Environmentally friendly starch/alginate aerogels for copper adsorption from aqueous media. A microstructural and kinetic study.

This work investigated the synthesis and characterization of alginate/starch porous materials and their application as copper ions adsorbents from aqueous media. Initially, pregel aqueous solutions with different biopolymer concentrations (1, 3, and 5% w/w) and alginate contents (25, 50, and 75% w/w) were prepared. Hydrogel formation was performed by internal and external gelation methods.

Velocity distributions in a gas-gun microparticle accelerator.

Here, we build and characterize a single-stage gas-gun microparticle accelerator, where a pressurized gas expands and launches particles on a target. The microparticles in the range of 60-250 μm are accelerated by the expansion of pressurized nitrogen. By using a high-speed camera, we study how the velocity distribution of accelerated particles is modified by particle size, pressure in the gas reservoir, valve's opening time, and diaphragm's thickness and composition.

Symbiotic pectin microparticles with native Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) enhance Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. tolerans survival.

The synergistic effect of microencapsulation in pectin microgels and inulin extracted from native crops of Jerusalem artichoke (JAI) was evaluated as a natural strategy to increase the survival of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. tolerans F2 selected for its probiotic properties in Oncorhynchus mykiss. The strain was able to grow and ferment JAI in modified MRS broth, increasing cell population (∼+5 log units) with a net decrease in pH (6.

Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus in pectin and pectin-inulin microgel particles: Effect on bacterial survival under storage conditions.

The main objective of the research was to evaluate the performance of synbiotic delivery systems using pectin microgels on the protection of two probiotic strains (Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG [ATCC 53103]) to simulated gastrointestinal digestion (GD) and storage conditions (4 ± 1 °C) in a 42 days trial. Microgel particles were prepared by ionotropic gelation method and three variables were evaluated: incubation time (24 and 48 h), free vs encapsulated cells, and presence or absence of prebiotic (commercial and Jerusalem artichoke inulin). Results demonstrated an encapsulation efficiency of 96 ± 4% into particles with a mean diameter between 56 and 118 μm.

A Proposed Intention-to-Treat Anatomical Classification of Spinal Dural Tears.

To clarify outcomes and develop a novel classification according to CSF fistula in a selective cohort with intraoperative spinal dural tear, we examined 72 consecutive patients who underwent spinal dural repair after microdiscectomy (n=42) or lumbar spinal decompression (n=30). Group 1 consisted of 25 patients with Type I (mild) dural tear who were treated with either tissue-glue-coated collagen sponge or fibrin glue. Group 2 consisted of 26 patients with Type II (moderate) dural tear who were treated with both tissue-glue-coated collagen sponge and fibrin glue.

Evaluation and management of small dural tears in primary lumbar spinal decompression and discectomy surgery.

Incidental dural tear is one of the most common intraoperative complications in lumbar spine surgery. Yet, its technical management for the prevention of CSF leak is controversial. The technique of managing dural tears depends on the location of the dural tears as well on the length and anatomical characteristics of the dural tear.

Functional range of motion of the hand joints in activities of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Study Design: Cross-sectional research design.

Introduction: Active range of motion (AROM) is used as indicator of hand function. However, functional range of motion (FROM) data are limited, and fail to represent activities of daily living (ADL).

Modeling of biomass fractionation in a lab-scale biorefinery: Solubilization of hemicellulose and cellulose from holm oak wood using subcritical water.

Lignocellulose fractionation is a key biorefinery process that need to be understood. In this work, a comprehensive study on hydrothermal-fractionation of holm oak in a semi-continuous system was conducted. The aim was to develop a physicochemical model in order to reproduce the role of temperature and water flow over the products composition.

Aqueous humor phospholipids of DBA/2J and DBA/2J-Gpnmb(+)/SjJ mice.

Purpose: To compare phospholipid profiles [phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylinositol (PI)] of normotensive and hypertensive aqueous humor (AH) from DBA/2J and compare them with phospholipid profiles of DBA/2J-Gpnmb(+)/SjJ mice.

Methods: AH was obtained from young-normotensive DBA/2J, old -hypertensive DBA/2J mice, young and old DBA/2J-Gpnmb(+)/SjJ mice (aging control). Lipids were extracted using modified Bligh and Dyer method and subjected to mass spectrometric identification using appropriate class-specific lipid standards and ratiometric quantification.

Intracranial hemorrhage following surgery for occult spinal dysraphism: a case-based update.

Background: Intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume depletion causes diverse clinical syndromes most of them constituting the manifestations of decreased intracranial pressure. Subdural collections or chronic subdural hematomas are the best-known consequences of persistent CSF leaks, especially in overshunted hydrocephalus. Continuous CSF escape also occurs after lumbar puncture, spinal anesthesia, and diverse spinal surgeries.

First Report of High Boscalid Resistance in Botrytis cinerea Associated with the H272L Mutation in Grapevine in Chile.

Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea Pers.) is a major disease of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) worldwide.

Management of neonatal hydrocephalus: feasibility of use and safety of two programmable (Sophy and Polaris) valves.

Background: Neonates represent a unique group of pediatric patients with special peculiarities. Hydrocephalus valves have not always been designed to meet the requirements of these small children. Few series have addressed the problem of cerebrospinal fluid shunting in newborn babies.

Cauda equina-penetrating injury in a child. Case report.

The authors report the case of a 10-year-old boy who sustained an injury to the cauda equina as a result of the accidental penetration of a wooden pencil into the spinal canal. After neuroimaging evaluation to exclude visceral and vascular lesions, the foreign body was removed and the wound was repaired. This is the first report of a cauda equina injury caused by a pencil.

Functional assessment of intracranial arachnoid cysts with TC99 m-HMPAO SPECT: a preliminary report.

Background: Many arachnoid cysts (AC) are detected incidentally in asymptomatic patients. Current neuroimaging methods provide only morphological details of the cysts, but they do not give information about cerebral function. While surgery is indicated in symptomatic patients, the management of asymptomatic individuals, who present with large cysts, is controversial.

[Syndromes of overdrainage of ventricular shunting in childhood hydrocephalus].

Overdrainage in ventricular shunting constitutes a difficult to prevent and to treat complication. The authors reviewed a retrospective series of 512 children submitted to a ventricular shunting procedure aimed at analysing factors influencing this type of complication. The causes for the hydrocephalus were congenital (n=172), post-myelomeningocele (n=123), posthemorrhagic (n=103), tumoral (n=64), postmeningitis (n=40) and posttraumatic (n=10).

Inflammatory atlanto-axial subluxation (Grisel's syndrome) in children: clinical diagnosis and management.

Background: Grisel's syndrome is a uni- or bilateral subluxation of the atlas on the axis associated with an inflammatory condition of the head or neck. This uncommon entity usually affects children. The condition seems to be secondary to hyperemia and laxity of the atlanto-axial joints.

Polymorphisms of platelet adhesive receptors: do they play a role in primary intracerebral hemorrhage?

Background: Several reports suggested that polymorphisms affecting the structure or level of the main adhesive platelet glycoproteins (GPs) could behave as genetic risk factors for arterial thrombotic disorders. However, very few reports analyzed the significance of these polymorphisms in bleeding disorders. Interestingly, one study suggested a role of the 807 C/T polymorphism of the collagen receptor GP Ia in the severity of the bleeding manifestations in von Willebrand disease.

Lumbar canal stenosis: a cause of late neurological deterioration in patients with spina bifida.

Background: Patients diagnosed with spina bifida may show late deterioration. This worsening in their clinical symptoms has been attributed to a multiplicity of causes such as secondary tethering of the spinal cord, Chiari II anomaly, hydromyelia, diastematomyelia, arachnoid cysts, and dermoid tumors.

Methods: We searched the clinical records of patients diagnosed with spina bifida who were treated at our hospital for a period of 25 years for the purpose of ascertaining the number and etiology of cases of late neurological deterioration.

Iatrogenic intradiploic meningoencephalocele. Case report.

The authors present the case of a 6-year-old girl who developed a right frontal intradiploic meningoencephalocele following an accidental dural tear produced during surgery for craniosynostosis. Although rare, growing skull fractures have been described in at least eight cases following the accidental laceration of the dura mater in the course of craniosynostosis repair. These cases closely resemble those produced by accidental trauma to the growing skull.

Atretic cephalocele in the adult.

Atretic cephaloceles are usually detected at birth. Recently we treated a 38-year-old man with one of these lesions, apparently the first report of this occurrence in an adult.