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Abstract Background Determining the postmortem interval (PMI) accurately remains a significant challenge in forensic sciences, especially for intervals greater than 5 years (late PMI). Traditional methods often fail due to the extensive degradation of soft tissues, necessitating reliance on bone material examinations. The precision in estimating PMIs diminishes with time, particularly for intervals between 1 and 5 years, dropping to about 50% accuracy. This study aims to address this issue by identifying key protein biomarkers through proteomics and machine learning, ultimately enhancing the accuracy of PMI estimation for intervals exceeding 15 years. Methods Proteomic analysis was conducted using LC–MS/MS on skeletal remains, specifically focusing on the tibia and ribs. Protein identification was performed using two strategies: a tryptic-specific search and a semitryptic search, the latter being particularly beneficial in cases of natural protein degradation. The Random Forest algorithm was used to model protein abundance data, enabling the prediction of PMI. A thorough screening process, combining importance scores and SHAP values, was employed to identify the most informative proteins for model’s training and accuracy. Results A minimal set of three biomarkers—K1C13, PGS1, and CO3A1—was identified, significantly improving the prediction accuracy between PMIs of 15 and 20 years. The model, based on protein abundance data from semitryptic peptides in tibia samples, achieved sustained 100% accuracy across 100 iterations. In contrast, non-supervised methods like PCA and MCA did not yield comparable results. Additionally, the use of semitryptic peptides outperformed tryptic peptides, particularly in tibia proteomes, suggesting their potential reliability in late PMI prediction. Conclusions Despite limitations such as sample size and PMI range, this study demonstrates the feasibility of combining proteomics and machine learning for accurate late PMI predictions. Future research should focus on broader PMI ranges and various bone types to further refine and standardize forensic proteomic methodologies for PMI estimation.

Abstract Background Chromatin dynamics is deeply involved in processes that require access to DNA, such as transcriptional regulation. Among the factors involved in chromatin dynamics at gene regulatory regions are general regulatory factors (GRFs). These factors contribute to establishment and maintenance of nucleosome-depleted regions (NDRs). These regions are populated by nucleosomes through histone deposition and nucleosome sliding, the latter catalyzed by a number of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes, including ISW1a. It has been observed that GRFs can act as barriers against nucleosome sliding towards NDRs. However, the relative ability of the different GRFs to hinder sliding activity is currently unknown. Results Considering this, we performed a comparative analysis for the main GRFs, with focus in their ability to modulate nucleosome sliding mediated by ISW1a. Among the GRFs tested in nucleosome remodeling assays, Rap1 was the only factor displaying the ability to hinder the activity of ISW1a. This effect requires location of the Rap1 cognate sequence on linker that becomes entry DNA in the nucleosome remodeling process. In addition, Rap1 was able to hinder nucleosome assembly in octamer transfer assays. Concurrently, Rap1 displayed the highest affinity for and longest dwell time from its target sequence, compared to the other GRFs tested. Consistently, through bioinformatics analyses of publicly available genome-wide data, we found that nucleosome occupancy and histone deposition in vivo are inversely correlated with the affinity of Rap1 for its target sequences in the genome. Conclusions Our findings point to DNA binding affinity, residence time and location at particular translational positions relative to the nucleosome core as the key features of GRFs underlying their roles played in nucleosome sliding and assembly.

Abstract The soil microbiome, a crucial component of agricultural ecosystems, plays a pivotal role in crop production and ecosystem functioning. However, its response to traditional tillage systems in potato cultivation in the Peruvian highlands is still far from understood. Here, ecological and functional aspects of the bacterial community were analyzed based on soil samples from two traditional tillage systems: 'chiwa' (minimal tillage) and 'barbecho' (full tillage), in the Huanuco region of the Peruvian central Andes. Similar soil bacterial community composition was shown for minimal tillage system, but it was heterogeneous for full tillage system. This soil bacterial community composition under full tillage system may be attributed to stochastic, and a more dynamic environment within this tillage system. 'Chiwa' and 'barbecho' soils harbored distinct bacterial genera into their communities, indicating their potential as bioindicators of traditional tillage effects. Functional analysis revealed common metabolic pathways in both tillage systems, with differences in anaerobic pathways in 'chiwa' and more diverse pathways in 'barbecho'. These findings open the possibilities to explore microbial bioindicators for minimal and full tillage systems, which are in relationship with healthy soil, and they can be used to propose adequate tillage systems for the sowing of potatoes in Peru.

Abstract Background mTORC2 is a critical regulator of cytoskeleton organization, cell proliferation, and cancer cell survival. Activated mTORC2 induces maximal activation of Akt by phosphorylation of Ser-473, but regulation of Akt activity and signaling crosstalk upon growth factor stimulation are still unclear. Results We identified that NUAK1 regulates growth factor-dependent activation of Akt by two mechanisms. NUAK1 interacts with mTORC2 components and regulates mTORC2-dependent activation of Akt by controlling lysosome positioning and mTOR association with this organelle. A second mechanism involves NUAK1 directly phosphorylating Akt at Ser-473. The effect of NUAK1 correlated with a growth factor-dependent activation of specific Akt substrates. NUAK1 induced the Akt-dependent phosphorylation of FOXO1/3a (Thr-24/Thr-32) but not of TSC2 (Thr-1462). According to a subcellular compartmentalization that could explain NUAK1’s differential effect on the Akt substrates, we found that NUAK1 is associated with early endosomes but not with plasma membrane, late endosomes, or lysosomes. NUAK1 was required for the Akt/FOXO1/3a axis, regulating p21CIP1, p27KIP1, and FoxM1 expression and cancer cell survival upon EGFR stimulation. Pharmacological inhibition of NUAK1 potentiated the cell death effect induced by Akt or mTOR pharmacological blockage. Analysis of human tissue data revealed that NUAK1 expression positively correlates with EGFR expression and Akt Ser-473 phosphorylation in several human cancers. Conclusions Our results showed that NUAK1 kinase controls mTOR subcellular localization and induces Akt phosphorylation, demonstrating that NUAK1 regulates the growth factor-dependent activation of Akt signaling. Therefore, targeting NUAK1, or co-targeting it with Akt or mTOR inhibitors, may be effective in cancers with hyperactivated Akt signaling.

With the global population of individuals aged 60 and above steadily increasing, the need for effective and realistic solutions to promote healthy aging has become imperative. Leveraging the potential of serious games, gamification, and immersive technologies, this study focuses on developing and implementing a practical and tailored gamified platform to foster active aging in older adults. This platform was designed to incorporate game elements such as points, badges, levels, rankings, achievements, and immersive 360-degree images to provide a realistic and captivating user experience. Six distinct games and challenges have been developed through an extensive and iterative design process, each carefully calibrated to accommodate the aging population’s diverse cognitive abilities and interests. By combining the engagement-enhancing features of gamification with the immersive realism of 360-degree images, our platform offers a gamified and immersive solution for older adults. The gamified experiences are enjoyable and directly target cognitive functions, enhancing memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. The platform’s design has been refined through user feedback and usability testing, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in real-life scenarios. The outcomes of this research shed light on a practical approach to active aging, emphasizing the importance of incorporating gaming experiences to engage and stimulate older adults. This study provides insights for the design and implementation of future interventions aimed at promoting digital literacy and technological proficiency among older populations, ultimately contributing to their active and fulfilling participation in the digital age.

The genus Carpobrotus N.E.Br. comprises between 12 and 25 species, most of which are native to South Africa. Some Carpobrotus species are considered among the most damaging invasive species in coastal dune systems worldwide. In their introduced areas, these species represent a serious threat to native species and significantly impact soil conditions and geochemical processes. Despite being well studied, the taxonomy of Carpobrotus remains problematic, as the genus comprises a complex of species that hybridize easily and are difficult to distinguish from each other. To explore the population genetic structure of invasive Carpobrotus species (i.e., C. acinaciformis and C. edulis) across a significant part of their native and non-native ranges, we sampled 40 populations across Argentina, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, and the USA. We developed taxon-specific microsatellite markers using a Next Generation Sequencing approach to analyze the population genetic structure and incidence of hybridization in native and non-native regions. We identified three genetically distinct clusters, which are present in both the native and non-native regions. Based on a set of selected morphological characteristics, we found no clear features to identify taxa morphologically. Our results suggest that the most probable sources of global introductions of Carpobrotus species are the Western Cape region of South Africa and the coastline of California. We suggest that management actions targeting Carpobrotus invasions globally should focus on preventing additional introductions from the east coast of South Africa, and on searching for prospective biocontrol agents in the Western Cape region of South Africa.

The International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility- DEMO Oriented Neutron Source (IFMIF-DONES) is a scientific infrastructure aimed to provide an intense neutron source for the qualification of materials to be used in future fusion power reactors. Its implementation is critical for the construction of the fusion DEMOnstration Power Plant (DEMO).IFMIF-DONES is a unique facility requiring a broad set of technologies. Although most of the necessary technologies have already been validated, there are still some aspects that introduce risks in the evolution of the project.In order to mitigate these risks, a consortium of companies, with the support of research centres and the funding of the CDTI (Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology and Innovation), has launched the DONES EVO Programme, which comprises six lines of research: • Improvement of signal transmission and integrity (planning and integration risks) • Optimisation of RF conditioning processes (planning and reliability risks) • Development of a reliable beam extraction device (reliability risks) • Development of technologies for the production of medical isotopes (reliability risks) • Improvement of critical parts of the lithium purification system (safety and reliability risks) • Validation of the manufacture of critical components with special materials (reliability risk).DONES EVO will focus on developing the appropriate response to the risks identified in the IFMIF-DONES project through research and prototyping around the associated technologies.This contribution will present a discussion of the risks, the proposed response to them and the evolution of the technologies involved, following selected experiments carried out throughout the project.

The Pyrenean grey partridge (Perdix perdix hispaniensis) is an endangered and insufficiently studied galliform occurring in upland habitats dominated by shrublands in Spain, France, and Andorra. Aiming to develop tailored management to favour the species, we studied the effect of habitat management on a partridge population located in Zamora province within the Galician–Duero mountains as part of a long-term project promoted by the regional government (Junta Castilla y León). Management was based on carrying out conservation and recovery of optimal habitats through clearing shrublands (either plots or linear) distributed in a “core area” of 45 km2, conducting tracks with beaters and pointing dogs during autumn in three areas, and comparing the partridge abundance before (2000–2006) and after (2007–2023) management. Habitat management increased partridge abundance values in two areas (1.46 and 1.68 times higher) and had no effect on the remaining one. The pattern of grey partridge abundance during the study was irregular and not influenced by the weather, and the highest abundance values were reached 8–10 years after habitat measures were implemented for the first time. Habitat management allowed high autumn abundance to be reached (mean kilometre abundance values of 2.94 and 3.74 birds/km in two areas), while the mean number of birds per family group was not affected by management (nine birds/group). When aiming to recover Pyrenean grey partridge populations, habitat management should be based on the conservation and management of shrublands to provide mixed habitats in the medium and long term, ensuring regular partridge monitoring.

ABSTRACTInternational travelers are frequently afflicted by acute infectious diarrhea, commonly referred to as travelers’ diarrhea (TD). Antibiotics are often prescribed as treatment or prophylaxis for TD; however, little is known about the impacts of these regimens on travelers’ gut microbiomes and carriage of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Here, we analyzed two cohorts totaling 153 US and UK servicemembers deployed to Honduras or Kenya. These subjects either experienced TD during deployment and received a single dose of one of three antibiotics [Trial Evaluating Ambulatory Therapy of Travelers’ Diarrhea (TrEAT TD) cohort] or took once-daily rifaximin (RIF), twice-daily RIF, or placebo as prophylaxis to prevent TD [Trial Evaluating Chemoprophylaxis Against Travelers’ Diarrhea (PREVENT TD) cohort]. We applied metagenomic sequencing on 340 longitudinally collected stool samples and whole-genome sequencing on 54 Escherichia coli isolates. We found that gut microbiome taxonomic diversity remained stable across the length of study for most treatment groups, but twice-daily RIF prophylaxis significantly decreased microbiome richness post-travel. Similarly, ARG diversity and abundance were generally stable, with the exception of a significant increase for the twice-daily RIF prophylaxis group. We also did not identify significant differences between the ARG abundance of E. coli isolates from the TrEAT TD cohort collected from different treatment groups or timepoints. Overall, we found no significant worsening of gut microbiome diversity or an increase in ARG abundance following single-dose treatment for TD, underscoring that these can be effective with low risk of impact on the microbiome and resistome, and identified the relative microbiome risks and benefits associated with the three regimens for preventing TD.IMPORTANCEThe travelers’ gut microbiome is potentially assaulted by acute and chronic perturbations (e.g., diarrhea, antibiotic use, and different environments). Prior studies of the impact of travel and travelers’ diarrhea (TD) on the microbiome have not directly compared antibiotic regimens, and studies of different antibiotic regimens have not considered travelers’ microbiomes. This gap is important to be addressed as the use of antibiotics to treat or prevent TD—even in moderate to severe cases or in regions with high infectious disease burden—is controversial based on the concerns for unintended consequences to the gut microbiome and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emergence. Our study addresses this by evaluating the impact of defined antibiotic regimens (single-dose treatment or daily prophylaxis) on the gut microbiome and resistomes of deployed servicemembers, using samples collected during clinical trials. Our findings indicate that the antibiotic treatment regimens that were studied generally do not lead to adverse effects on the gut microbiome and resistome and identify the relative risks associated with prophylaxis. These results can be used to inform therapeutic guidelines for the prevention and treatment of TD and make progress toward using microbiome information in personalized medical care.

Reducing uncertainties in the air–sea CO2 flux calculations is one of the major challenges when addressing the oceanic contribution in the global carbon balance. In traditional models, the air–sea CO2 flux is estimated using expressions of the gas transfer velocity as a function of wind speed. However, other mechanisms affecting the variability in the flux at local and regional scales are still poorly understood. The uncertainties associated with the flux estimates become particularly large in heterogeneous environments such as coastal and marginal seas. Here, we investigated the air–sea CO2 exchange at a coastal site in the central Baltic Sea using 9 years of eddy covariance measurements. Based on these observations we were able to capture the temporal variability in the air–sea CO2 flux and other parameters relevant for the gas exchange. Our results show that a wind-based model with a similar pattern to those developed for larger basins and open-sea conditions can, on average, be a good approximation for k, the gas transfer velocity. However, in order to reduce the uncertainty associated with these averages and produce reliable short-term k estimates, additional physical processes must be considered. Using a normalized gas transfer velocity, we identified conditions associated with enhanced exchange (large k values). During high and intermediate wind speeds (above 6–8 m s−1), conditions on both sides of the air–water interface were found to be relevant for the gas exchange. Our findings further suggest that at such relatively high wind speeds, sea spray is an efficient mechanisms for air–sea CO2 exchange. During low wind speeds ( m s−1), water-side convection was found to be a relevant control mechanism. The effect of both sea spray and water-side convection on the gas exchange showed a clear seasonality with positive fluxes (winter conditions) being the most affected.

Heat waves have increased in frequency, duration, and magnitude in recent decades, causing mass mortality events in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Arguably, mass mortalities of habitat-forming organisms – i.e., dominant sessile organisms that define habitats via their own physical structure – would be amongst the most dramatic impact of heat waves because of their negative, cascading consequences on their associated biodiversity. However, the resistance of habitat-forming organisms to heat waves can be enhanced if they associate with secondary habitat formers able to tolerate and modulate extreme heat levels. Here we show that a seaweed of the Porphyra/Pyropia (P/P) clade can shield primary habitat-forming mussels, Brachidontes rodriguezii, from the impacts of extreme temperatures in a southwestern Atlantic rocky intertidal shore. By means of P/P removal experiments and surveys, we illustrate that P/P cover (a) buffers temperatures in the understory mussel beds during daytime air exposure periods in the summer, (b) reduces mussel mortality and leads to increased mussel body condition during warm summer periods, and (c) can prevent mass mortality of mussels during the course of a heat wave. Additionally, by means of a mussel removal experiment we illustrate that mussel cover is critical for P/P establishment, which is in consonance with the remarkably higher P/P densities and cover observed in mussel beds relative to exposed rock surfaces across a ~70 km coastal range. Collectively, these findings reveal a facultative mutualism where mussels provide a favorable substrate for P/P colonization and P/P attenuates heat mediated mortality on mussels. The ability of P/P to enhance the resistance of mussel beds to extreme heat events and the occurrence of similar P/P-mussel associations during spring-summer at globally dispersed sites suggests a widespread importance of P/P for the stability of mussel beds and their associated communities under warming climates.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuropsychiatric disease, characterized by deficits in social communication, presence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. This review aims to address the different nutrients that can be included in the diet of patients with ASD in order to reduce the different signs and symptoms present in this disorder. Different bibliographic sources were reviewed, such as PubMed, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Embase, and SciELO, using the keywords "Probiotics", "Vitamin B", Vitamin C", "Gluten", “Omega-3" and “Autism Spectrum Disorder”. It was found that probiotics and gluten improve gastrointestinal symptoms and, in addition, like vitamins B6, B9, B12 and C, as well as omega 3, help improve neurobehavioral symptoms, language and social behavior of children with ASD.

Background. Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) is a principal cause of diarrhea in travelers, deployed military personnel, and children living in low to middle-income countries. ETEC expresses a variety of virulence factors including colonization factors (CF) that facilitate adherence to the intestinal mucosa. We assessed the protective efficacy of a tip-localized subunit of CF antigen I (CFA/I), CfaE, delivered intradermally with the mutant E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin, LTR192G, in a controlled human infection model (CHIM). Methods. Three cohorts of healthy adult subjects were enrolled and given three doses of 25 μg CfaE + 100 ng LTR192G vaccine intradermally at 3-week intervals. Approximately 28 days after the last vaccination, vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects were admitted as inpatients and challenged with approximately 2 × 107 cfu of CFA/I+ ETEC strain H10407 following an overnight fast. Subjects were assessed for moderate-to-severe diarrhea for 5 days post-challenge. Results. A total of 52 volunteers received all three vaccinations; 41 vaccinated and 43 unvaccinated subjects were challenged and assessed for moderate-to-severe diarrhea. Naïve attack rates varied from 45.5% to 64.7% across the cohorts yielding an overall efficacy estimate of 27.8% (95% confidence intervals: −7.5–51.6%). In addition to reducing moderate–severe diarrhea rates, the vaccine significantly reduced loose stool output and overall ETEC disease severity. Conclusions. This is the first study to demonstrate protection against ETEC challenge after intradermal vaccination with an ETEC adhesin. Further examination of the challenge methodology is necessary to address the variability in naïve attack rate observed among the three cohorts in the present study.

The current trend in the food industry is towards “clean label” products with high sensory and nutritional quality. However, the inclusion of nutrient-rich ingredients in recipes often leads to sensory deficiencies in baked goods. To meet these requirements, physically modified flours are receiving more and more attention from bakery product developers. There are various findings in the literature on high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) technology, which can be used to modify various matrices so that they can be used as ingredients in the baking industry. HHP treatments can change the functionality of starches and proteins due to cold gelatinization and protein unfolding. As a result, the resulting ingredients are more suitable for nutrient-rich bakery formulations. This review describes the information available in the literature on HHP treatment conditions for ingredients used in the production of bakery products and analyses the changes in the techno-functional properties of these matrices, in particular their ability to act as structuring agents. The impact of HHP-treated ingredients on the quality of dough and bakery products and the effects on some nutritional properties of the treated matrices have been also analysed. The findings presented in this paper could be of particular interest to the bakery industry as they could be very useful in promoting the industrial application of HHP technology.

Abstract The chronic inflammatory process that characterizes inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is mainly driven by T-cell response to microbial and environmental antigens. Psychological stress is a potential trigger of clinical flares of IBD, and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is involved in T-cell recruitment. Hence, stress impact and the absence of sphingosine kinase 2 (Sphk2), an enzyme of S1P metabolism, were evaluated in the colon of mice after sub-chronic stress exposure. Here, we show that sub-chronic stress increased S1P in the mouse colon, possibly due to a decrease in its degradation enzymes and Sphk2. S1P accumulation could lead to inflammation and immune dysregulation reflected by upregulation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway, inhibition of anti-inflammatory mechanisms, cytokine-expression profile towards a T-helper lymphocyte 17 (Th17) polarization, plasmacytosis, decrease in IgA+ lymphoid lineage cells (CD45+)/B cells/plasmablasts, and increase in IgM+ B cells. Stress also enhanced intestinal permeability. Sphk2 knockout mice presented a cytokine-expression profile towards a boosted Th17 response, lower expression of claudin 3,4,7,8, and structural abnormalities in the colon. Intestinal pathophysiology should consider stress and S1P as modulators of the immune response. S1P-based drugs, including Sphk2 potentiation, represent a promising approach to treat IBD.

An experimental and theoretical study of the spectral response of coupled viscoelastic bars subject to axial oscillations is performed. Novel closed formulas for the envelope function and its width are derived. These formulas explicitly show the role played by energy dissipation. They show that the internal friction does not affect the width of the envelope of the individual resonances. The formulation is based on the equations of classical mechanics combined with Voigt’s viscoelastic model. The systems studied consist of a sequence of one, two, or three coupled bars, with their central axes collinear. One of the bars is assumed to be much longer than the others. We discuss the connection between our results and the concept of the strength function phenomenon discovered for the first time in nuclear physics. Our formulation is an alternative and exact approach to the approximated studies based on the fuzzy structure theory that has been used by other authors to describe systems consisting of coupled bars. The analytical expressions describe the measurements in the laboratory very well.

“De tu misma especie”, cuento perteneciente al libro Para comerte mejor (2015) de la escritora boliviana Giovanna Rivero, implica la reescritura de uno de los relatos míticos más prolíficos para el imaginario occidental, el de Orfeo, héroe que desciende al mundo de los muertos, retorna con la pérdida a cuestas y la mirada trastocada, la cual se conjuga con la figura del poeta melancólico de tipo simbolista, hundido en los misterios de las angustias del espíritu. Estas estructuras simbólicas y poéticas son encarnadas por el personaje suicida del relato, quien es una reescritura del fracaso que signa la “mirada órfica”, aquella de la que habla Maurice Blanchot, transportando el plano de lo simbólico del héroe mítico a la carnalidad del revenant.

SAICEUPSMT strain was isolated from soils in the mining district of Almadén (Ciudad Real, Spain), subjected to a high concentration of mercury. Using the plant model of lupinus, the strain was inoculated into the rhizosphere of the plant in a soil characterized by a high concentration of mercury (1,710 ppm) from an abandoned dump in the mining district of Almadén (Ciudad Real, Spain). As a control, a soil with a minimum natural concentration of mercury, from a surrounding area, was used. Under greenhouse conditions, the effect that the inoculum of the SAICEUPSMT strain had on the antioxidant capacity of the plant was studied, through the quantification of the enzymatic activity catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GR). Likewise, the capacity of the plant to bioaccumulate mercury in the presence of the inoculum was studied, as well as the effect on the biometric parameters total weight (g), shoot weight (g), root weight (g), shoot length (cm), root length (cm), total number of leaves (N), and total number of secondary roots (No). Finally, in view of the results, the SAICEUPSMT strain was identified from the phenotypic and genotypic point of view (housekeeping genes and complete genome sequencing). The inoculum with the SAICEUPSMT strain in the presence of mercury produced a significant reduction in the enzymatic response to oxidative stress (CAT, APX, and SOD). It can be considered that the strain exerts a phytoprotective effect on the plant. This led to a significant increase in the biometric parameters total plant weight, root weight and the number of leaves under mercury stress, compared to the control without abiotic stress. When analyzing the mercury content of the plant with and without bacterial inoculum, it was found that the incorporation of the SAICEUPSMT strain significantly reduced the uptake of mercury by the plant, while favoring its development in terms of biomass. Given the positive impact of the SAICEUPSMT strain on the integral development of the plant, it was identified, proving to be a Gram negative bacillus, in vitro producer of siderophores, auxins and molecules that inhibit stress precursors. The most represented fatty acids were C16:0 (33.29%), characteristic aggregate 3 (22.80%) comprising C16:1 ω7c and C16: 1ω6c, characteristic aggregate 8 (13.66%) comprising C18:1 ω7c, and C18: 1 cycle ω6c and C 17:0 (11.42%). From the genotypic point of view, the initial identification of the strain based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence classified it as Pseudomonas iranensis. However, genome-wide analysis showed that average nucleotide identity (ANI, 95.47%), DNA-DNA in silico hybridization (dDDH, 61.9%), average amino acid identity (AAI, 97.13%), TETRA (0.99%) and intergenic distance (0.04) values were below the established thresholds for differentiation. The results of the genomic analysis together with the differences in the phenotypic characteristics and the phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analysis support the proposal of the SAICEUPSMT strain as the type strain of a new species for which the name Pseudomonas mercuritolerans sp. is proposed. No virulence genes or transmissible resistance mechanisms have been identified, which reveals its safety for agronomic uses, under mercury stress conditions.

Introducción: El riesgo de mortalidad en pacientes adultos mayores con cáncer y el tiempo de estancia hospitalaria se incrementan debido a una concentración de albúmina inferior a 3,5 g/dL. Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre hipoalbuminemia y toxicidad por quimioterapia en pacientes oncológicos adultos mayores. Métodos: Estudio observacional, transversal, realizado en 192 pacientes ambulatorios del Centro Médico Naval del Callao, Perú, varones, mayores de 60 años. Se evaluaron los efectos adversos a la quimioterapia y los factores asociados, entre los años 2013 y 2015. Se crearon modelos de regresión de Cox crudos y ajustados para determinar la asociación entre hipoalbuminemia y el desarrollo de toxicidad a quimioterápicos. Resultados: Se encontró asociación entre hipoalbuminemia (HR= 1,03; IC95 %: 1,01-1,04), edad (HR= 1,02; IC95 %: 1,01-1,04), malnutrición (HR= 1,1; IC95 %: 1,05-1,21), diabetes mellitus (HR= 1,05; IC95 %: 1,00-1,12), porcentaje de grasa corporal (HR= 0,97; IC95 %: 0,92 - 0,99) y la toxicidad por quimioterapia. Conclusiones: En los pacientes adultos mayores oncológicos del Centro Médico Naval, se encuentra asociación significativa entre hipoalbuminemia y toxicidad por quimioterapia.

Introduction: Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) is a leading cause of diarrhea in travelers as well as for children living in low- to middle-income countries. ETEC adhere to intestinal epithelium via colonization factors (CFs). CFA/I, a common CF, is composed of a polymeric stalk and a tip-localized minor adhesive subunit, CfaE. Vaccine delivery by the transcutaneous immunization of dscCfaE was safe but was poorly immunogenic in a phase 1 trial when administered to volunteers with LTR(192G) and mLT. To potentially enhance the immunogenicity of CfaE while still delivering via a cutaneous route, we evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of two CfaE constructs administered intradermally (ID) with or without mLT. Methods: CfaE was evaluated as a donor strand-complemented construct (dscCfaE) and as a chimeric construct (Chimera) in which dscCfaE replaces the A1 domain of the cholera toxin A subunit and assembles non-covalently with the pentamer of heat-labile toxin B (LTB). Subjects received three ID vaccinations three weeks apart with either dscCfaE (1, 5, and 25 µg) or Chimera (2.6 and 12.9 µg) with and without 0.1 µg of mLT. Subjects were monitored for local and systemic adverse events. Immunogenicity was evaluated by serum and antibody-secreting cell (ASC) responses. Results. The vaccine was well-tolerated with predominantly mild and moderate local vaccine site reactions characterized by erythema, induration and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. High rates of serologic and ASC responses were seen across study groups with the most robust responses observed in subjects receiving 25 µg of dscCfaE with 0.1 mcg of LT(R192G). Conclusion: Both ETEC adhesin vaccine prototypes were safe and immunogenic when co-administered with mLT by the ID route. The observed immune responses induced with the high dose of dscCfaE and mLT warrant further assessment in a controlled human infection model.

Diffraction patterns of polyacrylic acid (PAA) encapsulated-(Fe)-modified ZnAl hydrotalcite (ZnAlH) showed the integration of Fe in the H lattice, resulting in a hybrid nanocomposite (Fe-PAA-ZnAlH), which was mainly verified with the characteristic shift in the 59–63° (2θ) region of the ZnAlH (110) reflection plane. The rise in the unit cell parameters (c and a) as the Fe % incremented, denoted incorporation of Fe in the ZnAlH red. Nonetheless, changes in the immobilizer molecular weight (PAA MW) from 1250 kDa to 5.1 kDa did not cause a difference in the distance between layers (c parameter) but in the cation-cation separation (a parameter), which meant that the nanoparticle was not located between layers, but in the lattice. The resulting band gap energies of the calcined hybrid nanocomposites were among 1.07–1.21 eV, which is an additional support of Fe+3 integration, suggesting insertion of Fe+3 3d orbitals between the valence and the conduction band of ZnO. Furthermore, nZVI were prepared through a pre-agglomeration reduction method, where COOH-groups were bound to metal cations. Initially, aqueous Fe+2 was bound to PAA [Fe+2-PAA], then reduced to obtain enclosed hybrid (nZVI-PAA). Less stability and more aggregation were observed with the lower molecular weight PAA. Additionally, PAA dissociation caused by pH changes affected the clustering of the nZVI particles. At higher MW, the hydrodynamic diameter and size distribution become smaller and tighter, respectively, allowing a more monodispersed population with sphere shape and organized in core–shell beads chains.

Bread is a widely consumed food that has often been used as a vehicle for functional ingredients such as dietary fibre. Fibre-rich breads have beneficial physiological effects on health, helping to combat chronic pathologies such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of colon cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the technological and nutritional effects of the inclusion of buckwheat hull particles (BH) at two addition levels (3 and 6%) and two particle sizes (fine, D50: 62.7 μm; coarse, D50: 307 μm) in a gluten-free (GF) bread formulation. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in the dough elastic modulus (G’) was observed for all doughs containing BH, from 712 Pa for a rice-based dough to 1027–3738 Pa for those containing BH. Compared to rice-based breads, those containing BH showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in total dietary fibre content (from three to five times) and in antioxidant capacity (from 78 to 290 mg TE/100 g dw. in the ORAC test). Breads containing fine BH at a level of 3% had similar sensory properties to the rice-based bread, demonstrating that it is possible to improve the TDF content while maintaining the sensory quality of the GF bread.

Introducción: La presencia y el desarrollo de la obesidad es un tema complejo debido a su etiología multifactorial. Un estilo de vida no saludable es uno de los principales contribuyentes, especialmente, una mayor frecuencia en el consumo de alimentos hipercalóricos y una disminución de nutrientes, así como la insuficiente actividad física (AF) o sedentarismo. Objetivo: Describir la frecuencia del consumo de alimentos, la AF y su asociación con el índice de masa corporal (IMC) en adultos de Yucatán. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 250 adultos, los cuales se agruparon de acuerdo con el IMC y con o sin síndrome metabólico (SM). Para predecir obesidad, se realizó un modelo de regresión logística multivariante de las frecuencias del consumo de alimentos. La AF se evaluó con el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física. Resultados: Se encontraron altas frecuencias de sobrepeso (35.2%), obesidad (48.8%) y SM (48%). Los individuos con mayor IMC reportaron asociaciones positivas con el consumo de lácteos y edulcorantes artificiales y negativa con el consumo de pescado. La AF fue menor en la población con SM. Conclusión: La población adulta en Yucatán con mayor IMC consume alimentos industrializados modernos que no son recomendables en dietas saludables y realiza menor AF.

The organisms inhabiting intertidal platforms can affect their weathering and erosion rates. Research on biotic influences on platform integrity has traditionally emphasized the role of bioeroders (i.e., organisms that scrap or bore into platforms via mechanical and chemical means). Yet, recent studies illustrate that covers of sessile organisms on the surfaces of intertidal platforms can have bioprotective effects by reducing the efficacy of physical weathering and erosion agents. Eroding cliffs fronted by cohesive shore platforms are a pervasive feature along the continental Argentinean coastline (37–52°S). In this study, we investigated how mussel (Brachidontes rodriguezii) cover mediates weathering and erosion of a cohesive, consolidated silt platform at Playa Copacabana (5 km north of Miramar, Buenos Aires Province; 38° 14′ S, 57° 46′ W). By means of mussel removal experiments, we found that mussel cover attenuates variations in platform surface temperatures, enhances moisture retention during low tide, reduces rates of salt crystallization within the pores of the platform material, and attenuates hydrodynamic forcing on the platform surface. Mussel removal also led to a 10% decrease in surface hardness and a 2-mm reduction in platform height after 5 months. Collectively, our findings indicate that mussel beds limit substrate breakdown via heating-cooling, wetting-drying, and salt crystallization and provide some of the first experimental field evidence for the direct impacts of biotic cover on platform erosion. As intertidal platforms protect the cliffs behind from the hydraulic impact of waves, which may be enhanced with future sea-level rise, we posit that the protection of platforms by mussels indirectly moderates coastline retreat, especially on soft cohesive shores.

A hypothetical Pan-European Indoor Radon Map has been developed using summary statistics estimated from 1.2 million indoor radon samples. In this study we have used the arithmetic mean (AM) over grid cells of 10 km × 10 km to predict a mean indoor radon concentration at ground-floor level of buildings in the grid cells where no or few data (N) are available. Four interpolation techniques have been tested: inverse distance weighting (IDW), ordinary kriging (OK), collocated cokriging with uranium concentration as a secondary variable (CCK), and regression kriging with topsoil geochemistry and bedrock geology as secondary variables (RK). Cross-validation exercises have been carried out to assess the uncertainties associated with each method. Of the four methods tested, RK has proven to be the best one for predicting mean indoor radon concentrations; and by combining the RK predictions with the AM of the grids with 30 or more measurements, a Pan-European Indoor Radon Map has been produced. This map represents a first step towards a European radon exposure map and, in the future, a radon dose map.

Abstract Background Diseases of the descending aorta have emerged as a clinical issue in Marfan syndrome following improvements in proximal aorta surgical treatment and the consequent increase in life expectancy. Although a role for hemodynamic alterations in the etiology of descending aorta disease in Marfan patients has been suggested, whether flow characteristics may be useful as early markers remains to be determined. Methods Seventy-five Marfan patients and 48 healthy subjects were prospectively enrolled. In- and through-plane vortexes were computed by 4D flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the thoracic aorta through the quantification of in-plane rotational flow and systolic flow reversal ratio, respectively. Regional pulse wave velocity and axial and circumferential wall shear stress maps were also computed. Results In-plane rotational flow and circumferential wall shear stress were reduced in Marfan patients in the distal ascending aorta and in proximal descending aorta, even in the 20 patients free of aortic dilation. Multivariate analysis showed reduced in-plane rotational flow to be independently related to descending aorta pulse wave velocity. Conversely, systolic flow reversal ratio and axial wall shear stress were altered in unselected Marfan patients but not in the subgroup without dilation. In multivariate regression analysis proximal descending aorta axial (p = 0.014) and circumferential (p = 0.034) wall shear stress were independently related to local diameter. Conclusions Reduced rotational flow is present in the aorta of Marfan patients even in the absence of dilation, is related to aortic stiffness and drives abnormal circumferential wall shear stress. Axial and circumferential wall shear stress are independently related to proximal descending aorta dilation beyond clinical factors. In-plane rotational flow and circumferential wall shear stress may be considered as an early marker of descending aorta dilation in Marfan patients.

Understanding of parasitic diseases begins by knowing the species of a population. Accordingly, information to identify the equine helminth faunas of Cuba was re-collected due to the gradual loss of data caused by deterioration of the printed scientific literature. These parasitic populations were first identified by Doctor Idelfonso Pérez Vigueras during the first half of the 21st Century. Further studies were conducted on horse populations in different provinces. Currently, 34 helminths have been properly reported, including nine benzimidazole-resistant species of cyathostomes in several herds. As a result of a large number of nematodes described in the international scientific literature, and due to the insufficient studies made in Cuba, the equine helminth faunas probably include a larger number of species. Hence, further comprehensive studies should be conducted on this topic.