Optimizing Household Water Decisions for Managing Intermittent Water Supply in Mexico City.

One billion people worldwide experience intermittent water supply (IWS), in which piped water is delivered for limited durations. Households with IWS must invest in water storage infrastructure and often rely on multiple sources of water; therefore, these household-level purchasing and infrastructure decisions is a critical component of water access. Informed by interviews with IWS households, we use radial basis function networks, a type of artificial neural network, to determine optimal household water management decisions that maximize reliability of water supply while minimizing costs for a representative household in Mexico City that uses municipal piped water, trucked water, and rainwater. We find that securing reliable water supply for IWS households is greatly assisted by installation of household storage tanks of at least 2500 L. In the case of IWS households with limited storage options, the overall cost for water supply is reduced by scheduling water deliveries on nonconsecutive days. Rainwater harvesting systems were shown to be economically viable for households with limited water supply. This study demonstrates the importance of considering the management of multiple sources and household storage infrastructure when evaluating water investments in cities with IWS.

Copy number variation in ALOX5 and PTGER1 is associated with NSAIDs-induced urticaria and/or angioedema.

OBJECTIVE: Cross-intolerance to NSAIDs is a class of drug hypersensitivity reaction, of which NSAIDs-induced urticaria and/or angioedema (NIUA) are the most frequent clinical entities. They are considered to involve dysregulation of the arachidonic acid pathway; however, this mechanism has not been confirmed for NIUA. In this work, we assessed copy number variations (CNVs) in eight of the main genes involved in the arachidonic acid pathway and their possible genetic association with NIUA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CNVs in ALOX5, LTC4S, PTGS1, PTGS2, PTGER1, PTGER2, PTGER3, and PTGER4 were analyzed using TaqMan copy number assays. Genotyping was carried out by real-time quantitative PCR. Individual genotypes were assigned using the CopyCaller Software. Statistical analysis was carried out using GraphPad prism 5, PLINK, EPIDAT, and R version 3.1.2. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 151 cases and 139 controls were analyzed during the discovery phase and 148 cases and 140 controls were used for replication. CNVs in open reading frames were found for ALOX5, PTGER1, PTGER3, and PTGER4. Statistically significant differences in the CNV frequency between NIUA and controls were found for ALOX5 (Pc=0.017) and PTGER1 (Pc=1.22E-04). This study represents the first analysis showing an association between CNVs in exonic regions of ALOX5 and PTGER1 and NIUA. This suggests a role of CNVs in this pathology that should be explored further.

In Silico Analysis of the Dextransucrase Obtained From Leuconostoc mesenteroides Strain IBUN 91.2.98.

The DSR-IBUN dextransucrase produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain IBUN 91.2.98 has a short production time (4.5 hours), an enzymatic activity of 24.8 U/mL, and a specific activity of purified enzyme 2 times higher (331.6 U/mg) than that reported for similar enzymes. The aim of this study was to generate a structural model that, from an in silico approach, allows a better understanding, from the structural point of view, of the activity obtained by the enzyme of interest, which is key to continue with its study and industry application. For this, we translated the nucleotide sequence of the dsr_IBUN gene. With the primary structure of DSR-IBUN, the in silico prediction of physicochemical parameters, the possible subcellular localization, the presence of signal peptide, and the location of domains and functional and structural motifs of the protein were established. Subsequently, its secondary and tertiary structure were predicted and a homology model of the dextransucrase under study was constructed using Swiss-Model, performing careful template selection. The values obtained for the model, Global Model Quality Estimation (0.63), Quality Mean (-1.49), and root-mean-square deviation (0.09), allow us to affirm that the model for the enzyme dextransucrase DSR-IBUN is of adequate quality and can be used as a source of information for this protein.

Direct intranasal application of the solid phase of ImmunoCAP® increases nasal specific immunoglobulin E detection in local allergic rhinitis patients.

BACKGROUND: The measurement of nasal specific IgE (NsIgE) in local allergic rhinitis (LAR) patients is challenging and shows variability. The objective of this work was to evaluate a minimally-invasive method of direct detection of NsIgE in patients with LAR to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) using an automated immunoassay. METHODS: Fifty patients participated (LAR, n = 14; allergic rhinitis (AR), n = 20; healthy controls [HC], n = 16). Detection of NsIgE was performed by direct application of the solid phase of a commercial DP ImmunoCAP® test 24 hours after DP nasal provocation. RESULTS: There was no difference in the median volume of secretion absorbed by the solid phase of the ImmunoCAP test in the 3 studied groups (p = 0.17). According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, NsIgE ≥0.1450 was the optimal cutoff point, obtaining in LAR patients 42.86% sensitivity with the highest specificity (100%), and 75% sensitivity and 100% specificity for AR. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the detection of NsIgE to DP in LAR by using a simple, commercial device with high specificity.

Enhanced inhibitory avoidance training protects against the amnesic effect of p-chloroamphetamine.

The contribution of acetylcholine (ACh) to memory processing is well documented, but it has been proposed that it is not necessary for memory consolidation after an enhanced learning experience. It has been suggested that serotonin (5-HT) interacts with ACh during memory consolidation, although the nature of this interaction is unknown in the case of strong learning. As an initial approach to the study of these interactions, we determined whether training of inhibitory avoidance using relatively high aversive stimulation protects against the typical retention deficits produced by pre-training administration of the 5-HT releaser p-chloroamphetamine (PCA). Rats were trained after intraperitoneal administration of PCA or isotonic saline, using 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 or 3.5 mA and retention of the task was measured 24 h later. A significant amnesic state was observed only in the PCA groups that had been trained with the two lower intensities. These results indicate that 5-HT systems behave similarly to ACh systems, in the sense that the amnesic effect produced by interference with their physiological activity may be cancelled when animals are submitted to an intense learning situation.

Blockade of striatal 5-HT2 receptors produces retrograde amnesia in rats.

We have recently reported that intrastriatal administration of the serotonin (5-HT) releasing drug p-chloroamphetamine, and of 5-HT itself, produces a significant retention deficit of inhibitory avoidance. It is not known which of the 5-HT receptors are involved in the amnesic effect of serotonin. The present experiment was aimed at determining whether 5-HT2 receptors within the striatum are involved in memory consolidation. Ketanserine (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 4.0 ng) was infused bilaterally into the striatum of Wistar rats immediately after training of inhibitory avoidance, and retention of the task was measured 24 h later. A dose-dependent retention deficit was found. Together with the results from appropriate control groups, the results strongly suggest that striatal 5-HT2 receptors participate in memory consolidation of this aversive task.

Antigenic proteins involved in occupational rhinitis and asthma caused by obeche wood (Triplochiton scleroxylon).

BACKGROUND: Obeche wood dust is a known cause of occupational asthma where an IgE-mediated mechanism has been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the allergenic profile of obeche wood dust and evaluate the reactivity of the proteins by in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo assays in carpenters with confirmed rhinitis and/or asthma MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in-house obeche extract was obtained, and two IgE binding bands were purified (24 and 12 kDa) and sequenced by N-terminal identity. Specific IgE and IgG, basophil activation tests and skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed with whole extract and purified proteins. CCD binding was analyzed by ELISA inhibition studies. RESULTS: Sixty-two subjects participated: 12 with confirmed occupational asthma/rhinitis (ORA+), 40 asymptomatic exposed (ORA-), and 10 controls. Of the confirmed subjects, 83% had a positive SPT to obeche. There was a 100% recognition by ELISA in symptomatic subjects vs. 30% and 10% in asymptomatic exposed subjects and controls respectively (p<0.05). Two new proteins were purified, a 24 kDa protein identified as a putative thaumatin-like protein and a 12 kDa gamma-expansin. Both showed allergenic activity in vitro, with the putative thaumatin being the most active, with 92% recognition by ELISA and 100% by basophil activation test in ORA+ subjects. Cross-reactivity due to CCD was ruled out in 82% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Two proteins of obeche wood were identified and were recognized by a high percentage of symptomatic subjects and by a small proportion of asymptomatic exposed subjects. Further studies are required to evaluate cross reactivity with other plant allergens.

San Valentín: patrón de los enamorados y epilepsia / Saint Valentine: Patron of lovers and epilepsy

St. Valentine of Terni a third-century Roman saint was known as the patron saint of lovers. He had the reputation of healing the sick and is said to have restored the sight of Julia the daughter of Asterius his jailer. Valentine had been imprisoned for secretly marrying couples disobeying the edict of roman Emperor Claudius II. The edict forbade roman soldiers to marry for it was thought marriage would diminish their efficiency in the battlefield. Asterius converted to Christianity after his daughter was healed. Valentine and Asterius were beheaded by order of Emperor Claudius II. Before his execution on February 14, 271 AD. Valentine wrote a love letter to Julia signed "from your Valentine" giving rise to the celebration of St. Valentine's Day. But St. Valentine's role as the patron saint of epilepsy is less widely known, for epilepsy was defined as an incurable disease thought of as a supernatural event such as a curse or a possession by an evil spirit. Since there was no cure for epilepsy healing was only possible by divine intervention and saints were called upon to intercede for these patients. While Valentine is widely known as the patron of lovers, very few people know he also was helpful and beneficent to people with epilepsy in ancient times.

San Valentín de Terni, un santo romano del siglo tercero, fue conocido como el patrono de los enamorados. Se dice que tenía el don de curar y sanó la ceguera de Julia la hija de Asterio, su carcelero. Valentín había sido encarcelado por celebrar matrimonios en secreto desobedeciendo el edicto promulgado por el emperador romano Claudio II. El edicto prohibía que los soldados romanos se casaran porque se pensaba que el vínculo del matrimonio disminuía su eficacia en el campo de batalla. Asterio adoptó la fe cristiana después de la curación de su hija. Valentín y Asterio fueron decapitados por orden de Claudio. Antes de su ejecución el 14 de febrero del an˜ o 271 a. C. le escribió una carta de amor a Julia en la que firmó «de tu Valentín¼ y dio origen a la celebración del Día de San Valentín. Pero el papel como patrono de la epilepsia es menos conocido, pues era definida como una enfermedad incurable asociada con eventos sobrenaturales como una maldición o a la posesión por un espíritu maligno. Puesto que no existía una curación, la única alternativa con que contaban quienes sufrían epilepsia era una intervención divina y se les pedía a los santos que intercedieran por ellos. Mientras que se conoce ampliamente a Valentín como el patrono de los enamorados, muy pocos saben, que también ayudó y benefició a los pacientes epilépticos en la antigüedad

Acquisition and retention of enhanced active avoidance are unaffected by interference with serotonergic activity.

Pre-training administration of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) produces reliable deficits of avoidance learning. When animals are trained in inhibitory avoidance with relatively high foot-shock intensities, other amnesic treatments have no effect. The present experiment was conducted to determine if this protective effect of high foot shock is also observed after administration of PCA (10mg/kg, i.p., injected 7 days before training; this dose produces a lesion of central serotonin neurons). Rats were trained in active avoidance (a single 20-trial session), administering shocks of 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, or 1.4 mA to independent groups of rats. When compared to saline-injected groups trained with the same intensities, PCA produced a significant learning deficit in the low foot-shock groups, but not in the high foot-shock animals. These results indicate that the dose of PCA administered, which is known to deplete cerebral serotonin, does not interfere with acquisition and retention of enhanced active avoidance training.

Effects of pretraining intrastriatal administration of p-chloroamphetamine on inhibitory avoidance.

Pretraining systemic administration of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) consistently produces retention deficits of inhibitory avoidance. This drug causes a widespread acute release of serotonin from cerebral neuronal terminals, but it is not known where in the brain PCA exerts its disruptive cognitive effects. The present experiment was aimed at determining whether the striatum is a site of action of this drug. PCA (5 microg) was infused, bilaterally, into the striatum of rats at 30, 15, or 5 min before training of inhibitory avoidance, and retention of the task was measured 24 h later. An inversely related time-dependent deficit was found. Together with the results from appropriate control groups, this result strongly suggest that systemic PCA produces its reported cognitive effects, at least in part, through its pharmacological action within the striatum.