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Coastal areas are inhabited by a large fraction of the human population and provide many important ecosystem services, notably those related to fisheries. Hypoxia occurs when dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are so low that affect metabolic processes of many organisms, causing stress or even death. During the last decades, coastal hypoxia events have increased and nowadays these are one of the largest impacts of global change on coastal ecosystems. The entrance area of the Gulf of California is a region characterized by a shallow oxygen minimum zone and seasonal coastal upwelling events that may cause hypoxia by shoaling the oxycline. Under the hypothesis that some of the observed hypoxia episodes are controlled by coastal upwelling events, the objective of this work was to propose a novel statistical methodology to identify these events. From two oceanographic cruises, we observed the top of the oxycline depth at ∼30 m near the coast, while hypoxia was reached at ∼55 m. Also, DO time-series were recorded with autonomous sensors from early 2014 to late 2016 every 30 min in surface waters (5 m depth) off the Mazatlán City coastal zone (Mexico). This time series showed hypoxia events (and even anoxia, DO < detection limit = 0.06 mg L−1) at surface waters lasting from days to weeks. We propose a novel methodology to identify coastal hypoxia events controlled by coastal upwelling, which involves statistical and frequency analyses performed in conjunction with other physical variables such as sea surface temperature (SST), sea level, and the coastal upwelling index (CUI). Results confirmed that coastal wind-induced upwelling controls at least half of the hypoxia events identified. Further research is needed to understand the processes responsible for the other events, likely including mesoscale processes (such as eddies and internal waves) and the degradation of organic matter during eutrophic conditions. The methodology could be used in other eastern boundary upwelling systems of the world. These results should be of interest to coastal zone managers, local fishing communities, and the large fishing industry of this region to discriminate between natural and anthropogenic hypoxia events. • Surface hypoxia (and even anoxia) episodes were observed in the Mazatlán coastal zone. • The upper limit of the oxygen minimum zone off Mazatlán was observed at ∼55 m depth. • A new satellite-based index was used to identify coastal upwelling events. • A new method was used to identify surface hypoxia controlled by wind-induced upwelling. • About 50% of the observed hypoxia events were controlled by oxycline shoaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: HIV-1 subtype C (HIV-1C) CXCR4-using virus is isolated infrequently and is poorly characterized. Understanding HIV-1C env characteristics has implications for the clinical use of antiretrovirals that target viral entry. A total of 209 env clones derived from 10 samples with mixed CCR5-(R5), CXCR4-using (X4) or dual-tropic HIV-1C were phenotyped for coreceptor usage. Intra-patient X4 and R5 variants generally formed distinct monophyletic phylogenetic clusters. X4 compared to R5 envs had significantly greater amino acid variability and insertions, higher net positive charge, fewer glycosylation sites and increased basic amino acid substitutions in the GPGQ crown. Basic amino acid substitution and/or insertion prior to the crown are highly sensitive characteristics for predicting X4 viruses. Chimeric env functional studies suggest that the V3 loop is necessary but often not sufficient to impart CXCR4 utilization. Our studies provide insights into the unique genotypic characteristics of X4 variants in HIV-1C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cardiac Transplantation has been consolidated at a world level thanks to the technological biomedicine development, as well as to the each time bigger integration of a multidisciplinary approach witch contributes to preserve the quality of life of transplant receptors, as well as to the cultural change witch goes to the legal environment for the world as a whole. The Military Central Hospital of México witch medical history includes pioneer aportations in Renal Transplant, counts with a highly trained medical personnel in cardiopulmonar transplant surgery, and a multidisciplinary team highly competitive, as well as biotechnological and vital support resources of intensive care, immunosupression, histopathology myocardial biopsies, and a so careful procuration process witch contemplates medical-legal, psychiatric, psychosocial and bioethical issues, necessary to be taken into account in order to make a successful transplantation process. The current work describes the actual knowledge on cardiac transplant and pointed out the characteristics needed by a Cardiac Transplant Center in terms of candidates selection and evaluation, procuration process, surgical technique, and immunosupression management, as well as all the various medical disciplines witch must work in line with the established requirements of the National Transplantation Center, in order to offer a quality life chance for the cardiac insufficiency patients. The Military Central Hospital of Mexico, an emblematic medical center of the Military Sanity Directorate of the Mexican Army and Air Force, counts with a human and material infrastructure to answer to the required challenge of a transplant program, as was demonstrated with the first formal cardiac procuration recently done in a promissory interinstitutional cooperation, which has gave a new life of opportunity to a receptor patient thanks to the generosity of a military donor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During ethanol production from maize corn, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS, at tables labelled in Spanish as GSDS) are generated and used in poultry farming because of their high nutrient content. The hypothesis was that DDGS meet nutrient requirements in pullets and hens and xylanase will improve productive variables. Therefore, the objective of the study was to determine the inclusion of DDGS and xylanase in pullet and hen feed. In this study, 400 pullets from one day to 70 weeks of age were used, distributed in 10 treatments, with five replicates of eight pullets apiece, and a 5 x 2 factorial arrangement with five levels of DDGS (0, 8, 8, 16, 24 and 32%) and two of xylanase (0 and 0.05%). Variables were productive yield, sexual maturity, egg quality, cost per pullet and per kg of egg. Results indicated that in pullets, DDGS and xylanase did not modify the productive and sexual maturity variables (p>0.05); in laying, from 16% DDGS onwards, production began to be affected, while the enzyme had a positive effect (p£0.05) on yield. With 32% DDGS, the cost of rearing and one kg of egg increased (p£0.05). In egg quality, DDGS improved Haugh units and yolk color (p£0.05), while xylanase affected them (p£0.05). In conclusion, in pullets up to 32% DDGS can be included with success for productive and sexual maturity variables, while xylanase is not necessary. In hens, DDGS above 16% cause adverse effects on egg yield and price, while xylanase improves productive variables and decreases egg cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel technique of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) holds great potential for underwater seismology by transforming standard telecommunication cables, such as those currently traversing various regions of the world's oceans, into dense arrays of seismo‐acoustic sensors. To harness these measurements for seismic monitoring, the ability to record transient ground deformations is investigated by analyzing ambient noise, earthquakes, and their associated phase velocities, on DAS records from three dark fibers in the Mediterranean Sea. Recording quality varies dramatically along the fibers and is strongly correlated with the bathymetry and the apparent phase velocities of recorded waves. Apparent velocities are determined for several well‐recorded earthquakes and used to convert DAS S‐wave strain spectra to ground motion spectra. Excellent agreement is found between the spectra of nearby underwater and on‐land seismometers and DAS converted spectra, when the latter are corrected for site effects. Apparent velocities greatly affect the ability to detect seismic deformations: for the same ground motions, slower waves induce higher strains and thus are more favorably detected than fast waves. The effect of apparent velocity on the ability to detect seismic phases, quantified by expected signal‐to‐noise ratios, is investigated by comparing signal amplitudes predicted by an earthquake model to recorded noise levels. DAS detection capabilities on underwater fibers are found to be similar to those of nearby broadband sensors, and superior to those of on‐land fiber segments, owing to lower velocities at the ocean‐bottom. The results demonstrate the great potential of underwater DAS for seismic monitoring and earthquake early warning. Key Points: The noise content of underwater distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) along three different telecommunication cables is quantified and compared to adjacent broadband stationsEarthquake detection capabilities using DAS are similar to those of broadband instrumentsDetection capabilities are mainly a function of the recorded noise, cable response, and apparent velocity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aging of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected population obligates a focus on the interaction between aging, comorbid conditions, and HIV-1. We recruited a cohort of HIV-1-infected men aged ≤ 35 years or ≥ 50 years who were receiving fully suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). We analyzed plasma markers of inflammation; T-cell activation, exhaustion, proliferation; and innate cellular subsets and functional capacity. Levels of lipopolysaccharide and the plasma marker of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 were significantly elevated in older HIV-infected men despite comparable cellular phenotypes. Compared with similarly age-stratified uninfected subjects, older HIV-1-infected adults were also more frequently in the upper quartile of soluble CD14 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Kafirins are stored proteins that negatively affect the nutritional quality of sorghum grain. Kafirin concentration and other chemical characteristics were determined in 12 sorghum hybrids and varied significantly, from 58% (HB1) to 42% (HB12) as percent total protein. Kafirin concentration correlated negatively with crude protein (CP) (−0.49), with acid detergent fiber (−0.40), apparent metabolizable energy (−0.61), and true metabolizable energy corrected for N (−0.63). HB12 was the hybrid with the lowest content of kafirins, amylose and tannins, and the highest content of apparent metabolizable energy. No differences were observed in the concentration of starch, but differences were found in apparent metabolizable energy (3325–2944kcalkg−1) probably due to a greater availability of starch, related to differences in kafirin concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: BackgroundHepatitis C is a major cause of liver disease worldwide. It has been associated with decreased health-related quality of life (HRQL) and psychiatric symptoms. Our aim was to assess HRQL, depression, and illness understanding in patients with chronic hepatitis C without previous interferon therapy.: MethodsConsecutive patients attending a referral center were enrolled. HRQL was measured using SF-36 questionnaire, depression with Zung self-rating depression scale, and illness understanding with self-applied knowledge test.: ResultsOf 157 patients enrolled, 112 were female (71%) and 45 male (29%). Ninety-seven patients (61.8%) had cirrhosis. HRQL was significantly decreased in chronic hepatitis C patients compared to historical normal controls in all eight domains of the SF-36 (p < 0.001). In hepatitis C cirrhotic patients, HRQL was significantly lower among Child-Pugh class B and C subjects in domains reflecting physical health (p <0.05). Ninety-two patients (58.6%) had depression that resulted in lower HRQL when compared to nondepressed patients (p <0.05). One hundred fourteen patients (72.6%) had poor illness understanding of hepatitis C. These subjects had significantly lower HRQL scores in six of eight SF-36 domains when compared to patients with better understanding of the disease (p <0.05).: ConclusionsChronic hepatitis C patients attending a tertiary-referral center had significant decrease in HRQL associated with depression (58.6%) and poor illness understanding (72.6%). Educational programs and their impact on HRQL need to be addressed in detail, particularly for the pre-treatment scenario. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In contrast to prior studies, mild malaria infection had no impact on HIV Viral Loads(VL) in Rwanda. Over fifty percent of patients prescribed ARV had detectable VL; 25% had genotypic resistance. Eleven percent of patients with mild malaria were newly diagnosed with HIV.Background. Plasmodium falciparum infection has been reported to increase human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load (VL), which can facilitate HIV transmission. We prospectively studied the impact of mild P falciparum coinfection on HIV VL in Rwanda.Methods. We measured plasma HIV VL at presentation with malaria infection and weekly for 4 weeks after artemether-lumefantrine treatment in Rwandan adults infected with HIV with P falciparum malaria. Regression analyses were used to examine associations between malaria infection and HIV VL changes. Samples with detectable virus underwent genotypic drug-resistance testing.Results. We enrolled 28 HIV-malaria coinfected patients and observed 27 of them for 5 weeks. Three patients (11%) were newly diagnosed with HIV. Acute P falciparum infection had no significant effect on HIV VL slope over 28 days of follow-up. Ten patients with VL <40 copies/mL at enrollment maintained viral suppression throughout. Seventeen patients had a detectable VL at enrollment including 9 (53%) who reported 100% adherence to ARVs; 3 of these had detectable genotypic drug resistance.Conclusions. Unlike studies from highly malaria-endemic areas, we did not identify an effect of P falciparum infection on HIV VL; therefore, malaria is not likely to increase HIV-transmission risk in our setting. However, routine HIV testing should be offered to adults presenting with acute malaria in Rwanda. Most importantly, we identified a large percentage of patients with detectable HIV VL despite antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. Some of these patients had HIV genotypic drug resistance. Larger studies are needed to define the prevalence and factors associated with detectable HIV VL in patients prescribed ARVs in Rwanda. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]