Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the SED-BIO System in Reducing the Inflow of Selected Physical, Chemical and Biological Pollutants to a Lake

The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of the innovative SED-BIO system in limiting the inflow of pollutants to Jelonek Lake. The analyses were conducted in the Gniezno Lake District in Greater Poland (the western part of Poland). Physical and chemical analyses were conducted in the years 2016–2019. The results demonstrate that the system is highly effective in the reduction of such nutrients as nitrogen (NO3−—63%; NH4+—14.9%) and phosphorus (PO43−—19.3%). Although the presence of cyanobacteria was confirmed practically throughout the whole monitoring period of the system (2016), the specimens found in most samples were not toxigenic genotypes with a potential to produce microcystins. Microcystins (3 µg·L−1) were detected only once, immediately after the SED-BIO system had been installed in the river and pond, which demonstrates that this natural toxin was eliminated from the additional pool of contaminants that might be transported to Jelonek Lake.

Highly Effective Conditions for Nickel-Mediated Heck Cyclization Cascades Starting from Aryl and Vinyl Triflates

In contrast to the tremendous power of Pd-based Mizoroki–Heck reactions, methods to achieve such processes with other metals, particularly Ni, are generally lacking. Herein, we delineate specific conditions that can enable cascade variants of these C–C bond forming events to proceed smoothly under Ni catalysis. Critically, these reactions work with equal facility as their Pd-initiated counterparts when conducted intramolecularly, and in many cases are devoid of any Ni–H-mediated alkene isomerization within the starting materials and/or products as has typically been observed with previous Ni-based protocols. When conducted intermolecularly, the developed variant affords unique regioselectivity in product formation, substantively favoring 6-endo additions over the more standard 5-exo counterparts observed under Pd-based conditions. Finally, applications of the developed procedures to two different natural product syntheses are described

Introducing the hormonal Intrauterine Device in Madagascar, Nigeria, and Zambia: results from a pilot study

Background The hormonal Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a highly effective contraceptive option growing in popularity and availability in many countries. The hormonal IUD has been shown to have high rates of satisfaction and continuation among users in high-income countries. The study aims to understand the profiles of clients who choose the hormonal IUD in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and describe their continuation and satisfaction with the method after 12 months of use. Methods A prospective longitudinal study of hormonal IUD acceptors was conducted across three countries—Madagascar, Nigeria, and Zambia—where the hormonal IUD had been introduced in a pilot setting within the of a broad mix of available methods. Women were interviewed at baseline immediately following their voluntary hormonal IUD insertion, and again 3 and 12 months following provision of the method. A descriptive analysis of user characteristics and satisfaction with the method was conducted on an analytic sample of women who completed baseline, 3-month, and 12-month follow-up questionnaires. Kaplan–Meier time-to-event models were used to estimate the cumulative probability of method continuation rates up to 12 months post-insertion. Results Each country had a unique demographic profile of hormonal IUD users with different method-use histories. Across all three countries, women reported high rates of satisfaction with the hormonal IUD (67–100%) and high rates of continuation at the 12-month mark (82–90%). Conclusions Rates of satisfaction and continuation among hormonal IUD users in the study suggest that expanding method choice with the hormonal IUD would provide a highly effective, long-acting method desirable to many different population segments, including those with high unmet need.

COVID-19 vaccination is highly effective to prevent SARS-CoV-2 circulation

Background: We provide here an analysis of effectiveness of primary coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and COVID-19 vaccine booster doses in preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) infection.Methods: We retrieved information on COVID-19 vaccination and newly diagnosed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection from the weekly official report of the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS; Last available update, January 1, 2022).Results: At the time of our analysis, 39.9 million people completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination cycle, of whom 13.6 million (34.0%) <5 months from the last dose, whilst 5.7 million had also received COVID-19 vaccine booster doses. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 71% (OR, 0.29; 95%CI, 0.29-0.29) and 86% (OR, 0.14; 95%CI, 0.14-0.14) lower in people who received primary vaccination <5 months and booster doses <5 months compared to the unvaccinated population, but was also half (OR, 0.49; 95%CI, 0.48-0.49) in those who received booster doses <5 months compared to those who completed the primary vaccination <5 months.Conclusions: These results attest that COVID-19 vaccines not only reduce the risk of developing severe illness in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, but shall also be considered reliable and effective means to limit virus circulation within the general population.

Outsourcing memory to external tools: A review of ‘intention offloading’

How do we remember delayed intentions? Three decades of research into prospective memory have provided insight into the cognitive and neural mechanisms involved in this form of memory. However, we depend on more than just our brains to remember intentions. We also use external props and tools such as calendars and diaries, strategically-placed objects, and technologies such as smartphone alerts. This is known as ‘intention offloading’. Despite the progress in our understanding of brain-based prospective memory, we know much less about the role of intention offloading in individuals’ ability to fulfil delayed intentions. Here, we review recent research into intention offloading, with a particular focus on how individuals decide between storing intentions in internal memory versus external reminders. We also review studies investigating how intention offloading changes across the lifespan and how it relates to underlying brain mechanisms. We conclude that intention offloading is highly effective, experimentally tractable, and guided by metacognitive processes. Therefore, metacognitive interventions could play an important role in promoting individuals’ adaptive use of cognitive tools.

Low-Dose Radiotherapy Leads to a Systemic Anti-Inflammatory Shift in the Pre-Clinical K/BxN Serum Transfer Model and Reduces Osteoarthritic Pain in Patients

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading degenerative joint disease in the western world and leads, if left untreated, to a progressive deterioration of joint functionality, ultimately reducing quality of life. Recent data has shown, that especially OA of the ankle and foot are among the most frequently affected regions. Current research in OA points towards a complex involvement of various cell and tissue types, often accompanied by inflammation. Low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) is widely used for the treatment of degenerative and inflammatory diseases. While the reported analgesic effects are well known, the underlying molecular mechanisms are only poorly understood. We therefore correlated a clinical approach, looking at pain reduction in 196 patients treated with LDRT with a pre-clinical approach, utilizing the K/BxN serum transfer mouse model using flow cytometry and multiplex ELISA for analysis. While an improvement of symptoms in the majority of patients was found, patients suffering from symptoms within the tarsi transversa show a significantly lower level of improvement. Further, a significant impact of therapy success was detected depending on whether only one or both feet were affected. Further, patients of younger age showed a significantly better outcome than older ones while needing fewer treatment series. When looking on a cellular level within the mouse model, a systemic alteration of immune cells namely a shift from CD8+ to CD4+ T cells and reduced numbers of DCs was observed. A general reduction of inflammatory cytokines was detected, with significant alterations in IL-4 and IL-17 levels, all of which could potentially be responsible for the highly effective clinical improvement in patients. Taken together our data indicate that LDRT can be regarded as a highly effective treatment option for patients suffering from OA of the foot and ankle, in terms of analgesic effects, especially in younger patients. Furthermore, the observed effects are mediated by an interplay of cellular and soluble immune factors, as observed in the K/BxN serum transfer model. With this interdisciplinary approach we aim to encourage the usage of LDRT as an additive treatment strategy not only as a last resort, but also earlier in the course of disease.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of a highly effective and safe perfluoro-alternative with "weak site" : potassium 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-octafluoro-4-(perfluorobutoxy)butane-1-sulfonate

A novel, highly efficient, degradable alternative perfluorinated compound (APFC) with "weak site" was synthesized using various methods via a common intermediate. The main reactions were oxidation by sulfonyl chloride, chlorination,...