Compressed fluid-based technology for downstream isolation of bluish anthocyanin-derived pigments obtained from blueberry surplus.

A dynamic compressed fluid-based separation process combining carbon dioxide and ethanol was explored to isolate portisins previously hemi-synthesized from blueberry surplus anthocyanins. The influence of process parameters such as pressure (100-500 bar), temperature (40-60 °C), and ethanol content in the compressed fluid mixture (20-50 wt%) on extraction yield, portisins yield, and portisins content in the extract was investigated. The two-step isolation process includes (1) a first step at 100 bar, 60 °C, and 20 wt% ethanol content in the compressed fluid mixture to remove the low polarity compounds; and (2) a second step at 500 bar, 40 °C, and 100 wt% ethanol to recover portisins, resulting in a 1.5-fold increase in portisins content. The performance of the two-step separation process was compared to centrifugal partitional chromatography and conventional reverse phase liquid chromatography already reported in terms of portisins content in the extract, process throughput, process efficiency, and total solvent used. The two-step separation process decreased the total solvent used, although with a decrease in the throughput and efficiency. Nevertheless, the choice of the best separation technology depends on the application, as these techniques result in different portisins purities. Overall, this study contributed to a scalable and more sustainable process for natural colorant production, specifically focusing on blue pigments, with several industrial applications.

Ca-dimers, solvent layering, and dominant electrochemically active species in Ca(BH4)2 in THF.

Divalent ions (Mg, Ca, and Zn) are being considered as competitive, safe, and earth-abundant alternatives to Li-ion electrochemistry, but present challenges for stable cycling due to undesirable interfacial phenomena. We explore the formation of electroactive species in the electrolyte Ca(BH4)2∣THF using molecular dynamics coupled with a continuum model of bulk and interfacial speciation. Free-energy analysis and unsupervised learning indicate a majority population of neutral Ca dimers and monomers with diverse molecular conformations and an order of magnitude lower concentration of the primary electroactive charged species - the monocation, CaBH[Formula: see text] - produced via disproportionation of neutral complexes. Dense layering of THF molecules within ~1 nm of the electrode surface strongly modulates local electrolyte species populations. A dramatic increase in monocation population in this interfacial zone is induced at negative bias. We see no evidence for electrochemical activity of fully-solvated Ca2+. The consequences for performance are discussed in light of this molecular-scale insight.

Effect of dietary l-glutamine supplementation on the intestinal physiology and growth during Solea senegalensis larval development.

The maturation of the intestinal digestive and absorptive functions might limit the amount of absorbed nutrients to fulfil the high requirements of the fast-growing marine fish larva. Glutamine (Gln) has been described to improve intestinal epithelium functions, due to its involvement in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dietary 0.2% Gln supplementation on aspects of intestinal physiology, protein metabolism and growth-related genes expression in Senegalese sole larvae. Experiment was carried out between 12 and 33 days post hatching (DPH) and fish were divided into two experimental groups, one fed Artemia spp. (CTRL) and the other fed Artemia spp. supplemented with Gln (GLN). GLN diet had two times more Gln than the CTRL diet. Samples were collected at 15, 19, 26 and 33 DPH for biometry, histology, and digestive enzymes activity, and at 33 DPH for gene expression, protein metabolism and AA content determination. Growth was significantly higher for Senegalese sole fed GLN diet, supported by differences on protein metabolism and growth-related gene expression. Slight differences were observed between treatments regarding the intestinal physiology. Overall, GLN diet seems to be directed to enhance protein metabolism leading to higher larval growth.

Estado de salud de pacientes con trasplante hepático por enfermedad relacionada con el consumo de alcohol vs. otras etiologías: estudio de cohortes / Health status of patients with liver transplantation by alcohol-related disease vs another etiology: a cohort study

Objetivo: Estudiar el estado de salud de un grupo de pacientes con trasplante hepático (TH) por enfermedad relacionada con el consumo de alcohol vs. otras etiologías, antes y después del trasplante. Método: Estudio longitudinal de cohortes en pacientes trasplantados hepáticos desde noviembre de 2019 hasta julio de 2022. Se incluyeron pacientes atendidos para un primer TH tanto electivo como urgente en la Unidad de Trasplantes de un hospital. Se excluyeron aquellos pacientes que ya portaban un órgano trasplantado y aquellos que necesitaron un re-TH en el primer mes tras el primer trasplante. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas y clínicas, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELDNa), índice de fragilidad hepática (LFI), efectos emocionales-conductuales del trasplante, nivel de ansiedad y depresión. En el análisis estadístico se utilizaron las pruebas de X2 de Pearson, t de Student, U de Mann-Whitney y el signo de Wilcoxon. Resultados: La muestra fue n = 67 pacientes trasplantados hepáticos, con una edad promedio de 56,37 años, siendo 67,2% hombres y 39% por enfermedad hepática relacionada con el alcohol (EHRA). De todos los pacientes incluidos, 9% fueron trasplantes urgentes. El consumo de alcohol se asoció con una mayor edad, una alta tasa de fragilidad hepática y una situación laboral no activa. La etiología alcohólica se correlacionó con una mayor preocupación durante los primeros seis meses después del trasplante de hígado. Conclusión: Existen diferencias en el estado de salud de los pacientes trasplantados hepáticos por EHRA vs. otra etiología. Las enfermeras deben considerar la etiología de la enfermedad hepática para orientar los cuidados y las intervenciones durante todo el proceso de trasplante.(AU)

Aim: To study the health status of a group of patients with liver transplantation by alcohol-related disease vs another etiology before and after the transplantation. Method: Longitudinal cohort study of liver transplant patients from November 2019 to July 2022. Adult patients attended in the unit of transplantation of a hospital for a first liver transplant, both elective and urgent, were included. Patients who already had a transplanted organ and those who required liver re-transplantation in the first month after the first transplant were excluded. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, MELDNa, liver frailty index, emotional-behavioral effects of transplantation, level of anxiety and depression were collected. Pearson's chi-square, Student's t, Mann-Whitney U, and Wilcoxon sign tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The sample was n = 67 liver transplant patients with a mean age of 56.37 years, 67.2% being men and 39% due to alcohol-related liver disease. 9% of all included patients were urgent transplants. Alcohol consumption was associated with older age, a high rate of liver frailty, and a non-active work situation. Alcoholic etiology correlated with increased concern during the first six months after liver transplantation. Conclusion: There are differences in the health status between liver transplant patients for alcohol-related liver disease vs other etiology. Nurses must consider the etiology of liver disease to guide care and interventions throughout the transplant process.(AU)

Health status of patients with liver transplantation by alcohol-related disease vs another etiology: A cohort study.

AIM: To study the health status of a group of patients with liver transplantation by alcohol-related disease vs another etiology before and after the transplantation. METHOD: Longitudinal cohort study of liver transplant patients from November 2019 to July 2022. Adult patients attended in the unit of transplantation of a hospital for a first liver transplant, both elective and urgent, were included. Patients who already had a transplanted organ and those who required liver re-transplantation in the first month after the first transplant were excluded. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, MELDNa, liver frailty index, emotional-behavioral effects of transplantation, level of anxiety and depression were collected. Pearson's chi-square, Student's t, Mann-Whitney U, and Wilcoxon sign tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The sample was n = 67 liver transplant patients with a mean age of 56.37 years, 67.2% being men and 39% due to alcohol-related liver disease. 9% of all included patients were urgent transplants. Alcohol consumption was associated with older age, a high rate of liver frailty, and a non-active work situation. Alcoholic etiology correlated with increased concern during the first six months after liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: There are differences in the health status between liver transplant patients for alcohol-related liver disease vs other etiology. Nurses must consider the etiology of liver disease to guide care and interventions throughout the transplant process.

Child Psychomotricity: Development, Assessment, and Intervention.

Psychomotricity addresses the interactions between psychic functions, motor (and biological) functions, and motor behavior (gestures, posture, attitude, physical activity, and motor skills) [...].

Effect of Dietary Incorporation of Yellow Mealworm as a Partial Fishmeal Replacer on Growth, Metabolism, and Intestinal Histomorphology in Juvenile Meagre (Argyrosomus regius).

Efforts have been made to find alternatives to fish meal (FM), as the sustainability of aquaculture depends on it. Insect meal (IM) is a potential candidate to partially replace FM, being more sustainable and economically viable. In this experimental trial, three diets were tested with different yellow mealworm incorporation: a control diet with no IM, a diet with an inclusion of 10% IM (Ins10), and a diet with an incorporation of 20% IM (Ins20). The diets were tested on 10.5 g meagre for 47 days. The results showed that an IM inclusion higher than 10% affected both growth (2.6 vs. 2.2) and FCR (1.5 vs. 1.9) of meagre juveniles. However, this reduction in growth did not result from lower protein retention or changes in muscle fibre area or density. Little differences were observed in the activity of pancreatic and intestinal enzymes except for aminopeptidase total activity which was higher in the control and Ins10 compared to Ins20 (3847 vs. 3540 mU/mg protein), suggesting no limitations in protein synthesis. Also, the alkaline phosphatase intestinal maturation index was higher in the control group compared to the IM groups (437 vs. 296). On the contrary, several differences were also found in the proteolytic activity in the hepatic and muscle tissues of meagre juveniles fed the Ins10 diet. The inclusion of IM had no impact on intestine histomorphology but changes were detected in the enterocytes of fish from control and Ins10 which showed hypervacuolization and nucleus misplacement compared to the Ins20 treatment. Nevertheless, a higher percentage of Vibrionaceae was recorded for meagre fed on the Ins20 diet. Since no signs of inflammation were observed in the distal intestine, this suggests IM incorporation could have had an important impact on intestinal health due to its antimicrobial properties. This is supported by an increase in the haematocrit in the treatments where IM was added (20 to 25%). In conclusion, incorporations of IM at percentages up to 10% do not seem to have a negative impact on meagre performance at this age but can enhance the fish immune system and protection against intestinal inflammation.

Isolation of bluish anthocyanin-derived pigments obtained from blueberry surplus using centrifugal partition chromatography.

Replacement of synthetic colorants with natural ones is a current marketing trend. Nevertheless, the naturally occurring blue color is rare compared to other colours. In this work, centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) process was developed as a more efficient and sustainable alternative to reversed phase column chromatography (RP-CC) for the preparative-scale purification of portisins. The strategy began with the extraction of anthocyanins from blueberry surplus and hemi-synthesis of respective portisins. Then, the CPC method development started with the biphasic solvent system selection followed by the optimization of the operating parameters and ended up with a comparison with RP-CC. Aiming at maximizing the portisin content, process throughput, efficiency, and minimizing the environmental risk factor, the effect of sample load (100-500 mg/100 mL of column volume), mobile phase flow rate (10-20 mL/min), and rotation speed (1000-1600 rpm) was evaluated. The two-phase solvent system consisted of tert­butyl­methyl ether, n-butanol, acetonitrile, and water (volume ratio 2:2:1:5) acidified with 0.1 vol.% of HCl was selected. The best conditions were 464 mg of sample/100 mL of column volume, 20 mL/min of mobile phase flow rate, and 1600 rpm of rotation speed at reversed phase mode, allowing the purification of portisins by 5-fold. Compared to the RP-CC, the CPC process efficiency was 2.4 times higher, while the CPC process environmental risk factor was 5.5 times lower. Overall, this study suggests that CPC can be considered an effective, and sustainable alternative process for the preparative isolation of portisins. With this purification approach, the blueberry surplus has been valorized and a naturally derived product has been prepared, allowing its subsequent use as a natural blue colorant.

Unsupervised learning of representative local atomic arrangements in molecular dynamics data.

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations present a data-mining challenge, given that they can generate a considerable amount of data but often rely on limited or biased human interpretation to examine their information content. By not asking the right questions of MD data we may miss critical information hidden within it. We combine dimensionality reduction (UMAP) and unsupervised hierarchical clustering (HDBSCAN) to quantitatively characterize prevalent coordination environments of chemical species within MD data. By focusing on local coordination, we significantly reduce the amount of data to be analyzed by extracting all distinct molecular formulas within a given coordination sphere. We then efficiently combine UMAP and HDBSCAN with alignment or shape-matching algorithms to partition these formulas into structural isomer families indicating their relative populations. The method was employed to reveal details of cation coordination in electrolytes based on molecular liquids.

Relationship between Product and Process Characteristics of Handwriting Skills of Children in the Second Grade of Elementary School.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the quality and speed of handwriting and the process characteristics of the handwriting of children in the second grade of elementary school considered as a function of age and gender. A sample of 57 children (mean age 7.25 years, SD 0.43) participated in the study. The Concise Assessment Method for Children's Handwriting (BHK) was used to assess the quality and speed of handwriting. The characteristics of the process of handwriting were assessed using MovAlyzeR® software. The handwriting of boys showed a significantly greater number of strokes and slanted more to the right than the handwriting of girls. Handwriting quality and speed significantly correlated with several process characteristics: the number of strokes, reaction time, duration, relative pen-down duration, average pen pressure, vertical size, horizontal size, road length, and average absolute velocity. This research contributes to the construction of normative values in the process characteristics of the handwriting of elementary school children and provides a promising step towards the early identification of difficulties that can lead to dysgraphia, thus preventing later difficulties in handwriting.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Properties of Writing Readiness Inventory Tool in Context (WRITIC).

This article describes the translation and cultural adaptation process of the WRITIC (Writing Readiness Inventory Tool in Context) into European Portuguese. We examined the content and convergent validity, test-retest, and interrater reliability on the norm-referenced subdomain of the Portuguese (PT) WRITIC Task Performance (TP). To establish content validity, we consulted six experts in handwriting. Internal consistency was found with 70 children, test-retest reliability with 65, inter-rater reliability with 69, and convergent validity with 87. All participants were typically developing kindergarten children. Convergent validity was examined with the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery™VMI-6) and the Nine Hole Peg-Test (9-HPT). On content validity, we found an agreement of 93%, a good internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha of 0.72, and an excellent test-retest and inter-rater reliability with ICCs of 0.88 and 0.93. Correlations with Beery™VMI-6 and 9-HPT were moderate (r from 0.39 to 0.65). Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of WRITIC into European Portuguese was successful. WRITIC-PT-TP is stable over time and between raters; it has excellent internal consistency and moderate correlations with Beery™VMI-6 and 9-HPT. This analysis of the European Portuguese version of WRITIC gives us the confidence to start the implementation process of WRITIC-PT in Portugal.

Comparative complete scheme and booster effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (BA.1) and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants: A case-case study based on electronic health records.

Background: Information on vaccine effectiveness in a context of novel variants of concern (VOC) emergence is of key importance to inform public health policies. This study aimed to estimate a measure of comparative vaccine effectiveness between Omicron (BA.1) and Delta (B.1.617.2 and sub-lineages) VOC according to vaccination exposure (primary or booster). Methods: We developed a case-case study using data on RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2-positive cases notified in Portugal during Weeks 49-51, 2021. To obtain measure of comparative vaccine effectiveness, we compared the odds of vaccination in Omicron cases versus Delta using logistic regression adjusted for age group, sex, region, week of diagnosis, and laboratory of origin. Results: Higher odds of vaccination were observed in cases infected by Omicron VOC compared with Delta VOC cases for both complete primary vaccination (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8 to 2.4) and booster dose (OR = 5.2; 95% CI: 3.1 to 8.8), equivalent to reduction of vaccine effectiveness from 44.7% and 92.8%, observed against infection with Delta, to -6.0% (95% CI: 29.2% to 12.7%) and 62.7% (95% CI: 35.7% to 77.9%), observed against infection with Omicron, for complete primary vaccination and booster dose, respectively. Conclusion: Consistent reduction in vaccine-induced protection against infection with Omicron was observed. Complete primary vaccination may not be protective against SARS-CoV-2 infection in regions where Omicron variant is dominant.

Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Intervention in Institutionalized Children: Case Studies.

A significant number of institutionalized children have behavior problems. Socio-emotional skills are fundamental for their adaptation and success throughout life and are usually weakened in this population. Equine-assisted services (EAS) are a form of therapeutic mediation that facilitates and requires the practitioner's participation, contributing to the promotion of various psychomotor and socio-emotional dimensions. This study was developed during 17 sessions of EAS with a psychomotor intervention, which took place individually and weekly and lasted approximately 45 min, with three institutionalized children. A quantitative and qualitative assessment was carried out before and after the intervention to study the effects of an EAS intervention on socio-emotional competencies in the three institutionalized children. There was an improvement in skills, with an impact on intrapersonal skills and marked improvement in self-regulation and self-control, in addition to an improvement in the intentionality of movement and adequacy of gesture to the context. This type of intervention underlies a renewed educational and therapeutic approach, contributing to mental health promotion in this population.

Short-term sedimentation dynamics in mesotidal marshes.

One of the key questions about wetlands resilience to sea-level rise is whether sediment supply will be enough to keep them coping with growing inundation levels. To address this question, researchers have put a lot of effort into field data collection and ecogeomorphic modelling, in an attempt to identify the tipping points of marsh survival. This study uses fieldwork data to characterize the sediment fluxes between the tidal flats and salt marshes, in the Ria Formosa lagoon (Portugal). Sediment fluxes were measured from the tidal channel towards the mid-upper marsh, during neap and spring tide conditions. The flow magnitude was measured, and induced transport was determined based on shear velocities. Deposition rates, instantaneous suspended sediment and near-bed velocities were linked through theoretical formulas and used to characterize time-averaged conditions for sediment delivery and deposition to the site. The results showed that suspended sediment concentrations and sediment deposition varied across the transect with no specific relation to elevation. Maximum water depths were recorded in the vegetated tidal flat, and the maximum currents were flood dominated, in the order of 0.20 m/s, in the low marsh due to flow-plant interactions and an increase of turbulence. Deposition rates ranged between 20 to 45 g/m2/hr, after a complete tidal cycle, and were higher in the mid-upper marsh. Hydroperiod was not the main contributor to sediment deposition in the study area. Sediment transport was tidally driven, strongly two-dimension during the cycle, and highly influenced by the vegetation. Measurements of marsh sediment flux obtained in our work are diverse from the ones found in the literature and evidence the importance of considering spatio-temporal variability of vegetated platforms in assessing overall marsh bed level changes.

Spontaneous and scanning-assisted desorption-adsorption dynamics in porous supramolecular networks at the solution-solid interface.

Self-assembled molecular networks (SAMNs) are formed by the spontaneous assembly of molecules on surfaces. On conductive atomically flat surfaces, and also at the liquid-solid interface, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) can follow their growth dynamics. Desorption and adsorption dynamics are difficult to probe through the liquid-solid interface. Porous molecular networks are of particular interest because they may act as platforms for sensing and host-guest chemistry. Very little is known though about their stability, particularly in a liquid environment. To this end, we have investigated the desorption/adsorption dynamics of supramolecular porous monolayers of alkoxylated dehydrobenzo[12]annulene (DBA) derivatives at the interface between highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, the substrate, and 1-phenyloctane, the liquid. To trace the dynamics, structurally analogous chiral DBA derivatives were used as marker molecules, which co-assemble with the achiral ones forming the supramolecular network. This approach reveals the time scales of the adsorption/desorption dynamics, the significance of temperature, and the important role of the STM tip in inducing dynamics.

Postprandial pattern of digestive enzymes and protein turnover in meagre (Argyrosomus regius) juveniles.

After a meal, a sequence of physiological changes occurs in animals in response to digestion, absorption and assimilation of the ingested nutrients. These processes are very important for the aquaculture sector since they will define the efficiency by which food is converted into growth, thus contributing to reduce the production costs and also undigested food in the effluents. Here we investigated the activity of digestive enzymes in the midgut and the protein degradation systems following a single meal to define postprandial patterns of action in hepatic and muscle tissues of meagre juveniles. Fish were fed with a single meal followed by a period of 24 h without feed. The activity of several digestive enzymes (α-amylase, trypsin, aminopeptidase, alkaline and acid phosphatases) plus the analysis of key players of the ubiquitin-proteasome (UPS) and autophagy-lysosomal (ALS) systems were examined just before feeding (0 h, basal point) and 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h after food ingestion. Digestion was activated around 4 h after food ingestion and nutrients available for protein degradation 2 h later. This work provided information about the short-term physiological effects induced by a single meal to support scientists' decision when planning a specific study involving digestion and protein degradation, and also to fish farmers on how to better manage feeding protocols when producing A. regius juveniles. Our results suggested that meagre juveniles, under the experimental conditions used, can be fed every 4 h, time when digestion starts, however further studies should be addressed to find the optimal feeding regime for this juvenile species.

European journalists and the sea: Contexts, motivations, and difficulties.

The media play an important role in informing us about new developments in our understanding of the sea and raising awareness about its sustainability. However, press coverage of marine issues seems to be modest, compared with the importance oceans have in our lives. In this study, we examine science journalists' working contexts, motivations, and difficulties in writing about the sea in Europe. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 26 journalists who write for quality newspapers from 13 European countries. We found that the recent production of press news on marine issues is mainly conditioned by working contexts in newspapers, the personal and professional interests of journalists, and the available resources to write news. More studies are needed to compare our findings, including with other regions outside Europe.

Menthol-based deep eutectic systems as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents for wound healing.

Effective antimicrobial treatment has been identified as a serious and unmet medical need. Herein, we present a strategy based on deep eutectic systems (DES) to overcome current limitations, answering the need not only to effectively kill bacterial agents but also to avoid their adhesion and proliferation, which is associated with biofilm formation and have a crucial impact on bacterial virulence. To achieve such a goal, natural deep eutectic systems (NADES) based on menthol (Me) and saturated free fatty acids (FFA) were produced, fully physicochemical characterized, and its bioactive properties were described. The antimicrobial potential of menthol-based NADES with FFA, namely, myristic acid (MA), lauric acid (LA), and stearic acid (SA) were investigated towards a broad panel of microorganisms. The obtained data indicates that NADES possess effective antimicrobial properties towards the Gram-positive bacterial and fungal strains tested. Among the tested formulations, Me:LA at a molar ratio of 4:1 molar was used to carry out a biofilm detachment/removal assay due to is superior microbiological properties. This formulation was able to effectively lead to biofilm removal/dispersion of not only methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Candida albicans, but also Escherichia coli, without the need of any additional physical force or antibiotic. Furthermore, since microbial invasion and biofilm formation is highly undesired in wound healing, namely in chronic wound healing, the wound healing properties of these eutectic formulations was also investigated. The results suggest that these NADES can cope with microbial invasion and biofilm detachment while not compromising normal keratinocyte proliferation and migration verified in wound healing and epidermis repair, while also contributing to the reduction of cell stress and inflammation via the control of ROS production. In conclusion, these results provide the indication that NADES based on Me and FFA holds great interest as antimicrobial agents for preventive and therapeutic applications in various clinical settings, including wound healing.

A multi-camera and multimodal dataset for posture and gait analysis.

Monitoring gait and posture while using assisting robotic devices is relevant to attain effective assistance and assess the user's progression throughout time. This work presents a multi-camera, multimodal, and detailed dataset involving 14 healthy participants walking with a wheeled robotic walker equipped with a pair of affordable cameras. Depth data were acquired at 30 fps and synchronized with inertial data from Xsens MTw Awinda sensors and kinematic data from the segments of the Xsens biomechanical model, acquired at 60 Hz. Participants walked with the robotic walker at 3 different gait speeds, across 3 different walking scenarios/paths at 3 different locations. In total, this dataset provides approximately 92 minutes of total recording time, which corresponds to nearly 166.000 samples of synchronized data. This dataset may contribute to the scientific research by allowing the development and evaluation of: (i) vision-based pose estimation algorithms, exploring classic or deep learning approaches; (ii) human detection and tracking algorithms; (iii) movement forecasting; and (iv) biomechanical analysis of gait/posture when using a rehabilitation device.