Nanoscopic Characterization of Starch-Based Biofilms Extracted from Ecuadorian Potato () Varieties.

Synthetic plastic polymers are causing considerable emerging ecological hazards. Starch-based biofilms are a potential alternative. However, depending on the natural source and extraction method, the properties of starch can vary, affecting the physicochemical characteristics of the corresponding casted films generated from it.

Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Trauma Patients at Extreme Risk of Mortality: A Time-Series Analysis.

Background: The 2014 expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reshaped healthcare delivery in the United States. This study assessed how Medicaid expansion affected in-hospital mortality in patients with extreme risk of mortality (EROM) from traumatic injuries.

Methods: Data from inpatients aged 18-64 years, registered in the National Inpatient Sample between 2007 and 2020, and identified with trauma-related All-Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (APRDRG) codes, were analyzed.

The role of race and insurance in trauma patients' mortality: A cross-sectional analysis based on a nationwide sample.

Background: Persistent disparities in trauma in-hospital mortality owing to insurance status and race remain a prominent issue within healthcare. This study explores the relationships among insurance status, race, length of stay (LOS) in-hospital mortality outcomes in trauma patients at extreme risk of mortality (EROM) trauma patients.

Methods: Data was retrieved from the National Inpatient Sample, focusing on high-acuity trauma patients from 2007 to 2020, aged 18-64 years.

Reverse Fragility Index: Comparing Revision Rates Between Direct Anterior and Other Approaches in Total Hip Arthroplasty. A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Despite increasing adoption of the direct anterior (DA) approach in total hip arthroplasty (THA), uncertainty persists regarding its outcomes beyond the 1-year mark in comparison to other approaches. We used the reverse fragility index (RFI) to evaluate the robustness of reported findings in the literature.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing implant revision rates between DA and other approaches in THA, defined as all those different from DA.

Switching to Vortioxetine in Patients with Poorly Tolerated Antidepressant-Related Sexual Dysfunction in Clinical Practice: A 3-Month Prospective Real-Life Study.

Unlabelled: Treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction (TESD) is one of the most frequent and persistent adverse effects of antidepressant medication. Sexual dysfunction (SD) secondary to SSRIs occurs in >60% of sexually active patients and >80% of healthy volunteers, with this causing treatment discontinuation in >35% of patients. However, this factor is rarely addressed in routine examinations, and only 15-30% of these events are spontaneously reported.

Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention (DAIR) Plus Offers Similar Periprosthetic Joint Infection Treatment Success Rates to Two-Stage Revision in Oncologic Megaprosthesis.

Background: Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) after megaprosthesis implantation are associated with high rates of treatment failure and amputation. Our study analyzed PJI treatment success rates by surgical strategy and assessed risks of reinfection and amputation.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of patients diagnosed with PJI after undergoing megaprosthesis implantation for oncologic indications.

Exponential and robust position-constrained control of robot manipulators via diffeomorphisms.

Mechanical systems subject to constraints play a essential role in the field of control engineering, profoundly influencing the design and performance of control strategies. Consequently, there is a compelling need to explore diverse control methods to effectively tackle the complex task of stabilizing nonlinear systems while ensuring the constraints are not violated. In this context, this paper proposes a design procedure for position-constrained controllers in robot manipulators.

High Rates of Treatment Failure and Amputation in Modular Endoprosthesis Prosthetic Joint Infections Caused by Fungal Infections With Candida.

Background: Fungal prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are rare yet severe events associated with high rates of recurrent infection. Although bacterial PJIs associated with megaprostheses are known to be associated with higher rates of recurrence and amputation, little is known about fungal PJIs near megaprostheses.

Questions/purposes: In patients with fungal megaprosthesis PJIs from one institutional registry, we asked: (1) What were the most common microorganisms isolated? (2) What were the reoperation-, revision-, and amputation-free survival rates 1 and 2 years after surgery?

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of megaprostheses in our institutional database.

Bio-Monitoring of Metal(loid)s Pollution in Dry Riverbeds Affected by Mining Activity.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the most abundant native plants that could be used as a bio-monitor of metal(loid) concentration in dry riverbeds affected by mining activities. Three plants species and their respective rhizospheric soils were sampled from the El Beal (, 15 samples), La Carrasquilla (, 10 samples), and Ponce (, 12 samples) dry riverbeds from the mining district of Cartegena-La Unión (SE Spain). There is scanty bibliography of the capacity of these species to be used as bio-monitors in the dry riverbeds.

Comprehensive Grading System of Inflammatory Features of the Lumbar Facet Joints on Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Study Design: Retrospective.

Objective: We aimed to describe a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based grading system of inflammatory features of the lumbar facet joints using an atlas and assess its reliability.

Summary Of Background Data: Chronic low back pain is often caused by facet joint arthropathy.

Strategies for Strengthening the Resilience of Public Health Systems for Pandemics, Disasters, and Other Emergencies.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize strategies for strengthening public health system resilience for pandemics, disasters, and other emergencies using a scorecard approach.

Methods: The United Nations Public Health System Resilience Scorecard (Scorecard) was applied across 5 workshops in Slovenia, Turkey, and the United States of America. The workshops focused on participants reviewing and discussing 23 questions/indicators.

Phytoremediation Potential of Native Plant Species in Mine Soils Polluted by Metal(loid)s and Rare Earth Elements.

Mining activity has an adverse impact on the surrounding ecosystem, especially via the release of potentially toxic elements (PTEs); therefore, there is an urgent need to develop efficient technologies to remediate these ecosystems, especially soils. Phytoremediation can be potentially used to remediate contaminated areas by potentially toxic elements. However, in soils affected by polymetallic contamination, including metals, metalloids, and rare earth elements (REEs), it is necessary to evaluate the behavior of these toxic elements in the soil-plant system, which will allow the selection of the most appropriate native plants with phytoremediation potential to be used in phytoremediation programs.

Efficiency of large-scale aided phytostabilization in a mining pond.

Mining activities accumulate large quantities of waste in tailing ponds, which results in several environmental impacts. In Cartagena-La Unión mining district (SE Spain), a field experiment was carried out in a tailing pond to evaluate the effect of aided phytostabilization on reducing the bioavailability of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) and enhancing soil quality. Nine native plant species were planted, and pig manure and slurry along with marble waste were used as amendments.

Grading Systems of Lumbar Facet Joint Inflammatory Changes on Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Scoping Review.

Study Design: A scoping review.

Objective: We aimed to identify and characterize grading systems of the inflammatory features of the lumbar facet joints (FJs) noted on magnetic resonance imaging and summarize their reliability.

Summary Of Background Data: Chronic low back pain is one of the most common causes of disability worldwide and is frequently accompanied by FJ osteoarthritis.

Evaluation of survival and functionality in frozen platelets.

Objective: Prolong platelet survival and functionality up to 28 days.

Methods: A sample of apheresis platelets was evaluated, distributed in 3 groups according to the cryopreservative solution used: DMSO5%+2%albumin; DMSO5%+NaCl0,9% and DMSO5%+Dextrose2%. They were then frozen at -80 °C and thawed at 7, 14 and 28 days.

Mechanistic Study into Free Radical-Activated Glycan Dissociations through Isotope-Labeled Cellobioses.

Inspired by the electron-activated dissociation technique, the most potent tool for glycan characterization, we recently developed free radical reagents for glycan structural elucidation. However, the underlying mechanisms of free radical-induced glycan dissociation remain unclear and, therefore, hinder the rational optimization of the free radical reagents and the interpretation of tandem mass spectra, especially the accurate assignment of the relatively low-abundant but information-rich ions. In this work, we selectively incorporate the C and/or O isotopes into cellobiose to study the mechanisms for free radical-induced dissociation of glycans.

How ornithopters can perch autonomously on a branch.

Flapping wings produce lift and thrust in bio-inspired aerial robots, leading to quiet, safe and efficient flight. However, to extend their application scope, these robots must perch and land, a feat widely demonstrated by birds. Despite recent progress, flapping-wing vehicles, or ornithopters, are to this day unable to stop their flight.

Perennial alley cropping contributes to decrease soil CO and NO emissions and increase soil carbon sequestration in a Mediterranean almond orchard.

The implementation of alley cropping in orchards can be a sustainable strategy to increase farm productivity by crop diversification and contribute to climate change mitigation. In this research, we evaluated the short-term effect of alley cropping with reduced tillage on soil CO and NO emissions and soil total organic carbon (TOC) in an almond orchard under Mediterranean rainfed conditions. We compared an almond monoculture with tillage in all plot surface (MC) with almond crop with reduced tillage and growth of Capparis spinosa (D1) and almond crop with reduced tillage and growth of Thymus hyemalis (D2).

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Leaves: Optimization Using the Response Surface Methodology.

In this study, conditions for the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of soluble polyphenols from (PC) leaves were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) by assessing the effect of extraction time (X = 2, 4, and 6 min), sonication amplitude (X = 60, 80, and 100%), and pulse cycle (X = 0.4, 0.7, and 1 s).

Physiological Effects and Human Health Benefits of : A Review of Clinical Trials.

Linn. Malvaceae (HS) is characterized by its edible calyxes. The HS calyxes are widely used for cosmetic, food, and medicinal applications.

Soil Water Content Prediction Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) in Mediterranean Tree Orchard Soils.

Water scarcity in arid and semiarid regions poses problems for agricultural systems, awakening special interest in the development of deficit irrigation strategies to improve water conservation. Toward this purpose, farmers and technicians must monitor soil water and soluble nutrient contents in real time using simple, rapid and economical techniques through time and space. Thus, this study aimed to achieve the following: (i) create a model that predicts water and soluble nutrient contents in soil profiles using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT); and (ii) apply the model to different woody crops under different irrigation regimes (full irrigation and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI)) to assess the efficiency of the model.