Biodegradable aliphatic polyesters are an alternative to reduce the use of synthetic plastic materials that cause severe damage to the environment. Formulations based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and ...poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), were mixed in a 60:40 ratio, adding different concentrations of pine essential oil through the use of extrusion technology to obtain biodegradable polymer fibers. Some formulations were coated with chitosan. All the elaborated fibers were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy-Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and mechanical properties. The SEM studies showed that the PBAT improves the tenacity and provides greater elasticity promoting the interaction between the blends phases with fibril formation. In the FTIR-ATR analysis, compatibility between the blends was observed due to a possible interaction of the carbonyl group of PBAT with PLA. The DSC and the mechanical properties showed partial miscibility of the blends, indicating, that the plasticizing action of the essential oil gave greater mobility, flexibility, less rigidity and crystallization in the blends. A lower Young's modulus and greater elongation at break was also observed.
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•Polylactic acid and polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate blends were elaborated.•Pine essential oil was added to 60:40 polymer blends using extrusion process.•SEM studies showed that polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate improves elasticity.•In the FTIR-ATR analysis, compatibility between the blends was observed.•DSC and mechanical properties showed partial miscibility of the blends.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have dramatically transformed oncology by prolonging overall survival and yielding better patient tolerance compared to other chemotherapeutic agents. However, ...numerous questions remain unanswered about the toxicity profile of ICIs, its relationship with the treatment response, and causes underlying the excellent treatment response in some patients, while recalcitrance in others. Research groups have continued to seek biomarkers that may permit the identification of treatment responders and predict toxicity to facilitate cessation of immunotherapy before the development of severe toxicity. However, some studies have found associations between serious adverse events and longer survivorship. The research question entailed determining whether a biomarker is needed to predict severe immune-related adverse events prior to their development or whether providing early treatment for toxicity would inhibit the immune system from attaining a long-lasting anti-tumor effect. Therefore, this review conducted an in-depth analysis into the molecular basis of these observations.
Hands‐on experience is critical to teaching invertebrate zoology, as students are unfamiliar with many animals and theoretical concepts are sometimes difficult to assimilate. As part of a fully ...online course, we decided to give students a box of take‐home materials so that they could do hands‐on work in their homes under the guidance of the teacher or at their own pace following the lecture scripts and presentations. The box contained whole specimens fixed in ethanol for observation and dissection, dried material such as skeletons and shells, and microscope slides. We also included a USB digital microscope to facilitate visualization of details and slides. The experience was very satisfying and proved to be not only a good alternative for mandatory online classes in times of pandemic, but also an interesting resource to supplement face‐to‐face classes.
Diet containing Mexican ancestral foods such as cocoa, nopal, avocado, and common bean have been individually reported to have beneficial effects on obesity and comorbidities. Methods: A systematic ...review and meta-analysis on the effect of Mexican ancestral foods on the anthropometric, lipid, and glycemic control variables in obese patients was performed following PRISMA guidelines. Data were analyzed using a random-effects model. Results: We selected 4664 articles from an initial search, of which only fifteen studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Data for 1670 participants were analyzed: 843 in the intervention group and 827 in the control group. A significant reduction in body mass index (mean difference: -0.80 (-1.31 to -0.30)) (95% confidence interval),
= 0.002, heterogeneity I
= 92% was showed after the ingestion of cocoa, nopal, avocado, or common bean. The mean difference for body weight was -0.57 (-1.93 to 0.79), waist of circumference: -0.16 (-2.54 to -2.21), total cholesterol: -5.04 (-11.5 to 1.08), triglycerides: -10.11 (-27.87 to 7.64), fasting glucose: -0.81 (-5.81 to 4.19), and insulin: -0.15 (-0.80 to 0.50). Mexican ancestral food supplementation seems to improve anthropometric, lipid, and glycemic control variables in obesity; however, more randomized controlled trials are needed to have further decisive evidence about dosage and method of supplementation and to increase the sample size.
An in vitro model for the formation of an Enterococcus faecalis endodontic biofilm under nutritional restriction was established, simulating clinical conditions for the evaluation of antimicrobial ...substances. Biofilm formation in dentin was standardized using root quarters incubated with E. faecalis ATCC 29212 at 37°C without nutritional changes. Biofilms were evaluated at 7, 14, and 30 days, counting bacterial colony‐forming units using conventional culture and verified scanning electron microscopy. Bacterial viability and biovolume were determined with confocal laser microscopy. Colonization of E. faecalis and biofilm formation on the dentinal surface was confirmed after 7 and 14 days, respectively. Microorganism colonization was homogeneous over the entire root surface at each time point, without significant differences in the viability percentage and biovolume. On the contrary, a decrease in viability and an increase in biovolume were observed when the time was increased. Compared with other incubation times, 14 days was found to be the best time for the establishment of the biofilm in terms of biovolume and bacterial viability. This in vitro model for the formation of endodontic biofilm will allow future evaluation of the efficacy of antimicrobial substances with a more adequate clinical approach.
The aim of the current study is to determine whether the textbooks used in the 4th
course of the Secondary Education regarding the subject History evidence the nonsexist education for which the ...education law in effect advocates. To that end, we
have carried out a research based on the textbooks more frequently used in the city
of Seville, from the publishing houses Vicens Vives and Anaya.
We intended to become aware of the inclusion or absence of female characters in
those textbooks, to establish whether a discrimination towards the female collective
is produced and finally, to analyze how women are represented in them. For that
purpose, quantitative and qualitative methodological tools have been developed. The
results of the investigation have enabled us to determine the persistence of a sexist
education. We have been able to reflect on the need of revising the contents of such
books from a gender perspective.
Este trabajo tiene como finalidad determinar si los libros de texto de la asignatura de Historia del 4º curso de ESO ponen de manifiesto la educación no sexista por la que aboga la ley educativa en vigor. Para ello, se ha llevado a cabo una investigación basada en los libros de texto empleados con mayor frecuencia en la ciudad de Sevilla, correspondientes con las editoriales Vicens Vives y Anaya. Se pretendía tomar conciencia de la inclusión o ausencia de personajes femeninos en los libros de texto en cuestión, establecer si se producía una discriminación hacia el colectivo femenino y analizar cómo se representan en ellos a las mujeres. Se ha elaborado un instrumento metodológico cuantitativo y otro cualitativo, cuyos resultados nos han permitido determinar la persistencia de una educación sexista. Hemos reflexionado acerca de si sería necesario realizar una revisión de los mismos desde una perspectiva de género.
Microbial community control is crucial for maintaining homeostasis of the gut–liver axis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Here, we show that supplementation with a ...mixture of Mexican foodstuffs (MexMix)—Opuntia ficus indica (nopal), Theobroma cacao (cocoa) and Acheta domesticus (crickets)—enriches several beneficial taxa in MASLD mice and overweight/obese humans. Thus, MexMix induces an important prebiotic effect. In mice, a restoration of intestinal health was observed due to the increased short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and intestinal crypt depth, Ocln and Cldn1 expression, and decreased Il6 and Tnfa expression. MexMix significantly reduced steatosis in the mice’s liver and modified the expression of 1668 genes. By PCR, we corroborated a Tnfa and Pparg decrease, and a Cat and Sod increase. In addition, MexMix increased the hepatic NRF2 nuclear translocation and miRNA-34a, miRNA-103, and miRNA-33 decline. In overweight/obese humans, MexMix improved the body image satisfaction and reduced the fat intake. These findings indicate that this new food formulation has potential as a therapeutic approach to treat conditions associated with excessive consumption of fats and sugars.
Los nuevos roles del profesor universitario como mentor, mediador e investigador requieren una capacitación constante para adquirir y actualizar conocimientos con el fin de desarrollar las destrezas ...y habilidades necesarias en una sociedad cambiante. Aunque el mundo es flexible y diverso, la educación médica sigue siendo rutinaria, inflexible, estática y descontextualizada. Por lo tanto, los profesionales de la salud dedicados a la docencia deben reflexionar sobre el significado y el papel de la medicina en los tiempos modernos. Con miras a la excelencia académica, un profesor debe tener un alto nivel de formación, unido a sus habilidades pedagógicas y articulado con las políticas gubernamentales y la realidad del país. La evaluación del desempeño docente identifica los elementos que se deben tener en cuenta para hacer cambios que garanticen la mejor calidad de la educación médica. Estos cambios se obtienen más fácilmente con la participación activa del profesor mediante su autoevaluación.
Invasive species are a major threat to global biodiversity because they alter the functioning of affected ecosystems by displacing the native vegetation and fauna. This study evaluated the effect of ...the invasive species Ailanthus altissima on soil properties and the microarthropod community, compared to the native species Populus nigra. Soil samples were taken in riparian forests, an ecosystem with high risk of colonisation by invasive tree species, on a stretch of the Henares River (Madrid, Spain) under the canopy of both tree species. In addition, controlled laboratory experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of litter on the arthropod community. Some groups of springtails (Entomobryomorpha, Poduromorpha and Symphypleona), mites (Gamasida and some Oribatida) and other arthropods groups (spiders, pseudoscorpionids, isopods and insects) were more abundant under the native species, while Actinedida mites were more abundant under ailanthus. Differences in porosity, pH and organic matter content were also observed between soils. In the laboratory experiments, the Arthropleona springtails and a few Oribatida mites preferred poplar leaf extract, and the Actinedida mites preferred ailanthus leaves. The invasion of A. altissima could be influencing soil fauna through their litter and also could be changing several soil properties which consequently affect soil microarthropod communities. This study reveals the clear disturbance of ecosystems that the invasion by exotic species produces at many levels of the soil system.
•Invasion effect of Ailanthus altissima on soil properties and arthropods was studied.•Samples were taken in A. altissima and Populus nigra riparian forests.•Arthropod community and soil properties were different under each forest canopy.•Laboratory experiments showed different behaviour depending on the taxa.•Differences are probably due to the effect of ailanthus litter in soil.
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