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Technological and mathematical advances have provided opportunities to investigate new approaches for the holistic quantification of complex biological systems. One objective of these approaches, including the multi-inverse deterministic approach proposed in this paper, is to deepen the understanding of biological systems through the structural development of a useful, best-fitted inverse mechanistic model. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the capacity of a deterministic approach, that is, the multi-inverse approach (MIA), to yield meaningful quantitative nutritional information. To this end, a case study addressing the effect of diet composition on sheep weight was performed using data from a previous experiment on saccharina (a sugarcane byproduct), and an inverse deterministic model (named Paracoa) was developed. The MIA successfully revealed an increase in the final weight of sheep with an increase in the percentage of corn in the diet. Although the soluble fraction also increased with increasing corn percentage, the effective nonsoluble degradation increased fourfold, indicating that the increased weight gain resulted from the nonsoluble substrate. A profile likelihood analysis showed that the potential best-fitted model had identifiable parameters, and that the parameter relationships were affected by the type of data, number of parameters and model structure. It is necessary to apply the MIA to larger and/or more complex datasets to obtain a clearer understanding of its potential.

Paciente de 78 años, varón, que acude al servicio de Seguimiento Farmacoterapéutico de nuestra farmacia, refiriendo una sensación de ahogo desde hace un tiempo, que le imposibilita el desarrollo de las actividades cotidianas.

La línea de investigación con que el Departamento de Historia Moderna de la Universidad de Salamanca ha venido abordando las diferentes perspectivas de su propia institución académica está comenzando ya a producir frutos. Refirámonos someramente al «corpus» de los libros de claustros entre 1503 y 1555 que ha dirigido el Dr. Manuel Fernández Álvarez, a los estudios sobre Colegios Mayores de la Dr? Ana Carabias Torres, o a los míos propios sobre la Universidad Salmantina del Barroco.

Banana, the main export fruit for Colombia, is threatened by Fusarium wilt (FWB), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), tropical race 4 (TR4). Pathogen containment through disinfecting tools, machinery, shoes, and any means that may carry contaminated soil particles with proper disinfectants is at the forefront of disease management. In this study, the biocide efficacy of 10 commercial quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) products and one based on glutaraldehyde (GA) were evaluated on both reproductive structures (microconidia and macroconidia) and survival spores (chlamydospores) of Foc TR4 (strain 140038) isolated from La Guajira, Colombia. QACs were evaluated at 1200 ppm and two exposure times: Foc TR4 chlamydospores, respectively, after Foc TR4 propagules after 15 min for all concentrations tested.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar un diagnóstico de las empresas agropecuarias que ofertan sus productos por Internet. El área de estudio consistió en empresas agropecuarias mexicanas que se anuncian por Internet. Una búsqueda en línea se llevó a cabo para generar una base de datos de 481 empresas agropecuarias anunciadas en sitios mexicanos que tuvieran como requisito principal un correo electrónico. Posteriormente, se realizó una encuesta con preguntas orientadas a conocer la situación actual del comercio electrónico. Para incrementar su confiabilidad, se envió varias veces la encuesta utilizando los conceptos del método Delphi y el muestreo simple aleatorio. La información se analizó y se obtuvo el tamaño de muestra para estimar proporciones o porcentajes de acuerdo a la fórmula empleada por el diseño de muestra y muestreo aleatorio simple. El tamaño de muestra calculado por este procedimiento fue de 40 empresas, mismas que representaron a la población con un 95% de confianza, y una varianza estimada de alrededor de 0.56%. El 95.0% de las empresas que se anuncian por Internet se originaron fuera de él y no han conseguido sus objetivos que se plantearon al momento de moverse hacia el Internet.

El estudio fue realizado en el trópico húmedo del sureste mexicano con el objetivo de estimar la partici-pación de las Asociaciones en el acopio y comercialización de cacao en Tabasco, México, durante el ciclo de cosecha 1999 - 2000. Para analizar el acopio y comercialización del cacao se aplicó un censo y entrevistas participativas a los Presidentes de las 27 Asociaciones ubicadas en el estado de Tabasco. Las variables consideradas fueron: acopio de cacao, precio de compra y venta de cacao, crédito, infraestructura vehicular, años de estudio y de trabajo de los Presidentes; estas variables se analizaron mediante correlación lineal simple. Con las variables de acopio y venta, se obtuvieron algunos estadísticos descriptivos, tales como la media aritmética y porcentajes. Los resultados indicaron que del volumen estatal (22 289 t) de grano seco cosechado durante el ciclo de producción 1999 - 2000; la Unión Nacional de Productores de Cacao (UNPC) acopió 17.7%. Del total del cacao beneficiado (8 142 t) por las Asociaciones, éstas vendieron a la UNPC 37.3 %, y 62.7% fue comercializado a empresas privadas.

Se aislaron, identificaron y caracterizaron 20 cepas de bacterias ácido lácticas (BAL) de un “queso crema tropical” tradicionalmente fabricado con leche bronca. Las 20 cepas de BAL utilizadas crecieron en leche descremada y cada una de ellas fue evaluada mediante su poder acidificante (pH) en cuatro tiempos de incubación (6, 24, 48 y 72 h) y tres temperaturas de fermentación (30, 37 y 42oC). En base al pH más bajo, se seleccionaron seis cepas para fabricar un “queso tipo crema tropical” con leche pasteurizada. Las cepas fueron caracterizadas mediante pruebas bioquímicas (fermentación de carbohidratos y producción de amonio a partir de arginina) y de secuenciación del 16S rDNA. Se identificaron cinco especies de Lactobacillus fermentum y una especie de Lactobacillus pentosus. Entre las temperaturas de fermentación y el tiempo de incubación se estimaron diferencias significativas (p < 0.05) en cada una de las cepas. En las temperaturas de 37oC y 42oC se produjeron los valores de pH más bajos a las 72 horas de incubación. Además, el ácido láctico, ácido acético, ácido propiónico y ácido butírico en leche fermentada se evaluaron con cada cepa y no hubo diferencias significativas en los niveles de producción de dichos metabolitos (p > 0.05). Asimismo, se realizaron pruebas que incluyeron cuentas totales de flora no láctica, cuenta de BAL, coliformes totales, Escherichia coli, hongos y levaduras en el queso crema elaborado con leche pasteurizada y como referencia se uso al queso crema artesanal.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la variabilidad disponible en 21 genotipos de Brachiaria humi-dícola en cuanto a la concentración de proteína y producción de materia seca, durante la época seca del año. El estudio se realizó durante los meses de marzo, abril y mayo de los años 2004 y 2005, sin aplicar riego ni fertilizante al suelo. Se realizaron tres cosechas por genotipo en cada año, con un tiempo de rebrote de cada cosecha que varió de 33 a 35 d. El experimento fue establecido bajo un diseño de bloques completos al azar en arreglo de parcelas subdivididas. Los resultados mostraron una importante variabilidad entre los genotipos (p ≤ 0.0001) para la concentración de proteína dentro del año, la cual varió de 101.1 a 119.5 g kg-1 de MS, valores que corresponden a los genotipos 26 160 y 26 413. Los genotipos 26 413 y 16 891 fueron los que presentaron las concentraciones de proteína más elevadas pero, sin ser significativamente superiores (p > 0.05) al genotipo 679 (Humidicola comercial). Además, la concentración de proteína mostró una estabilidad importante al ambiente al no interactuar ni con el año ni con la fecha de corte (p > 0.05).

Se evaluó el potencial de un consorcio microbiano constituido por bacterias (Pseudomonas sp y Serratia marcescens y hongos (Aspergillus sp y Trichoderma sp) y de fertilizante inorgánico incorporados al suelo en la biorremediación, y el potencial del pasto egipto (Brachiaria mutica) y de la leguminosa guaje (Leucaena leucocephala) en la fitorremediación de un suelo contaminado con petróleos nuevo (PN) recién incorporado al suelo y el intemperizado (PI) procedente de derrames crónicos de petróleo desde hace 25 años. El experimento fue factorial 4x3x2x2, estos fueron petróleo [150 mg kg-1 de hidrocarburos totales del petróleo (HTP) de origen biogénico, 50 000 y 78 000 mg kg-1 HTP de PN y 79 457 mg kg-1 HTP de PI], planta (sin planta, con planta de pasto egipto o de guaje),consorcio microbiano (sin inóculo y con inóculo, 5 mL de inóculo bacteriano con 250 x 10 6 UFC mL-1 + 40x105 UFC de hongos mL-1) y fertilizante (sin fertilizante y con fertilizante, dosis 160-50-00). Se evaluaron 48 tratamientos. Se cuantificaron al inicio (día 1) y al final (día 158) la degradación de los HTP y las poblaciones de bacterias y hongos. La medición de bacterias y hongos se realizó con el método de recuento en cajas Petri. La extracción de HTP se efectuó con diclorometano, procedimiento EPA 418.1 y la cuantificación por gravimetría según la NMX-AA-134-SCFI-2006. La interacción de rizósfera, consorcio microbiano y el fertilizante originaron efectos positivos significativos (Tukey p ≤ 0.05), promovieron la degradación del PN y el PI.

The application of a 3D domain decomposition finite-element and spherical mode expansion for the design of planar ESPAR (electronically steerable passive array radiator) made with probe-fed circular microstrip patches is presented in this work. A global generalized scattering matrix (GSM) in terms of spherical modes is obtained analytically from the GSM of the isolated patches by using rotation and translation properties of spherical waves. The whole behaviour of the array is characterized including all the mutual coupling effects between its elements. This procedure has been firstly validated by analyzing an array of monopoles on a ground plane, and then it has been applied to synthesize a prescribed radiation pattern optimizing the reactive loads connected to the feeding ports of the array of circular patches by means of a genetic algorithm.

In this paper we explore the effects of self-obscuration in protostellar disks with a radially decreasing temperature gradient and a colder midplane. We are motivated by recent reports of resolved dark lanes (“hamburgers”) and (sub)millimeter spectral indices systematically below the ISM value for optically thin dust, αISM = 3.7. We explore several model grids, scaling disk mass and varying inclination angle i and observing frequency ν from the VLA Ka band (∼37 GHz) to ALMA Band 8 (∼405 GHz). We also consider the effects of decreasing the index of the (sub-)millimeter dust opacity power-law β from 1.7 to 1. We find that a distribution of disk masses in the range Mdisk = 0.01–2 M⊙ is needed to reproduce the observed distribution of spectral indices, and that assuming a fixed β = 1.7 gives better results than β = 1. A wide distribution of disk masses is also needed to produce some cases with α < 2, as reported for some sources in the literature. Such extremely low spectral indices arise naturally when the selected observing frequencies sample the appropriate change in the temperature structure of the optically thick model disk. Our results show that protostellar disk masses could often be underestimated by > ×10, and are consistent with recent hydrodynamical simulations. Although we do not rule out the possibility of some grain growth occurring within the short protostellar timescales, we conclude that self-obscuration needs to be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massive star-forming regions exhibit a rich chemistry with complex gas distributions, especially on small scales. While surveys have yielded constraints on typical gas conditions, they often have coarse spatial resolution and limited bandwidths. Thus, to establish an interpretative framework for these efforts, detailed observations that simultaneously provide high sensitivity, spatial resolution, and large bandwidths for a subset of diverse sources are needed. Here, we present wide-band (≈32 GHz) Submillimeter Array (SMA) observations of four high-mass star-forming regions (G28.20-0.05, G20.08-0.14 N, G35.58-0.03, and W33 Main) at subarcsecond resolution, where we detect and spatially resolve hundreds of lines from over 60 molecules, including many complex organic molecules (COMs). The chemical richness of our sample is consistent with an evolutionary sequence from the line-rich hot cores and hypercompact H ii regions of G28.20-0.05 and G20.08-0.14 N to the more chemically modest ultracompact H ii regions in G35.58-0.03, followed by the molecule-poor H ii region W33 Main. We detect lines across a range of excitation conditions ( E _u ≈ 20 to ≳800 K) and from numerous isotopologues, which enables robust estimates of gas properties. We derive nearly constant COM column density ratios that agree with literature values in other low- and high-mass protostellar cores, supporting the idea that COM abundances are set during the pre-stellar phase. In all regions, we identify spatial offsets among different molecular families, due to a combination of source physical structure and chemistry. In particular, we find potential evidence of carbon grain sublimation in G28.20-0.05 and identify an elemental oxygen gradient and rich sulfur chemistry in G35.58-0.03. Overall, these results demonstrate that the SMA's wide bandwidth is a powerful tool to untangle the complex molecular gas structures associated with massive star formation.

Earth construction is a revisited topic due to the low-cost self-production employed in communities and locations where conventional materials (concrete and steel) are not available. One of the properties that are popularly recognized for earth-based buildings is the pleasant indoor thermal sensation. This article presents the development of a model to characterize the temperature of the indoor air applied to adobe houses located in San Carlos, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The model is developed from the heat transfer equations in an ideal case where the temperature is modified by conduction through the wall, and the interior air is heated by convection. In the ideal case, it is considered that there are no doors or windows open because it is what commonly occurs in the earth-based houses during the warmest period of the year. It was found that for a thickness greater than 10 cm there is no significant increase in temperature assuming an outside temperature above 40 °C and an initial indoor temperature of 25 °C. The model characterizes and predict a strong relation between the physical properties of the air and the wall, the thickness of the wall, the dimensions and shape of the room, and the roughness of the outer wall. This consideration makes it possible to quantitatively estimate comfortability based on indoor temperature and wall thickness, which is an expected behavior according to literature. This is important because not only has an impact on the construction of new buildings but also in the critical maintenance of existing houses.

ABSTRACT Objective Ultrasonography (US) is the best diagnostic tool for initial assessment of thyroid nodule. Recently, data reporting systems for thyroid lesions, such as the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) and American Thyroid Association (ATA), which stratifies the risk for malignancy, have demonstrated good performance in differentiating malignant thyroid nodules. The purpose of this study is to determine the reliability of both data reporting systems in predicting thyroid malignancy in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and methods We evaluated 195 thyroid nodules using modified TI-RADS and ATA risk stratification. The results were compared to the cyto-pathology analysis. Histopathological results were available for 45 cases after surgery, which is considered the golden standard for diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Results When compared with cytological results, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were 100, 61.1, 100, and 63%, respectively, for TI-RADS; and 100, 75, 100, and 76%, respectively, for ATA. When compared with histopathological results, sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and accuracy were 90, 51.4, 94.7, and 60% respectively, for TI-RADS; and 100, 60, 100, and 68%, respectively, for ATA. All patients with malignant nodules were classified in the categories 4 or 5 of TI-RADS and in the intermediate or high suspicion risk according to the ATA system. Conclusion Both TI-RADS and the ATA guidelines have high sensitivity and NPV for the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma. These systems are feasible for clinical application, allowing to better select patients to undergo fine-needle aspiration biopsies.

Two microsporidian species infect honeybees worldwide, Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae. Two different clinical patterns are considered: nosemosis type A (N. apis) and nosemosis type C (N. ceranae). Nosemosis type A is characterized in acute forms and nosemosis type C shows no clear outward clinical signs. The development of a rapid and simple tool for Nosema detection could allow beekeepers or veterinarians to carry out diagnostic tests in situ. Currently, PCR and microscopy are expensive techniques that require qualified staff and may not be available in every laboratory. The present study describes the production and characterization of four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against N. ceranae and N. apis, and the development of an IFAT. An IFAT using the mAbs was compared with microscopy and PCR for 180 beehive samples. The diagnostic test revealed similar sensitivity and specificity percentages to IFAT (97.79% and 93.18%, respectively) and microscopy (97.79% and 95.45%), considering 100% for the PCR as the 'gold standard'. A mAb (7D2) was patented for its high specificity for N. ceranae. The IFAT using the mAbs is a good alternative to microscopy and PCR in laboratories where PCR is not available for the detection and identification of both Nosema spp., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Using density-functional theory calculations, we determined the pressure domain of stability of beryllium metasilicate, BeSiO 3 , an elusive compound for which no stable polymorph is known until now. We found that BeSiO 3 is stable at pressures above 9 GPa, a condition that makes it accessible with a large-volume press. After considering the cubic, orthorhombic, and hexagonal perovskite structures and the Ilmenite structure, known from related compounds, we propose that the most stable structure among them is the orthorhombic perovskite structure described by space group Pnma . The unit-cell parameters of this structure are a = 4.966 Å, b = 7.160 Å, and c = 4.374 Å. We also determined the frequencies of Raman and infrared phonons, the elastic constants and modulus, and the electronic band structure for the orthorhombic perovskite structure. Finally, the pressure dependence of unit-cell parameters was calculated. Compression was found to be slightly anisotropic, with the axial compressibilities decreasing following the sequence κ b > κ c > κ a . In addition, we found that BeSiO 3 is quite incompressible with a bulk modulus of 242 GPa, which makes it one of the less compressible silicates. To understand, such a large bulk modulus, both the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and the electron localization function decomposition were utilized to analyze the bonding and to relate it to the mechanical properties.

HMGA1 is a structural epigenetic chromatin factor that has been associated with tumor progression and drug resistance. Here, we reported the prognostic/predictive value of HMGA1 for trabectedin in advanced soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) and the effect of inhibiting HMGA1 or the mTOR downstream pathway in trabectedin activity. The prognostic/predictive value of HMGA1 expression was assessed in a cohort of 301 STS patients at mRNA (n = 133) and protein level (n = 272), by HTG EdgeSeq transcriptomics and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The effect of HMGA1 silencing on trabectedin activity and gene expression profiling was measured in leiomyosarcoma cells. The effect of combining mTOR inhibitors with trabectedin was assessed on cell viability in vitro studies, whereas in vivo studies tested the activity of this combination. HMGA1 mRNA and protein expression were significantly associated with worse progression-free survival of trabectedin and worse overall survival in STS. HMGA1 silencing sensitized leiomyosarcoma cells for trabectedin treatment, reducing the spheroid area and increasing cell death. The downregulation of HGMA1 significantly decreased the enrichment of some specific gene sets, including the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. The inhibition of mTOR, sensitized leiomyosarcoma cultures for trabectedin treatment, increasing cell death. In in vivo studies, the combination of rapamycin with trabectedin downregulated HMGA1 expression and stabilized tumor growth of 3-methylcholantrene-induced sarcoma-like models. HMGA1 is an adverse prognostic factor for trabectedin treatment in advanced STS. HMGA1 silencing increases trabectedin efficacy, in part by modulating the mTOR signaling pathway. Trabectedin plus mTOR inhibitors are active in preclinical models of sarcoma, downregulating HMGA1 expression levels and stabilizing tumor growth., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Subvalent compounds raise the question of where those valence electrons not belonging to chemical bonds are. In the limiting case of Ag 7 Pt 2 O 7 , there is just one-electron excess in the chemical formula requiring the presence of Ag atoms with oxidation states below +1, assuming conventional Pt 4+ and O 2- ions. Such a situation challenges the understanding of the semiconducting and diamagnetic behavior observed in this oxide. Previous explanations that localize pairwise the electron excess in tetrahedral Ag 4 interstices do not suffice in this case, since there are six silver tetrahedral voids and only an excess of nine electrons in the unit cell. Here, we provide an alternative explanation for the subvalent nature of this compound by combining interatomic distances, electron density-based descriptors, and orbital energetic analysis criteria. As a result, Ag atoms that do not participate in their valence electron are revealed. We identify excess electrons located in isolated subvalent silver clusters with electron-deficient multicenter bonds resembling pieces of metallic bonding in fcc-Ag and Ag 7 Pt 2 alloy. Our analysis of the electronic band structure also supports the multicenter bonding picture. This combined approach from the real and reciprocal spaces reconciles existing discrepancies and is key to understanding the new chemistry of silver subvalent compounds.

In the search for new active pharmaceutical ingredients, the precise control of the chemistry of cocrystals becomes essential. One crucial step within this chemistry is proton migration between cocrystal coformers to form a salt, usually anticipated by the empirical ΔpK a rule. Due to the effective role it plays in modifying intermolecular distances and interactions, pressure adds a new dimension to the ΔpK a rule. Still, this variable has been scarcely applied to induce proton-transfer reactions within these systems. In our study, high-pressure X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy experiments, supported by DFT calculations, reveal modifications to the protonation states of the 4,4'-bipyridine (BIPY) and malonic acid (MA) cocrystal (BIPYMA) that allow the conversion of the cocrystal phase into ionic salt polymorphs. On compression, neutral BIPYMA and monoprotonated (BIPYH + MA - ) species coexist up to 3.1 GPa, where a phase transition to a structure of P2 1 /c symmetry occurs, induced by a double proton-transfer reaction forming BIPYH 2 2+ MA 2- . The low-pressure C2/c phase is recovered at 2.4 GPa on decompression, leading to a 0.7 GPa hysteresis pressure range. This is one of a few studies on proton transfer in multicomponent crystals that shows how susceptible the interconversion between differently charged species is to even slight pressure changes, and how the proton transfer can be a triggering factor leading to changes in the crystal symmetry. These new data, coupled with information from previous reports on proton-transfer reactions between coformers, extend the applicability of the ΔpK a rule incorporating the pressure required to induce salt formation., (open access.)

Microsporidia are widely spread obligate intracellular fungal pathogens from vertebrate and invertebrate organisms, mainly transmitted by contaminated food and water. This study aims to detect the presence of major human-pathogenic microsporidia, i.e., Enterocytozoon bieneusi , Encephalitozoon intestinalis , Encephalitozoon hellem , and Encephalitozoon cuniculi , in the gastrointestinal tract of commercially harvested marine fish from Mediterranean coast of the Comunidad Valenciana, Eastern Spain. A total of 251 fish, 138 farmed fish and 113 wild fish from commercial fishing were tested by SYBR Green real-time PCR, enabling the simultaneous detection of the four targeted species. E. intestinalis/hellem was found in 1.45% of farmed fish and 7.96% of wild fish, while Enterocytozoonidae was detected in 2.90% and 18.58% of farmed and wild fish, respectively. E. cuniculi was not detected in any of the analyzed specimens. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of E. intestinalis/hellem in fish, particularly in marine fish. Although the role of fish in these species' epidemiology remains unknown, this finding points out a potential public health risk linked to fish consumption. Further studies are necessary to characterize these microsporidia in fish hosts better and to elucidate their epidemiological role.

Covalent crystals such as diamonds are a class of fascinating materials that are challenging to fabricate in the form of thin films. This is because spatial kinetic control of bond formation is required to create covalently bonded crystal films. Directional crystal growth is commonly achieved by chemical vapor deposition, an approach that is hampered by technical complexity and associated high cost. Here we report on a liquid-liquid interfacial approach based on physical-organic considerations to synthesize an ultrathin covalent crystal film. By distributing reactants into separate phases using hydrophobicity, the chemical reaction is confined to an interface that orients the crystal growth. A molecular-smooth interface combined with in-plane isotropic conditions enables the synthesis of films on a centimeter size scale with a uniform thickness of 13 nm. The film exhibits considerable mechanical robustness enabling a free-standing length of 37 µm, as well as a clearly anisotropic chemical structure and crystal lattice alignment., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Microsporidia are opportunistic intracellular parasites, generating serious pathology in individuals with a compromised immune system. Infection by microsporidia inhibits p53 and Caspase 3, proteins involved in apoptosis and the cell cycle, which are vital in the malignant process of epithelial cells. The presence of microsporidia in the intestinal tissues of 87 colon cancer (CC) patients and 25 healthy controls was analyzed by real-time PCR and an immunofluorescence antibody test. Anti-Encephalitozoon antibodies were analyzed in serum samples by ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay). In 36 (41.3%) CC cases, microsporidia infections were identified in their tissues vs. no cases among control subjects (p < 0.0001). An increase in IgG and IgE anti-Encephalitozoon antibodies was found in patients with CC, which would demonstrate continuous and previous contact with the parasite. The high prevalence of microsporidia in tissues and the seroprevalence in patients with CC suggest a relationship between microsporidia and the etiopathogenesis of CC.

Lynx pardinus is one of the world's most endangered felines inhabiting the Iberian Peninsula. The present study was performed to identify the presence of microsporidia due to the mortality increase in lynxes. Samples of urine ( n = 124), feces ( n = 52), and tissues [spleen ( n = 13), brain ( n = 9), liver ( n = 11), and kidney ( n = 10)] from 140 lynxes were studied. The determination of microsporidia was evaluated using Weber's chromotrope stain and Real Time-PCR. Of the lynxes analyzed, stains showed 10.48% and 50% positivity in urine and feces samples, respectively. PCR confirmed that 7.69% and 65.38% belonged to microsporidia species. The imprints of the tissues showed positive results in the spleen (38.46%), brain (22.22%), and liver (27.27%), but negative results in the kidneys. PCR confirmed positive microsporidia results in 61.53%, 55.55%, 45.45%, and 50%, respectively. Seroprevalence against Encephalitozoon cuniculi was also studied in 138 serum samples with a positivity of 55.8%. For the first time, the results presented different species of microsporidia in the urine, feces, and tissue samples of Lynx pardinus . The high titers of anti- E. cuniculi antibodies in lynx sera confirmed the presence of microsporidia in the lynx environment. New studies are needed to establish the impact of microsporidia infection on the survival of the Iberian lynx.

The direct chemical reactivity between phosphorus and nitrogen was induced under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions (9.1 GPa and 2000-2500 K), generated by a laser-heated diamond anvil cell and studied by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. α-P 3 N 5 and γ-P 3 N 5 were identified as reaction products. The structural parameters and vibrational frequencies of γ-P 3 N 5 were characterized as a function of pressure during room-temperature compression and decompression to ambient conditions, determining the equation of state of the material up to 32.6 GPa and providing insight about the lattice dynamics of the unit cell during compression, which essentially proceeds through the rotation of the PN 5 square pyramids and the distortion of the PN 4 tetrahedra. Although the identification of α-P 3 N 5 demonstrates for the first time the direct synthesis of this compound from the elements, its detection in the outer regions of the laser-heated area suggests α-P 3 N 5 as an intermediate step in the progressive nitridation of phosphorus toward the formation of γ-P 3 N 5 with increasing coordination number of P by N from 4 to 5. No evidence of a higher-pressure phase transition was observed, excluding the existence of predicted structures containing octahedrally hexacoordinated P atoms in the investigated pressure range.

Using Lifshitz theory, we assess the role of van der Waals forces at interfaces of ice and water. The results are combined with measured structural forces from computer simulations to develop a quantitative model of the surface free energy of premelting films. This input is employed within the framework of wetting theory and allows us to predict qualitatively the behavior of quasi-liquid layer thickness as a function of ambient conditions. Our results emphasize the significance of vapor pressure. The ice-vapor interface is shown to exhibit only incomplete premelting, but the situation can shift to a state of complete surface melting above water saturation. The results obtained serve also to assess the role of subsurface freezing at the water-vapor interface, and we show that intermolecular forces favor subsurface ice nucleation only in conditions of water undersaturation. We show that ice regelation at ambient pressure may be explained as a process of capillary freezing, without the need to invoke the action of bulk pressure melting. Our results for van der Waals forces are exploited in order to gauge dispersion interactions in empirical point charge models of water.

Predictive biomarkers of trabectedin represent an unmet need in advanced soft-tissue sarcomas (STS). DNA damage repair (DDR) genes, involved in homologous recombination or nucleotide excision repair, had been previously described as biomarkers of trabectedin resistance or sensitivity, respectively. The majority of these studies only focused on specific factors (ERCC1, ERCC5, and BRCA1) and did not evaluate several other DDR-related genes that could have a relevant role for trabectedin efficacy. In this retrospective translational study, 118 genes involved in DDR were evaluated to determine, by transcriptomics, a predictive gene signature of trabectedin efficacy. A six-gene predictive signature of trabectedin efficacy was built in a series of 139 tumor samples from patients with advanced STS. Patients in the high-risk gene signature group showed a significantly worse progression-free survival compared with patients in the low-risk group (2.1 vs 6.0 months, respectively). Differential gene expression analysis defined new potential predictive biomarkers of trabectedin sensitivity (PARP3 and CCNH) or resistance (DNAJB11 and PARP1). Our study identified a new gene signature that significantly predicts patients with higher probability to respond to treatment with trabectedin. Targeting some genes of this signature emerges as a potential strategy to enhance trabectedin efficacy., (© 2021 The Authors. Molecular Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Federation of European Biochemical Societies.)

Here an all-carbon linked 3D covalent organic framework (COF) is introduced by employing a templated surface reaction in a continuous flow (TSRCF). The presented method of synthesis provides spatial control over the reaction chemistry and allows for the creation of ultrasmooth COF films of desired thickness and significant crystallinity. The films show high electrical conductivity (≈3.4 S m -1 ) after being doped with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), setting a new record for 3D COF materials. The concurrence of 3D nanosized channels and high conductivity opens up for a number of hitherto unexplored applications for this class of materials, such as high surface area electrodes, electrochemical transistors, and for electronic sensing., (© 2021 The Authors. Small published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)