Effect of Sodium Hydroxide Treatments on the Tensile Strength and the Interphase Quality of Hemp Core Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites.

The formulation of greener composite materials by substituting glass fibers with natural fibers is a current field of research. If such natural fiber reinforcements come from industrial side streams, as hemp core fibers (HCFs) come from the extraction of hemp strands for the textile industry, an additional advantage can be identified. Nonetheless, such by-product fibers show some drawbacks, such as high lignin contents, which can make it difficult to obtain a good interphase between the fibers and the matrix and to obtain a good fiber individualization. A digestion treatment at different NaOH contents is proposed to eliminate soluble lignin and extractives from the surface of the fibers. At the same time, the use of a coupling agent solves incompatibilities between the fibers and the matrix. The composites were tensile tested and the impact of the proposed treatments is evaluated and discussed. Later, the Kelly-Tyson modified equation and a modified rule of mixtures-the micro-mechanic models-is used to study the impact of such treatments on the quality of the interphase between the polymer and the reinforcement. Both treatments showed a high impact on the tensile strength and the quality of the interphase, obtaining competitive composite materials reinforced with HCFs derived from a by-product.

Delphi consensus statement: Quality Indicators for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Comprehensive Care Units.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: While it is commonly accepted that Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Comprehensive Care Units (ICCUs) facilitate the delivery of quality care to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients, it remains unclear how an ICCU should be defined or evaluated. The aim of the present study was to develop a comprehensive set of Quality Indicators (QIs) of structure, process, and outcomes for defining and evaluating an ICCU. METHODS: A Delphi consensus-based approach with a standardized three-step process was used to identify a core set of QIs. The process included an exhaustive search using complementary approaches to identify potential QIs, and two Delphi voting rounds to select the QIs defining the core requirements for an ICCU. RESULTS: The consensus selected a core set of 56 QIs (12 structure, 20 process and 24 outcome). Structure and process QIs highlighted the need for multidisciplinary management and continuity of care. The minimal IBD team should include an IBD nurse, gastroenterologists, radiologists, surgeons, endoscopists and stoma management specialists. ICCUs should be able to provide both outpatient and inpatient care and admission should not break the continuity of care. Outcome QIs focused on the adequate prophylaxis of disease complication and drug adverse events, the need to monitor appropriateness of treatment and the need to reinforce patient autonomy by providing adequate information and facilitating the patients' participation in their own care. CONCLUSIONS: The present Delphi consensus identified a set of core QIs that may be useful for evaluating and certifying ICCUs.

Lesiones del tendón de Aquiles en corredores de larga distancia / Achilles tendon injuries in long distance runners

Las lesiones del tendón de Aquiles son muy frecuentes entre los deportistas, sobre todo en los corredores de larga distancia. Los autores realizaron un estudio a 23 pacientes, hombres y mujeres, en edades comprendidas entre 25 y 45 años, que habían sufrido este tipo de lesión y que de forma habitual practicaban la carrera de fondo. Exponen su criterio en cuanto al motivo de su frecuencia, los factores predisponentes, cómo pueden prevenirse o disminuir su incidencia, principalmente con la colaboración estrecha entre el personal de salud y los entrenadores(AU)