Aspergillus Niger QH27 in the Removal of Toxic Dyes: Biosorption of Eriochrome Black T Under Various Experimental Conditions

Water pollution by toxic dyes such as Eriochrome Black T (EBT) is an increasing environmental issue, and the use of biosorbents represents a sustainable alternative for their treatment. In this study, the ability of Aspergillus niger QH27 fungal biomass in removing EBT under various experimental conditions was investigated. The main objective was to evaluate biosorption efficiency and determine the optimal conditions for dye removal. The methodology consisted of performing experiments by varying pH (5, 7 and 9) and agitation speed (100, 150 and 200 rpm), and analysing dye removal efficiency and adsorption capacity. Results showed that EBT removal was most effective at low pH values and higher agitation speeds. At a pH of 5 and agitation of 200 rpm, the maximum removal efficiency (99.17 %) and adsorption capacity (1.24 mg/g) were achieved. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were carried out to examine the changes in functional groups of fungal biomass before and after EBT biosorption. FTIR results suggested the active involvement of these groups in the dye removal process. In conclusion, Aspergillus niger QH27 biomass proved to be an efficient biosorbent for the removal of EBT dye in aqueous solutions. This study provides valuable information for the development of sustainable and low-cost strategies in treating wastewater contaminated with dyes and expands the knowledge of dye biosorption using fungal biomass

Relación entre la frecuencia y horario de alimentación con el sobrepeso y obesidad en adultos trujillanos: Relationship between the meal frequency and timing with overweight and obesity in trujillan adults.

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are rapidly growing in the world, with a higher risk of chronic diseases. Nutritional strategies are of great interest for weight loss and control, such as the influence of meal frequency and timing. Objective: To determine the relationship between the meal frequency and timing with overweight and obesity in the adult population of Trujillo between 30 and 70 years old. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. A sample of 160 participants, between 30 and 70 years old, is included; the data was collected through a virtual survey. Participants were classified into a normal weight group established by a BMI between 18.5-24.9 and an overweight-obese group established by a BMI greater than or equal to 25. An expert-validated questionnaire was produced to assess the meal frequency and timing. Results: Of the 160 participants, 61.88% were female, 40% were between 30-39 years old. The normal weight group was made up of 60 participants; and overweight-obesity, per 100 participants. In the statistical analysis, a significant difference was evidenced between the level of low-moderate physical activity (p = 0.019), the meal frequency did not present a significant difference (p = 0.477) and within the meal timing, the consumption of subsequent dinner at 8:00 pm showed a significant difference (p = 0.021), as well as the consumption of intermediates after 5:00 pm (p = 0.016), Conclusion: Consuming food during the night in a time after 8:00 pm is significantly associated with the risk of overweight and obesity; while in the meal frequency it does not appear.Introducción: El sobrepeso y la obesidad presentan un rápido crecimiento en el mundo, con un mayor riesgo de enfermedades crónicas. Las estrategias nutricionales son de gran interés para el control y pérdida de peso, como la influencia de la frecuencia y el horario de alimentación. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre la frecuencia y horario de alimentación con el sobrepeso y obesidad en población adulta trujillana de 30 a 70 años. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, con enfoque cuantitativo. Se incluyó una muestra de 160 participantes, entre 30 y 70 años; los datos se recolectaron mediante una encuesta virtual. Los participantes se clasificaron en un grupo de peso normal establecido por IMC entre 18.5-24.9 y un grupo de sobrepeso-obesidad establecido por IMC mayor o igual a 25. Se utilizó un cuestionario validado por expertos para evaluar la frecuencia y horario de alimentación. Resultados: De los 160 participantes, el 61.88% fue de sexo femenino, el 40% tuvo una edad entre 30-39 años. El grupo de peso normal se conformó por 60 participantes; y el de sobrepeso-obesidad, por 100 participantes. En el análisis estadístico, se evidenció una diferencia significativa entre el nivel de actividad física bajo-moderado (p=0.019), la frecuencia de alimentación no presentó diferencia significativa (p=0.477) y dentro del horario de alimentación, el consumo de cena posterior a las 8:00 pm presentó diferencia significativa (p=0.021), así como el consumo de intermedios posterior a las 5:00 pm (p=0.016),  Conclusión: Consumir alimentos durante la noche en un horario posterior a las 8:00 pm se asocia significativamente a riesgo de sobrepeso y obesidad; mientras que en la frecuencia de alimentación no se presenta

R1 pancreatic cancer patients benefit from chemoradiation when initiation of adjuvant therapy is delayed

Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreas cancer (PDAC) has been demonstrated to improve survival. However, the optimal adjuvant treatment (AT) regimen for R1-margin patients remains unclear. This retrospective study investigates the impact of AC vs. adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (ACRT) on survival (OS). The NCDB was queried for patients with PDAC who underwent PD between 2010 and 2018. Patients were divided into, (A) AC<60 days, (B) ACRT<60 days, (C) AC≥60 days, and (D) ACRT≥60 days. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox multivariable regression analyses were performed. Among 13 740 patients, median OS was 23.7 months. For R1 patients, median OS for timely AC and ACRT, and delayed AC and ACRT was 19.91, 19.19, 15.24, 18.96 months, respectively. While time of AC initiation was an insignificant factor for R0 patients (p = 0.263, CI 0.957–1.173), a survival benefit was found for R1 patients who received AC<60 vs. ≥60 days (p = 0.041, CI 1.002–1.42). Among R1 patients, administration of delayed ACRT achieves the same survival benefit of timely AC initiation (p = 0.074, CI 0.703–1.077). The study suggests value in ACRT for patients with R1 margins when delay of AT≥60 days cannot be avoided. Hence, ACRT may mitigate the negative impact of delayed AT initiation for R1-patients