Prognostic value of relative adrenal insufficiency in patients with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis-a prospective clinical study.

Background/aims: Relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) is frequent in patients with liver cirrhosis and affects their prognosis. Scarce data on RAI in patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis (AAH) exists. This study aimed to document the prevalence and prognostic implication of RAI in patients with severe AAH.

Applying Subcritical Water Extraction to Obtain Bioactive Compounds and Cellulose Fibers from Brewer Spent Grains.

Of the three types of waste generated in beer processing, brewer's spent grain (BSG) is the most abundant and has a high potential for valorization. In this work, defatted BSG (DB) was subjected to an extraction process with subcritical water at different temperatures to obtain extracts rich in phenols and the cellulosic fractions, which were also purified by using hydrogen peroxide (HO). The results showed that the dry extracts obtained at 170 °C were richer in phenolics (24 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE) g DB), but with lower antioxidant capacity (71 mg DB·mg 2,2-diphenyl-1-pikryl-hydrazyl).

Lamotrigine induced drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) presenting with eosinophilic pan-colitis, cholestasis and cytomegalovirus reactivation.

The Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is an idiosyncratic drug-induced reaction that primarily affects the liver, lungs, and kidneys. While several organs are commonly involved, the incidence of DRESS affecting the gastrointestinal tract is rarely reported. We present a 72-year-old man with a history of epilepsy who developed DRESS syndrome manifested by eosinophilic pancolitis, cholestasis, and reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) following the initiation of lamotrigine.

Obtaining Cellulose Fibers from Almond Shell by Combining Subcritical Water Extraction and Bleaching with Hydrogen Peroxide.

Almond shell (AS) represents about 33% of the almond fruit, being a cellulose-rich by-product. The use of greener methods for separating cellulose would contribute to better exploitation of this biomass. Subcritical water extraction (SWE) at 160 and 180 °C has been used as a previous treatment to purify cellulose of AS, followed by a bleaching step with hydrogen peroxide (8%) at pH 12.

Longitudinal lung function trajectories in response to azithromycin therapy for chronic lung disease in children with HIV infection: a secondary analysis of the BREATHE trial.

Background: Chronic lung disease (CLD) is common among children with HIV (CWH) including in those taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). Azithromycin has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects and has been effective in improving lung function in a variety of lung diseases. We investigated lung function trajectories among CWH with CLD on ART enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of adjuvant azithromycin.

Active Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) Films Containing Phenolic Compounds with Different Molecular Structures.

To obtain more sustainable and active food packaging materials, PHBV films containing 5% wt. of phenolic compounds with different molecular structures (ferulic acid, vanillin, and catechin) and proved antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were obtained by melt blending and compression molding. These were characterized by their structural, mechanical, barrier, and optical properties, as well as the polymer crystallization, thermal stability, and component migration in different food simulants.

Stability and Composting Behaviour of PLA-Starch Laminates Containing Active Extracts and Cellulose Fibres from Rice Straw.

The stability and composting behaviour of monolayers and laminates of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and starch with and without active extracts and cellulose fibres from rice straw (RS) were evaluated. The retrogradation of the starch throughout storage (1, 5, and 10 weeks) gave rise to stiffer and less extensible monolayers with lower water vapour barrier capacity. In contrast, the PLA monolayers, with or without extract, did not show marked changes with storage.

Biodegradation behavior of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) containing phenolic compounds in seawater in laboratory testing conditions.

Biodegradation in marine medium of PHBV films with or without 5 % wt. of phenolic compounds (catechin, ferulic acid, and vanillin) was assessed at laboratory scale. Respirometric analyses and film disintegration kinetics were used to monitor the process over a period of 162 days.

Splenic abscess due to Salmonella enterica infection successfully treated with percutaneous drainage.

A 66-year-old female presented to our hospital with diffuse abdominal pain and diarrhea. An abdominal CT showed a splenic abscess of 9.9 x 6.

Production of Polyhydroxyalkanoates for Biodegradable Food Packaging Applications Using and Agrifood Wastes.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are high-value biodegradable polyesters with thermoplastic properties used in the manufacturing of different products such as packaging films. PHAs have gained much attention from researchers and industry because of their biobased nature and appropriate features, similar to conventional synthetic plastics. This review aims to discuss some of the recent solutions to challenges associated with PHA production.

Hospital admission and its common causes in children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Lilongwe Malawi between 2001 and 2016: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Background: Paediatric HIV data shows a variable and sometimes catastrophic response in the initial stage of ART regimen administration. The burden of disease that affects children in their first year of treatment is not comprehensively available.

Objective: Objective of our study was to describe patterns of admission in children; before ART initiation, within the first six months, and post-six months of ART between 2001 and 2016.

Circular Bioeconomy: Novel Processes and Materials for Food Preservation.

Food preservation is a set of procedures and resources aimed at blocking the action of external and internal agents that may alter the original characteristics of food [...

Subcritical Water Extraction for Valorisation of Almond Skin from Almond Industrial Processing.

Almond skin (AS) is an agro-industrial residue from almond processing that has a high potential for valorisation. In this study, subcritical water extraction (SWE) was applied at two temperatures (160 and 180 °C) to obtain phenolic-rich extracts (water-soluble fraction) and cellulose fibres (insoluble fraction) from AS. The extraction conditions affected the composition and properties of both valorised fractions.

Assessing the Response of Biomarkers to Anti-Inflammatory Medications in PIMS-TS by Longitudinal Multilevel Modeling: Real-World Data from a UK Tertiary Center.

Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporarily associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (PIMS-TS) is an acute complication of previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure. The relationship between inflammatory markers and anti-inflammatory medication in PIMS-TS is unknown. We retrospectively investigated the relationship between demographics, biomarkers, treatment, and length of stay (LOS) in this novel disease.

microRNAs signature in relapse metastasis and de novo metastasis of breast cancer. A systematic review.

miRNAs have been widely identified as important players in cancer development and progression. Metastasis in breast cancer can occur as relapse of a treated primary tumour or at the time of diagnosis of the tumour. The aim of this review is to show if both metastasis are different molecular entities characterised by different miRNA signatures that could be studied as specific biomarkers for each entity.

Influence of the cellulose purification process on the properties of aerogels obtained from rice straw.

Cellulose aerogels were obtained from purified rice straw cellulose fibres (CF) by applying different extraction methods: the conventional alkaline treatment (ALK) and alternative aqueous extraction based on the ultrasound combined with reflux heating (USHT) and subcritical water extraction (SWE) (160 and 180 °C). The composition and properties of the CFs were significantly affected by the purification process. The USHT treatment was as efficient as the ALK at eliminating the silica content, but the fibres maintained a notable ratio of hemicellulose (∼16 %).

Integrating Fossil Flowers into the Angiosperm Phylogeny Using Molecular and Morphological Evidence.

Fossils are essential to infer past evolutionary processes. The assignment of fossils to extant clades has traditionally relied on morphological similarity and on apomorphies shared with extant taxa. The use of explicit phylogenetic analyses to establish fossil affinities has so far remained limited.

Using rice straw fractions to develop reinforced, active PLA-starch bilayers for meat preservation.

Bilayers from thermoplastic corn starch (TPS) and PLA were obtained, incorporating or not rice straw (RS) valorised fractions: active extract (es) into PLA and cellulose fibres (cf) into TPS films. The films were obtained by thermoprocessing while the bilayers were obtained by thermocompression of the different monolayers (TPS-PLA, TPScf-PLA, TPS-PLAes and TPScf-PLAes). TPS conferred oxygen barrier capacity to the laminates, which was improved by the cf incorporation.

A Novel, Quick, and Reliable Smartphone-Based Method for Serum PSA Quantification: Original Design of a Portable Microfluidic Immunosensor-Based System.

We describe a versatile, portable, and simple platform that includes a microfluidic electrochemical immunosensor for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) detection. It is based on the covalent immobilization of the anti-PSA monoclonal antibody on magnetic microbeads retained in the central channel of a microfluidic device. Image flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the magnetic microbeads.

Antioxidant starch composite films containing rice straw extract and cellulose fibres.

Antioxidant aqueous rice straw (RS) extract was obtained by a combined ultrasound-reflux heating process and cellulose fibres (CF) were purified by bleaching the extraction residue. Both fractions were incorporated into corn starch to obtain films by melt blending and compression moulding. CF (at 3 % wt.

Risk factors for sustained virological non-suppression among children and adolescents living with HIV in Zimbabwe and Malawi: a secondary data analysis.

Background: We investigated risk factors for sustained virological non-suppression (viral load ≥ 1000 copies/ml on two tests 48 weeks apart) among children and adolescents accessing HIV care in public sector clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe and Blantyre, Malawi.

Methods: Participants were enrolled between 2016 and 2019, were aged 6-19 years, living with HIV, had chronic lung disease (FEV z-score < -1) and had taken antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least six months. We used multivariate logistic regression to identify risk factors for virological non-suppression after 48 weeks, among participants who were non-suppressed at enrolment.