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Ontology building can greatly influence the development cycle of an information system and enhance interoperability among its constituent elements. Throughout the projects we have been developing we have detected, by studying the current literature, a need to develop an agile method to conceive and mapping ontologies, which allows a quick and effective response to R&D projects. Designing a method for building an ontology, which is integrated and aligned with a systematic development approach, represents a crucial challenge in new approaches to system design and exploitation. Extant proposed methods for building an ontology, especially following agile approaches, have achieved interesting results but lack integration and alignment with a wider-view development framework. Thus, we have defined the first version of a semantic model allowing the alignment with the previously defined information model. Following the best practices for ontology building and based on our previous work on software system development, we now propose a method for designing an ontology, the 4SRS Method for Ontological Design based on the V-Model 4SRS, aligning it with a proven development method. We further demonstrate this approach by applying the proposed method in a real case, to develop an ontology for a choen restricted scope within the domain problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dear Editor, Brachioradial pruritus (BRP) is typically located at the dorsolateral part of the forearms, mostly at the dermatomes C5/C6 but it may also involve other dermatomes at the arm and neck. Prior to treatment with naloxone, pruritus intensity was severe in all patients (worst pruritus intensity on the numerical rating scale [WI-NRS]: 8-10/10). [Extracted from the article]

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Chronic pruritus of unknown origin is established when no underlying origin for pruritus can be determined. This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the clinical profile and disease-related burden of chronic pruritus of unknown origin. A total of 263 patients (female/male: 154/109, median age 55 years) were included. Moderate to severe itch intensities were recorded (median average itch: 5.5/10, n = 200; median worst itch: 7.5/10, n = 199). In most cases pruritus lasted longer than 1 year (77.6%), occurred daily (68.2%), occurred in attacks (72.8%), and was often accompanied by dysaesthesias, such as burning, tingling and stinging. Quality of life was moderately impaired, while 22.2% and 12.4% of patients showed pathological anxiety and depression scores. Scratch lesions were associated with higher intensities of itch and greater impairment of quality of life, while women were more burdened by the disease than men. Chronic pruritus of unknown origin may occur at any age and the majority of patients endure severe itch with substantial disease-related burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human hands are complex structures essential for a variety of functions in everyday life. This study prospectively investigated the clinical features of hand pruritus and the resulting functional impairment and disease-related burden in 395 patients with chronic pruritus (210 females, median age 59 years). Moderate to very severe hand pruritus was reported by 91.2% of patients, while 79% perceived additional sensory symptoms, such as burning, pain or tingling. A long duration of pruritus occurred in most cases (> 6 months: 71.4%). A considerable proportion of patients showed moderate to severe impairment in the use of their hands (40.2%), performance of daily activities (65.0%) and quality of life (45.2%). Disease severity and burden is particularly high when both the palms and the backs of the hands are affected, and when pain is present simultaneously. Pruritus located on the hands is impairing and burdensome due to the functional relevance of the hands in everyday life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a debilitating, inflammatory skin condition characterized by infiltrating immune cells. Available treatments are limited to improving the signs and symptoms. There is an unmet need to develop therapies that target disease‐driving pathways upstream of mast cell activation to inhibit or delay the progression of CSU and associated comorbidities. Here, we aim to define disease modification due to a treatment intervention and criteria that disease‐modifying treatments (DMTs) must meet in CSU. We have defined disease modification in CSU as a favorable treatment‐induced change in the underlying pathophysiology and, therefore, the disease course, which is clinically beneficial and enduring. A DMT must fulfil the following criteria: (1) prevents or delays the progression of CSU, (2) induces long‐term, therapy‐free clinical remission, which is the sustained absence of CSU signs and symptoms without the need for treatment, and (3) affects the underlying mechanism of CSU, as demonstrated by an effect on disease‐driving signals and/or a biomarker. DMTs in CSU should slow disease progression, achieve long‐lasting disease remission, target disease‐driving mechanisms, reduce mast cell‐activating IgE autoantibodies, target cytokine profile polarization, and normalize the gut microbiome and barrier. Treating CSU at the immune system level could provide valuable alternatives to pharmacotherapy in CSU management. Specific DMTs in CSU are yet to be developed, but some show potential benefits, such as inhibitors of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase, IL‐4 and IL‐13. Future therapies could prevent CSU signs and symptoms, achieve long‐term clinical benefits after discontinuing treatment, and prevent associated concomitant disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the synthesis of Nb 2 O 5 by three sol-gel methods to be used as a catalyst in photocatalysis, catalytic ozonation and the synergistic effects of the two processes, photocatalytic ozonation in bath reactions for the degradation of ibuprofen and its degradation products, 4- Isobutylacetophenone and oxalic acid. The catalysts were prepared in three temperature ranges: non-calcined, calcined at 873 K and 1173 K, and were characterized using different techniques. The results demonstrate that the catalyst synthesized through Sol-gel Method 3 and heat-treated at 873 K achieved the highest pollutant removal in photocatalytic tests (92% with 95% TOC reduction) over 300 min of reaction, and in the catalytic ozonation tests (100% with 62% TOC reduction) over 30 min of reaction, due to the combination of the properties presented in the characterization analyzes. Thus, this catalyst was employed in photocatalytic ozonation reactions and demonstrated the capability to degrade 100% of ibuprofen in 12 min without 4-IBAP formation, resulting in a 98% reduction in TOC over 30 min of reaction. In addition, the photostability outcomes of this catalyst demonstrated no significant reduction in catalytic activity during the photocatalytic and catalytic ozonation processes and comparable results to P25. The toxicity tests validated the TOC results, showing an 8% effect vs. 90% of ibuprofen starting solution, and 43% effect vs. 95% of 4-IBAP starting solution. [Display omitted] • Combatting Organic Pollutants: Ibuprofen on the Rise. • Three Nb 2 O 5 Sol-Gel Catalyst Methods Explored. • Photocatalytic and Ozonation Tests for Water Purification. • Nb 2 O 5 Sol-Gel Method 3 Similar to P25. • High Ibuprofen Degradation via Photocatalytic Ozonation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical oxidation, a powerful tool for the conversion of several of organic dye compounds using metal-exchanged zeolite modified electrodes, has shown great potential due to its capability of high efficiency degradation, a global priority for a sustainable environment. In this study, the role of the Fe(III)-exchanged-zeolite-modified electrodes using two different zeolite structures (such as FAU (Y) and MFI (ZSM-5)) on the Fenton-like oxidation of Congo Red dye (C 32 H 22 N 6 Na 2 O 6 S 2) was investigated at room temperature. To clarify the electrocatalytic trend observed by constant potential electrolysis, the surface acidity of the catalysts prepared by ion-exchange method was determined by microcalorimetric measurements of ammonia adsorption. The different acid properties deriving from the presence of different cations (NH 4 +, H+ and Na+) in the case of MFI structure were found to enhance the ion-exchange capacity as well as the oxidation reaction. MFI catalysts - Fe(Na)ZSM-5, Fe(H)ZSM-5 and Fe(NH 4)ZSM-5 - exhibited excellent activity and stability at the end of the electrolysis (within 60 min), with a total dye degradation and an higher mineralization on Fe(H)ZSM-5 (64% of TOC), compared with Fe(Na)Y nano , which takes twice as long (120 min) for total degradation, with 19% of TOC removal. This work provides an effective route for the development of stable Fe(III)-zeolite-modified electrodes for electro-Fenton oxidation, with a better stabilization of Fe3+ ions within the framework, without the aggregation of iron and the addition of H 2 O 2 , at room temperature. [Display omitted] • Easy preparation of Fenton-like catalysts based on zeolites, MFI and FAU. • Highly effective Fe(III)-zeolite-modified electrodes to electro-Fenton oxidation. • Electrochemical method allows faster mineralization of dye without redox agents at RT. • Eco-friendly Fenton-like oxidation was achieved with MFI-zeolite catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic reduction in water is a potential alternative to replace current available techniques, such as adsorption or ion-exchange, for the efficient treatment of perchlorate contaminated waters. However, the development of an efficient catalytic system has been hindered by the perchlorate's very stable tetrahedral structure. This work aims to obtain an efficient catalytic system to degrade perchlorate in contaminated water at natural pH and mild operation conditions by optimizing the design of a supported catalyst. To this end, different metal combinations, using Pt, Pd, and Ru in combination with Re were tested. The most active metallic pairing (Re/Pt) was then used in a systematic study to optimize its composition. An optimal composition that promotes the formation of coordinated Re/Pt species was established. This facilitates the interaction of perchlorate with spilled-over hydrogen, consequently resulting in improved reaction rates above those reported elsewhere. The stability of the catalytic system was demonstrated in reutilization experiments under anoxic atmosphere. A systematic catalyst development study allows the rational design of a catalytic system to effectively remove perchlorate, a very stable water contaminant, from water. [Display omitted] • Bimetallic Re catalysts were prepared for the reduction of perchlorate in water. • A systematic study identified the most promising noble metal pairing for Re (Re/Pt). • Different metal weight contents were screened and an optimised ratio was found. • Catalytic activity trend was related to hydrogen uptake during pulse chemisorption. • Improved perchlorate removal was related with formation of Re/Pt surface species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon coated ceramic monoliths were prepared by two strategies: (i) washcoating with N-doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using an active binder and (ii) chemical vapour deposition (CVD) growing carbon nanofibers (CNFs). In both cases the material was well adhered to the monoliths. These materials were tested in the catalytic wet oxidation of oxalic acid (1000 mg L−1) under continuous operation. For the washcoating method, the oxalic acid removal was not improved by adding the N-doped CNTs, most likely due to the CNTs coverage by the binder. However, a high temperature of the final thermal treatment (900 °C), was found to be important not only to achieve high oxalic acid conversions (over 55%), but also to improve the stability (less than 10% reduction in conversion in 24 h). Regarding the materials prepared by CVD, the dimensions of the CNFs were dependent on the presence of an alumina coating before their growth. The presence of NH 3 during the carbon growth resulted in a steep decline in the amount of carbon formed, decreasing the activity of the monolith. However, the removal of oxalic acid per mass of carbon was much higher in this case, around 22 mg L−1 mg carbon −1, due to the nitrogen groups. The highest removal was reached with the monolith produced by washcoating without the N-doped CNTs, thermally treated at 900 °C, achieving over 55% conversion of oxalic acid for 48 h on stream at 140 °C and 8 bar of oxygen partial pressure. [Display omitted] • Ceramic monoliths coated with carbon material by washcoating and CVD. • Binder presented significant activity, but limited the access to the catalyst. • NH 3 decreased the carbon formed by CVD, but increases its intrinsic activity. • Over 50% conversion of oxalic acid achieved with stability for at least 48 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides an algorithm for diagnosing and treating chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU), a condition characterized by itchy wheals and angioedema triggered by specific factors. The diagnosis of CIndU relies on patient history and provocation testing. Antihistamines are recommended as the first-line treatment, with omalizumab as a second-line option. The document also addresses the challenges of managing CIndU and offers strategies for measuring and controlling the disease's activity and impact. It includes acknowledgements, funding information, conflict of interest statements, and author information. The document references previous studies on urticaria. [Extracted from the article]

Human hands are complex structures essential for a variety of functions in everyday life. This study prospectively investigated the clinical features of hand pruritus and the resulting functional impairment and disease-related burden in 395 patients with chronic pruritus (210 females, median age 59 years). Moderate to very severe hand pruritus was reported by 91.2% of patients, while 79% perceived additional sensory symptoms, such as burning, pain or tingling. A long duration of pruritus occurred in most cases (>6 months: 71.4%). A considerable proportion of patients showed moderate to severe impairment in the use of their hands (40.2%), performance of daily activities (65.0%) and quality of life (45.2%). Disease severity and burden is particularly high when both the palms and the backs of the hands are affected, and when pain is present simultaneously. Pruritus located on the hands is impairing and burdensome due to the functional relevance of the hands in everyday life.