A novel genetic engineering platform for the effective management of biological contaminants for the production of microalgae.

Microalgal cultivation that takes advantage of solar energy is one of the most cost-effective systems for the biotechnological production of biofuels, and a range of high value products, including pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and feed. However, one of the main constraints for the cultivation of microalgae is the potential contamination with biological pollutants, such as bacteria, fungi, zooplankton or other undesirable microalgae. In closed bioreactors, the control of contamination requires the sterilization of the media, containers and all materials, which increases the cost of production, whereas open pond systems severely limits the number of species that can be cultivated under extreme environmental conditions to prevent contaminations. Here, we report the metabolic engineering of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to use phosphite as its sole phosphorus source by expressing the ptxD gene from Pseudomonas stutzeri WM88, which encodes a phosphite oxidoreductase able to oxidize phosphite into phosphate using NAD as a cofactor. Engineered C. reinhardtii lines are capable of becoming the dominant species in a mixed culture when fertilized with phosphite as a sole phosphorus source. Our results represent a new platform for the production of microalgae, potentially useful for both closed photobioreactors and open pond systems without the need for using sterile conditions nor antibiotics or herbicides to prevent contamination with biological pollutants.

Right atrial indexed volume in healthy adult population: reference values for two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiographic measurements.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines do not recommend routine assessment of right atrial volume due to the lack of standardized data. Three-dimensional wall-motion tracking (3D-WMT) is a new technology that allows us to calculate volumes without any geometric assumptions. The aim of this study was to define the indexed reference values for two-dimensional echocardiography (2D-echo) and 3D-WMT in adult healthy population and to assess the intermethod, intra- and interobserver agreement. METHODS: Prospective study. Nonselected healthy subjects were enrolled. Every patient underwent a 2D-echo and a 3D-WMT examination. 2D-echo right atrial volume was obtained by using the area-length method (A-L) from four- and two-chamber view. 3D-echo volumes were assessed by 3D-WMT. Values were indexed by the patient's body surface area. RESULTS: Sixty consecutive healthy subjects were enrolled. Mean age was 57 ± 12-years old and 27 patients (45%) were male. Average indexed right atrial volume obtained by 2D-echo and 3D-echo was 16.76 ± 8.15 mL/m(2) and 19.05 ± 6.87 mL/m(2) , respectively. Univariate linear regression analysis between 2D-echo and 3D-echo right atrial volumes shows a weak correlation between right atrial volume obtained with 2D-echo compared with 3D-WMT (r = 0.29, CI 95% 0.029-0.66, P = 0.033). The agreement analysis shows a similar result (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.28). The intra- and interobserver agreement analysis showed a better agreement when using 3D-WMT. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that reports the reference indexed right atrial volume values by means of 2D-echo and 3D-echo in healthy population. 3D-WMT is a feasible and reproducible method to determine right atrial volume.

Indirect organogenesis for high frequency shoot regeneration of two cultivars of Sansevieria trifasciata Prain differing in fiber production.

Sansevieria trifasciata is used as an indoor plant, in traditional medicine and as a fiber source. Here we characterized fibers of two of varieties of S. trifasciata, Lorentii and Hahnii, and report a protocol for their propagation based on indirect shoot organogenesis. Structural and ribbon fibers were scattered within leaf parenchyma when viewed with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Chemical analysis of the fibers by mass spectrometry and high-performance chromatography revealed higher contents of cellulose and xylose in Lorentii than in Hahnii and significant differences for total lignin between both. A protocol for de novo shoot production was then developed using leaf explants. Time-course histological analyses showed that the first events of transdifferentiation were triggered preferentially in cells surrounding fibers and vascular bundles. Callogenesis and shoot performances were quantified for both varieties, and 2,4-D at 2 and 3 mg·L-1 yielded the best results for primary calli induction and fresh calli mass. The length, number, and mass of shoots produced did not differ significantly between the two cultivars. The fast morphogenic response of S. trifasciata to in vitro culture may be useful for mass propagation or other biotechnological purposes such as metabolite production.

Asymptomatic aortic stenosis in a geriatric population. The role of frailty and comorbidity in mortality.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The prognosis of asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) has not been widely documented in elderly patients who are frequently frail and have comorbidities. We sought to analyze the factors that influence early mortality in geriatric patients with asymptomatic severe AS. METHODS: This ambispective cohort study included 104 patients aged 70 years or older with asymptomatic severe AS. Epidemiological, geriatric, clinical and echocardiographic variables were collected and compared between frail and nonfrail patients. During follow-up, the time from diagnosis to mortality and the causes of death were recorded. RESULTS: Overall, 59.6% of the patients were frail. During follow-up, 69.4% of the frail patients died, with a median time to mortality of 2.52 years (95%CI, 1.36-3.69). The overall 1-year survival rate in frail patients was 76%. On multivariate analysis, age (HR, 2.47; 95%CI, 1.00-6.12), a Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 5 (HR, 3.75; 95%CI, 1.47-9.52) and frailty (HR, 6.67; 95%CI, 1.43-9.52) were independently related to mortality. In total, 8.7% of the patients had a Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 5, and all these patients died during follow-up, with a median survival of 1.01 years (95%CI, 0.36-1.67). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the Charlson index was 0.739 (95%CI, 0.646-0.832). In this population, values ≥ 5 showed high specificity (100%) but low sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of frailty was present in geriatric patients with asymptomatic severe AS. Age, a Charlson index ≥ 5 and frailty were independent factors for mortality, conferring an unfavorable short-term prognosis.

The use of fatty acid methyl esters as biomarkers to determine aerobic, facultatively aerobic and anaerobic communities in wastewater treatment systems.

The use of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) as biomarkers to identify groups of microorganisms was studied. A database was constructed using previously published results that identify FAME biomarkers for aerobic, anaerobic and facultatively aerobic bacteria. FAME profiles obtained from pure cultures were utilized to confirm the predicted presence of biomarkers. Principal component analysis demonstrated that the FAME profiles can be used to determine the incidence of these bacterial groups. The presence of aerobic, anaerobic and facultatively aerobic bacteria in the communities, in four bioreactors being used to treat different wastewaters, was investigated by applying FAME biomarkers.

Impaired right and left ventricular mechanics in adults with pulmonary hypertension and congenital shunts.

AIMS: To assess left ventricle mechanics in Eisenmenger physiology patients with congenital shunts, and their relationship with the right ventricle, and to consider the clinical usefulness of this information. METHODS: The study involved 28 patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) and congenital shunt, matched with 28 healthy participants. Standard echocardiography and pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging were employed to analyze systolic and diastolic ventricular function, the myocardial performance index (MPI) of ventricles, and the strain and strain rate along the left ventricle lateral wall, septum, and right ventricle free wall. RESULTS: The left ventricle ejection fraction was similar in the two groups. However, despite normal standard left ventricle measures, patients presented parameters of defective myocardial mechanics: mitral peak systolic velocity (S') (cm/s) (8.6 (7.6-10.9) vs. 10.7 (8.6-12.5); P = 0.002) was higher, whereas left ventricle-MPI was lower (0.54 ±â€Š01 vs. 0.32 ±â€Š0.07, P < 0.001). Right ventricle-MPI and right ventricle global strain were correlated significantly with left ventricle-MPI and left ventricle global strain (r = 0.74, P < 0.001; r = 0.442, P < 0.001, respectively). Clinically, the six-minute walking test results were correlated negatively with left ventricle-MPI (r = -0.69, P < 0.001), whereas the functional class was positively correlated (r = 0.36, P < 0.001). In conclusion, left ventricle mechanics and geometry are impaired in Eisenmenger syndrome patients, although conventional evaluation is in the normal range. Our results highlight the significance of ventricular interdependence in PAH and provide a useful tool for improving the clinical management of these patients.

Phosphite cannot be used as a phosphorus source but is non-toxic for microalgae.

Phosphorous (P) plays a critical role for all living organisms as a structural component of RNA, DNA and phospholipids. Microalgae are autotrophs organisms that have been reported to only assimilate the fully oxidized phosphate (Pi) as P source. However, there are microorganisms capable of utilizing P reduced compounds (i.e. phosphite (Phi) and hypophosphite) as a sole P source, such as bacteria and cyanobacteria. In this study, we evaluated whether microalgae, such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Botryococcus braunii and Ettlia oleoabundans, are capable of using Phi as a sole P source. Our studies revealed that these three microalgae are unable to use Phi as a sole P source. We also found that when Phi is present at concentrations equal or higher than that of Pi, Phi has an inhibitory effect on C. reinhardtii growth. However, since C. reinhardtii was able to survive for a long period of cultivation in the presence of high concentrations of Phi and to recover cell division capacity after transfer to media containing Pi, we noticed that Phi is not toxic for this microalga. We propose that the inhibitory effect of Phi on C. reinhardtii growth might be caused, at least in part, by a competition between the transport of Pi and Phi.

Aerobic degradation of the azo dye acid red 151 in a sequencing batch biofilter.

The azo dye acid red 151 (AR151) was aerobically biodegraded in a sequencing batch biofilter packed with a porous volcanic rock. AR151 was used as the sole source of carbon and energy for acclimated microorganisms. Acclimation was followed using the degradation time and the oxygen uptake rate. A maximal oxygen uptake rate of 0.5 mg O(2)/(lmin) was obtained. Mineralization studies showed that 73% (as carbon) of the initial azo dye was transformed to CO(2) by the consortia. A maximal substrate degradation rate of 247 mg AR151/(l(reactor)d) was obtained. Color removal was up to 99% using an initial concentration of 50 mg AR151/l. Anaerobic tests suggested that in the interior of the porous material, anaerobic biotransformations can occur, contributing from 14% to 16% of the decoloration of the azo dye.

[Diet and exercise influence on the proteomic profile of an athlete population]. / Influencia de la dieta y el ejercicio en el perfil proteómico de una poblacion deportista.

INTRODUCTION: Nutrition has emerged as a fundamental tool included in the training program of athletes. Body composition seeks different objectives depending on type of sport, position, or time of the season. Furthermore, analysis proteomics allows us to know the structure and function of proteins. AIMS: To study, using proteomics, the influence of two different diets on the anthropometric profile in a rugby players group. METHODS: It is a prospective and interventionist study. Thirty-two rugby players were included. Two groups were defined, one followed proteic diet (PD) and, the other group subscribed the Mediterranean diet (MD). All participants were evaluated anthropometrically at the beginning and after six months. A blood sample was taken to twenty -two players, half of each group, used for the proteomic analysis. RESULTS: MD highlight more benefit for these athletes. Two groups were defined based on their anthropometric behavior, G1 and G2. The proteomic analysis related significantly some TGF-family mediators with these groups. CONCLUSIONS: MD improves the muscular mass without increasing the total body weight, so this data could be determinant to define profiles for athletes. Some TGF-members could be implicated in the adipose tissue and muscular mass balance.

Introducción: La nutrición se ha erigido como una herramienta fundamental incluida en el programa de entrenamiento de los deportistas. La composición corporal persigue diferentes objetivos según el deporte, la posición o momento de la temporada. Por otro lado, la proteómica permite analizar la estructura y función de las proteínas. Objetivos: Estudiar, utilizando la proteómica, la influencia de dos dietas diferentes sobre el perfil antropométrico en un grupo de jugadores de rugby. Metodos: Es un estudio prospectivo y de intervención. Treinta y dos jugadores de rugby fueron incluidos en el estudio. Se definieron dos grupos arbitrariamente, unos siguieron la dieta proteica (DP) y otros la dieta mediterránea (DM). A todos se les realizó una valoración antropométrica al inicio y tras seis meses de seguimiento. A 22 de estos pacientes, la mitad de cada grupo, se les tomo una muestra de sangre que se utilizó para el análisis proteómico. Resultados: La DM se destaca más beneficiosa para estos deportistas. Se definieron dos grupos en función de su comportamiento antropométrico, G1 and G2. En el análisis proteómico estos se relacionaron significativamente con varios mediadores de la familia TGF-. Conclusiones: La DM promociona el incremento de masa muscular sin incremento del peso total, ello podría ser determinante a la hora de definir los perfiles de los deportistas. Miembros de la familia TGF-podrían estar implicados en el balance de tejido adiposo y masa muscular.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with pulmonary hypertension in HIV-infected patients on regular follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is uncommon among HIV-positive patients. However, it is a potentially life-threatening condition. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a noninvasive tool validated for PAH screening. The aim of our study was to establish the prevalence and factors associated with PAH in HIV-infected patients. METHODS: Consecutive HIV-infected individuals attended at one HIV reference clinic in Madrid, Spain, during year 2011 were examined. Demographics and clinical data were recorded and a Doppler echocardiography was performed in all individuals. PAH was considered when right ventricular pressure was more than 35 mmHg (mild if <40 mmHg, moderate if 40-65 mmHg, and severe if >65 mmHg). RESULTS: Three hundred and ninety-two individuals were examined (83.4% men, median age 47 years, 53% were men who have sex with men and 53% former intravenous drug addicts). Overall, 84% were on HAART, 76% had undetectable HIV viral load and median CD4 cell counts were 577 cells/µl. Cardiovascular risk factors were smoking 50%, arterial hypertension 16% and diabetes mellitus 9%. A total of 28.5 and 4.8% had chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and 4.8% chronic hepatitis B, respectively. PAH was diagnosed in 9.9% of patients (6.4% mild, 2.8% moderate and 0.8% severe). Multivariate logistic regression analysis [odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI)] showed that detectable plasma HIV-RNA [OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.04-10], CHC [OR, 3.1; 95% CI 1.2-8.2] and female sex [OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.04-8.3] were independently associated with PAH. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PAH HIV-infected patients on regular follow-up approaches 10%, being moderate-severe in nearly 4% of cases. Patients with CHC and/or uncontrolled HIV replication exhibit a higher risk of PAH.

[Area strain: normal values for a new parameter in healthy people]. / Area strain: umbrales de normalidad de un nuevo parámetro en sujetos sanos.

The echocardiographic technology known as three-dimensional wall motion tracking offers three-dimensional images of the myocardium and provides multiple measures of deformation, one of which is known as "area strain" (AS), which combines left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential deformations. Our aim was to describe the normal maximum systolic reference AS value in a sample of healthy subjects. Sixty consecutive subjects without known cardiovascular risk factors or diseases were enrolled, and left ventricular AS was measured. Overall mean AS was -38.87 ± 5.89%. Mean values at the level of the basal, middle, and apical segments were -38.42 ± 7.58%, -38.74 ± 6.34%, and -43.18 ± 12.81%, respectively. Thus, our results show for the first time the reference values for AS in healthy subjects.

Functional mitral regurgitation after a first non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: contribution to congestive heart failure.

AIMS: Functional mitral regurgitation (MR) is a frequent complication after the acute phase of a myocardial infarction and plays an important role in the development of congestive heart failure (CHF) after a Q-wave myocardial infarction. Nevertheless, until now, the relevance of functional MR after a non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTSEACS) has been poorly addressed. Our aim was to assess the relationship between the presence or absence and the severity of functional MR after a first NSTSEACS and the development of CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-nine patients discharged from hospital in NYHA functional classes I and II (71.7% men; mean age 66.3 +/- 13.2 years) after a first NSTSEACS were studied. Every patient underwent an echocardiographic study during the first week after the index NSTSEACS and were clinically followed-up. MR was detected in 40.1% patients. Patients were followed-up for a median time of 418 days (inter-quartile range: 295-561). Six patients (3.6%) in the group without MR and 15 patients (13.4%) in the group with MR required hospitalization due to CHF during follow-up. Only MR was found as an independent predictor of CHF development (HR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.1-3.1; P = 0.02) and CHF development or cardiac death (HR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.3-3.3; P = 0.01) in the long-term follow-up multivariable Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSION: There is an increased risk for subsequent CHF in patients with MR after a first NSTSEACS. The risk of CHF is closely related to the MR presence and severity. Thus, the detection of MR by means of Doppler echocardiography after a first episode of NSTSEACS is crucial.

Prognostic significance of functional mitral regurgitation after a first non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

AIMS: The development of mitral regurgitation (MR) after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a recognized and frequent complication and its negative impact on survival has been observed. However, few data exist regarding MR after non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTSEACS). Our aim was to investigate the incidence, clinical predictors, and prognostic implications of MR in the setting of NSTSEACS. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 300 consecutive patients (71.7% men, mean age 66.9+/-13 years) admitted to our coronary care unit for an NSTSEACS. Every patient underwent an echocardiographic study during the first week after the index NSTSEACS and was clinically followed up. MR was detected in 42% (126 patients; 88 men, mean age 71.3+/-11 years). Mean follow-up was 425.6+/-194.8 days. Only age and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) were found as independent markers of the development of MR; no variable was found as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and only MR was found as an independent predictor of long-term outcome. CONCLUSION: MR is frequent after an NSTSEACS. Age and a low LV EF are factors associated to its development. The presence and degree of MR confer a worse long-term prognosis to patients after a first NSTSEACS. Thus, the presence of MR should be specifically assessed in every patient after an NSTSEACS.

Anticoagulación y fibrinolisis: revisión bibliográfica / Anticoagulación and fibrinolisis: bibliographical overhaul

Expone que los agentes anticoagulantes y trombolíticos pueden salvar la vida del paciente potencialmente si se utilizan de forma profiláctica o terapéutica en pacientes críticos. En la anticoagulación intervienen factores como: los llamados anticoagulantes fisiológicos y los inhibidores de los cofactores activados de la coagulación; y fármacos como: la heparina y los anticoagulantes orales. La fibrinolisis es un sistema encargado del mantenimiento de la integridad del aparato circulatorio mediante la eliminación de la red de fibrina, donde intervienen una serie de serin-proteasas que son activadores del plasminógeno. Enb la actualidad se dispone de los siguientes agentes trombolíticos: estreptocinasa (SK), complejo activador del plasminógeno no aislado/estreptocinasa (APSAC), urocinasa (UK), y activador del plasminógeno tisular recombinante (rt-PA)...

Tratamiento laparoscópico de la colecistitis aguda / laparoscópico Processing of the acute colecistitis

Presenta un estudio prospectivo realizado en el Hospital Clínica "Miguel H. Alcívar" de la ciudad de Guayaquil, desde ene.- a nov. 1996, se incluyen 30 pacientes con diagnóstico de Colecistitis Aguda en quines se realizó Colecistectomía laparoscópica. La edad promedio fue de 51 (22-89) años, 21 (70 por ciento) presentaban Colecistitis aguda, y 9 (30 por ciento) presentaron Colecistitis crónica en período de agudización. Esta patología fue más frecuente en el sexo femenino (26 pctes. 86 por ciento), 20 (66.5 por ciento) pacientes presentaron patologías asociadas, 11 (36 por ciento) pacientes presentaban antecedentes quirúrgicos en cavidad abdominal. El tiempo quirírgico fue de 66 (35-120) minutos promedio. en 4 pacientes (15 por ciento) se realizó la punción vesicular. Los problemas más comunes que se presentaron durante la cirugía fueron: pérdida neumoperitoneo, hemorragia, ruptura de vesícula, caída de cálculos, falla del instrumental. En 4 (13 por ciento) pacientes se realizó la ampliación de la incisión T2 para facilitar la extracción de la vesícula biliar. La conversión del procedimiento se realizó en 4 (13 por ciento) casos. La estadía hospitalaria fue en promedio de 1.7 (1-5) días...

Incidencia de sépsis nosocomial por estafilococo coagulasa negativo en el servicio de neonatología del Hospital Baca Ortíz

Se investigó el brote epidémico de infección por estafilococo coagulasa negativo en el servicio de Neonatología del Hospital Baca Ortíz de 1996 a 1997, de 295 pacientes ingresados 80 (27,12 por ciento) tuvieron hemocultivos positivos y de éstos únicamente 24 (8,13 por ciento) tuvieron 2 o más hemocultivos positivos y sintomatología, por lo que se considera a éstos como séptivos y a los 56 (18,98 por ciento) pacientes que tuvieron solamente bacteremia y/o contaminación por falta en la técnica de obtención del hemocultivo. El estafilococo coagulasa negativo presenta una alta resistencia a la penicilina, ampicilina, amoxicilina solas y sulfas-trimetropin que va de un 75 a 100 por ciento; un 52,5 por ciento de resistencia a la oxacilina...

Tratamiento laparoscópico de la colecistitis aguda

Este es un estudio prospectivo realizado en el Hospital Clínica Miguel H. Alcívar de Guayaquil en 1996, se incluyen 30 pacientes con diagnóstico de colecistitis aguda en quienes se realizó colecistectomía laparoscópica. La edad promedio fue de 51 (22-89) años, 21 (70 por ciento) presentaban colecistitis aguda, y 9 (30 por ciento) presentaron colecistitis crónica en período de agudización. Esta patología fue más frecuente en el sexo femenino (26 pctes, 86 por ciento), 20 (66.5 por ciento) pacientes presentaron patologías asociadas, 11 (36 por ciento) pacientes presentaban antecedentes quirúrgicos en cavidad abdominal. El tiempo quirúrgico fue de 66 (35-120) minutos promedio. En 4 pacientes (15 por ciento) se realizó la punción vesicular...