Computed Tomography Anatomy of the Juvenile Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis) Normal Nasal Cavity.

We conducted a detailed examination of the anterior cranial region of Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis), employing cutting-edge imaging techniques and computed tomography (CT). The fusion of CT images with anatomical cross-sectional data played a pivotal role in providing a thorough depiction of the components constituting the anterior cranial region of this species. The explication of these structures holds significant potential as an essential procedure for the prognosis and management of diverse pathologies impacting the nasal cavity of Cory's Shearwater.

Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis): Exploring Normal Head Anatomy through Cross-Sectional Anatomy, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Cory's shearwater, or Calonectris borealis, stands out as a symbolic figure in the world of seabirds, playing a crucial role in marine ecosystems globally. Belonging to the Procellariidae family, it is singularized by its imposing wingspan and intricate migration patterns connecting it to various regions from the North Atlantic to the Pacific. Its role in the marine food chain, specialized diet and adaptation for nesting in the Canary Archipelago underscore its ecological importance. However, Cory's shearwater also faces important threats, such as the invasion of foreign species, highlighting the need for its conservation. Among the conservation issues, studies on its biology, the main threats it faces and its normal anatomy are essential to preserve marine biodiversity. Additionally, a variety of imaging techniques, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance, facilitates the understanding of the bird's neuroanatomy and opens future research possibilities in comparative neuroscience. Moreover, this approach proves particularly relevant given the increasing attention these seabirds receive in environments such as zoos, rehabilitation centers and their natural habitat, where veterinarians play a crucial role in their care and well-being.

COVID-19 in a common woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha): First evidence of fatal outcome in a nonhuman primate after natural SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Since then, viral spread from humans to animals has occurred worldwide. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) have been found to be susceptible to reverse-zoonosis transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but initial research suggested that platyrrhine primates are less susceptible than catarrhine primates. Here we report the natural SARS-CoV-2 infection of a common woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha) from a wildlife rehabilitation center in Ecuador. The course of the disease, the eventual death of the specimen, and the pathological findings are described. Our results show the susceptibility of a new platyrrhine species to SARS-CoV-2 and provide evidence for the first time of a COVID-19-associated death in a naturally infected NHP. The putative route of transmission from humans, and implications for captive NHPs management, are also discussed. Given that common woolly monkeys are at risk of extinction in Ecuador, further understanding of the potential threat of SARS-CoV-2 to their health should be a conservation priority. A One Health approach is the best way to protect NHPs from a new virus in the same way that we would protect the human population.

The administration of Cerebrolysin elicits neuroprotective and neurorepair effects in an animal model of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder impacting cerebral function. The administration of Streptozotocin (STZ) is a well-known animal model of insulinopenic type 1 DM in rats. STZ-induced DM results in a myriad of alteration in the periphery and central nervous system (CNS). Cerebrolysin (CBL) is a neuropeptide preparation that promotes synaptic and neuronal plasticity in various animal models. In all cases, CBL was administered when the model was established. This research aims to investigate the neuroprotective and neurorepair effect of CBL on the cytoarchitecture of neurons and spine density in pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal (PFC) and the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus, as well as spheroidal neurons of the dentate gyrus (DG), in STZ-induced DM. In the first experimental condition, STZ and CBL are administered at the same time to evaluate the potential preventive effect of CBL. In the second experimental condition, CBL was administered two months after establishing the DM model to measure the potential neurorepair effect of CBL. STZ-induced hyperglycemia remained unaltered by the administration of CBL in both experimental conditions. In the first experimental condition, CBL treatment preserved the neuronal morphology in PFC layer 3, PFC layer 5 and the DG of the hippocampus, while also maintaining spine density in the PFC-3, DG and CA1 hippocampus. Furthermore, CBL induced neurorepair in neurons within the PFC-3, PFC-5 and CA1 regions of the hippocampus, along with an increase in spine density in the PFC-3, DG and CA1 hippocampus. These findings suggest that CBL´s effects on neuroplasticity could be observed before or after the damage was evident.

Computer simulation study of nutrient-driven bacterial biofilm stratification.

Here, employing computer simulation tools, we present a study on the development of a bacterial biofilm from a single starter cell on a flat inert surface overlaid by an aqueous solution containing nutrients. In our simulations, surface colonization involves an initial stage of two-dimensional cell proliferation to eventually transition to three-dimensional growth leading to the formation of biofilm colonies with characteristic three-dimensional semi-ellipsoids shapes. Thus, we have introduced the influence of the nutrient concentration on bacterial growth, and calculated the cell growth rate as a function of nutrient uptake, which in turn depends on local nutrient concentration in the vicinity of each bacterial cell. Our results show that the combination of cell growth and nutrient uptake and diffusion leads to the formation of stratified colonies containing an inner core in which nutrients are depleted and cells cannot grow or divide, surrounded by an outer, shallow crust in which cells have access to nutrients from the bulk medium and continue growing. This phenomenon is more apparent at high uptake rates that enable fast nutrient depletion. Our simulations also predict that the shape and internal structure of the biofilm are largely conditioned by the balance between nutrient diffusion and uptake.

Impact and evolution of risk factors associated with hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 during the six epidemic waves in Mexico.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze and compare the main risk factors for hospitalization and deaths due to COVID-19 during the six epidemic waves from February 2020 to June 2023 in Mexico. Methods: First, a descriptive analysis of the risk factors that led to hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 was performed. Next, the degree of relationship of each risk factor with hospitalization and death was determined using Cramer's V coefficient. Finally, logistic regression models were applied to estimate the odds ratios of the most statistically significant risk factors for hospitalization and mortality. Results: A direct relationship between age and the possibility of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 was found. Moreover, the comorbidities most likely to lead to hospitalization and death were pneumonia, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and CKD. It is also remarkable that the second factor of death is endotracheal intubation. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico revealed the reality of an epidemiological scenario where infectious diseases and chronic degenerative diseases coexist and interrelate.

Spanish cardiac catheterization and coronary intervention registry. 32nd official report of the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (1990-2022).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: This article presents the annual activity report of the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (ACI-SEC) for the year 2022. METHODS: All Spanish centers with catheterization laboratories were invited to participate. Data were collected online and were analyzed by an external company in collaboration with the members of the board of the ACI-SEC. RESULTS: A total of 111 centers participated. The number of diagnostic studies increased by 4.8% compared with 2021, while that of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) remained stable. PCIs on the left main coronary artery increased by 22%. The radial approach continued to be preferred for PCI (94.9%). There was an upsurge in the use of drug-eluting balloons, as well as in intracoronary imaging techniques, which were used in 14.7% of PCIs. The use of pressure wires also increased (6.3% vs 2021) as did plaque modification techniques. Primary PCI continued to grow and was the most frequent treatment (97%) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Most noncoronary procedures maintained their upward trend, particularly percutaneous aortic valve implantation, atrial appendage closure, mitral/tricuspid edge-to-edge therapy, renal denervation, and percutaneous treatment of pulmonary arterial disease. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish cardiac catheterization and coronary intervention registry for 2022 reveals a rise in the complexity of coronary disease, along with a notable growth in procedures for valvular and nonvalvular structural heart disease.

Biochemical and genetic biomarkers associated with nicotine dependence in Mexican smokers.

Cigarette smoking remains an important health concern and is still a leading cause of preventable mortality. Nicotine is the substance responsible for sustained tobacco use and dependence. Identification of biomarkers underlying nicotine dependence behavior is important to identify people at risk for this dependence. In the present study, we identified biochemical and genetic biomarkers of nicotine dependence detected by the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTDN) in Mexican smokers. The nicotine metabolites nicotine-N'-oxide, trans-3'-hydroxycotinine-glucuronide (3HC-O-Gluc), and nicotine-N-Gluc (Gluc) were useful to differentiate nicotine-dependent from non-dependent subjects (p < .0001) with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.7818. Genetic variants in CYP2A6, FMO3, and UGT2B7 (rs2431413, rs28363545, and rs7439326, respectively) were associated with nicotine dependence (p = .03, p = .01, p = .01, respectively). Variations in the enzymatic activity of CYP2A6 were associated with altered nicotine-N'-oxide and 3HC-O-Gluc levels. Decreased urinary levels of 3HC-O-Gluc and increased nicotine-N'-oxide were associated with a decrease in the functional activity of CYP2A6. A strong positive correlation was observed between the ratio of urinary 3HC/cotinine, a measure of CYP2A6 activity, and the levels of 3HC-O-Gluc (p < .0001, r = .6835), while a strong negative correlation was observed with nicotine-N'-oxide (p < .0001, r = .6522) in nicotine-dependent subjects. No correlations were observed in non-nicotine-dependent subjects. These data suggest that particular urinary nicotine metabolites and genetic variants involved in nicotine metabolism are useful to identify subjects with nicotine dependence in the Mexican population.

Toward the use of mixed microbial cultures for the biological production of adipic and levulinic acid.

Biological synthesis of high added-value compounds like adipic acid (AA), levulinic acid (LA), or polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) using pure culture has been separately reported. However, pure culture requires sterile conditions and the use of specific carbon sources resulting in high operating costs. Different alternatives based on the use of mixed microbial cultures (MMC) have been explored to resolve this problem. MMC have been widely reported for the production of PHB, but scarcely reported for LA production and never for AA synthesis. This work presents a novel strategy for the co-production of AA LA, and PHB using MMC. The strategy consists in selecting an MMC producer of AA, LA and PHB from an inoculum obtained from a wastewater treatment plant, which is then subjected to the feast and famine culture strategy in a sequential batch reactor, coupled with a batch reactor step to enhance the accumulation of AA and LA. The results showed that the MMC could produce a 16 ± 2, 23 ± 1 and 5 ± %1 (g compound/g volatile solids) of AA, LA and PHB, respectively, using a non-fermented residual biomass rich in pentose, namely synthetic hemicellulose hydrolysate (SHH) as the carbon source. These results contribute to generating future research to better understand and optimise the biosynthesis of these compounds by MMC.

Inequalities in glycemic and multifactorial cardiovascular control of type 2 diabetes: The Heart Healthy Hoods study.

Aim: This study aimed to analyze glycemic control and multifactorial cardiovascular control targets in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in primary care according to sex and socioeconomic status (SES). Materials and methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, and multicenter study. We analyzed all the patients with T2DMM aged between 40 and 75 years in Madrid city (113,265) through electronic health records from 01 August 2017 to 31 July 2018. SES was defined by an area-level socioeconomic index stratified by quintiles (1st quintile: more affluent). Outcomes: Outcomes included glycemic control (HbA1c ≤ 7%), 3-factor cardiovascular control [HbA1c ≤ 7%, blood pressure (BP), < 140/90 mmHg, LDL < 100 mg/ml] and 4-factor control [HbA1c ≤ 7%, blood pressure (BP) < 140/90 mmHg, LDL < 100 mg/ml, and BMI < 30 kg/m2]. Multilevel logistic regression models analyzed factors associated with suboptimal glycemic control. Results: In total 43.2% were women. Glycemic control was achieved by 63% of patients (women: 64.2% vs. men: 62.4%). Being more deprived was associated with suboptimal glycemic control (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.10-1.32); however, sex was not related (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-1.01). The optimal 3-factor control target was reached by 10.3% of patients (women: 9.3% vs. men: 11.2%), especially those in the 5th quintile of SES. The 4-factor control was achieved by 6.6% of the sample. In the 3-factor control target, being women was related to the suboptimal 3-factor control target (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.19- 1.34) but only belonging to SES 4th quintile was related to the unachieved target (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.04-2.07). Conclusion: Suboptimal glycemic control was associated with being less affluent and suboptimal 3-factor control target was associated with being women.

Key points for translating wound regenerative agents from in vivo assays in mice to clinical validation.

Skin wound healing leads to the recovery of tissue structure and homeostasis after injury. Numerous factors can hamper wound healing and complete recovery of the harmed tissue, causing the formation of scars or chronic wounds. Therapeutic options to improve wound regeneration are limited, possibly due to failure during pre-clinical validation toward clinical trials. In this article, the authors aim to convey key points and provide recommendations for the development of regenerative agents that improve wound healing using mouse models.First, the authors highlight the differences in the wound healing processes of mice and humans. Later, the authors apply a quasi-systematic research approach based on a search algorithm of 32 terms that focuses on in vivomouse model assays of regenerative factors. The authors analyze the top 20 most cited articles of 2241 hits produced by Scopus. The authors focus the search on a period covering the last 10 years (January 2011 to October 2021). The authors synthesize information from the top 20 articles and present the most common type of mouse model used, mouse characteristics (strain, sex, age, weight), surgical wounding technique employed (size, location, equipment), agents tested, methods of wound monitoring, regeneration assessment and key points to consider for the translational potential of these agents. This knowledge will help the scientific community design better in vivo assays and translate their results to further research and clinical validation.

Riesgo de recurrencia y factores de riesgo de invasión del cáncer diferenciado de tiroides / Risk of recurrence and risk factors for invasion of differentiated thyroid cancer

Introducción: El cáncer diferenciado de tiroides (CDT) se encuentra representado por el carcinoma papilar y el carcinoma folicular. Comprende la gran mayoría (>90%) de todos los cánceres de tiroides. Objetivos: Estratificar el riesgo de recurrencia inicial de los pacientes con CDT. Relacionar la edad, sexo y tamaño tumoral con el riesgo de recurrencia, invasión capsular, ganglionar, vascular y de tejido peritiroideo. Materiales y métodos: Estratificar el riesgo de recurrencia inicial de los pacientes con CDT. Relacionar la edad, sexo y tamaño tumoral con el riesgo de recurrencia, invasión capsular, ganglionar, vascular y de tejido peritiroideo. Resultados: El 87% fueron del sexo femenino. La edad media fue de 43±14 años. Predominó el riesgo de recurrencia bajo en el 49% de los pacientes, seguido del riesgo intermedio (33%) y riesgo alto (18%). El tamaño tumoral ˃1cm confiere mayor riesgo de ser estratificado como riesgo de recurrencia intermedio/alto (OR 5,7 IC 95% 3,6-9). El sexo masculino representó mayor riesgo de invasión ganglionar (OR 2,8 IC 95% 1,2-6,6); la edad ≥55 años lo fue en la invasión vascular (OR 2,1 IC 95% 1,1-4,1); el tamaño >1cm constituyó un mayor riesgo de manera significativa de invasión capsular (OR 10,5 IC 95% 6,5-17), invasión ganglionar (OR 10,2 IC 95% 3,8-26,9), invasión vascular (OR 30,7 IC 95% 4,2-224) e invasión de tejido peritiroideo (OR 5,2 IC 95% 3,3-8,2). Conclusión: El riesgo de recurrencia inicial más frecuente fue el riesgo bajo. El sexo masculino, la edad ≥55años y el tamaño >1cm constituyen factores de riesgo de invasión a estructuras vecinas.

Introduction: Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is represented by papillary carcinoma and follicular carcinoma. It comprises the vast majority (> 90%) of all thyroid cancers. Objectives: Stratify the risk of initial recurrence of patients with DTC. Relate age, sex, and tumor size to the risk of recurrence, capsular, nodal, vascular, and perithyroid tissue invasion. Materials and methods: Observational, descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study with an analytical component. A total of 432 patients with a diagnosis of DTC from Hospital de Clínicas, Instituto de Previsión Social and Instituto Nacional del Cáncer between 2011 and 2015 were included. Results: 87% were female. The mean age was 43 ± 14 years. Low recurrence risk predominated in 49% of patients, followed by intermediate risk (33%) and high risk (18%). Male sex, age ≥55 years and tumor size ˃1cm confer a higher risk of being stratified as intermediate / high recurrence risk, but only size> 1cm was significantly (OR 5.7 95% CI 3.6-9). Male sex represented a higher risk of lymph node invasion (OR 3.1 95% CI 1.4-2.8) and vascular invasion (OR 2.3 95% CI 1.1-4.8); age ≥55 years was in the vascular invasion (OR 2.6 95% CI 1.4-4.9); size> 1cm constituted a significantly higher risk of capsular invasion (OR 10.7 95% CI 6.7-17.3), nodal invasion (OR 10.5 95% CI 4-27.7), vascular invasion (OR 33 95% CI 4.5-244) and invasion of perithyroid tissue (OR 5.1 95% CI 3.2-8.1). Conclusion: The most frequent initial recurrence risk was low risk. Male sex, age ≥55 years, and size> 1cm are risk factors for invasion of neighboring structures.

Reactivación de brucelosis en paciente receptor de trasplante hematopoyético autólogo: reporte de caso / Reactivation of brucellosis in an autologous hematopoietic transplant recipient: a case report

Introducción: La brucelosis es la zoonosis más frecuente, producida por el género brucella, que afecta a varias especies de mamíferos y dentro de ellos a los humanos. Se transmite al hombre por contacto directo con los animales infectados, por sus excretas o por la ingestión de productos no pasteurizados. En los últimos años se ha descrito un incremento de la enfermedad en los pacientes inmunocomprometidos. Objetivo: Describir la reactivación de la brucelosis en paciente receptor de un trasplante hematopoyético, su curso y manejo. Presentación de caso: Se presenta una paciente con linfoma de Hodgkin y antecedentes de brucelosis que recibió un trasplante hematopoyético autólogo mieloablativo. Después de la recuperación hematológica, inició con cuadro de fiebre, diaforesis, dolores articulares y hepato-esplenomegalia. Se le diagnosticó brucelosis, por lo que se inició tratamiento con doxiciclina y rifampicina, con lo que se logró la eliminación de los síntomas y la negativización de las pruebas evolutivas. Conclusiones: La brucelosis puede mantenerse meses o años asintomática y reactivarse después de la inmunosupresión en los pacientes trasplantados. Su sospecha y rápido tratamiento puede lograr la curación y evitar complicaciones(AU)

Introduction: Brucellosis is the most frequent zoonosis, produced by the genus brucella, which affects several species of mammals, including human beings. It is transmitted to persons by direct contact with infected animals, by their excreta or by ingestion of unpasteurized products. In recent years, an increase has been described in immunocompromised patients. Objectives: To describe the reactivation of brucellosis in a hematopoietic transplant recipient patient, its course and management. Case presentation: A patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma and a history of brucellosis is presented; that she received a myeloablative autologous hematopoietic transplant. After haematological recovery, she started with symptoms of fever, diaphoresis, joint pain and hepato-splenomegaly. She was diagnosed with brucellosis, so treatment with doxycycline and rifampin was started, which eliminated the symptoms and made the evolutionary tests negative. Conclusions: Brucellosis can be asymptomatic for months or years and after immunosuppression it can be reactivated in transplanted patients. Suspicion and prompt treatment can bring about a cure and avoid complications(AU)

Early evidence of the artificial transfer/transplant of mitochondria to oocytes and zygotes by MitoCeption.

Oocytes may carry mutations in their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) which affect fertility and embryo development leading to hereditary diseases or rejection. Mitochondrial replacement therapies (MRTs) such as polar body transfer, spindle transfer and pronuclear transfer, aim to change dysfunctional to normal mitochondria inside oocytes and zygotes resulting in healthier offspring. Even with promising results, MRTs techniques are invasive to oocytes and may negatively affect their viability and the success of the procedure. This article shows early evidence of the use of MitoCeption, a mitochondria transfer/transplant (AMT/T) technique to possibly induce the internalization of exogenous mitochondria in a dose-dependent manner to recipient oocytes in comparison to coincubation. By using human isolated mitochondria in a mix obtained from different donors we were able to identify their mtDNA in murine oocytes by qPCR. Fluorescence microscopy showed that exogenous and transferred mitochondria (MitoTracker ® Red) by MitoCeption were internalized in oocytes and zygotes (CellTracker® Green). After maintaining mitocepted zygotes to two-cell embryos, we transferred them to subrogate female mice and obtained healthy mice pups; however, without clear evidence of the maintenance of human mtDNA in the tissues of mice pups. These early results are puzzling, and they open the path to generate more research regarding the use of MitoCeption in comparison to coincubation in order to transfer mitochondria to oocytes using less invasive procedures.

Mpox (formerly monkeypox) in women: epidemiological features and clinical characteristics of mpox cases in Spain, April to November 2022.

Over 79,000 confirmed cases of mpox were notified worldwide between May and November 2022, most of them in men who have sex with men. Cases in women, for whom mpox might pose different risks, are rare, and Spain has reported more than one third of those in Europe. Using surveillance data, our study found similar time trends, but differences in delay of diagnosis, sexual transmission and signs and symptoms between men and women.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Aflibercept Treat and Extend for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in the ATLANTIC Study: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is far less common and studied in a Caucasian population than in an Asian population, and the optimal treatment approach remains to be confirmed. METHODS: A 52-week, double-masked, sham-controlled, phase 4, investigator-initiated randomized clinical trial (RCT) in naive symptomatic Caucasian patients with PCV treated with aflibercept in a treat-and-extend regimen (T&E) (intravitreal aflibercept injection [IVAI] T&E). Patients were randomized at week 16 to receive IVAI T&E plus either sham photodynamic therapy (PDT) or standard fluence PDT with verteporfin. The main outcome measures were changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to 52 weeks and polyp occlusion at week 52. Data are presented as median (interquartile range [IQR]) for BCVA, number of IVAI, and change in central retinal thickness (CRT). RESULTS: Of the 50 patients included in the study, 48 patients completed the 52 weeks of follow-up. During this period, a significant median (IQR) BCVA gain of 6 [2-12] Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters was observed for all patients (p < 0.001), after 8 (7-9) injections, with a significant reduction of -93.0 [-154.0, -44.0] µm in central macular thickness (p < 0.001). Using indocyanine green angiography, a complete occlusion of polypoidal lesions was documented in 72% of the cases. Still, no significant difference was detected between the sham PDT and the aflibercept PDT arms, at week 52, for BCVA change (6.5 [2-11] vs. 5 [2-13] letters (p = 0.98)), number of IVAIs (8.5 [7-9] vs. 8 [7-9] (p = 0.21)), change in CRT (-143 [-184; -47] vs. -89 [-123; -41.5] µm [p = 0.23]), and rates of complete polyp occlusion: 77 versus 68% (p = 0.53) or presence of fluid: 68 versus 57% (p = 0.56). No serious ocular adverse events were registered in the 2 arms. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: To our knowledge, this is the first RCT to compare aflibercept T&E monotherapy with aflibercept T&E plus verteporfin PDT in a Caucasian population with PCV. Aflibercept monotherapy in a T&E showed to be effective and safe with a significant median BCVA improvement of 6 letters and a complete occlusion of polypoidal lesions in near 3 quarters of the eyes, at 1 year. As only 22% of the eyes underwent PDT treatment, the benefit of combined treatment for PCV in Caucasian patients could not be definitively elucidated from this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02495181 and the European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database EudraCT No. 2015-001368-20.

On-Line Control of Feast/Famine Cycles to Improve PHB Accumulation during Cultivation of Mixed Microbial Cultures in Sequential Batch Reactors.

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) has generated great interest as building blocks for bioplastic production. Their production using mixed microbial cultures represents an interesting alternative, since it enables the use of organic wastes as a carbon source. Feast/famine strategy is a common way to promote selection of microorganisms with PHA accumulation capacity. However, when using waste sources, changes in substrate concentration are expected, that may affect performance and efficiency of the process. This study showed how the dissolved oxygen level can be used for online control of the cycle time, ensuring that the desired feast/famine ratio is effectively applied. An operation strategy is presented and validated, using sequential batch reactors fed with acetate as the carbon source. Production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) was studied, which is the expected type of PHA to be synthetized when using acetate as substrate. Two reactors were operated by applying the proposed control strategy, to provide F/F ratios of 0.2 and 0.6, respectively. A third reactor was operated with a fixed cycle time, for comparison purposes. Results showed that the reactor that operated at an F/F ratio of 0.6 promoted higher biomass productivity and PHB content, as a result of a better use of available time, preventing unnecessary long famine times. The application of the tested strategy is a simple a reliable way to promote a better performance of feast/famine-based bioreactors involving mixed microbial cultures for PHB production.

Progressive Rehabilitation of a Professional Soccer Player After an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Phase 1: Clinical Perspective with Video Demonstration.

We outline a case of success in the rehabilitation of a Romanian first-division soccer player who sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture with a meniscal tear during competition in the 2012-2013 season. The ligament was reconstructed with an autologous hamstrings graft and partial meniscectomy was performed. The player returned to same-level competition in 7 months and has remained at that level, free of knee injury, to the present (6 years later). Based on postoperative phase 1 as proposed by the Royal Dutch Society for Physical Therapy, we proposed a clinical progression of exercises with video demonstrations to address body functions and structures and the level of activities and participation. All phase 1 objectives were achieved, and all criteria needed to advance to phase 2 of the ACL rehabilitation process were attained.

Trends in urinary tract infection hospitalization in older adults in Spain from 2000-2015.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze trends in urinary tract infection hospitalization (cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis and non-specified UTI) among patients over 65 years in Spain from 2000-2015. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study using the Spanish Hospitalization Minimum Data Set (CMBD), with codifications by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9). We collected data on sex, age, type of discharge, main diagnosis, comorbid diagnosis, length of stay, and global cost. All the hospitalizations were grouped by age into three categories: 65-74 years old, 75-84 years old, and 85 years old and above. In the descriptive statistical analysis, crude rates were defined as hospitalizations per 1,000 inhabitants aged ≥65. To identify trends over time, we performed a Joinpoint regression. RESULTS: From 2000-2015, we found 387,010 hospitalizations coded as UTIs (54,427 pyelonephritis, 15,869 prostatitis, 2643 cystitis and 314,071 non-specified UTI). The crude rate of hospitalization for UTIs between 2000 and 2015 ranged from 2.09 in 2000 to 4.33 in 2015 Rates of hospitalization were higher in men than in women, except with pyelonephritis. By age group, higher rates were observed in patients aged 85 years or older, barring prostatitis-related hospitalizations. Joinpoint analyses showed an average annual percentage increase (AAPC) in incidence rates of 4.9% (95% CI 3.2;6.1) in UTI hospitalizations. We observed two joinpoints, in 2010 and 2013, that found trends of 5.5% between 2000 and 2010 (95% CI 4.7;6.4), 1.5% between 2010 and 2013 (95% CI -6.0;9.6) and 6.8% between 2013 and 2015 (95% CI -0.3;14.4). CONCLUSIONS: The urinary infection-related hospitalization rate in Spain doubled during the period 2000-2015. The highest hospitalization rates occurred in men, in the ≥85 years old age group, and in non-specified UTIs. There were increases in all types of urinary tract infection, with non-specified UTIs having the greatest growth. Understanding these changing trends can be useful for health planning.

Quantitative Relationships Between Growth, Differentiation, and Shape That Control Drosophila Eye Development and Its Variation.

The size of organs is critical for their function and often a defining trait of a species. Still, how organs reach a species-specific size or how this size varies during evolution are problems not yet solved. Here, we have investigated the conditions that ensure growth termination, variation of final size and the stability of the process for developmental systems that grow and differentiate simultaneously. Specifically, we present a theoretical model for the development of the Drosophila eye, a system where a wave of differentiation sweeps across a growing primordium. This model, which describes the system in a simplified form, predicts universal relationships linking final eye size and developmental time to a single parameter which integrates genetically-controlled variables, the rates of cell proliferation and differentiation, with geometrical factors. We find that the predictions of the theoretical model show good agreement with previously published experimental results. We also develop a new computational model that recapitulates the process more realistically and find concordance between this model and theory as well, but only when the primordium is circular. However, when the primordium is elliptical both models show discrepancies. We explain this difference by the mechanical interactions between cells, an aspect that is not included in the theoretical model. Globally, our work defines the quantitative relationships between rates of growth and differentiation and organ primordium size that ensure growth termination (and, thereby, specify final eye size) and determine the duration of the process; identifies geometrical dependencies of both size and developmental time; and uncovers potential instabilities of the system which might constraint developmental strategies to evolve eyes of different size.