What potential do mosses have as biomonitors of POPs? A comparative study of hexachlorocyclohexane sorption.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) pose a significant global threat to human health and the environment, and require continuous monitoring due to their ability to migrate long distances. Active biomonitoring using cloned mosses is an inexpensive but underexplored method to assess POPs, mainly due to the poor understanding of the loading mechanisms of these pollutants in mosses. In this work, Fontinalis antipyretica (aquatic moss) and Sphagnum palustre (terrestrial moss) were evaluated as potential biomonitors of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs: α-, ß-, γ-, δ-HCH), crucial POPs. Moss clones, grown in photobioreactors and subsequently oven-dried, were used. Their lipid composition and distribution were characterized through molecular and histochemical studies. Adsorption experiments were carried out in the aqueous phase using the repeated additions method and in the gas phase using an active air sampling technique based on solid-phase extraction, a pioneering approach in moss research. F. antipyretica exhibited greater lipid content in the walls of most cells and higher adsorption capacity for all HCH isomers in both gaseous and liquid environments. These findings highlight the need for further investigation of POP loading mechanisms in mosses and open the door to explore other species based on their lipid content.

Perspectives on the use of biochar in the valorization of mining wastes from sulfide minerals flotation: Recovery of metals and effects on toxicity.

This study aims to evaluate the use of two biochars obtained by pyrolysis of sugarcane-bagasse and compare it with commercial activated carbons as catalysts for the recovery of metals from one mining waste from sulfide minerals flotation (MW). It is also intended to determine the influence of carbon materials on the toxicity of the final residues. Leaching tests were performed in 250 mL erlenmeyer flasks using plates with magnetic stirrers during 24 h, at 90 °C and a stirring speed of 350 rpm. For each test, 5 g of MW were mixed with carbon material in two ratios of MW/carbon material (1/0.1 and 1/0.2 wt/wt) and 100 mL of leaching agent (H2SO4 solution at pH = 0.8-0.9 and 5 gL-1 of Fe3+). The experimental results showed that the addition of biochar and activated carbon enhances the recovery of Cu and Zn. The use of commercial activated carbons in ratios of 1/0.1 and 1/0.2 MW/carbon material leads to the extraction of more than 91 % of Cu and 97 % of Zn, after 24 h of leaching. For biochars, the highest recovery values of Cu (82.9 %) and Zn (98.1 %) were achieved with biochar prepared at 750 °C and used in the ratio of 1/0.2. However, the addition of carbon materials does not improve the recovery of Co. The presence of carbon materials decreased the electrical conductivity and pH of the final residue. The leaching of samples MW + W35 (1/0.1) and MW + BC550 (1/0.1) leads to a germination index higher than 90 %. For two biochars, all samples showed non-phytotoxicity.

Probiotic growth-stimulating capacity and antimicrobial activities of aqueous extracts of Lentinus crinitus (L.) Fr (polyporales, basidiomycota).

Lentinus crinitus (L.) Fr is a wild macrofungus that is popular as antimicrobial and various biological activities. This study aims to determine the capacity growth stimulation of Lactobacillus paracasei and antimicrobial activity of aqueous extracts of L. crinitus obtained from wild basidiomata, mycelial biomass by liquid fermentation and spent mushroom substrate obtained by solid-state fermentation. The antimicrobial activity was investigated against bacterial and fungal pathogens and growth stimulation L. paracasei probiotic bacterium. The total carbohydrate and ß-glucan contents of the extracts were determined using colorimetric analysis. The aqueous extracts obtained showed inhibition against Fusarium oxysporum., Penicillium sp., Rhizopus oryzae, Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. The aqueous extract obtained from wild basidiomata, and mycelial biomass showed the highest percentage of stimulation of L. paracasei growth in 48 h. The extracts obtained from L. crinitus have antimicrobial potential and stimulating capacity of the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei. Additionally, different biotechnological techniques such as liquid and solid-state fermentation can be used to obtain aqueous extracts.

A novel time-saving multiplex PCR assay for detecting and discriminating the most common canine Babesia species in Europe.

In Europe, most cases of canine babesiosis are caused by Babesia canis, Babesia vogeli (large piroplasms) and Babesia vulpes (small piroplasm). Molecular diagnosis is recommended due to its high sensitivity. Species identification after sequencing allows applying a rapid and efficient treatment, leading to a better prognosis; however, it is expensive and time-consuming. Thus, the objective of the present study was to develop a time-saving multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for simultaneously detecting and discriminating between large and small forms without sequence analysis. A new multiplex PCR was designed and tested using blood samples from 79 dogs showing clinical signs compatible with babesiosis which were previously analysed using blood smears and molecular methods. Multiplex PCR successfully discriminated between both Babesia groups showing bands of 700 and 890 bp for B. canis/B. vogeli and B. vulpes, respectively. No significant differences in the results of both PCR were detected and a substantial agreement between protocols (κ = 0.64) was found. Our multiplex PCR represents a reliable tool for detecting infections by the major Babesia spp. in dogs from Europe. Since no sequence analysis is required for identifying the species involved, this PCR allows the rapid administration of an appropriate treatment, thus improving the survival rate of the infected animals. In addition, it will represent a helpful tool for unravelling the real prevalence and distribution of B. vulpes and its implication in clinical cases.

A new species of Trichobius (Diptera: Streblidae) from Mexico and new record of Paratrichobius americanus.

A new species of Trichobius Gervais, 1844 (Diptera: Streblidae) is described from specimens collected in Jalisco, Mexico, from host bat Choeronycteris mexicana Tschudi. We place the new species within the "dugesii" group, because it shares certain characteristics with Trichobius urodermae Wenzel, 1966 T. angulatus Wenzel, 1976 and T. tiptoni Wenzel, 1976. However, it is easy to differentiate from all known species due to the chaetotaxy of the thorax, in which the prescutal and lateral setae are very long, while the discal setae are abruptly smaller and denser. It also possesses the metasternal lobe, which is very broad and translucent. We found a male of Paratrichobius americanus Peterson & Ross, 1972 on the same host individual, which expands the distribution area of P. americanus into Mexico because the unique holotype was collected in Arizona.

[Stress in an implant-supported unitary fixed partial prosthesis with different materials in the first lower premolar through finite elements]. / Tensiones en una prótesis parcial fija unitaria implantosoportada en primer premolar inferior con diferentes materiales mediante elementos finitos.

AIM: To analyze stress in a metal-ceramic, zirconia and lithium disilicate implant-supported unitary fixed partial prosthesis in the first lower premolar through finite element analysis at a 500 N force. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three study models were carried out, metal-ceramic, lithium disilicate and zirconium implant-supported crowns in the first lower premolar. The dental implant was made of titanium grade 5 based on the Bolt® model of UniDentalDirect with internal grooved connection (18 grooves) and the implant had a size of 11,0 x 4,5 mm, preformed abutment and integrated screw. The three designs had vertical and oblique (45°) forces applications at 500 N. The geometric modeling was performed with the SolidWorks® 2017 program and the results were obtained through the Von mises analysis using the CosmoWorks®2017 program. RESULTS: The lowest value of maximum stress on crown level, under vertical and oblique forces, was found in the lithium disilicate crown with 21,9 MPa and 33,2 MPa, and with a minimum difference with the zirconium crown with 22,1 MPa and 35,1 MPa; on the abutment level, the zirconium crown had the lowest value of maximum stress with 18,6 MPa and 28,1 MPa; at the screw level, there were no significant differences. CONCLUSION: Metal-ceramic, lithium disilicate, and zirconia crowns proved to be materials of good compressive and tensile strength, but it was concluded that the zirconia crown design generated lower overall stress.

Evaluation of Dilution Susceptibility Testing Methods for Aztreonam in Combination with Avibactam against Enterobacterales.

As multidrug and pan-resistance among Enterobacterales continue to increase, there is an urgent need for more therapeutic options to treat these infections. New ß-lactam and ß-lactam inhibitor (BLI) combinations have a broad spectrum of activity, but those currently approved do not provide coverage against isolates harboring metallo-ß-lactamases (MBL). Aztreonam (ATM) and avibactam (AVI) in combination (ATM/AVI; AVI at 4 µg/mL fixed concentration) provides a similarly broad range of activity while maintaining activity against MBL-producing isolates. The in vitro susceptibility testing of ATM/AVI by standard methods was evaluated during development. This study investigated the impact of nonstandard testing conditions on the activity of ATM/AVI as observed during broth microdilution testing as well as the equivalency between agar dilution and broth microdilution MIC values when testing a diverse panel of Enterobacterales (N = 201). Nonstandard test conditions evaluated included inoculum density, atmosphere of incubation, media pH, varied medium cation concentrations, incubation time, varied serum concentrations, testing in pooled urine instead of media, addition of blood to the media, and the presence of surfactant. Generally, apart from low pH and high inoculum density, nonstandard testing parameters did not affect ATM/AVI broth microdilution MIC values. Correlation of MIC values obtained by agar dilution and broth microdilution resulted in an essential agreement of 97.0% for all tested Enterobacterales. Variation of standard testing conditions had little impact on broth microdilution MIC values for ATM/AVI. The correlation between broth microdilution and agar dilution MICs suggests both methods are reliable for determination of ATM/AVI MIC values. IMPORTANCE Increasing antibiotic resistance and emergence of pan-resistant isolates threaten the ability to control infections and to provide many other medical interventions such as surgery and chemotherapy, among others. New therapies are required to control emerging resistance mechanisms, including the increase in metallo-ß-lactamases. Some new antibiotic combinations provide coverage against highly resistant isolates but are unable to target organisms that produce metallo-ß-lactamases. Aztreonam in combination with avibactam provides a broad spectrum of activity against highly resistant isolates that also targets metallo-ß-lactamase-producing organisms. An important part of drug development is the ability for clinical labs to determine the susceptibility of isolates to the antimicrobial. This manuscript investigates the in vitro susceptibility testing of aztreonam/avibactam with nonstandard testing conditions and a correlation study between broth microdilution and agar dilution against clinical isolates encoding a variety of resistance mechanisms. Overall, aztreonam/avibactam was generally unaffected by changes in testing conditions and showed strong agar/broth correlation.

Genomics and pathogenesis of the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a member of the family Coronaviridae, together with viruses such as SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 (the causative agent of the COVID-19 global pandemic). In this family of viruses, interspecies transmission has been reported, so understanding their pathobiology could lead to a better understanding of the emergence of new serotypes. IBV possesses a single-stranded, non-segmented RNA genome about 27.6 kb in length that encodes several non-structural and structural proteins. Most functions of these proteins have been confirmed in IBV, but some other proposed functions have been based on research conducted on other members of the family Coronaviridae. IBV has variable tissue tropism depending on the strain, and can affect the respiratory, reproductive, or urinary tracts; however, IBV can also replicate in other organs. Additionally, the pathogenicity of IBV is also variable, with some strains causing only mild clinical signs, while infection with others results in high mortality rates in chickens. This paper extensively and comprehensibly reviews general aspects of coronaviruses and, more specifically, IBV, with emphasis on protein functions and pathogenesis. The pathogenicity of the Australian strains of IBV is also reviewed, describing the variability between the different groups of strains, from the classical to the novel and recombinant strains. Reverse genetic systems, cloning and cell culture growth techniques applicable to IBV are also reviewed.

Association between the cardiac contact distance and the maximum dose at the left anterior descending coronary artery in post mastectomized patients.

The clinical information on the relationship between the cardiac contact distance (CCD), the maximum dose (Dmax) delivered to the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and the mean heart dose has mostly focused on patients with breast-conserving surgery (BCS), being scarce in postmastectomy patients. The aim of this study is to determine the association between the CCD and the Dmax delivered to the LAD. The secondary objective was to evaluate the dosimetric results of comparing three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) to intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) techniques for post mastectomized breast cancer patients with irradiation to the left chest wall. 53 cases of women who received adjuvant standard fractionated postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) were used. Three types of plans were created for each patient: 3D-CRT, seven equidistant IMRT fields, and four partial VMAT arcs. Correlations were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Plans made with IMRT and VMAT showed improved homogeneity and conformity. Associations between CCD and Dmax to LAD were positive for all three plan types. Compared to 3D-CRT, the modulated intensity plans obtained better dose homogeneity and conformity to the target volume. The LAD and heart doses were significantly lower for IMRT and VMAT plans. The CCD can be used as a predictor of the maximum and mean doses of the LAD. Modulated intensity techniques allow for better dose distribution and dose reduction to the heart and LAD.

Community-acquired bacteraemia by Klebsiella pneumoniae producing KPC-3 and resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical and microbiological features of a case of community-acquired infection by KPC-producing K. pneumoniae (KPCKP) resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ-AVI). METHODS: Identification of microorganisms was performed with MALDI Biotyper CA System (BrukerDaltonics, Madrid, Spain). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using Sensitre EURGNCOL panels (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Madrid, Spain) and gradient strips (Etest, bioMérieux, Madrid, Spain) in the case of CAZ-AVI, using EUCAST breakpoints for interpretation. Whole genome sequencing of blood culture and rectal swab isolates was performed using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing system, with 2 × 150-bp paired-end reads (Illumina, Inc.). RESULTS: Blood culture and rectal swab KPCKP isolates were resistant to carbapenems and to CAZ-AVI. The blood culture isolate showed susceptibility to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), but the rectal swab culture isolate was resistant to this antibiotic. Both isolates belonged to clonal lineage ST512, harboured a single copy of blaKPC-3 gene, and showed 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) between them and 38 SNPs with regard to the first KPC-3 producing K. pneumoniae isolated in our hospital in an initial outbreak in 2012. Genome-wide resistome analysis revealed the presence of a IncFIB(K) plasmid harbouring sul1 and dfrA12 genes only in the rectal swab culture isolate, which may explain its resistance to TMP-SMX. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam is an emerging nosocomial problem. This case shows that CAZ-AVI-resistant KPCKP strains may disseminate into the community and cause serious infections.

Unusual co-infection of severe malaria by Plasmodium vivax and dengue virus in Mexico.

Malaria and dengue fever are among the most common mosquito-borne diseases worldwide; however, reports of coinfection are rare. We present a case of severe malaria and dengue coinfection in a 16-yearold female patient presenting with fever, thrombocytopenia, pleural effusion, myopericarditis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Dengue infection was confirmed by the presence of immunoglobin M antibodies and nonstructural protein 1, while malaria was confirmed by the presence of Plasmodium vivax in thick and thin blood smears. This is the first report of a dengue/malaria coinfection in Mexico.

Variaciones de la configuración ductal pancreática: factor predisponente de pancreatitis recurrente / Variations of pancreatic ductal configuration: predisposing factor of recurrent pancreatitis

El páncreas es un órgano de origen endodérmico, que se desarrolla de dos esbozos intestinales separados, uno dorsal y otro ventral,a partir de la cuarta o quinta semana de gestación. El páncreas se origina en el intestino anterior en la parte correspondiente a lafutura segunda porción duodenal. Allí se originan dos brotes: uno posterior o dorsal que aparece a principios de la cuarta semanay crece rápidamente en el mesenterio dorsal y el otro brote es anterior o ventral. Este último da origen a dos brotes, uno origina unaparte del páncreas y otro a la vía biliar e hígado. Existen diferentes variantes anatómicas, derivadas de este desarrollo embrionario;su conocimiento es de vital importancia en pacientes con persistencia de dolor abdominal y episodios de pancreatitis recurrente.El objetivo de este artículo es una revisión de las variantes anatómicas del conducto pancreático que pueden manifestarse como pancreatitis idiopática recurrente. (AU)

The pancreas is an organ of endodermal origin, which develops from two separate intestinal sketches, one dorsal and one ventral,from the fourth or fifth week of gestation. The pancreas originates in the anterior intestine in the part corresponding to the futuresecond duodenal portion. There two shoots originate: one posterior or dorsal that appears at the beginning of the fourth week andgrows rapidly in the dorsal mesentery and the other outbreak is anterior or ventral. The latter gives rise to two outbreaks, oneoriginates a part of the pancreas and another to the bile duct and liver. There are different anatomical variants, derived from thisembryonic development; their knowledge is of vital importance in patients with persistent abdominal pain and episodes of recurrentpancreatitis. The objective of this article is a review of the anatomical variants of the pancreatic duct that can manifest as recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis. (AU)