Physical, structural and antioxidant properties of brewer's spent grain protein films

The development of brewer's spent grain protein (BSG‐PC) films with potential active packaging properties was investigated. Films were prepared by casting protein dispersions at different pH values (2, 8, 11), plasticizers [polyethylene glycol (PEG) or glycerol] and levels (0–0.25 g g−1) of PEG. Mechanical, water‐barrier and solubility, optical, antioxidant (reducing power, ABTS•+ and lipidic radical scavenging), and antimicrobial properties of films were determined. Also, the structural characteristics of films were evaluated by attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.Fil: Proaño Miniguano, Janina Lissette. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Salgado, Pablo Rodrigo. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Cian, Raúl Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Mauri, Adriana Noemi. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Drago, Silvina Rosa. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Experimental and computational investigation of the substituent effects on the reduction of Fe³⁺ by 1,2-dihydroxybenzenes

This study reports on the kinetics of the early steps that mediate the reactions of substituted 1,2-dihydroxybenzenes (1,2-DHB) with Fe³⁺. The rate constants of the three processes identified by means of the stopped-flow technique are affected by the electron-withdrawing or electron-donating abilities of the substituent. The fastest process is assigned to the formation of a 1 : 1 complex between Fe³⁺ and the 1,2-DHB, which is accompanied by proton loss. The second process involves the inner-sphere electron transfer from the ligand to Fe³⁺ and the slowest step is related to the deprotonation of one of the oxygen atoms bonded to the metal. A reaction mechanism is proposed on the basis of the experimental data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations on mono- and bidentate species with different degrees of protonation.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicada

On the physical properties of mixtures of nitrate salts and protic ionic liquids

We report a systematic study of the effect of salt concentration and its cation valence on several equilibrium and transport properties of mixtures of the model protic ionic liquid ethylammonium nitrate with monovalent (LiNO3), divalent (Mg(NO3)2 and Ca(NO3)2), and trivalent (Al(NO3)3) salts. These properties, determined by appropriate experimental techniques, include density, sound velocity, refractive index, surface tension, conductivity and viscosity. Single-particle dynamics and radial distribution functions were also analyzed by means of molecular dynamics simulations. The temperature dependence of the conductivity was studied in the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann framework, and we obtained effective activation energies, fragility indexes, and Vogel temperatures. In addition, we performed a high-temperature Arrhenius analysis and we calculated the activation energies of both conductivity and viscosity. Finally, the exponents of the fractional Walden rule for the different mixtures were obtained and the ionicities and fragilities of the systems were analyzed, proving that all the mixtures are subionic and fragile. The distortion of the network of hydrogen bonds characteristic of protic ionic liquids and the formation of long-lived anionic aggregates composed of the cations of the added salt and the nitrate anions in their first solvation shell were found to have a deep impact on the analyzed properties. The role of the surface charge density of the salt cations on the structure and transport properties of the solutions is detailedly analyzed and related to solvation of salt species in the polar nanoregions of the ionic liquid (nanostructured solvation)The financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Projects MAT2017-89239-C2-1-P and MAT2017-89239- C2-2-P) is gratefully acknowledged. Moreover, this work was funded by the Xunta de Galicia (ED431D 2017/06, ED431E 2018/08, GRC ED431C 2016/001 and GRC ED431C 2020/10). All these research projects were partially supported by FEDER. P. V. thanks the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for his FPI grant (PRE2018-084212). T.M.-M. thanks the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for her Juan de la Cierva grant (IJC2018-036774-I).J. J. Parajó thanks the funding support of I2C postdoctoral program of Xunta de Galicia. Y. A. thanks the funding support from postdoctoral Program of Xunta de Galicia (ED481B-2021-027)S

Economic evaluation of complete revascularization versus stress echocardiography-guided revascularization in the STEACS with multivessel disease

[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. Los estudios económicos pueden ayudar a tomar decisiones en el tratamiento de la enfermedad multivaso en el infarto. Se planteó realizar una evaluación económica del ensayo clínico CROSS-AMI (Complete Revascularization or Stress Echocardiography in Patients With Multivessel Disease and ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction). Métodos. Se realizó un análisis de comparación de costes económicos de las estrategias (revascularización angiográfica completa [RCom] y revascularización selectiva guiada por isquemia en ecocardiograma de estrés [RSel]) comparadas en el ensayo clínico CROSS-AMI (N = 306), derivados de la hospitalización inicial y del primer año de seguimiento, según las tarifas oficiales vigentes en nuestro sistema de salud. Resultados. El coste de la hospitalización inicial resultó superior en el grupo de RCom que en la rama de RSel (19.657,9 ± 6.236,8 frente a 14.038,7 ± 4.958,5 euros; p < 0,001). No hubo diferencias entre ambos grupos en el coste del primer año de seguimiento (RCom, 2.423,5 ± 4.568,0 euros; Rsel, 2.653,9 ± 5.709,1 euros; p = 0,697). El coste total fue 22.081,3 ± 7.505,6 euros en la rama de RCom y 16.692,6 ± 7.669,9 euros en la rama de RSel (p < 0,001). Conclusiones. En el ensayo clínico CROSS-AMI, el sobrecoste inicial de la RCom frente a la RSel no se vio compensado por un ahorro significativo en el seguimiento. La RSel parece ser una estrategia más eficiente que la RCom para los pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo con elevación del segmento ST y enfermedad multivaso tratados mediante angioplastia emergente.[Abstract] Introduction and objectives. Economic studies may help decision making in the management of multivessel disease in the setting of myocardial infarction. We sought to perform an economic evaluation of CROSS-AMI (Complete Revascularization or Stress Echocardiography in Patients With Multivessel Disease and ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction) randomized clinical trial. Methods. We performed a cost minimization analysis for the strategies (complete angiographic revascularization [ComR] and selective stress echocardiography–guided revascularization [SelR]) compared in the CROSS-AMI clinical trial (N = 306), attributable the initial hospitalization and readmissions during the first year of follow-up, using current rates for health services provided by our health system. Results. The index hospitalization costs were higher in the ComR group than in SelR arm (19 657.9 ± 6236.8 € vs 14 038.7 ± 4958.5 €; P < .001). There were no differences in the costs of the first year of follow-up rehospitalizations between both groups for (ComR 2423.5 ± 4568.0 vs SelR 2653.9 ± 5709.1; P = .697). Total cost was 22 081.3 ± 7505.6 for the ComR arm and 16 692.6 ± 7669.9 for the SelR group (P < .001). Conclusions. In the CROSS-AMI trial, the initial extra economic costs of the ComR versus SelR were not offset by significant savings during follow-up. SelR seems to be more efficient than ComR in patients with ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome and multivessel disease treated by emergent angioplasty

Clinical Presentation and Outcomes of Kawasaki Disease in Children from Latin America: A Multicenter Observational Study from the REKAMLATINA Network

Objetivos: Describir la presentación clínica, el manejo y los resultados de la enfermedad de Kawasaki (EK) en Latinoamérica y evaluar los indicadores pronósticos tempranos de aneurisma de la arteria coronaria (AAC). Diseño del estudio: Se realizó un estudio observacional basado en el registro de la EK en 64 centros pediátricos participantes de 19 países latinoamericanos de forma retrospectiva entre el 1 de enero de 2009 y el 31 de diciembre de 2013, y de forma prospectiva desde el 1 de junio de 2014 hasta el 31 de mayo de 2017. Se recopilaron datos demográficos, clínicos y de laboratorio iniciales. Se utilizó una regresión logística que incorporaba factores clínicos y la puntuación z máxima de la arteria coronaria en la presentación inicial (entre 10 días antes y 5 días después de la inmunoglobulina intravenosa [IGIV]) para desarrollar un modelo pronóstico de AAC durante el seguimiento (>5 días después de la IGIV). Resultados: De 1853 pacientes con EK, el ingreso tardío (>10 días tras el inicio de la fiebre) se produjo en el 16%, el 25% tuvo EK incompleta y el 11% fue resistente a la IGIV. Entre los 671 sujetos con puntuación z de la arteria coronaria notificada durante el seguimiento (mediana: 79 días; IQR: 36, 186), el 21% presentaba AAC, incluido un 4% con aneurismas gigantes. Un modelo pronóstico simple que utilizaba sólo una puntuación z de la arteria coronaria máxima ≥2,5 en la presentación inicial fue óptimo para predecir la AAC durante el seguimiento (área bajo la curva: 0,84; IC del 95%: 0,80, 0,88). Conclusiones: De nuestra población latinoamericana, la puntuación z de la arteria coronaria ≥2,5 en la presentación inicial fue el factor pronóstico más importante que precedió a la AAC durante el seguimiento. Estos resultados resaltan la importancia de la ecocardiografía temprana durante la presentación inicial de la EK. © 2023 Los autoresObjectives: To describe the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of Kawasaki disease (KD) in Latin America and to evaluate early prognostic indicators of coronary artery aneurysm (CAA). Study design: An observational KD registry-based study was conducted in 64 participating pediatric centers across 19 Latin American countries retrospectively between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013, and prospectively from June 1, 2014, to May 31, 2017. Demographic and initial clinical and laboratory data were collected. Logistic regression incorporating clinical factors and maximum coronary artery z-score at initial presentation (between 10 days before and 5 days after intravenous immunoglobulin [IVIG]) was used to develop a prognostic model for CAA during follow-up (>5 days after IVIG). Results: Of 1853 patients with KD, delayed admission (>10 days after fever onset) occurred in 16%, 25% had incomplete KD, and 11% were resistant to IVIG. Among 671 subjects with reported coronary artery z-score during follow-up (median: 79 days; IQR: 36, 186), 21% had CAA, including 4% with giant aneurysms. A simple prognostic model utilizing only a maximum coronary artery z-score ≥2.5 at initial presentation was optimal to predict CAA during follow-up (area under the curve: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.80, 0.88). Conclusion: From our Latin American population, coronary artery z-score ≥2.5 at initial presentation was the most important prognostic factor preceding CAA during follow-up. These results highlight the importance of early echocardiography during the initial presentation of KD. © 2023 The Author(s

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost