Mannooligosaccharide production from açaí seeds by enzymatic hydrolysis: optimization through response surface methodology.

Recognized for its bioactive compounds, açaí has become a functional food, but it has a low pulp yield, and the seeds are the main waste. This study investigates the potential of açaí seeds (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) to produce mannooligosaccharides (MOS) through enzymatic hydrolysis. Using response surface methodology (RSM), the research optimizes MOS extraction while minimizing mannose production and reducing processing time, achieving MOS production of about 10 g/L, a value within the range of similar investigations. The RSM quadratic models establish correlations between MOS production (M2-M5) and enzymatic hydrolysis conditions, with R2 values ranging from 0.6136 to 0.9031. These models are used to emphasize MOS performance (M2-M5) while reducing mannose production, which also promotes profitability by reducing time. Experimental validation agrees with model predictions, highlighting optimal conditions near 40 °C, intermediate enzyme loading, and basic pH that effectively promotes MOS generation on mannose within an accelerated processing time frame. With predictions of experimental results within a margin of error of < 9%, the validity of the models was acceptable. This research contributes to the advancement of the understanding of the enzymatic hydrolysis of açaí seeds, which is a step toward the sustainable use of resources with a focus on process engineering aspects.

Sourdough bread enriched with exopolysaccharides and gazpacho by-products modulates in vitro the microbiota dysbiosis.

Sourdough bread enriched with soluble fiber (by in-situ exopolysaccharides production) and insoluble fiber (by gazpacho by-products addition) showed prebiotic effects an in vitro dynamic colonic fermentation performance with obese volunteer's microbiota. Bifidobacterium population was maintained whereas Lactobacillus increased throughout the colonic sections. Conversely, Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium groups clearly decreased. Specific bacteria associated with beneficial effects increased in the ascending colon (Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium adolescentis) whereas Eubacterium eligens, Alistipes senegalensis, Prevotella copri and Eubacterium desmolans increased in the transversal and descending colon. Additionally, Blautia faecis and Ruminococcus albus increased in the transversal colon, and Bifidobacterium longum, Roseburia faecis and Victivallis vadensis in the descending colon. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus fermented the in-situ exopolysaccharides and released pectins from gazpacho by-products, as well as cellulosic degraded bacteria. This increased the short and medium chain fatty acids. Acetic acid, as well as butyric acid, increased throughout the colonic tract, which showed greater increases only in the transversal and descending colonic segments. Conversely, propionic acid was slightly affected by the colonic fermentation. These results show that sourdough bread is a useful food matrix for the enrichment of vegetable by-products (or other fibers) in order to formulate products with microbiota modulatory capacities.

Corrigendum: Implementing a provisional overarching intervention for COVID-19 monitoring and control in the Brazil-Colombia-Peru frontier.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1330347.].

First case of Oropouche fever detected in the international border region of the Colombian Amazon: clinical characteristics and molecular diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: We report the first case of Oropouche fever detected in the border region of Colombia. METHODS: Using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), genetic sequencing and clinical characteristics during the dengue epidemic in 2019, a total of 175 samples were analysed, from cases notified to the system epidemiological surveillance such as dengue. FINDINGS: The Oropouche virus (OROV) isolate from Leticia belongs to lineage 2 according to both M and S genome segments maximum likelihood (ML) analysis, shares a common ancestor with samples obtained in Esmeraldas, Ecuador and Turbaco, Colombia. The patient: a woman resident in the border neighbourhood of the municipality of Leticia had the following symptoms: fever, headache, retro-orbital pain and myalgias. MAIN CONCLUSION: This cross-border surveillance can be useful to give an alert about the entry or exit of arboviruses circulation in the region, which are often underreported in public health surveillance systems.

Fiber from elicited butternut pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata D. cv. Ariel) modulates the human intestinal microbiota dysbiosis.

Elicited pumpkin was evaluated as a potential daily consumption product able to modulate the gut microbiota. An in vitro dynamic colonic fermentation performance with microbiota from obese volunteers was used. Prebiotic effects were observed after the pumpkin treatment. Bifidobacterium abundance was maintained during the treatment period whereas Lactobacillus increased in the transversal and descending colon. Conversely, Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium groups were more stable, although scarce decreasing trends were observed for same species. Increments of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Limosilactobacillus fermentum (old Lactobacillus fermentum) were observed in the whole colonic tract after the treatment period. However, modulatory effects were mainly observed in the transversal and descending colon. Diverse bacteria species were increased, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides dorei, Cloacibacillus porcorum, Clostridium lactatifermentans, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus lactaris, Coprococcus catus, Alistipes shahii or Bacteroides vulgatus. The prebiotic effect of the elicited pumpkin was provided by the fiber of the pumpkin, suggesting a release of pectin molecules in the transversal and distal colonic tract through low cellulosic fiber degradation, explaining the increases in the total propionic and butyric acid in these colonic sections. Also, a possible modulatory role of carotenoids from the sample was suggested since carotenes were found in the descending colon. Hence, the results of this research highlighted pumpkin as a natural product able to modulate the microbiota towards a healthier profile.

Adolescent patient with post traumatic stress disorder due atypical stressor: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterised by intrusive, anxious, and avoidant symptoms that are triggered after a stressful experience and affect the mood. The definition of a stressor that generates PTSD has been debated in recent years, as a clinical picture compatible with the disorder can occur after exposure to stressors that do not meet the criteria A1 of the DSM V; these stressors have been defined in the literature as "of low magnitude, uncommon, unusual or atypical". CLINICAL CASE: We present the clinical case of a paediatric patient who developed PTSD after being exposed to an atypical stressor. CONCLUSIONS: The literature shows these stressors to be more frequently documented in the paediatric population. We therefore suggest that cases should be analysed as a complex interweaving of variables, where one of the most important is each patient's interpretation of the event according to their life history and social context, and not because of an inherent characteristic of the stressor itself.

FixNCut: single-cell genomics through reversible tissue fixation and dissociation.

The use of single-cell technologies for clinical applications requires disconnecting sampling from downstream processing steps. Early sample preservation can further increase robustness and reproducibility by avoiding artifacts introduced during specimen handling. We present FixNCut, a methodology for the reversible fixation of tissue followed by dissociation that overcomes current limitations. We applied FixNCut to human and mouse tissues to demonstrate the preservation of RNA integrity, sequencing library complexity, and cellular composition, while diminishing stress-related artifacts. Besides single-cell RNA sequencing, FixNCut is compatible with multiple single-cell and spatial technologies, making it a versatile tool for robust and flexible study designs.

Multi-organ single-cell transcriptomics of immune cells uncovered organ-specific gene expression and functions.

Despite the wealth of publicly available single-cell datasets, our understanding of distinct resident immune cells and their unique features in diverse human organs remains limited. To address this, we compiled a meta-analysis dataset of 114,275 CD45+ immune cells sourced from 14 organs in healthy donors. While the transcriptome of immune cells remains relatively consistent across organs, our analysis has unveiled organ-specific gene expression differences (GTPX3 in kidney, DNTT and ACVR2B in thymus). These alterations are linked to different transcriptional factor activities and pathways including metabolism. TNF-α signaling through the NFkB pathway was found in several organs and immune compartments. The presence of distinct expression profiles for NFkB family genes and their target genes, including cytokines, underscores their pivotal role in cell positioning. Taken together, immune cells serve a dual role: safeguarding the organs and dynamically adjusting to the intricacies of the host organ environment, thereby actively contributing to its functionality and overall homeostasis.

Influence of culinary skills on ultraprocessed food consumption and Mediterranean diet adherence: An integrative review.

The Mediterranean diet is a diet pattern with several healthy characteristics, including a high consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, and extra virgin olive oil as the main fat source. It is also characterized by a low consumption of processed foods and high-fat meats. However, there has been a nutritional transition such that, because of globalization and economic growth, the consumption of ultraprocessed foods is increasing, comprising 14% to 57% of total energy intake. North America and Australia have the worst prognosis. Further, the younger population consumes greater amounts of ultraprocessed foods compared with adults, whereas the older population has the lowest rates. Among the various factors responsible for the nutritional transition, culinary skills seem an important function of diet quality, but, unfortunately, culinary skills have been little investigated by the scientific community. Higher culinary skills may be related to increased consumption of homemade meals, higher diet quality, and greater consumption of vegetables and fruits and may be associated with higher Mediterranean diet adherence. Consequently, ultraprocessed foods, ready-to-eat food, and delivered meals, as well as meals outside the home, are reduced. Unfortunately, the process of generational transmission of cooking skills is progressively weakening, aggravated by the reduction of free time for home cooking. Still, even though there are few interventions conducted to improve culinary skills, especially those focused on children, the available results suggest that there have been positive changes in the direction of a healthier dietary pattern. This integrative review analyzes consumption levels of ultraprocessed foods. We then consider the extent to which culinary skills affect ultraprocessed food consumption levels and the relative impact on obesity.

Molecular Epidemiology of Underreported Emerging Zoonotic Pathogen Streptococcus suis in Europe.

Streptococcus suis, a zoonotic bacterial pathogen circulated through swine, can cause severe infections in humans. Because human S. suis infections are not notifiable in most countries, incidence is underestimated. We aimed to increase insight into the molecular epidemiology of human S. suis infections in Europe. To procure data, we surveyed 7 reference laboratories and performed a systematic review of the scientific literature. We identified 236 cases of human S. suis infection from those sources and an additional 87 by scanning gray literature. We performed whole-genome sequencing to type 46 zoonotic S. suis isolates and combined them with 28 publicly available genomes in a core-genome phylogeny. Clonal complex (CC) 1 isolates accounted for 87% of typed human infections; CC20, CC25, CC87, and CC94 also caused infections. Emergence of diverse zoonotic clades and notable severity of illness in humans support classifying S. suis infection as a notifiable condition.

An atlas of cells in the human tonsil.

Palatine tonsils are secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) representing the first line of immunological defense against inhaled or ingested pathogens. We generated an atlas of the human tonsil composed of >556,000 cells profiled across five different data modalities, including single-cell transcriptome, epigenome, proteome, and immune repertoire sequencing, as well as spatial transcriptomics. This census identified 121 cell types and states, defined developmental trajectories, and enabled an understanding of the functional units of the tonsil. Exemplarily, we stratified myeloid slan-like subtypes, established a BCL6 enhancer as locally active in follicle-associated T and B cells, and identified SIX5 as putative transcriptional regulator of plasma cell maturation. Analyses of a validation cohort confirmed the presence, annotation, and markers of tonsillar cell types and provided evidence of age-related compositional shifts. We demonstrate the value of this resource by annotating cells from B cell-derived mantle cell lymphomas, linking transcriptional heterogeneity to normal B cell differentiation states of the human tonsil.

Vaccination status and outcomes in critical COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory failure on the basis of their vaccination status at the time of ICU admission. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study using a prospective database of patients admitted to the ICU of a university hospital in the city of Murcia, in Spain, between January 1, 2021 and September 1, 2022. Clinical, analytical, and sociodemographic data were collected and analyzed on the basis of patient vaccination status. We adjusted for confounding variables using propensity score matching and calculated adjusted ORs and 95% CIs. RESULTS: A total of 276 patients were included in the study. Of those, 8.3% were fully vaccinated, 12% were partially vaccinated, and 79.7% were unvaccinated. Although fully vaccinated patients had more comorbidities, partially vaccinated patients had higher disease severity. The proportion of patients with severe acute respiratory failure was higher in the unvaccinated group, followed by the partially vaccinated group. No significant differences were found among the different groups regarding complications, duration of ventilatory support, or length of ICU/hospital stay. In the sample selected by propensity score matching, the number of patients with severe complications and the in-hospital mortality rate were higher in unvaccinated patients, but the differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to show a significant improvement in outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. However, the CIs were wide and the mortality point estimates favored patients who received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccination status and outcomes in critical COVID-19 patients / Situação vacinal e desfechos em pacientes com COVID-19 em estado crítico

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory failure on the basis of their vaccination status at the time of ICU admission. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study using a prospective database of patients admitted to the ICU of a university hospital in the city of Murcia, in Spain, between January 1, 2021 and September 1, 2022. Clinical, analytical, and sociodemographic data were collected and analyzed on the basis of patient vaccination status. We adjusted for confounding variables using propensity score matching and calculated adjusted ORs and 95% CIs. Results: A total of 276 patients were included in the study. Of those, 8.3% were fully vaccinated, 12% were partially vaccinated, and 79.7% were unvaccinated. Although fully vaccinated patients had more comorbidities, partially vaccinated patients had higher disease severity. The proportion of patients with severe acute respiratory failure was higher in the unvaccinated group, followed by the partially vaccinated group. No significant differences were found among the different groups regarding complications, duration of ventilatory support, or length of ICU/hospital stay. In the sample selected by propensity score matching, the number of patients with severe complications and the in-hospital mortality rate were higher in unvaccinated patients, but the differences were not significant. Conclusions: This study failed to show a significant improvement in outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. However, the CIs were wide and the mortality point estimates favored patients who received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as características clínicas e desfechos de pacientes com insuficiência respiratória aguda por COVID-19 com base na situação vacinal no momento da admissão na UTI. Métodos: Estudo observacional retrospectivo com um banco de dados prospectivo de pacientes admitidos na UTI de um hospital universitário em Múrcia, na Espanha, entre 1º de janeiro de 2021 e 1º de setembro de 2022. Dados clínicos, analíticos e sociodemográficos foram coletados e analisados com base na situação vacinal dos pacientes. Por meio de pareamento por escore de propensão, foram realizados ajustes de modo a levar em conta as variáveis de confusão. Além disso, foram calculadas as OR ajustadas e IC95%. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 276 pacientes. Destes, 8,3% apresentavam vacinação completa, 12% apresentavam vacinação incompleta e 79,7% não haviam sido vacinados. Embora os pacientes com vacinação completa apresentassem mais comorbidades, os com vacinação incompleta apresentavam doença mais grave. A proporção de pacientes com insuficiência respiratória aguda grave foi maior nos não vacinados, seguidos daqueles com vacinação incompleta. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os diferentes grupos quanto a complicações, tempo de suporte ventilatório ou tempo de internação na UTI/hospital. Na amostra selecionada pelo pareamento por escore de propensão, o número de pacientes com complicações graves e a taxa de mortalidade hospitalar foram maiores em pacientes não vacinados, mas as diferenças não foram significativas. Conclusões: Este estudo não conseguiu demonstrar uma melhoria significativa dos desfechos em pacientes com COVID-19 em estado crítico e vacinados contra o SARS-CoV-2. No entanto, os IC foram amplos e as estimativas pontuais de mortalidade favoreceram os pacientes que receberam pelo menos uma dose de vacina contra a COVID-19.

First case of Oropouche fever detected in the international border region of the Colombian Amazon: clinical characteristics and molecular diagnosis

OBJECTIVES We report the first case of Oropouche fever detected in the border region of Colombia. METHODS Using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), genetic sequencing and clinical characteristics during the dengue epidemic in 2019, a total of 175 samples were analysed, from cases notified to the system epidemiological surveillance such as dengue. FINDINGS The Oropouche virus (OROV) isolate from Leticia belongs to lineage 2 according to both M and S genome segments maximum likelihood (ML) analysis, shares a common ancestor with samples obtained in Esmeraldas, Ecuador and Turbaco, Colombia. The patient: a woman resident in the border neighbourhood of the municipality of Leticia had the following symptoms: fever, headache, retro-orbital pain and myalgias. MAIN CONCLUSION This cross-border surveillance can be useful to give an alert about the entry or exit of arboviruses circulation in the region, which are often underreported in public health surveillance systems.

Effectiveness and safety of non-invasive ventilation in the management of cardiogenic shock.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiogenic shock (CS) has long been considered a contraindication for the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The main objective of this study was to analyze the effectiveness, measured as NIV success, in patients with respiratory failure due to CS. As secondary objective, we studied risk factors for NIV failure and compared the outcome of patients treated with NIV versus invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). METHODS: Retrospective study on a prospective database, over a period of 25 years, of all consecutively patients admitted to an intensive care unit, with a diagnosis of CS and treated with NIV. A comparison was made between patients on NIV and patients on IMV using propensity score matching analysis. RESULTS: Three hundred patients were included, mean age 73.8 years, mean SAPS II 49. The main cause of CS was acute myocardial infarction (AMI): 164 (54.7%). NIV failure occurred in 153 (51%) cases. Independent factors for NIV failure included D/E stages of CS, AMI, NIV related complications, and being transferred from the ward. In the propensity analysis, hospital mortality (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.09-2.63) and 1 year mortality (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.04-2.51) was higher in IMV. Mortality was lower with NIV (vs. EIT-IMV) in C stage (10.1% vs. 32.9%; p<0.001) but did not differ in D stage or E stage. CONCLUSIONS: NIV seems to be relatively effective and safe in the treatment of early-stage CS.

Tumor heterogeneity and tumor-microglia interactions in primary and recurrent IDH1-mutant gliomas.

The isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene is recurrently mutated in adult diffuse gliomas. IDH-mutant gliomas are categorized into oligodendrogliomas and astrocytomas, each with unique pathological features. Here, we use single-nucleus RNA and ATAC sequencing to compare the molecular heterogeneity of these glioma subtypes. In addition to astrocyte-like, oligodendrocyte progenitor-like, and cycling tumor subpopulations, a tumor population enriched for ribosomal genes and translation elongation factors is primarily present in oligodendrogliomas. Longitudinal analysis of astrocytomas indicates that the proportion of tumor subpopulations remains stable in recurrent tumors. Analysis of tumor-associated microglia/macrophages (TAMs) reveals significant differences between oligodendrogliomas, with astrocytomas harboring inflammatory TAMs expressing phosphorylated STAT1, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, inferred receptor-ligand interactions between tumor subpopulations and TAMs may contribute to TAM state diversity. Overall, our study sheds light on distinct tumor populations, TAM heterogeneity, TAM-tumor interactions in IDH-mutant glioma subtypes, and the relative stability of tumor subpopulations in recurrent astrocytomas.

Impact of a retrograded starch ingredient obtained from Negro Jamapa beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. Negro Jamapa) on glucose metabolism and oxidative stress in induced diabetic lab rats model.

A retrograded starch ingredient obtained from Negro Jampa beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. Negro Jamapa), applying a debranching process (18 U/g for 12 h) and retrogradation (2 °C for 3 days), was evaluated as a potential functional ingredient to improve glucose homeostasis in a diabetic animal model. The obtained ingredient was reduced in rapid digestible starch amount compared to its related isolated native starch (34.1 % and 53.6 %, respectively) and resistant (33.4 % and 22.3 %, respectively). Therefore, a reduced total digestibility was determined for the obtained ingredient compared to native starch (51.5 % and 79 %, respectively). As consequence, diabetic animals fed with functional ingredient replacement (30 %) showed a lower and attenuated postprandial glucose levels, reducing the hyperglycaemic condition, compared with the non-treated animals (r2 = 0.9775; p ≤ 0.05), reducing the glucose serum levels 73 % compared (17.21 vs 23.6 mmol/L, respectively). Also, significant improvement on weight gain (49.75 ± 34.1 g) compared to non-treated (18.14 ± 45.52 g), as well as lower insulin resistance index and improved oxidative stress status was determined for the treated group. These results highlight the potential of retrograded starch obtained from Negro Jamapa beans as a functional ingredient focus on the improvement of the glucose homeostasis and diabetic condition.

Thermoluminescent characteristics of UV-irradiated Aluminum nitride (AlN).

This paper presents results of studying the thermoluminescence (TL) properties of aluminum nitride (AlN) synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Previously to study the TL properties, the phosphor was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), photoluminescence (PL), and electron microscopy (EDS-SEM). TL studies were performed after ultraviolet (UV) irradiation using the whole spectrum of the xenon (Xe) lamp. XRD results show that AlN has a hexagonal crystalline structure. EDS-SEM analysis revealed the presence of oxygen (O) and Carbon (C) impurities in the powders. FT-IR spectroscopy lets us discuss the distribution of these impurities in the crystalline structure. The sample with 9.54% of C and 7.36% of O exhibits a TL glow curve with a predominant peak around 450 K, and according to the deconvolution method was found that the glow curve is composed by six peaks each one centered at 383, 446, 478, 540, 587 and 637 K. The TL response as a function of dose fits a logarithmic increasing function along the dose range studied: These results suggest that AlN is a promising material for application as a TL dosimeter for UV radiation.