Enhanced oxidative stress resistance in Ustilago maydis and its implications on the virulence.

The phytopathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis causes corn smut by suppressing host plant defenses, including the oxidative burst response. While many studies have investigated how U. maydis responds to oxidative stress during infection, the consequences of heightened resistance to oxidative stress on virulence remain understudied. This study aimed to identify the effects on virulence in U. maydis strains exhibiting enhanced resistance to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).To achieve this, we exposed U. maydis SG200 to 20 escalating H2O2 shocks, resulting in an adapted strain resistant to concentrations as high as 60 mM of H2O2, a lethal dose for the initial strain. Genetic analysis of the adapted strain revealed five nucleotide substitutions, two minor copy number variants, and a large amplification event on chromosome nine (1-149 kb) encompassing the sole catalase gene. Overexpressing catalase increased resistance to H2O2; however, this resistance was lower than that observed in the adapted strain. Additionally, virulence was reduced in both strains with enhanced H2O2 resistance.In summary, enhanced H2O2 resistance, achieved through either continuous exposure to the oxidative agent or through catalase overexpression, decreased virulence. This suggests that the response to the oxidative stress burst in U. maydis is optimal and that increasing the resistance to H2O2 does not translate into increased virulence. These findings illuminate the intricate relationship between oxidative stress resistance and virulence in U. maydis, offering insights into its infection mechanisms.

Modulation of tumor microenvironment by targeting histone acetylation in bladder cancer.

Alterations in the epigenetic machinery in both tumor and immune cells contribute to bladder cancer (BC) development, constituting a promising target as an alternative therapeutic option. Here, we have explored the effects of a novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor CM-1758, alone or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in BC. We determined the antitumor effects of CM-1758 in various BC cell lines together with the induction of broad transcriptional changes, with focus on the epigenetic regulation of PD-L1. Using an immunocompetent syngeneic mouse model of metastatic BC, we studied the effects of CM-1758 alone or in combination with anti-PD-L1 not only on tumor cells, but also in the tumor microenvironment. In vitro, we found that CM-1758 has cytotoxic and cytostatic effects either by inducing apoptosis or cell cycle arrest in BC cells at low micromolar levels. PD-L1 is epigenetically regulated by histone acetylation marks and is induced after treatment with CM-1758. We also observed that treatment with CM-1758 led to an important delay in tumor growth and a higher CD8 + T cell tumor infiltration. Moreover, anti-PD-L1 alone or in combination with CM-1758 reprogramed macrophage differentiation towards a M1-like polarization state and increased of pro-inflammatory cytokines systemically, yielding potential further antitumor effects. Our results suggest the possibility of combining HDAC inhibitors with immunotherapies for the management of advanced metastatic BC.

Responsabilidad profesional derivada del ejercicio de la odontología en Costa Rica: I Parte / Professional responsibility derived from the practice of dentistry in Costa Rica: Part I

El aumento a nivel mundial de las denuncias por responsabilidad profesional en Ciencias de la Salud hace imprescindible que quienes ejerzan esta profesión deban conocer las implicaciones de su labor, así como cumplir con los principios bioéticos y jurídicos para garantizar una sana relación odontólogo-paciente. Es importante comprender que el ejercicio de la odontología en Costa Rica está regulado por normas, códigos y leyes como cualquier otra actividad humana en un Estado de Derecho.

The number of complaints related to professional liability in health sciences has increased worldwide, it is essential for dental professionals to be aware of the implications of their labor, as well as to comply with bioethical and legal principles to ensure a healthy dentist-patient relationship. It is important to understand that the practice of dentistry in Costa Rica is regulated by norms, codes, and laws like any other human activity in a State governed by the rule of law.

Análisis de huellas labiales en una muestra de estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad de Costa Rica mediante la clasificación de Renaud: estudio piloto / Lip prints analysis in a sample of dentistry students of the University of Costa Rica based in Renaud's classification: pilot study

Resumen El presente estudio, tuvo como objetivo, analizar los distintos patrones morfológicos presentes en las huellas labiales de una determinada población costarricense y su correlación con las variables, sexo, edad y afinidad biológica. Se analizaron 105 huellas labiales pertenecientes a estudiantes de quinto y sexto año de la carrera de odontología de la Universidad de Costa Rica durante el II semestre del 2016. De las 105 huellas labiales analizadas mediante el método de Renaud, el patrón más prevalente fue el tipo C de manera general, mientras que, de manera individual, en labio superior predomina el patrón tipo A y en labio inferior predomina el patrón tipo C. De la totalidad de muestras analizadas, se destaca que todas revelaron patrones distintos y la correlación estadística entre las variables, sexo, edad y afinidad biológica, permitió conocer la existencia de elementos que podrían ser útiles para identificación de individuos en el ámbito forense. Los resultados demuestran que, con la aplicación de las técnicas adecuadas en la toma de muestras y un análisis estandarizado, las huellas labiales pueden ser utilizadas en el ámbito forense como método de identificación de individuos. Este estudio, además, pone en evidencia la necesidad de realizar más investigación sobre huellas labiales en Costa Rica, no sólo por la necesidad de un aumento en el número de muestras y así obtener mayores resultados estadísticos, si no también, para desarrollar las herramientas necesarias en la toma, revelado y análisis de huellas labiales, así como su aplicabilidad al servicio de la justicia costarricense.

Abstract The objective of this study was to analyze the different morphological patterns present in the lip prints of a certain Costa Rican population and its correlation with the variables, sex, age and biological affinity. 105 lip prints were analyzed belonging to fifth and sixth year students of the dental career of the University of Costa Rica during the second semester of 2016. Of the 105 labials analyzed by the Renaud method, the most prevalent pattern was type C in general, while, individually, in the upper lip, predominantly, the type of pattern, A and the lower lip, predominantly the type C pattern. Of the total of the analyzed samples, the different patterns and the statistical correlation between the variables, sex, age and biological affinity, remarks information that can be useful to identify individuals in the forensic field. The results show that, with the application of the appropriate techniques in the taking of samples and a standardized analysis, the lip prints can be used in the field of forensic science as a method of identification of individuals. This study also highlights the need to conduct more research on lip prints in Costa Rica, not only to increase the number of samples, but also to obtain more extended statistical results. Besides, this research can be used to develop the necessary tools in the taking, development and analysis of lip print. Moreover, the results obtained may be taken into consideration in order to improve forensic research in the Costa Rican justice system.

Management of Penis Fracture: Clinical Cases Treated in Our Center and Comparison with Literature

Abstract Objective: To expose our clinical experience in the management of the penis fracture and make a literature review about this topic. Methods: We present a case of a 49 years old man diagnosticated penis fracture. We expose the results of our clinical cases diagnosticated and treated from October 2018 to October 2020 and make a literature review. Results: A 49 years old man that presented swallow and sensation of snap during a sexual intercourse. He was diagnosticated of penis fracture with the help of ultrasound and was performed an urgent reparation. The results of our serial of 4 cases were: The 75% (3) presented pain and sensation of snap during the sexual intercourse, 50% (2) detumescence, the 100% (4) ecchymosis and the 25% (1) present an actual lateral deviation. Anyone presents erectile dysfunction nowadays. Conclusions: The penis fracture has a clinical diagnosis but the ultrasound could be useful. The early surgical repair has a good result with low tase of complications (AU)