SBE-type metal-substituted aluminophosphates: detemplation and coordination chemistry

The detemplation process in Me-SBE (Me = Co^2+, Mg^2+, and Mn^2+) aluminophosphates was studied to elucidate materials stability and framework characteristics. In addition, the hydrothermal synthesis conditions were optimized to obtain materials with minimal phase impurities. This was accomplished by means of decreasing reaction temperature and increasing aging periods. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the Mg- and Mn-SBE as-synthesized samples revealed square plates with truncated corner morphologies grown in aggregated fashion and contrasting with the previously reported hexagonal platelike morphology of Co-SBE. Cautious detemplation in vacuum, using an evacuation rate of 10 mmHg/s and a temperature of 648 K, resulted in surface areas of about 700, 500, and 130 m^2/g for Mg-, Co-, and Mn-SBE, respectively. Thermal gravimetric analysis and in situ high-temperature powder X-ray diffraction analyses indicate the frameworks for all of the SBE variants experienced collapse upon treatment with helium at temperatures above 700 K and subsequently formed an aluminophosphate trydimite dense phase. Detemplation in air at all times resulted in framework destruction during detemplation. In situ differential scanning calorimetry−powder X-ray diffraction data showed that the SBE frameworks experience breathing modes related to specific endothermic and exothermic scenarios during air treatment. Decomposition and elimination of the organic template during vacuum treatment was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that most of the Co atoms in vacuum-treated samples are in tetrahedral coordination, while the Mn atoms exhibit various coordination states. Ultraviolet-visible, electron paramagnetic resonance, and magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy corroborated the latter result in addition to providing evidence for the formation of Mn extra framework species. ^(27)Al MAS NMR spectra for vacuum-detemplated Mg-SBE samples prior to and after dehydration confirmed the reversible formation of aluminum octahedral sites. This, however, did not affect the porous nature of detemplated Mg-SBE samples as these are capable of adsorbing 19 water molecules per super cage at 298 K

Enhanced near infrared optical access to the brain with a transparent cranial implant and scalp optical clearing.

We report on the enhanced optical transmittance in the NIR wavelength range (900 to 2400 nm) offered by a transparent Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) implant coupled with optical clearing agents (OCAs). The enhancement in optical access to the brain is evaluated upon comparing ex-vivo transmittance measurements of mice native skull and the YSZ cranial implant with scalp and OCAs. An increase in transmittance of up to 50% and attenuation lengths of up to 2.4 mm (i.e., a five-fold increase in light penetration) are obtained with the YSZ implant and the OCAs. The use of this ceramic implant and the biocompatible optical clearing agents offer attractive features for NIR optical techniques for brain theranostics

External stimuli help restore post-partum ovarian activity in Pelibuey sheep

Post-partum anestrus is a problem on farms, and its duration depends on the frequency and intensity of suckling which affects reproduction and production efficiency to become a determining economic factor. The aim of this study was to determine the post-partum reproductive response in ewe to a "male effect" with an ovulation induction protocol of five days using progesterone and the application of a metabolic restorative (MR; Metabolase ®). One hundred and twenty females were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: T1: Continuous suckling (CS; n = 29), T2: CS + MR (n = 29), T3: CS + Male Effect (ME; n = 32), and T4: CS + MR + ME. The percentage of females in ovulation, weight changes among females and lambs, the onset of estrus, calving, fecundity, and prolificacy were also determined. The ovulation percentage was higher in CS + ME and CS + MR + ME (75.0 and 73.3%) than in the other treatments. Weight changes in females and lambs were different among periods. The onset of estrus was similar for CS and CS + MR (25.9 ± 1.9 and 25.7 ± 0.7 h, respectively). The calving percentage was higher for CS + MR (86.2%) than other treatments. Male presence positively affected the postpartum cyclic ovarian re-establishment and the metabolic restorative could even improve the fertility of hair ewes in continuous suckling with similar hormone protocolKeywords: Male effect, metabolic stimulation, post-partum anestru

The \gamma \gamma \to \phi_i\phi_j processes in the type-III two-Higgs-doublet model

We discuss the implications of assuming a four-zero Yukawa texture and a general Higgs potential for the production of neutral Higgs boson pairs at \gamma \gamma colliders through the \gamma \gamma \to \phi_i\phi_j (\phi_i = h, H, A) reaction within the context of the two Higgs doublet model type III. Exact analytical expressions for the \gamma \gamma \to \phi_i\phi_j reaction are presented. The use of a nonlinear R_\xi-gauge, which considerably simplifies the loop calculations and renders compact analytical expressions, is stressed. We show that these processes are very sensitive to a general structure of the Higgs potential that impact the triple and quartic couplings of the scalar sector. We present results for scenarios of the parameters of the model that are still consistent with current experimental constraints. It is found that the cross sections for the \gamma \gamma \to \phi_i\phi_j processes can be up to two orders of magnitude larger than those gotten in 2HDM type I and type II. The possibility of a light CP--scalar is also studied

Genetic and serologic surveillance of rotavirus with P[8] and P[4] genotypes in feces from children in the city of Chihuahua, northern Mexico

Rotavirus vaccine was developed using the most prominent G and P genotypes circulating in children population. Therefore, severe gastroenteritis has been reduced around the world. This study investigated the G and P rotavirus genotypes circulating in children from two hospitals in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico. Additionally, polyclonal antibodies against Rotavirus Wa strain were used to determine their homotypic and heterotypic reactivity to both P[8] and P[4] genotypes. G1, G2, and G3 VP7 genotypes and P[8] and P[4] VP4 genotypes were detected in common and uncommon combinations as well as mixed infectious. The predominant combination was G1P[8]. Phylogenetic analysis of VP4 gene revealed the presence of P[8]-1 and P[8]-3 lineages of P[8] genotype and P[4]-5 lineage of P[4] genotype. All but five G1P[8] rotavirus were detected by polyclonal anti-Rotavirus Wa strain. Mutation analysis revealed differences in three of the four neutralizing epitopes previously reported to VP8* subunit of VP4 protein. Results of this study offer insights over genetic variants of field rotavirus that could be detected in a homotypic and heterotypic way by antibodies elicited to rotavirus with P[8] genotype. [Int Microbiol 2016; 19(1):27-32]Keywords: rotavirus · viral genotypes · lineages of virus · epitopes · Chihuahua, Mexico      &nbsp

Sheep reproductive management

Objetive: Describe some reproductive management programs that have made it possible to increase the productive efficiency of sheep. Desing/methodology/approach: Description of the main hormones and their application in sheep reproductive management protocols. The topics are addressed from academic references and use in sheep reproductive protocols in the Reproduction Laboratory for Sheep and Goat of the Colegio de Postgraduados, Mexico. Results: The use of hormones, socio-sexual strategies, reproductive protocols and techniques are tools that improve the reproductive efficiency of sheep during the reproductive and seasonal anestrus season. Study limitations/implications: The basic techniques of reproductive management and protocols in sheep are mostly available, however they still have a wide margin for improvement, which requires multiple efforts that involve all participating sectors, such as the primary sector, institutions public and private. Findings/conclusions: Reproductive management is a pillar of great importance in animal production, which is why it is essential to implement it to improve the reproductive and productive efficiency of the herd.Objective: To describe some reproductive management programs that allow increasing the productive efficiency of ewes. Design/methodology/approach: Description of the main hormones and their application in sheep reproductive management protocols. The subjects are reviewed based on academic references as well as on their use in sheep reproductive protocols at the Sheep and Goat Reproduction Laboratory of the Colegio de Postgraduados, Mexico. Results: Hormones, socio-sexual strategies, reproductive protocols and techniques are tools that improve the reproductive efficiency of ewes during the reproductive season and seasonal anestrus. Study limitations/implications: The basic techniques of reproductive management and protocols in sheep are mostly available, however, they still have room for improvement, therefore, multiple efforts involving all participants, such as the primary sector, public and private institutions, are required. Findings/conclusions: Reproductive management is an important pillar for animal production; thus its implementation is fundamental to improve the reproductive and productive efficiency of a her

Oxidative Stress Correlates with Headache Symptoms in Fibromyalgia: Coenzyme Q10 Effect on Clinical Improvement

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.[Background]: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome with unknown etiology and a wide spectrum of symptoms such as allodynia, debilitating fatigue, joint stiffness and migraine. Recent studies have shown some evidences demonstrating that oxidative stress is associated to clinical symptoms in FM of fibromyalgia. We examined oxidative stress and bioenergetic status in blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) and its association to headache symptoms in FM patients. The effects of oral coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10) supplementation on biochemical markers and clinical improvement were also evaluated. [Methods]: We studied 20 FM patients and 15 healthy controls. Clinical parameters were evaluated using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), visual analogues scales (VAS), and the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6). Oxidative stress was determined by measuring CoQ 10, catalase and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels in BMCs. Bioenergetic status was assessed by measuring ATP levels in BMCs. [Results]: We found decreased CoQ 10, catalase and ATP levels in BMCs from FM patients as compared to normal control (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively) We also found increased level of LPO in BMCs from FM patients as compared to normal control (P<0.001). Significant negative correlations between CoQ 10 or catalase levels in BMCs and headache parameters were observed (r = -0.59, P<0.05; r = -0.68, P<0.05, respectively). Furthermore, LPO levels showed a significant positive correlation with HIT-6 (r = 0.33, P<.05). Oral CoQ 10 supplementation restored biochemical parameters and induced a significant improvement in clinical and headache symptoms (P<0.001). [Discussion]: The results of this study suggest a role for mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the headache symptoms associated with FM. CoQ10 supplementation should be examined in a larger placebo controlled trial as a possible treatment in FM.This work has been supported by IV Plan Propio de Investigación (University of Seville, ref. 2010/00000453), FIS PI10/00543 grant, FIS EC08/00076 grant, Ministerio de Sanidad, Spain and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER-Unión Europea), SAS 111242 grant, Servicio Andaluz de Salud-Junta de Andalucía, Proyecto de Investigación de Excelencia de la Junta de Andalucía CTS-5725 and Federación Andaluza de Fibromialgia y Fatiga Crónica (ALBA Andalucía).Peer Reviewe

Development of an activity disease score in patients with uveitis (UVEDAI)

To develop a disease activity index for patients with uveitis (UVEDAI) encompassing the relevant domains of disease activity considered important among experts in this field. The steps for designing UVEDAI were: (a) Defining the construct and establishing the domains through a formal judgment of experts, (b) A two-round Delphi study with a panel of 15 experts to determine the relevant items, (c) Selection of items: A logistic regression model was developed that set ocular inflammatory activity as the dependent variable. The construct "uveitis inflammatory activity" was defined as any intraocular inflammation that included external structures (cornea) in addition to uvea. Seven domains and 15 items were identified: best-corrected visual acuity, inflammation of the anterior chamber (anterior chamber cells, hypopyon, the presence of fibrin, active posterior keratic precipitates and iris nodules), intraocular pressure, inflammation of the vitreous cavity (vitreous haze, snowballs and snowbanks), central macular edema, inflammation of the posterior pole (the presence and number of choroidal/retinal lesions, vascular inflammation and papillitis), and global assessment from both (patient and physician). From all the variables studied in the multivariate model, anterior chamber cell grade, vitreous haze, central macular edema, inflammatory vessel sheathing, papillitis, choroidal/retinal lesions and patient evaluation were included in UVEDAI. UVEDAI is an index designed to assess the global ocular inflammatory activity in patients with uveitis. It might prove worthwhile to motorize the activity of this extraarticular manifestation of some rheumatic diseases