Removing Lipemia in Serum/Plasma Samples: A Multicenter Study

María-José Castro-Castro,Beatriz Candás-Estébanez,Margarita Esteban-Salán,Pilar Calmarza,Teresa Arrobas-Velilla,Carlos Romero-Román,Miguel Pocoví-Mieras,José-Ángel Aguilar-Doreste,Sociedad Española de 대한진단검사의학회 2018 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.38 No.6

Background: Lipemia, a significant source of analytical errors in clinical laboratory settings, should be removed prior to measuring biochemical parameters. We investigated whether lipemia in serum/plasma samples can be removed using a method that is easier and more practicable than ultracentrifugation, the current reference method. Methods: Seven hospital laboratories in Spain participated in this study. We first compared the effectiveness of ultracentrifugation (108,200×g) and high-speed centrifugation (10,000×g for 15 minutes) in removing lipemia. Second, we compared high-speed centrifugation with two liquid-liquid extraction methods—LipoClear (StatSpin, Norwood, USA), and 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany). We assessed 14 biochemical parameters: serum/plasma concentrations of sodium ion, potassium ion, chloride ion, glucose, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate-aminotransferase, calcium, and bilirubin. We analyzed whether the differences between lipemia removal methods exceeded the limit for clinically significant interference (LCSI). Results: When ultracentrifugation and high-speed centrifugation were compared, no parameter had a difference that exceeded the LCSI. When high-speed centrifugation was compared with the two liquid-liquid extraction methods, we found differences exceeding the LCSI in protein, calcium, and aspartate aminotransferase in the comparison with 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane, and in protein, albumin, and calcium in the comparison with LipoClear. Differences in other parameters did not exceed the LCSI. Conclusions: High-speed centrifugation (10,000×g for 15 minutes) can be used instead of ultracentrifugation to remove lipemia in serum/plasma samples. LipoClear and 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane are unsuitable as they interfere with the measurement of certain parameters.

Trends in scientific production in telecommunications (1981–2023): a bibliometric study

Guillermo Alexander Quezada Castro,María del Pilar Castro Arellano,María del Pilar Quezada Castro 한국과학학술지편집인협의회 2024 Science Editing Vol.11 No.2

Purpose: Telecommunications have evolved in response to technological advancements and regulatory changes established in law. There remains a research gap concerning universal access to communication rights, which can be addressed through a bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature. This study aimed to identify trends in telecommunications research. Accordingly, it analyzed annual scientific output, determined the most representative journals, examined prevalent keywords, highlighted the most productive authors, and identified key articles in the field. Methods: Scientific production was analyzed using the Scopus database. Documents published between 1981 and 2023 in English were included, while those not relevant to the study topic were excluded. A total of 237 documents were analyzed using the Biblioshiny interface and Microsoft Excel. Results: Annual scientific output peaked in 2021, with an annual growth of 2.91%. The most representative journal was Telecommunications Policy. The consolidated keywords were “communication rights,” “public service media,” “media policy,” “regulation,” and “telecommunications.” The most productive authors were Amy Sanders and Pradip Thomas. The most cited article addressed the institutional foundations of telecommunications regulation. Conclusion: There was evidence of growing scientific production in telecommunications, published in high-impact journals with an interdisciplinary approach. The main topics related to telecommunications were communication rights, regulation, and internet governance. Despite the presence of prolific authors, a need for greater collaboration in the formation of international research networks was identified.

THE EVOLUTION OF ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY DESIGN

Miguel Ángel Castro Tirado,Alberto J. Castro-Tirado 한국천문학회 2019 Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society Vol.52 No.4

This work addresses the development of the astronomical observatory all through history, from an architectural point of view, as a building in relation to the observing instruments and their functioning as a heterogeneous work center. We focused on 32 observatories (in the period 1259–2007) and carefully analyzed the architectures. Considering the impact of the construction itself or its facilities on the results of the research (thermal or structural stability, poor weather protection, turbulence, etc.), there is little attention paid to theories or studies of the architectural or construction aspects of the observatories. Therefore, this work aims to present a theoretical-critical contribution that, at least, invites the reflection of those involved in the development of astronomical observatories in the future.

Developing Smart Grids Based on GPRS and ZigBee Technologies Using Queueing Modeling–Based Optimization Algorithm

Gustavo Batista de Castro Souza,Flávio Henrique Teles Vieira,Cláudio Ribeiro Lima,Getúlio Antero de Deus Júnior,Marcelo Stehling de Castro,Sérgio Granato de Araujo,Thiago Lara Vasques 한국전자통신연구원 2016 ETRI Journal Vol.38 No.1

Smart metering systems have become widespread around the world. RF mesh communication systems have contributed to the creation of smarter and more reliable power systems. This paper presents an algorithm for positioning GPRS concentrators to attain delay constraints for a ZigBee-based mesh network. The proposed algorithm determines the number and placement of concentrators using integer linear programming and a queueing model for the given mesh network. The solutions given by the proposed algorithm are validated by verifying the communication network performance through simulations.

Volumetric lipoinjection of the fronto-orbital and temporal complex with adipose stem cells for the aesthetic restoration of sequelae of craniosynostosis

Castro-Govea, Yanko,Vela-Martinez, Amin,Trevino-Garcia, Luis Alberto Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surge 2018 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.45 No.2

Background Non-syndromic craniosynostosis causes craniofacial asymmetry and may persist after cranioplasty. These postoperative asymmetries are primarily depressions. In some cases, patients may be subjected to pranks and harassment by their peers, affecting their psychosocial development. We propose lipoinjection enriched with adipose stem cells (ASCs) to treat the sequelae of craniosynostosis in the fronto-orbital and temporal complex in cranioplasty patients, with the goal of improving the appearance of the upper third of the face. Methods Twelve children (four boys and eight girls) between 4 and 8 years of age (mean age, 6 years) in the postoperative period after treatment for plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, and trigonocephaly were included, with a follow-up period of 1 to 18 months. Fat tissue was obtained from the lower abdomen, and ASCs were isolated using the Yoshimura technique. Lipoinjection was performed using several mini-approaches to ensure adequate distribution. Results Two different scales were used to evaluate the aesthetic outcomes. At 6 months, three plastic surgeons independent of the study classified the results using a Likert scale. The patients' parents categorized the results using a visual analog scale at 6, 9, and 18 months. R esults were favorable on both scales, as the patients' facial appearance improved and they reported increased happiness and self-esteem due to their remodeled facial appearance. Conclusions We suggest that lipoinjection enriched with ASCs is a good alternative for correcting asymmetry of the fronto-orbital and temporal contour in patients with sequelae of craniosynostosis. This treatment will help boost patients' self-esteem starting at an early age.

The influence of shade allocation or total shade plus overhead fan on growth performance, efficiency of dietary energy utilization, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle under tropical ambient conditions

Castro-Perez, Beatriz I.,Estrada-Angulo, Alfredo,Rios-Rincon, Francisco G.,Nunez-Benitez, Victor H.,Rivera-Mendez, Carlos R.,Urias-Estrada, Jesus D.,Zinn, Richard A.,Barreras, Alberto,Plascencia, Alej Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.6

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of shade allocation and shade plus fan on growth performance, dietary energy utilization and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle under tropical ambient conditions Methods: Two trials were conducted, involving a total of 1,560 young bulls (289±22 kg BW) assigned to 24 pens (65 bulls/pen and 6 pens/treatment). Pens were 585 ㎡ with 15 m fence line feed bunks. Shade treatments (㎡ shade/animal) were: i) limited shade (LS) to 1.2 ㎡ shade/animal (LS_1.2); ii) limited shade to 2.4 ㎡ shade/animal (LS_2.4); iii) total shade (TS) which correspond to 9 ㎡/animal, and iv) total shade equipped with fans (TS+F). Trials lasted 158 and 183 days. In both studies, the average weekly maximum temperature exceeded 34℃. Results: Increasing shade allocation tended (p = 0.08) to linearly increases average daily gain (ADG), and dry matter intake (DMI, quadratic effect, p = 0.03). This effect was most apparent between LS_1.2 and LS_2.4. Shade allocation, per se, did not affect gain efficiency or estimated dietary net energy (NE). Compared with TS, TS+F increased (p<0.05) ADG, gain efficiency, and tended (p = 0.06) to increase dietary NE. There was a quadratic effect of shade on longissimus area and marbling score, with values being lower (p<0.01) for LS_2.4 than for LS_1.2 or TS. Likewise, marbling score was lower for TS+F than for TS. Percentage kidney, pelvic, and heart (KPH) linearly decreased with increasing shade. In contrast, KPH was greater for TS than for TS+F. Conclusion: Providing more than 2.4 ㎡ shade/animal will not further enhance feedlot performance. The use of fans in combination with shade increases ADG and gain efficiency beyond that of shade, alone. These enhancements were not associated with increased DMI, but rather, to an amelioration of ambient temperature humidity index on maintenance energy requirement.

<i>Entamoeba</i> lysyl-tRNA Synthetase Contains a Cytokine-Like Domain with Chemokine Activity towards Human Endothelial Cells

Castro de Moura, Manuel,Miro, Francesc,Han, Jung Min,Kim, Sunghoon,Celada, Antonio,Ribas de Pouplana, Lluí,s Public Library of Science 2011 PLoS neglected tropical diseases Vol.5 No.11

<▼1><P>Immunological pressure encountered by protozoan parasites drives the selection of strategies to modulate or avoid the immune responses of their hosts. Here we show that the parasite <I>Entamoeba histolytica</I> has evolved a chemokine that mimics the sequence, structure, and function of the human cytokine HsEMAPII (<I>Homo sapiens</I> endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide II). This <I>Entamoeba</I> EMAPII-like polypeptide (EELP) is translated as a domain attached to two different aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) that are overexpressed when parasites are exposed to inflammatory signals. EELP is dispensable for the tRNA aminoacylation activity of the enzymes that harbor it, and it is cleaved from them by <I>Entamoeba</I> proteases to generate a standalone cytokine. Isolated EELP acts as a chemoattractant for human cells, but its cell specificity is different from that of HsEMAPII. We show that cell specificity differences between HsEMAPII and EELP can be swapped by site directed mutagenesis of only two residues in the cytokines' signal sequence. Thus, <I>Entamoeba</I> has evolved a functional mimic of an aaRS-associated human cytokine with modified cell specificity.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Author Summary</B></P><P>Amebiasis caused by the parasite <I>Entamoeba histolytica</I> is one of the leading causes of dysentery worldwide, with an estimated annual mortality of 100.000. In 10% of patients, the intestinal infection can spread to internal organs causing hepatic, lung, and brain abscesses. Little is known about the strategies used by the parasite to evade or minimize the inflammatory and immune responses of its host. In this manuscript we report the discovery that <I>Entamoeba</I> has evolved a polypeptide that functionally mimics the activity of a human cytokine (EMAPII) involved in the regulation of inflammation. This polypeptide termed EELP (<I>Entamoeba</I> EMAPII-Like Polypeptide) is capable of attracting human cells, just like its human counterpart but, unlike EMAPII, EELP does not act on inflammatory cells. We have characterized the dynamics of gene expression that regulate EELP synthesis, and we demonstrate that the protein is produced when <I>Entamoeba</I> encounter inflammation signals produced by their human host. Our working hypothesis is that EELP is used by the parasite to shield itself from human inflammation. In general, the discovery of EELP opens a new avenue of research into the mechanisms used by <I>Entamoeba</I> to survive their host's environment.</P></▼2>

SOME ASPECTS OF ZARISKI TOPOLOGY FOR MULTIPLICATION MODULES AND THEIR ATTACHED FRAMES AND QUANTALES

Castro, Jaime,Rios, Jose,Tapia, Gustavo Korean Mathematical Society 2019 대한수학회지 Vol.56 No.5

For a multiplication R-module M we consider the Zariski topology in the set Spec (M) of prime submodules of M. We investigate the relationship between the algebraic properties of the submodules of M and the topological properties of some subspaces of Spec (M). We also consider some topological aspects of certain frames. We prove that if R is a commutative ring and M is a multiplication R-module, then the lattice Semp (M/N) of semiprime submodules of M/N is a spatial frame for every submodule N of M. When M is a quasi projective module, we obtain that the interval ${\uparrow}(N)^{Semp}(M)=\{P{\in}Semp(M){\mid}N{\subseteq}P\}$ and the lattice Semp (M/N) are isomorphic as frames. Finally, we obtain results about quantales and the classical Krull dimension of M.

Effects of Replacing Dry-rolled Corn with Increasing Levels of Corn Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles on Characteristics of Digestion, Microbial Protein Synthesis and Digestible Energy of Diet in Hair Lambs Fed High-concentrate Diets

Castro-Perez, B.I.,Garzon-Proano, J.S.,Lopez-Soto, M.A.,Barreras, A.,Gonzalez, V.M.,Plascencia, Alejandro,Estrada-Angulo, A.,Davila-Ramos, H.,Rios-Rincon, F.G.,Zinn, R.A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2013 Animal Bioscience Vol.26 No.8

Four male lambs (Katahdin; average live weight $25.9{\pm}2.9$ kg) with "T" type cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square experiment to evaluate the influence of supplemental dry distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) levels (0, 10, 20 and 30%, dry matter basis) in substitution for dry-rolled (DR) corn on characteristics of digestive function and digestible energy (DE) of diet. Treatments did not influence ruminal pH. Substitution of DR corn with DDGS increased ruminal neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestion (quadratic effect, p<0.01), but decreased ruminal organic matter (OM) digestion (linear effect, p<0.01). Replacing corn with DDGS increased (linear, $p{\leq}0.02$) duodenal flow of lipids, NDF and feed N. But there were no treatment effects on flow to the small intestine of microbial nitrogen (MN) or microbial N efficiency. The estimated UIP value of DDGS was 44%. Postruminal digestion of OM, starch, lipids and nitrogen (N) were not affected by treatments. Total tract digestion of N increased (linear, p = 0.04) as the DDGS level increased, but DDGS substitution tended to decrease total tract digestion of OM (p = 0.06) and digestion of gross energy (p = 0.08). However, it did not affect the dietary digestible energy (DE, MJ/kg), reflecting the greater gross energy content of DDGS versus DR corn in the replacements. The comparative DE value of DDGS may be considered similar to the DE value of the DR corn it replaced up to 30% in the finishing diets fed to lambs.

Unraveling Direct Formation of Hierarchical Zeolite Beta by Dynamic Light Scattering, Small Angle X-ray Scattering, and Liquid and Solid-State NMR: Insights at the Supramolecular Level

Castro, Maria,Losch, Pit,Park, Woojin,Haouas, Mohamed,Taulelle, Francis,Loerbroks, Claudia,Brabants, Gert,Breynaert, Eric,Kirschhock, Christine E. A.,Ryoo, Ryong,Schmidt, Wolfgang American Chemical Society 2018 Chemistry of materials Vol.30 No.8

<P>A case study on the understanding of the formation of hierarchical Beta zeolites using gemini-type piperidine based multiammonium surfactant (N<SUB>6</SUB>-diphe) is reported. Complementary techniques were used to investigate N<SUB>6</SUB>-diphe’s structure-directing effect at the molecular level. Combining characterization of the resulting zeolite materials with the toolboxes herein developed for studying clear solutions and dense gels discloses self-assembly processes that govern the growth (and growth inhibition) of nano-Beta zeolite crystals. In clear solution, small-angle X-ray scattering and liquid-state NMR provide insights about the formation of nanoparticles and their degree of order. <SUP>14</SUP>N and <SUP>1</SUP>H-DOSY NMR probe the dynamics and mobility of soluble species. In a dense gel, on the other side, <SUP>27</SUP>Al- and <SUP>29</SUP>Si-(MAS) NMR elucidate the varying local connectivity between initial nano-objects and the final solid products. It has been found that cylindrical micelles control the transformation of solubilized silica and alumina during the formation of zeolite nuclei and guide their crystal growth to nano-Beta rods with bimodal mesoporosity. The predominant smaller mesopores (6 to 8 nm) originate from the template’s hydrophobic alkyl chains, while larger mesopores (10 to 30 nm) are supposed to result from a spinodal decomposition-type segregation of phases consisting of as-formed hydrophobic zeolite rods and an aqueous solution.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>