Tratamiento de una lesión primaria por loxoscelismo cutáneo, complicada por infección, con solución electrolizada de superoxidación con pH neutro (SES). Informe de un caso / Treatment of a Primary Lesion of Cutaneous Loxoscelismo, Complicated by Infection, with Neutral Electrolyzed Water (SES). A Case Report

Resumen Las lesiones por loxoscelismo cutáneo pueden complicarse con infecciones concomitantes debido a que el diagnóstico es presuntivo y no existe un esquema de tratamiento específico. Las soluciones electrolizadas de superoxidación de pH neutro (SES) han mostrado ser eficaces en el tratamiento de lesiones cutáneas severas por sus efectos antisépticos y de regeneración del tejido, por lo que podrían ser un método de curación para las lesiones por loxoscelismo cutáneo. Presentamos el caso de un paciente del sexo masculino, de 73 años, cardiópata, diagnosticado con loxoscelismo cutáneo en el tobillo izquierdo que recibió tratamiento convencional de antibióticos, antiinflamatorios, antihistamínicos y analgésicos, y fue dado de alta. Sin embargo, la lesión evolucionó y fue tratada de manera casera con remedios tradicionales; esta se extendió 360° y presentaba exudado fétido al momento en que decidió regresar al hospital. En la clínica de heridas se optó por manejar la lesión en primera instancia con lavados con SES y desbridamiento, seguido de lavados con SES y apósitos de gel SES 3 veces al día, por 3 días, logrando el control de la infección en este tiempo. Posteriormente, con el régimen basado en la aplicación de SES cada 48 horas, se observó la aparición del tejido de granulación al día 7, y la reepitelización en el día 45 de iniciado el abordaje con SES; el cierre total de la lesión se logró el día 67. El esquema de tratamiento basado en el uso de soluciones electrolizadas de superoxidación de pH neutro mostró ser eficaz en el control de la infección y en la inducción del proceso de regeneración del tejido que llevó al cierre de la herida sin complicaciones para el paciente.

Abstract Cutaneous loxoscelism wounds can be complicated by concomitant infections because the diagnosis is presumptive and there is no specific treatment scheme. Neutral electrolyzed water (SES) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of severe skin lesions due to their antiseptic and tissue regeneration effects and could therefore be a healing method for skin loxoscelism lesions. We present the case of a 73-year-old male patient with heart disease, diagnosed with cutaneous loxoscelism in the left ankle, who received conventional treatment of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antihistaminics, and analgesics. He was discharged. However, the injury developed and was treated at home with traditional remedies. It extended 360° and presented a fetid exudate at the time he decided to return to the hospital. In the clinic it was decided to manage the lesion in the first instance with washes with SES and debridement, followed by washes with SES and SES gel dressings three times a day for 3 days, achieving control of the infection at that moment. Subsequently, with the regimen based on the application of SES every 48 hours, the appearance of granulation tissue was observed on day 7, and re-epithelialization on day 45 after starting the SES approach, the total closure of the lesion was achieved on day 67. The treatment scheme based on the use of neutral electrolyzed water proved to be effective in controlling the infection and in inducing the tissue-generation process that led to the closure of the wound without complications for the patient.

Artificial Intelligence Applications in Rare Skin Diseases / 罕见病研究

In clinical practice, early diagnosis, accurate assessment and effective management of rare skin diseases are difficult. The Big Data gives rise to the exponential growth of biomedical data, including medical images, multi-omics information and electronic health records. Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly machine learning, has its advantage in processing complex and abundant information. Researches have applied AI in the field of rare skin diseases. In this paper, we briefly describe, discuss, and foresee the research on AI based image data, multi-omics data & text data and AI in assisting rare skin disease drug development, in order to improve the awareness of dermatologist understanding of this field and actively promote the development of AI usage on rare skin diseases.

Establishment and evaluation of a method for identifying the random error in the quantitative measurement procedure based on back propagation neural network / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To establish and evaluate a new real-time quality control method that can identify the random errors by using the backpropagation neural network (BPNN) algorithm and taking blood glucose test as an example.Methods:A total of 219 000 blood glucose results measured by Siemens advia 2 400 analytical system from January 2019 to July 2020 and derived from Laboratory Information System of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Laboratory Department was regarded as the unbiased data of our study. Six deviations with different sizes were introduced to generate the corresponding biased data. With each biased data, BPNN and MovSD algorithms were used and tested, and then evaluated by traceability method and clinical method.Results:For BPNN algorithm, the block size was pre-set to 10 and the false-positive rate in all biases was within 0.1%. For MovSD, however, the optimal block size and exclusive limit were 150 and 10% separately and its false-positive rate in all biases was 0.38%, which was 0.28% higher than BPNN. Especially, for the least two error factors of 0.5 and 1, all the random errors were not detected by MovSD; for the error factor larger than 1, random errors could be detected by MovSD but the MNPed was higher than that of BPNN under all deviations. The difference was up to 91.67 times. 460 000 reference data were produced by traceability procedure. The uncertainty of BPNN algorithm evaluated by these reference data was only 0.078%.Conclusion:A real-time quality control method based on BPNN algorithm was successfully established to identify random errors in analytical phase, which was more efficient than MovSD method and provided a new idea and method for the identification of random errors in clinical practice.

Advances in synthetic biology of CO2 fixation by heterotrophic microorganisms / 生物工程学报

Human activities increase the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), which leads to global climate warming. Microbial CO2 fixation is a promising green approach for carbon neutral. In contrast to autotrophic microorganisms, heterotrophic microorganisms are characterized by fast growth and ease of genetic modification, but the efficiency of CO2 fixation is still limited. In the past decade, synthetic biology-based enhancement of heterotrophic CO2 fixation has drawn wide attention, including the optimization of energy supply, modification of carboxylation pathway, and heterotrophic microorganisms-based indirect CO2 fixation. This review focuses on the research progress in CO2 fixation by heterotrophic microorganisms, which is expected to serve as a reference for peaking CO2 emission and achieving carbon neutral by microbial CO2 fixation.

In vitro assessment for cytotoxicity screening of new antimalarial candidates

Abstract In antimalarial research there are no standard procedures to determine the toxicity of a drug candidate. Among the alternatives available, in vitro cytotoxicity assays are the most widely used to predict toxic effects of future therapeutic products. They have the advantage over the in vivo assays, in that they offer the possibility to restrain the number of experimental variables. The objective of the present study was to compare in vitro cytotoxic methods by testing various compounds currently used to treat malaria against different cell lines. Neutral red (NR) uptake and methylthiazoletetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric in vitro assays were used to determine preliminary toxicity of commercially available antimalarial drugs against tumor and non-tumor cells lines. Toxicity through brine shrimp lethality bioassay and hemolytic activity were also evaluated. Significant differences were observed in the tests measured by NR uptake. The tumor cell lines TOV-21G and HepG2 and non-tumor WI-26VA4 cells showed relatively uniform toxicity results, with TOV-21G being the most sensitive cell tested, presenting the lowest concentration to cause death to 50% of viable cells (CC50) values. The results of this study support the use of TOV-21G, HepG2 and WI-26VA4 cells lines as the choice for cytotoxicity tests to evaluate potential bioactive compounds.

DNA damage as a potential marker in the clinical follow-up of female patients with treated cancer / Daño del ADN como marcador potencial en el seguimiento clínico de pacientes femeninas con cáncer tratado

Abstract Objective: To identify individual differences in the basal damage (DB) of peripheral leukocyte DNA from women with cancer in remission. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study in which 24 women with cancer in remission from different locations and 24 supposedly healthy women participated. The alkaline comet assay and the neutral variant were used to determine single-stranded breaks (DB-A), and double-stranded DNA breaks (DB-N), respectively. Results: Although there were no differences between the mean values of DNA damage in patients and controls (DB-N: p = 0.43 and DB-A: p = 0.13), 41.6% of the patients presented an increase of one type or another of DNA breaks, with respect to the corresponding cut-off points of the control women. DB-N was correlated with increasing age (r2 = 0.1833; r = 0.4281; p = 0.036) in the patients. DB-A was elevated in those who had received anticancer combination therapy (p = 0.024) and in those who were undergoing treatment with tamoxifen (p = 0.033); while it was decreased in those that consumed antioxidants (p = 0.006) and in those that combined tamoxifen and antioxidants (p = 0.020). Conclusions: Individual differences were identified in both types of DNA strand breaks that are of medical interest in the studied patients. Baseline DNA damage determined by comet assay is a potential tool in the clinical follow-up of cancer patients in remission.

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar diferencias individuales en el daño basal (DB) del ADN de leucocitos periféricos de mujeres con cáncer en remisión. Métodos: Estudio analítico de corte transversal en el que participaron 24 mujeres con cáncer en remisión de diferentes localizaciones y 24 mujeres supuestamente sanas. Se utilizó el ensayo cometa alcalino y la variante neutral para determinar roturas de simple hebra (DB-A), y roturas de doble hebra del ADN (DB-N), respectivamente. Resultados: Aunque no hubo diferencias entre los valores medios del daño del ADN de pacientes y controles (DB-N: p=0,43 y DB-A: p=0,13), el 41,6% de las pacientes presentó aumento de un tipo u otro de roturas del ADN, respecto a los correspondientes puntos de corte de las mujeres controles. El DB-N estuvo correlacionado con el incremento de la edad (r2 = 0,1833; r = 0,4281; p = 0,036) en las pacientes. El DB-A estuvo elevado en aquellas que habían recibido politerapia anticáncer (p = 0,024) y en las que estaban realizando tratamiento con tamoxifeno (p=0,033); mientras estuvo disminuido en las que consumieron antioxidantes (p=0,006) y en las que combinaron tamoxifeno y antioxidantes (p=0,020). Conclusiones: Se identificaron diferencias individuales en ambos tipos de roturas de hebra del ADN que resultan de interés médico en las pacientes estudiadas. El daño basal del ADN determinado por ensayo cometa es una herramienta potencial en el seguimiento clínico de pacientes con cáncer en remisión.

Biomechanical Study of Posterior Dynamic Fixation at Atlantoaxial Joints / 医用生物力学

Objective To evaluate the influence of dynamic fixation (rotating and sliding pedicle screws) on stability of the atlantoaxial joint. Methods A series of in vitro biomechanical tests were performed using six fresh adult cervical spines (occipital bone-C4 segment) to simulate different conditions in surgery， including the intact state, the injury state, rigid fixation, rotating pedicle screw fixation, sliding pedicle screw fixation. The repeated measurement design was employed, and under intact, injury and different fixation states, the pure moment of 1.5 N·m in flexion-extension, left-right lateral bending, left-right axial rotation directions were applied using the spinal testing machine. The movement of atlantoaxial spine was measured consecutively by three-dimensional （3D） measurement system in order to analyze the range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) of atlantoaxial joints. Results Under injury state, ROM of atlantoaxial joints was significantly larger than that under intact state during flexion, extension, lateral bending and rotation, leading to the instability of atlantoaxial joints. ROM of fixation segments was significantly reduced during flexion, extension, lateral bending and rotation after rigid and dynamic fixation. Compared with rigid fixation, dynamic fixation showed a significant ROM increase during lateral bending. NZs of fixation segments after dynamic fixation were significantly reduced. There were no significant ROM differences between rigid fixation and dynamic fixation. Conclusions The stability of atlantoaxial joints by dynamic fixation during flexion, extension and rotation was comparable to that by rigid fixation, but weaker during lateral bending. Dynamic screw fixation can maintain the relative stability of atlantoaxial joints.

Expression and biological role of the neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase 1 gene in liver cancer tissue and cell lines / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of the neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase 1 (NCEH1) gene in liver cancer tissue and human hepatoma cell lines and the effect of NCEH1 gene knockdown on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis abilities of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells. MethodsLiver cancer tissue samples and adjacent tissue samples were collected from 32 patients with liver cancer who underwent surgical treatment in Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University from January 2013 to June 2019, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the relative expression level of the NCEH1 gene. Gene expression data of liver cancer samples up to September 2020 were downloaded from the ICGC database, and R software was used to analyze the data and obtain the expression level of the NCEH1 gene in each sample. The paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to investigate the differences between liver cancer tissue and adjacent tissue. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the expression level of the NCEH1 gene in human hepatoma SMMC-7721, Bel-7402, HepG2, and Hep3B cells and normal human HL7702 liver cells. The lentivirus-mediated small interfering RNA (siRNA) technique was used to establish a human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cell line with NCEH1 gene knockdown, and the cells were divided into NCEH1 knockdown group (KD group) and negative control group (NC group); quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the knockdown efficiency of the NCEH1 gene, and then MTT assay, flow cytometry with Annexin V-APC single staining, wound healing assay, Transwell assay, and Transwell chamber invasion assay were used to measure the proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and invasion abilities of SMMC-7721 cells in both groups. The t-test was used for statistical analysis of data between the two groups. ResultsThe mean expression level of the NCEH1 gene in liver cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissue (specimens from our hospital: Z=2.263, P=0.024; ICGC database: U=18 768, P＜0.001). SMMC-7721 cell line with moderate potential of invasion and metastasis had the highest expression level of the NCEH1 gene, followed by BEL-7402 and HepG2 cell lines with low potential of invasion and metastasis, and Hep3B cell line without the potential of invasion and metastasis had the lowest expression level. The KD group had a significantly lower expression level of the NCEH1 gene than the NC group (t=11.578, P=0000 3), and the knockdown efficiency of the NCEH1 gene was as high as 74.0%. Compared with the NC group, the KD group had a significant reduction in cell growth rate, a significant increase in apoptosis rate, and significant reductions in migration rate and the number of metastatic and invasive cells (t=32.100, 27.303, 9.51, 38.123, and 22.331, all P＜0.001). Conclusion There is a significant increase in the expression of the NCEH1 gene in liver cancer tissue and cell lines, and the NCEH1 gene can promote the growth, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of hepatoma cells and inhibit their apoptosis, suggesting that it may be a potential therapeutic target for liver cancer.

MIXed plastics biodegradation and UPcycling using microbial communities: the NSFC-EU 2019 project MIX-UP to help achieve "carbon neutrality" / 生物工程学报

With the transformation and revolution of the global plastics recycling system, recycling and upcycling of mixed plastics waste not only reduces the carbon emissions of plastics during its life cycle, but also addresses its potential ecological and environmental hazards. This article summarizes an international cooperation project, "MIXed plastics biodegradation and UPcycling using microbial communities" (MIX-UP) which was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the European Union (NSFC-EU) in 2019. The consortium of MIX-UP consists of 14 partners from European Union and China. Focusing on the global issue of "plastics pollution", this Sino-European MIX-UP project took the mixed waste of petroleum-based plastics (PP, PE, PUR, PET and PS) and bio-based plastics (PLA and PHA) as starting materials for biotechnological conversion into value-added, sustainable biomaterials. MIX-UP has three subprojects: 1) identification of plastics biodegradation pathway and design & engineering of key degrading elements, 2) construction and functional regulation of microbial consortia/enzyme cocktails with high-efficiency for degradation of plastics mixtures, 3) strategy of design and utilization of plastics degradation products for production of high value materials. Through NSFC-EU complementary and cross-disciplinary cooperation, MIX-UP proposes the engineering of a new-to-nature biological route for upcycling, a low carbon and sustainable bio-treatment that is different from the traditional physico-chemical treatment, which will empower the recycling industry to a new dimension. The implementation of the project will not only help to promote innovation and development in the field of biotechnology in China, but also contribute to the achievement of China's carbon neutral goal.

Caracterização da matéria orgânica dissolvida em processos de tratamento de água para consumo humano usando fracionamento rápido / Characterization of dissolved organic matter in drinking water treatment processes using rapid fractionation

RESUMO Matéria orgânica natural (MON) é uma complexa matriz de compostos orgânicos originados de fontes naturais que estão presentes em corpos hídricos. A MON é comprovada precursora de subprodutos da desinfecção (SPD), além de afetar processos de tratamento de água, tais como a coagulação, a desinfecção, a oxidação, a adsorção em carvão ativado e a filtração em membranas. Por essas razões, a redução da MON no tratamento de água para consumo humano é importante. Vários métodos são usados para caracterizar e quantificar a MON, tais como adsorção em resinas e parâmetros de massa. Carbono orgânico total (COT), carbono orgânico dissolvido (COD), absorção na região do ultravioleta (UV254) e absorbância específica de luz ultravioleta (AEUV) são usualmente utilizados como parâmetros de massa. O fracionamento rápido é uma técnica que usa diferentes resinas para separar frações da MON. Nesse contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo geral caracterizar a matéria orgânica dissolvida (MOD) em processos de tratamento de água para consumo humano usando o método do fracionamento rápido e os parâmetros COD, UV254 e AEUV. Também foram analisados as variáveis turbidez, cor, pH e alcalinidade. Foram avaliados os efeitos dos processos de coagulação, sedimentação, filtração e adsorção em carvão ativado nas frações que formam a MON. Ácidos muito hidrofóbicos (AMH) constituíram a principal fração da MOD na água estudada, havendo redução de 89% entre a água bruta e o efluente do filtro de carvão ativado granular (CAG). A segunda fração predominante foi de ácidos levemente hidrofóbicos (ALH), reduzidos em 83% ao longo do tratamento. Na água bruta, as frações de matérias hidrofílicas carregadas (MHC) e de neutras (MHN) apresentaram concentrações de 0,11 mg L-1 e 0,04 mg L-1, não sendo removidas pelo tratamento.

ABSTRACT Natural organic matter (NOM) is a complex matrix of organic compounds originated from natural sources that are present in water bodies. NOM is a known precursor of disinfection by-products (DBP) and affects drinking water treatment processes such as coagulation, disinfection, oxidation, activated carbon adsorption, and membrane filtration. For these reasons, the reduction of NOM in water treatment is important. Several methods are used to characterize and quantify NOM, such as resin adsorption and mass parameters. The latter include total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultraviolet absorption at 254 nm (UV254), and specific UV absorption (SUVA). Rapid fractionation is a technique that uses different resins to separate NOM fractions. The objective of this study was to characterize dissolved organic matter (DOM) in drinking water treatment processes using rapid fractionation and the parameters DOC, UV254, and SUVA. Turbidity, color, pH, and alkalinity were also analyzed. The effects of coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and adsorption processes on the fractions forming the NOM were evaluated. Very hydrophobic acids (VHA) constituted the main fraction of DOM in the studied water, with a reduction of 89% between raw water and granular activated carbon filter (GAC) respect to raw water. The second predominant fraction consisted of slightly hydrophobic acids (SHA), reduced by 83% throughout the treatment processes. In raw water, the hydrophilic charged (MHC) and neutral (MHN) fractions showed concentrations of 0.11 and 0.04 mg L-1, which were not removed during treatment.

Improved protease activity of Pixian broad bean paste with cocultivation of Aspergillus oryzae QM-6 and Aspergillus niger QH-3

BACKGROUND: The preparation of broad bean koji is a key process in the production of Pixian broad bean paste (PBP). Protease is essential for the degradation of proteins during PBP fermentation. To obtain broad bean koji with high protease activity using the cocultivated strains of Aspergillus oryzae QM-6 (A. oryzae QM-6) and Aspergillus niger QH-3 (A. niger QH-3), the optimization of acid and neutral protease activities was carried out using Box­Behnken design with response surface methodology (RSM). RESULTS: The optimum conditions were found to be as follows: inoculation proportion (X1), 3:1 (A. oryzae QM-6: A. niger QH-3, w/w); culture temperature (X2), 33°C; inoculum size (X3), 0.5% (w/w); incubation time (X4), 5 d. The acid and neutral protease activities were 605.2 ± 12.4 U/g and 1582.9 ± 23.7 U/g, respectively, which were in good agreement with the predicted values. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiles revealed that the broad bean koji extracellular proteins in the case of cocultivation were richer compared to those in the case of A. oryzae QM-6 or A. niger QH-3 strain only. In addition, the free amino acids (FAAs) in the fermentation product were 55% higher in the cocultivation process than in that involving only A. oryzae QM-6, further confirming the diversity of proteases in the fermentation products. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal conditions of koji-making in PBP were obtained using RSM. The cocultivation of A. oryzae and A. niger increases the overall enzyme activities in the culture medium and the FAAs content, which would thus have potential application in the PBP industry.

A Clinical Comparative Study of Two Different Materials Used in Recording Neutral Zone in Completely Edentulous Patients at Jaipur Dental College, Jaipur.

Stability of mandibular dentures in highly resorbed ridges is a great challenge and one of the deciding factors in the failure or success of the complete denture. The neutral zone technique is an alternative approach for the construction of complete dentures with such kind of challenges. The objective of this research was to study the accuracy of reproducibility of Neutral Zone by two commonly available dental materials, tissue conditioner and zinc oxide eugenol paste.METHODSViscogel tissue conditioner and zinc oxide eugenol paste are easy flowing recording materials and can be recorded by using support. Hence to study the accuracy of the reproducibility of the neutral zone, specially designed acrylic rims with occlusal stops were used which supported the recording materials adequately in the posterior region of the inter ridge space. Swallowing method was used to record the neutral zone, five times by each material. Bucco-lingual dimension of the neutral zone was recorded at predetermined reference points for all individuals with the help of a micrometer. 40 patients were selected with Class 1 jaw relations.RESULTSIn this in vivo study done in selected 40 patients, selection done according to selection criteria to compare the accuracy of reproducibility of Neutral Zone by tissue conditioner [Dentsply, Visco-gel, Temporary Soft Denture Liner]and zinc oxide eugenol impression paste [DPI Impression Paste R]. Neutral zone were recorded in all the cases with both materials and data recorded to create the results. By summarizing the results as width (in mm.) of the neutral zone at point 1, 2, 3, and 4 for tissue conditioner [Dentsply, Visco-gel, and Temporary Soft Denture Liner] were 10.36, 10.06, 10.51 and 10.21 respectively. For zinc oxide eugenol impression paste [DPI Impression Paste R] at point 1, 2, 3, and 4 width was 10.95, 10.44, 11.16 and 10.67 respectively. Calculated Coefficient of Variance value with Viscogel tissue conditioner is 0.70 % and with zinc oxide eugenol paste 1.04 %.CONCLUSIONWith these results and statistical analysis, with 5% of level of significance (as alpha = 0.05) i.e. 95% confident, we found enough evidence to conclude that usage of Viscogel tissue conditioner is more effective and accurate than zinc oxide eugenol impression paste in neutral zone technique.

Pharmacological Effect and Substance Basis of Neutral Blood-activating and Stasis-removing Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

By reviewing the 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the author collected 37 neutral blood-activating and stasis-removing traditional Chinese medicines. And by retrieving literatures on relevant material basis and pharmacological effects on CNKI, the author organized and summarized their chemical composition and pharmacological effects. Neutral blood-activating and stasis-removing traditional Chinese medicines are rich in chemical components, such as flavonoids, steroids and sugars. At the same time, it has a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti-platelet aggregation and anti-thrombotic mechanism, anti-atherosclerosis, inhibition of ischemia-perfusion injury, anti-tumor, anti-fibrosis, liver protection, anti-inflammatory analgesia, blood pressure reduction and immune regulation. It is widely used in the treatment of liver fibrosis, cardiovascular disease, liver cancer, uterine cancer, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and other diseases. Nowadays, as people has paid increasing attention to neutral herbs, studies on traditional Chinese medicines for activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis have been further deepened, which provides a better development prospect for neutral blood-activating and stasis-removing traditional Chinese medicines. From the perspective of medicinal properties, the authors systematically collected and summarized the pharmacological effects and material basis of neutral blood-activating and stasis-removing traditional Chinese medicines. This article provides theoretical guidance for the clinical application of neutral blood-activating and stasis-removing traditional Chinese medicines and new medicine research ideas for neutral blood-activating and stasis-removing traditional Chinese medicines.

Beta diversity patterns of Bromeliaceae growing on rocky cliffs within the Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil / Padrões de diversidade beta de Bromeliaceae crescendo em falésias rochosas dentro da Mata Atlântica no sul do Brasil

Abstract: In recent years there has been increasing attention in patterns of β-diversity and mechanisms related to variations in species composition. In this study, we evaluated beta diversity patterns of bromeliads growing on cliffs immersed in Atlantic Forest. We hypothesized that the species composition varies according to the spatial scale, inferring that there is a replacement of species influenced mainly by environmental factors. The study was carried out on sandstone cliffs included in contiguous but distinct vegetation formations: Evergreen and Seasonal forests. Twenty-four vertical rocky outcrops were sampled. The spatial variation in species composition was evaluated by two β-diversity components, turnover and nestedness. Multivariate analysis and variation partitioning were performed to distinguish niche and stochastic processes. We recorded 26 bromeliad species and a significantly higher contribution of turnover explaining beta diversity. Environmental factors affect β-diversity patterns of Bromeliaceae. However, individually, the environmental predictors do not explain the data variation. Environmental variations spatially structured, and spatial variables determinate the dissimilarity in the composition of bromeliads on cliffs. Thus, our results revealed that both environmental and spatial effects can act together to define the floristic composition of rock-dwelling bromeliad communities.

Resumo: Nos últimos anos tem havido uma crescente atenção em relação aos padrões de diversidade β e aos mecanismos relacionados às variações na composição de espécies. Neste estudo, nós avaliamos os padrões de diversidade beta de bromélias crescendo em escarpas rochosas imersas em matriz de Floresta Atlântica. Hipotetizamos que a composição das espécies varia de acordo com a escala espacial, inferindo que há uma substituição de espécies influenciadas principalmente por fatores ambientais. O estudo foi realizado em escarpas areníticas inseridas em formações vegetacionais contíguas, mas distintas: Florestas Ombrófila e Estacional. Vinte e quatro afloramentos rochosos verticais foram amostrados. A variação espacial na composição de espécies foi avaliada por dois componentes de diversidade β, turnover e aninhamento. Análise multivariada e particionamento da variação foram realizados para distinguir processos de nicho e estocásticos. Registramos 26 espécies de bromélias, com uma contribuição significativamente maior do turnover explicando a diversidade beta. Os fatores ambientais afetam os padrões de diversidade β de Bromeliaceae, no entanto, individualmente, esses preditores não explicam a variação dos dados. Assim, variações espaciais e variações ambientais espacialmente estruturadas determinam a dissimilaridade na composição de bromélias nas escarpas avaliadas. Desse modo, tanto os fatores ambientais determinísticos quanto os efeitos espaciais podem atuar em conjunto para definir a composição florística das comunidades de bromélias que se estabelecem sobre rochas.

Efeito Kuleshov: a influência do contexto emocional no processamento de faces / Kuleshov Effect: the influence of emotional context on face processing / Efecto Kuleshov: la influencia del contexto emocional en el procesamiento facial

Em 1920, Lev Vladimirovitch Kuleshov relatou que o contexto emocional quando justaposto à face neutra poderia afetar a percepção da face, tornando-a emocional. Na área do cinema este fenômeno foi denominado de efeito Kuleshov. A existência do efeito tem sido cientificamente questionada, e desde então, neurocientistas tentam validar o efeito Kuleshov. Neste artigo iremos sumarizar os diferentes modelos experimentais que têm sido utilizados na investigação do efeito Kuleshov e os resultados encontrados até o momento por meio do método científico; mais precisamente em pesquisas experimentais e da neurociência. Os resultados desses estudos mostram indícios do efeito Kuleshov a nível comportamental e de processamento neuronal, entretanto, nenhum estudo conseguiu comprová-lo.

In 1920, Lev Vladimirovitch Kuleshov reported that the emotional context juxtaposed with the neutral face could affect the face perception making it reported as emotional. In the cinema area, this phenomenon was denominate of Kuleshov effect. The existence of the effect is scientifically questionable, and neuroscientists are engaged in validating the Kuleshov effect. In this article we will summarize the different experimental models that have been used in the investigation of the Kuleshov effect and the results found so far through the scientific method; more precisely in experimental and neuroscience research.The results of these studies show some evidence, however, there is no complete proof of the Kuleshov effect.

En 1920, Lev Vladimirovitch Kuleshov demostró que el contexto emocional, cuando se yuxtaponía con un rostro neutro, afectaba la percepción del rostro, haciéndolo emocional. En el área del cine, este fenómeno se denominaba efecto Kuleshov. La existencia del efecto es científicamente cuestionable, y los neurocientíficos se dedican a validar el efecto Kuleshov. En este artículo resumiremos los diferentes modelos experimentales que se han utilizado en la investigación del efecto Kuleshov y los resultados encontrados hasta ahora a través del método científico; más precisamente en investigación experimental y neurociencia. Los resultados de estos estudios mostran alguna evidencia, sin embargo, no hay una prueba completa del efecto Kuleshov.

The secreted acid trehalase encoded by the CgATH1 gene is involved in Candida glabrata virulence

BACKGROUND Candida glabrata yeast is the second cause of candidiasis worldwide. Differs from other yeasts since assimilates only glucose and trehalose (a characteristic used in rapid identification tests for this pathogen) by secreting into the medium a highly active acid trehalase encoded by the CgATH1 gene. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to characterise the function of the acid trehalase in the physiopathology of C. glabrata. METHODS Gene deletion was performed to obtain a mutant ath1Δ strain, and the ability of the ath1Δ strain to grow in trehalase, or the presence of trehalase activity in the ath1Δ yeast cells, was verified. We also tested the virulence of the ath1Δ strain in a murine model of infection. FINDINGS The ath1Δ mutant strain grows normally in the presence of glucose, but loses its ability to grow in trehalose. Due to the high acid trehalase activity present in wild-type cells, the cytoplasmic neutral trehalase activity is only detected in the ath1Δ strain. We also observed a significantly lower virulence of the ath1Δ strain in a murine model of infection with either normal or immunocompromised mice. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The acid trehalase is involved in the hydrolysis of external trehalose by C. glabrata, and the enzyme also plays a major virulence role during infectivity.

Chitosan level effects on fermentation profile and chemical composition of sugarcane silage / Efeitos de níveis de quitosana sobre o perfil fermentativo e a composição química da silagem de cana-de-açúcar

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of chitosan (CHI) on sugarcane fermentation profile and losses, chemical composition, and in situ degradation. Treatments were: 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 g of CHI/kg of dry matter (DM). Twenty experimental silos (PVC tubing with diameter 28 cm and height 25 cm) were used. Sand (2 kg) was placed at the bottom of each silo to evaluate effluent losses, and silos were weighed 60 d after ensiling to calculate gas losses. Samples were collected from the center of the silo mass to evaluate silage chemical composition, in situdegradation, fermentation profile, and mold and yeast count. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design, and the treatment effect was decomposed using polynomial regression. Chitosan linearly increased acetic acid and NH3-N concentration, while yeast and mold count, and ethanol concentration decreased. Intermediary levels of CHI (from 4.47 to 6.34 g/kg DM) showed the lower values of effluent, gas, and total losses. There was a quadratic effect of CHI on the content of non-fiber carbohydrates, neutral and acid detergent, and in situ DM degradation. The lowest fiber content was observed with levels between 7.01 and 7.47 g/kg DM, whereas the highest non-fiber carbohydrate content and in situ DM degradation were found with 6.30 and 7.17 g/kg DM of CHI, respectively. Chitosan linearly increased acetic acid and NH3-N concentration, whereas it linearly reduced ethanol concentration and count of yeast and mold. Thus, intermediary levels of CHI, between 4.47 and 7.47 g/kg of DM, decrease fermentation losses and improve the nutritional value of sugarcane silage.(AU)

Foram avaliados os efeitos do aumento dos níveis de quitosana (CHI) sobre o perfil e as perdas fermentativas, a composição química e degradação in situ da silagem de cana-de-açúcar. Os tratamentos foram: 0, 1, 2, 4 e 8 g de CHI / kg de matéria seca (MS). Foram utilizados vinte silos experimentais (tubos de PVC com 28 cm de diâmetro e 25 cm de altura). Areia (2 kg) foi adicionada na porção inferior de cada silo para avaliar as perdas por efluentes e os silos foram pesados 60 dias após a ensilagem para calcular as perdas por gases. Amostras foram coletadas do centro da massa do silo para avaliar a composição química, degradação in situ, perfil fermentativo e a contagem de fungos e leveduras da silagem. Os dados foram analisados como um delineamento inteiramente casualizado e o efeito do tratamento foi decomposto usando regressão polinomial. A CHI aumentou linearmente a concentração de ácido acético e N-NH3, enquanto diminuiu a contagem de leveduras e bolores e a concentração de etanol. Os níveis intermediários de CHI (de 4,47 a 6,34 g/kg MS) mostraram os menores valores de perdas por efluentes, gases e totais. Houve efeito quadrático da CHI sobre o teor de carboidratos não fibrosos, fibra em detergente neutro e ácido e sobre a degradação in situ da MS. Os menores teores de fibras foram observados com níveis de CHI entre 7,01 e 7,47 g/kg MS, enquanto que os maiores teores de carboidratos não fibrosos e degradação in situ da MS foram encontrados com 6,30 e 7,17 g/kg MS de CHI, repectivamente. A CHI aumentou linearmente as concentrações de ácido acético e N-NH3, enquanto reduziu linearmente a concentração de etanol e a contagem de fungos e leveduras. Desta forma, níveis intermediários de CHI, entre 4,47 e 7,47 g / kg de MS, diminuem as perdas fermentativas e melhoram o valor nutricional da silagem de cana-de-açúcar.(AU)

Política lingüística de uso del lenguaje inclusivo de género y las revistas científicas de la Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) / Gender fair use of language linguistic policy and the scientific journals of the University of Costa Rica (UCR)

Resumen Este artículo presenta un mapeo sobre la implementación de la política lingüística de uso de lenguaje inclusivo de género en las revistas científicas de la Universidad de Costa Rica que se encuentran en el Portal de Revistas. La información analizada se basó en una revisión documental de los sitios web de las publicaciones del Portal de Revistas de la universidad, las respuestas a un cuestionario en línea con una muestra por conglomerado que resulta representativa dentro de los títulos y, por último, en observaciones y comentarios de personas encargadas de procesos editoriales. Uno de los principales hallazgos refiere a que un 66 % de revistas no ha discutido en sus comités editoriales la política de lenguaje inclusivo de género de la Universidad, que data del año 2003, y el restante 34 % que sí lo ha hecho, se encuentra en distintos niveles de proximidad respecto a la implementación de dicha política lingüística. En la discusión se toman en cuenta distintas características de las revistas, el proceso editorial y el contexto para proponer mejoras en la implementación de esta política universitaria.

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present a mapping on the implementation of the language gender fair use of language in the academic journals of the University of Costa Rica that are part of Portal de Revistas (official website of the journals). The analyzed information is based on a documental review of the websites of each title in the research website, the answers to an online questionnaire with a cluster sampling that results representative for the total number of journals, and the observations and comments of the people in charge of the editorial processes. One of the main findings is that 66% of the editorial committee of the journals has not discussed the university policy of gender fair use of language (stablished in 2003) and the other 34%, that has discussed this subject, presents different levels of proximity to the execution of this language policy. In the discussion, we take into consideration the characteristics of the journals, the editorial process, and the context to purpose improves in the implementation of this university policy.

Valor nutricional del ensilaje de forraje de quinua (Chenopodium quinoa willd) con adición de microorganismos eficientes / Nutritional value of quinoa forage silage (Chenopodium quinoa willd) with the addition of efficient microorganisms / Valor nutricional da silagem de forragem de quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd) com addição de microorganismos eficientes

Resumen El cultivo de gramíneas y leguminosas con alto valor nutritivo para suplir los requerimientos nutricionales de los animales, es una alternativa para la reducción de costos en la producción animal. El objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar la calidad nutricional del ensilaje de forraje de quinua (Chenopodium quinoa willd) variedad amarilla de maranganí con adición de microorganismos eficientes en relación con la edad de la quinua y los diferentes periodos de fermentación del ensilaje. Se recolectó el material vegetal (hojas y tallos) de quinua, se evaluaron tres edades de corte: 60, 90 y 120 días y cuatro periodos de fermentación del ensilaje: siete, catorce, veinte uno y treinta días. Se realizaron 4 tratamientos: tratamiento 1 (T1) se refiere al control sin aplicar ningún tipo de EM, los tratamientos T2, T3 Y T4 se les aplicó EM a la dosis indicada en la etiqueta como aditivo para ensilajes, cada tratamiento se realizó por triplicado. El material vegetal se deshidrató durante un periodo de 5 horas y posteriormente se elaboraron los microsilos de follaje de quinua. se determinó el valor nutritivo (materia seca, fibra detergente neutra, fibra detergente acida, cenizas y proteína cruda) al follaje y a los microsilos de quinua. Se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar (DCA) con un arreglo de parcelas divididas en el tiempo, se hizo un análisis de varianza utilizando el Modelo Lineal mixto y una separación de medias por el método de Duncan y una correlación de variables de Pearson. Para la variable humedad se encontró un rango de 81,3 - 87,7% para el T1 y un rango de valores de 57,3 - 90,3% para los demás tratamientos. Las cenizas se mantuvieron en valores similares al follaje de quinua en relación a las diferentes edades de rebrote, el mayor porcentaje de cenizas se obtuvo a los 21 días de fermentación del ensilaje con un valor de 20,3% para el T3 con el ensilaje de follaje de quinua de 90 días de rebrote; mientras que el contenido de proteína cruda disminuyo ligeramente en relación al T1 en la edad de rebrote de los 120 días presentando variaciones significativas entre los tratamientos con valores de 11,3-17,3%. Se presentó una relación positiva perfecta directamente proporcional (P≤0,01) entre los promedios de FDA y FDN (r=0,975) para todos los tratamientos evaluados. La planta de quinua permitiría un uso multipropósito del cultivo, generando grano para el consumo humano y follaje para el consumo animal.

Abstract The cultivation of grasses and legumes with high nutritional value to meet the nutritional requirements of animals, is an alternative for reducing costs in animal production. The objective of the study was to characterize the nutritional quality of the quinoa silage (Chenopodium quinoa willd) yellow variety of marangani with the addition of efficient microorganisms in relation to the age of quinoa and the different periods of silage fermentation. The quinoa plant material (leaves and stems) was collected, three cutting ages were evaluated: 60, 90 and 120 days and four periods of silage fermentation: seven, fourteen, twenty one and thirty days. Four treatments were performed: treatment 1 (T1) refers to the control without applying any type of MS, treatments T2, T3 and T4 were applied MS at the dose indicated on the label as silage additive, each treatment was performed in triplicate . The plant material was dehydrated for a period of 5 hours and subsequently the quinoa foliage microsyls were made. The nutritional value (dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, ash and crude protein) was determined to the foliage and quinoa microsilos. A completely randomized design (DCA) with an arrangement of time-divided plots was used, an analysis of variance was made using the Mixed Linear Model and a separation of means by the Duncan method and a correlation of Pearson variables. For the humidity variable, a range of 81,3 - 87,7% was found for T1 and a range of values of 57,3 - 90,3% for the other treatments. The ashes were maintained in values similar to the quinoa foliage in relation to the different ages of regrowth, the highest percentage of ashes was obtained at 21 days of silage fermentation with a value of 20,3% for T3 with the silage of Quinoa foliage 90 days of regrowth; while the crude protein content decreased slightly in relation to T1 in the 120-day regrowth age, presenting significant variations between treatments with values of 11,3-17,3%. A directly positive proportion directly proportional (P≤0,01) was presented between the FDA and FDN averages (r=0.975) for all the treatments evaluated. The quinoa plant would allow multipurpose use of the crop, generating grain for human consumption and foliage for animal consumption.

Resumo O cultivo de gramíneas e leguminosas com alto valor nutricional para suprir os requerimentos nutricionais dos animais, é uma alternativa para a redução de custos na produção animal. O objetivo do estudo foi caracterizar a qualidade nutricional da silagem de forrajem de quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd) variedade amarela de maranganí com adição de microorganismos eficientes na relação com a idade da quinoa e os diferentes períodos de fermentação da silagem. Recoletou-se o material vegetal (folhas e talos) de quinoa, avaliaram-se três idades de corte: 60, 90 e 120 dias e quatro períodos de fermentação da silagem: sete, quatorze, vinte e um e trinta dias. Realizaram-se 4 tratamentos: tratamento 1 (T1) se refere ao control sem aplicar nenhum tipo de EM, aos tratamentos T2, T3 Y T4 se aplicou EM nas dosagens indicadas na etiqueta como aditivo para silagens, cada tratamento se realizou por triplicado. O material vegetal se desidratou durante um período de 5 horas e posteriormente se elaboraram os microsilos de follaje de quinua. Se determinó el valor nutritivo (materia seca, fibra em detergente neutra, fibra em detergente acida, cenizas y proteína cruda) al follaje y a los microsilos de quina. Se utilizou um desenho completamente aleatório (DCA) com uma organização de parcelas divididas no tempo, se fez uma análise de variação utilizando o Modelo Linear Misto e uma separação de médias pelo método de Duncan e uma correlação de variáveis de Pearson. Para a variável humidade se encontrou um intervalo de 81,3 - 87,7% para el T1 e um intervalo de valores de 57,3 - 90,3% para os demais tratamentos. As cinzas se mantiveram em valores similares à folhagem de quinoa em relação às diferentes idades de rebrote, a maior porcentagem de cinzas se obteve aos 21 dias de fermentação da silagem com um valor de 20,3% para T3 com a silagem de folhagem de quinoa de 90 dias de rebrote; entanto que o conteúdo de proteína crua diminuiu ligeiramente em relação ao T1 na idade de rebrote dos 120 dias apresentando variações significativas entre os tratamentos com valores de 11,3-17,3%. Se apresentou uma relação positiva perfeita diretamente proporcional (P≤0,01) entre as médias de FDA e FDN (r=0,975) para todos os tratamentos avaliados. A planta de quinoa permitiria um uso multipropósito do cultivo, gerando grão para o consumo humano e folhagem para o consumo animal.

Análisis sobre carbono neutralidad y dificultades técnicas para la implementación de una clínica dental ecológica / Analysis on carbon neutrality and technical difficulties for the implementation of an ecofriendly dental office

Resumen El tema de la ecología en los últimos años ha sido de gran interés para la población en general, más aún en las empresas para disminuir el impacto ambiental generado, y la práctica odontológica no está exenta, ya que como es de conocimiento, se genera gran cantidad de basura mucha de la cual es infecciosa y altamente contaminante, por lo que la tendencia actual es de generar menos impacto ambiental en todos los aspectos del diario vivir y eso está retomando fuerza. Se abordó el tema de la carbono neutralidad, ya que es un complemento para entender el daño y la huella de carbono que se genera en la actualidad. De igual manera parte del trabajo se basó en la indagación sobre la cantidad de información que poseen los odontólogos acerca del tema de las clínicas dentales ecológicas, asimismo como de los requisitos necesarios para el proyecto, y se enlistaron las principales dificultades que ellos consideraban impedimento para aplicar esta modalidad en su práctica profesional.

Abstract The research intends open a gate between the dental industry and ecofriendly practices, now that the tendency to have less contamination impact in a daily basis routine has risen in the past years. The topic of carbón neutrality has come to the table since it is an important complement to have a better understanding of the damage and carbon foot print that is happening in the present. As well, big part of the study was to investigate if the dentists have had any kind of information regarding ecofriendly dental offices and it requirements, as well to see which one is the biggest difficulties dentists think are pushing them back to apply this modality in their day to day routine.