Highlights from the first-ever violence against children and youth survey conducted exclusively in a humanitarian setting.

Background: Violence against children (VAC) has garnered attention as a priority issue, in part, due to the Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS). Although children are disproportionately represented among forcibly displaced people, VACS are a novelty in humanitarian settings.

Objective: This paper presents the approach to the first-ever VACS conducted exclusively in a humanitarian setting (HVACS) in Uganda, in addition to providing an overview of the results of this novel survey, along with their implications.

Intracellular Delivery of Anti-Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Antibodies Mediated by Polymeric Micelles Exerts Strong and Anti-Tumorigenic Activity in Kirsten Rat Sarcoma-Mutated Cancers.

The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) is one of the most well-known proto-oncogenes, frequently mutated in pancreatic and colorectal cancers, among others. We hypothesized that the intracellular delivery of anti-KRAS antibodies (KRAS-Ab) with biodegradable polymeric micelles (PM) would block the overactivation of the KRAS-associated cascades and revert the effect of its mutation. To this end, PM-containing KRAS-Ab (PM-KRAS) were obtained using Pluronic F127.

Recycling of Waste Toner Powder as Adsorbent to Remove Aqueous Heavy Metals.

The removal of Cd, Zn and Ni from metal solutions onto waste toner power (WTP) was investigated. The influence of parameters such as pH, contact time, initial metal concentration and adsorbent dosage was studied in batch adsorption experiments. Batch equilibrium experiments showed that the highest removal efficiency for Zn and Cd occurs at pH 7, while pH 5 is the most suitable for Ni removal.

The Violence Against Children Surveys (VACS): Using VACS data to drive programmes and policies.

The Violence Against Children Surveys (VACS) are nationally representative surveys of males and females aged 13-24 years, designed to measure the burden of sexual, physical, and emotional violence experienced in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. As of 2020, 22 countries implemented or are implementing a VACS. Since the first article using VACS data was published in 2009, several peer-reviewed articles have been published on the VACS.

Piperazinyl Bicyclic Derivatives as Selective Ligands of the α2δ-1 Subunit of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels.

The synthesis and pharmacological activities of a new series of piperazinyl quinazolin-4-(3)-one derivatives acting toward the α2δ-1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels (Caα2δ-1) are reported. Different positions of a micromolar HTS hit were explored, and best activities were obtained for compounds containing a small alkyl group in position 3 of the quinazolin-4-(3)-one scaffold and a 3-methyl-piperazin-1-yl- or 3,5-dimethyl-piperazin-1-yl-butyl group in position 2. The activity was shown to reside in the enantiomer of the chain in position 2, and several eutomers reached single digit nanomolar affinities.

Propionamide Derivatives as Dual μ-Opioid Receptor Agonists and σ Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Pain.

A new series of propionamide derivatives was developed as dual μ-opioid receptor agonists and σ receptor antagonists. Modification of a high-throughput screening hit originated a series of piperazinylcycloalkylmethyl propionamides, which were explored to overcome the challenge of achieving balanced dual activity and convenient drug-like properties. The lead compound identified, , showed good analgesic effects in several animal models of both acute (paw pressure) and chronic (partial sciatic nerve ligation) pain, with reduced gastrointestinal effects in comparison with oxycodone.

Incidence and clinical profile of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized COVID-19 patients from Madrid region.

Background: COVID-19 related in-hospital venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence is high but data reported vary significantly. Some studies show that up to half of the events are diagnosed early after admission.

Objectives: To study symptomatic VTE incidence in acute COVID-19 hospitalized patients and to describe timing of VTE diagnosis.

Discovery of EST73502, a Dual μ-Opioid Receptor Agonist and σ Receptor Antagonist Clinical Candidate for the Treatment of Pain.

The synthesis and pharmacological activity of a new series of 4-alkyl-1-oxa-4,9-diazaspiro[5.5]undecane derivatives as potent dual ligands for the σ receptor (σR) and the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) are reported. A lead optimization program over the initial 4-aryl analogues provided 4-alkyl derivatives with the desired functionality and good selectivity and ADME profiles.

Quantification of Boron Compound Concentration for BNCT Using Positron Emission Tomography.

: Boron neutron capture therapy requires a 2 mM B concentration in the tumor. The well-known BNCT patient treatment method using boronophenylalanine (BPA) as a boron-carrying agent utilizes [F]fluoroBPA ([]FBPA) as an agent to qualify for treatment. Precisely, [F]FBPA must have at least a 3:1 tumor to background tissue ratio to qualify the patient for BNCT treatment.

Application of biochar, compost and ZVI nanoparticles for the remediation of As, Cu, Pb and Zn polluted soil.

Here we tested the capacity of zero valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) combined with two organic amendments, namely, compost and biochar, to immobilize metal(oid)s such as As, Cu, Pb, and Zn. In addition, the effects of the amendments on the development of Brassica juncea L., a plant widely used for phytoremediation purposes, were also examined.

A multi-faceted, environmental forensic characterization of a paradigmatic brownfield polluted by hazardous waste containing Hg, As, PAHs and dioxins.

Hg and As mining-metallurgy plants have severely impacted environmental compartments. La Soterraña site (northern Spain) has been previously studied in this context. However, here we used a novel multi-purpose forensic approach to examine accumulations not only of mining-metallurgical waste (volumes above 80,000 t) but also C&D waste as a repository of pollutants (above 10% of As leached in standard tests) at this site.

4-Aryl-1-oxa-4,9-diazaspiro[5.5]undecane Derivatives as Dual μ-Opioid Receptor Agonists and σ Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Pain.

The synthesis and pharmacological activity of a new series of 1-oxa-4,9-diazaspiro[5.5]undecane derivatives as potent dual ligands for the sigma-1 receptor (σR) and the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) are reported. The different positions of the central scaffold, designed using a merging strategy of both target pharmacophores, were explored using a versatile synthetic approach.

Industrial waste materials as adsorbents for the removal of As and other toxic elements from an abandoned mine spoil heap leachate: a case study in Asturias.

The purpose of this study is to determine the capacity of four industrial waste materials originate from steelmaking processes and from gas treatment at a thermal power plant to remove As and other contaminants from a leachate from the spoil heap of an abandoned mercury mine. Arsenic removal is faster in the first minutes, then increases only slightly over time reaching equilibrium in 8 hours. As removal efficiency increased with increasing adsorbent concentration.

Treatment of mining waste leachate by the adsorption process using spent coffee grounds.

The removal of heavy metals from mining waste leachate by spent coffee grounds has been investigated. In synthetic solutions, metal uptake was studied in batch adsorption experiments as a function of pH, contact time, initial metal concentration, adsorbent concentration, particle size, and the effect of co-ions (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Cd, Ni, Zn). Results showed that adsorption was significantly affected by pH, showing the highest affinity within a pH range of 5-7.

Mapping Functional Connectivity in the Rodent Brain Using Electric-Stimulation fMRI.

Since its discovery in the early 90s, BOLD signal-based functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has become a fundamental technique for the study of brain activity in basic and clinical research. Functional MRI signals provide an indirect but robust and quantitative readout of brain activity through the tight coupling between cerebral blood flow and neuronal activation, the so-called neurovascular coupling. Combined with experimental techniques only available in animal models, such as intracerebral micro-stimulation, optogenetics or pharmacogenetics, provides a powerful framework to investigate the impact of specific circuit manipulations on overall brain dynamics.

Characterization and Validation of a-Si Magnetron-Sputtered Thin Films as Solid He Targets with High Stability for Nuclear Reactions.

In this work, we present our magnetron sputtering based methodology to produce amorphous silicon coatings with closed porosity, as a strategy to fabricate solid helium targets, in the form of supported or self-supported thin films, for nuclear reactions. We show how by changing the He working pressure it is possible to obtain highly porous homogeneous structures incorporating different He amounts. These porous coatings (a-Si:He) are very reproducible from run to run, and the high He amount incorporated makes them excellent candidates for solid He targets.

Genome Sequence of Airborne Acinetobacter sp. Strain 5-2Ac02 in the Hospital Environment, Close to the Species of Acinetobacter towneri.

Acinetobacter spp. are found in 53% of air colonization samples from the hospital environment. In this work, we sequenced all the genome of airborne Acinetobacter sp.

Rapid Detection of OXA-48-Producing Enterobacteriaceae by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry.

A rapid and sensitive (100%) matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) assay was developed to detect OXA-48-type producers, using 161 previously characterized clinical isolates. Ertapenem was monitored to detect carbapenem resistance, and temocillin was included in the assay as a marker for OXA-48-producers. Structural analysis of temocillin is described.

Randomized placebo-controlled phase II trial of autologous mesenchymal stem cells in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Uncontrolled studies of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in multiple sclerosis suggested some beneficial effect. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover phase II study we investigated their safety and efficacy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. Efficacy was evaluated in terms of cumulative number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions (GEL) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 months and at the end of the study.

Emergence of clonal groups O1:HNM-D-ST59, O15:H1-D-ST393, O20:H34/HNM-D-ST354, O25b:H4-B2-ST131 and ONT:H21,42-B1-ST101 among CTX-M-14-producing Escherichia coli clinical isolates in Galicia, northwest Spain.

CTX-M enzymes, mainly CTX-M-14 and CTX-M-15, have emerged as the most prevalent extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) type produced by Escherichia coli in Spain, with successful dissemination of clonal group O25b:H4-B2-ST131 producing CTX-M-15 within the hospital and community settings. However, until now CTX-M-14-producing E. coli in Spain had been shown to belong to a wide variety of serotypes with no predominance of a certain clonal group.

Synthesis of three commercial products from Bayer electrofilter powders.

Electrofilter powders, a by-product of the Bayer process for the production of alumina from bauxite, were leached with sulphuric acid to dissolve gibbsite and transition aluminas, thus obtaining a commercial aluminium sulphate solution and a solid residue. This residue is treated again under more drastic conditions with sulphuric acidic in a furnace at a higher temperature, is then leached with water and filtered, a small amount of solid remaining (alpha-alumina). The liquid is a highly acidic aluminium sulphate solution which does not fulfil commercial grade specifications; the liquor is accordingly treated with potassium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide to obtain potassium or ammonium alum.

AuX3-mediated selective head-to-head dimerization of difluoropropargyl amides.

A dimerization of difluoropropargyl amides by reaction with gold(III) halides is described. A reductive elimination of a divinylgold species can be invoked to rationalize its formation. Initial studies of the unusual reactivity of these 1,4-dihalo-1,3-dienes have been performed.

Cross-metathesis reactions as an efficient tool in the synthesis of fluorinated cyclic beta-amino acids.

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure, cyclic, gamma,gamma-difluorinated beta-amino acids with various ring sizes has been carried out with a cross-metathesis (CM) reaction being one of the key steps, followed by a Dieckmann-type condensation to bring about the cyclization. Subsequent catalytic hydrogenation under microwave irradiation with (-)-8-phenylmenthol as a chiral auxiliary led to the successful chemo- and diastereoselective chemical reduction of the resulting cyclic beta-enamino esters. The efficiency and scope of the CM reaction with different types of fluorinated imidoyl chlorides and unsaturated esters has also been studied in order to determine the optimal reaction conditions with regard to selectivity and reactivity.

Concise preparation of 2,2-difluorohomopropargyl carbonyl derivatives. Application to the synthesis of 4,4-difluoroisoquinolinone congeners.

A scalable synthesis of 2,2-difluorohomopropargyl esters was achieved using a magnesium-promoted Barbier reaction of substituted difluoropropargyl bromides with alkyl chloroformates. These 2,2-difluorohomopropargyl esters were effective precursors in the synthesis of homopropargylic amides-by aminolysis using AlMe3, as well as of ketones-through the reaction of the corresponding Weinreb amides with Grignard reagents. Ring closing metathesis using difluorinated 1,7-enyne carbonyl compounds furnished six-membered diene products, which were used as susbstrates in a Diels-Alder reaction to afford 4,4-difluoroisoquinolin-3-ones.

Transfusional chagas disease: parasitological and serological monitoring of an infected recipient and blood donor.

Chagas disease is endemic to Latin America, but human migration is extending its distribution. This report describes the parasitological and serological course of disease in a Spanish patient fatally infected via a blood product transfusion, as well as the monitoring of the donor. Before undergoing immunosuppression, multitransfused patients should be screened for anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies.