Effect of the supergravity on the formation and cycle life of non-aqueous lithium metal batteries

Extra-terrestrial explorations require electrochemical energy storage devices able to operate in gravity conditions different from those of planet earth. In this context, lithium (Li)-based batteries have not been fully investigated, especially cell formation and cycling performances under supergravity (i.e., gravity > 9.8 m s−2) conditions. To shed some light on these aspects, here, we investigate the behavior of non-aqueous Li metal cells under supergravity conditions. The physicochemical and electrochemical characterizations reveal that, distinctly from earth gravity conditions, smooth and dense Li metal depositions are obtained under supergravity during Li metal deposition on a Cu substrate. Moreover, supergravity allows the formation of an inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) due to the strong interactions between Li+ and salt anions, which promote significant decomposition of the anions on the negative electrode surface. Tests in full Li metal pouch cell configuration (using LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2-based positive electrode and LiFSI-based electrolyte solution) also demonstrate the favorable effect of the supergravity in terms of deposition morphology and SEI composition and ability to carry out 200 cycles at 2 C (400 mA g−1) rate with a capacity retention of 96%.

Effectiveness of radiofrequency renal denervation in diseases with increased sympathetic nervous system activity

The article discusses the role of sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity in the pathogenesis of various pathologies (hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and systemic inflammatory response syndrome). On the example of large randomized clinical trials using catheter-based radiofrequency ablation, the antihypertensive effect in patients with uncontrolled hypertension has been proven. The first experimental and clinical studies on the effectiveness of renal denervation in reducing the activity of inflammatory markers, the incidence of atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmia episodes, and improving the left ventricular contractility. The first clinical results of the favorable effect of renal denervation on carbohydrate metabolism (insulin resistance and glycemic level) in patients with metabolic syndrome and diabetes have been studied in detail.

Process development and validation of expanded regulatory T cells for prospective applications: an example of manufacturing a personalized advanced therapy medicinal product

Background A growing number of clinical trials have shown that regulatory T (Treg) cell transfer may have a favorable effect on the maintenance of self-tolerance and immune homeostasis in different conditions such as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), solid organ transplantation, type 1 diabetes, and others. In this context, the availability of a robust manufacturing protocol that is able to produce a sufficient number of functional Treg cells represents a fundamental prerequisite for the success of a cell therapy clinical protocol. However, extended workflow guidelines for nonprofit manufacturers are currently lacking. Despite the fact that different successful manufacturing procedures and cell products with excellent safety profiles have been reported from early clinical trials, the selection and expansion protocols for Treg cells vary a lot. The objective of this study was to validate a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant protocol for the production of Treg cells that approaches the whole process with a risk-management methodology, from process design to completion of final product development. High emphasis was given to the description of the quality control (QC) methodologies used for the in-process and release tests (sterility, endotoxin test, mycoplasma, and immunophenotype). Results The GMP-compliant protocol defined in this work allows at least 4.11 × 109 Treg cells to be obtained with an average purity of 95.75 ± 4.38% and can be used in different clinical settings to exploit Treg cell immunomodulatory function. Conclusions These results could be of great use for facilities implementing GMP-compliant cell therapy protocols of these cells for different conditions aimed at restoring the Treg cell number and function, which may slow the progression of certain diseases.

The Impact of Contracting on the Portuguese National Health System

All treatments, materials, instruments, exams, vaccines, tests, hospitalizations, surgeries, human resources, investigations, medicines, autopsies, among many other services provided by the National Health System (SNS). Therefore, funding is required, and the external services and supplies to which the SNS must constantly update its technologies and the necessary and continuous training and essential maintenance and cleaning expenses. Moreover, health financing has been a matter of great concern, both nationally and internationally, as health expenditures are growing faster than economic growth. Over the years, efficiency in resource allocation has always been a desirable objective, but one that is not easy to achieve. The truth is that there is much waste in allocating resources. Thereby, this study analyzes the impact of the contractualization process to which Portugal has adhered, which is most similar to a privatization model; that is, we sought to understand whether the contractualization of the SNS has a favorable effect on the economic level. However, after the entire process and development of the work, it is concluded that the contracting had a negligible impact. The repercussion that it had on the economic performance of Portuguese Hospitals was in a negative sense. In the statistical analyses it was used tests of differences between averages, to check the behavior of the economic performance of hospitals towards the contracting process. It was taken data of reports and accounts from a sample of fifteen Portuguese Hospitals S.A. that went through this contracting process from 2003 to 2017, in order to calculate the four indicators, such as: Return On Assets (ROA); Return On Equity (ROE); Economic Value Added (EVA) and the Market Value Added (MVA). For each of these indicators, were analyzed and compared the resulted effects between the period of two years before and two years after the contracting process. From the obtained results, we can conclude that contracting process had little impact on the economic performance of Portuguese Hospitals and the resulting impact was not favorable.

Clinical Characteristics of 10 Pregnant and Postpartum Women With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Retrospective Study

Background: The aim of study was to summarize the clinical characteristics and experience of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in pregnant and postpartum patients.Methods and Results: We retrospectively reviewed 131 consecutive ECMO patients at our center from May 2015 to May 2021. A total of 10 Chinese patients were pregnant or postpartum at the time of ECMO initiation. Patients ranged in age from 25 to 36 years (median age 30.5 years). The ECMO duration ranged from 3 to 31 days (median duration 8 days). There was a stabilizing trend of acid-base balance and decreasing lactic acid over the 3 days following ECMO initiation. Seven (70%) patients survived at least 48 h after weaning from ECMO. Four (40%) patients survived until discharge, and four (40%) fetuses survived until discharge.Conclusion: ECMO provides a suitable temporary cardiopulmonary support for pregnant and postpartum patients. ECMO shows a favorable effect on short-term stability in critical obstetric patients.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Ivacaftor/Lumacaftor Combination in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: International Studies Review

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease caused by structure abnormalities in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. It is characterized by severe course and poor prognosis without or with insufficient treatment. Approval of pathogenetic therapy medications, CFTR modulators (potentiators and correctors), for clinical use in 2012 in the United States has reduced mortality from this disease. This article provides the overview of studies on clinical efficacy and safety of ivacaftor/lumacaftor combination (Iva/Lum) — the first licensed CFTR modulator medication for homozygous patients with F508del variant. It was shown that Iva/Lum increases lung function, reduce the number of acute conditions of bronchopulmonary process (including those that require antibiotics and hospitalization), partially restores pancreas exocrine function, increases body weight and mass growth index, and improves quality of life. It allows considering it as favorable effect on the course and prognosis of cystic fibrosis. It was also noted that the early onset of the drug administration (from the age of two) positively affects the prognosis of the disease, increasing life expectancy and improving quality of life.

Vitamin D effects on androgen levels in men

Background. Accumulating evidence from animal and human studies suggests that vitamin D is involved in many functions of the reproductive system. Considering the potential link between vitamin D and human fertility, authors performed this review summarizing current literature on vitamin D and possible mechanisms explaining the link of vitamin D with androgen metabolism in men. The purpose of this review was to provide an overview on the effects of vitamin D on androgen metabolism in men. Methods. Author performed a systematic literature search in PubMed for relevant English language publications published from January 2011 until September 2021. Results. The vitamin D receptor and vitamin D-metabolizing enzymes are found in reproductive tissues. In men, vitamin D status has been associated with androgen levels and hypogonadism. Further, there is some evidence for a favorable effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone concentrations, although others failed to show a significant effect on testosterone levels. Vitamin D might play an important role in androgen metabolism. Existing evidence from available trials evaluating the effect of vitamin D supplementation on androgen levels in men is insufficient to recommend measurement of 25(OH)D levels or vitamin D supplementation in hypogonadal men. We cannot exclude vitamin D effects on androgen levels in men with low TT levels or in men with severe vitamin D deficiency. This question remains to be answered in future investigations. Conclusions. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with adverse fertility outcomes including hypogonadism, but the evidence is insufficient to establish causality. High-quality trials are needed to further evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on androgen levels in men.

Assessment of non-linear behavior and ductility of reinforced concrete structures

Purpose The calculation and design of the structures are carried out with the aim of obtaining a sufficiently ductile behavior to allow the structure to undergo displacements, without risk of sudden breaks or loss of stability. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a computer program (Thin beam2), allowing the modeling and simulation of the nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete elements, on the other part, it is estimating the local and global ductility of the sections or elements constituting these structures. Design/methodology/approach The authors present two nonlinear analysis methods to carry out a parametric study of the factors influencing the local and global ductility of reinforced concrete structures. The first consists in evaluating the nonlinear behavior at the level of the cross-section of the reinforced concrete elements used in the elaborate Sectenol 1 program, it allows us to have the local ductility. The second, allows us to evaluate the nonlinear behavior of the element used in the modified thin beam 2 program, it allows us to estimate the overall ductility of the element. Findings The validation results of the Thin beam2 program are very satisfactory, by conferring the analytic and experimental results obtained by various researchers and the parametric study shows that each factor such as the compressive strength of the concrete has a favorable effect on ductility. Conversely, the normal compression force and the high resistance of tensioned reinforcements adversely affect ductility. Originality/value The reliability of the two programs lies in obtaining the local and global ductility of reinforced concrete structures because the calculation and design of the structures are carried out with the aim of obtaining ductile behavior without risk of breakage and instability.

Chicken or the egg: Vitamin D deficiency in Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Etiology in Sri Lanka

Background Vitamin D deficiency is a poorly studied nutritional disorder in CKDu. There are no published studies on vitamin D levels in CKDu; a unique environmental nephropathy in tropical countries. This study was aimed to describe the prevalence of vitamin D, iron and vitamin B12 status in CKDu patients and to determine associations between vitamin D status and socio demographic factors, nutritional status and dietary intake of vitamin D. Method This was a cross sectional survey conducted among the CKDu patients in Wilgamuwa area, in Mathale district located in the Central province of Sri Lanka. Data was collected by laboratory evaluation, clinical examination and interviewer administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results Out of the 150 of respondents, 74.0% (n = 111) had vitamin D deficiency, 72.0% (n = 108) had anemia, and 3.3% (n = 5) had vitamin B12 deficiency, in both genders. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of anemia, low serum ferritin and vitamin B12 deficiency between males and females. Gender was significantly associated with the vitamin D deficiency (p<0.05). Females were 7.69 times more likely to have vitamin D deficiency compared to males. Vitamin D deficiency was 1.7 times higher among those who received social welfare benefits than those who did not receive it. High intake of fish was protective against vitamin D deficiency. Conclusion Isolated Vitamin D deficiency was the most prevalent nutritional deficiency among CKDu patients of Sri Lanka. Correction of these deficiencies may have a favorable effect on CKDu outcome.

Smart Sustainable City Manufacturing and Logistics: A Framework for City Logistics Node 4.0 Operations

The location of smart sustainable city multi-floor manufacturing (CMFM) directly in the residential area of a megapolis reduces the delivery time of goods to consumers, has a favorable effect on urban traffic and the environment, and contributes to the rational use of land resources. An important factor in the transformation of a smart city is the development of CMFM clusters and their city logistics nodes (CLNs); the key elements of the logistics system of a megapolis. The primary goal of this study was to examine the role of the CLN4.0, as a lead sustainability and smart service provider of a CMFM cluster within the Industry 4.0 paradigm, as well as its value in the system of logistics facilities and networks of a megalopolis. This paper presents an innovative model of a CLN4.0 under supply uncertainty using a material flow analysis (MFA) methodology, which allows for specific parameters of throughput capacity within the CMFM cluster and the management of supply chains (SCs) under uncertainty. The model was verified based on a case study (7th scenario) for various frameworks of a multi-floor CLN4.0. The validity of using a group of virtual CLNs4.0 to support the balanced operation of these framework operations under uncertainty, due to an uneven production workload of CMFM clusters, is discussed. The results may be useful for the decision-making and planning processes associated with supply chain management (SCM) within CMFM clusters in a megapolis.