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Our study aims to determine whether myostatin (MSTN) is associated with muscle mass and strength in individuals with cancer or obesity, as well as with cancer cachexia (CC) or sarcopenic obesity (SO). The ACTICA study included individuals with CC (n = 70) or without CC (NC, n = 73). The MYDIASECRET study included individuals with obesity evaluated before (T0) and 3 months (T3) after bariatric surgery (n = 62). Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and appendicular SMM (ASMM) were calculated from Janssen's and Sergi's equations, respectively, and expressed as indexes (SMMI and ASMMI). Handgrip strength (HGS) was assessed using a Jamar hand-held dynamometer. MSTN plasma levels were measured using ELISA. Spearman's coefficient was used to correlate MSTN with muscle mass and strength. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to identify an optimal MSTN cutoff level for the prediction of CC or SO. In the ACTICA study, muscle mass and strength were lower in CC individuals than in NC individuals (SMMI: 8.0 kg/m2 vs 9.0 kg/m2, p = 0.004; ASMMI: 6.2 kg/m2 vs 7.2 kg/m2, p < 0.001; HGS: 28 kg vs 38 kg, p < 0.001). MSTN was also lower in CC individuals than in NC individuals (1434 pg/mL vs 2149 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Muscle mass and strength were positively correlated with MSTN (SMMI: R = 0.500, p < 0.001; ASMMI: R = 0.479, p < 0.001; HGS: R = 0.495, p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis showed a MSTN cutoff level of 1548 pg/mL (AUC 0.684, sensitivity 57%, specificity 75%, p < 0.001) for the prediction of CC. In the MYDIASECRET study, muscle mass and strength were reduced at T3 (SMMI: −8%, p < 0.001; ASMMI: −12%, p < 0.001; HGS: −6%, p = 0.005). MSTN was also reduced at T3 (1773 pg/mL vs 2582 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Muscle mass and strength were positively correlated with MSTN at T0 and T3 (SMMI-T0: R = 0.388, p = 0.002; SMMI-T3: R = 0.435, p < 0.001; HGS-T0: R = 0.337, p = 0.007; HGS-T3: R = 0.313, p = 0.013). ROC curve analysis showed a MSTN cutoff level of 4225 pg/mL (AUC 0.835, sensitivity 98%, specificity 100%, p = 0.014) for the prediction of SO at T3. MSTN is positively correlated with muscle mass and strength in individuals with cancer or obesity, suggesting its potential use as a biomarker of muscle mass and strength. The ROC curve analysis suggests the potential use of MSTN as a screening tool for CC and SO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for clean and renewable energy resources is increasing day by day. One of the most important of these resources is hydrogen, known as green energy. The most environmentally friendly method among hydrogen production processes is the electrolysis, in which pure hydrogen is obtained without any separation and purification processes. Carbon emissions is zero during production. The disadvantage of this method is that the production costs are high. For this reason, this study is aimed at improving a cathode material, which play a major role in the efficiency of electrolyzers. Electrochemically Ni, hydrothermally CoW and CoIr nanoparticles modified graphite electrodes are prepared as hydrogen evolution catalysts. The hydrothermally synthesized nanoparticles are impregnated on Ni-deposited graphite. The hydrogen evolution reaction activity of the prepared electrodes was investigated by electrochemical techniques. The cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques performed the electrochemical analyzes. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the synthesized nanoparticles were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The catalytic efficiency is near for C/NiCoIr, and C/NiCoW electrodes, which has hydrogen volume of 108 and 105 mL cm−2 h−1 by electrolysis of water. [Display omitted] • C rod was prepared with Ni, CoW, and CoIr metals to investigate HER efficiency. • The C/NiCoW and C/NiCoIr nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method. • The catalyst efficiency for H 2 evolution was responsible for the synergistic effect. • The catalyst was exhibited excellent HER activity and high stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The WBGT index is investigated across the entire African continent. • Climate change could increase the WBGT index across Africa. • WBGT is highly sensitive to increases in temperature and relative humidity. • Climate change could reduce the number of countries suitable for hosting the Afcon. • SSP1–2.6 shows a moderate WBGT rise, supporting hosting viability in more countries. Africa is a global hotspot for climate change, affecting various sectors, including sports. Against this backdrop, major international sports events such as the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) could become more complex under global warming. This study examines projected changes in the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index used as a proxy to determine suitable Afcon host countries under climate change conditions. Using eleven CMIP6 simulations from NASA's NEX-GDDP-CMIP6, downscaled to a 25 km resolution, the analysis covers three shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP1–2.6, SSP2–4.5, and SSP5–8.5) climate change scenarios for the near future (2031–2060) and far future (2071–2100), relative to 1985–2014. The model ensemble mean reproduced the spatial distribution of the WBGT index and related variables well with the reference datasets over Africa but with some biases. Projections indicate a significant WBGT increase across Africa under all scenarios and periods, especially under SSP5–8.5 in the far future, with a value of about 6 °C. Many countries may transition from an unrestricted to a high-risk status. Climate change could notably reduce the number of Afcon host countries under the SSP5–8.5 scenario. This study provides valuable insights for Afcon hosting and climate change integration, contributing to resilience and sustainability in urban environments hosting such events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No guidelines for the treatment of Kommerell diverticulum (KD) have been established. Endovascular treatment with arch vessel reconstruction of 4 patients with a right-sided aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery are presented herein. A 39-year-old woman and 47-year-old man experienced dyspnea and retrosternal pain. The first patient concomitantly underwent left subclavian transposition and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The second patient underwent bilateral carotid-subclavian bypass grafting, followed by TEVAR and KD embolization. The 2 other patients were 72- and 75-year old men who presented with KD and type B dissection, in which these conditions were characterized by acute thoracic pain in the former patient and were noted on incidental body scan for prostatic adenocarcinoma in the latter. The third patient underwent carotid-subclavian bypass grafting, followed by TEVAR and subclavian plugs, and in the fourth patient, regular follow-up with antihypertensive therapy was scheduled. After a mean follow-up period of 12 months, all patients were alive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of waste materials like granite waste powder and burnt coal cinder in innovative applications such as geopolymerization or construction materials contribute to reducing environmental impacts while promoting sustainable resource utilization. In this study, granite waste powder and burnt coal cinder were activated by alkali thermal activation in order to be used as precursors for the synthesis of one part-geopolymer. The results showed that alkaline thermal activation contributed to the increase in reactive silicon, resulting in activated powders with good strength that can be used as a precursor. Activated powders with optimal compressive strength performance was obtained when the temperature was 500 °C. Afterwards, activated powders and blast furnace slag were used to prepare one part-geopolymer. An optimal compressive strength of 38.60 MPa at 28 days was obtained for G3 prepared with 35 wt% activated raw material which was 284.4 % higher than CG4 that was prepared with non-activated raw material. The results of high compressive strength are attributed to the interaction between the sodium silicate in the activated powders that could dissolve in water and lead to alkaline conditions that could promote the activation of blast furnace slag subsequently. The coexistence of multiple hydration products, such as C-A-S-H gel and afwillite (3CaO·2SiO 2 ·3 H 2 O) acted as a binder to tightly bind solid particles and form a hardened geopolymer with improved microstructure leading to good compressive strength. This result provides a pathway to prepare high strength one-part geopolymers with the multiple solid wastes, which is conducive to the comprehensive utilization of bulk solid wastes. • Alkali thermal activation of GWP and BCC was investigated • An active Si4+ environment was formed due to the alkaline thermal activation of GWP and BCC • One-part geopolymer was synthesized by using activated powder and BFS as precursors • XRD and TG analysis reveal the presence of afwillite (3CaO·2SiO 2 ·3 H 2 O) and C-A-S-H gel, which are responsible for good compressive strength of the one-part geopolymer [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]