Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Effect of Biological and Chemical Pre-treatment on the Hydrolysis of Corn Leaf

Hydrolysis of corn leaf utilizing two treatment sequences was carried out in this study. The first treatment was chemical and involved subjecting the corn leaf to an alkaline pre-treatment and then to a smooth acid hydrolysis. The second consisted of biological delignification using the strain Trametes sp. 44 H88, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis using the enzymatic extract produced by Trichoderma sp. H88. The ligninolytic extract produced by Trametes sp. 44 H88 was used to detoxify the hydrolyzate. The results indicate that biological pre-treatment with delignification is more favorable and improves the subsequent hydrolysis, regardless of whether the hydrolysis is chemical or biological. The chemical treatment sequence obtained 80% conversion of monosaccharides, while the biological treatment sequence resulted in a 87% conversion rate. Finally, the use of the ligninolytic extract for the dephenolization of the hydrolyzate reduced the presence of compounds of phenolic origin by 23%

Insights of Raceway Bioreactor Scale-Up: Effect of Agitation on Microalgae Culture and Reduction of the Liquid Medium Speed

The scaling of Raceway bioreactors was studied by geometric and mechanical similarity, with an order of magnitude of 1:10. The hydrodynamic parameters involved (flow velocity, hydrodynamic stress or shear stress, dimensionless numbers of Re, Fr, and Euler Power) at different stirring speeds (30, 35, 40, and 45 rpm) were determined. The study, carried out using low-density particle imaging velocimetry (PIV), showed that the speed of the liquid medium remains above 30 cm/s from 30 rpm, which ensures turbulence in the system. The flow velocity suffers a decrease of approximately 18%, at different angular velocities, with similar biomass concentrations (3.24 × 105–3.72 × 105 cells/mL). This decrease in speed directly affects the values of all the parameters involved in the bioreactor. Furthermore, the measurement of hydrodynamic stress (τ) indicates that the microorganisms are exposed to a value of 0.299 Pa at 35 rpm and 0.370 Pa at 40 rpm. Due to mechanical agitation, hydrodynamic stress values in Raceway systems have not been previously reported. The studies were carried out in a 10 L Raceway bioreactor using a consortium of microalgae and cyanobacteria where Spirulina sp. and Pseudanabaena sp. predominate

Ensinar teologia em universidades católicas colombianas: acertos e interpelações

Teaching practices in theological courses offered by Catholic universities to all their students in response to their mission and comprehensive education are the subject of this article. In this sense, its objective is to characterize such practices concerning theology conceptions, formative intentions, contents, methods, resources, and assessment. The method used in our research is a multiple case study carried out with four universities in Colombia (two in Bogotá and two in Cali). In identifying the methodological constructions and intentional actions implemented so that students learn to weigh reality theologically, we found that students have prejudices that are overcome throughout the course; professors do not restrict themselves to a single pedagogical approach and, consequently, specific didactics is not identified; and, finally, there is a significant contribution to the human education of students, but theology itself becomes blurred among religious, moral, social, political, and ecological issues.Las prácticas de enseñanza en las asignaturas de índole teológica ofrecidas por universidades católicas a todos sus estudiantes en respuesta a su misionalidad y su deseo de formación integral son el tema del presente artículo, cuyo objetivo es caracterizar tales prácticas en relación con las concepciones de teología, intencionalidades formativas, contenidos, métodos, recursos y evaluación. El método de la investigación es el estudio de caso múltiple y se llevó a cabo en cuatro universidades de Colombia (dos en Bogotá y dos en Cali). En su propósito de identificar las construcciones metodológicas y las acciones intencionadas que se implementan para que los estudiantes aprendan a pensar teológicamente la realidad, se encontró que: existen prejuicios por parte de los estudiantes que van desapareciendo a lo largo de la asignatura; los profesores no se inscriben en un único enfoque pedagógico y, en consecuencia, no se identifica una didáctica específica; y, finalmente, aunque hay un aporte significativo en la formación humana de los estudiantes, lo propio de la teología queda diluido en asuntos religiosos, morales, sociales, políticos y ecológicos.As práticas de ensino das disciplinas de índole teológica oferecidas por universidades católicas a todos os estudantes em resposta a sua missão e a seu desejo de formação integral são o tema deste artigo, cujo objetivo é caracterizar essas práticas com relação às concepções de teologia, às intencionalidades formativas, aos conteúdos, aos métodos, aos recursos e à avaliação. O método da pesquisa é o estudo de casos múltiplos e foi realizado em quatro universidades da Colômbia (duas em Bogotá e duas em Cali). Em seu propósito de identificar as construções metodológicas e as ações intencionadas que são implementadas para que os estudantes aprendam a pensar teologicamente na realidade, constatou-se que existem preconceitos por parte dos estudantes que vão desaparecendo ao longo do curso; que os professores não estão vinculados a uma única abordagem pedagógica e, em consequência, não é identificada uma didática específica; finalmente, que, embora haja uma contribuição significativa na formação humana dos estudantes, o objetivo em si da teologia se dilui em assuntos religiosos, morais, políticos e ecológicos

Optimization of 2-Phenylethanol Production from Sweet Whey Fermentation Using Kluyveromyces marxianus

The growing demand for natural products benefits the development of bioprocesses to obtain value-added compounds using residues such as sweet whey, which is rich in lactose. The yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus can ferment sweet whey to obtain 2-phenylethanol (2-PhEtOH), which is a superior alcohol with a rose aroma. Such fermentation only requires the addition of L-phenylalanine (precursor) and (NH4)2SO4 (salt). Therefore, it was sought to improve the fermentation conditions to produce 2-PhEtOH, which, in turn, would achieve the maximum decrease in the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of the fermentation medium. With the use of the Response Surface Methodology and the application of a Central Composite Design for optimization, two parameters were evaluated as a function of time: salt concentration and precursor. The experimental data were adjusted to a second order polynomial, identifying that the precursor concentration presents a statistically significant effect. The best conditions were: 4.50 g/L of precursor and 0.76 g/L of salt, with a maximum production of 1.2 g/L (2-PhEtOH) at 48 h and achieving a maximum percentage of COD removal of 76% at 96 h. Finally, the optimal conditions were experimentally validated, recommending the use of the model

Optimization of 2-Phenylethanol Production from Sweet Whey Fermentation Using <i>Kluyveromyces marxianus</i>

The growing demand for natural products benefits the development of bioprocesses to obtain value-added compounds using residues such as sweet whey, which is rich in lactose. The yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus can ferment sweet whey to obtain 2-phenylethanol (2-PhEtOH), which is a superior alcohol with a rose aroma. Such fermentation only requires the addition of L-phenylalanine (precursor) and (NH4)2SO4 (salt). Therefore, it was sought to improve the fermentation conditions to produce 2-PhEtOH, which, in turn, would achieve the maximum decrease in the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of the fermentation medium. With the use of the Response Surface Methodology and the application of a Central Composite Design for optimization, two parameters were evaluated as a function of time: salt concentration and precursor. The experimental data were adjusted to a second order polynomial, identifying that the precursor concentration presents a statistically significant effect. The best conditions were: 4.50 g/L of precursor and 0.76 g/L of salt, with a maximum production of 1.2 g/L (2-PhEtOH) at 48 h and achieving a maximum percentage of COD removal of 76% at 96 h. Finally, the optimal conditions were experimentally validated, recommending the use of the model

Influence of the Application of Synchronization with Progesterone on the Reproductive Performance of Creole Ewes

El objetivo fue determinar la dinámica folicular, la incidencia de celos, fertilidad y prolificidad de ovejas criollas mexicanas. Se utilizaron 57 ovejas distribuidas al azar a uno de tres tratamientos: T1) Aplicación i.m. de 25 mg de P4 48 horas (h), antes de la remoción de esponja intravaginal (n=19); T2) Aplicación i.m. de 25 mg de P4, 24 h, antes de remover la esponja (n =20) y T3) Sin aplicación de P4 o grupo testigo (n=18). Las esponjas contenían 20 mg de acetato de fluorogestona (FGA) y permanecieron en las ovejas por 12 días (d). El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar y la unidad experimental fue la oveja. Se determinó con ultrasonido el número de folículos 2 mm de diámetro a la hora cero (considerada el día en que se aplicó P4 en los tratamientos, y en el grupo testigo 48 h, antes de remover la esponja), y a las 24 y 48 h después. La inseminación fue por laparoscopía y la gestación diagnosticada con ultrasonografía. Hubo aumento (P 0,05) del número de folículos en los tratamientos, excepto en el testigo de la hora cero a las 24 h. El diámetro del folículo más grande se redujo (P 0,05) a las 24 h después de la hora celo sólo cuando la P4 se aplicó 48 h solo en el tratamiento P448 h a las 24 h después de la hora cero. El inicio del celo fue más tardío en el tratamiento P424 h (P 0,05; 167,1 ± 11,0) comparado con los demás tratamientos. El porcentaje de gestación en el tratamiento P4 24 h fue superior (P 0,05) al del testigo (70,0 vs 33,3). La aparición del celo se retrasó cuando se aplicó P4, 24 h, antes de la remoción de la esponja y mejoró la fertilidad de ovejas criollas mexicanas.325 - [email protected] objective was to determine the follicular dynamics, the incidence of estrus, fertility and prolificacy of Mexican Creole ewes. Fifty-seven Creole multiparous ewes were randomly distributed to one of three treatments: T1) Application i.m. of 25 mg of P4 48 hours (h), before the removal of the intravaginal sponge (n=19); T2) Application i.m. of 25 mg of P4 24 h, before the removal of the sponge (n=20) and T3) Without the application of P4 or control group (n=18). The intravaginal sponges contained 20 mg of fluorogestone acetate (FGA) and remain in the ewes for 12 days (d). The experimental design was completely at random and the experimental unit was the ewe. The number of follicles 2 mm in diameter was determined with an ultrasound at zero hour (considered as the day when P4 was applied to the treatments, and in the control group 48 h, before sponge removal), and 24 and 48 h after. The ewes were inseminated by laparoscopy and pregnancy was detected by ultrasound. There was an increase (P 0.05) in the number of follicles in the treatments, except for the control group from the zero hour to 24 h. The largest follicular diameter was reduced (P 0.05) at 24 h after estrus time only when P4 was applied 48 h only in the treatments P4 48 h at 24 h after the zero hour. The onset of estrus was delayed in treatment P4 24 h (P 0.05; 167,1 ± 11,0) compared with the other treatments. The pregnancy rate in treatment P4 24 h was higher (P 0.05) than in the control group (70,0 vs 33,3). The onset of estrus was delayed when P4 was applied 24 h, before sponge removal and improved fertility of native Mexican sheep

Physicochemical and sensory characterization of an extruded product from blue maize meal and orange bagasse using the response surface methodology

The mixtures of blue cornmeal and orange bagasse were processed in a single screw laboratory extruder. We used an experimental design, central composite rotatable, where the factors were as follows: extruder die temperature (153–187°C), feed moisture (146.4–213.6 g/kg), and orange bagasse concentration (32.7–167.3 g/kg). The results were analyzed by surface methodology response to evaluate the effect of these variables on the expansion index, bulk density, penetration force, specific mechanical energy, water absorption, and water solubility index. All independent variables had an effect on the evaluated responses (p ≤ 0.05). The highest expansion index was obtained at a feed moisture content of 146.4 g/kg, orange bagasse (100 g/kg), and 170°C at the exit die. The use of blue maize and orange bagasse can be an alternative to increase the added value of these two raw materials, and to improve the nutritional quality of extruded products ready to eat