Nut drying of India cultivated in Campeche, México through direct solar technologies and under controlled conditions

 Las semillas de nuez de la India han sido usadas durante cientos de años en américa del sur gracias a sus múltiples propiedades beneficiosas y medicinales que posee. En este trabajo se presentan las características de la deshidratación de las semillas de nuez de la India utilizando un horno no convectivo a condiciones controladas de temperatura: 55°C y 65°C, con tiempos de secado de 1280 y 1080 minutos, respectivamente. Se utilizó además un secador solar directo tipo gabinete sin ventilación y secado a cielo abierto, obteniendo tiempos de secado promedios de 1020 y 1400 minutos, respectivamente. La temperatura en la cámara de secado más alta medida fue de 58.8°C. Las pruebas se realizaron en la Facultad de Ingeniería de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Campeche, en Campeche, México, ubicada a 19º51'00" de latitud norte, y 90º31'59" de longitud oeste, con un clima cálido-húmedo y valores promedio máximos de irradiancia solar de 970 W/m2. La humedad final de la nuez seca se osciló entre 6% y 4%. El tiempo de secado en gabinete fue más corto debido a que en convección natural se pueden alcanzar temperaturas más altas o muy cercanas a los 55 °C. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el secado solar en gabinete es una tecnología simple y económica; se comprobó también la factibilidad técnica del secado solar de la semilla de marañón, obteniendo un valor agregado y alentando su producción en México. Palabras clave: Secador solar directo, Secado con temperaturas controladas, Convección natural, Cinética de secado

Identification of circulating miRNA profiles that distinguish malignant pleural mesothelioma from lung adenocarcinoma

Accurate diagnosis of malignant pleura mesothelioma (MPM) is challenging. Differential diagnosis of MPM versus lung adenocarcinoma (AD) is particularly difficult, yet clinically important since the two neoplasias call for different treatment approaches. Circulating miRNA-profiling to identify miRNAs that can be used to distinguish MPM from AD has not been reported. We conducted a wide screening study of miRNA profiles in serum pools of MPM patients (N = 11), AD patients (N = 36), and healthy subjects (N = 45) to identify non-invasive biomarkers for differential diagnosis of MPM and AD, using deep sequencing. Sequencing detected up to 300 known miRNAs and up to 25 novel miRNAs species in the serum samples. Among known miRNAs, 7 were upregulated in MPM and 12 were upregulated in AD compared to healthy controls. Of these, eight were distinctive for AD and three were unique for MPM. Direct comparison of the miRNA profiles for MPM and AD revealed differences in miRNA levels that could be useful for differential diagnosis. No differentially expressed novel miRNAs were found. Further bioinformatics analysis indicated that three upregulated miRNAs in MPM are associated with the p38 pathway. There are unique alterations in serum miRNAs in MPM and AD compared to healthy controls, as well as differences between MPM and AD profiles. Differing miRNA levels between MPM and AD may be useful for differential diagnosis. A potential association to p38 pathway of three upregulated miRNAs in MPM was revealed

Use of tocilizumab in kidney transplant recipients with COVID-1

Acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with coronavirus infection is related to a cytokine storm with large interleukin-6 (IL-6) release. The IL-6-receptor blocker tocilizumab may control the aberrant host immune response in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) . In this pandemic, kidney transplant (KT) recipients are a high-risk population for severe infection and showed poor outcomes. We present a multicenter cohort study of 80 KT patients with severe COVID-19 treated with tocilizumab during hospital admission. High mortality rate was identified (32.5%), related with older age (hazard ratio [HR] 3.12 for those older than 60 years, P = .039). IL-6 and other inflammatory markers, including lactic acid dehydrogenase, ferritin, and D-dimer increased early after tocilizumab administration and their values were higher in nonsurvivors. Instead, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels decreased after tocilizumab, and this decrease positively correlated with survival (mean 12.3 mg/L in survivors vs. 33 mg/L in nonsurvivors). Each mg/L of CRP soon after tocilizumab increased the risk of death by 1% (HR 1.01 [confidence interval 1.004-1.024], P = .003). Although patients who died presented with worse respiratory situation at admission, this was not significantly different at tocilizumab administration and did not have an impact on outcome in the multivariate analysis. Tocilizumab may be effective in controlling cytokine storm in COVID-19 but randomized trials are needed

Determinants of the success of international assignees as knowledge transferors: a theoretical framework

Drawing on previous work in the knowledge management literature, this article develops a conceptual framework to analyse the cause and effects of international assignments as a knowledge transfer mechanism. In examining the characteristics of knowledge transferred within multinational companies (MNCs) the use of international assignees is explained and justified. The article also identifies the factors influencing the success of international assignees as knowledge transferors. It is argued that, in addition to the specific characteristics of the knowledge involved, transfer success will be affected by three sets of human-related factors: abilities and motivation of international staff; abilities and motivation of local employees; and the relationship between local and international staff. The article concludes by discussing some management initiatives helping to trigger the human-related factors