Mesoscale modelling of fibrin clots: the interplay between rheology and microstructure at the gel point.

This study presents a numerical model for incipient fibrin-clot formation that captures characteristic rheological and microstructural features of the clot at the gel point. Using a mesoscale-clustering framework, we evaluate the effect of gel concentration or gel volume fraction and branching on the fractal dimension, the gel time, and the viscoelastic properties of the clots. We show that variations in the gel concentration of our model can reproduce the effect of thrombin in the formation of fibrin clots.

Endoscopic treatment of a gastrocutaneous fistula in a chil.

Introduction: Gastric leaks and gastrocutaneous fistulae (GCF) after digestive surgery are unusual in children. Common treatments are based on conservative measures and surgery but endoscopic techniques are not a widespread option in pediatrics.

Case Report: An underweight child developed a GCF after surgery (esophagocoloplasty with right colon).

Pre- and postnatal botulinum toxin abdominal wall muscle relaxation in hepato-omphalocele.

Introduction: Giant omphalocele poses a conflict between eviscerated content and abdominal capacity, with associated risks such as compartment syndrome or cardiovascular compromise.

Clinical Case: We present the case of a prenatally diagnosed hepato-omphalocele, without associated abnormalities. At week 37, botulinum toxin was injected in the right hemiabdomen under fetal and maternal sedation.

Thoracoabdominal chordoma in a pediatric patient. A rare entity.

Introduction: Chordoma is a rare, slow-growing notochordal neoplasm typical of adults. Less than 5% of the cases occur in children, where they are located at the skull base. Treatment involves surgical resection with or without radiotherapy.

Analysis of postoperative complications in patients undergoing anorectal malformation surgery: are there any predisposing factors?

Objective: To describe our experience with anorectal malformation (ARM) patients, while analyzing complications and risk factors.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study of ARM patients aged 0-18 years old undergoing surgery from 2006 to 2023 was carried out. Demographic variables, associated malformations, age and repair surgery operating times, presence and type of colostomy, previous intestinal preparation, and presence and type of surgical complications -intestinal occlusion, anal prolapse, stenosis, bleeding, dehiscence, extrusion, anoplasty misposition, urethral perforation, and stomal complications- were collected.

Spanish national survey on the use of cryoanalgesia in the treatment of funnel chest in pediatric patients.

Introduction: Pain control following Nuss thoracoplasty remains a challenge. Cryoanalgesia of the intercostal nerves has been demonstrated to reduce postoperative pain in these patients. The objective of this study was to understand how and how widely cryoanalgesia is used in pediatric patients undergoing funnel chest surgery in Spain.

Literature review of pediatric robotic surgery in Spain.

Introduction: Robotic surgery has revolutionized surgical practice globally since the first Da Vinci device was launched in 2000. Adoption in Spain has been more moderate than in other countries, especially in the field of pediatric surgery, which represents less than 0.5% of all robotic procedures.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy of healthy pig pancreas - Towards the histological diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.

Background: diagnosis of early chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a challenge due to the lack of accurate methods. The ability of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided biopsy to obtain pancreatic core tissue samples in patients with minimal changes of CP and its potential use for the histological diagnosis of early CP are unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate the ability of different EUS-guided biopsy core needles to obtain histological samples of healthy pig pancreas.

Pros and Cons of Human Brain Organoids to Study Alzheimer's Disease.

There is increasing pressure for researchers to reduce their reliance on animals, particularly in early-stage research. The main reason for that change arises from the different biological behavior of humans that leads to frequent failure of translating data from bench to bed. The advent of organoid technology ten years ago, along with the feasibility of obtaining brain organoids in most laboratories, has created considerable expectations not exempting frustration.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation from Young-Trained Donors Improves Cognitive Function in Old Mice Through Modulation of the Gut-Brain Axis.

The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication pathway that modulates cognitive function. A dysfunctional gut-brain axis has been associated with cognitive impairments during aging. Therefore, we propose evaluating whether modulation of the gut microbiota through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from young-trained donors (YT) to middle-aged or aged mice could enhance brain function and cognition in old age.

Vascularized Periosteal Grafts for Bone Union in Children: A Systematic Review.

Background: The periosteum is the main organ responsible for bone regeneration. Vascularized Periosteal Grafts (VPG) have demonstrated exceptional efficacy and speed in facilitating bone union among children with challenging bone healing conditions. Despite their promising results, the overall impact of these interventions has yet to be comprehensively evaluated through systematic review.

Point process analysis of geographical diffusion of news in Argentina.

The diffusion of information plays a crucial role in a society, affecting its economy and the well-being of the population. Characterizing the diffusion process is challenging because it is highly non-stationary and varies with the media type. To understand the spreading of newspaper news in Argentina, we collected data from more than 27 000 articles published in six main provinces during 4 months.

Fabrication of nanoparticles with precisely controllable plasmonic properties as tools for biomedical applications.

Metal nanoparticles are established tools for biomedical applications due to their unique optical properties, primarily attributed to localized surface plasmon resonances. They show distinct optical characteristics, such as high extinction cross-sections and resonances at specific wavelengths, which are tunable across the wavelength spectrum by modifying the nanoparticle geometry. These attributes make metal nanoparticles highly valuable for sensing and imaging in biology and medicine.

Lauryl-NrTP6 lipopeptide self-assembled nanorods for nuclear-targeted delivery of doxorubicin.

Targeted delivery offers solutions for more efficient therapies with fewer side effects. Here, lipopeptides (LPs) prepared by conjugation of the nuclear-targeting peptide analogue H-YKQSHKKGGKKGSG-NH (NrTP6) and two lauric acid chains are used to encapsulate the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DX) through a solvent-exchange protocol. LPs spontaneously form nanosized rod-like assemblies in phosphate buffer.

Conventional versus Unconventional Oxygen Reduction Reaction Intermediates on Single Atom Catalysts.

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) stands as a pivotal process in electrochemistry, finding applications in various energy conversion technologies such as fuel cells, metal-air batteries, and chlor-alkali electrolyzers. Hereby, a comprehensive density functional theory (DFT) investigation is presented into the proposed conventional and unconventional ORR mechanisms using single-atom catalysts (SACs) supported on nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) as model systems. Several reaction intermediates have been identified that appear to be more stable than the ones postulated in the conventional mechanism, which follows the *OOH, *O, and *OH intermediates.

Tetrylenes Are Able to Discern between Isomeric Structures of Unsaturated Osmium(IV) Polyhydrides.

Hexahydride OsH6(PiPr3)2 (1) releases H2 to form the isomeric tetrahydrides 2a and 2b of general formula OsH4(PiPr3)2. Tetrylenes E{N(SiMe3)2}2 (E = Ge, Sn) are able to selectively trap these isomers distinguishing between them. Tetrylene Ge{N(SiMe3)2}2 catches 2b to generate OsH4{Ge[N(SiMe3)2]2}(PiPr3)2 (3), which has a piano stool geometry, while  Sn{N(SiMe3)2}2 captures 2a to give OsH4{Sn[N(SiMe3)2]2}(PiPr3)2 (4) with the donor atoms defining a pentagonal bipyramid around the osmium center.

Exploring structural, magnetic, and catalytic diversity in tetranuclear {CuO} cubane cores and a dinuclear complex derived from closely related ligand systems.

The coordination compounds featuring a {CuO} core, typically bridged by hydroxo or alkoxo groups, are particularly intriguing due to their notable magnetic properties and catalytic activity. In this study, we explored the synthesis and characterization of four new Schiff base ligands and their subsequent complexation with Cu salts, which resulted in the formation of three tetranuclear complexes: [Cu(L)]·2HO (1), [Cu(L)(HL)](Cl)(NO)·5HO (2), and [Cu(L)] (3), as well as one dinuclear complex: [Cu(L)] (4). These tetranuclear complexes all feature a {CuO} core, but with differing coordination environments around the Cu centers.

Data fusion by T3-PCA: A global model for the simultaneous analysis of coupled three-way and two-way real-valued data.

In various areas of science, researchers try to gain insight into important processes by jointly analysing different datasets containing information regarding common aspects of these processes. For example, to explain individual differences in personality, researchers collect, for the same set of persons, data regarding behavioural signatures (i.e.

Potential effects of prebiotic fibers on dental caries: a systematic review.

Certain dietary fibers exhibit prebiotic effects on gut microbiota, but their influence on oral health remains unclear. This study conducted a systematic review across four databases to examine the potential effects of dietary fibers on dental caries. Data selection and extraction were conducted independently and in duplicate.

Chemical and Enzymatic Mechanosynthesis of Organocatalytic Peptide Materials Based on Proline and Phenylalanine.

In recent years, mechanosynthesis of peptides through either chemical or enzymatic routes has been accomplished. In part, this advancement has been driven due to the organocatalytic properties of peptide-based biomaterials. In this work, we report the merging of chemical and enzymatic protocols under mechanochemical conditions to synthesize peptide materials based on L-proline and L-phenylalanine.

Estimating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.5 Spike-Directed Functional Antibody Levels From an Anti-Receptor Binding Domain Wuhan-Hu-1-Based Commercial Immunoassay Results.

We investigated whether antibody concentrations measured in plasma using the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S assay (targeting the receptor binding domain, RBD) could estimate levels of Wuhan-Hu-1 and Omicron XBB.1.5 spike-directed antibodies with neutralizing ability (NtAb) or those mediating NK-cell activity.

Recent advances in pressurized hot water extraction/modification of polysaccharides: Structure, physicochemical properties, bioactivities, and applications.

Pressurized hot water, as a green and efficient physical treatment technology, has been widely utilized for the extraction and modification of polysaccharides, with the objective of enhancing the physicochemical properties and biological activities of polysaccharides applied in food systems. This article reviews the recent advances regarding the effects of pressurized hot water treatment (extraction and modification) on polysaccharide extraction rates, structure, physicochemical properties, and bioactivities. The potential modes and mechanisms of polysaccharides subjected to pressurized hot water treatment and the relevant applications of these treated polysaccharides are also thoroughly discussed.

Legacies from early-season hot drought: how growth cessation alters tree water dynamics and modifies stress responses in Scots pine.

Tree responses to drought are well studied, but the interacting effects of drought timing on growth, water use, and stress legacy are less understood. We investigated how a widespread conifer, Scots pine, responded to hot droughts early or late in the growing season, or to both. We measured sap flux, stem growth, needle elongation, and leaf water potential (Ψ) to assess the impacts of stress timing on drought resilience in Scots pine saplings.