Hierarchical biological materials such as bone, sea shells, and marine bioadhesives are providing inspiration for the assembly of synthetic molecules into complex structures. The adhesive system of ...marine mussels has been the focus of much attention in recent years. Several catechol-containing polymers are being developed to mimic the cross-linking of proteins containing 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) used by shellfish for sticking to rocks. Many of these biomimetic polymer systems have been shown to form surface coatings or hydrogels; however, bulk adhesion is demonstrated less often. Developing adhesives requires addressing design issues including finding a good balance between cohesive and adhesive bonding interactions. Despite the growing number of mussel-mimicking polymers, there has been little effort to generate structure–property relations and gain insights on what chemical traits give rise to the best glues. In this report, we examine the simplest of these biomimetic polymers, poly(3,4-dihydroxystyrene)-co-styrene. Pendant catechol groups (i.e., 3,4-dihydroxystyrene) are distributed throughout a polystyrene backbone. Several polymer derivatives were prepared, each with a different 3,4-dihyroxystyrene content. Bulk adhesion testing showed where the optimal middle ground of cohesive and adhesive bonding resides. Adhesive performance was benchmarked against commercial glues as well as the genuine material produced by live mussels. In the best case, bonding was similar to that obtained with cyanoacrylate “Krazy Glue”. Performance was also examined using low- (e.g., plastics) and high-energy (e.g., metals, wood) surfaces. The adhesive bonding of poly(3,4-dihydroxystyrene)-co-styrene may be the strongest of reported mussel protein mimics. These insights should help us to design future biomimetic systems, thereby bringing us closer to development of bone cements, dental composites, and surgical glues.
Indoor air pollution has traditionally received less attention than outdoors pollution despite indoors pollutant levels are typically twice higher, and people spend 80–90% of their life in increasing ...air-tight buildings. More than 5 million people die every year prematurely from illnesses attributable to poor indoor air quality, which also causes multi-millionaire losses due to reduced employee’s productivity, material damages and increased health system expenses. Indoor air pollutants include particulate matter, biological pollutants and over 400 different chemical organic and inorganic compounds, whose concentrations are governed by several outdoor and indoor factors. Prevention of pollutant is not always technically feasible, so the implementation of cost-effective active abatement units is required. Up to date no single physical-chemical technology is capable of coping with all indoor air pollutants in a cost-effective manner. This problem requires the use of sequential technology configurations at the expenses of superior capital and operating costs. In addition, the performance of conventional physical-chemical technologies is still limited by the low concentrations, the diversity and the variability of pollutants in indoor environments. In this context, biotechnologies have emerged as a cost-effective and sustainable platform capable of coping with these limitations based on the biocatalytic action of plants, bacteria, fungi and microalgae. Indeed, biological-based purification systems can improve the energy efficiency of buildings, while providing additional aesthetic and psychological benefits. This review critically assessed the state-of-the-art of the indoor air pollution problem and prevention strategies, along with the recent advances in physical-chemical and biological technologies for indoor pollutants abatement.
•A state-of-the-art review on the global problem of poor indoor air quality.•Typology, sources and health risks of the most common indoor pollutants are revised.•Measures for prevention and abatement of indoor pollutants are carefully examined.•Evaluation of the performance of traditional physical-chemical methods.•Assessment of innovative and sustainable systems based on biotechnologies.
Type 2 diabetes guidelines recommend glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and/or sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors for people living with type 2 diabetes (PLWT2D) with an ...established or high risk of cardiovascular disease and/or renal disease, regardless of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.1-3 Semaglutide is the first and only GLP-1 RA available for oral use. Despite its proven safety and efficacy in randomized clinical trials,4, 5 insights into its real-world use in clinical settings are needed.6We designed the ENDOcrinology Oral Sema Real-World Data (ENDO2S-RWD) study to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of oral semaglutide in a large cohort of PLWT2D in Spain. We assessed the factors associated with the clinical response and drug persistence.
Abstract Background The food addiction model proposes that obesity overlaps with addiction in terms of neurobiological alterations in the striatum and related clinical manifestations (i.e., craving ...and persistence of unhealthy habits). Therefore, we aimed to examine the functional connectivity of the striatum in excess-weight versus normal-weight subjects and to determine the extent of the association between striatum connectivity and individual differences in food craving and changes in body mass index (BMI). Methods Forty-two excess-weight participants (BMI > 25) and 39 normal-weight participants enrolled in the study. Functional connectivity in the ventral and dorsal striatum was indicated by seed-based analyses on resting-state data. Food craving was indicated with subjective ratings of visual cues of high-calorie food. Changes in BMI between baseline and 12 weeks follow-up were assessed in 28 excess-weight participants. Measures of connectivity in the ventral striatum and dorsal striatum were compared between groups and correlated with craving and BMI change. Results Participants with excess weight displayed increased functional connectivity between the ventral striatum and the medial prefrontal and parietal cortices and between the dorsal striatum and the somatosensory cortex. Dorsal striatum connectivity correlated with food craving and predicted BMI gains. Conclusions Obesity is linked to alterations in the functional connectivity of dorsal striatal networks relevant to food craving and weight gain. These neural alterations are associated with habit learning and thus compatible with the food addiction model of obesity.
Oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) exhibit several desirable properties including biocompatibility and resistance to fouling by protein adsorption. Still needed are surgical ...glues and orthopedic cements, among several other materials, that display similar traits. However, the very lack of interactions with other molecules that prevents toxicity and fouling also makes adhesion elusive. In work described here the cross-linking chemistry of marine mussel adhesive is combined with OEG to make a family of terpolymers. The effect of polymer composition upon bulk adhesion was examined. High strength bonding was found with a subset of the polymers containing appreciable OEG content. These structure–property insights may help the design of new materials for which the properties of OEG and high strength adhesion are both being sought.
Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells in the central nervous system. In birds and mammals, the oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) originate in the preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus. ...However, it remains unclear in other vertebrates such as fish. Thus, we have studied the early progression of OPCs during zebrafish visual morphogenesis from 2 days post fertilization (dpf) until 11 dpf using the olig2:EGFP transgenic line; and we have analyzed the differential expression of transcription factors involved in oligodendrocyte differentiation: Sox2 (using immunohistochemistry) and Sox10 (using the transgenic line sox10:tagRFP). The first OPCs (olig2:EGFP/Sox2) were found at 2 dpf in the POA. From 3 dpf onwards, these olig2:EGFP/Sox2 cells migrate to the optic chiasm, where they invade the optic nerve (ON), extending toward the retina. At 5 dpf, olig2:EGFP/Sox2 cells in the ON also colocalize with sox10:tagRFP. When olig2:EGFP cells differentiate and present more projections, they become positive only for sox10:tagRFP. olig2:EGFP/sox10: tagRFP cells ensheath the ON by 5 dpf when they also become positive for a myelin marker, based on the mbpa:tagRFPt transgenic line. We also found olig2:EGFP cells in other regions of the visual system. In the central retina at 2 dpf, they are positive for Sox2 but later become restricted to the proliferative germinal zone without this marker. In the ventricular areas of the optic tectum, olig2:EGFP cells present Sox2 but arborized ones sox10:tagRFP instead. Our data matches with other models, where OPCs are specified in the POA and migrate to the ON through the optic chiasm.
Graphical
The first oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs, olig2:EGFP/Sox2, yellow cells) are detected in the preoptical area of the hypothalamus at 2 dpf. One day later, 3 dpf, these cells invade the optic chiasm and colonize the postchiasmatic region first and the prechiasmatic later (yellow cells). As they differentiate to oligodendrocytes, OPCs present more protrussions that wrap the optic nerve (ON) and become positive also for sox10:tagRFP (cyan cells). These triple‐labeled cells are very abundant in the ON at 5 dpf. At 7 dpf, differentiated oligodendrocytes (olig2:EGFP) with long protrusions that ensheath the ON are only positive for sox10:tagRFP and not for Sox2 (white cells). The three different populations can be observed surrounding the ON. At 11 dpf, the enseathing process continues. The first evidence of myelination in the ON is at 5 dpf, based on our transgenic line mbpa:tagRFPt (blue square patterned cells). We have also found that Olig2 and Sox2 might play a role in the differentiation of other retinal cells including the Müller glia and that the oligodendrocytes in the optic tectum differentiate earlier than those in the ON.
PurposeThe Sharing Economy (SE) has turned around the concepts of ownership and access, promoting not only an alternative consumption method, but also a more sustainable one. Using digital platforms, ...this phenomenon expects to achieve a better use of the idle capacity of resources, promote meaningful and trusting communities and contribute to reducing the environmental harm. The huge increase of popularity of this model has lined up with the Sustainable Development Goals proclamation, and the commitment from governments with the search for more sustainable models. This study analyzes the relationship of the SE with sustainability in general, and the Sustainable Development Goals in specific.Design/methodology/approachThrough the analysis of the action plans proposed by governments and the expected contributions of sharing platforms to sustainability, the authors analyze the improvements and assistance that the Sharing Economy could offer to countries.FindingsThe main findings suggest that the SE can assist countries to achieve their sustainability goals and to further advance towards a more sustainable consumption and living model in order to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals.Originality/valueAlthough this topic is still to be further developed, the SE seems to be fulfilling the expectations as the path towards sustainability.
The Verbenaceae family includes 2600 species grouped into 100 genera with a pantropical distribution. Many of them are important elements of the floras of warm-temperature and tropical regions of ...America. This family is known in folk medicine, and its species are used as digestive, carminative, antipyretic, antitussive, antiseptic, and healing agents. This review aims to collect information about the essential oils from the most reported species of the Verbenaceae family growing in South America, focusing on their chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and synergism with commercial antimicrobials. The information gathered comprises the last twenty years of research within the South American region and is summarized taking into consideration the most representative species in terms of their essential oils. These species belong to
,
,
,
, and
genera, and the main essential oils they contain are monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, such as β-caryophyllene, thymol, citral, 1,8-cineole, carvone, and limonene. These compounds have been found to possess antimicrobial activities. The synergism of these essential oils with antibiotics is being studied by several research groups. It constitutes a resource of interest for the potential use of combinations of essential oils and antibiotics in infection treatments.
Nutrition is a modifiable factor potentially related to aging. Milk and other dairy products may contribute to the prevention of physical and cognitive impairment. We conducted a systematic review to ...investigate the effectiveness of dairy product intake for preventing cognitive decline, sarcopenia, and frailty in the elderly population. A systematic search for publications in electronic databases MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 2009 to 2018 identified observational and interventional studies in English and Spanish that tested the relation between dairy product consumption and cognitive decline, sarcopenia, and frailty in community-dwelling older people. We assessed the participants, the type of exposure or intervention, the outcomes, and the quality of evidence. We screened a total of 661 records and included 6 studies (5 observational prospective cohort studies and 1 randomized controlled trial). Regarding cognitive impairment, the relation cannot be firmly established. Consumption of milk at midlife may be negatively associated with verbal memory performance. In older women, high intakes of dairy desserts and ice cream were associated with cognitive decline. On the other hand, 1 study demonstrated a significant inverse relation between dairy intake and development of Alzheimer disease among older Japanese subjects. The consumption of dairy products by older people may reduce the risk of frailty, especially with high consumption of low-fat milk and yogurt, and may also reduce the risk of sarcopenia by improving skeletal muscle mass through the addition of nutrient-rich dairy proteins (ricotta cheese) to the habitual diet. Despite the scarcity of evidence on the topic, our systematic review shows that there are some positive effects of dairy products on frailty and sarcopenia, whereas studies concerning cognitive decline have contradictory findings.
Aim
To identify the gait parameters used to assess gait disorders in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and evaluate their responsiveness to treatments.
Method
A systematic search ...within PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus (in English, 2000–2016) for randomized controlled trials of children with bilateral spastic CP who were assessed by instrumented gait analysis (IGA) was performed. Data related to participants and study characteristics, risk of bias, and outcome measures were collected. A list of gait parameters responsive to clinical interventions was obtained.
Results
Twenty‐one articles met the inclusion criteria. Eighty‐nine gait parameters were identified, 56 of which showed responsiveness to treatments. Spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters were widely used compared to kinetic and surface electromyography data. The majority of responsive gait parameters were joint angles at the sagittal plane (flexion–extension).
Interpretation
The IGA yields responsive outcome measures for the gait assessment of children with bilateral spastic CP. Spatiotemporal and kinematic (at sagittal plane) parameters are the gait parameters used most frequently. Further research is needed to establish the relevant gait parameters for each clinical problem.
What this paper adds
Fifty‐six responsive gait parameters for children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy were identified.
Most responsive gait parameters belong to joint angles time‐series at sagittal plane.
Spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters are widely used compared to kinetic and surface electromyography parameters.
Resumen
Parámetros de la marcha en niños con parálisis cerebral espástica bilateral: una revisión sistemática de ensayos controlados aleatorios
Objetivo
Identificar los parámetros de la marcha utilizados para evaluar los trastornos de la marcha en niños con parálisis cerebral espástica (PC) bilateral y evaluar su capacidad de respuesta a los tratamientos.
Método
Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en PubMed, Web of Science y Scopus (en inglés, 2000‐2016) de ensayos controlados aleatorios de niños con PC espástica bilateral que fueron evaluados mediante análisis de marcha instrumentado (AMI). Se recopilaron datos relacionados con los participantes y las características del estudio, el riesgo de sesgo y las medidas de resultado. Se obtuvo una lista de parámetros de marcha que respondieron a las intervenciones clínicas.
Resultados
Veintiún artículos cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Se identificaron 89 parámetros de la marcha, 56 de los cuales mostraron capacidad de respuesta a los tratamientos. Los parámetros espaciotemporales y cinemáticos fueron utilizados ampliamente en comparación con los datos de electromiografía de superficie y cinética. La mayoría de los parámetros de marcha que respondieron fueron ángulos articulares en el plano sagital (flexión‐extensión).
Interpretación
El AMI produce medidas de resultados que responden a la evaluación de la marcha de los niños con PC espástica bilateral. Los parámetros espaciotemporales y cinemáticos son los parámetros de la marcha utilizados con más frecuencia. Se necesita más investigación para establecer los parámetros de marcha relevantes para cada problema clínico.
Resume
Parâmetros de marcha em crianças com paralisia cerebral bilateral espástia: uma revisão sistemática de estudos randomizados controlados
Objetivo
Identificar os parâmetros de marcha usados para avaliar desordens da marcha em crianças com paralisia cerebral espástica (PC) e avaliar sua responsividade a tratamentos.
Método
Uma busca sistemática na PubMed, Web of Science, e Scopus (Inglês, 2000–2016) por estudos randomizados controlados de crianças com PC bilateral que foram avaliadas com análise de marcha instrumental (AMI) foi realizada. Os dados relacionados a participantes e características dos estudos, risco de vies, e medidas de resultado foram coletadas. Uma lista de parâmetros responsivos a intervenções clínicas foi obtida.
Resultados
Vinte e um artigos atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. Oitenta e nove parâmetros de marcha foram identificados, 56 dos quais mostraram responsividade a tratamentos. Parâmetros espaço‐temporais e cinemáticos foram amplamente usados em comparação com dados cinéticos e de eletromiografia de superfície. A maioria dos parâmetros responsivos foram ângulos articulares no plano sagittal (flexo‐extensão).
Interpretação
A AMI fornece medidas de resultados responsivas para avaliação da marcha em crianças com PC bilateral espástica. Parâmetros espaço‐temporais e cinemáticos são os mais frequentemente usados. Mais pesquisas são necessárias para estabelecer os parâmetros relevantes para cada problema clínico.
What this paper adds
Fifty‐six responsive gait parameters for children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy were identified.
Most responsive gait parameters belong to joint angles time‐series at sagittal plane.
Spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters are widely used compared to kinetic and surface electromyography parameters.
This article's has been translated into Spanish and Portuguese.
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