ABSTRACT
Antiinflammatory drugs are used widely to reduce inflammation that is involved in various diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, infectious diseases including COVID-19 infections, etc. These drugs are used for acute as well as for chronic conditions. The well-known antiinflammatory drugs that are available in the market are nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, celecoxib, etc. The steroids are also used as antiinflammatory agents especially in chronic and severe inflammation;however, long-term use of steroids is associated with various adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Thus, there is a need of more safe and efficacious antiinflammatory drugs in the treatment of various diseases. Many antiinflammatory drugs are under experimental investigation and some of them are in different phases of clinical trials. This chapter summarizes the information related to ongoing and completed clinical trials of antiinflammatory drugs in various diseases along with their future perspectives. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
For many young adults (YA, aged 18-39) who have recently survived cancer, planning and working towards goals for the future is a fraught process. Prior research consistently identifies the challenges of survivorship, including: rebuilding personal identity, accepting the impact of cancer-related interruptions on personal goals, navigating new roles in significant close relationships, and initiating new relationships as a survivor. However, there is limited research describing the mechanisms underlying these persistent challenges, which poses difficulties when tailoring evidence-based psychological intervention. The present study consolidates both established and newly hypothesized survivorship challenges into a novel conceptual model, hypothesizing that they are interrelated, and mutually reinforcing, to perpetuate social isolation and avoidance of the future in young survivors.This dissertation study elucidated what YA survivors experience as they envision their lives in the future, with a focus on goals, such as family-building, which may be shared with a close other. We hypothesized that YA may struggle to plan for the future because they experience interfering emotions and thoughts related to their health, often regarding recurrence of cancer or late effects of treatment. Many of these struggles may be difficult to share with a partner. In particular, self-conscious emotions, such as embarrassment, shame, guilt, or pride associated with being a cancer survivor, may explain how relating to others without cancer can be challenging. This qualitative study utilized a semi-structured interview to prompt YA survivors to imagine significant future events in their close relationships, identifying future-oriented thoughts, beliefs, coping strategies, and emotions as they arose. Participants included 35 YAs treated for cancer within the past five years. Interviews were conducted remotely over a secure video platform and professionally transcribed. Analysis software was used to test deductive codes based on a priori research questions, and inductive codes based on bottom-up consensus coding of transcripts. Quantitative data regarding demographics and mental health were used to augment analyses and interpretation. The process of thematic text analysis was used to identify significant themes and subthemes in the data. Findings indicated good support for the hypothesized conceptual model, including the impact of health anxiety and social isolation on close relationships and psychosocial well-being. In some cases, social isolation was worsened by the impacts of COVID-19. In addition to deductive findings regarding the interfering nature of cancer-related worry in planning for the future, inductive themes gleaned from analyses included the prominence of grief (e.g. loss of fertility due to treatment, death of peers). Participants overwhelmingly requested tailored and ongoing mental health support in survivorship, and the majority of participants had attended peer support groups. This study provides a strong foundation for broader quantitative study confirming the themes hypothesized by the conceptual model presented here. It also provides a preliminary basis for clinical intervention to improve future planning based on mitigating social isolation and addressing the short- and long-term impacts of decisional avoidance in the context of health anxiety. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Energy crisis and increasing rigorous management standards pose significant challenges for solid waste management worldwide. Several emerging diseases such as COVID-19 aggravated the already complex solid waste management crisis, especially sewage sludge and food waste streams, because of the increasingly large production year by year. As mature waste disposal technologies, landfills, incineration, composting, and some other methods are widespread for solid wastes management. This paper reviews recent advances in key sewage sludge disposal technologies. These include incineration, anaerobic digestion, and valuable products oriented-conversion. Food waste disposal technologies comprised of thermal treatment, fermentation, value-added product conversion, and composting have also been described. The hot topic and dominant research foci of each area are summarized, simultaneously compared with conventional technologies in terms of organic matter degradation or conversion performance, energy generation, and renewable resources production. Future perspectives of each technology that include issues not well understood and predicted challenges are discussed with a positive effect on the full-scale implementation of the discussed disposal methods. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd
ABSTRACT
This work presents an up-to-date overview on the recent developments in the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) industry. Information from more than 30 manufacturers, representing a total of almost 2900 projects have been collected and analyzed providing information on trends in the past and the market evolution during the last four years in terms of installed capacity and installed plants divided by application, macro region and manufacturer. At the end of 2020, the cumulated installed capacity of ORCs was 4.5 GW. Since 2016, the overall ORC market increased by 40 % (+1.18 GW) in terms of installed capacity and by 46.5 % (+859) in terms of installed plants. Regarding the capacity increase between 2016 and 2020, the largest increase is due to geothermal application (+972 MW, +45 %) with 74 new plants, while waste heat systems have the largest growth in terms of the number of installed systems (630 plants, +208 %) with an installed capacity of 125 MW. The installed capacity of biomass ORC systems increased by 20 % (69 MW), while the number of installed plants increased by 22 % (77 plants). Additionally, a market survey was conducted, and ten established ORC manufactures contributed their perspective on the ORC market. The results highlight that, despite COVID-19, the current market situation is in good shape and that the majority of the manufacturers have positive expectations concerning the future development. Central and Eastern Europe as well as the ASEAN region are rated as the regions with the highest growth potential. Geothermal energy and small waste heat installations are expected to be the most relevant heat sources for the coming years. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
ABSTRACT
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and airborne particulate matter pollution have caused a surge in the consumption of face masks in recent years. Typically, face masks are made from nondegradable petroleum-derived nonwoven materials adding to global plastic pollution and aggravating environmental concerns. Therefore, it is important to fabricate sustainable biodegradable replacements. This review intends to highlight and discuss state-of-the-art research activities that centre on the development of biodegradable nonwoven materials for face mask applications. We also identify potential candidates and strategies for future research and product development efforts. Finally, we present our perspectives on a wide avenue in need of further exploration concerning materials, methods, advanced functionalities, cost, scalability, and shelf life of sustainable advanced face masks. © 2023 The Royal Society of Chemistry.
ABSTRACT
For many young adults (YA, aged 18-39) who have recently survived cancer, planning and working towards goals for the future is a fraught process. Prior research consistently identifies the challenges of survivorship, including: rebuilding personal identity, accepting the impact of cancer-related interruptions on personal goals, navigating new roles in significant close relationships, and initiating new relationships as a survivor. However, there is limited research describing the mechanisms underlying these persistent challenges, which poses difficulties when tailoring evidence-based psychological intervention. The present study consolidates both established and newly hypothesized survivorship challenges into a novel conceptual model, hypothesizing that they are interrelated, and mutually reinforcing, to perpetuate social isolation and avoidance of the future in young survivors.This dissertation study elucidated what YA survivors experience as they envision their lives in the future, with a focus on goals, such as family-building, which may be shared with a close other. We hypothesized that YA may struggle to plan for the future because they experience interfering emotions and thoughts related to their health, often regarding recurrence of cancer or late effects of treatment. Many of these struggles may be difficult to share with a partner. In particular, self-conscious emotions, such as embarrassment, shame, guilt, or pride associated with being a cancer survivor, may explain how relating to others without cancer can be challenging. This qualitative study utilized a semi-structured interview to prompt YA survivors to imagine significant future events in their close relationships, identifying future-oriented thoughts, beliefs, coping strategies, and emotions as they arose. Participants included 35 YAs treated for cancer within the past five years. Interviews were conducted remotely over a secure video platform and professionally transcribed. Analysis software was used to test deductive codes based on a priori research questions, and inductive codes based on bottom-up consensus coding of transcripts. Quantitative data regarding demographics and mental health were used to augment analyses and interpretation. The process of thematic text analysis was used to identify significant themes and subthemes in the data. Findings indicated good support for the hypothesized conceptual model, including the impact of health anxiety and social isolation on close relationships and psychosocial well-being. In some cases, social isolation was worsened by the impacts of COVID-19. In addition to deductive findings regarding the interfering nature of cancer-related worry in planning for the future, inductive themes gleaned from analyses included the prominence of grief (e.g. loss of fertility due to treatment, death of peers). Participants overwhelmingly requested tailored and ongoing mental health support in survivorship, and the majority of participants had attended peer support groups. This study provides a strong foundation for broader quantitative study confirming the themes hypothesized by the conceptual model presented here. It also provides a preliminary basis for clinical intervention to improve future planning based on mitigating social isolation and addressing the short- and long-term impacts of decisional avoidance in the context of health anxiety. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Zoonoses and animal diseases threaten human health and livestock biosecurity and productivity. Currently, laboratory confirmation of animal disease outbreaks requires centralized laboratories and trained personnel; it is expensive and time-consuming, and it often does not coincide with the onset or progress of diseases. Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics are rapid, simple, and cost-effective devices and tests, that can be directly applied on field for the detection of animal pathogens. The development of POC diagnostics for use in human medicine has displayed remarkable progress. Nevertheless, animal POC testing has not yet unfolded its full potential. POC devices and tests for animal diseases face many challenges, such as insufficient validation, simplicity, and portability. Emerging technologies and advanced materials are expected to overcome some of these challenges and could popularize animal POC testing. This review aims to: (i) present the main concepts and formats of POC devices and tests, such as lateral flow assays and lab-on-chip devices; (ii) summarize the mode of operation and recent advances in biosensor and POC devices for the detection of farm animal diseases; (iii) present some of the regulatory aspects of POC commercialization in the EU, USA, and Japan; and (iv) summarize the challenges and future perspectives of animal POC testing.
Subject(s)
Animal Diseases , Biosensing Techniques , Animal Diseases/diagnosis , Animals , Animals, Domestic , Farms , Humans , Lab-On-A-Chip Devices , Laboratories , Point-of-Care Systems , Point-of-Care TestingABSTRACT
The COVID-19 health crisis has significantly impacted the tourism and events industries, having prompted different responses from stakeholders and decision-makers. Focusing on the initial response from event managers and drawing from their perceptions, this paper outlines the dimensions considered to have been more directly affected by the crisis, analyzing how they shaped event managers’ outlook on the future. In order to provide a comprehensive view, researchers carried out six interviews, having resorted to purposive sampling, as to collect data from managers working with social, corporate, and cultural events. Overall, Operations, Human Resources, and Decision-making stood out as the most relevant dimensions, mostly stemming from the need to act quickly when faced with this unforeseen situation, having had a short- and medium-term impact on recovery prospects. Together with Health and Safety and Customer Relationship Management, these dimensions are expected to play an important role in shaping the future of events, as, in addition to changes regarding the dimension, format, and sustainability, managers anticipate a shift in peoples’ behavior and expectations, which will ultimately affect their experience, calling for different approaches and strategies. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
ABSTRACT
Vaccinations are one of the most important preventive tools against infectious diseases. Over time, many different types of vaccines have been developed concerning the antigen component. Adjuvants are essential elements that increase the efficacy of vaccination practises through many different actions, especially acting as carriers, depots, and stimulators of immune responses. For many years, few adjuvants have been included in vaccines, with aluminium salts being the most commonly used adjuvant. However, recent research has focused its attention on many different new compounds with effective adjuvant properties and improved safety. Modern technologies such as nanotechnologies and molecular biology have forcefully entered the production processes of both antigen and adjuvant components, thereby improving vaccine efficacy. Microparticles, emulsions, and immune stimulators are currently in the spotlight for their huge potential in vaccine production. Although studies have reported some potential side effects of vaccine adjuvants such as the recently recognised ASIA syndrome, the huge worth of vaccines remains unquestionable. Indeed, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccines, especially in regard to managing future potential pandemics. In this field, research into adjuvants could play a leading role in the production of increasingly effective vaccines.
ABSTRACT
The number of connected mobile devices and Internet of Things (IoT) is growing around us, rapidly. Since most of people's daily activities are relying on these connected things or devices. Specifically, this past year (with COVID-19) changed daily life in abroad and this is increased the use of IoT-enabled technologies in the health sector, work, and play. Further, the most common service via using these technologies is the localization/positioning service for different applications including: geo-tagging, billing, contact tracing, health-care system, point-of-interest recommendations, social networking, security, and more. Despite the availability of a large number of localization solutions in the literature, the precision of localization cannot meet the needs of consumers. For that reason, this paper provides an in-depth investigation of the existing technologies and techniques in the localization field, within the IoT era. Furthermore, the benefits and drawbacks of each technique with enabled technologies are illustrated and a comparison between the utilized technologies in the localization is made. The paper as a guideline is also going through all of the metrics that may be used to assess the localization solutions. Finally, the state-of-the-art solutions are examined, with challenges and perspectives regarding indoors/outdoors environments are demonstrated. © 2022
ABSTRACT
Medicinal herbs and their essential oils are used in human health promotion and disease prevention since ancient times. In the last two decades, many studies have been carried out to both identify bioactive compounds in medicinal herbs and derived essential oils and to examine their biological effects in experimental models;clinical trials, however, have been scant. This review discusses in vitro, in vivo, and clinical evidence supporting the immunomodulatory role of eleven medicinal herbs (bay laurel, black cumin, clove, fennel, lemon balm, lemongrass, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, sage, and thyme) and their essential oils and bioactive components. Safety and toxicity aspects for consumption as well as future perspectives are also covered. Relevant data from the existing literature have been compiled and summarized. These herbs and oils, which are increasingly consumed, can be considered as valuable dietary supplements due to their health-promoting bioactive constituents. Well-design clinical trials are warranted to better ascertain the immunomodulatory effects of these herbal products.
ABSTRACT
Evaluation of the research trends in uveal melanoma in the past two decades. Data were extracted from the Web of Science database website. VOSviewer and Citespace software were used to analyze the retrieved data. The leading country in terms of output and international collaboration is the USA. Research interest in genetic mutations, molecular pathways, and immunotherapy was remarkable in recent years. Most of the top ten journals are specialized in ophthalmology. In recent years, the hotspots include future perspectives, BAP1 mutation, therapeutic target, and systematic reviews. The keywords with the strongest citation bursts are immunotherapy, outcome, and in situ hybridization. The output of uveal melanoma research increased during the past two decades. Before 2015, the main focus of the research was to facilitate prognostication and metastatic risk stratification. Recently, research has moved to examine the metastatic microenvironment. Future research foci may include exploring the role of different mutations, immunotherapy, molecular alterations, and finding ideal clinical biomarkers.
ABSTRACT
Insomnia is an important but widely ignored health problem in modern society. Despite unequivocal evidence on its large prevalence, health and social impacts, comorbidities, and various pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic (behavioral and device-based) approaches, its effective management is still difficult and often incomplete. This article discusses the role of insomnia in modern societies, newer complicating factors, and its overall social and public health burden. Acute insomnia and sleep difficulties during pandemic and confinement are reviewed. The article also focuses on newer developments accumulating in the field of insomnia and possible future trends.