Caracterización de un Consorcio Microbiano Metanogénico de una Mina de Carbón en la Cuenca de Bogotá / Characterization of a Methanogenic Microbial Consortium from a Coal Mine in Bogotá Basin

RESUMEN En el trabajo se estudió un consorcio microbiano metanogénico de una mina de carbón de la cuenca de Bogotá en Colombia. Se establecieron cultivos de enriquecimiento de carbón ex situ para el crecimiento y la producción de gas de novo. El gas biogénico producido por los cultivos se analizó mediante cromatografía de gases con detectores de ionización de llama y conductividad térmica. Los cultivos se utilizaron para aislar estirpes microbianas y para generar bibliotecas del gene 16S rARN empleando de cebadores de bacteria y de arquea. El análisis de cromatografía de gases mostró producción de metano a 37 oC, pero no a 60 oC, donde el CO2 fue el componente principal del gas biogénico. El análisis de la secuencia del gen 16S rARN de estirpes microbianos y de las bibliotecas de clones, estableció que el consorcio microbiano metanogénico estuvo formado por especies de bacterias de los géneros Bacillus y Gracilibacter más la arquea del género Methanothermobacter. El consorcio microbiano metanogénico identificado es potencialmente responsable de la generación de gas biogénico en la mina de carbón La Ciscuda. Los resultados sugirieron que los metanógenos de este consorcio producían metano por vía hidrogenotrófica o de reducción de CO2.

ABSTRACT The work studied the methanogenic microbial consortium in a coal mine from the Bogotá basin in Colombia. Ex situ coal-enrichment cultures were established for in vitro growth and de novo gas production. Biogenic gas produced by cultures was analyzed by gas chromatography using thermal conductivity and flame ionization detectors. Cultures were used to isolate microbial specimens and to generate 16S rRNA gene libraries employing bacterial and archaeal primer sets. The gas chromatographic analysis showed methane production at 37 oC, but not at 60 oC, where CO2 was the major component of the biogenic gas. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of microbial isolates and clone libraries established that the methanogenic microbial consortium was formed by bacteria species from Bacillus and Gracilibacter genera plus archaea from the Methanothermobacter genus. This meth-anogenic microbial consortium was potentially responsible for biogenic gas generation in La Ciscuda coal mine. The results suggested that these methanogens produced methane by hydrogenotrophic or CO2 reduction pathways.

Proteomic Analysis Reveals That an Extract of the Plant Lippia origanoides Suppresses Mitochondrial Metabolism in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with low 5-year survival rates, high 3-year recurrence rates, and no known therapeutic targets. Recent studies have indicated that triple-negative breast cancers possess an altered metabolic state with higher rates of glycolysis, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, and increased generation and utilization of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. Here, we utilized label-free quantitative proteomics to gain insight into the anticancer mechanisms of a methanolic extract from the Central American plant Lippia origanoides on MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells. The L. origanoides extract dysregulated mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by suppressing the expression of several subunits of Complex I of the electron transport chain, and inhibited cellular metabolism by down-regulating key tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes and mitochondrial lipid and amino-acid metabolic pathways. Our study also revealed that treatment with the extract activated the stress response and pathways related to cell-cycle progression and DNA repair. Overall, our results reveal compelling new evidence that the extract from L. origanodes triggers rapid irreversible apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells by effectively 'starving' the cells of metabolites and ATP. We continue to study the specific bioactive components of the extract in the search for novel, highly effective mitochondrial inhibitors to selectively target triple-negative breast cancer.

Lippia origanoides extract induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and suppresses NF-κB signaling in triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Treatments targeting hormone receptors typically fail to provide a positive clinical outcome against triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), which lack expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2/neu). Towards identifying viable treatments for aggressive breast cancer, we have tested an extract of the tropical plant Lippia origanoides (LOE) on TNBC and normal cells lines to uncover its potential anticancer effects. Treatment with LOE reduced TNBC cell viability in a dose-dependent manner to a greater extent than in normal mammary epithelial MCF10A cells. In MDA-MB­231 cells, LOE was found to halt the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase via cyclin D1 and cIAP2 regulation, and induce apoptosis without promoting necrosis via caspase-8/-3 and PARP cleavage. Constitutive nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling has been shown to contribute to the heightened inflammatory state and survival in TNBC cells. Herein, we also provide evidence that LOE inhibits NF-κB signaling by reducing RIP1 protein levels in MDA-MB-231 cells. These studies reveal that LOE suppresses key features of the progression of aggressive breast cancer cells and provides a basis for further definition of its underlying mechanisms of action and anticancer potential.

Workplace violence in the emergency department: giving staff the tools and support to report.

Workplace violence is increasing across the nation's Emergency Departments, and nurses often perceive it as part of their job. Reporting processes were inconsistent, and nurses often did not know what acts constitute violence and underreported it. A staff nurse-led workgroup developed an initial survey and a reporting tool, and education was provided. A posteducation survey documented the reporting of violent acts has increased, and staff perceived the Emergency Department to be a safer environment.

α(1,3)-Fucosyltransferases FUT4 and FUT7 control murine susceptibility to thrombosis.

The α(1,3)-fucosyltransferases, types IV and VII (FUT4 and FUT7, respectively), are required for the synthesis of functional selectin-type leukocyte adhesion molecule ligands. The selectins and their ligands modulate leukocyte trafficking, and P-selectin and its ligand, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1, can modulate hemostasis and thrombosis. Regulation of thrombosis by FUT4 and/or FUT7 activity was examined in mouse models of carotid artery thrombosis and collagen/epinephrine-induced thromboembolism. Mice lacking both FUT4 and FUT7 (Fut(-/-) mice) had a shorter time to occlusive thrombus formation in the injured carotid artery and a higher mortality due to collagen/epinephrine-induced pulmonary thromboemboli. Mice lacking P-selectin or P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 did not have a prothrombotic phenotype. Whole blood platelet aggregation was enhanced, and plasma fibrinogen content, clot weight, and clot strength were increased in Fut(-/-) mice, and in vitro clot lysis was reduced compared with wild type. Fut4(-/-), but not Fut7(-/-), mice had increased pulmonary thromboembolism-induced mortality and decreased thromboemboli dissolution in vivo. These data show that FUT4 and FUT7 activity regulates thrombosis in a P-selectin- and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1-independent manner and suggest that FUT4 activity is important for thrombolysis.

A escolha do cônjuge / La elección del cónyuge / Choice of spouse

Enfocando os tópicos namoro e noivado, idade ao casar e diferenças de idade entre os cônjuges, este artigo caminha por três grandes períodos históricos: o período colonial; o século XIX até finais do XX; e o início do século XXI. Trata-se de uma análise transdisciplinar dos pontos de vista histórico, social, demográfico, legal e jurídico, focalizando o desenrolar dessas situações seja por persistências e/ou mudanças; quem e quais são os atores envolvidos e sua importância nas escolhas dos futuros nubentes. No início, a seleção era fundada no parentesco e no território, privilegiando a grande rede familiar solidária no enfrentamento das dificuldades de sobrevivência. Com os avanços da industrialização, da urbanização, da tecnologia e de comunicação, além do crescimento da importância das pessoas, as escolhas foram se transformando, diminuindo a dependência da estrutura familiar e aumentando a escolha pessoal e afetiva, influenciadas pelas variadas formas de mudança social, demográfica, jurídica.

Enfocando los tópicos noviazgo y compromiso, edad al casarse y diferencias de edad entre los cónyuges, este artículo recorre tres grandes períodos históricos: el período colonial; el siglo XIX hasta fines del XX; y el inicio del siglo XXI. Se trata de un análisis transdisciplinario de los puntos de vista históricos, sociales, demográficos, legales y jurídicos, focalizándose en el desarrollo de esas situaciones, sea por persistencias y/o cambios; quién y cuáles son los actores involucrados y su importancia en la elección de los futuros prometidos. En el comienzo, la selección se fundaba en el parentesco y en el territorio, privilegiando la gran red familiar solidaria en el enfrentamiento de las dificultades de sobrevivencia. Con los avances de la industrialización, de la urbanización, de la tecnología y de la comunicación, además del crecimiento de la importancia de las personas, las elecciones se fueron transformando, disminuyendo la dependencia de la estructura familiar y aumentando la elección personal y afectiva, influenciadas por las variadas formas de cambios sociales, demográficos, jurídicos.

This article focuses on the topics of courtship and engagement, the age at which persons marry and age differences between spouses. The text briefly describes three long historical periods, namely, the colonial period, from 19th to the late 20th centuries, and the early 21st. The discussion involves a multi-disciplinary analysis from the historical, social, demographic and legal points of view, and deals especially with the developments of these situations, either through persistence or due to change. Also considered are the actors involved and their importance in the choices of their future wife or husband. In the earliest period studied the choice was based on kinship and territory, with special importance given to broad family networks, which participated in facing the difficulties involved in survival. With the advances of industrialization, urbanization, technology and communications, and the greater importance given to the individual, the question of who was to choose the spouses evolved. Dependence on the family structure became less and less important and personal and emotional preferences became more determinant, influenced by various types of social, demographic and legal changes.

Informed consent/assent in children. Statement of the Ethics Working Group of the Confederation of European Specialists in Paediatrics (CESP).

Informed consent means approval of the legal representative of the child and/or of the competent child for medical interventions following appropriate information. National legal regulations differ in regard to the question when a child has the full right to give his or her autonomous consent. Informed assent means a child's agreement to medical procedures in circumstances where he or she is not legally authorised or lacks sufficient understanding for giving consent competently. Doctors should carefully listen to the opinion and wishes of children who are not able to give full consent and should strive to obtain their assent. Doctors have the responsibility to determine the ability and competence of the child for giving his or her consent or assent. All children, even those not judged as competent, have a right to receive information given in a way that they can understand and give their assent or dissent. This consent/assent process must promote and protect the dignity, privacy and confidentiality of the child and his or her family. Consent or assent is required for all aspects of medical care, for preventive, diagnostic or therapeutic measures and research. Children may effectively refuse treatment or procedures which are not necessary to save their lives or prevent serious harm. Where treatment is necessary to save a life or prevent serious harm, the doctor has the duty to act in the best interest of the child. However, parents may also refuse to consent and in this case national laws and legal mechanisms for resolving disputes may be used.

Informaçäo demográfica, fecundidade, demografia histórica: anais do VIII Encontro Nacional de Estudos Populacionais

Aplica técnica para estimar Taxa de Fecundidade Total (TFT) aos dados de parturiçäo para o Brasil, regiöes e unidades, nos três censos que levantaram o mesmo tipo de informaçäo sobre nascimentos vivos, de 1940, 1970 e 1980.(MC)

O imigrante em Säo Paulo: casamento e nupcialidade / The immigrant in Säo Paulo: marriage and nuptiality

Enfatiza o volume numérico de migraçäo internacional nos últimos anos do século XIX e primeiros decênios deste século, e destaca o Brasil como terceira regiäo de maior fluxo de imigrantes europeus. Em relaçäo à formaçäo da família, aponta fatores determinantes para casamento e nupcialidade como tradiçöes e hábitos locais, diferenças de idade, número predominante de cada sexo. Conclui que os imigrantes italianos foram os que mais se casaram com brasileiros, seguidos dos portugueses, e o período de maior crescimento das taxas anuais de casamentos para o estado de Säo Paulo de 1900 a 1919, e as famílias numerosas eram bem vistas (MC)

As mäes e suas proles: a fecundidade segundo as características da paridade nos censos demográficos / Mothers and hers descendants: fertility according to characteristics of the parity in the population census

Este estudo oferece uma contribuiçäo qualitativa, cujo sentido é o de que se pretende partir de números e medidas obtidas com base nos censos, para daí em diante, levantar hipóteses indicativas de caminhos para explicar o perfil reprodutivo das mulheres. Certamente as possíveis explicaçöes envolvem uma grande diversidade de fatores, os quais, na maioria das vezes, extrapolam o âmbito desta análise e da propria demografia. Mas na seqüência do empenho em explicar e compreender melhor a evoluçäo da fecundidade no Estado, esses fotores poderäo ser objeto de investigaçöes futuras e complementares. O intuito nesse trabalho é estudar a evoluçäo da fecundidade e do tamanho da prole segundo os grupos de idade das mäes, em três momentos diferentes. Os dados que utilizamos säo cumulativos, refletindo a experiência vivida pelas mulheres de diferentes idades em cada um desses momentos. Nesse sentido, as indagaçöes que perseguimos tem um caráter histórico. A indagaçäo central do trabalho surgiu de um contraponto entre os dados de Säo Paulo e os da Bahia. Por razöes relativas ao tipo de informaçäo disponível as observaçöes e indagaçöes centraram-se em três momentos: 1940, 1970 e 1980

Cândido Procópio Ferreira de Camargo, amigo, mestre e colega; carta ao editor

Tive o prazer de ser convidada para discorrer, no IV Congresso dos Sociólogos na Cidade Universitária, USP, sobre a atuaçäo de Procópio no campo da demografia e na Faculdade de Saúde Pública, instituiçäo onde iniciou e aprimorou grande parte de suas contribuiçöes na área, e onde permaneceu durante dez anos. A matéria que segue resume o meu pronunciamento, destacando a parte referente à sua contribuiçäo científica e acadêmica. No mencionado evento discorri também sobre características de sua personalidade, suas posiçöes políticas, sua maneira de se conduzir com colegas e alunos, contando casos e histórias, que tornaram a apresentaçäo viva e atraente aos presentes, antigos e jovens cientistas sociais.