Background:Poor sleep quality has been associated with changes in brain volume among veterans,particularly those who have experienced mild traumatic brain injury(mTBI)and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).This stud...Background:Poor sleep quality has been associated with changes in brain volume among veterans,particularly those who have experienced mild traumatic brain injury(mTBI)and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).This study sought to investigate:1)whether poor sleep quality is associated with decreased cortical thickness in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans,and 2)whether these associations differ topographically depending on the presence or absence of mTBI and PTSD.Methods:A sample of 440 post-9/11 era U.S.veterans enrolled in the Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders study at VA Boston,MA from 2010 to 2022 was included in the study.We examined the relationship between sleep quality,as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),and cortical thickness in veterans with mTBI(n=57),PTSD(n=110),comorbid mTBI and PTSD(n=129),and neither PTSD nor mTBI(n=144).To determine the topographical relationship between subjective sleep quality and cortical thickness in each diagnostic group,we employed a General Linear Model(GLM)at each vertex on the cortical mantle.The extent of topographical overlap between the resulting statistical maps was assessed using Dice coefficients.Results:There were no significant associations between PSQI and cortical thickness in the group without PTSD or mTBI(n=144)or in the PTSD-only group(n=110).In the mTBI-only group(n=57),lower sleep quality was significantly associated with reduced thickness bilaterally in frontal,cingulate,and precuneus regions,as well as in the right parietal and temporal regions(β=-0.0137,P<0.0005).In the comorbid mTBI and PTSD group(n=129),significant associations were observed bilaterally in frontal,precentral,and precuneus regions,in the left cingulate and the right parietal regions(β=-0.0094,P<0.0005).Interaction analysis revealed that there was a stronger relationship between poor sleep quality and decreased cortical thickness in individuals with mTBI(n=186)compared with those without mTBI(n=254)specifically in the frontal and cingulate regions(β=-0.0077,P<0.0005).Conclusions:This study demonstrates a significant relationship between poor sleep quality and lower cortical thickness primarily within frontal regions among individuals with both isolated mTBI or comorbid diagnoses of mTBI and PTSD.Thus,if directionality is established in longitudinal and interventional studies,it may be crucial to consider addressing sleep in the treatment of veterans who have sustained mTBI.展开更多
An integrated membrane system, membrane bioreactor-reverse osmosis (MBR-RO), has become highly efficient in producing high-quality water for municipal wastewater reclamation. However, disposal of a highly concentrated...An integrated membrane system, membrane bioreactor-reverse osmosis (MBR-RO), has become highly efficient in producing high-quality water for municipal wastewater reclamation. However, disposal of a highly concentrated waste stream (RO concentrate or RO retentate) generated in this combination is an important issue. This work investigated RO behaviour in an integrated pilot scale MBR-RO system for municipal wastewater reuse with the continuous recycling of RO retentate to the MBR influent. RO membrane retention and the fouling propensity were studied. RO concentrate, produced by the RO process at a fixed concentration factor (CF) of 3, was recycled continuously to the MBR, leading to water recovery of the entire process around 92%. Osmotic pressure model, saturation index method, high performance liquid chromatography equipped with size exclusion column (HPLC-SEC) and specific filtration test were used to analyse the fouling potential of the RO membrane. The results obtained showed that even though RO concentrate recycling changed remarkably, the compositions of both MBR permeate and RO concentrate, the quality of RO permeate remained almost constant in terms of organic matters, conductivity, and ionic salts. However, these high concentrations of organic or inorganic substances in RO concentrate were major factors leading to the RO membrane fouling. Before RO concentrate recycling, a decline of approximately 30% of the initial RO permeate flux was observed in the period when the CF was increasing to 3, mainly due to the osmotic pressure effect of retained ions and the deposits of organic matters at the RO membrane surface. After RO concentrate addition to the MBR, due to the continuous accumulation of ionic salts on the RO membrane surface, a gradual reduction in RO permeate flux (additional 19%) was also mainly attributed to the osmotic pressure effect of the retained ions. These observations showed that the continuous addition of RO concentrate to the MBR was successful in a combined MBR and RO process in terms of the excellent quality of RO permeate.展开更多
Objective: To study the association between serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and the extent of brain damage and the outcome after acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: The release patterns of serum NSE in 78...Objective: To study the association between serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and the extent of brain damage and the outcome after acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: The release patterns of serum NSE in 78 patients after acute TBI were analyzed by using the enzyme linked immunosobent assay. The levels of NSE were compared with Glasgow coma scale, the category of brain injury and the outcome after 6 months of injury. Results: There were different NSE values in patients with minor (12.96 μg/L±2.39 μg/L), moderate (23.44 μg/L±5.33 μg/L) and severe brain injury (42.68 μg/L±4.57 μg/L). After severe TBI, the concentration of NSE in patients with epidural hematomas was 13.38 μg/L±4.01 μg/L, 24.03 μg/L±2.85 μg/L in brain contusion without surgical intervention group, 55.20 μg/L±6.35 μg/L in brain contusion with surgical intervention group, and 83.85 μg/L±15.82 μg/L in diffuse brain swelling group. There were close correlations between NSE values and Glasgow coma scale (r=-0.608, P<0.01) and the extent of brain injury (r=0.75, P<0.01). Patients with poor outcome had significantly higher initial and peak NSE values than those with good outcome (66.40 μg/L±9.46 μg/L, 94.24 μg/L±13.75 μg/L vs 32.16 μg/L±4.21 μg/L, 34.08 μg/L±4.40 μg/L, P<0.01, respectively). Initial NSE values were negatively related to the outcome (r=-0.501, P<0.01). Most patients with poor outcomes had persisting or secondary elevated NSE values. Conclusions: Serum NSE is one of the valuable neurobiochemical markers for assessment of the severity of brain injury and outcome prediction.展开更多
基金supported by the U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs through the Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders(TRACTS B3001-C),a VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Traumatic Brain Injury National Network Research Center,and the Boston University Chobanian&Avedisian School of Medicine’s Medical Student Summer Research Program,with funding from the Gabriel Family Foundation CTE Research Fund(MA).
文摘Background:Poor sleep quality has been associated with changes in brain volume among veterans,particularly those who have experienced mild traumatic brain injury(mTBI)and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).This study sought to investigate:1)whether poor sleep quality is associated with decreased cortical thickness in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans,and 2)whether these associations differ topographically depending on the presence or absence of mTBI and PTSD.Methods:A sample of 440 post-9/11 era U.S.veterans enrolled in the Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders study at VA Boston,MA from 2010 to 2022 was included in the study.We examined the relationship between sleep quality,as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),and cortical thickness in veterans with mTBI(n=57),PTSD(n=110),comorbid mTBI and PTSD(n=129),and neither PTSD nor mTBI(n=144).To determine the topographical relationship between subjective sleep quality and cortical thickness in each diagnostic group,we employed a General Linear Model(GLM)at each vertex on the cortical mantle.The extent of topographical overlap between the resulting statistical maps was assessed using Dice coefficients.Results:There were no significant associations between PSQI and cortical thickness in the group without PTSD or mTBI(n=144)or in the PTSD-only group(n=110).In the mTBI-only group(n=57),lower sleep quality was significantly associated with reduced thickness bilaterally in frontal,cingulate,and precuneus regions,as well as in the right parietal and temporal regions(β=-0.0137,P<0.0005).In the comorbid mTBI and PTSD group(n=129),significant associations were observed bilaterally in frontal,precentral,and precuneus regions,in the left cingulate and the right parietal regions(β=-0.0094,P<0.0005).Interaction analysis revealed that there was a stronger relationship between poor sleep quality and decreased cortical thickness in individuals with mTBI(n=186)compared with those without mTBI(n=254)specifically in the frontal and cingulate regions(β=-0.0077,P<0.0005).Conclusions:This study demonstrates a significant relationship between poor sleep quality and lower cortical thickness primarily within frontal regions among individuals with both isolated mTBI or comorbid diagnoses of mTBI and PTSD.Thus,if directionality is established in longitudinal and interventional studies,it may be crucial to consider addressing sleep in the treatment of veterans who have sustained mTBI.
文摘An integrated membrane system, membrane bioreactor-reverse osmosis (MBR-RO), has become highly efficient in producing high-quality water for municipal wastewater reclamation. However, disposal of a highly concentrated waste stream (RO concentrate or RO retentate) generated in this combination is an important issue. This work investigated RO behaviour in an integrated pilot scale MBR-RO system for municipal wastewater reuse with the continuous recycling of RO retentate to the MBR influent. RO membrane retention and the fouling propensity were studied. RO concentrate, produced by the RO process at a fixed concentration factor (CF) of 3, was recycled continuously to the MBR, leading to water recovery of the entire process around 92%. Osmotic pressure model, saturation index method, high performance liquid chromatography equipped with size exclusion column (HPLC-SEC) and specific filtration test were used to analyse the fouling potential of the RO membrane. The results obtained showed that even though RO concentrate recycling changed remarkably, the compositions of both MBR permeate and RO concentrate, the quality of RO permeate remained almost constant in terms of organic matters, conductivity, and ionic salts. However, these high concentrations of organic or inorganic substances in RO concentrate were major factors leading to the RO membrane fouling. Before RO concentrate recycling, a decline of approximately 30% of the initial RO permeate flux was observed in the period when the CF was increasing to 3, mainly due to the osmotic pressure effect of retained ions and the deposits of organic matters at the RO membrane surface. After RO concentrate addition to the MBR, due to the continuous accumulation of ionic salts on the RO membrane surface, a gradual reduction in RO permeate flux (additional 19%) was also mainly attributed to the osmotic pressure effect of the retained ions. These observations showed that the continuous addition of RO concentrate to the MBR was successful in a combined MBR and RO process in terms of the excellent quality of RO permeate.
文摘四星级的Vincci Gala酒店是由位于巴塞罗那扩展区（Eixample）的一栋历史建筑改建而来,酒店拥有78间客房以及酒吧、餐厅、会议室和各式露台。酒店的设计因两个要求而独具特点：一是巴塞罗那古迹保护部（the Monument Protection Department of Barcelona）对于建筑外立面祁建筑内部白色大理石楼梯的保护要求；二是酒店要以加拉（Gala,超现实主义画家萨尔瓦多,达利的妻子,他的缪斯的名字）命名的要求。
文摘Objective: To study the association between serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and the extent of brain damage and the outcome after acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: The release patterns of serum NSE in 78 patients after acute TBI were analyzed by using the enzyme linked immunosobent assay. The levels of NSE were compared with Glasgow coma scale, the category of brain injury and the outcome after 6 months of injury. Results: There were different NSE values in patients with minor (12.96 μg/L±2.39 μg/L), moderate (23.44 μg/L±5.33 μg/L) and severe brain injury (42.68 μg/L±4.57 μg/L). After severe TBI, the concentration of NSE in patients with epidural hematomas was 13.38 μg/L±4.01 μg/L, 24.03 μg/L±2.85 μg/L in brain contusion without surgical intervention group, 55.20 μg/L±6.35 μg/L in brain contusion with surgical intervention group, and 83.85 μg/L±15.82 μg/L in diffuse brain swelling group. There were close correlations between NSE values and Glasgow coma scale (r=-0.608, P<0.01) and the extent of brain injury (r=0.75, P<0.01). Patients with poor outcome had significantly higher initial and peak NSE values than those with good outcome (66.40 μg/L±9.46 μg/L, 94.24 μg/L±13.75 μg/L vs 32.16 μg/L±4.21 μg/L, 34.08 μg/L±4.40 μg/L, P<0.01, respectively). Initial NSE values were negatively related to the outcome (r=-0.501, P<0.01). Most patients with poor outcomes had persisting or secondary elevated NSE values. Conclusions: Serum NSE is one of the valuable neurobiochemical markers for assessment of the severity of brain injury and outcome prediction.
