Optimization of nickel and cobalt biosorption by native Serratia marcescens strains isolated from serpentine deposits using response surface methodology.

The treatment of metal-polluted wastes is a challenging issue of environmental concern. Metals can be removed using microbial biomass, and this is an interesting approach towards the design of eco-friendly technologies for liquid waste treatment. The study reported here aimed to optimize nickel and cobalt biosorption from aqueous solutions using three native metal-resistant Serratia marcescens strains. Ni(II) and Co(II) biosorption by S. marcescens strains was found to fit better to Langmuir's model, with maximum uptake capacities of 13.5 mg g-1 for Ni(II) ions and 19.9 mg g-1 for Co(II) ions. Different experimental conditions of initial metal concentration, pH, initial biomass, and temperature were optimized using the Plackett-Burman method, and, finally, biomass and metal concentration were studied using the response surface methodology (RSM) to improve biosorption. The optimum uptake capacities for Co(II) ions by the three biosorbents used were obtained for initial metal concentrations of 35-40 mg L-1 and an initial biomass of 6 mg. For Ni(II) ions, the optimum uptake capacity was achieved with 1 mg of initial biomass for S. marcescens C-1 and C-19, and with 7 mg for S. marcescens C-16, with initial concentrations of 20-50 mg L-1. The results obtained demonstrate the viability of native S. marcescens strains as biosorbents for Ni(II) and Co(II) removal. This study also contributes to our understanding of the potential uses of serpentine microbial populations for the design of environmental cleanup technologies.

Biosorption of nickel, cobalt, zinc and copper ions by Serratia marcescens strain 16 in mono and multimetallic systems.

The metallurgical industry is one of the main sources of heavy metal pollution, which represents a severe threat to life. Metals can be removed from aqueous solutions by using microbial biomasses. This paper analyses the heavy metal biosorption capacity of Serratia marcescens strain 16 in single and multimetallic systems. The results obtained show that Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) biosorption in monometallic systems is two to three times higher than in the presence of bi-metallic and multimetallic solutions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that carbonyl, carboxyl and hydroxyl were the main functional groups, as well as the amide bands I and II involved in metal uptake, which are present in external structures of the bacterial cell. The results obtained demonstrated the viability of S. marcescens strain 16 as a biosorbent for the design of eco-friendly technologies for the treatment of waste liquor.

Assessing optical remote sensing for grave detection.

The application of an effective and ready-to-use tool for discovering clandestine graves is crucial for solving a number of cases where disappearance of people is involved. This is the case in Mexico, where the government drug war has resulted in a large number of missing people that has been estimated to be over 40,000 since the year 2006. In this article, we report results from an experimental study on simulated animal graves detection using several techniques from optical remote sensing. Results showed that several spectral indices from hyperspectral and/or multispectral sensors may be used to detect N-enriched vegetation. Thermal imagery was also effective to detect underground voids through differential thermography, although this was only effective for detecting large graves with bare terrain. Lastly, while dense pointclouds reconstructed from oblique aerial photography was able to detect vegetation regrowth over the pits, the terrain subsidence was not sufficiently large to be detected with this technique, even in the case of mechanical removal of vegetation.

Impact of pre-radiation therapy quality of life in lung cancer survival: a prospective, intention-to-treat, multicenter study.

PURPOSE: Lung cancer (LC) has a significant impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We investigate the correlations between pre-radiation therapy HRQoL and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, intention-to-treat, multicentre study of 437 patients with LC recruited at the radiation oncology departments of three different institutions was conducted between 2012 and 2016. QoL was assessed using the EORTC-QLQ-C30 (v3.0) and EORTC-QLQ-LC13 questionnaires. Global health status (GHS), physical (PF), role functioning (RF), emotional (EF), cognitive (CF), and social functioning (SF) as well as symptoms scores were evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 376 men (86%) and 61 women, with a median age of 66 years (range 31-88). Histology was: 72% (n = 315) non-small cell lung cancer and 28% small cell lung cancer. The most common stage was III (80%) and the median follow-up for alive patients was 30 months (range 7-76). Multivariate analysis showed that RF was associated with a lower risk of mortality (HR: 0.693; p = 0.008) and recurrence (HR: 0.737; p = 0.040). Additionally, lower scores on EF and PF were associated with higher mortality (HR: 0.696; p = 0.003 and HR: 0.765; p = 0.044, respectively). Appetite loss, constipation, and dysphagia were associated with a higher risk of mortality (HR: 1.985; p < 0.001, HR: 1.373; p = 0.036, and HR: 1.659; p = 0.002, respectively), while appetite loss was the only symptom associated with a higher risk of recurrence (HR: 1.525; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-radiation therapy scores on RF, EF, and PF and symptoms like appetite loss, dysphagia, and constipation were associated with the risk of mortality. This information could be added to other prognostic factors to guide our treatment decisions.

Effect of mice Taenia crassiceps WFU cysticerci infection on the ovarian folliculogenesis, enzyme expression, and serum estradiol.

The murine infection with Taenia crassiceps WFU (T. crassiceps WFU) cysticerci has been widely used as an experimental model to better understand human cysticercosis. Several reports have established that the host hormonal environment determines the susceptibility and severity of many parasite infections. Female mice are more susceptible to infection with T. crassiceps cysticerci suggesting that a rich estrogen environment facilitates their reproduction. Ovarian androgens and estrogens are synthesized by key enzymes as P450-aromatase and 17α-hydroxilase/17, 20 lyase (P450C17). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chronic intraperitoneal infection of T. crassiceps WFU cysticerci on mice ovarian follicular development, ovulation, the expression of ovarian P450-aromatase and P450C17, and serum 17ß-estradiol, key enzymes of the ovarian steroidogenic pathway. To perform this study ovaries and serum were obtained at two, four and six months from T. crassiceps WFU cysticerci infected mice, and compared to those of healthy animals. The ovaries were fixed and processed for histology or lysed in RIPA buffer for Western blot using specific antibodies for P450C17 and P450-aromatase. 17ß-estradiol serum concentration was measured by ELISA. The results showed that the infection with T. crassiceps WFU cysticerci significantly reduced the number of primordial and primary follicles after two months of infection. Through the course of the study, the corpus luteum number began to decrease, whereas atretic follicles increased. The expression of ovarian P450C17 and P450-aromatase as well as serum E2 concentration were significantly increased in the infected group compared to control. These findings show that chronic infection with Taenia crassiceps WFU may alter the reproductive functions of the female mice host.

Recurrence quantification analysis with wavelet denoising and the characterization of magnetic flux emergence regions in solar photosphere.

Solar systems complexity, multiscale, and nonlinearity are governed by numerous and continuous changes where the sun magnetic fields can successfully represent many of these phenomena. Thus, nonlinear tools to study these challenging systems are required. The dynamic system recurrence approach has been successfully used to deal with this kind challenge in many scientific areas, objectively improving the recognition of state changes, randomness, and degrees of complexity that are not easily identified by traditional techniques. In this work we introduce the use of these techniques in photospheric magnetogram series. We employ a combination of recurrence quantification analysis with a preprocessing denoising wavelet analysis to characterize the complexity of the magnetic flux emergence in the solar photosphere. In particular, with the developed approach, we identify regions of evolving magnetic flux and where they present a large degree of complexity, i.e., where predictability is low, intermittence is high, and low organization is present.

Reset Osmostat: Facts and Controversies.

Reset osmostat (RO) consists of a change in the normal plasma osmolality threshold (reduction or increase), which consequently induces chronic dysnatremia (hyponatremia or hypernatremia). Although the early papers on RO state that hyponatremic patients with this condition are usually not symptomatic, the current view is that most patients with hyponatremia are symptomatic and should be treated. RO has been associated with a myriad of clinical conditions and has clear diagnostic criteria which are crucial to arrive at the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Cardiovascular disease and survival in non-small cell lung cancer: a multicenter prospective assessment.

PURPOSE: Chronic inflammation contributes to cancer development via multiple mechanisms. We hypothesized that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are also an independent risk factor for survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective multicenter data from 345 consecutive NSCLC patients treated from January 2013 to January 2017 were assessed. Median follow-up for all patients was 13 months (range 3-60 months). There were 109 patients with baseline heart disease (HD 32%), 149 with arterial hypertension (43%), 85 with diabetes mellitus (25%), 129 with hyperlipidemia (37%) and 45 with venous thromboembolism events (VTE 13%). A total of 289 patients (84%) were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy (CT), 300 patients (87%) received thoracic radiation therapy (RT; median radiation dose: 60 Gy [range 12-70]); and 50 (15%) patients underwent surgery. RESULTS: Our cohort consisted of 305 men (88%) and 40 (12%) women, with a median age of 67 years (range 31-88 years). Seventy percent had a Karnofsky performance status (KPS) ≥ 80. Multivariate analyses showed a lower OS and higher risk of distant metastasis in patients with advanced stages (p = 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively) and HD (HR 1.43, p = 0.019; and HR 1.49, p = 0.025, respectively). Additionally, patients with VTE had lower local control (HR 1.84, p = 0.025), disease-free survival (HR 1.64, p = 0.020) and distant metastasis-free survival (HR 1.73, p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: HD and VTE are associated with a higher risk of mortality and distant metastasis in NSCLC patients. Chronic inflammation associated with CVDs could be an additional pathophysiologic factor in the development of distant metastasis.

Eficacia y seguridad de la analgesia preventiva con gabapentinoides para pacientes sometidos a cirugía artroscópica de hombro: una revisión sistemática y metanálisis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of preemptive analgesia with gabapentinoids for patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect databases. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) comparing gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) with placebo in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic surgery were retrieved. The primary endpoint was the visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 24 hours and cumulative morphine consumption at 24 hours. The secondary outcomes were complications of nausea/vomiting, sedation and dizziness. After tests for publication bias and heterogeneity among studies were performed, data were aggregated for random-effects models when necessary. RESULTS: Five clinical studies (gabapentin group n = 4 and pregabalin group n = 1) were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. Gabapentinoids were associated with reduced pain scores at 24 hours. Similarly, gabapentinoids were associated with a reduction in cumulative morphine consumption at 24 hours. Furthermore, gabapentinoids can significantly reduce the occurrence of nausea/vomiting. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of sedation and dizziness. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative use of gabapentinoids was able to reduce postoperative pain, total morphine consumption, and morphine-related complications following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Further studies should determine the optimal dose and whether pregabalin is superior to gabapentin in controlling acute pain after shoulder surgery.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de la analgesia preventiva con gabapentinoides para pacientes sometidos a cirugía artroscópica del hombro. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis conforme a PRISMA en las bases de datos PubMed, Cochrane Library y ScienceDirect. Se recuperaron ensayos controlados aleatorios (RCT) que comparaban los gabapentinoides (gabapentina y pregabalina) con placebo en pacientes sometidos a cirugía artroscópica del hombro. El punto final principal fue la puntuación de la escala analógica visual (VAS) a las 24 horas y el consumo acumulado de morfina a las 24 horas. Los resultados secundarios fueron complicaciones de náuseas/vómitos, sedación y mareos. Después de realizar pruebas de sesgo de publicación y heterogeneidad entre los estudios, se agregaron datos para modelos de efectos aleatorios cuando fue necesario. RESULTADOS: En última instancia, se incluyeron en el metaanálisis cinco estudios clínicos (grupo de gabapentina n = 4 y grupo de pregabalina n = 1). Los gabapentinoides se asociaron con puntuaciones de dolor reducidas a las 24 horas. Del mismo modo, los gabapentinoides se asociaron con una reducción en el consumo acumulado de morfina a las 24 horas. Además, los gabapentinoides pueden reducir significativamente la aparición de náuseas/vómitos. No hubo diferencias significativas en la ocurrencia de sedación y mareos. CONCLUSIONES: El uso preoperatorio de gabapentinoides fue capaz de reducir el dolor postoperatorio, el consumo total de morfina y las complicaciones relacionadas con la morfina después de la cirugía artroscópica del hombro. Otros estudios deben determinar la dosis óptima y si la pregabalina es superior a la gabapentina en el control del dolor agudo después de la cirugía de hombro.

The synthesis of steroids by Taenia crassiceps WFU cysticerci and tapeworms is related to the developmental stages of the parasites.

Taeniids tapeworms are hermaphroditic helminths that gradually develop testis and ovaries in their reproductive units. The larval stage of the tapeworms named cysticercus is a vesicle that contains the scolex and proliferates asexually in the abdominal cavity of mice. Once in the host, they evaginate, attach to the gut and develop into an adult organism, the tapeworm. We have previously reported reported that T. crassiceps ORF and solium cysticerci transform steroid precursors to androgens and estrogens. Taenia crassiceps WFU cysticerci can also synthesize corticosteroids. The aim of the present work is to investigate the relationship between steroid synthesis ability and the developmental stage of the parasite T. crassiceps WFU. To this purpose, cysticerci were obtained from the abdominal cavity of female mice, manually separated in invaginated (IC) and evaginated parasites (EC) and preincubated for 24 h in DMEM plus antibiotics/antimycotics. Next step consisted in incubation for different periods in the fresh media added with tritiated androstenedione (3H-A4) or progesterone (3H-P4) and incubated for different periods. Taenia crassiceps WFU tapeworms were recovered from the intestine of golden hamsters that had been orally infected with cysticerci. The worms were pre-cultured in DMEM plus FBS and antibiotics, and then incubated without FBS for different time periods, in the presence of 3H-A4 or 3H-P4. At the end of the experiments the media from cysticerci and tapeworms were analyzed by thin layer chromatography. Results showed that testosterone synthesis was significantly higher in the evaginated cysticerci and increased with time in culture. The invaginated and evaginated cysticerci also synthesized small quantities of 17ß-estradiol (E2) and estrone. The evaginated cysticerci synthesized twice more 3H-deoxycorticosterone (3H-DOC) than the invaginated parasites, the production increased significantly with time in culture. Taenia crassiceps WFU tapeworms synthesized significant quantities of 3H-testosterone and small amounts of estrone after only 3 h of culture in the presence of 3H-A4. The tapeworms also transformed 3H-P4 to 3H-DOC and increased its synthesis after 24 h in culture. In summary, our data show the pathways that T. crassiceps WFU cysticerci use to synthesize sexual steroids in both larval developmental stages and reveals the steroidogenic capacity of the tapeworms.

La orientación empática en los estudiantes de medicina humana de la Universidad de San Martin de Porres / Empathetic orientation of the medical students from San Martin de Porres University

OBJETIVO: Conocer el nivel de orientación empática en los estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad San Martín de Porres. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Es una investigación observacional, transversal descriptivo, realizada entre los meses de marzo y junio del año 2010. Participaron 193 alumnos de un universo de 1920, correspondientes a los años I, II, III, IV, V y VI de la carrera de Medicina Humana de la Universidad de San Martín de Porres. Se aplicó la Escala de Empatía Médica de Jefferson (EEMJ). Para el análisis de datos se emplearon medios descriptivos de frecuencia, porcentajes y desviaciones estándares. RESULTADOS: Los estudiantes de IV año obtuvieron el mayor puntaje (6,1) de orientación empática, sin embargo el I año obtuvo el menor puntaje (5,5). Las mujeres tuvieron un mayor puntaje de orientación empática que los hombres, 5,9 y 5,8 respectivamente. El grupo etario con mayor puntaje (5,9) de orientación empática fue el grupo de 25-28 años. CONCLUSIONES:Los alumnos que están en los niveles intermedios de la carrera de medicina humana (III y IV año de medicina), las mujeres y el grupo etario de 25 û 28 años obtuvieron mayores puntuaciones en la Escala de Empatía Médica de Jefferson...

OBJECTIVE: To know the empathetic orientation of the medical students from San Martin de Porres University. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an observational, cross-sectional descriptive study, carried out between the months on March and June, 2010. 193 out of 1920 students participated, who belonged to the levels I, II, II, IV, V and VI. The Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) was applied. For the data analysis used descriptive means of frequency, percentages and standard deviations. RESULTS: The Fourth yearÆs students obtained the highest score (6,1) in the empathic guidance, however the first yearÆs students had the lowest score (5,5). Women had a higher score than men empathetic orientation, 5,9 and 5,8 respectively. The age group with the highest score (5,9) empathic orientation was the group of 25-28 years. CONCLUSIONS: The students who are level intermediate of human medicine carrier (III and IV levels of medicine), the female and the group of 25 to 28 years had the highest score in The Jefferson Scale Physician Empathy.

Combined strategy for the precipitation of heavy metals and biodegradation of petroleum in industrial wastewaters.

The precipitation of chromium(III), copper(II), manganese(II) and zinc(II) by biogenic hydrogen sulfide generated by sulfate-reducing bacteria, Desulfovibrio sp., and the degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in the presence of heavy metal by Pseudomonas aeruginosa AT18 have been carried out. An anaerobic stirred tank reactor was used to generate hydrogen sulfide with Desulfovibrio sp. culture and the precipitation of more than 95% of each metal was achieved in 24 h (metal solutions contained: 60, 49, 50 and 80 mg L(-1) of chromium, copper, manganese and zinc sulfates). A stirred tank reactor with P. aeruginosa AT18, in the presence of the heavy metal solution and 2% (v/v) of petroleum, led to the degradation of 60% of the total petroleum hydrocarbons and the removal of Cr(III) 99%, Cu(II) 93%, Zn(II) 46% and Mn(II) 88% in the medium through biosorption phenomena. These results enabled the development of an integrated system in which the two processes were combined. The overall aim of the study was achieved, with 84% of TPH degraded and all of the metals completely removed. Work is currently underway aimed at improving this system (decrease in operation time, culture of P. aeruginosa in anaerobic conditions) in an effort to apply this process in the bioremediation of natural media contaminated with heavy metals and petroleum.

[Distal femur fractures. Comparative analysis of two different surgical treatments]. / Fracturas de fémur distal. Análisis comparativo de dos diferentes tratamientos quirúrgicos.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of distal femur fractures has been a controversial topic and it has recently evolved towards indirect reduction and minimally invasive techniques. OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of the surgical treatment of distal femur fractures with a plate with screws for condylar compression purposes with the minimally invasive stabilization system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with distal femur fractures treated surgically between January 2007 and December 2009 were assessed retrospectively. The following variables were registered from each patient record: age, sex, type of fracture, mechanism of injury, type of implant used, operative time and postoperative bleeding. The Neer scale was used to compare the anatomical, radiologic and functional results of both techniques. RESULTS: The total number of patients was 52; 32 males and 20 females; mean age was 58 years. A plate with screws was used in 31 patients for condylar compression purposes, and a minimally invasive stabilization system in 21. The cases managed with a minimally invasive stabilization system had a shorter operative time and less intraoperative bleeding. The results of the evaluation using the Neer scale were similar for both modalities. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with fracture of the distal third of the femur managed with a minimally invasive stabilization system had better outcomes, which were not significant in the Neer scale, mainly due to less pain intensity, early mobilization and less functional repercussions.

[Relationship between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism and homocysteine levels in women with recurrent pregnancy loss: a nutrigenetic perspective]. / Relación entre los polimorfismos de la metilen-tetrahidrofolato-reductasa y los niveles de homocisteína en mujeres con pérdida gestacional recurrente: perspectiva desde la nutrigenética.

The objective of this study was to evaluate if there is any difference in the proportion of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphisms and the homocysteine levels in a group of women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and a control group. Ninety-three patients with diagnosis of three or more gestational losses and 206 healthy women with two or more children, were included. After acceptance of informed consent, samples of peripheral blood were taken to determine the genetic polymorphisms of MTHFR C677T and the plasmatic levels of homocysteine. The carriers of the homozygous mutation TT of MTHFR 677T polymorphism were 12.9% (12 of 93) in the group of patients and 14.6% (30 of 206) in the control group; 46.2% (43 of 93) and 40% (83 of 206) in the group of patients and controls respectively, were heterozygous CT for MTHFR gene. The levels of homocysteine were 7.2 micromol/ml in the group of patients and 7.7 mmol/l in controls. There was no relationship between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and the increase of homocysteine levels, nor of these one with RPL. From the nutrigenetics perspective we suggest that studies related to MTHFR polymorphisms and the risk of disease include the levels of folate and B6 and B12 vitamins participating in the tetrahydrofolate cycle for trying to establish a direct relation among the genotype, the level of metabolite and the clinical manifestations. In this regard, we recommend the administration of folic acid in women in search of pregnancy due to the high frequency of heterozygous and homozygous for MTHFR C677T mutation in our population.

Interstitial stereotactic radiosurgery of pilocytic astrocytomas in paediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical presentation, tumour response, clinical improvement and complications in 12 children and young people with a pilocytic astrocytoma, WHO I grade 1, who were treated with interstitial radiosurgery using Iodine-125 seed implants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 12 patients aged under 18 years (mean 8.4 years, ranging from 8 months to 17 years of age) with a pilocytic astrocytoma treated between 1993 and 2006. Iodine-125 seeds were used as temporary implants with low-dose rate (