Dietary Fat Patterns and Outcomes in Acute Pancreatitis in Spain

Background/Objective: Evidence from basic and clinical studies suggests that unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) might be relevant mediators of the development of complications in acute pancreatitis (AP). Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze outcomes in patients with AP from regions in Spain with different patterns of dietary fat intake. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed with data from 1,655 patients with AP from a Spanish prospective cohort study and regional nutritional data from a Spanish cross-sectional study. Nutritional data considered in the study concern the total lipid consumption, detailing total saturated fatty acids, UFAs and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) consumption derived from regional data and not from the patient prospective cohort. Two multivariable analysis models were used: (1) a model with the Charlson comorbidity index, sex, alcoholic etiology, and recurrent AP; (2) a model that included these variables plus obesity. Results: In multivariable analysis, patients from regions with high UFA intake had a significantly increased frequency of local complications, persistent organ failure (POF), mortality, and moderate-to-severe disease in the model without obesity and a higher frequency of POF in the model with obesity. Patients from regions with high MUFA intake had significantly more local complications and moderate-to-severe disease; this significance remained for moderate-to-severe disease when obesity was added to the model. Conclusions: Differences in dietary fat patterns could be associated with different outcomes in AP, and dietary fat patterns may be a pre-morbid factor that determines the severity of AP. UFAs, and particulary MUFAs, may influence the pathogenesis of the severity of AP

Dispersion of upconverting nanostructures of CePO4 using rod and semi-spherical morphologies into transparent PMMA/PU IPNs by the sequential route

Upconverting luminescent poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA)/poly (urethane) (PU) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) nanohybrids were prepared using a sequential polymerisation incorporating different wt.% of cerium phosphate (CePO 4 ) nanoparticles. The effect of miscibility/compatibility of the different PMMA/PU ratios, the addition and dispersion of rod and semi-spherical nanostructures in as well as the performance of selected IPNs under accelerated aging were studied using morphological, emission, thermal and mechanical studies. Structural studies revealed that there were physical interactions between C[dbnd]O groups and CePO 4 in PMMA/PU IPNs. The addition of a higher wt.% of nanostructures was found to decrease the transparency of the IPNs. Resulting PMMA/PU/CePO 4 IPN nanohybrids are photoluminescent under UV-light, supporting the prolongate of lifetime while maintaining the mechanical properties after being subjected to accelerated weathering. The addition of semi-spherical particles resulted in a more stable materials after accelerated weathering than nanorods

Experimental data in support of characterization of the CePO4 dispersion into transparent PMMA/PU IPNs by the sequential route

© 2018 This article is focused on the complementary data referring to the article “Dispersion of upconverting nanostructures of CePO4 using rod and semi-spherical morphologies into transparent PMMA/PU IPNs by the sequential route”. It contains the XPS data of CePO4 photographs and DSC thermograms of transparent PMMA/PU IPNs as well as with CePO4 dispersed in different wt.%, Confocal laser scanning micrographs, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), optical images of surface, and visual inspection (photographs) before and after aging of hybrid materials

Multiomic profiling of transplant glomerulopathy reveals a novel T-cell dominant subclass

Kidney transplant (KTx) biopsies showing transplant glomerulopathy (TG) (glomerular basement membrane double contours (cg) &gt; 0) and microvascular inflammation (MVI) in the absence of C4d staining and donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) do not fulfill the criteria for chronic active antibody–mediated rejection (CA-AMR) diagnosis and do not fit into any other Banff category. To investigate this, we initiated a multicenter intercontinental study encompassing 36 cases, comparing the immunomic and transcriptomic profiles of 14 KTx biopsies classified as cg+MVI DSA-/C4d- with 22 classified as CA-AMR DSA+/C4d+ through novel transcriptomic analysis using the NanoString Banff-Human Organ Transplant (B-HOT) panel and subsequent orthogonal subset analysis using two innovative 5-marker multiplex immunofluorescent panels. Nineteen genes were differentially expressed between the two study groups. Samples diagnosed with CA-AMR DSA+/C4d+ showed a higher glomerular abundance of natural killer cells and higher transcriptomic cell type scores for macrophages in an environment characterized by increased expression of complement-related genes (i.e., C5AR1) and higher activity of angiogenesis, interstitial fibrosis tubular atrophy, CA-AMR, and DSA-related pathways when compared to samples diagnosed with cg+MVI DSA-/C4d-. Samples diagnosed with cg+MVI DSA-/C4d- displayed a higher glomerular abundance and activity of T cells (CD3+, CD3+CD8+, and CD3+CD8-). Thus, we show that using novel multiomic techniques, KTx biopsies with cg+MVI DSA-/C4d- have a prominent T-cell presence and activity, putting forward the possibility that these represent a more T-cell dominant phenotype.</p

Multiomic profiling of transplant glomerulopathy reveals a novel T-cell dominant subclass

Kidney transplant (KTx) biopsies showing transplant glomerulopathy (TG) (glomerular basement membrane double contours (cg) &gt; 0) and microvascular inflammation (MVI) in the absence of C4d staining and donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) do not fulfill the criteria for chronic active antibody–mediated rejection (CA-AMR) diagnosis and do not fit into any other Banff category. To investigate this, we initiated a multicenter intercontinental study encompassing 36 cases, comparing the immunomic and transcriptomic profiles of 14 KTx biopsies classified as cg+MVI DSA-/C4d- with 22 classified as CA-AMR DSA+/C4d+ through novel transcriptomic analysis using the NanoString Banff-Human Organ Transplant (B-HOT) panel and subsequent orthogonal subset analysis using two innovative 5-marker multiplex immunofluorescent panels. Nineteen genes were differentially expressed between the two study groups. Samples diagnosed with CA-AMR DSA+/C4d+ showed a higher glomerular abundance of natural killer cells and higher transcriptomic cell type scores for macrophages in an environment characterized by increased expression of complement-related genes (i.e., C5AR1) and higher activity of angiogenesis, interstitial fibrosis tubular atrophy, CA-AMR, and DSA-related pathways when compared to samples diagnosed with cg+MVI DSA-/C4d-. Samples diagnosed with cg+MVI DSA-/C4d- displayed a higher glomerular abundance and activity of T cells (CD3+, CD3+CD8+, and CD3+CD8-). Thus, we show that using novel multiomic techniques, KTx biopsies with cg+MVI DSA-/C4d- have a prominent T-cell presence and activity, putting forward the possibility that these represent a more T-cell dominant phenotype.</p

Exploring urban metabolism—Towards an interdisciplinary perspective

© 2017 The Author(s) The discussion on urban metabolism has been long dominated by natural scientists focussing on natural forces shaping the energy and material flows in urban systems. However, in the anthropocene human forces such as industrialization and urbanization are mobilizing people, goods and information at an increasing pace and as such have a large impact on urban energy and material flows. In this white paper, we develop a combined natural and social science perspective on urban metabolism. More specifically, innovative conceptual and methodological interdisciplinary approaches are identified and discussed to enhance the understanding of the forces that shape urban metabolism, and how these forces affect urban living and the environment. A challenging research agenda on urban metabolism is also presented

New System for the Acceleration of the Airflow in Wind Turbines

Background: This patent is based on the wind industry technology called Diffuser Augmented Wind Turbines (DAWTs). This technology consists of a horizontal axis wind turbine, which is housed inside a duct with diverging section in the direction of the free air stream. In this paper, a review of preceding patents related to this technology is carried out. Objective: This paper presents an innovative patent to improve the performance of horizontal axis wind turbines. In particular, this system is aimed at improving the performance of those turbines that otherwise might not be installed due to the low wind resource existing at certain locations. Methods: The most innovative elements of this patent are: (1) the semi-spherical grooves, which are mechanized on the surface of the two diffusers in order to guarantee a more energetic boundary layer; (2) the coaxial diffuser, which is located downwind following the first diffuser in order to increase the suction effect on the air mass close to the inlet; (3) the coaxial rings located around the first diffuser outlet, which are used to deflect the external airflow toward the turbine wake; and (4), the selforientating system to orientate the system by the prevailing wind direction. Results: An application of the patent for increasing the power generated by a horizontal axis wind turbine with three blades is presented. The patent is designed and its performance is evaluated by using a Computational Fluid Dynamics code. The numerical results show that this system rises the airflow going through the rotor of the turbine. Conclusion: The patented device is an original contribution aimed at enabling a more profitable installation of wind turbines in places where the wind resource is insufficient because of the wind shear caused both by the proximity of the earth and the obstacles on the earth surface.This work was supported by the OASIS Research Project that was cofinanced by CDTI (Spanish Science and Innovation Ministry) and developed with the Spanish companies: Iridium, OHL Concesiones, Abertis, Sice, Indra, Dragados, OHL, Geocisa, GMV, Asfaltos Augusta, Hidrofersa, Eipsa, PyG, CPS, AEC and Torre de Comares Arquitectos S.L and 16 research centres. The authors also acknowledge the partial funding with FEDER funds under the Research Project FC-15-GRUPIN14-004. Finally, we also thank Swanson Analysis Inc. for the use of ANSYS University Research programs as well as the Workbench simulation environment

Cutting Edge:Transcriptional profiling reveals multifunctional and cytotoxic antiviral responses of zika virus-specific CD8 + T cells

Zika virus (ZIKV) constitutes an increasing public health problem. Previous studies have shown that CD8 + T cells play an important role in ZIKV-specific protective immunity. We have previously defined antigenic targets of the ZIKV-specific CD8 + T cell response in humans. In this study, we characterized the quality and phenotypes of these responses by a combined use of flow cytometry and transcriptomic methods, using PBMCs from donors deriving from different geographical locations collected in the convalescent phase of infection. We show that ZIKVspecific CD8 + T cells are characterized by a polyfunctional IFN-g signature with upregulation of TNF-a, TNF receptors, and related activation markers, such as CD69, as well as a cytotoxic signature characterized by strong upregulation of GZMB and CRTAM. The signature is stable and not influenced by previous dengue virus exposure, geographical location, or time of sample collection postinfection. To our knowledge, this work elucidates the first in-depth characterization of human CD8 + T cells responding to ZIKV infection

Measurement of the CKM angle γ in the B0→DK *0 channel using self-conjugate D→ KS0h+ h- decays

A model-independent study of CP violation in B-0 -&gt; DK (*0) decays is presented using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb(-1) collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of v s = 7, 8 and 13TeV. The CKM angle. is determined by examining the distributions of signal decays in phase-space bins of the self-conjugate D. K(S)(0)h(+) h(-) decays, where h = p, K. Observables related to CP violation are measured and the angle. is determined to be. = (49+22 -19).. Measurements of the amplitude ratio and strong-phase difference between the favoured and suppressed B-0 decays are also presented