Impact of Previous Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Immune Response After a Single Dose of BNT162b2 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Vaccine.

Immune response after a single dose of BNT162b2 vaccine was markedly increased in subjects with previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, reaching similar immunoglobulin titers to those elicited by the full 2 doses in naive cases, and increased modestly after the second dose. These data may inform the priority of the boosting dose.

High dose of d-chiro-inositol improves oocyte quality in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing ICSI: a randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two doses of d-chiro-inositol (DCI) in combination with Myo-inositol (MYO) on the oocyte quality (OQ) of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Methods: This was a controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel group study on 172 oocytes from 11 women. The study compared the effect of two MYO-DCI formulations given over 12 weeks on OQ. Five women received 550 mg of MYO + 300 mg of DCI daily (high DCI content group), while 6 women were given a daily dose of 550 mg of MYO with the only 27.6 mg of DCI (low DCI content group). Results: According to a multivariate analysis using linear mixed effect models, high doses of DCI have a positive influence on the quality of the cytoplasm of the oocyte (ß = 1.631, χ2 = 7.347, d.f. = 1, p = .00672). Zona pellucida, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and sperm reception have also been improved with any combination of MYO/DCI by decreasing testosterone or improving insulin sensitivity, regardless of age and body mass index. Conclusion: The combination of MYO with high doses of DCI improved oocyte cytoplasm quality in women with PCOS undergoing ICSI.

From residual to useful oil: revalorization of glycerine from the biodiesel synthesis.

The reaction kinetics for the synthesis of glycerol triacetate (triacetin) from glycerol and acetic acid has been studied in the frame of revalorization of residual glycerol in biodiesel production. The reaction has taken place in a stirred reactor at a pressure of 1070 kPa. No external catalyst has been added because the reaction performs better by using as catalyst an excess of acetic acid. Kinetic parameters were obtained at 120 and 160 degrees C and a model of three reactions with monoacetin, diacetin and triacetin formation was proposed with a good agreement with the experimental results. Arrhenius constants were determined for the involved reactions.

Pilot scale mineralization of organic acids by electro-Fenton process plus sunlight exposure.

The viability of the electro-Fenton degradation of aqueous solutions of benzoic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and oxalic acid has been studied at 20 A using a pilot flow reactor containing an anode and an oxygen diffusion cathode, both of 100 cm(2) section. Pollutants were preferentially oxidized by hydroxyl radicals formed in solution from reaction of Fe(2+) with electrogenerated H(2)O(2), allowing mineralization of benzoic acid and 2,4-D. For oxalic acid no electrochemical mineralization was observed. After electrolysis, samples of the different effluents were exposed to sunlight (Helielectro-Fenton process) and almost complete mineralization was reached after ca. 30-50 min without additional cost. Effects of parameters such as electrolysis time, pH and solar irradiation time on the process efficiencies were studied.

Mineralization of aromatics in water by sunlight-assisted electro-fenton technology in a pilot reactor.

The viability of the degradation of aqueous solutions of aniline, nitrobenzene, and 4-chlorophenol by the so-called Photoelectro-Fenton process in a pilot reactor is reported. The Electro-Fenton process stage, based on the flow of oxygen through a gas diffusion cathode to produce H2O2, allows mineralization of about a half of the TOC content in ca. 1 h, because anodic oxidation is coupled with Fenton reaction in the presence of Fe2+ catalyst. An intensity of 20 A was applied in a flow cell comprising a Ti/Pt anode and a carbon-PTFE cathode. After electrolysis, samples of the effluent were exposed to sunlight, and almost complete mineralization was reached after ca. 50 min. Effect of parameters such as electrolysis time, pH, initial concentration, and solar or UVA irradiation on the process efficiencies and the running costs are studied. The Photoelectro-Fenton process using sunlight effectively diminishes these costs. The analogous behavior of the three aromatics suggests similar degradation pathways, regardless of the different groups attached to the ring.

Pain degree and skin damage during arterio-venous fistula puncture.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of needle bevel position on the degree of pain and damage to the skin covering the vein, in an arteriovenous fistula puncture, in haemodialysis patients. 48 patients with autologous arteriovenous fistula were studied. After puncture the patient was asked about the degree of pain perceived by means of an analogue visual scale and a descriptive verbal scale. When the needle was removed, the length of the cut made by the puncture was measured. The perceived pain assessed by analogue visual scale was greatest when the needle was punctured with the bevel facing upwards rather than downwards (median: 3 versus 2, p<0.003). The prick in the skin was greater when the puncture was made with the bevel facing upwards (19.7 +/- 5.6) rather than downwards (16.2 +/- 3.8, p<0.0001). It is concluded that arteriovenous fistula puncture with the bevel facing downward significantly reduces the degree of pain and the skin lesion at the point of puncture, without increasing the number of punctures.