Características del almacenamiento de antibióticos en una población suburbana de México

Objetivo: Determinar las características de almacenamiento de los antibióticos de las familias en una población suburbana en México. Metodología: El enfoque del estudio es cuantitativo, observacional, de corte transversal y alcance descriptivo. La unidad de estudio fueron las familias que vivían en el área de estudio de una zona suburbana en México. Resultados: Se encuestaron un total de 235 familias, dentro de las cuales existen diversos grupos etarios, de los cuales predominaron las edades de entre 36 a 64 años en 153 familias. Se obtuvo que más del 70 % presentaban enfermedades y, respecto a la posibilidad de que tuviesen almacenados medicamentos antibióticos caducados o próximos a caducar, el 68.1 % mencionó que no era probable. Conclusiones: El importante número de población adulta, la amplia presencia de comorbilidades y diversos factores sociodemográficos impactan en las prácticas y actitudes en relación con las formas en que las familias obtienen, usan, almacenan y desechan los medicamentos dentro de sus hogares. Esta investigación busca contribuir a la concientización y creación de diversos programas para la adopción de medidas de seguridad para el almacenamiento de medicamentos dentro del hogar, así como servir de guía en la identificación de procedimientos óptimos, eficientes y eficaces para tratar este fenómeno.

Objetivo: Determinar as características do armazenamento de antibióticos das famílias em uma população suburbana no México. Metodologia: A abordagem do estudo é quantitativa, observacional, transversal e de escopo descritivo. A unidade de estudo foram as famílias que viviam na área de estudo de uma zona suburbana no México. Resultados: Foram pesquisadas 235 famílias, de diversas faixas etárias, das quais predominaram as idades de 36 a 64 anos em 153 famílias. Verificou-se que mais de 70% apresentavam enfermidades, e com relação à possibilidade de terem medicamentos antibióticos vencidos ou prestes a vencer armazenados, 68,1 % mencionaram que não era provável. Conclusões: O significativo número de população adulta, a ampla presença de comorbidades e vários fatores sociodemográficos impactam nas práticas e atitudes relativas às formas como as famílias obtêm, usam, armazenam e descartam medicamentos em suas residências. Esta pesquisa busca contribuir para a conscientização e a criação de vários programas para a adoção de medidas de segurança para o armazenamento de medicamentos em casa, bem como servir de guia na identificação de procedimentos ideais, eficientes e eficazes para lidar com esse fenômeno.

Objective: To determine the antibiotic storage characteristics of families in a suburban population in Mexico. Methodology: The study approach is quantitative, observational, cross-sectional and descriptive in scope. The unit of study was families living in the area under study in a suburban zone of Mexico. Results: A total of 235 families were surveyed, within which there are different age groups, with 153 families predominantly aged between 36 and 64 years old. It was obtained that more than 70 % presented illnesses and, regarding the possibility that they had stored expired or soon to expire antibiotic drugs, 68.1 % mentioned that it was not likely. Conclusions: The significant number of adult population, the wide presence of comorbidities and various sociodemographic factors impact practices and attitudes regarding the ways in which families obtain, use, store and dispose of medications within their homes. This research seeks to contribute to the awareness and creation of various programs for the adoption of safety measures for the storage of medicines within the home, as well as to serve as a guide in the identification of optimal, efficient and effective procedures to deal with this phenomenon.

Belowground systems in tropical savanna: Fabaceae morphoanatomical traits and their relation to fire.

Post-fire regeneration characterizes woody vegetation of the Cerrado. Several species (e.g., from the Fabaceae) can resprout after fire due to the presence of storage bud-bearing belowground structures, such as xylopodia, having the capacity to rapidly allocate resources for the formation of new aboveground shoots, an advantage in fire-prone ecosystems. Therefore, we evaluated the morphoanatomical structure of the belowground organs, buds and their storage to elucidate fire-related functional traits in relation to regeneration. Besides the strong capacity of plants with xylopodia to resprout and/or their associated root suckers to propagate laterally, they also provide protection against pathogens, through the presence of defence compounds. We evaluated the morphoanatomy and performed histochemical tests with the belowground organs of eight legume species collected in open savannas in Central Brazil. Two species presented a taproot tuber and the six remaining species had a xylopodium as belowground organ. All xylopodia had buds on their upper portion. These organs were basically composed of lignified tissue, containing defence (phenolic compounds and lipidic substances), and storage (starch) substances. All xylopodia were associated to tuberous roots, and in two species these roots were also root suckers. Thus, the presence of belowground storage organs, in combination with stored defence compounds, likely facilitates the persistence of the investigated legumes in fire-prone ecosystems.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Wild and Cultivated Amaranth Species Seeds by 2-DE and ESI-MS/MS.

Amaranth is a promising staple food that produces seeds with excellent nutritional quality. Although cultivated species intended for grain production have interesting agronomic traits, relatively little is known about wild species, which can prosper in diverse environments and could be a rich genetic source for crop improvement. This work focuses on the proteomic comparison between the seeds of wild and cultivated amaranth species using polarity-based protein extraction and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) showed changes in granule-bound starch synthases and a wide range of 11S globulin isoforms. The electrophoretic profile of these proteins suggests that they may contain significant phosphorylation as post-translational modifications (PTMs), which were confirmed via immunodetection. These PTMs may impact the physicochemical functionality of storage proteins, with potential implications for seed agronomic traits and food system applications. Low-abundant DAPs with highly variable accumulation patterns are also discussed; these were involved in diverse molecular processes, such as genic regulation, lipid storage, and stress response.

Integrated insights into the cytological, histochemical, and cell wall composition features of Espinosa nothofagi (Hymenoptera) gall tissues: implications for functionality.

Many insect-induced galls are considered complex structures due to their tissue compartmentalization and multiple roles performed by them. The current study investigates the complex interaction between Nothofagus obliqua host plant and the hymenopteran gall-inducer Espinosa nothofagi, focusing on cell wall properties and cytological features. The E. nothofagi galls present an inner cortex with nutritive and storage tissues, as well as outer cortex with epidermis, chlorenchyma, and water-storing parenchyma. The water-storing parenchyma cells are rich in pectins, heteromannans, and xyloglucans in their walls, and have large vacuoles. Homogalacturonans contribute to water retention, and periplasmic spaces function as additional water reservoirs. Nutritive storage cell walls support nutrient storage, with plasmodesmata facilitating nutrient mobilization crucial for larval nutrition. Their primary and sometimes thick secondary cell walls support structural integrity and act as a carbon reserve. The absent labeling of non-cellulosic epitopes indicates a predominantly cellulosic nature in nutritive cell walls, facilitating larval access to lipid, protein, and reducing sugar-rich contents. The nutritive tissue, with functional chloroplasts and high metabolism-related organelles, displays signs of self-sufficiency, emphasizing its role in larval nutrition and cellular maintenance. Overall, the intricate cell wall composition in E. nothofagi galls showcases adaptations for water storage, nutrient mobilization, and larval nutrition, contributing significantly to our understanding of plant-insect interactions.

Predicting Sodium-Ion Battery Performance through Surface Chemistry Analysis and Textural Properties of Functionalized Hard Carbons Using AI.

Traditionally, the performance of sodium-ion batteries has been predicted based on a single characteristic of the electrodes and its relationship to specific capacity increase. However, recent studies have shown that this hypothesis is incorrect because their performance depends on multiple physical and chemical variables. Due to the above, the present communication shows machine learning as an innovative strategy to predict the performance of functionalized hard carbon anodes prepared from grapefruit peels. In this sense, a three-layer feed-forward Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was designed. The inputs used to feed the ANN were the physicochemical characteristics of the materials, which consisted of mercury intrusion porosimetry data (SHg and average pore), elemental analysis (C, H, N, S), ID/IG ratio obtained from RAMAN studies, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy data of the C1s, N1s, and O1s regions. In addition, two more inputs were added: the cycle number and the applied C-rate. The ANN architecture consisted of a first hidden layer with a sigmoid transfer function and a second layer with a log-sigmoid transfer function. Finally, a sigmoid transfer function was used in the output layer. Each layer had 10 neurons. The training algorithm used was Bayesian regularization. The results show that the proposed ANN correctly predicts (R2 > 0.99) the performance of all materials. The proposed strategy provides critical insights into the variables that must be controlled during material synthesis to optimize the process and accelerate progress in developing tailored materials.

Influence of the Chemical Properties of Cereal Grains on the Structure and Metabolism of the Bacteriome of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Its Development: A Cause-Effect Analysis.

Rhyzopertha dominica causes significant economic losses in stored cereals. Insects' digestive tract microbiome is crucial for their development, metabolism, resistance, and digestion. This work aimed to test whether the different chemical properties of different wheat and barley grain cultivars cause disturbances in insect foraging and rearrangements of the structure of the R. dominica microbiome. The results indicated that grain cultivars significantly influence the microbiome, metabolism, and insect foraging. Most observed traits and microbiome structures were not correlated at the species level, as confirmed by ANOSIM (p = 0.441). However, the PLS-PM analysis revealed significant patterns within barley cultivars. The study found associations between C18:2 fatty acids, entomopathogenic bacteria, an impaired nitrogen cycle, lysine production of bacterial origin, and insect feeding. The antioxidant effects also showed trends towards impacting the microbiome and insect development. The findings suggest that manipulating grain chemical properties (increasing C18:2 and antioxidant levels) can influence the R. dominica microbiome, disrupting their foraging behaviours and adaptation to storage environments. This research supports the potential for breeding resistant cereals, offering an effective pest control strategy and reducing pesticide use in food production.

Blood bank quality control: pH assessment methods in platelet concentrates.

Platelet concentrates undergo progressive changes during storage, such as a decrease in pH. Additionally, pH and lactate production showed the strongest correlation with platelet survival in posttransfusion viability studies. pH measurement is a straightforward method for evaluating the quality control of blood components in blood bank practice. Our aim was to compare three pH assessment methods for canine platelet concentrates. The pH values of the canine platelet concentrates were assessed on the first day of storage using a calibrated pH meter, a portable gas analyzer and pH-indicator strips. The results from the pH meter and portable gas analyzer measurements were similar. The pH indicator strips presented higher average values compared to the other more reliable methods evaluated, which could result in the use of inadequate blood components. In conclusion, it is recommended to implement pH measurements using a pH meter for quality control in veterinary blood banks.

Cryoprotectant optimization for enhanced stability and transfection efficiency of pDNA-loaded ionizable lipid nanoparticles.

Advances in gene therapy, exemplified by mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, highlight the importance of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for nucleic acid delivery despite challenging storage conditions. Substituting mRNA with pDNA in LNPs may enhance stability and efficacy, yet maintaining LNP stability poses challenges, particularly during freeze-drying. Cryoprotectants offer potential to mitigate destabilization, improving LNP properties and in vivo performance. Here, we evaluated the effects of different concentrations of various cryoprotectants on the freeze-drying process of pDNA-loaded LNPs, assessing their physicochemical characteristics and transfection efficiency. Stability was examined under various storage conditions, confirming biological efficacy post-storage. Our results highlight the role of cryoprotectants in optimizing freeze-drying for the extended shelf life of nucleic acid-loaded LNPs. Trehalose emerged as an efficient cryoprotectant, maintaining LNP stability after the freeze-drying process for up to 2 years, with diameters and transfection efficiency comparable to fresh formulations. These findings demonstrate the optimized concentration of cryoprotectants to sustain LNP stability despite freeze-drying and prolonged storage, providing valuable insights for nucleic acid-based therapies.

Electrochemical Performance of Niobium MXenes with Lanthanum.

MXenes are the newest class of two-dimensional nanomaterials characterized by large surface area, high conductivity, and hydrophilicity. To further improve their performance for use in energy storage devices, heteroatoms or functional groups can be inserted into the Mxenes' structure increasing their stability. This work proposes insertion of lanthanum atoms into niobium-MXene (Nb-MX/La) that was characterized in terms of morphogy, structure, and electrochemical behavior. The addition of La to the Nb-MXene structure was essential to increase the spacing between the layers, improving the interaction with the electrolyte and enabling charge/discharge cycling in a higher potential window and at higher current densities. Nb-MX/La achieved a specific capacitance of up to 157 mF cm-2, a specific capacity of 42 mAh cm-2 at 250 mV s-1, a specific power of 37.5 mW cm-2, and a specific energy of 14.1 mWh cm-2 after 1000 charge/discharge cycles at 50 mA cm-2.

Tutton salt (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2(H2O)6: thermostructural, spectroscopic, Hirshfeld surface, and DFT investigations.

CONTEXT: Ammonium Tutton salts have been widely studied in recent years due to their thermostructural properties, which make them promising compounds for application in thermochemical energy storage devices. In this work, a detailed experimental study of the Tutton salt with the formula (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2(H2O)6 is carried out. Its structural, vibrational, and thermal properties are analyzed and discussed. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies confirm that the compound crystallizes in a structure of a Tutton salt, with monoclinic symmetry and P21/a space group. The Hirshfeld surface analysis results indicate that the main contacts stabilizing the material crystal lattice are H···O/O···H, H···H, and O···O. In addition, a typical behavior of an insulating material is confirmed based on the electronic bandgap calculated from the band structure and experimental absorption coefficient. The Raman and infrared spectra calculated using DFT are in a good agreement with the respective experimental spectroscopic results. Thermal analysis in the range from 300 to 773 K reveals one exothermic and several endothermic events that are investigated using PXRD measurements as a function of temperature. With increasing temperature, two new structural phases are identified, one of which is resolved using the Le Bail method. Our findings suggest that the salt (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2(H2O)6 is a promising thermochemical material suitable for the development of heat storage systems, due to its low dehydration temperature (≈ 330 K), high enthalpy of dehydration (122.43 kJ/mol of H2O), and hydration after 24 h. METHODS: Computational studies using Hirshfeld surfaces and void analysis are conducted to identify and quantify the intermolecular contacts occurring in the crystal structure. Furthermore, geometry optimization calculations are performed based on density functional theory (DFT) using the PBE functional and norm-conserving pseudopotentials implemented in the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP). The primitive unit cell optimization was conducted using the Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) algorithm. The electronic properties of band structure and density of states, and vibrational modes of the optimized crystal lattice are calculated and analyzed.

Influence of Long-Term Freezing of Carcasses in Pre- and Post-Rigor Mortis Stages on the Technological and Nutritional Parameters of the Longissimus lumborum Muscle of Botucatu Rabbits.

The aim was to assess the impact of long-term storage on the quality of Botucatu rabbit meat frozen in pre- and post-rigor stages. The stability of the technological and nutritional parameters of Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle was analyzed over 12 months. In the post-rigor phase, the dorsal LL surface showed a higher level (p < 0.05) of redness and saturation, while the ventral surface showed a higher level (p < 0.05) of yellowness compared to the pre-rigor LL muscle. During storage, the redness and saturation in the LL muscle decreased (p < 0.05), while the yellowness increased (p < 0.05) on both dorsal and ventral surfaces. In the first six months, the pre-rigor meat had a higher pH (p < 0.05) compared to the post-rigor meat. The fresh meat showed higher (p < 0.05) shear force values in the post-rigor stage. Over the 12-month study period, the lipid oxidation, myofibrillar fragmentation index, gross energy, and levels of protein, fat, and carbohydrates increased (p < 0.05), while the shear force, mineral content, and moisture decreased (p < 0.05). Thus, rigor mortis affects meat color in Botucatu rabbits. Fresh meat in the pre-rigor stage is softer, moister, and less acidic than post-rigor meat after 24 h of chilling. Long-term freezing enhances tenderness, regardless of the rigor phase at freezing, preserving its physical, chemical, and nutritional quality, with minor changes in color, lipid oxidation, and chemical composition.

Empirical Modeling of the Drying Kinetics of Red Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.; Chenopodiaceae) with Peel, and Flour Stability in Laminated and Plastic Flexible Packaging.

Despite the high global production of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), its peel is often discarded. Transforming beetroot into flour can reduce waste, improve food security, and decrease environmental pollution. However, large-scale feasibility depends on understanding drying kinetics and optimal storage conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different temperatures in the convective drying of whole beetroot and evaluate the influence of laminated flexible and plastic packaging on flour stability over two months. Drying kinetics were analyzed using five models, with the Page and Logarithm models showing the best fit (R2 > 0.99). Def values (1.27 × 10-9 to 2.04 × 10-9 m2 s-1) increased with rising temperatures while drying time was reduced (from 820 to 400 min), indicating efficient diffusion. The activation energy was 29.34 KJ mol-1, comparable to other plant matrices. Drying reduced moisture and increased ash concentration in the flour. The flour showed a good water adsorption capacity and low cohesiveness, making it marketable. Laminated packaging was more effective in controlling physicochemical parameters, reducing hygroscopicity, and maintaining quality over 60 days. In summary, the Page model can predict beetroot drying kinetics effectively, and laminated packaging can control flour stability.

Increasing flexibility in vulnerable power grids using electrochemical storage.

Developing a reliable power grid and investing in non-conventional renewable energy resources pose problems for low- and medium-income countries. Frequently, maintaining a robust power grid infrastructure can present challenges in terms of reliability, resilience, and flexibility. This article presents a methodology for improving power flexibility in susceptible power systems through the utilization of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The methodology entails the examination of power stability, operating conditions, and security criteria in order to identify suitable locations for storage allocation. A study was conducted utilizing the Electrical Transient and Analysis Program (ETAP®) software to simulate the Central American power transmission grid. The results of the study indicate that including storage systems to offer virtual inertia and backup during emergency situations is a recommended strategy for mitigating potential challenges. The study suggests that applying specific criteria for allocation and sizing at critical points in sensitive systems can enhance power transfer flexibility, eliminating potential constraints. The Central American electrical Power System, which faces power transfer limitations, is well-suited for BESS. In severe contingencies, such as when the system frequency drops to 58.75 Hz and power transfer between Mexico and Central America exceeds 300 MW with voltage levels below 0.97 pu, BESS can help mitigate these issues. The solution involves deploying BESS both centrally and distributively. Results show decreased instability, with power increases not exceeding 300 MW for more than 11 study cycles in all scenarios. The approach includes a BESS with an installed capacity of 1,060 MWh/160 MW and a virtual inertia of H=6s.

Influence of Fruit Load Regulation on Harvest and Postharvest Fruit Quality and Antioxidant-Related Parameters in Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) cv. Regina Cultivated under Plastic Covers in Southern Chile.

Plastic covers have been used to prevent environmental constraints negatively affecting sweet cherry production in Southern Chile. However, less information is available on agronomic practices and their effects on fruit quality in sweet cherry covered orchards. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the impact of fruit load regulation on cherries' antioxidant-related parameters and the quality and condition at harvest and postharvest in sweet cherry (Prunus avium) cv. Regina that was cultivated under a plastic cover in Southern Chile. For this, four fruit load treatments were manually applied-(i) 100% fruit load (the control), (ii) 80% fruit load, (iii) 60% fruit load, and (iv) 40% fruit load-in a commercial sweet cherry orchard for two seasons (2021/2022 and 2022/2023). The results revealed that the yield and fruit load were not significantly different between the treatments. Interestingly, the 60% and 40% fruit loads increased the fresh weight, fruit size, and firmness (20.3%) compared to the control (the 100% fruit load) during both seasons. Likewise, the 60% and 40% fruit load treatments exhibited the highest fruit size distribution of 30 mm, while the 100 and 80% fruit load treatments showed the highest fruit distribution with fruit sizes between 28 mm and 24 mm. The total soluble solids (TSSs) did not vary among the fruit load treatments, while a significant increase was found in the titratable acidity (TA) in the 60 and 40% fruit load treatments during both seasons. No significant differences in antioxidant activity (AA) and total phenols (TPHs) among the treatments were observed during both seasons. Overall, the results revealed that the fruit load treatments, mainly 40%, increased the fruit weight and firmness and reduced pitting in fruits by 39.4% at postharvest. Thus, fruit thinning might be an important agronomical practice to regulate fruit load, positively affecting fruit quality at harvest and during postharvest storage in sweet cherry cv. Regina cultivated under a plastic cover. However, more biochemical and molecular studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism involved in this improvement.

Clinicogenetic characterization of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis in Brazil.

There are few cerebrotendineous xanthomatosis (CTX) case series and observational studies including a significant number of Latin American patients. We describe a multicenter Brazilian cohort of patients with CTX highlighting their clinical phenotype, recurrent variants and assessing possible genotype-phenotype correlations. We analyzed data from all patients with clinical and molecular or biochemical diagnosis of CTX regularly followed at six genetics reference centers in Brazil between March 2020 and August 2023. We evaluated 38 CTX patients from 26 families, originating from 4 different geographical regions in Brazil. Genetic analysis identified 13 variants in the CYP27A1 gene within our population, including 3 variants that had not been previously described. The most frequent initial symptom of CTX in Brazil was cataract (27%), followed by xanthomas (24%), chronic diarrhea (13.5%), and developmental delay (13.5%). We observed that the median age at loss of ambulation correlates with the age of onset of neurological symptoms, with an average interval of 10 years (interquartile range 6.9 to 11 years). This study represents the largest CTX case series ever reported in South America. We describe phenotypic characteristics and report three new pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants.

Role of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) and Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Ratio in Physicochemical Stability and Microbiological Quality of Fermented Plant-Based Beverages during Storage.

Three different fermented plant-based beverages were prepared and stored for a long period (50 days) to assess the effect of the quinoa-to-chickpea ratio on physicochemical stability and microbiological quality. Physicochemical stability was evaluated based on pH, acidity, Brix degrees, water-holding capacity (WHC), viscosity, and viscoelasticity. At the end of the long-term storage period, the pH, acidity, and WHC remained stable. During the entire storage period, the beverages maintained good bacterial, fungal, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts. Quinoa and chickpea flour ratios of 50% showed a higher viscosity (18 Pa.s) and WHC (65%) during short-term storage (0-30 d), indicating that the presence of chickpea flour had a positive effect on these parameters, possibly because chickpea starch contains higher amounts of amylose and long-branch chain amylopectin, which impacts the retrogradation pattern under acidic and refrigerated conditions. However, at the end of storage (50 days), the same blend had a higher acidity, lower viscosity (0.78 Pa.s), and lower LAB counts (~1 × 108 CFU/mL), indicating that the increase in chickpea flour had an adverse long-term effect on these parameters. These results suggest that although different ratios of plant sources can improve the physical aspects, they need to be incorporated in a balanced manner to avoid negative effects on both short- and long-term storage, owing to the incorporation of different types of starches and proteins affecting the stability of the system.

[Juvenile Pompe disease: Undescribed genotype. First report in Quintana Roo]. / Enfermedad de Pompe juvenil: genotipo no descrito. Primer reporte en Quintana Roo.

Background: Pompe disease (PD) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder (1 in 14,000) which affects the synthesis of acid alpha-glucosidase (AGA), leading to intralysosomal glycogen accumulation in muscle tissue. The clinical presentation is heterogeneous, with variable degrees of involvement and progression, classifiable based on the age of onset into infantile (classic or non-classic) and late-onset forms (juvenile or adult). The diagnostic test of choice is the enzymatic analysis of AGA, and the only pharmacological treatment is enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). This document aims to report a clinical case of late-onset PD. Clinical case: 14-year-old male who started at the age of 5 with postural alterations, gait changes, and decreased physical performance compared to his peers. A diagnostic evaluation was initiated in 2022 due to worsening neuromuscular symptoms, accompanied by dyspnea, tachycardia, and chest pain. A suspicion of a lysosomal storage myopathy was established, and through enzymatic determination of AGA the diagnosis of PD was confirmed. The study of the GAA gene revealed the association of 2 previously unreported genomic variants. ERT was initiated, resulting in clinical improvement. Conclusions: The age of symptom onset, severity of clinical presentation, and prognosis of the disease depend on the specific mutations involved. In this case, the identified genetic alterations are associated with different phenotypes. However, based on the clinical presentation, it is categorized as juvenile PD with an indeterminate prognosis.

Introducción: la enfermedad de Pompe (EP) es un padecimiento genético autosómico recesivo poco frecuente (1:14,000) que afecta la síntesis de alfa-glucosidasa ácida (AGA) y condiciona un depósito de glucógeno intralisosomal en tejido muscular. La presentación clínica es heterogénea, con grados variables de afectación y progresión, clasificable según la edad de aparición en infantil (clásica y no clásica) y de inicio tardío (juvenil o de adultez). La prueba diagnóstica de elección es el análisis enzimático de AGA y el único tratamiento farmacológico es la terapia de reemplazo enzimático (TRE). Este documento tiene como objetivo reportar un caso clínico de EP de inicio tardío. Caso clínico: paciente de sexo masculino de 14 años que comenzó a los 5 años con alteraciones de la postura, marcha y desempeño físico. Se inició protocolo de estudio ante agravamiento de los síntomas neuromusculares, a los que se agregaron disnea, taquicardia y dolor torácico. Se sospechó de una miopatía metabólica de depósito lisosomal y mediante determinación enzimática de AGA se confirmó el diagnóstico de EP. El estudio molecular del gen GAA reportó una asociación de 2 variantes genómicas no descritas previamente. Se empleó la TRE con mejoría clínica. Conclusiones: la edad de inicio del cuadro clínico, severidad y pronóstico dependen de las mutaciones presentadas. En este caso, las alteraciones genéticas encontradas están relacionadas con diferentes fenotipos; no obstante, por clínica es categorizado como una EP juvenil con pronóstico indeterminado.

Morphological analysis and lipid composition of the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans salivary glands reinforce important features of feeding behaviour.

Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae), the stable fly, is a hematophagous insect of great veterinary importance, because it is a mechanical vector of diverse pathogens in livestock. The saliva of blood-feeding insects presents important pharmacologically active molecules that impair blood clotting, promote vasodilation and modulate the host immune system response, crucial processes for successful feeding. These properties also enable pathogens' transmission. In the present work, we describe an efficient protocol to dissect S. calcitrans salivary glands, their morphological characteristics and lipid profile. The mean length of the tubular gland is 3.23 mm with a bulbous posterior end and a narrow anterior end. Histological analysis revealed a monolayer of large polygonal epithelial cells with voluminous nuclei and high lipid content in their cytoplasm. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the epithelium is rich in mitochondria, free ribosomes, Golgi complex cisternae, presenting a great extension of rough endoplasmic reticulum that contains an electron-dense material. Lipid analysis by thin-layer chromatography showed that neutral fatty acids and phosphatidylcholine are predominant in the fly salivary glands. Lysophosphatidylcholine, an important signalling biomolecule involved in different metabolic processes, including host's immunomodulation and pathogens proliferation and differentiation, is also present.

Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae), a mosca­dos­estábulos, é um inseto hematófago de grande importância veterinária, uma vez que é vetor mecânico de diversos patógenos que infectam animais da pecuária. A saliva de insetos que se alimentam de sangue apresenta importantes moléculas farmacologicamente ativas que impedem coagulação sanguínea, promovem vasodilatação e modulam o sistema imune do hospedeiro, processos cruciais para uma alimentação bem sucedida. Tais propriedades também permitem a transmissão de patógenos. No presente trabalho, nós descrevemos um protocolo eficiente para dissecar as glândulas salivares de S. calcitrans, suas características morfológicas e perfil lipídico. O comprimento médio da glândula tubular é 3.23 mm com uma porção posterior bulbosa e porção anterior estreita. Análises histológicas revelaram uma monocamada de células epiteliais largas e poligonais com núcleos volumosos e alto conteúdo lipídico em seus citoplasmas. Análises ultraestruturais mostraram um epitélio rico em mitocôndria, ribossomos livres, cisternas do complexo de Golgi, apresentando uma grande extensão de retículo endoplasmático que contém um material eletrodenso. A análise lipídica mostrou que ácidos graxos neutros e fosfatidilcolina predominam nas glândulas salivares da mosca. Lisofosfatidilcolina, uma importante biomolécula sinalizadora envolvida em diferentes processos metabólicos, incluindo imunomodulação do hospedeiro e proliferação e diferenciação de patógenos, também se encontra presente.

Evaluation of Two Ecosystem Services Provided by a Pistia stratiotes Population on the Pacific Coast of South America.

One of the most fascinating wetlands on Peru's central coast is the Santa Rosa wetland (Chancay, Lima), an ecosystem threatened by anthropogenic activities. Some of these impacts have led to the uncontrolled growth of Pistia stratiotes, an invasive aquatic plant. This study sought to quantify the regulation and provisioning of ecosystem services provided by P. stratiotes using carbon storage and the provision of biomass as indicators. To this end, the biomasses of 50 plots measuring 0.0625 m2 were weighed and georeferenced and the percentages of dry biomass (%DB) and total organic carbon in the biomass (%C) were quantified. The biomass and its coordinates were entered into ArcGIS and a Kriging interpolation technique was applied to determine the total amount of biomass (B). It was found that P. stratiotes stored 3942.57 tCO2 and that 2132.41 tons of biomass could be obtained for fodder. The total carbon stored by this aquatic plant represented 28.46% of the total carbon sequestered in the wetland ecosystem by vascular plants, suggesting that its contribution to the carbon cycle is significant. This is the first study to estimate the biomass of a floating aquatic plant population in a coastal Peruvian wetland and is a pioneering study addressing the in situ carbon estimation of Peruvian floating aquatic plants. The results and methods proposed in this research will serve in the evaluation of the potential of ecosystem services among similar populations of floating aquatic species. In addition, the data presented can be used to establish plans for the management and use of this biomass in the production of soil fertilizers and cattle forage.

Comparison of Aedes aegypti arbovirus transmission thresholds in two communities with differing water supply infrastructure.

BACKGROUND: To assess whether the 'economic boom' in the tropical seaport city of Barranquilla improved tapped water supplies to socio-economically poor neighbourhoods resulting in: (1) their reduced use for domestic water-storage in large (> 1,000-litre) custom-made cement tanks which are their principal Aedes aegypti breeding sites and (2) their pupae/person index (PPI) values to below their established 0.5-1.5 PPI arbovirus transmission-threshold value, compared to matched neighbourhoods in the: (a) pre-economic boom (2004) period in Barranquilla and (b) economically-neglected seaport city of Buenaventura. METHODS: The simple, accurate and robust water surface sweep-net/calibration factor or total count methods were used to determine the total Ae. aegypti pupae numbers in greater or less than 20-litre water-holding container types located 'inside' or 'outside' these neighbourhood premises. The women residents also participated in questionnaire-based responses about their domestic water supplies, water-storage and maintenance and mosquito life stages and disease transmission knowledge, to subsequently plan appropriate resident education programmes. Microsoft Excel 8.0 with OpenEpi was used to determine the samples sizes and the statistical values. RESULTS: Tapped water supplies to the three poor Barranquilla neighbourhoods were dramatically increased from 2004 to 2023 resulting in their residents significantly reducing their: (a) large cement water-storage tanks from 1 per 6.9 (2004) to 1 per 31.2 (2020) premises (z = 10.5: p = 0) and (b) PPI values to 0.16, 0.19 and 0.53 (mean: 0.29: 95% CI ± 0.4) in each study neighbourhood. In contrast, tapped water supplies remained inadequate in the Buenaventura neighborhoods, thereby resulting in their continued use of many large (> 1,000-litre) water-storage containers (Barranquilla: 1 per 31.2 and Buenaventura: 1 per 1.5 premises: z = - 9.26: p = 0), with unacceptably high 0.81, 0.88 and 0.99 PPI values in each study neighbourhood (mean 0.89: 95% CI ± 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Improved tapped water supplies resulted in reduced numbers of large custom-made stoneware water-containers, as are employed by poor residents throughout the world, as well as their Ae. aegypti PPI transmission threshold values which, together with appropriate residents' education programmes, are also urgently to reduce to prevent/reduce Ae. aegypti transmitted human diseases globally.