Clinical Characteristics of Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 and Their Association With the Progression to Critical Illness and Death: A Single-Center Retrospective Study From Northwestern Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to associate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 with the progression to critical illness and death in northwestern Mexico. METHODS: From March to October 2020, we collected the demographic and clinical characteristics of 464 hospitalized patients from northwestern Mexico. RESULTS: Sixty-four percent (295/464) of the patients became critically ill. Age, occupation, steroid and antibiotic use at previous hospitalization, and underlying diseases (hypertension, obesity, and chronic kidney disease) were associated with critical illness or death (p: < 0.05). No symptoms were associated with critical illness. However, the parameters such as the heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and diastolic pressure and the laboratory parameters such as the glucose, creatinine, white line cells, hemoglobin, D-dimer, and C-reactive protein, among others, were associated with critical illness (p: < 0.05). Finally, advanced age, previous hospital treatment, and the presence of one or more underlying diseases were associated with critical illness and death (p: < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Several epidemiological (e.g., age and occupation) and clinical factors (e.g., previous treatment, underlying diseases, and vital signs and laboratory parameters) were associated with critical illness and death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. These data provide us with possible markers to avoid critical illness or death from COVID-19 in our region.

Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Early Alterations Associated with Intrinsic Resistance to Targeted Therapy in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines.

Lung adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent form of lung cancer, and drug resistance poses a significant obstacle in its treatment. This study aimed to investigate the overexpression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as a mechanism that promotes intrinsic resistance in tumor cells from the onset of treatment. Drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells are a subset of cancer cells that survive and proliferate after exposure to therapeutic drugs, making them an essential object of study in cancer treatment. The molecular mechanisms underlying DTP cell survival are not fully understood; however, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proposed to play a crucial role. DTP cells from lung adenocarcinoma cell lines were obtained after single exposure to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs; erlotinib or osimertinib). After establishing DTP cells, RNA sequencing was performed to investigate the differential expression of the lncRNAs. Some lncRNAs and one mRNA were overexpressed in DTP cells. The clinical relevance of lncRNAs was evaluated in a cohort of patients with lung adenocarcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). RT-qPCR validated the overexpression of lncRNAs and mRNA in the residual DTP cells and LUAD biopsies. Knockdown of these lncRNAs increases the sensitivity of DTP cells to therapeutic drugs. This study provides an opportunity to investigate the involvement of lncRNAs in the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that underlie intrinsic resistance. The identified lncRNAs and CD74 mRNA may serve as potential prognostic markers or therapeutic targets to improve the overall survival (OS) of patients with lung cancer.

Microbial influence in Spanish bentonite slurry microcosms: Unveiling a-year long geochemical evolution and early-stage copper corrosion related to nuclear waste repositories.

The deep geological repository (DGR) concept consists of storing radioactive waste in metal canisters, surrounded by compacted bentonite, and placed deeply into a geological formation. Here, bentonite slurry microcosms with copper canisters, inoculated with bacterial consortium and amended with acetate, lactate and sulfate were set up to investigate their geochemical evolution over a year under anoxic conditions. The impact of microbial communities on the corrosion of the copper canisters in an early-stage (45 days) was also assessed. The amended bacterial consortium and electron donors/acceptor accelerated the microbial activity, while the heat-shocked process had a retarding effect. The microbial communities partially oxidize lactate to acetate, which is subsequently consumed when the lactate is depleted. Early-stage microbial communities showed that the bacterial consortium reduced microbial diversity with Pseudomonas and Stenotrophomonas dominating the community. However, sulfate-reducing bacteria such as Desulfocurvibacter, Anaerosolibacter, and Desulfosporosinus were enriched coupling oxidation of lactate/acetate with reduction of sulfates. The generated biogenic sulfides, which could mediate the conversion of copper oxides (possibly formed by trapped oxygen molecules on the bentonite or driven by the reduction of H2O) to copper sulfide (Cu2S), were identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Overall, these findings shed light on the ideal geochemical conditions that would affect the stability of DGR barriers, emphasizing the impact of the SRB on the corrosion of the metal canisters, the gas generation, and the interaction with components of the bentonite.

Long-term tracking of the microbiology of uranium-amended water-saturated bentonite microcosms: A mechanistic characterization of U speciation.

Deep geological repositories (DGRs) stand out as one of the optimal options for managing high-level radioactive waste (HLW) such as uranium (U) in the near future. Here, we provide novel insights into microbial behavior in the DGR bentonite barrier, addressing potential worst-case scenarios such as waste leakage (e.g., U) and groundwater infiltration of electron rich donors in the bentonite. After a three-year anaerobic incubation, Illumina sequencing results revealed a bacterial diversity dominated by anaerobic and spore-forming microorganisms mainly from the phylum Firmicutes. Highly U tolerant and viable bacterial isolates from the genera Peribacillus, Bacillus, and some SRB such as Desulfovibrio and Desulfosporosinus, were enriched from U-amended bentonite. The results obtained by XPS and XRD showed that U was present as U(VI) and as U(IV) species. Regarding U(VI), we have identified biogenic U(VI) phosphates, U(UO2)·(PO4)2, located in the inner part of the bacterial cell membranes in addition to U(VI)-adsorbed to clays such as montmorillonite. Biogenic U(IV) species as uraninite may be produced as result of bacterial enzymatic U(VI) reduction. These findings suggest that under electron donor-rich water-saturation conditions, bentonite microbial community can control U speciation, immobilizing it, and thus enhancing future DGR safety if container rupture and waste leakage occurs.

Psychosis in Alzheimer Disease and Elevations in Disease-Relevant Biomarkers.

Importance: The emergence of psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer disease (AD) is associated with accelerated cognitive and functional decline that may be related to disease pathology. Objective: To investigate the longitudinal dynamics of plasma tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (p-tau181) and neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) levels in association with the emergence of psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations) in the context of AD. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used longitudinal data from the Alzheimer Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Baseline analyses compared patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD (both with psychosis [AD+P] and without psychosis [AD-P]) and participants who were cognitively unimpaired (CU). For the longitudinal analysis, participants with MCI and AD were subdivided into patients with evidence of psychosis at baseline (AD+P baseline) and patients free of psychosis at baseline who showed incidence of psychosis over the course of the study (AD+P incident). Study data were analyzed between June and November 2023. Exposures: Plasma p-tau181 and NfL measures in individuals with MCI and AD, both with and without psychosis. Main Outcomes and Measures: Plasma p-tau181 and NfL quantifications up to 48 months and concurrent assessments of presence or absence of delusions and hallucinations via the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) questionnaire. Results: The cohort included 752 participants with AD (mean [SD] age, 74.2 [7.7] years; 434 male [57.7%]). A total of 424 CU participants had a mean (SD) age of 75.4 (6.6) years of whom 222 were female (52.4%). In the longitudinal analysis of p-tau181 trajectories of the AD+P group, the group of patients who showed incidence of psychosis over the course of follow-up (AD+P incident) demonstrated an associated increase in plasma p-tau181 levels compared with the group of patients who had psychosis at baseline (AD+P baseline) and showed an associated decrease in plasma p-tau181 levels (F4, 117 = 3.24; P = .01). The mean slope of p-tau181 change was significantly different in AD+P incident and AD+P baseline groups (F5,746 = 86.76, P < .0001) and when only individuals with amyloid-ß positivity (Aß+), which was determined using positron emission tomography, were compared (F5,455 = 84.60, P < .001). Patients who experienced psychosis at any time had increased levels of NfL relative to those who never experienced psychosis. Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this cohort study suggest that the emergence of psychosis in AD was associated with elevations in plasma levels of p-tau181, highlighting the potential utility of plasma p-tau181 as a biomarker of neuropsychiatric illness in AD, which could have implications for predictive and treatment response strategies.

Effects of Zilpaterol Hydrochloride with a Combination of Vitamin D3 on Feedlot Lambs: Growth Performance, Dietary Energetics, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality.

This study evaluated the impact of supplementing ZH in combination with D3 on the growth performance, energy efficiency, carcass traits, and meat quality of feedlot lambs. Thirty-two Dorper × Katahdin cross lambs (37.3 ± 5.72 kg) were utilized in a 29 d experiment in a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial structure consisting of two levels of ZH for 26 d (0 and 0.20 mg/kg PV-1) and two levels of D3 for 7 d (0 and 1.5 × 106 IU/d-1). ZH improved (p ≤ 0.05) the average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency by 9.9% and 17.8%, respectively, as well as hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing carcass by 4.3% and 2.6%, respectively. (p ≤ 0.03). However, ZH increased (p < 0.01) muscle pH and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) (2.5 and 23.0%, respectively). D3 supplementation negatively affected (p ≤ 0.02) dry matter intake (DMI) (last 7 d) and ADG by 15.7% and 18.1%. On the other hand, D3 improved the pH of the longissimus thoracis muscle by 1.7% (p = 0.03) without affecting WBSF. When D3 was supplemented in combination with ZH, it was observed that meat quality was improved by reducing muscle pH compared to lambs treated only with ZH. However, D3 did not improve the meat tenderness negatively affected by ZH supplementation.

Inhibition of α-glucosidase activity by potential peptides derived from fermented spent coffee grounds.

The control of α-glucosidase activity has been associated with managing diabetes. We previously identified three peptides with high bioactive indices derived from protein hydrolysates of fermented spent coffee grounds. In this study, the peptides YGF, GMCC, and RMYRY were synthesized and tested in vitro for their α-glucosidase inhibition activity, complemented by in silico analyses. Two of the three peptides significantly inhibited α-glucosidase activity, with the more efficient peptides being YGF and GMCC (0.42 mg/mL), resulting in decreased enzymatic activity of 95.31% and 89.79%, respectively. These peptides exhibited binding free energies with the α-glucosidase complex of -8.5 and - 6.6 kcal/mol, respectively, through hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions with amino acids from the active site. Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that YGF and GMCC profiles were unrelated to toxicity. These results underscore the importance of focusing on food waste bioprocessing products to expand the range of alternatives that could aid in diabetes treatment.

Convergent effects of different anesthetics are due to changes in phase alignment of cortical oscillations.

Many different anesthetics cause loss of responsiveness despite having diverse underlying molecular and circuit actions. To explore the convergent effects of these drugs, we examined how ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, and dexmedetomidine, an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist, affected neural oscillations in the prefrontal cortex of nonhuman primates. Previous work has shown that anesthesia increases phase locking of low-frequency local field potential activity across cortex. We observed similar increases with anesthetic doses of ketamine and dexmedetomidine in the ventrolateral and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, within and across hemispheres. However, the nature of the phase locking varied between regions. We found that oscillatory activity in different prefrontal subregions within each hemisphere became more anti-phase with both drugs. Local analyses within a region suggested that this finding could be explained by broad cortical distance-based effects, such as a large traveling wave. By contrast, homologous areas across hemispheres increased their phase alignment. Our results suggest that the drugs induce strong patterns of cortical phase alignment that are markedly different from those in the awake state, and that these patterns may be a common feature driving loss of responsiveness from different anesthetic drugs.

Which Strength Manifestation Is More Related to Regional Swimmers' Performance and In-Water Forces? Maximal Neuromuscular Capacities Versus Maximal Mechanical Maintenance Capacity.

PURPOSE: To explore the association of the load-velocity (L-V) relationship variables and ability to maintain maximal mechanical performance during the prone bench-pull exercise with sprint swimming performance and in-water forces. METHODS: Eleven competitive adult male swimmers (50-m front crawl World Aquatics points: 488 [66], performance level 4) performed 1 experimental session. The L-V relationship variables (L0 [ie,  maximal theoretical load at 0 velocity]; v0 [ie, maximal theoretical velocity at 0 load], and Aline [ie, area under the L-V relationship]) and maximal mechanical maintenance capacity were assessed at the beginning of the session. Afterward, sprint swimming performance and in-water force production were tested through a 50-m front-crawl all-out trial and 15-s fully-tethered swimming, respectively. RESULTS: Only v0 presented high positive associations with 50-m time and swimming kinematics (r > .532; P < .046). The L0, v0, and Aline showed very high positive associations with the in-water forces during tethered swimming (r > .523; P < .049). However, the ability to maintain maximal mechanical performance, assessed by the mean velocity decline during the prone bench pull, was only significantly correlated with stroke rate (r = -.647; P = .016) and stroke index (r = .614; P = .022). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that maximal neuromuscular capacities, especially v0, have a stronger correlation with swimming performance and in-water force production than the ability to maintain maximal mechanical performance in level 4 swimmers.

Open Water Swimming in Elite Triathletes: Physiological and Biomechanical Determinants.

This study aimed (i) to analyze the 1500 m open water swimming performance, (ii) to examine the associations between physiological and biomechanical variables with swimming performance, and (iii) to determine which variables can predict swimming performance in triathletes. Fourteen elite triathletes (23.4±3.8 y) performed a 1500 m test in open water swimming conditions. Swimming performance was assessed using World Aquatics Points Scoring, and data were obtained from the 1500 m open water swimming test. Heart rate, end-exercise oxygen uptake (EE˙VO2) and blood lactate concentrations were measured. The initial 250 m of the 1500 m swimming test presented the highest values of biomechanical variables in males (i. e. swimming speed, stroke rate (SR), length (SL), index (SI)). A decrease in SL was observed in the last 250 m in both sexes. Positive association were found between EE˙VO2 (r=0.513; p=0.030), swimming speed (r=0.873; p<0.001) and SI (r=0.704; p=0.002) with swimming performance. In contrast, time constant of the oxygen uptake (r=-0.500; p=0.034) and buoy-turn times (r=-0.525; p=0.027) were negatively associated with performance. SI was the main predictor (R 2=0.495) of open water swimming performance in triathletes. In conclusion, triathletes and coaches must conduct open water training sessions to maximize SI (i. e. swimming efficiency).

Spectroscopic and Microscopic Characterization of Microbial Biofouling on Aircraft Fuel Tanks.

Avoiding microbial contamination and biofilm formation on the surfaces of aircraft fuel tanks is a major challenge in the aviation industry. The inevitable presence of water in fuel systems and nutrients provided by the fuel makes an ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, and yeast to grow. Understanding how microbes grow on different fuel tank materials is the first step to control biofilm formation in aviation fuel systems. In this study, biofilms of Pseudomonas putida, a model Gram-negative bacterium previously found in aircraft fuel tanks, were characterized on aluminum 7075-T6 surfaces, which is an alloy used by the aviation industry due to favorable properties including high strength and fatigue resistance. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) showed that extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by P. putida were important components of biofilms with a likely role in biofilm stability and adhesion to the surfaces. EDX analysis showed that the proportion of phosphorus with respect to nitrogen is higher in the EPS than in the bacterial cells. Additionally, different morphologies in biofilm formation were observed in the fuel phase compared to the water phase. Micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (micro-FTIR) analysis suggested that phosphoryl and carboxyl functional groups are fundamental for the irreversible attachment between the EPS of bacteria and the aluminum surface, by the formation of hydrogen bonds and inner-sphere complexes between the macromolecules and the aluminum surface. Based on the hypothesis that nucleic acids (particularly DNA) are an important component of EPS in P. putida biofilms, the impact of degrading extracellular DNA was tested. Treatment with the enzyme DNase I affected both water and fuel phase biofilms─with the cell structure disrupted in the aqueous phase, but cells remained attached to the aluminum coupons.

Microbial responses to elevated temperature: Evaluating bentonite mineralogy and copper canister corrosion within the long-term stability of deep geological repositories of nuclear waste.

Deep Geological Repositories (DGRs) consist of radioactive waste contained in corrosion-resistant canisters, surrounded by compacted bentonite clay, and buried few hundred meters in a stable geological formation. The effects of bentonite microbial communities on the long-term stability of the repository should be assessed. This study explores the impact of harsh conditions (60 °C, highly-compacted bentonite, low water activity), and acetate:lactate:sulfate addition, on the evolution of microbial communities, and their effect on the bentonite mineralogy, and corrosion of copper material under anoxic conditions. No bentonite illitization was observed in the treatments, confirming its mineralogical stability as an effective barrier for future DGR. Anoxic incubation at 60 °C reduced the microbial diversity, with Pseudomonas as the dominant genus. Culture-dependent methods showed survival and viability at 60 °C of moderate-thermophilic aerobic bacterial isolates (e.g., Aeribacillus). Despite the low presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria in the bentonite blocks, we proved their survival at 30 °C but not at 60 °C. Copper disk's surface remained visually unaltered. However, in the acetate:lactate:sulfate-treated samples, sulfide/sulfate signals were detected, along with microbial-related compounds. These findings offer new insights into the impact of high temperatures (60 °C) on the biogeochemical processes at the compacted bentonite/Cu canister interface post-repository closure.

A therapeutic small molecule lead enhances γ-oscillations and improves cognition/memory in Alzheimer's disease model mice.

Brain rhythms provide the timing and concurrence of brain activity required for linking together neuronal ensembles engaged in specific tasks. In particular, the γ-oscillations (30-120 Hz) orchestrate neuronal circuits underlying cognitive processes and working memory. These oscillations are reduced in numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders, including early cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we report on a potent brain permeable small molecule, DDL-920 that increases γ-oscillations and improves cognition/memory in a mouse model of AD, thus showing promise as a new class of therapeutics for AD. As a first in CNS pharmacotherapy, our lead candidate acts as a potent, efficacious, and selective negative allosteric modulator (NAM) of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABA A Rs) assembled from α1ß2δ subunits. We identified these receptors through anatomical and pharmacological means to mediate the tonic inhibition of parvalbumin (PV) expressing interneurons (PV+INs) critically involved in the generation of γ-oscillations. Our approach is unique as it is meant to enhance cognitive performance and working memory in a state-dependent manner by engaging and amplifying the brain's endogenous γ-oscillations through enhancing the function of PV+INs.

Overcoming chemotherapy resistance in low-grade gliomas: A computational approach.

Low-grade gliomas are primary brain tumors that arise from glial cells and are usually treated with temozolomide (TMZ) as a chemotherapeutic option. They are often incurable, but patients have a prolonged survival. One of the shortcomings of the treatment is that patients eventually develop drug resistance. Recent findings show that persisters, cells that enter a dormancy state to resist treatment, play an important role in the development of resistance to TMZ. In this study we constructed a mathematical model of low-grade glioma response to TMZ incorporating a persister population. The model was able to describe the volumetric longitudinal dynamics, observed in routine FLAIR 3D sequences, of low-grade glioma patients acquiring TMZ resistance. We used the model to explore different TMZ administration protocols, first on virtual clones of real patients and afterwards on virtual patients preserving the relationships between parameters of real patients. In silico clinical trials showed that resistance development was deferred by protocols in which individual doses are administered after rest periods, rather than the 28-days cycle standard protocol. This led to median survival gains in virtual patients of more than 15 months when using resting periods between two and three weeks and agreed with recent experimental observations in animal models. Additionally, we tested adaptive variations of these new protocols, what showed a potential reduction in toxicity, but no survival gain. Our computational results highlight the need of further clinical trials that could obtain better results from treatment with TMZ in low grade gliomas.

Comparison of different PCR amplification targets for molecular diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis.

Molecular techniques are an alternative for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis, produced by Strongyloides stercoralis. However, it is necessary to determine the best amplification target for the populations of this parasite present in a geographical area and standardize a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for its detection. The objectives of this work were the comparison of different PCR targets for molecular detection of S. stercoralis and the standardization of a PCR protocol for the selected target with the best diagnostic results. DNA extraction was performed from parasite larvae by saline precipitation. Three amplification targets of the genes encoding ribosomal RNA 18S (18S rDNA) and 5.8S (5.8S rDNA) and cytochrome oxidase 1 (COX1) of S. stercoralis were compared, and the PCR reaction conditions for the best target were standardized (concentration of reagents and template DNA, hybridization temperature, and number of cycles). The analytical sensitivity and specificity of the technique were determined. DNA extraction by saline precipitation made it possible to obtain DNA of high purity and integrity. The ideal target was the 5.8S rDNA, since the 18S rDNA yielded non-reproducible results and COX1 never amplified under any condition tested. The optimal conditions for the 5.8S rDNA-PCR were: 1.5 mM MgCl2, 100 µM dNTPs, 0.4 µM primers, and 0.75 U DNA polymerase, using 35 cycles and a hybridization temperature of 60 °C. The analytical sensitivity of the PCR was 1 attogram of DNA, and the specificity was 100%. Consequently, the 5.8S rDNA was shown to be highly sensitive and specific for the detection of S. stercoralis DNA.

Identification and antibiogram of Enterobacterales from direct urine samples using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) technology and disk-plate diffusion technique.

Identification and antibiogram of uropathogenic microorganisms from direct urine samples present a great clinical impact. Here, we present a combined procedure to determine identification (IDd) of bacteria through MALDI-TOF-MS technology and antibiogram (ATBd) using disk-plate diffusion technique, of UTI-producing Enterobacterales against the most used antibiotics. Ninety-four urine samples with presence of pyuria and Gram-negative bacilli were selected. The IDd showed a high success rate (90%). ATBd procedure showed a high correlation for tested antibiotics. This simplified, low cost and reduced work time two-step procedure significantly reduces results turnaround time and benefit the clinical management of patients with UTI.

Transcriptional signature of early cisplatin drug-tolerant persister cells in lung adenocarcinoma.

Resistance to cisplatin is the main cause of treatment failure in lung adenocarcinoma. Drug-tolerant-persister (DTP) cells are responsible for intrinsic resistance, since they survive the initial cycles of treatment, representing a reservoir for the emergence of clones that display acquired resistance. Although the molecular mechanisms of DTP cells have been described, few studies have investigated the earliest molecular alterations of DTP cells in intrinsic resistance to cisplatin. In this work, we report a gene expression signature associated with the emergence of cisplatin-DTP cells in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. After a single exposure to cisplatin, we sequenced the transcriptome of cisplatin-DTPs to identify differentially expressed genes. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that early cisplatin-DTP cells deregulate metabolic and proliferative pathways to survive the drug insult. Interaction network analysis identified three highly connected submodules in which SOCS1 had a significant participation in controlling the proliferation of cisplatin-DTP cells. Expression of the candidate genes and their corresponding protein was validated in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Importantly, the expression level of SOCS1 was different between CDDP-susceptible and CDDP-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Moreover, knockdown of SOCS1 in the CDDP-resistant cell line partially promoted its susceptibility to CDDP. Finally, the clinical relevance of the candidate genes was analyzed in silico, according to the overall survival of cisplatin-treated patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Survival analysis showed that downregulation or upregulation of the selected genes was associated with overall survival. The results obtained indicate that these genes could be employed as predictive biomarkers or potential targets to improve the effectiveness of CDDP treatment in lung cancer patients.

Outbreak of Serratia marcescens in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mexico.

Introduction: We describe an outbreak of Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens) infection in the neonatal intensive care unit at Women's Hospital in Sinaloa, Mexico. Methods: In April 2021, an outbreak of S. marcescens infection was identified. A case was identified as any patient who tested positive for S. marcescens and showed signs of an infectious process. Results: S. marcescens was isolated from the blood cultures of 15 neonates with clinical signs of neonatal sepsis. Statistical analysis showed that all neonates had an invasive medical device. The problem was controlled after hospital hygiene and sanitation measures were strengthened. Conclusion: The study provides evidence of an outbreak of nosocomial bacteremia due to the cross-transmission of S. marcescens. The findings highlight the need for hospitals to implement strict hygiene measures, especially regarding hand washing, to prevent future outbreaks.

Biostimulated-sesame sprout extracts as potential agents against Leishmania mexicana.

Leishmania mexicana is one of the causal agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Current antileishmanial chemotherapeutics have demonstrated adverse side effects; thus, alternative treatments are needed. In this study, we performed in silico and in vitro analyses of the leishmanicidal potential of the most abundant phenolic compounds identified in black sesame sprouts biostimulated with Bacillus clausii. The molecular docking analysis showed strong interactions (binding free energies between -6.5 and -9.5 kcal/mol) of sesaminol 2-O-triglucoside, pinoresinol dihexoside, isoverbascoside, and apigenin with the arginase, leishmanolysin, cysteine peptidase B, and pyruvate kinase leishmanial enzymes. Furthermore, almost all phenolic compounds interacted with the active site residues of L. mexicana enzymes. In vitro, the B. clausii-biostimulated sprout phenolic extracts and apigenin inhibited the growth of promastigotes with IC50 values of 0.08 mg gallic acid equivalent/mL and 6.42 µM (0.0017 mg/mL), respectively. Additionally, in the macrophage infection model, cells treated with B. clausii-biostimulated sprout phenolic extracts and infected with L. mexicana exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) reduced nitric oxide production and decreased parasite burden. Altogether, our study provides important data related to high efficacy and less toxic natural antileishmanial candidates against promastigotes of L. mexicana.

Determinants of 1500-m Front-Crawl Swimming Performance in Triathletes: Influence of Physiological and Biomechanical Variables.

PURPOSE: To analyze the associations between physiological and biomechanical variables with the FINA (International Swimming Federation) points (ie, swimming performance) obtained in 1500-m front-crawl swimming to determine whether these variables can be used to explain triathletes' FINA points. METHODS: Fourteen world-class, international and national triathletes (10 male: 23.24 [3.70] y and 4 female: 23.36 [3.76] y) performed a 1500-m front-crawl swimming test in a short-course pool. Heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (V˙O2), and blood lactate concentrations were obtained before and after the test. HR was also measured during the effort. Highest V˙O2 value (V˙O2peak) was estimated by extrapolation. Clean swimming speed, turn performance, stroke rate, stroke length, and stroke index (SI) were obtained by video analysis. RESULTS: Average 1500-m performance times were 1088 (45) seconds and 1144 (31) seconds for males and females, respectively. HR after the effort, V˙O2peak, aerobic contributions, total energy expenditure, energy cost, and turn performance presented moderate negative associations with swimming performance (r ≈ .5). In contrast, respiratory exchange ratio, anaerobic alactic contribution, clean swimming speed, stroke length, and SI were positively related, with clean swimming speed and SI having a strong large association (r ≈ .7). A multiple stepwise regression model determined that 71% of the variance in FINA points was explained by SI and total energy expenditure, being predictors in 1500-m front-crawl swimming. CONCLUSIONS: Swimming performance in triathletes was determined by the athletes' energy demands and biomechanical variables. Thus, coaches should develop specific technique skills to improve triathletes' swimming efficiency.