Electroactive poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/graphene composites for cardiac tissue engineering applications.

Electroactive materials are increasingly being used in strategies to regenerate cardiac tissue. These materials, particularly those with electrical conductivity, are used to actively recreate the electromechanical nature of the cardiac tissue. In the present work, we describe a novel combination of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)), a highly electroactive polymer, with graphene (G), exhibiting high electrical conductivity. G/P(VDF-TrFE) films have been characterized in terms of topographical, physico-chemical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, and studied the response of cardiomyocytes adhering to them. The results indicate that the crystallinity and the wettability of the composites remain almost unaffected after G incorporation. In turn, surface roughness, Young modulus, and electric properties are higher in G/P(VDF-TrFE). Finally, the composites are highly biocompatible and able to support cardiomyocyte adhesion and proliferation, particularly surface treated ones, demonstrating the suitability of these materials for cardiac tissue engineering applications.

Search for Dark Matter Axions with CAST-CAPP.

The CAST-CAPP axion haloscope, operating at CERN inside the CAST dipole magnet, has searched for axions in the 19.74 µeV to 22.47 µeV mass range. The detection concept follows the Sikivie haloscope principle, where Dark Matter axions convert into photons within a resonator immersed in a magnetic field. The CAST-CAPP resonator is an array of four individual rectangular cavities inserted in a strong dipole magnet, phase-matched to maximize the detection sensitivity. Here we report on the data acquired for 4124 h from 2019 to 2021. Each cavity is equipped with a fast frequency tuning mechanism of 10 MHz/ min between 4.774 GHz and 5.434 GHz. In the present work, we exclude axion-photon couplings for virialized galactic axions down to gaγγ = 8 × 10-14 GeV-1 at the 90% confidence level. The here implemented phase-matching technique also allows for future large-scale upgrades.

Osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells in decellularised adipose tissue solid foams.

3D cell culture systems based on biological scaffold materials obtainable from both animal and human tissues constitute very interesting tools for cell therapy and personalised medicine applications. The white adipose tissue (AT) extracellular matrix (ECM) is a very promising biomaterial for tissue engineering due to its easy accessibility, malleability and proven biological activity. In the present study, human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) were combined in vitro with ECM scaffolds from porcine and human decellularised adipose tissues (pDAT, hDAT) processed as 3D solid foams, to investigate their effects on the osteogenic differentiation capacity and bone matrix production of hDPSCs, compared to single-protein-based 3D solid foams of collagen type I and conventional 2D tissue-culture-treated polystyrene plates. pDAT solid foams supported the osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs to similar levels to collagen type I, as assessed by alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red stainings, reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and osteocalcin/bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein (BGLAP) immunostaining. Interestingly, hDAT solid foams showed a markedly lower capacity to sustain hDPSC osteogenic differentiation and matrix calcification and a higher capacity to support adipogenesis, as assessed by RT-qPCR and oil red O staining. White ATs from both human and porcine origins are relatively abundant and available sources of raw material to obtain high quality ECM-derived biomedical products. These biomaterials could have promising applications in tissue engineering and personalised clinical therapy for the healing and regeneration of lesions involving not only a loss of calcified bone but also its associated soft non-calcified tissues.

Adhesion, integration and osteogenesis of human dental pulp stem cells on biomimetic implant surfaces combined with plasma derived products.

Dental implants are the usual therapy of choice in the dental clinic to replace a loss of natural teeth. Over recent decades there has been an important progress in the design and manufacturing of titanium implant surfaces with the goal of improving their osteointegration. In the present work, the aim was to evaluate the usefulness of hDPSCs (human dental pulp stem cells), in combination with autologous plasma components, for in vitro bone generation on biomimetic titanium dental implant materials. In this context, the combination of hDPSCs stimulated by PRGF or PRF and cultured on standard Ti6A14V and biomimetic BAS™ (Avinent Implant System) titanium surfaces were studied in order to evaluate possible enhancements in the osteoblastic differentiation process out of human mesenchymal cells, as well as bone matrix secretion on the implant surface. The results obtained in this in vitro model of osteogenesis suggested a combination of biomimetic rough titanium surfaces, such as BAS™, with autologous plasma-derived fibrin-clot membranes such as PRF and/or insoluble PRGF formulations, but not with an addition of water-soluble supplements of plasma-derived growth factors, to maximise osteoblastic cell differentiation, bone generation, anchorage and osteointegration of titanium-made dental implants.

TREX-DM: a low-background Micromegas-based TPC for low-mass WIMP detection.

If Dark Matter is made of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) with masses below [Formula: see text] GeV, the corresponding nuclear recoils in mainstream WIMP experiments are of energies too close, or below, the experimental threshold. Gas Time Projection Chambers (TPCs) can be operated with a variety of target elements, offer good tracking capabilities and, on account of the amplification in gas, very low thresholds are achievable. Recent advances in electronics and in novel radiopure TPC readouts, especially micro-mesh gas structure (Micromegas), are improving the scalability and low-background prospects of gaseous TPCs. Here we present TREX-DM, a prototype to test the concept of a Micromegas-based TPC to search for low-mass WIMPs. The detector is designed to host an active mass of [Formula: see text] kg of Ar at 10 bar, or alternatively [Formula: see text] kg of Ne at 10 bar, with an energy threshold below 0.4 keVee, and is fully built with radiopure materials. We will describe the detector in detail, the results from the commissioning phase on surface, as well as a preliminary background model. The anticipated sensitivity of this technique may go beyond current experimental limits for WIMPs of masses of 2-8 GeV.

Search for solar axions by the CERN axion solar telescope with 3He buffer gas: closing the hot dark matter gap.

The CERN Axion Solar Telescope has finished its search for solar axions with (3)He buffer gas, covering the search range 0.64 eV ≲ ma ≲ 1.17 eV. This closes the gap to the cosmological hot dark matter limit and actually overlaps with it. From the absence of excess x rays when the magnet was pointing to the Sun we set a typical upper limit on the axion-photon coupling of gaγ ≲ 3.3 × 10(-10) GeV(-1) at 95% C.L., with the exact value depending on the pressure setting. Future direct solar axion searches will focus on increasing the sensitivity to smaller values of gaγ, for example by the currently discussed next generation helioscope International AXion Observatory.

[Nutritional profile of foods offered and dietary intake in school canteens in Biscay]. / Perfil nutricional de los menús e ingesta dietética en comedores escolares de Vizcaya.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays the school canteen occupies a central place in the supply and in the nutritional education of the children in school age. OBJECTIVES: To assess the nutritional adequacy of the school menus and the food intake of the children. METHODS: 1,500 trays were selected in six school dining rooms of Biscay. Dietary intake was evaluated by means of the technique of double weighed and visual estimation of the residues. RESULTS: Evaluation of the menus: Macronutrients: carbohydrates 48%, proteins 20%, lipids 32%. Weekly offer: The first plate: vegetables 1.1; legumes 1.8; potatoes 0.4; pasta-rice 1.7. The second plate: meat 2.5; fish 1.4; eggs 0.6; precooked fried food 0.5. Garnish: potatoes 0.5; sauces 0.8; lettuce 1.7; cooked vegetables 1; no garnish 1. Dessert: fruit 2.8; dairy product 2; other 0.2. Significant changes have been observed in 4% of the menus. The vegetable garnish is not served in 40% of the occasions. 70% do not eat the vegetable garnish. CONCLUSIONS: Though the theoretical offer of vegetables is appropriate, due to the fact that frequently the vegetables are not served in garnish and to that when they are served children do not eat them, their final intake is poor. The protein contribution to the diet is higher than the recommended. Meaningful changes take place often in the composition of the menus.

Perfil nutricional de los menús e ingesta dietética en comedores escolares de Vizcaya / Nutritional profile of foods offered and dietary intake in school canteens in Biscay

Introducción: Los comedores escolares han pasado a ocupar un lugar central en la alimentación y en la educación nutricional de los niños en edad escolar. Objetivos: Evaluar la adecuación nutricional de los menús escolares y la ingesta de los alumnos. Métodos: Se seleccionaron aleatoriamente 1.500 bandejas en seis comedores escolares de Vizcaya y se evaluó la ingesta de los alumnos mediante la técnica de doble pesada y la estimación visual de los residuos. Resultados: Evaluación de los menús: Principios Inmediatos: hidratos de carbono 48%, proteínas 20%, lípidos 32%. Oferta semanal: Primer plato: verdura 1,1; legumbre 1,8; patatas 0,4; pasta-arroz 1,7. Segundo plato: carne 2,5; pescado 1,4; huevos 0,6; precocinados fritos 0,5. Guarnición: patatas 0,5; salsas 0,8; lechuga 1,7; vegetales cocinados 1; sin guarnición 1. Postre: fruta 2,8; lácteos 2; otros 0,2. Se han detectado cambios significativos en el 4% de los menús. La guarnición vegetal no se sirve en el 40% de las ocasiones. El 70% no comen la guarnición vegetal. Conclusiones: Aunque la oferta teórica de vegetales es adecuada, debido a que frecuentemente no se sirven los vegetales en guarnición y a que cuando se sirven los alumnos no se los comen, su ingesta efectiva es deficiente. El aporte proteico es superior al recomendado. Se producen con frecuencia cambios importantes en la composición de los menús (AU)

Introduction: Nowadays the school canteen occupies a central place in the supply and in the nutritional education of the children in school age. Objectives: To assess the nutritional adequacy of the school menus and the food intake of the children. Methods: 1,500 trays were selected in six school dining rooms of Biscay. Dietary intake was evaluated by means of the technique of double weighed and visual estimation of the residues. Results: Evaluation of the menus: Macronutrients: carbohydrates 48%, proteins 20%, lipids 32%. Weekly offer: The first plate: vegetables 1.1; legumes 1.8; potatoes 0.4; pasta-rice 1.7. The second plate: meat 2.5; fish 1.4; eggs 0.6; precooked fried food 0.5. Garnish: potatoes 0.5; sauces 0.8; lettuce 1.7; cooked vegetables 1; no garnish 1. Dessert: fruit 2.8; dairy product 2; other 0.2. Significant changes have been observed in 4% of the menus. The vegetable garnish is not served in 40% of the occasions. 70% do not eat the vegetable garnish. Conclusions: Though the theoretical offer of vegetables is appropriate, due to the fact that frequently the vegetables are not served in garnish and to that when they are served children do not eat them, their final intake is poor. The protein contribution to the diet is higher than the recommended. Meaningful changes take place often in the composition of the menus (AU)

Search for sub-eV mass solar axions by the CERN Axion Solar Telescope with 3He buffer gas.

The CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) has extended its search for solar axions by using (3)He as a buffer gas. At T=1.8 K this allows for larger pressure settings and hence sensitivity to higher axion masses than our previous measurements with (4)He. With about 1 h of data taking at each of 252 different pressure settings we have scanned the axion mass range 0.39 eV≲m(a)≲0.64 eV. From the absence of excess x rays when the magnet was pointing to the Sun we set a typical upper limit on the axion-photon coupling of g(aγ)≲2.3×10(-10) GeV(-1) at 95% C.L., the exact value depending on the pressure setting. Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov axions are excluded at the upper end of our mass range, the first time ever for any solar axion search. In the future we will extend our search to m(a)≲1.15 eV, comfortably overlapping with cosmological hot dark matter bounds.

Gastrointestinal complications in liver transplant recipients: MITOS study.

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplant recipients frequently suffer gastrointestinal (GI) complications but their prevalence and their influence on quality of life remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to asses the prevalence, impact on quality of life, and management of GI complications in liver transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an epidemiologic, cross-sectional, multicenter study. Four hundred seventeen liver recipients were recruited in 14 centers. A questionnaire was filled for every patient. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 55 years. The median time since transplantation was 4.1 +/- 4 years. Whereas 19.2% presented some GI disease before transplantation, 49.4% showed this type of complication after transplantation. Diarrhea was the most prevalent GI complication, and anorexia was the GI disorder that affected patients daily activities the most frequently. GI complications were more frequent among female patients, subjects with pretransplantation hiatal hernia, and those readmitted after transplantation. Of the patients with GI complications, 70.9% received pharmacological treatment (89.7% with gastric protectors). Immunosuppressive therapy was also modified because of GI complications. Immunosuppressive drug dose was reduced in 18.1%, transiently stopped in 3.4%, and definitively stopped in 3.4% of cases. The drug most frequently changed was mycophenolate mofetil: dose reduction, 23.6%; transient withdrawal, 5.7%; and definitive withdrawal, 6.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of GI complications in the liver transplant population was approximately 50%. GI complications showed a significant impact on the quality of life of the patients. They were related to female gender, to pretransplantation GI pathology, and posttransplantation hospital admission. These complications were frequently managed with pharmacological therapy or with changes in immunosuppressive therapy.

First results from the CERN axion solar telescope.

Hypothetical axionlike particles with a two-photon interaction would be produced in the sun by the Primakoff process. In a laboratory magnetic field ("axion helioscope"), they would be transformed into x-rays with energies of a few keV. Using a decommissioned Large Hadron Collider test magnet, the CERN Axion Solar Telescope ran for about 6 months during 2003. The first results from the analysis of these data are presented here. No signal above background was observed, implying an upper limit to the axion-photon coupling g(agamma)<1.16x10(-10) GeV-1 at 95% C.L. for m(a) less, similar 0.02 eV. This limit, assumption-free, is comparable to the limit from stellar energy-loss arguments and considerably more restrictive than any previous experiment over a broad range of axion masses.

Effectiveness of morphine in non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema due to chlorine gas inhalation.

We report the case of an 11-yr-old boy who developed a non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema following inhalation of chlorine gas at a swimming pool. Rapid clinical improvement was noted after i.v. administration of morphine.