Liver impalement with an antique African iron barbed spear. A case report.

Impalement injuries happen when an object penetrates a body cavity or organ and remains in situ. We present a case of a 35-year-old fisherman whose act of violence resulted in the lodging of an antique iron spear in segment V of the liver, which was then referred to our institution on the day after the accident. Despite the challenges posed by patient transfer, diagnosis, resuscitation, and, most importantly, handling in the operating room, the object was successfully removed via hepatotomy, and the patient is now in good health. Impalement by an ancient African iron spear, repurposed as a fishing tool in modern times, remains undocumented in the literature, necessitating reporting and a call for further research by the medical community into managing impalement injuries of varying severity.

Adult with concurrent mesenteric cyst and acute appendicitis: a case report.

Mesenteric cysts are uncommon intra-abdominal lesions that account for only one in every 100 000 adult hospitalizations. Their diagnosis is based on a comprehensive clinical examination as well as radiological modalities such as ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) scans, and it is usually a clinical challenge because of non-specific symptoms. We present our first case of a 51-year-old man with a simple mesenteric cyst accompanying acute appendicitis diagnosed by CT scan of the abdomen and treated by exploratory laparotomy, complete enucleation of the cyst and appendectomy with a 10 month follow-up without complications or recurrence. This type of presentation has not been thoroughly investigated, with only two children reported during our literature review. Even if there is a high level of suspicion, a CT scan is required for confirmation.

Bilateral Tessier no. 7 cleft with an accessory maxilla and osseous choristoma: a case report.

Tessier no. 7 clefts are characterized by macrostomia, facial muscular diastasis and maxillary and zygomatic bone abnormalities. It is caused by a lack of ectomesenchyme formation or penetration of the maxillary and mandibular processes during the fourth and fifth weeks of development. A case of bilateral transverse facial cleft with an accessory maxilla and an osseous choristoma is presented. The diagnosis of accessory maxilla was based on clinical findings due to the inaccessibility of orthopantomography and computed tomography scan. Orbicularis oris muscle reconstruction, cheiloplasty and excision of accessory maxilla were done. Histopathological examination of the bony lesion showed an osseous choristoma. There were no postoperative complications or local recurrence of the lesion excised. This case report demonstrates the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in maxillofacial congenital anomalies. Cheiloplasty restores function and gives the patient a natural appearance. The excision of accessory bone prevents further complications in the child's growth.

Our first Pfannenstiel incisional hernia. A case report.

The incidence of the Pfannenstiel incisional hernia (IH) is the lowest of all IHs, it can occur due to patient-related factors or faulty technique in closure of the deeper layer. The use of prosthetic mesh repair is heralding a new era of tension-free herniorrhaphy, while the optimal location for its implantation remains controversial. As a result, no strategy or technique has become the gold standard for its repair. We report our first experience with an IH through Pfannenstiel in a 49-year-old obese female patient. Inlay polypropylene open mesh repair was performed. As the only complication, the patient presented with a seroma in the wound, which was aspirated, and she is currently asymptomatic with outpatient consultation follow-up. Pfannenstiel IHs have received minimal attention on the optimal surgical approach and postoperative results, making this case a good starting point for future studies.

Cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis after topical application of herbal medicine.

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis represents an aggressive form of deep neck space infection with a high mortality rate. The origin is generally odontogenic, in most cases, resulting from a dental abscess. A series of three cases developed after local application of herbal medicine in patients with no co-morbidities and with a history of a toothache in the lower quadrants for >2 weeks is presented. All patients were managed with antibiotics, extraction of offending tooth and serial wound debridement. Two patients recovered with a resultant skin defect on the neck and one died due to multiple organ failure. This case series demonstrated that early diagnosis, prompt surgical intervention and appropriate medical treatment are very important to increase patient survival. Late report to hospital because of financial constraints and over-reliance on herbal preparation could lead to the development of serious complication in patients with dental infections and could even lead to death of the patient.

Genetic mapping for agronomic traits in a MAGIC population of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under drought conditions.

BACKGROUND: Common bean is an important staple crop in the tropics of Africa, Asia and the Americas. Particularly smallholder farmers rely on bean as a source for calories, protein and micronutrients. Drought is a major production constraint for common bean, a situation that will be aggravated with current climate change scenarios. In this context, new tools designed to understand the genetic basis governing the phenotypic responses to abiotic stress are required to improve transfer of desirable traits into cultivated beans. RESULTS: A multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population of common bean was generated from eight Mesoamerican breeding lines representing the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of the CIAT Mesoamerican breeding program. This population was assessed under drought conditions in two field trials for yield, 100 seed weight, iron and zinc accumulation, phenology and pod harvest index. Transgressive segregation was observed for most of these traits. Yield was positively correlated with yield components and pod harvest index (PHI), and negative correlations were found with phenology traits and micromineral contents. Founder haplotypes in the population were identified using Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS). No major population structure was observed in the population. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data from the founder lines was used to impute genotyping data for GWAS. Genetic mapping was carried out with two methods, using association mapping with GWAS, and linkage mapping with haplotype-based interval screening. Thirteen high confidence QTL were identified using both methods and several QTL hotspots were found controlling multiple traits. A major QTL hotspot located on chromosome Pv01 for phenology traits and yield was identified. Further hotspots affecting several traits were observed on chromosomes Pv03 and Pv08. A major QTL for seed Fe content was contributed by MIB778, the founder line with highest micromineral accumulation. Based on imputed WGS data, candidate genes are reported for the identified major QTL, and sequence changes were identified that could cause the phenotypic variation. CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates the importance of this common bean MAGIC population for genetic mapping of agronomic traits, to identify trait associations for molecular breeding tool design and as a new genetic resource for the bean research community.

Four new species of Plega Navás, 1928 (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) from Mexico.

Four new species of Plega Navás, 1928 (Mantispidae: Symphrasinae) from Mexico are herein described and illustrated, namely P. mixteca sp. n. from Oaxaca and Jalisco, P. stangei sp. n. from Morelos and Oaxaca, P. sonorae sp. n. from Sonora, and P. spinosa sp. n. from Guerrero, Jalisco, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Veracruz. Including these new species, Plega's diversity raises to 17 described species, of which 12 are recorded from Mexico, and one of them, Plega variegata Navás, 1928, is herein proposed as nomen dubium. A taxonomic key to the known species of Plega from Mexico is provided.

Effective diffusion coefficients and bioconversion rates of inhibitory compounds in flocs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Background: Fermentation strategies for bioethanol production that use flocculating Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast need to account for the mechanism by which inhibitory compounds, generated in the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials, are tolerated and detoxified by a yeast floc. Results: Diffusion coefficients and first-order kinetic bioconversion rate coefficients were measured for three fermentation inhibitory compounds (furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, and vanillin) in self-aggregated flocs of S. cerevisiae NRRL Y-265. Thièle-type moduli and internal effectiveness factors were obtained by simulating a simple steady-state spherical floc model. Conclusions: The obtained values for the Thiéle moduli and internal effectiveness factors showed that the bioconversion rate of the inhibitory compounds is the dominant phenomenon over mass transfer inside the flocs.

El clima laboral desde las percepciones del profesional de enfermería de instituciones hospitalarias públicas de Corrientes capital / The work environment from the perceptions of the nursing professional of public hospitals in Corrientes capital

El clima laboral no es otra cosa que el medio en el que se desarrolla el trabajo cotidiano. La calidad de éste influye directamente en la satisfacción de los trabajadores y por ende en la productividad; se encuentra íntimamente relacionado con el manejo social de los directivos, las ventajas y desventajas del liderazgo, comportamientos de los trabajadores, manera de trabajar y de relacionarse, los recursos materiales que se utilizan y las características propias de la actividad que desarrollan. Como objetivo se propuso describir las percepciones sobre el clima laboral que tienen los profesionales de enfermería de planta permanente de los hospitales públicos Escuela "Gral. José Francisco de San Martín", "Juan Ramón Vidal" y Pediátrico "Juan Pablo II", de Corrientes Capital, a través de un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, observacional y transversal realizado de Agosto a Octubre de 2018. Se diseñó una encuesta para la medición de las variables en las que incluían tres dimensiones, de la organización y el puesto de trabajo, los datos sociodemográficos y el entorno y condiciones laborales. La población total en estudio comprendió a 145, del cual se extrajo un tamaño muestral de los tres conglomerados de 123. Los resultados permitieron indagar las diferentes percepciones sobre clima laboral identificando las características relacionadas con los estilos de liderazgo preponderante, las habilidades comunicacionales entre pares y otros, disponibilidad de recursos y condiciones del espacio en que se desenvuelven y las expectativas personales. Se detectaron condiciones satisfactorias respecto a factores que influyen y determinan aspectos positivos para un entorno laboral saludable como el estilo de liderazgo democrático reconocido por la mayoría; así también como opiniones positivas respecto a la confiabilidad de la información impartida por sus superiores. Sin embargo algunos determinantes resultaron desfavorables para un buen clima laboral como los recursos materiales insuficientes, distorsiones comunicativas e inconvenientes en las relaciones interpersonales. Las dimensiones estudiadas permitieron detectar puntos débiles sobre los cuales se hace imprescindible reforzar y acompañar al trabajador. El conocimiento del clima laboral en las diferentes instituciones de salud pública proporcionó información acerca de los procesos que determinan los comportamientos organizacionales, permitiendo describir actitudes y conductas de los miembros y conformación de la estructura institucional. Así también destacar características favorables a fin de promover políticas organizacionales para su afianzamiento y consolidación

SUMMARY The working environment is nothing other than the medium in which daily work is carried out. The quality of this directly affects the satisfaction of workers and productivity; it is closely related to the social management of managers, the advantages and disadvantages of leadership, the behavior of workers, the way of working and the relationship, the resources used and the characteristics of the corresponding activity. What is the objective of describing the perceptions about the work climate that the nursing professionals of the permanent plant of public hospitals have? José Francisco de San Martín "," Juan Ramón Vidal "and Pediatric" Juan Pablo II ", of Corrientes Capital, through a quantitative, descriptive, observational and transversal study carried out from August to October 2018. A survey was designed to measure the variables that include the dimensions, the organization and the job, the sociodemographic data and the environment and working conditions. The total population in the study comprised 145, from which a sample size of the three conglomerates of 123 was extracted.The results allowed the different perceptions about the work climate identifying the characteristics related to the predominant styles of leadership, the communication skills between peers and others, the availability of resources and the conditions of the space in which they develop and personal expectations. Satisfactory conditions were detected regarding factors that influence and determine positive aspects for a work environment such as the style of democratic leadership recognized by the majority; As well as positive opinions regarding the reliability of the information imparted by their superiors. However, some determinants were unfavorable for a good working environment as insufficient resources, communicative distortions and inconveniences in interpersonal relationships. The dimensions studied allowed to detect the weak points on which it is essential and accompany the worker. The knowledge of the work environment in the different health institutions provided information about the processes that determine the organizational behaviors, the descriptors and behaviors of the members and the conformation of the institutional structure. Also highlight favorable characteristics in order to promote organizational policies for its consolidation and consolidation

RESUMO O ambiente de trabalho nada mais é do que o meio em que o trabalho diário é realizado. A qualidade disso afeta diretamente a satisfação dos trabalhadores e, portanto, a produtividade; Ele está intimamente relacionado com a gestão social dos gestores, as vantagens e desvantagens de comportamentos de liderança dos trabalhadores, maneira de trabalhar e se relacionar, recursos materiais são utilizados e as características das atividades realizadas. Como objetivo, foi proposto descrever as percepções sobre o clima de trabalho que os profissionais de enfermagem permanente dos hospitais públicos possuem. "Gral. José Francisco de San Martin "" Juan Ramón Vidal "e Pediátrica" Juan Pablo II", Corrientes Capital, através de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo, observacional transversal realizado de agosto a outubro 2018. Uma pesquisa foi desenvolvida para medir as variáveis em que eles incluíam três dimensões, a organização e o trabalho, os dados sociodemográficos e o ambiente e condições de trabalho. A população total em estudo compreendeu 145, dos quais foi extraído um tamanho de amostra dos três conglomerados de 123. Os resultados permitiram investigar as diferentes percepções do ambiente de trabalho, identificando as características relacionadas com os estilos predominantes de liderança, habilidades de comunicação entre pares e outros, disponibilidade de recursos e condições de espaço em que vivem e expectativas pessoais. Foram detectadas condições satisfatórias quanto aos fatores que influenciam e determinam aspectos positivos para um ambiente de trabalho saudável, como o estilo de liderança democrática reconhecido pela maioria; bem como opiniões positivas sobre a confiabilidade das informações transmitidas por seus superiores. No entanto, alguns determinantes foram desfavoráveis para um bom ambiente de trabalho, como recursos materiais insuficientes, distorções de comunicação e inconveniências nas relações interpessoais. As dimensões estudadas permitiram detectar pontos fracos sobre os quais é essencial reforçar e acompanhar o trabalhador. O conhecimento do ambiente de trabalho nas diferentes instituições de saúde pública forneceu informações sobre os processos que determinam os comportamentos organizacionais, permitindo descrever as atitudes e comportamentos dos membros e a conformação da estrutura institucional. Destacar também características favoráveis para promover políticas organizacionais para sua consolidação e consolidação

Dolor postoperatorio: frecuencia y caracterización del manejo / Postoperative pain: frequency and management characterization

Abstract Introduction: Acute postoperative pain is a usual symptom and a surgical challenge. Objective: To determine the frequency of pain in the postoperative period of patients undergoing elective surgery and to characterize pain management at a second-level public hospital. Material and methods: A cross-section study of 175 postop patients was conducted, analyzing variables such as level of pain 24 hours after surgery according to the visual analog scale, type of surgery, use of analgesics, and anesthetic technique. Results: The findings indicate that the frequency of moderate, severe, and excruciating pain is 66.3%. In all cases, the analgesia treatment was prescribed by the treating service, and 2 to 3 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were used in 86.4% of the cases, with a minimal use of opioids in 13% of the patients. The anesthetic techniques used included balanced general anesthesia, neuro-axial block, and a mixed technique; the latter improved pain control. Conclusion: The frequency of postoperative pain is similar to the level reported in other trials (30%-70%), pointing to the need to review our current management, with more extensive participation and training of the staff involved in pain control.

Resumen Introducción: El dolor agudo postoperatorio es un síntoma frecuente, el cual representa un reto en el ámbito quirúrgico. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia de dolor en el paciente postoperado de cirugía electiva y caracterizar el manejo del mismo en un hospital público de segundo nivel de atención. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal en 175 pacientes postoperados, analizando las variables de grado de dolor a las 24 horas del postoperatorio con la escala visual análoga, tipo de cirugía, uso de analgésicos, técnica anestésica. Resultados: Se encontró que la frecuencia de dolor moderado, severo o insoportable es del 66.3%. El tratamiento analgésico en todos los casos fue prescrito por el servicio tratante y en el 86.4% de los casos se emplearon AINE'S, en número de uno a tres. Con un uso mínimo de opioides en el 13% de los pacientes. Las técnicas anestésicas usadas fueron AGB, BNA y técnica mixta; con mejoría en el grado de dolor con la técnica mixta. Conclusión: Existe una frecuencia de dolor postoperatorio similar a lo reportado en otros estudios (30-70%), reflejando la necesidad de revisión del manejo actual, mayor participación y capacitación del personal involucrado en su manejo.

Investigation of Lung Pharmacokinetic of the Novel PDE4 Inhibitor CHF6001 in Preclinical Models: Evaluation of the PreciseInhale Technology.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical evaluation of new chemical entities (NCEs) designed to be administered by inhalation route requires lung administration to rodents, especially in the discovery phase. Different administration methods have been used until now, but more efforts are required to obtain controlled and reproducible lung deposition when only small amounts of neat powder material are available. METHODS: The PreciseInhale platform used in the present study enables well-controlled powder aerosol exposures with only small amounts of micronized neat material, providing data on inhalation pharmacokinetic (PK) of NCEs at a very early stage. The DustGun aerosol technology uses compressed air to generate a respirable aerosol from milligram-amounts of powder that is delivered to one animal at a time. The new methodology was used to investigate the inhalation PK and lung retention in the rat of the novel Chiesi PDE4 inhibitor CHF6001 in three exposure models of the PreciseInhale platform: nose-only, intratracheally intubated rat, and the isolated, ventilated, and perfused rat lung. Results were compared with data from two other pulmonary delivery systems commonly used in preclinical studies: liquid instillation and powder insufflation. RESULTS: Administration of micronized CHF6001 using the PreciseInhale system yielded lung exposures in the same range as the other tested devices, but the reproducibility in lung deposition was improved. The initial amount of CHF6001 in lungs at the first sampling time point was close to the predetermined target dose. Tracheal deposition with PreciseInhale (0.36 ± 0.22 µg) was significantly less than with other tested delivery systems: PennCentury (23.7 ± 3.2 µg) and Airjet (25.6 ± 7.2 µg). CONCLUSIONS: The PreciseInhale platform enabled the administration of CHF6001 powder with good accuracy and reproducibility, with low tracheal deposition. The new platform can be used at an early discovery stage to obtain inhalatory PK data for respirable aerosols of neat NCE powder without excipients and with minimal use of dry powder formulation work.

Bacterial alginate production: an overview of its biosynthesis and potential industrial production.

Alginate is a linear polysaccharide that can be used for different applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. These polysaccharides have a chemical structure composed of subunits of (1-4)-ß-D-mannuronic acid (M) and its C-5 epimer α-L-guluronic acid (G). The monomer composition and molecular weight of alginates are known to have effects on their properties. Currently, these polysaccharides are commercially extracted from seaweed but can also be produced by Azotobacter vinelandii and Pseudomonas spp. as an extracellular polymer. One strategy to produce alginates with different molecular weights and with reproducible physicochemical characteristics is through the manipulation of the culture conditions during fermentation. This mini-review provides a comparative analysis of the metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in alginate polymerization from A. vinelandii and Pseudomonas spp. Different fermentation strategies used to produce alginates at a bioreactor laboratory scale are described.

Habilidades metacognitivas en alumnos del Curso de Especialización en Medicina Familiar / Metacognitive skills in students of the Specialization Course in Family Medicine

Introducción. El proceso educativo en las sociedades modernas necesita iniciativas personales, tanto en el contexto educativo como en el laboral, por lo que es importante que la persona desarrolle y regule sus competencias cognitivas durante los procesos de aprendizaje. Objetivo. Describir las habilidades metacognitivas en alumnos del Curso de Especialización en Medicina Familiar, en una sede del estado de Sonora. Sujetos y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal para evaluar el desarrollo de las habilidades metacognitivas en el total del censo de los alumnos adscritos al Curso de Especialización en Medicina Familiar, de una sede en Ciudad Obregón, Sonora. Se aplicó el inventario de habilidades metacognitivas, el cual se validó y se determinó su fiabilidad a través de una prueba piloto. Se aplicó estadística descriptiva, chi al cuadrado y Kruskall-Wallis. Resultados. De los 36 alumnos (63,9% de sexo femenino), con una edad media de 28,7 ± 1,9 años, 28 (78,8%) presentaron un desarrollo alto de habilidades metacognitivas, con una media de 200,79, 203,13, 200,75 y 201,75 puntos para el primer, segundo, tercer año y global, respectivamente (p = 0,834; Kruskall-Wallis). Conclusiones. No se observaron diferencias en el desarrollo global de las habilidades metacognitivas, ni en sus subescalas, entre los tres años académicos del alumnado de la residencia. En el futuro, se tendrán que considerar instrumentos que evalúen el grado de deseabilidad social del alumno con el fin de controlar dicho sesgo (AU)

Introduction. The educational process in modern societies requires personal initiatives, both in the educational and the work context, and thus it is important for people to develop and regulate their cognitive competences throughout learning processes. Aim. To describe the metacognitive skills of students taking the Specialisation in Family Medicine Course, in a centre in the state of Sonora. Subjects and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the development of metacognitive skills in all the students enrolled in the Specialisation in Family Medicine Course, at a centre in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora. The metacognitive skills inventory was applied after previously validating it and determining its reliability by means of a pilot test. Descriptive statistics, chi squared and Kruskall-Wallis were applied. Results. Of the 36 students (63.9% females), with a mean age of 28.7 ± 1.9 years, 28 (78.8%) presented a high level of development in metacognitive skills, with a mean of 200.79, 203.13, 200.75 and 201.75 points for the first, second and third years and overall, respectively (p = 0.834; Kruskall-Wallis). Conclusions. No differences are observed in the overall development of their metacognitive skills or in their subscales, among students in the three academic years at the residence. In the future, instruments that evaluate the student’s degree of social desirability of will have to be considered with the aim of controlling this bias (AU)

Myrmeleon almohadarum sp. nov., from Spain and North Africa, with description of the larva (Neuroptera Myrmeleontidae).

A new antlion (Neuroptera Myrmeleontidae Myrmeleontini), Myrmeleon almohadarum  sp. nov., is described from southern Spain and Tunisia. The new taxon is closely related  to the mostly sympatric M. inconspicuus Rambur and M. mariaemathildae Pantaleoni, Cesaroni & Nicoli Aldini but differing in body pattern, wing venation and larval chaetotaxy. The validity of the new species is also supported by a phylogenetic analysis based on COI sequences. The larva of this new species is described and compared with congeners. M. almohadarum appears to be associated with sandy environments.

Simultaneous synthesis of mixtures of lactulose and galacto-oligosaccharides and their selective fermentation.

Lactulose and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are well recognized prebiotics derived from lactose. In the synthesis of lactulose with ß-galactosidases GOS are also produced, but the ratio of lactulose and GOS in the product can be tuned at will, depending on the operation conditions, so to obtain an optimal product distribution in terms of prebiotic potential. The selectivity of fermentation of each carbohydrate alone as well as mixtures of both was determined using pH-controlled anaerobic batch cultures with faecal inoculum. Within the experimental range considered, lactulose/GOS molar ratio of 4 resulted in the highest selectivity for Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus/Enterococcus, so this ratio was selected as the target for the synthesis of lactulose from fructose and lactose with Aspergillus oryzae ß-galactosidase. Synthesis was optimized using response surface methodology, considering temperature, initial concentrations of acceptor sugars and fructose/lactose molar ratio as key variables, with the aim of maximizing lactulose yield at the optimal product distribution in terms of prebiotic potential (lactulose/GOS molar ratio of 4). Under optimal conditions (50°C, 50%w/w total initial concentrations of sugars and fructose/lactose molar ratio of 6.44), lactulose yield of 0.26g of lactulose produced per g of initial lactose was obtained at the optimal product distribution.

The larva of Tricholeon relictus Hölzel & Monserrat, 2002 a synanthropic antlion (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae).

The larva of Tricholeon relictus, a Spanish endemic antlion of Afrotropical affinities, is described and illustrated for the first time also providing a comparison with the only other European member of the tribe Dendroleontini, Dendroleon pantherinus. The larva of this species is synanthropic but probably originally lived in cave-like habitats.

Evaluation of gene expression and alginate production in response to oxygen transfer in continuous culture of Azotobacter vinelandii.

Alginates are polysaccharides used as food additives and encapsulation agents in biotechnology, and their functional properties depend on its molecular weight. In this study, different steady-states in continuous cultures of A. vinelandii were established to determine the effect of the dilution rate (D) and the agitation rate on alginate production and expression of genes involved in alginate polymerization and depolymerization. Both, the agitation and dilution rates, determined the partitioning of the carbon utilization from sucrose into alginate and CO2 under oxygen-limiting conditions. A low D (0.07 h(-1)) and 500 rpm resulted in the highest carbon utilization into alginate (25%). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the transcription level of six genes involved in alginate polymerization and depolymerization. In chemostat cultures at 0.07 h(-1), the gene expression was affected by changes in the agitation rate. By increasing the agitation rate from 400 to 600 rpm, the algE7 gene expression decreased tenfold, whereas alyA1, algL and alyA2 gene expression increased between 1.5 and 2.8 times under similar conditions evaluated. Chemostat at 0.07 h(-1) showed a highest alginate molecular weight (580 kDa) at 500 rpm whereas similar molecular weights (480 kDa) were obtained at 400 and 600 rpm. The highest molecular weight was not explained by changes in the expression of alg8 and alg44 (genes involved in alginate polymerization). Nonetheless, a different expression pattern observed for lyases could explain the highest alginate molecular weight obtained. Overall, the results suggest that the control of alginate molecular weight in A. vinelandii cells growing in continuous mode is determined by a balance between the gene expression of intracellular and extracellular lyases in response to oxygen availability. These findings better our understanding of the biosynthesis of bacterial alginate and help us progress toward obtain tailor-made alginates.

The larvae of Gepus invisus Navás, 1912 and Solter liber Navás, 1912, a comparative description (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae).

The third instar larvae of Gepus invisus and Solter liber are comparatively described and illustrated for the first time with a particular emphasis on genus level characters. Larval morphology confirms a close relationship between these genera as they differ only in minor characters.

Exposure to parvalbumin allergen and aerosols among herring processing workers.

BACKGROUND: There are increasing reports of allergies and respiratory symptoms among workers in the fish processing industry, coinciding with an increasing use of high-pressure water in the processing plants. However, few studies have measured exposure in these work environments. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize the occupational exposure of workers to herring antigen and to screen environmental factors at a herring (Clupea harengus) plant in which new and more encapsulated filleting machines had been installed. To assist in this, a method to assess airborne exposure to herring allergen was needed. METHODS: Exposure to airborne herring antigen, mould spores, and endotoxin were measured during work. Antigen exposure was assessed using a newly developed sensitive (detection limit, 0.1 ng ml(-1)) rabbit polyclonal sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against the major herring muscle protein allergen, parvalbumin. Aerosols were measured by mass concentration (DataRAM) and number of particles (Climet I-500). RESULTS: Personal geometric mean herring allergen exposure was 986 ng m(-3) at the old filleting workstations and 725 ng m(-3) at the new workstations (difference not significant). Outside the production room, the level was ~130 ng m(-3). Number of particles and mass concentration were both significantly lower around the new machines than around the old machines (P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). The highest particle count was seen for the 0.3-0.5 µm fraction, with more than 400,000 particles per cubic metre air. Endotoxin concentration in the air varied between 3 and 92 EU m(-3), with the highest levels when the catch mainly contained herring that had eaten krill or seaweed. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a sensitive method to detect herring antigen. High exposure to herring antigen was measured during filleting work. The particles in the air around the fillet machines were mainly <0.5 µm and the newer encapsulated machines generated fewer particles. It is important to reduce occupational exposure of workers to aerosols by improving the ventilation system, machines, and organization of work.

Application of bioleaching to copper mining in Chile

Background: Bioleaching of minerals is a process that allows the treatment of insoluble sulphides and insoluble oxides via hydrometallurgy, as opposed to the more traditional technology of pyrometallurgy. Bioleaching presents several technological, environmental and economic advantages as compared with pyrometallurgy, as well as some limitations. Results: In this work a general panorama of copper mining and biomining, the influence of the most relevant operating variables and their present and future situation in Chile are presented and discussed. Conclusions: Today, Chile plays an important role in the development and commercial application of bioleaching to copper ores. This background information allows predicting a brilliant future for this technology in Chile, as has been forecasted in the last years.