Integrated e-Methanol and Drop-in Fuels Hydrothermal Liquefaction Platform-Techno-Economic and GHG Emissions Assessment for Grid-Connected Plants under Flexible BECCU(S) Operation.

This study examines the combined production of drop-in fuels and methanol using hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) as a technological basis in the context of bioenergy and power-to-X (PtX) applications. Given the increasing need for flexibility in a system dominated by fluctuating renewable power, we evaluated flexible methanol operation as a strategy to harness global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a grid-connected HTL setup. In this operation, the biogenic CO2 destination is alternated between methanol synthesis bioenergy with carbon capture and utilization and combined underground storage depending on the hourly electricity price and grid carbon intensity. The results indicate that the strategy has potential to maintain the average fuel carbon intensity within the 65% GHG reduction threshold set by the renewable energy directive III at a minimum methanol price of 870 EUR/t. This approach could facilitate implementation as it does not require dedicated renewable power generation and hydrogen storage, potentially decreasing costs compared to semi-islands and off-grid PtX systems.

Circulating miRNAs are associated with frailty and ST-elevation myocardial infarction pathways.

BACKGROUND: Frailty and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) share similar molecular pathways. Specific biomarkers, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), may provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that cause the relationship between frailty and STEMI. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to identify and compare circulating miRNA levels between frail and non-frail older adults following STEMI and comprehend the regulatory miRNA-gene networks and pathways involved in this condition. METHODS: This exploratory study is a subanalysis of a larger observational study. In this study, we selected patients ≥ 65 years old, following STEMI, with pre-frail/frail (n=5) and non-frail (n=4) phenotype evaluated using the Clinical Frailty Scale and serum circulating miRNA levels were analyzed. RESULTS: Pre-frail/frail patients had greater serum levels of 53 miRNAs, compared with non-frail patients. Notably, miR-103a-3p, miR-598-3p, and miR-130a-3p were the top three significantly deregulated miRNAs predicted to modulate gene expression associated with aging. Additional computational analyses showed 7,420 predicted miRNA gene targets, which were regulated by at least two of the 53 identified miRNAs. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that axon guidance and MAPK signaling were among pathways regulated by miRNA target genes. CONCLUSIONS: These novel findings suggest a correlation between the identified miRNAs, target genes, and pathways in pre-frail and frail patients with myocardial infarction.

Association between frailty and C-terminal agrin fragment with 3-month mortality following ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between frailty, evaluated by the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and FRAIL scale, and C-terminal agrin fragment (CAF) levels with 3-month mortality following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This was a prospective observational study that included patients over the age of 18 years with STEMI admitted to the coronary intensive care unit. Within 48 h of admission, the CFS and FRAIL scale were applied and blood samples collected for serum CAF evaluation. Patients were followed for 3 months after hospital discharge, and mortality was recorded. One hundred and eleven patients were included; mean age was 62.3 ±â€¯12.4 years, 61.3% were male and 11.7% died during the 3 months of follow-up. According to the CFS, 79.3% of the patients were classified as not frail, 12.6% as pre-frail and 8.1% as frail. According to the FRAIL scale, 31.5% of the patients were classified as not frail, 53.2% as pre-frail and 15.3% as frail. In univariate analysis, the CFS but not FRAIL scale was associated with mortality. In multiple logistic regression analysis, pre-frail/frail according to CFS (odds ratio [OR]: 6.118; CI 95%: 1.344-27.848; p = 0.019) and CAF levels (OR: 0.943; CI 95%: 0.896-0.992; p = 0.024) were associated with increased 3-month mortality. In a sub-analysis of 53 patients ≥65 years, CFS and CAF levels were associated with 3-month mortality. In conclusion, CAF levels and frailty determined by the CFS were associated with 3-month mortality after STEMI in the general and older population.

Screening of potential endoglucanases, hydrolysis conditions and different sugarcane straws pretreatments for cello-oligosaccharides production.

Cello-oligosaccharides (COS) are oligomers with 2 to 6 ß-1,4-linked glucose units, with potential applications in the food/feed and bioenergy industrial sectors. In this study, the combination of five heterologous expressed endoglucanases varying the temperature and pH conditions were evaluated by design of experiments for COS production. Afterwards, the best combination was tested to produce COS from different pretreated sugarcane straws: ionic liquid, diluted acid, hydrothermal and steam-explosion. The results showed that steam explosion pretreated sugarcane straw treated with CtCel9R enzyme at 50 °C and pH 5.0 yielded 13.4 mg COS g biomass-1, 5-18-fold higher compared to the other pretreated straws. Under the conditions evaluated, the removal of hemicellulose and decrease in the cellulose crystallinity can benefits the enzymatic hydrolysis. This is the first study that combined the evaluation of different enzymes, conditions, and sugarcane straw pretreatments to optimize COS production in a single step without glucose formation.

Caracterização dos resultados de exames citopatológicos do colo do útero entre 2014 e 2016 / Characterization of the results of citopatological examinations of the uterus coloss between 2014 and 2016 / Caracterización de los resultados de examenes citopatológicos del colo del útero entre 2014 y 2016

Objetivo: analisar resultados dos exames citopatológicos de colo do útero alterados de mulheres submetidas à colposcopia. Método: pesquisa descritiva, exploratória, com abordagem quantitativa e de cunho documental, realizada no periodo de 2014 a 2016 em Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso. A análise de dados foi realizada por meio da estatística descritiva simples. Resultados: foram analisados 218 registros, prevalecendo entre as mulheres abaixo de 25 anos e entre 25 a 35 anos lesão de baixo grau, 65,85%, e 38,46% respectivamente; 36 a 45 anos, 35,71% lesão de alto grau; 46 a 55 anos, 39,39% células escamosas atípicas de significado indeterminado, não podendo afastar lesão de alto grau; entre 56 a 64 anos, 27,77% células escamosas atípicas de significado indeterminado, possivelmente não neoplásicas e 27,77% lesão de alto grau e e entre 65 anos ou mais, 26, 31% células escamosas atípicas de significado indeterminado, não podendo afastar lesão de alto grau. Conclusão: a faixa etária de 25 a 35 anos foi a que mais apresentou número de alterações. Em todas as faixas etárias investigadas no estudo, notou-se que ocorreram encaminhamentos indevidos à colposcopia, pois muitos desses encaminhamentos não requeriam o seguimento imediato, contrariando os critérios e condutas preconizadas.

Objective: to analyze the results of cervical cytopathological exams altered in women submitted to colposcopy. Method: descriptive, exploratory research, with a quantitative and documentary approach, carried out in the period from 2014 to 2016 in Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso. Data analysis was performed using simple descriptive statistics. Results: 218 records were analyzed, prevailing among women under 25 years and between 25 and 35 years of low grade lesions, 65.85%, and 38.46%, respectively; 36 to 45 years, 35.71% high-grade injury; 46 to 55 years old, 39.39% atypical squamous cells of indeterminate significance, and can not rule out high grade lesions; between 56 and 64 years, 27.77% atypical squamous cells of indeterminate significance, possibly non-neoplastic and 27.77% high-grade lesion and and between 65 years and over, 26, 31% atypical squamous cells of indeterminate significance, high grade injury. Conclusion: the age group of 25 to 35 years was the one that presented the most number of alterations. In all the age groups investigated in the study, it was noticed that undue referrals to colposcopy occurred, since many of these referrals did not require immediate follow-up, contrary to the criteria and recommended guidelines.

Objetivo: analizar resultados de los exámenes citopatológicos de cuello del útero alterados de mujeres sometidas a la colposcopia. Método: investigación descriptiva, exploratoria, con abordaje cuantitativo y de cuño documental, realizado en el período de 2014 a 2016 en Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso. El análisis de datos fue realizado por medio de la estadística descriptiva simple. Resultados: se analizaron 218 registros, prevaleciendo entre las mujeres menores de 25 años y entre 25 a 35 años lesión de bajo grado, 65,85%, y 38,46% respectivamente; De 36 a 45 años, 35,71% lesión de alto grado; 46 a 55 años, 39,39% células escamosas atípicas de significado indeterminado, no pudiendo alejarse lesión de alto grado; entre 56 y 64 años, 27,77% de las células escamosas atípicas de significado indeterminado, posiblemente no neoplásicas y 27,77% lesión de alto grado y entre 65 años o más, 26, 31% células escamosas atípicas de significado indeterminado, no pudiendo alejarse lesión de alto grado. Conclusión: el grupo de edad de 25 a 35 años fue el que más presentó número de alteraciones. En todas las edades investigadas en el estudio, se notó que ocurrieron encaminamientos indebidos a la colposcopia, pues muchos de esos encaminamientos no requerían el seguimiento inmediato, contrariando los criterios y conductas preconizadas.

The solid-state cultivation of Streptococcus zooepidemicus in polyurethane foam as a strategy for the production of hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a biopolymer with important applications in the pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetic fields. This work explores the potentialities of a cylindrical polyurethane foam dowel with central aeration as a novel packed bed bioreactor for the production of HA. The goals were to provide a large surface area for oxygen transfer through the patches of liquid film that form in the pores of the foam in which cell proliferation and HA production occur and to easily recover the HA produced. The resulting yields of HA/cell were higher than 1, and the produced HA was completely recovered by pressing the foam. The external conditions that inhibit catabolism, the deviation of energetic metabolism toward the production of HA, were modulated by aeration and the initial glucose concentration. The production of HA was reproducible in 12 successive fermentation cycles. These findings contribute to the development of efficient strategies for the controlled production and recovery of HA.

Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad: criterios de hospitalización / Community adcquired pneumonias: hospitalization criteria

Es un hecho reconocido el importante número de personas que cada año sufre una neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC), muchas de las cuales son hospitalizadas. Un retardo en la hospitalización aumenta la morbimortalidad por esta enfermedad. La Sociedad Americana del Tórax (ATS) ha propuesto criterios de hospitalización en NAC, con los cuales, se pretende por una parte disminuir la morbimortalidad por hospitalizaciones tardías y por otra reducir el gasto en salud por hospitalizaciones innecesarias. El objetivo del presente trabajo es describir los criterios de hospitalización en pacientes con NAC ingresados a la unidad de emergencia del hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke de Viña del Mar. En el periódo de estudio, se hospitalizaron 46 paciente, 25 H (54 prociento) y 21 M (46 porciento). La edad promedio fue de 60 años. El 60 porciento de los enfermos presentó enfermedades asociadas, la más frecuente fue d. mellitus (32 porciento). Dos tercios de los pacientes ingresaron con una frecuencia respiratoria > de 30/min. pero sólo el 28 porciento del total presentó insuficiencia respiratoria clínicamente significativa. El 63 porciento de los pacientes presentaba compromiso multilobar en la radiografía del tórax. Un 7 porciento tuvo un recuento leucocitario > de 30.000. Un 16 porciento del total (todos > mayores de 70 años) tuvieron compromiso de conciencia. En conclusión, el 100 porciento de los pacientes ingresados por NAC cumplía al menos con uno de los criterios de hospitalización propuestos por la ATS