Production of renewable fuel and value-added bioproducts using pineapple leaves in Costa Rica

Pineapple, Ananas comosus, is one of the most important cash crops in Costa Rica with more than 44,500 ha of plantation. The pineapple industry contributes approximately 1.7% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Costa Rica. Pineapple cultivation generates a large amount of plant residues (250 metric tons per hectare of wet plant residues mainly leaves). Current practices of the field residue handing include direct burning, in situ decomposition and removal of residue before planting, which are neither economically sound nor environmentally friendly. New approaches are urgently needed to utilize the residues and improve sustainability of pineapple production in Costa Rica. This study developed a simple, efficient process to convert the pineapple plant leaves into bioethanol, spent yeast proteins, and fibrous material (pulp). The residue was first treated by a mechanical extruder to generate juice and fibrous material. The juice was fermented by a yeast, Kluyveromyces marxianus, to produce ethanol and spent yeast proteins. Under the selected process conditions, the plant leaves (125 tons fresh weight per year) from 1 ha can generate 2.1 tons of bio-ethanol, 1.55 tons of spent yeast biomass, and 11.65 tons of dry fibrous material. The mass and energy balance analysis concluded that using the studied process, the pineapple plant leaves from 44,500 ha of pineapple plantation in Costa Rica can produce 93,043, 68,975, and 518,425 tons of bioethanol, spent yeast, and fibrous material per year, respectively. The amount of bioethanol is able to replace approximately 8.51% of transportation fossil fuel consumption in Costa Rica.Michigan State University/[]/MSU/Estados UnidosNational Natural Science Foundation of China/[31701533]/NSFC/ChinaProgram of Study Abroad for Young Scholars/[gxgwfx 2018036]//Estados UnidosUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ingeniería::Facultad de Ingeniería::Escuela de Ingeniería de Biosistema

COVAD survey 2 long-term outcomes: unmet need and protocol

Vaccine hesitancy is considered a major barrier to achieving herd immunity against COVID-19. While multiple alternative and synergistic approaches including heterologous vaccination, booster doses, and antiviral drugs have been developed, equitable vaccine uptake remains the foremost strategy to manage pandemic. Although none of the currently approved vaccines are live-attenuated, several reports of disease flares, waning protection, and acute-onset syndromes have emerged as short-term adverse events after vaccination. Hence, scientific literature falls short when discussing potential long-term effects in vulnerable cohorts. The COVAD-2 survey follows on from the baseline COVAD-1 survey with the aim to collect patient-reported data on the long-term safety and tolerability of COVID-19 vaccines in immune modulation. The e-survey has been extensively pilot-tested and validated with translations into multiple languages. Anticipated results will help improve vaccination efforts and reduce the imminent risks of COVID-19 infection, especially in understudied vulnerable groups

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p<0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p<0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

Impaired health-related quality of life in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a cross-sectional analysis from the COVAD-2 e-survey

Objectives To investigate health-related quality of life in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) compared with those with non-IIM autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs), non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs) and without autoimmune diseases (controls) using Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instrument data obtained from the second COVID-19 vaccination in autoimmune disease (COVAD-2) e-survey database. Methods Demographics, diagnosis, comorbidities, disease activity, treatments and PROMIS instrument data were analysed. Primary outcomes were PROMIS Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GMH) scores. Factors affecting GPH and GMH scores in IIMs were identified using multivariable regression analysis. Results We analysed responses from 1582 IIM, 4700 non-IIM AIRD and 545 nrAID patients and 3675 controls gathered through 23 May 2022. The median GPH scores were the lowest in IIM and non-IIM AIRD patients {13 [interquartile range (IQR) 10–15] IIMs vs 13 [11–15] non-IIM AIRDs vs 15 [13–17] nrAIDs vs 17 [15–18] controls, P < 0.001}. The median GMH scores in IIM patients were also significantly lower compared with those without autoimmune diseases [13 (IQR 10–15) IIMs vs 15 (13–17) controls, P < 0.001]. Inclusion body myositis, comorbidities, active disease and glucocorticoid use were the determinants of lower GPH scores, whereas overlap myositis, interstitial lung disease, depression, active disease, lower PROMIS Physical Function 10a and higher PROMIS Fatigue 4a scores were associated with lower GMH scores in IIM patients. Conclusion Both physical and mental health are significantly impaired in IIM patients, particularly in those with comorbidities and increased fatigue, emphasizing the importance of patient-reported experiences and optimized multidisciplinary care to enhance well-being in people with IIMs

El guaco: un agente vegetal utilizado en el Nuevo Reino de Granada contra los síntomas generados por afecciones del sistema músculo-esquelético

9 páginasObjective: To contextualize a medical prescription of the early 19th century in the New Kingdom of Granada, in which guaco was prescribed to reduce symptoms caused by musculoskeletal system disorders, which were ill-defined at the time. Similarly, based on current knowledge, to analyse the manner in which the formula acts on pathophysiological mechanisms of rheumatic diseases, in order to explain the reduction of pain, and associated sequelae. Material and method: Documentary research into the Cipriano Rodríguez Santamaría Historical Archive of the Octavio Arizmendi Library of the University of La Sabana, in Chía, Colombia. The document analysed was called Rheumatism. Subsequently, a review of the literature was carried out in Science Direct / Clinical Key / Scielo databases in the period from 1999 to 2018. Conclusions: There is scientific evidence that supports the efficiency of guaco used in the Kingdom of New Granada due its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, a vague description of the dosage of the guaco, signs, symptoms, and comorbidities, which are not mentioned in the prescription, hinders the understanding of its application and the thorough effectiveness of the treatment in order to control the symptoms of musculoskeletal system conditions. This tradition, consequently, lacks proper scientific support for the medical treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. © 2020 Asociación Colombiana de Reumatologí

Sexualidad en jóvenes: un análisis desde el modelo ecológico

La sexualidad es considerada una dimensión fundamental en el desarrollo humano y particularmente en el de los jóvenes. No obstante, los referentes teóricos al respecto tienden a asumir modelos unidimensionales que dejan de lado otras miradas, que bien vale la pena revisar al abordar un tema que configura el escenario de interacción de diferentes sistemas sociales y humanos. Este artículo realiza una reflexión sobre las categorías juventud y sexualidad en el marco del modelo ecológico. Basados en la propuesta de Bronfembrenner (1987) se aborda el tema de la sexualidad al estudiar los distintos contextos y componentes de esta relacionándolos como entornos que interactúan e influyen, entre sí

Levantamientos arquitectónicos

Edificio del Correo.Edificio del Mercado.Edificio de Los Tribunales.Edificio de la Intendencia.Estación de Ferrocarriles.Edificio Perrin.Edificio Germán y Castellu.Edificio Gleisner.Cine Ducal.Teatro Ópera.Galería Villa.Galería Irazabal.Caja Nacional de Empleados Públicos y Periodistas.Hotel Bío-Bío.Colegio del Sagrado Corazón.Laboratorio Pasteur.Casa Merino.Casa de las dos columnas.Chacabuco 379 - 399.Conjunto Exeter.Los Aguilera 220.Casa del Semicírculo.Casas pareadas.Edificio Pecchi.Escuela de Leyes: Universidad de Concepción.Edificio de Química y Farmacia: Universidad de Concepción.Instituto de Lenguas: Universidad de Concepción