Vine Trimming Shoots as Substrate for Ferulic Acid Esterases Production.

Ferulic acid esterases (FAE) possess a large variety of biotechnological applications mainly based on their ability to release ferulic acid from lignocellulosic matrixes. The use of vine trimming shoots (VTS), an agricultural waste, as substrate for the generation of this kind of esterases represents an attractive alternative to change the consideration of VTS from residue to resource. Furthermore, xylanase, cellobiase, and cellulase activities were quantified. Six microorganisms were screened for FAE production by solid-state fermentation, and the effects of the additional supplementation and substrate size were also tested. Finally, the process was scaled-up to a horizontal bioreactor where the influence of aeration in enzymatic activities was evaluated. Thus, the optimal FAE activity (0.44 U/g dry VTS) was attained by Aspergillus terreus CECT 2808, in non-additional supplementation media, using the larger particles size of substrate (≤ 5 mm) and at a flow rate of 0.7 L/min.

Effects of enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrasounds pretreatments on corn cob and vine trimming shoots for biogas production.

Due to their lignocellulosic nature, corn cob and vine trimming shoots (VTS) could be valorized by anaerobic digestion for biogas production. To enhance the digestibility of substrates, pretreatments of lignocellulosic materials are recommended. The effect of enzymatic hydrolysis, ultrasounds pretreatments (US) and the combination of both was assayed in lignocellulosic composition, methane, and biogas yields. The pretreatments leaded to a reduction in lignin and an increase in neutral detergent soluble compounds making corn cob and VTS more amendable for biogas conversion. The US were negative for biogas production from both substrates and in particular strongly detrimental for VTS. On the opposite side, the enzymatic hydrolysis was certainly beneficial increasing 59.8% and 14.6% the methane production from VTS and corn cob, respectively. The prior application of US did not potentiate (or not sufficiently) the improvement in the methane production reflected by the enzymatic hydrolysis pretreatment of VTS and corn cob.

Feruloyl esterase production by Aspergillus terreus CECT 2808 and subsequent application to enzymatic hydrolysis.

Ferulic acid esterases (FAE) were produced by Aspergillus terreus CECT 2808 from vine trimming shoots (VTS) and corn cob. Later, the fungal extracts thus obtained were used to enzymatically release ferulic acid (FA) from both substrates. Our findings showed a higher FAE activity in the enzymatic extracts produced on corn cob (0.070±0.004U/mL). Nevertheless, the enzymatic extracts produced on VTS demonstrated a better performance for FA release from both corn cob (2.05±0.01mg/g) and VTS (0.19±0.003mg/g). This result was probably because of the higher xylanase/FAE ratio determined in VTS extract. Therefore, an additional assay was carried out by supplementing corn cob extract with a commercial xylanase to test the influence of FAE/xylanase ratio in FA release. The results revealed the relevance of the FAE/xylanase ratio for an optimal FA release.

Optimization of xylanase production by filamentous fungi in solid-state fermentation and scale-up to horizontal tube bioreactor.

Five microorganisms, namely Aspergillus niger CECT 2700, A. niger CECT 2915, A. niger CECT 2088, Aspergillus terreus CECT 2808, and Rhizopus stolonifer CECT 2344, were grown on corncob to produce cell wall polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, mainly xylanases, by solid-state fermentation (SSF). A. niger CECT 2700 produced the highest amount of xylanases of 504 ± 7 U/g dry corncob (dcc) after 3 days of fermentation. The optimization of the culture broth (5.0 g/L NaNO3, 1.3 g/L (NH4)2SO4, 4.5 g/L KH2PO4, and 3 g/L yeast extract) and operational conditions (5 g of bed loading, using an initial substrate to moistening medium of 1:3.6 (w/v)) allowed increasing the predicted maximal xylanase activity up to 2,452.7 U/g dcc. However, different pretreatments of materials, including destarching, autoclaving, microwave, and alkaline treatments, were detrimental. Finally, the process was successfully established in a laboratory-scale horizontal tube bioreactor, achieving the highest xylanase activity (2,926 U/g dcc) at a flow rate of 0.2 L/min. The result showed an overall 5.8-fold increase in xylanase activity after optimization of culture media, operational conditions, and scale-up.

Natalizumab y leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva: adecuación a las recomendaciones del Ministerio de Sanidad de España / Natalizumab and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: in compliance with the recommendations of the Spanish Ministry of Health

Introducción y Objetivo: Valorar el seguimiento de las recomendaciones emitidas por el ministerio de sanidad dirigidas a minimizar el riesgo de aparación de Leucoencefalopatía Multifocal Progresiva (LMP) asociada al tratamiento con natalizumab por parte de los profesionales sanitarios de nuestro centro. Material y método: Revisión del 100% de pacientes diagnosticados de Esclerosis Múltiple a tratamiento con natalizumab (septiembre 2008-junio 2013). Resultados: 34 pacientes. La duración de tratamiento fue inferior a 1 año en 10 pacientes, entre 1 y 2 años para 11 pacientes y superior a 2 años en 13 pacientes. Se encuentran 24 resultados de serología VJC: positiva 14 y negativa10. Ningún paciente había recibido inmunosupresores y en el 100% de ellos se realizaron resonancias. Fueron informados acerca del riesgo de desarrollar LMP 18 pacientes, 10 con serología VJC positiva llevando 7 de ellos más de dos años a tratamiento con natalizumab. Discusión: Los facultativos se ajustan a las recomendaciones en la gran mayoría de los pacientes sin embargo, la información previa al inicio de tratamiento y una vez alcanzados los 2 años no se realiza de manera extendida. Sería adecuado realizar una estratificación de riesgo en función de presencia o ausencia de determinados factores que permitiría una selección segura y eficaz de la terapia para EM más adecuada para cada paciente

Introduction and Objective: To judge the follow-up of the recommendations made by the Ministry of Health. These recommendations are aimed at minimizing the risk of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) occurrence, which is associated with natalizumab treatments provided by the neurologists of our centre. Methods: Check-up of 100% of the patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis being treated with natalizumab (September 2008-June 2013). Results: During the study period 34 patients received at least one dose of natalizumab. The duration of the treatment was less than one year for 10 patients between 1 and 2 years for 11 patients, and more than 2 years for 13 patients. 24 results of JCV serology were found, 14 of which were positive and 10, negative. No patient had been given immunosuppressant drugs and resonance tests were done on 100% of them. 18 patients were informed at the risk of developing PML, among whom ten had positive JCV serology. Seven of them, had been treated with natalizumab for more than two years. Discussion: Doctors are following the recommendations with the vast majority of patients. Nevertheless, the information that precedes the treatment and once that the second year of it is reached is not generally provided. Due to the fact that there are currently no tools to predict an individual’s risk of developing PML, it would be appropriate to carry out a risk stratification based on the presence or absence of certain factors that would allow a safe and effective choice of the most appropriate multiple sclerosis therapy for each patient

[The city of Havana and its environment]. / La ciudad de La Habana y su medio ambiente.

PIP: This is a general analysis of the Cuban capital city, Havana, and how the spatial distribution of its population has been affected by the geography of the area. The factors affecting the development of disadvantaged areas of the city with poor environments are examined.^ieng

[Effects of early and late ligation of the umbilical cord in the normal newborn]. / Efectos de las ligaduras precoz y tardía del cordón umbilical en el neonato normal.

Two groups with the two procedures were made. In the first group, ligation was made within the first 10 seconds following birth, in the second group, at the third minute of life. The acid--base balance, pO2 hemoglobin and hematocrit were studied at birth, 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes later and at 3, 30 and 60 days of life; neonatal heart rate at 10, 50 and 80 minutes and bilrubin at the third day after birth; weight at birth, 24, and 48 hours and 30 and 60 days after birth. The statistical analysis showed significant differences between both groups attributable to placental transfusion in relation to volemia and potential reserves of iron. On the other hand, no harmful effects followed the practice of late ligation of the umbilical cord; thus it may be recommended as routine procedure in normal newborns.