Exploring the effect of the covalent functionalization in graphene-antimonene heterostructures.

The growing field of two-dimensional (2D) materials has recently witnessed the emergence of heterostructures, however those combining monoelemental layered materials remain relatively unexplored. In this study, we present the chemical fabrication and characterization of a heterostructure formed by graphene and hexagonal antimonene. The interaction between these 2D materials is thoroughly examined through Raman spectroscopy and first-principles calculations, revealing that this can be considered as a van der Waals heterostructure. Furthermore, we have explored the influence of the antimonene 2D material on the reactivity of graphene by studying the laser-induced covalent functionalization of the graphene surface. Our findings indicate distinct degrees of functionalization based on the underlying material, SiO2 being more reactive than antimonene, opening the door for the development of controlled patterning in devices based on these heterostructures. This covalent functionalization implies a high control over the chemical information that can be stored but also removed on graphene surfaces, and its use as a patterned heterostructure based on antimonene and graphene. This research provides valuable insights into the antimonene-graphene interactions and their impact on the chemical reactivity during graphene covalent functionalization.

Assessment of nitrification process in a sequencing batch reactor: Modelling and genomic approach.

Nitrification of ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH4+) to nitrate (N-NO3-) was investigated in a lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) to evaluate its efficiency. During the nitrification process the removal of N-NH4+ reached 96%, resulting in 73% formation of N-NO3-. A lineal correlation (r2 = 0.9978) was obtained between the concentration of volatile suspended solids (VSS) and the maximal N-NO3- concentration at the end of each batch cycle under stationary state. The bacterial taxons in the initial inoculum were identified, revealing a complex diverse community mainly in the two major bacterial phyla Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. The FAPROTAX algorithm predicted the presence in the inoculum of taxa involved in relevant processes of the nitrogen metabolism, highlighting the bacterial genera Nitrospira and Nitrosomonas that are both involved in the nitrification process. A kinetic model was formulated for predicting and validating the transformation of N-NH4+, N-NO2- and N-NO3- and the removal of organic and inorganic carbon (TOC and IC, respectively). The results showed how the increase in biomass concentration slowed down the transformation to oxidised forms of nitrogen and increased denitrification in the settling and filling stages under free aeration conditions.

Classical harmonic three-body system: an experimental electronic realization.

The classical three-body harmonic system in [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) with finite rest lengths and zero total angular momentum [Formula: see text] is considered. This model describes the dynamics of the [Formula: see text] near-equilibrium configurations of three point masses [Formula: see text] with arbitrary pairwise potential [Formula: see text] that solely depends on the relative distances between bodies. It exhibits an interesting mixed regular and chaotic dynamics as a function of the energy and the system parameters. The corresponding harmonic quantum system plays a fundamental role in atomic and molecular physics. In this work we report on a novel electronic experimental realization of the model as a complementary tool to analyze the rich dynamics of the classical system. Our setup allows us to experimentally explore different regions of behavior due to the fact that the intrinsic parameters and initial states of the system are independently set by voltage inputs. Chaotic and periodic motions are characterized employing time series, phase planes, and the largest Lyapunov exponents as a function of the energy and system parameters. The results show an excellent qualitative as well as quantitative agreement between theory and experiment.

Subretinal abscess due to Candida tropicalis in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia: Case report.

A 54-year-old female patient with a history of acute myeloid leukaemia and receiving maintenance chemotherapy had a systemic relapse. She also had candidaemia caused by Candida tropicalis. Her blood cultures were negative after receiving antifungal treatment. Later, she had an ophthalmological assessment as part of the protocol, without ocular discomfort. In the fundoscopic examination, a whitish chorioretinal lesion was found in the left eye in relation to subretinal abscess, which correlated with retinal angiography and optical coherence tomography. The patient was treated with systemic antifungals with a favourable resolution of the lesion.

Absceso subretinal por Candida tropicalis en un paciente con leucemia mieloide: reporte de caso / Subretinal abscess due to Candida tropicalis in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia: case report

Paciente mujer de 54 años con historia de leucemia mieloide aguda, bajo quimioterapia de mantenimiento, cursa con recaída sistémica y candidemia por Candida tropicalis (C. tropicalis), tratada con antifúngico, con respuesta favorable es referida a oftalmológica como parte de protocolo. El examen fundoscópico en ojo izquierdo halló una lesión blanquecina, coriorretiniana en el cuadrante súpero temporal. Los exámenes de angiografía retinal y tomografía de coherencia óptica correlacionaron con absceso subretinal. La paciente fue tratada con antifúngicos sistémicos con resolución favorable de la lesión. Los abscesos subretinianos son una rara manifestación intraocular por C. tropicalis, este organismo es potencial agente causal de afección ocular en presencia de antecedente sistémico de inmunosupresión y factores de riesgo asociados.

A 54-year-old female patient with a history of acute myeloid leukaemia and receiving maintenance chemotherapy had a systemic relapse. She also had candidaemia caused by Candida tropicalis. Her blood cultures were negative after receiving antifungal treatment. Later, she had an ophthalmological assessment as part of the protocol, without ocular discomfort. In the fundoscopic examination, a whitish chorioretinal lesion was found in the left eye in relation to subretinal abscess, which correlated with retinal angiography and optical coherence tomography. The patient was treated with systemic antifungals with a favourable resolution of the lesion.

Leishmaniasis cutánea y mucocutánea / Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis

La leishmaniasis es una enfermedad crónica causada por un protozoo flagelado perteneciente al género Leishmania. Tiene distribución mundial, aunque la mayoría de los casos se agrupan en América del Sur, la cuenca mediterránea y algunas zonas de Asia y África. Existen 3 formas fundamentales de enfermedad: cutánea (la más frecuente), mucocutánea y visceral, también denominada kala-azar, la forma más grave. El diagnóstico se establece con la demostración de la presencia de los amastigotes en muestras clínicas, mediante visión directa al microscopio o mediante técnicas moleculares. Existen múltiples opciones terapéuticas, aunque la evidencia en la que se basa el tratamiento de la leishmaniasis cutánea es débil. Actualmente, las alteraciones de la inmunidad producidas por factores como el VIH o el uso de fármacos anti-TNF han cambiado tanto la forma de presentación de las formas clínicas clásicas como sus tratamientos (AU)

Leishmaniasis is a chronic disease caused by flagellate protozoa of the genus Leishmania. It is a global disease, but most cases are seen in South America, the Mediterranean, and some areas of Asia and Africa. The 3 main types of leishmaniasis are cutaneous (the most common), mucocutaneous, and visceral (the most severe). Visceral leishmaniasis is also known as kala-azar. Leishmaniasis is diagnosed by demonstrating the presence of Leishmania amastigotes in clinical specimens using direct microscopic examination or molecular analysis. Various treatments exist, although the evidence supporting the options available for cutaneous leishmaniasis is weak. Both the classical presentation of leishmaniasis and our management of the disease have changed in recent decades because of acquired immune deficiency caused by conditions such as HIV infection or the use of TNF inhibitors (AU)

Influence of packing material on the biofiltration of butyric acid: A comparative study from a physico-chemical, olfactometric and microbiological perspective.

The influence of bed material on the odor removal performance of a biofilter was studied. A compost-wood biofilter and a wood biofilter were treated with a gaseous stream contaminated with butyric acid and comparatively evaluated at pilot scale using olfactometric, physico-chemical and microbiological approaches. The variables analyzed in both biofilters were correlated with specific families of their microbiota composition. In addition to a higher nutrients content (nitrogen and phosphorus), the compost-wood biofilter registered maximum values in number of aerobic microorganisms (3.6·108 CFU/g) and in aerobic microbiological activity (≈40 mg O2/g VS of cumulative oxygen demand at 20 h). This may explain the higher performance of this biofilter compared to the wood biofilter, withstanding odor loads of up to 1450 ouE/m2·s with odor removal efficiencies close to 100%. The analysis of the microbial community showed that Actinobacteria, particularly the mostly aerobic Microbacteriaceae family, might play an important role in butyric acid degradation and hence reduce odor impact. The multidisciplinary analysis carried out in this work could be a very useful strategy for the optimal design of biofiltration operations.

Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a chronic disease caused by flagellate protozoa of the genus Leishmania. It is a global disease, but most cases are seen in South America, the Mediterranean, and some areas of Asia and Africa. The 3 main types of leishmaniasis are cutaneous (the most common), mucocutaneous, and visceral (the most severe). Visceral leishmaniasis is also known as kala-azar. Leishmaniasis is diagnosed by demonstrating the presence of Leishmania amastigotes in clinical specimens using direct microscopic examination or molecular analysis. Various treatments exist, although the evidence supporting the options available for cutaneous leishmaniasis is weak. Both the classical presentation of leishmaniasis and our management of the disease have changed in recent decades because of acquired immune deficiency caused by conditions such as human immunodeficiency infection or the use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.

Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis. / Leishmaniasis cutánea y mucocutánea.

Leishmaniasis is a chronic disease caused by flagellate protozoa of the genus Leishmania. It is a global disease, but most cases are seen in South America, the Mediterranean, and some areas of Asia and Africa. The 3 main types of leishmaniasis are cutaneous (the most common), mucocutaneous, and visceral (the most severe). Visceral leishmaniasis is also known as kala-azar. Leishmaniasis is diagnosed by demonstrating the presence of Leishmania amastigotes in clinical specimens using direct microscopic examination or molecular analysis. Various treatments exist, although the evidence supporting the options available for cutaneous leishmaniasis is weak. Both the classical presentation of leishmaniasis and our management of the disease have changed in recent decades because of acquired immune deficiency caused by conditions such as HIV infection or the use of TNF inhibitors.

Subretinal abscess due to Candida tropicalis in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia: case report. / Absceso subretinal por Candida tropicalis en un paciente con leucemia mieloide: reporte de caso.

A 54-year-old female patient with a history of acute myeloid leukaemia and receiving maintenance chemotherapy had a systemic relapse. She also had candidaemia caused by Candida tropicalis. Her blood cultures were negative after receiving antifungal treatment. Later, she had an ophthalmological assessment as part of the protocol, without ocular discomfort. In the fundoscopic examination, a whitish chorioretinal lesion was found in the left eye in relation to subretinal abscess, which correlated with retinal angiography and optical coherence tomography. The patient was treated with systemic antifungals with a favourable resolution of the lesion.

Evaluation of the quality of life related to vision after penetrating keratoplasty. / Evaluación de la calidad de vida relacionada con la visión posterior a queratoplastia penetrante.

INTRODUCTION: Organ and tissue donation and transplantation represent the most important therapeutic advance of current times. The cornea is, by far, one of the most transplanted tissues worldwide due to the immune privilege of this tissue, as well as the advances in microsurgery, existence of cornea banks, preservation of corneas, and use of anti-rejection therapy. However, many patients with successful corneal transplants (with clear corneas) experience poor vision in the post-operative period due to irregular astigmatism, or other complications. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life related to vision in patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-analytical study including patients with a history of penetrating keratoplasty, over 18years of age, and at least 6months after surgery. The patients answered the Visual Function Questionnaire25 (VFQ-25) of visual function, a tool validated for use in Spanish, in which the higher the score, the better the quality of life. RESULTS: Thirty patients (20men and 10women), with a mean age of 61.2±18.7years, were included. The time of evolution after the transplant was 17.7±4months. The total quality of life score was 74.9±21.9, with significance in visual acuity (P<.001), and the presence of systemic comorbidities (P=.018). There was no significance between the transplant reason (P=.098) or ocular comorbidities (P=.119). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that visual acuity, as well as the presence of systemic comorbidities, has a significant impact on quality of life.

[Implementation of the Lean Six Sigma in the improvement of the medication dispensing circuit]. / Implementación Lean Six Sigma en la mejora del circuito de dispensación de medicación.

OBJECTIVE: Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology is used to increase productivity and to improve performance, by eliminating processes that do not add value to the customer, as well as reducing variability. In recent years, its application in healthcare sector is increasing in order to improve the efficiency of processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results obtained in terms of efficiency in the medication dispensing circuit, after application of LSS methodology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multidisciplinary team was created in order to analyse and improve the medication dispensing circuit. The main tools used in LSS methodology were the DMAIC cycle (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control), SIPOC diagram (Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, and Customers), a root-cause analysis; a survey to determine the "Customer's voice" about the circuit; and the cost of each task in terms of staff time. Two Pilot Nursing Units (Thoracic Surgery and Cardiology) were selected to introduce the improvement actions. The main analysed variables were: urgent medication orders per day, and percentage of medication orders made online. RESULTS: After the application of LSS methodology, a significant reduction was found in urgent medicament orders per day in both nursing units, and a significant improvement in the electronic processing of urgent orders. The performance of medication dispensing circuit was increased from 60% (1.76 sigma) during initial data analysis, to 93% (3 sigma) in Thoracic Surgery, and from 71% (2.11 sigma) to 81% (2.4 sigma) in Cardiology. Six months after the implementation of improvements, the performance values were increased to 94% (3.1 sigma) and 93% (3 sigma), respectively. Estimated cost savings related to staff were 798.2 € (266 € per month) after implementation, ascending to 2, 228.5 € (371.4 € per month) after 6months. CONCLUSION: The use of LSS methodology has improved the performance of medication dispensing circuits, reducing costs in terms of staff time, and obtaining satisfactory results.

RanBP2-Mediated SUMOylation Promotes Human DNA Polymerase Lambda Nuclear Localization and DNA Repair.

Cellular DNA is under constant attack by a wide variety of agents, both endogenous and exogenous. To counteract DNA damage, human cells have a large collection of DNA repair factors. Among them, DNA polymerase lambda (Polλ) stands out for its versatility, as it participates in different DNA repair and damage tolerance pathways in which gap-filling DNA synthesis is required. In this work, we show that human Polλ is conjugated with Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier (SUMO) proteins both in vitro and in vivo, with Lys27 being the main target of this covalent modification. Polλ SUMOylation takes place in the nuclear pore complex and is mediated by the E3 ligase RanBP2. This post-translational modification promotes Polλ entry into the nucleus, which is required for its recruitment to DNA lesions and stimulated by DNA damage induction. Our work represents an advance in the knowledge of molecular pathways that regulate cellular localization of human Polλ, which are essential to be able to perform its functions during repair of nuclear DNA, and that might constitute an important point for the modulation of its activity in human cells.