Metabolic features of neutrophilic differentiation of HL-60 cells in hyperglycemic environments.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic hyperglycemia affects neutrophil functions, leading to reduced pathogen killing and increased morbidity. This impairment has been directly linked to increased glycemia, however, how this specifically affects neutrophils metabolism and their differentiation in the bone marrow is unclear and difficult to study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used high-resolution respirometry to investigate the metabolism of resting and activated donor neutrophils, and flow cytometry to measure surface CD15 and CD11b expression. We then used HL-60 cells differentiated towards neutrophil-like cells in standard media and investigated the effect of doubling glucose concentration on differentiation metabolism. We measured the oxygen consumption rate (OCR), and the enzymatic activity of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1) and citrate synthase during neutrophil-like differentiation. We compared the surface phenotype, functions, and OCR of neutrophil-like cells differentiated under both glucose concentrations. RESULTS: Donor neutrophils showed significant instability of CD11b and OCR after phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulation at 3 hours post-enrichment. During HL-60 neutrophil-like cell differentiation, there was a significant increase in surface CD15 and CD11b expression together with the loss of mitochondrial mass. Differentiated neutrophil-like cells also exhibited higher CD11b expression and were significantly more phagocytic. In higher glucose media, we measured a decrease in citrate synthase and CPT1 activities during neutrophil-like differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: HL-60 neutrophil-like differentiation recapitulated known molecular and metabolic features of human neutrophil differentiation. Increased glucose concentrations correlated with features described in hyperglycemic donor neutrophils including increased CD11b and phagocytosis. We used this model to describe metabolic features of neutrophil-like cell differentiation in hyperglycemia and show for the first time the downregulation of CPT1 and citrate synthase activity, independently of mitochondrial mass.

Neutrophils, an emerging new therapeutic platform.

Neutrophils possess unique characteristics that render them indispensable to health, and patients with irregular neutrophil counts or functions suffer from increased morbidity and mortality. As neutrophils are short-lived postmitotic cells, genetic aberrations cannot be corrected directly in neutrophils and must be targeted in their progenitors. Neutrophils are increasingly being contemplated for a range of therapeutic applications, including restoration or modulation of immune function and targeting of solid tumors. This review addresses the state-of-the-art in neutrophil transfusions and their possible applications for infectious disease prevention and treatment. It offers a landscape of the most recent gene therapy approaches to address neutrophil-related genetic diseases. We also discuss how ongoing research could broaden the applicability of neutrophil-based therapies to solid cancer treatments and beyond.

Genotype and Phenotype Characterization of Patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis IV-A in Chile.

Introduction: Morquio syndrome or mucopolysaccharidosis type IV-A (MPS IV-A) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by biallelic variants in the GALNS gene, encoding the lysosomal enzyme GalN6S, responsible for glycosaminoglycan keratan sulfate and chondroitin-6-sulfate degradation. Studies have shown that the degree of evolutionary and chemical divergence of missense variants in GalN6S when compared to ancestral amino acids is associated with the severity of the syndrome, suggesting a genotype-phenotype correlation. There is little information on Latin American patients with MPS IV-A that replicate these findings. This study aimed to characterize the phenotype and genotype from patients with MPS IV-A, who are under Enzyme Replacement Therapy at the Children's Neuropsychiatry Service of the Hospital Clínico San Borja Arriarán, Santiago, Chile, and to determine if there is any association between genotype and phenotype with those findings. Methods: Information was collected from medical charts, all patients went through a GalN6S enzymatic activity measurement in leukocytes from peripheral blood, and the GALNS gene was sequenced for all cases. Results: 12 patients with MPS IV-A were recruited, all patients presented multisystem involvement, mostly skeletal, and 75% of cases underwent surgical interventions, and cervical arthrodesis was the most frequent procedure. In regards of the genotype, the two most frequent variants were c.319+2T>C (n = 10, 41.66%) and p.(Arg386Cys) (n = 8, 33.33%), the first one was previously described in 2018 in a patient from Chile [Bochernitsan et al., 2018]. Conclusion: This is the first time that a genotype-phenotype correlation has been studied by analyzing the variants effect on the molecular structure of human GalN6S and the evolutionary conservation degree of affected residues in a cohort of patients in Chile. Albeit our work could not find statistically significant associations, we may infer that the evolutionary conservations of affected amino acids and the effect of variants on enzyme structure may play a main role. Further analyzes should consider a meta-analysis of published cases with genotype data and larger samples and include other variables that could provide more information. Finally, our data strongly suggest that variant c.319+2T>C could have a founder effect in Chilean patients with MPS IV-A.

La obesidad como factor de riesgo de gravedad por la infección de COVID-19 / Obesity as a risk factor for severity of COVID-19 infection / A obesidade como um fator de risco grave para a infecção por COVID-19

Los nuevos estilos de vida forzados por la pandemia, han mostrado un incremento en la incidencia en los niveles de índice de masa corporal de sobrepeso y obesidad en la población, a su vez estos casos, se visibilizaban más al estar relacionados con casos de gravedad por la enfermedad del COVID-19. Objetivo. Relacionar que el sobrepeso y obesidad, si son factores de riesgo y predicción de situaciones de gravedad por infección del COVID-19. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio, tipo descriptivo correlacional. Para esta investigación, se tomó muestra poblacional de personal voluntario de 48 personas, principalmente constituido por estudiantes y algunos docentes que pertenecen a la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad Nacional José Faustino Sánchez Carrión. Este personal fue evaluado en dos clínicas ubicadas en ciudades diferentes, la información biométrica y resultados de análisis de sangre, se consultó con personal médico asesor. Luego de un año se realizó una segunda evaluación, mediante una encuesta, para recabar información sobre la respuesta del sistema inmune del personal evaluado, ante una infección COVID-19 si fuera el caso. Se realizó la consulta médica respecto a los resultados obtenidos, sobre la correlación entre la obesidad, como factor de riesgo en el nivel de gravedad de la enfermedad COVID-19. Resultados. Se determinó que 13 personas evaluadas que corresponden: al 27.08% del total, registraron sobrepeso y presentaron clínicas leves o severas ocasionadas por el COVID-19. Conclusiones. Por lo que, este resultado demuestra que en personas con sobrepeso son propensos a padecer diversas enfermedades, esta situación de su comorbilidad, los expone a alto riesgo de llegar a situaciones graves de su salud por la infección del COVID-19.

The new lifestyles forced by the pandemic have shown an increase in the incidence of overweight and obesity body mass index levels in the population, and these cases are more visible because they are related to serious cases of COVID-19 disease. Objective. To relate that overweight and obesity are risk factors and predictors of severity situations due to COVID-19 infection. Materials and methods. A descriptive correlational study was carried out. For this research, a population sample of 48 volunteer personnel was taken, mainly made up of students and some teachers belonging to the Faculty of Education of the Universidad Nacional José Faustino Sánchez Carrión. These personnel were evaluated in two clinics located in different cities; the biometric information and blood test results were consulted with medical advisors. After one year, a second evaluation was carried out by means of a survey to gather information on the response of the immune system of the evaluated personnel to a COVID-19 infection, if applicable. A medical consultation was made regarding the results obtained on the correlation between obesity as a risk factor in the level of severity of COVID-19 disease. Results. It was determined that 13 people evaluated, corresponding to 27.08% of the total, were overweight and presented mild or severe symptoms caused by COVID-19. Conclusions. Therefore, this result shows that overweight people are prone to suffer from various diseases, this situation of their comorbidity, exposes them to high risk of reaching serious health situations due to COVID-19 infection.

Os novos estilos de vida forçados pela pandemia mostraram um aumento na incidência de níveis de índice de massa corporal de sobrepeso e obesidade na população, e esses casos se tornaram mais visíveis por estarem relacionados a casos graves da doença COVID-19. Objetivo. Relacionar que o sobrepeso e a obesidade são fatores de risco e preditores de situações de gravidade devido à infecção por COVID-19. Materiais e métodos. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo correlacional. Para esta pesquisa, foi tomada uma amostra populacional de 48 funcionários voluntários, composta principalmente por estudantes e alguns professores pertencentes à Faculdade de Educação da Universidad Nacional José Faustino Sánchez Carrión. Esses funcionários foram avaliados em duas clínicas localizadas em cidades diferentes, e as informações biométricas e os resultados dos exames de sangue foram consultados com consultores médicos. Após um ano, foi realizada uma segunda avaliação por meio de uma pesquisa para coletar informações sobre a resposta do sistema imunológico do pessoal avaliado a uma infecção por COVID-19, se aplicável. Foi realizada uma consulta médica com relação aos resultados obtidos sobre a correlação entre a obesidade como fator de risco no nível de gravidade da doença COVID-19. Resultados. Foi determinado que 13 pessoas avaliadas, correspondendo a 27,08% do total, estavam acima do peso e apresentavam sintomas leves ou graves causados pela COVID-19. Conclusões. Portanto, esse resultado mostra que as pessoas com sobrepeso são propensas a sofrer de várias doenças, essa situação de comorbidade as expõe a um alto risco de chegar a situações graves de saúde devido à infecção por COVID-19.

Factores asociados a sobrevida a un año en pacientes postoperados de glioblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with one-year survival in postoperative glioblastoma patients at a hospital in northeastern Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nested case-control study. Patients operated on for glioblastoma between 2016-2019 were included. Information about clinical and surgical factors was obtained, survival was calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Descriptive analysis was performed with medians and ranges, and inferential analysis with χ2, Fisher and Student t test, odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients with glioblastoma were included, 27 (43.5%) women and 35 (56.5%) men, median age 56 years (range: 6-83). Median survival was 3.6 months (1-52), 45 (72.6%) survived less than 12 months. The factors associated with a higher survival were administration of adjuvant treatment (p < 0.001), better functional status (p = 0.001), and absence of post-surgical complications (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with glioblastoma survive less than 12 months and the factors most strongly associated with longer survival are administration of adjuvant treatment, better functional status of the patient and absence of post-surgical complications.

OBJETIVO: Identificar los factores asociados a la sobrevida a un año en pacientes postoperados de glioblastoma en un hospital del noreste de México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de casos y controles anidado en una cohorte. Se incluyeron pacientes operados de glioblastoma entre 2016 y 2019. Se obtuvo la información sobre factores clínicos y quirúrgicos, se calculó la sobrevida mediante análisis de Kaplan-Meier. El análisis descriptivo se realizó con medianas y rangos, y el inferencial con prueba de χ2, Fisher, t de Student, razón de momios e intervalo de confianza al 95%. Se consideró significativo un valor de p < 0.05. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 62 pacientes con glioblastoma, 27 (43.5%) mujeres y 35 (56.5%) hombres, mediana de edad de 56 años (rango: 6-83). La mediana de sobrevida fue de 3.6 meses (1-52), 45 (72.6%) sobrevivieron menos de 12 meses. Los factores asociados a mayor sobrevida fueron: administración de tratamiento adyuvante (p < 0.001), mejor estado funcional (p = 0.001) y ausencia de complicaciones posquirúrgicas (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de los pacientes con glioblastoma sobreviven menos de 12 meses y los factores más fuertemente asociados a mayor sobrevida son administración de tratamiento adyuvante, mejor estado funcional del paciente y ausencia de complicaciones posquirúrgicas.

Candida albicans the main opportunistic pathogenic fungus in humans / Candida albicans el principal hongo patógeno oportunista en humanos

Abstract Candida albicans is a commensal of the mammalian microbiome and the primarypathogenic fungus of humans. It becomes a severe health problem in immunocompromisedpatients and can cause a wide variety of mucosal and systemic infections. The interactionbetween C. albicans and host cells is characterized by the expression of virulence factors suchas adhesins and invasins, the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, a transition from yeast to fil-amentous hyphae form, and the ability to form biofilms; these features collectively result in cell adhesion, invasion, and damage. This review describes complex commensal interactions of C. albicans with host cells and the cellular events that it triggers in a pathogenic environment. We also review the host immune response induced by C. albicans antigens and the mechanisms developed by this fungus to avoid the action of antifungal agents.

Resumen Candida albicans es un comensal del microbioma de mamíferos y el principal hongopatógeno de humanos. En pacientes inmunocomprometidos se convierte en un grave problemade salud por causar una amplia variedad de infecciones en mucosas y sistémicas. La interacciónentre C. albicans y las células del huésped lleva a la expresión de factores de virulencia, comoadhesinas e invasinas, a la secreción de enzimas hidrolíticas y a la transición de levadura a hifa filamentosa, capaz de para formar biopelículas, lo que genera adherencia, invasión y dano celular. En esta revisión describimos la compleja interacción comensal de C. albicans con la célula huésped y los eventos celulares que ejecuta en un ambiente patogénico. También se revisa la respuesta inmunitaria del huésped inducida por antígenos de C. albicans y los mecanismos desarrollados por este hongo para evitar la acción de agentes antifúngicos.

Statin protects men but not women with HIV against loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical function: a pilot study.

Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs commonly used among people with HIV, associated with an increased risk of myopathies. Considering that cardiovascular disease, statin therapy, and sarcopenia are independently prevalent in people with HIV, clarity on the potential benefits or harms of statin therapy on muscle health is useful to provide insight into ways to maximize skeletal muscle health and minimize CVD risk in this population. We aimed to study the effects of statin therapy on strength, muscle mass, and physical function parameters in people with HIV. This was a pilot cross-sectional study. People with HIV on continuous statin therapy (n = 52) were paired 1:1 according to age (people with HIV 53.9 ± 8.2 and people with HIV on statins 53.9 ± 8.4 years), sex, body mass index (Body mass index, people with HIV 28.6 ± 5.3 and people with HIV on statins 28.8 ± 6.3 kg/m2), and race with people with HIV not using statin (n = 52). Participants were evaluated for muscle strength (i.e. handgrip strength), lean and fat body mass (using bioelectric impedance analysis), and physical function (i.e. Short Physical Performance Battery-SPPB). Isokinetic strength and appendicular lean mass (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), more accurate strength and body composition measures, were determined in 38% of the participants. Overall, statin usage does not exacerbated loss of muscle strength (32.2 ± 11.5 vs. 30.3 ± 9.6 kg, p > 0.05) muscle mass (7.6 ± 1.8 vs. 7.7 ± 1.1 kg/m2, p > 0.05), and impaired physical performance (10.1 ± 1.8 vs. 9.7 ± 2.1 points, p > 0.05) of PLWH. When analyzed by sex, men living with HIV on statins usage presented higher appendicular muscle mass (28.4 ± 3.1 vs. 26.2 ± 4.9 kg, p < 0.05) handgrip strength (42.1 ± 8.8 vs. 37.1 ± 8.3 kg, p < 0.05) and physical function through SPPB score (10.9 ± 1.3 vs. 9.5 ± 2.1, p < 0.05) than men living with HIV not on statins treatment. The same protection was not observed in women. This data was demonstrated when muscle mass and strength were determined clinically (i.e. handgrip strength and electrical impedance) and when more precise laboratory measurements of muscle mass and strength were conducted (i.e. isokinetic strength and DXA scans). Statin does not exacerbate muscle wasting, strength loss, or muscle dysfunction among people with HIV. Indeed, statins may protect men, but not woman with HIV against HIV and antiretroviral therapy-induced loss of muscle mass and strength.

Candida albicans the main opportunistic pathogenic fungus in humans.

Candida albicans is a commensal of the mammalian microbiome and the primary pathogenic fungus of humans. It becomes a severe health problem in immunocompromised patients and can cause a wide variety of mucosal and systemic infections. The interaction between C. albicans and host cells is characterized by the expression of virulence factors such as adhesins and invasins, the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, a transition from yeast to filamentous hyphae form, and the ability to form biofilms; these features collectively result in cell adhesion, invasion, and damage. This review describes complex commensal interactions of C. albicans with host cells and the cellular events that it triggers in a pathogenic environment. We also review the host immune response induced by C. albicans antigens and the mechanisms developed by this fungus to avoid the action of antifungal agents.

The world's largest potato cryobank at the International Potato Center (CIP) - Status quo, protocol improvement through large-scale experiments and long-term viability monitoring.

Long-term conservation of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) is a key priority for guaranteeing food security and sustainability of agricultural systems for current and future generations. The need for the secure conservation of genetic resources collections ex situ is critical, due to rapid and extreme climatic changes which are threatening and reducing biodiversity in their natural environments. The International Potato Center (CIP) conserves one of the most complete and diverse genetic resources collections of potato, with more than 7500 accessions composed of 4900 cultivated potato and 2600 potato wild relative accessions. The clonal conservation of cultivated potato, principally landraces, through in vitro or field collections is indispensable to maintain fixed allelic states, yet it is costly and labor-intensive. Cryopreservation, the conservation of biological samples in liquid nitrogen (-196°C), is considered the most reliable and cost-efficient long-term ex-situ conservation method for clonal crops. Over the last decade, CIP has built one of the largest potato cryobanks worldwide, cyopreserving more than 4000 cultivated potato accessions which represents 84% of the total cultivated potato collection currently conserved at CIP. In approximately, four years the entire potato collection will be cryopreserved. The development of an applied, robust cryopreservation protocol for potato, serves as a model for other clonally maintained crop collections. The CIP cryobank designs experiments with a high number of genetically diverse genotypes (70-100 accessions, seven cultivated species), to obtain reliable results that can be extrapolated over the collection as genotypes can often respond variably to the same applied conditions. Unlike most published reports on cryopreservation of plants, these large-scale experiments on potato are unique as they examine the acclimatization process of in vitro plants prior to, as well as during cryopreservation on up to ten times the number of genotypes conventionally reported in the published literature. As a result, an operational cryopreservation protocol for potato has advanced that works well across diverse potato accessions, not only with reduced processing time and costs, but also with an increased average full-plant recovery rate from 58% to 73% (+LN) for routine cryopreservation. The present article describes the composition of CIP's cryobank, the cryopreservation protocol, methodology for the dynamic improvement of the operational protocol, as well as data collected on regeneration from long term cryopreserved potatoes.

Consumo de hierbas medicinales para aliviar síntomas de afecciones respiratorias y COVID-19 / Use of medicinal herbs to relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions and COVID-19 / Uso de ervas medicinais para aliviar sintomas de doenças respiratórias e COVID-19

Con el brote de COVID-19, se incrementó el consumo de plantas medicinales a raíz de su fácil, económica disponibilidad y conocimientos empíricos de sus propiedades medicinales y efectos terapéuticos para algunas enfermedades. Esta realidad de consumo de hierbas medicinales para aliviar síntomas de afecciones respiratorias y COVID-19, motivó la presente investigación. Objetivo. Determinar el grado de asociación entre el consumo de hierbas medicinales y su efecto en alivio de síntomas del virus. Materiales y método. La metodología se basa en estudio descriptivo, enfoque cuantitativo, prospectivo. Se recolectó los datos desde febrero hasta mayo del 2021 con una muestra de 400 personas que comprendió ambos sexos. Se encuestó sobre ¿Qué hierbas medicinales consumieron en forma de infusión? y ¿Con qué frecuencia consumen para aliviar los síntomas relacionados a afecciones respiratorias y COVID-19? Resultados. Los resultados determinaron que las hierbas medicinales de mayor consumo fueron Matico (Buddleja globosa), Eucalipto (Eucalyptus globulus), Escorzonera (Perezia multiflora) y Huamanripa (Senecio tephrosioides); con una frecuencia de 2 a 3 veces por día y 4 o 5 días por semana; marzo se obtuvo 3% consumo de Huamanripa y mayo 6% de hierbas combinada para afecciones respiratorias y COVID-19 respectivamente, febrero con 29% para afecciones respiratorias y mayo con 73% para dolencias del COVID-19. Sintieron alivio al ingerir infusiones de hierbas medicinales en mayo con 79% y coeficiente de determinación de 0.9984 que indica una alta asociación. Conclusiones. Al analizar los datos entre consumo de hierbas medicinales y alivio de síntomas de COVID-19, se obtuvo una alta correlación; por lo tanto, indica que alivia los síntomas.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, the consumption of medicinal plants increased due to their easy, inexpensive availability and empirical knowledge of their medicinal properties and therapeutic effects for some diseases. This reality of consumption of medicinal herbs to alleviate symptoms of respiratory conditions and COVID-19, motivated the present investigation. Objective. To determine the degree of association between the consumption of medicinal herbs and their effect in relieving symptoms of the virus. Materials and method. The methodology is based on a descriptive study, quantitative approach, prospective. Data were collected from February to May 2021 with a sample of 400 people comprising both sexes. A survey was conducted on What medicinal herbs did they consume in the form of infusion? and How often do they consume them to alleviate symptoms related to respiratory conditions and COVID-19? Results. The results determined that the most consumed medicinal herbs were Matico (Buddleja globosa), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), Escorzonera (Perezia multiflora) and Huamanripa (Senecio tephrosioides); with a frequency of 2 to 3 times per day and 4 or 5 days per week; In March there was 3% consumption of Huamanripa and May 6% of combined herbs for respiratory conditions and COVID-19 respectively, February with 29% for respiratory conditions and May with 73% for COVID-19 ailments. They felt relief by ingesting medicinal herbal infusions in May with 79% and coefficient of determination of 0.9984 indicating a high association. Conclusions. When analyzing the data between consumption of medicinal herbs and relief of COVID-19 symptoms, a high correlation was obtained; therefore, it indicates that it relieves symptoms.

Com o surgimento da COVID-19, o consumo de plantas medicinais aumentou devido à sua disponibilidade fácil e barata e ao conhecimento empírico de suas propriedades medicinais e efeitos terapêuticos para algumas doenças. Esta realidade de consumo de ervas medicinais para aliviar os sintomas de problemas respiratórios e a COVID-19 motivou a presente pesquisa. Objetivo. Para determinar o grau de associação entre o consumo de ervas medicinais e seu efeito no alívio dos sintomas do vírus. Materiais e método. A metodologia é baseada em um estudo descritivo, quantitativo e prospectivo. Os dados foram coletados de fevereiro a maio de 2021 com uma amostra de 400 pessoas de ambos os sexos. Pesquisamos quais ervas medicinais eles consumiram na forma de chá de ervas e com que freqüência consumiram para aliviar os sintomas relacionados às condições respiratórias e à COVID-19. Resultados. Os resultados determinaram que as ervas medicinais mais consumidas foram matico (Buddleja globosa), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), Escorzonera (Perezia multiflora) e Huamanripa (Senecio tephrosioides); com uma freqüência de 2 a 3 vezes por dia e 4 a 5 dias por semana; Março teve 3% de consumo de Huamanripa e maio 6% de ervas combinadas para doenças respiratórias e COVID-19 respectivamente, fevereiro com 29% para doenças respiratórias e maio com 73% para doenças COVID-19. Eles sentiram alívio ao ingerir chás de ervas em maio com 79 % e um coeficiente de determinação de 0,9984 indicando uma alta associação. Conclusões. Ao analisar os dados entre o consumo de ervas medicinais e o alívio dos sintomas da COVID-19, foi obtida uma alta correlação; portanto, indica que ela alivia os sintomas.

A cross-sectional study evidences regulations of leukocytes in the colostrum of mothers with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Breastmilk is a dynamic fluid whose initial function is to provide the most adapted nutrition to the neonate. Additional attributes have been recently ascribed to breastmilk, with the evidence of a specific microbiota and the presence of various components of the immune system, such as cytokines and leukocytes. The composition of breastmilk varies through time, according to the health status of mother and child, and altogether contributes to the future health of the infant. Obesity is a rising condition worldwide that creates a state of systemic, chronic inflammation including leukocytosis. Here, we asked whether colostrum, the milk produced within the first 48 h post-partum, would contain a distinct leukocyte composition depending on the body mass index (BMI) of the mother. METHODS: We collected peripheral blood and colostrum paired samples from obese (BMI > 30) and lean (BMI < 25) mothers within 48 h post-partum and applied a panel of 6 antibodies plus a viability marker to characterize 10 major leukocyte subpopulations using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The size, internal complexity, and surface expression of CD45 and CD16 of multiple leukocyte subpopulations were selectively regulated between blood and colostrum irrespective of the study groups, suggesting a generalized cell-specific phenotype alteration. In obesity, the colostrum B lymphocyte compartment was significantly reduced, and CD16+ blood monocytes had an increased CD16 expression compared to the lean group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first characterization of major leukocyte subsets in colostrum of mothers suffering from obesity and the first report of colostrum leukocyte subpopulations in Latin America. We evidence various significant alterations of most leukocyte populations between blood and colostrum and demonstrate a decreased colostrum B lymphocyte fraction in obesity. This pioneering study is a stepping stone to further investigate active immunity in human breastmilk.

A pseudovirus-based platform to measure neutralizing antibodies in Mexico using SARS-CoV-2 as proof-of-concept.

The gold-standard method to evaluate a functional antiviral immune response is to titer neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against a viral pathogen. This is historically performed using an in vitro assay of virus-mediated infection, which requires BSL-3 facilities. As these are insufficient in Latin American countries, including Mexico, scant information is obtained locally about viral pathogens NAb, using a functional assay. An alternative solution to using a BSL-3 assay with live virus is to use a BSL-2-safe assay with a non-replicative pseudovirus. Pseudoviral particles can be engineered to display a selected pathogen's entry protein on their surface, and to deliver a reporter gene into target cells upon transduction. Here we comprehensively describe the first development of a BSL-2 safe NAbs-measuring functional assay in Mexico, based on the production of pseudotyped lentiviral particles. As proof-of-concept, the assay is based on Nanoluc luciferase-mediated luminescence measurements from target cells transduced with SARS-CoV-2 Spike-pseudotyped lentiviral particles. We applied the optimized assay in a BSL-2 facility to measure NAbs in 65 serum samples, which evidenced the assay with 100% sensitivity, 86.6% specificity and 96% accuracy. Overall, this is the first report of a BSL-2 safe pseudovirus-based functional assay developed in Mexico to measure NAbs, and a cornerstone methodology necessary to measure NAbs with a functional assay in limited resources settings.

Development and Evaluation from Laboratory to Field Trial of a Dual-Purpose Fracturing Nanofluid: Inhibition of Associated Formation Damage and Increasing Heavy Crude Oil Mobility.

This study aims to develop and evaluate fracturing nanofluids from the laboratory to the field trial with the dual purpose of increasing heavy crude oil mobility and reducing formation damage caused by the remaining fracturing fluid (FF). Two fumed silica nanoparticles of different sizes, and alumina nanoparticles were modified on the surface through basic and acidic treatments. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential and total acidity. The rheological behavior of the linear gel and the heavy crude oil after adding different chemical nature nanoparticles were measured at two concentrations of 100 and 1000 mg/L. Also, the contact angle assessed the alteration of the rock wettability. The nanoparticle with better performance was the raw fumed silica of 7 nm at 1000 mg/L. These were employed to prepare a fracturing nanofluid from a commercial FF. Both fluids were evaluated through their rheological behavior as a function of time at high pressure following the API RP39 test, and spontaneous imbibition tests were carried out to assess the FF's capacity to modify the wettability of the porous media. It was possible to conclude that the inclusion of 7 nm commercial silica nanoparticles allowed obtaining a reduction of 10 and 20% in the two breakers used in the commercial fracture fluid formulation without altering the rheological properties of the system. Displacement tests were also performed on proppant and rock samples at reservoir conditions of overburden and pore pressures of 3200 and 1200 psi, respectively, while the temperature was set at 77 °C and the flow rate at 0.3 cm3/min. According to the effective oil permeability, a decrease of 31% in the damage was obtained. Based on these results, the fracturing nanofluid was selected and used in the first worldwide field application in a Colombian oil field with a basic sediment and water (BSW%) of 100 and without oil production. After two weeks of the hydraulic fracture operation, crude oil was produced. Finally, one year after this work, crude oil viscosity and BSW% kept showing reductions near 75% and 33%, respectively; and having passed two years, the cumulative incremental oil production is around 120,000 barrels.

Distal pancreatectomy: experience in a National Hospital.

AIMS: To compare the short-term outcomes of patients undergoing open DP (ODP) and laparoscopic DP (LDP); and to analyze the association between the section site of the pancreas and pancreatic fistula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical, perioperative, and histopathologic data of patients who underwent ODP and LDP between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: 70 patients were included. 39 (56%) underwent ODP and 31 (44%) underwent LDP. The tumor size in ODP group was 70mm and in LDP group was 45mm (p = 0,032) Blood loss was lower in LDP group (229mL versus 498mL) (p = 0,001). Operative time, spleen preservation, B/C pancreatic fistula, major morbidity, reoperation, and length of hospital stay, were similar in both groups. There was no postoperative mortality. No differences were found in B/C pancreatic fistula rate regarding to pancreatic transection site. CONCLUSIONS: LDP is a safe procedure, with perioperative outcomes similar to ODP and with less blood loss. The pancreatic transection site did not influence post-operative pancreatic fistula rate.

OBJETIVOS: Comparar los resultados a corto plazo de pacientes intervenidos mediante pancreatectomía distal abierta (PDA) y laparoscópica (PDL); y analizar si el lugar de la sección del páncreas tiene relación con la formación de fístula pancreática. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Serie retrospectiva y descriptiva de las PD realizadas, desde enero del 2009 a diciembre del 2019. Se compararon las características clínicas, perioperatorias e histopatológicas de pacientes con PDA y PDL. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 70 pacientes. Treinta y nueve casos (56%) con PDA y 31 casos (44%) con PDL. El tamaño tumoral promedio en la PDA fue de 70 mm y en la PDL 45 mm (p = 0.032). La pérdida sanguínea fue menor en la PDL (229 vs. 498 ml) (p = 0.001). No se encontró diferencia significativa en tiempo operatorio, porcentaje de preservación esplénica, fístula pancreática B/C, reoperación, morbilidad mayor y estancia hospitalaria. No hubo mortalidad postoperatoria. No hubo diferencias en la formación de fístula pancreática con respecto al lugar de sección del páncreas. CONCLUSIONES: La PDL es un procedimiento seguro, con resultados perioperatorios similares a la PDA y con menor pérdida sanguínea. El lugar de sección del páncreas no tuvo relación con la formación de fístula pancreática.

El eucalipto utilizado como alternativa de tratamiento para afecciones respiratorias en la población de Barranca / Eucalyptus used as an alternative treatment for respiratory diseases in the population of Barranca / Eucalipto usado como alternativa de tratamento para doenças respiratórias na população de Barranca

Las hojas de eucalipto por muchos años se han empleado para aliviar las afecciones respiratorias; durante la pandemia su consumo se ha incrementado significativamente Objetivo. Determinar los efectos del consumo de eucalipto mediante diversas preparaciones caseras para el alivio de las afecciones respiratorias. Método. Se basa en la investigación descriptiva; pues se empleó cuestionario sobre que plantas se consumen para las afecciones respiratorias, con qué frecuencia se consume eucalipto y si el consumo de eucalipto alivia las afecciones respiratorias. Obtenidos los datos se procesaron con estadísticas básicas y análisis de correlación. Resultados. Se determinó que los pobladores encuestados utilizan plantas medicinales para el tratamiento de afecciones respiratorias, destacándose el uso de las hojas de eucalipto que consume el poblador con una frecuencia promedio de 2 veces por día de infusión de eucalipto. El porcentaje de alivio de los signos y síntomas de las afecciones respiratorias fue 80 %; la correlación del porcentaje de consumo de eucalipto con respecto al porcentaje de las personas que registraron alivio de sus afecciones respiratorias, alcanzó un valor de r= 0.989 y el análisis de varianza del porcentaje del consumo de eucalipto con relación al porcentaje que aliviaron las afecciones respiratorias, determinó un efecto significativo. Conclusión. Que el consumo de medicina natural a base de hojas de eucalipto se puede considerar como un tratamiento complementario y beneficioso para la salud; puesto que su composición tiene componentes activos tales como Cineol, α y ß-pineno, y limoneno, que tienen propiedades antibacterianas y antivirales.

Eucalyptus leaves have been used for many years to relieve respiratory conditions; during the pandemic its consumption has increased significantly Objective. To determine the effects of eucalyptus consumption through various home preparations for the relief of respiratory conditions. Method. It is based on descriptive research; since a questionnaire was used on which plants are consumed for respiratory conditions, how often eucalyptus is consumed and if the consumption of eucalyptus relieves respiratory conditions. Once the data was obtained, it was processed with basic statistics and correlation analysis. Results. It was determined that the surveyed residents use medicinal plants for the treatment of respiratory conditions, highlighting the use of eucalyptus leaves consumed by the population with an average frequency of 2 times per day of eucalyptus infusion. The percentage of relief of signs and symptoms of respiratory conditions was 80%; the correlation of the percentage of consumption of eucalyptus with respect to the percentage of people who reported relief from their respiratory conditions, reached a value of r= 0.989 and the analysis of variance of the percentage of consumption of eucalyptus with respect to the percentage that relieved respiratory conditions, determined a significant effect. Conclution. That the consumption of natural medicine based on eucalyptus leaves can be considered as a complementary and beneficial treatment for health; since its composition has active components such as Cineol, α and ß-pinene, and limonene, which have antibacterial and antiviral properties.

As folhas de eucalipto são usadas há muitos anos para aliviar problemas respiratórios; durante a pandemia seu consumo aumentou significativamente Objetivo. Determinar os efeitos do consumo de eucalipto através de diversas preparações caseiras para o alívio de problemas respiratórios. Método. Baseia-se em pesquisa descritiva; uma vez que foi aplicado um questionário sobre quais plantas são consumidas para condições respiratórias, com que frequência o eucalipto é consumido e se o consumo de eucalipto alivia as condições respiratórias. Uma vez obtidos os dados, estes foram processados com estatística básica e análise de correlação. Resultados. Constatou-se que os moradores pesquisados utilizam plantas medicinais para o tratamento de afecções respiratórias, destacando-se o uso de folhas de eucalipto consumidas pela população com frequência média de 2 vezes ao dia de infusão de eucalipto. O percentual de alívio dos sinais e sintomas de afecções respiratórias foi de 80%; a correlação do percentual de consumo de eucalipto com o percentual de pessoas que relataram alívio de suas condições respiratórias, atingiu um valor de r= 0,989 e a análise de variância do percentual de consumo de eucalipto com relação ao percentual que aliviou condições respiratórias, determinou um efeito significativo. Conclusão. Que o consumo de medicamentos naturais à base de folhas de eucalipto pode ser considerado um tratamento complementar e benéfico para a saúde; uma vez que sua composição possui componentes ativos como Cineol, α e ß-pineno e limoneno, que possuem propriedades antibacterianas e antivirais.

Determination of liquid-vapor equilibrium and critical properties of fatty acids for biodiesel production through molecular dynamics.

In recent years, biodiesel production has emerged as an option for renewable and green fuel generation due to the constant reduction of fossil fuel reservoirs. Biofuels as biodiesel also show valuable attributes, environmentally speaking, due to their low environmental impact, contributing to the achievement of sustainability. However, costs are not allowable for large-scale production. Thereby, several novel processes have been proposed (e.g., reactive distillation) to solve this issue. An inconvenience for the development of these processes is the little information in the literature about the critical properties of fatty acids, which are precursors of biodiesel. Determination of critical properties for fatty acids through experimentation is difficult. The reason is that fatty acids tend to self-associate (to dimerize) due to carboxylic groups presence through hydrogen bonds, and consequently, have higher boiling points than other compounds of similar molecular mass (e.g., hydrocarbons, esters). Therefore, alternative methods for this determination are required. One choice is the group-contribution method, which is based on the structure of the molecule; however, results can significantly vary among different group-contribution approaches. Another alternative (and the focus of this research) for the determination of these properties is molecular simulation techniques. In this work, the liquid-vapor equilibrium as a function of temperature and the surface tension of three pure fatty acids of long chain (linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acid) have been calculated. Simulations have been performed by molecular dynamics using the method of direct determination of phase coexistence with the software GROMACS; in which the transferable potentials for phase equilibria united atom forcefield (TraPPE-UA) have been implemented for these specific molecules. Orthobaric densities and surface tension values have been reported at temperatures near the critical point (from 650 K to 800 K). Critical properties (temperature, pressure, density) have been extrapolated from trajectories obtained in these simulations using scaling law relations. Critical properties for these compounds are not available experimentally, therefore, group contribution calculations from the literature were used as a reference. In this comparison, the palmitic acid properties calculated in this work, show the best agreement among the three substances investigated.

Paracoccidioidomicosis diseminada en paciente inmunocompetente: reporte de caso / Disseminated Paracoccidioidomycosis in immunocompetent patient: case report

Resumen La Paracoccidioidomicosis (PCM) es una infección micótica endémica en Latinoamérica que se caracteriza por compromiso multiorgánico. El diagnóstico tardío y la diseminación sistémica favorecen complicaciones como falla respiratoria e insuficiencia suprarrenal que condicionan el desenlace del paciente. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 51 años de edad, procedente de la costa pacífica colombiana, inmunocompetente con PCM diseminada a sistema nervioso central (SNC), pulmones y glándulas suprarrenales con debut clínico de síndrome neurológico. Durante estancia hospitalaria presenta pico febril, colapso hemodinámico, aci dosis metabólica severa e hiperlactatemia. Se hemocultivó e inició tratamiento antimicrobiano de amplio espectro con piperacilina-tazobactam (4.5 gr/IV cada 8 horas), vancomicina (15 mg/kg) más anfotericina B desoxicolato (1 mg/kg/dia) y se trasladó a unidad de cuidado intensivo. En la muestras de tejido suprarrenal se identificaron levaduras multigemantes de Paracoccidioides spp e inflamacion crónica granulomatosa. A los seis días posteriores a su ingreso, el paciente continuó con deterioro hemodinámico, desequilibrio electrolítico, shock séptico e insuficiencia suprarrenal que conllevó a su deceso a pesar de las medidas terapéuticas establecidas. Se intenta exponer el desafío que representa el diagnóstico de PCM sistémica y promover su sospecha clínica para poder identificar la enfermedad de forma oportuna y evitar complicaciones que conduzcan a un desenlace fulminante.

Abstract Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an endemic fungal infection in Latin America characterized by multi-organ involvement. Late diagnosis and systemic dissemina tion favor complications such as respiratory failure and adrenal insufficiency, which determine the outcome of the patient. We present the case of a 51-year-old patient from the Colombian Pacific coast, immunocompetent with PCM spread to the central nervous system (CNS), lungs, and adrenal glands with a clinical debut of the neurological syndrome. During a hospital stay, he presented fever peak, hemodynamic collapse, severe metabolic acidosis, and hyperlactatemia. Blood culture and began broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment with piperacillin-tazobactam (4.5 gr / IV every 8 hours), vancomycin (15 mg/kg) plus amphotericin B deoxycholate (1 mg/kg/day) and was transferred to the intensive care unit. Paracoccidioides spp multigene yeasts and chronic granulomatous inflammation were identified in adrenal tissue samples. Six days after admission, the patient continued with hemodynamic deterioration, electrolyte imbalance, septic shock, and adrenal insufficiency that led to death despite the established therapeutic measures. The aim is to expose the challenge posed by the diagnosis of systemic PCM and promote its clinical suspicion to identify the disease promptly and avoid complications that lead to a fulminant outcome.

Effect of sequential electrospinning and co-electrospinning on morphological and fluid mechanical wall properties of polycaprolactone and bovine gelatin scaffolds, for potential use in small diameter vascular grafts.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the engineering vascular grafts with a diameter less than 6 mm by means of electrospinning, is an attracted alternative technique to create different three-dimensional microenvironments with appropriate physicochemical properties to promote the nutrient transport and to enable the bioactivity, dynamic growth and differentiation of cells. Although the performance of a well-designed porous wall is key for these functional requirements maintaining the mechanical function, yet predicting the flow rate and cellular transport are still not widely understood and many questions remain open about new configurations of wall can be used for modifying the conventional electrospun samples. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of fabrication techniques on scaffolds composed of bovine gelatin and polycaprolactone (PCL) developed by sequential electrospinning and co-electrospinning, on the morphology and fluid-mechanical properties of the porous wall. METHODOLOGY: For this purpose, small diameter tubular structures were manufactured and experimental tests were performed to characterize the crystallinity, morphology, wettability, permeability, degradability, and mechanical properties. Some samples were cross-linked with Glutaraldehyde (GA) to improve the stability of the gelatin fiber. In addition, it was analyzed how the characteristics of the scaffold favored the levels of cell adhesion and proliferation in an in vitro model of 3T3 fibroblasts in incubation periods of 24, 48 and 72 h. RESULTS: It was found that in terms of the morphology of tubular scaffolds, the co-electrospun samples had a better alignment with higher values of fiber diameters and apparent pore area than the sequential samples. The static permeability was more significant in the sequential scaffolds and the hydrophilic was higher in the co-electrospun samples. Therefore, the gelatin mass losses were less in the co-electrospun samples, which promote cellular functions. In terms of mechanical properties, no significant differences were observed for different types of samples. CONCLUSION: This research concluded that the tubular scaffolds generated by sequential and co-electrospinning with modification in the microarchitecture could be used as a vascular graft, as they have better permeability and wettability, interconnected pores, and a circumferential tensile strength similar to native vessel compared to the commercial graft analyzed.

Cryopreservation of Potato Shoot Tips for Long-Term Storage.

Cryopreservation is currently the only method which allows long-term conservation of living clonal plant material in the vapor or liquid phase of nitrogen (at -140 to -196 °C) allowing tissue to be viable for decades or perhaps centuries. Specifically, for species with recalcitrant seeds or requiring constant vegetative propagation, it is the method of choice for the long-term conservation of its genetic resources. The protocol described here is a modification of a previously developed plant vitrification solution 2 (PVS2)-droplet vitrification method of potato shoot tips, adapted from Musa species. Utilizing this protocol, the International Potato Center (CIP) has successfully stored in the cryobank more than 3000 cultivated potato accessions, belonging to seven species and nine different taxa [16], originating principally from ten countries in South and Central America. As part of CIP's quality management system, all vegetative material placed in cryo is routinely subsampled, thawed, and assessed to confirm that whole plantlets can be produced after storage in liquid nitrogen. Complete plant recovery rates of thawed shoot tips range from 20% to 100% (average rate: 60%). This chapter describes the complete set of steps from the routine procedure of cryopreserving potato shoot tips for long-term conservation.