Morning Glory Disc Anomaly: Expanding the MR Phenotype.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is a congenital malformation characterized by a funnel-shaped optic disc excavation with radiating vessels and a central glial tuft. Imaging is essential to evaluate associated cephalocele and steno-occlusive vasculopathy. The goal of this study was to assess optic nerve, chiasmatic, and sphenoid bone morphology in MGDA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study examined all subjects with funduscopically confirmed MGDA diagnosed and imaged with brain MR imaging between 2008 and 2023. RESULTS: Thirty-two children met inclusion criteria. Ocular involvement was unilateral in 29 subjects and bilateral in 3. Segmental optic nerve enlargement ipsilateral to the MGDA was seen in 21 subjects, with 3 also demonstrating a segmental reduction in the size of the ipsilateral optic nerve. Segmental reduction in the size of the ipsilateral optic nerve was present in 3 additional subjects, one with bilateral MGDA. The optic chiasm appeared asymmetrically thickened in 21 subjects, often with deformity. The optic nerves appeared normal in signal intensity in all subjects, with faint peripheral chiasmatic enhancement in 4 of 20 patients who received contrast. Optic nerve findings were stable in 15 subjects with multiple examinations. A persistent craniopharyngeal canal was identified in 17 subjects with sphenoid cephalocele in 1 and mild inferior pituitary gland displacement in 4. Tubular or nodular nasopharyngeal lesions were seen in 10 subjects. One subject had an off-midline sphenoid bone cleft, midbrain deformity, and abnormal thickening of and enhancement around the left oculomotor nerve; the oculomotor nerve finding was present in 1 additional patient. CONCLUSIONS: MGDA often manifests with ipsilateral optic nerve thickening, leading to a potential misdiagnosis as optic glioma. MGDA is also commonly associated with a persistent craniopharyngeal canal with variable pituitary gland and infundibular deformity, cephalocele, and tubular or nodular nasopharyngeal lesions.

[Critical shoulder angle as a predictor of severity in rotator cuff injuries]. / Ángulo crítico del hombro como predictor de severidad en las lesiones del manguito rotador.

INTRODUCTION: the connection between a critical shoulder angle (CSA) greater than 35° and the presence rotator cuff tears (RCT) is well known. However, it remains unidentified if there is an association between a higher CSA value and the presence of more severity RCT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: cross-sectional, descriptive, observational, prospective and analytical study in which patients with RCT had their CSA evaluated by imaging and the degree of the RCT by arthroscopy. Four groups were formed (without lesion; partial lesion; complete lesion; massive lesion) and were compared using ANOVA parametric statistics. The association between RCT and CSA was studied by rho Spearman coefficient. RESULTS: 71 patients were studied, 15 without RCT (CSA of 34.13 ± 0.98), 17 with partial lesion (CSA of 36.00 ± 1.15), 22 with complete lesion (CSA of 40.77 ± 0.69) and 17 with massive lesion (CSA of 41.53 ± 0.68). No significant statistical difference was found between the CSA of the groups without lesion and partial lesion (p = 0.486; 35°) but there was a difference between the groups with complete and massive lesion (p = 0.000 and p = 0.001; 35°). A significant positive association was found between CSA and RCT (rho = 0.605, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: an CSA above 35° is associated to complete and massive RCT and it works as a predictor of severity for these lesions.

INTRODUCCIÓN: es bien conocida la conexión existente entre un ángulo crítico del hombro (ACH) mayor a 35° y las lesiones del manguito rotador (LMR). Sin embargo, se desconoce si existe una asociación entre los valores más elevados de ACH y la presencia de LMR de mayor severidad. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio de corte transversal, descriptivo, observacional, prospectivo y analítico, en el que a los pacientes con LMR se les evaluó por imagen el ACH y mediante artroscopía el grado de lesión. Se formaron cuatro grupos (sin lesión; lesión parcial; lesión completa; lesión masiva) y se compararon mediante la estadística paramétrica ANOVA. Se estudió la asociación entre LMR y ACH por medio del coeficiente rho de Spearman. RESULTADOS: se estudiaron 71 pacientes, 15 sin LMR (ACH de 34.13 ± 0.98), 17 con lesión parcial (ACH de 36.00 ± 1.15), 22 con lesión completa (ACH de 40.77 ± 0.69) y 17 con lesión masiva (ACH de 41.53 ± 0.68). No se encontró diferencia significativa entre el ACH de los grupos sin lesión y lesión parcial (p = 0.486; 35°), pero sí existió diferencia entre los grupos de lesión completa y lesión masiva (p = 0.000 y p = 0.001; 35°). Se encontró una asociación positiva significativa entre ACH y LMR (rho = 0.605, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONES: un ACH por arriba de 35° se asocia con LMR de tipo completas y masivas y funciona como factor predictivo de severidad para estas lesiones.

Infección por bartonella henselae en pacientes pediátricos. Lesión pseudotumoral de calota. Reporte de caso

Los tumores de calota en pacientes pediátricos poseen múltiples etiologías. Dentro de las causas pseudotumorales, las infecciones juegan un rol importante, siendo la osteomielitis por Bartonella henselae (Enfermedad por Arañazo de Gato) una posibilidad diagnóstica rara, pero que debe ser estudiada y descartada. Se presenta el caso de una lactante de 1 año, con lesión expansiva de calota, a nivel frontal derecho, hipervascularizada e infiltrativa. Se realizó estudio con ultrasonido, tomografía cerebral y cintigrama óseo. Se realizó resección quirúrgica completa de la lesión, con preservación de la duramadre y zona fontanelar, además de un cuidadoso trato con el seno sagital superior. Evolucionó sin complicaciones perioperatorias. El resultado de la biopsia fue compatible con proceso inflamatorio crónico, osteomielitis supurada. Tinción de Warthin Starry positiva sugerente de Bartonella henselae. Se descartó etiología tuberculosa y fúngica. Serología positiva para Bartonella henselae. La paciente completó antibioticoterapia, azitromicina y cotrimoxazol, con evolución clínica favorable.

Calvarial tumors in pediatric patients have multiple etiologies. Among the pseudotumoral causes, infections play an important role, being Bartonella henselae osteomyelitis (Cat Scratch Disease) a rare diagnostic possibility, but it should be studied and ruled out. We present the case of a 1 year old infant, with an expansive lesion of the calvaria, at right frontal level, hypervascularized and infiltrative. Ultrasound, brain tomography and bone scintigram were performed. Complete surgical resection of the lesion was performed, with preservation of the dura mater and fontanel area, in addition to a careful treatment with the superior sagittal sinus. The patient evolved without perioperative complications. The biopsy result was compatible with a chronic inflammatory process, suppurative osteomyelitis. Positive Warthin Starry stain suggestive of Bartonella henselae. Tuberculous and fungal etiology was ruled out. Positive serology for Bartonella henselae. The patient completed antibiotic therapy, azithromycin and cotrimoxazole, with favorable clinical evolution.

Genetic structure of Enyalius capetinga (Squamata, Leiosauridae) in Central Cerrado and transitional areas between the Cerrado and the Atlantic forest, with updated geographic distribution.

The Brazilian Cerrado is considered a biodiversity hotspot highly threatened by human activities. Recently, many studies have demonstrated how underestimated is Cerrado's biodiversity considering squamate species, and the identification of divergent and cryptic lineages is essential for the formulation of effective conservation strategies. The transition areas between the Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest are even less known and, consequently, often dismissed in conservation policies. As previous studies suggested the presence of cryptic diversity within E. capetinga, we investigated patterns and processes in the geographic distribution of its genealogical lineages. We used DNA sequences from individuals collected in six localities and sequences publicly available from three mitochondrial markers (CYT-B, 16S and ND4) and one nuclear marker (C-Mos). We tested if the core and ecotone regions of the Cerrado show differences in biotic and abiotic characteristics that could promote genetic structure and divergence among lineages within E. capetinga. We found evidence for divergent lineages within the species, but not congruent with our hypothesis. Similar divergent patterns were observed in other Cerrado lizards, including interspecific divergences within the Enyalius genus. Molecular characterization of field-collected individuals (previously identified as E. bilineatus), allowed us to update the geographic distribution of the species to include the ecotone between the Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest, an area where species distribution overlap.

Telemedicina en cirugía vascular y endovascular: experiencia en un centro universitario / Analysis of the first 106 telemedicine consultations in a vascular surgery service

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine became a relevant means to provide healthcare without face-to-face medical evaluation during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIM: To describe the effectiveness of telemedicine in vascular surgery. Materials and Methods: Review of medical records of all vascular surgery consultations carried out in a clinical hospital between April and October 2020. The main outcome measured was the resolution of the reason for consultation. Secondary outcomes were the need to request laboratory tests or imaging, the need to evaluate the patient in person, and the need for referral to hospitalization or emergency service. RESULTS: One hundred-six new consultations and their follow-up (remotely or in person) were analyzed. A definitive diagnosis could be reached in 74% of consultations, treatment could be instituted or modified in 69% of them, and the reason for consultation could be resolved in 74% of cases. Laboratory and imaging tests were requested in 36 and 63% of consultations, respectively. Four percent of patients were referred to the emergency department or hospitalization. Conclusions: In the vast majority of consultations, it was possible to achieve a definitive diagnosis, prescribe a treatment and resolve the reason for consultation without the need for a face-to-face medical evaluation.

[Analysis of the first 106 telemedicine consultations in a vascular surgery service]. / Telemedicina en cirugía vascular y endovascular: experiencia en un centro universitario.

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine became a relevant means to provide healthcare without face-to-face medical evaluation during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIM: To describe the effectiveness of telemedicine in vascular surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of medical records of all vascular surgery consultations carried out in a clinical hospital between April and October 2020. The main outcome measured was the resolution of the reason for consultation. Secondary outcomes were the need to request laboratory tests or imaging, the need to evaluate the patient in person, and the need for referral to hospitalization or emergency service. RESULTS: One hundred-six new consultations and their follow-up (remotely or in person) were analyzed. A definitive diagnosis could be reached in 74% of consultations, treatment could be instituted or modified in 69% of them, and the reason for consultation could be resolved in 74% of cases. Laboratory and imaging tests were requested in 36 and 63% of consultations, respectively. Four percent of patients were referred to the emergency department or hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: In the vast majority of consultations, it was possible to achieve a definitive diagnosis, prescribe a treatment and resolve the reason for consultation without the need for a face-to-face medical evaluation.

Point-of-care testing for sexually transmitted infections in low-resource settings.

BACKGROUND: Both the global incidence and the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to increase, affecting hundreds of millions of individuals, particularly in low-to middle-income countries. Although a definitive diagnosis is desirable to inform STI treatment, syndromic management is the most widely used strategy in resource-limited settings. With the development of point-of-care (POC) tests, it is important to discuss how laboratories will need to adapt to new training and supervisory roles in support of testing, which will largely be performed by peripheral clinical staff. OBJECTIVES: To discuss potential applications of STI POC tests, how they could improve existing STI control strategies and the role of clinical and reference laboratories in support of initiatives to improve STI management and control activities. SOURCES: Narrative literature review and expert opinion. CONTENT: The paper outlines the current status of the STI epidemic worldwide and discusses the problems associated with current approaches to control these infections, particularly in low-resource settings. The roles of clinical and reference laboratories will need to change to provide support for POC and near-patient STI testing as these technologies are introduced into clinical as well as laboratory settings. IMPLICATIONS: Laboratories will be expected to play a leading role in the introduction and implementation of POC and near-patient STI testing. They will be required to facilitate training and provide technical and supervisory support to clinical staff on the use of these technologies to augment existing STI management and surveillance programmes. In order to provide quality service, they will need to develop, introduce and maintain sustainable local quality control and external quality assurance systems. Evidence from implementation research for introduction and scale up of STI POC tests in different STI epidemic and laboratory infrastructure settings is required.

Substantial oxygen consumption by aerobic nitrite oxidation in oceanic oxygen minimum zones.

Oceanic oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) are globally significant sites of biogeochemical cycling where microorganisms deplete dissolved oxygen (DO) to concentrations <20 µM. Amid intense competition for DO in these metabolically challenging environments, aerobic nitrite oxidation may consume significant amounts of DO and help maintain low DO concentrations, but this remains unquantified. Using parallel measurements of oxygen consumption rates and 15N-nitrite oxidation rates applied to both water column profiles and oxygen manipulation experiments, we show that the contribution of nitrite oxidation to overall DO consumption systematically increases as DO declines below 2 µM. Nitrite oxidation can account for all DO consumption only under DO concentrations <393 nM found in and below the secondary chlorophyll maximum. These patterns are consistent across sampling stations and experiments, reflecting coupling between nitrate reduction and nitrite-oxidizing Nitrospina with high oxygen affinity (based on isotopic and omic data). Collectively our results demonstrate that nitrite oxidation plays a pivotal role in the maintenance and biogeochemical dynamics of OMZs.

Cirugía convencional del aneurisma tóraco-abdominal / Open surgical treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Experience in 45 patients

BACKGROUND: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is an infrequent disease and demands a highly specialized and experienced management. Open repair (OR) is the gold standard but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Paraplegia and renal failure are the most important complications. AIM: To report our results with OR treatment of TAAA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study including all patients with TAAA operated electively and consecutively by OR between 1983 and 2019. Main outcomes are operative mortality, renal and neurological morbidity, and long-term survival. RESULTS: We report 45 operated patients aged 33 to 84 years, 74% males. Aneurysm extension according to Crawford classification was I in 18%, II in 18 %, III in 36% and IV in 29%. Operative mortality was 4%. The frequency of paraplegia or paraparesis at discharge was 9%. No patient was discharged on hemodialysis. Survival at 5 and 10 years were 60% and 40% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OR of TAAA is a complex procedure. Our results show perioperative mortality rates comparable to highly experienced centers. Although being a major procedure, OR remains an alternative to treat this serious condition.

Pharmacological approaches to induce follicular growth and ovulation for fixed-time artificial insemination treatment regimens in ewes.

In Experiment I, during the non-breeding season, after intravaginal devices containing progesterone (P4) were withdrawn (n = 28), estrous rates were greater with treatment with 400 IU eCG (P < 0.05) than with FSH (10 and 15 mg) and no treatment. During the breeding season (n = 147), estrous and pregnancy rates after fixed-time artificial inseminations (FTAI) were similar among groups: 300 IU eCG; 10 mg FSH; and control (P > 0.05). In Experiment II (non-breeding season), ewes of one group were treated with 300 IU eCG (n = 8) and of two groups were treated with 10 mg FSH. In one FSH group, 250 µg estradiol benzoate (EB) were administered after 24 h (n = 9); in the other, 4 µg GnRH were administered after 36 h (n = 10). Serum P4 concentrations were greater in eCG-treated ewes (P < 0.05). Estrous rates were similar for the eCG- and FSH plus EB-treated ewes (P > 0.05). In Experiment III (breeding season), the treatments were: 300 IU eCG; 250 µg estradiol cypionate; 250 µg EB; or control (n = 22). Follicular growth was greater for eCG-treated ewes within 0-24 h and for control ewes within 48-72 h (P = 0.001). Although estrous and ovulation rates did not differ (P > 0.05), all eCG-treated ewes had ovulations. During the non-breeding season, FSH treatment promoted follicular growth but did not induce ovulations. For FTAI regimens, eCG was more effective than FSH plus GnRH and estradiol esters in inducing estrus and ovulation.

[Open surgical treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Experience in 45 patients]. / Cirugía convencional del aneurisma tóraco-abdominal.

BACKGROUND: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is an infrequent disease and demands a highly specialized and experienced management. Open repair (OR) is the gold standard but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Paraplegia and renal failure are the most important complications. AIM: To report our results with OR treatment of TAAA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study including all patients with TAAA operated electively and consecutively by OR between 1983 and 2019. Main outcomes are operative mortality, renal and neurological morbidity, and long-term survival. RESULTS: We report 45 operated patients aged 33 to 84 years, 74% males. Aneurysm extension according to Crawford classification was I in 18%, II in 18 %, III in 36% and IV in 29%. Operative mortality was 4%. The frequency of paraplegia or paraparesis at discharge was 9%. No patient was discharged on hemodialysis. Survival at 5 and 10 years were 60% and 40% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OR of TAAA is a complex procedure. Our results show perioperative mortality rates comparable to highly experienced centers. Although being a major procedure, OR remains an alternative to treat this serious condition.

[Design and validation of a balance test with context characteristics for older adults]. / Diseño de una prueba de equilibrio con características contextuales para adultos mayores.

BACKGROUND: Balance impairment is multifactorial in older adults and increases risk of falls in this population. There are tests to evaluate balance; nevertheless, they are focused on the evaluation of a single task, in static environments, without representing postural control demands in everyday life situations, such as person interaction-context and multi-tasking activities. OBJECTIVES: Design and validate a balance test with ecological validity for older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mixed data collection methodology was developed, with an exploratory sequential DEXPLOX methodological design derived from a DITRIAC concurrent triangulation design. RESULTS: The results from the first 3phases permitted constructing the items of the balance assessment test to, then, conduct the first validation by experts, determining a Fleiss' kappa of 0.4 and a Lawshe content validity ratio of 0.95. The second validation by experts yielded as a result in face validity an excellent strength of inter-rater agreement and a Lawshe content validity ratio of 0.95 in relevance and 0.97 in pertinence. CONCLUSIONS: The test designed showed strong characteristics of ecological validity and can be applied to older adults, given that it includes items requiring somatosensory responses, like those performed in activities of daily living and items with cognitive dual task activities used in daily routines.

Isquemia de extremidades inferiores secundaria a arteritis de la arteria temporal

Giant cell arteritis is more common in women older than 60 years, is associated with systemic inflammation symptoms and mainly involves the aortic arch and cranial arteries, specially the temporal artery. Symptomatic lower extremity arterial stenosis or occlusion is uncommon and can lead to limb loss. We report a 73-year-old woman presenting with a one-month history of lower extremity intermittent claudication of sudden onset. She also complained of fever, malaise, headache and weight loss. A non-invasive vascular study showed moderate femoral popliteal occlusive disease, with and abnormal ankle-brachial index (0.68 and 0.83 on right and left sides, respectively). An angio-computed tomography showed thickening of the aortic wall and severe stenosis in both superficial femoral arteries. Steroidal treatment was started, and a temporal artery biopsy was performed confirming giant cell arteritis. Six weeks after steroid therapy the patient had a complete remission of symptoms. A serologic exacerbation was subsequently treated with a humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor Tocilizumab, obtaining long time remission.

[Lower limb ischemia in giant cell arteritis. Report of one case]. / Isquemia de extremidades inferiores secundaria a arteritis de la arteria temporal.

Giant cell arteritis is more common in women older than 60 years, is associated with systemic inflammation symptoms and mainly involves the aortic arch and cranial arteries, specially the temporal artery. Symptomatic lower extremity arterial stenosis or occlusion is uncommon and can lead to limb loss. We report a 73-year-old woman presenting with a one-month history of lower extremity intermittent claudication of sudden onset. She also complained of fever, malaise, headache and weight loss. A non-invasive vascular study showed moderate femoral popliteal occlusive disease, with and abnormal ankle-brachial index (0.68 and 0.83 on right and left sides, respectively). An angio-computed tomography showed thickening of the aortic wall and severe stenosis in both superficial femoral arteries. Steroidal treatment was started, and a temporal artery biopsy was performed confirming giant cell arteritis. Six weeks after steroid therapy the patient had a complete remission of symptoms. A serologic exacerbation was subsequently treated with a humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor Tocilizumab, obtaining long time remission.

Treatment with eCG and hCG to induce onset of estrous cycles in ewes during the non-breeding season: Effects on follicular development and fertility.

Although combining of eCG and hCG administrations is known to enhance LH-like actions, there have been few studies where there was comparison of the effects of treatment of anestrous ewes with eCG and hCG and eCG alone. In Experiment 1, 18 ewes in seasonal anestrus were administered an intravaginal device (IVD) containing medroxyprogesterone acetate for 12 days, and at the time of IVD removal (D0), were allocated into the following groups (n = 6/group): no further treatment (control); 400 IU eCG (eCG); or 400 IU eCG and 200 IU hCG (eCG + hCG). There was greater ovarian follicular growth in the groups treated with gonadotropins, compared to the control, and there were greater progesterone concentrations in the eCG + hCG group on D9 (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, 66 ewe lambs were assigned to the same treatment groups described for Experiment 1, and subsequently there was natural mating with rams. There was a greater rate of behavioral estrous manifestation in the eCG (88.5 %; 23/26) and eCG+hCG (85.2 %; 23/27), than control (30.8 %; 4/13; P < 0.05) group. Pregnancy rate was also greater in the eCG (34.6 %; 9/26) and eCG+hCG (18.6 %; 5/27) than control (0 %; 0/13; P < 0.05) group, whereas conception rate, considering only ewe lambs that were mated, was only greater in the eCG group. Although there were greater progesterone concentrations 9 days after treatment in the eCG+hCG group, there was no difference in follicular growth in anestrous ewes, nor was there an effect on estrous behavior manifestation and pregnancy rates in ewe lambs, compared to treatment with only eCG.

Producción de carotenoides en levaduras nativas aisladas de sistemas acuáticos en Cali, Colombia / Carotenoids production in wild yeasts isolated from aquatic systems in Cali, Colombia

Introducción: Los carotenoides son fuente importante de actividades biológicas funcionales, tales como antioxidantes o antimicrobianas, además de tener gran impacto a nivel industrial, ya sea en cosmética o suplementación animal en acuacultura. Se han reportado varias moléculas novedosas a partir de aislamientos en Latinoamérica, principalmente en la Patagonia, Argentina. Sin embargo, no hay reportes en Colombia que evalúen la producción de carotenoides en levaduras nativas pigmentadas. Objetivo: Se evaluó la capacidad de producción de carotenoides en levaduras nativas aisladas de lagos, ríos y aguas residuales de la ciudad de Cali, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: Se caracterizaron 30 levaduras provenientes de dos colecciones. De estas se obtuvo su biomasa, rendimiento de carotenoides totales y producción de ß-caroteno. Las cepas promisorias fueron identificadas secuenciando la región ITS1-5.8S-ITS2. Resultados: El mayor rendimiento en la extracción de pigmentos se obtuvo para las cepas P11A (84,36 ± 5,24 µg/g) y Rhodotorula paludigena CS13 (56,26 ± 7,08 µg/g), mientras que las concentraciones más altas de ß-caroteno fueron 10,2 µg/mL (R. paludigena CS13) y 9,7 µg/mL (R. mucilaginosa/alborubescens P10A). La cinética de crecimiento y producción de pigmentos durante cinco días fue óptima para la cepa P11A, ya que hubo un aumento en el rendimiento de carotenoides totales 10 veces mayor (48 h: 109,62 µg/g, 120 h: 1403,10 µg/g). Conclusiones: En este estudio se encontró que levaduras aisladas de sistemas acuáticos son promisorias para la producción de pigmentos carotenoides (incluyendo ß-caroteno), siendo su extracción y caracterización viable para futuros estudios biotecnológicos.

Introduction: Carotenoids are an important source of biological activities, such as antioxidant or antimicrobial. Also, carotenoids impact the cosmetic or food supplement industry, mainly in aquaculture. Several reports in Latin America showed novel molecules, mainly in isolated strains in Patagonia, Argentina. However, in Colombia, there are not reports about carotenoid production from pigmented wild yeasts. Objective: We assessed the carotenoid production ability in wild yeasts isolated from lakes, wastewater and rivers located in Cali, Colombia. Materials and methods: 30 yeasts were selected from two collections, each of them was characterized by the biomass, yield of total carotenoids and ß-carotene production. Promisor strains were identified with sequence analysis of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region. The highest yield in pigment extraction was obtained by strains P11A (84,36 ± 5,24 µg/g) and Rhodotorula paludigena CS13 (56,26 ± 7,08 µg/g), while higher concentrations of ß-carotene were 10,2 µg/mL (R. paludigena CS13) and 9,7 µg/mL (R. mucilaginosa/alborubescens P10A). The kinetics of growth and pigment production for five days was optimal for the P11A strain, where we found an increasing 10-fold higher (48 h: 109,62 µg/g, 120 h: 1403,10 µg/g). Conclusions: We suggest that yeasts isolated from aquatic systems are promising for the production of carotenoid pigments (including ß-carotene), making their extraction and characterization viable for future biotechnological studies.

Cytokine expression in Treponema pallidum infection.

BACKGROUND: Current syphilis tests cannot distinguish between active and past syphilis among patients with serofast rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titers. We investigated whether cytokine profiles might provide insight in the differentiation of active and treated syphilis. METHODS: We collected quarterly serum samples from participants at risk for incident syphilis in a prospective cohort study of men and male-to-female transgender women. We defined incident syphilis as a new RPR titer ≥ 1:8 or a fourfold increase from a prior RPR titer and a positive Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay. We measured cytokine expression using a 63-multiplex bead-based Luminex assay (eBiosciences/Affymetrix, San Diego, California, USA). We used tertile bins and Chi square tests to identify differences in proportions of cytokines between samples from patients with active and treated syphilis. We constructed a network of cytokine profiles from those findings. We used R software (R version 3.4.1, R, Vienna, Austria) to fit models. RESULTS: We identified 20 pairs of cytokines (out of 1953 possible pairs) that differed between active and treated syphilis. From those, we identified three cytokine networks of interest: an Eotaxin-Rantes-Leptin network, a Mig-IL1ra-Trail-CD40L network, and an IL12p40-IL12p70 network. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in cytokine profiles are present among men and male-to-female transgender women with active and treated syphilis. Cytokine assays may be a potentially useful tool for identifying active syphilis among patients with serologic syphilis reactivity.

Moderate protection is induced by a chimeric protein composed of leucine aminopeptidase and cathepsin L1 against Fasciola hepatica challenge in sheep.

Leucine aminopeptidase (FhLAP) and cathepsin L1 (FhCL1) of Fasciola hepatica play a critical role in parasite feeding, migration through host tissue, and immune evasion. These antigens have been tested for immune protection as single components with variable degrees of success. The chimeric-protein approach could improve protection levels against fasciolosis. Previously, we reported the design and construction of a chimeric protein composed of antigenic sequences of FhLAP and FhCL1 of F. hepatica. The goal of the present study was to express and evaluate the immune-protective capacity of this chimeric protein (rFhLAP-CL1) in sheep. Animals were randomly allocated into five groups with five animals in each group. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were immunized twice with 100 µg, 200 µg and 400 µg of rFhLAP-CL1 emulsified with Quil A adjuvant, whereas groups 4 and 5 were the adjuvant control and infection control groups, respectively. The animals were then challenged with 200 metacercariae two weeks after the rFhLAP-CL1 booster. The fluke burden was reduced by 25.5%, 30.7% (p < 0.05) and 46.5% (p < 0.01) in sheep immunized with 100 µg, 200 µg and 400 µg of chimeric protein, respectively, in comparison to the infection control group. There was a reduction of 22.7% (p < 0.05) and 24.4% (p < 0.01) in fecal egg count in groups 2 and 3, respectively, compared to the infection control group. Sheep immunized with chimeric protein produced F. hepatica excretion-secretion product-specific total IgG antibody, which were increased after challenge. Moreover, the levels of rFhLAP-CL1-specific IgG1 and IgG2 isotypes in immunized sheep increased rapidly two weeks after the first immunization and were significantly more elevated than those of the control groups, indicating a mixed Th1/Th2 response. This is a preliminary evaluation of the chimeric protein rFhLAP-CL1 as a possible immunogen against F. hepatica infection in sheep.

Neuroimaging Findings in Moebius Sequence.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Moebius sequence comprises a spectrum of brain congenital malformations predominantly affecting the function of multiple cranial nerves. Reported neuroimaging findings are heterogeneous and based on case reports or small case series. Our goal was to describe the neuroimaging findings of Moebius sequence in a large population of patients scanned with MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was performed to assess brain MR imaging findings in 38 patients with Moebius syndrome studied between 2013 and 2016. RESULTS: Retrospective analysis of MR imaging studies showed flattening of the floor of the fourth ventricle floor secondary to a bilateral absent facial colliculus in 38 patients (100%) and unilateral absence in 1. A hypoplastic pons was found in 23 patients (60.5%). Mesencephalic malformations consisted of tectal beaking in 15 patients (39.5%) and increased anteroposterior midbrain diameter with a shallow interpeduncular cistern in 12 (31.6%). Infratentorial arachnoid cysts were found in 5 patients (13.2%), and cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, in 2 (5.3%). Supratentorial findings included the following: thalamic fusion (26.3%), periventricular nodular heterotopias (26.3%), ventriculomegaly (26.3%), callosal abnormalities (23.7%), and hippocampal malrotations (23.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Findings seen in this large patient cohort agreed with previously published reports. Flattening of the fourth ventricle floor secondary to a bilaterally absent facial colliculus was the most frequent MR imaging finding. The presence of other brain stem and cerebellar malformations as well as supratentorial abnormalities may help explain clinical symptoms and achieve a correct diagnosis.