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Background Assessing cardiac performance of patients receiving chemotherapy is a cornerstone for adequate cardiovascular care. Mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) has been considered as a surrogate for Ejection Fraction (EF). However, little is known about its role in predicting Cardiotoxicity or Heart Failure in Lymphoma patients, as its relationship with Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) and EF. Purpose Our aims were: i) to evaluate if MAPSE and GLS can predict the development of CT and/or HF in lymphoma patients treated with anthracyclines and ii) to evaluate its correlation with GLS and EF. Methods For this prospective observational study, 325 Hodgkin (HL) & non-Hodgkin (NHL) lymphoma patients (n=325) treated with anthracyclines were recruited from 2013 to 2021 and followed for 1 year. MAPSE by M-mode and GLS by Speckle-Tracking (ST) were measured at baseline (T0), during treatment (T1), and up to 1 year after chemotherapy completion (T2). CT was defined as a decrease in EF by >10% to a value Results Two hundred sixty-four patients (81.2%) had NHL and 61 (18.8%) HL. Of these, fifteen (4.6%) and 21 individuals (6.4%) developed CT at T1 and T2, respectively. Nine subjects (2.8%) developed HF at T1 and 14 (4.3%) at T2. MAPSE at T0 had the highest AUC to predict both HF at T1 (AUC=0.865, cut-off 14.9, sensitivity 100%, specificity 63%, p=0.008) and at T2 (AUC=0.757, cut-off 10.9, sensitivity 67%, specificity 93%, p=0.045). This same variable at T1 predicted HF at T2 with an AUC of 0.752 (cut-off 11.4, sensitivity 67%, specificity 94%, p=0.004). For CT prediction at T2, MAPSE at T1 had an AUC of 0.738 (cut-off 12.5, sensitivity 56%, specificity 85%, p Conclusions To our best knowledge, this is the first time that MAPSE and GLS were compared to predict CT and HF in lymphoma patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy; we have demonstrated that MAPSE measured at T0 was a very good predictor of HF at T1. Either MAPSE or GLS assessment at T0 and T1 were able to predict CT or HF. Future studies could explore the combination of these two variables to predict either CT or HF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Private hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Department of Cardiovascular Medicine. Mayo Clinic, Rochester-MN

Background Obesity, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a BMI greater than 30k g/m2, has reached epidemic proportions worldwide, related to approximately 2.8 million deaths/year as of June 2021. WHO sub-classifies obesity based on BMI in Class 1: 30–34.9 kg/m2, Class 2: 35–39.9 kg/m2, and Class 3: ≥40 kg/m2. This state of increased body weight is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiac remodeling can be affected by obesity and/or other cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) as an adaptive physiological response. The remodeling patterns, Normal Geometry (NG), Concentric Remodeling (CR), Concentric Hypertrophy (CH), and Eccentric Hypertrophy, are classified by changes in Relative Wall Thickness (RWT), ≤ or >0.42, and/or Left Ventricular Mass Index (LVMI g/m2), ≤ or >88 for women and ≤ or >102 for men. Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) can remain within normal limits in patients with obesity with multiple CVRF and cardiac remodeling. Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain (LV-GLS) and Right ventricular free wall strain (RV-FWS) can be useful to detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate if these strain variables are affected in patients with obesity associated to other CVRF in relation to cardiac remodeling type when compared to controls. Methods 2859 patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and 2616 normal-weight controls (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2), with normal and abnormal cardiac geometry, and normal ejection fraction by echocardiography performed between 01/01/2008 and 12/31/2018, were compared. Obesity was classified based on the World Health Organization. CVRF included were Hypertension (HTN), Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Dyslipidemia, history of Vascular Event (myocardial infarction and/or stroke), and Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Results BMI, cardiac geometry, CVRF, and the number of comorbidities independently affected GLS and RV-FWS (Figure 1 and Figure 2). LV-GLS and RV-FWS values [mean (SD)] in obesity classes 1, 2, and 3 were −19 (2.9), −18.9 (2.9), −18.7 (2.9) & −24.2 (5.2), −23.8 (6.2), −24.5 (5.9), respectively. In the control group LV-GLS and RV-FWS values [mean (SD)] were −20.1 (3.0) & −27 (5.6), respectively. CH was associated with the greatest decrease in LV-GLS and RV-FWS in males and females, regardless of BMI (Figure 2). LV-GLS values [mean (SD)] associated to CH for obesity class 1, 2, and 3, and controls in females were −18.4 (3.4), −18 (3.1) −17.6 (3.6), and −17.8 (4), respectively, and for obesity class 1, 2, and 3, and controls in males were −16.1 (3.5), 16.5 (3.2), −14.4 (2.7), and −16.6 (4.7), respectively (Figure 1). Conclusion Obesity associated to CVRF and CH have the lowest values of GLS in patients with normal ejection fraction. These values were exceedingly below average compared to other groups. These parameters should be used as reference values for this population. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

The literature on social protection does not sufficiently address the impact of traumatic experiences on vulnerability and resilience. Failure to address trauma in highly traumatized and vulnerable populations could negate the effects of social protection programs. This study used a natural experiment (n = 465) to explore the effectiveness of trauma counseling and cash/in-kind transfers on enhancing social economic resilience among members of vulnerable communities in Northern Uganda. The results suggest that trauma counseling is more relevant than cash/in-kind transfers in enhancing social economic resilience; however, no synergetic effect on social economic resilience was found in relation to receiving trauma counseling in conjunction with social protection cash/in-kind assistance. This research adds to the existing literature by providing insights into the underlying factors contributing to vulnerability, such as trauma, as essential elements to be considered in designing and implementing social protection programs in vulnerable communities.

Man's adaptability over time has allowed him to continue to populate the planet in ever-increasing numbers. Currently a coronavirus outbreak, SARS COV-2 is causing death and shock worldwide, due to its rapid spread, has paralyzed industries, commerce, tourism, production and the economy. In the history of mankind, various pandemics have produced high death rates worldwide. The survival of the population depends on several factors, both biological, social, psychological and also on the sexual and reproductive health of the man in his environment. Diseases caused by microscopic agents, bacteria, viruses, among others, that exist in the environment and that can be very aggressive. Plans to deal with these pathogens must be constantly updated, it is essential to assume a change of attitude regarding daily habits, adopting hygiene, food and sexual and reproductive health measures to avoid the spread of diseases and guarantee the survival of the human race. in the planet.

Boron-doped diamond epilayers grown over diamond substrates have a different lattice parameter from the undoped diamond substrate, which introduces a lattice mismatch between substrates and epilayers. This can generate misfit dislocations at the interface when the epilayer reaches a certain critical thickness. For a boron concentration of about 1 × 1020 atoms cm−3, the calculated lattice mismatch is about 1.3 × 10−4 and the critical thickness is of the order of 0.2 µm. In the epilayers studied, grown over high-pressure high-temperature 1b (001) substrates, the lattice mismatch and the epilayer thickness are 1.3 × 10−4, 30 µm and 6.5 × 10−4, 4 µm. The epitaxial strain has been relaxed by the generation of two orthogonal misfit dislocation systems. These are edge dislocations parallel to the [100] and [010] directions with a Burgers vector making an angle of 45° with the (001) interface. Their lengths are 40–60 µm and their lineal densities 200–240 cm−1. They are heterogeneously nucleated, propagated in the form of half-loops along the slip planes (011) and (101), respectively, and related mainly to 〈111〉 threading dislocations emerging from octahedral growth sectors. Another kind of half-loop originates from the substrate growth sector boundaries. Limited X-ray topography has been demonstrated to be a very useful tool to discriminate between substrate and epilayer defects when their lattice mismatch is not sufficient to separate such defects in conventional Lang topography. X-ray section topography has confirmed the presence of [001] dislocations in the epilayers and the misfit half-loops related to threading dislocations propagating from the interface.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la correlación entre la Enfermedad Arterial Periférica de miembros inferiores y la escala de Fontaine de pacientes atendidos en el Hospital de especialidades “Dr. Abel Gilbert Pontón” de la ciudad de Guayaquil utilizando las características del Eco-Doppler. MÉTODO: Se realiza un estudio de tipo descriptivo bibliográfico y retrospectivo, además una investigación de campo en la cual se analizarán datos reales de 100 pacientes que se atendieron en el área de imagen del Hospital Abel Gilbert Pontón de la ciudad de Guayaquil seleccionados en base a los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. RESULTADOS Los resultados evidenciaran si existe correlación directamente proporcional de la morfología Doppler y los estadios de la escala de Fontaine. Además revelaran su frecuencia y factores de riesgo asociados.

La Esteatosis Hepática es una patología frecuente en la población mundial. La Esteatosis Hepática es conocida también como hígado graso, se produce cuando la acumulación de grasa excede el 5% del peso total del órgano, comprende alteraciones del hígado en su forma y función, causa inflamación que evoluciona a fibrosis con daño hepático crónico. Usualmente asintomática, puede producir dolor en el hipocondrio derecho u otros trastornos, que son ignorados por los pacientes. El método diagnóstico de mayor utilidad, es la Ecografía considerado el mejor examen imagenologico para detectar la Esteatosis Hepática en forma precoz ya que ofrece múltiples ventajas, y permite realizar rastreos de alta sensibilidad y especificidad al detectar la Esteatosis Hepática, evidenciando la infiltración grasa del hígado, cuando produce incremento difuso de su ecogenicidad, comparada con la ecogenicidad de los riñones. Se espera que esta investigación sea útil para los futuros Licenciados en Imagen, se sugiere promover un control ecográfico anual a la población en general, la ecografía es una poderosa herramienta para diagnosticar Esteatosis Hepática y otras patologías, obtiene parámetros de exactitud y resultados inmediatos. Deben realizarse amplias campañas de salud preventiva e informativa sobre la Esteatosis Hepática incentivando un cambio de estilo de vida para evitar cuadros clínicos complicados que pueden causarles la muerte a las personas cuando no son detectados a tiempo.

The Mar Menor is a hypersaline coastal lagoon with salinity values ranging from 41.9 to 45.5. The system is subjected to a high anthropic pressure that causes an intense eutrophication process, followed by a recovery of the macrophyte meadows. This study focuses on the distribution of the main greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4 and N2O) and was carried out in the extreme seasonal conditions of winter and summer during the year 2018. Sediment-water-atmosphere exchanges and biochemical processes in the water column appeared to be the main factors to explain the variability of these gases. Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC), CH4 and N2O benthic fluxes values obtained in this study, were of 91 ± 29 mmol m-2 d-1, 3.9 ± 1.9 μmol m-2 d-1 and -0.65 μmol m-2 d-1, respectively, along with an important seasonal variation observed, with an increase of DIC and CH4 benthic fluxes during the summer season. Mean values of partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) in surface water were of 579 μatm in winter and 464 μatm in summer, therefore we can establish that the Mar Menor acts as a source of this gas emitting 3.3 ± 3.0 mmol CO2 m-2 d-1 to the atmosphere. In spite of this, the Mar Menor has a strong autotrophic behaviour partly due to the recovery of the macrophyte meadows, presenting an estimated NEP of 101 mmol m-2 d-1. Regarding to CH4, the mean fluxes to the atmosphere were of 8.0 ± 5.8 μmol m-2 d-1 and there was evidence of CH4 production in the water column that increased in summer. Last of all, in the case of N2O the system acts as a sink with values of -0.65 ± 0.5 μmol m-2 d-1, presenting an intake of N2O that is usually detected in pristine systems.

It has been recognized that lactic acid bacteria exhibit antioxidant properties, which have been mainly endorsed to the intact viable bacteria. However, recent studies have shown that intracellular content (IC) may also be good sources of antioxidative metabolites, which may potentially contribute to oxidative homeostasis in vivo. Hence, the modulatory effect of the intracellular content of Lactobacillus casei CRL 431 (IC431) on aflatoxin B

Superconducting nanocomposites are the best material choice to address the performance required in power applications and magnets working under high magnetic fields. However, it is still challenging to sort out how to achieve the highest superconducting performance using attractive and competitive manufacturing processes. Colloidal solutions have been recently developed as a novel and very promising low cost route to manufacture nanocomposite coated conductors. Well dispersed and stabilized preformance nanoparticle solutions are first prepared with high concentrations and then mixed with the YBa2Cu3O7 metalorganic precursor solutions to generate colloidal solutions to grow the nanocomposite films. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, that non-reactive BaZrO3 and BaHfO3 perovskite preformed nanoparticles are suitable for growing high quality thin and thick films, and coated conductors with a homogeneous distribution and controlled particle size using this fabrication method. Additionally, we extend the nanoparticle content of the nanocomposites up to 20%–25% mol without any degradation of the superconducting properties. Thick nanocomposite films, up to 0.8 μm, have been prepared with a single deposition of low-fluorine solutions using an ink jet printing dispenser and we demonstrate that the preformed nanoparticles display only a very limited coarsening during the growth process and so high critical current densities J c (B) under high magnetic fields. These films show the highest critical currents achieved so far based on the colloidal solution approach, I c = 220 A/cm-w at 77 K and self-field, and they still have a high potential for further increase in the film thickness. Finally, we also show that nanocomposite YBa2Cu3O7–BaZrO3 coated conductors based on an alternating beam assisted deposited YSZ buffer layer on stainless steel metallic substrates can be developed based on these novel colloidal solutions. Non-reactive preformed oxide perovskite nanoparticles are therefore very promising elements to further advance the colloidal solution approach in the implementation of low cost and high performance coated conductors for high magnetic field applications., All authors acknowledge the EU (EU-FP7 NMP-LA-2012-280432 EUROTAPES project), MINECO (COACHSUPENERGY, MAT2014-51778-C2-1-R and SUPERINKS, RTC-2015-3640-3) and Generalitat de Catalunya (2014SGR 753 and Xarmae). ICMAB authors acknowledge the Center of Excellence award Severo Ochoa SEV-2015-0496. TEM microscopy work was conducted in the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2). Authors acknowledge the ICN2 Electron Microscopy Division for offering access to their instruments and expertise. Part of the STEM microscopy work was conducted in 'Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas' at the Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragon-Universidad de Zaragoza. Authors acknowledge the LMA-INA for offering access to their instruments and expertise. JG and MC also acknowledge the Ramon y Cajal program (RYC-2012-11709 and RYC-2013-12448, respectively). ZL and BM acknowledge the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and F I MINECO for fellowships, respectively.

Oxygen is the most important impurity in free dislocation Czochralski silicon single crystals incorporated interstitially during the growth. The knowledge of oxygen behavior after thermal processes is of great technological importance, since different kinds of bulk microdefects such us SiO2 precipitates, dislocation loops and stacking faults can be generated. In monocrystalline silicon solar cell manufacturing fabrication, there are several high-thermal treatments. The first is the diffusion process at 850–900 °C. Three different kinds of phosphorus diffusion wafers, standard PO3Cl liquid, spray-on and screen printing, were comparatively studied by X-ray topography showing that phosphorus diffusion improves the crystal quality by a gettering process whose best efficiency is in PO3Cl-diffused wafers. Later, another fabrication high-thermal step is for instance the rear surface passivation taking place at temperatures from 800 to 1,050 °C. For this reason, it is important to study how a high-thermal treatment at 1,000 °C affects the different phosphorus-diffused wafers mentioned above. To evaluate and characterize the possible defects induced by the oxygen precipitation, X-ray topography has been employed. Results show that annealed wafers are not perfect crystals; the oxygen precipitation induces the generation of bulk microdefects whose kind, size and density depend on the diffusion method employed. In PO3Cl and spray-on diffused wafers, retardation in the oxygen precipitation process takes place after annealing, while in screen printing this process is recovered and a kind of mixed defects between dislocation loops and platelet precipitates is generated.

To reduce the cost of the emitter diffusion process, there has been increasing interest to substitute the standard process of batch POCl3 emitter diffusion used in the silicon solar-cell manufacturing industry with in-line diffusion processes such as the spray-on and screen-printing process. For this reason, it is essential to study and compare the processes of different diffusion methods from the point of view of the crystalline quality of the final wafers. X-ray transmission topography was employed to characterize the possible precipitates and other microdefects generated in Czochralski-grown silicon (Cz Si) during the emitter diffusion process carried out by screen-printing, spray-on and the standard process, in which the emitter was provided by a liquid (POCl3) source. The results indicate that the phosphorus diffusion process influences the crystalline quality of the wafers and the efficiency of the external gettering process that takes place during phosphorus diffusion depends on the diffusion method employed.

The objective of this work was to determine and compare the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity (ACEI) of milks fermented with different Lactobacillus strains to assess their antihypertensive potential. Additionally, the acidification and proteolytic activities of eight Lactobacillus strains were evaluated and compared after 6, 12, 24 and 48 h of incubation in reconstituted skimmed milk. ACEI activity was evaluated and compared after 24 h. Results showed that Lb. helveticus was the strain that had the highest proteolytic activity of all the strains tested. However, fermented milks from all different species showed ACEI-activity (42.04–86.36%); the highest inhibition was achieved in decreasing order by Lb. reuteri, Lb. johnsonii and Lb. helveticus, respectively. The smallest IC50 of all (21 μg mL−1) was produced by Lb. fermentum. Therefore, Lb. fermentum could be a useful multifunctional strain in fermented products since it may not only provide important technological advantages, but also an...

RESUMENEste trabajo pretende analizar la relación entre la percepción de las empresas del País Vasco sobre la importancia de la valoración de los intangibles y los resultados que obtienen. Para el logro de este objetivo se ha realizado una encuesta a 440 directores financieros. Del análisis de sus respuestas y de los resultados económico-financieros de sus empresas, se concluye que las empresas que consideran importante la valoración financiera de sus intangibles, especialmente por motivos internos, obtienen mejores resultados aunque las mejoras no son estadísticamente significativas. Asimismo, las empresas más interesadas en la valoración de sus intangibles por motivos externos presentan una mayor necesidad de presentar garantías frente a terceros sobre su capacidad de generar rendimientos.ABSTRACTThis paper aims to analyse the Basque Country companies' view about the financial valuation of intangibles relevance and its influence on business performance. To achieve this objective, a field study has been done with 440 telephone calls to Basque Country companies' financial managers. Then, their responses and theirs firm's performance are analysed. The results show that the companies that are interested in the financial valuation of the intangibles, specially for internal motivation, perform better, however, this improvement is not statistically significant. Otherwise, the companies that are more interested in the valuation of their intangibles for external reasons need to provide information to stakeholders about their ability to generate income.

The texturization of monocrystalline silicon wafers using sodium carbonate solution has been investigated. This etching process has been evaluated in terms of the surface morphology and the reflectance value. The results show that for low concentration of sodium carbonate the increase of texturing time decreases the reflectance value because of the change in morphology from hillocks to pyramidal; on the contrary for intermediate and high concentrations the increase of time has a detrimental effect on texturization because it increases both the pyramid sizes and their non-uniform distribution. However, a good cell performance could be obtained by etching at high concentrations and short times.

A complex pattern of opposite and antiparallel periodic poled domains in LiNbO3single crystals has been studied by X-ray topography. The antiparallel periodic poled domains appear directly at the growth interface during the growth in alternating crescent-shaped (CS) domains. The measured Li/Nb ratio is higher in the CS domains than in other zones. A model of the electric fields responsible for the observed configuration is proposed, connected to the role of the Li atom. Diffraction contrast associated with the different domain walls is examined and different kinds of dislocations associated with the ferroelectric domains are also studied, determining their geometrical characters.

Thin films of TiO2 have been deposited on textured silicon wafers. The technique used has been atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition (APCVD). This technique is interesting for its high production rate and low cost. The film structure has been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the “as-deposited” film is amorphous and inhomogeneous, and it presents a double layer. We suggest that the inner one is constituted by silicate and the outer layer corresponds to the TiO2 film. After heat treatment, the outer layer undergoes a phase transition from amorphous phase to crystalline. The TEM images show small anatase crystals.

IntroductionAdjustment disorder (AD) is a common diagnosis, but there are relatively few studies, in part because the current definition is still poorly specified, inadequate and controversial. Some clinicians and researchers have pointed out that a psychiatric diagnosis should present a clinical description, as well as date based on psychological, biological and/or sociofamiliar studies, and follow-up investigation about outcome and prognosis, to increase the reliability and validity diagnosis and permits exclusion of other possible disorders and normality. There is much empirical evidence to indicate that AD is a transient disorder with a tendency to spontaneous remission. However, some studies have shown that patients with AD often develop major psychiatric disorders, presenting a higher rate of psychiatric morbidity, e.g., higher suicide rates.AimThe aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, as well as some possible personal vulnerability factors in patients with AD.MethodThis longitudinal study was carried out on 80 outpatients diagnoses with AD at a Mental Health Unit, who were followed up for 3 years. It was analyzed different clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsSignificant differences between groups were found in some of the variables considered.ConclusionsThe results add empirical evidence to a controversial and little-researched diagnostic category and provide guidelines for assessment and intervention. They also may contribute to improve diagnostic classifications.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

An automated system for the determination of total cyanide in water samples was developed. Stable metal–cyanide complexes such as Fe(CN)63− are photodissociated in an acidic medium with a UV lamp. The released hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is pervaporated and collected in dilute NaOH solution acting as an acceptor. The cyanide ion is isolated from interferents such as sulfide and determined potentiometrically using an ion-selective electrode. The content of cyanide in three wastewater samples obtained with the new method was compared with the results provided by the EPA method OIA-1677 for the determination of total cyanide in water samples. Excellent agreement was obtained in all instances. The method can be applied over a wide range of concentrations (0.4–200 μg l−1 CN− and 0.05–50 mg l−1 CN− using injection volumes of 200 and 50 μl, respectively). The sample throughput of the system is 40 h−1 and the detection limit for total cyanide is 0.01 μg l−1.

Lipid class and fatty acid composition of liver oil samples of Galeocerdo cuvier and Carcharhinus falciformis were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas–liquid chromatography (GLC), respectively. Major inter-species differences were detected for lipid classes composition and fatty acid profiles. Triacylglycerols (TAG) accounted for 56.9% of the total lipid in the liver of Carcharhinus falciformis , while diacyl-monoalkylglycerols (DMAG) represented 29.8% for Galeocerdo cuvier . These two lipid classes accounted for two-thirds of total lipid in both species. Fraction percentages for saturated, mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids varied greatly between species. Figures for C. falciformis were 35.3, 20.8 and 37.7%, respectively, and 20.8, 50.6 and 18.4% for G. cuvier . Oil from the latter species contained marginal amounts of DHA and no EPA, however, its high content of monoenoic fatty acids contrasted with the high amount of DMAG detected.

A simple method for the continuous and rapid determination of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) in leaching liquid by flow injection is proposed. A potassium permanganate–sulfuric acid mixture acted both as an oxidant and as spectrophotometric reagent and sodium oxalate was the standard. Samples were injected into a 0.6 mol l–1 H2SO4 stream which merged with the acid–permanganate carrier solution. The redox reaction between permanganate and oxygen-consuming substances was optimally developed at 50 °C on leaching liquids from residues containing heavy metals and at 80 °C on leaching liquids from residues with organic compounds and monitored at 525 nm. A detection limit of 80 µg COD l–1, quantitation limit of 270 µg COD l–1, relative standard deviation of 1.3% (calculated at 4.7 mg COD l–1), a sampling rate of 18 samples h–1, and excellent tolerance for interferents (chloride ion does not interfere at 8000 mg l–1, even in the absence of silver salts) are some of the most significant features of the method, which has been exhaustively validated as follows: (a) application to solutions also analysed by an authorised laboratory using the standard method; (b) validation using the certified reference material (CRM) QC PLUS+ Demand Quality Control Standard. The comparison of the results found by the proposed method and both those of the interlaboratory exercise and the certified values shows an excellent agreement in all instances.

Rabbit polyclonal antisera were produced against soy flour proteins extracted with 0.5 M NaCl solution and purified by affinity chromatography to detect adulteration in pork chorizo (sausage) with an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). To detect adulteration the following saline extracts were prepared: 100% pork and 100% soy chorizo and mixtures of these two pro ducts (90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70, 20:80, 10:90), and extracts of two commercial chorizos labeled as pork. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that the salt solution was the most suitable for protein extraction compared to water and a 1% SDS solution. The commercial chorizos did not have the characteristic electrophoretic pattern for pork chorizos. The antibodies were specific for soy and its products, as there was no response to other vegetable and animal proteins by gel immunodiffusion assay or ELISA. The standard curve obtained with the ELISA results of the chorizo mixtures gave a correlation coefficient of r2 = 0.988. The two commercial chorizo values resulted in a 32 and 40% soy substitution. Total time for ELISA was optimized to 4 h, and 2 h if the plates were previously activated with the antigen. Variation coefficients of ELISA readings for replicates of the same extract in one plate and variation of different assays on different days were 2.3 and 8% respectively.

A combined WAXD and d.s.c. study on blends of a series of commercial high density and low density (LD) polyethylene (PE) samples rapidly crystallized from the melt is presented. The melting curves of the materials are extensively analysed and compared to those exhibited by the individual components. The results, besides being indicative of a full compatibility of the two components, allow one to distinguish between a blend and an LDPE having both the same average value of branching. However, other structural parameters such as unit cell volume, macroscopic density or crystallinity, that are proved to be an exact average of the components, are unable to distinguish between the two materials. The result is applied to a series of commercial bimodal PEs.

Grape juice fermentation is a harsh environment with many stressful conditions, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae adapts its metabolism in response to those environmental challenges. Many nutrient-sensing pathways control this feature. The Tor/Sch9p pathway promotes growth and protein synthesis when nutrients are plenty, while the transcription factor Gcn4p is required for the activation of amino acid biosynthetic pathways. We previously showed that Sch9p impact on longevity depends on the nitrogen/carbon ratio. When nitrogen is limiting, SCH9 deletion shortens chronological life span, which is the case under winemaking conditions. Its deletion also increases glycerol during fermentation, so the impact of this pathway on metabolism under winemaking conditions was studied by transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches. SCH9 deletion causes the upregulation of many amino acid biosynthesis pathways. When Gcn4p was overexpressed during winemaking, increased glycerol production was also observed. Therefore, both pathways are related in terms of glycerol production. SCH9 deletion increased the amount of the limiting enzyme in glycerol biosynthesis, glycerol-3-P dehydrogenase Gpd1p at the protein level. The impact on the metabolome of SCH9 deletion and GCN4 overexpression differed, although both showed a downregulation of glycolysis. SCH9 deletion downregulated the amount of most proteinogenic amino acids and increased the amount of lipids, such as ergosterol., This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competivity (AGL2014-52984-R). B.V. is supported by an F.P.U. fellowship and C.P. is supported by and F.P.I. fellowship. H.O. is a postdoctoral VALi+d fellow of the Generalitat Valenciana (APOSTD-2016-134).

IntroductionAdjustment disorder (AD) is a condition that includes both emotional or/and behavioral symptoms and occurs when individual is unable to cope with stress. It is a common diagnosis but few studies have been done due to controversial diagnosis related to their diagnostic criteria definition. It is often difficult to establish differential diagnosis with condition such as depressive and anxiety disorders or even normal reaction to stressful situations. There are limited tools to evaluate such condition and its definition is focused or based on lack of severity.ObjectivesStudy objective target is to analyse the differences between two groups, a first group with AD and another one with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (with different sociodemographic, clinical and triggering individual factors such as vulnerability or copying management).AimsWe try to have a better comprehension and management of depressive conditions.MethodsTwo groups that belongs to Mental Health Community Team are compared. The first one with a diagnosis of AD, and another group with the diagnosis of MD. They have been diagnosed through a structured clinical interview and standard questionnaires to evaluate personality copying management. Other pathologies (such as psychotic, organic,…) were excluded through a structured clinical interview. We analyzed variables considered through variance analysis.ResultsSignificant differences between groups were found in some of the variables considered.ConclusionsThis study have important implications regarding evaluation, differential diagnosis and psychotherapeutic approach to patients with AD and MD.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

IntroductionCiudad Real is an area of approximately 500,000 inhabitants, with a University Hospital and several district hospitals. Psychiatric services and emergencies are centralized in the University Hospital. we analysed the totality of area admissions during 2014, establishing different categories according to ICD 10 diagnosis.Objectivewe want to compare different categories of patients who are admitted to hospital (severe mental illness versus non-severe mental illness), morbidity in different areas and readmission rates according to diagnosis.aimsTo establish a correspondence between attention and severity of psychiatric pathology, diagnostic criteria and how we manage both severe and non-severe mental illness and the repercussion in terms of assistance and pressure in psychiatric emergencies.Methodologyinitially, we made a simple statistic analysis of all admission (400 approximately) in 2014 based on ICD-10 diagnosis, socio-demographic parameters, area, admission stay, number of admissions. we compare both groups: severe and non-severe mental illness according to international criteria. we apply a Pearson correlation searching for relation between severity and attendance to psychiatric emergencies.Resultsaround a 60% of admissions are not due to severe mental illness, these conditions have twice the readmission rate than severe mental illness. we did not find a correlation between attendance to psychiatric emergencies and severity of the condition. Other factors seem to have an important role in re-admissions.ConclusionsNon-severe mental illness is consuming an important part of emergency psychiatric resources. Criteria of admission need to be reviewed or apply rationally.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

A combined study by SAXS and DSC on quenched blends of PVDF and PMMA is presented. Attention is focused on the first stage of the phase separation process during annealing that is shown to be mainly determined by the diffusion of the PVDF molecules from the amorphous blend phase towards the crystals growth front. The experimental monomer diffusion constants at T > Tg are compared with those expected theoretically using the approximation of the fast model process and the WLF equation for the relaxation frequency of the monomer. The nature and composition of the crystal interphase are discussed in terms of the SAXS invariant for the whole system and the calorimetric data derived from the Tg transitions observed.

beta-Lactoglobulin is a whey protein that can be present in at least two genetic variant forms that determine milk composition and product functionality. A free zone capillary electrophoresis (CZE) method was optimized to separate, identify, and quantify beta-lactoglobulin (beta-Lg) A and B variants in milk. Whey proteins were prepared by casein precipitation at pH 4.6. The experimental conditions such as sample preparation, injection size, pH, voltage, and capillary length and temperature were determined after a univariate optimization process. alpha-Lactoalbumin (alpha-La), beta-Lg A, and beta-Lg B were separated in an uncoated capillary using 0.05 M borate buffer containing 0.1% Tween 20 (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.) at pH 8.0 by applying 25 kV. Repeatability was excellent, since variation coefficients for migration times and peak areas were0.98 and1.33%, respectively. Identification of the individual proteins was confirmed by spiking with commercially purified standards. Linearity of the method was demonstrated by constructing calibration curves that followed linear relationships with highly significant (p0.01) correlation coefficients. Optimized conditions were used for phenotyping and quantifying beta-Lg in milk collected from Holstein cows. The concentration ranges of the individual beta-Lg A and B variants determined in the AA and BB phenotypes were 5.9-6.02 and 3.43-5.48 mg/mL, respectively. In the AB phenotypes, the range was 1.05-5.46 mg/mL for beta-Lg B and 0.37-4.05 mg/mL for beta-Lg A. The frequency of beta-Lg AA, BB, and AB phenotypes were 0.03, 0.10, and 0.86, respectively. The quantitative determination of beta-Lg variants may be useful in establishing statistical correlations between genetic polymorphism of this protein and milk composition.

The objective of this study was to utilize linear discriminant analysis (LDA) in the interpretation of capillary electrophoresis-sodium dodecyl sulfate polymer-filled capillary gel electrophoresis (CE-SDS) meat protein profiles for the identification of meat species. The specific objectives were 1) to collect quantitative data on water-soluble and saline-soluble proteins of different meat species obtained by CE-SDS and 2) to apply LDA on collected CE-SDS protein data for the development of a pattern recognition statistical model useful in the differentiation of meat species. Samples were raw beef top and eye round, boneless fresh pork ham and loin, turkey leg and breast meat, and mechanically deboned turkey meat collected on six different occasions, making a total of 42 samples. Additionally, 14 samples were used as test samples to determine the classification ability of the procedure. Quantitative protein data obtained by CE-SDS was used to generate separate LDA models for either water- or saline-soluble protein extracts. Although a saline solution was a more efficient meat protein-extracting agent, as shown by a higher total protein concentration and a larger number of peaks, water-soluble CE-SDS protein profiles gave more distinctive discrimination among meat species. The correct classification given by LDA on water-soluble protein data was 100% for all meat species, except pork (94%). Conversely, the correct classification on saline-soluble protein data was 88% for beef and mechanically deboned turkey meat, and 94% and 100% for turkey and pork meat, respectively. LDA proved to be a useful pattern recognition procedure in the interpretation of CE-SDS protein profiles for the identification of meat species.

The objective of this study was to monitor the release of short-chain free fatty acids (FFA) from milk fat during hydrolysis with lipase using capillary electrophoresis. Sample and run buffer allowed FFA to be maintained in solution by using cyclodextrin and methanol. Indirect UV detection at 270 nm was used, employing p-anisate as a chromophore. Calibration curves constructed for each individual FFA followed linear relationships with highly significant (p0.01) correlation coefficients. Electrophoretic FFA profiles of fresh milk fat and lipolyzed milk fat showed marked qualitative and quantitative differences. Butanoic acid (C4) was found in a concentration of 64 ppm, while hexanoic (C6) and octanoic (C8) acids were found in concentrations of 3.8 ppm in fresh milk fat. After a 60-min hydrolysis with commercial lipase, FFA released from milk fat consisted mainly of high concentrations (ppm) of butanoic (C4) (900), followed by hexanoic (C6) (427), octanoic (C8) (282), decanoic (C10) (92), pentanoic (C5) (47), and dodecanoic (C12) (37.5) acids. Ratios of FFA that were associated with flavor balance were calculated. The application of CE for lipolysis monitoring in milk fat offers a simple and fast method for the determination of FFA. Quantitative data can be obtained in 20 min, including sample preparation. The lengthy and laborious steps required in traditional chromatographic techniques, such as lipid extraction, FFA isolation, and derivatization, were not required in this CE method. The implementation of CE for milk fat lipolysis monitoring may be a useful quality control tool for dairy flavor development and production.

A rapid capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method was established for separating and quantifying major casein and whey proteins in milk. Optimum sample preparation and electrophoretic conditions in a coated capillary maintained at 40 degrees C allowed accurate and reproducible quantification of milk proteins in a single analysis. Sample and run buffer allowed caseins to be maintained in solution by using a combination of urea and a nonionic detergent in phosphate buffer at pH 2.5. Quantitative CZE protein data were derived by calculating percentages and concentrations (mg/mL) of alpha-casein, beta-casein, alpha-lactalbumin, and beta-lactoglobulin. Calibration curves followed linear relationships with highly significant (p0.1) correlation coefficients. Relative standard deviations of less than 0.82 (%) for migration times and 2.18 (%) for percent protein indicated that the technique was reproducible. Electrophoretic protein profiles of fresh bovine milk and rehydrated dry milk showed marked quantitative differences in whey protein concentrations. Whey protein represented 12.37 +/- 0.07% beta-lactoglobulin and 3.05 +/- 0.08% alpha-lactalbumin of total protein in typical fresh milk, while only 1.90 +/- 0.16% beta-lactoglobulin and 0.86 +/- 0.04% alpha-lactalbumin of total protein were detected in a commercial rehydrated milk powder. By quantifying these differences, the established technique may allow the detection of substitution of fresh milk with rehydrated milk powder. The accuracy and reproducibility of the technique permitted the quantitation of individual protein concentrations in milk samples, which agreed with ranges reported in the literature. CZE may be well suited for routine use by dairies and regulatory agencies, since it allows the determination of milk proteins in less than 60 min.

La busqueda de nuevas fuentes de proteasas es un area de investigacion de gran actividad por su uso potencial en procesos biotecnologicos en areas de la medicina, alimentos e industria de los detergentes. En alimentos, las proteasas extraidas de plantas han sido consideradas sustitutos adecuados del cuajo natural para la elaboracion de quesos, asi como en la produccion de hidrolizados, ablandadores de carne, agentes digestivos, etc. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la actividad de extractos de flores de narango agrio para coagular la leche y su accion sobre distintos sustratos proteicos, como hemoglobina, albumina y caseina. La actividad proteolitica que presentaron estos extractos en un amplio rango de pH, indican la presencia de diferentes tipos de proteasas (e.g., asparticas, serinas y cisteinas). La actividad proteolitica en condiciones acidas y el patron de degradacion de caseinas, sugieren la presencia de proteasas tipo quimosina y ofrece una fuente de enzimas coagulante. La alta actividad proteolitica en un amplio rango de temperatura y pH, hacen de las flores de citricos una nueva fuente de proteasas con uso potencial en distintos procesos biotecnologicos (e.g., produccion de quesos).

A novel method for the extraction into an aqueous medium of PAHs in soil is described, where sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) is used as micelle former. After optimisation of this step using a multivariate approach, recoveries of the target analytes from spiked soil ranging between 98.3%–99.7% were obtained when the samples were subjected to extraction with 25 mL of an aqueous SDS solution (2.9 10−2 mol L−1) while irradiated with focused microwaves at 240 W for 40 min. The overall method involving determination of the extracted compounds consists of three steps: 1) extraction of the analytes into the aqueous micellar medium assisted by focused microwaves; 2) trapping of the analytes on a C18 cartridge for clean up and preconcentration and; 3) HPLC separation with fluorimetric detection. The method was validated using the certified reference material CRM 524 and the results found were in agreement with the certified values.