Cryptophytes: An emerging algal group in the rapidly changing Antarctic Peninsula marine environments.

The western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is a climatically sensitive region where foundational changes at the basis of the food web have been recorded; cryptophytes are gradually outgrowing diatoms together with a decreased size spectrum of the phytoplankton community. Based on a 11-year (2008-2018) in-situ dataset, we demonstrate a strong coupling between biomass accumulation of cryptophytes, summer upper ocean stability, and the mixed layer depth. Our results shed light on the environmental conditions favoring the cryptophyte success in coastal regions of the WAP, especially during situations of shallower mixed layers associated with lower diatom biomass, which evidences a clear competition or niche segregation between diatoms and cryptophytes. We also unravel the cryptophyte photo-physiological niche by exploring its capacity to thrive under high light stress normally found in confined stratified upper layers. Such conditions are becoming more frequent in the Antarctic coastal waters and will likely have significant future implications at various levels of the marine food web. The competitive advantage of cryptophytes in environments with significant light level fluctuations was supported by laboratory experiments that revealed a high flexibility of cryptophytes to grow in different light conditions driven by a fast photo-regulating response. All tested physiological parameters support the hypothesis that cryptophytes are highly flexible regarding their growing light conditions and extremely efficient in rapidly photo-regulating changes to environmental light levels. This plasticity would give them a competitive advantage in exploiting an ecological niche where light levels fluctuate quickly. These findings provide new insights on niche separation between diatoms and cryptophytes, which is vital for a thorough understanding of the WAP marine ecosystem.

Modeling and experimental validation of covalent immobilization of Trametes maxima laccase on glyoxyl and MANA-Sepharose CL 4B supports, for the use in bioconversion of residual colorants.

Our novel strategy for the rational design of immobilized derivatives (RDID) is directed to predict the behavior of the protein immobilized derivative before its synthesis, by the usage of mathematic algorithms and bioinformatics tools. However, this approach needs to be validated for each target enzyme. The objective of this work was to validate the RDID strategy for covalent immobilization of the enzyme laccase from Trametes maxima MUCL 44155 on glyoxyl- and monoaminoethyl-N-aminoethyl (MANA)-Sepharose CL 4B supports. Protein surface clusters, more probable configurations of the protein-supports systems at immobilization pHs, immobilized enzyme activity, and protein load were predicted by RDID1.0 software. Afterward, immobilization was performed and predictions were experimentally confirmed. As a result, the laccase-MANA-Sepharose CL 4B immobilized derivative is better than laccase-glyoxyl-Sepharose CL 4B in predicted immobilized derivative activity (63.6% vs. 29.5%). Activity prediction was confirmed by an experimentally expressed enzymatic activity of 68%, using 2,6-dimethoxyphenol as substrate. Experimental maximum protein load matches the estimated value (11.2 ± 1.3 vs. 12.1 protein mg/support mL). The laccase-MANA-Sepharose CL 4B biocatalyst has a high specificity for the acid blue 62 colorant. The results obtained in this work suggest the possibility of using this biocatalyst for wastewater treatment.

Correction to: Metagenomic approaches: effective tools for monitoring the structure and functionality of microbiomes in anaerobic digestion systems.

The original version of this article was revised: After publication of this article, the publisher was notified that Michael Klocke has been listed as an author without his consent.

Metagenomic approaches: effective tools for monitoring the structure and functionality of microbiomes in anaerobic digestion systems.

Microbial metagenome analysis has proven its usefulness to investigate the microbiomes present in technical engineered ecosystems such as anaerobic digestion systems. The analysis of the total microbial genomic DNA allows the detailed determination of both the microbial community structure and its functionality. In addition, it enables to study the response of the microbiome to alterations in technical process parameters. Strategies of functional microbial networks to face abiotic stressors, e.g., resistance, resilience, and reorganization, can be evaluated with respect to overall process optimization. The objective of this paper is to review the main metagenomic tools used for effective studies on anaerobic digestion systems in monitoring the dynamic of the microbiomes, as well as the factors that have been identified so far as limiting the metagenomic studies in this ecosystems.

Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by native Ganoderma sp. strains: identification of metabolites and proposed degradation pathways.

Since polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic, they are of considerable environmental concern. A biotechnological approach to remove such compounds from polluted ecosystems could be based on the use of white-rot fungi (WRF). The potential of well-adapted indigenous Ganoderma strains to degrade PAHs remains underexplored. Seven native Ganoderma sp. strains with capacity to produce high levels of laccase enzymes and to degrade synthetic dyes were investigated for their degradation potential of PAHs. The crude enzymatic extracts produced by Ganoderma strains differentially degraded the PAHs assayed (naphthalene 34-73%, phenanthrene 9-67%, fluorene 11-64%). Ganoderma sp. UH-M was the most promising strain for the degradation of PAHs without the addition of redox mediators. The PAH oxidation performed by the extracellular enzymes produced more polar and soluble metabolites such as benzoic acid, catechol, phthalic and protocatechuic acids, allowing us to propose degradation pathways of these PAHs. This is the first study in which breakdown intermediates and degradation pathways of PAHs by a native strain of Ganoderma genus were determined. The treatment of PAHs with the biomass of this fungal strain enhanced the degradation of the three PAHs. The laccase enzymes played an important role in the degradation of these compounds; however, the role of peroxidases cannot be excluded. Ganoderma sp. UH-M is a promising candidate for the bioremediation of ecosystems polluted with PAHs.

Diversity of Ligninolytic Enzymes and Their Genes in Strains of the Genus Ganoderma: Applicable for Biodegradation of Xenobiotic Compounds?

White-rot fungi (WRF) and their ligninolytic enzymes (laccases and peroxidases) are considered promising biotechnological tools to remove lignin related Persistent Organic Pollutants from industrial wastewaters and contaminated ecosystems. A high diversity of the genus Ganoderma has been reported in Cuba; in spite of this, the diversity of ligninolytic enzymes and their genes remained unexplored. In this study, 13 native WRF strains were isolated from decayed wood in urban ecosystems in Havana (Cuba). All strains were identified as Ganoderma sp. using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-method based on ITS sequences. All Ganoderma sp. strains produced laccase enzymes at higher levels than non-specific peroxidases. Native-PAGE of extracellular enzymatic extracts revealed a high diversity of laccase isozymes patterns between the strains, suggesting the presence of different amino acid sequences in the laccase enzymes produced by these Ganoderma strains. We determined the diversity of genes encoding laccases and peroxidases using a PCR and cloning approach with basidiomycete-specific primers. Between two and five laccase genes were detected in each strain. In contrast, only one gene encoding manganese peroxidase or versatile peroxidase was detected in each strain. The translated laccases and peroxidases amino acid sequences have not been described before. Extracellular crude enzymatic extracts produced by the Ganoderma UH strains, were able to degrade model chromophoric compounds such as anthraquinone and azo dyes. These findings hold promises for the development of a practical application for the treatment of textile industry wastewaters and also for bioremediation of polluted ecosystems by well-adapted native WRF strains.

Periodontitis and early mortality among adults treated with hemodialysis: a multinational propensity-matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is associated with cardiovascular mortality in the general population and adults with chronic diseases. However, it is unclear whether periodontitis predicts survival in the setting of kidney failure. METHODS: ORAL-D was a propensity matched analysis in 3338 dentate adults with end-stage kidney disease treated in a hemodialysis network in Europe and South America designed to examine the association between periodontitis and all-cause and cardiovascular-related mortality in people on long-term hemodialysis. Participants were matched 1:1 on their propensity score for moderate to severe periodontitis assessed using the World Health Organization Community Periodontal Index. A random-effects Cox proportional hazards model was fitted with shared frailty to account for clustering of mortality risk within countries. RESULTS: Among the 3338 dentate participants, 1355 (40.6%) had moderate to severe periodontitis at baseline. After using propensity score methods to generate a matched cohort of participants with periodontitis similar to those with none or mild periodontal disease, moderate to severe periodontitis was associated with a lower risk of all-cause (9.1 versus 13.0 per 100 person years, hazard ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.90) and cardiovascular (4.3 versus 6.9 per 100 person years, hazard ratio 0.67, 0.51 to 0.88) mortality. These associations were not changed substantially when participants were limited to those with 12 or more natural teeth and when accounting for competing causes of cardiovascular death. CONCLUSION: In contrast to the general population, periodontitis does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of early death in adults treated with hemodialysis.

Patterns of oral disease in adults with chronic kidney disease treated with hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Oral disease is a potentially treatable determinant of mortality and quality of life. No comprehensive multinational study to quantify oral disease burden and to identify candidate preventative strategies has been performed in the dialysis setting. METHODS: The ORAL disease in hemoDialysis (ORALD) study was a prospective study in adults treated with hemodialysis in Europe (France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain) and Argentina. Oral disease was assessed using standardized WHO methods. Participants self-reported oral health practices and symptoms. Sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with oral diseases were determined and assessed within nation states. RESULTS: Of 4726 eligible adults, 4205 (88.9%) participated. Overall, 20.6% were edentulous [95% confidence interval (CI), 19.4-21.8]. Participants had on average 22 (95% CI 21.7-22.2) decayed, missing or filled teeth, while moderate to severe periodontitis affected 40.6% (95% CI 38.9-42.3). Oral disease patterns varied markedly across countries, independent of participant demographics, comorbidity and health practices. Participants in Spain, Poland, Italy and Hungary had the highest mean adjusted odds of edentulousness (2.31, 1.90, 1.90 and 1.54, respectively), while those in Poland, Hungary, Spain and Argentina had the highest odds of ≥14 decayed, missing or filled teeth (23.2, 12.5, 8.14 and 5.23, respectively). Compared with Argentina, adjusted odds ratios for periodontitis were 58.8, 58.3, 27.7, 12.1 and 6.30 for Portugal, Italy, Hungary, France and Poland, respectively. National levels of tobacco consumption, diabetes and child poverty were associated with edentulousness within countries. CONCLUSIONS: Oral disease in adults on hemodialysis is very common, frequently severe and highly variable among countries, with much of the variability unexplained by participant characteristics or healthcare. Given the national variation and high burden of disease, strategies to improve oral health in hemodialysis patients will require implementation at a country level rather than at the level of individuals.

Obtención de semilla biotecnológica de caña de azúcar (Saccharum spp. híbrido) de alta calidad genética y fitosanitaria en el Ecuador / Obtainment of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) biotechnological seed of high genetic and phytosanitary quality in Ecuador

Los métodos de saneamiento de plantas se basan fundamentalmente en el empleo combinado de cultivo in vitro de meristemos con tratamientos mediante hidrotermoterapia. Este trabajo se realizó con el objetivo de obtener plantas para usar como semilla libre de patógenos sistémicos, con énfasis en la enfermedad raquitismo de los retoños de la caña de azúcar (RSD). El trabajo se llevó a cabo con diferentes cultivares de caña de azúcar, los cuales fueron previamente identificados mediante marcadores bioquímicos basados en los patrones electroforéticos de isoenzimas peroxidasas. El saneamiento se realizó en tres etapas sucesivas mediante tratamiento hidrotérmico a 52 ºC durante 2h y uso del fungicida vitavax, un segundo tratamiento hidrotérmico a los meristemos a 51 ºC durante 10 min y una tercera etapa donde las vitroplántulas se propagaron en presencia del antibiótico gentamicina. La detección de RSD se efectuó mediante el empleo de la técnica de tinción de haces vasculares funcionales. Los resultados permitieron la creación de un banco de germoplasma de plantas libres de los principales patógenos bacterianos sistémicos y con alta calidad genética, lo que aportó semilla básica de excelente calidad para establecer semilleros. La conservación incluyó el mantenimiento de plántulas in vitro y la creación de un "banco de ADN" que permite conservar el genofondo en condiciones de laboratorio. Se propone finalmente una metodología para la obtención de plantas saneadas a partir de yemas y meristemos.

Methods for obtaining healthy plants are mainly based on the combined use of meristem in vitro culture and hydrothermotherapy. This work was carried out in order to obtain free- pathogen plants for using as seeds, emphasizing ratoon stunting disease (RSD) of sugarcane. The work was performed using a group of sugarcane cultivars, which was confirmed the variety identification by means of peroxidases isozymes electrophoretic patterns. Plant sanitation was performed in three successive steps by means of hydrothermal treatment at 52 ºC during 2h and using the fungicide vitavax, a second hydrothermal treatment at 51 °C during 10 min to the meristem and a third step in which vitroplantlets were propagated in presence of the antibiotic gentamicin. RSD detection was done by using the staining transpiration methods (STM) of functional bundles. Results allowed the creation of a germoplasm bank of sugarcane plants free of the most important systemic bacterial pathogens, with high genetic quality, which provided basic seed of excellent quality for establishing seedlings. Conservation included an in vitro-plantlets bank and the creation of a "DNA bank" which allows preserving the genetic fond in laboratory conditions. Finally a methodology for obtaining free-pathogens plants from buds and meristems is included.

Lumbar stenosis: clinical case

Lumbar stenosis is an increasingly common pathological condition that is becoming more frequent with increasing mean life expectancy, with high costs for society. It has many causes, among which degenerative, neoplastic and traumatic causes stand out. Most of the patients respond well to conservative therapy. Surgical treatment is reserved for patients who present symptoms after implementation of conservative measures. Here, a case of severe stenosis of the lumbar spine at several levels, in a female patient with pathological and surgical antecedents in the lumbar spine, is presented. The patient underwent two different decompression techniques within the same operation...

A estenose lombar é uma patologia cada vez mais frequente, que acompanha o aumento da esperança média de vida e que comporta custos elevados para a nossa sociedade. Apresenta inúmeras causas, entre as quais destacam-se a degenerativa, a neoplásica e a traumática. A maioria dos pacientes responde bem à terapêutica conservadora. O tratamento cirúrgico está reservado para aqueles doentes que apresentem sintomatologia após a implementação de medidas conservadoras. É apresentado um caso de estenose grave da coluna lombar em vários níveis, numa doente do sexo feminino com antecedentes patológicos/cirúrgicos da coluna lombar, na qual foram aplicadas duas técnicas distintas de descompressão, no mesmo ato cirúrgico...

Lumbar stenosis: clinical case.

Lumbar stenosis is an increasingly common pathological condition that is becoming more frequent with increasing mean life expectancy, with high costs for society. It has many causes, among which degenerative, neoplastic and traumatic causes stand out. Most of the patients respond well to conservative therapy. Surgical treatment is reserved for patients who present symptoms after implementation of conservative measures. Here, a case of severe stenosis of the lumbar spine at several levels, in a female patient with pathological and surgical antecedents in the lumbar spine, is presented. The patient underwent two different decompression techniques within the same operation.

A estenose lombar é uma patologia cada vez mais frequente, que acompanha o aumento da esperança média de vida e que comporta custos elevados para a nossa sociedade. Apresenta inúmeras causas, entre as quais destacam-se a degenerativa, a neoplásica e a traumática. A maioria dos pacientes responde bem à terapêutica conservadora. O tratamento cirúrgico está reservado para aqueles doentes que apresentem sintomatologia após a implementação de medidas conservadoras. É apresentado um caso de estenose grave da coluna lombar em vários níveis, numa doente do sexo feminino com antecedentes patológicos/cirúrgicos da coluna lombar, na qual foram aplicadas duas técnicas distintas de descompressão, no mesmo ato cirúrgico.

Oral disease in adults treated with hemodialysis: prevalence, predictors, and association with mortality and adverse cardiovascular events: the rationale and design of the ORAL Diseases in hemodialysis (ORAL-D) study, a prospective, multinational, longitudinal, observational, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: People with end-stage kidney disease treated with dialysis experience high rates of premature death that are at least 30-fold that of the general population, and have markedly impaired quality of life. Despite this, interventions that lower risk factors for mortality (including antiplatelet agents, epoetins, lipid lowering, vitamin D compounds, or dialysis dose) have not been shown to improve clinical outcomes for this population. Although mortality outcomes may be improving overall, additional modifiable determinants of health in people treated with dialysis need to be identified and evaluated. Oral disease is highly prevalent in the general population and represents a potential and preventable cause of poor health in dialysis patients. Oral disease may be increased in patients treated with dialysis due to their lower uptake of public dental services, as well as increased malnutrition and inflammation, although available exploratory data are limited by small sample sizes and few studies evaluating links between oral health and clinical outcomes for this group, including mortality and cardiovascular disease. Recent data suggest periodontitis may be associated with mortality in dialysis patients and well-designed, larger studies are now required. METHODS/DESIGN: The ORAL Diseases in hemodialysis (ORAL-D) study is a multinational, prospective (minimum follow-up 12 months) study. Participants comprise consecutive adults treated with long-term in-center hemodialysis. Between July 2010 and February 2012, we recruited 4500 dialysis patients from randomly selected outpatient dialysis clinics in Europe within a collaborative network of dialysis clinics administered by a dialysis provider, Diaverum, in Europe (France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain) and South America (Argentina). At baseline, dental surgeons with training in periodontology systematically assessed the prevalence and characteristics of oral disease (dental, periodontal, mucosal, and salivary) in all participants. Oral hygiene habits and thirst were evaluated using self-administered questionnaires. Data for hospitalizations and mortality (total and cause-specific) according to baseline oral health status will be collected once a year until 2022. DISCUSSION: This large study will estimate the prevalence, characteristics and correlations of oral disease and clinical outcomes (mortality and hospitalization) in adults treated with dialysis. We will further evaluate any association between periodontitis and risk of premature death in dialysis patients that has been suggested by existing research. The results from this study should provide powerful new data to guide strategies for future interventional studies for preventative and curative oral disease strategies in adults who have end-stage kidney disease.

BILATERAL ANTERIOR GLENOHUMERAL DISLOCATION: CLINICAL CASE.

Bilateral anterior glenohumeral dislocation is a rare occurrence. We present a case of bilateral anterior glenohumeral dislocation caused by a fall. The interest in publishing this case is that this is a clinical rarity with few cases reported in the literature. An 89-year-old female patient was brought to the emergency department after a fall, complaining of intense pain in both shoulders and inability to move them. Objective examination showed clinical signs giving the suspicion of bilateral anterior glenohumeral dislocation, which was confirmed by x-ray imaging. Both dislocations were successfully reduced in the emergency department using the modified Milch technique. When a synchronous and symmetrical force has acted on both shoulders and these are painful with significant functional limitation, the suspicion of bilateral glenohumeral dislocation is a differential diagnosis to be considered, even though it is rare.

Luxação glenoumeral anterior bilateral: caso clínico / Bilateral anterior glenohumeral dislocation: clinical case

A luxação glenoumeral anterior bilateral é uma ocorrência rara. Apresentamos um caso de luxação glenoumeral anterior bilateral com origem após uma queda da própria altura. O interesse desta publicação reside no fato de se tratar de uma raridade clínica com poucos casos descritos na literatura. Paciente do sexo feminino com 89 anos recorre ao serviço de urgência (SU) após queda referindo dor intensa e incapacidade de mobilização de ambos os ombros. Ao exame objetivo apresentava sinais clínicos suspeitos de luxação glenoumeral anterior bilateral confirmados por radiografia. Ambas as luxações foram reduzidas no SU pela técnica de Milch modificada, com sucesso. Quando existe uma força simétrica e síncrona sobre os ombros e estes se apresentarem dolorosos e com limite funcional significativo, a suspeita de luxação glenoumeral bilateral, embora rara, é um diagnóstico diferencial a ter em conta.

Bilateral anterior glenohumeral dislocation is a rare occurrence. We present a case of bilateral anterior glenohumeral dislocation caused by a fall. The interest in publishing this case is that this is a clinical rarity with few cases reported in the literature. An 89-year-old female patient was brought to the emergency department after a fall, complaining of intense pain in both shoulders and inability to move them. Objective examination showed clinical signs giving the suspicion of bilateral anterior glenohumeral dislocation, which was confirmed by x-ray imaging. Both dislocations were successfully reduced in the emergency department using the modified Milch technique. When a synchronous and symmetrical force has acted on both shoulders and these are painful with significant functional limitation, the suspicion of bilateral glenohumeral dislocation is a differential diagnosis to be considered, even though it is rare.

Transplantes renal com arterias multiplas: experiencia com tecnicas de reconstruçao vascular / Renal transplantation with multiple arteries: experience with several techniques of vascular reconstruction

Os autores apresentam sua experiencia em transplante renal com a utilizaçao de rins com arterias multiplas. Foram utilizados 23 rins nestas condiçoes empregando-se 6 tecnicas diferentes de reconstruçao vascular, com excelente resultado evidenciado por perfusao imediata e boa funçao renal tardia

Celulite crepitante abdominal: uma rara forma de apresentaçäo do tumor do sigmóide / Crepitant abdominal cellulitis: a rare clinical presentation of sigmoid colon tumor

Uma infecçäo rara associada ao câncer colo-retal pode ser, por si só, um indício de malignidade. Estas infecçöes podem ser locais, ou seja, por invasäo de tecidos adjacentes ao tumor, ou metastáticas, por bacteremias causadas pela necrose tumoral. É apresentado um caso de celulite crepitante espontânea da parede abdominal associada a tumor do sigmóide. A paciente apresentava dor na fossa ilíaca esquerda, febre e necrose da pele e parede abdominal baixa há 4 horas. Na cirurgia foi realizado debridamento e excisäo do tecido necrosado com sigmoidectomia parcial, colostomia terminal e sepultamento do coto distal. A doente faleceu no nono mês de pós-operatório, devido a disseminaçäo tumoral. O exame anatomopatológico da peça revelou adenocarcinoma ulcerativo do sigmóide. A presença de celulite crepitante na parede abdominal inferior deve induzir a pesquisa de perfuraçäo intestinal

Estudo do roedor Akodon arviculoides, Wagner, 1842 (Cricetidae): importância nos focos pestosos no Brasil / The rodent Akodon arviculoides, Wagner, 1842 (Cricetidae): importance in plague focus of Brazil

Relata-se a ocorrência do roedor Akodon arviculoides (Wagner, 1842) no foco pestoso do Agreste pernambucano, sua capacidade de sobrevivência, reproduçäo e o desenvolvimento no cativeiro, a susceptibilidade à infecçäo pela Yersinia pestis e a importância desse roedor nos focos pestosos do Brasil