Evolution of physico-chemical parameters, microorganism diversity and volatile organic compound of apple pomace exposed to ambient conditions.

In apple processing, waste material known as apple pomace amounts to 45% of production volumes. When this residue is stored in open-air for its stabilization and potential uses, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are produced, resulting in environmental and odor pollution, and must be managed to avoid their impact. This work aims to study the emission of VOCs utilizing TD-GC/MS and its relationship with changes in physico-chemical (moisture, pH, proteins, among others) and biological (bacteria and fungi using Illumina MiSeq) parameters under three environmental conditions: open-air (outdoors), under-roof (indoors) and oxygen-free. The 8-month study results showed a gradual increase in odorous VOCs and microbial diversity, a product of chemical and biological transformation processes in the samples. A 30% increase in odorant compounds responsible for the unpleasant smell was observed, especially esters, aldehydes and hydrocarbons in samples stored in oxygen-free and Open-air conditions. Increases in VOCs over time were associated with changes in physico-chemical and biological parameters, as well as fluctuations in environmental variables (temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation). The results of this research allow establishing a relationship between storage conditions and the production of VOCs. In addition, recommendations for waste storage time are provided for the most common uses of apple pomace based on the physico-chemical parameters observed, in order to avoid the generation of odorous compounds. Of all storage methods analyzed, under-roof is the most adequate in practice. This study's findings are pertinent for managing agribusiness waste and its potential environmental pollution.

Evolution of physical-chemical parameters, microbial diversity and VOC emissions of olive oil mill waste exposed to ambient conditions in open reservoirs.

In the olive oil extraction process, 20% olive oil is obtained. About 80% corresponds to waste, mainly alperujo and orujo. When these residues are stored in open reservoirs for later stabilization or potential reuse, odorous Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are generated as products of waste decomposition. In this work, these emissions were studied by means of TD-GC/MS in relation to the changes in the physical-chemical (ashes, moisture, total phenols, pH, proteins, fibers, oils, fats) and biological parameters (bacterial and fungal diversity in Illumina platform) of waste for 6 months. The dynamics of these parameters were statistically related to the evolution of environmental variables (temperature, relative humidity, precipitation) and their effects on the most relevant physical-chemical parameters in order to evaluate their incidence in odorant VOCs emissions over time. The results showed a progressive increase in the diversity of both fungi and bacteria that were related, mainly, to a progressive decrease in the concentration of fatty acid methyl esters and the concentration of alkenes in the emissions; and to an increase of odorous compounds, mainly aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids, which were responsible for the unpleasant odors of waste. No significant differences were observed between the evolution of orujo characteristics compared to those of alperujo.

An in vitro study on the antioxidant capacity of usnic acid on human erythrocytes and molecular models of its membrane.

Usnic acid (UA) has been associated with chronic diseases through its antioxidant action. Its main target is the cell membrane; however, its effect on that of human erythrocytes has been scarcely investigated. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between UA and cell membranes human erythrocytes and molecular models of its membrane have been utilized. Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE) were chosen as representative of phospholipid classes located in the outer and inner monolayers of the erythrocyte membrane, respectively. Results by X-ray diffraction showed that UA produced structural perturbations on DMPC and DMPE bilayers. DSC studies have indicated that thermotropic behavior of DMPE was most strongly distorted by UA than DMPC, whereas the latter is mainly affected on the pretransition. Scanning electron (SEM) and defocusing microscopy (DM) showed that UA induced alterations to erythrocytes from the normal discoid shape to echinocytes. These results imply that UA molecules were located in the outer monolayer of the erythrocyte membrane. Results of its antioxidant properties showed that UA neutralized the oxidative capacity of HClO on DMPC and DMPE bilayers; SEM, DM and hemolysis assays demonstrated the protective effect of UA against the deleterious oxidant effects of HClO upon human erythrocytes.

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en edad preescolar / Quality of life and health in preschoolers

Objective: Parents' perception of quality of life (QOL) was correlated to the health status of children between three and five years eleven months of age. Method: TAPQOL questionnaires were utilized to evaluate parents or guardians of 483 children who attenden private, semiprivate and public kindergardens. Average age of the children was 51.7 months, 47% were girls. Results: QOL was found to be disturbed through anxiety and behavior problems. Some differences were found along the dimensions of gender, type of institution, and presence of illness. Conclusions: Our results allow us to focus on those preschoolers whose parents report a worse QOL, to develop intervention plans. Those are children who have suffered a disease, the youngest, or those who attend public preschools. Positive behavioral signs, anxiety and communication are special areas of interest for medical intervention.

Objetivo: Bajo un diseño transversal, se evalúa la percepción de los padres sobre la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) en niños entre tres y cinco años once meses. Método: Se aplicó el cuestionario específico de CVRS para menores en edad preescolar TAPQOL a los padres o tutores de 483 infantes que asistían ajardines infantiles particulares, públicos y subvencionados. El promedio de edad de los menores fue de 51,7 meses, siendo el 47% de estos mujeres. Resultados: La CVRS de los menores se ve más afectada en las dimensiones de ansiedad y problemas de conducta. Se encontraron diferencias en los reportes de las distintas dimensiones dadas por el sexo, el tipo de establecimiento al que acudían los menores y por la presencia de enfermedad. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos nos permiten focalizar la atención en aquellos preescolares cuyos padres reportan una menor CVRS, siendo estos los que han padecido o padecen una enfermedad, los más pequeños y los que asisten a establecimientos públicos, especialmente en las áreas de emociones positivas, ansiedad y comunicación, entregando información para posibles planes de intervención con el objeto de mejorar el bienestar de los menores.

Leiomiosarcoma de la vena renal: un caso de excepción / Leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein: a case of exception

Se informa acerca de un caso de leiomiosarcoma de la vena renal. Se efectúa una revisión de la bibliografía existente sobre el tema. Se trata de una paciente de 55 años de edad, que presenta dolor lumbar izquierdo de siete meses de evolución. Los estudios practicados muestran una hidronefrosis en el urograma de excreción; en la TAC se visualiza una masa pararrenal en íntimo contacto con el pedículo vascular que se impregna con el material de contraste. El tratamiento practicado consiste en una nefrectomía radical. El informe anatomopatológico es compatible con un leiomiosarcoma de la vena renal. Se realiza tratamiento adyuvante con radioterapia de alto voltaje. A los dos años, se detectan metástasis hepáticas, pulmonares y mamarias por lo que se inicia quimioterapia con resultado incierto, ya que se encuentra cursando en la actualidad dicho tratamiento. Se resalta la excepcionalidad de esta variante de tumor, la dificultad diagnóstica clínica y el pronóstico desfavorable

Synthesis and in vitro antiprotozoal activity of thiophene ring-containing quinones.

A series of quinones (3a-i, 4-9, 11) and aromatic compounds (2a, 2d, 2g) containing the thiophene ring were tested in vitro against the trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi and the promastigote forms of Leishmania. The quinones 3a-i, 4, 5a, b, 6 and 9 having the thiophene ring fused to a quinone nucleus were the most active members of the series. The electron affinities of the benzo[b]thiophene-4,7-quinones 3, evaluated by their LUMO energies and halfwave potentials, are reported.