Non-invasive and real-time monitoring of polyhydroxyalkanoates production using two-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy.

Bioplastics are a sustainable and environmental-friendly alternative to the conventional petroleum-based plastics, namely due to their source (biobased) and due to their biodegradability or both. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) stand out among the bioplastics group by being intracellular biobased, biodegradable and biocompatible polymers. PHA production has been highly investigated during the last decades.

Typical and extreme weather datasets for studying the resilience of buildings to climate change and heatwaves.

We present unprecedented datasets of current and future projected weather files for building simulations in 15 major cities distributed across 10 climate zones worldwide. The datasets include ambient air temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, direct and diffuse solar irradiance, and wind speed at hourly resolution, which are essential climate elements needed to undertake building simulations. The datasets contain typical and extreme weather years in the EnergyPlus weather file (EPW) format and multiyear projections in comma-separated value (CSV) format for three periods: historical (2001-2020), future mid-term (2041-2060), and future long-term (2081-2100).

Microbial metabolic activity in Amazon floodplain forest and agricultural soils.

Microorganisms play an essential role in ecosystem functions. An increasingly used method for conducting functional analyses of a soil microbial community is based on the physiological profile at the community level. This method allows the metabolic capacity of microorganisms to be assessed based on patterns of carbon consumption and derived indices.

Valorization of Brewery Waste through Polyhydroxyalkanoates Production Supported by a Metabolic Specialized Microbiome.

Raw brewers' spent grain (BSG), a by-product of beer production and produced at a large scale, presents a composition that has been shown to have potential as feedstock for several biological processes, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) production. Although the high interest in the PHA production from waste, the bioconversion of BSG into PHA using microbial mixed cultures (MMC) has not yet been explored. This study explored the feasibility to produce PHA from BSG through the enrichment of a mixed microbial culture in PHA-storing organisms.

Assessment of Ecological Risk and Environmental Behavior of Pesticides in Environmental Compartments of the Formoso River in Tocantins, Brazil.

Anthropogenic interference the ecosystem unavoidably changes the physical and biological environment. The biodiversity of the Amazon region has been threatened by increased agricultural production and pesticide use. Considering that monitoring pesticides in environments close to their application is one of the ways to preserve the ecosystem, this study investigated the levels of pesticide residues in different environmental compartments (soil, sediment, and water samples).

Analysis of triazines, triazoles, and benzimidazoles used as pesticides in different environmental compartments of the Formoso River and their influence on biodiversity in Tocantins.

Considering the increase in agricultural production in Tocantins and in the use of pesticides for such production, this work investigates the levels of pesticide residues in different environmental compartments (soil, sediment, and water samples) of the Formoso River in the state of Tocantins, Brazil. The presence of pesticides of the triazine, triazole, and benzimidazole classes was analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS from April 2018 to February 2019. There were four quarterly collections in the dry and rainy periods.

Valorization of raw brewers' spent grain through the production of volatile fatty acids.

This work is focused on production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) through anaerobic digestion (AD) using raw (without pre-treatment) brewers' spent grain (BSG) as feedstock. VFAs are by-products from AD of organic wastes with wide potential industrial application in bioplastic production. A long term fed batch stirred-tank reactor was operated and the impact of three hydraulic retention times (HRT) and two organic loading rates (OLR) on VFA production was assessed.

Lipolytic Enzymes with Hydrolytic and Esterification Activities Produced by Filamentous Fungi Isolated from Decomposition Leaves in an Aquatic Environment.

Microbial lipases are prominent biocatalysts able to catalyze a wide variety of reactions in aqueous and nonaqueous media. In this work, filamentous fungi isolated from leaves decomposed in an aquatic environment were screened for lipase production with hydrolytic activity and esterification. Agar plates with Tween 20 and Rhodamine B were used for selection, while submerged cultures with olive oil were subsequently used to select 38 filamentous fungi.

{NiLn} (Ln = Gd, Dy) rod-like nano-sized heteronuclear coordination clusters with a double carbonate bridge skeleton and remarkable MCE behaviour.

The newly obtained complexes [NiLn(Piv)16(teaH)6(OCH3)2(CO3)2(H2O)2] Ln = Gd, Dy, show a remarkable μ5-carbonate bridged octanuclear planar {Ni4Ln4} core further capped with embedded {Ni3Ln} cubane motifs to afford a rod shaped nano-sized molecule of about 1.2 × 2.8 nm.

Comparison of two angiographic systems in paediatric interventional cardiology.

The aim of this work was to analyse the radiation dose for patients and staff between X-ray systems, a new biplane with flat-panel detectors (FDs) and a conventional system equipped with image intensifier (II). Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) and scatter doses were measured on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantoms of different thicknesses (from 4 to 16 cm). The ESAK values for the different acquisition modes and PMMA thicknesses were higher for the II in comparison with FDs.

Entrance surface air kerma in X-ray systems for paediatric interventional cardiology: a national survey.

The aims of this work were to report the results of a national survey on entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) values for different phantom thicknesses and operation modes in paediatric interventional cardiology (IC) systems and to compare them with previous values. The national survey also offers suggested investigation levels (ILs) for ESAK in paediatric cardiac procedures. ESAK was measured on phantoms of 4-16 cm thickness of polymethyl methacrylate slabs.

Angiographic and electrocardiographic parameters of myocardial reperfusion in angioplasty of patients with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction loaded with ticagrelor or clopidogrel (MICAMI-TICLO trial).

Introduction: Ticagrelor has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with ACS. However, the effects of this drug on parameters of microvascular flow in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have not been completely evaluated.

Methods: Ninety-two patients presenting with STEMI where randomized to a loading dose of clopidogrel (600 mg) or ticagrelor (180 mg) before undergoing primary angioplasty.

Evaluation of patient doses and lens radiation doses to interventional cardiologists in a nationwide survey in Chile.

The objective of this study was to perform a nationwide survey in Chile to determine dose levels to patients and staff in four risk scenarios during cardiac catheterisation procedures. Different phantom thicknesses of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were used to simulate adult patients. Scenario 1: 10-min fluoroscopy and 800 cine frames for 20 cm of PMMA; Scenario 2: 10-min fluoroscopy and 800 cine frames for 28 cm of PMMA; Scenario 3: 30-min fluoroscopy and 2400 cine frames for 20 cm of PMMA; Scenario 4: 30-min fluoroscopy and 2400 cine frames for 28 cm of PMMA.

Microvascular coronary flow comparison in acute myocardial infarction angioplasty treated with a mesh covered stent (MGUARD stent) versus bare metal stent: MICAMI-MGUARD.

Background: Distal embolization of thrombus/platelet aggregates decreases myocardial reperfusion during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and is associated with worse immediate and long-term prognosis of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Objective: Assess the efficacy of a mesh covered stent (MGuard™ stent, MGS) in preventing distal embolization and microvascular reperfusion impairment during primary PCI, compared with a bare metal stent (BMS).

Methods: Forty patients with STEMI referred for primary PCI were randomized for stenting the culprit lesion with the MGS (n = 20) or a BMS (n = 20).

[Conflict of interest policies and disclosure requirements among European Society of Cardiology national cardiovascular journals].

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is used by biomedical journals to guarantee credibility and transparency of the scientific process. Conflict of interest disclosure, however, is not systematically nor consistently dealt with by journals. Recent joint editorial efforts paved the way towards the implementation of uniform vehicles for conflicts of interest disclosure.

[Cardiovascular prevention and attitude of people towards behavior changes: state of the art].

In recent years the main focus of cardiovascular prevention has been to identify people without clinical evidence of coronary disease, but with a high risk of developing a clinical event. Long term follow up studies show that a young person with a high "Relative Risk" of presenting a cardiovascular event becomes an adult with a high "Absolute Risk" of suffering it. The aim of primary prevention is to avoid the appearance of cardiovascular diseases, delaying the development of atherosclerosis and its consequences.

[Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among patients suffering vascular events on admission and one year later].

Background: International studies show a low compliance with norms for the management of cardiovascular risk factors.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of risk factors in patients admitted for a coronary or vascular event and to evaluate the proportion of patients that normalize these factors after one year of follow up.

Material And Methods: Three hundred and fifty seven patients aged 64+/-13 years (264 males), admitted to a University Clinical Hospital for a coronary or vascular event were studied.

Red wine reduces oxidative stress in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Moderate red wine consumption improved endothelial function in normal volunteers. Herein we explored the effects of moderate red wine consumption in endothelial function and in oxidative stress in patients with an acute coronary syndrome.

Methods: 20 patients treated with percutaneous coronary interventions after an acute coronary syndrome were randomized to a red-wine group (n=9, 250 ml daily, Cabernet Sauvignon) or to a control group (n=11, abstinence from alcoholic beverages).

[Periodontal disease among patients with acute coronary syndrome].

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest an association between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease. It is possible that periodontal disease may contribute to plaque destabilization in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Aim: To assess the association between severity of periodontal disease, the number of acute plaques and extension of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome.