Investigation into the thermodynamics and kinetics of the binding of Cu2+ and Pb2+ to TiS2 nanoparticles synthesized using a solvothermal process

In the present study, titanium (IV) sulfide (TiS2) was synthesized and investigated for the removal of Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions. TiS2 nanoparticles synthesized through a solvothermal synthesis were characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The average particle size for the TiS2 material was determined to be 8.03 ± 0.98 nm from the diffraction pattern. Studies were performed to examine the effects of pH, temperature, time, and interfering ions on the binding of Cu2+ and Pb2+ to the TiS2. As well isotherm studies were performed to determine the binding capacity of TiS2 for both Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions. The pH profile studies showed optimal binding occurred at pH 2 for the sorption of both Cu2+ and Pb2+ to the TiS2. The isotherm studies showed the adsorption capacities at temperatures of 4, 22, and 45 °C for Cu2+ were 243, 222, and 153 mg/g, respectively. An opposite trend in the adsorption was observed for Pb2+ binding to the TiS2. The observed binding capacities for Pb2+ were 32, 166, and 357 mg/g, at temperatures of 4, 22, and 45 °C, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters for binding showed a non-spontaneous process for the sorption of Cu2+ whereas a spontaneous binding process was observed for the sorption of Pb2+. Additionally, the binding of Cu2+ on TiS2 in the presence of interfering ions (Na+, K+, Mg2+, and/or Ca2+) was observed to decrease at high concentrations; however, the binding of Pb2+ was unaffected by the presence of the same cations

Características das ondas de desenvolvimento folicular em novilhas Bos taurus indicus pré-púberes de dois tamanhos diferentes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in a period of 42 days prior to the onset of puberty (PB), the effects of size (small size and large size) of prepubertal Brahman heifers (BHM) on; age, characteristics of follicular dynamics, and body composition parameters. In addition, the frame score (body structure) was calculated as an additional estimator of height. We defined PB as the first ovulation preceded by the observation of estrus and followed by the formation of a corpus luteum (CL) of normal duration. Prepubertal BHM (10) heifers were used. The feeding was individual with corn silage and commercial concentrate to obtain similar weight gains. Measurements of weight and body condition score (BCS) were performed every 14 d. Ovulation and the formation of the CL were confirmed according to the monitoring of the ovarian structures by ultrasonography. Statistically, correlation analysis and analysis of variance were performed with the GLM procedure of SAS. A significant effect of size on the total number of follicles at PB was found, where small-sized heifers had 16 follicles, while those of large size had 12 follicles at PB (P < 0.0001). The frame score of the undersized animals was 10 % higher than that of the oversized heifers (P < 0.0001). Likewise, the frame score had a significant effect (P < 0.0001) on the total number of follicles in the PB. In conclusion, the effect of height in prepubertal animals is a complex characteristic, associated with body composition parameters, which affects some of the characteristics of follicular dynamics, and is worth further study in Zebu cattle.En un periodo de 42 días previos al inicio de la pubertad (PB), se estudiaron los efectos de la talla (talla chica y talla grande) de vaquillas prepúberes de la raza Brahman (BHM) sobre; la edad, características de la dinámica folicular y parámetros de composición corporal. Además, se calculó el frame score (estructura corporal) como estimador adicional de la talla. La PB fue definida como la primera ovulación precedida por la observación del estro y seguida por la formación de un cuerpo lúteo de duración normal. Se utilizaron 10 vaquillas BHM. La alimentación fue individual con ensilado de maíz y concentrado comercial para obtención de ganancias de peso similares. Se realizaron pesajes y se midió la condición corporal (CC) cada 14 d. De acuerdo al monitoreo ultrasonográfico de las estructuras ováricas se confirmó la ovulación y la formación del cuerpo lúteo (CL). Estadísticamente se realizó un análisis de correlación y análisis de varianza con el procedimiento GLM del SAS. Se encontró efecto significativo de la talla sobre el número total de folículos a la PB, en donde las vaquillas de talla chica registraron 16 folículos, mientras que las de talla grande tuvieron 12 folículos a la PB (P < 0.0001). El frame score de los animales de talla chica fue 10 % mayor que la de las vaquillas de talla grande (P < 0.0001). Así mismo, se observó que el frame score tuvo un efecto significativo (P < 0.0001) sobre el número total de folículos a la PB. Se concluye que el efecto de la talla en animales prepúberes una característica compleja, que está asociada con los parámetros de composición corporal y que afecta algunas de las características de la dinámica folicular y que además vale la pena seguir estudiando en el ganado Cebú.Em um período de 42 dias antes do início da puberdade (PB), os efeitos do tamanho (pequeno e grande porte) de novilhas Brahman pré-púberes (BHM) sobre; idade, características da dinâmica folicular e parâmetros de composição corporal. Além disso, a pontuação do quadro (estrutura corporal) foi calculada como um estimador adicional de altura. BP foi definido como a primeira ovulação precedida pela observação do estro e seguida pela formação de um corpo lúteo de duração normal. Foram utilizadas 10 novilhas BHM. A alimentação foi individual com silagem de milho e concentrado comercial para obtenção de ganhos de peso semelhantes. Pesagens foram realizadas e a condição corporal (CC) foi medida a cada 14 dias. De acordo com o acompanhamento ultrassonográfico das estruturas ovarianas, foi confirmada a ovulação e a formação do corpo lúteo (CL). Estatisticamente, uma análise de correlação e análise de variância foram realizadas com o procedimento GLM do SAS. Um efeito significativo do tamanho sobre o número total de folículos no BP foi encontrado, onde novilhas de pequeno porte tiveram 16 folículos, enquanto as de grande porte tiveram 12 folículos no BP (P < 0,0001). O escore estrutural dos animais subdimensionados foi 10% maior do que o das novilhas superdimensionadas (P < 0,0001). Da mesma forma, observou-se que o frame score teve efeito significativo (P < 0,0001) sobre o número total de folículos no PB. Conclui-se que o efeito da altura em animais pré-púberes é uma característica complexa, que está associada a parâmetros de composição corporal e que afeta algumas das características da dinâmica folicular, e que também merece um estudo mais aprofundado em zebuínos

Identification and Validation of Compounds Targeting Leishmania major Leucyl-Aminopeptidase M17

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease; there is currently no vaccine and treatment is reliant upon a handful of drugs suffering from multiple issues including toxicity and resistance. There is a critical need for development of new fit-for-purpose therapeutics, with reduced toxicity and targeting new mechanisms to overcome resistance. One enzyme meriting investigation as a potential drug target in Leishmania is M17 leucyl-aminopeptidase (LAP). Here, we aimed to chemically validate LAP as a drug target in L. major through identification of potent and selective inhibitors. Using RapidFire mass spectrometry, the compounds DDD00057570 and DDD00097924 were identified as selective inhibitors of recombinant Leishmania major LAP activity. Both compounds inhibited in vitro growth of L. major and L. donovani intracellular amastigotes, and overexpression of LmLAP in L. major led to reduced susceptibility to DDD00057570 and DDD00097924, suggesting that these compounds specifically target LmLAP. Thermal proteome profiling revealed that these inhibitors thermally stabilized two M17 LAPs, indicating that these compounds selectively bind to enzymes of this class. Additionally, the selectivity of the inhibitors to act on LmLAP and not against the human ortholog was demonstrated, despite the high sequence similarities LAPs of this family share. Collectively, these data confirm LmLAP as a promising therapeutic target for Leishmania spp. that can be selectively inhibited by drug-like small molecules.</p

Exportación de servicios en América Latina : los casos de Argentina, Brasil y México

La exportación de servicios es uno de los fenómenos más dinámicos de la economía internacional contemporánea. Actividades que anteriormente se prestaban fundamentalmente dentro de las fronteras de cada país hoy son internacionalmente transables —desde la salud y la educación, hasta los servicios contables, legales o de investigación y desarrollo, pasando por la publicidad y el diseño. Esto es producto fundamentalmente de las tendencias a la deslocalización y fragmentación de la producción a escala global, en búsqueda de menores costos y de recursos humanos calificados, así como de las posibilidades que genera el uso de las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones para exportar servicios a distancia. Los mercados mundiales de servicios ofrecen oportunidades interesantes para generar divisas y empleos en los países en desarrollo. Así, no sorprende que muchos de estos países busquen activamente integrarse en las cadenas globales de valor (CGV) que se han estado formando en las diversas áreas del mundo de los servicios. América Latina no ha estado exenta de esta tendencia, y si bien su participación en los mercados mundiales es aún reducida, en muchos países y sectores la exportación de servicios ha sido muy dinámica en años recientes. En este libro se presentan estudios de caso en cuatro sectores exportadores de servicios (salud, finanzas, audiovisuales e investigación y desarrollo) para tres países de la región: Argentina, Brasil y México. A través de los capítulos de este libro, elaborados por investigadores de la región, el lector encontrará un análisis detallado de estos procesos y una serie de lecciones de política para mejorar —tanto cuantitativa como cualitativamente— el patrón de exportación de servicios en la región

Intradural spinal neurocysticercosis: Case presentation

Introduction: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a common parasitic infection of the central nervous system caused by the larvae of the Taenia solium. Spinal cord involvement is very uncommon. Clinical case: A female patient with a history of NCC presented with chronic and recurrent headache associated with motor and sensory deficit, which develops tonic-clonic convulsion, with spatial disorientation. She also had intracranial hypertension syndrome, meningitis syndrome, and pyramidal sygns suggestive of spinal NCC. Conclusions: Neurocysticercosis usually occurs in developing countries and should be considered as a differential diagnosis of neurological diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment are mandatory, as well as education to the community to primary prevention

Servicio centralizado de proyección de material docente

[ES] En los últimos años las tecnologías TIC se han ido incorporando en los diferentes ámbitos de la enseñanza, desde las pizarras electrónicas para las clases magistrales hasta el uso de tabletas para la visualización de libros docentes en formato electrónico. De hecho, resulta cada vez más frecuente que los docentes empleen sus portátiles para presentar su material en formato de transparencias. No obstante, esto implica que los profesores deben llevar sus portátiles al aula y conectarlos a través de un cable, sea VGA o HDMI, al proyector. Esto resta movilidad al profesor, anclado a través del cable al proyector, además de requerir que disponga de un portátil que ha de llevar al aula. Dado que, en la actualidad, casi la totalidad de la población dispone de móviles inteligentes, este artículo presenta la solución propuesta en un proyecto de innovación docente desarrollado (PID 14-61) en la Universidad de Granada. En éste, se propone una solución en la que el profesor sólo deberá llevar su móvil (o alternativamente una tableta o un portátil) al aula. El material docente será subido a un servidor central desde su despacho, y la visualización en el proyector será controlada a través del móvil usando una interfaz muy amigable y sencillo.El presente trabajo ha sido financiado a traves del Programa de Innovacion y Buenas Prácticas Docentes del Secretariado de Innovacion Docente de la Universidad de Granada, Proyecto de Innovacion Docente 14-61 ”Servicio de Proyeccion de Material Docente”, dentro de la acción 1 (innovacion en la gestión on-line de los procesos de ensenanza-aprendizaje). Parte del presente trabajo ha sido ˜ desarrollado por los alumnos D. Juan Ramon Gutiérrez Martínez, D. Daniel Alvarez González y D. David Gallardo Jimenez, siendo estos dos últimos becarios del citado PID.Navarro Ortiz, J.; Sendra, S.; Ameigeiras, P.; Torre, ADL.; Garcia, L.; Gomez, A.; Lopez-Soler, J.... (2018). Servicio centralizado de proyección de material docente. En XIII Jornadas de Ingeniería telemática (JITEL 2017). Libro de actas. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 330-336. https://doi.org/10.4995/JITEL2017.2017.6508OCS33033

Target product profile for a test for the early assessment of treatment efficacy in Chagas disease patients: An expert consensus.

Six to 7 million people are estimated to be infected by Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite causing Chagas disease. Thirty to 40% of them, i.e., 1.8 to 2.4 million people, will suffer cardiac disorders and/or digestive clinical manifestations if they are not treated early during the course of the infection [1, 2]. However, only a small fraction of patients are properly diagnosed and treated [3]. Current clinical guidelines recommend treating T. cruzi–infected people if they are asymptomatic or present early symptoms of the disease (Table 1) [4, 5]. Benznidazole (BNZ) and nifurtimox (NFX) are the first-line antiparasitic treatments currently available, both with long administration regimens (60 days) that can produce adverse side effects [6–8]. Despite the fact they are not 100% effective in patients with chronic disease [9–12], they are the only drugs currently registered, and the benefits of their administration have been confirmed in several clinical studies. Currently, clinical trials with new compounds, using alternative regimens that aim to maintain efficacy whilst reducing toxicity, are ongoing and could lead to new therapeutic opportunities and/or policy change

Inside the Outbreak of the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1)v Virus in Mexico

Influenza viruses pose a threat to human health because of their potential to cause global disease. Between mid March and mid April a pandemic influenza A virus emerged in Mexico. This report details 202 cases of infection of humans with the 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1)v which occurred in Mexico City as well as the spread of the virus throughout the entire country.From May 1st to May 5th nasopharyngeal swabs, derived from 751 patients, were collected at 220 outpatient clinics and 28 hospitals distributed throughout Mexico City. Analysis of samples using real time RT-PCR revealed that 202 patients out of the 751 subjects (26.9%) were confirmed to be infected with the new virus. All confirmed cases of human infection with the strain influenza (H1N1)v suffered respiratory symptoms. The greatest number of confirmed cases during the outbreak of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1)v were seen in neighbourhoods on the northeast side of Mexico City including Iztapalapa, Gustavo A. Madero, Iztacalco, and Tlahuac which are the most populated areas in Mexico City. Using these data, together with data reported by the Mexican Secretariat of Health (MSH) to date, we plot the course of influenza (H1N1)v activity throughout Mexico.Our data, which is backed up by MSH data, show that the greatest numbers of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) cases were seen in the most populated areas. We speculate on conditions in Mexico which may have sparked this flu pandemic, the first in 41 years. We accept the hypothesis that high population density and a mass gathering which took in Iztapalapa contributed to the rapid spread of the disease which developed in three peaks of activity throughout the Country

Open-Source 3D Printable GPS Tracker to Characterize the Role of Human Population Movement on Malaria Epidemiology in River Networks: A Proof-of-Concept Study in the Peruvian Amazon.

Human movement affects malaria epidemiology at multiple geographical levels; however, few studies measure the role of human movement in the Amazon Region due to the challenging conditions and cost of movement tracking technologies. We developed an open-source low-cost 3D printable GPS-tracker and used this technology in a cohort study to characterize the role of human population movement in malaria epidemiology in a rural riverine village in the Peruvian Amazon. In this pilot study of 20 participants (mean age = 40 years old), 45,980 GPS coordinates were recorded over 1 month. Characteristic movement patterns were observed relative to the infection status and occupation of the participants. Applying two analytical animal movement ecology methods, utilization distributions (UDs) and integrated step selection functions (iSSF), we showed contrasting environmental selection and space use patterns according to infection status. These data suggested an important role of human movement in the epidemiology of malaria in the Peruvian Amazon due to high connectivity between villages of the same riverine network, suggesting limitations of current community-based control strategies. We additionally demonstrate the utility of this low-cost technology with movement ecology analysis to characterize human movement in resource-poor environments