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The HyMethShip project (Hydrogen-Methanol Ship propulsion using on-board pre-combustion carbon capture) is a cooperative R&D project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. The project aims to drastically reduce emissions while improving the efficiency of waterborne transport. The HyMethShip system will achieve a reduction in CO2 of up to 97% and practically eliminate SOx and particulate matter emissions. NOx emissions will fall by over 80 %, safely below the IMO Tier III limit. In this study the HyMethShip concept is introduced and various aspects of the concept development are discussed. Additionally, some issues that might accelerate or hinder the concept application for commercial shipping are presented. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2021-02-02-01 Full Text: PDF

PurposeFabry disease frequently includes pain as an early disease feature, which was characterized as a dysfunctional processing of somatosensory information in various studies. The pathomechanism involves the mutation in the x-chromosomal GLA-gene and a consequent reduction of the α-galactosidase. This results in an insufficient reduction of globotriaosylceramide (GL3). Interestingly, an accumulation of GL3 was shown in both vascular endothelial cells and nerve tissue. This implicates that both an endothelial and nerve-dependent dysfunction may be considered as prominent mechanisms in pain pathogeneses.Patients and MethodsThe exploration of endothelial and C-fiber-dependent microcirculatory changes was conducted in a healthy cohort (n = 22) and in patients with polyneuropathy (n = 21) and Fabry disease (n = 15). Microcirculatory measurements were conducted using a laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) in combination with a thermoprobe controlling system, which applied a constant heat stimulus (42°C). Additionally, nerve fiber function was assessed via Quantitative Sensory Testing and heart rate variability (HRV).ResultsThe results indicated a characteristic perfusion profile in the control group as well as both patient groups. Fabry patients had the smallest increase of endothelial-dependent perfusion as compared to the others [% increase as compared to Fabry: control + 129% (p = 0.002), PNP + 126% (p = 0.019)]. The sensory testing indicated a dysfunctional processing of A-delta fibers in Fabry disease as compared to healthy controls [cold detection threshold (CDT): p = 0.004, mechanical pain threshold (MPT): p = 0.007] and PNP patients (MPT: p = 0.001).ConclusionOur results point to both an endothelial and a nerve-dependent dysfunction in Fabry disease. Therefore, not only direct changes in nerve fiber tissue may contribute to an altered sensory processing. Indeed, evidence of a perfusion change in vasa nervorum could also contribute to the dysfunctional processing of sensory information, which likely occurs under physical stress.

Jan de Volder, Kardinaal verzet: Mercier, de Kerk en de oorlog van 14-18 (Tielt: Lannoo, 2014, 272 pp., isbn 978 940 142 332 8).