Anatomical study with clinical significance of communicating and visceral branching of the cervical and upper thoracic sympathetic trunk.

Current advances in the management of the autonomic nervous system in various cardiovascular diseases, and in treatments for pain or sympathetic disturbances in the head, neck, or upper limbs, necessitate a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the cervicothoracic sympathetic trunk. Our objective was to enhance our understanding of the origin and distribution of communicating branches and visceral cervicothoracic sympathetic nerves in human fetuses. This was achieved through a comprehensive topographic systematization of the branching patterns observed in the cervical and upper thoracic ganglia, along with the distribution of communicating branches to each cervical spinal nerve. We conducted detailed sub-macroscopic dissections of the cervical and thoracic regions in 20 human fetuses (40 sides). The superior and cervicothoracic ganglia were identified as the cervical sympathetic ganglia that provided the most communicating branches on both sides. The middle and accessory cervical ganglia contributed the fewest branches, with no significant differences between the right and left sides. The cervicothoracic ganglion supplied sympathetic branches to the greatest number of spinal nerves, spanning from C5 to T2 . The distribution of communicating branches to spinal nerves was non-uniform. Notably, C3 , C4 , and C5 received the fewest branches, and more than half of the specimens showed no sympathetic connections. C1 and C2 received sympathetic connections exclusively from the superior ganglion. Spinal nerves that received more branches often did so from multiple ganglia. The vertebral nerve provided deep communicating branches primarily to C6 , with lesser contributions to C7 , C5 , and C8 . The vagus nerve stood out as the cranial nerve with the most direct sympathetic connections. The autonomic branching pattern and connections of the cervicothoracic sympathetic trunk are significantly variable in the fetus. A comprehensive understanding of the anatomy of the cervical and upper thoracic sympathetic trunk and its branches is valuable during autonomic interventions and neuromodulation. This knowledge is particularly relevant for addressing various autonomic cardiac diseases and for treating pain and vascular dysfunction in the head, neck, and upper limbs.

How do maternal androgens and estrogens affect sex determination in reptiles with temperature-dependent sex?

Temperature sex determination (TSD) in reptiles has been studied to elucidate the mechanisms by which temperature is transformed into a biological signal that determines the sex of the embryo. Temperature is thought to trigger signals that alter gene expression and hormone metabolism, which will determine the development of female or male gonads. In this review, we focus on collecting and discussing important and recent information on the role of maternal steroid hormones in sex determination in oviparous reptiles such as crocodiles, turtles, and lizards that possess TSD. In particular, we focus on maternal androgens and estrogens deposited in the egg yolk and their metabolites that could also influence the sex of offspring. Finally, we suggest guidelines for future research to help clarify the link between maternal steroid hormones and offspring sex.

Caiman's fat enriched with n-3 fatty acids: potential food supplement.

Broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) products (meat, fat and oil) are currently beginning to be valued as a food of special interest due to its high content of n-3 fatty acids. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the fats of caiman fed with diets enriched with flaxseeds (Linus usitatissimun) rich in n-3 fatty acids, lignans and antioxidants. Caimans were fed six days a week with: a control diet (C), and a diet enriched with ground flaxseed = 90% C + 10% flaxseed ground (FS), during 30 (FS30) and 60 (FS60) days. Animals fed the flaxseed-enriched diets increased linolenic acid content and reduced the n-6/n-3 ratio of fats relative to controls, and this improvement increased over time. The proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid also increased, but there was no difference at the time the enriched diets were offered. Caiman fat of the FS30 and FS60, showed a decrease in lipoperoxidation (24% and 40%) and reactive oxygen species (44% and 76%) accompanied by an increase in antioxidant systems. Consumption of a flax-enriched diet by caimans increases the content of essential fatty acids and improves the lipoperoxidative status of fat. This provides an enriched fat with potential for the development products for human consumption.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of barley straw for biofuel industry using a novel strain of Trametes villosa from Paranaense rainforest.

Agricultural practices generate lignocellulosic waste that can be bioconverted by fungi to generate value-added products such as biofuels. In this context, fungal enzymes are presented as an alternative for their use in the hydrolysis of cellulose to sugars that can be fermented to ethanol. The aim of this work was to characterize LBM 033 strain and to analyze its efficiency in the hydrolysis of cellulosic substrates, including barley straw. LBM 033 strain was identified as Trametes villosa by molecular techniques, through the use of the ITS and rbp2 markers and the construction of phylogenetic trees. The cell-free supernatant of T. villosa LBM 033 showed high titers of hydrolytic enzymatic activities, necessary for the hydrolysis of the holocellulosic substrates, hydrolyzing pure cellulose to cellobiose and glucose and also degraded the polysaccharides contained in barley straw to short soluble oligosaccharides. These results indicate that macro fungi from tropical soil environments, such as T. villosa LBM 033 can be a valuable resource for in-house, cost effective production of enzymes that can be applied in the hydrolysis stage, which could reduce the total cost of bioethanol production.

Paenibacillus xylanivorans sp. nov., a xylan-degrading bacterium isolated from decaying forest soil.

A xylanolytic bacterial strain, named A59T, was isolated from a forest soil consortium in southern Argentina. Strain A59T is a Gram-stain-positive, facultative anaerobic, endospore-forming and rod-shaped bacterium. Its optimal growth conditions are 30 °C (range, 28-37 °C), pH 7 (range, pH 5-10) and it tolerates up to 7 % of NaCl (range, 2-7 %). Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain A59Tpossesses meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall. It contains menaquinone MK-7 as the predominant isoprenoid quinone and the major fatty acid is anteiso-C15 : 0 (35.1 %), with a moderate amount of C16 : 0 (6.9 %). According to 16S RNA gene sequence analysis, the isolate is phylogenetically placed in the same cluster as Paenibacillus taichungensis BCRC 17757T (99.7 % nucleotide sequence identity) and Paenibacillus pabuli NBRC 13638T (99.1 %) and is closely related to Paenibacillus tundrae A10bT (98.8 %). However, phylogenetic studies based on the housekeeping gyrB gene placed A59T in a separate branch from all other related type strains. Furthermore, the results of whole genome average nucleotide identity analysis (gANI) with related type strains was lower than 91.10 % and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization value was lower than 44.30 %, which are below the threshold values for separating two species. The DNA G+C content was estimated as 46.09 mol%, based on genome sequencing. On the basis of these results, A59T represents a new species of the genus Paenibacillus, and we propose the name Paenibacillusxylanivorans sp. nov. The type strain is A59T (=DSM 107920T=NCIMB 15123T).

EcXyl43 ß-xylosidase: molecular modeling, activity on natural and artificial substrates, and synergism with endoxylanases for lignocellulose deconstruction.

Biomass hydrolysis constitutes a bottleneck for the biotransformation of lignocellulosic residues into bioethanol and high-value products. The efficient deconstruction of polysaccharides to fermentable sugars requires multiple enzymes acting concertedly. GH43 ß-xylosidases are among the most interesting enzymes involved in hemicellulose deconstruction into xylose. In this work, the structural and functional properties of ß-xylosidase EcXyl43 from Enterobacter sp. were thoroughly characterized. Molecular modeling suggested a 3D structure formed by a conserved N-terminal catalytic domain linked to an ancillary C-terminal domain. Both domains resulted essential for enzymatic activity, and the role of critical residues, from the catalytic and the ancillary modules, was confirmed by mutagenesis. EcXyl43 presented ß-xylosidase activity towards natural and artificial substrates while arabinofuranosidase activity was only detected on nitrophenyl α-L-arabinofuranoside (pNPA). It hydrolyzed xylobiose and purified xylooligosaccharides (XOS), up to degree of polymerization 6, with higher activity towards longer XOS. Low levels of activity on commercial xylan were also observed, mainly on the soluble fraction. The addition of EcXyl43 to GH10 and GH11 endoxylanases increased the release of xylose from xylan and pre-treated wheat straw. Additionally, EcXyl43 exhibited high efficiency and thermal stability under its optimal conditions (40 °C, pH 6.5), with a half-life of 58 h. Therefore, this enzyme could be a suitable additive for hemicellulases in long-term hydrolysis reactions. Because of its moderate inhibition by monomeric sugars but its high inhibition by ethanol, EcXyl43 could be particularly more useful in separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) than in simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) or consolidated bioprocessing (CBP).

Regulated genes in psoriatic skin during treatment with fumaric acid esters.

BACKGROUND: Fumaric acid esters (FAEs) are widely used in Europe for the treatment of psoriasis because of their clinical efficacy and favourable safety profile. However, the mechanisms of action by which FAEs improve psoriasis remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVES: To identify pathways and mechanisms affected by FAE treatment and to compare these with pathways affected by treatment with the antitumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF)-α biologic etanercept. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, 50 patients with plaque psoriasis were treated with FAEs for 20 weeks. Nine patients were randomly selected for gene expression profiling of plaque biopsies from week 0 and week 12. The groups consisted of FAE responders [> Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI)-75 improvement] and nonresponders (< PASI-50 improvement). Changes in gene expression profiles were analysed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and the outcome was compared with gene expression affected by etanercept. RESULTS: Response to FAE treatment was associated with a ≥ 2-fold change (P < 0.05) in the expression of 458 genes. In FAE responders the role of interleukin-17A in the psoriasis pathway was most significantly activated. Glutathione and Nrf2 pathway molecules were specifically induced by FAE treatment and not by etanercept treatment, representing an FAE-specific effect in psoriatic skin. In addition, FAE treatment specifically induced the transcription factors PTTG1, NR3C1, GATA3 and NFκBIZ in responding patients. CONCLUSIONS: FAE treatment induces glutathione and Nrf2 pathway genes in lesional skin of patients with psoriasis. In responders, FAEs specifically regulate the transcription factors PTTG1, NR3C1, GATA3 and NFκBIZ, which are important in normal cutaneous development, and the T-helper (Th)2 and Th17 pathways, respectively.

Magnetic hysteresis mechanism in Lu0.9Sr0.1Cr0.5Fe0.5O3studied by Monte Carlo simulations.

In this work we report magnetic properties of the orthorhombic perovskite Lu0.9Sr0.1Cr0.5Fe0.5O3synthesized by a wet chemical method. As in LuCr0.5Fe0.5O3the compound with Sr shows the magnetization reversal phenomenon, but the magnetic order and the compensation temperature occur at higher temperatures. Interestingly, in M vs H curves a hysteresis loop is observed when Cr4+and Cr3+ions coexist as a consequence of the aliovalent substitution of Lu3+by Sr2+in the B sites of the perovskite. To explain this behavior, we performed numerical simulations with a magnetic model for Lu1-xSrxCr0.5Fe0.5O3perovskites withx= 0 andx= 0.1. We found that the ferromagnetic coupling of Fe3+and Cr4+through superexchange interactions (according the empiric Goodenough-Kanamori-Anderson rules) increases the magnetization at high fields and that the presence of ferromagnetic clusters explains the hysteretic behavior found in simulations.

Ustekinumab improves psoriasis-related gene expression in noninvolved psoriatic skin without inhibition of the antimicrobial response.

BACKGROUND: Ustekinumab is a fully human anti-p40 monoclonal antibody which neutralizes interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23, thereby interfering with T-helper (Th)1/Th17 pathways and keratinocyte activation, and is highly effective in the treatment of psoriasis. During ustekinumab treatment, some of our patients noticed reduced koebnerization of noninvolved skin and less new plaque formation. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether ustekinumab improves psoriasis-related gene expression and tape-strip responses in noninvolved skin. METHODS: Before and 4 weeks after ustekinumab treatment, noninvolved skin was tape-stripped. After 5 h, biopsies were taken from untouched and tape-stripped skin. The mRNA expression of psoriasis-related markers such as NGF, GATA3 and IL-22RA1, and several antimicrobial peptides (AMP) was quantified. Leucocyte counts and a broad range of inflammatory serum proteins were analysed to gain insight into the systemic alterations. RESULTS: Four weeks following a single ustekinumab injection, NGF showed a significant decrease, whereas GATA3 and IL-22RA1 expression increased, indicative of reduced responsiveness to epidermal triggering. This was accompanied by an increase of the inflammation-related serum proteins GPNMB, MST1 and TRADD. The baseline and tape-strip-induced mRNA expression of the AMP human ß-defensin-2 (hBD-2), S100A7 and LL-37 remained unaltered. Clinically, after 4 weeks, eight out of 11 patients showed a 50% psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) improvement, which was accompanied by a significant reduction in serum hBD-2 levels. No changes were noted in total leucocytes, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that ustekinumab reduces psoriasis-related gene expression in noninvolved psoriatic skin, making it more resistant to exogenous triggering, without disturbing its antimicrobial response. In parallel, ustekinumab modulates important circulating inflammation-related proteins.

Microplastics and hydrocarbons in soils: Quantification as an anthropic carbon source.

The literature on the presence of microplastics (MPs) and their potential impact on terrestrial ecosystems is still scarce. Interestingly, soil MPs are detected as organic carbon (SOC) using traditional quantification methods (e.g., loss on ignition [LOI]), although its dynamics in the environment will be different. The objective of this study was to quantify the carbon (C) contribution of MPs to the SOC in superficial soil samples from a coastal urban wetland (Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, Argentina) with the features of a humid subtropical forest and compare with hydrocarbon contribution. Soil samples were split for analysis of moisture content; texture (sieve and pipet method); organic matter as a LOI (8 h at 450 °C); total hydrocarbons (THCs; gravimetry of solvent extractable matter); n-alkanes (solvent extraction and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection analysis); and extraction of MPs (floatation in NaClaq , filtration, H2 O2 digestion, and visual sorting under a stereomicroscope). The superficial soil was a sandy clay loam with a large organic matter content (19%-30%). The THC averaged 2.5 ± 1.9 g kg and the marked predominance of odd-numbered carbon n-alkanes maximizing at C29 and C31 show the contribution of the terrestrial plant waxes. The average number of MPs was 587 ± 277 items kg of dry soil, predominantly fibers. Taking account of the C content, THCs and MPs add to the soil 1.23 ± 1.10 ton C ha and 0.10-0.97 ton C ha, respectively. Therefore, in this system with humid forest characteristics, the MPs represent between 0.12% and 1.25% of soil estimated carbon, in a magnitude similar to the C contribution of THCs (0.6%-4.2%). This preliminary study shows the relevance of discriminating MPs from other carbon sources and presents a description of their impact on soils to advance future research or tools for decision-makers. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:698-705. © 2022 SETAC.

Schlafen 12 restricts HIV-1 latency reversal by a codon-usage dependent post-transcriptional block in CD4+ T cells.

Latency is a major barrier towards virus elimination in HIV-1-infected individuals. Yet, the mechanisms that contribute to the maintenance of HIV-1 latency are incompletely understood. Here we describe the Schlafen 12 protein (SLFN12) as an HIV-1 restriction factor that establishes a post-transcriptional block in HIV-1-infected cells and thereby inhibits HIV-1 replication and virus reactivation from latently infected cells. The inhibitory activity is dependent on the HIV-1 codon usage and on the SLFN12 RNase active sites. Within HIV-1-infected individuals, SLFN12 expression in PBMCs correlated with HIV-1 plasma viral loads and proviral loads suggesting a link with the general activation of the immune system. Using an RNA FISH-Flow HIV-1 reactivation assay, we demonstrate that SLFN12 expression is enriched in infected cells positive for HIV-1 transcripts but negative for HIV-1 proteins. Thus, codon-usage dependent translation inhibition of HIV-1 proteins participates in HIV-1 latency and can restrict the amount of virus release after latency reversal.

Repair of ovine peripheral nerve injuries with xenogeneic human acellular sciatic nerves prerecellularized with allogeneic Schwann-like cells-an innovative and promising approach.

INTRODUCTION: The iatrogenic effects of repairing peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) with autografts (AGTs) encouraged the present study to involve a new approach consisting of grafting xenogeneic prerecellularized allogeneic cells instead of AGTs. METHODS: We compared sheep's AGT regenerative and functional capacity with decellularized human nerves prerecellularized with allogeneic Schwann-like cell xenografts (onwards called xenografts). Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from ovine adipose tissue and induced in vitro to differentiate into Schwann-like cells (SLCs). Xenografts were grafted in ovine sciatic nerves. Left sciatic nerves (20 mm) were excised from 10 sheep. Then, five sheep were grafted with 20 mm xenografts, and five were reimplanted with their nerve segment rotated 180° (AGT). RESULTS: All sheep treated with xenografts or AGT progressively recovered the strength, movement, and coordination of their intervened limb, which was still partial when the study was finished at sixth month postsurgery. At this time, numerous intrafascicular axons were observed in the distal and proximal graft extremes of both xenografts or AGTs, and submaximal nerve electrical conduction was observed. The xenografts and AGT-affected muscles appeared partially stunted. CONCLUSIONS: Xenografts and AGT were equally efficacious in starting PNI repair and justified further studies using longer observation times. The hallmarks from this study are that human xenogeneic acellular scaffolds were recellularized with allogenic SCL and were not rejected by the nonhuman receptors but were also as functional as AGT within a relatively short time postsurgery. Thus, this innovative approach promises to be more practical and accessible than AGT or allogenic allografts and safer than AGT for PNI repair.

Regulation of prolactin secretion during the estrus in rats: possible role of glucocorticoids.

Mifepristone (MIF) administration to cycling rats at proestrus induces hypersecretion of prolactin (PRL) at the following estrus. We aimed to assess whether this effect is due to the antiprogesterone or antiglucocorticoid action of MIF and to help underscore the nature of the circulating hormone(s) regulating PRL secretion at estrus. Female cycling rats in proestrus were treated with vehicle; the progesterone (Pg) and glucocorticoid receptor antagonists, MIF (5 mg/kg) or ORG-33628 (5 mg/kg); the glucocorticoid agonist dexamethasone (DEX; 27 mg/kg)±MIF; or the inhibitor of steroid synthesis aminoglutethimide (AG; 150 mg/kg)±MIF. The animals' blood was sampled the same day at 1800 h and at 1800 h of the following day to assess for circulating PRL and Pg levels. To distinguish antiglucocorticoid from antiprogesterone effects of MIF, we administered a highly specific neutralizing antibody against Pg. None of the antagonists modified serum PRL values at proestrus but increased PRL levels at estrus. DEX decreased the secretion of PRL at proestrus, yet the effect was entirely blocked by MIF. Furthermore, DEX decreased PRL at estrus in a MIF-reversible manner, suggesting that adrenal corticoids during proestrous may regulate PRL secretion at estrus. AG increased PRL secretion at estrus, whereas its association with MIF produced an even higher response. PRL concentration at estrus was not modified by the antiprogesterone antibody, suggesting that the effect of MIF is a consequence of its antiglucocorticoid effect and not due to its antiprogesterone properties. In conclusion, PRL secretion in the afternoon of the estrus is most likely regulated by glucocorticoids through an inhibitory action.

Narrowband ultraviolet B inhibits innate cytosolic double-stranded RNA receptors in psoriatic skin and keratinocytes.

BACKGROUND: The mode of action of narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy in clearing psoriasis is incompletely understood, and in vivo studies at the molecular level in patients undergoing NB-UVB therapy are limited. We previously demonstrated increased expression and activity of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) receptors in psoriasis lesions, and suggested that this enhanced innate signalling contributed to the maintenance of psoriatic inflammation. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether NB-UVB affects dsRNA receptor expression and function in vivo as well as in vitro. METHODS: Skin samples of patients with psoriasis undergoing NB-UVB treatment were analysed for epidermal messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of the various dsRNA receptors by microarray and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Primary human keratinocytes were irradiated with NB-UVB and stimulated with interferon (IFN)-α or IFN-γ, critical cytokines in psoriasis. The dsRNA analogue polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid was used to assess the functional responsiveness of the cells to dsRNA. RESULTS: NB-UVB therapy of patients with psoriasis resulted in a significantly reduced mRNA expression of the activating dsRNA receptors MDA5 (IFIH1) and RIG-I (DDX58). On the other hand, expression of LGP2 (DHX58), toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and PKR (EIF2AK2) was not affected. In vitro, NB-UVB irradiation completely blocked the upregulation of four of the dsRNA receptors in primary human keratinocytes stimulated with IFN-α or IFN-γ, resulting in an attenuated inflammatory response to dsRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that NB-UVB irradiation inhibits the local innate inflammatory response to dsRNA, and suggest a novel mechanism of action of NB-UVB phototherapy in psoriasis.

Effect of Dietary Vegetable Sources Rich in Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Milk Production, Composition, and Cheese Fatty Acid Profile in Sheep: A Meta-Analysis.

A meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the effects of different dietary vegetable sources rich in unsaturated FA (UFA) on sheep cheese FA profile. This study also quantified the overall effect of feeding sheep with vegetable sources rich in UFA (linseed, flaxseed, sunflower seed, canola, olive oil, bran oil, and olive cake), on milk yield (MY) and milk composition. A literature search was conducted to identify papers published from 2000 to 2019. Effect size for all parameters was calculated as standardized mean difference. Heterogeneity was determined using I 2 statistic, while meta-regression was used to examine factors influencing heterogeneity. Effect size was not significant for MY, milk fat percentage (MFP), and milk protein percentage (MPP). Dietary inclusion of vegetable sources rich in UFA decreased the effect size for C12:0, C14:0, and C16:0 and increased the effect size for C18:0, C18:1 t-11, C18:1 c-9, C18:2 c-9, t-11, C18:2 n-6, and C18:3 n-3. Heterogeneity was significant for MY, MFP, MPP, and overall cheese FA profile. Meta-regression revealed days in milk as a contributing factor to the heterogeneity observed in MFP and MPP. Meta-regression showed that ripening time is one of the factors affecting cheese FA profile heterogeneity while the type of feeding system(preserved roughages vs. pasture) had no effect on heterogeneity. Overall, inclusion of dietary vegetable sources rich in UFA in sheep diets would be an effective nutritional strategy to decrease saturated FA and increase polyunsaturated FA contents in cheeses without detrimental effects on MY, MFF, and MPP.

Age at First Gestation in Beef Heifers Affects Fetal and Postnatal Growth, Glucose Metabolism and IGF1 Concentration.

This study aimed to determine the effects of age at first gestation on offspring growth performance, glucose metabolism, and IGF1 concentration. Heifers impregnated by AI from a single bull at 15 months of age (15 M, n = 20), or 27 months of age (27 M, n = 20), and multiparous cows (adult, n = 20) were used. Dams from all groups were managed in a single group during gestation and lactation. Gestational length was longer in the 15 M and 27 M than in adult dams (p = 0.009). Bodyweight at birth, at weaning and ADG during lactation were higher in calves from adult dams than in those from 27 M dams, and higher in calves from the latter than in 15 M calves (p < 0.001). Calves from 15 M dams had an increased head circumference/BW ratio compared to calves from 27 M dams, while calves from this latter group had an increased ratio compared to calves from adults (p = 0.005). Body mass index was greater in calves from adults than in those from 15 M and 27 M dams (p = 0.002). Milk production from 15 M and 27 M dams was similar but lower than that from adults (p = 0.03). Calves born from adult dams had greater blood glucose concentrations than those from 15 M and 27 M dams (p < 0.05). Serum IGF1 concentrations were higher in calves from adults than in calves from 15 M and 27 M dams (p = 0.01). This study showed that age at first gestation affects offspring postnatal growth performance, glucose metabolism and IGF1 concentration.

Hidradenitis suppurativa and inflammatory bowel disease: are they associated? Results of a pilot study.

Background The co-occurrence of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and Crohn disease (CD) published in a few case reports resulted in the wide acceptance of an association between these two diseases. However, the combined prevalence of these diseases is currently unknown; furthermore, it is unknown whether this co-occurrence also applies for ulcerative colitis (UC). Objectives To estimate the prevalence of HS in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) living in the Southwest of the Netherlands. Methods During an IBD patient information meeting, randomly, 158 patients with IBD were interviewed about recurrent painful boils in the axillae and/or groin and were shown illustrative clinical pictures of the appearance of HS. Results Of the 158 patients interviewed, 102 (65%) had CD and 56 (35%) had UC. Twenty-five people (16%) responded that they had had or still experienced painful boils in the axillae and/or groin, of whom 17 were patients with CD (17%) and eight had UC (14%). Conclusions This pilot study shows for the first time that HS occurs in patients with CD or UC. More prospective studies are warranted to establish the association between HS and IBD and its underlying pathogenesis.

Trends in Web Searches About the Causes and Treatments of Autism Over the Past 15 Years: Exploratory Infodemiology Study.

BACKGROUND: Ninety percent of adults in the United States use the internet, and the majority of internet users report looking on the web for health information using search engines. The rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), uncertainty surrounding its etiology, and variety of intervention approaches contribute to questions about its causes and treatments. It is not known which terms people search most frequently about ASD and whether web search queries have changed over time. Infodemiology is an area of health informatics research using big data analytics to understand web search behavior. OBJECTIVE: The objectives were to (1) use infodemiological data to analyze trends in web-based searches about the causes and treatments of ASD over time and (2) inform clinicians and ASD organizations about web queries regarding ASD. METHODS: Google Trends was used to analyze web searches about the causes and treatments of ASD in the United States from 2004 to 2019. The search terms analyzed for queries about causes of ASD included vaccines, genetics, environmental factors, and microbiome and those for therapies included applied behavior analysis (ABA), gluten-free diet, chelation therapy, marijuana, probiotics, and stem cell therapy. RESULTS: Google Trends results are normalized on a scale ranging from 0 to 100 to represent the frequency and relative interest of search topics. For searches about ASD causes, vaccines had the greatest frequency compared to other terms, with an initial search peak observed in 2008 (scaled score of 81), reaching the highest frequency in 2015 (scaled score of 100), and a current upward trend. In comparison, searches about genetics, environmental factors, and microbiome occurred less frequently. For web searches about ASD therapies, ABA consistently had a high frequency of search interest since 2004, reaching a maximum scaled score of 100 in 2019. The analyses of chelation therapy and gluten-free diet showed trending interest in 2005 (scaled score of 68) and 2007 (scaled score of 100), respectively, followed by a steady decline since (scaled scores of only 10 and 16, respectively, in 2019). Searches related to ASD and marijuana showed a rise in 2009 (scaled score of 35), and they continue to trend upward. Searches about probiotics and stem cell therapy have been relatively low (scaled scores of 22 and 18, respectively), but are gradually gaining interest. Web search volumes for stem cell therapy in 2019 surpassed both gluten-free diet and chelation therapy as web-searched interventions for ASD. CONCLUSIONS: Google Trends is an effective infodemiology tool to analyze large-scale web search trends about ASD. The results showed informative variation in search trends over 15 years. These data are useful to inform clinicians and organizations about web queries on topics related to ASD, identify knowledge gaps, and target web-based education and knowledge translation strategies.

Synergic activity of Cel8Pa ß-1,4 endoglucanase and Bg1Pa ß-glucosidase from Paenibacillus xylanivorans A59 in beta-glucan conversion.

In the efficient bioconversion of polysaccharides from lignocellulosic biomass, endoglucanases and ß-glucosidases are key enzymes for the deconstruction of ß-glucans. In this work, we focused on a GH8 endoglucanase (Cel8Pa) and a GH1 ß-glucosidase (Bg1Pa) from Paenibacillus xylanivorans A59. Cel8Pa was active on a broad range of substrates, such as ß-glucan from barley (24.5 IU/mg), lichenan (17.9 IU/mg), phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC) (9.7 IU/mg), carboxi-methylcellulose (CMC) (7.3 IU/mg), chitosan (1.4 IU/mg) and xylan (0.4 IU/mg). Bg1Pa was active on cellobiose (C2) and cello-oligosaccharides up to C6, releasing glucose as the main product. When both enzymes were used jointly, there was a synergic effect in the conversion rate of polysaccharides to glucose. Cel8Pa and Bg1Pa presented important properties for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) processes in second generation bioethanol production, such as tolerance to high concentration of glucose and ethanol.

Magnetite Nanoparticles Coated with PEG 3350-Tween 80: In Vitro Characterization Using Primary Cell Cultures.

Some medical applications of magnetic nanoparticles require direct contact with healthy tissues and blood. If nanoparticles are not designed properly, they can cause several problems, such as cytotoxicity or hemolysis. A strategy for improvement the biological proprieties of magnetic nanoparticles is their functionalization with biocompatible polymers and nonionic surfactants. In this study we compared bare magnetite nanoparticles against magnetite nanoparticles coated with a combination of polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350) and polysorbate 80 (Tween 80). Physical characteristics of nanoparticles were evaluated. A primary culture of sheep adipose mesenchymal stem cells was developed to measure nanoparticle cytotoxicity. A sample of erythrocytes from a healthy donor was used for the hemolysis assay. Results showed the successful obtention of magnetite nanoparticles coated with PEG 3350-Tween 80, with a spherical shape, average size of 119.2 nm and a zeta potential of +5.61 mV. Interaction with mesenchymal stem cells showed a non-cytotoxic propriety at doses lower than 1000 µg/mL. Interaction with erythrocytes showed a non-hemolytic propriety at doses lower than 100 µg/mL. In vitro information obtained from this work concludes that the use of magnetite nanoparticles coated with PEG 3350-Tween 80 is safe for a biological system at low doses.