Amino-modified upcycled biochar achieves selective chromium removal in complex aqueous matrices.

Chromium pollution of groundwater sources is a growing global issue, which correlates with various anthropogenic activities. Remediation of both the Cr(VI) and Cr(III), via adsorption technologies, has been championed in recent years due to ease of use, minimal energy requirements, and the potential to serve as a highly sustainable remediation technology. In the present study, a biochar sorbent sourced from pineapple skins, allowed for the upcycling of agricultural waste into water purification technology. The biochar material was chemically modified, through a green amination method, to produce an efficient and selective adsorbent for the removal of both Cr(VI) and Cr(III) from complex aqueous matrices. From FTIR analysis it was evident that the chemical modification introduced new C-N and N-H bonds observed in the modified biochar along with a depletion of N-O and C-H bonds found in the pristine biochar. The amino modified biochar was found to spontaneously adsorb both forms of chromium at room temperature, with binding capacities of 46.5 mg/g of Cr(VI) and 27.1 mg/g of Cr(III). Interference studies, conducted in complex matrices, showed no change in adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) in matrices containing up to 3,000× the concentration of interfering ions. Finally, Cr(III) removal was synergized to 100% adsorption at interfering ions concentrations up to 330× of the analyte, which were suppressed at higher interference concentrations. Considering such performance, the amino modified biochar achieved selective removal for both forms of chromium, showing great potential for utilization in complex chromium pollution sources.

The role of L-carnitine in bovine embryo metabolism. A review of the effect of supplementation with a metabolic modulator on in vitro embryo production.

Early embryo development is driven first by the maternal RNAs and proteins accumulated during the oocyte's cytoplasmic maturation and then after the embryo genome activation. In mammalian cells, ATP generation occurs via oxidative pathways or by glycolysis, whereas in embryonic stem cells, the consumption of glucose, pyruvate, lipids, and amino acids results in ATP synthesis. Although the bovine embryo has energy reserves in glycogen and lipids, the glycogen concentration is deficient. Conversely, lipids represent the most abundant energy reservoir of bovine embryos, where lipid droplets-containing triacylglycerols are the main fatty acid stores. Oocytes of many mammalian species contain comparatively high amounts of lipids stored as droplets in the ooplasm. L-carnitine has been described as a cofactor that facilitates the mobilization of fatty acids present in the oocyte's cytoplasm into the mitochondria to facilitate ß-oxidation processes. However, the L-carnitine effects by addition to media in the in vitro produced embryos on the quality are highly disputed and contradictory by different researchers. This review's objective was to explore the effect that the addition of L-carnitine on culture media could have on the overall bovine embryo production in vitro, from the oocyte metabolism to the modulation of gene expression in the developing embryos.

Caracterización de pacientes con prescripción de losartán en dosis superior a la dosis máxima diaria, su problemática e intervención

Introducción: La hipertensión arterial es una de las enfermedades con mayor preva-lencia en nuestro país. La prescripción de antagonistas del receptor de angiotensina tipo II, es uno los tratamientos más comunes; sin embargo, su dosis máxima efectiva es controversial. Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar una población de una entidad promotora de salud en Colombia, que recibía para el manejo de la hipertensión arterial, una dosis de losartán mayor a 100 mg/día. Metodología: Se incluyó una base de prescripción de 3816 casos con hipertensión arterial, en manejo con losartán potásico a dosis superiores a 100 mg/día, con una muestra proporcional de 300 casos; en quienes se aplicó una alerta de dosis máxima (100 mg/día) en la prescripción. Se describió el perfil farmacoterapéutico, interacciones farmacológicas, cambios de dosificación y en las cifras de presión arterial. Para confirmar el efecto terapéutico de losartán potásico en control de cifras de presión arterial, se realizaron pruebas estadísticas (Tukey, Bonferroni). Resultados: De los 300 pacientes, 224 (74,6%) contaban con registro de presión arterial al inicio de la prescripción de losartán potásico a 100 mg/día; después de la intervención se logró reducción de dosis en 70 casos (23,3%). 76 casos (25,3%) no contaban con ningún paraclínico de seguimiento. Conclusión: No se encontró evidencia clínica o científica que justifique la prescripción de losartán con dosis mayores a 100 mg/día para el manejo de la hipertensión arterial esencial en nuestra población descrita.

SUMMARY Introduction: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent diseases in our country. Type II angiotensin receptor antagonists are one of the most common treatments; however, its maximum effective dose is controversial. Aim: The objective of study to characterize a population of a health promoting entity in Colombia, which received a dose of losartan greater than 100 mg/day for management of arterial hypertension. Methodology: The study included a prescription base of 3816 cases with arterial hypertension, in management with losartan potassium at doses higher than 100 mg/day, with a proportional sample of 300 cases; in whom a maximum dose alert (100 mg/day) was applied in prescription. Pharmacotherapeutic profile, drug interactions, dosage changes, and changes in blood pressure figures were described. To confirm therapeutic effect of losartan potassium in controlling blood pressure figures, statistical tests were performed (Tukey, Bonferroni). Results: Of the 300 patients, 224 (74.6%) had a blood pressure record at beginning of prescription of losartan potassium at 100 mg/day; after the intervention, a dose reduction was achieved in 70 cases (23.3%). 76 cases (25.3%) did not have any follow-up paraclinical. Conclusion: It was concluded that losartan potassium at doses greater than 100 mg/day did not show statistically significant differences for blood pressure control. We found insufficient clinical and scientific evidence to support the treatment with losartan more than 100 mg/day for hypertension in our population.

Introdução: A hipertensão arterial é uma das doenças mais prevalentes em nosso país. Os antagonistas do receptor de angiotensina tipo II são um dos tratamentos mais comuns; entretanto, sua dose máxima efetiva é controversa. Objetivo: Caracterizar uma população de uma entidade promotora de saúde na Colômbia, que receberam uma dose de losartana superior a 100 mg/dia para tratamento de hipertensão. Metodologia: O estudo incluiu uma base de prescrição de 3816 casos com hipertensão arterial, em manejo com losartana potássica em doses maiores superior a 100 mg/ dia, com amostra proporcional de 300 casos; em quem um máximo alerta de dose (100 mg/dia) foi aplicado na prescrição. Perfil farmacoterapêutico, interações medicamentosas, alterações de dosagem e alterações nos valores da pressão arterial foram descrito. Para confirmar o efeito terapêutico da losartana potássica no controle do sangue valores pressóricos, foram realizados testes estatísticos (Tukey, Bonferroni). Resultados: De dos 300 pacientes, 224 (74,6 %) tinham registro de pressão arterial no início da prescrição de losartana potássica a 100 mg/dia; após a intervenção, uma redução da dose foi alcançada em 70 casos (23,3 %). 76 casos (25,3 %) não tiveram seguimento paraclínico. Conclusão: Concluiuse que a losartana potássica em doses maiores superior a 100 mg/dia não apresentou diferenças estatisticamente significativas para a pressão arterial ao controle. Encontramos evidências clínicas e científicas insuficientes para apoiar o tratamento com losartana mais de 100 mg/dia para hipertensão em nossa população.

Primary thymus tumors: retrospective case analysis at a reference center in Latin America, 2011-2019.

BACKGROUND: Thymic tumors are unusual neoplasms, representing 0.2 to 1.5% of tumors in humans, but correspond to 20% of mediastinal tumors and 50% of those that occur in the anterior mediastinum. They tend to appear around the fourth and fifth decades of life without gender predilection. Up to 30% of patients are asymptomatic, therefore many are incidentally diagnosed. Radical thymectomy is the treatment of choice with high survival rates when detected in the early stages. METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive study, including 18 adult patients' diagnosis of thymic neoplasm, who were managed with surgical resection from 2011 to 2019. Information about demographics, clinical characteristics, imaging findings, surgical and medical management, plus histological findings was obtained and reported. RESULTS: 18 patients with thymic tumors were included, of which specific histologic studies reveled thymomas, carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors, thymolipoma and thymic cyst. Mean age was 52.7 years, with a predominance of male population. The main symptom was dyspnea, followed by cough and chest pain. Paraneoplastic syndromes such as myasthenia gravis, aplastic anemia and Cushing syndrome were reported. 89% of cases were treated by radical thymectomy alone, while only 2 cases required chemotherapy and radiotherapy. There were no surgical complications. Mean hospital stay length was 11. 9 days, with only 1 mortality during hospital admission. 5-year survival rate was 81%. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of choice is radical thymectomy, which has been shown to positively impact patient mortality. Early detection is key to improve patient outcomes.

Association of a genetic polymorphism in the BMPR-1B gene, and non-genetic factors with the natural prolificacy of the Colombian-haired sheep.

INTRODUCTION: Colombian-haired sheep (OPC) is a creole breed with very good adaptation to the tropical conditions of our country. In sheep, it has been shown that the litter size (LS) is associated with ovulation rate, the number of fertilized eggs, and embryo survival. Also, LS is determined by genetic and environmental effects. In this sense, the receptor 1B of bone morphogenetic protein (BMPR-1B) has been described as a genetic factor. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to characterize and associate the SNP C864T in the BMPR-1B gene with LS in the specific OPC biotypes Ethiopian and Sudan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reproductive history (LS, number of calving in the mother, identification of the father, conception year, and conception period) of 200 OPC sheep was assessed. Additionally, sheep were genotyped by sequencing for the SNP C864T. An association between LS, reproductive history, and C864T variation was performed using a GLM fixed-effect model. RESULTS: The frequency of the T allele (0.75 ± 0.03) was higher than that of the C allele (P<0.05). The genotypic frequencies were 0.55 ± 0.06, 0.38 ± 0.04, and 0.07 ± 0.01, for TT, TC, and CC, respectively. An average value of He (0.37 ± 0.03) and HWE (P=0.97) was found. The LS found was 1.45 ± 0.15. This varied, between biotypes, with number of calving in the mother, with the father, and at the time of conception (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: The LS varied between genotypes (P<0.05). The CC genotype was the most prolific (1.81 ± 0.4), followed by the heterozygous (1.45 ± 0.04) and the TT homozygous (1.09 ± 0.04). However, we did not find a variation between biotypes within the genotypes (P>0.05). In conclusion, the polymorphism target in the exon 9 of the BMPR-1B gene and non-genetic factors affected significantly the litter size in the OPC.

l-Carnitine Supplementation during In Vitro Maturation and In Vitro Culture Does not Affect the Survival Rates after Vitrification and Warming but Alters Inf-T and ptgs2 Gene Expression.

l-carnitine is a potent antioxidant used for in vitro culture systems. Controversial results have been reported using l-carnitine in culture medium at different stages of in vitro bovine embryo production. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (n = 843) were in vitro-fertilized and cultured and added (treatment group) or not added (control group) with l-carnitine. At day three of culture, each group was subdivided into two subgroups receiving no l-carnitine (group 1), 3.8 mM l-carnitine added during in vitro maturation (group 2), 1.5 mM added during the in vitro culture (group 3), and 3.8 mM and 1.5 mM added during the maturation and culture, respectively (group 4). At day 8, blastocyst embryos were examined for mitochondrial activity, the presence of lipid droplets, total cell number, gene expression, and cryotolerance by vitrification. The data were analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance. l-carnitine added in the late in vitro culture significantly reduced mitochondrial activity and lipid content, and upregulated ifn-τ and ptgs2 gene expression compared to controls (p < 0.05). l-carnitine supplementation did not significantly affect the embryo rate production or survival rate after vitrification and warming (p > 0.05). l-carnitine supplementation significantly improved embryo potential to develop viable pregnancies in agreement with a study reporting improved pregnancy rates.

L-carnitine supplementation in culture media improves the pregnancy rate of in vitro produced embryos with sexed semen from Bos taurus indicus cows.

The in vitro embryo production industry in the actual world presents some difficulties related to low embryonic production rates, a problem that could be associated with in vitro culture conditions that differed from the in vivo (oviductal) conditions, mainly related to cytoplasmic lipid accumulation. L-carnitine is known as a modulator of ß-oxidation in the developing embryo, as it has been demonstrated that it improves embryo quality without affecting the in vitro embryo production rate. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine supplemented during the in vitro maturation and culture processes on the implantation rate of in vitro produced embryos. Supplementation with 3.8 mM of L-carnitine was used during in vitro maturation, and later, during late in vitro culture, it was added at 1.5 mM. A control group contained no L-carnitine supplementation. Bovine oocytes obtained by ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration from healthy Bos taurus indicus cows were matured, fertilized and cultured in vitro. Multiparous F1 (Bos taurus taurus × Bos taurus indicus) cows were used as recipients. Overall, 460 oocytes were processed in three independent replicates from in vitro maturation until day 8 of the in vitro culture. No significant difference was found between treatments of in vitro embryo production. However, pregnancy rate at days 45 and 72 was significantly higher in blastocysts derived from L-carnitine treatment (31.55 ± 9.78%) compared to the control group (18.68 ± 6.31%). In conclusion, addition of L-carnitine at 3.8 mM and 1.5 mM in the maturation, and culture medium after day 3 of in vitro production process, significantly improved pregnancy rate after embryo transfer.

Thermodynamic and Kinetic study of the removal of Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions from aqueous solution using Fe7S8 nanomaterial.

In the present study, pyrrhotite (Fe7S8) was investigated for the removal of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions from aqueous solution. The Fe7S8 material was prepared through a solvothermal method and was characterized using XRD. The average particle size for the nanomaterial was determined to be 29.86 ± 0.87 nm using XRD analysis and Scherrer's equation. Batch studies were performed to investigate the effects of pH, time, temperature, interfering ions, and the binding capacity of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions to the Fe7S8 nanomaterial. During the pH profile studies, the optimum pH for the binding of Pb2+ and Cu2+ was determined to be pH 5 for both cations. Isotherm studies were conducted from which the thermodynamics and binding capacities for both Cu2+ and Pb2+ were determined. The binding capacity for Pb2+ and Cu2+ binding to the Fe7S8 were determined to be 0.039 and 0.102 mmol/g, respectively at 25°C. The thermodynamic parameters indicated a ΔG for the sorption of Pb2+ ranged from 5.07 kJ/mol to -2.45 kJ/mol indicating a non-spontaneous process was occurring. Whereas, the ΔG for Cu2+ ion binding ranged from 9.78 kJ/mol to -11.23 kJ/mol indicating a spontaneous process at higher temperatures. The enthalpy indicated an endothermic reaction was occurring for the binding of Pb2+ and Cu2+ to the Fe7S8 nanomaterial with ΔH values of 55.8 kJ/mol and 153.5 kJ/mol, respectively. Furthermore, the ΔS values for the reactions were positive indicating an increase in the entropy of the system after metal ion binding. Activation energy studies indicated the binding for both Pb2+ and Cu2+ occurred through chemisorption.

Eight years' experience with the Medtronic-Hall valve prosthesis.

During the period January 1981 to September 1986, 444 Medtronic-Hall heart valve prostheses were implanted in 351 patients (mean age, 45 +/- 10 years) mainly for rheumatic valve disease (63.2%). Most of the patients were in New York Heart Association functional class III. Concomitant surgical procedures, mainly conservative tricuspid or mitral procedures or coronary artery bypass grafting, were performed in 101 patients (28.7%). Single-valve replacement was performed in 262 patients (74.6%) (aortic in 117 patients, mitral in 143, and tricuspid in 2), double-valve replacement in 85 (24.2%) (mitral and aortic in 83 and mitral and tricuspid in 2), and triple-valve replacement in 4 (1.1%). Hospital mortality was 6.2%. Follow-up was 97.7% complete. The overall actuarial 8-year survival rate was 77.2%. The linearized incidence of valve-related complications was as follows: thromboembolism, 1.5%/patient-year; reoperation, 1.5%/patient-year; endocarditis, 1.25%/patient-year; hemolysis, 0.52%/patient-year; anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, 0.39%/patient-year; and noninfection-related paraprosthetic leak, 0.33%/patient-year. There were no instances of structural failure. We conclude that after 8 years of follow-up, the Medtronic-Hall valve prosthesis has an excellent clinical performance and a low range of valve-related complications.

Pulmonary artery sling: case report and surgical management.

Surgical correction of pulmonary artery sling with vascular ring in a 2 1/2-year-old boy is described. Despite the high mortality rate of this entity, the post-operative course was uneventful and since hospital discharge, the boy has remained asymptomatic.