The effectiveness of adjustable trans-obturator male system (ATOMS) in radiated patients is reduced: A propensity score-matched analysis.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of the adjustable trans-obturator male system (ATOMS®) to treat post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) in radiated patients compared with non-radiated patients, using propensity score-matching analysis to enhance the validity of the comparison. Patients and methods: Consecutive men with PPI treated with silicone-covered scrotal port ATOMS (A.M.I., Feldkirch, Austria) in nine different institutions between 2016 and 2022 were included. Preoperative assessment evaluated 24-h pad usage, urethroscopy and urodynamics, if indicated. Propensity score-matching analysis was based on age, length of follow-up, previous PPI treatment, previous bladder neck stricture, androgen deprivation and pad usage. The primary endpoint was dry rate, defined as no pads post-operatively with a security pad allowed. The secondary endpoints were complications, device removal and self-perceived satisfaction with the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale. Results: Of the 710 included patients, 342 were matched, and the study groups were balanced for the baseline matched variables. The mean baseline 24-h pad was 4.8 in both groups (p = 0.48). The mean follow-up was 27.5 ± 18.6 months, which was also equivalent between groups (p = 0.36). The primary outcome was achieved in 73 (42.7%) radiated patients and in 115 (67.3%) non-radiated patients (p < 0.0001). The mean pad count at the last follow-up was 1.5 and 0.8, respectively (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in complications (p = 0.94), but surgical revision and device explant rates were higher (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively), and the proportion of patients highly satisfied (PGI-I = 1) was lower in the radiated group (p = 0.01). At sensitivity analysis, the study was found to be reasonably robust to hidden bias. Conclusion: ATOMS implantation significantly outperformed in patients without adjuvant radiation over radiated patients.

Mechanochemical Encapsulation of Caffeine in UiO-66 and UiO-66-NH2 to Obtain Polymeric Composites by Extrusion with Recycled Polyamide 6 or Polylactic Acid Biopolymer.

The development of capsules with additives that can be added to polymers during extrusion processing can lead to advances in the manufacturing of textile fabrics with improved and durable properties. In this work, caffeine (CAF), which has anti-cellulite properties, has been encapsulated by liquid-assisted milling in zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with different textural properties and chemical functionalization: commercial UiO-66, UiO-66 synthesized without solvents, and UiO-66-NH2 synthesized in ethanol. The CAF@MOF capsules obtained through the grinding procedure have been added during the extrusion process to recycled polyamide 6 (PA6) and to a biopolymer based on polylactic acid (PLA) to obtain a load of approximately 2.5 wt% of caffeine. The materials have been characterized by various techniques (XRD, NMR, TGA, FTIR, nitrogen sorption, UV-vis, SEM, and TEM) that confirm the caffeine encapsulation, the preservation of caffeine during the extrusion process, and the good contact between the polymer and the MOF. Studies of the capsules and PA6 polymer+capsules composites have shown that release is slower when caffeine is encapsulated than when it is free, and the textural properties of UiO-66 influence the release more prominently than the NH2 group. However, an interaction is established between the biopolymer PLA and caffeine that delays the release of the additive.

Renal function-adapted D-dimer cutoffs in combination with a clinical prediction rule to exclude pulmonary embolism in patients presenting to the emergency department.

D-dimer levels significantly increase with declining renal function and hence, renal function-adjusted D-dimer cutoffs to rule out pulmonary embolism were suggested. Aim of this study was to "post hoc" validate previously defined renal function-adjusted D-dimer levels to safely rule out pulmonary embolism in patients presenting to the emergency department. In this retrospective, observational analysis, all patients with low to intermediate pre-test probability receiving D-dimer measurement and computed tomography angiography (CTA) to rule out pulmonary embolism between January 2017 and December 2020 were included. Previously defined renal function-adjusted D-dimer cutoffs (1306 µg/l for moderate and 1663 µg/l for severe renal function impairment) were applied to determine sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values. One thousand, three hundred sixty-nine patients were included of which 229 (17%) were diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was ≥ 60 ml/min in 1079 (79%), 30-59 ml/min in 266 (19%) and < 30 ml/min in 24 (2%) patients. Only three patients (1.1%) with an eGFR < 60 ml/min had a D-dimer level < 500 µg/l. There was a significant correlation between D-dimer and eGFR (R = - 0.159, p < 0.001). Calculated on the standard D-dimer cutoff value of 500 µg/l, sensitivity of D-dimer testing was 97% for patients with an eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min and 100% for those with 30-60 ml/min, while specificity decreased in patients with renal function impairment. A negative predictive value of 0.99 as a premise to safely rule out pulmonary embolism was achieved by applying a D-dimer cutoff of 1480 µg/l for eGFR 30-59 ml/min and 1351 µg/l for eGFR < 30 ml/min. The findings of this study underline that application of renal function-adapted D-dimer levels in combination with a clinical prediction rule appears feasible to rule out pulmonary embolism. Out of the current dataset, renal function-adjusted D-dimer cutoffs to rule out pulmonary embolism were slightly different compared to previously defined cutoffs. Further studies on a larger scale are needed to validate possible renal function-adjusted D-dimer cutoffs.

CADMUS: A Novel MRI-Based Classification of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage Associated With Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is the major cause of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). There is no comprehensive, easily applicable classification of ICH subtypes according to the presumed underlying SVD using MRI. We developed an MRI-based classification for SVD-related ICH. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in the prospectively collected Swiss Stroke Registry (SSR, 2013-2019) and the Stroke InvestiGation in North And central London (SIGNAL) cohort. Patients with nontraumatic, SVD-related ICH and available MRI within 3 months were classified as Cerebral Amyloid angiopathy (CAA), Deep perforator arteriopathy (DPA), Mixed CAA-DPA, or Undetermined SVD using hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic MRI markers (CADMUS classification). The primary outcome was inter-rater reliability using Gwet's AC1. Secondary outcomes were recurrent ICH/ischemic stroke at 3 months according to the CADMUS phenotype. We performed Firth penalized logistic regressions and competing risk analyses. RESULTS: The SSR cohort included 1,180 patients (median age [interquartile range] 73 [62-80] years, baseline NIH Stroke Scale 6 [2-12], 45.6% lobar hematoma, systolic blood pressure on admission 166 [145-185] mm Hg). The CADMUS phenotypes were as follows: mixed CAA-DPA (n = 751 patients, 63.6%), undetermined SVD (n = 203, 17.2%), CAA (n = 154, 13.1%), and DPA (n = 72, 6.3%), with a similar distribution in the SIGNAL cohort (n = 313). Inter-rater reliability was good (Gwet's AC1 for SSR/SIGNAL 0.69/0.74). During follow-up, 56 patients had 57 events (28 ICH, 29 ischemic strokes). Three-month event rates were comparable between the CADMUS phenotypes. DISCUSSION: CADMUS, a novel MRI-based classification for SVD-associated ICH, is feasible and reproducible and may improve the classification of ICH subtypes in clinical practice and research.

Functional and Radiologic Outcomes of Degenerative Versus Traumatic Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears Involving the Supraspinatus Tendon.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is among the most commonly performed orthopaedic procedures. Several factors-including age, sex, and tear severity-have been identified as predictors for outcome after repair. The influence of the tear etiology on functional and structural outcome remains controversial. PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of tear etiology (degenerative vs traumatic) on functional and structural outcomes in patients with supraspinatus tendon tears. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Patients undergoing ARCR from 19 centers were prospectively enrolled between June 2020 and November 2021. Full-thickness, nonmassive tears involving the supraspinatus tendon were included. Tears were classified as degenerative (chronic shoulder pain, no history of trauma) or traumatic (acute, traumatic onset, no previous shoulder pain). Range of motion, strength, the Subjective Shoulder Value, the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), and the Constant-Murley Score (CMS) were assessed before (baseline) and 6 and 12 months after ARCR. The Subjective Shoulder Value and the OSS were also determined at the 24-month follow-up. Repair integrity after 12 months was documented, as well as additional surgeries up to the 24-month follow-up. Tear groups were compared using mixed models adjusted for potential confounding effects. RESULTS: From a cohort of 973 consecutive patients, 421 patients (degenerative tear, n = 230; traumatic tear, n = 191) met the inclusion criteria. The traumatic tear group had lower mean baseline OSS and CMS scores but significantly greater score changes 12 months after ARCR (OSS, 18 [SD, 8]; CMS, 34 [SD,18] vs degenerative: OSS, 15 [SD, 8]; CMS, 22 [SD, 15]) (P < .001) and significantly higher 12-month overall scores (OSS, 44 [SD, 5]; CMS, 79 [SD, 9] vs degenerative: OSS, 42 [SD, 7]; CMS, 76 [SD, 12]) (P≤ .006). At the 24-month follow-up, neither the OSS (degenerative, 44 [SD, 6]; traumatic, 45 [SD, 6]; P = .346) nor the rates of repair failure (degenerative, 14 [6.1%]; traumatic 12 [6.3%]; P = .934) and additional surgeries (7 [3%]; 7 [3.7%]; P = .723) differed between groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with degenerative and traumatic full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears who had ARCR show satisfactory short-term functional results. Although patients with traumatic tears have lower baseline functional scores, they rehabilitate over time and show comparable clinical results 1 year after ARCR. Similarly, degenerative and traumatic rotator cuff tears show comparable structural outcomes, which suggests that degenerated tendons retain healing potential.

Ultrasmall Functionalized UiO-66 Nanoparticle/Polymer Pebax 1657 Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membranes for Optimal CO2 Separation.

Ultrasmall 4 to 6 nm nanoparticles of the metal-organic framework (MOF) UiO-66 (University of Oslo-66) were successfully prepared and embedded into the polymer Pebax 1657 to fabricate thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes for CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 separations. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that ligand functionalization with amino (-NH2) and nitro (-NO2) groups significantly enhances the gas separation performance of the membranes. For CO2/N2 separation, 7.5 wt % UiO-66-NH2 nanoparticles provided a 53% improvement in CO2 permeance over the pristine membrane (from 181 to 277 GPU). Regarding the CO2/N2 selectivity, the membranes prepared with 5 wt % UiO-66-NO2 nanoparticles provided an increment of 17% over the membrane without the MOF (from 43.5 to 51.0). However, the CO2 permeance of this membrane dropped to 155 GPU. The addition of 10 wt % ZIF-94 particles with an average particle size of ∼45 nm into the 5 wt % UiO-66-NO2 membrane allowed to increase the CO2 permeance to 192 GPU while maintaining the CO2/N2 selectivity at ca. 51 due to the synergistic interaction between the MOFs and the polymer matrix provided by the hydrophilic nature of ZIF-94. In the case of CO2/CH4 separation, the 7.5 wt % UiO-66-NH2 membrane exhibited the best performance with an increase of the CO2 permeance from 201 to 245 GPU.

Factors Influencing Postoperative Overactive Bladder after Adjustable Trans-Obturator Male System Implantation for Male Stress Incontinence following Prostatectomy.

We aimed to determine the risk factors for postoperative overactive bladder (OAB) in patients treated with an adjustable trans-obturator male system (ATOMS) for stress incontinence after radical treatment of prostate cancer. A prospective study was performed on 56 patients implanted with an ATOMS for PPI. Clinical and urodynamic information was recorded before and after ATOMS implantation. We built a multivariate model to find out the clinical and urodynamic factors that independently influenced postoperative OAB and the prognostic factors that influenced the efficacy of medical treatment of OAB. We found that the clinical risk factors were the preoperative intensity of urinary incontinence (number of daily pads used and amount of urinary leakage), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) score, postoperative number of ATOMS adjustments, final cushion volume, and incontinence cure. The urodynamic data associated with OAB were cystometric bladder capacity, voided volume, volume at initial involuntary contraction (IC), maximum flow rate, bladder contractility index (BCI), and urethral resistance (URA). The prognostic factors for the efficacy of oral treatment of OAB were the volume at the first IC (direct relationship) and the maximum abdominal voiding pressure (inverse relationship). The multivariate model showed that the independent clinical risk factors were the daily pad count before the implantation and the ICIQ score at baseline and after treatment. The independent urodynamic data were the volume at the first IC (inverse relationship) and the URA value (direct relationship). Both predictive factors of treatment efficacy were found to be independent. Detrusor overactivity plays an important role in postoperative OAB, although other urodynamic and clinical factors such as the degree of urethral resistance and abdominal strength may influence this condition.

Results of Adjustable Trans-Obturator Male System in Patients with Prostate Cancer Treated with Prostatectomy and Radiotherapy: A Multicenter Study.

(1) Background: Treatment of male stress incontinence in patients with prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy and adjuvant pelvic radiation is a therapeutic challenge. The efficacy and safety of the adjustable trans-obturator male system (ATOMS) in these patients is not well established, despite the general belief that outcomes are worse than in patients without radiation. (2) Methods: Retrospective multicenter study evaluating patients treated with silicone-covered scrotal port (SSP) ATOMS implant after radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy in nine different institutions between 2016 and 2022. The primary endpoint was dry patient rate, defined as pad-test ≤ 20 mL/day. The secondary endpoints were complication rate (defined using Clavien-Dindo classification), device removal and self-perceived satisfaction using the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale. Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression were performed using stepwise method with a 0.15 entry and 0.1 stay criteria. (3) Results: 223 patients fulfilled the criteria for inclusion and 12 (5.4%) received salvage prostatectomy after radiation and 27 (12.1%) previous devices for stress incontinence. After ATOMS adjustment, 95 patients (42.6%) were dry and 36 (16.1%) had complications of any grade (grade I, n = 20; grade II, n = 11; grade III, n = 5) during the first 3 months postoperatively. At a mean of 36 ± 21 months follow-up, the device was explanted in 26 (11.7%) patients. Regarding self-perceived satisfaction with the implant, 105 of 125 patients (84%) considered themselves satisfied (PGI-I 1 to 3). In the univariate analysis, dryness was associated to younger age (p = 0.06), primary prostatectomy (p = 0.08), no previous incontinence surgery (p = 0.02), absence of overactive bladder symptoms (p = 0.04), absence of bladder neck stricture (p = 0.001), no need of surgical revision (p = 0.008) and lower baseline incontinence severity (p = 0.0003). Multivariate analysis identified absence of surgical revision (p = 0.018), absence of bladder neck stricture (p = 0.05), primary prostatectomy (p = 0.07) and lower baseline incontinence severity (p < 0.0001) were independent predictors of dryness. A logistic regression model was proposed and internally validated. (4) Conclusions: ATOMS is an efficacious and safe alternative to treat male incontinence after radical prostatectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. Factors predictive of dryness are identified in this complex scenario to allow for better patient selection.

Update on Adjustable Trans-Obturator Male System (ATOMS) for Male Incontinence after Prostate Cancer Surgery.

(1) Background: The adjustable trans-obturator male system (ATOMS) is a surgical device developed to treat post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) after prostate cancer treatment. We review the current literature on this anti-incontinence device with the intention of assessing the effectiveness, safety and duration of the silicone-covered scrotal port (SSP) ATOMS, the only generation of the device that is currently available. (2) Material and Methods: Non-systematic literature review is performed. Forty-eight full-text articles are assessed for eligibility. Case reports, expert opinions or commentaries without specific data reported (n = 6), studies with patients who underwent intervention before 2014 (IP or SP ATOMS; n = 10), and studies with incontinence after transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P; n = 2) are excluded for analysis. Thirty studies with SSP ATOMS are included in a qualitative synthesis that incorporates systematic reviews (n = 3), articles partially overlapping with other previously published studies (e.g., follow-up or series updates; n = 9), and studies focusing on specific populations (n = 8). Only articles revealing outcomes of SSP ATOMS were included in the quantitative synthesis of results (n = 10). (3) Results: the pooled data of 1515 patients from the 10 studies with SSP ATOMS confirmed very satisfactory results with this device after adjustment: dry rate: 63-82%, improved rate: 85-100%, complication rate: 7-33%, device infection rate: 2.7-6.2% and explant rate: 0-19%. The durability of the device is reassuring, with 89% of devices in place 5 years after implantation. (4) Conclusion: Despite the absence of randomized controlled studies, the literature findings confirm results of SSP ATOMS appear equivalent to those of artificial urinary sphincters (AUSs) in terms of continence, satisfaction and complications, but with a lower rate of revision in the long-term. A prospective study identified that patients with daily pad test results <900 mL and a Male Stress Incontinence Grading Scale (MSIGS) of not 4 (i.e., early and persistent stream or urine loss) are the best candidates. Future studies centered on the elder population at higher risk of impaired cognitive ability and in patients including radiation as prostate cancer treatment are needed.

Double-Layered Pebax® 3533/ZIF-8 Membranes with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Buckypapers as Support for Gas Separation.

Single-walled carbon nanotube buckypapers (SWCNT-bps) coated with a metal-organic framework ZIF-8 layer were used as supports for the preparation of Pebax® 3533 TFC membranes by both phase inversion and spin coating techniques. Upon proper characterization of the materials by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and electron microscopy, the obtained membranes were tested in gas separation experiments with a 15:85 CO2/N2 mixture. These experiments proved that the ZIF-8 layer prevented from the penetration of the polymer selective film into the SWCNT-bp support, giving rise to a highly permeable selective membrane. The optimum membrane was achieved by the spin-coating method, with better permeation results than that prepared by the phase inversion method, obtaining a CO2 permeance of 566 GPU together with a CO2/N2 selectivity of 20.9.

Green and Fast Strategies for Energy-Efficient Preparation of the Covalent Organic Framework TpPa-1.

Three synthesis procedures for the covalent-organic framework (COF) TpPa-1 are studied with the purpose of setting up the most promising one in a fast and green way, leading to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable process. With conventional heating, good crystallinity and a high BET specific surface area (SSA) of up to 1007 m2 ⋅ g-1 are achieved at 170 °C for 3 days using water as the quintessential green solvent. However, the application of microwave radiation in the synthesis for this crystalline porous polymer allows reaction times to be shortened to 30 min while maintaining structural and textural properties (BET SSA of 928 m2 ⋅ g-1 ) and obtaining yields close to 98 % (vs. 90 % in the hydrothermal synthesis). The water-assisted mechanochemical synthesis is also an environmentally friendly synthetic approach; with heating at 170 °C in a two-step process (10+10 min), high crystallinity is achieved, a BET SSA of 960  m2 ⋅ g-1 and a yield of 98 % for TpPa-1.

A facile route for the recovery of the ligand of zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-94/SIM-1.

A facile route for the recycling of the organic ligand from ZIF-94/SIM-1 is reported with a recovery yield of 92.5 ± 2.8%. The recycled ligand was used for a new ZIF-94 synthesis compared to the one using fresh ligand. ZIF-94 was embedded in Pebax® 1657 mixed matrix membranes for gas separation of CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 mixtures.

ATOMS (Adjustable Trans-Obturator Male System) in Patients with Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence and Previously Treated Urethral Stricture or Bladder Neck Contracture.

(1) Background: Male stress incontinence in patients with previously treated urethral or bladder neck stricture is a therapeutic challenge. The efficacy and safety of the adjustable trans-obturator male system (ATOMS) in these patients is unknown. (2) Methods: All patients with primary ATOMS implants in our institution between 2014 and 2021 were included. The outcomes of patients with previously treated urethral or bladder neck stricture (≥6 months before ATOMS implant) and stable 16Ch urethral caliber were compared to those without a history of stricture. The primary endpoint was the dry patient rate, defined as the pad test ≤ 20 mL/day, and complication rate, including device removal. The secondary variable was self-perceived satisfaction using the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale. Wilcoxon rank sum test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression were performed. (3) Results: One hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients were included, twenty-one (14%) previously treated for urethral or bladder neck stricture (seven urethroplasty, nine internal urethrotomy and five bladder neck incision). After ATOMS adjustment, 38% of the patients with treated stricture were continent compared to 83% of those without (p < 0.0001). After weighted matched observations using propensity score pairing, the proportion of continent patients without a previous stricture was 56% (p = 0.236). Complications occurred in 29% of the patients with stricture and in 20% of those without (p = 0.34). The severity of the complications was distributed evenly among the groups (p = 0.42). Regarding self-perceived satisfaction with the implant, 90% of the patients with stricture perceived the results satisfactorily (PGI-I 1−3) compared to 97% of the rest (p = 0.167). Stricture was associated with radiotherapy (p < 0.0001) and time from prostatectomy to implantation (p = 0.012). There was a moderate correlation between previous stricture and the severity of incontinence, both evaluated according to the 24-h pad test (Rho = 0.378; p < 0.0001) and the ICIQ-SF questionnaire (Rho = 0.351; p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis for the factors predictive of failure after ATOMS adjustment revealed previous stricture (OR 4.66; 95% CI 1.2−18.87), baseline 24-h pad test (per 100 mL, OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.09−1.52) and final cushion volume (per mL, OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.19−1.55). This model predicted dryness with an AUC of 92%. After the PSMATCH procedure using a propensity score, the model remained unchanged, with the previous stricture (OR 8.05; 95% CI 1.08−110.83), baseline 24-h pad test (per 100 mL, OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.15−2.26) and final cushion volume (per mL, OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.17−2) being independent predictors and an AUC of 93%. (4) Conclusions: ATOMS can be used to treat male stress incontinence in patients with a history of stricture, although the effectiveness of the device is reduced. On the other hand, the security and perceived satisfaction were equivalent for both groups.

Caffeine Encapsulation in Metal Organic Framework MIL-53(Al) at Pilot Plant Scale for Preparation of Polyamide Textile Fibers with Cosmetic Properties.

Currently in the marketplace, we can find clothing items able to release skin-friendly ingredients while wearing them. These innovative products with high-added value are based on microencapsulation technology. In this work, due to its lightness, flexibility, porosity, chemical affinity and adsorption capacity, metal-organic framework (MOF) MIL-53(Al) was the selected microcapsule to be synthesized at a large scale and subsequent caffeine encapsulation. The synthesis conditions (molar ratio of reactants, solvents used, reaction time, temperature, pressure reached in the reactor and activation treatment to enhance the encapsulation capacity) were optimized by screening various scaling-up reactor volumes (from lab-scale of 40 mL to pilot plant production of 3.75 L). Two types of Al salts (Al(NO3)3·9H2O from the original recipe and Al2(SO4)3 as commercial SUFAL 8.2) were employed. The liporeductor cosmetic caffeine was selected as the active molecule for encapsulation. Caffeine (38 wt %) was incorporated in CAF@MIL-53(Al) microcapsules, as analyzed by TGA and corroborated by GC/MS and UV-vis after additive extraction. CAF@MIL-53(Al) microcapsules showed a controlled release of caffeine during 6 days at 25 °C (up to 22% of the initial caffeine). These capsules were incorporated through an industrial spinning process (with temperatures up to 260 °C) to manufacture PA-6 fibers with cosmetic properties. Up to 0.7 wt % of capsules were successfully incorporated into the fibers hosting 1700 ppm of caffeine. Fabrics were submitted to scouring, staining, and washing processes, detecting the presence of caffeine in the cosmetic fiber.

Mesoporous Sn-In-MCM-41 Catalysts for the Selective Sugar Conversion to Methyl Lactate and Comparative Life Cycle Assessment with the Biochemical Process.

The use of biomass for the production of energy and higher added value products is a topic of increasing interest in line with growing environmental concerns and circular economy. Mesoporous material Sn-In-MCM-41 was synthesized for the first time and used as a catalyst for the transformation of sugars to methyl lactate (ML). This catalyst was characterized in depth by various techniques and compared with Sn-MCM-41 and In-MCM-41 catalysts. In the new Sn-In-MCM-41 material, both metals, homogeneously distributed throughout the mesoporous structure of MCM-41, actuate in a cooperative way in the different steps of the reaction mechanism. As a result, yields to ML of 69.4 and 73.9% in the transformation of glucose and sucrose were respectively reached. In the case of glucose, the ML yield 1.5 and 2.6 times higher than those of Sn-MCM-41 and In-MCM-41 catalysts, respectively. The Sn-In-MCM-41 catalyst was reused in the transformation of glucose up to four cycles without significant loss of catalytic activity. Finally, life cycle assessment comparison between chemical and biochemical routes to produce ML allowed us to conclude that the use of Sn-In-MCM-41 reduces the environmental impacts compared to Sn-MCM-41. Nevertheless, to make the chemical route comparable to the biochemical one, improvements in the catalyst and ML synthesis have to be achieved.

Study of Melamine-Formaldehyde/Phase Change Material Microcapsules for the Preparation of Polymer Films by Extrusion.

n-Eicosane-melamine formaldehyde microcapsules of an average size of 1.1 µm and latent heat of fusion of 146.2 ± 5.3 J/g have been prepared. They have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, calorimetric techniques, and thermogravimetric analyses. Under processing conditions, the microcapsules apparently preserved their properties, also maintaining their n-eicosane loading and heat storage capacity under washing conditions (water with detergent at 60 °C). The microcapsules synthesis has been scaled up for the fabrication of functional films by extrusion. For that, polymer films containing 10 wt.% of microcapsules were prepared at a pilot plant level. In those films, even though a fraction of the n-eicosane loading was lost during the extrusion process, the microcapsules showed good compatibility within the polyamide. The percentage of PCM in the polyamide 6 films was estimated by TGA, verifying also the heat storage capacity predicted by DSC (2.6 ± 0.7 J/g).

Pre-combustion gas separation by ZIF-8-polybenzimidazole mixed matrix membranes in the form of hollow fibres-long-term experimental study.

Polybenzimidazole (PBI) is a promising and suitable membrane polymer for the separation of the H2/CO2 pre-combustion gas mixture due to its high performance in terms of chemical and thermal stability and intrinsic H2/CO2 selectivity. However, there is a lack of long-term separation studies with this polymer, particularly when it is conformed as hollow fibre membrane. This work reports the continuous measurement of the H2/CO2 separation properties of PBI hollow fibres, prepared as mixed matrix membranes with metal-organic framework (MOF) ZIF-8 as filler. To enhance the scope of the experimental approach, ZIF-8 was synthesized from the transformation of ZIF-L upon up-scaling the MOF synthesis into a 1 kg batch. The effects of membrane healing with poly(dimethylsiloxane), to avoid cracks and non-selective gaps, and operation conditions (use of sweep gas or not) were also examined at 200°C during approximately 51 days. In these conditions, for all the membrane samples studied, the H2 permeance was in the 22-47 GPU range corresponding to 22-32 H2/CO2 selectivity values. Finally, this work continues our previous report on this type of application (Etxeberria-Benavides et al. 2020 Sep. Purif. Technol. 237, 116347 (doi:10.1016/j.seppur.2019.116347)) with important novelties dealing with the use of ZIF-8 for the mixed matrix membrane coming from a green methodology, the long-term gas separation testing for more than 50 days and the study on the membrane operation under more realistic conditions (e.g. without the use of sweep gas).

Prediction of surface area size in orbital floor and medial orbital wall fractures based on topographical subregions.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study evaluates the occurrence and frequency of different fracture patterns in a series of computed tomography (CT) scans in terms of the AOCMF Trauma Classification (TC) orbit module and correlates the assigned defects with measurements of the fracture area in order to get an approximate guideline for fracture size predictions on the basis of the classification. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CT scans of patients with orbital floor fractures were evaluated using the AOCMFTC to determine the topographical subregions. The coding consisted of: W = orbital wall, 1 = anterior orbit, 2 = midorbit, i = inferior, m = medial. The 3-dimensional surface area size of the fractures was quantified by the "defect body" method (Brainlab, Munich, Germany). The fracture area size and its confidence and prediction interval within each topographical subregion was estimated by regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 137 CT scans exhibited 145 orbital floor fractures, which were combined with 34 medial orbital wall fractures in 31 patients. The floor fractures - W1(i)2(i) (n = 86) and W1(i) (n = 19) were the most frequent patterns. Combined floor and medial wall fractures most frequently corresponded to the pattern W1 (im)2 (im) (n = 15) ahead of W1 (im) 2(i) (n = 10). The surface area size ranged from 0.11 cm2 to 6.09 cm2 for orbital floor and from 0.29 cm2 to 5.43 cm2 for medial wall fractures. The prediction values of the mean fracture area size within the subregions were computed as follows: W1(i) = 2.25 cm2, W2(i) = 1.64 cm2, W1(i)2(i) = 3.10 cm2, W1(m) = 1.36 cm2, W2(m) = 1.65 cm2, W1(m)2(m) = 2.98 cm2, W1 (im) = 3.35 cm2, W1 (im) 2(i) = 4.63 cm2, W1 (im)2(m) = 4.06 cm2 and W1 (im)2 (im) = 7.16 cm2. CONCLUSION: The AOCMFTC orbital module offers a suitable framework for topographical allocation of fracture patterns inside the infero-medial orbital cavity. The involvement of the subregions is of predictive value providing estimations of the mean 3-D fracture area size.

Polyamide-MIL-101(Cr) Thin Films Synthesized on Either the Outer or Inner Surfaces of a Polysulfone Hollow Fiber for Water Nanofiltration.

High-performance thin film nanocomposite (TFN) hollow fiber (HF) membranes, with MIL-101(Cr) MOF nanoparticles (52 ± 13 nm) embedded, have been synthesized with the polyamide layer formed either on the outer or inner surface of a polysulfone HF (250 and 380 µm ID and OD, respectively). The TFN_out membrane was developed using the conventional interfacial polymerization method, typically applied to obtain TFN flat membranes (MOF particles added to the thin layer by deposition). This membrane gave a water permeance value of 1.0 ± 0.7 L·m-2·h-1·bar-1 and a rejection of 90.9 ± 1.2% of acridine orange (AO, 265 Da). In contrast, the TFN_in membrane was synthesized by microfluidic means and gave a significantly higher water permeance of 2.8 ± 0.2 L·m-2·h-1·bar-1 and a slightly lower rejection of 87.4 ± 2.5% of the same solute. This remarkable increase of flux obtained with small solute AO suggests that the HF membranes developed in this work would exhibit good performance with other typical solutes with higher molecular weight than AO. The differences between the performances of both TFN_in and TFN_out membranes lay on the distinct superficial physicochemical properties of the support, the synthesis method, and the different concentrations of MOF present in the polyamide films of both membranes. The TFN_in is more desirable due to its potential advantages, and more effortless scalability due to the microfluidic continuous synthesis. In addition, the TFN_in membrane needs much fewer quantities of reactants to be synthesized than the TFN_out or the flat membrane version.

Green Preparation of Thin Films of Polybenzimidazole on Flat and Hollow Fiber Supports: Application to Hydrogen Separation.

This work shows the preparation of thin films, with thickness from 70 nm to 1 µm, of meta-polybenzimidazole (m-PBI) on polyimide P84 supports. Ethanolic solutions of m-PBI were used to coat flat and hollow fiber supports of asymmetric P84 with m-PBI in a process where the coating and drying was performed at room temperature. A solution of NaOH in EtOH allowed the dissolution of the m-PBI powder, providing the perfect coating solution to build thin films of m-PBI without damaging the polymeric support. It also meant a green alternative, avoiding the use of toxic solvents, such as dimethylacetamide. The resulting membranes have been tested for the separation of H2 mixtures at high temperature at different setups to allow checking their reproducibility. With 100 nm thickness the membranes showed their best gas separation performance. For flat membranes at 180 °C and 3 bar feed pressure a H2 permeance of 48.5 GPU was obtained, with respective H2 /CO2 and H2 /N2 selectivities of 33.3 and 55.8. Besides, the hollow fibers under a feed pressure of 6 bar and tested at the same temperature showed near 90 GPU of H2 with a H2 /CO2 selectivity of 13.5 in the one-fiber module and over 39 GPU of H2 with a H2 /CO2 selectivity of 20.2 in the five-fiber module. Finally, the stability of the membranes was proved for 22 days at 180 °C.