Radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves has proved to be successful in relieving pain and incapacity caused by osteoarthritis of the knee. However, long-term efficacy of such a treatment remains ...to be assessed. The current study aimed to reproduce radiofrequency neurotomy of genicular nerves to manage gonarthrosis pain and disability and establish therapeutic response until 1 year after intervention.
This single-center, prospective, observational, noncontrolled, longitudinal study included patients with grade 3 to 4 gonarthrosis suffering from intractable knee pain, scoring 5 or more on the visual analog scale (VAS) during >6 months. Therapy was based on ultrasound guided radiofrequency neurotomy of the superior medial, superior lateral and inferior medial genicular nerves. Visual analog scale and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis scores were assessed before therapy and at 1, 6, and 12 months following treatment.
Radiofrequency neurotomy of genicular nerves significantly reduced perceived pain (VAS) and disability (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis) in the majority of participants, without untoward events. The proportion of participants with improvement of 50% or greater in pretreatment VAS scores at 1, 6, and 12 months following intervention were 22/25 (88%), 16/25 (64%) and 8/25 (32%), respectively.
Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency neurotomy of genicular nerves alleviates intractable pain and disability in the majority of patients with advanced osteoarthritis of the knee. Such a treatment is safe and minimally invasive and can be performed in an outpatient setting. The beneficial effect of treatment started to decline after 6 months, but even 1 year after the intervention, 32% of patients reported 50% improvement or greater in pretreatment VAS scores.
Environmental protection laws are useful tools for promoting sustainability by eradicating anti-environmental behavior while encouraging alternative sustainable behaviors. However, the achievement of ...these goals relies on the psychosocial processes underlying the behaviors of the people in charge of the enforcement of these laws. Conservation officers play a central role in the enforcement of these laws, but their intervention behavior has not been assessed in relation to their perceptions of their working conditions. To fill this gap, a questionnaire was developed and administered to 128 conservation officers from four public authorities responsible for enforcing environmental law in a territory with a high level of legal environmental protection. The main results show that the participants have similarities and differences with conservation officers from other territories in their perception of their working conditions. Likewise, it was found that self-efficacy and satisfaction influence their intervention behavior, both directly and through their goals. The role of descriptive social norms as well as the relation of collective efficacy and self-efficacy and satisfaction were also revealed. Policy implications of these findings involve the need to improve communication between prosecutors, judges and conservation officers, as well as the enhancement of conservation officers’ collective efficacy, self-efficacy and skills used to educate people in avoiding damaging the environment and collaborating in its protection.
Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) has been proposed to mediate leukocyte migration across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in multiple sclerosis or experimental autoimmune ...encephalomyelitis (EAE). Here, we confirmed vascular ALCAM expression in human brain tissue samples in situ and on two different human in vitro BBB models. Antibody-mediated inhibition of ALCAM reduced diapedesis of human CD4+ Th1 but not of Th17 cells across the human BBB in vitro. In accordance to human Th1 cells, mouse Th1 cells showed reduced diapedesis across an ALCAM−/− in vitro BBB model under static but no longer under flow conditions. In contrast to the limited role of ALCAM in T cell extravasation across the BBB, we found a contribution of ALCAM to rolling, adhesion, and diapedesis of human CD14+ monocytes across the human BBB under flow and static conditions. Taken together, our study highlights the potential differences in the CNS expression of ALCAM in mouse and human and supports a prominent role for ALCAM in the multi-step extravasation of monocytes across the BBB.
Extrusion is an interesting technological tool that facilitates pulse formulation into flour mixtures, with tailored fibre content, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glycemic index (GI) among ...other components in final formulas. The gluten-free (GF) market has significantly grown during the last years. GF products have evolved from specialty health foods to products targeted to the general population and not only associated to celiac consumers. This study evaluates how temperature, cereal base (rice/corn) and pulse concentration affect extruded flour properties and which conditions are more efficient to develop a gluten-free flour with high TAC and low GI. Additionally, it evaluated the effect of this optimal formula after the baking process. The results showed an increase of total phenol (TP) and antioxidant activity with extrusion, with a temperature-dependent effect (130 °C ≥ 120 °C ≥ 110 °C), which may imply an enhanced bioaccessibility of phenolics compounds after extraction. Extrusion increased GI in comparison to native flour; however, a dough temperature of 130 °C resulted in a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower GI than that observed for 110–120 °C doughs, probably associated to the pastification that occurred at higher temperatures, which would decrease the degree of gelatinization of the starches and therefore a significant (p ≤ 0.05) GI reduction. Corn-lentil flour showed higher antioxidant properties and lower GI index in comparison with rice-lentil blends. The formulation of the optimal blend flour into a baked product (muffin) resulted in a significant loss of antioxidant properties, with the exception of the reducing power (FRAP), although the final antioxidant values of the baked product were in the range of the original native flour blend before any process.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) represents the main reservoir of genetic information in the cells, which is why it is protected in the nucleus. Entry into the nucleus is, in general, difficult, as the ...nuclear membrane is a selective barrier to molecules longer than 40 kDa. However, in some cases, the size of certain nanoparticles (NPs) allows their internalization into the nucleus, thus causing a direct effect on the DNA structure. NPs can also induce indirect effects on DNA through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In this context, nanomaterials are emerging as a disruptive tool for the development of novel therapies in a broad range of biomedical fields; although their effect on cell viability is commonly studied, further interactions with DNA or indirect alterations triggered by the internalization of these materials are not always clarified, since the small size of these materials makes them perfectly suitable for interaction with subcellular structures, such as the nucleus. In this context, and using as a reference the predicted interactions presented in a computational model, we describe and discuss the observed direct and indirect effects of the implicated nanomaterials on DNA.
Abstract
Transition metal dichalcogenide materials are unique in the wide variety of structural and electronic phases they exhibit in the two-dimensional limit. Here we show how such polymorphic ...flexibility can be used to achieve topological states at highly ordered phase boundaries in a new quantum spin Hall insulator (QSHI), 1
T
′-WSe
2
. We observe edge states at the crystallographically aligned interface between a quantum spin Hall insulating domain of 1
T
′-WSe
2
and a semiconducting domain of 1
H
-WSe
2
in contiguous single layers. The QSHI nature of single-layer 1
T
′-WSe
2
is verified using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to determine band inversion around a 120 meV energy gap, as well as scanning tunneling spectroscopy to directly image edge-state formation. Using this edge-state geometry we confirm the predicted penetration depth of one-dimensional interface states into the two-dimensional bulk of a QSHI for a well-specified crystallographic direction. These interfaces create opportunities for testing predictions of the microscopic behavior of topologically protected boundary states.
PurposeIn the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, technology is rewriting the way consumers shop as well as the retail operating models. In this context, investment in new technologies is a strategic ...imperative for retailers striving to remain relevant and profitable. Using Kahn's Retail Success Matrix as the conceptual framework, the aim of the study is to propose a classification of emerging technologies based on their potential for sustaining retailers' competitive strategies.Design/methodology/approachFollowing an initial qualitative study based on in-depth interviews and focus groups with 20 retail managers, the authors collected survey data from a sample of 168 retail and technology professionals. To achieve the research objectives, content, descriptive and multiple correspondence factor analyses were carried out.FindingsThe data analyses result on a map that plots the technological solutions that retail experts identify as enablers of four key competitive strategies: product superiority, enhanced customer experience, frictionless shopping experience and operational excellence.Practical implicationsThis research work provides valuable insight into how retail companies can capitalise on technology to create or reinforce their competitive positioning. The framework acts as a guide for retail companies to assess their technology priorities.Originality/valueThis exploratory empirical study is the result of a collaboration between academic researchers and retail professionals. Thus, it addresses challenges experienced by key stakeholders. The encompassing classification enables a better understanding of the impact of technology on retailers' competitive positioning.
Catalytic cancer therapy targets cancer cells by exploiting the specific characteristics of the tumor microenvironment (TME). TME-based catalytic strategies rely on the use of molecules already ...present in the TME. Amino groups seem to be a suitable target, given the abundance of proteins and peptides in biological environments. Here we show that catalytic CuFe2O4 nanoparticles are able to foster transaminations with different amino acids and pyruvate, another key molecule present in the TME. We observed a significant in cellulo decrease in glutamine and alanine levels up to 48 h after treatment. In addition, we found that di- and tripeptides also undergo catalytic transamination, thereby extending the range of the effects to other molecules such as glutathione disulfide (GSSG). Mechanistic calculations for GSSG transamination revealed the formation of an imine between the oxo group of pyruvate and the free −NH2 group of GSSG. Our results highlight transamination as alternative to the existing toolbox of catalytic therapies.
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