Testing a 5G Communication System: Kriging-Aided O2I Path Loss Modeling Based on 3.5 GHz Measurement Analysis.

Deep knowledge of how radio waves behave in a practical wireless channel is required for the effective planning and deployment of radio access networks in outdoor-to-indoor (O2I) environments. Using more than 400 non-line-of-sight (NLOS) radio measurements at 3.5 GHz, this study analyzes and validates a novel O2I measurement-based path loss prediction narrowband model that characterizes and estimates shadowing through Kriging techniques. The prediction results of the developed model are compared with those of the most traditional assumption of slow fading as a random variable: COST231, WINNER+, ITU-R, 3GPP urban microcell O2I models and field measured data. The results showed and guaranteed that the predicted path loss accuracy, expressed in terms of the mean error, standard deviation and root mean square error (RMSE) was significantly better with the proposed model; it considerably decreased the average error for both scenarios under evaluation.

Closing Connectivity Gap: An Overview of Mobile Coverage Solutions for Not-Spots in Rural Zones.

Access to broadband communications in different parts of the world has become a priority for some governments and regulatory authorities around the world in recent years. Building new digital roads and pursuing a connected society includes looking for easier access to the internet. In general, not all areas where people congregate are fully covered, especially in rural zones, thus restricting access to data communications and inducing inequality. In the present review article, we have comprehensively surveyed the use of three platforms to deliver broadband services to such remote and low-income areas, and they are proposed as follows: unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), altitude platforms (AP), and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. These novel strategies support the connected and accessible world hypothesis. Hence, UAVs are considered a noteworthy solution since their efficient maneuverability can solve rural coverage issues or not-spots.

Biotechnological production of carotenoids by yeasts: an overview.

Nowadays, carotenoids are valuable molecules in different industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, poultry, food and cosmetics. These pigments not only can act as vitamin A precursors, but also they have coloring and antioxidant properties, which have attracted the attention of the industries and researchers. The carotenoid production through chemical synthesis or extraction from plants is limited by low yields that results in high production costs. This leads to research of microbial production of carotenoids, as an alternative that has shown better yields than other aforementioned. In addition, the microbial production of carotenoids could be a better option about costs, looking for alternatives like the use of low-cost substrates as agro-industrials wastes. Yeasts have demonstrated to be carotenoid producer showing an important growing capacity in several agro-industrial wastes producing high levels of carotenoids. Agro-industrial wastes provide carbon and nitrogen source necessary, and others elements to carry out the microbial metabolism diminishing the production costs and avoiding pollution from these agro-industrial wastes to the environmental. Herein, we discuss the general and applied concepts regarding yeasts carotenoid production and the factors influencing carotenogenesis using agro-industrial wastes as low-cost substrates.

Operative technique with rapid recovery for ingrown nails with granulation tissue formation in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Ingrown toenail is a common disease that causes pain and discomfort. There are conservative and surgical treatments, but many have the drawbacks of recurrence and long recovery time. OBJECTIVE: To analyze for the first time the results of a technique called nail splinting using a flexible tube secured using a suture (FTSS) performed on a series of patients with ingrown toenails. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective descriptive study of 71 pediatric patients operated on using the FTSS technique between 2001 and 2009 was performed. The data were collected using medical record review or telephone survey. The main outcomes were high percentage of success and shorter recovery time than with partial matrix excision. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (87.3%) were cured using a single procedure, with an average follow-up of 13.1 months. Recurrence occurred in nine patients (12.6%); three required the classic technique with resection of the matrix and nail bed plastic surgery, and in 6, FTSS was repeated with good results. CONCLUSION: Flexible tube secured using a suture has a lower recurrence rate than matricectomy. Additional advantages are the speed with which complaints can be monitored and quick return to school because recovery may be as short as 48 hours.

Risk-stratified Results among Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Patients in Two Large Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Centers in South America.

INTRODUCTION: Mortality related to CDH is high, but with great variability among centers. There are few studies on patients with this condition born in South America which show poor outcomes. The goal of this study is to present the outcome of CDH in several high-volume quaternary centers in South America, ascertain the factors associated with lower mortality in our population, and compare our outcomes to those of the CDH Study Group (CDHSG). METHODS: The data from two South American centers were retrospectively analyzed and compared with contemporary data from other CDHSG participating centers. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were also evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2018, the two South American centers saw 335 patients with CDH with an overall survival rate of 73.1%. Survival for the high, intermediate, and low-risk groups as determined by the Brindle score was 50%, 70%, and 87%, respectively. In our cohort the strongest predictors of mortality were ECMO use and early PaCO2. There were no significant differences in mortality between the two South American centers and the other CDHSG centers when adjusted by risk score, however, the South American centers had higher use of ECMO in the intermediate-risk group. DISCUSSION: Quaternary South American centers had similar outcomes to CDHSG centers worldwide. The availability and coordination of centralized dedicated care allow more efficient use of scarce technical and professional resources in patients with CDH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Microbial Carotenoid Synthesis Optimization in Goat Cheese Whey Using the Robust Taguchi Method: A Sustainable Approach to Help Tackle Vitamin A Deficiency.

The work describes the carotenoid synthesis process by Rhodotorula glutinis P4M422 using an agro-industrial waste as the substrate, seeking a biorefinery platform approach for waste utilization to produce high-value molecules. A culture medium based on goat milk whey (GMW) was optimized via the Taguchi method (L9 array). Four factors (ethanol, carbon and nitrogen source, and pH) were evaluated at three levels. The carbon and nitrogen composition were the factors dominating the process performance. Optimized conditions were validated (Urea, 0.3% w/v; pH, 4.5; ethanol, 10% v/v; glucose, 6.0%), and the carotenoid production (4075 µg/L) was almost 200% higher than when using the un-optimized process (2058 µg/L). Provitamin A carotenoids torulene, ß-carotene, and γ-carotene (different proportions) were produced under all conditions. The hydrolyzed goat milk whey showed promising expectations as a low-cost source for carotenoid production by Rhodotorula glutinis P4M422. The results are important for the innovative sustainable production of carotenoid-rich matrices for different purposes (nutrition, health promotion, color) and industries (foods, nutricosmetics, nutraceuticals, feeds), notably to help to combat vitamin A deficiency.

A B73×Palomero Toluqueño mapping population reveals local adaptation in Mexican highland maize.

Generations of farmer selection in the central Mexican highlands have produced unique maize varieties adapted to the challenges of the local environment. In addition to possessing great agronomic and cultural value, Mexican highland maize represents a good system for the study of local adaptation and acquisition of adaptive phenotypes under cultivation. In this study, we characterize a recombinant inbred line population derived from the B73 reference line and the Mexican highland maize variety Palomero Toluqueño. B73 and Palomero Toluqueño showed classic rank-changing differences in performance between lowland and highland field sites, indicative of local adaptation. Quantitative trait mapping identified genomic regions linked to effects on yield components that were conditionally expressed depending on the environment. For the principal genomic regions associated with ear weight and total kernel number, the Palomero Toluqueño allele conferred an advantage specifically in the highland site, consistent with local adaptation. We identified Palomero Toluqueño alleles associated with expression of characteristic highland traits, including reduced tassel branching, increased sheath pigmentation and the presence of sheath macrohairs. The oligogenic architecture of these three morphological traits supports their role in adaptation, suggesting they have arisen from consistent directional selection acting at distinct points across the genome. We discuss these results in the context of the origin of phenotypic novelty during selection, commenting on the role of de novo mutation and the acquisition of adaptive variation by gene flow from endemic wild relatives.

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A NEW LAPAROSCOPIC ENDOTRAINER FOR NEONATAL SURGERY AND REDUCED SPACES.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric laparoscopy box with sliding tray. Pediatric procedures have the difficulty of being performed in reduced spaces. Training in reduced spaces has proven to be different in complexity compared to adult laparoscopic endotrainers. AIM: To develop and validate a new neonatal/reduced-space endotrainer. METHODS: The simulator was tested and assessed by users with different skill levels and experience in laparoscopic pediatric surgery through an 8-item questionnaire. Construct validity was determined by evaluating the performance of each subject on nine exercises. RESULTS: A 10.5 x 10 x 18 cm acrylic simulator was created, with an internal working surface of 9 x 9 cm. An HD camera was incorporated, with a 0-180° range of movement. All exercises of a Basic Laparoscopic Training Program were adapted on a scale of 1:0.5 to fit in. From 49 participants, 42 (85.71%) answered the survey; 80.5% considered that the simulator reproduces similar conditions to procedures performed in children under one year of age; 61.1% thought that the simulator represents a difficulty identical to procedures performed in newborns; 73.7% considered that the neonatal simulator is more complicated than the adult simulator. Experts showed significantly better performance in all proposed exercises. CONCLUSION: The simulator has a high-quality image and design that allows training with basic tasks. The endotrainer permitted to discriminate between these different skill levels and was well evaluated by users with diverse surgical experience.

Chylothorax in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

PURPOSE: Following surgical repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), chylothorax can be present in 7-28% of the cases. It has been associated with prenatal diagnosis, the use of ECMO and prosthetic patches during reparatory surgery. The objective is to present a neonatal unit experience in handling this complication and the search for predictive factors for its appearance in our patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out between 2003 and 2009. RESULTS: We found 65 patients with CDH, of which 7 (10.8%) developed a chylothorax, 5 responded to drainage and diet restriction. Octreotide (OCT) was used in two cases that did not respond to the usual treatment. OCT was successful with one patient, while surgical resolution of the chylothorax was necessary in the other. Two patients died, none of them during treatment of chylothorax. We did not find a significant association between chylothorax and the variables studied in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Chylothorax is a common complication following CDH repair. We have a low rate of this complication in our institution. Conservative management is an appropriate approach for all patients; OCT could be an alternative to avoid surgery. We did not find any predictive factors for chylothorax in our series.

Improvement of survival in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia in recent years: effect of ECMO availability and associated factors.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Survival of patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) depends both on non-modifiable congenital conditions and on modifiable pre and postnatal management. ECMO improves survival up to 80% in neonates with CDH in the best ECMO centers worldwide. The first Neonatal ECMO Program in Chile was started in our University in 2003. Our objective is to determine the impact of a Neonatal ECMO Program in a level III NICU on newborns with CDH. METHODS: Data of all newborns with CDH admitted to our NICU was separated into two groups: pre ECMO (1996-2003) and ECMO (2003-2007). Crude and adjusted odds ratios for 24 months survival were estimated by logistic regression. RESULTS: Data of 46 newborns with CDH was analysed, 20 in the pre ECMO and 26 in the ECMO period. Patient characteristics were similar in both groups; however, 24-month survival increased significantly from 25% (5/20) in the pre ECMO period to 77% (20/26) in the ECMO period (P = 0.001). Adjusted odds ratios for 24-month survival were 26.98 for OI or= 7 and 17.5 for ECMO availability. CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of an ECMO program was associated with a significant increase in long-term survival for infants with CDH.

Biotechnological approaches for the production of natural colorants by Talaromyces/Penicillium: A review.

There has been an increased interest in replacing synthetic colorants by colorants obtained from natural sources, especially microbial pigments. Monascus pigments have been used as natural colorings and food additives in Asia for centuries but have raised toxicity issues. Recently, Talaromyces/Penicillium species have been recognized as potential strains to produce natural pigments similar to those produced by Monascus species. To date, it has not been published a literature compilation about the research and development activity of Talaromyces/Penicillium pigments. Developing a new bioprocess requires several steps, from an initial concept to a practical and feasible application. Industrial applications of fungal pigments will depend on: (i) characterization of the molecules to assure a safe consumption, (ii) stability of the pigments to the processing conditions required by the products where they will be incorporated, (iii) optimizing process conditions to achieve high yields, iv) implementing an efficient product recovery and (v) scale-up of the bioprocess. The above aspects have been reviewed in detail to evaluate the feasibility of reaching a commercial scale of the pigments produced by Talaromyces/Penicillium. Finally, the biological activities of the pigments and their potential applications are discussed.

Characterization of introgression from the teosinte Zea mays ssp. mexicana to Mexican highland maize.

BACKGROUND: The spread of maize cultivation to the highlands of central Mexico was accompanied by substantial introgression from the endemic wild teosinte Zea mays ssp. mexicana, prompting the hypothesis that the transfer of beneficial variation facilitated local adaptation. METHODS: We used whole-genome sequence data to map regions of Zea mays ssp. mexicana introgression in three Mexican highland maize individuals. We generated a genetic linkage map and performed Quantitative Trait Locus mapping in an F2 population derived from a cross between lowland and highland maize individuals. RESULTS: Introgression regions ranged in size from several hundred base pairs to Megabase-scale events. Gene density within introgression regions was comparable to the genome as a whole, and over 1,000 annotated genes were located within introgression events. Quantitative Trait Locus mapping identified a small number of loci linked to traits characteristic of Mexican highland maize. DISCUSSION: Although there was no strong evidence to associate quantitative trait loci with regions of introgression, we nonetheless identified many Mexican highland alleles of introgressed origin that carry potentially functional sequence variants. The impact of introgression on stress tolerance and yield in the highland environment remains to be fully characterized.

Factors associated with thrombotic complications in pediatric patients with vascular malformations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thrombosis is an uncommon disorder in children. Patients with slowflow vascular malformations have higher risk of developing localized intravascular coagulation, which is closely related to the presence of thrombotic events. These episodes cause pain, can be recurrent and determine a clear deterioration in the quality of life. Moreover, serious complications such as pulmonary thromboembolism and eventually death have been described. The aim of the present study is to identify clinical and laboratory risk factors associated with thrombotic events in pediatric patients with vascular malformations. METHODS: Case-Control study. Clinical records of patients who consulted the vascular anomalies study group (VASG). This group carries out interdisciplinary assessment of patients with vascular malformations. From June 2008 to December 2014, 110 patients were assessed of whom 46 patients met the inclusion criteria, with half of them presenting a thrombotic complication and the others not, these latter serving as controls. Statistical analysis included multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine major risk factors for thrombosis. RESULTS: In the bivariate analysis we found a significant association between increased levels of Ddimer and thrombotic complications (OR 17.1 [95% CI 3.95-73.95; p<0.01]). In addition, a surface area≥10cm2 (OR 6.18 [95% CI 1.59-23.99; p<0.01]) and the presence of palpable phleboliths (OR 20.17 [95% CI 2.32-165.77; p<0.01]) were associated with a significant higher risk of thrombosis. Multivariate analysis identified older age (OR 1.33; p=0.013), a surface area≥10cm2 (OR 8.19; p=0.042) and palpable phleboliths (OR 85.29; p<0.01) as significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests the existence of clinical factors associated with higher risk of thrombotic complications, such as the extent of the malformation, palpable phleboliths and increased age among children with vascular malformations.

Selection of best conditions of inoculum preparation for optimum performance of the pigment production process by Talaromyces spp. using the Taguchi method.

Process optimisation techniques increasingly need to be used early on in research and development of processes for new ingredients. There are different approaches and this article illustrates the main issues at stake with a method that is an industry best practice, the Taguchi method, suggesting a procedure to assess the potential impact of its drawbacks. The Taguchi method has been widely used in various industrial sectors because it minimises the experimental requirements to define an optimum region of operation, which is particularly relevant when minimising variability is a target. However, it also has drawbacks, especially the intricate confoundings generated by the experimental designs used. This work reports a process optimisation of the synthesis of red pigments by a fungal strain, Talaromyces spp. using the Taguchi methodology and proposes an approach to assess from validation trials whether the conclusions can be accepted with confidence. The work focused on optimising the inoculum characteristics, and the studied factors were spore age and concentration, agitation speed and incubation time. It was concluded that spore age was the most important factor for both responses, with optimum results at 5 days old, with the best other conditions being spores concentration, 100,000 (spores/mL); agitation, 200 rpm; and incubation time, 84 h. The interactive effects can be considered negligible and therefore this is an example where a simple experimental design approach was successful in speedily indicating conditions able to increase pigment production by 63% compared to an average choice of settings. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:621-632, 2017.

Perstraction of Intracellular Pigments through Submerged Fermentation of Talaromyces spp. in a Surfactant Rich Media: A Novel Approach for Enhanced Pigment Recovery.

A high percentage of the pigments produced by Talaromyces spp. remains inside the cell, which could lead to a high product concentration inhibition. To overcome this issue an extractive fermentation process, perstraction, was suggested, which involves the extraction of the intracellular products out of the cell by using a two-phase system during the fermentation. The present work studied the effect of various surfactants on secretion of intracellular pigments produced by Talaromyces spp. in submerged fermentation. Surfactants used were: non-ionic surfactants (Tween 80, Span 20 and Triton X-100) and a polyethylene glycerol polymer 8000, at different concentrations (5, 20, 35 g/L). The highest extracellular pigment yield (16 OD500nm) was reached using Triton X-100 (35 g/L), which was 44% higher than the control (no surfactant added). The effect of addition time of the selected surfactant was further studied. The highest extracellular pigment concentration (22 OD500nm) was achieved when the surfactant was added at 120 h of fermentation. Kinetics of extracellular and intracellular pigments were examined. Total pigment at the end of the fermentation using Triton X-100 was 27.7% higher than the control, confirming that the use of surfactants partially alleviated the product inhibition during the pigment production culture.

Assessment of the Dyeing Properties of the Pigments Produced by Talaromyces spp.

The high production yields of pigments by Talaromyces spp. and their high thermal stability have implied that industrial application interests may emerge in the food and textile industries, as they both involve subjecting the colourants to high temperatures. The present study aimed to assess the potential application of the pigments produced by Talaromyces spp. in the textile area by studying their dyeing properties. Dyeing studies were performed on wool. The dyeing process consisted of three stages: scouring, mordanting, and dyeing. Two different mordants (alum, A; ferric chloride, F) were tested at different concentrations on fabric weight (A: 5, 10, 15%; F: 10, 20, 30%). The mordanting process had a significant effect on the final colour of the dyed fabrics obtained. The values of dyeing rate constant (k), half-time of dyeing (t1/2), and sorption kinetics behaviour were evaluated and discussed. The obtained results showed that pigments produced by Talaromyces spp. could serve as a source for the natural dyeing of wool textiles.

Effect of ohmic heating processing conditions on color stability of fungal pigments.

The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of ohmic heating processing conditions on the color stability of a red pigment extract produced by Penicillium purpurogenum GH2 suspended in a buffer solution (pH 6) and in a beverage model system (pH 4). Color stability of pigmented extract was evaluated in the range of 60-90 ℃. The degradation pattern of pigments was well described by the first-order (fractional conversion) and Bigelow model. Degradation rate constants ranged between 0.009 and 0.088 min-1 in systems evaluated. Significant differences in the rate constant values of the ohmic heating-treated samples in comparison with conventional thermal treatment suggested a possible effect of the oscillating electric field generated during ohmic heating. The thermodynamic analysis also indicated differences in the color degradation mechanism during ohmic heating specifically when the pigment was suspended in the beverage model system. In general, red pigments produced by P. purpurogenum GH2 presented good thermal stability under the range of the evaluated experimental conditions, showing potential future applications in pasteurized food matrices using ohmic heating treatment.

Enfermedad de Castleman. Reporte de caso / Castleman Disease. Case report and literature review

Resumen INTRODUCCIÓN: La enfermedad de Castleman, o hiperplasia angiofolicular de los ganglios linfáticos, es todo un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico para la mayoría de los médicos. Puede estar asociada con infecciones virales, como el herpes virus tipo 8 (HHV-8), o ser idiopática. A su vez, puede localizarse en una sola región (unicéntrica) o afectar varias (multicéntrica). Suele diagnosticarse en la cuarta década de la vida y ser un hallazgo cuando se trata de la variante unicéntrica. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 19 años que acudió a consulta debido a la aparición de un nódulo en la mama derecha. En el ultrasonido mamario y axilar se encontraron fibroadenomas bilaterales y adenomegalias en el lado izquierdo, con alta vascularidad. Se catalogó como BIRADS 3. El reporte histopatológico de la biopsia, con aguja de corte, del ganglio axilar izquierdo fue de: proliferación linfoide atípica. La inmunohistoquímica reportó positividad para: CD20, CD3, CD21 en células dendríticas interfoliculares, Ki-67 y negatividad para HHV-8 en centros germinales residuales. CONCLUSIÓN: La extirpación quirúrgica de una masa unicéntrica de tipo hialino-vascular-plasmático es curativa. La evaluación de pacientes con sospecha de esta enfermedad debe incluir, además de la evaluación patológica con inmunotinción, estudios de laboratorio y de imágenes sistémicas con PET-TAC para determinar la extensión de la enfermedad (unicéntrica o multicéntrica) y para los marcadores de seguimiento.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Castleman's disease, or angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia, is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for most physicians. It may be associated with viral infections, such as herpes virus type 8, or be idiopathic. In turn, it can be localized in a single region (unicentric) or affect several (multicentric). It is usually diagnosed in the fourth decade of life and is a finding when it is the unicentric variant. CLINICAL CASE: 19 year old patient who came to consult due to the appearance of a nodule in the right breast. Breast and axillary ultrasound showed bilateral fibroadenomas and adenomegaly on the left side, with high vascularity. It was classified as BIRADS 3. The histopathological report of the biopsy, with cutting needle, of the left axillary node was: atypical lymphoid proliferation. Immunohistochemistry reported positivity for: CD20, CD3, CD21 on interfollicular dendritic cells, Ki-67 and negativity for HHV-8 in residual germinal centers. CONCLUSION: Surgical removal of a unicentric hyaline-vascular-plasmic type mass is curative. Evaluation of patients with suspected disease should include, in addition to pathologic evaluation with immunostaining, laboratory and systemic imaging studies with PET-CT to determine the extent of disease (unicentric or multicentric) and for follow-up markers.

Strategies to enhance the production of photosynthetic pigments and lipids in chlorophycae species.

Microalgae are a major natural source for a vast array of valuable compounds as lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, pigments among others. Despite many applications, only a few species of microalgae are cultured commercially because of poorly developed of cultivation process. Nowadays some strategies of culture have been used for enhancing biomass and value compounds yield. The most strategies applied to microalgae are classified into two groups: nutrimental and physical. The nutrimental are considered as change in media composition as nitrogen and phosphorous limitation and changes in carbon source, while physical are described as manipulation in operational conditions and external factors such as application of high-light intensities, medium salinity and electromagnetic fields. The exposition to electromagnetic field is a promising technique that can improve the pigments and biomass yield in microalgae culture. Therefore, is important to describe the advantages and applications of the overall process. The aim of this review was to describe the main culture strategies used to improve the photosynthetic and lipids content in chlorophyceae species.

Genomic GC content prediction in prokaryotes from a sample of genes.

GC level is a key feature in prokaryotic genomes. Widely employed in evolutionary studies, new insights appear however limited because of the relatively low number of characterized genomes. Since public databases mainly comprise several hundreds of prokaryotes with a low number of sequences per genome, a reliable prediction method based on available sequences may be useful for studies that need a trustworthy estimation of whole genomic GC. As the analysis of completely sequenced genomes shows a great variability in distributional shapes, it is of interest to compare different estimators. Our analysis shows that the mean of GC values of a random sample of genes is a reasonable estimator, based on simplicity of the calculation and overall performance. However, usually sequences come from a process that cannot be considered as random sampling. When we analyzed two introduced sources of bias (gene length and protein functional categories) we were able to detect an additional bias in the estimation for some cases, although the precision was not affected. We conclude that the mean genic GC level of a sample of 10 genes is a reliable estimator of genomic GC content, showing comparable accuracy with many widely employed experimental methods.