Anti-Factor V monoclonal antibody, clone BCW-5108

In a pilot study, we observed cadmium (Cd) immobilization with citric acid (CA) and suggested that mandarin by-products (MB), which contain CA at ca. 1.65%, can be used as soil amendments that reduce Cd bioavailability. In the present study, we (1) elucidated mechanisms of Cd immobilization by CA and (2) evaluated the use of MB as a soil amendment for Cd immobilization. In Experiment 1, CA was mixed with Cd contaminated soil at 0 and 3.5 mmol kg(-1). We then added MB to Cd-spiked soil at 10, 20, and 40 g kg(-1). Addition of CA decreased F2 (surface adsorbed Cd fraction) contents by 2.64 mg kg(-1) compared with the control but was associated with increases in Cd fractions F1 (bioavailable Cd fraction) and F5 (residual Cd fraction) of 1.04 and 1.49 mg kg(-1), respectively. Addition of CA enhanced the concentration of fraction F5, likely reflecting Cd precipitation from soil solutions with increased HCO3- concentrations. However, although this treatment immobilized Cd, it also led to increasing residual and bioavailable Cd fractions. Unlike CA treatments, MB increased non-bioavailable Cd fractions without increasing the bioavailable Cd fraction. Moreover, at 40 g kg(-1), MB decreased F1 contents by 8% compared with the control, but increased F2, F3, and F5 contents by 3.6%, 0.7%, and 4.5%, respectively. Cd may be immobilized by MB through HxCO3- mediated precipitation as CdCO3 following decomposition of CA and concomitant increases in the negative charge of soil due to the organic matter in MB. MB also improved the chemical properties of soils, with increased nutrient concentrations and cation exchange capacities.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystemic disease compromising both the neuromuscular system and the cognitive status. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been shown to improve survival and quality of life in ALS patients with respiratory failure, but scanty literature investigated which are the predictors of NIV tolerance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of functional, cognitive, neurobehavioral, and respiratory status on NIV compliance and tolerance in patients with ALS. We retrospectively evaluated clinical data of ALS patients who consecutively underwent a NIV trial during hospitalization. Cognitive and neurobehavioral assessments have been performed using the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), the Raven's 47 Colored Progressive Matrices (PM47), and the Neurobehavioral Rating Scale Revised (NRSR). Seventy-two patients (mean age +/- SD; 63.9 +/- 10.6 years) were included. Patients adapted were 63/72 (87.5%). The average time of adaptation was 7.82 +/- 5.27 days. The time required to reach a satisfying NIV adaptation was significantly related to the presence of sialorrhea (p= 0.02), respiratory status (Borg Dyspnoea Scale,p= 0.006, and ALS-FRS-R respiratory subscore,p= 0.03) and behavioral and cognitive impairment (NRSR-F1,p= 0.04, NRSR- F5,p= 0.04). Presence of sialorrhea and neurobehavioral impairment, and absence of respiratory symptoms are negative predictors of NIV adaptation. This study highlights the need of a multidisciplinary patient-tailored approach including cognitive-behavioral assessment and a psychological support program to optimize patient's training and compliance to NIV.