Search

High concentrations of H2O2, indicative of increased oxidative stress in the lung, are observed in the exhaled breath of individuals affected by different respiratory diseases. Therefore, measuring H2O2 in exhaled breath represents a promising and non-invasive approach for monitoring the onset and progression of these diseases. Herein, we have developed an innovative, inexpensive, and easy-to-use device for the measurement of H2O2 in exhaled breath. The device is based on a silver layer covered with an electrodeposited thin film of chitosan, that ensures the wettability of the sensor in a humid atmosphere. The s-ensor was calibrated in the aerosol phase using both phosphate buffer solution and cell culture medium. In the buffer, a sensitivity of 0.110 ± 0.0042 μA μM−1 cm−2 (RSD: 4%) and a limit of detection of 30 μM were calculated, while in the cell culture medium, a sensitivity of 0.098 ± 0.0022 μA μM−1 cm−2 (RSD 2%) and a limit of detection of 40 μM were obtained. High selectivity to different interfering species was also verified. The sensor was further tested versus an aerosol phase obtained by nebulizing the culture medium derived from human bronchial epithelial cells that had been exposed to pro-oxidant and antioxidant treatments. The results were comparable with those obtained using the conventional cytofluorimetric method. Finally, sensor was tested in real exhaled breath samples and even after undergoing physical deformations. Data herein presented support that in future applications this device can be integrated into face masks allowing for easy breath monitoring.

A single thin MnCr2O4 spinel layer was synthesized on a Ni–25Cr–1.5Mn alloy by a fine control of oxygen partial pressure using the Rhines-pack method, a technique that utilized an appropriate buffering powder mixture. The spinel was characterized using X-Ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and photoelectrochemistry. The cubic spinel MnCr2O4 was formed under the oxygen partial pressure close to 5 × 10–21 atm at 1050 °C controlled by the buffering Ni–25Cr/Cr2O3 powder mixture. Raman MnCr2O4 spectrum is characterized by five vibrational modes, whereas photoelectrochemical characterization revealed the MnCr2O4 band gap measurement at 3.7 eV with an n-type conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regarding potential high temperature applications of materials based on the ternary Al2O3-YAG-ZrO2 (AYZ) eutectic system for turbine blades, their environmental behaviour has to be evaluated in near-service conditions. CMAS attack is one of the phenomena limiting lifetime of ceramic E/TBC coatings for aircraft engines. The present study reports an assessment of the reactivity of AYZ eutectic material facing with two molten CMAS. The effect of test duration (up to 500 h), CMAS composition (with or without Fe2O3), microstructure (interlamellar distance), temperature (1250 and 1350 °C) as well as thermal cycling resistance were investigated. Results evidenced that the interaction of CMAS with AYZ eutectic ceramic was limited regardless of the microstructure. No infiltration of molten CMAS within the eutectic ceramic nor mechanical rupture between CMAS and AYZ was observed. The dissolution of AYZ leads to the rapid formation of anorthite with the CMAS components that hinders further reactions. The inward growth of MgAl2O4 spinel in place of the Al2O3 network occurs in accordance with the thermodynamic available data and without any effect on AYZ integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biostatistics plays a pivotal role in developing, interpreting and drawing conclusions from clinical, biological and epidemiological data. However, the improper application of statistical methods can lead to erroneous conclusions and misinterpretations. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the most frequent mistakes encountered in the biostatistical analysis process. We identified and elucidated 10 common errors in biostatistical analysis. These include using the wrong metric to describe data, misinterpreting P -values, misinterpreting the 95% confidence interval, misinterpreting the hazard ratio as an index of prognostic accuracy, ignoring the sample size calculation, misinterpreting analysis by strata in randomized clinical trials, confusing correlation and causation, misunderstanding confounders and mediators, inadequately codifying variables during the data collection, and bias arising when group membership is attributed on the basis of future exposure in retrospective studies. We discuss the implications of these errors and propose some practical strategies to mitigate their impact. By raising awareness of these pitfalls, this paper aims to enhance the rigor and reproducibility of biostatistical analyses, thereby fostering more robust and reliable biomedical research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using linking and ∇ -theorems in this paper we prove the existence of multiple solutions for the following nonlocal problem with mixed Dirichlet–Neumann boundary data, (− Δ) s u = λ u + f (x , u) in  Ω , u = 0 on  Σ , ∂ u ∂ ν = 0 on  Σ , where (− Δ) s , s ∈ (1 / 2 , 1) , is the spectral fractional Laplacian operator, Ω ⊂ ℝ N , N > 2 s , is a smooth bounded domain, λ > 0 is a real parameter, ν is the outward normal to ∂ Ω , Σ , Σ are smooth (N − 1) -dimensional submanifolds of ∂ Ω such that Σ ∪ Σ = ∂ Ω , Σ ∩ Σ = ∅ and Σ ∩ Σ ¯ = Γ is a smooth (N − 2) -dimensional submanifold of ∂ Ω. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After harvesting of cones used for beer production, the remaining hop vegetative biomass requires disposal. The hop plant contains bioactive compounds in all its parts—cones, leaves, and roots—exhibiting interesting antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. In this work, extracts obtained from hop leaves, a plant material often neglected in the hop cultivation, have been investigated; the qualitative UHPLC-MS/MS and GC-TOF-MS characterization revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, α- and β-acids and terpenes are present. The extract retained antioxidant activity, as verified by Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, and demonstrated some antimicrobial activity when combined with antibiotics, particularly against Gram-positive bacterial strains. Additionally, the extracts showed an ability to interact with proteins as human insulin, amyloid beta peptide, mucin and bovine serum albumin (BSA), has been detected, indicating their potential to counteract inflammatory processes and protect against Alzheimer's disease. These findings suggest that hop vegetative biomass, typically considered waste, can be potentially transformed into a valuable resource with applications in various fields, from nutraceuticals to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, aligning with a circular economy perspective.

By using linking and [Formula: see text]-theorems in this paper we prove the existence of multiple solutions for the following nonlocal problem with mixed Dirichlet–Neumann boundary data, (−Δ)su = λu + f(x,u)in Ω,u = 0 on Σ𝒟,∂u ∂ν = 0 on Σ𝒩, where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], is the spectral fractional Laplacian operator, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], is a smooth bounded domain, [Formula: see text] is a real parameter, [Formula: see text] is the outward normal to [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] are smooth [Formula: see text]-dimensional submanifolds of [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a smooth [Formula: see text]-dimensional submanifold of [Formula: see text].

The present work reports on a thermodynamic modeling of the Mo–Pt system using a combined first-principles/CALPHAD approach. First-Principles (FP) calculations are performed to obtain the enthalpies of formation for the four ordered phases of the system (A 15, B 19, D 0 19 and MoPt 2) at 0 K. The liquid, bcc, fcc and hcp phases have been modeled as substitutional solutions where the excess term is in the form of the Redlich–Kister polynomial. The four ordered phases are modeled using the NACEF approach taking into account the three order-disorder transitions (B 19/ A 3, D 0 19 / A 3 and MoPt 2 / A 1). FP calculations, experimental phase equilibria and site occupancies data are used to evaluate the model parameters. The thermodynamic description of the Mo–Pt system obtained in this work agree well with all the available data with a limited number of parameters used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advancing age and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are risk factors for polypharmacy. Polypharmacy is associated with negative healthcare outcomes. Deprescribing, the systematic rationalization of potentially inappropriate medications, is a proposed way of addressing polypharmacy. The aim of this study was to describe longitudinal prescribing patterns of oral medications in a cohort of older people with advanced CKD in their last years of life., Methods: The European QUALity (EQUAL) study is a European, prospective cohort study of people ≥65 years with an incident estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≤20 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . We analysed a decedent subcohort, using generalized additive models to explore trends in the number and types of prescribed oral medications over the years preceding death., Results: Data from 563 participants were analysed (comprising 2793 study visits) with a median follow-up time of 2.2 years (interquartile range 1.1-3.8) pre-death. Participants' numbers of prescribed oral medications increased steadily over the years approaching death-7.3 (95% confidence interval 6.9-7.7) 5 years pre-death and 8.7 (95% confidence interval 8.4-9.0) at death. Over the years pre-death, the proportion of people prescribed (i) proton-pump inhibitors and opiates increased and (ii) statins, calcium-channel blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors decreased, whilst (iii) beta-blockers, diuretics and gabapentinoids remained stable. At their final visits pre-death 14.6% and 5.1% were prescribed opiates and gabapentinoids, respectively., Conclusion: Elderly people with advanced CKD experienced persistent and increasing levels of polypharmacy as they approached the end of life. There was evidence of cessation of certain classes of medications, but at a population level this was outweighed by new prescriptions. This work highlights the potential for improved medication review in this setting to reduce the risks associated with polypharmacy. Future work should focus at the individual patient-clinician level to better understand the decision-making process underlying the observed prescribing patterns., Competing Interests: F.C. reports grant funding from ERA and NIHR for conducting the EQUAL study. K.J.J. also reports grant funding from ERA to conduct the EQUAL study, and registry funding from the European Society of Paediatric Nephrology. M.E. reports payment for advisory boards, lectures by Fresenius Medical Care, Baxter Healthcare, Astellas Pharma, Vifor Pharma, Boehringer-Ingelheim and AstraZeneca, and institutional grants from AstraZeneca and Astellas Pharma. M.E. is also a member of the steering committee for the Swedish Renal Registry. C.W. had no conflict in respect to the present research. Outside this research, honoraria for consultancy and lecturing were received from Amgen, Amicus, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Eli-Lilly, GSK, MSD, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi. All remaining authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the ERA.)