Computational fluid dynamics and particle image velocimetry assisted design tools for a new generation of trochoidal gear pumps

Trochoidal gear pumps produce significant flow pulsations that result in pressure pulsations, which interact with the system where they are connected, shortening the life of both the pump and circuit components. And this behaviour is not acceptable for the demands of its current applications. The complicated aspects of the operation of a gerotor pump make computational fluid dynamics the proper tool for modeling and simulating its flow characteristics. Regarding the numerical simulation, a three-dimensional with deforming mesh Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is presented. The model includes the effects of the manufacturing tolerance and the leakage inside the pump. A new boundary condition is created for the simulation of the solid contact in the interteeth radial clearance. The experimental study of the pump is carried out by means of Time-Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (TRPIV), and results are qualitatively evaluated thanks to the numerical simulation results. TRPIV is proved to be a feasible alternative to obtain the instantaneous flow of the pump in a direct mode. Thus, a new methodology involving CFD and TRPIV is presented, which allows the obtaining of the instantaneous flow of the pump in a direct mode without altering its behaviour significantly.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Prognostic value of bioelectrical impedance analysis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a VALOR® study

IntroductionBioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) serves as a method to estimate body composition. Parameters such as phase angle (PA), standardized phase angle (SPA), body mass cell (BCM), BCM index (BCMI), and fat-free mass (FFM) might significantly impact the prognosis of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. The present study aimed to investigate whether bioelectrical parameters can be used to predict survival in the HNC population and establish the optimal cutoff points for predictive accuracy.MethodsA multicenter observational study was performed across 12 tertiary hospitals in Andalusia (a region from the south of Spain). A total of 494 patients diagnosed with HNC between 2020 and 2022 at different stages were included in this study, with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. The BIA assessment was carried out during the first 2 weeks of radical radiotherapy treatment with chemotherapy or other systemic treatments. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of overall survival, complications, hospital admission, and palliative care and its relationship with BIA nutritional assessment was performed.ResultsSignificant prognostic factors identified in the multivariable analysis encompassed phase angle (PA), standardized phase angle (SPA), body cell mass (BCM), and BCM index (BCMI). Lower PA and BCM values were significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes. A BCM threshold above 17 kg/m2 was the most significant predictor for predicting survival within the overall HNC population. The PA values of <5.1° in male and <4.8° in female patients showed the best predictive potential for mortality. Increased PA (as a continuous variable) demonstrated a significantly reduced risk for mortality (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43–0.94; p < 0.05) and a decreased likelihood of hospital admission (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.52–1.07; p < 0.05). Higher BCM correlated with a lower risk of mortality (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.80–0.96; p < 0.01) and a diminished probability of hospital admission (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83–0.99; p < 0.05).ConclusionBIA is a crucial tool in the nutritional assessment of HNC patients. BCM and PA are the main bioelectrical parameters used to predict clinical outcomes in this population. Future studies are needed to validate BIA variables in a large cohort to ensure whether early intensification of nutritional treatment would improve survival

Midiendo la sastisfacción de usuarios para mejorar la calidad en las bibliotecas universitarias

The university libraries every day are assuming with more clarity a quality commitment, so both the Administration and the users are demanding it nowadays. This situation has led to these libraries to being interested for knowing the degree of satisfaction that the users show with the services that offer them. By request of the University Library of Granada our research group (SECABA) it has realized a study of satisfaction of the users of the above mentioned library. With the present communication we want to offer the results and conclusions that we have obtained. These results not only have the advantage of being very useful for the decisions making in the libraries, but they allow to do benchmarking between different centers. Equally they are a tool very adapted for the feedback of the library, which will be able to know the desires and valuations of the users. Also it is easy to locate the best practices between the studied libraries

Las dietas de muy bajo valor calórico (DMBVC) en el manejo clínico de la obesidad mórbida

La obesidad mórbida y sus complicaciones suponen un problema cada vez más prevalente. Para su abordaje terapéutico existen diferentes modalidades dietéticas, siendo las dietas de muy bajo valor calórico (DMBVC), que aportan entre 450 y 800 kcal diarias, una opción cada vez más utilizada. Tras una adecuada selección del paciente, pueden conseguir una importante pérdida ponderal en 8-16 semanas, contribuyendo a la mejora del control de las complicaciones crónicas como la diabetes, la hipertensión arterial, la dislipemia (salvo por elevación inicial de HDL colesterol) y el síndrome de apnea-hipopnea del sueño. Las dietas muy bajas en calorías son cada vez más utilizadas en el preoperatorio de la cirugía bariátrica, habiéndose demostrado una disminución en la esteatosis hepática y la grasa visceral abdominal. Aunque los resultados de los diferentes estudios son controvertidos, la utilización preoperatoria de estas dietas podrían disminuir la tasa de complicaciones perioperatorias, el tiempo quirúrgico de la intervención y la estancia hospitalaria. Tras la cirugía bariátrica se produce una disminución drástica en la ingesta, con riesgo de déficit proteico en la dieta, que deben ser corregidos con frecuencia con la suplementación mediante módulos de proteínas. Se debe monitorizar a los pacientes sometidos a este tipo de dietas, ante el riesgo de desarrollar efectos secundarios como colelitiasis, hiperuricemia y pérdida de masa ósea entre otros

Computational fluid dynamics and particle image velocimetry assisted design tools for a new generation of trochoidal gear pumps

Trochoidal gear pumps produce significant flow pulsations that result in pressure pulsations, which interact with the system where they are connected, shortening the life of both the pump and circuit components. And this behaviour is not acceptable for the demands of its current applications. The complicated aspects of the operation of a gerotor pump make computational fluid dynamics the proper tool for modeling and simulating its flow characteristics. Regarding the numerical simulation, a three-dimensional with deforming mesh Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is presented. The model includes the effects of the manufacturing tolerance and the leakage inside the pump. A new boundary condition is created for the simulation of the solid contact in the interteeth radial clearance. The experimental study of the pump is carried out by means of Time-Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (TRPIV), and results are qualitatively evaluated thanks to the numerical simulation results. TRPIV is proved to be a feasible alternative to obtain the instantaneous flow of the pump in a direct mode. Thus, a new methodology involving CFD and TRPIV is presented, which allows the obtaining of the instantaneous flow of the pump in a direct mode without altering its behaviour significantly.Peer Reviewe

Quality More Than Quantity: The Use of Carbohydrates in High-Fat Diets to Tackle Obesity in Growing Rats.

Childhood obesity prevention is important to avoid obesity and its comorbidities into adulthood. Although the energy density of food has been considered a main obesogenic factor, a focus on food quality rather that the quantity of the different macronutrients is needed. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of changing the quality of carbohydrates from rapidly to slowly digestible carbohydrates on metabolic abnormalities and its impact on obesity in growing rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Growing rats were fed on HFD containing carbohydrates with different digestion rates: a HFD containing rapid-digesting carbohydrates (OBE group) or slow-digesting carbohydrates (ISR group), for 4 weeks and the effect on the metabolism and signaling pathways were analyzed in different tissues. Animals from OBE group presented an overweight/obese phenotype with a higher body weight gain and greater accumulation of fat in adipose tissue and liver. This state was associated with an increase of HOMA index, serum diacylglycerols and triacylglycerides, insulin, leptin, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, the change of carbohydrate profile in the diet to one based on slow digestible prevented the obesity-related adverse effects. In adipose tissue, GLUT4 was increased and UCPs and PPARγ were decreased in ISR group respect to OBE group. In liver, GLUT2, FAS, and SRBP1 were lower in ISR group than OBE group. In muscle, an increase of glycogen, GLUT4, AMPK, and Akt were observed in comparison to OBE group. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the replacement of rapidly digestible carbohydrates for slowly digestible carbohydrates within a high-fat diet promoted a protective effect against the development of obesity and its associated comorbidities

Analysis of a GT microsatellite in the promoter of the foxp3/scurfin gene in autoimmune diseases

The aim of this study was to assess the possible association of the functional (GT)n microsatellite polymorphism in the FOXP3 gene with predisposition to several autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease, and celiac disease. We analyzed a case-control cohort composed of 231 SLE patients, 293 RA patients, 528 inflammatory bowel disease (354 Crohn's disease patients and 260 UC patients) patients, 103 celiac disease patients, and 274 healthy controls ethnically matched. Genotyping of (GT)n microsatellite was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method combined with fluorescent technology. We found no evidence for association of this polymorphism between controls and these autoimmune disease patients. Additionally, no differences in the genotype and allele distribution were found when patients were stratified according to clinical manifestation. The (GT) n microsatellite of the FOXP3 gene may not play a relevant role in the susceptibility to SLE, RA, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease in our population. © American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, 2005. Published by Elsevier Inc.Peer Reviewe

Data_Sheet_1_Prognostic value of bioelectrical impedance analysis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a VALOR® study.pdf

IntroductionBioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) serves as a method to estimate body composition. Parameters such as phase angle (PA), standardized phase angle (SPA), body mass cell (BCM), BCM index (BCMI), and fat-free mass (FFM) might significantly impact the prognosis of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. The present study aimed to investigate whether bioelectrical parameters can be used to predict survival in the HNC population and establish the optimal cutoff points for predictive accuracy.MethodsA multicenter observational study was performed across 12 tertiary hospitals in Andalusia (a region from the south of Spain). A total of 494 patients diagnosed with HNC between 2020 and 2022 at different stages were included in this study, with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. The BIA assessment was carried out during the first 2 weeks of radical radiotherapy treatment with chemotherapy or other systemic treatments. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of overall survival, complications, hospital admission, and palliative care and its relationship with BIA nutritional assessment was performed.ResultsSignificant prognostic factors identified in the multivariable analysis encompassed phase angle (PA), standardized phase angle (SPA), body cell mass (BCM), and BCM index (BCMI). Lower PA and BCM values were significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes. A BCM threshold above 17 kg/m2 was the most significant predictor for predicting survival within the overall HNC population. The PA values of ConclusionBIA is a crucial tool in the nutritional assessment of HNC patients. BCM and PA are the main bioelectrical parameters used to predict clinical outcomes in this population. Future studies are needed to validate BIA variables in a large cohort to ensure whether early intensification of nutritional treatment would improve survival.</p

COVID-19 in hospitalized HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients : A matched study

CatedresObjectives: We compared the characteristics and clinical outcomes of hospitalized individuals with COVID-19 with [people with HIV (PWH)] and without (non-PWH) HIV co-infection in Spain during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: This was a retrospective matched cohort study. People with HIV were identified by reviewing clinical records and laboratory registries of 10 922 patients in active-follow-up within the Spanish HIV Research Network (CoRIS) up to 30 June 2020. Each hospitalized PWH was matched with five non-PWH of the same age and sex randomly selected from COVID-19@Spain, a multicentre cohort of 4035 patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19. The main outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Results: Forty-five PWH with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 were identified in CoRIS, 21 of whom were hospitalized. A total of 105 age/sex-matched controls were selected from the COVID-19@Spain cohort. The median age in both groups was 53 (Q1-Q3, 46-56) years, and 90.5% were men. In PWH, 19.1% were injecting drug users, 95.2% were on antiretroviral therapy, 94.4% had HIV-RNA < 50 copies/mL, and the median (Q1-Q3) CD4 count was 595 (349-798) cells/μL. No statistically significant differences were found between PWH and non-PWH in number of comorbidities, presenting signs and symptoms, laboratory parameters, radiology findings and severity scores on admission. Corticosteroids were administered to 33.3% and 27.4% of PWH and non-PWH, respectively (P = 0.580). Deaths during admission were documented in two (9.5%) PWH and 12 (11.4%) non-PWH (P = 0.800). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that well-controlled HIV infection does not modify the clinical presentation or worsen clinical outcomes of COVID-19 hospitalization

How do women living with HIV experience menopause? Menopausal symptoms, anxiety and depression according to reproductive age in a multicenter cohort

CatedresBackground: To estimate the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and anxiety/depression and to assess the differences according to menopausal status among women living with HIV aged 45-60 years from the cohort of Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network (CoRIS). Methods: Women were interviewed by phone between September 2017 and December 2018 to determine whether they had experienced menopausal symptoms and anxiety/depression. The Menopause Rating Scale was used to evaluate the prevalence and severity of symptoms related to menopause in three subscales: somatic, psychologic and urogenital; and the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire was used for anxiety/depression. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of association between menopausal status, and other potential risk factors, the presence and severity of somatic, psychological and urogenital symptoms and of anxiety/depression. Results: Of 251 women included, 137 (54.6%) were post-, 70 (27.9%) peri- and 44 (17.5%) pre-menopausal, respectively. Median age of onset menopause was 48 years (IQR 45-50). The proportions of pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women who had experienced any menopausal symptoms were 45.5%, 60.0% and 66.4%, respectively. Both peri- and post-menopause were associated with a higher likelihood of having somatic symptoms (aOR 3.01; 95% CI 1.38-6.55 and 2.63; 1.44-4.81, respectively), while post-menopause increased the likelihood of having psychological (2.16; 1.13-4.14) and urogenital symptoms (2.54; 1.42-4.85). By other hand, post-menopausal women had a statistically significant five-fold increase in the likelihood of presenting severe urogenital symptoms than pre-menopausal women (4.90; 1.74-13.84). No significant differences by menopausal status were found for anxiety/depression. Joint/muscle problems, exhaustion and sleeping disorders were the most commonly reported symptoms among all women. Differences in the prevalences of vaginal dryness (p = 0.002), joint/muscle complaints (p = 0.032), and sweating/flush (p = 0.032) were found among the three groups. Conclusions: Women living with HIV experienced a wide variety of menopausal symptoms, some of them initiated before women had any menstrual irregularity. We found a higher likelihood of somatic symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal women, while a higher likelihood of psychological and urogenital symptoms was found in post-menopausal women. Most somatic symptoms were of low or moderate severity, probably due to the good clinical and immunological situation of these women