Ultrasonic radiation influence on the bioadsorbent characteristics of citrus (citrus x lemon) & (citrus x sinensis)

Of all the materials used as adsorbents, activated charcoal is the most popular as it is excellent for reducing/eliminating a wide variety of contaminants. This capacity is mainly due to its structural characteristics that give it a large surface area. However, it has several disadvantages. The most important are that the adsorbent material is quite expensive as is its regeneration. For this reason, more economical absorbents have been sought, highlighting the study of adsorption phenomena in some types of biomass as adsorbents. Bioadsorption is considered a viable alternative to the physical-chemical methods currently used for the recovery or removal of heavy metals dissolved in liquid effluents. Its main attraction, from an industrial point of view, is its low cost due to the great abundance, easy to obtain and low price of the bioadsorbent material. Bioadsorption is very effective in treating metal concentrations below 100 mg/L, where the application of physical-chemical methods is neither technically nor economically feasible. One of these materials of interest is citrus peels, because, due to their abundance as a waste product of the food industries, they are hardly reused and currently have little economic value. However, these residues have a low adsorption capacity, so both physical and chemical modifications are required to increase their adsorption properties. This study compares the characteristics of orange and lemon peels undergoing a physical-chemical treatment with ultrasonic radiation assistance and the optimization of experimental conditions to obtain useful bioadsorbents in discontinuous processes (batch)Postprint (published version

Trayectorias laborales y asimilación ocupacional de la inmigración

En este artículo exploramos dos hipótesis relacionadas con la situación de la población inmigrante en el mercado de trabajo. La primera sostiene la idea de la asimilación ocupacional de la inmigración a través de la antigüedad en el mercado de trabajo. Esta hipótesis se apoya en el salario como indicador de la convergencia entre trabajadores autóctonos e inmigrantes. Y la segunda hipótesis sostiene la idea de la inserción estratificada en el mercado de trabajo en función de otras variables: seguridad en el empleo, cualificaciones profesionales, origen y género. Nuestro argumento central es que la asimilación se configura de forma estratificada en algunas pocas categorías profesionales y sectores de actividad, mientras que en otros persiste a lo largo de los años la brecha en las trayectorias laborales según el origen.In this article we explore two hypotheses about the conditions of immigrants in the labour market. The first one sustains that there is occupational assimilation of immigration over time. This hypothesis focuses on earnings as an indicator of convergence between native and immigrant workers. The second hypothesis argues that there is a segmented insertion in the labour market as a function of other variables different from earning: employment security, professional qualification, origin and gender. Our argument is that there is a segmented assimilation in some occupations and sectors of activity, whilst in others the origin-based gap in labour market trajectories of workers persists over the yearsFil: Martín Ardiles, Antonio. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Lopez Roldan, Pedro. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Molina, Oscar. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Moreno, Sara. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Esteban, Fernando Osvaldo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Investigaciones "Gino Germani"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Trayectorias laborales y asimilación ocupacional de la inmigración

En este artículo exploramos dos hipótesis relacionadas con la situación de la población inmigrante en el mercado de trabajo. La primera sostiene la idea de la asimilación ocupacional de la inmigración a través de la antigüedad en el mercado de trabajo. Esta hipótesis se apoya en el salario como indicador de la convergencia entre trabajadores autóctonos e inmigrantes. Y la segunda hipótesis sostiene la idea de la inserción estratificada en el mercado de trabajo en función de otras variables: seguridad en el empleo, cualificaciones profesionales, origen y género. Nuestro argumento central es que la asimilación se configura de forma estratificada en algunas pocas categorías profesionales y sectores de actividad, mientras que en otros persiste a lo largo de los años la brecha en las trayectorias laborales según el origen.In this article we explore two hypotheses about the conditions of immigrants in the labour market. The first one sustains that there is occupational assimilation of immigration over time. This hypothesis focuses on earnings as an indicator of convergence between native and immigrant workers. The second hypothesis argues that there is a segmented insertion in the labour market as a function of other variables different from earning: employment security, professional qualification, origin and gender. Our argument is that there is a segmented assimilation in some occupations and sectors of activity, whilst in others the origin-based gap in labour market trajectories of workers persists over the yearsFil: Martín Ardiles, Antonio. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Lopez Roldan, Pedro. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Molina, Oscar. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Moreno, Sara. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Esteban, Fernando Osvaldo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Investigaciones "Gino Germani"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. For example, a key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process versus those that measure fl ux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process including the amount and rate of cargo sequestered and degraded). In particular, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation must be differentiated from stimuli that increase autophagic activity, defi ned as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (inmost higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium ) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the fi eld understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. It is worth emphasizing here that lysosomal digestion is a stage of autophagy and evaluating its competence is a crucial part of the evaluation of autophagic flux, or complete autophagy. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. Along these lines, because of the potential for pleiotropic effects due to blocking autophagy through genetic manipulation it is imperative to delete or knock down more than one autophagy-related gene. In addition, some individual Atg proteins, or groups of proteins, are involved in other cellular pathways so not all Atg proteins can be used as a specific marker for an autophagic process. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field

Autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation with <2 x 10(6) CD34(+)/kg: an analysis of variables concerning mobilisation and engraftment

INTRODUCTION: This study analyses the factors affecting mobilisation and engraftment in autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation according to the number of CD34(+) re-infused. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 190 patients underwent mobilisation with G-CSF alone (n=113) or in combination with chemotherapy (n=77). A total of 116 patients (61%) were autografted with 2 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg. Rates of granulocyte and platelet recovery were estimated using the product-limit method of Kaplan-Meier and compared using a log-rank test. The Cox regression model was used for the multivariate analysis of factors influencing engraftment. Differences between cohorts were evaluated by one-way ANOVA or Mann-Whitney tests, and multivariate analysis was performed using a stepwise lineal regression. RESULTS: Neutrophil and platelet engraftment was significantly longer with 2 x 10(6)/CD34(+)/kg, the Cox model did not identify prognostic factors for haematopoietic recovery. CONCLUSION: Although mobilisation schedules and disease status influenced not only the yield of progenitor cells, but also the engraftment kinetics, the number of CD34(+) re-infused was the main predictor of haematopoietic recovery. While engraftment succeeded in most of the cases, the re-infusion of >2 x 10(6)/CD34(+)/kg resulted in significantly shorter recovery times

V. Manejo del paciente con infección por SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19

La cloroquina (CQ) e hidroxicloroquina (HCQ) son fármacos antimaláricos y antiinflamatorios indicados en enfermedades como artritis reumatoidea y lupus eritematoso, se les ha documentado actividad in vitro contra SARS-CoV-2.Q4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6396-3267Revista Nacional - IndexadaN

Assessing cross-national invariance of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE)

Background. The Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE) is a 42-item self-report questionnaire that has been developed and validated to measure the dimensions of psychosis in the general population. The CAPE has a three-factor structure with dimensions of positive, negative and depression. Assessing the cross-national equivalence of a questionnaire is an essential prerequisite before pooling data from different countries. In this study, our aim was to investigate the measurement invariance of the CAPE across different countries. Methods. Data were drawn from the European Union Gene-Environment Interaction (EU-GEI) study. Participants (incident cases of psychotic disorder, controls and siblings of cases) were recruited in Brazil, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and UK. To analyse the measurement invariance across these samples, we tested configural invariance (i.e. identical structures of the factors), metric invariance (i.e. equivalence of the factor loadings) and scalar invariance (i.e. equivalence of the thresholds) of the three CAPE dimensions using multigroup categorical confirmatory factor analysis methods. Results. The configural invariance model fits well, providing evidence for identical factorial structure across countries. In comparison with the configural model invariance, the fit indices were very similar in the metric and scalar invariance models, indicating that factor loadings and thresholds did not differ across the six countries. Conclusion. We found that, across six countries, the CAPE showed equivalent factorial structure, factor loadings and thresholds. Thus, differences observed in scores between individuals from different countries should be considered as reflecting different levels of psychosis