Morin improves learning and memory in healthy adult mice.

BACKGROUND: Morin is a flavonoid found in many edible fruits. The hippocampus and entorhinal cortex play crucial roles in memory formation and consolidation. This study aimed to characterize the effect of morin on recognition and space memory in healthy C57BL/6 adult mice and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: Morin was administered i.p. at 1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg/24 h for 10 days. The Morris water maze (MWM), novel object recognition, novel context recognition, and tasks were conducted 1 day after the last administration. The mice's brains underwent histological characterization, and their protein expression was examined using immunohistochemistry and Western blot techniques. RESULTS: In the MWM and novel object recognition tests, mice treated with 1 mg/kg of morin exhibited a significant recognition index increase compared to the control group. Besides, they demonstrated faster memory acquisition during MWM training. Additionally, the expression of pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), BDNF, and postsynaptic density protein 95 proteins in the hippocampus of treated mice showed a significant increase. In the entorhinal cortex, only the pro-BDNF increased. Morin-treated mice exhibited a significant increase in the hippocampus's number and length of dendrites. CONCLUSION: This study shows that morin improves recognition memory and spatial memory in healthy adult mice.

Bioelectricity production from the anodic inoculation of Geobacter sulfurreducens DL-1 bacteria in constructed wetlands-microbial fuel cells.

Environmental pollution problems caused by the use of fossil fuels have led to the search for renewable energy sources to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, constructed wetlands-microbial fuel cells (CW-MFC) could contribute to sustainable development, considering that this technology focuses on the production of bioelectricity. One of the main challenges of CW-MFCs is to potentiate their bioelectrochemical performance. Therefore, this research used the Geobacter sulfurreducens DL-1 bacterium (biofilm) as a bioelectrocatalyst to increase bioelectricity generation. For this, three bioreactors were built as CW-MFCs, using Juncus effusus root exudates and Philodendron cordatum macrophytes as endogenous substrates. The biofilm was developed in a nutrient broth acetate fumarate and directly inoculated onto the anodes of each CW-MFC. The results of bioelectrochemical analyses showed that the biofilm generated more bioelectricity when it consumed the exudates of the Juncus effusus macrophyte, resulting in a maximum performance of 107 mW/m2 power density, -361 mV anodic potential, 290 mV cathodic potential, and 124 Ω internal resistance, using a concentration of 27.5 mg/L of total organic carbon as an endogenous substrate. The results determined that the quantity of root exudates consumed by the anodic biofilm is directly related to the production of bioelectricity in CW-MFCs.

Development of aerobic granular sludge for real industrial/municipal wastewater treatment.

The formation and evolution of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) developed in a sequential batch reactor (SBR) were evaluated to understand the effect of influential operating parameters on its morphology, stability, and removal performance while treating industrial/municipal wastewater. After 18 days of operation (stage I), mature granules were identified in the reactor, and in 25 days, the AGS system reached a stable operation. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) were affected by the applied operating variations (from stages II to VII). Until day 48 (stage III), the aerobic granules did not show relevant changes in shape and stability. During this stage, the AGS system achieved high removal efficiencies of COD (97.7%) and TKN (86.2%) and a sludge volume index (SVI) of 65 ± 6.7 mL/g-total suspended solids. From stage IV until the end of the reactor operation, partial disintegration and rupture occurred in the system, but granules did not completely disintegrate. Specifically, a volumetric exchange ratio (VER) of >67% and an aeration rate (AR) of <2.5 L/min promoted the compactness and the structural integrity of AGS. The principal component analysis corroborated that the rise in the VER is an effective strategy for improving AGS stability and organic pollutant removal.

Identification of sugars as root exudates of the macrophyte species Juncus effusus and Philodendron cordatum in constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells during bioelectricity production.

Constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells (CW-MFCs) systems are a sustainable technology capable of producing bioelectricity and treating wastewater simultaneously. It is also possible to obtain bioelectricity from the photosynthetic substrates obtained by the rhizodeposition of macrophytes, where the electroactive microorganisms present in the rhizosphere use these compounds as biofuel. In the present study, the bioelectricity production capacity of Juncus effusus and Philodendron cordatum species was evaluated in a CW-MFC without an external carbon source. The Juncus effusus species showed a higher bioelectrochemical performance, as they recorded a maximum voltage of 399 mV, a power density of 63.7 mW/m2, a volumetric power density of 15.9 W/m3, an internal resistance of 200 Ω, an anodic potential of -368 mV, and a cathodic potential of 229 mV. In addition, different types of carbohydrates in the form of sugars (sucrose, fructose, galactose, and glucose) were quantified by liquid chromatography, with concentrations of 100-450 µg/L. Chromatographic analysis were performed from the root exudates released in the effluent of both species of macrophyte. Sucrose and glucose were the types of sugars that produced the largest amount with portions of up to 35% and 24%, respectively. Sugars are compounds that worked as electron donors for the production of bioelectricity by using endogenous substrates that fed the anodic biofilm. Consumption was 45-55% for sucrose and 40-65% for glucose. Of the different macrophytes evaluated in the CW-MFCs, it was observed that the production of bioelectricity differs mainly due to the quantity of the root exudates released in the rhizosphere.

Potencial de la levadura oleaginosa Clavispora lusitaniae Hi2 en la conversión de residuos agroindustriales a lípidos / Capacity of the oleaginous yeast Clavispora lusitaniae Hi2 to transform agroindustrial residues into lipids

AntecedentesLos lípidos obtenidos de microorganismos oleaginosos a partir de hidrolizados de residuos lignocelulósicos son una alternativa para la fabricación de biodiesel.ObjetivosAislar una levadura oleaginosa capaz de producir lípidos a partir de nejayote centrifugado (NC), hidrolizado de sólidos de nejayote (HSN) e hidrolizado de bagazo de caña de azúcar (HBC).MétodosPara identificar los aislamientos recuperados se secuenció el ADN ribosómico 26S. La capacidad metabólica se evaluó mediante tiras API20C AUX. La caracterización nutricional del NC, HSN y HBC se realizó cuantificando azúcares reductores, carbohidratos totales, almidón, proteína y nitrógeno total. La capacidad de producción de biomasa y lípidos de la cepa Clavispora lusitaniae Hi2 se evaluó mediante cinéticas de crecimiento en medios de cultivo formulados a partir de NC, HSN y HBC.ResultadosSe aislaron e identificaron seis cepas de levaduras oleaginosas, siendo C. lusitaniae Hi2 seleccionada para producir lípidos mediante el uso de nejayote. Dicha cepa puede utilizar glucosa, xilosa, arabinosa, galactosa y celobiosa como fuentes de carbono. Los cultivos de C. lusitaniae Hi2 en medio con NC y HSN (en relación 25:75) presentaron la mayor producción de biomasa, 5,6 ± 0,28 g/L; la mayor producción de lípidos, 0,99±0,09 g/L, se obtuvo con una relación 50:50 de estos residuos a las 20 h de incubación.ConclusionesLa utilización de NC, HSN y HBC para el crecimiento de C. lusitaniae Hi2 es una opción para el aprovechamiento de estos residuos y la generación de compuestos de interés biotecnológico. (AU)

BackgroundSingle-cell oils obtained from oleaginous microorganisms by using lignocellulosic waste hydrolysates are an alternative for producing biodiesel.AimsTo isolate a yeast strain able to produce lipids from centrifuged nejayote (CN), hydrolyzed nejayote solids (HNS) and hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse (HSB).MethodsIn order to identify the yeasts recovered, 26S ribosomal DNA was sequenced. The metabolic profile was assessed by using API20C AUX strips. The nutritional characterization of CN, HNS and HSB was performed by quantifying reducing sugars, total carbohydrates, starch, protein and total nitrogen. The biomass and lipid production ability were evaluated by performing growth kinetics of Clavispora lusitaniae Hi2 in combined culture media.ResultsSix oleaginous yeast strains were isolated and identified, selecting C. lusitaniae Hi2 to study its lipids production by using nejayote. The C. lusitaniae Hi2 strain can use glucose, xylose, arabinose, galactose and cellobiose as carbon sources. Cultures of C. lusitaniae Hi2 presented the best biomass (5.6±0.28 g/L) and lipid production (0.99±0.09 g/L) at 20 h of incubation with the CN:HNS media in the 25:75 and 50:50 ratios, respectively.ConclusionsThe use of CN, HNS and HSB for the growth of C. lusitaniae Hi2 is an option to take advantage of these agro-industrial residues and generate compounds of biotechnological interest. (AU)

[Capacity of the oleaginous yeast Clavispora lusitaniae Hi2 to transform agroindustrial residues into lipids]. / Potencial de la levadura oleaginosa Clavispora lusitaniae Hi2 en la conversión de residuos agroindustriales a lípidos.

BACKGROUND: Single-cell oils obtained from oleaginous microorganisms by using lignocellulosic waste hydrolysates are an alternative for producing biodiesel. AIMS: To isolate a yeast strain able to produce lipids from centrifuged nejayote (CN), hydrolyzed nejayote solids (HNS) and hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse (HSB). METHODS: In order to identify the yeasts recovered, 26S ribosomal DNA was sequenced. The metabolic profile was assessed by using API20C AUX strips. The nutritional characterization of CN, HNS and HSB was performed by quantifying reducing sugars, total carbohydrates, starch, protein and total nitrogen. The biomass and lipid production ability were evaluated by performing growth kinetics of Clavispora lusitaniae Hi2 in combined culture media. RESULTS: Six oleaginous yeast strains were isolated and identified, selecting C. lusitaniae Hi2 to study its lipids production by using nejayote. The C. lusitaniae Hi2 strain can use glucose, xylose, arabinose, galactose and cellobiose as carbon sources. Cultures of C. lusitaniae Hi2 presented the best biomass (5.6±0.28 g/L) and lipid production (0.99±0.09 g/L) at 20 h of incubation with the CN:HNS media in the 25:75 and 50:50 ratios, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CN, HNS and HSB for the growth of C. lusitaniae Hi2 is an option to take advantage of these agro-industrial residues and generate compounds of biotechnological interest.

Kansas maternity deserts: a cross-sectional study of rural obstetric providers.

INTRODUCTION: Kansas is a predominantly rural state that had 9853 rural births in 2018. The Kansas Rural Obstetrical Access Task Force was formed to study and address factors affecting these births. One of these factors is the distance between mothers and the location of maternity services. Poor access leading to increased travel times between mothers and maternity care providers has been associated with a greater rate of pregnancy complications, premature birth, and higher cost of care. In Kansas, the current state of access is not clearly described. Adding to the concern were reports of rural hospital closures and provider cessation of maternity care services. This was likely leading to 'maternity deserts': entire counties that have no maternity care providers. The goal of this project was to identify who currently delivers babies in Kansas, map their location, and determine future plans for maternity care service provision. METHODS: The study began by dividing the state of Kansas into counties by population density and by identifying current practitioners in the state. Once identified, providers were sent a 72-item mixed methods survey with content including demographics, practice location, provision of maternity care, and intents on future practice changes. RESULTS: Analysis of the survey responses led to a clearer picture of the current state of maternity care provider distribution in Kansas. This revealed multiple existing maternity deserts and a projected expansion of these deserts over the next 10 years. CONCLUSION: The current distribution of maternity care services in Kansas reveals numerous maternity deserts, and provider survey projections as far forward as 2030 show expansion of these deserts. This poor access to care may be contributing to unnecessary pregnancy complications. With the extent of this issue identified, targeted efforts toward narrowing the current and expanding maternity deserts are being implemented.

Evolución de los pacientes con enfermedad hepática crítica / Prognosis of patients with critical hepatic disease

INTRODUCTION: The acute liver failure on chronic (ACLF), is an entity, whose recognition is increasing. The ACLF and CLIF OF indexes have been recently presented with the objective of predicting mortality in this kind of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients admitted to the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital diagnosed of acute liver failure on chronic during 2016 and 2017 were collected. We collect the scores: SOFA, CLIF, APACHE II, SAPS II and ACLF score in patients admitted to the ICU by comparing them with each other and define which stages have worse prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients were collected. The study presents an intra ICU mortality of 31% (15/46) and a six-month mortality of 59.6% (28/46). Patients classified as death, present ACLF values ​​at admission (49.5 vs 60 p = 0.001), and at three days (46.66 vs 59.4 p = 0.001) higher than survivors. In the analysis of the ROC curve, the area under the curve in relation to six-month mortality is higher in the ACLF index (0.8) compared to the MELD (0.69) SOFA (0.66) SAPS II (0.69) or APACHE II (0.65). Patients with ACLF indexes above 65 had an intra UCI mortality of 54%, however, mortality at 6 months is 90%. Patients with ACLF values ​​greater than 65 present mean values ​​of lactic acid, leukocytes, INR or bilirubin higher than those under 65 in a statistically significant manner. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented in this study suggest that the ACLF index works as an adequate predictor of intra-ICU mortality and at 6 months.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El fallo hepático agudo sobre crónico es una entidad cuyo reconocimiento va en aumento. Los índices ACLF y CLIF OF, han sido presentados recientemente con el objetivo de predecir la mortalidad en este tipo de enfermos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se recogen todos los pacientes ingresados en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) de un hospital terciario universitario, diagnosticados de fallo hepático agudo sobre crónico durante 2016 y 2017. Recogemos los índices SOFA, CLIF, APACHE II, SAPS II Y ACLF en pacientes ingresados en UCI comparándolos entre sí. Definimos que estadios presentan peor pronóstico. RESULTADOS: Se analizan un total de 46 pacientes. El estudio presenta una mortalidad intra-UCI del 31% (15/46) y una mortalidad a los seis meses de 59,6% (28/46). Los pacientes clasificados como éxitus presentan valores ACLF al ingreso (49,5 vs 60 p = 0,001), a los tres días (46,66 vs 59,4 p = 0,001) superiores a los supervivientes. En el análisis de la curva COR, el área bajo la curva en relación a la mortalidad a los seis meses, es superior en el índice ACLF (0,8) en comparación con el MELD (0,69) SOFA (0,66) SAPS II (0,69) o APACHE II (0,65). Los pacientes con índices ACLF superiores a 65 presentaban una mortalidad intra-UCI del 54% sin embargo, la mortalidad a los 6 meses es del 90%. Los pacientes con valores ACLF superiores a 65 presentan a su vez valores medios de láctico, leucocitos, INR o bilirrubina mayores de forma estadísticamente significativa. CONCLUSIONES: Los datos presentados en este estudio sugieren que el índice ACLF funciona como un adecuado predictor de mortalidad intra-UCI y a los 6 meses.

Asociación entre el retraso en la Búsqueda de Atención Médica y el Nivel de Gravedad, en niños con fiebre que acuden al Servicio de Emergencias / Association between the delay in the search for medical attention and the level of severity, in children with fever who attend the Emergency Service

Introducción: El retraso en búsqueda de atención médica (RBAM) definido como un tiempo mayor a 48 horas antes de consultar un profesional podría influir en la severidad de las enfermedades en los niños. Métodos: En el presente estudio de cohorte prospectivo, se realizaron entrevistas estructuradas a tutores de niños que acudieron con fiebre a la emergencia del Hospital Baca Ortiz, verificando su estado de salud 5 días después, mediante una llamada telefónica. Las variables incluyeron demográficas, tiempo de atención y gravedad del cuadro. Se utilizó Chi cuadrado y Riesgo Relativo (RR) para buscar la relación entre dichas variables. Resultados: Fueron 304 pacientes ingresados al estudio, 41.1 % presentaron RBAM, cuyas principales causas fueron la administración de medicación sin receta médica en 48 % y la falta de detección de signos de alarma en 26.4 %. Los pacientes con RBAM presentaron más riesgo de requerir hospitalización (RR 1.88 IC 95 % 1.53-2.13 ), cuidados intensivos (RR 2.86 IC 95 % 1.00 8.17), presentar una infección bacteriana severa (RR 2.36 IC 95% 1.81 3.07), síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica (RR 2.47 IC 95 % 1.80 3.38), hospitalización al quinto día posterior a su valoración (RR 2.63 IC 95 % 1.94 3.57) y de mantenerse hospitalizado por más de 5 días (RR 1.46 IC 95 % 1.15 1.85). Conclusiones: El RBAM influye significativamente en la gravedad de los niños con fiebre, siendo la administración de medicación sin prescripción médica su principal causa

Introduction: Health careseeking delay, defined as a going to the doctor after more than 48 hours of starting fever, could influence in the severity of the disease. Methods: This prospective cohort study recollected the information with a questionnaire who examined demographic and health features of children younger than 15 years and older of 60 days that went with fever to the emergency room of Baca Ortiz´s Hospital, verifying their health condition five days after the initial evaluation through a phone call. Bivariate analysis was made with Chi-square and T student in order to relay these features with health care seeking delay and severity. Relative risk (RR), was used to measure the association between health care seeking delay and its consequent severity. Results: Of the 304 patients included in the study, 41.1 % had delay in seeking health care attention. The main causes for this delay were medicine administration without medical prescription in 48 % and lack of skills in recognizing alarm signs in 25.6 %. The patients who went to the hospital with delay had more risk of requiring hospitalization, (RR 1.88 CI 95 % 1.53- 2.13 ), intensive care cares (RR 2.86 CI 95 % 1.00 8.17), having a serious bacterial infection (RR 2.36 CI 95 % 1.81 3.07), having SIRS (RR 2.47 CI 95% 1.80 3.38), being hospitalized 5 days before their initial evaluation in emergency room (RR 2.63 CI 95 % 1.94 3.57) and staying at the hospital for more than five days (RR 1.46 CI 95 % 1.15 1.85). Conclusions: Health care seeking delay has an impact in the severity of the disease of children with fever. Administration of drugs without medical prescription is the principal reason. Health public politics should be achieved in order to educate population in these aspects to reduce morbimortality of children

Operant conditioning paradigm for juxtacellular recordings in functionally identified cortical neurons during motor execution in head-fixed rats.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the configuration of neural circuits and the specific role of distinct cortical neuron types involved in behavior, requires the study of structure-function and connectivity relationships with single cell resolution in awake behaving animals. Despite head-fixed behaving rats have been used for in vivo measuring of neuronal activity, it is a concern that head fixation could change the performance of behavioral task. NEW METHOD: We describe the procedures for efficiently training Wistar rats to develop a behavioral task, involving planning and execution of a qualified movement in response to a visual cue under head-fixed conditions. The behavioral and movement performance in freely moving vs head-fixed conditions was analyzed. RESULTS: The best behavioral performance was obtained in the rats that were trained first in freely moving conditions and then placed in a head-restrained condition compared with the animals which first were habituated to head-restriction and then learned the task. Moreover, head restriction did not alter the movement performance. Stable juxtacellular recordings from sensorimotor cortex neurons were obtained while the rats were performing forelimb movements. Biocytin electroporation and retrograde tracer injections, permits identify the hodology of individual long-range projecting neurons. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Our method shows no difference in the behavioral performance of head fixed and freely moving conditions. Also includes a computer aided design of a discrete and ergonomic head-post allowing enough stability to perform juxtacellular recording and labeling of cortical neurons. CONCLUSIONS: Our method is suitable for the in vivo characterization of neuronal circuits and their long-range connectivity.

Nevo de Jadassohn asociado a siringocistoadenoma papilífero / Associated Jadessohn's nevus syringocistoadenoma papilífero

El siringocistoadenoma papilífero (SCAP) es un tumor anexial benigno, poco frecuente, que deriva de las glándulas sudoríparas écrinas o apócrinas. Afecta a ambos sexos por igual, se observa desde el nacimiento o en la primera infancia. Se manifiesta como una placa solitaria alopécica en cuero cabelludo, o como pápulas de color piel en rostro y cuello. En el 40% de los casos se asocia a un nevo sebáceo preexistente. El tratamiento de elección es la extirpación quirúrgica. Se presenta un varón de 14 años, con un nevo de Jadassohn presente desde el nacimiento, que desarrolló años posteriores un SCAP. Palabras clave Nevo de Jadassohn, nevo sebáceo, siringocistoadenoma papilífero, tumor anexial benigno.

The syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) is an adnexal benign tumor, uncommon, which derives from the eccrine or apocrine sebaceous glands. It affects both sexes equally, it occurs most frequently from birth or early childhood. It manifests clinically as a solitary raised plate located mainly on scalp, or as papules in face, and neck. In 40% of the cases it is associated with a pre-existing sebaceous nevus. The treatment of choice is surgery. We present a 14 year old male, with a history of a nevus of Jadassohn present from birth, that years later developed a SCAP

Consideraciones anestésicas para cirugía toracoscópica / Anesthetic considerations for thoracoscopic surgery

Resumen: La cirugía toracoscópica ha evolucionado hasta convertirse en una pieza clave en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de diversas patologías de índole torácica; entre éstas se encuentran la bulectomía, simpatectomía, fenestración pericárdica, resección pulmonar parcial, lobectomías y decorticaciones toracoscópicas. La clave del éxito es el proporcionar una adecuada visualización del tórax con los nuevos lentes de alta definición, disminución en el dolor postquirúrgico, mínima invasión, herida quirúrgica pequeña, entre otros. La anestesiología a la par de la evolución de la técnica quirúrgica ha progresado a saltos abismales, tanto que ahora cada vez con mayor frecuencia se realizan procedimientos con el paciente despierto y con una adecuada sedoanalgesia. Sea cual sea el procedimiento elegido, la toracoscopía desplaza cada vez más a las toracotomías; por ello, el anestesiólogo debe conocer las formas de manejar a los pacientes tanto intubados (selectivamente o no) como a los pacientes despiertos.

Abstract: Thoracoscopic surgery has evolved into a key player in the diagnosis and treatment of various pathologies of thoracic nature. Among these an examples are bullectomy, sympathectomy, pericardial fenestration, partial lung resection; thoracoscopic lobectomy and decortications. The key to success is to provide an adequate visualization of the chest with the new HD lenses, decrease postoperative pain, minimal invasion surgery, and small wound among others. Now increasingly frequent anesthetics procedures are performed with the patient awake and with adequate analgesia and sedation. Increasingly frequent thoracoscopy patient awake and adequate analgesia and sedation. Whatever the procedure chosen, thoracoscopy is more frequent than thoracotomy, so the anesthesiologist must know the ways to handle safely intubated patients (either selectively or not) of intubated patients as awake.

Evaluation of the ultrasound effect on treated municipal wastewater.

In this research, ultrasound (US; 26 kHz) application was evaluated as tertiary treatment of treated municipal wastewater coming from conventional activated sludge (AS) and constructed wetland (CW) systems. The degree of disinfection was evaluated through the total (TC) and faecal (FC) coliforms and by somatic coliphages (SCs) determinations. The experiments were carried out without temperature control at times of 200, 400 and 600 s and with temperature control (298.1 K) at 600, 1200 and 1800 s. Changes in the concentrations of C, N and P were also studied. The results shown that treatment without temperature control allowed 100% inactivation for TC, FC and SC at 600 s, while maximum with temperature was achieved at 1800 s. Temperature was an important factor influencing pathogens inactivation. In both cases, microorganism concentrations complied with different international guidelines for the reuse of treated wastewater. At 1800 s sonication concentrations of biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and total phosphorus were reduced 39.5, 39.4, 50.0 and 37.3% TN in the AS-treated water and 24.0, 49.8, 20.2 and 7.7% in the CW-treated water, respectively. In both cases, the formation of H⋅ and OH⋅ radicals is most likely related to the observed pollutants removal. While energy consumption of ultrasound was higher than other advanced treatments such as electrocoagulation, its implementation allows the simultaneous removal of pathogens and organic pollutants without the generation of toxic by-products. In conclusion, ultrasound can be implemented as tertiary treatment of municipal wastewater for the removal of biological and organic pollution, according to reuse guidelines in terms of pathogens presence.

Domestic wastewater treatment and power generation in continuous flow air-cathode stacked microbial fuel cell: Effect of series and parallel configuration.

In this study, a continuous flow stack consisting of 40 individual air-cathode MFC units was used to determine the performance of stacked MFC during domestic wastewater treatment operated with unconnected individual MFC and in series and parallel configuration. The voltages obtained from individual MFC units were of 0.08-1.1 V at open circuit voltage, while in series connection, the maximum power and current density were 2500 mW/m2 and 500 mA/m2 (4.9 V), respectively. In parallel connection, the maximum power and current density was 5.8 mW/m2 and 24 mA/m2, respectively. When the cells were not connected to each other MFC unit, the main bacterial species found in the anode biofilms were Bacillus and Lysinibacillus. After switching from unconnected to series and parallel connections, the most abundant species in the stacked MFC were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by different Bacilli classes. This study demonstrated that when the stacked MFC was switched from unconnected to series and parallel connections, the pollutants removal, performance electricity and microbial community changed significantly. Voltages drops were observed in the stacked MFC, which was mainly limited by the cathodes. These voltages loss indicated high resistances within the stacked MFC, generating a parasitic cross current.

The temporal expression profile of a Nos3-related natural antisense RNA in the brain suggests a possible role in neurogenesis.

Experimental work over the past several years has revealed an unexpected abundance of long natural antisense transcripts (NATs) in eukaryotic species. In light of the proposed role of such RNA molecules in the regulation of gene expression in the brain, attention is now focused on specific examples of neuronal NATs. Of particular interest are NATs that are complementary to mRNAs encoding nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the enzyme responsible for production of the important gaseous neurotransmitter nitric oxide (NO). Here we study the temporal expression profile of murine Nos3as NAT in the brain. Notably, Nos3as NAT is known to act as a negative regulator of Nos3 gene expression. The results of our quantitative analysis reveal differential expression of Nos3as NAT during embryonic and post-embryonic stages of development of the brain. Also, they show that the low levels of Nos3as NAT coincides with active neurogenesis. In addition we report on an inverse correlation between the relative expression level of Nos3as NAT and the level of Nos3 protein. Thus our data raise the hypothesis that the Nos3as NAT regulates neurogenesis through suppression of Nos3 gene activity. This idea is further supported by experiments conducted on the olfactory bulbs and cultured neuroblastoma cells.

Accumulation and Distribution of Lead and Chromium in Laboratory-Scale Constructed Wetlands Inoculated with Metal-Tolerant Bacteria.

The accumulation and distribution of lead and chromium was tested in a laboratory-scale constructed wetland (CW) inoculated with metal-tolerant bacteria. Two non-inoculated systems also were evaluated, one planted and the other unplanted. Mass balances indicated that 57% of chromium input was accumulated into inoculated CW after 151 days of operation. The distribution was similar in support media and vegetation, in which 78% was transferred to aerial part. Similarly Pb was accumulated 29% in the support media and 39% in vegetation, which was distributed 52% in rhizome and 48% in aerial part. Significantly lower amounts of heavy metals were accumulated in non-inoculated systems than in the inoculated wetlands (p < 0.005). In addition, a markedly higher proportion of chromium in aerial vegetation and of lead in the suspended fraction of the effluent was exhibited, which raises a subsequent recovery of the metal by harvest and settling, respectively. Results indicate that CW inoculated with metal-tolerant bacteria might be a suitable option for treating wastewater with content of lead and chromium.

Occurrence of tylosin in swine wastewater in Mexico.

This study determined a tylosin concentration in swine wastewater located in a Mexican pig farm, during different stages of the pigs' growth. The detection of antibiotics in swine wastewater is complex due to its high concentration of solids. Analytical method was developed for detection of tylosin in swine wastewater and swine slurry. Average recoveries of tylosin in the liquid and solid phase were greater than 51 and 44%, respectively, with a greater total recovery of 95%. The results indicated the presence of tylosin in swine wastewater and slurry at concentrations greater than the ones reported in the literature. In grab samples of swine wastewater, the tylosin detected showed concentrations of 56, 72 and 8.6 µg L(-1), in breeding-gestation, nursery pigs, and grow-finishing area, respectively. In composite samples, the concentration of tylosin was 11.8 µg L(-1) for the breeding-gestation area and 2.4 µg L(-1) for the grow-finishing area. For slurry, the concentration of tylosin was 20.6 and 17.8 µg L(-1), for the breeding-gestation and grow-finishing area, respectively. This study presents the detection of a high concentration of tylosin in breeding-gestation and nursery pigs. Traces of tylosin in wastewater from grow-finishing stage were found although the animals were not receiving antibiotics.

Anaerobic/aerobic treatment of a petrochemical wastewater from two aromatic transformation processes by fluidized bed reactors.

An integrated fluidized bed reactor (FBR) has been employed as the treatment for petrochemical industry wastewaters with high organic matter and aromatic compounds, under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The system was operated at hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 2.7 and 2.2 h in the anaerobic and aerobic reactor, respectively. The degree of fluidization in the beds was 30%. This system showed a high performance on the removal of organic matter and aromatic compounds. At different organic loading rates (OLR), the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal in the anaerobic reactor was close to 85% and removals of the COD up to 94% were obtained in the aerobic reactor. High removals of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, styrene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and naphthalene were achieved in this study.

Estudio de efectividad de la vacuna de rotavirus / ss

Apoyar la recolección de datos de los casos y controles del estudio de efectividad de la vacuna de rotavirus en hospital asignado al estudio