Body site microbiota of Magellanic and king penguins inhabiting the Strait of Magellan follow species-specific patterns.

Animal hosts live in continuous interaction with bacterial partners, yet we still lack a clear understanding of the ecological drivers of animal-associated bacteria, particularly in seabirds. Here, we investigated the effect of body site in the structure and diversity of bacterial communities of two seabirds in the Strait of Magellan: the Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) and the king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus). We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to profile bacterial communities associated with body sites (chest, back, foot) of both penguins and the nest soil of Magellanic penguin. Taxonomic composition showed that Moraxellaceae family (specifically Psychrobacter) had the highest relative abundance across body sites in both penguin species, whereas Micrococacceae had the highest relative abundance in nest soil. We were able to detect a bacterial core among 90% of all samples, which consisted of Clostridium sensu stricto and Micrococcacea taxa. Further, the king penguin had its own bacterial core across its body sites, where Psychrobacter and Corynebacterium were the most prevalent taxa. Microbial alpha diversity across penguin body sites was similar in most comparisons, yet we found subtle differences between foot and chest body sites of king penguins. Body site microbiota composition differed across king penguin body sites, whereas it remained similar across Magellanic penguin body sites. Interestingly, all Magellanic penguin body site microbiota composition differed from nest soil microbiota. Finally, bacterial abundance in penguin body sites fit well under a neutral community model, particularly in the king penguin, highlighting the role of stochastic process and ecological drift in microbiota assembly of penguin body sites. Our results represent the first report of body site bacterial communities in seabirds specialized in subaquatic foraging. Thus, we believe it represents useful baseline information that could serve for long-term comparisons that use marine host microbiota to survey ocean health.

Current knowledge of the Southern Hemisphere marine microbiome in eukaryotic hosts and the Strait of Magellan surface microbiome project.

Host-microbe interactions are ubiquitous and play important roles in host biology, ecology, and evolution. Yet, host-microbe research has focused on inland species, whereas marine hosts and their associated microbes remain largely unexplored, especially in developing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, we review the current knowledge of marine host microbiomes in the Southern Hemisphere. Our results revealed important biases in marine host species sampling for studies conducted in the Southern Hemisphere, where sponges and marine mammals have received the greatest attention. Sponge-associated microbes vary greatly across geographic regions and species. Nevertheless, besides taxonomic heterogeneity, sponge microbiomes have functional consistency, whereas geography and aging are important drivers of marine mammal microbiomes. Seabird and macroalgal microbiomes in the Southern Hemisphere were also common. Most seabird microbiome has focused on feces, whereas macroalgal microbiome has focused on the epibiotic community. Important drivers of seabird fecal microbiome are aging, sex, and species-specific factors. In contrast, host-derived deterministic factors drive the macroalgal epibiotic microbiome, in a process known as "microbial gardening". In turn, marine invertebrates (especially crustaceans) and fish microbiomes have received less attention in the Southern Hemisphere. In general, the predominant approach to study host marine microbiomes has been the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Interestingly, there are some marine holobiont studies (i.e., studies that simultaneously analyze host (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics) and microbiome (e.g., 16S rRNA gene, metagenome) traits), but only in some marine invertebrates and macroalgae from Africa and Australia. Finally, we introduce an ongoing project on the surface microbiome of key species in the Strait of Magellan. This is an international project that will provide novel microbiome information of several species in the Strait of Magellan. In the short-term, the project will improve our knowledge about microbial diversity in the region, while long-term potential benefits include the use of these data to assess host-microbial responses to the Anthropocene derived climate change.

Preclinical characterization of pirtobrutinib, a highly selective, noncovalent (reversible) BTK inhibitor.

Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, is a major therapeutic target for B-cell-driven malignancies. However, approved covalent BTK inhibitors (cBTKis) are associated with treatment limitations because of off-target side effects, suboptimal oral pharmacology, and development of resistance mutations (eg, C481) that prevent inhibitor binding. Here, we describe the preclinical profile of pirtobrutinib, a potent, highly selective, noncovalent (reversible) BTK inhibitor. Pirtobrutinib binds BTK with an extensive network of interactions to BTK and water molecules in the adenosine triphosphate binding region and shows no direct interaction with C481. Consequently, pirtobrutinib inhibits both BTK and BTK C481 substitution mutants in enzymatic and cell-based assays with similar potencies. In differential scanning fluorimetry studies, BTK bound to pirtobrutinib exhibited a higher melting temperature than cBTKi-bound BTK. Pirtobrutinib, but not cBTKis, prevented Y551 phosphorylation in the activation loop. These data suggest that pirtobrutinib uniquely stabilizes BTK in a closed, inactive conformation. Pirtobrutinib inhibits BTK signaling and cell proliferation in multiple B-cell lymphoma cell lines, and significantly inhibits tumor growth in human lymphoma xenografts in vivo. Enzymatic profiling showed that pirtobrutinib was highly selective for BTK in >98% of the human kinome, and in follow-up cellular studies pirtobrutinib retained >100-fold selectivity over other tested kinases. Collectively, these findings suggest that pirtobrutinib represents a novel BTK inhibitor with improved selectivity and unique pharmacologic, biophysical, and structural attributes with the potential to treat B-cell-driven cancers with improved precision and tolerability. Pirtobrutinib is being tested in phase 3 clinical studies for a variety of B-cell malignancies.

The potential of PGPR and Trichoderma-based bioproducts and resistant cultivars as tools to manage clubroot disease in cruciferous crops.

The objective of this research was to determine the potential use of eco-friendly technologies to reduce the clubroot disease caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, the main constraint of cruciferous crops worldwide. Two commercial bioproducts were evaluated in susceptible broccoli, one based on the PGPR consortium (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, and Agrobacterium radiobacter K84) and the other one based on Trichoderma koningiopsis Th003 (Tricotec® WG). Additionally, the resistant broccoli cv. Monclano® was tested under two concentrations of resting spores (RS) of P. brassicae, 1 × 103 and 1 × 105 RS g-1 of soil. The first phase of evaluations with broccoli was carried out under a greenhouse, while susceptible broccoli, cauliflower, and red cabbage were included in a subsequent field phase. Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin mixture and Fluazinam were included as positive controls. The effectiveness of the bioproducts depended on the nature of the biocontrol agent, the concentration of P. brassicae, and the dose of treatment. Tricotec® showed consistent plant growth promotion but no biocontrol effect against clubroot, and the rhizobacteria-based bioproduct significantly reduced the disease in both greenhouse and field experiments. Higher disease severity was observed with the higher dose of Tricotec®. Under field conditions, the rhizobacteria reduced the incidence progress by 26%, 39%, and 57% under high, medium, and low pressure of the pathogen, respectively. However, no reduction of clubroot severity under high pressure of the pathogen was observed. Complete inhibition of club formation in roots was achieved via the fungicide, but a phytotoxic effect was observed under greenhouse conditions. Fungicides reduced the incidence progress of clubroot, but not the severity under high inoculum pressure in the field. The fungicides, the bacterial treatment, and the combination of bioproducts tended to delay the progress of the disease compared with the negative control and Tricotec alone. The resistant broccoli showed a low level of disease under high concentrations of P. brassicae (less than 10% incidence and up to 2% severity). These results suggested the overall potential of commercial tools based on the PGPR consortium and plant resistance to control P. brassicae. The integration of control measures, the role of Trichoderma spp. in P. brassicae-cruciferous pathosystems, and the need to recover highly infested soils will be discussed.

Metabolic and Hormonal Changes Associated with Vitellogenesis in Salvator merianae Lizards.

Vitellogenesis in oviparous vertebrates is a critical marker of the restart of seasonal reproductive activity. During this process of multihormonal regulation, females allocate a considerable amount of organic and mineral reserves to the synthesis of yolk, with changes in their plasma values. In this work, we determined plasma levels of various metabolites and steroid hormones throughout the reproductive cycle in females of Salvator merianae who developed vitellogenic and non-vitellogenic follicular cycles. We worked for two consecutive years with 20 adult females from the Experimental Hatchery of the Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia of the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Values of metabolites: glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, total proteins, and hormones: estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone, were determined during the following stages of the annual cycle: hibernation, hibernation emergence, courtship-mating, oviposition, and incubation. Vitellogenic females showed significantly higher plasma levels of triglycerides, calcium, phosphorus, and albumin than non-vitellogenic females, mainly in the courtship-mating stage (advanced vitellogenesis). In contrast, annual cholesterol averages were lower in vitellogenic females. Glucose showed changes throughout the annual cycle regardless of the vitellogenic condition. Total proteins plasma levels had very few fluctuations during the cycle. Among the hormones studied, only testosterone showed differences related to vitellogenic condition, with higher levels in non-vitellogenic females during the entire reproductive cycle. The knowledge of these changes associated with vitellogenesis will improve zootechnical management and will allow optimizing the reproductive efficiency of Salvator lizards in captivity.

Prevalence of CYP2C19 polymorphism in Bogotá, Colombia: The first report of allele *17.

INTRODUCTION: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of drugs that are essential for the treatment of acid-related disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), dyspepsia, gastric ulcers and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. PPIs such as omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole and lansoprazole are metabolized by the CYP2C19 enzyme, which is encoded by a polymorphic gene. Four polymorphisms have an impact on the speed of PPI metabolism: CYP2C19*1/*1 (extensive metabolizers), CYP2C19*2/*2 (intermediate metabolizers), CYP2C19*3/*3 (poor metabolizers) and CYP2C19*17/*17 (ultrarapid metabolizers). Extensive and ultrarapid metabolizers inactivate PPIs quickly, which consequently causes low plasma concentrations of PPIs, while intermediate or poor metabolizers have higher plasma concentrations of PPIs and, therefore, PPIs have greater therapeutic efficacy in individuals with these polymorphisms. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of genetic polymorphisms of the CPY2C19 enzyme in Bogotá, Colombia. METHODS: This observational study was conducted in Bogotá between 2012 and 2015 and was part of a clinical trial (ID: NCT03650543). It included 239 subjects with dyspepsia, H. pylori infection, or GERD symptoms. CYP2C19 genotyping was performed on gastric biopsy samples. Polymorphisms *1, *2, and *3 were analyzed by real-time PCR (Roche®), and PCR-RFLP was used to determine the presence of polymorphism *17. RESULTS: The distribution of different types of PPI metabolizers was as follows: extensive (70.7%), ultrarapid (12.9%), intermediate (8.8%) and poor (0.8%). CONCLUSION: The population studied consisted mainly of extensive and ultrarapid PPI metabolizers. These findings show that it is necessary to increase PPI doses in this group of subjects or to use PPIs that are not metabolized by CYP2C19 (rabeprazole). This is the first Colombian work to identify ultrarapid metabolizers.

The Sun is less active than other solar-like stars.

The magnetic activity of the Sun and other stars causes their brightness to vary. We investigated how typical the Sun's variability is compared with other solar-like stars, i.e., those with near-solar effective temperatures and rotation periods. By combining 4 years of photometric observations from the Kepler space telescope with astrometric data from the Gaia spacecraft, we were able to measure photometric variabilities of 369 solar-like stars. Most of those with well-determined rotation periods showed higher variability than the Sun and are therefore considerably more active. These stars appear nearly identical to the Sun except for their higher variability. Therefore, we speculate that the Sun could potentially also go through epochs of such high variability.

Correction: cagA gene EPIYA motif genetic characterization from Colombian Helicobacter pylori isolates: Standardization of a molecular test for rapid clinical laboratory detection.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227275.].

RET Solvent Front Mutations Mediate Acquired Resistance to Selective RET Inhibition in RET-Driven Malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: Novel rearranged in transfection (RET)-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as selpercatinib (LOXO-292) have shown unprecedented efficacy in tumors positive for RET fusions or mutations, notably RET fusion-positive NSCLC and RET-mutated medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). However, the mechanisms of resistance to these agents have not yet been described. METHODS: Analysis was performed of circulating tumor DNA and tissue in patients with RET fusion-positive NSCLC and RET-mutation positive MTC who developed disease progression after an initial response to selpercatinib. Acquired resistance was modeled preclinically using a CCDC6-RET fusion-positive NSCLC patient-derived xenograft. The inhibitory activity of anti-RET multikinase inhibitors and selective RET TKIs was evaluated in enzyme and cell-based assays. RESULTS: After a dramatic initial response to selpercatinib in a patient with KIF5B-RET NSCLC, analysis of circulating tumor DNA revealed emergence of RET G810R, G810S, and G810C mutations in the RET solvent front before the emergence of clinical resistance. Postmortem biopsy studies reported intratumor and intertumor heterogeneity with distinct disease subclones containing G810S, G810R, and G810C mutations in multiple disease sites indicative of convergent evolution on the G810 residue resulting in a common mechanism of resistance. Acquired mutations in RET G810 were identified in tumor tissue from a second patient with CCDC6-RET fusion-positive NSCLC and in plasma from patients with additional RET fusion-positive NSCLC and RET-mutant MTC progressing on an ongoing phase 1 and 2 trial of selpercatinib. Preclinical studies reported the presence of RET G810R mutations in a CCDC6-RET patient-derived xenograft (from a patient with NSCLC) model of acquired resistance to selpercatinib. Structural modeling predicted that these mutations sterically hinder the binding of selpercatinib, and in vitro assays confirmed loss of activity for both anti-RET multikinase inhibitors and selective RET TKIs. CONCLUSIONS: RET G810 solvent front mutations represent the first described recurrent mechanism of resistance to selective RET inhibition with selpercatinib. Development of potent inhibitor of these mutations and maintaining activity against RET gatekeeper mutations could be an effective strategy to target resistance to selective RET inhibitors.

cagA gene EPIYA motif genetic characterization from Colombian Helicobacter pylori isolates: Standardization of a molecular test for rapid clinical laboratory detection.

The aim of this work was to determine current cagA gene EPIYA motifs present in Colombian Helicobacter pylori isolates using a fast and reliable molecular test. DNA from eighty-five Helicobacter pylori-cagA positive strains were analyzed. Strains were obtained from patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia at Clínica Fundadores in Bogotá. The 3' region of the cagA gene was amplified through conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Obtained amplicons were sequenced using the Sanger method and analyzed with bioinformatics tools. Additionally, a significant Spearman correlation coefficient was determined between the patients' age and the number of EPIYA-C repeats; with p values < 0.05 considered significant. Estimates were obtained using a 95% CI. The 3´ variable region of the cagA gene was amplified and PCR products of the following sizes corresponded to the following EPIYA motifs: 400 bp: EPIYA AB, 500 bp: EPIYA ABC, 600 bp: EPIYA ABCC and 700 bp: ABCCC. A single PCR band was observed for 58 out of 85 Helicobacter pylori isolates, with an EPIYA distribution motif as follows: 7/85 AB (8.2%), 34/85 ABC (40%), 26/85 ABCC (30.6%) and 18/85 ABCCC (21.2%). However, in 27 out of 85 Helicobacter pylori isolates, two or more bands were observed, where the most predominant cagA genotype were ABC-ABCC (26%, 7/27) and ABCC-ABCCC (22.2%, 6/27). A direct proportionality between the number of EPIYA-C repeats and an increase in the patients' age was observed, finding a greater number of EPIYA ABCC and ABCCC repeats in the population over 50 years old. All isolates were of the Western cagA type and 51.8% of them were found to have multiple EPIYA-C repeats. These standardized molecular test allowed to identify the number of EPIYA C motifs based on band size.

Evaluación de la ganancia de peso en embarazadas adolescentes del servicio de obstetricia de un hospital público / Evaluation of gestational weight gain in adolescent pregnancy at a state hospital's obstetric care

Introducción: el embarazo adolescente supone un 15% del total de los nacimientos. A pesar de esta gran prevalencia, el conocimiento y las recomendaciones específicas para este grupo poblacional son escasos. Las embarazadas adolescentes suelen tener ganancias de peso superior a las recomendaciones, aumentando el riesgo de complicaciones obstétricas y neonatales. Objetivo: evaluar la ganancia de peso gestacional en embarazadas adolescentes según las recomendaciones del Institute of Medicine 2009. Materiales y método: estudio observacional descriptivo transversal llevado a cabo en adolescentes con embarazo único en puerperio inmediato evaluadas entre los meses de Agosto del 2017 y Enero del 2018. El IMC pre-gestacional y la ganancia de peso en el embarazo fueron estudiados y comparados con la edad, historia de enfermedades y complicaciones obstétricas. Resultados: el tamaño total de la muestra fue de 89 adolescentes con una media de edad de 17±1,54 años; solo el 4,49% correspondió a menores de 15 años. El diagnóstico nutricional pre-gestacional fue de: bajo peso 6,74%, normopeso 71,91%, sobrepeso 13,48% y obesidad 7,87%. El 22,47%, el 31,46% y 46,07% tuvieron una ganancia de peso inferior, adecuada y superior respectivamente. El 66,67% de las adolescentes con bajo peso evidenciaron una ganancia de peso inferior, mientras que las embarazadas con exceso de peso superaron las recomendaciones en el 57,89% de los casos. Del total de las obesas, el 71,42% presentaron complicaciones en el embarazo. Conclusiones: Casi el 70% de las embarazadas adolescentes presentaron una ganancia de peso inadecuada. Aquellas que comenzaron la gestación con bajo peso ganaron menos de lo recomendado, siendo las embarazadas con exceso de peso las que aumentaron más de lo establecido por las guías. Por último, resulta interesante destacar el desarrollo de complicaciones en el embarazo de las adolescentes obesas(AU).

Introduction: in Argentina, adolescent pregnancy represents 15% of total births. Despite this high prevalence, knowledge and specific recommendations for this population group are low. Adolescent mothers usually have more weight gain than recommended, increasing the risk of obstetric and neonatal complications. Objective: to evaluate the gestational weight gain in adolescent pregnancy following recommendations by the Institute of Medicine 2009. Methods: a cross-sectional observational study was carried out in adolescents with single pregnancies in immediate puerperal period, between August 2017 and January 2018. The pre-pregnancy BMI and the gestational weight gain were studied and compared to age, medical history and obstetric complications. Results: a total of 89 adolescents averaged age 17 ± 1.54 were evaluated; only 4.49% of the sample corresponded to mothers aged under 15. The pre-pregnancy BMI was: underweight 6.74%, normal weight 71.91%, overweight 13.48% and obesity 7.87%. 22.47%, 31.46% and 46.07% had a lower, appropriate and excessive weight gain respectively. 66.67% of underweight adolescents showed a lower weight gain, while the overweight ones exceeded the recommendations in 57.89% of cases. Within total obese, 71,42% presented obstetric complications. Conclusions: nearly 70% of adolescent mothers had an inappropriate weight gain. The adolescents who started the gestation with underweight gained less weight than recommended, and the ones with overweight gained more weight than the one recommended by the guidelines. Lastly, it is worth highlighting the development of obstetric complications in obese adolescents(AU).

Breathing of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano reservoir, Colombia, inferred from repeated seismic tomography.

Nevado del Ruiz volcano (NRV), Columbia, is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world and caused the death of 25,000 people in 1985. Using a new algorithm for repeated tomography, we have found a prominent seismic anomaly with high values of the Vp/Vs ratio at depths of 2-5 km below the surface, which is associated with a shallow magma reservoir. The amplitude and shape of this anomaly changed during the current phase of unrest which began in 2010. We interpret these changes as due to the ascent of gas bubbles through magma and to degassing of the reservoir. In 2011-2014, most of this gas escaped through permeable roof rocks, feeding surface fumarole activity and leading to a gradual decrease of the Vp/Vs ratio in the reservoir. This trend was reversed in 2015-2016 due to replenishment of the reservoir by a new batch of volatile-rich magma likely to sustain further volcanic activity. It is argued that the recurring "breathing" of the shallow reservoir is the main cause of current eruptions at NRV.

Trisomy 21 consistently activates the interferon response.

Although it is clear that trisomy 21 causes Down syndrome, the molecular events acting downstream of the trisomy remain ill defined. Using complementary genomics analyses, we identified the interferon pathway as the major signaling cascade consistently activated by trisomy 21 in human cells. Transcriptome analysis revealed that trisomy 21 activates the interferon transcriptional response in fibroblast and lymphoblastoid cell lines, as well as circulating monocytes and T cells. Trisomy 21 cells show increased induction of interferon-stimulated genes and decreased expression of ribosomal proteins and translation factors. An shRNA screen determined that the interferon-activated kinases JAK1 and TYK2 suppress proliferation of trisomy 21 fibroblasts, and this defect is rescued by pharmacological JAK inhibition. Therefore, we propose that interferon activation, likely via increased gene dosage of the four interferon receptors encoded on chromosome 21, contributes to many of the clinical impacts of trisomy 21, and that interferon antagonists could have therapeutic benefits.

Reproducibilidad de las pruebas Arm Curly Chair Stand para evaluar resistencia muscular en población adulta mayor / Reliability of Arm Curl and Chair Stand tests for assessing muscular endurance in older people / Reprodutibilidade dos testes de Arm Curl e Chair Stand para avaliar resistência muscular em idosos

Objetivo: evaluar la reproducibilidad prueba-reprueba y el nivel de acuerdo entre mediciones de las pruebas 30 seg (30-s) Arm Curl y 30-s Chair Stand en una muestra de adultos mayores de Bucaramanga. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio de evaluación de tecnologías diagnósticas. Ambas pruebas fueron administradas en dos oportunidades por el mismo evaluador a 111 adultos mayores de 59 años (70,4 ± 7,3), con un intervalo de 4 a 8 días. En el análisis se determinó la reproducibilidad prueba-reprueba mediante el coeficiente de correlación intraclase, CCI= 2,1 con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza de 95% (IC 95%). El nivel de acuerdo se estableció mediante el método de Bland y Altman. Resultados: la reproducibilidad prueba-reprueba para el 30-s Arm Curl test fue muy buena, con un CCI= 0,88 y para el 30-s Chair Stand test fue buena, con un CCI= 0,78. Así, el acuerdo fue muy bueno para las dos pruebas de resistencia muscular. Los IC 95% estuvieron entre -3,8 y 3,2 repeticiones para la prueba 30-s Chair Stand y entre -3,1 y 2,8 repeticiones para la prueba 30-s Arm Curl. Conclusión: las pruebas 30-s Arm Curl y 30-s Chair Stand tienen buena reproducibilidad y nivel de acuerdo para evaluar resistencia muscular en adultos mayores funcionalmente independientes.

Objective: to assess the test-retest reliability and level of agreement between measures of the 30 second (30-s) Arm Curl and 30-s Chair Stand test in a sample of older adults from Bucaramanga. Materials and methods: a study of evaluation of diagnostic technology was done. Both tests were administered by the same evaluator to 111 adults older than 59 year-old (70,4 ± 7,3), on two occasions, with an interval of time between measures of 4 to 8 days. In the analysis, test-retest reliability was determined using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ICC= 2,1 with their confidence interval 95% (CI 95%) respective. The agreement level was established by the Bland and Altman method. Results: the test-retest reproducibility of the 30-s Arm Curl test was very good ICC= 0,88 and to the Chair Stand test was good ICC= 0,78. The agreement was very good for both tests of muscle endurance. The CI 95% were between -3,8 and 3,2 stands to 30-s Chair Stand test and between -3,1 and 2,8 curls to 30-s Arm Curl test. Conclusion: the 30-s Arm Curl and 30-s Chair Stand test have good reliability and agreement to assess muscle endurance in older adults functionally independent.

Objetivo: avaliar a reprodutibilidade teste-reteste e nível de concordância entre as medidas de testes 30 second (30-s) Arm Curl e 30-s Chair Stand em uma amostra de idosos de Bucaramanga. Materiais e métodos: se realizou um estudo de avaliação da tecnologia de diagnóstico. Ambos os testes foram administrados pelo mesmo avaliador a 111 adultos com mais de 59 anos de idade (70,4 ± 7,3), em duas ocasiões, com um intervalo de tempo entre as medidas de 4 a 8 dias. Na análise, se determinou a reprodutibilidade teste-reteste usando o Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse ICC= 2,1 com seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC 95%). O nível de concordância foi estabelecido pelo método de Bland e Altman. Resultados: a reprodutibilidade teste-reteste do 30-s Arm Curl teste era muito bom ICC= 0,88 e do 30-s Chair Stand teste foi boa ICC= 0,78. O acordo foi muito bom para ambos os testes de resistência muscular. Os IC 95% foram de -3,8 e 3,2 repetições para o 30-s Chair Stand teste e de -3,1 e 2,8 repetições para o 30-s Arm Curl teste. Conclusão: testes 30-s Arm Curl e 30-s Chair Stand possui boa reprodutibilidade e concordância para avaliar a resistência muscular em idosos funcionalmente independentes.

Resección quirúrgica de aspergiloma en paciente inmunosuprimido: presentación de un caso clínico / Surgical resection of aspergilloma in immunosupressed patient: a case report

Aspergillosis refers to the spectrum of disease caused by Aspergillus species. The aspergilloma is the most common and best-recognized form of pulmonary involvement due to Aspergillus; usually developing in a preformed lung cavity and the principal association is with Tuberculosis. The true incidence of aspergilloma is not known. Although frequently asymptomatic, the presence of a fungus ball due to Aspergillus may cause hemoptysis and in cases can be fatal, with a variable mortality ranging between 9 to 30 percent. Aspergilloma usually comes to clinical attention as an incidental finding, thus the diagnosis involve clinical and radiological findings confirmed by pathology. There is no consistent evidence that aspergilloma. Responds to antifungal agents, and these drugs rarely achieve the minimal inhibitory concentrations within the lung cavities. Surgical resection, despite a high morbidity, is the only proven therapy for these cases.

La aspergilosis se refiere al espectro de enfermedades ocasionadas por la especie de Aspergillus. El aspergiloma es la forma más reconocida y común de la afección pulmonar relacionada a dicha especie, generalmente se desarrolla en una cavidad pulmonar pre-existente, la principal asociación es con secuelas de tuberculosis. Se desconoce la incidencia a nivel mundial. La mayoría de los pacientes se manifiestan asintomáticos; en raras ocasiones, debutan con hemoptisis mayor, con una mortalidad variable que oscila entre el 9 a 30 por ciento. El diagnóstico se basa en los hallazgos clínicos, imagenología y confirmados por patología. El tratamiento farmacológico no ha demostrado ser de gran utilidad, en tanto que, la cirugía a pesar de una elevada morbilidad podría ser el tratamiento de elección.

IDENTIFICACIÓN MOLECULAR DE POBLACIONES BACTERIANAS ASOCIADAS AL CARACOL PALA (Strombus gigas) DEL CARIBE COLOMBIANO / Molecular Identification Of Bacterial Populations Associated To Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) From Colombian Caribbe

El caracol Pala, Strombus gigas (Strombidae), es de gran importancia ecológica y socioeconómica en el área caribeña colombiana. Sin embargo, es una especie catalogada como "vulnerable" y existe muy poca información referente a las especies bacterianas asociadas al caracol que puedan ser importantes para el desarrollo, manejo productivo y de seguridad acuícola de estos gastrópodos. En este trabajo, nosotros empleamos un estudio microbiológico y molecular de la región intergénica entre los genes 16S y 23S rDNA, análisis del gen rDNA 16S y secuenciación, para analizar las bacterias asociadas al caracol Pala (S. gigas). La composición de bacterias cultivables asociadas fue evaluada por su capacidad para crecer en agar marino y en medios de cultivos selectivos. De un total de 28 muestras analizadas encontramos que el número de bacterias cultivadas en condiciones aerobias fue de alrededor 10(6) ufc mL-1 donde las bacterias pertenecientes a la familia Vibrionacea fueron las más abundantes, cerca de >10(5) ufc mL-1. El análisis molecular de la región intergénica entre los genes 16S y 23S rDNA de las diferentes muestras, reveló una gran complejidad bacteriana asociada a S. gigas. Las secuencias de los amplificados del gen rDNA 16S identificó Pseudoalteromonas sp., Halomonas sp., Psycrobacter sp., Cobetia sp., Pseudomonas sp. y Vibrios sp. Nuestros resultados podrían sugerir un rol importante de estas bacterias como componentes de la comunidad asociada al S. gigas. Esta información puede complementar los estudios que se están implementando en los procesos para la conservación y repoblamiento de las poblaciones de S. gigas en Colombia.

The Queen Conch, Strombus gigas (Strombidae), is a species of great ecological and socioeconomic importance in the Caribbean area of Colombia. However, it is currently catalogued as "vulnerable"; there is limited information concerning the bacterial species associated with conch and important in the management of hatcheries for higher productivity and safety of these gastropods. In this study, we used a microbiology and molecular approach using the 16S-23S intergenic region, the 16S rDNA analysis and sequencing to determine the bacterial populations associated with Queen Conch (S. gigas). Also, the capacity to grow in marine agar and selective culture media was used to evaluate the composition of bacteria associated. The 28 total samples analysed we found the number of bacteria recovered after aerobic culture about 10ˆ6 cfu mL-1 and most belong to the Vibrionaceae family in the order of 10ˆ5 ufc mL-1. The molecular results of the spacer regions between the 16 and 23S genes from the different analyzed samples indicated a great complexity in the bacterial population associated to S. gigas. The sequencing of the amplicons of 16S rDNA identifies Pseudoalteromonas sp, Halomonas sp., Psycrobacter sp., Cobetia sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Vibrios sp. This suggests these bacteria can play an important role as components of the bacterial community associated to S. gigas. This information can help to improve both the management of hatcheries for higher productivity and for the implementation for the conservation processes of Colombian S. gigas.

Perfil epidemiológico de oclusión dental en niños que consultana la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia / Epidemiological profile of dental occlusion in children from Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia

Introducción y Objetivo: La oclusión es la manera en que los dientes maxilares y mandibulares se articulan, involucrando su morfología, angulación, músculos de la masticación, estructuras esqueléticas y la articulación temporomandibular. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar el perfil epidemiológico de la oclusión dental en niños que consultaron el servicio de las clínicas de crecimiento y desarrollo de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia; sede Envigado, entre junio de 2006 y junio de 2007. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal en pacientes de los 2 a los 12 años que asistieron al servicio odontológico. Se calculó un tamaño de muestra de 191 pacientes, a quienes se les realizó un examen clínico de la cavidad oral con el fin de evaluar las diferentes características oclusales encontradas en el plano vertical, sagital, transversal y alteraciones de espacio. Resultados: El promedio de edad de los 191 niños participantes fue 7 años (7±2.1), 50.8% (97/191) eran de sexo masculino y 41.9% (80/191) se encontraban en dentición mixta inicial. La maloclusión con mayor prevalencia fue la clase I 55% (105/191), seguida por la clase II 32.5% (62/191) y clase III 12.6% (24/191). La prevalencia de al menos una alteración en los planos oclusales fue 96.3%. Conclusión: La maloclusión clase I de Angle fue la más prevalente con alteraciones en los planos vertical y transversal y problemas de espacio.

Introduction and Objetives: Occlusion is the way in which the maxillary and mandibular teeth articulate involving morphology, angulation, mastication muscles, skeletal structures and the temporomandibular joint. The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of dental occlusion in children that consulted the service clinics for growth and development of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University Cooperative Colombia, Envigado headquarters between June 2006 and June 2007. Material and Methods: Observational study in children between 2 and 12 years who consulted the growth and development clinics of the Faculty of Dentistry The UCC. The sample was calculated and 191 children were screened. Sociodemographic and occlusal characteristics were evaluated prior to interceptive treatment which was performed. Results: 191 patients included with an average age of 7 (7±2.1), 50.8% (97/191) were male. 41.9% (80/191) patients were in initial mixed dentition. The most prevalent malocclusion found was angle class I 55% (105/191), followed by class II 32.5% (62/191) and class III 12.6% (24/191). Conclusion: Angle class I malocclusion was the most prevalent malocclusion found with alteration in the vertical, transversal and space problems.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe histone acetyltransferase Mst1 (KAT5) is an essential protein required for damage response and chromosome segregation.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe Mst1 is a member of the MYST family of histone acetyltransferases and is the likely ortholog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Esa1 and human Tip60 (KAT5). We have isolated a temperature-sensitive allele of this essential gene. mst1 cells show a pleiotropic phenotype at the restrictive temperature. They are sensitive to a variety of DNA-damaging agents and to the spindle poison thiabendazole. mst1 has an increased frequency of Rad22 repair foci, suggesting endogenous damage. Two-hybrid results show that Mst1 interacts with a number of proteins involved in chromosome integrity and centromere function, including the methyltransferase Skb1, the recombination mediator Rad22 (Sc Rad52), the chromatin assembly factor Hip1 (Sc Hir1), and the Msc1 protein related to a family of histone demethylases. mst1 mutant sensitivity to hydroxyurea suggests a defect in recovery following HU arrest. We conclude that Mst1 plays essential roles in maintenance of genome stability and recovery from DNA damage.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rad4/Cut5 protein modification and chromatin binding changes in DNA damage.

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rad4/Cut5 protein is essential for DNA replication and checkpoint control. We have analyzed the behavior of the protein during unperturbed DNA replication, in different replication and checkpoint mutant backgrounds and in response to DNA-damaging agents. In an unperturbed cell cycle, Rad4 is chromatin bound and the mobility of the protein is not altered. Rad4 protein level and thus chromatin binding are dependent on a functional DNA polymerase epsilon. In response to replication arrest and DNA damage, the protein is modified in a Rad3-dependent manner. These data indicate that Rad4 undergoes diverse forms of regulation that are distinct in both DNA replication and checkpoint response.

Trypanosoma cruzi Tcp12CKS1 interacts with parasite CRKs and rescues the p13SUC1 fission yeast mutant.

The complex mechanism of cell division in trypanosomatids is not completely fully understood. CRKs (cdc2-related kinases), Cyclins and CKSs (cdc2-kinase subunit) are involved in the progression through the cell cycle. The CKS proteins were first described as components of the cell cycle machinery in yeast and their action has been implicated in the regulation of CDK function. In the present work we identified Tcp12CKS1 a member of the CKS family in the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. TcCKS1 is expressed in the three forms of T. cruzi. By using anti-Tcp12CKS1 antiserum, protein kinase (PK) activities were immunoprecipitated. The PK activity level varies depending on the stage analyzed, being lower in trypomastigotes and thus suggesting that different stages have different CKS-CRK complexes. Moreover, these PK activities were inhibited by using Flavopiridol, a known CDKs inhibitor. Western blot analyses demonstrated that in the epimastigote stage, p12CKS1 stably interacts with TcCRK1 and TcCRK3. In addition, Tcp12CKS1 was able to rescue the p13SUC1 null mutant of S. pombe. The functional complementation between the CKS proteins of two evolutionary distant organisms supports the role of Tcp12CKS1 as a key regulator in T. cruzi cell cycle.