In Vitro Assessment of Organic and Residual Fractions of Nematicidal Culture Filtrates from Thirteen Tropical Trichoderma Strains and Metabolic Profiles of Most-Active.

The nematicidal properties of Trichoderma species have potential for developing safer biocontrol agents. In the present study, 13 native Trichoderma strains from T. citrinoviride, T. ghanense (2 strains), T. harzianum (4), T. koningiopsis, T. simmonsii, and T. virens (4) with nematicidal activity were selected and cultured in potato dextrose broth to obtain a culture filtrate (CF) for each. Each CF was partitioned with ethyl acetate to obtain organic (EA) and residual filtrate (RF) fractions, which were then tested on second-stage juveniles (J2s) of the nematodes Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita in a microdilution assay. The most lethal strains were T. harzianum Th43-14, T. koningiopsis Th41-11, T. ghanense Th02-04, and T. virens Th32-09, which caused 51-100% mortality (%M) of J2s of both nematodes, mainly due to their RF fractions. Liquid chromatography-diode array detector-electrospray-high resolution mass spectrometry analysis of the most-active fractions revealed sesquiterpene and polyketide-like metabolites produced by the four active strains. These native Trichoderma strains have a high potential to develop safer natural products for the biocontrol of Meloidogyne species.

Caerulines A and B, Flavonol Diacylglycosides from Persea caerulea.

Two undescribed 4'-O-methylkaempferol-[3″,4″-di-p-coumaroyl]-α-l-rhamnopyranosides, caerulines A and B (1-2), along with three known 4'-O-methylkaempferol diacylrhamnosides isomers (3-5) were isolated from an ethanol extract of the leaves of Persea caerulea, a native plant growing on the Colombian Caribbean coast. The chemical structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The effect of compounds 1-5 against four pathogenic microorganisms [i.e., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Acinetobacter baumannii, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus fumigatus] was tested in vitro. The compounds exhibited no activity against these pathogens except MRSA (MIC 12-48 µg/mL). Caeruline B (2) was found to be the most active compound with a modest anti-MRSA activity (MIC = 12 µg/mL).

Teachers' attitudes and knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic in the Canary Islands. / Actitudes y conocimientos sobre la pandemia por la COVID-19 en docentes de Canarias.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the teachers' attitudes and knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic in the Canary Islands region in Spain, between May 14 - 18, 2020. A virtual questionnaire based on a validated instrument was applied. We included 1,503 surveys, which showed that teachers are unwilling to work if there is risk of infection at the school (76.6%). However, they state that they would go to work if they had the appropriate hygiene (69.2%) and protection (67.0%) measures. In conclusion, it is important to guarantee the necessary preventive measures to avoid contagion in educational centers, promoting specific training of teachers in primary prevention.

Con el objetivo de estudiar las actitudes y conocimientos sobre la pandemia por la COVID-19 en el personal docente de la región de Canarias en España, se realizó un estudio transversal entre el 14 y el 18 de mayo de 2020, mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario virtual basado en un instrumento validado. Se incluyeron 1503 encuestas, en donde se describe que el personal docente no está dispuesto a trabajar si existe riesgo de infectarse en el centro educativo (76,6%). No obstante, afirman que acudiría a trabajar si dispusieran de las medidas higiénicas (69,2%) y de protección adecuadas (67,0%). En conclusión, resulta pertinente garantizar las medidas preventivas necesarias para evitar el contagio en los centros educativos, propiciando la formación específica de los docentes en prevención primaria.

Actitudes y conocimientos sobre la pandemia por la COVID-19 en docentes de Canarias / Teachers' attitudes and knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic in the Canary Islands

RESUMEN Con el objetivo de estudiar las actitudes y conocimientos sobre la pandemia por la COVID-19 en el personal docente de la región de Canarias en España, se realizó un estudio transversal entre el 14 y el 18 de mayo de 2020, mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario virtual basado en un instrumento validado. Se incluyeron 1503 encuestas, en donde se describe que el personal docente no está dispuesto a trabajar si existe riesgo de infectarse en el centro educativo (76,6%). No obstante, afirman que acudiría a trabajar si dispusieran de las medidas higiénicas (69,2%) y de protección adecuadas (67,0%). En conclusión, resulta pertinente garantizar las medidas preventivas necesarias para evitar el contagio en los centros educativos, propiciando la formación específica de los docentes en prevención primaria.

ABSTRACT A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the teachers' attitudes and knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic in the Canary Islands region in Spain, between May 14 - 18, 2020. A virtual questionnaire based on a validated instrument was applied. We included 1,503 surveys, which showed that teachers are unwilling to work if there is risk of infection at the school (76.6%). However, they state that they would go to work if they had the appropriate hygiene (69.2%) and protection (67.0%) measures. In conclusion, it is important to guarantee the necessary preventive measures to avoid contagion in educational centers, promoting specific training of teachers in primary prevention.

Actitudes y conocimientos sobre la pandemia por la COVID-19 en docentes de Canarias / Teachers' attitudes and knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic in the Canary Islands

RESUMEN Con el objetivo de estudiar las actitudes y conocimientos sobre la pandemia por la COVID-19 en el personal docente de la región de Canarias en España, se realizó un estudio transversal entre el 14 y el 18 de mayo de 2020, mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario virtual basado en un instrumento validado. Se incluyeron 1503 encuestas, en donde se describe que el personal docente no está dispuesto a trabajar si existe riesgo de infectarse en el centro educativo (76,6%). No obstante, afirman que acudiría a trabajar si dispusieran de las medidas higiénicas (69,2%) y de protección adecuadas (67,0%). En conclusión, resulta pertinente garantizar las medidas preventivas necesarias para evitar el contagio en los centros educativos, propiciando la formación específica de los docentes en prevención primaria.

ABSTRACT A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the teachers' attitudes and knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic in the Canary Islands region in Spain, between May 14 - 18, 2020. A virtual questionnaire based on a validated instrument was applied. We included 1,503 surveys, which showed that teachers are unwilling to work if there is risk of infection at the school (76.6%). However, they state that they would go to work if they had the appropriate hygiene (69.2%) and protection (67.0%) measures. In conclusion, it is important to guarantee the necessary preventive measures to avoid contagion in educational centers, promoting specific training of teachers in primary prevention.

An aqueous pomegranate peel extract (Punica granatum) protect against Elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema in Sprague Dawley rats model

We investigated the effect of Punica granatum peel aqueous extract (PGE), on pulmonary inflammation and alveolar degradation induced by intratracheal administration of Elastase in Sprague Dawley rats. Lung inflammation was induced in rats by intratracheal instillation of Elastase. On day 1 and 2, animals received an intraperitoneal injection of PGE (200 mg/mL), three hours later, they were intratracheally instilled with 25U/kg pancreatic porcine Elastase. Animals were sacrificed 7 days later. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were collected and cellularity, histology and mRNA expression of Monocyte chemotactic protein 1(MCP-1), Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were studied. In addition, activity of TNF- α, IL-6 and MCP-1 on BAL were also analyzed by ELISA Kit. Elastase administration increased: BAL cellularity, neutrophils recruitment and BAL MCP1, IL-6 expressions. It also increased lung TNF-α, MCP-1, MMP-2 expressions, platelets recruitment, histological parameters at 7th day of elastase treatment. Intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg of PGE reduced, significantly, BAL cellularity, and neutrophils recruitment. However, in animal treated with PGE, MCP-1, MMP-2 and IL-6 on day 7, were similar to the Sham group. Treatment with PGE (200 mg/ kg) also significantly reduced lung TNF-α, and MCP-1 expression. This study reveals that PGE Punica granatum protects against elastase lung inflammation and alveolar degradation induced in rats

Circulating Zinc and Copper Levels are Associated with Sperm Quality in Obese Men after Metabolic Surgery: A Pilot Study.

(1) Background: Inadequate levels of several trace elements and vitamins may impair spermatogenesis in men. Although weight loss after metabolic surgery normalizes male reproductive hormones, sperm quality seems to not improve. We hypothesized that circulating concentrations of zinc, copper and other trace elements and vitamins might be involved. (2) Methods: We studied 20 men submitted to metabolic surgery at baseline and after two years. Hormone profiles, serum trace elements and vitamins were studied together with sperm analysis. (3) Results: At follow-up, serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and inhibin B concentrations increased showing a beneficial hormonal response for spermatogenesis. Conversely, serum copper, zinc and ferritin showed a decline after surgery. In total, 33% of men showed zinc deficiency, 27% copper deficiency and 20% iron deficiency, among others. Sperm analysis showed that all revaluated patients had at least one abnormal parameter. Serum zinc concentrations showed a positive correlation with progressive motility (r = 0.577, p = 0.031), and serum ferritin a positive correlation with sperm volume (ρ = 0.535, p = 0.049). Serum copper showed a weak and near significant correlation with motility (r = 0.115, p = 0.051). (4) Conclusions: The lack of improvement in sperm quality in obese men after metabolic surgery may be related to nutrient malabsorption, especially zinc, copper and iron.

Extracts from Six Native Plants of the Yucatán Peninsula Hinder Mycelial Growth of Fusarium equiseti and F. oxysporum, Pathogens of Capsicum chinense.

Fusarium equiseti strain FCHE and Fusarium oxysporum strain FCHJ were isolated from the roots of wilting habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) seedlings with root rot. Toward developing a biorational control of these serious phytopathogenic strains, ethanolic (EE) and aqueous (AE) extracts of different vegetative parts of 40 tropical native plants of the Yucatán Peninsula were screened for antifungal activity. Extracts of six out of 40 assayed plants were effective, and the most inhibitory extracts were studied further. EEs from Mosannona depressa (bark from stems and roots), Parathesis cubana (roots), and Piper neesianum (leaves) inhibited mycelial growth of both strains. Each active EE was then partitioned between hexane and acetonitrile. The acetonitrile fraction from M. depressa stem bark (MDT-b) had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration of 1000 µg/mL against both pathogens and moderate inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 462 against F. equiseti and 472 µg/mL against F. oxysporum. After 96 h treatment with EE from M. depressa stem bark, both strains had distorted hyphae and conidia and collapsed conidia in scanning electron micrographs. Liquid chromatography-ultraviolet-high resolution mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the major component of the fraction was α-asarone. Its antifungal effect was verified using a commercial standard, which had an IC50 of 236 µg/mL against F. equiseti and >500 µg/mL against F. oxysporum. Furthermore, the P. cubana hexane fraction and P. neesianum acetonitrile fraction had antifungal activity against both Fusarium pathogens. These compounds provide new options for biorational products to control phytopathogenic fungi.

Supernumerarios múltiples no sindrómicos en dentición permanente. Reporte de caso / Multiple non syndromic supernumerary teeth in permanent dentition. A case report

RESUMEN El número de dientes puede incrementarse por piezas dentarias denominadas Dientes Supernumerarios (DS). En los casos en que los DS son cinco o más y no relacionados con ningún síndrome, son considerados DS múltiples o hiperdoncia múltiple no sindrómica; anomalía dentaria con una escasa prevalencia menor al 1% de los reportes de esta alteración. El objetivo de esta investigación es documentar un caso poco frecuente de DS múltiples no sindrómicos en una paciente con dentición permanente. Paciente de sexo femenino, 22 años de edad, presenta siete DS en total; clínicamente: dos DS en la zona central superior, un DS por palatino de la pieza 1.2, un DS por distal de la pieza 3.5. Radiográficamente: un DS entre las piezas 1.5 y 1.4, la pieza 1.1 retenida en posición horizontal, la agenesia de la pieza 2.2 y dos DS suplementarios entre los premolares inferiores derechos. El diagnóstico precoz de los DS es fundamental para evitar las alteraciones futuras originadas por esta anomalía dentaria; así como un examen adecuado que permita descartar la asociación con hiperdoncia relacionada a algún síndrome.

SUMMARY The number of teeth can be increased by extra teeth named Supernumerary Teeth (ST). Multiple ST or hyperdontia is consider when there are five or ST with non syndromic association, which is a dental anomaly with a prevalence less than 1% of the reports of this alteration. The aim of this report was to keep record an unusual case of non- syndromic supernumerary teeth in a permanent dentition patient. Intraoral examination of a 22 years old woman revealed permanent dentition with presence of two supernumerary teeth in the upper central region, one of them palatally to 1.2, and another distal to 3.5. Radiographic findings: A panoramic radiograph showed us impacted supernumerary teeth between 1.5 and 1.4, another in similar condition, 1.1 in horizontal position, agenesy of 2.2 tooth, and two supernumeraries more between right lower bicuspids. The early diagnosis of ST is essential to avoid future alterations caused by this dental anomaly; as well as an adequate examination that allows to rule out the association with hyperdoncia related to some syndrome.

Molecular Identification of Selected Streptomyces Strains Isolated from Mexican Tropical Soils and their Anti-Candida Activity.

The increasing incidence of Candida albicans infections and resistance to current antifungal therapies has led to the search for new and more effective antifungal compounds. Actinobacterial species from the Streptomyces genus are recognized as some of the major producers of antimicrobial compounds. Therefore, the aims of this study were: (1) the identification of Streptomyces strains isolated from Mexican tropical acidic soils, (2) the evaluation of their antifungal activity on C. albicans, and (3) the exploration of the presence of polyketide synthase genes in their genome and antifungal secondary metabolites in their extracts. Four actinobacterial strains, isolated from previously unexplored soils with antibacterial antecedents, were selected. These strains were identified as Streptomycesangustmyceticus S6A-03, Streptomyces manipurensis S3A-05 and S3A-09, and Streptomyces parvisporogenes S2A-04, according to their molecular analyses. The ethanol extract of the lyophilized supernatant of S. parvisporogenes displayed the most interesting antifungal activity against C. albicans, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.5 mg/mL. Type I polyketide synthase (PKS-I) and non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) genes were detected in all strains. In addition, type II PKS genes (PKS-II) were also found in S.manipurensis S3A-05 and S. parvisporogenes. LC-UV-HRMS analysis of the active organic extract of S. parvisporogenes indicated the presence of the known antifungal compound carbazomycin G as the major component.

Reducción de la morbilidad postoperatoria en el cáncer colorrectal programado: inmunonutrición oral preoperatoria / Reduction of postoperative morbidity in programmed colorectal cancer: Preoperative oral immunonutrition

Resumen Objetivo: Valorar la eficacia de la administración preoperatoria de inmunonutrición oral en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal resecable, en términos de reducción de la incidencia de complicaciones infecciosas posquirúrgicas. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo y aleatorizado. Se reclutaron 84 pacientes. En el grupo inmunonutrido (SÍ IN) se administró de forma preoperatoria Impact© Oral durante 8 días (3 envases al día), con respecto del grupo no inmunonutrido (NO IN), que únicamente recibió dieta normal, sin suplementos. Resultados: Del total de pacientes, el 40,5% (17) de los NO IN presentaron complicaciones infecciosas frente a un 33,3% (14) de los SÍ IN. En los pacientes con cáncer rectal NO IN, un 50% (8) tuvieron complicaciones infecciosas menores frente a un 13,6% (3) de los SÍ IN, (p = 0,028). En la regresión logística, la variable proteínas totales en el quinto día posquirúrgico (OR: 2,8 [IC 95%: 1,3-6,3], p = 0,012) fue independiente en relación con la aparición de complicaciones infecciosas. Específicamente, la variable fuga anastomótica se comportó como factor de riesgo en el desarrollo de infección de herida, con una OR de 4,5 (IC 95%: 1,3-16,1) (p = 0,033). Discusión: La desnutrición en los pacientes oncológicos susceptibles de cirugía se traduce en un incremento en la morbimortalidad postoperatoria de los mismos. La utilización de fórmulas enterales con inmunonutrientes en estos sujetos puede atenuar dicha morbilidad, a expensas de la disminución de complicaciones infecciosas. Conclusión: En nuestro análisis, los pacientes NO IN presentaron con mayor frecuencia complicaciones infecciosas posquirúrgicas, sobre todo el subgrupo de pacientes con cáncer rectal.

Abstract Purpose: Assess the efficacy of preoperative administration of oral immunonutrition in patients with resectable colorectal cancer, in terms of reducing the incidence of postoperative infectious complications. Material and methods: Prospective randomized study. A total of 84 patients were recruited. To the group YES IN, Impact© Oral was preoperatively administered for 8 days (3 bricks a day), whereas the NOT IN group only received normal diet, without supplements. Results: Of all patients, 40.5% (17) in the NOT IN group suffered infectious complications against 33.3% (14) in the YES IN group. Among patients with rectal cancer in the NOT IN group, 50% (8) suffered minor infectious complications, compared with 13.6% (3) among those in the YES IN group (P = .028). Using logistic regression, the variable total protein on the fifth postoperative day [OR: 2.8 (95% CI: 1.3 to 6.3) (P = .012)] showed a statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of infectious complications. Specifically, anastomotic leak variable behaved as a risk factor in the development of surgical site infection, with an OR of 4.5 (95% CI: 1.3 to 16.1) (P = .033). Discussion: Malnutrition in cancer patients suitable for surgery results in an increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality. The use of enteral formulas with immunonutrients in these subjects can attenuate this morbidity, decreasing infectious complications. Conclusion: In our analysis, the NOT IN group suffered more postoperative infectious complications, particularly the subset of patients with rectal cancer.

Impact of two policy interventions on dietary diversity in Ecuador.

OBJECTIVE: To differentiate the effects of food vouchers and training in health and nutrition on consumption and dietary diversity in Ecuador by using an experimental design. DESIGN: Interventions involved enrolling three groups of approximately 200 randomly selected households per group in three provinces in Ecuador. Power estimates and sample size were computed using the Optimal Design software, with a power of 80 %, at 5 % of significance and with a minimum detectable effect of 0·25 (sd). The first group was assigned to receive a monthly food voucher of $US 40. The second group was assigned to receive the same $US 40 voucher, plus training on health and nutrition issues. The third group served as the control. Weekly household values of food consumption were converted into energy intake per person per day. A simple proxy indicator was constructed for dietary diversity, based on the Food Consumption Score. Finally, an econometric model with three specifications was used for analysing the differential effect of the interventions. SETTING: Three provinces in Ecuador, two from the Sierra region (Carchi and Chimborazo) and one from the Coastal region (Santa Elena). SUBJECTS: Members of 773 households randomly selected (n 4343). RESULTS: No significant impact on consumption for any of the interventions was found. However, there was evidence that voucher systems had a positive impact on dietary diversity. No differentiated effects were found for the training intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The most cost-effective intervention to improve dietary diversity in Ecuador is the use of vouchers to support family choice in food options.

Chromomycin A2 induces autophagy in melanoma cells.

The present study highlights the biological effects of chromomycin A2 toward metastatic melanoma cells in culture. Besides chromomycin A2, chromomycin A3 and demethylchromomycin A2 were also identified from the extract derived from Streptomyces sp., recovered from Paracuru Beach, located in the northeast region of Brazil. The cytotoxic activity of chromomycin A2 was evaluated across a panel of human tumor cell lines, which found IC50 values in the nM-range for exposures of 48 and 72 h. MALME-3M, a metastatic melanoma cell line, showed the highest sensitivity to chromomycin A2 after 48h incubation, and was chosen as a model to investigate this potent cytotoxic effect. Treatment with chromomycin A2 at 30 nM reduced cell proliferation, but had no significant effect upon cell viability. Additionally, chromomycin A2 induced accumulation of cells in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, with consequent reduction of S and G2/M and unbalanced expression of cyclins. Chromomycin A2 treated cells depicted several cellular fragments resembling autophagosomes and increased expression of proteins LC3-A and LC3-B. Moreover, exposure to chromomycin A2 also induced the appearance of acidic vacuolar organelles in treated cells. These features combined are suggestive of the induction of autophagy promoted by chromomycin A2, a feature not previously described for chromomycins.

Chemical and physical modulation of antibiotic activity in emericella species.

The addition of epigenetic modifying agents and ion-exchange resins to culture media and solid-state fermentations have been promoted as ways to stimulate expression of latent biosynthetic gene clusters and to modulate secondary metabolite biosynthesis. We asked how combination of these treatments would affect a population of screening isolates and their patterns of antibiosis relative to fermentation controls. A set of 43 Emericella strains, representing 25 species and varieties, were grown on a nutrient-rich medium comprising glucose, casein hydrolysate, urea, and mineral salts. Each strain was grown in untreated agitated liquid medium, a medium treated with suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, 5-azacytidine, a DNA methylation inhibitor, an Amberlite non-ionic polyacrylate resin, and the same medium incorporated into an inert static vermiculite matrix. Species-inherent metabolic differences more strongly influenced patterns of antibiosis than medium treatments. The antibacterial siderophore, desferritriacetylfusigen, was detected in most species in liquid media, but not in the vermiculite medium. The predominant antifungal component detected was echinocandin B. Some species produced this antifungal regardless of treatment, although higher quantities were often produced in vermiculite. Several species are reported for the first time to produce echinocandin B. A new echinocandin analog, echinocandin E, was identified from E. quadrilineata.

Association between family structure, parental smoking, friends who smoke, and smoking behavior in adolescents with asthma.

Recent investigations show that the smoking prevalence among asthmatic adolescents is higher than among healthy adolescents, and the causes that lead these asthmatic adolescents to smoke are unclear. We investigated the association between family structure, parental smoking, smoking friends, and smoking in asthmatic adolescents (n = 6,487). After adjusting for sex and age, logistic regression analyses showed that nonintact family structure, parental smoking, and smoking friends are associated with smoking in adolescents with and without asthma. Asthmatic adolescents who reside in the household of a nonintact family have a 1.90 times greater risk of smoking compared with those who live with both biological parents. It is important that parents who have children with asthma be made aware that the presence of smokers in the home and adolescent fraternization with smoking friends not only favor the worsening of asthma, but also induce the habit of smoking.