[Results of the treatment of irreparable rotator cuff ruptures with the use of the subacromial balloon]. / Resultados del tratamiento de roturas irreparables de manguito rotador con el uso del balón subacromial.

INTRODUCTION: arthroscopic surgical treatment of rotator cuff tendon injuries has replaced open surgery as the first treatment option. Different surgical techniques have been described for massive or irreparable ruptures, and recently, a new device that consists of a biodegradable subacromial spacer between the humeral head and the acromion has been used. The present study aims to analyse the results of this implant in our experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: we conducted an observational and retrospective study of all patients undergoing subacromial spacer implantation at our centre from 2017 to 2019. Patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively using the Constant, DASH and VAS scales. RESULTS: a total of 43 patients met the inclusion criteria and the minimum follow-up of 24 months. The mean DASH scale score went from 53.6 at preoperative assessment to 27.9 at postoperative assessment (p = 0.026). There was also a significant improvement in the Constant scale from a mean of 37.9 to 61.8 (p = 0.037). In terms of pain assessment, the mean VAS went from a mean of 7.44 to 3.38 (p = 0.916). In 90% of patients no complications or need for further interventions were objectified. CONCLUSIONS: the subacromial balloon has shown favorable results in our series of patients, so it could be a valid treatment option in patients with non-repairable rotator cuff tears.

INTRODUCCIÓN: el tratamiento mediante cirugía artroscópica de las lesiones del manguito rotador ha desplazado a la cirugía abierta como primera opción de tratamiento. Existen diferentes técnicas quirúrgicas descritas para tratar las roturas masivas o no reparables. Desde hace unos años se viene utilizando un nuevo dispositivo que consiste en un balón subacromial biodegradable que actúa como espaciador entre la cabeza humeral y el acromion. Este trabajo pretende analizar los resultados de este implante. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: realizamos un estudio observacional y retrospectivo de todos los pacientes a los que se les implantó un balón subacromial en nuestro centro entre 2017 y 2019. Se evaluó a los pacientes pre y postoperatoriamente mediante las escalas de Constant, DASH y EVA. RESULTADOS: un total de 43 pacientes cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y el seguimiento mínimo de 24 meses. La puntuación media de la escala DASH pasó de 53.6 en la evaluación preoperatoria a 27.9 en la postoperatoria (p = 0.026). También se obtuvo una mejoría significativa en la escala de Constant, que pasó de una media de 37.9 a 61.8 (p = 0.037). En cuanto a la evaluación del dolor, la EVA media pasó de 7.44 a 3.38 (p = 0.916). En 90% de los pacientes no se objetivaron complicaciones ni necesidad de nuevas intervenciones. CONCLUSIONES: el balón subacromial ha mostrado resultados favorables en nuestra serie de pacientes, por lo que podría suponer una opción válida de tratamiento en pacientes con roturas no reparables del manguito rotador.

New, fast, and precise method of COVID-19 detection in nasopharyngeal and tracheal aspirate samples combining optical spectroscopy and machine learning.

Fast, precise, and low-cost diagnostic testing to identify persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus is pivotal to control the global pandemic of COVID-19 that began in late 2019. The gold standard method of diagnostic recommended is the RT-qPCR test. However, this method is not universally available, and is time-consuming and requires specialized personnel, as well as sophisticated laboratories. Currently, machine learning is a useful predictive tool for biomedical applications, being able to classify data from diverse nature. Relying on the artificial intelligence learning process, spectroscopic data from nasopharyngeal swab and tracheal aspirate samples can be used to leverage characteristic patterns and nuances in healthy and infected body fluids, which allows to identify infection regardless of symptoms or any other clinical or laboratorial tests. Hence, when new measurements are performed on samples of unknown status and the corresponding data is submitted to such an algorithm, it will be possible to predict whether the source individual is infected or not. This work presents a new methodology for rapid and precise label-free diagnosing of SARS-CoV-2 infection in clinical samples, which combines spectroscopic data acquisition and analysis via artificial intelligence algorithms. Our results show an accuracy of 85% for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from asymptomatic patients or with mild symptoms, as well as an accuracy of 97% in tracheal aspirate samples collected from critically ill COVID-19 patients under mechanical ventilation. Moreover, the acquisition and processing of the information is fast, simple, and cheaper than traditional approaches, suggesting this methodology as a promising tool for biomedical diagnosis vis-à-vis the emerging and re-emerging viral SARS-CoV-2 variant threats in the future.

Enhanced electronic transport properties of Te roll-like nanostructures.

In this work, the electronic transport properties of Te roll-like nanostructures were investigated in a broad temperature range by fabricating single-nanostructure back-gated field-effect-transistors via photolithography. These one-dimensional nanostructures, with a unique roll-like morphology, were produced by a facile synthesis and extensively studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The nanostructures are made of pure and crystalline Tellurium with trigonal structure (t-Te), and exhibit p-type conductivity with enhanced field-effect hole mobility between 273 cm2/Vs at 320 K and 881 cm2/Vs at 5 K. The thermal ionization of shallow acceptors, with small ionization energy between 2 and 4 meV, leads to free-hole conduction at high temperatures. The free-hole mobility follows a negative power-law temperature behavior, with an exponent between -1.28 and -1.42, indicating strong phonon scattering in this temperature range. At lower temperatures, the electronic conduction is dominated by nearest-neighbor hopping (NNH) conduction in the acceptor band, with a small activation energy E NNH ≈ 0.6 meV and an acceptor concentration of N A ≈ 1 × 1016 cm-3. These results demonstrate the enhanced electrical properties of these nanostructures, with a small disorder, and superior quality for nanodevice applications.

[Results in the medium long term of the reverse shoulder prosthesis in the cuff arthropathy]. / Resultados a mediano plazo de la prótesis invertida en la artropatía de manguito.

INTRODUCTION: the final stage of rotator cuff tear arthropathy generates pain and disability, treatment with reverse shoulder arthroplasty shows in different published studies good rates of pain reduction and improvements in mobility. the objective of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the medium-term results of inverted shoulder replacement at our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: retrospectively, we analyzed 21 patients (23 prosthetics) undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty with the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear arthropathy. The average age of patients was 75.21 years The minimum follow-up was 60 months. We analyzed in all preoperative ASES, DASH and CONSTANT patients, and a new functional assessment was made using these same scales at the last follow-up visit. We analyzed pre and postoperative VAS as well as pre and postoperative mobility range. RESULTS: we achieved a statistically significant improvement in all functional scale and pain values (p < 0.001). The ASES scale showed an improvement of 38.91 points (95% CI 30.97-46.84); the 40.89-point CONSTANT scale (95% 34.57-47.21) and the 52.65-point DASH scale (95% 46.31-59.0) p < 0.001. We found an improvement of 5.41 points (95% CI 4.31-6.50) on the VAS scale. We also achieved a statistically significant improvement in flexion values 66.52o to 113.91o degrees; abduction 63.69o to 105.85o degrees at the end of the follow-up. We did not get statistical significance in terms of external rotation but with a tendency to improve in the obtained values; instead in internal rotation we obtained results that showed a tendency to worsen. Complications occurred during follow-up in 14 patients; 11 in relation to notching glenoid, one patient with a chronic infection, one patient with a late infection and one intraoperative fracture of glenoid. CONCLUSIONS: reverse shoulder arthroplasty is an effective treatment of rotator cuff arthropathy. Pain relief and improvement in shoulder flexion and abduction can be expected especially; the gain in rotations is unpredictable.

INTRODUCCIÓN: el estadio final de la artropatía de manguito (AM) genera dolor e invalidez, el tratamiento mediante artroplastía invertida (AI) muestra buenos índices de reducción de dolor y mejoras en movilidad. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo fue evaluar de manera retrospectiva los resultados a mediano plazo de la artroplastía invertida de hombro en nuestro centro. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: retrospectivamente analizamos 21 pacientes (23 prótesis) sometidos a AI con el diagnóstico de AM. La edad media fue de 75.21 años. El seguimiento mínimo fue de 60 meses. Analizamos las escalas ASES, DASH y CONSTANT preoperatorias y en la última visita de seguimiento. Se analizó la escala VAS preoperatoria y postoperatoria y rango de movilidad preoperatoria y postoperatoria. RESULTADOS: mejoraron todas las escalas funcionales y dolor (p < 0.001). ASES en 38.91 puntos (IC 95% 30.97-46.84); CONSTANT en 40.89 puntos (IC 95% 34.57-47.21); DASH en 52.65 puntos (IC 95% 46.31-59.0) p < 0.001; y 5.41 puntos (IC 95% 4.31-6.50) en VAS. Mejoraron con significación estadística la flexión (66.52o a 113.91o); y la abducción (63.69o a 105.85o). No obtuvimos significación estadística en rotación externa ni en rotación interna. Aparecieron complicaciones en 14 pacientes; 11 notching glenoideo, una infección crónica, una infección tardía y una fractura intraoperatoria de glenoides. CONCLUSIONES: la AI de hombro representa una alternativa eficaz para el tratamiento de la AM. Puede esperarse alivio del dolor y una mejoría en la flexión y abducción del hombro; la ganancia en rotaciones es poco predecible.

Prevention of incisional hernia with a reinforced tension line (RTL) versus primary suture only in midline laparotomies: 3-year follow-up in a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Incisional hernia (IH) has an incidence of 10-23%, which can increase to 38% in specific risk groups. The objective of this study is to report the results at 3 years of follow-up of the use of the reinforced tension line (RTL) technique compared with primary suture only (PSO) closure in the prevention of IH in high-risk patients undergoing laparotomy. METHODS: Open randomized controlled clinical trial. Included were patients older than 18 years who underwent midline laparotomy, emergency or scheduled, who were considered high risk, and who completed 3-year follow-up. The patients were randomized 1:1 to the RTL technique or to PSO. The objective was to report the incidence of IH and the complications associated with the closure method. Intention-to-treat analysis and Cox regression were performed. RESULTS: A total of 124 patients were randomized; 51 patients from the RTL group and 53 patients from the PSO group finished the 3-year follow-up. The incidence of IH was higher in the PSO group (15/53, 28.3%) than the RTL group (5/51, 9.8%) (p = 0.016, OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.14-0.88, number needed to treat 5.4, log-rank test p = 0.017). The groups were similar in the rates of surgical site infection, hematoma, seroma, and postoperative pain during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The RTL technique is useful in the prevention of IH when compared with PSO in high-risk midline laparotomy patients, and it is not associated with a higher percentage of complications. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Local Committee CI-HRAEB-2013-020. March 13, 2013. CLINICAL TRIALS: NCT02136628, retrospectively registered.

Sub-diffractional cavity modes of terahertz hyperbolic phonon polaritons in tin oxide.

Hyperbolic phonon polaritons have recently attracted considerable attention in nanophotonics mostly due to their intrinsic strong electromagnetic field confinement, ultraslow polariton group velocities, and long lifetimes. Here we introduce tin oxide (SnO2) nanobelts as a photonic platform for the transport of surface and volume phonon polaritons in the mid- to far-infrared frequency range. This report brings a comprehensive description of the polaritonic properties of SnO2 as a nanometer-sized dielectric and also as an engineered material in the form of a waveguide. By combining accelerator-based IR-THz sources (synchrotron and free-electron laser) with s-SNOM, we employed nanoscale far-infrared hyper-spectral-imaging to uncover a Fabry-Perot cavity mechanism in SnO2 nanobelts via direct detection of phonon-polariton standing waves. Our experimental findings are accurately supported by notable convergence between theory and numerical simulations. Thus, the SnO2 is confirmed as a natural hyperbolic material with unique photonic properties essential for future applications involving subdiffractional light traffic and detection in the far-infrared range.

[Results of the treatment of primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis through hemiarthroplasty]. / Resultados del tratamiento de la artrosis glenohumeral primaria mediante hemiartroplastía.

INTRODUCTION: Glenohumeral osteoarthritis leads to a functional loss and a decrease in the quality of life of many patients that suffers it. Currently there is no agreement on the use of hemiarthroplasty or total arthroplasty as definitive treatment. The objective is to show the results of the treatment of primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis through hemiarthroplasty in our service. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed 14 patients (19 hemiarthroplasties) performed between 2004 and 2013 in patients diagnosed with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis without glenoid morphological anomaly. We managed to collect data from eight patients (11 hemiarthroplasties), assessing functional status, pain, and performing activities of daily living using the Constant, ASES and DASH scores preoperatively and at five years of minimum follow-up (range 5-11 years), as well as related complications. The preoperative status was compared to the end of the follow-up. RESULTS: A significant improvement was found in all the parameters analyzed in the study (p. CONCLUSION: < 0.05). The average pain in EVA score decreased from 8.89 to 2.67. The ASES improved from 13.51 to 63. 51 half point. The Constant increase of 20.11 points to 65.11 points. The mean preoperative score in the DASH score was 73.68 and 28.30 postoperatively. The average survival of the implant was 81.82% in the seven years of average follow-up. Shoulder hemiarthroplasty obtains good functional results in the treatment of primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis with few complications. The cause of the failure were glenoid erosion in all the cases.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La artrosis glenohumeral conlleva a una pérdida funcional y a una disminución de la calidad de vida de muchos pacientes. Actualmente, no existe consenso en cuanto al uso de la hemiartroplastía o la artroplastía total como tratamiento definitivo para este padecimiento. El objetivo es mostrar los resultados del tratamiento de la artrosis glenohumeral primaria mediante hemiartroplastía en nuestro servicio. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisamos 19 hemiartroplastías (14 pacientes) realizadas entre 2004 y 2013 en pacientes con artrosis glenohumeral primaria sin alteración morfológica glenoidea. Se recabaron los datos de ocho pacientes (11 hemiartroplastías), valorándose el estado funcional, el dolor y la realización de actividades de la vida diaria mediante las escalas Constant, ASES y DASH preoperatorias, a los cinco años de seguimiento mínimo (rango 5-11 años), así como las complicaciones presentadas. Se comparó el estado preoperatorio y al final del seguimiento. RESULTADOS: Se encontró una mejoría estadísticamente significativa (p. CONCLUSIÓN: < 0.05) en todos los parámetros analizados en el estudio. La media del dolor en la escala EVA disminuyó de 8.89 a 2.67. La escala ASES mejoró de 13.51 a 63.51 puntos de media. El Constant aumentó de 20.11 a 65.11 puntos. La puntuación media preoperatoria en la escala DASH fue de 73.68 y la postoperatoria de 28.30 puntos. La supervivencia media del implante fue de 81.82% a los siete años de seguimiento medio. Obtuvimos buenos resultados funcionales con la artrosis glenohumeral primaria, presentándose pocas complicaciones. La causa del fracaso fue la erosión glenoidea.

Splenic volume as a biomarker of hepatic damage after chemotherapy in patients with resected colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-associated liver injury (CALI) is a matter of concern for hepatobiliary surgeons as it can entail postoperative liver failure after an extensive hepatectomy. Recent studies have taken special interest in liver function parameters which can correlate with CALI to decrease this adverse event. Therefore, the current study investigates the usefulness of splenic volume as a biomarker of CALI through a portal hypertension mechanism, in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). STUDY DESIGN: We carried out a study in patients with CRLM operated on between 2009 and 2014 in our center. All samples of healthy liver were graded for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and sinusoidal obstructive syndrome. Computarized tomography scans for spleen volumetry were analyzed for each patient at CRLM diagnosis, after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 1 and 6 months after resection. RESULTS: A group of 65 consecutive patients with CRLM of large bowel adenocarcinoma submitted to liver resection were included. Patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a greater spleen volume increase than those who did not receive treatment (p = 0.053), finding a statistically significant spleen growth in patients with NAFLD (p = 0.036). There was no correlation between spleen enlargement and postoperative complications or average stay. However, survival was decreased in patients with spleen growth and CALI. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy for liver metastasis surgery have a greater splenic volume increase, which correlates with NAFLD and a lower survival.

Genetic variances and covariances of live weight traits in Charolais cattle by multi-trait analysis.

Live weight traits are economically important for beef cattle production systems. Genetic analysis of live weight traits frequently presents a problem due to animal records, in that matter, not all the animals have complete records as many young animals leave the herd because of sale, transfer to another herd, or culling reasons. Therefore, the use of multi-trait genetic analysis might be of assistance to help overcome any possible loss of information for those animals with incomplete records. In this study, genetic variances and covariances were obtained to estimate genetic parameters for birth (BW), weaning (WW), and yearling (YW) live weights in a registered Charolais beef cattle population using a multivariate model, where a considerable reduction of data from birth weight to year weight was observed. Direct and maternal heritabilities for BW, WW, and YW were 0.50, 0.30, and 0.28, and 0.31, 0.25, and 0.14, respectively. Direct and maternal genetic correlations were negative in all live weight traits. Genetic correlations among direct BW with direct WW and YW were low, while genetic correlations among maternal traits were medium or high (r>0.39). Comparison between univariate and multi-trait models with substantial reduction of information revealed important differences, implying that multi-trait analysis is better for the structure of data allowing a better fitting of genetic effects by covariance among evaluated traits. Results support multi-trait analysis implementation for genetic evaluations for live weight traits of Charolais cattle.

Large inguinal bladder hernias: can a preoperative diagnosis be made?

PURPOSE: Bladder hernias are asymptomatic in most cases and are found incidentally during exploration for inguinal hernia repair. The treatment of inguinal bladder hernia is either reduction or resection of the herniated bladder, followed by herniorrhaphy. We present a case series with preoperative diagnoses, along with their surgical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records from a single institution over a 5-year period (2012-2017) of five patients with diagnosis of large bladder inguinal hernia. Demographics, clinical status, medical history, anatomical structure of the hernia, and surgical outcomes were all analyzed. RESULTS: Patients' median age was 51 years (range 45-81 years). The median size of the hernial sac was 13 cm (range 8-20 cm). The diagnosis was made with computed tomography in three patients and with ultrasonography and cystography in two patients. Median length of hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-6 days), and median length of follow-up was 28 months (range 18-72 months). All patients continue to be alive and well, without hernia recurrence. The five cases are described separately along with their surgical managements. CONCLUSION: The main objectives in treatment of inguinal bladder hernia are to preserve the voiding function and to avoid bladder injuries in a tension-free hernia repair. To our knowledge, this is the first series of cases in which all inguinal bladder hernias were diagnosed preoperatively.

Applying Data Science methods and tools to unveil healthcare use of lung cancer patients in a teaching hospital in Spain.

PURPOSE: Our primary goal was to study the use of outpatient attendances by lung cancer patients in Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda (HUPHM), Spain, by leveraging our Electronic Patient Record (EPR) and structured clinical registry of lung cancer cases as well as assessing current Data Science methods and tools. METHODS/PATIENTS: We applied the Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) to integrate and analyze activity data extracted from the EPR (9.3 million records) and clinical data of lung cancer patients from a previous registry that was curated into a new, structured database based on REDCap. We have described and quantified factors with an influence in outpatient care use from univariate and multivariate points of view (through Poisson and negative binomial regression). RESULTS: Three cycles of CRISP-DM were performed resulting in a curated database of 522 lung cancer patients with 133 variables which generated 43,197 outpatient visits and tests, 1538 ER visits and 753 inpatient admissions. Stage and ECOG-PS at diagnosis and Charlson Comorbidity Index were major contributors to healthcare use. We also found that the patients' pattern of healthcare use (even before diagnosis), the existence of a history of cancer in first-grade relatives, smoking habits, or even age at diagnosis, could play a relevant role. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating activity data from EPR and clinical structured data from lung cancer patients and applying CRISP-DM has allowed us to describe healthcare use in connection with clinical variables that could be used to plan resources and improve quality of care.

Does Foraging Experience Affect the Responses of the Predator Dicyphus hesperus Knight to Prey-Induced Volatiles?

The predatory mirid bug Dicyphus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a native North America species with high potential as biological control agent of the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli Sulcer (Hemiptera: Triozidae), which is a major solanaceous pest. Olfactory responses of D. hesperus to volatiles from plants infested with the potato psyllid and the effect of foraging experience on search efficacy were studied. Using a Y-tube olfactometer, we found that naïve females had no preference in choice tests between either uninfested tomato plants, or Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs-infested plants, and clean air. Naïve females showed an innate positive response to B. cockerelli-infested plants, but no preference when given a choice between uninfested tomato plants and E. kuehniella eggs-infested plants. However, females with experience of foraging on B. cockerelli-infested plants showed a strong preference for B. cockerelli-infested plants (78% response) in choice tests with uninfested tomato plants and E. kuehniella eggs-infested plants. Implications of learning for augmentative biological control are discussed.

Un caso de desorden del desarrollo sexual en un canino mestizo / A case of a disorder sexual development in a hybrid dog

Los desórdenes del desarrollo sexual se pueden presentar en diferentes animales domésticos, aunque no son muy comunes. Se clasifican en tres grupos de anormalidades: del desarrollo cromosómico, del desarrollo gonadal y del sexo fenotípico, y presentan diferentes subcategorías. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir las características fenotípicas, cromosómicas y anatómicas de los órganos reproductores de un paciente canino, aparentemente hembra, de 3 años de edad, con desorden del desarrollo sexual, que presentaba una protuberancia a nivel vaginal con sangrado y presencia de pus; en la anamnesis reportan comportamiento de macho. Se realizó un examen general por sistemas, ecografía abdominal ventral, radiografía latero-lateral, cuadro hemático y cariotipo con bandas R-replicativas. Tras la evaluación se encontró un clítoris agrandado (pseudopene) con orificio uretral que mostró resistencia a la colocación de una sonda. La radiografía mostró una estructura similar al hueso del pene y la ecografía reveló una estructura compatible con el cuello del útero en una hembra y una estructura lateral parecida al tejido gonadal. El cariotipo fue típico de un macho, compatible con un macho seudohermafrodita, lo cual permite clasificar al individuo como XY, con un desorden del desarrollo sexual fenotípico (78, XY) según la nueva clasificación. Con las herramientas diagnósticas disponibles en Colombia es posible realizar un diagnóstico diferencial adecuado. Sin embargo, falta disponibilidad de pruebas diagnósticas específicas como FISH y mediciones serológicas.

The disorders of sex development can occur in different domestic animals, but they are not very common. They are classified as sex chromosomic disorders, gonadal sex development disorders and phenotypic sex disorders and have different subcategories. The aim of this study was to describe the phenotypic, chromosomal and anatomical traits of the reproductive organs of a canine patient 3-year-old, apparently female with disorder of sexual development, which presented a protuberance into the vagina with bleeding and pus, which anamnesis male behavior report. A general examination was performed by systems, ventral abdominal ultrasound, latero-lateral radiography, blood count and karyotype whit R-replicative bands. After the evaluation found an enlarged clitoris (pseudopene) with urethral opening that showed resistance to placing a catheter. Radiography showed a structure similar to penis bone and the ultrasonography a structure consistent with the cervix in a female and a structure similar to gonadal tissue in the side. The karyotype was typical of a male, compatible with a male pseudo-hermaphrodite, which classifies the individual as XY with a phenotypic disorder of sex development (78, XY) according to the new classification. With the diagnostic tools found in Colombia is possible to make an appropriate differential diagnosis. But nevertheless, lack of availability of specific diagnostic tests such as FISH and serological measurements.

Genomewide association analysis of growth traits in Charolais beef cattle.

The objective of this study was to perform a genomewide association study (GWAS) for growth traits in Charolais beef cattle and to identify SNP markers and genes associated with these traits. Our study included 855 animals genotyped using 76,883 SNP from the GeneSeek Genomic Profiler Bovine HD panel. The examined phenotypic data included birth, weaning, and yearling weights as well as pre- and postweaning ADG. After quality control, 68,337 SNP and 823 animals were retained in the analysis. The association analysis was performed using the principal components method via the egscore function of the GenABEL version 1.8-0 package in the R environment. Eighteen SNP located in 13 BTA were associated with growth traits ( < 5 × 10). The most important genes in these genomic regions were (), (), (), (), and ( [angiotensinase C]), due to their relationships with perinatal and postnatal survival, bone growth, cell adhesion, regulation of adipogenesis, and appetite. In conclusion, this study is the first to describe a GWAS conducted in beef cattle in Mexico and represents a basis for further and future research. This study detected new QTL associated with growth traits and identified 5 positional and functional candidate genes that are potentially involved in variations of the analyzed traits. Future analyses of these regions could help to identify useful markers for marker-assisted selection and will contribute to the knowledge of the genetic basis of growth in cattle and be a foundation for genomic predictions in Mexican Charolais cattle.

Association of polymorphisms in growth hormone and leptin candidate genes with live weight traits of Brahman cattle.

Polymorphisms in candidate genes can produce significant and favorable changes in the phenotype, and therefore are useful for the identification of the best combination of favorable variants for marker-assisted selection. In the present study, an assessment to evaluate the effect of 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes on live weight traits of registered Brahman cattle was performed. Data from purebred bulls were used in this assessment. The dataset included birth (BW), weaning (WW), and yearling (YW) weights. A panel of 11 SNP markers, selected by their formerly reported or apparent direct and indirect association with live weight traits, was included in an assessment previously confirming their minimum allele frequency (<0.05). Live weights were adjusted BW (aBW), WW (aWW), and YW (aYW) using a generalized linear model, which included the fixed effects of herd and season of birth and the random effect of the sire and year of birth. An SNP in a growth hormone gene (GH4.1) was significantly related to aWW (P = 0.035) with an estimate substitution effect of 3.97 kg (P = 0.0210). In addition, a leptin SNP (LEPg.978) was significantly associated with aYW (P = 0.003) with an estimate substitution effect of 9.57 kg (P = 0.0007). The results suggest that markers GH4.1 and LEPg.978 can be considered as candidate loci for assisted genetic improvement programs in Mexican Brahman cattle.

Temperature evaluation of dental implant surface irradiated with high-power diode laser.

The prevalence of peri-implantitis and the absence of a standard approach for decontamination of the dental implant surface have led to searches for effective therapies. Since the source of diode lasers is portable, has reduced cost, and does not cause damage to the titanium surface of the implant, high-power diode lasers have been used for this purpose. The effect of laser irradiation on the implants is the elevation of the temperature surface. If this elevation exceeds 47 °C, the bone tissue is irreversibly damaged, so for a safety therapy, the laser parameters should be controlled. In this study, a diode laser of GaAsAl was used to irradiate titanium dental implants, for powers 1.32 to 2.64 W (real) or 2.00 to 4.00 W (nominal), in continuous/pulsed mode DC/AC, with exposure time of 5/10 s, with/without air flow for cooling. The elevation of the temperature was monitored in real time in two positions: cervical and apical. The best results for decontamination using a 968-nm diode laser were obtained for a power of 1.65 and 1.98 W (real) for 10 s, in DC or AC mode, with an air flow of 2.5 l/min. In our perspective in this article, we determine a suggested approach for decontamination of the dental implant surface using a 968-nm diode laser.

Electrical observation of sub-band formation in SnO2 nanobelts.

The electrical observation of energy sub-band formation in the electronic structure, that gives rise to the phenomenon of quantized transport is reported in tin oxide (SnO2) nanobelt back-gate field-effect transistors, at low temperatures. Sub-band formation was observed as current oscillations in the drain current vs. gate voltage characteristics, and was analyzed considering the nanobelt as a "quantum wire" with a rectangular cross-section and hard walls. The lateral quantum confinement in the nanowires created conditions for the successive filling of the first twelve electron energy sub-bands, as the gate voltage increases. When the source-drain voltage is changed, the oscillations are not dislocated with respect to the gate voltage indicating flat-band energies, and that the observations are incompatible with the phenomena of Coulomb blockade and tunnelling oscillations. The separation of the energy sub-bands was found to be in good agreement with the measured cross-section dimensions of the nanobelt and with the threshold temperature, since for T > 60 K the oscillations tend to vanish.

New insights on the mechanism of oxidation of D-galacturonic acid by hypervalent chromium.

The pollutant Cr(VI) is known to be very carcinogenic. In conditions of excess of Cr(VI), oxidation of D-galacturonic acid (Galur), the major metabolite of pectin, yields d-galactaric acid (Galar) and Cr(III). The redox reaction takes place through a multistep mechanism involving formation of intermediate Cr(II/IV) and Cr(V) species. The mechanism combines one- and two-electron pathways for the reduction of Cr(IV) by the organic substrate: Cr(VI)→ Cr(IV)→ Cr(II) and Cr(VI)→ Cr(IV)→ Cr(III). This is supported by the observation of the optical absorption spectra of Cr(VI) esters, free radicals, CrO(2)(2+) (superoxoCr(III) ion) and oxo-Cr(V) complexes. Cr(IV) cannot be directly detected; however, formation of CrO(2)(2+) provides indirect evidence for the intermediacy of Cr(II/IV). Cr(IV) reacts with Galur much faster than Cr(V) and Cr(VI) do. The analysis of the reaction kinetics via optical absorption spectroscopy shows that the Cr(IV)-Galur reaction rate inversely depends on [H(+)]. Nevertheless, high [H(+)] still does not facilitate accumulation of Cr(IV) in the Cr(VI)-Galur mixture. Cr(VI) and the intermediate Cr(V) react with Galur at comparable rates; therefore the build-up and decay of Cr(V) accompany the decay of Cr(VI). The complete rate laws for the Cr(VI), Cr(V) and Cr(IV)-Galur redox reaction are here derived in detail. Furthermore, the nature of the five-co-ordinated oxo-Cr(V) bischelate complexes formed in Cr(VI)-Galur mixtures at pH 1-5 is investigated using continuous-wave and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and density functional theory (DFT).

Biomolecule-quantum dot systems for bioconjugation applications.

In the present work, it is reported for the first time the bioconjugation of CdS quantum dots (QDs) directly with bovine serum albumin (BSA) using a one-step procedure via aqueous route at room temperature by methods of colloidal chemistry. Essentially, the bioconjugates were developed based on BSA as capping ligand for the nucleation and stabilization of CdS nanoparticles using cadmium perchlorate and thioacetamide as precursors. UV-visible spectroscopy was used to characterize the kinetics and the relative stability of CdS nanoparticles. The CdS nanocrystals were produced with the calculated average particle size below 4.0 nm, indicating they were in the so-called "quantum-size confinement range". The results have clearly indicated that BSA was effective on nucleating and stabilizing the colloidal CdS quantum dots.