The aeronautical and automotive industries have, as an essential objective, the energy efficiency optimization of aircraft and cars, while maintaining stringent functional requirements. One working ...line focuses on the use of lightweight structural materials to replace conventional materials. For this reason, it is considered enlightening to carry out an analysis of the literature published over the last 20 years through Open Access literature. For this purpose, a systematic methodology is applied to minimize the possible risks of bias in literature selection and analysis. Web of Science is used as a search engine. The final selection comprises the 30 articles with the highest average numbers of citations per year published from 2015 to 2020 and the 7 articles published from the period of 2000–2014. Overall, the selection is composed of 37 Open Access articles with 2482 total citations and an average of 67.1 citations per article/year published, and includes Q1 (62%) and Q2 (8%) articles and proceeding papers (30%). The study seeks to inform about the current trends in materials and processes in lightweight structural materials for aeronautical and automotive applications with a sustainable perspective. All the information collected is summarized in tables to facilitate searches and interpretation by interested researchers.
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disorder of the connective tissue caused by mutations in the
(fibrillin-1) gene encoding a large glycoprotein in the extracellular matrix called ...fibrillin-1. The major complication of this connective disorder is the risk to develop thoracic aortic aneurysm. To date, no effective pharmacologic therapies have been identified for the management of thoracic aortic disease and the only options capable of preventing aneurysm rupture are endovascular repair or open surgery. Here, we have studied the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the progression of thoracic aortic aneurysm and mitochondrial boosting strategies as a potential treatment to managing aortic aneurysms.
Combining transcriptomics and metabolic analysis of aortas from an MFS mouse model (
) and MFS patients, we have identified mitochondrial dysfunction alongside with mtDNA depletion as a new hallmark of aortic aneurysm disease in MFS. To demonstrate the importance of mitochondrial decline in the development of aneurysms, we generated a conditional mouse model with mitochondrial dysfunction specifically in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) by conditional depleting Tfam (mitochondrial transcription factor A;
mice). We used a mouse model of MFS to test for drugs that can revert aortic disease by enhancing Tfam levels and mitochondrial respiration.
The main canonical pathways highlighted in the transcriptomic analysis in aortas from
mice were those related to metabolic function, such as mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial complexes, whose transcription depends on Tfam and mitochondrial DNA content, were reduced in aortas from young
mice. In vitro experiments in
-silenced VSMCs presented increased lactate production and decreased oxygen consumption. Similar results were found in MFS patients. VSMCs seeded in matrices produced by Fbn1-deficient VSMCs undergo mitochondrial dysfunction. Conditional Tfam-deficient VSMC mice lose their contractile capacity, showed aortic aneurysms, and died prematurely. Restoring mitochondrial metabolism with the NAD precursor nicotinamide riboside rapidly reverses aortic aneurysm in
mice.
Mitochondrial function of VSMCs is controlled by the extracellular matrix and drives the development of aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome. Targeting vascular metabolism is a new available therapeutic strategy for managing aortic aneurysms associated with genetic disorders.
The reduction of consumption and pollutant emissions is a top priority for the transport sector. One working line is the substitution of conventional structural materials with lightweight materials ...such as metallic alloys of aluminium, titanium, and/or magnesium. For this reason, and considering that the number of related articles is lower than the existing number of other structural lightweight materials, it is considered very convenient and helpful to carry out a systematic analysis of their latest trends through Open Access literature. A methodology adapted from the PRISMA statement is applied, in order to guarantee unbiasedness and quality in selecting literature and research. The final selection is made up of the 40 most cited research papers from 2015–2020, with an average of 20.6 citations per article. Turning and drilling are the most trending machining processes, and there is particular interest in the study of sustainable cooling, such as dry machining, cryogenic cooling, and MQL. In addition, another trending topic is multi-materials and joining dissimilar materials with guarantees. Additive manufacturing has also been identified as an increasingly trending theme, appearing in 18% of the selected studies. This work is complemented with summary tables of the most cited Open Access articles on sustainable machining and cooling, multi-materials or hybrid components, and additive manufacturing.
This paper focused on the maintenance or repair of holes made using hybrid Mg-Al-Mg components by drilling, using two sustainable cooling techniques (dry machining and cold compressed air) and taking ...surface roughness on the inside of the holes as the response variable. The novelty of the work is in proving that the repair operations of the multi-material components (magnesium-aluminum-magnesium) and the parts made of aluminum and magnesium (separately) but assembled to form a higher component can be done simultaneously, thus reducing the time and cost of the assembly and disassembly of this type of component. The study is based on a design of experiments (DOE) defined as a product of a full factorial 2
and a block of two factors (3 × 2). Based on our findings, we propose that the analyzed operations are feasible under sustainable conditions and, in particular, under dry machining. Also, the results depend on the machining order.
Objectives
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common disease whose aetiopathogenesis is linked to psychological disorders. This study aims to determine the influence of anxiety and depression in OLP ...patients, define the perception of quality of life in these patients and check for potential differences between atrophic/ ulcerative and reticular lesions.
Materials and Methods
A group of 48 OLP patients and a control group of 40 patients were selected. In order to assess anxiety, depression and quality of life, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP‐14) tests were completed.
Results
OLP patients showed higher scores on HADS (anxiety p < 0.01, depression p < 0.05) and OHIP‐14 (physical pain p < 0.05, psychological discomfort p = 0.001). Patients with reticular lesions obtained higher scores in HADS (anxiety p = 0.001, depression p < 0.001), whereas patients with atrophic/ ulcerative lesions obtained higher scores in OHIP‐14 (p = 0.02).
Conclusions
Psychological disorders play an important role as a trigger for OLP and are responsible for many relapses. Psychological support would be advisable in order to improve their mental health, as this would have a positive impact on their quality of life and would lead to a better progression of the disease.
Introduction
This study was aimed to identify risk factors associated with unfavorable outcomes (composite outcome variable: mortality and need for mechanical ventilation) in patients hospitalized in ...Galicia with COVID-19 pneumonia.
Methods
Retrospective, multicenter, observational study carried out in the 8 Galician tertiary hospitals. All Patients admitted with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia from 1st of March to April 24th, 2020 were included. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed in order to identify the relationship between risk factors, therapeutic interventions and the composite outcome variable.
Results
A total of 1292 patients (56.1% male) were included. Two hundred and twenty-five (17.4%) died and 327 (25.3%) reached the main outcome variable. Age odds ratio (OR) = 1.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.04), CRP quartiles 3 and 4 OR = 2.24 (95% CI: 1.39–3.63) and OR = 3.04 (95% CI: 1.88–4.92), respectively, Charlson index OR = 1.16 (95%CI: 1.06–1.26), SaO2 upon admission OR = 0.93 (95% CI: 0.91–0.95), hydroxychloroquine prescription OR = 0.22 (95%CI: 0.12–0.37), systemic corticosteroids prescription OR = 1.99 (95%CI: 1.45–2.75), and tocilizumab prescription OR = 3.39 (95%CI: 2.15–5.36), significantly impacted the outcome. Sensitivity analysis using different alternative logistic regression models identified consistently the ratio admissions/hospital beds as a predictor of the outcome OR = 1.06 (95% CI: 1.02–1.11).
Conclusion
These findings may help to identify patients at hospital admission with a higher risk of death and may urge healthcare authorities to implement policies aimed at reducing deaths by increasing the availability of hospital beds.
This study aimed to evaluate the potential efficacy and safety of the amikacin dosage proposed by the main guidelines and to develop an interactive nomogram, especially focused on the potential ...impact of albumin on initial dosage recommendation. The probability of target attainment (PTA) for each of the different dosing recommendations was calculated through stochastic simulations based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PKPD) criteria. Large efficacy and safety differences were observed for the evaluated amikacin dosing guidelines together with a significant impact of albumin concentrations on efficacy and safety. For all recommended dosages evaluated, efficacy and safety criteria of amikacin dosage proposed were not achieved simultaneously in most of the clinical scenarios evaluated. Furthermore, a significant impact of albumin was identified: The higher is the albumin, (i) the higher will be the PTA for maximum concentration/minimum inhibitory concentration (Cmax/MIC), (ii) the lower will be the PTA for the time period with drug concentration exceeding MIC (T
) and (iii) the lower will be the PTA for toxicity (minimum concentration). Thus, accounting for albumin effect might be of interest for future amikacin dosing guidelines updates. In addition, AMKnom, an amikacin nomogram builder based on PKPD criteria, has been developed and is freely available to help evaluating dosing recommendations.
Background
There is some evidence that prior use of macrolide antibiotics is a useful predictor of the likelihood of standard triple therapy failure in Helicobacter pylori eradication. In this study, ...we have evaluated whether previous intake of macrolides correlates with failure to eradicate H. pylori using two different first‐line clarithromycin‐containing regimens.
Materials and Methods
Retrospective study of 212 patients with H. pylori infection treated with one of two first‐line clarithromycin‐containing regimens: 108 patients treated with triple therapy for 10 days and 104 patients treated with concomitant therapy for 10 days. The intake of macrolides (clarithromycin, azithromycin, and other macrolides) prior to the eradication therapy was obtained from the electronic medical record, which contains information regarding all the medication prescribed to the patients since the year 2004.
Results
One hundred of 212 patients (47.2%) had received at least one treatment with macrolides during the years prior to the eradication therapy. H. pylori eradication rates were significantly lower in patients with previous use compared to patients without previous use of macrolides, both with triple therapy (60.8% vs 92.9%; P < .0001) and with concomitant therapy (85.7% vs 98.2%; P = .024).
Conclusions
Previous use of macrolides correlates with a low H. pylori eradication rate with triple and concomitant clarithromycin‐containing regimens. In addition, our study shows that in patients without previous use of macrolides, triple therapy achieves per‐protocol eradication rates over 90%.
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising option to treat knee osteoarthritis (OA). Their safety and usefulness have been reported in several short-term clinical trials but less information is ...available on the long-term effects of MSC in patients with osteoarthritis. We have evaluated patients included in our previous randomized clinical trial (CMM-ART, NCT02123368) to determine their long-term clinical effect.
A phase I/II multicenter randomized clinical trial with active control was conducted between 2012 and 2014. Thirty patients diagnosed with knee OA were randomly assigned to Control group, intraarticularly administered hyaluronic acid alone, or to two treatment groups, hyaluronic acid together with 10 × 10
or 100 × 10
cultured autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs), and followed up for 12 months. After a follow up of 4 years adverse effects and clinical evolution, assessed using VAS and WOMAC scorings are reported.
No adverse effects were reported after BM-MSCs administration or during the follow-up. BM-MSCs-administered patients improved according to VAS, median value (IQR) for Control, Low-dose and High-dose groups changed from 5 (3, 7), 7 (5, 8) and 6 (4, 8) to 7 (6, 7), 2 (2, 5) and 3 (3, 4), respectively at the end of follow up (Low-dose vs Control group, p = 0.01; High-dose vs Control group, p = 0.004). Patients receiving BM-MSCs also improved clinically according to WOMAC. Control group showed an increase median value of 4 points (- 11;10) while Low-dose and High-dose groups exhibited values of - 18 (- 28;- 9) and - 10 (- 21;- 3) points, respectively (Low-dose vs Control group p = 0.043). No clinical differences between the BM-MSCs receiving groups were found.
Single intraarticular injection of in vitro expanded autologous BM-MSCs is a safe and feasible procedure that results in long-term clinical and functional improvement of knee OA.
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