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Abstract Background Bacteria of the candidate phyla radiation (CPR), constituting about 25% of the bacterial biodiversity, are characterized by small cell size and patchy genomes without complete key metabolic pathways, suggesting a symbiotic lifestyle. Gracilibacteria (BD1-5), which are part of the CPR branch, possess alternate coded genomes and have not yet been cultivated. The lifestyle of Gracilibacteria, their temporal dynamics, and activity in natural ecosystems, particularly in groundwater, has remained largely unexplored. Here, we aimed to investigate Gracilibacteria activity in situ and to discern their lifestyle based on expressed genes, using the metaproteogenome of Gracilibacteria as a function of time in the cold-water geyser Wallender Born in the Volcanic Eifel region in Germany. Results We coupled genome-resolved metagenomics and metaproteomics to investigate a cold-water geyser microbial community enriched in Gracilibacteria across a 12-day time-series. Groundwater was collected and sequentially filtered to fraction CPR and other bacteria. Based on 725 Gbps of metagenomic data, 1129 different ribosomal protein S3 marker genes, and 751 high-quality genomes (123 population genomes after dereplication), we identified dominant bacteria belonging to Gallionellales and Gracilibacteria along with keystone microbes, which were low in genomic abundance but substantially contributing to proteomic abundance. Seven high-quality Gracilibacteria genomes showed typical limitations, such as limited amino acid or nucleotide synthesis, in their central metabolism but no co-occurrence with potential hosts. The genomes of these Gracilibacteria were encoded for a high number of proteins involved in cell to cell interaction, supporting the previously surmised host-dependent lifestyle, e.g., type IV and type II secretion system subunits, transporters, and features related to cell motility, which were also detected on protein level. Conclusions We here identified microbial keystone taxa in a high-CO2 aquifer, and revealed microbial dynamics of Gracilibacteria. Although Gracilibacteria in this ecosystem did not appear to target specific organisms in this ecosystem due to lack of co-occurrence despite enrichment on 0.2-µm filter fraction, we provide proteomic evidence for the complex machinery behind the host-dependent lifestyle of groundwater Gracilibacteria. Video Abstract

Abstract Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) promote adequate intestinal microbiota development and favor the immune system's maturation and cognitive development. In addition to non-modifiable factors, HMOs composition can be influenced by other factors like body mass index and eating habits, but the reports are discrepant. The aim of this work was to describe the correlation between maternal factors and HMOs concentration in colostrum in 70 women from northeastern Mexico categorized into women with normal weight and women with overweight or obesity. The absolute concentration of six HMOs were significantly lower in women with overweight or obesity compared to women with normal weight (LNFPI p = 0.0021, 2’-FL p = 0.0304, LNT p = 0.0492, LNnT p = 0.00026, 3’-SL p = 0.0476, 6’-SL p = 0.00041). Another main finding was that the frequency of consumption of food groups such as vegetables, fruits and meats was positively correlated to specific HMOs (Poblano chili and 2’-FL; r s = 0.702, p = 0.0012; Orange or tangerine and 3-FL; r s = 0.428, p = 0.0022; Chicken and 2'-FL; r s = 0.615, p = 0.0039). This study contributes to the elucidation of how maternal factors influence the composition of HMOs and opens possibilities for future research aimed at mitigating overweight or obesity, consequently improving the quality of human milk.

ObjectiveDry eye disease (DED) is a condition associated with a myriad of systemic disorders. According to recent preliminary data, axial spondylarthritis (axial-SpA) could represent a new entity associated with DED. Therefore, this study aimed to assess DED in patients with axial SpA by performing quantitative and qualitative specific tests to investigate the potential association between DED and ocular surface damage in patients with axial-SpA and to identify potential variables associated with DED.MethodsA total of 71 patients with axial-SpA who fulfilled the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) classification criteria and 19 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Both the patients and the controls underwent a complete ocular assessment aimed at evaluating the tear film and ocular surface, which included the Schirmer test, tear break-up time (TBUT), fluorescein staining, and lissamine green staining. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was administered to all patients.ResultsDED symptoms were reported in 46 (64.8%) patients and three (15.8%) healthy controls (p = 0.0004). The odds ratio for receiving a diagnosis of axial-SpA based on the presence of dry-eye-related symptoms was 9.2 (95% C.I. 2.72–42.52, p = 0.001). The Schirmer test values of < 6 mm/5 min were observed in 31 (43.7%) patients with axial-SpA and two (10.5%) healthy controls (p = 0.013); a TBUT of

Abstract Introduction This study aims to characterize ocular manifestations of juvenile Behçet’s disease (jBD). Methods This was a registry-based observational prospective study. All subjects with jBD from the Autoinflammatory Diseases Alliance (AIDA) Network BD Registry showing ocular manifestations before 18 years were enrolled. Results We included 27 of 1000 subjects enrolled in the registry (66.7% male patients, 45 affected eyes). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age at ocular involvement was 14.2 (4.7) years. Uveitis affected 91.1% of eyes (anterior 11.1%, posterior 40.0%, panuveitis 40.0%), retinal vasculitis 37.8% and other manifestations 19.8%. Later onset (p = 0.01) and male predominance (p = 0.04) characterized posterior involvement. Ocular complications occurred in 51.1% of eyes. Patients with complications had earlier onset (p

Abstract Physiological status can influence social behavior, which in turn can affect physiology and health. Previously, we reported that tumor growth in Drosophila virgin females depends on the social context, but did not investigate the underlying physiological mechanisms. Here, we sought to characterize the signal perceived between tumorous flies, ultimately discovering that the tumor suppressive effect varies depending on reproductive status. Firstly, we show that the tumor suppressive effect is neither dependent on remnant pheromone-like products nor on the microbiota. Transcriptome analysis of the heads of these tumorous flies reveals social-dependent gene-expression changes related to nervous-system activity, suggesting that a cognitive-like relay might mediate the tumor suppressive effect. The transcriptome also reveals changes in the expression of genes related to mating behavior. Surprisingly, we observed that this social-dependent tumor-suppressive effect is lost in fertilized females. After mating, Drosophila females change their behavior—favoring offspring survival—in response to peptides transferred via the male ejaculate, a phenomenon called “male manipulation”. Remarkably, the social-dependent tumor suppressive effect is restored in females mated by sex-peptide deficient males. Since male manipulation has likely been selected to favor male gene transmission, our findings indicate that this evolutionary trait impedes social-dependent tumor growth slowdown.

GM1 gangliosidosis (GM1) is a rare autosomal recessive neurogenerative lysosomal storage disease characterized by deficiency of beta-galactosidase (β-gal) and intralysosomal accumulation of GM1 ganglioside and other glycoconjugates. Resources for GM1 disease modelling are limited, and access to relevant cell lines from human patients is not possible. Generation of iPSC lines from GM1 patient-derived dermal fibroblasts allows for disease modelling and therapeutic testing in 2D and 3D cell culture models relevant to CNS disorders, including various neuronal subtypes and cerebral organoids. The iPSC line described here will be critical to therapeutic development and set the foundation for translational gene therapy work.

Infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD) results from pathogenic variants in the GAA gene, which encodes acid α-glucosidase. The correction of pathogenic variants through genome editing may be a valuable one-time therapy for PD and improve upon the current standard of care. We performed adenine base editing in human dermal fibroblasts harboring three transition nonsense variants, c.2227C>T (p.Q743∗; IOPD-1), c.2560C>T (p.R854∗; IOPD-2), and c.2608C>T (p.R870∗; IOPD-3). Up to 96% adenine deamination of target variants was observed, with minimal editing across >50 off-target sites. Post-base editing, expressed GAA protein was up to 0.66-fold normal (unaffected fibroblasts), an improvement over affected fibroblasts wherein GAA was undetectable. GAA enzyme activity was between 81.91 ± 13.51 and 129.98 ± 9.33 units/mg protein at 28 days post-transfection, which falls within the normal range (50–200 units/mg protein). LAMP2 protein was significantly decreased in the most robustly edited cell line, IOPD-3, indicating reduced lysosomal burden. Taken together, the findings reported herein demonstrate that base editing results in efficacious adenine deamination, restoration of GAA expression and activity, and reduction in lysosomal burden in the most robustly edited cells. Future work will assess base editing outcomes and the impact on Pompe pathology in two mouse models, Gaac.2227C>T and Gaac.2560C>T.

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo proponer un modelo de sentencia con perspectiva de género para personas juzgadoras, que contribuya a garantizar la aplicación de los derechos humanos de las mujeres y disminuir errores en las sentencias, tales como: la revictimización, el poco acceso a la justicia, la discriminación, así como los estereotipos o prejuicios de género que pueden afectar el razonamiento judicial.El diseño metodológico de este estudio parte del paradigma cualitativo basado en la técnica de recolección de datos y de un análisis jurídico de contenido de corte descriptivo de lineamientos especializados del ámbito doctrinal y normativo, así como de treinta sentencias de delitos por razón de género en el periodo 2020-2023 emitidas por el Poder Judicial del Estado de Michoacán.Como resultado se propone una guía o modelo de sentencia en materia penal para que las personas juzgadoras puedan identificar y aplicarlo en casos en donde se haya comprobado la violencia de género, lo que permitirá tener una sentencia más precisa y sólida en su argumentación, así como cumplir los principales criterios de protección de los derechos humanos de las mujeres ante el corpus iuris de derecho en la materia.

ABSTRACTFungi can thrive in strawberries, mainly Botrytis cinerea, which causes relevant fruit losses. Moreover, thermal preservation results in phytonutrient losses. This study evaluated the effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP, 0, 400, and 600 MPa/5 min) processing with potassium sorbate (PS) or avocado seed acetogenins (ASA) on the nutritional, microbiological, and physicochemical properties of strawberry puree inoculated with Botrytis cinerea. Sole inoculation reduced L-ascorbic acid (L-AA, 84%) and total ascorbic acid (TAA, 38%). Instrumental color Hue angles were reduced from 35.0 to 29.4°, likewise the contents of pelargonidin−3-glucoside (25%) and ellagic acid (38%). Both HHP-PS treated samples contained no viable conidia and high TAA; the no-preservative and HHP-ASA (661 µg/mL, 400 MPa/5 min) purees contained high TAA but had viable conidia, which can induce further phytonutrient losses. HHP and antifungal additives maintained ellagic acid, increased pelargonidin−3-glucoside contents, and inactivated conidia, strengthening the value of combined non-thermal technologies for the preservation of strawberry puree

Egg activation, representing the critical oocyte-to-embryo transition, provokes meiosis completion, modification of the vitelline membrane to prevent polyspermy, and translation of maternally provided mRNAs. This transition is triggered by a calcium signal induced by spermatozoon fertilization in most animal species, but not in insects. In Drosophila melanogaster, mature oocytes remain arrested at metaphase-I of meiosis and the calcium-dependent activation occurs while the oocyte moves through the genital tract. Here, we discovered that the oenocytes of fruitfly females are required for egg activation. Oenocytes, cells specialized in lipid-metabolism, are located beneath the abdominal cuticle. In adult flies, they synthesize the fatty acids (FAs) that are the precursors of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), including pheromones. The oenocyte-targeted knockdown of a set of FA-anabolic enzymes, involved in very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthesis, leads to a defect in egg activation. Given that some but not all of the identified enzymes are required for CHC/pheromone biogenesis, this putative VLCFA-dependent remote control may rely on an as-yet unidentified CHC or may function in parallel to CHC biogenesis. Additionally, we discovered that the most posterior ventral oenocyte cluster is in close proximity to the uterus. Since oocytes dissected from females deficient in this FA-anabolic pathway can be activated in vitro, this regulatory loop likely operates upstream of the calcium trigger. To our knowledge, our findings provide the first evidence that a physiological extra-genital signal remotely controls egg activation. Moreover, our study highlights a potential metabolic link between pheromone-mediated partner recognition and egg activation.

IntroductionThe effectiveness of canakinumab may change according to the different times it is used after Still’s disease onset. This study aimed to investigate whether canakinumab (CAN) shows differences in short- and long-term therapeutic outcomes, according to its use as different lines of biologic treatment.MethodsPatients included in this study were retrospectively enrolled from the AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) International Registry dedicated to Still’s disease. Seventy-seven (51 females and 26 males) patients with Still’s disease were included in the present study. In total, 39 (50.6%) patients underwent CAN as a first-line biologic agent, and the remaining 38 (49.4%) patients were treated with CAN as a second-line biologic agent or subsequent biologic agent.ResultsNo statistically significant differences were found between patients treated with CAN as a first-line biologic agent and those previously treated with other biologic agents in terms of the frequency of complete response (p =0.62), partial response (p =0.61), treatment failure (p >0.99), and frequency of patients discontinuing CAN due to lack or loss of efficacy (p =0.2). Of all the patients, 18 (23.4%) patients experienced disease relapse during canakinumab treatment, 9 patients were treated with canakinumab as a first-line biologic agent, and nine patients were treated with a second-line or subsequent biologic agent. No differences were found in the frequency of glucocorticoid use (p =0.34), daily glucocorticoid dosage (p =0.47), or concomitant methotrexate dosage (p =0.43) at the last assessment during CAN treatment.ConclusionCanakinumab has proved to be effective in patients with Still’s disease, regardless of its line of biologic treatment.

Las herramientas generadas en la Ciencia Administrativa, tradicionalmente, han sido aplicadas a organizaciones lucrativas. Sin embargo, el contexto actual demanda adaptar conocimientos e instrumentos para empresas poco tradicionales como las empresas sociales, debido a que atienden necesidades sociales o ambientales no cubiertas y, su sustentabilidad operativa genera un bienestar en su territorio. Por lo anterior, se estableció la pregunta ¿cómo diseñar un proceso de planeación estratégica útil para una Organización de la Sociedad Civil? Para ello, se abordó un estudio de caso usando diversas herramientas (FODA, BSC, entre otras), para establecer una planificación estratégica para mantener la sustentabilidad operativa para una organización sin fin de lucro en una etapa de transición generacional. Esto contribuye al ser evidencia empírica de la posibilidad de implementar herramientas que coadyuven al éxito de este tipo de organizaciones. Siendo una base para aplicar conocimientos y atender necesidades de sectores prioritarios que, cada vez, son más demandadas en la academia.

Free sialic acid storage disorders (FSASDs) result from pathogenic variations in the SLC17A5 gene, which encodes the lysosomal transmembrane protein sialin. Loss or deficiency of sialin impairs FSA transport out of the lysosome, leading to cellular dysfunction and neurological impairment, with the most severe form of FSASD resulting in death during early childhood. There are currently no therapies for FSASDs. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated homology directed repair (HDR) and adenine base editing (ABE) targeting the founder variant, SLC17A5 c.115C>T (p.Arg39Cys) in human dermal fibroblasts. We observed minimal correction of the pathogenic variant in HDR samples with a high frequency of undesired insertions/deletions (indels) and significant levels of correction for ABE-treated samples with no detectable indels, supporting previous work showing that CRISPR-Cas9-mediated ABE outperforms HDR. Furthermore, ABE treatment of either homozygous or compound heterozygous SLC17A5 c.115C>T human dermal fibroblasts demonstrated significant FSA reduction, supporting amelioration of disease pathology. Translation of this ABE strategy to mouse embryonic fibroblasts harboring the Slc17a5 c.115C>T variant in homozygosity recapitulated these results. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of base editing as a therapeutic approach for the FSASD variant SLC17A5 c.115C>T and highlights the usefulness of base editing in monogenic diseases where transmembrane protein function is impaired.

The emergence of infectious diseases presents a significant global health, economic, and security risk. Climate change can unexpectedly lead to the spread of pathogens, vectors, or hosts into new areas, contributing to the rise of infectious diseases. Surveillance plays a crucial role in monitoring disease trends and implementing control strategies. In this study, we document the first discovery of Heterobilharzia americana, a parasitic schistosome of mammals and its intermediate hosts Galba cubensis and Galba humilis along the banks of the Colorado River in California. We conducted multiple samplings of snails from various locations in the region with a previous history of canine schistosomiasis. Nucleotide sequencing of the multiple regions of the snails’ and parasites’ DNA revealed the coexistence of G. cubensis and G. humilis, both infected with H. americana. Phylogenetic analyses further validate the presence of H. americana in California, suggesting a wider distribution than previously reported. Our findings have implications for public health, veterinary medicine, and biodiversity conservation, contributing to developing effective control strategies to prevent the spread of this emerging infectious disease.

Oligosaccharides are significant in mammalian milk, where they serve as prebiotics that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria in infants. Comprehensive research of milk oligosaccharides requires precise and validated analytical methods for compositional studies. To address this need, the focus of our study was to develop and validate an analytical method using UPLC-MS/MS to quantify seven specific oligosaccharides found in mammalian milk. The developed and optimized method has adequate linearity, accuracy, and precision parameters. The detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) limits for the seven compounds ranged from 0.0018 to 0.0030 μg/mL and 0.0054–0.0063 μg/mL, respectively. The sample preparation method yielded recovery rates above 90.5 %. Furthermore, no significant matrix effect was observed. The validated method was successfully applied to human, goat, and bovine milk samples, demonstrating its proficiency in identifying variances in the concentration of oligosaccharides across different mammals. This versatile method will allow future research about factors affecting oligosaccharide composition.

Abstract Background The Latinx population experiences some of the highest rates of chronic disease, including obesity and type II diabetes. Such conditions may be especially burdensome in rural Latinx communities that often face barriers to accessing disease prevention resources and public health programs. Methods Diverse stakeholders (i.e., patients, community members, system of healthcare clinics, community food bank) tailored an existing cookbook, based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture MyPlate healthy eating and dietary guidelines, for local ingredients, health literacy, and language for rural Latinx and Indigenous Latin Americans. The cookbook recipes were disseminated widely via virtual cooking demonstrations, food distribution events, and social media. Pre- and posttest surveys were used to assess changes in diabetes knowledge measured by the 24-item American Diabetes Association Diabetic Knowledge Questionnaire and confidence in dietary behavior change over time measured by 4 questions of the 17-item Mediterranean Diet Index. A mixed effects, repeated measures analysis was conducted with gender ID, age range and educational attainment included as covariates and assessment interval as the predictor (pretest vs posttest) and change in confidence about adhering to four specific components of the Mediterranean diet. Focus groups elicited information on participants’ motivation and ability to use the recipes and eat healthy foods following the virtual cooking demonstration participation. Results A total of 20 virtual cooking demonstrations were conducted and 60 participants completed a pretest survey and 54 a posttest survey, a subsample (n = 19) participated in one of three focus groups. Most participants were female, identified as Latinx/Hispanic, were between the ages of 40-49, and spoke Spanish. 17% identified as Indigenous Latin American specifically as Purépecha, an indigenous group from Michoacán, Mexico. Survey and focus group findings indicated at posttest an increase in diabetes knowledge among participants with no prior diagnosis of chronic health conditions and more confidence in limiting sugary beverages and refined wheat pasta/white rice among indigenous participants. Focus group discussions explicated the quantitative findings. Conclusion This study brought together patients and key stakeholders committed to addressing the social determinants of health and it mobilized the community to develop culturally vetted health education materials. The findings indicate the need for increased access to evidence-based nutrition education and to culturally appropriate food products that can be easily incorporated into daily food preparation.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) es el agente causal de la gonorrea, infección de transmisión sexual (ITS) que corresponde a la segunda causa más frecuente de ITS a nivel mundial, provocando una alta morbilidad y costo en atención de salud. En las últimas décadas han aumentado los reportes a nivel mundial de cepas resistentes a penicilina, sulfonamidas, tetraciclina, macrólidos y fluoroquinolonas, y más recientemente a azitromicina y cefalosporinas de espectro extendido como ceftriaxona y cefixima. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue determinar la sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos en cepas de N. gonorrhoeae que fueron enviadas al Laboratorio Central de Salud Pública (LCSP), por los centros colaboradores de la Red de Vigilancia Laboratorial de la Resistencia a los Antimicrobianos (RAM). Para ello, se realizó un estudio prospectivo de corte transversal de enero a diciembre de 2021. Se caracterizaron 128 cepas como N. gonorrhoeae a las cuales se le realizaron pruebas de susceptibilidad obteniéndose 48% de resistencia y 52% de sensibilidad intermedia a penicilina. El 70% presentó resistencia a ciprofloxacina y el 19% a tetraciclina. Se obtuvo 100% de sensibilidad a ceftriaxona y cefixima. El fenotipo de resistencia de mayor prevalencia fue QRNG, asociado con resistencia a ciprofloxacina, seguido del fenotipo PPNG-QRNG, asociado con resistencia a penicilina y ciprofloxacina. Ante estos hallazgos y frente a la emergencia mundial de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos, especialmente de cefalosporinas de espectro extendido, se recomienda que los laboratorios de bacteriología fortalezcan la vigilancia para apoyar la detección de casos y proporcionar el tratamiento adecuado.

Existe un gran número de estrategias de aprendizaje que se utilizan en los cursos de lenguas extranjeras (LEX). Frecuentemente, se le otorga prioridad al desarrollo de habilidades gramaticales, de comprensión lectora o de vocabulario, dejando a un lado el sentir de los estudiantes y su motivación para aprender. El uso de tándems virtuales se considera como una de las herramientas que favorece la motivación en el aprendizaje del inglés como LEX. Estos consisten en un grupo de sesiones virtuales entre estudiantes que desean aprender una lengua extranjera, en donde intercambian conocimientos y vocabulario de una manera natural. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo identificar cambios en la motivación de los alumnos al utilizar los tándems virtuales de lengua. Se siguió una metodología cualitativa, a través del análisis del discurso en varios padlets y un grupo focal a 21 sujetos, en donde se les hicieron algunas preguntas relacionadas con su participación en el proyecto y sus experiencias. Los resultados se analizaron siguiendo como referencia los constructos del modelo de Gardner y Lambert (1972) y se encontró que el uso de tándems virtuales de lenguas favorece a la actitud, el interés, y, sobre todo, la motivación que tienen los estudiantes ante el aprendizaje del inglés como LEX.

The instruments to evaluate the organizational culture are oriented to analyze it from an economic perspective, and it is emphasized that they are mainly directed towards small and medium-sized companies. Therefore, at present an instrument was designed and validated to assess the organizational culture of microenterprises towards sustainable social development. The instrument was designed as an analytical rubric and integrated the dimensions of planning, leadership, and wellbeing. After its design, it was reviewed by 3 experts, and evaluated by 21 others. Finally, the instrument was piloted with micro entrepreneurs. The review and evaluation of the instrument revealed the belonging of items to the dimensions, and validity of their content (Aiken’s V > 0.75, VI > 0.65, and CVI > 0.80). The piloting revealed that the instrument has a good degree of compression for the target population. It is concluded that the instrument is relevant and valid for the purpose for which it was designed.

Vegetable beverages are a convenient strategy to enhance the consumption of horticultural commodities, with the possibility of being fortified with plant by-products to increase functional quality. The main objective was to develop a new veggie beverage from broccoli stalks and carrot by-products seasoned with natural antioxidants and antimicrobial ingredients. Pasteurization, Ultrasound (US), and High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP) and their combinations were used as processing treatments, while no treatment was used as a control (CTRL). A shelf-life study of 28 days at 4 °C was assayed. Microbial load, antioxidant capacity, and bioactive compounds were periodically measured. Non-thermal treatments have successfully preserved antioxidants (~6 mg/L ΣCarotenoids) and sulfur compounds (~1.25 g/L ΣGlucosinolates and ~5.5 mg/L sulforaphane) throughout the refrigerated storage, with a longer shelf life compared to a pasteurized beverage. Total vial count was reduced by 1.5–2 log CFU/mL at day 0 and by 6 log CFU/mL at the end of the storage in HHP treatments. Thus, the product developed in this study could help increase the daily intake of glucosinolates and carotenoids. These beverages can be a good strategy to revitalize broccoli and carrot by-products with high nutritional potential while maintaining a pleasant sensory perception for the final consumer.

Geological degassing can impact subsurface metabolism. Here, the authors describe microbial communities from a cold-water geyser are described and compared with other deep subsurface sites, finding a key role for an uncultivated archaeon.

Background: Recent data about clinical features, triggers and management of anaphylaxis in Latin America is lacking. Objective: To provide updated and extended data on anaphylaxis in this region. Method: An online questionnaire was used, with 67 allergy units involved from 12 Latin-American countries and Spain. Among data recorded, demographic information, clinical features, severity, triggering agents, and treatment were received. Results: Eight hundred and seventeen anaphylactic reactions were recorded. No difference in severity, regardless of pre-existing allergy or asthma history was found. Drug induced anaphylaxis (DIA) was most frequent (40.6%), followed by food induced anaphylaxis (FIA) (32.9%) and venom induced anaphylaxis (VIA) (12%). FIA and VIA were more common in children-adolescents. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and beta-lactam antibiotics (BLA) were the most frequent drugs involved. Milk (61.1% of FIA) and egg (15.4% of FIA) in children, and shellfish (25.5% of FIA), fresh fruits (14.2% of FIA), and fish (11.3% of FIA) in adults were the most common FIA triggers. Fire ants were the most frequent insect triggers, and they induced more severe reactions than triggers of FIA and DIA (p

Los adenomas hipofisarios clínicamente no funcionantes (AHCNF) se caracterizan por la ausencia de hipersecreción hormonal con un espectro de manifestaciones clínicas, desde su curso asintomático hasta la presencia de síntomas compresivos o apoplejía hipofisaria. El tratamiento de elección es la cirugía, sin embargo existen diferentes tratamientos adyuvantes que permiten mejorar el pronóstico. La evidencia actual continúa aumentando la información sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento de esta enfermedad. El objetivo del presente documento es actualizar la posición de la Sociedad Mexicana de Nutrición y Endocrinología respecto al diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de las personas que viven con AHCNF, realizando una revisión de la literatura por el Grupo de Trabajo de Neuroendocrinología de nuestra sociedad y estableciendo recomendaciones aplicables a nuestra población.

La enfermedad de Cushing es la causa más frecuente de hipercortisolismo endógeno. Es ocasionada por un tumor hipofisario productor de hormona adrenocorticotrópica. En algunos casos se asocia a un estado severo de morbilidad y a tasas elevadas de mortalidad. El pronóstico puede verse modificado por dificultades en el diagnóstico y tratamiento. El presente trabajo es el resultado de los acuerdos tomados por el Grupo de Trabajo de Neuroendocrinología de la Sociedad Mexicana de Nutrición y Endocrinología durante las reuniones que tuvieron como objetivo el señalar la posición del grupo respecto al diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad de Cushing.

El presente artículo es una primera aproximación realizada a partir de la revisión documental y literatura gris, a la par de herramientas metodológicas que permiten la representación de fuentes primaras, aquellas que se recuperan de las experiencias cotidianas de las identidades TTTrans en el contexto de Tepic, Nayarit, México. Es decir, aquellas que se simbolizan y encarnan a partir de su cuerpo. Su presencia se convierte en un posicionamiento legítimo para la sociedad que habita dentro de la ciudad. Sus cuerpos se convierten ciertamente en mapas de resistencia, desobediencia y disrupción al cis-tema, definido como sistema dividido en dos cuerpos sexuados, hombre-mujer, en dos géneros, masculino-femenino. En la investigación aparece también la geografía transfeminista como una refutación hacia el reconocimiento de ciudades sexuadas, diseñadas en una visión androcéntrica, situación que implica interpelaciones ante la representación TTTrans de la ciudad. Para llegar a ello, indago en una revisión entre la literatura científica y la literatura gris y se insertan herramientas como la observación dentro del movimiento trans local, la autoescritura como técnica, fragmentos de entrevistas semiestructuradas, etnografía digital feminista, armonizando estas características con un elemento fundamental, el arte visual específicamente la fotografía, revelando el posicionamiento de las identidades TTTrans en esta ciudad, a partir del 2007 hasta el 2021 en Tepic, Nayarit. Destaca el momento oscuro de la violencia en el contexto local, en otras palabras, matices de habitar esta ciudad.

Abstract Background The highly diverse Cand. Patescibacteria are predicted to have minimal biosynthetic and metabolic pathways, which hinders understanding of how their populations differentiate in response to environmental drivers or host organisms. Their mechanisms employed to cope with oxidative stress are largely unknown. Here, we utilized genome-resolved metagenomics to investigate the adaptive genome repertoire of Patescibacteria in oxic and anoxic groundwaters, and to infer putative host ranges. Results Within six groundwater wells, Cand. Patescibacteria was the most dominant (up to 79%) super-phylum across 32 metagenomes sequenced from DNA retained on 0.2 and 0.1 µm filters after sequential filtration. Of the reconstructed 1275 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), 291 high-quality MAGs were classified as Cand. Patescibacteria. Cand. Paceibacteria and Cand. Microgenomates were enriched exclusively in the 0.1 µm fractions, whereas candidate division ABY1 and Cand. Gracilibacteria were enriched in the 0.2 µm fractions. On average, Patescibacteria enriched in the smaller 0.1 µm filter fractions had 22% smaller genomes, 13.4% lower replication measures, higher proportion of rod-shape determining proteins, and of genomic features suggesting type IV pili mediated cell–cell attachments. Near-surface wells harbored Patescibacteria with higher replication rates than anoxic downstream wells characterized by longer water residence time. Except prevalence of superoxide dismutase genes in Patescibacteria MAGs enriched in oxic groundwaters (83%), no major metabolic or phylogenetic differences were observed. The most abundant Patescibacteria MAG in oxic groundwater encoded a nitrate transporter, nitrite reductase, and F-type ATPase, suggesting an alternative energy conservation mechanism. Patescibacteria consistently co-occurred with one another or with members of phyla Nanoarchaeota, Bacteroidota, Nitrospirota, and Omnitrophota. Among the MAGs enriched in 0.2 µm fractions,, only 8% Patescibacteria showed highly significant one-to-one correlation, mostly with Omnitrophota. Motility and transport related genes in certain Patescibacteria were highly similar to genes from other phyla (Omnitrophota, Proteobacteria and Nanoarchaeota). Conclusion Other than genes to cope with oxidative stress, we found little genomic evidence for niche adaptation of Patescibacteria to oxic or anoxic groundwaters. Given that we could detect specific host preference only for a few MAGs, we speculate that the majority of Patescibacteria is able to attach multiple hosts just long enough to loot or exchange supplies.

IntroductionThe emergence of several SARS-CoV-2 variants during the COVID pandemic has revealed the impact of variant diversity on viral infectivity and host immune responses. While antibodies and CD8 T cells are essential to clear viral infection, the protective role of innate immunity including macrophages has been recognized. The aims of our study were to compare the infectivity of different SARS-CoV-2 variants in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) and to assess their activation profiles and the role of ACE2 (Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2), the main SARS-CoV-2 receptor. We also studied the ability of macrophages infected to affect other immune cells such as γδ2 T cells, another partner of innate immune response to viral infections.ResultsWe showed that the SARS-CoV-2 variants α-B.1.1.7 (United Kingdom), β-B.1.351 (South Africa), γ-P.1 (Brazil), δ-B.1.617 (India) and B.1.1.529 (Omicron), infected MDM without replication, the γ-Brazil variant exhibiting increased infectivity for MDM. No clear polarization profile of SARS-CoV-2 variants-infected MDM was observed. The β-B.1.351 (South Africa) variant induced macrophage activation while B.1.1.529 (Omicron) was rather inhibitory. We observed that SARS-CoV-2 variants modulated ACE2 expression in MDM. In particular, the β-B.1.351 (South Africa) variant induced a higher expression of ACE2, related to MDM activation. Finally, all variants were able to activate γδ2 cells among which γ-P.1 (Brazil) and β-B.1.351 (South Africa) variants were the most efficient.ConclusionOur data show that SARS-CoV-2 variants can infect MDM and modulate their activation, which was correlated with the ACE2 expression. They also affect γδ2 T cell activation. The macrophage response to SARS-CoV-2 variants was stereotypical.

O trabalho trata sobre a formação desenvolvida pela Escola da Terra/ Ceará, objetivando apresentar o processo de formação continuada desenvolvido por meio da ação/projeto, com aspectos filosóficos, pedagógicos e didáticos que permeiam o percurso dessa formação. Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica e documental que conta ainda com os dados obtidos por meio de questionário aplicado aos professores cursistas no início e no final do curso, analisados à luz do materialismo histórico-dialético. Conclui que a Escola da Terra contribui com o processo de formação dos professores cursistas e que o conteúdo desenvolvido atende suas expectativas, embora na ação de 2020/2021, tenham encontrado algumas dificuldades em razão da maioria do curso ter sido realizada de forma remota, devido à pandemia da Covid-19.

Abstract Here, we report and discuss the applicability of Variovorax paradoxus strain BFB1_13 in the bioremediation of BTEX contaminated sites. Strain BFB1_13 was capable of degrading all the six BTEX-compounds under both aerobic (O2 conc. 8 mg l−1) and micro-aerobic/oxygen-limited (O2 conc. 0.5 mg l−1) conditions using either individual (8 mg‧l−1) or a mixture of compounds (~ 1.3 mg‧l−1 of each BTEX compound). The BTEX biodegradation capability of SBP-encapsulated cultures (SBP—Small Bioreactor Platform) was also assessed. The fastest degradation rate was observed in the case of aerobic benzene biodegradation (8 mg l−1 per 90 h). Complete biodegradation of other BTEX occurred after at least 168 h of incubation, irrespective of the oxygenation and encapsulation. No statistically significant difference was observed between aerobic and microaerobic BTEX biodegradation. Genes involved in BTEX biodegradation were annotated and degradation pathways were predicted based on whole-genome shotgun sequencing and metabolic analysis. We conclude that V. paradoxus strain BFB1_13 could be used for the development of reactive biobarriers for the containment and in situ decontamination of BTEX contaminated groundwater plumes. Our results suggest that V. paradoxus strain BFB1_13—alone or in co-culture with other BTEX degrading bacterial isolates—can be a new and efficient commercial bioremediation agent for BTEX contaminated sites.

Summary: Vimentin is a type III intermediate filament protein, widely expressed in mesenchymal cells. Mainly located in the cytoplasm, vimentin can also appear at extracellular locations, where it may interact with bacterial or viral pathogens. In this study, we aimed at investigating the implication of vimentin in SARS-CoV-2 viral entry and the consequences on viral replication and cellular response. We showed that upon infection, vimentin was upregulated at the cell surface, where it interacts with ACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 entry. We demonstrated a direct interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, ACE2, and vimentin in epithelial cells. Inhibition of cell-surface vimentin availability resulted in reduced viral entry and cytopathogenic effects. Finally, we showed that the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines was modulated by vimentin—SARS-CoV-2 interaction. In conclusion, our data suggest that cell-surface vimentin acts as a co-receptor for SARS-CoV-2.

Background and Objectives: Periodontal disease (PD) is a multifactorial oral disease regularly caused by bacterial biofilms. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) have offered good antimicrobial activity; moreover, there is no available scientific information related to their antimicrobial effects in biofilms from patients with PD. This study reports the bactericidal activity of AgNP against oral biofilms related to PD. Materials and Methods: AgNP of two average particle sizes were prepared and characterized. Sixty biofilms were collected from patients with (30 subjects) and without PD (30 subjects). Minimal inhibitory concentrations of AgNP were calculated and the distribution of bacterial species was defined by polymerase chain reaction. Results: Well-dispersed sizes of AgNP were obtained (5.4 ± 1.3 and 17.5 ± 3.4 nm) with an adequate electrical stability (−38.2 ± 5.8 and −32.6 ± 5.4 mV, respectively). AgNP showed antimicrobial activities for all oral samples; however, the smaller AgNP had significantly the most increased bactericidal effects (71.7 ± 39.1 µg/mL). The most resistant bacteria were found in biofilms from PD subjects (p < 0.05). P. gingivalis, T. denticola, and T. forsythia were present in all PD biofilms (100%). Conclusions: The AgNP showed efficient bactericidal properties as an alternative therapy for the control or progression of PD.

Little is known about viral-host interactions in the continental subsurface. Here, the authors use a combination of metagenomics, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and electron microscopy to show infections of abundant C-fixing subsurface archaea by lytic viruses.

Objetivo: Identificar en qué medida la salud mental y bienestar subjetivo son predichas por el endeudamiento por motivos de estudio en estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de Temuco, Chile. Método: Una muestra no probabilística de 151 estudiantes universitarios de quinto año o superior de su respectiva carrera universitaria respondió a medidas de salud mental (DASS-21), de bienestar subjetivo (satisfacción con la vida y felicidad subjetiva), y del nivel de endeudamiento asumido para financiar sus estudios universitarios. Los análisis incluyeron regresiones lineales múltiples jerárquicas donde se incluyeron como variables independientes la variable género en un primer paso y el endeudamiento por créditos universitarios en el segundo paso. En cada regresión se incluyó un factor de salud mental y de bienestar subjetivo como variable dependiente. Resultados: Resultados indican que el endeudamiento por motivos de estudio predice significativamente satisfacción con la vida (F(2, 148) = 5,95, p = 0,003, R2 Adjusted = 0,06; β = -0,16, p = 0,049), pero no predice felicidad subjetiva (p = n.s.) (factores de bienestar subjetivo), sintomatología depresiva (p = n.s.), ansiosa (p = n.s.), ni estrés (p = n.s.) (factores de salud mental). Conclusión: Resultados del estudio sugieren que los estudiantes universitarios pudieran percibir el endeudamiento estudiantil como una inversión hacia el futuro lo que pudiera operar como un factor protector de su salud mental y bienestar subjetivo.

Abstract Background To report a case of unilateral acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) in a Hispanic convalescent COVID-19 female patient. Case presentation A 35-year-old Hispanic female with exposure to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was evaluated due to unilateral visual loss. Ophthalmic examination and diagnostic tests were consistent with APMPPE. Discussion Ocular changes can be observed in patients with COVID-19. A complete ophthalmic evaluation must be performed in patients with low vision after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The environmental impact of food products is significantly affected by their packaging. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of PLA (polylactic acid) film, as an alternative to petroleum-based bags, on the shelf-life of fresh-cut wild rocket and sea fennel grown in a cascade cropping system (CCS). To this end, wild rocket (main crop) was cultivated using either peat or compost as a growing medium. Sea fennel (secondary crop) was subsequently grown in a floating system with leachates from the primary crop as a nutrient solution. The leaves of both crops were harvested and packaged in OPP- (oriented polypropylene) or PLA-based bags and stored for 7 days at 4 °C. The leaves of wild rocket and sea fennel showed lower dehydration and lower respiration when compost was used as a growing medium or leachate. Wild rocket in compost increased in nitrate and vitamin C contents at harvest while leachates had scarce influence on their contents in sea fennel. After storage, regardless of the crop, no relevant detrimental changes were observed on leaves packaged with PLA, being a product microbiologically safer when compared to OPP. The bag type had almost no influence on most relevant phytochemical compounds. In conclusion, the use of a PLA-based film on minimally processed wild rocket and sea fennel leaves is a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastic for a short food supply chain.

Wounding induces phenolic biosynthesis in broccoli. However, there is scarce information about the physiological and molecular mechanisms governing this stress response. In the present study, a chemical-genetics approach was used to elucidate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS), jasmonic acid (JA), and ethylene (ET) as stress-signaling molecules in the wound-induced phenolic biosynthesis in broccoli. Wounding activated the biosynthesis of ET and JA. Likewise, the wound-induced biosynthesis of ET and JA was regulated by ROS. JA activated primary metabolism, whereas the three signaling molecules activated phenylpropanoid metabolism. The signaling molecules inhibited the wound-induced activation of the hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HQT) gene, which is involved in caffeoylquinic acids biosynthesis, and the main phenolics accumulated in wounded broccoli, suggesting that an alternative caffeoylquinic biosynthesis pathway is activated in the tissue due to wounding. ROS mediated the biosynthesis of most individual phenolic compounds evaluated. In conclusion, ROS, ET, and JA are essential in activating broccoli’s primary and secondary metabolism, resulting in phenolic accumulation.

The study of emotional responses from consumers toward beer products is an important digital tool to obtain novel information about the acceptability of beers and their optimal physicochemical composition. This research proposed the use of biometrics to assess emotional responses from Mexican beer consumers while tasting top- and bottom-fermented samples. Furthermore, a novel emotional validation assessment using proven evoking images for neutral, negative, and positive emotions was proposed. The results showed that emotional responses obtained from self-reported emoticons and biometrics are correlated to the specific emotions evoked by the visual, aroma, and taste aspects of beers. Consumers preferred bottom-fermentation beers and disliked the wheat-based and higher-bitterness samples. Chemical compounds and concentrations were in accordance to previously reported research for similar beer styles. However, the levels of hordenine were not high enough to evoke positive emotions in the biometric assessment, which opens additional research opportunities to assess higher concentrations of this alkaloid to increase the happiness perception of low or non-alcoholic beers.

Ganso é um termo informalmente adotado por membros da Polícia Militar do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (PMERJ) destinado a pessoas que apresentam alguma forma de envolvimento com drogas ilícitas. Neste artigo, analisaremos a adoção do termo para dois grupos distintos, o primeiro composto por indivíduos suspeitos de uso ou tráfico de drogas e o segundo por policiais usuários de drogas. Em ambos os grupos, o ganso representa um estigma, ou seja, um conjunto de comportamentos considerados deteriorados e reprováveis. Entretanto, há diferenças marcantes na gestão desse estigma a partir do grupo a que o termo se designa.

Mentum deformities in chironomids have been commonly used as indicators of metal contamination in freshwater ecosystems. Incidence of these deformities suggests sublethal effects and can provide early signals of environmental deterioration. While anthropogenic metal pollution is known to lead to an increase in deformities in chironomids, natural background deformity incidence information is key to their effective use as biomonitoring tools. Here we explore the incidence of deformities from 5000 Tanytarsus (Diptera, Chironomidae) menta in relation to water physicochemical, and sediment metal (Al, As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn) concentration data from numerous sites in the naturally metal-rich Sonora River (NW Mexico) obtained over a two-year period. Higher metal concentrations were found in the upper basin. Higher salinity, total suspended solids and conductivity were found in the lower basin. Only As and Cu were occasionally found above published threshold effect levels (TEL). The proportion of deformities (% D) was low (2.1%) and a generalized linear model only explained 25.36% of % D variability among samples; this model included several physicochemical parameters. The only metal significantly related to deformities was Cu. Despite significant spatial and temporal variability in all metal concentrations and other physicochemical parameters in the basin, we were unable to explain a strong relationship between metal concentration and deformity incidence. Our results, based on consistent % D quantification from 5000 samples from a single taxon, suggest that natural variation in metal concentrations, even when statistically significant, is not associated with notable variations in the incidence of deformities.

IL-33 and its receptor ST2, as well as mast cells and their mediators, have been implicated in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, whether mast cells and the ST2 receptor play a critical role in COPD pathophysiology remains unclear. Here, we performed repeated intranasal administrations of porcine pancreatic elastase and LPS for four weeks to study COPD-like disease in wildtype, ST2-deficient, and Cpa3Cre/+ mice, which lack mast cells and have a partial reduction in basophils. Alveolar enlargement and changes in spirometry-like parameters, e.g. increased dynamic compliance and decreased expiratory capacity, were evident one day after the final LPS challenge and worsened over time. The elastase/LPS model also induced mild COPD-like airway inflammation, which encompassed a transient increase in lung mast cell progenitors, but not in mature mast cells. While ST2-deficient and Cpa3Cre/+ mice developed reduced pulmonary function uninterruptedly, they had a defective inflammatory response. Importantly, both ST2-deficient and Cpa3Cre/+ mice had fewer alveolar macrophages, known effector cells in COPD. Elastase/LPS instillation in vivo also caused increased bronchiole contraction in precision cut lung slices challenged with methacholine ex vivo, which occurred in a mast cell-independent fashion. Taken together, our data suggest that the ST2 receptor and mast cells play a minor role in COPD pathophysiology by sustaining alveolar macrophages.

Nutritional authorities state that both total carbohydrates and low glycemic index (GI) diets affect glycemic control. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing reduced the GI response of mango pulp when consumed by healthy adults. Present work evaluated the effects of HHP processing on concentrations of mango pulp dietary fiber sub-fractions (AOAC 2011.25 method), pectin methyl esterase (PME) activity, and established links with reduction of GI responses in healthy adults. Processing stability of mango pulp micronutrients (carotenoids, phenolics, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity) were also assessed. HHP-processing caused fiber inter-conversions from insoluble to soluble dietary fiber, the latter being significantly higher. Concentrations of non-digestible oligosaccharides and PME activities were also higher in treated pulps. In addition, HHP-processing preserved relevant mango phytonutrients such as carotenoids and phenolic compounds. Micronutrient retention and dietary fiber modifications suggested that HHP-processing improved mango pulp benefits for healthy subjects and potentially for patients with chronic metabolic diseases.