Progress and challenges in valorisation of biomass waste from ornamental trees pruning through pyrolysis processes. Prospects in the bioenergy sector.

Nowadays, the scarcity of energy resources is promoting the search for alternative energy sources, boosting interest in the use of forest lignocellulosic residue in the energy sector. In this study, the focus is on the energy recovery from two lignocellulosic residues originated during the pruning of ornamental trees (Horse Chestnut, CI, and False Acacia, FA). Both conventional and flash pyrolysis techniques were applied. The experimental pyrolysis variables were obtained from the study of the thermal behaviour of the pruning residues in thermogravimetric analysis. It was carried out under 5 heating rates and kinetic parameters were estimated using Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method. Results denoted higher maximum mass loss rate values for the same release temperature regions under FA experiments. Also, FA samples had lower final residues for the processes. However, activation energy values were so close for both species. FA was also linked to the faster reactions according frequency factor outcomes. Conventional pyrolysis of pruning residues was carried out in a horizontal oven of original design at a heating rate of 25 °C/min, at 750 °C and 60 min of permanence at that temperature; flash pyrolysis was tested in that oven at 750 and 850 °C. In these pyrolysis processes, three fractions were obtained: bio-char, bio-oil and gas. The physicochemical attributes of the bio-chars suggested their potential utility as biofuels (28.4-29.8 MJ/kg), adsorbent precursors or soil additives. Conventional pyrolysis bio-oils had a dominant monoaromatic hydrocarbons nature, with phenols being the most abundant (≥60%), while flash bio-oils contain mainly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Conventional pyrolysis gases contained up to 60 vol% of CO2; flash pyrolysis gases had high combustible gas content (CO, CH4, H2) and a low CO2 content (<25 vol%). As a result, their calorific value (18.06 MJ/kg) exhibited a threefold increase compared to the gas produced through conventional pyrolysis (6.04 MJ/kg).

Evolución del rendimiento deportivoen fútbol-7 para personas con parálisis cerebral: 2012-2016 / Sport performance evolution of football 7-a-side for people with cerebral palsy: 2012-2016

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar los lanzamientos ejecutados durante la competición de Fútbol a 7 para personas con parálisis cerebral de los Juegos Paralímpicos de Londres 2012 y de Río de Janeiro2016, además de conocer las diferencias entre ambas competiciones. Para ello, se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los 875 lanzamientos ejecutados durante la competición, así como de las diferencias entre las variables planteadas en el estudio entre ambas competiciones. Los resultados evidenciaron la importancia de los lanzamientos en el Fútbol a 7 para personas con Parálisis Cerebral. Se han obtenido diferencias significativas entre las competiciones analizadas en las siguientes variables: Equipo, Partido, Clasificación Funcional, Zona de lanzamiento, Posición, Zona corporal, Tipo de golpeo, Oposición y Resultado del lanzamiento. Se tuvo en cuenta el cambio de reglamento en torno a la clasificación funcional, que provocó cambios significativos en determinadas variables, concluyendo que la mayor implicación ofensiva la tienen los jugadores con menor afectación. (AU)

The aim of the present study was to analyze the launches made during the Football 7-a-side competition for people with cerebral palsy of the London 2012 Paralympic Games and Rio de Janeiro 2016, in addition to knowing the differences between both competitions. A descriptive analysis of the 875 launches executed during the competition, as well as the differences between the variables proposed in the study between the two competitions, was carried out. The results evidenced the importance of launches in Football 7-a-side for people with cerebral palsy. Significant differences have been obtained between the competitions analyzed in the following variables: Team, Match, Functional Classification, Launch zone, Position, Body zone, Hit type, Opposition and Launch result. The change of regulation around the functional classification was considered, which caused significant changes in certain variables, concluding that players with less affectation have the greatest offensive implication. (AU)

Indicaciones y resultados de la biopsia del ganglio centinela en el cáncer de mama: cambios observados en el año 2018 respecto al año 2012 / Indications and results of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in breast cancer: changes observed in 2018 compared to 2012

Antecedentes y objetivo Durante los últimos 15 años se han sucedido múltiples cambios en el tratamiento del cáncer de mama (CM) y, en especial, en las indicaciones de la biopsia del ganglio centinela (BGC) y las actitudes ante su resultado. Valorando estos avances, nuestro objetivo es comparar los resultados de las BGC realizadas en nuestro centro en 2012, año a partir del cual se dejó de practicar linfadenectomía axilar (LA) ante el hallazgo de micrometástasis en la BGC, con aquellas llevadas a cabo en 2018, cuando empezaron a aplicarse los criterios Z0011. Material y métodos Hemos desarrollado un estudio retrospectivo observacional comparativo entre la población de pacientes con CM cN0 a las que se les hizo una BGC en el año 2012 y aquellas a las que se les practicó este procedimiento en 2018. Resultados Al analizar los 2 grupos, 174 pacientes de 2012 y 165 de 2018, se hallaron algunas diferencias significativas: en 2018 hubo mayor tasa de BGC, menor número de cánceres lobulillares (14/28; p<0,05), el tamaño medio anatomopatológico fue menor (p<0,001), la representación de tumores Her2 y triple negativos fue mayor (28/49; p<0,01), así como la proporción de tratamiento neoadyuvante (6,6 vs. 42,5%; p<0,001). Al valorar los resultados del estudio axilar, en 2018 hubo un descenso tanto en la positividad de la BGC, que descendió a casi la mitad que en 2012 (42,4 vs. 24,1%; p<0,0001), como en el porcentaje de LA (21,2 vs. 12,6%; p<0,05), así como el de LA con resultado negativo (74,3 vs. 59,1%; p=ns). Conclusión En el grupo de estudio de 2018 se halló una mayor tasa de BGC, con menor tasa de resultado positivo y de LA en blanco, pese a tratarse de una población con tumores más agresivos. Este hecho podría justificarse con la mejora en el filtro radiológico mediante ecografía al diagnóstico, así como con el aumento en el uso de la terapia neoadyuvante (AU)

Background and objective Over the last 15 years, breast cancer (BC) treatment has undergone numerous changes, which have also affected the indications for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as well as the procedures depending on its outcome. The aim of this study is to compare the results of the SLNB carried out at our center during 2012, when we stopped performing an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after the finding of a micrometastasis, with those conducted in 2018, when we started applying Z011 criteria. Materials and methods We have performed a comparative retrospective observational study, including cN0 BC patients that underwent a SLNB in 2012 versus those that underwent this procedure in 2018. Results A total of 174 patients from 2012 and 165 from 2018 were studied. We found significant differences between the 2groups: in 2018 there were fewer lobular invasive cancers (14 vs. 28) (P<0.05), a smaller mean pathological size(P<0.001), a higher proportion of HER2 and triple negative tumors (28 vs. 49; P<0.01) and, finally, an increase in use of neoadjuvant treatments (42.0 vs. 6.7%). Regarding axillary involvement, we observed a decrease in both the presence of a positive sentinel node (24.1% in 2018 vs. 42.4% in 2012; P<0.0001) as well as in the proportion of ALND performed (12.6% in 2018 vs. 21.2% in 2012) and the presence of positive non sentinel nodes after a ALND (59.1% vs. 74.3%; P=ns). Conclusion Although the 2018 cohort that underwent SLNB had more aggressive tumors, there were fewer positive SN and ALND performed. This is probably due to a more accurate radiological diagnosis with ultrasound, that enables to detect cN1 cases before surgery, and to the increasing use of neoadjuvant treatments that may downstage the axilla (AU)

Indications and results of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer: Changes observed in 2018 compared to 2012.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Over the last 15 years, breast cancer (BC) treatment has undergone numerous changes, which have also affected the indications for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) as well as the procedures depending on its outcome. The aim of this study is to compare the results of the SLNB carried out at our Center during 2012, when we stopped performing an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after the finding of a micrometastasis, with those conducted in 2018, when we started applying Z011 criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have performed a comparative retrospective observational study, including cN0 BC patients that underwent a SLNB in 2012 versus those that underwent this procedure in 2018. RESULTS: 174 patients from 2012 and 165 from 2018 were studied. We found significant differences between the two groups: in 2018 there were fewer lobular invasive cancers (14 vs 28) (P < .05), a smaller mean pathological size (P < .001), a higher proportion of HER2 and triple negative tumors (28 vs 49) (P < .01) and, finally, an increase in use of neoadjuvant treatments (42.0% vs 6.7%). Regarding axillary involvement, we observed a decrease in both the presence of a positive sentinel node (24.1% in 2018 vs 42.4% in 2012) (P < .0001) as well as in the proportion of ALND performed (12.6% in 2018 vs 21.2% in 2012) and the presence of positive non sentinel nodes after a ALND (59.1% vs74.3%) (ns) CONCLUSION: Although the 2018 cohort that underwent SLNB had more aggressive tumors, there were fewer positive SN and ALND performed. This is probably due to a more accurate radiological diagnosis with ultrasound, that enables to detect cN1 cases before surgery, and to the increasing use of neoadjuvant treatments that may downstage the axilla.

Relación del insomnio con la calidad de vida en una población de adultos mayores / Relationship of insomnia with quality of life in a population of older adults

Antecedentes: el insomnio es considerado un problema de salud pública por su alta prevalencia, se manifiesta por una percepción subjetiva de insatisfacción por la cantidad del sueño, dificultad para iniciar o mantener el sueño, despertar antes de lo deseado, incapacidad para volver a dormir y que ocurre a pesar de contar con las condiciones adecuadas, presentándose con frecuencia en adultos mayores afectando la calidad de vida, además, altera la funcionalidad física, mental y social de las personas mayores , y es un factor predisponente para deterioro cognitivo y depresión. Objetivo: determinar la relación del insomnio con la calidad de vida en una población de adultos mayores. Metodología: estudio analítico, transversal y comparativo, en una población de 107 adultos mayores de la Ciudad de México, con insomnio y sin insomnio, a los cuales se les aplicó la escala de Atenas para diagnosticar insomnio; como pruebas de tamizaje para deterioro cognitivo el MiniMental de Folstein, la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica Yesavage para probable depresión, y para calidad de vida el Cuestionario WHOQoL-BrefdelaOMS. Los datos fueron analizados a través de X2y t de Student y como estimador de riesgos razón de momios con un intervalo de confianza al 95%. Resultados:laprevalenciadeinsomniofuedel57%;enlascaracterísticassociodemográficas no se encontraron diferencias significativas; en las pruebas de tamizaje, se observó una relación estadísticamente significativa entre la presencia de insomnio y depresión (p<0.05); se encontró que los adultos mayores con insomnio tienen 6 veces mayor riesgo de presentar depresión en comparación con los que no lo presentan (RM 7.292.9, IC95%=2.319-22.925, p<0.05); respecto a la relación del insomnio con la calidad de vida, en los pacientes con insomnio fue estadísticamente significativa con un puntaje menor en la calidad de vida global(con insomnio 93 ± 13.7 vs. sin insomnio 102 ± 11.9, p<0.05); en la relación del insomnio y el nivel de calidad de vida, se encontró que los adultos mayores sin insomnio presentan una calidad de vida alta, en comparación con los adultos mayores con insomnio, donde se observó que es promedio (con Insomnio 70% vs. sin insomnio 30%, p<0.05); de acuerdo con los valores promedio de las diferentes dimensiones de la calidad de vida y su relación con el insomnio, se detectó que el grupo con insomnio obtuvo puntajes menores en las dimensiones salud física, aspectos psicológicos, relaciones sociales y medio ambiente observándose diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los dos grupos; se detectó que el insomnio aumenta el riesgo de percibir la calidad de vida como promedio-mala, primordialmente en las dimensiones salud física, aspectos psicológicos y relaciones sociales. Conclusiones: La población de estudio con insomnio presentó alteración en las 4 dimensiones de la calidad de vida (salud física, aspectos psicológicos, relaciones sociales y medio ambiente).

Background: insomnia is considered as a public health problem because of its high prevalence, is manifested by a subjective perception of dissatisfaction with the amount of sleep, difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, to wake up earlier than desired , inability to go back to sleep. These events happen despite having the suitable conditions, occurring frequently in older adults affecting the quality of life, also alters the physical, mental and social functionality of older people, and it's a predisposing factor for cognitive impairment and depression. Objective: to determine the relationship of insomnia with quality of life in a population of older adults. Methodology: analytical, cross-sectional and comparative study in a population of 107older adults in Mexico City, with insomnia and without insomnia, to which the Athenas scale was applied to diagnose insomnia; as screening tests for cognitive impairment the Folstein Mini Mental, the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale for probable depression, and the WHOQoL-Bref Questionnaire of WHO, for quality of life were used. The data were analyzed using X2and Student's t test,and as an estimator odds ratio risks with a 95%confidence interval. Results: the prevalence of insomnia was 57%; no significant differences were found in sociodemographic characteristics; in the screening tests, a statistically significant relationship was observed between the presence of insomnia and depression (p<0.05); it was found that older adults with insomnia have a 6times greater risk of presenting depression compared to those without it (OR 7,292.9, 95% CI = 2,319-22,925, p<0.05); with respect to the relationship between insomnia and quality of life, in patients with insomnia it was statistically significant with a lower score in global quality of life (with insomnia 93 ± 13.7vs. without insomnia 102 ± 11.9, p <0.05); in the relationship between insomnia and the level of quality of life, it was found that older adults without insomnia have a high quality of life, compared to older adults with insomnia, where it was observed that it is average (with insomnia 70%vs. without insomnia 30%, p<0.05); according to the average values of the different dimensions of quality of life and their relationship with insomnia, it was detected that the group with insomnia obtained lower scores in the dimensions of physical health, psychological aspects, social relations,and environment, observing statistically significant differences between the two groups. Insomnia was found to increase the risk of perceiving quality of life as average-poor, primarily in the dimensions of physical health, psychological aspects, and social relationships. Conclusions: The study population with insomnia presented alteration in the 4dimensions of quality of life (physical health, psychological aspects, social relationships,and environment).

Continuous aqueous phase reforming of a synthetic brewery wastewater with Pt/C and PtRe/C catalysts for biohydrogen production.

This work investigates H2 production through aqueous phase reforming (APR) of synthetic brewery wastewater in a continuous fixed bed reactor with Pt and PtRe (3 wt %) catalysts supported on activated carbon. The influence of weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) and superficial Ar gas flow velocity (VAr) was assessed for the sake of optimisation, while reaction temperature and pressure were maintained at 225 °C and 28 bar, respectively. H2 production was found to be higher using the PtRe catalyst at the lowest WHSV (0.03 h-1) and highest VAr (0.8 cm s-1). The comparison of the maximum H2 production obtained in this work (27.9 µmol min-1) with other treatment processes shows the potential of the application of APR process for H2 production from brewery wastewater. Despite the different reaction conditions tested, the catalysts showed deactivation with time on stream, which was related to the formation of solid deposits on the surface of the catalysts. Therefore, future research should be related to the development of more stable catalysts, strategies that avoid deactivation by coking and regeneration processes.

Análisis del valor predictivo de los criterios de aislamiento preventivo en una unidad de cuidados intensivos / Analysis of the predictive value of preventive isolation criteria in the intensive care unit

Objetivo Evaluar la precisión diagnóstica de los criterios empleados para detectar al paciente realmente portador de microrganismos multirresistentes (MMR). Diseño Estudio prospectivo, observacional de mayo de 2014 a mayo de 2015. Ámbito Unidad de cuidados intensivos polivalente. Pacientes Cohorte de pacientes ingresados de forma consecutiva que cumplían los siguientes criterios de aislamiento preventivo basados en el proyecto «Resistencia Zero»: hospitalización de más de 4 días en los últimos 3 meses («hospital»); antibioterapia durante una semana en el último mes («antibiótico»), pacientes institucionalizados o en contacto con cuidados sanitarios («institución o cuidado»); portador de MMR los últimos 6 meses («MMR previo»). Variables Variables demográficas, resultados de los cultivos obtenidos con presencia o no de MMR y tiempo de aislamiento. Se realizó un análisis multivariable con regresión logística múltiple entre cada uno de los factores de riesgo y el que el paciente fuera portador de MMR. Resultados Durante el periodo de estudio ingresaron 575 pacientes y cumplieron los criterios de aislamiento un 28%. De los 162 pacientes con criterios 51 (31%) eran portadores de MMR y de los que no cumplían criterios 29 (7%) sí que eran portadores. En el análisis multivariable la única variable asociada de forma independiente con el ser portador fue «MMR previo», con una OR 12,14 (IC 95%: 4,24–34,77). Conclusiones El único criterio que se asoció de forma independiente con la capacidad de detectar los pacientes con MMR al ingreso en la UCI fue haber presentado un «MMR previo». (AU)

Objective To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the criteria used to detect patients carrying multiresistant microorganisms (MRMs). Design A prospective observational study was carried out from May 2014 to May 2015. Setting Polyvalent Intensive Care Unit. Patients A cohort of consecutively admitted patients meeting the following criteria for preventive isolation according to the “Zero Resistance” project: hospital length of stay>4 days in the last three months (“hospital”); antibiotherapy during one week in the last month (“antibiotic”); institutionalized patients or recurrent contact with healthcare (“institution or care”); MRM carrier in the last 6 months (“previous MRM”). Variables Demographic data, culture results and isolation time. A multivariate analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression between each of the risk factors and patient MRM carrier status. Results During the study period, 575 patients were admitted, of which 28% met the isolation criteria (162). Fifty-one (31%) were MRM carriers. Of the patients who did not meet the criteria, 29 (7%) were carriers. In the multivariate analysis, the only variable independently associated to carrier status was “previous MRM”, with OR=12.14 (95%CI 4.24-34.77). Conclusions The only criterion independently associated with the ability to detect patients with MRMs upon admission to the ICU was the existence of “previous MRM”. (AU)

Economic impact of improving patient safety using Sugammadex for routine reversal of neuromuscular blockade in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular blocking (NMB) agents are often administered to facilitate tracheal intubation and prevent patient movement during surgical procedures requiring the use of general anesthetics. Incomplete reversal of NMB, can lead to residual NMB, which can increase the risk of post-operative pulmonary complications. Sugammadex is indicated to reverse neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium or vecuronium in adults. The aim of this study is to estimate the clinical and economic impact of introducing sugammadex to routine reversal of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) with rocuronium in Spain. METHODS: A decision analytic model was constructed reflecting a set of procedures using rocuronium that resulted in moderate or deep NMB at the end of the procedure. Two scenarios were considered for 537,931 procedures using NMB agents in Spain in 2015: a scenario without sugammadex versus a scenario with sugammadex. Comparators included neostigmine (plus glycopyrrolate) and no reversal agent. The total costs for the healthcare system were estimated from the net of costs of reversal agents and overall cost offsets via reduction in postoperative pneumonias and atelectasis for which incidence rates were based on a Spanish real-world evidence (RWE) study. The model time horizon was assumed to be one year. Costs were expressed in 2019 euros (€) and estimated from the perspective of a healthcare system. One-way sensitivity analysis was carried out by varying each parameter included in the model within a range of +/- 50%. RESULTS: The estimated budget impact of the introduction of sugammadex to the routine reversal of neuromuscular blockade in Spanish hospitals was a net saving of €57.1 million annually. An increase in drug acquisition costs was offset by savings in post-operative pulmonary events, including 4806 post-operative pneumonias and 13,996 cases of atelectasis. The total cost of complications avoided was €70.4 million. All parameters included in the model were tested in sensitivity analysis and were favorable to the scenario with sugammadex. CONCLUSIONS: This economic analysis shows that sugammadex can potentially lead to cost savings for the reversal of rocuronium-induced moderate or profound NMB compared to no reversal and reversal with neostigmine in the Spanish health care setting. The economic model was based on data obtained from Spain and from assumptions from clinical practice and may not be valid for other countries.

Palbociclib in combination with endocrine therapy versus capecitabine in hormonal receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor 2-negative, aromatase inhibitor-resistant metastatic breast cancer: a phase III randomised controlled trial-PEARL.

BACKGROUND: Palbociclib plus endocrine therapy (ET) is the standard treatment of hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, its efficacy has not been compared with that of chemotherapy in a phase III trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PEARL is a multicentre, phase III randomised study in which patients with aromatase inhibitor (AI)-resistant MBC were included in two consecutive cohorts. In cohort 1, patients were randomised 1 : 1 to palbociclib plus exemestane or capecitabine. On discovering new evidence about estrogen receptor-1 (ESR1) mutations inducing resistance to AIs, the trial was amended to include cohort 2, in which patients were randomised 1 : 1 between palbociclib plus fulvestrant and capecitabine. The stratification criteria were disease site, prior sensitivity to ET, prior chemotherapy for MBC, and country of origin. Co-primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) in cohort 2 and in wild-type ESR1 patients (cohort 1 + cohort 2). ESR1 hotspot mutations were analysed in baseline circulating tumour DNA. RESULTS: From March 2014 to July 2018, 296 and 305 patients were included in cohort 1 and cohort 2, respectively. Palbociclib plus ET was not superior to capecitabine in both cohort 2 [median PFS: 7.5 versus 10.0 months; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.13; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-1.50] and wild-type ESR1 patients (median PFS: 8.0 versus 10.6 months; aHR: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.87-1.41). The most frequent grade 3-4 toxicities with palbociclib plus exemestane, palbociclib plus fulvestrant and capecitabine, respectively, were neutropenia (57.4%, 55.7% and 5.5%), hand/foot syndrome (0%, 0% and 23.5%), and diarrhoea (1.3%, 1.3% and 7.6%). Palbociclib plus ET offered better quality of life (aHR for time to deterioration of global health status: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.53-0.85). CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistical superiority of palbociclib plus ET over capecitabine with respect to PFS in MBC patients resistant to AIs. Palbociclib plus ET showed a better safety profile and improved quality of life.

[Analysis of the predictive value of preventive isolation criteria in the intensive care unit]. / Análisis del valor predictivo de los criterios de aislamiento preventivo en una unidad de cuidados intensivos.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the criteria used to detect patients carrying multiresistant microorganisms (MRMs). DESIGN: A prospective observational study was carried out from May 2014 to May 2015. SETTING: Polyvalent Intensive Care Unit. PATIENTS: A cohort of consecutively admitted patients meeting the following criteria for preventive isolation according to the "Zero Resistance" project: hospital length of stay>4 days in the last three months ("hospital"); antibiotherapy during one week in the last month ("antibiotic"); institutionalized patients or recurrent contact with healthcare ("institution or care"); MRM carrier in the last 6 months ("previous MRM"). VARIABLES: Demographic data, culture results and isolation time. A multivariate analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression between each of the risk factors and patient MRM carrier status. RESULTS: During the study period, 575 patients were admitted, of which 28% met the isolation criteria (162). Fifty-one (31%) were MRM carriers. Of the patients who did not meet the criteria, 29 (7%) were carriers. In the multivariate analysis, the only variable independently associated to carrier status was "previous MRM", with OR=12.14 (95%CI 4.24-34.77). CONCLUSIONS: The only criterion independently associated with the ability to detect patients with MRMs upon admission to the ICU was the existence of "previous MRM".

Aqueous phase reforming coupled to catalytic wet air oxidation for the removal and valorisation of phenolic compounds in wastewater.

Aqueous phase reforming (APR) coupled to catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) has been investigated as an approach to remove phenolic compounds from wastewater, converting them into valuable gases. Partial oxidation of phenol was achieved in the first CWAO stage trying to minimize mineralization so to allow a high yield to valuable gases in the second APR stage. APR runs were carried out with different mixtures of compounds corresponding to phenol oxidation pathway (phenol, quinones, long and short chain acids) and representing different degrees of oxidation in CWAO stage. A range of TOC and COD removal (74-90%) was observed in APR stage for the single compounds, with higher removal for long chain acids. Likewise, long chain acids provided with the highest conversion to gases. APR of mixtures rich in acids gave the highest yield to CH4 (11.0 mmol CH4/g TOCinitial). H2 production was low in all cases, due to competing direct conversion of long and short chain acids into CH4. TOC and COD removal from wastewater was similar in APR-CWAO and APR, however the conversion to gases and the yield to CH4 were markedly higher for APR-CWAO, thus overcoming the difficulties previously observed in the direct APR of phenol.

Combination of dietary glycaemic index and fasting time prior to slaughter as strategy to modify quality of pork.

This study evaluates the effect of the dietary glycaemic index (low: L-GI vs. high: H-GI), pre-slaughter fasting times (17 h: f17 vs. 19 h: f19 vs. 22 h: f22), and their interaction, on certain meat quality characteristics. Greater duration of fasting resulted in lesser drip loss of muscle, greater LIPE expression (lipolysis) and 10% greater TBARS, with PUFA being the main source of free-fatty acid production. L-GI diets produced a greater drip loss, lipolytic activity and lesser C18:1n-9 relative mobilization, suggesting this group had greater glycolytic potential than H-GI. An interaction was found in meat characteristics related to fat metabolism. The IRS2 gene expression was greater in pigs fed L-GI diets, but only in a low fasting period. LIPE gene expression was greater for L-GI-f17 group than for L-GI-f22. Lesser n-6 PUFA but greater MUFA were found in the free fatty acid fraction of L-GI- f17 group thus resulting in a faster lipolysis initiation in this group.

Human sperm decondensation in vitro is related to cleavage rate and embryo quality in IVF.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the ability of human spermatozoa to decondense in vitro in the presence of heparin (Hep) and glutathione (GSH) is related to assisted reproduction (ART) success. METHODS: Cross-sectional pilot study involving male partners of 129 infertile couples undergoing ICSI with (45) or without (84) donor oocytes at two infertility clinics in CABA, Argentina, between October 2012 and December 2013. In vitro decondensation kinetics with Hep and GSH and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL) were determined on the same sample used for ICSI. The possible relationship of decondensation parameters (maximum decondensation and decondensation velocity) and TUNEL values with ART success was evaluated. RESULTS: Embryo quality correlated positively with decondensation velocity (D60/D30) (Spearman's correlation, p < 0.05). According to D60/D30 values, patients were classified as slow decondensers (SlowD) (n = 68) or fast decondensers (FastD) (n = 61). Embryo quality was better in FastD (unpaired t test, p < 0.05). FastD and SlowD were subdivided according to use of donor oocytes. Among SlowD, biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates per transfer were significantly higher in donor (n = 19) vs. in non-donor (n = 31) cycles (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.05). TUNEL values were not related to embryo quality, but no clinical pregnancies or live births were achieved in TUNEL+ SlowD (n = 7). CONCLUSION: Decondensation kinetics of human spermatozoa in vitro with Hep and GSH could be related to embryo quality and ART success.

New approaches to identification and characterization of tioconazole in raw material and in pharmaceutical dosage forms / 药物分析学报

Tioconazole (TCZ), a broad-spectrum antifungal agent, has significant activity against Candida albicans and other Candida species, and therefore, it is indicated for the topical treatment of superficial mycoses. The main goal of this work is to report an exhaustive identification and characterization procedure to improve and facilitate the online quality control and continuous process monitoring of TCZ in bulk material and loaded in two different dosage forms: ovules and nail lacquer. The methodologies were based on thermal (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), melting point, and thermogravimetry (TG)), spectroscopic (ultraviolet (UV), Raman, near infrared (NIR), infrared spectroscopy coupled to attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)), microscopic and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The TCZ bulk powder showed a high crystallinity, as observed by XRD, with a particles size dis-tribution (3–95 mm) resolved by microscopic measurements. TCZ melting point (82.8℃) and a de-gradation peak centered at 297.8 ℃ were obtained by DSC and DTG, respectively. An unambiguous structure elucidation of TCZ was obtained by mono- and two- dimensional 1H and 13C NMR spectral data analysis. The FTIR-ATR, Raman and NIR spectra of both the raw material and the commercial products were analyzed and their characteristic bands were tabulated. The best methods for TCZ identification in ovules were DSC, TG, XRD, NIR and Raman, while NIR and FTIR-ATR were the most appropriate tech-niques to analyze it in the nail lacquer. DSC, TG, DRX, Raman, FTIR-ATR and NIR spectroscopy are effective techniques to be used in online process analysis, because they do not require sample preparation, and they are considerably sensitive to analyze complex samples.

Prognostic role for the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in early breast cancer: a GEICAM/9906 substudy

Purpose: Elevated markers of host inflammation, a hallmark of cancer, have been associated with worse outcomes in several solid tumors. Here, we explore the prognostic role of the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), across different tumor subtypes, in patients with early breast cancer. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 1246 patients with lymph node-positive, operable early breast cancer enrolled in the GEICAM/9906 trial, a multicenter randomized phase 3 study evaluating adjuvant chemotherapy. dNLR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophils and the difference between total leukocytes and neutrophils in peripheral blood before chemotherapy. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival were explored using a Cox proportional hazard analysis. Results: The analysis comprised 1243 (99.8%) patients with dNLR data, with a median follow-up of 10 years. Data on intrinsic subtypes were available from 818 (66%) patients (luminal A 34%, luminal B 32%, HER2-enriched 21% and basal-like 9%). Median dNLR was 1.35 [interquartile range (IQR) 1.08-1.71]. In the whole population, dNLR was not prognostic after adjustment for clinico-pathological factors. However, dNLR ≥ 1.35 was independently associated with worse DFS in the hormone receptor-negative/HER2+ population (HR 2.86; p = 0.038) and in patients with one to three lymph node metastases (HR 1.32, p = 0.032). There was a non-significant association with worse DFS in non-luminal and in HER2-enriched tumors (HR 1.40, p = 0.085 and HR 1.53, p = 0.067). No significant interaction was observed between the treatment arm and dNLR. Conclusion: Elevated dNLR appears to be an adverse prognostic factor in hormone receptor-negative early breast cancer

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Prognostic role for the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in early breast cancer: a GEICAM/9906 substudy.

PURPOSE: Elevated markers of host inflammation, a hallmark of cancer, have been associated with worse outcomes in several solid tumors. Here, we explore the prognostic role of the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), across different tumor subtypes, in patients with early breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 1246 patients with lymph node-positive, operable early breast cancer enrolled in the GEICAM/9906 trial, a multicenter randomized phase 3 study evaluating adjuvant chemotherapy. dNLR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophils and the difference between total leukocytes and neutrophils in peripheral blood before chemotherapy. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival were explored using a Cox proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS: The analysis comprised 1243 (99.8%) patients with dNLR data, with a median follow-up of 10 years. Data on intrinsic subtypes were available from 818 (66%) patients (luminal A 34%, luminal B 32%, HER2-enriched 21% and basal-like 9%). Median dNLR was 1.35 [interquartile range (IQR) 1.08-1.71]. In the whole population, dNLR was not prognostic after adjustment for clinico-pathological factors. However, dNLR ≥ 1.35 was independently associated with worse DFS in the hormone receptor-negative/HER2+ population (HR 2.86; p = 0.038) and in patients with one to three lymph node metastases (HR 1.32, p = 0.032). There was a non-significant association with worse DFS in non-luminal and in HER2-enriched tumors (HR 1.40, p = 0.085 and HR 1.53, p = 0.067). No significant interaction was observed between the treatment arm and dNLR. CONCLUSION: Elevated dNLR appears to be an adverse prognostic factor in hormone receptor-negative early breast cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT: 2005-003108-12 (retrospectively registered 28/06/2005). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00129922 (retrospectively registered 10/08/2005). Results of this study were presented in part at the 2016 ESMO conference October 7-11, 2016, Copenhagen, Denmark (oral presentation).