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Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune-mediated condition characterized by eosinophil infiltration in the esophagus, leading to symptoms such as food impaction and growth delays. Despite its increasing recognition, there is significant variability in diagnostic and treatment practices, particularly in pediatric populations. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the current diagnostic and treatment practices for EoE in children across multiple centers in Mexico, identify common clinical presentations, and assess the role of IgG4 in EoE. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 32 pediatric patients diagnosed with EoE. Data on clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings, histologic analysis, allergy assessments, and treatment approaches were collected. The presence of IgG4-positive plasma cells was also evaluated. Results: The median age was 10.6 years, with a diagnostic delay of 15.5 months. Acute food impaction was the most common symptom, and 82% had a personal history of atopy. Endoscopic abnormalities were observed in 71% of patients. Histologic analysis confirmed EoE in 83.8% of biopsy samples, with eosinophil counts averaging 17 to 24 per high-power field. IgG4-positive plasma cells were present in 76.5% of patients. Treatment varied, with many receiving proton pump inhibitors and topical corticosteroids, but patients treated with dupilumab showed significant improvement. Conclusions: The study highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing EoE in children, emphasizing the need for standardized practices and comprehensive evaluations. The presence of IgG4-positive plasma cells suggests a potential role in EoE pathophysiology. Further research is needed to establish effective treatment guidelines and confirm the potential of dupilumab as a therapeutic option.

Background: The aim of this study was to report the clinical and functional outcomes as well as complications after primary total knee arthroplasty in a cohort of Chilean patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 191 total knee arthroplasties performed in 182 patients over an 8-year period, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The primary outcome measure was the rate of major complications. Secondary outcomes were minor complications, residual symptoms, level of satisfaction, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Results: Global complication rate was 15.5%, reintervention rate was 9.2%, and revision rate was 2.5%. Major and minor complications were seen in 9.2% and 5.1% of patients, respectively. Average Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score was 77 points (14-100), and 90% of patients reported satisfaction with the procedure. At 2-year follow-up, 45.8% of patients had some degree of range of motion limitations. Conclusions: Our results show a medium-term follow-up complication rate comparable to those described in the literature. This is the first series to report on the clinical and functional outcomes after primary total knee arthroplasty in a Chilean population. Keywords: Primary knee arthroplasty, Total knee replacement, Clinical outcomes

Polylactic acid (PLA)-based nanocomposites were prepared by twin-screw extrusion. Graphene oxide (GO) and an ionic liquid (IL) were used as additives separately and simultaneously. The characterization of the samples was carried out by means of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The viscoelastic behavior was determined using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and rheological measurements. IL acted as internal lubricant increasing the mobility of PLA chains in the solid and rubbery states; however, the effect was less dominant when the composites were melted. When GO and IL were included, the viscosity of the nanocomposites at high temperatures presented a quasi-Newtonian behavior and, therefore, the processability of PLA was highly improved.

Graphene (0.5 wt.%) was dispersed in the hydrophobic room-temperature ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (IL) to obtain a new non-Newtonian (IL + G) nanolubricant. Thin layers of IL and (IL + G) lubricants were deposited on stainless steel disks by spin coating. The tribological performance of the new thin layers was compared with those of full fluid lubricants. Friction coefficients for neat IL were independent of lubricant film thickness. In contrast, for (IL + G) the reduction of film thickness not only afforded 40% reduction of the friction coefficient, but also prevented wear and surface damage. Results of surface profilometry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), energy dispersive analysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy were discussed.

This review is focused on the recent developments of nanocomposite materials that combine a thermoplastic matrix with different forms of graphene or graphene oxide nanofillers. In all cases, the manufacturing method of the composite materials has been melt-processing, in particular, twin-screw extrusion, which can then be followed by injection molding. The advantages of this processing route with respect to other alternative methods will be highlighted. The results point to an increasing interest in biodegradable matrices such as polylactic acid (PLA) and graphene oxide or reduced graphene oxide, rather than graphene. The reasons for this will also be discussed., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript or in the decision to publish the results.

Molybdenum chalcogenides present interesting properties beyond their superconducting critical temperatures and upper critical magnetic fields, making them suitable for potential applications in tribology, batteries, catalysis, or thermopower. In this study, Mo 15 S 19 nanoparticles with an average diameter of 10 nm were synthesized via the reaction of ammonium molybdate with hydrochloric acid and elemental sulfur as reducers at 245 °C. The oxidation to MoO₃ in air was efficiently avoided by using linseed oil as a reaction medium and dispersant. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of the as-prepared samples revealed the presence of few-micron-size aggregates, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization evidenced that the samples were polynanocrystalline with a high degree of homogeneity in size (standard deviation of 2.7 nm). The absence of the first-order (00l) reflection in the X-ray diffraction pattern was also indicative of the absence of Mo₃S₄ stacking, suggesting that it was a non-layered material. A dispersion of the nanoparticles in linseed oil has been studied as a lubricant of steel⁻steel sliding contacts, showing the formation of a surface layer that reduces wear and mean friction coefficients with respect to the base oil.

The biosorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by Opuntia cladodes and ectodermis from cactus fruits was investigated. Both types of biomass are considered low-cost, natural, and ecofriendly biosorbents. Batch experiments were carried out to determine Cr(VI) biosorption capacity and the efficiency of the biosorption process under different pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration, and sorbent dosage. The biosorption of Cr(VI) by Opuntia biomass was highly pH dependent, favoring higher metal uptake at low pH. The higher biosorption capacity was exhibited at pH 2. The optimal conditions were obtained at a sorbent dosage of 1 g L(-1) and initial metal concentration of 10 mg L(-1). Biosorption kinetic data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The rate constant, the initial biosorption rate, and the equilibrium biosorption capacity were determined. The experimental equilibrium data obtained were analyzed using two-parameter isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin). The Langmuir maximum monolayer biosorption capacity (q max) was 18.5 mg g(-1) for cladodes and 16.4 mg g(-1) for ectodermis. The results suggest that Opuntia biomass could be considered a promising low-cost biosorbent for the ecofriendly removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous systems.