Scalable Synthesis and Electrocatalytic Performance of Highly Fluorinated Covalent Organic Frameworks for Oxygen Reduction

In this study, we present a novel approach for the synthesis of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) that overcomes the common limitations of non-scalable solvothermal procedures. Our method allows for the room-temperature and scalable synthesis of a highly fluorinated DFTAPB-TFTA-COF, which exhibits intrinsic hydrophobicity. We used DFT-based calculations to elucidate the role of the fluorine atoms in enhancing the crystallinity of the material through corrugation effects, resulting in maximized interlayer interactions, as disclosed both from PXRD structural resolution and theoretical simulations. We further investigated the electrocatalytic properties of this material towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Our results show that the fluorinated COF produces hydrogen peroxide selectively with low overpotential (0.062 V) and high turnover frequency (0.0757 s−1) without the addition of any conductive additives. These values are among the best reported for non-pyrolyzed and metal-free electrocatalysts. Finally, we employed DFT-based calculations to analyse the reaction mechanism, highlighting the crucial role of the fluorine atom in the active site assembly. Our findings shed light on the potential of fluorinated COFs as promising electrocatalysts for the ORR, as well as their potential applications in other fieldsThis work was financially supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación of Spain MICINN (TED2021-129886B-C41, TED2021-129886BC42; TED2021-129886BC43; PID2019-106268GB-C32; PID2019-106268GB C33, PID2020-113608RB-I00; PID2022-138908NB-C33, PID2022-138470NB-100, RED2018-102412-T; PID2020-116728RB-I00). Comunidad de Madrid (P2018/NMT-4349 TRANSNANOAVANSENS Program; SI3/PJI/2021-0034). F.Z. acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, through the “María de Maeztu” Programme for Units of Excellence in R&D (CEX2018-000805-M). R.V. acknowledges “Programa Juan de la Cierva Formación” (FJC2020-045043-I). R.V. and J.A.R.N. acknowledge MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR

Embriogénesis somática en el cv. Navolean a partir de ápices de brotes de yemas axilares

In order to develop embryogenic cultures in AAB Musa genotypes without persistent male inflorescence, the process has had greater success from proliferating meristems for callus formation with embryogenic structures. Based on the previous information, other alternative explant sources for somatic embryogenesis development in cv. Navolean. Meristematic apexes were cultured in p5 culture medium supplemented with thidiazuron and ancymidol (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, mg.l-1) to obtain axillary buds. Later, axillary buds and proliferated meristems were tested for callus induction with embryogenic structures combinations with different 2,4-D concentrations. The best growth regulator for obtaining axillary buds was ancymidol (0.2 mg.l-1). For callus formation with embryogenic structures, axillary buds at 1.0 mg.l-1 2,4-D provided a higher percentage (13.6%). These results permitted the development of embryogenic cell suspensions from somatic embryos.Key words: Ancymidol, embryogenic cell suspension, plantainEl desarrollo de cultivos embriogénicos en los genotipos AAB de Musa, que no poseen inflorescencia masculina persistente, ha tenido mayor éxito a partir de multiyemas para la formación de los callos con estructuras embriogénicas pero esto pudiera incrementar la variación somaclonal. Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior se trabajó en la determinación de otra fuente de explante inicial alternativa para el desarrollo de la embriogénesis somática en el cultivar objeto de estudio. Se cultivaron brotes axilares en el medio de cultivo P5 suplementado con tidiazuron y ancimidol (0.2; 0.4; 0.6 mg.l-1 cada uno por separado) para lograr la brotación de yemas axilares. Posteriormente para formar los callos con estructuras embriogénicas se colocaron los ápices de brotes obtenidos de yemas axilares en un medio de cultivo ZZ con diferentes concentraciones de 2,4-D. El mejor regulador del crecimiento para la brotación de yemas axilares fue el ancimidol (0.2 mg.l-1). Para la formación de callos con estructuras embriogénicas, la concentración de 1.0 mg.l-1 de 2,4-D propiciaron el mayor porcentaje (13.6%). A partir de los embriones somáticos producidos se logró el establecimiento de suspensiones celulares embriogénicas. Se demostró que es posible el desarrollo de la embriogénesis somática en el cv. Navolean no solo a partir de scalps de multiyemas.Palabras clave: ancimidol, plátanos, suspensiones celulares embriogénica

Dendritic cell deficiencies persist seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection induces an exacerbated inflammation driven by innate immunity components. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the defense against viral infections, for instance plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), have the capacity to produce vast amounts of interferon-alpha (IFN-α). In COVID-19 there is a deficit in DC numbers and IFN-α production, which has been associated with disease severity. In this work, we described that in addition to the DC deficiency, several DC activation and homing markers were altered in acute COVID-19 patients, which were associated with multiple inflammatory markers. Remarkably, previously hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients remained with decreased numbers of CD1c+ myeloid DCs and pDCs seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the expression of DC markers such as CD86 and CD4 were only restored in previously nonhospitalized patients, while no restoration of integrin β7 and indoleamine 2,3-dyoxigenase (IDO) levels were observed. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immunological sequelae of COVID-19

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Colombian consensus recommendations for diagnosis, management and treatment of the infection by SARS-COV-2/ COVID-19 in health care facilities - Recommendations from expert´s group based and informed on evidence

La Asociación Colombiana de Infectología (ACIN) y el Instituto de Evaluación de Nuevas Tecnologías de la Salud (IETS) conformó un grupo de trabajo para desarrollar recomendaciones informadas y basadas en evidencia, por consenso de expertos para la atención, diagnóstico y manejo de casos de Covid 19. Estas guías son dirigidas al personal de salud y buscar dar recomendaciones en los ámbitos de la atención en salud de los casos de Covid-19, en el contexto nacional de Colombia

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Estudio electroquímico de compuestos yodados

Trabajo presentado en el XIII Congreso de Estudiantes de la Sección de Química, celebrado en San Cristóbal de La Laguna (España), del 24 al 26 de abril de 2017.En este trabajo se presenta un estudio electroquímico por voltamperometría cíclica y de onda cuadrada de diferentes compuestos yodados, así como de sus especies elementales más comunes (yoduro y yodo) en diferentes medios (KNO3, NaCl y DMF). El método electroquímico expuesto para la detección y cuantificación de estas especies, servirá de base para un futuro método de determinación y cuantificación de compuestos orgánicos halogenados. Para ello, se han utilizado cuatro electrodos de trabajo diferentes: grafito, carbón vítreo, grafito modificado con tinta de óxido de grafeno reducido y carbón vítreo modificado con tinta de óxido de grafeno reducido. Dichos electrodos han sido caracterizados utilizando las técnicas de microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM) y microanálisis por dispersión de energías de rayos X (EDX). Para completar la presentación, se describen los procedimientos sintéticos de diferentes compuestos orgánicos halogenados, junto a los estudios preliminares del comportamiento electroquímico que se han realizado a dichos compuestos.Este trabajo se financió con el Proyecto SAF-2013-48399-R, Plan Estatal de I+D, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO), y el Fondo Social Europeo (FSE).Peer Reviewe

Preparation of Antimicrobial Nitrogen Heterocycles Using Sustainable Processes

Libraries of compounds containing heteroaromatic rings and other nitrogen heterocycles were [...

Preparation of Antimicrobial Nitrogen Heterocycles Using Sustainable Processes

Trabajo presentado en el 1st Molecules Medicinal Chemistry Symposium, celebrado en Barcelona (España) el 8 de septiembre de 2017.Libraries of compounds containing heteroaromatic rings and other nitrogen heterocycles were prepared from sugars and other readily available substrates using sequential scission-addition processes, which save time and materials with respect to conventional processes. Some of these compounds displayed remarkable antimicrobial activity.Peer Reviewe