Commercial wine yeast nitrogen requirement influences the production of secondary metabolites (aroma, hydroxytyrosol, melatonin and other bioactives) during alcoholic fermentation.

During alcoholic fermentation, Saccharomyces cerevisiae synthesizes different compounds, which are crucial for product quality: volatile compounds with sensory impact, and bioactive compounds such as melatonin (MEL) and hydroxytyrosol (HT), linked to health benefits. As many of these compounds are related with yeast's nitrogen metabolism, their production have been studied in four different commercial strains with different nitrogen requirement (Red Fruit, Uvaferm VRB, Lalvin Rhone 2323 and Lalvin QA23) being, Uvaferm UVR the higher nitrogen demander strain. All strains produced the secondary metabolites, notably Uvaferm UVR produced the highest HT concentration, despite its low growth. Uvaferm UVR emerged also as a significant producer of MEL, indicating a potential role in fermentation related stress. Moreover, Uvaferm UVR shows the highest total concentrations of volatile compounds. Multivariate analysis revealed distinct clustering based on nitrogen requirements of the strains, highlighting the strain-dependent metabolic responses.

Plasma Concentrations of High Mobility Group Box 1 Proteins and Soluble Receptors for Advanced Glycation End-Products Are Relevant Biomarkers of Cognitive Impairment in Alcohol Use Disorder: A Pilot Study.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major component in the etiology of cognitive decline and dementia. Underlying mechanisms by which long-term alcohol abuse causes cognitive dysfunction include excessive oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, activated by increased reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1). In a pilot study, we examine the potential clinical value of circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress including ROS/RNS, HMGB1, the soluble receptor for AGE (sRAGE), the brain biomarker of aging apolipoprotein D (ApoD), and the antioxidant regulator nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) as predictive indices for cognitive impairment (CI) in abstinent patients with AUD (n = 25) compared to patients with established Alzheimer's disease (AD, n = 26) and control subjects (n = 25). Plasma concentrations of sRAGE were evaluated with immunoblotting; ROS/RNS with a fluorometric kit; and HMGB1, ApoD, and NRF2 by ELISA. Abstinent AUD patients had higher sRAGE, ROS/RNS (p < 0.05), and ApoD (p < 0.01) concentrations, similar to those of AD patients, and lower NRF2 (p < 0.01) concentrations, compared to controls. These changes were remarkable in AUD patients with CI. HMGB1, and sRAGE correlated positively with duration of alcohol use (rho = 0.398, p = 0.022; rho = 0.404, p = 0.018), whereas sRAGE correlated negatively with periods of alcohol abstinence (rho = -0.340, p = 0.045). A predictive model including ROS/RNS, HMGB1, sRAGE, alcohol use duration, and alcohol abstinence periods was able to differentiate AUD patients with CI (92.3% of correct predictions, ROC-AUC= 0.90) from those without CI. In conclusion, we propose ROS/RNS, HMGB1, and sRAGE as stress biomarkers capable of predicting cognitive impairment in AUD patients.

Changes in Sexual Behaviors Due to Mpox: a Cross-Sectional Study of Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals in Illinois.

The spread of the monkeypox virus (mpox) in 2022 primarily within the sexual networks of men who have sex with men (MSM) triggered a potentially stigmatizing public health response in the USA. Despite mpox being primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact, most messaging has promoted abstinence and/or reduction in sexual risk behaviors. More research is needed on decreases in sexual risk behaviors among sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth and young adults (YYA) related to the most recent mpox epidemic and whether there are factors associated with these decreases in sexual risk behavior. Participants within an ongoing cohort study of SGM YYA who reside in Illinois were offered the opportunity to participate in an mpox survey between September 10th and September 20th, 2022. Analyses looked at demographic factors associated with sexual activity since the start of the outbreak, as well as associations with two sexual risk reduction factors. Survey participation was 68.7% (322/469). Three-quarters of participants (82.6%) reported sexual activity since June 1st. Most sexually active participants (83.5%) adopted at least one sexual risk reduction behavior due to mpox. Black and Latinx individuals were less likely to be sexually active but more likely to report risk reduction behaviors (31.3% and 22.6%, respectively). Participants who received the mpox vaccine were more likely to report sexual activity. SGM YYA in Illinois reported that their sexual behaviors were impacted by the mpox outbreak. However, associations between vaccination and sexual behavior demonstrate that those who are vaccinated do adopt protective methods despite not decreasing sexual activity. Therefore, sex-positive communications and harm reduction messaging may be more appropriate as opposed to abstinence-only prevention, which can further stigmatize an already marginalized group.

Monkeypox-Induced Secondary Traumatic Stress: An Exploratory Analysis of Young Sexual and Gender Minority Adults Living in Illinois.

Objective: Prior epidemic literature suggests that the rapid proliferation of Monkeypox (Mpox) within the United States may trigger severe stress reactions that increase the risk of developing secondary traumatic stress among young adults most at risk of exposure. The present exploratory study aimed to investigate the degree to which proximity to Mpox (i.e. knowing people who acquired Mpox), was associated with symptoms of secondary traumatization. Method: An online survey was administered to 253 participants enrolled in Keeping it LITE, a prospective U.S. cohort study of ethnically diverse, sexually active, sexual and gender minority persons ages 19-39 in September 2022. A multiple linear regression was used to examine the association between proximity to Mpox and secondary traumatic stress (STS) symptoms. Results: Study findings demonstrated that Mpox morbidity was low (1%); however, 37% of participants reported knowing at least one person diagnosed with Mpox. For most individuals, this person was a friend (28%). 16% of participants were found to have at least one indicator of Mpox-related STS. Results of our multiple linear regression demonstrated a positive association between an individual's indirect exposure to Mpox via their interpersonal relationships and STS symptoms. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the more adults' interpersonal relationships are saturated with people who have acquired Mpox, the more likely they are to develop symptoms of secondary traumatization. These findings provide tentative initial evidence that secondary exposure to Mpox via one's social network may undermine adults' mental health even after the conclusion of the outbreak.

Fracture in Humeroradial Synostosis: Description of Two Clinical Cases.

Synostosis is a generic term to indicate the union of two originally separated bones. At the elbow, humeroradial or longitudinal synostosis causes significant disability, which varies depending on hand function, elbow positioning, adjacent joints mobility and contralateral limb function. It is estimated that, to date, a little more than 150 patients have been described with this deformity, which is more common in subjects with deficient ulnar formation or affected by conditions such as Antley-Bixler and Hermann syndromes. The lack of the elbow joint, with the formation of a longer bone due to humerus-radius fusion, results in stiffness. As such, it is assumed that fractures in this topography are not uncommon. However, since synostosis is rare, this lesion was only described twice in the literature. We report two patients with a fracture of the single bone formed by a humeroradial synostosis and Bayne type-IV ulnar formation failure. Both patients were treated surgically with success. We emphasize the need for adequate treatment to not compromise the daily activities of patients who are adapted to their deformity, thus avoiding worsening the function of a previously affected limb.

Predictors of Mpox vaccine uptake among sexual and gender minority young adults living in Illinois: Unvaccinated vs. double vs. single dose vaccine recipients.

INTRODUCTION: The 2022 global outbreak of Monkeypox virus (Mpox), which has primarily spread through the sexual networks of sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, has introduced new public health challenges. While an efficacious Mpox vaccine is in active circulation, few Mpox vaccine studies have examined its uptake among SGM groups. The aims of this study were to investigate (a) the prevalence of Mpox vaccine uptake among SGM and (b) the contextual, Mpox-disease specific, and Mpox-vaccine specific factors associated with Mpox vaccine among SGM. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in Illinois, USA in September 2022; 320 young SGM completed self-administered questionnaires. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the contextual, Mpox-disease specific, and Mpox-vaccine specific factors associated with Mpox vaccine uptake. Adjusted Odds Ratios (aORs) and 95 % Confidence Intervals (CI) are reported. RESULTS: Approximately 50 % of the SGM participants included in this study had received at least their first dose of the Mpox vaccine. Multinomial regression analysis showed that individuals who had recently experienced food insecurity, had higher degrees of fear of social rejection due to Mpox acquisition, and were more Mpox-vaccine hesitant were more likely to be unvaccinated. Conversely, knowing people who have contracted Mpox, having higher formal educational attainment, having higher degrees of Mpox-related internalized heterosexism, and being more concerned about one's safety regarding Mpox morbidity were more likely to be double-dosers. CONCLUSION: Approximately 50 % of the SGMs included in this study received at least their first dose of the Mpox vaccine; however, only one-quarter of participants completed the recommended 2-dose Mpox regimen. Our findings indicate that socioeconomic stability, fear of social rejection due to disease acquisition, and Mpox-specific vaccine hesitancy may be important structural targets to consider when developing vaccine-uptake prevention and intervention strategies tailored to the needs of sexual and gender minorities.

Access to healthcare among sexual and gender minority youth at risk for HIV: barriers and experiences of discrimination.

This study examined experiences of healthcare inaccessibility and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+) discrimination among sexual and gender minority youth at elevated risk for HIV in the United States. Participants for this cross-sectional survey study (N = 3330) were cisgender men, transgender men and women, and nonbinary individuals ages 18-34 recruited for a larger study examining HIV risk behavior between December 2017 and December 2019. Results indicated that 41.1% of participants had at least one lifetime experience of LGBTQ + healthcare discrimination, and 44.1% reported past 6-month experiences of discrimination or problems accessing healthcare. Transgender men and women were more likely than cisgender men and nonbinary participants to report experiences of discrimination, and transgender men were more likely to report problems accessing healthcare. A majority of participants (72.8%) reported that their most recent healthcare provider was aware of their sexual or gender identity. These results indicate a high prevalence of structural barriers in healthcare access for sexual and gender minority youth at elevated risk for HIV, including finical and logistical barriers as well as anticipated and experienced discrimination. We discuss these findings and highlight the importance of easily accessible and culturally competent care for this community.

Fracture in Humeroradial Synostosis: Description of Two Clinical Cases / Fratura em sinostose rádio-umeral: Descrição de dois casos clínicos*

Abstract Synostosis is a generic term to indicate the union of two originally separated bones. At the elbow, humeroradial or longitudinal synostosis causes significant disability, which varies depending on hand function, elbow positioning, adjacent joints mobility and contralateral limb function. It is estimated that, to date, a little more than 150 patients have been described with this deformity, which is more common in subjects with deficient ulnar formation or affected by conditions such as Antley-Bixler and Hermann syndromes. The lack of the elbow joint, with the formation of a longer bone due to humerus-radius fusion, results in stiffness. As such, it is assumed that fractures in this topography are not uncommon. However, since synostosis is rare, this lesion was only described twice in the literature. We report two patients with a fracture of the single bone formed by a humeroradial synostosis and Bayne type-IV ulnar formation failure. Both patients were treated surgically with success. We emphasize the need for adequate treatment to not compromise the daily activities of patients who are adapted to their deformity, thus avoiding worsening the function of a previously affected limb.

Resumo Sinostose é um termo genérico utilizado para indicar a união de dois ossos originalmente separados. No cotovelo, a sinostose rádio-umeral ou longitudinal causa importante incapacidade, que varia a depender da função da mão, da posição do cotovelo, da mobilidade das articulações adjacentes e da função do membro contralateral. Estima-se que um pouco mais de 150 pacientes foram descritos até hoje com essa deformidade, sendo mais frequente em portadores de deficiência de formação ulnar ou podendo fazer parte de síndromes como de Antley-Bixler e de Hermann. Devidoàrigidezcausadapelaausênciadaarticulaçãodocotovelo,queresultana formação de um osso mais longo com a fusão do úmero no rádio, presume-se que fratura nessa topografia não seja incomum. No entanto, pela raridade dessa patologia, tal lesão apresenta apenas duas descrições prévias na literatura. Relatamos os casos de dois pacientes com fratura do osso único formado pela sinostose entre o úmero e o rádio portadores de falha de formação ulnar do tipo IV de Bayne. Ambos os pacientes foram tratados de forma cirúrgica e evoluíram bem. Salientamos a necessidade do tratamento adequado para não comprometer as atividades da vida de um paciente já adaptado à deformidade, evitando piorar a função de um membro já alterado.

The Flexor Carpi Radialis Portal for Arthroscopy-Assisted Reduction of the Dorsal Ulnar Fragment in Distal Radius Fractures.

Background The importance of the dorsal ulnar fragment (DUF) for stability and articular congruence of the radius is widely recognized, and standard surgical techniques often fail to ensure its reduction. Description of Technique We describe a modification of volar wrist portals for arthroscopic management of the DUF of the distal radius. It is made in an outside-in fashion in line with the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) approach for the distal radius. Through this volar portal, we achieve wide and direct visualization of the DUF, with the advantage of protecting important anatomic structures such as the FCR tendon, the radial artery, and the median nerve; all protected with the previously made volar approach for the distal radius. In addition, easy manipulation and reduction of the DUF is obtained with instrumentation through standard dorsal portals. Patients and Methods We performed this procedure in 23 patients with distal radius fractures (DRF) with displaced DUF. Results Early and late postoperative evaluation demonstrated intraoperative reduction maintenance and adequate range of motion, compatible with the usual findings of standard volar plating, with the benefit of anatomic reduction of the DUF. Conclusion With our technique, volar plating associated with arthroscopy-assisted dorsal fragment specific fixation with dorsal standard and the FCR portals permits optimal surgical treatment of most DRFs.

Experiences of Online Racialized Sexual Discrimination among Sexual and Gender Minorities in the United States: Online Survey Data from Keeping It LITE.

This study sought to analyze prevalence and correlates of online racialized sexual discrimination (RSD), or sexualized discriminatory treatment, in the context of sexualized encounters, among cisgender men and transgender individuals who have sex with men at risk for HIV. Data were collected as part of a baseline survey from a large national sample (N = 2,166). Among participants of color (N = 1,042), 84.9% had experienced RSD in the past 6 months, and transgender participants experienced similar levels of RSD as cisgender men. Experience of RSD was associated with older age and more frequent experiences of general discrimination, but not with geographic location, mental health symptoms, sexual risk behavior, or internalized homonegativity. These findings confirm that RSD is highly prevalent among sexual and gender minority individuals of color who have sex with men. Implications and areas for future research are discussed.

Energy solvency. A new concept to prevent energy poverty in Spain.

The new concept of energy solvency is defined as the ability of a person buying or renting a dwelling to meet the energy costs necessary to keep the dwelling comfortable, without falling into energy poverty. The energy efficiency certificate information is used to calculate the economic expenditure that is theoretically necessary to maintain the property comfortable. This is a more robust value for calculating the energy poverty indicator 2 M than the available data on real expenditure. Dwellings' maximum surface may be determined in order to guarantee the energy solvency, depending on the climate zone, the energy class, the energy sources used, and the household's net income. The results indicate that in 15% of situations, it is not possible to have a dwelling that exceeds the minimum surface area stipulated by law without incurring an energy risk situation. It is also observed that in 86% of the cases, energy solvency is achieved for dwellings with energy classes A, B, C, and D, up to 120 m2. It is concluded that, by knowing the energy solvency before renting or buying a home, it is possible to prevent energy poverty by avoiding those operations in which it is known that this will happen.

Reuse of KOH Solutions during Black Ripe Olive Processing, Effect on the Quality of the Final Product and Valorization of Wastewaters as Possible Fertilizer Product.

A high volume of water is needed to produce black ripe olives, which also entails a significant volume of wastewater with a high organic and inorganic contaminant charge. To reduce this problem, the reuse of KOH solutions (lyes) in a new process was studied. Once the lyes were removed from the tanks, KOH was then added for a new darkening process. Reusing the lyes up to four times gave rise to a product with similar physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics as obtained with fresh solutions. The application of this process reduced coadjutant consumption by 32% and water by 20%, while global wastewater presented a high K content whose concentration could be valorized as a fertilizer by replacing commercial potassium nitrate.

Individual and structural-level Correlates of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) lifetime and current use in a nationwide sample of young sexual and gender minorities.

The objective of this analysis was to describe individual and structural-level factors associated with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among a sample of sexual and gender minorities (SGM) at risk for HIV recruited using limited interaction strategies. SGM (N = 3330), ages 15-34, without HIV enrolled in a nationwide limited interaction cohort study from 2017 to 2020. A baseline cross-sectional single-survey design examined individual and structural-level correlates of PrEP lifetime use and current use using logistic regression. PrEP lifetime use and current use were reported by 31.2% and 23.9%, respectively, of SGM with PrEP data (n = 3077). PrEP use outcomes (lifetime or current use) in cisgender MSM were associated with being over age 18, Black or other race, Hispanic/Latina/x/o ethnicity, being gay, being out to one's healthcare provider, having health insurance, being a college graduate, and having a greater number of PrEP peers. PrEP use outcomes (lifetime use or current use) in transgender/non-binary participants were associated with being over age 24, being Latinx, being transgender vs. non-binary, being assigned male at birth, being out to their healthcare provider, living in the western or northeastern United States, and having more peers on PrEP. More work is needed to address lower PrEP uptake in SGM under 18 and those whose sex risk may be more dynamic (e.g., non-binary, pansexual/queer, and bisexual SGM) and such strategies should consider utilizing peers to provide information and ameliorate structural barriers.

RESUMEN: Este análisis describe los determinantes sociales asociados con el uso de la PrEP entre una cohorte contemporánea de minorías sexuales y de género (MSG) en riesgo de contraer el VIH en los Estados Unidos. Los participantes incluyeron MSG (N = 3330), de 15 a 34 años, sin VIH reclutados por redes sociales entre 2017­2020. Usando los datos de inscripción, una regresión analizó la historia del uso de la PrEP. Los factores asociados con el uso de la PrEP entre este grupo indicaron que los mayores de edad, los abiertos sobre su sexualidad con sus médicos, y los que conocían compañeros que usaban la PrEP, todos eran más propensos a haber usado la PrEP. Más esfuerzo se requiere para abordar el uso de la PrEP entre aquellos cuyos su riesgo sexual puede ser más dinámico.

Early Versus Late Spine Surgery in Severely Injured Patients-Which Is the Appropriate Timing for Surgery?

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study conducted at tertiary spinal trauma referral center. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine if early definitive management of spine fractures in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) shortens the intubation time and the length of stay (LOS), without increasing mortality. METHODS: The medical records of all patients admitted to the ICU and submitted to surgical stabilization of spine fractures were reviewed over a 10-year period. Time to surgery, number of fractured vertebrae, degree of neurological injury, Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II), ASA score and associated trauma were evaluated. Surgeries performed on the first 72 hours after trauma were defined as "early surgeries." Intubation time, LOS on ICU, overall LOS and mortality rate were compared between patients operated early and late. RESULTS: Fifty patients were included, 21 with cervical fractures, 23 thoracic and 6 lumbar. Baseline characteristics did not differ between patients in both groups. Patients with early surgical stabilization had significantly shorter intubation time, ICU-LOS and overall LOS, with no differences in terms of mortality rate. After multivariate adjustments overall LOS was significantly shorter in patients operated earlier. CONCLUSIONS: Early spinal stabilization (<72 hours) of severely injured patients is beneficial and shortens the intubation time, ICU-LOS and overall LOS, with no differences in terms of mortality rate. Although some patients may require a delay in treatment due to necessary medical stabilization, every reasonable effort should be made to treat patients with unstable spinal fractures as early as possible. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE OF THE STUDY: Level III.

Terapia de reemplazo renal continua. Presentación de un caso / Continuous renal replacement therapy. Case report

RESUMEN La insuficiencia renal aguda es definida como la pérdida de función del riñón ocasionada por diversas causas, entre ellas infección e ingesta de fármacos. Esta entidad tiene alta morbilidad y mortalidad en las unidades de cuidados críticos. El tratamiento de la misma va desde la propia protección renal hasta la sustitución artificial de las funciones del riñón lesionado. En la actualidad la terapia de reemplazo renal continua se ha utilizado como soporte renal, y ofrece mayor estabilidad clínica a los pacientes más inestables. En esta revisión se comentan conceptos, indicaciones y los más recientes estudios que validan el uso de esta terapéutica, así como el método de programación que se utilizó en un paciente con diagnóstico de una leptospirosis icterohemorrágica (síndrome de Weil), que estuvo en shock séptico con disfunción multiorgánica, donde se empleó esta terapia con resultados satisfactorios (AU).

ABSTRACT Acute kidney failure is defined as the loss of kidney function caused by various causes, including infection and drug intake. This entity has high morbidity and mortality in critical care units. Treatment ranges from renal protection to artificial replacement of the functions of the injured kidney. Currently, continuous renal replacement therapy has been used as renal support, and offers greater clinical stability to the most unstable patients. In this review, authors discuss concepts, indications and the most recent studies that validate the use of this therapeutic, as well as the programming method that was used in a patient with diagnosis of icteric-hemorrhagic leptospirosis (Weil syndrome), who was in septic shock with multiorgan dysfunction, where this therapy was used with satisfactory results (AU).

On the scattering-induced fading for optical wireless links through seawater: statistical characterization and its applications.

Recent research has shown that an accurate underwater channel characterization is necessary for underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) in order to improve its current limitations related to the achievable data rate and the link distance, as required in undersea optical networks. This paper presents a new statistical model to characterize the scattering effect in terms of a fading never considered before. In this way, the probability density function of the scattering-induced fading channel is derived by means of a Gamma distribution by using only one degree of freedom in clear ocean and coastal waters. The developed fading model is employed to compute the performance of UOWC systems in terms of bit error rate and outage probability along with turbulence-induced fading modeled by a Weibull distribution. The results prove that smaller diversity order values are achieved when scattering-induced fading is the dominant effect, i.e., when the condition σ s2>1ß 1 is satisfied, where σ s2 and ß1 are parameters related to the Gamma and Weibull distributions, respectively. Moreover, the optical power penalty due to scattering-induced fading is analytically evaluated in several turbulence conditions to provide a deeper insight. Optical power penalty values of up to 6 dB and 9 dB are achieved when compared with no scattering scenarios at moderate distances for clear ocean and coastal waters. As a key feature, scattering should be always considered in terms of fading for future designs of advanced UOWC systems. The analytical results are verified by Monte Carlo simulations.

Capacity of underwater optical wireless communication systems over salinity-induced oceanic turbulence channels with ISI.

Point-to-point underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) links are mainly impaired by scattering due to impurities and turbidity in the open water, resulting in a significant inter-symbol interference (ISI) that limits seriously both channel capacity and the maximum practical information rate. This paper conducts, for the first time, the channel capacity analysis of UOWC systems in the presence of ISI and salinity-induced oceanic turbulence when the undersea optical channel is accurately modeled by linear discrete-time filtering of the input symbols. In this way, novel upper and lower bounds on channel capacity and mutual information are developed for non-uniform on-off keying (OOK) modulation when different constraints are imposed on the channel input. The results show that the capacity-achieving distribution, which is computed through numerical optimization, is discrete and depends on the optical signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR). Moreover, a non-uniform input distribution significantly improves the channel capacity of such systems affected by ISI and oceanic turbulence, especially at low optical SNR. Monte Carlo techniques are employed to test the developed bounds for different undersea optical channels with one, two and three casual ISI coefficients.

Limited Interaction Targeted Epidemiology of HIV in Sexual and Gender Minority American Adolescents and Adults: Feasibility of the Keeping it LITE Study.

BACKGROUND: HIV infection rates among sexual minority men and transgender individuals, particularly adolescents and young adults, remain elevated in the United States despite continued improvement in the HIV public health response. However, there remains a knowledge gap in understanding the barriers faced by this community in receiving HIV care and prevention resources. To address this, the Keeping it LITE study was conducted to assess HIV risk factors and barriers to preventive treatment in a large national cohort of young sexual minority men and transgender individuals at high risk of HIV infection. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of enrolling a large remote cohort, challenges encountered in recruitment, and adjustments made to address these challenges. METHODS: A large national cohort (n=3444) of young sexual minority men and transgender individuals were recruited. Participants were recruited via advertisements on social media; social apps for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals; print advertising; and word-of-mouth. Before enrolling, participants verified their HIV status using an at-home HIV test or by providing their own testing documentation. Descriptive statistics were generated, and a series of logistic regressions were conducted to evaluate demographic differences between recruitment methods, HIV testing methods, and enrollment status. RESULTS: The Keeping it LITE study was particularly successful in recruiting participants via social media, with over half of the participants recruited from advertisements on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Participants were also recruited via word-of-mouth; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer apps (ie, Grindr, Scruff); and print advertisements, and participants recruited from these sources tended to be older and have a higher risk profile. The study was also successful in recruiting a large sample of transgender youth, particularly transgender men and nonbinary individuals. At-home HIV testing was acceptable and more heavily used by younger participants, although several barriers were encountered and overcome in the implementation of this testing. The study had more limited success in recruiting participants aged 13-17 years because of lower enrollment rates and barriers to advertising on social media platforms. The implications of these findings for the future development of HIV research and intervention protocols among sexual minorities and trans youth are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The methods used in the Keeping it LITE study, particularly recruitment via social media, were found to be feasible and acceptable to participants.

Infección nosocomial en Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández, de Matanzas / Nosocomial infection in the Intensive Care Unit of the Teaching Clinic-Surgical Hospital Faustino Pérez Hernández, of Matanzas

RESUMEN Introducción: la diseminación de microorganismos multirresistentes en el hospital, constituye un importante problema epidemiológico y terapéutico que afecta especialmente a pacientes de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Objetivo: escribir el comportamiento de las infecciones nosocomiales y la resistencia antimicrobiana en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo, observacional y prospectivo en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández, durante el primer semestre de 2020. El universo estuvo constituido por 102 pacientes que ingresaron en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos en el período estudiado, a los que se les realizó estudios microbiológicos. Las variables analizas fueron: causas de ingreso, edad, infecciones nosocomiales, neumonía en ventilados, gérmenes, resistencia antimicrobiana y mortalidad. Se expresaron en tablas y gráficos porcentuales. Resultados: el sexo masculino presentó mayor número de infección nosocomial respecto al femenino, en edades diferentes de la vida. La causa más frecuente de ingreso fue el politrauma. El sitio más común de infección nosocomial fue la vía respiratoria. Predominaron gérmenes como los bacilos gramnegativos fermentadores y las enterobacterias. Antibióticos como los inhibidores de las betalactamasas, otras penicilinas, quinolonas, cefalosporinas, aminoglucósidos y meropenen han adquirido un mayor porciento de resistencia. Conclusiones: la infección nosocomial por bacterias multirresistentes a los antibióticos estratégicos, es un problema dentro de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos asociado a la ventilación mecánica, que provoca una elevada mortalidad (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: the spread of multi-resistant microorganisms in the hospital is a major epidemiological and therapeutic problem that particularly affects critical patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Objective: to describe the behavior of nosocomial infections and antimicrobial resistance in the Intensive Care Unit. Materials and Methods: a descriptive, observational and prospective study was carried out in the Intensive Care Unit of the Teaching Clinic-Surgical Hospital Faustino Pérez Hernández, during the first half of 2020. The universe was formed by 102 patients who entered the Intensive Care Unit during the studied period, to whom microbiological studies were carried out. The analyzed variables were the following: causes of admission, age, nosocomial infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, germs, antimicrobial resistance and mortality. The results were expressed in tables and percentage charts. Results: Male sex showed the highest number of nosocomial infection compared to the female, at different ages of life. The most common cause of admission was polytrauma. The most common site of nosocomial infection was the airway. Germs like fermentative Gram-negative bacilli and enterobacteria predominated. Antibiotics such as beta-lactamase inhibitors, other kinds of penicillin, quinolones, cephalosporin, aminoglycosides and meropenen have acquired a higher percent of resistance. Conclusions: nosocomial infection caused by bacteria that have developed multi-resistance to strategic antibiotics is a problem within the Intensive Care Unit, associated to mechanical ventilation, and leads to high mortality (AU).

Effect of fertilisation with black table olive wastewater solutions on production and quality of tomatoes cultivated under open field conditions.

This study was aimed at making progress on the valorisation of table olive wastewater that currently represent a big environmental problem for factories. Concentrates from vacuum evaporation of the wastewater generated during processing of black ripe olives treated with KOH were tested as fertilisers of tomato plants in open field assays for three consecutive crops. Fertilisation was performed by drip irrigation every 15 days; the first treatment being 15 days after transplanting, and a total of five fertilisation treatments were carried out. A phytotoxic effect was not observed on plants or fruit in any case but higher yield (fruit/plant and g/plant) was obtained in comparison to irrigation with only tap water. Moreover, the combined use of the olive concentrate with inorganic nitrogen supply (NH4NO3), in order to comply with the nutrient needs of plants, was also tested. The results demonstrated that the olive concentrates could be a good substitute for inorganic potassium (as KNO3) during the cultivation of tomato plants without any negative effect on the tomato quality (pH, °Brix, sugars, organic acids) or content of bioactive substances (phenolic compounds and carotenoids).