Curcuma longa-Based Optical Sensor for Hydrochloric Acid and Ammonia Vapor Detection.

In this research, we present a prototype optical system that offers significant advances in detecting hydrochloric acid (HCl) and ammonia (NH3) vapors. The system utilizes a natural pigment sensor based on Curcuma longa that is securely attached to a glass surface support. Through extensive development and testing with HCl (37% aqueous solution) and NH3 (29% aqueous solution) solutions, we have successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of our sensor. To facilitate the detection process, we have developed an injection system that exposes C. longa pigment films to the targeted vapors. The interaction between the vapors and the pigment films triggers a distinct color change, which is then analyzed by the detection system. By capturing the transmission spectra of the pigment film, our system allows a precise comparison of these spectra at different concentrations of the vapors. Our proposed sensor exhibits remarkable sensitivity, allowing the detection of HCl at a concentration of 0.009 ppm using only 100 µL (2.3 mg) of pigment film. In addition, it can detect NH3 at a concentration of 0.03 ppm with a 400 µL (9.2 mg) pigment film. Integrating C. longa as a natural pigment sensor in an optical system opens up new possibilities for detecting hazardous gases. The simplicity and efficiency of our system, combined with its sensitivity, make it an attractive tool in environmental monitoring and industrial safety applications.

High-resolution image dataset for the automatic classification of phenological stage and identification of racemes in Urochloa spp. hybrids.

Urochloa grasses are widely used forages in the Neotropics and are gaining importance in other regions due to their role in meeting the increasing global demand for sustainable agricultural practices. High-throughput phenotyping (HTP) is important for accelerating Urochloa breeding programs focused on improving forage and seed yield. While RGB imaging has been used for HTP of vegetative traits, the assessment of phenological stages and seed yield using image analysis remains unexplored in this genus. This work presents a dataset of 2,400 high-resolution RGB images of 200 Urochloa hybrid genotypes, captured over seven months and covering both vegetative and reproductive stages. Images were manually labelled as vegetative or reproductive, and a subset of 255 reproductive stage images were annotated to identify 22,340 individual racemes. This dataset enables the development of machine learning and deep learning models for automated phenological stage classification and raceme identification, facilitating HTP and accelerated breeding of Urochloa spp. hybrids with high seed yield potential.

Effect of preterm birth on growth and blood pressure in adulthood in the Pelotas 1993 cohort.

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth has been associated with increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease later in adulthood, attributed to cardiovascular and metabolic alterations in early life. However, there is paucity of evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: We investigated the differences between preterm (<37 weeks gestational age) and term-born individuals in birth length and weight as well as adult (18 and 20 years) height, weight and blood pressure in the Brazilian 1993 Pelotas birth cohort using linear regressions. Analyses were adjusted for the maternal weight at the beginning of pregnancy and maternal education and family income at childbirth. Additional models were adjusted for body mass index (BMI) and birthweight. Separate analyses were run for males and females. The complete sample was analysed with an interaction term for sex. RESULTS: Of the 3585 babies included at birth, 3010 were followed up in adulthood at 22 years. Preterm participants had lower length and weight at birth. This difference remained for male participants in adulthood, but female participants were no shorter than their term counterparts by 18 years of age. At 22 years, females born preterm had lower blood pressures (systolic blood pressure -1.00 mmHg, 95%CI -2.7, 0.7 mmHg; diastolic blood pressure -1.1 mmHg, 95%CI -2.4, 0.3 mmHg) than females born at term. These differences were not found in male participants. CONCLUSIONS: In this Brazilian cohort we found contrasting results regarding the association of preterm birth with blood pressure in young adulthood, which may be unique to an LMIC.

Detection and Classification of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects nearly 240 million people worldwide. Knee OA is the most common type of arthritis, especially in older adults. Physicians measure the severity of knee OA according to the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) scale through visual inspection of X-ray or MR images. We propose a semi-automatic CADx model based on Deep Siamese convolutional neural networks and a fine-tuned ResNet-34 to simultaneously detect OA lesions in the two knees according to the KL scale. The training was done using a public dataset, whereas the validations were performed with a private dataset. Some problems of the imbalanced dataset were solved using transfer learning. The model results average of the multi-class accuracy is 61%, presenting better performance results for classifying classes KL-0, KL-3, and KL-4 than KL-1 and KL-2. The classification results were compared and validated using the classification of experienced radiologists.

Risk Factors Associated with Failure of Linezolid Therapy in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Bacteremia: A Retrospective Cohort Study in a Referral Center in Mexico.

We aimed to assess the factors associated with 30-day mortality in patients with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREf) bloodstream infection (BSI) who received treatment with linezolid in an 11-year retrospective cohort of patients with VREf BSI. A univariate and stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine 30-day mortality factors. Moreover, a Cox proportional hazards analysis of predictor covariates of mortality was performed. Eighty patients were included in the final analysis; 42 (53%) died and 38 (47%) survived 30 days after the index bacteremia. Thirteen patients of 42 (31%) died in the first 7 days. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-1.76; p < 0.001) in the multivariate analysis. Moreover, VREf BSI persisting for more than 48 hours was a strong factor related to 30-day mortality (aOR, 19.6; 95% CI: 1.46-263; p = 0.01). Adequate control of infection source showed a trend to be protective without reaching significance in the multivariate analysis (aOR, 0.19; 95% CI: 0.04-1.0; p = 0.05). The Cox proportional hazards analysis confirmed the same significant mortality predictor besides linezolid treatment within the first 48 hours as a protective factor (hazard ratio 0.46; 95% CI: 0.23-0.92, p = 0.02). Severely ill patients with high APACHE II score and persistent bacteremia have a higher risk of failure with linezolid therapy.

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) Response to Water Stress: Physiological Characterization and Antioxidant Gene Expression Profiling in Commercial Clones.

The increase in events associated with drought constraints plant growth and crop performance. Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is sensitive to water deficit stress (DS), which limits productivity. The aim of this research was to characterise the response of seven (CCN51, FEAR5, ICS1, ICS60, ICS95, EET8, and TSH565) commercially important cacao clones to severe and temporal water deficit stress. Ten-month-old cacao trees were submitted to two treatments: well-watered and water-stressed until the leaf water potential (Ψ leaf) reached values between -3.0 and -3.5 MPa. The effects of hydric stress on water relations, gas exchange, photochemical activity, membrane integrity and oxidative stress-related gene expression were evaluated. All clones showed decreases in Ψ leaf, but TSH565 had a higher capacity to maintain water homeostasis in leaves. An initial response phase consisted of stomatal closure, a general mechanism to limit water loss: as a consequence, the photosynthetic rate dropped by approximately 98% on average. In some clones, the photosynthetic rate reached negative values at the maximum stress level, evidencing photorespiration and was confirmed by increased intracellular CO2. A second and photosynthetically limited phase was characterized by a drop in PSII quantum efficiency, which affected all clones. On average, all clones were able to recover after 4 days of rewatering. Water deficit triggered oxidative stress at the early phase, as evidenced by the upregulation of oxidative stress markers and genes encoding ROS scavenging enzymes. The effects of water deficit stress on energy metabolism were deduced given the upregulation of fermentative enzyme-coding genes. Altogether, our results suggest that the EET8 clone was the highest performing under water deficit while the ICS-60 clone was more susceptible to water stress. Importantly, the activation of the antioxidant system and PSII repair mechanism seem to play key roles in the observed differences in tolerance to water deficit stress among clones.

Risk factors and outcomes associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and ampicillin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis bacteraemia: A 10-year study in a tertiary-care centre in Mexico City.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify risk factors associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) and ampicillin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (ARE) bacteraemia, predictors of 30-day mortality, and 90-day recurrence-free survival according to resistance. METHODS: We evaluated clinical records of patients with E. faecalis and E. faecium bacteraemia (2007-2017). We performed bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with VRE and ARE bacteraemia and predictors of 30-day mortality. A Kaplan-Meier estimate of 90-day recurrence-free survival was done. RESULTS: We identified 192 and 147 E. faecium and E. faecalis bacteraemia episodes, respectively, of which 55.7% of E. faecium were VRE (94% vanA) and 12.2% of E. faecalis were ARE. Factors related to VRE bacteraemia were previous hospitalisation (aOR, 80.18, 95% CI 1.81-634), history of central venous catheter (aOR, 11.15, 95% CI 2.48-50.2) and endotracheal cannula use (aOR, 17.91, 95% CI 1.22-262.82). There was higher attributable mortality to VRE (28%, 95% CI 14-68%; P < 0.001) and ARE (10%, 95% CI 0.1-36%; P = 0.58) compared with their susceptible counterparts. APACHE II (aOR, 1.45, 95% CI 1.26-1.66) and history of chemotherapy (aOR, 3.52, 95% CI 1.09-11.39) were predictors of E. faecium bacteraemia 30-day mortality. We could not recognise any factor related to ARE bacteraemia or E. faecalis 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: History of hospitalisation and invasive device use were related to VRE bacteraemia. APACHE II and history of chemotherapy were predictors of mortality. We could not identify factors related to ARE or predictors of mortality.

Tecnología emergente: Campo de pulsos eléctricos (PEF) para el tratamiento de alimentos y su efecto en el contenido de antioxidantes

RESUMEN Los métodos de conservación de alimentos no-térmicos han generado un considerable interés en la industria alimentaria como potencial alternativo a los métodos tradicionales de procesamiento. Uno de los métodos no-térmicos más estudiados es el de campos eléctricos pulsados o PEF (Pulsed Electric Fields). La aplicación de PEF en el procesamiento de alimentos permite limitar la exposición a altas temperaturas y reducir la necesidad de aditivos alimentarios. En PEF, se expone al alimento a pulsos eléctricos generando poros en la membrana celular, este fenómeno se le conoce como electroporación. La electroporación promueve la inactivación de organismos patógenos, reduce la actividad enzimática, favorece la transferencia de masa, mantención de color, sabor y contenido de compuestos antioxidantes, mejora la eficiencia en el procesamiento de alimentos y mantiene de cualidades organolépticas que son atractivas tanto para el consumidor como también para la industria. Los antioxidantes son sustancias capaces de proteger a las células de los radicales libres. La acción de los antioxidantes es de interés tanto del punto de vista sanitario, como industrial. Existe abundante evidencia que asocia el consumo de antioxidantes como factor protector ante enfermedades. Por otro lado, los antioxidantes cumplen un rol importante en la duración de los alimentos ya que actúan como conservantes, prolongando su vida útil. La utilización de PEF, respecto a otras tecnologías para el procesamiento de alimentos, ha demostrado un aumento en la extracción, menor pérdida por temperatura y una mayor disponibilidad de compuestos de interés, incluidos antioxidantes.

ABSTRACT Non-thermal food preservation methods have gained considerable interest in the food industry as a potential alternative to traditional processing methods. One of the most studied non-thermal methods is Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF). The application of PEF in food processing allows limiting exposure to high temperatures and reducing the need for food additives. In PEF, food is exposed to electrical pulses generating pores in the cell membrane, this phenomenon is known as electroporation. Electroporation promotes the inactivation of pathogenic organisms, reduces enzyme activity, favors mass transfer, maintains color, flavor and antioxidant compound content, improves food processing efficiency and maintains organoleptic qualities that are attractive to both the consumer and the industry. Antioxidants are substances capable of protecting cells from free radicals. The action of antioxidants is of interest both from a health and industrial point of view. There is abundant evidence that associates the consumption of antioxidants as a protective factor against diseases. On the other hand, antioxidants play an important role in the shelf life of foods as they act as preservatives, prolonging their shelf life. The use of PEF, compared to other food processing technologies, has shown an increase in extraction, lower temperature loss and greater availability of compounds of interest, including antioxidants.

Disseminaded coccidiodomycosis presentig as acute respiratory distress syndrome in a liver postrasplant recipient / Síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA) como prensentacion de Coccidiodomicosis diseminada en un paciente receptor de trasplante hepatico ortotópico

Abstract Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a respiratory process of acute onset, showing on X rays as bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and severe respiratory failure, Coccidiodomycosis is a unusual cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome, the incidence of coccidiomycosis in a solid organ trasplant recipientes ranges from 1.4% a 6.9%, inadecuancy of cellular inmunity is a well established risk factor for development of coccididomcosis, less than 1% of patients develop disseminaded infecction and carrying high mortality, the case that we are presenting add to the small list of reports documenting the ocasionally acute and agressive nature of the disseminated clinical form of coccidiodomycosis.

Resumen El síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA) es un proceso respiratorio de inicio agudo, que se manifiesta en las radiografías como infiltrados pulmonares bilaterales, clinicamente como insuficiencia respiratoria grave, la coccidiodomicosis es una causa inusual de síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda, la incidencia de coccidiomicosis en receptores de trasplante de órgano sólido varía desde 1.4% a 6.9%, una inadecuada inmunidad celular es un factor de riesgo bien establecido para el desarrollo de coccidomicosis, menos del 1% de los pacientes desarrollan enfermedad diseminada y alta mortalidad, el caso que presentamos se suma a la pequeña lista de informes que documentan la naturaleza ocasionalmente aguda y agresiva de la forma clínica diseminada de coccidiodomicosis.

A rare cause of headache and fever in a healthy woman / Una rara causa de cefalea y fiebre en una mujer sana

Abstract Cryptococcocis is a fungal infection that primarily affects immunocompromised hosts; disseminated infection is uncommon in immunocompetent patients. We describe a case of a previously healthy woman without risk factors, who was admitted to the emergency department with headache, fever and altered mental status. As a result, a cryptococcal disseminated infection was diagnosed.

Resumen La criptococosis es una infección por hongos que afecta principalmente a huéspedes inmunodeprimidos; la infección diseminada es infrecuente en pacientes inmunocompetentes. Reportamos el caso de una mujer previamente sana, sin factores de riesgo, ingresada a urgencias por cefalea, fiebre y alteración del estado mental quien posteriormente fue diagnosticada con criptococosis diseminada.

[Antibodies against recombinant Ro 60 Kd, Ro 52 and La 48 Kd proteins in primary Sjogren's Syndrome. Utility of analytic methods combination to detect antibodies anti Ro and La]. / Anticuerpos a proteínas recombinantes Ro60 Kd, Ro52 Kd y La48 Kd, en el síndrome de Sjögren primario. Utilidad de la combinación de métodos analíticos para detectar anticuerpos anti Ro y anti La.

BACKGROUND: The use of new recombinant antigens may increase the sensitivity and specificity of the detection of anti Ro and anti La antibodies in Sjögren's syndrome. AIM: To determine the immune reactivity of sera from patients with Sjögren's syndrome, against fusion recombinant proteins (prf) Ro60 Kd, Ro52 Kd and La48 Kd expressed in E coli and recombinant protein Ro52 Kd, expressed in baculovirus (prb). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples from 46 patients with a diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome, according to the European criteria of 1997, were studied. Using conventional ELISA assays, 32 patients had positive anti Ro antibodies (group A) and 16 patients had negative anti Ro and anti La antibodies, but had positive antinuclear antibodies or rheumatoid factors (group B). Antibodies against recombinant proteins were measured by ELISA or Western Blot. RESULTS: Reactivity against prf Ro60 was present in 69% of samples from group A patients and in 36% of samples from group B. Reactivity against prf Ro52 was present in 94% of samples from group A and 50% of samples from group B. Reactivity against prb Ro52 was present in 75% of samples from group A and 40% of samples from group B. Reactivity against prf La was present in 78% of samples by ELISA and 97% of samples by Western Blot. In 10 of 14 serum samples from group B patients, there was reactivity against at least one recombinant protein. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of reactivity against recombinant Ro and La proteins was detected in serum samples from patients with Sjögren syndrome.