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Aiming to contribute to the current knowledge on the impact of reaction conditions on the chemical structure and target properties of starch citrates, in the current contribution different corn starch citrates were prepared by manipulation of reaction time, temperature and citric acid concentration. Modified starches were characterized in terms of chemical structure, morphology, crystallinity, swelling power and resistant starch content. For the first time, total substitution, crosslinking and monosubstitution degrees were quantitatively determined; and the relationship among final chemical structure, reaction conditions and target starch citrates properties was comprehensively analyzed. Products with total substitution values in the range of 0.075-0.24, crosslinking degrees in the 0.005-0.11 interval, and monosubstitution extents within the 0.05-0.12 range, were produced. By proper selection of reaction conditions products with almost 100 % of resistant starch were obtained. Results evidenced that starch citrates properties (mainly swelling power and RS content) depend on both chemical structure and the reaction conditions employed. Actually, the reaction temperature set (120 °C or 150 °C) proved to play a determinant role in the final products properties as evidenced from starch citrates with similar chemical structure and substantially different swelling and digestibility properties., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Anaemia is a common condition in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). It is also well known that a significant amount of the carbon dioxide produced by health services is likely attributable to blood donation, testing, and the manufacture, storage, and distribution of blood components. To mitigate this, prevention strategies such as blood-sparing techniques are available. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the use of such techniques in ICUs in Spain and Latin America, healthcare systems with very different health expenditures per capita. The aim is to assess the degree of implementation of blood-sparing techniques in these regions., Methods: Cross-sectional online multicentre survey. 251 ICUs in Spain and 53 in Latin America (20 in Argentina, 20 in Colombia, 13 in Ecuador) participated. A 20-item survey on the use of point-of-care, small-volume tubes (SVT), and closed-blood sampling devices (CBSD) was validated. Effect sizes were calculated using Phi (φ) or Cramer's V (V)., Results: A response rate of 77% was obtained for Spain and 96% for Latin America. In Spain, the majority of ICUs were affiliated with public hospitals (88.1%, 171/194) while in Latin America, most were associated with private hospitals (56.9%, 29/51). Regarding the use of point-of-care testing, 67.5% of Spanish ICUs, compared to 35.3% of Latin Americans, reported frequent use (V=0.343). In 91.7% of Spanish ICUs and 58.9% of Latin Americans, SVTs were rarely or never used (V=0.380). The use of CBSD was significantly lower in Spain for both arterial and central venous catheters (V=0.336). Private hospitals used more CBSD in arterial catheter than public ones (27% vs 8.3%, V=0.278)., Conclusion: Point-of-care testing can be improved in Latin America, while the use of CBSD and small-volume tubes can be enhanced in Spain. Private hospitals tend to implement blood-sparing techniques more effectively than public hospitals., (Copyright © 2024 Sociedad Española de Enfermería Intensiva y Unidades Coronarias (SEEIUC). Published by Elsevier España S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The Manta Vascular Closure Device is a novel collagen-based vascular closure device that has been designed specifically for closure of large-bore percutaneous arterial accesses. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the immediate and 30-day outcome of Manta at the completion of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) or thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The hypothesis is that Manta is not inferior in obtaining hemostasis compared with the Perclose ProGlide Suture-Mediated Closure System device., Materials and Methods: We recruited all the percutaneous accesses for (T)EVAR performed from January 2021 to April 2023 by all the Italian Divisions of Vascular Surgery using Manta at the time of data collection (May 2023). The primary outcome is to evaluate the incidence of complications at the puncture site after Manta implantation and at 1 month, and compare this with ProGlide. We applied the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) criteria for observational studies., Results: Overall, 524 consecutive femoral accesses for (T)EVAR procedures were collected: 355 in the Manta cohort and 169 in the ProGlide cohort, respectively. The size of the sheath was 17.2±2.7 Fr for Manta, 15.7±2.3 Fr for ProGlide (p<0.001). No statistically significant differences between the groups regarding age, sex, body mass index, ultrasound-guided access, femoral calcifications, intraoperative, and 30-day complications. Successful arterial closure at groin puncture sites for (T)EVAR using Manta is 90.5% and 93.1% using ProGlide. Freedom for any reintervention for any complication is 95.5% for Manta and 96% for ProGlide., Conclusion: The 2 vascular closure devices have proved to be similar in terms of complications, without any statistically significant difference, although the median size of the sheaths for (T)EVAR was statistically significantly larger when Manta has been used, compared with ProGlide., Clinical Impact: Manta® is effective in the hemostasis of the access sites following the completion of (T)EVAR in this multicenter, retrospective, case-control study on 524 percutaneous femoral accesses. Compared to the more popular Proglide®, the average size of the introducers in the Manta® group was significantly larger than in the Proglide® group., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) made its first appearance in 1956, and since then it has progressively introduced itself in healthcare systems and patients' information and care. AI functions can be grouped under the following headings: Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Computer Vision (CV). Biomimetic intelligence (BI) applies the principles of systems of nature to create biological algorithms, such as genetic and neural network, to be used in different scenarios. Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) represents the last stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and has increased over recent years, together with the rise in prevalence of diabetes and population ageing. Nowadays, AI and BI grant the possibility of developing new diagnostic and treatment solutions in the vascular field, given the possibility of accessing clinical, biological, and imaging data. By assessing the vascular anatomy in every patient, as well as the burden of atherosclerosis, and classifying the level and degree of disease, sizing and planning the best endovascular treatment, defining the perioperative complications risk, integrating experiences and resources between different specialties, identifying latent PAD, thus offering evidence-based solutions and guiding surgeons in the choice of the best surgical technique, AI and BI challenge the role of the physician's experience in PAD treatment.

Gingival enlargement is a common clinical sign in the gingival diseases associated with orthodontic treatment. Its biological mechanisms are not completely understood; nevertheless, the biochemical changes associated with these inflammatory and overgrowth processes could alter the post-translational protein modifications occurring in various locations within the mouth. Here, changes in the profiles of the carbonylated and phosphorylated proteins in saliva were examined in donors with gingival enlargement (seven men and seven women) and healthy donors (six men and eight women). The sociodemographic characteristics of both groups did not present significant differences. Carbonylation was measured by a quantitative immunoassay (Dot Blot), whereas the profiles of the phosphorylated proteins were visualized by SDS-PAGE with quercetin staining. Some phosphopeptides were also identified using a typical LC-MS-MS approach. Our results showed that gingival enlargement induced a significant increase in oxidative damage in salivary proteins. While a significant reduction in phosphorylation was observed at the stain level in SDS-PAGE, there was a slight increase in the number of phosphorylated proteins identified by MS in samples with gingival enlargement.

Background: Serum albumin is the most abundant protein in the Mammalia blood plasma at where plays a decisive role in the transport wide variety of hydrophobic ligands. BSA undergoes oxidative modifications like the carbonylation by the reactive carbonyl species (RCSs) 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), 4 hydroxy-2-hexenal (HHE), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-oxo-2-nonenal (ONE), among others. The structural and functional changes induced by protein carbonylation have been associated with the advancement of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic and cancer diseases., Methods: To elucidate structural effects of protein carbonylation with RCSs on BSA, parameters for six new non-standard amino acids were designated and molecular dynamics simulations of its mono‑carbonylated-BSA systems were conducted in the AMBER force field. Trajectories were evaluated by RMSD, RMSF, PCA, RoG and SASA analysis., Results: An increase in the conformational instability for all proteins modified with local changes were observed, without significant changes on the BSA global three-dimensional folding. A more relaxed compaction level and major solvent accessible surface area for modified systems was found. Four regions of high molecular fluctuation were identified in all modified systems, being the subdomains IA and IIIB those with the most remarkable local conformational changes. Regarding essential modes of domain movements, it was evidenced that the most representatives were those related to IA subdomain, while IIIB subdomain presented discrete changes., Conclusions: RCSs induces local structural changes on mono‑carbonylated BSA. Also, this study extends our knowledge on how carbonylation by RCSs induce structural effects on proteins., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Dario Mendez-Cuadro reports financial support was provided by Colombia Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation. Dario Mendez-Cuadro reports financial support was provided by University of Cartagena. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Protein carbonylation by reactive aldehydes derived from lipid peroxidation leads to cross-linking, oligomerization, and aggregation of proteins, causing intracellular damage, impaired cell functions, and, ultimately, cell death. It has been described in aging and several age-related chronic conditions. However, the basis of structural changes related to the loss of function in protein targets is still not well understood. Hence, a route to the in silico construction of new parameters for amino acids carbonylated with reactive carbonyl species derived from fatty acid oxidation is described. The Michael adducts for Cys, His, and Lys with 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (HHE), and a furan ring form for 4-Oxo-2-nonenal (ONE), were built, while malondialdehyde (MDA) was directly attached to each residue. The protocol describes details for the construction, geometry optimization, assignment of charges, missing bonds, angles, dihedral angles parameters, and its validation for each modified residue structure. As a result, structural effects induced by the carbonylation with these lipid derivatives have been measured by molecular dynamics simulations on different protein systems such as the thioredoxin enzyme, bovine serum albumin and the membrane Zu-5-ankyrin domain employing root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), structural secondary prediction (DSSP) and the solvent-accessible surface area analysis (SASA), among others.

Background : Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease made up of clones with different metastatic potential. Intratumoral heterogeneity may cause metastases to show divergent biomarker expression, potentially affecting chemotherapy response. Methods : We investigated the immunohistochemical (IHC) and FISH profile of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone (PR) receptors, Ki67, and HER2 in a series of BC-matched primary tumors (PTs) and axillary lymph node (ALN) metastases in pre-operative core needle biopsies (CNBs). Phenotypical findings were correlated to morphological features and their clinical implications. Results : Divergent expression between PTs and ALNs was found in 10% of the tumors, often involving multiple biomarkers (12/31, 39%). Most (52%) displayed significant differences in ER and PR staining. HER2 divergences were observed in almost three-quarters of the cases (23/31, 74%), with five (16%) switching from negativity to overexpression/amplification in ALNs. Roughly 90% of disparities reflected significant morphological differences between PTs and ALN metastases. Less than half of the discrepancies (12/31, 39%) modified pre/post-operative treatment options. Conclusions : We observed relevant discrepancies in biomarker expression between PTs and metastatic ALNs in a noteworthy proportion (10%) of preoperative BC CNBs, which were often able to influence therapies. Hence, our data suggest routine preoperative assessment of biomarkers in both PTs and ALNs in cases showing significant morphological differences.

Soil Surface Roughness (SSR) is a physical feature of soil microtopography, which is strongly influenced by tillage practices and plays a key role in hydrological and soil erosion processes. Therefore, surface roughness indices are required when using models to estimate soil erosion rates, where tabular values or direct measurements can be used. Field measurements often imply out-of-date and time-consuming methods, such as the pin meter and the roller chain, providing inaccurate indices. A novel technique for SSR measurement has been adopted, employing an RGB-Depth camera to produce a small-scale Digital Elevation Model of the soil surface, in order to extrapolate roughness indices. Canopy cover coverage (CC) of the cover crop was also detected from the camera's images. The values obtained for SSR and CC indices were implemented in the MMF (Morgan-Morgan-Finney) model, to validate the reliability of the proposed methodology by comparing the models' results for sediment yields with long-term soil erosion measurements in sloping vineyards in NW Italy. The performance of the model in predicting soil losses was satisfactory to good for a vineyard plot with inter-rows managed with recurrent tillage, and it was improved using spatialized soil roughness input data with respect to a uniform value. Performance for plot with permanent ground cover was not so good, however it was also improved using spatialized data. The measured values were also useful to obtain C-factor for RUSLE application, to be used instead of tabular values., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Protein oxidative modifications with reactive carbonyl species (RCS) is directly linked to metabolic processes in premature aging, cancer, neurodegenerative and infectious diseases. RCS as 4-Hydroxy-2-nonal (HNE), 4-Hydroxy-2-hexenal (HHE), 4-Oxo-2-nonenal (ONE) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) attack nucleophilic amino acids residues forming irreversible adducts with proteins as Thioredoxins (Trx). This is a class of small thiol oxide-reductases playing a key role in redox signaling and oxidative stress responses in mammals. Although proteomic studies have identified to Cys-32 residue as a target of HNE attack that inhibit its enzymatic activity, how this carbonylation affects its structure and dynamic behavior at the atomic level is unknown. Even more, the molecular bases for the atomistic behavior of these modified proteins have not been completely understood. We present molecular dynamics simulations of Trx-modified with four different RCS to analyze its global and local structural effects. For this, parameters supported in the AMBER force fields were built and validated for three non-natural cysteine residues modified with HHE, ONE and MDA. Results obtained showed a slight change in the global conformational stability of Trx modified with HNE and MDA, establishing that all modified proteins presented local regions of high mobility in the modified catalytic site and some regions far from the modification area. In addition, essential domain movement modes evidences that proteins modified with the RCS assayed induce changes in conformational flexibility. Finally, these data showed that the given conformational changes did not caused global changes in proteins but rather localized changes in particular regions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Dario Mendez-Cuadro reports financial support was provided by Colombia Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation. Dario Mendez-Cuadro reports financial support was provided by University of Cartagena. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The correct identification of the appropriateness of fluid administration is important for the treatment of critically ill patients. Static and dynamic indices used to identify fluid responsiveness have been developed throughout the years, nonetheless fluid responsiveness does not indicate that fluid administration is appropriate, and indexes to evaluate appropriateness of fluid administration are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate if central venous pressure (CVP) anddynamic indices could correctly identify fluid appropriateness for critically ill patients., Methods: Data from 31 ICU patients, for a total of 53 observations, was included in the analysis. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on the appropriateness of fluid administration. Fluid appropriateness was defined in presence of a low cardiac index (< 2.5 l/min/m2) without any sign of fluid overload, as assessed by global end-diastolic volume index, extravascular lung water index or pulmonary artery occlusion pressure., Results: For 10 patients, fluid administration was deemed appropriate, while for 21 patients it was deemed inappropriate. Central venous pressure was not different between the two cohorts (mean CVP 11 (4) mmHg in the fluid inappropriate group, 12 (4) mmHg in the fluid appropriate group, p 0.58). The same is true for pulse pressure variation (median PPV 5 [2, 9] % in the fluid inappropriate group, 4 [3, 13] % in the fluid appropriate group, p 0.57), for inferior vena cava distensibility (mean inferior vena cava distensibility 24 (14) % in the fluid inappropriate group, 22 (16) % in the fluid appropriate group, p 0.75) and for changes in end tidal carbon dioxide during a passive leg raising test (median d.ETCO2 1.5 [0.0, 2.0]% in the fluid inappropriate group, 1.0 [0.0, 2.0] % in the fluid appropriate group, p 0.98). There was no association between static and dynamic indices and fluid appropriateness., Conclusions: Central venous pressure, pulse pressure variation, changes in end tidal carbon dioxide during a passive leg raising test, inferior vena cava distensibility were not associated with fluid appropriateness in our cohorts., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Prezioso et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Objective: We aimed to compare discharge opioid prescriptions pre- and post-ERAS implementation., Summary of Background Data: ERAS programs decrease inpatient opioid use, but their relationship with postdischarge opioids remains unclear., Methods: All patients undergoing hysterectomy between October 2016 and November 2020 and pancreatectomy or hepatectomy between April 2017 and November 2020 at 1 tertiary care center were included. For each procedure, ERAS was implemented during the study period. PSM was performed to compare pre - versus post-ERAS patients on discharge opioids (number of pills and oral morphine equivalents). Patients were matched on age, sex, race, payor, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, prior opioid use, and procedure. Sensitivity analyses in open versus minimally invasive surgery cohorts were performed., Results: A total of 3983 patients were included (1929 pre-ERAS; 2054 post-ERAS). Post-ERAS patients were younger (56.0 vs 58.4 years; P < 0.001), more often female (95.8% vs 78.1%; P < 0.001), less often white (77.2% vs 82.0%; P < 0.001), less often had prior opioid use (20.1% vs 28.1%; P < 0.001), and more often underwent hysterectomy (91.1% vs 55.7%; P < 0.001). After PSM, there were no significant differences between cohorts in baseline characteristics. Matched post-ERAS patients were prescribed fewer opioid pills (17.4 pills vs 22.0 pills; P < 0.001) and lower oral morphine equivalents (129.4 mg vs 167.6 mg; P < 0.001) than pre-ERAS patients. Sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings [open (18.8 pills vs 25.4 pills; P < 0.001 \ 138.9 mg vs 198.7 mg; P < 0.001); minimally invasive surgery (17.2 pills vs 21.1 pills; P < 0.001 \ 127.1 mg vs 160.1 mg; P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Post-ERAS patients were prescribed significantly fewer opioids at discharge compared to matched pre-ERAS patients., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

(1) Background: Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that is widely distributed in water, soil, and air. It is present in agrochemicals, wastewater, battery waste, and volcanic eruptions. Thus, it can be absorbed by plants and enter the trophic chain. P. fasciculatum is a plant with phytoremediation capacity that can tolerate Cd stress, but changes in its proteome related to this tolerance have not yet been identified. (2) Methods: We conducted a quantitative analysis of the proteins present in P. fasciculatum leaves cultivated under greenhouse conditions in mining soils doped with 0 mg kg -1 (control), 30 mg kg -1 , or 50 mg kg -1 . This was carried out using the label-free shotgun proteomics technique. In this way, we determined the changes in the proteomes of the leaves of these plants, which allowed us to propose some tolerance mechanisms involved in the response to Cd stress. (3) Results: In total, 329 variable proteins were identified between treatments, which were classified into those associated with carbohydrate and energy metabolism; photosynthesis; structure, transport, and metabolism of proteins; antioxidant stress and defense; RNA and DNA processing; and signal transduction. (4) Conclusions: Based on changes in the differences in the leaf protein profiles between treatments, we hypothesize that some proteins associated with signal transduction (Ras-related protein RABA1e), HSPs (heat shock cognate 70 kDa protein 2), growth (actin-7), and cellular development (actin-1) are part of the tolerance response to Cd stress.

Tractor rollover is the main cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries in agriculture. The foldable rollover protective structure (FROPS) can help to prevent these injuries. However, in many cases, the FROPS is left in a folded-down position. Human factor and rear-mounted FROPS technical characteristics influence operators' behavior in roll-bar handling. To improve the FROPS's comfortable use, the prototype of an enhanced handling system was developed, and its usability was tested and compared with a conventional FROPS. Usability was assessed with 93 novice tractor users through an ad hoc questionnaire (investigating perceived effort, time demand, the posture adopted and satisfaction) and observations (investigating effectiveness and efficiency) during lowering and raising tasks. For both tasks, the participants perceived significantly less effort, less physical discomfort, a higher level of satisfaction and less time demand while operating the enhanced FROPS. Observations showed that the critical issues that emerged for the conventional FROPS were eliminated by adopting the developed and implemented handling system. The developed handling system showed itself to be usable and effective in making the FROPS easier and safer to be operated.

Aim: To determine the professional profile and the work conditions of nurses working in intensive care units (ICU) in Colombia, Argentina, Peru and Brazil., Background: ICUs require a differentiated professional profile to provide quality care, and appropriate working conditions, leading to a transformation of care and management practices., Design: Descriptive multicentre cross-sectional observational study., Methods: An online survey was applied to identify both the characteristics of the professional profile and the working conditions. 1,427 ICU nursing professionals were included. RStudio statistical software was used for the analysis of the information. Descriptive statistics were used for the presentation of the results. The STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies was used in this study., Results: Only 33.6% of the professionals had a specialisation degree in intensive care. The skills that were most frequently put into practice were communication (68.5%) and care management (78.5%). The most predominant nurse-to-patient ratios were 1:2, and greater than 1:6. 59.1% of the nurses had an indefinite term contract, 38.8% worked 48 hours per week and 49.8% had rotating shifts. Only 50.4% of them received incentives. The average salary ranged between 348 and 1,500 USD. 64.5% of the participants were satisfied with their job., Conclusion: It is necessary to strengthen nurses' professional profile by promoting both postgraduate education and the development of troubleshooting and teamwork skills. It is necessary to standardise the nurse-to-patient ratio, improve wages and increase incentives to achieve greater job satisfaction., Relevance to Practice: The knowledge and the improvement of both the professional profile and the work conditions of nurses working in intensive care units will improve the quality of the care given to critical patients and, therefore, the quality of health outcomes., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Occupational safety and health (OSH) have a remarkable impact on the sustainability of firms and organizations. However, the sustainability perspective has often focused primarily on environmental and economic concerns, leaving key social and workplace aspects, such as OSH, underemphasized. The link between all these aspects is particularly relevant in agriculture., Method: In the present study we analyzed the paths by which the worker's age, participation in safety training, and previous history of accidents and near misses can influence the adoption of safety behaviors in agriculture through the mediation of attitudes towards safety and perceived behavioral control. Three hundred and ten Italian agricultural operators were administered an ad-hoc questionnaire., Results: Having attended safety training courses, having been exposed to previous accidents and near misses, and age showed a positive association with the adoption of on-farm safety behaviors, through the mediation of perceived behavioral control. In more detail, participation in training courses and age showed a positive association with perceived behavioral control, while the previous history of accidents and near misses showed a negative association with behavioral control. In turn, perceived behavioral control was positively associated with the adoption of safety behaviors., Conclusions: The present study focused on the chain of events leading to the adoption of on-farm safety behaviors, which can prevent an accidents, pointing out the more critical variables and the level at which they intervene, identifying possible areas of targeted interventions. Practical applications: Implications for the development of targeted interventions may deal with: (a) training activities increasing farm operators' sense of control over their safety, (b) older farmers involvement in mentoring initiatives, and (c) systematic recording and use of previous history of accidents and near misses as inputs for training activities to discuss their implications for on-farm safety., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 National Safety Council and Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This paper examines sectoral productivity shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, their aggregate impact, and the possible compensatory effects of improving productivity in infrastructure-related sectors. We employ the KLEMS annual dataset for a group of OECD and Latin America and the Caribbean countries, complemented with high-frequency data for 2020. First, we estimate a panel vector autoregression of growth rates in sector level labor productivity to specify the nature and size of sectoral shocks using the historical data. We then run impulse-response simulations of one standard deviation shocks in the sectors that were most affected by COVID-19. We estimate that the pandemic cut economy-wide labor productivity by 4.9% in Latin America, and by 3.5% for the entire sample. Finally, by modeling the long-run relationship between productivity shocks in the sectors most affected by COVID-19, we find that large productivity improvements in infrastructure-equivalent to at least three times the historical rates of productivity gains-may be needed to fully compensate for the negative productivity losses traceable to COVID-19., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41885-021-00098-z., (© The Author(s) 2022.)

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of carbonylation induced by tetracyclines, β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and pyrethroids in caseins of bovine origin on their immunoreactivity and allergenicity. Using a spectrophotometric method, ELISA, dot-blot, and an IgE-mediated milk allergy mouse model, we confirmed that antibiotics and pesticides at their maximum residue limit, promoted the in vitro carbonylation of caseins (among 5.0 ± 0.01 and 67.5 ± 0.70 nmol of carbonyl/mg of protein); furthermore, carbonylations greater than 19 nmol significantly increase the in vitro IgE immunoreactivity of caseins (average OD among 0.63-1.50) regarding the negative control (average OD: 0.56). On the other hand, sensitized mice exposed to oxidized caseins showed increased clinical scores (2-5), positive skin tests, and footpad swelling (0.28-0.59 mm) compared to the negative control (1-2; negative skin tests; 0.1 mm, respectively), denoting increased allergenicity. These results suggest that casein carbonylation increases their IgE immunoreactivity and allergenicity, a fact that could be explained by the resistance to the digestion promoted by carbonylation and by conformational changes in the random coil casein structure, which can expose cryptic epitopes or neoepitopes.

Taenia saginata is the causative agent of bovine cysticercosis, a zoonotic parasitic disease with a worldwide distribution. Bovine cysticercosis is considered to be an important food safety issue responsible for human taeniasis and a major economic concern since infected carcasses undergo condemnation, freezing and downgrading. The aim of the current investigation was to assess the presence of farm-level risk factors for bovine cysticercosis in an endemic area in North-West Italy. A questionnaire was designed to collect information relating to several farm structural features, as well as management practices, environmental characteristics and attitudes of farmers. The questionnaire was administered in two separate time intervals by direct interview to previously selected case and control farms. Overall, 32 case farms and 131 control farms were included between 2005 and 2011 and 50 case farms and 192 control farms were included between 2014 and 2020. The present survey showed a significant association between the detection of bovine cysticercosis cases at slaughter and farm proximity to picnic spots, closeness of wastewater treatment plant effluents, loose-housing systems and presence of employees along with the family members, highlighting the need for targeted awareness raising policies.

Objective: The goal of this study was to explore which enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) bundle items were most associated with decreased length of stay after surgery, most likely associated with decreased length of stay after surgery., Design: A cohort study., Setting: Large tertiary academic medical centre., Participants: The study included 1318 women undergoing hysterectomy as part of our ERAS pathway between 1 February 2018 and 30 January 2020 and a matched historical cohort of all hysterectomies performed at our institution between 3 October 2016 and 30 January 2018 (n=1063)., Intervention: The addition of ERAS to perioperative care.This is a cohort study of all patients undergoing hysterectomy at an academic medical centre after ERAS implementation on 1 February 2018. Compliance and outcomes after ERAS roll out were monitored and managed by a centralised team. Descriptive statistics, multivariate regression, interrupted time series analysis were used as indicated., Main Outcome Measures: Impact of ERAS process measure adherence on length of stay., Results: After initiation of ERAS pathway, 1318 women underwent hysterectomy. There were more open surgeries after ERAS implementation, but cohorts were otherwise balanced. The impact of process measure adherence on length of stay varied based on surgical approach (minimally invasive vs open). For open surgery, compliance with intraoperative antiemetics (-30%, 95% CI -18% to 40%) and decreased postoperative fluid administration (-12%, 95% CI -1% to 21%) were significantly associated with reduced length of stay. For minimally invasive surgery, ambulation within 8 hours of surgery was associated with reduced length of stay (-53%, 95% CI -55% to 52%)., Conclusions: While adherence to overall ERAS protocols decreases length of stay, the specific components of the bundle most significantly impacting this outcome remain elusive. Our data identify early ambulation, use of antiemetics and decreasing postoperative fluid administration to be associated with decreased length of stay., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: ARDS in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by microcirculatory alterations in the pulmonary vascular bed, which could increase dead-space ventilation more than in non-COVID-19 ARDS. We aimed to establish if dead-space ventilation is different in patients with COVID-19 ARDS when compared with patients with non-COVID-19 ARDS., Methods: A total of 187 subjects with COVID-19 ARDS and 178 subjects with non-COVID-19 ARDS who were undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation were included in the study. The association between the ARDS types and dead-space ventilation, compliance of the respiratory system, subjects' characteristics, organ failures, and mechanical ventilation was evaluated by using data collected in the first 24 h of mechanical ventilation., Results: Corrected minute ventilation (V˙ E ), a dead-space ventilation surrogate, was higher in the subjects with COVID-19 ARDS versus in those with non-COVID-19 ARDS (median [interquartile range] 12.6 [10.2-15.8] L/min vs 9.4 [7.5-11.6] L/min; P < .001). Increa s ed corrected V˙ E was independently associated with COVID-19 ARDS (odds ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.07-1.47; P = .007). The best compliance of the respiratory system, obtained after testing different PEEPs, was similar between the subjects with COVID-19 ARDS and the subjects with non-COVID-19 ARDS (mean ± SD 38 ± 11 mL/cm H 2 O vs 37 ± 11 mL/cm H 2 O, respectively; P = .61). The subjects with COVID-19 ARDS received higher median (interquartile range) PEEP (12 [10-14] cm H 2 O vs 8 [5-9] cm H 2 O; P < .001) and lower median (interquartile range) tidal volume (5.8 [5.5-6.3] mL/kg vs 6.6 [6.1-7.3] mL/kg; P < .001) than the subjects with non-COVID-19 ARDS, being these differences maintained at multivariable analysis. In the multivariable analysis, the subjects with COVID-19 ARDS showed a lower risk of anamnestic arterial hypertension (odds ratio 0.18, 95% CI 0.07-0.45; P < .001) and lower neurologic sequential organ failure assessment score (odds ratio 0.16, 95% CI 0.09-0.27; P < .001) than the subjects with non-COVID-19 ARDS., Conclusions: Indirect measurements of dead space were higher in subjects with COVID-19 ARDS compared with subjects with non-COVID-19 ARDS. The best compliance of the respiratory system was similar in both ARDS forms provided that different PEEPs were applied. A wide range of compliance is present in every ARDS type; therefore, the setting of mechanical ventilation should be individualized patient by patient and not based on the etiology of ARDS., Competing Interests: The authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 by Daedalus Enterprises.)

Background: Worldwide, chicken meat is widely consumed due to its low cost, high nutritional value and non-interference with religious or cultural beliefs. However, during animal husbandry chickens are exposed to many chemical substances, including tetracyclines and β-lactams, which are used to prevent and cure several infections. Some residues of these compounds may bioaccumulate and be present in chicken meat after slaughtering, promoting oxidative reactions. Methods: In order to evaluate in vitro carbonylation induced by tetracyclines and β-lactams residues, a proteomic approach was used. For this, chicken muscle was individually contaminated with tetracyclines (tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, and doxycycline) and β-lactams (ampicillin, benzathine penicillin, dicloxacillin and oxacillin) at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 times their maximum residue level (MRL). Then, sarcoplasmic, myofibrillar and insoluble proteins were extracted and their content were measured using the Bradford method. Protein carbonylation was measured using the 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine alkaline method. Results: Residues of tetracyclines and β-lactams induced in vitro carbonylation on sarcoplasmic, myofibrillar and insoluble proteins even at 0.5MRL concentrations ( p<0.05 ). When comparing the carbonylation induced by both antibiotics no differences were found ( p>0.05 ). Variables such as the partition coefficient (log P) and the concentration of these antibiotics showed a high correlation with the oxidative capacity of tetracyclines and β-lactams on chicken breast proteins. Conclusions : This study shows that the presence of tetracyclines and β-lactams residues at MRLs concentrations promotes in vitro carbonylation on chicken breast proteins. Our results provide important insights about the impact of antibiotics on the integrity of meat proteins intended for human consumption., Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed., (Copyright: © 2021 Marquez J et al.)

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling of all body tissues, including oral tissues such as gingival tissue. Expression levels of MMPs are widely studied as important biomarkers for explaining the biochemical mechanisms and evolution of many oral diseases., Objective: Demonstrate the sensitivity, reproducibility, repeatability, and robustness of the dot blot assay for the relative quantification of MMP-8 and MMP-9 expression levels in patients with GO associated with orthodontic treatment., Methods: A validated dot blot assay was used to compare the relative expression levels of MMP-8 and MMP-9 in gingival samples. Methodological variability, reproducibility, sensitivity and robustness were determined with the use of control samples from healthy donors (G1). Next, expression levels were measured in gingival tissue from patients with mild and moderate gingival overgrowth associated with orthodontic treatment (G3 and G4) and patients without gingival overgrowth but with a history of using orthodontic appliances (G2)., Results: Dot blot assay demonstrated that MMP-8 and MMP-9 expression levels were higher in patients with gingival overgrowth and distinguished those with moderate clinical grade (G4) from those with mild overgrowth (G3). In addition, patients with a history of orthodontic treatment showed similar expression levels to the control group two years after removing orthodontic appliances., Conclusions: With the assay used, we were able to detect differences in MMP-8 and MMP-9 expression in patients with different levels of severity of gingival overgrowth. Dot blot could be used to measure MMPs during the onset and progression of gingival overgrowth., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2021 King Saud University.)

Objective: To determine nickel levels and their impact on protein carbonylation in gum samples from patients with gingival overgrowth by orthodontic treatment., Design: A retrospective observational study with 33 patients divided into three groups. Group 1 patients with gingival overgrowth by orthodontic appliances; group 2 patients without gingival overgrowth but with a history of orthodontic treatment; group 3 patients without overgrowth and history of orthodontic appliances. Nickel level in gingiva samples was measured by atomic absorption while protein carbonylation was determined by Western Blot. Furthermore, three proteins were identified in carbonylated protein bands by mass spectrometry., Results: Statistically significant differences (p < 0,05) in tissue nickel levels among groups were established (nickel levels group 1: 1.33 ± 1.52; group 2: 0.33 ± 0.44; group 3: 0.20 ± 0.22 μg Ni/g tissue). Protein carbonylation was higher in patients with gingival enlargement (group 1) and history of appliance use (group 2) than controls (group 3). It was observed that band A of the Western blots presented the highest intensity (Rf 0.23) with an average intensity of 4.133.830 ± 1.958.569 for group 1; 4.420.146 ± 1.594.679 for group 2 and 2.110. 727 ± 1.640.721 for group 3. Also, the proteins Teneurin-4, Bromodomain adjacent to zinc finger domain protein 2B, Lysine-specific demethylase 5B, and Serum albumin, were identified from oxidized bands., Conclusions: The gum of patients with gingival overgrowth by orthodontic appliances contains higher nickel residues and carbonylation of its proteins., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The ratio of dead space to tidal volume (V D /V T ) is associated with mortality in patients with ARDS. Corrected minute ventilation ([Formula: see text]) is a simple surrogate of dead space, but, despite its increasing use, its association with mortality has not been proven. The aim of our study was to assess the association between [Formula: see text] and hospital mortality. We also compared the strength of this association with that of estimated V D /V T and ventilatory ratio., Methods: We performed a retrospective study with prospectively collected data. We evaluated 187 consecutive mechanically ventilated subjects with ARDS caused by novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The association between [Formula: see text] and hospital mortality was assessed in multivariable logistic models. The same was done for estimated V D /V T and ventilatory ratio., Results: Mean ± SD [Formula: see text] was 11.8 ± 3.3 L/min in survivors and 14.5 ± 3.9 L/min in nonsurvivors ( P < .001) and was independently associated with mortality (adjusted odds ratio 1.15, P = .01). The strength of association of [Formula: see text] with mortality was similar to that of V D /V T and ventilatory ratio., Conclusions: [Formula: see text] was independently associated with hospital mortality in subjects with ARDS caused by COVID-19. [Formula: see text] could be used at the patient's bedside for outcome prediction and severity stratification, due to the simplicity of its calculation. These findings need to be confirmed in subjects with ARDS without viral pneumonia and when lung-protective mechanical ventilation is not rigorously applied., Competing Interests: The authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 by Daedalus Enterprises.)

Protein carbonylation is an irreversible oxidative modification that has been associated with a decrease in the quality and nutritional value of products of animal origin. Generally, the carbonylation is attributed to processes of slaughter, processing, and cold storage of products. However, in vitro studies have shown that fluoroquinolone and organophosphate pesticides residues at their maximum residue limits (MRL) can promote carbonylation of animal proteins. Though, this effect on in vivo conditions has not yet been evaluated. Thus, Eisenia fetida was chosen as a model to assay their oxidant effect. For this, adult earthworms were exposed to artificial soil contaminated with ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, fenthion, and diazinon at three concentrations (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 MRL) for 28 days. Then, these were purged and sacrificed to obtain the muscle region between the anus and preclitellum. The muscle samples were cold macerated to obtain muscle proteins, which were used for protein quantification, determination of carbonyl levels, and carbonyl protein profiles employing Bradford, Dot-blot, and Western blot assays, respectively. The results showed that at each concentration assayed, all pollutants induced significant carbonylation respect to control (p < 0.05). Additionally, mass spectrometry-based analysis (MALDI-TOF/TOF) identified actin as the protein most susceptible to carbonylation promoted by these substances. Therefore, these findings show for the first time the oxidant power of fluoroquinolones and organophosphates pesticides at MRLs concentrations on muscle proteins under in vivo conditions. Fact causes concern due to the homology of muscle proteins in eukaryotes, which allow to hypothesize that this effect could also be experienced by proteins from food-producing animals in the same way that observed in in vitro studies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Digital games have been successfully applied in different working sectors as an occupational safety training method, but with a very limited application in agriculture. In agriculture and other productive sectors, unintentional injuries tend to occur with similar dynamics. A literature review was carried out to understand how occupational risks are addressed during game-based safety training in different productive sectors and how this can be transferred to agriculture. Literature about "serious game" and "gamification" as safety training methods was searched in WEB OF SCIENCE, SCOPUS, PUBMED and PsycINFO databases. In the forty-two publications retained, the computer was identified as the most adopted game support, whereas "points", "levels", "challenges" and "discovery" were the preferred game mechanics. Moreover, an association can be detected between the game mechanics and the elements developed in the game. Finally, during the game assessment, much positive feedback was collected and the games proved to be able to increase the operators' skills and safety knowledge. In light of the results, insights are provided to develop an effective, satisfying and engaging safety game training for workers employed in agriculture. Games can be best used to learn and they are certain to improve over the next few years.

Background: The Massachusetts General Hospital is a large, quaternary care institution with 58 operating rooms, 164 anesthesiologists, 76 certified nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), an anesthesiology residency program that admits 25 residents annually, and 35 surgeons who perform laparoscopic, vaginal, and open hysterectomies. In March of 2018, our institution launched an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway for patients undergoing hysterectomy. To implement the anesthesia bundle of this pathway, an intensive 14-month educational endeavor was created and put into effect. There were no subsequent additional educational interventions., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of 2570 patients who underwent hysterectomy between October 2016 and March 2020 to determine adherence to the anesthesia bundle of the ERAS Hysterectomy pathway., Results: Increased adherence to the four elements of the anesthesia bundle (p < 0.001) was achieved during the intervention period. Compliance with the pathway was sustained in the post-intervention period despite no additional actions., Conclusions: Implementing the anesthesia bundle of an ERAS pathway in a large anesthesia group with diverse providers successfully occurred using implementation science-based approach of intense interventions, and these results were maintained after the intervention ceased.

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a chronic, neuromuscular disease characterized by degeneration of spinal cord motor neurons, resulting in progressive muscular atrophy and weakness. SMA1 is the most severe form characterized by significant bulbar, respiratory, and motor dysfunction. SMA1 prevents children from speaking a clearly understandable and fluent language, with their communication being mainly characterized by eye movements, guttural sounds, and anarthria (type 1a); severe dysarthria (type 1b); and nasal voice and dyslalia (type 1c). The aim of this study was to analyze for the first time cognitive functions, language comprehension, and speech in natural history SMA1 children according to age and subtypes, to develop cognitive and language benchmarks that provide outcomes for the clinical medication trials that are changing SMA1 course/trajectory., Methods: This is a retrospective study including 22 children with SMA1 (10 affected by subtype 1a-1b: AB and 12 by 1c: C) aged 3-11 years in clinical stable condition with a coded way to communicate "yes" and "no". Data from the following assessments have been retrieved from patient charts: one-dimensional Raven test (RCPM), to evaluate cognitive development (IQ); ALS Severity Score (ALSSS) to evaluate speech disturbances; Brown Bellugy modified for Italian standards (TCGB) to evaluate language comprehension; and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP-INTEND) to assess motor functioning., Results: SMA 1AB and 1C children were similar in age, with the former characterized by lower CHOP-INTEND scores compared to the latter. All 22 children had collaborated to RCPM and their median IQ was 120 with no difference (p = 0.945) between AB and C. Global median score of the speech domain of the ALSSS was 5; however, it was 2 in AB children, being significantly lower than C (6.5, p < 0.001). TCGB test had been completed by 13 children, with morphosyntactic comprehension being in the normal range (50). Although ALSSS did not correlate with both IQ and TCGB, it had a strong (p < 0.001) correlation with CHOP-INTEND described by an exponential rise to maximum., Conclusions: Although speech and motor function were severely compromised, children with SMA1 showed general intelligence and language comprehension in the normal range. Speech impairment was strictly related to global motor impairment.

Polylactic acid (PLA) films containing 1 wt % and 3 wt % of lignin nanoparticles (pristine (LNP), chemically modified with citric acid (caLNP) and acetylated (aLNP)) were prepared by extrusion and characterized in terms of their overall performance as food packaging materials. Morphological, mechanical, thermal, UV-Vis barrier, antioxidant and antibacterial properties were assayed; appropriate migration values in food simulants and disintegration in simulated composting conditions were also verified. The results obtained indicated that all lignin nanoparticles succeeded in conferring UV-blocking, antioxidant and antibacterial properties to the PLA films, especially at the higher filler loadings assayed. Chemical modification of the fillers partially reduced the UV protection and the antioxidant properties of the resulting composites, but it induced better nanoparticles dispersion, reduced aggregates size, enhanced ductility and improved aesthetic quality of the films through reduction of the characteristic dark color of lignin. Migration tests and disintegration assays of the nanocomposites in simulated composting conditions indicated that, irrespectively of their formulation, the multifunctional nanocomposite films prepared behaved similarly to neat PLA.

Background: In mechanically ventilated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), we frequently recognised the development of pneumomediastinum and/or subcutaneous emphysema despite employing a protective mechanical ventilation strategy. The purpose of this study was to determine if the incidence of pneumomediastinum/subcutaneous emphysema in COVID-19 patients was higher than in ARDS patients without COVID-19 and if this difference could be attributed to barotrauma or to lung frailty., Methods: We identified both a cohort of patients with ARDS and COVID-19 (CoV-ARDS), and a cohort of patients with ARDS from other causes (noCoV-ARDS).Patients with CoV-ARDS were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) during the COVID-19 pandemic and had microbiologically confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. NoCoV-ARDS was identified by an ARDS diagnosis in the 5 years before the COVID-19 pandemic period., Results: Pneumomediastinum/subcutaneous emphysema occurred in 23 out of 169 (13.6%) patients with CoV-ARDS and in three out of 163 (1.9%) patients with noCoV-ARDS (p<0.001). Mortality was 56.5% in CoV-ARDS patients with pneumomediastinum/subcutaneous emphysema and 50% in patients without pneumomediastinum (p=0.46).CoV-ARDS patients had a high incidence of pneumomediastinum/subcutaneous emphysema despite the use of low tidal volume (5.9±0.8 mL·kg -1 ideal body weight) and low airway pressure (plateau pressure 23±4 cmH 2 O)., Conclusions: We observed a seven-fold increase in pneumomediastinum/subcutaneous emphysema in CoV-ARDS. An increased lung frailty in CoV-ARDS could explain this finding more than barotrauma, which, according to its etymology, refers to high transpulmonary pressure., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: D.H.L. Lemmers has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: M. Abu Hilal has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: C. Bnà has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: C. Prezioso has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: E. Cavallo has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: N. Nencini has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: S. Crisci has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: F. Fusina has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: G. Natalini has nothing to disclose., (Copyright ©ERS 2020.)

Background: Aging and mortality of patients on waiting lists for kidney transplantation have increased, as a result of the shortage of organs available all over the world. Living donor grafts represent a significant source to maintain the donor pool, and resorting successfully to allografts with arterial disease has become a necessity. The incidence of renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) in potential living renal donors is reported to be 2-6%, and up to 4% of them present concurrent extra-renal involvement., Case Presentation: We present a case of renal transplantation using a kidney from a living donor with monolateral FMD. Resection of the affected arterial segment and its subsequent replacement with a cryopreserved iliac artery graft from a deceased donor were performed. No intraoperative nor post-operative complications were reported. The allograft function promptly resumed, with satisfying creatinine clearance, and adequate patency of the vascular anastomoses was detected by Doppler ultrasounds., Conclusion: Literature lacks clear guidelines on the eligibility of potential living renal donors with asymptomatic FMD. Preliminary assessment of the FMD living donor should always rule out any extra-renal involvement. Whenever possible, resection and reconstruction of the affected arterial segment should be taken into consideration as this condition may progress after implantation.

Organophosphate pesticides are frequently used to eliminate or prevent insects in poultry. However, their residues may continue in meat after slaughtering. In this study, proteomics and peptidomics approaches were used to evaluate their oxidative impact on myosin and chicken breast proteins under in vitro conditions. Myosin protein was exposed to diazinon and chlorpyrifos showing an increase in its oxidation by increasing times, especially with chlorpyrifos. Then, chicken breast was contaminated with chlorpyrifos to evaluate carbonylation and the effect of simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Proteins were isolated using size-exclusion-chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry in tandem. Myosin, β-enolase, CK-M-type and actin were identified as main proteins susceptible to oxidation. Also, oxidised peptides obtained before and after simulated gastrointestinal digestion were identified. Collagen peptides the most susceptible to oxidation. These results suggest that the presence of chlorpyrifos residues on meat could have a negative effect on its final quality and nutritional value., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is an organophosphorus pesticide used in poultry to prevent and/or kill insects and such as preserving agents of poultry feed. Exposure continues to CPF can promote its accumulation at trace concentrations in animal tissue. The toxicological effects of these residues (carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and neurological disorders) have been related to oxidative stress. Nevertheless, it is still unknown if these trace concentrations might promote oxidative stress in muscle proteins since chicken meat proteins are susceptible to undergo oxidation reactions. Moreover, protein oxidation has been related to a decrease in the nutritional value in of meat. To investigate the oxidative effect of CPF on chicken breast proteins, peptidomics and proteomics analysis were used. For this, chicken breast samples were exposed to CPF and subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion. The identification of oxidized peptides from digested and undigested proteins were performed by LC MS/MS (nanoESI qQTOF). Prior to mass analyses undigested proteins were trypsinated. Data were analysed using MASCOT and ProteinPilot v 4.5 software. In this study, 90 and 107 oxidized peptides from digested proteins of control and exposed samples were identified, respectively. These peptides corresponding to 12 oxidized proteins. Meanwhile, 260 and 324 oxidized peptides from undigested proteins (control and exposed samples) were identified, which corresponding to 19 and 17 proteins, respectively. Collagen was protein more susceptible to oxidation promoted by chlorpyrifos in digested and undigested proteins. Identification of these oxidized proteins from simulated digestion provides an important insight about the impact of substances like certain veterinary drugs at trace concentrations on the nutritional value of chicken breast meat., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships which have, or could be perceived to have, influenced the work reported in this article., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Objectives : Safety pictograms are important graphic elements that are useful for rapidly conveying messages in workplaces. The purpose of this study was to investigate the comprehension of safety pictograms affixed to agricultural machinery among a group of Pakistani migrant farmworkers employed in Italy. Methods : Interviews about the meanings attributed to four standardized safety pictograms affixed to agricultural machinery depicting the most frequent causes of farm accidents were administered to 29 Pakistani migrant farmworkers employed on Italian farms. Results : There was high variability in pictogram comprehension. None of the participants interpreted all the pictograms in accordance with the definitions provided by the international standards. Higher comprehension rates were reported for pictograms related to the risks of tractor rollover and foot injury, while pictograms referring to the need to consult a technical manual and the risk of entanglement yielded lower comprehension scores. Previous farming experience in the country of origin and the number of years of education were significantly associated with comprehension scores. Conclusion : A discussion of pictogram features that may be critical for comprehension is provided, and (re)design suggestions are given to improve the cross-cultural comprehension of these safety signs.

During the last two decades cellulosic nanomaterials have been the subject of much research around the world. Moreover, in the last few years, increasing industrial interest on the field enabled the setting-up of the first facilities producing commercial quantities of nanocelluloses; whereas a number of inventions involving cellulose nano-objects are claimed every year. In this context, the current article describes the recent evolution (from 2010 till 2017) of published patents which explicitly include in their title, abstract and/or claims references to cellulose nano-objects such as cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils and bacterial nanocellulose. Results evidence the astonishing increase in nanocellulose patents since 2010, and specially within the last three years surveyed (i.e. 2015-2017), when published documents accounted for ca. 70 % of the total number of patents published since 2010. Besides patent timelines, data is analysed in terms of patent owners, countries of application, and citing number., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this article., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Lectures are the most commonly used training method but may not be effective in communicating safety information among migrant workers because of language and cultural barriers. The comprehension of safety information is particularly urgent in highly hazardous sectors such as agriculture, which has a high migrant workforce rate. In this study, an ergonomic user-centred approach was adopted to develop and evaluate safety training material targeting migrants employed on Italian farms. Focus groups with both trainers and migrants were carried out to collect information on critical issues in traditional training material, the most and least comprehended topics and suggestions for training improvement. Based on the focus group analysis, the training material was developed considering several visual factors and more engaging interaction between trainers and migrant trainees. The usability of the developed material was then evaluated in a group of 20 migrant farmworkers through a questionnaire assessing the knowledge of safety information before (T0) and after (T1) the training (effectiveness), perceived effort in learning (efficiency) and user satisfaction after training. The results showed improved knowledge, low perceived effort and high satisfaction, pointing to the positive effects of active user involvement when designing targeted training materials.

4-HNE-modified ankyrins have been described in diseases such as diabetes, renal failure, G6PD deficient, sickle cell trait, and P. falciparum infected erythrocytes with different AB0 blood groups. However, effects at the atomic level of this carbonylation on structure and function of modified protein are not yet fully understood. We present a study based on molecular dynamics simulations of nine 4-HNE modified residues of the ZU5-ANK ankyrin domain with β-spectrin and their binding energy profiles. Results show that 4-HNE induced local conformational changes over all protein systems evaluated, increased mobility in the modification sites, and localized structural changes between the positively charged patch of the ZU5-ANK domain. Carbonylation with 4-HNE on lysine residues decreased the affinity between ZU5-ANK and the 14-β-spectrin repeat by reducing electrostatic and van der Waals interactions. The presented work provides further insight into understanding the loss of human erythrocyte deformation capacity under conditions of oxidative stress in different diseases.

The data described here supports a part of the research article "Effect of 4‑HNE Modification on ZU5-ANK Domain and the Formation of Their Complex with β‑Spectrin: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study" [1]. Dataset on Gaff force field parameters of AMBER is provided for the non-standard arginine resulting of reaction with 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), the major secondary product of lipids peroxidation. Arg-HNE 2-pentilpyrrole adduct is part of the 4-hydroxyalkenals described in various physiopathological disorders related to increased oxidative stress. Data include a framework for derivation of missing bonds, angles and dihedral parameters for modified arginine, alongside optimized partial charges derived with Restrained Electrostatic Potential (RESP) method and the new force field parameters obtained by quantum mechanicals methods (QM) using Hartree-Fock (HF)/6 - 31G** level of theory. Benchmark as a graphics tutorial summary steps to obtained new parameters and the validation of non-standard amino acids is presented. The new residue constructed is put available to the scientific community to perform molecular dynamics simulations of modified 4-HNE proteins on arginine residue and complete the set of data parameters for nucleophilic residues with this reactive aldehyde ADDIN EN.CITE ADDIN EN.CITE.DATA [2]. Data that could be used for the researchers interested in the role of protein oxidation as mediator in cellular pathophysiological., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Although the impact of oxidation on human health has been of growing interest, the oxidation of proteins, major component of meat, has received little attention. This paper describes the in vitro effect of five fluoroquinolones (FQs) on carbonylation of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins of beef when found at concentrations close to the maximum residue limit (MRL). Samples were treated individually with the FQs, determining in each protein fraction the carbonyl index, protein content and oxidized proteins identification, using 2,4-dinitrophenyhydrazine (DNPH) alkaline assay, Western blot and Bradford methods, and mass spectrometry, respectively. Besides, the in vitro effect of these residues on gastric and duodenal digestion of proteins was evaluated. The carbonylation induced by FQs affected both protein fractions being significant with respect to the blank in 73.3% of cases. This damage was correlated with loss of solubility and digestibility, with sarcoplasmic proteins the most affected. Danofloxacin and enrofloxacin were the FQs with greatest oxidant effects, especially affecting glycolysis and glycogen proteins. Our results suggest that these residues induce irreversible oxidative damage on the main beef proteins and could affect their nutritional value., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of the data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Objective: To identify the critical behaviors that may hinder the correct use of foldable rollover protective structures (FROPS) on tractors and to explore the influence of user factors and FROPS technical characteristics., Background: FROPS are effective in preventing fatal injuries in rollover accidents if they are in the upright position. However, many farmers leave FROPS folded down., Method: Twenty farmers and sixteen models of tractors were involved in the study. Operators were observed while raising the FROPS, and the observed behaviors were correlated with user factors and FROPS technical features., Results: In the initial rotation of the FROPS, higher lowered roll-bar to ground distance and FROPS pivot-pin to ground distance required more awkward and unbalanced postures ( p = .02 and p = .01, respectively). When rotating the FROPS in upright position, smaller stature of the participants and higher FROPS pivot-pin to ground distance were significantly correlated with using the tractor's rear 3-point lower links as a supporting surface ( p = .01 and p = .02, respectively)., Conclusion: FROPS might be revised considering users' comfort in use and anthropometric variability, to improve reachability, avoid risky behaviors, and enhance FROPS operation., Application: Technical solutions to enhance FROPS accessibility may be developed, particularly by providing safe surfaces to support operators and highlighting the grasping points. Further best practices and information on correct gestures to handle the FROPS should be included in the tractor manual.

The presence of hemoglobin A-S (HbAS) in erythrocytes has been related to the high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an increased in intracellular oxidative stress that affects the progress of Plasmodium erythrocytic cycle life and attenuates its serious clinical symptoms. Nevertheless, oxidative effects on P. falciparum proteome across the intraerythrocytic cycle in the presence of HbAS traits have not been described yet. Here, an immune dot-blot assay was used to quantify the carbonyl index (C.I) on P. falciparum 3D7 proteome at the different asexual erythrocytic stages. Protein carbonylation on parasites cultivated in erythrocytes from two donors with HbAS increased 5.34 ± 1.42 folds at the ring stage compared to control grown in hemoglobin A-A (HbAA) red blood cells. Whereas at trophozoites and schizonts stages were augmented 2.80 ± 0.52 and 3.05 ± 0.75 folds, respectively. Besides proteins involved in processes of the stress response, recognition and invasion were identified from schizonts carbonylated bands by combining SDS-PAGE with MALDI-TOF-TOF analysis. Our results reinforce the hypothesis that such oxidative modifications do not appear to happen randomly, and the sickle cell trait affects mainly a small fraction of parasite proteins particularly sensitive to ROS.

Heavy metal tolerant plants have phytoremediation potential for the recovery of contaminated soils, and the characterization of their metabolic adaptation processes is an important starting point to elucidate their tolerance mechanisms at molecular, biochemical and physiological levels. In this research, the effects of Cd and Pb on growth and protein carbonylation in tissues of Paspalum fasciculatum exposed to 30 and 50 mg·Kg -1 Cd and Pb respectively were determined. P. fasciculatum seedlings exposed to metals grew more than controls until 60 days of cultivation and limited their oxidative effects to a reduced protein group. Carbonyl indexes in leaf and root proteins reached a significant increase concerning their controls in plants exposed 30 days to Cd and 60 days to Pb. From the combined approach of Western Blot with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and protein analysis by Matrix Asisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation - Time Of Flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) mass spectrometry, chloroplastic proteins were identified into the main oxidative stress-inducible proteins to Cd and Pb, such as subunits α, γ of ATP synthetase, Chlorophyll CP26 binding protein, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase and long-chain ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBisCO LSU). Cd generated damage in the photosynthetic machinery of the leaves of P. fasciculatum into the first 30 days of treatment; five of the oxidized proteins are involved in photosynthesis processes. Moreover, there was a proteolytic fragmentation of the RuBisCO LSU. Results showed that intrinsic tolerance of P. fasciculatum to these metals reached 60 days in our conditions, along with the bioaccumulating appreciable quantities of metals in their roots., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

The comprehension of safety signs affixed to agricultural machinery is fundamental to warning users about the residual risks which cannot be eliminated with machinery design and the adoption of protections. This is particularly relevant for the migrant workforce, which may encounter some language barriers with written safety communication. The present study aimed to investigate the comprehension of safety signs affixed to agricultural machinery in a group of migrants from both European and non-European countries employed in Italian agriculture. Thirty-seven migrant farmworkers (12 Indians, 17 Pakistanis, and eight Romanians) were individually interviewed to test the comprehension of four safety signs referring to the main causes of fatal and non-fatal injuries caused by interactions with farm machinery. Romanians obtained the highest comprehension performance (68.8% of correct answers), followed by Indians (35.4%), with Pakistanis being last (32.4%). The nationality and the previous experience as a farmworker significantly affected the comprehension of safety signs. The results pointed out the importance of adequately training migrants on the meaning of safety signs. Beside this, the study suggests a redesign of the signs, considering some signs' features to enhance pictorials' cross-cultural comprehension., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The Caribbean Coast of Colombia has a flourishing plastic industry with weak and insufficient waste management policies and practices, leading to plastic pollution along its touristic beaches. In this work, primary and secondary microplastics (MPs) were surveyed at four different locations along the Colombian Caribbean Coast. Primary microplastics, specifically white new plastic pellets, represented the largest amount of MPs found, with densities decreasing in the order Cartagena > Coveñas > Puerto Colombia > Riohacha. This distribution was connected to the vicinity of MPs sources, marine currents and wind direction. The presence of secondary MPs was associated with urban centers and proximity to river mouths. The FTIR characterization showed polyethylene as the predominant resin type, with different degrees of surface oxidation. Aqueous extracts from sampled MPs were tested on Caenorhabditis elegans. Secondary MPs elicited greater toxicological responses than pellets, especially those from Cartagena Bay, suggesting MPs act as carriers for biologically-active pollutants., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The nursing professional who treats critically ill children with cerebral injury is a key element within the pediatric intensive care team, since, through exhaustive assessment, plans nursing care in an integral manner aimed at the child and the family, and plays an essential role in the care of patients mainly at the hospital level (as well as at home). Therefore, the role played by nursing in the care of children with severe brain trauma is crucial. This guide offers nursing recommendations on neurocritical care, focusing on a systemic view based on nursing diagnoses according to the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría.)