Dataset from RNAseq analysis of differential gene expression among developmental stages of two non-marine ostracodes.

We contribute transcriptomic data for two species of Ostracoda, an early-diverged group of small-sized pancrustaceans. Data include new reference transcriptomes for two asexual non-marine species (Dolerocypris sinensis and Heterocypris aff. salina), as well as single-specimen transcriptomic data that served to analyse gene expression across four developmental stages in D. sinensis. Data are evaluated by computing gene expression profiles of the different developmental stages which consistently placed eggs and small larvae (at the stage of instar A-8) similar to each other, and apart from adults which were distinct from all other developmental stages but closest to large larvae (instar A-4). We further evaluated the transcriptomic data with two newly sequenced low-coverage genomes of the target species. The new data thus document the feasibility of obtaining reliable transcriptomic data from single specimens - even eggs - of these small metazoans.

Occurrence and removal of fecal bacteria and microbial source tracking markers in a stormwater detention basin overlying the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone in Texas.

The Edwards Aquifer is the primary water resource for over 2 million people in Texas and faces challenges including fecal contamination of water recharging the aquifer, while effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs) such as detention basins in mitigating fecal pollution remains poorly understood. For this study, the inlet and outlet of a detention basin overlying the aquifer's recharge zone were sampled following storm events using automated samplers. Microbial source tracking and culture-based methods were used to determine the occurrence and removal of fecal genetic markers and fecal coliform bacteria in collected water samples. Markers included E. coli (EC23S857), Enterococcus (Entero1), human (HF183), canine (BacCan), and bird (GFD). Fecal coliforms, EC23S857, and Entero1 were detected following each storm event. GFD was the most frequent host-associated marker detected (91% of samples), followed by BacCan (46%), and HF183 (17%). Wilcoxon signed rank tests indicated significantly lower outlet concentrations for fecal coliforms, EC23S857, and Entero1, but not for HF183, GFD, and BacCan. Higher GFD and BacCan outlet concentrations may be due to factors independent of basin design, such as the non-point source nature of bird fecal contamination and domestic dog care practices in neighborhoods contributing to the basin. Mann-Whitney tests showed marker concentrations were not significantly higher during instances of fecal coliform water quality criterion exceedance, except for E. coli, and that fecal coliform concentrations were not significantly different based on marker detection. Overall, results suggest that the detention basin is effective in attenuating fecal contamination associated with fecal coliforms and the general markers, but not for host-associated markers. Consequently, management efforts should focus on mitigating dog and bird-associated fecal pollution in the study region.

Cervical Cancer Prevention in El Salvador: Gains to Date and Challenges for the Future.

Cervical cancer is preventable through vaccination, early detection, and the treatment of pre-cancerous lesions. However, global inequalities mean that the disease remains a leading cause of cancer death around the world, with over 80% of new cases and 90% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In El Salvador, joint efforts between the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the non-profit organization Basic Health International (BHI) have been in place since 2008, with the goal of reducing the country's disease burden. While the World Health Organization's (WHO) call to action to eliminate cervical cancer provided worldwide momentum to implement new public health initiatives, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted ongoing programs and jeopardized plans for the future. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the progress that El Salvador has achieved in improving cervical cancer prevention, the impact of the pandemic on current strategies, and potential solutions that can help the country meet the WHO's strategic targets by 2030 to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer.

Retinoblastoma Protein Paralogs and Tumor Suppression.

The retinoblastoma susceptibility gene (RB1) is the first tumor suppressor gene discovered and a prototype for understanding regulatory networks that function in opposition to oncogenic stimuli. More than 3 decades of research has firmly established a widespread and prominent role for RB1 in human cancer. Yet, this gene encodes but one of three structurally and functionally related proteins that comprise the pocket protein family. A central question in the field is whether the additional genes in this family, RBL1 and RBL2, are important tumor suppressor genes. If so, how does their tumor suppressor activity overlap or differ from RB1. Here we revisit these questions by reviewing relevant data from human cancer genome sequencing studies that have been rapidly accumulating in recent years as well as pertinent functional studies in genetically engineered mice. We conclude that RBL1 and RBL2 do have important tumor suppressor activity in some contexts, but RB1 remains the dominant tumor suppressor in the family. Given their similarities, we speculate on why RB1 tumor suppressor activity is unique.

Características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Hospitalización Domiciliaria del Hospital Regional de Talca durante el año 2019 / Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of the patients admitted to the Hospital at Home unit of the Regional Hospital of Talca during the year 2019

Introducción: La hospitalización domiciliaria nace como un servicio que proporciona intervenciones agudas, domiciliarias y complejas a corto plazo. En el Hospital Regional de Talca esta unidad tiene 7 años, este estudio busca determinar en la población que ingresa a la unidad, características clínicas y comorbilidades.Método:Estudio retrospectivo, analítico descriptivo, información recolectada mediante entrevista, se recolectan datos durante el año 2019, con un análisis descriptivo de las variables del estudio, las variables continuas se describieron como media y desviaciones estándar, las variables categóricas como frecuencias absolutas y porcentajes, para el análisis estadístico se usó Microsoft Excel 2016.Resultados:La Unidad de Hospitalización Domiciliaria durante el año 2019 ingresa 484 pacientes, representando un aumento del 233,8%. Dentro de las variables del estudio, el mes con más ingresos fue julio con 50 pacientes, la edad promedio son 64,9 años (DE 3,34 años), sexo femenino (60,95%), Casados (47,3%), no realizaban actividad física (76,5%), con Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) normal (34,7%), dentro de las comorbilidades tuvo mayor incidencia la hipertensión arterial (HTA) y diabetes mellitus (DM) con 329 y 209 diagnósticos respectivamente, la patología más derivada fueron las infecciones urinarias (32,2%).Conclusiones:el presente trabajo muestra la variabilidad de los pacientes ingresados, se redujeron los costos y la menor utilización de insumos médicos, mejora de la actividad física y reducción de la discapacidad adquirida, disminuye la readmisión, siendo una modalidad de atención eficaz, eficiente, segura, con una alta tasa de satisfacción sin mermar la calidad y la seguridad del paciente. (AU)

Introduction: Home hospitalization was born as a service that provides acute, home and complex interventions in the short term. In the Regional Hospital of Talca this unit is 7 years old, this study seeks to determine in the population that enters the unit, clinical characteristics and comorbidities.Method:Retrospective, descriptive analytical study, information collected by interview, data are collected during the year 2019, with a descriptive analysis of the study variables, continuous variables were described as mean and standard deviations, categorical variables as absolute frequencies and percentages, for the statistical analysis was used Microsoft Excel 2016Results:The Home Hospitalization Unit during 2019 admitted 484 patients, representing an increase of 233.8%. Within the study variables, the month with the most admissions was July with 50 patients, the average age was 64.9 years (SD 3.34 years), female (60.95%), Married (47.3%) , did not perform physical activity (76.5%), with normal BMI (34.7%), within the comorbidities, HT and DM had a higher incidence with 329 and 209 diagnoses respectively, the most derived pathology was urinary infections (32.2%).Conclusions:The present work shows the variability of admitted patients, reduced costs and less use of medical supplies, improved physical activity and reduced acquired disability, decreased readmission, being an effective, efficient, safe care modality, with a high satisfaction rate without compromising quality and patient safety. (AU)

Involvement of the food industry in nutrition conferences in Latin America and the Caribbean.

OBJECTIVE: Identify and characterise the food industry's involvement in nutrition and dietetics national and regional events in Latin America and the Caribbean. DESIGN: Between February and April 2020, we conducted desk-based searches for nutrition and dietetics events held in the region between January 2018 and December 2019. Online freely accessible, publicly available information was collected on the involvement of the food industry through: sponsorship of events; sponsorship of sessions; speakers from the food industry; scholarships, fellowship, grants, awards and other prizes and; exhibition space/booths. SETTING: Nutrition and dietetics events in Latin America and the Caribbean. RESULTS: Thirty-one events held in twenty countries of the region had information publicly available online at the period of data collection. There was a lack of transparency on the involvement of industry actors in these events. When information was publicly available, we found that a total of ninety-two food industry actors sponsored 88 % of these events. CONCLUSIONS: There is a mostly unreported, but likely extensive, involvement of food industry actors in nutrition and dietetics events in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Evaluation of a Competitive Equilibrium Dialysis Approach for Assessing the Impact of Protein Binding on Clearance Predictions.

Fraction unbound (fu) is an important consideration when characterizing the ADME properties of drug candidates. For highly bound compounds, there can be low confidence in quantifying fu introducing uncertainty in certain parameter estimations. Specifically, predictions of clearance (CL) rely on accurate fu values measured in plasma (fu,p) and microsomes (fu,mic) to scale in vitro intrinsic CL to in vivo CL. However, determining the ratio of fu,p/fu,mic may circumvent the need to measure discrete binding values. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a plasma-to-microsome competitive equilibrium dialysis (cED) method to determine fu,p/fu,mic ratio (fuR) for nine physiochemically-distinct compounds, and to investigate the impact of altering microsomal concentrations on fuR. The values of fuR were comparable to ratios calculated from discretely measured fu,p and fu,mic values. Furthermore, increasing microsomal concentrations increased fuR for basic and neutral compounds. When using fuR values, there was a good in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) (≤3-fold observed in vivo CL). These results suggest that the cED method used to determine fuR may be an appropriate, alternative IVIVC approach. Application of cED may extend beyond IVIVC of CL to evaluate other parameters such as species differences in protein binding and free tissue to plasma ratios.

Fast and selective method for biogenic amines determination in wines and beers by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography.

A new approach for biogenic amines (BA) determination in fermented beverages was developed coupling ultrafast dansylation conditions with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method. Derivatization conditions for 8 amines analysis were optimized using D-optimal and central composite designs reducing in 88% the reaction time. Dansylated amines were separated on C18 column using a mobile phase composed of ammonium formate buffer and acetonitrile. Detection was performed by UV and fluorescence. Migration from conventional HPLC to UHPLC allowed a 60% reduction in analysis. The developed method was validated following ICH recommendations. Calibration data fitted a linear regression model with R2 were values highest to 0.984. Repeatability and intermediate precision in matrix showed relative standard deviation (RSD) values lower than 4.86 and 11.53%, respectively. Detection and quantification limits ranged from 0.03 to 0.18 and from 0.20 to 0.59 mg mg L-1. BA content in beer and wine samples were 10.53 to 73.17 mg L-1.

Involvement of the food industry in nutrition conferences in Latin America and the Caribbean

Objective: Identify and characterise the food industry's involvement in nutrition and dietetics national and regional events in Latin America and the Caribbean. Design: Between February and April 2020, we conducted desk-based searches for nutrition and dietetics events held in the region between January 2018 and December 2019. Online freely accessible, publicly available information was collected on the involvement of the food industry through: sponsorship of events; sponsorship of sessions; speakers from the food industry; scholarships, fellowship, grants, awards and other prizes and; exhibition space/booths. Setting: Nutrition and dietetics events in Latin America and the Caribbean. Results: Thirty-one events held in twenty countries of the region had information publicly available online at the period of data collection. There was a lack of transparency on the involvement of industry actors in these events. When information was publicly available, we found that a total of ninety-two food industry actors sponsored 88 % of these events. Conclusions: There is a mostly unreported, but likely extensive, involvement of food industry actors in nutrition and dietetics events in Latin America and the Caribbean.(AU)

Self-compensation in chlorine-doped CdTe.

Defect energetics, charge transition levels, and electronic band structures of several Cl-related complexes in CdTe are studied using density-functional theory calculations. We investigate substitutional chlorine (ClTe and ClCd) and complexes formed by ClTe with the cadmium vacancy (ClTe-VCd and 2ClTe-VCd) and the TeCd antisite (ClTe-TeCd). Our calculations show that none of the complexes studied induce deep levels in the CdTe band gap. Moreover, we find that ClTe-VCd and ClTe are the most stable Cl-related centers in n-type and p-type CdTe, under Te-rich growth conditions, showing shallow donor and acceptor properties, respectively. This result suggests that the experimentally-observed Fermi level pinning near midgap would be originated in self-compensation. We also find that the formation of the ClTe-TeCd complex passivates the deep level associated to the Te antisite in neutral charge state.

Longitudinal and Immediate Effect of Kundalini Yoga on Salivary Levels of Cortisol and Activity of Alpha-Amylase and Its Effect on Perceived Stress.

CONTEXT: Stress is defined as an alteration of an organism's balance in response to a demand perceived from the environment. Diverse methods exist to evaluate physiological response. A noninvasive method is salivary measurement of cortisol and alpha-amylase. A growing body of evidence suggests that the regular practice of Yoga would be an effective treatment for stress. AIMS: To determine the Kundalini Yoga (KY) effect, immediate and after 3 months of regular practice, on the perception of psychological stress and the salivary levels of cortisol and alpha-amylase activity. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: To determine the psychological perceived stress, levels of cortisol and alpha-amylase activity in saliva, and compare between the participants to KY classes performed for 3 months and a group that does not practice any type of yoga. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The total sample consisted of 26 people between 18 and 45-year-old; 13 taking part in KY classes given at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile and 13 controls. Salivary samples were collected, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to quantify cortisol and kinetic reaction test was made to determine alpha-amylase activity. Perceived Stress Scale was applied at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was applied using Stata v11.1 software. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to determine data distribution. The paired analysis was fulfilled by t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. T-test or Mann-Whitney's test was applied to compare longitudinal data. A statistical significance was considered when P < 0.05. RESULTS: KY practice had an immediate effect on salivary cortisol. The activity of alpha-amylase did not show significant changes. A significant decrease of perceived stress in the study group was found. CONCLUSIONS: KY practice shows an immediate effect on salivary cortisol levels and on perceived stress after 3 months of practice.

Steam torrefaction of Eucalyptus globulus for producing black pellets: A pilot-scale experience.

Steam torrefaction of Eucalyptus globulus was performed at temperatures between 245°C and 265°C in a 100kg/h pilot plant. Torrefied biomass was then pelletized in a 300kg/h unit and the pellets were subject to durability, density and combustion tests. The structural changes measured with FTIR were studied along with the combustion behavior of the materials. Compositional analysis showed that increasing the torrefaction temperature reduced both hemicellulose fraction and overall mass yield (MY). Furthermore, there was a linear relationship between the energy yield (EY) and mass yield (EY=[1.04-0.9(1-MY)]) for these samples. The ignition and comprehensive indexes confirmed that the stability of the torrefied biomass in a combustion environment was higher than for untreated biomass. Finally, pellets showed high durability (98%), and had an energy density (13-14GJ/m3), which is comparable to low-rank coals.

P4 medicine: how systems medicine will transform the healthcare sector and society.

Ten years ago, the proposition that healthcare is evolving from reactive disease care to care that is predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory was regarded as highly speculative. Today, the core elements of that vision are widely accepted and have been articulated in a series of recent reports by the US Institute of Medicine. Systems approaches to biology and medicine are now beginning to provide patients, consumers and physicians with personalized information about each individual's unique health experience of both health and disease at the molecular, cellular and organ levels. This information will make disease care radically more cost effective by personalizing care to each person's unique biology and by treating the causes rather than the symptoms of disease. It will also provide the basis for concrete action by consumers to improve their health as they observe the impact of lifestyle decisions. Working together in digitally powered familial and affinity networks, consumers will be able to reduce the incidence of the complex chronic diseases that currently account for 75% of disease-care costs in the USA.

A personal view on systems medicine and the emergence of proactive P4 medicine: predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory.

Systems biology and the digital revolution are together transforming healthcare to a proactive P4 medicine that is predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory. Systems biology - holistic, global and integrative in approach - has given rise to systems medicine, a systems approach to health and disease. Systems medicine promises to (1) provide deep insights into disease mechanisms, (2) make blood a diagnostic window for viewing health and disease for the individual, (3) stratify complex diseases into their distinct subtypes for a impedance match against proper drugs, (4) provide new approaches to drug target discovery and (5) generate metrics for assessing wellness. P4 medicine, the clinical face of systems medicine, has two major objectives: to quantify wellness and to demystify disease. Patients and consumers will be a major driver in the realization of P4 medicine through their participation in medically oriented social networks directed at improving their own healthcare. P4 medicine has striking implications for society - including the ability to turn around the ever-escalating costs of healthcare. The challenge in bringing P4 medicine to patients and consumers is twofold: first, inventing the strategies and technologies that will enable P4 medicine and second, dealing with the impact of P4 medicine on society - including key ethical, social, legal, regulatory, and economic issues. Managing the societal problems will pose the most significant challenges. Strategic partnerships of a variety of types will be necessary to bring P4 medicine to patients.