In vitro evaluation of methanol extracts of edible fungi Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinula edodes against Rhyssomatus nigerrimus Fahraeus.

The study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of extracts of edible mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinula edodes against Rhyssomatus nigerrimus. Methanol:water extracts (70:30) of P. ostreatus and L. edodes were made and evaluated in two in vitro tests (exposure and immersion toxic effect) against R. nigerrimus. Subsequently, the toxicity test of the extracts against Artemia salina was evaluated. These extracts were subjected to colorimetric tests and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed a mortality effect against R. nigerrimus of 50% for the P. ostreatus 2 extracts at a concentration of 20% in the immersion test. Likewise, in the toxic effect test, 90% mortality was observed after five days of exposure to a concentration of 10%. On the other hand, for the toxicity test, the extract that showed the values with the highest mortality against A. salina was P. ostreatus, starting with 80% mortality at 100µg/mL. The functional groups present in the extracts were saponins, coumarins, and alkaloids. Furthermore, the presence of more than 7 compounds in the mushroom extracts evaluated is reported. This study demonstrates the insecticidal activity of P. ostreatus and L. edodes fungal extracts and indicates the importance of using different in vitro tests to elucidate the mechanism of action for future studies.

Three-dimensional echocardiography and strain cardiac imaging in women with pre-eclampsia with follow-up to 6 months postpartum.

OBJECTIVE: Epidemiological studies have established that women with pre-eclampsia (PE) are at increased long-term cardiovascular risk. Mild cardiac functional changes have been documented during pregnancy in women with PE, but their evolution from presentation to the postpartum period remains poorly defined. The aim of this study was to assess biventricular cardiovascular indices using novel and sensitive two-dimensional and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiographic modalities in pregnancy and to track alterations in both risk factors and cardiovascular indices in the postpartum period. METHODS: A total of 59 women with PE were examined at 34 (interquartile range, 31-37) weeks' gestation and at 2-3 days, 3 months and 6 months postpartum. During pregnancy, 118 women with a normotensive pregnancy were also recruited as controls. Biventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular mass were measured by 3D echocardiography. Biventricular global longitudinal strain and strain of the left atrium were assessed using speckle-tracking imaging. RESULTS: In women with PE, compared with controls, there was lower left ventricular diastolic function (left atrial reservoir strain, 44.1% vs 49.2%) and increased left ventricular mass index (148 vs 128 g/m2 ), but there was no significant difference in right ventricular functional indices. These alterations in cardiac indices were mostly explained by differences in maternal risk factors. In the postpartum period, most cardiac indices improved by 3 months. Multivariable linear mixed-model analysis demonstrated that this improvement was mostly attributed to reduction in weight and blood pressure. CONCLUSION: In women with PE, there is postpartum improvement in cardiac functional and structural indices in parallel with improvement in their risk factor profile. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Phytochemical profile and nematicidal activity of a hydroalcoholic extract from Cazahuate flowers (Ipomoea pauciflora M. Martens & Galeotti) against Haemonchus contortus infective larvae.

Haemonchus contortus (Hc) is a hematophagous parasite affecting the health and productivity of flocks. The administration of chemical anthelmintic drugs (AH) is the common method of deworming; however, generates resistance in the parasites to AH and it is a public health risk due to drug residues in milk, meat and sub-products. Natural compounds from plants are explored to diminish this parasitosis, improving their health and productivity, without the negative effects of AH. Ipomoea genus is a group of climbing plants belonging to the Convulvulaceae family possessing perennial leaves and tuberous roots. Medicinal properties has been attributed to this plant including nutritional agents, emetics, diuretics, diaphoretics, purgatives and pesticides. The objective of this study was assessing the in vitro nematocidal activity of a hydroalcoholic extract (HA-E) obtained from Ipomoea pauciflora (Cazahuate) flowers against Hc infective larvae (L3) and to identify its phytochemical profile (PhC-P). The assay was carried out using microtiter plates (MTP). Four HA-E concentrations were assessed and Ivermectin and distilled water were used as positive and negative control groups, respectively. Approximately 100 Hc L3 were deposited in each well (n=12) and incubated at 25-35°C for 7 days. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and a General Linear Model (GLM) followed by Tukey test (P<0.05). The treatments showing a concentration-dependent effect (CDE) were analyzed to identify their 50% and 90% lethal concentrations (CL50, 90) via a Probit Analysis. The highest mortality was observed at 50 mg/mL (82.64 ± 0.71%) and the lowest at 6.25 mg/mL (56.46 ± 2.49%), showing a CDE with increasing mortality from 6.25 to 50 mg/mL. The PhC-P revealed the presence of alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, tannins and triterpenes/ sterols. A HA-E from flowers of I. pauciflora will be considered to assess its potential use in the control of haemonchosis in small ruminants.

Morfometría de la rama mandibular para la estimación del sexo y edad en una población adulta peruana 2014-2019 / Morphometry of the mandibular ramus for the estimation of sex and age in a peruvian adult population 2014-2019

Objetivo: Evaluar la precisión de la estimación del sexo y edad utilizando la morfometría de la rama mandibular mediante un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple incluyendo el ancho intercondilear, el ancho bigonial, la longitud coronoides, la longitud de la rama mandibular, la longitud del cóndilo, el ancho máximo de la rama mandibular y el ángulo goniaco en una población adulta peruana 2014-2019. Material y métodos: Se utilizaron 174 tomografías computarizadas de 18 a 60 años de edad y se analizaron las variables ancho intercondileo (AI), ancho bigonial (AB), longitud coronoides (LCr), longitud del cóndilo (LC), longitud de la rama mandibular (LRm), ancho máximo de la rama mandibular (AMRm) y ángulo goniaco (AG) del lado derecho de la mandíbula. Resultados: La prueba t de muestras independientes determinó que la mayor diferencia entre el sexo fue en la variable LC con 6.9225 mm, la función discriminante obtuvo una tasa de clasificación correcta del sexo con 82.7% y con el modelo de regresión logística múltiple se obtuvo una sensibilidad en el sexo femenino de 81.2%, una especificidad de 85.7%, el sexo masculino una sensibilidad de 85.7%, una especificidad de 81.2%, en la edad la correlación más alta fue en AG con -0.252. Conclusión: Los coeficientes más potentes fueron en LRm, AI y AB con 0.608, 0.606 y 0.604 respectivamente. La mayor diferencia se encontró en el ancho intercondilar con 9.3 mm entre los sexos, en general el porcentaje de precisión predictiva fue de 83.9% en una población egipcia muy parecido a este estudio. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the precision of the estimation of sex and age using the morphometry of the mandibular ramus through a multiple linear regression model including the intercondylar width, the bigonial width, the coronoid length, the length of the mandibular ramus, the length of the condyle, the maximum width of the mandibular ramus and the gonial angle in a Peruvian adult population 2014-2019. Material and methods: 174 computed tomography scans from 18 to 60 years of age were used and the variables intercondylar width (AI), bigonial width (AB), coronoid length (CLr), condyle length (LC), ramus length mandibular ramus (MRm), maximum width of the mandibular ramus (MRAm) and gonial angle (AG) of the right side of the mandible. Results: The independent samples t-test determined that the greatest difference between the sexes was in the LC variable with 6.9225 mm, the discriminant function obtained a correct classification rate of the sex with 82.7% and with the multiple logistic regression model a sensitivity in the female sex of 81.2%, a specificity of 85.7%, the male sex a sensitivity of 85.7%, a specificity of 81.2%, in age the highest correlation was in AG with -0.252. Discussion: The most powerful coefficients were in LRm, AI and AB with 0.608, 0.606 and 0.604 respectively. The greatest difference was found in the intercondylar width with 9.3 mm between the sexes, in general the percentage of predictive accuracy was 83.9% in an Egyptian population very similar to this study. (AU)

Nematicidal activity of leaf extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. against Haemonchus contortus and Nacobbus aberrans.

In the present study, the nematicidal activity of a Moringa oleifera ethyl acetate leaf extract against the eggs and larvae of Haemonchus contortus and Nacobbus aberrans, nematodes of agricultural importance, was evaluated. The experimental design for the evaluation of the effects against both nematodes consisted of eight treatments (n = 4). Distilled water, Tween (4%) and a commercial anthelmintic agent (ivermectin, 5 mg/mL) were used as controls, and for treatments 4-8, the concentrations of the extract were 20, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 mg/mL, respectively. Readings were taken at 12 h and 24 h for N. aberrans and 48 h and 72 h for H. contortus post-treatment under an optical microscope (10× and 40×). The data obtained were analysed by analysis of variance through a completely randomized factorial design using the SAS V9 program. The results show that, for H. contortus egg hatching, 85.88% inhibition was obtained at a concentration of 20 mg/mL at 48 h, while for third-stage larva (L3) mortality, the highest percentage was 68.19% at 1.25 mg/mL at 72 h. In the case of N. aberrans, the greatest inhibition of egg hatching was 90.69% at 5 mg/mL at 12 h post-treatment, and for larval mortality, it was 100% at 10 mg/mL at 24 h post-treatment. The main major compounds identified by qualitative analysis and by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry were 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, (Z,Z,Z)-, n-hexadecanoic acid and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, and the minor compounds included phytol, γ-sitosterol and α-tocopheryl acetate. It was demonstrated that the ethyl acetate leaf extract of M. oleifera Lam. shows great potential for combating agricultural nematodes.

Avian predators taste reject mimetic prey in relation to their signal reliability.

Aposematic organisms defend themselves through various means to increase their unprofitability to predators which they advertise with conspicuous warning signals. Predators learn to avoid aposematic prey through associative learning that leads to lower predation. However, when these visual signals become unreliable (e.g., through automimicry or Batesian mimicry), predators may switch from using visual signals to taste sampling prey to choose among them. In this experiment, we tested this possibility in a field experiment where we released a total of 4800 mealworm prey in two clusters consisting of either: (i) undefended prey (injected with water) and (ii) model-mimics (injected with either quinine sulphate [models] or water [mimics]). Prey were deployed at 12 sites, with the mimic frequency of the model-mimics ranging between 0 and 1 (at 0.2 intervals). We found that taste rejection peaked at moderate mimic frequencies (0.4 and 0.6), supporting the idea that taste sampling and rejection of prey is related to signal reliability and predator uncertainty. This is the first time that taste-rejection has been shown to be related to the reliability of prey signals in a mimetic prey system.

Maternal cardiac function in twin pregnancy at 19-23 weeks' gestation.

OBJECTIVES: To compare maternal cardiovascular indices at 19-23 weeks' gestation between twin and singleton pregnancies and assess the impact of chorionicity on these parameters. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study in women with twin pregnancy attending for a hospital visit at 19 + 1 to 24 + 3 weeks' gestation. This visit included recording of maternal demographic characteristics and medical history and maternal cardiovascular assessment. In a previous study of 4795 women with singleton pregnancies at 19-23 weeks' gestation, multivariable linear regression models were fitted between the various cardiovascular indices and elements of maternal characteristics and medical history. In this study, we calculated multiples of the median (MoM) and delta values according to the singleton models and assessed the distributional properties of these MoM and delta values in twin as compared with singleton pregnancies. RESULTS: The study population of 155 women with twin pregnancy included 86 dichorionic and 69 monochorionic cases. In general, there was a similar distribution of maternal cardiovascular indices in monochorionic and dichorionic twin pregnancies. In both types of twin pregnancy, compared with singleton pregnancy, there was an increase in isovolumetric relaxation time, left atrial area and myocardial performance index, and a decrease in mitral valve E/A. Left ventricular mass indexed for body surface area and relative wall thickness were also increased in twin compared with singleton pregnancy. The magnitude of the increase in left atrial area was greater in dichorionic compared with monochorionic pregnancies. Additionally, mitral valve E was decreased and left atrial volume was increased in dichorionic but not in monochorionic pregnancies, while isovolumetric contraction time was increased in monochorionic but not in dichorionic pregnancies. Left ventricular myocardial deformation was similar between twin and singleton pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: In twin pregnancies at mid-gestation, maternal systolic and diastolic function is reduced when compared with singletons. The patterns of cardiovascular adaptation are similar between monochorionic and dichorionic pregnancies and resemble those reported in uncomplicated singleton pregnancy later in gestation. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

[Prognostic power of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) for short-term mortality in patients seen in Emergency Departments due to infections]. / Poder pronóstico de mortalidad a corto plazo del receptor soluble activador del plasminógeno tipo uroquinasa (suPAR) en los pacientes atendidos en urgencias por infección.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse and compare 30-day mortality prognostic power of several biomarkers (C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, lactate and suPAR) in patients seen in emergency departments (ED) due to infections. Secondly, if these could improve the accuracy of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA). METHODS: A prospective, observational and analytical study was carried out on patients who were treated in an ED of one of the eight participating hospitals. An assessment was made of 32 independent variables that could influence mortality at 30 days. They covered epidemiological, comorbidity, functional, clinical and analytical factors. RESULTS: The study included 347 consecutive patients, 54 (15.6%) of whom died within 30 days of visiting the ED. SUPAR has got the best biomarker area under the curve (AUC)-ROC to predict mortality at 30 days of 0.836 (95% CI: 0.765-0.907; P <.001) with a cut-off > 10 ng/mL who had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 86%. The score qSOFA ≥ 2 had AUC-ROC of 0.707 (95% CI: 0.621-0.793; P < .001) with sensitivity of 53% and a specificity of 89%. The mixed model (suPAR > 10 ng/mL plus qSOFA ≥ 2) has improved the AUC-ROC to 0.853 [95% CI: 0.790-0.916; P < .001] with the best prognostic performance: sensitivity of 39% and a specificity of 97% with a negative predictive value of 90%. CONCLUSIONS: suPAR showed better performance for 30-day mortality prognostic power from several biomarkers in the patients seen in ED due to infections. Score qSOFA has better performance that SRIS and the mixed model (qSOFA ≥ 2 plus suPAR > 10 ng/mL) increased the ability of qSOFA.

BSHI/BTS guidance on crossmatching before deceased donor kidney transplantation.

All UK H&I laboratories and transplant units operate under a single national kidney offering policy, but there have been variations in approach regarding when to undertake the pre-transplant crossmatch test. In order to minimize cold ischaemia times for deceased donor kidney transplantation we sought to find ways to be able to report a crossmatch result as early as possible in the donation process. A panel of experts in transplant surgery, nephrology, specialist nursing in organ donation and H&I (all relevant UK laboratories represented) assessed evidence and opinion concerning five factors that relate to the effectiveness of the crossmatch process, as follows: when the result should be ready for reporting; what level of donor HLA typing is needed; crossmatch sample type and availability; fairness and equity; risks and patient safety. Guidelines aimed at improving practice based on these issues are presented, and we expect that following these will allow H&I laboratories to contribute to reducing CIT in deceased donor kidney transplantation.

Dietary and sociodemographic factors associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver in obese pediatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children. Our aim was to analyze the association of dietary and sociodemographic factors with NAFLD in obese children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three obese patients from 6-16 years of age were included in the present analytic cross-sectional study. Obesity was diagnosed with a body mass index z-score > 2 SD. NAFLD was estimated by liver ultrasound, serum amino transferases, and elastography. The sociodemographic variables were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Diet was estimated through two 24-h recall dietary surveys focused on the quantity of food energy, simple sugars, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and antioxidants. RESULTS: Hepatic steatosis was identified by abdominal ultrasound in 13 patients (39.4%) and the serum alanine aminotransferase level was above the upper reference value in 54.2%. A higher educational level in both parents, greater monthly food expenditure, and a higher socioeconomic level were associated with NAFLD. Overall, simple sugar and saturated fat consumption was above the recommended daily intake, whereas vitamin E and PUFA consumption was below those parameters. CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD was identified in one-third of the cases. There was an association between NAFLD and sociodemographic variables. Both groups had an increased intake of simple sugars and a reduced intake of PUFAs. The selective occurrence of NAFLD could be related to a genetic predisposition that has been demonstrated in a Mexican population.

Three-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac strain imaging in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with premature cardiovascular disease and adverse cardiovascular outcome in the mother. Subclinical cardiac functional changes in the left ventricle have been reported during pregnancy in women with GDM using conventional echocardiography, but results are inconsistent. The aims of the current study were to assess whether GDM is associated with biventricular systolic dysfunction in the mother and whether these cardiac changes can be detected using the novel echocardiographic modalities of strain imaging and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in women with GDM and controls examined at 26-40 weeks of gestation. All women underwent echocardiography, and 3D volumes of the left and right ventricles and left atrium were collected. Ejection fraction and left ventricular mass were measured using 3D echocardiography. Left ventricular mass was indexed to body surface area. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was used to assess global longitudinal strain of the left and right ventricles and strain of the left atrium. RESULTS: The study population included 123 women with GDM and 246 controls. Women with GDM, compared to controls, were older (35.1 ± 5.2 vs 32.4 ± 5.5 years; P < 0.001), had higher body mass index (30.6 (interquartile range (IQR), 26.2-35.2) vs 27.5 (IQR, 24.7-30.7) kg/m2 ; P < 0.001) and had higher systolic blood pressure (119.9 ± 11.2 vs 116.4 ± 12.0 mmHg; P = 0.007). In all women with GDM, there was good glycemic control. In women with GDM, compared to controls, there was lower global longitudinal strain of the left ventricle (-19.3% (IQR, -21.4 to -17.6%) vs -20.1% (IQR, -22.1 to -18.7%); P = 0.002) and right ventricle (-22.2% (IQR, -26.1 to -19.8%) vs -24.1% (IQR, -27.0 to -21.9%); P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in ejection fraction, left ventricular mass, diastolic function assessed by left atrial strain, or 3D functional indices. CONCLUSIONS: Women with GDM, compared to women with uncomplicated pregnancy, have lower left and right ventricular myocardial deformation. Volumetric assessment using 3D echocardiography does not provide additional information about maternal cardiac function. Strain imaging is a sensitive echocardiographic modality to detect early cardiac functional changes in women with GDM. Further studies are needed to assess the pattern of deterioration of cardiac function with advancing age in women with a history of GDM. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

A multimodal intervention program to control a long-term Acinetobacter baumannii endemic in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii causes frequently nosocomial infections worldwide. Its ability to survive on dry surfaces facilitates its spread and the persistence of endemic situations, especially in the intensive care units (ICUs).The objective of this paper is to describe a multicomponent intervention program designed to control a hyperendemic persistence of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (MDR-Ab) and to characterize its impact. Methods: Design: Quasi-experimental intervention study based on open cohorts.Setting: Public tertiary referral centre. Period: January 2009-August 2017.Intervention: multifaceted program based on environmental decontamination, hand hygiene, antimicrobial stewardship, contact precautions, active surveillance, weekly reports and regular meetings.Analysis: joinpoint regression and interrupted time-series analysis. Results: The intervention was successfully implemented. Through the study period, the compliance with contact precautions changed from 0 to 100% and with hand hygiene, from 41.8 to 82.3%. Between 2012 and 2016, the antibiotic consumption decreased from 165.35 in to 150.44 daily-defined doses/1000 patients-days in the ICU. The incidence density of MDR-Ab in the ICU was 10.9 cases/1000 patients-days at the beginning of the intervention. After this moment, the evolution of the incidence density of MDR-Ab was: between months 0 and 6°, it remained stable; between months 7° and 10°: there was an intense decrease, with an average monthly percentage change (AMPC) = - 30.05%; from 11° month until the end, the decrease was lighter but continuous (AMPC:-2.77%), achieving an incidence density of 0 cases/1000 patients-days on the 18° month, without any new case for 12 months. From the 30° month until the end of the study period, several little outbreaks of MDR-Ab were detected, all of them rapidly controlled. The strains of MDR-Ab isolated during these outbreaks were not clonally related with the previously endemic one, which supports its eradication from the environmental reservoirs. Conclusion: The multicomponent intervention performed by a multidisciplinary team was effective to eradicate the endemic MDR-Ab.

[Incorporate hemodialysis patient's satisfaction to quality management]. / Incorporar la satisfacción del paciente de hemodiálisis a la gestión de la calidad.

INTRODUCTION: Application of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology can be used to identify the requirements that determine patient perception of health care quality. The objective was to identify patient requirements in a Hemodialysis unit using QFD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Setting was Hemodialysis unit at the Infanta Sofia Hospital (Madrid). Matrix analysis based on the QFD method was performed from the qualitative approaches of the patient satisfaction. This was expressed by the Donabedian quality measurement model with a focus group for qualitative data. RESULTS: The analysis of the matrix revealed the characteristics of the process which have a major influence on the service quality, related to patient satisfaction, this were recorded for future designs, services and improvements of the process, through a reliable healthcare monitoring service. CONCLUSIONS: QFD allows understanding patients requirements and to include them for continuous improvement of quality in services.

E3 ubiquitin ligases LNX1 and LNX2 are major regulators of the presynaptic glycine transporter GlyT2.

The neuronal glycine transporter GlyT2 is an essential regulator of glycinergic neurotransmission that recaptures glycine in presynaptic terminals to facilitate transmitter packaging in synaptic vesicles. Alterations in GlyT2 expression or activity result in lower cytosolic glycine levels, emptying glycinergic synaptic vesicles and impairing neurotransmission. Lack of glycinergic neurotransmission caused by GlyT2 loss-of-function mutations results in Hyperekplexia, a rare neurological disease characterized by generalized stiffness and motor alterations that may cause sudden infant death. Although the importance of GlyT2 in pathology is known, how this transporter is regulated at the molecular level is poorly understood, limiting current therapeutic strategies. Guided by an unbiased screening, we discovered that E3 ubiquitin ligase Ligand of Numb proteins X1/2 (LNX1/2) modulate the ubiquitination status of GlyT2. The N-terminal RING-finger domain of LNX1/2 ubiquitinates a cytoplasmic C-terminal lysine cluster in GlyT2 (K751, K773, K787 and K791), and this process regulates the expression levels and transport activity of GlyT2. The genetic deletion of endogenous LNX2 in spinal cord primary neurons causes an increase in GlyT2 expression and we find that LNX2 is required for PKC-mediated control of GlyT2 transport. This work identifies, to our knowledge, the first E3 ubiquitin-ligases acting on GlyT2, revealing a novel molecular mechanism that controls presynaptic glycine availability. Providing a better understanding of the molecular regulation of GlyT2 may help future investigations into the molecular basis of human disease states caused by dysfunctional glycinergic neurotransmission, such as hyperekplexia and chronic pain.

Bacterial succession and co-occurrence patterns of an enriched marine microbial community during light crude oil degradation in a batch reactor.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic changes in the bacterial structure and potential interactions of an acclimatized marine microbial community during a light crude oil degradation experiment. METHODS AND RESULTS: The bacterial community effectively removed 76·49% of total petroleum hydrocarbons after 30 days, as evidenced by GC-FID and GC-MS analyses. Short-chain alkanes and specific aromatic compounds were completely degraded within the first 6 days. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene indicated that the starting bacterial community was mainly composed by Marinobacter and more than 30 non-dominant genera. Bacterial succession was dependent on the hydrocarbon uptake with Alcanivorax becoming dominant during the highest degradation period. Sparse correlations for compositional data algorithm revealed one operational taxonomic unit (OTU) of Muricauda and an assembly of six OTUs of Alcanivorax dieselolei and Alcanivorax hongdengensis as critical keystone components for the consortium network maintenance and stability. CONCLUSIONS: This work exhibits a stabilized marine bacterial consortium with the capability to efficiently degrade light crude oil in 6 days, under laboratory conditions. Successional and interaction patterns were observed in response to hydrocarbon consumption, highlighting potential interactions between Alcanivorax and keystone non-dominant OTUs over time. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our results contribute to the understanding of interactions and potential roles of specific members of hydrocarbonoclastic marine bacterial communities, which will be useful for further bioaugmentation studies concerning the associations between indigenous and introduced micro-organisms.

Quadriceps muscle characteristics and subcutaneous fat assessed by ultrasound and relationship with function in patients with knee osteoarthritis awaiting knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe knee osteoarthritis are evaluated for total knee replacement (TKR), whose main indications are persistent pain and severe functional limitations substantially affecting mobility. However, evaluation of pain intensity and functional disability is difficult to standardize. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between quadriceps muscle thickness (QMT) and quality; the QMT and subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and QMT and function in patients with knee OA on a waiting list for TKR. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in consecutively-enrolled patients. Variables: SFT, QMT and rectus femoris muscle quality, assessed by echointensity (EI). Function by the Timed Up & Go Test (TUG); sociodemographic and clinical variables and physical activity were determined. Karl Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression were used. RESULTS: 61 patients (45 female, mean age 69.7 years [SD 7.2], mean BMI 33.0 [SD 5.7], mean comorbidities 3.3 [SD 2.0], 52.5% regular physical activity) were studied. Mean TUG was 15.1 (SD 6.1). Variables retained in the regression model explained 36% of variability in the TUG. Greater muscle content (percentage) (r = -0,291) was associated with better TUG scores (p = 0.001). Greater muscle EI was negatively (r = -0,364) associated with function (p = 0.006). Older age was associated with worse TUG scores while regular physical activity was associated with better TUG scores (p = 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A higher percentage of quadriceps muscle and better muscle quality (lower EI) was associated with better function. Age and exercise levels influenced function. Ultrasound may provide.

Cold Interests, Hot Conflicts: How a Professional Association Responded to a Change in Political Regimes.

In South America, the 1970s began with ardent sociopolitical crises leading to a wave of repressive military regimes. In Chile, most professional bodies suffered profound structural and functional modifications resulting from internal political polarization as well as state intervention. Nurses saw the same fate befall them, which created both a historical blackout and abrupt changes in power dynamics. Given the prominence of this process in the reconfiguration of modern nursing's identity, this article traces the association's political process during the short-lived 1970s Marxist-inspired government and the response of nurses collectively to the rapid shift into a repressive regime leading to a profound internal crisis and an identity break-up within nursing. By using archival sources and oral testimonies1 of 1970s and 1980s nurses, we reconstruct a historical account of a key period in the history of the country that for the nurses meant a progression of discord and division along with a self-imposed silence on the past. In so doing, the article adds to a growing literature on the participation of women in political life.

Brominated Flame Retardants in Sediments of Four Coastal Lagoons of Yucatan, Mexico.

We examined the sediments of four coastal lagoons (Ria Lagartos, Bocas de Dzilam, Laguna de Chelem and Ria Celestun) from the state of Yucatan, Mexico, for three widely used commercial polybrominated diphenyl ethers formulations (penta-, octa- and deca-BDE). The most commonly found congeners in all four lagoons were BDEs 47, 99 and 100 (all in the penta-BDE formulation) and BDE209 (deca-BDE formulation). The greatest variety and highest concentrations of brominated flame retardants were found in Ria Lagartos, which also showed the highest BDE 100 concentration (24.129 ng/g). Hexabromocyclododecane was found in all lagoons, but at lower concentrations than those of the various polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Dispersal routes of these compounds are discussed, such as a ring of sinkholes (cenotes) adjacent to the lagoons. Moreover, electronic waste is a serious problem because municipal landfills have been the primary disposal method for these wastes and therefore represent a reservoir of brominated fire retardants.