Effect of the fungicide benomyl on spore germination and hyphal length of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae

The fungicide benomyl inhibited spore germination and hyphal length of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae when applied at doses of 21.25 μg/ml (agronomic dose), 10.62 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml. G. mosseae was able to germinate in the presence of 2.12 μg/ml of benomyl, and the percentage of spore germination was unaffected by dosis of 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 μg/ml of the fungicide. However, all doses of fungicide tested in this study decreased the hyphal length. When ungerminated G. mosseae spores previously exposed to benomyl were transferred to water-agar medium without benomyl, the maximum germination was 16%. Small spores of G. mosseae were more resistant to benomyl than the larger ones. Our results show some of the factors which can explain the variability of the effect of benomyl on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Influence of a commercial antithrombotic filter on the caval blood flow during neutra and valsalva maneuver

Anticoagulants are the treatment of choice for pulmonary embolism. When these fail or are contraindicated, vena cava filters are effective devices for preventing clots from the legs from migrating to the lung. Many uncertainties exist when a filter is inserted, especially during physiological activity such as normal breathing and the Valsalva maneuver. These activities are often connected with filter migration and vena cava damage due to the various related vein geometrical configurations. In this work, we analyzed the response of the vena cava during normal breathing and Valsalva maneuver, for a healthy vena cava and after insertion of a commercial Günther-Tulip® filter. Validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and patient specific data are used for analyzing blood flow inside the vena cava during these maneuvers. While during normal breathing, the vena cava flow can be considered almost stationary with a very low pressure gradient, during Valsalva the extravascular pressure compresses the vena cava resulting in a drastic reduction of the vein section, a global flow decrease through the cava but increasing the velocity magnitude. This change in the section is altered by the presence of the filter which forces the section of the vena cava before the renal veins to keep open. The effect of the presence of the filter is investigated during these maneuvers showing changes in wall shear stress and velocity patterns

Nanocomposite Bi/TiO2 multilayer thin flms deposited by a crossed beam laser ablation confguration

Articulo relacionado con la caracterizacion de materialesA crossed beam pulsed laser deposition confguration was used to prepare nanocomposites Bi/TiO2 thin flms on two different substrates. The multilayered system was formed by depositing TiO2 and Bi layers alternately. In order to embed the Bi nanostructures in TiO2, the subsequent TiO2 layers were synthesized using a constant number of laser pulses (3000) corresponding to a thickness of approximately 21 nm. The Bi nanostructures were deposited on the TiO2 layers alternately by irradiating the Bi target with 30, 100, 200, and 300 laser pulses. In this way, the Bi nanostructures were embedded inside the TiO2 matrix. A total of 8 samples with bismuth and one reference, with TiO2 only, were produced. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) showed that nearly spherical nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained at lower number of pulses, whereas at 300 pulses a quasi-percolated nanostructured Bi flm was obtained. X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the TiO2 layers were not afected due to the bismuth presence. Raman Spectroscopy showed vibrational features characteristic of the rutile phase for the titania layer. The Raman spectrum of the multilayer prepared using 300 laser pulses on the bismuth, suggests that the Bi layer is formed by a mixture of metallic Bi, and α-Bi2O3. The Ultraviolet–Visible Spectroscopy reveals that no substantial changes are presented in the transmittance spectra indicating similar optical properties of the diferent deposits. Finally, the photoluminescence emission spectra indicate that the substrate position in the deposition chamber afects the electronic structure of the material.A. Martínez-Chávez thanks CONACyT for the scholarship granted (No. 815785). K. Esquivel and L. Escobar thank the Engineering Faculty-UAQ for the fnancial support granted through the Attention to national problems fund and the FONDEC-UAQ-2021. We greatly appreciate the collaboration of R. Basurto in performing the XPS measurements

Growth factor-enriched autologous plasma improves wound healing after surgical debridement in odontogenic necrotizing fasciitis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Odontogenic necrotizing fasciitis of the neck is a fulminant infection of odontogenic origin that quickly spreads along the fascial planes and results in necrosis of the affected tissues. It is usually polymicrobial, occurs frequently in immunocompromised patients, and has a high mortality rate.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 69-year old Mexican male had a pain in the maxillar right-canine region and a swelling of the submental and submandibular regions. Our examination revealed local pain, tachycardia, hyperthermia (39°C), and the swelling of bilateral submental and submandibular regions, which also were erythematous, hyperthermic, crepitant, and with a positive Godet sign. Mobility and third-degree caries were seen in the right mandibular canine. Bacteriological cultures isolated <it>streptococcus pyogenes </it>and <it>staphylococcus aureus</it>. The histopathological diagnosis was odontogenic necrotizing fasciitis of the submental and submandibular regions. The initial treatment was surgical debridement and the administration of antibiotics. After cultures were negative, the surgical wound was treated with a growth factor-enriched autologous plasma eight times every third day until complete healing occurred.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The treatment with a growth factor-enriched autologous plasma caused a rapid healing of an extensive surgical wound in a patient with odontogenic necrotizing fasciitis. The benefits were rapid tissue regeneration, an aesthetic and a functional scar, and the avoidance of further surgery and possible complications.</p

Biomonitoring of metal deposition in northern Spain by moss analysis

The results of the first survey carried out in northern Spain to determine atmospheric deposition of metals by analysis of terrestrial mosses, are described. Samples of different mosses, mainly Hypnum cupressiforme and Scleropodium purum, were collected from 134 sampling sites, between 1995 and 1996. Levels of Al, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn, were determined by flame atomic absorption or atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry. Regression analysis was used to compare the capacity of the selected moss species to accumulate the elements, and intercalibration of accumulation in these species was carried out where necessary. Distribution maps were prepared to allow the zones most affected by metal deposition to be identified and to relate this to known sources of contamination: electricity power stations and other industries (e.g. Hg and Ni), edaphic contamination (e.g. Al and Cr) and road traffic (Pb). Background levels of metals in each species were also determined for the study area

Liver cirrhosis in HIV/HCV ‐coinfected individuals is related to NK cell dysfunction and exhaustion, but not to an impaired NK cell modulation by CD 4 + T‐cells

Introduction HIV worsens HCV‐related liver disease by accelerating fibrosis progression; however, progression rates are extremely variable among HIV/HCV‐coinfected individuals. NK cells are associated with modulation of liver fibrosis and are profoundly altered during HCV and HIV infections. CD4+ T‐cells modulate NK cell function, and are also affected by HIV infection. Here, we aim to characterize the association of hepatic fibrosis with both the phenotype and function of peripheral NK cells and their regulation by CD4+ T‐cells, in HIV/HCV‐coinfected individuals. Methods Thirty‐four HIV/HCV‐coinfected individuals with minimal (n = 16) and advanced (n = 18) fibrosis (METAVIR F0/F1 and F4 scores respectively) and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled. PBMC were obtained from peripheral blood samples and NK and CD4+ T‐cells were isolated and analysed. NK cell phenotype (CD25, CD69, Nkp46, NKG2D, PD‐1), degranulation (CD107a) and IFN‐γ and TNF‐α production, as well as CD4+ T‐cell activation (CD69, CD25 and CD38) were measured by flow cytometry. CD4+ T‐cell conditioned medium (CM) derived from F0/F1 or F4 individuals was assessed for IL‐2 levels by ELISA. Modulation of NK cell functionality by these CMs was also analysed. Results When comparing to NK cells from individuals with minimal fibrosis, degranulation and cytokine secretion by NK cells from subjects with F4 scores was significantly impaired, while PD‐1 expression was augmented. On the one hand, neither the expression of activation markers nor IL‐2 secretion was distinctly induced in CD4+ T‐cells from subjects with F0/F1 or F4 METAVIR scores. Finally, NK cell degranulation and cytokine secretion were not differentially modulated by CD4+ T‐cell CM, whether CD4+ T‐cells derived from subjects with minimal or advanced fibrosis. Conclusions Low levels of NK and CD4+ T‐cells in HIV/HCV‐coinfected individuals with advanced liver fibrosis have been previously described. Here, we show that advanced liver fibrosis in coinfected individuals is associated to a defective function of NK cells and an increased expression of the exhaustion/senescence marker PD‐1. This NK signature could not be attributed to changes in the ability of CD4+ T‐cells to modulate NK cell function.Fil: Polo, María L.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Ghiglione, Yanina Alexandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Salido, Jimena Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Urioste, Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Poblete, Gabriela. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Juan A. Fernández"; ArgentinaFil: Sisto, Alicia E. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Juan A. Fernández"; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Ana. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas; ArgentinaFil: Rolón, María Eugenia. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Juan A. Fernández"; ArgentinaFil: Ojeda, Diego Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Cahn, Pedro. Fundación Huésped; ArgentinaFil: Turk, Gabriela Julia Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Laufer, Natalia Lorna. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Juan A. Fernández"; Argentin

Treatment Of A Patient With Thoracolumbar Scoliosis Utilizing A Regional Interdependence Approach Including Components Of The Schroth Method: A Case Report

Background and Purpose: Spinal deformity is a challenging spinal disorder in adults. A scoliotic curve of \u3e10 degrees exists in up to 12% of the population and while surgery is the definitive measure, there is limited evidence to guide non-surgical treatment. This case investigated traditional physical therapy (PT) treatment utilizing a Regional Interdependence Approach (RIA) and components of the Schroth method for a patient with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Case Description: A 66 year old male presented with CLBP, worst upon rising in the AM with (6/10 NPRS). Imaging demonstrated thoracolumbar dextroscoliosis, bilateral foraminal narrowing and associated spondylolisthesis of the fifth lumbar vertebrae. A RIA exam revealed mobility deficits of thoracolumbar spine, instability of L5-S1, and a 1.38” leg length discrepancy. A comprehensive treatment approach was used including lumbar stabilization exercises and postural therapy, including components of the Schroth method. Outcomes: Following 12 weeks, pain improved from 6/10 to 4/105, with the patient reporting no pain when arising from bed. 30-second sit to stand improved from five to eight. Following implementation of a shoe lift visible changes were noted in pelvic symmetry. However, the degree of scoliosis appeared unchanged and no subjective improvements were noted on the Roland-Morris Low Back Pain Questionnaire (RMLBPQ)

First-Trimester Sequential Screening for Preeclampsia Using Angiogenic Factors : Study Protocol for a Prospective, Multicenter, Real Clinical Setting Study

The incidence of preeclampsia (PE) is about 2-8%, making it one of the leading causes of perinatal morbidity and maternal mortality in the world. Early prophylactic low dose administration (150 mg) of acetylsalicylic acid is associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of early-onset PE, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and neonatal mean stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). Universal implementation of a first-trimester screening system including angiogenic and antiangiogenic markers [the Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) and/or soluble fms-like Tyrosine Kinase-1 (sFlt-1)] has shown a prediction rate of 90% for early-onset PE but entails a high financial cost. The aim of this study is to determine the predictive and preventive capacity of a universal PE first-trimester two-step sequential screening model, determining the PlGF only in patients previously classified as intermediate risk by means of a multivariate model based on resources already used in the standard pregnancy control, in a real clinical setting. We hypothesize that this screening model will achieve similar diagnostic performance as the universal determination of PlGF but at a lower economic cost. This is a prospective, multicentric, cohort study in a real-world clinical setting. Every singleton pregnancy will be recruited at the routine first pregnancy visit. In a first step, the first-trimester risk of PE will be calculated using a multivariate Gaussian distribution model, based on medical history, mean blood pressure, Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A (PAPP-A), and Uterine Artery Doppler Pulsatility Index (UTPI). Patients will be classified into three risk groups for PE: (1) risk ≥ 1/50, high-risk with no further testing (blinded PlGF); (2) risk between 1/51 and 1/500, medium-risk requiring further testing; and (3) risk ≤ 1/501, low-risk with no further testing. In a second step, the PlGF will only be determined in those patients classified as intermediate risk after this first step, and then reclassified into high- or low-risk groups. Prophylactic administration of aspirin (150 mg/day) will be prescribed only in high risk patients. As a secondary objective, sFlt-1 values will be blindly determined in patients with high and intermediate risk to assess its potential performance in the screening for PE. The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of Good Clinical Practice. This study is approved by the Aragon Research Ethics Committee (CEICA) on 3 July 2020 (15/2020). , identifier: NCT04767438

Exploring the key drivers of riparian woodland successional pathways across three European river reaches

"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Muñoz-Mas, R., V. Garófano-Gómez, I. Andrés-Doménech, D. Corenblit, G. Egger, F. Francés, M.T. Ferreira, et al. 2017. ¿Exploring the Key Drivers of Riparian Woodland Successional Pathways across Three European River Reaches.¿ Ecohydrology 10 (8). Wiley: e1888. doi:10.1002/eco.1888, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.1888. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."[EN] Climate change and river regulation are negatively impacting riparian vegetation. To evaluate these impacts, process-based models are preferred over data-driven approaches. However, they require extensive knowledge about ecohydrological processes. To facilitate the implementation of such process-based models, the key drivers of riparian woodland successional pathways across three river reaches, in Austria, Portugal, and Spain, were explored, employing two complementary approaches. The principal component analyses highlighted the importance of the physical gradients determining the placement of the succession phases within the riparian and floodplain zones. The generalized additive models revealed that the initial and pioneer succession phases, characteristic of the colonization stage, appeared in areas highly morphodynamic, close in height and distance to the water table, and with coarse substrate, whereas elder phases within the transitional and mature stages showed incremental differences, occupying less dynamic areas with finer substrate. The Austrian site fitted well the current successional theory (elder phases appearing sequentially further up and distant), but at the Portuguese site, the tolerance of the riparian species to drought and flash flood events governed their placement. Finally, at the Spanish site, the patchy distribution of the elder phases was the remnants of formative events that reshaped the river channel. These results highlight the complex relationships between flow regime, channel morphology, and riparian vegetation. The use of succession phases, which rely on the sequential evolution of riparian vegetation as a response to different drivers, may be potentially better reproducible, within numerical process-based models, and transferable to other geographical regions.This work was supported by the IWRM Era-NET Funding Initiative through the RIPFLOW project (references ERACCT-2005-026025, ERA-IWRM/0001/2008, CGL2008-03076-E/BTE), http://www.old.iwrm-net.eu/spip.php, by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the project SCARCE (Consolider¿Ingenio 2010 CSD2009-00065), and by the project ¿Natural and anthropogenic changes in Mediterranean river drainage basins: historical impacts on rivers morphology, sedimentary flows and vegetation¿ of the Spanish MINECO (CGL2013-44917-R). Virginia Garófano-Gómez received a postdoctoral grant from the Université Blaise Pascal (now: Université Clermont Auvergne). Rui Rivaes benefited from a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/52515/2014) sponsored by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) under the FCT PhD programme FLUVIO¿River Restoration and Management. Patricia María Rodríguez González was funded by FCT through an SFRH/BPD/47140/2008 postdoctoral fellowship and through an FCT Investigator Programme grant (IF/00059/2015). The authors also thank all the colleagues and master students who contributed enthusiastically to the field campaigns of this study.Muñoz Mas, R.; Garófano-Gómez, V.; Andrés Doménech, I.; Corenblit, D.; Egger, G.; Francés, F.; Ferreira, M.... (2017). Exploring the key drivers of riparian woodland successional pathways across three European river reaches. Ecohydrology. 10(8):1-19. https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.1888S11910

Genetic reanalysis of patients with a difference of sex development carrying the NR5A1/SF-1 variant p.Gly146Ala has discovered other likely disease-causing variations.

NR5A1/SF-1 (Steroidogenic factor-1) variants may cause mild to severe differences of sex development (DSD) or may be found in healthy carriers. The NR5A1/SF-1 c.437G>C/p.Gly146Ala variant is common in individuals with a DSD and has been suggested to act as a susceptibility factor for adrenal disease or cryptorchidism. Since the allele frequency is high in the general population, and the functional testing of the p.Gly146Ala variant revealed inconclusive results, the disease-causing effect of this variant has been questioned. However, a role as a disease modifier is still possible given that oligogenic inheritance has been described in patients with NR5A1/SF-1 variants. Therefore, we performed next generation sequencing (NGS) in 13 DSD individuals harboring the NR5A1/SF-1 p.Gly146Ala variant to search for other DSD-causing variants and clarify the function of this variant for the phenotype of the carriers. Panel and whole-exome sequencing was performed, and data were analyzed with a filtering algorithm for detecting variants in NR5A1- and DSD-related genes. The phenotype of the studied individuals ranged from scrotal hypospadias and ambiguous genitalia in 46,XY DSD to opposite sex in both 46,XY and 46,XX. In nine subjects we identified either a clearly pathogenic DSD gene variant (e.g. in AR) or one to four potentially deleterious variants that likely explain the observed phenotype alone (e.g. in FGFR3, CHD7). Our study shows that most individuals carrying the NR5A1/SF-1 p.Gly146Ala variant, harbor at least one other deleterious gene variant which can explain the DSD phenotype. This finding confirms that the NR5A1/SF-1 p.Gly146Ala variant may not contribute to the pathogenesis of DSD and qualifies as a benign polymorphism. Thus, individuals, in whom the NR5A1/SF-1 p.Gly146Ala gene variant has been identified as the underlying genetic cause for their DSD in the past, should be re-evaluated with a NGS method to reveal the real genetic diagnosis