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Impact of host physiology and external stressors on the bacterial community of Schmidtea mediterranea
No full textTo fully comprehend host-microorganism interactions, it is crucial to understand the composition and diversity of the microbiome, as well as the factors that shape these characteristics. We investigated microbiome variation using the freshwater planarian Schmidtea mediterranea, an invertebrate model in regeneration biology and (eco-)toxicology, by exposing the organisms to various controlled conditions. The microbiome composition exhibited high variability, with most of the bacteria belonging to the Betaproteobacteria. Among the diverse microbial communities, a few genera, such as Curvibacter, were consistently present, but exhibited significant alterations in response to changing conditions. The relative abundance of Curvibacter fluctuated during the regeneration process, initially increasing before returning to a composition similar to the beginning situation. After applying external stress, the relative abundance of Curvibacter and other genera decreased. Variation over time, between different origin laboratories and between individuals, showed that additional, yet to-be-identified, factors of variation are present. Taking all results together, our study provides a solid basis for future research focusing on bacterial functionality in planarians and other invertebrates.This work was supported by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) (G.0B83.17 N and N152219), the Bijzonder OnderzoeksFonds of Hasselt University (BOF16NI03) and the Hasselt University Methusalem project (08M03VGRJ). The research leading to results presented in this publication was carried out with infrastructure funded by EMBRC Belgium - FWO project GOH3817N. Bioinformatics analyses were made possible thanks to the Flemish Supercomputer Centre (VSC) infrastructure, supported by the FWO.
Acknowledgements
We thank dr. Pieter Samyn of the Innovations in Chemical Materials Analysis Group at Hasselt University for kindly providing access to the scanning electron microscope. The authors thank Natascha Steffanie, Ria Vanderspikken and Julie Claes for their skillful technical assistance
Coronary atherosclerosis in athletes: emerging concepts and preventive strategies
No full textThere should be no assumption that an athlete is immune to coronary artery disease (CAD), even when traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors appear well-managed. Excelling in certain aspects of health does not equate to total CV protection. Recent data from cardiac imaging studies have raised the possibility that long-term, high-volume, high-intensity endurance exercise is associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Whilst the risk of CV events has not been shown to rise with athletic activity, the potential for CAD should not be overlooked as it is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in athletes >35 years of age (i.e. 'Masters athletes'). Evaluating both traditional and non-traditional risk factors for CAD is the most important part of pre-participation evaluation in Masters athletes. When managing athletes at risk of CAD it is important to adopt a shared decision-making approach regarding lifestyle adaptation and lipid-lowering treatments. In the great majority of athletes, after excluding the presence of symptoms and inducible ischaemia, this advice should include encouragement to continue exercising as available data indicate that higher levels of fitness are associated with a markedly attenuated incidence of coronary events regardless of the severity of coronary disease. Future research is needed to establish the relationship between clinically relevant CAD outcomes and coronary artery calcification in Masters Athletes, the role of sex, as well as exploration of the mechanisms underpinning these unexpected CV adaptations.The authors would like to thank Dr Laura DeFina for providing add itional data on the characterization of coronary artery calcification scores in the Cooper Clinic Longitudinal Stud
Retrieving earth blocks from masonry couplets for reuse: The role of bond strength
No full textEarth block masonry (EBM) is experiencing a resurgence as an environmentally responsible alternative to conventional brick or concrete block masonry. While strong bonds between masonry units and mortar are typically desired for structural performance, they pose challenges for reclamation and reuse at the end of a building's life cycle. This study reviews the literature on bond strength and investigates how EBM's lower bond strength can facilitate block-mortar separation for reuse. It also explores the effects of prewetting earth blocks before laying to enhance bond strength for structural performance and wetting masonry to reduce bond strength before reclamation. Flexural bond strength is determined using the bond wrench test on masonry couplets for both stabilised and non-stabilised earth blocks and mortars. Reclamation potential is assessed by deconstructing couplets and cleaning recovered blocks using standard tools. The results show that most earth block-mortar combinations have sufficiently low bond strength for easy reclamation. Wetting before reclaiming effectively reduces the bond strength and facilitates the deconstruction of stabilised earth blocks with earth mortar and earth-silicate mortar. The impact of prewetting before laying is less significant. Establishing bond strength benchmarks for specific building applications is recommended to balance structural requirements with reclamation potential in circular construction. Future research should investigate the technical properties of reclaimed blocks, including the bond strength, to assess their suitability for reuse. The decision to prioritise reuse over recycling should consider tradeoffs between economic, organisational, and environmental factors.This research was supported by the Special Research Fund (BOF) of Hasselt University (BOF20OWB13), and material acquisition was sponsored by the Living Lab Circular Economy “Application of earth blocks in practice”, funded by VLAIO, the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the NextGenerationEU fund of the European Commission
Intuiciones viscerales: una introducción a la cotidianidad del acto de comer como una actitud pedagógica situada para conocer y cuidar las naturoculturasen las escuelas de arquitectura
No full textEnglish
This paper explores the incorporation in architectural education of everyday eating practices as a pedagogical approach. By involving architecture students in cooking, eating, and digesting together, the study seeks to move beyond conventional architectural training. Through a focus on eating, this approach aims to emphasize personal experiences as a primary source of knowledge. It employs autoethnography to reveal the transformative potential of centring the everydayness of eating in architectural learning. Findings highlight a profound link between eating-centered engagements and students' capacity to address complex societal and environmental issues, advocating for a shift towards embodied architectural education.
Español
En este artículo analizamos la incorporación de las prácticas cotidianas de alimentación en la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de la arquitectura como una aproximación pedagógica. A través del involucramiento de los estudiantes de arquitectura en los actos de cocinar, comer y digerir, buscamos que esta investigación se desplace más allá de la formación arquitectónica convencional. Con el foco puesto en el acto de comer, esta aproximación tiene como objetivo ubicar las experiencias personales entre las principales fuentes de conocimiento. De esta manera, utilizamos la autoetnografía para revelar el potencial transformador del enfoque en la cotidianidad del acto de comer en el aprendizaje de la arquitectura. Los resultados destacan la profunda conexión entre las interacciones centradas en la alimentación y la capacidad de los estudiantes para abordar complejos problemas sociales y medioambientales, con lo que abogamos por un cambio hacia una enseñanza y un aprendizaje de la arquitectura basados en la corporalidad.Article in English:
https://revistas.uniandes.edu.co/index.php/dearq/article/view/9259/10571
The article is in Spanish and attached as a PDF
Basiswet van 12 januari 2005 betreffende het gevangeniswezen en de rechtspositie van de gedetineerden
No full textUltrasound imaging: Enhancing the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome
No full textBroader adoption of ultrasound (US) imaging in carpal tunnel syndrome management enhances patient care and outcome. This case underscores the importance in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome, highlighting its capability to uncover hidden anomalies and assist in surgical planning
Ventral mesh rectopexy: Variations in technique and care process. A multicentre study
No full textAimThe aim of this improvement collaborative is to explore the variation in care within and between Flemish hospitals in preoperative assessment, surgical indications, perioperative management and surgical technique for ventral mesh rectopexy (VMR).MethodThis observational, cross-sectional multicentre study was performed in 14 Flemish hospitals. Twenty consecutive patients per hospital undergoing primary VMR in 2022 were included. Quality of care was assessed via predefined perioperative disease-specific quality indicators (QIs) by means of structured questionnaires. Data were collected from electronic patient files.ResultsA total of 280 patients were included. All patients were female and their mean age was 62 +/- 14 years. Significant intra- and interhospital variation was observed in preoperative work-up, indications, operative technique and postoperative management. Total rectal prolapse was the indication for VMR in only 17.5% of the patients. The surgical approach was minimally invasive in all cases, with 40% via a robotic and 60% a laparoscopic approach. Fifteen per cent of patients had mechanical bowel preparation. All centres used a synthetic polypropylene mesh to perform a VMR, and in 85.6% (n = 238) of all patients a lightweight mesh was used. Diverging practices were noted as to type of mesh fixation to the rectum. In one third of patients a nonresorbable suture was combined with biological glue (n = 89, 31.8%). The overall mean length of stay was 2.1 (+/- 2.7) days. Only 3% of the procedures were performed as same day discharge, 47% of the patients remained for 1 day and 50% for >= 2 days. Only four patients were readmitted within 30 days after surgery.ConclusionThis study shows a significant variation in the perioperative management and surgical technique for VMR between hospitals, ongoing controversies and a lack of standardization. This collaborative can serve as a structured feedback tool to define minimum QIs and minimum outcome reporting parameters. Consensus building and adherence to evidence-based guidelines should reduce variation in care processes and lead to improved patient outcomes.We would like to thank Ismael Chaoui, Charlotte Debleu, Tinneke Mues, Delfien Verhelst, Peter Dekuyper, Lies Vanhoudt, Katrien Van Der Steen, Pieter Ceulemans, Niels Komen, Ellen Van Eetvelde and Jessy Eysackers for their invaluable help and collaboration
Carbon capture with pure monoethanolamine aerosols: Method development for assessing safety hazards and identifying a safe operating window using oxygen-containing flue gas streams
No full textRecent research proved the potential of aerosol reactors for post-combustion capture of CO2 with highly concentrated monoethanolamine (MEA). However, aerosol flammability in a continuous aerosol reactor has not been studied before. Safety cannot be guaranteed when processing oxygen-containing flue gases. The goal of this work is to develop a continuous aerosol safety testing method to investigate aerosol flammability. The proposed method is validated by determining the safe operating window of MEA aerosols by changing parameters on the aerosol and gas side. The relation between aerosol properties and flammability is investigated via high-speed camera. Safe operating conditions in air were found for MEA solutions up to of 70 wt%, suggesting that these solutions are safe to use with any flue gas. However, 80 wt% MEA and higher were flammable. 80 wt% MEA was only flammable at low liquid flow rates. This can be attributed to the increased droplet velocity at higher liquid flow rates, which results in shorter evaporation times. Therefore, the lower flammability limit (LFL) cannot be reached. Overall, MEA concentration and liquid flow rate appear to be the most influential parameters on aerosol flammability. Furthermore, the limiting oxygen concentration (LOC) was investigated. Maximum LOCs were identified as 13.5% and 15% for 100 and 90 wt% MEA, respectively. This information is crucial for matching appropriate flue gases with compatible aerosol reactor configurations. By developing and validating the method for MEA aerosols, this work narrows the gap between aerosol reactors for carbon capture and safely processing oxygen-containing flue gas streams.The authors acknowledge funding from VLAIO-Catalisti Moonshot projects “Intensification of CO2 Capture Processes” (HBC.2019.0109 – CAPTIN and HBC.2021.0254 – CAPTIN2)
From non-inferiority to superiority: the shift towards patient-centric outcomes
No full textThe recently published REC-CAGEFREEI trial 1 provides an interesting example of non-inferiority vs. superiority design of clinical trials. The trial failed to show non-inferiority (P = 0.65) of drug-coated balloon angioplasty (with the option of rescue stenting) to the intended deployment of drug-eluting stents on the primary composite endpoint of car-diovascular death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. However, not the result, but the motivation and reporting on the trial draw our attention (Figure 1). Non-inferiority designs aim to show that a novel therapy is not worse than a standard of care by more than a pre-specified non-inferiority margin on an efficacy outcome. This margin represents an acceptable loss on efficacy, which is justified by a putative advantage of the novel therapy on patient outcomes other than efficacy, such as improved safety, better quality of life, more convenient administration, or lower cost. A non-inferiority design should thus be motivated by a clear advantage. In stent trials, for example, a short-term reduction i