Construction and Validation of a Scale to Assess Social Judgments Toward Sex Work from the Stereotype Content Model.

Sex workers (SW) are subject to social judgment and the associated attitudes, ranging from admiration to contempt. The presence of stereotypical attitudes toward SW is common and can be analyzed using the Stereotype Content Model (SCM), where the concepts of warmth and competence play a central role. The interweaving of both dimensions allows the identification of four emotions and corresponding political positions toward SW: admiration (non-interventionism), pity (abolitionism), contempt (prohibitionism), and fear (regulationism). From the SCM framework, this study offers the construction, validation and performance of a 25-item scale with a snowball sample of 1,543 participants residing in Spanish-speaking countries. The four-factor hypothesized model yielded adequate values. Internal consistency was sufficient on all factors, as was model-based reliability and convergent validity. The scale also showed measurement invariance between gender and age groups, suggesting that the measure is interpreted in a conceptually similar manner by respondents representing different genders or ages. Further analysis revealed that male participants scored significantly higher on admiration. Baby boomers showed less pity and contempt while Millennials showed more fear and less admiration. SW and those who know or work with SW showed less fear and pity and more admiration. The SCM and the process of developing social judgments offer us a way to understand the differences that underlie irreconcilable policy positions. Overcoming these differences requires mutual understanding from scientific frameworks instead of from ideological perspectives.

Cetylpyridinium chloride and chlorhexidine show antiviral activity against Influenza A virus and Respiratory Syncytial virus in vitro.

BACKGROUND: The oral cavity is the site of entry and replication for many respiratory viruses. Furthermore, it is the source of droplets and aerosols that facilitate viral transmission. It is thought that appropriate oral hygiene that alters viral infectivity might reduce the spread of respiratory viruses and contribute to infection control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here, we analyzed the antiviral activity of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), chlorhexidine (CHX), and three commercial CPC and CHX-containing mouthwash preparations against the Influenza A virus and the Respiratory syncytial virus. To do so the aforementioned compounds and preparations were incubated with the Influenza A virus or with the Respiratory syncytial virus. Next, we analyzed the viability of the treated viral particles. RESULTS: Our results indicate that CPC and CHX decrease the infectivity of both the Influenza A virus and the Respiratory Syncytial virus in vitro between 90 and 99.9% depending on the concentration. Likewise, CPC and CHX-containing mouthwash preparations were up to 99.99% effective in decreasing the viral viability of both the Influenza A virus and the Respiratory syncytial virus in vitro. CONCLUSION: The use of a mouthwash containing CPC or CHX alone or in combination might represent a cost-effective measure to limit infection and spread of enveloped respiratory viruses infecting the oral cavity, aiding in reducing viral transmission. Our findings may stimulate future clinical studies to evaluate the effects of CPC and CHX in reducing viral respiratory transmissions.

Subacromial Balloon Placement Demonstrates No Advantage Over Debridement in the Treatment of Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: A Dual-Armed Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Over 1000 Patients.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the placement of a subacromial balloon (SAB) spacer has emerged as a treatment option for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs); however, there is significant controversy regarding its utility in comparison with other surgical interventions. PURPOSE: To compare outcomes after SAB spacer placement versus arthroscopic debridement for MIRCTs. STUDY DESIGN: Dual-armed systematic review and meta-analysis (level IV evidence). METHODS: A literature search of PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and CINAHL Complete databases for articles published before May 7, 2022, was conducted to identify patients with MIRCTs undergoing the 2 procedures. For the SAB arm, 14 of 449 studies were considered eligible for inclusion, while 14 of 272 studies were considered eligible for inclusion in the debridement arm. RESULTS: In total, 528 patients were eligible for inclusion in the SAB arm and 479 patients in the debridement arm, and 69.9% of patients undergoing SAB placement also underwent concomitant debridement. Decreases in the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score and increases in the Constant score were found to be significantly larger after debridement (-0.7 points [P < .001] and +5.5 points [P < .001], respectively), although the Patient Acceptable Symptom State for the VAS was not achieved after either procedure. Both SAB placement and debridement significantly improved range of motion in forward flexion/forward elevation, internal and external rotation, and abduction (P < .001). Rates of general complication were higher after debridement versus SAB placement (5.2% ± 5.6% vs 3.5% ± 6.3%, respectively; P < .001); however, there were no significant differences between SAB placement and debridement in rates of persistent symptoms requiring a reintervention (3.3% ± 6.2% vs 3.8% ± 7.3%, respectively; P = .252) or reoperation rates (5.1% ± 7.6% vs 4.8% ± 8.4%, respectively; P = .552). The mean time to conversion to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty was 11.0 versus 25.4 months, respectively, for the SAB versus debridement arm. CONCLUSION: While SAB placement was associated with acceptable postoperative outcomes in the treatment of MIRCTs, there was no clear benefit over debridement alone. Shorter operative times coupled with better postoperative outcomes and longer times to conversion to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty rendered debridement a more attractive option. While there may be a role for SAB placement in poor surgical candidates, there is burgeoning evidence to support debridement alone without SAB placement for the treatment of MIRCTs.

Complexities underlying the breeding and deployment of Dutch elm disease resistant elms.

Dutch elm disease (DED) is a vascular wilt disease caused by the pathogens Ophiostoma ulmi and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi with multiple ecological phases including pathogenic (xylem), saprotrophic (bark) and vector (beetle flight and beetle feeding wound) phases. Due to the two DED pandemics during the twentieth century the use of elms in landscape and forest restoration has declined significantly. However new initiatives for elm breeding and restoration are now underway in Europe and North America. Here we discuss complexities in the DED 'system' that can lead to unintended consequences during elm breeding and some of the wider options for obtaining durability or 'field resistance' in released material, including (1) the phenotypic plasticity of disease levels in resistant cultivars infected by O. novo-ulmi; (2) shortcomings in test methods when selecting for resistance; (3) the implications of rapid evolutionary changes in current O. novo-ulmi populations for the choice of pathogen inoculum when screening; (4) the possibility of using active resistance to the pathogen in the beetle feeding wound, and low attractiveness of elm cultivars to feeding beetles, in addition to resistance in the xylem; (5) the risk that genes from susceptible and exotic elms be introgressed into resistant cultivars; (6) risks posed by unintentional changes in the host microbiome; and (7) the biosecurity risks posed by resistant elm deployment. In addition, attention needs to be paid to the disease pressures within which resistant elms will be released. In the future, biotechnology may further enhance our understanding of the various resistance processes in elms and our potential to deploy trees with highly durable resistance in elm restoration. Hopefully the different elm resistance processes will prove to be largely under durable, additive, multigenic control. Elm breeding programmes cannot afford to get into the host-pathogen arms races that characterise some agricultural host-pathogen systems.

Identification of small molecules capable of enhancing viral membrane fusion.

Several approaches have been developed to analyze the entry of highly pathogenic viruses. In this study, we report the implementation of a Bimolecular Multicellular Complementation (BiMuC) assay to safely and efficiently monitor SARS-CoV-2 S-mediated membrane fusion without the need for microscopy-based equipment. Using BiMuC, we screened a library of approved drugs and identified compounds that enhance S protein-mediated cell-cell membrane fusion. Among them, ethynylestradiol promotes the growth of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A virus in vitro. Our findings demonstrate the potential of BiMuC for identifying small molecules that modulate the life cycle of enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

Computational design of BclxL inhibitors that target transmembrane domain interactions.

Several methods have been developed to explore interactions among water-soluble proteins or regions of proteins. However, techniques to target transmembrane domains (TMDs) have not been examined thoroughly despite their importance. Here, we developed a computational approach to design sequences that specifically modulate protein-protein interactions in the membrane. To illustrate this method, we demonstrated that BclxL can interact with other members of the B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) family through the TMD and that these interactions are required for BclxL control of cell death. Next, we designed sequences that specifically recognize and sequester the TMD of BclxL. Hence, we were able to prevent BclxL intramembrane interactions and cancel its antiapoptotic effect. These results advance our understanding of protein-protein interactions in membranes and provide a means to modulate them. Moreover, the success of our approach may trigger the development of a generation of inhibitors targeting interactions between TMDs.

Orthoparamyxovirinae C Proteins Have a Common Origin and a Common Structural Organization.

The protein C is a small viral protein encoded in an overlapping frame of the P gene in the subfamily Orthoparamyxovirinae. This protein, expressed by alternative translation initiation, is a virulence factor that regulates viral transcription, replication, and production of defective interfering RNA, interferes with the host-cell innate immunity systems and supports the assembly of viral particles and budding. We expressed and purified full-length and an N-terminally truncated C protein from Tupaia paramyxovirus (TupV) C protein (genus Narmovirus). We solved the crystal structure of the C-terminal part of TupV C protein at a resolution of 2.4 Å and found that it is structurally similar to Sendai virus C protein, suggesting that despite undetectable sequence conservation, these proteins are homologous. We characterized both truncated and full-length proteins by SEC-MALLS and SEC-SAXS and described their solution structures by ensemble models. We established a mini-replicon assay for the related Nipah virus (NiV) and showed that TupV C inhibited the expression of NiV minigenome in a concentration-dependent manner as efficiently as the NiV C protein. A previous study found that the Orthoparamyxovirinae C proteins form two clusters without detectable sequence similarity, raising the question of whether they were homologous or instead had originated independently. Since TupV C and SeV C are representatives of these two clusters, our discovery that they have a similar structure indicates that all Orthoparamyxovirine C proteins are homologous. Our results also imply that, strikingly, a STAT1-binding site is encoded by exactly the same RNA region of the P/C gene across Paramyxovirinae, but in different reading frames (P or C), depending on which cluster they belong to.

Core endophytic mycobiome in Ulmus minor and its relation to Dutch elm disease resistance.

The core microbiota of plants exerts key effects on plant performance and resilience to stress. The aim of this study was to identify the core endophytic mycobiome in U. minor stems and disentangle associations between its composition and the resistance to Dutch elm disease (DED). We also defined its spatial variation within the tree and among distant tree populations. Stem samples were taken i) from different heights of the crown of a 168-year-old elm tree, ii) from adult elm trees growing in a common garden and representing a gradient of resistance to DED, and iii) from trees growing in two distant natural populations, one of them with varying degrees of vitality. Endophyte composition was profiled by high throughput sequencing of the first internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1) of the ribosomal DNA. Three families of yeasts (Buckleyzymaceae, Trichomeriaceae and Bulleraceae) were associated to DED-resistant hosts. A small proportion (10%) of endophytic OTUs was almost ubiquitous throughout the crown while tree colonization by most fungal taxa followed stochastic patterns. A clear distinction in endophyte composition was found between geographical locations. By combining all surveys, we found evidence of a U. minor core mycobiome, pervasive within the tree and ubiquitous across locations, genotypes and health status.

Robust, maintainable, emergency invasive mechanical ventilator. / Ventilador mecânico invasivo de emergência resistente e de fácil manutenção.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple, robust, safe and efficient invasive mechanical ventilator that can be used in remote areas of the world or war zones where the practical utility of more sophisticated equipment is limited by considerations of maintainability, availability of parts, transportation and/or cost. METHODS: The device implements the pressure-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation mode, complemented by a simple assist-control mode. Continuous positive airway pressure is also possible. The consumption of compressed gases is minimized by avoiding a continuous flow of oxygen or air. Respiratory rates and inspiration/expiration time ratios are electronically determined, and an apnea/power loss alarm is provided. RESULTS: The pressure profiles were measured for a range of conditions and found to be adjustable within a ± 2.5cmH2O error margin and stable well within this range over a 41-hour period. Respiratory cycle timing parameters were precise within a few percentage points over the same period. The device was tested for durability for an equivalent period of four months. Chemical and biological tests failed to identify any contamination of the gas by volatile organic compounds or microorganisms. A ventilation test on a large animal, in comparison with a well established ventilator, showed that the animal could be adequately ventilated over a period of 60 minutes, without any noticeable negative aftereffects during the subsequent 24-hour period. CONCLUSION: This ventilator design may be viable, after further animal tests and formal approval by the competent authorities, for clinical application in the abovementioned atypical circumstances.

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver um ventilador mecânico invasivo simples, resistente, seguro e eficiente que possa ser utilizado em áreas remotas do mundo ou zonas de guerra, em que a utilidade prática de equipamentos mais sofisticados é limitada por questões de manutenção, disponibilidade de peças, transporte e/ou custo. MÉTODOS: O dispositivo implementa o modo de ventilação mandatória contínua com pressão controlada, complementado por um simples modo assisto-controlado. Pode-se também utilizar a pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas. Ao se evitar o fluxo contínuo de oxigênio ou ar, minimiza-se o consumo de gases comprimidos. As taxas respiratórias e as relações de tempo de inspiração e expiração são determinadas eletronicamente. Além disso, conta com um alarme de apneia/falta de energia. RESULTADOS: Os perfis de pressão foram medidos para uma série de condições, sendo considerados ajustáveis dentro de uma margem de erro de ± 2,5cmH2O, e foram considerados bem estáveis dentro dessa variação durante um período de 41 horas. Os parâmetros de tempo do ciclo respiratório foram precisos dentro de alguns pontos percentuais durante o mesmo período. O dispositivo foi testado quanto à durabilidade por um período equivalente a 4 meses. Os testes químicos e biológicos não conseguiram identificar qualquer contaminação do gás por compostos orgânicos voláteis ou micro-organismos. Em comparação com um ventilador bem estabelecido, o teste de ventilação em um animal de grande porte mostrou que este poderia ser ventilado adequadamente durante um período de 60 minutos, sem quaisquer efeitos negativos perceptíveis durante o período subsequente de 24 horas. CONCLUSÃO: Este projeto de ventilador pode ser viável após novos testes em animais e aprovação formal pelas autoridades competentes, para aplicação clínica nas circunstâncias atípicas anteriormente mencionadas.

Ventilador mecânico invasivo de emergência resistente e de fácil manutenção / Robust, maintainable, emergency invasive mechanical ventilator

RESUMO Objetivo: Desenvolver um ventilador mecânico invasivo simples, resistente, seguro e eficiente que possa ser utilizado em áreas remotas do mundo ou zonas de guerra, em que a utilidade prática de equipamentos mais sofisticados é limitada por questões de manutenção, disponibilidade de peças, transporte e/ou custo. Métodos: O dispositivo implementa o modo de ventilação mandatória contínua com pressão controlada, complementado por um simples modo assisto-controlado. Pode-se também utilizar a pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas. Ao se evitar o fluxo contínuo de oxigênio ou ar, minimiza-se o consumo de gases comprimidos. As taxas respiratórias e as relações de tempo de inspiração e expiração são determinadas eletronicamente. Além disso, conta com um alarme de apneia/falta de energia. Resultados: Os perfis de pressão foram medidos para uma série de condições, sendo considerados ajustáveis dentro de uma margem de erro de ± 2,5cmH2O, e foram considerados bem estáveis dentro dessa variação durante um período de 41 horas. Os parâmetros de tempo do ciclo respiratório foram precisos dentro de alguns pontos percentuais durante o mesmo período. O dispositivo foi testado quanto à durabilidade por um período equivalente a 4 meses. Os testes químicos e biológicos não conseguiram identificar qualquer contaminação do gás por compostos orgânicos voláteis ou micro-organismos. Em comparação com um ventilador bem estabelecido, o teste de ventilação em um animal de grande porte mostrou que este poderia ser ventilado adequadamente durante um período de 60 minutos, sem quaisquer efeitos negativos perceptíveis durante o período subsequente de 24 horas. Conclusão: Este projeto de ventilador pode ser viável após novos testes em animais e aprovação formal pelas autoridades competentes, para aplicação clínica nas circunstâncias atípicas anteriormente mencionadas.

ABSTRACT Objective: To develop a simple, robust, safe and efficient invasive mechanical ventilator that can be used in remote areas of the world or war zones where the practical utility of more sophisticated equipment is limited by considerations of maintainability, availability of parts, transportation and/or cost. Methods: The device implements the pressure-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation mode, complemented by a simple assist-control mode. Continuous positive airway pressure is also possible. The consumption of compressed gases is minimized by avoiding a continuous flow of oxygen or air. Respiratory rates and inspiration/expiration time ratios are electronically determined, and an apnea/power loss alarm is provided. Results: The pressure profiles were measured for a range of conditions and found to be adjustable within a ± 2.5cmH2O error margin and stable well within this range over a 41-hour period. Respiratory cycle timing parameters were precise within a few percentage points over the same period. The device was tested for durability for an equivalent period of four months. Chemical and biological tests failed to identify any contamination of the gas by volatile organic compounds or microorganisms. A ventilation test on a large animal, in comparison with a well established ventilator, showed that the animal could be adequately ventilated over a period of 60 minutes, without any noticeable negative aftereffects during the subsequent 24-hour period. Conclusion: This ventilator design may be viable, after further animal tests and formal approval by the competent authorities, for clinical application in the abovementioned atypical circumstances.

Valoración de la linfadenectomía en una serie consecutiva de pacientes tratados por cáncer biliar / Evaluation of lymphadenectomy in a consecutive series of patients treated for biliary cancer

Resumen Introducción: Si bien actualmente la 8a edición de la clasificación del AJCC para cáncer biliar, recomienda una linfadenectomía con 6 o más GL, su aplicación es escasa. Objetivo: Analizar la aplicabilidad y los resultados de la linfadenectomía en pacientes resecados con fines curativos por cáncer biliar. Materiales y Método: Análisis retrospectivo de pacientes operados por cáncer biliar de 2001 a 2018. Se analizaron variables perioperatorias referidas a la linfadenectomía (número de GL, GL+, morbilidad), comparando supervivencia en pacientes con < 6 y ≥ 6 GL resecados. Resultados: en 72 pacientes resecados por cáncer biliar (46 CaV, 26 CC), se realizaron 66 (91.7%) linfadenectomías N1. En 62.1% (n = 41) se obtuvieron < 6 GL y en el 37.9% (n = 25) ≥ 6 GL. El promedio de GL resecados fue de 5. En 16 (24,2%) linfadenectomías se hallaron GL+ sin diferencias entre ambos grupos. La morbimortalidad global fue de 30,3%, con una mortalidad del 4.5% sin diferencias. Con un seguimiento de 36.9 meses, la supervivencia a 5 años fue 43,7% (n = 17), 7 pacientes con ≥ 6 GL, y 10 pacientes con < 6 GL (p = NS). La supervivencia media en pacientes con GL+ fue 15 meses (6-34 meses). Conclusión: la linfadenectomía ocupa un rol primordial en la cirugía curativa del cáncer biliar, tanto para definir una estadificación y un pronóstico adecuados como para optimizar los resultados de la resección curativa en esta entidad. Su indicación debe ser sistemática con la obtención de un número adecuado de GL acorde a las recomendaciones actuales.

Introduction: Currently the 8th edition of the AJCC classification recommends the resection of 6 or more lymph nodes (LN) in gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma. However, its implementation is universally scarce. Aim: The goal is to analyze the applicability and results of lymphadenectomy in patients resected with curative purposes in biliary cancer. Materials and Method: a retrospective analysis of patients with biliary cancer (gallbladder carcinoma, intrahepatic and hilar cholangiocarcinoma) treated by curative resection from 2001 to 2018 was performed. Perioperative variables related to lymphadenectomy (LN number, LN positive, related morbidity) were analyzed, comparing survival in patients with < 6 and ≥ 6 resected LN. Results: 72 patients resected for biliary cancer (46 gallbladder cancer, 26 cholangiocarcinoma) were included with 66 (91.7%) N1 lymphadenectomies corresponding to the hepatoduodenal ligament nodes performed. In 62.1% (n = 41) < 6 LN and in 37.9% (n = 25) ≥ 6 LN were resected. Average LN count was 5. In 16 (24.2%) patients positive LN were found, 7 in the group with ≥ 6 LN (28%) vs. 9 in the group with < 6 LN (22%) (p = NS). Overall morbimortality was 30.3% (n = 20). Average follow-up was 36.9 months. Survival at 5 years was 43.7% (n = 17), 7 patients with lymphadenectomy ≥ 6 LN, and 10 patients with < 6 LN (p = NS). Survival mean in patients who had positive LN was 15 months. Conclusión: Lymphadenectomy has a primary role in the radical resection with curative intention for biliary cancer. Systematic indication of lymphadenectomy should be prioritized, with the achievement of an adequately number of LN according to the actual recommendations. Lymphadenectomy is crucial for an adequate staging and prognosis, as well as to optimize the results of curative resection in this entity.

Jet stream position explains regional anomalies in European beech forest productivity and tree growth.

The mechanistic pathways connecting ocean-atmosphere variability and terrestrial productivity are well-established theoretically, but remain challenging to quantify empirically. Such quantification will greatly improve the assessment and prediction of changes in terrestrial carbon sequestration in response to dynamically induced climatic extremes. The jet stream latitude (JSL) over the North Atlantic-European domain provides a synthetic and robust physical framework that integrates climate variability not accounted for by atmospheric circulation patterns alone. Surface climate impacts of north-south summer JSL displacements are not uniform across Europe, but rather create a northwestern-southeastern dipole in forest productivity and radial-growth anomalies. Summer JSL variability over the eastern North Atlantic-European domain (5-40E) exerts the strongest impact on European beech, inducing anomalies of up to 30% in modelled gross primary productivity and 50% in radial tree growth. The net effects of JSL movements on terrestrial carbon fluxes depend on forest density, carbon stocks, and productivity imbalances across biogeographic regions.

Recovery of Bioactive Ellagitannins by Ultrasound/Microwave-Assisted Extraction from Mexican Rambutan Peel (Nephelium lappaceum L.).

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) is a tropical fruit from Asia which has become the main target of many studies involving polyphenolic analysis. Mexico produces over 8 million tons per year of rambutan, generating a huge amount of agro-industrial waste since only the pulp is used and the peel, which comprises around 45% of the fruit's weight, is left behind. This waste can later be used in the recovery of polyphenolic fractions. In this work, emerging technologies such as microwave, ultrasound, and the hybridization of both were tested in the extraction of phenolic compounds from Mexican rambutan peel. The results show that the hybrid technology extraction yielded the highest polyphenolic content (176.38 mg GAE/g of dry rambutan peel). The HPLC/MS/ESI analysis revealed three majoritarian compounds: geraniin, corilagin, and ellagic acid. These compounds explain the excellent results for the biological assays, namely antioxidant activity evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS, and LOI (Lipid oxidation inhibition) assays that exhibited great antioxidant capacity with IC50 values of 0.098, 0.335, and 0.034 mg/mL respectively, as well as prebiotic activity demonstrated by a µMax (maximum growth) of 0.203 for Lactobacillus paracasei. Lastly, these compounds have shown no hemolytic activity, opening the door for the elaboration of different products in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.

Cetylpyridinium chloride promotes disaggregation of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 is continuously disseminating worldwide. The development of strategies to break transmission is mandatory. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the potential of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) as a viral inhibitor. METHODS: SARS-CoV-2 Virus Like-Particles (VLPs) were incubated with CPC, a potent surfactant routinely included in mouthwash preparations. RESULTS: Concentrations of 0.05% CPC (w/v) commonly used in mouthwash preparations are sufficient to promote the rupture of SARS-CoV-2 VLP membranes. CONCLUSION: Including CPC in mouthwashes could be a prophylactic strategy to keep SARS-CoV-2 from spreading.

Folding and Insertion of Transmembrane Helices at the ER.

In eukaryotic cells, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the entry point for newly synthesized proteins that are subsequently distributed to organelles of the endomembrane system. Some of these proteins are completely translocated into the lumen of the ER while others integrate stretches of amino acids into the greasy 30 Å wide interior of the ER membrane bilayer. It is generally accepted that to exist in this non-aqueous environment the majority of membrane integrated amino acids are primarily non-polar/hydrophobic and adopt an α-helical conformation. These stretches are typically around 20 amino acids long and are known as transmembrane (TM) helices. In this review, we will consider how transmembrane helices achieve membrane integration. We will address questions such as: Where do the stretches of amino acids fold into a helical conformation? What is/are the route/routes that these stretches take from synthesis at the ribosome to integration through the ER translocon? How do these stretches 'know' to integrate and in which orientation? How do marginally hydrophobic stretches of amino acids integrate and survive as transmembrane helices?

Water Sorption and Desorption of Isolated Cuticles From Three Woody Species With Focus on Ilex aquifolium.

The cuticle is a lipid-rich layer that protects aerial plant organs against multiple stress factors such as dehydration. In this study, cuticle composition and structure in relation to water loss are examined in a broad ecophysiological context, taking into consideration leaf age and side from Ilex aquifolium (holly) in comparison with Eucalyptus globulus (eucalypt) and Prunus laurocerasus (cherry laurel). Enzymatically isolated cuticular membranes from holly leaves were studied under three treatment conditions: natural (no chemical treatment), after dewaxing, and after methanolysis, and the rate of water loss was assessed. Structural and chemical changes were evaluated using different microscopy techniques and by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The potential mechanisms of solute absorption by holly leaves were additionally evaluated, also testing if its prickly leaf margin may facilitate uptake. The results indicate that the treatment conditions led to structural changes, and that chemical composition was hardly affected because of the occurrence of cutan. Structural changes led to more hydrophilic adaxial surfaces, which retained more water and were more efficient than natural cuticles, while changes were not significant for abaxial surfaces. Across natural cuticles, age was a significant factor for eucalypt but not for holly. Young eucalypt cuticles were the group that absorbed more water and had the lowest water loss rate. When comparing older leaf cuticles of the three species, cherry laurel was found to absorb more water, which was, however, lost more slowly, compared with the other species. Evidence was gained that holly leaves can absorb foliar-applied solutes (traced after calcium chloride application) through the adaxial and abaxial surfaces, the adaxial mid veins, and to a lower extent, the spines. In conclusion, for the species examined, the results show variations in leaf cuticle composition and structure in relation to leaf ontogeny, and water sorption and desorption capacity.

Anisakidosis diagnosticada tras la expulsión de vermes en deposiciones: forma poco frecuente de diagnóstico en humanos / Anisakidosis diagnosed after expulsion of worms in stools: a rare form of diagnosis in humans

Resumen La anisakidosis es una zoonosis parasitaria accidental y cosmopolita de los seres humanos, siendo su hospedero definitivo los mamíferos marinos como lobos de mar, focas y delfines, entre otros. El ser humano se infecta por el consumo en estado larvario del nemátodo de la familia Anisakidae presentes en pescados y mariscos crudos como la merluza o el congrio. Los helmintos se ubican preferentemente en el tubo digestivo alto, observándose la regurgitación del parásito a la boca o evidenciándose durante la realización de una endoscopía digestiva alta. En forma infrecuente las larvas pueden migrar al peritoneo o seguir su paso por el intestino delgado y colon, siendo inhabitual la expulsión por las deposiciones. Presentamos el caso de una expulsión dos larvas L3 de la familia Anisakidae en deposiciones.

Abstract Anisakidosis is an accidental and cosmopolitan parasitic zoonosis of human beings, its definitive host being marine mammals such as sea lions, seals and dolphins, among others. Humans are infested by consumption in the larval stage of the nematode of Anisakis present in raw fish and shellfish such as hake or conger eel. The infestation is preferably located in the upper digestive tract, observing the regurgitation of the parasite to the mouth or becoming evident during an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. In rare cases, the larvae can migrate to the peritoneum or continue their passage through the small intestine and colon, with expulsion in stools being unusual. We present a case of expulsion of two larvae of the Anisakidae family in feces.

Priming of Plant Defenses against Ophiostoma novo-ulmi by Elm (Ulmus minor Mill.) Fungal Endophytes.

Some fungal endophytes of forest trees are recognized as beneficial symbionts against stresses. In previous works, two elm endophytes from the classes Cystobasidiomycetes and Eurotiomycetes promoted host resistance to abiotic stress, and another elm endophyte from Dothideomycetes enhanced host resistance to Dutch elm disease (DED). Here, we hypothesize that the combined effect of these endophytes activate the plant immune and/or antioxidant system, leading to a defense priming and/or increased oxidative protection when exposed to the DED pathogen Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. To test this hypothesis, the short-term defense gene activation and antioxidant response were evaluated in DED-susceptible (MDV1) and DED-resistant (VAD2 and MDV2.3) Ulmus minor genotypes inoculated with O. novo-ulmi, as well as two weeks earlier with a mixture of the above-mentioned endophytes. Endophyte inoculation induced a generalized transient defense activation mediated primarily by salicylic acid (SA). Subsequent pathogen inoculation resulted in a primed defense response of variable intensity among genotypes. Genotypes MDV1 and VAD2 displayed a defense priming driven by SA, jasmonic acid (JA), and ethylene (ET), causing a reduced pathogen spread in MDV1. Meanwhile, the genotype MDV2.3 showed lower defense priming but a stronger and earlier antioxidant response. The defense priming stimulated by elm fungal endophytes broadens our current knowledge of the ecological functions of endophytic fungi in forest trees and opens new prospects for their use in the biocontrol of plant diseases.

Methodological approaches for the analysis of transmembrane domain interactions: A systematic review.

The study of protein-protein interactions (PPI) has proven fundamental for the understanding of the most relevant cell processes. Any protein domain can participate in PPI, including transmembrane (TM) segments that can establish interactions with other TM domains (TMDs). However, the hydrophobic nature of TMDs and the environment they occupy complicates the study of intramembrane PPI, which demands the use of specific approaches and techniques. In this review, we will explore some of the strategies available to study intramembrane PPI in vitro, in vivo, and, in silico, focusing on those techniques that could be carried out in a standard molecular biology laboratory regarding its previous experience with membrane proteins.

The importance of transmembrane domain interactions in the viral control of apoptosis.

Viral control of apoptosis occurs through the expression of viral encoded anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) analogs. These proteins are thought to restrain apoptosis by interacting with cellular BCL2 family members. We identified that protein-protein interactions between cellular and viral BCL2 transmembrane domains are crucial for the viral protein's function.