Phymaturus calcogaster: rectificación de la localidad Tipo y descripción de la hembra (Reptilia, Iguania, Liolaemidae)

Se rectifica la localidad Tipo para la especie, se aportan nuevos registros morfológicos sobre más individuos de la población y se describe el patrón de las hembras. Se comentan los principales rasgos ecológicos de la Terra Typica.The Terra Typica of the species is rectified. New morphological data from more specimens and the female pattern are presented. Ecological features are commented.Fil: Scolaro, Jose Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Trelew; ArgentinaFil: Tappari, Osvaldo Fabián. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "san Juan Bosco". Facultad de Cs.naturales - Sede Trelew. Departamento de Biología; ArgentinaFil: González, Cynthia Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio; Argentin

Wear resistant nanocomposites based on biomedical grade UHMWPE paraffin oil and carbon nano-filler: Preliminary biocompatibility and antibacterial activity investigation

Abstract: In the present paper, we investigate the effectiveness of nanocomposites (composed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) mixed with carbon nano-filler (CNF) and medical grade paraffin oil (PO), from the biological point of view. Wear measurements were carried out without (air) and with lubricant (distilled water, natural, and artificial lubricant), and antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity were evaluated. The results highlighted that the presence of CNF is important in the nanocomposite formulation because it reduces the wear rate and prevents oxidative degradation during its processing. An amount of 1.0 wt % of CNF is best because it reaches the optimal distribution within the polymeric matrix, resulting in the best wear resistant, bio-active, and anti-bacterial nanocomposite among all investigated sample

Plastics today: Key challenges and EU strategies towards carbon neutrality: A review

Never as today the need for collaborative interactions between industry, the scientific community, NGOs, policy makers and citizens has become crucial for the development of shared political choices and protection of the environment, for the safeguard of future generations. The complex socio-economic and environmental interconnections that underlie the EU strategy of the last years, within the framework of the Agenda 2030 and the green deal, often create perplexity and confusion that make difficult to outline the definition of a common path to achieve carbon neutrality and “net zero emissions” by 2050. Scope of this work is to give a general overview of EU policies, directives, regulations, and laws concerning polymers and plastic manufacturing, aiming to reduce plastic pollution, allowing for a better understanding of the implications that environmental concern and protection may generate from a social-economical point of view

Transitioning Pharmacogenomics into the Clinical Setting: Training Future Pharmacists

Pharmacogenomics, once hailed as a futuristic approach to pharmacotherapy, has transitioned to clinical implementation. Although logistic and economic limitations to clinical pharmacogenomics are being superseded by external measures such as preemptive genotyping, implementation by clinicians has met resistance, partly due to a lack of education. Pharmacists, with extensive training in pharmacology and pharmacotherapy and accessibility to patients, are ideally suited to champion clinical pharmacogenomics. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of an innovative pharmacogenomic teaching approach. Second-year student pharmacists enrolled in a required, 15-week pharmaceutical care lab course in 2015 completed educational activities including lectures and small group work focusing on practical pharmacogenomics. Reflecting the current landscape of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genomic testing, students were offered 23andMe genotyping. Students completed surveys regarding their attitudes and confidence on pharmacogenomics prior to and following the educational intervention. Paired pre- and post-intervention responses were analyzed with McNemar's test for binary comparisons and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for Likert items. Responses between genotyped and non-genotyped students were analyzed with Fisher's exact test for binary comparisons and the Mann-Whitney U-test for Likert items. Responses were analyzed for all student pharmacists who voluntarily completed the pre-intervention survey (N = 121, 83% response) and for student pharmacists who completed both pre- and post-intervention surveys (N = 39, 27% response). Of those who completed both pre- and post-intervention surveys, 59% obtained genotyping. Student pharmacists demonstrated a significant increase in their knowledge of pharmacogenomic resources (17.9 vs. 56.4%, p < 0.0001) and confidence in applying pharmacogenomic information to manage patients' drug therapy (28.2 vs. 48.7%, p = 0.01), particularly if the student had received genotyping. Student pharmacists understanding of the risks and benefits of using personal genome testing services significantly increased (55.3 vs. 86.8%, p = 0.001) along with agreement that personal genomics would likely play an important role in their future career (47.4 vs. 76.3%, p = 0.01), particularly among students who participated in genotyping. The educational intervention, including personal genotyping, was feasible, and positively enhanced students' reflections, and attitudes toward pharmacogenomics in a professional pharmacy program

Modification induced by laser irradiation on physical features of plastics materials filled with nanoparticles

The Thermal Laser Welding (TLW) process involves localized heating at the interface of two pieces of plastic that will be joined. Polymeric materials of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), both pure and containing nanostructures at different concentrations (titanium and silver nanoparticles), were prepared as thin foils in order to produce an interface between a substrate transparent to the infrared laser wavelength and an highly absorbent substrate, in order to be welded by the laser irradiation. The used diode laser operates at 970 nm wavelength, in continuum, with a maximum energy of 100 mJ, for times of the order of 1 -60 s, with a spot of 300 μm of diameter. The properties of the polymers and of nanocomposite sheets, before and after the laser welding process, were measured in terms of optical characteristics, wetting ability, surface roughness and surface morphology

MUDANÇAS NO CONSUMO ALIMENTAR E NAS CONDIÇÕES PSICOSSOCIAIS GERADAS PELA DOENÇA INFLAMATÓRIA INTESTINAL

As Doenças Inflamatórias Intestinais (DII) são distúrbios inflamatórios intestinais crônicos, cuja atividade gera impactos em vários âmbitos da vida do paciente, como no consumo alimentar e no estado psicológico. O presente trabalho avaliou as mudanças no consumo alimentar e nas condições psicossociais geradas pelo desenvolvimento da DII. Foi realizado um estudo transversal e descritivo, por meio da aplicação de um formulário aos pacientes assistidos em um Ambulatório Interdisciplinar do município de Itajaí – Santa Catarina, contendo perguntas abertas e fechadas, sobre o consumo de alimentos, as restrições alimentares e as alterações psicossociais que possam ter sido gerados pela doença em decorrência dos sintomas. Dos 65 pacientes avaliados, 90,8% restringem algum alimento/bebida, sendo os mais evitados: álcool, refrigerante, leite e derivados e alimentos gordurosos; e 89,2% sofreram alguma modificação psicossocial após o desenvolvimento da doença. Diante disto, as mudanças alimentares e psicossociais parecem iminentes ao diagnóstico de DII. A doença ainda parece ter gerado impacto em âmbitos socioemocional e profissional na vida desses pacientes. Dessa forma, faz-se necessário um atendimento interdisciplinar, além de um olhar humanizado e integral por parte dos profissionais para esse paciente, que perpassa por modificações muito além das biológicas

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P &lt; .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients