Industry is accountable for over one quarter of EU final energy consumption and one fifth of carbon emissions. To meet EU targets towards carbon neutrality, efforts need to take place in different ...industrial sectors, especially in energy intensive ones. Methodologies and tools aimed to support decision towards both cost and emission reduction targets are key to boost the adoption of cleaner production practices in industry. As an energy and resource intensive sector, the ceramic industry needs support at identifying and implementing solutions to lower its environmental impacts while being economically feasible. Thus, this work proposes a methodological approach to assess the environmental and economic life-cycle performance of alternative improvement scenarios for a ceramic sanitaryware manufacturing plant. By analyzing the actual process energy consumption and existing waste heat potential, three waste heat recovery scenarios are assessed and compared to the existing system to reduce natural gas consumption. Furthermore, aiming to lower the embodied emissions associated with electricity consumption, the installation of an on-site photovoltaic plant is also studied. The results show that, by applying heat recovery from flue gases to preheat combustion air, the industry may achieve a significant reduction of the environmental impact embodied in their products (−13% of CO2-eq emissions), while attaining notable economic savings with assumable payback period within the investment life-time. Results also show that despite the higher investment costs, the electricity self-production through photovoltaics strongly contributes to a greater reduction of several environmental impacts (up to −33% CO2-eq), with higher economic savings and payback time. The proposed methodological approach proves to be useful to compare the environmental and economic benefits of investment decisions and raise industrial confidence in strategies towards carbon neutrality.
•A methodological approach based on LCC and LCA is proposed to support decision.•The approach was used to assess WHR and PV integration for a ceramic plant.•WHR and PV strategies are cost effective with a payback varying from 4 to 8 years.•LCA identifies natural gas and electricity as critical hotspots in a ceramic plant.•By coupling WHR and PV, 69.4 kt of CO2 could be saved along 15-year production.
Introduction
Levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) in metastatic pancreatic cancer are used in daily practice as a marker of response to chemotherapy. The association between CA19-9 levels and ...mortality remains uncertain. This study sought to determine the most accurate level of CA19-9 associated with early mortality, both at diagnosis and during the course of metastatic disease.
Methods
This research is a retrospective analysis of 64 patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas evaluated from January 2010 to December 2015. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the CA19-9 value and the association with early death (death within 2 months after diagnosis of advanced disease). The survival analysis was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and variables of interest were assessed by proportional hazards regression Cox models.
Results
The mortality rate was 92.2%, and the estimated median survival was 11.0 months. For the ROC curve analysis of initial CA19-9, an area under the curve of 0.868 (95% confidence interval 0.782 to 0.954) was obtained; the cutoff of 2504 U/ml had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 82.8% for early death. The effect of initial CA19-9 and chemotherapy contributed independently to the survival time, and every increase of 1000 CA19-9 units increased the risk of death by 9% (
p
= 0.0003).
Conclusion
CA19-9 levels in advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma are associated independently with worse prognosis and early death. CA19-9 levels could be considered as a stratification factor for future clinical trials.
The SARS‐CoV‐2 virus causes COVID‐19, an infection capable of causing severe disease and death but which can also be asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic. We investigated whether ABO blood group or ...secretor status was associated with COVID‐19 severity. We investigated secretor status because expression of ABO glycans on secreted proteins and non‐erythroid cells are controlled by a fucosyltransferase (FUT2), and inactivating FUT2 mutations result in a non‐secretor phenotype which protects against some viral infections. Data combined from healthcare records and our own laboratory tests (n = 275) of hospitalized SARS‐CoV‐2 polymerase chain reaction positive patients confirmed higher than expected numbers of blood group A individuals compared to O (RR = 1.24, CI 95% 1.05, 1.47, p = 0.0111). There was also a significant association between group A and COVID‐19‐related cardiovascular complications (RR = 2.56, CI 95% 1.43, 4.55, p = 0.0011) which is independent of gender. Molecular analysis revealed that group A non‐secretors are significantly less likely to be hospitalized than secretors. Testing of convalescent plasma donors, among whom the majority displayed COVID‐19 symptoms and only a small minority required hospitalization, group A non‐secretors were slightly over‐represented. Our findings showed that group A non‐secretors are not resistant to infection by SARS‐CoV‐2, but are more likely to experience a less severe form of associated disease.
Uniaxial mechanical behavior of the human female bladder Martins, Pedro A. L. S.; Filho, Agnaldo Lopes Silva; Fonseca, Andrea Moura Rodrigues Maciel ...
International Urogynecology Journal,
08/2011, Letnik:
22, Številka:
8
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Introduction and hypothesis
The objective of the present study was to investigate the tensile biomechanical properties of the human female bladder.
Methods
Tissue samples were obtained from 13 ...cadavers without pelvic floor dysfunctions. We performed uniaxial tensile tests to measure the stiffness and maximum stress of the bladder tissue. Correlations were calculated using the Pearson correlation coefficient.
Results
The bladder tissue stiffness ranged from 1 to 4.1 MPa (mean stiffness, 1.9 ± 0.2 MPa) and the maximum stress ranged from 0.5 to 2.6 MPa (mean maximum stress, 0.9 ± 0.1 MPa). There was a strong positive correlation between stiffness and maximum stress in the bladder tissue (
ρ
= 0.829,
p
< 0.001). Tissue from women younger than 50 years presented higher bladder stiffness than did tissue from older subjects (2.1 ± 0.2 versus 1.3 ± 0.1 MPa,
p
= 0.02). Maximum bladder stress, however, was not associated with age (1.0 ± 0.2 versus 0.7 ± 0.1 MPa,
p
= 0.349). In addition, body mass index and menopausal status were not associated with these biomechanical properties.
Conclusions
Age may influence the uniaxial mechanical behavior of the human female bladder.
Colorectal cancer represents the third most common cancer and about 20% are diagnosed with synchronous metastatic disease. From a historical point of view, surgery remains the mainstream treatment ...for resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Furthermore, disease outcomes are improving due significant advances in systemic treatments and diagnostic methods. However, the optimal timing for neoadjuvant chemotherapy or upfront surgery for CRLM has not yet been established and remains an open question. Thus, patient selection combining image workouts, time of recurrence, positive lymph nodes, and molecular biomarkers can improve the decision-making process. Nevertheless, molecular profiling is rising as a promising field to be incorporated in the multimodal approach and guide patient selection and sequencing of treatment. Tumor biomakers, genetic profiling, and circulating tumor DNA have been used to offer as much personalized treatment as possible, based on the precision oncology concept of tailored care rather than a guideline-based therapy. This review article discusses the role of molecular pathology and biomarkers as prognostic and predictor factors in the diagnosis and treatment of resectable CRLM.
Multidisciplinary team from three universities based in the “Centro” Region of Portugal developed diverse approaches as parts of a project dedicated to enhancing and expanding Predictive, Preventive, ...and Personalized Medicine (3PM) in the Region. In a sense, outcomes acted as a proof-of-concept, in that they demonstrated the feasibility, but also the relevance of the approaches. The accomplishments comprise defining a new regional strategy for implementing 3PM within the Region, training of human resources in genomic sequencing, and generating good practices handbooks dedicated to diagnostic testing via next-generation sequencing, to legal and ethical concerns, and to knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship, aimed at increasing literacy on 3PM approaches. Further approaches also included support for entrepreneurship development and start-ups, and diverse and relevant initiatives aimed at increasing literacy relevant to 3PM. Efforts to enhance literacy encompassed citizens across the board, from patients and high school students to health professionals and health students. This focus on empowerment through literacy involved a variety of initiatives, including the creation of an illustrated book on genomics and the production of two theater plays centered on genetics. Additionally, authors stressed that genomic tools are relevant, but they are not the only resources 3PM is based on. Thus, they defend that other initiatives intended to enable citizens to take 3PM should include multi-omics and, having in mind the socio-economic burden of chronic diseases, suboptimal health status approaches in the 3PM framework should also be considered, in order to anticipate medical intervention in the subclinical phase.
Deforestation and climate change threaten social and ecological well-being in Amazonia. Research co-produced through ethical collaborations across multiple knowledge systems can contribute toward ...just and sustainable futures for the region.
The prevalence of age-related non-communicable chronic diseases has increased worldwide, being the leading causes of morbidity and death in many world regions, including in Europe. Innovative models ...and strategies focused on preventive care, including early identification of risk factors underlying disease onset and progression, and proper modification of lifestyle habits and behaviors, might contribute to promote quality of life, healthy living and active aging. Healthy Lifestyle Innovative Quarters for Cities and Citizens (HeaLIQs4cities) is an EIT Health-funded project aiming to engage, empower and educate citizens toward healthy lifestyles. One of the major objectives of this project was to develop a toolkit for a rapid and informal assessment of healthy lifestyles, to be used at different levels of care pathways, including in informal public environments. In this paper, we describe the methodology underlying the development of the toolkit, which resulted from the collaboration of an interdisciplinary focus group of academic experts, from medicine, sport sciences, psychology, health economics, and innovative technologies applied to health. The following eight components were included in the toolkit: (1) anthropometric assessment and cardiometabolic parameters; (2) physical activity and exercise; (3) well-being, social cohesion, and functional independence; (4) nutrition; (5) mental health; (6) smoking, drinking, and use of illicit substances; (7) sleep habits and quality; and (8) health and disease. A traffic light rating system indicating the risk score was used (low: green; moderate: yellow; and relevant: orange) for each of the 8 components, together with recommendations for the toolkit users. After completing the reduced version of the toolkit, individuals showing moderate or relevant risk in one or more of the 8 dimensions, were invited to participate in a more detailed assessment (toolkit long version), based on deeper and scientifically validated tools. The toolkit was incorporated in eVida, a web-based platform that focuses on delivering services to personalized health and well-being. The validation of the current toolkit has been applied in wide-ranging public events in three different European Regions. Large scale deployment of the toolkit is expected to profit from the Reference Site Collaborative Network of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Aging (EIP on AHA).
The capacity to undergo substantial deformation is a defining characteristic of the red blood cell (RBC), facilitating transit through the splenic interendothelial slits and microvasculature. ...Establishment of this remarkable property occurs during a process of reticulocyte maturation that begins with egress through micron-wide pores in the bone marrow and is completed within the circulation. The requirement to undertake repeated cycles of deformation necessitates that both reticulocytes and erythrocytes regulate membrane-cytoskeletal protein interactions in order to maintain cellular stability. In the absence of transcriptional activity, modulation of these interactions in RBCs is likely to be achieved primarily through specific protein posttranslational modifications, which at present remain undefined. In this study, we use high-throughput methods to define the processes that underlie the response to deformation and shear stress in both reticulocytes and erythrocytes. Through combination of a bead-based microsphiltration assay with phosphoproteomics we describe posttranslational modification of RBC proteins associated with deformation. Using microsphiltration and microfluidic biochip-based assays, we explore the effect of inhibiting kinases identified using this dataset. We demonstrate roles for GSK3 and Lyn in capillary transit and maintenance of membrane stability following deformation and show that combined inhibition of these kinases significantly decreases reticulocyte capacity to undergo repeated deformation. Finally, we derive a comprehensive and integrative phosphoproteomic dataset that provides a valuable resource for further mechanistic dissection of the molecular pathways that underlie the RBC's response to mechanical stimuli and for the study of reticulocyte maturation.
•Specific phosphorylation events are associated with RBC deformation.•Inhibition of GSK3 and Lyn impairs RBC capacity to undergo successive deformation and resist shear stress.
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Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a major cause of disability in adults worldwide. The pathophysiology of this syndrome is complex, involving both inflammatory and redox components triggered by the ...extravasation of blood into the cerebral parenchyma. Hemoglobin, heme, and iron released therein seem be important in the brain damage observed in ICH. However, there is a lack of information concerning hemoglobin traffic and metabolism in brain cells. Here, we investigated the fate of hemoglobin and heme in cultured neurons and astrocytes, as well as in the cortex of adult rats. Hemoglobin was made traceable by conjugation to Alexa 488, whereas a fluorescent heme analogue (tin-protoporphyrin IX) was prepared to allow heme tracking. Using fluorescence microscopy we observed that neurons were more efficient in uptake hemoglobin and heme than astrocytes. Exposure of cortical neurons to hemoglobin or heme resulted in an oxidative stress condition. Viability assays showed that neurons were more susceptible to both hemoglobin and heme toxicity than astrocytes. Together, these results show that neurons, rather than astrocytes, preferentially take up hemoglobin-derived products, indicating that these cells are actively involved in the ICH-associated brain damage.
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