Neo-functionalization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a novel Nrg1-Rtg3 chimeric transcriptional modulator is essential to maintain mitochondrial DNA integrity.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the transcriptional repressor Nrg1 (Negative Regulator of Glucose-repressed genes) and the ß-Zip transcription factor Rtg3 (ReTroGrade regulation) mediate glucose repression and signalling from the mitochondria to the nucleus, respectively. Here, we show a novel function of these two proteins, in which alanine promotes the formation of a chimeric Nrg1/Rtg3 regulator that represses the ALT2 gene (encoding an alanine transaminase paralog of unknown function). An NRG1/NRG2 paralogous pair, resulting from a post-wide genome small-scale duplication event, is present in the Saccharomyces genus. Neo-functionalization of only one paralog resulted in the ability of Nrg1 to interact with Rtg3. Both nrg1Δ and rtg3Δ single mutant strains were unable to use ethanol and showed a typical petite (small) phenotype on glucose. Neither of the wild-type genes complemented the petite phenotype, suggesting irreversible mitochondrial DNA damage in these mutants. Neither nrg1Δ nor rtg3Δ mutant strains expressed genes encoded by any of the five polycistronic units transcribed from mitochondrial DNA in S. cerevisiae. This, and the direct measurement of the mitochondrial DNA gene complement, confirmed that irreversible damage of the mitochondrial DNA occurred in both mutant strains, which is consistent with the essential role of the chimeric Nrg1/Rtg3 regulator in mitochondrial DNA maintenance.

Three-Stage Power Supply System Model for a Wearable IoT Device for COVID-19 Patients.

During the current crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Wearable IoT (WIoT) health devices have become essential resources for remote monitoring of the main physiological signs affected by this disease. As well as sensors, microprocessor, and wireless communication elements are widely studied, the power supply unit has the same importance for the WIoT technology, since the autonomy of the system between recharges is of great importance. This letter presents the design of the power supply system of a WIoT device capable of monitoring oxygen saturation and body temperature, sending the collected data to an IoT platform. The supply system is based on a three-stage block consisting of a rechargeable battery, battery charge controller, and dc voltage converter. The power supply system is designed and implemented as a prototype in order to test performance and efficiency. The results show that the designed block provides a stable supply voltage avoiding energy losses, which makes it an efficient and rapidly developing system.

Worldwide Correlations Support COVID-19 Seasonal Behavior and Impact of Global Change.

Many viral diseases exhibit seasonal behavior and can be affected by environmental stressors. Using time-series correlation charts extrapolated from worldwide data, we provide strong support for the seasonal development of COVID-19 regardless of the immunity of the population, behavioral changes, and the periodic appearance of new variants with higher rates of infectivity and transmissibility. Statistically significant latitudinal gradients were also observed with indicators of global change. Using the Environmental Protection Index (EPI) and State of Global Air (SoGA) metrics, a bilateral analysis of environmental health and ecosystem vitality effects showed associations with COVID-19 transmission. Air quality, pollution emissions, and other indicators showed strong correlations with COVID-19 incidence and mortality. Remarkably, EPI category and performance indicators also correlated with latitude, suggesting cultural and psychological diversity in human populations not only impact wealth and happiness but also planetary health at latitudinal level. Looking forward, we conclude there will be a need to disentangle the seasonal and global change effects of COVID-19 noting that countries that go against the health of the planet affect health in general.

Afghan Health Related Concerns Following the US Withdrawal: Results of a Survey Given via Social Media.

Background: The United States Armed Forces completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 30th, 2021, ending 20 years of war in Afghanistan. This rapid timeline from announcement to withdrawal and subsequent power transfer had profound consequences on the Afghan people, particularly in the domains of health and healthcare. Methods: On 15 September 2021, we posted an anonymous online cross-sectional survey on social media (Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp groups) to collect data about respondents from Afghanistan. Questions focused on COVID-19 symptoms, concerns, and individual care with a focus on changes related to the United States (US) withdrawal from Afghanistan. The form was composed of 17 questions which included multiple choice, single choice, and numeric options. All questions were optional including demographic data. Results: Our survey yielded 1,074 responses from the Farsi version and 572 responses from the Pashto version for a total of 1,646 responses. 1,286 (80%) of respondents were in Afghanistan at the time of survey submission. Concerning the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, 26% (412) respondents were extremely concerned and 12% (181) were moderately concerned. A majority of respondents report concerns regarding mental health due to the US withdrawal. 27% (418) report extreme concern, 12% (186) report moderate concern, and 15% (229) report a little concern. There is a significant difference in the proportions of concern (for US withdrawal generally, as well as physical and mental health) across gender. 49% of Female respondents report extreme concern regarding the US withdrawal compared to 22% of Male respondents (P < 0.001). With respect to physical health concerns 36% of Females report extreme concern compared to 16% of Males (P < 0.001). Finally on the mental health concerns, 54% of Females report extreme concern compared to 22% of Males (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results from this survey are susceptible to the possibility of internal validity and/or external validity. However, we are accepting of those possibilities considering this survey wasn't designed to be bulletproof, but rather serve as a voice for those who can't be heard and to inform the public of the hardships occurring across the globe due to a steadfast retraction of the US footprint from their soil. Our findings indicate salient changes and public health concerns among Afghans following the US withdrawal from the region. These concerns varied across gender and ethnic groups. Our findings may serve as the first step in addressing the health concerns of Afghans following two decades of US military presence. The results should be understood through the limitations associated with a survey study design. Future research and policy aimed at tackling short and long-term health and social concerns in Afghanistan should consider the role of US withdrawal.

Two alpha isopropylmalate synthase isozymes with similar kinetic properties are extant in the yeast Lachancea kluyveri.

The first committed step in the leucine biosynthetic pathway is catalyzed by α-isopropylmalate synthase (α-IPMS, EC 2.3.3.13), which in the Saccaromycotina subphylum of Ascomycete yeasts is frequently encoded by duplicated genes. Following a gene duplication event, the two copies may be preserved presumably because the encoded proteins diverge in either functional properties and/or cellular localization. The genome of the petite-negative budding yeast Lachancea kluyveri includes two SAKL0E10472 (LkLEU4) and SAKL0F05170 g (LkLEU4BIS) paralogous genes, which are homologous to other yeast α-IPMS sequences. Here, we investigate whether these paralogous genes encode functional α-IPMS isozymes and whether their functions have diverged. Molecular phylogeny suggested that the LkLeu4 isozyme is located in the mitochondria and LkLeu4BIS in the cytosol. Comparison of growth rates, leucine intracellular pools and mRNA levels, indicate that the LkLeu4 isozyme is the predominant α-IPMS enzyme during growth on glucose as carbon source. Determination of the kinetic parameters indicates that the isozymes have similar affinities for the substrates and for the feedback inhibitor leucine. Thus, the diversification of the physiological roles of the genes LkLEU4 and LkLEU4BIS involves preferential transcription of the LkLEU4 gene during growth on glucose and different subcellular localization, although ligand interactions have not diverged.

The seasonal behaviour of COVID-19 and its galectin-like culprit of the viral spike.

Seasonal behaviour is an attribute of many viral diseases. Like other 'winter' RNA viruses, infections caused by the causative agent of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, appear to exhibit significant seasonal changes. Here we discuss the seasonal behaviour of COVID-19, emerging viral phenotypes, viral evolution, and how the mutational landscape of the virus affects the seasonal attributes of the disease. We propose that the multiple seasonal drivers behind infectious disease spread (and the spread of COVID-19 specifically) are in 'trade-off' relationships and can be better described within a framework of a 'triangle of viral persistence' modulated by the environment, physiology, and behaviour. This 'trade-off' exists as one trait cannot increase without a decrease in another. We also propose that molecular components of the virus can act as sensors of environment and physiology, and could represent molecular culprits of seasonality. We searched for flexible protein structures capable of being modulated by the environment and identified a galectin-like fold within the N-terminal domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 as a potential candidate. Tracking the prevalence of mutations in this structure resulted in the identification of a hemisphere-dependent seasonal pattern driven by mutational bursts. We propose that the galectin-like structure is a frequent target of mutations because it helps the virus evade or modulate the physiological responses of the host to further its spread and survival. The flexible regions of the N-terminal domain should now become a focus for mitigation through vaccines and therapeutics and for prediction and informed public health decision making.

Dermatoglifia como medio de hallazgo de diabetes mellitus: revisión sistemática / Dermatoglyphics as a means of finding diabetes mellitus: a systematic review

Introducción. La diabetes mellitus (DM) es una de las enfermedades crónicas más comunes, siendo una de las causas principales de mortalidad de la población mun-dial. La dermatoglifia es empleada como instrumento para el hallazgo de ciertos aspectos biológicos en diferentes poblaciones. Objetivo. Reconocer, a partir de una revisión sistemática, la relevancia que tiene la dermatoglifia como medio de hallazgo de diabetes mellitus. Metodología. Revisión de literatura científica en bases de datos como Sciencedi-rect, PubMed, Scopus y BVS, en las cuales se extrajo información después de co-rrer la ecuación de búsqueda con términos MESH. Posteriormente, fueron revisados para incluir aquellos artículos relacionados con DM y dermatoglifia. Para todo el proceso se siguió la metodología PRISMA, evaluando los artículos con la escala de sesgo de Cochrane y el nivel de evidencia y recomendación con escala SIGN. Resultados. Después de una revisión de 475 artículos, se incluyeron ocho artículos, y al ser evaluados fueron clasificados cinco artículos 2+ y tres 2-, con nivel de reco-mendación D. Conclusión. La dermatoglifía es una herramienta útil como medio de detección de la DM. Sin embargo, es necesario realizar estudios de cohortes para demostrarlo en di-ferentes poblaciones, como la colombiana. En ese sentido, se encuentra que el 70% de los artículos revisados demuestran que la predicción de hallazgo de DM es efectiva. Sin embargo, el 30% de las investigaciones dentro de esta revisión no consideran que sea una herramienta lo suficientemente óptima para descubrir la patología en la población.

Introduction. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases, be-ing one of the main causes of mortality in the world population. Dermatoglyphics is used as an instrument for the discovery of certain biological aspects in different populations.Objective. To recognize, by doing a systematic review, the relevance of dermato-glyphics as a means of finding diabetes mellitus. Methodology. Review of scientific literature in databases such as Sciencedirect, PubMed, Scopus, and VHL, in which information was extracted after running the search equation with MESH terms. After that, they were revised to include those articles related to DM and dermatoglyphics. For the entire process, the PRISMA methodology was followed, evaluating the articles with the Cochrane bias scale and the level of evidence and recommendation with the SIGN scale. Results. After a review of 475 articles, eight articles were included, and when evalu-ated, five articles were classified as 2+ and three as 2-, with a level D recommendation. Conclusion. Dermatoglyphics is a useful tool as a means of detecting DM. However, it is necessary to carry out cohort studies to demonstrate this in different populations, such as the Colombian population. 70% of the reviewed articles show that the prediction of DM finding is effective. Nevertheless, 30% of the investigations within this review do not consider it to be a sufficiently optimal tool to discover the pathology in the population

Linfoma de Burkitt esporádico en cavidad bucal: caso clínico / Sporadic Burkitt´s lymphoma in the oral cavity: a clinical case report

Objetivo: Presentar un caso clínico de Linfoma de Burkitt esporádico en cavidad bucal como manifestación inicial en un paciente adulto joven, tratado en el Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos "General José de San Martín" de La Plata. Caso clínico: Un paciente masculino de 20 años de edad se presenta con una lesión tumoral localizada en sector posterior de reborde mandibular, pérdida espontánea de piezas dentarias y parestesia del nervio dentario inferior. Acompañado de un aumento de volumen testicular, compromiso intestinal y poliadenopatías. El cuadro morfológico y de inmuno-marcación confirma un Linfoma de Células B "agresivo". El paciente fue tratado con esquema intensivo de 6 bloques de quimioterapia y terapia intratecal. No se observaron señales de recurrencia durante el período de seguimiento de 12 meses. Las manifestaciones bucales iniciales del Linfoma de Burkitt deben considerarse en el diagnóstico diferencial de las enfermedades bucales benignas. Debido a su naturaleza agresiva, el reconocimiento temprano y rápido de este linfoma es esencial para la administración oportuna de la terapia adecuada y mejora el pronóstico del paciente (AU)

Aim: To present a case of sporadic Burkitt's lymphoma with oral initial manifestatios in a young adult patient, who received treatment at the Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos "General José de San Martín", La Plata. Clinical case: A 20-year-old male patient presents with a tumor lesion located in the posterior area of the mandibular ridge, spontaneous loss of teeth and paresthesia of the inferior dental nerve, increase in testicular volume, intestinal compromise and polyadenopathy. The morphological and immunostaining conditions confirm an "aggressive" B-Cell Lymphoma. The patient received an intensive scheme of 6 blocks of chemotherapy and intrathecal therapy. No signs of recurrence were observed during the 12-month follow-up period. Oral manifestations of Burkitt´s lymphoma in the initial stages should be considered in the differential diagnosis of benign oral diseases. Due to its aggressive nature, early and rapid recognition of these this lymphoma is essential for the timely administration of adequate therapy and for a patient's better prognosis (AU)

Analysis of OPD-Scan and Pentacam Parameters for Early Keratoconus Detection.

BACKGROUND: PURPOSE: To evaluate Pentacam and OPD-Scan parameters in the early detection of keratoconus. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. METHODS: Case group included 50 clinically unaffected fellow eyes diagnosed with asymmetric keratoconus showing subtle qualitative changes at the 0.5-D sensitivity OPD-Scan scale, as well as normal anterior and back elevation difference map at Belin/Ambrósio enhanced ectasia display (BAD) at the Pentacam. Control group included 172 normal eyes that underwent Lasik surgery and presented no complications throughout the 2-year follow-up period. OPD-Scan and Pentacam parameters were compared, calculating sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). A multivariate analysis was performed using Pentacam or OPD-Scan variables, and a model using variables of both devices. RESULTS: Pentacam variables with AUC ≥0.8 were keratoconus index (0.85), index of height decentration (0.81), and overall deviation at BAD (0.8). OPD-Scan variables with AUC ≥0.8 were keratoconus prediction index (0.83), surface asymmetry index (0.83), and total of higher-order trefoil aberration (0.8). In the multivariate analysis, the AUC was 0.85 in the case of OPD-Scan whereas it was 0.89 in the case of Pentacam. When combining all variables from the 2 devices, the AUC was 0.93, with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 94%. CONCLUSIONS: Several parameters of OPD-Scan and Pentacam can be useful to differentiate cases from normal control eyes, demonstrating even better results when combining parameters of both devices. Anterior corneal indexes were the most important parameters to discriminate both groups.

Parto gemelar diferido: a propósito de un caso / Delayed twin birth: case report

INTRODUCCIÓN: Se presenta el caso de un parto diferido en una gestación gemelar en la que se consigue retrasar el parto del segundo gemelo 45 días con manejo conservador. CASO CLÍNICO: Mujer de 25 años, gestación gemelar bicorial biamniótica, con diagnóstico de muerte fetal del primer gemelo en semana 24+3 y parto del mismo tras una semana de evolución. Se decide la opción de tratamiento conservador expectante, con reposo absoluto, manteniendo tocolisis intravenosa, controles analíticos seriados, controles cardiotocográficos diarios, profilaxis antibiótica y antitrombótica. Con ello se consigue diferir el parto un total de 45 días. CONCLUSIÓN: El parto diferido en gestaciones gemelares es una práctica poco habitual, por lo que se carece de protocolos y actuaciones específicas. La bibliografía disponible difiere en cuanto al manejo de dichos casos y en el total de días que se consigue diferir el parto, pero en todos los estudios se reporta el beneficio en términos de resultados perinatales al conseguir aumentar la edad gestacional del segundo gemelo. En nuestro caso se consiguió una mejora sustancial del resultado perinatal asociado a la prematuridad sin importantes efectos adversos maternos y tras el periodo de latencia indicado.

INTRODUCTION: We report a delayed delivery of a dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy, in which the birth of the second twin was postponed 45 days. CASE REPORT: At 24+3 weeks of gestation, a 25-year-old woman with dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy presented with preterm premature rupture of membranes and intrauterine dead of the first fetus. Spontaneous delivery of the first death twin, occurred al 25+2 weeks. Tocolysis, antibiotic, antithrombotic prophylaxis, absolute rest, serial blood tests and fetal cardiotocography controls, were performed. The second twin was delivered at 31+5 weeks, after a the preterm premature rupture of membranes triggered the labor. The interval between the first and second birth was 45 days. CONCLUSION: Delayed delivery in twin pregnancies, is an uncommon clinical situation, so there are not validated medical protocols. Available bibliography offers different practices related to its management. Most studies confirm the better survival rate and perinatal outcomes of the postponed birth twin.

Encefalitis multifocal como manifestación neurológica de la infección por COVID-19 / Multifocal encephalitis as a neurological manifestation of COVID-19 infection

No disponible

Transcranial duplex ultrasound monitoring of intracranial arterial stenosis treated with ELUTAX "3" drug-eluting balloon.

We report the results of transcranial ultrasound monitoring in three patients with intracranial arterial stenosis of the middle cerebral artery treated with the only drug-eluting balloon certificated for intracranial use in highly symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis, ELUTAX "3" (AR Baltic Medical). We performed transcranial Doppler ultrasounds 24 h, 72 h, 10 days, 15 days and 30 days after the angioplasty, thereby measuring mean flow velocity (MFV) in the maximum stenosis area in patients with symptomatic steno-occlusive disease of the middle cerebral artery treated with ELUTAX "3". Two patients were treated during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) due to acute ischemic stroke and one patient was treated on elective basis due to symptomatic pre-occlusive stenosis, with recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) refractory to medical therapy. In Case 1, the first transcranial Doppler ultrasounds evidenced MFV of 348 cm/s, with progressive MFV reduction until 15 days post-treatment, with MFV of 177 cm/s. In Case 2, 24 h after angioplasty had an MFV of 258 cm/s, decreasing to 103 cm/s at 30 days. Case 3 had an MFV of 436 cm/s before angioplasty that immediately decreased after the procedure to 364 cm/s, with a final MFV of 260 cm/s at 30 days. We have recorded a progressive MFV reduction in intracranial arterial stenosis, with better outcomes in patients treated during MT. In our experience, the use of ELUTAX "3" for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis achieves a progressive improvement of stenosis, evident in the first weeks, to a higher extent in cases of occlusive thrombosis. More studies are needed to provide more information about this device.

Humic Substances Mediate Anaerobic Methane Oxidation Linked to Nitrous Oxide Reduction in Wetland Sediments.

Humic substances are redox-active organic molecules, which play pivotal roles in several biogeochemical cycles due to their electron-transferring capacity involving multiple abiotic and microbial transformations. Based on the redox properties of humic substances, and the metabolic capabilities of microorganisms to reduce and oxidize them, we hypothesized that they could mediate the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled to the reduction of nitrous oxide (N2O) in wetland sediments. This study provides several lines of evidence indicating the coupling between AOM and the reduction of N2O through an extracellular electron transfer mechanism mediated by the redox active functional groups in humic substances (e.g., quinones). We found that the microbiota of a sediment collected from the Sisal wetland (Yucatán Peninsula, southeastern Mexico) was able to reduce N2O (4.6 ± 0.5 µmol N2O g sed. -1 day-1) when reduced humic substances were provided as electron donor in a close stoichiometric relationship. Furthermore, a microbial enrichment derived from the wetland sediment achieved simultaneous 13CH4 oxidation (1.3 ± 0.1 µmol 13CO2 g sed. -1 day-1) and N2O reduction (25.2 ± 0.5 µmol N2O g sed. -1 day-1), which was significantly dependent on the presence of humic substances as an extracellular electron shuttle. Taxonomic characterization based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed Acinetobacter (a É£-proteobacterium), the Rice Cluster I from the Methanocellaceae and an uncultured archaeon from the Methanomicrobiaceae family as the microbes potentially involved in AOM linked to N2O reduction mediated by humic substances. The findings reported here suggest that humic substances might play an important role to prevent the emission of greenhouse gases (CH4 and N2O) from wetland sediments. Further efforts to evaluate the feasibility of this novel mechanism under the natural conditions prevailing in ecosystems must be considered in future studies.

Anticoagulation Monitoring Under ECMO Support: A Comparative Study Between the Activated Coagulation Time and the Anti-Xa Activity Assay.

PURPOSE: Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is used in cases of severe respiratory and/or circulatory failure over periods of several days to several weeks. Its circuitry requires a closely monitored anticoagulation therapy that is empirically supported by activated clotting time (ACT)-a method often associated with large inter- and intraindividual variability. We aimed to compare the measurement of heparin activity with ACT and the direct measurement of the heparin activity (anti-Xa) in a large ECMO population. METHODS: All patients treated by venoarterial or venovenous ECMO in our intensive care unit between January 2014 and December 2015 were prospectively included. A concomitant measurement of the anti-Xa activity and ACT was performed on the same sample collected twice a day (morning-evening) for unfractionated heparin adaptation with an ACT target range of 180 to 220 seconds. RESULTS: One hundred and nine patients (men 69.7%, median age 54 years) treated with ECMO (70.6% venoarterial) were included. Spearman analysis found no correlation between anti-Xa and ACT (ρ < 0.4) from day 1 and worsened over time. Kappa analysis showed no agreement between the respective target ranges of ACT and anti-Xa. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that concomitant measurement of ACT and anti-Xa activity is irrelevant in ECMO patients. Since ACT is poorly correlated with heparin dosage, anti-Xa activity appears to be a more suitable assay for anticoagulation monitoring.

Comunicación en tiempos de COVID-19, uso efectivo de las señales visuales militares modificadas en momentos quirúrgicos, solución a un problema / Communication in times of COVID-19, effective use of modified military visual signals in surgical moments, solution to a problem

La pandemia por el nuevo coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 ha causado gran impacto tanto en los diferentes espacios hospitalarios como en los no hospitalarios, ocasionando gran número de muertes dada su gran capacidad de diseminación. Esta situación nos ha llevado a implementar constantes estrategias de cambio con el fin de proteger la integridad del personal médico y de los pacientes. Es por esto que, guiados por las grandes asociaciones como la World Health Organization, el American College of Surgeons, los Centers for Disease Control and Prevention y la Asociación Colombiana de Cirugía, se ha planteado una serie de protocolos para el buen uso de los elementos de protección personal, que en los diferentes momentos quirúrgicos hacen difícil la comunicación asertiva. Por lo anteriormente expuesto, se quiere presentar el uso de las señales visuales militares modificadas como la solución para un problema en los procedimientos quirúrgicos en los tiempos de la COVID

The pandemic due to the new SARS-CoV-2 has caused a great impact both in the different hospital and non-hos-pital spaces, causing a large number of deaths due to its great capacity for dissemination. This situation has led us to implement constant change strategies in order to protect the integrity of medical personnel and patients. That is why, guided by large associations such as the World Health Organization, the American College of Surgeons, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Asociación Colombiana de Cirugía, a series of protocols have been proposed for the proper use of elements of personal protection, which at different surgical times makes assertive communication difficult. For the above, we want to present the use of modified military visual signs as the solution to a problem in surgical procedures in times of COVID-19

Microbial contamination in methanol biofilters inoculated with a pure strain of Pichia pastoris: A potential limitation for waste revalorization.

Novel biotechnologies to valorize waste emissions are based on the use of specialized microbial groups that produce different compounds of industrial interest. On this scenario, the retention of such specific microorganisms in the system is of critical interest; however, the potential limitations of working with simplified cultures in a competitive open environment are neither fully explored nor well understood. In this work, a series of biofilters treating methanol vapors coupled with heterologous endochitinase production were used to evaluate the performance of a specialized microbial population during a typical open-to-environment operation. The biofilters were inoculated with a transformed strain of Pichia pastoris and were operated identically for about 90 days. The results showed that the biofiltration performance became diverse with time in terms of the elimination capacity (EC) shifting from a variation coefficient of 1.5% (EC = 274 ± 24, 279 ± 5, and 281.9 ± 25 g/[m3 h]) at the beginning of the operation to 33% (EC = 297 ± 9, 338 ± 7, and 341 ± 2 g/[m3 h]) at the end of operation. Epifluorescence analysis and cloning-sequencing suggested that P. pastoris remained as the dominant microorganism of methanol degradation, whereas diverse airborne bacteria, including Ochrobactrum spp. and Klebsiella oxytoca, played a secondary role possibly associated with the consumption of intermediates. Overall, this study found that low diversity systems operated under non-sterile conditions could be susceptible to contamination with external microorganisms causing a diversifying behavior at the performance and microbial community levels. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 35: e2715, 2019.

Risk Factors for Subsidence of Modular Fluted Tapered Stems Used During Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty for Periprosthetic Hip Fractures.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to review Vancouver B2 and B3 periprosthetic hip fractures treated with uncemented modular fluted tapered stems to analyze survivorship, risk factors for stem subsidence, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We identified 61 Vancouver B2 and B3 periprosthetic hip fractures treated with modular fluted tapered implants. Survivorship, radiographic outcomes, and clinical outcomes were assessed. The mean age at the time of surgery was 72 years, mean body mass index was 30, and mean follow-up was 4.5 years (range, 2-10 years). RESULTS: Survivorship free of reoperation or implant revision at 5 years was 89% and 93%, respectively. Eight (13%) stems subsided a mean distance of 18 ± 8 mm (range, 8-28 mm). Stem subsidence was not correlated with age, gender, Vancouver fracture classification, stem bypass, stem length, or stem diameter. Subsidence was correlated with Dorr C type femora (50% vs 7%, 95% confidence interval 9%-72%; P = .007) and strut grafting (50% vs 9%, 95% confidence interval 6%-70%; P = .01). All cases of subsidence stabilized without revision. Subsidence was not correlated with nonunion, reoperation, revision, or a clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Modular fluted tapered stems had excellent survivorship free of reoperation and implant revision when used for the treatment of Vancouver B2 and B3 periprosthetic femur fractures. Poor bone morphology and the use of strut grafts, both proxies for compromised bone stock and distal fracture patterns, were correlated with stem subsidence. All subsided stems stabilized, and noted subsidence did not portend a worse clinical outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort.

Traditional uses and seed chemical composition of Jatropha spp. (Euphorbiaceae) in Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, México / Usos tradicionales y composición química de la semilla de Jatropha spp. (Euphorbiaceae) en Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, México

Abstract The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve in México holds genetic richness and endemism for the genus Jatropha, but the specific use of the plants and the seed chemical profiles are still unknown. We recorded the traditional forms of use of Jatropha species, and analyzed the chemical composition of Jatropha spp. seeds. For this, a semi-structured survey was conducted in 15 towns, and 20 interviews were applied in each one between May and August 2012 to estimate the Significant Use Level and Relative Use Value per species. Besides, seeds from J. neopauciflora, J. rufescens, and J. rzedowskii were collected between August and October 2013, and to seed flour samples we determined total lipids by the Soxhlet method, crude protein by the Kjendahl method, and ashes according to AOAC methods; fatty acid profile and phorbol esters were determined by gas chromatography and by HPLC, respectively. The species J. neopauciflora, J. oaxacana, J. rufescens, J. ciliata, and J. rzedowskii, are used as traditional medicine, food, and ornaments, except for J. ciliata, for which none use was recorded. The Significant Use Level as food was found not significant, but for medicinal purposes, J. neopauciflora obtained the highest Relative Use Value (9.0 %). The latex is used to treat 13 disorders, including dental problems and oral diseases with a Significant Use Level of 32.9 %; it is also used as a hemostatic. The protein content among species varied from 23.37 to 26.06 %, and total lipids from 34.79 to 36.60 %. The principal unsaturated fatty acids were oleic (25.08 to 30.09 %) and linoleic (44.55 to 48.46 %), and the saturated fatty acids were palmitic (10.11 to 16.50 %) and stearic (9.47 to 11.15 %). Phorbol esters, the main cause of seed's toxicity, were absent in J. neopauciflora, J. rufescens, and J. rzedowskii. In conclusion, the Significant Use Level of Jatropha species studied was low, with little cultural acceptance and sporadic utilization. The Relative Use Value was important for medicinal purposes, especially for J. neopauciflora. The dehulled seeds of J. neopauciflora, J. rufescens, and J. rzedowskii are potentially useful as food, having high protein contents, and unsaturated oleic and linoleic fatty acids. With this study we report three non-toxic Jatropha species and recommend to scientifically validate the antimycotic use of J. neopauciflora latex. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(1): 266-279. Epub 2018 March 01.

Resumen La Reserva de la Biosfera Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, México contiene riqueza genética y endemismo para el género Jatropha, pero se desconoce el uso específico de las plantas y la composición química de la semilla. Documentamos las formas tradicionales de uso de las especies de Jatropha y, analizamos la composición química de las semillas de las especies de Jatropha. En 15 comunidades se aplicaron 20 entrevistas semiestructuradas entre mayo y agosto de 2012 para estimar el Nivel de Uso Significativo y el Valor de Uso Relativo por especie. Se colectó semilla solo de J. neopauciflora, J. rufescens, y J. rzedowskii entre agosto y octubre de 2013 para determinar mediante los métodos de la AOAC, el contenido total de lípidos en una muestra de 3 g de harina mediante el método de Soxhlet, proteína cruda en una muestra de harina de 0.4 g por el método Kjendahl y ceniza en una muestra de 5 g de harina. El perfil de ácidos grasos se determinó por cromatografía de gases y el contenido de ésteres de forbol mediante HPLC. Las especies registradas fueron J. neopauciflora, J. oaxacana, J. rufescens, J. rzedowskii y J. ciliata, que se usan en medicina tradicional, alimento y como ornamental, excepto J. ciliata, para la cual no se reportó ningún uso. El Nivel de Uso Significativo como alimento no fue importante, pero para propósitos medicinales J. neopauciflora tuvo el mayor Valor de Uso Relativo (9.0 %). El látex es usado para tratar 13 trastornos, incluyendo problemas dentales y enfermedades bucales con un Nivel Significativo de Uso de 32.9 %; y también es usada como hemostático. El contenido de proteína entre especies varió de 23.37 a 26.06 % y los lípidos totales variaron de 34.79 a 36.60 %. Los principales ácidos grasos insaturados fueron oleico (25.08 a 30.09 %) y linoleico (44.55 a 48.46 %); los ácidos grasos saturados fueron palmítico (10.11 a 16.50 %) y esteárico (9.47 a 11.15 %). No se detectó la presencia de ésteres de forbol (la causa principal de la toxicidad de la semilla) en J. neopauciflora, J. rufescens, y J. rzedowskii. En conclusión, el Nivel de Uso Significativo de las especies de Jatropha fue bajo, con poca aceptación cultural y utilización esporádica. El Valor de Uso Relativo fue importante para propósitos medicinales, especialmente para J. neopauciflora. Las semillas sin testa de J. neopauciflora, J. rufescens, y J. rzedowskii son potencialmente útiles como alimento por su alto contenido de proteínas, ácidos grasos insaturados oleico y linoleico. Se identificaron tres especies no toxicas de Jatropha. Se recomienda validar científicamente el uso antimicótico del látex de J. neopauciflora.