Seabirds show foraging site and route fidelity but demonstrate flexibility in response to local information.

BACKGROUND: Fidelity to a given foraging location or route may be beneficial when environmental conditions are predictable but costly if conditions deteriorate or become unpredictable. Understanding the magnitude of fidelity displayed by different species and the processes that drive or erode it is therefore vital for understanding how fidelity may shape the demographic consequences of anthropogenic change. In particular, understanding the information that individuals may use to adjust their fidelity will facilitate improved predictions of how fidelity may change as environments change and the extent to which it will buffer individuals against such changes. METHODS: We used movement data collected during the breeding season across eight years for common guillemots, Atlantic puffins, razorbills, and black-legged kittiwakes breeding on the Isle of May, Scotland to understand: (1) whether foraging site/route fidelity occurred within and between years, (2) whether the degree of fidelity between trips was predicted by personal foraging effort, and (3) whether different individuals made more similar trips when they overlapped in time at the colony prior to departure and/or when out at sea suggesting the use of the same local environmental cues or information on the decisions made by con- and heterospecifics. RESULTS: All species exhibited site and route fidelity both within- and between-years, and fidelity between trips in guillemots and razorbills was related to metrics of foraging effort, suggesting they adjust fidelity to their personal foraging experience. We also found evidence that individuals used local environmental cues of prey location or availability and/or information gained by observing conspecifics when choosing foraging routes, particularly in puffins, where trips of individuals that overlapped temporally at the colony or out at sea were more similar. CONCLUSIONS: The fidelity shown by these seabird species has the potential to put them at greater risk in the face of environmental change by driving individuals to continue using areas being degraded by anthropogenic pressures. However, our results suggest that individuals show some flexibility in their fidelity, which may promote resilience under environmental change. The benefits of this flexibility are likely to depend on numerous factors, including the rapidity and spatial scale of environmental change and the reliability of the information individuals use to choose foraging sites or routes, thus highlighting the need to better understand how organisms combine cues, prior experience, and other sources of information to make movement decisions.

Surface Engineering of Escherichia coli to Display Its Phytase (AppA) and Functional Analysis of Enzyme Activities.

Escherichia coli phytase (AppA) is widely used as an exogenous enzyme in monogastric animal feed mainly because of its ability to degrade phytic acid or its salt (phytate), a natural source of phosphorus. Currently, successful recombinant production of soluble AppA has been achieved by gene overexpression using both bacterial and yeast systems. However, some methods for the biomembrane immobilization of phytases (including AppA), such as surface display on yeast cells and bacterial spores, have been investigated to avoid expensive enzyme purification processes. This study explored a homologous protein production approach for displaying AppA on the cell surface of E. coli by engineering its outer membrane (OM) for extracellular expression. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of total bacterial lysates and immunofluorescence microscopy of non-permeabilized cells revealed protein expression, whereas activity assays using whole cells or OM fractions indicated functional enzyme display, as evidenced by consistent hydrolytic rates on typical substrates (i.e., p-nitrophenyl phosphate and phytic acid). Furthermore, the in vitro results obtained using a simple method to simulate the gastrointestinal tract of poultry suggest that the whole-cell biocatalyst has potential as a feed additive. Overall, our findings support the notion that biomembrane-immobilized enzymes are reliable for the hydrolysis of poorly digestible substrates relevant to animal nutrition.

A novel and easy protocol to obtain 6-alkoxy-Δ4,6-diene-3-one derivatives from available sterols.

Herein we report an unprecedented and efficient methodology for accessing 6-alkoxy-Δ4,6-diene-3-one derivatives. Such scaffolds were serendipitously obtained in the course of the study of the reaction of Δ4-3-keto steroids with catalytic amounts of iodine in refluxing methanol. A series of 6-methoxy and 6-ethoxy- Δ4,6-diene-3-ones were prepared from easily-available sterols in a two-step sequence; first, oxidation of sterols furnished the Δ4-3-keto steroids, which were then refluxed with ethanol or methanol with I2 as catalyst to obtain a series of ten derivatives. Furthermore, this protocol was also effective for the introduction of a larger carbon chain at C-6. Druglikeliness properties of synthesized compounds were predicted using the SwissADME tool.

Bidirectional Association between Lichen Planus and Hepatitis C-An Update Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic, inflammatory mucocutaneous disorder associated with systemic diseases such as hepatitis C (HCV). The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between LP and HCV bidirectionally through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive search of studies published was performed in the databases of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Out of 18,491 articles, 192 studies were included. The global prevalence of HCV positive (HCV+) in LP patients registered from 143 studies was 9.42% [95% confidence interval (CI), 7.27-11.58%], and from these, 84 studies showed HCV+ 4-fold more frequent in LP than a control group (OR, 4.48; 95% CI, 3.48-5.77). The global prevalence of LP in patients HCV+ recorded from 49 studies was 7.05% (95% CI, 4.85-9.26%), and from these, 15 registered a 3-fold more LP in HCV (OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 2.14-6.24). HCV+ in LP patients showed great geographic variability (OR, 2.7 to 8.57), and the predominantly cutaneous location was higher (OR, 5.95) than the oral location (OR, 3.49). LP in HCV+ patients was more frequent in the Eastern Mediterranean (OR, 5.51; 95% CI, 1.40-15.57). There is a higher prevalence of HCV+ in LP and vice versa than in the control group, especially in certain geographical areas that should be taken into consideration when doing screening in countries with an upper prevalence of HCV among the general population.

Structural Insights into the Giardia lamblia Target of Rapamycin Homolog: A Bioinformatics Approach.

TOR proteins, also known as targets of rapamycin, are serine/threonine kinases involved in various signaling pathways that regulate cell growth. The protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia is the causative agent of giardiasis, a neglected infectious disease in humans. In this study, we used a bioinformatics approach to examine the structural features of GTOR, a G. lamblia TOR-like protein, and predict functional associations. Our findings confirmed that it shares significant similarities with functional TOR kinases, including a binding domain for the FKBP-rapamycin complex and a kinase domain resembling that of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases. In addition, it can form multiprotein complexes such as TORC1 and TORC2. These results provide valuable insights into the structure-function relationship of GTOR, highlighting its potential as a molecular target for controlling G. lamblia cell proliferation. Furthermore, our study represents a step toward rational drug design for specific anti-giardiasis therapeutic agents.

Coat Color in Local Goats: Influence on Environmental Adaptation and Productivity, and Use as a Selection Criterion.

This paper aims to review, systematically synthesize, and analyze fragmented information about the importance of coat color in local goats and its relationship with productivity and other important traits. Topics on current research on color expression are addressed, the relationship that has as a mechanism of environmental adaptation, its relationship with the production of meat, milk, and derivates, and the economic value of this characteristic. The use of this attribute as a tool to establish selection criteria in breeding programs based on results reported in the scientific literature is significant, particularly for low-income production systems, where the implementation of classic genetic improvement schemes is limited due to the lack of productive information, which is distinctive of extensive marginal or low scaled production systems around the world.

Catastrophic out-of-pocket payments for dental treatment: regional evidence from Spain.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the incidence and concentration of catastrophic out-of-pocket payments for healthcare and dental treatment, by region in Spain (calculated as the proportion of households needing to exceed a given threshold of their income to make these payments) in 2008, 2011 and 2015. METHODS: The data analysed were obtained from the Spanish Family Budget Survey reports for the years in question. The study method was that proposed by Wagstaff and van Doorslaer (2003), contrasting payments for dental treatment versus household income and considering thresholds of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%, thus obtaining incidence rates. In addition, relevant sociodemographic variables were obtained for each household included in the study. RESULTS: With some regional heterogeneity, on average 4.75% of Spanish households spend more than 10% of their income on dental treatment, and 1.23% spend more than 40%. Thus, 38.67% of catastrophic out-of-pocket payments for dental services in Spain corresponds to payments at the 10% threshold. This value rises to 55.98% for a threshold of 40%. CONCLUSIONS: An important proportion of catastrophic out-of-pocket payments for health care in Spain corresponds to dental treatment, a service that has very limited availability under the Spanish NHS. This finding highlights the need to formulate policies aimed at enhancing dental cover, in order to reduce inequalities in health care and, consequently, enhance the population's quality of life and health status.

Quantifying the impacts of predation by Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus on an Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica population: Implications for conservation management and impact assessments.

The management of predator-prey conflicts can be a key aspect of species conservation. For management approaches to be effective, a robust understanding of the predator-prey relationship is needed, particularly when both predator and prey are species of conservation concern. On the Isle of May, Firth of Forth, Scotland, numbers of breeding Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus, a generalist predator, have been increasing since the 1980s, which has led to increasing numbers of sympatrically breeding Atlantic Puffins Fratercula arctica being predated during the breeding season. This may have consequences for species management on the Isle of May and impact assessments of offshore windfarms in the wider Firth of Forth area. We used population viability analysis to quantify under what predation pressure the Atlantic Puffin population may decline and become locally extinct over a three-generation period. The predation level empirically estimated in 2017 (1120 Puffins per year) was not sufficient to drive a decline in the Puffin population. Rather, an increase to approximately 3000 Puffins per year would be required to cause a population decline, and >4000 to drive the population to quasi-extinction within 66 years. We discuss the likelihood of such a scenario being reached on the Isle of May, and we recommend that where predator-prey conflicts occur, predation-driven mortality should be regularly quantified to inform conservation management and population viability analyses associated with impact assessments.

Analysis of the esthetic preferences of Spanish laypersons and dentists regarding the different width proportions of the maxillary anterior teeth.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Multiple esthetic width proportions have been described for maxillary anterior teeth. However, the esthetic characteristics of each have not been compared simultaneously to determine which proportion is preferred by dentists and laypersons. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preferences of dentists and laypersons with respect to internationally recognized dental esthetic proportions. It also sought to determine whether a relationship existed among dentists' preferences as per their specialty and among laypersons as per their academic field. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two smile images, one male and one female, were digitally modified to meet the golden proportion and the recurring esthetic dental (70%) and golden percentage. The 2 resulting sets of images (original images and digitally altered ones) were presented to dentists and laypersons through a Web-based survey site. The Pearson chi-squared and Fisher tests were used to assess the differences in the esthetic preferences among the groups (α=.05). RESULTS: A total of 363 answers were obtained from dentists and 750 from laypersons. Both groups considered recurring esthetic dental to be the most esthetic proportion and golden proportion to be the least esthetic proportion. The dentists' preferences as per their specialty followed the same trend, whereas the laypersons' preferences were more scattered according to their academic field. The recurring esthetic dental proportion was preferred in images of both sexes, golden proportion smiles were the least preferred for female smiles, and golden percentage was the least preferred for male smiles. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained indicated that the preferred esthetic proportion both for dentists and laypersons was the recurring esthetic dental 70%, with the dentists' specialty or laypersons branch of knowledge not affecting choice.

El Cuidado de Sí desde una Perspectiva Relacional / Self-Care from a Relational Perspective

Resumen El cuidado de sí no es una capacidad que el individuo adquiere de manera ais lada o con el simple paso de una edad a otra, sino que se origina en un contexto relacional temprano y, como tarea del desarrollo, constituye un hito importante de cara al establecimiento de relaciones maduras en la adultez.

Abstract Self-care is not a capacity that the individual acquires in isolation or with the simple passage from one age to another, but it originates in an early relational context and, as a developmental task, it constitutes an important milestone toward the establishment of mature relationships in adulthood.

Spinocerebellar Ataxia 36: From Mutations Toward Therapies.

Spinocerebellar ataxia 36 (SCA36) is a type of repeat expansion-related neurodegenerative disorder identified a decade ago. Like other SCAs, the symptoms of SCA36 include the loss of coordination like gait ataxia and eye movement problems, but motor neuron-related symptoms like muscular atrophy are also present in those patients. The disease is caused by a GGCCTG hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the gene Nop56, and the demographic incidence map showed that this disease was more common among the ethnic groups of Japanese and Spanish descendants. Although the exact mechanisms are still under investigation, the present evidence supports that the expanded repeats may undergo repeat expansion-related non-AUG-initiated translation, and these dipeptide repeat products could be one of the important ways to lead to pathogenesis. Such studies may help develop potential treatments for this disease.

Catastrophic household expenditure associated with out-of-pocket payments for dental healthcare in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of catastrophic health expenditure due to dental healthcare (CHED) in Spain, quantify its intensity and examine the related sociodemographic household characteristics. METHODS: Data from the Spanish Household Budget Survey, which addresses more than 20,000 households each year for the period 2008-2015 were included, and the methodology proposed by Wagstaff and van Doorslaer was followed. The prevalence (number of households that devote more than a certain threshold of their income to such payments) and intensity (amount that exceeds a certain percentage of income) were estimated. Ordered logistic regression models were estimated to analyse the sociodemographic factors associated with the prevalence of catastrophic payments. RESULTS: The prevalence and intensity remained stable during the period under analysis. In terms of prevalence, a mean proportion of 7.36% of the population dedicated, in terms of intensity, more than 10% of their resources to dental care payments [mean: €292.75 per year (SD €2144.14)] and 2.05% dedicated more than 40% [mean: €143.02 per year (SD €1726.42)]. This represents 36.32% and 51.34% (for the thresholds of 10% and 40%) of the total catastrophic expenditure derived from out-of-pocket payments for dental healthcare in Spain. CONCLUSION: This study shows that a significant proportion of catastrophic healthcare payments correspond to dental services. Being male, aged over 40 years, unattached (single, separated, divorced or widowed), having a low level of education, a low household income, being unemployed and living in an urban area are all associated with a greater risk of CHED. This finding highlights the need to establish policies aimed at increasing dental care coverage to mitigate related financial burdens on a large part of the Spanish population.

Molecular Analysis of Streptomycin Resistance Genes in Clinical Strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Biocomputational Analysis of the MtGidB L101F Variant.

Globally, tuberculosis (TB) remains a prevalent threat to public health. In 2019, TB affected 10 million people and caused 1.4 million deaths. The major challenge for controlling this infectious disease is the emergence and spread of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB. The antibiotic streptomycin is not a current first-line anti-TB drug. However, WHO recommends its use in patients infected with a streptomycin-sensitive strain. Several mutations in the M. tuberculosisrpsL, rrs and gidB genes have proved association with streptomycin resistance. In this study, we performed a molecular analysis of these genes in clinical isolates to determine the prevalence of known or novel mutations. Here, we describe the genetic analysis outcome. Furthermore, a biocomputational analysis of the MtGidB L101F variant, the product of a novel mutation detected in gidB during molecular analysis, is also reported as a theoretical approach to study the apparent genotype-phenotype association.

Bioinformatic Analysis of Two TOR (Target of Rapamycin)-Like Proteins Encoded by Entamoeba histolytica Revealed Structural Similarities with Functional Homologs.

The target of rapamycin (TOR), also known as FKBP-rapamycin associated protein (FRAP), is a protein kinase belonging to the PIKK (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-related kinases) family. TOR kinases are involved in several signaling pathways that control cell growth and proliferation. Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite that causes human amoebiasis, contains two genes encoding TOR-like proteins: EhFRAP and EhTOR2. To assess their potential as drug targets to control the cell proliferation of E. histolytica, we studied the structural features of EhFRAP and EhTOR2 using a biocomputational approach. The overall results confirmed that both TOR amoebic homologs share structural similarities with functional TOR kinases, and show inherent abilities to form TORC complexes and participate in protein-protein interaction networks. To our knowledge, this study represents the first in silico characterization of the structure-function relationships of EhFRAP and EhTOR2.

Analysis of dental esthetic proportions in a Spanish population sample.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to analyze in a Spanish population sample the compliance of the anterior maxillary teeth to the dental esthetic proportions described in the literature. METHODS: Photographs of the smiles of 78 individuals were calibrated and digitally analyzed considering the following proportions: golden proportion (GP), recurring esthetic dental (RED), golden percentage (GPG), Preston's proportion and Modified golden percentage (MGPG). For statistical analysis, the t-test of an independent sample was applied, and compliance percentages for each standard were recorded. RESULTS: The existence of RED 70% or 80% has not been registered. The percentages of compliance with GP were within a range between 0% and 16%. The mean tooth width ratios were adjusted to the values described by Preston (P > 0.05), but the compliance percentages were low (3.33-25%). GPG only presented high percentages of compliance in the lateral incisors (53.33-62.5%). MGPG showed the highest percentages of compliance (50-68%). CONCLUSION: After analyzing a Spanish population sample using smile photographs for the first time, GP, RED, GPG and Preston's proportion standards are not fulfilled and therefore, not suitable for treatments that seek a smile that reproduces natural principles. However, the values designated by MGPG with a deviation of ±1% are largely applicable for treatments that aim for a natural smile.

Effect of an Arthrobotrys musiformis (Fungi: Orbiliales) culture filtrate on the population of gastrointestinal parasitic nematode eggs in faeces of grazing lambs.

This study assessed the anthelmintic activity of the oral administration of a free-spore culture filtrate of the nematophagous fungus (NF) Arthrobotrys musiformis (M-10) on gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes (GIN) in naturally infected lambs. The fungus was grown on potato-dextrose agar plates (PDA) and transferred to a fermented rice medium (FRM). After 40-day incubation the total amount of FRM with the growing fungi was transferred to a flask shaker with distilled water for a 24 h period. The fungus was centrifuged and filtered. Three groups of six naturally-infected lambs (>1000 epg) each were treated once as follows: Group 1) 63.8 mg/kg A. musiformis culture filtrate (CF) (per os); Group 2) Levamisole 7.5 mg/ml (intramuscularly), Group 3) 15 ml of distilled water (per os). Faecal samples were individually collected on days -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 after treatment. For each experimental group, mean egg shedding was calculated and transformed (log 10 [epg + 1]). Means between the fungal filtrate group and the negative control were analysed using a T-Student Test. The faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was performed in groups treated with CF and Levamisole in relation to the control group (water) were 36.8-57.4% and 89-95.4%, respectively., although due to the difference between groups, no statistical significance was found (p > 0.05). The use of A. musiformis CF appears to be a good alternative treatment, although, more studies should be performed to establish the use of these fungal products as potential tools for GIN control.

Two-Dimensional Analysis of Digital Images through Vector Graphic Editors in Dentistry: New Calibration and Analysis Protocol Based on a Scoping Review.

This review was carried out to analyse the functions of three Vector Graphic Editor applications (VGEs) applicable to clinical or research practice, and through this we propose a two-dimensional image analysis protocol in a VGE. We adapted the review method from the PRISMA-ScR protocol. Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched until June 2020 with the following keywords: Vector Graphics Editor, Vector Graphics Editor Dentistry, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Illustrator Dentistry, Coreldraw, Coreldraw Dentistry, Inkscape, Inkscape Dentistry. The publications found described the functions of the following VGEs: Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, and Inkscape. The possibility of replicating the procedures to perform the VGE functions was analysed using each study's data. The search yielded 1032 publications. After the selection, 21 articles met the eligibility criteria. They described eight VGE functions: line tracing, landmarks tracing, linear measurement recording, angular measurement recording, image calibration, image overlay, file transfer, and vector graphics development. The features offered by the VGEs bring great precision and objectivity to two-dimensional image analysis. The image analysis and editing procedures are currently not protocolised. Thus, a protocol for image calibration and measurement recording is proposed in order to guarantee the protocol's replication.

Natural Products That Target the Arginase in Leishmania Parasites Hold Therapeutic Promise.

Parasites of the genus Leishmania cause a variety of devastating and often fatal diseases in humans worldwide. Because a vaccine is not available and the currently small number of existing drugs are less than ideal due to lack of specificity and emerging drug resistance, the need for new therapeutic strategies is urgent. Natural products and their derivatives are being used and explored as therapeutics and interest in developing such products as antileishmanials is high. The enzyme arginase, the first enzyme of the polyamine biosynthetic pathway in Leishmania, has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. The flavonols quercetin and fisetin, green tea flavanols such as catechin (C), epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and cinnamic acid derivates such as caffeic acid inhibit the leishmanial enzyme and modulate the host's immune response toward parasite defense while showing little toxicity to the host. Quercetin, EGCG, gallic acid, caffeic acid, and rosmarinic acid have proven to be effective against Leishmania in rodent infectivity studies. Here, we review research on these natural products with a focus on their promise for the development of treatment strategies as well as unique structural and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic features of the most promising agents.

Catastrophic Household Expenditure Associated with Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Payments in Spain.

BACKGROUND: The financial effect of households' out-of-pocket payments (OOP) on access and use of health systems has been extensively studied in the literature, especially in emerging or developing countries. However, it has been the subject of little research in European countries, and is almost nonexistent after the financial crisis of 2008. The aim of the work is to analyze the incidence and intensity of financial catastrophism derived from Spanish households' out-of-pocket payments associated with health care during the period 2008-2015. METHODS: The Household Budget Survey was used and catastrophic measures were estimated, classifying the households into those above the threshold of catastrophe versus below. Three ordered logistic regression models and margins effects were estimated. RESULTS: The results reveal that, in 2008, 4.42% of Spanish households dedicated more than 40% of their income to financing out-of-pocket payments in health, with an average annual gap of EUR 259.84 (DE: EUR 2431.55), which in overall terms amounts to EUR 3939.44 million (0.36% of GDP). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study reveal the existence of catastrophic households resulting from OOP payments associated with health care in Spain and the need to design financial protection policies against the financial risk derived from facing these types of costs.

Functional Display of an Amoebic Chitinase in Escherichia coli Expressing the Catalytic Domain of EhCHT1 on the Bacterial Cell Surface.

Poor solubility is the main drawback of the direct industrial exploitation of chitin, the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose. Chemical methods are conventional to solubilize chitin from natural sources. Enzymatic hydrolysis of soluble chitinous substrates is a promising approach to obtain value-added by-products, such as N-acetylglucosamine units or low molecular weight chito-oligomers. Protein display on the bacterial membrane remains attractive to produce active enzymes anchored to a biological surface. The Lpp-OmpA system, a gene fusion of the Lpp signal sequence with the OmpA transmembrane region, represents the traditional system for targeting enzymes to the E. coli surface. EhCHT1, the amoebic chitinase, exhibits an efficient endochitinolytic activity and significant biochemical features, such as stability over a wide range of pH values. Using an extended Lpp-OmpA system as a protein carrier, we engineered E. coli to express the catalytic domain of EhCHT1 on the surface and assess the endochitinase activity as a trait. Engineered bacteria showed a consistent hydrolytic rate over a typical substrate, suggesting that the displayed enzyme has operational stability. This study supports the potential of biomembrane-associated biocatalysts as a reliable technology for the hydrolysis of soluble chitinous substrates.