Divergent Gut Microbiota: Archaeal and Bacterial Signatures Unveil Unique Patterns in Colombian Cyclists Compared to Weightlifters and Non-Athletes.

Engagement in physical activity, across various sports, promotes a diverse microbiota in active individuals. This study examines the gut microbiota of Colombian athletes, specifically weightlifters (n = 16) and road cyclists (n = 13), compared to non-athletes (n = 15). Using Kruskal-Wallis tests, the physical activity level of a group of non-athletic individuals and the sports experience of a group of professional athletes is analyzed. The median age of participants is 24 years, comprising 25 men and 19 women. The microbiota is collected using fecal samples. Participants provided these samples during their pre-competitive stage, specifically during the concentration phase occurring two weeks prior to national competitions. This timing is chosen to capture the microbial composition during a period of heightened physical preparation. Questionnaire responses and microbial composition assessments identify disparities among groups. Microbial composition analysis explores core microbiome, abundance, and taxonomy using Pavian, MicrobiomeAnalyst 2.0, and GraPhlAn. ANCOM-BC2 reveals differentially abundant species. Road cyclists exhibit decreased Bacteria and increased Archaea abundance. Phylum-level variations included Planctomycetes, Acidobacteria, and Proteobacteria, while Bacteroidetes prevailed. Key families influencing gut microbiota are Bacteroidaceae, Muribaculaceae, and Selenomonadaceae. Weightlifters exhibit unique viral and archaeal community connections, while cyclists showed specialized microbial interplay influenced by endurance exercise. Correlation network analysis emphasizes distinctive microbial interactions within athlete groups, shedding light on the impact of physical activities on gut microbiota and athlete health.

Modified Anterior Z Le Fort III Osteotomy.

Introduction: Surgery of the midface for non-syndromic patients with maxillo-malar hypoplasia exclusively has had many breakthroughs lately. The surgical techniques for midface surgery are varied and must be selected according to the patient's problem. Purpose: The technique is a modification of the Z Osteotomy, the Modified Anterior Z Le Fort III Osteotomy (MAZLFIIIO), is used to correct posteroanterior midface deficiency of 6 mm at most. It can be combined simultaneously with a Le Fort I osteotomy if a greater maxillary advance is needed. MAZLFIIIO advances midface without grafts or distraction osteogenesis. The anterior reposition of the midface is calculated in millimetres and depends on the relation of the eye's most inferior point, as well as the orbital's hard and soft tissues. It is a predictable osteotomy, only for patients without vertical excess of the midface. The osteotomy planned is drawn over a stereolithographic model, and then Z-shaped surgical splints are fabricated over it. Transverse midface deficiencies of no more than 4 mm can also be corrected during the malar osteotomy. A great number of patients are operated exclusively with Le Fort I osteotomies, leaving behind an undesirable step between the upper part of the midface and the Le Fort I osteotomy. Methods: The Modified anterior Z Le Fort III Osteotomy (MAZLFIIIO) was performed in seven patients, from 2016 to 2018. Results: The results obtained with the proposed osteotomy notably improve the appearance of the patient and provide a better protection of the lower part of the eye, while widening the maxillary sinus. Conclusion: We consider that maxillo-malar hypoplasias are very common; the surgeon pretends not to give importance to the deformity, exclusively using an advance Le Fort type osteotomy, with both functional and aesthetic treatment being limited. In this article, we give all the elements to perform this Le Fort III Modified Osteotomy in anterior Z, and that it is a combined and routine procedure in midface surgery.

Basal Extended Mentoplasty.

Introduction: The chin is one of the most visible facial structures. Chin surgery, was initially described, for, the treatment of facial abnormalities, advancing the mandibular symphysis; achieved anterior displacement of the base of the tongue showing some value in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, and achieved adequate lip competence. We designed the Basal Extended Mentoplasty (BEM) based on the needs of patients orthodontically compensated, but dissatisfied with the appearance of his face as well as upper airway problems looking for a solution to this, design and planning the advances of the chin. Materials and Methods: Patients operated in the service of Maxillofacial Surgery, Specialist Hospital, "Dr. Bernardo Sepulveda "XXI Century National Medical Center, during the period of 2015-2019, orthodontically compensated patients, with labial incompetence and Class II skeletal. Sixty-five patients were operated during this period, and eight cases are presented. Results: Lip competition, osseointegration of the segments is observed, with a proper projection of the lower third, no nerve or vascular damage in the area. Conclusions: The design of the osteotomy is for orthodontically compensated patients with labial incompetence and Class II skeletal, giving a result mandibular lengthening. The BEM achieved adequate lip competence demonstrated by an interlabial gap of 0 mm, achieved adequate osseous consolidation of the fracture site with a more harmonious facial balance and profile, without nerve or vascular damage with spectacular results.

Effects of dietary supplementation with organic selenium-enriched yeast on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of finishing lambs.

This study was aimed to assess the impact-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae with organic selenium addition in finishing lambs on fatty acid composition and physicochemical meat characteristics. Eighteen five-month-old Pelibuey female lambs were fed the same diet for 60 days. Animals were assigned a completely random design of three treatments, control (Se0) without the addition of selenium-yeast or supplemented with 0.35 ppm of selenium-yeast (Se35) and with 0.60 ppm of selenium-yeast (Se60). Lambs were slaughtered at an average weight of 39.5 ± 4.41 kg. Feed intake and meat water holding capacity were decreased (P = 0.001) in Se35 lambs, whereas meat moisture and fat were decreased (P = 0.002) in Se60 lambs. However, meat carbohydrates were increased (P = 0.001) in Se60 lambs. It is concluded that consumption of selenium-yeast in lambs did not alter the productive variables nor the fatty acid composition, though, the fat content is lower, and the carbohydrates are higher in physicochemical meat characteristics.

Analysis of body condition indices reveals different ecotypes of the Antillean manatee.

Assessing the body condition of wild animals is necessary to monitor the health of the population and is critical to defining a framework for conservation actions. Body condition indices (BCIs) are a non-invasive and relatively simple means to assess the health of individual animals, useful for addressing a wide variety of ecological, behavioral, and management questions. The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is an endangered subspecies of the West Indian manatee, facing a wide variety of threats from mostly human-related origins. Our objective was to define specific BCIs for the subspecies that, coupled with additional health, genetic and demographic information, can be valuable to guide management decisions. Biometric measurements of 380 wild Antillean manatees captured in seven different locations within their range of distribution were obtained. From this information, we developed three BCIs (BCI1 = UG/SL, BCI2 = W/SL3, BCI3 = W/(SL*UG2)). Linear models and two-way ANCOVA tests showed significant differences of the BCIs among sexes and locations. Although our three BCIs are suitable for Antillean manatees, BCI1 is more practical as it does not require information about weight, which can be a metric logistically difficult to collect under particular circumstances. BCI1 was significantly different among environments, revealing that the phenotypic plasticity of the subspecies have originated at least two ecotypes-coastal marine and riverine-of Antillean manatees.

Numerical approximation to the effects of the atmospheric stability conditions on the dispersion of pollutants over flat areas.

Using the Computational Fluid Dynamics technique (CFD), we explored the effects of the atmospheric stability conditions on the dispersion of solid and gas-phase pollutants emitted from an area source located on a flat region. As an application, the dispersion of pollutants emitted from roads located on flat terrains was considered. Toward that end, we set up a model that describes the dispersion of air pollutants in a small region (< 1 km long) near the ground surface (< 250 m high). It consists of a neutrally stratified model modified to account for the atmospheric stability effects by imposing the near-ground stratification through the Monin-Obukhov similarity theory and the k-ε turbulence model adjusted for each atmospheric stability condition. Using this model, we simulated the dispersion of pollutants emitted from the road and plotted the resulting downwind concentrations in terms of dimensionless numbers. Results from our CFD-based model were highly correlated (R2 > 0.95) with the SF6 concentrations measured downwind a line source of this trace gas by the U.S. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration in 2008 under different conditions of atmospheric stability. Numerical and experimental results showed that, under any of the stability conditions explored, the near-road pollutant concentrations are highly correlated (R2 > 0.87) to the concentrations observed under neutral conditions. When the atmosphere is extremely stable, those concentrations were up to 12 times higher than those observed under neutral conditions. We report the constant of proportionality obtained for every stability condition.

Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in advanced cancer patients receiving immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been extensively studied in cancer patients. However, the performance of NLR as an early marker of efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is still understudied. We studied the utility of NLR at baseline (bNLR), before the second dose of immunotherapy (NLR2) and the NLR trend for predicting efficacy outcomes. METHODS: We included all patients with advanced cancer treated with ICI from June 2013 to April 2019 at La Paz University Hospital, Madrid (Spain). We examined bNLR, NLR2 and NLR trend and explored the association with progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months, median PFS and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: We included 211 patients. PFS and OS were significantly longer in the low bNLR group than in the high bNLR group [HR 0.71 (95% CI 0.60-0.84) and HR: 0.66 (95% CI 0.55-0.79), respectively]. Regarding NLR2, patients with low NLR2 had significantly longer PFS and OS than patients with high NLR2 [HR 0.67 (95% CI 0.57-0.79) and HR: 0.60 (95% CI 0.50-0.72), respectively]. Finally, for NLR trend, PFS and OS for patients with NLR trend < 1 were significantly longer than those patients with NLR trend ≥ 1 [HR 0.59 (95% CI 0.43-0.82) and HR 0.63 (95% CI 0.44-0.90), respectively]. At the multivariate analysis for PFS and OS, bNLR, NLR2 and NLR trend were all independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS. CONCLUSIONS: bNLR, NLR2 and NLR trends are independent prognostic factors for survival in patients on immunotherapy. The dynamics of NLR in patients on immunotherapy is a promising marker that needs further investigation.

Dermatoscopía de nevos melanocíticos congénitos acrales: puesta al día / Dermoscopy of melanocytic nevi acral congenitals: update

Los nevos melanocíticos congénitos (NMC) son aquellos presentes al nacer o que se desarrollan durante los primeros dos años de vida. Hay muy pocos casos documentados de melanoma lentiginoso acral en asociación con nevos preexistentes en comparación a otros subtipos de melanoma. De éstos, la mayoría serían asociados a nevos melanocíticos adquiridos acrales (NMAA) y muy excepcionalmente asociados a nevos melanocíticos congénitos acrales (NMCA). Sin embargo, la extirpación de lesiones pigmentadas acrales congénitas es practicada con frecuencia y se desconocen los patrones dermatoscópicos más característicos, así como tampoco se disponen de algoritmos de seguimiento. A continuación, presentamos dos casos de NMCA con patrones dermatoscópicos característicos y realizamos una revisión de los patrones dermatoscópicos más comunes de NMCA descritos en la literatura.

Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are those present at birth or that develop during the first two years of life. There are very few documented cases of acral lentiginous melanoma in association with pre-existing nevi compared to other subtypes of melanoma. Of these, the majority would be associated with acral acquired melanocytic nevi (NMAA) and very exceptionally associated with acral congenital melanocytic nevi (NMCA). However, the excision of congenital acral pigmented lesions is frequently practiced and the most characteristic dermoscopic patterns are unknown, nor are there any follow-up algorithms. In the following, we present two cases of NMCA with characteristic dermoscopic patterns and a review of the most common dermoscopic patterns of NMCA described in the literature

Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and other inflammatory markers in patients with high-risk soft tissue sarcomas.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) have a high risk of relapse in spite of the use of (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy. In this context, looking for new prognostic biomarkers is an interesting field of research. Our aim is to analyze the prognostic impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and other serum markers in patients with STS who received chemotherapy with curative intent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study. We included all patients with STS (primary tumor, local recurrence or resected metastatic disease) treated with high-dose ifosfamide and epirubicin with curative intent from January 2007 to December 2018. The pretreatment NLR and other serum markers were calculated, selecting the median as the cut-off value for the survival and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were included. Median NLR, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were 2.83, 174.05 and 3.25, respectively. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly longer in patients with low NLR [not reached (NR) vs 21, 92 months, P < 0.01]. No significant differences were found for PFS regarding PLR or LMR. For overall survival (OS), a significant survival advantage was also found for patients with low NLR (NR vs 65.45 months, P = 0.01), without differences for PLR or LMR. In multivariate analysis, NLR remains an independent prognostic factor for PFS. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, low NLR was significantly associated with a longer PFS and OS, and is consolidated as an independent prognostic factor.

Cellular stress responses of Eleginops maclovinus fish injected with Piscirickettsia salmonis and submitted to thermal stress.

Fluctuations in ambient temperature along with the presence of pathogenic microorganisms can induce important cellular changes that alter the homeostasis of ectothermic fish. The aim of this study was to evaluate how sudden or gradual changes in environmental temperature together with the administration of Piscirickettsia salmonis modulate the transcription of genes involved in cellular stress response in the liver of Eleginops maclovinus. Fish were subjected to the following experimental conditions in duplicate: C- 12 °C: Injection only with culture medium, C+ 12 °C: Injection with P. salmonis, AM 18 °C: Injection only with culture medium under acclimation at 18 °C, AB 18 °C: Injection with P. salmonis under acclimation at 18 °C, SM 18 °C: Injection only with culture medium and thermal shock at 18 °C and SB 18 °C: Injection with P. salmonis and thermal shock at 18 °C and sampling at 4-, 8-, 12-, 16- and 20-day post injection (dpi). The genes implied in the heat shock response (HSP70, HSC70, HSP90, and GRP78), apoptosis pathway (BAX and SMAC/Diablo), ubiquitination (E2, E3, ubiquitin, and CHIP), and 26 proteasome complex (PSMB7, PSMC1, and PSMA2) showed expression profiles dependent on time and type of injection applied. All the genes greatly increased their expression levels at day 16 and showed moderate increases at day 20, except for PSMA2 which showed a higher increase between 4- and 12-day post challenges. Our results suggest that the changes observed at the final days of the experiment are due to temperature more than P. salmonis.

Hábitos alimenticios en comerciantes del mercado campesino. Sucre, Bolivia. 2019 / Food habits in traders of the campesino marketplace. Sucre, Bolivia. 2019

OBJETIVO: describir los hábitos alimenticios y estilo de vida de los comerciantes del mercado Campesino. MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal con 170 personas comprendidas entre 14 a 80 años. Para la recolección de datos se aplicó una encuesta. RESULTADOS: la mayor parte de la población encuestada es del sexo femenino, comparando el número de veces durante la semana del consumo de comida chatarra entre hombres y mujeres se encontró que con más frecuencia las mujeres consumen de 1 a 3 veces por semana la comida chatarra. Hay más jóvenes de entre 14 y 21 años que realizan actividad deportiva que el resto de las edades, hay más sujetos en la población de entre 38 a 45 años que consumen sustancias como alcohol, nicotina y tabaco.

OBJECTIVE: describe the eating habits and lifestyle of the farmers of the peasant market. METHODS: a descriptive, cross - sectional study was carried out with 170 people between 14 and 80 years old. For data collection, a survey was applied. RESULTS: most of the surveyed population is female, comparing the number of times during the week of junk food consumption between men and women, it was found that women consume junk food more frequently 1 to 3 times a week. There are more young people between 14 and 21 years of age who perform sports activity than the rest of the ages, there are more subjects in the population between 38 and 45 years of age who consume substances such as alcohol, nicotine and tobacco.

Low percentages of regulatory T cells in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) patients with autoimmune diseases and its association with increased numbers of CD4+CD45RO+ T and CD21low B cells.

BACKGROUND: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous group of primary antibody deficiencies defined by marked reductions in serum IgG, IgA and/or IgM levels and recurrent bacterial infections. Some patients are associated with defects in T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), resulting in recurrent viral infections and early-onset autoimmune disease. METHODS: We analyzed whether there is an association between Tregs cells (CD4+CD25+CD127low and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+); memory T cells (CD4+CD45RO+); memory B cells (CD19+CD27-IgD-); and CD21low B cells (CD19+CD38lowCD21low); as well as autoimmune manifestations in 36 patients with CVID (25 women and 11 men, mean age 24 years), all by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Fourteen patients presented with autoimmune diseases (AI) (39%), including 11 with autoimmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) (31%); two with vitiligo (6%); one with systemic lupus erythematosus (LES) (3%); and one with multiple sclerosis (MS) (3%). CVID patients with AI had a reduced proportion of Tregs (both CD4+CD25+CD127low and FoxP3+ cells) compared with healthy controls. CVID patients with AI had expanded CD21low B cell populations compared with patients who did not have AI. A correlation between increased CD4+CD45RO T cell populations and reduced Tregs was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that 39% of patients with CVID had AI and reduced Tregs populations. Research in this area might provide noteworthy data to better understand immune dysfunction and dysregulation related to CVID.

Control of the mobilization of arsenic and other natural pollutants in groundwater by calcium carbonate concretions in the Pampean Aquifer, southeast of the Buenos Aires province, Argentina.

The water supply for human consumption in the Chaco-Pampean region in Argentina is restricted by the low quality of groundwater due to elevated concentrations of arsenic and other trace elements. Previous studies indicated a complex concurrence of factors and processes that are believed responsible to control the distribution of arsenic in groundwater. For a better understanding of the origin of trace elements in the Pampean aquifer, flow-through experiments with loess and calcrete samples representative of the sediments that constitute the aquifer were carried out in continuous flow reactors. The aqueous solutions were collected and the concentrations of SiO2(aq), Ca2+, SO42-, Na+, Cl-, F- and trace elements (Ba, Sr, V, and As) were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis. The experiments showed differences in the release rate of elements to the solution according to the type of sediment. The highest concentrations of V, Ba, and As were measured in experiments conducted with loess, and these elements were released quickly to the solution in the first minute of the test. In the case of loess, V and As are suggested to be adsorbed on the solid particles surface. Conversely, the experiments conducted with calcrete showed a lower but continuous release of those elements. This last result may indicate that the trace elements were coprecipitated in the calcite. In addition, it was demonstrated that F did not come from the dissolution of minerals such as fluorapatite, but both desorption from solid surface and dissolution from calcite minerals account for the release of F. This study support that both dissolution and adsorption-desorption processes can control the mobility of trace elements, with an emphasis on the role of calcrete in the retention and the mobilization of trace elements in the Pampean aquifer.

Características y seguimiento de 38 casos de bronquiolitis obliterante post-infecciosa en Bogotá­Colombia / Characteristics and follow up of 38 Post-Infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans cases in Bogota­Colombia

Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is a chronic obstructive bronchial disease that develops after a viral respiratory infection, acquired before 2 years of age. In Bogotá, Colombia our group published in 2017 the description and follow-up of 21 cases of this pathology. The purpose of this publication is to describe the evolution of 38 children with PIBO living in Bogotá, Colombia at 2640 m above sea level, with an average of 6.5 years of follow-up. The estimated prevalence of PIBO in the population group in the group studied here was at least 1 case per 10,526 children under 15 years of age. The highest frequency of oxygen dependence and pulmonary hypertension are highlighted in this group of children living at high altitude…

La bronquiolitis obliterante post-infecciosa (BOPI) es una enfermedad bronquial obstructiva crónica, que se desarrolla luego de una infección respiratoria viral, adquirida antes de los 2 años de vida. En Bogotá, Colombia nuestro grupo hizo en al año 2017 la descripción y seguimiento de 21 casos de esta patología. La presente publicación tiene como objetivo describir la evolución de 38 niños con BOPI que viven en la ciudad de Bogotá a 2640 m sobre el nivel del mar, con un segumiento de 6.5 años en promedio. Se calcula que la prevalencia de la enfermedad en el grupo poblacional de donde se refieren estos casos, es de al menos 1 caso por 10.526 menores de 15 años. Se destacan la mayor frecuencia de oxigeno dependencia e hipertensión pulmonar en este grupo de niños que viven a gran altura.

Levels of anti-Müllerian hormone in premenopausal women with the antiphospholipid syndrome and its association with the risk of clinical complications.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to investigate the ovarian reserve in premenopausal women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and to evaluate whether it is associated with cumulative organ damage or the risk of clinical complications. METHODS: This single-center study was conducted in 23 premenopausal female patients (10 with primary APS and 13 with secondary APS) and 24 healthy volunteers. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Disease-specific organ damage (DIAPS score) and the risk of clinical complications (aGAPSS score) were additionally evaluated in APS patients. RESULTS: Serum AMH levels were similar in APS patients (median 6.06, interquartile range 4.31-7.54 ng/ml) and in controls (4.87, 2.64-6.40 ng/ml; P = 0.116), and no differences were observed between the primary (6.60, 5.49-8.88 ng/ml) and secondary (6.06, 3.91-7.30 ng/ml; P = 0.532) forms of the syndrome. In individuals with APS, serum AMH levels correlated inversely with the aGAPSS score (rho-0.421, 95% confidence intervals -0.716 to -0.001; P = 0.045), while no associations were observed with the DIAPS score (rho-0.001, -0.423 to 0.422; P = 0.996). CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian reserve is not reduced in premenopausal women with APS. In addition, serum AMH levels may reflect the risk of APS-related clinical complications but not the burden of disease-specific organ damage.