Green development challenges within the environmental management framework.

Green development of energy, water and environment systems is essential as these three systems represent the basic life needs of humankind. Therefore, environmental problems arising from each of these three systems need to be carefully addressed to preserve the energy, water and environment resources for future generations. This paper discusses some of the latest developments in three main areas of sustainability themes, namely energy, water and environment, that emerged from the 14th Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) Conference held in 2019.

Verification of automated latex-enhanced particle immunoturbidimetric D-Dimer assays on different analytical platforms and comparability of test results.

Introduction: The aim of the study was the analytical verification of automated latex-enhanced particle immunoturbidimetric (LPIA) D-Dimer assay INNOVANCE D-dimer on Sysmex CS-5100 and Atellica COAG 360 analysers, and HemosIL D-dimer HS500 on ACL TOP 550, as well as the comparison with the enzyme-linked immunofluorescent assay (ELFA) on the miniVidas analyser.

Materials And Methods: Verification included assessment of within-run and between-run precision, bias, measurement uncertainty (MU), verification of the cut-off, method comparison between all assessed assays, and the reference commercial ELFA VIDAS D-Dimer Exclusion II.

Results: Within-run coefficients of variations (CVs) ranged from 1.

Atrial appendages' mechanics assessed by 3D transoesophageal echocardiography as predictors of atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation.

Background: Although there are numerous studies reflecting predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence (AFR) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), data on atrial appendages' mechanics is scarce. This study aimed to assess atrial appendages' mechanics by 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimenssional (3D) transoesphageal echocardiography (TEE) and to explore its value to predict AFR after PVI.

Methods: Consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing first PVIwere analysed.

Poly(ε-caprolactone) Titanium Dioxide and Cefuroxime Antimicrobial Scaffolds for Cultivation of Human Limbal Stem Cells.

Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) is a very serious and painful disease that often results in impaired vision. Cultivation of limbal stem cells for clinical application is usually performed on carriers such as amniotic membrane or surgical fibrin gel. Transplantation of these grafts is associated with the risk of local postoperative infection that can destroy the graft and devoid therapeutic benefit.

Fabrication of Blood Capillary Models for Live Imaging Microarray Analysis.

Conventional microarray analysis usually deals with the monolayer or two-dimensional (2D) assays for the high-throughput screening applications. Even though these cell-based assays are effective for preliminary screening at least to have information on cytotoxicity, they do not adequately re-create the in vivo complexity of three-dimensional (3D) tissues. In this study, 3D-blood capillary models were constructed by using physiological collagen microfibers (CMF), which provide the extracellular matrix in the complex tissue.

Ammonia and methane oxidation on TiO supported on glass fiber mesh under artificial solar irradiation.

In this work, we present the application of solar photocatalysis for air purification including toxic substances such as ammonia and methane normally related to emissions from agriculture (e.g., poultry and cattle farms), landfills, etc.

Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.

Background: Acne is a common, economically burdensome condition that can cause psychological harm and, potentially, scarring. Topical benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is a widely used acne treatment; however, its efficacy and safety have not been clearly evaluated.

Objectives: To assess the effects of BPO for acne.

Extraction of the Proximal Phalanx: A New Option in Surgical Treatment of the Crossover Second Toe.

One of the biggest and commonest problems that is seen and treated by foot and ankle surgeons is the deformity where the second toe crosses over the hallux. According to available literature, this is the first published case of extraction of the proximal phalanx due to crossover toe deformity. We present the case of a 64-year-old Caucasian female with a crossover second toe deformity of her left foot.

Prolonged methylprednisolone premedication prior to obinutuzumab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

First obinutuzumab application is associated with infusion related reactions (IRRs) that may discourage further continuation of the drug. During our clinical practice we have observed that chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) prolongedly receiving corticosteroids do not develop obinutuzumab IRRs. Therefore, we decided to apply prolonged corticosteroid premedication with methylprednisolone in dose 1-1.

Gut Anaerobes Capable of Chicken Caecum Colonisation.

Chicks in commercial production are highly sensitive to enteric infections and their resistance can be increased by administration of complex adult microbiota. However, it is not known which adult microbiota members are capable of colonising the caecum of newly hatched chicks. In this study, we therefore orally inoculated chicks with pure cultures of 76 different bacterial isolates originating from chicken caecum on day 1 of life and determined their ability to colonise seven days later.

Neutral effect of Glioma-associated oncogene-1 expression on survival in myelofibrosis.

This study retrospectively analyzed glioma-associated oncogene 1 (GLI‑1) mRNA expression in unfractionated bone marrow aspirates of 32 patients with myelofibrosis and 16 controls. It was found that GLI‑1 expression did not significantly differ between primary, secondary myelofibrosis and controls (median difference in threshold cycles ∆CT 7.2, 7.

Interventions for pityriasis rosea.

Background: Pityriasis rosea is a scaly, itchy rash that mainly affects young adults and lasts for 2 to 12 weeks. The effects of many available treatments are uncertain. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2007.

Novel dynamic stabilization method for medial instability of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

Medial collateral ligament injury of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is rare. If it is missed, chronic instability and traumatic hallux valgus develop, requiring surgical treatment. Different methods have been reported in the limited available literature aiming to restore the balance between the lateral and medial stabilizers by tightening the medial joint capsule with or without additional tendon graft.

The Dubrava Model-A Novel Approach in Treating Acutely Neurotraumatized Patients in Rural Areas: A Proposal for Management.

Neurotrauma is one of the leading causes of death and disabilities nowadays and represents one of the largest socioeconomic problems in rich countries, as well as developing ones. A satisfying, medically viable, and cost-effective model of managing acutely neurotraumatized patients, especially ones who come from distant and/or rural areas, has yet to be found. Patient outcome after acute neurotrauma depends on many factors of which the possibility of urgent treatment by an experienced specialist team has a crucial role.

A preoperative education class reduces length of stay for total knee replacement patients identified at risk of an extended length of stay.

Objective: To establish whether attendance at an education class prior to total hip or knee replacement surgery as part of an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway could decrease length of hospital stay.

Methods: A single-site, retrospective cohort study comparing length of stay in hospital for patients who attended and did not attend an education class prior to hip or knee replacement surgery. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to the predicted likelihood of an extended inpatient hospital stay using the Risk Assessment Predictor Tool.

A kinetic study of roadside grass pyrolysis and digestate from anaerobic mono-digestion.

The aim of this research is to evaluate the thermogravimetric behaviour of roadside grass and its digestate obtained from mesophilic anaerobic mono-digestion by quantifying its impacts on biomass composition and properties. Thermogravimetric measurements were conducted in a laboratory furnace under nitrogen flowrate of 100 mL/min in the temperature range from 35 to 800 °C at five different heating rates of 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 °C/min.

The effect of excitation laser power in Raman spectroscopic measurements of the degree of conversion of resin composites.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of excitation laser power in Raman spectrometry by comparing the spectra and the degree of conversion (DC) values obtained using excitation powers between 300 and 1000mW.

Methods: Five commercial and three experimental resin composites were light cured at 1200mW/cm for 10-20s from a commercial blue-violet LED dental curing unit. Raman spectra were collected from composite specimens within 9min after light-curing.

Effects of Curing Modes on the Microhardness of Resin-modified Glass Ionomer Cements.

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of curing modes on surface microhardness of visible light-cured resin-modified glass ionomer cements (VLC RMGIC) and a giomer after different storage periods in comparison to auto-cured resin-modified glass ionomer cements (AC RMGIC).

Materials And Methods: The following materials were used: VLC RMIC: Fuji II LC Improved, Photac Fil Quick Aplicap, AC RMGIC: Fuji Plus, Fuji VIII and Giomer: Beautifil II. The measurements of microhardness were performed using a Vickers test (100 g loads were applied for 10 s) in the following time intervals: immediately after the recommended cure and after 1, 7 and 14 days of immersion in distilled water.

Polyelectrolytes in Hot Melt Extrusion: A Combined Solvent-Based and Interacting Additive Technique for Solid Dispersions.

Solid dispersions are important supersaturating formulations to orally deliver poorly water-soluble drugs. A most important process technique is hot melt extrusion but process requirements limit the choice of suitable polymers. One way around this limitation is to synthesize new polymers.

The DePuy Proxima™ short stem for total hip arthroplasty - Excellent outcome at a minimum of 7 years.

Purpose: Metaphyseal, proximally anchored uncemented stems for total hip arthroplasty provide bone preservation and decrease the incidence of proximal stress shielding and thigh pain. Our study investigated the clinical and radiological outcome of the DePuy Proxima™ short stem at a minimum of 7 years.

Methods: Eighty-one consecutive patients (86 procedures) under the age of 70 undergoing primary total hip replacement at two arthroplasty centres were enrolled.

[Effect of tranexamic acid on blood loss and soft-tissue swelling following cemented total hip replacement].

Introduction: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used during elective joint replacement to reduce blood loss and decrease the transfusion requirement.

Aim: This study assessed the efficacy of tranexamic acid in reducing minor bleeding complications following primary cemented total hip replacement, when rivaroxaban is used as thromboprophylaxis, the complicated wound healing effect of which has been published recently.

Method: Consecutive patients undergoing hip replacement were studied.

Use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing for prediction of new opportunistic pathogens in chicken ileal and cecal microbiota.

In this study, we addressed differences in the development of gut microbiota in 4 successive batches of commercially hatched broiler parent chickens. When planning this study, we expected to find a batch with compromised performance which would allow identification of microbiota of suboptimal composition. Microbiota composition was determined only by sequencing the V3/V4 region of 16S rRNA genes in samples collected from chickens 5 to 18 wk of age.

Antibiotic prescription in emergency dental service in Zagreb, Croatia - a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To analyse prescription of antibodies in emergency dental service according to antibiotic type, working diagnosis, patient visit time and patient demographic characteristics. Additionally, prescription practices among individual dentists were analysed.

Methods: The data in this retrospective cohort study were collected from electronic medical records and analyzed using descriptive statistics.