Mediastinitis secondary to invasive infection by group A Streptococcus in Spain.

This study describes 5 mediastinitis cases secondary to invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease in a recent outbreak in Spain. Among 398 iGAS cases between January 2019-March 2023, 5 (1.3%) were mediastinitis, 4 occurring in December 2022, all secondary to pneumonia or deep neck infection. We outline the clinical outcome with a review of the scarce pediatric literature.  Conclusion: mediastinistis is a rare but severe complication of iGAS and a high level of suspicion is required to diagnose it. What is Known: • Group A Streptococcus can cause invasive and severe infections in children. • Mediastinitis is a severe complication from some bacterial infections, mainly secondary due to deep-neck abscesses. What is New: • Mediastinitis is an unrecognized complication due to an invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infection. • In cases of a deep-neck abscess or complicated pneumonia a high clinical suspicion of iGAS mediastinitis is required, especially when the clinical course is not favorable.

Betalains and their applications in food: The current state of processing, stability and future opportunities in the industry.

Betalains are water-soluble nitrogenous pigments with coloring properties and antioxidant activities, which is why they have been incorporated into several foods. However, their use is limited by their instability in response to different factors, such as, pH, oxygen, water activity, light, metals, among others. In this work, a review of up-to-date and relevant information is presented on the primary natural sources of betalains. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of the primary betalain extraction techniques are discussed and compared. The results of these studies were focused on the stability of betalains when incorporated into foods, either in pure or encapsulated form, and they are discussed through different technologies. Lastly, the most relevant information related to their stability and a projection of their promising future applications within the food industry is presented.

Thermal properties and volatile compounds profile of commercial dark-chocolates from different genotypes of cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao L.) from Latin America.

There is a growing interest in the identification of chemometric markers that allow the distinction and authentication of dark-chocolates according to their cocoa geographical origin and/or genotype. However, samples derived from Latin American cocoa, including specimens from North and South America, have not been studied in this context. An exploration of the melting behavior, fat composition, bioactive content, and volatile profile of commercial darkchocolates was conducted to identify possible patterns related to the genotype and/or origin of cocoa from Latin America. The melting properties were evaluated by DSC and related to fat content and fatty acids profile. Total polyphenol, anthocyanin, methylxanthine, and catechin content were analyzed. Finally, the volatile compounds were extracted and identified by HS-SPME/GC-MS and were analyzed through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Heatmap (HCA Heatmap). The fatty acids profile showed a relationship with the melting properties of dark chocolate. The samples exhibited two glass-transition temperatures (Tg) at ≈19 °C and ≈25.5 °C, possibly related to traces of unstable polymorphic forms of monounsaturated triacylglycerides. The analysis of bioactive compounds demonstrated great variability among samples independent of the cocoa origin, genotype, and content. The PCA and HCA Heatmaps allowed discriminating against the chocolates in relation to the cocoa origin and genotype. Compounds like tetramethylpyrazine, trimethylpyrazine, benzaldehyde, and furfural could be considered as dark-chocolate aroma markers derived from Latin American cocoas (North American region). The 2-phenylethyl alcohol, 2-methylpropanoic acid, 2,3-butanediol, 2-nonanone, and limonene for derived from South America. And the 2-phenylethyl acetate, 3-methyl-butanal, and cinnamaldehyde could allow to distinguishing between regional genotypes.

In silico analysis of antidiabetic potential of phenolic compounds from blue corn (Zea mays L.) and black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

The growing interest in bioactive compounds, especially in polyphenols, is due to their abundance in the human diet and potentially positive effects on health. The consumption of polyphenols has been shown to possess anti-diabetic properties by preventing insulin resistance or insulin secretion through different signaling pathways, this effect is associated with their capacity to exert genomic modulations. Several studies have suggested that polyphenols could also bind to cellular proteins and modulate their activity, however, the mechanisms of action underlying their beneficial effects are complex and are not fully understood. The aim of this work was to characterize phenolic compounds present in blue corn and black bean extracts as well as identify their potential interactions with target proteins involved in diabetes pathogenesis using in silico approach. Total polyphenols content of both blue corn and black beans was identified using UPLC-ESI/qTOF/MS and quantified by colorimetric assays. In this work we identified twenty-eight phenolic compounds in the extracts, mainly anthocyanins, flavonols, hydroxycinamic acids, dihydroxybenzoic acids, flavones, isoflavones, and flavanols. Interactome of these compounds with thirteen target proteins involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus was performed in-silico. In total, 312 bioactive compounds/protein interaction analyses were acquired. Molecular docking results highlighted that nine of the top ten interactions correspond to anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-glucoside with 11ß-HS, GFAT, PPARG; delphinidin 3-glucoside with 11ß-HS, GFAT, PTP and RTKs; and petunidin 3-glucoside with 11ß-HS and PTP. These proteins are involved in mechanisms regulating functions such as inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, glucose and lipid metabolism. In conclusion, this work provides a prediction of the potential molecular mechanism of black bean and blue corn polyphenols, specifically anthocyanins and could constitute new pathways by which compounds exert their antidiabetic benefits.

Winter drought impairs xylem phenology, anatomy and growth in Mediterranean Scots pine forests.

Continental Mediterranean forests face drought but also cold spells and both climate extremes can impair the resilience capacity of these forests. Climate warming could amplify the negative effects of cold spells by inducing premature dehardening. Here we capitalize on a winter drought-induced dieback triggered by a cold spell which occurred in December 2001 affecting Scots pine forests in eastern Spain. We assessed post-dieback recovery by quantifying and comparing radial growth and xylem anatomy of non-declining (ND, crown cover >50%) and declining (D, crown cover ≤50%) trees in two sites (VP, Villarroya de los Pinares; TO, Torrijas). We also characterized xylogenesis in both sites and aboveground productivity in site VP. Dieback caused legacy effects since needle loss, a 60% reduction in litter fall and radial-growth decline characterized D-trees 3 years after dieback symptoms started appearing in spring 2002. D-trees formed collapsed tracheids in the 2002-ring, particularly in the most affected VP site where xylogenesis differences between ND and D trees were most noticeable. The lower growth rates of D-trees were caused by a shorter duration of their major xylogenesis phases. In site VP the radial-enlargement and wall-thickening of tracheids were significantly reduced in D-trees as compared to ND-trees because these xylogenesis phases tended to start earlier and end later in ND-trees. Gompertz models fitted to tracheid production predicted that maximum growth rates occurred 11-12 days earlier in ND than in D-trees. The formation of radially-enlarging tracheids was enhanced by longer days in both study sites and also by wetter conditions in the driest TO site, but xylogenesis sensitivity to climate was reduced in D-trees. Winter-drought dieback impairs xylem anatomy and phenology, aboveground productivity, xylogenesis and growth in Mediterranean Scots pine populations. Affected stands show a costly post-dieback recovery challenging their resilience ability.

[What is the true role of surgery in the infertility associated with endometriosis?]. / Cuál es el verdadero papel de la cirugía en la infertilidad asociada con endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is one of the most challenging clinical conditions for gynecologists. Associated pain and infertility are often difficult to manage, and current treatment strategies remain limited. OBJECTIVE: This review reviews the current scientific evidence for general gynecologist and provides an overview of current information regarding the treatment of patients with endometriosis-related infertility, offering strong evidence to consider a less invasive approach, and highlights potential hazards of surgery within patients desiring to achieve a pregnancy.

Identification of predominant yeasts associated with artisan Mexican cocoa fermentations using culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches.

The process of cocoa fermentation is a very important step for the generation or aromatic compounds, which are attributable to the metabolism of the microorganisms involved. There are some reports about this process and the identification of microorganisms; however, there are no reports identifying the yeasts involved in a Mexican cocoa fermentation process using molecular biology techniques, including restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The aim of this study was to identify the main yeast species associated with Mexican cocoa fermentations employing culture-dependent and -independent techniques achieving two samplings with a 1 year time difference at the same site. Isolation of the microorganisms was performed in situ. Molecular identification of yeast isolates was achieved by RFLP analysis and rDNA sequencing. Total DNA from the microorganisms on the cocoa beans was utilized for the DGGE analysis. Bands from the DGGE gels were excised and sequenced. Nineteen isolated yeasts were identified (al specie level), three of which had never before been associated with cocoa fermentations worldwide. The detected predominant yeast varied from one technique to another. Hanseniaspora sp. resulted dominant in DGGE however Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the principal isolated species. In conclusion, the culture-dependent and -independent techniques complement each other showing differences in the main yeasts involved in spontaneous cocoa fermentation, probably due to the physiological states of the viable but non culturable yeasts. Furthermore important differences between the species detected in the two samplings were detected.

Effect of fermentation time and drying temperature on volatile compounds in cocoa.

The effects of fermentation time and drying temperature on the profile of volatile compounds were evaluated after 2, 4, 6, and 8 fermentation days followed by drying at 60, 70 and 80°C. These treatments were compared with dry cocoa controls produced in a Samoa drier and by a sun-drying process. A total of 58 volatile compounds were identified by SPME-HS/GC-MS and classified as: esters (20), alcohols (12), acids (11), aldehydes and ketones (8), pyrazines (4) and other compounds (3). Six days of fermentation were enough to produce volatile compounds with flavour notes desirable in cocoa beans, as well as to avoid the production of compounds with off-flavour notes. Drying at 70 and 80°C after six fermentation days presented a volatile profile similar to the one obtained by sun drying. However, drying at 70°C represents a lower cost. Given the above results, in the present study the optimal conditions for fermentation and drying of cocoa beans were 6days of fermentation, followed by drying at 70°C.

Acaricidal effect of essential oils from Lippia graveolens (Lamiales: Verbenaceae), Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), and Allium sativum (Liliales: Liliaceae) against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae).

Acaricidal effects of three essential oils extracted from Mexican oregano leaves (Lippia graveolens Kunth), rosemary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), and garlic bulbs (Allium sativum L.) on 10-d-old Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) tick larvae were evaluated by using the larval packet test bioassay. Serial dilutions of the three essential oils were tested from a starting concentration of 20 to 1.25%. Results showed that both Mexican oregano and garlic essential oils had very similar activity, producing high mortality (90-100%) in all tested concentrations on 10-d-old R. microplus tick larvae. Rosemary essential oil produced >85% larval mortality at the higher concentrations (10 and 20%), but the effect decreased noticeably to 40% at an oil concentration of 5%, and mortality was absent at 2.5 and 1.25% of the essential oil concentration. Chemical composition of the essential oils was elucidated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. Mexican oregano essential oil included thymol (24.59%), carvacrol (24.54%), p-cymene (13.6%), and y-terpinene (7.43%) as its main compounds, whereas rosemary essential oil was rich in a-pinene (31.07%), verbenone (15.26%), and 1,8-cineol (14.2%), and garlic essential oil was rich in diallyl trisulfide (33.57%), diallyl disulfide (30.93%), and methyl allyl trisulfide (11.28%). These results suggest that Mexican oregano and garlic essential oils merit further investigation as components of alternative approaches for R. microplus tick control.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Mexican oregano essential oils (Lippia graveolens H. B. K.) with different composition when microencapsulated in beta-cyclodextrin.

AIMS: To study how the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Lippia graveolens essential oils with different composition are affected after the microencapsulation process with beta-cyclodextrin (beta CD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Three Mexican oregano essential oils (EOs) with different carvacrol/thymol/p-cymene ratios (38 : 3 : 32, 23 : 2 : 42, 7 : 19 : 35) were used in this study. Microencapsulation was carried out by spray-drying. Antimicrobial activities were measured as MBC (minimal bactericidal concentration) using 0.05%/0.10%/0.20% (w/v) dilutions of EOs against Escherichia coli ATCC 11229, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. Antioxidant activities were determined by the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) method. EOs showed antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, but microencapsulation preserved the antimicrobial activity in all cases and increased the antioxidant activity from four- to eightfold. CONCLUSIONS: Although the Lippia essential oils were from the same species, their composition affects the biological activities before and after the microencapsulation process, as well as encapsulation efficiency. Our study supports the fact that microencapsulation of EOs in beta-cyclodextrin preserves the antimicrobial activity, improves the antioxidant activity and acts as a protection for EOs main compounds. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Microencapsulation affects positively EOs main compounds, improves antioxidant activity and retains antimicrobial activity, enhancing the quality of the oils.

Generation of aroma compounds from Ditaxis heterantha by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Ditaxis heterantha, a plant of the Euphorbiaceae family, is growing wild in the semiarid regions of Mexico. The seed endosperm contains yellow pigments (carotenoids). By high-pressure liquid chromatography the total pigment (TP) was separated into seven fractions: two of them, heterathin (F4) and ditaxin (F5), characterized as apocarotenoids, represent 80% of TP. Both molecules have double bonds, which seem to be the target for degradation and aroma formation. In this work, TP, F4, and F5 were supplied to nine cultures able to degrade lutein. From these strains, only one (identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was able to produce aromas from either TP or F4. Using TP as substrate, the produced aromas were 4-oxo-isophorone (1), isophorone (2), cinnamic aldehyde (6), 3-hydroxy-beta-cyclocitral (7), safranal (8), geranyl (9), 3-oxo-alpha-ionone (10), 3-oxo-alpha-ionol (11), 3-oxo-7,8-dihydro-alpha-ionone (12), and eugenol (13). Of these aromas, only seven were produced from F4: (1), (2), (7), (8), (10), (11), and (12). In both cases, safranal was the main degradation product (30%). The enzymatic activity responsible for this effect was found in the cytosolic fraction and detected only when S. cerevisiae was grown in the presence of TP or F4.

Aphrodisiac properties of Montanoa tomentosa aqueous crude extract in male rats.

Cihuapatli, the Mexican zoapatle (Montanoa tomentosa) has an extensive ethnomedical history of use as a traditional remedy for reproductive impairments. During the study of the ejaculatory function in rats and by testing a set of Mexican plants with medicinal properties, we observed that crude extracts of M. tomentosa facilitated ejaculation. Thus, we decided to analyze the possibility that this plant possessed sexual stimulant properties. To that aim, copulatory behavior of sexually active male rats receiving doses of 38, 75 and 150 mg/kg of the aqueous crude extract of M. tomentosa, as it is prepared in traditional medicine, was assessed. In addition, we evaluated the effect of the 75-mg/kg dose of the extract on males with anesthetization of the genital area and on sexual behavior of sexually inactive male rats (noncopulators). Results showed that acute oral administration of crude extracts of M. tomentosa facilitates expression of sexual behavior in sexually active male rats, significantly increases mounting behavior in genitally anesthetized animals and induces the expression of sexual behavior in noncopulating males. Altogether, these data reveal a facilitatory action of this extract on sexual activity and particularly on sexual arousal. Present findings provide experimental evidence that the crude extract preparation of M. tomentosa, used as a traditional remedy, possesses aphrodisiac properties.

Significant large-scale chromosome territory movement occurs as a result of mitosis, but not during interphase.

PURPOSE: To investigate large-scale relative movement (position change) of interphase chromosome territories (ICT), as indicated by the separation of chromosome derivatives following exposure to ionizing radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A simple experiment was conducted to investigate large-scale movement of ICT, using whole chromosome 18 painting to measure the frequency of fluorescent ICT in irradiated lymphocytes, cultured over 9 days (seven cell cycles). After chromosome 18 painting, derivative chromosome territory separation was indicated by the observation of three fluorescent ICT in aberrant cells compared with the presence of two fluorescent ICT in normal cells. The frequencies of interphase nuclei containing three fluorescent chromosome territories for unirradiated resting lymphocytes and for lymphocytes acutely irradiated with 2.25 or 5.5 Gy 137Cs gamma-rays were measured for each culture time point of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9 days. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the frequency of three ICT between the average of the controls and irradiated cells cultured for 0, 1 and 2 days. However, irradiated cells cultured for >or=3 days showed a significant increase in the frequency of three fluorescent ICT over those cultured for

Mesorhizobium chacoense sp. nov., a novel species that nodulates Prosopis alba in the Chaco Arido region (Argentina).

Low-molecular-weight RNA analysis was performed for the identification and classification of 20 Argentinian strains isolated from the root nodules of Prosopis alba. SDS-PAGE of total cellular proteins, determination of the DNA base composition, DNA-DNA reassociation experiments and physiological and biochemical tests were also carried out for these strains and the whole 16S rRNA gene was sequenced from one of the strains, strain LMG 19008T. Results of the genotypic and phenotypic characterization showed that the strains isolated in this study belong to a group that clustered in the genus Mesorhizobium. The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations showed that this group is a novel species of this genus. The name Mesorhizobium chacoense sp. nov. is proposed for this species. The type strain is LMG 19008T (= CECT 5336T).

Staircase electrophoresis profiles of stable low-molecular-weight RNA--a new technique for yeast fingerprinting.

Staircase electrophoresis (SCE) in polyacrylamide gels was used to analyse the stable low-molecular-weight (LMW) RNA profiles of several yeast species and genera. As in prokaryotes, this new electrophoretic technique results in good separation of molecules forming LMW RNA profiles in yeasts. In this study it is reported that, while LMW RNA profiles in prokaryotes include only 5S rRNA, and class 2 and class 1 tRNA, these profiles in eukaryotes also include 5.8S rRNA. Differences in the number and distribution of RNA bands in these profiles allowed identification of differences among the yeast species and genera assayed. LMW RNAs, analysed by SCE, provide a yeast fingerprint that allows them to be clearly differentiated and will in the future enable the rapid assignment of yeast isolates to already described species and the detection of new ones.

Miller-Dieker syndrome and trisomy 5p in a child carrying a derivative chromosome with a microdeletion in 17p13.3 telomeric to the LIS1 and the D17S379 loci.

Trisomy 5p and Miller-Dieker syndromes frequently are the result of unbalanced segregations of reciprocal translocations of chromosomes 5 and 17 with other autosomes. The critical regions for the expression of the mentioned syndromes have been mapped to 5p13-->pter, and 17p13.3-->pter. In this report, we describe an 8-year-old girl with mental retardation, postnatal growth deficiency, generalized muscular hypotonia, seizures, microcephaly, cortical atrophy, partial agenesis of corpus callosum, cerebral ventriculomegaly, facial anomalies, patent ductus arteriosus, pectus excavatum, long fingers, and bilateral talipes equinovarus caused by the presence of a 46,XX,der(17)t(5;17)(p13.1;p13.3)mat chromosome complement. Cytogenetic studies of the family confirmed a balanced reciprocal translocation (5;17)(p13.1;p13.3) in her mother, maternal grandfather, maternal aunt, and a female first cousin. Fluorescence in situ hybridization studies on the mother and the proposita using three probes, which map to distal 17p, confirmed the reciprocal translocation in the mother and a terminal deletion in the patient, which resulted in the retention of LIS1 and D17S379 loci and deletion of the 17p telomere. These findings and the phenotype of the proposita, strongly suggest that genes telomeric to LIS1 and locus D17S379 are involved in many clinical findings, including the minor facial anomalies of the Miller-Dieker syndrome.

Analysis of LMW RNA profiles of Frankia strains by staircase electrophoresis.

An optimized technique of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Staircase Electrophoresis (SCE), was applied to determine the stable Low Molecular Weight RNA (LMW RNA) profiles of 25 Frankia strains from diverse geographic origins and host specificity groups as well as species from other actinomycete genera. Application of the technique permits the rapid identification of Frankia strains and their differentiation from other actinomycetes. The isolates used in this study were grouped in eight clusters, each comprising strains with identical LMW RNA profiles. Comparison of these results with others obtained from DNA sequences or DNA hybridization methods suggest a high degree of complexity in the genus Frankia. Application of SCE to profile LMW RNA should in the future facilitate biodiversity studies of Frankia and discrimination of new species.

Gender and patterns of alcohol problems: pretreatment responses of women and men to the comprehensive drinker profile.

Gender differences were analyzed in a sample of 233 (83 women, 150 men) problem drinkers treated at the same clinic. Demographic and family history measures showed few gender differences. Men reported more alcohol consumption than did women, but patterns of drinking and intoxication levels were similar. Males reported drinking and intoxication at an earlier age, more beer and less wine drinking and more drinking away from home and driving after drinking. Women reported more negative emotional effects of drinking and more spouses with alcohol problems. Despite similar problem duration, men showed more lifetime alcohol problems but not dependence signs. Men were more likely to accept a disease concept of alcoholism. Rates of smoking, other drug use, and other life problems were similar.