Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopic (SORS) Analysis of Wine Alcoholic Fermentation: A Preliminary Study

Spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) is a non-invasive analytical technique that allows the analysis of samples through a container. This makes it an effective tool for studying food and beverage products, as it can measure the sample without being affected by the packaging or the container. In this study, a portable SORS equipment was used for the first time to analyse the alcoholic fermentation process of white wine. Different sample measurement arrangements were tested in order to determine the most effective method for monitoring the fermentation process and predicting key oenological parameters. The best results were obtained when the sample was directly measured through the glass container in which the fermentation was occurring. This allowed for the accurate monitoring of the process and the prediction of density and pH with a root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) of 0.0029 g·L−1 and 0.04, respectively, and R2 values of 0.993 and 0.961 for density and pH, respectively. Additionally, the sources of variability depending on the measurement arrangements were studied using ANOVA-Simultaneous Component Analysis (ASCA)

Miniaturized NIR Spectrometers in a Nutshell: Shining Light over Sources of Variance

The increasing portability and accessibility of miniaturized NIR spectrometers are promoting the spread of in-field and online applications. Alongside the successful outcomes, there are also several problems related to the acquisition strategies for each instrument and to experimental factors that can influence the collected signals. An insightful investigation of such factors is necessary and could lead to advancements in experimental set-up and data modelling. This work aimed to identify variation sources when using miniaturized NIR sensors and to propose a methodology to investigate such sources based on a multivariate method (ANOVA-Simultaneous Component Analysis) that considers the effects and interactions between them. Five different spectrometers were chosen for their different spectroscopic range and technical characteristics, and samples of worldwide interest were chosen as the case study. Comparing various portable sensors is interesting since results could significantly vary in the same application, justifying the idea that this kind of spectrometer is not to be treated as a general class of instruments

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Abstract:  Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) was discovered in 2001. This virus is an important pathogen that causes ARI in children under 5 years old, for this reason many health-care centers are including its detection in the respiratory virus panel. Since the clinical presentation of ARI is common for all of the respiratory viruses, the participation of the virology laboratory becomes crucial to establish the etiologic diagnosis.  The objective of this study was to assess the circulation of HMPV and describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the infection in a cohort of inpatients admitted at the pediatric ward of Sanatorio Allende (Córdoba, Argentina). A descriptive analysis, previously approved by the Institution´s Ethical Committee, was conducted. 1311 consecutive respiratory samples, routinely taken from inpatients under 5 years old with diagnosis of ARI from May 2017 through December 2019, were included. Samples were tested by direct immunofluorescence for respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus and HMPV. Specimens were taken from day 1 to 7 (median 4), from the beginning of symptoms.  Out of the 1311 respiratory samples, 634 (48.4%) were positive for any of the assayed agents. HMPV was found in 53/634 samples (8.4%), with an increased incidence towards the end of winter and during spring. The median age was 10 months (range: 0-60 months), and 47% were girls. Forty-nine per cent (26/53) were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. The main signs and symptoms were: lower airway sounds (rhonchi and crackles 82%; stridor 43%), fever ≥38ºC (70%) and coughing (59%). Radiological findings at the admission were: interstitial infiltrate (22%), parahilar infiltrate (22%) and parenchymatous condensation (14%). The median of hospitalization days was 5 (2-18) and 86% of patients required oxygen therapy. At discharge, 55% of children were diagnosed as bronchiolitis. The circulation of HMPV was proved in the studied population, justifying the detection of this viral pathogen, otherwise those inpatients would have remained without an etiological diagnosis. An opportune diagnosis directly impacts in improving the patient management and prevents the unnecessary use of antibiotics.Resumen:  El Metapneumovirus humano (MPVh) fue descubierto en 2001. Es un importante agente causal de IRA en menores de 5 años, por esta razón muchos centros de salud ya incluyen su detección en el panel de virosis respiratorias. Debido a que la presentación clínica de IRA es común para todos los virus respiratorios, la participación del laboratorio virológico es fundamental para establecer el diagnóstico etiológico. El objetivo de este trabajo fue establecer la circulación de MPVh y describir las características clínico-epidemiológicas de la infección en una población de niños atendidos en el Sanatorio Allende de Córdoba. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, que fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética de la Institución. Se estudiaron consecutivamente 1311 muestras respiratorias, tomadas en forma rutinaria a pacientes menores de 5 años internados por IRA entre mayo de 2017- diciembre de 2019. Se analizó por inmunofluorescencia directa la presencia de: virus  respiratorio sincicial, influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus y MPVh. Las muestras fueron tomadas entre 1 y 7 días (mediana 4) de iniciados los síntomas. De las 1311 muestras respiratorias, 634 (48.4%) fueron positivas para alguno de los agentes estudiados. MPVh se encontró en 53/634 muestras (8,4%). Se observó un aumento de casos hacia finales del invierno y durante la primavera. La mediana de edad fue de 10 meses (rango: 0-60 meses), correspondiendo 47% al sexo femenino. El 49% de los pacientes (26/53) se internaron en UTI pediátrica a su ingreso. Los principales signos y síntomas observados fueron ruidos respiratorios bajos (roncus y crépitos 82%; sibilancias 43%), fiebre≥38ºC (70%) y tos (59%). Los hallazgos radiológicos de ingreso fueron: infiltrado intersticial (22%), infiltrado parahiliar (22%) y condensación parenquimatosa (14%). La mediana de días de hospitalización fue de 5 (2-18), requiriéndose oxigenoterapia en el 86% de los pacientes. El principal diagnóstico de egreso fue bronquiolitis (55%). Se comprobó la circulación de MPVh en la población estudiada, justificando la detección del agente viral, ya que de no hacerlo, los pacientes hospitalizados  hubieran quedado sin diagnóstico etiológico. Un diagnóstico virológico oportuno repercute directamente en un mejor manejo del paciente y en la disminución del uso innecesario de antibióticos.

Learning to live together: a challenge for schools located in contexts of social vulnerability

Currently, there are many educational centres that demonstrate the need to promote initiatives to improve coexistence at school at the international level, especially in those located in contexts of social vulnerability. A socio-educational programme has been developed, applied and evaluated at a Singular Education Action Centre (Centro de Acción Educativa Singular - C.A.E.S) in the city of Valencia (Spain). To ascertain the programme's impact and possible generalization to other contexts, a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group was used. Information was collected from 297 students and 54 teachers based on questionnaires assessing coexistence at school. The results obtained demonstrate the satisfactory functioning of the programme. The faculty and students from the experimental group affirm the importance of continuing to work in this direction to invest in creating a democratic school that firmly believes in coexistence and participation. Areas for improvement include the need to incorporate actions to increase family participation and develop strategies to facilitate the implementation of a more comprehensive programme

Immediate effects of dasatinib on the migration and redistribution of naïve and memory lymphocytes associated with lymphocytosis in chronic myeloid leukemia patients

Introduction: Dasatinib is a dual SRC/ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) that is known to have unique immunomodulatory effects. In particular, dasatinib intake typically causes lymphocytosis, which has been linked to better clinical response. Since the underlying mechanisms are unknown and SRC family kinases are involved in many cell motility processes, we hypothesized that the movement and migration of lymphocytes is modulated by dasatinib. Patients, Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples from CML patients treated with second-line dasatinib were collected before and 2 h after the first dasatinib intake, and follow-up samples from the same patients 3 and 6 months after the start of therapy. The migratory capacity and phenotype of lymphocytes and differential blood counts before and after drug intake were compared for all study time-points. Results: We report here for the first time that dasatinib intake is associated with inhibition of peripheral blood T-cell migration toward the homeostatic chemokines CCL19 and CCL21, which control the trafficking toward secondary lymphoid organs, mainly the lymph nodes. Accordingly, the proportion of lymphocytes in blood expressing CCR7, the chemokine receptor for both CCL19 and CCL21, decreased after the intake including both naïve CD45RA+ and central memory CD45RO+ T-cells. Similarly, naïve B-cells diminished with dasatinib. Finally, such changes in the migratory patterns did not occur in those patients whose lymphocyte counts remained unchanged after taking the drug. Discussion: We, therefore, conclude that lymphocytosis induced by dasatinib reflects a pronounced redistribution of naïve and memory populations of all lymphocyte subsets including CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and B-cells

miR-146a rs2431697 identifies myeloproliferative neoplasm patients with higher secondary myelofibrosis progression risk

Myelofibrosis (MF) occurs as part of the natural history of polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), and remarkably shortens survival. Although JAK2V617F and CALR allele burden are the main transformation risk factors, inflammation plays a critical role by driving clonal expansion toward end-stage disease. NF-κB is a key mediator of inflammation-induced carcinogenesis. Here, we explored the involvement of miR-146a, a brake in NF-κB signaling, in MPN susceptibility and progression. rs2910164 and rs2431697, that affect miR-146a expression, were analyzed in 967 MPN (320 PV/333 ET/314 MF) patients and 600 controls. We found that rs2431697 TT genotype was associated with MF, particularly with post-PV/ET MF (HR = 1.5; p < 0.05). Among 232 PV/ET patients (follow-up time=8.5 years), 18 (7.8%) progressed to MF, being MF-free-survival shorter for rs2431697 TT than CC + CT patients (p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis identified TT genotype as independent predictor of MF progression. In addition, TT (vs. CC + CT) patients showed increased plasma inflammatory cytokines. Finally, miR-146a−/− mice showed significantly higher Stat3 activity with aging, parallel to the development of the MF-like phenotype. In conclusion, we demonstrated that rs2431697 TT genotype is an early predictor of MF progression independent of the JAK2V617F allele burden. Low levels of miR-146a contribute to the MF phenotype by increasing Stat3 signaling

ARIA 2016 : Care pathways implementing emerging technologies for predictive medicine in rhinitis and asthma across the life cycle

The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (1) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (2) to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma and rhinitis and (3) to develop guidelines with all stakeholders that could be used globally for all countries and populations. ARIA-disseminated and implemented in over 70 countries globally-is now focusing on the implementation of emerging technologies for individualized and predictive medicine. MASK [MACVIA (Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif)-ARIA Sentinel NetworK] uses mobile technology to develop care pathways for the management of rhinitis and asthma by a multi-disciplinary group and by patients themselves. An app (Android and iOS) is available in 20 countries and 15 languages. It uses a visual analogue scale to assess symptom control and work productivity as well as a clinical decision support system. It is associated with an inter-operable tablet for physicians and other health care professionals. The scaling up strategy uses the recommendations of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The aim of the novel ARIA approach is to provide an active and healthy life to rhinitis sufferers, whatever their age, sex or socio-economic status, in order to reduce health and social inequalities incurred by the disease.Peer reviewe

Determination of norfloxacin in human urine samples using spectrofluorimetry coupled with PARAFAC

Norfloxacin (NOR) is widely used in human and animal therapy, and its main route of excretion is urine. Several methods were employed to determine NOR in tablets or biological samples. Generally, in biological matrices it is performed a dilution and/or spiking of the sample. In the literature, there are some references that focus specifically the modeling using Parallel Factor Analysis (PARAFAC). Based on this, it was developed a methodology to identify and quantify NOR in urine by spectrofluorimetry coupled with PARAFAC. All urine samples were obtained from eight healthy individuals and before spiking these samples with NOR, they were diluted in two different levels (500 and 1000 times). Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectra were obtained in the range from 250 ¿ 320 nm (step of 2 nm) for excitation and 330 ¿ 500 nm (step of 1 nm) for emission. Limit of detection (LOD) was 11.4 µg.L-1 and limit of quantification (LOQ) was 34.7 µg.L-1 (urine was diluted 500 times) and LOD was 8.4 µg.L-1 and the LOQ was 25.6 µg.L-1 (urine was diluted 1000 times). The analytical curves provided thefollowing coefficients of correlation equal to r = 0.9926 and r = 0.9947 for urine diluted 500 times and urine diluted 1000 times, respectively