We present a case of a 50-year-old female patient with a history of depressive disorder and anaemia (attributed to menorrhagias). She was admitted to the cardiology department with symptoms of ...fatigue on moderate exertion for several months, with worsening in the month before hospitalisation. Echocardiography revealed a severe mitral stenosis of rheumatic aetiology. Laboratory tests showed microcytic and hypochromic anaemia, reduced iron stores and vitamin B12 levels, and positive serum antiparietal cells autoantibodies. Endoscopy showed focal areas of erythema in the stomach, corresponding histologically to chronic atrophic gastritis. In this context, two distinct clinical entities were diagnosed in the same patient: severe rheumatic mitral stenosis and autoimmune gastritis. The patient was started on vitamin B12 and iron supplementation and underwent surgical correction of the valvular disease. There was symptomatic improvement in her signs of fatigue.
The ability of peripheral nervous system (PNS) axons to regenerate and re-innervate their targets after an injury has been widely recognized. However, despite the considerable advances made in ...microsurgical techniques, complete functional recovery is rarely achieved, especially for severe peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs). Therefore, alternative therapies that can successfully repair peripheral nerves are still essential. In recent years the use of biodegradable hydrogels enriched with growth-supporting and guidance cues, cell transplantation, and biomolecular therapies have been explored for the treatment of PNIs. Bearing this in mind, the aim of this study was to assess whether Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser synthetic peptide (GRGDS)-modified gellan gum (GG) based hydrogels could foster an amenable environment for neurite/axonal growth. Additionally, strategies to further improve the rate of neurite outgrowth were also tested, namely the use of adipose tissue derived stem cells (ASCs), as well as the glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). In order to increase its stability and enhance its bioactivity, the GDNF was conjugated covalently to iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). The impact of hydrogel modification as well as the effect of the GDNF-IONPs on ASC behavior was also screened. The results revealed that the GRGDS-GG hydrogel was able to support dorsal root ganglia (DRG)-based neurite outgrowth, which was not observed for non-modified hydrogels. Moreover, the modified hydrogels were also able to support ASCs attachment. In contrast, the presence of the GDNF-IONPs had no positive or negative impact on ASC behavior. Further experiments revealed that the presence of ASCs in the hydrogel improved axonal growth. On the other hand, GDNF-IONPs alone or combined with ASCs significantly increased neurite outgrowth from DRGs, suggesting a beneficial role of the proposed strategy for future applications in PNI regenerative medicine.
INTRODUCTIONWhite-coat hypertension (WCH) is a prevalent entity, which has been associated with an increased cardiovascular risk.
AIMAssess whether WCH is associated with a higher coronary ...atherosclerotic burden, evaluated by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring.
METHODSA total of 1362 patients who performed CCTA and simultaneous CAC for the assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) were prospectively enrolled in a single-center registry and divided into three groups(A) patients with normal blood pressure (BP) (n=386); (B) patients with WCH (n=174; without a history of hypertension or antihypertensive medication, but with systolic BP ≥140 and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg before examination acquisition); and (C) patients with hypertension (n=802). The following coronary atherosclerotic markers were evaluatedCAC above the 50th percentile (CAC>p50), prevalence of CAD (any plaque), and obstructive CAD (plaque with>50% stenosis).
RESULTSPatients with WCH had a higher coronary atherosclerotic burden compared with patients with normal BP for all markers (30.5 vs. 19.4%, P=0.004 for CAC>p50; 50.6 vs. 36.8%, P=0.002 for CAD, any plaque; and 13.8 vs. 8.3%, P=0.045 for obstructive CAD). On multivariate analysis, WCH was an independent predictor of a CAC>p50 odds ratio (OR) 1.563, 95% confidence interval 1.018–2.400, P=0.041, but not of the presence of CAD (any plaque) (OR 1.335, P=0.169) or obstructive CAD (OR 1.376, P=0.301).
CONCLUSIONIn this registry of patients, WCH was an independent predictor of a CAC above the p50. It was also associated with higher other markers of coronary atherosclerotic burden, such as the presence of CAD on CCTA, compared with patients with normal BP.
Unsaturated polyester composites (UPCs) were prepared from biobased unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs) and nanoprecipitated calcium carbonate (NPCC). The UPRs were obtained from the crosslinking ...reaction of an unsaturated polyester (UP) made from renewable monomers and styrene (St) or a mixture of St with a designed lactic acid-based crosslinker (BPPC). The UPCs were obtained by adding the NPCC to the formulations. Aspects of the composition of the UPs and of the BPPC were confirmed by FTIR and
1
H NMR spectroscopies. Different UPCs were prepared and the influences of the addition of NPCC and of the amount of BPPC on their thermomechanical properties were evaluated. The BPPC has a major influence on the properties of the UPCs, namely a significant improvement of mechanical properties and of the thermal stability of UPCs. Both results suggest that the BPPC may be acting as a compatibilizer between the polymer matrix and the filler.
The aim of this study was to evaluate tetracycline antibiotic (TA) removal from contaminated water by Moringa oleifera seed preparations. The composition of synthetic water approximate river natural ...contaminated water and TA simulated its presence as an emerging pollutant. Interactions between TA and protein preparations (extract; fraction and lectin) were also evaluated. TA was determined by solid-phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Moringa extract and flour removed TA from water. The extract removed TA in all concentrations, and better removal (40%) was obtained with 40 mg L ⁻¹; seed flour (particles < 5 mm), 1.25 and 2.50 g L ⁻¹ removed 28% and 29% of tetracycline, respectively; particles > 5 mm (0.50 g L ⁻¹) removed 55% of antibiotic. Interactions between TA and seed preparations were assayed by haemagglutinating activity (HA). Specific HA (SHA) of extract (pH 7) was abolished with tetracycline (5 mg L ⁻¹); fraction (75%) and lectin HA (97%) were inhibited with TA. Extract SHA decreased by 75% at pH 8. Zeta potential (ZP) of extract 700 mg L ⁻¹ and tetracycline 50 mg L ⁻¹ , pH range 5–8, showed different results. Extract ZP was more negative (−10.73 to −16.00 mV) than tetracycline ZP (−0.27 to −20.15 mV); ZP difference was greater in pH 8. The focus of this study was achieved since Moringa preparations removed TA from water and compounds interacting with tetracycline involved at least lectin-binding sites. This is a natural process, which do not promote environmental damage.
Research on supply network transparency is incipient and focused on how focal firms can improve monitoring of supplier misbehavior. This narrow focus has restricted advancements in the topic. Our ...research, firstly, shifts the focus from supplier to focal firm misbehavior, and secondly, focuses on Brazil as an exemplar of an emerging economy. We explore how institutional voids influence supply network transparency. We focus on how voids in regulation, labor market, and contracting systems provide fruitful land for buyer misconduct and undermine supply network transparency. We review legislation in five developed countries to contrast with legislation in Brazil and we synthesize six years of Brazilian law suits regarding outsourcing issues in the apparel sector. This study exposes that voids can ease pressures allowing firms to navigate 'below the radar' and sustain poor working conditions along the supply network. Within this context, society has limited information availability and accessibility--what we label inhospitable accessibility (due to the regulatory void), as well as limited proportionality between real risks in the supply network and traceability of those risks back to the buying firm--what we label blurred liability (due to voids in labor market and contracting systems), thus preventing supply network transparency. Keywords: supply network transparency; institutional void; institutional isomorphism
This article presents the results of a study focused on the meaning that pain assumes in the discourse of a group of classical dance ballerinas. To achieve this, we accessed their experiences and ...perceptions through a semi-structured interview, to better understand the pain that is an integral part of their routines before, during and after a performance. This study is based on the discourses which emerged from a group of ten ballerinas with six or more years of training, and the method chosen to tap into the underlying meanings was Grounded Analysis or Sustained Data Analysis. The analysis of the discourses collected revealed that pursuing a dancing career involves obstacles that increase the demands felt by the ballerinas, in parallel with their desire to remain in the world of performance. Thus, it is the excessive practicing and repetitive movements which give rise to pain and injuries, which are concealed and denied so as not to impede the focus of attaining perfection. In general, the results obtained emphasize the passion for dance that involves pain as an ally to this career and force the ballerinas to varied confrontation strategies. In tandem, pain is linked to fear of injury, to the end of a career as a ballerina and the relinquishment of a dream.
This article presents the results of a study focused on the meaning that pain assumes in the discourse of a group of classical dance ballerinas. To achieve this, we accessed their experiences and ...perceptions through a semi-structured interview, to better understand the pain that is an integral part of their routines before, during and after a performance. This study is based on the discourses which emerged from a group of ten ballerinas with six or more years of training, and the method chosen to tap into the underlying meanings was Grounded Analysis or Sustained Data Analysis. The analysis of the discourses collected revealed that pursuing a dancing career involves obstacles that increase the demands felt by the ballerinas, in parallel with their desire to remain in the world of performance. Thus, it is the excessive practicing and repetitive movements which give rise to pain and injuries, which are concealed and denied so as not to impede the focus of attaining perfection. In general, the results obtained emphasize the passion for dance that involves pain as an ally to this career and force the ballerinas to varied confrontation strategies. In tandem, pain is linked to fear of injury, to the end of a career as a ballerina and the relinquishment of a dream. Key words Dance, Pain, Injury, Grounded analysis Este artigo apresenta os resultados de um estudo centrado no significado que a dor assume no discurso de um grupo de bailarinas de danca classica. Para tal acedemos as suas experiencias e vivencias atraves de uma entrevista semiestruturada de forma a entender a dor que faz parte suas rotinas antes, durante e apos estarem a dancar. O estudo sustenta-se nos discursos que emergiram num grupo de dez bailarinas, com mais de seis anos de formacao, e o metodo para aceder aos significados providenciados pelas suas vozes foi a "Grounded Analysis" ou Analise Sustentada nos Dados. A analise dos discursos recolhidos revelou que o evoluir no percurso da danca implica dificuldades que aumentam as exigencias experienciadas pelas bailarinas, paralelamente ao desejo de querer permanecer no mundo do espetaculo. Assim sao os treinos excessivos e os movimentos repetitivos que fazem surgir a dor e as lesoes, que sao ocultadas, negadas, de modo a poder continuar no foco de querer alcancar a perfeicao. Em geral, os resultados obtidos salientam a paixao pela danca que configura a dor como aliada desta pratica, e obriga as bailarinas a varias estrategias de confronto. Paralelamente, a dor liga-se ao medo da lesao, ao fim do percurso como bailarina e ao abdicar de um sonho. Palavras-chave Danca, Dor, Lesao, Grounded Analysis
Zeolites are widely used in high-temperature oil refining processes such as fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), hydrocracking, and aromatization. Significant energy cost are associated with these ...processes due to the high temperatures required. The induction heating promoted by magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) under radio frequency fields could contribute to solving this problem by providing a supplementary amount of heat in a nano-localized way, just at the active centre site where the catalytic process takes place. In this study, the potential of such a complementary route to reducing energetic requirements is evaluated. The catalytic cracking reaction under a hydrogen atmosphere (hydrocracking) applied to the conversion of plastics was taken as an application example. Thus, a commercial zeolite catalyst (H-USY) was impregnated with three different magnetic nanoparticles: nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), maghemite (γ-Fe
O
), and their combinations and subjected to electromagnetic fields. Temperature increases of approximately 80 °C were measured for H-USY zeolite impregnated with γ-Fe
O
and Ni-γ-Fe
O
due to the heat released under the radio frequency fields. The potential of the resulting MNPs derived catalyst for HDPE (high-density polyethylene) conversion was also evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under hydrogen atmosphere. This study is a proof of concept to show that induction heating could be used in combination with traditional resistive heating as an additional energy supplier, thereby providing an interesting alternative in line with a greener technology.
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