Measurement studies of personal exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields: A systematic review.

The last 25 years have seen an increase in the number of radiofrequency sources with the global adoption of smartphones as primary connectivity devices. The objective of this work was to review and evaluate the measured studies of personal exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-RMF) and meet the basic quality criteria eligible for inclusion in this Review, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, following the eligibility criteria of the PECO (Population, Exposure, Comparator, and Outcome) methodology, and the instrument for critical reading Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Español (CASPe). We systematically reviewed the works published between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2021, yielding 56 publications. Of the different types of studies in which personal exposure to RF-EMF has been measured with two measurement methodologies can be highlighted: Personal measurements with volunteers and Personal measurements with a trained researcher (touring a specific area, one or several microenvironments, an entire city, walking or in some means of transport). Personal exposimeters were used in 83% of the studies. The lowest mean was measured in Egypt with a value of 0.00100 µW/m2 (1.00 nW/m2) in 2007 and the highest mean was measured in Belgium with a value of 285000 µW/m2 (0.285 W/m2) in 2019. The results of our study confirm that RF-EMF exposure levels are well below the maximum levels established by the ICNIRP guidelines.

Fetal Growth Velocity according to the Mode of Assisted Conception.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancies conceived through assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) are on the rise worldwide and have been associated with a higher risk of placental-related disease in the third trimester. METHODS: A cohort was created of singleton pregnancies after assisted reproduction, admitted at our institution for delivery, between January 2020 and August 2022. Fetal growth velocity from the second trimester to delivery was compared against a gestational-age-matched group of pregnancies spontaneously conceived according to the origin of the selected oocyte (i.e., autologous vs. donated). RESULTS: 125 singleton pregnancies conceived through ART were compared to 315 singleton spontaneous conceptions. Overall, after adjusting for possible confounders, multivariate analysis demonstrated that ART pregnancies had a significantly lower estimated fetal weight (EFW) z-velocity from the second trimester to delivery (adjusted mean difference = -0.002; p = 0.035) and a higher frequency of EFW z-velocity in the lowest decile (adjusted OR = 2.32 [95% CI, 1.15-4.68]). Also, when ART pregnancies were compared according to the type of oocyte, those conceived with donated oocytes showed a significantly lower EFW z-velocity from the second trimester to delivery (adjusted mean difference = -0.008; p = 0.001) and a higher frequency of EFW z-velocity in the lowest decile (adjusted OR = 5.33 [95% CI, 1.34-21.5]). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancies achieved through ART exhibit a pattern of lower growth velocity across the third trimester, especially those conceived with donated oocytes. The former represents a sub-group at the highest risk of placental dysfunction that may warrant closer follow-up.

Multidrug resistance and class 1 integron presence in Escherichia coli isolates from a polluted drainage ditch's water.

The impact of contamination of water drainage ditches in the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been scarcely studied in Mexico. In this regard, 101 isolates of E. coli were obtained from water samples from a ditch in Sinaloa, during one year. The antimicrobial resistant profiles, the presence of the class 1 integron and evolutionary relationship of intI1 sequences were determined. The 47.5% of strains were resistant and 5.9% multidrug resistant (MDR) with an average multiple antibiotic resistance index value of 0.45. The highest resistance was registered with ß-lactam (39.6%) and quinolone (9.9%). The intI1 gene was detected in 11.9% of the isolates, and no association with MDR was found. Sequence were associated with human and animal host isolates. MDR E. coli isolates with intI1 gene highlight the potential risk of the ditch's water to human health. An attenuation effect of MDR E. coli isolates in the outlet water was observed.

Correction: Vargas et al. Solving Schrödinger Bridges via Maximum Likelihood. Entropy 2021, 23, 1134.

In the original publication [...].

Effect of 4-hydroxychalcone as preventive and curative treatment in Wistar rats with liver injury.

The increasing prevalence and complications related to liver diseases (caused by infection, toxic agents, or metabolic syndrome), together with insufficient existence of treatments, make evident the need for better therapeutic alternatives. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of 4-hydroxychalcone (4-HC) as preventive and curative treatment in acute and chronic liver injury, respectively. Liver damage was induced with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in Wistar rats. Rats were divided into two groups: (1) acute liver injury and (2) chronic liver injury. In turn, each group was divided into four subgroups: (i) control (water); (ii) dimethyl sulfoxide 10%; (iii) CCl4; and (iv) 4-HC. The pre-treatment with 4-HC decreased transaminases, IL-6 serum levels, and hepatic malondialdehyde, increased IL-10 serum levels and hepatic glutathione, and decreased liver damage (necrosis, steatosis, and inflammatory infiltrate). In contrast, treatment with 4-HC after the induction of chronic liver injury decreased IL-6 serum levels and liver damage (steatosis, inflammatory infiltrate, ballooning cells, steatofibrosis, and fibrosis degree). Thus, the 4-HC treatment is proposed as a preventive treatment against acute liver injury; moreover, these results suggested the potential of 4-HC as a curative treatment against chronic liver injury, but other scheme treatments must be evaluated in future.

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) secondary to splenic rupture after colonoscopy.

We have read with interest the recently published case on splenic rupture after colonoscopy. Although this complication is being observed more frequently, in the case presented here, the particularity lies in the myocardial ischemia caused as a consequence of stasis at coronary level, determining a situation of extreme gravity, a diagnostic challenge and a therapeutic emergency.

Endovascular treatment of a right pulmonary sequestration supplied by an aneurysmal aberrant artery originating from the abdominal aorta.

Endovascular embolization of arteries feeding pulmonary sequestrations is a growing therapeutic option. A 51-year-old woman with chest pain and hemoptysis was admitted. During hospitalization she presented 150 mL hemoptysis, hypotension, and hematocrit fell to 23.3%. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography confirmed a pulmonary sequestration irrigated by an aneurysmal artery from the abdominal aorta. The patient underwent endovascular coil embolization of the artery feeding the aneurysm and an Amplatzer device was deployed in the proximal third of the sequestration artery. Subsequent contrast-enhanced computed tomography confirmed complete thrombosis of the aberrant artery feeding the aneurysm and absence of irrigation of the pulmonary sequestration. At 56 months follow-up the patient remains asymptomatic, tomography showed involution of the sequestration and complete thrombosis of the aberrant artery. The challenges presented by the different treatment alternatives are discussed.

A embolização endovascular das artérias que alimentam os sequestros pulmonares é uma opção terapêutica em crescimento. Uma mulher de 51 anos com dor torácica e hemoptise foi internada. Durante a internação, ela apresentou hemoptise de 150 mL, hipotensão e queda do hematócrito para 23,3%. A tomografia computadorizada com contraste confirmou um sequestro pulmonar irrigado por uma artéria aneurismática originária da aorta abdominal. A paciente foi submetida a embolização endovascular da artéria que alimentava o aneurisma com uso de coils e dispositivo Amplatzer no terço proximal da artéria sequestrante. A tomografia subsequente confirmou a trombose completa da artéria aberrante que alimentava o aneurisma e a ausência de irrigação dentro do sequestro pulmonar. No seguimento de 56 meses, a paciente permanecia assintomática, e a tomografia mostrou involução do sequestro e trombose completa da artéria aberrante. Os desafios apresentados pelas diferentes alternativas de tratamento são discutidos neste artigo.

PL-TOON: A Low-Cost Experimental Platform for Teaching and Research on Decentralized Cooperative Control.

In this paper, we present the development of a low-cost multi-agent system experimental platform for teaching, and research purposes. The platform consists of train-like autonomous agents equipped with local speed estimation, distance sensing to their nearest predecessor, and wireless communications with other agents and a central coordinator. The individual agents can be used for simple PID experiments in a classroom or laboratory setting, while a collection of agents are capable of performing decentralized platooning with cooperative adaptive cruise control in a variety of settings, the latter being the main goal of the platform. The agents are built from low cost components and programmed with open source software, enabling teaching experiences and experimental work with a larger number of agents that would otherwise be possible with other existing solutions. Additionally, we illustrate with experimental results some of the teaching activities that the platform is capable of performing.

[Rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm into the duodenum: uncommon cause of massive gastrointestinal bleeding]. / Aneurisma de aorta abdominal roto al duodeno: causa infrecuente de hemorragia digestiva masiva.

Primary aortoenteric fistula is the spontaneous communication between the lumen of the aorta and a portion of the digestive tract. The most common cause is the erosion of an abdominal aortic aneurysm into the 3rd or 4th portion of the duodenum. It manifests clinically as gastrointestinal bleeding, with or without abdominal pain and a pulsatile abdominal mass on physical exam. Gastrointestinal bleeding is initially recurrent and self-limiting and progresses to fatal exsanguinating hemorrhage. Endoscopic examination diagnoses only 25% of aortoenteric fistulas because these are usually located in the distal duodenum. Contrast computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis is diagnostic in only 60% of cases. We report three cases with this condition. A 67-year-old male presenting with an upper gastrointestinal bleeding. He was operated and a communication between an aortic aneurysm and the duodenum was found and surgically repaired. The patient is well. A 67-year-old male with an abdominal aortic aneurysm presenting with abdominal pain. He was operated and anticoagulated. In the postoperative period he had a massive gastrointestinal bleeding and a new CAT scan revealed an aorto enteric fistula that was surgically repaired. The patient is well. An 82-year-old male with an abdominal aortic aneurysm presenting with hematochezia. A CAT scan revealed a communication between the aneurysm and the third portion of the duodenum, that was surgically repaired. The patient died in the eighth postoperative day.

Solving Schrödinger Bridges via Maximum Likelihood.

The Schrödinger bridge problem (SBP) finds the most likely stochastic evolution between two probability distributions given a prior stochastic evolution. As well as applications in the natural sciences, problems of this kind have important applications in machine learning such as dataset alignment and hypothesis testing. Whilst the theory behind this problem is relatively mature, scalable numerical recipes to estimate the Schrödinger bridge remain an active area of research. Our main contribution is the proof of equivalence between solving the SBP and an autoregressive maximum likelihood estimation objective. This formulation circumvents many of the challenges of density estimation and enables direct application of successful machine learning techniques. We propose a numerical procedure to estimate SBPs using Gaussian process and demonstrate the practical usage of our approach in numerical simulations and experiments.

Two Cases of Popliteal Cystic Adventitial Disease Treated with Primary Stenting: Long-Term Results.

The cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery is an uncommon cause of intermittent claudication in young patients. Several treatment options are available, oriented to either drainage of the cyst and/or arterial reconstruction. Endovascular techniques have been exceptionally used to treat this condition, with mixed results. We report 2 young claudicants treated with primary stenting with continuous 4- and 10-year symptomatic relief and arterial patency.

Higher Prevalence of Bovine Aortic Arch Configuration in Patients Undergoing Blunt Isthmic Aortic Trauma Repair.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of a bovine aortic arch configuration is higher in patients treated for thoracic aortic aneurysms and type B dissection; its prevalence in aortic isthmic trauma has not been described. METHODS: A case control study was performed comparing consecutive patients treated at our institution for acute isthmic aortic transection after blunt trauma between 2002 and 2019 and a control group of consecutive sex-matched individuals undergoing imaging for nonaortic disease. Imaging and clinical findings were reviewed. Subjects were divided into bovine and nonbovine groups and prevalence was compared. The length of the aortic segment between the left subclavian artery (LSA) and the next proximal great vessel was measured in the control population and a comparison was performed between bovine and nonbovine aortic arch subjects. RESULTS: Thirty-three consecutive (30 male) patients were reviewed, 66 individuals (60 male) were included in the control group. A higher incidence of bovine arch in trauma patients was found: 57.6% vs. 34.8% (P = 0.007). The median (range, mm) and mean (SD) distance between the bovine trunk and the LSA were 13 mm (2-27) and 12.4 mm (5.9), respectively, compared with 5 mm (1-27) and 7.8 mm (6.1) between the left common carotid and LSA in nonbovine aortic arches (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: A higher incidence of bovine arch in patients reaching out for surgical treatment for traumatic isthmic aortic transection was found in our population. Clinical interpretation of this finding can lead to several alternatives. Confirmation with larger series and data on prevalence of this anatomic variation in nonsurvivors is needed to provide a better understanding of this finding.

Open Surgery for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm - 38 Years Experience at an Academic Center in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Few series of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) from Latin America have been published. OBJECTIVES: To report the outcomes of RAAA treated with open surgical repair (OSR) in a University Hospital in Chile. Secondary objectives are the identification of prognostic factors and survival rates. METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutive RAAA patients treated with OSR between September 1979 and December 2017. Medical records, diagnostic images, and follow-up details were obtained. Statistical methods include multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen patients underwent OSR for RAAA. The average age was 72.3 years (54-95), 62.9% ≥ 70 years, and 81.9% male. Preoperative systolic pressure <90 mm Hg was present in 74 patients (63.8%), and 10 (8.6%) experienced cardiac arrest before surgery. Only 30.2% were known to have an AAA before rupture. The mean aortic diameter was 7.9 cm. Sixteen patients had juxtarenal aneurysms (13.8%). The rupture was intra or retroperitoneal in 111 cases (95.7%), there were 4 fistulas to neighboring veins and one into the duodenum. Reconstruction included tubular graft in 39.7% and bifurcated in 58.6%. The estimated mean blood loss was 3,456 ± 2,768 mL (median 3,000). Mean mechanical ventilation was 7.4 ± 12.0 days and hemodialysis requirement in 21.8%. Six patients died during surgery and other 24 during the first postoperative month or in hospital, for an overall mortality rate of 25.9%. Age ≥70 years (P < 0.01), blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg (P = 0.03) and dialysis (P < 0.01) were associated with higher 30-day mortality rates. The survival rate was 68.0, 65.3, 44.3, and 25.2% at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EVAR for RAAA is not affordable in every country. Outcomes of open RAAA repair at our institution are similar to results reported recently for OSR by the USA and European Medical centers.

Anthocyanins of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. Fruit Associated with High Antioxidant and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities.

Red arils of Pithecellobium dulce fruit, commonly known as guamuchil, show high antioxidant (AOx) and α-glucosidase inhibitory (IαG) activities, which have been mainly associated with the content of unknown anthocyanins. In this study, the AOx (i.e., DPPH and ABTS as Trolox equivalents, µmol TE/g) and IαG (as half-maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50, mg/mL) activities of the anthocyanin-rich fraction (ARF) obtained from red arils were contrasted with those of the methanol extract (ME), and the main ARF anthocyanins were characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS, GC-MS and 1H-NMR. The AOx and IαG values of the ARF (DPPH = 597.8; ABTS = 884.01; IαG = 0.06) were better than those of the ME (DPPH = 41.5; ABTS = 142.3; IαG = 17.5); remarkably, the ARF IαG value was about 42 times lower than that of acarbose. The main anthocyanins in ARF were pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside. Thus, the consumption of red P. dulce arils could provide health benefits for prevention/treatment of chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes.

Phenolic profiles and their contribution to the antioxidant activity of selected chickpea genotypes from Mexico and ICRISAT collections.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes, nine kabuli from Mexico and 9 desi from other countries, were investigated for their phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity (AA). Phenolics in methanol extracts (ME) were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-MS), whereas the AA was measured as Trolox equivalents (TE) by ABTS, DPPH and FRAP methods. Twenty phenolic compounds were identified in the ME and their levels showed a great variability among the chickpea genotypes. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were the most abundant compounds in kabuli and desi genotypes, respectively. The AA values (µmol TE/ 100 g dw) by ABTS (278-2417), DPPH (52-1650), and FRAP (41-1181) were mainly associated with the content of sinapic acid hexoside, gallic acid, myricetin, quercetin, catechin, and isorhamnetin, suggesting they are the main compounds responsible for the AA. The sum of the AA obtained for standards of these compounds evaluated at the concentration found in the extracts accounted for 34.3, 69.8, and 47.0% of the AA in the extract by ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP, respectively. In the AA by DPPH, most of the mixtures of these compounds resulted in synergistic interactions. Three desi genotypes with black seeds (ICC 4418, ICC 6306, and ICC 3761) showed the highest AA and flavonoids content, whereas the most promising kabuli genotypes were Surutato 77, Bco. Sin. 92, and Blanoro that showed the highest values of phenolic acids. These genotypes represent good sources of antioxidants for the improvement of nutraceutical properties in chickpea.

Environmental traditional knowledge in a natural protected area as the basis for management and conservation policies.

Ethnobotany is an adequate tool to identify the most import wild edible plants used by local people and to develop strategies for its sustainable use and policy making. This research records the wild edible plants used by the inhabitants of the Sierra la Laguna Biosphere Reserve, in Mexico, and identified priority species for sustainable development. The employed quantitative approach included the application of a food-oriented index named Food Significance Index (FSI), which integrated cultural, agricultural and food parameters; moreover, it used multivariate analysis to identify priority edible species for use and/or conservation. Fifty taxa were identified as the most important wild edible plants in the reserve, integrated into five priority groups. Foods in priority group 1 had the highest culinary diversity by grouping three fruits (Ficus petiolaris, Stenocereus thurberi, and Cyrtocarpa edulis), one almond-like seed (Cnidoscolus maculatus), one vegetable (Matelea cordifolia), and one condiment (Capsicum annuum). Priority groups 2-5 were selective for one or two types of food, such as fruits, teas, or seeds. Since group 1 was the most diverse, the FSI and the employed strategy permitted to identify the priority wild edible plant species with the highest potential for food security. The selected six species should be included in the future management program of the reserve as the priority wild edible plants to develop strategies for conservation, sustainable use, and improvement of the local population income. General policies to manage the selected six species are outlined.

Chemical composition and biological activities of Helicteres vegae and Heliopsis sinaloensis.

CONTEXT: Helicteres vegae Cristóbal (Sterculiaceae) (Hv) and Heliopsis sinaloensis B.L. Turner (Asteraceae) (Hs) are endangered and poorly studied plant species; related plants have been used against chronic-degenerative and infectious diseases. Therefore, Hv and Hs could be sources of bioactive compounds against these illnesses. OBJECTIVE: To determine the chemical composition and biological activities (antioxidant, antimutagenic and antimicrobial) of Hv and Hs leaves (L) and stems (S). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanol extracts (ME) of each plant/tissue were evaluated for their phytochemicals; phenolics (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS); antioxidant activity (AA) (0.125-4 mg/mL) (DPPH, ABTS, ORAC and ß-carotene discoloration); antimutagenicity (0.5 and 1 mg/plate) (Ames assay, tester strain Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium YG1024, 1-nitropyrene as mutagen); activity against human pathogens (1 mg/mL); and toxicity (0.01-2 mg/mL) (Artemia salina assay). RESULTS: All ME showed flavonoids and triterpenes/steroids. The ME-SHv had the highest content of total phenolics (TP) (2245.82 ± 21.45 mg GAE/100 g d.w.) and condensed tannins (603.71 ± 1.115 mg CE/100 g d.w.). The compounds identified were flavonoids (kaempferol 7-O-coumaroylhexoside, and two kaempferol 7-O-rhamnosylhexosides) and phenolics [rosmarinic acid, and 3'-O-(8″-Z-caffeoyl) rosmarinic acid]. The ME-LHs showed the highest content of flavonoids (357.88 mg RE/g d.w.) and phenolic acids (238.58 mg CAE/g d.w.) by HPLC. The ME-SHv showed the highest AA. All ME were strong antimutagens (63.3-85.7%). Only the Hs extracts were toxic (ME-LHs, LC50 = 94.9 ± 1.7 µg/mL; ME-SHs, LC50 = 89.03 ± 4.42 µg/mL). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Both Hv and Hs are potential sources of preventive and therapeutic agents against chronic-degenerative diseases.

[Analysis of an intervention to improve health outcomes in acute exacerbations of COPD in primary care]. / Análisis de una intervención para la mejora de resultados en salud en EPOC agudizada en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of an intervention by Primary Care (PC) professionals of a Health District on the clinical outcomes for treating COPD exacerbations using a process and outcome indicators analysis (clinical audit). DESIGN: Observational, retrospective and prospective analysis cross-sectional audit of clinical practice SETTING: Malaga-Guadalhorce Sanitary District (DSMG). PARTICIPANTS: Patients with COPD exacerbations treated by the extra-hospital emergency services (n=523; 21% losses). INTERVENTIONS: Professional training in the usual clinical practice and inclusion of process indicators of COPD targets in relation to incentives. PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENTS: Comparison of external audit results (process and outcomes variables) from medical records and Health Outcomes (exacerbations, admissions). Variable response: Difference in exacerbations and admissions in 2 periods analysed. Bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Mean age was 75 (±9.3), 63.7% males with a BMI of 29.4 (±7.1), and 21% active smokers. Mean FEV1, 48.2% (±18.7). Mean exacerbations in the first period, 2.86 (±2.29) and in the second 1.36 (±1.56) (P<.001). Mean hospital admissions in the first and second period, 0.56 (±0.94) and 0.31 (±0.66) (P<.001), respectively. The decrease in the number of exacerbations was directly associated with having ≥2 exacerbations in the first period, reviewed in Primary Care, and inversely with heart failure and with having ≥2 exacerbations in the second period (R2=0.28; P<.001) CONCLUSIONS: The number of exacerbations and admissions decreased significantly in both periods assessed. However, the evaluated process indicators did not improve. Prospective intervention studies are necessary to establish the possible causal relationship.

Examining Asphaltene Solubility on Deposition in Model Porous Media.

Asphaltenes are known to cause severe flow assurance problems in the near-wellbore region of oil reservoirs. Understanding the mechanism of asphaltene deposition in porous media is of great significance for the development of accurate numerical simulators and effective chemical remediation treatments. Here, we present a study of the dynamics of asphaltene deposition in porous media using microfluidic devices. A model oil containing 5 wt % dissolved asphaltenes was mixed with n-heptane, a known asphaltene precipitant, and flowed through a representative porous media microfluidic chip. Asphaltene deposition was recorded and analyzed as a function of solubility, which was directly correlated to particle size and Péclet number. In particular, pore-scale visualization and velocity profiles, as well as three stages of deposition, were identified and examined to determine the important convection-diffusion effects on deposition.