First Direct Measurement of

Type-I x-ray bursts can reveal the properties of an accreting neutron star system when compared with astrophysics model calculations. However, model results are sensitive to a handful of uncertain nuclear reaction rates, such as ^{22}Mg(α,p). We report the first direct measurement of ^{22}Mg(α,p), performed with the Active Target Time Projection Chamber. The corresponding astrophysical reaction rate is orders of magnitude larger than determined from a previous indirect measurement in a broad temperature range. Our new measurement suggests a less-compact neutron star in the source GS1826-24.

Human papillomavirus load in benign HPV-associated oral lesions from HIV/AIDS individuals.

BACKGROUND: Although HPV emerged as a crucial carcinogenic and prognostic biomarker in head and neck cancer, and considering the increase in HPV-associated oral lesions (HPV-OLs) in HIV individuals, molecular information about HPV-OLs is scarce; thus, our aim was to determine viral loads in HPV-OLs from HIV/AIDS individuals. METHODS: HIV/AIDS subjects with HPV-OL were included in this cross-sectional study. Following informed consent, biopsies were obtained. HPV detection and typing were carried out by PCR and sequencing (MY09/11, GP5+/6+). HPV-13 and HPV-32 loads were determined by a high-resolution melting assay. For statistical analysis, X2 , Fisher's exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied, using SPSS software (v.23). RESULTS: Twenty-nine HIV subjects (median age 38 years, 93% males) were included. Most were AIDS individuals (72.4%) under HAART (89.7%). Twenty-two (75.9%) participants had more than one HPV-OL (four with florid presentations), mostly multifocal epithelial hyperplasia (62%), being HPV-13 (26%) and HPV-32 (31%) the most frequent types. HPV load was higher in individuals with multiple HPV-OLs than in solitary lesions (4.9 vs. 3.2 Log10 copies/ml, p = .090) and in HPV-32+ than in HPV-13+ (8.3 vs. 6.4 Log10 copies/ml, p = .014). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple HPV-OLs showed high HPV loads, possibly indicating transcriptional activity of the virus; however, in the HIV setting, the individual and local immunological response could be the key process.

Effect of estradiol cypionate and GnRH treatment on plasma estradiol-17ß concentrations, synchronization of ovulation and on pregnancy rates in suckled beef cows treated with FTAI-based protocols.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of different ovulation inducers on E-17ß plasma concentrations, synchronized ovulations and pregnancy rates. In Experiment 1, cows received a progesterone intravaginal device (PID) with 1 g of progesterone (P4) plus 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) (day 0). At PID removal (day 8), cows received 0.150 mg of D-cloprostenol and were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (n = 10/treatment): Group ECP: 1 mg of estradiol cypionate at PID removal, Group EB: 1 mg of EB 24 hr after PID removal, Group GnRH: 10 µg of GnRH 48 hr after PID removal, Group ECP-GnRH: 1 mg of ECP at PID removal plus 10 µg of GnRH 48 hr later. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed to detect the dominant follicle and ovulation. GnRH-treated cows ovulated later (p < .05) compared to ECP- and ECP+GnRH-treated cows. There were effects of treatment, time and their interaction on E-17ß concentrations (p < .05). ECP treatment affected plasma E-17ß concentration, which increased earlier and decreased later compared to treatments without ECP. In Experiment 2, cows received (i) ECP: n = 126; (ii) EB: n = 126; (iii) GnRH: n = 136; (iv) ECP+GnRH: n = 139; FTAI was performed 48-50 hr after PID removal. Pregnancy rates did not differ among ovulation inducers (p > .05; ECP: 54.0%, 68/126; EB: 49.2%, 62/126; GnRH: 40.4%, 55/136; ECP+GnRH: 43.9%, 61/139). In conclusion, ECP administration (ECP and ECP+GnRH treatments) affected E-17ß concentrations, determining its earlier increase and later decrease compared to treatments without ECP (EB and GnRH treatments). ECP+GnRH-treated cows achieved the best distribution of ovulations without affecting pregnancy rates.

Experimental and simulation studies of unusual current blockade induced by translocation of small oxidized PEG through a single nanopore.

Detection of a single macromolecule based on the use of artificial nanopores is an attractive and promising field of research. In this work, we report a device based on a 5 nm single nanopore with a high length/diameter ratio, tailored by the track etching and atomic layer deposition techniques. The translocation of neutral polyethylene glycol (PEG) and charged polyethylene glycol-carboxylate (PEG-carboxylate) molecules of low molar masses (200 and 600 g mol(-1)) through this nanodevice was studied. It was shown that charged PEG-carboxylate molecules, which permeate through the pore, promote an unusual blockade of ionic current whereas the neutral PEG molecules do not show such behaviour. The molecular dynamics simulation shows that both neutral and charged PEGs permeate through the nanopore close to its inner surface. The main difference between the two macromolecules is the existence of a structured shell of cations around the charged PEG, which is likely to cause the observed unusual current blockade.

Possible effects of different types of agricultural wastes on food security and mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) production.

One of the new waters, and environmentally friendly agriculture initiatives in Peru is to encourage the utilization of agricultural waste, because low agricultural output is a threat to food security there. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of harvest residues on the basidiocarp production of the fungus Pleurotus Ostreatus, in Acobamba-Huancavelica. The trial had a completely randomized design, and the treatments included T1, barley stubbles; T2, wheat stubbles; T3, pea stubbles; T4, broad bean stubbles; and T5, quinoa stubbles. The research was quantitative in nature, taking the form of an experiment with an applied, explanatory level of design. The recorded data was tabulated and analyzed with analysis of variance, as well as Tukey's test (α:0.05), for which the statistical software Infostat was used. The results are presented in tables and graphs for a better interpretation. As main results, it was obtained that the time (colonization), diameter (stem, pileus), length (stem) and weight (basidiocarps), present statistical differences between treatments showing significant enhancement in all parameters. Despite a numerical difference, a Tukey average comparison test revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the averages for the variable time for fungus colonisation, suggesting that the treatment T5 in which quinoa substrate showed the greatest average. Treatment T4 in which broad bean stubbles were used gave the most low-average. In conclusion, increment in all parámeters were noted in all treatment of Pleurotus basidiocarps ostreatus under Acobamba conditions.

Recent and historical developments in chelated fertilizers as plant nutritional sources, their usage efficiency, and application methods.

Chelates are nutrient-rich compounds that enhance the condition of plant tissues as micronutrients. Micronutrient deficiencies particularly iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) leads to various problems for plant including chlorosis and necrosis etc. An adequate intake of Fe and Zn etc. is required by the human body. Biofortification of cereals with Fe and Zn is seen as a cost-effective solution to the problem of Fe and Zn deficiencies as well. In recent decades, many chelating compounds have been established and incorporated into agricultural systems. The most recent formulation involves the use of amino acids synthesized with one or more nutrient ions to improve fertilizer efficiency and better respond to environmental conservation. In addition to its primary function as a source of micronutrients, aminochelled are an active nitrogen (N) stimulant in plant nutrition, preventing the negative effects of basic N fertilizers like urea. The use of amino chelates, rather than just chemical fertilizers, has been shown to provide better production and quality as well as higher nutritional concentrations in several experiments. Furthermore, this review sheds light on various aspects of amino chelates fertilizers including types, history, and their effects on agricultural crops. In spite of amino chelates fast dominance in many countries' fertilizer countries, there is not enough scientific data and knowledge on the specific reactions of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses from amino fertilizers.

Removal of emerging pollutants by a 3-step system: Hybrid digester, vertical flow constructed wetland and photodegradation post-treatments.

The removal of emerging pollutants from municipal wastewater was studied for the first time using a three-step pilot-scale system: 1) hybrid digester (HD) as first step, 2) subsurface vertical flow constructed wetland (VF) as second step, and 3) photodegradation (PD) unit as third step or post-treatment. The HD and VF units were built and operated in series with effluent recirculation at pilot scale. For the PD post-treatment, three alternatives were studied at lab-scale, i) UVC irradiation at 254 nm (0.5 h exposure time), ii) UVA irradiation at 365 nm using a TiO2-based photocatalyst and iii) sunlight irradiation using a TiO2-based photocatalyst, the last two for 1 and 2 h. Alternative iii) was also tested at pilot-scale. Degradation of nine compounds was evaluated: acetaminophen (ACE), caffeine (CAF), carbamazepine (CBZ), ketoprofen (KET), ibuprofen (IBU), diclofenac (DCL), clofibric acid (ACB), bisphenol A (BPA), and sotalol (SOT). Overall, the HD-VF-UVC system completely removed (>99.5 %) ACE, CAF, KET, IBU, DCL and ACB, and to a lesser extent SOT (98 %), BPA (83 %) and CBZ (51 %). On the other hand, the HD-VF-UVA/TiO2 system (at 2 h) achieved >99.5 % removal of ACE, CAF, KET, IBU and DCL while ACB, BPA, CBZ and SOT were degraded by 83 %, 81 %, 78 % and 68 %, respectively. Working also at 2 h of exposure time, in summer conditions, the HD-VF-Sol/TiO2 system achieved >99.5 % removal of ACE, CAF, KET, IBU, DCL and ACB, and to a minor extent BPA (80 %), SOT (74 %) and CBZ (69 %). Similar results, although slightly lower for SOT (60 %) and CBZ (59 %), were obtained in the pilot sunlight plus TiO2 catalyst unit. However, the use of sunlight irradiation with a TiO2-based photocatalyst clearly showed lower removal efficiency in autumn conditions (i.e., 47 % SOT, 31 % CBZ).

Time for radioimmunotherapy: an overview to bring improvements in clinical practice.

Harnessing the patient's own immune system against an established cancer has proven to be a successful strategy. Within the last years, several antibodies blocking critical "checkpoints" that control the activation of T cells, the immune cells able to kill cancer cells, have been approved for the use in patients with different tumours. Unfortunately, these cases remain a minority. Over the last years, radiotherapy has been reported as a means to turn a patient's own tumour into an in situ vaccine and generate anti-tumour T cells in patients who lack sufficient anti-tumour immunity. Indeed, review data show that the strategy of blocking multiple selected immune inhibitory targets in combination with radiotherapy has the potential to unleash powerful anti-tumour responses and improve the outcome of metastatic solid tumours. Here, we review the principal tumours where research in this field has led to new knowledge and where radioimmunotherapy becomes a reality.

Hepatitis C virus core protein up-regulates anergy-related genes and a new set of genes, which affects T cell homeostasis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the main cause for chronic hepatitis, leading to cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma. Virally induced immune dysfunction has been called as the cause for viral persistence. Previous results demonstrate that CD4 Jurkat cells stably expressing the HCV core protein show an increased activation of NFAT transcription factor and an impaired IL-2 promoter activity, affecting intracellular signaling pathways in a manner that mimics clonal anergy. We had shown previously that NFAT activates a transcriptional program, ensuing in immunological tolerance. In the present work, we have engineered lentiviral vectors expressing the HCV core to analyze the events, which unfold in the initial phase of HCV core-induced anergy. We show that genes initially described to be up-regulated by ionomycin-induced anergy in mice are also up-regulated in humans, not only by ionomycin but also by HCV core expression. We also show that HCV core is sufficient to cause NFAT nuclear translocation and a slow-down in cell-cycle progression, and using whole genome microarrays, we identify novel genes up-regulated in Jurkat cells expressing HCV core. The relevance of our results is highlighted by the presence of HCV in CD4 T cells from HCV chronically infected patients.

Genetic analysis of signal peptides in amphibian antimicrobial secretions.

Amphibian secretion is an important source of bioactive molecules that naturally protect the skin against noxious microorganisms. Collectively called antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), these molecules have a wide spectrum of action, targeting viruses, bacteria and fungi. Like many membrane and secreted proteins, AMPs have cleavable signal sequences that mediate and translocate the nascent polypeptide chains into the endoplasmic reticulum. Although it is accepted that the signal peptides (SPs) are simple and interchangeable, there is neither sequence nor structure that is conserved among all gene families. They derived from a common ancestor but developed different traits as they adapt to distinct environmental pressures. The aim of this study was to provide anoverview of the diversity of SPs of the frog, taking into account reported cDNA sequences and the evolutionary relationship among them. We analysed more than 2000 records that reported the relative abundance, diversity and evolutionary divergence based on the peptide signals of frog AMPs. We conclude that the physical properties of the sequence are more important than the specific peptidesin AMP SPs. Since there is significant overlapping among related genera, differences in secretion from different peptide types should be regulated by additional levels, such as posttranscriptional modifications or 5-UTR sequences.

Comparison of RR-interval scaling exponents derived from long and short segments at different wake periods.

Heartbeat fluctuations show fractal-like correlations that are associated with highly adaptive cardiovascular regulatory systems. Moreover, the short-range fractal or scaling exponent alpha(1) extracted from these correlations has been found to be a predictor of mortality for subjects with an impaired left ventricular function. In general, the RR-interval data required for this analysis are derived from long-term ECG recordings during free-running conditions. Yet short-term recordings are more likely to be obtained in some practical circumstances, so becoming relevant to assess the possibility of obtaining representative alpha(1) exponents from these recordings. Here, we compare the alpha(1) exponents extracted from the RR-interval series (9:00 AM-6:00 PM) of 51 healthy adults in normal sinus rhythm and the alpha(1) calculated from three shorted segments of only 700 beats obtained from the same series at 9:00 AM, 1:30 PM and 5:00 PM. We found no significant differences between the scaling exponents derived from the whole 9 h series and the short segments at 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, but did find significant differences when comparing the whole series with the short segment at 1:30 PM. Thus, only if the time of day is taken into consideration can short segments of heartbeat fluctuation data be used to obtain representative alpha(1) exponents.

Pruebas monoaurales de habla de baja redundancia: Evaluación de la separación/cierre monoaural

Resumen La separación y el cierre monoaural son mecanismos del procesamiento auditivo que permiten mantener interacciones comunicativas significativas en ambientes reales, con condiciones acústicas adversas, ruido competitivo e interlocutores no ideales. Estas habilidades dependen de la redundancia intrínseca, que está determinada por las estructuras y fisiología del sistema nervioso auditivo central, y de la redundancia extrínseca, que está determinada por las pistas acústicas, lingüísticas y contextuales de la señal auditiva. Estos procesos se han evaluado a través de distintas formas de degradación de la redundancia extrínseca, dando origen a tres categorías de prueba: pruebas de habla filtrada de pasa baja, pruebas de habla en ruido y pruebas de habla de tiempo comprimido. Últimamente, se han popularizado las pruebas de habla en ruido, sin embargo, las tres categorías cuentan con documentación que avalan su utilidad, se encuentran disponi-bles en español y es posible aplicarlas tanto en niños como en adultos. A pesar de que algunas cuentan con valores normativos establecidos, es necesario interpretar los resultados considerando su validez ecológica y algunas variables como escolaridad, nivel socio-económico y otros determinantes sociales de la salud que podrían influenciar el rendimiento.

Abstract Monaural separation and closure are auditory processing mechanisms that allow to maintain significant communicative interactions in real environments, with adverse acoustic conditions, competitive noise and non-ideal speakers. These skills depend on intrinsic redundancy, which is determined by the structures and physiology of the central auditory nervous system, and extrinsic redundancy, which is determined by the acoustic, linguistic and contextual cues of the auditory signal. These processes have been assessed through different forms of degradation of extrinsic redundancy, giving rise to three test categories: low-pass filtered speech tests, speech in noise tests and time-compressed speech tests. Speech in noise tests have become popular in recent years, however, all three categories have documentation to support their usefulness, are available in Spanish and can be applied to both children and adults. Although some have established normative values, it is necessary to interpret the results considering their ecological validity and some variables such as schooling, socioeconomic status and other social determinants of health that could influence performance.

Results of initial lymph node biopsy in homosexual men with generalized lymphadenopathy.

Persistent, generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) is considered part of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex. The clinical course is usually benign, although some patients may evolve to AIDS. Characteristic features on lymph node biopsy have been described. Recently, large series of PGL have been reported in which many study patients have not undergone initial diagnostic biopsy. The value of such biopsy has been questioned. We report the clinical, pathologic, and laboratory findings in six homosexual men initially considered as potential candidates for study of the natural history of PGL. They were excluded by initial lymph node biopsy, which revealed small-cleaved lymphoma in two, focal Kaposi's sarcoma in two, disseminated mycobacterium tuberculosis in one, and histoplasma encapsulatum in one. The clinical and laboratory data from these six patients were compared with those from 34 patients with biopsy-proven PGL; no statistically significant difference in any prebiopsy clinical parameter was found. We conclude that initial lymph node biopsy may reveal changes other than reactive hyperplasia in homosexual men with generalized lymphadenopathy.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III associated disorders. The spectrum in the heterosexual population.

Eleven heterosexual patients (nine women, two men) without classic risk factors for development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were seen between March 1983, and April 1985, and diagnosed as having AIDS (four), persistent, generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) (four), or asymptomatic human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) carrier state (three). The clinical presentations and course of those with AIDS or PGL were similar to those reported in homosexual men with AIDS or PGL, with reversed T4/T8 ratio, and the presence of antibody to HTLV-III. Asymptomatic carriers had normal T4/T8 ratios, had an absence of HTLV-III antibodies, but had HTLV-III virus cultured from blood. We conclude that the heterosexual population, with or without history of sexual exposure to individuals at risk for AIDS, may develop a wide range of clinical manifestations secondary to HTLV-III, varying from AIDS to the asymptomatic carrier state.

Incidence of localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (chiclero's ulcer) in Mexico.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Mexico was first described in 1912. Since then, its existence has been repeatedly confirmed in the forest regions of the peninsula of Yucatan. In order to obtain reliable knowledge about the magnitude of this problem, we questioned and skin-tested a sample of 449 persons randomly selected from men aged 15-45 years. We found a positivity rate of 24 to 90% (mean 43%) in the seven rural health posts studied. Furthermore, 72 patients were examined between January and December 1987 by parasitological investigation (smear, isolation, culture and/or biopsy) and the Montenegro skin test; 56 had acquired the disease in 1987. Based on these data, we found an annual incidence rate of 508 per 100,000 inhabitants. Further long-term studies are indicated to determine the incidence and prevalence rates for this disease in other parts of the country.

Production of a positive direct antiglobulin test due to suramin.

Drugs and chemicals containing multiple reactive carbonyl groups have been postulated to produce nonimmunologic positive direct antiglobulin tests (DATs) both in vitro and in vivo. Suramin sodium, a reverse transcriptase inhibitor that was under investigation as a potential treatment for human immunodeficiency virus infection, has six reactive carbonyl groups. Because of suramin's chemical structure, it was hypothesized that the drug might cause a positive DAT in vitro and possibly in vivo. Suramin was found to produce a positive DAT in vitro at concentrations of 2100 mg/L or greater but did not cause a positive DAT in five patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who were treated with suramin, probably because the serum levels of suramin were too low in these patients (peak therapeutic blood levels ranged from 171 to 443 mg/L).

Copper Resistance and Accumulation in the Zygomycete Mucor rouxii

Two copper-resistant (Copr) mutants, strains P1 and P3, were obtained from the dimorphic fungus Mucor rouxii. They were characterized as to their ability to take up copper in a growth medium supplemented with this metal ion. Detection of copper by linear sweep striping voltammetry in cell walls and in the cell wall-free fraction of disrupted cells revealed a higher content of the metal in both mutant fractions, as compared with those of the copper-sensitive (Cops) parental strain. Copper binding by M. rouxii growing cells was also studied through the use of a cytochemical method based on the compounds neocuproine (NCP) and sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC). This method indicated that the P1 Copr strain accumulated more metal than the parental Cops strain, both on the cellular surface and in the intracellular milieu.

Correlation between T.S.P., F.S.P. and visibility in a high altitude city (Mexico City).

the metropolitan area of Mexico City is located in a high altitude basin (2 240 m above sea level) at a latitude of 19 degrees 26'13" North. It has a population of 15 million inhabitants, and the motor vehicles cruising in the city amount to 1.5 million and around 21% of the total industrial activity of the country is sited in the metropolitan area. All this activity has created an acute air pollution problem in the area which, as a direct result, has resulted in decreased visibility and possible health effects.

[LIVER ORTHOTOPIC TRANSPLANTATION IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS WITH VENO-VENOUS BYPASS PUMP HOSPITAL NACIONAL EDGARDO REBAGLIATI MARTINS-HNERM- 09/1996 TO 07/1998] / Transplante Ortotópico de Hígado en animales de experimentación con bomba de bypass veno-venoso.Hospital Nacional Egardo Rebagliati Martins - HNERM.

This study was carried at at the Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, from September 1996 to July 1998. 61 surgical procedures were performed in experimental animals, 39 in dogs and 22 in pigs. During the anhepatic phase, we used veno-venous bypass with centrifugal pumps and without systemic anticoagulation drugs in 6 animals, and passive venovenous bypass with systemic anticoagulation drugs in 8 animals. Experimental animals were sacrified two hours after the procedures were concluded in order to assess the status of vascular anastomosis and thrombus formation.

[Percutaneous drainage of amebic hepatic abscess by guided ultraound. Preliminary results]. / Drenaje percutáneo de absceso hepático amibiano guiado por medio de ultrasonido. Resultados preliminares.

Amebic hepatic abscess (AHA) is the most frequent extraintestinal complication of amebiasis. Over time, its treatment has gone through some changes and at present is based on amebicides and in some cases, percutaneous drainage. The objective of this work is to present our experience with percutaneous drainage by means of guided ultrasound in patients with AHA. In this work, we include 170 patients admitted to the Gastroenterology Unit of the Hospital General de Zona No. 1, (IMSS) in Mexico City during a period of eight years (1990-1997). These cases included the following criteria: Failure to medical therapy, AHA of liquid matter greater than 5 cm determined by ultrasound; risk of rupture, prolonged incapacity with no data of toxico-infection, accessible drainage route; availability of operating room before risk of complication, and normal coagulation tests. A modified Seldinger's technique was utilized. A single punction was carried out in 131 patients, who had only one abscess. Thirty-nine patients required a second evacuation on presenting two abscesses, and in four cases, a third evacuation was required due to the presence of three or more abscesses. Only one case required an urgent surgical procedure due to abscess rupture to pleura. Five patients suffered complications, including the latter. The remaining four patients had a spontaneous resolution. All patients were released during the 24 hours following surgery, and no patient required hospitalization. For this reason, this can be considered a procedure that in the expert hands of interventionist radiologists, has less morbidity. This work will be carried out to 10 years.