An alternative hybrid lipid nanosystem combining cytotoxic and magnetic properties as a tool to potentiate antitumor effect of 5-fluorouracil.

AIMS: Colorectal cancer is the third most frequent type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The majority of cases are diagnosed at a later stage, leading to the need for more aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), known for its high cytotoxic properties has emerged as a chemotherapeutic agent. However, it presents several drawbacks such as lack of specificity and short half-life. To reduce these drawbacks, several strategies have been designed namely chemical modification or association to drug delivery systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Current research was focused on the design, physicochemical characterization and in vitro evaluation of a lipid-based system loaded with 5-FU. Furthermore, aiming to maximize preferential targeting and release at tumour sites, a hybrid lipid-based system, combining both therapeutic and magnetic properties was developed and validated. For this purpose, liposomes co-loaded with 5-FU and iron oxide (II, III) nanoparticles were accomplished. KEY FINDINGS: The characterization of the developed nanoformulation was performed in terms of incorporation parameters, mean size and surface charge. In vitro studies assessed in a murine colon cancer cell line confirmed that 5-FU antiproliferative activity was preserved after incorporation in liposomes. In same model, iron oxide (II, III) nanoparticles did not exhibit cytotoxic properties. Additionally, the presence of these nanoparticles was shown to confer magnetic properties to the liposomes, allowing them to respond to external magnetic fields. SIGNIFICANCE: Overall, a lipid nanosystem loading a chemotherapeutic agent displaying magnetic characteristics was successfully designed and physicochemically characterized, for further in vivo applications.

Drought memory in Acanthostachys strobilacea, a CAM epiphytic bromeliad.

Stress memory is the development of altered responses to stress due to previous exposure, which might result in increased tolerance. Biochemical and physiological parameters shown to be positively affected by stress memory include those of the antioxidant and nitrosative metabolism, photosynthetic pigments and osmolyte content. Epiphytic bromeliads likely present stress memory since they experience frequent droughts in the canopies. Thus, we aimed to evaluate if the epiphytic bromeliad Acanthostachys strobilacea (Schult. & Schult.f.) Klotzsch shows improved metabolic stress defence responses to a second drought and rewatering cycle compared to a single exposure. In a controlled environment chamber, 90-day-old plants were exposed to one or two drought-rewatering cycles of 14 days without irrigation and 5 days of rewatering each. Sampling occurred after the final drought and rewatering periods for one or two cycles treatments. The free amino acid, chlorophyll, and carotenoid levels and S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) activity were higher at the second drought than at the first exposure. The rise in nocturnal acidification (indicative of increased CAM activity) caused by the initial drought persisted through the second drought-rewatering cycle, implying a lasting memory effect on CAM activity. Furthermore, the second recovery did not induce glutathione accumulation, as in the first rewatering event, suggesting the pre-exposure to drought reduced this thiol's demand during a later recovery. Our results evidence metabolic changes related to drought stress memory in A. strobilacea, supporting this mechanism might be involved in the tolerance of epiphytic bromeliads to intermittent droughts.

Rational approach to design gold nanoparticles for photothermal therapy: the effect of gold salt on physicochemical, optical and biological properties.

Among the unique characteristics associated to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in biomedicine, their ability to convert light energy into heat opens ventures for improved cancer therapeutic options, such as photothermal therapy (PTT). PTT relies on the local hyperthermia of tumor cells upon irradiation with light beams, and the association of AuNPs with radiation within the near infrared (NIR) range constitutes an advantageous strategy to potentially improve PTT efficacy. Herein, it was explored the effect of the gold salt on the AuNPs' physicochemical and optical properties. Mostly spherical-like negatively charged AuNPs with variable sizes and absorbance spectra were obtained. In addition, photothermal features were assessed using in vitro phantom models. The best formulation showed the ability to increase their temperature in aqueous solution up to 19 °C when irradiated with a NIR laser for 20 min. Moreover, scanning transmission electron microscopy confirmed the rearrangement of the gold atoms in a face-centered cubic structure, which further allowed to calculate the photothermal conversion efficiency upon combination of theoretical and experimental data. AuNPs also showed local retention after being locally administered in in vivo models. These last results obtained by computerized tomography allow to consider these AuNPs as promising elements for a PTT system. Moreover, AuNPs showed high potential for PTT by resulting in in vitro cancer cells' viability reductions superior to 70 % once combine with 5 min of NIR irradiation.

Workplace aggressions on hospital workers: A current and prevalent problem with a high demand for training.

BACKGROUND: Workplace aggressions on hospital workers is a very frequent and under-reported problem. OBJECTIVE: The novel objective of our study was to analyze the number of workplace aggressions per hospital worker. Other objectives of the study were to analyze the management knowledge and interest in receiving training on aggressions by hospital workers. METHODS: An anonymous survey was handed out among all professionals in a university hospital. RESULTS: A total of 1118 anonymous surveys were collected. The responders declared that throughout their working life they had suffered some sort of verbal aggression in the hospital in 766 cases (68.5%) and physical aggression in 393 cases (35.2%). Multiple logistic regression analyses found higher risk of receiving physical and verbal aggression in the nursing category and in the Emergency, Critical Care or Psychiatry Units, and a higher risk of receiving physical aggression in women. The score on the level of personal knowledge regarding the legal, physical, and psychological management of aggressions (score 0-10 for each of the 3 aspects) was 2.91±2.68 in legal management, 2.97±2.77 in psychological management and 2.91±2.76 in physical management. The opinion about the interest of receiving training (score from 0 to 10) on the legal management of hospital aggressions was 8.90±1.72, on psychological management was 8.85±1.78 and on physical management was 8.88±1.78. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace aggression on hospital workers mainly affects women, the nursing category and the Emergency, Critical Care or Psychiatry Units. Hospital workers showed little knowledge on the topic but a great interest in receiving training.

Structural Optimization of Antimycobacterial Azaaurones Towards Improved Solubility and Metabolic Stability.

While N-acetyl azaaurones have already been disclosed for their potential against tuberculosis (TB), their low metabolic stability remains an unaddressed liability. We now report a study designed to improve the metabolic stability and solubility of the azaaurone scaffold and to identify the structural requirements for antimycobacterial activity. Replacing the N-acetyl moiety for a N-carbamoyl group led to analogues with sub- and nanomolar potencies against M. tuberculosis H37Rv, as well as equipotent against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates. The new N-carbamoyl azaaurones exhibited improved microsomal stability, compared to their N-acetylated counterparts, with several compounds displaying moderate to high kinetic solubility. The frequency of spontaneous resistance to azaaurones was observed to be in the range of 10-8 , a value that is comparable to current TB drugs in the market. Overall, these results reveal that azaaurones are amenable to structural modifications to improve metabolic and solubility liabilities, and highlight their potential as antimycobacterial agents.

Allelic and genotypic frequencies of SNP related to beef and carcass quality in Romosinuano cattle in Mexico.

Romosinuano is a tropically adapted Bos taurus breed, and some Mexican breeders aim to improve it genetically. The aim was to estimate allelic and genotypic frequencies for SNPs associated with meat quality in a Mexican Romosinuano population. Four hundred ninety-six animals were genotyped using the Axiom©BovMDv3 array. Only SNPs related to meat quality in this array were studied in this analysis. The Calpain, Calpastatin, and Melanocortin-4 receptor alleles were considered. Allelic and genotypic frequencies and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were estimated with the PLINK software. Alleles associated with meat tenderness and higher marbling scores were found in the Romosinuano cattle population. CAPN1_4751 was not found in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The rest of the markers could not be affected by selection and inbreeding. Romosinuano cattle in Mexico have similar genotypic frequencies in markers related to meat quality to Bos taurus breeds known for their meat tenderness. Breeders can choose a marker-assisted selection to improve meat quality characteristics.

The current role of cannabis and cannabinoids in health: A comprehensive review of their therapeutic potential.

There has been an increased interest of the scientific community in cannabis and its constituents for therapeutic purposes. Although it is believed that cannabinoids can be effective for a few different conditions and syndromes, there are little objective data that clearly support the use of cannabis, cannabis extracts or even cannabidiol (CBD) oil. This review aims to explore the therapeutic potential of phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids for the treatment of several diseases. A broad search covering the past five years, was performed in PubMed and ClinicalTrial.gov databases, to identify papers focusing on the use of medical phytocannabinoids in terms of tolerability, efficacy and safety. Accordingly, there are preclinical data supporting the use of phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids for the management of neurological pathologies, acute and chronical pain, cancer, psychiatric disorders and chemotherapy-induced emetic symptoms. However, regarding the clinical trials, most of the collected data do not fully support the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of such conditions. Consequently, more studies are still needed to clarify ascertain if the use of these compounds is useful in the management of different pathologies.

A step forward on the in vitro and in vivo assessment of a novel nanomedicine against melanoma.

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, with increasing incidence and mortality rates. To overcome current treatment limitations, a hybrid molecule (HM) combining a triazene and a sulfur L-tyrosine analogue, was recently synthesized, incorporated in long blood circulating liposomes (LIP HM) and validated in an immunocompetent melanoma model. The present work constitutes a step forward in the therapeutic assessment of HM formulations. Here, human melanoma cells, A375 and MNT-1, were used and dacarbazine (DTIC), a triazene drug clinically available as first-line treatment for melanoma, constituted the positive control. In cell cycle analysis, A375 cells, after 24-h incubation with HM (60 µM) and DTIC (70 µM), resulted in a 1.2 fold increase (related to control) in the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase. The therapeutic activity was evaluated in a human murine melanoma model (subcutaneously injected with A375 cells) to most closely resemble the human pathology. Animals treated with LIP HM exhibited the highest antimelanoma effect resulting in a 6-, 5- and 4-fold reduction on tumor volume compared to negative control, Free HM and DTIC groups, respectively. No toxic side effects were detected. Overall, these results constitute another step forward in the validation of the antimelanoma activity of LIP HM, using a murine model that more accurately simulates the pathology that occurs in human patients.

Pluronic® F127 Hydrogel Containing Silver Nanoparticles in Skin Burn Regeneration: An Experimental Approach from Fundamental to Translational Research.

Presently, skin burns are considered one of the main public health problems and lack therapeutic options. In recent years, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely studied, playing an increasingly important role in wound healing due to their antibacterial activity. This work is focused on the production and characterization of AgNPs loaded in a Pluronic® F127 hydrogel, as well as assessing its antimicrobial and wound-healing potential. Pluronic® F127 has been extensively explored for therapeutic applications mainly due to its appealing properties. The developed AgNPs had an average size of 48.04 ± 14.87 nm (when prepared by method C) and a negative surface charge. Macroscopically, the AgNPs solution presented a translucent yellow coloration with a characteristic absorption peak at 407 nm. Microscopically, the AgNPs presented a multiform morphology with small sizes (~50 nm). Skin permeation studies revealed that no AgNPs permeated the skin after 24 h. AgNPs further demonstrated antimicrobial activity against different bacterial species predominant in burns. A chemical burn model was developed to perform preliminary in vivo assays and the results showed that the performance of the developed AgNPs loaded in hydrogel, with smaller silver dose, was comparable with a commercial silver cream using higher doses. In conclusion, hydrogel-loaded AgNPs is potentially an important resource in the treatment of skin burns due to their proven efficacy by topical administration.

Preclinical validation of a new hybrid molecule loaded in liposomes for melanoma management.

The aggressiveness of melanoma and lack of effective therapies incite the discovery of novel strategies. Recently, a new dual acting hybrid molecule (HM), combining a triazene and a ʟ-tyrosine analogue, was synthesized. HM was designed to specifically be activated by tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in melanin biosynthesis and overexpressed in melanoma. HM displayed remarkable superior antiproliferative activity towards various cancer cell lines compared with temozolomide (TMZ), a triazene drug in clinical use, that acts through DNA alkylation. In B16-F10 cells, HM induced a cell cycle arrest at phase G0/G1 with a 2.8-fold decrease in cell proliferation index. Also, compared to control cells, HM led to a concentration-dependent reduction in tyrosinase activity and increase in caspase 3/7 activity. To maximize the therapeutic performance of HM in vivo, its incorporation in long blood circulating liposomes, containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) at their surface, was performed for passively targeting tumour sites. HM liposomes (LIP HM) exhibited high stability in biological fluids. Preclinical studies demonstrated its safety for systemic administration and in a subcutaneous murine melanoma model, significantly reduced tumour progression. In a metastatic murine melanoma model, a superior antitumour effect was also observed for mice receiving LIP HM, with markedly reduction of lung metastases compared to positive control group (TMZ). Biodistribution studies using 111In-labelled LIP HM demonstrated its ability for passively targeting tumour sites, thus correlating with the high therapeutic effect observed in the two experimental murine melanoma models. Overall, our proposed nanotherapeutic strategy was validated as an effective and safe alternative against melanoma.

Knowledge and perceptions of food sustainability in a Spanish university population.

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at its core. Besides tackling climate change and the fight to reduce inequality, the SDG number 12 is specifically focused to develop strategies toward food sustainability. The aim of this study, aligned with SDG number 12, was to analyze the level of knowledge and perceptions of food sustainability in a university community from Spain. A descriptive cross-sectional study, based on an online questionnaire, was carried out between July and November 2021 with convenience sampling. The survey included 28 items and was distributed among students, teachers, researchers and administrative staff from a Spanish university. A total of 1,220 participants completed the survey. 70.4% of the respondents heard about the environmental impact of food and more than 50% were aware of the existence of the SDGs. The different aspects related to diet that concerned them the most were food waste, plastic usage, and environmental impact. They reported that a sustainable diet should be mainly based on local and seasonal products and with a low environmental impact as well as no or the minimum food waste. When asked if they were following a sustainable diet, 77% answered affirmatively. Moreover, the food groups more involved in a sustainable diet should be vegetables and fruits, olive oil, legumes, and whole grains. Regarding food waste, 60% of the surveyed population claimed to generate it at home, with the use of leftovers and planning shopping and meals being some of the most important domestic actions to avoid it. Further initiatives must be implemented to increase the level of knowledge as well as to raise the awareness on the importance to translate it into individual and collective actions that allow a shift toward more sustainable practices.

Presencia e influencia de sintomatología sugestiva de trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad en adultos con un trastorno de la conducta alimentaria(AU) / Presence and influence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adults with an eating disorder

Fundamento. La coexistencia de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) y del trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH) es frecuente. El objetivo del estudio fue cuantificar la presencia de sintomatología TDAH en pacientes adultos con TCA y evaluar posibles correlaciones entre ambas sintomatologías. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal en pacientes con TCA. Se cumplimentaron los cuestionarios Eating Attitudes Test de 40 ítems (EAT-40), Eating Disorder Inventory 3ª edición (EDI-3) y la versión abreviada del Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1). Aquellos pacientes con ≥12 puntos en ASRS v1.1 completaron el cuestionario Attention Déficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale 4ª edición (ADHD-RS IV). Resultados. El 42,6% de los 108 pacientes incluidos puntuaron ≥12 en el ASRS v1.1. Estos sujetos puntuaron más en bulimia y en algunas escalas de desajuste psicológico del EDI-3, y aquellos con conductas de atracón y/o purga puntuaron más en Trastornos psicobiológicos del EAT-40 y en Insatisfacción corporal y Riesgo de TCA del EDI-3. No hubo diferencias en ADHD-RS IV según fueran cuadros restrictivos puros (n=13) o compulsivo-purgativos (n=33). La sintomatología TDAH correlacionó más con la clínica alimentaria y con el desajuste psicológico general en los casos compulsivopurgativos. Conclusiones. En población clínica con TCA son frecuentes los síntomas sugestivos de TDAH, más en cuadros con clínica compulsivo-purgativa pero no necesariamente más intensos. La correlación entre TDAH y TCA es mayor en cuadros compulsivo-purgativos. Los síntomas de TDAH conllevan mayor desajuste psicológico y mayor gravedad a nivel alimentario en los cuadros con sintomatología compulsivo-purgativa.(AU)

Background. The coexistence of eating disorders (ED) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common. The aim of the study was to quantify the presence of ADHD symptoms in adult patients with ED and evaluate any possible correlation between both symptomatologies. Methods. Cross-sectional study of patients with ED. The following questionnaires were completed: the Eating Attitudes Test - 40 items (EAT-40), the Eating Disorder Inventory 3rd edition (EDI-3) and the abbreviated version of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1). The patients who scored ≥12 points in ASRS v1.1 completed the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale (4th edition, ADHD-RS IV). Results. 42.6% of the 108 patients scored ≥12 in the ASRS v1.1. These subjects scored higher in bulimia and in some scales of psychological maladjustment of the EDI-3, and those with binging and/or purging behaviours scored higher in Psychobiological disorders of the EAT-40 and in Body dissatisfaction and Eating disorder risk composite scales of the EDI-3. There were no differences in ADHD-RS IV between pure restrictive syndromes (n=13) and those with binging and/or purging behaviours (n=33). We found that, in cases with binge/purge symptoms, ADHD symptoms correlated higher with ED symptoms and with general psychological maladjustment. Conclusion. ADHD symptoms are common in the clinical population with ED, and more in groups with binge/purge symptoms, although they are not necessarily more intense. The correlation between ADHD symptoms and ED is higher in cases with binging and/or purging behaviours. ADHD symptoms involve more psychological maladjustment and more serious ED symptomatology in cases with binge/purge symptoms.(AU)

First report and risk of infection of Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1761) in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis - Linnaeus, 1758) in Mexico.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk of Fasciola hepatica infection in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during peripartum in southeastern Mexico. An observational study was designed, in which 94 pregnant buffalo cows near calving and naturally exposed to F. hepatica were included. Farm visits were made on days 60, 30, 15 prepartum, at calving, and on days 15 and 30 postpartum. Feces were obtained from all animals to confirm the presence of F. hepatica eggs. A group of 49 animals was randomly treated twice at day 60 prepartum and at calving with nitroxynil and the other group (n = 45) was kept untreated. Buffaloes would be treated once presenting a positive coproparasitological diagnosis up to 30 days postpartum. F. hepatica was detected in 5.3% of the buffaloes (5/94) with a prevalence between 1.7 and 12%. It was observed that treated buffaloes had a lower risk (4.08%) of being positive than untreated buffaloes (6.67%) (P > 0.05). It was also found that untreated animals had 1.6 times more risk of being positive than treated buffaloes. This paper presents the first report of F. hepatica in water buffaloes in Mexico, demonstrating that the two preventive treatments reduced F. hepatica egg shedding during parturition. These findings highlight the need for monitoring for F. hepatica even in unreported/silent potential disease areas.

[Presence and influence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adults with an eating disorder].

BACKGROUND: The coexistence of eating disorders (ED) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common. The aim of the study was to quantify the presence of ADHD symptoms in adult patients with ED and evaluate any possible correlation between both symptomatologies. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients with ED. The following questionnaires were completed: the Eating Attitudes Test - 40 items (EAT-40), the Eating Disorder Inventory 3rd edition (EDI-3) and the abbreviated version of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1). The patients who scored =12 points in ASRS v1.1 completed the Attention Deficit Hyperac-tivity Disorder Rating Scale (4th edition, ADHD-RS IV). RESULTS: 42.6% of the 108 patients scored =12 in the ASRS v1.1. These subjects scored higher in bulimia and in some scales of psychological maladjustment of the EDI-3, and those with binging and/or purging behaviours scored higher in Psychobi-ological disorders of the EAT-40 and in Body dissatisfaction and Eating disorder risk composite scales of the EDI-3. There were no differences in ADHD-RS IV between pure restrictive syndromes (n=13) and those with binging and/or purging behaviours (n=33). We found that, in cases with binge/purge symptoms, ADHD symptoms correlated higher with ED symptoms and with general psychological maladjustment. CONCLUSION: ADHD symptoms are common in the clinical population with ED, and more in groups with binge/purge symptoms, although they are not necessarily more intense. The correlation between ADHD symptoms and ED is higher in cases with binging and/or purging behaviours. ADHD symptoms involve more psychological maladjustment and more serious ED symptomatology in cases with binge/purge symptoms.

Nanomedicines in the treatment of colon cancer: a focus on metallodrugs.

Worldwide, colon cancer (CC) represents the fourth most common type of cancer and the fifth major cause of cancer-associated deaths. Surgical resection is considered the standard therapeutic choice for CC in early stages. However, in latter stages of the disease, adjuvant chemotherapy is essential for an appropriate management of this pathology. Metal-based complexes displaying cytotoxic properties towards tumor cells emerge as potential chemotherapeutic options. One metallodrug, oxaliplatin, was already approved for clinical use, playing an important role in the treatment of CC patients. Unfortunately, most of the newly designed metal-based complexes exhibit lack of selectivity against cancer cells, low solubility and permeability, high dose-limiting toxicity, and emergence of resistances. Nanodelivery systems enable the incorporation of metallodrugs at adequate payloads, solving the above-referred drawbacks. Moreover, drug delivery systems, depending on their physicochemical properties, are able to release the incorporated material preferentially at affected tissues/organs, enhancing the therapeutic activity in vivo, with concomitant fewer side effects. In this review, the general features and therapeutic management of CC will be addressed, with a special focus on preclinical or clinical studies using metal-based compounds. Furthermore, the use of different nanodelivery systems will also be described as tools to potentiate the therapeutic index of metallodrugs for the management of CC.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination across a cascade of knowledge, willingness, and uptake among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Canada's three largest cities.

BACKGROUND: Some Canadian jurisdictions offer publicly funded HPV vaccine to gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) aged ≤26 years. We characterized factors associated with being in different stages of HPV vaccination. METHODS: Engage is a sexual health study of GBM in the three largest Canadian cities recruited via respondent driven sampling (RDS). We categorized participants as: (1) unaware of HPV vaccine, (2) undecided/unwilling to get vaccinated, (3) willing to get vaccinated, (4) vaccinated with one or more doses. Our RDS-II weighted analyses used multinomial logistic regression to identify factors associated with being in earlier stages of the cascade compared to Stage 4. RESULTS: Across the cities, 26-40%, 7-14%, 33-39%, and 13-28% were in Stages 1 to 4, respectively. Compared to Stage 4, being in earlier stages of the cascade was associated with bisexual-identification (Stage 1: adjusted odds ratio[aOR] = 2.84, 95% confidence interval[CI] = 1.06-7.62; Stage 2: aOR = 3.09, 95%CI = 1.19-8.05), having immigrated to Canada (Stage 1: aOR = 1.79, 95%CI 1.07-2.99), preference to keep same-sex romantic relationships private (Stage 1: aOR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.05-1.48; Stage 2: aOR = 1.24, 95%CI = 1.05-1.46), not receiving sexual health information (Stage 1: aOR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.13-0.71; Stage 2: aOR = 0.27, 95%CI = 0.12-0.64), not accessing a health-care provider (Stage 2: aOR = 0.36, 95%CI = 0.15-0.83), and no past hepatitis A/B vaccination (Stage 1: aOR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.09-0.30; Stage 2: aOR = 0.18, 95%CI = 0.09-0.35; Stage 3: aOR = 0.38, 95%CI = 0.21-0.61). DISCUSSION: Interventions are needed to reduce social and financial barriers, increase sexual health knowledge, and improve GBM-competent health-care access to increase vaccine uptake among GBM.

Arterial tortuosity syndrome: relevance in pediatric surgery. A case report. / El síndrome de tortuosidad arterial y su relevancia en cirugía pediátrica. A propósito de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Arterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS) is an extremely rare autosomal recessive disorder of the connective tissue. It is characterized by tortuosity and elongation of medium and large arteries, with multiple disorders associated with the widespread involvement of the connective tissue. CASE REPORT: Newborn diagnosed with ATS, with multiple vascular malformations, hiatal hernia, and bilateral inguinal hernia. He underwent surgery at three months of age. The hiatal hernia was closed, and bilateral inguinal hernia repair was performed. The inguinal hernias required up to 4 surgeries as a result of recurrences.During follow-up, the patient had retrocardiac diaphragmatic hernia. It was operated on, with subsequent incisional hernia. 8 years later, he was admitted as a result of septic shock secondary to intestinal occlusion. Emergency surgery was scheduled, demonstrating gastric herniation in the right pleural cavity, with perforation of the fundus. The patient died at the ICU 24 hours later. DISCUSSION: The pediatric surgeon should be familiar with ATS, since it may cause multiple surgical pathologies, it is difficult to manage, and it is associated with a high risk of recurrence and complications.

INTRODUCCION: El síndrome de tortuosidad arterial (STA) es un trastorno autosómico recesivo del tejido conectivo muy infrecuente, caracterizado por tortuosidad y elongación de arterias de medio y gran calibre y múltiples trastornos derivados de la afectación generalizada del tejido conectivo. CASO CLINICO: Neonato diagnosticado de STA, con múltiples malformaciones vasculares, hernia de hiato y hernia inguinal bilateral. Intervenido a los tres meses, practicándose cierre de hernia de hiato y herniorrafia inguinal bilateral. Estas últimas requirieron hasta cuatro intervenciones por recidiva. Durante el seguimiento presentó hernia diafragmática retrocardiaca, siendo intervenida, con posterior eventración. A los ocho años ingresó por shock séptico secundario a oclusión intestinal. Se intervino urgente objetivando herniación gástrica en cavidad pleural derecha con perforación en fundus. El paciente falleció en la UCI tras 24 horas. COMENTARIOS: El cirujano pediátrico debe conocer el STA debido a la múltiple patología quirúrgica que puede presentar, difícil manejo, riesgo de recidiva y complicaciones.

El síndrome de tortuosidad arterial y su relevancia en cirugía pediátrica. A propósito de un caso / Arterial tortuosity syndrome: relevance in pediatric surgery. A case report

Introducción: El síndrome de tortuosidad arterial (STA) es untrastorno autosómico recesivo del tejido conectivo muy infrecuente,caracterizado por tortuosidad y elongación de arterias de medio y grancalibre y múltiples trastornos derivados de la afectación generalizadadel tejido conectivo. Caso clínico: Neonato diagnosticado de STA, con múltiples malfor-maciones vasculares, hernia de hiato y hernia inguinal bilateral.Intervenido a los tres meses, practicándose cierre de hernia de hiatoy herniorrafia inguinal bilateral. Estas últimas requirieron hasta cuatrointervenciones por recidiva. Durante el seguimiento presentó hernia diafragmática retrocardiaca,siendo intervenida, con posterior eventración.A los ocho años ingresó por shock séptico secundario a oclusiónintestinal. Se intervino urgente objetivando herniación gástrica en ca-vidad pleural derecha con perforación en fundus. El paciente fallecióen la UCI tras 24 horas. Comentarios: El cirujano pediátrico debe conocer el STA debidoa la múltiple patología quirúrgica que puede presentar, difícil manejo,riesgo de recidiva y complicaciones.(AU)

Introduction: Arterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS) is an extremelyrare autosomal recessive disorder of the connective tissue. It is charac-terized by tortuosity and elongation of medium and large arteries, withmultiple disorders associated with the widespread involvement of theconnective tissue. Clinical case: Newborn diagnosed with ATS, with multiple vascularmalformations, hiatal hernia, and bilateral inguinal hernia. He underwent surgery at three months of age. The hiatal hernia wasclosed, and bilateral inguinal hernia repair was performed. The inguinalhernias required up to 4 surgeries as a result of recurrences.During follow-up, the patient had retrocardiac diaphragmatic hernia.It was operated on, with subsequent incisional hernia.8 years later, he was admitted as a result of septic shock secondaryto intestinal occlusion. Emergency surgery was scheduled, demonstrating gastric herniation in the right pleural cavity, with perforation of thefundus. The patient died at the ICU 24 hours later. Discussion: The pediatric surgeon should be familiar with ATS,since it may cause multiple surgical pathologies, it is difficult to manage,and it is associated with a high risk of recurrence and complications.(AU)

Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Lateral Malleolus Treated with Intralesional Curettage and Masquelet Technique: A Case Report.

An aneurysmal bone cyst is a locally destructive lesion considered to be a pseudotumor arising from the bone. Although this benign-like lesion is generally considered rare, several approaches for treatment have been presented. We report a case involving a 15-year-old female diagnosed with aneurysmal bone cyst of the lateral malleolus. Applying the Masquelet technique enabled the treatment of the lesion without causing instability to the ankle joint and the prevention of recurrence through the application of polymethylmethacrylate. To our knowledge this is the first documented case in our region and possibly in the Philippines.

Integrated management of residues from tomato production: Recovery of value-added compounds and biogas production in the biorefinery context.

The biorefinery approach must be boosted in the management of agro-residues in the future. The present study aims to investigate the valorization of tomato production residues, namely rotten tomato (unfit for consumption - RT), green tomato (GT), and tomato branches (TB). The assessment involves the recovery of value-added compounds through the extraction process followed by biogas production through anaerobic digestion. A thorough characterization of the three residues (RT, GT, and TB) was carried out, including the identification of volatile compounds by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The volatiles analysis revealed the presence of flavor enhancer compounds and molecules with insecticidal properties. A solid-liquid extraction with ethanol allowed the recovery of value-added compounds in the extracts, in particular phenolic compounds, ß-carotene, and lycopene, which contributed to the antioxidant activity. RT and TB extracts were found to be richer in total phenolic compounds (~27 mg GAE/gdb dry basis) and exhibited higher antioxidant activity (IC50 = 0.911 and 0.745 mg/mL). The tomato branches extract had the highest concentration of carotenoids with 37.23 and 3.08 mg/kgdb of ß-carotene and lycopene, respectively. The biochemical methane potential (BMP) was assessed in sealed reactors operating in anaerobic conditions for all the raw (RT, GT, and TB) and extracted substrates waste (RTe, GTe, and TBe). While the BMP of RT and GT was in the range of 232-285 mL CH4/g VS, a lower value of 141 mL CH4/g VS was obtained for TB. The methane production for each pair of raw and extracted substrates (RT/RTe, GT/GTe, and TB/TBe) was considered statistically similar at a 95 % confidence level. Overall, the value-added compounds recovery through ethanolic extraction did not compromise the methane production of the materials.