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A series of 1,2,3-triazolium-functionalized cellulose derivatives were prepared using an azide–alkyne “click” cyclization strategy, followed by quaternization. As cellulose represents an inexpensiv...

SummaryBackground Contact allergy in children is becoming increasingly recognized as a cause of eczema. The causal agents may change with time, but there are few comparative data for this age group. Objectives To compare data from the past 10 years with a similar study from the previous decade. Methods Between 2005 and 2014, 500 consecutive children who had been patch tested at Leeds Teaching Hospitals were identified, and the results were reviewed. Results Twenty-seven per cent (134 cases) of children had one or more positive patch test findings. The mean ± standard deviation age of patients with a positive test reaction was 11.9 ± 4.1 years, which was significantly higher than that of patients with a negative result (10.9 ± 4.0 years) (p = 0.01; Mann–Whitney U-test). No significant relationship between sex and a positive patch test result was found (p = 0.48, chi-squared). Allergy to nickel was the most frequent finding, although this accounted for 18%, rather than 33% (1995–2004), of all positive reactions. The next most common allergens included fragrance mix 1 (17%), p-phenylenediamine (16%), and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (6%). Conclusions Although the overall incidence of contact allergy in our paediatric population is static, there has been a significant change in the allergens detected, probably as a result of changes in European legislation and cosmetic product use in children.

Remanufacturing restores used automotive engines to like-new condition, providing engines that are functionally equivalent to a new engine at much lower environmental and economic costs than the manufacture of a new engine. A life-cycle assessment (LCA) model was developed to investigate the energy savings and pollution prevention that are achieved in the United States through remanufacturing a midsized automotive gasoline engine compared to an original equipment manufacturer manufacturing a new one. A typical full-service machine shop, which is representative of 55% of the engine remanufacturers in the United States, was inventoried, and three scenarios for part replacement were analyzed. The life-cycle model showed that the remanufactured engine could be produced with 68% to 83% less energy and 73% to 87% fewer carbon dioxide emissions. The life-cycle model showed significant savings for other air emissions as well, with 48% to 88% carbon monoxide (CO) reductions, 72% to 85% nitrogen oxide (NOx) reductions, 71% to 84% sulfur oxide (SOx) reductions, and 50% to 61% nonmethane hydrocarbon reductions. Raw material consumption was reduced by 26% to 90%, and solid waste generation was reduced by 65% to 88%. The comparison of environmental burdens is accompanied by an economic survey of suppliers of new and remanufactured automotive engines showing a price difference for the consumer of between 30% and 53% for the remanufactured engine, with the greatest savings realized when the remanufactured engine is purchased directly from the remanufacturer.

Purpose To assess the efficacy of Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) in the treatment of patients with hypercontractile stomas resulting in repeated pouching system failures and leaks. Design Prospective case series. Subjects and setting Ten consecutive patients who presented to the outpatient stoma clinic with actively contractile stomas that shortened spasmodically resulting in leaks were offered treatment with BoNT-A if treatment with other measures had been unsuccessful. Methods Following an observed reduction in the peristalsic shortening of a stoma after intradermal injection of BoNT-A for hyperhidrosis, we conducted a prospective case series of 10 patients with pouch adhesive failures attributed to spasmodic shortening of the stoma. Ten patients, 3 with urostomies and 7 with ileostomies, were offered BoNT-A injection. The first was treated cautiously with 15 units of BoNT-A injected into the muscularis layer, followed by an additional 25 units injected 1 month later. Subsequent patients received doses varying from 50 to 100 units. Ongoing treatments ranged 50 to 100 units every 3 to 6 months. Results Seventy percent (n = 7) of patients reported a useful reduction in leakage and pouching system seal failures. In these 7 patients, the frequency of pouch changes changed from an average of 2.18 to 0.44 per day (over all 10 patients this was a change from an average of 2.35 per day to 1.16 per day). No adverse side effects were reported. Conclusion Findings from this clinical case series suggest that BoNT-A may be a promising treatment in the management of patients with leaks caused by actively contracting stomas.

Concrete infrastructure represents an enormous investment of materials, energy, and capital, and results in significant envi- ronmental burdens and social costs. There is an ongoing effort to identify material alternatives to conventional concrete. Life cycle assessment ~LCA! is an important tool to evaluate the environmental performance of alternative infrastructure materials and systems. Here, we present a comparative LCA of two bridge deck systems over a 60 year service life: one using conventional steel expansion joints and the other based on a link slab design using a concrete alternative, engineered cementitious composites ~ECC!. The ECC link slab design is expected to extend the bridge deck service life and reduce maintenance activities. A life cycle model was developed that accounts for materials production and distribution, construction and maintenance processes, construction-related traffic congestion, and end-of-life management. Results indicate that the ECC bridge deck system has significant advantages in environmental performance: 40% less life cycle energy consumption, 50% less solid waste generation, and 38% less raw material consumption. Construction related traffic congestion is the greatest contributor to most life cycle impact categories.

We report the case of a 12-year-old girl with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). She had a 12-month history of palmoplantar hyperkeratosis that was initially treated as eczema. We wish to alert clinicians to this rare cutaneous manifestation of JDM.

A life cycle inventory (LCI) study evaluates the environmental performance of the ULSAB-AVC (Ultralight Steel Auto Body - Advanced Vehicle Concepts) vehicle product system. The LCI quantifies the inputs and outputs of each life cycle stage of the ULSAB-AVC PNGV-gas engine vehicle (998 kg) over the 193,000 km service lifetime of the vehicle. The use phase of the ULSAB-AVC PNGV-diesel engine variant (1031 kg) is also quantified. The data categories measured for each life cycle phase include resource and energy consumption, air and water pollutant emissions, and solid waste production. The ULSAB-AVC LCI study is based on the methods, model and data from the 1999 study by the United States Automotive Materials Partnership (USAMP), a consortium within the United States Council for Automotive Research. This model was modified to represent the ULSAB-AVC PNGV-gas engine vehicle for each life cycle phase as well as the use phase of the PNGV-diesel engine variant. The modifications included the incorporation of updated steel LCI data from the International Iron and Steel Institute, and the use of EU4 standards (2005) for vehicle emissions. Primary energy consumption for the ULSAB-AVC PNGV-gas engine vehicle was found to be 484 GJ over its entire life cycle. (A) For the covering abstract see ITRD E121867.