Discovery of Potent Glycosidases Enables Quantification of Smoke-Derived Phenolic Glycosides through Enzymatic Hydrolysis.

When grapes are exposed to wildfire smoke, certain smoke-related volatile phenols (VPs) can be absorbed into the fruit, where they can be then converted into volatile-phenol (VP) glycosides through glycosylation. These volatile-phenol glycosides can be particularly problematic from a winemaking standpoint as they can be hydrolyzed, releasing volatile phenols, which can contribute to smoke-related off-flavors. Current methods for quantitating these volatile-phenol glycosides present several challenges, including the requirement of expensive capital equipment, limited accuracy due to the molecular complexity of the glycosides, and the utilization of harsh reagents. To address these challenges, we proposed an enzymatic hydrolysis method enabled by a tailored enzyme cocktail of novel glycosidases discovered through genome mining, and the generated VPs from VP glycosides can be quantitated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The enzyme cocktails displayed high activities and a broad substrate scope when using commercially available VP glycosides as the substrates for testing. When evaluated in an industrially relevant matrix of Cabernet Sauvignon wine and grapes, this enzymatic cocktail consistently achieved a comparable efficacy of acid hydrolysis. The proposed method offers a simple, safe, and affordable option for smoke taint analysis.

Estudio de la microbiota vaginal en los resultados de la terapia de reproducción asistida / Study of the vaginal microbiota in results of assisted reproduction therapies

El microbioma del tracto genital femenino es determinante para mantener un entorno saludable. La microbiota vaginal normal se caracteriza por la abundancia de Lactobacillus, que confieren protección a la vagina huésped contra microorganismos potencialmente patógenos que pueden provocar infecciones del aparato urinario y enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Las alteraciones en la microbiota vaginal por factores intrínsecos, como la edad o el ciclo menstrual, o externos, como la actividad sexual o el embarazo, pueden conducir a un estado de disbiosis microbiana y al desarrollo de enfermedades con efecto perjudicial en la fertilidad. También se ha señalado que la microbiota vaginal puede desempeñar un papel clave en el éxito de las terapias de reproducción asistida. El objetivo de esta revisión es identificar y evaluar los estudios sobre el papel de la microbiota vaginal en la salud de la mujer y la reproducción humana.(AU)

The microbiome of the female genital tract is essential to maintenance a healthy environment. The normal vaginal microbiota is defined by the abundance of Lactobacillus. These microbes confer the host vagina protection from potentially pathogenic microorganisms that may cause urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Changes in the vaginal microbiota due to inherent factors, such as age or menstrual period, or external factors like sexual activity or pregnancy, can lead to microbial dysbiosis and the development of pathologies in relation of reduced rates of conception. It has also been suggested that vaginal microbiota may play a key role in the success of assisted reproductive therapies. The objective of this review is to identify and evaluate trials of the vaginal microbiota role in women's health and human reproduction.(AU)

Beneficial Use of the Combination of Gemcitabine and Dacarbazine in Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Real-World Data.

BACKGROUND: The combination of gemcitabine and dacarbazine has exhibited efficacy in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for aSTSs, albeit without robust confirmation from larger clinical trials. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study in a single institution involving aSTS patients treated with gemcitabine and dacarbazine. RESULTS: 95 patients were assessed, pointing to a benefit in PFS of 3.5 months and an OS of 14.2 months. Patients with translocated histotypes had better PFS, while those with platelet-lymphocyte ratios (PLRs) surpassing a specific threshold or lower albumin levels had poorer overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: This study validates previous findings from three phase I-II trials, affirming the utility of this treatment approach in routine clinical practice.

Electrical-biological hybrid system for carbon efficient isobutanol production.

We have developed an electrical-biological hybrid system wherein an engineered microorganism consumes electrocatalytically produced formate from CO2 to supplement the bioproduction of isobutanol, a valuable fuel chemical. Biological CO2 sequestration is notoriously slow compared to electrochemical CO2 reduction, while electrochemical methods struggle to generate carbon-carbon bonds which readily form in biological systems. A hybrid system provides a promising method for combining the benefits of both biology and electrochemistry. Previously, Escherichia coli was engineered to assimilate formate and CO2 in central metabolism using the reductive glycine pathway. In this work, we have shown that chemical production in E. coli can benefit from single carbon substrates when equipped with the RGP. By installing the RGP and the isobutanol biosynthetic pathway into E. coli and by further genetic modifications, we have generated a strain of E. coli that can consume formate and produce isobutanol at a yield of >100% of theoretical maximum from glucose. Our results demonstrate that carbon produced from electrocatalytically reduced CO2 can bolster chemical production in E. coli. This study shows that E. coli can be engineered towards carbon efficient methods of chemical production.

Silica Nanoparticle/Fluorescent Dye Assembly Capable of Ultrasensitively Detecting Airborne Triacetone Triperoxide: Proof-of-Concept Detection of Improvised Explosive Devices in the Workroom.

We describe the proof of concept of a portable testing setup for the detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a common component in improvised explosive devices. The system allows for field testing and generation of real-time results to test for TATP vapor traces in air by simply using circulation of the air samples through the sensing mechanism under the air conditioning system of an ordinary room. In this way, the controlled trapping of the analyte in the chemical sensor gives reliable results at extremely low concentrations of TATP in air under real-life conditions, suitable for daily use in luggage storage for airlines or a locker room for a major sporting event. The reported fluorescent methodology is very sensitive and selective, allowing for the trapping of triacetone triperoxide in the chemical sensor to give reliable results at very low concentrations in air under ambient conditions, by comparing the fluorescence of the material before and after exposition to TATP traces in air.

Desarrollo genital prenatal. Clasificación, diagnóstico y manejo de las anomalías de la diferenciación sexual / Prenatal genital development. Classification, diagnosis, and management of abnormalities of sexual differentiation

Revisión de la etiopatogenia y clasificación de las anomalías de la diferenciación sexual, así como del desarrollo genital prenatal, para que resulte de utilidad en la evaluación y manejo diagnóstico, mediante una búsqueda bibliográfica de la literatura más actual publicada a través de las bases de datos PubMed, MedLine, Embase, BioMed Central y SciELO. Las anomalías de la diferenciación sexual comprenden un amplio espectro de enfermedades que pueden desarrollarse en diferentes etapas de la vida. Estas anomalías requieren un manejo y evaluación compleja multidisciplinar en la que el obstetra desarrolla un papel fundamental, siendo referente en el diagnóstico prenatal de estas. La discordancia entre el sexo genético determinado por el test prenatal no invasivo y el fenotípico observado por medio de la ecografía es un hallazgo cada vez más frecuente, con una incidencia de 1 por cada 1.500-2.000 embarazos. La detección temprana de esta discordancia puede orientar la sospecha clínica y mejorar el manejo de las anomalías del desarrollo sexual desde la etapa prenatal.(AU)

To review the most current literature on the aetiopathogenesis and classification of abnormalities of sexual differentiation, as well as prenatal genital development. A literature search through PubMed, MedLine, Embase, BioMed Central, and SciELO databases was conducted. Abnormalities of sexual differentiation comprise a wide spectrum of diseases that can develop at different stages of life. These anomalies require complex evaluation by a multidisciplinary team in which the obstetrician plays a fundamental role in prenatal diagnosis. Discrepancy between the genetic sex determined by non-invasive prenatal testing and the phenotypic sex observed by ultrasound is an increasingly frequent finding, with an incidence of 1 in 1,500-2,000 pregnancies. Early detection of this discrepancy can guide clinical suspicion and improve the management of different sexual developmental anomalies from the prenatal period.(AU)

Manejo quirúrgico del endometrioma en pacientes con deseo genésico / Surgical management of endometrioma in patients with reproductive desire

Endometriosis is a syndrome characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue. Endometrioma is its most common form of presentation, especially in moderate and severe stages of the disease.The objective of this work was to conduct a review of the surgical treatment of endometrioma through an updated literature search, which included 56 articles.In women with endometrioma, the ovarian reserve decreases and surgical techniques cause further reduction. Ovarian cystectomy is the technique of choice for the treatment of endometrioma. Sclerotherapy should be considered in recurrent endometriomas where ovarian preservation is relevant. Other techniques, such as CO2 laser vaporization or plasma ablation, show promising results in terms of recurrence and preservation of ovarian tissue. However, the management of endometrioma remains a challenge in reproductive medicine, where an individualized approach is essential.(AU)

La endometriosis es un síndrome caracterizado por la presencia de tejido endometrial ectópico. El endometrioma es su forma más común de presentación, especialmente en estadios moderados y severos de la enfermedad.El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido realizar una revisión sobre el tratamiento quirúrgico del endometrioma mediante una búsqueda bibliográfica actualizada, en la que se incluyen 56 artículos.En mujeres con endometrioma, la reserva ovárica está disminuida y las técnicas quirúrgicas causan una reducción adicional. La quistectomía ovárica es la técnica de elección para el tratamiento del endometrioma. La escleroterapia debe ser considerada ante endometriomas de repetición donde la preservación ovárica sea relevante. Otras técnicas como la vaporización con láser CO2 o la ablación con plasma muestran resultados prometedores en términos de recurrencia y preservación de tejido ovárico. No obstante, el manejo de los endometriomas sigue siendo un desafío en la medicina reproductiva, donde resulta fundamental un abordaje individualizado.(AU)

Incidencia, prevalencia y patrones de tratamiento del cáncer de próstata metastásico hormonosensible en España: Estudio ECHOS / Incidence, prevalence, and treatment patterns in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer in Spain: ECHOS study

Introducción y objetivo: El manejo de los pacientes con cáncer de próstata hormonosensible metastásico (CPHSm) ha cambiado en los últimos años debido a la autorización de nuevos medicamentos. El objetivo fue caracterizar la prevalencia, incidencia y patrones de tratamiento para el CPHSm en España.Pacientes y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, observacional, longitudinal, retrospectivo en condiciones de práctica clínica habitual con pacientes con CPHSm atendidos en hospitales españoles entre 2015 y 2019 (estudio ECHOS). Las historias clínicas se extrajeron de la base de datos BIG-PAC (geográficamente representativa).Resultados: Se incluyeron los datos de 379 hombres con CPHSm. La prevalencia varió entre 12,2-14,6%. Hubo de 671 a 824 nuevos casos anualmente, con una tendencia creciente. La incidencia media en el periodo del estudio fue de 2,5%, con valores anuales en el rango 2,2-3%. Los nuevos casos anuales de pacientes de novo y recurrentes osciló en el rango 7-11 y 77-104, respectivamente, sin tendencia observada. Mayoritariamente eran pacientes recurrentes (91%) y de alto volumen tumoral (68,6%). La primera línea de tratamiento fue la combinación de docetaxel y terapia de deprivación de andrógenos (TDA) (53%), seguida por TDA sola (23,8%), combinación de TDA y abiraterona (11,1%) y radioterapia (8,6%). En los 12 meses anteriores al diagnóstico de metástasis, la mayoría se sometieron a una prostatectomía (84,9%). El resto había recibido radioterapia (12%) o no recibieron tratamiento (3,8%).Conclusiones: El estudio ECHOS proporciona datos epidemiológicos y patrones de tratamiento actuales en la práctica clínica en pacientes con CPHSm en España. Los resultados obtenidos destacan la necesidad médica de terapias dirigidas. (AU)

Introduction and objective: The management of patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) has changed in recent years due to the approval of new drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, incidence, and treatment patterns in mHSPC in Spain.Patients and methods: Multicenter, observational, longitudinal, retrospective study in routine clinical practice of patients diagnosed with mHSPC treated in Spanish hospitals between 2015 and 2019 (ECHOS study). Electronic medical records were extracted from BIG-PAC database, which contains geographically representative Spanish centers.Results: Data from 379 men with mHSPC were included. The prevalence of mHSPC ranged between 12.2-14.6% per year, representing from 671 to 824 annual cases with an increasing trend. The mean incidence along the 4-year period was 2.5%, with annual incidence ranging 2.2-3.0%. New annual cases of de novo and recurrent disease ranged between 7-11 and 77-104, respectively, with no trend being observed. These patients were mostly recurrent (91%) with high-volume disease (68.6%). The most common first-line therapy was ADT combined with docetaxel (53%), followed by ADT alone (23.8%), combination of ADT and abiraterone (11.2%), and radiotherapy (8.6%). In the last 12 months before diagnosis of metastasis, most men had been submitted to radical prostatectomy (84.9%). The remaining patients had received radiotherapy (12%) or no treatment at all (3.8%).Conclusions: The ECHOS study provides epidemiologic data and current patterns of treatment in clinical practice of patients with mHSPC in Spain. These results emphasize the medical need of targeted treatments in these clinical settings. (AU)

Incidence, prevalence, and treatment patterns in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer in Spain: ECHOS study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The management of patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) has changed in recent years due to the approval of new drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, incidence, and treatment patterns in mHSPC in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Multicenter, observational, longitudinal, retrospective study in routine clinical practice of patients diagnosed with mHSPC treated in Spanish hospitals between 2015 and 2019 (ECHOS study). Electronic medical records were extracted from BIG-PAC database, which contains geographically representative Spanish centers. RESULTS: Data from 379 men with mHSPC were included. The prevalence of mHSPC ranged between 12.2-14.6% per year, representing from 671 to 824 annual cases with an increasing trend. The mean incidence along the 4-year period was 2.5%, with annual incidence ranging 2.2-3.0%. New annual cases of de novo and recurrent disease ranged between 7-11 and 77-104, respectively, with no trend being observed. These patients were mostly recurrent (91%) with high-volume disease (68.6%). The most common first-line therapy was ADT combined with docetaxel (53%), followed by ADT alone (23.8%), combination of ADT and abiraterone (11.2%), and radiotherapy (8.6%). In the last 12 months before diagnosis of metastasis, most men had been submitted to radical prostatectomy (84.9%). The remaining patients had received radiotherapy (12%) or no treatment at all (3.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The ECHOS study provides epidemiologic data and current patterns of treatment in clinical practice of patients with mHSPC in Spain. These results emphasize the medical need of targeted treatments in these clinical settings.

Mapping capability of linear correlation statistics for characterization of complex materials using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

In this work, the capability of linear correlation statistics for chemical mapping by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been studied for the first time for the characterization of samples with compositional changes on surface and in depth. For that purpose, a corrosion layer of varied spread has been caused in brass samples by chemical treatment and afterwards analyzed by LIBS. Correlation depth profiles, two-dimensional (2D) correlation maps and three-dimensional (3D) correlation maps have been generated from LIBS data to contrast the results obtained from treated and non-treated samples and zones. Conventional LIBS maps based on signal intensity have also been generated for comparison. The conclusions of this study demonstrate the capability and benefits of using the linear correlation method for 3D mapping by LIBS of samples with non-uniform composition. In this sense, the proposed methodology has allowed to determine the location of the corroded regions in the analyzed volume, even in the non-treated zones also affected by the byproducts originated from the chemical attack, in contrast to conventional LIBS mapping based on signal representation.

Influence of Alcohol Consumption, Personality and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder on Traffic Offenders.

BACKGROUND: Despite the authorities' efforts to promote responsible driving, traffic accidents are a notable cause of death in many countries. Scientific research shows that variables such as alcohol abuse and personality dimensions can contribute to explaining this social phenomenon and the rising number of traffic offences. The present study aims to explore how alcohol abuse, personality disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are associated with risky driving behaviour. METHOD: The sample included 300 subjects: the study group (199 convicted of traffic offences) and the control group (101 subjects from the general driving population). The tools used were the International Personality Disorder Scale, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). RESULTS: A higher incidence of signs of paranoid, antisocial, impulsive, borderline and anxious personality traits was detected for the study group, as well as a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse. CONCLUSIONS: This research offers indications for the design of effective preventive and reinsertion interventions. It also highlights the importance of considering psychological dimensions to ensure road safety.

SELNET clinical practice guidelines for bone sarcoma.

Bone sarcoma are infrequent diseases, representing < 0.2% of all adult neoplasms. A multidisciplinary management within reference centers for sarcoma, with discussion of the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies within an expert multidisciplinary tumour board, is essential for these patients, given its heterogeneity and low frequency. This approach leads to an improvement in patient's outcome, as demonstrated in several studies. The Sarcoma European Latin-American Network (SELNET), aims to improve clinical outcome in sarcoma care, with a special focus in Latin-American countries. These Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) have been developed and agreed by a multidisciplinary expert group (including medical and radiation oncologist, surgical oncologist, orthopaedic surgeons, radiologist, pathologist, molecular biologist and representatives of patients advocacy groups) of the SELNET consortium, and are conceived to provide the standard approach to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of bone sarcoma patients in the Latin-American context.