The significant effect of the phase composition on the oxygen reduction reaction activity of a layered oxide cathode

Layered oxides of Sr4Fe4Co2O13 (SFC2) which contains alternating perovskite oxide octahedral and polyhedral oxide double layers are attractive for their mixed ionic and electronic conducting and oxygen reduction reaction properties. In this work, we used the EDTA–citrate synthesis technique to prepare SFC2 and vary the calcination temperature between 900 and 1100 _C to obtain SFC2, containing different phase content of perovskite (denoted as SFC-P) and (Fe,Co) layered oxide phases (SFC-L). Rietveld refinements show that the SFC-P phase content increased from _39 wt% to _50 wt% and _61 wt% as the calcination temperature increased from 900 _C (SFC2-900) to 1000 _C (SFC2-1000) and 1050 _C (SFC2-1050). At 1100 _C (SFC2-1100), SFC-P became the dominant phase. The oxygen transport properties (e.g. oxygen chemical diffusion coefficient and oxygen permeability), electrical conductivity and oxygen reduction reaction activity is enhanced in the order of SFC2-1000, SFC2-1100 and SFC2-1050. The trend established here therefore negates the hypothesis that the perovskite phase content correlates with the oxygen transport property enhancement. The results suggest instead that there is an optimum composition value (e.g. 61 wt% of SFC-L for SFC2-1050 in this work) on which synergistic effects take place between the SFC-P and SFC-L phase.

G-CSF treatment can attenuate dexamethasone-induced reduction in C2C12 myotube protein synthesis

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been demonstrated to enhance skeletal muscle recovery following injury and increases muscle function in the context of neuromuscular disease in rodent models. However, understanding of the underlying mechanisms used by G-CSF to mediate these functions remains poor. G-CSF acts on responsive cells through binding to a specific membrane spanning receptor, G-CSFR. Recently identified, the G-CSFR is expressed in myoblasts, myotubes and mature skeletal muscle tissue. Therefore, elucidating the actions of G-CSF in skeletal muscle represents an important prerequisite to consider G-CSF as a therapeutic agent to treat skeletal muscle. Here we show for the first time that treatment with moderate doses (4 and 40ng/ml) of G-CSF attenuates the effects of dexamethasone in reducing protein synthesis in C2C12 myotubes. However, a higher dose (100ng/ml) of G-CSF exacerbates the dexamethasone-induced reduction in protein synthesis. In contrast, G-CSF had no effect on basal or dexamethasone-induced protein degradation, nor did G-CSF influence the phosphorylation of Akt, STAT3, Erk1/2, Src, Lyn and Erk5 in C2C12 myotubes. In conclusion, physiologically relevant doses of G-CSF may attenuate reduced skeletal muscle protein synthesis during catabolic conditions, thereby improving recovery.

The effects of bed-rest and countermeasure exercise on the endocrine system in male adults: evidence for immobilization-induced reduction in sex hormone-binding globulin levels

BACKGROUND AND AIM: There is limited data on the effects of inactivity (prolonged bed-rest) on parameters of endocrine and metabolic function; we therefore aimed to examine changes in these systems during and after prolonged (56- day) bed-rest in male adults. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty healthy male subjects underwent 8 weeks of strict bed-rest and 12 months of follow-up as part of the Berlin Bed Rest Study. Subjects were randomized to an inactive group or a group that performed resistive vibration exercise (RVE) during bed-rest. All outcome parameters were measured before, during and after bed-rest. These included body composition (by whole body dual X-ray absorptiometry), SHBG, testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), PRL, cortisol (C), TSH and free T3 (FT3). RESULTS: Serum SHBG levels decreased in inactive subjects but remained unchanged in the RVE group (p<0.001). Serum T concentrations increased during the first 3 weeks of bed-rest in both groups (p<0.0001), while E2 levels sharply rose with re-mobilization (p<0.0001). Serum PRL decreased in the control group but increased in the RVE group (p=0.021). C levels did not change over time (p≥0.10). TSH increased whilst FT3 decreased during bed-rest (p all ≤0.0013). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged bed-rest has significant effects on parameters of endocrine and metabolic function, some of which are related to, or counteracted by physical activity.

Oxygen reduction reaction in ionic liquids: an overview

The oxygen reduction reaction has been the subject of intensive research during decades due to their importance in life processes such as biological respiration, and also as a cathodic process in energy storage devices (e.g. fuel cells and air batteries). Detailed reviews on the oxygen reduction reaction in aqueous and non-aqueous media are available in the literature but it is lacking in the case of ionic liquids. Therefore a comprehensive review on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in ionic liquids is described in this chapter in order to compile the state of the art from a fundamental point of view and improve the current knowledge towards not only fundamental but also practical applications. The oxygen reduction reaction mechanism in neat imidazolium, pyrrolidinium, quaternary ammonium, and phosphonium-based ionic liquids, which mainly undergo one-electron pathway leading to the generation of superoxide anion (O2•-), is the main topic of this chapter. The reversibility of the O2/O2•- redox couple is highly dependent on the composition of the ionic liquid, as an example superoxide is more stable in the presence of aliphatic and alicyclic cations than in the presence of aromatic rings. Furthermore, the influence of protic and aprotic additives in the ORR mechanism is also explained in this chapter together with the influence in electrochemical parameters such as formal potential, E0'.

Impact of nurse-mediated management on achieving blood pressure goal levels in primary care: insights from the Valsartan intensified primary carE reduction of blood pressure study

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure targets in individuals treated for hypertension in primary care remain difficult to attain.

AIMS: To assess the role of practice nurses in facilitating intensive and structured management to achieve ideal BP levels.

METHODS: We analysed outcome data from the Valsartan Intensified Primary carE Reduction of Blood Pressure Study. Patients were randomly allocated (2:1) to the study intervention or usual care. Within both groups, a practice nurse mediated the management of blood pressure for 439 patients with endpoint blood pressure data (n=1492). Patient management was categorised as: standard usual care (n=348, 23.3%); practice nurse-mediated usual care (n=156, 10.5%); standard intervention (n=705, 47.3%) and practice nurse-mediated intervention (n=283, 19.0%). Blood pressure goal attainment at 26-week follow-up was then compared.

RESULTS: Mean age was 59.3±12.0 years and 62% were men. Baseline blood pressure was similar in practice nurse-mediated (usual care or intervention) and standard care management patients (150 ± 16/88 ± 11 vs. 150 ± 17/89 ± 11 mmHg, respectively). Practice nurse-mediated patients had a stricter blood pressure goal of ⩽125/75 mmHg (33.7% vs. 27.3%, p=0.026). Practice nurse-mediated intervention patients achieved the greatest blood pressure falls and the highest level of blood pressure goal attainment (39.2%) compared with standard intervention (35.0%), practice nurse-mediated usual care (32.1%) and standard usual care (25.3%; p<0.001). Practice nurse-mediated intervention patients were almost two-fold more likely to achieve their blood pressure goal compared with standard usual care patients (adjusted odds ratio 1.92, 95% confidence interval 1.32 to 2.78; p=0.001).

CONCLUSION: There is greater potential to achieve blood pressure targets in primary care with practice nurse-mediated hypertension management.

Effects of a community-based salt reduction program in a regional Australian population

BACKGROUND: Salt reduction is a public health priority but there are few studies testing the efficacy of plausible salt reduction programs.

METHODS: A multi-faceted, community-based salt reduction program using the Communication for Behavioral Impact framework was implemented in Lithgow, Australia. Single 24-h urine samples were obtained from 419 individuals at baseline (2011) and from 572 at follow-up (2014). Information about knowledge and behaviors relating to salt was also collected.

RESULTS: Survey participants were on average 56 years old and 58 % female. Mean salt intake estimated from 24-h urine samples fell from 8.8 g/day (SD = 3.6 g/day) in 2011 to 8.0 (3.6) g/day in 2014 (-0.80, 95 % confidence interval -1.2 to -0.3;p < 0.001). There were significant increases in the proportion of participants that knew the recommended upper limit of salt intake (18 % vs. 29 %; p < 0.001), knew the importance of salt reduction (64 % vs. 78 %; p < 0.001) and reported changing their behaviors to reduce their salt intake by using spices (5 % vs. 28 %; p < 0.001) and avoiding eating out (21 % vs. 34 %; p < 0.001). However, the proportions that checked food labels (30 % vs. 25 %; p = 0.02) fell, as did the numbers avoiding processed foods (44 % vs. 35 %; p = 0.006). Twenty-six percent reported using salt substitute at the end of the intervention period and 90 % had heard about the program. Findings were robust to multivariable adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of this multi-faceted community-based program was associated with a ~10 % reduction in salt consumption in an Australian regional town. These findings highlight the potential of well-designed health promotion programs to compliment other population-based strategies to bring about much-needed reductions in salt consumption.

Covert dose reduction is a distinct type of medication non-adherence observed across all care settings in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Non-adherence by dose omission is common and deleterious to outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), but covert dose reduction (CDR) remains unexplored. AIMS: To determine frequency and attitudinal predictors of overall medication non-adherence and of covert dose reduction as separate entities. METHODS: A cross sectional questionnaire was undertaken involving IBD patients in three different geographical regions and care settings. Demographics, medication adherence by dose omission, and rate of patient initiated dose reduction of conventional meds without practitioner knowledge (CDR) were assessed, along with attitudes toward IBD medication. RESULTS: Of 473 respondents (mean age 50.3 years, 60.2% female) frequency of non-adherence was 21.9%, and CDR 26.9% (p<0.001). By logistic regression, significant independent predictors of non-adherence were dissatisfaction with the patient-doctor relationship (p<0.001), depression (p=0.001), anxiety (p=0.047), and negative views regarding medication efficacy (p<0.001) or safety (p=0.017). Independent predictors of covert dose reduction included regular complementary medicine (CAM) use (p<0.001), experiencing more informative (p<0.001) and comfortable (p=0.006) consultations with alternative practitioners, disbelieving doctor delivered information (p=0.021) and safety concerns regarding conventional medication (p<0.001). Neither the frequency of non-adherence (p=0.569) nor CDR (p=0.914) differed between cohorts by different treatment settings. CONCLUSIONS: Covert dose reduction of IBD medication is more common than omission of medication doses, predicted by different factors to usual non-adherence, and has not been previously reported in IBD. The strongest predictor of CDR is regular CAM use.