Ectopic HCN4 Provides a Target Biomarker for the Genetic Spectrum of mTORopathies.

Background and Objectives: Pathogenic variants in PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and GATOR1 complex genes resulting in hyperactivation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 are a major cause of drug-resistant epilepsy and focal cortical malformations (FCM). Resective neurosurgery is often required to achieve seizure control in patients with mTORopathies due to lack of effectiveness of nonsurgical therapies, including antiseizure medication and mTOR inhibitors. Elevated hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated potassium channel isoform 4 (HCN4) has been proposed as a key marker in some mTOR-related brain malformations. This study aimed to investigate HCN4 as a biomarker in the brain across the genetic spectrum of mTORopathies in humans. Methods: Our study investigated the relative steady-state levels and cellular localization of HCN4 in resected human brain tissue from 18 individuals with mTORopathies (3 individuals with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) due to TSC2 variants, 5 individuals with focal cortical dysplasia type IIA (FCD IIA) due to genetic variants in MTOR, AKT3, and PIK3CA, and 10 individuals with FCD IIB due to variants in TSC1, MTOR, RHEB, DEPDC5, or NPRL3). Results: Elevated HCN4 was observed to be highly restricted to abnormal cell types (dysmorphic neurons and balloon cells) in brain tissue from all mTORopathy tissues (p < 0.0001) compared with those in controls, regardless of genetic cause or variant allele frequency. Elevated HCN4 was not observed in controls or individuals with non-mTOR-related focal epilepsy due to pathogenic variants in ATP1A3, SLC35A2, or FGFR1. Discussion: HCN4 provides a biomarker for the genetic spectrum of mTORopathies and may present a potential therapeutic target for seizure control in mTOR-related epilepsy.

Are there differences in the adaptive profile of hair sheep and their crosses with wool breeds?

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the physiological performance of different genetic groups of sheep, by physiological variables and serum hormone levels, in a hot weather environment. Thirty sheep from five genetic groups were used: Santa Inês (SI), ½ Dorper + ½ Santa Inês (DO), ½ Ilê de France + ½ Santa Inês (IF), ½ Suffolk + ½ Santa Inês (SK), and ½ Texel + ½ Santa Inês (TX). The readings and records of physiological parameters (respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), auricular cavity temperature (ACT), and surface temperature (ST)) were carried out at 7:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 7:00 pm, in 12 non-consecutive days. The collections of blood samples for hormone analysis (triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and cortisol (CORT)) is in four consecutive days. The environmental conditions of the experimental period caused a thermal discomfort in the sheep, but not a state of thermal stress. The thermolysis mechanisms, sensitive (ST and ACT) and latent (RR) processes, were enough to maintain their homeostasis (RT). The results showed that crossbred breeds presented a higher metabolism and were more efficient at dissipating heat through thermolysis than the SI breed. The crossbred breeds were efficient at dissipating heat through the elevation of body surface temperature and respiratory rate, mainly SK and TX, i.e., crossbred breeds, despite the wool cover, used thermoregulatory mechanisms that promoted lower variation of RT. The analysis of variance showed significant effects (P < 0.05) to the time factor in the responses of T4 and T3, and to the breed factor in the responses of CORT, T4, and T3. We did not observe interaction between the factors to any of the hormonal variables. Therefore, we can state that the effect of time was independent of breed and vice versa. Thyroid hormones presented lower blood concentration in the mornings (4.03 ± 0.82, T4; 65.08 ± 10.6, T3), increasing their concentration in the afternoon (4.60 ± 1.03, T4; 70.16 ± 14.17, T3). The thyroid hormones presented a normal circadian rhythm, with the exception of SK. Air temperature (AT) showed greater correlation with physiological variables than enthalpy (H) did, in the experimental conditions. However, H showed correlation with T4 and T3. The adaptive profile of the genetic groups under study are different, but the IF genetic group showed better performance under environmental conditions.

UNSEG: unsupervised segmentation of cells and their nuclei in complex tissue samples.

Multiplexed imaging technologies have made it possible to interrogate complex tumor microenvironments at sub-cellular resolution within their native spatial context. However, proper quantification of this complexity requires the ability to easily and accurately segment cells into their sub-cellular compartments. Within the supervised learning paradigm, deep learning based segmentation methods demonstrating human level performance have emerged. Here we present an unsupervised segmentation (UNSEG) method that achieves deep learning level performance without requiring any training data. UNSEG leverages a Bayesian-like framework and the specificity of nucleus and cell membrane markers to construct an a posteriori probability estimate of each pixel belonging to the nucleus, cell membrane, or background. It uses this estimate to segment each cell into its nuclear and cell-membrane compartments. We show that UNSEG is more internally consistent and better at generalizing to the complexity of tissue samples than current deep learning methods. This allows UNSEG to unambiguously identify the cytoplasmic compartment of a cell, which we employ to demonstrate its use in an example biological scenario. Within the UNSEG framework, we also introduce a new perturbed watershed algorithm capable of stably and accurately segmenting a cell nuclei cluster into individual cell nuclei. Perturbed watershed can also be used as a standalone algorithm that researchers can incorporate within their supervised or unsupervised learning approaches to replace classical watershed. Finally, as part of developing UNSEG, we have generated a high-quality annotated gastrointestinal tissue dataset, which we anticipate will be useful for the broader research community. Segmentation, despite its long antecedents, remains a challenging problem, particularly in the context of tissue samples. UNSEG, an easy-to-use algorithm, provides an unsupervised approach to overcome this bottleneck, and as we discuss, can help improve deep learning based segmentation methods by providing a bridge between unsupervised and supervised learning paradigms.

Greener production of a starch-based nanohybrid material (core-shell) for the simultaneous extraction of persistent organic pollutants in shrimp samples.

Here, a novel nanohybrid material (Ag@CD@ANS) based on oat starch was produced, characterized, and applied to extract persistent organic pollutants in a shrimp sample. By the characterization experiments, Ag@CD@ANS was successfully synthesized. The functionalization of the material by 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonic acid (ANS) was confirmed using the infrared technique and CHN elemental analysis. The isotherm study showed that the material has a high adsorption capacity for the pesticides of interest (flutriafol, atrazine, heptachlor, DDT and bifenthrin) allowing their extraction from shrimp samples. The optimal condition for extraction was obtained using multivariate analysis. The nature of the elution solvent (hexane, methanol, acetonitrile) and the mass ratio between sample:adsorbent (1:1; 1:5 and 1:10) were the evaluated factors for extraction using Ag@CD@ANS and commercial adsorbents (neutral alumina, octadecyl, silica gel). From the multivariate analysis, it was observed that the optimal condition for pesticide extraction using Ag@CD@ANS was reached, using a 1:5 ratio (sample:adsorbent) and acetonitrile (10 mL) as elution solvent. For the commercial adsorbents, the optimal condition for pesticide extraction was reached, using a 1:3 ratio (sample:adsorbent), acetonitrile (10 mL) and neutral alumina as commercial adsorbent. Ag@CD@ANS efficiency was compared with an optimal commercial adsorbent (neutral alumina). No significant difference (p < 0.05) between neutral alumina and Ag@CD@ANS was observed. Recoveries ranging from 75 to 105 % with coefficients of variation ≤ 15 % (n = 3) were obtained using neutral alumina while using Ag@CD@ANS, recoveries ranging from 73 to 102 %, with coefficient of variation ≤ 13 % (n = 3) were obtained for the target pesticides. Limits of detection ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 µg Kg-1 and limits of quantification ranging from 1.6 to 3.3 µg Kg-1 were reached. The results demonstrated that Ag@CD@ANS can alternatively be used as a support for the extraction of persistent organic pollutants, having the advantage of being reusable for up to three cycles.

A mutant fitness compendium in Bifidobacteria reveals molecular determinants of colonization and host-microbe interactions.

Bifidobacteria commonly represent a dominant constituent of human gut microbiomes during infancy, influencing nutrition, immune development, and resistance to infection. Despite interest as a probiotic therapy, predicting the nutritional requirements and health-promoting effects of Bifidobacteria is challenging due to major knowledge gaps. To overcome these deficiencies, we used large-scale genetics to create a compendium of mutant fitness in Bifidobacterium breve (Bb). We generated a high density, randomly barcoded transposon insertion pool in Bb, and used this pool to determine Bb fitness requirements during colonization of germ-free mice and chickens with multiple diets and in response to hundreds of in vitro perturbations. To enable mechanistic investigation, we constructed an ordered collection of insertion strains covering 1462 genes. We leveraged these tools to improve models of metabolic pathways, reveal unexpected host- and diet-specific requirements for colonization, and connect the production of immunomodulatory molecules to growth benefits. These resources will greatly reduce the barrier to future investigations of this important beneficial microbe.

Thermal performance of a low-profile cross-ventilated freestall dairy barn with evaporative cooling pads in a hot and humid climate.

A commercial low-profile cross-ventilated system (LPCV) free-stall barn with evaporative cooling pads on the air intake side was used to assess the potential of cross-ventilation with evaporative cooling to alleviate heat stress in lactating dairy cows. A total of 5712 records (238 days × 24 h) of air temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) values were collected. In order to state the effectiveness of the ventilation system and potential heat stress, the temperature humidity index (THI) and enthalpy (h) were calculated outside and inside the LPCV barn. The cooling capacity of the LPCV system is greater in conditions of low humidity, and the difference between the values of the internal and external temperature reached -12 °C. The LPCV reduced exposure to heat stress, increasing the time cows spent in thermoneutral conditions. This system could reduce the occurrence of temperature above 25 °C from 33 to 5% and 11% in sections A (represents the inlet side of the barn) and D (represents the outlet side of the barn), respectively. On the other hand, the LPCV kept a high and constant rate of RH throughout the day. The average inside and outside AT were significantly different, but differences in temperature were observed across the width of the barn. Analyzing the barn by the indexes, the THI showed that the barn promoted cows more time confined under non-stressful thermal conditions (between 83.8 and 90% vs 68.7%) and stress period much lower compared to the external environment (between 10 and 16.2% vs. 31.3%). The enthalpy index showed that there was not much difference between the internal and external environments. The LPCV system is another installation alternative for raising dairy cow in a hot and humid climate.

Antidepressant-like activity of a brain penetrant HCN channel inhibitor in mice.

Changes in Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated (HCN) channel function have been linked to depressive-like traits, making them potential drug targets. However, there is currently no peer-reviewed data supporting the use of a small molecule modulator of HCN channels in depression treatment. Org 34167, a benzisoxazole derivative, has been patented for the treatment of depression and progressed to Phase I trials. In the current study, we analysed the biophysical effects of Org 34167 on HCN channels in stably transfected human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells and mouse layer V neurons using patch-clamp electrophysiology, and we utilised three high-throughput screens for depressive-like behaviour to assess the activity of Org 34167 in mice. The impact of Org 34167 on locomotion and coordination were measured by performing rotarod and ledged beam tests. Org 34167 is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of HCN channels, slowing activation and causing a hyperpolarising shift in voltage-dependence of activation. It also reduced I h-mediated sag in mouse neurons. Org 34167 (0.5 mg/kg) reduced marble burying and increased the time spent mobile in the Porsolt swim and tail suspension tests in both male and female BALB/c mice, suggesting reduced depressive-like behaviour. Although no adverse effects were seen at 0.5 mg/kg, an increase in dose to 1 mg/kg resulted in visible tremors and impaired locomotion and coordination. These data support the premise that HCN channels are valid targets for anti-depressive drugs albeit with a narrow therapeutic index. Drugs with higher HCN subtype selectivity are needed to establish if a wider therapeutic window can be obtained.

Integrative species delimitation helps to find the hidden diversity of the leaf-litter frog Ischnocnema manezinho (Garcia, 1996) (Anura, Brachycephalidae), endemic to the southern Atlantic Forest.

Background: The delimitation of cryptic species is a challenge for biodiversity conservation. Anurans show high cryptic diversity levels, and molecular species delimitation methods could help identify putative new species. Additionally, species delimitation approaches can provide important results for cryptic species conservation, with integrative methods adding robustness to results. Ischnocnema manezinho was described from Santa Catarina Island (SCI), southern Brazil. More recently, some inventories indicated continental populations supposedly similar in morphology to it. If these records are confirmed as I. manezinho, it would likely change its endangered status on National Red List, removing the species from conservation agendas. We investigated the threatened frog Ischnocnema manezinho, to evaluate if the continental populations belong to this species or if they form an undescribed species complex. Methods: We used coalescent, distance, and allele-sharing-based species delimitation methods and integrative analyses of morphometric and bioacoustics traits to test evolutionary independence between I. manezinho from SCI, Arvoredo Island, and continental populations. Results: Ischnocnema manezinho is restricted to Santa Catarina Island, while the five remaining lineages should be further investigated through a taxonomic review. Our results point to a small geographic range of Ischnocnema manezinho. Additionally, the species occurs in isolated fragments of forest in SCI surrounded by expanding urban areas, confirming its status as Endangered. Thus, the protection and monitoring of I. manezinho and the taxonomic description of the continental and Arvoredo Island candidate species should be priorities.

Time series outlier removal and imputing methods based on Colombian weather stations data.

The time data series of weather stations are a source of information for floods. The study of the previous wintertime series allows knowing the behavior of the variables and the result that will be applied to analysis and simulation models that feed variables such as flow and level of a study area. One of the most common problems is the acquisition and transmission of data from weather stations due to atypical values and lost data; this generates difficulties in the simulation process. Consequently, it is necessary to propose a numerical strategy to solve this problem. The data source for this study is a real database where these problems are presented with different variables of weather. This study is based on comparing three methods of time series analysis to evaluate a multivariable process offline. For the development of the study, we applied a method based on the discrete Fourier transform (DFT), and we contrasted it with methods such as the average and linear regression without uncertainty parameters to complete missing data. The proposed methodology entails statistical values, outlier detection, and the application of the DFT. The application of DFT allows the time series completion, based on its ability to manage various gap sizes and replace missing values. In sum, DFT led to low error percentages for all the time series (1% average). This percentage reflects what would have likely been the shape or pattern of the time series behavior in the absence of misleading outliers and missing data.

Retinal Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of HCN1 Genetic Epilepsy.

Pathogenic variants in HCN1 are associated with a range of epilepsy syndromes including a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. The recurrent de novo HCN1 pathogenic variant (M305L) results in a cation leak, allowing the flux of excitatory ions at potentials where the wild-type channels are closed. The Hcn1M294L mouse recapitulates patient seizure and behavioral phenotypes. As HCN1 channels are highly expressed in rod and cone photoreceptor inner segments, where they shape the light response, mutated channels are likely to impact visual function. Electroretinogram (ERG) recordings from male and female mice Hcn1M294L mice revealed a significant decrease in the photoreceptor sensitivity to light, as well as attenuated bipolar cell (P2) and retinal ganglion cell responses. Hcn1M294L mice also showed attenuated ERG responses to flickering lights. ERG abnormalities are consistent with the response recorded from a single female human subject. There was no impact of the variant on the structure or expression of the Hcn1 protein in the retina. In silico modeling of photoreceptors revealed that the mutated HCN1 channel dramatically reduced light-induced hyperpolarization, resulting in more Ca2+ flux during the response when compared with the wild-type situation. We propose that the light-induced change in glutamate release from photoreceptors during a stimulus will be diminished, significantly blunting the dynamic range of this response. Our data highlight the importance of HCN1 channels to retinal function and suggest that patients with HCN1 pathogenic variants are likely to have a dramatically reduced sensitivity to light and a limited ability to process temporal information.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Pathogenic variants in HCN1 are emerging as an important cause of catastrophic epilepsy. HCN1 channels are ubiquitously expressed throughout the body, including the retina. Electroretinogram recordings from a mouse model of HCN1 genetic epilepsy showed a marked decrease in the photoreceptor sensitivity to light and a reduced ability to respond to high rates of light flicker. No morphologic deficits were noted. Simulation data suggest that the mutated HCN1 channel blunts light-induced hyperpolarization and consequently limits the dynamic range of this response. Our results provide insights into the role HCN1 channels play in retinal function as well as highlighting the need to consider retinal dysfunction in disease caused by HCN1 variants. The characteristic changes in the electroretinogram open the possibility of using this tool as a biomarker for this HCN1 epilepsy variant and to facilitate development of treatments.

IoT Based System for Heart Monitoring and Arrhythmia Detection Using Machine Learning.

Internet of Things (IoT) technologies allow building a digital representation of people, objects, or physical phenomena to be available on the Internet. Thus, stakeholders can access this information from remote places or computational systems could analyze this data to find patterns, make decisions, or execute actions. For instance, a doctor could diagnose patients by analyzing the received data from an IoT system even when patients are located in a remote place. This article proposes an IoT system for monitoring electrocardiogram (ECG) signal and processing heart data in order to generate an alert when an arrhythmia is present. This system involves a Polar H10 heart sensor, machine-learning models to classify heart events, and communication technology to share and store patient's information. In the first place, the architecture of the IoT monitoring system and the communication between the components are described by discussing the designing criteria. Second, the experimentation process performs the training and the assessment of three classification algorithms, random forest, convolutional neural network, and k-nearest neighbors. The results show that k-nearest neighbor has the best accuracy percentage classifying the arrhythmias under study (premature ventricular contraction 94%, fusion of ventricular beat 81%, and supraventricular premature beat 82%); also, it is able to discern normal and unclassifiable beats with 93% and 97%, respectively.

CD8 + T-cell Density Is an Independent Predictor of Survival and Response to Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage III Colon Cancer.

We assessed CD8 + T-cell density in 351 resected stage II to III colon cancers from 2011 to 2015 and correlated the findings with disease-free survival and survival effect of adjuvant chemotherapy. Most tumors (70%) had high/intermediate CD8 + T-cell density, and this was significantly associated with mismatch repair deficiency compared with tumors with low CD8 + T-cell density (28% vs. 13%, P =0.003). Fewer tumors with high/intermediate CD8 + T-cell density had adverse histologic features compared with tumors with low CD8 + T-cell density including high tumor budding (16% vs. 27%) and venous (22% vs. 35%), lymphatic (54% vs. 65%), and perineural (23% vs. 33%) invasion (all with P <0.05). In the stage III cohort, high/intermediate CD8 + T-cell density was an independent predictor of disease-free survival on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio: 0.39, 0.21 to 0.71 95% CI, P =0.002). For stage III patients with high/intermediate CD8 + T-cell density, adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly associated with improved disease-free survival (hazard ratio: 0.28, 0.11 to 0.74 95% CI, P =0.01) whereas stage III patients with low CD8 + T-cell density did not have improved survival with adjuvant chemotherapy. In conclusion, in stage III colon cancer, CD8 + T-cell density is an independent prognostic biomarker for disease-free survival and may help to identify patients who benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Unwrapping broken tails: Biological and environmental correlates of predation pressure in limbless reptiles.

Studying species interactions in nature often requires elaborated logistics and intense fieldwork. The difficulties in such task might hinder our ability to answer questions on how biotic interactions change with the environment. Fortunately, a workaround to this problem lies within scientific collections. For some animals, the inspection of preserved specimens can reveal the scars of past antagonistic encounters, such as predation attempts. A common defensive behaviour that leaves scars on animals is autotomy, the loss of a body appendage to escape predation. By knowing the collection site of preserved specimens, it is possible to assess the influence of organismal biology and the surrounding environment in the occurrence of autotomy. We gathered data on tail loss for 8189 preserved specimens of 33 snake and 11 amphisbaenian species to investigate biological and environmental correlates of autotomy in reptiles. We applied generalized linear mixed effect models to evaluate whether body size, sex, life-stage, habitat use, activity pattern, biome, tropicality, temperature and precipitation affect the probability of tail loss in limbless reptiles. We observed autotomy in 23.6% of examined specimens, with 18.7% of amphisbaenian and 33.4% of snake specimens showing tail loss. The probability of tail loss did not differ between snakes and amphisbaenians, but it was higher among large-sized specimens, particularly in adults and females. Chance of tail loss was higher for diurnal and arboreal species, and among specimens collected in warmer regions, but it was unaffected by biome, precipitation, and tropicality. Autotomy in limbless reptiles was affected by size-dependent factors that interplay with ontogeny and sexual dimorphism, although size-independent effects of life-stage and sex also shaped behavioural responses to predators. The increase in probability of tail loss with verticality and diurnality suggests a risk-balance mechanism between species habitat use and activity pattern. Although autotomy is more likely in warmer regions, it seems unrelated to seasonal differences in snakes and amphisbaenians activity. Our findings reveal several processes related to predator-prey interactions involving limbless reptiles, demonstrating the importance of scientific collections to unveil ecological mechanisms at different spatio-temporal scales.

How the brain regulates alcohol intake.

A neural pathway involved in goal-oriented behaviours becomes dysregulated during binge drinking and alcohol use disorder.

Larval morphology of Amazonia foam-nesting frogs of the genus Engystomops (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae).

The highly differentiated anuran larvae make them an interesting and complementary source of information to understand anuran evolution. Among neotropical foam-nesting frogs, the available information on tadpole morphology for the subfamily Leiuperinae remains largely incomplete and variably reported among genera; in the monophyletic genus Engystomops it is still incipient. Herein, we summarize available information on larval morphology for five of the nine known species of Engystomops, three of them for the first time, reporting external morphology, buccopharyngeal cavity, and skeleton. The tadpoles of the genus have an overall generalized morphology and many traits are conserved across species. Nevertheless, many characters are systematically informative and some are diagnostic for some species, as the paravertebral gland in Engystomops petersi and the dorsally directed spiracle in Engystomops puyango. Other characters provide support for some subclades within the genus. Moreover, some traits, such as the direction of the vent tube, supports the close relationship between Engystomops and Physalaemus, whereas other support the existence of these two as distinct genera, such as the overall shape of the lateral ridge papillae and the presence of a processus pseudopterygoideus.

The effect of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review / El efecto de los probióticos en el tratamiento y prevención del síndrome metabólico: revisión sistemática

Abstract There is consistent clinical evidence, but not yet conclusive, that the consumption of foods or supplements based on probiotics modifies the microbiota and the microenvironment, with beneficial effects that are manifested in the clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the adult population. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the effects of probiotic supplementation on the prevention and treatment of MS and its components in the adult population. A systematic review was carried out in the databases: Pubmed-Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, Cochrane, SIGN, NICE and Scielo, with articles in Spanish and English from 2010 to 2020, with controlled intervention designs where have compared probiotic supplementation (regardless of dose, strains, route of administration, or duration of use). Sixteen articles were selected (10 randomized clinical trials (RCTs), which included 610 participants). The meta-analysis carried out indicated that no statistically significant differences were found on insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), obesity (body mass index -BMI-), atherogenic dyslipidemia or on blood pressure. These findings conclude the lack of evidence found to recommend the consumption of probiotics as a strategy to reduce the prevalence of MS. The methodological limitations found among the reviewed studies imply the need for future lines of research on its relevance as a potential nutritional therapy and for the moment it is recommended to integrate variables such as nutritional treatment or diet control.

Resumen Existe evidencia clínica consistente, pero no concluyentes aún, que el consumo de alimentos o suplementos a base de probióticos modifica la microbiota y el microambiente, con efectos benéficos que se manifiestan en los componentes clínicos, antropométricos y bioquímicos del síndrome metabólico (MS) en población adulta. El objetivo de la presente revisión sistemática fue analizar los efectos de la suplementación con probióticos sobre la prevención y tratamiento del MS y sus componentes en población adulta. Se realizó una revisión sistemática en las bases de datos: Pubmed-Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, Cochrane, SIGN, NICE y Scielo, con artículos en idioma español e inglés de 2010 a 2020, con diseños de intervención controlados donde se haya comparado la suplementación con probióticos (independientemente de la dosis, las cepas, la vía de administración o la duración del consumo). Fueron seleccionados 16 artículos (10 ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA), que incluyeron 610 participantes). El metaanálisis ejecutado indicó que no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas sobre la resistencia a la insulina (HOMA-IR), la obesidad (índice de masa corporal -IMC-), la dislipidemia aterogénica o sobre la presión arterial. Estos hallazgos concluyen la falta de evidencia encontrada para recomendar el consumo de probióticos como una estrategia en la disminución de la prevalencia del MS. Las limitantes metodológicas encontradas entre los estudios revisados implican la necesidad de futuras líneas de investigación sobre su relevancia como una potencial terapia nutricional y por el momento se recomienda integrar variables como el tratamiento nutricio o el control de la dieta.

Molecularly imprinted polymer as sorbent phase for disposable pipette extraction: A potential approach for creatinine analysis in human urine samples.

Traditionally, creatinine determination is made by a spectrophotometric method; however, some compounds present in biological samples can interfere with creatinine determination, decreasing the sensitivity of the method in urine samples. Consequently, we report the development of a new molecularly imprinted polymer as a sorbent phase for disposable pipette extraction to determine creatinine in urine samples by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The synthesized polymer showed a high superficial area and presented a first-order kinetic reaction and a high selectivity for creatinine extraction compared to the non-molecularly imprinted polymer. The main disposable pipette extraction variables evaluated included the number of draw/eject cycles, the pH of the solution and desorption solvent type. The developed method showed an inter and intra-day precision from 1.3% to 2.0% and 0.8-1.6% respectively, accuracy values ranging from 82.3% to 102.1% respectively and recovery values ranging between 96.5% and 101.3%, with a limit of quantification of 0.302 g L-1. The application of the developed method in real urine samples showed creatinine concentrations ranging from 0.55 to 6.61 g L-1. Thus, the developed method was revealed to be an efficient strategy for creatinine determination, reducing analysis time (3 min) and solvent use, and increasing selectivity compared with DPX commercial sorbents.

Screening and detection of delirium in an adult critical care setting: a best practice implementation project.

AIM: To assess compliance with evidence-based practice regarding screening and detection of delirium in adult patients at the ICU from a university hospital. METHODS: The compliance rates were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and Getting Research into Practice audit and feedback tool. This strategy was designed in three phases: (1) establishing a team and conducting a baseline audit based on criteria informed by the evidence; (2) reflecting on the results of the baseline audit and designing and implementing strategies to address noncompliance found in the baseline audit informed by the JBI Getting Research into Practice framework; and (3) conducting a follow-up audit to assess the outcomes of the interventions implemented to improve practice and identify future practice issues to be addressed in subsequent audits. The implementation protocol was designed based on the primary barriers and facilitators identified in the baseline audit, allied to a training program and electronic medical records changes. Nursing documentation available in medical records from patients admitted in the ICU was used to assess the baseline and follow-up audit compliance rates. RESULTS: None of the medical records evaluated before the implementation protocol showed compliance with the following audit criteria: a valid and reliable instrument is accessible in the ward environment (0%), the nursing care documentation supports that the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit instrument is being used (0%) and population assessed for delirium includes all adults over the age of 65, cognitive impairment, dementia, or both, current hip fracture and severe illness (0%). After the evidence-based practice implementation, the follow-up audit revealed up to 100% compliance rates with those criteria, showing that all patients under risk were screened and assessed for delirium. The only exception was the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit use, whose compliance was observed in 80.95% of the medical records. CONCLUSION: These findings support that baseline and follow-up audits allied to a delirium training program, and changes in the electronic nursing records increase the compliance rates related to the evidence-based practice for screening patients under risk and assessing delirium.

Biotechnological potential of microorganisms from textile effluent: isolation, enzymatic activity and dye discoloration.

Environmental pollution may be considered one of the main problems affecting the world population. As the effluents from textile industries are the largest representatives of sources of pollution of water bodies due to the disposal of colored compounds in the environment. Microorganisms capable of thriving in textile wastewater may exhibit metabolic machinery to synthesize a wide variety of enzymes and/or secondary metabolites of industrial interest. The present work investigated the biotechnological potential of filamentous fungi from wastewater of a textile industry for the production of laccase, cellulase, amylase and lipase enzymes and their potential for discoloration capacity of Remazol Brilliant Blue R synthetic dye. The isolate Aspergillus sydowii (ITF 30) presented the best cellulase (46.74 U mL-1), amylase, lipase and laccase (0.0273 U L-1) production, as well as RBBR dye discoloration ability in solid medium, followed by isolate Aspergillus sydowii (ITF 27) able to synthesize cellulase, amylase and laccase and had the capacity to discolor 74.7% of RBBR in liquid medium. The results of the present work encourage future studies of characterization, optimization and purification of the enzymes encountered, aiming to be used in bioremediation processes of textile industrial effluents.

A Synoptic Reporting System to Monitor Bone Marrow Aspirate and Biopsy Quality.

OBJECTIVES: Bone marrow evaluation plays a critical role in the diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of many diseases. Although there are standardized guidelines for assessing bone marrow specimen quality, there is a lack of evidence-based tools to perform such assessments. The objective was to monitor bone marrow sample quality in real time by standardizing the basic components of a synoptic report and incorporating it into a bone marrow report template. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A relational database of bone marrow quality parameters was developed and incorporated into our laboratory information system bone marrow report template, with data entry completed during specimen sign out. Data from multiple reports created within a date range were extracted by Structured Query Language query, and summarized in tabular form. Reports generated from these data were utilized in quality improvement efforts. RESULTS: The synoptic reporting system was routinely used to record the quality of bone marrow specimens from adult patients. Data from 3189 bone marrow aspirates, 3302 biopsies, and 3183 biopsy touch imprints identified hemodilution as the principal issue affecting bone marrow aspirate quality, whereas aspiration artifact and fragmentation affected bone marrow biopsy quality. CONCLUSIONS: The bone marrow synoptic reporting process was easy to use, readily adaptable, and has proved a useful component of the overall quality assurance process to optimize bone marrow quality.