Predictive modeling of the primary settling tanks based on artificial neural networks for estimating TSS and COD as typical effluent parameters.

A predictive model based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) for modeling primary settling tanks' (PSTs) behavior in wastewater treatment plants was developed in this study. Two separate ANNs were built using input data, raw wastewater characteristics, and operating conditions. The output data from the ANNs consisted of the total suspended solids (TSS) concentration and chemical oxygen demand (COD) as predictions of PSTs' typical effluent parameters. Data from a large-scale wastewater treatment plant was used to illustrate the applicability of the predictive model proposal. The ANNs model showed a high prediction accuracy during the training phase. Comparisons with available empirical and statistical models suggested that the ANNs model provides accurate estimations. Also, the ANNs were tested using new experimental data to verify their reproducibility under actual operating conditions. The predicted values were calculated with satisfactory results, having an average absolute deviation of <20%. The model could be adapted to any large-scale wastewater plant to monitor and control the operation of primary settling tanks, taking advantage of the ANNs' learning capacity.

Evolutionary Analysis of Pectin Lyases of the Genus Colletotrichum.

Pectin lyases (PNLs) are important enzymes that are involved in plant cell wall degradation during the infection process. Colletotrichum is a diverse genus of fungi, which allows the study of the evolution of PNLs and their possible role in pathogen-host interactions and lifestyle adaptations. The phylogenetic reconstruction of PNLs from Colletotrichum and analysis of selection pressures showed the formation of protein lineages by groups of species with different selection pressures and specific patterns. The analysis of positive selection at individual sites using different methods allowed for the identification of three codons with evidence of positive selection in the oligosaccharide-binding region and two codons on the antiparallel sheet, which may influence the interaction with the substrate. Seven codons on the surface of the protein, mainly in the peripheral helices of the PNLs, could have an important function in evasion of plant defenses, as has been proposed in other enzymes. According to our results, it is possible that events of genetic duplication occurred in ancestral lines, followed by episodes of genetic diversification and gene loss, probably influenced by differences in the composition of the host cell wall. Additionally, different patterns of evolution in Colletotrichum appear to be molded by a strong purifying selection and positive selection episodes that forged the observed evolutionary patterns, possibly influenced by host interaction or substrate specificity. This work represents a starting point for the study of sites that may be important for evasion of plant defenses and biotechnological purposes.

Changes in Growth and Heavy Metal and Phenolic Compound Accumulation in Buddleja cordata Cell Suspension Culture under Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn Enrichment.

Buddleja cordata cell suspension cultures could be used as a tool for investigating the capabilities of this species to tolerate heavy metals (HMs) and for assessing the effects of HMs on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in this species. It grows in a wide range of habitats in Mexico, including ultramafic soils, and mobilizes some HMs in the soil. The mobilization of these HMs has been associated with phenolic substances. In addition, this species is used in Mexican traditional medicine. In the present study, a B. cordata cell suspension culture was grown for 18 days in a culture medium enriched with Cu (0.03-0.25 mM), Fe (0.25-1.5 mM), Mn (0.5-3.0 mM), or Zn (0.5-2.0 mM) to determine the effects of these HMs on growth and HM accumulation. We also assessed the effects of the HMs on phenolic compound accumulation after 1 and 18 days of HM exposure. Cells were able to grow at almost all tested HM concentrations and accumulated significant amounts of each HM. The highest accumulation levels were as follows: 1160 mg Cu kg-1, 6845 mg Fe kg-1, 3770 mg Mn kg-1, and 6581 mg Zn kg-1. Phenolic compound accumulation was affected by the HM exposure time and corresponded to each HM and its concentration. Future research should analyze whole plants to determine the capabilities of Buddleja cordata to accumulate abnormally high amounts of HM and to evaluate the physiological impact of changes in the accumulation of phenolic compounds.

Comparative study of weekly and three-weekly neoadjuvant carboplatin in triple-negative breast cancer: retrospective analysis in real-world settings.

PURPOSE: Tri-weekly carboplatin is an established neoadjuvant treatment for triple-negative breast cancer, enhancing pathological complete response (pCR) and overall survival. This study explores if weekly carboplatin provides lower toxicity and comparable pCR rates. METHODS/PATIENTS: A retrospective multicenter study (January 2021 to March 2023) compares outcomes of weekly and tri-weekly carboplatin. RESULTS: Among 104 participants, 60% received weekly and 40% tri-weekly treatments. Weekly administration had fewer discontinuations (56.5 vs. 70.7%, p = 0.154). Both schedules exhibited similar overall toxicity (p = 0.087), with slightly higher grade 3-4 toxicity in the tri-weekly group (56.1 vs. 48.4%, p = 0.126). Hematological toxicity was comparable, but the weekly group experienced more diarrhea (p = 0.432) and asthenia (p = 0.012). Weekly treatment correlated with more frequent breast-conserving surgeries (p = 0.004). pCR rates were 50% with weekly and 61% with tri-weekly regimens (p = 0.186). CONCLUSIONS: Weekly carboplatin exhibited comparable toxicity, a trend toward fewer interruptions, and similar pCR rates. Prospective studies are essential for validating these findings.

Results of a Community-Based Screening Program for Chlamydia trachomatis Genital Infection in Young People Aged 18-25 Years.

Introduction and aim Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) cases have increased in the last decade. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of CT genital infection in asymptomatic, sexually active young people and determine whether a community screening program would be effective in reducing the number of cases. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional studyof consecutive inclusion of asymptomatic people aged 18-25 years between September 2021 and May 2022. Community interventions in high schools, universities, and cultural events were planned to realize the screening. Sociodemographic variables of gender, age, country of origin, and educational level, as well as sexual habits, were recorded for each patient. CT was detected via urine samples. An estimate of the prevalence of CT genital infection and its 95% confidence interval (CI) was made based on the exact binomial distribution, assuming that the sample is representative of the study population. Results A total of 628 subjects participated in the study, of whom 33 had a CT infection, giving a prevalence of 5.2% (95% CI: 3.6%, 7.3%). 93.9% of subjects with CT infection were female (p≤0.019) and 85% of the participants were Spanish nationals. Among vocational training students, the prevalence was 8.1%. Having had four or more sexual partners in the last month and in the previous year was significantly associated with CT infection (p<0.001). Conclusion Screening for CT genital infection in young sexually active women should be implemented in our country, as recommended by the various guidelines.

Right pulmonary artery to left atrial fistula: a description of two cases, emphasising a diagnostic approach.

Right pulmonary artery to left atrial fistula is a rare pathology characterised by a right to left shunt. Another important aspect of this pathology is the difficulty encountered in making a diagnosis, which is why the diagnosis is frequently delayed into adulthood. A description of two cases is used to emphasise the importance of the different modes of echocardiography as a diagnostic tool in diagnosis, as well as the two different clinical forms that it adopts: a group of patients suffering cardiac failure and cyanosis without apparent cause generally in neonates and a second group of mostly older patients with dyspnoea and cyanosis without apparent cause. Symptoms thus differ depending on the time of presentation and are related to the size of the fistula.

Does short-term, airborne lead exposure during pregnancy affect birth outcomes? Quasi-experimental evidence from NASCAR's deleading policy.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence of a weak placental-fetal barrier to lead, suggesting that maternal lead exposure could affect the fetus. The health consequences for newborns from in utero lead exposure are not well understood. OBJECTIVES: We estimated the effects by trimester, of short-term (<1 week), airborne lead exposure during pregnancy on birth outcomes. METHODS: We use quasi-experimental variation in airborne lead exposure during pregnancy, based on NASCAR's deleading of racing fuel in 2007, in a difference-in-differences model, to estimate the effect of deleading on the birth outcomes of all live births (n = 147,673) in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia Metropolitan Statistical Area between 2004 and 2009. RESULTS: After deleading, children born to mothers residing <4000 m of Charlotte Motor Speedway (relative to those residing >10,000 m) experienced an average increase in birthweight (BW) of 102.50 g [P < 0.001]. The probability of low birthweight (LBW) declined by 0.045 [P = 0.001], preterm (PRE) births by 0.03 [P = 0.04], and small for gestational age (SGA) by 0.04 [P = 0.002]. We find that benefits accrue primarily in preterm LBW and SGA babies, and from decreased lead exposure in the first trimester. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term exposure to airborne lead during pregnancy adversely affects birth outcomes. Reducing even very brief exposure to airborne lead during pregnancy may improve birth outcomes.

Cloning and characterization of a pectin lyase gene from Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and comparative phylogenetic/structural analyses with genes from phytopathogenic and saprophytic/opportunistic microorganisms.

BACKGROUND: Microorganisms produce cell-wall-degrading enzymes as part of their strategies for plant invasion/nutrition. Among these, pectin lyases (PNLs) catalyze the depolymerization of esterified pectin by a ß-elimination mechanism. PNLs are grouped together with pectate lyases (PL) in Family 1 of the polysaccharide lyases, as they share a conserved structure in a parallel ß-helix. The best-characterized fungal pectin lyases are obtained from saprophytic/opportunistic fungi in the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium and from some pathogens such as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.The organism used in the present study, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, is a phytopathogenic fungus that can be subdivided into different physiological races with different capacities to infect its host, Phaseolus vulgaris. These include the non-pathogenic and pathogenic strains known as races 0 and 1472, respectively. RESULTS: Here we report the isolation and sequence analysis of the Clpnl2 gene, which encodes the pectin lyase 2 of C. lindemuthianum, and its expression in pathogenic and non-pathogenic races of C. lindemuthianum grown on different carbon sources. In addition, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of Clpnl2 based on reported sequences of PNLs from other sources and compared the three-dimensional structure of Clpnl2, as predicted by homology modeling, with those of other organisms. Both analyses revealed an early separation of bacterial pectin lyases from those found in fungi and oomycetes. Furthermore, two groups could be distinguished among the enzymes from fungi and oomycetes: one comprising enzymes from mostly saprophytic/opportunistic fungi and the other formed mainly by enzymes from pathogenic fungi and oomycetes. Clpnl2 was found in the latter group and was grouped together with the pectin lyase from C. gloeosporioides. CONCLUSIONS: The Clpnl2 gene of C. lindemuthianum shares the characteristic elements of genes coding for pectin lyases. A time-course analysis revealed significant differences between the two fungal races in terms of the expression of Clpnl2 encoding for pectin lyase 2. According to the results, pectin lyases from bacteria and fungi separated early during evolution. Likewise, the enzymes from fungi and oomycetes diverged in accordance with their differing lifestyles. It is possible that the diversity and nature of the assimilatory carbon substrates processed by these organisms played a determinant role in this phenomenon.

Biotechnological potential of pectinolytic complexes of fungi.

Plant cell wall-degrading enzymes, such as cellulases, hemicellulases and pectinases, have been extensively studied because of their well documented biotechnological potential, mainly in the food industry. In particular, lytic enzymes from filamentous fungi have been the subject of a vast number of studies due both to their advantages as models for enzyme production and their characteristics. The demand for such enzymes is rapidly increasing, as are the efforts to improve their production and to implement their use in several industrial processes, with the goal of making them more efficient and environment-friendly. The present review focuses mainly on pectinolytic enzymes of filamentous fungi, which are responsible for degradation of pectin, one of the major components of the plant cell wall. Also discussed are the past and current strategies for the production of cell wall-degrading enzymes and their present applications in a number of biotechnological areas.

An Acute Hyperoxia Test Predicts Survival in Children with Pulmonary Hypertension Living at High Altitude.

Diaz, Gabriel F., Alicia Marquez, Ariel Ruiz-Parra, Maurice Beghetti, and Dunbar Ivy. An acute hyperoxia test predicts survival in children with pulmonary hypertension living at high altitude. High Alt Med Biol. 22:395-405, 2021. Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) causes significant morbidity and mortality in children at altitude. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two children living at 2,640 m were included. During hyperoxia test (O2Test), patients received high oxygen concentrations (FiO2 >80, through Mask, using Venturi or nonrebreathing mask); echocardiography was used to evaluate pulmonary vasculature reactivity. A decrease >20% from the basal pulmonary artery systolic pressure was considered a positive response. Results: Most of the patients had severe PH. The median age at diagnosis was 4.5 years; 34 were female (65.4%). Idiopathic PH was present in 44 patients (84.6%). Six developed severe PH after ductus closure. They were classified in responders (n = 25), and nonresponders (n = 26). Responders were younger (3 years vs. 7 years, p = 0.02), and 22 (88%), had better functional class (FC) 1-2, than nonresponders: 18 (69.23%) of them had worse FC: 3-4 (p = 0.000). In responders, 10/12 who went to live at low altitude became asymptomatic, compared with 7/13 who remained at high altitude. FC 1-2 was achieved by 70% of the patients with idiopathic PH who went to a low altitude, compared with 30% who continued at high altitude (p = 0.03). In nonresponders, 10/26 patients moved to a low altitude: four improved, one worsened, and five died; of the 16/26 patients living at high altitude, four are stable, eight worsened, and four died. Four patients (30.76%) in responder group and nine (69.24%) in the nonresponder group died (p = 0.03). There were differences between both groups in systolic (88 mm Hg vs. 110 mm Hg; p = 0.037), diastolic (37 mm Hg vs. 56 mm Hg; p = 0.035), and mean pulmonary artery pressures (57 mm Hg vs. 88 mm Hg; p = 0.038). Conclusions: This specific hyperoxia test applied until 24 hours (not published before) helps to predict survival and prognosis of children with PH. Children with PH at a high altitude improve at low altitude.

Green Nanocomposites Based on Thermoplastic Starch: A Review.

The development of bio-based materials has been a consequence of the environmental awareness generated over time. The versatility of native starch is a promising starting point for manufacturing environmentally friendly materials. This work aims to compile information on the advancements in research on thermoplastic starch (TPS) nanocomposites after the addition of mainly these four nanofillers: natural montmorillonite (MMT), organically modified montmorillonite (O-MMT), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and cellulose nanofibers (CNF). The analyzed properties of nanocomposites were mechanical, barrier, optical, and degradability. The most important results were that as the nanofiller increases, the TPS modulus and strength increase; however, the elongation decreases. Furthermore, the barrier properties indicate that that the incorporation of nanofillers confers superior hydrophobicity. However, the optical properties (transparency and luminosity) are mostly reduced, and the color variation is more evident with the addition of these fillers. The biodegradability rate increases with these nanocompounds, as demonstrated by the study of the method of burial in the soil. The results of this compilation show that the compatibility, proper dispersion, and distribution of nanofiller through the TPS matrix are critical factors in overcoming the limitations of starch when extending the applications of these biomaterials. TPS nanocomposites are materials with great potential for improvement. Exploring new sources of starch and natural nano-reinforcement could lead to a genuinely eco-friendly material that can replace traditional polymers in applications such as packaging.

The Role of Virulence Factors in the Pathogenicity of Colletotrichum sp.

The Colletotrichum genus has been considered as one of the top 10 fungal pathogens in molecular plant pathology based on their scientific and agrobiological importance. Although the genus contains species with different lifestyles, most of the Colletotrichum sp. are known by their hemibiotrophic strategy of infection/invasion causing anthracnose disease in many economically important crops. Hemibiotrophy includes two sequential stages of infection, biotrophy and necrotrophy, in a series of steps that involve the participation of different virulence factors. In this review, we present the current status of the knowledge of such factors reported in this genus and a list of related genes identified in Colletotrichum sp. genomes.

Preparation of layered double hydroxide/chlorophyll a hybrid nano-antennae: a key step.

In the first step to obtain an efficient nano-antenna in a bottom-up approach, new hybrid materials were synthesized using a set of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with basic properties and pure chlorophyll a (Chl a). The stability of the adsorbed monolayer of Chl a was shown to be dependent on the nature and the ratio of the different metal ions present in the LDHs tested. The hybrid materials turned out to be adequate for stabilizing Chl a on Mg/Al LDHs for more than a month under ambient conditions while a limited catalytic decomposition was observed for the Ni/Al LDHs leading to the formation of pheophytin. These changes were followed by namely XRD, DR-UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies of the hybrid antennae and of the solutions obtained from their lixiviation with acetone or diethylether. On Mg/Al hydrotalcites the stability of the adsorbed Chl a was equivalent for values of the metal atom ratio ranging from 2 to 4. The latter hybrids should constitute a good basis to form efficient nanoscale light harvesting units following intercalation of selected dyes. This work describes an efficient preparation of Chl a that allows scale-up as well as the obtention of a stable Chl a monolayer on the surface of various LDHs.

Cardiopatías congénitas: clasificación y su análisis segmentario

Debido a que en el estudio y tratamiento de las cardiopatías congénitas intervienen diferentes especialistas (cirujanos, cardiólogos, embriólogos, anatomistas), es muy dificil hacer una clasificación de las cardiopatías. Sin embargo, últimamente esta logrando cada vez más aceptación la clasificación segmentaria que presentamos, la cual se basa en el análisis de los tres segmentos del corazón: Atrios, Ventrículos y Grandes Arterias. Se analizan los conceptos más importantes: Segmento Atrial, Ventricular y Arterial, Situs Visceral, Nivel o zona de union entre dos segmentos, conexión con sus Tipos y Modos y la relación, que se refiere a la situación espacial de los componentes de un segmento. Se presentan y explican los diversos Tipos y Modos de conexión posibles y los cinco pasos que deben seguirse en el análisis segmentario de las cardiopatías. Finalmente, con el fin de unificar la terminología, presentamos una clasificación con base embriopatológica que se puede adaptar a la clasificación segmentaria

Embriología cardiovascular

Se hace una revisión del desarrollo del corazón basada en embriología experimental a través de estudios realizados en embrión de pollo, y cuyas condiciones son en gran parte aplicables al hombre, según estudios previos. Se parte de la etapa de blástula en la cual se determinan las áreas cardíacas, se analiza el desarrollo del tubo cardíaco, sus diferentes torsiones, la forma como van apareciendo secuencialmente y la tabicación cardíaca hasta llegar a la etapa de corazón maduro a partir de la cual viene una etapa de maduración y crecimiento. Se señala la importancia de los procesos de diferenciación celular y muerte celular los cuales son básicos en el desarrollo del corazón y grandes arterias. Desafortunadamente por razones de espacio no se puede hacer un análisis detallado que queda para una publicación posterior, actualmente en preparación

Ductus arteriosus

Se revisa el ductus arteriosus con base en la experiencia de 15 años, incluyendo 5 años de manejo del ductus en el prematuro. Se analiza en forma separada el ductus en el recién nacido a término y el ductus en el prematuro desde la embriopatogénesis, siguiendo por las características morfológicas, clínica, exámenes paraclínicos (haciendo énfasis en la importancia del estudio ecocardiográfico) manejo médico y quirúrgico señalándose que en caso de cirugía solo excepcionalmente será necesario el cateterismo cardíaco, pues con un estudio clínico muy preciso, apoyados por el ECG, Rx de tórax y un completo estudio ecocardiográfico, el paciente puede ser llevado a cirugía

Síndrome de corazón izquierdo hipoplásico: producción experimetal, anatomía quirúrgica y clasificación

Este trabajo monográico se inicío hace 7 años con la producción experimental del Síndrome de Corazón Izquierdo Hipoplásico, realizada en el Laboratorio de Embriología Cardiovascular del Centro Especial Ramón y Cajal de Madrid España, siendo Jefe de Laboratorio la Dra. María Victoria de la Cruz. El estudio morfológico fue elaborado con material de los Museos de piezas anatómicas del Instituto Materno Infantil de la Misericordia de Bogotá (31 corazones) y del Hospital Ciudad Sanitaria Virgen del Rosario de Sevilla España (17 corazones). Por ser colecciones de piezas anatómicas, no fue posible conocer datos de los pacientes, pero se deduce por el tamaño de los corazones, que pertenecían a recien nacidos

Atresia pulmonar con septum íntegro

Se hace una amplia revisión sobre atresia pulmonar con septum íntegro que es una de las cardiopatías más complejas y de peor pronóstico, haciendo hincapié en que no es solamente una obstrucción total a nivel de la válvula pulmonar y/o del infundíbulo del ventrículo derecho sino que se trata de una severa patología que compromete además, el miocardio del ventrículo derecho, la válvula tricúspide y la circulación coronaria. Se hacen comentarios sobre su posible embriopatogénesis, se señalan las características morfológicas, electrocardiográficas, radiológicas, ecocardiográficas y angiográficas de los dos extremos de esta patología (con ventrículo derecho pequeño y ventrículo derecho grande) y se comentan las posibles conductas quirúrgicas, recalcándose el pobre pronóstico principalmente de la variedad ventrículo derecho pequeño para la cual debe considerarse incluso el trasplante cardiaco

Coartación aórtica en el período neonatal: importancia del diagnóstico ecocardiográfico para definir la conducta quirúrgica

En base a nuestra experiencia en la Unidad de Cardiología Neonatal del I.M.I con la coartación aórtica que se manifiesta en el neonato presentamos sus características haciendo hincapié en su severidad y analizamos los diferentes aspectos acocardiográficos señalando que este examen practicado por personal entrenado y con equipo adecuado hace innecesario el cateterismo cardíaco. Al final se analiza el enfoque quirúrgico, principalmente lo relacionado con la técnica quirúrgica más adecuada: Aortoplastia con subclavia Vs Anastomosis término-terminal

Uso de prostaglandina oral PGE2 en cardiopatías ductus dependientes (CDD)

Se presentan los resultados de un estudio prospectivo del uso de Prostaglandinas PGE2 vía oral en 30 pacientes con Cardiopatías Ductus Dependientes muy variables. Se encontró una dosis terapéutica entre 20 y 35 microgramos Kg/hr, debiendo iniciarse con 30-35 microgramos Kg/hr. A las pocas horas de iniciado el tratamiento (más o menos dos horas), se encontró marcada mejoría con estabilización de los pacientes. En los pacientes con obstrucción severa a la salida del Ventrículo Derecho se encontró un aumento de la PO2 de 10,5 Torr en promedio. Las prostaglandinas orales se pueden administrar por largos períodos de tiempo con pocos riesgos de complicación a las dosis señaladas y la tolerancia encontrada es muy buena. Todo lo anterior hace que las prostaglandinas PGE2 vía oral sean una útil posibilidad de tratamiento para los pacientes con Cardiopatías Ductus Dependientes