Halotolerant Endophytic Bacteria Priestia flexa 7BS3110 with Hg2+ Tolerance Isolated from Avicennia germinans in a Caribbean Mangrove from Colombia.

The mangrove ecosystems of the Department of Atlántico (Colombian Caribbean) are seriously threatened by problems of hypersalinization and contamination, especially by heavy metals from the Magdalena River. The mangrove plants have developed various mechanisms to adapt to these stressful conditions, as well as the associated microbial populations that favor their growth. In the present work, the tolerance and detoxification capacity to heavy metals, especially to mercury, of a halotolerant endophytic bacterium isolated from the species Avicennia germinans located in the Balboa Swamp in the Department of Atlántico was characterized. Diverse microorganisms were isolated from superficially sterilized A. germinans leaves. Tolerance to NaCl was evaluated for each of the obtained isolates, and the most resistant was selected to assess its tolerance to Pb2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, Cr3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+, many of which have been detected in high concentrations in the area of study. According to the ANI and AAI percentages, the most halotolerant strain was identified as Priestia flexa, named P. flexa 7BS3110, which was able to tolerate up to 12.5% (w/v) NaCl and presented a minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.25 mM for Hg, 10 mM for Pb, and 15 mM for Cr3+. The annotation of the P. flexa 7BS3110 genome revealed the presence of protein sequences associated with exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, thiol biosynthesis, specific proteins for chrome efflux, non-specific proteins for lead efflux, and processes associated with sulfur and iron homeostasis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed morphological cellular changes and the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed an electrodense extracellular layer when exposed to 0.25 mM Hg2+. Due to the high tolerance of P. flexa 7BS3110 to Hg2+ and NaCl, its ability to grow when exposed to both stressors was tested, and it was able to thrive in the presence of 5% (w/v) NaCl and 0.25 mM of Hg2+. In addition, it was able to remove 98% of Hg2+ from the medium when exposed to a concentration of 14 mg/L of this metalloid. P. flexa 7BS3110 has the potential to bioremediate Hg2+ halophilic contaminated ecosystems.

Valoración de la efectividad de un protocolo de estimulación sensorial de la mano hemiparésica para la rehabilitación del control postural en pacientes con ictus crónico. Estudio piloto / Evaluation of the effectiveness of a hemiparesis hand sensory stimulation protocol for postural control rehabilitation in patients with chronic stroke. Pilot study

Introducción. Uno de los objetivos principales de la neurorrehablitación en pacientes con ictus es el reentrenamiento del equilibrio. Se ha estudiado la influencia de la función motora del miembro superior en el control postural, pero desconocemos si la estimulación somatosensorial de la mano afecta puede influirlo. Objetivo. Estudiar si un protocolo de estimulación somatosensorial de la mano afecta, podía modificar, en pacientes con ictus crónico, la posición del centro de masa y su desplazamiento en bipedestación. Pacientes y métodos. 5 pacientes con ictus crónico con capacidad de bipedestación autónoma completaron este estudio piloto prospectivo y longitudinal, con valoración pretratamiento, post-primer tratamiento y post-intervención final. La intervención consistió en estimulación somatosensorial de la mano afecta, de 20 minutos de duración durante 5 días consecutivos. Se midieron Timed Up and GO Test (TUG), Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), Limits Of Stability (LOS) y Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB). Resultados. Se observaron cambios estadísticamente significativos en TUG (p=0,043), en mCTSIB en los máximos desplazamientos del centro de presiones para la condición ojos abiertos (p=0,043) y en LOS para el tiempo de reacción en la diagonal posterior afecta(p꞊0,043), máximas excursiones en las diagonales anterior menos afecta, afecta y posterior afecta (p=0,043) y el control direccional en la anterior menos afecta y anterior afecta. Conclusiones. La estimulación somatosensensorial propuesta puede ser positiva para el reentrenamiento del equilibrio a la luz de los resultados obtenidos. Son necesarias investigaciones a este nivel a gran escala y a largo plazo con muestras más grandes.

Introduction. One of the main objectives of neurorehablitation in stroke patients is balance retraining. The influence of upper limb motor function on postural control has been studied, but we do not know whether somatosensory stimulation of the affected hand can influence it. Objective. To study whether a protocol of somatosensory stimulation of the affected hand could modify, in patients with chronic stroke, the position of the center of mass and its displacement in standing. Patients and methods. Five patients with chronic stroke who were able to stand independently completed this prospective and longitudinal pilot study, with pre-treatment, post-first treatment and final post-intervention assessment. The intervention consisted of somatosensory stimulation of the affected hand, lasting 20 minutes for 5 consecutive days. Timed Up and GO Test (TUG), Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), Limits Of Stability (LOS) and Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB) were measured. Results. Statistically significant changes were observed in TUG (p=0.043), in mCTSIB for maximum center of pressures displacements for the eyes open condition (p=0.043) and in LOS for reaction time in the posterior diagonal affect(p꞊0.043), maximum excursions in the anterior least affect, affect and posterior affect diagonals (p=0.043) and directional control in the anterior least affect and anterior affect. Conclusions. The proposed somatosensory stimulation may be positive for balance retraining in light of the results obtained. Large-scale and long-term investigations at this level with larger samples are necessary.

Prokaryotic diversity and community composition in the Salar de Uyuni, a large scale, chaotropic salt flat.

Salar de Uyuni (SdU), with a geological history that reflects 50 000 years of climate change, is the largest hypersaline salt flat on Earth and is estimated to be the biggest lithium reservoir in the world. Its salinity reaches saturation levels for NaCl, a kosmotropic salt, and high concentrations of MgCL2 and LiCl, both salts considered important chaotrophic stressors. In addition, extreme temperatures, anoxic conditions, high UV irradiance, high albedo and extremely low concentrations of phosphorous, make SdU a unique natural extreme environment in which to contrast hypotheses about limiting factors of life diversification. Geophysical studies of brines from different sampling stations show that water activity is rather constant along SdU. Geochemical measurements show significant differences in magnesium concentration, ranging from 0.2 to 2M. This work analyses the prokaryotic diversity and community structure at four SdU sampling stations, selected according to their location and ionic composition. Prokaryotic communities were composed of both Archaea (with members of the classes Halobacteria, Thermoplasmata and Nanohaloarchaea, from the Euryarchaeota and Nanohaloarcheota phyla respectively) and Bacteria (mainly belonging to Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria phyla). The important differences in composition of microbial communities inversely correlate with Mg2+ concentration, suggesting that prokaryotic diversity at SdU is chaotropic dependent.

Contrasting morphology and training background in waterpolo teams of different competitive levels / Comparação de indicadores morfológicos e do tempo de treino semanal em equipes de pólo aquático de diferentes níveis competitivos / Comparación de indicadores morfológicos y de tiempo de entrenamiento semanal en equipos de waterpolo de diferentes niveles competitivos

We aimed to describe and compare the general morphological, somatotype and training background characteristics of Iberian waterpolo players (22 Portuguese and 22 Spanish National Teams players) considering their playing positions. The International Working Group of Kinanthropometry guidelines was herein followed, and a somatochart was obtained through specific software (Somatotype, Calculation and Analysis. (c)2001 SWEAT technologies). Spanish players train more hours per week (22.8 ±9.5 vs.12.2 ±5.6), are taller (187.4 cm ±6.6 vs.180.3 cm ±5.1), heavier (89.2 kg ±11.6 vs.79.1 kg ±10.0), show higher arm span (195.7 cm ±8.5 vs.185.2 cm ±7.4) and muscle mass percentage (49.0% ± 1.8 vs.46.0% ±6.0), and tend to be more mesomorphic (5.19 ±1.27 vs.4.26 ±1.32) than the Portuguese players. Concerning field positions, Spanish center forward players train more hours per week than the Portuguese (20.2 ±9.1 vs.12.2 ±3.8) and show higher arm span (204.4 cm ±7.3 vs.184.0 cm ±6.5). Spanish goal keepers and outside players show higher muscle mass percentage (49.8% ±1.5 vs.42.2% ±5.2 and 49.4% ±1.5 vs.45.5% ±4.6, respectively) than the Portuguese players. These evidences should be taken into account for the improvement of waterpolo sport...

"Comparação de indicadores morfológicos e do tempo de treino semanal em equipes de pólo aquático de diferentes níveis competitivos." O presente estudo objetivou descrever e comparar a morfologia geral, o somatótipo e horas de treino de jogadores Ibéricos de selecções nacionais de polo aquático (22 portugueses e 22 espanhóis) e compará-los quanto às posições de jogo. Utilizou-se um software específico para o desenho da somatocarta (Somatotype, Calculation and Analysis,(c)2001 SWEAT technologies). Os jogadores espanhóis, quando comparados com os portugueses, treinam mais horas por semana (22,8 ±9,5 vs.12,2 ±5,6), são mais altos (187,4 cm ±6,6 vs.180,3 cm ±5,1), mais pesados (89,2 kg ±11,6 vs.79,1 kg ±10,0), apresentam maior envergadura (195,7 cm ±8,5 vs. 185,2 cm ±7,4), percentagem de massa muscular (49,0% ±1,8 vs. 46,0% ±6,0) e tendem a ser mais mesomorfos (5,19 ±1,27 vs. 4,26 ±1,32) do que os jogadores portugueses. Quanto às posições de jogo, os pivôs espanhóis treinam mais horas por semana (20,2 ±9,1 vs.12,2 ±3,8) e apresentam maior envergadura (204,4 cm ±7,3 vs.184,0 cm ±6,5) que os portugueses. Ainda, respectivamente, os goleiros e os jogadores laterais espanhóis apresentam percentagens mais elevadas de massa muscular (49,8% ±1,5 vs.42,2% ±5,2 e 49,4% ±1,5 vs.45,5% ±4,6) do que os portugueses. Estas evidências devem ser consideradas para a melhoria do polo aquático...

"Comparación de indicadores morfológicos y de tiempo de entrenamiento semanal en equipos de waterpolo de diferentes niveles competitivos" El objetivo del estudio fue describir y comparar la morfología general, somatotipo y horas de entrenamiento de jugadores Ibéricos de selecciones nacionales de waterpolo (22 portugueses y 22 españoles) y comparar sus diferencias entre posiciones de juego. Los parámetros evaluados fueron seleccionados en la literatura. La somatocarta fue construida con un software específico (Somatotype, Calculation and Analysis, (c)2001 SWEAT technologies). Los jugadores españoles entrenan más horas por semana (22,8 ±9,5 vs.12,2 ±5,6), tienen más altura (187,4cm ± 6,6 vs.180,3 cm ±5.1), más peso (89,2 kg ±11,6 vs.79,1 kg ±10,0), más envergadura (195,7 cm ±8,5 vs. 185,2 cm ±7,4), porcentaje de masa muscular (49,0% ±1,8 vs. 46,0% ±6,0) y tienden a presentar valores más altos de mesomorfia (5,19 ±1,27 vs. 4,26 ±1,32) que los jugadores portugueses. Con respecto a las posiciones de juego, los boyas Españoles superan los portugueses en las horas de entrenamiento semanal (20,2 ±9,1 vs.12,2 ±3,8) y presentan más envergadura (204,4 cm ±7,3 vs.184,0 cm ±6,5). Los porteros y jugadores periféricos españoles tienen más masa muscular que los jugadores portugueses (49,8% ±1,5 vs. 42,2% ±5,2 e 49,4% ±1,5 vs.45,5% ±4,6), respectivamente. Estas evidencias deberán ser consideradas para la mejora del waterpolo...

Aplicación del análisis de riesgo en la preparación de soluciones para producción de Quimi-Hib® / Risk assessment tools in the preparation of the solutions used in the production of Quimi-Hib®

Entre las técnicas avanzadas de administración de riesgo se encuentran las herramientas de soporte estadístico, así como los histogramas y gráficos de frecuencia acumulada, los cuales sirven de base para la acumulación de datos. Se realizó un análisis de los mismos y se evaluó la influencia de diferentes parámetros sobre un proceso determinado para la toma de decisiones. Los resultados obtenidos demostraron que existe riesgo de contaminación de las soluciones en una cabina de flujo laminar. Todos los tampones evaluados cumplieron satisfactoriamente con los límites establecidos para el contenido de endotoxinas y límite microbiano. Los valores de carga microbiana, determinados por diferentes métodos en el ambiente de trabajo, estuvieron dentro de los límites, acorde con la clasificación de las áreas. La higienización de los tanques de preparación demostró que los procedimientos empleados garantizaron una adecuada remoción de los contaminantes. Se concluyó que los riesgos y escenarios evaluados fueron aceptables para alcanzar la calidad del producto(AU)

Among the advanced techniques of risk management are the tools of statistical support, such as histograms and cumulative frequency plots, which are the basis for the accumulation of data. An analysis of these and evaluated the influe.nce of different parameters on a particular process for making decisions. The results showed that a risk contamination of the solutions named in a laminar flow cabinet in which filtered. All buffers tested satisfactorily complied with the limits for the content of endotoxin and microbial limit. The microbial load values determined by different methods in the workplace gave values within the limits, according to the classification of areas. The sanitizing preparation tanks showed that the procedures ensured adequate removal of contaminants. It was concluded that the risks and scenarios evaluated to achieve acceptable product quality(AU)

The sulfate-rich and extreme saline sediment of the ephemeral tirez lagoon: a biotope for acetoclastic sulfate-reducing bacteria and hydrogenotrophic methanogenic archaea.

Our goal was to examine the composition of methanogenic archaea (MA) and sulfate-reducing (SRP) and sulfur-oxidizing (SOP) prokaryotes in the extreme athalassohaline and particularly sulfate-rich sediment of Tirez Lagoon (Spain). Thus, adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (APS) reductase α (aprA) and methyl coenzyme M reductase α (mcrA) gene markers were amplified given that both enzymes are specific for SRP, SOP, and MA, respectively. Anaerobic populations sampled at different depths in flooded and dry seasons from the anoxic sediment were compared qualitatively via denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprint analysis. Phylogenetic analyses allowed the detection of SRP belonging to Desulfobacteraceae, Desulfohalobiaceae, and Peptococcaceae in ∂-proteobacteria and Firmicutes and SOP belonging to Chromatiales/Thiotrichales clade and Ectothiorhodospiraceae in γ-proteobacteria as well as MA belonging to methylotrophic species in Methanosarcinaceae and one hydrogenotrophic species in Methanomicrobiaceae. We also estimated amino acid composition, GC content, and preferential codon usage for the AprA and McrA sequences from halophiles, nonhalophiles, and Tirez phylotypes. Even though our results cannot be currently conclusive regarding the halotolerant strategies carried out by Tirez phylotypes, we discuss the possibility of a plausible "salt-in" signal in SRP and SOP as well as of a speculative complementary haloadaptation between salt-in and salt-out strategies in MA.

Long-term results and prognostic factors of patients with cervical carcinoma treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: To evaluate the predictive factors of recurrence in cervical cancer treated with radical radiochemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 56 women was performed. Response was assessed using the RECIST response. Overall survival and disease-free survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyse predictors of recurrence. RESULTS: Local recurrence was documented in 16 patients and distant metastases in 15. The Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities were 95.1 ± 6.4% at 3 years and 80.4 ± 13.1% at 5 years and the Kaplan-Meier curve values for disease-free survival were 60.3 ± 14.3% at 3 years and 53.0 ± 15.7% at 5 years. Thirty-five patients were alive and 21 patients died, 19 from metastatic disease and 2 from other causes. Complete response after chemoradiation therapy, squamous cell carcinoma and tumour size ≤ 4 cm were significantly associated with outcome. In the Cox regression model, tumour size > 4 cm (hazard ratio 7.48; 95% CI 2.71-20.6; p < 0.001) and partial response (hazard ratio 7.09; 95% CI 2.82-17.8; p < 0.001) were predictive factors for disease-free survival and partial response (hazard ratio 3.7; 95% CI 1.3-10.1; p < 0.001) and non-squamous cell carcinoma (hazard ratio 3.5; 95% CI 1.2-9.7; p < 0.001) were predictive factors for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Non-squamous histology and partial response were independent prognostic factors for overall survival and tumour size and partial response were independent prognostic variables for 5-year disease survival.