Biobased catalyst in biorefinery processes: Sulphonated hydrothermal carbon for glycerol esterification

Sulphonated hydrothermal carbon (SHTC), obtained from D-glucose by mild hydrothermal carbonisation and subsequent sulphonation with sulphuric acid, is able to catalyse the esterification of glycerol with dif- ferent carboxylic acids, namely, acetic, butyric and caprylic acids. Product selectivity can be tuned by sim- ply controlling the reaction conditions. On the one hand, SHTC provides one of the best selectivity towards 20 monoacetins described up to now without the need for an excess of glycerol. On the other hand, excellent selectivity towards triacylglycerides (TAG) can be obtained, beyond those described with other solid cata- lysts, including well-known sulphonic resins. Recovery of the catalyst showed partial deactivation of the solid. The formation of sulphonate esters on the surface, confirmed by solid state NMR, was the cause of this behaviour. Acid treatment of the used catalyst, with subsequent hydrolysis of the surface sulphonate 25 esters, allows SHTC to recover its activity. The higher selectivity towards mono- and triesters and its renewable origin makes SHTC an attractive catalyst in biorefinery processe

Imaging Tests for Predicting the Presence of Difficult Airway in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Otorhinolaryngological Surgery

Patients with head and neck cancers represent a challenge for the surgical team from many points of view, but, especially, the surgical moment where greater stress generated corresponds to the perioperative management of the airway, because in many occasions we can face unexpected situations, most of the time, incidental findings can hinder ventilation and endotracheal intubation. Gutierrez et al., in 2018, decided to study four tomography measures and their correlation in anesthesia records with airway management difficulties. Material and methods: A retrospective, observational study was carried out in 104 patients operated by head and neck cancers over a period of 36 months, only in those with access to tomographic records. Four tomographic measurements were considered and were statistically related to the extreme degrees of visualization of the glottis (Cormack III–IV) and the presence of the physical examination of Mallampati III–IV. Results: After performing a multivariate model in the group of extreme degrees of visualization of the glottis, the results were not statistically significant (p > 0.05; 95% CI: 0.030–2.31: EPI/PPW, 0.018–1.37 TB/PPW). In the Mallampati III–IV group, in the multivariate model only the VC/PPW showed clinically significant results (p < 0.05; 95% CI: 0.104–8.53). Conclusions: Tomographic measurements and the physical examination predictors could represent a useful guide in the prediction of the difficult airway in these patients

Segmentación de patrones de marcha en pacientes con parálisis cerebral mediante aprendizaje profundo y visión artificial

La parálisis cerebral (PC) ha sido reconocida como la discapacidad motora más común en la infancia. La afectación de la marcha constituye una de sus principales limitaciones, por lo que los pacientes pueden beneficiarse de análisis clínicos de la marcha instrumentados (Instrumental Gait Analysis, IGA), De entre todos los dispositivos ofertados en el mercado, la visión artificial con cámaras de infrarrojo y marcadores corporales constituye el gold standard. Sin embargo, su elevado precio y la necesidad de amplios espacios y formación de profesionales dificultan su utilización. En este trabajo, se estudió el empleo de unidades de medición inercial (Xsens) y sistemas de vídeo sin marcadores (OpenCap) para registrar patrones de marcha y segmentar sus fases empleando redes neuronales. Con ello se pretende demostrar el potencial de ambas técnicas, que al ser mucho más económicas y rápidas que la visión artificial, podrían extender el análisis instrumentado en el ámbito clínico.Esta investigación ha sido financiada parcialmente por proyectos del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (124515OA-100), la Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (GRS 2670/A/22) y la Consejería de Empleo e Industria de Castilla y León (INVESTUN/21/VA/0003). C. Simón-Martínez cuenta con el apoyo del acuerdo de subvención Marie Sklodowska-Curie (890641)

A practice-based randomized controlled trial to improve medication adherence among Latinos with hypertension: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Latinos experience disproportionately higher rates of uncontrolled hypertension as compared to Blacks and Whites. While poor adherence is a major contributor to disparities in blood pressure control, data in Latino patients are scant. More importantly, translation of interventions to improve medication adherence in community-based primary care practices, where the majority of Latino patients receive their care is non-existent. METHODS: Using a randomized controlled design, this study evaluates the effectiveness of a culturally tailored, practice-based intervention compared to usual care on medication adherence, among 148 Latino patients with uncontrolled hypertension who are non-adherent to their antihypertensive medications. Bilingual medical assistants trained as Health Coaches deliver the intervention using an electronic medical record system-embedded adherence script. Patients randomized to the intervention group receive patient-centered counseling with a Health Coach to develop individualized self-monitoring strategies to overcome barriers and improve adherence behaviors. Health Coach sessions are held biweekly for the first 3 months (6 sessions total) and then monthly for the remaining 3 months (3 sessions total). Patients randomized to the usual care group receive standard hypertension treatment recommendations as determined by their primary care providers. The primary outcome is the rate of medication adherence at 6 months. The secondary outcome is reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 6 months. DISCUSSION: If successful, findings from this study will provide salient information on the translation of culturally tailored, evidence-based interventions targeted at medication adherence and blood pressure control into practice-based settings for this high-risk population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01643473 on 16 July 2012

Lamivudine plus a boosted-protease inhibitor as simplification strategy in HIV-infected patients with toxicity to nucleoside analogues

Purpose of the study: Dual therapy with lamivudine plus a PI boosted with ritonavir (PI/r) could be an alternative to standard triple therapy or PI/r monotherapy as a simplification strategy in patients with toxicity to nucleoside analogues (NA). Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 44 HIV-infected patients on suppressive HAART, with no chronic HBV, who simplified to this dual therapy since 2008. Virological and immunological outcome, lipids and renal changes were evaluated. Summary of results: Mean age was 50 years (38-70), 66% were male, and the median time of HIV infection was 18.6 years. The median nadir CD4+ count was 150 cells/ml (2&#x2013;407). At inclusion, patients were receiving therapy with lamivudine plus atazanavir/r in 5 cases, lopinavir/r in 12, and darunavir/r in 27, and they had an HIV RNA level&#60;50 copies/ml for a median time of 794 days (129&#x2013;2344, 90% &#x003E;6 months). The NA discontinued was tenofovir (27), didanosine (12), AZT (3), and d4T (2). The reasons for changing were toxicity in 76% of cases, especially renal impairment. They had received a mean of 8 regimens before (2&#x2013;20), and 55% were in CDC-stage C. In 11 cases, history of resistance was available (to NA in 7 cases, including the 210W mutation in four). The mutations 184V was not observed, but four patients (9%) had a previous failure to therapy including 3tC. Mutations in the protease gene were observed in 8 patients (2 to 7 mutations, the most frequent 77I and 93L), without resistance to the current PI/r. During 62.8 patient-years of follow-up (median, 802 days), only 2 patients failed (4.5%), due to incomplete adherence, at 27 and 141 days. Of note, these two patients had no previous failed with 3tC or PI. Overall, CD4+ count increased for 55 cells/ml. No new adverse events were observed, but total cholesterol (from 180 to 246 mg/dl, p=0.007) and triglycerides (from 166 to 195, p=0.01) increased during the first 24 weeks with improvement at 48 weeks. On the other hand, estimated glomerular filtration rate improved during follow up (from 74.2 ml/min to 83.08 ml/min after 48 weeks, p=0.1). Conclusions: Dual therapy with lamivudine plus a boosted PI is safe and effective as simplification strategy in patients with toxicity to NA. This combination could be an alternative to mono or triple therapy in hard to treat patients, although an initial increase in lipid parameters could be observed

Non-one-dimensional behavior in charge-ordered structurally quasi-one-dimensional Sr6Co5O15

We have synthesized Sr6Co5O15, a quasi-one-dimensional oxide, measured its magnetic properties, and calculated its electronic structure by ab initio techniques. We have found strong evidence for its electronic and magnetic behavior not to follow the trend of its structural series. The magnetic coupling inside the CoO3 chains is not purely ferromagnetic, and the long-range coupling inside the chains is very weak. The Co moments are slightly canted due to their large orbital angular momenta being oriented along each particular quantization axis, which is different for each Co4+ atom in the structure. Our thermopower calculations are in agreement with the experiment, supporting our model of the magnetic ground state of the compound.Fil: Botana, A. S.. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; EspañaFil: Botta, Pablo Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: De la Calle, C.. Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid; EspañaFil: Piñeiro, A.. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; EspañaFil: Pardo, V.. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; EspañaFil: Baldomir, D.. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; EspañaFil: Alonso, J. A.. Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid; Españ

Clasificación de movimientos del tren superior con visión artificial y aprendizaje profundo en adulto sano y paciente pediátrico con parálisis cerebral

Las escalas clínicas estándar se utilizan para valorar de forma cualitativa la funcionalidad del miembro superior en pacientes pediátricos con parálisis cerebral. Una alternativa para valorar cuantitativamente dichos pacientes es el empleo de ángulos articulares obtenidos mediante el uso de sistemas de adquisición con sensores inerciales o visión artificial. En este trabajo se ha adquirido una base de datos de movimientos de miembro superior empleando sensores XSens y software de visión OpenCap en adulto sano y paciente pediátrico, seleccionando las actividades en base a las escalas estándar empleadas por el equipo rehabilitador. Se han estudiado redes de aprendizaje profundo para segmentar de forma automática los movimientos y las fases de un movimiento más complejo, combinación de movimientos unimanuales y bimanuales. Los resultados muestran que es posible reconocer movimientos de la vida diaria y que es posible segmentar las fases de una actividad de miembro superior tanto en sujetos sanos como patológicos, obteniendo una F1-score superior al 80%. Estos resultados sugieren que las redes neuronales desarrolladas son capaces de clasificar y segmentar los movimientos propuestos de miembro superior en sujeto sano y paciente pediátrico con parálisis cerebral.Esta investigación ha sido financiada parcialmente por proyectos del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (124515OA-100), la Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (GRS 2670/A/22) y la Consejería de Empleo e Industria de Castilla y León (INVESTUN/21/VA/0003). C. Simón-Martínez cuenta con el apoyo del acuerdo de subvención Marie Sklodowska-Curie (890641)

BIRI: a new approach for automatically discovering and indexing available public bioinformatics resources from the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The rapid evolution of Internet technologies and the collaborative approaches that dominate the field have stimulated the development of numerous bioinformatics resources. To address this new framework, several initiatives have tried to organize these services and resources. In this paper, we present the BioInformatics Resource Inventory (BIRI), a new approach for automatically discovering and indexing available public bioinformatics resources using information extracted from the scientific literature. The index generated can be automatically updated by adding additional manuscripts describing new resources. We have developed web services and applications to test and validate our approach. It has not been designed to replace current indexes but to extend their capabilities with richer functionalities.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We developed a web service to provide a set of high-level query primitives to access the index. The web service can be used by third-party web services or web-based applications. To test the web service, we created a pilot web application to access a preliminary knowledge base of resources. We tested our tool using an initial set of 400 abstracts. Almost 90% of the resources described in the abstracts were correctly classified. More than 500 descriptions of functionalities were extracted.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These experiments suggest the feasibility of our approach for automatically discovering and indexing current and future bioinformatics resources. Given the domain-independent characteristics of this tool, it is currently being applied by the authors in other areas, such as medical nanoinformatics. BIRI is available at <url>http://edelman.dia.fi.upm.es/biri/</url>.</p

Bridging the evidence-to-practice gap: a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating practice facilitation as a strategy to accelerate translation of a multi-level adherence intervention into safety net practices

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to antihypertensive medications is a significant contributor to the racial gap in rates of blood pressure (BP) control among Latino adults, as compared to Black and White adults. While multi-level interventions (e.g., those aiming to influence practice, providers, and patients) have been efficacious in improving medication adherence in underserved patients with uncontrolled hypertension, the translation of these interventions into routine practice within real world safety-net primary care settings has been inadequate and slow. This study will fill this evidence-to-practice gap by evaluating the effectiveness of practice facilitation (PF) as a practical and tailored strategy for implementing Advancing Medication Adherence for Latinos with Hypertension through a Team-based Care Approach (ALTA), a multi-level approach to improving medication adherence and BP control in 10 safety-net practices in New York that serve Latino patients. METHODS AND DESIGN: We will conduct this study in two phases: (1) a pre-implementation phase where we will refine the PF strategy, informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, to facilitate the implementation of ALTA into routine care at the practices; and (2) an implementation phase during which we will evaluate, in a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial, the effect of the PF strategy on ALTA implementation fidelity (primary outcome), as well as on clinical outcomes (secondary outcomes) at 12 months. Implementation fidelity will be assessed using a mixed methods approach based on the five core dimensions outlined by Proctor\u27s Implementation Outcomes Framework. Clinical outcome measures include BP control (defined as BP \u3c 130/80 mmHg) and medication adherence (assessed using the proportion of days covered via pharmacy records). DISCUSSION: The study protocol applies rigorous research methods to identify how implementation strategies such as PF may work to expedite the translation process for implementing evidence-based approaches into routine care at safety-net practices to improve health outcomes in Latino patients with hypertension, who suffer disproportionately from poor BP control. By examining the barriers and facilitators that affect implementation, this study will contribute knowledge that will increase the generalizability of its findings to other safety-net practices and guide effective scale-up across primary care practices nationally. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03713515, date of registration: October 19, 2018