An In Situ Evaluation of Different CAM Plants as Plant Microbial Fuel Cells for Energy Recovery in the Atacama Desert.

Excess energy derived from photosynthesis can be used in plant microbial fuel cell (PMFC) systems as a sustainable alternative for the generation of electricity. In this study, the in situ performance of CAM (Crassulacean acid metabolism) plants in Calama, in the Atacama Desert, was evaluated for energy recovery using PMFCs with stainless steel AISI 316L and Cu as electrodes. The plant species evaluated included Aloe perfoliata, Cereus jamacaru, Austrocylindropuntia subulata, Agave potatorum, Aloe arborescens, Malephora crocea, and Kalanchoe daigremontiana. Among the plant species, Kalanchoe daigremontiana demonstrated significant potential as an in situ PMFC, showing a maximum cell potential of 0.248 V and a minimum of 0.139 V. In addition, the cumulative energy for recovery was about 9.4 mWh m-2 of the electrode. The use of CAM plants in PMFCs presents a novel approach for green energy generation, as these plants possess an inherent ability to adapt to arid environments and water-scarce areas such as the Atacama Desert climate.

The association of allostasis with alcohol use: A case-control study in males with and without alcohol use disorder.

BACKGROUND: Allostatic load (AL) is associated with a heightened predisposition to disease due to prolonged activation of biological stress-response systems. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is known to activate these systems. The primary aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between AL and AUD. METHODS: Participants were males (100%) with DSM-IV Alcohol Dependence (n = 48) and healthy participants with no history of substance use disorder (n = 17). Participants with AUD were 4-6 weeks abstinent. The AL index used cortisol, interleukin-6 (IL-6), fibrinogen, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose, insulin, leptin, pulse, systolic blood pressure readings, diastolic blood pressure readings, and body mass index (BMI). Physiological dysregulation for each biological measure was determined based on values within the 25th or 75th percentiles; AL was calculated as the total number of physiologically dysregulated biological measures. RESULTS: No differences in mean AL scores between the cases and controls [t(63) = .48, p = .633] were observed. Among cases, AL was not associated with lifetime drinks per drinking day (F(2,42) = .42, p = .662), lifetime total drinks (F(2,42) = 0.48, p = .620), total drinks 6 months prior to participating in the study (F(2,43) = 0.58, p = .563), or drinks per drinking day at 3-month follow-up (F(2,35) = 1.93, p = .161). AL was negatively associated with drinks per drinking day 6 months prior to study participation (F(2,42) = 3.71, p = .033). CONCLUSIONS: The hypotheses were not supported. Given that alcohol is likely to lead to physiological dysregulation, the apparent absence of a relationship between biomarkers of cumulative stress as indicated by AL and drinking status was both unanticipated and remarkable. Based on the results, AL in the context of drinking status or drinking among males with AUD may not be applicable.

The influence of cognitive and affective components of the sentinel event on alcohol use following a brief intervention with trauma patients.

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol-related injury is a sentinel event, an unanticipated medical event that may prompt a re-evaluation of health behaviors, such as alcohol use. Few studies have examined the psychological components of the sentinel event that motivate behavior change. In the present study, we examined the influence of cognitive and affective components of an alcohol-related injury on changes in alcohol use following a brief intervention. METHOD: Injured patients (n = 411) who were drinking prior to their injury admission were recruited from three urban Level I trauma centers and randomized to receive brief advice or brief motivational intervention with or without a 1-month booster session. Assessments were completed at baseline and 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Three groups were created based on endorsement (yes/no) of items assessing cognitive and affective components of the injury event: neither component, the cognitive component only, and both the cognitive and affective components. RESULTS: Mixed-effects models indicated that participants who endorsed both the cognitive and affective components had greater reductions in peak alcohol use from baseline to 3-month follow-up than those who did endorsed neither component. By contrast, participants who endorsed the cognitive component, but not the affective component, had greater increases in average drinks per week and percentage of days of heavy drinking from 3- to 12-month follow-ups than those who endorsed neither component. CONCLUSION: These results provide preliminary support for further consideration of an affective component of alcohol-related injuries that may motivate subsequent reductions in drinking following a sentinel event.

Protective and risk factors for increased alcohol use in Latinx college students on the U.S./Mexico border.

Alcohol use is prevalent among undergraduates, however, limited research on drinking among Latinx college students exists. This study examined potential risk and protective factors of alcohol use and consequences. Participants (n = 382) completed multiple measures including alcohol use frequency and the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI). Linear regression models identified predictors of monthly and yearly drinking days and RAPI. Findings indicated that alcohol use frequency was associated with increasing age, parental alcohol use disorder, greater anger, and lower self-efficacy. Alcohol-related consequences were positively associated with anxiety and adverse childhood experiences. Early alcohol prevention and intervention efforts appear warranted.

Unraveling the development behind unisexual flowers in Cylindropuntia wolfii (Cactaceae).

BACKGROUND: In certain unisexual flowers, non-functional sexual organs remain vestigial and unisexuality can be overlooked leading to the ambiguous description of the sexual systems. Therefore, to accurately describe the sexual system, detailed morphological and developmental analyses along with experimental crosses must be performed. Cylindropuntia wolfii is a rare cactus endemic to the Sonoran Desert in southern California and northern Baja California that was described as gynodioecious by morphological analysis. The aims of our project include accurately identifying the sexual system of C. wolfii using histological and functional studies and characterizing the developmental mechanisms that underlie its floral development. METHODS: Histological analyses were carried out on different stages of C. wolfii flowers and controlled crosses were performed in the field. RESULT: Our results identified C. wolfii to be functionally dioecious. The ovule and anther development differed between staminate and pistillate flowers. In vivo pollen germination tests showed that the pollen of staminate and pistillate flowers were viable and the stigma and style of both staminate and pistillate flowers were receptive. This suggests that there are no genetic or developmental barriers in the earlier stages of pollen recognition and pollen germination. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being functionally dioecious, we observed that functionally pistillate individuals produced fruits with a large number of aborted seeds. This implies that not only does this species have low reproductive success, but its small population sizes may lead to low genetic diversity.

Potential role of active decompression with distraction sugosteogenesis for the management of odontogenic cystic lesions: a retrospective review of 10 cases.

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to describe active decompression and distraction sugosteogenesis as an alternative for the management of odontogenic cystic lesions. The technique, demographics, success rate, and complications will be presented. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series study design was implemented. This included patients found in our database from 2015 to 2018 with a diagnosis of any odontogenic cyst, in whom active decompression with distraction sugosteogenesis was implemented. The patient's medical history, demographics, radiographic characteristics of the cyst, technique/device employed, complications, and rate of success were recorded. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 10 patients, with a mean age of 19.6 years (range 14-34). Sixty percent of all cases occurred in male patients and 40% in females. Forty percent of cases were consistent with odontogenic keratocysts with all cysts presenting in the mandible. No maxillary cases were documented. Seventy percent of such lesions were unilocular and 30% multilocular. Cortical fenestration/perforation was documented in 30% of cases and 1 pathologic fracture was seen. Active decompression was performed for an average of 37 days (range 30-50 days). With this system, radiographic resolution occurred in 1-3 months in 50% of cases, 6-12 months in 30% of cases, and 12 months in 20% of cases. Mean follow-up was 24.3 months. No recurrence was documented. Complications included fistula development (2 cases), flap dehiscence (1 case), and the size of the intraoral unit. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation reviewed the authors' 5-year experience employing active decompression with distraction sugosteogenesis for the management of odontogenic cystic lesions and showed that this is a reliable alternative for the management of odontogenic cysts.

Efectividad a 3 y 6 meses de una intervención integral para caries dental. En escolares de Santiago de María, Usulután; Ilobasco, Cabañas; Lourdes Colón, Santa tecla y Tamanique, La Libertad / Effectiveness at 3 and 6 months of an integral intervention for dental caries. In schoolchildren from Santiago de María, Usulután; Ilobasco, Cabins; Lourdes Colón, Santa Key and Tamanique, La Libertad

Objetivo: Determinar la efectividad a 3 y 6 meses de una intervención para prevenir y tratar la caries en dientes permanentes, en escolares de 9-11 años, atendidos por cinco establecimientos de salud en el año 2017. Metodología: Esta investigación fue una intervención comunitaria, de tipo cuasi-experimental con grupo control pre-post, en 150 escolares. En total fueron ejecutados 1,970 tratamientos; de los cuales 165 fueron remineralizaciones de flúor barniz; 1501 sellantes y 304 obturaciones; acompañados de educación en higiene oral. Las variables analizadas fueron: reducción de placa dentobacteriana; prevención y limitación del daño de lesiones cariosas y supervivencia de los tratamientos ejecutados. La prueba estadística utilizada fue la de Wilcoxon, el Análisis de la Varianza (ANOVA), tomando en cuenta la F de Fisher y la Significancia. Resultados: El diagnóstico de placa dentobacteriana óptimo fue de 52.67% en la evaluación inicial, el cual 6 meses después de la intervención incrementó a un 78.67%. En los SFF se encontró una supervivencia a los 3 y 6 meses de 97.25% y 82.27%, y en las obturaciones de 100% y 98.03% respectivamente. En cuanto a la afectación por caries dental inicial se identificó un 18.34%, luego de la intervención se redujo a 4.72%. Conclusión: La intervención mostró a 3 y 6 meses, ser efectiva para prevenir y tratar caries dental en dientes permanentes.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness to 3 and 6 months of an intervention to prevent and treat caries in permanent teeth, in schoolchildren of 9-11 years, attended by five health establishments in the year 2017. Methodology: This research was a community intervention, of quasiexperimental type with pre-post control group, in 150 schoolchildren. In total, 1.970 treatments were executed; of which 165 were remineralization of fluoride varnish; 1501 sealants and 304 fillings; accompanied by oral hygiene education. The variables analyzed were: reduction of dental plaque; prevention and limitation of damage to carious lesions and survival of the treatments performed. The statistical test used was that of Wilcoxon, the Kaplan Meier Survival Estimator, the variance analysis (ANOVA), taking into account Fisher's F and significance. Results: The dental plaque initial diagnosis was optimum with a 52.67% on first evaluation, this increased to a 78.67% after 6 months of intervention. In sealants were found a survival of 97.25% and 85.27% after 3 and 6 months of intervention; in fillings the survival was of 100% and 98.03% respectively. In regards of caries affectation, an 18.34% was identified on initial evaluation, after intervention this was reduced to a 4-72%. Conclusión: The intervention showed within 3 and 6 months, to be effective to prevent and treat dental caries in permanent teeth.

The burden of childhood injuries and evidence based strategies developed using the injury surveillance system in Pasto, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: This article characterises the burden of childhood injuries and provides examples of evidence-based injury prevention strategies developed using a citywide injury surveillance system in Pasto, Colombia. METHODS: Fatal (2003-2007) and non-fatal (2006-2007) childhood injury data were analysed by age, sex, cause, intent, place of occurrence, and disposition. RESULTS: Boys accounted for 71.5% of fatal and 64.9% of non-fatal injuries. The overall fatality rate for all injuries was 170.8 per 100,000 and the non-fatal injury rate was 4,053 per 100,000. Unintentional injuries were the leading causes of fatal injuries for all age groups, except for those 15-19 years whose top four leading causes were violence-related. Among non-fatal injuries, falls was the leading mechanism in the group 0-14 years. Interpersonal violence with a sharp object was the most important cause for boys aged 15-19 years. Home was the most frequent place of occurrence for both fatal and non-fatal injuries for young children 0-4 years old. Home, school and public places became an important place for injuries for boys in the age group 5-15 years. The highest case-fatality rate was for self-inflicted injuries (8.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Although some interventions have been implemented in Pasto to reduce injuries, it is necessary to further explore risk factors to better focus prevention strategies and their evaluation. We discuss three evidence-based strategies developed to prevent firework-related injuries during festival, self-inflicted injuries, and road traffic-related injuries, designed and implemented based on the injury surveillance data.

Evaluación de la microdureza superficial en cemento de resina autoadhesiva, utilizando tres sistemas diferentes de mezclado / Evaluation of surface microhardness in self-adhesive resin cement, using three different mixing systems

La presente investigación evaluó el índice de microdureza en cementos de resina de curado dual utilizando la prueba de microdureza de Vickers; El material utilizado fue Rely X Unicem Aplicap ™ (3M-ESPE) para el cual se utilizaron tres sistemas de mezcla diferentes: ESPE RotoMix ™ (3M-ESPE), Amalga Mix (GNATUS) y el amalgamador Z1-A (ZENITH); También utilizamos Rely X Unicem U100 ™ (3M-ESPE) mezclado a mano. Se formaron 4 grupos con 15 cuerpos de prueba cada uno, autocurados. Una vez polimerizados los cuerpos de ensayo, se marcó la superficie superior (superficie en contacto directo con el medio externo) y se almacenó en su respectivo grupo sobre papel de aluminio en un recipiente seco y oscuro a prueba de luz durante 48 horas, con el objetivo de evitar sobrepolimerización y contacto con otras sustancias que puedan alterar el valor de microdureza. Para obtener los valores de microdureza, se realizó el ensayo de microdureza Vickers, el cual se realizó mediante el Microhardness Tester Micromet® 2001 (Buehler) con una carga de 200 gramos / fuerza durante 15 segundos para cada superficie. En el análisis estadístico se realizaron dos pruebas: Análisis de Varianza (ANOVA) y prueba de Tukey en la que se demostraron diferencias estadísticas entre el sistema ESPE RotoMix ™ con el amalgamador Z1-A (ZENITH, no hay diferencia significativa entre las demás (Amalga Mezclar y Rely X Unicem U100 ™) Con los resultados obtenidos, se concluyó que el cemento de resina de curado dual Rely X Unicem Aplicap ™ obtuvo mejores resultados al ser mezclado con el sistema Z1-A (ZENITH).

The present investigation evaluated the microhardness index in dual cure resin cements using the Vickers microhardness test; The material used was Rely X Unicem Aplicap ™ (3M-ESPE) for which three different mixing systems were used: ESPE RotoMix ™ (3M-ESPE), Amalga Mix (GNATUS) and the amalgamator Z1-A (ZENITH); We also use Rely X Unicem U100 ™ (3M-ESPE) mixed by hand. 4 groups were formed with 15 test bodies each, self-cured. Once the test bodies had been polymerized, the top surface (surface in direct contact with the external environment) was marked and stored in their respective group on aluminum foil in a dry and dark light-proof container for 48 hours, with the objective of avoid overpolymerization and contact with other substances that may alter the microhardness value. To obtain the microhardness values, the Vickers microhardness test was carried out, which was carried out through the Micromet® 2001 Microhardness Tester (Buehler) with a load of 200 grams / force for 15 seconds for each surface. In the statistical analysis, two tests were performed: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test in which statistical differences were demonstrated between the ESPE RotoMix ™ system with the Z1-A amalgamator (ZENITH, there is no significant difference among the others (Amalga Mix and Rely X Unicem U100 ™) With the results obtained, it was concluded that the dual curing resin cement Rely X Unicem Aplicap ™ obtained better results when mixed with the Z1-A (ZENITH) system.

Synthesis and antiparasitic properties of new 4-N-benzylamino-4-hetarylbut-1-enes.

New derivatives of 4-N-benzylamino-4-hetarylbut-1-ene containing a pyridyl nucleus were synthesized from benzylamines and pyridine aldehydes. N-oxide derivatives were obtained from these homoallylamines. Study of the antiparasitic properties of obtained pyridine derivatives as well as of four related benzazepines previously described, was carried out using cytotoxicity assays against Trichomonas vaginalis and epimastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi protozoa. Compounds showing activity against epimastigote T. cruzi were tested against the amastigote form; unspecific cytotoxicity against macrophages was also studied.

4-Aryl(benzyl)amino-4-heteroarylbut-1-enes as building blocks in heterocyclic synthesis. 4. Synthesis of 4, 6-dimethyl-5-nitro(amino)-2-pyridylquinolines and their antiparasitic activities.

New nitro- and aminoquinoline derivatives containing a pyridyl nucleus were synthesized from 6, 8-disubstituted 4-methyl-2-pyridylquinolines, which were prepared from N-pyridylmethylidenanilines. The anti-chagasic and trichomonacidal in vitro activity, as well as the cytotoxic properties towards macrophages of some of these compounds were evaluated. Although some of the compounds showed only moderate activity it was possible to establish some structure-activity relationships.

Biological characterization of a beta-galactosidase expressing clone of Trypanosoma cruzi CL strain

Clone CL B5 of Trypanosoma cruzi is a beta-galactosidase expressing organism that was genetically transfected to be used for in vitro pharmacological screening. Biological parameters were determined, evaluating growth kinetics of epimastigotes, metacyclogenesis, infectivity to mammalian cell lines, parasitemia kinetics in mice and sensibility to nifurtimox and benznidazole. Differences in relation to other strains and CL parental strain were found, the most important being the incapability to produce death to mice in spite of the high inoculum used. However, it possesses the required features to be used for in vitro drug screening. Data obtained demonstrate that heterogeneity of T. cruzi appears even among clones of the same strain, and that these differences found do not prevent the use of clone CL B5 for the purpose that was engineered

In vitro and in vivo anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of a novel nitro-derivative.

Nitroarylidenemalononitriles and their cyanoacetamide derivatives with remarkable anti-epimastigote properties, were synthesized attempting to obtain new 3,5-diamino-4-(5'-nitroarylidene)-4H-thiadiazine 1,1-dioxide derivatives, which in previous reports had shown anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity. Tests to evaluate the cytotoxicity of compounds were performed on J774 macrophages. 5-nitro-2-thienyl-malononitrile (5NO2TM), was the only product which maintained a high anti-epimastigote activity at concentrations in which it was no longer cytotoxic, thus it was assayed against intracellular amastigotes. Its anti-amastigote activity was similar to that of nifurtimox. Afterwards in vivo toxicity and anti-chagasic activity were determined. A reduction in parasitemia was observed.

In vitro and in vivo anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of a novel nitro-derivative

Nitroarylidenemalononitriles and their cyanoacetamide derivatives with remarkable anti-epimastigote properties, were synthesized attempting to obtain new 3,5-diamino-4-(5'-nitroarylidene)-4H-thiadiazine 1,1-dioxide derivatives, which in previous reports had shown anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity. Tests to evaluate the cytotoxicity of compounds were performed on J774 macrophages. 5-nitro-2-thienyl-malononitrile (5NO2TM), was the only product which maintained a high anti-epimastigote activity at concentrations in which it was no longer cytotoxic, thus it was assayed against intracellular amastigotes. Its anti-amastigote activity was similar to that of nifurtimox. Afterwards in vivo toxicity and anti-chagasic activity were determined. A reduction in parasitemia was observed

Biological characterization of a beta-galactosidase expressing clone of Trypanosoma cruzi CL strain.

Clone CL B5 of Trypanosoma cruzi is a beta-galactosidase expressing organism that was genetically transfected to be used for in vitro pharmacological screening. Biological parameters were determined, evaluating growth kinetics of epimastigotes, metacyclogenesis, infectivity to mammalian cell lines, parasitemia kinetics in mice and sensibility to nifurtimox and benznidazole. Differences in relation to other strains and CL parental strain were found, the most important being the incapability to produce death to mice in spite of the high inoculum used. However, it possesses the required features to be used for in vitro drug screening. Data obtained demonstrate that heterogeneity of T. cruzi appears even among clones of the same strain, and that these differences found do not prevent the use of clone CL B5 for the purpose that was engineered.