Sustainable approach to polystyrene management and bioinsecticide production: Biodegradation by Tenebrio molitor larvae co-fed with residual biomass and bioactivity of frass pyrolysis bio-oil against insect pests.

Tenebrio molitor has gained attention as a potential solution for plastic pollution. This study explored the biodegradation of polystyrene (PS) by mealworms co-fed with rice bran (RB) under an optimized rearing scheme. The RB co-diet significantly increased PS consumption by two-fold compared to wheat bran (WB).

Cytomegalovirus viral load at initiation of pre-emptive antiviral therapy impacts cytomegalovirus dynamics in pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) contributes to morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) recipients. Pre-emptive antiviral therapy (PET) reduces the incidence of CMV end-organ disease (EOD), though relevant viral thresholds to initiate PET remain undefined. We evaluated the impact of viral loads (VLs) at PET initiation on virologic and clinical outcomes following pediatric allo-HCT.

Epidemiological changes of invasive fungal disease in children with cancer: Prospective study of the National Child Program of Antineoplastic Drugs network, Chile.

Background: Invasive fungal diseases (IFD) are high morbidity and mortality infections in children with cancer suffering episodes of high-risk febrile neutropenia (HRFN). IFD epidemiology has changed in the last two decades, with an increasing incidence in recent years due to the growing number of immunocompromised children at risk for IFD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of IFD in children with cancer in the period 2016-2020 compared to 2004-2006 in six hospitals in Chile.

Efficacy and safety of withholding antimicrobial therapy in children with cancer, fever, and neutropenia, with a demonstrated viral respiratory infection: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: To validate the efficacy and safety of withholding antimicrobial therapy in a new cohort of children with cancer and febrile neutropenia (FN) having a demonstrated viral respiratory tract infection.

Methods: Prospective, multicenter, noninferiority, randomized study, approved by the ethical committee, in children presenting with FN at seven hospitals in Chile, evaluated at admission for diagnosis of bacterial and viral pathogens. Children who were positive for a respiratory virus, negative for a bacterial pathogen, and had a favourable evolution after 48-72 hours of antimicrobial therapy were randomized to either maintain or withhold antimicrobial therapy.