Present status and perspective on the future use of aflatoxin biocontrol products

Open Access Journal; Published online: 01 Apr 2020Aflatoxin contamination of important food and feed crops occurs frequently in warm tropical and subtropical regions. The contamination is caused mainly by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Aflatoxin contamination negatively affects health and trade sectors and causes economic losses to agricultural industries. Many pre- and post-harvest technologies can limit aflatoxin contamination but may not always reduce aflatoxin concentrations below tolerance thresholds. However, the use of atoxigenic (non-toxin producing) isolates of A. flavus to competitively displace aflatoxin producers is a practical strategy that effectively limits aflatoxin contamination in crops from field to plate. Biocontrol products formulated with atoxigenic isolates as active ingredients have been registered for use in the US, several African nations, and one such product is in final stages of registration in Italy. Many other nations are seeking to develop biocontrol products to protect their crops. In this review article we present an overview of the biocontrol technology, explain the basis to select atoxigenic isolates as active ingredients, describe how formulations are developed and tested, and describe how a biocontrol product is used commercially. Future perspectives on formulations of aflatoxin biocontrol products, along with other important topics related to the aflatoxin biocontrol technology are also discussed

Commercial mobile applications in the therapeutic approach to stroke: Review in main application repositories and scientific evidence

Fundamentos: El ictus es la principal causa de discapacidad física en la población adulta. La tecnología al servicio de la medicina aporta nuevas soluciones para la valoración, tratamiento y seguimiento de sujetos con afectaciones neurológicas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue realizar una revisión sobre el uso de aplicaciones móviles comerciales en el abordaje terapéutico de sujetos que han sufrido ictus, así como analizar si existe evidencia científica sobre el uso de dichas apps. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda de apps útiles para el abordaje terapéutico del ictus y de sus posibles secuelas clínicas, en los principales repositorios de aplicaciones: “Google Play” y “App Store”. Se analizó la posible evidencia científica de cada app obtenida, en las siguientes bases de datos: Web Of Science, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Scopus y Google Scholar. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 45 apps que cumplían los criterios de selección. Éstas se subdividieron en diferentes categorías: herramientas de valoración (13), programa de ejercicio terapéutico (8) percepción de la lateralidad y esquema corporal (7), manejo de trastornos secundarios (7), movilidad, destreza y coordinación manual (5) y corrección postural y ergonomía (5). De las 45 apps obtenidas, solo 10 de ellas habían sido utilizadas en estudios incluidos en las bases de datos científicas consultadas. Conclusiones: Existe amplia variedad de apps móviles comerciales de gran utilidad y bajo coste, aplicables en la valoración y tratamiento de sujetos que han sufrido ictus, existiendo evidencia científica, aunque escasa, sobre la validez de dichas apps.Background: Stroke is the leading cause of physical disability in the adult population. Technology at the service of medicine provides new solutions for the assessment, treatment, and monitoring of subjects with neurological disorders. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the use of commercial mobile applications in the therapeutic approach of subjects who have suffered a stroke, as well as to analyze if there is scientific evidence on their use. Methods: A search of specific apps for the the rapeutic approach to stroke, as well as its possible clinical after-effects, in the main applications repositories was made: “Google Play” and “App Store”. Besides, the possible scientific evidence for each app obtained was analyzed using the following databases: Web of Science, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar. Results: A total of 45 apps were obtained meeting the criteria established in the study. These were subdivided into different categories: assessment tools (13), therapeutic exercise program (8) perception of laterality and body scheme (7), management of secondary disorders (7), mobility, dexterity and manual coordination (5) and postural correction and ergonomics (5). From the 45 apps obtained, only 10 of them had been used in scientific studies. Conclusions: There is a wide variety of commercial mobile applications of great utility and low cost, applicable in the assessment and treatment of subjects who have suffered a stroke, there is even scientific evidence, although limited, about the validity of such apps

Actividades preventivas en la mujer. Actualización PAPPS 2020

Se revisa la evidencia científica en las actividades preventivas de la atención de la mujer en relación con el seguimiento del embarazo, las actividades preventivas en la planificación y seguimiento de los métodos anticonceptivos, actividades preventivas en la menopausia, y la prevención de las fracturas osteoporóticas

Minimising Mortality in Endangered Raptors Due to Power Lines: The Importance of Spatial Aggregation to Optimize the Application of Mitigation Measures

Electrocution by power lines is one of the main causes of non-natural mortality in birds of prey. In an area in central Spain, we surveyed 6304 pylons from 333 power lines to determine electrocution rates, environmental and design factors that may influence electrocution and the efficacy of mitigation measures used to minimise electrocution cases. A total of 952 electrocuted raptors, representing 14 different species, were observed. Electrocuted raptors were concentrated in certain areas and the environmental factors associated with increased electrocution events were: greater numbers of prey animals; greater vegetation cover; and shorter distance to roads. The structural elements associated with electrocutions were shorter strings of insulators, one or more phases over the crossarm, cross-shaped design and pylon function. Of the 952 carcasses found, 148 were eagles, including golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) and Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata). Electrocuted eagles were clustered in smaller areas than other electrocuted raptors. The factors associated with increased eagle electrocution events were: pylons function, shorter strings of insulators, higher slopes surrounding the pylon, and more numerous potential prey animals. Pylons with increased string of insulators had lower raptor electrocution rates than unimproved pylons, although this technique was unsuccessful for eagles. Pylons with cable insulation showed higher electrocution rates than unimproved pylons, both for raptors and eagles, despite this is the most widely used and recommended mitigation measure in several countries. To optimize the application of mitigation measures, our results recommend the substitution of pin-type insulators to suspended ones and elongating the strings of insulators

Efficacy and safety of preoperative preparation with Lugol''s iodine solution in euthyroid patients with Graves’ disease (LIGRADIS Trial): Study protocol for a multicenter randomized trial

Background: Currently, both the American Thyroid Association and the European Thyroid Association recommend preoperative preparation with Lugol''s Solution (LS) for patients undergoing thyroidectomy for Graves’ Disease (GD), but their recommendations are based on low-quality evidence. The LIGRADIS trial aims to provide evidence either to support or refute the systematic use of LS in euthyroid patients undergoing thyroidectomy for GD. Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial will be performed. Patients =18 years of age, diagnosed with GD, treated with antithyroid drugs, euthyroid and proposed for total thyroidectomy will be eligible for inclusion. Exclusion criteria will be prior thyroid or parathyroid surgery, hyperparathyroidism that requires associated parathyroidectomy, thyroid cancer that requires adding a lymph node dissection, iodine allergy, consumption of lithium or amiodarone, medically unfit patients (ASA-IV), breastfeeding women, preoperative vocal cord palsy and planned endoscopic, video-assisted or remote access surgery. Between January 2020 and January 2022, 270 patients will be randomized for either receiving or not preoperative preparation with LS. Researchers will be blinded to treatment assignment. The primary outcome will be the rate of postoperative complications: hypoparathyroidism, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, hematoma, surgical site infection or death. Secondary outcomes will be intraoperative events (Thyroidectomy Difficulty Scale score, blood loss, recurrent laryngeal nerve neuromonitoring signal loss), operative time, postoperative length of stay, hospital readmissions, permanent complications and adverse events associated to LS. Conclusions: There is no conclusive evidence supporting the benefits of preoperative treatment with LS in this setting. This trial aims to provide new insights into future Clinical Practice Guidelines recommendations. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03980132. © 202

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