Short-Cut Methods for Multicomponent Batch Distillation

This work present the batch distillation shortcut methods developed from the Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland (FUG) method of continuous distillation. In addition, a comparison between the results of shortcut method developed by Diwekar and Narváez-García et al. is done. The results of both methods are compared for validation with the results using the rigorous method presented by Domenech and Enjalbert. The results indicate no significant differences in both shortcut methods being the maximum deviation found between the two shortcut methods is less than 3%. Then, the use of any of both methods is in the ease or difficulty of the solution each of the model equations. Both methods were implemented using Fortran programming. Multdistbatch© software was used for the rigorous method

Assessment of inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using thermography and machine learning: a fast and automated technique

Objectives Sensitive detection of joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is crucial to the success of the treat-to-target strategy. In this study, we characterise a novel machine learning-based computational method to automatically assess joint inflammation in RA using thermography of the hands, a fast and non-invasive imaging technique. Methods We recruited 595 patients with arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as healthy subjects at two hospitals over 4 years. Machine learning was used to assess joint inflammation from the thermal images of the hands using ultrasound as the reference standard, obtaining a Thermographic Joint Inflammation Score (ThermoJIS). The machine learning model was trained and tuned using data from 449 participants with different types of arthritis, osteoarthritis or without rheumatic disease (development set). The performance of the method was evaluated based on 146 patients with RA (validation set) using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, area under the receiver-operating curve (AUROC), average precision, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and F1-score. Results ThermoJIS correlated moderately with ultrasound scores (grey-scale synovial hypertrophy=0.49, p<0.001; and power Doppler=0.51, p<0.001). The AUROC for ThermoJIS for detecting active synovitis was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.71 to 0.86; p<0.001). In patients with RA in clinical remission, ThermoJIS values were significantly higher when active synovitis was detected by ultrasound. Conclusions ThermoJIS was able to detect joint inflammation in patients with RA, even in those in clinical remission. These results open an opportunity to develop new tools for routine detection of joint inflammation

Effect of osteoprotegerin and Dickkopf-related protein 1 on radiological progression in tightly controlled rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG) and Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1) and radiological progression in patients with tightly controlled rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Serum levels of OPG and DKK-1 were measured in 97 RA patients who were treated according to a treat-to-target strategy (T2T) aimed at remission (DAS28<2.6). Radiologic joint damage progression was assessed by changes in the total Sharp-van der Heijde score (SHS) on serial radiographs of the hands and feet. The independent association between these biomarker levels and the structural damage endpoint was examined using regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the 97 RA patients (68 women) at the time of the study was 54 ± 14 years, and the median disease duration was 1.6 ± 1.5 years. Most patients were seropositive for either RF or ACPA, and the large majority (76%) were in remission or had low disease activity. After a median follow-up time of 3.3 ± 1.5 years (range, 1-7.5 yrs.), the mean total SHS annual progression was 0.88 ± 2.20 units. Fifty-two percent of the patients had no progression (defined as a total SHS of zero). The mean serum OPG level did not change significantly over the study period (from 3.9 ± 1.8 to 4.07 ± 2.23 pmol/L), whereas the mean serum DKK-1 level decreased, although not significantly (from 29.9 ± 10.9 to 23.6 ± 18.8 pmol/L). In the multivariate analysis, the predictive factors increasing the likelihood of total SHS progression were age (OR per year = 1.10; p = 0.003) and a high mean C-reactive protein level over the study period (OR = 1.29; p = 0.005). Circulating OPG showed a protective effect reducing the likelihood of joint space narrowing by 60% (95% CI: 0.38-0.94) and the total SHS progression by 48% (95% CI: 0.28-0.83). The DKK-1 levels were not associated with radiological progression. CONCLUSION: In patients with tightly controlled RA, serum OPG was inversely associated with progression of joint destruction. This biomarker may be useful in combination with other risk factors to improve prediction in patients in clinical remission or low disease activity state

Comparative Analysis of the Physicochemical and Biological Characteristics of Freeze-Dried PEGylated Cationic Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

Cationic solid-lipid nanoparticles (cSLNs) have become a promising tool for gene and RNA therapies. PEGylation (PEG) is crucial in enhancing particle stability and protection. We evaluated the impact of PEG on the physicochemical and biological characteristics of cholesteryl-oleate cSLNs (CO-cSLNs). Several parameters were analyzed, including the particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, shape, stability, cytotoxicity, and loading efficiency. Five different formulations with specific PEGs were developed and compared in both suspended and freeze-dried states. Small, homogeneous, and cationic suspended nanoparticles were obtained, with the Gelucire 50/13 (PEG-32 hydrogenated palm glycerides; Gelucire) and DSPE-mPEG2000 (1,2-distearoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-methyl-polyethyleneglycol conjungate-2000; DSPE) formulations exhibiting the smallest particle size (similar to 170 nm). Monodisperse populations of freeze-dried nanoparticles were also achieved, with particle sizes ranging from 200 to 300 nm and Z potential values of 30-35 mV. Notably, Gelucire again produced the smallest particle size (211.1 +/- 22.4), while the DSPE and Myrj S100 (polyoxyethylene (100) stearate; PEG-100 Stearate) formulations had similar particle sizes to CO-cSLNs (similar to 235 nm). The obtained PEGylated nanoparticles showed suitable properties: they were nontoxic, had acceptable morphology, were capable of forming SLNplexes, and were stable in both suspended and lyophilized states. These PEG-cSLNs are a potential resource for in vivo assays and have the advantage of employing cost-effective PEGs. Optimizing the lyophilization process and standardizing parameters are also recommended to maintain nanoparticle integrity

Dialysis is a key factor modulating interactions between critical process parameters during the microfluidic preparation of lipid nanoparticles

Manufacturing lipid nanoparticles through microfluidic mixing can be approached from a Quality by Design perspective. Research involving critical process parameters seems to focus on the total flow and flow rate ratio, thus other process variables, such as dialysis, are underestimated. This study used a Design of Experiments to identify the influence of critical process parameters on particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. A response surface Design of Experiments modeled the influence of: total flow (400 to 4000 mu L min-1); flow rate ratio (3 to 9) and dialysis (yes/no). Results suggest that dialysis is a crucial parameter that strongly influences particle size and zeta potential and moderately affects polydispersity index. The flow rate ratio's relevance decreases when dialysis is performed. As the purification method can change the influence of other process parameters, it should be an integrated part of the microfluidic manufacturing of lipid nanoparticles instead of an extra step

Caracterización y cuantificación de los productos de oxidación del colesterol de la grasa intramuscular del lomo de cerdo (fresco y adobado) con diferentes irradiaciones y empaquetados durante el almacenamiento

A study of the effect of E-beam (1 and 2 kGy) on the cholesterol oxidation product (COP) composition of fresh and marinated pork loin stored at 4 and 8 °C under different atmospheres (air, vacuum and carbon dioxide enriched ) has been carried out for the first time. The combined statistical treatment of the distinct variables showed that minor differences were found in some cholesterol oxidation products of fresh loin due to storage temperature, packaging method and storage time. No effect of irradiation (up to 2 KGy) on the COP amount was found, concluding that E-beam can be a useful tool to extend the shelf-life of fresh and marinated loin without changes in the COP fraction.Se ha realizado un estudio sobre el efecto de la radiación de electrones (E-beam) (1 y 2 kGy) sobre los compuestos de oxidación del colesterol (COPs) del lomo de cerdo almacenado a 4 y 8 °C bajo diferentes atmósferas (aire, vacío y dióxido de carbono). Este tipo de estudio ha sido llevado a cabo por primera vez en este tipo de muestras. El tratamiento estadístico combinado de distintas variables muestra que se producen cambios menores en algunos COPs en el lomo fresco debido a la temperatura de almacenamiento al método de empaquetado y al tiempo de almacenamiento. No hubo efecto de la dosis de radiación (hasta 2 KGy) en los COPs, por lo que la radiación E-beam puede ser una herramienta útil para prolongar la vida útil del lomo fresco y adobado sin producir cambios en la composición de los COPs

Empatía en estudiantes de medicina de la universidad del norte, Colombia. Comparación de dos grupos (2012 y 2015)

Indexación: Scopus.Introduction: Empathy is an important component of the doctor-patient relationship, so the provision of empathy training to medical students must be a permanent goal of MD programs. Objective: To determine whether the academic medical empathy training activities implemented at Universidad del Norte in 2013 resulted in significant changes in medical students enrolled in 2015 compared to those enrolled in 2012. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study conducted on 934 medical students (426 men and 508 women) enrolled at Universidad del Norte in 2015 who were administered the Spanish version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy. The comparison group consisted of 345 medical students (106 men and 239 women) enrolled in 2012 at the same university. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and differences between academic years and between genders were evaluated, as well as the interactions between these two factors. Results: Although, in general, there were no significant differences between both groups in the three dimensions that were evaluated (p>0.05), statistically significant differences were observed in questions 4, 17 and 20, which are part of the Perspective Taking dimen-sion, and in question 6, included in the Walking in Patient’s Shoes dimension (p<0.05), since scores medias were higher in the 2012 cohort. Conclusions: The empathy training activities implemented in the medical program did not produce significant changes. Therefore, it is necessary to assess and improve both the con-tents and the teaching-learning processes related to empathy training in the medical program offered at Universidad del Norte.https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/revfacmed/article/view/7049

Tecnologias sociais: as organizações não governamentais no enfrentamento das mudanças climáticas e na promoção de desenvolvimento humano

De acordo com o quarto relatório do Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), as regiões semiáridas do mundo estarão entre as mais afetadas pelos impactos das mudanças climáticas globais. Estudos realizados pelo Ministério do Meio Ambiente (MMA), em 2007, confirmam que, no Nordeste brasileiro, não apenas choverá menos e mais irregularmente, mas, também, haverá mais secas, devido ao aquecimento da temperatura. Diante dos diversos impactos sociais, ambientais e econômicos possíveis nesses cenários, é de fundamental importância a verificação de alternativas sustentáveis para o semiárido brasileiro. Este artigo tem por objetivo avaliar o potencial de algumas das tecnologias sociais (TS) de convivência com o semiárido, desenvolvidas por diversas organizações, para a mitigação das mudanças climáticas e a promoção de desenvolvimento humano. Constata-se que as TS tem grande potencial para auxiliar na mitigação e na adaptação das mudanças climáticas, ao mesmo tempo que promovem melhorias na qualidade de vida das localidades onde estão sendo desenvolvidas