The pseudotorsional space of RNA.

The characterization of the conformational landscape of the RNA backbone is rather complex due to the ability of RNA to assume a large variety of conformations. These backbone conformations can be depicted by pseudotorsional angles linking RNA backbone atoms, from which Ramachandran-like plots can be built. We explore here different definitions of these pseudotorsional angles, finding that the most accurate ones are the traditional η (eta) and θ (theta) angles, which represent the relative position of RNA backbone atoms P and C4'. We explore the distribution of η - θ in known experimental structures, comparing the pseudotorsional space generated with structures determined exclusively by one experimental technique. We found that the complete picture only appears when combining data from different sources. The maps provide a quite comprehensive representation of the RNA accessible space, which can be used in RNA-structural predictions. Finally, our results highlight that protein interactions lead to significant changes in the population of the η - θ space, pointing toward the role of induced-fit mechanisms in protein-RNA recognition.

Bioclimatic and Landscape Factors drive the Potential Distribution of Philaenus spumarius, Neophilaenus campestris and N. lineatus (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) in Southeastern Iberian Peninsula.

Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris are the main vectors of the invasive bacteria Xylella fastidiosa and key threats to European plant health. Previous studies of the potential distribution of P. spumarius reveal that climatic factors are the main drivers of its distribution on the Mediterranean Basin scale. Other local studies reveal that the landscape could also have a role in the distribution of both species of P. spumarius and N. campestris. Our work is aimed at understanding the role and importance of bioclimatic and landscape environmental factors in the distributions of the vector and potential vector species P. spumarius, N. campestris, N. lineatus and L. coleoptrata on a regional scale across the Autonomous Community of Murcia (SE Spain), a region with relevant environmental gradients of thermality and crop intensity. We used sweeping nets for sampling 100 points during eight months in 2020. Using bioclimatic landscape composition and topographical variables, we carried out habitat suitability models for each species using the maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt). Distribution results for P. spumarius, N. campestris and N. lineatus indicate a gradient in habitat suitability, with the optimum in the coldest and wettest areas in landscapes with a high proportion of forest. All three species are absent from the southern third of the study region, the hottest, driest and most intensively cultivated area. These results are useful and should be considered in contingency plans against possible invasions of X. fastidiosa in Mediterranean regions.

Metronidazole for Prevention of Pelvic Cellulitis and Abscess after Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Triple-blinded, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a postoperative 5-day treatment schedule with vaginal metronidazole added to conventional antibiotic prophylaxis with 2 g cefazolin modifies the risk of pelvic cellulitis (PC) and pelvic abscess (PA) after total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). DESIGN: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind, multicenter clinical trial. SETTING: Two centers dedicated to minimally invasive gynecologic surgery in Colombia. PATIENTS: A total of 574 patients were taken to TLH because of benign diseases. INTERVENTION: Patients taken to TLH were divided into 2 groups (treatment group, cefazolin 2 g intravenous single dose before surgery + metronidazole vaginal ovules for 5 days postoperatively, control group: cefazolin 2 g intravenous single dose + placebo vaginal ovules for 5 days postoperatively). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The absolute frequency (AF) of PC and PA and their relationship with the presence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) were measured. There was no difference in AF of PC (AF, 2/285 [0.7%] vs 5/284 [1.7%] in the treatment and placebo groups, respectively; risk ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-5.65; p = .261), nor for PA (AF, 0/285 [0%] vs 2/289 [0.7%]; p = .159, in the treatment and placebo groups, respectively). The incidence of BV was higher in the metronidazole group than the placebo group (42.5% vs 33.4%, p = .026). CONCLUSION: The use of vaginal metronidazole ovules during the first 5 days in postoperative TLH added to conventional cefazolin prophylaxis does not prevent the development of PC or PA, regardless of the patient's diagnosis of BV.

Using Species Distribution Models (SDMs) to Estimate the Suitability of European Mediterranean Non-Native Area for the Establishment of Toumeyella Parvicornis (Hemiptera: Coccidae).

The pine tortoise scale, Toumeyella parvicornis, is an insect native to the Nearctic region that is able to infest several Pinus species. It can cause weakening, defoliation and, at high infestation levels, tree death. After its first report in Italy in 2015, the pest spread rapidly over the surrounding areas and was reported in France in 2021. Due to the threat that this pest poses to pine trees, the suitability of European Mediterranean basin areas for T. parvicornis at different spatial scales was estimated by constructing species distribution models (SDMs) using bioclimatic variables. Our results showed that several coastal areas of the Mediterranean basin area could be suitable for T. parvicornis. Based on performance assessment, all the SDMs tested provided a good representation of the suitability of European Mediterranean non-native area for T. parvicornis at different spatial scales. In particular, most of the areas with a medium or high level of suitability corresponded to the geographical range of distribution of different Pinus spp. in Europe. Predicting the suitability of European Mediterranean areas for T. parvicornis provides a fundamental tool for early detection and management of the spread of this pest in Europe.

First record of Xyleborus bispinatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) and evidence of stable populations in the Iberian Peninsula.

We present the first record of the tropical ambrosia beetle Xyleborus bispinatus in the Iberian Peninsula, collected in traps located in Murcia, Alicante and Valencia provinces (Spain). Insects have been captured in baited traps of long-time trapping networks (ESFP, MUFFET, RAT and SAMFIX) installed in Eastern Spain. Several individuals (410) of X. bispinatus have been collected in seven locations, first in 2009 in Murcia Region, and from 2018 to 2021 in Valencia Region. No attacks by X. bispinatus have been detected on plants thus far, and therefore the host plant in Spain remains unknown. Stable X. bispinatus populations have been detected in a wide area of central Valencian province. We may consider this as an alarming scenario that should be kept under surveillance by maintaining the current trapping network and intensifying the search for the host plants.

First records of Xylosandrus compactus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in the Iberian Peninsula: an expanding alien species?

Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) (Col.: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) is an ambrosia beetle species native to subtropical Eastern Asia, with great concern due to its high invasive ability. This species has invaded 54 countries worldwide, including 4 European countries (Italy, France, Greece, and Spain); it was detected in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) in October 2019. In the present work, X. compactus is recorded for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula (Girona province, NE Spain); specimens were collected in Banyoles (August 2020, attacking twigs of Laurus nobilis and Liquidambar styraciflua) and Platja d'Aro (October 2020, attacking twigs of L. nobilis). Up-to-date information is presented about its geographical distribution, host plants, biology, symptoms, associate damages, and the possible origin of this species in Europe.

First record of the black twig borer, Xylosandrus compactus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in Spain.

We present the first record for Spain of the black twig borer, Xylosandrus compactus, an ambrosia beetle of Asian origin, collected from an infested carob tree located in Calvià (Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain). X. compactus is included in the EPPO Alert List, and it has been recently reported causing damages in a Mediterranean maquis ecosystem in Italy and Southern France. Here, we discuss about the first steps of management of this Invasive Alien species (IAS), the eradication plan and the hypothesis of the path of introduction in this Western Mediterranean island.

How B-DNA Dynamics Decipher Sequence-Selective Protein Recognition.

The rules governing sequence-specific DNA-protein recognition are under a long-standing debate regarding the prevalence of base versus shape readout mechanisms to explain sequence specificity and of the conformational selection versus induced fit binding paradigms to explain binding-related conformational changes in DNA. Using a combination of atomistic simulations on a subset of representative sequences and mesoscopic simulations at the protein-DNA interactome level, we demonstrate the prevalence of the shape readout model in determining sequence-specificity and of the conformational selection paradigm in defining the general mechanism for binding-related conformational changes in DNA. Our results suggest that the DNA uses a double mechanism to adapt its structure to the protein: it moves along the easiest deformation modes to approach the bioactive conformation, while final adjustments require localized rearrangements at the base-pair step and backbone level. Our study highlights the large impact of B-DNA dynamics in modulating DNA-protein binding.

VeriNA3d: an R package for nucleic acids data mining.

SUMMARY: veriNA3d is an R package for the analysis of nucleic acids structural data, with an emphasis in complex RNA structures. In addition to single-structure analyses, veriNA3d also implements functions to handle whole datasets of mmCIF/PDB structures that could be retrieved from public/local repositories. Our package aims to fill a gap in the data mining of nucleic acids structures to produce flexible and high throughput analysis of structural databases. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: http://mmb.irbbarcelona.org/gitlab/dgallego/veriNA3d. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

First record of the Granulate Ambrosia Beetle, Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), in the Iberian Peninsula.

The Granulate Ambrosia Beetle Xylosandrus crassiusculus, an alien species of Asian origin, was recorded for first time in the Iberian Peninsula. Many specimens were collected in October 2016 in the Valencia region (Spain) from infested carob trees. The species is included in the EPPO Alert List as causing serious damage in many Mediterranean regions. A key for the morphological identification of the Xylosandrus species occurring in Europe is also reported.

Mortalidad y factores asociados en pacientes con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria agudo (SDRA) en un hospital universitario / Mortality and associated factors in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a university hospital

Introducción: el síndrome de dificultad respiratorio agudo (SDRA) es la manifestación más grave de compromiso pulmonar agudo. Actualmente no hay datos disponibles para documentar los factores asociados con la mortalidad en nuestro medio. Diseño del estudio: estudio de cohorte retrospectiva. Objetivo: describir los factores asociados a la mortalidad en pacientes adultos hospitalizados en la unidad de cuidado crítico con SDRA entre enero 2007 y diciembre de 2011. Métodos: se recolectaron datos con respecto a causas de SDRA, estancia hospitalaria y en la UCI, gravedad de la enfermedad crítica y el estado vital al egreso. Se realizó un análisis de regresión logística para determinar los factores asociados de manera independiente con la mortalidad hospitalaria. Resultados: se analizaron 141 pacientes con SDRA, la mediana de edad fue 44 años y 62.9% fueron hombres. La primera causa de SDRA fue el choque séptico de origen pulmonar en 49.6% y el APACHE II tuvo una mediana de 18. La mediana de la PaO2/FIO2 al inicio del SDRA fue 91.5 y a las 72 horas fue 125. La mediana de PEEP requerido al inicio de la ventilación mecánica fue de 10 cmH2O y a las 72 horas fue de 12. La estancia en la UCI fue de 13 días y la mortalidad hospitalaria fue del 54%. Los factores asociados con mortalidad fueron el choque de origen pulmonar (OR = 2.45; IC 95% = 1.04-5.77) y el puntaje APACHE II (OR = 1.05 por cada punto; IC 95% = 1.003-1.1). El nivel de PEEP igual o menor en las primeras 72 horas se comportó como un factor protector (OR = 0.36; IC 95% = 0.16-0.82). Conclusiones: el SDRA tiene una alta mortalidad en nuestro medio y los factores más fuertemente asociados con dicha mortalidad son dependientes de la enfermedad de base y de la intensidad de la respuesta biológica a la misma. (Acta Med Colomb 2015; 40 305-309).

Introduction: acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the most serious manifestation of acute pulmonary compromise. Currently no data are available to document the factors associated with mortality in our environment. Study Design: retrospective cohort study. Objective: To describe the factors associated with mortality in adult patients hospitalized in critical care unit with ARDS from January 2007 to December 2011. Methods: Data were collected with regard to causes of ARDS, hospital and ICU stay, critical illness severity and vital status at discharge. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors independently associated with hospital mortality. Results: 141 patients with ARDS were analyzed; the median age was 44 years and 62.9% were men. The first cause of ARDS was septic shock of pulmonary origin in 49.6% and APACHE II had a median of 18. The median PaO2/FIO2 at the beginning of ARDS was 91.5 and at 72 hours was 125. The median PEEP required at the initiation of mechanical ventilation was 10 cmH2O and at 72 hours 12. The ICU stay was 13 days and hospital mortality was 54%. Factors associated with mortality were the shock of pulmonary origin (OR = 2.45; 95% CI = 1.04-5.77) and APACHE II (OR = 1.05 per point, 95% CI = 1.003-1.1). PEEP level equal to or less within 72 hours acted as a protective factor (OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.16-0.82). Conclusions: ARDS has a high mortality in our environment and the factors most strongly associated with this mortality are dependent on the underlying disease and the intensity of biological response to it. (Acta Med Colomb 2015; 40 305-309).

Treatment of Morton neuroma with botulinum toxin A: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Morton neuroma is a common cause of metatarsalgia of neuropathic origin. Systematic reviews suggest that insufficient studies have been performed on the efficacy of the different treatments available. OnabotulinumtoxinA has shown a degree of usefulness in other conditions associated with neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of onabotulinumtoxinA in Morton neuroma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We present an open-label, pilot study with 17 consecutive patients with Morton neuroma and pain of more than 3 months' duration that had not responded to conservative treatment with physical measures or corticosteroid injection. Patients received one onabotulinumtoxinA injection in the area of the neuroma. The main outcome measure was the variation in the pain on walking evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) before treatment and at 1 and 3 months after treatment. The secondary outcome was the change in foot function, which was assessed using the Foot Health Status Questionnaire. RESULTS: In the overall group, the mean initial VAS score on walking was 7. This mean score had fallen to 4.8 at 1 month after treatment and to 3.7 at 3 months. Twelve patients (70.6 %) reported an improvement in their pain and five patients (29.4 %) reported no change; exacerbation of the pain did not occur in any patient. Improvements were also observed in two of the dimensions of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire: foot pain, which improved from a mean of 38.88 before treatment to 57 at 3 months, and foot function, which improved from a mean of 42.27 before treatment to 59.9 at 3 months. Clinical variables including age, sex, site and size of the lesion, standing activity, weekly duration of walking, footwear, foot type and footprint had no influence on the outcome. No adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, injection with onabotulinumtoxinA was shown to be of possible usefulness to relieve the pain and improve function in Morton neuroma. This finding opens the door to further clinical research.

Botulinum toxin type A in chronic plantar fasciitis: clinical effects one year after injection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A in chronic plantar fasciitis was maintained for more than six months after treatment. DESIGN: Observational follow-up study. SUBJECTS: Twenty-four patients who received botulinum toxin type A injection in a previous randomized study of chronic plantar fasciitis (active treatment group) and who presented a benefit one month after treatment. METHODS: A visual analogue scale for pain and the Foot Health Status Questionnaire were used to re-evaluate results 12 months after the botulinum toxin injection. No further injections of botulinum toxin had been administered during the follow-up period. Patients were also asked to give a subjective assessment of treatment outcome. RESULTS: At 12 months, compared with the six-month evaluation, there was a further improvement in foot pain measured using the visual analogue scale, though this did not reach significance (1.78 at 6 months versus 1.22 at 12 months; P = 0.142). However, there were significant improvements in two domains of Foot Health Status Questionnaire: foot pain (91.11 at 6 months versus 80.00 at 12 months; P = 0.001) and foot function (96.19 at 6 months versus 89.38 at 12 months; P = 0.047). There was a small, non-significant deterioration in the shoe and foot health domains. Satisfaction with the outcome was good or very good in the large majority of patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, the positive effect detected six months after treatment with botulinum toxin type A was maintained at 12 months and there was a further improvement in pain and foot function.

Identification and field activity of a male-produced aggregation pheromone in the pine sawyer beetle, Monochamus galloprovincialis.

The pine sawyer beetle, Monochamus galloprovincialis, is a pest of pine trees in Europe and North Africa. Previously considered a secondary pest of stressed and dying trees, it is now receiving considerable attention as a vector of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the causal agent of a lethal wilting disease in susceptible species of pines. Adult beetles are attracted to traps baited with a kairomone blend consisting of a host volatile, alpha-pinene, and two bark beetle pheromone components, ipsenol and 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol. More recently it has been shown that mature male M. galloprovincialis produce a pheromone that attracts mature females in a laboratory bioassay. Here, volatiles were collected from mature male and female M. galloprovincialis, and a compound produced specifically by mature males was identified as 2-undecyloxy-1-ethanol from its gas chromatographic retention times, its mass spectrum, and by comparison with synthetic standards. The naturally-derived and synthetic compounds elicited electroantennographic responses from both females and males. Sealed polyethylene vials and polyethylene sachets were shown to be effective dispensers with zero-order release, the latter giving a higher release rate than the former. In two field tests, multiple-funnel traps baited with synthetic 2-undecyloxy-1-ethanol caught both female and male M. galloprovincialis, with higher catches at the higher release rate. This compound also synergized the attractiveness of the kairomone blend, the combined mixture catching 80-140% more beetles than the sum of the catches to each bait separately and luring up to two beetles/trap/d in a moderate-density population. We conclude that 2-undecyloxy-1-ethanol is a male-produced aggregation pheromone of M. galloprovincialis. This is the first example of a sex-specific compound in the cerambycid subfamily Lamiinae with significant behavioral activity in the field at a range sufficient to make it a useful trap bait. The possible roles of this pheromone in the chemical ecology of M. galloprovincialis and its potential use in pine wilt disease management are discussed.

Etiología del síndrome febril prolongado

Se estudiaron 55 pacientes hospitalizados con el diagnóstico de síndrome febril prolongado, que ingresaron al Hospital San Vicente de Paúl de la ciudad de Medellín entre julio de 1981 y octubre de 1984. En el 51 por ciento de los casos se detectaron enfermedades infecciosas, en el 18 por ciento neoplasias en el 4 por ciento otras entidades. El 27 por ciento de los individuos analizados quedaron sin diagnóstico etiológico. La tuberculosis fue la enfermedad preponderante. No se descubrieron casos con colagenosis