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Lipedema is a chronic and progressive disease of adipose tissue caused by abnormal fat accumulation in subcutaneous tissue. Although there is no known cure for lipedema, possible complications can be prevented with conservative and surgical treatments. One of the conservative treatment options is physiotherapy and rehabilitation (PR). When the literature is examined, few studies focusing on the efficacy of PR were found for this patient group. The purpose of this review is to provide a better understanding of the effectiveness of PR applications by compiling existing studies. A bibliographic PubMed search was performed for published studies regarding PR in lipedema management in June 2019 including the last 58 years (1951-2019). Articles were chosen by reading the abstracts and subsequently data were analyzed by reading the entire text through full-text resources. A total of 15 studies met inclusion criteria. Results document how lipedema patients are benefited by PR and the effectiveness of different types of PR programs. The current review also showed that complex decongestive physiotherapy, gait training, hydrotherapy, aerobic exercise, and resistance exercise training each have value in the management of lipedema. The effects of PR for the treatment of lipedema are variable among studies, although overall PR seems to be effective in lipedema management. Although physiotherapy applications have a potentially important role in the management of lipedema, they should be used in combination with other treatment modalities. More studies with higher quality are needed to fully demonstrate the effect and efficacy of PR in lipedema patients.

Electrochemical performance of a new type of high-current air cathode is compared to off-the-shelf air electrodes (Alupower-A series; Eltech-B; Duracell-C) in 35% KOH solution. LaMnOx(LAM) is made by precipitation method resulting with sub-micron size particles. The electrode is single layer and very resistant to the KOH leakage. Approximately 65 m(2)g(-1)surface area is favorable for effective catalyst distribution and electrochemical active area utilization. LaMnO(x)type catalyst-supported electrode performs comparable or better than many of the commercial samples. Electrode shows a voltage drop of less than 200 mV at 150 mA cm(-2)current density. Electrode structure does not show any sign of mass transfer limitation up to 250 mA cm(-2).

Considerably stable enzymatic fuel-cells (single cell and 5-cells stack) were prepared by using chitosan based membranes along with glucose oxidase attached bioanode. Continuous operation of fuel-cells were monitored under short circuit conditions reaching half-life over a week. Detailed analysis for the effects of pH, temperature, buffer types and concentration on different type of in-house produced chitosan membranes were performed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS was utilized to observe, total electrolyte resistance, charge transfer properties, mass transfer and double layer effects on integrated fuel cells (single cell and 5-cells stack). Performance of the fuel cells was also analyzed by the polarization experiments. Current density of the fuel cell increased at higher operation temperatures not only due to better enzyme kinetics, but also due to increase in electrolyte (membrane+buffer solution) conductivity. Buffer concentration in the fuel (glucose) solution was found as an important parameter. Under optimum fuel cell operation conditions (i. e. 30-40 degrees C, pH 5 0.3 M buffer solution), maximum current densities of 3.0-3.2 mA cm(-2) were reached. Low-power devices (i. e. a calculator, step motor) were powered with 5-cell stack producing 3 mW at 1.3 V.

Cobalt (II) phthalocyanine (CoPc) supported on graphene (CVD), carbon black (Vulcan XC72), multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and their mixtures were evaluated as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in acid electrolytes and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Graphene (G) and carbon supported CoPc catalysts were prepared by impregnation method. Three different temperatures (800 degrees C, 650 degrees C and 500 degrees C) were studied to examine the effect of heat treatment on CoPc and the best fuel cell performance was obtained with samples heat-treated at 800 degrees C. Maximum power densities of CoPc/G, CoPc/Vulcan-G, CoPc/ MWCNT-G, CoPc/MWCNT, CoPc/Vulcan and CoPc/Vulcan-MWCNT at 60 degrees C cell temperature, 100% humidity and 5 psi back pressure were found as 102, 171, 179, 189, 296, 303 mW cm(-2), respectively. CVD graphene with CoPc was forming impermeable layer-structure causing mass transport limitations and lower performance. Performance enhancements were achieved by heat-treatment of the samples, higher catalyst loading, operating at high temperatures and higher pressures under 100% humidity. Hybridization of CVD graphene with Vulcan and MWCNT led improved fuel cell performance at 25 psi back pressure compare to individual support materials. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published on behalf of The Electrochemical Society by IOP Publishing Limited.

Ferrocene-functionalized polyethylenimine and multiwalled carbon nanotubes were attached covalently by glutaraldehyde onto a carbon cloth to develop an immobilized enzyme (glucose oxidase) electrode for biofuel cell applications. Developed enzymatic anode was characterized by electrochemical methods to determine electrochemical performance. Anodic open-circuit potential was measured as within 0-20 mV range. Cyclic voltammetry showed anodic peak for glucose oxidation around 400-600 mV (vs. sat. Ag/AgCl) varying with scan rate. An enzyme fuel cell with 2.5 mg/cm(2) glucose oxidase-loaded bioanode and 0.70 mg/cm(2) Pt-loaded cathode attached to Nafion 115 membrane has provided around 2.5 mA/cm(2) current density at short-circuit conditions. Enzymatic kinetic parameters of prepared anode were determined by electrochemical methods that surprisingly indicated less K-M (i.e., better substrate affinity) than that of determined by conventional enzymatic methods. Enzymatic stability determined by electrochemical methods moreover indicated longer enzyme half-life.

Continuous-phase, porous graphene was produced by CVD process and tested for suitability as catalyst and catalyst support for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. N-doping of CVD graphene was carried by NH3 gas flown over graphene for a given time. Ultralow Pt was sputter deposited onto porous, continuous phase N-doped graphene. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity by Rotating Disc Electrode (RDE) in 0,1 M HClO4 electrolyte and PEM fuel cell performance were measured. N-doping and thicker Pt sputtering increases reduction current in RDE measurements. Sputter deposition of 1 nm and 10 nm Pt on CVD graphene (2.1 and 21.45 mu gPt/cm(2) loading) has shown orders of magnitude increase in current compare to only-graphene samples. In fuel cell testing, sputter deposited Pt layer of 10 nm has provided 2.5 A/mgPt at 0.5 V polarization while 1 nm samples shows 15 A/mgPt performance at the same voltage. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PubMed ID: 26827703, Aim To investigate whether there is a relation between neutrophil-lymphocyte (N/L) and platelet- lymphocyte (P/L) ratios and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods Thirty patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and 25 healthy people (controls) were included in the study. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), height, hemogram, sedimentation, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, CRP, hepatic and renal function tests, lipid profile of the all patients were recorded. Data related to duration of the disease, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) values of the cases in the patient group were obtained. A cardiologist measured EAT thickness by ECHO in both patient and control groups. Results In the patient group, mean BASDAI and BASFI scores were 2.48±2.21 and 1.5±2.07, respectively. Age, gender, BMI values did not show statistically significant difference between the patient and the control groups. N/L and P/L ratios did not change significantly in the patient group having higher EAT, BASFI values and taking anti-TNF compared to the control group. Conclusion In patients with AS, EAT measurements, which are related to inflammatory response increase, can be used for monitoring of the risk of development of cardiac disease. We could not find the relation between EAT and N/L, P/L ratios in terms of evaluation of inflammatory response. © 2016, Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000415880900039 …

Objective: The goal of this study was to develop a national database of patients hospitalized in Turkey with acute heart failure (AHF) using evaluations of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Methods: Patient data were collected using an Internet-based survey. A total of 588 patients were enrolled from 36 participating medical centers across the country. Results: Mean age was 62 +/- 13 years and 38% of the patients were female. Ratio of de novo AHF to study cohort was 24%. Coronary heart disease and hypertension were found in 61% and 53% of the patients, respectively. Valvular heart disease was the underlying cause in 46% of heart failure patients. The most frequent factor associated with decompensation was noncompliance with treatment, observed in 34% of patients. Systolic blood pressure was 125 +/- 28 mmHg and heart rate was 93 +/- 22 beats/minute in the cohort. The most common findings on physical examination were inspiratory fine crackles (84%), peripheral edema (64%), and cold extremities in 34%. Mean ejection fraction (EF) measured at admission was 33 +/- 13%. Preserved EF (>=%40) was present in 20% of patients. On admission, 60%, 46%, and 40% of patients were using angiotens-in-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker, beta-blocker, or aldosterone antagonist, respectively. In-hospital events were reported as 3.4% death, 1.6% stroke and 2% myocardial infarction. Conclusion: Compared to previous data collected around the world, AHF patients in Turkey were younger, had more frequently valvular heart disease as the underlying cause, and were more noncompliant with medical treatment, but overall mortality was lower. Drugs shown to reduce mortality, and which also form the basis of guideline-directed medical therapy, are still used inadequately.