Search

Gadolinium-based contrast agents are increasingly used in clinical practice. While these pharmaceuticals are verified causal agents in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, there is a growing body of literature supporting their role as causal agents in symptoms associated with gadolinium exposure after intravenous use and encephalopathy following intrathecal administration. Gadolinium-based contrast agents are multidentate organic ligands that strongly bind the metal ion to reduce the toxicity of the metal. The notion that cationic gadolinium dissociates from these chelates and causes the disease is prevalent among patients and providers. We hypothesize that non-ligand-bound (soluble) gadolinium will be exceedingly low in patients. Soluble, ionic gadolinium is not likely to be the initial step in mediating any disease. The Kidney Institute of New Mexico was the first to identify gadolinium-rich nanoparticles in skin and kidney tissues from magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents in rodents. In 2023, they found similar nanoparticles in the kidney cells of humans with normal renal function, likely from contrast agents. Wesuspect these nanoparticles are the mediators of chronic toxicity from magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. This article explores associations between gadolinium contrast and adverse health outcomes supported by clinical reports and rodent models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El trabajo se realizó en el zoocriadero "Bellavista", Cali-Colombia. Se incluyeron los eventos correspondientes a 120 partos de 54 hembras que se aparearon con 22 machos durante un período de tres años. Los animales presentaron promedios de 94,277 y 407 g, para nacimiento (231 crías), destete (204) y saca (170), respectivamente. Las distribuciones del peso corporal son del tipo "normaloide", con ligera asimetría positiva. Los coeficientes de correlación entre pesos corporales disminuyen con el transcurso del tiempo. Los promedios de peso se diferencian en cada etapa de vida del animal, según el sexo y el tamaño de camada; para compensar los efectos, los datos se ajustaron en forma multiplicativa y se corrigieron linealmente por edad. Para la selección de reproductores se ensayaron tres criterios: grupo de mejor comportamiento, padres que no difieren significativamente del mejor reproductor y padres con hijo, homogéneamente más pesados. La estimación de heredabilidad para el incremento post-destete por el método de Hermanos Medios Paternos, arrojó un valor de 0.298 y mediante el ajuste multiplicativo, se incrementó en un 72% con la combinación de los tres factores. Con base en los datos ajustados se definió como criterio de selección de crías, las características peso a 90 días e incremento post destete, exigiendo en forma simultánea el requisito de estar por encima de la media general más 0.5 veces la desviación estándar.The accomplishment of this work took place in zoobreeeding "Bellavista", Cali-Colombia. Events this refers to 120 births of 54 females mated to 22 males, were included in this study, data gathered in a period of 3 years. These animals present weight averages of 94,227 and 407 g, per birth (231 breedings), weaning (204) and end of foIIow-up (170) respectively. A distribution of weight is of "normaloide” type, with a slight positive asimetry. Coefficients of correlation between body weight, are decreasing as time pass. In each stage of life, the average weight of animals, showed remarkable difference, in accordance with the sex and the size of the brood or litter. To compensate the effects, all data was adjusted in a multiplication way and correction was made in a lineal way, according to age. ln selection of breeder, three critetions were taken in mind: group of best behaviour, fathers with slight difference from the best one, and fathers with childs with more weight homogenously. Estimation of heredability for increments post-weaning by the method of Paternal Brothers, to throw a value of 0.298 and by means of the multiplication adjustment, was incremented in a 72% in combination of the three factorso Based on adjustment of data, was defined as criterion of selection of breeds, the combinations of features as body weight at 90 days and increase post-weaning, with exigence of requirement to be over the genera I media plus 0.5 times the standart desviation.

Con el objetivo de incrementar los sólidos no grasos en el yoghurt, se utilizaron materias primas no tradicionales, con ventajas nutritivas y económicas, como el suero de queso en polvo y la harina de soya semidesengrasada, en niveles independientes o en mezclas entre el 1 y 2%. El nivel del 2% de suero de queso en polvo, presentó características físico-químicas y organolépticas favorables, que lo acreditan como posible sustitutivo de la leche en polvo descremada, reduciendo en 6% el costo por litro de yoghurt.The purpose was to increase non fatty solids in the yoghurt, using non traditional raw materials, with nourishing and economic advantages as the dried cheese whey and semidefatted soybean flour, in mixtures of 1 and 2% independent levels. The level of replacement with 2% of dried cheese whey, showed favorable organoleptic and physical and chemical conditions that merit as a dried skim milk possible substitute, reducing 6% cost per litre of yoghurt.

The behavior and agricultural characteristics of two kinds of Chrysanthemum (White Marble and Yellow Polaris) were evaluated in terms of yield and quality of the product. Two different kinds of planting systems were applied (single stem and pinched stem). The experimental design in randomized whole blocks for each variety and system including four density treatments (80, 90, 110 and 115 sterns per 1.05 m2) was repeated six times. The experimental unit was of 2.10 m2; 1.26 m2 were harvested. A strong discrepancy between the quantity and quality of the product was observed. The highest yields were obtained with densities of 110 and 115 stems per 1.05 m2. However, the experimental units dis not always met both requirements of a diameter greater than seven cm and three or more marketable flowers per stem. If maximizing production of acceptable bunches is taken as a decision variable, a density of 90 sterns per 1.05 m2 with a 3/3/2/2/2/3/3 arrangement with pinched stern for Yellow Polar is seems a better alternative. As for White Marble, it would be better to have 80 stems per 1.05 m2 with a 3/2/2/2/2/2/3 arrangement in the single stem, but the probability of acceptance is only 0.666. In addition, White Marble showed more susceptibility to dwarfism.Se evaluó el comportamiento y características agronómicas asociadas con el rendimiento y la calidad del producto en las variedades White Marble y Yellow Polaris, en los sistemas de tallo único y tallo despuntado. El diseño experimental de bloques completos al azar para cada variedad y sistema incluía cuatro tratamientos de densidad (80, 90, 110 Y 115 tallos por 1.05 m2), con seis repeticiones. La unidad experimental fue de 2.10 m2, cosechando 1. 26m2(1.05 x 1.20). Se observó marcado antagonismo entre la cantidad y la calidad del producto comercial. Los mayores rendimientos se obtuvieron con densidades de 110 y 115 tallos por 1.05 m2, pero no siempre la producción cumplía con los requisitos de diámetro de la flor mayor de siete cm y tres ó más flores comerciales por tallo. Tomando como criterio de decisión maximizar la producción de ramos aceptables, se considera como mejor alternativa en la variedad Yellow Polaris la densidad de 90 tallos por 1.05 m2 en un arreglo 3/3/2/2/2/3/3 y con el sistema de tallo despuntado. Para White Marble sería preferible 80 tallos por 1_05 m2, con un arreglo 3/2/2/2/2/2/3 en el sistema de tallo único; pero la probabilidad de aceptación fue de sólo 0.666 y además presentó más susceptibilidad al enanismo.

La información para caracterizar los aspectos técnicos, económicos y sociales de la apicultura se obtuvo mediante entrevistas y encuestas (88 productores apícolas, 6 fabricantes de implementos apícolas, una Cooperativa que comercia la miel de abejas en el departamento y un consumidor industrial). Se determinaron las principales características de las explotaciones apícolas. El manejo realizado en los apiarios y el grado de conocimiento de los apicultores se utilizaron para evaluar la asistencia técnica. Se describió el mercadeo de la miel de abejas y se caracterizó la unidad de producción apícola (UPA)One study of characterization (technical, economic and social aspects) of the bee-keeping in the Valle del Cauca was carried out. The information was obtained from interview and inquiries (88 to bee-keepers, 6 to rnarkers of beekeeping tools, one to the small species cooperative and to Colombina S. A.). The main characteristics of the beekeeping and the apiaries were determined. The management was made in the apiaries using the bee-keeper’s knowledge in order to evaluate the technical assistence. The unit of beekeping production (UPA) was defined pointing out its characteristics. The marketing of honey was also described.

Kepa Balparda,1– 3 Mariana Escobar Giraldo,4 Yeliana M Valencia Gómez,5 Isabela Franco Sánchez,6 Tatiana Herrera Chalarca2 1Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Clínica de Oftalmología Sandiego, Medellín, Colombia; 2Department of Clinical Research, Black Mammoth Surgical, Medellín, Colombia; 3Private Practice, Medellín, Colombia; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia; 5Department of Ophthalmology, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cali, Colombia; 6School of Medicine, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, ColombiaCorrespondence: Kepa Balparda, Email kb@kepabalparda.comPurpose: To determine clinical and refractive results after the implantation of EyeCryl Phakic Toric intraocular lens in patients with stable keratoconus.Methods: The study included all patients diagnosed with keratoconus who underwent implantation of an EyeCryl Phakic Toric intraocular lens (Biotech Healthcare Holding; Ahmedabad, India) in at least one eye and had a follow-up of at least 12 months. Visual and refractive data were collected for all patients, along with corneal tomography measurements using Pentacam, and vault measurement using optical coherence tomography. This retrospective study was conducted at a high-volume private refractive surgery center in Medellín, Colombia.Results: A total of 83 eyes from 47 patients were included in the study. The majority (71.1%) were female, with a mean age of 31.2 ± 5.1 years. After 12 months of follow-up post-surgery, the spherical equivalent improved significantly from – 8.19 ± 4.04 D to – 0.06 ± 0.48 D (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 77% of eyes had a post-surgical spherical equivalent within ± 0.50 D, while 92% had residual astigmatism ≤ 0.50 D. Twelve months after surgery, mean manifest astigmatism was – 0.28 ± 0.27 D. Uncorrected visual acuity also showed improvement, from 1.11 ± 0.35 LogMAR to 0.14 ± 0.11 LogMAR. Moreover, 52.4% of eyes demonstrated an improvement of at least one line in best-corrected visual acuity. Notably, no intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed in the study population.Conclusion: The implantation of EyeCryl Phakic Toric intraocular lenses represents a highly effective and safe option for correcting refractive errors in patients with a history of keratoconus. Refractive accuracy is excellent, and a significant proportion of patients experienced an improvement in their best-corrected vision by at least one line.Keywords: keratoconus, lens implantation, intraocular, refractive error

This paper investigates the control of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) using a combined measurement of capacitor and load currents in the same current sensor arrangement. The purpose of this combined measurement is, on one hand, to reach a similar performance as that obtained in the inductor current controller with load current feedforward and, on the other hand, to easily obtain an estimate of the inductor current for overcurrent protection capability. Based on this combined current measurement, a voltage controller based on resonant harmonic filters is investigated in order to compensate for unbalance and harmonic distortion on the load. Adaptation is included to cope with uncertainties in the system parameters. It is shown that after transformations the proposed controller gets a simple and practical form that includes a bank of resonant filters, which is in agreement with the internal model principle and corresponds to similar approaches proposed recently. The controller is based on a frequency-domain description of the periodic disturbances, which include both symmetric components, namely, the negative and positive sequence. Experimental results on the output stage of a three-phase three-wire UPS are presented to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm. Index Terms--Adaptive control, nonlinear systems, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.

This paper discusses a repetitive-based controller for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) inverter. It is shown that a bank of resonant filters, used as a refinement term for harmonic compensation in earlier works, is equivalent to a repetitive scheme with a particular structure. The latter is implemented using a simple feedback array with a delay line, thus making the implementation relatively easy. More precisely, the repetitive scheme takes a negative feedback structure plus a feedforward path whenever the odd harmonics are considered for compensation only. The repetitive scheme, equivalent to the bank of resonant filters, acts as a refinement term to reject the harmonic distortion caused by the unbalanced and distorted load current, and thus, allowing the UPS inverter to deliver an almost pure sinusoidal balanced voltage. Experimental results in a 1.5 KVA three-phase inverter are included to show the performance of the proposed controller. Index Terms--Delay lines, harmonic distortion, repetitive control, uninterruptible power systems.

Myocardial remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with increased levels of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Levels of two MMP species, MMP-2 and MMP-9, are increased after MI, and transgenic deletion of these MMPs attenuates post-MI left ventricular (LV) remodeling. This study characterized the spatiotemporal patterns of gene promoter induction for MMP-2 and MMP-9 after MI. MI was induced in transgenic mice in which the MMP-2 or MMP-9 promoter sequence was fused to the [beta]-galactosidase reporter, and reporter level was assayed up to 28 days after MI. Myocardial localization with respect to cellular sources of MMP-2 and MMP-9 promoter induction was examined. After MI, LV diameter increased by 70% (P < 0.05), consistent with LV remodeling. [beta]-Galactosidase staining in MMP-2 reporter mice was increased by 1 day after MI and increased further to 64 [+ or -] 6% of LV epicardial area by 7 days after MI (P < 0.05). MMP-2 promoter activation occurred in fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in the MI region. In MMP-9 reporter mice, promoter induction was detected after 3 days and peaked at 7 days after MI (53 [+ or -] 6%, P < 0.05) and was colocalized with inflammatory cells at the peri-infarct region. Although MMP-2 promoter activation was similarly distributed in the MI and border regions, activation of the MMP-9 promoter was highest at the border between the MI and remote regions. These unique findings visually demonstrated that activation of the MMP-2 and MMP-9 gene promoters occurs in a distinct spatial relation with reference to the MI region and changes in a characteristic time-dependent manner after MI. structure; remodeling; matrix metalloproteinases

In this letter, a different feedback structure of the repetitive control that apparently is more appropriate for applications in power electronics is proposed. Moreover, a simple analog-circuit implementation is proposed which is suitable for high-frequency power electronics applications, where digital control is unpractical due to cost and performance of available DSPs and microcontrollers. Index Terms--Analog circuits, harmonic compensation, periodic disturbances, repetitive control.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are postulated to be necessary for neovascularization during wound healing. MMP-9 deletion alters remodeling postmyocardial infarction (post-MI), but whether and to what degree MMP-9 affects neovascularization post-MI is unknown. Neovascularization was evaluated in wild-type (WT; n = 63) and MMP-9 null (n = 55) mice at 7-days post-MI. Despite similar infarct sizes, MMP-9 deletion improved left ventricular function as evaluated by hemodynamic analysis. Blood vessel quantity and quality were evaluated by three independent studies. First, vessel density was increased in the infarct of MMP-9 null mice compared with WT, as quantified by Griffonia (Bandeiraea) simplicifolia lectin I (GSL-I) immunohistochemistry. Second, preexisting vessels, stained in vivo with FITC-labeled GSL-I pre-MI, were present in the viable but not MI region. Third, a technetium-99m-labeled peptide (NC100692), which selectively binds to activated [[alpha].sub.v][[beta].sub.3]-integrin in angiogenic vessels, was injected into post-MI mice. Relative NC100692 activity in myocardial segments with diminished perfusion (0-40% nonischemic) was higher in MMP-9 null than in WT mice (383 [+ or -] 162% vs. 250 [+ or -] 118%, respectively; P = 0.002). The unique finding of this study was that MMP-9 deletion stimulated, rather than impaired, neovascularization in remodeling myocardium. Thus targeted strategies to inhibit MMP-9 early post-MI will likely not impair the angiogenic response. leukocytes; remodeling; imaging