Screen-printed electrochemical-based sensor for taxifolin determination in edible peanut oils

An electrochemical method for the determination of Taxifolin (Tx) in peanut oil samples using screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) is reported for the first time. The different electroanalytical parameters such as scan rate, supporting electrolyte, pH and accumulation step were optimized. Interference studies were also explored for the determination of Tx in presence of daidzein, quercetin, trans-resveratrol and caffeic acid. The method developed for the Tx determination exhibits a linear response in the concentration range from 0.05 to 1 μM and a limit of detection of 0.021 μM. The electrochemical detection method proposed provides a novel, quick, low-cost, reliable and portable method for the in-situ quality control for monitoring the protected designation of origin of the “Córdoba, Argentina, Peanuts”

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Genetic parameters estimation in quantitative traits of a cross of triticale (x Triticosecale W.)

Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) is a cereal used in Argentina as a winter seasonal pasture or feeding grain. Efforts made on breeding have led to varieties with potential grain yield similar or greater than with wheat. The aim of this study was to determine the gene effects, heritability, genetic gain, heterosis and inbreeding depression in various quantitative traits of a cross from contrasting lines of triticale using generation means analysis. The thousand kernel weight was adjusted to a model of additive-dominance, while the rest of the traits exhibited significant epistatic effects: additive x additive (i) for hectoliter weight, additive x dominance (j) for number grains per spike and grain yield per plant. Other traits showed a more complex as inheritance additive x additive (i) and additive x dominance (j) interactions effects for spike length or additive x dominance (j) and dominance x dominance (l) interactions effects for number of spikes per plant and number of spikelets per spike. High values of heritability and genetic gain were also detected for grain yield, spikelets per spike, spike per plant and hectoliter weight. All traits except spike per plant had positive relative mid-parent heterosis, but none resulted in positive heterobeltiosis, therefore this cross is not recommended for obtaining hybrids varieties. Selection in early generations by thousand kernel weight and hectoliter weight would be efficient, while the selection in advanced generations where segregation is minimal would be recommended for the remaining traits

The Effects of Social Factors and Kinship on Co-sleeping of Black-and-Gold Howler Monkeys (Alouatta caraya)

Group cohesion at sleeping sites may have multiple functions in nonhuman primates, such as facilitating behavioral thermoregulation, social interactions, and reducing the risk of predation. Social, genetic, and ecological factors influence association patterns during sleeping. We explored the effects of sex, age class, association during diurnal activities (feeding, moving, resting, and social interactions including play, grooming and howling), and kinship on sleeping cluster associations in a wild population of black-and-gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya). We collected behavioral data (mean = 471 ± SD 34 observation hours/study group) and 29 fecal samples for genetic analysis from four groups inhabiting San Cayetano (27°30′S–58°41′W), Corrientes, Argentina, for 1 yr (June 2012–May 2013). Our results showed that black-and-gold howlers preferred to sleep in clusters, and that the composition of these clusters was affected by age class, diurnal social interactions, and kinship. The probability of sleeping in clusters decreased with increasing age of the individual. Association during daytime activities (feeding, moving, and resting) was a significant predictor of nocturnal grouping. Dyads composed of mother–offspring, siblings, and individuals that were not closely related to one another showed a high frequency of association for nocturnal sleep. Father–offspring dyads did not show statistically significant values of nocturnal associations. This study highlights the social function of sleeping in clusters and suggests that primates develop a set of strategies that favor social affiliative relationships between individuals in a nocturnal context.Fil: Brividoro, Melina Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Oklander, Luciana Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Cantarelli, Verónica Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Ponzio, Marina Flavia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Ferrari, Héctor Martín. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Kowalewski, Miguel Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples (Sede Corrientes); Argentin

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care