The use of conventional manufacturing methods is mainly limited by the size of the production run and the geometrical complexity of the component, and as a result we are occasionally forced to use ...processes and tools that increase the final cost of the element being produced. Additive manufacturing techniques provide major competitive advantages due to the fact that they adapt to the geometrical complexity and customised design of the part to be manufactured. The following may also be achieved according to field of application: lighter weight products, multimaterial products, ergonomic products, efficient short production runs, fewer assembly errors and, therefore, lower associated costs, lower tool investment costs, a combination of different manufacturing processes, an optimised use of materials, and a more sustainable manufacturing process. Additive manufacturing is seen as being one of the major revolutionary industrial processes of the next few years. Additive manufacturing has several alternatives ranging from simple RepRap machines to complex fused metal deposition systems. This paper will expand upon the structural design of the machines, their history, classification, the alternatives existing today, materials used and their characteristics, the technology limitations, and also the prospects that are opening up for different technologies both in the professional field of innovation and the academic field of research. It is important to say that the choice of technology is directly dependent on the particular application being planned: first the application and then the technology.
Background
Fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) are required for survival and organ formation during embryogenesis. Fgfs often execute their functions redundantly. Previous analysis of Fgf3 mutants ...revealed effects on inner ear formation and embryonic survival with incomplete penetrance.
Results
Here, we show that presence of a neomycin resistance gene (neo) replacing the Fgf3 coding region leads to reduced survival during embryogenesis and an increased penetrance of inner ear defects. Fgf3neo/neo mutants showed reduced expression of Fgf4, which is positioned in close proximity to the Fgf3 locus in the mouse genome. Conditional inactivation of Fgf4 during inner ear development on a Fgf3 null background using Fgf3/4 cis mice revealed a redundant requirement between these Fgfs during otic placode induction. In contrast, inactivation of Fgf3 and Fgf4 in the pharyngeal region where both Fgfs are also co‐expressed using a Foxg1‐Cre driver did not affect development of the pharyngeal arches. However, these mutants showed reduced perinatal survival.
Conclusions
These results highlight the importance of Fgf signaling during development. In particular, different members of the Fgf family act redundantly to guarantee inner ear formation and embryonic survival.
Key Findings
Presence of a neo gene in the Fgf3 locus affects embryonic survival and penetrance of inner ear defects.
Fgf3 and Fgf4 are redundantly required for inner ear induction.
Presence of selection markers in the Fgf3 locus affect Fgf4 expression.
To know the association of birth order with the risk of morbidity and mortality in very low-birthweight (VLBW) twin infants less than 32 weeks' gestational age (GA).
Retrospective cohort study.
...Infants admitted to the collaborating centres of the Spanish SEN1500 neonatal network.
Liveborn VLBW twin infants, with GA from 23
weeks to 31
weeks, without congenital anomalies, admitted from 2011 to 2020. Outborn patients were excluded.
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), patent ductus arteriosus, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), necrotising enterocolitis, major brain damage (MBD), late-onset neonatal sepsis, severe retinopathy of prematurity, survival and survival without morbidity. Crude and adjusted incidence rate ratios were calculated.
Among 2111 twin pairs included, the second twin had higher risk (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) of RDS (aRR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.12) and need for surfactant (aRR1.10, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.16). No other significant differences were found, neither in survival (aRR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.03) nor in survival without BPD (aRR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.05), survival without MBD (aRR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.06) nor in survival without major morbidity (aRR 0.97, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.03). However, second twins born by caesarean section (C-section) after a vaginally delivered first twin had less overall survival and survival without MBD.
In modern perinatology, second twins are still more unstable immediately after birth and require more resuscitation. After admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, they are at increased risk of RDS, but not other conditions, except for second twins delivered by C-section after a first twin delivered vaginally, who have decreased overall survival and survival without major brain injury.
The use of enzyme-based biosensors for the detection and quantification of analytes of interest such as contaminants of emerging concern, including over-the-counter medication, provides an attractive ...alternative compared to more established techniques. However, their direct application to real environmental matrices is still under investigation due to the various drawbacks in their implementation. Here, we report the development of bioelectrodes using laccase enzymes immobilized onto carbon paper electrodes modified with nanostructured molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). The laccase enzymes were two isoforms (LacI and LacII) produced and purified from the fungus Pycnoporus sanguineus CS43 that is native to Mexico. A commercial purified enzyme from the fungus Trametes versicolor (TvL) was also evaluated to compare their performance. The developed bioelectrodes were used in the biosensing of acetaminophen, a drug widely used to relieve fever and pain, and of which there is recent concern about its effect on the environment after its final disposal. The use of MoS2 as a transducer modifier was evaluated, and it was found that the best detection was achieved using a concentration of 1 mg/mL. Moreover, it was found that the laccase with the best biosensing efficiency was LacII, which achieved an LOD of 0.2 µM and a sensitivity of 0.108 µA/µM cm2 in the buffer matrix. Moreover, the performance of the bioelectrodes in a composite groundwater sample from Northeast Mexico was analyzed, achieving an LOD of 0.5 µM and a sensitivity of 0.015 µA/µM cm2. The LOD values found are among the lowest reported for biosensors based on the use of oxidoreductase enzymes, while the sensitivity is the highest currently reported.
The correct detection and quantification of pollutants in water is key to regulating their presence in the environment. Biosensors offer several advantages, such as minimal sample preparation, short ...measurement times, high specificity and sensibility and low detection limits. The purpose of this review is to explore the different types of optical biosensors, focusing on their biological elements and their principle of operation, as well as recent applications in the detection of pollutants in water. According to our literature review, 33% of the publications used fluorescence-based biosensors, followed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with 28%. So far, SPR biosensors have achieved the best results in terms of detection limits. Although less common (22%), interferometers and resonators (4%) are also highly promising due to the low detection limits that can be reached using these techniques. In terms of biological recognition elements, 43% of the published works focused on antibodies due to their high affinity and stability, although they could be replaced with molecularly imprinted polymers. This review offers a unique compilation of the most recent work in the specific area of optical biosensing for water monitoring, focusing on both the biological element and the transducer used, as well as the type of target contaminant. Recent technological advances are discussed.
Myc family members play crucial roles in regulating cell proliferation, size, and differentiation during organogenesis. Both N-myc and c-myc are expressed throughout inner ear development. To address ...their function in the mouse inner ear, we generated mice with conditional deletions in either N-myc or c-myc. Loss of c-myc in the inner ear causes no apparent defects, whereas inactivation of N-myc results in reduced growth caused by a lack of proliferation. Reciprocally, the misexpression of N-myc in the inner ear increases proliferation. Morphogenesis of the inner ear in N-myc mouse mutants is severely disturbed, including loss of the lateral canal, fusion of the cochlea with the sacculus and utriculus, and stunted outgrowth of the cochlea. Mutant cochleas are characterized by an increased number of cells exiting the cell cycle that express the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) and lack cyclin D1, both of which control the postmitotic state of hair cells. Analysis of different molecular markers in N-myc mutant ears reveals the development of a rudimentary organ of Corti containing hair cells and the underlying supporting cells. Differentiated cells, however, fail to form the highly ordered structure characteristic for the organ of Corti but appear as rows or clusters with an excess number of hair cells. The Kölliker's organ, a transient structure neighboring the organ of Corti and a potential source of ectopic hair cells, is absent in the mutant ears. Collectively, our data suggest that N-myc regulates growth, morphogenesis, and pattern formation during the development of the inner ear.
Bladder cancer is a clinical and social problem due to its high incidence and recurrence rates. It frequently appears in elderly patients showing other medical comorbidities that hamper the use of ...standard chemotherapy. We evaluated the activity of CDK4/6 inhibitor as a new therapy for patients unfit for cisplatin (CDDP).
Bladder cancer cell lines were tested for
sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibition. A novel metastatic bladder cancer mouse model was developed and used to test its
activity.
Cell lines tested were sensitive to CDK4/6 inhibition, independent on
gene status. Transcriptome analyses and knockdown experiments revealed a major role for FOXM1 in this response. CDK4/6 inhibition resulted in reduced FOXM1 phosphorylation
and
and showed synergy with CDDP, allowing a significant tumor regression. FOXM1 exerted important oncogenic roles in bladder cancer.
CDK4/6 inhibitors, alone or in combination, are a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with advanced bladder cancer previously classified as unfit for current treatment options.
To mitigate against the possible adverse effects of stress among nurses due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we designed a 12-week mind-body based online intervention program to promote well-being and ...prevent stress-related disorders such as burnout. Our study aimed to compare the impact of the intervention on perception of stress, negative emotions, burnout, mindfulness, resilience, and well-being at pretest and 6 months post-intervention and to compare the effect among nurses working at two different hospitals.
We conducted an uncontrolled trial using a convenience sample of nurses working at two hospitals in Mexico: one designated to treat confirmed COVID-19 patients (COVID-hospital) and the other whose patients had a negative COVID-19 test on admission (Non COVID-hospital). The 12 week online intervention consisted of 36 mind-body based micropractices, with subjective well-being as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were health perception, resilience, mindfulness, negative emotions, stress, and burnout.
A pretest survey was completed by 643 nurses. Of the remaining valid responses, 82% were women, with a mean age of 34.8 (SD = 8.95) years old. For the analysis two groups of nurses were sampled by cluster: a COVID-hospital group of 429 (67%) nurses, and a non-COVID Hospital group of 214 (33%) nurses. The proportion lost to follow-up was 71% at postest (
= 188) and 42% at 6 months follow-up (
= 371). At pretest, non-COVID hospital nurses had lower subjective well-being and higher burnout than their COVID hospital counterparts. At postest, non-COVID hospital nurses displayed more negative emotions than their COVID hospital peers. At 6 months post-intervention, nurses experienced improved mindfulness, reduced negative emotions and stress, but a decrease in subjective well-being and resilience. Nurses working at the non-COVID hospital had significantly higher mean scores for burnout than those working at the COVID hospital.
The results of our study suggest that our online mind-body interventions can help to reduce stress and negative emotions, yet the effects on subjective well-being and resilience are uncertain. Further research is needed to gain a better understanding of their potential mechanisms and the associated efforts of such online interventions.
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05515172.
Feasibility analysis of methane reforming by hydrogen sulfide for hydrogen production from technical and economical viewpoints was made. An improved Hydrogen Sulfide Methane Reformation (H2SMR) ...process flowsheet was proposed in order to compare its production costs with those of Steam Methane Reformation (SMR) conventional process. Major findings were: high production of hydrogen, a partial self-sustainability process since some of the hydrogen produced could be used as an energy source, no greenhouse gases generated, common sizes of main equipment for a typical H2 production and the possibility of eliminating Claus plants. Aspen Plus® V8.4 simulation software was used. Results showed H2SMR is a more economical source of H2 production than SMR conventional process, with an estimated cost of 1.41 $/kg.
•A H2SMR process flowsheet was proposed to analyze its techno-economic feasibility.•Aspen Plus simulator was used in order to achieve a competitive technical H2SMR process.•H2SMR partial self-sustainability process was proposed to reduce energy cost.•Results demonstrate H2SMR process could be competitive and financially viable option.
To determine next steps for lay health worker (LHW) intervention research, specifically in patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), there is a need to establish what strategies have ...been effective for chronic disease management thus far. The goal of this scoping review is to collate the literature of LHW interventions for adults with RMDs to inform next steps for LHW research.
A comprehensive literature search was performed in the following databases from inception to September 2021: Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and The Cochrane Library. Studies retrieved were then screened for eligibility against predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Twenty-two articles were eligible and included in this review. The most common RMDs studied, not mutually exclusive, were osteoarthritis (n = 13), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 9), and unspecified or other RMD (n = 14). Most studies had a homogenous patient population, enrolling White, non-Hispanic, or Latina women over the age of 60 (n = 13). Eight studies observed statistically significant results in the intervention arm compared with the control. Only one of these studies exhibited sustained treatment effects past one year.
There are not enough data to conclude if LHW interventions have a positive, null, or negative effect on patients with RMDs. Future LHW interventions should specify a priori hypotheses, be powered to detect statistical significance for primary outcomes, employ a theoretical framework, include an active control, describe training protocols for LHWs, and increase minority representation to establish the effectiveness of LHWs for patients with RMDs.
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