Analysis of the Probiotic Potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LB1_P46 Isolated from the Mexican Fermented Pulque Beverage: A Functional and Genomic Analysis.

The traditional Mexican fermented beverage pulque has been considered a healthy product for treating gastrointestinal disorders. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been identified as one of the most abundant microbial groups during pulque fermentation. As traditional pulque is consumed directly from the fermentation vessel, the naturally associated LABs are ingested, reaching the consumer's small intestine alive, suggesting their potential probiotic capability. In this contribution, we assayed the probiotic potential of the strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LB1_P46 isolated from pulque produced in Huitzilac, Morelos State, Mexico. The characterization included resistance to acid pH (3.5) and exposure to bile salts at 37 °C; the assay of the hemolytic activity and antibiotic resistance profiling; the functional traits of cholesterol reduction and ß-galactosidase activity; and several cell surface properties, indicating that this LAB possesses probiotic properties comparable to other LAB. Additionally, this L. plantarum showed significance in in vitro antimicrobial activity against several Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and in vivo preventive anti-infective capability against Salmonella in a BALB/c mouse model. Several functional traits and probiotic activities assayed were correlated with the corresponding enzymes encoded in the complete genome of the strain. The genome mining for bacteriocins led to the identification of several bacteriocins and a ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide encoding for the plantaricin EF. Results indicated that L. plantarum LB1_P46 is a promising probiotic LAB for preparing functional non-dairy and dairy beverages.

Extranodal NK-/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type: what advances have been made in the last decade?

Extranodal NK-/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy with significant racial and geographic variations worldwide. In addition to the formerly "nasal-type" initial description, these lymphomas are predominantly extranodal in origin and typically cause vascular damage and tissue destruction, and although not fully understood, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has an important role in its pathogenesis. Initial assessment must include a hematopathology review of representative and viable tumor areas without necrosis for adequate immunohistochemistry studies, including EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization (ISH). Positron emission tomography with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG-PET/CT) for accurate staging is essential, and most patients will have localized disease (IE/IIE) at diagnosis. Apart from other T-cell malignancies, the best treatment even for localized cases is combined modality therapy (chemotherapy plus radiotherapy) with non-anthracycline-based regimens. For advanced-stage disease, l-asparaginase-containing regimens have shown improved survival, but relapsed and refractory cases have very poor outcomes. Nowadays, even with a better understanding of pathogenic pathways, up-front therapy is completely based on chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and treatment-related mortality is not low. Future strategies targeting signaling pathways and immunotherapy are evolving, but we need to better identify those patients with dismal outcomes in a pre-emptive way. Given the rarity of the disease, international collaborations are urgently needed, and clinical trials are the way to change the future.

Identification of Eimeria tenella sporozoite immunodominant mimotopes by random phage-display peptide libraries-a proof of concept study.

Introduction: Coccidiosis, caused by parasites of numerous Eimeria species, has long been recognized as an economically significant disease in the chicken industry worldwide. The rise of anti-coccidian resistance has driven a search for other parasite management techniques. Recombinant antigen vaccination presents a highly feasible alternative. Properly identifying antigens that might trigger a potent immune response is one of the major obstacles to creating a viable genetically modified vaccine. Methods: This study evaluated a reverse immunology approach for the identification of B-cell epitopes. Antisera from rabbits and hens inoculated with whole-sporozoites of E. tenella were used to identify Western blot antigens. The rabbit IgG fraction from the anti-sporozoite serum exhibited the highest reactogenicity; consequently, it was purified and utilized to screen two random Phage-display peptide libraries (12 mer and c7c mer). After three panning rounds, 20 clones from each library were randomly selected, their nucleotide sequences acquired, and their reactivity to anti-sporozoite E. tenella serum assessed. The selected peptide clones inferred amino acid sequences matched numerous E. tenella proteins. Results and Conclusions: The extracellular domain of the epidermal growth factor-like (EGF-like) repeats, and the thrombospondin type-I (TSP-1) repeats of E. tenella micronemal protein 4 (EtMIC4) matched with the c7c mer selected clones CNTGSPYEC (2/20) and CMSTGLSSC (1/20) respectively. The clone CSISSLTHC that matched with a conserved hypothetical protein of E. tenella was widely selected (3/20). Selected clones from the 12-mer phage display library AGHTTQFNSKTT (7/20), GPNSAFWAGSER (2/20) and HFAYWWNGVRGP (8/20) showed similarities with a cullin homolog, elongation factor-2 and beta-dynein chain a putative E. tenella protein, respectively. Four immunodominant clones were previously selected and used to immunize rabbits. By ELISA and Western blot, all rabbit anti-clone serums detected E. tenella native antigens. Discussion: Thus, selected phagotopes contained recombinant E. tenella antigen peptides. Using antibodies against E. tenella sporozoites, this study demonstrated the feasibility of screening Phage-display random peptide libraries for true immunotopes. In addition, this study looked at an approach for finding novel candidates that could be used as an E. tenella recombinant epitope-based vaccine.

TPC1-Type Channels in Physcomitrium patens: Interaction between EF-Hands and Ca2.

Two-pore channels (TPCs) are members of the superfamily of ligand-gated and voltage-sensitive ion channels in the membranes of intracellular organelles of eukaryotic cells. The evolution of ordinary plant TPC1 essentially followed a very conservative pattern, with no changes in the characteristic structural footprints of these channels, such as the cytosolic and luminal regions involved in Ca2+ sensing. In contrast, the genomes of mosses and liverworts encode also TPC1-like channels with larger variations at these sites (TPC1b channels). In the genome of the model plant Physcomitrium patens we identified nine non-redundant sequences belonging to the TPC1 channel family, two ordinary TPC1-type, and seven TPC1b-type channels. The latter show variations in critical amino acids in their EF-hands essential for Ca2+ sensing. To investigate the impact of these differences between TPC1 and TPC1b channels, we generated structural models of the EF-hands of PpTPC1 and PpTPC1b channels. These models were used in molecular dynamics simulations to determine the frequency with which calcium ions were present in a coordination site and also to estimate the average distance of the ions from the center of this site. Our analyses indicate that the EF-hand domains of PpTPC1b-type channels have a lower capacity to coordinate calcium ions compared with those of common TPC1-like channels.

Pediatric Porcelain Aorta Secondary to Gaucher Disease Type 3C With Successful Aortic Replacement Surgery.

Gaucher type 3C disease with porcelain aorta can cause severe hemodynamic impairment. We report the first case, to our knowledge, of a 13-year-old Mexican girl with a GBA1 homozygous c.1342G>C [p.Asp448His] (commonly known as p.D409H) pathogenic variant who underwent extensive aortic replacement. She has been on enzyme replacement therapy and is alive 5 years after surgery. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

EF24, a schistosomicidal curcumin analog: Insights from its synthesis and phenotypic, biochemical and cytotoxic activities.

Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug available for community-based control programs which aim to reduce the prevalence and morbidity associated with schistosomiasis. Here, we synthesized and evaluated the schistosomicidal, biochemical and cytotoxic activities of EF24, a synthetic curcumin analog, against different isolates of Schistosoma mansoni. EF24 elicited marked phenotypic alterations at 10 µM against schistosomula and 42-day-old adult worms of the Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) isolate. EF24 had 50% effective concentration (EC50) values of <10 µM against the Luis Evangelista (LE), Sergipe (SE), Belo Horizonte (BH) and Belo Horizonte less sensitive to PZQ (BH < PZQ) isolates of adult S. mansoni; however, the respective sensitivities of these isolates differed. Changes in the parasite included, vacuolization of the tegument and focal lysis of the interstitial tissue and muscle layers. Against 28-day-old juvenile worms (LE isolate), EF24 was about three times more potent than PZQ. After 6 h at 12.5 µM, EF24 increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activity of the antioxidant enzyme, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), by 32 and 19% in female and male adult worms, respectively. By contrast, after 6 h at 12.5 µM glutathione reductase (GR) activity decreased by 43 and 30%, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity decreased by 67 and 44% in females and males, respectively. EF24 was less cytotoxic to mammalian host cells than to S. mansoni, with selectivity indexes (SIs) of 1.8-3.4 and 2.7-7.5 for juvenile and adult worms, respectively. Given the current evidence for the in vitro schistosomicidal effect of EF24, the structure-activity relationship of additional analogs to identify new candidates for schistosomiasis treatment is warranted.

The Kinetoplastid-Specific Protein TcCAL1 Plays Different Roles During In Vitro Differentiation and Host-Cell Invasion in Trypanosoma cruzi.

In the pathogen Typanosoma cruzi, the calcium ion (Ca2+) regulates key processes for parasite survival. However, the mechanisms decoding Ca2+ signals are not fully identified or understood. Here, we investigate the role of a hypothetical Ca2+-binding protein named TcCAL1 in the in vitro life cycle of T. cruzi. Results showed that the overexpression of TcCAL1 fused to a 6X histidine tag (TcCAL1-6xHis) impaired the differentiation of epimastigotes into metacyclic trypomastigotes, significantly decreasing metacyclogenesis rates. When the virulence of transgenic metacyclic trypomastigotes was explored in mammalian cell invasion assays, we found that the percentage of infection was significantly higher in Vero cells incubated with TcCAL1-6xHis-overexpressing parasites than in controls, as well as the number of intracellular amastigotes. Additionally, the percentage of Vero cells with adhered metacyclic trypomastigotes significantly increased in samples incubated with TcCAL1-6xHis-overexpressing parasites compared with controls. In contrast, the differentiation rates from metacyclic trypomastigotes to axenic amastigotes or the epimastigote proliferation in the exponential phase of growth have not been affected by TcCAL1-6xHis overexpression. Based on our findings, we speculate that TcCAL1 exerts its function by sequestering intracellular Ca2+ by its EF-hand motifs (impairing metacyclogenesis) and/or due to an unknown activity which could be amplified by the ion binding (promoting cell invasion). This work underpins the importance of studying the kinetoplastid-specific proteins with unknown functions in pathogen parasites.

As relações entre o ciclo de vida profissional dos docentes e a prática pedagógica na disciplina curricular de Educação Física escolar / The relationships between the professional life cycle of teachers and pedagogical practice in school Physical Education / Las relaciones entre el ciclo de vida profesional del docente y la prática pedagógica en la disciplina curricular de Educación Física en la escuela

Este estudo de abordagem qualitativa teve como objetivo caracterizar artigos publicados de 2014 até 2021 que analisam as relações entre o ciclo de vida profissional e a prática pedagógica na Educação Física escolar. Foi feita uma revisão sistemática buscando artigos nas bases de dados LILACS, SciELO e em periódicos da área qualificados entre A1 e B3 a partir da Plataforma Sucupira. Foram encontrados 14 artigos que, após analisados, permitiram concluir que o tempo de profissão é um elemento importante para aprimoramento didático, tendo em vista as limitações da formação inicial. As experiências práticas e a formação continuada trazem grandes contribuições para a carreira docente e assim o indivíduo constrói gradativamente a sua identidade profissional a partir da fase em que ele se encontra (AU).

This qualitative study aimed to characterize articles published from 2014 to 2021 that analyze the relationships between the professional life cycle and pedagogical practice in Physical Education. A systematic review was carried out looking for articles in the LILACS, SciELO databases and in journals in the area qualified between A1 and B3 from the Sucupira Platform. Fourteen articles were found, which, after being analyzed, allowed us to conclude that time in the profession is an important element for didactic improvement, in view of the limitations of initial training. Practical experiences and continuing education bring great contributions to the teaching career and thus the individual gradually builds his professional identity from the stage in which he finds himself (AU).

Este estudio cualitativo tuvo como objetivo caracterizar artículos publicados entre 2014 y 2021 que analizan las relaciones entre el ciclo de vida profesional y la práctica pedagógica en Educación Física. Se realizó una revisión sistemática buscando artículos en las bases de datos LILACS, SciELO y en revistas del área calificadas entre A1 y B3 de la Plataforma Sucupira. Se encontraron catorce artículos que, luego de ser analizados, permitieron concluir que el tiempo en la profesión es un elemento importante para la mejora didáctica, frente a las limitaciones de la formación inicial. Las experiencias prácticas y la formación continua aportan grandes aportes a la carrera docente y así el individuo va construyendo su identidad profesional desde la etapa en la que se encuentra (AU).

As relações entre o ciclo de vida profissional dos docentes e a prática pedagógica na disciplina curricular de Educação Física escolar / The relationships between the professional life cycle of teachers and pedagogical practice in school Physical Education / Las relaciones entre el ciclo de vida profesional del docente y la prática pedagógica en la disciplina curricular de Educación Física en la escuela

Este estudo de abordagem qualitativa teve como objetivo caracterizar artigos publicados de 2014 até 2021 que analisam as relações entre o ciclo de vida profissional e a prática pedagógica na Educação Física escolar. Foi feita uma revisão sistemática buscando artigos nas bases de dados LILACS, SciELO e em periódicos da área qualificados entre A1 e B3 a partir da Plataforma Sucupira. Foram encontrados 14 artigos que, após analisados, permitiram concluir que o tempo de profissão é um elemento importante para aprimoramento didático, tendo em vista as limitações da formação inicial. As experiências práticas e a formação continuada trazem grandes contribuições para a carreira docente e assim o indivíduo constrói gradativamente a sua identidade profissional a partir da fase em que ele se encontra.

This qualitative study aimed to characterize articles published from 2014 to 2021 that analyze the relationships between the professional life cycle and pedagogical practice in Physical Education. A systematic review was carried out looking for articles in the LILACS, SciELO databases and in journals in the area qualified between A1 and B3 from the Sucupira Platform. Fourteen articles were found, which, after being analyzed, allowed us to conclude that time in the profession is an important element for didactic improvement, in view of the limitations of initial training. Practical experiences and continuing education bring great contributions to the teaching career and thus the individual gradually builds his professional identity from the stage in which he finds himself.

Este estudio cualitativo tuvo como objetivo caracterizar artículos publicados entre 2014 y 2021 que analizan las relaciones entre el ciclo de vida profesional y la práctica pedagógica en Educación Física. Se realizó una revisión sistemática buscando artículos en las bases de datos LILACS, SciELO y en revistas del área calificadas entre A1 y B3 de la Plataforma Sucupira. Se encontraron catorce artículos que, luego de ser analizados, permitieron concluir que el tiempo en la profesión es un elemento importante para la mejora didáctica, frente a las limitaciones de la formación inicial. Las experiencias prácticas y la formación continua aportan grandes aportes a la carrera docente y así el individuo va construyendo su identidad profesional desde la etapa en la que se encuentra.

Engineering a calcium-dependent conformational change in Calbindin D9k by secondary elements replacement.

EF-hand is a common motif in Ca2+-binding proteins, some of which present a conformational change upon Ca2+-binding, a relevant property for signal transduction. In the present work, we investigated the behavior of Calbindin D9k, a modulator protein with a high affinity for Ca2+ but structurally insensitive to its presence. Its non-canoncal N-terminal EF-hand was replaced by chimeric motifs, containing increasing structural elements from the sensor troponin C SCIII motif. We demonstrated that the loop and helix II were the necessary elements for a conformational change promoted by calcium in chimeric Calbindin D9k. Fusion of the isolated chimeric motifs to an activity reporter gene showed the loop as the minimal element to promote a conformational change. The discrepancy between these results is discussed in the light of inter-motif interactions and helix I participation in modulating the Ca2+ affinity and restricting motif conformation.

Didymium pseudonivicola: A new myxomycete from the austral Andes emerges from broad-scale morphological and molecular analyses of D. nivicola collections.

A new nivicolous myxomycete is described as a result of a comprehensive study of Didymium nivicola collections from the entire range of its occurrence. Statistical analysis of 12 morphological characters, phylogenetic analyses of nuc 18S rDNA and elongation factor 1-alpha gene (EF1A), and a delimitation method (automatic barcode gap diversity) have been applied to corroborate the identity of the new species. A preliminary morphological analysis of D. nivicola revealed high variability of South American populations where four types of spore ornamentation were noted. However, results of molecular study and statistical analysis of morphological characters did not support recognition of these four forms but the distinction of two morphotypes. Consequently, two species have been recognized: D. nivicola and the newly proposed D. pseudonivicola. The new species can be distinguished from D. nivicola by distinctly larger and mostly plasmodiocarpic sporophores, which are scattered to gregarious, paler spores, and by the paler, more delicate and more elastic capillitium. Spore ornamentation of D. pseudonivicola is uniform and can be described as distinctly spiny (pilate under scanning electron microscope [SEM]), whereas those of D. nivicola is more variable, where spines (pilae under SEM) are delicate, distinct, or conspicuous. Additionally, whereas D. nivicola is a species distributed worldwide, D. pseudonivicola occurs only in the austral Andes of Argentina and Chile.

A Rare Cause of Angina: A Single Coronary Artery in Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries.

We report a man with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries and moderate anteroseptal ischemia; and cardiac computed tomography showed a single coronary artery with origin from the right aortic sinus. The perfusion of the morphological right ventricle by a single right coronary artery may be a cause of ischemia. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Characterization of two group III potato CDPKs, StCDPK22 and StCDPK24, that contain three EF-Hand motifs in their CLDs.

Four members of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) family StCDPK22/23/24 and StCDPK27, present three functional EF-hands motifs in their calmodulin-like domain (CLD). StCDPK22/23/24 are clustered in clade III-b1 with tomato and Arabidopsis CDPKs that lack the first EF-hand motif, while StCDPK27 is clustered in clade III-b3 with CDPKs that lack EF-hand 2. Members of each clade share similar intron-exon structures and acylation profiles. 3D model predictions suggested that StCDPK22 and StCDPK24 are active kinases that undergo a conformational switch in the presence of Ca2+ even when lacking one functional EF-hand motif; however, assays performed with recombinant proteins indicated that StCDPK24:6xHis was active in all the conditions tested, and its activity was enhanced in the presence of Ca2+, but StCDPK22:6xHis had scarce or null activity. Both kinases share with AtCPK8 the same autophosphorylation pattern in the autoinhibitory (AD) and C-terminal variable (CTV) domains, suggesting that it could be a characteristic of clade III-b1. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that StCDPK22 is mainly expressed in early stages of tuberization, but not limited to, while StCDPK24 expression is more ubiquitous. In silico analysis predicted several abiotic stress-responsive elements in its promoters. Accordingly, StCDPK24 expression peaked at 10 h in in vitro plants exposed to salt shock and then declined. Moreover, a significant increase was observed at 2 h in stems of salt-treated greenhouse plants, suggesting that this CDPK could participate in the early events of the signaling cascade triggered in response to salt.

Percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with reduced ejection fraction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate comparative outcomes for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with reduced ejection fraction. METHODS: All patients from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from 2011 to 2018 who had reduced preoperative ejection fraction (<50%) and underwent CABG or PCI for coronary revascularization were included in this study. Patients were risk-adjusted with propensity matching (1:1) and primary outcomes included long-term survival, readmission, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). RESULTS: A total of 2000 patients were included in the current study, consisting of CABG (n = 1553) and PCI (n = 447) cohorts with a mean ejection fraction of 35% ± 9.53%. Propensity matching yielded a 1:1 match with 324 patients in each cohort, controlling for all baseline characteristics. Thirty-day mortality was similar for PCI versus CABG (6.2% vs 4.9%; P = .49). Overall mortality over the study follow-up period (median, 3.23 years; range, 1.83-4.98 years) was significantly higher for the PCI cohort (37.4% vs 21.3%; P < .001). Total hospital readmissions (24.1% vs 12.9%; P = .001), cardiac readmissions (20.4% vs 11.1%; P = .001), myocardial infarction event (7.7% vs 1.8%; P = .001), MACCE (41.4% vs 23.8%; P < .001), and repeat revascularization (6.5% vs 2.6%; P = .02) occurred more frequently in the PCI cohort. Freedom from MACCE at 1 year (74.4% vs 87.0%; P < .001) and 5 years (54.5% vs 74.0%; P < .001) was significantly lower for the PCI cohort. On multivariable cox regression analysis, CABG (hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-0.73; P < .001) was significantly associated with improved survival. Prior liver disease, dialysis, diabetes, and peripheral artery disease were the most significant predictors of mortality. The cumulative incidence of hospital readmission was lower for the CABG cohort (hazard ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-0.71; P < .001). Multivariable cox regression for MACCE (hazard ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-0.58; P < .001) showed significantly fewer events for the CABG cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with reduced ejection fraction who underwent CABG had significantly improved survival, lower MACCE, and fewer repeat revascularization procedures compared with patients who underwent PCI.

Scolytodes Ferrari (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) from Ecuador: 40 new species, and a molecular phylogenetic guide to infer species differences.

The genus Scolytodes Ferrari is a highly diverse group of Neotropical bark beetles. Recent collecting by hand and canopy fogging in Ecuador produced many new records. Overlap in species composition between samples from the canopy and the ground was very low, and canopy fogging revealed the highest proportion of undescribed species. Altogether we report records for 55 species of Scolytodes from Ecuador, including 40 species new to science: Scolytodes pseudoatratus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes latipes Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes sloanae Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes samamae Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes otongae Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes chaplini Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes projectus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes lubricus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes inordinatus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes cancellatus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes jubatus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes abbreviatus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes stramineus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes teres Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes animus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes pseudoanimus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes bombycinus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes bisetosus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes horridus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes virgatus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes criniger Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes pseudocrassus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes semicrassus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes pseudolepidus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes semilepidus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes fortis Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes peniculus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes tristis Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes chrysifrons Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes amictus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes cnesinoides Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes maestus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes vietus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes echinus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes rufifrons Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes arcuatus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes validus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes sparsus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes lapillus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov., Scolytodes coronatus Jordal and Smith, sp. nov. We also provide the first description of the female and a new country record for Scolytodes grandis (Schedl, 1962) (=Scolytodes glaberrimus Wood, 1972 syn. nov.) and a redescription and new country record for Scolytodes pilifrons (Schedl, 1962). The total number of valid species is now 287. Additional new country records were established for Scolytodes acuminatus Wood, 1969, Scolytodes comosus Jordal and Kirkendall, 2019, Scolytodes costabilis Wood, 1974, Scolytodes glabrescens Wood, 1972, Scolytodes impressus Wood, 1969, Scolytodes nitidus (Eggers, 1928), Scolytodes striatus (Eggers, 1934), Scolytodes tucumani Wood, 2007, and from another Hexacolini genus, Pycnarthrum fulgidum Wood, 1977. The first molecular phylogeny for Scolytodes is provided and used primarily to guide the inference of species validity. Molecular data from COI, 28S and EF-1α revealed substantial genetic divergence between morphologically very similar but diagnosable species.

Deciphering Additional Roles for the EF-Tu, l-Asparaginase II and OmpT Proteins of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes outbreaks and sporadic cases of gastroenteritis. STEC O157:H7 is the most clinically relevant serotype in the world. The major virulence determinants of STEC O157:H7 are the Shiga toxins and the locus of enterocyte effacement. However, several accessory virulence factors, mainly outer membrane proteins (OMPs) that interact with the host cells may contribute to the virulence of this pathogen. Previously, the elongation factor thermo unstable (EF-Tu), l-asparaginase II and OmpT proteins were identified as antigens in OMP extracts of STEC. The known subcellular location of EF-Tu and l-asparaginase II are the cytoplasm and periplasm, respectively. Therefore, we investigate whether these two proteins may localize on the surface of STEC and, if so, what roles they have at this site. On the other hand, the OmpT protein, a well characterized protease, has been described as participating in the adhesion of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli strains. Thus, we investigate whether OmpT has this role in STEC. Our results show that the EF-Tu and l-asparaginase II are secreted by O157:H7 and may also localize on the surface of this bacterium. EF-Tu was identified in outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), suggesting it as a possible export mechanism for this protein. Notably, we found that l-asparaginase II secreted by O157:H7 inhibits T-lymphocyte proliferation, but the role of EF-Tu at the surface of this bacterium remains to be elucidated. In the case of OmpT, we show its participation in the adhesion of O157:H7 to human epithelial cells. Thus, this study extends the knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms of STEC.

Magnetic parameters as proxies for anthropogenic pollution in water reservoir sediments from Mexico: An interdisciplinary approach.

We assess the element pollution level of water reservoir sediments using environmental magnetism techniques as a novel approach. Although "La Purísima" Water Reservoir is an important source for multiple activities (e.g. recreational, fishing and agricultural) in Guanajuato state, it has been receiving for the last centuries a high load of pollutants by mining extraction, urbanization and land-use change from the Guanajuato Hydrological Basin. The analyses of environmental magnetism, geochemistry, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and multivariate methods were applied to study sediments from the reservoir and basin. Accordingly, they indicate the presence of iron oxides (magnetite and hematite) and iron sulfides (pyrite and greigite), which evidences relevant differences in particle size and concentration within the water reservoir (median mass-specific magnetic susceptibility χ = 23.2 × 10-8 m3/kg), as well as with respect to the river basin sediments (median χ = 88.8 × 10-8 m3/kg). The highest enrichment factor EF values (median values of EF = 2-10 for As, Co, Ba, Cu, Cd, Ni and EF > 20 for S) are mainly associated with historical mining activities that have led to an enrichment of potentially toxic elements on these water reservoir sediments. We propose the use of concentration and grain size dependent magnetic parameters, i.e. χ, remanent magnetizations and anhysteretic ratios ARM/SIRM and χARM/χ, as proxies for Ba, Co, Cr, Ni, P and Pb pollution in these river and water reservoir sediments. Such parameters allow to evaluate this sedimentary environment, and similar ones, through useful and convenient proxies.

Unexpected or Nonsuspected?: A Rare Cause of Recovered Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction After ECMO.

Acute heart failure represents a challenge, especially in infrequent etiologies. We present the clinical case of a young woman diagnosed with acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Pheocromocytoma was identified as a reversible etiology. The surgical treatment led to a complete recovery of cardiac function. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

A new species of Heliothrips (Thysanoptera, Panchaetothripinae), based on morphological and molecular data.

Heliothrips longisensibilis sp. n. is described from the tropical regions of southern China, Yunnan and Hainan, based on morphology and data from mitochondrial and nuclear genes. However, specimens that are identical in colour and structure are reported from northern Brazil, and this is presumably the area of origin of this new species. The area of origin within South America of the Greenhouse Thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis, is discussed and remains in doubt. An identification key to the four species of Heliothrips is provided.