Chemically Modified Nanoparticles for Enhanced Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties with Cinnamon Essential Oil.

We explored the potential of different nanoparticles (TiO2, CaCO3, and Al2O3), considering their pure form and modified with cinnamon essential oil (CEO). These materials were characterized using various techniques, including FTIR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, TGA, and SEM. The interaction between CEO and nanoparticles changed depending on the nanoparticle type. Al2O3 nanoparticles exhibited the strongest interaction with CEO, increasing their antioxidant capacity by around 40% and their transfer of antimicrobial properties, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria. In contrast, TiO2 and CaCO3 nanoparticles showed limited interaction with CEO, resulting in lower antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity. Incorporating pure and CEO-modified nanoparticles into polylactic acid (PLA) films improved their mechanical and thermal properties, which are suitable for applications requiring greater strength. This research highlights the potential of metal oxide nanoparticles to enhance the antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities of polymers. In addition, incorporating cinnamon essential oil can increase the antioxidant and antimicrobial effectiveness of the metal oxide nanoparticles and improve the mechanical and thermal properties of PLA films. Thus, these PLA films exhibit favorable characteristics for active packaging applications.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential of SiO2 Modified with Cinnamon Essential Oil (Cinnamomum Verum) for Its Use as a Nanofiller in Active Packaging PLA Films.

One of the main causes of food spoilage is the lipid oxidation of its components, which generates the loss of nutrients and color, together with the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. In order to minimize these effects, active packaging has played an important role in preservation in recent years. Therefore, in the present study, an active packaging film was developed using polylactic acid (PLA) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) (0.1% w/w) chemically modified with cinnamon essential oil (CEO). For the modification of the NPs, two methods (M1 and M2) were tested, and their effects on the chemical, mechanical, and physical properties of the polymer matrix were evaluated. The results showed that CEO conferred to SiO2 NPs had a high percentage of 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical inhibition (>70%), cell viability (>80%), and strong inhibition to E. coli, at 45 and 11 µg/mL for M1 and M2, respectively, and thermal stability. Films were prepared with these NPs, and characterizations and evaluations on apple storage were performed for 21 days. The results show that the films with pristine SiO2 improved tensile strength (28.06 MPa), as well as Young's modulus (0.368 MPa) since PLA films only presented values of 27.06 MPa and 0.324 MPa, respectively; however, films with modified NPs decreased tensile strength values (26.22 and 25.13 MPa), but increased elongation at break (from 5.05% to 10.32-8.32%). The water solubility decreased from 15% to 6-8% for the films with NPs, as well as the contact angle, from 90.21° to 73° for the M2 film. The water vapor permeability increased for the M2 film, presenting a value of 9.50 × 10-8 g Pa-1 h-1 m-2. FTIR analysis indicated that the addition of NPs with and without CEO did not modify the molecular structure of pure PLA; however, DSC analysis indicated that the crystallinity of the films was improved. The packaging prepared with M1 (without Tween 80) showed good results at the end of storage: lower values in color difference (5.59), organic acid degradation (0.042), weight loss (24.24%), and pH (4.02), making CEO-SiO2 a good component to produce active packaging.

An overview of in situ testing and geophysical methods to investigate municipal solid waste landfills.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is challenging as a whole. Global waste generation is expected to continue to increase in the coming years, and landfills are currently the primary destination. Therefore, the stability of these structures must be carefully evaluated to prevent failures and associated health and pollution risks, which implies the determination of waste properties using more reliable approaches. This paper presents a scoping review of field data from MSW landfills and outlines suggestions for future work. Studies published in the past twenty years were selected following a systematic search process in databases. Aspects discussed include (1) strength parameters and soil behavior type from in situ testing, (2) elastic moduli from seismic wave propagation, and (3) moisture content from geoelectrical measurements. Although the values of geotechnical parameters have varied due to waste heterogeneity and applied methods, the trends observed with depth and age could be compared. Research opportunities involve the spatial analysis of mechanical properties at a given site, seismic response of landfills with high organic content and saturation degree, interpretation of long-term resistivity monitoring, and combination of electrical properties to assess the degradation stages within the waste mass.

Green Route to Produce Silver Nanoparticles Using the Bioactive Flavonoid Quercetin as a Reducing Agent and Food Anti-Caking Agents as Stabilizers.

In previous work, the isolated polyphenolic compound (PPC) quercetin was used as a reducing agent in the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), testing two types of quercetin. This PPC is a bioactive molecule that provides the electrons for the reduction of silver ions to zerovalent silver. The results demonstrated that quercetin in dietary supplement presentation was better than reagent grade quercetin for the synthesis of AgNPs, and the difference between them was that the dietary supplement had microcrystalline cellulose (CM) in its formulation. Therefore, this dietary anti-caking agent was added to the reagent-grade quercetin to validate this previously found improvement. AgNPs were obtained at neutral pH by a green route using quercetin as a reducing agent and microcrystalline cellulose and maltodextrin as stabilizing agents. In addition, different ratios were evaluated to find the optimum ratio. Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Z-potential, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) were used for characterization. The antibacterial activity of the S. aureus and E. coli agent was tested by the disk diffusion and microdilution method. According to the results, this green synthesis needs the use of food stabilizer when working at pH 7 to maintain AgNPs in the long term. The ideal ratio of reducing the agent:stabilizing agent was 1:2, since with this system stable AgNPs are obtained for 2 months and with improved antimicrobial activity, validating this method was ecologically and economically viable.

Guía de Práctica Clínica para el diagnóstico temprano y la referencia oportuna del cáncer de pulmón.

OBJETIVO: Proporcionar recomendaciones para la detección temprana de pacientes con alto riesgo de desarrollar cáncer de pulmón (CP) en el primer nivel de atención y su referencia oportuna. Material y métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda detallada de la evidencia científica disponible para responder las preguntas de investigación clínica y se utilizó el Panel Delphi modificado para lograr un consenso entre expertos. RESULTADOS: Se generaron 14 recomendaciones siguiendo los estándares de una GPC. Conclusión. El CP representa un problema de salud pública en México; por ello, esta guía establece recomendaciones que apoyan la toma de decisiones sobre la detección precoz y la referencia de pacientes con sospecha de CP en el primer nivel de atención.

Ungual Spitz Nevus: Description of Dermoscopic Data.

Introduction: Spitz nevus is an uncommon, benign melanocytic proliferation that primarily appears on face, trunk or lower extremities of children. This lesion may share clinical and microscopical characteristics with melanoma, making it a diagnostic and management challenge. Case Report: A 13-year old male presented with an asymptomatic chronic dermatosis located on the third left-hand nail. Cutaneous examination revealed a homogeneous dark brown melanonychia which extended up to the cuticle. Upon dermoscopy, longitudinal bands measuring less than 3 mm wide of heterogeneous colors ranging from light to dark brown, and positive Hutchinson's sign were observed. Discussion/Conclusion: We report the second case of a Spitz nevus ungually localized which strongly resembled an ungual melanoma with a positive Hutchinson's sign upon dermoscopy. Describing the infrequent presentation and location of the Spitz nevus poses an opportunity to establish diagnostic and management criteria in the near future.

Geo-environmental and geotechnical characterization of municipal solid waste from the selective collection in São Paulo city, Brazil.

This paper presents the characterization of municipal solid waste (MSW) randomly collected from two material recovery facilities in São Paulo city, before (input - recyclables) and after (output - rejects) the sorting processes. Geo-environmental and geotechnical tests were performed on shredded samples and a digestion method was applied to detect the metals As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations using an ICP OES. The objective was to assist future activities of integrated solid waste management and soil pollution. Results showed different particle sizes comparing the input (44.6%) and the output MSW (75.1%) passing through the 100-mm sieve. Organic matter and ash contents indicated the influence of inorganic carbon due to the plastics' presence, with values varying between 6 and 13%. The pH values obtained were neutral and the electrical conductivity of the MSW rejects suggested a higher amount of ions, with values above 1000 µS/cm. Metals analyses show that Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn are present in high concentrations, depending on the types of the materials. Standard Proctor compaction curves yielded maximum dry unit weight varying from 6.6 to 10.0 kN/m3 and optimum moisture contents from 20 to 42%. Cohesion ranged from 1.3 to 31.3 kPa and friction angle from 3.2 to 42.9°. The results are comparable with those obtained for other countries using different MSW treatments and contribute to the data basis for MSW from the selective collection, aiming the integrated solid waste management, serving for other countries that adopt MSW sorting and recycling.

Combination of Medical and Surgical Treatment in Scleromyxedema.

Scleromyxedema is an uncommon and progressive fibromucinous disorder characterized by disseminated papular eruption with histological features of dermal mucin deposition. The skin changes associated with this disease are highly visible and they tend to affect the patient's quality of life. We report a case of a 50-year-old male patient that presented a 3-year-old history of disseminated asymptomatic firm papules-associated systemic symptoms. Medical treatment with oral corticosteroid and thalidomide was indicated and surgical treatment on residual facial folds was performed, with an excellent outcome.

Physiological Response of Escherichia coli W3110 and BL21 to the Aerobic Expression of Vitreoscilla Hemoglobin.

The aerobic growth and metabolic performance of Escherichia coli strains BL21 and W3110 were studied when the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) was constitutively expressed in the chromosome. When VHb was expressed, acetate production decreased in both strains and was nearly eliminated in BL21. Transcriptional levels of the glyoxylate shunt genes decreased in both strains when VHb was expressed. However, higher transcription of the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase genes were observed for W3110, while for BL21 transcription levels decreased. VHb expression reduced the transcription of the cytochrome bo3 genes only in BL21. These results are useful for better selecting a production host.

Myopericytoma in an unusual location.

Myopericytoma is a soft-tissue tumor of perivascular cells (pericytes). It is slow-growing, usually asymptomatic, and generally benign, although a malignant variant has been described. The etiology is unknown, but it has been associated with local trauma. The most common location is on the distal extremities. Histologically, it is characterized by a well-circumscribed, non-encapsulated proliferation of spindle shaped cells similar to myofibroblasts with oval nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm, arranged in perivascular concentric rings. There are few mitoses and no necrosis is reported. The immunohistochemical analysis is positive for smooth muscle actin and negative or weakly positive for desmin. A low Ki-67 proliferation index is typical. Treatment is surgical excision with free margins. Recurrences after adequate excision are uncommon. We describe a 48-year-old woman with a myopericytoma in an unusual location (next to the inner corner of her left eye) who was treated with surgical excision; there has been no recurrence after 5 years of follow up.

Aerobic expression of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin improves the growth performance of CHO-K1 cells.

Inefficient carbon metabolism is a relevant issue during the culture of mammalian cells for the production of biopharmaceuticals. Therefore, cell engineering strategies to improve the metabolic and growth performance of cell lines are needed. The expression of Vitreoscilla stercoraria hemoglobin (VHb) has been shown to significantly reduce overflow metabolism and improve the aerobic growth of bacteria. However, the effects of VHb on mammalian cells have been rarely studied. Here, the impact of VHb on growth and lactate accumulation during CHO-K1 cell culture was investigated. For this purpose, CHO-K1 cells were transfected with plasmids carrying the vgb or gfp gene to express VHb or green fluorescence protein (GFP), respectively. VHb expression increased the specific growth rate and biomass yields on glucose and glutamine by 60 %, and reduced the amount of lactate produced per cell by 40 %, compared to the GFP-expression controls. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that VHb is distributed in the cytoplasm and organelles, which support the hypothesis that VHb could serve as an oxygen carrier, enhancing aerobic respiration. These results are useful for the development of better producing cell lines for industrial applications.

Conservative surgical management of in situ subungual melanoma: long-term follow-up

Abstract Subungual melanoma represents 20% of all melanomas in Hispanic population. Here, we report the outcome of 15 patients with in situ subungual melanoma treated with resection of the nail unit with a 5-mm margin without amputation, followed up for 55.93 ± 43.08 months. The most common complications included inclusion cysts and nail spicules. We found no evidence of local or distant recurrences at the last visit of our follow up. Functional outcome was good, with only one patient reporting persistent mild pain. These results support functional, non-amputative surgical management of in situ subungual melanomas.

Conservative surgical management of in situ subungual melanoma: long-term follow-up.

Subungual melanoma represents 20% of all melanomas in Hispanic population. Here, we report the outcome of 15 patients with in situ subungual melanoma treated with resection of the nail unit with a 5-mm margin without amputation, followed up for 55.93 ± 43.08 months. The most common complications included inclusion cysts and nail spicules. We found no evidence of local or distant recurrences at the last visit of our follow up. Functional outcome was good, with only one patient reporting persistent mild pain. These results support functional, non-amputative surgical management of in situ subungual melanomas.

"Cotton nail cast": a simple solution for mild and painful lateral and distal nail embedding.

BACKGROUND: Onychocryptosis is one of the most common painful nail conditions. Conservative treatment may take a long time to obtain effective results. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to show the effectiveness of a conservative treatment of ingrown nails that shows rapid results. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with painful Stage 1 to 2 onychocryptosis who were not candidates or refused surgery were treated with the cotton cast. The severity and cause of onychocryptosis was clinically evaluated during a 2-month period. A questionnaire was applied to all patients to evaluate pain, final treatment, and possible complications. RESULTS: All patients noticed results in less than 72 hours. Pain subsided in less than 24 hours in half of the patients and before 72 hours in 100% of the patients without the need of other treatments. The use of the cast prevented surgery and the accompanying morbidities in most of the patients (80%). CONCLUSION: The "cotton nail cast" is an effective conservative method for mild nail embedding. It is easy to apply, inexpensive, relieves pain rapidly, and avoids surgery in most patients.