Publications by authors named "Luengo C"

An integrated chemical and mineralogical characterization approach was applied to smelter wastes collected from 50-year-old dump sites in Argentina. Characterization included pseudo-total element concentrations, acid generation/neutralization potential, sequential extractions, pH-dependent leaching kinetics, and mineralogical analysis of all residues. These analyses provided detailed information on the reactivity of the minerals in the waste material and associated metal release.

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RT-qPCR allows the detection of viruses and the monitoring of viral replication. This technique was extensively employed during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, where it demonstrated its efficiency and robustness. Here we describe the analysis of Rift Valley fever and Toscana virus infections over time, achieved through the RT-qPCR quantification of the viral genome.

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Background: The usefulness of tracheostomy has been questioned in patients with COVID-19 and prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).

Aim: To compare the 90-day mortality rate of patients who underwent a tracheostomy due prolonged IMV with those that did not receive this procedure.

Material And Methods: We studied a historical cohort of 92 patients with COVID-19 and prolonged IMV (> 10 days).

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Solid-solid phase-change materials have great potential for developing compact and low-cost thermal storage systems. The solid-state nature of these materials enables the design of systems analogous to those based on natural rocks but with an extraordinarily higher energy density. In this scenario, the evaluation and improvement of the mechanical and thermophysical properties of these solid-solid PCMs are key to exploiting their full potential.

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People in complex social situations are often confronted with multiple health problems related to their living conditions, pathologies, addictions and other co-morbidities. They need multi-professional support, while respecting the ethics of care, and in coordination with social partners. Various dedicated services exist, in which nurses are very present.

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PD-L1 (22C3) checkpoint inhibitor therapy represents a mainstay of modern cancer immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In vitro diagnostic (IVD) PD-L1 antibody staining is widely used to predict clinical intervention efficacy. However, pathologist interpretation of this assay is cumbersome and variable, resulting in poor positive predictive value concerning patient therapy response.

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Many patients experiencing a rare disease remain undiagnosed even after genomic testing. Reanalysis of existing genomic data has shown to increase diagnostic yield, although there are few systematic and comprehensive reanalysis efforts that enable collaborative interpretation and future reinterpretation. The Undiagnosed Rare Disease Program of Catalonia project collated previously inconclusive good quality genomic data (panels, exomes, and genomes) and standardized phenotypic profiles from 323 families (543 individuals) with a neurologic rare disease.

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Rare disease patients are more likely to receive a rapid molecular diagnosis nowadays thanks to the wide adoption of next-generation sequencing. However, many cases remain undiagnosed even after exome or genome analysis, because the methods used missed the molecular cause in a known gene, or a novel causative gene could not be identified and/or confirmed. To address these challenges, the RD-Connect Genome-Phenome Analysis Platform (GPAP) facilitates the collation, discovery, sharing, and analysis of standardized genome-phenome data within a collaborative environment.

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This study addresses the risk and vulnerability of Chilean salmon production to hazards resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic threat, including limited access to farms, limited processing capacity and reduced market demand. The role of different management approaches in reducing risk and vulnerability is also explored. Results suggest that concession areas having the largest accumulated and current biomass have the highest risk, which is also transferred to the municipal level.

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It is important to develop new methods of release to improve pharmacokinetic parameters of drugs, especially antibiotics, whose plasmatic concentration is determinant to ensure an effective treatment. Layered double hydroxides (LDH) are inorganic and biocompatible materials with high drug intercalation capacity and release properties that can be tuned by controlling the pH value. These materials can be an excellent choice to achieve a sustained release and an optimal drug concentration in plasm.

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This work examines the effect of drug structure and ionization degree on the formation and properties of biocompatible layered double hydroxides (LDH) intercalated with ibuprofen and paracetamol. Ibuprofen (pKa = 5.3) is in its anionic form, whereas paracetamol (pKa 9.

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Retroviral integrase (IN) proteins catalyze the permanent integration of the viral genome into host DNA. They can productively recruit cellular proteins, and the human Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal domain (hBET) proteins have been shown to be co-factors for integration of gamma-retroviruses such as Murine Leukemia Virus (MLV) into human cells. By using two-hybrid, co-immunoprecipitation and in vitro interaction assays, we showed that IN of the gamma- Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus-A/C (PERV IN) interacts through its C-terminal domain (CTD) with hBET proteins.

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Importance: Abnormal peripheral perfusion after septic shock resuscitation has been associated with organ dysfunction and mortality. The potential role of the clinical assessment of peripheral perfusion as a target during resuscitation in early septic shock has not been established.

Objective: To determine if a peripheral perfusion-targeted resuscitation during early septic shock in adults is more effective than a lactate level-targeted resuscitation for reducing mortality.

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Objective To describe the causes of underreporting of occupational injuries and adverse events as identified in the international literature and by key informants in the area of health and risk prevention in Chile. Methods The study uses a qualitative descriptive approach. This includes a systematized literature review that follows the SALSA method (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis) and is in line with the PRISMA statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses).

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Background: Persistent hyperlactatemia during septic shock is multifactorial. Hypoperfusion-related anaerobic production and adrenergic-driven aerobic generation together with impaired lactate clearance have been implicated. An excessive adrenergic response could contribute to persistent hyperlactatemia and adrenergic modulation might be beneficial.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous tracheostomy assisted by fiber optic bronchoscopy in critical care patients on mechanical ventilation.
  • Over a decade, 512 patients were evaluated, including a third categorized as high-risk, with all procedures successfully completed without needing open surgery.
  • Results indicated that while 3.5% experienced complications during the procedure, none resulted in serious issues, and the technique proved to be both effective and safe for experienced practitioners in critical care settings.
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Article Synopsis
  • - Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs), particularly the PERV-A/C variant, can infect human cells, posing a significant zoonotic disease risk during pig organ transplants to humans.
  • - The study investigates the effectiveness of Raltegravir (RAL), a viral integrase inhibitor, against PERV-A/C by employing a three-dimensional model and testing its sensitivity in vitro and in cellulo.
  • - Results show that RAL is an effective inhibitor of PERV-A/C integrase and replication, with IC50s achieved in the nanomolar range, highlighting its potential as a control measure for zoonotic PERV risks in xenotransplantation.
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Fast pyrolysis of naturally produced water hyacinth was assessed through Emergy accounting approach. Two analyses were carried out to evaluate the influence of additional services and externalities on Emergy indicators for a pyrolysis plant unit able to process 1000 kg of dry biomass per hour. The initial approach was a traditional Emergy assessment in which financial fluxes and externalities were not considered.

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Introduction: Although the prognostic value of persistent hyperlactatemia in septic shock is unequivocal, its physiological determinants are controversial. Particularly, the role of impaired hepatic clearance has been underestimated and is only considered relevant in patients with liver ischemia or cirrhosis. Our objectives were to establish whether endotoxemia impairs whole body net lactate clearance, and to explore a potential role for total liver hypoperfusion during the early phase of septic shock.

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Quantum mechanics calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) were used to identify phosphate surface complexes on gibbsite at low and high pH. The different phosphate species were represented using the Al₆(OH)₁₈(H₂O)₆ cluster model considering four different geometries: monodentate mononuclear (Pmm), monodentate binuclear (Pmb), bidentate mononuclear (Pbm) and bidentate binuclear (Pbb). The corresponding adsorption reactions were modelled via ligand exchange between phosphate species and surface functional groups (hydroxyls and protonated hydroxyls at high and low pH, respectively).

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Background: The decision of when to stop septic shock resuscitation is a critical but yet a relatively unexplored aspect of care. This is especially relevant since the risks of over-resuscitation with fluid overload or inotropes have been highlighted in recent years. A recent guideline has proposed normalization of central venous oxygen saturation and/or lactate as therapeutic end-points, assuming that these variables are equivalent or interchangeable.

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Introduction: Physicians' adherence to pre-established criteria for the indication and/or maintenance of invasive devices is a weak point in infection control programs. Fulfillment of the recommendations for preventing infections associated with invasive devices is essential to reduce their risk.

Objective: To assess the adherence of physicians to the standardized criteria for indication of central venous catheter (CVC) and permanent urinary catheter (PUC) and to the application of supervision guidelines.

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Objectives: Central venous oxygen saturation calculated by gasometry (Gaso-Scvo2) is more available than central venous oxygen saturation measured by co-oximetry (Co-oxy-Scvo2) in environments with less resources and underdeveloped countries. Therefore, we aimed to determine the agreement between Co-oxy-Scvo2 and Gaso-Scvo2 and between central venous oxygen tension measured by gasometry (Gaso-Pcvo2) and Co-oxy-Scvo2, respectively.

Design And Settings: This is a prospective study in a university hospital's intensive care unit.

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Introduction And Objectives: Percutaneous paravalvular leak closure is a complex procedure with varying success rates; the lack of closure devices specifically designed for this purpose has hampered this technique. The characteristics of the Amplatzer Vascular Plug III appear to be well suited for paravalvular leak closures; however, the available data are limited to case reports or small series of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility and efficacy of paravalvular leak with this device.

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Background: Sepsis is a leading cause of death despite appropriate management. There is increasing evidence that microcirculatory alterations might persist independently from macrohemodynamic improvement and are related to clinical evolution. Future efforts need to be directed towards microperfusion monitoring and treatment.

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