Tomographic and centroid reconstructions of plasma emission on C-2W via enhanced 300-channel bolometry system.

The C-2W experimental device at TAE Technologies utilizes neutral beam injection and edge biasing to sustain long-lived, stable field reversed configuration (FRC) plasma. An ongoing effort is under way to optimize the electrode biasing system, which provides boundary control to stabilize the FRC. To this end, tomography offers a powerful and non-invasive technique as tomographic reconstruction of the FRC emission profile provides an important assessment of global stability. Recently, a new signal acquisition system was implemented on a bolometer array dedicated to tomography on C-2W, significantly enhancing the signal-to-noise of the collected data. The array consists of 300 simultaneously digitized photodiode channels that respond to a broad range of wavelengths, from soft x-ray to near-infrared, as well as energetic particles, yielding 180 unique lines of sight that intersect a toroidal plane of the FRC near the mid-plane. Utilizing the collected photo-signals from a set of plasma discharges in which the electrode biasing was intentionally terminated mid-shot, time-resolved reconstruction of the plasma emissivity is achieved via pixel-based 1D and 2D tomographic algorithms, revealing sharply annular profiles with a clear magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) mode structure. In addition, reconstruction of the plasma center-of-emission trajectories via a centroid algorithm applied to the same set of discharges demonstrates a cyclical plasma wobble. Crucially, both the tomography reconstruction and centroid reconstruction indicate an n = 1 toroidal mode that reverses from the electron diamagnetic direction to the ion diamagnetic direction and grows in amplitude after bias termination, qualitatively consistent with the expected stabilizing effect of electrodes.

Diabetic neuropathy: Molecular approach a treatment opportunity.

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) encompasses a group of clinical or subclinical manifestations involving a dysfunction in the peripheral nervous system. The cause of the dysfunction is the development of microvascular complications related to diabetes, a disease that affects about 381 million people worldwide. Approximately 50% of patients currently diagnosed with diabetes are expected to manifest DN in the next 10 years. The diagnosis can be made clinically by establishing a good patient history and delving into the symptoms to rule out other etiologies. Treatment of DN focuses on glycemic control and the use of medications to reduce pain, including NSAIDs, antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs. The pathogenesis is of multifactorial origin, associated with various metabolic, vascular, inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. The three fundamental cellular alterations participating in the development of DN are chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Since the combination of all three is capable of giving rise to nerve ischemia and direct axonal injury, these factors play a key role in the development of polyneuropathy. However, neuronal and microvascular changes do not occur in the same way in all patients with DN, some of whom have no detectable blood abnormalities.

Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir in Mexican patients with hepatitis C: A retrospective review.

INTRODUCTION: The sofosbuvir-velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) combination is a direct-acting antiviral therapy that is authorized and available in Mexico, making the performance of a real-world multicenter study that evaluates the sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment a relevant undertaking. METHODS: A retrospective review of the case records of 241 patients seen at 20 hospitals in Mexico was conducted to assess hepatitis C treatment with the SOF/VEL combination (n = 231) and the sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/ribavirin (SOF/VEL/RBV) combination (n = 10). The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of patients that achieved SVR at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Overall SVR was 98.8% (95% CI 97.35-100%). Only three patients did not achieve SVR, two of whom had cirrhosis and a history of previous treatment with peg-IFN. Of the subgroups analyzed, all the patients with HIV coinfection, three patients with genotype 3, and the patients treated with the SOF/VEL/RBV combination achieved SVR. The subgroups with the lower success rates were patients that were treatment-experienced (96.8%) and patients with F1 fibrosis (95.5%). The most frequent adverse events were fatigue, headache, and insomnia. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Treatments with SOF/VEL and SOF/VEL/RBV were highly safe and effective, results coinciding with those of other international real-world studies.

Pembrolizumab for locally advanced and recurrent/metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (KEYNOTE-629 study): an open-label, nonrandomized, multicenter, phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: Pembrolizumab demonstrated clinically meaningful and durable antitumor activity with a manageable safety profile in recurrent/metastatic (R/M) cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: KEYNOTE-629 was a global, open-label, nonrandomized, phase II trial of patients with locally advanced (LA) or R/M cSCC conducted at 59 centers. Eligible patients received intravenous pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks for up to 35 cycles. Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR), defined as the percentage of patients with a complete (CR) or partial response (PR), by blinded independent central review as per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1. Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), disease control rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety and tolerability. Efficacy and safety were analyzed in patients who were treated with at least one dose of pembrolizumab. RESULTS: Between 29 November 2017 and 25 September 2019, 159 patients were enrolled and treated with pembrolizumab (LA cohort, n = 54; R/M cohort, n = 105). The median time from the first dose to data cut-off date (29 July 2020) was 14.9 [interquartile range (IQR), 12.6-17.2] months for the LA cohort and 27.2 (IQR, 25.6-29.2) months for the R/M cohort. In the LA cohort, ORR was 50.0% [95% confidence interval (CI), 36.1% to 63.9%], including 16.7% of patients with a CR and 33.3% with a PR. In the R/M cohort, ORR was 35.2% (95% CI, 26.2% to 45.2%), including 10.5% of patients with a CR and 24.8% with a PR. Median DOR was not reached in either cohort. Grade 3-5 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 11.9% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The robust antitumor activity of pembrolizumab in both LA and R/M cSCC was confirmed and demonstrated to be durable without unexpected safety signals. Our findings establish pembrolizumab as a promising treatment option for cSCC.

Efficient solar removal of acetaminophen contaminant from water using flexible graphene composites functionalized with Ni@TiO2:W nanoparticles.

This work presents the morphological, structural and photocatalytic properties of flexible graphene composites decorated with Ni@TiO2:W nanoparticles (TiNiW NPs) with an average size of 27 ± 2 nm. The TiNiW NPs were immobilized on the surface of a flexible graphene composite using a PVA-based slurry-paste (FG/TiNiW composite). The SEM study showed that the TiNiW NPs remained exposed on the surface of the FG/TiNiW composite, which benefited its photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic performance for the degradation of acetaminophen (ACT) was evaluated using both the TiNiW powders and the FG/TiNiW composite, obtaining maximum degradation efficiencies of 100 and 86%, respectively, after 3 h under natural solar irradiation. The degradation of ACT was caused mainly by the reactive oxygen species such as OH radicals and h+, which was confirmed by scavenger experiments. Photoluminescence, XPS and absorbance experiments revealed that oxygen vacancy defects were created by i) doping the TiNiW NPs with W and by ii) introducing graphene into the composites. These defects enhanced the absorbance of light in the range of 400-800 nm, which in turn, promoted the photocatalytic degradation of ACT. Moreover, the reuse experiments confirmed that both the TiNiW NPs and FG/TiNiW composite were very stable for the degradation of ACT, since degradation efficiencies >82% were obtained after 4 reuse cycles for both photocatalysts. The experimental findings of this work demonstrate that the flexible TiO2/graphene composites are a feasible option for the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from water using natural solar irradiation.

Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir in Mexican patients with hepatitis C: A retrospective review. / Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir en pacientes mexicanos con hepatitis C: una revisión retrospectiva.

INTRODUCTION: The sofosbuvir-velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) combination is a direct-acting antiviral therapy that is authorized and available in Mexico, making the performance of a real-world multicenter study that evaluates the sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment a relevant undertaking. METHODS: A retrospective review of the case records of 241 patients seen at 20 hospitals in Mexico was conducted to assess hepatitis C treatment with the SOF/VEL combination (n = 231) and the sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/ribavirin (SOF/VEL/RBV) combination (n = 10). The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of patients that achieved SVR at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Overall SVR was 98.8% (95% CI 97.35-100%). Only three patients did not achieve SVR, two of whom had cirrhosis and a history of previous treatment with peg-IFN. Of the subgroups analyzed, all the patients with HIV coinfection, three patients with genotype 3, and the patients treated with the SOF/VEL/RBV combination achieved SVR. The subgroups with the lower success rates were patients that were treatment-experienced (96.8%) and patients with F1 fibrosis (95.5%). The most frequent adverse events were fatigue, headache, and insomnia. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Treatments with SOF/VEL and SOF/VEL/RBV were highly safe and effective, results coinciding with those of other international real-world studies.

[Whats new for the diagnosis of periprosthetic infections after the Philadelphia consensus?] / ¿Qué hay de nuevo para el diagnóstico de infecciones periprotésicas después del Consenso de Filadelfia?

We now have a great variety of laboratory diagnostic tools, for the detection of PJI, some of them widely used and others under study. After the Philadelphia Consensus, they have emerged some new biomarkers. Because of that, we consider useful to review which new biomarkers we have for the diagnosis of PJI after the Consensus and which of them could be more useful in daily clinic work. Material and methods: We searched for articles published from 2013 to 2017 in 5 high impact journals. The analized variables were: biomarker type, cutoff value, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, area under the curve, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio. We value their evidence level. Results: Results were grouped in tables. They were found 54 articles, 31 of them didnt meet the inclusion criteria so they were excluded; 23 studies were included in the revision. We found a total of 19 biomarkers studies, 5 of them werent reported before 2013: Sinovial defensin 1, human defensin-3, sinovial lactate and Toll-like receptors 1 and 6. Conclusion: Of all the markers reviewed for the diagnosis of PJI, C reactive protein, esterase test strip, interleukin-6, interleukin-1 , defensin and interleukin-17 show the highest diagnostic utility. We found 5 new markers. The articles studies show high heterogeneity in their reported sensitivity, specificity and cutoff values. In most of them were not used advanced statistical tools which could make them more reliable.

Actualmente contamos con diversos métodos de laboratorio para el diagnóstico de las infecciones periprotésicas, algunos ampliamente probados y otros en estudio. Han aparecido nuevos biomarcadores después del Consenso de Filadelfia, por tal motivo, nos planteamos hacer una revisión acerca de qué hay de nuevo para su diagnóstico después del Consenso y cuáles podrían ser los más útiles para el trabajo clínico diario. Material y métodos: Se revisaron artículos publicados entre 2013-2017 en cinco revistas de alto impacto. Las variables fueron: tipo de biomarcador, cifras de corte, sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo, valor predictivo negativo, área bajo la curva, razón de momios diagnósticos y cocientes de probabilidad positivos y negativos. Se calificó nivel de evidencia. Resultados: Los resultados se agruparon en tablas. Se encontraron 54 artículos, de los cuales 31 no se ajustaban a los criterios de inclusión y fueron excluidos; sólo se incluyeron 23. Se encontraron 19 biomarcadores, cinco de los cuales no habían sido reportados hasta antes de 2013: La defensina sinovial 1, la defensina humana 3, el lactato sinovial y los receptores tipo Toll 1 y Toll 6. Conclusión: Los biomarcadores que ofrecen mayor utilidad clínica para el diagnóstico de IAP son: la proteína C reactiva, la esterasa leucocitaria, la interleucina-6, la interleucina-1, la -defensina y la interleucina-17. Detectamos cinco nuevos marcadores. Los estudios analizados muestran heterogeneidad en sensibilidad, especificidad y en sus cifras de corte. En la mayoría no usan aplicaciones estadísticas avanzadas que los harían más confiables.

Oclusión arterial asociada con un asa vascular prepapilar. Cambios anatómicos en el seguimiento a largo plazo / Arterial occlusion associated with a prepapillary vascular loop. Anatomical changes on the long term follow up

Paciente de 13 años de edad que presenta un escotoma del campo visual superior de 48 horas de evolución. Mejor agudeza visual corregida de 20/20 en ambos ojos. La exploración del fondo de ojo derecho reveló un asa vascular prepapilar torsionada asociada a un área de blanqueamiento retiniano y atenuación vascular tanto en el sector nasal como temporal, la cual no afectaba fóvea. Durante el seguimiento el asa vascular desaparece y es reemplazada por tejido glial sobre el disco óptico. La mejor agudeza visual corregida permaneció en 20/20. Este caso muestra el comportamiento del asa vascular posterior a la oclusión de la misma. La ausencia de flujo sanguíneo produce un colapso de las paredes arteriales, que con el tiempo llevan a la formación de tejido glial

We report the case of a 13-year-old patient who complains of an acute superior visual field scotoma in the last 48hours. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 in both eyes. The right eye fundus examination revealed torsion of a prepapillary loop in the inferior branch of the retinal artery, associated with a arterial vascular attenuation and whitenning of the inferior retina that involved both nasal and temporal branches but spared the foveal region. During the follow-up the vascular loop dissapeared and only glial tissue was seen in front of the optic nerve head. BCVA remained 20/20 in both eyes. This report shows the evolution of the vascular loop after an occlusion. The absence of blood flow produces a collapse of the arterial walls, in time the vascular loop is replaced by glial tissue

Arterial occlusion associated with a prepapillary vascular loop. Anatomical changes on the long term follow up. / Oclusión arterial asociada con un asa vascular prepapilar. Cambios anatómicos en el seguimiento a largo plazo.

We report the case of a 13-year-old patient who complains of an acute superior visual field scotoma in the last 48hours. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 in both eyes. The right eye fundus examination revealed torsion of a prepapillary loop in the inferior branch of the retinal artery, associated with a arterial vascular attenuation and whitenning of the inferior retina that involved both nasal and temporal branches but spared the foveal region. During the follow-up the vascular loop dissapeared and only glial tissue was seen in front of the optic nerve head. BCVA remained 20/20 in both eyes. This report shows the evolution of the vascular loop after an occlusion. The absence of blood flow produces a collapse of the arterial walls, in time the vascular loop is replaced by glial tissue.

Cn29, a novel orphan peptide found in the venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius: Structure and function.

A peptide (Cn29) from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius (about 2% of the soluble venom) was purified and its primary and three-dimensional structures were determined. The peptide contains 27 amino acids with primary sequence: LCLSCRGGDYDCRVKGTCENGKCVCGS. The peptide is tightly packed by three disulfide linkages formed between C2-C23, C5-C18 and C12-C25. Since the native peptide was obtained in limited amounts, the full synthetic peptide was prepared using the standard F-moc-based solid phase synthesis method of Merrifield. The native and synthetic peptides were shown to be identical by sequencing, HPLC separation and mass spectrometry. The solution structure of the peptide solved from NMR data shows that it consists of a well-defined N-terminal region without regular secondary structure extending from Leu 1 to Asp 9, followed by a short helical fragment from Tyr10 to Val14 and two short ß strands (Thr17-Glu19 and Lys22-Val24). The primary and tertiary structures of Cn29 are different from all other scorpion peptides described in the literature. Transcriptome analysis of RNA obtained from C. noxius confirmed the expression of a gene coding for Cn29 in its venom gland. Initial experiments were conducted to identify its possible function: lethality tests in mice and insects as well as ion-channel binding using in vitro electrophysiological assays. None of the physiological or biological tests displayed any activity for this peptide, which at present is considered to be another orphan peptide found in scorpion venoms. The peptide is thus the first example of a novel structural component present in scorpion venoms.

Integrated diagnostic and data analysis system of the C-2W advanced beam-driven field-reversed configuration plasma experiment.

The new C-2W experiment (also called Norman) at TAE Technologies, Inc. studies the evolution of field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas sustained by neutral beam injection. Data on the FRC plasma performance are provided by a comprehensive suite of diagnostics that includes over 700 magnetic sensors, four interferometer systems, multi-chord far-infrared polarimetry, two Thomson scattering systems, ten types of spectroscopic measurements, multiple fast imaging cameras with selectable atomic line filters, bolometry, reflectometry, neutral particle analyzers, and fusion product detectors. Most of these diagnostic systems are newly built using experience and data from the preceding C-2U experiment to guide the design process. A variety of commercial and custom acquisition electronics collect over 4000 raw signals from the C-2W diagnostics. These data are processed into physics results using a large-scale database of diagnostics metadata and analysis software, both built using open-source software tools.

Botryococcus braunii as a bioreactor for the production of nanoparticles with antimicrobial potentialities.

BACKGROUND: Microalgae produce metabolites with notable potentialities to act as reducing and capping agents for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a process widely recognized as an eco-friendly and cheaper alternative for the generation of nanoparticles (NPs). METHODS: In the present work, AgNPs were synthesized using live Botryococcus braunii cultures. Two biosynthesis routes were explored: (1) intracellular and (2) extracellular at pH levels of 6-9 using 1-5 mM silver nitrate concentrations. RESULTS: The generation of NPs was confirmed via ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The morphological characteristics were observed using scanning electron microscopy which revealed that the newly developed AgNPs were mostly spherical in sizes starting from 168 nm. The characteristic peaks in a typical Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that the exopolysaccharides were the possible reducing and capping agents. The antimicrobial spectrum of the newly developed AgNPs was tested against bacterial strains, both Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and yeast, ie, Escherichia coli (American Type Culture Collection [ATCC] 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), and the yeast Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), respectively. The antimicrobial activity tests showed a stronger inhibition against Gram-negative bacteria. Statistically, the NPs biosynthesized at pH values of 6 and 8 displayed a higher antimicrobial activity. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that B. braunii is capable of generating AgNPs with antimicrobial potential.

A Novel Disease of Big-Leaf Mahogany Caused by Two Fusarium Species in Mexico.

Big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) is valued for its high-quality wood and use in urban landscapes in Mexico. During surveys of mango-producing areas in the central western region of Mexico, symptoms of malformation, the most important disease of mango in the area, were observed on big-leaf mahogany trees. The objectives of this research were to describe this new disease and determine its cause. Symptoms on big-leaf mahogany at four sites in Michoacán, Mexico resembled those of the vegetative phase of mango malformation, including compact, bunched growth of apical and lateral buds, with greatly shortened internodes and small leaves that curved back toward the supporting stem. Of 163 isolates that were recovered from symptomatic tissues, most were identified as Fusarium pseudocircinatum (n = 121) and F. mexicanum (n = 39) using molecular systematic data; two isolates represented unnamed phylospecies within the F. incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC 20-d and FIESC 37-a) and another was in the F. solani species complex (FSSC 25-m). However, only F. mexicanum and F. pseudocircinatum induced malformation symptoms on 14-day-old seedlings of big-leaf mahogany. The results indicate that F. mexicanum and F. pseudocircinatum, previously reported in Mexico as causal agents of mango malformation disease, also affect big-leaf mahogany. This is the first report of this new disease and the first time that F. mexicanum was shown to affect a host other than mango.

[Endoscopic management of gastric volvulus in a 8-years old girl]. / Manejo endoscópico del vólvulo gástrico en una niña de 8 años.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric volvulus is a rare cause of acute abdomen in childhood, and it is usually a casual finding. We present the case of a girl with mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus, which was initially treated by endoscopic approach. CLINICAL CASE: 8 year-old patient, diagnosed of Down syndrome, who presented sudden and diffuse colic pain, associated with vomiting, sialorrhea and progressive compromise. She entered in bad general condition. At the physical examination it was highlighted a large abdominal mass. In the imaging study, a mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus and wandering spleen were confirmed. It was decided to perform an endoscopic gastric devolvulation under general anesthesia. Subsequently, gastropexy and splenopexy were performed by laparotomic approach. Evolution was uneventful, being discharged at the tenth postoperative day. COMMENTS: Endoscopic gastric devolvulation is an effective procedure in patients with gastric volvulus, especially in cases of great compromise of the general state, in which a prolonged surgery could suppose a greater risk.

INTRODUCCION: El vólvulo gástrico es una causa rara de abdomen agudo en la edad pediátrica, siendo generalmente un hallazgo. Se presenta el caso de una niña con vólvulo gástrico mesenteroaxial, que fue inicialmente tratado de forma endoscópica. CASO CLINICO: Paciente de 8 años, afecta de síndrome de Down, que acude por presentar un cuadro clínico de dolor abdominal cólico y súbito, asociado a vómitos, sialorrea y compromiso de estado general. La paciente ingresa en malas condiciones. Al examen físico, se constató una gran masa abdominal. Las exploraciones complementarias de imagen demuestran un vólvulo gástrico mesenteroaxial asociado a bazo errante. Se optó por efectuar desvolvulación gástrica endoscópica bajo anestesia general. Posteriormente a través de una laparotomía se realizó gastropexia y esplenopexia, evolucionando bien, siendo dada de alta al décimo día. COMENTARIOS: La desvolvulación endoscópica se presenta como una alternativa efectiva en pacientes afectos de vólvulo gástrico, en especial en casos de gran compromiso sistémico, en los que una cirugía prolongada pudiera suponer mayor riesgo.

Manejo endoscópico del vólvulo gástrico en una niña de 8 años / No disponible

Introducción: El vólvulo gástrico es una causa rara de abdomen agudo en la edad pediátrica, siendo generalmente un hallazgo. Se presenta el caso de una niña con vólvulo gástrico mesenteroaxial, que fue inicialmente tratado de forma endoscópica. Caso clínico: Paciente de 8 años, afecta de síndrome de Down, que acude por presentar un cuadro clínico de dolor abdominal cólico y súbito, asociado a vómitos, sialorrea y compromiso de estado general. La paciente ingresa en malas condiciones. Al examen físico, se constató una gran masa abdominal. Las exploraciones complementarias de imagen demuestran un vólvulo gástrico mesenteroaxial asociado a bazo errante. Se optó por efectuar desvolvulación gástrica endoscópica bajo anestesia general. Posteriormente a través de una laparotomía se realizó gastropexia y esplenopexia, evolucionando bien, siendo dada de alta al décimo día. Comentarios: La desvolvulación endoscópica se presenta como una alternativa efectiva en pacientes afectos de vólvulo gástrico, en especial en casos de gran compromiso sistémico, en los que una cirugía prolongada pudiera suponer mayor riesgo

Introduction: Gastric volvulus is a rare cause of acute abdomen in childhood, and it is usually a casual finding. We present the case of a girl with mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus, which was initially treated by endoscopic approach. Clinical case: 8 year-old patient, diagnosed of Down Syndrome, who presented sudden and diffuse colic pain, associated with vomiting, sialorrhea and progressive compromise. She entered in bad general condition. At the physical examination it was highlighted a large abdominal mass. In the imaging study, a mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus and wan dering spleen were confirmed. It was decided to perform an endoscopic gastric devolvulation under general anesthesia. Subsequently, gastropexy and splenopexy were performed by laparotomic approach. Evolution was uneventful, being discharged at the tenth postoperative day. Comments: Endoscopic gastric devolvulation is an effective procedure in patients with gastric volvulus, especially in cases of great compromise of the general state, in which a prolonged surgery could suppose a greater risk

[Antenatal ultrasound diagnosis and neonatal results of the congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung]. / Diagnóstico ecográfico prenatal y resultados neonatales de la malformación adenomatoidea quística pulmonar.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare congenital lung di sease, and in the most of cases, prenatal diagnosis is feasible. There are discrepancies regarding pre natal management and postpartum treatment. OBJECTIVE: To analyze prenatally diagnosed CCAM in our hospitals, in order to evaluate ultrasound findings with fetal and postnatal evolution. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective study of all cases diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound between 2005 and 2016 in two reference hospitals. The ultrasounds were performed using high-resolution ultrasound scanners, Toshiba Xario and Voluson 730 Expert Pro, with follow-up from diagnosis to delivery. The variables analyzed included gestational age at diagnosis, the characteristics of the lung lesion, associated malformations, cytogenetic study, the evolution of pregnancy, type of delivery, presence of respiratory distress, need for complementary imaging tests, pediatric clinical course, and necessary postnatal treatments. It was considered a resolution the total disappearance of the lesion in the pre natal ultrasound or that the postnatal chest X-ray showed no lesion. RESULTS: 17 cases were prenatally diagnosed. The evolution ranges from the prenatal resolution of the lesion to the persistence after bir th. Three patients voluntarily decided to have an abortion due to ultrasound findings of poor progno sis. Of the fourteen remaining cases there were no cases of fetal or neonatal deaths, one case required surgery after birth and four patients had mild symptoms during the first year of life. One case of false negative with neonatal death has been reported which necropsy reported as CCAM type 0. Conclu sions: This pulmonary malformation presents good prognosis, excluding cases with fetal hydrops. Two-dimensional ultrasound is usually enough for diagnosis and follow-up. Computed tomography is the technique of choice to confirm the resolution of lesions after birth. Surgical treatment is pre ferable over conservative management, although it is unknown if the potential complications of this disease, even when asymptomatic, justify surgical morbidity.

The prospective relationship of sport and physical activity with life satisfaction after a one-year follow-up: an examination of gender differences during mid-adolescence / La relación longitudinal del deporte y la actividad física con la satisfacción vital tras un año de seguimiento: análisis de las diferencias de género durante la adolescencia media / A relação prospectiva do esporte e da atividade física com a satisfação da vida após um acompanhamento de um ano: um exame das diferenças de gênero na adolescência média

Physical and sport activity has been associated not only to better physical health during adolescence, but also to better mental health. Life satisfaction plays an important role in facilitating social relationships and preventing the development of psychological disorders during adolescence. This study aimed to analyse by gender the effect sport participation and the practice of physical exercise, as extracurricular activities, on life satisfaction during adolescence. A longitudinal study with two assessments separated by a year was carried out. A self-report measure was administered in each wave to a sample of 714 adolescents (50.7% girls) aged between 13 and 16 years old. Participants were enrolled in a convenience selection of 19 Secondary schools from Andalusia (Spain), while the classrooms were randomly selected. Results indicated that boys reported more frequent sport practice and physical activity than girls. A structural equation model indicated that a higher frequency of physical activity and a higher frequency of sport activity, as extracurricular activities, longitudinally predicted a greater life satisfaction in adolescent girls after the one-year follow-up, whilst no significant association was detected in boys' subsample. These results highlight the need to design gender-focused actions to promote the practice of physical and sport activity in order to foster adolescent well-being

La actividad física y deportiva se ha asociado no sólo a una mejor salud física durante la adolescencia, sino también a una mejor salud mental. La satisfacción con la vida desempeña un papel importante para facilitar las relaciones sociales y prevenir el desarrollo de trastornos psicológicos durante la adolescencia. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar por género el efecto de la participación deportiva y la práctica de ejercicio físico, como actividades extracurriculares, sobre la satisfacción vital durante la adolescencia. Se realizó un estudio longitudinal con dos evaluaciones separadas por un año. Un cuestionario se administró en cada evaluación a una muestra de 714 adolescentes (50,7% mujeres) con edades comprendidas entre los 13 y 16 años. Los participantes estaban escolarizados en una muestra elegida por conveniencia de 19 escuelas de Educación Secundaria de Andalucía (España), mientras que las aulas fueron seleccionadas al azar. Los resultados indicaron que los chicos mostraron una mayor frecuencia de prácticas deportivas y de actividad física que las chicas. Un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales indicó que una mayor frecuencia de actividad física y una mayor frecuencia de actividad deportiva, como actividades extracurriculares, predijeron longitudinalmente una mayor satisfacción vital en las chicas adolescentes tras el seguimiento de un año, mientras que no se detectó una asociación significativa en la submuestra de chicos. Estos resultados resaltan la necesidad de diseñar intervenciones específicas para cada género para promover la práctica de la actividad física y deportiva con el fin de incrementar el bienestar de los adolescentes

A atividade física e esportiva tem sido associada não só a uma melhor saúde física durante a adolescência, mas também a uma melhor saúde mental. A satisfação com a vida desempenha um papel importante na facilitação das relações sociais e na prevenção do desenvolvimento de transtornos psicológicos durante a adolescência. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar por gênero o efeito da participação esportiva e a prática do exercício físico, como atividades extracurriculares, sobre a satisfação da vida durante a adolescência. Um estudo longitudinal foi realizado com duas avaliações separadas por um ano. Um questionário foi administrado em cada avaliação a uma amostra de 714 adolescentes (50,7% raparigas) com idade entre 13 e 16 anos. Os participantes foram matriculados em uma amostra escolhida por conveniência de 19 escolas de Educação Secundária na Andaluzia (Espanha), enquanto as salas de aula foram selecionadas aleatoriamente. Os resultados indicaram que os rapazes relataram prática esportiva e atividade física mais freqüente do que raparigas. Um modelo de equações estruturais indicou que uma maior freqüência de atividade física e uma maior freqüência de atividade esportiva, como atividades extracurriculares, prevêem uma maior satisfação de vida em raparigas após o seguimento de um ano, enquanto que nenhuma associação significativa foi detectada em rapazes. Esses resultados destacam a necessidade de elaborar ações focadas em gênero para promover a prática de atividades físicas e esportivas para promover o bem-estar na adolescência

Diagnóstico ecográfico prenatal y resultados neonatales de la malformación adenomatoidea quística pulmonar / Antenatal ultrasound diagnosis and neonatal results of the congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung

INTRODUCCIÓN: La malformación adenomatoidea quística (MAQ) es una patología congénita del pulmón poco frecuente y su diagnóstico prenatal es factible en la mayoría de los casos. Existen discrepancias en cuanto al manejo prenatal y tratamiento postparto. OBJETIVO: Analizar una serie de casos de MAQ diagnosticados prenatalmente, evaluando los hallazgos ecográficos y la evolución fetal y post natal. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo de todos los casos diagnosticados prenatalmente por ecografìa entre 2005 y 2016 en dos hospitales de referencia. Los exámenes de ultrasonido fueron realizados utilizando ecógrafos de alta resolución, Toshiba Xario y Voluson 730 Expert Pro, con seguimiento desde el diagnóstico hasta el parto. Las variables analizadas incluyeron la edad gestacional en el momento del diagnóstico, las características de la lesión pulmonar, las malformaciones asocia das, el estudio citogenético, la evolución del embarazo, el tipo de parto, presencia de distrés respira torio, necesidad de pruebas de imagen complementarias, evolución clínica pediátrica y tratamientos postnatales necesarios. Se consideró resolución la desaparición total de la lesión ecográfica prenatal o que la radiografía torácica postnatal no mostrara lesión alguna. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron pre natalmente 17 casos. La evolución varía desde la resolución prenatal de la lesión hasta la persistencia de la misma tras el nacimiento. Tres pacientes decidieron abortar voluntariamente por hallazgos ecográficos de mal pronóstico. De los catorce casos restantes no hubo ningún caso de muerte fetal ni neonatal, un caso requirió cirugía tras el nacimiento y cuatro pacientes presentaron sintomatología leve durante el primer año de vida. Se ha reportado un caso de falso negativo con muerte neonatal, que la necropsia informó como MAQ tipo 0. CONCLUSIONES: Esta malformación pulmonar presenta buen pronóstico, excluyendo los casos con hidrops fetal. La ecografía bidimensional suele ser suficiente para el diagnóstico y el seguimiento. La tomografía computarizada es la técnica de elección para confirmar la resolución de las lesiones tras el nacimiento. El tratamiento quirúrgico es preferible sobre el manejo conservador, aunque se desconoce si las complicaciones potenciales de esta patología, aun siendo asintomática, justifican la morbilidad quirúrgica.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare congenital lung di sease, and in the most of cases, prenatal diagnosis is feasible. There are discrepancies regarding pre natal management and postpartum treatment. OBJECTIVE: To analyze prenatally diagnosed CCAM in our hospitals, in order to evaluate ultrasound findings with fetal and postnatal evolution. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective study of all cases diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound between 2005 and 2016 in two reference hospitals. The ultrasounds were performed using high-resolution ultrasound scanners, Toshiba Xario and Voluson 730 Expert Pro, with follow-up from diagnosis to delivery. The variables analyzed included gestational age at diagnosis, the characteristics of the lung lesion, associated malformations, cytogenetic study, the evolution of pregnancy, type of delivery, presence of respiratory distress, need for complementary imaging tests, pediatric clinical course, and necessary postnatal treatments. It was considered a resolution the total disappearance of the lesion in the pre natal ultrasound or that the postnatal chest X-ray showed no lesion. RESULTS: 17 cases were prenatally diagnosed. The evolution ranges from the prenatal resolution of the lesion to the persistence after bir th. Three patients voluntarily decided to have an abortion due to ultrasound findings of poor progno sis. Of the fourteen remaining cases there were no cases of fetal or neonatal deaths, one case required surgery after birth and four patients had mild symptoms during the first year of life. One case of false negative with neonatal death has been reported which necropsy reported as CCAM type 0. CONCLUSIONS: This pulmonary malformation presents good prognosis, excluding cases with fetal hydrops. Two-dimensional ultrasound is usually enough for diagnosis and follow-up. Computed tomography is the technique of choice to confirm the resolution of lesions after birth. Surgical treatment is pre ferable over conservative management, although it is unknown if the potential complications of this disease, even when asymptomatic, justify surgical morbidity.

Use of solid phosphorus fractionation data to evaluate phosphorus release from waste activated sludge.

Waste activated sludge (WAS) can become an important source of phosphorus (P). P speciation was examined under anaerobic conditions, with different pH (4, 6 and 8) and temperatures (10, 20 and 35 °C). Aqueous P was measured and an extraction protocol was used to find three solid phosphorus fractions. A pH of 4 and a temperature of 35 °C gave a maximum of 51% of total P solubilized in 22 days with 50% of total P solubilized in 7 days. Batch tests indicate that little pH depression is needed to release non-apatite inorganic P (including microbial polyphosphate), while a pH of 4 rather than 6 will release more apatite inorganic P, and that organic P is relatively more difficult to release from WAS. Fractionation analysis of P in WAS can aid in design of more efficient methods for P recovery from WAS.