Publications by authors named "Agustin M"

A new valorization pathway based on solvent fractionation was applied to kraft lignin, a major by-stream of the pulping industry, to extract a soluble lignin intermediate featuring an improved structural homogeneity, a low molecular weight, and a high content of phenolic hydroxyl and carboxylic acid groups to serve as a substitute of the nonrenewable polyacids in the formulation of alkyd resins, a dominant material used in the production of anticorrosion surface coatings. Herein, softwood kraft lignin was mixed in a low-cost green solvent, aqueous ethanol, prepared at different ratios, at room temperature to generate a soluble fraction of a low of ≤2200 g mol and an insoluble fraction of a high of ≥3950 g mol of lignin. The best combination of yields and molecular weights of soluble lignin (16-36% yield, 1740-1890 g mol) was attained using 50-80 vol % ethanol in fractionation.

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Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genodermatosis that lacks effective treatments and requires supportive care for its severe, life-threatening manifestations. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and its derived cells have been suggested to improve clinical symptoms and quality of life. A comprehensive search was conducted for publications evaluating BMT and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) therapy for EB in PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases from inception until June 2023.

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Pharmaceuticals, designed for treating diseases, ironically endanger humans and aquatic ecosystems as pollutants. Adsorption-based wastewater treatment could address this problem, however, creating efficient adsorbents remains a challenge. Recent efforts have shifted towards sustainable bio-based adsorbents.

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During times of maternal stress, developing embryos can be exposed to elevated levels of glucocorticoids, which can affect development and permanently alter offspring phenotype. In placental species, the placenta mediates fetal exposure to maternal glucocorticoids via metabolism, yet the placenta itself responds to glucocorticoids to regulate offspring growth and development. In oviparous species, maternal glucocorticoids can be deposited into the egg yolk and are metabolized early in development.

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Unlabelled: Nanocellulose is very hydrophilic, preventing interactions with the oil phase in Pickering emulsions. This limitation is herein addressed by incorporating lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) as co-stabilizers of nanocellulose-based Pickering emulsions. LNP addition decreases the oil droplet size and slows creaming at pH 5 and 8 and with increasing LNP content.

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The use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in foods as biocontrol agents against foodborne pathogens has become increasingly known. Under the premise that controlling the adhesion of microorganisms to food contact surfaces is an essential step for meeting the goals of food processing, the aim of this work was to investigate the inhibitory and anti-biofilm effectiveness of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) and Lactobacillus casei (ATCC 393) against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes. Lactobacillus strains (10CFU/ml) and pathogens (10CFU/ml) were evaluated to monitor LAB anti-adhesive and antibiofilm effect, in two main scenarios: (i) co-adhesion and (ii) pathogen incorporation to stainless steel surfaces with a protective biofilm of Lactobacillus cells.

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Biofilms are often tolerant towards routine cleaning and disinfection processes. As they can grow on fabrics in household or healthcare settings, resulting in odors and serious health problems, it is necessary to contain biofilms through eradication strategies. The current study proposes a novel test model for the growth and removal of biofilms on textiles with and the opportunistic nosocomial pathogen as model organisms.

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Background: By August 2022, CoronaVirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) had caused 600 million illnesses and 6.5 million fatalities globally. A massive vaccination program is being implemented worldwide to suppress this condition.

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Adsorption is a relatively simple wastewater treatment method that has the potential to mitigate the impacts of pharmaceutical pollution. This requires the development of reusable adsorbents that can simultaneously remove pharmaceuticals of varying chemical structure and properties. Here, the adsorption potential of nanostructured wood-based adsorbents towards different pharmaceuticals in a multi-component system was investigated.

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Biofilms serve as a reservoir for pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, and their removal from different surfaces is a recurring problem in the beverage industry. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a combination of natamycin (NAT, 0.01 mmol/l) and farnesol (FAR, 0.

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Article Synopsis
  • The role of PD-1 in NK cell activity is ambiguous, with conflicting results on its effects on NK cell cytotoxicity.
  • Novel findings show that PD-1 expression on NK cells from healthy donors increases when they interact with tumor cells, suggesting that PD-1 is mobilized to the membrane during NK cell activation.
  • This study indicates that PD-1 on NK cells reduces their effectiveness against PD-L1-expressing tumors, offering insights that could enhance NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies.
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Article Synopsis
  • Hawai'i has a high prevalence of childhood asthma, particularly among Native Hawaiian children, highlighting a significant health issue.
  • A study utilized Photovoice, allowing Wai'anae Coast students with asthma to identify factors influencing their asthma management through photographs and discussions.
  • The findings emphasized the importance of culture and environment in asthma care, suggesting that tailored education programs and further research are needed to address these disparities effectively.
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Lignin is an abundant natural feedstock that offers great potential as a renewable substitute for fossil-based resources. Its polyaromatic structure and unique properties have attracted significant research efforts. The advantages of an enzymatic over chemical or thermal approach to construct or deconstruct lignins are that it operates in mild conditions, requires less energy, and usually uses non-toxic chemicals.

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The production of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) has emerged as a way to overcome the highly variable and complex molecular structure of lignin. It can offer morphological control of the lignin polymer, allowing the formation of stable LNP dispersions in aqueous media, while increasing the potential of lignin for high-value applications. However, the polydispersity and morphology of LNPs varies depending on the lignin grade and preparation method, and a systematic comparison using different technical lignins is lacking.

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A myometrial ectopic pregnancy is a rare and potentially fatal diagnosis. This diagnosis should be considered when presented with large increases in serum beta-hCG with no evidence of an intrauterine pregnancy, particularly with altered myometrium.

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Depression and hope are considered pivotal variables in the recovery process of people with schizophrenia. This study examined the moderating effect of depression on the relationship between hope and recovery, and the mediating effect of hope on the relationship between depression and recovery in persons with schizophrenia. The model was tested empirically using the data of 115 persons with schizophrenia from Central Java Province, Indonesia.

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Bronchial varix is a rare pulmonary disorder which may lead to life-threatening hemorrhage. Diagnosis is difficult because of the subtle abnormalities on radiographic and bronchoscopic examination. We present a case of massive hemoptysis from a bleeding bronchial varix.

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Methamphetamines are commonly abused drugs for their stimulant and euphoric effects. Inhaled and intravenous use may cause damage to the respiratory system. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a condition where changes in intrathoracic pressure leads to alveolar rupture and dissection of air along the tracheobronchial tree.

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The incidence rate of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) gets escalated each year. Kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury (IR injury) is the main cause of AKI after major cardiovascular surgery, trauma, or kidney transplantation. Reperfusion is considered essential for ischemic tissue.

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Chylothorax is the occurrence of chyle (lymph) in the pleural cavity secondary to damage of the thoracic duct. It is a rare form of pleural effusion which appears as a milky white turbid fluid. Malignancy is the leading cause of nontraumatic chylothorax while inadvertent surgical injury to the thoracic duct is the major cause of traumatic chylothorax.

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Education and health are vital for children to thrive, especially for those from rural and disparate communities. For Native Hawaiians, the indigenous people of the State of Hawai'i, (balance) frames the concept of (health), consisting of physical, emotional, and spiritual health. The foundation of ola is embedded in the cultural values - (ancestors), 'āina (land), environment, and (family).

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Objective: To explore the preferences of Spanish healthcare professionals (haematologists and hospital pharmacists) for the treatment selection of active Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) patients at first relapse, condition that mainly afflicts older adults.

Methods: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted among haematologists and hospital pharmacists. A literature review and a focus group informed the DCE design.

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Aims: Cells limit the cell number of dense biofilms by releasing self-inhibitory molecules. Here, we aim to assess the effectiveness of yeast quorum sensing (QS) molecules and the antifungal agent natamycin against yeast biofilms of strains commonly isolated from fruit juice ultrafiltration membranes.

Methods And Results: Yeast QS molecules, such as tyrosol, 2-phenylethanol and farnesol, were detected by solvent extraction and HS-SPME GC-MS in Candida tropicalis cultures.

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