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Resumen Objetivo Caracterizacion de una muestra de pacientes hospitalizados por complicaciones de la infeccion COVID-19 con atencion a potenciales determinantes pronosticos de su evolucion e impacto del tratamiento rehabilitador en el desempeno funcional, motor y respiratorio. Metodo Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, longitudinal de una cohorte de pacientes ingresados con diagnostico de COVID-19 que requirieron tratamiento rehabilitador en el Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves de Granada desde marzo a junio de 2020, evaluados al ingreso, alta y a los tres meses mediante escalas de condicion fisica (IFIS), valoracion funcional: general (Rankin, Barthel), respiratoria (mMRC, BORG) y marcha (FAC). Resultados Se incluyeron 30 pacientes, edad media 62,8 (54-70) anos, 80% alguna comorbilidad: hipertension 66,7%, obesidad 36,7%, diabetes 33,3%. Estancia hospitalaria media de 45,4 dias, 86,7% requirio Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) (29,1 dias), de ellos 76,7% ventilacion mecanica. El 86,7% de los pacientes presentaron alguna complicacion, siendo mayor la polineuropatia/miopatia del paciente critico (83,3% de los pacientes). Al alta, un 80% requirio ayuda para caminar. El indice de funcionalidad mostro una evolucion en «U» al ingreso, alta y a los tres meses (Barthel 93,8; 60,0; 91,6, respectivamente). Se encontro un mayor deterioro funcional (Barthel Conclusion Los ingresos hospitalarios por COVID-19 implican complicaciones a nivel funcional, respiratorio y de la marcha mayoritariamente graves pero reversibles parcialmente a los tres meses con tratamiento rehabilitador. Se describen factores potencialmente pronosticos que merecen estudios prospectivos.

Inhalation of the fungus Alternaria alternata is associated with an increased risk of allergic asthma development and exacerbations. Recent work in acute exposure animal models suggests that A. alternata-induced asthma symptoms, which include inflammation, mucus overproduction and airway hyperresponsiveness, are due to A. alternata proteases that act via protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2). However, because other active components present in A. alternata may be contributing to asthma pathophysiology through alternative signaling, the specific role PAR2 plays in asthma initiation and maintenance remains undefined. Airway epithelial cells provide the first encounter with A. alternata and are thought to play an important role in initiating the physiologic response. To better understand the role for PAR2 airway epithelial signaling we created a PAR2-deficient human bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBEPAR(−/−)) from a model bronchial parental line (16HBE14o−). Comparison of in vitro physiologic responses in these cell lines demonstrated a complete loss of PAR2 agonist (2at-LIGRL-NH(2)) response and significantly attenuated protease (trypsin and elastase) and A. alternata responses in the 16HBEPAR(−/−) line. Apical application of A. alternata to 16HBE14o− and 16HBEPAR2(−/−) grown at air-liquid interface demonstrated rapid, PAR2-dependent and independent, inflammatory cytokine, chemokine and growth factor basolateral release. In conclusion, the novel human PAR2-deficient cell line allows for direct in vitro examination of the role(s) for PAR2 in allergen challenge with polarized human airway epithelial cells.

From the chloroform extract of Larrea tridentata (Ses. et Moc ex DC.) Coville two new cyclolignans (1 and 2) and six known compounds (3–8) were isolated and characterized. The new compounds were elucidated as 4,4’-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6,7’-cyclolignan (1) and 3,4-dihydroxy-3’,4’-dimethoxy-6,7’-cyclolignan (2). Compound 1 was methylated to obtain the semi-synthetic derivatives 1a, 1b and, 1c. The structural elucidation of compounds was performed by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectral data, HRMS and, X-ray diffraction (compound 1). Antibacterial and cytotoxic activity of compounds was determined against nine clinical isolates of drug-resistant bacteria and two strains of M. tuberculosis (drug-sensitive H37Rv and drug-resistant G122) as well as against three cancer cell lines. Results showed the methylated derivative 1a as the most active antibacterial compound, displaying the best activities against gram-positive bacteria and M. tuberculosis with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in a range of 6.25–12.5 μg/mL and 12.5−25 μg/mL respectively, having the same activity as the control drug levofloxacin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 6.25 μg/mL) and linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC 12.5 μg/mL). Cyclolignan 5 was two-fold more active towards (LR) S. epidermidis. Tested compounds were devoid of cytotoxic activity.

In recent years, the demand for rebaudioside A (Reb A) in the food industry has increased due to its sweetening power and organoleptic properties. Currently, there is a large variety of food products on the market for human consumption containing Reb A, and among them, sweeteners stand out. In the present work, a strategy for the quantification of Reb A in commercial sweeteners using quantitative 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (qHNMR) with an external standard method applying the pulse length–based concentration determination (ERETIC2) is described. The developed qHNMR method notably satisfies the validation parameters, such as linearity, precision, accuracy, reproducibility, robustness, limit of detection, and limit of quantification (LOQ). The lineal range was established between 0.3–14.8 mM. The LOQ (0.3 mM) was sufficiently low to assess the quantification of Reb A in analysed samples. Intraday and intermediate precision were evaluated in different matrices and the percent relative standard deviation (%RSD) founded were lower than 1.93, and 2.79, respectively. Additionally, this qHNMR procedure has advantages such as a fast analysis time, easy sample preparation and low generation of solvent waste, which represents an environmentally responsible analytical alternative for the determination of Reb A in commercial sweeteners.

Some of the evidence on whether antioxidant supplements are effective in treatment of liver diseases is contradictory. Here we perform a descriptive analysis of the available data in vivo and in vitro of the possible antiviral action and controversy of several antioxidant molecules against HCV.

The effects of the concentration of three kinds of constituents of aqueous culture media (mixed electrolytes, glucose, sucrose, and commercial antifoam) on oxygen transfer were studied in a bubble column bioreactor. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa) and the specific interfacial area (a) were measured at five superficial gas velocities under the homogeneous bubbling regime. The mixed electrolytic salts (0 ≤ ionic strength ≤ 0.4126 M) and, to a lesser extent, the glucose (0 ≤ c ≤ 0.222 M) caused the increase of kLa up to a maximum value, followed by a either a slight decrease, or no significant change. The higher values of kLa corresponded to critical concentrations, indicating a maximum inhibition of bubble coalescence. The kLa was governed by changes in interfacial area up to the critical concentrations, where the dominant contribution shifted to kL; at the studied concentrations, the sucrose had no significant effect on kLa. Finally, low concentrations of commercial antifoam caused an overall decrement in kLa due entirely to the hindering effects of antifoams on kL.

Ethnopharmacological relevance In Mexico, plants are an important element of traditional medicine, and many are considered part of Mexican cultural heritage from prehispanic and colonial times. Nevertheless, relatively few systematic scientific studies have been conducted to fully characterize the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of Mexican medicinal plants. Acacia farnesiana is used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat dysentery and tuberculosis and therefore could have bioactive compounds that may explain its traditional use. Aims of the study i) To isolate and characterize the compounds from the hexanic, chloroformic and methanolic extracts; ii) to identify the volatile compounds from methylated hexanic and chloroformic extracts using GC-FID and GC-MS methods; iii) to identify the compounds from methanolic and aqueous extracts using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS; iv) to test the activity of extracts and isolated compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and dysentery bacteria. Material and methods A. farnesiana fruits were collected in Acatlan de Osorio, Puebla, Mexico. Hexanic, chloroformic, methanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared and analyzed by different chromatographic techniques including column chromatography, flash chromatography, GC-FID, GC-MS and HPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Structural elucidation was carried out by NMR spectroscopic analysis. The activity of extracts, phytochemicals and semi-synthetic derivatives against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and G122 as well as dysentery bacteria (Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella enteritidis, Yersinia enterocolitica and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli) was determined by the broth microdilution method and reported as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC µg/mL). Results From both hexane and chloroform extracts, tetracosanoic acid (2S)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (1) and (3β,22E)-estigmasta-5,22-dien-3-yl β-D-glucopyranoside (2) were isolated and characterized. From the methanolic extract, methyl gallate (3), gallic acid (4), (3β,22E)-estigmasta-5,22-dien-3-yl β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (2S) naringenin 7-O-β-glucopyranoside (prunin, 5), pinitol (6) and sucrose (7) were isolated and characterized. Furthermore, hexanic and chloroformic extracts were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS and 18 methylated fatty acids were identified for each extract in addition to three sterols. The methanolic and aqueous extracts were analyzed separately by HPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and 15 compounds were identified in each extract. The compounds 1, 2, and 7, in addition to 13 fatty acids and eight phenolic compounds, were identified for the first time in A. farnesiana. The extracts showed antitubercular (MIC 100–200 µg/mL) and antidysentery activity (MIC 100–200 µg/mL). Methyl gallate and its acetylated derivative showed activity against the sensible strain M. tuberculosis H37Rv with MIC values of 50–25 µg/mL, respectively. The flavanone prunin showed activity against multidrug resistant M. tuberculosis G122 (MIC 50 μg/mL). Methyl gallate, gallic acid and prunin showed activity against C. jejuni (MIC 50 μg/mL). Conclusions The activity of tested extracts and isolated compounds against M. tuberculosis and dysentery bacteria justifies the ethnomedical use of A. farnesiana fruits for the treatment of tuberculosis and dysentery.

In the present article we describe the spectroscopic data of 1 H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of 11 compounds including: Nine natural products from the hexanic-chloroformic and methanolic extracts of Acacia farnesiana fruit and two esterified derivatives (22E-stimasta5,22-dien- 3β-acetyl and methyl 3,4,5-triacetyloxybenzoate). Data linked to the research work entitled "Chemical composition of fruits of Acacia farnesiana (L) Willd and its activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and dysentery bacteria" (Hernandez et al., 2019) [1]. & 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license

CaO nanoparticles sized ca. 26 nm were organically modified with oleic acid (Ol-CaO), and both were incorporated into PLA at concentrations of 5 and 8 wt.% by a melting process. Modification of nanoparticles improved the distribution into PLA, as seen by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermal analysis revealed that the presence of Ol-CaO in the PLA matrix promoted a decrease ca. 13% in the glass transition temperature (T). The thermal stability of the PLA/Ol-CaO decreased ca. 23% compared to the neat PLA due to the catalytic activity from nanoparticles, while Vickers Microhardness (HV) for nanocomposites PLA/Ol-CaO increased ca. 9%, compared with the neat PLA, due to the good dispersion of modified-surface Ol-CaO nanoparticles in PLA. PLA/Ol-CaO nanocomposites reached 99.9% of antimicrobial effectiveness against E. coli for nanoparticles content above 8 wt.%. From photodegradation tests under irradiation during five days, it was verified that the presence of CaO nanoparticles accelerated the photodegradation of the polymer matrix nanoparticles into PLA promoted a decreasing ca. 13% of Tg and an increase in the degree of crystallinity (Xc) (ca. 7%), compared to PLA/CaO without irradiation. Besides, the viscosity molecular weight (M¯v) of PLA/CaO showed a higher decrease than neat PLA after irradiation, and SEM analysis showed that the nanocomposites presented cavities around the nanoparticles after irradiation. Our results showed that incorporating CaO nanoparticles into the PLA polymer matrix allows future development of more sustainable materials as nanocomposites for food packaging or medical devices., P.A. Zapata acknowledges the financial support under FONDE- CYT Regular Project 1170226. V. Moreno-Serna acknowledges the financial support of ANID FONDECYT Postdoctorado 3210077. J.A. Ortiz thanks the financial support of ANID FONDECYT Postdoctor- ado 3200296. P.A. Zapata and C. Loyo acknowledge the financial support of DICYT Proyecto 022141ZR_POSTDOC, USA2055, Vicerrec- toría de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, Universidad de San- tiago de Chile

Purpose Speed optimization in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients remains a key feature in patient management. Noninvasive evaluation with echocardiography is routinely performed, however, around 38% of LVAD patients considered stable had non-optimal hemodynamics at baseline speed. Pulmonary congestion can be seen on lung ultrasound (LUS) in the form of B-lines. In heart failure (HF) patients, the number of B-lines has proven to be an excellent prognostic marker and a strategy of treatment guided by LUS appears to decrease the number of HF admissions. LUS, a noninvasive point of care test, seems an attractive tool to complement echocardiographic assessment in LVAD recipients; however, this has never been studied. Methods This is a single center, observational, prospective study. Heart Mate 3 (HM3) patients 18 years or older were invited to participate during an outpatient clinic visit or during a right heart catheterization. Patients with known severe pulmonary diseases were excluded. We examined eight thoracic sites (4 in each hemithorax) and the number of B-lines was reported in real time as the sum of the B-lines visualized in each site. Results This is the report of the first 10 patients included. Mean age was 49 ± 11 years. 80% of patients were male, 80% had a nonischemic cardiomyopathy, and 20% had a history of COPD. The median BMI was 36 kg/m^2 (25-37). 100% of the thoracic sites examined were interpretable and the median number of B-lines was 2.5 (1-7). 2 patients also had a pleural effusion. In contrast, patients had very few signs of congestion on physical examination (Figure). Conclusion LUS in HM3 patients is feasible and no interference with the LVAD has been encountered in an 8-site protocol. Whether LUS can help LVAD optimization and improve outcomes in this challenging population remains to be determined.

Purpose Deciding which patients can be weaned from an RVAD placed after LVAD implantation could help triage advanced heart failure device strategy. Therefore, we set out to determine the predictors of RVAD weaning. Methods A multi-center retrospective study of 826 consecutive patients who received either a HeartMate2 or HVAD between 1/2007 an 12/2007. We identified 91 patients who received an early RVAD insertion during their LVAD implant index admission. A Cox Proportional hazard model was constructed to identify predictors of RVAD weaning. Results There were 91 patients (11%) who required an RVAD after LVAD with 48 (52%) weaned from RVAD support and 43 (48%) not weaned. Patients who were weaned had a lower prevalence of hypertension, higher pre-operative ACE-inhibitor use, and lower pre-operative transpulmonary gradient (TPG), RA-PCWP ratio, and RVSWI; they were also more likely to receive concomitant RVAD at time of LVAD insertion and ultimately transplanted more often (Table 1). Our multivariable model for predictors of RVAD weaning included pre-operative creatinine (HR 0.32 [0.15, 0.70], p = 0.004), PVR (HR 1.23 [1.02, 1.48], p = 0.03), non-white ethnicity (HR 2.56 [1.19, 5.54], p = 0.02), COPD (HR 4.63 [1.32, 16.25], p = 0.02), and concomitant RVAD insertion (HR 2.87 [1.00, 8.21], p-value = 0.05) with a model c-statistic of 0.84. The survival curve demonstrates that patients who are weaned from RVAD have significantly improved 1-year mortality (Figure 1, p Conclusion In a multi-institutional continuous-flow LVAD cohort, we show novel predictors of RVAD weaning that can help triage mechanical support strategy.

Purpose Early insertion of an RVAD may help to mitigate post-LVAD implantation morbidity and mortality. We hypothesize that concomitant RVAD insertion at time of LVAD implantation improves 1-year mortality in comparison to post-operative insertion. Methods A multi-center retrospective study of 826 consecutive patients who received either a HeartMate2 or HVAD between 1/2007 an 12/2017. We identified 91 patients who either had an unplanned or planned early RVAD on index admission. A Cox proportional hazard model was constructed to identify predictors of 1-year mortality. Results There were 91 patients (11%) who required an RVAD after LVAD implantation with 51 (56%) receiving a concomitant RVAD and 40 (43%) post-operatively (Table 1). Concomitant RVAD with LVAD insertion was associated with lower mortality (HR 0.45 [0.27, 0.76], p-value = 0.002, Figure 1). Our multivariable model (which included age, BMI, and ACE-i use) found receiving transplant (HR 0.04 [0.01, 0.29], p = 0.001) and concomitant RVAD (HR 0.51 [0.29, 0.90], p = 0.004) to be independent predictors of 1-year mortality with a final model C-statistic of 0.77. Stratifying concomitant RVAD by intended approach, planned versus unplanned RVAD insertion had a similar survival rate as unplanned approach at 1 year (42.8% versus 28.6%, p-value = 0.08). Conclusion We show in a continuous-flow and multi-institutional cohort that concomitant RVAD insertion at time of LVAD is associated with improved survival at 1 year compared to post-operative insertion.

Purpose Post-operative vasoplegia following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation carries high morbidity and mortality. Although clinical studies have shown some benefit in steroid administration in certain post-operative populations, no study has evaluated such in patients with refractory vasoplegia following LVAD implantation. Methods This retrospective case series evaluated the use of intravenous corticosteroids among patients with refractory vasoplegia following LVAD implantation. All patients necessitated at least 75% maximum dose of epinephrine and norepinephrine with increasing requirements within a 48-hour period following surgical implantation to maintain stable hemodynamic profiles. Pre- and post- steroid parameters, including hemodynamics and vasoactive requirements, were compared. Results Among six patients included in this cohort, the average age was 54 years, and most had a non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (n=5, 83%). Patients were either INTERMACS 1 (n=2, 33%) or 2 (n=4, 68%) and did not require pressor support at time of surgical implantation. Vasoactive requirements were substantially lower within 24 hours following steroid administration compared to requirements 24 hours prior, including the use of epinephrine (5.5 vs 15.5 mcg/min, p Conclusion Steroid administration among patients with refractory vasoplegia reduced the need for vasoactive support in this cohort and may be considered as an adjunctive therapies in this population. Further research is needed to support these novel findings.

Recent biological studies have focused on understanding animal interactions and welfare. To help biolo- gists to obtain animals’ behavior information, resources like wireless sensor networks are needed. More- over, large amounts of obtained data have to be processed off-line in order to classify different behaviors.There are recent research projects focused on designing monitoring systems capable of measuring someanimals’ parameters in order to recognize and monitor their gaits or behaviors. However, network unre- liability and high power consumption have limited their applicability.In this work, we present an animal behavior recognition, classification and monitoring system based ona wireless sensor network and a smart collar device, provided with inertial sensors and an embeddedmulti-layer perceptron-based feed-forward neural network, to classify the different gaits or behaviorsbased on the collected information. In similar works, classification mechanisms are implemented in aserver (or base station). The main novelty of this work is the full implementation of a reconfigurableneural network embedded into the animal’s collar, which allows a real-time behavior classification andenables its local storage in SD memory. Moreover, this approach reduces the amount of data transmittedto the base station (and its periodicity), achieving a significantly improving battery life. The system hasbeen simulated and tested in a real scenario for three different horse gaits, using different heuristics andsensors to improve the accuracy of behavior recognition, achieving a maximum of 81%. Junta de Andalucía P12-TIC-1300

This paper presents a novel mobility monitoring system and some of its applications to address problems that would be solved in a Smart City, such as the optimization of traffic flows in terms of trip-time and security (Smart Traffic), and the improvement of security or energetic issues inside buildings. The system tracks the movement of people and vehicles monitoring the radioelectric space, catching the WiFi and Bluetooth signals emitted by personal (smartphones) or on-board (hands-free) devices. A study has been conducted in four different real scenarios, i.e. with real data gathered by the system: two related with people’s mobility (a public building and a discotheque); and two focused in traffic tracking (urban and intercity roads). The analysis has consisted on the application of different data mining techniques to extract useful knowledge, traffic forecasting methods to perform accurate predictions, and statistical analyses to model and validate the system reliability (comparing to other real data sources). The obtained results show the viability and utility of the system in all the cases, along with some of its multiple applications for solving different issues in a city.

Thirty-three meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (meso-DGA) derivatives bearing esters, ethers, and amino-ethers were synthesized. All derivatives were tested against twelve drug-resistant clinical isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including sensitive (H37Rv) and multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. Among the tested compounds, four esters (7, 11, 13, and 17), one ether (23), and three amino-ethers (30, 31, and 33) exhibited moderate activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, whereas 30 and 31 showed better results than levofloxacin against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. Additionally, nineteen meso-DGA derivatives displayed moderate to potent activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 3.125 to 50µg/mL. Seven meso-DGA derivatives bearing amino-ethers (26-31 and 33) exhibited the lowest MICs against M. tuberculosis H37Rv and G122 strains, with 31 being as potent as ethambutol (MICs of 3.125 and 6.25µg/mL). The presence of positively charged group precursors possessing steric and hydrophobic features (e.g. N-ethylpiperidine moieties in meso-31) resulted essential to significantly increase the antimycobacterial properties of parent meso-DGA as supported by the R-group pharmacophoric and field-based QSAR analyses. To investigate the safety profile of the antimycobacterial compounds, cytotoxicity on Vero cells was determined. The amino-ether 31 exhibited a selectivity index value of 23, which indicate it was more toxic to M. tuberculosis than to mammalian cells. Therefore, 31 can be considered as a promising antitubercular agent for further studies.

Worldwide, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading etiology of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The main complications of chronic HCV infection are fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC. Nowadays, there are several options accessible for HCV treatment, such as direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), including HCV protease inhibitors, polymerase inhibitors, and NS5A inhibitors. Once the virus is eliminated after the specific antiviral treatments, patients should try to re-establish their metabolic functions efficiently from an environment where there was great cellular destruction. Another goal for the liver can range from fibrosis to decompensate cirrhosis. For this reason, upon the use of DAAs therapy, assuming that SVR is reached, the use of antifibrotic drugs is increasing in order to improve liver regeneration by decreasing fibrotic tissue generated by HCV. Liver fibrosis is defined as the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins because of the interaction of a number of different cell types, among them hepatic stellate cells. Once the causative agent of damage is removed, the progression of liver disease is attenuated. However, if the patient has an advanced state of fibrosis or cirrhosis, hepatic regeneration becomes a challenge where numerous known and unknown cellular mechanisms are involved. Fortunately, there are drugs that facilitate this process of reversion, however, it is still not clear that conditions favor the success of this regression.

Purpose Traditionally, heart transplant (HT) patients with cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) are treated with a combination of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) and sirolimus (SRL). Recent data suggest outcomes in patients with CAV may be improved by treatment with SRL and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), without CNI. However, this CNI free regimen for HT patients with renal dysfunction resulted in more rejection. Here we evaluated the relationship between risk of rejection and SRL use in CAV. Methods This is a single center, retrospective study of HT patients with CAV, transplanted between 6/2003 - 10/2018. From 357 HT patients, 39 with CAV treated with SRL were identified. Rejection included ISHLT grading ≥ 1R/1B requiring therapy. Incidence of post SRL conversion rejection was analyzed for 2 groups: SRL/CNI and SRL/MMF. Results Of 39 patients identified, 11 received SRL/MMF and 28 received SRL/CNI. Six of 11 patients in the SRL/MMF group developed cellular rejection after transition to SRL, compared to 3 of 28 in the SRL/CNI group (55% vs 11%, p = 0.004; Fig. 1). Four of 6 patients on SRL/MMF who developed post SRL transition rejection, had a history of previous rejection. However, those who did not experience late rejection also had no history of early rejections (66% vs 0%, p=0.045). The average level of SRL was 10.5 ng/ml +/- 1.1 in the group with post SRL rejection and 7.6 ng/mL +/- 1.9 in the group without (p = 0.01). The average dose of MMF was 1834 +/- 376 mg daily in the group with post SRL rejection and 2000 +/- 0 mg daily in the group without (p = 0.78). Conclusion In HT patients with CAV treated with CNI free regimen, despite therapeutic levels of SRL, there is a significant increase in the risk of cellular rejection not seen in those on SRL/CNI. In those on SRL/MMF therapy who experienced post SRL rejection, there was a higher incidence of pre-conversion rejection. Reduced dose CNI/SRL immunosuppression regimens need to be considered in CAV patients, especially those with a history of previous rejection.

Generic framework to massively generate synthetic distributed system models.Automatic application of real-time analysis and optimization techniques.Extensible framework independent of any particular metamodel or real-time tool.Supercomputer usage enables large studies for a better validation of techniques.Different generation methods covering a variety of system characteristics. The evaluation of new approaches in the analysis and optimization of real-time systems usually relies on synthetic test systems. Therefore, the development of tools to create these test systems in an efficient way is highly desirable. It is usual for these evaluations to be constrained by the processing power of current personal computers. For example, in order to assess whether a specific technique generally performs better than others or whether the improvement observed is constrained to a limited set of circumstances, a vast set of examples must be tested, making the execution infeasible in a common PC. In this paper, we present a framework that defines the building blocks of a tool to enable the validation of real-time techniques, through the efficient execution of massive evaluations of event-driven synthetic distributed systems. Its main characteristic is that it can leverage the computing power of a supercomputer to perform large studies that otherwise could not be performed with a PC. The framework also defines different generation methods so that the generated systems can cover a wide range of characteristics that can be present in different application domains. As a case study, we also implement this framework based on a previously developed prototype.

We study the time-course evolution of Al fractions and species in the solid and liquid phases of soils developed over spoil materials rich in sulfides, situated in the mine dump of As Pontes (NW Spain), over a twenty-year period. Three plots (CSA, CSP and P206), subjected to different reclamation practices, were monitored. Plot P206 was established by selecting spoil materials, trying to avoid pyrite oxidation by atmospheric contact, whereas in plots CSA and CSP spoils were placed randomly, CSA being richer in sulfides. Samples were taken at two depths (0–15 and 15–30 cm) in autumn 1992 and 2012. In 1992, plot CSA showed the lowest pH (2.8) and the highest SO42 − concentration (845 mg L− 1). This plot presented the lowest Al concentrations in the solid phase (corresponding to total non-crystalline Al, Al bound to organic matter, and inorganic non-crystalline Al), and the highest concentrations of total Al in solution. Most of this soluble Al was reactive Al, concretely labile Al, mainly represented by Al3 + (the most toxic species) and Al-SO4. Contrary, plot P206 (where spoil material was selected) was the less acidic (pH 6.0), showed the lowest SO42 − concentration (17 mg L− 1) and the highest levels of Al in the solid phase, whereas Al in solution was very low. Twenty years later, no significant variations were found for pH in any of the plots, while there was a decrease of organo-aluminum complexes in the solid phase, as well as of SO42 −, total Al and labile Al in the liquid phase, and some new (previously undetected) soluble organo-aluminum forms were quantified. As regards the labile Al species, Al3 + and Al-SO4 significantly decrease. However, plot CSA maintained the most acidic pH values and the highest SO42 −, total Al, reactive Al, labile Al, Al-SO4 and Al3 + concentrations. The time-course evolution during the twenty-year period situated plots CSA and CSP in better conditions, closer to that of natural soils in the area.

E. coli survival in biosolids storage may present a risk of non-compliance with guidelines designed to ensure a quality product safe for agricultural use. The storage environment may affect E. coli survival but presently, storage characteristics are not well profiled. Typically biosolids storage environments are not actively controlled or monitored to support increased product quality or improved microbial compliance. This two-phased study aimed to identify the environmental factors that control bacterial concentrations through a long term, controlled monitoring study (phase 1) and a field-scale demonstration trial modifying precursors to bacterial growth (phase 2). Digested and dewatered biosolids were stored in operational-scale stockpiles to elucidate factors controlling E. coli dynamics. E. coli concentrations, stockpile dry solids, temperature, redox and ambient weather data were monitored. Results from ANCOVA analysis showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) E. coli reductions across storage periods with greater die-off in summer months. Stockpile temperature had a statistically significant effect on E. coli survival. A 4.5 Log reduction was measured in summer (maximum temperature 31 °C). In the phase 2 modification trials, covered stockpiles were able to maintain a temperature >25 °C for a 28 day period and achieved a 3.7 Log E. coli reduction. In winter months E. coli suppression was limited with concentrations >6 Log10 CFU g−1 DS maintained. The ANCOVA analysis has identified the significant role that physical environmental factors, such as stockpile temperature, has on E. coli dynamics and the opportunities for control

The synthesis of 19 compounds derived from l -serine and analogs of p-substituted cinnamic acid is reported. Oxazolines 9 and oxazoles 10 have high antitubercular activity with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 0.7812–25.0 µg/mL (3.21–100.3 µM), against two strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis sensitive to first-line drugs Isoniazid (INH), Rifampicin (RIF), Ethambutol (EMB), Pyrazinamide (PZE) (H37Rv) and a clinical isolate resistant to INH, RIF and EMB (G122). The cytotoxic evaluation shows that oxazoles have low activity, finding viability>96% against the VERO cell line. The results show these compounds could be considered as future alternatives for antitubercular treatment.

Serotonergic neurons of the median raphe nucleus (MnR) and hypothalamic melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH)-containing neurons, have been involved in the control of REM sleep and mood. In the present study, we examined in rats and cats the anatomical relationship between MCH-containing fibers and MnR neurons, as well as the presence of MCHergic receptors in these neurons. In addition, by means of in vivo unit recording in urethane anesthetized rats, we determined the effects of MCH in MnR neuronal firing. Our results showed that MCH-containing fibers were present in the central and paracentral regions of the MnR. MCHergic fibers were in close apposition to serotonergic and non-serotonergic neurons. By means of an indirect approach, we also analyzed the presence of MCHergic receptors within the MnR. Accordingly, we microinjected MCH conjugated with the fluorophore rhodamine (R-MCH) into the lateral ventricle. R-MCH was internalized into serotonergic and non-serotonergic MnR neurons; some of these neurons were GABAergic. Furthermore, we determined that intracerebroventricular administration of MCH induced a significant decrease in the firing rate of 53 % of MnR neurons, while the juxtacellular administration of MCH reduced the frequency of discharge in 67 % of these neurons. Finally, the juxtacellular administration of the MCH-receptor antagonist ATC-0175 produced an increase in the firing rate in 78 % of MnR neurons. Hence, MCH produces a strong regulation of MnR neuronal activity. We hypothesize that MCHergic modulation of the MnR neuronal activity may be involved in the promotion of REM sleep and in the pathophysiology of depressive disorders.

Resumen La diarrea nosocomial se define como aquella que aparece de forma aguda en pacientes hospitalizados a partir del tercer dia de ingreso. Es una complicacion frecuente que origina un aumento de la morbimortalidad y de los costes asociados a la hospitalizacion. Sus causas son diversas y no siempre infecciosas. Se presenta una aproximacion diagnostica y terapeutica para el manejo del paciente hospitalizado con diarrea.

This paper describes the coevolutionary algorithm L-Co-R (Lags COevolving with Radial Basis Function Neural Networks - RBFNs), and analyzes its performance in the forecasting of time series in the short, medium and long terms. The method allows the coevolution, in a single process, of the RBFNs as the time series models, as well as the set of lags to be used for predictions, integrating two genetic algorithms with real and binary codification, respectively. The individuals of one population are radial basis neural networks (used as models), while sets of candidate lags are individuals of the second population. In order to test the behavior of the algorithm in a new context of a variable horizon, 5 different measures have been analyzed, for more than 30 different databases, comparing this algorithm against six existing algorithms and for seven different prediction horizons. Statistical analysis of the results shows that L-Co-R outperforms other methods, regardless of the horizon, and is capable of predicting short, medium or long horizons using real known values.

Diarrhea is a major complication in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection despite the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The etiology of acute diarrhea is multi-factorial including infectious and non-infectious causes. In the early stages of immunodeficiency and when the immune status is improved with HAART, HIV-infected patients are susceptible to the same enteric pathogens that cause diarrhea in the immunocompetent host. However, as immunosuppression progresses, these patients become susceptible to a wide variety of opportunistic infections. The main non-infectious cause of diarrhea in HIV-infected persons is HAART.

Resumen La patologia mesenterica comprende lesiones hemorragicas, inflamatorias/fibroticas y tumorales, y su incidencia es baja. El envejecimiento de la poblacion ha provocado un aumento de los casos de isquemia mesenterica que mantiene tasas de mortalidad elevadas. Por ello es fundamental un alto grado de sospecha clinica. Su forma mas grave es la isquemia mesenterica aguda; la isquemia mesenterica cronica o angina intestinal es menos frecuente y se asocia a arterioesclerosis. La colitis isquemica es el grupo mas frecuente. El diverticulo de Meckel es una malformacion intestinal que afecta a jovenes y cursa de forma habitual con hemorragia digestiva baja. Las ectasias vasculares son las lesiones de origen vascular mas frecuentes y cursan con hemorragia digestiva recidivante.

The price volatility of recycled materials exposes many different organisations to financial and regulatory risk. These risks can be partially mitigated by improved understanding of price volatility using econometric models, although these have tended to be sophisticated autoregressive models, beyond the analytical capability or cost structure of the average market participant. In this context, this study explores the use of a simple linear regression model to understand the behaviour of prices for recycled plastic, recovered paper and glass, based on the price of their primary inputs, with a specific focus on the UK market. The results of the simple regression model are compared with a wavelet analysis to determine what information is lost in the trade off with simplicity. Both models found significant relationships between the price of crude oil/ethylene/naphtha and recycled plastics and it appears that there is no loss in model performance by using oil as the explanatory variable, rather than direct inputs (ethylene/naphtha). However, few correlations were found for recovered paper and glass. Initial findings from the wavelet analysis suggest that since 2004 the oil price has become more closely linked to the price of recycled plastics. It must be noted that this study is exploratory and particular dynamics of UK markets for recycled materials may affect price development in a way that would not be repeated on international markets.

La enfermedad arterial obstructiva periferica (EAOP) es una patologia con alta prevalencia en nuestro medio, cuyo diagnostico debe llevar asociados los estudios necesarios para descartar la existencia de enfermedad vascular en otros sectores, fundamentalmente a nivel coronario y carotideo. La Atencion Primaria debe asumir, junto con la atencion especializada, el diagnostico, control de factores de riesgo cardiovascular y seguimiento de los pacientes con EAOP, para lo cual precisa de una coordinacion entre los dos niveles asistenciales, asi como el disponer de metodos sencillos en cuanto a su realizacion, pero fiables en cuanto a su interpretacion. Estos criterios los reune la toma de presion arterial sistolica en tobillo mediante doppler y la realizacion del indice tobillo/brazo.

This paper considers the problem of analyzing the economical feasibility of a wind–hydrogen energy storage and transformation system. Energy systems based on certain renewable sources as wind power, have the drawback of random input making them a non-reliable supplier of energy. Regulation of output energy requires the introduction of new equipment with the capacity to store it. We have chosen the hydrogen as an energy storage system due to its versatility. The advantage of these energy storage systems is that the energy can be used (sold) when the demand for energy rises, and needs (prices) therefore are higher. There are two disadvantages: (a) the cost of the new equipment and (b) energy loss due to inefficiencies in the transformation processes. In this research we develop a simulation model to aid in the economic assessment of this type of energy systems, which also integrates an optimization phase to simulate optimal management policies. Finally we analyze a wind–hydrogen farm in order to determine its economical viability compared to current wind farms.

Paper presents results of the non-destructive characterization of porous SiC (PSiC) layers using atomic force microscope, Raman scattering, scanning electronic and X-ray diffraction spectroscopes. A comparative study of the Raman spectroscopy on the PSiC layers prepared at the different technological routine with the variation of the nanocrystallite sizes and the thickness of PSiC layers has shown a number of new features specific for nanocrystallite materials. The latter stimulates the modification of Raman scattering spectra, which have been discussed.

Using SERS, fluorescence, circular dichroism and stopped-flow, we have unequivocally characterized the binding sites of emodin in bovine serum albumin. Emodin interacts with protein through two different binding sites corresponding to Sudlow's sites 1 and 2. Site 2, where the binding drug presents, in the cavity, a form between neutral and mono-anionic species slightly displaced to the neutral one, is the primary interaction site, with higher association binding constant, and hence, higher affinity than the other binding site. This interaction changes considerably the alpha-helical content of the protein and it occurs mainly within the interval [emodin]/[protein]or = 2.0. The process involves a fast reaction and the observed rate constant increases when increasing the [emodin]/[protein] ratio. The secondary emodin interaction site corresponds to the Sudlow's site 1, where the drug shows a similar form to that deduced for site 2, but in this case, it is more displaced to mono-anionic species. This interaction does not change the alpha-helical content of bovine serum albumin, and it occurs mainly for [emodin]/[protein]2.0 ratios, the process implies a slower reaction than the union process to the site 2, with an observed rate constant that is invariable within the studied interval.

The embryo of Toxoneuron nigriceps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is surrounded by an extraembryonic membrane, which, at hatching, releases teratocytes and gives rise to a cell layer embedding the body of the 1st instar larva. This cell layer was studied at different developmental times, from soon after hatching up to the first larval moult, in order to elucidate its ultrastructural, immunocytochemical and physiological function. The persisting "larval serosa" shows a striking structural and functional complexity: it is a multifunctional barrier with protective properties, limits the passage of macromolecules and it is actively involved in the enzymatic processing and uptake of nutrients. The reported results emphasizes the important role that the embryo-derived host regulation factors may have in parasitism success in Hymenoptera koinobionts.

The presentation of a casuistic of 736 cases of unilateral, one-orifice mammary secretion which had a cytological, and in most cases, a histopathological study. It is highlighted that the majority of cases were the “creamy” type (43.5%), and the majority were cytologically benign (145 “a-cellular or normal cells” and the rest were “inflammatory process”). Of the pathology found, and confirmed, there were 30 cases with leakage of the nipple who had “papillary processes” (2.3% had serous secretions and 86.6% were the haemorrhagic type). In relation to breast cancer, 6 cases were diagnosed from the study of breast secretions: 1 was a serous secretion (0.6%), 1 was a purulent secretion (2.7%), and 4 were bloody secretions (13.4%). It is concluded ‐although it is not always said‐ that cytological study should be made of all nipple leakages, especially those that are unilateral, one-orifice and haemorrhagic. It is especially easy to take the specimen, it is processed rapidly, and the results are easy to interpret. From our results 12.1% of cases showed inflammatory, 4.01% were papillary and 7.4% of cases (6 cases) were neoplastic.

Palladium-catalyzed amination of o- dibromobenzene provided chiral N , N′- disubstituted 1,2-benzenediamines in good to excellent yields. The amination was executed stepwise and in one pot to give unsymmetrically and symmetrically substituted 1,2-benzenediamines. Incorporation of chiral primary amines was possible without racemization using catalytic Pd 2 dba 3 –BINAP.