Socio-environmental Opportunities for Organic Material Management in California's Sustainability Transition.

Contemporary resource management is doubly burdened by high rates of organic material disposal in landfills, generating potent greenhouse gases (GHG), and globally degraded soils, which threaten future food security. Expansion of composting can provide a resilient alternative, by avoiding landfill GHG emissions, returning valuable nutrients to the soil to ensure continued agricultural production, and sequestering carbon while supporting local communities. Recognizing this opportunity, California has set ambitious organics diversion targets in the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Law (SB1383) which will require significant increases (5 to 8 million tonnes per year) in organic material processing capacity. This paper develops a spatial optimization model to consider how to handle this flow of additional material while achieving myriad social and ecological benefits through compost production. We consider community-based and on-farm facilities alongside centralized, large-scale infrastructure to explore decentralized and diversified alternative futures of composting infrastructure in the state of California. We find using a diversity of facilities would provide opportunity for cost savings while achieving significant emissions reductions of approximately 3.4 ± 1 MMT CO2e and demonstrate that it is possible to incorporate community protection into compost infrastructure planning while meeting economic and environmental objectives.

Ortoqueratología vs ortoqueratología combinada con atropina para el control de miopía en niños: revisión sistemática / Orthokeratology vs. orthokeratology combined with atropine for the control of myopia in children: Systematic review

El propósito de esta investigación es determinar la eficacia de la ortoqueratología (OK) en comparación con la ortoqueratología combinada con atropina (AOK) para el control de la miopía en niños. Se realizó una revisión sistemática que incluyó revisiones sistemáticas con metaanálisis, además de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados y controlados, en las bases de datos PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Taylor & Francis, Science Direct, y de una búsqueda manual de las revistas Q1-Q4 del Scimago Journal & Country Rank, publicadas en últimos 5 años en idioma inglés y español. Se tomaron en cuenta 18 estudios que cumplieron con los criterios de elegibilidad. Los artículos seleccionados incluyeron 6.866 pacientes para el análisis, en donde se encontró mayor eficacia de la AOK al 0,01% debido a su capacidad de reducir la progresión de miopía y alargamiento axial. En nuestra investigación se determinó que podría existir un efecto aditivo en la combinación de atropina al 0,01% con OK en un periodo de 1 a 2 años de tratamiento en pacientes con miopía leve, sin embargo, se deben realizar más estudios multiétnicos, en donde se considere una correcta evaluación de la progresión de miopía, factores genéticos y ambientales que puedan influir en los resultados (AU)

The purpose of this investigation is to determine the efficacy of orthokeratology (OK) compared to orthokeratology combined with atropine (AOK) for the control of myopia in children. A systematic review that included systematic reviews with meta-analyses, as well as randomized and controlled clinical trials, was carried out in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Taylor & Francis, Science Direct databases, as well as a manual search of the Q1-Q4 journals of the Scimago Journal & Country Rank, published in the last 5 years in English and Spanish. Eighteen studies that met the eligibility criteria were considered. The articles selected included 6866 patients for analysis, where orthokeratology combined with 0.01% atropine was found to be more effective due to its ability to reduce the progression of myopia and axial elongation. In our investigation, it was determined that there could be an additive effect in the combination of 0.01% atropine with orthokeratology in a period of 1–2 years of treatment in patients with mild myopia; however, more multiethnic studies should be carried out, in where a correct evaluation of the progression of myopia, genetic and environmental factors that may influence the results is considered (AU)

Orthokeratology vs. orthokeratology combined with atropine for the control of myopia in children: systematic review.

The purpose of this investigation is to determine the efficacy of orthokeratology (OK) compared to orthokeratology combined with atropine (AOK) for the control of myopia in children. A systematic review that included systematic reviews with meta-analyses, as well as randomized and controlled clinical trials, was carried out in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Taylor & Francis, Science Direct databases, as well as a manual search. Of the Q1-Q4 journals of the Scimago Journal & Country Rank, published in the last 5 years in English and Spanish. Eighteen studies that met the eligibility criteria were considered. The articles selected included 6,866 patients for analysis, where orthokeratology combined with 0.01% atropine was found to be more effective due to its ability to reduce the progression of myopia and axial elongation. In our investigation, it was determined that there could be an additive effect in the combination of 0.01% atropine with orthokeratology in a period of 1-2 years of treatment in patients with mild myopia; however, more multiethnic studies should be carried out, in where a correct evaluation of the progression of myopia, genetic and environmental factors that may influence the results is considered.

Técnica modificada del flap invertido superior con vitrectomía versus vitrectomía con pelado de membrana limitante interna para el desprendimiento de retina con agujero macular miópico / Modified superior inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique with vitrectomy versus vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for retinal detachment with myopic macular hole

Objetivo Evaluar la eficacia de la técnica del flap invertido superior de membrana limitante interna (MLI) modificada para el tratamiento del desprendimiento de retina (DR) por agujero macular (AM), comparada con el pelado clásico de la MLI. Materiales y métodos Análisis retrospectivo de 10 pacientes que requirieron vitrectomía pars plana por DR con AM. Se dividieron en dos grupos, según la técnica quirúrgica realizada: grupo del flap (5 pacientes) y de pelado de MLI (5 pacientes). Se comparó la agudeza visual mejor corregida (AVMC) pre y posquirúrgica, la resolución del DR, la tasa de cierre del AM y la restauración de las capas externas de la retina entre los grupos. Resultado La AVMC poscirugía mejoró en ambos grupos, sin diferencias significativas (p=0,9). La tasa de cierre del AM fue del 100% en el grupo del flap y del 80% del grupo de pelado de la MLI, sin diferencias significativas entre los grupos. La retina se reaplicó en el 100% de los casos en ambos grupos. Solo se restauraron las capas externas de la retina en 2 pacientes del grupo del flap invertido (40%) y en ninguno del grupo de pelado de la MLI (p=0,62). Conclusiones Las técnicas de pelado de MLI y del flap invertido superior modificada son útiles para el tratamiento del DR con agujero macular en ojos miopes (AU)

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of the modified superior inverted internal limiting (ILM) membrane flap technique in retinal reattachment, macular hole closure and external retinal layers restoration in macular hole associated retinal detachment compared to ILM peeling. Methods Retrospective case series of 10 patients that required pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachment with macular hole followed for more than 12months. Data from medical records were retrospectively collected and patients were divided into the superior inverted flap (5 patients) and ILM peeling group (5 patients). We compared best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgery, retinal attachment, macular hole closure rate and external retinal layer restoration between groups. Results There were significant improvements in BCVA in both groups before and after surgery, with no differences between the two groups at 12months after surgery (P=.9). The macular hole closed in 100% of cases in the inverted flap group and 80% of the ILM peeling group with no significant differences between groups. The retina was reattached in 100% of cases in both groups. Only 2 patients in the inverted flap group (40%) had external retinal layer restoration and none in ILM peeling group (P=.62). Conclusions ILM peeling and superior inverted flap techniques are useful for treating retinal detachment with macular hole in myopic eyes (AU)

Modified superior inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique with vitrectomy versus vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for retinal detachment with myopic macular hole.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the modified superior inverted internal limiting (ILM) membrane flap technique in retinal reattachment, macular hole closure and external retinal layers restoration in macular hole associated retinal detachment compared to ILM peeling. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 10 patients that required pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachment with macular hole followed for more than 12 months. Data from medical records were retrospectively collected and patients were divided into the superior inverted flap (5 patients) and ILM peeling group (5 patients). We compared best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgery, retinal attachment, macular hole closure rate and external retinal layer restoration between groups. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in BCVA in both groups before and after surgery, with no differences between the two groups at 12 months after surgery (p=0.9). The macular hole closed in 100% of cases in the inverted flap group and 80% of the ILM peeling group with no significant differences between groups. The retina was reattached in 100% of cases in both groups. Only 2 patients in the inverted flap group (40%) had external retinal layer restoration and none in ILM peeling group (p=0.62). CONCLUSIONS: ILM peeling and superior inverted flap techniques are useful for treating retinal detachment with macular hole in myopic eyes.

Effect of bioactive compounds extracted from Cordyceps nidus ANDES-F1080 on laccase activity of Pleurotus ostreatus ANDES-F515.

Laccases are ligninolytic enzymes produced by different microorganisms, especially by fungi such as the white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus. Chemical inductors have been used to promote laccase secretion due to the application of these enzymes in lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment. Cordyceps nidus ANDES-F1080 was previously described as a source of bioactive compounds that could influence the enzymatic production system of other fungi. For that reason, this study evaluates the effect of C. nidus' ANDES-F1080 extracts on the laccase activity of P. ostreatus ANDES-F515. To achieve this objective, C. nidus ANDES-F1080 was grown in four different substrates: two artificial-based and two natural-based culture media. Metabolites were extracted from C. nidus ANDES-F1080 using water and methanol as solvents. Biochemical characterization of these extracts was performed to complement the analysis of their effect on laccase activity. Our results revealed an enhancement on the laccase activity of P. ostreatus ANDES-F515 grown in natural-based cultures when C. nidus' ANDES-F1080 extracts were supplemented. The best laccase activities registered values around 10,575 ±â€¯813 U·L-1.

Nucleic acids complexation with cationic elastin-like polypeptides: Stoichiometry and stability of nano-assemblies.

Positively charged elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) were synthesized for the compaction of genetic material. A recombinant ELP (VPGXG)40 with X = V,M (3:1) was post-modified in two steps to introduce chemoselectively either primary or secondary amine pendant groups at each methionine residue. Positively charged ELPs were characterized by SDS-PAGE, size exclusion chromatography, 1H NMR, potentiometric titrations and dynamic light scattering to assess their purity and determine their degree of functionalization, molecular weight, isoelectric point and thermo-responsive behaviour. Electrostatic complexation between the different ELP derivatives and nucleic acids was studied to determine the stoichiometry of ELPS/nucleic acids complex formation, and to find optimal conditions leading to stable nanoparticles with controlled size and surface potential. The stability of these complexes was investigated in the presence of salts at physiological concentrations and in the presence of surfactant. This study revealed that two regimes of stable nanoparticles in terms of size and charge can be obtained from the electrostatic complexation between the primary amine containing ELP derivative, ELP(-NH2), and plasmid DNA. Resulting complexes were found to be stable to dissociation for charge ratios up to 2.5 under physiological salt concentrations (154 mM NaCl), showing that plasmid DNA was completely condensed by the polycationic ELP and protected against electrolyte-mediated dissociation.

Ethical Implications of User Perceptions of Wearable Devices.

Health Wearable Devices enhance the quality of life, promote positive lifestyle changes and save time and money in medical appointments. However, Wearable Devices store large amounts of personal information that is accessed by third parties without user consent. This creates ethical issues regarding privacy, security and informed consent. This paper aims to demonstrate users' ethical perceptions of the use of Wearable Devices in the health sector. The impact of ethics is determined by an online survey which was conducted from patients and users with random female and male division. Results from this survey demonstrate that Wearable Device users are highly concerned regarding privacy issues and consider informed consent as "very important" when sharing information with third parties. However, users do not appear to relate privacy issues with informed consent. Additionally, users expressed the need for having shorter privacy policies that are easier to read, a more understandable informed consent form that involves regulatory authorities and there should be legal consequences the violation or misuse of health information provided to Wearable Devices. The survey results present an ethical framework that will enhance the ethical development of Wearable Technology.

Role of Electrostatic Interactions on Supramolecular Organization in Calf-Thymus DNA Solutions under Flow.

Previous investigations were conducted on two concentrations of DNA solution: 4 mg/mL, for which it has been shown that no supramolecular organization is induced under flow at low shear rates; and 10 mg/mL, in which a liquid crystalline-type texture is formed under flow at low shear rates, attesting to an orientation of pre-organized chains. Rheological experiments are discussed and their results supported by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and flow birefringence visualization experiments. Scattering from polyelectrolytes has a characteristic signal, which is here observed in SAXS, showing a strong correlation peak between charged chains in water, for both concentrations. This peak is weaker in the presence of 0.01 M NaCl and suppressed in salt excess at 0.1 M NaCl. No plateau in the σ( γ ˙ ) plot was observed in analysis of rheological experiments on low DNA concentration (4 mg/mL). As typically observed in polyelectrolyte systems both the dynamic moduli and shear viscosity were higher in water as electrostatic forces dominate, than in the presence of salt, especially at low shear rates. The rheological results for concentrations of 0.01 M NaCl are lower than in water as expected due to partial screening of electrostatic repulsions. Rheological data for concentrations of 0.1 M NaCl are unexpected. Electrostatic forces are partially screened in the low salt concentration, leading to a drop in the rheological values. For high salt concentration there are no longer interchain repulsions and so steric interactions dominate within the entangled network leading to the subsequent increase in rheological parameters. Regardless of the solvent, at high shear rates the solutions are birefringent. In the 10 mg/mL case, under flow, textures are formed at relatively low shear rate before all the chains align going to a pseudonematic liquid crystalline phase at high shear rate. The electrostatic repulsion between semi-rigid chains induces a correlation between the chains leading to an electrostatic pseudo-gel in water and loosely in 0.01 M NaCl at low stress applied. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that such behavior is observed. In 0.1 M NaCl, DNA behavior resembles the corresponding neutral polymer as expected for polyelectrolyte in salt excess, exhibiting a yield stress. When texture appears in water and in 0.01 M NaCl, a critical transition is observed in rheological curves, where the viscosity decreases sharply at a given critical shear stress corresponding to a plateau in the σ( γ ˙ ) plot also observed in creep transient experiment.

Lycopene, resveratrol, vitamin C and FeSO4 increase damage produced by pro-oxidant carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide in Drosophila melanogaster: Xenobiotic metabolism implications.

4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) is a pro-oxidant carcinogen bioactivated by xenobiotic metabolism (XM). We investigated if antioxidants lycopene [0.45, 0.9, 1.8 µM], resveratrol [11, 43, 172 µM], and vitamin C [5.6 mM] added or not with FeSO4 [0.06 mM], modulate the genotoxicity of 4-NQO [2 mM] with the Drosophila wing spot test standard (ST) and high bioactivation (HB) crosses, with inducible and high levels of cytochromes P450, respectively. The genotoxicity of 4-NQO was higher when dissolved in an ethanol - acetone mixture. The antioxidants did not protect against 4-NQO in any of both crosses. In the ST cross, resveratrol [11 µM], vitamin C and FeSO4 resulted in genotoxicity; the three antioxidants and FeSO4 increased the damage of 4-NQO. In the HB cross, none of the antioxidants, neither FeSO4, were genotoxic. Only resveratrol [172 µM] + 4-NQO increased the genotoxic activity in both crosses. We concluded that the effects of the antioxidants, FeSO4 and the modulation of 4-NQO were the result of the difference of Cyp450s levels, between the ST and HB crosses. We propose that the basal levels of the XM's enzymes in the ST cross interacted with a putative pro-oxidant activity of the compounds added to the pro-oxidant effects of 4-NQO.

[Utility of a structured bone allograft for acetabular defects in the setting of a revision prosthesis]. / Utilidad del aloinjerto óseo estructurado para defectos acetabulares en prótesis de revisión.

INTRODUCTION: Coxarthrosis is considered as an increasingly frequent condition that will lead to an important demand for primary total hip arthroplasty in the coming decades and this, in turn, will increase the number of revision hip arthroplasties. The most common indications for revision are component loosening, hip ,instability and infection, with involvement of the acetabular component in more than 50% of revision procedures. Acetabular bone loss is one of the major challenges of revision hip arthroplasty. OBJECTIVES: To determine, by means of imaging studies, allograft osseointegration using the AAOS radiographic scales, the performance grade of the affected hip using the Harris Hip Score (HHS), and patient personal satisfaction, as well as identify and describe complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, longitudinal, retrospective, descriptive, basic, clinical trial. The records of patients subjected to revision hip arthroplasty who experienced prosthetic loosening and had an acetabular defect treated with structured bone allograft between January 2007 and April 2012 were selected. Patients were followed-up at 6 and 12 months and compared with controls. RESULTS: The total number of patients was 18, 61% females and 39% males. Age range was 47-79 years. The acetabular defect grade was as follows: 44.4% were IIB; 44.4% were IIC, and 11.2% were III, according to the Paprosky classification. The HHS went from 27 to 72.3 at one year. Osseointegration was 100% in 9 patients, 75% in 6, and 50% in 3 patients. One patient had acute periprosthetic infection. CONCLUSIONS: This method represents a good treatment option for acetabular defects, as it provides significant improvement according to the HHS and proper allograft osseointegration, which helps patients increase their bone stock for future revision procedures.

Comparison of real-time PCR with conventional methods to detect dermatophytes in samples from patients with suspected dermatophytosis.

A PCR detecting dermatophytes within a short turnaround time would significantly enhance the management of patients with suspected dermatophytosis. This study aimed at comparing the results of a real-time PCR assay with those of the conventional diagnostic (direct microscopy and culture) performed by a dermatologist working in a medical mycology laboratory for the detection of dermatophytes in nail and skin samples. A total of 112 specimens (54 nail and 58 skin) were collected from 52 patients with one to four suspected dermatophytosis lesions. The PCR diagnostic indices were calculated for either sample- or patient-based dermatophytosis diagnosis. The sample-based diagnostic efficacy yielded 79% sensitivity and 73% specificity. The patient-based diagnostic efficacy was higher with 100% sensitivity and 82% specificity. Interestingly, PCR yielded significantly (p < 0.004) lesser false negative results and performed overall better (diagnostic odds ratio = 24.0 vs. 5.5) in nail than in skin samples. In conclusion, this real-time PCR assay performance was consistent with those of the conventional methods in the hands of a skilled expert and particularly efficacious in diagnosing dermatophyte onychomycosis. This PCR is suited to high throughput batch processing; if used instead of direct microscopy, it could reduce hands-on time in the routine clinical laboratory workflow.

Ex vitro survival and early growth of Alpinia purpurata plantlets inoculated with Azotobacter and Azospirillum .

The survival rate, shoot and root dry mass, shout number, plant growth, stem height and diameter, number of leaves and root length were measured in micropropagated plantlets of Alpinia purpurata (Red ginger) inoculated with Azospirillum sp. 11B and Azotobacter sp. Pachaz 008 at 10(7), 10(8) and 10(9) cells cm(-3) using a complete randomized experimental design. Inoculation ofA. purpurata plantlets with the Azospirillum sp. 11B or Azotobacter sp. PACHAZ 008 strains induced larger stem diameter, root dry mass, number of shoots and increased their survival rate from 77 to 100% compared to plantlets without inoculation, while other plant characteristics were not affected.

BCR/ABL p210, p190 and p230 fusion genes in 250 Mexican patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).

There are two major forms of the BCR/ABL fusion gene, involving ABL exon 2, but including different exons of BCR gene. The transcripts b2a2 or b3a2 code for a p210 protein. Another fusion gene leads to the expression of an e1a2 transcript, which codes for a p190 protein. Another, less common fusion gene is c3a2[e19a2], which encodes a p230 protein. The incidence of one or the other rearrangement in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients varies in different reported series. This study was designed to determine the frequency of coexpresion of the p210, p190 and p230 transcripts in 250 Mexican patients with CML. We performed nested and multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on bone marrow samples from adult patients and found that all cases were positive for some type of BCR/ABL rearrangement. In 226 (90.4%) patients it was p210, while the remaining 9.6% showed coexpression or one of the transcripts of p190/p210/p230. In 7% of patients with p210 expression there are both isoforms (b3a2/b2a2), presumably the result of alternative splicing. The rate of coexpression of the p190/p210 transcripts was 5%, which is much lower than in other reports. This may be due to the technical factors. These patients had high platelet counts, marked splenomegaly and chromosomal abnormalities in addition to Ph'. Other types of coexpression seen were p210/p230 and p190/p210/p230, in patients with high-risk clinical factors. Our study confirms the occurrence of coexpression of different BCR/ABL transcripts, although the rate (9.6%) was much lower than has been reported in other populations. This may reflect either the sensitivity of the detection techniques used or the possibility of genetic differences between the populations studied. Coexpression may be due to alternative splicing or to phenotypic variation, with clinical courses different from classical CML.

[Scintigraphy with erythrocytes labelled in vitro with 99mTc compared with 111In-octreotide in the detection of carotid glomus]. / Centelleografía con eritrocitos marcados in vitro con 99mTc comparada con 111In-octreótido en la detección de glomus carotídeo.

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate the utility of centelleography using 111In-octreotide in carotid glomus simple o multiple in comparison to erythrocytes with 99mTc calculate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of both test. DESIGN: Comparative survey (Diagnostic test) Place: Hospital Oncológico de Concentración del Distrito Federal (Mexico). SUBJECTS: Twenty patients sent to nuclear medicine service for carotid glomus diagnosis. MAIN MEASURES: All of the patients went under a centelleography with 111In-octreotide labeled erythrocytes. Diagnostic was confirmed with US and CAT, taking as the gold standard the selective angiography and/or histopathology. RESULTS: Using 99mTc-labeled erythrocytes resulted in; True positives 13, true negatives 3, false positive 3, false negative 1. Sensitivity 92%, specificity 50%, accuracy 80% and Using 111In-octreotide: True positive 14, true negative 6, and 100% sensitivity, specificity was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: We consider that Centelleography with 111In-octreotide must be the selected image methodology to accurately diagnose carotid glomus, previous to surgery, or in case of patients prior to radiotherapy that because of age, damage size or location can not be candidates for surgery.

[Gardnerella vaginalis in reports of cervico-vaginal cytology]. / Gardnerella vaginalis en informes de citología cérvico-vaginal.

Gardnerella vaginalis is a microorganism of great importance because of its participation in some gynecological diseases. Data contained in 3421 cervicovaginal cytology reports obtained from the Profamilia Clinic, Cartagena, Colombia between June 1993 and February 1994 were analyzed retrospectively and analytically. Cells suggestive of Gardnerella vaginalis were found in 723 reports, the greatest proportion being in the 25-29, 30-34, 35-39 year-old age groups (without statistical significance). There is a high frequency of Gardnerella vaginalis as related to healthy cervix and flux. Among the population with Gardnerella vaginalis a low percentage of neoplasia and non-classified atypical cell were found inflammatory reaction was reported in more than half of the cases. In 95% of the reports, Gardnerella vaginalis was the only agent found, the remaining 5% had associated HVP, fungus and trichomonas. Because of the medical staff responsible for taking the samples, cervico-vaginal cytology is an effective method for studying the state of the vagina and cervix.

"Reverse-figure 3" sign in duodenal adenocarcinoma arising in a villous adenoma: radiographic demonstration.

The radiographic "reverse-figure 3" sign is a well-known indicator of pancreatic head enlargement. We present a case in which this characteristic sign was produced by an invasive adenocarcinoma of the duodenum that arose in a periampullary villous adenoma.