Novel nanostructured lipid carriers loading Apigenin for anterior segment ocular pathologies.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface caused by tear film dysfunction and constitutes one of the most common ocular conditions worldwide. However, its treatment remains unsatisfactory. While artificial tears are commonly used to moisturize the ocular surface, they do not address the underlying causes of DED. Apigenin (APG) is a natural product with anti-inflammatory properties, but its low solubility and bioavailability limit its efficacy. Therefore, a novel formulation of APG loaded into biodegradable and biocompatible nanoparticles (APG-NLC) was developed to overcome the stability issues of APG, improve its therapeutic efficacy, and prolong its retention time on the ocular surface by extending its release. APG-NLC optimization, characterization, biopharmaceutical properties and therapeutic efficacy were evaluated. The optimized APG-NLC exhibited an average particle size below 200 nm, a positive surface charge, and an encapsulation efficiency over 99%. APG-NLC exhibited sustained release of APG, and stability studies demonstrated that the formulation retained its integrity for over 25 months. In vitro and in vivo ocular tolerance studies indicated that APG-NLC did not cause any irritation, rendering them suitable for ocular topical administration. Furthermore, APG-NLC showed non-toxicity in an epithelial corneal cell line and exhibited suitable cell internalization. Therapeutic benefits were demonstrated using an in vivo model of DED, where APG-NLC effectively reversed DED by reducing ocular surface cellular damage and increasing tear volume. Anti-inflammatory assays in vivo also showcased its potential to treat and prevent ocular inflammation, particularly relevant in DED patients. Hence, APG-NLC represent a promising system for the treatment and prevention of DED and its associated inflammation.

Development of functional consortia for the pretreatment of compostable lignocellulosic waste: A simple and effective solution to a large-scale problem.

Microorganisms drive the degradation of organic matter thanks to their enzymatic versatility. However, the structure of lignocellulose poses a great challenge for the microbiota inhabiting a compost pile. Our purpose was to increase the biodegradability of vegetable waste in the early stages of the composting process by applying a microbial consortium with lignocelllulolytic capacity. For this, a previous screening was performed among the culturable microbiota from different composting processes to find inoculants with ligninocellulolytic activity. Selected strains were applied as a pure culture and as a microbial consortium. The starting material was composed of tomato plant and pruning remains mixed in a ratio (50:50 v/v), whose humidity was adjusted to around 65%. To determine the ability of both treatments to activate the biodegradation of the mixtures, moisture, organic matter, ash, C/N ratio, 4-day cumulative respirometric index (AT4) and degradation rates of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin were evaluated. Subsequently, a real composting process was developed in which the performance of the microbial consortium was compared with the composting process without inoculum (control). According to our tests, three microbial strains (Bacillus safensis, Bacillus licheniformis and Fusarium oxysporum) were selected. The results showed that the application of the bacteria strains at low doses (104 CFU g-1 on the complete residual material of the pile) resulted in higher rates of lignocelullose degradation after 10 days of treatment compared to that observed after application of the fungus in pure culture or untreated controls. The implementation of the strategy described in this work resulted in obtaining compost with better agronomic quality than the uninoculated controls. Therefore, the application of this consortium could be considered as an interesting tool for bioactivation of lignocellulosic waste prior to the composting process.

Efficacy of powdered alfalfa leaves to ameliorate the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 in turkey poults.

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of an adsorbent material based on powdered alfalfa leaves added in the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-contaminated diet of turkey poults on production parameters, blood cell count, serum biochemistry, liver enzymes, and liver histology. For this purpose, three hundred and fifty female Nicholas-700 poults were randomly assigned into five treatments: (1) Control, AFB1-free diet; (2) AF, diet contaminated with 250 ng AFB1/g; (3) Alfalfa, AFB1-free diet + 0.5% (w/w) adsorbent; (4) AF+alfalfa, diet contaminated with 250 ng AFB1/g + 0.5% (w/w) adsorbent, and (5) AF+ yeast cell wall (YCW), diet contaminated with 250 ng AFB1/g + 0.5% (w/w) of yeast cell wall (a commercial mycotoxin binder used as reference material). The in vivo efficacy of powdered alfalfa leaves was assessed during a 28-day period. In general, the addition of powdered alfalfa leaves in the AFB1-free diet gave the best performance results (body weight, body weight gain, and feed intake) and improved the values of total protein, glucose, calcium, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen. Moreover, the addition of powdered alfalfa leaves in the AFB1-contaminated diet enhanced body weight and body weight gain and significantly reduced the feed intake, compared to the AF and AF+YCW groups. Additionally, significant alterations in serum parameters were observed in poults intoxicated with the AFB1, compared to the Control group. Furthermore, typical histopathological lesions were observed in the liver of the AF group, which were significantly ameliorated with the addition of powdered alfalfa leaves. Conclusively, these results pointed out that low inclusion of powdered alfalfa leaves in the contaminated feed counteracted the adverse effects of AFB1 in turkey poults.

Genotoxic and cytotoxic evaluation of venlafaxine in an acute and a subchronic assay in mouse

Abstract The present research was made to determine the micronuclei and cytotoxic capacity of the antidepressant venlafaxine in an in vivo acute and subchronic assays in mouse. In the first study, we administered once 5, 50, and 250 mg/kg of the drug, and included a negative and a daunorubicin treated group. Observations were daily made during four days. The subchronic assay lasted 5 weeks with daily administration of venlafaxine (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) plus a negative and an imipramine administered groups. Observations were made each week. In the first assay results showed no micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPE) increase, except with the high dose at 72 h. The strongest cytotoxic effect was found with 250 mg/kg at 72 h (a 51% cytotoxic effect in comparison with the mean control level). In the subchronic assay no MNPE increase was found; however, with the highest dose a significant increase of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes was observed in the last three weeks (a mean of 51% respect to the mean control value). A cytotoxic effect with the two high doses in the last two weeks was observed (a polychromatic erythrocyte mean decrease of 52% respect to the mean control value). Results suggest caution with venlafaxine.

Resumo A presente pesquisa foi feita para determinar a capacidade micronuclei e citotóxica do antidepressivo venlafaxina em ensaios agudos e subcrônicos in vivo em camundongos. No primeiro estudo, administramos uma vez 5, 50 e 250 mg/kg do medicamento e incluímos um grupo negativo e um grupo tratado com daunorubicina. As observações foram feitas diariamente durante quatro dias. O ensaio subcrônico durou cinco semanas com administração diária de venlafaxina (1, 5, e 10 mg/kg) mais um grupo negativo e um grupo administrado de imipramina. As observações foram feitas a cada semana. No primeiro ensaio, os resultados não mostraram aumento de eritrócitos policromáticos micronucleados (MNPE), exceto com a dose elevada a 72 h. O efeito citotóxico mais forte foi encontrado com 250 mg/kg a 72 h (um efeito citotóxico de 51% em comparação com o nível médio de controle). No ensaio subcrônico não foi encontrado aumento de MNPE; entretanto, com a dose mais alta, um aumento significativo de eritrócitos normocromáticos micronucleados foi observado nas últimas três semanas (média de 51% em relação ao valor médio de controle). Foi observado um efeito citotóxico com as duas altas doses nas últimas duas semanas (uma diminuição média de 52% em relação ao valor médio de controle dos eritrócitos policromáticos). Os resultados sugerem cautela com a venlafaxina.

Genotoxic and cytotoxic evaluation of venlafaxine in an acute and a subchronic assay in mouse / Avaliação genotóxica e citotóxica da venlafaxina em ensaio agudo e subcrônico em camundongos

Abstract The present research was made to determine the micronuclei and cytotoxic capacity of the antidepressant venlafaxine in an in vivo acute and subchronic assays in mouse. In the first study, we administered once 5, 50, and 250 mg/kg of the drug, and included a negative and a daunorubicin treated group. Observations were daily made during four days. The subchronic assay lasted 5 weeks with daily administration of venlafaxine (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) plus a negative and an imipramine administered groups. Observations were made each week. In the first assay results showed no micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPE) increase, except with the high dose at 72 h. The strongest cytotoxic effect was found with 250 mg/kg at 72 h (a 51% cytotoxic effect in comparison with the mean control level). In the subchronic assay no MNPE increase was found; however, with the highest dose a significant increase of micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes was observed in the last three weeks (a mean of 51% respect to the mean control value). A cytotoxic effect with the two high doses in the last two weeks was observed (a polychromatic erythrocyte mean decrease of 52% respect to the mean control value). Results suggest caution with venlafaxine.

Resumo A presente pesquisa foi feita para determinar a capacidade micronuclei e citotóxica do antidepressivo venlafaxina em ensaios agudos e subcrônicos in vivo em camundongos. No primeiro estudo, administramos uma vez 5, 50 e 250 mg/kg do medicamento e incluímos um grupo negativo e um grupo tratado com daunorubicina. As observações foram feitas diariamente durante quatro dias. O ensaio subcrônico durou cinco semanas com administração diária de venlafaxina (1, 5, e 10 mg/kg) mais um grupo negativo e um grupo administrado de imipramina. As observações foram feitas a cada semana. No primeiro ensaio, os resultados não mostraram aumento de eritrócitos policromáticos micronucleados (MNPE), exceto com a dose elevada a 72 h. O efeito citotóxico mais forte foi encontrado com 250 mg/kg a 72 h (um efeito citotóxico de 51% em comparação com o nível médio de controle). No ensaio subcrônico não foi encontrado aumento de MNPE; entretanto, com a dose mais alta, um aumento significativo de eritrócitos normocromáticos micronucleados foi observado nas últimas três semanas (média de 51% em relação ao valor médio de controle). Foi observado um efeito citotóxico com as duas altas doses nas últimas duas semanas (uma diminuição média de 52% em relação ao valor médio de controle dos eritrócitos policromáticos). Os resultados sugerem cautela com a venlafaxina.

Lymphatic muscle cells are the innate pacemaker cells regulating mouse lymphatic collecting vessel contractions.

Collecting lymphatic vessels (cLVs) exhibit spontaneous contractions with a pressure-dependent frequency, but the identity of the lymphatic pacemaker cell is still debated. By analogy to pacemakers in the GI and lower urinary tracts, proposed cLV pacemaker cells include interstitial cells of Cajal like cells (ICLC), pericytes, as well as the lymphatic muscle (LMCs) cells themselves. Here we tested the extent to which these cell types are invested into the mouse cLV wall and if any cell type exhibited morphological and functional processes characteristic of pacemaker cells: a contiguous network; spontaneous Ca2+ transients; and depolarization-induced propagated contractions. We employed inducible Cre (iCre) mouse models routinely used to target these specific cell populations including: c-kitCreERT2 to target ICLC; PdgfrßCreERT2 to target pericytes; PdgfrαCreER™ to target CD34+ adventitial fibroblast-like cells or ICLC; and Myh11CreERT2 to target LMCs. These specific inducible Cre lines were crossed to the fluorescent reporter ROSA26mT/mG, the genetically encoded Ca2+ sensor GCaMP6f, and the light-activated cation channel rhodopsin2 (ChR2). c-KitCreERT2 labeled both a sparse population of LECs and round adventitial cells that responded to the mast cell activator compound 48-80. PdgfrßCreERT2 drove recombination in both adventitial cells and LMCs, limiting its power to discriminate a pericyte specific population. PdgfrαCreER™ labeled a large population of interconnected, oak leaf-shaped cells primarily along the adventitial surface of the vessel. Titrated induction of the smooth muscle-specific Myh11CreERT2 revealed a LMC population with heterogeneous morphology. Only LMCs consistently, but heterogeneously, displayed spontaneous Ca2+ events during the diastolic period of the contraction cycle, and whose frequency was modulated in a pressure-dependent manner. Optogenetic depolarization through the expression of ChR2 by Myh11CreERT2, but not PdgfrαCreER™ or c-KitCreERT2, resulted in a propagated contraction. These findings support the conclusion that LMCs, or a subset of LMCs, are responsible for mouse cLV pacemaking.

Papilla of Vater morphology as an influencing factor in successful cannulation during resident training in advanced endoscopy. A prospective clinical study.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a complex procedure. Clinical guidelines assess competence in ERCP through a defined number of procedures, but multiple factors are involved. Our aim was to analyze the morphology of the papilla of Vater as an independent factor in selective common bile duct cannulation during resident training. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients that underwent ERCP were studied consecutively. All ERCPs were begun by a resident in training. The type of papilla was classified according to Haraldsson, including those with previous sphincterotomy. Cannulation difficulty and success and their relation to the type of papilla were documented. The analysis was divided into three 4-month periods. RESULTS: Of the 429 patients, cannulation was difficult in 101 (23.5%). The residents achieved selective cannulation of the common bile duct in 276 (64.3%) and the cannulation success rate at the end of their training was 81.7%. Cannulation was performed with the least difficulty in papillae with previous sphincterotomy (2.8%), unlike the type 4 papilla, which was difficult to cannulate in 50% of the cases. The lowest overall cannulation success was in the type 2 papilla (81.8%). CONCLUSION: Papilla type can influence cannulation success, but it is not the only related factor. Patients that underwent previous sphincterotomy appear to be the cases in whom ERCP training can be started.

Sustainable approach to the control of airborne phytopathogenic fungi by application of compost extracts.

The search for new sustainable alternatives for plant disease control has gained interest in the last decades. Compost extracts are nowadays considered a remarkable alternative to agrochemicals due to their biopesticidal properties. However, these properties could be affected by the different variables of extraction protocols and by starting compost. This work focused on the physicochemical and biological characterization of compost extracts obtained from a wide range of composted materials and different extraction protocols (CEP). CEP-1 and CEP-4 involved incubation at 20 °C for 48 h and 14 days, respectively; CEP-2 incubation for 24 h at 40 °C; while CEP-3 were incubated for 12 h at 70 °C. Electrical conductivity, pH, total organic carbon (TOC) and phenolic content were determined as well as the actinobacterial count and enzyme profiles related to plant pathogen suppression. Additionally, the influence of the different materials and protocols on the in vitro growth inhibition of Alternaria alternata and Botrytis cinerea was determined. The starting materials and extraction protocols significantly influenced the physicochemical and biological characteristics of extracts. Treatments based on long incubation times at 20 °C, as well as those based on short incubation times at 40 °C, resulted in extracts with increased suppressive properties. However, extracts derived from CEP-3 protocol were characterized by high phenolic and TOC content, low functional biodiversity, and a more discreet antagonistic capacity. Therefore, the development and optimization of suitable extraction protocols could lead to compost extracts with increased phytoprotective capacities, thus becoming an effective and sustainable alternative to chemical inputs.

Isolation, characterization, and experimental infection of Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies pasteurianus from commercial turkeys with acute septicemia: a pilot study.

Streptococcus gallolyticus (SG) is a Gram-positive cocci found as commensal gut flora in animals and humans. SG has emerged as a cause of disease in young poults between 1 and 3 wk of age. SG is associated with septicemia resulting in acute mortality with no premonitory signs in turkeys. Three SG isolates were obtained from clinical field cases of acute septicemia of commercial turkeys and used in three independent experiments. In Experiment 1, embryos were inoculated 25 d of embryogenesis with varying concentrations of SG1, SG2, or SG3. In Experiment 2, day of hatch, poults were inoculated with varying concentrations using different routes of administration of SG1, SG2, or SG3. In Experiment 3, day of hatch, poults were inoculated with only isolate SG1 using different paths. Poults were randomly selected for necropsy on d 8 and d 15 and sampled to collect spleen, heart, and liver for SG on d 21, the remaining poults were necropsied and cultured. Samples were plated on Columbia nalidixic acid and colistin agar (CNA) (40°C, 18-24 h). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) confirmed suspect colonies. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test of independence, testing all possible combinations to determine significance (P < 0.05). Weight data were subjected to ANOVA using JMP with significance (P < 0.05). No differences were found in BW or BWG on d 0, 8, 15, or 22. Splenomegaly, focal heart necrosis, and pericarditis were observed in all groups in experiments 1 through 3. In Experiment 3, only airsacculitis was observed in a negative control in separate isolation (P > 0.05). On d 21 of Experiment 3, increased (P < 0.05) recovery of SG from spleens were observed in co-housed negative controls, as well as poults challenged by oral gavage (P > 0.05 for d 7 and d 14). These results confirm numerous previous studies indicating that SG subsp. pasteurianus is a primary infectious microorganism that causes septicemia in young poults.

Discovery of Gamma Rays from the Quiescent Sun with HAWC.

We report the first detection of a TeV γ-ray flux from the solar disk (6.3σ), based on 6.1 years of data from the High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory. The 0.5-2.6 TeV spectrum is well fit by a power law, dN/dE=A(E/1 TeV)^{-γ}, with A=(1.6±0.3)×10^{-12} TeV^{-1} cm^{-2} s^{-1} and γ=3.62±0.14. The flux shows a strong indication of anticorrelation with solar activity. These results extend the bright, hard GeV emission from the disk observed with Fermi-LAT, seemingly due to hadronic Galactic cosmic rays showering on nuclei in the solar atmosphere. However, current theoretical models are unable to explain the details of how solar magnetic fields shape these interactions. HAWC's TeV detection thus deepens the mysteries of the solar-disk emission.

Adaptaciones de la Enseñanza Anatómica Durante el COVID-19 en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Evaluación de los Estudiantes / Adaptations of Anatomical Teaching During COVID-19 at the University Complutense of Madrid. Evaluation by the Students

Las restricciones por la pandemia del COVID-19 supusieron la transición abrupta a una enseñanza online tanto del contenido teórico como práctico y de la evaluación final de las asignaturas que imparte el departamento en varias titulaciones. En previsión de que el siguiente curso académico 2020-21 se vería totalmente afectado, se desarrollaron una serie de materiales didácticos propios, como la elaboración de guiones de teoría y práctica que incorporaron imágenes de modelos anatómicos, prosecciones, anatomía radiológica y anatomía ecográfica. La percepción de esta innovación fue evaluada por los estudiantes a través de una encuesta en línea y sus respuestas mediante una escala tipo Likert. Participaron 346 estudiantes de las titulaciones de Fisioterapia (n= 66), Medicina (n= 169), Podología (n= 44) y Terapia Ocupacional (n= 67). Las puntuaciones medias más altas correspondieron a los estudiantes de Podología y Terapia Ocupacional, ambas presentaron diferencias significativas con los otros tres subgrupos de alumnos (p<.0001). El puntaje promedio más bajo correspondió a los estudiantes de Medicina de segundo año académico que presentó significancia con los otros cuatro subgrupos de estudiantes (p<.0001). Se analizaron las carencias del sistema educativo en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid reveladas por la pandemia del Covid19. Esta crisis ha puesto de manifiesto la necesidad de que los educadores médicos en general y los anatomistas en particular estén capacitados en el uso de la tecnología disponible y en la creación de sus propios materiales didácticos multimedia.

SUMMARY: Restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic meant an abrupt transition to online teaching. This change affected teaching, practical sessions and assessments of the subjects taught by the department in various degrees. In anticipation that the following academic year 2020-21 would be totally affected, a series of didactic materials were therefor developed. These materials included the preparation of theory and practice scripts that incorporated images of anatomical models, pro-sections, radiological anatomy, and ultrasound anatomy. Perceptions by the students of these innovations were recorded through an online survey and their responses evaluated through a Likert-type scale. 346 students from Physiotherapy (n= 66), Medicine (n= 169), Podiatry (n= 44) and Occupational Therapy (n= 67) degrees participated. The highest average scores corresponded to the students of Podiatry and Occupational Therapy, both presented significant differences with the other three subgroups of students (p<.0001). The lowest average score corresponded to medical students in their second academic year, which presented significance with the other four subgroups of students (p<.0001). The shortcomings of the educational system of the Complutense University of Madrid that were highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed. This crisis underscored the need for medical educators in general, and anatomists in particular, to be trained in the use of available technology and to produce their own multimedia teaching materials.

Mitigation of phytotoxic effect of compost by application of optimized aqueous extraction protocols.

The abuse of chemical fertilizers in recent decades has led the promotion of less harmful alternatives, such as compost or aqueous extracts obtained from it. Therefore, it is essential to develop liquid biofertilizers, which in addition of being stable and useful for fertigation and foliar application in intensive agriculture had a remarkable phytostimulant extracts. For this purpose, a collection of aqueous extracts was obtained by applying four different Compost Extraction Protocols (CEP1, CEP2, CEP3, CEP4) in terms of incubation time, temperature and agitation of compost samples from agri-food waste, olive mill waste, sewage sludge and vegetable waste. Subsequently, a physicochemical characterization of the obtained set was performed in which pH, electrical conductivity and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) were measured. In addition, a biological characterization was also carried out by calculating the Germination Index (GI) and determining the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5). Furthermore, functional diversity was studied using the Biolog EcoPlates technique. The results obtained confirmed the great heterogeneity of the selected raw materials. However, it was observed that the less aggressive treatments in terms of temperature and incubation time, such as CEP1 (48 h, room temperature (RT)) or CEP4 (14 days, RT), provided aqueous compost extracts with better phytostimulant characteristics than the starting composts. It was even possible to find a compost extraction protocol that maximize the beneficial effects of compost. This was the case of CEP1, which improved the GI and reduced the phytotoxicity in most of the raw materials analyzed. Therefore, the use of this type of liquid organic amendment could mitigate the phytotoxic effect of several composts being a good alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers.

Use of audiovisual devices in transnasal endoscopy without sedation to improve tolerance. A prospective clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Transnasal endoscopy (TNE) has proven its diagnostic utility, but it has not been widely accepted given that it is performed without sedation. There are no previous studies on the use of methods to improve its tolerability. Our aim was to evaluate the tolerability of TNE, when simultaneously performed with an audiovisual device as a distractor. METHODS: We evaluated 50 patients, 10 of whom did not agree to participate. The performance of the procedure was explained, using an audiovisual device. Before randomization, we applied anxiety and depression scores. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group I (using an audiovisual device during the procedure) and Group II (without a device). Anxiety and numeric pain rating scales were used, and vital signs were monitored and recorded before, during, and after the endoscopy. An overall procedure satisfaction score was applied at the end of the study and 24 h later. RESULTS: Mean age was 41.6 years and 35 of the patients were women (87.5%). The most frequent indication for TNE was refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease. There were no severe comorbidities, and none of the patients had a significant anxiety or depression score. One patient in Group II did not tolerate TNE due to nasal pain. There was no statistically significant difference between groups, regarding anxiety, pain, vital signs, and satisfaction scale. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that TNE was well tolerated and had a high acceptance rate in our patients. The use of distracting audiovisual devices did not increase tolerance to the endoscopic procedure.

Design and validation of cyanobacteria-rhizobacteria consortia for tomato seedlings growth promotion.

The use of rhizobacteria provide great benefits in terms of nitrogen supply, suppression of plant diseases, or production of vitamins and phytohormones that stimulate the plant growth. At the same time, cyanobacteria can photosynthesize, fix nitrogen, synthesize substances that stimulate rhizogenesis, plant aerial growth, or even suppose an extra supply of carbon usable by heterotrophic bacteria, as well as act as biological control agents, give them an enormous value as plant growth promoters. The present study focused on the in vitro establishment of consortia using heterotrophic bacteria and cyanobacteria and the determination of their effectiveness in the development of tomato seedlings. Microbial collection was composed of 3 cyanobacteria (SAB-M612 and SAB-B866 belonging to Nostocaceae Family) and GS (unidentified cyanobacterium) and two phosphate and potassium solubilizing heterotrophic bacteria (Pseudomonas putida-BIO175 and Pantoea cypripedii-BIO175). The results revealed the influence of the culture medium, incubation time and the microbial components of each consortium in determining their success as biofertilizers. In this work, the most compatible consortia were obtained by combining the SAB-B866 and GS cyanobacteria with either of the two heterotrophic bacteria. Cyanobacteria GS promoted the growth of both rhizobacteria in vitro (increasing logarithmic units when they grew together). While Cyanobacteria SAB-B866 together with both rhizobacteria stimulated the growth of tomato seedlings in planta, leading to greater aerial development of the treated seedlings. Parameters such as fresh weight and stem diameter stood out in the plants treated with the consortia (SAB-B866 and both bacteria) compared to the untreated plants, where the values doubled. However, the increase was more discrete for the parameters stem length and number of leaves. These results suggest that the artificial formulation of microbial consortia can have positive synergistic effects on plant growth, which is of enormous agro-biotechnological interest.

Biorecovery of olive mill wastewater sludge from evaporation ponds.

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) resulting from the olive oil extraction process is usually disposed of in evaporation ponds where it concentrates generating a sludge that pollutes the ponds nearby area. In this study, four bio-treatments were applied for the in-situ bioremediation and valorization of OMW sludge: Landfarming, phytoremediation, composting and vermicomposting. In all cases, the OMW sludge was added with organic residues (mushroom compost, rabbit manure, and chicken manure). The bio-treatments were carried out in duplicate, inoculated and non-inoculated, to determine the effect of a specialized fungal consortium (Aspergillus ochraceus H2 and Scedosporium apiospermum H16) on the efficacy of the bio-treatments. The evaluation of chemical parameters, toxicity, and functional microbial biodiversity revealed that the four techniques depleted the toxicity and favored the stimulation of functional microbiota. Landfarming and phytoremediation allowed the decontamination and improvement of soils. Composting and vermicomposting also offered high-quality products of agronomic interest. Inoculation improved the bioremediation effectiveness. Biological treatments are effective for the safe recovery of contaminated OMW sludge into high-quality services and products.

Efficacy of octreotide in bleeding recurrence from small bowel angioectasia: A comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: Fifty percent of small bowel bleeding is caused by angioectasia and the rebleeding rate due to small bowel angioectasia (SBA) is 80%. Its endoscopic treatment is difficult. Beneficial effects of octreotide on gastrointestinal angioectasia have been described, but no studies have reported its efficacy in SBA. AIM: Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of octreotide in the prevention of rebleeding due to SBA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with bleeding caused by SBA were assigned to treatment with octreotide 100 µg/24 h SC, for at least 6 months, and compared with a non-treatment group of 36 patients. The primary outcome was the rebleeding rate, and the secondary outcomes were the number of hospital readmissions, bleeding-related death, and adverse effects. RESULTS: Octreotide was administered for 10.5 ± 8.4 months. Follow-up was 12.9 ± 17.3 months and 15.3 ± 17.7 months, in the treatment and non-treatment groups, respectively (p = 0.09). At the end of follow-up, 4 (25%) treatment group patients and 26 (72.2%) non-treatment group patients presented with rebleeding (p = 0.002). In the treatment group and non-treatment group, the cumulative probability of remaining rebleeding-free at one year was 79% vs 44.2%, and 79% vs 34.6% at 2 years, respectively (p = 0.05). Through the multiple logistic regression analysis, treatment was the protective variable. Six patients presented with adverse events. One of those patients (6.25%) had a major adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that treatment with octreotide could be efficacious in the prevention of rebleeding due to SBA.

High mortality due to gastrointestinal TB in HIV and non-HIV patients.

BACKGROUND: Due to the reported low incidence of gastrointestinal TB, there is a lack of data related to the prognosis, risk factors and frequency of resistant TB in this subgroup of patients.OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, treatment and outcomes in gastrointestinal TB.METHODS: We prospectively studied the demographic, clinical, and paraclinical data of all consecutive gastrointestinal TB inpatients over an 8-year period.RESULTS: We identified gastrointestinal TB in 28 (3.5%) out of 799 inpatients with TB infection. Seven patients (25%) were HIV-positive. Overall mortality was 35.7%, with the combined variable of haemoglobin <12 g/dL and albumin <2.8 g/dL being independently associated with mortality (OR 25.7, 95% CI 1.405-471.1, P = 0.029). No difference in the need for surgery (28.6% vs. 47.6%, P = 0.662), occurrence of septic shock (14.3 vs. 23.8%, P = 1.00) or mortality (14.3% vs. 42.9%, P = 0.364) was found between HIV and non-HIV patients.CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal TB was rare among TB patients in Hospital Universitario "Dr José E. González" (3.5%), but had a high mortality rate (35.7%). Clinical evolution, drug susceptibility patterns and outcomes were similar in HIV and non-HIV patients. In both groups, the combined haemoglobin and albumin variable on admission was clearly associated with mortality.

A 20-year experience in cadaveric pediatric en bloc kidney transplantation in adult recipients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: En bloc kidney transplantation (EBKT) from pediatric donors into adult recipients increases the donor pool. However, this surgical procedure is not widely performed in many transplant centers. To evaluate the long-term outcomes of EBKT from pediatric donors into adult recipients in a single center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 42 patients who received pediatric cadaveric EBKT in our center since 1999. Median follow-up period was 73 months (5-233) in which renal function tests were taken and complications registered. RESULTS: We have performed 42 EBKT from pediatric donors into adult recipients in our center. The recipients' age was 44.1 ± 11.8 years. Pediatric donors were 22.4 ± 14.7 months old and weighted 11.3 ± 3.6 kg. Cold ischemia time was 15.7 ± 4.5 h. During a median follow-up of 73 months, 35 patients (83.3%) had graft survival with excellent function (first-year serum creatinine levels of 0.99 ± 0.25 mg/dl). There were seven graft losses (16.7%) in the immediate postoperative period (four cases of vascular thrombosis, one anastomosis dehiscence and two cortical necrosis). CONCLUSIONS: The pediatric en bloc renal graft transplantation into adults is a safe technique with excellent medium- to long-term functional performance. The vast majority of significant complications leading to graft loss were reported in the immediate postoperative period. A good selection of donors and recipients as well as an adequate surgical technique are essential to minimize the occurrence of adverse events.

The MELD Score Is Superior to the Maddrey Discriminant Function Score to Predict Short-Term Mortality in Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis: A Global Study.

INTRODUCTION: Several scoring systems predict mortality in alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH), including the Maddrey discriminant function (mDF) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score developed in the United States, Glasgow alcoholic hepatitis score in the United Kingdom, and age, bilirubin, international normalized ratio, and creatinine score in Spain. To date, no global studies have examined the utility of these scores, nor has the MELD-sodium been evaluated for outcome prediction in AH. In this study, we assessed the accuracy of different scores to predict short-term mortality in AH and investigated additional factors to improve mortality prediction. METHODS: Patients admitted to hospital with a definite or probable AH were recruited by 85 tertiary centers in 11 countries and across 3 continents. Baseline demographic and laboratory variables were obtained. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 28 and 90 days. RESULTS: In total, 3,101 patients were eligible for inclusion. After exclusions (n = 520), 2,581 patients were enrolled (74.4% male, median age 48 years, interquartile range 40.9-55.0 years). The median MELD score was 23.5 (interquartile range 20.5-27.8). Mortality at 28 and 90 days was 20% and 30.9%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for 28-day mortality ranged from 0.776 for MELD-sodium to 0.701 for mDF, and for 90-day mortality, it ranged from 0.773 for MELD to 0.709 for mDF. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for mDF to predict death was significantly lower than all other scores. Age added to MELD obtained only a small improvement of AUC. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that the mDF score should no longer be used to assess AH's prognosis. The MELD score has the best performance in predicting short-term mortality.