Biosorption Potential of -Derived Biochar for Cd and Ni, as Evidenced through Kinetic, Isothermal, and Thermodynamics Modeling.

Biochar derived from plant biomass has great potential for the decontamination of aqueous media. It is the need of the hour to test biochar derived from economical, easily available, and novel materials. In this regard, the present study provides insight into the sorption of two heavy metals, i.

A Novel RELA Truncating Mutation in a Familial Behçet's Disease-like Mucocutaneous Ulcerative Condition.

Objective: Monogenic Behçet's disease (BD)-like conditions are increasingly recognized and to date have been found to predominantly involve loss-of-function variants in TNFAIP3. This study was undertaken to identify genetic and pathobiologic mechanisms associated with a BD-like mucocutaneous ulcerative syndrome and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) occurring in 3 generations of an Irish family (n = 5 cases and 5 familial controls).

Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was used to identify potential pathogenic variants in affected family members and determine segregation between affected and unaffected individuals.

Prevalence and treatment of gout among patients with chronic kidney disease in the Irish health system: A national study.

Background: Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Under treatment is common in the general population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of gout and its treatment among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

New insights into Behçet's disease in Ireland: the Midwest cohort study.

Objectives: The epidemiology of Behçet's disease (BD) remains poorly understood with limited international data on disease burden, progression and treatment outcomes. The aims of this study were to determine the natural history of BD in the Midwest region of Ireland and compare our findings with those from other European and Mediterranean studies.

Methods: We established a cohort of patients with BD in the Midwest Region of Ireland based on ISGBD and/or ICBD criteria.

Temporal trends in hyperuricaemia in the Irish health system from 2006-2014: A cohort study.

Background: Elevated serum uric acid (sUA) concentrations are common in the general population and are associated with chronic metabolic conditions and adverse clinical outcomes. We evaluated secular trends in the burden of hyperuricaemia from 2006-2014 within the Irish health system.

Methods: Data from the National Kidney Disease Surveillance Programme was used to determine the prevalence of elevated sUA in adults, age > 18 years, within the Irish health system.

The real-world use of different anti-tumor necrosis factor agents in a Northern European population of patients with Behçet's disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate prescription practices, treatment responses, and serious adverse events of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapies in Behçet's disease (BD).

Material And Methods: Patients with BD satisfying the International Study Group for Behçet's Disease or the International Criteria for Behçet's Disease criteria were recruited from a regional rheumatology program. The choice of anti-TNF, treatment response, and adverse events were specified.

Knitting the Threads of Silk through Time: Behçet's Disease-Past, Present, and Future.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic relapsing vasculitis that affects vessels of all types and sizes with a broad spectrum of phenotypic heterogeneity and complex immunopathogenesis. Efforts by the scientific community to resolve the unmet needs of BD and gaps in our knowledge have been hampered by considerable challenges that primarily relate to the rare nature of the disease in many parts of the world and its heterogeneity. Controversies remain in many aspects of the disease including the diagnostic criteria, immunopathogenesis and biomarker discovery, geographical variation, and therapeutic considerations.

High Vitamin D Levels May Downregulate Inflammation in Patients with Behçet's Disease.

Vitamin D plays a significant role in the immune system modulation and may confer a protective role in autoimmune diseases. We conducted a case-control study to compare 25(OH)D levels in patients with BD who were managed at a regional rheumatology programme in the midwest region of Ireland compared to matched controls. Healthy controls were selected from the Irish health system and matched in 1 : 5 ratio for age, sex, and the month of the year.

Early- and late-stage morphea subtypes with deep tissue involvement is treatable with Abatacept (Orencia).

Objectives: This case series explores the potential efficacy of Abatacept in patients presenting with morphea subtypes and deep tissue involvement.

Methods: Three patients with established morphea subtypes and deep tissue involvement and with no contraindication to Abatacept were included in this prospective open-label study. The index patient was exceptionally severely affected with a mean Modified Rodnan Skin Score (MRSS) of 38/51.

Significant laryngeal destruction in a northern European cohort of Behçet's disease patients.

Objectives: Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystem autoimmune disease of unknown origin typically affecting the triad of oral and genital mucosa and the eye. Limited data are available in the literature regarding the otolaryngology-related manifestations of BD, particularly in northern Europeans. This is a novel study detailing surprising and significant laryngeal structural changes in a northern European cohort of BD.

Inappropriate use of proton pump inhibitors among medical inpatients: a questionnaire-based observational study.

Objectives: To evaluate the appropriateness of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescribing by conducting an audit of medical inpatients against recommended guidelines.

Design: Questionnaire-based study. All medical wards were audited and different information was documented by patients' medical records review (both hospital visit notes and general practitioner's letters) and short interview, where we asked them to name the clinical reason for using PPI.

A comparative study of renal dysfunction in patients with inflammatory arthropathies: strong association with cardiovascular diseases and not with anti-rheumatic therapies, inflammatory markers or duration of arthritis.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among comparable patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and seronegative inflammatory arthritis, and to explore any predictive factors for renal impairment.

Methods: Consecutive patients with peripheral joint disease (oligo and polyarthritis) were recruited from our inflammatory arthritis clinics. We divided patients in two groups: RA group and seronegative inflammatory arthritis group.

The uptake of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among immunocompromised patients attending rheumatology outpatient clinics.

Purpose And Objectives: The patients using immunosuppressive agents are considered at high risk for acquiring different infections. Accordingly, international guidelines recommend vaccinating such patients against influenza and pneumococcal organisms. The aims of this study were two-fold: (1) to assess the influenza and pneumococcal vaccination uptake among our rheumatology outpatients who are immunosuppressed; (2) to identify the factors influencing immunisation uptake among our sample of patients.

Variation of surface ozone in the ambient air of Auckland, New Zealand.

A study has been performed on the characteristics and behavior of surface ozone concentrations at four monitoring sites in Auckland, New Zealand (37 degrees S, 174.8 degrees E) for a four-year period (October 1997-October 2001). One monitoring site (rural) was located upwind of the Auckland urban complex, a second downwind (rural-coastal), and a third within the urban area, while the fourth was an elevated urban-city site located 250 m up the Sky Tower in the central city.

The accuracy of antenatal ultrasonography in identifying renal abnormalities.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of measuring antenatal renal pelvic diameter for prediction of renal abnormalities.

Research Design: Prospective evaluation of all pregnant women undergoing ultrasonography.

Setting: A teaching hospital providing primary and referral maternity care.