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Gallibacterium anatis is a member of the Pasteurellaceae family and is an opportunistic pathogen that causes gallibacteriosis in chickens. Stress plays a relevant role in promoting the development of pathogenicity in G. anatis. Epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) are relevant to stress; however, their effects on G. anatis have not been elucidated. In this work, we evaluated the effects of E and NE on the growth, biofilm formation, expression of adhesins, and proteases of two G. anatis strains, namely, the hemolytic 12656-12 and the nonhemolytic F149T biovars. E (10 µM/mL) and NE (30 and 50 µM/mL) increased the growth of G. anatis 12656-12 by 20 % and 25 %, respectively. E did not affect the growth of F149T, whereas 40 µM/mL NE decreased bacterial growth by 25 %. E and NE at a dose of 30-50 µM/mL upregulated five fibrinogen adhesins in the 12565-12 strain, whereas no effect was observed in the F149T strain. NE increased proteolytic activity in both strains, whereas E diminished proteolytic activity in the 12656-12 strain. E and NE reduced biofilm formation (30 %) and increased Congo red binding (15 %) in both strains. QseBC is the E and NE two-component detection system most common in bacteria. The qseC gene, which is the E and NE receptor in bacteria, was identified in the genomic DNA of the 12565-12 and F149TG. anatis strains via PCR amplification. Our results suggest that QseC can detect host changes in E and NE concentrations and that catecholamines can modulate the expression of several virulence factors in G. anatis.
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Biopelículas , Pollos , Epinefrina , Regulación Bacteriana de la Expresión Génica , Norepinefrina , Pasteurellaceae , Factores de Virulencia , Factores de Virulencia/genética , Factores de Virulencia/metabolismo , Norepinefrina/farmacología , Norepinefrina/metabolismo , Epinefrina/farmacología , Biopelículas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Biopelículas/efectos de los fármacos , Pasteurellaceae/genética , Pasteurellaceae/patogenicidad , Pasteurellaceae/efectos de los fármacos , Pasteurellaceae/metabolismo , Animales , Regulación Bacteriana de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Adhesinas Bacterianas/genética , Adhesinas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Péptido Hidrolasas/metabolismo , Péptido Hidrolasas/genética , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/microbiología , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Infecciones por Pasteurellaceae/microbiología , Infecciones por Pasteurellaceae/veterinariaRESUMEN
Introduction: Cervical spondylosis is a rare condition in pediatric patients with currently scarce cases in the literature. The C2 location is particularly uncommon with only a small number of case reports describing this condition. Given its limited evidence in the literature, its etiology and standard of care treatment persist obscure. Case Report: Here, we present the case of a 2-year-old with bilateral atraumatic C2 spondylolysis. The patient presented with initial negative radiographs and was later diagnosed with advanced imaging, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a high degree of suspicion in this setting. The patient underwent successful conservative treatment confirmed clinically and radiologically. Conclusion: Cervical spondylolysis is uncommon in the pediatric population, the C2 location being particularly rare. Clinical presentation can be diverse ranging from asymptomatic to spine instability with associated neurological deficits. The diagnosis of this condition is challenging and there are no current strong recommendations regarding the treatment gold standard.
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There are few studies exploring intake diagnostic characteristics as predictors of change in integrative naturalistic settings. The aim of this study is to explore baseline variables at the intake process and establish the predictive value of the individual trajectories of the patients. We recruited 259 patients undergoing an integrative psychotherapy network of psychotherapists from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Every therapist completed the intake form of each patient involved in the routine outcome monitoring. Thereafter step-wise regressions based on forward selection strategies were used, in order to identify meaningful baseline predictors of patients' clinical evolution, derived from the intake process. The selected predictors were social support network, subjective distress, the initial measure of clinical distress, unemployment, sociocultural status and reactance. When including those six variables in a multilevel model, the results indicate that social support network, subjective distress, and the initial measure of clinical distress were significant predictors of the trajectories of OQ-30, whereas unemployment, sociocultural status and reactance were not significant. The results regarding social support network are in line with the literature, while results of socioeconomic status (unemployment and sociocultural level) move in an opposite direction in comparison to the available evidence. Moreover, the mental health findings (initial OQ-30 and subjective distress) confirm the contradictory body of literature produced in this domain. Finally, reactance seems to be a significant predictor in previous study in contradiction of our results. Overall, this endeavor constitutes important but preliminary evidence to enhance the production of bottom-up science within practice research networks in the global south.
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Psicoterapia , Apoyo Social , Desempleo , Humanos , Argentina , Masculino , Femenino , Psicoterapia/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Desempleo/estadística & datos numéricos , Trastornos Mentales/terapia , Trastornos Mentales/epidemiología , Distrés Psicológico , Factores Socioeconómicos , Adulto Joven , Estrés Psicológico/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: The healthcare system contributes approximately 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet the environmental impact of radiotherapy treatments remains inadequately assessed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We selected all breast cancer patients (1959 patients) treated with adjuvant radiotherapy between 2015 and 2023 in one institution. We analyzed the CO2 emissions associated with travel. We also selected 60 patients randomly to analyze treatment-associated carbon emissions. We compared three different fractionation schemes: normofractionation (25-30 fractions, fx), hypofractionation (15-18fx), and ultra-hypofractionation (5-6fx). RESULTS: Our study revealed a significant reduction in carbon emissions within the 5-fractions group compared to the 15-fractions group (26.69kg vs 57.13kg, p < 0.001), saving approximately the CO2 emissions associated with the electricity consumption of an average Spanish household for 12 days, or the emissions of a passenger flying from Madrid to Barcelona. CONCLUSION: Most of the carbon footprint of radiotherapy is due to travel. Hypofractionation could be an appropriate solution to protect the environment.
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Immune mediators affect multiple biological functions of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and, like Paneth and Paneth-like cells, play an important role in intestinal epithelial homeostasis. IFN-γ a prototypical proinflammatory cytokine disrupts intestinal epithelial homeostasis. However, the mechanism underlying the process remains unknown. In this study, using in vivo and in vitro models we demonstrate that IFN-γ is spontaneously secreted in the small intestine. Furthermore, we observed that this cytokine stimulates mitochondrial activity, ROS production, and Paneth and Paneth-like cell secretion. Paneth and Paneth-like secretion downstream of IFN-γ, as identified here, is mTORC1 and necroptosis-dependent. Thus, our findings revealed that the pleiotropic function of IFN-γ also includes the regulation of Paneth cell function in the homeostatic gut.
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Mannheimiahaemolytica is an opportunistic agent of the respiratory tract of bovines, a member of the Pasteurellaceae family, and the causal agent of fibrinous pleuropneumonia. This bacterium possesses different virulence factors, allowing it to colonize and infect its host. The present work describes the isolation and characterization of a serine protease secreted by M. haemolytica serotype 1. This protease was isolated from M. haemolytica cultured media by precipitation with 50 % methanol and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. It is a 70-kDa protease able to degrade sheep and bovine fibrinogen or porcine gelatin but not bovine IgG, hemoglobin, or casein. Mass spectrometric analysis indicates its identity with protease IV of M. haemolytica. The proteolytic activity was active between pH 5 and 9, with an optimal pH of 8. It was stable at 50 °C for 10 min but inactivated at 60 °C. The sera of bovines with chronic or acute pneumonia recognized this protease. Still, it showed no cross-reactivity with rabbit hyperimmune serum against the secreted metalloprotease from Actinobacilluspleuropneumoniae, another member of the Pasteurellaceae family. M. haemolytica secreted proteases could contribute to the pathogenesis of this bacterium through fibrinogen degradation, a characteristic of this fibrinous pleuropneumonia.
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Fibrinógeno , Mannheimia haemolytica , Serina Proteasas , Animales , Mannheimia haemolytica/enzimología , Ovinos , Bovinos , Fibrinógeno/metabolismo , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Serina Proteasas/metabolismo , Serina Proteasas/aislamiento & purificación , Temperatura , Proteolisis , Peso Molecular , Gelatina/metabolismo , Estabilidad de Enzimas , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Proteínas Bacterianas/aislamiento & purificación , Espectrometría de Masas , Cromatografía por Intercambio Iónico , Porcinos , Factores de Virulencia/metabolismo , Factores de Virulencia/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
Sex determination in monomorphic birds is a precondition for captive breeding programs and management and conservation strategies for threatened species. Most species of the order Psittaciformes often present complications since these birds lack external sexual phenotypic traits, making it impossible to differentiate males and females. In the present study, we used molecular techniques to determine the sex of 31 individuals belonging to nine species of the order Psittaciformes kept under human care at the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary & Rescued Animals in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This is a useful and low-cost methodology based on the analysis of the conserved region of the CHD1 gene, which was amplified by PCR with two sets of primers: P8/P2 and 2550F/2718 R. All individuals were successfully sexed with the first set of primers, while only 28 out of 31 samples (90%) could be amplified with the second set. Out of the 31 individuals analyzed, fifteen are female, and seventeen are male. This information represents a handy tool for adequately managing birds under human care, resulting in their reproduction and eventual reintegration into their natural habitat.
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Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Psittaciformes , Análisis para Determinación del Sexo , Animales , México , Femenino , Masculino , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Análisis para Determinación del Sexo/métodos , Análisis para Determinación del Sexo/veterinaria , Psittaciformes/genética , HumanosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: We aimed to assess the frequency, duration, and severity of area postrema syndrome (APS) during follow-up in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients, as well as its association with inflammatory activity and prognostic factors of APS severity in a real-world setting. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on a cohort of Latin American (LATAM) NMOSD patients who had experienced APS during their follow-up. Patients from Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Chile and Argentina patients who met 2015 NMOSD criteria were included. We evaluated data on symptom type (nausea, vomiting and/or hiccups), frequency, duration, severity (measured by APS severity scale), association with other NMOSD core relapses, and acute treatments (symptomatic and immunotherapy or plasmapheresis). Logistic regression was conducted to evaluate factors associated with APS severity (vs. mild-moderate). RESULTS: Out of 631 NMOSD patients, 116 (18.3%) developed APS during their follow-up. The most common APS phenotype was severe. Inflammatory activity (i.e., relapses) significantly decreased after the onset of APS. Half of the patients experienced isolated APS with a median duration of 10 days, and the most frequently used acute treatment was IV steroids. All three symptoms were present in 44.6% of the patients. APS symptoms resolved following immunotherapy. Logistic regression did not identify independent factors associated with the severity of APS. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that 18.3% of NMOSD patients developed APS during the follow-up period, with most patients fulfilling criteria for severe APS. The inflammatory activity decreased after the onset of APS compared to the previous year.
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Neuromielitis Óptica , Fenotipo , Humanos , Femenino , Masculino , Neuromielitis Óptica/terapia , Neuromielitis Óptica/epidemiología , Neuromielitis Óptica/fisiopatología , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Estudios de Seguimiento , Área Postrema , Índice de Severidad de la EnfermedadRESUMEN
Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the richness, abundance, and diversity of bacteria in stray dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) infested by ticks in Comarca Lagunera, northern Mexico, and to establish their pathogenic and or/zoonotic potential. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 12 dogs were collected, and their deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted. The V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal ribunocleic acid gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on a MiSeq Illumina platform, and the data were analyzed using quantitative insights into microbial ecology. Results: The operational taxonomic units resulted in 23 phyla, 54 classes, 89 orders, 189 families, 586 genera, and 620 bacterial species; among them, 64 species and/or bacterial genera with pathogenic or zoonotic potential were identified, some of which have been reported in the literature as relevant to public health (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Brucella spp., Clostridium spp., Corynebacterium affermentants, Cutibacterium spp., Dietzia spp., Ehrlichia canis, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Leptotrichia spp., Mycobacterium spp., Paracoccus spp., and Roseomonas gilardii). Conclusion: This research offers relevant information on the prevalence of tick-borne diseases as well as other potential zoonotic diseases in the blood of stray dogs parasitized by ticks in northern Mexico. New molecular biology and massive NGS techniques may play an important role in the study and documentation of bacterial profiles from animals in close proximity to humans.
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Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) allows measuring intra-individual processes moment by moment, identifying and modeling, in a naturalistic way, individual levels and changes in different psychological processes. However, active EMA requires a high degree of adherence, as it implies a significant burden for patients. Moreover, there is still no consensus on standardized procedures for implementation. There have been few results in detecting desirable characteristics for the design and implementation of an EMA device. Studies that address these issues from the perspectives of participants in psychotherapeutic processes are needed. To analyze the perspectives of patients, therapists and supervisors on the implementation of an EMA device in a psychotherapeutic treatment for depression. The sample will include eight patients, eleven therapists and five supervisors, taken from a research project that implemented an EMA system for monitoring the dynamics of affectivity at the beginning of psychotherapies for depression. Semi-structured interviews specific to each group are being conducted and analyzed from a qualitative approach based on consensual qualitative research (CQR). Participants reported having a positive evaluation of the study's informational resources and implementation. Difficulties were expressed in responding in the morning hours and the importance of having a customized EMA that is tailored to the needs of the patients was expressed. Furthermore, patients and therapists agreed that the impact of the use of the monitoring system on treatment was neutral or positive. In contrast, patients considered the EMA to be positive for their daily life.
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Evaluación Ecológica Momentánea , Psicoterapia , Investigación Cualitativa , Humanos , Psicoterapia/métodos , Adulto , Femenino , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Actitud del Personal de Salud , Depresión/terapiaRESUMEN
Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) is an autotransporter protein of the serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATE) family, important in the pathogenicity of Escherichia coli. The pet gene was initially found in the enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) virulence plasmid, pAA2. Although this virulence factor was initially described in EAEC, an intestinal E. coli pathotype, pet may also be present in other pathotypes, including extraintestinal pathogenic strains (ExPEC). The complement system is an important defense mechanism of the immune system that can be activated by invading pathogens. Proteases produced by pathogenic bacteria, such as SPATEs, have proteolytic activity and can cleave components of the complement system, promoting bacterial resistance to human serum. Considering these factors, the proteolytic activity of Pet and its role in evading the complement system were investigated. Proteolytic assays were performed by incubating purified components of the complement system with Pet and Pet S260I (a catalytic site mutant) proteins. Pet, but not Pet S260I, could cleave C3, C5 and C9 components, and also inhibited the natural formation of C9 polymers. Furthermore, a dose-dependent inhibition of ZnCl2-induced C9 polymerization in vitro was observed. E. coli DH5α survived incubation with human serum pre-treated with Pet. Therefore, Pet can potentially interfere with the alternative and the terminal pathways of the complement system. In addition, by cleaving C9, Pet may inhibit membrane attack complex (MAC) formation on the bacterial outer membrane. Thus, our data are suggestive of a role of Pet in resistance of E. coli to human serum.
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Toxinas Bacterianas , Infecciones por Escherichia coli , Proteínas de Escherichia coli , Humanos , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Toxinas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/genética , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Proteínas del Sistema Complemento/metabolismo , Serina Proteasas/metabolismo , Infecciones por Escherichia coli/microbiología , Plásmidos/genéticaRESUMEN
Protected areas are of paramount relevance to conserving wildlife and ecosystem contributions to people. Yet, their conservation success is increasingly threatened by human activities including habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and species overexploitation. Thus, understanding the underlying and proximate drivers of anthropogenic threats is urgently needed to improve protected areas' effectiveness, especially in the biodiversity-rich tropics. We addressed this issue by analyzing expert-provided data on long-term biodiversity change (last three decades) over 14 biosphere reserves from the Mesoamerican Biodiversity Hotspot. Using multivariate analyses and structural equation modeling, we tested the influence of major socioeconomic drivers (demographic, economic, and political factors), spatial indicators of human activities (agriculture expansion and road extension), and forest landscape modifications (forest loss and isolation) as drivers of biodiversity change. We uncovered a significant proliferation of disturbance-tolerant guilds and the loss or decline of disturbance-sensitive guilds within reserves causing a "winner and loser" species replacement over time. Guild change was directly related to forest spatial changes promoted by the expansion of agriculture and roads within reserves. High human population density and low nonfarming occupation were identified as the main underlying drivers of biodiversity change. Our findings suggest that to mitigate anthropogenic threats to biodiversity within biosphere reserves, fostering human population well-being via sustainable, nonfarming livelihood opportunities around reserves is imperative.
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Biodiversidad , Ecosistema , Humanos , Animales , Agricultura , Animales Salvajes , Cambio ClimáticoRESUMEN
ABSTRACT: Multilevel spinal epidural empyema (SEE) is a rare and serious infection of the spine with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Although abscesses or empyema of the spine sector are well studied, this pathology is surprising due to its rarity and diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. It stands out for being more common in adulthood and in males and is associated with predisposing pathologies. The bacteriological agent responsible in most cases is Staphylococcus aureus. Early treatment is essential and is based on two pillars: antibiotic therapy and decompressive surgery. We present two clinical cases with multilevel involvement that evolved favorably both infectiously and neurologically without causing spine instability and we carried out a bibliographic review of the subject. Level of Evidence IV; Case Report.
RESUMO: O empiema epidural espinhal multinível (EEE) e uma infecção rara e grave da coluna vertebral, com alta taxa de morbidade e mortalidade. Embora os abscessos ou empiemas de um setor da coluna vertebral sejam bem estudados, esta patologia surpreende pela sua raridade e desafio diagnóstico e terapêutico. Destaca-se por ser mais comum na idade adulta, no sexo masculino, e estar associada a patologias predisponentes. O agente bacteriológico responsável na maioria dos casos e o Staphylococcus aureus. O tratamento precoce e essencial e baseia-se em dois pilares: antibioticoterapia e cirurgia descompressiva. Apresentamos dois casos clínicos com envolvimento multinível que evoluíram favoravelmente tanto infecciosa quanto neurologicamente sem causar instabilidade da coluna vertebral e realizamos uma revisão bibliográfica do assunto. Nível de Evidencia IV; Estudo de Caso-controle.
RESUMEN: El empiema epidural espinal (EEE) multinivel es una infección rara y grave de la columna vertebral con alta tasa de morbimortalidad. Si bien los abscesos o empiemas de un sector de la columna están bien estudiados, esta patología sorprende por su rareza, reto diagnóstico y terapeutico. Se destaca por ser más frecuente en la edad adulta, en el sexo masculino y se ve asociada a patologías predisponentes. El agente bacteriológico responsable en la mayoría de los casos es el Staphylococcus aureus. El tratamiento precoz es fundamental y está basado en dos pilares: antibioticoterapia y quirúrgico descompresivo Presentamos dos casos clínicos con afectación multinivel que evolucionaron favorablemente tanto en lo infeccioso como en lo neurológico sin provocar una inestabilidad del raquis y realizamos revisión bibliográfica del tema. Nivel de Evidencia IV; Estudio de Caso-control.
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Procedimientos Ortopédicos , Empiema , LaminectomíaRESUMEN
The photoluminescence properties (PL) of Eu3+ hosted in the hydroxide layers of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) enables calibrationless quantification of anions in the interlayers. The concept is demonstrated during the nitrate-to-carbonate ion exchange in Zn2+/Al3+/Eu3+ LDHs and can be implemented as a remote optical sensor to detect intrusion of anions such as Cl- or CO32-.
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Aluminosilicates are adsorbents able to bind mycotoxins, and their chemical modification increases their affinity to adsorb low-polarity mycotoxins. To further investigate if the inclusion of salts in bentonite modifies its adsorptive capacity, we studied T-2 toxin adsorption in natural bentonite (NB) and when modified with quaternary ammonium salts differing in polarity and chain length: myristyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (B14), cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (B16) and benzyl dimethyl stearyl ammonium chloride (B18). The results showed that quaternary salts made bentonite: displace monovalent (Na+1, K+1) and divalent (Mg+2, Ca+2) ions; reduce its porosity; change its compaction and structure, becoming more crystalline and ordered; and modify the charge balance of sheets. T-2 adsorption was higher in all modified materials compared to NB (p ≤ 0.0001), and B16 (42.96%) better adsorbed T-2 compared to B18 (35.80%; p = 0.0066). B14 (38.40%) showed no differences compared to B16 and B18 (p > 0.05). We described the T-2 adsorption mechanism in B16, in which hydrogen bond interactions, Van der Waals forces and the replacement of the salt by T-2 were found. Our results showed that interaction types due to the inclusion in B16 might be more important than the hydrocarbon chain length to improve the adsorptive capacity of bentonite.
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Toxina T-2 , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Bentonita/química , Adsorción , Sales (Química) , Cationes , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/químicaRESUMEN
Serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATE) constitute a superfamily of virulence factors, resembling the trypsin-like superfamily of serine proteases. SPATEs accomplish multiple functions associated to disease development of their hosts, which could be the consequence of SPATE cleavage of host cell components. SPATEs have been divided into class-1 and class-2 based on structural differences and biological effects, including similar substrate specificity, cytotoxic effects on cultured cells, and enterotoxin activity on intestinal tissues for class-1 SPATEs, whereas most class-2 SPATEs exhibit a lectin-like activity with a predilection to degrade a variety of mucins, including leukocyte surface O-glycoproteins and soluble host proteins, resulting in mucosal colonization and immune modulation. In this review, the structure of class-1 and class-2 are analyzed, making emphasis on their putative functional subdomains as well as a description of their function is provided, including prototypical mechanism of action.
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Proteínas de Escherichia coli , Serina Proteasas , Serina Proteasas/metabolismo , Enterobacteriaceae/genética , Enterobacteriaceae/metabolismo , Sistemas de Secreción Tipo V , Serina Endopeptidasas/genética , Serina Endopeptidasas/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Glicoproteínas de MembranaRESUMEN
There is an expanding market for beer of different flavors. This study aimed to prepare a craft Belgian-style pale ale with a non-Saccharomyces yeast. Pichia kudriavzevii 4A was used as a sole starter culture, and malted barley as the only substrate. The ingredients and brewing process were carefully monitored to ensure the quality and innocuousness of the beverage. During fermentation, the yeast consumed 89.7% of total sugars and produced 13.8% v/v of ethanol. The product was fermented and then aged for 8 days, adjusted to 5% v/v alcohol, and analyzed. There were no traces of mycotoxins, lead, arsenic, methanol, or microbiological contamination that would compromise consumer health. According to the physicochemical analysis, the final ethanol concentration (5.2% v/v) and other characteristics complied with national and international guidelines. The ethyl acetate and isoamyl alcohol present are known to confer sweet and fruity flavors. The sensory test defined the beverage as refreshing and as having an apple and pear flavor, a banana aroma, and a good level of bitterness. The judges preferred it over a commercial reference sample of Belgian-style pale ale made from S. cerevisiae. Hence, P. kudriavzevii 4A has the potential for use in the beer industry.
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In recent years there has been a growing interest in research about the different ways of processing and consolidating cognition in deaf people. It is known that hearing loss can lead to differences in some executive functions like control inhibitory or working memory. This literature review describes executive functions in deaf people and how they could be evaluated through technological devices complementing traditional assessments, like neuropsychological batteries. We identified biometric devices, digital and physical interfaces, and software from the literature, whose goal is to design or adapt technology to assess some cognition domains in several ways. The results of the review suggest the need to understand the cognitive phenomenon that significantly impacts the context of deaf people; moreover, it becomes relevant as a line of research in the Cognitive Science of Hearing. Using technologies to measure them and gain a better understanding of cognition in deaf people may provide possibilities for designing or adapting targeted educational or therapeutic strategies.
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Relay-assisted wireless communications, where both the relay and the final destiny employ diversity-combining techniques, represent a compelling strategy for improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for mobile terminals, mainly at millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequency bands. In this sense, this work considers a wireless network that employs a dual-hop decode-and-forward (DF) relaying protocol, in which the receivers at the relay and at the base station (BS) use an antenna array. Moreover, it is considered that the received signals are combined at reception using equal-gain-combining (EGC). Recent works have enthusiastically employed the Weibull distribution so as to emulate the small-scale fading behavior in mmWave frequencies, which also motivates its use in the present work. For this scenario, exact and asymptotic expressions for the system's outage probability (OP) and average bit error probability (ABEP) are derived in closed form. Useful insights are gained from these expressions. More precisely, they illustrate how the system and fading parameters affect the performance of the DF-EGC system. Monte Carlo simulations corroborate the accuracy and validity of the derived expressions. Furthermore, the mean achievable rate of the considered system is also evaluated via simulations. Useful insights regarding the system performance are obtained from these numerical results.
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Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare premature aging disorder caused by the expression of progerin, a mutant variant of Lamin A. Recently, HGPS studies have gained relevance because unraveling its underlying mechanism would help to understand physiological aging. We previously reported that the CRM1-mediated nuclear protein export pathway is exacerbated in HGPS cells, provoking the mislocalization of numerous protein targets of CRM1. We showed that normalization of this mechanism by pharmacologically inhibiting CRM1 with LMB (specific CRM1 inhibitor), mitigates the senescent phenotype of HGPS cells. Since mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of HGPS, in this study we analyze the effect of LMB on mitochondrial function. Remarkably, LMB treatment induced the recovery of mitochondrial function in HGPS cells, as shown by the improvement in mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP levels, which consequently impeded the accumulation of ROS but not mitochondrial superoxide. We provide evidence that the beneficial effect of LMB is mechanistically based on a combinatory effect on mitochondrial biogenesis via upregulation of PGC-1α expression (master transcription cofactor of mitochondrial genes), and mitophagy through the recovery of lysosomal content. The use of exportin CRM1 inhibitors constitutes a promising strategy to treat HGPS and other diseases characterized by mitochondrial impairment.