Antioxidant Activity of Bougainvillea spectabilis Bracts as an Alternative to Nitrites in Cooked Pork Ham.

In this study, the impact of incorporating Bougainvillea spectabilis powder into ham formulation as a potential color replacement for nitrites was evaluated. Three drying methods were proposed to preserve the antioxidant properties of bougainvillea: foam-mat drying, air drying, and oven drying. Antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) assays revealed that the presence of bougainvillea powders enhanced the antioxidant properties and maintained the stability of the ham over 8 weeks of storage at 4 °C. In addition, total polyphenolic content and presence of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were evaluated and showed higher and lower scores, respectively, in the samples with the incorporation of bougainvillea compared to the control samples, suggesting their potential to replace nitrite salts by providing natural antioxidant protection. Sensorial analysis also revealed no significant differences in sensory attributes in hams with 0.1% bougainvillea powder compared to nitrite samples. The incorporation of the bougainvillea powders in the ham formulation improved the sensorial attributes and consumer overall acceptance even after 8-week cold storage at 4 °C.

Single inhaler combination inhaled corticosteroid-formoterol as both maintenance and reliever (SMART) compared with a step up of treatment with fixed-dose inhaled corticosteroid-long-acting ß2-agonist maintenance with a short-acting ß2-agonist as reliever in adolescents and adults with poorly controlled asthma in Colombia: a cost-utility analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the cost-utility of single inhaler combination inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting ß2-agonist (ICS/LABAs) as both maintenance and reliever (SMART) compared with a step-up maintenance treatment with a fixed medium to high dose of ICS combined with LABA and a short-acting ß2-agonist (SABA) as reliever (ICS-LABA maintenance plus SABA) among patients aged 12 years or more with poorly controlled asthma in Colombia. METHODS: A Markov-type model was developed to estimate the costs and health outcomes of a simulated cohort of patients aged 12 years or more with uncontrolled asthma treated for 12 months. The main effectiveness data were obtained from a recent meta-analysis. The main outcome was the variable ''quality-adjusted life-years'' (QALYs). RESULTS: The base-case analysis showed that the budesonide/formoterol (BUD/FORM) SMART strategy was associated with lower overall treatment costs (US $3,062.37 vs. $4,462.02 average cost per patient over 12 months) and the greatest gain in QALYs (0.8511 vs. 0.8258 QALYs on average per patient over 12 months) compared with ICS-LABA maintenance plus SABA at step 4, thus leading to dominance. CONCLUSIONS: In patients aged 12 years or more with uncontrolled asthma at GINA step 3 or 4, the BUD/FORM SMART strategy at either step 3 or 4 is cost-effective compared with the ICS-LABA maintenance plus SABA at step 4 strategy, because it shows a greater gain in QALYs at lower total treatment costs.

Development of a dispersive solid phase microextraction method based on the application of MgAl, NiAl, and CoAl-layered double hydroxides for the efficient removal of α- and ß-naphthol isomers from water samples by capillary electrophoresis.

The present work describes a quick, simple, and efficient method based on the use of layered double hydroxides (LDH) coupled to dispersive solid phase micro-extraction (DSPME) to remove α-naphthol (α-NAP) and ß-naphthol (ß-NAP) isomers from water samples. Three different LDHs (MgAl-LDH, NiAl-LDH, and CoAl-LDH) were used to study how the interlayer anion and molar ratio affected the removal performance. The critical factors in the DSPME procedure (pH, LDH amount, contact time) were optimized by the univariate method under the optimal conditions: pH, 4-8; LDH amount, 5 mg; and contact time, 2.5 min. The method can be successfully applied in real sample waters, removing NAP isomers even in ultra-trace concentrations. The large volume sample stacking (LVSS-CE) technique provides limits of detections (LODs) of 5.52 µg/L and 6.36 µg/L for α-naphthol and ß-naphthol, respectively. The methodology's precision was evaluated on intra- and inter-day repeatability, with %RSD less than 10% in all cases. The MgAl/Cl--LDH selectivity was tested in the presence of phenol and bisphenol A, with a removal rate of >92.80%. The elution tests suggest that the LDH MgAl/Cl--LDH could be suitable for pre-concentration of α-naphthol and ß-naphthol in future works.

A critical analysis of the effect of OM-85 for the prevention of recurrent respiratory tract infections or wheezing/asthma from systematic reviews with meta-analysis.

Acute respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are one of the most common causes of pediatric consultations/hospitalizations and a major trigger for asthma exacerbations. Some consensus statements have recommended the use of immunostimulants to boost natural defenses against severe or repeated infections. One of the most common immunostimulants is OM-85; while several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have evaluated its efficacy in preventing acute RTIs and wheezing/asthma exacerbations, results have been conflicting. Similarly, various systematic reviews with meta-analyses (SRMs) on OM-85 have used different strategies, populations, and outcomes; moreover, SRM conclusions are limited when the original studies are highly heterogeneous or have a low quality, hindering the generalizability of the findings. Here we summarize the evidence on the effect of OM-85 to prevent acute RTIs, wheezing/asthma episodes, or loss of asthma control in children, by including and critically evaluating all SRMs published to date. We searched for SRMs on OM-85 in three publication databases and found nine SRMs (seven for RTI, and two for wheezing/asthma). Among those, one had a high confidence evaluation of quality (AMSTAR-2 tool) and found a reduction in the total number of acute RTIs among the OM-85 group. Overall, no strong recommendations can be derived from the existing literature, mainly due to the high heterogeneity among included RCTs and SRMs. Further, large, high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm the true efficacy of OM-85 for the prevention of acute RTIs, asthma development, and asthma exacerbations.

Evaluation of digoxin-boronate ester formation through in-capillary derivatisation-large volume sample stacking-capillary zone electrophoresis.

Determination of digoxin through in-capillary derivatisation based on the formation of o-tolyl- and 2-naphthyl-anionic boronate esters in combination with large volume sample stacking-capillary electrophoresis is proposed. The derivatisation reaction was performed at basic pH values to obtain compounds with a charge and chromophore group during the stacking process. After stacking, the species were separated and detected at 225 nm using p-nitrophenol as an internal standard. Stacking and derivatisation parameters such as pre-concentration time, preconcentration voltage and injection time (relation between the analyte and the derivatisation agent) were evaluated using a Box-Behnken design. Under optimal conditions, the proposed method exhibits a linear range of 1.08-50.00 µM with a limit of detection of 0.36 µM; additionally, adequate repeatability and reproducibility was obtained (%RSD ≤ 5.0%). The methodology was validated by comparing it to an HPLC-UV established methodology and was successfully applied for the determination of digoxin in pharmaceutical tablets and blood serum samples, showing a positive performance for these matrices.

Reactance inversion in moderate to severe persistent asthma: low birth weight, prematurity effect, and bronchodilator response.

INTRODUCTION: Reactance inversion (RI) has been associated with impaired peripheral airway function in persistent asthma. However, there is little to no data about the difference between asthmatic children with and without RI. This study aimed to detect clinical and lung function differences in moderate-severe asthmatic children with and without RI. METHODS: This study was conducted between 2021 and 2022 in asthmatic school-age children. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) and spirometry were performed according to ATS/ERS standards. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients, with a mean age of 8.4 years, 54.8% were males and were divided into three groups: group 1 (32.3%) with no RI, group 2 (27.4%) with RI but disappearing after bronchodilator test and group 3 (40.3%) with persistent RI after bronchodilator test. Children in groups 2 and 3 had significantly lower birth weights than in group 1. Group 2 had lower gestational age compared to group 1. FEV1 and FEF25-75 of forced vital capacity were significantly lower in groups 2 and 3. In group 3, R5, AX, R5-20, and R5-R20/R5 ratios were significantly higher. Bronchodilator responses (BDR) in X5c, AX, and R5-R20 were significantly different between groups and lower in group 3. CONCLUSION: RI is frequently found in children with moderate-severe persistent asthma, particularly in those with a history of prematurity or low birth weight. In some patients, RI disappears after the bronchodilator test; however, it, persists in those with the worst pulmonary function. RI could be a small airway dysfunction marker.

Higher levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 in cord blood associate with risk of asthma at age 3.

RATIONALE: Experimental studies and epidemiological data in adults suggest that somatomedin-C (insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF-1) may play a role in asthma by modulating airway inflammation, bronchial hyperreactivity, and airway smooth muscle hyperplasia. However, its role in children with asthma is not well understood. METHODS: We established a birth cohort with 339 Chilean pregnant mothers enrolled at the time of delivery from December 2014 to January 2016. We obtained cord blood at birth and followed the offspring every 6 months until 30 months of age, recording data on atopy, wheezing, and other respiratory illnesses. We measured IGF-1 in cord blood and determined the Asthma Predictive Index (API) at 30 months. The cohort was divided according to the API. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 307/339 (91%) dyads, including 44 preschoolers with API+ and 263 with API-. Demographic characteristics were similar between groups, but mothers of API+ children had a higher prevalence of obesity, previous use of oral contraceptives, and higher education than those of API- children. API+ children had higher birth weight and significantly higher IGF-1 in cord blood (37.4 ± 13.2 in API+ vs. 30.5 ± 13.0 ng/ml in API-, p = .01). In the multivariable analysis, IGF-1 in cord blood remained independently associated with a higher risk of asthma (adjusted OR for API+ per ng/ml higher IGF-1 = 1.03 [1.0-1.06], p = .015). CONCLUSIONS: Higher insulin-like growth factor-1 in cord blood is associated with asthma risk in the preschool years.

On-Demand ICS + FABA Combinations in 6-11-Year-Old Children.

In recent years, some new concepts have been added to asthma treatment such as "anti-inflammatory reliever" (ß2-agonist use associated to an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) as a reliever treatment) that combines the benefits of both therapies and provides short- and long-term benefits for treatment in asthma patients. Robust evidence has been presented in patients over 12 years, and the main changes in the international guidelines for asthma treatment were originally made in this age group. However, a few suggestions have been added to treatments in younger patients, in part because of the scarce evidence that exists in this group. We aim to analyze the information regarding the utilization of ICS + fast-acting beta-agonist (FABA) combination in children between 6 and 11 years. Although up until today only three published trials exist (two studies use beclomethasone + albuterol and one study uses budesonide + formoterol), they provide significant information on the benefits of ICS + FABA use in this population.

Asthma Phenotypes in the Era of Personalized Medicine.

Asthma is a widespread disease affecting approximately 300-million people globally. This condition leads to significant morbidity, mortality, and economic strain worldwide. Recent clinical and laboratory research advancements have illuminated the immunological factors contributing to asthma. As of now, asthma is understood to be a heterogeneous disease. Personalized medicine involves categorizing asthma by its endotypes, linking observable characteristics to specific immunological mechanisms. Identifying these endotypic mechanisms is paramount in accurately profiling patients and tailoring therapeutic approaches using innovative biological agents targeting distinct immune pathways. This article presents a synopsis of the key immunological mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis and manifestation of the disease's phenotypic traits and individualized treatments for severe asthma subtypes.

The Evaluation of Cellulose Acetate Capsules Functionalized for the Removal of Cd(II).

Cellulose acetate is derived from cellulose and has the characteristics of biodegradability and reusability. So, it has been used for the elimination of toxic compounds capable of producing different diseases, such as cadmium, that result from human and industrial activity. For this reason, capsules functionalized with Cyanex 923 were prepared and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and SEM. The functionalized capsules were used for removing and recovering Cd(II) by modifying variables such as HCl concentration in the extraction medium and carrier content in the capsules, among others. The extraction of cadmium from battery leachates and the three isotherm models, Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin Radushkevich, were also tested to model the cadmium removal process. The results showed a favorable physical sorption with a good capacity for extraction and the possibility of reusing the capsules for up to seven cycles without a decrease in the percentage of cadmium recovery.

Algae as a potential source of protein meat alternatives.

With the rise of plant-based meat alternatives, there is a growing need for sustainable and nutritious sources of protein. Alga is a rich protein source, and initial studies show that it can be a good component in developing protein meat alternatives. However, there are certain limitations in their use as the need for efficient and optimal technical process in large-scale protein extraction and purification, as well as overcoming certain negative effects such as potentially harmful compounds, allergenicity issues, or sensorial affections, especially in color but also in textural and flavor characteristics. This review offers a vision of the fledgling research about using alga protein in the development of meat alternatives or supplementing meat products.

Interferon ß-1a ring prophylaxis to reduce household transmission of SARS-CoV-2: a cluster randomised clinical trial.

Background: Accumulating evidence indicates that an early, robust type 1 interferon (IFN) response to SARS-CoV-2 is important in determining COVID-19 outcomes, with an inadequate IFN response associated with disease severity. Our objective was to examine the prophylactic potential of IFN administration to limit viral transmission. Methods: A cluster randomised open label clinical trial was undertaken to determine the effects of pegylated IFNß-1a administration on SARS-CoV-2 household transmission between December 3rd, 2020 and June 29th, 2021. Index cases were identified from databases of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 individuals in Santiago, Chile. Households were cluster randomised (stratified by household size and age of index cases) to receive 3 doses of 125 µg subcutaneous pegylated IFNß-1a (172 households, 607 participants), or standard care (169 households, 565 participants). The statistical team was blinded to treatment assignment until the analysis plan was finalised. Analyses were undertaken to determine effects of treatment on viral shedding and viral transmission. Safety analyses included incidence and severity of adverse events in all treatment eligible participants in the standard care arm, or in the treatment arm with at least one dose administered. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04552379. Findings: 5154 index cases were assessed for eligibility, 1372 index cases invited to participate, and 341 index cases and their household contacts (n = 831) enrolled. 1172 participants in 341 households underwent randomisation, with 607 assigned to receive IFNß-1a and 565 to standard care. Based on intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses for the primary endpoints, IFNß-1a treatment did not affect duration of viral shedding in index cases (absolute risk reduction = -0.2%, 95% CI = -8.46% to 8.06%) and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to household contacts (absolute risk reduction = 3.87%, 95% CI = -3.6% to 11.3%). Treatment with IFNß-1a resulted in significantly more treatment-related adverse events, but no increase in overall adverse events or serious adverse events. Interpretation: Based upon the primary analyses, IFNß-1a treatment did not affect duration of viral shedding or the probability of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to uninfected contacts within a household. Funding: Biogen PTY Ltd. Supply of interferon as 'Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a).' The study was substantially funded by BHP Holdings Pty Ltd.

Early Prediction of Asthma.

The clinical manifestations of asthma in children are highly variable, are associated with different molecular and cellular mechanisms, and are characterized by common symptoms that may diversify in frequency and intensity throughout life. It is a disease that generally begins in the first five years of life, and it is essential to promptly identify patients at high risk of developing asthma by using different prediction models. The aim of this review regarding the early prediction of asthma is to summarize predictive factors for the course of asthma, including lung function, allergic comorbidity, and relevant data from the patient's medical history, among other factors. This review also highlights the epigenetic factors that are involved, such as DNA methylation and asthma risk, microRNA expression, and histone modification. The different tools that have been developed in recent years for use in asthma prediction, including machine learning approaches, are presented and compared. In this review, emphasis is placed on molecular mechanisms and biomarkers that can be used as predictors of asthma in children.

Adsorbents obtained from recycled polymeric materials for retention of different pollutants: A review.

Polymeric waste is an environmental problem, with an annual world production of approximately 368 million metric tons, and increasing every year. Therefore, different strategies for polymer waste treatment have been developed, and the most common are (1) redesign, (2) reusing and (3) recycling. The latter strategy represents a useful option to generate new materials. This work reviews the emerging trends in the development of adsorbent materials obtained from polymer wastes. Adsorbents are used in filtration systems or in extraction techniques for the removal of contaminants such as heavy metals, dyes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other organic compounds from air, biological and water samples. The methods used to obtain different adsorbents are detailed, as well as the interaction mechanisms with the compounds of interest (contaminants). The adsorbents obtained are an alternative to recycle polymeric and they are competitive with other materials applied in the removal and extraction of contaminants.

Safety, Tolerability, Bioavailability, and Biological Activity of Inhaled Interferon-α2b in Healthy Adults: The IN2COVID Phase I Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interferons have been identified as a potential treatment alternative for coronavirus disease 2019. This study assessed the safety, tolerability, bioavailability, and biological activity of inhaled interferon-α2b (IFN)-α2b in healthy adults. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, phase I clinical trial was conducted with two cohorts of healthy subjects aged 18-50 years. The first cohort received 2.5 MIU of inhaled IFN-α2b twice daily for 10 days (n = 6) or placebo (n = 3); the second cohort received 5.0 MIU of inhaled IFN-α2b in a similar scheme (n = 6) or placebo (n = 3). The first two doses were administered in an emergency department, then participants completed their treatment at home. Safety was measured through vital signs, new symptoms, and laboratory tests. Tolerability was measured as participants' treatment acceptability. Bioavailability and biological activity were measured from serum IFNα concentrations and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction of interferon-induced genes in blood before and after treatments. RESULTS: Exposure to inhaled IFN-α2b at 2.5-MIU or 5-MIU doses did not produce statistically significant changes in participant vital signs, or elicit new symptoms, and standard hematological and biochemical blood measurements were comparable to those recorded in individuals who received placebo. A total of 58 adverse events were observed. All were mild or moderate and did not require medical care. All participants reported very high tolerability towards a twice-daily nebulized treatment for 10 days (98.0, 97.0, and 97.0 in the placebo, 2.5-MIU, and 5-MIU groups, respectively, on a 0- to 100-mm visual analog scale). A dose-dependent mild increase in serum IFN-α concentrations and an increase in serum RNA expression of IFN-induced genes were observed 11 days after treatment (p < 0.05 for all between-group comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled IFN-α2b was preliminarily safe and well tolerated, and induced systemic biological activity in healthy subjects. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04988217), 3 August, 2021.

Integration of ternary I-III-VI quantum dots in light-emitting diodes.

Ternary I-III-VI quantum dots (TQDs) are semiconductor nanomaterials that have been gradually incorporated in the fabrication of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) over the last 10 years due to their physicochemical and photoluminescence properties, such as adequate quantum yield values, tunable wavelength emission, and easy synthesis strategies, but mainly because of their low toxicity that allows them to be excellent candidates to compete with conventional Cd-Pb-based QDs. This review addresses the different strategies to obtain TQDs and how synthesis conditions influence their physicochemical properties, followed by the LEDs parameters achieved using TQDs. The second part of the review summarizes how TQDs are integrated into LEDs and white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs). Furthermore, an insight into the state-of-the-art LEDs development using TQDs, including its advantages and disadvantages and the challenges to overcome, is presented at the end of the review.

Impulse oscillometry in preschool children with persistent asthma can predict spirometry at school age.

BACKGROUND: Lung function in children with persistent asthma may be impaired during preschool and school ages. The aim of this study was to describe if some preschool impulse oscillometry (IOS) parameters are related to spirometry alterations on reaching school age. METHODS: In 66 diagnosed with persistent asthma, an IOS was performed at entrance and followed-up to school age where a spirometry was done. RESULTS: The mean age was 4.9 years at the first evaluation and 7.9 years at the second evaluation, and 59.1% were male. During preschool, R5, R20, Fres, AX, and D5-20 were found to have diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve > 0.7) for predicting abnormal spirometry during school age (defined as FEV1 and/or FEV/FVC and/or FVC values below the lower limit of normality according to Quanjer predictive values). AX, D5-20, and R5 had the best LR+ to increase the probability of abnormal spirometry (50, 10, and 7.1, respectively). R20, R5, and AX was the best IOS parameters for discriminating bronchodilator response (BDR) in schoolchildren (LR+ = 3.4, 2.9, and 2.8, respectively). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that some IOS parameters between 3 and 5 years of age are useful for predicting abnormal spirometry and BDR at school age.

High altitude pulmonary edema in children: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a form of acute noncardiogenic pulmonary edema caused by altitude-related hypoxia seen in children as well as in adults. In this systematic review we focus in HAPE occurring in children and adolescents. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted including publications in children 0-18 years of age from three databases up to June 2022. RESULTS: Thirty-five studies representing 210 cases were found. The mean age was 9.8 ± 3.6 years with a male/female ratio of 2.6. The peak age incidence was seen in children between 6 and 10 years old. Only two children (0.9%) were ≤2 years old. The mean altitude in 166 cases was 2861 masl. Only 17 cases (8.1%) occurred at altitudes below 2500 masl. Regarding the different HAPE subtypes there was a predominance of re-entry HAPE (R-HAPE) with 58%, followed by classic HAPE (C-HAPE) with 37.6%. The mean time between arrival and onset of symptoms was 16.5 h. The mortality rate was 1.4%. In 10/28 (36%) of C-HAPE cases there was a structural cardiac/pulmonary anomaly compared to 1/19 (5%) in R-HAPE (p < 0.01). HAPE recurrence was found in 46 cases (21.9%). The involvement in the chest X-rays was seen predominantly in the apices and in the right lung. CONCLUSIONS: R-HAPE was the most common HAPE subtype; HAPE peak age was found between 6 and 10 years of age; HAPE was more frequent in males and was rare in children under 2 years old; associated HAPE structural abnormalities were more common in C-HAPE than in R-HAPE.

Association of adenotonsillectomy with wheezing episodes in childhood: A secondary analysis of the Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies suggest that asthma/wheezing improves after adenotonsillectomy (AT). However, there is a paucity of randomized clinical trial (RCT) specifically studying the effects of AT in asthma/wheezing. Therefore, we conducted a post-hoc analysis of the Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial (CHAT), the largest RCT of AT in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to test the hypothesis that AT would result in fewer wheezing episodes. METHODS: In the CHAT study, 464 children with OSA, aged 5-9 years, were randomized to early AT (n = 226) or watchful waiting with supportive care (WWSC) (n = 227). For this post-hoc analysis, children were categorized as having "any wheezing" versus "no wheezing" at baseline and at 7 months of follow-up. A multivariate analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between "any wheezing" at follow-up and treatment group after controlling for several potential confounders. RESULTS: Children in the "any wheezing" group were predominantly black, had more allergic rhinitis, eczema, second-hand smoke exposure, body mass index, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and had lower maternal education and family income than those in the "no wheezing group." In the AT arm, the prevalence of wheezing significantly decreased from baseline to follow-up (at 7 months of the intervention) (47% vs. 21.6%, p < 0.001); while in the WWSC arms did not change (45.2% vs. 43.1%, p = 0.67). In the multivariate analysis, second-hand smoke exposure, wheezing at baseline, and belong to WWSC arm (odds ratio: 3.65 [2.16-6.19]) increase the risk of wheezing at follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that AT decreased the risk of wheezing at 7 months of follow-up.

Lipase-Assisted Synthesis of Alkyl Stearates: Optimization by Taguchi Design of Experiments and Application as Defoamers.

The present work proposes the optimization of enzymatic synthesis of alkyl stearates using stearic acid, alkyl alcohols (C1-OH, C2-OH, C4-OH, C8-OH and C16-OH) and Candida rugosa lipase by a L9 (34) Taguchi-type design of experiments. Four variables were evaluated (reaction time, temperature, kU of lipase and alcohol:stearic acid molar ratio), ensuring that all variables were critical. In optimal conditions, five stearates were obtained with conversions > 90%. The obtained products were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Additionally, the defoaming capacity of the five stearates was evaluated, obtaining better performance for the compound synthesized from C8-OH alcohol.