Screening of variables affecting the selective leaching of valuable metals from waste motherboards' PCBs.

The presence of valuable and hazardous metals in waste printed circuit boards, especially, motherboards, makes their recovery necessary as implies great economic and environmental advantages and develops urban mining processes. Hence, this research is focused on the selective leaching of Cu, Pb, and Sn as base metals using nitric acid and hydrochloric acid and Au, Ag, and Pd as precious metals using thiourea and sodium thiosulfate from waste motherboards' PCBs in a sequential eco-friendly two-stage process. Previously, thiourea and sodium thiosulfate were used as leaching agents to investigate their applicability for the leaching of metals from PCBs in a single-stage process. Screening experimental design was applied to screen the variables affecting the leaching process in order to evaluate their impact on the recovery of metals and select the significant factors. The results demonstrated that base and precious metals can be leached appropriately in two consecutive stages compared to a single-stage process. Nitric acid was found to be a much more efficient agent to leach Cu and Pb in comparison with hydrochloric acid which was more suitable for the leaching of Sn. In the case of precious metals, higher amounts of Au were leached using thiourea, whereas sodium thiosulfate was able to leach more Pd. Roughly similar results were obtained for the leaching of Ag using these leaching agents. Nitric acid concentration, average particle size, temperature, and leaching time were found to be significant to maximize the leaching of Cu and Pb and minimize that for Au, Ag, and Pd in the first stage. Initial pH was the only variable influencing the second stage, in particular, Au leaching by thiourea.

S/N/O-Enriched Carbons from Polyacrylonitrile-Based Block Copolymers for Selective Separation of Gas Streams.

A series of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based block copolymers with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as sacrificial bock were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization and used as precursors for the synthesis of porous carbons. The carbons enriched with O- and S-containing groups, introduced by controlled oxidation and sulfuration, respectively, were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, and their surface textural properties were measured by a volumetric analyzer. We observed that the presence of sulfur tends to modify the structure of the carbons, from microporous to mesoporous, while the use of copolymers with a range of molar composition PAN/PMMA between 10/90 and 47/53 allows the obtainment of carbons with different degrees of porosity. The amount of sacrificial block only affects the morphology of carbons stabilized in oxygen, inducing their nanostructuration, but has no effect on their chemical composition. We also demonstrated their suitability for separating a typical N2/CO2 post-combustion stream.

Ammonia surrogates in the synthesis of primary amines.

Primary amines are derivatives of ammonia in which one hydrogen atom is replaced by an alkyl or aryl group. Ammonia serves as the primary nitrogen source in amination reactions, and its utilization in solution or as a pure gas has witnessed notable advancements. However, the use of gaseous ammonia remains problematic in academic laboratory settings, while employing aqueous ammonia poses challenges in highly water-sensitive transformations. Consequently, the search for alternative sources of ammonia has garnered considerable attention among the organic chemistry community. This comprehensive literature review focuses on the use of ammonia surrogates in amination reactions, irrespective of the resulting intermediate. The review emphasizes the formation of the C-N bond and underscores the importance of generating intermediate products that can be readily transformed into primary amines through well-established reactions.

Genetic mapping reveals Nfkbid as a central regulator of humoral immunity to Toxoplasma gondii.

Protective immunity to parasitic infections has been difficult to elicit by vaccines. Among parasites that evade vaccine-induced immunity is Toxoplasma gondii, which causes lethal secondary infections in chronically infected mice. Here we report that unlike susceptible C57BL/6J mice, A/J mice were highly resistant to secondary infection. To identify correlates of immunity, we utilized forward genetics to identify Nfkbid, a nuclear regulator of NF-κB that is required for B cell activation and B-1 cell development. Nfkbid-null mice ("bumble") did not generate parasite-specific IgM and lacked robust parasite-specific IgG, which correlated with defects in B-2 cell maturation and class-switch recombination. Though high-affinity antibodies were B-2 derived, transfer of B-1 cells partially rescued the immunity defects observed in bumble mice and were required for 100% vaccine efficacy in bone marrow chimeric mice. Immunity in resistant mice correlated with robust isotype class-switching in both B cell lineages, which can be fine-tuned by Nfkbid gene expression. We propose a model whereby humoral immunity to T. gondii is regulated by Nfkbid and requires B-1 and B-2 cells for full protection.

Microbiota intestinal y salud / Gut microbes and health

El cuerpo humano está poblado por miríadas de microorganismos en toda su superficie y en las cavidades conectadas con el exterior. Los colonizadores microbianos del intestino (microbiota) son parte funcional y no prescindible del organismo humano: aportan genes (microbioma) y funciones adicionales a los recursos de nuestra especie, y participan en múltiples procesos fisiológicos (desarrollo somático, nutrición, inmunidad, etc.). Algunas enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles de la sociedad desarrollada (atopias, síndrome metabólico, enfermedades inflamatorias, cáncer y algunos trastornos de la conducta) se asocian a disbiosis: pérdida de riqueza de especies en la microbiota intestinal y desviación del entorno microbiano ancestral. Los cambios en la transmisión vertical del microbioma, el uso de antisépticos y antibióticos y los hábitos dietéticos de la sociedad industrializada parecen estar en el origen de la disbiosis. Generar y mantener diversidad en la microbiota es un nuevo objetivo clínico para la promoción de salud y la prevención de enfermedades.(AU)

The human body is populated by myriads of microorganisms throughout its surface and in the cavities connected to the outside. The microbial colonisers of the intestine (microbiota) are a functional and non-expendable part of the human organism: they provide genes (microbiome) and additional functions to the resources of our species and participate in multiple physiological processes (somatic development, nutrition, immunity, etc.). Some chronic non-communicable diseases of developed society (atopias, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory diseases, cancer and some behaviour disorders) are associated with dysbiosis: loss of species richness in the intestinal microbiota and deviation from the ancestral microbial environment. Changes in the vertical transmission of the microbiome, the use of antiseptics and antibiotics, and dietary habits in industrialised society appear to be at the origin of dysbiosis. Generating and maintaining diversity in the microbiota is a new clinical target for health promotion and disease prevention.(AU)

Psychometric properties of 4-item questionnaire for sleep habits and time in a South American paediatric population.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the psychometric properties of 4-item questionnaire about sleep habits and time in South American children (3-10 years) and adolescents (11-18 years). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 459 participants from seven South American cities. Two items from week and weekend days wake up time and bedtime were asked twice, with a 2-week interval. We calculated time spent in bed (subtracting wake up time from bedtime). Participants also answered the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) sleep time questionnaire. RESULTS: The questionnaire showed acceptable temporal stability in children and adolescents on total days (rho≥0.30; p<0.05). For total days, the questionnaire presented acceptable convergent validity only in children (rho from 0.48 to 0.62; p≤0.01) compared with the HELENA questionnaire. CONCLUSION: The 4-item questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool for children; however, its validity is not consistent in adolescents for sleep habits and time.

Sputnik V vaccine elicits seroconversion and neutralizing capacity to SARS-CoV-2 after a single dose.

Massive vaccination offers great promise for halting the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, the limited supply and uneven vaccine distribution create an urgent need to optimize vaccination strategies. We evaluate SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses after Sputnik V vaccination of healthcare workers in Argentina, measuring IgG anti-spike titers and neutralizing capacity after one and two doses in a cohort of naive or previously infected volunteers. By 21 days after receiving the first dose of the vaccine, 94% of naive participants develop spike-specific IgG antibodies. A single Sputnik V dose elicits higher antibody levels and virus-neutralizing capacity in previously infected individuals than in naive ones receiving the full two-dose schedule. The high seroconversion rate after a single dose in naive participants suggests a benefit of delaying administration of the second dose to increase the number of people vaccinated. The data presented provide information for guiding public health decisions in light of the current global health emergency.

Gut microbes and health. / Microbiota intestinal y salud.

The human body is populated by myriads of microorganisms throughout its surface and in the cavities connected to the outside. The microbial colonisers of the intestine (microbiota) are a functional and non-expendable part of the human organism: they provide genes (microbiome) and additional functions to the resources of our species and participate in multiple physiological processes (somatic development, nutrition, immunity, etc.). Some chronic non-communicable diseases of developed society (atopias, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory diseases, cancer and some behaviour disorders) are associated with dysbiosis: loss of species richness in the intestinal microbiota and deviation from the ancestral microbial environment. Changes in the vertical transmission of the microbiome, the use of antiseptics and antibiotics, and dietary habits in industrialised society appear to be at the origin of dysbiosis. Generating and maintaining diversity in the microbiota is a new clinical target for health promotion and disease prevention.

RISK FACTORS FOR HYPOGLYCEMIA IN INPATIENTS WITH TOTAL PARENTERAL NUTRITION AND TYPE 2 DIABETES: A POST HOC ANALYSIS OF THE INSUPAR STUDY.

Objective: Treatment of hyperglycemia with insulin is associated with increased risk of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of hypoglycemia in hospitalized T2DM patients receiving TPN. Methods: Post hoc analysis of the INSUPAR study, which is a prospective, open-label, multicenter clinical trial of adult inpatients with T2DM in a noncritical setting with indication for TPN. Results: The study included 161 patients; 31 patients (19.3%) had hypoglycemic events, but none of them was severe. In univariate analysis, hypoglycemia was significantly associated with the presence of diabetes with end-organ damage, duration of diabetes, use of insulin prior to admission, glycemic variability (GV), belonging to the glargine insulin group in the INSUPAR trial, mean daily grams of lipids in TPN, mean insulin per 10 grams of carbohydrates, duration of TPN, and increase in urea during TPN. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of diabetes with end-organ damage, GV, use of glargine insulin, and TPN duration were risk factors for hypoglycemia. Conclusion: The presence of T2DM with end-organ damage complications, longer TPN duration, belonging to the glargine insulin group, and greater GV are factors associated with the risk of hypoglycemia in diabetic noncritically ill inpatients with parenteral nutrition. Abbreviations: ADA = American Diabetes Association; BMI = body mass index; CV% = coefficient of variation; DM = diabetes mellitus; GI = glargine insulin; GV = glycemic variability; ICU = intensive care unit; RI = regular insulin; T2DM = type 2 diabetes mellitus; TPN = total parenteral nutrition.

Reliability and validity of an FFQ for South American children and adolescents from the SAYCARE study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyse the reliability and validity of a semi-quantitative FFQ to assess food group consumption in South American children and adolescents. DESIGN: The SAYCARE (South American Youth/Child cARdiovascular and Environmental) study is an observational, multicentre, feasibility study performed in a sample of 3- to 18-year-old children and adolescents attending private and public schools from six South American countries. Participants answered the FFQ twice with a two-week interval and three 24-h dietary recalls. Intraclass and Spearman's correlations, weighted Cohen's kappa (κw), percentage of agreement and energy-adjusted Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated. SETTING: Seven cities in South America (Buenos Aires, Lima, Medelin, Montevideo, Santiago, Sao Paulo and Teresina). SUBJECTS: A sample of 200 children and 244 adolescents for reliability analyses and 252 children and 244 adolescents for validity analyses were included. RESULTS: Depending on the food group, for children and adolescents, reliability analyses resulted in Spearman's coefficients from 0·47 to 0·73, intraclass correlation coefficients from 0·66 to 0·99, κw coefficients from 0·35 to 0·63, and percentage of agreement between 72·75 and 83·52 %. In the same way, validity analyses resulted in Spearman's coefficients from 0·17 to 0·37, energy-adjusted Pearson's coefficients from 0·17 to 0·61, κw coefficients from 0·09 to 0·24, and percentages of agreement between 45·79 and 67·06 %. CONCLUSION: The SAYCARE FFQ achieved reasonable reliability and slight-moderate validity for almost all food groups intakes. Accordingly, it can be used for the purpose of ranking the intake of individuals within a population.

Regular insulin added to total parenteral nutrition vs subcutaneous glargine in non-critically ill diabetic inpatients, a multicenter randomized clinical trial: INSUPAR trial.

BACKGROUND: There is no established insulin regimen in T2DM patients receiving parenteral nutrition. AIMS: To compare the effectiveness (metabolic control) and safety of two insulin regimens in patients with diabetes receiving TPN. DESIGN: Prospective, open-label, multicenter, clinical trial on adult inpatients with type 2 diabetes on a non-critical setting with indication for TPN. Patients were randomized on one of these two regimens: 100% of RI on TPN or 50% of Regular insulin added to TPN bag and 50% subcutaneous GI. Data were analyzed according to intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: 81 patients were on RI and 80 on GI. No differences were observed in neither average total daily dose of insulin, programmed or correction, nor in capillary mean blood glucose during TPN infusion (165.3 ± 35.4 in RI vs 172.5 ± 43.6 mg/dL in GI; p = 0.25). Mean capillary glucose was significantly lower in the GI group within two days after TPN interruption (160.3 ± 45.1 in RI vs 141.7 ± 43.8 mg/dL in GI; p = 0.024). The percentage of capillary glucose above 180 mg/dL was similar in both groups. The rate of capillary glucose ≤70 mg/dL, the number of hypoglycemic episodes per 100 days of TPN, and the percentage of patients with non-severe hypoglycemia were significantly higher on GI group. No severe hypoglycemia was detected. No differences were observed in length of stay, infectious complications, or hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Effectiveness of both regimens was similar. GI group achieved better metabolic control after TPN interruption but non-severe hypoglycemia rate was higher in the GI group. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02706119.

Metabolic Syndrome Among Young Health Professionals in the Multicenter Latin America Metabolic Syndrome Study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components increase the risk of a number of chronic diseases. Evidence regarding its prevalence among health professionals, particularly in Latin America, is limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the overall prevalence of MS and its components among health professionals and students from five Latin American countries. Methods: A cross-sectional multicenter study entitled LATIN America METabolic Syndrome (LATINMETS) was conducted on five groups of apparently healthy volunteer subjects. Sociodemographic factors, lifestyle variables (smoking and physical activity), anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and waist circumference), standard biochemical analyses [triglycerides, glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], and blood pressure measurements were assessed. MS was diagnosed based on internationally harmonized criteria. Associations between MS components and sociodemographic, lifestyle, and anthropometric variables were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 1,032 volunteers (n = 316-Mexico, n = 285-Colombia, n = 223-Brazil, n = 132-Paraguay, and n = 76-Argentina) were recruited. The majority of them were women (71.9%), students (55.4%), and younger than 28 years (67.2%). The overall prevalence of age-standardized MS was 15.5% (23.1% men and 12.2% women). The majority (59.3%) presented at least one MS component, mainly abdominal obesity (29.7%) and low HDL-C levels (27.5%). After adjusting for age and sex, MS and its components were positively associated with being overweight or obese. Conclusions: MS prevalence in this study was similar to that generally found among young populations in Latin-American countries. More than half of the sample had at least one MS component, suggesting that preventive measures and treatments aimed at achieving low-risk health status are essential in this population.

Optimization of the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Walnut (Juglans major 209 x Juglans regia) Leaves: Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Profile.

This work studies the extraction of phenolic compounds from walnut leaves of the hybrid Juglans major 209 x Juglans regia based on extract antioxidant capacity. Once the solid/liquid ratio was selected (1/10 g/mL), by means of a Box-Benkhen experimental design, the influence of temperature (25-75 °C), time (30-120 min), and aqueous ethanol concentration (10-90%) on extraction yield and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) antioxidant activities were analyzed. In all cases, the quadratic effect of % EtOH was the most significant, followed by the linear effect of temperature and, for most of the responses, the effect of time was almost negligible. Response surface analysis allowed to select the optimal extraction conditions: 75 °C, 120 min and 50% ethanol, which led to the following extract properties: extraction yield, 30.17%; FRAP, 1468 nmol ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE)/mg extract d.b.; DPPH, 1.318 mmol Trolox equivalents (TRE)/g extract d.b.; DPPH EC50, 0.11 mg/mL; ABTS, 1.256 mmol TRE/g extract (on dry basis) and ABTS EC50, 0.985 mg/mL. Quercetin 3-ß-D-glucoside, neochlorogenic acid, and chlorogenic acid, in this order, were the main compounds identified in this extract by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS), with various potential applications that support this valorization alternative for walnut leaves.

Adsorption of an anionic dye (Congo red) from aqueous solutions by pine bark.

Pinus pinaster bark, an abundant by-product from the timber industry, has been studied as a potential low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Congo red (CR) dye from wastewaters. Surface morphological and physico-chemical characteristics of pine bark were analysed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), determination of the point of zero charge (pHPZC) and elemental analysis. Assays were performed to determine the wavelength for the maximum absorbance and the stability with time of CR solutions depending on concentration and/or pH, which resulted to be a very significant parameter. Adsorption studies were conducted on batch mode to study the effect of contact time (till 7 days), pH (2-9), adsorbent dosage (1-10 g L-1) and temperature (25-60 °C). The bark adsorption capacity at equilibrium varied between 0.3 and 1.6 mg g-1 and the equilibrium adsorption percentage between 23.4 and 100% depending on adsorbent dosage, temperature and pH at an initial CR concentration of 5 mg L-1. Kinetic data for the removal of CR by pine bark were best fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium data fitted well with the Freundlich model. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption process is exothermic and spontaneous.

[Nutritional management of advanced dementia: summary of recommendations of the SENPE Ethic Group]. / Manejo nutricional de la demencia avanzada: resumen de recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo de Ética de la SENPE.

INTRODUCTION: This paper from the ethics Working Group presents a summary of the recommendations of the nutritional management of patients with advanced dementia.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En este documento del Grupo de Trabajo de Ética se presenta un resumen sobre las recomendaciones del manejo nutricional de pacientes con demencia avanzada.

[Notes on the cost-effectiveness of nutritional therapy with oral supplementation in the integral recovery of the patient with MRD]. / Apuntes sobre el coste-efectividad de la terapia nutricional con suplementación oral en la recuperación integral del paciente con DRE.

INTRODUCTION: The efficient management of health services requires obtaining the highest level of health possible with the available resources. The health economy has developed in recent years under the pressure of a more demanding population, older and with more comorbidities, in an environment of limited resources and greater financing difficulties. The Economics of Nutrition was born as a new discipline that addresses aspects related to the role of economics and nutrition in the health of healthy and sick populations. The economic analyzes are part of the evaluation tools for health interventions. Cost-effectiveness studies are the most frequently used. Cost-effectiveness studies have shown that the use of oral nutritional supplements offer clinical advantages for undernourished patients (reduction of morbidity and mortality) and economic benefits for the system (reduction of hospital stay, lower re-entry rates and cost savings). Oral nutritional supplementation in the integral recovery of the patient with malnutrition related to the disease is cost effective.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La gestión eficiente de los servicios sanitarios obliga a obtener el máximo nivel de salud posible con los recursos disponibles. La economía de la salud se ha desarrollado en los últimos años ante la presión de una población más demandante, de más edad y con más comorbilidades en un entorno de recursos limitados y mayores dificultades de financiación. La economía de la nutrición nace como una nueva disciplina que atiende aspectos relacionados con el papel de la economía y la nutrición en la salud de las poblaciones sanas y enfermas. Los análisis económicos forman parte de las herramientas de evaluación de las intervenciones sanitarias. Los estudios de coste-efectividad "los más frecuentemente utilizados" han demostrado que la utilización de los suplementos nutricional orales ofrece ventajas clínicas para los pacientes desnutridos (reducción de morbimortalidad) y económicas para el sistema (reducción de estancia hospitalaria, menores tasas de reingresos y ahorros de costes). La suplementación nutricional oral en la recuperación integral del paciente con desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad es coste-efectiva.

[Hospital feeding process]. / Proceso de alimentación hospitalaria.

INTRODUCTION: The Management Working Group of SENPE has among its objectives the development of evaluation processes in Clinical Nutrition. Previously, the document entitled "Process of nutritional care: self-evaluation guide" was prepared as a tool designed to help assess the quality of nutritional therapy in hospitalized patients, mainly from the perspective of artificial nutrition. Now a complementary text of the previous one is presented, that describes the process by which hospitalized patients are fed. We have divided the hospital feeding process into six sections, for which a general description is made and quality indicators are proposed. We hope that this work will serve to improve the quality of hospital food and to help hospital food professionals to make their work more satisfactory and effective.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Grupo de Trabajo de Gestión de SENPE tiene entre sus objetivos el desarrollo de procesos de evaluación en Nutrición Clínica. Con anterioridad se elaboró el documento denominado "Proceso de atención nutricional: guía de autoevaluación", como una herramienta concebida para ayudar a evaluar la calidad de la terapia nutricional en pacientes hospitalizados, fundamentalmente desde la perspectiva de la nutrición artificial. Ahora se presenta un texto complementario del anterior, en el que se describe el proceso por el que alimenta a los pacientes hospitalizados. Hemos dividido el proceso de alimentación hospitalaria en seis secciones, para las que se hace una descripción general y se proponen indicadores de calidad para su evaluación. Confiamos en que este trabajo sirva para mejorar la calidad de las dietas de los hospitales y para ayudar a los profesionales de la alimentación de los hospitales a hacer su labor más satisfactoria y efectiva.