UV- and visible-light photocatalysis using Ni-Co bimetallic and monometallic hydrotalcite-like materials for enhanced CO2 methanation in sabatier reaction.

The CO2 catalytic reduction activities of four different Co-modified Ni-based catalysts derived from hydrotalcite-like materials (HTCs) prepared by co-precipitation method were investigated under thermal and photocatalytic conditions. All catalysts were tested from 473 to 723 K at 10 bar (abs). The light intensity for photocatalytic reactions was 2.4 W cm-2. The samples were characterized to determine the effect of morphological and physicochemical properties of mono-bimetallic active phases on their methanation activity. The activity toward CO2 methanation followed the next order: Ni > Co-Ni > Co. For the monometallic Ni catalyst an increase of a 72% was achieved in the photo-catalytic activity under UV and vis light irradiation at temperatures lower by > 100 K than those in a conventional reaction. Co-modified Ni based hydrotalcite catalysts performed with stability and no deactivation for the 16 h studied under visible light for methanation at 523 K due to the presence of basic sites.

Effects of prefabricated and custom-made foot orthoses on skin temperature of the foot soles after running.

OBJECTIVE: Foot orthoses are increasingly used by runners despite the controversy about whether their use can reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Some authors have found modifications in plantar pressures with the use of foot orthoses, which could produce changes in the surface skin temperature of the foot soles. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of custom-made and prefabricated foot orthoses on the skin temperature of different regions of both foot soles after running. APPROACH: Twenty-four participants carried out a maximal aerobic speed test as a pre-test, and three running tests at the laboratory wearing different foot orthoses conditions (control, prefabricated and custom-made) previously randomized. Skin temperature of four regions of interest of the foot soles was assessed before, immediately after and ten minutes after running. MAIN RESULTS: The use of prefabricated and custom-made foot orthoses did not produce changes on skin temperature of the foot soles neither in absolute temperatures (p > 0.05), nor in temperature variations: between immediately after and before running (p > 0.05), and between ten minutes after and immediately after running (p > 0.05). Otherwise, higher values were found with no insoles than with prefabricated foot orthoses, 10 min after running in relation to before running, in forefoot [mean (standard deviation): 5.6 (2.4) versus 3.7 (2.7) °C; p = 0.02; effect size (ESd) = 0.72], midfoot [3.7 (1.5) versus 2.7 (1.5) °C; p = 0.03; ESd = 0.65] and rearfoot [4.18 (2.05) versus 2.9 (1.82) °C; p = 0.02; ESd = 0.64)]. SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, the use of foot orthoses, in general, does not affect the surface skin temperature of the foot soles after an intense run.

Effects of graduated compression stockings on skin temperature after running.

High skin temperatures reduce the thermal gradient between the core and the skin and they can lead to a reduction in performance and increased risk of injury. Graduated compression stockings have become popular among runners in the last years and their use may influence the athlete's thermoregulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of graduated compression stockings on skin temperature during running in a moderate indoor environment. Forty-four runners performed two running tests lasting 30min (10min of warm-up and 20min at 75% of their maximal aerobic speed) with and without graduated compressive stockings. Skin temperature was measured in 12 regions of interest on the lower limb by infrared thermography before and after running. Heart rate and perception of fatigue were assessed during the last minute of the running test. Compression stockings resulted in greater increase of temperature (p=0.002 and ES=2.2, 95% CI [0.11-0.45°C]) not only in the body regions in contact (tibialis anterior, ankle anterior and gastrocnemius) but also in the body regions that were not in contact with the garment (vastus lateralis, abductor and semitendinosus). No differences were observed between conditions in heart rate and perception of fatigue (p>0.05 and ES<0.8). In conclusion, running with graduated compression stockings produces a greater increase of skin temperature without modifying the athlete's heart rate and perception of fatigue.

Infección del tracto urinario: estudio prospectivo clínico y analítico para el diagnóstico diferencial en niños con sospecha de enfermedad infecciosa / Urinary tract infection in children: clinical and analytical prospective study for differential diagnosis in children with suspicion of an infectious disease

Objetivo: examinar las diferencias, en la clínica y en la analítica de sangre y orina, en los pacientes que acuden a urgencias de pediatría de un hospital de III nivel que permitan distinguir a aquellos que tienen infección del tracto urinario (ITU) de los que presentan otros procesos infecciosos o febriles. Con este fin, se hace un examen comparativo de los datos clínicos, sanguíneos, y análisis de orina entre dos grupos de pacientes, con y sin ITU, atendidos consecutivamente en urgencias. Pacientes y Métodos: durante un periodo de 6 meses, fueron evaluados prospectivamente 349 niños con edades comprendidas entre menos de 1 mes y los 14 años (media: 4,1 años), de entre los 14.400 atendidos en urgencias y que presentaban fiebre > 38,1° C y/o otros signos o síntomas relacionados con una ITU. En 247 pacientes, la ITU fue descartada. A los restantes 102 se les practicó un urocultivo y fueron divididos en dos grupos según el resultado del mismo, con y sin ITU; analizándose las diferencias entre los datos clínicos, exámenes de orina y análisis de sangre. Resultados: la sospecha de ITU en los 14.400 pacientes atendidos en urgencias, se planteó en 349 casos (2,4 por ciento), con una prevalencia de ITU en el conjunto de pacientes con sospecha de tener infección del 12,3 por ciento. La incidencia global de ITU en la población pediátrica que acudió a urgencias fue del 0,3 por ciento. Los 59 pacientes del grupo con urocultivo negativo, mostraron un porcentaje más alto de signos clínicos inespecíficos y examen microscópico de orina normal (p < 0,05), que los 43 pacientes del grupo con urocultivo positivo (ITU confirmada). El multistix de orina anormal, se obtuvo en mayor porcentaje (p < 0,05), en los pacientes con ITU. No se hallaron diferencias relevantes en otros parámetros clínicos y análisis de sangre entre ambos grupos. Fue necesario hospitalizar, basándose en la gravedad de los signos clínicos, en una proporción más elevada a los pacientes con ITU (27,9 por ciento vs 1,7 por ciento) y a los menores de 6 meses con ITU (66,6 por ciento). Conclusiones: el multistix y el examen microscópico anormal de orina en los pacientes con ITU, y los signos clínicos inespecíficos en los que no la tienen, poseen valor discriminativo en el diagnóstico diferencial. Se observa un gran solapamiento entre los signos clínicos y los análisis de sangre entre los pacientes que acuden a urgencias con infecciones varias y los que padecen una ITU. Estos parámetros, no son de utilidad significativa en el diagnóstico diferencial. Los multistix son útiles para el cribado en los casos sospechosos de ITU, si se conocen bien sus limitaciones. Es imprescindible obtener una muestra limpia de orina con cultivo positivo, para el diagnóstico de infección urinaria verdadera (AU)