Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation as a Treatment for Ventricular Arrhythmias Refractory to Conventional Treatment: A Case Series.

Background: Ventricular arrhythmias are a leading cause of sudden death. The objective of this study was to characterise the results of patients with ventricular arrhythmias refractory to standard medical management, undergoing Video-assisted thoracoscopic cardiac sympathetic denervation (VAT-CSD) during 2012-2022 in Cali, Colombia. Methods: This was an observational retrospective study, using the Institutional General Thoracic Surgery Database for patient identification and retrospectively reviewing the clinical charts for data description and analysis. Results: Clinical records of 19 patients who underwent VAT-CSD for ventricular arrhythmia were analysed. The patients were predominantly male (73.7%) with an mean age of 62 years. Ischaemic heart disease was the main underlying condition (52.6%); all individuals had a diagnosis of heart failure, with comorbidities such as hypertension (63.1%), acute MI (57.8%) and diabetes (26.3%) also present. The procedure was performed bilaterally in 89.4% of cases and was successful with minimal perioperative complications. Postoperative follow-up showed improvement in symptoms, including a significant reduction in the number of ICD shocks and emergency department visits. Conclusion: VAT-CSD is a viable, safe and palliative therapeutic option for patients with ventricular arrhythmias who have not responded to conventional treatments, achieving a significant decrease in symptoms with low mortality and perioperative complications.

Primary Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Small-cell carcinoma of the bladder (SCCB) is an uncommon and aggressive malignancy of the urinary tract. Its clinical presentation often mimics that of other bladder neoplasms, posing a diagnostic challenge. This case report presents a rare instance of SCCB in a 65-year-old female, shedding light on the diagnostic journey and emphasizing the need for heightened and prompt clinical suspicion due to its aggressive nature. The patient presented to the urological department with hematuria, dysuria, and hypogastric pain. Initial investigations revealed a bladder mass, prompting biopsies with inconclusive results. A comprehensive histopathological examination, including immunohistochemistry, confirmed a SCCB. A computed tomography (CT) scan was used to evaluate local and distal extention. Following the initial evaluation, a referral to an oncological service was needed. Diagnoses encompassed SCCB, with interventions that comprise chemotherapy without radical cystectomy. Despite the rarity of SCCB, timely and accurate diagnosis facilitated a tailored multidisciplinary approach, leading to prompt clinical oncology management. This case demonstrates the importance of meticulous diagnostic evaluation in rare malignancies, guiding individualized therapeutic strategies for optimal patient outcomes.

International Migration, Refugees, and Spread of Tuberculosis in Brazil: Analysis of Clusters, Trends, and Associated Factors (2010-2021).

BACKGROUND: International migration is a global phenomenon with significant implications on the health-disease process due to exposures along transit routes and local/destination epidemiological indicators. We aimed to analyze the transmission and spread of tuberculosis among international migrants and refugees from a spatiotemporal perspective and the associated factors. METHOD: This was an ecological study of cases of tuberculosis in international migrants in Brazil, between 2010 and 2021. Annual incidence rates were calculated and spatiotemporal scan techniques were used to identify municipalities at risk. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with tuberculosis in international migrants. RESULTS: A total of 4037 cases of tuberculosis were reported in Brazil in international migrants. Municipalities at risk for this event were identified using the spatiotemporal scan technique, and a cluster was identified with ITT: +52.01% and ETT: +25.60%. A higher probability of TB infection was identified in municipalities with a TB incidence rate >14.40 cases/100 inhabitants, population >11,042 inhabitants, Gini index >0.49, and illiteracy rate >13.12%. A lower probability was found in municipalities with average per capita household income >BRL 456.43. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that health authorities implement monitoring and rigorous follow-up in affected areas to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment completion for international migrants, preventing disease spread to other communities.

Flextory: Flexible Software Factory of IoT Data Consumers.

The success of the Internet of Things (IoT) has driven the development, among others, of many different software architectures for producing, processing, and analyzing heterogeneous data. In many cases, IoT applications share common features, such as the use of a platform or middleware, also known as message broker, that collects and manages data traffic between endpoints. However, in general, data processing is very dependent on the case study (sensors that send temperature data, drones that send images, etc.). Thus, the applications responsible for receiving and processing data, which we call consumers, have to be built ad hoc, since some of their elements have to be specially configured to solve specific needs of the case study. This paper presents Flextory, a software factory tool to make it easier for IoT developers to automatically construct configurable consumer applications, which we call FLEX-consumers. Flextory guides developers through the process of generating Java consumers by selecting some desired features such as, for instance, the particular communication protocol to be used. This way, the developer only has to concentrate on designing the algorithm to process the data. In short, the use of Flextory will result in consumer applications with configurable behavior, namely FLEX-consumers, that can connect to a messaging server (for example RabbitMQ) and process the received messages.

Comparative genomic analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains susceptible and resistant to carbapenems and aztreonam isolated from patients with healthcare-associated infections in a Mexican hospital.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an important opportunistic pathogen that causes different infections on immunocompromised patients. Within PA accessory genome, differences in virulence, antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation have been described between strains, leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. The genome sequences of 17 strains isolated from patients with healthcare-associated infections in a Mexican hospital were genomically and phylogenetically analyzed and antibiotic resistance genes, virulence genes, and biofilm formation genes were detected. Fifteen of the 17 strains were resistant to at least two of the carbapenems meropenem, imipenem, and the monobactam aztreonam. The antibiotic resistance (mexA, mexB, and oprM) and the biofilm formation (pslA and pslD) genes were detected in all strains. Differences were found between strains in accessory genome size. The strains had different sequence types, and seven strains had sequence types associated with global high risk epidemic PA clones. All strains were represented in two groups among PA global strains. In the 17 strains, horizontally acquired resistance genes to aminoglycosides and beta-lactams were found, mainly, and between 230 and 240 genes that encode virulence factors. The strains under study were variable in terms of their accessory genome, antibiotic resistance, and virulence genes. With these characteristics, we provide information about the genomic diversity of clinically relevant PA strains.

Young Plasma Rejuvenates Blood DNA Methylation Profile, Extends Mean Lifespan, and Improves Physical Appearance in Old Rats.

There is converging evidence that young blood conveys cells, vesicles, and molecules able to revitalize function and restore organ integrity in old individuals. We assessed the effects of young plasma on the lifespan, epigenetic age, and healthspan of old female rats. Beginning at 25.6 months of age, a group of 9 rats (group T) was intraperitoneally injected with plasma from young rats until their natural death. A group of 8 control rats of the same age received no treatment (group C). Blood samples were collected every other week. Survival curves showed that from age 26 to 30 months, none of the group T animals died, whereas the survival curve of group C rats began to decline at age 26 months. Blood DNAm age versus chronological age showed that DNAm age in young animals increased faster than chronological age, then slowed down, entering a plateau after 27 months. The DNAm age of the treated rats fell below the DNAm age of controls and, in numerical terms, remained consistently lower until natural death. When rats were grouped according to the similarities in their differential blood DNA methylation profile, samples from the treated and control rats clustered in separate groups. Analysis of promoter differential methylation in genes involved in systemic regulatory activities revealed specific GO term enrichment related to the insulin-like factors pathways as well as to cytokines and chemokines associated with immune and homeostatic functions. We conclude that young plasma therapy may constitute a natural, noninvasive intervention for epigenetic rejuvenation and health enhancement.

miR-195b is required for proper cellular homeostasis in the elderly.

Over the last decade we have witnessed an increasing number of studies revealing the functional role of non-coding RNAs in a multitude of biological processes, including cellular homeostasis, proliferation and differentiation. Impaired expression of non-coding RNAs can cause distinct pathological conditions, including herein those affecting the gastrointestinal and cardiorespiratory systems, respectively. miR-15/miR-16/miR-195 family members have been broadly implicated in multiple biological processes, including regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis and metabolism within distinct tissues, such as heart, liver and lungs. While the functional contribution of miR-195a has been reported in multiple biological contexts, the role of miR-195b remains unexplored. In this study we dissected the functional role of miR-195b by generating CRISPR-Cas9 gene edited miR-195b deficient mice. Our results demonstrate that miR-195b is dispensable for embryonic development. miR-195b-/- mice are fertile and displayed no gross anatomical and/or morphological defects. Mechanistically, cell cycle regulation, metabolism and oxidative stress markers are distinctly impaired in the heart, liver and lungs of aged mice, a condition that is not overtly observed at midlife. The lack of overt functional disarray during embryonic development and early adulthood might be due to temporal and tissue-specific compensatory mechanisms driven by selective upregulation miR-15/miR-16/miR-195 family members. Overall, our data demonstrated that miR-195b is dispensable for embryonic development and adulthood but is required for cellular homeostasis in the elderly.

Enhancing earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) tolerance to plastic contamination through gut microbiome fortification with plastic-degrading microorganisms.

Microorganisms from L. terrestris gut previously exposed to different types of plastic (PET, LDPE, LLDPE, and PS) were studied to be used as probiotics of earthworms in plastic-contaminated soils (LDPE, LLDPE and recycled mulching film) at mesocosm-scale trials. The most abundant morphotypes with enzymatic capacities of interest were identified. Pseudomonas alkylphenolica (PL4) and Pseudomonas putida (PL5) strains were selected to be used as inoculants using Morus alba leaves as carriers to strengthen the intestinal microbiota of earthworms. Culture (selective cetrimide agar medium) and molecular (qPCR) techniques were used to trace the presence of the inoculum in the intestine of the earthworms. Additionally, a metataxonomic analysis was carried out to study the biodiversity and functionality of the earthworm microbiome, and their measure of survival and weight. Probiotics improved the survival rates of earthworms exposed to plastics, which also increased the abundance of microbial groups of interest in plastic bioremediation tasks.

Hospital Environmental Disruptors and Caregiver Sleep During Hospitalization.

PURPOSE: Caregivers must cope with a poor sleep environment when caring for someone admitted to the hospital. The aim was to study the environmental factors associated with a sleep disruption pattern in caregivers during hospitalization and to test their association with caregivers' insomnia symptoms. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three caregivers completed the study. The effect of environmental stimuli on sleep disruption was measured on a scale from 1 to 10 (1 = no disruption, 10 = significant disruption). Type of room (single vs shared), insomnia symptoms, anxiety and depression, and patients' dependence (Barthel Index) were assessed as well. Caregiver and patient characteristics as well as identified hospital disruptors were compared with Student t test, χ2 test, and Fisher exact test according to the caregivers' type of room. A linear regression model using main caregiver and patient sociodemographic variables, questionnaires, and the sum of all hospital disruptors determined the factors associated with caregivers' insomnia symptoms. RESULTS: Of the caregivers and their care recipients, 51.2% shared a room with 1 to 2 other patients. Higher self-reported levels of sleep disruption due to environmental stimuli were found in shared rooms when compared with single rooms (eg, nursing care, noise, and light) (P < .05). Hospital sleep disruptors (adjusted regression coefficient, 0.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.24) and caregiver anxiety (adjusted regression coefficient, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.81) were predictors for insomnia (P < .01). However, caregivers' type of room was not associated with insomnia severity symptoms (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Interventions are urgent to implement, such as relieving caregivers from patient needs during the night, providing them with single rooms, and conducting multiple nursing tasks in 1 visit to minimize night hospital noise.

Silica Replicas Derived from Mammalian Cells as an Innovative Approach to Physically Direct Cell Lineage Decisions of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

By means of a "live-cell" template strategy, silica replicas displaying the same morphology and topography of the mammalian cells used as templates are fabricated. The replicas are used as substrates to direct the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to predefined cell lineages. Upregulation of specific genes shows how the silica replica-based substrates have the ability to induce the molecular characteristics of the mature cell types from which they have been derived from. Thus, MSCs cultured in the presence of silica replicas of human osteoblasts (HObs) differentiate into HObs-like cells, as shown by the upregulation of specific osteogenic genes. Likewise, when MSCs are incubated with silica replicas derived from human chondrocytes, an enhanced expression of chondrogenic markers is observed. Importantly, the effects of the silica replicas are cell type-specific since the incubation of MSCs with HObs silica replicas does not result in upregulation of chondrogenic markers and vice versa. What is more, for both cases, the differentiation rate is enhanced when the silica replicas are used in combination with growth factors, suggesting a potential synergistic effect. These results demonstrate the potential of this innovative method as an efficient and cheap approach with the potential to eliminate, or at least reduce, the use of biochemically soluble compounds in stem cells research.

Nonadverse COVID-19 evolution predictors: the CoNAE scale. / Predictores de evolución no adversa en pacientes con COVID-19: escala CoNAE (COVID-19 non-adverse evolution).

OBJECTIVES: Tools to identify patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 are as yet unavailable. Our aims were to identify factors associated with nonadverse outcomes and develop a scale to predict nonadverse evolution in patients with COVID-19 (the CoNAE scale) in hospital emergency departments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients who came to one of our area's national health service hospitals for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection from July 1, 2020, to July 31, 2021. From case records we collected sociodemographic information, underlying comorbidity and ongoing treatments, other relevant medical history details, and vital constants on arrival for triage. Multilevel multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify predictors. RESULTS: The model showed that patients who had nonadverse outcomes were younger, female, and vaccinated against COVID-19 (2 doses at the time of the study). They arrived with normal vital signs (heart rate, diastolic and systolic pressures, temperature, and oxygen saturation) and had none of the following concomitant diseases or factors: heart failure other heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, liver disease, dementia, history of malignant tumors, and they were not being treated with oral or other systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressant therapy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the model was 0.840 (95% CI, 0.834-0.847). CONCLUSION: We developed the CoNAE scale to predict nonadverse outcomes. This scale may be useful in triage for evaluating patients with COVID-19. It may also help predict safe discharge or plan the level of care that patients require not only in a hospital emergency department but also in urgent primary care settings or out-of-hospital emergency care.

OBJETIVO: Faltan herramientas para identificar a los pacientes con COVID-19 moderado o leve. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar variables asociadas a la evolución no adversa y diseñar un modelo predictivo de evolución favorable en pacientes atendidos en servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) por infección por SARS-CoV-2. METODO: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo de pacientes con infección por SARS-CoV-2 que acudieron a alguno de los SUH de hospitales públicos de una área por una infección por COVID-19 entre el 1 de julio de 2020 y el 31 de julio de 2021. Los datos recogidos para este estudio incluyeron información sociodemográfica, comorbilidades basales y tratamientos, otros datos de antecedentes y registro de los signos vitales a la llegada (triaje) al SUH. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión logística multivariable multinivel para desarrollar los modelos predictivos. RESULTADOS: Las personas que tuvieron resultados no adversos eran más jóvenes, mujeres, habían recibido dos dosis de la vacuna COVID-19 en el momento del estudio, tenían signos vitales (frecuencia cardiaca-presión diastólica/sistólica, temperatura y saturación de oxígeno) dentro de un rango normal al llegar al triaje del SUH, y no tenían ninguna de las siguientes comorbilidades: insuficiencia cardiaca, enfermedad coronaria, hipertensión arterial, diabetes, enfermedad hepática, demencia, antecedentes de tumores malignos o prescripción de corticosteroides orales sistémicos o inmunosupresores como medicación basal. El modelo tenía un área bajo la curva (ABC) de 0,8404 (IC 95%: 0,8342-0,8466). CONCLUSIONES: Se ha desarrollado una escala de predicción de resultados no adversos que pueden ser útil como herramienta de triaje, así como para determinar el alta segura y para adaptar el nivel de atención que el paciente requiere, no sólo en el SUH, sino también a nivel de atención de emergencia primaria o extrahospitalaria.

Citizen scientists study beach litter along 12,000 km of the East Pacific coast: A baseline for the International Plastic Treaty.

Anthropogenic Marine Litter (AML) accumulating on beaches causes damage to coastal ecosystems and high costs to local communities. Volunteers sampled AML on 130 beaches along the central and southern East Pacific coasts, with AML densities ranging from 0.46 to 2.26 items m-2 in the different countries. AML composition was dominated by plastics and cigarette butts, the latter especially in Mexico and Chile. The accumulation of AML in the upper zones of the beaches and substantial proportions of cigarette butts, glass and metal pointed mainly to local sources. Statistical modelling of litter sources on continental beaches revealed that tourism, access and related infrastructure (e.g. parking lots) best explained AML densities, while plastic densities were also influenced by the distance from river mouths and national Gross Domestic Product. Large-scale monitoring can be a useful tool to evaluate the effectiveness of public policies that should primarily focus on land sources.

Health condition, income loss, food insecurity and other social inequities among migrants and refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Brazil is the destination of many international migrants and refugees and, given the circumstances of their entry into the country, many face difficulties due to the absence of targeted policies. Thus, the objective of this study was to survey the social impact of COVID-19 on international migrants and refugees regarding income loss, food insecurity and other social inequities, and to identify explanatory factors on these aspects. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, analytical study. We used a validated instrument applied by trained interviewers. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with income loss and food insecurity. RESULTS: A total of 360 individuals from sub-Saharan African and South American countries participated in the study. Individuals who were white, black/brown, yellow, had an occupation/employment, and earned less than one minimum wage were more likely to lose income. Those who reported no income, received less than one minimum wage, and were diagnosed with COVID-19 were more likely to be food insecure. CONCLUSIONS: The study advances knowledge by identifying factors associated with income loss, food insecurity, and individuals' difficulty in accessing health services and social support measures in Brazil.

Vaccination coverage in children under one year of age and associated socioeconomic factors: maps of spatial heterogeneity.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze vaccination coverage spatial distribution in children under one year old and the socioeconomic factors associated with meeting the recommended goals in Minas Gerais. METHODS: an ecological study, carried out in 853 municipalities in the state. Pentavalent, poliomyelitis, meningococcal conjugate, yellow fever, rotavirus, and 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination coverage were analyzed. Scan statistics and multiple logistic regression were performed to identify spatial clusters and factors associated with meeting coverage goals. RESULTS: spatial analysis revealed clusters with risk of low coverage for all vaccines. Number of families with per capita income of up to 1/2 wage, Minas Gerais Social Responsibility Index and percentage of the poor or extremely poor population were associated with meeting the established goals. CONCLUSIONS: the results are useful for designing interventions regarding the structuring of vaccination services and the implementation of actions to increase vaccination coverage in clusters with less propensity to vaccinate.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on demand for emergency department care for older patients: the EDEN-7 COVID cohort study. / Estudio EDEN-7: impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 sobre la demanda asistencial de personas mayores en los servicios de urgencias españoles.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Spanish emergency department (ED) care for patients aged 65 years or older during the first wave vs. a pre-pandemic period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study of a COVID-19 portion of the EDEN project (Emergency Department and Elder Needs). The EDEN-COVID cohort included all patients aged 65 years or more who were treated in 52 EDs on 7 consecutive days early in the pandemic. We analyzed care variables, discharge diagnoses, use of diagnostic and therapeutic resources, use of observation units, need for hospitalization, rehospitalization, and mortality. These data were compared with data for an EDEN cohort in the same age group recruited during a similar period the year before the pandemic. RESULTS: The 52 participating hospital EDs attended 33 711 emergencies during the pandemic vs. 96 173 emergencies in the pre-COVID period, representing a 61.7% reduction during the pandemic. Patients aged 65 years or older accounted for 28.8% of the caseload during the COVID-19 period and 26.4% of the earlier cohort (P .001). The COVID-19 caseload included more men (51.0%). Comorbidity and polypharmacy were more prevalent in the pandemic cohort than in the earlier one (comorbidity, 92.6% vs. 91.6%; polypharmacy, 65.2% vs. 63.6%). More esturesources (analgesics, antibiotics, heparins, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids) were applied in the pandemic period, and common diagnoses were made less often. Observation wards were used more often (for 37.8% vs. 26.2% in the earlier period), and hospital admissions were more frequent (in 56.0% vs. 25.3% before the pandemic). Mortality was higher during the pandemic than in the earlier cohort either in ED (1.8% vs 0.5%) and during hospitalization (11.5 vs 2.9%). CONCLUSION: The proportion of patients aged 65 years or older decreased in the participating Spanish EDs. However, more resources were required and the pattern of diagnoses changed. Observation ward stays were longer, and admissions and mortality increased over the numbers seen in the reference period.

OBJETIVO: Analizar el impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 sobre la asistencia a las personas mayores ($ 65 años) en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) españoles durante la primera oleada pandémica, comparándola con un periodo previo. METODO: Estudio transversal retrospectivo de la cohorte EDEN-COVID (Emergency Department and Elder Needs during COVID), que incluyó a todos los pacientes $ 65 años atendidos en 52 SUH españoles durante 7 días consecutivos de un periodo pandémico. Se analizaron variables asistenciales, diagnósticos de alta, consumo de recursos diagnósticos y terapéuticos, utilización de las unidades de observación, necesidad de ingreso, rehospitalización y mortalidad. Estos datos se compararon con la cohorte EDEN (Emergency Department and Elder Needs), que reclutó a pacientes del mismogrupo de edad durante un periodo similar del año anterior. RESULTADOS: Durante el periodo COVID-19 se atendieron 33.711 episodios en los 52 SUH participantes, frente a 96.173 del periodo pre-COVID, lo que supone una disminución de la demanda de 61,7%. La proporción de asistencias a pacientes de 65 o más años fue de 28,8% en el periodo COVID-19 y 26,4% en el periodo previo (p 0,001). Durante el periodo COVID hubo mayor proporción de hombres (51,0% vs 44,9%), mayor comorbilidad (92,6% vs 91,6%) y polifarmacia (65,2% vs 63,6%), mayor uso de recursos, de analgésicos, antibióticos, heparinas, broncodilatadores y corticoides, menor proporción de los diagnósticos más habituales, mayor utilización de las unidades de observación (37,8% vs 26,2%) y un incremento de la proporción de ingresos (56,0% vs 25,3%), y de mortalidad en urgencias (1,8% vs 0,5%) y durante la hospitalización (11,5% vs 2,9%). CONCLUSIONES: La primera ola de la pandemia COVID-19 ha provocado una disminución global de las asistencias a personas mayores ($ 65 años) en los SUH españoles analizados, mayor consumo de recursos, un mapa diferente de procesos diagnósticos asistidos y un aumento proporcional de estancias en observación, de ingresos y de mortalidad, respecto al periodo de referencia.

Advanced Binary Guanosine and Guanosine 5'-Monophosphate Cell-Laden Hydrogels for Soft Tissue Reconstruction by 3D Bioprinting.

Soft tissue defects or pathologies frequently necessitate the use of biomaterials that provide the volume required for subsequent vascularization and tissue formation as autrografts are not always a feasible alternative. Supramolecular hydrogels represent promising candidates because of their 3D structure, which resembles the native extracellular matrix, and their capacity to entrap and sustain living cells. Guanosine-based hydrogels have emerged as prime candidates in recent years since the nucleoside self-assembles into well-ordered structures like G-quadruplexes by coordinating K+ ions and π-π stacking, ultimately forming an extensive nanofibrillar network. However, such compositions were frequently inappropriate for 3D printing due to material spreading and low shape stability over time. Thus, the present work aimed to develop a binary cell-laden hydrogel capable of ensuring cell survival while providing enough stability to ensure scaffold biointegration during soft tissue reconstruction. For that purpose, a binary hydrogel made of guanosine and guanosine 5'-monophosphate was optimized, rat mesenchymal stem cells were entrapped, and the composition was bioprinted. To further increase stability, the printed structure was coated with hyperbranched polyethylenimine. Scanning electron microscopic studies demonstrated an extensive nanofibrillar network, indicating excellent G-quadruplex formation, and rheological analysis confirmed good printing and thixotropic qualities. Additionally, diffusion tests using fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled-dextran (70, 500, and 2000 kDa) showed that nutrients of various molecular weights may diffuse through the hydrogel scaffold. Finally, cells were evenly distributed throughout the printed scaffold, cell survival was 85% after 21 days, and lipid droplet formation was observed after 7 days under adipogenic conditions, indicating successful differentiation and proper cell functioning. To conclude, such hydrogels may enable the 3D bioprinting of customized scaffolds perfectly matching the respective soft tissue defect, thereby potentially improving the outcome of the tissue reconstruction intervention.

Performance of hybrid biofilter based on rice husks/sawdust treating grey wastewater.

An innovative nature-based technology for wastewater treatment is the hybrid biofiltration, which combines complex symbiotic relationships between plants, earthworms and microorganisms with adequate support components. This latter could be optimized using organic supports. The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance of hybrid biofilters based on rice husks/sawdust treating grey wastewater from mining camps. Four biofilters using an active layer (rice husks/sawdust: 50/50%, v/v) at 60(B60) and 45(B45) cm height and operating for 64 days at a hydraulic loading rate between 1 and 5 m3/m2d were monitored. Eisenia foetida Savigny and Cyperus papyrus L. were used as a biotic component. COD, N-NH4+, NO3-, NO2-, PO43- and fecal coliforms were weekly monitored. Results showed that the most efficient HB was using 60 cm as an active layer and operating at 3 m3/m2d, which reported average removal efficiencies for COD, NH4+, NO3-, PO43- and fecal coliforms up to 85, 89, 47, 49 and 99.9%, respectively. Organic support improved the rate growth for Cyperus papirus L. and E. foetida Savigny up to 50%. Hybrid biofiltration using organic residues is low-cost, providing all-encompassing operational and performance features, improving the wastewater reclamation opportunities.

Physiological demands of racket sports: a systematic review.

The practice of racket sports has had an exponential growth in the last decade, along with it, the scientific interest in researching the different disciplines: badminton, padel, table tennis, tennis, and squash. However, most research has focused on the technical and tactical field. Therefore, the aim of this review is to analyze and compare the indicators of the internal load of each sport: heart rate (HR), maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), oxygen consumption (VO2), and lactate (LA) in order to reset physiological references to adjust the training of the players and also use these references to propose the practice of these sports for healthy purposes to the general population. PRISMA Guidelines for Systematic Review were used to search for articles that met the inclusion criteria in three databases: Web of Science, Pubmed, and Sportdiscus. The search was performed between January 2010, and September 2022. Finally, a total 27 records were included for analysis in this study. The main findings were related to the differences in the intensity rates between sports. The highest lactate concentrations and heart values were found in badminton in the intensity of effort values (whose highest values were found in badminton) 10.11 (±4.99) mmol/L and 182.6 (±2.7) bpm respectively, whereas table tennis showed the lowest ones 1.2 (± 0.4) mmol/L, and 103.99 (±15.09) bpm, respectively. The highest mean VO2 was found in table tennis with a value of 36.8 (±13.2) ml/kg/min and the lowest in tennis with a value of 26.6 (±2.7) ml/kg/min. The highest VO2max was found in tennis players 58.0 (±4.6) ml/kg/min, and the lowest value was in table tennis with a value of 42.9 (±4.2) ml/kg/min. Since most of the studies were carried out on elite men players, future research should focus on amateur and women level players.

Development of plastic-degrading microbial consortia by induced selection in microcosms.

The increase in the production of highly recalcitrant plastic materials, and their accumulation in ecosystems, generates the need to investigate new sustainable strategies to reduce this type of pollution. Based on recent works, the use of microbial consortia could contribute to improving plastic biodegradation performance. This work deals with the selection and characterization of plastic-degrading microbial consortia using a sequential and induced enrichment technique from artificially contaminated microcosms. The microcosm consisted of a soil sample in which LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) was buried. Consortia were obtained from the initial sample by sequential enrichment in a culture medium with LLDPE-type plastic material (in film or powder format) as the sole carbon source. Enrichment cultures were incubated for 105 days with monthly transfer to fresh medium. The abundance and diversity of total bacteria and fungi were monitored. Like LLDPE, lignin is a very complex polymer, so its biodegradation is closely linked to that of some recalcitrant plastics. For this reason, counting of ligninolytic microorganisms from the different enrichments was also performed. Additionally, the consortium members were isolated, molecularly identified and enzymatically characterized. The results revealed a loss of microbial diversity at each culture transfer at the end of the induced selection process. The consortium selected from selective enrichment in cultures with LLDPE in powder form was more effective compared to the consortium selected in cultures with LLDPE in film form, resulting in a reduction of microplastic weight between 2.5 and 5.5%. Some members of the consortia showed a wide range of enzymatic activities related to the degradation of recalcitrant plastic polymers, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa REBP5 or Pseudomonas alloputida REBP7 strains standing out. The strains identified as Castellaniella denitrificans REBF6 and Debaryomyces hansenii RELF8 were also considered relevant members of the consortia although they showed more discrete enzymatic profiles. Other consortium members could collaborate in the prior degradation of additives accompanying the LLDPE polymer, facilitating the subsequent access of other real degraders of the plastic structure. Although preliminary, the microbial consortia selected in this work contribute to the current knowledge of the degradation of recalcitrant plastics of anthropogenic origin accumulated in natural environments.