This paper reports a simple method for the preparation of suitable graphene quantum dots after surface passivation, to be used for the determination of carbaryl in juice samples. A comparison of ...synthetic conditions for the preparation of graphene quantum dots following the top‐down approach is described. In the one‐step route selected, evaluation of diverse reaction time for cutting and modulating the oxidizing sites in the broken pieces of the initial graphene layer is conducted with a mixture of concentrated acids. Exploring the passivation effect on the purified graphene quantum dots, we demonstrated the suitability of the selected graphene quantum dots for practical application in the detection of carbaryl using fluorometric detection. Higher sensitivity was achieved after 8 min of contact, in which graphene quantum dots promotes the degradation of carbaryl into naphthol, being the latter responsible for the analytical signal. The detection and quantification limits were 0.36 and 1.21 μg/L, respectively, being the response linear up to 26 μg/L with excellent precision (better than 3.2% at the limit of detection). The recovery of the analyte from commercial juice samples (91.4–96.7%) testifies to the applicability of the proposal for the analytical problem selected.
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet (MedD). In this narrative review, we synthesize and illustrate the various characteristics and clinical applications of EVOO ...and its components-such as oleic acid, hydroxytyrosol, and oleuropein-in the field of clinical nutrition and dietetics. The evidence is split into diet therapy, oleic acid-based enteral nutrition formulations and oral supplementation formulations, oleic acid-based parenteral nutrition, and nutraceutical supplementation of minor components of EVOO. EVOO has diverse beneficial health properties, and current evidence supports the use of whole EVOO in diet therapy and the supplementation of its minor components to improve cardiovascular health, lipoprotein metabolism, and diabetes mellitus in clinical nutrition. Nevertheless, more intervention studies in humans are needed to chisel specific recommendations for its therapeutic use through different formulations in other specific diseases and clinical populations.
Background: Reduced muscle strength (dynapenia) and mass (atrophy) are prognostic factors in oncology. Measuring maximal handgrip strength with dynamometers is feasible but limited by the cost of the ...reference device (JAMAR). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on colorectal cancer outpatients treated with chemotherapy or under active surveillance in our center from September 2022 to July 2023. Accuracy, reliability, and concordance were compared for two handheld dynamometers: the JAMAR Plus (the gold-standard device) and the Camry EH101 (a low-cost index device). A simultaneous nutritional diagnosis with GLIM criteria and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was carried out. Results: A total of 134 participants were included. The median of maximal strength for the JAMAR Plus had a non-significant difference of 1.4 kg from the Camry EH101. The accuracy and reliability of the devices were high. Bland–Altman analysis showed a 0.8 kg bias and −4.1 to 5.6 kg limits of agreement (LoA); a 0.1 kg bias and −5.3 to 5.4 kg LoA in men; a 1.5 kg bias and −2.2 to 5.3 kg LoA in women. In total, 29.85% of the participants were malnourished. Prevalence of dynapenia increased from 3.67% with the JAMAR Plus to 5.14% with the Camry EH101. Both devices had a moderate and significant correlation with BIA-estimated muscle mass. Conclusions: The Camry EH101 was a cost-effective alternative to JAMAR Plus in our sample.
The objective of this article is to assess the safety of intraspinal infusion of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMNCs) and, ultimately, to look for histopathological signs of cellular ...neurotrophism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. We conducted an open single arm phase I trial. After 6 months observation, autologous BMNCs were infused into the posterior spinal cord funiculus. Safety was the primary endpoint and was defined as the absence of serious transplant-related adverse events. In addition, forced vital capacity (FVC), ALS-functional rating scale (ALS-FRS), Medical Research Council scale for assessment of muscle power (MRC), and Norris scales were assessed 6 and 3 months prior to the transplant and quarterly afterward for 1 year. Pathological studies were performed in case of death. Eleven patients were included. We did not observe any severe transplant-related adverse event, but there were 43 nonsevere events. Twenty-two (51%) resolved in ≤2 weeks and only four were still present at the end of follow-up. All were common terminology criteria for adverse events grade ≤2. No acceleration in the rate of decline of FVC, ALS-FRS, Norris, or MRC scales was observed. Four patients died on days 359, 378, 808, and 1,058 post-transplant for reasons unrelated to the procedure. Spinal cord pathological analysis showed a greater number of motoneurons in the treated segments compared with the untreated segments (4.2 ± 0.8 motoneurons per section mns per sect and 0.9 ± 0.3 mns per sect, respectively). In the treated segments, motoneurons were surrounded by CD90+ cells and did not show degenerative ubiquitin deposits. This clinical trial confirms not only the safety of intraspinal infusion of autologous BMNC in ALS patients but also provides evidence strongly suggesting their neurotrophic activity.
Introduccción. La apendicitis aguda es la primera causa de abdomen agudo; sin embargo, poco se conoce sobre las bacterias asociadas y su perfil de sensibilidad.Objetivo. Identificar y determinar el ...patrón de resistencia de las bacterias aerobias y anaerobias aisladas en cultivo de líquido periapendicular tomado de los pacientes con apendicitis aguda, y establecer la proporción de bacterias según la fase clínica. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo y prospectivo en el Hospital Universitario de San José de Bogotá (Colombia), en pacientes mayores de 16 años sometidos a apendicectomía abierta. Se tomaron muestras de líquido periapendicular, las cuales se sembraron directamente en botellas de hemocultivos para aerobios y anaerobios.Resultados. Se incluyeron 154 pacientes. Del total de cultivos, el 87 % (n=134) fueron positivos: 77 % (n=118) para aerobios y 51 % (n=79) para anaerobios. La proporción de cultivos positivos fue inferior en los casos de apendicitis no complicada, en comparación con aquellos de apendicitis complicada (80 % (66/83) Vs. 95 % (67/71); p=0,003). Los microorganismos aislados con mayor frecuencia fueron: Escherichia coli (53 %) (n=84), Bacteroides sp. (25 %) (n=25), Propionibacterium acnes (21 %) (n=21), Staphylococci coagulasa negativo (17 %) (n=27), Enterococcus sp. (10 %) (n=15) y Fusobacterium sp. (11 %) (n=11). La sensibilidad de E. coli a la amplicilina sulbactam fue de 30 %. La sensibilidad de Bacteroides spp. a la clindamicina y la ampicilina sulbactam fue de 91 %. El 100 % de los anaerobios fueron sensibles a piperacilina tazobactam, ertapenem, meropenem y metronidazol.Conclusiones. Los cultivos intraoperatorios son pertinentes en la apendicitis para determinar el patrón epidemiológico local, y establecer los antibióticos profilácticos y terapéuticos para esta enfermedad. Su siembra directa en botellas de hemocultivo permite una gran recuperación de microorganismos.
gamification is a potentially attractive option for improving balance and reducing falls.
to assess the effect of balance training using the NintendoTM Wii game console on balance (primary outcome), ...falls and fear of falling.
quasi-randomised, open-label, controlled clinical trial in parallel groups, carried out on community-dwelling patients over 70 years, able to walk independently. Participants were assigned 1:1 to the intervention or control group. Balance training was conducted using the Nintendo WiiFitTM twice a week for 3 months. Balance was assessed using the Tinetti balance test (primary outcome), the unipedal stance and the Wii balance tests at baseline, 3 months and 1 year. Falls were recorded and Fear of falling was assessed by the Falls Efficacy Scale (Short-FES-I).
1,016 subjects were recruited (508 in both the intervention and the control group; of whom 274 and 356 respectively completed the 3-month assessment). There was no between-group difference in the Tinetti balance test score, with a baseline mean of 14.7 (SD 1.8) in both groups, and 15.2 (1.3) at 3 months in the intervention group compared to 15.3 (1.7) in controls; the between-group difference was 0.06 (95% CI 0.30-0.41). No differences were seen in any of the other balance tests, or in incident falls. There was a reduction in the fear of falling at 3 months, but no effect at 1 year.
the study found no effect of balance training using the NintendoTM Wii on balance or falls in older community-dwelling patients.The study protocol is available at clinicaltrials.gov under the code NCT02570178.
One of the proposed mechanisms for the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the increase of end products of advanced glycosylation (AGEs), which bind to its receptor (RAGE), favoring nephron ...cellular damage. An isoform of this receptor is soluble RAGE (sRAGE), which can antagonize AGE-altered intracellular signaling. It has known that green tea extract (GTE) increases the expression of sRAGE, but it is unknown whether this could improve kidney function. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the administration of GTE on the concentrations of sRAGE, renal function, and metabolic profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and DN. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 39 patients who received GTE (400 mg every 12 h) or placebo for 3 months. sRAGE levels, renal function, and metabolic parameters were determined before and after the intervention. In the GTE group, there were statistically significant increase on sRAGE (320.55 ± 157.63 pg/mL vs. 357.59 ± 144.99 pg/mL;
= .04) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR; 66.44 ± 15.17 mL/min/1.73 m
vs. 71.70 ± 19.33 mL/min/1.73 m
;
= .04), and a statistically significant decrease in fasting serum glucose (7.62 ± 3.00 mmol/L vs. 5.86 ± 1.36 mmol/L;
≤ .01) and triacylglycerols (1.91 ± 0.76 mmol/L vs. 1.58 ± 0.69;
= .02). Administration of GTE increases the serum concentration of sRAGE and the GFR and decreases the concentration of fasting serum glucose and triacylglycerols. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT03622762.
The most commonly used method to control insect pests, such as leaf‐cutting ants (LCA) in forest plantations, is the application of chemical insecticides, but their use was forbidden in plantations ...certified by the Forest Stewardship Council because of their negative effect on the environment.
A 5‐year derogation of their prohibition was obtained in 2016 in Argentina, on the condition that forestry companies reduce pesticide doses by 5% per year and inform the Economic Injury Level (EIL).
The EIL and the Economic Threshold (ET) were estimated for the first time for the Acromyrmex genus in a Salicaceae forestation. As a model, we used the damage caused by the most detrimental LCA species of Argentina (Acromyrmex lundii) in the first, most critical year of a willow plantation (Salix nigra) in the lower basin of the Paraná River.
The EIL (8–15 nest/ha) was useful to demonstrate the real magnitude of the damage caused by A. lundii, which justified the need for its control. The ET for profitable production (∼3 nests/ha) would not be operatively applicable in a long‐term management program in our study site. This methodology could be extrapolated to other Neotropical forest plantations attacked by Acromyrmex species.
Despite vaccines are the main strategy to control the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, their effectiveness could not be enough for individuals with immunosuppression. In these cases, as well as in ...patients with moderate/severe COVID-19, passive immunization with anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins could be a therapeutic alternative. We used caprylic acid precipitation to prepare a pilot-scale batch of anti-SARS-CoV-2 intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) from plasma of donors immunized with the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) anti-COVID-19 vaccine (VP-IVIg) and compared their
efficacy and safety with those of a similar formulation produced from plasma of COVID-19 convalescent donors (CP-IVIg). Both formulations showed immunological, physicochemical, biochemical, and microbiological characteristics that meet the specifications of IVIg formulations. Moreover, the concentration of anti-RBD and ACE2-RBD neutralizing antibodies was higher in VP-IVIg than in CP-IVIg. In concordance, plaque reduction neutralization tests showed inhibitory concentrations of 0.03-0.09 g/L in VP-IVIg and of 0.06-0.13 in CP-IVIg. Thus, VP-IVIg has
efficacy and safety profiles that justify their evaluation as therapeutic alternative for clinical cases of COVID-19. Precipitation with caprylic acid could be a simple, feasible, and affordable alternative to produce formulations of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IVIg to be used therapeutically or prophylactically to confront the COVID-19 pandemic in middle and low-income countries.
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