Bromelain-based enzymatic burn debridement: Spanish multidisciplinary consensus

Bromelain; Burn wound; Enzymatic debridementBromelina; Herida por quemadura; Desbridamiento enzimáticoBromelina; Ferida per cremada; Desbridament enzimàticBackground Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement is gaining increased interest from burn specialists in the last few years. The objective of this manuscript is to update the previous, first Spanish consensus document from 2017 (Martínez-Méndez et al. 43:193–202, 2017), on the use of enzymatic debridement with NexoBrid® in burn injuries, adding the clinical experience of a larger panel of experts, integrating plastic surgeons, intensivists, and anesthesiologists. Methods A consensus guideline was established by following a modified Delphi methodology of a 38-topic survey in two rounds of participation. Items were grouped in six domains: general indication, indication in critical patients, pain management, conditions for NexoBrid® application, NexoBrid® application technique, and post-debridement wound care. Results In the first round, experts established consensus (strongly agree or agree) on 13 of the 38 statements. After the second round, a consensus was reached on 24 of the 25 remaining statements (97.2%). Conclusions The present updated consensus document provides recommendations on the use of bromelain-based enzymatic debridement NexoBrid®, integrating the extensive clinical experience of plastic surgeons, intensivists, and anesthesiologists in Spain. Further clinical trials and studies are required to corroborate, modify, or fine tune the current statements

Biochemical characteristics and bacterial community structure of the sea surface microlayer in the South Pacific Ocean

The chemical and biological characteristics of the surface microlayer were determined during a transect across the South Pacific Ocean in October-December 2004. Concentrations of particulate organic carbon (1.3 to 7.6-fold) and nitrogen (1.4 to 7-fold), and POC:PON ratios were consistently higher in the surface microlayer as compared to surface waters (5 m). The large variability in particulate organic matter enrichment was negatively correlated to wind speed. No enhanced concentrations of dissolved organic carbon were detectable in the surface microlayer as compared to 5 m, but chromophoric dissolved organic matter was markedly enriched (by 2 to 4-fold) at all sites. Based on pigment analysis and cell counts, no consistent enrichment of any of the major components of the autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial community was detectable. CE-SSCP fingerprints and CARD FISH revealed that the bacterial communities present in the surface microlayer had close similarity (>76%) to those in surface waters. By contrast, bacterial heterotrophic production (<sup>3</sup>H-leucine incorporation) was consistently lower in the surface microlayer than in surface waters. By applying CARD-FISH and microautoradiography, we observed that <i>Bacteroidetes</i> and <i>Gammaproteobacteria</i> dominated leucine uptake in the surface microlayer, while in surface waters <i>Bacteroidetes</i> and <i>Alphaproteobacteria</i> were the major groups accounting for leucine incorporation. Our results demonstrate that the microbial community in the surface microlayer closely resembles that of the surface waters of the open ocean. Even a short residence in the surface microlayer influences leucine incorporation by different bacterial groups, probably as a response to the differences in the physical and chemical nature of the two layers

Variation in Wolbachia cidB gene, but not cidA, is associated with cytoplasmic incompatibility mod phenotype diversity in Culex pipiens

Endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria are, to date, considered the most widespread symbionts in arthropods and are the cornerstone of major biological control strategies. Such a high prevalence is based on the ability of Wolbachia to manipulate their hosts' reproduction. One manipulation called cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is based on the death of the embryos generated by crosses between infected males and uninfected females or between individuals infected with incompatible Wolbachia strains. CI can be seen as a modification-rescue system (or mod-resc) in which paternal Wolbachia produce mod factors, inducing embryonic defects, unless the maternal Wolbachia produce compatible resc factors. Transgenic experiments in Drosophila melanogaster and Saccharomyces cerevisiae converged towards a model where the cidB Wolbachia gene is involved in the mod function while cidA is involved in the resc function. However, as cidA expression in Drosophila males was required to observe CI, it has been proposed that cidA could be involved in both resc and mod functions. A recent correlative study in natural Culex pipiens mosquito populations has revealed an association between specific cidA and cidB variations and changes in mod phenotype, also suggesting a role for both these genes in mod diversity. Here, by studying cidA and cidB genomic repertoires of individuals from newly sampled natural C. pipiens populations harbouring wPipIV strains from North Italy, we reinforce the link between cidB variation and mod phenotype variation fostering the involvement of cidB in the mod phenotype diversity. However, no association between any cidA variants or combination of cidA variants and mod phenotype variation was observed. Taken together our results in natural C. pipiens populations do not support the involvement of cidA in mod phenotype variation

PWD/Ph-encoded genetic variants modulate the cellular Wnt/β-Catenin response to suppress ApcMin-triggered intestinal tumor formation

Genetic predisposition affects the penetrance of tumor-initiating mutations, such as APC mutations that stabilize β-catenin and cause intestinal tumors in mice and humans. However, the mechanisms involved in genetically predisposed penetrance are not well understood. Here, we analyzed tumor multiplicity and gene expression in tumor-prone ApcMin/+ mice on highly variant C57BL/6J (B6) and PWD/Ph (PWD) genetic backgrounds. (B6 × PWD) F1 APCMin offspring mice were largely free of intestinal adenoma, and several chromosome substitution (consomic) strains carrying single PWD chromosomes on the B6 genetic background displayed reduced adenoma numbers. Multiple dosage-dependent modifier loci on PWD chromosome 5 each contributed to tumor suppression. Activation of β-catenin–driven and stem cell–specific gene expression in the presence of ApcMin or following APC loss remained moderate in intestines carrying PWD chromosome 5, suggesting that PWD variants restrict adenoma initiation by controlling stem cell homeostasis. Gene expression of modifier candidates and DNA methylation on chromosome 5 were predominantly cis controlled and largely reflected parental patterns, providing a genetic basis for inheritance of tumor susceptibility. Human SNP variants of several modifier candidates were depleted in colorectal cancer genomes, suggesting that similar mechanisms may also affect the penetrance of cancer driver mutations in humans. Overall, our analysis highlights the strong impact that multiple genetic variants acting in networks can exert on tumor development

Chenilles consommées dans le territoire de Masi-Manimba (Kwilu), République Démocratique du Congo

peer reviewedCaterpillars are a favourite traditional food that potentially represents the largest proportion of total animal protein consumed by people in Masi-Manimba, Kwilu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. However, caterpillars are becoming increasingly scarce, with no inventory data existing for this region. This study aims to contribute to the valorisation of edible caterpillars in Masi-Manimba through their inventory and identification. A questionnaire was completed by 212 people representing the four main ethnic groups in the territory and seven peripheral sectors. The caterpillars were collected in 2020 and 2021 in the township. Eighty two species were listed by the four main ethnic groups but only 63 species were scientifically confirmed at least to the family level. The main family was Saturniidae, followed by Notodontidae and Sphingidae. The genus Imbrasia is the most represented in the territory. Overall, 46% of caterpillars are found in forests, 19% in savannah, and 35% across multiple habitats. Surveyed people considered 64% of caterpillars to be very tasty. Large numbers were harvested during the rainy season (November and January). Respondents observed that there has been a major decline in caterpillars, with just 22% of species being readily available. Due to this major decline in caterpillars, it is urgent to study their biology and relationship with food plants, to farm them successfully.2. Zero hunge

Analysis of end-to-end multi-domain management and orchestration frameworks for software defined infrastructures: an architectural survey

Over the last couple of years, industry operators’ associations issued requirements towards an end-to-end management and orchestration plane for 5G networks. Consequently, standard organisations started their activities in this domain. This arti- cle provides an analysis and an architectural survey of these initiatives and of the main requirements, proposes descriptions for the key concepts of domain, resource and service slicing, end-to-end orchestration and a reference architecture for the end-to-end orchestration plane. Then, a set of currently available or under development domain orchestration frameworks are mapped to this reference architecture. These frameworks, meant to provide coordination and automated management of cloud and networking resources, network functions and services, fulfil multi-domain (i.e. multi-technology and multi- operator) orchestration requirements, thus enabling the realisation of an end-to-end orchestration plane. Finally, based on the analysis of existing single-domain and multi-domain orchestration components and requirements, this paper presents a functional architecture for the end-to-end management and orchestration plane, paving the way to its full realisation

Analysis of end-to-end multi-domain management and orchestration frameworks for software defined infrastructures: An architectural survey

Over the last couple of years, industry operators' associations issued requirements towards an end-to-end management and orchestration plane for 5G networks. Consequently, standard organisations started their activities in this domain. This article provides an analysis and an architectural survey of these initiatives and of the main requirements, proposes descriptions for the key concepts of domain, resource and service slicing, end-to-end orchestration and a reference architecture for the end-to-end orchestration plane. Then, a set of currently available or under development domain orchestration frameworks are mapped to this reference architecture. These frameworks, meant to provide coordination and automated management of cloud and networking resources, network functions and services, fulfil multi-domain (i.e. multi-technology and multi-operator) orchestration requirements, thus enabling the realisation of an end-to-end orchestration plane. Finally, based on the analysis of existing single-domain and multi-domain orchestration components and requirements, this paper presents a functional architecture for the end-to-end management and orchestration plane, paving the way to its full realisatio

Analysis of end-to-end multi-domain management and orchestration frameworks for software defined infrastructures: An architectural survey

Over the last couple of years, industry operators' associations issued requirements towards an end-to-end management and orchestration plane for 5G networks. Consequently, standard organisations started their activities in this domain. This article provides an analysis and an architectural survey of these initiatives and of the main requirements, proposes descriptions for the key concepts of domain, resource and service slicing, end-to-end orchestration and a reference architecture for the end-to-end orchestration plane. Then, a set of currently available or under development domain orchestration frameworks are mapped to this reference architecture. These frameworks, meant to provide coordination and automated management of cloud and networking resources, network functions and services, fulfil multi-domain (i.e. multi-technology and multi-operator) orchestration requirements, thus enabling the realisation of an end-to-end orchestration plane. Finally, based on the analysis of existing single-domain and multi-domain orchestration components and requirements, this paper presents a functional architecture for the end-to-end management and orchestration plane, paving the way to its full realisation

Assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder among women after childbirth using the City Birth Trauma Scale in Spain

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PP-PTSD) affects 3.1-6.3% of women after childbirth. The City Birth Trauma Scale (City-BiTS) is a questionnaire designed to evaluate and diagnose this disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) criteria, including the following groups of symptoms characteristic of posttraumatic stress: reexperiencing, avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, and hyperarousal. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish-language version of this questionnaire (City-BiTS-S), based on a community sample of Spanish women. METHOD: A total of 207 mothers, recruited at three health centers in southern Spain, completed the City-BiTS-S questionnaire and provided sociodemographic and obstetric data. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis of the data replicated the two-factor structure reported in previous studies that explained 47.9% of the variance: Factor 1 of general symptoms and Factor 2 of birth-related symptoms. Both City-BiTS-S (Cronbach's alpha = .90) and the two factors (Cronbach's alpha for Factor 1 = 0.89; Cronbach's alpha for Factor 2 = 0.82) presented high internal consistency. Rasch analysis confirmed the unidimensionality of the two factors as valid subscales of the PP-PTSD. Results suggested reducing response options, reviewing Item 8, and rewording Item 3 in the Spanish version. CONCLUSIONS: The City-BiTS-S presents appropriate psychometric properties to measure symptoms of PP-PTSD. Nevertheless, further research is recommended to confirm its validity in a clinical population and in different medical approaches to the birth process

Spanish validation and factor structure of the birth satisfaction scale-revised (BSS-R).

Objective: To translate and validate a Spanish-language version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) and describe key measurement properties.Design: A cross-sectional instrument validation design examining factor structure, validity and reliability.Setting: Three public hospital sites in Spain. Participants: 202 women who had given birth within the past four weeks provided complete questionnaire data for analysis. Measurements and findings: Measures included the Spanish version of the BSS-R (S-BSS-R) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The tri-dimensional measurement model of the BSS-R was found to offer a good fit to Spanish data. Known-groups discriminant validity was found to be excellent with women experiencing a non-intervention delivery having higher S-BSS-R scores (