Upgrading end-of-line residues of the red seaweed Gelidium sesquipedale to polyhydroxyalkanoates using Halomonas boliviensis.

Agar extraction from Gelidium and Gracilaria red seaweed species produces hundred thousand ton of carbohydrate-rich residues annually. Gelidium sesquipedale waste biomass obtained after agar extraction, still contained 44.2 % w/w total carbohydrates (dry-weight basis). These residues were biologically up-graded to poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) after saccharification of their carbohydrate fraction to simple sugars. A combined hydrolysis treatment using sulfamic acid followed by enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulases produced a glucose-rich hydrolysate with a negligible content of inhibitors. With this treatment a sugar yield of circa 30 % (g glucose/g biomass) was attained. The algal hydrolysates were assessed as carbon source for the production of P3HB by the halotolerant bacteria Halomonas boliviensis. A cell concentration of 8.3 g L-1 containing 41 % (w/w) of polymer and a yield (YP/S ) of 0.16 gpolymer/gglucose were attained in shake flask assays. In this work, cellulose-rich seaweed waste was shown to be an upgradable, sustainable source of carbohydrates.

Estimation of protein and domain interactions in the switching motility system of Myxococcus xanthus.

The gram-negative myxobacterium Myxococcus xanthus is equipped with an interesting motility system that allows it to reverse direction on average every 8 minutes by switching the construction of two motility engines at the ends of this rod-shaped bacterium. While the mechanisms responsible for timing and engine construction/deconstruction are relatively well understood, there are several competing hypotheses as to how they are coupled together. In this paper we examine the evidence for protein interactions underlying these possible couplings using a novel framework consisting of a probabilistic model describing protein and domain interactions and a belief propagation inference algorithm. When provided with large amount of indirect pieces of information, such as high-throughput experiment results, and protein structures, we can reliably determine the relative likelihoods of these hypotheses, even though each individual piece of evidence by itself has very limited reliability. The same framework can be used to map large protein and domain interaction networks in myxobacteria and other organisms.

Multiscale dynamics of macromolecules using normal mode Langevin.

Proteins and other macromolecules have coupled dynamics over multiple time scales (from femtosecond to millisecond and beyond) that make resolving molecular dynamics challenging. We present an approach based on periodically decomposing the dynamics of a macromolecule into slow and fast modes based on a scalable coarse-grained normal mode analysis. A Langevin equation is used to propagate the slowest degrees of freedom while minimizing the nearly instantaneous degrees of freedom. We present numerical results showing that time steps of up to 1000 fs can be used, with real speedups of up to 200 times over plain molecular dynamics. We present results of successfully folding the Fip35 mutant of WW domain.

[Parent-child agreement in the health related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a longitudinal study]. / Concordancia entre padres e hijos en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en niños con trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad: estudio longitudinal.

OBJECTIVES: To assess parent-child agreement on changes over a short-term period of time in the HRQOL of children treated for ADHD over a short period of time, and to compare child and parent ratings of children with ADHD with general population norms. METHODS: Prospective study in children 6-12 years old with ADHD. Children and parents completed the Spanish versions of the Child Health and Illness Profile-Child Edition (CHIP-CE) before and after 8 weeks of treatment. CHIP-PE scores at both visits were compared using paired t tests and effect sizes (ES), intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), and scatter plots. Child and parent ratings were compared with CHIP-CE scores for a general population sample. RESULTS: Thirty-one children and parents were included in the analysis. The highest change between the first and the follow-up visit was on the Risk Avoidance domain both children and parents (effect size [ES]=0.24 and 0.40, respectively). The ICC ranged from 0.44 (Satisfaction) to 0.01 (Risk avoidance). Child self-ratings were close to general population values. All domains of the parent version presented standardized means below the reference values at the baseline visit and closer to the general population norm after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study found poor parent-child agreement and suggests that both ratings should be collected in future studies on the impact of ADHD and treatment effectiveness.

On multiscale approaches to three-dimensional modelling of morphogenesis.

In this paper we present the foundation of a unified, object-oriented, three-dimensional biomodelling environment, which allows us to integrate multiple submodels at scales from subcellular to those of tissues and organs. Our current implementation combines a modified discrete model from statistical mechanics, the Cellular Potts Model, with a continuum reaction-diffusion model and a state automaton with well-defined conditions for cell differentiation transitions to model genetic regulation. This environment allows us to rapidly and compactly create computational models of a class of complex-developmental phenomena. To illustrate model development, we simulate a simplified version of the formation of the skeletal pattern in a growing embryonic vertebrate limb.

Anemia aplásica adquirida en niños: seguimiento durante 14 años / Acquired aplasica anemia in chilcren: fourteen year folow up

Durante 14 años fueron tratados 24 pacientes (pts) con anemia aplásica adquirida (AAA), pre-escolares (6), escolares (11) y adolescentes (7); rango: 2-16 años. Siete del Distrito Capital. Etiología: idiopática 19/24 (79 por ciento), secundaria 5/24 (21 por ciento). Se clasificaron según severidad en: moderada 2/24 (21 por ciento). Se clasificaron según severidad en: moderada 2/24 (8 por ciento), severa 17/24 (71 por ciento) y muy severa 5/24 (21 por ciento). En 16 pts se realizó estudio HLA, 4(25 por ciento) tuvieron donante compatible, en 3 se realizó Trasplante de Médula Osea (TMO). Seguimiento promedio 62 meses. Ciclosporina (CsA) + Corticoesteroides (CtS) 10/24, Remisión Completa (RC) 5/10 (50 por ciento), Remisión Parcial (RP) 1/10 (10 por ciento), Ausencia Remisión (AR) 4/10 (40por ciento); CsA + Globulina antitimocito (ATG) 11/24: RC 4/11 (36,36 por ciento), RP: 4/11 (36,36 por ciento), AR: 3/11 (27,27 por ciento); TMO: 3/24, RC: 100 por ciento; La respuesta terapéutica global fue: 12/24 pts alcanzaron RC (50 por ciento), 5/24 RP (20.83 por ciento) y 6/24 AR (25 por ciento). Evolución clonal se presentó en 3 pts (12 por ciento). El promedio de sobrevida a los 5 años de seguimiento resultó en 70 por ciento para el grupo que recibió CsA + ATG y 58 por ciento para el grupo CsA + Cts., p= 0.28. La sobrevida global a los 5 años fue de 69 por ciento. La AAA idiopática es la etiología más frecuente en el niño y las formas severas y muy severas de la enfermedad representan el 92 por ciento de los casos. La inmunosupresión (IS) es un tratamiento efectivo en pts. que no disponen de donante para TMO. El tratamiento de IS combinado CsA + ATG resultó superior al uso de CsA ++ Cts. Creación de un grupo Cooperativo Nacional para el estudio y tratamiento de la AAA

CompuCell, a multi-model framework for simulation of morphogenesis.

MOTIVATION: CompuCell is a multi-model software framework for simulation of the development of multicellular organisms known as morphogenesis. It models the interaction of the gene regulatory network with generic cellular mechanisms, such as cell adhesion, division, haptotaxis and chemotaxis. A combination of a state automaton with stochastic local rules and a set of differential equations, including subcellular ordinary differential equations and extracellular reaction-diffusion partial differential equations, model gene regulation. This automaton in turn controls the differentiation of the cells, and cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions that give rise to cell rearrangements and pattern formation, e.g. mesenchymal condensation. The cellular Potts model, a stochastic model that accurately reproduces cell movement and rearrangement, models cell dynamics. All these models couple in a controllable way, resulting in a powerful and flexible computational environment for morphogenesis, which allows for simultaneous incorporation of growth and spatial patterning. RESULTS: We use CompuCell to simulate the formation of the skeletal architecture in the avian limb bud. AVAILABILITY: Binaries and source code for Microsoft Windows, Linux and Solaris are available for download from http://sourceforge.net/projects/compucell/

The prevalence of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome in children and adolescents with autism: a large scale study.

BACKGROUND: An earlier small-scale study of children with autism revealed that 8.1% of such patients were co-morbid for Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS). The present study is a large scale test of whether this result replicates. METHOD: Four hundred and forty-seven pupils from nine schools for children and adolescents with autism were screened for the presence of motor and vocal tics. RESULTS: Subsequent family interviews confirmed the co-morbid diagnosis of definite GTS in 19 children, giving a prevalence rate of 4.3%. A further 10 children were diagnosed with probable GTS (2.2%). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the rate of GTS in autism exceeds that expected by chance, and the combined rate (6.5%) is similar to the rates found in the smaller-scale study. Methodological considerations and alternative explanations for an increased prevalence are discussed.

The prevalence of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome in children and adolescents with autism.

Thirty-seven pupils attending a special school for children and adolescents with autism were observed for the presence of motor and vocal tics. Subsequent family interviews confirmed the diagnosis of comorbid Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome (GTS) in three children with autism, giving a minimum prevalence rate of 8.1 %. Family history data also suggested this was heritable. The presence of GTS was not associated with superior intellectual, language, or social development. Results suggest that the rate of GTS in autism may exceed that expected by chance. The limited sample size constrains this conclusion. A large-scale epidemiological study testing this association study would appear merited.

[The prescription of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and stomach-protector agents. Its adaptation to quality criteria in primary care]. / Prescripción de antiinflamatorios no esteroides y gastroprotectores. Adecuación a criterios de calidad en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To find the attitude of doctors working in General Medicine and out-patient Traumatology to the prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and if these attitudes fit quality criteria. DESIGN: Crossover, descriptive study. SETTING: General medicine and out-patient traumatology in the inland area of Vizcaya. PARTICIPANTS: A questionnaire was sent to all doctors working in general medicine (146) and out-patient traumatology (19) in the inland area. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: There was a 78.2% final reply rate. The questionnaire had 14 questions and collected the demographic variables and those which referred to the use of NSAIDs and stomach protectors. The prescription criteria for NSAIDs and stomach protectors were taken from a review of the literature before beginning this study. The most frequent risk factors were a previous history of ulcers (83%) and age > 65 (51.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Although a great many doctors attached great importance to the erosive effects of NSAIDs on the stomach, they still use the most damaging drugs on at-risk patients and prescribe stomach protectors whose efficacy is very doubtful. Age is not thought of enough as a risk factor (only half the doctors considered it); the NSAID which were less damaging to the stomach were little used.

Litotricia extracorporea por ondas de choque en niños / Extracorporeal lithotripsy by shock waves in children

Se reporta la experiencia en Uruguay del tratamiento de la litiasis urinaria en niños mediante la técnica de litotricia extracorpórea por ondas de choque. De marzo de 1990 a abril de 1996 se han llevado a cabo 34 tratamientos en niños (0,62 por ciento del total). Las edades estuvieron comprendidas entre 1 y 16 años (promedio 11,1 años). No hubo limitaciones técnicas en cuanto al posicionamiento debido al tamaño del paciente. Se utilizó como fuente de energía, tanto el componente Lithostar de localización radioscópica, como el componente Ultra de localización ecográfica. Un 64 por ciento de los tratamientos se realizaron con anestesia. Presentamos antecedentes, técnica de tratamiento, evolución y resultados de los casos tratados destacando la eficiencia del método en la edad pediátrica. Se destaca el tratamiento de una niña de 18 meses con una litiasis coraliforme resuelta en una única sesión, cuya alta se otorgó libre de litiasis

Traumatismo renal contuso en niños 56 casos: evolución hacia el tratamiento conservador / Renal contusous trauma in children 56 cases: evolution to preservation treatment

El presente trabajo pretende poner de manifiesto la evolución hacia la adopción de conductas terapéuticas cada vez más conservadoras frente a las lesiones renales secundarias a traumatismos contusos. De enero de 1989 a marzo de 1996 ingresaron 56 pacientes con traumatismo renal: 52 contusos y 4 penetrantes que no se analizaron. 36 varones y 20 niñas cuyas edades oscilan entre los 3 y 14 años. En 3 casos hubo asociación con lesión esplénica y en 2 laceración hepática. La evaluación lesional se realizó mediante ecografía, TAC, Orografía y arteriografía. La conducta terapéutica adoptada en cada caso, estuvo en función del grado de lesión al ingreso, así como de la situación clínica y heinodinárnica del paciente. Se requirió cirugía inmediata en 3 pacientes con traumatismo G' 111 de Hodges y en forma diferida en 7 pacientes con traumatismo G' 11. De estos 7, 5 fueron realizadas en los primeros 4 arios de este estudio. En ninguno de ellos se realizó nefrectomía total. De acuerdo a nuestra experiencia y a la hora de decidir el trataniiento adecuado del traumatismo renal contuso del niño, somos partidarios de la adopción de conductas conservadoras. Una adecuada y precisa valoración clínico-imagenológica permite conseguir resultados para salvar un riñón con la mínima morbilidad

Punción-incisión endoscopica del ureterocele intravesical / Endoscopic puncture-incision of intrabladder uretherocele

La punción-incisión endoscópica del ureterocele es un procedimiento sencillo, que en más del 70 por ciento de los casos es el único gesto terapéutico. Que cuanto más precoz se realice, permite desgravitar un sistema obstruido con la consiguiente preservación de la función renal, con baja incidencia de reflujo e infecciones urinarias. Reportamos nuestra experiencia en 5 pacientes. El diagnóstico se confirmó mediante ecografía, en un caso antenatal, cistografía y centellograrna renal. La punción del ureterocele se realiza en el sector intravesical, en el punto más declive. Como resultado se observa la desaparición inmediata del uretrocele y decompresión del sistema obstruido. En la evolución no se verificaron episodios de infección urinaria ni trastornos miccionales. Esta técnica sencilla y de alto grado de seguridad ha demostrado ser en un gran porcentaje, el único procedimiento requerido para la resolución de esta patología. En los casos en que es necesario un procedimiento quirúrgico secundario para su resolución definitiva, permite la realización del mismo en mejores condiciones (mayor desarrollo del niño, aparato urinario degravitado)

Ethnic differences in the biological consequences of alcohol abuse: a comparison between south Asian and European males.

Twenty-two South Asian men and 32 European men who had abused alcohol for at least 1.5 years were studied at the time of admission for detoxification to an Alcohol and Drug Dependency unit. The self-confessed average alcohol consumption during the preceding 3 months was similar in the South Asians (mean 383 g/day) and Europeans (mean 435 g/day) but the total duration of alcohol abuse was significantly shorter in South Asians (geometric mean 7.4 years) than Europeans (geometric mean 13.1 years). The geometric mean values for the concentration of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in the serum were similar in the two ethnic groups. However, the red cell distribution width, the percentages of HbA1a+b, HbA1c and total HbA1 in red cell lysates and the activities of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in the serum were all significantly higher in the South Asians than Europeans. The data suggest that South Asian men who abuse alcohol may be more susceptible to alcohol-related liver damage and acetaldehyde-mediated haemoglobin modification than European men who abuse alcohol to a similar extent for a considerably longer period.

Tratamiento de la litiasis urinaria en niños con litotricia extracorpórea por onda de choque / Treatment of urinary calculus with shock wave extracorporeal lithotripsy

Desde marzo de 1992 a marzo de 1994 se realizaron 19 tratamientos de litotricia extracorpórea por ondas de choque en niños (LEOC).El objetivo es presentar la experiencia con este procedimiento en la edad pediátrica que corresponde al 0,88 por ciento del total de LEOC realizadas.Las edades estuvieron comprendidas entre los 3 y los 16 años (promedio 11,2 años).Los síntomas clínicos predominantes fueron el dolor 68,4 por ciento , síntomas sugestivos de infección urinaria 42,1 por ciento y hematuria 26,3 por ciento .el 58 por ciento de los pacientes presentaban litiasis única y 35 por ciento múltiple.No hubo limitaciones técnicas en cuanto al posicionamiento del paciente debido al tamaño.Un 64 por ciento de los tratamientos se realizaron con anestesia general.Se utilizó como fuente de energía, el componente Lithostar de localización radioscópica en 11 pacientes y el componente Ultra de localizaciópn ecográfica en 7 oportunidades.No hubo complicaciones, así como ninguno requirió internación luego del procedimiento.No fue necesario instrumentar la vía urinaria post-LEOC en nuestra serie.La LEOC se utiliza cada vez más en niños,demostrando su eficiencia,con un bajo índice de morbilidad

[Sexually transmitted recurrent urinary infection of the male]. / Infección urinaria recurrente del varón transmitida sexualmente.

We describe a case of recurrent urinary tract infection in a male patient that had been repeatedly associated with sporadic sexual intercourse with his partner. The timing of the episodes and the bacteriological findings indicate this to be another uncommon case of urinary tract infection sexually transmitted by the female to the male.

[The use of computerized tomography in the localization of impalpable testes]. / El uso de la tomografía computarizada en la localización de testículos no palpables.

Computed tomography is the most reliable method in the localization of the impalpable testis. This imaging technique permits precise preoperative localization where ultrasound cannot. Moreover, it can provide very useful information in the complicated cases of cryptorchidism (torsion, trauma, tumor) and can disclose other previously undetected coexisting anomalies.

[Nephro-urologic manifestations of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in our country]. / Manifestaciones nefrourológicas del síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida en nuestro medio.

We intend to approach the genitourinary and nephrological pathologies presented in our environment by patients with HIV infection. To this end we have carried out a retrospective study on a series of patients selected on the basis of follow-up possibility. A continuous history, recording a detailed clinical examination including repeated sampling and serological testing, would allow us to stress the relevance of hidden urological pathologies which these patients rarely complain about. Further studies with larger series are required to be able to establish a relationship between nephro-urological symptoms and the disease evolution parameters.

[Congenital mesoblastic nephroma in childhood. Our experience apropos of 3 cases]. / Nefroma mesoblástico congénito de la infancia. Nuestra experiencia a propósito de 3 casos.

Congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) is a rare, generally benign renal tumor. A better knowledge of its natural history has changed the therapeutic approach. Currently, aggressive therapy must be exclusively reserved for the sarcomatous forms or Wilms' tumor with sarcomatoid features. The cell variant reported in our series was treated with efficacy by surgery alone. Early recognition of the lesion, preferably prenatally, is warranted in order to perform surgery early or detect hydrops fetalis, a possible complication of pregnancy.