Advances in the Development of Biofertilizers and Biostimulants from Microalgae.

Microalgae have commercial potential in different sectors of the industry. Specifically in modern agriculture, they can be used because they have the ability to supply nutrients to the soil and produce plant growth hormones, polysaccharides, antimicrobial compounds, and other metabolites that improve agricultural productivity. Therefore, products formulated from microalgae as biofertilizers and biostimulants turn out to be beneficial for agriculture and are positioned as a novel and environmentally friendly strategy. However, these bioproducts present challenges in preparation that affect their shelf life due to the rapid degradation of bioformulated products. Therefore, this work aimed to provide a comprehensive review of biofertilizers and biostimulants from microalgae, for which a bibliometric analysis was carried out to establish trends using scientometric indicators, technological advances were identified in terms of formulation methods, and the global market for these bioproducts was analyzed.

Systematic Analysis of Genes Related to Selenium Bioaccumulation in Microalgae: A Review.

Se is one of the essential nutrients for human health and animal growth; it participates in various physiological functions, such as antioxidant and immune response and metabolism. Se deficiency is related in the animal industry to poor production performance and the appearance of health problems in humans. Therefore, interest has arisen in producing fortified foods, nutritional supplements, and animal feed products enriched with Se. A sustainable strategy for bio-based products enriched with Se is microalgae. These are characterized by the ability to bioaccumulate inorganic Se and metabolize it into organic Se for product formulations of industrial interest. Although there are some reports on Se bioaccumulation, further exploration is needed to understand the effects of Se bioaccumulation in microalgae. Therefore, this article presents a systematic review of the genes or groups of genes that trigger biological responses associated with the metabolization of Se in microalgae. A total of 54,541 genes related to Se metabolization distributed in 160 different classes were found. Similarly, trends were identified through bibliometric networks on strains of greatest interest, bioproducts, and scientific production.

Visual loss as the initial manifestation of an ignored disseminated prostate cancer: A case report.

Purpose: To present a rare case of advanced disseminated prostate cancer with bilateral visual loss as the initial manifestation of the disease. Observations: A 55-year-old man referring progressive visual blurring for the last 6 months and painless severe bilateral visual loss in the last 7 days prior to our consultation, associated with a bilateral optic disc swelling and leptomeningeal metastases from a previously ignored prostate carcinoma is presented. Rapid improvement of visual acuity and involution of leptomeningeal metastasis was observed after initiation of the specific oncologic treatment. Conclusions and importance: Bilateral visual loss may be the initial manifestation of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from an ignored prostate cancer. Prompt diagnosis is crucial in order to improve the quality of life of a critically ill patient with a disseminated prostate cancer.

Improving Deproteinization in Colombian Latex from Hevea brasiliensis: A Bibliometric Approximation.

Natural Rubber Field Latex (NRFL) allergens restrict its use in some markets due to health-threatening allergic reactions. These molecules are proteins that are related to asymptomatic sensitization and hypersensitivity mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE). Although NRFL allergens have been investigated since the 1980s, there are still gaps in knowledge regarding the development of deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR). Therefore, in this study, the deproteinization of NRFL from the lower basin of the Cauca River, Antioquia-Colombia was evaluated using eight systems. The highest removal value was 84.4% and was obtained from the treatment containing SDS (Sodium dodecyl sulfate), Urea, and Ethanol. It was also possible to determine that at high concentrations of SDS, removal percentages higher than 70% are reached. On the other hand, all deproteinizing systems decreased NRFL Zeta potentials without self-coagulation, suggesting enhanced colloidal stability in DPNR latex. On the other hand, the bibliometric analysis presented technological advances in DPRN through different parameters and bibliometric networks. The analysis presented makes an important contribution from the bibliometric approach that could be positive for the development of research on DPNR.

Trends on CO2 Capture with Microalgae: A Bibliometric Analysis.

The alarming levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) are an environmental problem that affects the economic growth of the world. CO2 emissions represent penalties and restrictions due to the high carbon footprint. Therefore, sustainable strategies are required to reduce the negative impact that occurs. Among the potential systems for CO2 capture are microalgae. These are defined as photosynthetic microorganisms that use CO2 and sunlight to obtain oxygen (O2) and generate value-added products such as biofuels, among others. Despite the advantages that microalgae may present, there are still technical-economic challenges that limit industrial-scale commercialization and the use of biomass in the production of added-value compounds. Therefore, this study reviews the current state of research on CO2 capture with microalgae, for which bibliometric analysis was used to establish the trends of the subject in terms of scientometric parameters. Technological advances in the use of microalgal biomass were also identified. Additionally, it was possible to establish the different cooperation networks between countries, which showed interactions in the search to reduce CO2 concentrations through microalgae.

Enhancing Education and Career Pathways Through Peer and Near-Peer Social Capital.

Social capital strengthens emerging adults' ability to reach life goals, but little is known about how peers and near-peers (slightly older and/or more experienced peers who serve in mentorship or coaching roles) support social capital development especially among young people of color. To address this gap, the current study examined how social capital derived from peers and near-peers contributes to emerging adults' ability to actively mobilize social capital in pursuit of their education or career goals (i.e., self-initiated social capital) and, in turn, their education and career outcomes. A total of 841 emerging adults who participated in one of five community-based education and/or workforce support programs were surveyed (72% female; Mage = 20.1, SD = 1.84; 35% Latinx, 30% Black, 19% Asian, 16% Other). Peer social capital was indirectly associated with outcomes (i.e., progress towards education/career goals, commitment to paying-it-forward, collective efficacy to change systems) via greater self-initiated social capital, whereas near-peer social capital was both directly and indirectly associated with outcomes. The mechanisms by which peer and near-peer social capital support emerging adults as they work towards their goals may differ and have important program implications.

ROP Screening Tool Assessment and Validation in a Third-Level Hospital in Argentina: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether a mathematical tool that predicts severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) using clinical parameters at 6 weeks of life (ROPScore calculator smartphone application; PABEX Corporation) can be useful to predict severe ROP in a population of premature infants in Argentina. METHODS: In this retrospective study, data from the clinical records of all premature infants examined between 2012 and 2018 in the ophthalmology department of a public third-level hospital in Córdoba, Argentina, were obtained. ROPScore screening was applied using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Corporation). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values of the algorithm were analyzed. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2018, a total of 2,894 pre-term infants were examined and 411 met the inclusion criteria, of whom 34% (n = 139) presented some form of ROP and 6% (n = 25) developed severe forms that required treatment. The sensitivity of the algorithm for any ROP and severe ROP was 100%. The PPV and NPV were 35.64% and 100%, respectively, for any ROP and 9.88% and 100% for severe ROP. CONCLUSIONS: One-time only calculation of the ROPScore algorithm could identify severe cases after validation, reducing the number of screened infants by 38% in infants with a birth weight of 1,500 g or less or a gestational age of 32 weeks or younger. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2021;58(1):55-61.].

Genetic variation of carotenoids, vitamin E and phenolic compounds in Provitamin A biofortified maize.

BACKGROUND: Biofortified maize is not only a good vehicle for provitamin A carotenoids for vitamin A deficient populations in developing countries but also a source of vitamin E, tocochromanols and phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant properties. Using high-performance liquid chromatography and a total antioxidant performance assay, the present study analyzed the antioxidant variation and antioxidant activity of 36 provitamin A improved maize hybrids and one common yellow maize hybrid. RESULTS: The ranges of major carotenoids in provitamin A carotenoids biofortified maize were zeaxanthin [1.2-13.2 µg g-1 dry weight (DW)], ß-cryptoxanthin (1.3-8.8 µg g-1 DW) and ß-carotene (1.3-8.0 µg g-1 DW). The ranges of vitamin E compounds identified in provitamin A carotenoids biofortified maize were α-tocopherol (3.4-34.3 µg g-1 DW), γ-tocopherol (5.9-54.4 µg g-1 DW), α-tocotrienol (2.6-19.5 µg g-1 DW) and γ-tocotrienol (45.4 µg g-1 DW). The ranges of phenolic compounds were γ-oryzanol (0.0-0.8 mg g-1 DW), ferulic acid (0.4-3.6 mg g-1 DW) and p-coumaric acid (0.1-0.45 mg g-1 DW). There was significant correlation between α-tocopherol and cis isomers of ß-carotene (P < 0.01). Tocotrienols were correlated with α-tocopherol and γ-oryzanol (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Genotype was significant in determining the variation in ß-cryptoxanthin, ß-carotene, α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol contents (P < 0.01). A genotype × environment interaction was observed for γ-tocopherol content (P < 0.01). © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Does pre-school improve cognitive abilities among children with early-life stunting? A longitudinal study for Peru.

Several studies in developing countries have found that children who experience growth faltering in the first years of life show lower cognitive abilities than their peers. In this study, we use the Young Lives longitudinal dataset in Peru to analyze if attending pre-school affects cognitive abilities at age five years, and if there is an interaction with HAZ at age one year. Using instrumental variables we found, for receptive vocabulary, a positive effect of attending Jardines (formal) pre-schools; the effect of attending PRONOEI (community-based) pre-schools was not significant. More years attending Jardines was more beneficial for children who were better nourished. We suggest working to improve the quality of PRONOEIs, and with teachers on targeting children of lower nutritional status.

Fibronectina fetal como predictor del trabajo de parto en mujeres mexicanas / Fetal fibronectin as a predictor of labor in Mexican women

Introducción: la presencia de fibronectina fetal en secreciones vaginales ha sido considerada como un predictor de trabajo de parto en embarazo de término y de pretérmino. Objetivo: evaluar la validez predictiva de la fibronectina en embarazadas que acudieron al Hospital General SSH de Pachuca, México. Metodología: se incluyeron pacientes embarazadas que acudieron al hospital para control de su embarazo. Se determinó la fibronectina fetal en todas las participantes y se dio un seguimiento hasta el inicio del trabajo de parto. Resultados: participaron un total de 148 pacientes, siendo un grupo con 53 pacientes con menos de 37 semanas de gestación (SG) y otro grupo con 95 pacientes con 37 ó más SG. En general, la prueba mostró una sensibilidad promedio de 72,5 por ciento y una especificidad promedio de 82,9 por ciento para ambos grupos. Conclusión: sobre la base de los resultados obtenidos, recomendamos utilizar la prueba de fibronectina en embarazadas a partir de las 32 semanas de gestación, tanto en los servicios de urgencias como de consulta externa.

Background: The presence of fetal fibronectin in vaginal secretions has been regarded as a predictor of labor in pregnant term and preterm. Objective: For this reason the purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive validity of fibronectin in pregnant women who attended the General Hospital SSH Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. Methodology: We included pregnant patients admitted to hospital for pregnancy control. Fetal fibronectin was determined in all participants and then followed until the onset of labor. Results: A total of 148 patients participated. One group with 53 patients less than 37 weeks gestation, and another group of 95 patients with 37 or more weeks gestation. In general, the test showed an average sensitivity of 72.5 percent and specificity 82.9 percent average for both groups. Conclusion: Based on these results, we recommend using fibronectin test in pregnant women after 32 weeks of gestation, both in emergency departments and outpatient clinics.

Evaluación: Resultados a 16 años de las dos técnicas más comunes de hernioplastía inguinal abierta / Assessment: Results at 16 years of the two most common techniques used in open inguinal hernioplasty

Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados obtenidos durante 16 años en los pacientes sometidos a reparación abierta, con las dos técnicas más comunes: Lichtenstein y Mesh Plug. Sede: Hospital regional 2do nivel de atención. Diseño: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, comparativo, retrospectivo. Análisis estadístico: t de Student y Chi cuadrada. Material y métodos: Se valoraron 1,293 procedimientos de Lichtenstein y 5,889 de Mesh-Plug, realizados de julio de 1993 a junio de 2002, seguidos hasta 2009 con promedio de 132 meses. Ambos procedimientos estandarizados de acuerdo a las técnicas originales, efectuadas por cirujanos generales no especialistas en hernia. Variables evaluadas: tiempo quirúrgico, estancia hospitalaria, ahorro en días cama, días de incapacidad, recurrencias, morbilidad y dolor crónico. Resultados: La media de tiempo quirúrgico en el procedimiento de Lichtenstein fue de 59 minutos, y con ''Mesh-Plug'' 25 minutos. Permanencia hospitalaria de 7.5 horas con Lichtenstein contra 3.5 horas de ''Mesh-Plug''. Ahorro de 26,573 días cama y 201,096 días de incapacidad laboral. Morbilidad de 1.04%. Recurrencia de 0.59% y 9 pacientes con inguinodinia crónica que requirieron retiro de material protésico. Conclusiones: Ambos procedimientos son seguros con pocas consecuencias nocivas. Mesh-Plug fue más rápida en su conformación hasta en un 50%, la estancia hospitalaria corta favoreció ahorros sustanciales en días de incapacidad y días-cama.

Objective: To evaluate the results obtained during 16 years in patients subjected to open hernia repair with the two most common techniques: Lichtenstein and Mesh-Plug. Setting: Second health care level hospital. Design: Observational, retrospective, descriptive, comparative study. Statistical analysis: Student's t and square chi tests. Material and methods: We assessed 1,293 Lichtenstein and 5,889 Mesh-Plug procedures, performed from July 1993 to June 2002, followed for an average of 132 months. Both procedures were standardized according to the original techniques and performed by general surgeons, not specializing in hernia. Assessed variables were: surgical time, hospital stay, savings in bed-days, working incapacity days, recurrences, morbidity, and chronic pain. Results: The mean of surgical time for the Lichtenstein procedures was of 59 min, and 25 min for the Mesh-Plug, Length of in-hospital stay with Lichtenstein was 7.5 h versus 3.5 h with the Mesh-Plug. Savings in bed-days amounted to 26,573 and 201,098 days of working incapacity days. Morbidity of 1.04%. Recurrence of 0.59%, and nine patients coursed with chronic inguinodynia and required retrieval of the prosthetic material. Conclusions: Both procedures are safe and have few noxious consequences. The mesh plug technique was faster in 50%, the shorter in-hospital stay favored substantial savings in working incapacity and bed days.

"CAN Stop"--implementation and evaluation of a secondary group prevention for adolescent and young adult cannabis users in various contexts--study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Current research shows that overall numbers for cannabis use among adolescents and young adults dropped in recent years. However, this trend is much less pronounced in continuous cannabis use. With regard to the heightened risk for detrimental health- and development-related outcomes, adolescents and young adults with continuous cannabis use need special attention. The health services structure for adolescents and young adults with substance related problems in Germany, is multifaceted, because different communal, medical and judicial agencies are involved. This results in a rather decentralized organizational structure of the help system. This and further system-inherent characteristics make the threshold for young cannabis users rather high. Because of this, there is a need to establish evidence-based low-threshold help options for young cannabis users, which can be easily disseminated. Therefore, a training programme for young cannabis users (age 14-21) was developed in the "CAN Stop" project. Within the project, we seek to implement and evaluate the training programme within different institutions of the help system. The evaluation is sensitive to the different help systems and their specific prerequisites. Moreover, within this study, we also test the practicability of a training provision through laypersons. METHODS/DESIGN: The CAN Stop study is a four-armed randomized wait-list controlled trial. The four arms are needed for the different help system settings, in which the CAN Stop training programme is evaluated: (a) the drug addiction aid and youth welfare system, (b) the out-patient medical system, (c) the in-patient medical system and (d) prisons for juvenile offenders. Data are collected at three points, before and after the training or a treatment as usual, and six months after the end of either intervention. DISCUSSION: The CAN Stop study is expected to provide an evidence-based programme for young cannabis users seeking to reduce or quit their cannabis use. Moreover, we seek to gain knowledge about the programme's utility within different settings of the German help system for young cannabis users and information about the settings' specific clientele. The study protocol is discussed with regard to potential difficulties within the different settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN: ISRCTN57036983.

Short report: limited and short-lasting humoral response in Taenia solium: seropositive households compared with patients with neurocysticercosis.

Epidemiologic data suggest that 30-40% of Taenia solium-seropositive people become spontaneously negative without acquiring cysticercosis. To compare the responses of these individuals with those of patients with neurocysticercosis, we screened seropositive persons among family members of 16 patients. We searched for specific antibodies in patients and their 118 households by an enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay using specific glycoproteins of T. solium metacestodes. We found six seropositive individuals without neurocysticercosis among members of four families. The matching patients were young, harbored viable cysts, and had short evolution of disease. The baseline response of healthy seropositive individuals was scarce and showed a low frequency of antibodies against glycoproteins GP39-42 and GP24, which are immunodominant in patients with neurocysticercosis. Moreover, they became spontaneously negative in few months. The response of patients was heterogeneous as shown in other studies. The results of this work support a highly dynamic host-parasite immunologic interaction and suggest individual susceptibility or level of exposure among family members.

El examen de strout modificado usado como prueba de detección sistemática de la enfermedad de Chagas transplacentaria: I. Recolección y conservación de la sangre de cordón umbilical del recién nacido / The modified strout test used as systematic detection test of the transplacental Chagas'disease: I. Collection and preservation of the newborn's umbilical cord blood

A modified strout test used as a probe for the transplacental Chagas disease systemic diagnosis. I. Collection and preservation of the newborn`s umbilical cord blood