Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) produced from red grape pomace: Effect of purification processes on structural, thermal and antioxidant properties.

Red grape pomace was used as a source for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) production, which was then subject to a range of purification processes. The different PHB biopolymers were characterized for chemical structure, crystallinity, thermal properties, colour, release of compounds into different food simulants and antioxidant inhibition, and comparisons were made with a commercially available PHB. An increase in purification steps did not have a significant effect on the high thermal stability of the extracted biopolymer, but it decreased the degree of crystallinity and the presence of amino acids and aromatic compounds. With additional purification, the PHB powders also whitened and the number of components released from the biopolymer into food simulants decreased. The released compounds presented antioxidant inhibition, which has not been previously reported in the literature or with commercially available polyhydroxyalkanoates. This is of great interest for food packaging and biomedical industries where the addition of antioxidant additives to improve PHB functional properties may not be necessary and could be avoided.The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment of New Zealand (MBIE, Biocide Toolbox programme), the Basque Government (KK-2021/00131 and IT1658-22) and PID2021-124294OB-C22 project funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE. A.E. thanks the State Research Agency of Spain within the Juan de la Cierva - Incorporation action (IJC2019-039697I)

Release of muscle α-actin into serum after intensive exercise

Purpose: To study the effects of high-level matches on serum alpha actin and other muscle damage markers in teams of rugby and handball players. Methods: Blood samples were drawn from 23 sportsmen: 13 rugby players and 10 handball players. One sample was drawn with the player at rest before the match and one immediately after the match. Immunoassays were used to determine troponin I, troponin T, LDH, and myoglobin concentrations. Western blot and densitometry were used to measure α-actin concentrations. Muscle injury was defined by a total CK value of > 500 IU/L (Rosalki method). Results: Mean pre- and post-match serum alpha-actin values were, respectively, 7.16 and 26.47 μg/ml in the handball group and 1.24 and 20.04 μg/ml in the rugby team. CPK, LDH and myoglobin but not troponin 1 levels also significantly differed between these time points. According to these results, large amounts of α-actin are released into peripheral blood immediately after intense physical effort. Possible cross-interference between skeletal and cardiac muscle damage can be discriminated by the combined use of α-actin and troponin I. Conclusion: The significant increase in alpha-actin after a high-level match may be a reliable marker for the early diagnosis and hence more effective treatment of muscle injury

State-of-the-art neonatal cerebral ultrasound: technique and reporting

In the past three decades, cerebral ultrasound (CUS) has become a trusted technique to study the neonatal brain. It is a relatively cheap, non-invasive, bedside neuroimaging method available in nearly every hospital. Traditionally, CUS was used to detect major abnormalities, such as intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), periventricular hemorrhagic infarction, post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation, and (cystic) periventricular leukomalacia (cPVL). The use of different acoustic windows, such as the mastoid and posterior fontanel, and ongoing technological developments, allows for recognizing other lesion patterns (e.g., cerebellar hemorrhage, perforator stroke, developmental venous anomaly). The CUS technique is still being improved with the use of higher transducer frequencies (7.5-18\u2009MHz), 3D applications, advances in vascular imaging (e.g. ultrafast plane wave imaging), and improved B-mode image processing. Nevertheless, the helpfulness of CUS still highly depends on observer skills, knowledge, and experience. In this special article, we discuss how to perform a dedicated state-of-the-art neonatal CUS, and we provide suggestions for structured reporting and quality assessment

CURRENT STATUS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF EQUIPMENTS FOR DEEP CHISELLING OF THE SOIL WORLDWIDE

This paper presents the main achievements of the largest manufacturers of machinery and equipment for deep soil loosening, by highlighting the specific features of each product so that they achieve a very good profoundness and soil loosening, using a small power source, on the same working widt

Desarrollo de una herramienta basada en un soporte multimedia para el autoaprendizaje de la anatomía radiológica

La instauración del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior nos conduce a la adopción de procesos de renovación en la metodología docente. Se deben desarrollar estrategias en las que el alumno sea protagonista de su propio aprendizaje. En nuestro ámbito enseñanza, las Ciencias de la Salud, nos enfrentamos a la necesidad de aplicar estos principios integrando conocimientos básicos y clínicos y desarrollando materiales útiles en la actividad profesional de nuestros alumnos. En este contexto, diferentes Profesores del Área de Anatomía y Embriología Humana hemos desarrollado un material docente que interesa a un conjunto de conocimientos de significada complejidad comunes a las diferentes Licenciaturas y Diplomaturas de Ciencias de la Salud. Nuestra aplicación permite el estudio individual de elementos osteológicos y la compresión de los patrones radiológicos normales. Dicho material podrá ser utilizado en procesos de enseñanza aprendizaje mediante sistemas didácticos alternativos

Categorización del gusto en el arte del exilio a través de Max Aub, su conexión con Malraux, Jean Cassou y la bibliografía artística de los años cincuenta

With the passing of time, the novel published by Max Aub in Mexico 1958, Jusep Torres Campalans, uncovers itshelf as a mirror where we see the relationship between spanish and french historiography at the time, pertaining the spanish label, the vanguardias and Picasso, Goya and Juan Gris. A valuable addition to studies on the concept of spanish art, and spacifically spanish republican art in exile.Con el paso del tiempo, la novela que Max Aub publicó en México en 1958, Jusep Torres Campalans, se desvela como un espejo en el que vemos la relación de la historiografía española y francesa del momento con respecto a lo español, las vanguardias y Picasso, Goya, Velázquez y Juan Gris. Una aportación valiosa a los estudios sobre el concepto de arte español, especialmente el arte español republicano en el exilio

International lower limb collaborative (INTELLECT) study: a multicentre, international retrospective audit of lower extremity open fractures

Trauma remains a major cause of mortality and disability across the world1, with a higher burden in developing nations2. Open lower extremity injuries are devastating events from a physical3, mental health4, and socioeconomic5 standpoint. The potential sequelae, including risk of chronic infection and amputation, can lead to delayed recovery and major disability6. This international study aimed to describe global disparities, timely intervention, guideline-directed care, and economic aspects of open lower limb injuries