Apricot Seed Shells and Walnut Shells as Unconventional Sugars and Lignin Sources.

The present study focuses on using apricot seeds shells and walnut shells as a potential renewable material for biorefinery in Ukraine. The goal of the research work was to determine the relationship between the chemical composition of solid residues from biomass after acid pretreatment with H2SO4, alkaline pretreatment with NaOH, and a steam explosion pretreatment and the recovery of sugars and lignin after further enzymatic hydrolysis with the application of an industrial cellulase Cellic CTec2. Apricot seeds shells and walnut shells consist of lots of cellulose (35.01 and 24.19%, respectively), lignin (44.55% and 44.63%, respectively), hemicelluloses (10.77% and 26.68%, respectively), and extractives (9.97% and 11.41%, respectively), which affect the efficiency of the bioconversion of polysaccharides to sugars. The alkaline pretreatment was found to be more efficient in terms of glucose yield in comparison with that of acid and steam explosion, and the maximum enzymatic conversions of cellulose reached were 99.7% and 94.6% for the solids from the apricot seeds shells and the walnut shells, respectively. The maximum amount of lignin (82%) in the residual solid was obtained during the processing of apricot seed shells submitted to the acid pretreatment. The amount of lignin in the solids interferes with the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis. The results pave the way for the efficient and perspective utilization of shells through the use of inexpensive, simple and affordable chemical technologies, obtaining value-added products, and thus, reducing the amount of environmental pollution (compared to the usual disposal practice of direct burning) and energy and material external dependency (by taking advantage of these renewable, low-cost materials).

Incomplete penetrance for isolated congenital asplenia in humans with mutations in translated and untranslated RPSA exons.

Isolated congenital asplenia (ICA) is the only known human developmental defect exclusively affecting a lymphoid organ. In 2013, we showed that private deleterious mutations in the protein-coding region of RPSA, encoding ribosomal protein SA, caused ICA by haploinsufficiency with complete penetrance. We reported seven heterozygous protein-coding mutations in 8 of the 23 kindreds studied, including 6 of the 8 multiplex kindreds. We have since enrolled 33 new kindreds, 5 of which are multiplex. We describe here 11 new heterozygous ICA-causing RPSA protein-coding mutations, and the first two mutations in the 5'-UTR of this gene, which disrupt mRNA splicing. Overall, 40 of the 73 ICA patients (55%) and 23 of the 56 kindreds (41%) carry mutations located in translated or untranslated exons of RPSA. Eleven of the 43 kindreds affected by sporadic disease (26%) carry RPSA mutations, whereas 12 of the 13 multiplex kindreds (92%) carry RPSA mutations. We also report that 6 of 18 (33%) protein-coding mutations and the two (100%) 5'-UTR mutations display incomplete penetrance. Three mutations were identified in two independent kindreds, due to a hotspot or a founder effect. Finally, RPSA ICA-causing mutations were demonstrated to be de novo in 7 of the 23 probands. Mutations in RPSA exons can affect the translated or untranslated regions and can underlie ICA with complete or incomplete penetrance.

Two-tailed asymptotic inferences for the odds ratio in cross-sectional studies: evaluation of fifteen old and new methods of inference.

Various asymptotic methods of obtaining a confidence interval (CI) for the odds ratio (OR) have been proposed. Surprisingly, insofar as we know, the behavior of these methods has not been evaluated for data proceeding from a cross-sectional study (multinomial sampling), but only for data that originate in a prospective or retrospective study (two independent binomials sampling). The paper evaluates 15 different methods (10 classic ones and 5 new ones). Because the CI is obtained by inversion in θ of the two-tailed test for H0(θ): OR =[Formula: see text] (null hypothesis), this paper evaluates the tests for various values of θ, more than the CIs that are obtained. The following statements are valid only for the two-tailed inferences based on 20 ≤ n ≤ 200 and 0.05≤ OR≤20, since these are the limitations of the study. The two best methods are the classic Cornfield chi-squared method for 0.2≤ OR≤5 and, in other cases, the new method of Sterne for chi-squared; but the adjusted likelihood ratio method is a good alternative to the two previous methods, especially to the first when the sample size is large. The three methods require iterative calculations to obtain the CI. If one is looking for methods that are simple to apply (that is, ones that admit a simple, explicit solution), the best option is the Gart logit method for 1/3≤ OR≤3 and, if in other cases, the Agresti logit method. The Cornfield chi-squared and Gart logit methods should not be used outside the specified interval OR. The paper also selects the best methods for realizing the classic independence test (θ = 1).

Optimization with Response Surface Methodology of Microwave-Assisted Conversion of Xylose to Furfural.

The production of furfural from renewable sources, such as lignocellulosic biomass, has gained great interest within the concept of biorefineries. In lignocellulosic materials, xylose is the most abundant pentose, which forms the hemicellulosic part. One of the key steps in the production of furfural from biomass is the dehydration reaction of the pentoses. The objective of this work was to assess the conditions under which the concentration of furfural is maximized from a synthetic, monophasic, and homogeneous xylose medium. The experiments were carried out in a microwave reactor. FeCl3 in different proportions and sulfuric acid were used as catalysts. A two-level, three-factor experimental design was developed for this purpose. The results were further analyzed through a second experimental design and optimization was performed by response surface methodology. The best operational conditions for the highest furfural yield (57%) turned out to be 210 °C, 0.5 min, and 0.05 M FeCl3.

Simulation and Techno-Economical Evaluation of a Microalgal Biofertilizer Production Process.

Due to population growth in the coming years, an increase in agricultural production will soon be mandatory, thus requiring fertilizers that are more environmentally sustainable than the currently most-consumed fertilizers since these are important contributors to climate change and water pollution. The objective of this work is the techno-economic evaluation of the production of biofertilizer concentrated in free amino acids from microalgal biomass produced in a wastewater treatment plant, to determine its economic viability. A process proposal has been made in six stages that have been modelled and simulated with the ASPEN Plus simulator. A profitability analysis has been carried out using a Box-Behnken-type response surface statistical design with three factors-the cost of the biomass sludge, the cost of the enzymes, and the sale price of the biofertilizer. It was found that the most influential factor in profitability is the sale price of the biofertilizer. According to a proposed representative base case, in which the cost of the biomass sludge is set to 0.5 EUR/kg, the cost of the enzymes to 20.0 EUR/kg, and the sale price of the biofertilizer to 3.5 EUR/kg, which are reasonable costs, it is concluded that the production of the biofertilizer would be economically viable.

Pediatric allergy and immunology in Spain.

The data of the ISAAC project in Spain show a prevalence of childhood asthma ranging from 7.1% to 15.3%, with regional differences; a higher prevalence, 22.6% to 35.8%, is described for rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis is found in 4.1% to 7.6% of children. The prevalence of food allergy is 3%. All children in Spain have the right to be visited in the National Health System. The medical care at the primary level is provided by pediatricians, who have obtained their titles through a 4-yr medical residency training program. The education on pediatric allergy during that period is not compulsory and thus very variable. There are currently 112 certified European pediatric allergists in Spain, who have obtained the accreditation of the European Union of Medical Specialist for proven skills and experience in pediatric allergy. Future specialists in pediatric allergy should obtain their titles through a specific education program to be developed in one of the four accredited training units on pediatric allergy, after obtaining the title on pediatrics. The Spanish Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology (SEICAP) gathers over 350 pediatric allergists and pediatricians working in this field. SEICAP has a growing activity including yearly congresses, continued education courses, elaboration of technical clinical documents and protocols, education of patients, and collaboration with other scientific societies and associations of patients. The official journal of SEICAP is Allergologia et Immunophatologia, published every 2 months since 1972. The web site of SEICAP, http://www.seicap.es, open since 2004, offers information for professionals and extensive information on pediatric allergic and immunologic disorders for the lay public; the web site is receiving 750 daily visits during 2011. The pediatric allergy units are very active in clinical work, procedures as immunotherapy or induction of oral tolerance in food allergy, contribution to scientific literature, and collaboration in international projects.

Caracterización de la vida sexual de adultos mayores de un área de salud

Fundamento: la sexualidad en el anciano es un factor esencial en el mantenimiento de su calidad de vida. Objetivo: caracterizar la vida sexual de adultos mayores de un área de salud. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo y trasversal en el consultorio 163 del Policlínico Universitario Raúl Sánchez, de Pinar del Río en el periodo comprendido entre septiembre del 2020 y septiembre del 2021. El universo de trabajo estuvo integrado por 104 adultos mayores y la muestra por 72 ancianos, seleccionados mediante muestreo intencional por criterios. El instrumento utilizado fue la entrevista; los datos obtenidos fueron llevados a una encuesta que con preguntas cerradas fue aplicado personalmente a cada uno de los integrantes del estudio. Se analizaron las siguientes variables: sexo, estado civil, escolaridad, vida sexual, técnicas sexuales preferidas, funcionamiento sexual, causas que impiden la realización del acto sexual, enfermedades asociadas y consumo de medicamentos. Resultados: existió predominio del nivel de escolaridad primario, el estado civil sin parejas, el sexo femenino y la inactividad sexual; prevaleció el coito vaginal como forma más frecuente de manifestar la actividad sexual. Más del 90 % de los hombres presenta alguna dificultad en la vida sexual. El 22, 5 % presenta dificultades debido a enfermedades orgánicas. Conclusiones: es falso que el anciano sea un ente desprovisto de interés por la vida sexual, pero está afectada por varios factores, entre los que destacan las enfermedades orgánicas y la falta de pareja.

Background: sexuality in the elderly is an essential factor in maintaining their quality of life. Objective: to characterize the sexual life of older adults in a health area. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in office 163 of the Raúl Sánchez University Polyclinic, in Pinar del Río in the period between September 2020 and September 2021. The universe of work was made up of 104 older adults and the sample consisted of 72 elderly, by means of intentional sampling by criteria. The instrument used was the interview; the data obtained were taken to a survey that with closed questions was personally applied to each of the study members. The following variables were analyzed: sex, marital status, education, sexual life, preferred sexual techniques, sexual functioning, causes that prevent the performance of the sexual act, associated diseases and drug use. Results: there was a predominance of primary school level, marital status without partners, female sex and sexual inactivity; vaginal intercourse predominated as the most frequent way of manifesting sexual activity. More than 90 % of men have some difficulty in sexual life. 22.5% present difficulties due to organic diseases. Conclusions: it is false that the elderly is an entity devoid of interest in sexual life, but it is affected by several factors, among which organic diseases and lack of a partner stand out.

Obtaining sugars and natural antioxidants from olive leaves by steam-explosion.

In this work, steam-explosion treatment was evaluated as a procedure to recover sugars and natural antioxidants from olive tree leaves. The treatment was carried out following a Box-Behnken experimental design, with three factors, temperature (180-220°C), process time (2-10min) and milling time (0-15s). Response surface methodology showed that temperature was the most influential factor, followed by process time, while the best results were achieved with whole leaves. The operational conditions for simultaneously maximizing the sugars and natural antioxidants recoveries resulted to be 180°C, 8.3min and whole leaf; under these conditions 18.39g and 1950mg were obtained from 100g dry olive leaves, respectively. This is equivalent to 70% recovery of the initial sugars present in olive leaves, with a very low formation of inhibitory compounds and an important amount of natural products with antioxidant capacity such as oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and flavonoids.

Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) in GRID Environments.

This paper presents an architecture defined for searching and executing Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) in a LCG2/GT2 Grid environment, using web-based protocols. A CDSS is a system that provides a classification of the patient illness according to the knowledge extracted from clinical practice and using the patient's information in a structured format. The CDSS classification engines can be installed in any site and can be used by different medical users from a Virtual Organization (VO). All users in a VO can consult and execute different classification engines that have been installed in the Grid independently of the platform, architecture or site where the engines are installed or the users are located. The present paper present a solution to requirements such as short-job execution, reducing the response delay on LCG2 environments and providing grid-enabled authenticated access through web portals. Resource discovering and job submission is performed through web services, which are also described in the article.