Measuring Food Insecurity in Children under 5 Years of Age with Acute Undernutrition in Valle Del Cauca-Colombia.

Malnutrition is a global problem that affects all countries in one or more of its forms, representing one of the greatest challenges worldwide. One of the key contributing factors is food insecurity, which must be evaluated in children with moderate and severe acute malnutrition, as they are at imminent risk of death. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess food insecurity among children under 5 years old with moderate, and severe malnutrition from Valle del Cauca, a state located in the southwestern region of Colombia. METHODS: A descriptive observational study was conducted, including children whose weight-for-height (W/H) indicator was below 2 SD, as recorded on the World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts, or who exhibited severe malnutrition phenotypes such as marasmus or Kwashiorkor. Family and child food security were evaluated using the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA). RESULTS: 58.6% of households with acutely malnourished children experienced food insecurity. A statistically significant relationship was found between food insecurity and children of Afro-Colombian and Indigenous descent. According to caregivers' perceptions, 30.2% of child malnutrition cases were related to poor feeding and caregiving practices. CONCLUSIONS: Not all children with acute malnutrition suffer from food insecurity. Therefore, the findings of this research suggest that governmental efforts should focus not only on ensuring food availability, but also on educating caregivers about the importance of a balanced and nutritious diet tailored to the specific characteristics of each region and promoting appropriate caregiving practices.

Shape memory cycle conditions impact human bone marrow stromal cell binding to RGD- and YIGSR-conjugated poly (glycerol dodecanedioate).

Bioresorbable shape memory polymers (SMP) are an emerging class of polymers that can help address several challenges associated with minimally invasive surgery by providing a solution for structural tissue repair. Like most synthetic polymer networks, SMPs require additional biorelevance and modification for biomedical applications. Methodologies used to incorporate bioactive ligands must preserve SMP thermomechanics and ensure biofunctionality following in vivo delivery. We have previously described the development of a novel thermoresponsive bioresorbable SMP, poly (glycerol dodecanedioate) (PGD). In this study, cell-adhesive peptide sequences RGD and YIGSR were conjugated with PGD. We investigated 1) the impact of conjugated peptides on the fixity (Rf), recovery (Rr), and recovery rate (dRr/dT), 2) the impact of conjugated peptides on cell binding, and 3) the impact of the shape memory cycle (Tprog) on conjugated peptide functionality towards binding human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). Peptide conjugation conditions impact fixity but not the recovery or recovery rate (p < 0.01). Peptide-conjugated substrates increased cell attachment and proliferation compared with controls (p < 0.001). Using complementary integrin binding cell-adhesive peptides increased proliferation compared with using single peptides (p < 0.05). Peptides bound to PGD substrates exhibited specificity to their respective integrin targets. Following the shape memory cycle, peptides maintained functionality and specificity depending on the shape memory cycle conditions (p < 0.001). The dissipation of strain energy during recovery can drive differential arrangement of conjugated sequences impacting functionality, an important design consideration for functionalized SMPs. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Shape memory elastomers are an emerging class of polymers that are well-suited for minimally invasive repair of soft tissues. Tissue engineering approaches commonly utilize biodegradable scaffolds to deliver instructive cues, including cells and bioactive signals. Delivering these instructive cues on biodegradable shape memory elastomers requires modification with bioactive ligands. Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure the specificity of the ligands to their biological targets when conjugated to the polymer. Moreover, the bioactive ligand functionality must be conserved after completing the shape memory cycle, for applications in tissue engineering.

Marine Microbiota Responses to Shipping Scrubber Effluent Assessed at Community Structure and Function Endpoints.

The use of novel high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies to examine the responses of natural multidomain microbial communities to scrubber effluent discharges to the marine environment is still limited. Thus, we applied metabarcoding sequencing targeting the planktonic unicellular eukaryotic and prokaryotic fraction (phytoplankton, bacterioplankton, and protozooplankton) in mesocosm experiments with natural microbial communities from a polluted and an unpolluted site. Furthermore, metagenomic analysis revealed changes in the taxonomic and functional dominance of multidomain marine microbial communities after scrubber effluent additions. The results indicated a clear shift in the microbial communities after such additions, which favored bacterial taxa with known oil and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) biodegradation capacities. These bacteria exhibited high connectedness with planktonic unicellular eukaryotes employing variable trophic strategies, suggesting that environmentally relevant bacteria can influence eukaryotic community structure. Furthermore, Clusters of Orthologous Genes associated with pathways of PAHs and monocyclic hydrocarbon degradation increased in numbers at treatments with high scrubber effluent additions acutely. These genes are known to express enzymes acting at various substrates including PAHs. These indications, in combination with the abrupt decrease in the most abundant PAHs in the scrubber effluent below the limit of detection-much faster than their known half-lives-could point toward a bacterioplankton-initiated rapid ultimate biodegradation of the most abundant toxic contaminants of the scrubber effluent. The implementation of HTS could be a valuable tool to develop multilevel biodiversity indicators of the scrubber effluent impacts on the marine environment, which could lead to improved impact assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1012-1029. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Rapid and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of PAHs and alkyl-PAHs in scrubber water using HS-SPME-GC-MS/MS.

Scrubber water, a waste stream generated by ships exhaust gas cleaning systems, may pose a threat when released into the marine environment due to potential contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their alkyl derivatives (alkyl-PAHs). This study aims to develop a reliable analytical procedure combining headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) with gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) to simultaneously separate and determine target compounds in aqueous samples. Method validation demonstrated good linearity up to 200 ng L-1 (r2> 0.996) and low limits of detection (0.33 to 1.67 ng L-1, except for naphthalene at 3.3 ng L-1). The method shows good precision (RSD<20%) and satisfactory analytical recoveries. The methodology was successfully applied to scrubber water samples collected from a container ship and the results highlight the prevalence of naphthalene, phenanthrene, and their alkyl derivatives.•Rapid and reproducible HS-SPME-GC-MS/MS method for the analysis of PAHs and alkyl-PAHs in scrubber water.•The capacity of SPME to analyze both filtered and unfiltered samples was assessed, showing that the more hydrophobic PAHs may be lost during filtration.

Identifying delays in healthcare seeking and provision: The Three Delays-in-Healthcare and mortality among infants and children aged 1-59 months.

Delays in illness recognition, healthcare seeking, and in the provision of appropriate clinical care are common in resource-limited settings. Our objective was to determine the frequency of delays in the "Three Delays-in-Healthcare", and factors associated with delays, among deceased infants and children in seven countries with high childhood mortality. We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study using data from verbal autopsies and medical records for infants and children aged 1-59 months who died between December 2016 and February 2022 in six sites in sub-Saharan Africa and one in South Asia (Bangladesh) and were enrolled in Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS). Delays in 1) illness recognition in the home/decision to seek care, 2) transportation to healthcare facilities, and 3) the receipt of clinical care in healthcare facilities were categorized according to the "Three Delays-in-Healthcare". Comparisons in factors associated with delays were made using Chi-square testing. Information was available for 1,326 deaths among infants and under 5 children. The majority had at least one identified delay (n = 854, 64%). Waiting >72 hours after illness recognition to seek health care (n = 422, 32%) was the most common delay. Challenges in obtaining transportation occurred infrequently when seeking care (n = 51, 4%). In healthcare facilities, prescribed medications were sometimes unavailable (n = 102, 8%). Deceased children aged 12-59 months experienced more delay than infants aged 1-11 months (68% vs. 61%, P = 0.018). Delays in seeking clinical care were common among deceased infants and children. Additional study to assess the frequency of delays in seeking clinical care and its provision among children who survive is warranted.

Efficiency, Kinetics and Mechanism of 4-Nitroaniline Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Emulsion Liquid Membranes Using Type 1 Facilitated Transport.

4-Nitroaniline (4NA) is a common organic pollutant that is released into the environment during the manufacture and processing of a wide variety of industrial products. This article describes the use of an emulsion liquid membrane process to remove 4NA from aqueous solutions using a type 1 facilitated transport mechanism. Optimization of the removal process was carried out by analyzing the efficiency of 4NA removal from the feed phase and the initial apparent feed/membrane fluxes and permeabilities under different experimental conditions. The kinetics of the removal process was analyzed using a simplified mass transfer model involving an empirical mass transfer coefficient calculated from experimental data, assuming that the concentrations of 4NA in the external aqueous phase and in the internal w/o emulsion are uniform. The results show that there is a very good fit between the experimental and model data and that the variation in the values of the overall mass transfer coefficients with the experimental conditions coincides with that of the removal efficiency mentioned above. The transport mechanism was studied by identifying the rate-controlling step of the removal process, using models described for adsorption processes, due to the strong parallelism between the transport mechanisms in adsorption and emulsion liquid membrane processes.

Application of Biostimulant in Seeds and Soil on Three Chickpea Varieties: Impacts on Germination, Vegetative Development, and Bacterial Facilitation of Nitrogen and Phosphorus.

Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) are a valuable legume crop due to their nutritional value. To maintain chickpea productivity and avoid the adverse effects of climate change on soil and plant processes, it is crucial to address demand. Achieving this necessitates implementing sustainable agricultural practices incorporating the use of biostimulants, adaptable crops for arid conditions, as well as pest and disease-resistant crops that are sustainable over time. Three varieties of chickpeas were analysed to determine the effect of two different biostimulant application methods on both germination and vegetative growth. Possible effects due to location were also examined by conducting tests at two different sites. Significant variations in biostimulant response were evident only during the germination period, but not during the vegetative development stage, where the observed statistical differences were influenced more by the location or variety of chickpeas employed. Furthermore, this study examined the effect of biostimulants on nutrient cycling within the soil-plant microbiota system. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) are present in the soil of chickpea crops at an order of magnitude of 107 CFU/g DS. Additionally, an average concentration of 106 CFU/g DS of phosphorus-mobilising bacteria was observed. Applying biostimulants (BioE) to seeds resulted in a successful germination percentage (GP) for both Amelia (AM) and IMIDRA 10 (IM) varieties.

First-episode psychosis intervention programme versus standard care for the clinical management of early phases of psychosis: cost analysis.

BACKGROUND: Early intervention programmes (EIPs) in psychosis have gained attention as specialised interventions to improve health-related and societal impacts for people with psychotic disorders. Previous studies have presented evidence in favour of EIPs over the first year of intervention, despite none considering the critical period before psychosis onset (5 years). AIMS: To compare the associated costs of the First Episode Psychosis Intervention Program (CRUPEP) and treatment as usual (TAU) in a real-world cohort in a non-specialised psychiatric community setting. METHOD: Direct and indirect mental health-related costs were calculated over 1 year and up to 7 years. Healthcare and societal costs were calculated from economic data related to the consumption of all healthcare resources, including emergency department attendances, hospital admissions, psychotropic medication prescriptions and societal costs. RESULTS: From a healthcare perspective, the intervention (CRUPEP) group initially showed a marginally higher cost per patient than the TAU group (€7621 TAU group v. €11 904 CRUPEP group) over the first year of follow-up. However, this difference was reversed between the groups on considering the entire follow-up, with the TAU group showing considerably higher associated costs per patient (€77 026 TAU v. €25 247 CRUPEP). CONCLUSIONS: The EIP (CRUPEP) showed clinical benefits and minimised the direct and indirect health-related costs of the management of psychosis. Although the CRUPEP intervention initially reported increased costs over 1 year, TAU surpassed the global costs over the entire follow-up.

Prediction of Flux and Rejection Coefficients in the Removal of Emerging Pollutants Using a Nanofiltration Membrane.

The removal of three emerging pollutants: carbamazepine, ketoprofen, and bisphenol A, has been studied using the nanofiltration flat sheet membrane NF99HF. The removal efficiencies of the membrane have been evaluated by two system characteristic parameters: permeate flux and rejection coefficient. The influence of two operating variables has been analysed: operating pressure and feed concentration. Before and after the tests with emerging pollutants, the membrane has been characterized by determining its water permeability coefficient and its magnesium chloride rejection coefficient to find out if the removal of emerging pollutants causes membrane fouling. The results show that operating pressure has significant separation effects, obtaining the highest efficiencies at a pressure of 20 bar for pollutant concentrations between 5 and 25 mg/L. Moreover, rejection of ketoprofen was found to be dependent on electrostatic repulsion, while rejection of bisphenol A was significantly affected by adsorption onto the membrane. Finally, the experimental data have been fitted to the solution diffusion model and to the simplified model of Spiegler-Kedem-Katchalsky to predict the behaviour of the nanofiltration membrane in the removal of the tested pollutants. Good agreement between the experimental and predicted carbamazepine and bisphenol A data has been obtained with each model, respectively.

Ultrafiltration Membranes Modified with Reduced Graphene Oxide: Effect on Methyl Green Removal from Aqueous Solution.

In this work, three types of ultrafiltration membranes with different characteristics (GR60PP, RC70PP and GR80PP) have been tested for the removal of the dye methyl green. The tests were first carried out with the three membranes without any modification and then with the membranes' surfaces modified with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The modification was achieved through physical treatment. The CR70PP membrane did not support the modification treatment and was discarded. The other membranes were initially characterized with distilled water tests to study the permeability to the solvent, and later, the permeate fluxes and the values of rejection coefficients were obtained at different working pressures with a fixed dye initial concentration. In addition, SEM images and SEM-EDX spectra of the native and modified membranes were obtained before and after the dye tests. The GR60PP membrane has shown the best results in relation to the modification because it has increased its rejection levels. On the opposite, the GR80PP membrane performs better without surface modification, achieving the highest rejection values and the highest permeate fluxes in its native form.

Distinct Hormone Signalling-Modulation Activities Characterize Two Maize Endosperm-Specific Type-A Response Regulators.

ZmTCRR1 and 2 are type-A response regulators expressed in the maize endosperm transfer cells (TC). While type-B response regulators transcriptionally control canonical type-A response regulators, as part of the cytokinin signal transduction mechanism, the ZmTCRRs are regulated by ZmMRP1, a master regulator of TC identity. In addition, the corresponding proteins are not detected in the TC, accumulating in the inner endosperm cells instead. These features suggest these molecules are not involved in classical, cell-autonomous, cytokinin signalling pathways. Using transgenic Arabidopsis plants ectopically expressing these genes, we have shown that ZmTCRR1 and 2 can modulate auxin and cytokinin signalling, respectively. In Arabidopsis, the ectopic expression of ZmTCRR2 blocked, almost completely, cytokinin perception. Given the conservation of these signalling pathways at the molecular level, our results suggest that the ZmTCRRs modulate cytokinin and auxin perception in the inner endosperm cells.

[Antibiotic consumption surveillance in 10 health institutions between 2013 and 2020 in Colombia]. / Vigilancia del consumo de antimicrobianos en 10 instituciones de salud entre 2013 y 2020 en Colombia.

BACKGROUND: The use of antibiotics is the main factor of microbial resistance. AIM: To determine the consumption of antibiotics in health care institutions in Santiago de Cali between 2013 and 2020. METHODS: The methodology of the Defined Daily Dose per 100 beddays was employed. Institutions that had at least 9 annual reports and that the report is greater than 95% were defined as inclusion criteria. In this case, 10 institutions were included. RESULTS: Consumption in Intensive Care Units (ICU) was higher than in other units. Ceftriaxone and imipenem were more consumed in units other than ICU, whereas meropenem, piperacillin/tazobactam and vancomycin were more consumed in the ICU. In units other than ICU, two institutions increased the consumption of ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and piperacillin/tazobactam and one the consumption of vancomycin, whereas in the ICU, one institution increased the consumption of piperacillin/tazobactam. The endemic range identified that vancomycin located itself in the epidemic zone in one institution. CONCLUSION: The system provided tools for prospective surveillance that showed the need for intervention in institutions.

"So, like, it's all a mix of one": Intersecting contexts of adolescents' ethnic-racial socialization.

Cultural-ecological theories posit that ethnic-racial identity (ERI) development is shaped by transactions between contexts of ethnic-racial socialization, yet research considering intersections among multiple contexts is limited. In this study, Black, Latino, White, and Asian American adolescents (N = 98; Mage  = 16.26, SD = 1.09; 55.1% female identifying) participated in surveys and focus group discussions (2013-2014) to share insights into ERI development in context. Using consensual qualitative research, results indicated: (a) family ethnic-racial socialization intersects with community-based, peer, media, and school socialization; (b) ethnic-racial socialization occurs outside family through intersections between peer, school, community-based, and media settings; and (c) ethnic-racial socialization is embedded within systems of racial oppression across contexts. Discussion includes implications for future research and interventions supporting youth ERI.

Vigilancia del consumo de antimicrobianos en 10 instituciones de salud entre 2013 y 2020 en Colombia / Antibiotic consumption surveillance in 10 health institutions between 2013 and 2020 in Colombia

INTRODUCCIÓN: El uso de antimicrobianos es el principal factor de resistencia bacteriana. OBJETIVO: Determinar el consumo de antimicrobianos en instituciones de salud de Santiago de Cali entre 2013 y 2020. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se empleó la Dosis Diaria Definida por 100 camas-día. Se definieron como criterios de inclusión las instituciones que tuvieran como mínimo 9 reportes anuales y que el reporte fuese superior a 95%. En este caso quedaron incluidas 10 instituciones. RESULTADOS: El consumo en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) fue mayor que en servicios diferentes a UCI. Se consumió más ceftriaxona e imipenem en servicios diferentes a UCI, mientras que meropenem, piperacilina/tazobactam y vancomicina lo fueron en UCI. En servicios diferentes a UCI, dos instituciones aumentaron el consumo para ceftriaxona, ciprofloxacina y piperacilina/tazobactam y una para vancomicina, mientras que en UCI en una institución el consumo aumentó para piperacilina/tazobactam. CONCLUSIÓN: El sistema brindó herramientas de vigilancia prospectiva que mostraron necesidades de intervención en instituciones.

BACKGROUND: The use of antibiotics is the main factor of microbial resistance. Aim: To determine the consumption of antibiotics in health care institutions in Santiago de Cali between 2013 and 2020. METHODS: The methodology of the Defined Daily Dose per 100 beddays was employed. Institutions that had at least 9 annual reports and that the report is greater than 95% were defined as inclusion criteria. In this case, 10 institutions were included. RESULTS: Consumption in Intensive Care Units (ICU) was higher than in other units. Ceftriaxone and imipenem were more consumed in units other than ICU, whereas meropenem, piperacillin/tazobactam and vancomycin were more consumed in the ICU. In units other than ICU, two institutions increased the consumption of ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and piperacillin/tazobactam and one the consumption of vancomycin, whereas in the ICU, one institution increased the consumption of piperacillin/tazobactam. The endemic range identified that vancomycin located itself in the epidemic zone in one institution. CONCLUSION: The system provided tools for prospective surveillance that showed the need for intervention in institutions.

Feasibility of Adsorption Kinetic Models to Study Carrier-Mediated Transport of Heavy Metal Ions in Emulsion Liquid Membranes.

Emulsion liquid membranes have been successfully used for the removal of different types of organic and inorganic pollutants by means of carrier-mediated transport mechanisms. However, the models that describe the kinetics and transport of such mechanisms are very complex due to the high number of model parameters. Starting from an analysis of the similarity between the elemental mechanisms of carrier-mediated transport in liquid membranes and of transport in adsorption processes, this paper presents an experimental analysis of the possibility of applying kinetic and mechanistic models developed for adsorption to carrier-mediated transport in emulsion liquid membranes. We study the removal of a target species, in this case, Cu(II), by emulsion liquid membranes containing membrane phase solutions of benzoylacetone (carrier agent), Span 80 (emulsifying agent) and kerosene (diluent), and hydrochloric acid as a stripping agent in the product phase. The experimental results fit the pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetic model, showing good relationships between the experimental and model parameters. Although both Cu(II) diffusion through the feed/membrane interface boundary layer and complex Cu-benzoylacetone diffusion through the membrane phase controls Cu(II) transport, it is the former step that mainly controls the transport process.

Chemical composition and antifungal properties of commercial essential oils against the maize phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium verticillioides / Composición química y propiedades antifúngicas de aceites esenciales comerciales contra el hongo fitopatógeno de maíz Fusarium verticillioides

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to analyze the chemical composition ofCurcuma longa,Pimenta dioica,Rosmarinus officinalis, andSyzygiumaromaticumessential oils (EOs) and their antifungal and anti-conidiogenic activity againstFusarium verticillioides. The chemical profile of the EOs was determined by GC/MS. The antifungal and anti-conidiogenic activities were evaluated by the agar dilution method. The tested concentrations were 1000ppm, 500ppm, 250ppm and 125ppm.S. aromaticumEO exhibited the highest antifungal effect, followed byP. dioicaand to a lesser extentC. longa. The major compounds of these EOs were eugenol (88.70% inS. aromaticumand 16.70% inP. dioica), methyl eugenol (53.09% inP. dioica), and α-turmerone (44.70%), β-turmerone (20.67%), and Ar-turmerone (17.27%) inC. longa.Rosmarinus officinalispoorly inhibited fungal growth; however, it was the only EO that inhibited conidial production, with its major components being 1,8-cineole (53.48%), α-pinene (15.65%), and (−)-camphor (9.57%). Our results showed that some compounds are capable of decreasing mycelial growth without affecting sporulation, and vice versa. However, not all the compounds of an EO are responsible for its bioactivity. In the present work, we were able to identify different major compounds or mixtures of major compounds that were responsible for antifungal and anti-conidiogenic effects. Further experiments combining these pure components are necessary in order to achieve a highly bioactive natural formulation against the phytopathogenic fungusF. verticillioides.

RESUMEN El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la composición química de los aceites esenciales (AE) deCurcuma longa,Pimenta dioica,RosmarinusofficinalisySyzygiumaromaticum, y su actividad antifúngica y anti-esporuladora contraFusarium verticillioides. La composición de los AE se analizó por CG-EM. La actividad antifúngica y anti-esporuladora se evaluó a través del método de dilución en agar usando las siguientes concentraciones: 1.000, 500, 250 y 125ppm. El AE deS. aromaticumdemostró el mayor efecto antifúngico, seguido del deP. dioicay, en menor medida, delC. longa. Los compuestos principales de estos AE fueron eugenol (88,70% enS. aromaticumy 16,70% enP. dioica), metileugenol (53,09% enP. dioica) y α-turmerona (44,70%), β-turmerona (20,67%) y Ar-turmerona (17,27%) enC. longa. El AE deR. officinalisfue el que menor efecto inhibitorio presentó sobre el crecimiento fúngico, pero fue el único que inhibió la producción de conidias; sus principales componentes fueron 1,8-cineol (53,48%), α-pineno (15,65%) y (−)-alcanfor (9,57%). Nuestros resultados demostraron que algunos compuestos son capaces de disminuir el crecimiento del micelio deF. verticillioidessin afectar la esporulación, y vice versa. Sin embargo, no todos los compuestos de un AE son responsables de su bioactividad. En el presente trabajo, pudimos identificar diferentes compuestos o mezclas de compuestos que fueron responsables de los efectos antifúngicos y anti-esporuladores. Se necesitan nuevos experimentos que evalúen la combinación de estos compuestos puros para lograr una formulación bioactiva y de origen natural para el control deF. verticillioides.

Using Pressure-Driven Membrane Processes to Remove Emerging Pollutants from Aqueous Solutions.

Currently, there is great concern about global water pollution. Wastewater generally contains substances called emerging pollutants, and if the removal of these pollutants is not given sufficient attention, the pollutants can enter into the water cycle and reach the water supply for domestic use, causing adverse effects on the well-being of people. In order to avoid this menace, a multitude of techniques to reduce the high concentration levels of these substances dissolved in water are being researched and developed. One of the most-used techniques for this goal is the physical-chemical separation of contaminants in water through membrane technology. In this study, different membranes were tested with the objective of investigating the removal of three emerging pollutants: caffeine, metformin, and methyl-paraben. Initially, a nanofiltration (NF) membrane was selected, and the influence of pressure was evaluated in the rejection coefficients and permeate fluxes. Next, a screening of three new membranes to remove methyl paraben was completed. The influence of the operating variables, working pressure, and methyl paraben-feed concentration was checked. Finally, the solution-diffusion model was applied to predict the behavior of the different membranes in the removal of methyl paraben. A good correlation between experimental and calculated values of permeate flux and methyl paraben concentration was obtained.

Long term cutaneous complications related to bone conduction hearing implants. A retrospective study (2004-2018).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish the frequency of cutaneous complications due to surgically implanted bone conduction hearing aids in recipients treated at a tertiary otolaryngology center. Additionally, based on the literature review, we propose a scale to standardize the report of cutaneous reactions related to transcutaneous systems to objectify future studies. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who were implanted with bone conduction hearing systems between 2004 and 2018. Patients with minimum follow up of 6 months were included. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics and clinical course was analyzed by number and skin reactions. Transcutaneous and percutaneous systems were analyzed separately. The study was approved by the local IRB. RESULTS: A total of 104 devices were implanted on 88 patients with an average follow up of 4.04 (range of 0.5 - 10 years). Out of the total of patients, 49 (55.7%) developed at least one episode of inflammatory/infectious skin reaction at surgical incision site. A total of 148 episodes of local infections during the entire follow-up period were registered, mostly mild in severity with no triggering factors identified. The majority of the initial episodes of infection occurred within the first 3 years of follow-up. Out of the total of patients, 47 (53.4%) reported pain at the surgical site at some point throughout follow-up, not associated with clinically evident infection. CONCLUSION: The incidence of skin complications in our series seemed higher compared to previous reports. Minor complications were the most common and responded well to topical treatment. No triggering factors were identified as the cause of the infections, nor to explain the frequency or the severity of such an adverse reaction. Isolated pain was present in the majority of patients with conductive hearing devices, even without signs of active infection. Due to its high incidence it should be assessed in all patients that receive an implant. Based on a search of the literature, a scale to standardize cutaneous complications of transcutaneous implants was undertaken, but further studies are needed to validate such a scale.

Chemical composition and antifungal properties of commercial essential oils against the maize phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium verticillioides.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the chemical composition of Curcuma longa, Pimenta dioica, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Syzygium aromaticum essential oils (EOs) and their antifungal and anti-conidiogenic activity against Fusarium verticillioides. The chemical profile of the EOs was determined by GC/MS. The antifungal and anti-conidiogenic activities were evaluated by the agar dilution method. The tested concentrations were 1000ppm, 500ppm, 250ppm and 125ppm. S. aromaticum EO exhibited the highest antifungal effect, followed by P. dioica and to a lesser extent C. longa. The major compounds of these EOs were eugenol (88.70% in S. aromaticum and 16.70% in P. dioica), methyl eugenol (53.09% in P. dioica), and α-turmerone (44.70%), ß-turmerone (20.67%), and Ar-turmerone (17.27%) in C. longa. Rosmarinus officinalis poorly inhibited fungal growth; however, it was the only EO that inhibited conidial production, with its major components being 1,8-cineole (53.48%), α-pinene (15.65%), and (-)-camphor (9.57%). Our results showed that some compounds are capable of decreasing mycelial growth without affecting sporulation, and vice versa. However, not all the compounds of an EO are responsible for its bioactivity. In the present work, we were able to identify different major compounds or mixtures of major compounds that were responsible for antifungal and anti-conidiogenic effects. Further experiments combining these pure components are necessary in order to achieve a highly bioactive natural formulation against the phytopathogenic fungus F. verticillioides.