Two Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex Strains Isolated from Almond in Spain Differ in Plasmid Content and Virulence Traits.

The plant-pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is a major threat to agriculture and the environment worldwide. Recent devastating outbreaks in Europe highlight the potential of this pathogen to cause emergent diseases. X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex ESVL and IVIA5901 strains that belong to sequence type 6 were isolated from almond orchards within the outbreak area in Alicante province (Spain). Both strains share more than 99% of the chromosomal sequences (average nucleotide identity), but the ESVL strain harbors two plasmids (pXF64-Hb_ESVL and pUCLA-ESVL). Here, virulence phenotypes and genome content were compared between both strains, using three strains from the United States as a reference for the phenotypic analyses. Experiments in microfluidic chambers, used as a simulation of xylem vessels, showed that twitching motility was absent in the IVIA5901 strain, whereas the ESVL strain had reduced twitching motility. In general, both Spanish strains had less biofilm formation, less cell aggregation, and lower virulence in tobacco compared with U.S. reference strains. Genome analysis of the two plasmids from ESVL revealed 51 unique coding sequences that were absent in the chromosome of IVIA5901. Comparison of the chromosomes of both strains showed some unique coding sequences and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in each strain, with potential deleterious mutations. Genomic differences found in genes previously associated with adhesion and motility might explain the differences in the phenotypic traits studied. Although additional studies are necessary to infer the potential role of X. fastidiosa plasmids, our results indicate that the presence of plasmids should be considered in the study of the mechanisms of pathogenicity and adaptation in X. fastidiosa to new environments. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Medium-term outcome of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in the treatment of fecal incontinence.

INTRODUCTION: Fecal incontinence (FI) is a multifactorial disease that affects patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in the treatment of FI and to assess the medium-term results. METHODS: A prospective cohort of patients with FI treated with PTNS between 2012 and 2014 was analysed. Endoluminal ultrasound and anorectal physiologic studies were performed in all patients. The efficacy of PTNS was assessed using a validated questionnaire (Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score) at baseline, after treatment, and 2 years later. The Vaizey score was also used at 2-year follow-up to assess urge incontinence. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients (38 females; mean age 59.7 years) with FI were treated. The causes of FI were mainly obstetric injury and previous colorectal surgery. A decrease of 50% from baseline CCIS was seen in 41.1% of patients after PTNS. One-third maintained a minimum of 50% decrease of their initial CCIS after 2 years. Comparing CCIS at baseline, after treatment, and at 2-year follow-up, a statistically significant difference was observed (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0004 respectively). Medium-term improvement was not maintained in patients with passive and mixed FI, while it was maintained in those with urge incontinence. At 2 years, patients with mild incontinence maintained the greatest response. CONCLUSIONS: PTNS is a safe, effective, non-invasive treatment for FI with good results in almost half of the patients at the end of the treatment. There is also an acceptable maintained response at 2-year follow-up. It seems to be most successful in patients with mild incontinence and urge incontinence.

A comprehensive analysis of real options in solar photovoltaic projects: A cluster-based approach.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) projects are pivotal in addressing climate change and fostering a sustainable energy future. However, the complex landscape of renewable energy investments, characterized by high upfront costs, market uncertainties, and evolving technologies, demands innovative evaluation methods. The Real Options Approach has emerged as a powerful tool, offering strategic flexibility in decision-making under uncertainty. This paper comprehensively analyzes the application of real options for evaluating solar photovoltaic projects in 2008-2023. Analysis of document descriptors (author keywords, index keywords, and noun phrases extracted from titles and abstracts) reveals that the dominant research topics in the last ten years (2014-2023) include investment optimization, strategic analysis, energy policy, optimization of energy generation and investments in wind energy. These descriptors are used to analyze the evolution of research interests on a two-year basis and reveal the yearly evolution of the research topics. Finally, the concept of emergence is used to unveil emerging research trends, providing valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in the renewable energy sector. Ultimately, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of how real options analysis empowers decision-makers to make informed choices in advancing clean and sustainable energy solutions.

CTNNB1 gene mutation associated with neurodevelopmental disorder, microcephaly, and persistence of bilateral hyperplastic primary vitreous: A case report and literature review.

The most cases of persistence hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) are unilateral and sporadic, however, bilateral presentation could be present in a small number of patients, in whom other genetic diseases must be ruled out. We describe a case of a 2 months child with bilateral persistence hyperplastic primary vitreous confirmed by ultrasound. In addition, with neurodevelopmental defects, microcephaly, facial dimorphism, axial hypotonia, and without brain abnormalities on MRI, in whom a de novo mutation of the CTNNB1 gene was found during the genetic study, which explains the findings.

Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 still remains the dominant species in open field crops in Brazil.

Among Bemisia tabaci species, the invasive MEAM1 and MED species are key agricultural pests for many crops. In Brazil, most part of B. tabaci population outbreaks were associated with MEAM1, which, since 1990s quickly spread across the entire country. Later in 2014, the MED was identified in Brazil, initially more restricted to greenhouses, but suddenly reaching new areas in the South and Southeast open regions. Thus, our objective was to investigate the geographical distribution of MEAM1 and MED on open field crops in Brazil. MEAM1 is still the predominant species on open field crops such as soybean, cotton, and tomato. The sequencing of a cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragment revealed a single haplotype of MEAM1, suggesting the establishment of a single MEAM1 strain in the country. The haplotypes found for MEAM1 and MED are genetically related to the globally dispersed strains, Jap1 and Mch1, respectively. Continuous monitoring of B. tabaci species is crucial because landscape alterations, climatic changes, and pest management methods may shift the B. tabaci species distribution and dominance in Brazilian crop areas.

CTNNB1 gene mutation associated with neurodevelopmental disorder, microcephaly, and persistence of bilateral hyperplastic primary vítreous: a case report and literature review. / Mutación del gen CTNNB1 asociada a alteración del neurodesarrollo, microcefalia y persistencia del vítreo primario hiperplásico bilateral: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

The most cases of persistence hyperplastic primary vítreous (PHPV) are unilateral and sporadic, however, bilateral presentation could be present in a small number of patients, in whom other genetic diseases must be ruled out. We describe a case of a 2 months child with bilateral persistence hyperplastic primary vítreous confirmed by ultrasound. In addition, with neurodevelopmental defects, microcephaly, facial dimorphism, axial hypotonia, and without brain abnormalities on MRI, in whom a de novo mutation of the CTNNB1 gene was found during the genetic study, which explains the findings.

Systematic review of the safety and effectiveness of peripheral neurostimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion for the treatment of refractory chronic cluster headache.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of peripheral neurostimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) in the treatment of refractory chronic cluster headache. DEVELOPMENT: Various medical databases were used to perform a systematic review of the scientific literature. The search for articles continued until 31 October 2016, and included clinical trials, systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses, health technology assessment reports, and clinical practice guidelines that included measurements of efficiency/effectiveness or adverse effects associated with the treatment. The review excluded cohort studies, case-control studies, case series, literature reviews, letters to the editor, opinion pieces, editorials, and studies that had been duplicated or outdated by later publications from the same institution. Regarding effectiveness, we found that SPG stimulation had positive results for pain relief, attack frequency, medication use, and patients' quality of life. In the results regarding safety, we found a significant number of adverse events in the first 30 days following the intervention. Removal of the device was necessary in some patients. Little follow-up data, and no long-term data, is available. CONCLUSIONS: These results are promising, despite the limited evidence available. We consider it essential for research to continue into the safety and efficacy of SPG stimulation for patients with refractory chronic cluster headache. In cases where this intervention may be indicated, treatment should be closely monitored.

Evening preference correlates with regional brain volumes in the anterior occipital lobe.

Chronotype or diurnal preference is a questionnaire-based measure influenced both by circadian period and by the sleep homeostat. In order to further characterize the biological determinants of these measures, we used a hypothesis-free approach to investigate the association between the score of the morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) and the Munich chronotype questionnaire (MCTQ), as continuous variables, and volumetric measures of brain regions acquired by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Data were collected from the Baependi Heart Study cohort, based in a rural town in South-Eastern Brazil. MEQ and anatomical 1.5-T MRI scan data were available from 410 individuals, and MCTQ scores were available from a subset of 198 of them. The average MEQ (62.2 ± 10.6) and MCTQ (average MSFsc 201 ± 85 min) scores were suggestive of a previously reported strong general tendency toward morningness in this community. Setting the significance threshold at P > .002 to account for multiple comparisons, we observed a significant association between lower MEQ score (eveningness) and greater volume of the left anterior occipital sulcus (ß = -0.163, p = .001) of the occipital lobe. No significant associations were observed for MCTQ. This may reflect the smaller dataset for MCTQ, and/or the fact that MEQ, which asks questions about preferred timings, is more trait-like than the MCTQ, which asks questions about actual timings. The association between MEQ and a brain region dedicated to visual information processing is suggestive of the increasingly recognized fluidity in the interaction between visual and nonvisual photoreception and the circadian system, and the possibility that chronotype includes an element of masking.

Bcl-2 antagonist killer 1 (BAK1) polymorphisms influence the risk of developing autoimmune rheumatic diseases in women.

OBJECTIVE: Bcl-2 antagonist killer 1 (BAK1) is a Bcl-2 family proapoptotic member suggested as a candidate gene for autoimmune diseases. The influence of BAK1 polymorphisms on the risk of developing autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) in women was investigated. METHODS: A total of 719 Colombian women were included in the present study: 209 had systemic lupus erythematosus, 99 primary Sjögren syndrome, 159 rheumatoid arthritis and 252 were healthy matched controls. Tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and potentially functional variants were typed by TaqMan allele discrimination assays. HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 typing was performed by reverse dot-blot hybridisation and linkage disequilibrium (LD) with BAK1 SNPs was assessed. RESULTS: SNPs rs513349 (odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.72, p = <0.001) and rs5745582 (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.04, p = <0.001) were associated with the AIRDs included in this study. There was a significant increase of the rs513349G-rs561276C-rs5745582A (GCA) haplotype in each patient cohort as compared to controls (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.50 to 2.54, p = <0.001). These SNPs were not in LD with HLA-DRB1 or HLA-DQB1 genes. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the BAK1 polymorphisms influence the risk of acquiring AIRDs in the population studied and are consistent with the paradigm that autoimmune diseases are likely to share common susceptibility variants.

[Pharmacological treatment in uncertainty times: Hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine use in the COVID-19 treatment]. / Tratamiento farmacológico en tiempos de incertidumbre: uso de la hidroxicloroquina/cloroquina en el tratamiento de COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this moments, of extreme gravity in which we find ourselves, and in the uncertainty face about the most effective treatment against COVID-19 disease and with the aim of find the evidence that support the chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine use recommendation to treat COVID-19 disease, a systematic review of published studies and RCT studies publishes until April 28, 2020 was carried out. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search was carried out in PubMed with the keywords COVID-19 and their synonyms and hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine. The data selection and extraction was elaborated by two researchers, independently. The results were discussed with a Primary Care physicians clinical group and the results were synthesized using GRADE methodology. RESULTS: A good quality systematic review was found that includes articles with a high risk of bias. And 8 EC launched that will produce results beyond May 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Although the conclusions of the systematic review generate a low confidence in the results, and the clinical variables that show benefit are intermediate variables, the side effects are acceptable and could be minimized with the use of QT lengthening risk tools, so it is could make a weak recommendation in favor of the use of chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine in patients with mild-moderate stage COVID-19.

pH-sensitive intracellular photoluminescence of carbon nanotube-fluorescein conjugates in human ovarian cancer cells.

To add to the understanding of the properties of functionalized carbon nanotubes in biological applications, we report a monotonic pH sensitivity of the intracellular fluorescence emission of single-walled carbon nanotube-fluorescein carbazide (SWCNT-FC) conjugates in human ovarian cancer cells. Light-stimulated intracellular hydrolysis of the amide linkage and localized intracellular pH changes are proposed as mechanisms. SWCNT-FC conjugates may serve as intracellular pH sensors.

Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 still remains the dominant species in open field crops in Brazil

Abstract Among Bemisia tabaci species, the invasive MEAM1 and MED species are key agricultural pests for many crops. In Brazil, most part of B. tabaci population outbreaks were associated with MEAM1, which, since 1990s quickly spread across the entire country. Later in 2014, the MED was identified in Brazil, initially more restricted to greenhouses, but suddenly reaching new areas in the South and Southeast open regions. Thus, our objective was to investigate the geographical distribution of MEAM1 and MED on open field crops in Brazil. MEAM1 is still the predominant species on open field crops such as soybean, cotton, and tomato. The sequencing of a cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragment revealed a single haplotype of MEAM1, suggesting the establishment of a single MEAM1 strain in the country. The haplotypes found for MEAM1 and MED are genetically related to the globally dispersed strains, Jap1 and Mch1, respectively. Continuous monitoring of B. tabaci species is crucial because landscape alterations, climatic changes, and pest management methods may shift the B. tabaci species distribution and dominance in Brazilian crop areas.

Resumo Dentre as espécies de Bemisia tabaci, as espécies invasoras MEAM1 e MED se destacam como pragas de grande importância para várias culturas. No Brasil, a maior parte dos surtos populacionais de mosca-branca são associados a presença da espécie MEAM1, que a partir 1990 se espalhou por todo o país. Por outro lado, em 2014 a espécie MED foi identificada no Brasil, inicialmente restrita a casas de vegetação, mas rapidamente se difundindo em novas áreas nas regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil. Assim, nosso objetivo foi investigar a distribuição geográfica das espécies MEAM1 e MED em grandes culturas no Brasil. A espécie MEAM1 continua sendo predominante nas monoculturas como algodão, soja e tomate. O sequenciamento de um fragmento do gene citocromo c oxidase subunidade I (COI) revelou a presença de um haplótipo para MEAM1, sugerindo o estabelecimento de apenas uma linhagem no país. Os haplótipos encontrados para MEAM1 e MED são geneticamente relacionados as linhagens globalmente dispersas Jap1 e Mch1, respectivamente. O monitoramento contínuo das espécies de B. tabaci é crucial pois as mudanças na paisagem, mudanças climáticas e métodos de manejo das pragas podem alterar a dominância e a distribuição dessas espécies nas áreas agrícolas do Brasil.

Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 still remains the dominant species in open field crops in Brazil / Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 ainda é a espécie dominante em cultivos a céu aberto no Brasil

Among Bemisia tabaci species, the invasive MEAM1 and MED species are key agricultural pests for many crops. In Brazil, most part of B. tabaci population outbreaks were associated with MEAM1, which, since 1990s quickly spread across the entire country. Later in 2014, the MED was identified in Brazil, initially more restricted to greenhouses, but suddenly reaching new areas in the South and Southeast open regions. Thus, our objective was to investigate the geographical distribution of MEAM1 and MED on open field crops in Brazil. MEAM1 is still the predominant species on open field crops such as soybean, cotton, and tomato. The sequencing of a cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragment revealed a single haplotype of MEAM1, suggesting the establishment of a single MEAM1 strain in the country. The haplotypes found for MEAM1 and MED are genetically related to the globally dispersed strains, Jap1 and Mch1, respectively. Continuous monitoring of B. tabaci species is crucial because landscape alterations, climatic changes, and pest management methods may shift the B. tabaci species distribution and dominance in Brazilian crop areas.

Dentre as espécies de Bemisia tabaci, as espécies invasoras MEAM1 e MED se destacam como pragas de grande importância para várias culturas. No Brasil, a maior parte dos surtos populacionais de mosca-branca são associados a presença da espécie MEAM1, que a partir 1990 se espalhou por todo o país. Por outro lado, em 2014 a espécie MED foi identificada no Brasil, inicialmente restrita a casas de vegetação, mas rapidamente se difundindo em novas áreas nas regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil. Assim, nosso objetivo foi investigar a distribuição geográfica das espécies MEAM1 e MED em grandes culturas no Brasil. A espécie MEAM1 continua sendo predominante nas monoculturas como algodão, soja e tomate. O sequenciamento de um fragmento do gene citocromo c oxidase subunidade I (COI) revelou a presença de um haplótipo para MEAM1, sugerindo o estabelecimento de apenas uma linhagem no país. Os haplótipos encontrados para MEAM1 e MED são geneticamente relacionados as linhagens globalmente dispersas Jap1 e Mch1, respectivamente. O monitoramento contínuo das espécies de B. tabaci é crucial pois as mudanças na paisagem, mudanças climáticas e métodos de manejo das pragas podem alterar a dominância e a distribuição dessas espécies nas áreas agrícolas do Brasil.

Heritability of semantic verbal fluency task using time-interval analysis.

Individual variability in word generation is a product of genetic and environmental influences. The genetic effects on semantic verbal fluency were estimated in 1,735 participants from the Brazilian Baependi Heart Study. The numbers of exemplars produced in 60 s were broken down into time quartiles because of the involvement of different cognitive processes-predominantly automatic at the beginning, controlled/executive at the end. Heritability in the unadjusted model for the 60-s measure was 0.32. The best-fit model contained age, sex, years of schooling, and time of day as covariates, giving a heritability of 0.21. Schooling had the highest moderating effect. The highest heritability (0.17) was observed in the first quartile, decreasing to 0.09, 0.12, and 0.0003 in the following ones. Heritability for average production starting point (intercept) was 0.18, indicating genetic influences for automatic cognitive processes. Production decay (slope), indicative of controlled processes, was not significant. The genetic influence on different quartiles of the semantic verbal fluency test could potentially be exploited in clinical practice and genome-wide association studies.

Liver Cirrhosis From Chronic Hypervitaminosis A Resulting in Liver Transplantation: A Case Report.

Herein we report a case of liver dysfunction caused by consumption of vitamin A supplements leading to liver transplantation. The patient was a 48-year-old male with a medical history of congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma in treatment with vitamin A until 12 years of age, at which point he discontinued the supplements because he had developed ascites. Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed as secondary to hypervitaminosis A on the basis of histologic examination of liver biopsy and the absence of other potential causes of chronic liver disease. Despite interruption of administration of vitamin A, the patient continued to deteriorate over the years, with development of portal hypertension signs. His medical conditions were aggravated with the development of hepatic insufficiency manifested by refractory ascites, renal insufficiency, and severe encephalopathy and he underwent orthotopic liver transplantation, followed by disappearance of all signs of portal hypertension. This case highlights the need to take a careful history of consumption of vitamin A when evaluating a patient with liver failure.

Placental infection with human papillomavirus is associated with spontaneous preterm delivery.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine if human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of extravillous trophoblast cells reduces cell invasion and if placental infection is associated with adverse reproductive outcomes attributed to placental dysfunction. METHODS: We conducted apoptosis and invasion assays using extravillous trophoblast (HTR-8/SVneo) cells that were transfected with a plasmid (pAT-HPV-16) containing the entire HPV-16 genome. In order to associate HPV infection with reproductive outcomes, we conducted a case-control study to detect HPV DNA in the extravillous trophoblast region of placentas from cases of spontaneous preterm delivery, severe pre-eclampsia requiring delivery at <37 weeks and controls who delivered at term. RESULTS: Rates of apoptosis were 3- to 6-fold greater in transfected cells than in non-transfected cells or cells transfected with an empty plasmid. Invasion of transfected cells through extracellular matrices was 25-58% lower than that of the controls. HPV was detected more frequently in placentas from spontaneous preterm deliveries than in placentas from controls (P = 0.03). Identification of HPV in placentas from cases of pre-eclampsia was not significantly different to controls. CONCLUSIONS: HPV infection of extravillous trophoblast induces cell death and may reduce placental invasion into the uterine wall. Thus, HPV infection may cause placental dysfunction and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including spontaneous preterm delivery.

[Diagnosis and satisfactory surgical treatment of a jejunal stromal tumor]. / Diagnóstico y tratamiento quirúrgico satisfactorio de un tumor estromal del yeyuno.

GIST is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. The discovery of KIT proto-oncogene mutations in the pathogenesis of this tumor, and the development of imatinib mesylate, a specific inhibitor of KIT tyrosine kinase function have revolutionized the treatment of GIST. We present the clinical case of a patient with an upper digestive bleeding secondary to a jejunal GIST. Therapeutic options are highlighted.

Intraoperative Portal Vein Flow > 123 mL/min Per 100 g Predicts a Better Survival of Patients After Liver Transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the importance of intraoperative portal vein flow measurement during liver transplantation in relation to postoperative complications and graft and patient survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review including 291 patients who had all the information and covering a period of 10 years (2007-2017). Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, a cut-off point that would have the greatest impact on the probability of being alive at 5 years was established. In relation to this value, 2 groups were formed (low and high flow) and demographic variables, intraoperative variables, postoperative complications, and graft and patient survival were compared. RESULTS: A portal flow of 123 mL/min per100 g of liver tissue was established (area under the curve = 0.58), obtaining a low-flow (n = 129) and a high-flow group (n = 162). The 2 groups were similar in their preoperative characteristics, except for a higher proportion of preoperative ascites, a higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score and a lower weight of donors in the high-flow group. The arterial and portal flows were significantly higher in the high-flow group. In the postoperative period, the high-flow group presented a higher rate of ascites. The 5-year survival rate of patients was significantly higher in the high-flow group (76% vs 84%, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing liver transplantation with an intraoperative portal vein flow measurement >123 mL/min per 100 g present a greater 5-year survival rate.

TNF microsatellites polymorphism is associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Confirming evidence in northwestern Colombians.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the contribution of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) microsatellite (a to e) polymorphism to the genetic risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a northwestern Colombian population. METHODS: This was an association study in which 108 RA patients and 222 matched individuals were enrolled. HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 polymorphisms were evaluated to examine for linkage disequilibrium between these loci and TNF micro- satellites. Genotyping was performed using denaturing polyacrylamide gels and polymerase chain reaction-sequence techniques. RESULTS: By unconditional logistic regression analysis, the TNFa6 allele (OR=2.37, 95%CI 1.07-5.24) and the TNFb4 allele (OR=3.01, 95%CI 1.07-9.00) were observed to be associated with disease. These associations were independent of HLA-DR and HLA-DQ since linkage disequilibrium between HLA class II and TNF microsatellites was not observed. In addition, patients with the TNFa8 allele had a five times greater risk of developing extra-articular manifestations as compared to patients without this allele (OR=5.07, 95%CI 1.14-22.52), regardless of age and the duration of disease. Haplotype analysis disclosed a protective effect for TNFa7/b7/c1/d4/e3/-308G/-238G. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that the TNF locus exerts a primary influence on both susceptibility to and the severity of RA.