Airborne particulate matter integral assessment in Magdalena department, Colombia: Patterns, health impact, and policy management.

The relevance of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) to health and the environment is widely known. Long-term studies are necessary for understanding current and future trends in air quality management. This study aimed to assess the long-term PM concentration in the Magdalena department (Colombia). It focused on the following aspects: i) spatiotemporal patterns, ii) correlation with meteorology, iii) compliance with standards, iv) temporal trends over time, v) impact on health, and vi) impact of policy management. Fifteen stations from 2003 to 2021 were analyzed. Spearman-Rho and Mann-Kendall methods were used to correlate concentration with meteorology. The temporal and five-year moving trends were determined, and the trend magnitude was calculated using Teil-Sen. Acute respiratory infection odd ratios and risk of cancer associated with PM concentration were used to assess the impact on health. The study found that the maximum PM10 concentration was 194.5 µg/m3, and the minimum was 3 µg/m3. In all stations, a negative correlation was observed between PM10 and atmospheric water content, while the wind speed and temperature showed a positive correlation. The global trends indicated an increasing value, with five fluctuations in five-year moving trends, consistent with PM sources and socio-economic behavior. PM concentrations were found to comply with national standard; however, the results showed a potential impact on population health. The management regulation had a limited impact on increasing concentration. Considering that national regulations tend to converge towards WHO standards, the study area must create a management program to ensure compliance.

Generalized Spin in the Variance-Based Wave Function Optimization Method within the Doubly Occupied Configuration Interaction Framework.

In this work, we implement a generalized spin formulation of the doubly occupied configuration interaction methodology using the energy variance of the N-electron Hamiltonian. We perform the optimization of the N-electron wave functions and calculate their corresponding energies, using a unified variational treatment for ground and excited states based on the energy variance, which allows us to describe the entire energy spectra on an equal footing. We analyze the effects produced by the breakdown of the S2 and Sz symmetries in the spectra of model hydrogenic clusters in terms of energies and spin-related quantities, arising from the restricted, unrestricted, and generalized spin methods. The results are compared with other related methods as well as full configuration interaction.

Domitiuslusitanicus (Araneae, Nesticidae) - an umbrella species for the conservation of troglobionts in the Estremenho Karst Massif, Portugal.

Background: Domitiuslusitanicus (Fage, 1931) is a troglobiont spider, endemic from caves in the largest karst massif in Portugal, the Estremenho. It was the first described cave-adapted species from Portugal, but the male of the species was only described in 1988. New information: Over the last two decades, the knowledge on the distribution of D.lusitanicus increased significantly. We assess the conservation status of D.lusitanicus, providing new information on its extent of occurrence and the anthropogenic threats and present a IUCN Red List profile. D.lusitanicus faces various anthropogenic threats, such as habitat loss, agriculture, pollution and tourism impacts. Despite a large part of its distribution is included in a Natural Park, it expands outside of the areas deemed for protection in the Natura 2000 network. This species has the widest spread distribution of all troglobionts in the Estremenho Massif; therefore, it may be used as an umbrella species for the protection of other cave-adapted species of invertebrates of the massif.

Integration policies shape ethnic-racial majorities' threat reactions to increasing diversity.

Increasing ethnic and racial diversity often fuels feelings of threat among ethnic-racial majorities (e.g., self-identified white Americans and European nationals). We contend that these threat perceptions depend on the policy context. Across four studies, we test whether more inclusive immigrant integration policies attenuate ethnic-racial majorities' threat reactions. Studies 1 to 3 (n = 469, 733, and 1745, respectively) used experimental methods with white American participants in the United States. Study 4 (n = 499,075) used secondary analysis of survey data comparing attitudes of nationals in 30 European countries and measured the impact of actual changes in diversity and policies over 10 years. Our results show that integration policies shape threat reactions even in those situations when increasing diversity could be seen as the most threatening: when narratives highlight the majority's impending minority position or when diversity suddenly increases. When policies are more inclusive toward immigrants, ethnic-racial majority participants report less threat (or no threat) in response to increasing diversity.

Renewable Carbonaceous Materials from Biomass in Catalytic Processes: A Review.

This review paper delves into the diverse ways in which carbonaceous resources, sourced from renewable and sustainable origins, can be used in catalytic processes. Renewable carbonaceous materials that come from biomass-derived and waste feedstocks are key to developing more sustainable processes by replacing traditional carbon-based materials. By examining the potential of these renewable carbonaceous materials, this review aims to shed light on their significance in fostering environmentally conscious and sustainable practices within the realm of catalysis. The more important applications identified are biofuel production, tar removal, chemical production, photocatalytic systems, microbial fuel cell electrodes, and oxidation applications. Regarding biofuel production, biochar-supported catalysts have proved to be able to achieve biodiesel production with yields exceeding 70%. Furthermore, hydrochars and activated carbons derived from diverse biomass sources have demonstrated significant tar removal efficiency. For instance, rice husk char exhibited an increased BET surface area from 2.2 m2/g to 141 m2/g after pyrolysis at 600 °C, showcasing its effectiveness in adsorbing phenol and light aromatic hydrocarbons. Concerning chemical production and the oxidation of alcohols, the influence of biochar quantity and pre-calcination temperature on catalytic performance has been proven, achieving selectivity toward benzaldehyde exceeding 70%.

Feasibility of functional precision medicine for guiding treatment of relapsed or refractory pediatric cancers.

Children with rare, relapsed or refractory cancers often face limited treatment options, and few predictive biomarkers are available that can enable personalized treatment recommendations. The implementation of functional precision medicine (FPM), which combines genomic profiling with drug sensitivity testing (DST) of patient-derived tumor cells, has potential to identify treatment options when standard-of-care is exhausted. The goal of this prospective observational study was to generate FPM data for pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory cancer. The primary objective was to determine the feasibility of returning FPM-based treatment recommendations in real time to the FPM tumor board (FPMTB) within a clinically actionable timeframe (<4 weeks). The secondary objective was to assess clinical outcomes from patients enrolled in the study. Twenty-five patients with relapsed or refractory solid and hematological cancers were enrolled; 21 patients underwent DST and 20 also completed genomic profiling. Median turnaround times for DST and genomics were within 10 days and 27 days, respectively. Treatment recommendations were made for 19 patients (76%), of whom 14 received therapeutic interventions. Six patients received subsequent FPM-guided treatments. Among these patients, five (83%) experienced a greater than 1.3-fold improvement in progression-free survival associated with their FPM-guided therapy relative to their previous therapy, and demonstrated a significant increase in progression-free survival and objective response rate compared to those of eight non-guided patients. The findings from our proof-of-principle study illustrate the potential for FPM to positively impact clinical care for pediatric and adolescent patients with relapsed or refractory cancers and warrant further validation in large prospective studies. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03860376 .

Diagnosis of manganism and manganese neurotoxicity: A workshop report.

With declining exposures to manganese (Mn) in occupational settings, there is a need for more sensitive exposure assessments and clinical diagnostic criteria for manganism and Mn neurotoxicity. To address this issue, a workshop was held on November 12-13, 2020, with international experts on Mn toxicity. The workshop discussions focused on the history of the diagnostic criteria for manganism, including those developed by the Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail (IRSST) in Quebec in 2005 and criteria developed by the Chinese government in 2002 and updated in 2006; the utility of biomarkers of exposure; recent developments in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessing Mn accumulation in the brain and diagnosing manganism; and potential future applications of metabolomics. The suggestions of the participants for updating manganism diagnostic criteria included the consideration of: i) A history of previous occupational and environmental exposure to Mn; ii) relevant clinical symptoms such as dystonia; iii) MRI imaging to document Mn accumulation in the neural tissues, including the basal ganglia; and iv) criteria for the differential diagnosis of manganism and other neurological conditions. Important research gaps include the characterization of Mn exposure and other co-exposures, exploration of the roles of different brain regions with MRI, understanding the complexity of metal ion transporters involved in Mn homeostasis, and a need for information on other neurotransmitter systems and brain regions underlying the pathophysiology of manganism.

Biomass gasification, catalytic technologies and energy integration for production of circular methanol: New horizons for industry decarbonisation.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recognises the pivotal role of renewable energies in the future energy system and the achievement of the zero-emission target. The implementation of renewables should provide major opportunities and enable a more secure and decentralised energy supply system. Renewable fuels provide long-term solutions for the transport sector, particularly for applications where fuels with high energy density are required. In addition, it helps reducing the carbon footprint of these sectors in the long-term. Information on biomass characteristics feedstock is essential for scaling-up gasification from the laboratory to industrial-scale. This review deals with the transformation biogenic residues into a valuable bioenergy carrier like biomethanol as the liquid sunshine based on the combination of modified mature technologies such as gasification with other innovative solutions such as membranes and microchannel reactors. Tar abatement is a critical process in product gas upgrading since tars compromise downstream processes and equipment, for this, membrane technology for upgrading syngas quality is discussed in this paper. Microchannel reactor technology with the design of state-of-the-art multifunctional catalysts provides a path to develop decentralised biomethanol synthesis from biogenic residues. Finally, the development of a process chain for the production of (i) methanol as an intermediate energy carrier, (ii) electricity and (iii) heat for decentralised applications based on biomass feedstock flexible gasification, gas upgrading and methanol synthesis is analysed.

Hydrochar and synthetic natural gas co-production for a full circular economy implementation via hydrothermal carbonization and methanation: An economic approach.

Herein we study the economic performance of hydrochar and synthetic natural gas co-production from olive tree pruning. The process entails a combination of hydrothermal carbonization and methanation. In a previous work, we evidenced that standalone hydrochar production via HTC results unprofitable. Hence, we propose a step forward on the process design by implementing a methanation, adding value to the gas effluent in an attempt to boost the overall process techno-economic aspects. Three different plant capacities were analyzed (312.5, 625 and 1250 kg/hr). The baseline scenarios showed that, under the current circumstances, our circular economy strategy in unprofitable. An analysis of the revenues shows that hydrochar selling price have a high impact on NPV and subsidies for renewable coal production could help to boost the profitability of the process. On the contrary, the analysis for natural gas prices reveals that prices 8 times higher than the current ones in Spain must be achieved to reach profitability. This seems unlikely even under the presence of a strong subsidy scheme. The costs analysis suggests that a remarkable electricity cost reduction or electricity consumption of the HTC stage could be a potential strategy to reach profitability scenarios. Furthermore, significant reduction of green hydrogen production costs is deemed instrumental to improve the economic performance of the process. These results show the formidable techno-economic challenge that our society faces in the path towards circular economy societies.

Removal of Chromium (III) and Reduction in Toxicity in a Primary Tannery Effluent Using Two Floating Macrophytes.

Trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) is a contaminant with toxic activity. Its presence in waters and soils is usually related to industrial activities such as tanneries. The aim of this study was to compare the removal of Cr(III) in hydroponic solutions and tannery effluents using two floating macrophytes: Salvinia auriculata and Eichhornia crassipes. First, to determine the chromium removal capacity in solution and the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) in tissues of each plant, experiments were set up with contaminated solutions with Cr(III) concentrations of 2, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/L. Subsequently, both plant species were exposed to a primary tannery effluent contaminated with 12 mg/L of Cr(III) in order to study the removal capacity of organic and inorganic matter, as well as the acute toxicity in the water flea (Daphnia magna) and genotoxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Tests carried out on nutrient solutions revealed that both plants have a high capacity for removing Cr(III) in solution. The BAF in tissues was higher in E. crassipes compared to S. auriculata. In the experiments with a tannery effluent, both species presented low nutrient and organic matter removal efficiency, but they showed good Cr(III) removal capacity, with average reduction values of 57% for S. auriculata and 54% for E. crassipes after 72 h of exposure. E. crassipes contributed most to the reduction in acute toxicity in D. magna, while S. auriculata did not show a similar effect. However, both plant species managed to reduce the genotoxicity marker in D. rerio when compared with the initial effluent and the control.

Vitamin B3 Supplementation for Optic Neuropathies: A Comprehensive Review.

Optic neuropathies, such as glaucoma, are some of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. There has been a lot of research for potential therapies that could attenuate and even reduce the impact of the pathological pathways that lead to the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In recent years, vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) has gained some interest as a viable option for these neurodegenerative diseases due to its fundamental role in enhancing the mitochondria metabolism of the RGCs. This review focuses on elucidating the impact of vitamin B3 on retinal cells, especially when in a dysfunctional state like what happens in optic neuropathies, especially glaucoma. This review also summarizes the existing and future research on the clinical effects of vitamin B3 in these optic neuropathies, and determines appropriate recommendations regarding its dosing, efficacy, and eventual side effects.

A new approach for single-haptic retropupillary iris-claw lens subluxation - The "fencing" technique.

INTRODUCTION: Single-haptic iris-claw intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation is not an uncommon complication. A few different surgical techniques are available for its refixation but usually involve a more invasive approach. We aim to demonstrate an original and simple approach for refixation of single haptic retropupillary iris-claw IOL subluxations. METHODS: We present a case of an 80-year-old male with a single haptic retropupillary iris-claw IOL subluxation in a previously vitrectomized eye. We used a new surgical approach to refix this type of subluxation. RESULTS: This new technique uses only two 30-gauge needles (one of them connected to a viscosurgical device) to re-enclavate the subluxated haptic of the retropupillary iris-claw IOL. By minimising surgical manipulation, the patient's postoperative period was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight a new, quick, safe, and unusual surgical approach to single-haptic retropupillary iris-claw IOL dislocation in vitrectomized eyes. Because of its characteristics, we named it the "fencing" IOL repositioning technique.

A simple polystyrene microfluidic device for sensitive and accurate SERS-based detection of infection by malaria parasites.

Early and accurate detection of infection by pathogenic microorganisms, such as Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, is critical for clinical diagnosis and ultimately determines the patient's outcome. We have combined a polystyrene-based microfluidic device with an immunoassay which utilises Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to detect malaria. The method can be easily translated to a point-of-care testing format and shows excellent sensitivity and specificity, when compared to the gold standard for laboratorial detection of Plasmodium infections. The device can be fabricated in less than 30 min by direct patterning on shrinkable polystyrene sheets of adaptable three-dimensional microfluidic chips. To validate the microfluidic system, samples of P. falciparum-infected red blood cell cultures were used. The SERS-based immunoassay enabled the detection of 0.0012 ± 0.0001% parasitaemia in a P. falciparum-infected red blood cell culture supernatant, an ∼7-fold higher sensitivity than that attained by most rapid diagnostic tests. Our approach successfully overcomes the main challenges of the current Plasmodium detection methods, including increased reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity. Furthermore, our system can be easily adapted for detection of other pathogens and has excellent properties for early diagnosis of infectious diseases, a decisive step towards lowering their high burden on healthcare systems worldwide.

Dietary omega-3 fatty acids in the management of feline periodontal disease: What is the evidence?

Periodontal disease is an oral disorder with high prevalence in cats from 2 years of age, resulting from an inflammatory response against bacterial plaque. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and may include dental scaling, local application of perioceutics, tissue regeneration and/or even tooth extraction and periodontal surgery. As multimodal therapy is often required, new strategies have been developed to improve the therapeutic response in these patients. Adjuvant use of omega-3 fatty acids has been reported in humans with periodontal disease, but the current evidence of its effect in companion animals, especially cats, is still considered to be scarce and conflicting. This review describes the state of the art regarding feline periodontal disease and seeks to clarify the potential effect of omega-3 fatty acids on its clinical management in light of the evidence available in the current literature.

Mechanism mapping: A qualitative study of how different forms of instability mediate the relationship between legal status and immigrant mental well-being.

Scholarship on undocumented immigrants has linked irregular forms of legal status to depressed mental health experiences and outcomes. The children of undocumented immigrants have also been shown to report mental health issues. More regular forms of legal status, like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), have been shown to improve psychological outcomes for migrants and their children. Though the relationship between legal status and mental well-being has appeared again and again in the literature, less work has explored the mechanisms through which legal status impacts mental well-being. This paper aims to help detail this link by drawing on 50 in-depth interviews with DACA-recipient and undocumented (DACA-ineligible) immigrants conducted from 2017 to 2018 (pre- and post-DACA rescindment). Thematic analysis identified three forms of instability (nation-state, residential and household) that mediate the influence of legal status on the mental well-being of immigrants and their families. Coping with nation-state, residential and household changes depleted immigrant's mental and emotional resources, hurting their mental well-being. More regular forms of legal status (like DACA) suppressed the occurrence of instability, bolstering the mental well-being reports of DACA-recipients compared to their undocumented counterparts. Yet the program's rescission in September 2017, spiked the threat of future instability for DACA-respondents leading their negative mental well-being reports to echo those of undocumented respondents. We propose that experiencing or even expecting these forms of instability to occur mediates the influence of legal status on mental well-being. Findings shed light on how legal status influences mental well-being and contribute to the immigrant mental health literature.

"Minimally invasive video-assisted submuscular gluteal augmentation with implants. An innovative technique".

SUMMARY: Gluteal augmentation is one of the most requested cosmetic procedures. This article describes the surgical technique and early results of an innovative minimally invasive video-assisted submuscular gluteal augmentation with implants. The authors aimed to perform a technique that would reduce complications and surgical time. Fourteen healthy non-obese women with no relevant pathologic background who requested gluteal augmentation with implants as a single procedure were included. The procedure was performed through bilateral parasacral 5 cm incisions at cutaneous and subcutaneous planes as far as the gluteus maximus muscle fascia. Through a 1 cm incision in the fascia and muscle, the index finger was introduced under the gluteus maximus and a submuscular space was created by blunt dissection towards the greater trochanter to avoid a sciatic nerve injury, until the middle gluteus level was reached. Next, the balloon shaft of a Herloon trocar (Aesculap® - B. Brawn®) was introduced in the dissected space. Balloon dilatation in this submuscular space was performed as required. The balloon shaft was replaced by the trocar, through which a 30° 10-mm laparoscope was introduced. Submuscular pocket anatomic structures were observed, and while the laparoscope was being retrieved, hemostasis was verified. The submuscular plane collapsed, leaving the pocket for the implant to be placed. There were no intraoperative complications. The only complication was a self-limited seroma in one patient (7.1 percent). This innovative technique has shown ease and safety, allowing direct visualization and hemostasis, with a short surgical time, low complication rate and an excellent degree of satisfaction.

Hereditary Disorders of Manganese Metabolism: Pathophysiology of Childhood-Onset Dystonia-Parkinsonism in SLC39A14 Mutation Carriers and Genetic Animal Models.

Over the last decade, several clinical reports have outlined cases of childhood-onset manganese (Mn)-induced dystonia-parkinsonism, resulting from loss-of-function mutations in the Mn influx transporter gene SLC39A14. These clinical cases have provided a wealth of knowledge on Mn toxicity and homeostasis. However, our current understanding of the underlying neuropathophysiology is severely lacking. The recent availability of Slc39a14 knockout (KO) murine and zebrafish animal models provide a powerful platform to investigate the neurological effects of elevated blood and brain Mn concentrations in vivo. As such, the objective of this review was to organize and summarize the current clinical literature and studies utilizing Slc39a14-KO animal models and assess the validity of the animal models based on the clinical presentation of the disease in human mutation carriers.

Gold(I) complexes bearing a PNP-type pincer ligand: photophysical properties and catalytic investigations.

The synthesis and characterization of two dinuclear and five tetranuclear gold(I) complexes bearing the 2,6-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)pyridine diphosphane ligand (DPPMPY) are herein reported. The reaction between the dinuclear complexes, DPPMPY(AuCl)2 (1) or DPPMPY(AuBr)2 (2), with 1 or 2 equivalents of Ag salts yielded five tetranuclear gold(I) complexes, DPPMPY2Au4X2 (3-7), differing in the terminal ancillary ligands (X = Cl, Br, acetonitrile) and the counter ions (SbF6- or BF4-). The structures of complexes 1, 2, 3, and 5 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The Au⋯Au distances found in complexes 3 and 5 are in the range of aurophilic interactions and the arrangement of the Au atoms varies from a linear arrangement in complex 3 to a zigzag arrangement in complex 5. The photophysical characterization of the compounds was performed both in solution and in the solid state. Very high emission quantum yields were observed for the acetonitrile complexes 4 and 6 in the solid state. The use of this family of gold(I) complexes as catalysts for lactone synthesis via oxidative heteroarylation of alkenes was investigated and yields up to ca. 65% were obtained. Dicationic halide complexes 3 and 5 showed a slight enhancement of the yield of the catalytic reaction, indicating that there is no influence of the counter ion employed on the reaction outcome. Luminescence techniques have been also used to follow the progress of the catalytic reaction.

Pathophysiological studies of aging Slc39a14 knockout mice to assess the progression of manganese-induced dystonia-parkinsonism.

Over the last decade, several clinical reports have outlined cases of early-onset manganese (Mn)-induced dystonia-parkinsonism, resulting from loss of function mutations of the Mn transporter gene SLC39A14. Previously, we have performed characterization of the behavioral, neurochemical, and neuropathological changes in 60-day old (PN60) Slc39a14-knockout (KO) murine model of the human disease. Here, we extend our studies to aging Slc39a14-KO mice to assess the progression of the disease. Our results indicate that 365-day old (PN365) Slc39a14-KO mice present with markedly elevated blood and brain Mn levels, similar to those found in the PN60 mice and representative of the human cases of the disease. Furthermore, aging Slc39a14-KO mice consistently manifest a hypoactive and dystonic behavioral deficits, similar to the PN60 animals, suggesting that the behavioral changes are established early in life without further age-associated deterioration. Neurochemical, neuropathological, and functional assessment of the dopaminergic system of the basal ganglia revealed absence of neurodegenerative changes of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), with no changes in DA or metabolite concentrations in the striatum of Slc39a14-KO mice relative to wildtype (WT). Similar to the PN60 animals, aging Slc39a14-KO mice expressed a marked inhibition of potassium-stimulated DA release in the striatum. Together our findings indicate that the pathophysiological changes observed in the basal ganglia of aging Slc39a14-KO animals are similar to those at PN60 and aging does not have a significant effect on these parameters.