Artefacts due to putrefactive gas production - an overview.

Autolytic and putrefactive processes can cause considerable alterations to soft tissues and internal organs that may complicate forensic assessments. An overview was undertaken of the range of taphonomonic changes and processes that may result from postmortem putrefactive gas accumulation. The most commonly encountered phenomenon was purging of putrefactive fluids from the nose and mouth that was on occasion confused with bleeding from antemortem trauma. Much less common was putrefactive 'rigor mortis' where the limbs extend due to the accumulation of soft tissue and subcutaneous gas. This may sometimes be associated with alteration of the position of a body suggesting that it had been deliberately moved. Distension and stretching of the skin and subcutaneous tissues may cause recently sutured surgical incisions to dehisce, raising the possibility of inflicted incised wounds. Raised intra-abdominal pressures may cause diaphragmatic herniation of small intestine and has been associated with so-called 'coffin birth' where a fetus is expelled from the uterus after death due to pressure on the fundus. Gas accumulation on postmortem computed tomography examination may be confused with air embolism or the effects of trauma. All of these changes are the result of anaerobic bacterial action generating gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide resulting in pressure gradients.

Habitual behavioural control moderates the relation between daily perceived stress and purging.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that interpersonal stress plays a role in maintaining binge eating and purging (e.g., self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives). Stress is especially likely to promote engagement in maladaptive behaviour if the behaviour is habitual; therefore, individuals whose binge eating and/or purging are habitual may be particularly likely to engage in these behaviours in the context of interpersonal stress. We aimed to investigate this hypothesis in a sample of women with binge eating and/or purging using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). METHOD: Women (N = 81) with binge-eating and/or purging symptoms completed a self-report measure assessing habit strength of binge eating and purging followed by a 14-day EMA protocol assessing daily perceived interpersonal stress and binge-eating and purging episodes. RESULTS: Habit strength of purging moderated the within-person effect of interpersonal stress on purging frequency, such that higher daily stress was associated with greater same-day purging frequency when purging was more habitual. Contrary to expectations, the interactive effect of habit strength of binge eating and daily interpersonal stress on same-day binge-eating frequency was non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that individuals with habitual purging may be vulnerable to engaging in purging when they are experiencing high levels of interpersonal stress.

Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring to Passively Classify Naturalistic Binge Eating and Vomiting Among Adults With Binge-Spectrum Eating Disorders: A Preliminary Investigation.

OBJECTIVE: Binge eating and self-induced vomiting are common, transdiagnostic eating disorder (ED) symptoms. Efforts to understand these behaviors in research and clinical settings have historically relied on self-report measures, which may be biased and have limited ecological validity. It may be possible to passively detect binge eating and vomiting using data collected by continuous glucose monitors (CGMs; minimally invasive sensors that measure blood glucose levels), as these behaviors yield characteristic glucose responses. METHOD: This study developed machine learning classification algorithms to classify binge eating and vomiting among 22 adults with binge-spectrum EDs using CGM data. Participants wore Dexcom G6 CGMs and reported eating episodes and disordered eating symptoms using ecological momentary assessment for 2 weeks. Group-level random forest models were generated to distinguish binge eating from typical eating episodes and to classify instances of vomiting. RESULTS: The binge eating model had accuracy of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.83, 0.92), sensitivity of 0.56, and specificity of 0.90. The vomiting model demonstrated accuracy of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.91), sensitivity of 0.88, and specificity of 0.71. DISCUSSION: Results suggest that CGM may be a promising avenue for passively classifying binge eating and vomiting, with implications for innovative research and clinical applications.

Ballou's Ancestral Inbreeding Coefficient: Formulation and New Estimate with Higher Reliability.

Inbreeding is unavoidable in small populations. However, the deleterious effects of inbreeding on fitness-related traits (inbreeding depression) may not be an inevitable phenomenon, since deleterious recessive alleles causing inbreeding depression might be purged from populations through inbreeding and selection. Inbreeding purging has been of great interest in conservation biology and animal breeding, because populations manifesting lower inbreeding depression could be created even with a small number of breeding animals, if inbreeding purging exists. To date, many studies intending to detect inbreeding purging in captive and domesticated animal populations have been carried out using pedigree analysis. Ballou's ancestral inbreeding coefficient (FBAL-ANC) is one of the most widely used measurements to detect inbreeding purging, but the theoretical basis for FBAL-ANC has not been fully established. In most of the published works, estimates from stochastic simulation (gene-dropping simulation) have been used. In this report, the author provides a mathematical basis for FBAL-ANC and proposes a new estimate by hybridizing stochastic and deterministic computation processes. A stochastic simulation suggests that the proposed method could considerably reduce the variance of estimates, compared to ordinary gene-dropping simulation, in which whole gene transmissions in a pedigree are stochastically determined. The favorable property of the proposed method results from the bypass of a part of the stochastic process in the ordinary gene-dropping simulation. Using the proposed method, the reliability of the estimates of FBAL-ANC could be remarkably enhanced. The relationship between FBAL-ANC and other pedigree-based parameters is also discussed.

Effects of Alumina Bubble Addition on the Properties of Corundum-Spinel Castables Containing Cr2O3.

Purging plugs made of corundum-spinel castables containing Cr2O3 have been widely utilized in secondary refining process. However, their poor thermal shock resistance has greatly limited the improvement of their service life. Aiming to enhance their properties, we introduced alumina bubbles (ABs) to corundum-spinel castables, and the effects of the AB addition on the properties of the castables are studied in this manuscript. The results indicate that the apparent porosity, permanent linear change, cold strength, and hot strength all increased with an increasing AB amount. The thermal shock resistance of the samples with the AB addition was improved; the residual strength and residual strength ratio of the sample with 4 wt% ABs was the best. The effects of ABs on the tabular alumina aggregate distribution and relationship between the cold strength of the samples and the AB content was evaluated via the box dimension method. With the increments of AB content, the box dimension value of the tabular alumina within the samples significantly decreased, indicating that the tabular alumina aggregate distribution was related to the amount of ABs. In addition, the relationship between the box dimension and the strength was also established.

Clinical Factors Associated with Binge-Eating Episodes or Purging Behaviors in Patients Affected by Eating Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential associations between clinical/socio-demographic variables and the presence of purging/binge-eating episodes in eating disorders (EDs). Clinical/socio-demographic variables and psychometric scores were collected. Groups of patients were identified according to the presence or absence of purging or objective binge-eating episodes (OBEs) and compared through t-test and chi-square tests. Binary logistic regression analyses were run. A sample of 51 ED outpatients was recruited. Patients with purging behaviors had a longer duration of untreated illness (DUI) (t = 1.672; p = 0.019) and smoked a higher number of cigarettes/day (t = 1.061; p = 0.030) compared to their counterparts. A lower BMI was associated with purging (OR = 0.881; p = 0.035), and an older age at onset showed a trend towards statistical significance (OR = 1.153; p = 0.061). Patients with OBEs, compared to their counterparts, were older (t = 0.095; p < 0.001), more frequently presented a diagnosis of bulimia or binge-eating disorder (χ2 = 26.693; p < 0.001), a longer duration of illness (t = 2.162; p = 0.019), a higher number of hospitalizations (t = 1.301; p = 0.012), and more often received a prescription for pharmacological treatment (χ2 = 7.864; OR = 6.000; p = 0.005). A longer duration of the last pharmacological treatment was associated with OBE (OR = 1.569; p = 0.046). In contrast to purging, OBE was associated with a more complicated and severe presentation of ED. A lower BMI and a later age at onset, as well as long-lasting previous pharmacological treatments, may predict the presence of purging/binging. Further research is needed to thoroughly characterize ED features and corroborate our preliminary findings.

Testing associations between assessments of cognitive flexibility and eating disorder symptoms in adolescent bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive rigidity, or difficulty adapting to changing demands, is commonly observed in anorexia nervosa. Less is known, however, about cognitive flexibility (CF) in bulimia nervosa (BN) and, particularly, adolescence. Clarifying this relation and best assessment practices may guide informed clinical decision-making. The current study compared how two measures of CF (i.e., Wisconsin Card Sort Task [WCST] and Trail Making Task [TMT]) relate to BN symptoms among adolescents. METHODS: Data from a subsample (n = 78) of adolescents with BN were analyzed. Linear and hurdle regressions were used to compare the effects of WCST perseverative errors and TMT performance on Eating Disorder Examination Global Scores, objective binge episodes, and self-induced vomiting episodes (SVEs) at baseline and end-of-treatment (EOT). RESULTS: Neither CF measure associated with baseline BN symptoms. TMT performance positively associated with the likelihood of engaging in SVEs at EOT (𝛽 = 0.47, p = 0.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.11-0.84]) and, among adolescents who endorsed ≥1 SVE at EOT, WCST perseverative errors (𝛽 = 0.05, p = 0.005, 95% CI = [0.01-0.08]) positively associated with SVE frequency at EOT. DISCUSSION: The overall lack of associations between CF and outcomes suggests that cognitive rigidity may not be as relevant to the clinical profile of adolescent BN as for anorexia nervosa. In the few significant associations that emerged, the WCST and TMT uniquely predicted the severity of vomiting at EOT in this sample. Given the lack of CF deficits, future work should aim to test the role of other executive functions (e.g., impulsivity), in addition to CF, to determine which deficits are present in adolescent BN and may predict outcomes. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with eating disorders often have difficulties thinking flexibly, which may interfere with their recovery. We tested two ways of measuring flexible thinking in adolescents with BN. Overall, flexible thinking was not associated with symptom-level outcomes. However, less flexible thinking at the start of treatment predicted self-induced vomiting at EOT. If findings are replicable, then assessing and addressing flexible thinking could improve outcomes for adolescents with BN.

Engagement in binge eating and fasting associated with poorer sleep quality in an online sample of adults.

OBJECTIVES: Both disordered eating and disturbed sleep represent significant threats to mental health. Accumulating evidence suggests that disordered eating behaviors and sleep problems co-occur. A majority of current research, however, has focused on these behaviors as components of eating disorder diagnoses, rather than investigating the independent associations of transdiagnostic disordered eating behaviors and sleep. The present study sought to examine fasting, binge eating, self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic misuse, and driven exercise as predictors of sleep quality complaints. METHOD: An online sample of 648 U.S. adults completed the Eating Disorder Examination - Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Patient Health Care Questionnaire-2 as part of a larger parent study. RESULTS: Results of a hierarchical linear regression revealed that, collectively, disordered eating behaviors predicted worse sleep quality [R2 = 0.30, F(7, 640) = 31.21, p < .001], and that both binge eating and fasting, but not other compensatory behaviors, accounted for unique variance in sleep quality after controlling for BMI and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, findings suggest that transdiagnostic disordered eating behaviors are associated with sleep quality complaints. Improved understanding of the specific relationships between individual eating behaviors and sleep characteristics can help refine the identification of individuals at high risk for sleep disturbance and address the potential reciprocal influence of sleep quality on disordered eating behaviors.

Risk Factors That Predict Future Onset of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Purging Disorder in Adolescent Girls.

Because very few prospective studies have identified risk factors that predicted future onset of threshold/subthreshold anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and purging disorder (PD), we analyzed prospective data collected from a large cohort of adolescent girls followed over an 8-year period to advance knowledge about risk factor specificity. Adolescent girls recruited from middle schools in Texas (N = 492; M age = 13.02 [SD = 0.73], age range = 11-15) completed questionnaires assessing risk factors at baseline and diagnostic interviews assessing eating disorders annually over 8 years. Only low BMI predicted future AN onset. Pressure to be thin, thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, negative emotionality, low parent support, and modeling of eating pathology predicted future BN onset. Pressure to be thin, thin-ideal internalization, negative emotionality, low parent support, and modeling of eating pathology predicted future BED onset. Pressure to be thin, body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, low parent support, modeling of eating pathology, and high BMI predicted future PD onset. Predictive effects were medium-to-large. Results support etiological theories of eating disorders that postulate the pursuit of the thin ideal, body dissatisfaction, negative affect, dietary restraint, and interpersonal issues increase risk for most eating disorders. The evidence that girls with low body weight are at risk for AN, whereas girls with high body weight are at risk for PD are novel. Although several risk factors predicted future onset of BN, BED, and PD, results suggest that risk factors for AN are qualitatively distinct and should be investigated further.

Single-step,in-situfabrication of flower-like NiCuMn hybrid oxyhydroxide electrodes for enhanced supercapacitor performance.

The rational design of highly active and low-cost electrode material is very promising for energy storage applications. The development of supercapacitors with high energy/power density is an imperative and challenging research objective. Herein, we report a highly facile synthesis approach for developing unique nano-porous hybrid NiCuMn oxyhydroxide architecture with remarkable electrochemical energy storage characteristics. The process involves dealloying of Ni15Cu15Mn70alloy in an oxygen rich environment, resulting in a uniform 3-dimensional flower like morphology. The dealloyed electrode demonstrates ultra-high specific capacitance of 4110 F cm-3at a high current density of 20 mA cm-2. A symmetric device exhibits a high volumetric capacitance of 365 F cm-3at a current density of 10 mA cm-2with a large potential window of 1.7 V. Even at very high-power density of 850 W l-1, the device exhibits a high energy density of 146 Wh l-1along with remarkable cyclic stability of 95.4% after 10 000 cycles. The superior performance of nano-porous hybrid NiCuMn oxyhydroxide architecture was attributed to its unique microstructure that provides high surface area, and marginal internal resistance ensuring rapid charge transport.

Dataset of the liquid water distribution in a biomimetic PEM fuel cell.

This dataset gathers the initial formation and the evolution of water content and distribution, as well as water evacuation, within a lung-inspired PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell with a 50 cm2 active area for various operating conditions such as cell pressure, relative humidity of the reactant (anode and cathode), temperature, and cell current density. Neutron imaging was used since it has been shown to be an effective technique for quantitative analysis of water distribution, obtaining the thickness of the water with the Lambert-Beer law, thus obtaining the numerical data that composes the tables and graphs in this dataset. A series of videos compiling the individual images obtained through neutron imaging, showing the water distribution evolution are presented. Numerical and graphical compilation of the amount of water in a cell through time in different regions of the cell and for a total of 10 experiments are provided. This dataset provides a deeper knowledge on the complex phenomena that liquid water is subjected to in fuel cells along time, as well as a basis for an experimental validation for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations.

Dysphoric mood may explain the relation between sleep reactivity and binge eating but not purging.

Objective: This study investigated whether sleep reactivity (i.e., a propensity to experience sleep disturbances when stressed) relates to eating disorder behavioral symptoms indirectly through dysphoric mood in a sample of college students. Participants: One hundred and ninety-eight college students (51.5% female). Methods: Participants completed self-report measures of dysphoric mood, eating disorder behavioral symptoms, and sleep reactivity. Results: Higher sleep reactivity was associated with greater binge-eating symptoms indirectly through higher dysphoric mood. Higher sleep reactivity was associated with greater purging symptoms; however, this association was not explained by dysphoric mood. Conclusions: Findings support the relevance of sleep reactivity to binge eating and purging and suggest that sleep reactivity relates to binge-eating symptoms indirectly through dysphoric mood. If replicated in prospective data, targeting stress-induced sleep and mood disturbances in college students may reduce risk for binge eating.

Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment Framework Incorporating Water Ages with Legionella pneumophila Growth Rates.

Water age in drinking water systems is often used as a proxy for water quality but is rarely used as a direct input in assessing microbial risk. This study directly linked water ages in a premise plumbing system to concentrations of Legionella pneumophila via a growth model. In turn, the L. pneumophila concentrations were used for a quantitative microbial risk assessment to calculate the associated probabilities of infection (Pinf) and clinically severe illness (Pcsi) due to showering. Risk reductions achieved by purging devices, which reduce water age, were also quantified. The median annual Pinf exceeded the commonly used 1 in 10,000 (10-4) risk benchmark in all scenarios, but the median annual Pcsi was always 1-3 orders of magnitude below 10-4. The median annual Pcsi was lower in homes with two occupants (4.7 × 10-7) than with one occupant (7.5 × 10-7) due to more frequent use of water fixtures, which reduced water ages. The median annual Pcsi for homes with one occupant was reduced by 39-43% with scheduled purging 1-2 times per day. Smart purging devices, which purge only after a certain period of nonuse, maintained these lower annual Pcsi values while reducing additional water consumption by 45-62%.

Examining negative urgency as a predictor of eating disorder maintenance in purging syndromes.

OBJECTIVES: Negative urgency is associated with short-term maintenance of binge eating and purging in unselected samples. The current study used an eating disorder sample to test the hypothesis that negative urgency maintains bulimia nervosa (BN) and purging disorder (PD) at long-term follow-up. It was also hypothesized that baseline differences in negative urgency between BN and PD would remain at follow-up. METHODS: Secondary analyses were conducted on a sample of women who engaged in recurrent self-induced vomiting (n = 68; 52.9% BN; 47.1% PD). Women completed diagnostic interviews and questionnaires at baseline and at a mean (SD) of 5.95 (1.58) years follow-up (range = 2.51-9.62; retention rate = 75%). RESULTS: Negative urgency did not predict eating disorder diagnostic status, recovery status, or global eating pathology at follow-up (p's = .06-.83). There were no significant differences in negative urgency across women with BN and PD at follow-up (p = .16). However, post hoc analyses indicated that negative urgency was not stable across time (ICC = .102). Increases in negative urgency from baseline to follow-up were associated with greater global eating pathology at follow-up (p = .002). CONCLUSION: Results suggest negative urgency does not predict long-term eating disorder maintenance. Negative urgency may not be a stable personality trait but rather an indicator of overall poor emotion regulation. Future research should confirm that changes in negative urgency predict chronic eating pathology over long durations of follow-up in women who have increasing negative urgency across time.

There is nothing as inconsistent as the OSFED diagnostic criteria.

Atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN), purging disorder (PD), night eating syndrome (NES), and subthreshold bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder (Sub-BN/BED) are the five categories that comprise the 'Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder' (OSFED) category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5). In this review, we examine problems with the diagnostic criteria that are currently proposed for the five OSFED types. We conclude that the existing diagnostic criteria for OSFED are deficient and fall short of accurately describing the complexity and individuality of those with these eating disorders (EDs). Therefore, to enhance the quality of life of people with OSFED, diagnostic criteria for the condition should be applied uniformly in clinical and research settings.

Changes in affect longitudinally mediate associations between emotion regulation strategy use and disordered eating.

BACKGROUND: Trait-level emotion regulation (ER) difficulties are associated with eating disorders (EDs) transdiagnostically. However, little research has examined whether within-person fluctuations in ER longitudinally predict ED behaviors in daily life or the mechanisms of ER effects. Investigating daily ER could help us better understand why people experience ED behaviors at a given time. We examined whether day-to-day changes in adaptive (e.g., cognitive reappraisal) and maladaptive (e.g., rumination) ER longitudinally predicted core ED behaviors (binge eating, purging, dieting) and whether changes in affect mediated effects. METHOD: Female participants (N = 688) ages 15-30 from the Michigan State University Twin Registry reported their adaptive and maladaptive ER use, negative affect (NA), positive affect (PA), binge eating, purging, and dieting on 49 consecutive days. Using structural equation modeling, we examined whether within-person fluctuations in ER predicted same- and next-day ED behaviors and whether changes in affect mediated longitudinal ER effects. RESULTS: Greater maladaptive ER predicted increased likelihood of same-day binge eating and next-day binge eating and purging. The association between maladaptive ER and next-day binge eating and purging was mediated by increased next-day NA. In contrast, dieting was more closely related to changes in PA. Adaptive ER did not predict reduced likelihood of any ED behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Maladaptive ER may longitudinally increase risk for binge eating and purging by amplifying NA. Interventions focused on decreasing maladaptive ER and subsequent NA might help disrupt binge eating-purging cycles. Conversely, results add to evidence that PA fluctuations may play a unique role in maintaining restrictive behaviors. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Little is known about how daily changes in emotion regulation may impact disordered eating. We found that maladaptive emotion regulation (e.g., rumination) was associated with a higher likelihood of binge eating and purging on the next day because it predicted increased next-day negative affect. In contrast, dieting was more closely tied to fluctuations in positive affect. Targeting daily emotion regulation and affective processes may help disrupt cycles of disordered eating.

Efficacy of Spleen-and-Stomach-Tonifying, Yin-Fire-Purging, and Yang-Raising Decoction Derived from the Trimethylamine N-Oxide Metabolic Pathway of Intestinal Microbiota on Macrovascular Lesions Caused by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective: We aimed to analyze the mechanisms underlying spleen-and-stomach-tonifying, yin-fire-purging, and yang-raising decoction derived from the trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) metabolic pathway of intestinal microbiota in the treatment of macrovascular lesions caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Hartley-guinea pigs were randomly divided into 3 groups-the blank, model, and intervention groups. The T2DM combined with atherosclerosis guinea pig models were established in the model and intervention groups. After successful modeling, spleen-and-stomach-tonifying, yin-fire-purging, and yang-raising decoction were administered intragastrically to the intervention group, while the same volume of normal saline was administered via gavage to the blank and model groups. After 6 weeks of continuous gavage, guinea pigs were sacrificed in all groups, the colon contents were obtained, and the diversity and structural differences of intestinal microbiota were analyzed via bioinformatics. Serum was collected to detect differences in lipids, TMAO, oxidative stress, and inflammation markers between groups. Results: Compared to the blank group, the species diversity of the intestinal microbiota in the model and intervention groups was significantly reduced. Based on the results of Analysis of Similarities and Multiple Response Permutation Procedure, the microbiota structure of the intervention group was closer to that of the blank group. After modeling, the blood lipid levels of guinea pigs increased significantly, and drug intervention significantly reduced the levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C (P < 0.05). TMAO expression was significantly increased after modeling (P < 0.05), while drug intervention reduced TMAO expression (P < 0.05). Compared to the model group, drug intervention significantly increased the concentrations of SOD while decreasing the concentrations of MDA, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, IL-6, and hs-CRP. Conclusion: Spleen-and-stomach-tonifying, yin-fire-purging, and yang-raising decoction can reduce the risk of macrovascular lesions in T2DM, and its mechanism may be associated with its ability to regulate the TMAO metabolic pathway of intestinal microbiota.

Inflammatory profiles in women with eating disorder: Linking inflammatory biomarkers to clinical phenotypes.

INTRODUCTION: Eating disorders (ED) represent a group of very complex and serious diagnoses characterized by emotional dysregulation and impulsivity. New approaches are necessary to achieve effective diagnosis and treatments. Shifting biomarker research away from the constraints of diagnostic categories may effectively contribute to a dimensional differentiation across disorders according to neurobiology (e.g., inflammatory biomarkers). Thus, the aim of our study was to identify inflammatory profiles in patients with ED. METHODS: A sample of 100 women with an ED (23.4 ± 8.55 years) and 59 healthy controls (HC) (20.22 ± 4.18 years) was used. K-means cluster analysis was followed to identify inflammatory clusters considering seven blood biomarkers (iNOS, TNFα, COX2, p38, ERK, TBARS and PPARγ). Moreover, a wide assessment of clinical features was conducted. RESULTS: Two distinct clusters were identified. Cluster 1 patients were characterized by higher inflammatory levels of TNF-α, COX2, p38, and ERK, and had more restrictive anorexia diagnosis than cluster 2. Cluster 2 participants showed higher inflammatory levels of iNOS and were older than cluster 1 and controls and had lower BMI than HC. In addition, they had higher levels of bulimic symptoms than those from the cluster 1 and HC, and higher impulsivity than HC. All ED patients (regardless of cluster) showed higher ED symptoms and more trauma than HC. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that inflammatory dysfunction may be linked with clinical endophenotypes in ED, one more restrictive (cluster 1) with an inflammation/oxidative endophenotype more cytokine and MAPK/ERK mediated, and the other more impulsive, with more bulimic symptoms (cluster 2) with NO free radical high output source iNOS. Trauma seems to be a vulnerability factor for both endophenotypes.

Upcycling crab shell waste into biochar for treatment of palm oil mill effluent via microwave pyrolysis and activation.

The escalating consumer demand for crabs results in a growing amount of waste, including shells, claws, and other non-edible parts. The resulting crab shell waste (CSW) is disposed of via incineration or landfills which causes environmental pollution. CSW represents a potential biological resource that can be transformed into valuable resources via pyrolysis technique. In this study, microwave pyrolysis of CSW using self-purging, vacuum, and steam activation techniques was examined to determine the biochar production yield and its performance in treating palm oil mill effluent (POME). The biochar produced through microwave pyrolysis exhibits yields ranging from 50 to 61 wt%, showing a hard texture, low volatile matter content (≤34.1 wt%), and high fixed carbon content (≥58.3 wt%). The KOH-activated biochar demonstrated a surface area of up to 177 m2/g that is predominantly composed of mesopores, providing a good amount of adsorption sites for use as adsorbent. The biochar activated with steam removed 8.3 mg/g of BOD and 42 mg/g of COD from POME. The results demonstrate that microwave pyrolysis of CSW is a promising technology to produce high-quality biochar as an adsorbent for POME treatment.

An examination of adults with atypical anorexia nervosa at admission to treatment at higher levels of care: An attempt to increase diagnostic clarity.

OBJECTIVE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious illness with a high mortality rate and multiple physiological complications. The vague definition of atypical AN allows for subjective interpretation. This retrospective study aimed to focus future research on the operational definition of atypical AN by examining four factors associated with atypical AN at admission to higher level of care treatment. METHODS: Adults with atypical AN (n = 69) were examined within sample analyses among four groups: (1) >10% versus ≤10% weight loss; (2) weight loss within the previous 3 months versus >3 months; (3) engaging in purging behaviors versus absence of purging behaviors; and (4) endorsing versus not endorsing significant cognitive aspects of AN. RESULTS: Patients with atypical AN endorsed elevated ED cognitions on the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire and depressive symptoms; a lack of association was found between weight loss severity and weight loss time frame with depressive symptoms, eating concern, and restraint. Purging behavior was associated with a higher expected body weight percentage (%EBW) and dietary restraint, while greater AN cognitions were associated with a higher EBW and weight loss percentage. Few patients demonstrated bradycardia, hypophosphatemia, or amenorrhea. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrated the severity of ED cognitions and depressive symptoms in this atypical AN sample and provided directions for future studies in the nosology of atypical AN. It may be important to distinguish between individuals with atypical AN who are purging and those who are not. Atypical AN was associated with a low frequency of physiological disturbances. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides further clarification regarding the operational definition of atypical AN; currently, a constellation of symptoms under Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders. This study was consistent with previous research in reporting severe eating disorder cognitions in adults with atypical AN, and noted the potential importance of distinguishing a purging distinction. A minority of patients in this study had physiological impairments.