Additively-manufactured Mg wire-reinforced PLDL-matrix composites for biomedical applications.

Coupons of a medical grade PLDL polymer matrix uniaxially reinforced with a 15% volume fraction of Mg wires have been manufactured by fused filament fabrication for the first time. Two different types of Mg wires, without and with a surface treatment by plasma electrolytic oxidation were used. Both composite materials were subjected to degradation in phosphate buffer solution over a 3-week period, and their degradation and deformation micromechanisms were analysed in detail. Additionally, the materials were subjected to extensive mechanical testing under various loading conditions, and the interface strength was also analysed. It was found that the presence of the Mg wires improves the mechanical behaviour and accelerates the corrosion rate of the composite with respect that of the polymer matrix and these properties can be further tailored through the surface-modification of Mg wires by plasma electrolytic oxidation. The additive manufacturing strategy presented opens the path to fabricate multimaterial implants and scaffolds with complex shape and tailored properties provided by biodegradable polymers reinforced with either Mg and Zn particles and/or wires.

Mechanical properties, in vitro degradation and cytocompatibility of woven textiles manufactured from PLA/PCL commingled yarns.

The mechanical, thermal, and biological performance of fabrics manufactured with hybrid PLA/PCL commingled yarns were studied. Commingled hybrid yarns take advantage of the higher elastic modulus of PLA and the higher ductility and toughness of PCL to produce yarns and fabrics with high strength and ductility that is transferred to the woven textiles. Furthermore, PLA and PCL exhibit different degradation rates and also allow to tailor this property. Degradation of the textiles was carried out in phosphate-buffered saline solution for up to 160 days at 37 °C and 50 °C (accelerated degradation). Neither the thermal nor the mechanical properties were altered by immersion at 37 °C during 80 days and a slight degradation was observed as a result of chain scission of the PLA fibres after 160 days. However, immersion at 50 °C led to a rapid reduction in strength after 40 days due to the hydrolysis of PLA, and the fabric was highly degraded after 160 days as a result of chain scission in PCL. Finally, while indirect tests did not predict optimal biocompatibility, the direct tests provided a different perspective of the cell interaction between the textile and pre-osteoblasts regarding cell attachment and cell morphology. These results show the potential of hybrid commingled yarns to manufacture textile scaffolds of biodegradable polymers with tailored mechanical properties and good ductility for connective tissue engineering (ligaments and tendons).

Influence of the drying mode of support on the properties of Pd/Al2O3-ZrO2 materials used for methane combustion.

This work constitutes a new trial to enhance the properties of palladium supported on alumina modified with zirconium used as catalysts for methane combustion. The effect of the support drying mode is studied. For this aim, Al2O3-ZrO2 binary oxides with zirconium loading of 2 and 5% in weight were prepared using sol-gel process then dried under ordinary or supercritical conditions. Palladium with a loading of 0.5% was deposited on the support by wet impregnation. Several techniques have been used to investigate differences between the two types of the derived catalysts.

Processing and mechanical properties of novel biodegradable poly-lactic acid/Zn 3D printed scaffolds for application in tissue regeneration.

The feasibility to manufacture scaffolds of poly-lactic acid reinforced with Zn particles by fused filament fabrication is demonstrated for the first time. Filaments of 2.85 mm in diameter of PLA reinforced with different weight fractions of µm-sized Zn - 1 wt.% Mg alloy particles (in the range 3.5 to 17.5 wt.%) were manufactured by a double extrusion method in which standard extrusion is followed by precision extrusion in a filament-maker machine. Filaments with constant diameter, negligible porosity and a homogeneous reinforcement distribution were obtained for Zn weight fractions of up to 10.5%. It was found that the presence of Zn particles led to limited changes in the physico-chemical properties of the PLA that did not affect the window temperature for 3D printing nor the melt flow index. Thus, porous scaffolds could be manufactured by fused filament fabrication at 190 °C with poly-lactic acid/Zn composites containing 3.5 and 7 wt.% of Zn and at 170 °C when the Zn content was 10.5 wt.% with excellent dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties.

Osteoporotic patients treated with bisphosphonates do not show the increased mortality observed in those untreated.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis has been said to be associated with increased mortality. On the other hand, it is debated whether treatment with bisphosphonates may reduce mortality in osteoporotic patients. To contribute to the clarification of these issues, we have studied in a prospective cohort the mortality in people without osteoporosis and in patients with osteoporosis, untreated or treated with bisphosphonates MATERIAL AND METHODS: At their inclusion in the cohort, four groups of participants were identified: (a) people without osteoporosis (group 1); (b) osteoporotic patients treated with bisphosphonates (group 2); (c) osteoporotic patients who refused to be treated (group 3); and (d) patients who met osteoporosis diagnostic criteria but were not treated because their risk of fracture was considered to be low (group 4). To compare all four groups, unadjusted Kaplan-Meier estimates of survivorship were obtained and they were compared using log-rank test. Hazard ratios were then estimated via Cox regression adjusting for the main confounders. A comparison among the osteoporotic groups was made by means of a Cox regression analysis performed using only these three groups, adjusting for propensity scores. RESULTS: Two thousand six hundred and sixty-five people were included. In the unadjusted analysis, mortality in group 3 was higher than in the other groups (p < 0.001). Taking group 1 as a reference, Cox regression analysis showed the following mortality HRs for groups 2, 3, and 4 after adjusting for confounding factors: 0.82 (0.41-1.63), 1.37 (0.90-2.10), and 0.69 (0.46-1.02). In the analysis of the osteoporotic groups with the PS generated for them, and taking group 2 as a reference, the HRs were as follows: group 3, 2.38 (1.34-4.22); group 4, 1.45 (0.61-3.43). CONCLUSION: Mortality in osteoporotic patients who refused treatment is higher than in osteoporotic patients treated with bisphosphonates. In unadjusted analysis, it was also higher than in non-osteoporotic people; however, this difference disappeared after adjustment for confounding factors.

Assessment of physical functioning in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requiring long-acting dual bronchodilation in routine clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to determine the effect of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of tiotropium/olodaterol on Physical activity (PA) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a real world setting. METHODS: COPD patients were prospectively enrolled to evaluate the effect of a FDC of tiotropium/olodaterol inhaler therapy via the Respimat® Soft Mist™ inhaler (SMI) on the physical functioning scale (PF-10), and the general condition of the patient as assessed by the physician (Physician's Global Evaluation, PGE), and the patient's satisfaction after 6 weeks of treatment. The primary end-point was the percentage of patients with therapeutic success at 6th week follow-up, defined as a ≥10-points increase in the standardised PF-10 score from baseline. RESULTS: A total of 257 patients from 57 sites were enrolled, and 234 completed the follow up. After 6 weeks of treatment, 155 out of 234 patients (66.2%) showed therapeutic success in the physical functioning score, coupled with significant improvement in PGE score: 78 (33.3%) patients with good/excellent PGE score at baseline, increasing to 172 (73.5%) at 6th week (p<0.0001). The patient's satisfaction was excellent: 77.2% reporting to be satisfied/very satisfied with the treatment, 79.9% with inhaling and 79.0% with the handling of SMI device. 1.6% of patients reported an investigator-defined drug-related adverse event. CONCLUSION: Treatment of COPD patients with a FDC of tiotropium/olodaterol SMI for 6 weeks resulted in significant improvements in the patients' condition as assessed by patients and physicians, with no new safety findings.

Infección por SARS-CoV-2 en el embarazo y posibilidad de transmisión al neonato: una revisión sistemática / Infection by SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy and possibility of transmission to neonates: a systematic revision

En este trabajo se revisan los artículos publicados sobre COVID-19, embarazo y afectación del neonato hasta el 30 de abril de 2020. Se han encontrado un total de 33 publicaciones que se refieren a 553 gestantes y 456 partos. Los síntomas más frecuentes en la embarazada fueron fiebre, tos y disnea. Cerca de tercios de los partos se realizaron por cesárea; el 5,9% de las mujeres requirieron ingreso en la UCI y el 4% requirieron ventilación mecánica. No se produjo ninguna muerte materna. Hubo prematuridad en el 22,3% de los partos y el neonato requirió ingreso en la UCI en el 38,3%. Solo se informó de una muerte neonatal (0,4%) y de 13 casos de COVID-19 neonatal (3,4%). La información disponible no permite asegurar que la transmisión se produjera por vía transplacentaria

Studies published on COVID-19, pregnancy and neonate disease until 30 April 2020 are revised. We found 33 articles including 553 pregnant women and 456 deliveries. The more frequent symptoms in the pregnant women were fever, cough and dyspnoea. About two thirds deliveries were carried out via Caesarean rate; 5.9% women were admitted in the ICU and 4% required mechanic ventilation. No maternal death was reported. Prematurity occurred in 22.3% deliveries and 38.3% neonates required admission in the ICU. Only one neonatal death was reported (0.4%) and 13 neonates (3.4%) suffered COVID-19. The available information does not allow to state whether transmission to neonates occurred transplacentarily

[Infection by SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy and possibility of transmission to neonates: A systematic revision]. / Infección por SARS-CoV-2 en el embarazo y posibilidad de transmisión al neonato: una revisión sistemática.

Studies published on COVID-19, pregnancy and neonate disease until 30 April 2020 are revised. We found 33 articles including 553 pregnant women and 456 deliveries. The more frequent symptoms in the pregnant women were fever, cough and dyspnoea. About two thirds deliveries were carried out via Caesarean rate; 5.9% women were admitted in the ICU and 4% required mechanic ventilation. No maternal death was reported. Prematurity occurred in 22.3% deliveries and 38.3% neonates required admission in the ICU. Only one neonatal death was reported (0.4%) and 13 neonates (3.4%) suffered COVID-19. The available information does not allow to state whether transmission to neonates occurred transplacentarily.

Metaanálisis de los efectos del suero salino en la mortalidad en cuidados intensivos / Meta-analysis of the effects of normal saline on mortality in intensive care

Introducción y objetivo: Evaluar, mediante un metaanálisis, el efecto del suero salino sobre la mortalidad en los pacientes de cuidados intensivos, cuando se compara su uso con el de cristaloides balanceados. Material y método: Se ha realizado un metaanálisis de ensayos clínicos controlados, aleatorizados y estudios prospectivos secuenciales en el tiempo, publicados, que evaluaron la mortalidad del suero salino en enfermos ingresados en unidades de cuidados intensivos. Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda electrónica en Medline, Embase, biblioteca Cochrane, ISI Proceedings y Web of Science y una búsqueda manual sobre las referencias seleccionadas. La extracción de datos fue realizada de forma independiente por 2 investigadores. Las discrepancias se resolvieron por consenso en el grupo de trabajo. El cálculo de la OR y su intervalo de confianza se realizó ponderando por el inverso de la varianza. La heterogeneidad se evaluó mediante I2. El sesgo de publicación se valoró mediante funnel plot y test de Egger. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 8 artículos para el metaanálisis de mortalidad, que incluían un total de 20.684 pacientes. Se objetivó una asociación entre el uso de suero salino y la mortalidad en los enfermos de cuidados intensivos (OR 1,0972; IC 95%:1,0049-1,1979) cuando se comparaba con el uso de cristaloides balanceados. No se encontró evidencia de sesgo de publicación (prueba de Egger p=0,5349). En el análisis de sensibilidad ninguno de los estudios modificó sustancialmente el resultado global si se eliminaba del metaanálisis. Conclusiones: Es posible que exista un aumento de la mortalidad asociada al empleo de suero salino en los pacientes ingresados en cuidados intensivos cuando se compara con el empleo de cristaloides balanceados

Introduction and objective: To evaluate, by means of a meta-analysis, the effect of normal saline on mortality in intensive care patients, when compared with the use of balanced crystalloids. Material and method: Published controlled clinical trials, randomised and sequential prospective studies in time, evaluating the mortality when physiological saline was used in patients admitted to intensive care units. Electronic search was performed in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, ISI Proceedings, and Web of Science, as well as a manual search of selected references. An independent evaluation was performed by 2 investigators. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus in the working group. Contingency tables were performed, and the OR with confidence intervals of each study were obtained. Heterogeneity was assessed by I2. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot and Egger test. Results: A total of 8 articles were selected for the meta-analysis of mortality, which included a total of 20,684 patients. A significant association was observed between the use of saline and mortality in intensive care patients (OR 1.0972; 95% CI 1.0049-1.1979), when compared to the use of balanced crystalloids. No statistical evidence of publication bias (Egger, P=.5349) was found. In the sensitivity analysis, none of the studies substantially modified the overall outcome if it was eliminated from the meta-analysis. Conclusions: There may be an increase in mortality associated with the use of saline in patients admitted to intensive care when comparing with the use of balanced crystalloids

Meta-analysis of the effects of normal saline on mortality in intensive care. / Metaanálisis de los efectos del suero salino en la mortalidad en cuidados intensivos.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, by means of a meta-analysis, the effect of normal saline on mortality in intensive care patients, when compared with the use of balanced crystalloids. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Published controlled clinical trials, randomised and sequential prospective studies in time, evaluating the mortality when physiological saline was used in patients admitted to intensive care units. Electronic search was performed in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, ISI Proceedings, and Web of Science, as well as a manual search of selected references. An independent evaluation was performed by 2 investigators. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus in the working group. Contingency tables were performed, and the OR with confidence intervals of each study were obtained. Heterogeneity was assessed by I2. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot and Egger test. RESULTS: A total of 8 articles were selected for the meta-analysis of mortality, which included a total of 20,684 patients. A significant association was observed between the use of saline and mortality in intensive care patients (OR 1.0972; 95% CI 1.0049-1.1979), when compared to the use of balanced crystalloids. No statistical evidence of publication bias (Egger, P=.5349) was found. In the sensitivity analysis, none of the studies substantially modified the overall outcome if it was eliminated from the meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There may be an increase in mortality associated with the use of saline in patients admitted to intensive care when comparing with the use of balanced crystalloids.

Reflexiones sobre la utilidad del exceso de bases como marcador en el pronóstico del traumatismo torácico en la población geriátrica / Reflections on the utility of excess bases as a marker in the prognosis of chest trauma in the geriatric population

No disponible

Comparison of functional results of two fixation systems using single-row suturing of rotator cuff. / Comparación de resultados funcionales en 2 sistemas de fijación mediante hilera simple en sutura de manguito rotador.

INTRODUCTION: Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff disorders is a technically demanding but successful procedure. Many anchor and suture alternatives are now available. The choice of the implant by the surgeon is less important than the configuration of the suture used to fix the tendon, however it is necessary to know if there are differences in the results, using each one of them. The aim of the study is to evaluate if there are differences between the knotted and non-knotted implant in terms of functional and satisfaction results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 83 patients operated between 2010 and 2014 in our center using 2anchoring systems with and without knotting (39 versus 44 patients respectively), with single row in complete rupture of the rotator cuff. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up, an average score was obtained on the Constant scale of 74.6 points. 98% of the patients considered the result of the surgery satisfactory. Statistically, there were no significant differences between the 2groups in terms of functionality, satisfaction or reincorporation to activities. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The functional results of the single-row cuff suture are satisfactory, although biomechanical studies show advantages in favor of sutures that reproduce a transoseo system. It our series of patients the presence of knotting does not show per se a significant functional difference being both superimposable techniques in absolute values of functionality and patient satisfaction.

Up-conversion luminescence coupled to plasmonic gold nanorods for light harvesting and hydrogen production.

The conversion of infrared light to visible-light which allows a larger fraction of sun-light to be used is needed to improve light-harvesting. In this work a tri-functional material composed of an up-converter (NaYF4-Yb-Tm), plasmonic gold nanorods and CdS was made photocatalytically active using 980 nm wavelength light for the reduction of H+ to H2.

Pulse wave velocity and augmentation index are not independently associated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Arterial stiffness can enhance cardiovascular risk by increasing atherogenesis or adverse hemodynamic effects. We examined whether the arterial stiffness markers of aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the augmentation index (AIx) are independently associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PWV and AIx were determined by brachial oscillometry using the Mobil-O-Graph® system and carotid IMT and plaque by ultrasound in 194 consecutive RA patients without established cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes at disease onset. In crude analysis, PWV was associated with IMT (ß (95% CI) = 0.04 (0.03 to 0.05), p value < 0.0001) and plaque (OR (95% CI) = 1.69 (1.40 to 2.04), p value < 0.0001). Upon adjustment for the confounders of age, sex, mean blood pressure, body height, and cardiovascular risk factors comprising smoking, the atherogenic index, and diabetes, PWV was not related to IMT (ß (95% CI) = 0.01 (-0.02 to 0.04), p value = 0.5) or plaque (OR (95% CI) = 0.99 (0.96 to 1.01), p value = 0.3). AIx was not associated with IMT in crude (ß (95% CI) = -0.002 (-0.004 to 0.007), p value = 0.2) and adjusted analyses (ß (95% CI) = -0.002 (-0.004 to 0.000), p value = 0.06). AIx was also unrelated to carotid plaque in crude (OR (95% CI) = 1.04 (0.60 to 1.82), p value = 0.9) and adjusted analyses (OR (95% CI) = 0.97 (0.94 to 1.01), p value = 0.1). PWV and AIx are not independently associated with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in RA.

Exceso de bases, un marcador útil en el pronóstico del traumatismo torácico en la población geriátrica / Base excess, a useful marker in the prognosis of chest trauma in the geriatric population

Objetivo. Precisar la utilidad de la determinación del exceso de bases en una cohorte de enfermos geriátricos que ingresaron en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) con diagnóstico de traumatismo torácico. Material y método. Se incluyeron 249 enfermos con una edad igual o mayor de 65 años y diagnóstico de traumatismo torácico que precisaron ingreso en la UCI. Se realizó un análisis estadístico con el objetivo de determinar la asociación del valor de la primera determinación del exceso de bases con la mortalidad durante la estancia en la unidad. Resultados. Se analizaron 249 enfermos, con un valor medio de APACHE II de 16,21±7,87 y un ISS de 24,45±14,16. La estancia en UCI fue de 12,74±16,85 días y la estancia hospitalaria media de 26,55±30,1 días. El análisis estadístico mostró una asociación con la mortalidad en aquellos pacientes que presentaron un valor de presión arterial al ingreso inferior a 110mmHg, con una OR de 4,11 (IC 95% 1,91-8,85) respecto a los pacientes con presión arterial entre 110 y 140mmHg. Aquellos pacientes que presentaron un valor de exceso de bases al ingreso inferior a −6mmol/L también mostraron mayor mortalidad respecto a los pacientes con valores mayores, con una OR de 3,12 (IC 95% 1,51-6,42). Conclusiones. La presencia de un valor de exceso de bases inferior a −6 se asocia con una mayor mortalidad en los pacientes ancianos con cifras iniciales de presión arterial entre 110 y 140mmHg, con diagnóstico de traumatismo torácico y que precisan un ingreso en una UCI. La medición rutinaria de este parámetro en este tipo de población podría mostrar utilidad clínica para la valoración de una posible hipoperfusión oculta (AU)

Objective. To determine the usefulness of the determination of base excess in a cohort of elderly patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of chest trauma. Material and method. Two hundred and forty-nine patients were included aged 65 years and over with a diagnosis of thoracic trauma who required admission to the ICU. We made a statistical analysis in order to determine the association of the first base excess levels with mortality during the unit stay. Results. Two hundred and forty-nine patients, with a mean APACHE II score of 16.21±7.87 and 24.45±14.16 ISS. Mean ICU stay was 12.74±16.85 days and the mean hospital stay was 26.55±30.1 days. Statistical analysis showed an association with mortality in patients whose blood pressure was lower than 110mmHg on admission, with an OR=4.11 (95% CI 1.91 to 8.85) compared to patients with blood pressure between 110 and 140mmHg. Those patients who had base excess levels on admission of less than −6mmol/L also showed increased mortality compared to patients with higher levels, with an OR=3.12 (95% CI 1.51 to 6.42). Conclusions. The presence of a base excess level of less than −6 is associated with increased mortality in elderly patients with initial blood pressure between 110 and 140mmHg, diagnosed with thoracic trauma and who require admission to ICU. Routine measurement of this parameter in this population may show the clinical usefulness of assessing possible hidden hypoperfusion (AU)

Base excess, a useful marker in the prognosis of chest trauma in the geriatric population. / Exceso de bases, un marcador útil en el pronóstico del traumatismo torácico en la población geriátrica.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of the determination of base excess in a cohort of elderly patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of chest trauma. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two hundred and forty-nine patients were included aged 65 years and over with a diagnosis of thoracic trauma who required admission to the ICU. We made a statistical analysis in order to determine the association of the first base excess levels with mortality during the unit stay. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-nine patients, with a mean APACHE II score of 16.21±7.87 and 24.45±14.16 ISS. Mean ICU stay was 12.74±16.85 days and the mean hospital stay was 26.55±30.1 days. Statistical analysis showed an association with mortality in patients whose blood pressure was lower than 110mmHg on admission, with an OR=4.11 (95% CI 1.91 to 8.85) compared to patients with blood pressure between 110 and 140mmHg. Those patients who had base excess levels on admission of less than -6mmol/L also showed increased mortality compared to patients with higher levels, with an OR=3.12 (95% CI 1.51 to 6.42). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a base excess level of less than -6 is associated with increased mortality in elderly patients with initial blood pressure between 110 and 140mmHg, diagnosed with thoracic trauma and who require admission to ICU. Routine measurement of this parameter in this population may show the clinical usefulness of assessing possible hidden hypoperfusion.

Evolución de la mortalidad en el traumatismo torácico grave del paciente anciano / Evolution of mortality in severe chest trauma in the elderly patient

Introducción. Las personas con edad igual o mayor a 65 años representan alrededor del 30% de todas las atenciones por enfermedad traumática, constituyendo la quinta causa de muerte en esta población. En este contexto resulta importante el conocimiento de parámetros epidemiológicos en este grupo poblacional. Pacientes y método. Estudio observacional y comparativo con análisis retrospectivo, en la unidad de cuidados intensivos de un hospital terciario. Se incluyó a los pacientes con edad igual o superior a 65 años ingresados entre enero de 1992 y enero de 2012, con diagnóstico principal de traumatismo torácico grave. Se realizó una regresión logística para determinar la probabilidad de muerte intrahospitalaria en relación con el año de ingreso. Resultados. La muestra seleccionada fue de 235 pacientes. El análisis univariante mediante regresión logística mostró una disminución de la probabilidad de muerte de forma progresiva a lo largo de los años, con una OR de 0,95 (IC 95%: 0,90-0,99) por cada año de ingreso posterior a 1992 (p = 0,029). El modelo multivariante mostró asociación de la mortalidad con la edad de los pacientes (OR: 1,08 por cada año por encima de 65), la puntuación en la escala APACHE II (OR: 1,1 por cada punto obtenido) y la necesidad de ventilación mecánica (OR: 5,36). Conclusiones. Nuestro estudio muestra una disminución de la mortalidad a lo largo de los años, cuya relación se mantuvo tras ajustar por diferentes parámetros de confusión (AU)

Introduction. Persons older than 65 years represent about 30% of all cases requiring care for traumatic injury, and is the fifth leading cause of death. Thus, it is considered important to search for epidemiological parameters that can identify this population group. Patients and method. A retrospective, observational, and comparative study was conducted on patients aged 65 years and over admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of tertiary hospital with a primary diagnosis of severe chest trauma between January 1992 and January 2012. A logistic regression was performed to determine the probability of hospital death in relation to the year of hospitalisation. Results. The cohort included 235 patients. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed a gradual decrease in the probability of death over the years, with an OR of 0.95 [95% CI; 0.90 to 0.99] for each year of admission after 1992 (P = .029). The multivariate model showed an association of mortality with patient age (OR: 1.08 for year over 65), the score on the scale APACHE II (OR: 1.1 for each point obtained), and need for mechanical ventilation (OR: 5.36). Conclusions. This study shows a decrease in mortality over the years, with an association that remained after adjustment for different confounding parameters (AU)

Standalone ethanol micro-reformer integrated on silicon technology for onboard production of hydrogen-rich gas.

A novel design of a silicon-based micro-reformer for onboard hydrogen generation from ethanol is presented in this work. The micro-reactor is fully fabricated with mainstream MEMS technology and consists of an active low-thermal-mass structure suspended by an insulating membrane. The suspended structure includes an embedded resistive metal heater and an array of ca. 20k vertically aligned through-silicon micro-channels per square centimetre. Each micro-channel is 500 µm in length and 50 µm in diameter allowing a unique micro-reformer configuration that presents a total surface per projected area of 16 cm(2) cm(-2) and per volume of 320 cm(2) cm(-3). The walls of the micro-channels become the active surface of the micro-reformer when coated with a homogenous thin film of Rh-Pd/CeO2 catalyst. The steam reforming of ethanol under controlled temperature conditions (using the embedded heater) and using the micro-reformer as a standalone device are evaluated. Fuel conversion rates above 94% and hydrogen selectivity values of ca. 70% were obtained when using operation conditions suitable for application in micro-solid oxide fuel cells (micro-SOFCs), i.e. 750 °C and fuel flows of 0.02 mlL min(-1) (enough to feed a one watt power source).

[Evolution of mortality in severe chest trauma in the elderly patient]. / Evolución de la mortalidad en el traumatismo torácico grave del paciente anciano.

INTRODUCTION: Persons older than 65 years represent about 30% of all cases requiring care for traumatic injury, and is the fifth leading cause of death. Thus, it is considered important to search for epidemiological parameters that can identify this population group. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective, observational, and comparative study was conducted on patients aged 65 years and over admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of tertiary hospital with a primary diagnosis of severe chest trauma between January 1992 and January 2012. A logistic regression was performed to determine the probability of hospital death in relation to the year of hospitalisation. RESULTS: The cohort included 235 patients. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed a gradual decrease in the probability of death over the years, with an OR of 0.95 [95% CI; 0.90 to 0.99] for each year of admission after 1992 (P=.029). The multivariate model showed an association of mortality with patient age (OR: 1.08 for year over 65), the score on the scale APACHE II (OR: 1.1 for each point obtained), and need for mechanical ventilation (OR: 5.36). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a decrease in mortality over the years, with an association that remained after adjustment for different confounding parameters.