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Abstract Thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) profoundly impairs motor and sensory functions, significantly reducing life quality without currently available effective treatments for neuroprotection or full functional regeneration. This study investigated the neurotrophic and synaptic recovery potential of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and growth hormone (GH) treatments in ovariectomized rats subjected to thoracic SCI. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, we evaluated the effects of these hormones upon gene expression of classical neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, and NT3) as well as indicative markers of synaptic function (Nlgn1, Nxn1, SNAP25, SYP, and syntaxin-1), together with morphological assessments of myelin sheath integrity (Klüver-Barrera staining and MBP immunoreactivity) and synaptogenic proteins (PSD95, SYP) by immunohystochemistry (IHC) , and also on the neuromotor functional recovery of hindlimbs in the lesioned animals. Results demonstrated that chronic administration of GnRH and GH induced notable upregulation in the expression of several neurotrophic and synaptogenic activity genes. Additionally, the treatment showed a significant impact on the restoration of functional synaptic markers and myelin integrity. Intriguingly, while individual GnRH application induced certain recovery benefits, the combined treatment with GH appeared to inhibit neuromotor recovery, suggesting a complex interplay in hormonal regulation post-SCI. GnRH and GH are bioactive and participate in modulating neurotrophic responses and synaptic restoration under neural damage conditions, offering insights into novel therapeutic approaches for SCI. However, the intricate effects of combined hormonal treatment accentuate the necessity for further investigation that conduce to optimal and novel therapeutic strategies for patients with spinal cord lesions.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the global economy, with variable effects on economic growth, employment, and inflation rates in different countries and regions. Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region experienced the most severe consequences for economic growth and employment, while the change in inflation was relatively less affected. A notable characteristic of the LAC region is its high level of informality and its close relationship with inflation dynamics. A dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model was built and simulated to understand the role of informality in the COVID-19 crisis. The findings highlight that the informal sector exacerbates the negative impacts of the crisis on economic growth and employment rates but mitigates the inflationary effects resulting from the containment measures. In summary, the high rates of informality in the LAC region play an important role in shaping the consequences of restrictive measures to curb the pandemic on the economy.

Biosurfactants are amphipathic molecules with considerable potential for application in different industries due to their biochemical characteristics, low toxicity as well as greater biodegradability and stability compared to chemical surfactants when submitted to adverse environmental conditions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the production of a biosurfactant by Candida lipolytica UCP 0988 grown in a medium containing 4.0% molasses, 2.5% used soybean frying oil, and 2.5% corn steep liquor for 144 h at 200 rpm. The biosurfactant was characterized; its stability and toxicity were investigated, and the compound was applied in oil removal tests. In the C. lipolytica growth and biosurfactant production studies, the surface tension of the medium was reduced from 72 mN/m to 25 mN/m, the critical micellar concentration (CMC) was 0.5 g/L (w/v), and the yield was 12 g/L. Tests under extreme conditions of temperature, pH, and NaCl indicated the stability of the biosurfactant. Fourier-transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the chemical structure of the purified biosurfactant suggested that the biosurfactant is a glycolipid. The anionic biosurfactant exhibited no toxicity to the microcrustacean Artemia salina or vegetable seeds (Brassica oleracea). Dispersion tests in seawater demonstrated 100% efficiency of the biomolecule against motor oil. The biosurfactant was efficient at removing oil from sand in static and kinetic tests at concentrations of ½ CMC (0.25 g/L), CMC (0.5 g/L), and 2 × CMC (1.0 g/L), with removal rates of 70 to 96%, whereas the synthetic surfactants tested removed only 10 to 18% of the oil. Based on the findings, the biosurfactant analyzed has considerable potential for the remediation of contaminated coastal and marine environments due to oil spills.

Background/Objectives: The prolonged use of antibiotics is closely related to increased infections caused by Clostridioides difficile (Cdiff). Plant-origin compounds have been expanding in recent years as the best opportunity to identify new synergic therapies to combat antibiotic-associated diseases. Mexico has incredible plant biodiversity; natural compounds with antibacterial properties are an alternative treatment. The main objective of this study was to analyze the effect of medicinal plants with an antibacterial action against toxigenic clinical Cdiff strains that have a synergic effect on the antibiotics commonly used to combat this disease. Methods: The plants were selected for plants that were previously used in research, and their extracts were tested against Cdiff strains. The antibacterial activity, synergy, and antagonism between the extracts and their synergic effect with antibiotics were evaluated. Results: Our results demonstrated that some extracts have effective antimicrobial activity and synergic effects with vancomycin and metronidazole. Conclusions: This study suggests that plant extracts and plant compounds derived from these extracts could be used as synergic-antibiotic therapy to combat Cdiff infections.

Objectives: Millions of patients with COVID-19 were admitted to intensive care worldwide, half developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), with a mortality of 50%. We analyzed how age, comorbidities and complications in patients with COVID-19 and ARDS who received IMV were associated with the risk of dying during their hospitalization. Methods: Observational, retrospective and multicenter cohort study carried out in 5 hospitals (three private and two public university hospitals) in Argentina and Chile, during the second half of 2020. Patients >18 years of age with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR, who developed ARDS and were assisted with IMV for >48 hours, during the second half of 2020, were included. History, the most frequent comorbidities (obesity, diabetes and hypertension) and the complications of shock, acute renal failure (AKI) and pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation (VAP), on the one hand, and the alterations of recorded clinical and laboratory parameters, were analyzed. Results: 69% were men. The incidence of comorbidities differed for different age groups. Mortality increased significantly with age (p60 years, shock and ARF were associated with mortality in the multivariate analysis.

(1) Background: Chagas disease is a public health problem affecting nearly 2 million women of reproductive age in Latin America. From these, 4–8% can transmit the infection to the foetus through the vertical route, whereas horizontal transmission through milk during breastfeeding remains controversial. Therefore, the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) DNA in the milk of women seropositive for Chagas disease was analysed to determine whether a relationship with the infection of their children can exist. (2) Methods: 260 pairs (mother–child) from four hospitals located in rural areas endemic to T. cruzi (state of Oaxaca) were studied. The presence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies in the serum of lactating women were determined by ELISA, whereas parasitic DNA in either breast milk or newborn’s blood was identified by PCR; (3) Results: The seroprevalence of infection in lactating women was 5.76%, and the frequency of infection detected by PCR in breast milk was 1.92%, while the frequency of infection in the blood of newborns was 1.92%. Pochutla-Oaxaca presented the highest number of positive cases in both breast milk and blood. The only risk factor found was the presence of the vector in the geographical area analysed, favouring the parasite’s transmission. Overall, the results suggest a probable transmission of T. cruzi, although whether it was through breastfeeding or through the blood during delivery could not be determined. (4) Conclusions: T. cruzi DNA was identified in lactating women’s milk and newborn blood, which is probable evidence of transmission through breastfeeding; nevertheless, future studies must be performed to confirm the presence of the parasite, alive or dead.

Background: This study aimed to produce, characterize, and apply a biosurfactant as a bioremediation tool for oil-contaminated coastal environments. Methods: The biosurfactant was produced in a medium containing 5.0% corn steep liquor and 1.5% residual frying oil by Candida tropicalis (URM 1150) for 144 hours with 200 rpm agitation. The growth curve and production of the biosurfactant were evaluated. The emulsifying properties and stability of the biosurfactant were tested against pH, temperature, and NaCl variations. Toxicity assays were carried out on seeds, the microcrustacean Artemia salina, and the bivalve Anomalocardia brasiliana. Static and kinetic assays were performed, alongside stone washing to assess the removal capacity. Results: The produced biosurfactant had a surface tension reduction capacity of 70 to 25 mN/m, yielding 7.1 g/L, and a critical micellar concentration (CMC) of 0.4%. During the initial 4-hour cultivation period, the growth curve showed an exponential phase, marked by a constant increase in production. In the final growth stage, biosurfactant production reached its maximum value of 7.1 g/L. After 120 h of cultivation, the maximum biomass output of 9.93 g/L was reached. The biosurfactant was applied in static and kinetic tests with seawater and sand contaminated with oil. The biosurfactant remained stable in the face of the tested variations. The biosurfactant is anionic in nature and showed no toxicity to the microcrustacean Artemia salina, vegetable seeds, or the bivalve Anomalocardia brasiliana, which exhibited 100% survival rates. The biomolecule removed 97% of the contaminated oil on the stone. The biosurfactant proved efficient and biocompatible for the bioremediation of oil derivatives, showing significant removal rates of hydrophobic compounds. Conclusion: These results indicate that the biosurfactant has great potential for application as a remediation agent to clean up oil spills in coastal environments.

Abstract Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children. The causative pathogens show geographic and seasonal variations. We retrospectively evaluated the frequency and seasonality of respiratory pathogens in children and adolescents (age: 0–19 years) with ARIs treated between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, at a single center in Mexico. Out of 2400 patients, 1,603 were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 797 were diagnosed with other common respiratory pathogens (CRPs). Of the 797 patients, 632 were infected with one CRP and 165 with > 2 CRPs. Deaths occurred only in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus B, and parainfluenza virus 3 were the most prevalent in cases with single and multiple infections. CRP showed a high frequency between autumn and winter of 2021, with higher incidence of hospitalization compared to COVID-19. The main comorbidities were immunosuppression, cardiovascular disease (CD), and asthma. The frequency of CRPs showed a downward trend throughout the first half of 2021. CRPs increased in single- and co-infection cases between the fourth and fifth waves of COVID-19, probably due to decreased nonpharmaceutical interventions and changes in diagnostic tests. Age, cyanosis (symptom), and immunosuppression (comorbidity) were found to differentiate between SARS-CoV-2 infection and CRP infection.

Abstract Background The nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an excellent immunogen that promotes the production of high-titer antibodies. N protein-derived peptides identified using a bioinformatics approach can potentially be used to develop a new generation of vaccines or diagnostic methods for detecting SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. However, further studies must demonstrate their capacity to be naturally processed by the immune system. Objective We aimed to examine the in vivo processing and recognition of in silico-identified peptides using the serum of immunized animals with the complete protein. Methods Recombinant N (Nrec) protein was subcutaneously administered to six Balb/c mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blotting, dot blotting, and immunoprecipitation were performed to evaluate the recognition of the complete protein and in silico-derived peptides. Results The serum of immunized mice recognized ~ 62.5 ng/µL of Nrec with high specificity to linear and conformational epitopes. Dot blot analysis showed that peptides Npep2 and Npep3 were the most reactive. Conclusion Our data confirm the high immunogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein and provide evidence on the antigenicity of two peptides located in the N-arm/RNA-binding domain (Npep2) and oligomerization domain/C-tail (Npep3), considered the biologically active site of the N protein.

Background: COVID-19 is primarily known as a respiratory illness; however, many patients present to hospital without respiratory symptoms. The association between non-respiratory presentations of COVID-19 and outcomes remains unclear. We investigated risk factors and clinical outcomes in patients with no respiratory symptoms (NRS) and respiratory symptoms (RS) at hospital admission. Methods: This study describes clinical features, physiological parameters, and outcomes of hospitalised COVID-19 patients, stratified by the presence or absence of respiratory symptoms at hospital admission. RS patients had one or more of: cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose or wheezing; while NRS patients did not. Results: Of 178,640 patients in the study, 86.4 % presented with RS, while 13.6 % had NRS. NRS patients were older (median age: NRS: 74 vs RS: 65) and less likely to be admitted to the ICU (NRS: 36.7 % vs RS: 37.5 %). NRS patients had a higher crude in-hospital case-fatality ratio (NRS 41.1 % vs. RS 32.0 %), but a lower risk of death after adjusting for confounders (HR 0.88 [0.83–0.93]). Conclusion: Approximately one in seven COVID-19 patients presented at hospital admission without respiratory symptoms. These patients were older, had lower ICU admission rates, and had a lower risk of in-hospital mortality after adjusting for confounders.

Background Natural killer (NK) cells are key effector cells of antitumor immunity. However, tumors can acquire resistance programs to escape NK cell-mediated immunosurveillance. Identifying mechanisms that mediate this resistance enables us to define approaches to improve immune-mediate antitumor activity. In previous studies from our group, a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen identified Charged Multivesicular Body Protein 2A (CHMP2A) as a novel mechanism that mediates tumor intrinsic resistance to NK cell activity.Methods Here, we use an immunocompetent mouse model to demonstrate that CHMP2A serves as a targetable regulator of not only NK cell-mediated immunity but also other immune cell populations. Using the recently characterized murine 4MOSC model system, a syngeneic, tobacco-signature murine head and neck squamous cell carcinoma model, we deleted mCHMP2A using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-out (KO), following orthotopic transplantation into immunocompetent hosts.Results We found that mCHMP2A KO in 4MOSC1 cells leads to more potent NK-mediated tumor cell killing in vitro in these tumor cells. Moreover, following orthotopic transplantation, KO of mCHMP2A in 4MOSC1 cells, but not the more immune-resistant 4MOSC2 cells enables both T cells and NK cells to better mediate antitumor activity compared with wild type (WT) tumors. However, there was no difference in tumor development between WT and mCHMP2A KO 4MOSC1 or 4MOSC2 tumors when implanted in immunodeficient mice. Mechanistically, we find that mCHMP2A KO 4MOSC1 tumors transplanted into the immunocompetent mice had significantly increased CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells. NK cell, as well as fewer myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC).Conclusions Together, these studies demonstrate that CHMP2A is a targetable inhibitor of cellular antitumor immunity.

The use of tris(4-aminophenyl)amine (TAPA) as central to the synthesis of both polyimines and polyimides and covalent organic frameworks and inorganic cages, among others, has grown in the last few years. The resulting materials exhibit high performance in their area of application. In this contribution, the crystal structures of two TAPA derivatives, triethyl (nitrilotris(benzene-4,1-diyl))tricarbamate (1) and triethyl 2,2′,2″-((nitrilotris(benzene-4,1-diyl))tris(azanediyl))tris(2-oxoacetate) (2), are described. The molecular and supramolecular structures of both compounds were compared between them and with analogous compounds. The analyses of their vibrational and 13C-CPMAS NMR spectroscopies, as well as their thermal stability, were included and corelated with the crystal structure. Hirshfeld surface analysis on the crystal structures of both TAPA derivatives revealed the stabilization of the crystal network via the amide N—H∙∙∙O interactions of dispersive nature in the carbamate, whereas dispersive carbonyl–carbonyl interactions also played a competitive role in the supramolecular arrangement of the oxamate. Interaction energy DFT calculations performed at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level allowed us to estimate the energy contributions and nature of several interactions in terms of the stability of both crystal lattices.

Infertility affects 15% of couples in reproductive age worldwide. In women in particular, infertility can be caused by various abnormalities, with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) being the most common. Currently, there are many assisted reproductive techniques (ART) available to combat the burden of infertility. However, positive results are not guaranteed. The administration of inositol has been shown to increase positive reproductive outcomes in women undergoing ART. Here we present a series of clinical cases in which women with a history of infertility and previously failed ART, supplemented with a specific 3.6:1 MYO:DCI ratio, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for a period of 1 to 3 months before undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this series of case reports, we provide preliminary evidence that supplementation with a specific 3.6:1 MYO to DCI ratio, as well as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals may contribute positively to female fertility in women undergoing IVF, with a history of primary or secondary infertility and previously failed ART.

Abstract A visible light positioning (VLP) system for multi‐cell networks based on multi‐colour LED that combines frequency division multiplexing with the received signal strength and a trilateration method is proposed. First, it employs experimental measurements to model the designed visible light communication (VLC) system under the characteristics of the target scenario. Second, it introduces a low‐cost VLC transmitter that exploits the chromatic space to transmit the VLP information. Third, it characterizes the VLC transmitter and proposes a linearization for electro‐optical responses of RGB LED. An RGB digital colour sensor and simple method calibrate the chromatic emission. The experimental results show that the proposed VLP multi‐cell architecture achieves a positioning accuracy lower than 6cm.

Hard X-ray-emitting ( δ -type) symbiotic binaries, which exhibit a strong hard X-ray excess, have posed a challenge to our understanding of accretion physics in degenerate dwarfs. RT Cru, which is a member of the δ -type symbiotics, shows stochastic X-ray variability. Timing analyses of X-ray observations from XMM-Newton and NuSTAR, which we consider here, indicate hourly fluctuations, in addition to a spectral transition from 2007 to a harder state in 2012 seen with Suzaku observations. To trace the nature of X-ray variability, we analyze the multimission X-ray data using principal component analysis (PCA), which determines the spectral components that contribute most to the flickering behavior and the hardness transition. The Chandra HRC-S/LETG and XMM-Newton EPIC-pn data provide the primary PCA components, which may contain some variable emission features, especially in the soft excess. Additionally, the absorbing column (first order with 50%), along with the source continuum (20%), and a third component (9%)—which likely accounts for thermal emission in the soft band—are the three principal components found in the Suzaku XIS1 observations. The PCA components of the NuSTAR data also correspond to the continuum and possibly emission features. Our findings suggest that the spectral hardness transition between the two Suzaku observations is mainly due to changes in the absorbing material and X-ray continuum, while some changes in the thermal plasma emission may result in flickering-type variations.

In developing new cosmetics, a series of steps must be followed until the final product is reached. In general, the process goes through the initial idea and preliminary research before reaching the development of the prototype. After the development of the prototype, several analytical tests are carried out to prove the viability of the product before production on a pilot scale. In the present work, three prototypes of innovative shampoo formulations containing plant extracts, rich in biosurfactants, of Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa), Glycine max (soy) and Malpighia emarginata (acerola) as cleaning agents were analyzed for their environmental toxicity profile. The plant extracts used aimed to reduce the use of toxic synthetic surfactants and to produce safe, renewable and biodegradable formulations, to help solve the challenges related to the damage caused to the environment due to the presence of synthetic surfactants in shampoo formulations and their toxic residues in soils and waters. The toxicity of the formulations was evaluated at a concentration of 1%, and the tests carried out were the phytotoxicity tests through the static test involving seed germination and root elongation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and the Allium cepa L. root growth inhibition test. A toxicity test was also performed using the microcrustacean Artemia salina as a bioindicator. A formulation without the addition of surfactants, another containing only DCG, and a commercially available shampoo, whose acceptability is known, were used as comparative standards. The results showed that the formulations showed reduced or no toxic activity for the environmental bioindicator Artemia salina, for the seeds of S. lycopersicum and for the root growth of Allium cepa L., indicating the biocompatibility and safety of these formulations, thus presenting the potential for future commercialization, for the supply of new biotechnological products with high added value.

According to expert consensus, dystonia can be classified as focal, segmental, multifocal, and generalized, based on the affected body distribution. To provide an empirical and data-driven approach to categorizing these distributions, we used a data-driven clustering approach to compare frequency and co-occurrence rates of non-focal dystonia in pre-defined body regions using the Dystonia Coalition (DC) dataset. We analyzed 1,618 participants with isolated non-focal dystonia from the DC database. The analytic approach included construction of frequency tables, variable-wise analysis using hierarchical clustering and independent component analysis (ICA), and case-wise consensus hierarchical clustering to describe associations and clusters for dystonia affecting any combination of eighteen pre-defined body regions. Variable-wise hierarchical clustering demonstrated closest relationships between bilateral upper legs (distance = 0.40), upper and lower face (distance = 0.45), bilateral hands (distance = 0.53), and bilateral feet (distance = 0.53). ICA demonstrated clear grouping for the a) bilateral hands, b) neck, and c) upper and lower face. Case-wise consensus hierarchical clustering at k = 9 identified 3 major clusters. Major clusters consisted primarily of a) cervical dystonia with nearby regions, b) bilateral hand dystonia, and c) cranial dystonia. Our data-driven approach in a large dataset of isolated non-focal dystonia reinforces common segmental patterns in cranial and cervical regions. We observed unexpectedly strong associations between bilateral upper or lower limbs, which suggests that symmetric multifocal patterns may represent a previously underrecognized dystonia subtype.

Smallpox is a highly contagious respiratory pathogen associated with a high mortality rate. Here the authors utilize a mouse model of intranasal vaccinia virus infection and show a C7 gene encoded virulence factor attenuates type I IFN release by lung type II alveolar epithelial cells and reduces lung inflammatory monocyte responses.

The multi-label classification task has been widely used to solve problems where each of the instances may be related not only to one class but to many of them simultaneously. Many of these problems usually comprise a high number of labels in the output space, so learning a predictive model from such datasets may turn into a challenging task since the computational complexity of most algorithms depends on the number of labels. In this paper, we propose a methodology to reduce the label space a user predefined ratio of labels, aiming to improve the runtime of the multi-label classification algorithms. Obviously, such reduction should be done without producing a significant drop in their final predictive performance. The experimental analysis carried out over 25 well-known multi-label datasets, demonstrates a drastic reduction in the runtime. Besides, it is statistically proven that reducing 20% the number of labels does not lead to a decrease in the predictive performance of the multi-label algorithms using four well-known evaluation measures. Even more, in many cases, although reductions of up to 50% of the output space are made, the predictive performance of the algorithms is not significantly different from using the whole set of labels.

The early introduction of a low phenylalanine (Phe) diet has been demonstrated to be the most successful treatment in subjects with phenylketonuria (PKU), especially for preventing severe cognitive and neurological damages. However, it still concerns that even if treated in the first months of life with supplements and following a diet, they can show slight scores below people without PKU in neuropsychological assignments. We investigated 20 adults with classical PKU aged 19–48 years (mean age 29 years) and 20 heathy controls matched by age, gender, and years of education. Patients and controls were assessed with an extended neuropsychological battery, as well as psychological aspects and quality of life, also the last Phe level result was obtained. Results showed that the most affected cognitive domains are processing speed, executive functioning, memory, and also theory of mind, but very well-preserved verbal fluency, language, and visuospatial functioning. In quality of life, some significant results were seen specially in anxiety of Phe levels, anxiety of Phe levels during pregnancy, guilt if poor adherence to supplements, and if dietary protein restriction not followed. No significant results were obtained for the psychological variables. In conclusion, it has been shown that a combination of a low Phe diet, supplement intake, and keeping Phe levels in a low range seems appropriate to have the most normal and alike cognitive performance to persons without PKU.

Industrial interest in surfactants of microbial origin has intensified recently due to the characteristics of these compounds, such as biodegradability and reduced toxicity, and their efficiency in removing heavy metals and hydrophobic organic compounds from soils and waters. The aim of this study was to produce a biosurfactant using Candida bombicola URM 3712 in a low-cost medium containing 5.0% molasses, 3.0% corn steep liquor and 2.5% residual frying oil for 144 h at 200 rmp. Measurements of engine oil tension and emulsification were made under extreme conditions of temperature (0 °C, 5 °C, 70 °C, 100 °C and 120 °C), pH (2–12) and NaCl concentrations (2–12), demonstrating the stability of the biosurfactant. The isolated biosurfactant was characterized as an anionic molecule with the ability to reduce the surface tension of water from 72 to 29 mN/m, with a critical micellar concentration of 0.5%. The biosurfactant had no toxic effect on vegetable seeds or on Eisenia fetida as a bioindicator. Applications in the removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils under dynamic conditions demonstrated the potential of the crude and isolated biosurfactant in the removal of Fe, Zn and Pb with percentages between 70 and 88%, with the highest removal of Pb being 48%. The highest percentage of removal was obtained using the cell-free metabolic liquid, which was able to remove 48, 71 and 88% of lead, zinc and iron from the soil, respectively. Tests in packed columns also confirmed the biosurfactant’s ability to remove Fe, Zn and Pb between 40 and 65%. The removal kinetics demonstrated an increasing percentage, reaching removal of 50, 70 and 85% for Pb, Zn and Fe, respectively, reaching a greater removal efficiency at the end of 24 h. The biosurfactant was also able to significantly reduce the electrical conductivity of solutions containing heavy metals. The biosurfactant produced by Candida bombicola has potential as an adjuvant in industrial processes for remediating soils and effluents polluted by inorganic contaminants.

This study compared the effect of oregano essential oil versus sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, and benzalkonium chloride against the viability of adhered Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on 304 stainless steel. Oregano essential oil was effective in disrupting the biofilms of both bacteria at concentrations ranging from 0.15 to 0.52 mg mL−1. In addition, damage to stainless-steel surfaces following disinfection treatments was assessed by weight loss analysis and via visual inspection using light microscopy. Compared to the other treatments, oregano oil caused the least damage to stainless steel (~0.001% weight loss), whereas sodium hypochlorite caused the most severe damage (0.00817% weight loss) when applied at 0.5 mg mL−1. Moreover, oregano oil also had an apparent protective impact on the stainless steel as weight losses were less than for the control surfaces (distilled water only). On the other hand, sodium hypochlorite caused the most severe damage to stainless steel (0.00817% weight loss). In conclusion, oregano oil eliminated monoculture biofilms of two important foodborne pathogens on 304 stainless-steel surfaces, while at the same time minimizing damage to the surfaces compared with conventional disinfectant treatments.

Abstract Introduction Mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III) or Sanfilippo syndrome is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides in the body. As the symptoms are wide ranging, it is a challenge to provide a diagnosis and psychological treatment for affected children. Method The main objective of this study was to describe a form of music therapy treatment applied to three children diagnosed with MPS III. The psychological variables were evaluated by an ad hoc observation recording template, and the physiological variables were measured with a digital meter before and after each session. The perception of the parents was also considered through a semi-structured interview. Results An improvement in the psychological variables was shown in all cases. Changes in the physiological variables were also noted, although they varied according to each child. The parents report some benefit of music therapy and they share difficulty in assessing the extent of benefits of the music therapy. Discussion Findings indicate that music therapy can be a useful form of treatment with multiple benefits for children with conditions such as MPS III or similar conditions. However, further research is needed in this area and in the development of specific ways of evaluating music therapy.

Respiratory virus infection can cause severe illnesses capable of inducing acute respiratory failure that can progress rapidly to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is related to poor outcomes, especially in individuals with a higher risk of infection, such as the elderly and those with comorbidities, i.e. obesity, asthma, diabetes mellitus and chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease. Despite this, effective antiviral treatments available for severe viral lung infections are scarce. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic demonstrated that there is also a need to understand the role of airborne transmission of respiratory viruses. Robust evidence supporting this exists, but better comprehension could help implement adequate measures to mitigate respiratory viral infections. In severe viral lung infections, early diagnosis, risk stratification and prognosis are essential in managing patients. Biomarkers can provide reliable, timely and accessible information possibly helpful for clinicians in managing severe lung viral infections. Although respiratory viruses highly impact global health, more research is needed to improve care and prognosis of severe lung viral infections. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical characteristics, management and prognosis of patients with severe infections due to respiratory viruses.

El objetivo del artículo es identificar las zonas metropolitanas que convergen y divergen económicamente en México. Para estimar la convergencia entre las diferentes zonas, se utilizan el índice lumínico y la metodología propuesta por Phillips y Sul (2007), la cual permite la conformación de subgrupos de zonas en los que se puede presentar convergencia o divergencia entre los elementos del subgrupo generado. Al encontrarse cinco clubes de convergencia entre las diversas zonas metropolitanas de México, se demuestra que la dinámica de convergencia económica es heterogénea, por lo que resulta relevante un estudio a nivel de cada zona. De igual manera, se identifica que existe una división entre un club de convergencia con zonas metropolitanas predominantemente en el norte del país, pero esta división es más compleja que una simple división Norte-Sur. El trabajo se enfoca solo en áreas metropolitanas, por lo que no todos los municipios de México están incluidos. Si bien la metodología de Phillips y Sul (2007) permite generar clubes de convergencia sin necesidad de hacer supuestos relacionados con las propiedades de estacionariedad de las variables, esta metodología no permite identificar los factores específicos que hacen que estos grupos se formen. El presente es el primer trabajo que analiza convergencia económica entre zonas metropolitanas de México.

Science has greatly contributed to the advancement of technology and to the innovation of production processes and their applications. Cleaning products have become indispensable in today’s world, as personal and environmental hygiene is important to all societies worldwide. Such products are used in the home, in most work environments and in the industrial sectors. Most of the detergents on the market are synthesised from petrochemical products. However, the interest in reducing the use of products harmful to human health and the environment has led to the search for detergents formulated with natural, biodegradable surfactant components of biological (plant or microbiological) origin or chemically synthesised from natural raw materials usually referred to as green surfactants. This review addresses the different types, properties, and uses of surfactants, with a focus on green surfactants, and describes the current scenario as well as the projections for the future market economy related to the production of the different types of green surfactants marketed in the world.How to cite: Farias CBB, Almeida FCG, Silva IA, et al. Production of green surfactants: Market prospects. Electron J Biotechnol 2021;51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2021.02.002

Interest in developing novel wound dressings with antibacterial properties elaborated from natural sources continues to grow. In this study, a Tween-80 (T80)-stabilized carvacrol (CAR) emulsion was incorporated into pectin (PEC) membranes at 0 (control), 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00% (v/v). Membranes were obtained by the dry-casting method, characterized by scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and CAR retention (HPLC), and tested for antibacterial activity. The retention percentage of CAR in the membranes ranged from 9.1-13.9%. Infrared spectra analysis indicated changes in the hydrogen bonds of the membranes that suggest an interaction between the polymer matrix and the CAR:T80 emulsion. Microstructural analysis of the membranes showed the presence of hole-like features on the surface (≈ 4-6 µm diameter) that indicate entrapment of the micelles in the matrix (microcapsules). The PEC-CAR membranes exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, two pathogens commonly associated with wounds and intra-hospital infections.

World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritized the infectious emerging diseases such as Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in terms of research and development of effective tests, vaccines, antivirals, and other treatments. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological causative agent of COVID-19, is a virus belonging to risk group 3 that requires Biosafety Level (BSL)-3 laboratories and the corresponding facilities for handling. An alternative to these BSL-3/-4 laboratories is to use a pseudotyped virus that can be handled in a BSL-2 laboratory for study purposes. Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) can be generated with complementary DNA from complete negative-stranded genomic RNA, with deleted G glycoprotein and, instead, incorporation of other fusion protein, like SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S protein). Accordingly, it is called pseudotyped VSV-SARS-CoV-2 S. In this review, we have described the generation of pseudotyped VSV with a focus on the optimization and application of pseudotyped VSV-SARS-CoV-2 S. The application of this pseudovirus has been addressed by its use in neutralizing antibody assays in order to evaluate a new vaccine, emergent SARS-CoV-2 variants (delta and omicron), and approved vaccine efficacy against variants of concern as well as in viral fusion-focused treatment analysis that can be performed under BSL-2 conditions.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV)-2 infection in children and adolescents primarily causes mild or asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and severe illness is mainly associated with comorbidities. However, the worldwide prevalence of COVID-19 in this population is only 1%–2%. In Mexico, the prevalence of COVID-19 in children has increased to 10%. As serology-based studies are scarce, we analyzed the clinical features and serological response (SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins) of children and adolescents who visited the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez (October 2020–March 2021). The majority were 9-year-old children without comorbidities who were treated as outpatients and had mild-to-moderate illness. Children aged 6–10 years and adolescents aged 11–15 years had the maximum number of symptoms, including those with obesity. Nevertheless, children with comorbidities such as immunosuppression, leukemia, and obesity exhibited the lowest antibody response, whereas those aged 1–5 years with heart disease had the highest levels of antibodies. The SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain-localized peptides and M and E proteins had the best antibody response. In conclusion, Mexican children and adolescents with COVID-19 represent a heterogeneous population, and comorbidities play an important role in the antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The 2021 outburst of the symbiotic recurrent nova RS Oph was monitored with the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer Mission (NICER) in the 0.2–12 keV range from day one after the optical maximum, until day 88, producing an unprecedented, detailed view of the outburst development. The X-ray flux preceding the supersoft X-ray phase peaked almost 5 days after optical maximum and originated only in shocked ejecta for 21–25 days. The emission was thermal; in the first 5 days, only a non-collisional-ionization equilibrium model fits the spectrum, and a transition to equilibrium occurred between days 6 and 12. The ratio of peak X-ray flux measured in the NICER range to that measured with Fermi in the 60 MeV–500 GeV range was about 0.1, and the ratio to the peak flux measured with H.E.S.S. in the 250 GeV–2.5 TeV range was about 100. The central supersoft X-ray source (SSS), namely the shell hydrogen burning white dwarf (WD), became visible in the fourth week, initially with short flares. A huge increase in flux occurred on day 41, but the SSS flux remained variable. A quasi-periodic oscillation every ≃35 s was always observed during the SSS phase, with variations in amplitude and a period drift that appeared to decrease in the end. The SSS has characteristics of a WD of mass >1 M _⊙ . Thermonuclear burning switched off shortly after day 75, earlier than in the 2006 outburst. We discuss implications for the nova physics.

Entre 1948 y 1965 la capital mexicana vivió un auge teatral caracterizado por la apertura de nuevos foros, y la actualización de compañías y repertorio. Este artículo centra su atención en el público del llamado “milagro teatral” en un intento de complejizar el análisis de las llamadas clases medias. Destaca así las diferencias percibidas al interior de estos grupos, definidas a partir de elementos varios como la segregada ubicación en el mapa capitalino, las actitudes tomadas frente al abordaje de la sexualidad, típico del teatro de posguerra, y la recepción de escenificaciones realistas y explícitas. Estos y otros aspectos configuraban diversas interpretaciones de “buen gusto” y eran base para la configuración de fronteras sociales.

Abstract Objective Healthcare professionals’ empathy have been empirically demonstrated to decrease the risk of medical errors. Medical errors affect patient’s outcomes and healthcare providers’ well-being. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between patients’ perception of healthcare providers’ empathy, their intention to adhere to treatment, and their perception of medical errors made. An anonymous survey was emailed to staff at a health center and an urban university in Miami, Florida, USA. Results A total of 181 participants were enrolled. Participants rating their healthcare provider as high in empathy had 80% lower odds of reporting errors (CI 0.04–0.6). The intention to follow-up with recommendations or return to the provider were not significantly associated with provider’s empathy. Patients of high empathy providers were no more treatment adherent that those who rated their provider with low empathy but were less likely to perceive medical error. Providers’ empathy significantly affected patients’ perception of medical errors. Our results underscore that healthcare curricula need to address the link between empathy and perception of medical errors, including its potential legal implications.

Se prepararon 5 muestras de las aleaciones Al-Cu-Zn con diferentes porcentajes químicos, utilizando una metodología que pronostica la dureza en este tipo de aleaciones con la finalidad de que todas las muestras tengan la misma dureza (67 RB). Cada una de estas muestras fueron caracterizadas por DRX, Microscopia Electrónica de Barrido (MEB) y un durómetro, se observó el cambio en la estructura. Las muestras utilizadas en condición de equilibrio constan de tres fases que son η, α y τ’, sin embargo, en estas muestras se presentan otras fases como son las fases ε, β y θ. Este trabajo demuestra que es posible aun con los cambios en los porcentajes químicos que son drásticos, es posible tener la misma dureza. La principal causa que se encontró en este trabajo para mantener la misma dureza es el área de contacto de una zona blanca (compuesta por las fases η y ε) con respecto a las otras fases. Si el perímetro de contacto de la zona blanca está dentro de un cierto rango, la dureza de todas las muestras será la misma con un margen de error menor al 3%, esto es importante para desarrollo de nuevas aleaciones con las características mecánicas deseadas.

Background: In a disease that has only existed for 18 months, it is difficult to be fully informed of the long-term sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Evidence is growing that most organ systems can be affected by the virus, causing severe disabilities in survivors. The extent of the aftermath will declare itself over the next 5–10 years, but it is likely to be substantial with profound socio-economic impact on society.Methods: This is an international multi-center, prospective long-term follow-up study of patients who developed severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and were admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The study will be conducted at international tertiary hospitals. Patients will be monitored from time of ICU discharge up to 24 months. Information will be collected on demographics, co-existing illnesses before ICU admission, severity of illness during ICU admission and post-ICU quality of life as well as organ dysfunction and recovery. Statistical analysis will consist of patient trajectories over time for the key variables of quality of life and organ function. Using latent class analysis, we will determine if there are distinct patterns of patients in terms of recovery. Multivariable regression analyses will be used to examine associations between baseline characteristics and severity variables upon admission and discharge in the ICU, and how these impact outcomes at all follow-up time points up to 2 years.Ethics and Dissemination: The core study team and local principal investigators will ensure that the study adheres to all relevant national and local regulations, and that the necessary approvals are in place before a site may enroll patients.Clinical Trial Registration:anzctr.org.au: ACTRN12620000799954.