Summary Objectives To evaluate the efficacy in vitro and in vivo of a new antibacterial suture (PGAB) compared with a traditional braided suture (PG). Our primary goals were to study microbiological ...effectiveness and impact on wound healing of PGAB vs PG. Secondary goal was to analyze influence on inflammatory response. Methods In vitro study: clinical samples of Staphylococcus epidermidis , Staphylococcus aureus , S. hominis , Staphylococcus haemolyticus , Staphylococcus auricularis , Enterococcus faecalis , Corynebacterium spp. and Escherichia coli were studied. We also implanted a flat mesh in 10 minipigs, four incisions each (two PG and two PGAB) two contaminated with S. epidermidis and two not contaminated. Finally, we performed four colic anastomosis in each of 10 minipigs, two contaminated with E. coli and two not contaminated (two PG and two PGAB). We studied the inflammatory and wound healing processes in both models. Results We observed a bactericidal efficacy of PGAB against grampositive, and bacteriostatic effect against E. coli . Mesh study: recovered CFU were lower in the group PGAB vs PG. In the group PGAB, inflammatory mediators' concentrations were lower. In the group PGAB, concentrations of wound healing mediators were normal. Colic anastomosis: recovered CFU were lower in the group PGAB vs the group PG. In the group PGAB we observed a reduction of inflammatory mediators. In the group PGAB we observed normalized concentrations of wound healing mediators. Conclusions This study demonstrates microbiological efficacy of PGAB, that normalizes wound healing process, and an anti-inflammatory effect.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Cyanotoxins, a kind of poisonous substances produced by cyanobacteria, are responsible for health risks in drinking and recreational waters. As a result, anticipate its presence is a matter of ...importance to prevent risks. The aim of this study is to use a hybrid approach based on support vector regression (SVR) in combination with genetic algorithms (GAs), known as a genetic algorithm support vector regression (GA–SVR) model, in forecasting the cyanotoxins presence in the Trasona reservoir (Northern Spain). The GA-SVR approach is aimed at highly nonlinear biological problems with sharp peaks and the tests carried out proved its high performance. Some physical–chemical parameters have been considered along with the biological ones. The results obtained are two-fold. In the first place, the significance of each biological and physical–chemical variable on the cyanotoxins presence in the reservoir is determined with success. Finally, a predictive model able to forecast the possible presence of cyanotoxins in a short term was obtained.
► A hybrid GA–SVR model is built as a predictive model of cyanotoxins presence. ► Cyanobacterial HABs are dangerous for environment and people in fresh waters. ► Biological and physical. ► chemical variables in this process are studied in depth. ► The obtained regression accuracy of our method is 98%. ► The results show that GA–SVR model can assist in the diagnosis of cyanotoxins.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
ABSTRACT
We present the first results of K2-OjOS, a collaborative project between professional and amateur astronomers primarily aimed to detect, characterize, and validate new extrasolar planets. ...For this work, 10 amateur astronomers looked for planetary signals by visually inspecting the 20 427 light curves of K2 campaign 18 (C18). They found 42 planet candidates, of which 18 are new detections and 24 had been detected in the overlapping C5 by previous works. We used archival photometric and spectroscopic observations, as well as new high-spatial resolution images in order to carry out a complete analysis of the candidates found, including a homogeneous characterization of the host stars, transit modelling, search for transit timing variations and statistical validation. As a result, we report four new planets (K2-355 b, K2-356 b, K2-357 b, and K2-358 b) and 14 planet candidates. Besides, we refine the transit ephemeris of the previously published planets and candidates by modelling C5, C16 (when available) and C18 photometric data jointly, largely improving the period and mid-transit time precision. Regarding individual systems, we highlight the new planet K2-356 b and candidate EPIC 211537087.02 being near a 2:1 period commensurability, the detection of significant TTVs in the bright star K2-184 (V = 10.35), the location of K2-103 b inside the habitable zone according to optimistic models, the detection of a new single transit in the known system K2-274, and the disposition reassignment of K2-120 b, which we consider as a planet candidate as the origin of the signal cannot be ascertained.
Although multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) has demonstrated clinical relevance in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)/myeloma, immunophenotypic studies on the full spectrum of ...Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia (WM) remain scanty. Herein, a comprehensive MFC analysis on bone marrow samples from 244 newly diagnosed patients with an immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal protein was performed, including 67 IgM-MGUS, 77 smoldering and 100 symptomatic WM. Our results show a progressive increase on the number and light-chain-isotype-positive B-cells from IgM-MGUS to smoldering and symptomatic WM (P<.001), with only 1% of IgM-MGUS patients showing >10% B cells or 100% light-chain-isotype-positive B-cells (P<.001). Complete light-chain restriction of the B-cell compartment was an independent prognostic factor for time-to progression in smoldering WM (median 26 months; HR: 19.8, P=0.001) and overall survival in symptomatic WM (median 44 months; HR: 2.6, P=0.004). The progressive accumulation of light-chain-isotype-positive B-cells accompanied the emergence of a characteristic Waldenstrom's phenotype (CD22(+dim) / CD25+ /CD27+ / IgM+) that differed from other B-NHL by negative expression of CD5, CD10, CD11c or CD103. In contrast to myeloma, light-chain-isotype-positive plasma cells in IgM monoclonal gammopathies show otherwise normal antigenic expression. Our results highlight the potential value of MFC immunophenotyping for the characterization of the Waldenström's clone, as well as for the differential diagnosis, risk of progression and survival in WM.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
A large and uncontrolled fire of a tire landfill started in Seseña (Toledo, Spain) on May 13, 2016. An experimental deployment was immediately launched in the area for measuring regulated and ...non-standard air quality parameters to assess the potential impact of the plume at local and regional levels. Outdoor and indoor measurements of different parameters were carried out at a near school, approximately 700m downwind the burning tires. Real time measurements of ambient black carbon (BC) and total number particle concentrations were identified as good tracers of the smoke plume. Simultaneous peaks allowed us to characterize situations of the plume impact on the site. Outdoor total particle number concentrations reached in these occasions 3.8×105particlescm−3 (on a 10min resolution) whereas the indoor concentration was one order of magnitude lower. BC mass concentrations in ambient air were in the range of 2 to 7μgm−3, whereas concentrations<2μgm−3 were measured indoor. Indoor and outdoor deposited inhalable dust was sampled and chemically characterized. Both indoor and outdoor dust was enriched in tire components (Zn, sulfate) and PAHs associated to the tire combustion process. Infiltration processes have been documented for BC and particle number concentrations causing increases in indoor concentrations.
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•BC and particle number were used as tracers of the tire fire emission plume.•Infiltration processes have been documented at a school located 700m downwind the fire.•Deposited inhalable dust measured indoor and outdoor at a near school was enriched in metals and PAHs associated to tire combustion.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Recent case-series of small size implied a pathophysiological association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and severe large-vessel acute ischemic stroke. Given that severe strokes are ...typically associated with poor prognosis and can be very efficiently treated with recanalization techniques, confirmation of this putative association is urgently warranted in a large representative patient cohort to alert stroke clinicians, and inform pre- and in-hospital acute stroke patient pathways. We pooled all consecutive patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and acute ischemic stroke in 28 sites from 16 countries. To assess whether stroke severity and outcomes (assessed at discharge or at the latest assessment for those patients still hospitalized) in patients with acute ischemic stroke are different between patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19, we performed 1:1 propensity score matching analyses of our COVID-19 patients with non-COVID-19 patients registered in the Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne Registry between 2003 and 2019. Between January 27, 2020, and May 19, 2020, 174 patients (median age 71.2 years; 37.9% females) with COVID-19 and acute ischemic stroke were hospitalized (median of 12 patients per site). The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 10 (interquartile range IQR, 4–18). In the 1:1 matched sample of 336 patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19, the median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was higher in patients with COVID-19 (10 IQR, 4–18 versus 6 IQR, 3–14), P=0.03; (odds ratio, 1.69 95% CI, 1.08–2.65 for higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score). There were 48 (27.6%) deaths, of which 22 were attributed to COVID-19 and 26 to stroke. Among 96 survivors with available information about disability status, 49 (51%) had severe disability at discharge. In the propensity score-matched population (n=330), patients with COVID-19 had higher risk for severe disability (median mRS 4 IQR, 2–6 versus 2 IQR, 1–4, P<0.001) and death (odds ratio, 4.3 95% CI, 2.22–8.30) compared with patients without COVID-19. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 associated ischemic strokes are more severe with worse functional outcome and higher mortality than non-COVID-19 ischemic strokes.
We report the preparation of micro-/mesoporous carbon monolithic xerogels by means of a two-step approach that comprises (1) hydrothermal carbonization of glucose in the presence of graphene oxide ...(GO) sheets as morphology-directing agents and (2) chemical activation of the resulting hydrothermal carbon (HTC) xerogels with KOH. The as-prepared HTC xerogels were made up of a random assembly of thin (<30nm) carbon platelets, which were interpreted to arise via dehydration and condensation reactions of glucose at catalytically active (acidic) sites present on the surface of GO. The chemical activation afforded xerogels with large surface areas and pore volumes (up to ∼2000m2g−1 and 1.15cm3g−1, respectively) and a cellular morphology, which could be attributed to the combined effect of the activating agent and the unusual, compliant nature of the HTC xerogel. Additionally, the use of different activation conditions allowed fine-tuning the porous texture of the activated xerogels. Finally, the activated carbon xerogels displayed CO2 uptake capacities up to 4.9mmolg−1 at 0°C and 1bar, as well as an efficient performance (between 600 and 700mgg−1) in the adsorption of bulky dyes, thus demonstrating their application potential.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Objectives
We tested the effects of a weight-loss intervention encouraging energy-reduced MedDiet and physical activity (PA) in comparison to
ad libitum
MedDiet on COVID-19 incidence in older adults.
...Design
Secondary analysis of PREDIMED-Plus, a prospective, ongoing, multicentre randomized controlled trial.
Setting
Community-dwelling, free-living participants in PREDIMED-Plus trial.
Participants
6,874 Spanish older adults (55–75 years, 49% women) with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Intervention
Participants were randomised to Intervention (IG) or Control (CG) Group. IG received intensive behavioural intervention for weight loss with an energy-reduced MedDiet intervention and PA promotion. CG was encouraged to consume
ad libitum
MedDiet without PA recommendations.
Measurements
COVID-19 was ascertained by an independent Event Committee until December 31, 2021. COX regression models compared the effect of PREDIMED-Plus interventions on COVID-19 risk.
Results
Overall, 653 COVID-19 incident cases were documented (IG:317; CG:336) over a median (IQR) follow-up of 5.8 (1.3) years (inclusive of 4.0 (1.2) years before community transmission of COVID-19) in both groups. A significantly lowered risk of COVID-19 incidence was not evident in IG, compared to CG (fully-adjusted HR (95% CI): 0.96 (0.81,1.12)).
Conclusions
There was no evidence to show that an intensive weight-loss intervention encouraging energy-reduced MedDiet and PA significantly lowered COVID-19 risk in older adults with overweight/ obesity and metabolic syndrome in comparison to
ad libitum
MedDiet. Recommendations to improve adherence to MedDiet provided with or without lifestyle modification suggestions for weight loss may have similar effects in protecting against COVID-19 risk in older adults with high cardiovascular risks.
Atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of ischemic syndromes such as myocardial infarction or brain stroke, mainly promoted by plaque rupture and subsequent arterial blockade. Identification of ...vulnerable or high-risk plaques constitutes a major challenge, being necessary to identify patients at risk of occlusive events in order to provide them with appropriate therapies. Clinical imaging tools have allowed the identification of certain structural indicators of prone-rupture plaques, including a necrotic lipidic core, intimal and adventitial inflammation, extracellular matrix dysregulation, and smooth muscle cell depletion and micro-calcification. Additionally, alternative approaches focused on identifying molecular biomarkers of atherosclerosis have also been applied. Among them, proteomics has provided numerous protein markers currently investigated in clinical practice. In this regard, it is quite uncertain that a single molecule can describe plaque rupture, due to the complexity of the process itself. Therefore, it should be more accurate to consider a set of markers to define plaques at risk. Herein, we propose a selection of 76 proteins, from classical inflammatory to recently related markers, all of them identified in at least two proteomic studies analyzing unstable atherosclerotic plaques. Such panel could be used as a prognostic signature of plaque instability.
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•Atheroma plaque rupture is responsible of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction.•It is compulsory to identify patients at risk to avoid such acute events.•A single marker cannot explain the complex process of plaque rupture.•Herein, a panel of protein markers related to plaque vulnerability is shown.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
We studied the association of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups with weight and body mass index (BMI) gain at 96 weeks in 1,019 treatment-naïve persons with HIV (PWH) who initiated first-line ...antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2014. The mean increase in weight and BMI over the study period was 2.90 Kg and 0.98 Kg/m2, respectively. We found a significant adjusted association between the major UK mtDNA haplogroup and lower weight and BMI increase at 96 weeks after ART initiation. Our findings reveal a potential role for mitochondrial genetics in the complex phenomenon of weight gain after initial ART in PWH.
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