Low metabolic activity of biofilm formed by Enterococcus faecalis isolated from healthy humans and wild mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)

It is widely known that Enterococcus faecalis virulence is related to its biofilm formation. Although Enterococci are common commensal organisms of the gastrointestinal tract, the difference between commensal and pathogen strains remain unclear. In this study, we compare the biochemical profile of the biofilms formed by two groups of medical and two groups of commensal strains. The medical strains were isolated as pathogens from infections of urinary tract and other infections (wounds, pus and bedsores), and the commensal strains were taken from faeces of healthy volunteers and faeces of wild mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) living in an urban environment. The properties of biofilms formed by medical and commensal strains differed significantly. Commensal strains showed lower metabolic activity and glucose uptake and higher biofilm biomass than the medical ones. Consistent with glucose uptake experiments, we found that the glucose dehydrogenase gene was more expressed in medical strains. These results indicate that higher metabolic activity and lower protein concentration of E. faecalis cells within biofilms are formed during infections.This work was supported by the Medical University of Gdansk research grant (GUMed W-65) and was financed partly by University of Gdansk research grant (BW 1440-5-0099-7). We are grateful to Katarzyna Zolkos for her help in catching mallards and Magdalena Remisiewicz for correcting the English. Catarina Seabra helped in preparing assays

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

SuperCam Calibration Targets: Design and Development

SuperCam is a highly integrated remote-sensing instrumental suite for NASA’s Mars 2020 mission. It consists of a co-aligned combination of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Time-Resolved Raman and Luminescence (TRR/L), Visible and Infrared Spectroscopy (VISIR), together with sound recording (MIC) and high-magnification imaging techniques (RMI). They provide information on the mineralogy, geochemistry and mineral context around the Perseverance Rover. The calibration of this complex suite is a major challenge. Not only does each technique require its own standards or references, their combination also introduces new requirements to obtain optimal scientific output. Elemental composition, molecular vibrational features, fluorescence, morphology and texture provide a full picture of the sample with spectral information that needs to be co-aligned, correlated, and individually calibrated. The resulting hardware includes different kinds of targets, each one covering different needs of the instrument. Standards for imaging calibration, geological samples for mineral identification and chemometric calculations or spectral references to calibrate and evaluate the health of the instrument, are all included in the SuperCam Calibration Target (SCCT). The system also includes a specifically designed assembly in which the samples are mounted. This hardware allows the targets to survive the harsh environmental conditions of the launch, cruise, landing and operation on Mars during the whole mission. Here we summarize the design, development, integration, verification and functional testing of the SCCT. This work includes some key results obtained to verify the scientific outcome of the SuperCam system

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

VIII Encuentro de Docentes e Investigadores en Historia del Diseño, la Arquitectura y la Ciudad

Acta de congresoLa conmemoración de los cien años de la Reforma Universitaria de 1918 se presentó como una ocasión propicia para debatir el rol de la historia, la teoría y la crítica en la formación y en la práctica profesional de diseñadores, arquitectos y urbanistas. En ese marco el VIII Encuentro de Docentes e Investigadores en Historia del Diseño, la Arquitectura y la Ciudad constituyó un espacio de intercambio y reflexión cuya realización ha sido posible gracias a la colaboración entre Facultades de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño de la Universidad Nacional y la Facultad de Arquitectura de la Universidad Católica de Córdoba, contando además con la activa participación de mayoría de las Facultades, Centros e Institutos de Historia de la Arquitectura del país y la región. Orientado en su convocatoria tanto a docentes como a estudiantes de Arquitectura y Diseño Industrial de todos los niveles de la FAUD-UNC promovió el debate de ideas a partir de experiencias concretas en instancias tales como mesas temáticas de carácter interdisciplinario, que adoptaron la modalidad de presentación de ponencias, entre otras actividades. En el ámbito de VIII Encuentro, desarrollado en la sede Ciudad Universitaria de Córdoba, se desplegaron numerosas posiciones sobre la enseñanza, la investigación y la formación en historia, teoría y crítica del diseño, la arquitectura y la ciudad; sumándose el aporte realizado a través de sus respectivas conferencias de Ana Clarisa Agüero, Bibiana Cicutti, Fernando Aliata y Alberto Petrina. El conjunto de ponencias que se publican en este Repositorio de la UNC son el resultado de dos intensas jornadas de exposiciones, cuyos contenidos han posibilitado actualizar viejos dilemas y promover nuevos debates. El evento recibió el apoyo de las autoridades de la FAUD-UNC, en especial de la Secretaría de Investigación y de la Biblioteca de nuestra casa, como así también de la Facultad de Arquitectura de la UCC; va para todos ellos un especial agradecimiento

UHPLC–MS characterization, and antioxidant and nutritional analysis of cocoa waste flours from the peruvian Amazon

El cacao (Theobroma cacao) es un producto alimenticio utilizado en todo el mundo y una materia prima clave para la fabricación de chocolate. El cacao posee compuestos bioactivos como las metilxantinas, los flavonoides, las procianidinas y otras moléculas relacionadas con propiedades medicinales o promotoras de una buena salud. Se dice que la cáscara del cacao y la cáscara de la vaina son subproductos con varias bioactividades interesantes, y el residuo gomoso o goma (un subproducto pegajoso conocido como "mucílago" en español) se utiliza para producir licores y se consume como alimento en Perú. Sin embargo, se conoce poco sobre la composición química y la bioactividad de las harinas elaboradas a partir de los residuos del ecotipo de cacao peruano, como los procedentes de la vena y la cáscara de la vaina de los frutos. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar las propiedades antioxidantes in vitro y los valores nutricionales de las harinas elaboradas a partir de los residuos de un ecotipo especial de cacao (CCN-51). La huella química se realizó mediante espectrometría de masas UHPLC-HESI orbitrap y permitió la detección de 51 compuestos. Se utilizó la GC-FID para la determinación de los contenidos de ácidos grasos individuales, y la actividad antioxidante se evaluó mediante varios ensayos (DPPH, FRAP y ABTS). Las harinas obtenidas estaban compuestas por una buena cantidad de fibra dietética, carbohidratos y minerales, así como por varios compuestos polifenólicos bioactivos, ácidos grasos y aminoácidos con propiedades nutracéuticas, lo que hace de las harinas un alimento rico y prometedor, así como una buena fuente para la preparación de alimentos funcionales o nutracéuticos.Revisión por pares

Antioxidant, Antiproliferative and Anti-Enzymatic Capacities, Nutritional Analysis and UHPLC-PDA-MS Characterization of Ungurahui Palm Fruits (<i>Oenocarpus bataua</i> Mart) from the Peruvian Amazon

Ungurahui, or Patawa, fruits are a popular fruit and medicinal food used in the Amazon. Here, we have studied nine natural populations of ungurahui from the Peruvian Amazon regarding their nutritional and biological activities, including metal composition, proximal analyses, cytotoxic, antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibition activities. Twenty-four compounds have been detected in these Peruvian natural populations by UHPLC-MS, including nine phenolic acids (peaks 1–6, 8, 9 and 11), four C-glycosyl flavonoids (peaks 12, 16, 17 and 18), two flavonols (peaks 7 and 10), one flavanol (peak 15), three anthocyanins (peaks 13, 14 and 22) and five resveratrol derivatives (peaks 19–21, 23 and 24). Sample 9, Tunaants, showed the highest DPPH clearing capacity regarding the content of Trolox equivalents (2208.79 μmol Trolox/g), but an ORAC test of the sample collected in San Lorenzo showed the highest clearing activity (1222.28 μmol Trolox/g) and the sample collected in Allpahuayo Mishana showed the most powerful ABTS (1803.72 μmol Trolox/g). The sample from Jenaro Herrera was the most powerful in AChe inhibition (IC50 2.05 ± 0.03 μg/mL), followed by the sample from Contamana (IC50 2.43 ± 0.12 μg/mL). In BChE inhibition, the sample from Palestina was the most active (4.42 ± 0.06 μg/mL), followed by samples from Tunaants and San Lorenzo. The differences among bioactivities can be related to the different growing conditions of the populations of ungurahui. The palm tree fruit proved to be a good source of natural antioxidants and dietary fatty acids, and their consumption represents an alternative for the prevention of neurodegenerative or related non-chronic transmittable diseases

Antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant capacities, nutritional analysis and UHPLC-PDA-MS characterization of cocona fruits (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) from the peruvian Amazon

La cocona es una fruta alimenticia y medicinal muy popular que se utiliza principalmente en la Amazonía y en varios países de Sudamérica para la preparación de diversos productos alimenticios como bebidas, mermeladas y batidos. En esta investigación se han estudiado cinco ecotipos de cocona nativos de Perú en cuanto a sus valores nutricionales y antioxidantes, además de sus actividades hipolipemiantes. Se han detectado 70 compuestos bioactivos en los ecotipos de cocona peruanos, incluyendo varios ácidos fenólicos, aminoácidos y flavonoides; de ellos seis eran espermidinas, (picos 1, 2, 25, 26, 38 y 39), trece eran aminoácidos, (picos 3-9, 11-13, 16, 17, 22-24), dieciocho flavonoides (picos 28, 30-32 45,46, 48-53 56, 57, 61 y 64-66), doce eran fenólicos (picos 19, 21, 27, 29, 34, 35, 36, 42, 43, 44, 54 y 59), dos carotenoides (picos 62 y 63), ocho eran derivados lipídicos (picos 37, 55, 58, 60 y 67-70), un azúcar (pico 47), cuatro terpenos (picos 33, 40, 41 y 47), dos amidas (picos 10 y 18), un aldehído (pico 15) y tres ácidos orgánicos saturados (picos 4, 5 y 20). Las ratas hipercolesterolémicas administradas con pulpa de los ecotipos CTR y SRN9 mostraron los niveles más bajos de colesterol y triglicéridos después del tratamiento (126,74 ± 6,63; 102,11 ± 9,47; 58,16 ± 6,64; 61,05 ± 4. 00 mg/dL, para el colesterol, los triglicéridos, las lipoproteínas de alta densidad y las lipoproteínas de baja densidad, respectivamente, para el grupo tratado con pulpa SRN9, y 130,09 ± 8,55; 108,51 ± 10,04; 57,30 ± 5,72; y 65,41 ± 7,68 mg/dL, para el colesterol, los triglicéridos, las lipoproteínas HDL y LDL, respectivamente, para el grupo tratado con pulpa CTR). Los ecotipos demostraron ser buenas fuentes de antioxidantes naturales y su consumo representa una alternativa para la prevención de la aterosclerosis.Proyecto CONCYTEC - Banco Mundial "Mejoramiento y Ampliación de los Servicios del Sistema Nacional de Ciencia Tecnología e Innovación Tecnológica" 8682, FONDECYT contrato No. 119-2018-FONDECYT-BM-IADT-MU.Revisión por pares