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Background Dobutamine Stress Echo (DSE) is a test widely used in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease. The purpose of the following work is to describe a clinical case with uncommon behaviour. Case Description: 63–year–old female with dyspnoea on mild exertion, and history of NSTEMI–ACS 5 years prior with Coronary Angiography (CA) finding of 3–vessel coronary artery disease, treated with PCI + stent (DES) of right coronary artery (CDX), untreated disease sub–occlusion of the first marginal obtuse (OM1), and chronic occlusion of the anterior interventricular artery (IVA). We decide for DSE. During 20 mcg/kg/min infusion, the patient reported dyspnoea and paradoxical bradycardia (BP) was documented on the ECG, in the absence of ST changes, with the appearance of akinesia of the basal and mid posterolateral segments and worsening of the inferior hypokinesia, present in basal conditions on Echocardiograms (EC). The BP and the alterations of the ventricular motion (VCA) did not respond to the administration of Atropine (1+1 mg) while the administration of 240 mg of Aminophylline (AM) restored the HR and the VCA to baseline values. The CA demonstrated patency of the CDX with the presence of collateral circulation for IVA and occluded OM1. Discussion This case is characterized by the presence of a double paradox: the BP and the Atropine–Resistance (AR). BP during DEB, as demonstrated in previous studies, occurred in 8% of cases, with signs of significant coronary artery disease in 57% of cases. The BP is an expression of ischemia only in just over half of the patients, in the rest of the cases it appeared referable to the Bezold–Jarish reflex, a vagal reflex determined by the stimulation of the intracardiac mechanoreceptors. In our case, the presence of AR seems to exclude the possibility that bradycardia is due to this reflex. The appearance of paradoxical bradycardia during DSE is a rare complication and can lead to premature termination of the test with inconclusive results. In our case, the BP and the AR confirm the positivity of the test also in consideration of the response to the AM antagonist of Adenosine, which accumulates during ischemia. Conclusions This uncommon response to DSE, where AR and AM response in addition to BP could identify patients with severe coronary artery disease in whom the ischemic response is driven by adenosine accumulation, rather than a vagal reflex responding to atropine administration.

Composite materials based on CaO obtained from egg shells and k-carrageenan, an anionic sulfated linear polysaccharide obtained from red seaweeds was used as an efficient, environmentally friendly heterogeneous catalyst for the transesterification of soybean oil with methanol at 60 °C. The different composite samples were produced through the dissolution of the biopolymer in an ionic liquid (IL) derived from imidazolium ion and by further addition of CaO. The samples were characterized by Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Termogravimetry (TGA). The materials exhibit an internal structure consisting of meso and macropores which widen with the addition of small amounts of Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) that acts as a crosslinker. The composite materials present a similar thermal behaviour to k-carrageenan, without loss of stability. The catalytic activity of the prepared composite materials was evaluated in the transesterification reaction of soybean oil with methanol through catalytic runs in batch conditions. It was found that both CaO loading and polymer cross-linking affect the sorption capacity and the transport properties of the prepared catalytic materials, with best results obtained for the intermediate CaO concentration in membrane and a lower crosslinking degree.

In this work, the pressure- and temperature-dependent reaction rate constants for the hydrogen abstraction and addition of hydroxyl radicals to the unsaturated cyclopentene were studied. Geometries and vibrational frequencies of reactants, products, and transition states were calculated using density functional theory, with single-point energy corrections determined at the domain-based local pair natural orbital-coupled-cluster single double triple/cc-pVTZ-F12 level. The high-pressure limit rate constants were calculated using the canonical variational transition state theory with the small-curvature tunneling approximation. The vibrational partition functions were corrected by the effects of torsional and ring-puckering anharmonicities of the transition states and cyclopentene, respectively. Variational effects are shown to be relevant for all the hydrogen abstraction reactions. The increasing of the rate constants by tunneling is significant at temperatures below 500 K. The pressure dependence on the rate constants of the addition of [Formula: see text] to cyclopentene was calculated using the system-specific quantum Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel model. The high-pressure limit rate constants decrease with increasing temperature in the range 250–1000 K. The falloff behavior was studied at several temperatures with pressures varying between 10−3 and 103 bar. At temperatures below 500 K, the effect of the pressure on the addition rate constant is very modest. However, at temperatures around and above 1000 K, taking pressure into account is mandatory for an accurate rate constant calculation. Branching ratio analyses reveal that the addition reaction dominates at temperatures below 500 K, decreasing rapidly at higher temperatures. Arrhenius parameters are provided for all reactions and pressure dependent Arrhenius parameters are given for the addition of [Formula: see text] to cyclopentene.

As life expectancy increases, an increasing older population may require surgery with perioperative nutritional management. While little is known about the combined effect of age and stress on amino acid metabolism during enteral nutrition, we hypothesized that blood amino acid bioavailability may be influenced not only by the characteristics of the ingested protein but also by intestinal ageing and splanchnic sequestration of amino acids. Plasma amino acid kinetics were thus evaluated in aged and adult rats receiving continuous enteral nutrition before and after standardized surgical stress.Sixteen 5-month-old and sixteen 21-month-old male rats were used. After a gastrostomy, the insertion of a jugular vein catheter and a one-week recovery, the animals were enterally fed with commercially available formulas containing whole milk proteins or a whey hydrolysate for 24 h before (healthy state) and 18 h after a standardized laparotomy (surgical stress). Data were analyzed by 3-factor ANOVA.In all rats, enteral nutrition was associated with a marked increase in plasma alanine, threonine, lysine and proline (+50 to +150 μmol/L; p 0.001), and a decrease in glycine (≈-80 μmol/L; p 0.01). For most amino acids, their availability depended first on the amino acid composition of each protein and second on surgical stress. Aging was only associated with higher tyrosine and threonine availability (p 0.001). There was only limited statistical interaction between age and surgical stress.In rats, plasma amino acid availability during continuous enteral nutrition is determined by the nature of the protein source and the occurrence of stress. The effects of aging on plasma amino acid availability seem very limited. Commonly used formulas therefore appear to be as suitable for elderly patients as for adult patients.

Thyroid diseases affect a considerable portion of the population, with hypothyroidism being one of the most commonly reported thyroid diseases. Levothyroxine (T4) is clinically used to treat hypothyroidism and suppress thyroid stimulating hormone secretion in other thyroid diseases. In this work, an attempt to improve T4 solubility is made through the synthesis of ionic liquids (ILs) based on this drug. In this context, [Na][T4] was combined with choline [Ch]+ and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium [C2OHMiM]+ cations in order to prepare the desired T4-ILs. All compounds were characterized by NMR, ATR-FTIR, elemental analysis, and DSC, aiming to check their chemical structure, purities, and thermal properties. The serum, water, and PBS solubilities of the T4-ILs were compared to [Na][T4], as well as the permeability assays. It is important to note an improved adsorption capacity, in which no significant cytotoxicity was observed against L929 cells. [C2OHMiM][T4] seems to be a good alternative to the commercial levothyroxine sodium salt with promising bioavailability.

Background Tako Tsubo syndrome (TTS) is characterized by transient alterations of ventricular kinetics (ATC) in the absence of obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease. Materials 39 cases of TTS that came to our observation from 2005 to 2019 are described, the diagnosis was made on the basis of evidence of ATC, ECG alterations, increase necrosis markers in the absence of obstructive coronary disease, excluding myocarditis. Results 39 patients (PZ) (35 females and 4 males) diagnosed with TTS had an average age of 61 ± 13.21 years and symptoms at onset were mainly angina in 28 PZs (72%), dyspnea was present in 8 (20%) and syncope in 3 (8%). ECG changes were characterized by ST depression and/or negative T waves in 30 patients (77%), in 9 (23%) the ST segment was elevated. ATV involved apical segments (SAP) in 27 PZ (69%), 4 (10%) the basal segments (SBA), 2 (5%) the middle segments (SME) and 6 (15%) had focal points abnormalities (FOC). The average Ejection Fraction (FE) on admission was 36.85%, in PZ with ATV of SAP 33.96%, when involved SBA 41%, SME 43.5% and FOC 44.83%. Haemodynamic conditions were stable in 33 pts (84%), 3 pts (8%) presented cardiogenic shock, 3 (8%) pulmonary edema. Arrhythmias were present in 1/3 of the cases. Atrial fibrillation in 38%, extrasystolic arrhythmia in 30%, one patient with sustained ventricular tachycardia, and three patients with total BAV (23%) of which one in shock. In 10% of cases (4 PZ) there was a subvalvular aortic gradient at discharge disappeared. In 8% (3 PZ) was a recurrent TTS. 92% of the PZ reported a psychophysical stress in the 24 hours preceding the event, and a psychiatric pathology was present in 90%. However, only in 60% of cases the psychiatric diagnosis was known on admission, in the remaining 40% the diagnosis was made subsequently, and among the PZ being treated only in ¼ of the cases was it judged adequate. Conclusions In our series, SAP involvement was associated with lower EF values and greater hemodynamic compromise. Involvement of SME, SBA or FOC was associated with higher EF values and less hemodynamic compromise. A psychiatric pathology was present in over 90% of the PZ even if in 40% of the cases it was not ascertained at the time of admission, and in 75% of the PZ in which the diagnosis was known, the treatment was not adequate.

Summary Background & aims Dietary amino acid (AA) requirements increase after a surgical stress while the systemic AA availability from the diet decreases with age, due to splanchnic sequestration. While immune-enhancing diets (IEDs) have been recommended for the nutritional management of surgical patients, the systemic bioavailability of their AA supply has not been evaluated in elderly surgical patients. This was determined in surgically-stressed IED-fed aged rats. Methods Thirty-four 5-month- or 21-month-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were used. After a gastrostomy and placement of a jugular vein catheter and a one-week recovery period, the animals underwent two 24 h-enteral feedings with an arginine-enriched IED (Impact®, Nestle Health Science) before (healthy state) and 18 h after a standardized laparotomy, used as a model of surgical stress. During enteral nutrition, blood samples were repeatedly collected to measure plasma AA bioavailability (incremental areas under the curve) at 2, 5 and 24 h. Surgical stress was evaluated from urinary catecholamines and plasma protein profile. Results Whatever the age or stress situation, IED feeding was associated with decreased plasma glycine and increased alanine, proline and arginine. Aging was mainly associated with a delayed plasma AA accumulation in the first hours after the initiation of enteral nutrition. Stress was associated with higher plasma arginine increase and lower histidine, methionine, phenylalanine and tyrosine accumulation. Age and stress interactions seem limited. Conclusions AA bioavailability from an arginine-enriched IED seems to be maintained whatever age and stress situation. Aging appears to be mainly associated with a delay in plasma AA accumulation probably related to age-associated splanchnic sequestration of AAs. Additional effects of surgical stress per se seem limited.

The past few decades have seen major developments in the design and operation of cryogenic particle detectors. This technology offers an extremely good energy resolution - comparable to semiconductor detectors - and a wide choice of target materials, making low temperature calorimetric detectors ideal for a variety of particle physics applications. Rare event searches have continued to require ever greater exposures, which has driven them to ever larger cryogenic detectors, with the CUORE experiment being the first to reach a tonne-scale, mK-cooled, experimental mass. CUORE, designed to search for neutrinoless double beta decay, has been operational since 2017 at a temperature of about 10 mK. This result has been attained by the use of an unprecedentedly large cryogenic infrastructure called the CUORE cryostat: conceived, designed and commissioned for this purpose. In this article the main characteristics and features of the cryogenic facility developed for the CUORE experiment are highlighted. A brief introduction of the evolution of the field and of the past cryogenic facilities are given. The motivation behind the design and development of the CUORE cryogenic facility is detailed as are the steps taken toward realization, commissioning, and operation of the CUORE cryostat. The major challenges overcome by the collaboration and the solutions implemented throughout the building of the cryogenic facility will be discussed along with the potential improvements for future facilities. The success of CUORE has opened the door to a new generation of large-scale cryogenic facilities in numerous fields of science. Broader implications of the incredible feat achieved by the CUORE collaboration on the future cryogenic facilities in various fields ranging from neutrino and dark matter experiments to quantum computing will be examined., Comment: 45 pages, 14 figures

The Divertor Tokamak Test facility (DTT) will be a new experimental facility located at Frascati, Rome, Italy, whose main goal will be to have a better understanding on hot plasma interactions with plasma-facing components (PFCs) and aid in the development of ITER and successively DEMO. The improved conceptual design of the beamline for the DTT neutral beam heating (NBH) system is here overviewed, with a particular focus on the technical solutions adopted to fulfill the requirements and maximize beamline performances. The proposed system features a beamline providing deuterium neutrals (D⁰) with an energy of 510 keV and an injected power of 10 MW. Various design options have been considered, and a comprehensive set of simulations has been carried out using several physics and engineering codes to drive the choice of the most suitable design options and optimize them, aiming at finding a good compromise among different design requirements.

Fossil fuel remains the world’s main source of energy, but its massive use leads to the exhaustion of natural energy resources as well as climate change. With this, the interest in developing alternative energy sources has emerged globally—among these is hydrogen. Among the hydrogen production approaches, biological fermentation has been attracting global attention because of its environmental and economic merits. This process utilizes diverse feedstocks including complex organic waste materials. The Philippines has a great potential to produce hydrogen from biomass primarily because it is an agricultural country. The country is abundant in various agricultural wastes such as livestock manure, and plant residues of rice, corn, sugarcane, and coconut, as well as agro-industrial and municipal organic wastes with millions of tons generated per year. A number of studies have explored the use of technologies such as the dark fermentation (DF), photofermentation (PF), and the integration of DF and PF to utilize organic wastes for biohydrogen production. This review paper provides an overview of the organic waste scenario in the Philippines including approaches to utilize different wastes for fermentative biohydrogen production. An initial estimate conducted on the biohydrogen production suggested that the Philippines can yield 0.34–2.24 × 106 t/year from agricultural residues alone using the proposed two stage DF-PF hybrid system, with a positive net energy conversion, hence validating the possibility of establishing a biohydrogen production system from organic wastes generated in the country.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T11:14:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 1. The effect of microencapsulated and uncoated butyric acid as an alternative to antibiotics on performance, intestinal morphology and regeneration of intestinal mucosa was studied in birds experimentally infected with Eimeria spp. 1 to 42 d-old. 2. A total of 1,320 male Cobb® broiler chicks were allocated to one of five treatments in a completely randomised design, comprising a negative control, uncoated butyric acid (UA), microencapsulated butyric acid (MA), combined U + M butyric acid and a positive control (antibiotic+anticoccidial) in six replications. At 16 d-old, the birds were inoculated orally with 0.5 ml of a solution containing an Eimeria spp. pool. 3. At 21 d of age, the birds receiving butyric acid alone had higher body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) compared to those supplemented with the blend of acids. For the total rearing period, in all variables, the positive control performed best (P

Single-atom catalysts (SACs), consisting of metals atomically dispersed on a support, are considered as advanced materials bridging homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, representing the catalysis at the limit. The enhanced performance of these catalysts is due to the combination of distinct factors such as well-defined active sites, comprising metal single atoms in different coordination environments also varying its valence state and strongly interacting with the support, in this case porous carbons, maximizing then the metal efficiency in comparison with other metal surfaces consisting of metal clusters and/or metal nanoparticles. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most recent advances in terms of both synthetic strategies of producing porous carbon-derived SACs but also its application to green synthesis of highly valuable compounds, an area in which the homogeneous catalysts are classically used. Porous carbon-derived SACs emerge as a type of new and eco-friendly catalysts with great potential. Different types of carbon forms, such as multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphene and graphitic carbon nitride or even others porous carbons derived from Metal–Organic-Frameworks (MOFs) are recognized. Although it represents an area of expansion, experimentally and theoretically, much more future efforts are needed to explore them in green fine chemical synthesis.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an autosomal co-dominant inherited disorder that results in decreased circulating levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin (also known as alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor) and predisposes affected individuals to early onset lung and liver disease. There is currently no cure for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. However, appropriate treatment and a high standard of clinical care can prevent patients from being seriously affected and having to undergo major medical interventions, such as organ transplantation. Beyond managing the symptoms associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor therapy is the only treatment for the condition's underlying cause. Early diagnosis is important to ensure efficient therapeutic strategies and to minimize further deterioration of lung function. alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is under diagnosed globally, partly because the disease has no unique presenting symptoms. This document was prepared by a Portuguese multidisciplinary group and it aims to set out comprehensive principles of care for Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. These include the importance of registries, the need for clinical research, the need for consistent recommendations (regarding diagnosis, treatment and monitoring), the role of reference centres, the requirement for sustained access to treatment, diagnostic and support services, and the role of patient organizations.A deficiência de alfa-1 antitripsina é uma doença hereditária autossómica co-dominante que resulta numa diminuição dos níveis plasmáticos de alfa-1 antitripsina (também conhecida por inibidor da alfa-1 proteinase) e predispõe os indivíduos afetados ao desenvolvimento de doença pulmonar e hepática precoce. Atualmente não existe cura para a deficiência de alfa-1 antitripsina. No entanto, o tratamento adequado e um elevado padrão de cuidados clínicos podem prevenir que os doentes sejam gravemente afetados e terem que se submeter a intervenções médicas major, como o transplante de órgão. Para além de atuar nos sintomas associados à deficiência de alfa-1 antitripsina, a terapêutica com o inibidor da alfa-1 proteinase é o único tratamento disponível que atua na causa subjacente desta patologia. O diagnostico precoce é importante para assegurar a implementação de estratégias terapêuticas eficientes e para minimizar a destruição adicional da função pulmonar. A deficiência de alfa-1 antitripsina está globalmente sub diagnosticada, em parte devido ao fato desta doença não apresentar sintomas únicos. Este documento foi preparado por um grupo multidisciplinar e visa estabelecer princípios de cuidados abrangentes para a deficiência de alfa-1 antitripsina. Estes incluem a importância dos registros, a necessidade de investigação clinica, a necessidade de recomendações consistentes (no que diz respeito ao diagnostico, tratamento e monitorização), o papel dos centros de referência, a necessidade de acesso sustentado ao tratamento, diagnostico e serviços de suporte, e o papel das associações de doentes.

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were systematically fragmented using high density ultrasonic energy and used as fillers of a poly (methyl methacrylate) matrix (PMMA). MWCNT fragmentation was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Dedicated MWCNT length measurements yielded a log-normal statistical distribution, with mean value of 1.33 μm for the as-received MWCNTs and 0.66 μm for the fragmented MWCNTs. Higher electrical percolation threshold and lower electrical conductivity were obtained for MWCNT/PMMA composites (0.01–1 wt.% MWCNT concentration) using the fragmented MWCNTs. Higher electro-mechanical (piezoresistive) sensitivity under tensile tests was measured for PMMA nanocomposites with fragmented MWCNTs, which was explained by a competition of mechanisms related to the MWCNT length.

Magnetic citric acid-modified cellulose was successfully produced and tested for the removal of copper in aqueous solution. Initially, the cellulose material was reacted with citric acid solution. The modified cellulose was then attached to the Fe2O3nanoparticle producing an adsorptive magnetic material. Characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated successful binding and chemical modification of the cellulose. Its adsorption was also studied to evaluate its potential in removing heavy metals such as copper. Removal of copper was as high as 84.74% in solution containing 25 mg/L copper. The sorption of copper in the magnetic sorbent follows second-order kinetics and best fits Freundlich isotherm model. The developed material has a strong magnetic response, thus its recovery in the aqueous solution could be easily facilitated using a magnetic field. Regeneration study indicated high recovery efficiency maintaining above 95.7% copper removal efficiency after three cycles of use. Thus, a highly efficient magnetic adsorptive material was produced using simple chemical modification aside from its easy recovery in the water.

The Christian Workers Movement Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CWMMC) is a financial institution that caters to more than a thousand members in rendering timely financial assistance by making use of manual transaction processing. The company has encountered a number of problems pertaining to its services, strategic office location, and data / information management. This study was conducted in an attempt to design and develop a software system that would make loaning processes and other company-related business transactions simple, convenient, reliable, and dependable. A management information system was developed for and implemented at CWMMC. The software was found acceptable to the end-users and technical experts. Hence, it was recommended that the software be used continuously.

Introduzione Ogni anno il 20% circa degli operatori sanitari (OS) contrae l’influenza, continuando a lavorare e favorendo la diffusione dei virus influenzali nei reparti. La copertura media della vaccinazione antinfluenzale tra gli OS italiani si attesta attorno al 22%. Alla base del rifiuto vaccinale degli OS vi sono principalmente le scarse conoscenze, attitudini e percezioni in merito all’efficacia e alla sicurezza della vaccinazione antinfluenzale. In questo studio è stato analizzato il trend della copertura vaccinale contro l’influenza durante le ultime 12 stagioni negli OS dell’Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico (AOUP) di Palermo, valutando l’impatto delle strategie comunicative e informative adottate nelle ultime quattro stagioni vaccinali, con lo scopo di implementare la fiducia nella vaccinazione e aumentare l’aderenza alla stessa. Metodi Prima e durante le ultime quattro campagne di vaccinazione antinfluenzale stagionale, diverse iniziative sono state organizzate e condotte dagli medici in formazione specialistica in Igiene e Sanità pubblica dell’Università di Palermo: pagine web e di social media dedicate, campagne social “ad hoc” (#proteggitixproteggermi) vaccinazioni “in situ” nei reparti, corsi multidisciplinari per i dipendenti delle unità operative di degenza in cui soggiornano i pazienti più critici. È stato, inoltre, predisposto sull’area riservata del portale aziendale un modulo, la cui mancata compilazione impediva la piena funzionalità dell’intranet, dove si doveva esprimere il dissenso informato e le motivazioni del rifiuto della vaccinazione antinfluenzale. Risultati La copertura vaccinale è passata da un valore medio del 5% (stagioni 2010/2011- 2014/2015), al 37% nella stagione influenzale 2018/2019 (chi-square for trend: 857, p < 0.001). Inoltre è significativamente diminuita l’età media dei vaccinati passando da 48,1 (DS ± 15,7) nella stagione 2013/2014, a 35,9 (± 14,6) nel 2018/2019. In particolare, è aumentata la prevalenza di OS vaccinati tra i medici in formazione specialistica operanti presso l’AOUP. La paura di eventuali reazioni avverse (33%) e una mancata percezione del rischio di diffondere la patologia ai pazienti (31%) sono i motivi principali del rifiuto vaccinale. Conclusioni Tra le diverse strategie per aumentare l’adesione alla pratica vaccinale tra gli OS (formazione, obbligo, premialità, ecc) la comunicazione attraverso metodi web-based o social-based si è dimostrata un valido ed efficace strumento integrativo per aumentare le coperture tra gli OS più giovani. Tuttavia, la copertura vaccinale totale rimane ben al di sotto del 75% raccomandato dalle autorità internazionali di sanità pubblica. In futuro, sarà necessario affiancare a tali strategie comunicative, politiche di vaccinazione obbligatoria, specialmente per gli OS dei reparti a rischio, per aumentare le coperture vaccinali negli stessi

Spinosad and temephos are two of the most used pesticides in Mexico for the control of vector causing disease such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. The aim of this study was to compare the neurotoxic effects of these two pesticides using guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) as a model organism. Guppies were exposed for 7 and 21 days to technical grade temephos and spinosad at 1.0 and 0.07 g/L, respectively, (10 and 0.5 mg/L of active substance; concentrations recommended by the Ministery of Health of the State (Secretaría de Salud de Nayarit (SSN) Mexico)). Subsequently, acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) and acetylcholine concentrations (ACh) in muscle tissue were determined. Temephos exposure decreased AChE activity and increased ACh concentration, whereas exposure to spinosad only increased ACh concentration. Though cholinergic alterations were more severe in fish exposed to temephos, both pesticides were equally lethal during the first seven days after exposure. Nonetheless, temephos was more lethal after 21 days.

Objective In critically ill patients, acute injury alters gut function, causing greater risk for sepsis and malnutrition. Peptide-enriched diets may promote nitrogen absorption, whereas ω3-enriched diets reduce alterations in gut barrier function. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a peptide- and ω3-enriched diet on the metabolic response to injury and the gut barrier function in a model of prolonged catabolism in the rat. Given the intestinal trophic effect of glutamine, we tested for a synergistic effect of glutamine. Methods We randomized 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats (250 g) into four groups to enterally receive a standard high-protein diet (S), or a peptide- and ω3-enriched diet either alone (IMN) or supplemented with glutamine and alanine supplied as dipeptide (DIP) or as free amino acids (AAs) for 4 d. Metabolic response to injury was induced by turpentine injections on days 1 and 3. At sacrifice, nutritional and inflammatory biomarkers and intestinal and liver function were assessed. Results Weight gain (+45–62%) and nitrogen balance (+33–56%) were significantly higher in all groups than in the S group. In jejunal mucosa, total glutathione was significantly higher (+20–30%) and myeloperoxidase activity significantly lower in all groups compared with the S group. Hepatic triacylglycerol content was significantly lower in the AA (0.30 ± 0.04 μM/g) and DIP (0.43 ± 0.08 μM/g) groups than in the S group (0.71 ± 0.08 μM/g). Conclusions In this model of prolonged catabolism, compared with a standard diet, a peptide- and ω3-enriched diet improved metabolic response to injury, with better nitrogen balance and weight recovery, and decreased intestinal myeloperoxidase activity. Only marginal additional effects of glutamine supplementation were observed with decreased hepatic fat content.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T11:08:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 1. The effect of A. subrufescens and P. ostreatus mushrooms as an alternative to antibiotics (avilamycin or monensin sodium) on performance, intestinal morphometry, immunity, and biochemical profile of broilers challenged with Eimeria spp. was studied from 1 to 42 d old. A total of 900 male Cobb® broiler chicks were distributed, according to a completely randomised design, into five treatments with six replicates each. 2. The treatments consisted of: negative control (NC)–basal diet (BD) with no anticoccidial or antibiotic (non-challenged birds); negative control challenged (NCC)–NC fed to Eimeria spp. challenged birds; BD with 0.2% A. subrufescens inclusion for challenged birds (As), BD with 0.2% P. ostreatus inclusion for challenged birds (Po); and a positive control–BD with anticoccidial and antibiotic inclusion for challenged birds (ATB). 3. At 11 d.o., the birds were each inoculated orally with 1 ml solution containing 2 × 105 sporulated oocysts/ml Eimeria acervulina and 2 × 104 sporulated oocysts/ml E. maxima and E. tenella. 4. Birds subjected to Eimeria spp. challenge up to 21 d of age had greater crypt depth, indicating that the presence of undesirable microorganisms had an effect on cell proliferation. 5. At 21 d old, the birds receiving ATB had higher average weight gain (AWG), feed intake (AFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to those fed diets supplemented with mushrooms (As or Po). For the total rearing period (42 days), the birds that received ATB had higher AWG and AFI (P

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a biopolymer of natural origin, one of the suitable alternatives for synthetic plastics. However, pure PHB has a high production cost, is relatively brittle, and has poor processability, hence its limited application. Combining PHB with biomass fillers and plasticizers can significantly improve the properties of the polymer, leading to its commercial usage. In this study, PHB was incorporated with starch (S) as a cheap biomass filler and lauric acid (LA) as a potential plasticizer. The PHB/S/LA composites were prepared using a modified solvent casting method with the incremental addition of LA. The PHB/S ratio was maintained at a ratio of 80/20 (w/w). Physicochemical characterization via EDS, XRD, and FTIR proved that the composite components have blended through nucleation and plasticization processes. The morphology of the PHB/S blends was found to be a heterogeneous matrix, with decreased inhomogeneity upon the addition of LA in the composite. Thermal characterization done by TGA and DSC showed that the thermal properties of PHB/S films improved with the addition of LA. Mechanical tests (UTM) proved that the elastic strain of the films also increased with the addition of LA, although the tensile strength decreased slightly compared to pure PHB/S. Overall, the results of this study provide baseline information on the improvement of PHB-based bioplastics.

For survivors of severe COVID-19 disease, having defeated the virus is just the beginning of an uncharted recovery path. What follows after the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection depends on the extension and severity of viral attacks in different cell types and organs. Despite the ridiculously large number of papers that have flooded scientific journals and preprint-hosting websites, a clear clinical picture of COVID-19 aftermath is vague at best. Without larger prospective observational studies that are only now being started, clinicians can retrieve information just from case reports and or small studies. This is the time to understand how COVID-19 goes forward and what consequences survivors may expect to experience. To this aim, a multidisciplinary post-acute care service involving several specialists has been established at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS (Rome, Italy). Although COVID-19 is an infectious disease primarily affecting the lung, its multi-organ involvement requires an interdisciplinary approach encompassing virtually all branches of internal medicine and geriatrics. In particular, during the post-acute phase, the geriatrician may serve as the case manager of a multidisciplinary team. The aim of this article is to describe the importance of the interdisciplinary approach––coordinated by geriatrician––to cope the potential post-acute care needs of recovered COVID-19 patients.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T07:29:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2021-07-15T15:05:06Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S1516-635X2019000200304.pdf: 655287 bytes, checksum: 966fb67905de25fea2fc7a366b843060 (MD5) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) The aim of this study was to evaluate diets supplemented with probiotic (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) and organic acids (lactic, acetic and butyric acid) in attempt to replace the antibiotics and anticoccidial (avilamycin + sodium monensin) growth promoters on performance and economic viability of broilers challenged by Eimeria acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella. A total of 900 male Cobb (R) chickens, with a mean weight of 39.90g, were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 + 1 factorial arrangement: supplementation or not of probiotic and organic acids and a treatment with inclusion of antibiotics, comprising five treatments with six replicates. For the studied performance variables, there was no effect of the isolated additives and no interaction between them (p>0.05). Only the antibiotics promoted better results for weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion rate (FCR). Therefore, the use of organic acids and probiotic, isolated or associated, provided lower performance to those receiving antibiotics, not improving the performance of chickens under the imposed challenge conditions. The highest revenues were generated with the use of antibiotics, providing greater profits. Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Coll Technol & Agr Sci, Campus Dracena,Rod Cmte,Km651, BR-17900000 Dracena, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Coll Technol & Agr Sci, Campus Dracena,Rod Cmte,Km651, BR-17900000 Dracena, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 2013/156530

Argan nutshells from Northern Africa were selected for a noble valorization: conversion into nanoporous carbon (ACH) through H3PO4 activation for the removal of diclofenac (DCF) and paroxetine (PARX). The performance of ACH carbon was compared to that of a commercial carbon (CC), through kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic studies. An extensive characterization of the materials allowed to gain insight about the adsorption mechanisms. The biomass carbon presented a high surface area (1542 m2 g−1) and total pore volume (1.04 cm3 g−1) that corresponds mainly to mesopore volume. Despite the acidic activation, ACH surface was enriched with phenolic groups while the CC sample presented much less oxygen, mainly carbonyl-quinone groups. CC sample was also enriched with high concentrations of Si, Al, Fe, Ca, and K. CC carbon presented a higher uptake capacity of DCF (214 mg g−1) and PARX (260 mg g−1) than the ACH carbon (149 mg g−1 for DCF, and 168 mg g−1 for PARX), despite its lower surface area. DCF and PARX adsorption isotherms were best fitted to the Sips model on both carbons indicating some heterogeneous distribution of the active sites. The wide micropores developed on ACH do not provide an optimum size for adsorbates adsorption. It was established that π - π interactions and H-bonding were the main adsorption mechanisms with ACH carbon, while CC removed both molecules through interaction with the metallic elements present at the carbon and π - π interactions. In addition, electrostatic attraction of DCF by CC carbon was also an important mechanism.

Active calderas are major volcanic features of the Earth’s crust associated with shallow magma reservoirs, high geothermal gradients, and geodynamic unrests often documented through historical time. As large caldera-forming eruptions are also among the most catastrophic events that may affect the Earth’s surface, calderas are ostensibly the sites of major interest for both the scientific community and governmental institutions worldwide. The Campi Flegrei is an active volcanic area located west of the city of Naples, largely on the continental shelf of the Eastern Tyrrhenian margin that has been characterized by dominantly explosive eruptions during the latest Quaternary. This is one among the highest volcanic risk-prone areas of the world and likely the only example in the historical record of a caldera where dramatic ground/seafloor deformation (more than 4 m of uplift between 1950 and 1984) was not followed by a volcanic eruption. This suggests some important role played by the heath and gas flow from the magma chamber and the dynamics of the shallow aquifers in the unrest episodes. Recent research offshore the Campi Flegrei has shown that a significant part of the volcaniclastic products and sedimentary processes are still largely unknown. The structure of the hydrothermal system associated with the offshore substructure of the caldera system is poorly constrained, and even the caldera-like diagnostic characters postulated for the older phase in the evolution of the Campi Flegrei, largely based on outcrop data, are somewhat questionable. Therefore, it has become clear that only drilling both the onshore and offshore parts of the caldera much deeper than conventional coring may provide a relatively complete stratigraphic record that could not be preserved on land. We propose 15 drill sites (1 deep drill site onland and 14 shallower drill sites offshore) that are necessary in order to reconstruct the Late Quaternary stratigraphy, structure, hydrothermal system and geodynamic evolution of the Campi Flegrei district as a component of the eastern Tyrrhenian margin. According with the outcomes of a MagellanPlus Workshop held in Napoli in February 2017, it was suggested the Campi Flegrei Caldera Drilling Project should be jointly submitted to IODP and ICDP as an Amphibious Drilling Proposal by the end of 2018. The Workshop participant agreed on the proposition that the IODP component of the proposal should focus on integrated stratigraphy of the caldera fill and resurgent structure, as well as on petrology and architecture of shallow structural levels (0-500 m depth), whereas the ICDP component should be designed to understand the rock-fluid properties, physical-chemical processes and the geothermal system at deeper structural levels (0-3000 m depth). Onshore drilling of a pilot hole has already been completed, enlightening many new results which shed completely new light on the volcanic history and on the extension and mechanisms of the caldera itself. The joint drilling project is hence based on solid grounds and can certainly become a key for a large step forwards in the knowledge of caldera dynamics and eruption prediction.

In this study, the photo fermentative H2 production of Rhodobacter sphaeroides KCTC 1434 was investigated using acetate, propionate and butyrate under argon and nitrogen headspace gases. The highest H2 yield and Substrate Conversion Efficiency (SCE) were observed from butyrate (8.84 mol H2/mol butyrate consumed, 88.42% SCE) and propionate (6.10 mol H2/mol propionate consumed, 87.16% SCE) under Ar headspace. Utilization of acetate was associated with low H2 evolution, high biomass yield and high final pH, which suggest that acetate uptake by the strain involves a biosynthetic pathway that competes with H2 production. The use of N2 in sparging resulted to a decreased H2 productivity in propionate (0.49 mol H2/mol propionate consumed, 7.01% SCE) and butyrate (1.22 mol H2/mol butyrate consumed, 1.04% SCE) and was accompanied with high biomass yield and radical pH increase in all acids. High H2 generation had shown to improve acid consumption rate. The use of the three acids in a mixed substrate resulted to a drastic pH rise and lower H2 generation. This suggests that a more refined culture condition such as additional control of pH during fermentation must be kept to enhance the H2 productivity. Overall, the study provided a background on the H2 production using R. sphaeroides KCTC 1434 which might be a good co-culture candidate because of its high SCE on butyrate and propionate.

This work reports the synthesis of kappa-carrageenan aerogels using different dissolution and crosslinking media in order to evaluate its effects on the textural properties of the matrixes and further on the drug loading and release performance. The different aerogel samples were produced through the dissolution of the biopolymer in water with addition of potassium salts as crosslinking agents and, in two different ionic liquids (ILs) derived from imidazolium ion, being further dried with supercritical CO2. The samples were characterized by Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Nitrogen Adsorption-Desorption Analysis, Thermogravimetry (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The synthesized samples presented surface areas similar to the carrageenan aerogels being their structure constituted mainly by meso and macropores. The absence of ionic liquid in samples was demonstrated by DSC analysis and was corroborated by the cytotoxicity assays which revealed that cellular viability in Caco-2 cells was preserved. Tetracycline was used as a model drug and loaded in two of the prepared aerogels samples. The release experiments were performed with the composites to test in vitro drug release at physiologic pH. With a higher macroporosity, the kappa-carrageenan aerogel prepared by dissolution into ionic liquid showed a higher loading capacity than the one prepared by dissolution into water and a slightly higher release rate. The matrixes were considered to present a good potential to be used as biocompatible carriers on drug controlled delivery.

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease resulting from the interaction between pathogen and host response; its dysregulation causes organ dysfunction, high morbidity, and mortality. Despite the increase of septic patients admitted to Internal Medicine wards, data about clinical predictors of mortality in this setting are still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of MEDS score and vitamin D as predictors of mortality (28-day and 90-day) in septic patients admitted to the Internal Medicine department.Prospectively collected clinical data, lab tests including vitamin D, and clinical scores (SIRS, MEDS, SCS, REMS, SOFA, qSOFA) were retrospectively analyzed. Eighty-eight microbiologically identified septic patients (median age 75 years old, IQR 65-82 years old; range 37-94 years old) were evaluated.Twenty-three patients (26.1%) died at 28 days, 33 (37.5%) died at 90 days. The logistic regression showed a positive effect of MEDS score (p=0.006; OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.08-1.49), and a negative effect of low vitamin D levels (p=0.008, OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72-0.94) on mortality. Moreover, the cut-off of 7 points for MEDS score and of 7 ng/ml for vitamin D levels significantly predicted poor prognosis at 28 and 90 days.MEDS score and vitamin D levels represent independent predictors of mortality in a cohort of Internal Medicine septic patients. Further studies on larger samples are needed to confirm our results and to clarify the pathophysiological mechanisms at the basis of vitamin D deficiency as a predictor of mortality in septic patients.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:19:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) The objective of this research was to evaluate the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) balance of the following lipid sources: soybean oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, and fish oil. Two hundred eighty 24-wk-old laying hens of the Hysex White were used. The experimental diets consisted of a basal diet (reference group), basal diet + 10% soybean oil addition (group 1), basal diet + 10% sunflower oil addition (group 2), basal diet + 10% linseed oil addition (group 3), and basal diet + 10% fish oil addition (group 4), distributed in a completely randomized design with seven replicates and eight birds per experimental unit. The metabolic assay was performed by the total excreta collection method. The AMEn values found in the natural material were 9 334 kcal kg −1 for soybean oil, 10 533 kcal kg −1 for sunflower oil, 10 928 kcal kg −1 for linseed oil, and 9 005 kcal kg −1 for fish oil. The AMEn were different among the lipid sources. Sunflower oil and linseed oil had higher AMEn compared with soybean oil and fish oil (P < 0.05). The AMEn of the lipid sources of plant origin had higher values than the gross energy. The fatty acid profile of each lipid source was presented in this work. Thus, it is important to have individual nutritional information for each type of oil for laying hens, making it possible to formulate more appropriate and accurate feed. College of Technology and Agricultural Sciences (FCAT) São Paulo State University UNESP, Rodovia Comandante João Ribeiro de Barros, km 651 Department of Biology College of Engineering of Ilha Solteira São Paulo State University UNESP, Avenida Brasil Sul, 56 — Centro College of Technology and Agricultural Sciences (FCAT) São Paulo State University UNESP, Rodovia Comandante João Ribeiro de Barros, km 651 Department of Biology College of Engineering of Ilha Solteira São Paulo State University UNESP, Avenida Brasil Sul, 56 — Centro FAPESP: 2015/14423-6

Introduction et but de l’etude Avec l’allongement de l’esperance de vie, une population de plus en plus âgee necessite une chirurgie avec prise en charge nutritionnelle perioperatoire. On sait peu de choses sur l’effet combine de l’âge et du stress sur le metabolisme des acides amines (AA) apportes par la nutrition enterale (NE). En outre, les benefices respectifs de l’apport de proteines entieres ou d’hydrolysats de proteines lors de la NE demandent a etre plus precisement evalues dans le contexte du vieillissement intestinal et de la sequestration splanchnique des AA. Ces questions ont ete adressees chez des rats âges ou adultes soumis a une NE continue de 24 heures avant et apres un stress chirurgical standardise. Materiel et methodes Trente-deux rats mâles Sprague-Dawley âges de 5 ou 21 mois ont ete utilises. Apres acclimatation, une sonde de gastrostomie et un catheter jugulaire ont ete mis en place et les animaux ont beneficie d’une semaine de recuperation. Ensuite, les animaux ont ete nourris par voie enterale (317 kJ/24 h et 4,15 g de proteines/24 h) pendant 24 heures avant (etat sain) et 18 heures apres une laparotomie standardisee (stress operatoire). Ils ont recu une NE standard apportant soit des proteines entieres de lait soit un hydrolysat de lactoserum (Sondalis HP ou Peptamen HN, Nestle Health Science respectivement). Des echantillons de sang ont ete preleves a plusieurs reprises pour la mesure des concentrations plasmatiques des AA et le calcul de l’enrichissement et de l’aire incrementale sous la courbe (iAUC) pendant chaque periode de NE. Les animaux ont ete mis a mort a la fin de la 2e periode de NE. Analyse statistique : ANOVA a trois facteurs (source de proteines, âge et stress) et ANOVA a trois facteurs pour mesures repetees ; seuil de significativite : p Resultats et analyse statistique Quelles que soient les conditions, la NE est associee a un enrichissement plasmatique important (+50 a 150 μmol/l ; p Conclusion La disponibilite plasmatique des AA au cours d’une NE continue est determinee d’abord par la nature de l’apport en proteines et ensuite par l’existence d’un stress. Les effets du vieillissement semblent tres limites. Le vieillissement ne semble pas avoir d’effet negatif sur la disponibilite postoperatoire des AA, qu’il s’agisse d’un hydrolysat proteique ou de proteines entieres.

The CUORE experiment, a ton-scale cryogenic bolometer array, recently began operation at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. The array represents a significant advancement in this technology, and in this work we apply it for the first time to a high-sensitivity search for a lepton-number-violating process: ^{130}Te neutrinoless double-beta decay. Examining a total TeO_{2} exposure of 86.3 kg yr, characterized by an effective energy resolution of (7.7±0.5) keV FWHM and a background in the region of interest of (0.014±0.002) counts/(keV kg yr), we find no evidence for neutrinoless double-beta decay. Including systematic uncertainties, we place a lower limit on the decay half-life of T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.3×10^{25} yr (90% C.L.); the median statistical sensitivity of this search is 7.0×10^{24} yr. Combining this result with those of two earlier experiments, Cuoricino and CUORE-0, we find T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.5×10^{25} yr (90% C.L.), which is the most stringent limit to date on this decay. Interpreting this result as a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass, we find m_{ββ}