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Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most frequent cause of acute flaccid paralysis. However, few studies have investigated short-term prognostic factors. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to describe the clinical characteristics of a sample of GBS patients treated at the General Hospital of Mexico and to identify the prognostic factors at discharge. Methods: A descriptive and analytical cohort study, including patients with GBS, was conducted from April 2020 to May 2022. Demographic information, comorbidities, clinical variants, neurophysiological alterations, modified Erasmus GBS Outcome Score (mEGOS) and Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score scales, etc., were collected. Functional recovery at discharge was measured with Hughes scales and Medical Research Council (MRC). A case-control analysis was performed among patients with good and poor functional recovery on discharge based on the Hughes scale. Results: Total sample was 69 patients: 74% men and 26% women, mean age: 43.7 ± 16.3 years; 38 (55%) patients presented classic variant, 22 pure motor variant (31%). Evolution time: 6.8 ± 6.7 days. Most common Hughes score at admission was 4 points (n = 54, 78%). 87% (n = 60) received plasmapheresis. 23 (33.3%) presented an axonal pattern and 46 (66.6%) demyelinating. On discharge, 31 patients had Hughes 3 or less (ambulatory) and 27 Hughes 4 or greater (non-ambulatory). When performing factor analysis, it was found that mEGOS, MRC, total lymphocytes, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were associated with the prognosis at discharge. Conclusions: The most frequent clinical variant was the classic (sensitive-motor) with demyelinating alteration; the factors related to better recovery at discharge were mEGOS, MRC on admission, total lymphocyte count, and serum CPK levels.

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, infections continue to surge globally. Presently, the most effective strategies to curb the disease and prevent outbreaks involve fostering immunity, promptly identifying positive cases, and ensuring their timely isolation. Notably, there are instances where the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains infectious even after patients have completed their quarantine. Objective: Understanding viral persistence post-quarantine is crucial as it could account for localized infection outbreaks. Therefore, studying and documenting such instances is vital for shaping future public health policies. Design: This study delves into a unique case of SARS-CoV-2 persistence in a 60-year-old female healthcare worker with a medical history of hypertension and hypothyroidism. The research spans 55 days, marking the duration between her initial and subsequent diagnosis during Chile's first COVID-19 wave, with the analysis conducted using RT-qPCR. Results: Genomic sequencing-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 detected in both Nasopharyngeal swab samples (NPSs) was consistent with the 20B clade of the Nextstrain classification, even after a 55-day interval. Conclusion: This research underscores the need for heightened vigilance concerning cases of viral persistence. Such instances, albeit rare, might be pivotal in understanding sporadic infection outbreaks that occur post-quarantine.

Mammary cancer is a frequent disease in female dogs, where a high proportion of cases correspond to malignant tumors that may exhibit drug resistance. Within the mammary tumor microenvironment, there is a cell subpopulation called cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are capable of forming spheres in vitro and resisting anti-tumor treatments, partly explaining the recurrence of some tumors. Previously, it has been described that spheres derived from canine mammary carcinoma cells CF41.Mg and REM 134 exhibit stemness characteristics. Melatonin has shown anti-tumor effects on mammary tumor cells; however, its effects have been poorly evaluated in canine mammary CSCs. This study aimed to analyze the effect of melatonin on the chemoresistance exhibited by stem-like neoplastic cells derived from canine mammary carcinoma to cytotoxic drugs such as doxorubicin and mitoxantrone. CF41.Mg and REM 134 cells were cultured in high-glucose DMEM supplemented with fetal bovine serum and L-glutamine. The spheres were cultured in ultra-low attachment plates in DMEM/F12 medium without fetal bovine serum and with different growth factors. The CD44+/CD24−/low phenotype was analyzed by flow cytometry. The viability of sphere-derived cells (MTS reduction) was studied in the presence of melatonin (0.1 or 1 mM), doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, and luzindole. In addition, the gene (RT-qPCR) of the multidrug resistance bombs MDR1 and ABCG2 were analyzed in the presence of melatonin. Both cell types expressed the MT1 gene, which encodes the melatonin receptor MT1. Melatonin 1 mM does not modify the CD44+/CD24−/low phenotype; however, the hormone reduced viability (p < 0.0001) only in CF41.Mg spheres, without inducing an additive effect when co-incubated with cytotoxic drugs. These effects were independent of the binding of the hormone to its receptor MT1, since, by pharmacologically inhibiting them, the effect of melatonin was not blocked. In CF41.Mg spheres, the relative gene expression of ABCG2 and MDR1 was decreased in response to the hormone (p < 0.001). These results indicate that melatonin negatively modulates the cell survival of spheres derived from CF41.Mg cells, in a way that is independent of its MT1 receptor. These effects did not counteract the resistance to doxorubicin and mitoxantrone, even though the hormone negatively regulates the gene expression of MDR1 and ABCG2.

The P2X7 receptor, a member of the P2X purinergic receptor family, is a non-selective ion channel. Over the years, it has been associated with various biological functions, from modulating to regulating inflammation. However, its emerging role in antigen presentation has captured the scientific community’s attention. This function is essential for the immune system to identify and respond to external threats, such as pathogens and tumor cells, through T lymphocytes. New studies show that the P2X7 receptor is crucial for controlling how antigens are presented and how T cells are activated. These studies focus on antigen-presenting cells, like dendritic cells and macrophages. This review examines how the P2X7 receptor interferes with effective antigen presentation and activates T cells and discusses the fundamental mechanisms that can affect the immune response. Understanding these P2X7-mediated processes in great detail opens up exciting opportunities to create new immunological therapies.

Acute ischemic stroke constitutes a health challenge with great social impact due to its high incidence, with the social dependency that it generates being an important source of inequality. The lack of treatments serving as effective neuroprotective therapies beyond thrombolysis and thrombectomy is presented as a need. With this goal in mind, our research group’s collaborative studies into cerebral ischemia and subsequent reperfusion concluded that there is a need to develop compounds with antioxidant and radical scavenger features. In this review, we summarize the path taken toward the identification of lead compounds as potential candidates for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Evaluations of the antioxidant capacity, neuroprotection of primary neuronal cultures and in vivo experimental models of cerebral ischemia, including neurological deficit score assessments, are conducted to characterize the biological efficacy of the various neuroprotective compounds developed. Moreover, the initial results in preclinical development, including dose–response studies, the therapeutic window, the long-term neuroprotective effect and in vivo antioxidant evaluation, are reported. The results prompt these compounds for clinical trials and are encouraging regarding new drug developments aimed at a successful therapy for ischemic stroke.

Objetivo: describir los hallazgos ecográficos en las glándulas salivares para el diagnóstico del síndrome de Sjögren primario. Metodología: se realizó una revisión narrativa de la literatura, con búsqueda en bases de datos seleccionando los principales artículos de revisión e investigaciones originales en español e inglés publicados en los últimos 20 años. Resultados: los hallazgos confirman el valor diagnóstico de la ecografía como estudio no invasivo de las glándulas salivares. Conclusión: la ecografía de glándulas salivares es un método útil y confiable para el diagnóstico del síndrome de Sjögren.

Abstract Background Recurrence and resistance of Candida spp. infections is associated with the ability of these microorganisms to present several virulence patterns such as morphogenesis, adhesion, and biofilm formation. In the search for agents with antivirulence activity, essential oils could represent a strategy to act against biofilms and to potentiate antifungal drugs. Objective To evaluate the antivirulence effect of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil (O-EO) against Candida spp. and to potentiate the effect of fluconazole and nystatin. Methods The effect of O-EO was evaluated on ATCC reference strains of C. albicans and non-albicans Candida species. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined through broth microdilution assay. Adhesion to microplates was determined by crystal violet (CV) assay. An adapted scratch assay in 24-well was used to determine the effect of essential oil on biofilms proliferation. Viability of biofilms was evaluated by MTT reduction assay and through a checkerboard assay we determined if O-EO could act synergistically with fluconazole and nystatin. Results MIC for C. albicans ATCC-90029 and ATCC-10231 was 0.01 mg/L and 0.97 mg/L, respectively. For non-albicans Candida strains MIC values were 2.6 mg/L for C. dubliniensis ATCC-CD36 and 5.3 mg/L for C. krusei ATCC-6258. By using these concentrations, O-EO inhibited morphogenesis, adhesion, and proliferation at least by 50% for the strains assayed. In formed biofilms O-EO decreased viability in ATCC 90029 and ATCC 10231 strains (IC50 7.4 and 2.8 mg/L respectively). Finally, we show that O-EO interacted synergistically with fluconazole and nystatin. Conclusions This study demonstrate that O-EO could be considered to improve the antifungal treatment against Candida spp.

Se han publicado ya las nuevas guías 2020 de recomendación clínica de la AHA/ACC para el tratamiento de pacientes con valvulopatía. Luego de un análisis profundo, con base en los más grandes estudios clínicos y en la situación en los países de Latinoamérica, la Latinoamerican Association of Cardiac & Endovascular Surgery (LACES) redactó una declaración en relación con algunas de las nuevas recomendaciones.

The variant of concern (VOC) SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1529) has been described as a highly contagious variant but less virulent than the current variant being monitored (VBM) Delta (B.1.617.2), causing fewer cases of hospitalizations, symptomatology, and deaths associated with COVID-19 disease. Although the epidemiological comparison of both variants has been previously reported in other countries, no report indicates their behavior and severity of infection in Chile. In this work, we report for the first time the effect of the Omicron and Delta variants in a cohort of 588 patients from the Hospital de Urgencia Asistencia pública (HUAP), a high-complexity health center in Santiago, Chile. This report is framed at the beginning of Chile's third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a marked increase in the Omicron variant and a decrease in the circulating Delta variant. Our results indicated a similar proportion of patients with a complete vaccination schedule for both variants. However, the Delta variant was associated with a higher prevalence of hospitalization and more significant symptomatology associated with respiratory distress. On the other hand, our data suggest that vaccination is less effective in preventing infection by the Omicron variant. This antecedent, with a low severity but high contagiousness, suggests that the Omicron variant could even collapse the primary health care service due to the high demand for health care.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex and heterogeneous disorder considered a liver-damaging manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Its prevalence has increased in the last decades due to modern-day lifestyle factors associated with overweight and obesity, making it a relevant public health problem worldwide. The clinical progression of NAFLD is associated with advanced forms of liver injury such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As such, diverse pharmacological strategies have been implemented over the last few years, principally focused on metabolic pathways involved in NAFLD progression. However, a variable response rate has been observed in NAFLD patients, which is explained by the interindividual heterogeneity of susceptibility to liver damage. In this scenario, it is necessary to search for different therapeutic approaches. It is worth noting that chronic low-grade inflammation constitutes a central mechanism in the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD, associated with abnormal composition of the intestinal microbiota, increased lymphocyte activation in the intestine and immune effector mechanisms in liver. This review aims to discuss the current knowledge about the role of the immune response in NAFLD development. We have focused mainly on the impact of altered gut-liver-microbiota axis communication on immune cell activation in the intestinal mucosa and the role of subsequent lymphocyte homing to the liver in NAFLD development. We further discuss novel clinical trials that addressed the control of the liver and intestinal immune response to complement current NAFLD therapies.

ABSTRACT Introduction: There is a lack of information about cardiac surgery training and professional practice in Latin American (LATAM) countries. This study is the first comparative analysis of cardiac surgical training and professional practice across LATAM and provides the fundamentals for future academic projects of the Latin American Association of Cardiac and Endovascular Surgery (LACES). Methods: International survey-based comparative analysis of the training and professional practice of cardiac surgeons across LATAM. Trainees (residents/fellows) and staf (graduated) surgeons from LATAM countries were included. Results: A total of 289 respondents (staf surgeons N=221 [76.5%]; residents/fellows N=68 [23.5%]) from 18 different countries participated in the survey. Most surgeons (N=92 [45.3%]) reported being unsatisfied with their salaries. Most respondents (N=181 [62.6%]) stated that it was difficult to obtain a leadership position, and 149 (73.8%) stated that it was difficult to find a job after completing training. Only half of the trainee respondents (N=32 [47.1%]) reported that their program had all resident spots occupied. Only 22.1% (N=15) of residents/fellows were satisfied with their training programs. The majority (N=205 [70.9%]) of respondents would choose cardiac surgery as their specialty again. Most surgeons (N=129 [63.9%]) and residents/fellows (N=52 [76.5%]) indicated that the establishment of a LATAM cardiac surgery board examination would be beneficial. Conclusion: Modernization and standardization of training, as well as greater access to opportunities, may be required in LATAM to increase professional satisfaction of cardiac surgeons and to reduce disparities in the specialty. Such changes may enhance the regional response to the dynamic challenges in the feld.

The current COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Many countries have reported the experience of at least two contagion waves, describing associated mortality rates and population behavior. The analysis of the effect of this pandemic in different localities can provide valuable information on the key factors to consider in the face of future massive infectious diseases. This work describes the first retrospective and comparative study about behavior during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile from a primary Healthcare Center. From 19,313 real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) tests assessed, the selected 1,694 positive diagnostics showed a decrease in mortality rate in the second wave (0.6%) compared with the first (4.6%). In addition, we observed that infections in the second wave were mainly in young patients with reduced comorbidities. The population with a complete vaccination schedule shows a decrease in the duration of symptoms related to the disease, and patients with more comorbidities tend to develop severe illness. This report provides evidence to partially understand the behavior and critical factors in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in the population of Santiago of Chile.

Introduction/Context: The use of coherent detection jointly with high-level modulation formats such as 16 and 64-QAM seems to be a convenient strategy to increment capacity of future optical access networks. However, coherent detection requires high complexity digital signal processing to mitigate different impairments. Objective: Mitigate signal distortions using nonsymmetrical demodulation techniques based on Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. Methodology: First, a single channel Nyquist m-QAM system at 28 and 32 Gbps was simulated in VPIDesignSuite software. Then, different signals modulated at 16 and 64-QAM were generated with different laser linewidth, transmission distances and launch powers. Two ML algorithms were implemented to carry out the demodulation of the generated signals. The performance of the algorithms was evaluated using the bit error rate (BER) in terms of different system parameters as laser linewidth, transmission distance, launch power and modulation format. Results: The use of ML allowed gains up to 2 dB in terms of optical signal-to-noise ratio at a BER value of for 16-QAM and 1.5 dB for 64-QAM. Also, the use of ML showed that it is possible to use a lower cost laser (100 kHz linewidth vs 25 kHz) with a better BER performance than using conventional demodulation. Conclusions: We showed that the use of both algorithms could mitigate nonlinear effects and could reduce computational complexity for future optical access networks.

Transient cerebral ischemia induces neuronal degeneration, followed in time by secondary delayed neuronal death that is strongly correlated with a permanent inhibition of protein synthesis in vulnerable brain regions, while protein translational rates are recovered in resistant areas. In the translation-regulation initiation step, the eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E is a key player regulated by its association with eIF4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs), mostly 4E-BP2 in brain tissue. In a previous work, we identified dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2 (DRP2) as a 4E-BP2-interacting protein. Here, using a proteomic approach in a model of transient cerebral ischemia, a detailed study of DRP2 was performed in order to address the challenge of translation restoration in vulnerable regions. In this report, several DRP2 isoforms that have a specific interaction with both 4E-BP2 and eIF4E were identified, showing significant and opposite differences in this association, and being differentially detected in resistant and vulnerable regions in response to ischemia reperfusion. Our results provide the first evidence of DRP2 isoforms as potential regulators of the 4E-BP2–eIF4E association that would have consequences in the delayed neuronal death under ischemic-reperfusion stress. The new knowledge reported here identifies DRP2 as a new target to promote neuronal survival after cerebral ischemia.

Objectives: To describe the kinetics of circulating cytokines and chemokines in humans with ZIKAV infection. Methods: Serum levels of different immune mediators in patients with ZIKAV infection were measured at distinct stages of the disease, as well as in culture supernatants from human monocytes infected with a clinical ZIKAV isolate. We also looked for clinical features associated with specific immune signatures among symptomatic patients. Results: We evaluated 23 ZIKAV-infected patients. Their mean age was 32 ± 8.3 years and 65% were female. ZIKAV patients showed elevated IL-9, IL-17A, and CXCL10 levels at acute stages of the disease. At day 28, levels of CCL4 and CCL5 were increased, whereas IL-1RA, CXCL8 and CCL2 were decreased. At baseline, IL-7 was increased among patients with headache, whereas CCL2, and CCL3 were decreased in patients with bleeding and rash, respectively. Our clinical ZIKAV isolate induced a broad immune response in monocytes that did not resemble the signature observed in ZIKAV patients. Conclusions: We showed a unique immune signature in our cohort of ZIKAV-infected patients. Our study may provide valuable evidence helpful to identify immune correlates of protection against ZIKAV.

The oral cavity is a complex environment constantly exposed to antigens from food and the oral microbiota. Innate immune cells play an essential role in maintaining health and homeostasis in the oral environment. However, these cells also play a significant role in disease progression. This review will focus on two innate phagocytes in the oral cavity: macrophages and neutrophils, and examine their roles during homeostasis and disease development, with a focus on periodontal disease and cancer. Macrophages have a well-known ability to polarize and be activated towards a variety of phenotypes. Several studies have found that macrophages’ polarization changes can play an essential role in maintaining health in the oral cavity and contribute to disease. Recent data also finds that neutrophils display phenotypic heterogeneity in the oral cavity. In both cases, we focus on what is known about how these cellular changes alter these immune cells’ interactions with the oral microbiota, including how such changes can lead to worsening, rather than improving, disease states.

CoronaVac vaccine from Sinovac Life Science is currently being used in several countries. In Chile, the effectiveness of preventing hospitalization is higher than 80% with a vaccination schedule. However, to date, there are no data about immune response induction or specific memory. For this reason, we recruited 15 volunteers without previous suspected/diagnosed COVID-19 and with negative PCR over time to evaluate the immune response to CoronaVac 28 and 90 days after the second immunization (dpi). The CoronaVac administration induces total and neutralizing anti-spike antibodies in all vaccinated volunteers at 28 and 90 dpi. Furthermore, using ELISpot analysis to assay cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, we found an increase in IFN-gamma- and Granzyme B-producing cells in vaccinated volunteers at 28 and 90 dpi. Together, our results indicate that CoronaVac induces a robust humoral immune response and cellular immune memory of at least 90 dpi.

Summary: T cell activation requires the processing and presentation of antigenic peptides in the context of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC complex). Cross-dressing is a non-conventional antigen presentation mechanism, involving the transfer of preformed peptide/MHC complexes from whole cells, such as apoptotic cells (ACs) to the cell membrane of professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells (DCs). This is an essential mechanism for the induction of immune response against viral antigens, tumors, and graft rejection, which until now has not been clarified. Here we show for first time that the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is crucial to induce cross-dressing between ACs and Bone-Marrow DCs (BMDCs). In controlled ex vivo assays, we found that the P2X7R in both ACs and BMDCs is required to induce membrane and fully functional peptide/MHC complex transfer to BMDCs. These findings show that acquisition of ACs-derived preformed antigen/MHC-I complexes by BMDCs requires P2X7R expression.

In our search for new neuroprotective agents for stroke therapy to improve the pharmacological profile of the compound quinolylnitrone QN23, we have prepared and studied sixteen new, related and easily available quinolylnitrones. As a result, we have identified compounds QN4 and QN15 as promising candidates showing high neuroprotection power in a cellular experimental model of ischemia. Even though they were found to be less active than our current lead compound QN23, QN4 and QN15 provide an improved potency and, particularly for QN4, an expanded range of tolerability and improved solubility compared to the parent compound. A computational DFT-based analysis has been carried out to understand the antioxidant power of quinolylnitrones QN23, QN4 and QN15. Altogether, these results show that subtle, simple modifications of the quinolylnitrone scaffold are tolerated, providing high neuroprotective activity and optimization of the pharmacological potency required for an improved design and future drug developments in the field.

Apical Lesions of Endodontic Origin (ALEO) are initiated by polymicrobial endodontic canal infection. Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Porphyromonas endodontalis (Pe) lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can induce a pro-inflammatory macrophage response through their recognition by TLR2 and TLR4. However, polarization responses induced by Pg and/or Pe LPS in macrophages are not fully understood. We aimed to characterize the polarization profiles of macrophages differentiated from THP-1 cells following Pg and/or Pe LPS stimulation from reference strain and clinical isolates. A modified LPS purification protocol was implemented and the electrophoretic LPS profiles were characterized. THP-1 human monocytes differentiated to macrophages were stimulated with Pg and Pe LPS. Polarization profiles were characterized through cell surface markers and secreted cytokines levels after 24 h of stimulation. TLR2 and TLR4 cell surfaces and transcriptional levels were determined after 24 or 2 h of LPS stimulation, respectively. LPS from Pg induced a predominant M1 profile in macrophages evidenced by changes in the expression of the surface marker CD64 and pro-inflammatory cytokine profiles, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12. Pe LPS was unable to induce a significant response. TLR2 and TLR4 expressions were neither modified by Pg or Pe LPS. Pg LPS, but not Pe LPS, induced a macrophage M1 Profile.

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus is the most commonly isolated pathogen from clinical bovine mastitis samples and a difficult pathogen to combat. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent progenitor cells equipped with a variety of factors that inhibit bacterial growth. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial potential against S. aureus of conditioned medium (CM) from MSC derived from fetal bovine bone marrow (BM-MSC) and adipose tissue (AT-MSC). BM-MSC, AT-MSC and fetal fibroblasts (FB) cultures were activated by infection with S. aureus. Bacterial growth was evaluated in presence of CM, concentrated CM (CCM), activated CM (ACM) and concentrated ACM (CACM) from BM-MSC, AT-MSC and FB. Gene expression of β-defensin 4A (bBD-4A), NK-lysine 1 (NK1), cathelicidin 2 (CATHL2), hepcidin (HEP) and indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) and protein expression of bBD-4A were determined in activated and non-activated cells. The majority of BM-MSC and AT-MSC expressed CD73, Oct4 and Nanog, and were negative for CD34. Growth of S. aureus decreased when it was exposed to CM from BM-MSC, AT-MSC and FB. Moreover, growth of S. aureus in CCM, ACM and CACM was lower compared to controls of CM from BM-MSC and AT-MSC. Activated AT-MSC increased mRNA levels of bBD4A and NK1, and protein levels of bBD4A in CM. Thus, CM from fetal bovine BM-MSC and AT-MSC has the capacity to reduce in average ~30% of S. aureus relative growth under in vitro conditions. The in vitro antibacterial effect of fetal bovine MSC may be mediated by bBD4A and NK1 activity.

Muscle and bone are tightly integrated through mechanical and biochemical signals. Osteoclasts are cells mostly related to pathological bone loss; however, they also start physiological bone remodeling. Therefore, osteoclast signals released during bone remodeling could improve both bone and skeletal muscle mass. Extracellular ATP is an autocrine/paracrine signaling molecule released by bone and muscle cells. Then, in the present work, it was hypothesized that ATP is a paracrine mediator released by osteoclasts and leads to skeletal muscle protein synthesis. RAW264.7-derived osteoclasts were co-cultured in Transwell® chambers with flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle isolated from adult BalbC mice. The osteoclasts at the upper chamber were mechanically stimulated by controlled culture medium perturbation, resulting in a two-fold increase in protein synthesis in FDB muscle at the lower chamber. Osteoclasts released ATP to the extracellular medium in response to mechanical stimulation, proportional to the magnitude of the stimulus and partly dependent on the P2X7 receptor. On the other hand, exogenous ATP promoted Akt phosphorylation (S473) in isolated FDB muscle in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. ATP also induced phosphorylation of proteins downstream Akt: mTOR (S2448), p70S6K (T389) and 4E-BP1 (T37/46). Exogenous ATP increased the protein synthesis rate in FDB muscle 2.2-fold; this effect was blocked by Suramin (general P2X/P2Y antagonist), LY294002 (phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase inhibitor) and Rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor). These blockers, as well as apyrase (ATP metabolizing enzyme), also abolished the induction of FDB protein synthesis evoked by mechanical stimulation of osteoclasts in the co-culture model. Therefore, the present findings suggest that mechanically stimulated osteoclasts release ATP, leading to protein synthesis in isolated FDB muscle, by activating the P2-PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway. These results open a new area for research and clinical interest in bone-to-muscle crosstalk in adaptive processes related to muscle use/disuse or in musculoskeletal pathologies.

Liposomes are artificial models of cellular membranes that are used as delivery systems for genes, drugs and protein antigens. We have previously used them to study the antigenic properties of their phospholipids. Here, we used them to induce the production of IgG anti-non-bilayer phospholipid arrangements (NPAs) antibodies in mice; these antibodies cause cell lysis and trigger a lupus-like disease in mice. We studied the mechanisms that lead to the production of these antibodies, and provide evidence that NK1.1+, CD4+ T cells respond to NPA-bearing liposomes and deliver the help required for specific B cell activation and antibody class-switching to IgG. We found increased numbers of IL-4-producing NK1.1+, CD4+ T cells in the secondary lymphoid organs of mice administered with NPAs, and these cells also expressed CD40L, which is required for B cell activation. Additionally, we isolated and purified NK1.1+, CD4+ T cells from spleens and determined that they over-expressed 40 genes, which are key players in inflammatory processes and B cell stimulation and have TRAF6 and UNC39B1 as key nodes in their network. These results show that liposomes are membrane models that can be used to analyze the immunogenicity of lipids.

Nitrones are encouraging drug candidates for the treatment of oxidative stress-driven diseases such as acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In a previous study, we found a promising quinolylnitrone, QN23, which exerted a neuroprotective effect in neuronal cell cultures subjected to oxygen–glucose deprivation and in experimental models of cerebral ischemia. In this paper, we update the biological and pharmacological characterization of QN23. We describe the suitability of intravenous administration of QN23 to induce neuroprotection in transitory four-vessel occlusion (4VO) and middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) experimental models of brain ischemia by assessing neuronal death, apoptosis induction, and infarct area, as well as neurofunctional outcomes. QN23 significantly decreased the neuronal death and apoptosis induced by the ischemic episode in a dose-dependent manner and showed a therapeutic effect when administered up to 3 h after post-ischemic reperfusion onset, effects that remained 11 weeks after the ischemic episode. In addition, QN23 significantly reduced infarct volume, thus recovering the motor function in a tMCAO model. Remarkably, we assessed the antioxidant activity of QN23 in vivo using dihydroethidium as a molecular probe for radical species. Finally, we describe QN23 pharmacokinetic parameters. All these results pointing to QN23 as an interesting and promising preclinical candidate for the treatment of AIS.

Introducción: La pandemia actual representa un reto para la atención hospitalaria, los servicios de cirugía cardiovascular han modificado su funcionamiento y están constantemente evaluando el riesgo cardiovascular frente al riesgo de la COVID-19. Objetivo: Caracterizar el funcionamiento de 23 centros cardiovasculares de Colombia, con el fin de generar información que permita optimizar los servicios y evitar muertes de causa cardiovascular prevenibles. Método: Estudio observacional transversal con fuente primaria de información. Muestra por conveniencia de 23 centros cardiovasculares de Colombia. Resultados: Se encontró que el 39.1% de los centros suspendieron la actividad en algún momento entre enero y mayo de 2020 y el 34.8% han tenido una disminución en la actividad del servicio del 76-100%; en los meses de abril y mayo se encontró una reducción de alrededor del 50% con referencia a los primeros 2 meses. De las 2258 intervenciones realizadas, solo el 0.17% fueron en pacientes con COVID-19. El estudio muestra que el 60.1% de los servicios han presentado problemas con la utilización de elementos de protección personal. El 17.4% de los centros realizan reacción en cadena de la polimerasa para el virus de forma sistemática en el prequirúrgico, y el 44% la realiza a pacientes con síntomas respiratorios. Conclusiones: Durante la pandemia se requiere una detección temprana de posibles infectados que vayan a cirugía, adaptar la programación y promocionar un adecuado uso de los equipos de protección personal. Urge aplicar estrategias dirigidas a pacientes que no pueden ser postergados para evitar segundas y terceras víctimas de la pandemia.

Background: /Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. The latest classification criteria, EULAR/ACR 2019, have not been validated in a Latin American population of Amerindian ancestry. The objective of this study is to compare the sensitivity of the EULAR/ACR 2019 and SLICC 2012 classification criteria in a group of SLE patients with the above ancestry. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done. Data were obtained from the review of medical records of patients who met the inclusion criteria. The overall sensitivity of the criteria was calculated and compared to each other using the McNemar test. Results: 146 medical records of patients from two referral centers were included. There were no differences in the sensitivity of the EULAR/ACR and SLICC 2012 criteria (84.9% versus 85.6% p = 0.79) nor were differences found when the groups based on disease duration were compared: less than 5 years (91.0% versus 92.5% p = 0.70), between 5 and 10 years (82.8% versus 82.8% p = 1), and 10 years or more (76.7% versus 76.7% p = 1). However, SLICC 2012 criteria was found to better classify patients with a less than 5-year disease duration compared to those with 10-year duration or more (92.5% versus 76.4% p = 0.024). Conclusions: There are no statistically significant differences between the EULAR/ACR and SLICC 2012 criteria in the population studied. Nor were differences found when evaluating them by age at diagnosis and duration of the disease except when the group with less than 5 years of duration was compared to those with 10 years or more using the SLICC 2012 criteria.

Oncolytic virus therapy has been tested against cancer in preclinical models and clinical assays. Current evidence shows that viruses induce cytopathic effects associated with fusogenic protein-mediated syncytium formation and immunogenic cell death of eukaryotic cells. We have previously demonstrated that tumor cell bodies generated from cells expressing the fusogenic protein of the infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV-F) enhance crosspriming and display prophylactic antitumor activity against melanoma tumors. In this work, we evaluated the effects of the expression of ISAV-F on the B16 melanoma model, both in vitro and in vivo, using chitosan nanoparticles as transfection vehicle. We confirmed that the transfection of B16 tumor cells with chitosan nanoparticles (NP-ISAV) allows the expression of a fusogenically active ISAV-F protein and decreases cell viability because of syncytium formation in vitro. However, the in vivo transfection induces a delay in tumor growth, without inducing changes on the lymphoid populations in the tumor and the spleen. Altogether, our observations show that expression of ISAV fusion protein using chitosan nanoparticles induces cell fusion in melanoma cells and slight antitumor response.

Ischemic strokes are caused by a reduction in cerebral blood flow and both the ischemic period and subsequent reperfusion induce brain injury, with different tissue damage depending on the severity of the ischemic insult, its duration, and the particular areas of the brain affected. In those areas vulnerable to cerebral ischemia, the inhibition of protein translation is an essential process of the cellular response leading to delayed neuronal death. In particular, translation initiation is rate-limiting for protein synthesis and the eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4F complex is indispensable for cap-dependent protein translation. In the eIF4F complex, eIF4G is a scaffolding protein that provides docking sites for the assembly of eIF4A and eIF4E, binding to the cap structure of the mRNA and stabilizing all proteins of the complex. The eIF4F complex constituents, eIF4A, eIF4E, and eIF4G, participate in translation regulation by their phosphorylation at specific sites under cellular stress conditions, modulating the activity of the cap-binding complex and protein translation. This work investigates the phosphorylation of eIF4G1 involved in the eIF4E/eIF4G1 association complex, and their regulation in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) as a stress-inducing condition. IR was induced in an animal model of transient cerebral ischemia and the results were studied in the resistant cortical region and in the vulnerable hippocampal CA1 region. The presented data demonstrate the phosphorylation of eIF4G1 at Ser1147, Ser1185, and Ser1231 in both brain regions and in control and ischemic conditions, being the phosphorylation of eIF4G1 at Ser1147 the only one found in the eIF4E/eIF4G association complex from the cap-containing matrix (m7GTP-Sepharose). In addition, our work reveals the specific modulation of the phosphorylation of eIF4G1 at Ser1147 in the vulnerable region, with increased levels and colocalization with eIF4E in response to IR. These findings contribute to elucidate the molecular mechanism of protein translation regulation that underlies in the balance of cell survival/death during pathophysiological stress, such as cerebral ischemia.

In this study, the use of compressed and liquefied natural gas is evaluated for heavy-duty passengers (HDPV) and freight vehicles (HDFV). The evaluation is conducted considering the socioeconomic and vehicle fleet characteristics of Colombia. The energy consumption, the CO2, and the pollutant emissions of a baseline and four natural gas penetration scenarios are analyzed. The results show that the inclusion of natural gas reduces the energy consumption per capita of the HDPV and HDFV by up to 40% by 2050. Furthermore, PM2.5 emissions per capita are reduced up to 77% for HDPV and 90% for HDFV, while CO emissions per capita decreased by 82%. Additionally, the technological renovation of HDFV emerges as an effective way to reduce pollutant emissions in the medium term. The establishment of strategies to make HDFV cleaner and more efficient is imperative for the long term. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate the influence of the gross domestic product per capita (GDPc) over the indicators analyzed. The results show that higher GDPc demands more ambitious actions to decarbonize the transportation sector, since a considerable increase in energy consumption and emissions from heavy-duty vehicles is identified.

Cerebral ischemia induces an inhibition of protein synthesis and causes cell death and neuronal deficits. These deleterious effects do not occur in resilient areas of the brain, where protein synthesis is restored. In cellular stress conditions, as brain ischemia, translational repressors named eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs) specifically bind to eIF4E and are critical in the translational control. We previously described that 4E-BP2 protein, highly expressed in brain, can be a molecular target for the control of cell death or survival in the reperfusion after ischemia in an animal model of transient cerebral ischemia. Since these previous studies showed that phosphorylation would not be the regulation that controls the binding of 4E-BP2 to eIF4E under ischemic stress, we decided to investigate the differential detection of 4E-BP2-interacting proteins in two brain regions with different vulnerability to ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in this animal model, to discover new potential 4E-BP2 modulators and biomarkers of cerebral ischemia. For this purpose, 4E-BP2 immunoprecipitates from the resistant cortical region and the vulnerable hippocampal cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region were analyzed by two-dimensional (2-D) fluorescence difference in gel electrophoresis (DIGE), and after a biological variation analysis, 4E-BP2-interacting proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Interestingly, among the 4E-BP2-interacting proteins identified, heat shock 70 kDa protein-8 (HSC70), dihydropyrimidinase-related protein-2 (DRP2), enolase-1, ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme-L1 (UCHL1), adenylate kinase isoenzyme-1 (ADK1), nucleoside diphosphate kinase-A (NDKA), and Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor-1 (Rho-GDI), were of notable interest, showing significant differences in their association with 4E-BP2 between resistant and vulnerable regions to ischemic stress. Our data contributes to the first characterization of the 4E-BP2 interactome, increasing the knowledge in the molecular basis of the protection and vulnerability of the ischemic regions and opens the way to detect new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for diagnosis and treatment of cerebral ischemia.

Cerebrovascular diseases such as ischemic stroke are known to exacerbate dementia caused by neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Besides, the increasing number of patients surviving stroke makes it necessary to treat the co-occurrence of these two diseases with a single and combined therapy. For the development of new dual therapeutic agents, eight hybrid quinolylnitrones have been designed and synthesized by the juxtaposition of selected pharmacophores from our most advanced lead-compounds for ischemic stroke and AD treatment. Biological analyses looking for efficient neuroprotective effects in suitable phenotypic assays led us to identify MC903 as a new small quinolylnitrone for the potential dual therapy of stroke and AD, showing strong neuroprotection on (i) primary cortical neurons under oxygen–glucose deprivation/normoglycemic reoxygenation as an experimental ischemia model; (ii), neuronal line cells treated with rotenone/oligomycin A, okadaic acid or β-amyloid peptide Aβ25–35, modeling toxic insults found among the effects of AD.

Melanoma immunotherapy, specifically the autotransplant of dendritic cells charged with tumors antigens, has shown promising results in clinical trials. The positive clinical effects of this therapy have been associated to increased Th17 response and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) against to tumor antigens. Some synthetic compounds, such as diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP), are capable of triggering a DTH response in cutaneous malignancies and also to induce clinically relevant effects against melanoma. In this work, we evaluated Litre extract (LExT), a standardized extract of a Chilean stinging plant, Lithraea caustic (Litre). As Litre plant is known to induce DTH, we used a murine B16 melanoma model to compare the topical and intratumor efficacy of LExT with synthetic DTH inducers (DPCP and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene [DNCB]). LExt contained mainly long chain catechols and sesquiterpenes. The intratumor injection of LExT induced a significant delay in tumor growth, similarly topical treatment of an established tumor with 0.1% LExT ointment induced a growth delay and even tumor regression in 15% of treated animals. No significant changes were observed on the T-cell populations associated to LExT treatment, and neither DNCB nor DPCP were capable to induce none of the LExT-induced antitumoral effects. Interestingly, our results indicate that LExT induces an antitumor response against melanoma in a mouse model and could bring a new –and affordable- treatment for melanoma in humans.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a significant health problem worldwide due to multi-drug resistance issues and absence of an effective vaccine. Patients infected with N. gonorrhoeae have not shown a better immune response in successive infections. This might be explained by the fact that N. gonorrhoeae possesses several mechanisms to evade the innate and adaptative immune responses at different levels. Macrophages are a key cellular component in the innate immune response against microorganisms. The current information suggests that gonococcus can hijack the host response by mechanisms that involve the control of macrophages activity. In this mini review, we intend to condense the recent knowledge on the macrophage–N. gonorrhoeae interactions with a focus on strategies developed by gonococcus to evade or to exploit immune response to establish a successful infection. Finally, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of therapeutics for controlling immune manipulation by N. gonorrhoeae.

Nitrones have a well-recognized capacity as spin-traps and are considered powerful free radical scavengers, which are two important issues in hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and cell death in brain ischemia. Consequently, nitrones have been proposed as therapeutic agents in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In this paper, we update the biological and pharmacological characterization of ISQ-201, a previously identified cholesteronitrone hybrid with antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. This study characterizes ISQ-201 as a neuroprotective agent against the hypoxia-induced ischemic injury. Transitory four-vessel occlusion and middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) were used to induce cerebral ischemia. Functional outcomes were determined using neurofunctional tests. Infarct area, neuronal death, and apoptosis induction were evaluated. In addition, ISQ-201 reactivity towards free radicals was studied in a theoretical model. ISQ-201 significantly decreased the ischemia-induced neuronal death and apoptosis, in a dose-dependent manner, showing its therapeutic effect when administered up until 6 h after post-ischemic reperfusion onset, effects that remained after 3 months from the ischemic episode. Furthermore, ISQ-201 significantly reduced infarct volume, leading to recovery of the motor function in the tMCAO model. Finally, the theoretical study confirmed the reactivity of ISQ-201 towards hydroxyl radicals. The results reported here prompted us to suggest ISQ-201 as a promising candidate for the treatment of AIS.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important public health problem worldwide. HCV exploits complex molecular mechanisms, which result in a high degree of intrahost genetic heterogeneity. This high degree of variability represents a challenge for the accurate establishment of genetic relatedness between cases and complicates the identification of sources of infection. Tracking HCV infections is crucial for the elucidation of routes of transmission in a variety of settings. Therefore, implementation of HCV advanced molecular surveillance (AMS) is essential for disease control. Accounting for virulence is also important for HCV AMS and both viral and host factors contribute to the disease outcome. Therefore, HCV AMS requires the incorporation of host factors as an integral component of the algorithms used to monitor disease occurrence. Importantly, implementation of comprehensive global databases and data mining are also needed for the proper study of the mechanisms responsible for HCV transmission. Here, we review molecular aspects associated with HCV transmission, as well as the most recent technological advances used for virus and host characterization. Additionally, the cornerstone discoveries that have defined the pathway for viral characterization are presented and the importance of implementing advanced HCV molecular surveillance is highlighted.

Antigen cross-presentation is a crucial step in the assembly of an antitumor immune response leading to activation of naïve CD8 T cells. This process has been extensively used in clinical trials, in which dendritic cells generated in vitro are loaded with tumor antigens and then autotransplanted to the patients. Recently, the use of autologous transplant of dendritic cells fused with dying tumor cells has demonstrated good results in clinical studies. In this work, we generated a similar process in vivo by treating mice with dead tumor cells [cell bodies (CBs)] expressing the fusogenic protein of the infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV). ISAV fusion protein retains its fusogenic capability when is expressed on mammalian cells in vitro and the CBs expressing it facilitates DCs maturation, antigen transfer by antigen-presenting cells, and increase cross-presentation by DCs in vitro. Additionally, we observed in the melanoma model that CBs with or without ISAV fusion protein reduce tumor growth in prophylactic treatment; however, only ISAV expressing CBs showed an increase CD4 and CD8 cells in spleen. Overall, our results suggest that CBs could be used as a complement with other type of strategies to amplify antitumor immune response.

Phenotyping, via remote and proximal sensing techniques, of the agronomic and physiological traits associated with yield potential and drought adaptation could contribute to improvements in breeding programs. In the present study, 384 genotypes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were tested under fully irrigated (FI) and water stress (WS) conditions. The following traits were evaluated and assessed via spectral reflectance: Grain yield (GY), spikes per square meter (SM2), kernels per spike (KPS), thousand-kernel weight (TKW), chlorophyll content (SPAD), stem water soluble carbohydrate concentration and content (WSC and WSCC, respectively), carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C), and leaf area index (LAI). The performances of spectral reflectance indices (SRIs), four regression algorithms (PCR, PLSR, ridge regression RR, and SVR), and three classification methods (PCA-LDA, PLS-DA, and kNN) were evaluated for the prediction of each trait. For the classification approaches, two classes were established for each trait: The lower 80% of the trait variability range (Class 1) and the remaining 20% (Class 2 or elite genotypes). Both the SRIs and regression methods performed better when data from FI and WS were combined. The traits that were best estimated by SRIs and regression methods were GY and Δ13C. For most traits and conditions, the estimations provided by RR and SVR were the same, or better than, those provided by the SRIs. PLS-DA showed the best performance among the categorical methods and, unlike the SRI and regression models, most traits were relatively well-classified within a specific hydric condition (FI or WS), proving that classification approach is an effective tool to be explored in future studies related to genotype selection.

Los vegetales son componentes esenciales de la dietahumana y su procesamiento trae como consecuencia el rápido deterioro ocasionado por el aumento de las reacciones metabólicas, esto hace necesario que se utilicen tecnologías emergentes de conservación. En este trabajo se estudió el efecto de la tecnología de barreras (desinfección, tratamiento térmico, recubrimiento comestible, atmósfera modificada y refrigeración) sobre la vida útil de una mezcla de vegetales mínimamente procesados compuesta por brócoli (Brassica oleracea var. itálica), coliflor (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.), chayote (Sechium edule), apio (Apium graveolens) y zanahoria (Daucus carota). Las barreras fueron aplicadas a las hortalizas para luego ser envasadas en dos tipos de bandejas (empaque en atmósfera modificada y empaque en bandeja sello plus). Los vegetales se almacenaron durante 12 días en refrigeración (4 °C y 95% HR), se llevaron a cabo análisis microbiológicos, físicoquímicos y sensoriales, y un estudio de vida útil. Los resultados mostraron que el proceso de desinfección con NaClO 100 ppm y el tratamiento térmico de 60 °C durante 2 min, tuvieron efecto en la reducción de la población microbiana para el día cero de evaluación. La calidad general se conservó para los 12 días dealmacenamiento, en la zanahoria, chayote, coliflor y apio. Laevaluación fisicoquímica presentó diferencias estadísticamente significativas de los parámetros evaluados con respecto al tiempo de almacenamiento. El estudio de vida útil arrojó tiempos de 7 y 5 días para la mezcla de vegetales empacada en bandeja sello plus en atmósfera modificada, respectivamente. La combinación debarreras se muestra como alternativa viable en la conservación de mezclas de vegetales mínimamente procesados. / Vegetables are essential components of the human diet. However, rapid deterioration of vegetables occurs after processing, caused by increased metabolic reactions. Thus, the use of emerging technologies is necessary for vegetable preservation. In this work, the effect of selected barrier technology, including disinfection, heat treatment, edible coating, modified atmosphere and cooling were used for the preservation of a minimally processed vegetable mixture constituted by broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L), vegetable pear (Sechium edule), celery (Apium graveolens) and carrot (Daucus carota). Selected barriers were applied to the minimally processed vegetable mixture. Then, the minimally processed vegetable mixture was placed in two types of trays (modified atmosphere packaging and “Sello plus” packaging). The vegetables were stored for 12 days under refrigeration (4 °C and 95% HR) and microbiological, physicochemical and sensory analysis as well as a shelf-life of the minimally processed vegetable mixture were carried out. The results showed that the disinfection process with NaClO at 100 ppm and heat treatment (60 °C for 2 min) had effect in reducing the microbial population on day zero. The overall quality of carrot, vegetable pear, cauliflower and celery was maintained during 12 days of storage. Physicochemical parameters presented statistical significance in function of storage time. Moreover, minimally processed vegetable mixture had a shelf-life of 7 days when “Sello plus” packaging was used and 5 days when placed in modified atmosphere packaging. thus, the combination of barriers is shown as viable alternative in the preservation of conservation minimally processed vegetables mixtures.

El consumo creciente ha estimulado el desarrollo de los vegetales cuarta gama o mínimamente procesados. Actualmente, se promueve el uso de tecnologías aplicadas a estos productos que les brinden mayor duración y garanticen la reducción de pérdidas poscosecha. En esta investigación se evaluó el efecto de tres de estas tecnologías poscosecha sobre la intensidad de la respiración y la calidad sensorial general de las hortalizas mínimamente procesadas: brócoli (Brassica oleracea var. Itálica), coliflor (Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis), zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.), apio (Apium graveolens), zanahoria (Daucus carota) y chayote (Sechium edule). Para el recubrimiento comestible se utilizó pectina de bajo metoxilo (2%), cera carnauba (1%), glicerol (1.5%) y ácido ascórbico (0.05%). El tratamiento térmico se hizo a 60 °C durante 2 min, con adición de ácido ascórbico (0.25%), ácido cítrico (0.5%) y cloruro de calcio (0.025%). El baño químico se realizó con una solución de ácido cítrico (0.5%), ácido ascórbico (0.05%) y cloruro de calcio (0.05%). La tasa de producción de CO2 se midió por el método estático, monitoreando la composición de los gases del espacio de cabeza durante 24 h a 8 °C y humedad relativa de 90%. La evaluación sensorial de color, aroma, crujencia y sabor objetable fueron las características organolépticas tomadas en cuenta para evaluar la calidad general de cada vegetal, la cual fue realizada con un panel de siete jueces previamente entrenados. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques completos al azar, siendo los bloques cada uno de los vegetales y las variables de respuesta la tasa de respiración y la calidad sensorial general. Se encontró que el tratamiento térmico y el recubrimiento comestible permitieron que los vegetales conservaran la calidad sensorial. El análisis estadístico no mostró diferencias significativas respecto al control (P > 0.05). La celeridad de la respiración disminuyó en el apio, el brócoli, el chayote, la coliflor y la zanahoria, cuando se aplicó el tratamiento térmico. Los tratamientos poscosecha se mostraron como una alternativa posible para la conservación de hortalizas mínimamente procesadas.

Canopy temperature (Tc) by thermal imaging is a useful tool to study plant water status and estimate other crop traits. This work seeks to estimate grain yield (GY) and carbon discrimination (Δ13C) from stress degree day (SDD = Tc − air temperature, Ta), considering the effect of a number of environmental variables such as the averages of the maximum vapor pressure deficit (VPDmax) and the ambient temperature (Tmax), and the soil water content (SWC). For this, a set of 384 and a subset of 16 genotypes of spring bread wheat were evaluated in two Mediterranean-climate sites under water stress (WS) and full irrigation (FI) conditions, in 2011 and 2012, and 2014 and 2015, respectively. The relationship between the GY of the 384 wheat genotypes and SDD was negative and highly significant in 2011 (r2 = 0.52 to 0.68), but not significant in 2012 (r2 = 0.03 to 0.12). Under WS, the average GY, Δ13C, and SDD of wheat genotypes growing in ten environments were more associated with changes in VPDmax and Tmax than with the SWC. Therefore, the amount of water available to the plant is not enough information to assume that a particular genotype is experiencing a stress condition.

To overcome the environmental changes occurring now and predicted for the future, it is essential that fruit breeders develop cultivars with better physiological performance. During the last few decades, high-throughput plant phenotyping and phenomics have been developed primarily in cereal breeding programs. In this study, plant reflectance, at the level of the leaf, was used to assess several physiological traits in five Vaccinium spp. cultivars growing under four controlled conditions (no-stress, water deficit, heat stress, and combined stress). Two modeling methodologies [Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Partial Least Squares (PLS)] with or without (W/O) prior wavelength selection (multicollinearity, genetic algorithms, or in combination) were considered. PLS generated better estimates than MLR, although prior wavelength selection improved MLR predictions. When data from the environments were combined, PLS W/O gave the best assessment for most of the traits, while in individual environments, the results varied according to the trait and methodology considered. The highest validation predictions were obtained for chlorophyll a/b (R2Val ≤ 0.87), maximum electron transport rate (R2Val ≤ 0.60), and the irradiance at which the electron transport rate is saturated (R2Val ≤ 0.59). The results of this study, the first to model modulated chlorophyll fluorescence by reflectance, confirming the potential for implementing this tool in blueberry breeding programs, at least for the estimation of a number of important physiological traits. Additionally, the differential effects of the environment on the spectral signature of each cultivar shows this tool could be directly used to assess their tolerance to specific environments.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ngo) has developed multiple immune evasion mechanisms involving the innate and adaptive immune responses. Recent findings have reported that Ngo reduces the IL-1β secretion of infected human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). Here, we investigate the role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in production and release of IL-1β in Ngo-infected MDM. We found that the exposure of Ngo-infected MDM to ATP increases IL-1β levels about ten times compared with unexposed Ngo-infected MDM (P0.05) and caspase-1 (CASP1, P>0.05). In addition, ATP was not able to modify caspase-1 activity in Ngo-infected MDM but was able to increase pyroptosis (P>0.01). Notably ATP treatment defined an increase of positive staining for IL-1β with a distinctive intracellular pattern of distribution. Collectively, these data demonstrate that ATP induces IL-1β secretion by a mechanism not related to the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 axis and likely is acting at the level of vesicle trafficking or pore formation.

Teniendo en cuenta los inconvenientes que puede acarrear la evaluación de indicadores técnicos en un mercado bursátil real, en este documento se presenta como alternativa un modelo de simulación basado en agentes de software en el que se consideran dos aspectos micro de este tipo de sistemas: los mecanismos de toma de decisión de los agentes y el protocolo de subasta de doble punta mediante el cual se realizan las transacciones. En particular, se analizan de manera empírica los indicadores de Promedios Móviles Ponderados Simples, Dobles y Triples, Momento, ROC, MACD y RSI a través de una serie de simulaciones para 280 agentes, incorporando también factores externos que pueden afectar los precios mediante un modelo de movimiento Browniano.

This paper presents a simulation model of a complex system, in this case a financial market, using a MultiAgent Based Simulation approach. Such model takes into account microlevel aspects like the Continuous Double Auction mechanism, which is widely used within stock markets, as well as investor agents reasoning who participate looking for profits. To model such reasoning several variables were considered including general stocks information like profitability and volatility, but also some agent's aspects like their risk tendency. All these variables are incorporated throughout a fuzzy logic approach trying to represent in a faithful manner the kind of reasoning that nonexpert investors have, including a stochastic component in order to model human factors.

Objetivo: describir y evaluar la técnica de perfusión subclavia para protección cerebral selectiva con hipotermia moderada. Métodos: estudio descriptivo de 19 pacientes, a quienes se les practicó corrección de disección o aneurisma del arco aórtico mediante la utilización de esta técnica. Resultados: entre septiembre de 2002 y septiembre de 2005, se intervinieron 19 pacientes. El 68,4% eran hombres, con un promedio de edad de 54,05 ± 13,53 años. La disección de aorta tipo A correspondió al 57,8%; el 42,2% restante tenía aneurismas en alguna porción de la aorta con compromiso del cayado. El 73,7% tenía insuficiencia valvular aórtica. El 47,3% se encontró en clase funcional I, el 31,5% en clase II y el 21% en clase III. El 36,8% requirió revascularización coronaria. El tiempo promedio de perfusión cerebral selectiva fue de 28,95 ± 8,73 minutos; la perfusión sistémica fue de 163,31 ± 32,15 minutos, el pinzamiento aórtico fue de 135,36 ± 34,48 minutos y la temperatura promedio fue de 27º ± 0,94º centígrados. Hubo tres defunciones. No ocurrieron complicaciones neurológicas definitivas. Conclusión: esta técnica puede ser estandarizada para cirugías electivas o emergentes. Es una técnica simple, reproducible, que permite períodos de tiempo más prolongados para la reconstrucción del arco aórtico sin producir isquemia del tejido cerebral, tiempos de circulación extracorpórea más cortos, pocas complicaciones por sangrado, disminución del riesgo de embolización cerebral anterógrada y un excelente resultado neurológico final.Objective: describe and evaluate the subclavian perfusion technique for selective cerebral protection with moderate hypothermia. Methods: descriptive study of 19 patients to whom correction of the dissection or aneurysm of the aortic arch through the utilization of this technique was practiced. Results: between September 2002 and September 2005, 19 patients were operated. 68.4% were men with mean age 54.05 ± 13.53 years. 57.8% corresponded to aortic dissection type A; the remaining 42.2% had aneurysms in some portion of the aorta, with arch involvement. 73.7% had aortic valve insufficiency. 47.3% were in functional class I, 31.5% in class II and 21% in class III. 36.8% required coronary revascularization. Mean time of selective cerebral perfusion was 28.95 ± 8.73 minutes; systemic perfusion was 163.31 ± 32.15 minutes; aortic clamping was 135.36 ± 34.48 minutes and mean temperature was 27.66º ± 0.94ºC. There were 3 deaths. No definitive neurological complications were found. Conclusions: this technique may be standardized for elective or emergent surgeries. It is a simple reproducible technique that allows more prolonged periods of time for the reconstruction of the aortic arch without producing cerebral ischemia; the extracorporeal circulation times are shorter, there are few bleeding complications, there is a decrease of cerebral anterograde embolism, and an excellent neurological result.

Current data suggest that Neisseria gonorrhoeae is able to suppress the protective immune response at different levels, such as B and T lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells. The present report is focused on gonococcus evasion mechanism on macrophages (MФ) and its impact in the subsequent immune response. In response to various signals MФ may undergo classical-M1 (M1-MФ) or alternative-M2 (M2-MФ) activation. Until now there are no reports of the gonococcus effects on human MФ polarization. We assessed the phagocytic ability of monocyte-derived MФ (MDM) upon gonococcal infection by immunofluorescence and gentamicin protection experiments. Then, we evaluated cytokine profile and M1/M2 specific-surface markers on MФ challenged with N. gonorrhoeae and their proliferative effect on T cells. Our findings lead us to suggest N. gonorrhoeae stimulates a M2-MФ phenotype in which some of the M2b and none of the M1-MФ-associated markers are induced. Interestingly, N. gonorrhoeae exposure leads to upregulation of a Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1), widely known as an immunosuppressive molecule. Moreover, functional results showed that N. gonorrhoeae-treated MФ are unable to induce proliferation of human T-cells, suggesting a more likely regulatory phenotype. Taken together, our data show that N. gonorroheae interferes with MФ polarization. This study has important implications for understanding the mechanisms of clearance versus long-term persistence of N. gonorroheae infection and might be applicable for the development of new therapeutic strategies.