Bentonites Modified with Phosphomolybdic Heteropolyacid (HPMo) for Biowaste to Biofuel Production

Two bentonites from Paraíba (Northeastern Brazil) were impregnated with heteropoly phosphomolybdic H3PMo12O40 (HPMo). The materials produced were characterized by various techniques such as N2 adsorption-desorption (specific surface area, SSA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped with Dispersive Energy X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), acid-base titration analysis. The catalytic activity of these materials was tested in the esterification of a waste from palm oil deodorization and the main results obtained (about 93.3% of conversion) indicated that these materials have potential to act as heterogeneous solid acid catalysts. The prepared materials exhibited satisfactory catalytic performance even after a very simple recycling process in three reuse cycles, without significant loss of their activities

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Low temperature sulfonation of acai stone biomass derived carbons as acid catalysts for esterification reactions

MCTIC - MINISTÉRIO DA CIÊNCIA, TECNOLOGIA, INOVAÇÕES E COMUNICAÇÕESCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOHeterogeneous acid catalysts derived from acai stone (Euterpe oleracea Mart), a large-scale residue biomass, were synthesized by partial carbonization followed by sulfonation within a short preparation time under controllable conditions. Their catalytic activity was tested in the esterification reaction of oleic acid with alcohols, with varying chain-lengths, and with a modified edible oil with high fatty acid content. The sulfonated carbon materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with an EDS system for elemental mapping (SEM-EDS), thermogravimetry (TG), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), low-temperature N-2 sorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The reaction conditions and catalyst preparation were systematically investigated with respect to carbonization and sulfonation temperatures, reaction temperature and time, reactants' molar ratio, catalyst loading, alcohol type, and recyclability. A low carbonization temperature created carbon materials with surface features that favored the anchoring of sulfonic groups, in turn providing desirable sulfonation under mild temperatures. After optimization of the reaction conditions, a yield of 93% was obtained when 5% catalyst loading was used to convert a 1:12 oleic acid to methanol molar ratio at 100 degrees C for 1 h. Comparatively, the uncatalyzed reaction yielded only 11% conversion. The sulfonated carbon catalyst was tested in the esterification of soybean oil that was modified with 20% oleic acid to reduce the quality of feedstock and simulate harsh conditions; the catalyzed reaction showed yields up to 80%. Moreover, the synthesized catalyst was stable for up to three reaction cycles, displaying a decrease in efficiency of only 8%. This study shows promising results for obtaining sulfonated carbon catalysts from acai stone biomass, thereby potentially solving one of the major environmental problems in the Amazon region and providing a sustainable alternative for fuel production.196821830MCTIC - MINISTÉRIO DA CIÊNCIA, TECNOLOGIA, INOVAÇÕES E COMUNICAÇÕESCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOMCTIC - MINISTÉRIO DA CIÊNCIA, TECNOLOGIA, INOVAÇÕES E COMUNICAÇÕESCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOPJD N 6.04425522/2018-

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with coronavirus disease in children a multi-centered study in Belem, Para, Brazil

Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, Brazil / Metropolitan University Center of the Amazon. Department of child health. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, Brazil.Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Hospital das Clínicas Gaspar Viana’s Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, Brazil.Pró-Infantil’s Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, Brazil.Pronto Socorro Municipal Mário Pinotti’s Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, Brazil.Pronto Socorro Municipal Mário Pinotti’s Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil / Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.We described the characteristics of 11 children with pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome-temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2. The main clinical indications for hospital admission were vasogenic toxic shock (n = 2), Kawasaki disease (n = 4), and Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (n = 5). The echocardiography findings were abnormal in 63% of cases. All patients had 2 or more organ dysfunctions, and the mortality rate was 18%

Outcomes after perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with proximal femoral fractures: an international cohort study

Objectives Studies have demonstrated high rates of mortality in people with proximal femoral fracture and SARS-CoV-2, but there is limited published data on the factors that influence mortality for clinicians to make informed treatment decisions. This study aims to report the 30-day mortality associated with perioperative infection of patients undergoing surgery for proximal femoral fractures and to examine the factors that influence mortality in a multivariate analysis. Setting Prospective, international, multicentre, observational cohort study. Participants Patients undergoing any operation for a proximal femoral fracture from 1 February to 30 April 2020 and with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection (either 7 days prior or 30-day postoperative). Primary outcome 30-day mortality. Multivariate modelling was performed to identify factors associated with 30-day mortality. Results This study reports included 1063 patients from 174 hospitals in 19 countries. Overall 30-day mortality was 29.4% (313/1063). In an adjusted model, 30-day mortality was associated with male gender (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.68 to 3.13, p80 years (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.31, p=0.013), preoperative diagnosis of dementia (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.16, p=0.005), kidney disease (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.55, p=0.005) and congestive heart failure (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.48, p=0.025). Mortality at 30 days was lower in patients with a preoperative diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.6 (0.42 to 0.85), p=0.004). There was no difference in mortality in patients with an increase to delay in surgery (p=0.220) or type of anaesthetic given (p=0.787). Conclusions Patients undergoing surgery for a proximal femoral fracture with a perioperative infection of SARS-CoV-2 have a high rate of mortality. This study would support the need for providing these patients with individualised medical and anaesthetic care, including medical optimisation before theatre. Careful preoperative counselling is needed for those with a proximal femoral fracture and SARS-CoV-2, especially those in the highest risk groups. Trial registration number NCT0432364