Carrageenan from Chondracanthus Chamissoi Algae: Extraction process and experimental evaluation as green corrosion inhibitor for P22 steel in HCl

In this study, the extraction yield of carrageenan from the algae Chondracanthus Chamissoi and its efficiency as an ecological corrosion inhibitor for P22 steel in 1 M HCl at 65°C were evaluated. The extraction of carrageenan from the algae Chondracanthus chamissoi was carried out in cold water at 25°C (CC) and hot water at 80°C (HC), with different degreasing stages prior to the extraction (0, 1 and 2 stages). The codes of the six samples of carrageenan obtained were selected in terms of the production temperature and degreasing stages as: CC-0, CC-1, CC-2, HC-0, HC-1 and HC-2. All the carrageenan samples were characterized using: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrum. The CC shows crystallinity and is mainly composed of κ-carrageenan in the presence of KCl, NaCl and K3Na(SO4)2; while the degreasing stages reduce the content of KCl and NaCl. The HC presents an amorphous structure composed of κ/ι carrageenans. The highest carrageenan extraction yielded in cold water was 21.43%, without the degreasing stage (CC-0); while, the highest carrageenan extraction yielded in hot water was 28.96% with 2 degreasing stages (HC-2). The inhibition performance was investigated using gravimetric analysis, potentiodynamic polarization, linear polarization resistance, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical frequency modulation. The experimental results demonstrated that all six carrageenan inhibitors act as good corrosion inhibitors for P22 steel in 1 M HCl at 65°C. However, the CC-0 presented the maximum corrosion inhibition efficiency (IEc) of 85.53% (EIS technique). In the HC, the degrease does not significantly affect IEc, allows to obtain 82.56% without degrease (EIS technique). Based on the results obtained, the extraction CC-0 and HC-0 in the same extraction process, allows to obtain a semi-refined, economical carrageenan, with a total carrageenan yield of 45.91%, and with a high IEc.Fil: Zavaleta Gutiérrez, N.. Universidad Nacional de Trujillo.; PerúFil: Alvarado Loyola, L.. Universidad Nacional de Trujillo.; PerúFil: Angelats Silva, L.. Universidad Privada Atenor Orrego; PerúFil: Ñique Gutierrez, N.. Universidad Nacional de Trujillo.; PerúFil: Duffó, Gustavo Sergio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín; Argentin

Radio science measurements of atmospheric refractivity with Mars Global Surveyor

Radio occultation experiments with Mars Global Surveyor measure the refractive index of the Martian atmosphere from the surface to ~250 km in geopotential height. Refractivity is proportional to neutral density at low altitudes and electron density at high altitudes, with a transition at ~75 km. We use weighted least squares to decompose zonal refractivity variations into amplitudes and phases for observed wave numbers k=1-4 over the entire altitude range and use the results to analyze atmospheric structure and dynamics. The data set consists of 147 refractivity profiles acquired in December 2000 at summer solstice in the Martian northern hemisphere. The measurements are at an essentially fixed local time (sunrise) and at latitudes from 67deg to 70degN. Thermal tides appear to be responsible for much of the observed ionospheric structure from 80 to 220 km. Tides modulate the neutral density, which in turn, controls the height at which the ionosphere forms. The resulting longitude-dependent vertical displacement of the ionosphere generates distinctive structure in the fitted amplitudes, particularly at k=3, within plusmn50 km of the electron density peak height. Our k=3 observations are consistent with an eastward propagating semidiurnal tide with zonal wave number 1. Relative to previous results, our analysis extends the characterization of tides to altitudes well above and below the electron density peak. In the neutral atmosphere, refractivity variations from the surface to 50 km appear to arise from stationary Rossby waves. Upon examining the full vertical range, stationary waves appear to dominate altitudes below ~75 km, and thermal tides dominate altitudes above this transition region

Presencia de Hemoparásitos en Tortugas Motelo (Chelonoides denticulata) (Linnaeus, 1766) Comercializadas en el Mercado de Belén, Iquitos, Perú

The aim of this study was to identify and determine the presence of blood parasites in yellow-footed tortoises sold in the market of Belen, Iquitos, Peru and their association with sex, body weight, hematocrit and parasitemia. Blood samples were collected from 47 tortoises in July 2010. The thin blood smears with Giemsa, the microcapillary Woo technique and the Buffy coat technique were used for the identification of the haemoparasites. The results showed the presence of Haemogregarina sp in 74.5% of the samples, being 68.8% in females and 86.7% in males. There were mature gamonts (11.09 ± 1.42 μm length x 5.82 ± 0.76 μm wide) and inmature gamonts (14.85 ± 0.69 μm x 3.26 ± 0.41 μm). There were no significant differences between the presence of the parasite and the variables sex, weight, hematocrit and parasitemia level.El objetivo del presente estudio fue identificar y determinar la presencia de hemoparásitos en tortugas motelo comercializadas en el mercado de Belén, Iquitos, Perú, así como su asociación con las variables sexo, peso, hematocrito y parasitemia. Se colectaron muestras de sangre de 47 tortugas en julio de 2010. Se utilizaron las técnicas de frotis sanguíneo delgado con Giemsa, microcapilar de Woo y técnica de capa blanca o ‘Buffy coat’ para la identificación de los hemoparásitos. Se encontró la presencia de Haemogregarina sp, con una frecuencia de 74.5%, siendo de 68.8% en hembras y 86.7% en machos. Se encontraron gamontes maduros (11.09 ± 1.42 µm de longitud x 5.82 ± 0.76 µm de ancho) e inmaduros (14.85 ± 0.69 µm x 3.26 ± 0.41 µm). No se encontró diferencia significativa entre la presencia del parásito con las variables sexo, peso, hematocrito y nivel de parasitemia

Structure of the nonmigrating semidiurnal tide above Antarctica observed from the TIMED Doppler Interferometer

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94897/1/jgrd15034.pd

Functional divergence in the role of N-linked glycosylation in smoothened signaling

The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) Smoothened (Smo) is the requisite signal transducer of the evolutionarily conserved Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. Although aspects of Smo signaling are conserved from Drosophila to vertebrates, significant differences have evolved. These include changes in its active sub-cellular localization, and the ability of vertebrate Smo to induce distinct G protein-dependent and independent signals in response to ligand. Whereas the canonical Smo signal to Gli transcriptional effectors occurs in a G protein-independent manner, its non-canonical signal employs Gαi. Whether vertebrate Smo can selectively bias its signal between these routes is not yet known. N-linked glycosylation is a post-translational modification that can influence GPCR trafficking, ligand responsiveness and signal output. Smo proteins in Drosophila and vertebrate systems harbor N-linked glycans, but their role in Smo signaling has not been established. Herein, we present a comprehensive analysis of Drosophila and murine Smo glycosylation that supports a functional divergence in the contribution of N-linked glycans to signaling. Of the seven predicted glycan acceptor sites in Drosophila Smo, one is essential. Loss of N-glycosylation at this site disrupted Smo trafficking and attenuated its signaling capability. In stark contrast, we found that all four predicted N-glycosylation sites on murine Smo were dispensable for proper trafficking, agonist binding and canonical signal induction. However, the under-glycosylated protein was compromised in its ability to induce a non-canonical signal through Gαi, providing for the first time evidence that Smo can bias its signal and that a post-translational modification can impact this process. As such, we postulate a profound shift in N-glycan function from affecting Smo ER exit in flies to influencing its signal output in mice

Effect of central nervous system (CNS) metastases in a real-world multicenter cohort study of Spanish ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (p)

Background: CNS is a common site of metastases in patients with ALK-positive NSCLC. CNS metastases are associated with a number of deleterious effects, such as reduction in quality of life. However, the relationship between brain metastases and prognosis remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effect of CNS metastases on overall survival (OS) in a multicenter cohort of Spanish ALK-positive NSCLC patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2017. Methods: We included patients with stage IV at diagnoses, followed up to April 2018; OS (months [m]) was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival curves were compared between groups of patients using the log-rank test. Hazard risk (HR) to death was estimated with multivariable Cox model. Results: Out of 163 patients in the cohort, a total of 116 were evaluated, with a median of follow-up of 29.2 m and 59 deaths reported. Characteristics at diagnosis were a median age of 58 years, 50% female, 58.6% never-smokers, 54.3% with comorbidities, PS by ECOG 0-1 93.1%. CNS metastases (median number of lesions 6) were present in 43.1% of patients and 34% of patients with CNS metastases were treated with local therapy (11.8 % local radiotherapy and 76.5% holocraneal radiotherapy). ALK inhibitors as first line and second line treatment were administered to 45.5% and 78.6% of patients, respectively. The median OS was 39 months; OS in patients with CNS metastases at diagnosis was 34.4 m and 39.0 m in those without CNS metastases at diagnosis (p=.9). In patients without CNS metastases at baseline (n=60), 22 developed CNS, with a median OS greater than in those without CNS metastases during follow-up, although the difference is not significant (45.5 m vs 33.3 m; p=.9). There were 81 patients who presented with metastases in more than one organ and 33 patients with metastases in a single organ. The risk of death increased as the number of metastatic organs at diagnoses increased (HR=1.26, p=.0305), with worse OS in those presenting with liver metastases at diagnoses (21.1%, OS: 20 m), compared to those without tumor involvement (OS: 45.4 m; p =.008). Conclusions: OS was similar for ALK-positive NSCLC patients with and without CNS metastases at diagnoses. OS was worse as the number of metastatic organs at diagnosis increased, with liver metastases being associated with the highest risk of mortality

Desarrollo de técnicas láser para aplicaciones en nanotecnología

Describe la importancia de las técnicas láser para el desarrollo de aplicaciones en nanotecnología. Define, además, los tipos de láseres según el medio activo y el funcionamiento de los mismos

Genetic variants of the NOTCH3 gene in the elderly and magnetic resonance imaging correlates of age-related cerebral small vessel disease

Cerebral small vessel disease-related brain lesions such as white matter lesions and lacunes are common findings of magnetic resonance imaging in the elderly. These lesions are thought to be major contributors to disability in old age, and risk factors that include age and hypertension have been established. The radiological, histopathologic and clinical phenotypes of age-related cerebral small vessel disease remarkably resemble autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy, which is caused by mutations in NOTCH3. We hypothesized that genetic variations in NOTCH3 also play a role in age-related cerebral small vessel disease. We directly sequenced all 33 exons, the promoter and 3′-untranslated region of NOTCH3 in 195 participants with either coalescent white matter lesions or lacunes and compared the results to 82 randomly selected participants with no focal changes on magnetic resonance images in the Austrian Stroke Prevention Study. We detected nine common and 33 rare single nucleotide polymorphisms, of which 20 were novel. All common single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped in the entire cohort (n = 888), and four of them, rs1043994, rs10404382, rs10423702 and rs1043997, were associated significantly with both the presence and progression of white matter lesions. The association was confined to hypertensives, a result which we replicated in the Cohorts for Heart and Ageing Research in Genomic Epidemiology Consortium on an independent sample of 4773 stroke-free hypertensive elderly individuals of European descent (P = 0.04). The 33 rare single nucleotide polymorphisms were scattered over the NOTCH3 gene with three being located in the promoter region, 24 in exons (18 non-synonymous), three in introns and three in the 3′-untranslated region. None of the single nucleotide polymorphisms affected a cysteine residue. Sorting Intolerant From Tolerant, PolyPhen2 analyses and protein structure simulation consistently predicted six of the non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (H170R, P496L, V1183M, L1518M, D1823N and V1952M) to be functional, with four being exclusively or mainly detected in subjects with severe white matter lesions. In four individuals with rare non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms, we noted anterior temporal lobe hyperintensity, hyperintensity in the external capsule, lacunar infarcts or subcortical lacunar lesions. None of the observed abnormalities were specific to cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy. This is the first comprehensive study investigating (i) the frequency of NOTCH3 variations in community-dwelling elderly and (ii) their effect on cerebral small vessel disease related magnetic resonance imaging phenotypes. We show that the NOTCH3 gene is highly variable with both common and rare single nucleotide polymorphisms spreading across the gene, and that common variants at the NOTCH3 gene increase the risk of age-related white matter lesions in hypertensives. Additional investigations are required to explore the biological mechanisms underlying the observed association

Association between different measurements of blood pressure variability by ABP monitoring and ankle-brachial index

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Blood pressure (BP) variability has been associated with cardiovascular outcomes, but there is no consensus about the more effective method to measure it by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). We evaluated the association between three different methods to estimate BP variability by ABPM and the ankle brachial index (ABI).</p> <p>Methods and Results</p> <p>In a cross-sectional study of patients with hypertension, BP variability was estimated by the time rate index (the first derivative of SBP over time), standard deviation (SD) of 24-hour SBP; and coefficient of variability of 24-hour SBP. ABI was measured with a doppler probe. The sample included 425 patients with a mean age of 57 ± 12 years, being 69.2% women, 26.1% current smokers and 22.1% diabetics. Abnormal ABI (≤ 0.90 or ≥ 1.40) was present in 58 patients. The time rate index was 0.516 ± 0.146 mmHg/min in patients with abnormal ABI versus 0.476 ± 0.124 mmHg/min in patients with normal ABI (P = 0.007). In a logistic regression model the time rate index was associated with ABI, regardless of age (OR = 6.9, 95% CI = 1.1- 42.1; P = 0.04). In a multiple linear regression model, adjusting for age, SBP and diabetes, the time rate index was strongly associated with ABI (P < 0.01). None of the other indexes of BP variability were associated with ABI in univariate and multivariate analyses.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Time rate index is a sensible method to measure BP variability by ABPM. Its performance for risk stratification of patients with hypertension should be explored in longitudinal studies.</p