APTES functionalization in SBA-15: the effect on SO2 capture and detection applications.

The development of adsorbents for air pollutant remediation and effective monitoring is of interest. Then, the effect of the APTES functionalization ratio on the impact of the adsorption and detection of SO2 molecules was evaluated. The higher APTES functionalization material (SBA-15_6.1APTES) shows a high uptake of 1.15 mmol g-1 at 0.001 bar and 298 K. Fluorescence, time-resolved photoluminescence, and quantum yield experiments revealed a turn-on effect specifically for SO2 molecules, indicating high selectivity, suggesting host-to-guest energy transfer. Attractively, XPS measurement provided an understanding of the mechanism, suggesting hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole interactions as the main interactions between SO2 molecules and SBA-15_6.1APTES. DFT calculations were performed to confirm these interactions. Furthermore, this study highlights the application of SBA-15 materials with different amino modifications for SO2 treatment and provides insight into the interaction mechanism using experimental techniques.

Mouse and human immune responses share neutralization epitopes of HAstV-VA1.

Astroviruses are highly divergent and infect a wide variety of animal hosts. In 2009, a genetically divergent human astrovirus (HAstV) strain VA1 was first identified in an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis. This strain has also been associated with fatal central nervous system disease. In this work, we report the isolation of three high-affinity neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (Nt-MAbs) targeting the capsid spike domain of HAstV-VA1. These antibodies (7C8, 2A2, 3D8) were used to select individual HAstV-VA1 mutants resistant to their neutralizing activity and a HAstV-VA1 triple mutant that escapes neutralization from all three Nt-MAbs. Sequencing of the virus genome capsid region revealed escape mutations that map to the surface of the capsid spike domain, define three potentially independent neutralization epitopes, and help delineate four antigenic sites in human astroviruses. Notably, two of the escape mutations were found to be present in the spike sequence of the HAstV-VA1-PS strain isolated from an immunodeficient patient with encephalitis, suggesting that those mutations arose as a result of the immune pressure generated by the patient's immunotherapy. In agreement with this observation, human serum samples exhibiting strong neutralization activity against wild-type HAstV-VA1 had a 2.6-fold reduction in neutralization titer when evaluated against the triple-escape HAstV-VA1 mutant, suggesting that both mouse and human antibody responses target shared neutralization epitopes. The isolated Nt-MAbs reported in this work will help to characterize the functional domains of the virus during cell entry and have the potential for developing a specific antibody therapy for the neurological disease associated with HAstV-VA1. IMPORTANCE: Human astroviruses (HAstVs) have been historically associated with acute gastroenteritis. However, the genetically divergent HAstV-VA1 strain has been associated with central nervous system disease. In this work high-affinity neutralizing monoclonal antibodies directed to HAstV-VA1 were isolated and characterized. The proposed binding sites for these antibodies and for neutralizing antibodies against classical HAstVs suggest that there are at least four neutralization sites on the capsid spike of astroviruses. Our data show that natural infection with human astrovirus VA1 elicits a robust humoral immune response that targets the same antigenic sites recognized by the mouse monoclonal antibodies and strongly suggests the emergence of a variant HAstV-VA1 virus in an immunodeficient patient with prolonged astrovirus infection. The isolated Nt-MAb reported in this work will help to define the functional sites of the virus involved in cell entry and hold promise for developing a specific antibody therapy for the neurological disease associated with HAstV-VA1.

Persistent Barriers of the Gluten-Free Basic Food Basket: Availability, Cost, and Nutritional Composition Assessment.

Gluten-related disorders are treated with a gluten-free diet. The "basic food basket" (BFB) consists of a list of basic foods consumed by low-income groups in society, including those lowest-cost versions within each food category. To evaluate the cost, availability, and nutritional quality of the BFB and gluten-free BFB (GF-BFB), foods were photographed, registering their cost, availability, and nutritional characteristics, in high quality and mid-range supermarkets, wholesalers, health shops, and corner shops, matching each regular BFB product with a gluten-free equivalent. Of the 1177 potential products, the selection of lowest-cost foods yielded 55 and 47 products (BFB and GF-BFB, respectively). Breads/cereals and drinks showed the highest differences (279% and 146%, respectively) while meats and sausages showed the lowest ones (18.6%). The GF-BFB cost represents 30.1% of the minimum wage, which covers the cost of 5.2 and 3.3 of the BFB and GF-BFB per month, respectively. Availability ranged between 22.7 and 42.4%. Lower availability was associated with poorer nutritional quality in the GF-BFB, which provides 5% less energy, 26% more fat, and 25% less protein than the BFB. Only 47% of gluten-free products declared their "gluten-free" condition. The results strongly suggest that the GF-BFB must be redesigned to be both gluten-free and nutritionally adequate.

CYCU-3: an Al(III)-based MOF for SO2 capture and detection.

The Al(III)-based MOF CYCU-3 exhibits a relevant SO2 adsorption performance with a total uptake of 11.03 mmol g-1 at 1 bar and 298 K. CYCU-3 displays high chemical stability towards dry and wet SO2 exposure. DRIFTS experiments and computational calculations demonstrated that hydrogen bonding between SO2 molecules and bridging Al(III)-OH groups are the preferential adsorption sites. In addition, photoluminescence experiments demonstrated the relevance of CYCU-3 for application in SO2 detection with good selectivity for SO2 over CO2 and H2O. The change in fluorescence performance demonstrates a clear turn-on effect after SO2 interaction. Finally, the suppression of ligand-metal energy transfer along with the enhancement of ligand-centered π* → π electronic transition was proposed as a plausible fluorescence mechanism.

Photophysical Analysis of Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) Luminogens Based on Triphenylamine and Thiophene: Insights into Emission Behavior in Solution and PMMA Films.

Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) luminogens have garnered significant interest due to their distinctive applications in different applications. Among the diverse molecular architectures, those based on triphenylamine and thiophene hold prominence. However, a comprehensive understanding of the deactivation mechanism both in solution and films remains lacking. In this study, we synthesized and characterized spectroscopically two AIE luminogens: 5-(4-(bis(4-methoxyphenyl)amino)phenyl)thiophene-2-carbaldehyde (TTY) and 5'-(4-(bis(4-methoxyphenyl)amino)phenyl)-[2,2'-bithiophene]-5-carbaldehyde (TTO). Photophysical and theoretical analyses were conducted in both solution and PMMA films to understand the deactivation mechanism of TTY and TTO. In diluted solutions, the emission behavior of TTY and TTO is influenced by the solvent, and the deactivation of the excited state can occur via locally excited (LE) or twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state. In PMMA films, rotational and translational movements are constrained, necessitating emission solely from the LE state. Nevertheless, in the PMMA film, excimers-like structures form, resulting in the emergence of a longer wavelength band and a reduction in emission intensity. The zenith of emission intensity occurs when molecules are dispersed at higher concentrations within PMMA, effectively diminishing the likelihood of excimer-like formations. Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSC) were fabricated to validate these findings, and the optical efficiency was studied at varying concentrations of luminogen and PMMA.

MOF-based catalysts: insights into the chemical transformation of greenhouse and toxic gases.

Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts are outstanding alternative materials for the chemical transformation of greenhouse and toxic gases into high-add-value products. MOF catalysts exhibit remarkable properties to host different active sites. The combination of catalytic properties of MOFs is mentioned in order to understand their application. Furthermore, the main catalytic reactions, which involve the chemical transformation of CH4, CO2, NOx, fluorinated gases, O3, CO, VOCs, and H2S, are highlighted. The main active centers and reaction conditions for these reactions are presented and discussed to understand the reaction mechanisms. Interestingly, implementing MOF materials as catalysts for toxic gas-phase reactions is a great opportunity to provide new alternatives to enhance the air quality of our planet.

SU-101: a Bi(III)-based metal-organic framework as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the CO2 cycloaddition reaction.

A non-porous version of SU-101 (herein n-SU-101) was evaluated for the CO2 cycloaddition reaction. The findings revealed that open metal sites (Bi3+) are necessary for the reaction. n-SU-101 displays a high styrene oxide conversion of 96.6% under mild conditions (3 bar and 80 °C). The catalytic activity of n-SU-101 demonstrated its potential application for the cycloaddition of CO2 using styrene oxide.

Gas-phase organometallic catalysis in MFM-300(Sc) provided by switchable dynamic metal sites.

MFM-300(Sc) was explored as a catalyst for the gas-phase hydrogenation of acetone. The catalysis results support the presence of non-permanent open Sc(III) sites within the structure due to the requirement of Lewis acid sites for the reaction to proceed. The open Sc(III) sites are generated in situ due to the presence of hemilabile Sc-O bonds. MFM-300(Sc) showed high mechanical and chemical stability, and the crystalline structure was maintained after the catalytic reaction. The catalytic activity of the material was quantified by performing a gas-phase reaction using a continuous flow reactor. The acetone conversion in MFM-300(Sc) was estimated to be 27.7% with no loss of activity after catalytic cycles.

Bienestar familiar y experiencias de cuidados en un programa de apoyo a la dependencia en una comuna urbana de Chile / Family wellbeing and caregiving experiences in a dependency support program in an urban commune in Chile

INTRODUCCIÓN: La situación epidemiológica actual conlleva un aumento de personas con dependencia y necesidades de cuidados familiares, principalmente realizados por mujeres sin remuneración y con alta sobrecarga. Esto desafía al sistema de salud, específicamente a la atención primaria. El objetivo del estudio fue comprender las experiencias de cuidado domiciliario desde la perspectiva de cuidadoras y personas con dependencia, participantes del Programa de Atención Domiciliaria de Personas con Dependencia Severa en la atención primaria en una comuna de la Región Metropolitana de Chile. MÉTODOS: Se desarrolló un estudio cualitativo. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a 6 cuidadoras y a 6 personas con dependencia, con un análisis de contenido cualitativo. Los hallazgos sobre las experiencias de cuidados fueron organizados en las esferas familiar, social y del sistema de salud. RESULTADOS: Los apoyos familiares son esenciales para el cuidado y otorgan mayor satisfacción a las personas con dependencia que a sus cuidadoras. La disponibilidad de redes de apoyo comunitario y de servicios sociales es escasa y con poca información. El sistema de salud es clave para apoyar los cuidados domiciliarios; no obstante, es descrito como poco oportuno e incapaz de dar seguimiento a las necesidades. DISCUSIÓN: Las limitadas redes de apoyo, la desinformación y la lejanía con los programas sociales y de salud desbalancean la responsabilidad de los cuidados sobre las familias.

The Capsid Precursor Protein of Astrovirus VA1 Is Proteolytically Processed Intracellularly.

Human astrovirus VA1 has been associated with neurological disease in immunocompromised patients, and its recent propagation in cell culture has opened the possibility to study its biology. Unlike classical human astroviruses, VA1 growth was found to be independent of trypsin during virus replication in vitro. In this work, we show that despite its independence on trypsin activation for cell infection, the VA1 capsid precursor protein, of 86 kDa (VP86), is processed intracellularly, and this proteolytic processing is important for astrovirus VA1 infectivity. Antibodies raised against different regions of the capsid precursor showed that the polyprotein can be processed starting at either its amino- or carboxy-terminal end, and they allowed us to identify those proteins of about 33 (VP33) and 38 (VP38) kDa constitute the core and the spike proteins of the mature infectious virus particles, respectively. The amino-terminal end of the spike protein was found to be Thr-348. Whether the protease involved in intracellular cleavage of the capsid precursor is of viral or cellular origin remains to be determined, but the cleavage is independent of caspases. Also, trypsin is able to degrade the capsid precursor but has no effect on VP33 and VP38 proteins when assembled into virus particles. These studies provide the basis for advancement of the knowledge of astrovirus VA1 cell entry and replication. IMPORTANCE Human astrovirus VA1 has been associated with neurological disease in immunocompromised patients. Its recent propagation in cell culture has facilitated the study of its biology. In this work, we show that despite the ability of this virus to grow in the absence of trypsin, a marked feature of human classical astroviruses, the capsid precursor protein of astrovirus VA1 is cleaved intracellularly to yield the mature infectious particles, formed by two polypeptides, VP33 that constitutes the core domain of the virus particle, and VP38 that forms the spike of the virus. These studies provide a platform to advance our knowledge on astrovirus VA1 cell entry and replication.

Natural killer cell reconstitution after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in children.

INTRODUCTION: After hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), natural killer (NK) cells reconstitution is the main barrier against viral infections. OBJECTIVE: To determine that the knowledge on the kinetics of NK cell reconstitution after HSCT contributes to transplant efficient monitoring, which increases the possibility of its success. METHOD: Twenty-one patients undergoing HSCT were included, as well as a control group of clinically healthy individuals. At different time points after transplantation (range of 21 to 670 days), CD3- CD16+ CD56+ NK cells were quantified by flow cytometry in peripheral blood samples. RESULTS: NK cell recovery occurs at three to six months and 10 to 12 months post-transplantation; their number was significantly lower (in comparison with the control group) in the rest of the monitoring time. CONCLUSIONS: The first period of NK cell recovery occurs between three and six months after transplantation. Reconstitution is transient and the number of NK cells varies in the first years.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Después de un trasplante de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas (TCPH), la reconstitución de las células natural killer (NK) es la principal barrera contra las infecciones virales. OBJETIVO: Determinar que el conocimiento sobre la cinética de la reconstitución de las células NK posterior al TCPH contribuye a un eficiente monitoreo del trasplante, lo que incrementa la posibilidad de éxito de este. MÉTODO: Se incluyeron 21 pacientes sometidos a TCPH, así como un grupo control de individuos clínicamente sanos. En diferentes momentos después del trasplante (intervalo de 21 a 670 días), mediante citometría de flujo se cuantificaron las células NK CD3− CD16+ CD56+ en muestras de sangre periférica. RESULTADOS: La recuperación de las células NK ocurre a los tres a seis meses y a los 10 a 12 meses postrasplante; su número fue significativamente menor (en comparación con el grupo control) en el tiempo restante del monitoreo. CONCLUSIONES: El primer periodo de recuperación de las células NK ocurre entre los tres y seis meses posteriores al trasplante. La reconstitución es transitoria y el número de células NK varía en los primeros años.

Reconstitución de células natural killer después del trasplante de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas en niños / Natural killer cell reconstitution after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in children

Resumen Introducción: Después de un trasplante de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas (TCPH), la reconstitución de las células natural killer (NK) es la principal barrera contra las infecciones virales. Objetivo: Determinar que el conocimiento sobre la cinética de la reconstitución de las células NK posterior al TCPH contribuye a un eficiente monitoreo del trasplante, lo que incrementa la posibilidad de éxito de este. Método: Se incluyeron 21 pacientes sometidos a TCPH, así como un grupo control de individuos clínicamente sanos. En diferentes momentos después del trasplante (intervalo de 21 a 670 días), mediante citometría de flujo se cuantificaron las células NK CD3− CD16+ CD56+ en muestras de sangre periférica. Resultados: La recuperación de las células NK ocurre entre los tres y seis meses y entre los 10 y 12 meses postrasplante; su número fue significativamente menor (en comparación con el grupo control) en el tiempo restante del monitoreo. Conclusiones: El primer periodo de recuperación de las células NK ocurre entre los tres y seis meses posteriores al trasplante. La reconstitución es transitoria y el número de células NK varía en los primeros años.

Abstract Introduction: After hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), natural killer (NK) cells reconstitution is the main barrier against viral infections. Objective: To determine that the knowledge on the kinetics of NK cell reconstitution after HSCT contributes to transplant efficient monitoring, which increases the possibility of its success. Method: Twenty-one patients undergoing HSCT were included, as well as a control group of clinically healthy individuals. At different time points after transplantation (range of 21 to 670 days), CD3- CD16+ CD56+ NK cells were quantified by flow cytometry in peripheral blood samples. Results: NK cell recovery occurs at three to six months and 10 to 12 months post-transplantation; their number was significantly lower (in comparison with the control group) in the rest of the monitoring time. Conclusions: The first period of NK cell recovery occurs between three and six months after transplantation. Reconstitution is transient and the number of NK cells varies in the first years.

Utility of cardiac imaging in diagnosis of atypical presentation of cardiac fibroma.

Primary cardiac tumours are relatively rare in the paediatric population, with benign tumours accounting for >90% of cases. Cardiac fibromas are rare primary tumours that typically reside in the ventricles. Symptoms are usually the result of blood outflow obstruction or disruption of the cardiac conduction system. They do not typically regress and usually require surgical intervention. In this case, we report a rare finding of a right atrial fibroma in an 18-month-old female who presented with lethargy and vomiting. Chest X-ray revealed an enlarged cardiac silhouette, and follow-up CT showed a 3.7×3.2×3.7 cm hypodense lesion in the right atrium. Cardiac MRI revealed the diagnosis, which was confirmed on pathology.

A Comprehensive Update of Current Anesthesia Perspectives on Therapeutic Hypothermia.

Normal thermal regulation is a result of the integration of afferent sensory, central control, and efferent responses to temperature change. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is a technique utilized during surgery to protect vital organs from ischemia; however, in doing so leads to other physiological changes. Indications for inducing hypothermia have been described for neuroprotection, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, surgical repair of thoracoabdominal and intracranial aneurysms, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, and arterial switch operations in neonates. Initially it was thought that induced hypothermia worked exclusively by a temperature-dependent reduction in metabolism causing a decreased demand for oxygen and glucose. Induced hypothermia exerts its neuroprotective effects through multiple underlying mechanisms including preservation of the integrity and survival of neurons through a reduction of extracellular levels of excitatory neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate, therefore reducing central nervous system hyperexcitability. Risks of hypothermia include increased infection risk, altered drug pharmacokinetics, and systemic cardiovascular changes. Indications for TH include ischemia-inducing surgeries and diseases. Two commonly used methods are used to induce TH, surface cooling and endovascular cooling. Core body temperature monitoring is essential during induction of TH and rewarming, with central venous temperature as the gold standard. The aim of this review is to highlight current literature discussing perioperative considerations of TH including risks, benefits, indications, methods, and monitoring.