The current COVID-19 pandemic is causing profound health, economic, and social problems worldwide. The global shortage of medical and personal protective equipment (PPE) in specialized centers during ...the outbreak demonstrated the need for efficient methods to disinfect and recycle them in times of emergency. We have previously described that high ozone concentrations destroyed viral RNA in an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 strain within a few minutes. However, the efficient ozone dosages for active SARS-CoV-2 are still unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the systematic effects of ozone exposure on face masks from hospitalized patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Face masks from COVID-19 patients were collected and treated with a clinical ozone generator at high ozone concentrations in small volumes for short periods. The study focused on SARS-CoV-2 gene detection (assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)) and on the virus inactivation by in vitro studies. We assessed the effects of different high ozone concentrations and exposure times on decontamination efficiency. We showed that high ozone concentrations (10,000, 2,000, and 4,000 ppm) and short exposure times (10, 10, and 2 minutes, respectively), inactivated both the original strain and the B.1.1.7 strain of SARS-CoV-2 from 24 contaminated face masks from COVID-19 patients. The validation results showed that the best condition for SARS-CoV-2 inactivation was a treatment of 4,000 ppm of ozone for 2 minutes. Further studies are in progress to advance the potential applications of these findings.
Vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) constitute an innovative anticancer therapy that targets the tumor endothelium, leading to tumor necrosis. Our approach for the identification of new VDAs has relied ...on a ligand 3-D shape similarity virtual screening (VS) approach using the ROCS program as the VS tool and as query colchicine and TN-16, which both bind the α,β-tubulin dimer. One of the hits identified, using TN-16 as query, has been explored by the synthesis of its structural analogues, leading to 2-(1-((2-methoxyphenyl)amino)ethylidene)-5-phenylcyclohexane-1,3-dione (compound 16c) with an IC50 = 0.09 ± 0.01 μM in HMEC-1 and BAEC, being 100-fold more potent than the initial hit. Compound 16c caused cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and interacted with the colchicine-binding site in tubulin, as confirmed by a competition assay with N,N ′-ethylenebis(iodoacetamide) and by fluorescence spectroscopy. Moreover, 16c destroyed an established endothelial tubular network at 1 μM and inhibited the migration and invasion of human breast carcinoma cells at 0.4 μM. In conclusion, our approach has led to a new chemotype of promising antiproliferative compounds with antimitotic and potential VDA properties.
Natural cork remains a favored option for sealing high-quality wine bottles, despite its high cost for wineries. The cork industry faces the challenge of certifying the quality and traceability of ...these corks, with physical–chemical characterization being a valuable tool in establishing these parameters. While cork taint compounds must be absent or in low concentrations, the volatile fraction of cork contains numerous compounds that, even in small amounts, can impact the wine’s final aroma. Moreover, these volatile compounds are indicative of the geographical origin of the cork planks used to make the stoppers. In this work, a total of 68 volatile compounds (alkanes, terpenes, benzenic compounds, aldehydes, ketones, acids, esters, alcohols and furanic and pyranic compounds) from natural corks of different qualities and origins were identified, using a fast and sensitive technique: headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Based on these volatile compounds, it was possible to establish differences between corks of different origins, although no discernible differences were detected in the samples of differing visual qualities, as this is a subjective parameter largely dependent on the cork’s external appearance. These findings show that the analysis of the volatile composition of corks via HS-SPME-GC-MS can be used as a quick tool for tracking their traceability and selecting the most appropriate parameters at each stage of processing to minimize the increase in unwanted compounds.
Hybrid stack drilling is a very common operation used in the assembly of high-added-value components, which combines the use of composite materials and metallic alloys. This process entails the ...complexity of machining very dissimilar materials, simultaneously, on account of the interactions that are produced between them, during machining. This study analyzed the influence of Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) on the performance of diamond-coated carbide tools when drilling Ti/carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP)/Ti stacks. The main wear mechanism observed was diamond-coating detachment, followed by fragile breaks in the main cutting-edge. The tests done with the lower lubrication levels have shown an important adhesion of titanium (mainly on the secondary cutting-edge) and a higher friction between the tool and the workpiece, producing higher temperatures on the cutting region and a thermal softening effect on the workpiece. These phenomena affect the evolution of cutting power consumption with tool wear in the titanium layer. Regarding the quality of the test specimen, no significant differences were observed between the lubrication levels tested.
The ability of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model simulations to perform climate regionalization studies in an orographically complex region, the Canary Islands, is analyzed. Six ...different 5-yr simulations were carried out to investigate the sensitivity to several parameterization schemes and to uncertainties in sea surface temperature (SST). The simulated maximum and minimum temperatures, together with the daily rainfall, were compared with observational data. To take into account the climatic differences in this archipelago, observational sites were grouped using a geographical regionalization based on principal component analysis and a clustering technique to group the stations according to their climatic characteristics. The analysis showed that both the microphysics and the boundary layer schemes have a large impact on the simulated precipitation. However, the largest differences were observed when the cumulus parameterization, in the coarser domains, was changed. An analysis of the vertical profiles of the simulated hydrometeors was performed to study the differences revealed by the different simulations. Although the cumulus scheme was not applied in the innermost domain, the total amount of water available in the atmospheric column is modified. Moreover, an average increase of 0.7°C in SST, estimated from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) variability, produces changes of the same order as those those obtained with different parameterizations. Temperatures are similarly simulated by the different configurations, except for the case in which an SST increment was introduced. Two configurations (CTRL and LSM-PX) were able to correctly reproduce the studied variables in the Canary Islands, improving the Interim ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) data and showing their abilities for regional-scale climate studies in this archipelago.
•First report of Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) in flies (Fannia canicularis).•All collected flies and farm environmental samples tested AMDV-positive by qPCR.•All AMDV sequences found in flies ...and environmental samples were identical.•Possible implications about Aleutian disease transmission and control are discussed.
Flies are known vectors for a variety of infectious diseases in animals. In fur mink farming, one of the most severe diseases is Aleutian disease, which is caused by the Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV). The presence of large fly populations is a frequent issue in mink farms; however, no studies assessing their role as AMDV carrier vectors have been conducted to-date. In order to determine the presence of AMDV in aerial flies from an infected mink farm, flies (n = 254) and environmental swab samples (n = 4) were collected from two farm barns. Fannia canicularis (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) represented more than 99% of the fly population. One hundred and fifty specimens of this species were divided into pools of ten flies and analysed by qPCR, and positive samples were further sequenced. All fly pools and environmental samples tested positive for AMDV, and sequence analysis revealed identical genotypes in both types of samples. This is the first report of AMDV contamination in flies from mink farms, suggesting that F. canicularis may act as an AMDV vector. These results may be of interest for epidemiological studies and also for the improvement of control measures against this virus in mink farms.
Recent research into how the pulsation type affects goat milking concluded that alternate pulsation (AP) and simultaneous pulsation (SP) similarly affect the milking efficiency (milking duration and ...milking fractioning) and teat end condition after milking when both pulsations are employed in short-term experiments. However, the use of SP in high pipeline milking machines led to higher vacuum fluctuations, which, in the long term, may entail a potential risk factor for the mammary gland health status. The aim of this work was to study how AP and SP affect the milk yield, mammary gland health status, and milk composition of goats in the long term, during a complete lactation period, in a high pipeline milking machine. With this objective, 100 Murciano-Granadina goats with similar parturition dates (4 ± 1 postpartum weeks) were divided into 2 similar groups (50 goats per group) according their parity, milk yield, mammary gland health status, and milking duration (after a 15-d pre-experimental period). Throughout the experimental period (7 mo), one group was milked using SP and the other group using AP. Every month, samplings were carried out of the variables related to sanitary status of the mammary gland, milk fractioning, milking duration, average and maximum milk flows, milk composition, teat end status, vacuum fluctuations at the short milk tube during milking, and pulsation tests. Results showed that the use of SP in a high pipeline milking machine showed higher vacuum fluctuations without involving any difference in the other variables studied. We concluded that the use of AP in the milking of Murciano-Granadina goats offers little improvement of the milking performance and increases the investment required for installation and maintenance of the milking machines.
Analyze fecal and blood samples at point of diagnosis in IgE mediated cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) and non-IgE mediated (NIM)-CMPA patients to look for potential new biomarkers.
Fourteen ...patients with IgE mediated CMPA and 13 with NIM-CMPA were recruited in three hospitals in the north of Spain, and were compared with 25 infants from a control group of the same age range. To characterize intestinal microbiota, 16S rDNA gene and internal transcribed spacer amplicons of bifidobacteria were sequenced with Illumina technology. Fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography, meanwhile intestinal inflammation markers were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a multiplex system. Immunological analysis of blood was performed by flow cytometry.
The fecal results obtained in the NIM-CMPA group stand out. Among them, a significant reduction in the abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae and Bifidobacterium sequences with respect to controls was observed. Bifidobacterial species were also different, highlighting the lower abundance of Bifidobacterium breve sequences. Fecal calprotectin levels were found to be significantly elevated in relation to IgE mediated patients. Also, a higher excretion of IL-10 and a lower excretion of IL-1ra and platelet derived growth factor-BB was found in NIM-CMPA patients.
The differential fecal parameters found in NIM-CMPA patients could be useful in the diagnosis of NIM food allergy to CM proteins.
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