Catalytic conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) over Pd-Ru/FAU zeolite catalysts.

We present this study on FAU-type zeolites were prepared varying the Si/Al ratio (4, 5 and 6) and crystallization time (4, 6 and 8 h) to produce a highly pure and homogeneous material with enhanced surface area values. Bimetallic Pd-Ru and Pt-Ru (0.5 wt.% of each metal) were impregnated onto the zeolites matrix by the incipient wetness impregnation method. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen physisorption, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scattering Electronic Microscopy (SEM), Scattering and Transmission Microscopy (STEM), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), temperature-programmed desorption (TPR) and Inductively Couples Plasma- Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Results indicated that using lower Si/Al ratios favored the catalytic activity. Also, the longest crystallization time had a positive effect on surface area, homogeneous particle size distribution and crystallinity. The catalytic performance in the esterification of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) to produce 5-acetoxymethylfurfural (AcMF) was investigated. The maximum 5-HMF conversion of 87.28 % was achieved using pure zeolite with relation Si/Al = 5, and 8 h of crystallization. Pd-Ru supported onto same zeolite showed a conversion of 84.22 %. The highest selectivity towards AcMF of 71.29 % with pure zeolite Si/Al = 5 and 8 h of crystallization was achieved, followed by Pd-Ru/FAU with Si/Al = 5 and 8 h of crystallization, achieving 60.42 %. Finally, results shown that the interaction between the properties of zeolitic support and the metallic species, specifically Pd, had a positive effect in the catalytic process the pristine zeolite showed improved catalytic characteristics related to its acid strength

High-flow nasal cannula therapy for hypoxemic respiratory failure in patients with COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 is poorly understood and remains controversial. METHODS: We evaluated a large cohort of patients with COVID-19-related hypoxemic respiratory failure at the temporary COVID-19 hospital in Mexico City. The primary outcome was the success rate of HFNC to prevent the progression to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). We also evaluated the risk factors associated with HFNC success or failure. RESULTS: HFNC use effectively prevented IMV in 71.4% of patients [270 of 378 patients; 95% confidence interval (CI) 66.6-75.8%]. Factors that were significantly different at admission included age, the presence of hypertension, and the Charlson comorbidity index. Predictors of therapy failure (adjusted hazard ratio, 95% CI) included the comorbidity-age-lymphocyte count-lactate dehydrogenase (CALL) score at admission (1.27, 1.09-1.47; p < 0.01), Rox index at 1 hour (0.82, 0.7-0.96; p = 0.02), and no prior steroid treatment (0.34, 95% CI 0.19-0.62; p < 0.0001). Patients with HFNC success rarely required admission to the intensive care unit and had shorter lengths of hospital stay [19/270 (7.0%) and 15.0 (interquartile range, 11-20) days, respectively] than those who required IMV [104/108 (96.3%) and 26.5 (20-36) days, respectively]. CONCLUSION: Treating patients with HFNC at admission led to improvement in respiratory parameters in many patients with COVID-19

Hongos endófitos: fuente potencial de metabolitos secundarios bioactivos con utilidad en agricultura y medicina

Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that live inside plant tissues without causing disease symptoms. In most cases, their relationship with the host plant is considered beneficial because the endophyte is able to produce bioactive metabolites that the host can use as defense mechanisms, and this allows survival of both organisms. Recent studies have demonstrated that the endophytic fungus confers protection to the host plant against attack by pathogens and herbivores. Since they have the ability to benefit the host plant, it is reasonable to think that the diverse bioactive compounds produced by the endophyte might exhibit potential applications in agriculture and medicine, and also serve as a source of inspiration for the discovery of new and more active molecules. In this paper, some aspects regarding  endophytic fungi are described: definition, discovery, classification, interactions with their host plants, ecological role, selected examples of bioactive metabolites, host selection strategy, and methodological strategies for their isolation. Finally, we show some recent results of our research, which demonstrate that endophytic fungi are promising sources of new bioactive secondary metabolites.Los hongos endófitos habitan en las plantas sin causar síntomas aparentes de enfermedad. La estrecha relación que existe entre el endófito y su planta hospedera se considera de gran importancia, ya que el hongo es capaz de producir metabolitos bioactivos, así como modificar los mecanismos de defensa de su hospedera, permitiendo e incrementando la sobrevivencia de ambos organismos. Estudios recientes demuestran la enorme capacidad que tienen los hongos endófitos para producir compuestos activos que le confieren protección a su hospedera contra el ataque de patógenos y herbívoros, constituyendo una nueva vía para la obtención de diversos precursores o moléculas novedosas de utilidad en la agricultura y en la medicina. En este trabajo se describen diferentes aspectos relacionados con los hongos endófitos, abarcando su definición, descubrimiento, clasificación, interacción con su hospedera, papel ecológico, ejemplos de metabolitos secundarios bioactivos, así como estrategias metodológicas para su obtención. Por último, se presentan algunos resultados recientes, de estudios realizados en nuestro grupo de trabajo mostrando que los hongos endófitos son una fuente potencial de metabolitos secundarios bioactivos

Hongos endófitos: fuente potencial de metabolitos secundarios bioactivos con utilidad en agricultura y medicina

Los hongos endófitos habitan en las plantas sin causar síntomas aparentes de enfermedad. La estrecha relación que existe entre el endófito y su planta hospedera se considera de gran importancia, ya que el hongo es capaz de producir metabolitos bioactivos, así como modificar los mecanismos de defensa de su hospedera, permitiendo e incrementando la sobrevivencia de ambos organismos. Estudios recientes demuestran la enorme capacidad que tienen los hongos endófitos para producir compuestos activos que le confieren protección a su hospedera contra el ataque de patógenos y herbívoros, constituyendo una nueva vía para la obtención de diversos precursores o moléculas novedosas de utilidad en la agricultura y en la medicina. En este trabajo se describen diferentes aspectos relacionados con los hongos endófitos, abarcando su definición, descubrimiento, clasificación, interacción con su hospedera, papel ecológico, ejemplos de metabolitos secundarios bioactivos, así como estrategias metodológicas para su obtención. Por último, se presentan algunos resultados recientes, de estudios realizados en nuestro grupo de trabajo mostrando que los hongos endófitos son una fuente potencial de metabolitos secundarios bioactivos

Catalytic conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) over Pd-Ru/FAU zeolite catalysts

We present this study on FAU-type zeolites were prepared varying the Si/Al ratio (4, 5 and 6) and crystallization time (4, 6 and 8 h) to produce a highly pure and homogeneous material with enhanced surface area values. Bimetallic Pd-Ru and Pt-Ru (0.5 wt.% of each metal) were impregnated onto the zeolites matrix by the incipient wetness impregnation method. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen physisorption, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scattering Electronic Microscopy (SEM), Scattering and Transmission Microscopy (STEM), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), temperature-programmed desorption (TPR) and Inductively Couples Plasma- Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Results indicated that using lower Si/Al ratios favored the catalytic activity. Also, the longest crystallization time had a positive effect on surface area, homogeneous particle size distribution and crystallinity. The catalytic performance in the esterification of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) to produce 5-acetoxymethylfurfural (AcMF) was investigated. The maximum 5-HMF conversion of 87.28 % was achieved using pure zeolite with relation Si/Al = 5, and 8 h of crystallization. Pd-Ru supported onto same zeolite showed a conversion of 84.22 %. The highest selectivity towards AcMF of 71.29 % with pure zeolite Si/Al = 5 and 8 h of crystallization was achieved, followed by Pd-Ru/FAU with Si/Al = 5 and 8 h of crystallization, achieving 60.42 %. Finally, results shown that the interaction between the properties of zeolitic support and the metallic species, specifically Pd, had a positive effect in the catalytic process the pristine zeolite showed improved catalytic characteristics related to its acid strength

Estudios multidisciplinarios en Ciencias de la Salud

Es una distinción, como miembro de la Comisión del Programa del Doctorado en Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, presentar el libro titulado Estudios multidisciplinarios en Ciencias de la Salud, en el que distinguidos y reconocidos investigadores, entusiastas y comprometidos alumnos del programa nos dan a conocer los resultados de sus proyectos de investigación, trabajos que forman parte de los requisitos para acceder al grado de doctor. Entre las razones que invitan a la lectura del libro destaca su contenido conformado con la participación de autores en cuatro áreas en el campo de la salud: Odontología, Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición, Ciencias de la Conducta, y Enfermería y Obstetricia, quienes contribuyen a incrementar el acervo del conocimiento en cada área, en favor de la ciencia, la tecnología, y la salud física y mental de la población.Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México

Cardiac myosin activation with omecamtiv mecarbil in systolic heart failure

BACKGROUND The selective cardiac myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil has been shown to improve cardiac function in patients with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction. Its effect on cardiovascular outcomes is unknown. METHODS We randomly assigned 8256 patients (inpatients and outpatients) with symptomatic chronic heart failure and an ejection fraction of 35% or less to receive omecamtiv mecarbil (using pharmacokinetic-guided doses of 25 mg, 37.5 mg, or 50 mg twice daily) or placebo, in addition to standard heart-failure therapy. The primary outcome was a composite of a first heart-failure event (hospitalization or urgent visit for heart failure) or death from cardiovascular causes. RESULTS During a median of 21.8 months, a primary-outcome event occurred in 1523 of 4120 patients (37.0%) in the omecamtiv mecarbil group and in 1607 of 4112 patients (39.1%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 0.99; P = 0.03). A total of 808 patients (19.6%) and 798 patients (19.4%), respectively, died from cardiovascular causes (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.11). There was no significant difference between groups in the change from baseline on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire total symptom score. At week 24, the change from baseline for the median N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level was 10% lower in the omecamtiv mecarbil group than in the placebo group; the median cardiac troponin I level was 4 ng per liter higher. The frequency of cardiac ischemic and ventricular arrhythmia events was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection, those who received omecamtiv mecarbil had a lower incidence of a composite of a heart-failure event or death from cardiovascular causes than those who received placebo. (Funded by Amgen and others; GALACTIC-HF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02929329; EudraCT number, 2016 -002299-28.)