Melting point depression effect with CO2 in high melting temperature cellulose dissolving ionic liquids. Modeling with group contribution equation of state

Producción CientíficaIonic liquids of the alkylmethylimidazolium chloride family are able to solubilize high amount of cellulose and other natural polymers and have very good characteristics for their processing. Nevertheless, they present important disadvantages related to their high melting points and viscosities. Dissolution of carbon dioxide (CO2) can reduce the melting point of these ionic liquids as well as other ones presenting the same problems. In this work, the effect of pressurized carbon dioxide on the melting point depression of some ionic liquids able to dissolve biopolymers was experimentally determined using the first melting point method. Five different ionic liquids were studied in contact with CO2 using a high-pressure visual cell, up to a pressure of 10 MPa. The ILs studied were four ionic liquids with chloride anion coupled with the cations: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C4mim]+, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C2mim]+, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium, [Amim]+ and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium, [C2OHmim]+ and one ammonium-based cation choline [C5H14NO]+ combined with dihydrogen phosphate anion, [H2PO4]−. Melting point depression effect observed for these groups of ionic liquids were around 10 K for chloride ILs and went as high as 33.2 K for choline dihydrogen phosphate. To correlate the melting point depression of imidazolium chloride ILs, parameters for the Group Contribution Equation of State (GC-EoS) of Skjold-Jørgensen for the liquid phase plus a fugacity expression for solid phases was employed. Experimental data used for the parameterization includes literature data of binary vapor–liquid, liquid–liquid and solid–liquid equilibria, and activity coefficients at infinite dilution. Melting point depression was calculated with an average deviation of 1.7 K (0.5%) and a maximum deviation of 4.3 K (1.3%).Junta de Castilla y León VA295U14Marie Curie Program. Project DoHipMinisterio de Economía. Programa Ramon y Cajal, RyC RYC-2013-13976Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientí- ficas y Técnicas (CONICET)Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva (MinCyT)Ministry (MINECO) Proyecto CTQ 2011-14825-E (Programa Explora

Effectiveness of a multifactorial intervention in increasing adherence to the mediterranean diet among patients with diabetes mellitus type 2: a controlled and randomized study (EMID Study)

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is recognized as one of the healthiest dietary patterns and has benefits such as improving glycaemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Our aim is to assess the effectiveness of a multifactorial intervention to improve adherence to theMD, diet quality and biomedical parameters. The EMID study is a randomized and controlled clinical trial with two parallel groups and a 12-month follow-up period. The study included 204 subjects between 25–70 years with T2DM. The participants were randomized into intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). Both groups received brief advice about healthy eating and physical activity. The IG participants additionally took part in a food workshop, five walks and received a smartphone application for three months. The population studied had a mean age of 60.6 years. At the 3-month follow-up visit, there were improvements in adherence to the MD and diet quality of 2.2 and 2.5 points, compared to the baseline visit, respectively, in favour of the IG. This tendency of the improvement was maintained, in favour of the IG, at the 12-month follow-up visit. In conclusion, the multifactorial intervention performed could improve adherence to the MD and diet quality among patients with T2DM.Regional Health Management through the 2016 grants to carry out research projects in biomedicine, health management and socio-health care (GRS 1276/B/16), the 2016 program for the professional development of nurses in their research activity (BOCYL-D-11022016-2) and the 2015 incentive program for nurses who have completed their residency (ORDER SAN / 360/2015). The study was also co-financed by the Carlos III Health Institute and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (RD 16/0007/0003)

THE IGNORED PANDEMIC OF PUBLIC HEALTH CORRUPTION: A CALL FOR ACTION AMID AND BEYOND SARS-COV-2/COVID-19

Corruption in healthcare is on the rise. When corruption infiltrates global health, causes embezzlement of public health funds, malfunctioning medical equipment, fraudulent or ineffective health services such as expired medicines and fake vaccines that could have life-or-death consequences. A corrupt healthcare system, amid global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, when resources are in constraint and trust is in high demand, can lead to devastating, though avoidable, health and economic consequences. It is imperative for policymakers, health experts, patients, caregivers, and global health funders to promptly acknowledge and address corruption in healthcare. The current pandemic generates an emergency and disorder state on health care systems across the globe, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where a weakening of control measures is evident, creating the perfect storm for corruption. This paper builds on existing research to examine processes that support essential stakeholder engagement in anti-corruption efforts. In this context, an extensive review of literature has been conducted by using various databases such as PubMed, Science direct, SCOPUS, Research Gate, and Google Scholar and a total of 45 articles and documents on corruption and COVID-19 were screened and selected by authors independently. To fill the knowledge gaps about the need for actions to be taken during a pandemic like COVID-19, we propose an anti-corruption grassroots movement that focuses on changing the social norms surrounding corruption in healthcare. By pushing forward a practice that normalizes conversations about corruption in everyday health practices and involving more stakeholders in the protection of public health resources, we argue that not only local health systems can become more resilient and resistant to corruption, but also global health initiatives can become more effective and efficient to improve individual and global health

Psoriasis vulgaris: Relationship between oral and periodontal conditions and disease severity

Psoriasis is distributed across the world with a prevalence ranging from 0.5% to 4.6% [1, 2]. This condition has been associated with other diseases, or comorbidities, such as oral cavity involvement, including oral lesions and periodontal disease, thus reaffirming that this is a systemic disease [3, 4]. Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory disease which is characterized by the exaggerated proliferation of keratinocytes as a result of immune system activation through T lymphocytes in focal cutaneous areas [5, 6]. In most cases of psoriasis, oral lesions are associated with the presence of geographic and fissured tongue, although data show an increased frequency of associations with generalized pustular psoriasis [7]. It has been estimated that the actual prevalence of fissured tongue and geographic tongue is 6 - 33% and 1-18%, respectively, suggesting that these might represent different expressions of the same disease [7]. However, there is no consensus of the clinical description of what could be considered an oral psoriatic lesion, oral evaluation, or examination, is not a regular procedure in patients with psoriasis [7, 8]. Oral lesions are generally asymptomatic, although there might be tongue swelling and pain when deep fissures are formed [7, 8]. Furthermore, bad tongue hygiene can cause halitosis and tissue swelling due to the accumulation of food residues in fissures, thus causing burning and stinging, especially after contact. However, this association is debatable because it is not known if such oral manifestations are a symptom of disease severity or represent an expression of the disease itself [8]. On the other hand, periodontal disease is marked by an exaggerated response of the immune system to oral microbiota, making it a chronic inflammatory disease which is mediated immunologically, in which immune cells cause inflammation and cellular destruction [9]. Although the two pathologies are similar from the immunological aspect, some characteristics still render them separate diseases and there is no real association known between them [10, 11]. New research has shown that both psoriasis and periodontal disease have both experienced increased prevalence worldwide, and have been associated with other diseases and comorbidities, thus reconfirming that these are, indeed, systemic diseases [12, 13]. There are no existing reports in the published literature which describe the prevalence and frequency of psoriasis and periodontal disease in Colombia. We considered that it was very important for such clinical data to be available because we believe that appropriate examinations should be carried out on all patients with psoriasis, who may have multiple associated comorbidities. We also believe that such examinations should be performed on a regular basis. Furthermore, it is not yet known if the diagnosis of oral psoriasis should be made when lesions in the oral cavity present by themselves, or only at the same time as skin symptoms develop. Consequently, in this study, we aimed to investigate the association between periodontal diagnosis, microbiological components, the presence of IgG against Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), and the clinical manifestations of psoriasis

Cáncer de mama en el hombre. Reporte de dos casos. Breast cancer in men: A two-case report and review of medical literature

El cáncer de mama es muy poco frecuente en el varón, le corresponde entre el 0,7 al 1 % de todos los cánceres masculinos. En este trabajo presentamos dos casos de cáncer de mama en hombres diagnosticados durante un periodo de 5 años en el Hospital General Universitario "Abel Santamaría Cuadrado". Se analizaron los aspectos diagnósticos y terapéuticos en una amplia revisión bibliográfica y se concluyó que es una neoplasia de características y pronósticos similares en uno u otro sexo, no obstante, se publican resultados más sombríos en el varón debido a la demora en el diagnóstico respecto al femenino. Palabras clave: NEOPLASMAS DE LA MAMA MASCULINA/diagnóstico, NEOPLASMAS DE LA MAMA MASCULINA/cirugía. ABSTRACT Breast cancer si not frequent in male sex (only 0.7 to 1 % of all cancers in men). Two cases of male breast cancer were recorded in a period of 5 years at "Abel Santamaria" University Hospital. Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects were analyzed considering a wide review of literature, concluding that this neoplasm has similar characteristics and prognosis in both sexes, but some results are published in male patients due to a delayed diagnosis with respect to female patients. Key words: BREAST CANCER/surgery/diagnosis, MEN

Cáncer de mama en el hombre. Reporte de dos casos. Breast cancer in men: A two-case report and review of medical literature

El cáncer de mama es muy poco frecuente en el varón, le corresponde entre el 0,7 al 1 % de todos los cánceres masculinos. En este trabajo presentamos dos casos de cáncer de mama en hombres diagnosticados durante un periodo de 5 años en el Hospital General Universitario "Abel Santamaría Cuadrado". Se analizaron los aspectos diagnósticos y terapéuticos en una amplia revisión bibliográfica y se concluyó que es una neoplasia de características y pronósticos similares en uno u otro sexo, no obstante, se publican resultados más sombríos en el varón debido a la demora en el diagnóstico respecto al femenino. Palabras clave: NEOPLASMAS DE LA MAMA MASCULINA/diagnóstico, NEOPLASMAS DE LA MAMA MASCULINA/cirugía. ABSTRACT Breast cancer si not frequent in male sex (only 0.7 to 1 % of all cancers in men). Two cases of male breast cancer were recorded in a period of 5 years at "Abel Santamaria" University Hospital. Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects were analyzed considering a wide review of literature, concluding that this neoplasm has similar characteristics and prognosis in both sexes, but some results are published in male patients due to a delayed diagnosis with respect to female patients. Key words: BREAST CANCER/surgery/diagnosis, MEN

Glycemic markers and relation with arterial stiffness in Caucasian subjects of the MARK study

[EN]BACKGROUND: Effect of prediabetes and normal glucose on arterial stiffness remains controversial. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial glucose (PG) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in Caucasian adults. The secondary aim was to analyse this relationship by glycaemic status. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Primary care. Participants: 2,233 subjects, 35-74 years. Measures: FPG (mg/dL) and HbA1c (%) of all subjects were measured using standard automated enzymatic methods. PG (mg/dL) was self-measured at home two hours after meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for one day using an Accu-chek ® glucometer. CAVI was measured using a VaSera VS-1500® device (Fukuda Denshi), and baPWV was calculated using a validated equation. RESULTS: CAVI and baPWV values were significantly higher in subjects with diabetes mellitus than in glucose normal and prediabetes groups (p<0.001). FPG, PG and HbA1c were positively associated with CAVI and baPWV. The β regression coefficient for: HbA1c was 0.112 (CI 95% 0.068 to 0.155) with CAVI, 0.266 (CI 95% 0.172 to 0.359) with baPWV; for PG was 0.006 (CI 95% 0.004 to 0.009 and for FPG was 0.005 (CI 95% 0.002 to 0.008) with baPWV; and for PG was 0.002 (CI 95% 0.001 to 0.003) and 0.003 (CI 95% 0.002 to 0.004) with CAVI (p<0.01 in all cases). When analysing by hyperglycaemic status, FPG, PG and HbA1c were positively associated with CAVI and baPWV in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: FPG, PG and HbA1c show a positive association with CAVI and baPWV, in Caucasian adults with intermediate cardiovascular risk factors. When analysing by hyperglycaemic status, the association is only maintained in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Calculating a Drop in Carbon Emissions in the Strait of Gibraltar (Spain) from Domestic Shipping Traffic Caused by the COVID-19 Crisis

As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Spanish government declared a State of Emergency, and domestic passenger ship traffic was restricted in Spanish ports. This manuscript presents scenarios of emissions from domestic shipping traffic in the seas of the Strait of Gibraltar (Spain) over three months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emissions were estimated for only 90 days of the pandemic, and two scenarios were studied: emissions while vessels were berthed at the Algeciras Port and emissions as a consequence of the interruption of passenger ship transportation in the Strait of Gibraltar. To this end, the authors' own model was used, which has near zero uncertainties. This model was used for the first time in this study and takes into account both meteorological and sea condition parameters, as well as the efficiency of the propulsion system. The manuscript concentrates on the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), and particulate matter (PM) from six Ro-Pax ships that ceased to operate. The main finding is that as a consequence of the pandemic, reductions of up to 12% were found in the Strait of Gibraltar in all the pollutants and GHGs when taking into account all international traffic, while the decrease in emissions from domestic traffic only reached 51%

EFECTIVIDAD DE TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM SOBRE LA POBLACIÓN DE NEMÁTODOS FITOPATÓGENOS EN CAFÉ (COFFEA ARÁBICA L.) EN CONDICIONES DE VIVERO EN EL MUNICIPIO JUNÍN, ESTADO TÁCHIRA. VENEZUELA

Con el objeto de determinar la cuantía en que se puede prescindir del control químico para manejar los nemátodos fitopatógenos en el cultivo del café, se realizó un estudio sobre la efectividad del Trichoderma harzianum como biocontrolador en base al estado fitosanitario del cultivo de café (coffea arábica, L.) en la fase de vivero, evaluándose la infestación causada por los nemátodos. La investigación se desarrolló en el municipio Junín, Estado Táchira. Se utilizaron plántulas en bolsas con sustrato de mezcla 2 partes de tierra, 1 de materia orgánica y 1 de arena, realizando aplicaciones con Trichoderma harzianum con tres concentraciones de conidias. Se utilizó un diseño de bifactorial con siete tratamientos y diez repeticiones T1: Plántula + testigo absoluto; T2: plántula + Trichoderma 1 x 109 ufc/ml; T3: plántula + Trichoderma de 1 x 1018ufc/ml. T-4:plántula + Trichoderma de 1 x 1027 ufc/ml; T-5:sustracto solo + Trichoderma de 1 x 109 ufc/ml; T-6:sustracto solo + Trichoderma de 1 x 1018ufc/ml;T-7:sustracto solo + Trichoderma de 1 x 1027ufc/ml. Se concluye que la aplicación con el tratamiento T7 = sustrato solo + Trichoderma de 1 x 1027ufc/ml. Erradico en un 100% los nemátodos de los géneros meloidogyne spp y pratylenchus spp , y en cuanto al desarrollo agroproductivo de las plántulas de café en la fase de vivero el tratamiento T-4:plántula + Trichoderma de 1 x 1027ufc/ml, es el que propicia el crecimiento, desarrollo de las plántulas y el control de los nemátodos fitopatógenos de forma adecuada

Adiposity measures and arterial stiffness in primary care: the MARK prospective observational study

Arterial stiffness; Body mass index; waist-to-height ratioRigidesa arterial; Índex de massa corporal; Relació d'alçada i pesRigidez arterial; Índice de masa corporal; Relación de altura y pesoBACKGROUND The cardiovascular risk of obesity is potentially increased by arterial stiffness. OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship of adiposity measures with arterial stiffness in Caucasian adults with intermediate cardiovascular risk. SETTING Six Spanish health centres. PARTICIPANTS We enrolled 2354 adults (age range, 35-74 years; mean age, 61.4±7.7 years, 61.9% male). METHODS This is a cross-sectional study that analyses data from the baseline visit of the improving interMediAte RisK management (MARK) study. The main outcome variables were body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), Clínica Universidad de Navarra-body adiposity estimation (CUN-BAE) body fat percentage and body roundness index (BRI). Vascular function was assessed by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) with the VaSera device; brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was determined using a validated equation. RESULTS The mean adiposity measures were a BMI of 29.2±4.4, WHtR of 0.61±0.07, CUN-BAE of 35.7±1.7 and BRI of 5.8±1.7. The mean stiffness measures were a CAVI of 8.8±1.2 and baPWV of 14.9±2.5. In multiple linear regression analyses, all adiposity measures were negatively associated with CAVI and baPWV (p<0.01 for all) after adjustment for possible factors of confusion. The proportion of CAVI variability via the adiposity measures were 5.5% for BMI, 5.8% for CUN-BAE, 3.8% for WHtR and 3.7% for BRI. These were higher among diabetic, obese, younger (≤62 years) and non-hypertensive subjects who had similar activity and sedentary profiles. CONCLUSIONS Adiposity measures are negatively associated with arterial stiffness measures. The percentage of variation in CAVI explained by its relation to the different measures of adiposity ranges from 5.8% (CUN-BAE) to 3.7% (BRI). In the case of baPWV, it oscillates between 0.7% (CUN-BAE and BMI) and 0.1% (WHtR). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01428934