Uric acid and acute kidney injury in high-risk patients for developing acute kidney injury undergoing cardiac surgery: A prospective multicenter study.

PURPOSE: It is unclear whether preoperative serum uric acid (SUA) elevation may play a role in the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with cardiac surgery (CSA-AKI). We conducted a cohort study to evaluate the influence of preoperative hyperuricemia on AKI in patients at high risk for developing SC-AKI. DESIGN: Multicenter prospective international cohort study. SETTING: Fourteen university hospitals in Spain and the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: We studied 261 consecutive patients at high risk of developing CSA-AKI, according to a Cleveland score ≥ 4 points, from July to December 2017. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: AKIN criteria were used for the definition of AKI. Multivariable logistic regression models and propensity score-matched pairwise analysis were used to determine the adjusted association between preoperative hyperuricemia (≥7 mg/dL) and AKI. Elevated preoperative AUS (≥7 mg/dL) was present in 190 patients (72.8%), whereas CSA-AKI occurred in 145 patients (55.5%). In multivariable logistic regression models, hyperuricemia was not associated with a significantly increased risk of AKI (adjusted Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81-3; P = .17). In propensity score-matched analysis of 140 patients, the hyperuricemia group experienced similar adjusted odds of AKI (OR 1.05, 95%CI 0.93-1.19, P = .37). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperuricemia was not associated with an increased risk of AKI in this cohort of patients undergoing cardiac surgery at high risk of developing CSA-AKI.

External validation of Fetal Medicine Foundation competing-risks model for midgestation prediction of small-for-gestational-age neonates in Spanish population.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the external validity of the new Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) competing-risks model for prediction in midgestation of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates. METHODS: This was a single-center prospective cohort study of 25 484 women with a singleton pregnancy undergoing routine ultrasound examination at 19 + 0 to 23 + 6 weeks' gestation. The FMF competing-risks model for the prediction of SGA combining maternal factors and midgestation estimated fetal weight by ultrasound scan (EFW) and uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI) was used to calculate risks for different cut-offs of birth-weight percentile and gestational age at delivery. The predictive performance was evaluated in terms of discrimination and calibration. RESULTS: The validation cohort was significantly different in composition compared with the FMF cohort in which the model was developed. In the validation cohort, at a 10% false-positive rate (FPR), maternal factors, EFW and UtA-PI yielded detection rates of 69.6%, 38.7% and 31.7% for SGA < 10th percentile with delivery at < 32, < 37 and ≥ 37 weeks' gestation, respectively. The respective values for SGA < 3rd percentile were 75.7%, 48.2% and 38.1%. Detection rates in the validation cohort were similar to those reported in the FMF study for SGA with delivery at < 32 weeks but lower for SGA with delivery at < 37 and ≥ 37 weeks. Predictive performance in the validation cohort was similar to that reported in a subgroup of the FMF cohort consisting of nulliparous and Caucasian women. Detection rates in the validation cohort at a 15% FPR were 77.4%, 50.0% and 41.5% for SGA < 10th percentile with delivery at < 32, < 37 and ≥ 37 weeks, respectively, which were similar to the respective values reported in the FMF study at a 10% FPR. The model had satisfactory calibration. CONCLUSION: The new competing-risks model for midgestation prediction of SGA developed by the FMF performs well in a large independent Spanish population. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Atypical Magnetic Behavior in the Incommensurate (CH3NH3)[Ni(HCOO)3] Hybrid Perovskite.

A plethora of temperature-induced phase transitions have been observed in (CH3NH3)[M(HCOO)3] compounds, where M is Co(II) or Ni(II). Among them, the nickel compound exhibits a combination of magnetic and nuclear incommensurability below Néel temperature. Despite the fact that the zero-field behavior has been previously addressed, here we study in depth the macroscopic magnetic behavior of this compound to unveil the origin of the atypical magnetic response found in it and in its parent family of formate perovskites. In particular, they show a puzzling magnetization reversal in the curves measured starting from low temperatures, after cooling under zero field. The first atypical phenomenon is the impossibility of reaching zero magnetization, even by nullifying the applied external field and even compensating it for the influence of the Earth's magnetic field. Relatively large magnetic fields are needed to switch the magnetization from negative to positive values or vice versa, which is compatible with a soft ferromagnetic system. The atypical path found in its first magnetization curve and hysteresis loop at low temperatures is the most noticeable feature. The magnetization curve switches from more than 1200 Oe from the first magnetization loop to the subsequent magnetization loops. A feature that cannot be explained using a model based on unbalanced pair of domains. As a result, we decipher this behavior in light of the incommensurate structure of this material. We propose, in particular, that the applied magnetic field induces a magnetic phase transition from a magnetically incommensurate structure to a magnetically modulated collinear structure.

Causes of low vision in children: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the ocular pathologies that are reported as causes of low vision in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The systematic search was carried out in Medline (PubMed), Embase and Lilacs. Observational studies with populations between 0-18 years of age, reporting visual acuity data between 20/60-20/400 and reporting the frequency of ocular pathologies were selected. Studies in which the diagnosis of the condition had not been verified by a professional, or which covered only cases of blindness, uncorrected refractive errors, or amblyopia, were excluded. The methodological quality of the articles was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute instrument for prevalence studies. RESULTS: 27 studies conducted in Asia (13 publications), Africa (6 studies), Oceania (4 studies), Europe and South America (2 studies each) were included. The most reported causes of low vision were: cataract, with prevalence between 0.8% and 27.2%; albinism with from 1.1% to 47%; nystagmus, with prevalence between 1.3% and 22%; retinal dystrophies between 3.5% and 50%; retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with prevalence between 1.1% and 65.8%, optic atrophy between 0.2% and 17.6%, and glaucoma from 2.4% to 18.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract, albinism and nystagmus are the ocular pathologies most mentioned by studies as a cause of low vision in children, as well as retinal diseases such as ROP and optic nerve diseases such as atrophy. However, there are numerous eye conditions that can result in low vision in the pediatric population.

Biological behavior of familial papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: Spanish multicenter study.

PURPOSE: Familial papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (FPTMC) can present a more aggressive behavior than the sporadic microcarcinoma. However, few studies have analyzed this situation. The objective is to analyze the recurrence rate of FPTMC and the prognostic factors which determine that recurrence in Spain. METHODS: Spanish multicenter longitudinal analytical observational study was conducted. Patients with FPTMC received treatment with curative intent and presented cure criteria 6 months after treatment. Recurrence rate and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed. Two groups were analyzed: group A (no tumor recurrence) vs. group B (tumor recurrence). RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were analyzed. During a mean follow-up of 73.3 ± 59.3 months, 13 recurrences of FPTMC (13.83%) were detected and mean DFS was 207.9 ± 11.5 months. There were multifocality in 56%, bilateral thyroid involvement in 30%, and vascular invasion in 7.5%; that is to say, they are tumors with histological factors of poor prognosis in a high percentage of cases. The main risk factors for recurrence obtained in the multivariate analysis were the tumor size (OR: 2.574, 95% CI 1.210-5.473; p = 0.014) and the assessment of the risk of recurrence of the American Thyroid Association (ATA), both intermediate risk versus low risk (OR: 125, 95% CI 10.638-1000; p < 0.001) and high risk versus low risk (OR: 45.454, 95% CI 5.405-333.333; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: FPTMC has a recurrence rate higher than sporadic cases. Poor prognosis is mainly associated with the tumor size and the risk of recurrence of the ATA.

A compact x-ray diffraction system for dynamic compression experiments on pulsed-power generators.

Pulsed-power generators can produce well-controlled continuous ramp compression of condensed matter for high-pressure equation-of-state studies using the magnetic loading technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data from dynamically compressed samples provide direct measurements of the elastic compression of the crystal lattice, onset of plastic flow, strength-strain rate dependence, structural phase transitions, and density of crystal defects, such as dislocations. Here, we present a cost-effective, compact, pulsed x-ray source for XRD measurements on pulsed-power-driven ramp-loaded samples. This combination of magnetically driven ramp compression of materials with a single, short-pulse XRD diagnostic will be a powerful capability for the dynamic materials' community to investigate in situ dynamic phase transitions critical to equation of states. We present results using this new diagnostic to evaluate lattice compression in Zr and Al and to capture signatures of phase transitions in CdS.

Evidence of decoupling of surface and bulk states in Dirac semimetal Cd3As2.

Dirac semimetals have attracted a great deal of current interests due to their potential applications in topological quantum computing, low-energy electronic devices, and single photon detection in the microwave frequency range. Herein are results from analyzing the low magnetic (B) field weak-antilocalization behaviors in a Dirac semimetal Cd3As2thin flake device. At high temperatures, the phase coherence lengthlϕfirst increases with decreasing temperature (T) and follows a power law dependence oflϕ∝T-0.4. Below âˆ¼3 K,lϕtends to saturate to a value of âˆ¼180 nm. Another fitting parameterα, which is associated with independent transport channels, displays a logarithmic temperature dependence forT > 3 K, but also tends to saturate below âˆ¼3 K. The saturation value, âˆ¼1.45, is very close to 1.5, indicating three independent electron transport channels, which we interpret as due to decoupling of both the top and bottom surfaces as well as the bulk. This result, to our knowledge, provides first evidence that the surfaces and bulk states can become decoupled in electronic transport in Dirac semimetal Cd3As2.

Plasma levels of efavirenz and frequency of the CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism in people living with HIV-1 in Mexico.

Efavirenz (EFV) is a widely used antiretroviral, due to its safety, efficacy, and low cost. However, plasma concentrations have been related with an increased risk of virological failure and the appearance of serious adverse reactions. EFV is metabolized by Cytochrome P450, the main isoenzyme involved is CYP2B6 and the most relevant genetic polymorphisms found in several populations has been the CYP2B6 516G> T. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of the CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism and its effect on the plasma concentration of efavirenz (EFV) in a group of people living with HIV (PLWH) and undergoing EFV treatment in Morelos, Mexico. Ninety-six PLWH undergoing EFV treatment, at a daily dose of 600 mg orally in combination with other antiretrovirals (ARVs), were included in this study. The CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism was detected using PCR-RFLP. The plasma concentrations of EFV were evaluated by high-resolution liquid chromatography coupled to a mass-mass detector, using a protein precipitation method. The median plasma EFV concentration was 4.6 µg/mL (IQR = 4.64) and 64.6% of the subjects had concentrations above the therapeutic range. The CYP2B6 516G>T genotype findings were as follows: 46.9% of the population presented the wild-type genotype (GG), while 45.8 % and 7.3 % showed the heterozygote (GT) and the polymorphic homozygote (TT) genotype, respectively. The homozygote G had the lowest plasma concentrations of EFV (median = 4.1 µg/mL and IQR = 1.7 µg/mL), followed by those with the GT genotype (median = 5.1 µg/mL and IQR = 3.0 µg/mL). Participants with the homozygous T genotype had the highest EFV concentrations (median = 9.7 µg/mL and IQR = 5.8 µg/mL). In conclusion, the CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism was associated with plasma levels of EFV in PLWH undergoing ARV treatment. EFV plasma concentrations at 600mg doses were outside the therapeutic range in most subjects.

Study of the glial cytoarchitecture of the developing olfactory bulb of a shark using immunochemical markers of radial glia.

During development of the olfactory bulb (OB), glial cells play key roles in axonal guiding/targeting, glomerular formation and synaptic plasticity. Studies in mammals have shown that radial glial cells and peripheral olfactory glia (olfactory ensheathing cells, OECs) are involved in the development of the OB. Most studies about the OB glia were carried out in mammals, but data are lacking in most non-mammalian vertebrates. In the present work, we studied the development of the OB glial system in the cartilaginous fish Scyliorhinus canicula (catshark) using antibodies against glial markers, such as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), brain lipid-binding protein (BLBP), and glutamine synthase (GS). These glial markers were expressed in cells with radial morphology lining the OB ventricle of embryos and this expression continues in ependymal cells (tanycytes) in early juveniles. Astrocyte-like cells were also observed in the granular layer and surrounding glomeruli. Numerous GS-positive cells were present in the primary olfactory pathway of embryos. In the developmental stages analysed, the olfactory nerve layer and the glomerular layer were the regions with higher GFAP, BLBP and GS immuno-reactivity. In addition, numerous BLBP-expressing cells (a marker of mammalian OECs) showing proliferative activity were present in the olfactory nerve layer. Our findings suggest that glial cells of peripheral and central origin coexist in the OB of catshark embryos and early juveniles. These results open the path for future studies about the differential roles of glial cells in the catshark OB during embryonic development and in adulthood.

Antimony distribution and mobility in different types of waste derived from the exploitation of stibnite ore deposits.

Wastes derived from the exploitation of stibnite ore deposits were studied to determine their mineralogical, chemical, and environmental characteristics and establish the Sb distribution and the current and long-term risks of Sb mobilization. Representative samples of mine waste rocks, mine tailings, and smelting waste were studied by X-ray powder diffraction, polarized light microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, and digestion, leaching, and extraction procedures. The main Sb-bearing minerals and phases identified in the smelting waste were natrojarosite, iron (oxyhydr)oxides, mixtures of iron and antimony (oxyhydr)oxides, and tripuhyite; those in the mine tailings and mine waste rocks were iron (oxyhydr)oxides and/or mixtures of iron and antimony (oxyhydr)oxides. Iron (oxyhydr)oxides and natrojarosite had high Sb contents, with maximum values of 16.51 and 9.63 wt% Sb2O5, respectively. All three types of waste were characterized as toxic; the mine waste rocks and mine tailings would require pretreatment to decrease their leachable Sb content before they would be acceptable at hazardous waste landfills. Relatively little of the Sb was in desorbable forms, which accounted for <0.01 and <0.8% of the total Sb content in the smelting waste and mine waste rocks/mine tailings, respectively. Under reducing conditions, further Sb mobilization from mine waste rocks and mine tailings could occur (up to 4.6 and 3.3% of the total content, respectively), considerably increasing the risk that Sb will be introduced into the surroundings. Although the smelting waste had the highest total Sb content, it showed the lowest risk of Sb release under different environmental conditions. The significant Fe levels in the smelting waste facilitated the formation of various Fe compounds that greatly decreased the Sb mobilization from these wastes.

Comparison of ELISA using recombinant LipL32 and sonicated antigen of leptospira for detecting bovine leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is one of the most widely distributed zoonosis in the world. Bovine leptospirosis is a serious problem in bovine production, causing reproductive losses. The aim of this work was to compare recombinant LipL32 with sonicated antigen for detecting anti-Leptospira IgG antibodies in bovine serum using ELISA. The Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) is used as the gold standard. Sonicated antigen from cultures of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar copenhageni (strain M20) was used for the eELISA and rLipL32 for the rELISA. The performance of these assays was evaluated using serum samples from 166 bovines, 69 MAT positive and 97 MAT negative. At the optimal cut-off point recommended by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the sensitivity and specificity values were 98.6% and 97.9%, respectively, for eELISA, and 85.5% and 86.6% respectively, for rELISA. The value for the area under the ROC curve was 0.998 (0.994-1.0) (CI 95%) for eELISA and 0.929 (0.891-0.968) (CI 95%) for rELISA. The ROC curves for rLipL32 and sonicated antigen showed statistically significant differences (z = -3.826; p = 0.000). A three-way comparison showed statistically significant differences in the sensitivity and specificity of rELISA and eELISA. Our results showed that eELISA was more specific and sensitive than rELISA. The difference in performance (eELISA-rELISA) was 13.4% (4.03-23.28) (CI 95%) for sensitivity and 11.34 % (4.07-19.56) (CI 95%) for specificity. Our results show that the eELISA has a better diagnostic performance than rELISA for the detection of anti-Leptospira IgG antibodies in bovine serum.

Reconfigurable artificial microswimmers with internal feedback.

Self-propelling microparticles are often proposed as synthetic models for biological microswimmers, yet they lack the internally regulated adaptation of their biological counterparts. Conversely, adaptation can be encoded in larger-scale soft-robotic devices but remains elusive to transfer to the colloidal scale. Here, we create responsive microswimmers, powered by electro-hydrodynamic flows, which can adapt their motility via internal reconfiguration. Using sequential capillary assembly, we fabricate deterministic colloidal clusters comprising soft thermo-responsive microgels and light-absorbing particles. Light absorption induces preferential local heating and triggers the volume phase transition of the microgels, leading to an adaptation of the clusters' motility, which is orthogonal to their propulsion scheme. We rationalize this response via the coupling between self-propulsion and variations of particle shape and dielectric properties upon heating. Harnessing such coupling allows for strategies to achieve local dynamical control with simple illumination patterns, revealing exciting opportunities for developing tactic active materials.

Experiencias docentes en el cambio curricular vivido en la carrera de enfermería de la FES, Iztacala / Teaching experiences in the curricular change experienced in the nursing career of the FES Iztacala

Introducción: la calidad educativa en las IES (Instituciones de Educación Superior) ha sido avalada por procesos de evaluación y acreditación a nivel institucional y curricular, llevando a cabo un proceso de mejora continua, mediante recomendaciones sugeridas por los evaluadores, lo anterior garantizará la calidad institucional ante la formación de futuros profesionales. Objetivo: analizar las experiencias del profesorado de la carrera de enfermería de la Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, sobre el cambio curricular vivido. Material y métodos: estudio cualitativo con enfoque fenomenológico, mediante entrevista a profundidad a doce profesores de enfermería. Muestreo por conveniencia de acuerdo a la saturación de datos. En aspectos éticos y legales, se realizó carta de consentimiento informado. El análisis de datos fue basado en Miles y Huberman, con abordaje teórico según Van Manen. Resultados: surgieron dos categorías: 1. Sentimientos y afectaciones emocionales respecto al cambio curricular y laborales; 2. impacto del cambio curricular en los aprendizajes de los estudiantes, las cuales evidenciaron cómo el profesorado ha vivido los cambios curriculares en los 17 años desde que fue implementada la licenciatura. Conclusiones: los informantes narraron que en cada cambio curricular surgen emociones diferentes, entre incertidumbre, compromiso, responsabilidad y asumir empoderamiento para implementar la curricula, con ello, lograr los objetivos esperados por la misma, considerando perfil de egreso y rendimiento académico de los estudiantes.

Introduction: the educational quality at the higher level in schools and faculties has been endorsed by evaluation and accreditation processes at the institutional and curricular level, carrying out an improvement process, through the recommendations suggested by the evaluators, thus covering them in a certain time. The foregoing will guarantee the institutional quality before the training of future professionals. Objective: to analyze experiences of the teaching staff of the nursing career of the Iztacala Faculty of Higher Studies, on the curricular change experienced. Material and methods: Qualitative study with a phenomenological approach, through an in-depth interview with twelve nursing professors. Convenience sampling according to data saturation. In ethical and legal aspects, an informed consent letter was drawn up. The data analysis was through Miles and Huberman, with a theoretical approach based on Van Manen. Results: two categories emerged: 1. Feelings and emotional affectations regarding the curricular and work change; 2. impact of curricular change on student learning, which showed how teachers have experienced curricular changes in the 17 years since the degree was implemented. Conclusions: the informants narrated that in each curricular change different emotions arise, between uncertainty, commitment, responsibility and assuming empowerment to implement the curriculum, thereby achieving the objectives expected by it, considering the graduation profile and the academic performance of the students.

Impact of an intervention for reducing waste through educational strategy: A Mexican case study, what works, and why?

Generation and inadequate management of solid waste constitute a global challenge. Projections for 2050 portend an annual increase of 3.40 billion tons of waste. This study assessed the impact of an environmental education intervention (EEI) aimed at reducing waste generation and fomenting pro-environmental behaviors in an academic public-health institution in Mexico. The EEI was implemented over 20 months using a model of behavior change. Using a mixed-method design (QUAN + qual), baseline and follow-up measurements were performed through electronic questionnaires (n = 754), focus groups (n = 20), and waste quantification. A double-difference model was performed to measure pro-environmental behaviors impact: overall and by sex, age, educational level and function within the institution. Waste quantification was performed using a quartering method and weekly monitoring. The qualitative data were studied through thematic analysis. As a result of the EEI, women reduced their use of multilayer packaging (-15.6 pp, p < 0.05) and frequent use of non-ecological materials (-17.6 pp, p < 0.05). Graduate-level participants reduced their regular and frequent use of these materials (-33.3 pp, p < 0.05, 27.6 pp, p < 0.01), while those with lower educational levels increased their ecological behavior at home (12.1 pp, p < 0.05). Waste generation dropped by 60.1% vis-a-vis the baseline measurement. Our qualitative findings showed a relationship between holding a position of power in the institution and recycling. They also revealed that available infrastructure for separating waste contributed substantially to the observed impact. With actions centered on physical structure, community practice and institutional policy components, the EEI improved the pro-environmental behaviors and perceptions of participants.

Influence of Polysaccharides' Molecular Structure on the Antibacterial Activity and Cytotoxicity of Green Synthesized Composites Based on Silver Nanoparticles and Carboxymethyl-Cellulose.

In this paper we report on the influence of polysaccharides' molecular structure on the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of composites based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) immobilized into carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC). These composites were green synthesized from the reduction of silver ions into aqueous solutions of the polysaccharide, using CMC with different degree of substitution (DS) and molecular weight (Mw). The composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as well as infrared (ATR-FTIR), ultraviolet (UV-Vis), Raman, and X-ray photo-electron (XPS) spectroscopic techniques. The antibacterial activity was evaluated with minimum inhibitory concentration against Enterococcus faecalis. The cytotoxicity of composites was assessed against human gingival fibroblast. Experimental evidence suggests that particle size distribution and morphology of AgNPs change according to the quantity of silver precursor added to the reaction, as well as the DS and Mw of CMC used for composites preparation. This is related to the dispersion of silver precursor into aqueous solutions of the polysaccharide and the formation of Ag-O coordination bonds among AgNPs and COO- moieties of CMC. Moreover, these coordination bonds modify the ability of nanoparticles to produce and release Ag+ into aqueous dispersion, adjusting their antibacterial activity and the induction of cytotoxicity into the tested biological environments.