Where's the BIPOC Blueprint for Healthy Youth Development? The Role of Scientific Omissions in Our Struggle for Science Translation and Racial Equity in the United States.

Prevention Science seeks to advance the prevention research and to translate scientific advances into the promotion of healthy development for all youth. Despite tremendous progress creating a robust evidence-base and set of translational tools, elaborations and expansions for equity are required. Our collective errors of omission as prevention researchers have left prevention practitioners and policy-makers without sufficient information to identify strategies that have been demonstrated to prevent behavioral health problems in young people who identify as Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color (BIPOC). We first describe the current shortcomings of available evidence, and then we call for individual and collective action to conceptualize equity-enhancing prevention, sample more inclusively, and improve analytic approaches such that we can truly promote the healthy development of all youth.

A phenomenological, intersectional understanding of coping with ageism and racism among older adults.

The aim of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to understand how older adults cope with experiences of ageism and racism through an intersectional lens. Twenty adults 60+ residing in the U.S. Mountain West who identified as Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Indigenous, or White participated individually in a one-hour, semi-structured interview. A team of five coders engaged in an inductive coding process through independent coding followed by critical discussion. Peer debriefing enhanced credibility. Nine themes were organized by three umbrella categories: Coping with ageism: 1) distancing via self-determination/defying stereotypes, 2) distancing by helping others; Coping with racism: 3) resistance, 4) exhaustion; Coping with both ageism and racism: 5) increased awareness through aging, 6) healthy lifestyle, 7) education, 8) acceptance/ 'let it go', and 9) avoidance. Novel findings include how older adults may cope with ageism and racism via increased awareness through aging and with ageism specifically by helping peer older adults, although instances of internalized ageism were noted and discussed. The themes exemplify problem-focused (e.g., helping others) and emotion-focused (acceptance), as well as individual (e.g., self-determination) and collective (e.g., resistance) coping strategies. This study can serve as a resource for practitioners in applying a more nuanced understanding of the ways older adults cope with ageism and racism in later life.

Comprehensive Analysis of CdS Ultrathin Films Modified by the Substrate Position inside the Reactor Container Using the CBD Technique.

The cadmium sulfide (CdS) n-type semiconductor is one of the most used as a window layer in thin-film solar cells, such as CdTe, CIS, CIGS, and CZTS. Optoelectronic properties are the most important characteristics for window materials. CdS thin films obtained using the chemical bath deposition technique (CBD) have been reported; however, large amounts of precursor solutions are used, which generate considerable amounts of toxic waste. The aim of this work is to reduce the amount of precursor solutions used for CdS growth; for this, it is necessary to consider an efficient position for the substrate inside the reactor container and at the same time allow obtaining CdS thin films with adequate physical properties to be applied in the photovoltaic solar cell development. CdS thin films were deposited on soda-lime/SnO2:F substrates (FTO) using the CBD technique; the substrates were placed in three different arrangements [rack system, step system (up), and step system (down)]. CdS samples with areas of 4 cm2 and a thickness of 27-48 nm were obtained; the X-ray diffraction patterns show CdS thin films with different polycrystalline structures. The morphological measurements reveal different surface formations depending on the substrate position, and resistivity values of around 105 Ω*cm were measured. UV-vis spectra show transmittance values of around 45-94% in the visible region with band gap energy values of around 2.1-2.36 eV. The best physical properties of CdS thin films and an efficient CBD process were obtained when the FTO substrates were located near the bottom of the reactor container with the FTO side down, leading to an optimal configuration that allows reducing the amount of precursor solutions and in this way reduces the toxic waste generated. These results are important in the photovoltaic technology process and environmental impact.

A Phenomenological Understanding of the Intersection-ality of Ageism and Racism Among Older Adults: Individual-Level Experiences.

OBJECTIVES: Ageism is a prevalent, insidious social justice issue that has harmful effects on the health of older adults. Preliminary literature explores the intersectionality of ageism with sexism, ableism, and ageism experienced among LGBTQ+ older adults. Yet, the intersectionality of ageism with racism remains largely absent from the literature. Therefore, this study explores the lived experience of the intersectionality of ageism and racism among older adults. METHODS: This qualitative study applied a phenomenological approach. Twenty participants 60+ years of age (M = 69, standard deviation = 8.84) in the U.S. Mountain West identifying as Black, Latino(a), Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Indigenous, or White engaged in a 1-hr interview between February and July 2021. A 3-cycle coding process applied constant comparison methods. Five coders independently coded interviews, engaging in critical discussion to resolve disagreements. An audit trail, member checking, and peer debriefing enhanced credibility. RESULTS: This study focuses on individual-level experiences exemplified by 3 umbrella themes and 7 subthemes. The subthemes are (a) compounding oppression, (b) intersection of disparities, (c) White privilege, (d) racism and ageism: being tokenized or ignored, (e) ageism and racism: unspoken bias, (f) racism versus ageism: overt or covert? and (g) racism versus ageism: differentiated or ubiquitous? DISCUSSION: The findings indicate how ageism may be racialized through stereotypes related to mental (in)capability. Practitioners can apply the findings to enhance support for older adults by designing interventions aimed at reducing racialized ageist stereotypes and increasing collaboration through education across anti-ageism/anti-racism initiatives. Future research should focus on the impacts of the intersectionality of ageism and racism on specific health outcomes in addition to structural-level interventions.

Carbohydrate and lipid balances in the positive plant phenotypic response to arbuscular mycorrhiza: increase in sink strength.

The exchange of phosphorus (P) and carbon (C) between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is a major determinant of their mutualistic symbiosis. We explored the C dynamics in tomato (Solanum lycorpersicum) inoculated or not with Rhizophagus irregularis to study their growth response under different NaH2 PO4 concentrations (Null P, 0 mM; Low P, 0.065 mM; High P, 1.3 mM). The percentage of AMF colonization was similar in plants under Null and Low P, but severely reduced under High P. However, the AMF mass biomarker 16:1ω5 revealed higher fungal accumulation in inoculated roots under Low P, while more AMF spores were produced in the Null P. Under High P, AMF biomass and spores were strongly reduced. Plant growth response to mycorrhiza was negative under Null P, showing reduction in height, biovolume index, and source leaf (SL) area. Under Low P, inoculated plants showed a positive response (e.g., increased SL area), while inoculated plants under High P were similar to non-inoculated plants. AMF promoted the accumulation of soluble sugars in the SL under all fertilization levels, whereas the soluble sugar level decreased in roots under Low P in inoculated plants. Transcriptional upregulation of SlLIN6 and SlSUS1, genes related to carbohydrate metabolism, was observed in inoculated roots under Null P and Low P, respectively. We conclude that P-limiting conditions that increase AMF colonization stimulate plant growth due to an increase in the source and sink strength. Our results suggest that C partitioning and allocation to different catabolic pathways in the host are influenced by AMF performance.

Identifying Root Causes: Evaluation of a Program to Engage Youth in a Social Justice Approach to Tobacco Control.

Movements designed to engage youth in tobacco control have been an important part of tobacco prevention for decades. Today, young people are increasingly diverse, and their primary issues of concern are gun control, racism, mental health, and climate change. To engage today's young people, tobacco control programs need to draw connections between youth's identities, top issues, and tobacco. UpRISE is a social justice youth tobacco control movement that engages diverse youth in identifying the root causes of youth nicotine use. In 2018-2019, 21 youth-serving organizations and schools hosted youth coalitions. Coalitions engaged in a six-session workbook called "Getting to the root cause," and adults were provided training and reflective supervision. Pre/post surveys with youth participants (n = 180) and end-of-year interviews with adult facilitators (n = 22) were used to assess outcomes. The primary outcomes were supportive adult relationships, youth voice in decision-making, anti-tobacco industry attitudes and beliefs, psychological empowerment, critical consciousness, and global belief in a just world. Quantitative measures of supportive adult relationships, youth voice in decision-making, psychological empowerment, and anti-tobacco industry attitudes and beliefs all increased significantly over time (p < .0001, p < .0001, p < .0001, p = .0034, respectively). Critical consciousness and global belief in a just world did not change significantly. During interviews, adults reported learning how: to engage in youth-adult partnerships, the tobacco industry abused its power, to engage in critical reflection about power. Adults also felt empowered. UpRISE may be a promising approach to increase racially diverse youth's engagement in social justice-oriented tobacco control efforts that advance equity.

Alterations in blink and masseter reflex latencies in older adults with neurocognitive disorder and/or diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Blink and masseter reflexes provide reliable, quantifiable data on the function of the central nervous system: Delayed latencies have been found in patients with neurocognitive disorder (ND) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but this has not been studied in patients with both pathologies. AIM: To investigate if older adults with ND plus T2DM have prolonged latencies of blink and masseter-reflex and if they were associated with disease progression. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 227 older adults (> 60 years) from Colima, Mexico. Neurocognitive disorder was identified by a neuropsychological battery test, and T2DM identified by medical history, fasting glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin. Latencies in the early reflex (R1), ipsilateral late (R2), and contralateral late (R2c) components of the blink reflex were analyzed for all subjects, and 183 subjects were analyzed for latency of the masseter reflex. RESULTS: In 20.7% of participants, ND was detected. In 37%, T2DM was detected. Latencies in R1, R2, and R2c were significantly prolonged for groups with ND plus T2DM, ND, and T2DM, compared with the control group (P < 0.0001). The masseter reflex was only prolonged in older adults (regardless of T2DM status) with ND vs controls (P = 0.030). In older adults with ND and without T2DM, the more the cognitive impairment progressed, the more prolonged latencies in R2 and R2c presented (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that blink and masseter reflexes could be used to evaluate possible changes in brainstem circuits in older adults with ND and T2DM.

Differential strategies of two species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the protection of maize plants grown in chromium-contaminated soils.

Chromium (Cr) is a nonessential element for plants that is extremely toxic at high concentrations. Zea mays L. is a species of plant that has developed adaptive mechanisms to increase its tolerance and absorption capacity for this metal. One effective mechanism is to form associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which help the plant cope with stress from heavy metals such as Cr. However, it is still not clear which species of AMF are more efficient as bioremediating agents for plants of agricultural importance. Here, we evaluated the effect of Gigaspora gigantea and Rhizophagus irregularis as protective agents of maize plants in soils contaminated with Cr at concentrations of 0, 48.5, 97 and 194 mg kg-1 under greenhouse conditions. Maize tolerance to Cr was corroborated, as well as increased absorption of this element by plants associated with both species of AMF. G. gigantea caused an increase in nitrogen content and greater translocation of Cr to the aerial part of the plant; R. irregularis registered an increase in the formation of arbuscules and vesicles with increasing metal concentration and greater retention of Cr in the roots of the plants. Based on these results, we can conclude that the analyzed species of fungi use different strategies, with similar effectiveness, to enhance the absorption capacity of Cr by the plant and influence the differential deposition of this metal in various parts of the plant.

Changes induced by lead in root system architecture of Arabidopsis seedlings are mediated by PDR2-LPR1/2 phosphate dependent way.

As sessile organisms, plants respond to changing environments modulating their genetic expression, metabolism and postembryonic developmental program (PDP) to adapt. Among environmental stressor, lead (Pb) is one of the most hazardous pollutants which limits crop productivity. Here, we describe in detail the effects of a wide range of concentrations of Pb on growth and development and a possible convergence with phosphate (Pi) starvation response. We found that the response to Pb presents a biphasic curve dose response in biomass accumulation: below 400 µM show a stimulatory effect meanwhile at Pb doses up to 600 µM effects are inhibitory. We found that +Pb (800 µM) modifies root system architecture (RSA) and induces acidification media, according to in silico ion interaction, in the growing medium Pb and Pi coprecipitate and plants grow in both Pi deficiency and Pb stress at the same time, however in spite of seedlings are under Pi starvation AtPT2 expression are Pb downregulated indicating that in addition to Pi starvation stress, Pb regulates physiological responses in root system. Using the mutants stop1, lpr1/2 and lpi3, which are affected in Pi starvation response, we found that changes in RSA by +Pb is genetically regulated and there are shared pathways with Pi starvation response mediated by PDR2-LPR1/2 and LPI3 pathways since lpr1/2 and lpi3 mutants are insensitive to +Pb and Pi starvation. Taking together, these results indicate that similar changes in RSA induced by independent environmental stimuli +Pb and Pi starvation are due to similar mediated response by PDR2-LPR1/2 pathway.

Trichoderma atroviride-emitted volatiles improve growth of Arabidopsis seedlings through modulation of sucrose transport and metabolism.

Plants host a diverse microbiome and differentially react to the fungal species living as endophytes or around their roots through emission of volatiles. Here, using divided Petri plates for Arabidopsis-T. atroviride co-cultivation, we show that fungal volatiles increase endogenous sugar levels in shoots, roots and root exudates, which improve Arabidopsis root growth and branching and strengthen the symbiosis. Tissue-specific expression of three sucrose phosphate synthase-encoding genes (AtSPS1F, AtSPS2F and AtSPS3F), and AtSUC2 and SWEET transporters revealed that the gene expression signatures differ from those of the fungal pathogens Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria alternata and that AtSUC2 is largely repressed either by increasing carbon availability or by perception of the fungal volatile 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one. Our data point to Trichoderma volatiles as chemical signatures for sugar biosynthesis and exudation and unveil specific modulation of a critical, long-distance sucrose transporter in the plant.

An Updated Review on the Modulation of Carbon Partitioning and Allocation in Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Plants.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate biotrophs that supply mineral nutrients to the host plant in exchange for carbon derived from photosynthesis. Sucrose is the end-product of photosynthesis and the main compound used by plants to translocate photosynthates to non-photosynthetic tissues. AMF alter carbon distribution in plants by modifying the expression and activity of key enzymes of sucrose biosynthesis, transport, and/or catabolism. Since sucrose is essential for the maintenance of all metabolic and physiological processes, the modifications addressed by AMF can significantly affect plant development and stress responses. AMF also modulate plant lipid biosynthesis to acquire storage reserves, generate biomass, and fulfill its life cycle. In this review we address the most relevant aspects of the influence of AMF on sucrose and lipid metabolism in plants, including its effects on sucrose biosynthesis both in photosynthetic and heterotrophic tissues, and the influence of sucrose on lipid biosynthesis in the context of the symbiosis. We present a hypothetical model of carbon partitioning between plants and AMF in which the coordinated action of sucrose biosynthesis, transport, and catabolism plays a role in the generation of hexose gradients to supply carbon to AMF, and to control the amount of carbon assigned to the fungus.

INFUSION OF CONVALESCENT PLASMA IS ASSOCIATED WITH CLINICAL IMPROVEMENT IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS WITH COVID-19: A PILOT STUDY.

BACKGROUND: The ideal treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 has yet to be defined, but convalescent plasma (CoPla) has been successfully employed. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to study the safety and outcomes of the administration of CoPla to individuals with severe COVID-19 in an academic medical center. METHODS: Ten patients were prospectively treated with plasma from COVID-19 convalescent donors. RESULTS: Over 8 days, the sequential organ failure assessment score dropped significantly in all patients, from 3 to 1.5 (p = 0.014); the Kirby index (PaO2/FiO2) score increased from 124 to 255, (p < 0.0001), body temperature decreased significantly from 38.1 to 36.9°C (p = 0.0058), and ferritin levels also dropped significantly from 1736.6 to 1061.8 ng/ml (p = 0.0001). Chest X-rays improved in 7/10 cases and in 6/10, computerized tomography scans also revealed improvement of the lung injury. Decreases in C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels were also observed. Three of five patients on mechanical ventilation support could be extubated, nine were transferred to conventional hospital floors, and six were sent home; two patients died. The administration of CoPla had no side effects and the 24-day overall survival was 77%. CONCLUSIONS: Although other treatments were also administered to the patients and as a result data are difficult to interpret, it seems that the addition of CoPla improved pulmonary function.

Infusion of convalescent plasma is associated with clinical improvement in critically ill patients with Covid-19: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Background: The ideal treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 has yet to be defined, but convalescent plasma (CoPla) has been successfully employed. Objective: The objective of the study was to study the safety and outcomes of the administration of CoPla to individuals with severe COVID-19 in an academic medical center. Methods: Ten patients were prospectively treated with plasma from COVID-19 convalescent donors. Results: Over 8 days, the sequential organ failure assessment score dropped significantly in all patients, from 3 to 1.5 (p = 0.014); the Kirby index (PaO2/FiO2) score increased from 124 to 255, (p < 0.0001), body temperature decreased significantly from 38.1 to 36.9°C (p = 0.0058), and ferritin levels also dropped significantly from 1736.6 to 1061.8 ng/ml (p = 0.0001). Chest X-rays improved in 7/10 cases and in 6/10, computerized tomography scans also revealed improvement of the lung injury. Decreases in C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels were also observed. Three of five patients on mechanical ventilation support could be extubated, nine were transferred to conventional hospital floors, and six were sent home; two patients died. The administration of CoPla had no side effects and the 24-day overall survival was 77%. Conclusions: Although other treatments were also administered to the patients and as a result data are difficult to interpret, it seems that the addition of CoPla improved pulmonary function.

Comparison of Escherichia coli antibiotic-resistance profiles and incidence of betalactamase phenotypes in three private health facilities in Perú / [Comparación de los perfiles de resistencia antimicrobiana de Escherichia coli uropatógena e incidencia de la producción de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en tres establecimientos privados de salud de Perú].

Introduction: The appearance of multidrug-resistant and beta-lactamase producing enterobacteria in outpatient care facilities represent a public health problem in Perú. Objective: To compare the resistance profiles of uropathogenic Escherichia coli and to identify extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing phenotypes in three private health facilities located in the Peruvian coast, Andean and jungle regions. Materials and methods: We conducted a descriptive study on 98 urine samples from Lima (coast), Juliaca (Andean region) and Iquitos (jungle region) during 2016. We determined the antimicrobial susceptibility in 35 samples from Lima, 38 from Juliaca and 25 from Iquitos using eight antibiotic disks in samples from patients diagnosed with urinary infection. We also evaluated the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases with cefotaxime and ceftazidime disks and a combination of both with clavulanic acid on Mueller-Hinton agar. Results: We identified 18 resistance profiles ranging from those sensitive to others simultaneously resistant to seven antibiotics: 18.4% resistant to one and 54.0% to multiple antibiotics. We detected beta-lactamase production in 28.6% of the strains from the Puno region. Likewise, we observed a greater number of cases with resistance to ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in Puno's health facility in patients within the 31 to 45 year age range. Conclusion: Resistance profiles varied according to the geographical location of the health facilities under study. Resistance to antibiotics was higher in the Andean region with 28.6% of strains producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.

Introducción. La aparición de enterobacterias multirresistentes y productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en pacientes ambulatorios con infecciones urinarias representa un problema de salud pública en Perú. Objetivo. Comparar los perfiles de resistencia de Escherichia coli uropatógenas e identificar los fenotipos de cepas productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en tres establecimientos privados de salud localizados en las regiones de la costa, la sierra y la selva de Perú. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo durante el 2016 un estudio descriptivo de 98 muestras de orina de pacientes con infección urinaria, 35 procedentes de Lima (costa), 38 de Juliaca (sierra) y 25 de Iquitos (selva), en el que se determinó la sensibilidad antimicrobiana utilizando ocho discos antibióticos. Asimismo, se evaluó la producción de betalactamasas de espectro extendido con discos de cefotaxima, de ceftazidima o de su combinación, con ácido clavulánico en agar Mueller-Hinton. Resultados. Se identificaron 18 perfiles de resistencia que incluían desde los sensibles a todos los antibióticos hasta los resistentes simultáneamente a siete antibióticos, con el 18,4 % de aislamientos resistentes a un antibiótico y el 54,0 % de multirresistentes. Se detectó producción de betalactamasas en el 28,6 % de las cepas procedentes de la región de Puno. También, se observó un mayor número de casos en el rango de edad de 31 a 45 años con resistencia a ceftazidima, ceftriaxona, gentamicina y trimetoprim-sulfametoxazol en el establecimiento de salud de Puno. Conclusión. Los perfiles de resistencia variaron según la localización geográfica del establecimiento de salud.

Mutation of MEDIATOR 18 and chromate trigger twinning of the primary root meristem in Arabidopsis.

Plants adapt to soil injury and biotic stress via cell regeneration. In Arabidopsis, root tip damage by genotoxic agents, antibiotics, UV light and cutting induces a program that recovers the missing tissues through activation of stem cells and involves ethylene response factor 115 (ERF115), which triggers cell replenishment. Here, we show that mutation of the gene encoding an MED18 subunit of the transcriptional MEDIATOR complex and chromate [Cr(VI)], an environmental pollutant, synergistically trigger a developmental program that enables the splitting of the meristem in vivo to produce twin roots. Expression of the quiescent centre gene marker WOX5, auxin-inducible DR5:GFP reporter and the ERF115 factor traced the changes in cell identity during the conversion of single primary root meristems into twin roots and were induced in an MED18 and chromate-dependent manner during the root twinning events, which also required auxin redistribution and signalling mediated by IAA14/SOLITARY ROOT (SLR1). Splitting of the root meristem allowed dichotomous root branching in Arabidopsis, a poorly understood process in which stem cells may act to enable whole organ regeneration.

Comparación de los perfiles de resistencia antimicrobiana de Escherichia coli uropatógena e incidencia de la producción de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en tres establecimientos privados de salud de Perú / Comparison of Escherichia coli antibiotic-resistance profiles and incidence of beta- lactamase phenotypes in three private health facilities in Perú

Introducción. La aparición de enterobacterias multirresistentes y productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en pacientes ambulatorios con infecciones urinarias representa un problema de salud pública en Perú. Objetivo. Comparar los perfiles de resistencia de Escherichia coli uropatógenas e identificar los fenotipos de cepas productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en tres establecimientos privados de salud localizados en las regiones de la costa, la sierra y la selva de Perú. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo durante el 2016 un estudio descriptivo de 98 muestras de orina de pacientes con infección urinaria, 35 procedentes de Lima (costa), 38 de Juliaca (sierra) y 25 de Iquitos (selva), en el que se determinó la sensibilidad antimicrobiana utilizando ocho discos antibióticos. Asimismo, se evaluó la producción de betalactamasas de espectro extendido con discos de cefotaxima, de ceftazidima o de su combinación, con ácido clavulánico en agar Mueller-Hinton. Resultados. Se identificaron 18 perfiles de resistencia que incluían desde los sensibles a todos los antibióticos hasta los resistentes simultáneamente a siete antibióticos, con el 18,4 % de aislamientos resistentes a un antibiótico y el 54,0 % de multirresistentes. Se detectó producción de betalactamasas en el 28,6 % de las cepas procedentes de la región de Puno. También, se observó un mayor número de casos en el rango de edad de 31 a 45 años con resistencia a ceftazidima, ceftriaxona, gentamicina y trimetoprim-sulfametoxazol en el establecimiento de salud de Puno. Conclusión. Los perfiles de resistencia variaron según la localización geográfica del establecimiento de salud, observándose mayor resistencia a los antibióticos en la región de la sierra de Perú, con el 28,6 % de cepas productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido.

Introduction: The appearance of multidrug-resistant and beta-lactamase producing enterobacteria in outpatient care facilities represent a public health problem in Perú. Objective: To compare the resistance profiles of uropathogenic Escherichia coli and to identify extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing phenotypes in three private health facilities located in the Peruvian coast, Andean and jungle regions. Materials and methods: We conducted a descriptive study on 98 urine samples from Lima (coast), Juliaca (Andean region) and Iquitos (jungle region) during 2016. We determined the antimicrobial susceptibility in 35 samples from Lima, 38 from Juliaca and 25 from Iquitos using eight antibiotic disks in samples from patients diagnosed with urinary infection. We also evaluated the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases with cefotaxime and ceftazidime disks and a combination of both with clavulanic acid on Mueller-Hinton agar. Results: We identified 18 resistance profiles ranging from those sensitive to others simultaneously resistant to seven antibiotics: 18.4% resistant to one and 54.0% to multiple antibiotics. We detected beta-lactamase production in 28.6% of the strains from the Puno region. Likewise, we observed a greater number of cases with resistance to ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in Puno's health facility in patients within the 31 to 45 year age range. Conclusion: Resistance profiles varied according to the geographical location of the health facilities under study. Resistance to antibiotics was higher in the Andean region with 28.6% of strains producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.

YUCCA4 overexpression modulates auxin biosynthesis and transport and influences plant growth and development via crosstalk with abscisic acid in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Auxin regulates a plethora of events during plant growth and development, acting in concert with other phytohormones. YUCCA genes encode flavin monooxygenases that function in tryptophan-dependent auxin biosynthesis. To understand the contribution of the YUCCA4 (YUC4) gene on auxin homeostasis, plant growth and interaction with abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, 35S::YUC4 seedlings were generated, which showed elongated hypocotyls with hyponastic leaves and changes in root system architecture that correlate with enhanced auxin responsive gene expression. Differential expression of PIN1, 2, 3 and 7 auxin transporters was detected in roots of YUC4 overexpressing seedlings compared to the wild-type: PIN1 was down-regulated whereas PIN2, PIN3 and PIN7 were up-regulated. Noteworthy, 35S::YUC4 lines showed enhanced sensitivity to ABA on seed germination and post-embryonic root growth, involving ABI4 transcription factor. The auxin reporter genes DR5::GUS, DR5::GFP and BA3::GUS further revealed that abscisic acid impairs auxin responses in 35S::YUC4 seedlings. Our results indicate that YUC4 overexpression influences several aspects of auxin homeostasis and reveal the critical roles of ABI4 during auxin-ABA interaction in germination and primary root growth.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Thrombocytopenia III: Its Association With Insulin Resistance.

Thrombocytopenia (less than 100 × 109/L platelets) presents in around one quarter of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the hepatic component of insulin resistance (IR). It is unknown whether IR, by itself, associates with thrombocytopenia. Persons with NAFLD and/or IR were prospectively accrued in the study after February 2018. Insulin resistance was defined by assessing α hydroxybutyrate, lynoleoyl glycerolphosphocoline, oleic acid, and insulin (Quantose IR), whereas the presence of NAFLD was defined by serologic determinations (Fibromax) and liver transient elastography (Fibroscan). In 78 patients with NAFLD, thrombocytopenia was identified in 22 (28%), whereas in 19 persons with IR, 14 (73%) were found to have NAFLD. In persons with IR + NAFLD, thrombocytopenia presented in 9 (64%). In the subset of patients with IR, the prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 52%. There was only 1 patient with IR/without NAFLD who displayed thrombocytopenia. Significant statistical association between NAFLD and thrombocytopenia was found (odds ratio [OR]: = 13, confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-162, P = .05), whereas there was no association between IR and thrombocytopenia (OR = 0.38, CI: 0.06-2.3, P = .61). Insulin resistance, by itself, was not found to be associated with diminished platelet counts. The presence of NAFLD, one of the consequences of IR, seems to be required to lead into thrombocytopenia.

Antibacterial and cytotoxicity activities and phytochemical analysis of three ornamental plants grown in Mexico.

This study evaluates the antibacterial, cytotoxic activities, and phytochemical composition, of Callistemon citrinus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Plumbago auriculata leaves and flowers, three ornamental plants in Mexico. However, in other countries offers a range of other uses. Ethanol extracts of C. citrinus leaf and flower presented stronger antibacterial activity than the extracts obtained from the other two plants. C. citrinus leaf showed low cytotoxicity (LC50 <600 µg/mL) on the brine shrimp test, whereas the ethanol extracts of H. rosa-sinensis and P. auriculata leaves showed no cytotoxic activity. Flower extracts obtained from the three plants did no exhibit cytotoxicity. GC-MS analysis revealed that the ethanol extract of P. auriculata leaf contained lupeol triterpene and lupeol acetate, neither of them have been previously reported in this genus. Gamma sitosterol was present in the leaf and flower extracts of P. auriculata. Higher contents of linoleic and linolenic acids were found in extracts of H. rosa-sinensis leaves and flowers. The ability of the ethanol extracts of C. citrinus leaves and flowers to inhibit the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria indicates a potentially broad antimicrobial spectrum. Moreover, the absence of cytotoxicity suggests the potential use of this plant to treat microbial infections.

Novel Aerial Manipulator for Accurate and Robust Industrial NDT Contact Inspection: A New Tool for the Oil and Gas Inspection Industry.

There is a strong demand in the oil and gas industry to develop alternatives to manual inspection. This paper presents AeroX, a novel aerial robotic manipulator that provides physical contact inspection with unprecedented capabilities. AeroX has a semi-autonomous operation, which provides interesting advantages in contact inspection. In the free-flight mode, the pilot guides the robot until performing contact with its end-effector on the surface to be inspected. During contact, AeroX is in its fully-autonomous global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-free contact⁻flight mode, in which the robot keeps its relative position w.r.t. the surface contact point using only its internal sensors. During autonomous flight, the inspector can move-with uninterrupted contact-the end-effector on the surface for accurately selecting the points where to perform A-scan measurements or continuous B-scan or C-scan inspections. AeroX adopts an eight-tilted rotor configuration and a simple and efficient design, which provides high stability, maneuverability, and robustness to rotor failure. It can perform contact inspection on surfaces at any orientation, including vertical, inclined, horizontal-top or horizontal-bottom, and its operation can be easily integrated into current maintenance operations in many industries. It has been extensively validated in outdoor experiments including a refinery and has been awarded the EU Innovation Radar Prize 2017.