Purification and concentration of formic acid from formic acid/gluconic acid mixtures by two successive steps of nanofiltration and reactive liquid-liquid extraction

A downstream process for the purification and concentration of formic acid (FA) from FA/gluconic acid (GA) mixtures, obtainable by a coupled biocatalytic reaction of CO2 reduction and glucose oxidation, has been developed. The process involved two technologies: i) a first nanofiltration (NF) step to separate FA and GA, and ii) a second reactive liquid-liquid extraction (RLLE) step to concentrate FA. The NF process, using a Synder NFX membrane, consisted of three NF steps separated into two divergent lines, named permeate and retentate pathways. The first NF was common for both pathways, resulting in a permeate strongly enriched in FA and depleted in GA, and a retentate with opposite characteristics. In the permeate pathway, this first permeate was subjected to a second NF to obtain a 99.6% pure FA permeate. In the retentate pathway, an additional NF step on the first retentate resulted in a concentrated 99.4% pure GA retentate. The final diluted FA permeate was concentrated by RLLE using tri-N-octylamine as extractant in n-octanol, and a final back-extraction with NaOH. The optimized RLLE process involved a 100-fold volume decrease and resulted in a final FA solution (as sodium formate) of 174.5 g/L, 78 times more concentrated than the feed.This work has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 761042 (BIOCON-CO2)

Recurrence of floor of the mouth dysontogenic cyst in childhood

The dysontogenic cysts of the floor of the mouth, which probably derive from pluripotent ectodermal cells entrapped during midline fusion of the branchial arches, include three histological subtypes: epidermoid, dermoid, and teratoid. The teratoid cyst, composed of ectodermal, endodermal, and mesodermal structures, is rare, with 26 cases reported in the English literature, most of them detected during childhood. We present a case of a teratoid cyst of the floor of the mouth in an 8-month-old boy, which was initially operated on the suspicion of ranula. A year after the operation a recurrent teratoid cyst was detected, with a sinus tract to the floor of the mouth. A recurrent dysontogenic cyst is very rare, with only five cases reported, and only one during childhood. The presence of tracts or adhesions not identified during the primary excision could explain the recurrence.Keywords: children, dysontogenic cyst, floor of the mouth, recurrence, teratoid cys

Pulsed 193 nm Excimer laser processing of 4H–SiC (0001) wafers with radiant exposure dependent in situ reflectivity studies for process optimization

Apoyo científico y técnico del CACTI193 nm Excimer lasers are efficient tools to process group-IV semiconductors for advanced microelectronic and photonic devices through crystallization annealing, or strain engineering. The combination of both, high photon energy and low penetration depth of the 193 nm laser pulses allow breaking most covalent bonds with a single photon, and low thermal budget treatments through a precise control of the laser processed volume. Up to now, studies using 193 nm lasers for silicon carbide (SiC) processing are mostly limited to ablation processes for micromachining purposes. This paper presents a first study to demonstrate that the optimization of other processes, like the creation or annealing of vacancies, the alloying of SiC surfaces or the selective ablation of silicon or carbon should also be feasible. To develop such laser assisted processes and optimize process parameters, a numerical simulation of the laser/material interaction is essential. This implies that the temporal evolution of the laser pulse must be well known, and that an “in-situ measurement” of the response of the material to the laser pulse should be available. This study therefore evaluates the temporal profile of a new high-power Excimer laser, and presents the results of in-situ Time Resolved Reflectivity (TRR) measurements obtained when irradiating 4H–SiC(0001) wafers with radiant exposures ranging from 0,1 J/cm2 to 3,0 J/cm2. The temporal pulse profile is determined, fitted and applied in a 1-D numerical simulation of the temperature gradients for Si(100) as reference sample, to validate the experimental findings. Radiant exposure thresholds at around 1,4 J/cm2 to locally produce molten surfaces and 1,8 J/cm2 to ablate and create carbon-rich regions with graphene, are determined in-situ and confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.Los láseres Excimer de 193 nm son herramientas eficaces para procesar semiconductores del grupo IV para dispositivos microelectrónicos y fotónicos avanzados mediante recocido de cristalización o ingeniería de deformación. La combinación de la alta energía fotónica y la baja profundidad de penetración de los pulsos láser de 193 nm permite romper la mayoría de los enlaces covalentes con un solo fotón, y tratamientos de bajo presupuesto térmico mediante un control preciso del volumen procesado por láser. Hasta ahora, los estudios que utilizan láseres de 193 nm para el procesado de carburo de silicio (SiC) se limitan principalmente a procesos de ablación con fines de micromecanizado. Este trabajo presenta un primer estudio para demostrar que la optimización de otros procesos, como la creación o recocido de vacantes, la aleación de superficies de SiC o la ablación selectiva de silicio o carbono también debería ser factible. Para desarrollar estos procesos asistidos por láser y optimizar los parámetros del proceso, es esencial realizar una simulación numérica de la interacción entre el láser y el material. Esto implica que debe conocerse bien la evolución temporal del pulso láser y que debe disponerse de una "medición in situ" de la respuesta del material al pulso láser. Por lo tanto, este estudio evalúa el perfil temporal de un nuevo láser Excimer de alta potencia, y presenta los resultados de las medidas in-situ de Reflectividad Resuelta en el Tiempo (TRR) obtenidas al irradiar obleas de 4H-SiC(0001) con exposiciones radiantes que oscilan entre 0,1 J/cm2 y 3,0 J/cm2. El perfil temporal del pulso se determina, ajusta y aplica en una simulación numérica 1-D de los gradientes de temperatura para Si(100) como muestra de referencia, para validar los resultados experimentales. Los umbrales de exposición radiante en torno a 1,4 J/cm2 para producir localmente superficies fundidas y 1,8 J/cm2 para ablacionar y crear regiones ricas en carbono con grafeno, se determinan in situ y se confirman mediante espectroscopia Raman.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C-2021/49Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. TED2021-131760B-I00Universidade de Vigo/CISU

Vagal afferents contribute to sympathoexcitation-driven metabolic dysfunctions

[EN] Multiple crosstalk between peripheral organs and the nervous system are required to maintain physiological and metabolic homeostasis. Using Vav3–deficient mice as a model for chronic sympathoexcitation–associated disorders, we report here that afferent fibers of the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve are needed for the development of the peripheral sympathoexcitation, tachycardia, tachypnea, insulin resistance, liver steatosis, and adipose tissue thermogenesis present in those mice. This neuronal pathway contributes to proper activity of the rostral ventrolateral medulla, a sympathoregulatory brainstem center hyperactive in Vav3 –/– mice. Vagal afferent inputs are also required for the development of additional pathophysiological conditions associated with deregulated rostral ventrolateral medulla activity. By contrast, they are dispensable for other peripheral sympathoexcitation–associated disorders sparing metabolic alterations in liver

2013. Documento Sevilla de Consenso sobre Alternativas a la Transfusión de Sangre Alogénica. Actualización del Documento Sevilla

La transfusión de sangre alogénica (TSA) no es inocua, y como consecuencia han surgido múltiples alternativas a la misma (ATSA). Existe variabilidad respecto a las indicaciones y buen uso de las ATSA. Dependiendo de la especialidad de los médicos que tratan a los pacientes, el grado de anemia, la política transfusional, la disponibilidad de las ATSA y el criterio personal, estas se usan de forma variable. Puesto que las ATSA tampoco son inocuas y pueden no cumplir criterios de coste-efectividad, la variabilidad en su uso es inaceptable. Las sociedades españolas de Anestesiología y Reanimación (SEDAR), Hematología y Hemoterapia (SEHH), Farmacia Hospitalaria (SEFH), Medicina Intensiva y Unidades Coronarias (SEMICYUC), Trombosis y Hemostasia (SETH) y Transfusiones Sanguíneas (SETS) han elaborado un documento de consenso para el buen uso de la ATSA. Un panel de expertos de las 6 sociedades ha llevado a cabo una revisión sistemática de la literatura médica y elaborado el 2013. Documento Sevilla de Consenso sobre Alternativas a la Transfusión de Sangre Alogénica. Solo se contempla las ATSA dirigidas a disminuir la transfusión de concentrado de hematíes. Se definen las ATSA como toda medida farmacológica y no farmacológica encaminada a disminuir la transfusión de concentrado de hematíes, preservando siempre la seguridad del paciente. La cuestión principal que se plantea en cada ítem se formula, en forma positiva o negativa, como: «La ATSA en cuestión reduce/no reduce la tasa transfusional». Para formular el grado de recomendación se ha usado la metodología Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE)

Human remains from Valdegoba Cave (Huérmeces, Burgos, Spain)

Systematic excavations, begun in 1987, at the Valdegoba cave site in northern Spain have yielded the remains of five individuals associated with a Middle Paleolithic stone tool technology and Pleistocene fauna. A fragmentary mandible of an adolescent (VB1), preserving nearly a full set of teeth, exhibits a symphyseal tubercle and slight incurvatio mandibulae anterior on the external symphysis. Both the superior and inferior transverse tori are present on the internal aspect. A second individual (VB2) is represented by a set of ten deciduous teeth consistent with an age at death of 6–9 months. A proximal manual phalanx (VB3) displays a relatively broad head, a characteristic which is found in both Neandertals, as well as European Middle Pleistocene hominids. VB4 is a fourth metatarsal that lacks the distal epiphysis, indicating it comes from an adolescent individual, and has a relatively high robusticity index. Finally, VB5 is a fifth metatarsal of an adult. The VB1 mandible shows a combination of archaic characteristics as well as more specific Neandertal morphological traits. The VB2 deciduous teeth are very small, and both the metrics and morphology seem more consistent with a modern human classification. The postcranial elements are undiagnostic, U-Th dating has provided an age of >350 ka for the base of the sequence and a date of <73·2 ± �5 ka for level 7, near the top. Faunal analysis and radiometric dates from other nearby Mousterian sites suggests that the Valdegoba site is correlative with oxygen isotope stages 3–6 on the Iberian peninsula, and an Upper Pleistocene age for the Valdegoba hominids seems most reasonable

Characterization of mutant versions of the R-RAS2/TC21 GTPase found in tumors

The R-RAS2 GTP hydrolase (GTPase) (also known as TC21) has been traditionally considered quite similar to classical RAS proteins at the regulatory and signaling levels. Recently, a long-tail hotspot mutation targeting the R-RAS2/TC21 Gln72 residue (Q72L) was identified as a potent oncogenic driver. Additional point mutations were also found in other tumors at low frequencies. Despite this, little information is available regarding the transforming role of these mutant versions and their relevance for the tumorigenic properties of already-transformed cancer cells. Here, we report that many of the RRAS2 mutations found in human cancers are highly transforming when expressed in immortalized cell lines. Moreover, the expression of endogenous R-RAS2Q72L is important for maintaining optimal levels of PI3K and ERK activities as well as for the adhesion, invasiveness, proliferation, and mitochondrial respiration of ovarian and breast cancer cell lines. Endogenous R-RAS2Q72L also regulates gene expression programs linked to both cell adhesion and inflammatory/immune-related responses. Endogenous R-RAS2Q72L is also quite relevant for the in vivo tumorigenic activity of these cells. This dependency is observed even though these cancer cell lines bear concurrent gain-of-function mutations in genes encoding RAS signaling elements. Finally, we show that endogenous R-RAS2, unlike the case of classical RAS proteins, specifically localizes in focal adhesions. Collectively, these results indicate that gain-of-function mutations of R-RAS2/TC21 play roles in tumor initiation and maintenance that are not fully redundant with those regulated by classical RAS oncoproteins

Modelado de las pérdidas de propagación en un escenario de oficinas en bandas de milimétricas

[EN] In this conference contribution, we present millimeter-wave (mmWave) propagation measurements for an office environment from 25 to 40 GHz and investigate the path loss using the most common empirical models proposed in WINNER-II and adopted by the 3GPP: the single-frequency floating-intercept (FI) model, the single-frequency close-in (CI) free space reference distance model, the multi-frequency alphabeta-gamma (ABG) model and the close-in free space reference distance with frequency path loss exponent (CIF). Both line-ofsight (LOS) and obstructed-LOS (OLOS) propagation conditions have been considered. The mean value of the model parameters, and their 95 % confidence intervals, have been derived using regression and optimization techniques.Este trabajo ha sido financiado en parte por el Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad a traves de los proyectos TEC2016-78028-C3-2-P, TEC2017-86779-C2-1-R y TEC2017-86779-C2-2-R, a traves de la Agencia Estatal de Investigacion (AEI) y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) y por COLCIENCIAS en Colombia.Rubio Arjona, L.; Bernardo-Clemente, B.; Rodrigo Peñarrocha, VM.; Reig, J.; Molina-García-Pardo, JM.; Pérez, JR.; Torres, RP.... (2020). Modelado de las pérdidas de propagación en un escenario de oficinas en bandas de milimétricas. Universidad de Málaga. 1-4. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/178596S1

A genome-wide association study follow-up suggests a possible role for PPARG in systemic sclerosis susceptibility

Introduction: A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) comprising a French cohort of systemic sclerosis (SSc) reported several non-HLA single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showing a nominal association in the discovery phase. We aimed to identify previously overlooked susceptibility variants by using a follow-up strategy.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Methods: Sixty-six non-HLA SNPs showing a P value &#60;10-4 in the discovery phase of the French SSc GWAS were analyzed in the first step of this study, performing a meta-analysis that combined data from the two published SSc GWASs. A total of 2,921 SSc patients and 6,963 healthy controls were included in this first phase. Two SNPs, PPARG rs310746 and CHRNA9 rs6832151, were selected for genotyping in the replication cohort (1,068 SSc patients and 6,762 healthy controls) based on the results of the first step. Genotyping was performed by using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. Results: We observed nominal associations for both PPARG rs310746 (PMH = 1.90 × 10-6, OR, 1.28) and CHRNA9 rs6832151 (PMH = 4.30 × 10-6, OR, 1.17) genetic variants with SSc in the first step of our study. In the replication phase, we observed a trend of association for PPARG rs310746 (P value = 0.066; OR, 1.17). The combined overall Mantel-Haenszel meta-analysis of all the cohorts included in the present study revealed that PPARG rs310746 remained associated with SSc with a nominal non-genome-wide significant P value (PMH = 5.00 × 10-7; OR, 1.25). No evidence of association was observed for CHRNA9 rs6832151 either in the replication phase or in the overall pooled analysis.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Conclusion: Our results suggest a role of PPARG gene in the development of SSc

Foro de debate: seguridad de las alternativas a la transfusión alogénica en el paciente quirúrgico y/o crítico

Estos últimos años han aparecido alertas de seguridad, no siempre bien sustentadas, que cuestionan el uso de algunas alternativas farmacológicas a la transfusión de sangre alogénica y/o lo restringen en indicaciones establecidas. Asistimos también a la preconización de otras alternativas, incluyendo productos hemáticos y fármacos antifibrinolíticos, sin que haya una base científica sólida que lo justifique. Por iniciativa del Grupo de Estudios Multidisciplinares sobre Autotransfusión y del Anemia Working Group Espana¿ se reunió a un panel multidisciplinar de 23 expertos del área de cuidados de la salud en un foro de debate para: 1) analizar las diferentes alertas de seguridad en torno a ciertas alternativas a la transfusión; 2) estudiar los antecedentes que las han propiciado, la evidencia que las sustentan y las consecuencias que conllevan para la práctica clínica, y 3) emitir una valoración argumentada de la seguridad de cada alternativa a la transfusión cuestionada, según el uso clínico de la misma. Los integrantes del foro mantuvieron contactos por vía telemática y una reunión presencial en la que presentaron y discutieron las conclusiones sobre cada uno de los elementos examinados. Se elaboró un primer documento que fue sometido a 4 rondas de revisión y actualización hasta alcanzar un consenso, unánime en la mayoría de los casos. Presentamos la versión final del documento, aprobada por todos los miembros del panel, esperando sea de utilidad para nuestros colegas