Neochloris oleoabundans biorefinery : Integration of cell disruption and purification steps using aqueous biphasic systems-based in surface-active ionic liquids

In this work, an approach to integrate the downstream processing of bioactive compounds present in the microalgae cells by combining the use of tensioactive compounds and aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) is proposed. For this purpose, several aqueous solutions using solvents with and without tensioactive nature were investigated on their capacity to disrupt the microalgae cells as well as to extract the different classes of biomolecules, namely pigments (chlorophylls a and b, and lutein), proteins and carbohydrates. Cationic tensioactive compounds were selected due to their high ability to simultaneously extract the different classes of compounds present in the Neochloris oleoabundans biomass. To fractionate pigments, proteins and carbohydrates extracted from the microalgae, ABS formed by polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000) and sodium polyacrylate (NaPA 8000) were used, with the solvent selected to disrupt the cells acting as electrolyte. This allowed to tune the biomolecule's partition reaching a selective fractionation. This approach provided the simultaneous extraction of different biomolecules (pigments, protein and carbohydrates) from the cells and, the subsequent origin of two fractions, one rich in proteins (extraction efficiencies of 100%) and carbohydrates (extraction efficiency of 80%) and the second concentrated in pigments (e.g. lutein, extraction efficiency of 98%). The further isolation of the biomolecules from the ABS forming solvents is proposed aiming at the development of an integrated downstream process, including the cell disruption/compounds extraction, the fractionation, and the isolation of the biomolecules.</p

The Portuguese Society of Rheumatology position paper on the use of biosimilars - 2017 update

Biosimilars are new and more affordable similar versions of previously approved reference biological drugs. Following the approval of the first monoclonal antibody biosimilar in 2013, the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology issued a position paper on the use of biosimilars in rheumatic conditions covering efficacy, safety, extrapolation, interchangeability, substitution and pharmacovigilance. However, as this is a rapidly evolving field, it was felt that the knowledge and evidence gathered since then justified an update of these statements. Literature searches on these issues were performed and the search results were presented and discussed in a national meeting. Portuguese rheumatologists considered that affordability should be taken into consideration when initiating a biological drug, but other factors were equally important. In patients already on reference biological treatment, switch to a more affordable biosimilar is desirable, provided a set of conditions is rigorously met. Automatic substitution is not acceptable and current evidence is insufficient to support interchangeability. Extrapolation of clinical indications is endorsed by Portuguese rheumatologists, and the statements on safety, pharmacovigilance and traceability are in accordance with the previous position paper.publishersversionpublishe

Medida da pressão arterial em gestante Toma de la presión arterial en embarazadas Blood pressure measurement in pregnancy

Trata-se de revisão da literatura à respeito da medida indireta da pressão arterial (P A) em gestante normotensa. Aborda as modificações ocorridas na pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica decorrentes da gravidez. São discutidos aspectos polêmicos no procedimento de medida da P A, como por exemplo qual a fase dos sons de Korotkoff (fase quatro ou cinco) que representa melhor a pressão diastólica e o uso da Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial. Enfatiza as recomendações de diferentes sociedades (American Heart Association, British Hypertension Society, Australasian Society, National High Blood Pressure Education Program e World Health Organization).<br>Se trata de una revisión de la literatura con respeto a la toma indirecta de la presión arterial (PA) en embarazadas normotensas. Se describen los cámbios que ocurrer en la presión arterial sistólica y diastólica a causa del embarazo. Son discutidos aspectos polémicos en el procedimiento de la toma de la PA, como por ejemplo: cuál es la fase de los sonidos de Korotkoff (fases cuatro o cinco) que representa mejor la presión sistólica. Se enfatizan las recomendaciones de diferentes sociedades (American Heart Association, British Hypertension Society, Australasian Society, National High Blood Pressure Education Program and World Health Organization).<br>This study deals with the review of the literature regarding the indirect blood pressure measurement in normal pregnant women. It shows the changes that happened whith the blood pressure due to pregnancy. Polemical aspects in the procedure of blood pressure measurement are discussed; for example, which one of the Korotkoff phases (4 or 5) that better represent the diastolic blood pressure and the use of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in pregnancy. The recommendations from different societies are emphasized (American Heart Association, British Hypertension Society, Australasian Society, National High Blood Pressure Education Program and World Health Organization)

PRISM (Polarized Radiation Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission): an extended white paper

Contains fulltext : 126057.pdf (preprint version ) (Open Access

New horizons for fundamental physics with LISA

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) has the potential to reveal wonders about the fundamental theory of nature at play in the extreme gravity regime, where the gravitational interaction is both strong and dynamical. In this white paper, the Fundamental Physics Working Group of the LISA Consortium summarizes the current topics in fundamental physics where LISA observations of GWs can be expected to provide key input. We provide the briefest of reviews to then delineate avenues for future research directions and to discuss connections between this working group, other working groups and the consortium work package teams. These connections must be developed for LISA to live up to its science potential in these areas.Comment: Accepted in: Living Reviews in Relativit

Mortality from esophagectomy for esophageal cancer across low, middle, and high-income countries: An international cohort study.

BACKGROUND No evidence currently exists characterising global outcomes following major cancer surgery, including esophageal cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise impact of high income countries (HIC) versus low and middle income countries (LMIC) on the outcomes following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. METHOD This international multi-center prospective study across 137 hospitals in 41 countries included patients who underwent an esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, with 90-day follow-up. The main explanatory variable was country income, defined according to the World Bank Data classification. The primary outcome was 90-day postoperative mortality, and secondary outcomes were composite leaks (anastomotic leak or conduit necrosis) and major complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade III - V). Multivariable generalized estimating equation models were used to produce adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Between April 2018 to December 2018, 2247 patients were included. Patients from HIC were more significantly older, with higher ASA grade, and more advanced tumors. Patients from LMIC had almost three-fold increase in 90-day mortality, compared to HIC (9.4% vs 3.7%, p < 0.001). On adjusted analysis, LMIC were independently associated with higher 90-day mortality (OR: 2.31, CI: 1.17-4.55, p = 0.015). However, LMIC were not independently associated with higher rates of anastomotic leaks (OR: 1.06, CI: 0.57-1.99, p = 0.9) or major complications (OR: 0.85, CI: 0.54-1.32, p = 0.5), compared to HIC. CONCLUSION Resections in LMIC were independently associated with higher 90-day postoperative mortality, likely reflecting a failure to rescue of these patients following esophagectomy, despite similar composite anastomotic leaks and major complication rates to HIC. These findings warrant further research, to identify potential issues and solutions to improve global outcomes following esophagectomy for cancer

Cosmology intertwined: A review of the particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology associated with the cosmological tensions and anomalies

The standard Λ Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) cosmological model provides a good description of a wide range of astrophysical and cosmological data. However, there are a few big open questions that make the standard model look like an approximation to a more realistic scenario yet to be found. In this paper, we list a few important goals that need to be addressed in the next decade, taking into account the current discordances between the different cosmological probes, such as the disagreement in the value of the Hubble constant H0, the σ8–S8 tension, and other less statistically significant anomalies. While these discordances can still be in part the result of systematic errors, their persistence after several years of accurate analysis strongly hints at cracks in the standard cosmological scenario and the necessity for new physics or generalisations beyond the standard model. In this paper, we focus on the 5.0σ tension between the Planck CMB estimate of the Hubble constant H0 and the SH0ES collaboration measurements. After showing the H0 evaluations made from different teams using different methods and geometric calibrations, we list a few interesting new physics models that could alleviate this tension and discuss how the next decade's experiments will be crucial. Moreover, we focus on the tension of the Planck CMB data with weak lensing measurements and redshift surveys, about the value of the matter energy density Ωm, and the amplitude or rate of the growth of structure (σ8,fσ8). We list a few interesting models proposed for alleviating this tension, and we discuss the importance of trying to fit a full array of data with a single model and not just one parameter at a time. Additionally, we present a wide range of other less discussed anomalies at a statistical significance level lower than the H0–S8 tensions which may also constitute hints towards new physics, and we discuss possible generic theoretical approaches that can collectively explain the non-standard nature of these signals. Finally, we give an overview of upgraded experiments and next-generation space missions and facilities on Earth that will be of crucial importance to address all these open questions