Search

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapies for solid tumors face critical challenges such as heterogeneous antigen expression. We characterized SSEA-4 cell-surface glycolipid as a target for CAR-T cell therapy. SSEA-4 is mainly expressed during embryogenesis but is also found in several cancer types making it an attractive tumor-associated antigen. Anti-SSEA-4 CAR-T cells were generated and assessed pre-clinicallyin vitroandin vivofor anti-tumor response and safety. SSEA-4 CAR-T cells effectively eliminated SSEA-4 positive cells in all tested cancer cell lines whereas SSEA-4 negative cells lines were not targeted.In vivoefficacy and safety studies using NSG mice and the high-grade serous ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR4 demonstrated a remarkable and specific anti-tumor response at all CAR-T cell doses used. At high T cell doses, CAR-T cell-treated mice showed signs of health deterioration after a follow-up period. However, severity of toxicity was reduced with delayed onset when lower CAR-T cell doses were used. Our data demonstrate the efficacy of anti-SSEA-4 CAR-T therapy; however, safety strategies, such as dose-limiting and/or equipping CAR-T cells with combinatorial antigen recognition should be implemented for its potential clinical translation.

Optimising therapeutic strategies of intermediate-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (IR-NMIBC) is needed.To compare recurrence-free survival (RFS) with adjuvant intravesical mitomycin C (MMC) at normothermia or hyperthermia using the COMBAT bladder recirculation system at 43 °C for 30 and 60 min.A prospective open-label, phase 3 randomised controlled trial (HIVEC-1) accrued across 13 centres between 2014 and 2020 in Spain. After complete transurethral resection of the bladder and immediate postoperative MMC instillation, patients with IR-NMIBC were randomised (1:1:1) to four weekly followed by three monthly 40-mg MMC instillations at normothermia (control; n = 106), 43 °C for 30 min (n = 107), or 43 °C for 60 min (n = 106) were investigated. Therapeutic compliance was defined as four or more instillations.The primary outcome was RFS at 24 mo in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) populations. The secondary outcomes included progression-free survival at 24 mo, safety outcome measures, and changes in health-related quality of life. Log-rank, Fisher, χThe ITT 24-mo RFS was 77% for control, 82% for 43 °C-30 min, and 80% for 43 °C-60 min (p = 0.6). The PP 24-mo RFS was 77% for control, 83% for 43 °C-30 min, and 80% for 43 °C-60 min (p = 0.59). Six patients progressed to muscle-invasive disease in the ITT population (four in the control, 43 °C-30 min, and 43 °C-60 min groups each) and four in the PP population (all controls). Serious adverse events occurred in 26 patients (8.1%), and we were unable to demonstrate a difference between groups (p = 0.5). Adverse events, mainly dysuria and spasms, occurred in 124 patients (33% in control, 35% in 43 °C-30 min, and 48% in 43 °C-60 min; p = 0.05). The total International Prostate Symptom Score worsened by 1.2 ± 7.3 points, similarly across groups (p = 0.29). The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bladder domains and indexes showed no significant change.Four-month adjuvant hyperthermic MMC using the COMBAT system for 30 and 60 min in IR-NMIBC is well tolerated, but we did not find it to be superior to normothermic MMC at 24 mo.We were unable to demonstrate the effectiveness of hyperthermia using the COMBAT system in intermediate-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Further evaluation of long-term recurrence and progression, and maintenance regimens appears mandatory.

The biomass conversion technologies, especially different types of pyrolysis, have been intensively studied to improve biomass energy transformation suggesting a low impact on the environment. In particular, fast pyrolysis of biomass is considered to be a thermal process in which the starting material is converted to bio-oil, char and gas products. In this work, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the gaseous fraction of peanut shells fast pyrolysis were collected and identified at atmospheric pressure. Aromatic compounds, hydrocarbons, furans and other oxygenated compounds were identified using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (CG-MS) as a detection system. The composition of volatiles was analyzed and compared with the constituents of liquid fraction for comparative purposes. Atmospheric implications of the main compounds identified in the gases fraction were assessed by determining tropospheric lifetimes of the VOCs identified and its impact on environment at the local, regional or global scale.

In this work, the biocarbons synthesized by fast pyrolysis at 350°C of raw (BK) and H3PO4 treated (TBK) fibrous fraction of non-bleached softwood kraft pulp has been proposed as novel supports for the deposition of PtNi nanocatalysts. The bimetallic nanoparticles were deposited by pulse microwave-assisted reduction using ethylene glycol both as solvent and reducing agent. The physicochemical properties of the resulting materials were evaluated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), whereas the electrochemical activity towards ethanol oxidation in acid medium was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). Nanosized PtNi particles with average diameters in the range of 2.9-4.1 nm and a nickel content of ca. 30 at. % were deposited over both softwood kraft pulp-derived carbon materials. The electrochemical measurements showed that the bimetallic nanoparticles deposited over the acid-treated biocarbon (PtNi/TBK) exhibit superior catalytic performance in terms of activity, onset potential, and poisoning tolerance. The mass activity of the PtNi nanocatalyst supported over TBK was about 1.3 and 6.3 times higher than that of the bimetallic nanoparticles deposited onto BK and Pt/C, respectively. The effect of the carbonaceous material on the electrocatalytic activity is discussed in detail. Fil: Nieva Lobos, María Luz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina Fil: Sieben, Juan Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Ingeniería Electroquímica y Corrosión; Argentina Fil: Moyano, Elizabeth Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina

Several studies have shown that pyrolysis conditions and feedstocks are the key factors infuencing biochar chemical and physical properties. The information on the nature of biochar is quite important, especially when this carbonaceous material is intended to be used as a potential soil amendment. In this study, we investigated the formation and characterisation of biochars produced from vacuum pyrolysis of sunfower seed shells (SSS), peanut shells (PS) and Spirulina algae (Sp) at 280 °C (for SSS, PS and Sp) and 350 °C (for PS). As a proxy to test the potential of each biochar assoil amendment, we assessed the germination and growth efects of the biochar water-extractable substances (BWES) at diferent concentrations (10; 7.5; 5; and 2.5% w/v) on Lactuca sativa. Results showed that the biochar from pyrolysis of PS at 280 °C would be the most suitable soil amendment, since its BWES did not afect germination and exhibited a remarkable growth-promoting efect (50?100%) on roots and stems of L. sativa. In contrast, BWES from SSS, Sp and certain concentrations of PS produced at 350 °C inhibited growth of Lactuca sativa, and particularly BWES of Spirulina dramatically reduced germination, posing a risk for direct application as soil amendment.The presence of carbonyl derivatives in the BWES from PS may be linked to the stimulatory efects of this extract. Aromatics could be responsible for the germination and growth inhibition in the BWES of SSS, while nitrogen organic compounds would enhance the inhibitory efect in BWES from Sp. Fil: Silva, Mariana Paola. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biociencias Agrícolas; Argentina Fil: Nieva Lobos, María Luz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina Fil: Piloni, Roxana Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina Fil: Dusso, Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biodiversidad y Biotecnologia. Grupo de Investigacion En Quimica Analitica y Modelado Molecular.; Argentina Fil: González Quijón, María E.. Universidad de la Frontera, Chile; Chile Fil: Scopel, Ana Leonor. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biociencias Agrícolas; Argentina Fil: Moyano, Elizabeth Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina

[EN] The pyrochlores (HO)SbTeO (x = 1, 1.1 and 1.25) obtained by ion exchange from KSbTeO oxides were used as catalysts for the conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in HO/Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). The structure of the resulting compounds as well as the location of the HO units inside the three-dimensional network, were determined by XRD from powder samples. The effect of factors such as reaction time and temperature on the formation of HMF was studied. A fructose conversion of 99% and a yield of 59% were achieved after 120 min of reaction time and at 150 °C temperature. The percentage of substitution of the cations Sb and Te in the position B of the pyrochlore was determinant to achieve the maximum incorporation of HO ions in the pyrochlore structure, which allowed to correlate the density of acidic sites present in the materials and their catalytic activity., The authors acknowledge financial support from Comunidad de Madrid(Spain) (RESTOENE-2-CMS2013/MAE-2882project) and CSIC(Spain) (201880E029 project). The financial support of Spanish MINECO to the project MAT2017-84496-R

The synthesis, in vitro ligand binding study and in vivo Elevated Plus Maze test (EPM) of a series of pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones (PQs) are reported. Multistep synthesis of PQs started from anilines and diethyl 2-(ethoxymethylene)malonate to give the quinolin-4-one nucleus, via the Gould-Jacobs reaction. These quinolinones were transformed to 4-chloroquinolines, which react with aryl-hydrazines affording the final compounds. PQs exhibited different potency in displacing specific [3H]Flunitrazepam binding from the benzodiazepine binding site at the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAA-R) depending on the substitution of the pyrazoloquinolone nucleus. PCA helped determine how different substituents contributed to the differential behavior of the PQs studied. Compounds with high affinity for the GABAA-R were tested regarding their anxiolytic properties in Wistar adult male rats using the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM). Thus, PQs with a p-methoxy phenyl group at N-1 (7b-ii and 7c-ii) displayed a remarkable anxiolytic activity at low doses (0.5–1.0 mg/kg). Meanwhile, PQs featuring an unsubstituted phenyl (7b-i) or p-fluoro phenyl group (7b-iii) at the N-1 showed anxiogenic effects in the EPM test. Fil: Lopez Rivilli, Marisa Juana. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina Fil: Turina, Anahi del Valle. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Departamento de Química. Cátedra de Química Biológica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina Fil: Bignante, Elena Anahi. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Argentina Fil: Cena Molina, Victor Hugo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Argentina Fil: Perillo, Maria Angelica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Departamento de Química. Cátedra de Química Biológica; Argentina Fil: Briñon, Margarita Cristina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Argentina Fil: Moyano, Elizabeth Laura. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina

Fil: Colomer, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Fisico-quimica de Cordoba. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Fisico-quimica de Cordoba; Argentina

Objectives: Testing is widely accepted as critical to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. To understand the dynamics of tests conducted could help to assess a country response to the pandemic. In that sense, our aim was to verify if there is a relationship between pandemic dynamics and molecular tests conducted in Colombia. Methods: We retrieved publicly available data from The Colombian National Institute of Health from March 2 to December 31, 2020, on testing and outcomes related to COVID-19. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between molecular tests conducted per 100000 persons and death or incidence rate per 100000 people of every department of Colombia. To assess if there a cyclic relationship between the daily number of molecular tests and daily COVID-19 cases in Colombia, we executed a cointegration analysis and evaluated the hypothesis with an augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test. A critical value of -3.42 for rejecting the null hypothesis at 5% was used. Results: There was a positive correlation between molecular tests conducted and COVID-19 incidence and death rate (r = 0.79, p < 0.01 and r = 0.64, p < 0.01, respectively). The cointegration (ADF) test revealed a statistically significant and closely time-dependent stochastic structure between daily COVID-19 cases and number of molecular tests (ADF, -3.50;p < 0.01). Conclusions: In Colombia, the molecular tests conducted are reactive to COVID-19 incidence and, in contrast to other scenarios, the molecular testing increase does not reduce COVID-19 incidence or mortality.

BACKGROUND Surgical environments require special aseptic conditions for direct interaction with the preoperative images. We aim to test the feasibility of using a set of gesture control sensors combined with voice control to interact in a sterile manner with preoperative information and an integrated operating room (OR) during laparoscopic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two hepatectomies and two partial nephrectomies were performed by three experienced surgeons in a porcine model. The Kinect, Leap Motion, and MYO armband in combination with voice control were used as natural user interfaces (NUIs). After surgery, surgeons completed a questionnaire about their experience. RESULTS Surgeons required

Se ha utilizado la dieta de nuestros alumnos como punto de partida para que éstos desarrollen una serie de competencias. Por una parte, se ha pretendido el fomento del trabajo en grupo, la búsqueda de información en bases de datos no habituales en el mundo científico, y la presentación adecuada de resultados. Los alumnos han recopilado datos acerca de la composición, la funcionalidad y la aportación energética de los alimentos de su dieta diaria, tanto de los componentes principales (carbohidratos, proteínas, lípidos, vitaminas y minerales), como de los aditivos alimentarios utilizados en la Industria Agroalimentaria. Además, los alumnos con este trabajo han podido desarrollar las competencias de igualdad de género y comprobar que la dieta no depende del género de la persona, sino más bien de los hábitos personales. Asimismo, los alumnos han demostrado que la alimentación de los estudiantes universitarios no es adecuada y sería necesario realizar programas de salud para fomentar una mejor alimentación.

The utilization of low-value, abundant and sustainable biomass materials for high-value energy storage application is remarkable important nowadays. Among the most promising next generation energy storage batteries, we can find lithium-sulfur batteries that have a high theoretical specific capacity and high energy density. In the present article we propose the use of peanut shells, a regional industrial waste of high availability and polluting level, as a source of carbonaceous material for the preparation of sulfur cathode of this kind of batteries. Different carbon were obtained from pyrolysis of peanut shells by changing the conditions of the synthesis, which was performed through acid or basic pre-treatment of the biomass. The effects of these treatments in the physical characteristics of the carbonaceous materials and their performance as cathodes in lithium-sulfur batteries were studied. Chemical treatments of shells before pyrolysis as well as the post-pyrolysis treatment of the produced carbon have influence on the porosity of the final materials and therefore on their electrochemical performance. The best electrode carbon was obtained from acid-treated peanut shells (and washed after pyrolysis) obtaining an initial specific capacity of 778 mAh/g with high cycling stability and a coulombic efficiency higher than 95%. We also compare the performance of the best peanut shells-derived biocarbon with one commercial carbon (Super P). In this work, we study a simple route to develop low-cost carbon materials arising from residual biomass which may extend their use in energy storage applications.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and associated factors to psychotic substance use in low-income adolescents from the Caribbean region of Colombia Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted. Adolescents between 10-24 years of age residents in 21 municipalities were randomly selected from the population affiliated to a subsidized-regime insurance company between 2014-2018. A previously constructed questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding sociodemographic variables and potential risk factors. Prevalence of lifetime use of substance abuse was assessed. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to establish associated factors. Absolute and relative frequencies were compared with the Chi2 test and continuous variables were compared with the t-test. A p value

The synthesis, in vitro ligand binding study and in vivo Elevated Plus Maze test (EPM) of a series of pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones (PQs) are reported. Multistep synthesis of PQs started from anilines and diethyl 2-(ethoxymethylene)malonate to give the quinolin-4-one nucleus, via the Gould-Jacobs reaction. These quinolinones were transformed to 4-chloroquinolines, which react with aryl-hydrazines affording the final compounds. PQs exhibited different potency in displacing specific [

Automatic segmentation of organs in CT scans is a field of rising interest for the generation of 3D models that can help surgery planning, training and support during surgical procedures. However, the reconstruction and visualization of 3D models of organs with vascular structures present several modelling problems. In this chapter, we review these problems and describe a methodology that allows for the reconstruction to be automatic. In particular this chapter describes and illustrates: how to transform and extract 3D geometry from sets of planar contours/polygons annotated on DICOM images, a solution for enforcing polygon vertex order consistency, polygon triangulation by ear clipping and respective inner angle calculation for irregular polygons, a polygon tiling algorithm for stitching contours in adjacent slices, a file format for storing multiple polygons per slice and support for storing their correspondences with other polygons in other slices. Finally, we show how these algorithms can be used together to build different reconstruction solutions: surface-based reconstruction for organs with simple topology, composite surfaces for organs with branching, single surface with branching and polygon extrusion for topologically complex vascular structures. We conclude by showing how organs and vascular structures can be viewed together using transparency.

During its four years of photometric observations, the Kepler space telescope detected thousands of exoplanets and exoplanet candidates. One of Kepler's greatest heritages has been the confirmation and characterization of hundreds of multi-planet systems via Transit Timing Variations (TTVs). However, there are many interesting candidate systems displaying TTVs on such long time scales that the existing Kepler observations are of insufficient length to confirm and characterize them by means of this technique. To continue with Kepler's unique work we have organized the "Kepler Object of Interest Network" (KOINet). The goals of KOINet are, among others, to complete the TTV curves of systems where Kepler did not cover the interaction timescales well. KOINet has been operational since March, 2014. Here we show some promising first results obtained from analyzing seven primary transits of KOI-0410.01, KOI-0525.01, KOI-0760.01, and KOI-0902.01 in addition to Kepler data, acquired during the first and second observing seasons of KOINet. While carefully choosing the targets we set demanding constraints about timing precision (at least 1 minute) and photometric precision (as good as 1 part per thousand) that were achieved by means of our observing strategies and data analysis techniques. For KOI-0410.01, new transit data revealed a turn-over of its TTVs. We carried out an in-depth study of the system, that is identified in the NASA's Data Validation Report as false positive. Among others, we investigated a gravitationally-bound hierarchical triple star system, and a planet-star system. While the simultaneous transit fitting of ground and space-based data allowed for a planet solution, we could not fully reject the three-star scenario. New data, already scheduled in the upcoming 2018 observing season, will set tighter constraints on the nature of the system., 22 figures

Different imaging modalities (MRI/CT) are used to analyse/plan complex surgical procedures in order to minimize risks and complications. Although there are numerous computer tools for preoperative assistance (VR/AR simulators, 3D printed implants), intraoperative systems are less common, specifically for soft tissue related interventions. For this reason, this paper is focused on 3D reconstruction. The proposed reconstruction combines a surface approach for organs and a block approach for vascular networks. Layered closed surface(s) represent an organ and stacks of extruded individual contour blocks represent the vascular networks. The authors use IGSTK to show that their approach improves shape and transparency results when compared with other modelling methods and to communicate with trackers. With their method polygon contour correspondence/branching between slices is implicit/automatic, saving time; they show that traditional tiling problems become visually negligible. The authors' novel file format allows polygons segmented by other tools to be reconstructed in their contour annotation tool which uses VTK.

The catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose and phosphoric acid pretreated cellulose was investigated. The thermal processes were carried out applying two different methodologies: conventional fast pyrolysis and microwave-induced pyrolysis. For the catalytic experiments different catalysts were evaluated: CeO2, Nb2O5, SiO2, high surface area SiO2, Si-MCM-48 and Al-Fe-MCM- 48. In all cases the liquid fraction was evaluated by quantifying the yields of anhydrosugars (mainly levoglucosan, levoglucosenone and 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-a-Dglucopyranose) and aromatic hydrocarbons. In the reaction of microcrystalline cellulose levoglucosan was the main product, while levoglucosenone was predominant in the pyrolysis of phosphoric acid pretreated cellulose. Catalysts improved the fraction of bio-oil and the product distribution depended on the nature of catalytic materials as well as the starting cellulose. On the other hand, the microwave induced pyrolysis favored the formation of char at expenses of liquid fraction. In this case levoglucosenone and other anhydrosugars in conjunction with furan compounds were the main products. Fil: Nieva Lobos, María Luz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahia Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química (I). Grupo Vinculado al Plapiqui - Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Química; Argentina Fil: Volpe, María Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahia Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química (I). Grupo Vinculado al Plapiqui - Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Química; Argentina Fil: Moyano, Elizabeth Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina

Background: Minimally Invasive Surgery has revolutionized the surgical practice for the last years but it presents specific training processes. At the same time, e-Learning platforms and multimedia contents are now having great success within teaching processes in different fields. Purpose: to determine perception of surgeons towards e-MIS: e-Learning and multimedia contents for minimally invasive surgery. Methods: A 19-item online survey was sent. Statistical and descriptive analyses were performed. Results: 307 surgeons responded to the survey. 99% of participants agree to include new technologies in surgical learning and 99.3% consider surgical videos as a good training tool. Conclusion: The widespread use and capabilities of e-Learning together with the use of surgical videos within the surgical learning process makes possible creating new technological systems and tools that address current problems in surgical training derived from time constraints and patient safety concerns.

In the present study, the biochar produced by fast pyrolysis at 350 C of untreated and acid treated cellulose are evaluated as supports of CueRu@Pt core-shell nanoparticles (2.9 e3.5 nm) for the electro-oxidation of methanol in acid media. Carbon materials and the supported core-shell nanoparticles were characterized by physicochemical and electrochemical techniques. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to study the activity of the catalysts. The nanocatalyst supported onto the biochar from acid-treatedcellulose exhibited high electroactive surface area (38 m2/g) and high performance in the methanol electro-oxidation reaction, reaching TON values of 0.151 molec. (sites s)1 at 0.5 V. This contribution provides a new approach for the utilization of an inexpensivecarbon material precursor as cellulose to design alternative catalytic systems and their emerging applications in electrocatalysis. Fil: Nieva Lobos, María Luz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina Fil: Sieben, Juan Manuel. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Ingeniería Electroquímica y Corrosión; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Comignani, Vanina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Ingeniería Electroquímica y Corrosión; Argentina Fil: Duarte, Marta María Elena. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Ingeniería Electroquímica y Corrosión; Argentina Fil: Volpe, María Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina Fil: Moyano, Elizabeth Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina

Orthopaedic surgeries are characterized by a high degree of complexity. This is reflected by four main groups of resources: 1) surgical team which is consisted of people with different competencies, educational backgrounds and positions; 2) information and knowledge about medical and technical aspects of surgery; 3) medical equipment including surgical tools and materials; 4) space infrastructure which is important from an operating room layout point of view. These all components must be integrated and build a homogeneous organism for achieving an efficient and ergonomically correct surgical workflow. Taking this as a background, there was formulated a concept of international project, called "Online Vocational Training course on ergonomics for orthopaedic Minimally Invasive" (Train4OrthoMIS), which aim is to develop an e-learning tool available in 4 languages (English, Spanish, Polish and German). In the article, there is presented the first project research outcomes focused on three aspects: 1) ergonomic needs of surgeons who work in hospitals around different European countries, 2) the concept of structure of e-learning course, 3) the definition of tools and methods for knowledge assessment adjusted to users' expectation. The methodology was based on the expert panels and two types of surveys: 1) on training needs, 2) on evaluation and self-assessment preferences. The major findings of the study allowed describing the subjects of four training modules and learning sessions. According to peoples' opinion there were defined most expected test methods which are single choice test and right after quizzes: "True or False" and "Link elements" The first project outcomes confirmed the necessity of creating a universal training tool for orthopaedic surgeons regardless of the country in which they work. Because of limited time that surgeons have, the e-learning course should be strictly adjusted to their expectation in order to be useful., {"references":["E. M. Hudak, M. W. Perry, Outpatient minimally invasive spine surgery using endoscopy for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis among obese patients, Journal of Orthopaedics, 2015 Mar 3;12(3):pp 156-9","J.-Ch. Bel, J.-P. Carret, Total hip arthroplasty with minimal invasive surgery in elderly patients with neck of femur fractures: our institutional experience. Injury, Int. J. Care Injured, 2015, ,46 S1, pp 13-17","R. Venkatesh, Minimal invasive techniques in the management of tibial plateau fractures. Current Orthopaedics, 2006, 20, pp 411-417","M. Van Veelen, E. Nederlof, R. Goossens, C. Schot, J, Jakimowicz, Ergonomic problems encountered by the medical team related to products used for minimally invasive surgery. SurgEndosc, 2003, 17, pp 1077-1081","R. Berguer, Surgery and ergonomics, Archives of Surgery, 1999, 134, pp. 1011-1016","W. T. Davis, S. A. Fletcher, O. D. Guillamondegui, Musculoskeletal occupational injury among surgeons: effects for patients, providers, and institutions. J Surg Res, 2014, 189, pp. 207-212"]}

Due to limitations in conventional medical imaging and the restrictions imposed by both the anatomy and the surgical approach in pancreatic cancer, there is a need for methods to support intraoperative imaging in order to improve their accurate anatomical localization and the characterization of their nature. Laparoscopic ultrasounds (LUS) images and endoscopic videos can be used to extract useful information during the surgical procedures. A fast approach for acquiring an estimation of the tumor positioning and size through laparoscopic ultrasounds images has been developed. Based on the surgical video, endoscope 3D tracking is achieved by means of a Shape-from-Motion technique. Intraoperative imaging algorithms’ validation has been carried out in an ex vivo porcine model and results have shown the viability of exploiting them for structures characterization and their 3D reconstruction.

The pyrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose in contact with MCM-41 and Fe−, Al− and Cu− substituted samples was carried out at 400◦C in a fixed-bed glass reactor in order to obtain high bio-oils yields.The acid properties of the catalysts were determined by potentiometric titration with n-butylamine,while the redox properties were studied by TPR. BET surface area, pore volume and pore size were measured by means of N2 sorptometry. The effect of the different catalysts on the composition of the bio-oils was analyzed in the light of the characterization results. Mainly the concentration of levoglucosan(LG), levoglucosenone (LGO), 1,4:3,6-dianhydrogo-B-D-glucopyranose (DGP) and (1S,5R)-5-hydroxy-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-4-one (LAC) were measured. The presence of the solid catalysts increased theliquid formation and strongly modified the chemical composition of the bio-oils compared to the non-catalytic pyrolysis. All the catalysts decreased the production of LG and increased that of LGO, LAC and DPG. The mild acidity of the catalysts promoted dehydration reactions, while redox properties led to ahigher production of isomerization products. A much higher LGO yield was obtained over Al-MCM-41(53 wt% of cellulose is converted to LGO over this catalyst) than by non-catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose previously washed with phosphoric acid (7 wt% of washed cellulose is converted to LGO). In order to evaluate the reuse of the catalyst, the spent sample was submitted to calcination at 400◦C. The physico-chemical properties were not modified after the calcination treatment and the pyrolysis employing the spent sample led to a similar bio-oil composition (though with a smaller yield) as in the case of the fresh catalyst. A second regeneration of the catalyst diminished the specific surface area and the surface acidity.Concomitantly a notable decrease of the yield of LGO was observed. Fil: Casoni, Andrés Iván. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina Fil: Nieva, María Luz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina Fil: Moyano, Elizabeth Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentina Fil: Alvarez, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentina Fil: Diez, Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentina Fil: Dennehy, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentina Fil: Volpe, María Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina

5-Benzyl-3-phenyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one underwent thermal dehydrogenation to afford 5-benzylidene-2-thioxoimidaxolidin-4-one under microwave and flash vacuum pyrolysis conditions. A high predominance of the Z-isomer over the E-isomer of the imidazolidinone product was achieved. By using DFT and NBO calculations, the mechanism of the dehydrogenation and the selectivity were also explored.

2-Aryl-5-acroleinyl-1,2,3,4-tetrazoles (1a–d) and 2-aryl-5-butadienyl-1,2,3,4-tetrazoles (1e–g) were subjected to flash vacuum pyrolysis. Acroleinyl derivatives resulted in nitrogen extrusion to give nitrilimines followed by ring closure to give the corresponding indazoles 3a–d in good yields. On the other hand, butadiene derivatives underwent ring fragmentation to give p-substituted anilines without formation of the expected indazoles. Differences between thermal behaviour of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-acroleinyl-1,2,3,4-tetrazole (1c) and 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-acroleinyl-1,2,3-triazole (2) were studied in details. DFT calculations have been used to examine the nitrilimine and carbene nature of the intermediates involved in the thermal reactions of azolyl derivatives.

The laparoscopic suturing task is a complex procedure that requires objective assessment of surgical skills. Analysis of laparoscopic suturing task components was performed to improve current objective assessment tools.Twelve subjects participated in this study as three groups of four surgeons (novices, intermediates and experts). A box-trainer and organic tissue were used to perform the experiment while tool movements were recorded with the augmented reality haptic system. All subjects were right-handed and developed a surgeon's knot. The laparoscopic suturing procedure was decomposed into four subtasks. Different objective metrics were applied during tool-motion analysis (TMA). Statistical analysis was performed, and results from three groups were compared using the Jonckheere-Terpstra test, considering significant differences when P ≤ 0.05.Several first, second and fourth subtask metrics had significant differences between the three groups. Subtasks 1 and 2 had more significant differences in metrics than subtask 4. Almost all metrics showed superior task executions accomplished by experts (lower time, total path length and number of movements) compared with intermediates and novices.The most important subtasks during suture learning process are needle puncture and first knot. The TMA could be a useful objective assessment tool to discriminate surgical experience and could be used in the future to measure and certify surgical proficiency.