Microbiota composition in the lower respiratory tract is associated with severity in patients with acute respiratory distress by influenza.

Several factors are associated with the severity of the respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. Although viral factors are one of the most studied, in recent years the role of the microbiota and co-infections in severe and fatal outcomes has been recognized. However, most of the work has focused on the microbiota of the upper respiratory tract (URT), hindering potential insights from the lower respiratory tract (LRT) that may help to understand the role of the microbiota in Influenza disease. In this work, we characterized the microbiota of the LRT of patients with Influenza A using 16S rRNA sequencing. We tested if patients with different outcomes (deceased/recovered) and use of antibiotics differ in their microbial community composition. We found important differences in the diversity and composition of the microbiota between deceased and recovered patients. In particular, we detected a high abundance of opportunistic pathogens such as Granulicatella, in patients either deceased or with antibiotic treatment. Also, we found antibiotic treatment correlated with lower diversity of microbial communities and with lower probability of survival in Influenza A patients. Altogether, the loss of microbial diversity could generate a disequilibrium in the community, potentially compromising the immune response increasing viral infectivity, promoting the growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria that, together with altered biochemical parameters, can be leading to severe forms of the disease. Overall, the present study gives one of the first characterizations of the diversity and composition of microbial communities in the LRT of Influenza patients and its relationship with clinical variables and disease severity.

Generation of a homozygous mutant drug transporter (ABCB1) knockout line in the sea urchin Lytechinus pictus.

Sea urchins are premier model organisms for the study of early development. However, the lengthy generation times of commonly used species have precluded application of stable genetic approaches. Here, we use the painted sea urchin Lytechinus pictus to address this limitation and to generate a homozygous mutant sea urchin line. L. pictus has one of the shortest generation times of any currently used sea urchin. We leveraged this advantage to generate a knockout mutant of the sea urchin homolog of the drug transporter ABCB1, a major player in xenobiotic disposition for all animals. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we generated large fragment deletions of ABCB1 and used these readily detected deletions to rapidly genotype and breed mutant animals to homozygosity in the F2 generation. The knockout larvae are produced according to expected Mendelian distribution, exhibit reduced xenobiotic efflux activity and can be grown to maturity. This study represents a major step towards more sophisticated genetic manipulation of the sea urchin and the establishment of reproducible sea urchin animal resources.

Self-Perceived Emotional Intelligence Levels in Nursing Students in Times of a Pandemic: Multivariate Representation.

Self-perceived emotional intelligence in healthcare personnel is not just an individual skill but a work tool, which is even more necessary in times of crisis. This article aimed to determine emotional intelligence as perceived by students studying nursing at the University of Colima, Mexico, a year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey of an academic year stratified population of 349 students was conducted, using the Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24 instrument. A global descriptive analysis was performed for each school year. Additionally, an ANOVA was performed, and a Multiple Correspondence Analysis was executed. It is essential to highlight the high percentages for emotional attention within the results. However, a large percentage of students required improvement in emotional attention, clarity, and repair. According to their school year, significant differences were observed among student groups within the three emotional intelligence subscales (p < 0.05). Second-year students had low levels in the three subscales of emotional intelligence, while fourth-year students had adequate levels. We established that the scores were different depending on the school year, with a significant decrease in second-year students. The implementation of educational programs could aid in the development of emotional skills in students from the health field, especially in times of crisis.

Environmentally friendly achiote seed extracts with higher δ-tocotrienol content have higher in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity than the conventional extract.

Achiote (Bixa orellana) is highly appreciated as a condiment and as the main source of bixin and tocotrienols, both having antioxidant properties. To explore the possibility of maximizing the antioxidant activity of achiote seed extracts using clean methodologies, the use of sonication and green solvents were tested. Ethyl lactate, isopropyl acetate, and ethanol combined with probe sonication produced the best results, obtaining similar bixin contents but higher δ-tocotrienol contents, as well as significantly higher in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity compared with the maceration method extract, requiring low energy and saving time and solvents. The probe-sonicated achiote extract with the highest δ-tocotrienol content was better at increasing the Caenorhabditis elegans resistance to oxidative stress than the extract obtained through maceration. This is the first report about the effect of sonication combined with green solvents on the bixin and δ-tocotrienol content in achiote seed extracts and its relevance on the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity.

Establishing the structure and replicability of personality profiles using the HEXACO-PI-R.

Previous attempts to identify personality profiles in the five-factor and HEXACO models of personality have produced inconsistent results. Here, using data from four independent samples, each with approximately 90,000 international respondents to the 100-item HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised (HEXACO-PI-R), we demonstrated that a five-profile solution fit the data well. Exploratory analyses suggested that this solution was also consistent across gender and age groups. The five-profile structure replicated well with larger subsamples, but could not be reproduced consistently with samples of fewer than 500 individuals. However, even with small samples, the five-profile structure could be applied using the parameters obtained with the larger samples. We used HEXACO theory along with agency-communion and attachment theories to offer preliminary explanations and labels for the five profiles. We discuss how these theories, combined with parameter estimates provided by our research, can be used to generate and test hypotheses to validate the five-profile structure and evaluate its utility for personality research and other applications.

Exploring the pH dependent aqueous speciation of metal complexes through UV-Vis spectroscopy.

Coordination chemistry is a major component of the undergraduate inorganic chemistry curriculum and yet the presentation of the material can be cumbersome due to the limitations of the course typically being taught in one semester. Also, because of the large scope of this branch of chemistry encompassing all of the elements, the course design has not been standardized. These factors result in some important coordination chemistry themes being given insufficient development. Herein we propose a novel activity to formally introduce metal complex aqueous speciation in a holistic active-learning manner that includes a lecture component and hands-on experience. This topic has real world relevance and contextualizes many important coordination concepts. It would extend student comprehension about the intricate factors that affect metal complexation in an aqueous solution environment by focusing on the influence of pH. The activity explores the pH dependent speciation of the well-characterized interaction between Fe(III) and 2,3-dihydroxynapthalene-6-sulfonate and reveals the colorful changes in species throughout the pH range of 0 to 13. Students learn how to generate speciation plots and to understand the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) electronic absorption spectroscopy of transition metal compounds to be able to analyze the source of color that they observe. Assessment of the activity was conducted with 24 students who completed a Likert scale survey and responded to open-ended questions. The activity was then applied in actual course settings in which student comprehension was quantitatively evaluated. The activity can be easily adapted to students of different stages of academic development from elementary to college students.

Thermal treatment and modified atmosphere packaging delay chilling injury and preserve the quality of cactus stems (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) cv Atlixco.

Response surface methodology was applied in order to select the optimal thermal treatment (TT) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) needed to preserve minimally processed cactus stems, cv Atlixco. Accordingly, a 42 s/48°C TT together with a 10% CO2 MAP were selected, and their effects evaluated during storage at 4°C. Controls lost more weight (3.8%) than TT (3.3%), MAP (1.4%), and TT-MAP (1.3%) cactus stems. Chilling injury (CI) symptoms decreased and were of a similar magnitude in both MAP and TT-MAP cactus stems, whereas TT-MAP cladodes were better able to preserve their characteristic green color and freshness, even after 28 days. Biochemically, no differences were detected in the electrolyte leakage (EL) of cactus stems, regardless of treatment. However, the high levels of adenosine triphosphate and of the reduced form of ascorbic acid, especially in MAP and TT-MAP cladodes, suggest that an efficient antioxidant system was present in their tissues throughout storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In Mexico, cactus stems have been eaten as vegetables since pre-Hispanic times, and their current status as functional foods has helped them spread to various other countries. As cactus stems possess abundant spines, minimal processing is necessary in order to remove them. Stems must also be kept at 4°C so that their quality and general safety as food items are adequately preserved. However, we previously found that this temperature caused significant CI after just 14 days of storage. The present study, therefore, describes the selection of optimal conditions for the application of a TT that, together with a modified atmosphere (MA), induce tolerance to CI and maintain the quality of stems for up to 28 days. As a result, this work provides the necessary postharvest tools to further expand the distribution and sale of minimally processed cactus stems into domestic and international markets.

Xenobiotic transporter activity in zebrafish embryo ionocytes.

Ionocytes are specialized cells in the epidermis of embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio) that play important roles in ion homeostasis and have functional similarities to mammalian renal cells. Here, we examined whether these cells might also share another functional similarity with renal cells, which is the presence of efflux transporter activities useful for elimination of toxic small molecules. Xenobiotic transporters (XTs), including the ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) family, are a major defense mechanism against diffusible toxic molecules in aquatic embryos, including zebrafish, but their activity in the ionocytes has not previously been studied. Using fluorescent small molecule substrates of XT, we observed that specific populations of ionocytes uptake and efflux fluorescent small molecules in a manner consistent with active transport. We specifically identified a P-gp/ABCB1 inhibitor-sensitive efflux activity in the H+-ATPase-rich (HR) ionocytes, and show that these cells exhibit enriched expression of the ABCB gene, abcb5. The results extend our understanding of the functional significance of zebrafish ionocytes and indicate that these cells could play an important role in protection of the fish embryo from harmful small molecules.

A vesicular Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in coral calcifying cells.

The calcium carbonate skeletons of corals provide the underlying structure of coral reefs; however, the cellular mechanisms responsible for coral calcification remain poorly understood. In osteoblasts from vertebrate animals, a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) present in the plasma membrane transports Ca2+ to the site of bone formation. The aims of this study were to establish whether NCX exists in corals and its localization within coral cells, which are essential first steps to investigate its potential involvement in calcification. Data mining identified genes encoding for NCX proteins in multiple coral species, a subset of which were more closely related to NCXs from vertebrates (NCXA). We cloned NCXA from Acropora yongei (AyNCXA), which, unexpectedly, contained a peptide signal that targets proteins to vesicles from the secretory pathway. AyNCXA subcellular localization was confirmed by heterologous expression of fluorescently tagged AyNCXA protein in sea urchin embryos, which localized together with known markers of intracellular vesicles. Finally, immunolabeling of coral tissues with specific antibodies revealed AyNCXA was present throughout coral tissue. AyNCXA was especially abundant in calcifying cells, where it exhibited a subcellular localization pattern consistent with intracellular vesicles. Altogether, our results demonstrate AyNCXA is present in vesicles in coral calcifying cells, where potential functions include intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and Ca2+ transport to the growing skeleton as part of an intracellular calcification mechanism.

Virome and bacteriome characterization of children with pneumonia and asthma in Mexico City during winter seasons 2014 and 2015.

BACKGROUND: Acute asthma exacerbations and pneumonia are important causes of morbidity and mortality in children and may coexist in the same children, although symptom overlap may lead to difficulties in diagnosis. Microbial and viral diversity and differential abundance of either may play an important role in infection susceptibility and the development of acute and chronic respiratory diseases. OBJECTIVES: To describe the virome and bacteriome present in the upper respiratory tract of hospitalized children with a clinical diagnosis of asthma and pneumonia during an acute exacerbation and an acute respiratory illness ARI episode respectively. METHODS: During the winter seasons of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, 134 nasopharyngeal swabs samples of children <15 years of age with ARI hospitalized at a referral hospital for respiratory diseases were selected based on clinical diagnosis of asthma or pneumonia. The virome and bacteriome were characterized using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and in-house bioinformatics analysis pipeline. RESULTS: The Asthma group was represented mainly by RV-C, BoV-1 and RSV-B and the pneumonia group by Bacteriophage EJ-1 and TTMV. TTV was found in both groups with a similar amount of reads. About bacterial composition Moraxella catarrhalis, Propionibacterium acnes and Acinetobacter were present in asthma and Veillonella parvula and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were mostly found with both asthma and pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a complex viral and bacterial composition in asthma and pneumonia groups with a strong association of RV-C presence in asthmatic children. We observed Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae concurrently in both groups.

Achiote (Bixa orellana L.): a natural source of pigment and vitamin E.

Commercialization of agricultural products, including seeds and its derived products, represents an important economic source for developing countries. Natural colorants obtained from the seeds of achiote plant (annatto) have been used since pre-Hispanic times. Also, production of this crop has been important for Mayan cuisine. Annual world production of achiote seeds is approximately 14,500 tons (dry weight). Two thirds of the production is commercialized as dried seeds and the rest as colorant. Latin America produces 60% of the total world production, followed by Africa (27%) and Asia (12%). The main producers in Latin America are Peru, Brazil and Mexico. The purpose of the present paper is to review the most recent literature on Bixa orellana L. focusing on bixin, norbixin, tocotrienols and tocopherols biosynthesis, use and industrial applications of annatto extracts, as well as its nutraceutical potential and its benefits for human health.

EV-D68 infection in children with asthma exacerbation and pneumonia in Mexico City during 2014 autumn.

BACKGROUND: Human enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) recently caused an increase in mild-to-severe pediatric respiratory cases in North America and some European countries. Even though few of these children presented with acute paralytic disease, direct causal relationship cannot yet be assumed. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this report were to describe the clinical findings of an outbreak of EV-D68 infection in Mexico City and identify the genetic relationship with previously reported strains. PATIENTS/METHODS: Between September and December 2014, 126 nasopharyngeal samples (NPS) of hospitalized children <15 years of age with ARI were tested for the presence of respiratory viruses using a multiplex RT-qPCR and EV-D68-specific RT-qPCR. Clinical, epidemiological, and demographic data were collected and associated with symptomatology and viral infections. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using VP1 region. RESULTS: Enterovirus/rhinovirus infection was detected in 40 patients (31·7%), of which 24 patients were EV-D68-positive. EV-D68 infection prevailed over September and October 2014 and was associated with neutrophilia and lymphopenia, and patients were more likely to develop hypoxemia. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Mexican EV-D68 belongs to the new B1 clade. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first EV-D68 outbreak described in Mexico and occurred few weeks after the United States reported similar infections. Although EV-D68 belongs to new B1 clade, no neurological affection was observed.

Detection and characterization of respiratory viruses causing acute respiratory illness and asthma exacerbation in children during three different seasons (2011-2014) in Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: Viral infections play a significant role in causing acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and exacerbations of chronic diseases. Acute respiratory infections are now the leading cause of mortality in children worldwide, especially in developing countries. Recently, human rhinovirus (HRV) infection has been emerged as an important cause of pneumonia and asthma exacerbation. OBJECTIVES: To determine the role of several viral agents principally, respiratory syncytial virus, and HRV in children with ARIs and their relationship with asthma exacerbation and pneumonia. METHODS: Between October 2011 and March 2014, 432 nasopharyngeal samples of children <15 years of age with ARI hospitalized at a referral hospital for respiratory diseases were tested for the presence of respiratory viruses using a multiplex RT-qPCR. Clinical, epidemiological, and demographic data were collected and associated with symptomatology and viral infections. RESULTS: Viral infections were detected in at least 59·7% of the enrolled patients, with HRV (26·6%) being the most frequently detected. HRV infections were associated with clinical features of asthma and difficulty in breathing such as wheezing (P = 0·0003), supraesternal (P = 0·046), and xiphoid retraction (P = 0·030). HRV subtype C (HRV-C) infections were associated with asthma (P = 0·02). CONCLUSIONS: Human rhinovirus was the virus most commonly detected in pediatric patients with ARI. There is also an association of HRV-C infection with asthma exacerbation, emphasizing the relevance of this virus in severe pediatric respiratory disease.

Migration of sea urchin primordial germ cells.

BACKGROUND: Small micromeres are produced at the fifth cleavage of sea urchin development. They express markers of primordial germ cells (PGCs), and are required for the production of gametes. In most animals, PGCs migrate from sites of formation to the somatic gonad. Here, we investigated whether they also exhibit similar migratory behaviors using live-cell imaging of small micromere plasma membranes. RESULTS: Early in gastrulation, small micromeres transition from non-motile epithelial cells, to motile quasi-mesenchymal cells. Late in gastrulation, at 43 hr post fertilization (HPF), they are embedded in the tip of the archenteron, but remain motile. From 43-49 HPF, they project numerous cortical blebs into the blastocoel, and filopodia that contact ectoderm. By 54 HPF, they begin moving in the plane of the blastoderm, often in a directed fashion, towards the coelomic pouches. Isolated small micromeres also produced blebs and filopodia. CONCLUSIONS: Previous work suggested that passive translocation governs some of the movement of small micromeres during gastrulation. Here we show that small micromeres are motile cells that can traverse the archenteron, change position along the left-right axis, and migrate to coelomic pouches. These motility mechanisms are likely to play an important role in their left-right segregation.

Sombras intratorácicas pseudotumorales de origen cardiovascular / Pseudotumorlike intratorácicas shades of cardiovascular origin

Reportamos cinco pacientes con imágenes intratorácicas de aspecto tumoral, referidos al ION-SOLCA para valoración diagnóstica; ésta reveló que las imágenes pseudotumorales eran de origen cardiovascular: una fístula arteriovenosa pulmonar un aneurisma aorto-torácico con fístula aorto-bronquial, un tumor evanescente de colección pleural (tumor fantasma) y dos casos de arteria pulmonar dilatada por hipertensión pulmonar. Destacamos las principales características clínicas útiles para el diagnóstico y analizamos la importancia del reconocimiento de estas entidades, ante imágenes radiológicas aparentemente tumorales...

Distrófia simpática refleja en el postoperatorio inmediato: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Reflex sympathetic distropy: case report and literature review

La distrofia simpática refleja, es una entidad poco frecuente del post-operatorio inmediato después de un bloqueo subaracnoideo con lidocaina al 5 por ciento; se presenta este síndrome, su diagnóstico y tratamiento, así como revisión de la literatura.