Chitinase induction in Trichoderma harzianum: a solid-state fermentation approach using shrimp waste and wheat bran/commercial chitin for chitooligosaccharides synthesis.

This study innovatively employed solid-state fermentation (SSF) to evaluate chitinase induction in Trichoderma harzianum. Solid-state fermentation minimizes water usage, a crucial global resource, and was applied using shrimp waste chitin and a mixture of commercial chitin with wheat bran as substrates. Shrimp waste and wheat bran were pretreated and characterized for SSF, and the fungus's utilization of the substrates was assessed using spectrophotometric and microscopic methods. The resulting enzymes' ability to produce chitooligosaccharides (COS) mixtures was studied. Wheat bran/commercial chitin demonstrated superior performance, with a 1.8-fold increase in chitinase activity (76.3 U/mg protein) compared to shrimp waste chitin (41.8 U/mg protein). Additionally, the COS mixture obtained from wheat bran/commercial chitin showed a higher concentration of reducing sugars, reaching 87.85 mM, compared to shrimp waste chitin (14.87 mM). The COS profile from wheat bran/commercial chitin included monomers to heptamers, while the profile from shrimp waste chitin was predominantly composed of monomers. These results highlight the advantages of SSF for chitinase induction and COS production in T. harzianum, offering potential applications as dietary fiber, antioxidants, and antimicrobial agents. The findings contribute to by-product valorization, waste reduction, and the sustainable generation of valuable products through SSF-based enzyme production.

Biotechnological insights into extracellular enzyme production by thermotolerant fungi from hot springs and caves: Morphology, pellets formation, and protease production.

This study investigates the thermotolerant fungal biodiversity in caves and hot springs, focusing on their potential for extracellular enzyme production, specifically proteases. Samples were collected from the Cardonal region in Hidalgo, Mexico, using three different isolation methods. The study characterizes the morphological diversity of the isolated fungi and identifies various genera, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Cladosporium, and Fusarium, based on morphology. The isolated fungi were screened for their ability to produce extracellular enzymes on solid media, with a particular emphasis on proteases due to their industrial significance. Among the 35 isolated fungi, 20 exhibited proteolytic activity, and 12 strains were identified as good protease producers based on enzymatic index values. The study also evaluated the formation of fungal pellets by proteolytic fungi and found certain strains to display significant pellet formation. Additionally, protease production was examined by fungal pellets in submerged cultures, with isolate 6 demonstrating the highest protease activity. The findings highlight the diverse thermotolerant fungal biodiversity in extreme environments, and emphasize their potential for enzymatic production. This research contributes to our understanding of fungal ecology and provides insights into the biotechnological applications of these enzymes. The study recommends further molecular investigations to enhance biodiversity studies in such extreme environments.

Caracterización del bienestar en hogares mexicanos de niñas y niños con diarrea, Ensanut Continua 2022.

OBJETIVO: Analizar el nivel de bienestar en los hogares mexicanos de niñas y niños menores de cinco años que presentaron enfermedad diarreica aguda (EDA) en las últimas dos semanas en México, según la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición Continua 2022 (Ensanut Continua 2022). Material y métodos. La encuesta se realizó entre julio y diciembre de 2022. Variable dependiente: ocurrencia de EDA. Variable independiente: nivel de bienestar de los hogares. Se realizó análisis bivariado y regresiones logísticas crudas y ajustadas. RESULTADOS: Se estima que 9.4% de los menores de cinco años presentaron EDA, de quienes 76.4% (IC95%: 69.0,82.5) pertenecía a hogares con nivel de bienestar bajo-medio. La EDA fue más frecuente en los niños y niñas de un año de edad (razón de momios ajustada [RMa] 3.00; IC95%: 1.76,5.11), en comparación con quienes tenían menor edad y en los hogares donde el agua para beber no es tratada (RMa 2.13; IC95%: 1.11,4.08). CONCLUSIONES: Se requiere fortalecer las medidas sanitarias preventivas de EDA en niñas y niños de un año de edad, principalmente implementar acciones para asegurar la disponibilidad de agua potable o el tratamiento adecuado para beberla, y planear, ejecutar y evaluar acciones de política pública integrales y multisectoriales para coadyuvar en garantizar el derecho humano a la salud durante la niñez.

Cobertura de vacunación en niños, niñas y adolescentes en México.

OBJETIVO: Describir las coberturas de vacunación en 2022 en niñas, niños y en adolescentes, así como comparar las prevalencias observadas con los datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2021 (Ensanut 2021). Material y métodos. Análisis de datos obtenidos de la Ensanut 2022. RESULTADOS: En los niños menores de cinco años, las coberturas de vacuna con Bacilo de Calmette y Guérin (BCG), hepatitis B, pentavalente o hexavalente, neumocócica, antirotavirus y triple viral (SRP) fueron de 78.5% (IC95%: 70.8,84.6), 65.1% (IC95%: 58.4,71.2), 69.0% (IC95%: 61.8,75.4), 88.0% (IC95%: 83.0,91.7), 81.6% (IC95%: 75.7,86.2) y 61.8% (IC95%: 55.6,67.6), respectivamente. Al primer y segundo año de vida, 42.6% (IC95%: 34.3,51.4) y 26.6% (IC95%: 22.1,31.5) habían recibido el esquema correspondiente. Se redujo la cobertura estimada para primera dosis de SRP 72.6% (IC95%: 67.5,77.1) vs. 61.8% (IC95%: 55.6,67.5). En adolescentes, el antecedente de vacunación contra VPH, hepatitis B, tétanos y doble viral (SR) lo refirieron en 43.7% (IC95%: 39.9,47.6), 31.8% (IC95%: 29.8,34.0), 38.5% (IC95%: 35.9,41.2) y 32.6% (IC95%: 30.15,35.1). Conclusión. No se alcanza la meta de cobertura de 90% para ningún inmunógeno investigado. La cobertura para primera dosis de SRP se ha reducido.

Porcentaje de infección respiratoria aguda en menores de cinco años en México. Ensanut Continua 2022.

OBJETIVO: Estimar el porcentaje de infección respiratoria aguda (IRA) en menores de cinco años en las últimas dos semanas en México, de acuerdo con los datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición Continua 2022 (Ensanut Continua 2022). Material y métodos. Se analizaron datos de la Ensanut Continua 2022. RESULTADOS: El porcentaje de IRA fue de 27.6% (IC95%: 25.2,30.1). La prevalencia fue mayor en el primer tercil socioeconómico (44.1% [IC95%: 38.0,50.4]). El signo de alarma IRA más identificado fue "verse más enfermo" 33.0% (IC95%: 30.1,36.0) y el menos identificado fue "salir pus del oído" (1.5% [IC95%: 0.9,2.7]). CONCLUSIONES: Las IRA afectan cerca de una tercera parte de los niños y las niñas menores de cinco años en México, particularmente de los hogares con menores capacidades económicas. Es necesario fortalecer las estrategias de prevención, entre ellas la vacunación, el control y la promoción de la salud.

Porcentaje de enfermedad diarreica aguda en menores de cinco años en México. Ensanut Continua 2022.

OBJETIVO: Estimar el porcentaje de enfermedad diarreica aguda (EDA) en menores de cinco años en las últimas dos semanas, de acuerdo con los datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición Continua 2022. Material y métodos. Se analizaron los datos de menores de cinco años incluidos en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición Continua 2022 respecto a la EDA en las últimas dos semanas. Se compararon los datos con los de ediciones previas de la encuesta. RESULTADOS: El porcentaje de EDA en México fue de 9.4% (IC95%: 7.9,11.2), similar al de 2000, con diferencias por grupo etario. Durante el episodio de EDA, 38.7% (IC95%: 27.7,51.0) de las personas cuidadoras ofrecen menor cantidad de alimentos a la habitual. CONCLUSIONES: El elevado porcentaje de EDA en menores de cinco años en México en el 2022 evidencia la necesidad de fortalecer estrategias de prevención y promoción de la salud.

Vacunación en adultos y adultos mayores en México.

OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia del antecedente de vacunación en adultos de 20 a 59 años y mayores de 60 años mediante autorreporte. Material y métodos. Análisis de datos obtenidos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2022 (Ensanut 2022). RESULTADOS: El 27.4% de los adultos de 20-39 años refirió haber recibido vacuna doble viral (sarampión y rubeola [SR]) y 57.3% de adultos de 20-59 años cualquier vacuna con toxoide tetánico (Td) en los últimos diez años. En mujeres de 29 a 49 años, 18.7% (IC95%: 17.0,20.5) y 58.46% (IC95%: 56.2,60.7) habían sido vacunadas con vacuna SR y Td, respectivamente. En mayores de 60 años, 48.8% (IC95%: 45.9,51.7), 24.4% (IC95%: 22.2,26.8) y 49.1% (IC95%: 46.1,52.2) informaron haber recibido cualquier vacuna conteniendo Td, vacuna antineumococo y vacuna antiinfluenza estacional desde septiembre del año anterior a la encuesta, respectivamente. Conclusión. Los resultados de este estudio muestran que una proporción considerable de adultos, mujeres en edad fértil y adultos mayores no estaban protegidos contra enfermedades prevenibles por vacunación en 2022.

Mexican Biobank advances population and medical genomics of diverse ancestries.

Latin America continues to be severely underrepresented in genomics research, and fine-scale genetic histories and complex trait architectures remain hidden owing to insufficient data1. To fill this gap, the Mexican Biobank project genotyped 6,057 individuals from 898 rural and urban localities across all 32 states in Mexico at a resolution of 1.8 million genome-wide markers with linked complex trait and disease information creating a valuable nationwide genotype-phenotype database. Here, using ancestry deconvolution and inference of identity-by-descent segments, we inferred ancestral population sizes across Mesoamerican regions over time, unravelling Indigenous, colonial and postcolonial demographic dynamics2-6. We observed variation in runs of homozygosity among genomic regions with different ancestries reflecting distinct demographic histories and, in turn, different distributions of rare deleterious variants. We conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for 22 complex traits and found that several traits are better predicted using the Mexican Biobank GWAS compared to the UK Biobank GWAS7,8. We identified genetic and environmental factors associating with trait variation, such as the length of the genome in runs of homozygosity as a predictor for body mass index, triglycerides, glucose and height. This study provides insights into the genetic histories of individuals in Mexico and dissects their complex trait architectures, both crucial for making precision and preventive medicine initiatives accessible worldwide.

Current views on meningeal lymphatics and immunity in aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an aging-related form of dementia associated with the accumulation of pathological aggregates of amyloid beta and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. These phenomena are accompanied by exacerbated inflammation and marked neuronal loss, which altogether contribute to accelerated cognitive decline. The multifactorial nature of AD, allied to our still limited knowledge of its etiology and pathophysiology, have lessened our capacity to develop effective treatments for AD patients. Over the last few decades, genome wide association studies and biomarker development, alongside mechanistic experiments involving animal models, have identified different immune components that play key roles in the modulation of brain pathology in AD, affecting its progression and severity. As we will relay in this review, much of the recent efforts have been directed to better understanding the role of brain innate immunity, and particularly of microglia. However, and despite the lack of diversity within brain resident immune cells, the brain border tissues, especially the meninges, harbour a considerable number of different types and subtypes of adaptive and innate immune cells. Alongside microglia, which have taken the centre stage as important players in AD research, there is new and exciting evidence pointing to adaptive immune cells, namely T and B cells found in the brain and its meninges, as important modulators of neuroinflammation and neuronal (dys)function in AD. Importantly, a genuine and functional lymphatic vascular network is present around the brain in the outermost meningeal layer, the dura. The meningeal lymphatics are directly connected to the peripheral lymphatic system in different mammalian species, including humans, and play a crucial role in preserving a "healthy" immune surveillance of the CNS, by shaping immune responses, not only locally at the meninges, but also at the level of the brain tissue. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive view on our current knowledge about the meningeal lymphatic vasculature, emphasizing its described roles in modulating CNS fluid and macromolecule drainage, meningeal and brain immunity, as well as glial and neuronal function in aging and in AD.

Safety and Tolerability of Six Months of Isoniazid Plus Pyridoxine or Three Months of Rifampicin for Tuberculosis among Subjects with Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Trial.

Tuberculosis (TB) associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing problem, particularly in low- and medium-resource countries. We conducted an open-label, parallel-group, randomized, and controlled trial in a tertiary care center in Mexico City to assess TB preventive treatment (TPT) with isoniazid (INH) or rifampicin (RIF) in people with type 2 DM. Participants were assigned six months of INH 300 mg/day plus pyridoxine 75 mg or three months of RIF 600 mg/day. The primary outcomes were adverse events resulting in permanent treatment cessation and considered possibly or probably related to study drugs. We included 130 subjects, 68 randomized to INH and 62 to RIF. We prematurely halted the study based on recommendations of the Adverse Event Safety Panel. There was no difference between arms in the overall frequency of adverse events. However, the INH group had significantly more permanent treatment interruptions due to grade 2 recurrent or grade 3 or 4 hepatoxicity. In comparison, the RIF arm had more treatment interruptions due to grade 3 or 4 gastrointestinal intolerance. TPT using INH or RIF is not safe enough to be considered a universal indication to patients with type 2 DM and TB infection. These results underline the need to search for alternative TB preventions with better safety profiles for type 2 DM patients.

Metabolic Changes and Antioxidant Response in Ustilago maydis Grown in Acetate.

Ustilago maydis is an important model to study intermediary and mitochondrial metabolism, among other processes. U. maydis can grow, at very different rates, on glucose, lactate, glycerol, and ethanol as carbon sources. Under nitrogen starvation and glucose as the only carbon source, this fungus synthesizes and accumulates neutral lipids in the form of lipid droplets (LD). In this work, we studied the accumulation of triacylglycerols in cells cultured in a medium containing acetate, a direct precursor of the acetyl-CoA required for the synthesis of fatty acids. The metabolic adaptation of cells to acetate was studied by measuring the activities of key enzymes involved in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and the pentose phosphate pathways. Since growth on acetate induces oxidative stress, the activities of some antioxidant enzymes were also assayed. The results show that cells grown in acetate plus nitrate did not increase the amount of LD, but increased the activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, suggesting a higher production of reactive oxygen species in cells growing in acetate. The phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK1) was the enzyme with the lowest specific activity in the glycolytic pathway, suggesting that PFK1 controls the flux of glycolysis. As expected, the activity of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, a gluconeogenic enzyme, was present only in the acetate condition. In summary, in the presence of acetate as the only carbon source, U. maydis synthesized fatty acids, which were directed into the production of phospholipids and neutral lipids for biomass generation, but without any excessive accumulation of LD.

Platelets from blood diversion pouches (DPs) are a suitable alternative for functional, bioenergetic, and metabolomic analyses.

BACKGROUND: The collection of the first blood flow into a diversion pouch (DP) has become widely adopted in blood donation systems to reduce whole-blood unit contamination from skin bacteria. The strict control of pre-analytical variables, such as blood collection and proper anticoagulant selection, is critical to diminish experimental variability when studying different aspects of platelet biology. We hypothesize that the functional, mitochondrial, and metabolomic profiles of platelets isolated from the DP are not different from the ones isolated from standard venipuncture (VP), thus representing a suitable collection method of platelets for experimental purposes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole blood from the blood DP or VP was collected. Platelets were subsequently isolated and washed following standard protocols. Platelet function was assessed by flow cytometry, light transmission aggregometry, clot retraction, and under flow conditions using the total thrombus formation analyzer (T-TAS). Mitochondrial function and the platelet metabolome profiles were determined by the Seahorse extracellular flux analyzer (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics, respectively. RESULTS: Platelets isolated from VP and the DP have similar functional, mitochondrial, and metabolic profiles with no significant differences between both groups at baseline and upon activation by any of the assays mentioned above. DISCUSSION: The findings of our study support the use of platelets from the DP for performing functional and metabolic studies on platelets from a wide range of blood donors. The DP may serve as an alternative blood collection method to standard VP, allowing the study of diverse aspects of platelet biology, such as age, sex, race, and ethnicity, in many eligible individuals for blood donation.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineage 4 associated with cavitations and treatment failure.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotyping has been crucial to determining the distribution and impact of different families on disease clinical presentation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the associations among sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and M. tuberculosis lineages from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico. METHODS: We analyzed data from 755 patients whose isolates were typified by 24-loci mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR). The associations among patient characteristics and sublineages found were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among M. tuberculosis isolates, 730/755 (96.6%) were assigned to eight sublineages of lineage 4 (Euro-American). Alcohol consumption (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.528, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.041-2.243; p = 0.030), diabetes mellitus type 2 (aOR 1.625, 95% CI 1.130-2.337; p = 0.009), sputum smear positivity grade (3+) (aOR 2.198, 95% CI 1.524-3.168; p < 0.001) and LAM sublineage isolates (aOR 1.023, 95% CI 1.023-2.333; p = 0.039) were associated with the presence of cavitations. Resistance to at least one drug (aOR 25.763, 95% CI 7.096-93.543; p < 0.001) and having isolates other than Haarlem and LAM sublineages (aOR 6.740, 95% CI 1.704-26.661; p = 0.007) were associated with treatment failure. In a second model, multidrug resistance was associated with treatment failure (aOR 31.497, 95% CI 5.119-193.815; p < 0.001). Having more than 6 years of formal education was not associated with treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS: Knowing M. tuberculosis genetic diversity plays an essential role in disease development and outcomes, and could have important implications for guiding treatment and improving tuberculosis control.

Unravelling young COPD and pre-COPD in the general population.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is commonly diagnosed when the airflow limitation is well established and symptomatic. We aimed to identify individuals at risk of developing COPD according to the concept of pre-COPD and compare their clinical characteristics with 1) those who have developed the disease at a young age, and 2) the overall population with and without COPD. Methods: The EPISCAN II study is a cross-sectional, population-based study that aims to investigate the prevalence of COPD in Spain in subjects ≥40 years of age. Pre-COPD was defined as the presence of emphysema >5% and/or bronchial thickening by computed chromatography (CT) scan and/or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D LCO) <80% of predicted in subjects with respiratory symptoms and post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) >0.70. Young COPD was defined as FEV1/FVC <0.70 in a subject ≤50 years of age. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared among pre-COPD, young COPD and the overall population with and without COPD. Results: Among the 1077 individuals with FEV1/FVC <0.70, 65 (6.0%) were ≤50 years of age. Among the 8015 individuals with FEV1/FVC >0.70, 350 underwent both D LCO testing and chest CT scanning. Of those, 78 (22.3%) subjects fulfilled the definition of pre-COPD. Subjects with pre-COPD were older, predominantly women, less frequently active or ex-smokers, with less frequent previous diagnosis of asthma but with higher symptomatic burden than those with young COPD. Conclusions: 22.3% of the studied population was at risk of developing COPD, with similar symptomatic and structural changes to those with well-established disease without airflow obstruction. This COPD at-risk population is different from those that develop COPD at a young age.

An Insight into Platelets at Older Age: Cellular and Clinical Perspectives.

Higher access to medical care, advanced diagnostic tools, and overall public health improvements have favored increased humans lifespan. With a growing proportion of older adults, the associated costs to care for ageing-associated conditions will continue to grow. This chapter highlights recent cellular and clinical evidence of platelets at an older age, from the hyperreactive phenotype associated with thrombosis to the well-known hallmarks of ageing identifiable in platelets and their potential functional implications on platelets at an older age. Therefore, it is imperative to understand platelets' molecular and cellular mechanisms during ageing in health and disease. New knowledge will favor the development of new ways to prevent some of the age-associated complications where platelets are key players.

Physicians’ attitudes and perceived barriers to adherence to the national breast cancer clinical practice guidelines in Mexico: a survey study

Background Adherence to clinical practice guidelines improves outcomes for patients with breast cancer. However, their implementation may not be feasible in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate physicians’ adherence, attitudes, and barriers towards the Colima Consensus, which is the Mexican national breast cancer clinical practice guideline. Methods A cross-sectional, 31-item survey was e-mailed to Consensus attendees and members of the Mexican Society of Oncology and Mexican Mastology Association. Descriptive statistics, univariate, and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the associations between participants’ characteristics, adherence, attitudes, and barriers. Result Of 439 respondents, 78% percent adhered to Consensus recommendations and 94% believed it was applicable to their clinical practice. Forty percent reported using the Consensus as their sole breast cancer guideline. This was associated with being a surgical oncologist (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.0–5.3) and practicing at a public hospital (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.7). The most common barriers to adherence were lack of resources and logistical problems. Regarding attitudes towards the Consensus, 90% considered it a good educational tool, 89% considered it a reliable source of information, and 90% thought it improved quality of care. Conclusions We showed high levels of adherence and positive attitudes towards the Colima Consensus, with a significant proportion of physicians using it as their only guideline. Lack of resources and logistical issues were the main barriers to adherence. Our results highlight the relevance of local breast cancer guidelines and suggest a need for the creation of resource-stratified guidelines (AU)

Physicians' attitudes and perceived barriers to adherence to the national breast cancer clinical practice guidelines in Mexico: a survey study.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to clinical practice guidelines improves outcomes for patients with breast cancer. However, their implementation may not be feasible in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate physicians' adherence, attitudes, and barriers towards the Colima Consensus, which is the Mexican national breast cancer clinical practice guideline. METHODS: A cross-sectional, 31-item survey was e-mailed to Consensus attendees and members of the Mexican Society of Oncology and Mexican Mastology Association. Descriptive statistics, univariate, and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the associations between participants' characteristics, adherence, attitudes, and barriers. RESULTS: Of 439 respondents, 78% percent adhered to Consensus recommendations and 94% believed it was applicable to their clinical practice. Forty percent reported using the Consensus as their sole breast cancer guideline. This was associated with being a surgical oncologist (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.0-5.3) and practicing at a public hospital (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.7). The most common barriers to adherence were lack of resources and logistical problems. Regarding attitudes towards the Consensus, 90% considered it a good educational tool, 89% considered it a reliable source of information, and 90% thought it improved quality of care. CONCLUSIONS: We showed high levels of adherence and positive attitudes towards the Colima Consensus, with a significant proportion of physicians using it as their only guideline. Lack of resources and logistical issues were the main barriers to adherence. Our results highlight the relevance of local breast cancer guidelines and suggest a need for the creation of resource-stratified guidelines.

Trends of COPD in Spain: Changes Between Cross Sectional Surveys 1997, 2007 and 2017.

INTRODUCTION: We aim to describe the changes in prevalence and risk factors associated to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Spain, comparing three population-based studies conducted in three timepoints. METHODS: We compared participants from IBERPOC conducted in 1997, EPISCAN conducted in 2007 and EPISCAN II in 2017. COPD was defined as a postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC (forced expiratory volume in 1s/forced vital capacity) ratio <0.70, according to GOLD criteria; subsequently, also as the FEV1/FVC below the lower limit of normal (LLN). RESULTS: COPD prevalence in the population between 40 and 69 years decreased from 21.6% (95% CI 20.7%-23.2%) in 1997 to 8.8% (95% CI 8.2%-9.5%) in 2017, a 59.2% decline (p<0.001). In 2007, the prevalence was 7.7% (95% CI 6.8%-8.7%) with an upward trend of 1.1 percentage points in 2017 (p=0.073). Overall COPD prevalence decreased in men and women, although a significant increase was observed in the last decade in females (p<0.05). Current smokers significantly increased in the last decades (25.4% in 1997, 29.1% in 2007 and 23.4% in 2017; p<0.001). Regrettably, COPD underdiagnosis was constantly high, 77.6% in 1997, 78.4% in 2007, and to 78.2% in 2017 (p=0.95), higher in younger ages (40-49 yrs and 50-59 yrs) and also higher in women than in men in all three studies (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We report a significant reduction of 59.2% in the prevalence of COPD in Spain from 1997 to 2017 in subjects aged 40-69 years. Our study highlights the significant underdiagnosis of COPD, particularly sustained in women and younger populations.

The Mitochondrial Alternative Oxidase in Ustilago maydis Is Not Involved in Response to Oxidative Stress Induced by Paraquat.

It has been shown that the alternative oxidase in mitochondria of fungi and plants has important functions in the response against stress conditions, although their role in some organisms is still unknown. This is the case of Ustilago maydis. There is no evidence of the participation of the U. maydis Aox1 in stressful conditions such as desiccation, high or low temperature, and low pH, among others. Therefore, in this work, we studied the role of the U. maydis Aox1 in cells exposed to oxidative stress induced by methyl viologen (paraquat). To gain insights into the role of this enzyme, we took advantage of four strains: the FB2 wild-type, a strain without the alternative oxidase (FB2aox1Δ), other with the Aox1 fused to the Gfp under the control of the original promoter (FB2aox1-Gfp), and one expressing constitutively de Aox1-Gfp (FB2Potef:aox1-Gfp). Cells were incubated for various times in the presence of 1 mM paraquat and growth, replicative capacities, mitochondrial respiratory activity, Aox1 capacity, and the activities of several antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase) were assayed. The results show that (1) the response of U. maydis against oxidative stress was the same in the presence or absence of the Aox1; (2) the activities of the antioxidant enzymes remained constant despite the oxidative stress; and (3) there was a decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio in U. maydis cells incubated with paraquat.

Respiratory symptoms and their determinants in the general Spanish population: changes over 20 years.

Background: Few large epidemiological studies have analysed the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and their determinants in the general adult population. We investigated the prevalence and determinants of respiratory symptoms and compared their prevalence with that of two previous studies conducted in 1999 and 2009. Method: EPISCAN II was a multicentre, cross-sectional, population-based epidemiological study in individuals older than 40 years. Results: A total of 9092 individuals were included. Up to 47.5% reported at least one respiratory symptom, being more frequent in women than in men (49.4% versus 45.5%, p=0.0002) and with wheezing being the most frequent (33.7%) followed by dyspnoea (26.8%). The presence of any symptom was associated with female sex, higher body mass index (BMI), lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 % pred), reduced physical activity, a higher Charlson index and the presence of anxiety and depression. Smoking was also significantly associated with having at least one respiratory symptom in a dose-response fashion (OR: 1.415, 1.916, 2.192 and 2.987 for 0-10, 10-20, 20-30 and >30 pack-years, respectively, all p<0.0001). The prevalence of symptoms remained quite similar over the last 20 years (wheezing 40%, 36% and 33.7% and dyspnoea 10.4%, 9.9% and 13.1% in 1999, 2009 and 2019, respectively). Conclusions: Approximately half of the adult Spanish population have respiratory symptoms and this prevalence has remained quite stable over the last 20 years. Smoking remains the main factor associated with respiratory symptoms, but female sex, comorbidities, high BMI and low FEV1 and low physical activity are also significantly associated with respiratory symptoms.