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Summary: The searching of alternative products that help reduce sugar consumption is a recurring objective due to the high number of overweight people in the world. The spray drying process of natural strawberry juice (SWJ) was evaluated using Agave angustifolia fructans as an encapsulating agent. Five fructan concentrations and three drying conditions were evaluated. The microcapsules obtained were characterised by anthocyanins content (UVvis), moisture percentage, hygroscopicity, colour, Tg, morphology (light scattering and SEM) and FTIR. Considering a recovery yield above 50%, the inlet/outlet temperatures of 180/90–95 °C and 15% of fructans were the conditions to obtain the powders with a hygroscopicity of 31%, anthocyanin retention of 84% and the highest Tg (54 °C). FTIR spectra and SEM evidenced that fructans can act as a homogeneous encapsulating matrix of SWJ. Therefore A. angustifolia fructans can be an alternative of low‐caloric power for the encapsulation of SWJ through spray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for virtually all cervical cancers in women. Although in the case of low-grade lesions the conventional approach is watchful waiting, some infections may lead to different-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions that can result in high-grade lesions and cancer. In this context, Papilocare® is a vaginal gel that combines components with moisturizing, tissue regeneration, and microbiota-balancing properties with ingredients that have positive effects on HPV-dependent cervical lesions and HPV clearance. According to the results obtained in this observational study with real-world data, most participants repaired their cervical lesions and cleared HPV through Papilocare® treatment, with a good treatment tolerability, adherence, and satisfaction rates, regardless of being infected with high-risk HPV, age over 40 years or both of them. Data reported in this study strengthen the role of the vaginal gel Papilocare® as a complementary action to the simple watchful waiting approach in HPV-related low-grade cervical lesions management. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for virtually all cervical cancers in women. HPV infection and persistency may lead to different-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions that can result in high-grade lesions and cancer. The objective was to prospectively evaluate the results of using a Coriolus-versicolor-based vaginal gel (Papilocare®) on HPV-dependent low-grade cervical lesion repair in a real-life scenario. HPV-positive women ≥ 25 years with ASCUS/LSIL cervical cytology results and concordant colposcopy images were included, receiving the vaginal gel one cannula/day for 21 days (first month) + one cannula/alternate days (five months). A 6-month second treatment cycle was prescribed when needed. Repair of the cervical low-grade lesions through cytology and colposcopy, HPV clearance, and level of satisfaction, and tolerability were evaluated. In total, 192 and 201 patients accounted for the total and safety analyses, respectively, and 77.1% repaired cervical lesions at 6 or 12 months (76.0% for high-risk HPV). Additionally, 71.6% achieved HPV clearance throughout the study's duration (70.6% for high-risk HPV). Satisfaction level was rated 7.9 and 7.5 out of 10 at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Only three mild–moderate product-related adverse events were reported, and all of them were resolved by the end of the study. In our study, we observed higher regression rates of low-grade cervical lesions in women treated with Papilocare® vaginal gel than spontaneous regression rates reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site index models allow for the characterization of forest site productivity and the development of management strategies to achieve objectives of production and conservation of forest resources. The goal of this study was to fit and validate growth models of dominant height and site index for Pinus oaxacana Mirov. The database was derived from 4 inventories in 44 permanent plots and 58 temporary plots, established in even-aged stands located in Ixtlán de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico. The data were randomly partitioned into subsets of 50 %, 60 %, 70 %, and 80 % for the model adjustments and the remaining data for each subset were used for cross-validation. The models fitted were Korf, Hossfeld IV and Chapman-Richards, in their expressions ADA (algebraic difference approach) and GADA (generalized algebraic difference approach), using the nested iterative method under the non-linear least squares technique. The models that presented the best statistics for fit and validation were: in ADA, anarmorphic Korf b0 (70 %) and polymorphic Korf b1 (80 %); in GADA, Chapman-Richards (70 %) and Korf (80 %). The Chapman-Richards GADA model presented the most suitable graphical behavior and was selected to classify the forest site productivity. The dominant height and site index model applied to quantify the productive potential of P. oaxacana stands constitutes a valuable tool for the sustainable management of this species in the forests of Oaxaca, Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of mathematical models with technical and scientific bases is important in forest management decision-making. The objective of this study was to model dominant height growth of Pinus ayacahuite Ehren to enable productivity projections. Data on stem analysis of 34 P. ayacahuite individuals were used to fit growth models, classic in forest biometry (Schumacher, Chapman-Richards, Levakovic II, Hossfeld IV and Gompertz), as well as the modeling strategies Guide Curve Method, Algebraic Difference Approach (ADA) and Generalized Algebraic Difference Approach (GADA), using non-linear least squares method. A simultaneous fit was used for the ADA and GADA equations and a 40-year base-age. The graphic and numerical results of the models were satisfactory, according to the statistical indicators of goodness of fit. The indicators of fit of Chapman-Richards polymorphic b2 models in guide curve and ADA, polymorphic b1 of Hossfeld IV in ADA and the Hossfeld IV model under the GADA approach were better than the other models. The models selected enabled the construction of families of site index curves. Of these, the Chapman-Richards polymorphic b2 model in ADA had the best prediction capacity. Therefore, its use is recommended for determining the site index and to classify levels of timber productivity of P. ayacahuite stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the growth and yield of timber tree species is a prerequisite for planning sustainable forest management. The objective was to update several functions that integrate a compatible growth and yield system for Pinus patula, developed under the explicit wholestand model approach. System parameters were estimated using seemingly unrelated regression. For that, forest biometric information was used from four periodical inventories conducted in 42 permanent plots of 400 m2 in Hidalgo, Mexico. Almost all the functions of the system had good fit and satisfactory graphical behavior in their original structure. A polymorphic growth pattern explains stand productivity, which is interrelated with growth equations of basal area, mean diameter and total stem volume per hectare. The mortality function corresponds to an exponential model fitted under non-linear least squares method. The re-fitted system broadened the range of the growth equations to 31 years. The new system suggests a maximizing volume rotation of about 20 years for the average site. These results suggest that the commonly used 40 year rotation period used in the management plans in the region could be shortened if a proper density management strategy is applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If suspected, urgent chest computed tomography (CT) can confirm the diagnosis [5]. CT chest showed a large hematoma 10 cm in length in the middle and lower esophagus with no signs of active bleeding. [Extracted from the article]

In this work we discuss the gas transport properties behavior of dense blend membranes of a high free volume polyimide PI DPPD-IMM with PBI using the latter polymer in an attempt to enhance gas selectivity. Thermal and mechanical properties of dense blend membranes were also evaluated. The aim is to test the use of PBI as a gate polymer for establishing a window to enhance selectivity of CO2/CH4 and O2/N2 gas pairs with a minimum loss of gas permeability. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurements show that PI DPPD-IMM has an open structure with a d-spacing maximum at 5.4 Å, which is not affected when PBI concentration in the blends is lower than 25 wt %. This reflects a moderate loss of gas permeability as compared to PI DPPD-IMM. Blends with PBI concentrations 50 wt % or above presented a shift in WAXD toward 4.4 Å. It is found that as PBI concentration increases in the blend, there is an enhanced selectivity for O2/N2 and CO2/CH4 gas pairs duplicating their value with respect to PI DPPD-IMM and following closely the slope of the Robeson plot. Activation energies for permeation confirm that the PI DPPD-IMM microstructure is preserved at low PBI concentration since they barely increase for blends containing <25 wt % PBI. Gas permeability coefficients were fitted to different prediction models whose analysis confirms that the blends are heterogeneous. The best relationship between gas permeability and gas pair selectivity is located in the region where the blend presents high fractional free volume (FFV) (PBI concentration ≤25 wt %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the popularity of agave fructans as a new prebiotic and a functional food ingredient, little is known of its technological properties. This study aims to analyze the technological functionality of Agave angustifolia fructans of the long degree of polymerization as a fat replacement at 10, 20 and 30% of the fat substitution in the cookie production. Rheological measurements, chemical composition, functional properties and sensory evaluation were evaluated. The critical strain value of the linear viscoelastic region was reduced as agave fructans content increased, producing a brittle flour dough, with a predominantly elastic behavior. Sensory data reported similarities in the quality characteristics of cookies containing agave fructans up to 20% replacement respect to control cookies. HPAEC-PAD results showed the presence of agave fructans in the baked products. FT-IR spectra of cookies exhibited strong differences in absorption bands at 2900, 1700, 1150 and 936 1/cm, corresponding to fatty acids, carbohydrates and fructans region. Principal component analysis allowed the classification and discrimination of cookies according to their agavins percent as fat replacement. To conclude, agavins exerted a positive contribution as a fat replacer with nutritional advantages, such as, low caloric content, prebiotic capability and contributing to reducing the energy intake in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary tannins are ubiquitous in woody plants and may have serious negative effects on herbivores by inducing a loss of dietary protein and producing toxins if they are hydrolyzed in the gut. Many herbivorous mammals counter the negative effects of tannins through tannin-binding salivary proteins (TBSPs) that inactivate tannins by forming insoluble complexes and prevent them from interacting with other more valuable proteins. Howlers are the most folivorous New World primates and ingest foods with varying tannin content. We studied the presence of TBSPs in six wild mantled howlers ( Alouatta palliata mexicana) immediately after capture and in captivity when fed on two diets composed of natural ingredients: a mixture of fruit and leaves or only leaves. Protein concentration was determined in whole saliva samples, followed by gel electrophoresis. We identified two protein bands of 17 and 25 kDa that have tannin-binding capacity. Although the monkeys ate almost twice as much condensed tannins in the leaf diet than in the fruits and leaves diet (7 vs. 4 g/d dry matter) the salivary protein concentration did not differ between the two diets (leaf diet: 3.29 ± SE 0.82 vs. fruit and leaves diet: 3.42 ± SE 0.62 mg/ml) and we found no additional protein bands in response to either diet. We suggest that the continuous expression of TBSPs is part of a dietary strategy that enables howlers to consume diets with variable tannin contents, thus partly explaining their dietary flexibility. Although the importance of salivary proteins to arboreal primates is broadly accepted, to our knowledge this is the first report of TBSPs in any Neotropical primate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 5-(9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11,12-dicarboximido) isophthalic acid (DEAIA) monomer, containing a dibenzobarrelene pendant group, was synthesized by the condensation of 5-aminoisophthalic acid and 9,10-dihydroanthracene-9,10-α,β-succinic anhydride (DASA). The DEAIA monomer was reacted with four structurally different aromatic diamines to synthesize four novel polyamides. All aromatic polyamide based in the DEAIA monomer showed very good solubility in aprotic polar solvents and excellent thermal stability with onset of decomposition at 430 °C. They readily form membrane by the casting method. Moreover, the most interesting polyamide was DEAIA-6F that showed high thermal stability, good film formation, and the largest gas permeability coefficients in comparison with a reported polyhexafluoroisophthalamide, HFAISO; this confirms the advantage of inserting a dibenzobarrelene pendant group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three novel polyimides have been successfully synthesized from 3,8-diphenylpyrene-1,2,6,7-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (DPPD), and three commercial diamines by solution polycondensation. All polymers exhibited high molecular weight, high thermal stability and high rigidity (no glass transition was detected up to 400 °C) and free volume. The new polymers have been tested as gas separation membranes, showing very good combination of permeability and selectivity, especially in the case of the polymer derived from trimethyl-m-phenylenediamine (TMPD), which overpassed the 1991 Robeson upper bound for the gas pairs O 2 /N 2 and CO 2 /CH 4 and was near the 2008 upper bound for CO 2 /N 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is a significant cause of morbimortality in children under chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The purpose of this study is to describe the changes in the IFD epidemiology that occurred in a Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit (PHOU) with an increasing activity over time. Methods: Retrospective revision of the medical records of children (from 6 months to 18 years old) diagnosed with IFD in the PHOU of a tertiary hospital in Madrid (Spain), between 2006 and 2019. IFD definitions were performed according to the EORTC revised criteria. Prevalence, epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic parameters were described. Comparative analyses were conducted using Chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, according to three time periods, the type of infection (yeast vs mold infections) and the outcome. Results: Twenty-eight episodes of IFD occurred in 27 out of 471 children at risk (50% males; median age of 9.8 years old, [IQR 4.9-15.1]), resulting in an overall global prevalence of 5.9%. Five episodes of candidemia and 23 bronchopulmonary mold diseases were registered. Six (21.4%), eight (28.6%) and 14 (50%) episodes met criteria for proven, probable and possible IFD, respectively. 71.4% of patients had a breakthrough infection, 28.6% required intensive care and 21.4% died during treatment. Over time, bronchopulmonary mold infections and breakthrough IFD increased (p=0.002 and p=0.012, respectively), occurring in children with more IFD host factors (p=0.028) and high-risk underlying disorders (p=0.012). A 64% increase in the number of admissions in the PHOU (p<0.001) and a 277% increase in the number of HSCT (p=0.008) were not followed by rising rates of mortality or IFD/1000 admissions (p=0.674). Conclusions: In this study, we found that yeast infections decreased, while mold infections increased over time, being most of them breakthrough infections. These changes are probably related to the rising activity in our PHOU and an increase in the complexity of the baseline pathologies of patients. Fortunately, these facts were not followed by an increase in IFD prevalence or mortality rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper work proposes an analysis of the Microfinance consumer in Colombia from its adaptation to the environment that the industry presents from some basic definitions: the original vision called "poverty relief", generally represented by the Yunus Microcredit Summit and his Grameen bank; and the second vision called minimalist, represented by actors such as CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) USAID (United States Agency for International Development) ACCION International and the Ohio State University among others. Factor analysis is carried out for behavioral analysis, size and composition. Finally the affective-cognitive system was analyzed through multidimensional scaling to get the microfinance consumer perceptual mapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Connectivity areas were defined by the presence of eddies and weak or strong flows. [•] During transition periods retention is large in all areas of the gulf. [•] Retention is larger for cyclonic period than for anticyclonic in the northern area. [•] Particle retention is high in the Ballenas–Salsipuedes Channel during most periods of advection. [•] There is connectivity between the coasts of the gulf. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] The deformation and fracture behavior of PP/ash composites was investigated. [•] The effect of filler content, loading conditions and a coupling agent was analyzed. [•] Most composites exhibited improved fracture properties with respect to the matrix. [•] A maximum in the impact fracture toughness with filler loading was observed. [•] The incorporation of MAPP was detrimental to the material fracture behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saliva is a fluid that can be collected easily and noninvasively. Its functions in the oral cavity are well known. Advances in molecular biology and technology, as well as research conducted by the various disciplines of omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and metagenomics) have contributed to the identification and characterization of salivary components, including DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites, and microorganisms. These biomolecules enter the saliva through extracellular and intracellular routes, providing information from several organs and systems and raising the possibility of their use as disease biomarkers. In recent years, these factors have expanded the potential use of saliva as a diagnostic fluid for oral and systemic diseases. This review integrates information regarding salivary biomolecules studied through omics and explores their utility as biomarkers for the diagnosis of several infectious and noninfectious diseases, and the opportunity they represent for the development of point of care devices for clinical application. We also discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges to be overcome in order to establish saliva as a useful fluid for the accurate diagnosis and monitoring of a wide range of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The region of Zacualtipán, Hidalgo, Mexico, is characterized by the presence of even-aged stands of Pinus patula Schl. et Cham., a fast-growing timber species with high economic and ecological value. Having forestry tools to predict its growth and yield is a fundamental requisite to plan its sustainable management. The objective of this study was to present two prediction systems for timber yield of P. patula stands with the diameter distribution models approach. In their construction, dasometric data from 126 diameter distributions were used, which were obtained from 42 permanent sampling plots of 400 m², located in the Ejido La Mojonera, municipality of Zacualtipán, Hidalgo. Stand diameter distribution was estimated through Weibull's probability density function (pdf) (1951) with percentile prediction and the free distribution method based on percentiles. The means comparison with Tukey test (p≤0.05), for total volume predictions obtained with the two diameter distribution systems, shows that there are no significant statistical differences between the total volume predicted by both systems. However, the system based on Weibull's probability density function is easier to use because its parameters are dependent on the stand's minimum diameter and quadratic mean diameter, and it requires the prediction of only two percentiles. The diameter distribution models presented allow estimating the diameter structure of a stand as it changes with stand age. Therefore, their use is recommended as a support tool for management plans of P. patula stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed on seven aromatic polyamides to understand the structure-property relationships on their densities. The aromatic polyamides studied in this work are based on poly(hexafluoroisopropylidene) isophthalamide, HFAISO. The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of the side groups attached to the diacid monomer on the density of the aromatic polyamides. Densities were obtained via NVT and NPT molecular dynamics simulation using the COMPASS forcefield. Reliability and accuracy of the simulations were compared with the experimental density data from HFAISO and HFATERT aromatic polyamides, which are in good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest management in the region of Zacualtipán, Hidalgo, Mexico, has focused in the last three decades on the cultivation of pure even-aged stands of Pinus patula, the native timber species of fastest growth and high commercial value. The rapid growth of P. patula requires appropriate management of stand density to properly schedule thinnings and optimize stands' rotation. In this study, we determined the maximum line size-density relationship or self-thinning considering the stochastic frontier regression and ordinary least squares approaches for Reineke and Yoda models. In the estimation, we used data derived from 42 permanent sampling plots of 400 m2. The best estimates of the self-thinning line were obtained using the stochastic frontier models Truncated-normal and Half-normal of Reineke and Yoda. On this basis, we set diagrams for tree density management, considering the relative stand density index of Reineke (SDI) and that of Yoda (YDI). The method of stochastic frontier regression enables to directly estimate the upper limit of self-thinning without resorting to the selective use of data, where the points in which mortality from self-thinning has not yet exhibited are excluded from the analysis. For SDI and YDI, stochastic setting suggests a more conservative mortality rate compared to least squares fit. The method also allows a more efficient use of data, and incorporates information from inventory plots without remeasurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]