Effect of must characteristics on the diversity of Saccharomyces strains and their prevalence in spontaneous fermentations.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate whether grapevine variety and must characteristics influence the diversity of Saccharomyces strains and their prevalence during spontaneous fermentations. METHODS AND RESULTS: Musts from different grapevine varieties, all of them autochthonous from Galicia, were used to perform spontaneous fermentations. Yeasts were isolated from the must and at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of fermentations. Those yeasts identified as Saccharomyces were characterized at the strain level by analysis of mtDNA-RFLP. The results showed a low diversity of Saccharomyces strains, which was related to must sugar content and total acidity. Moreover, from a total of 44 different Saccharomyces strains, only eleven of them appeared at frequencies higher than 20% and were able to lead fermentations. A significant correlation between yeast strains and must acidity was observed, with the predominance of certain strains at high acidity values. CONCLUSIONS: Must characteristics, such as sugar content and acidity, influence the Saccharomyces strains diversity and the leader strains during fermentation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results showed the adaptation of certain Saccharomyces strains to must with specific characteristics; this may be considered by winemakers for yeast inocula selection. Our findings have special relevance because this is the first study carried out in Galicia dealing with the influence of must properties on yeast strains that control fermentations.

Colloidal properties of sodium caseinate-stabilized nanoemulsions prepared by a combination of a high-energy homogenization and evaporative ripening methods.

Nanoemulsions stabilized by sodium caseinate (NaCas) were prepared using a combination of a high-energy homogenization and evaporative ripening methods. The effects of protein concentration and sucrose addition on physical properties were analyzed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Turbiscan analysis, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Droplets sizes were smaller (~100nm in diameter) than the ones obtained by other methods (200 to 2000nm in diameter). The stability behavior was also different. These emulsions were not destabilized by creaming. As droplets were so small, gravitational forces were negligible. On the contrary, when they showed destabilization the main mechanism was flocculation. Stability of nanoemulsions increased with increasing protein concentrations. Nanoemulsions with 3 or 4wt% NaCas were slightly turbid systems that remained stable for at least two months. According to SAXS and Turbiscan results, aggregates remained in the nano range showing small tendency to aggregation. In those systems, interactive forces were weak due to the small diameter of flocs.

Tratamiento endoscópico de lesiones quísticas supratentoriales en pediatría / Endoscopic treatment of supratentorial cystic lesions in pediatrics

Introducción: La endoscopía neuroquirúrgica es una técnica mínimamente invasiva, utilizada desde principios del siglo XX para dar solución a las patologías localizadas en el sistema ventricular. En la actualidad las indicaciones de esta técnica se han ampliado notablemente. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en presentar el tratamiento endoscópico de quistes cerebrales supratentoriales de diferentes etiologías en pediatría. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal retrospectivo, desde enero de 2016 hasta diciembre de 2019, de pacientes pediátricos con lesiones quísticas supratentoriales tratados endoscópicamente en el Hospital de Niños de La Plata. Para definir el éxito se utilizó la clasificación en 5 grados de Ross et al. Resultados: Se practicaron 14 procedimientos en 12 pacientes, con edades comprendidas entre los 2 meses y los 9 años. Del total, 6 fueron quistes intraventriculares, 3 quistes de línea media, 5 quistes paraventriculares. Todos presentaban algún signo o síntoma al momento de la consulta, predominando entre ellos la alteración del estado neurológico y los vómitos. Luego de practicarse la fenestración endoscópica, presentaron una evolución clínica favorable en 12 de los 14 procedimientos y una mejoría en al menos un criterio imagenológico en 10 del total de los procedimientos.Basados en la categorización de Ross et al. se obtuvo un grado I en el 57% de los casos, lo que implica una mejoría completa permanente. La tasa de complicación global fue del 7%, presentando en solo un caso infección post endoscopia. Conclusión: La neuroendoscopía debería ser considerada como una opción de primera línea para el tratamiento en las lesiones quísticas supratentoriales. Demostró ser un método poco invasivo, con el cual se obtuvieron buenos resultados y una baja tasa de complicaciones.

Introduction: Neurosurgical endoscopy is a minimally invasive technique, used since the beginning of the 20th century to solve pathologies localized in the ventricular system. Currently the indications for this technique have been greatly expanded. The objective of this work is to present the endoscopic treatment of supratentorial brain cysts of different etiologies in pediatrics. Material and methods: We carried out a retrospective cross-sectional study, from January 2016 to December 2019, of pediatric patients with supratentorial cystic lesions treated endoscopically at the Hospital de Niños of La Plata City. To define success, we used the 5-degree classification of Ross et al. Results: 14 procedures were performed in 12 patients, aged between 2 months and 9 years. Of the total, 6 were intraventricular cysts, 3 midline cysts, 5 paraventricular cysts. All presented any signs or symptoms at the time of the consultation, prevailing among them the alteration of the neurological state and vomiting. After endoscopic fenestration was performed, they presented a favorable clinical evolution in 12 of the 14 procedures and an improvement in at least one imaging criterion in 10 of all procedures. Based on the categorization of Ross et al. we obtained a grade I in 57% of the cases, which implies a permanent complete improvement. The overall complication rate was 7%, presenting post-endoscopy infection in only one case. Conclusion: Neuroendoscopy should be considered as a first-line option for the treatment of supratentorial cystic lesions. It proved to be a non-invasive method, with which we obtained good results and a low complication rate

Lavado endoscópico con colocación de catéter trans acueducto de Silvio en paciente lactante con ventriculitis de difícil manejo / Endoscopic lavage with placement of a trans-aqueduct of Silvio catheter in a nursing patient with difficult-to-manage ventriculitis

Introducción: La ventriculitis representa una emergencia infectológica, generalmente asociada a un procedimiento neuroquirúrgico. La incidencia es desconocida debido a la variación de los criterios diagnóstico. Descripción del caso: Presentamos una paciente de sexo femenino de 6 meses de edad con antecedente de hidrocefalia post hemorrágica, con diagnóstico de ventriculitis por Enterobacter complex asociada a sistema de derivación ventrículo peritoneal (DVP) de difícil manejo. La misma realizó tratamiento combinado de antibiótico con Meropenem y Colistin endovenoso e intraventricular asociado a tratamiento endoscópico que consistió en lavados, aspiración del contenido purulento intraventricular, tercer ventriculostomía endoscópica (TVE), coagulación bilateral del plexo coroideo y acueductoplastia con colocación de catéter de derivación ventricular externa (DVE) entre el tercer y el cuarto ventrículo con el objetivo de mantener la permeabilidad de la misma y de esta manera asegurar la llegada de antibiótico intraventricular al cuarto ventrículo. Discusión: La ventriculitis se asocia a múltiples complicaciones y una elevada tasa de morbi-mortalidad. El tratamiento de las ventriculitis de difícil manejo, es aún controvertido, actualmente existe bibliografía que reporta buenos resultados del tratamiento con lavado endoscópicos asociado al tratamiento combinado endovenoso e intraventricular para lograr mayores concentraciones de antibiótico intraventricular. Conclusión: Consideramos que el tratamiento combinado es una herramienta frente a las ventriculitis por patógenos resistentes a los tratamientos convencionales. En los casos con obstrucción del acueducto de Silvio recomendamos realizar acueductoplastia y colocación de catéter multifenestrado; para mantener la permeabilidad y la llegada de antibiótico al cuarto ventrículo.

Introduction: Ventriculitis represents an infectious emergency which is normally associated with neurosurgical procedures. The incidence is unknown due to the variation of the diagnostic criteria. Case description: We present a 6-month-old female patient with a history of post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. The patient was diagnosed with Enterobacter complex ventriculitis difficult to manage associated with peritoneal ventricular shunt (VP). The patient received combined antibiotic treatment with Meropenem intravenous and intravenous-intraventricular Colistin associated with endoscopic treatment. This endoscopic treatment consisted of washes, aspiration of the intraventricular purulent content, third endoscopic ventriculostomy (ETV), bilateral coagulation of the choroid plexus and aqueductoplasty with external ventricular drain catheter (EDV). This EDV was placed between the third and fourth ventricle in order to maintain its permeability so as to ensure the arrival of intraventricular antibiotics to the fourth ventricle. Discussion: Ventriculitis is associated with multiple complications and a high morbidity and mortality rate. The treatment of ventriculitis that is difficult to manage is still controversial. Currently several authors show good results of endoscopic lavage treatment associated with combined intravenous/intraventricular antibiotic treatment. This leads to greater intraventricular antibiotic concentrations. Conclusion: We consider that combined treatment has been successful for ventriculitis difficult to manage. In those cases, with obstruction of the Silvio aqueduct, it is recommended to perform aqueductoplasty and placement of a multi-fenestrated catheter; to maintain patency and the arrival of antibiotics in the fourth ventricle.

Assessment of the in vitro and in vivo biological activities of the human follicle-stimulating isohormones.

Gonadotropins are synthesized and released in different molecular forms. In this article, we present evidence that the glycosylation variants of human pituitary FSH exhibit differential and divergent effects at the target cell level and that less sialylated, short-lived variants may exert significant effects in in vivo conditions. Less acidic/sialylated glycoforms (elution pH value 6.60-4.60 as disclosed by high resolution chromatofocusing of anterior glycoprotein extracts), induced higher cAMP release, estrogen production and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) enzyme activity as well as cytochrome P450 aromatase and tPA mRNA expression in cultured rat granulosa cells than the more acidic analogs (pH<4.76). By contrast, the more acidic/sialylated glycoforms induced higher alpha-inhibin subunit mRNA expression than their less acidic counterparts. In cumulus enclosed oocytes isolated from mice ovaries, addition of less acidic isoforms induced resumption of meiosis more efficiently than the more acidic analogs. Interestingly, the least acidic isoform (pH>7.10) behave as a strong antagonist of several FSH-mediated effects. Assessment of the in vivo effects of the isoforms on granulosa cell proliferation in follicles from immature rats, revealed that short-lived isoforms were equally or even more efficient than their more acidic counterparts in maintaining granulosa cell proliferation when administered immediately after hypophysectomy. These results show that the naturally occurring human FSH isoforms may exhibit differential or even unique effects at the target cell level and that factors other than the metabolic clearance rate of the molecule (including receptor-binding affinity and capability of the ligand to activate its receptor and trigger intracellular signaling) also play an important role in determining the net in vivo effects of a particular FSH variant.