The NADES glyceline as a potential Green Solvent: A comprehensive study of its thermophysical properties and effect of water inclusion

In this paper, two Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents, glyceline (Gly) and glyceline-water (GlyW), containing choline chloride as acceptor H-bond compound and glycerol as donor H-bond group are studied. For glyceline the mole relation is 1 (choline chloride): 2 (glycerol) and for glyceline-water the mole relation is 1 (choline chloride): 1.99 (glycerol): 1.02 water. The ternary NADES has been synthetized and characterized chemically by NMR techniques for this work. Several thermophysical properties in a wide range of temperature (278.15–338.15)¿K and at atmospheric pressure (0.1¿MPa) have been measured for both compounds: density, , speed of sound, , refractive index, , surface tension,, isobaric molar heat capacity, , kinematic viscosity, , and electric conductivity,. Furthermore, some related properties have been also calculated: isobaric expansibility, , isentropic compressibility, , molar refraction, , entropy and enthalpy of surface formationper unit surface area ( and ), and dynamic viscosity, , and viscous flow and electrical conductivity activation energies. The results have been discussed in terms of the effect of temperature and the inclusion of water. We conclude that the compound containing water into the structure has a higher molar volume and a higher fluidity. The binary NADES (Gly) is a more structured liquid than ternary one (GlyW)

Thermophysical characterization of the deep eutectic solvent choline chloride:ethylene glycol and one of its mixtures with water

The deep eutectic solvent ethaline, containing choline chloride as H-bond acceptor and ethylene glycol as H-bond donor and one of its mixture with water are studied in this work. Ethaline is anhydrous, with a 1:2 mol ratio. Hydrated ethaline, choline chloride:ethylene glycol:water, was studied in a 1:1.98:0.95 mol ratio. Several volumetric, acoustic, optical, thermal, surface, and transport properties were measured and calculated. The working temperature ranges from 278.15 to 338.15 K at pressure = 0.1 MPa. The effects of temperature, water inclusion, and the nature of the donor compound are evaluated. With regard to temperature, the system''s behaviour is as expected: a linear relation for the thermodynamic properties and agreement with the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann equation for the transport properties. The water molecules hardly modify the ethaline structure. The choline chloride – ethylene glycol interactions are weaker than those for choline chloride - glycerol

COVID-19. Pandemic surgery guidance

Abstract – Based on high quality surgery and scientific data, scientists and surgeons are committed to protecting patients as well as healthcare staff and hereby provide this Guidance to address the special issues circumstances related to the exponential spread of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during this pandemic. As a basis, the authors used the British Intercollegiate General Surgery Guidance as well as recommendations from the USA, Asia, and Italy. The aim is to take responsibility and to provide guidance for surgery during the COVID-19 crisis in a simplified way addressing the practice of surgery, healthcare staff and patient safety and care. It is the responsibility of scientists and the surgical team to specify what is needed for the protection of patients and the affiliated healthcare team. During crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the responsibility and duty to provide the necessary resources such as filters, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) consisting of gloves, fluid resistant (Type IIR) surgical face masks (FRSM), filtering face pieces, class 3 (FFP3 masks), face shields and gowns (plastic ponchos), is typically left up to the hospital administration and government. Various scientists and clinicians from disparate specialties provided a Pandemic Surgery Guidance for surgical procedures by distinct surgical disciplines such as numerous cancer surgery disciplines, cardiothoracic surgery, ENT, eye, dermatology, emergency, endocrine surgery, general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, pediatric surgery, reconstructive and plastic surgery, surgical critical care, transplantation surgery, trauma surgery and urology, performing different surgeries, as well as laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and endoscopy. Any suggestions and corrections from colleagues will be very welcome as we are all involved and locked in a rapidly evolving process on increasing COVID-19 knowledg

Contributions of myofascial pain in diagnosis and treatment of shoulder pain. A randomized control trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rotator cuff tendinopathy and subacromial impingement syndrome present complex patomechanical situations, frequent difficulties in clinical diagnosis and lack of effectiveness in treatment. Based on clinical experience, we have therefore considered the existence of another pathological entity as the possible origin of pain and dysfunction. The hypothesis of this study is to relate subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), since myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) cause pain, functional limitation, lack of coordination and alterations in quality of movement, even prior to a tendinopathy. MTrPs can coexist with any degenerative subacromial condition. If they are not taken into consideration, they could perpetuate and aggravate the problem, hindering diagnosis and making the applied treatments ineffective.</p> <p>The aims and methods of this study are related with providing evidence of the relationship that may exist between this condition and MPS in the diagnosis and treatment of rotator cuff tendonitis and/or SIS.</p> <p>Method/design</p> <p>A descriptive transversal study will be made to find the correlation between the diagnosis of SIS and rotator cuff tendonitis, positive provocation test responses, the existence of active MTrPs and the results obtained with ultrasonography (US) and Magnetic Renonance Imaging (MRI). A randomized double blinded clinical trial will be carried out in experimental conditions: A Protocolized treatment based on active and passive joint repositioning, stabilization exercises, stretching of the periarticular shoulder muscles and postural reeducation. B. The previously described protocolized treatment, with the addition of dry needling applied to active MTrPs with the purpose of isolating the efficacy of dry needling in treatment.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study aims to provide a new vision of shoulder pain, from the perspective of MPS. This syndrome can, by itself, account for shoulder pain and dysfunction, although it can coexist with real conditions involving the tendons.</p> <p>Trail Registration</p> <p>ISRCTN Number: 30907460</p

Mastectomía contralateral profiláctica con reconstrucción inmediata en pacientes con cáncer de mama unilateral sin mutación germinal en BRCA1/2

Introducción No existe un consenso sobre las indicaciones de mastectomía contralateral en pacientes diagnosticadas de cáncer de mama unilateral sin mutación germinal en BRCA1/2. Estudios previos han identificado algunos factores que pueden influir en la toma de la decisión dependientes del tumor, como el tamaño o histología, de la paciente, como la edad, y de la cirugía como la posibilidad de realizar una reconstrucción inmediata o la experiencia del cirujano. Métodos Estudio retrospectivo de una cohorte de 176 pacientes diagnosticadas de CM entre 2010 y 2016 a las que se les realizó cirugía mamaria. Se ha analizado la asociación de características del tumor y de la paciente con la toma de decisión de realizar mastectomía contralateral (MC) o no-MC. Asimismo, se han analizado los datos relacionados con la cirugía y la recurrencia por grupos mediante la curva de incidencia acumulada y el test de Gray. Resultados El número de MC se ha incrementado en nuestro centro. No hemos encontrado diferencias significativas en el desarrollo de complicaciones posquirúrgicas entre los 2 grupos de pacientes, pero sí en la estancia hospitalaria, siendo superior para MC. También hemos observado diferencias entre ambas cohortes en edad y tipo de tumor, siendo la MC más frecuente en aquellas pacientes más jóvenes y subtipo luminal A. Hemos hallado diferencias en la incidencia acumulada de recidiva entre ambos subgrupos (p = 0, 034). Conclusiones En nuestra cohorte la MC se realiza más frecuentemente en pacientes más jóvenes y con cáncer de mama luminal A. Introduction: There is no consensus on the indications for contralateral mastectomy (CM) in patients diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer without germline BRCA1/2 mutations. Prior studies have identified some factors that could influence decision-making. These factors include tumoural size and histological type; patient-related factors, such as age; and surgical factors such as the possibility of immediate reconstruction and the surgeon''s experience. Methods: Retrospective study of a cohort of 176 patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 2010 and 2016 who underwent breast surgery. We analysed the association between tumoural and patient-related characteristics with the decision to perform CM or not. We also analysed data related to surgery and recurrence by groups by using the cumulative incidence curve and the Gray test. Results: The number of CM has increased in our centre. We found no significant differences in the occurrence of post-surgical complications between the two patient groups but length of hospital stay was higher in CM. We also found differences between the two cohorts in age and tumoural type, with CM being more frequent in younger patients and those with luminal A subtype. Differences were found in the cumulative incidence of recurrence between subgroups (p = 0.034). Conclusions: In our cohort, CM was more frequent in younger patients and in those with luminal A breast cancer

Mapping groundwater availability and adequacy in the Lower Zambezi River basin

Groundwater plays an important role as a source of water for various socio-economic uses and environmental requirements in the lower Zambezi basin in Mozambique. Hence it is important to know its availability and adequacy in space to inform decision making for sustainable water management practices. For a derivation of a Groundwater Availability map and a Groundwater Adequacy map we adapted the DRASTIC methodology in a GIS environment to determine how different parameters, such as precipitation, topography, soil drainage, land use and vegetation cover, aquifer characteristics and groundwater quality affect (i) groundwater recharge on a long-term sustainable basis, (ii) the short-term abstraction potential and (iii) the long-term adequacy of groundwater utilization for domestic use. Results showed that groundwater availability in the Zambezi basin varies mostly from medium to low, with highest potential along the perennial rivers and in the delta where it plays a crucial role in environmental preservation. The southern margin of the Zambezi River shows low groundwater availability and also presents low adequacy for domestic use due to poor groundwater quality. The results from this study will be used in determining the most promising future development pathways and select the most attractive strategic development plans of the Mozambican government for the Lower Zambezi basin

Production and characterization of yeasts grown on media composed of spruce-derived sugars and protein hydrolysates from chicken by-products

Background A possible future shortage of feed protein will force mankind to explore alternative protein sources that can replace conventional soymeal or fishmeal. Several large industrial organic side-streams could potentially be upgraded to feed protein using a fermentation process to generate single cell protein. Yeast is the most widely accepted microorganism for production of single cell protein, because of its superior nutritional quality and acceptability among consumers. Here, we have assessed the growth of four different yeasts, Cyberlindnera jadinii, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Blastobotrys adeninivorans and Thermosacc(R) Dry (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), on media composed of enzymatically saccharified sulfite-pulped spruce wood and hydrolysates of by-products from chicken, and we have characterized the resulting yeast biomass. Results Generally, the yeast grew very well on the spruce- and chicken-based medium, with typical yields amounting to 0.4-0.5 g of cell dry weight and 0.2-0.3 g of protein per g of sugar. B. adeninivorans stood out as the most versatile yeast in terms of nutrient consumption and in this case yields were as high as 0.9 g cells and 0.5 g protein per g of sugar. The next best performing yeast in terms of yield was W. anomalus with up to 0.6 g cells and 0.3 g protein per g sugar. Comparative compositional analyses of the yeasts revealed favorable amino acid profiles that were similar to the profiles of soymeal, and even more so, fish meal, especially for essential amino acids. Conclusions The efficient conversion of industrial biomass streams to yeast biomass demonstrated in this study opens new avenues towards better valorization of these streams and development of sustainable feed ingredients. Furthermore, we conclude that production of W. anomalus or B. adeninivorans on this promising renewable medium may be potentially more efficient than production of the well-known feed ingredient C. jadinii. Further research should focus on medium optimization, development of semi-continuous and continues fermentation protocols and exploration of downstream processing methods that are beneficial for the nutritional values of the yeast for animal feed

On the synthesis of (S)-α-methylaspartic acid by diastereoselective alkylation of a chiral 2-cyanopropanoate

A novel and efficient procedure for the synthesis of optically pure α-methylaspartic acid, based on the diastereoselective alkylation of (1S,2R,4R)-10-(dicyclohexylsulfamoyl)isobornyl 2-cyanopropanoate with α-halocarbonyl compounds, is described.This work was supported by the Direccion General de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnica, project number PB94-0578. Y.L. would like to express her gratitude to the Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia for a doctoral fellowshipPeer reviewe