Search Results (23)

Background/Objectives: Multidisciplinary TAVI programs are focused on improving patient-centred care. We compared outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) within a multidisciplinary programme including a nurse with those of patients in the standard programme. Methods: This single-centre observational retrospective study includes patients with severe aortic valve disease and a TAVI indication, with the goal of comparing a nurse programme with standard practice. In the TAVI nursing programme, the nurse has several key roles: patient and family education, comprehensive assessment and procedure planification, patient and family accompaniment, complications detection during admission and follow-up, and patient experience evaluation in the post-procedure period. Results: 154 patients were included: 87 in the nurse programme and 67 in standard practice groups, respectively. Men comprised 52.6%, with an average age of 81 years. Both groups achieved high procedure success without differences in mortality during admission and follow-up (median 13.4 months). The nurse programme group showed better functional class more frequently and had significantly fewer emergency department visits (11.8% vs. 31.3%) and less frequency of readmission (1.2% vs. 23.4%). The TAVI nurse group reported significantly higher overall satisfaction with the process (9.8 vs. 8.9 scores), with the information received and the nurse treatment being the best rated items. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary programme for patients undergoing TAVI, coordinated by nurses and based on comprehensive attention that places the patients at the centre of the process, is feasible and shows high patient satisfaction. Full article

Malodorous gases—particularly hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), ammonia (NH₃), and volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs)—significantly degrade water quality, threaten public health, and disrupt ecosystems. Their production stems from microbial activity, nutrient overload, and industrial discharges, often magnified by low dissolved oxygen. This review integrates current insights into the microbial sulfur and nitrogen cycles to elucidate how these gases form, and surveys advances in detection technologies such as gas chromatography and laser-based sensors. We also assess diverse mitigation methods—including biotechnological approaches (e.g., biofilters, biopercolators), physicochemical treatments, and chemical conversion (Claus Process)—within relevant regulatory contexts in Colombia and worldwide. A case study of the Bogotá River exemplifies how unmanaged effluents and eutrophication perpetuate odor issues, underscoring the need for integrated strategies that reduce pollution at its source, restore ecological balance, and employ targeted interventions. Overall, this review highlights innovative, policy-driven solutions and collaborative efforts as pivotal for safeguarding aquatic environments and surrounding communities from the impacts of odorous emissions. Full article

Considering the potential of biopolymers from underutilized Andean sources in Peru to improve the characteristics of edible films, this work aimed to evaluate the formation of a polymeric matrix composed of Nostoc and modified potato starch for the formulation of edible films for food coating. The effects of polymer matrix ratio and drying temperature on films obtained by thermoforming were studied, determining the water vapor permeability and mechanical properties using a multifactorial design. Additionally, thermal properties were characterized by TGA and DSC, and structural properties by FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the films exhibited lower solubility, lighter hues, better water vapor resistance, higher tensile strength, and improved thermal stability with increasing modified starch content. The formulation with higher Nostoc content exhibited a more homogeneous surface according to microscopy images, and no new chemical bonds were formed by adding modified starch and Nostoc to the polymer matrix, according to FT-IR spectra. These findings are promising and suggest using Nostoc for elaborating edible films composed of native and modified starch from native Andean potatoes as bio-based materials with potential application in the food industry. Full article

Food allergy, particularly peanut allergy (PA), is a growing health concern affecting millions globally. PA can lead to severe reactions, including fatal anaphylaxis. Despite the availability of FDA-approved therapies like Palforzia, a cure remains elusive. Current immunotherapies show promise but lack a definitive cure. This study applies an established computational biology tool to design aptamers targeting Ara h1 and Ara h2. The in silico design aims to streamline the selection process, enabling cost-effective and rapid identification of aptamer candidates. The developed aptamers (AYA22A, including AYA22AR321, AYA22AR211, and AYA22AR524), demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells (rat basophilic leukemia cell line) in vitro. They showed promise in neutralizing peanut allergen-induced immune responses. The selected aptamers inhibited degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells, addressing concerns in raw peanuts. Moreover, these aptamers demonstrated stability and effectiveness in peanut plant seeds and commercial products. Our aptamers exhibited potential in modulating immune responses associated with peanut allergy. They influenced Th1/Th2 balance, indicating a role in cytokine regulation. In vitro studies also showed the aptamers’ impact on immune cell expression and cytokine production, resembling responses observed with established immunotherapies. The findings suggest AYA22A aptamers as a potential therapeutic option for peanut allergy, providing a basis for further in vivo investigations. Full article

Modifying starch allows for improvements in its properties to enable improved uses in food matrices, bioplastics, and encapsulating agents. In this research, four varieties of native potato starch were modified by acid treatment, enzymatic treatment, and ethanol precipitation, and their physicochemical, structural, thermal, and techno-functional characteristics were analyzed. According to FT-IR analysis, no influence of the modified starches on the chemical groups was observed, and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), spherical and oval shapes were observed in the acid and enzymatic treatments, with particle sizes between 27 and 36 μm. In particular, the ethanolic precipitation treatment yielded a different morphology with a particle size between 10.9 and 476.3 nm, resulting in a significant decrease in gelatinization temperature (DSC) and more pronounced crystallites (XRD). On the other hand, the enzymatic treatment showed higher values for z-potential (ζ), and the acid treatment showed lower mass loss (TGA). Acid and ethanolic treatments affected the dough properties compared to native starches. The techno-functional properties showed a decrease in the water absorption index, an increase in the water solubility index, and varied swelling power behaviors. In conclusion, the modification of potato starches through acid, enzymatic, and ethanolic precipitation treatments alters their physicochemical properties, such as swelling capacity, viscosity, and thermal stability. This in turn affects their molecular structure, modifying morphology and the ability to form gels, which expands their applications in the food industry to improve textures, stabilize emulsions, and thicken products. Furthermore, these modifications also open new opportunities for the development of bioplastics by improving the biodegradability and mechanical properties of starch-based plastic materials. Full article

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing portable and personal devices for measuring air quality and surrounding pollutants, partly due to the need for ventilation in the aftermath of COVID-19 situation. Moreover, the monitoring of hazardous chemical agents is a focus for ensuring compliance with safety standards and is an indispensable component in safeguarding human welfare. Air quality measurement is conducted by public institutions with high precision but costly equipment, which requires constant calibration and maintenance by highly qualified personnel for its proper operation. Such devices, used as reference stations, have a low spatial resolution since, due to their high cost, they are usually located in a few fixed places in the city or region to be studied. However, they also have a low temporal resolution, providing few samples per hour. To overcome these drawbacks and to provide people with personalized and up-to-date air quality information, a personal device (smartwatch) based on MEMS gas sensors has been developed. The methodology followed to validate the performance of the prototype was as follows: firstly, the detection capability was tested by measuring carbon dioxide and methane at different concentrations, resulting in low detection limits; secondly, several experiments were performed to test the discrimination capability against gases such as toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene. principal component analysis of the data showed good separation and discrimination between the gases measured. Full article

Gibberellic acid (GA₃) is a tetracyclic diterpenoid carboxylic acid synthesized by the secondary metabolism of Fusarium fujikuroi. This phytohormone is widely studied due to the advantages it offers as a plant growth regulator, such as growth stimulation, senescence delay, flowering induction, increased fruit size, and defense against abiotic or biotic stress, which improve the quality and yield of crops. Therefore, GA₃ has been considered as an innovative strategy to improve agricultural production. However, the yields obtained at large scale are insufficient for the current market demand. This low productivity is attributed to the lack of adequate parameters to optimize the fermentation process, as well as the complexity of its regulation. Therefore, this article describes the latest advances for potentializing the GA₃ production process, including an analysis of its origins from crops, the benefits of its application, the related biosynthetic metabolism, the maximum yields achieved from production processes, and their association with genetic engineering techniques for GA₃ producers. This work provides a new perspective on the critical points of the production process, in order to overcome the limits surrounding this modern line of bioengineering. Full article

Booster vaccines are a strategy to mitigate the conditions in the health, social, and economic fields that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought. A series of adverse effects have been observed since the first vaccination. The present investigation aims to describe the short-term adverse effects of the fourth dose against COVID-19 in adults older than 40 from a region of Peru. The study population was over 40 years of age at the COVID-19 vaccination center in Trujillo, Peru. A 21-day follow-up was conducted from vaccination with the fourth dose, considering sex, age, body mass index, comorbidities, history of COVID-19 infection, vaccination schedule, and simultaneous vaccination against influenza as variables of interest. Multinomial logistic regression with robust variance was used to estimate the risk ratio (RR). In total, 411 people were recruited, and it was found that 86.9% of the participants presented adverse effects after injection with the fourth dose of the vaccine against COVID-19. Pain at the injection site was the most reported symptom after 3 days. Assessment of adverse effects after 3 days found that age ≥ 60 years was associated with a lower likelihood of adverse effects compared to those younger than 60 years (RRc: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.0.18–0.59), males compared to females were associated with a lower likelihood of adverse effects (RRc: 0.54; 95% CI 0.30–0.98), being overweight (RRc: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.12–4.89), and last vaccine with Pfizer-BioN-Tech (RRc: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.18–0.96). Associated adverse effects are mild to moderate. Injection site pain and general malaise are the most frequent adverse effects. Full article

Recent strides in immunotherapy have illuminated the crucial role of CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways in contemporary oncology, presenting both promises and challenges in response rates and adverse effects. This study employs a computational biology tool (in silico approach) to craft aptamers capable of binding to dual receptors, namely, inhibitory CTLA4 and NKG2A, thereby unleashing both T and NK cells and enhancing CD8⁺ T and NK cell functions for tumor cell lysis. Computational analysis highlighted AYA22T-R2-13 with HADDOCK scores of −78.2 ± 10.2 (with CTLA4), −60.0 ± 4.2 (with NKG2A), and −77.5 ± 5.6 (with CD94/NKG2A). Confirmation of aptamer binding to targeted proteins was attained via ELISA and flow cytometry methods. In vitro biological functionality was assessed using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay. Direct and competitive assays using ELISA and flow cytometry demonstrated the selective binding of AYA22T-R2-13 to CTLA4 and NKG2A proteins, as well as to the cell surface receptors of IL-2-stimulated T cells and NK cells. This binding was inhibited in the presence of competition from CTLA4 or NKG2A proteins. Remarkably, the blockade of CTLA4 or NKG2A by AYA22T-R2-13 augmented human CD8 T cell- and NK cell-mediated tumor cell lysis in vitro. Our findings highlight the precise binding specificity of AYA22T-R2-13 for CTLA4-B7-1/B7-2 (CD80/CD86) or CD94/NKG2A-HLA-E interactions, positioning it as a valuable tool for immune checkpoint blockade aptamer research in murine tumor models. These in vitro studies establish a promising foundation for further enhancing binding capacity and establishing efficacy and safety in animal models. Consequently, our results underscore the potential of AYA22T-R2-13 in cancer immunotherapy, offering high specificity, low toxicity, and the potential for cost-effective production. Full article

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiate into specialized cells, including midbrain dopaminergic neurons (DANs), and Non-human primates (NHPs) injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine develop some alterations observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Here, we obtained well-characterized DANs from hESCs and transplanted them into two parkinsonian monkeys to assess their behavioral and imaging changes. DANs from hESCs expressed dopaminergic markers, generated action potentials, and released dopamine (DA) in vitro. These neurons were transplanted bilaterally into the putamen of parkinsonian NHPs, and using magnetic resonance imaging techniques, we calculated the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), both employed for the first time for these purposes, to detect in vivo axonal and cellular density changes in the brain. Likewise, positron-emission tomography scans were performed to evaluate grafted DANs. Histological analyses identified grafted DANs, which were quantified stereologically. After grafting, animals showed signs of partially improved motor behavior in some of the HALLWAY motor tasks. Improvement in motor evaluations was inversely correlated with increases in bilateral FA. MD did not correlate with behavior but presented a negative correlation with FA. We also found higher 11C-DTBZ binding in positron-emission tomography scans associated with grafts. Higher DA levels measured by microdialysis after stimulation with a high-potassium solution or amphetamine were present in grafted animals after ten months, which has not been previously reported. Postmortem analysis of NHP brains showed that transplanted DANs survived in the putamen long-term, without developing tumors, in immunosuppressed animals. Although these results need to be confirmed with larger groups of NHPs, our molecular, behavioral, biochemical, and imaging findings support the integration and survival of human DANs in this pre-clinical PD model. Full article

Nowadays, indoor air pollution is a major problem that affects human health. For that reason, measuring indoor air quality has an increasing interest. Electronic noses are low-cost instruments (compared with reference methods) capable of measuring air components and pollutants at different concentrations. In this paper, an electro-optical nose (electronic nose that includes optical sensors) with non-dispersive infrared sensors and metal oxide semiconductor sensors is used to measure gases that affect indoor air quality. To validate the developed prototype, different gas mixtures (CH₄ and CO₂) with variable concentrations and humidity values are generated to confirm the discrimination capabilities of the device. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used for dimensionality reduction purposes to show the measurements in a plot. Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS) was also performed to calculate the predictive capabilities of the device. PCA results using all the measurements from all the sensors obtained PC1 = 47% and PC2 = 10%; results are improved using only the relevant information of the sensors obtaining PC1 = 79% and PC2 = 9%. PLS results with CH₄ using only MOX sensors received an RMSE = 118.8. When using NDIR and MOX sensors, RMSE is reduced to 19.868; this tendency is also observed in CO₂ (RMSE = 116.35 with MOX and RMSE = 20.548 with MOX and NDIR). The results confirm that the designed electro-optical nose can detect different gas concentrations and discriminate between different mixtures of gases; also, a better correlation and dispersion is achieved. The addition of NDIR sensors gives better results in measuring specific gases, discrimination, and concentration prediction capabilities in comparison to electronic noses with metal oxide gas sensors. Full article

Modulation of the CXCL12–CXCR4 signaling axis is of the utmost importance due to its central involvement in several pathological disorders, including inflammatory diseases and cancer. Among the different currently available drugs that inhibit CXCR4 activation, motixafortide—a best-in-class antagonist of this GPCR receptor—has exhibited promising results in preclinical studies of pancreatic, breast, and lung cancers. However, detailed information on the interaction mechanism of motixafortide is still lacking. Here, we characterize the motixafortide/CXCR4 and CXCL12/CXCR4 protein complexes by using computational techniques including unbiased all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Our microsecond-long simulations of the protein systems indicate that the agonist triggers changes associated with active-like GPCR conformations, while the antagonist favors inactive conformations of CXCR4. Detailed ligand–protein analysis indicates the importance of motixafortide’s six cationic residues, all of which established charge–charge interactions with acidic CXCR4 residues. Furthermore, two synthetic bulky chemical moieties of motixafortide work in tandem to restrict the conformations of important residues associated with CXCR4 activation. Our results not only elucidate the molecular mechanism by which motixafortide interacts with the CXCR4 receptor and stabilizes its inactive states, but also provide essential information to rationally design CXCR4 inhibitors that preserve the outstanding pharmacological features of motixafortide. Full article

Due to the COVID-19 emergency, face-to-face classes were suspended. After the vaccination of teachers and to mitigate educational backwardness, the schools have begun to reopen with protocols established by the government. Here, we investigated the COVID-19 outbreak in summer courses during the reopening of a private elementary school in July 2021. We report confirmed cases of COVID-19 in staff members, students, and their families. A total community of 290 people was part of this study, and we built the contact network. The clinical features of all cases are described. We used the methodology of cases and contacts. The index case was identified by epidemiological tracking, and containment measures were activated, as well as further infection chains in the setting. We estimate the attack rate for staff members at 15.68% (95% CI 7.0–28.6), students at 12.24% (95% CI 4.6–24.8), and family members at 2.6% (95% CI 0.8–6.0). An incubation period of 48–72 h was determined. A student–teacher–student–family transmission sequence was identified. The area where the infection was identified was the school swimming pool, an area where face masks are not worn or, in some cases, inadequately used. Finally, we continue with intermittent staff testing and early detection actions, reinforcing prevention measures, environmental control, cleaning, and educational interventions with students regarding the implementation of preventive measures through classes led by school health staff. Full article

In this paper, a dual-band graphene coplanar waveguide antenna is designed for smart cities and internet of things applications. A graphene film is chosen as the conductive material for the radiation patches and ground plane with a thickness of 240 μm and an electric conductivity of 3.5 × 10⁵ S/m. The dielectric is glass with a dielectric permittivity of 6 and a thickness of 2 mm. The implementation of the antenna on glass permits the integration of the antenna in smart cities and IoT applications. This antenna is based on two trapezoidal patches that generate the dual-band behavior. The overall dimensions of the antenna are 30 mm × 30 mm × 2 mm. The reflection coefficient, gain, and radiation patterns were measured and compared with the simulations. The antenna covers two frequency bands; the lower band covers the 2.45 GHz ISM band, and the upper band range covers from 4 to 7 GHz. Full article

Endophthalmitis treatment consists of intravitreal antibiotics injections and, in selected circumstances, pars plana vitrectomy. However, severe or refractory cases may require an enucleation or evisceration (ENEV). Our study seeks to identify risk factors leading to enucleation or evisceration in patients with infectious endophthalmitis. A retrospective chart review of subjects with a clinical diagnosis of infectious endophthalmitis was undertaken. The affected eyes were stratified into groups: those that underwent ENEV and those in which the eyeball was preserved (EP). The groups were compared using statistical analyses. In total, 69 eyes diagnosed with infectious endophthalmitis were included in the study. There was a higher frequency of exogenous infectious endophthalmitis in the ENEV group versus the EP group. Postsurgical infectious endophthalmitis was lower in the ENEV than in the EP group. A visual acuity of no light perception was more common in the ENEV compared to the EP group. Panophthalmitis was more frequent in the ENEV versus the EP group. Our findings suggest that eyes with endophthalmitis presenting with a visual acuity of no light perception, panophthalmitis, or exogenous etiology have a higher risk of requiring ENEV. In addition, eyes with a postsurgical etiology may be at a lower risk of requiring ENEV. Full article