Water Resistance of Compressed Earth Blocks Stabilised with Thermoactivated Recycled Cement.

Low water resistance is the main shortcoming of unfired earth materials, requiring chemical stabilisation for some durable applications. Ordinary Portland cement (PC) is an efficient stabiliser, but it goes against the ecological and sustainable nature of earth construction. This study explores the use of low-carbon thermoactivated recycled cement (RC) obtained from old cement waste as a new eco-efficient alternative to PC in the stabilisation of compressed earth blocks (CEBs).

Dose-dependent regulation of kidney mitochondrial function by angiotensin II.

Background: Intrarenal hypoxia has been suggested a unifying pathway to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and increased mitochondria leak respiration, which increases mitochondrial oxygen usage and is one important mechanism contributing to the development of the hypoxia. Previous studies indicate that angiotensin II (Ang II) effects on mitochondria function could be dose dependent. We investigated how moderate and high levels of Ang II affect kidney mitochondria function and pathways of leak respiration.

Relevance and needs of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Comparison with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). (Please, if you are not interested in IBS, read it.).

Introduction: In our opinion there is an imbalance between the relevance of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and the resources that are provided.

Objective: To review the different factors that determine (or should determine) the interest of gastroenterologists in IBS, comparing it with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For this, 7 different areas have been analyzed: (1)Medical impact; (2)Social impact; (3)Academic importance; (4)Clinical relevance; (5)Scientific relevance; (6)Public relevance, and (7)Personal aspects of the doctor.

Parallel Murine and Human Aortic Wall Genomics Reveals Metabolic Reprogramming as Key Driver of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression.

Background While numerous interventions effectively interfered with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation/progression in preclinical models, none of the successes translated into clinical success. Hence, a systematic exploration of parallel and divergent processes in clinical AAA disease and its 2 primary models (the porcine pancreatic elastase and angiotensin-II infusion [AngII] murine model) was performed to identify mechanisms relevant for aneurysm disease. Methods and Results This study combines Movat staining and pathway analysis for histological and genomic comparisons between clinical disease and its models.

A solvent-free solid catalyst for the selective and color-indicating ambient-air removal of sulfur mustard.

Bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide or sulfur mustard (HD) is one of the highest-tonnage chemical warfare agents and one that is highly persistent in the environment. For decontamination, selective oxidation of HD to the substantially less toxic sulfoxide is crucial. We report here a solvent-free, solid, robust catalyst comprising hydrophobic salts of tribromide and nitrate, copper(II) nitrate hydrate, and a solid acid (Nafion) for selective sulfoxidation using only ambient air at room temperature.

Photoenhanced Degradation of Sarin at Cu/TiO Composite Aerogels: Roles of Bandgap Excitation and Surface Plasmon Excitation.

Multifunctional composites that couple high-capacity adsorbents with catalytic nanoparticles (NPs) offer a promising route toward the degradation of organophosphorus pollutants or chemical warfare agents (CWAs). We couple mesoporous TiO aerogels with plasmonic Cu nanoparticles (Cu/TiO) and characterize the degradation of the organophosphorus CWA sarin under both dark and illuminated conditions. Cu/TiO aerogels combine high dark degradation rates, which are facilitated by hydrolytically active sites at the Cu||TiO interface, with photoenhanced degradation courtesy of semiconducting TiO and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of the Cu nanoparticles.

Laponite-Incorporated UiO-66-NH-Polyethylene Oxide Composite Membranes for Protection against Chemical Warfare Agent Simulants.

A strategy is developed to enhance the barrier protection of polyethylene oxide (PEO)-metal-organic framework (MOF) composite films against chemical warfare agent simulants. To achieve enhanced protection, an impermeable high-aspect-ratio filler in the form of Laponite RD (LRD) clay platelets was incorporated into a composite PEO film containing MOF UiO-66-NH. The inclusion of the platelets aids in mitigating permeation of inert hydrocarbons (octane) and toxic chemicals (2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, 2-CEES) of dimensions/chemistry similar to prominent vesicant threats while still maintaining high water vapor transport rates (WVTR).

Capture and Decomposition of the Nerve Agent Simulant, DMCP, Using the Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF-8).

Understanding mechanisms of decontamination of chemical warfare agents (CWA) is an area of intense research aimed at developing new filtration materials to protect soldiers and civilians in case of state-sponsored or terrorist attack. In this study, we employed complementary structural, chemical, and dynamic probes and data collection, to elucidate the complex chemistry, capture, and decomposition of the CWA simulant, dimethyl chlorophosphonate (DMCP). Our work reveals key details of the reactive adsorption of DMCP and demonstrates the versatility of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) as a plausible material for CWA capture and decomposition.

Multimodal Characterization of Materials and Decontamination Processes for Chemical Warfare Protection.

This Review summarizes the recent progress made in the field of chemical threat reduction by utilizing new in situ analytical techniques and combinations thereof to study multifunctional materials designed for capture and decomposition of nerve gases and their simulants. The emphasis is on the use of in situ experiments that simulate realistic operating conditions (solid-gas interface, ambient pressures and temperatures, time-resolved measurements) and advanced synchrotron methods, such as in situ X-ray absorption and scattering methods, a combination thereof with other complementary measurements (e.g.

Correlated Multimodal Approach Reveals Key Details of Nerve-Agent Decomposition by Single-Site Zr-Based Polyoxometalates.

Development of technologies for protection against chemical warfare agents (CWAs) is critically important. Recently, polyoxometalates have attracted attention as potential catalysts for nerve-agent decomposition. Improvement of their effectiveness in real operating conditions requires an atomic-level understanding of CWA decomposition at the gas-solid interface.

Disordered Mesoporous Zirconium (Hydr)oxides for Decomposition of Dimethyl Chlorophosphate.

A facile method for the formation of mesoporosity within nonporous zirconium hydr(oxides) (ZrO/Zr(OH)) is presented and their detoxifying capabilities against dimethyl chlorophosphate (DMCP) are investigated. Nanoaggregates of ZrO/Zr(OH) appear to be deposited on larger thin flakes of the same material. HO is used to induce surface oxygen vacancies of synthesized ZrO/Zr(OH) and, as a consequence, mesopores with an average diameter of 3.

Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Pancreatic endocrine or neuroendocrine tumor. Endoscopic ultrasonography.

Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (cPNETs) represent less than 8% of all pancreatic cysts and approximately 13% of pancreatic endocrine tumors (PNETs). According to a recent review, the percentage of non-functional (NF) PNETs is 85% and 44.6% are incidentalomas.

In Situ Probes of Capture and Decomposition of Chemical Warfare Agent Simulants by Zr-Based Metal Organic Frameworks.

Zr-based metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have been recently shown to be among the fastest catalysts of nerve-agent hydrolysis in solution. We report a detailed study of the adsorption and decomposition of a nerve-agent simulant, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), on UiO-66, UiO-67, MOF-808, and NU-1000 using synchrotron-based X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray absorption, and infrared spectroscopy, which reveals key aspects of the reaction mechanism. The diffraction measurements indicate that all four MOFs adsorb DMMP (introduced at atmospheric pressures through a flow of helium or air) within the pore space.

Functional and motor gastrointestinal disorders.

This article discusses the most interesting presentations at Digestive Disease Week, held in San Diego, in the field of functional and motor gastrointestinal disorders. One of the most important contributions was undoubtedly the presentation of the new Rome IV diagnostic criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders. We therefore devote some space in this article to explaining these new criteria in the most common functional disorders.

Detection of an explosive simulant via electrical impedance spectroscopy utilizing the UiO-66-NH metal-organic framework.

Electrical impedance spectroscopy, in conjunction with the metal-organic framework (MOF) UiO-66-NH, is used to detect trace levels of the explosive simulant 2,6-dinitrotoluene. The combination of porosity and functionality of the MOF provides an effective dielectric structure, resulting in changes of impedance magnitude and phase angle. The promising data indicate that MOFs may be used in low-cost, robust explosive detection devices.

Broad-Spectrum Liquid- and Gas-Phase Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agents by One-Dimensional Heteropolyniobates.

A wide range of chemical warfare agents and their simulants are catalytically decontaminated by a new one-dimensional polymeric polyniobate (P-PONb), K12 [Ti2 O2 ][GeNb12 O40 ]⋅19 H2 O (KGeNb) under mild conditions and in the dark. Uniquely, KGeNb facilitates hydrolysis of nerve agents Sarin (GB) and Soman (GD) (and their less reactive simulants, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP)) as well as mustard (HD) in both liquid and gas phases at ambient temperature and in the absence of neutralizing bases or illumination. Three lines of evidence establish that KGeNb removes DMMP, and thus likely GB/GD, by general base catalysis: a) the k(H2 O)/k(D2 O) solvent isotope effect is 1.

[Chronic diarrhoea: Definition, classification and diagnosis].

Chronic diarrhoea is a common presenting symptom in both primary care medicine and in specialized gastroenterology clinics. It is estimated that >5% of the population has chronic diarrhoea and nearly 40% of these patients are older than 60 years. Clinicians often need to select the best diagnostic approach to these patients and choose between the multiple diagnostic tests available.

[Functional and motor gastrointestinal disorders].

This article discusses the most interesting studies on functional and motor gastrointestinal disorders presented at Digestive Diseases Week (DDW), 2015. Researchers are still seeking biomarkers for irritable bowel syndrome and have presented new data. One study confirmed that the use of low-dose antidepressants has an antinociceptive effect without altering the psychological features of patients with functional dyspepsia.

Optimised empiric triple and concomitant therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication in clinical practice: the OPTRICON study.

Background: Empiric triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori should be abandoned when clarithromycin resistance rate is >15-20%. Optimisation of triple therapy (high-dose acid suppression and 14-day duration) can increase eradication rates by 10%.

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of optimised triple (OPT-TRI) and nonbismuth quadruple concomitant (OPT-CON) therapies.

[Motility and functional gastrointestinal disorders].

This article discusses the studies on functional and motor gastrointestinal disorders presented at the 2014 Digestive Diseases Week conference that are of greatest interest to us. New data have been provided on the clinical importance of functional gastrointestinal disorders, with recent prevalence data for irritable bowel syndrome and fecal incontinence. We know more about the pathophysiological mechanisms of the various functional disorders, especially irritable bowel syndrome, which has had the largest number of studies.

Bottom-up synthesis of anatase nanoparticles with graphene domains.

Using alizarin and titanium isopropoxide, we have succeeded in preparing a hybrid form of nanostructured graphene-TiO2 following a bottom-up synthetic approach. This novel graphene-based composite offers a practical alternative to synthesizing photocatalytically active materials with maximized graphene-TiO2 interface. The molecular precursor alizarin was chosen because it efficiently binds to TiO2 through the hydroxyl groups and already possesses the graphene building block through its anthracene basis.

Chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and constipation with pain/discomfort: similarities and differences.

Objectives: Some patients with chronic constipation (CC) have abdominal pain and discomfort (painful CC) without fulfilling the criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Our aim was to investigate similarities and differences among nonpainful CC, painful CC, and CC in patients with IBS according to prevalence, individual symptoms, associated factors, and impact on health-related quality of life and use of medical resources.

Methods: We conducted a telephone survey of a random sample of the Spanish population (N=1500).

[Importance of diet in irritable bowel syndrome].

About two-thirds of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients associate their symptoms with certain foods. We reviewed food-related factors putatively associated with manifestations of IBS. Soluble fiber may improve constipation but frequently increases bloating and abdominal pain.

[Functional and motor digestive disorders].

This article discusses the most interesting studies on functional and motility gastrointestinal disorders presented in Digestive Diseases Week (DDW) in 2013. New data were reported on the clinical importance of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) and on how they can produce numerous disturbances such as inflammatory bowel disease. These disturbances are associated with somatic functional disease and particularly with fatigue.