Adult Diaphorina citri Biocontrol Using Hirsutella citriformis Strains and Gum Formulations.

Hirsutella citriformis Speare is the only entomopathogenic fungus that has been applied to control the hemipteran Diaphorina citri Kuwayama. However, the use of available commercial products under field conditions is limited due to conidia's shelf life and short environmental persistence. We have previously reported the citrus psyllid D. citri adults' biocontrol potential using H. citriformis strains. The aim of the present study was to evaluate different formulations based on H. citriformis (OP-Hir-3, OP-Hir-10, and OP-Hir-12 strains) conidia and gums as additives to improve D. citri adults' biocontrol, under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions, using Hirsutella gums as conidia stabilizers to improve their viability under environmental drought conditions and as insecticide. Laboratory bioassay results showed that the highest (p < 0.05) D. citri mortality was achieved using FOP-Hir-10GH (63.5%), followed by the Hirsutella gum control (42.2%). Under greenhouse conditions, adults' mortality reached up to 84.6% with FOP-Hir-12 and 49.0% with Hirsutella gum. In addition, we applied H. citriformis formulations under field conditions in a commercial citrus grove located in Tecomán, Colima, México, at 21.5 °C and 73.3% relative humidity (RH) in March and 25.7 °C and 72.5% RH in October 2022 and observed 67.3% and 94.0% mortality of D. citri adults, respectively. Hirsutella gum alone showed significant insecticidal activity against D. citri adults. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that Hirsutella gum functioned as additive to H. citriformis conidia formulations, improving D. citri adults' mortality and showing potential for this pest biocontrol in citrus orchards.

Fecopneumothorax secondary to a late traumatic diaphragmatic injury

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernias were first described by Ambroise Paré in 1579, who reported the case of an artillery captain, that presented an intestinal perforation that had caused a diaphragmatic hernia (Bhatti and Dawani, 2015). The timely diagnosis of a traumatic diaphragmatic hernia can be a challenge, which requires extensive knowledge of the kinematics of trauma, as well as clinical and radiological evidence (Petrone et al., 2017). We present the case of a 60-year-old male who presented blunt abdominal trauma due to a traffic accident, causing an undetected diaphragmatic hernia in his initial evaluation; months after de incident goes to the emergency room (ER) with hemodynamic instability and septic shock. A diagnosis of complicated diaphragmatic hernia and fecopneumothorax is made, for which he undergoes surgery.

Takotsubo (stress cardiomyopathy) syndrome and inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion.

El Síndrome de Takotsubo es una disfunción ventricular aguda reversible en ausencia de obstrucción coronaria. Una mujer de 85 años de edad con antecedentes de reemplazo valvular aórtico transcatéter, ingresó por dos semanas de dolor severo por una cadera desplazada por osteosíntesis fallida. Mientras se programaba para cirugía, se documentó hiponatremia severa secundaria a secreción inapropiada de hormona antidiurética. Súbitamente desarrolló edema agudo pulmonar. El ecocardiograma confirmó una válvula protésica funcional y aquinesia medial y apical de las paredes del ventrículo izquierdo. Recibió tratamiento con ventilación mecánica no invasiva, restricción de líquidos y diuréticos. La hiponatremia y la cardiomiopatía resolvieron.Takotsubo syndrome is a form of acute reversible left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of coronary obstruction. An 85-year-old lady with a medical history of transcatheter aortic valve replacement was readmitted complaining of 2 weeks of severe pain by a displaced hip and failed osteosynthesis. While she was scheduled for hip surgery, severe hyponatremia secondary to inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion was documented, and sudden-onset pulmonary edema ensued. Echocardiography confirmed normally functioning aortic prosthetic valve and classical features of Takotsubo. She was treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation, water restriction, and diuretics. Hyponatremia and the cardiomyopathy resolved and the patient recovered completely.

Stability of bubble-like fluxons in disk-shaped Josephson junctions in the presence of a coaxial dipole current.

We investigate analytically and numerically the stability of bubble-like fluxons in disk-shaped heterogeneous Josephson junctions. Using ring solitons as a model of bubble fluxons in the two-dimensional sine-Gordon equation, we show that the insertion of coaxial dipole currents prevents their collapse. We characterize the onset of instability by introducing a single parameter that couples the radius of the bubble fluxon with the properties of the injected current. For different combinations of parameters, we report the formation of stable oscillating bubbles, the emergence of internal modes, and bubble breakup due to internal mode instability. We show that the critical germ depends on the ratio between its radius and the steepness of the wall separating the different phases in the system. If the steepness of the wall is increased (decreased), the critical radius decreases (increases). Our theoretical findings are in good agreement with numerical simulations.

Carrier-bound and carrier-free immobilization of type A feruloyl esterase from Aspergillus niger: Searching for an operationally stable heterogeneous biocatalyst for the synthesis of butyl hydroxycinnamates.

Feruloyl esterases synthesize butyl hydroxycinnamates, molecules possessing interesting biological properties, nonetheless, they exhibit a low stability under synthesis conditions in organic solvents, restricting its use. To enhance its operational stability in synthesis, we immobilized type A feruloyl esterase from Aspergillus niger (AnFAEA) using several carrier-bound and carrier-free strategies. The most active biocatalysts were: 1) AnFAEA immobilized on epoxy-activated carriers (protein load of 0.6 mgenzyme x mg-1carrier) that recovered 91 % of the initial hydrolytic activity, and 2) AnFAEA aggregated and cross-linked in the presence of 5 mg of BSA and 15 mM of glutaraldehyde (AnFAEA-amino-CLEAs), which exhibited 385 % of its initial hydrolytic activity; both using 4-nitrophenyl butyrate as substrate. The AnFAEA-amino-CLEAs were 12.7 times more thermostable at 60 °C than the AnFAEA immobilized on epoxy-activated carrier, thus AnFAEA-amino-CLEAs were selected for further characterization. Interestingly, during methyl sinapate hydrolysis (pH 7.2 and 30 °C), AnFAEA-amino-CLEAs KM was 15 % higher, while during butyl sinapate synthesis the KM was reduced in 63 %, both compared with the soluble enzyme. The direct esterification of butyl sinapate at solvent free conditions using sinapic acid 50 mM, reached 95 % conversion after 24 h employing AnFAEA-amino-CLEAs, which could be used for 10 cycles without significant activity losses, demonstrating their outstanding operational stability.

A novel disposable sensor for measure intra-abdominal pressure.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is realized with the Kron's method. However, this technique has drawbacks like an infusion of water into the bladder of the patient. OBJECTIVE: The prove a new novel disposable sensor in the way to measure the IAP (DSIAP) this one addresses some limitations of the Kron method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The DSIAP was tested in vitro and clinical settings. The proposed technique was compared with Kron's method through Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman analysis. For in vitro tests, 159 measurements were taken performed by simulating the IAP in the bladder. For the clinical test, 20 pairs of measurements were made in patients with routine IAP monitoring in the intensive care unit. RESULTS: In vitro measurements showed a strong correlation between the DSIAP and the reference (r = 0.99, p-value < 2.2 × 10-16). The bias and 95% confidence intervals were 0.135 and -0.821-1.091 cmH2O, respectively. Measurements in patients with DSIAP versus Kron's method shown a very good correlation (r = 0.973, p-value < 5.46 × 10-13), while the bias and confidence intervals were 0.018 and -3.461-3.496 mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the proposed DSIAP showed a profile similar to pressure transducers already in clinical use while overcoming some limitations of the former.

ANTECEDENTES: La medición de la presión intraabdominal (PIA) generalmente se realiza con el método de Kron, a pesar de presentar inconvenientes como la infusión de agua en la vejiga del paciente. OBJETIVO: Introducir un nuevo sensor desechable para medir la PIA (SDPIA) que aborda algunas limitaciones del método de Kron. MÉTODO: Se probó el SDPIA en pruebas in vitro y clínicas. La técnica se contrastó con el método de Kron empleando la correlación de Pearson y el análisis de Bland-Altman. Para las pruebas in vitro se realizaron 159 mediciones simulando la PIA en la vejiga. Para las pruebas clínicas se realizaron 20 mediciones en pacientes con monitorización rutinaria de la PIA en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. RESULTADOS: En las mediciones in vitro se encontró una alta correlación (r = 0.99; p < 2.2 × 10−16). El sesgo para la diferencia entre los dos métodos de medición fue de 0.135 cmH2O, con un intervalo de confianza del 95% de −0.821 a 1.091 cmH2O. En las mediciones clínicas también se encontró una alta correlación (r = 0.973; p < 5.46 × 10−13) para la diferencia entre los dos métodos de medición de 0.18, con un intervalo de confianza del 95% de −3.302 a 3.650 mmHg. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados sugieren que el SDPIA propuesto muestra un desempeño similar al de los transductores de presión actualmente en uso clínico, mientras sobrelleva algunas limitaciones de estos últimos.

Surveillance system for acute severe infections with epidemic potential based on a deterministic-stochastic model, the StochCum Method.

BACKGROUND: The dynamic interactions of severe infectious diseases with epidemic potential and their hosts are complex. Therefore, it remains uncertain if a sporadic zoonosis restricted to a certain area will become a global pandemic or something in between. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to present a surveillance system for acute severe infections with epidemic potential based on a deterministic-stochastic model, the StochCum Method. DESIGN: The StochCum Method is founded on clinical, administrative, and sociodemographic variables that provide a space/time map as a preventive warning of possible outbreaks of severe infections that can be complemented based on the sum of all the first accumulated cases. If the outbreak is happening in high-risk areas, an early warning can be elicited to activate the health response system and save time while waiting for the confirmation of symptomatic cases. RESULTS: The surveillance system was tested virtually for 1 month on admissions to the emergency room of a public hospital located in Mexico City, Mexico. It promptly identified simulated cases of acute respiratory infections with epidemic potential. CONCLUSIONS: The StochCum Method proved to be a practical and useful system for conducting epidemic surveillance on a hospital network.

Assessment of Carrot Callus as Biofactories of an Atherosclerosis Oral Vaccine Prototype.

Atherosclerosis is a pathology leading to cardiovascular diseases with high epidemiologic impact; thus, new therapies are required to fight this global health issue. Immunotherapy is a feasible approach to treat atherosclerosis and given that genetically engineered plants are attractive hosts for vaccine development; we previously proved that the plant cell is able to synthesize a chimeric protein called CTB:p210:CETPe, which is composed of the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) as immunogenic carrier and target epitopes from the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP461-476) and apolipoprotein B100 (p210). Since CTB:p210:CETPe was expressed in tobacco at sufficient levels to evoke humoral responses in mice, its expression in carrot was explored in the present study looking to develop a vaccine in a safe host amenable for oral delivery; avoiding the purification requirement. Carrot cell lines expressing CTB:p210:CETPe were developed, showing accumulation levels up to 6.1 µg/g dry weight. An immunoblot analysis revealed that the carrot-made protein is antigenic and an oral mice immunization scheme led to evidence on the immunogenic activity of this protein; revealing its capability of inducing serum IgG responses against p210 and CETP epitopes. This study represents a step forward in the development of an attractive oral low-cost vaccine to treat atherosclerosis.

Mycochemical Changes Induced by Selenium Enrichment in P. ostreatus Fruiting Bodies.

The effects of selenium enrichment on the biological efficiency, phenolic compounds, amino acid profile, antioxidant capacity, and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) were evaluated in Pleurotus ostreatus fruiting bodies (FB) harvested during three sequential flushes. Sodium selenate was used to reach selenium content of 17.5 or 5.8 mg/kg in the sorghum straw substrate. Biological efficiency and total selenium content increased. One of the main differences among treatments was in ergothioneine content, an indicator of oxidative stress that was positively related with valine and isoleucine contents and negatively related to leucine and phenylalanine. Besides ergothioneine, nucleosides derived from adenine and uracyl were the major peaks observed in all treatments, and coumaric and ferulic acids were found in the bound phenolics extract. Selenium enrichment also affected the antioxidant capacity, and particularly the methanolic extract obtained from the second flush of FB cultivated in selenium-enriched substrate (17.5 mg/kg) had the best CAA.

Bubblelike structures generated by activation of internal shape modes in two-dimensional sine-Gordon line solitons.

Nonlinear waves that collide with localized defects exhibit complex behavior. Apart from reflection, transmission, and annihilation of an incident wave, a local inhomogeneity can activate internal modes of solitons, producing many impressive phenomena. In this work we investigate a two-dimensional sine-Gordon model perturbed by a family of localized forces. We observed the formation of bubblelike and droplike structures due to local internal shape mode instabilities. We describe the formation of such structures on the basis of a one-dimensional theory of activation of internal modes of sine-Gordon solitons. An interpretation of the observed phenomena, in the context of phase transition theory, is given. Implications in Josephson junctions with a current dipole device are discussed.

Expression of the VP40 antigen from the Zaire ebolavirus in tobacco plants.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The plant cell is able to produce the VP40 antigen from the Zaire ebolavirus , retaining the antigenicity and the ability to induce immune responses in BALB/c mice. The recent Ebola outbreak evidenced the need for having vaccines approved for human use. Herein we report the expression of the VP40 antigen from the Ebola virus as an initial effort in the development of a plant-made vaccine that could offer the advantages of being cheap and scalable, which is proposed to overcome the rapid need for having vaccines to deal with future outbreaks. Tobacco plants were transformed by stable DNA integration into the nuclear genome using the CaMV35S promoter and a signal peptide to access the endoplasmic reticulum, reaching accumulation levels up to 2.6 µg g-1 FW leaf tissues. The antigenicity of the plant-made VP40 antigen was evidenced by Western blot and an initial immunogenicity assessment in test animals that revealed the induction of immune responses in BALB/c mice following three weekly oral or subcutaneous immunizations at very low doses (125 and 25 ng, respectively) without accessory adjuvants. Therefore, this plant-based vaccination prototype is proposed as an attractive platform for the production of vaccines in the fight against Ebola virus disease outbreaks.

Implications of plant glycans in the development of innovative vaccines.

Plant glycans play a central role in vaccinology: they can serve as adjuvants and/or delivery vehicles or backbones for the synthesis of conjugated vaccines. In addition, genetic engineering is leading to the development of platforms for the production of novel polysaccharides in plant cells, an approach with relevant implications for the design of new types of vaccines. This review contains an updated outlook on this topic and provides key perspectives including a discussion on how the molecular pharming field can be linked to the production of innovative glycan-based and conjugate vaccines.