The aim of this work was to study different desalination technologies as alternatives to conventional reverse osmosis (RO) through a systematic literature review. An expert panel evaluated thermal ...and membrane processes considering their possible implementation at a pilot plant scale (100 m
/d of purified water) starting from seawater at 20 °C with an average salinity of 34,000 ppm. The desalination plant would be located in the Atacama Region (Chile), where the high solar radiation level justifies an off-grid installation using photovoltaic panels. We classified the collected information about conventional and emerging technologies for seawater desalination, and then an expert panel evaluated these technologies considering five categories: (1) technical characteristics, (2) scale-up potential, (3) temperature effect, (4) electrical supply options, and (5) economic viability. Further, the potential inclusion of graphene oxide and aquaporin-based biomimetic membranes in the desalinization processes was analyzed. The comparative analysis lets us conclude that nanomembranes represent a technically and economically competitive alternative versus RO membranes. Therefore, a profitable desalination process should consider nanomembranes, use of an energy recovery system, and mixed energy supply (non-conventional renewable energy + electrical network). This document presents an up-to-date overview of the impact of emerging technologies on desalinated quality water, process costs, productivity, renewable energy use, and separation efficiency.
Cancer is a major health problem that poses a great challenge to health care systems worldwide. Tools for cancer treatment have rapidly advanced in recent years, resulting in therapeutic strategies ...which are alternative and complementary to conventional treatment. To identify the cell surface receptors used by a tumor cell-adapted rotavirus and the cell death markers induced by its infection, we use Wt1-5, a rotavirus isolate recently adapted to tumor cells, to infect the human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, Reh. The expression of cell surface receptors used by Wt1-5 was determined using flow cytometry and an antibody blocking assay to test for their implication in virus infection. Viral antigens and cell death markers induced by rotavirus infection were followed by flow cytometric analysis. The present study showed that rotavirus Wt1-5 was able to use cell surface proteins such as heat shock proteins (HSPs) 90, 70, 60 and 40, Hsc70, PDI and integrin β3. Rotavirus Wt1-5 induced cytotoxic effects including changes in cell membrane permeability, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA fragmentation and activation of cell death signaling. Wt1-5 deserves to be further studied as a candidate oncolytic agent due to its ability to induce apoptosis in lymphoblastic leukemia-derived cells.
A low-cost custom-made pseudo-anthropomorphic lung phantom, offering a model for ultrasound-guided interventions, is presented. The phantom is a rectangular solidstructure fabricated with polyvinyl ...alcohol cryogel (PVA-C) and cellulose to mimic the healthy parenchyma. The pathologies of interest were embedded as inclusions containing gaseous, liquid, or solid materials. The ribs were 3D-printed using polyethylene terephthalate, and the pleura was made of a bidimensional reticle based on PVA-C. The healthy and pathological tissues were mimicked to display acoustic and echoic properties similar to that of soft tissues. Theflexible fabrication process facilitated the modification of the physical and acoustic properties of the phantom. The phantom's manufacture offers flexibility regarding the number, shape, location, and composition of the inclusions and the insertion of ribs and pleura. In-plane and out-of-plane needle insertions, fine needle aspiration, and core needle biopsy were performed under ultrasound image guidance. The mimicked tissues displayed a resistance and recoil effect typically encountered in a real scenario for a pneumothorax, abscesses, and neoplasms. The presented phantom accurately replicated thoracic tissues (lung, ribs, and pleura) and associated pathologies providing a useful tool for training ultrasound-guided procedures.
A number of viruses show a naturally extended tropism for tumor cells whereas other viruses have been genetically modified or adapted to infect tumor cells. Oncolytic viruses have become a promising ...tool for treating some cancers by inducing cell lysis or immune response to tumor cells. In the present work, rotavirus strains TRF-41 (G5) (porcine), RRV (G3) (simian), UK (G6-P5) (bovine), Ym (G11-P9) (porcine), ECwt (murine), Wa (G1-P8), Wi61 (G9) and M69 (G8) (human), and five wild-type human rotavirus isolates were passaged multiple times in different human tumor cell lines and then combined in five different ways before additional multiple passages in tumor cell lines. Cell death caused by the tumor cell-adapted isolates was characterized using Hoechst, propidium iodide, 7-AAD, Annexin V, TUNEL, and anti-poly-(ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) and -phospho-histone H2A.X antibodies. Multiple passages of the combined rotaviruses in tumor cell lines led to a successful infection of these cells, suggesting a gain-of-function by the acquisition of greater infectious capacity as compared with that of the parental rotaviruses. The electropherotype profiles suggest that unique tumor cell-adapted isolates were derived from reassortment of parental rotaviruses. Infection produced by such rotavirus isolates induced chromatin modifications compatible with apoptotic cell death.
La financiarización de grandes corporaciones no financieras ha hecho énfasis sobre dos hechos que se identifican a partir de la década de 1980, a los cuales la literatura atribuye efectos negativos ...sobre la inversión. Estos hechos están representados por el aumento de pagos a accionistas y la acumulación de activos financieros. En este estudio, se analiza la evolución en la composición de activos de grandes empresas no financieras haciendo uso de la información financiera disponible de la base Compustat North America para el periodo 1980-2018. A partir de la exploración de datos, se identifica que existe una característica adicional que consiste en la creciente participación de intangibles que se observa en las estructuras de balance financiero. Esta evidencia permite discutir cómo este tipo de activos pueden dar cuenta de la forma como se instrumenta la financiarización de grandes empresas. Esto también tiene que ver con los marcos normativos de información financiera y sus disposiciones para el reconocimiento de intangibles en los reportes financieros. Como aspecto diferencial, se agrega a la literatura actual que el reforzamiento de una tendencia de acumulación de activos financieros e intangibles está caracterizando el citado proceso de financiarización en el ámbito de las firmas no financieras.
The financialization of non-financial large corporations has emphasized two facts that have been identified since the 1980s. The specialized literature attributes negative effects on investment to these facts, which are represented by the increase in payments to shareholders and the accumulation of financial assets. In this study, the trend in the composition of assets of large companies will be examined. For that purpose, we will use the financial information available at Compustat North America database for the period 1980-2018, which allows identifying an additional characteristic that consists of the growing participation of intangibles observed in the structure of the balance sheet. The evidence opens the debate on how these assets could account for the way in which the financialization of large companies is implemented, and also has to do with financial reporting regulatory frameworks and their provisions for the recognition of intangibles in balance sheet accounts. As a differentiating aspect, this work contributes to the existing literature on the field by suggesting that the reinforcement of a trend of accumulation of financial and intangible assets is characterizing the financialization process of non-financial firms.
a financiarização de grandes corporações não financeiras tem enfatizado os fatos que são identificados a partir da década de 1980, aos quais a literatura atribui efeitos negativos sobre o investimento. Esses fatos estão representados pelo aumento de pagamentos a acionistas e pela acumulação de ativos financeiros. Neste estudo, é analisada a evolução na composição de ativos de grandes empresas não financeiras fazendo uso da informação financeira disponível da base Compustat North America para o período 1980-2018. A partir da exploração de dados, é identificado que existe característica adicional que consiste na crescente participação de intangíveis que é observada nas estruturas de balanço financeiro. Essa evidência permite discutir como esse tipo de ativos pode evidenciar a forma em que a financiarização de grandes empresas é instrumentada. Isso também está relacionado com os contextos normativos de informação financeira e suas disposições para o reconhecimento de intangíveis nos relatórios financeiros. Como aspecto diferencial, é agregada à literatura atual que o reforço de uma tendência de acumulação de ativos financeiros e intangíveis está caracterizando o citado processo de financiarização no âmbito das empresas não financeiras.
La financiarisation des grandes sociétés non financières a mis en évidence deux faits identifiés depuis les années 1980, auxquels la littérature attribue des effets négatifs sur l'investissement. Ces événements sont représentés par l'augmentation des paiements aux actionnaires et l'accumulation d'actifs financiers. Dans cette étude, on analyse l'évolution de la composition des actifs des grandes entreprises non financières en employant des informations financières disponibles dans la base de données Compustat North America pour la période 1980-2018. À partir de l'exploration des données, on a identifié qu'il existe une caractéristique supplémentaire qui consiste en la participation croissante des actifs incorporels que l'on observe dans les structures d'équilibre financier. Cette évidence nous permet de discuter comment ces types d'actifs peuvent rendre compte de la manière dont la financiarisation des grandes entreprises se met en œuvre. Cela concerne également les cadres réglementaires d'information financière et leurs dispositions relatives à la comptabilisation des actifs incorporels dans les rapports financiers. Comme aspect différentiel, on ajoute à la littérature actuelle que le renforcement d'une tendance à l'accumulation d'actifs financiers et immatériels caractérise le processus de financiarisation précité dans le champ des entreprises non financières.
Fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (fHP) is an immune-mediated interstitial lung disease caused by sensitisation to chronic allergen inhalation. This study aimed to determine prognostic indicators ...of progression and mortality in fHP.
This was a retrospective, multicentre, observational, cross-sectional cohort study of consecutive patients diagnosed with fHP from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2021. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals for predictors of progression and survival.
A total of 403 patients were diagnosed with fHP: median (interquartile range) age 66.5 (14.0) years, 51.9% females and 55.1% never-smokers. The cause of fHP was mainly fungal (39.7%) or avian (41.4%). Lung biopsy was performed in 269 cases (66.7%). In the whole cohort the variables that were related to mortality or lung transplant were older age (HR 1.08; p<0.001), percentage predicted forced vital capacity (HR 0.96; p=0.001), lymphocytosis in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (HR 0.93; p=0.001), presence of acute exacerbation during follow-up (HR 3.04; p=0.001) and GAP (gender, age and lung physiology) index (HR 1.96; p<0.01). In the group of biopsied patients, the presence of fibroblastic foci at biopsy (HR 8.39; p<0.001) stands out in multivariate Cox regression analyses as a highly significant predictor for increased mortality or lung transplant. GAP index (HR 1.26; p=0.009), lymphocytosis in BAL (HR 0.97; p=0.018) and age (HR 1.03; p=0.018) are also predictors of progression.
The study identified several prognostic factors for progression and/or survival in fHP. The presence of fibroblastic foci at biopsy was a consistent predictor for increased mortality and the presence of lymphocytosis in BAL was inversely related to mortality.
Introduction: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, surpassed only by cardiovascular disease. However, cancer has now overtaken cardiovascular disease as the main cause of ...death in 12 countries in Western Europe. The burden of cancer is posing a major challenge to health care systems worldwide and demanding improvements in methods for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Alternative and complementary strategies for orthodox surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy need to be developed.Objective: To determine the oncolytic potential of tumor cell-adapted rotavirus in terms of their ability to infect and lysate murine myeloma Sp2/0-Ag14 cells.Materials and methods: We inoculated rotaviruses Wt1-5, WWM, TRUYO, ECwt-O, and WTEW in Sp2/0-Ag14 cells and we examined their infectious effects by immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and DNA fragmentation assays.Results: Rotavirus infection involved the participation of some heat shock proteins, of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), and integrin β3. We detected the accumulation of viral antigens within the virus-inoculated cells and in the culture medium in all the rotavirus isolates examined. The rotavirus-induced cell death mechanism in Sp2/0-Ag14 cells involved changes in cell membrane permeability, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation, which were compatible with cytotoxicity and apoptosis.Conclusions: The ability of the rotavirus isolates Wt1-5, WWM, TRUYO, ECwt-O, and WTEW to infect and cause cell death of Sp2/0-Ag14 cells through mechanisms that are compatible with virus-induced apoptosis makes them potential candidates as oncolytic agents.
Several in vitro models have investigated the consequences of mechanical stimuli on osteoclasts (OCs). However, the mechanisms whereby mechanical forces trigger osteoclast responses remain poorly ...understood, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their relationship with bone resorption in OCs under the influence of mechanical forces require investigation. The present work examined the role of centrifugal force application on ROS production and its effect on osteoclast activity and differentiation. Human U937 macrophage cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) or N-acetylcysteine (NAC) were subject to centrifugal force. Osteoclast markers such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and bone resorption activities were measured. ROS levels and actin ring formation were determined. Also, U937 cell responses to centrifugal force and PEG-induced fusion were studied. Individual cells subjected to centrifugal exertion increased their ROS levels, formed actin-like rings, revealed TRAP expression and bone resorption activities, and expressed typical osteoclast markers. Control PEG-fused U937 cells also showed these effects, and cell treatment with NAC stopped all these responses. Centrifugal force, as well as PEG-induced cell fusion, can promote osteoclast-like features, including oxidative stress. The present experimental model allowed us to understand the mechanisms underlying the osteoclast differentiation associated with ROS production stimulated by mechanical compressive force, where NAC can contribute to reducing this oxidative stress condition.
Live attenuated vaccines have recently been introduced for preventing rotavirus disease in children. However, alternative strategies for prevention and treatment of rotavirus infection are needed ...mainly in developing countries where low vaccine coverage occurs. In the present work, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), ascorbic acid (AA), some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists were tested for their ability to interfere with rotavirus ECwt infectivity as detected by the percentage of viral antigen-positive cells of small intestinal villi isolated from ECwt-infected ICR mice. Administration of 6 mg NAC/kg every 8 h for three days following the first diarrhoeal episode reduced viral infectivity by about 90%. Administration of AA, ibuprofen, diclofenac, pioglitazone or rosiglitazone decreased viral infectivity by about 55%, 90%, 35%, 32% and 25%, respectively. ECwt infection of mice increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2, ERp57, Hsc70, NF-κB, Hsp70, protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) and PPARγ in intestinal villus cells. NAC treatment of ECwt-infected mice reduced Hsc70 and PDI expression to levels similar to those observed in villi from uninfected control mice. The present results suggest that the drugs tested in the present work could be assayed in preventing or treating rotaviral diarrhoea in children and young animals.
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