2D Nanomaterials Reinforced Organic Coatings for Marine Corrosion Protection: State of the Art, Challenges, and Future Prospectives

2D nanomaterials, with extraordinary physical and chemical characteristics, have long been regarded as promising nanofillers in organic coatings for marine corrosion protection. The past decade has witnessed the high-speed progress of 2D nanomaterial-reinforced organic composite coatings, and plenty of breakthroughs have been achieved as yet. This review covers an in-depth and all-around outline of the up-to-date advances in 2D nanomaterial-modified organic coatings employed for the marine corrosion protection realm. Starting from a brief introduction to 2D nanomaterials, the preparation strategies and properties are illustrated. Subsequently, diverse protection models based on composite coatings for marine corrosion protection are also introduced, including physical barrier, self-healing, as well as cathodic protection, respectively. Furthermore, computational simulations and critical factors on the corrosion protection properties of composite coatings are clarified in detail. Finally, the remaining challenges and prospects for marine corrosion protection based on 2D nanomaterials reinforced organic coatings are highlighted.

Progress and challenges in intravesical drug delivery

INTRODUCTION

Intravesical drug delivery (IDD) has gained recognition as a viable approach for treating bladder-related diseases over the years. However, it comes with its set of challenges, including voiding difficulties and limitations in mucosal and epithelial penetration. These challenges lead to drug dilution and clearance, resulting in poor efficacy. Various strategies for drug delivery have been devised to overcome these issues, all aimed at optimizing drug delivery. Nevertheless, there has been minimal translation to clinical settings.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides a detailed description of IDD, including its history, advantages, and challenges. It also explores the physical barriers encountered in IDD, such as voiding, mucosal penetration, and epithelial penetration, and discusses current strategies for overcoming these challenges. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive roadmap for advancing IDD into clinical trials.

EXPERT OPINION

Physical bladder barriers and limitations of conventional treatments result in unsatisfactory efficacy against bladder diseases. Nevertheless, substantial recent efforts in this field have led to significant progress in overcoming these challenges and have raised important attributes for an optimal IDD system. However, there is still a lack of well-defined steps in the workflow to optimize the IDD system for clinical settings, and further research is required to establish more comprehensive in vitro and in vivo models to expedite clinical translation.

Root cell types as an interface for biotic interactions

Root responses to environmental stresses show a high level of cell type and developmental stage specificity. Interactions with beneficial and pathogenic organisms - including microbes and parasites - elicit a set of transcriptional responses unique to each root cell type, often dependent on their differentiation state. Localized changes to the cell wall and to the integrity of root cell types can serve as a physical barrier for a range of pests. Conversely, certain microorganisms weaken existing barriers within root cell types. Interactions with microorganisms vary between roots of different developmental origins and cellular architectures. Here we provide an overview of the molecular, architectural, and structural properties of root cell types crucial to both maintaining beneficial interactions and protecting from pathogens.

Measuring Food Insecurity in Older Adults Using Both Physical and Economic Food Access, NHANES 2013-18

BACKGROUND

Economic food insecurity tools are used to detect need for assistance in the general population. However, in older adults, food insecurity can also be due to factors other than economic, such as physical inability to shop or cook.

OBJECTIVES

We determined: 1) the proportion of older adults in the United States who experience physical and/or economic food insecurity; 2) differences in characteristics, diet quality, chronic conditions, and depression by economic and/or physical food insecurity; and 3) the relation of physical and economic food insecurity with diet quality and with depression.

METHODS

Data from adults aged ≥60 y of the NHANES (2013-2018) were used. Groups were created based on economic food security [measured using the USDA's Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM)] and physical food security (measured using questions evaluating ability to shop and cook). Depression, Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015) score, and socioeconomic characteristics were compared by food security group. Rao-Scott χ2 tests were used to test for significant differences between categorical variables, and t tests for continuous variables. Associations between food security status, HEI-2015, and depression score were examined using linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

One-quarter (25.0%) of older adults had physical difficulty accessing food but were not living in economically food insecure households. Those who lived in economically food insecure households and also had physical difficulties accessing food had the lowest mean HEI-2015 score (51.7) and highest mean depression score (6.9); both were significantly lower than the mean scores of those who lived in food secure households (HEI-2015 = 57.3; depression = 2.1; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Considering physical ability to shop for and prepare food when measuring food insecurity in older adults can help identify those who might need dietary and mental health support the most, and those who need food assistance but would otherwise be missed if only measuring economic access.

CAR T cell therapy and the tumor microenvironment: Current challenges and opportunities

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable outcomes in individuals with hematological malignancies, but its success has been hindered by barriers intrinsic to the tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly for solid tumors, where it has yet to make its mark. In this article, we provide an updated review and future perspectives on features of the TME that represent barriers to CART cell therapy efficacy, including competition for metabolic fuels, physical barriers to infiltration, and immunosuppressive factors. We then discuss novel and promising strategies to overcome these obstacles that are in preclinical development or under clinical investigation.

A Review of the Evolution of Termite Control: A Continuum of Alternatives to Termiticides in the United States with Emphasis on Efficacy Testing Requirements for Product Registration

The global economic impact of termites is estimated to be approximately USD 40 billion annually, and subterranean termites are responsible for about 80% of the total impact. Twenty-eight species of termites have been described as invasive, and these termites are spreading, partially due to global trade, making effective control methods essential. Termite control is complex, as is the biology and behavior of this social insect group. In the U.S., termite prevention and control (with claims of structural protection) is regulated by more than one industry (pest control and building construction), and at the federal and state levels. Termite prevention has historically relied on building construction practices that do not create conducive conditions for termite infestations, but as soil termiticides developed, heavy reliance on pesticides became the standard for termite control. The concern for human and environmental health has driven the development of termite control alternatives and regulation for products claiming structural protection. Product development has also provided unprecedented opportunities to study the biology and behavior of cryptobiotic termites. Technological advances have allowed for the re-examination of questions about termite behavior. Advances in communications via social media provide unrestricted access to information, creating a conundrum for consumers and science educators alike.

Experiences of Women With Disabilities in Accessing and Receiving Contraceptive Care

OBJECTIVE

To conduct an initial exploration of the experiences of women with different types of disability when they attempt to obtain contraceptive care.

DESIGN

Multiple-category focus group design.

SETTING

Multiple community sites.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventeen women with disabilities of reproductive age.

METHODS

We purposively sampled women with different types of disability and conducted four focus groups organized by disability type: physical disability, intellectual and developmental disability, blind or low vision, and deaf or hard of hearing. We used a semistructured focus group guide to elicit participants' positive and negative experiences with contraceptive care. We analyzed focus group transcripts using content analysis.

RESULTS

Participants identified challenges to obtaining high-quality contraceptive care in three main thematic areas: Accessibility and Accommodations, Clinician Attitudes, and Health Insurance. Participants with physical disabilities encountered inaccessible clinic rooms and examination tables, and those with sensory disabilities or intellectual and developmental disability described inaccessible clinic forms and information. Participants from multiple disability groups described negative attitudes of health care providers and health insurance limitations.

CONCLUSION

As described by our participants, the processes and infrastructure of contraceptive care were based on an assumption of an able-bodied norm. Reliance on such a norm, for example, offering a paper pamphlet to a blind woman, is not helpful and can be harmful to women with disabilities. Increased attention to the reproductive health care needs of women with disabilities is important for improving health care equity and quality.

Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission among Meat Processing Workers in Nebraska, USA, and Effectiveness of Risk Mitigation Measures

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has severely impacted the meat processing industry in the United States. We sought to detail demographics and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections among workers in Nebraska meat processing facilities and determine the effects of initiating universal mask policies and installing physical barriers at 13 meat processing facilities. During April 1-July 31, 2020, COVID-19 was diagnosed in 5,002 Nebraska meat processing workers (attack rate 19%). After initiating both universal masking and physical barrier interventions, 8/13 facilities showed a statistically significant reduction in COVID-19 incidence in <10 days. Characteristics and incidence of confirmed cases aligned with many nationwide trends becoming apparent during this pandemic: specifically, high attack rates among meat processing industry workers, disproportionately high risk of adverse outcomes among ethnic and racial minority groups and men, and effectiveness of using multiple prevention and control interventions to reduce disease transmission.

Dermatillomania: Strategies for Developing Protective Biomaterials/Cloth

Dermatillomania or skin picking disorder (SPD) is a chronic, recurrent, and treatment resistant neuropsychiatric disorder with an underestimated prevalence that has a concerning negative impact on an individual’s health and quality of life. The current treatment strategies focus on behavioral and pharmacological therapies that are not very effective. Thus, the primary objective of this review is to provide an introduction to SPD and discuss its current treatment strategies as well as to propose biomaterial-based physical barrier strategies as a supporting or alternative treatment. To this end, searches were conducted within the PubMed database and Google Scholar, and the results obtained were organized and presented as per the following categories: prevalence, etiology, consequences, diagnostic criteria, and treatment strategies. Furthermore, special attention was provided to alternative treatment strategies and biomaterial-based physical treatment strategies. A total of six products with the potential to be applied as physical barrier strategies in supporting SPD treatment were shortlisted and discussed. The results indicated that SPD is a complex, underestimated, and underemphasized neuropsychiatric disorder that needs heightened attention, especially with regard to its treatment and care. Moreover, the high synergistic potential of biomaterials and nanosystems in this area remains to be explored. Certain strategies that are already being utilized for wound healing can also be further exploited, particularly as far as the prevention of infections is concerned.

Evaluation of Exclusion Netting for Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus Hampei) Management

Exclusion nets are increasingly being used to protect a variety of agricultural crops from insect pests as a sustainable alternative to chemical controls. We examined the efficacy of exclusion nets in controlling the world's most damaging insect pest of coffee, Hypothenemus hampei (coffee berry borer), on two small-scale coffee farms on Hawai'i Island. We recorded microclimate data, fruit infestation, population per fruit, sex ratio, mortality by Beauveria bassiana, coffee yield and quality in four paired exclusion and control (un-netted) plots on both farms. Mean and maximum daily temperature and relative humidity were similar between treatments, while mean and maximum daily solar radiation was reduced by ~50% in exclusion plots. Green and ripe fruit from exclusion plots had significantly lower infestation compared to un-netted control plots at both farms. We observed no significant difference between exclusion and control plots in the number of CBB per fruit or the female:male sex ratio. CBB mortality was significantly higher in control relative to exclusion plots in one of the two farms. Ripe fruits harvested from exclusion plots were on average significantly heavier and wider than those from control plots; however, there was no significant difference in the average yield per tree between treatments. Lastly, coffee quality was not significantly different between control and exclusion plots. Our results suggest that with complete sanitation prior to net installation in an environment where CBB is actively circulating, exclusion netting can successfully control CBB on small-scale coffee farms without reducing coffee yield or quality, and has the potential to lower production and labor costs by eliminating the need to spray pesticides.

Mobility and Participation of People With Disabilities Using Mobility Assistive Technologies: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study

Background

Many community-dwelling individuals living with a disability use mobility assistive technologies (MATs). MAT devices are generally beneficial for individuals with mobility impairments. However, less is known about the specific factors that may foster or deter mobility and community participation.

Objective

The purpose of this protocol is to describe the methodology for a study including three main objectives: (1) to understand the places people using MAT go and the things they do, (2) to identify perceived barriers and facilitators as well as users’ desired environmental modifications, and (3) to understand subjective and objective issues related to environmental accessibility.

Methods

A mixed-methods study was conducted in Vancouver and in Quebec City. Qualitative interviews were conducted to address all three objectives. In addition, Objective 1 was achieved through collection of global positioning system (GPS) data and activity diaries with 36 participants per site who represented six types of MAT users (ie, cane, walker, crutches, manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, and scooter). All participants were invited to take part in all aspects of data collection. PhotoVoice was used to address Objectives 2 and 3. Two environmental audits were used to address Objective 2. The Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighbourhood (SWAN) measured perceptions related to a variety of community environmental features associated with mobility and participation. A total of 24 participants were recruited to each study site for SWAN data collection. The Measure of Environmental Accessibility (MEA) was also used to objectively measure access to exterior and interior environments selected earlier in the project by the participants that could benefit from improvements.

Results

Funding for this study was obtained from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Approval was obtained from the University of British Columbia Research Ethics Board and the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale Research Ethics Board. Regarding the MEA evaluations, 19 locations (ie, buildings and exterior spaces) where obstacles have been identified by the participants of the PhotoVoice focus groups have been evaluated in Quebec City and 20 locations have been identified in the Vancouver region by the participants of the community forums. Data collection for this project was completed in December 2018. Analysis and writing of manuscripts are underway.

Conclusions

The use of a variety of methods to gather data on participation and mobility will allow a more holistic consideration of factors influencing mobility with a MAT device. This study will provide objective information about the mobility of participants and identify barriers and facilitators that impact their mobility and community participation. Through the mixed-methods approach employed in this study, we will gain a subjective evaluation of the participants’ neighborhoods, including personally meaningful information on environmental features that influence participants' everyday mobility and participation. We will also gain an objective evaluation of particular obstacles that community users of MAT identify as significant barriers to their ability to access public environments. We anticipate that these findings will help to identify a broad spectrum of solutions to improve the mobility and community participation of MAT users.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/12089

Barriers impairing mineral bioaccessibility and bioavailability in plant-based foods and the perspectives for food processing

Plant-based foods gain more importance since they play a key role in sustainable, low-meat and healthy diets. In developing countries, these food products, especially legumes and cereals, are important staple foods. Nevertheless, the question arises on how efficient they are to deliver minerals and if it is useful to encourage their consumption to reduce the prevalence of mineral deficiencies? This review paper focuses on the discrepancy between the mineral content and the amount of minerals that can be released and absorbed from plant-based foods during human digestion which can be attributed to several inherent factors such as the presence of mineral antinutrients (phytic acid, polyphenols and dietary fiber) and physical barriers (surrounding macronutrients and cell wall). Further, this review paper summarizes the effects of different processing techniques (milling, soaking, dehulling, fermentation, germination and thermal processing) on mineral bioaccessibility and bioavailability of plant-based foods. The positive impact of these techniques mostly relies on the fact that antinutrients levels are reduced due to removal of fractions rich in antinutrients and/or due to their leaching into the processing liquid. Although processing can have a positive effect, it also can induce leaching out of minerals and a reduced mineral bioaccessibility and bioavailability.

Housing accessibility problems for people with Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVES

Promoting accessible housing for all citizens is high on the political agenda. Knowledge is, however, limited regarding housing accessibility problems for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). The objectives were to investigate housing accessibility problems among people with PD at different stages of disease severity and to analyze the potential impact of improved functional ability on accessibility problems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 253 participants with PD (61% men; mean age 70 years). Disease severity was assessed by the Hoehn and Yahr (HY) I-V stages: HY I, n=50; II, n=73, III, n=66; IV-V, n=64. Using the Housing Enabler (HE) instrument, accessibility problems were investigated by combining assessments of the person's functional capacity with assessments of physical barriers in the housing environment into a person-environment fit measure (HE-score). To analyze potential impact of improved functional ability on housing accessibility problems, data simulation was applied.

RESULTS

HE-scores differed significantly (P<.001) in relation to HY stages. Overall balance problems explained 22% and walking devices 17% of the HE-scores, whereas environmental barriers contributed to a lesser extent. The environmental barriers generating the most HE-scores were "no grab bar at shower/bath/toilet" and "wall-mounted cupboards and shelves placed high". A simulation of improved balance significantly (P<.001) lowered the HE-scores in all HY stages.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that actions targeting balance problems and dependence on walking devices have the greatest potential for reducing housing accessibility problems for people with PD. The study also details environmental barriers that need specific attention when providing housing adaptation services.

Ecology of Fungus Gnats (Bradysia spp.) in Greenhouse Production Systems Associated with Disease-Interactions and Alternative Management Strategies

Fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.) are major insect pests of greenhouse-grown horticultural crops mainly due to the direct feeding damage caused by the larvae, and the ability of larvae to transmit certain soil-borne plant pathogens. Currently, insecticides and biological control agents are being used successively to deal with fungus gnat populations in greenhouse production systems. However, these strategies may only be effective as long as greenhouse producers also implement alternative management strategies such as cultural, physical, and sanitation. This includes elimination of algae, and plant and growing medium debris; placing physical barriers onto the growing medium surface; and using materials that repel fungus gnat adults. This article describes the disease-interactions associated with fungus gnats and foliar and soil-borne diseases, and the alternative management strategies that should be considered by greenhouse producers in order to alleviate problems with fungus gnats in greenhouse production systems.

Barriers to accessing health care in Nigeria: implications for child survival

BACKGROUND

Existing studies indicate that about one in every six children dies before age five in Nigeria. While evidence suggests that improved access to adequate health care holds great potential for improved child survival, previous studies indicate that there are substantial barriers to accessing health care in Nigeria. There has not been a systematic attempt to examine the effects of barriers to health care on under-five mortality in Nigeria. This study is designed to address this knowledge gap.

DATA AND METHOD

Data came from a nationally representative sample of 18,028 women (aged 15-49) who had a total of 28,647 live births within the 5 years preceding the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. The risk of death in children below age five was estimated using Cox proportional hazard models and results are presented as hazards ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Results indicate higher under-five mortality risks for children whose mothers had cultural barriers and children whose mothers had resource-related barriers to health care (HR: 1.44, CI: 1.32-1.57, p<0.001), and those whose mothers had physical barriers (HR: 1.13, CI: 1.04-1.24, p<0.001), relative to children whose mothers reported no barriers. Barriers to health care remained an important predictor of child survival even after adjusting for the effects of possible confounders.

CONCLUSION

Findings of this study stressed the need for improved access to adequate health care in Nigeria through the elimination of barriers to access. This would enable the country to achieve a significant reduction in childhood mortality.