Catalytic Upgrading of Acetaldehyde to Acetoin Using a Supported N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyst.

We report the catalytic synthesis of 3-hydroxy-2-butanon (acetoin) from acetaldehyde as a key step in the synthesis of C-molecules from ethanol. Facile C-C bond formation at the α-carbon of the C building block is achieved using an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyst. The immobilization of the catalyst on a Merrifield's peptide resin and its spectroscopic characterisation using solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is described herein.

ATS/ ERS spirometry quality criteria in real life. Results of two occupational field studies.

Spirometry is a widely used test and the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) provide standardised recommendations. However, detailed information on test quality is often incomplete in publications. In light of the 2005 ATS/ERS recommendations, we investigated the acceptability and repeatability criteria of spirometry performed under occupational field conditions in 242 practicing welders (WELDOX study, median age 41.

Skin symptoms in veterinary assistant staff and veterinarians: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Veterinary assistants and veterinarians are at an increased risk of developing an occupational skin disease, for example, irritant/allergic contact dermatitis, contact urticaria and hand eczema (HE).

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of skin problems and the influence of predisposing factors especially among veterinary assistants.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among veterinary assistant staff (n = 103) and veterinarians (n = 19).

Data on the impact of physical exercise treatment on depression and anxiety in a psychiatric hospital for adolescents.

The present data article provides a dataset of psychological scores, additional description of used measures, and descriptive data of participants related to the research article entitled "Impact of physical exercise on depression and anxiety in adolescent inpatients: a randomized controlled trial" (Philippot et al., 2022). This randomized controlled trial aimed at assessing the effect of add-on treatment with structured physical exercise compared to social relaxation activities in a clinical population of adolescents hospitalized for depression and anxiety in a psychiatric hospital.

Impact of physical exercise on depression and anxiety in adolescent inpatients: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Physical exercise therapy is of proven efficacy in the treatment of adults with depression, but corresponding evidence is lacking in depressed adolescent inpatients. The aim of this study was to document the effect of add-on treatment with structured physical exercise in a clinical population of adolescents hospitalized for depression and anxiety in a psychiatric hospital.

Methods: A group of 52 adolescent inpatients was randomly assigned to a physical exercise or control program three to four times per week over a six-week period (20 hours in total).

Upper and lower respiratory airway complaints among female veterinary staff.

Objective: Working with animals is characterized by exposure to particulate, biological or chemical matter, and respiratory complaints are common. The aim of our cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diagnoses among veterinary staff.

Methods: Participants working in veterinary practices were examined and a detailed questionnaire was used to collect data.

Animal Allergens, Endotoxin, and β-(1,3)-Glucan in Small Animal Practices: Exposure Levels at Work and in Homes of Veterinary Staff.

Objectives: In veterinary settings, high exposures to animal allergens and microbial agents can be expected. However, occupational exposure levels are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to estimate the allergen, endotoxin, and β-(1,3)-glucan concentrations in small animal practices and in the homes of practice employees.

The Pattern of Sensitization Influences Exhaled and Nasal Nitric Oxide Levels in Young Adults.

Nitric oxide (NO) from upper (nasal NO, nNO) or lower airways (fractional exhaled NO, FeNO) is considered a surrogate marker for Th2-type inflammation, which is influenced by atopy. The aim of this study was to analyze nNO and FeNO in regard to qualitative and quantitative aspects of sensitization. We evaluated 244 non-smoking young adults.

Self-Reported Survey on Allergy Symptoms Among First-Year Students in Veterinary Medicine: A Preamble to the AllergoVet Cohort Study.

Practical work in veterinary medicine provides exposure to various allergens which could increase the risk of sensitization. With the ongoing prospective "AllergoVet" study, we are investigating patterns of allergic symptoms and sensitization among veterinary students. Here, we report the results of the introductory self-reported survey on the presence of allergies in the first-year students of veterinary medicine, who had begun their studies in the years 2013-2016.

Mg(OH) -Facilitated Liquid-Phase Conversion of Lactic Acid into 1,2-Propanediol over Cu: An Experimental and Theoretical Study.

Mg(OH) is found to exhibit superior performance in the liquid-phase conversion of lactic acid (LA) into 1,2-propanediol over Cu. A conversion of 90 % with a selectivity of 98 % is achieved at 513 K and 5 MPa H . Mg(LA) could be identified as a crucial intermediate in this reaction, as it undergoes faster conversion than the combination of LA and Mg(OH ) and regeneration of Mg(OH) through the conversion of Mg(LA) as a substrate.

Decreased psychomotor vigilance of female shift workers after working night shifts.

Background: We compared psychomotor vigilance in female shift workers of the Bergmannsheil University Hospital in Bochum, Germany (N = 74, 94% nurses) after day and night shifts.

Methods: Participants performed a 3-minute Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) test bout at the end of two consecutive day and three consecutive night shifts, respectively. Psychomotor vigilance was analyzed with respect to mean reaction time, percentage of lapses and false starts, and throughput as an overall performance score, combining reaction time and error frequencies.

Vitamin D supply in shift working nurses.

We studied determinants of Vitamin D in serum of 67 female health care workers (aged 25-60 years), including age, body mass index, physical activity, and shift work. Overall, vitamin D levels were low, ranging from 6 to 51 ng/mL (median: 20 ng/mL). Lower serum levels were found in samples drawn in winter and spring and in obese subjects.

Methodological Implications and Repeatability of Nasal Nitric Oxide: Relevance for Challenge Studies.

There is an interest in assessing changes in nasal NO (nNO) levels as an effect marker of upper airways. In this study, we examined methodologic influences on short and long term repeatability of nNO levels assessed by a portable electrochemical analyzer. Nine atopic and eighteen healthy subjects were exposed for 4 h to ethyl acrylate concentration of 0.

Impact of Internal and External Factors on EBC-pH and FeNO Changes in Humans Following Challenge with Ethyl Acrylate.

Acute effects of ethyl acrylate exposure at 5 ppm for 4 h include changes of pH in exhaled breath condensate (EBC-pH) and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). So far, few data have been reported for atopic persons or the impact of the exposure conditions on biomarkers, e.g.

Clinical Effects, Exhaled Breath Condensate pH and Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Humans After Ethyl Acrylate Exposure.

Ethyl acrylate is an irritant known to affect the upper airways and eyes. An increase of the eye blink frequency in humans was observed during exposure to 5 ppm. Studies on the lower airways are scant and our study objective was the evaluation of pH in exhaled breath condensate (EBC-pH) and nitric oxide in exhaled breath (FeNO) as markers of inflammation.

Methodological implications in pH standardization of exhaled breath condensate.

The variable amount of dissolved carbon dioxide is one of the main confounding factors of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH measurements. There have been many attempts at identifying the optimal approach to displace CO2 as a way to gain reproducible and valid pH values in EBC samples. The aim of the present study was to assess the correlation of pH and pCO2 in untreated, neat EBC samples and, after deaeration, to reevaluate the standardization of CO2 as a means to obtain valid pH values.

Relationship of pulmonary function response to ozone exposure and capsaicin cough sensitivity.

Context: Challenge studies in humans have shown considerable interindividual variability in pulmonary impairment across ozone exposure.

Objective: Since previous results suggested effect modulation by neural mechanism, we investigated sensory C-fiber reactivity in relationship to ozone-triggered response pattern.

Methods: Cough reflex thresholds reflecting C-fiber sensitivity were evaluated by capsaicin single breath dose-response method.

Flexor carpi ulnaris transfer successfully used to gain strengthening of flexor digitorum superficialis tendons.

Transfer of the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) to replace the power of the paralysed extensor digitorum communis and extensor pollicies longus has been described in the literature. However the use of FCU for strengthening flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) is relatively not widely known. In this report the use of the technique is dicussed to successfully restore the strength of the fingers of a leprosy patient with considerable partial high median palsy to this patient's urgent need and at his request.

[Neurobiology and psychology of addictions].

The clinical observation of patients that are addicted to drugs allows the distinction between physical dependence and psychic dependence (addiction). Empirical research has made important breakthrough in the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development of dependence and opens new therapeutic options. Neurobiologic findings concerning dopaminergic brain reward circuit provide a better insight on the incentiv aspects of drug seeking.

Abductor pollicis longus deviation graft operation: modified for stabilizing CMC and MCP joints of 'intrinsic minus' thumb.

The original procedure abductor pollicis longus deviation graft operation by Beine (1996) was introduced to correct retroposition of the thumb and to balance the instability at the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint in cases of ulnar-cum-low median palsy in leprosy, so that bone-using procedures can be avoided to some extent. It provides an antagonistic force to the action of the abductor pollicis longus (abd. pol.