Diagnostic Protocols for Evaluating the Degradation Mechanisms in Gel-Polymer Lithium Batteries.

Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) present a promising alternative to standard liquid electrolytes (LE) for Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs) and Lithium Metal Batteries bridging the advantages of both liquid and solid polymer electrolytes. However, their cycle life still lags behind that of standard LIBs, and their degradation mechanisms remain poorly understood. A significant challenge is the need for specific diagnostic protocols to systematically study the degradation mechanisms of GPE-based cells. Challenges include the separation of cell components and effective washing, as well as the study of the solid electrolyte interfaces, all complicated by the semi-solid nature of GPEs. This paper provides a brief review of existing literature and proposes a comprehensive set of diagnostic tools for dismantling and evaluating the degradation of GPE-based LIBs. Finally, these methods and recommendations are applied to LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO)-graphite cells, revealing electrolyte oxidation as a major source of cell degradation.

Empirical treatment and mortality in bacteremia due to extended spectrum ß-lactamase producing Enterobacterales (ESßL-E), a retrospective cross-sectional study in a tertiary referral hospital from Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Infections caused by extended spectrum ß-lactamase (ESßL) producing bacteria are common and problematic. When they cause bloodstream infections, they are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a single center in Pereira, Colombia. It included people hospitalized with bacteremia due to gram-negative bacilli with the extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producing phenotype. A logistic regression analysis was constructed. Clinical characteristics and risk factors for death from sepsis were established. RESULTS: The prevalence of bacteremia due to Enterobacterales with extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producing phenotype was 17%. 110 patients were analyzed. Most patients were men (62%) with a median age of 58 years, hospital mortality was 38%. Admission to intensive care was 45%. The following risk factors for mortality were established: shock requiring vasoactive support, Pitt score > 3 points, and not having an infectious disease consultation (IDC). CONCLUSIONS: bacteremia due to Enterobacterales with extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producing phenotype have a high mortality. Early recognition of sepsis, identification of risk factors for antimicrobial resistance, and prompt initiation of appropriate empiric antibiotic treatment are important. An infectious disease consultation may help improve outcomes.

Highlighting Recent Crystalline Engineering Aspects of Luminescent Coordination Polymers Based on F-Elements and Ditopic Aliphatic Ligands.

Three principal factors may influence the final structure of coordination polymers (CPs): (i) the nature of the ligand, (ii) the type and coordination number of the metal center, and (iii) the reaction conditions. Further, flexible carboxylate aliphatic ligands have been widely employed as building blocks for designing and synthesizing CPs, resulting in a diverse array of materials with exciting architectures, porosities, dimensionalities, and topologies as well as an increasing number of properties and applications. These ligands show different structural features, such as torsion angles, carbon backbone number, and coordination modes, which affect the desired products and so enable the generation of polymorphs or crystalline phases. Additionally, due to their large coordination numbers, using 4f and 5f metals as coordination centers combined with aliphatic ligands increases the possibility of obtaining different crystal phases. Additionally, by varying the synthetic conditions, we may control the production of a specific solid phase by understanding the thermodynamic and kinetic factors that influence the self-assembly process. This revision highlights the relationship between the structural variety of CPs based on flexible carboxylate aliphatic ligands and f-elements (lanthanide and actinides) and their outstanding luminescent properties such as solid-state emissions, sensing, and photocatalysis. In this sense, we present a structural analysis of the CPs reported with the oxalate ligand, as the one rigid ligand of the family, and other flexible dicarboxylate linkers with -CH2- spacers. Additionally, the nature of the luminescence properties of the 4f or 5f-CPs is analyzed, and finally, we present a novel set of CPs using a glutarate-derived ligand and samarium, with the formula [2,2'-bipyH][Sm(HFG)2 (2,2'-bipy) (H2O)2]•(2,2'-bipy) (α-Sm) and [2,2'-bipyH][Sm(HFG)2 (2,2'-bipy) (H2O)2] (ß-Sm).

Closing gaps in histoplasmosis: clinical characteristics and factors associated with probable/histoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS hospitalized patients, a retrospective cross-sectional study in two tertiary centers in Pereira, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: The HIV pandemic continues to cause a high burden of morbidity and mortality due to delayed diagnosis. Histoplasmosis is prevalent in Latin America and Colombia, is difficult to diagnose and has a high mortality. Here we determined the clinical characteristics and risk factors of histoplasmosis in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Pereira, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study (2014-2019) involving two tertiary medical centers in Pereira, Colombia. People hospitalized with HIV were included. Histoplasma antigen detection was performed in urine samples. Probable histoplasmosis was defined according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group criteria. RESULTS: 172 HIV-infected patients were analyzed. Histoplasmosis was confirmed in 29% (n = 50/172) of patients. The logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for histoplasmosis were pancytopenia (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.6-10.3, P = 0.002), < 50 CD4 + cells/µL (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.3-7.3, P = 0.006) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) levels > 46 IU/L (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.3-8, P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Histoplasmosis is highly prevalent in hospitalized patients with HIV in Pereira, Colombia. The clinical findings are nonspecific, but there are some clinical abnormalities that can lead to suspicion of the disease, early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Urine antigen detection is useful for diagnosis, but is not widely available. An algorithmic approach is proposed for low-resource clinical settings.

Semen analysis of boars under intertropical conditions reveals the relevance of proximal and distal cytoplasm droplets for sperm functional integrity.

This work aimed to establish whether the temperature humidity index (THI) under different intertropical zones affects the retention of cytoplasmic droplets (CDs), sperm function and DNA integrity in boars. With this purpose, two separate studies were devised. In the first one, 49 boars from six farms were collected every 45 days (230 ejaculates). THI were measured daily, and sperm parameters were evaluated. Boars were classified into three groups based on the incidence of ejaculates having more than 25% spermatozoa with CDs: persistent (at least three consecutive ejaculates), moderate (less than three ejaculates) and absent (no ejaculate having ≥25% spermatozoa with CDs). Farms were classified based on THI through cluster analysis into two groups. In the second study, 32 liquid-stored semen samples were classified based on three cluster analysis: low and high incidence of proximal (PCDs), distal (DCDs) CDs and a combination of PCD and DCDs. high THI farms presented significantly (p < .05) higher proportions of boars with moderate and persistent incidence of CD than those with low THI. In study 2, the presence of PCDs was negatively correlated with sperm DNA integrity (r = -0.691; p < .01). However, differences between groups were more apparent when ejaculates were classified based on both PCDs and DCDs than when PCDs or DCDs were considered separately. In conclusion, classification of boars according to the severity and persistence of CDs in boars allows understanding more clearly the dynamics of CD retention and the effects of ambient temperature and relative humidity. Additionally, the joint analysis of both PCDs and DCDs is necessary in routine sperm quality analyses.

Geographic mapping of Enterobacteriaceae with extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) phenotype in Pereira, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is an ecological and multicausal problem. Infections caused by extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) can be acquired and transmitted in the community. Data on community-associated ESBL-E infections/colonizations in Colombia are scarce. Georeferencing tools can be used to study the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance at the community level. METHODS: We conducted a study of geographic mapping using modern tools based on geographic information systems (GIS). Two study centers from the city of Pereira, Colombia were involved. The records of patients who had ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae were reviewed. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and phenotypic detection of ESBL was done according to CLSI standards. RESULTS: A population of 415 patients with community-acquired infections/colonizations and 77 hospital discharges were obtained. Geographic distribution was established and heat maps were created. Several hotspots were evidenced in some geographical areas of the south-west and north-east of the city. Many of the affected areas were near tertiary hospitals, rivers, and poultry industry areas. CONCLUSIONS: There are foci of antimicrobial resistance at the community level. This was demonstrated in the case of antimicrobial resistance caused by ESBL in a city in Colombia. Causality with tertiary hospitals in the city, some rivers and the poultry industry is proposed as an explanation of the evidenced phenomenon. Geographic mapping tools are useful for monitoring antimicrobial resistance in the community.

Novel Heterometallic Uranyl-Transition Metal Materials: Structure, Topology, and Solid State Photoluminescence Properties.

Six new uranyl hybrid materials have been synthesized solvothermally utilizing the ligands 2,2'-bipyridine-3,3'-dicarboxylic acid (H2L) and 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (TPY). The six compounds are classified as either molecular complexes (I0O0 connectivity), [(UO2)(L)(TPY)]·H2O (1), [Ni(TPY)2][(UO2)(L)2]·3H2O (2), and [Cu(TPY)2][(UO2)(L)2]·3H2O (3), or 3D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs, I0O3 connectivity), [Cu2(UO2)2(OH)(C2H3O2)(L)3(TPY)2]·6H2O (4), [Zn2(UO2)2(OH)(NO3)(C2H3O2)(L)3(TPY)2]·4H2O (5), and Na[Ni(UO2)3(OH)(O)(L)3]·9H2O (6). A discussion of the influence of transition metal incorporation, chelating effects of the ligand, and synthesis conditions on the formation of uranyl materials is presented. The structure of compound 6 is of particular note due to large channel-like voids with a diameter of approximately 19.6 Å. A topological analysis of 6 reveals a new topology with a 9-nodal 3,3,3,3,3,3,3,4,5-connected network, designated geg1 hereafter. Further, solid state photoluminescence experiments show emission and lifetimes values consistent with related uranyl compounds.

Luminescent Lanthanide Metal Organic Frameworks as Chemosensing Platforms towards Agrochemicals and Cations.

Since the first studies of luminescent sensors based on metal organic frameworks (MOFs) about ten years ago, there has been an increased interest in the development of specific sensors towards cations, anions, explosives, small molecules, solvents, etc. However, the detection of toxic compounds related to agro-industry and nuclear activity is noticeably scarce or even non-existent. In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of luminescent lanthanide-based MOFs (Ln-MOFs) with diverse crystalline architectures obtained by solvothermal methods. The luminescent properties of the lanthanides, and the hypersensitive transitions of Eu3+ (5D0→7F2) and Tb3+ (5D4→7F5) intrinsically found in the obtained MOFs in particular, were evaluated and employed as chemical sensors for agrochemical and cationic species. The limit of detection (LOD) of Tb-PSA MOFs (PSA = 2-phenylsuccinate) was 2.9 ppm for [UO22+] and 5.6 ppm for [Cu2+]. The variations of the 4f⁻4f spectral lines and the quenching/enhancement effects of the Ln-MOFs in the presence of the analytes were fully analyzed and discussed in terms of a combinatorial "host⁻guest" vibrational and "in-silico" interaction studies.

The pattern of lip cancer occurrence over the 1990-2011 period in public hospitals in Madrid, Spain.

BACKGROUND: Some regions of Spain along with Canada and Australia have the highest rates of lip cancer in the world. The objective of this study was to examine the trends in the pattern of occurrence of lip cancer in Madrid, Spain. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Central Tumour Registry of Madrid, between 1990 and 2011. Variables examined were age, sex, topographic and morphological location and tumour histology. Two consecutive periods, 1990-2001 and 2002-2011, were studied by descriptive and analytical methods, and the data from the two periods were statistically compared. RESULTS: A total of 881 cases were registered during the period 1990-2011. Comparing data between the two periods (1990-2001 and 2002-2011), subtle variations in age, histology and location were noted. Gender ratios remained constant. The mean age increased from 66.3 to 69.7 years (P < 0.05). In the second period, the histological distribution showed an increase in frequency of basal cell carcinoma, from 2.1% to 4.7%, while the frequency of squamous cell carcinomas remained constant. Basal cell carcinoma no longer predominantly occurred in women, decreasing from 80% to 21.1% (P < 0.001). The distribution by gender of squamous cell carcinoma had become more equal due an increase in its frequency in women (P < 0.001). Frequency of tumours on lip mucosa and commissure had increased between the two periods (P < 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of lip cancer reported to Public Hospitals of Madrid is changing: declining rates are noted since 2001-02. However, it is necessary to monitor these data to confirm the observed trends in future years.

A kinome-wide RNAi screen in Drosophila Glia reveals that the RIO kinases mediate cell proliferation and survival through TORC2-Akt signaling in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma, the most common primary malignant brain tumor, is incurable with current therapies. Genetic and molecular analyses demonstrate that glioblastomas frequently display mutations that activate receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and Pi-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways. In Drosophila melanogaster, activation of RTK and PI3K pathways in glial progenitor cells creates malignant neoplastic glial tumors that display many features of human glioblastoma. In both human and Drosophila, activation of the RTK and PI3K pathways stimulates Akt signaling along with other as-yet-unknown changes that drive oncogenesis. We used this Drosophila glioblastoma model to perform a kinome-wide genetic screen for new genes required for RTK- and PI3K-dependent neoplastic transformation. Human orthologs of novel kinases uncovered by these screens were functionally assessed in mammalian glioblastoma models and human tumors. Our results revealed that the atypical kinases RIOK1 and RIOK2 are overexpressed in glioblastoma cells in an Akt-dependent manner. Moreover, we found that overexpressed RIOK2 formed a complex with RIOK1, mTor, and mTor-complex-2 components, and that overexpressed RIOK2 upregulated Akt signaling and promoted tumorigenesis in murine astrocytes. Conversely, reduced expression of RIOK1 or RIOK2 disrupted Akt signaling and caused cell cycle exit, apoptosis, and chemosensitivity in glioblastoma cells by inducing p53 activity through the RpL11-dependent ribosomal stress checkpoint. These results imply that, in glioblastoma cells, constitutive Akt signaling drives RIO kinase overexpression, which creates a feedforward loop that promotes and maintains oncogenic Akt activity through stimulation of mTor signaling. Further study of the RIO kinases as well as other kinases identified in our Drosophila screen may reveal new insights into defects underlying glioblastoma and related cancers and may reveal new therapeutic opportunities for these cancers.

Alpha lipoic acid efficacy in burning mouth syndrome. A controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and determine the statistical significance of the outcome variables. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is defined as an oral burning sensation in the absence of clinical signs which could justify the syndrome. Recent studies suggest the existence of neurological factors as a possible cause of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 patients with BMS, in two groups: case group with 600 mg/day and placebo as control group; with follow up of 2 months. RESULTS: 64% of ALA patients reported some level of improvement, with a level of maintenance of 68.75% one month after treatment. 27.6% of the placebo group also demonstrated some reduction in BMS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term evolution and the intensity of symptoms are variables that reduce the probability of improvement with ALA treatment.

Descriptive study of the patients treated at the clinic "integrated dentistry for patients with special needs" at Complutense University of Madrid (2003-2012).

OBJECTIVES: To study clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients treated at the clinic "Integrated Dentistry for Patients with Special Needs (Special Care Dentistry)" at Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), as well as to know the dental treatments performed in these patients and the modifications from the usual treatment protocol. The information obtained from the results could also be applied in order to assess the needs of dental students education about this type of patients. STUDY DESIGN: Medical records review of all the patients referred to the clinic of "Integrated dentistry for patients with special needs", performing a retrospective cross-sectional study analyzing their main pathology, ASA risk score (Classification system used by the American Society of Anesthesiologists to estimate the risk posed by the anesthesia for various patient conditions), pharmacological treatment, what kind of dental treatment was necessary, whether the patient was treated or not, and if it was required to change any procedure due to the patient health status (sedation or antibiotic prophylaxis). RESULTS: The number of patients referred to the clinic was 447, of whom 426 were included in this study. Out of them, 52,35 % were men and 47,89 were women, with a mean age of 49,20 years. More frequent pathologies were cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases (24,29 %), infectious diseases (12,41%), endocrine diseases (11,66%) and intellectual disability (8,85%). 70'18% of the patients were treated, with with sedation being necessary in 9,03% of the cases and antibiotic prophylaxis in 11,70%. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high number of patients with some kind of pathology and the amount of medicines that they use, it seems necessary for dentistry students to have a specific training regarding how to handle and treat these patients, so they will be able to provide them the best possible care.

Diagnostic criteria in proliferative verrucous leukoplakia: evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the ability of the diagnostic criteria proposed by Cerero et al in 2010 to perform an early diagnose in patients with proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. STUDY DESIGN: retrospective study with patients diagnosed with leukoplakia at Oral Medicine Service at Oral Medicine and Surgery Department at Dentistry Faculty at Universidad Complutense of Madrid. RESULTS: the criteria were applied in 116 patients, turning positive in 40 cases. Out of these, 24 (60%) had been previously diagnosed with PVL. Most frequent criteria were major criteria A and E, concerning lesion's site and histopathology, and minor criteria b and c, concerning sex and smoking habit. CONCLUSIONS: diagnostic criteria developed by Cerero et al can be a useful tool for an early diagnose of PVL, as in 60% of the cases, the criteria would have allowed to make an early diagnose of the disease.

Advances in Nanomaterials and Composites Based on Mesoporous Materials as Antimicrobial Agents: Relevant Applications in Human Health.

Nanotechnology has emerged as a cornerstone in contemporary research, marked by the advent of advanced technologies aimed at nanoengineering materials with diverse applications, particularly to address challenges in human health. Among these challenges, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has risen as a significant and pressing threat to public health, creating obstacles in preventing and treating persistent diseases. Despite efforts in recent decades to combat AMR, global trends indicate an ongoing and concerning increase in AMR. The primary contributors to the escalation of AMR are the misuse and overuse of various antimicrobial agents in healthcare settings. This has led to severe consequences not only in terms of compromised treatment outcomes but also in terms of substantial financial burdens. The economic impact of AMR is reflected in skyrocketing healthcare costs attributed to heightened hospital admissions and increased drug usage. To address this critical issue, it is imperative to implement effective strategies for antimicrobial therapies. This comprehensive review will explore the latest scientific breakthroughs within the metal-organic frameworks and the use of mesoporous metallic oxide derivates as antimicrobial agents. We will explore their biomedical applications in human health, shedding light on promising avenues for combating AMR. Finally, we will conclude the current state of research and offer perspectives on the future development of these nanomaterials in the ongoing battle against AMR.

Role of Renal Venous Oxygen Pressure for Renal Function Monitoring After Related Living-Donor Kidney Transplantation: Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring of renal function after kidney transplantation (KT) is performed by measuring serum creatinine (SCr), urine volumes (UV), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Other methods based on oxygen metabolism, such as the renal venous oxygen pressure (PrvO2), may be useful. The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between PrvO2 and SCr, UV, and GFR 5 days after KT (SCr5, UV5, and GFR5, respectively). METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in adults scheduled for living donor KT. A venous blood sample was taken from the renal vein after declamping the renal artery, and blood gas determinations were made. Correlation analyses between PrvO2 and SCr5, UV5, and GFR5 were done by calculating Spearman's correlation coefficient with generalized linear models (GLM). A Spearman's correlation analysis was performed between the percentage decrease in SCr (%ΔSCr) and PrvO2. A GLM was also performed to determine the association of PrvO2 with slow graft function (SGF). RESULTS: The study included 42 patients, of whom 67% were men. The median age was 31 years (IQR, 27-43.5). PrvO2 was negatively correlated with SCr5 (ρ = -0.53, P = .003), and positively correlated with GFR5 (ρ = 0.49, P = .001) and %ΔSCr (ρ = 0.47, P = .002). A higher PrvO2 was associated with an increase in GFR in univariable (ß = 1.24, 95% CI, 0.56-1.93, P = .001) and multivariable (ß = 1.24, 95% CI, 0.53-1.94, P = .001) analyses. No association was found between PrvO2 and SGF. CONCLUSION: PrvO2 could be used to monitor renal function in the first 5 days after related living-donor KT, given its good correlation with SCr and GFR.

Simulation for training in oral cancer biopsy: a surgical model and feedback from GDPs.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a new bench model for oral precancer/cancer biopsy training and to assess its effectiveness in terms of trainees' perception. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive, performed on 424 general dental practitioners (GDP) who undertook biopsies on a pig tongue. The participants were assessed by direct observation for 2.5 hours using specific check-lists and by means of a self-applied questionnaire. RESULTS: The workshop was perceived as "very interesting" even by those with previous surgical experience (Xi - Xj = 0.07; 95%CI= -0.20-0.09). Most GDPs considered themselves able to undertake oral biopsies on real patients after the workshop. Those who had previously received theoretical continuous education courses on oral biopsy scored higher values within the group (Xi - Xj = 0.20; 95%CI= 0.04-0.37). CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for including clinical abilities workshops when instructing on oral biopsy techniques. More studies are needed to validate the procedure and to address cognitive and communication skills.

Relationship between steroid use and superinfections in SARS-CoV-2 patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The use of steroids has been proposed as a pharmacological approach to treat the SARS-CoV-2 infection to improve outcomes. However, there are doubts about safety against the development of superinfections and their worse outcomes. Objective: To establish the relative frequency of superinfection associated with using steroids in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis using PRISMA standards in 5 databases (PubMed/Scopus/Cochrane/EMBASE/Google Scholar). The search was carried out between February 2020 and May 2023. The search terms were 'steroids' or 'superinfection' 'and' followed by 'SARS-CoV-2' or 'COVID-19'. Results: We found 77 studies, but only 10 with 3539 patients were included in the systematic review. All patients developed severe disease. The documented OR for superinfection through the meta-analysis was 1.437 (95% IC 0.869-2.378) with a p-value of 0.158 without showing a risk attributed to steroids and the development of superinfections. In the Funnel-plot analysis, no publication biases were found. Conclusion: No relationship was found between using steroids and superinfection in patients with SARS-CoV-2.

Sunlight-Driven Photocatalysis for a Set of 3D Metal-Porphyrin Frameworks Based on a Planar Tetracarboxylic Ligand and Lanthanide Ions.

Metal-porphyrin frameworks (MPFs) with trivalent lanthanide ions are the most sought-after materials in the past decade. Their porosities are usually complemented by optical properties imparted by the metal nodes, making them attractive multifunctional materials. Here, we report a novel family of 3D MPFs obtained through solvothermal reactions between tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (H4TCPP) and different lanthanide sources, yielding an isostructural family of compounds along the lanthanide series: [Ln2(DMF)(TCPP)1.5] for Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Pr, Er, Y, Tb, Dy, Sm, Eu, Gd, and Tm. Photoluminescent properties of selected phases were explored at room temperature. Also, the photocatalytic performance exhibited by these compounds under sunlight exposure is promising for its implementation in organic pollutant degradation. In order to study the photocatalytic activity of Ln-TCPPs in an aqueous medium, methylene blue (MB) was used as a contaminant model. The efficiency for MB degradation was Sm > Y > Yb > Gd > Er > Eu > either no catalyst or no light, obtaining more than 70% degradation at 120 min with Sm-TCPP. These results open the possibility of using these compounds in optical and optoelectronic devices for water remediation and sensing.

Microfluidic amperometric immunosensor based on porous nanomaterial towards claudin7 determination for colorectal cancer diagnosis.

In this work, we present a microfluidic amperometric immunosensor for cancer biomarker claudin7 (CLD7) determination in circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) as well as its validation in colorectal cancer (CC) patients. The device is based on synthetized nanosized MIL-125-NH2 particles, covalently anchored to the central channel of the microfluidic immunosensor. This nanomaterial was employed as efficient platform for anti-CLD7 monoclonal antibodies immobilization for specifically recognize and capture CLD7 in EVs samples. Afterwards, the amount of this trapped CLD7 was quantified by HRP-conjugated anti-CLD7-antibody. HRP reacted with its enzymatic substrate in a redox process which resulted in the appearance of a current whose magnitude was directly proportional to the level of CLD7 in the sample. This immunosensor, under optimum conditions, gave the limit of detection for CLD7 of 0.1 pg mL-1, with a wide linear range from 2 to 1000 pg mL-1. The results reported herein open up the use of porous open framework platforms for sensing applications for biomedicine and diagnosis.

Impact of the lockdown by the COVID-19 pandemic on suicidal trend in the Colombian Coffee Region.

Suicide is considered a Public Health issue. In 2019 the Colombian suicide rate was 5.8 per-100.000 inhabitant. Likewise, the Colombian Coffee Region has doubled the national average on these rates. On the other hand, the Pandemic COVID 19 socio-economic consequences are aggravating the risk factors that we've known about suicide. Objective: To evaluate the suicidal trend in the population of the Colombian Coffee Region during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare it with a non-pandemic period. Methods: The data were taken from the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Science for the suicidal events during the 2016-2020 period in the Colombian Coffee Region, and the Montecarlo Regression was applied using the JoinPoint Regression Program. Results: We found 1022 cases, most of them were men. The mean age was 34 years. The most used method was hanging in both sexes. Half of them had at least a high school degree. Half of the suicides were committed by single people. One-third of the cases had a previous mental illness. There are significant differences in the suicidal trend between the lockdown period and the non-lockdown period with a P value < 0.05. Conclusions: We found most suicidal cases between older men and an inversely proportional relationship between education and suicidal rate. Is interesting that the most applied method for suicide for both sexes was hanging. The suicidal trend was increasing until 2020, although in the lockdown we found a decrease. In the post-lockdown period for men was a posterior increase and for women the trend has a continued decrease.