Levan Production by Suhomyces kilbournensis Using Sugarcane Molasses as a Carbon Source in Submerged Fermentation.

The valorization of byproducts from the sugarcane industry represents a potential alternative method with a low energy cost for the production of metabolites that are of commercial and industrial interest. The production of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) was carried out using the yeast Suhomyces kilbournensis isolated from agro-industrial sugarcane, and the products and byproducts of this agro-industrial sugarcane were used as carbon sources for their recovery. The effect of pH, temperature, and carbon and nitrogen sources and their concentration in EPS production by submerged fermentation (SmF) was studied in 170 mL glass containers of uniform geometry at 30 °C with an initial pH of 6.5. The resulting EPSs were characterized with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results showed that the highest EPS production yields were 4.26 and 44.33 g/L after 6 h of fermentation using sucrose and molasses as carbon sources, respectively. Finally, an FT-IR analysis of the EPSs produced by S. kilbournensis corresponded to levan, corroborating its origin. It is important to mention that this is the first work that reports the production of levan using this yeast. This is relevant because, currently, most studies are focused on the use of recombinant and genetically modified microorganisms; in this scenario, Suhomyces kilbournensis is a native yeast isolated from the sugar production process, giving it a great advantage in the incorporation of carbon sources into their metabolic processes in order to produce levan sucrose, which uses fructose to polymerize levan.

Early clinical experience of bacteriophage therapy in 3 lung transplant recipients.

Bacteriophage therapy (BT) uses bacteriophages to treat pathogenic bacteria and is an emerging strategy against multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. Experience in solid organ transplant is limited. We describe BT in 3 lung transplant recipients (LTR) with life-threatening MDR infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 2) and Burkholderia dolosa (n = 1). For each patient, lytic bacteriophages were selected against their bacterial isolates. BT was administered for variable durations under emergency Investigational New Drug applications and with patient informed consent. Safety was assessed using clinical/laboratory parameters and observed clinical improvements described, as appropriate. All patients received concurrent antibiotics. Two ventilator-dependent LTR with large airway complications and refractory MDR P. aeruginosa pneumonia received BT. Both responded clinically and were discharged from the hospital off ventilator support. A third patient had recurrent B. dolosa infection following transplant. Following BT initiation, consolidative opacities improved and ventilator weaning was begun. However, infection relapsed on BT and the patient died. No BT-related adverse events were identified in the 3 cases. BT was well tolerated and associated with clinical improvement in LTRs with MDR bacterial infection not responsive to antibiotics alone. BT may be a viable adjunct to antibiotics for patients with MDR infections.

Successful adjunctive use of bacteriophage therapy for treatment of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in a cystic fibrosis patient.

INTRODUCTION: We describe the use of bacteriophage therapy in a 26-year-old cystic fibrosis (CF) patient awaiting lung transplantation. HOSPITAL COURSE: The patient developed multidrug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia, persistent respiratory failure, and colistin-induced renal failure. We describe the use of intravenous bacteriophage therapy (BT) along with systemic antibiotics in this patient, lack of adverse events, and clinical resolution of infection with this approach. She did not have recurrence of pseudomonal pneumonia and CF exacerbation within 100 days following the end of BT and underwent successful bilateral lung transplantation 9 months later. CONCLUSION: Given the concern for MDR P. aeruginosa infections in CF patients, BT may offer a viable anti-infective adjunct to traditional antibiotic therapy.

Genetic high-gain controller to improve the position perturbation attenuation and compact high-gain controller to improve the velocity perturbation attenuation in inverted pendulums.

From the control theory, bigger observer and controller gains are utilized to improve the position perturbation attenuation, while smaller observer and controller gains are utilized to improve the velocity perturbation attenuation. Therefore, it would be interesting to suggest optimizers to find the best observer and controller gains to improve the position or velocity perturbation attenuation. In this investigation, a high-gain controller is suggested to obtain the perturbation attenuation, a genetic high-gain controller is suggested to improve the position perturbation attenuation, and a compact high-gain controller is suggested to improve velocity perturbation attenuation in inverted pendulums. The high-gain controller utilizes a high-gain observer and a high-gain estimator to obtain the state and perturbation estimation. The genetic high-gain controller utilizes a genetic optimizer to find the best observer and controller gains. The compact high-gain controller utilizes a compact optimizer to find the best observer and controller gains. The suggested high-gain controllers are compared with the simplex and bat controllers to improve the position or velocity perturbation attenuation in two inverted pendulums.

Observer-based differential evolution constrained control for safe reference tracking in robots.

Big torque inputs in controls could increase energy consumption, and big estimated perturbations in observers could produce device damages. Therefore, it would be interesting to propose a constrained control for safe reference tracking and a constrained observer for safe perturbation estimation in robots. Furthermore, the best gains in controls produce a balance between safe reference tracking and save energy consumption. Therefore, it would be interesting to propose a method to find the best gains. In this paper, an observer-based differential evolution constrained control is proposed for safe reference tracking in robots. The contributions are described as follows: (1) a constrained observer is proposed for safe perturbation estimation in robots, (2) a constrained control is proposed for safe reference tracking in robots, (3) a differential evolution optimizer is used to find the best gains in an observer-based constrained control, (4) the robust stability in an observer-based constrained control is assured, (5) the pseudo-code of an observer-based differential evolution constrained control is detailed. The proposed observer-based differential evolution constrained control is applied for safe reference tracking in two robots.

[Intraspecific variation analysis of Conidiobolus coronatus using RAPD and ITS sequencing]. / Análisis de la variación intraespecífica de Conidiobolus coronatus usando RAPD y secuencias ITS.

INTRODUCTION: The fungus Conidiobolus coronatus (C. coronatus) has an extensive distribution of habitats and hosts. It is found saprophytically, and attacks insects and mammals, including humans. Although there are few reports on humans, and they are restricted to tropical areas. The aim of this work was to determine whether genetic variation exists between C. coronatus isolates coming from human lesions and other sources. METHODS: A total of 11C. coronatus isolates obtained from soil, insects and humans were analyzed with the random amplification of polymorphic ADN (RAPD) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) techniques; the maximum parsimony, neighbour-joining and minimum evolution methods were used for the ITS analysis. RESULTS: The analysis of the C. coronatus polymorphisms showed high intra-species variation levels between the evaluated isolates. The isolates coming from human lesions showed the greatest genetic divergence compared with the remaining isolates. The greatest genetic distance between isolate groups was found between those coming from humans and those taken from the insect Lycoriella ingenua. CONCLUSIONS: This is the very first work evaluating and demonstrating that within species variation exists at molecular level in C. coronatus, and is related to the source where the isolates were taken from.

Color and Stability of Anthocyanins of Chagalapoli (Ardisia compressa K.) Fruit Added to an Isotonic Beverage as Microcapsules and as Free Extract.

The demand for natural pigments in the food industry is increasing. Color and stability of anthocyanins of chagalapoli (Ardisia compressa K.) fruit added to an isotonic beverage as microcapsules and free extract were evaluated at two temperatures (4 and 25 °C) in the absence of light. Anthocyanins degradation followed first-order kinetics in the evaluated conditions. The stability of anthocyanins, measured by the variables reaction rate (K), half-life time (t1/2), and anthocyanin retention (AR), was affected significantly (p < 0.01) by temperature. At the end of storage at 4 °C, AR was 91.2 ± 0.28% and 89.63 ± 0.22% in the beverages with microcapsules (BM) and with anthocyanins from extract (BE), respectively, without a significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) between them. However, at 25 °C, AR in the BM was 53.72 ± 0.27%, a significantly lower value (p ≤ 0.05) than that in BE (58.83 ± 1.37%). The color difference values (ΔE) in beverages stored at 4 °C were 3.81 and 2.17 for BM and BE, respectively, while at 25 °C, it was 8.57 and 8.21, respectively. The most stable anthocyanin was cyanidin 3-galactoside. Chagalapoli anthocyanins, both as microcapsules or as an extract, are adequate for adding natural color to isotonic beverages.

Efficiency and purity provided by the existing methods for the isolation of luteinized granulosa cells: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Several protocols for the isolation of luteinized granulosa cells (LGCs) contained in follicular fluid have been described but no previously published study has compared the relative efficiency of these protocols. Our objective is to obtain conclusive scientific evidence for the superiority of one method over another. METHODS: Different purification methods for LGCs based on the recognition of specific cell markers, aggregates, differential adhesion and LGC size were evaluated. We compared the levels of CD45 cell contamination and the percentage of total cell viability in paired aliquots of cells (before and after purification) derived from the follicular fluid obtained from women who were donating oocytes (n = 72). Each of the six purification methods was performed six times using pooled follicular fluids from two women. RESULTS: Samples processed by means of recognition of specific cell markers were characterized by their greater purity (0.1-1.33% CD45+) but low rate of LGC recovery (17.13-25.4%) when compared with the other methods (3.29-12% CD45+, P < 0.05 and 51.67-73.20% LGC, P < 0.05). It is noteworthy that the filter method, which is based on the LGC size, combined one of the highest rates of LGC recovery (∼70%) with acceptable low levels of contamination (<5%). CONCLUSIONS: There is currently no gold standard method for the isolation of LGCs, and protocols should be chosen depending on the purpose in question. We conclude that fluorescence-activated cell sorting is the best protocol for isolating LGCs when purity is the principal criterion, and magnetic separation when both purity and viability are essential. However, cell straining (filter) is probably the least laborious and, overall, the most efficient method to isolate LGCs.

Attenuated total reflection FTIR dataset for identification of type 2 diabetes using saliva.

Diabetes is one of the top 5 non-communicable diseases that occur worldwide according to the World Health Organization. Despite not being a fatal disease, a late diagnosis as well as poor control can cause a fatal outcome, because of that, several studies have been carried out with the aim of proposing additional techniques to the gold standard to assist in the diagnosis and control of this disease in a non-invasive way. Considering the above, and in order to provide a solid starting point for future researches, we share a primary research dataset with 1040 saliva samples obtained by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy considering the Attenuated Total Reflectance method. Database include: gender, age, individuals (patients) with/without diabetes, the glucose value, and the result to the A1C test for the diabetic population. We believe that sharing dataset as is could increase experimentation, research, and analysis of spectra through different strategies broaden its range of applicability by chemists, doctors, physicists, computer scientists, among others, to identify the effects that the virus causes in the body and to propose possible clinical treatments as well as to develop devices that allow us to assist in the characterization of possible carriers.

The effects of ergot and non-ergot-derived dopamine agonists in an experimental mouse model of endometriosis.

Implantation of a retrogradely shed endometrium during menstruation requires an adequate blood supply, which allows the growth of endometriotic lesions. This suggests that the development of endometriosis can be impaired by inhibiting angiogenesis. The growth of endometriotic foci is impaired by commercial oncological antiangiogenic drugs used to block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. The dopamine agonist cabergoline (Cb2) inhibits the growth of established endometriosis lesions by exerting antiangiogenic effects through VEGFR2 inactivation. However, the use of ergot-derived Cb2 is associated with an increased incidence of cardiac valve regurgitation. To evaluate the potential usage of non-ergot-derived dopamine agonists for the treatment of human endometriosis, we compared the efficacy of quinagolide with that of Cb2 in preventing angiogenesis and vascularization in a heterologous mouse model of endometriosis. Nude mice whose peritoneum had been implanted with eutopic human endometrial fragments were treated with vehicle, 50  µg/kg per day oral Cb2, or 50 or 200  µg/kg per day quinagolide during a 14-day period. At the end of the treatment period, the implants were excised in order to assess lesion size, cell proliferation, degree of vascularization, and angiogenic gene expression. Neoangiogenesis was inhibited and the size of active endometriotic lesions, cellular proliferation index, and angiogenic gene expression were significantly reduced by both dopamine agonists when compared with the placebo. Given that Cb2 and quinagolide were equally effective in inhibiting angiogenesis and reducing lesion size, these experiments provide the rationale for pilot studies to explore the use of non-ergot-derived dopamine agonists for the treatment of endometriosis in humans.

Phylogeography of high Andean killifishes Orestias (Teleostei: Cyprinodontidae) in Caquena and Lauca sub-basins of the Altiplano (Chile): mitochondrial and nuclear analysis of an endangered fish.

From the early Miocene, the uplift of the Andes Mountains, intense volcanic activity and the occurrence of successive periods of dryness and humidity would have differentially influenced the modification of Altiplano watersheds, and consequently the evolutionary history of the taxa that live there. We analyzed Orestias populations from the Caquena and Lauca Altiplanic sub-basins of northern Chile to determine their genetic differentiation and relationship to their geographical distribution using mitochondrial (D-loop) and nuclear (microsatellite) molecular markers and to reconstruct its biogeographic history on these sub-basins. The results allowed reconstructing and reevaluating the evolutionary history of the genus in the area; genic diversity and differentiation together with different founding genetic groups suggest that Orestias have been spread homogeneously in the study area and would have experienced local disturbances that promoted isolation and diversification in restricted zones of their distribution.

Impact of Metarhizium robertsii on Adults of the Parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata and Parasitized Anastrepha ludens Larvae.

Biological control of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens, is mainly carried out by releasing parasitoids, such as Diachasmimorpha longicaudata, and by applying entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), such as Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, or Isaria fumosorosea, which can be applied to the soil or dispersed using infective devices. The combined use of two or more biocontrol agents could improve A. ludens control, but IGP between natural enemies, if it occurs, may have negative effects. We evaluated the effects of EPF on D. longicaudata. First, we determined the susceptibility of adults of D. longicaudata to strains of EPF (Metarhizium robertsii strain V3-160 and M. anisopliae strain MAAP1). We also evaluated the infection of these two fungi on A. ludens larvae parasitized by D. longicaudata. Finally, we determined sub-lethal effects on adults of D. longicaudata that emerged from larvae that had been exposed to low concentrations of M. robertsii. Both fungi caused moderate mortality to D. longicaudata adults. There were no adverse effects on the longevity of parasitoids that emerged from parasitized larvae exposed to M. robertsii. Based on these results, we argue that M. robertsii has the potential to be used for biocontrol of A. ludens, with limited risk to D. longicaudata adults.

A machine-learning strategy to evaluate the use of FTIR spectra of saliva for a good control of type 2 diabetes.

The World Health Organization has declared that diabetes is one of the four leading causes of death attributable to non-communicable diseases. Currently, many devices allow monitoring blood glucose levels for diabetes control based mainly on blood tests. In this paper, we propose a novel methodology based on the analysis of the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of saliva using machine learning techniques to characterize controlled and uncontrolled diabetic patients, clustering patients in groups of a low, medium, and high glucose levels, and finally performing the point estimation of a glucose value. After analyzing the obtained results with Support Vector Machines (SVM), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and Linear Regression (LR), we found that using ANN, it is possible to carry out the characterizations mentioned above efficiently since it allowed us to identify correctly the 540 spectra that make up our database studying the region 4000-2000 cm-1.

Occurrence, Identification, and Virulence of Native Fungal Pathogens Isolated From Mexican Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Larvae From Soils of Three Cropping Systems.

The Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens Loew, is a significant pest in mango and citrus production areas of Mexico. In this study, we evaluated the effects of some geographic characteristics, rainfall period, soil micro-environmental, and soil coverage variables on the occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) associated with A. ludens larvae in soils of mango, grapefruit and mixed crops in central Veracruz state, Mexico. EPF isolates were characterized morphologically and identified by sequence analysis of elongation factor (EF1-1018F, EF1-1620R). We recorded four species of EPF (Metarhizium robertsii J.F. Bisch, S.A. Rehner & Humber [Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae], M. brunneum Petch [Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae], M. pinghaense Q.T. Chen & H.L. Guo [Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae], and Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin [Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae]), of which Metarhizium robertsii was the most abundant and the most virulent. Also, we found that rainfall period, organic matter, coverage of herbs and forbs, and calcium levels modulated EPF occurrence. We estimated lethal concentrations for A. ludens larvae of the four most promising isolates, V3-123, V3-160, V1-332, and V3-369. Our results suggest that M. robertsii obtained from agricultural soils holds potential as a biological control agent for A. ludens.

Evaluation of the Emotional and Cognitive Regulation of Young People in a Lockdown Situation Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: In a situation of compulsory home isolation enacted by governments at the spreading of the Covid-19 pandemic, the emotional health and well-being of students became a key factor in the successful implementation of distance teaching methodologies in face-to-face education universities. Psychological well-being, an essential factor in preventing academic failure, has been threatened in this serious situation of unprecedented and stressful isolation. The aim of this study is to analyze the students' cognitive-emotional regulation as well as their beliefs and perceptions about the pandemic and this lockdown situation. With this extensive study we are carrying out, want to describe the extent to which the lockdown situation is a risk factor, and, in the future, make proposals for preventive and palliative actions, if necessary, to minimize this potential risk. METHOD: We applied the CERQ Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire by means of an online application together with a questionnaire, CC/covid-19, of objective description and subjective perception of the lockdown situation of the students, their conditions to study, general opinions about the pandemic and specific opinions about the real possibilities of implementing online education in the middle of the academic year at the university. 1910 valid responses from more than 80 universities in 13 different Spanish-speaking countries were obtained and submitted to descriptive analysis and modeling using structural equations. RESULTS: Most of them consider that the lockdown decision is correct, that health systems are not prepared to deal with the pandemic, and that although the universities have adequate means, the teaching staff is not competent to implement online teaching methodologies. They have a good perception of the conditions of isolation, however, the time devoted to studying has not increased. One of the results of our study is the students' self-evaluation about their digital competence and their capacity to perform in online interactive communication. This is key to rejecting a feeling of loneliness or social isolation, even if there is momentary physical separation with friends and classmates which is consistent with the results of emotional well-being the surveyed students present. The cognitive strategies used by the students surveyed have allowed them coping with events arising from the pandemic, mandatory isolation and university closure, certainly adaptive and functional, while maintaining a positive perception of their new living and learning situation.

A new automatic device for routine cord blood banking: critical analysis of different volume reduction methodologies.

BACKGROUND AIMS: Volume reduction is the usual process in cord blood banking that has some advantages regarding reducing the storage space and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) quantity in the final product. The volume reduction methodology must guarantee high cell recovery and red blood cell (RBC) depletion by reducing all the umbilical cord blood (UCB) units to a standard volume. METHODS: We analyzed and compared critically three different volume reduction methods [hydroxyethylstarch (HES), top and bottom with Optipress II and Compomat G4, and AXP] used at the Valencia Cord Blood Bank over 10 years. RESULTS: The highest significant RBC depletion was achieved with the AXP system (P<0.001), while the top and bottom system with Compomat G4 and an adjusted buffy coat (BC) volume to 41 mL enabled the best total nucleated cell (TNC) recovery (P<0.001). TNC recovery and RBC depletion were similar for AXP and HES with an adjusted volume to 21 mL. In the multivariate analysis, when analyzing all cases, the BC volume set significantly influenced TNC, CD34+ and lymphocyte recoveries and RBC depletion (P<0.001). RBC depletion was significantly influenced by the initial volume and initial RBC content of UCB units (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: AXP is a highly efficient method for RBC depletion, providing the same TNC recovery as HES method with a final volume of 41 mL. AXP has the advantages of being an automatic and functionally closed system that shortens and better standardizes the proceedings. Top and bottom is a closed system that allows better TNC recoveries when the BC volume set is 41 mL.

What Has Been the Focus of Sugarcane Research? A Bibliometric Overview.

Sugarcane is one of the main crops worldwide, and it has an important impact on environmental issues. A bibliometric mapping analysis of the research on sugarcane was carried out, using data on the titles, abstracts, and keywords of articles published in leading journals and other peer-reviewed documents available in the SCOPUS database from 1858 to 2019 (27 August), and this was subsequently analyzed with the software VOSviewer. The three most important countries that publish research and were most-cited regarding sugarcane were Brazil, the USA, and India. The analysis of the co-occurrence of terms shows that the main research areas were sugarcane bagasse and terms related to bioenergy, and on a second level of relevance agronomy topics related to increasing crop yields. This first attempt to visualize the abundance of publications regarding sugarcane in their totality is in itself a good starting point for further scientific discussion.

Microstructure and physical changes in the Mexican cooked lamb meat barbacoa made with chilled and frozen meat.

Longissimus dorci (LD) samples of different origin (imported and domestic) with pre-treatments (imported meat stored at -18°C for 6months, domestic meat stored at -18°C for 10days, and domestic meat stored at 4°C for 24h) were cooked as barbacoa and frozen using two treatments (air blast and liquid immersion) and then evaluated after 30days of storage. The results showed that the origin and pre-treatment of meat affected L*, a*, instrumental texture and microstructure; that the storage time affected pH, aw, b* and microstructure; and that the freezing treatments did not affect the meat. Overall, the frozen cooked lamb dish barbacoa could present some problems at the conservation stage due to an increase in pH, aw and changes in microstructure; however, the physical traits (color and texture) remained mostly unchanged and depended more on the quality of the raw meat.

Recent Reticulate Evolution in the Ecologically Dominant Lineage of Coccolithophores.

The coccolithophore family Noëlaerhabdaceae contains a number of taxa that are very abundant in modern oceans, including the cosmopolitan bloom-forming Emiliania huxleyi. Introgressive hybridization has been suggested to account for incongruences between nuclear, mitochondrial and plastidial phylogenies of morphospecies within this lineage, but the number of species cultured to date remains rather limited. Here, we present the characterization of 5 new Noëlaerhabdaceae culture strains isolated from samples collected in the south-east Pacific Ocean. These were analyzed morphologically using scanning electron microscopy and phylogenetically by sequencing 5 marker genes (nuclear 18S and 28S rDNA, plastidial tufA, and mitochondrial cox1 and cox3 genes). Morphologically, one of these strains corresponded to Gephyrocapsa ericsonii and the four others to Reticulofenestra parvula. Ribosomal gene sequences were near identical between these new strains, but divergent from G. oceanica, G. muellerae, and E. huxleyi. In contrast to the clear distinction in ribosomal phylogenies, sequences from other genomic compartments clustered with those of E. huxleyi strains with which they share an ecological range (i.e., warm temperate to tropical waters). These data provide strong support for the hypothesis of past (and potentially ongoing) introgressive hybridization within this ecologically important lineage and for the transfer of R. parvula to Gephyrocapsa. These results have important implications for understanding the role of hybridization in speciation in vast ocean meta-populations of phytoplankton.

Effects of novel taxanes SB-T-1213 and IDN5109 on tubulin polymerization and mitosis.

SB-T-1213 and IDN5109 are semisynthetic, orally available taxanes that are up to 400-fold more active than paclitaxel against drug-resistant cells. IDN5109 is in clinical trials. We investigated the primary target for SB-T-1213 and IDN5109 and whether the compounds interact with microtubules differently than paclitaxel. Unlike paclitaxel, at 1-10 microM both novel taxanes initiate microtubule polymerization in vitro with no lag. They enhance polymerization equally or more potently than paclitaxel. SB-T-1213 induces unusual microtubules with attached extra protofilaments or open sheets, and IDN5109 induces large protofilamentous sheets. Both inhibit HeLa cell proliferation, block mitosis at the metaphase/anaphase transition, bundle microtubules at high drug concentrations, and induce abnormal metaphase spindles and apoptosis. They target microtubules but alter their polymerization and structure differently than paclitaxel. These differences may play a role in their enhanced cytotoxicity and efficacy.