Macrophyte assisted phytoremediation and toxicological profiling of metal(loid)s polluted water is influenced by hydraulic retention time.

The present study reports findings related to the treatment of polluted groundwater using macrophyte-assisted phytoremediation. The potential of three macrophyte species (Phragmites australis, Scirpus holoschoenus, and Typha angustifolia) to tolerate exposure to multi-metal(loid) polluted groundwater was first evaluated in mesocosms for 7- and 14-day batch testing. In the 7-day batch test, the polluted water was completely replaced and renewed after 7 days, while for 14 days exposure, the same polluted water, added in the first week, was maintained. The initial biochemical screening results of macrophytes indicated that the selected plants were more tolerant to the provided conditions with 14 days of exposure. Based on these findings, the plants were exposed to HRT regimes of 15 and 30 days. The results showed that P. australis and S. holoschoenus performed better than T. angustifolia, in terms of metal(loid) accumulation and removal, biomass production, and toxicity reduction. In addition, the translocation and compartmentalization of metal(loid)s were dose-dependent. At the 30-day loading rate (higher HRT), below-ground phytostabilization was greater than phytoaccumulation, whereas at the 15-day loading rate (lower HRT), below- and above-ground phytoaccumulation was the dominant metal(loid) removal mechanism. However, higher levels of toxicity were noted in the water at the 15-day loading rate. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for macrophyte-assisted phytoremediation of polluted (ground)water streams that can help to improve the design and implementation of phytoremediation systems.

Biostimulation of sulfate reduction for in-situ metal(loid) precipitation at an industrial site in Flanders, Belgium.

A 30-month pilot study was conducted to evaluate the potential of in-situ metal(loid) removal through biostimulation of sulfate-reducing processes. The study took place at an industrial site in Flanders, Belgium, known for metal(loid) contamination in soil and groundwater. Biostimulation involved two incorporations of an organic substrate (emulsified vegetable oil) as electron donor and potassium bicarbonate to raise the pH of the groundwater by 1-1.5 units. The study focused on the most impacted permeable fine sand aquifer (8-9 m below groundwater level) confined by layers of non-permeable clay. The fine sands exhibited initially oxic conditions (50-200 mV), an acidic pH of 4.5 and sulfate concentrations ranging from 600 to 800 mg/L. At the central monitoring well, anoxic conditions (-200 to -400 mV) and a pH of 5.9 established shortly after the second substrate and reagent injection. Over the course of 12 months, there was a significant decrease in the concentration of arsenic (from 2500 to 12 µg/L), nickel (from 360 to <2 µg/L), zinc (from 78,000 to <2 µg/L), and sulfate (from 930 to 450 mg/L). Low levels of metal(loid)s were still present after 34 months (end of study). Mineralogical analysis indicated that the precipitates formed were amorphous in nature. Evidence for biologically driven metal(loid) precipitation was provided by compound specific stable isotope analysis of sulfate. In addition, changes in microbial populations were assessed using next-generation sequencing, revealing stimulation of native sulfate-reducing bacteria. These results highlight the potential of biostimulation for long-term in situ metal(loid) plume treatment/containment.

Phytostabilization of metal(loid)s by ten emergent macrophytes following a 90-day exposure to industrially contaminated groundwater.

Better understanding of macrophyte tolerance under long exposure times in real environmental matrices is crucial for phytoremediation and phytoattenuation strategies for aquatic systems. The metal(loid) attenuation ability of 10 emergent macrophyte species (Carex riparia, Cyperus longus, Cyperus rotundus, Iris pseudacorus, Juncus effusus, Lythrum salicaria, Menta aquatica, Phragmites australis, Scirpus holoschoenus, and Typha angustifolia) was investigated using real groundwater from an industrial site, over a 90-day exposure period. A "phytobial" treatment was included, with 3 plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial strains. Plants exposed to the polluted water generally showed similar or reduced aerial biomass compared to the controls, except for C. riparia. This species, along with M. aquatica, exhibited improved biomass after bioaugmentation. Phytoremediation mechanisms accounted for more than 60% of As, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb removal, whilst abiotic mechanisms contributed to ∼80% removal of Fe and Zn. Concentrations of metal(loid)s in the roots were generally between 10-100 times higher than in the aerial parts. The macrophytes in this work can be considered "underground attenuators", more appropriate for rhizostabilization strategies, especially L. salicaria, M. aquatica, S. holoschoenus, and T. angustifolia. For I. pseudacorus, C. longus, and C. riparia; harvesting the aerial parts could be a complementary phytoextraction approach to further remove Pb and Zn. Of all the plants, S. holoschoenus showed the best balance between biomass production and uptake of multiple metal(loid)s. Results also suggest that multiple phytostrategies may be possible for the same plant depending on the final remedial aim. Phytobial approaches need to be further assessed for each macrophyte species.

Physiological and transcriptome profiling of Chlorella sorokiniana: A study on azo dye wastewater decolorization.

Over decades, synthetic dyes have become increasingly dominated by azo dyes posing a significant environmental risk due to their toxicity. Microalgae-based systems may offer an alternative for treatment of azo dye effluents to conventional physical-chemical methods. Here, microalgae were tested to decolorize industrial azo dye wastewater (ADW). Chlorella sorokiniana showed the highest decolorization efficiency in a preliminary screening test. Subsequently, the optimization of the experimental design resulted in 70% decolorization in a photobioreactor. Tolerance of this strain was evidenced using multiple approaches (growth and chlorophyll content assays, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and antioxidant level measurements). Raman microspectroscopy was employed for the quantification of ADW-specific compounds accumulated by the microalgal biomass. Finally, RNA-seq revealed the transcriptome profile of C. sorokiniana exposed to ADW for 72 h. Activated DNA repair and primary metabolism provided sufficient energy for microalgal growth to overcome the adverse toxic conditions. Furthermore, several transporter genes, oxidoreductases-, and glycosyltransferases-encoding genes were upregulated to effectively sequestrate and detoxify the ADW. This work demonstrates the potential utilization of C. sorokiniana as a tolerant strain for industrial wastewater treatment, emphasizing the regulation of its molecular mechanisms to cope with unfavorable growth conditions.

Enhancing microsurgical skills in neurosurgery residents of low-income countries: A comprehensive guide.

Background: The main objectives of this paper are to outline the essential tools, instruments, and equipment needed to set up a functional microsurgery laboratory that is affordable for low-income hospitals and to identify cost-effective alternatives for acquiring microsurgical equipment, such as refurbished or donated instruments, collaborating with medical device manufacturers for discounted rates, or exploring local suppliers. Methods: Step-by-step instructions were provided on setting up the microsurgery laboratory, including recommendations for the layout, ergonomic considerations, lighting, and sterilization processes while ensuring cost-effectiveness, as well as comprehensive training protocols and a curriculum specifically tailored to enhance microsurgical skills in neurosurgery residents. Results: We explored cost-effective options for obtaining microsurgery simulators and utilizing open-source or low-cost virtual training platforms. We also included guidelines for regular equipment maintenance, instrument sterilization, and establishing protocols for infection control to ensure a safe and hygienic learning environment. To foster collaboration between low-income hospitals and external organizations or institutions that can provide support, resources, or mentorship, this paper shows strategies for networking, knowledge exchange, and establishing partnerships to enhance microsurgical training opportunities further. We evaluated the impact and effectiveness of the low-cost microsurgery laboratory by assessing the impact and effectiveness of the established microsurgery laboratory in improving the microsurgical skills of neurosurgery residents. About microsutures and microanastomosis, after three weeks of training, residents showed improvement in "surgical time" for ten separate simple stitches (30.06 vs. 8.65 min) and ten continuous single stitches (19.84 vs. 6.51 min). Similarly, there was an increase in the "good quality" of the stitches and the suture pattern from 36.36% to 63.63%. Conclusion: By achieving these objectives, this guide aims to empower low-income hospitals and neurosurgery residents with the necessary resources and knowledge to establish and operate an affordable microsurgery laboratory, ultimately enhancing the quality of microsurgical training and patient care in low-income countries.

Grupos de Alimentos Asociados Atención Dental por Caries y por Gingivitis en Escuelas Públicas, México

RESUMEN: Asociar grupos de alimentos con "atención dental por caries" y "por gingivitis" en adolescentes de entre 12 y 24 años de edad de escuelas públicas en Morelos, México. Las variables dependientes: "atención dental por caries" y "por gingivitis" se definieron por auto-reporte. Los grupos de alimentos se obtuvieron de un cuestionario de consumo en el último año. La ingesta diaria se estimó calculando cada peso correspondiente a la frecuencia de consumo del alimento ajustado al tamaño de la porción utilizando tablas de alimentos y después fueron sumados según al grupo que pertenecían (lácteos, frutas, verduras, leguminosas, cereales, carne y huevo, pescados y mariscos, comida rápida, bebidas carbonatadas y jugos embotellados y golosinas). Para el análisis se utilizaron modelos logísticos multinivel para mediciones repetidas para identificar as ociaciones (RM) entre ingesta de cada grupo de alimentos con cada variable dependiente por separado. En el análisis ajustado "atención dental por caries" se asoció con: frutas (RM 1.70), bebidas carbonatadas y jugos embotellados (RM 1.38) y golosinas (RM 1.44), mientras que cereales se mantuvo en el nivel marginal (RM 1.34). No se encontró asociación con "por gingivitis". Los alimentos con altos contenidos de hidratos de carbono refinados son determinantes para acudir a servicios dentales por caries.

ABSTRACT: Associate food groups with "dental caries care" and "for gingivitis" in adolescents between 12 and 24 years of age from public schools in Morelos, México. The dependent variables: "dental care for caries" and "for gingivitis" were defined by self-report. The food groups were obtained from a consumption questionnaire in the last year. The daily nutritional intake was estimated calculating each nutritional content of the foods using food tables and then they were added according to the group they belonged to (dairy, fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, meat and eggs, fish and seafood, carbonated drinks and bottled juices and sweets. Multilevel logistic models for repeated measurements were used for the analysis to identify associations (OR) between intake of each food group with "dental caries care" and "for gingivitis". In the adjusted analysis, "dental caries care" was associated with: fruits (OR 1.70), carbonated drinks and bottled juices (OR 1.38) and sweets (OR 1.44), while cereals remained at the marginal level (OR 1.34). No association with "for gingivitis" found. Foods high in refined carbohydrates are essential to go to dental services for dental caries.

Mass Transfer Limitation during Slow Anaerobic Biodegradation of 2-Methylnaphthalene.

While they are theoretically conceptualized to restrict biodegradation of organic contaminants, bioavailability limitations are challenging to observe directly. Here we explore the onset of mass transfer limitations during slow biodegradation of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon 2-methylnaphthalene (2-MN) by the anaerobic, sulfate-reducing strain NaphS2. Carbon and hydrogen compound specific isotope fractionation was pronounced at high aqueous 2-MN concentrations (60 µM) (εcarbon = -2.1 ± 0.1‰/εhydrogen = -40 ± 7‰) in the absence of an oil phase but became significantly smaller (εcarbon = -0.9 ± 0.3‰/εhydrogen = -6 ± 3‰) or nondetectable when low aqueous concentrations (4 µM versus 0.5 µM) were in equilibrium with 80 or 10 mM 2-MN in hexadecane, respectively. This masking of isotope fractionation directly evidenced mass transfer limitations at (sub)micromolar substrate concentrations. Remarkably, oil-water mass transfer coefficients were 60-90 times greater in biotic experiments than in the absence of bacteria (korg-aq2-MN = 0.01 ± 0.003 cm h-1). The ability of isotope fractionation to identify mass transfer limitations may help study how microorganisms adapt and navigate at the brink of bioavailability at low concentrations. For field surveys our results imply that, at trace concentrations, the absence of isotope fractionation does not necessarily indicate the absence of biodegradation.

Mechanistic Dichotomy in Bacterial Trichloroethene Dechlorination Revealed by Carbon and Chlorine Isotope Effects.

Tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) are significant groundwater contaminants. Microbial reductive dehalogenation at contaminated sites can produce nontoxic ethene but often stops at toxic cis-1,2-dichloroethene ( cis-DCE) or vinyl chloride (VC). The magnitude of carbon relative to chlorine isotope effects (as expressed by ΛC/Cl, the slope of δ13C versus δ37Cl regressions) was recently recognized to reveal different reduction mechanisms with vitamin B12 as a model reactant for reductive dehalogenase activity. Large ΛC/Cl values for cis-DCE reflected cob(I)alamin addition followed by protonation, whereas smaller ΛC/Cl values for PCE evidenced cob(I)alamin addition followed by Cl- elimination. This study addressed dehalogenation in actual microorganisms and observed identical large ΛC/Cl values for cis-DCE (ΛC/Cl = 10.0 to 17.8) that contrasted with identical smaller ΛC/Cl for TCE and PCE (ΛC/Cl = 2.3 to 3.8). For TCE, the trend of small ΛC/Cl could even be reversed when mixed cultures were precultivated on VC or DCEs and subsequently confronted with TCE (ΛC/Cl = 9.0 to 18.2). This observation provides explicit evidence that substrate adaptation must have selected for reductive dehalogenases with different mechanistic motifs. The patterns of ΛC/Cl are consistent with practically all studies published to date, while the difference in reaction mechanisms offers a potential answer to the long-standing question of why bioremediation frequently stalls at cis-DCE.

Reference intervals for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in healthy Mexican pregnant women: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The reference intervals for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in pregnant Mexican women without diabetes are not well defined. The study aims to determine the reference intervals for HbA1c at each trimester in healthy Mexican pregnant women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included healthy Mexican pregnant women in trimester 1 (T1), 6-13.6 weeks of gestation (WG), trimester 2 (T2), 14-27 WG, and trimester 3 (T3), ≥27-36 WG, with a maternal age > 18 years, and pregestational body mass index (BMI) ranging between 18.5-24.9 kg/m2. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus, pregestational diabetes, anemia, a pregestational BMI < 18.5 or ≥ 25 kg/m2, and any hematologic, hepatic, immunological, renal, or cardiac disease were excluded. HbA1c was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography based on the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program-certified PDQ Primus guidelines. The HbA1c reference intervals were calculated in terms of the 2.5th to the 97.5th percentiles. RESULTS: We analyzed the HbA1c values of 725 women (T1 n = 84, T2 n = 448, and T3 n = 193). The characteristics of the participants were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and included: maternal age (28.2 ± 6.7 years), pregestational weight (54.8 ± 5.9 Kg), pregestational BMI (22.2 ± 1.7 Kg/m2), and glucose values using a 75 g-2 h oral glucose tolerance test; fasting 4.5 ± 0.3 mmol/L (81.5 ± 5.5 mg/dL), 1 h 6.4 ± 1.5 mmol/L (115.3 ± 26.6 mg/dL), and 2 h 5.7 ± 1.1 mmol/L (103.5 ± 19.6 mg/dL). Reference intervals for HbA1c, expressed as median and 2.5th to 97.5th percentile for each trimester were: T1: 5.1 (4.5-5.6%), T2: 5.0 (4.4-5.5%), and T3: 5.1 (4.5-5.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The reference range of HbA1C in healthy Mexican pregnant women during pregnancy was 4.4% to 5.6%. We suggest as upper limits of HbA1c value ≤5.6%, 5.5%, and 5.7% for T1, T2, and T3, respectively among Mexican pregnant women.

Chlorinated Electron Acceptor Abundance Drives Selection of Dehalococcoides mccartyi (D. mccartyi) Strains in Dechlorinating Enrichment Cultures and Groundwater Environments.

Dehalococcoides mccartyi (D. mccartyi) strains differ primarily from one another by the number and identity of the reductive dehalogenase homologous catalytic subunit A (rdhA) genes within their respective genomes. While multiple rdhA genes have been sequenced, the activity of the corresponding proteins has been identified in only a few cases. Examples include the enzymes whose substrates are groundwater contaminants such as trichloroethene (TCE), cis-dichloroethene (cDCE) and vinyl chloride (VC). The associated rdhA genes, namely tceA, bvcA, and vcrA, along with the D. mccartyi 16S rRNA gene are often used as biomarkers of growth in field samples. In this study, we monitored an additional 12 uncharacterized rdhA sequences identified in the metagenome in the mixed D. mccartyi-containing culture KB-1 to monitor population shifts in more detail. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were developed for 15 D. mccartyi rdhA genes and used to measure population diversity in 11 different sub-cultures of KB-1, each enriched on different chlorinated ethenes and ethanes. The proportion of rdhA gene copies relative to D. mccartyi 16S rRNA gene copies revealed the presence of multiple distinct D. mccartyi strains in each culture, many more than the two strains inferred from 16S rRNA analysis. The specific electron acceptor amended to each culture had a major influence on the distribution of D. mccartyi strains and their associated rdhA genes. We also surveyed the abundance of rdhA genes in samples from two bioaugmented field sites (Canada and United Kingdom). Growth of the dominant D. mccartyi strain in KB-1 was detected at the United Kingdom site. At both field sites, the measurement of relative rdhA abundances revealed D. mccartyi population shifts over time as dechlorination progressed from TCE through cDCE to VC and ethene. These shifts indicate a selective pressure of the most abundant chlorinated electron acceptor, as was also observed in lab cultures. These results also suggest that reductive dechlorination at contaminated sites is brought about by multiple strains of D. mccartyi whether or not the site is bioaugmented. Understanding the driving forces behind D. mccartyi population selection and activity is improving predictability of remediation performance at chlorinated solvent contaminated sites.

Bioremediation of chlorinated ethenes in fractured bedrock and associated changes in dechlorinating and nondechlorinating microbial populations.

The use of enhanced in situ anaerobic bioremediation (EISB) and bioaugmentation in fractured bedrock is limited compared to its use in granular media. We evaluated EISB for the treatment of trichloroethene (TCE)-impacted groundwater in fractured carbonate rock at a site in Southern Ontario, Canada, with cool average groundwater temperature (∼ 13 °C). Borehole-connectivity, contaminant concentrations, and groundwater properties were investigated. Changes in dechlorinating and nondechlorinating populations (fermenters, acetogens, methanogens, and sulfate reducers) were assessed via quantitative PCR (qPCR). During biostimulation with ethanol, concentrations of TCE daughter products cis-dichloroethene (cDCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) decreased in association with an enrichment of vcrA (VC reductive dehalogenase)-carrying Dehalococcoides, whereas ethene production was only moderate. Following bioaugmentation with the mixed dechlorinating culture KB-1, greater concentrations of chloride-a product of dechlorination-was observed in most wells; in addition, ethene production increased significantly in monitoring well locations that had strong hydraulic connectivity to the groundwater recirculation system, while Dehalococcoides and vcrA concentrations did not appreciably vary. Interestingly, increases of 3-4 orders of magnitude of an ethanol-fermenting Bacteroidetes population also present in KB-1 were correlated to improved conversion to ethene, an observation which suggests there could be a causal relationship-for example, better syntrophy and/or synergy among bacterial populations.

Volumetric electromagnetic phase-shift spectroscopy of brain edema and hematoma.

Motivated by the need of poor and rural Mexico, where the population has limited access to advanced medical technology and services, we have developed a new paradigm for medical diagnostic based on the technology of "Volumetric Electromagnetic Phase Shift Spectroscopy" (VEPS), as an inexpensive partial substitute to medical imaging. VEPS, can detect changes in tissue properties inside the body through non-contact, multi-frequency electromagnetic measurements from the exterior of the body, and thereby provide rapid and inexpensive diagnostics in a way that is amenable for use in economically disadvantaged parts of the world. We describe the technology and report results from a limited pilot study with 46 healthy volunteers and eight patients with CT radiology confirmed brain edema and brain hematoma. Data analysis with a non-parametric statistical Mann-Whitney U test, shows that in the frequency range of from 26 MHz to 39 MHz, VEPS can distinguish non-invasively and without contact, with a statistical significance of p<0.05, between healthy subjects and those with a medical conditions in the brain. In the frequency range of between 153 MHz to 166 MHz it can distinguish with a statistical significance of p<0.05 between subjects with brain edema and those with a hematoma in the brain. A classifier build from measurements in these two frequency ranges can provide instantaneous diagnostic of the medical condition of the brain of a patient, from a single set of measurements. While this is a small-scale pilot study, it illustrates the potential of VEPS to change the paradigm of medical diagnostic of brain injury through a VEPS classifier-based technology. Obviously substantially larger-scale studies are needed to verify and expand on the findings in this small pilot study.

Activity of native hydrolytic enzymes and their association with the cell wall of three ectomycorrhizal fungi.

The ecological and biogeochemical relevance of hydrolytic enzymes associated with the fungal cell wall has been poorly studied in ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. We used a modified sequential extraction procedure to investigate the activity of various hydrolytic enzymes (ß-glucosidase, acid-phosphatase, leucine-aminopeptidase, chitinase, xylanase and glucuronidase) and their association with the cell wall of three ECM fungi (Rhizopogon roseolus, Paxillus involutus and Piloderma croceum). Fungi were grown on C-rich solid medium under three different P concentrations (3.7, 0.37 and 0.037 mM). The sequential extraction procedure classifies enzymes as: (a) cytosolic, (b) loosely bound, (c) hydrophobically bound, (d) ionically bound and (e) covalently bound. Results showed that for the same fungus absolute enzymatic activity was affected by P concentration, whilst enzymatic compartmentalization among the cytosol and the cell wall fractions was not. The association of enzymes with the cell wall was fungus- and enzyme-specific. Our data indicate also that enzymes best known for being either extracellular or cytosolic or both, do act in muro as well. The ecological implications of cell wall-bound enzymes and the potential applications and limitations of sequential extractions are further discussed.

The risk of gestational diabetes mellitus among Mexican women with a history of infertility and polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Mexican women with a history of infertility and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared with women without PCOS matched by age, pregestational body mass index (BMI), and parity. DESIGN: Historic cohort study. SETTING: Level three medical institution. PATIENT(S): Group 1 (n = 52), women with a history of infertility and PCOS, and group 2 (n = 52), women without PCOS. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancy with ≤ 13 weeks of gestation. Exclusion criteria were pregestational diabetes mellitus and/or concomitant diseases. INTERVENTION(S): Diagnosis of GDM was based on a 3-hour, 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) performed during the second trimester. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Incidence and relative risk (RR) for GDM. RESULT(S): The incidence of GDM was 26.9% and 9.6% for groups 1 and 2, respectively (RR = 2.8; 95% confidence interval 1.08-7.2). No other between-group differences were observed in the incidence of miscarriage, preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, preeclampsia, stillbirth, fetal malformations, or small or large for gestational age newborns. CONCLUSION(S): Pregnant Mexican women with a history of infertility and PCOS are at increased risk for developing GDM. This risk should be considered beginning early in the second trimester for a timely intervention and to improve the maternal-fetal prognosis.

Effect of the diagnostic criteria of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups on the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in urban Mexican women: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), defined by the previous criteria of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), as well as the criteria suggested by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG), in an unselected group of urban Mexican pregnant women and to analyze the frequency of large for gestational age (LGA) newborns in this same group of women with use of both diagnostic criteria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 803 consecutive Mexican urban women with a singleton pregnancy, without concomitant diseases and no prior history of GDM, who underwent a 2-step screening protocol for diagnosis of GDM at admission to prenatal care. RESULTS: The ADA criteria identified 83 women (10.3%) whereas the IADPSG criteria diagnosed 242 women (30.1%) having GDM (P = .0001). Fasting glucose concentrations during the 100-g 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test were abnormal in 116 women (14.4%) and in 160 women (19.9%) on the basis of ADA and IADPSG criteria, respectively (P = .004). The frequency of LGA newborns was 7.4% based on IADPSG criteria and 6.0% based on ADA criteria-no significant difference (P = .64). CONCLUSION: With use of the IADPSG criteria, the prevalence of GDM increased almost 3-fold in comparison with that for the ADA criteria. Nevertheless, no significant difference was found in the prevalence of LGA newborns.

Early intensive obstetric and medical nutrition care is associated with decreased prepregnancy obesity impact on perinatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To compare the gestational weight gain and adverse perinatal outcomes in urban Mexican women with prepregnancy overweight or obesity, under an early intensive obstetric and nutrition program versus women with prepregnancy normal weight. METHODS: A cohort of 546 pregnant women with prepregnancy normal weight (n = 201, NW), overweight (n = 171, OW) or obesity (n = 174, OB), ≤13 weeks of gestation and a singleton pregnancy. OW and OB groups were under early intensive obstetric and nutritional care and NW group was under routine prenatal care. Miscarriage, hypertensive disorders, premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, stillbirth, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and large- or small-for-gestational-age newborns, were compared between groups. RESULTS: Weight gain was smaller in OB than in OW or NW (mean ± SD): 6.1 ± 4.4, 9.5 ± 5.1, 10.3 ± 5.4 kg, respectively (p < 0.001). OB women had the highest frequency of GDM (p < 0.001), lack of spontaneous labor (p < 0.001) and preeclampsia (p < 0.001), but no other between-group differences existed. CONCLUSION: Early intensive medical-nutrition prenatal care and adequate gestational weight gain may contribute to decreasing most maternal and newborn adverse outcomes associated with prepregnancy overweight or obesity.

Monitoring biodegradation of ethene and bioremediation of chlorinated ethenes at a contaminated site using compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA).

Chlorinated ethenes are commonly found in contaminated groundwater. Remediation strategies focus on transformation processes that will ultimately lead to nontoxic products. A major concern with these strategies is the possibility of incomplete dechlorination and accumulation of toxic daughter products (cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cDCE), vinyl chloride (VC)). Ethene mass balance can be used as a direct indicator to assess the effectiveness of dechlorination. However, the microbial processes that affect ethene are not well characterized and poor mass balance may reflect biotransformation of ethene rather than incomplete dechlorination. Microbial degradation of ethene is commonly observed in aerobic systems but fewer cases have been reported in anaerobic systems. Limited information is available on the isotope enrichment factors associated with these processes. Using compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) we determined the enrichment factors associated with microbial degradation of ethene in anaerobic microcosms (ε = -6.7‰ ± 0.4‰, and -4.0‰ ± 0.8‰) from cultures collected from the Twin Lakes wetland area at the Savannah River site in Georgia (United States), and in aerobic microcosms (ε = -3.0‰ ± 0.3‰) from Mycobacterium sp. strain JS60. Under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, CSIA can be used to determine whether biotransformation of ethene is occurring in addition to biodegradation of the chlorinated ethenes. Using δ(13)C values determined for ethene and for chlorinated ethenes at a contaminated field site undergoing bioremediation, this study demonstrates how CSIA of ethene can be used to reduce uncertainty and risk at a site by distinguishing between actual mass balance deficits during reductive dechlorination and apparent lack of mass balance that is related to biotransformation of ethene.

Phytostabilization of semiarid soils residually contaminated with trace elements using by-products: sustainability and risks.

We investigated the efficiency of various by-products (sugarbeet lime, biosolid compost and leonardite), based on single or repeated applications to field plots, on the establishment of a vegetation cover compatible with a stabilization strategy on a multi-element (As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) contaminated soil 4-6 years after initial amendment applications. Results indicate that the need for re-treatment is amendment- and element-dependent; in some cases, a single application may reduce trace element concentrations in above-ground biomass and enhance the establishment of a healthy vegetation cover. Amendment performance as evaluated by % cover, biomass and number of colonizing taxa differs; however, changes in plant community composition are not necessarily amendment-specific. Although the translocation of trace elements to the plant biotic compartment is greater in re-vegetated areas, overall loss of trace elements due to soil erosion and plant uptake is usually smaller compared to that in bare soil.

Abundance and diversity of n-alkane-degrading bacteria in a forest soil co-contaminated with hydrocarbons and metals: a molecular study on alkB homologous genes.

Unraveling functional genes related to biodegradation of organic compounds has profoundly improved our understanding of biological remediation processes, yet the ecology of such genes is only poorly understood. We used a culture-independent approach to assess the abundance and diversity of bacteria catalyzing the degradation of n-alkanes with a chain length between C(5) and C(16) at a forest site co-contaminated with mineral oil hydrocarbons and metals for nearly 60 years. The alkB gene coding for a rubredoxin-dependent alkane monooxygenase enzyme involved in the initial activation step of aerobic aliphatic hydrocarbon metabolism was used as biomarker. Within the area of study, four different zones were evaluated: one highly contaminated, two intermediately contaminated, and a noncontaminated zone. Contaminant concentrations, hydrocarbon profiles, and soil microbial respiration and biomass were studied. Abundance of n-alkane-degrading bacteria was quantified via real-time PCR of alkB, whereas genetic diversity was examined using molecular fingerprints (T-RFLP) and clone libraries. Along the contamination plume, hydrocarbon profiles and increased respiration rates suggested on-going natural attenuation at the site. Gene copy numbers of alkB were similar in contaminated and control areas. However, T-RFLP-based fingerprints suggested lower diversity and evenness of the n-alkane-degrading bacterial community in the highly contaminated zone compared to the other areas; both diversity and evenness were negatively correlated with metal and hydrocarbon concentrations. Phylogenetic analysis of alkB denoted a shift of the hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial community from Gram-positive bacteria in the control zone (most similar to Mycobacterium and Nocardia types) to Gram-negative genotypes in the contaminated zones (Acinetobacter and alkB sequences with little similarity to those of known bacteria). Our results underscore a qualitative rather than a quantitative response of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria to the contamination at the molecular level.

Estado y salud buco-dental del paciente pediátrico con daño neurológico / Status and health oral-dental pediatric patient with neurological damage

Este documento describe a groso modo las características bucales que presentan los pacientes con daño neurológico, además de las consideraciones y el manejo en la atención estomatológica de este grupo de población infantil que puede variar de daño neurológico leve hasta severo, incluyendo a los de atención intrahospitalaria. Este tipo de pacientes sufre de severos problemas bucales especialmente la alta incidencia de caries dental y enfermedades que afectan el periodonto debido a las características propias de su diagnóstico que contribuye y dificulta el cuidado bucal por parte de sus cuidadores y por déficit en la atención estomatológica de los profesionales de la salud bucal, quienes desconocen en su mayoría las consideraciones a tomar en la atención de este grupo de pacientes

This document describes the characteristics of oral that presenting patients with neurological damage, in addition to the considerations and the handling in the stomatological care of this group of children which can vary from mild to severe neurological damage, including those for inpatient care. This type of patients suffering from severe oral problems especially the high incidence of dental caries and diseases which affect the periodont because of the specificity characteristics of her diagnosis that helps and hinders the oral care by their caregivers and deficits in attention stomatological of oral health professionals those who are unaware of the considerations to take care of this patient group