieved substantially poorer EuroQoL-5D index values than men (0.45±0.45 vs. 0.65±0.38; P=.013). QoL was found to be associated with dependence for the activities of daily living (r=0.326; P=.001) and depressed mood (r=-0.514; P<.0001). According to the predictive model for the EQ-5D index, 72% of the score on QoL items is explained by functional status, dependence for the activities of daily living (basic and instrumental), and depressed mood. Being married, in contrast, seems to be a protective factor. CONCLUSIONStroke survivors have poor long-term QoL; this is more marked in women than in men, especially in the dimensions of mobility and usual activities.
Objective
Evidence suggests that intima–media thickness (IMT) and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels are associated with one another, and both appear to be related to cognitive dysfunction. However, no ...connection between both factors taken together and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been established. This study analysed potential relationships between IMT, Hcy and MCI.
Methods
We included 105 patients with MCI and 76 controls with no history of vascular disease. All participants underwent laboratory analyses, a carotid ultrasound, and clinical and neuropsychological assessment. We used the Mantel–Haenszel test (MHT), ANCOVA and multiple linear regression models (MLRM) to examine any associations between IMT, Hcy and cognitive state.
Results
The MHT revealed a significant association between IMT and risk of MCI (z = 4.285, P < 0.0001). The OR for the upper quartile vs the lower quartile was 5.12 (95% CI: 2.12–12.36). MHT also showed a clear association between Hcy levels and risk of MCI (z = 3.01, P = 0.003). OR for the upper vs the lower quartile was 3.39 (95% CI: 1.41–8.12). Additionally, we found a correlation between IMT and Hcy (r = 0.162, P = 0.032).
Conclusions
Our results suggest that there is a connection between IMT, Hcy levels and presence of amnestic MCI in a population with no history of clinically manifest atherosclerosis. Furthermore, there is also a connection between the IMT and Hcy levels themselves.
The COVID-19 pandemic will give rise to long-term changes in neurological care, which are not easily predictable.
A key informant survey was used to enquire about the changes expected in the ...specialty over the next 5 years. The survey was completed by heads of neurology departments with broad knowledge of the situation, having been active during the pandemic.
Despite a low level of consensus between participants, there was strong (85%) and moderate consensus (70%) about certain subjects, mainly the increase in precautions to be taken, the use of telemedicine and teleconsultations, the reduction of care provided in in-person consultations to avoid the presence of large numbers of people in waiting rooms, the development of remote training solutions, and the changes in monitoring visits during clinical trials. There was consensus that there would be no changes to the indication of complementary testing or neurological examination.
The key informant survey identified the foreseeable changes in neurological care after the pandemic.
The Sonogel–Carbon electrode is a special class of sol–gel electrode that exhibits favourable mechanic and electric properties to be used as electrochemical sensor. In this study, Sonogel–Carbon ...modified with
l-Cysteine was used to prepare a novel electrochemical sensor. The objective of this novel electrode modification was to seek new electrochemical performances for detection of epinephrine in the presence of uric acid. The response of catalytic current with epinephrine concentration shows a linear relation in the range from 1
×
10
−7 to 5
×
10
−4
M with a correlation coefficient of 0.998, and a detection limit of 8.7
×
10
−8
M. The modified electrode had also been applied to the determination of epinephrine and uric acid in biological samples with satisfactory results. A surface characterisation of this modified electrode was carried out helped by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).
Pompe disease or glycogen storage disease type II (OMIM: 232300) is a lysosomal storage disorder resulting from a partial or total lack of acid alphaglucosidase, which may produce muscle weakness, ...gait abnormalities, or even death by respiratory failure. In the last decade, autophagy has been proposed as a mechanism involved in the severity of symptoms related to this disorder and as a potential therapeutic target to alleviate disease progression. This review summarizes the relationship between autophagy and Pompe disease, including what information has been recently discovered and what remains unclear.
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