Identificación de Xilanasas GH10 en las cepas 2 y Mz5 de Pseudobutyrivibrio xylanivorans

El rumen contiene una población bacteriana encargada de la degradación del xilano, el principal componente de la hemicelulosa presente en la pared celular vegetal de los forrajes que consumen las cabras. Las bacterias del rumen, principalmente los géneros Butyrivibrio y Pseudobutyrivibrio, sintetizan una gama de enzimas xilanolíticas para la digestión eficaz de los componentes de la pared celular. Los genes que codifican para xilanasas pertenecientes a la familia glicosil hidrolasa 11 (GH11) y la actividad xilanasa asociada han sido identificados en la cepa tipo (Mz5) de P. xylanivorans. Por el contrario, poco se sabe acerca de la diversidad y distribución de los genes xilanasa GH10 en otras cepas de Pseudobutyrivibrio. // El objetivo del presente estudio fue identificar genes xilanasa GH10 en P. ruminis 153, P. xylanivorans 2 y Mz5. Además, se evaluó la degradación y utilización de xilano por las cepas aisladas del rumen de cabras Criollas. Se identificó un gen xilanasa (xynAPx) en P. xylanivorans 2 y otro gen xilanasa diferente (xynBMz5) en P. xylanivorans Mz5. Estos genes se relacionaron con enzimas presentes en especies de Butyrivibrio. P. xylanivorans 2 fue capaz de utilizar hasta el 53% de las pentosas totales presentes en el xilano de la madera de abedul (BWX) y utilizar hasta el 62% del BWX. // La presencia de genes xilanasas GH10 y la actividad xilanasa reportada en P. xylanivorans 2, permitió concluir el rol funcional de esta cepa en la degradación de la hemicelulosa presente en forrajes con abundante contenido de fibra vegetal. Esta característica podría ser uno de los mecanismos de adaptación de los caprinos Criollos para el aprovechamiento de forrajes de baja calidad nutricional que consumen en el campo natural

Machine Learning in Automated Text Categorization

The automated categorization (or classification) of texts into predefined categories has witnessed a booming interest in the last ten years, due to the increased availability of documents in digital form and the ensuing need to organize them. In the research community the dominant approach to this problem is based on machine learning techniques: a general inductive process automatically builds a classifier by learning, from a set of preclassified documents, the characteristics of the categories. The advantages of this approach over the knowledge engineering approach (consisting in the manual definition of a classifier by domain experts) are a very good effectiveness, considerable savings in terms of expert manpower, and straightforward portability to different domains. This survey discusses the main approaches to text categorization that fall within the machine learning paradigm. We will discuss in detail issues pertaining to three different problems, namely document representation, classifier construction, and classifier evaluation.Comment: Accepted for publication on ACM Computing Survey

Effectiveness of an mHealth intervention combining a smartphone app and smart band on body composition in an overweight and obese population: Randomized controlled trial (EVIDENT 3 study)

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese. Methods: A randomized controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted involving the participation of 440 subjects from primary care centers, with 231 subjects in the intervention group (IG; counselling with smartphone app and smart band) and 209 in the control group (CG; counselling only). Both groups were counselled about healthy diet and physical activity. For the 3-month intervention period, the IG was trained to use a smartphone app that involved self-monitoring and tailored feedback, as well as a smart band that recorded daily physical activity (Mi Band 2, Xiaomi). Body composition was measured using the InBody 230 bioimpedance device (InBody Co., Ltd), and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The mHealth intervention produced a greater loss of body weight (–1.97 kg, 95% CI –2.39 to –1.54) relative to standard counselling at 3 months (–1.13 kg, 95% CI –1.56 to –0.69). Comparing groups, the IG achieved a weight loss of 0.84 kg more than the CG at 3 months. The IG showed a decrease in body fat mass (BFM; –1.84 kg, 95% CI –2.48 to –1.20), percentage of body fat (PBF; –1.22%, 95% CI –1.82% to 0.62%), and BMI (–0.77 kg/m2, 95% CI –0.96 to 0.57). No significant changes were observed in any of these parameters in men; among women, there was a significant decrease in BMI in the IG compared with the CG. When subjects were grouped according to baseline BMI, the overweight group experienced a change in BFM of –1.18 kg (95% CI –2.30 to –0.06) and BMI of –0.47 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.80 to –0.13), whereas the obese group only experienced a change in BMI of –0.53 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.86 to –0.19). When the data were analyzed according to physical activity, the moderate-vigorous physical activity group showed significant changes in BFM of –1.03 kg (95% CI –1.74 to –0.33), PBF of –0.76% (95% CI –1.32% to –0.20%), and BMI of –0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.83 to –0.19). Conclusions: The results from this multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial study show that compared with standard counselling alone, adding a self-reported app and a smart band obtained beneficial results in terms of weight loss and a reduction in BFM and PBF in female subjects with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and a moderate-vigorous physical activity level. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ensure that this profile benefits more than others from this intervention and to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve a global effect

Spread of a SARS-CoV-2 variant through Europe in the summer of 2020.

Following its emergence in late 2019, the spread of SARS-CoV-21,2 has been tracked by phylogenetic analysis of viral genome sequences in unprecedented detail3–5. Although the virus spread globally in early 2020 before borders closed, intercontinental travel has since been greatly reduced. However, travel within Europe resumed in the summer of 2020. Here we report on a SARS-CoV-2 variant, 20E (EU1), that was identified in Spain in early summer 2020 and subsequently spread across Europe. We find no evidence that this variant has increased transmissibility, but instead demonstrate how rising incidence in Spain, resumption of travel, and lack of effective screening and containment may explain the variant’s success. Despite travel restrictions, we estimate that 20E (EU1) was introduced hundreds of times to European countries by summertime travellers, which is likely to have undermined local efforts to minimize infection with SARS-CoV-2. Our results illustrate how a variant can rapidly become dominant even in the absence of a substantial transmission advantage in favourable epidemiological settings. Genomic surveillance is critical for understanding how travel can affect transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and thus for informing future containment strategies as travel resumes. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited

Osteoblasts MC3T3-E1 response in 2D and 3D cell cultures models to high carbon content CoCr alloy particles. Effect of metallic particles on vimentin expression

The study of the biocompability of the metallic materials is a priority treating to avoid the osteolysis and aseptic loosening of prosthesis. Wear debris is considered one of the main factors responsible for aseptic loosening of orthopedic endoprostheses. We examined the response of mouse osteoblasts MC3T3-E1 to high carbon cobalt-chrome (HCCoCr) particles obtained a) from wear-corrosion assays on a pin-on-disk tribometer using as pair an alumina ball and a disc of a HCCoCr alloy, and b) HCCoCr bulk particles obtained by nitrogen gas atomization from an alloy used in clinic for prostheses application. Mitochondrial activity and lactate dehydrogenase activity assayed in 2D and 3D osteoblasts cell culture models were used to evaluate the cellular response to size, shape, and chemical composition of the metallic particles. 2D cell model was used to study the direct interaction of cells with particles and 3D cell cultures was used to more closely mimic in vivo conditions.The results showed that vimentin was overexpressed in the 2D osteoblasts cultures in presence of metal particles.This might be related to the appearance of pseudotumor in the peri-prosthetic vicinity described in some implanted patients.Financial support was received through the projects MAT2011-29152-C02-02 and MAT2011-29152-C02-01.RMLP and BTPM wish to thank the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad from Spain for the financial support given by the project: MAT2011-29152-C02-02 and MAT2015-67750-C3-2-R.Peer reviewe

Calidad de vida en esclerosis múltiple y otras enfermedades crónicas autoinmunes y no autoinmunes

Introduction. Diseases that involve the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system are particularly likely to produce different limitations and deficits, and to affect the individual conception of quality of life. Aim. To determine the impact on quality of life generated by chronic autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren's syndrome (SS), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and chronic musculotendinous diseases like osteoarthritis (OA) and fibromyalgia (FM), using the Short Form 36-item (SF-36) health questionnaire. Patients and methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2004 and June 2006 and included 509 individuals, of whom 56 had MS, 36 SS, 24 AS, 200 RA, 65 SLE, 54 OA and 74 FM. Guided interviews were conducted to evaluate each sphere of the SF-36 health questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed using the general lineal model, with means differences according to each diagnosis. Results. Compared to patients with RA, those with MS showed significant differences in the physical functioning and social functioning dimensions. The lowest score was recorded in those with FM, except in physical functioning, where MS had the lowest mean. No differences were found in the mean scores on general conception of the state of health in each condition analysed. Conclusions. Different neurological functions deteriorate progressively in MS, which has repercussions on the musculoskeletal system; this leads to a poorer quality of life, mainly in the physical and social functions. The disability generated is not only defined by deficit but also by the degrees of functional limitation within the context of personal health. Quality of life thus becomes a global biopsychosocial phenomenon. © 2009, REVISTA DE NEUROLOGÍA

Calidad de vida en esclerosis múltiple y otras enfermedades crónicas autoinmunes y no autoinmunes

Introduction. Diseases that involve the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system are particularly likely to produce different limitations and deficits, and to affect the individual conception of quality of life. Aim. To determine the impact on quality of life generated by chronic autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren's syndrome (SS), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and chronic musculotendinous diseases like osteoarthritis (OA) and fibromyalgia (FM), using the Short Form 36-item (SF-36) health questionnaire. Patients and methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2004 and June 2006 and included 509 individuals, of whom 56 had MS, 36 SS, 24 AS, 200 RA, 65 SLE, 54 OA and 74 FM. Guided interviews were conducted to evaluate each sphere of the SF-36 health questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed using the general lineal model, with means differences according to each diagnosis. Results. Compared to patients with RA, those with MS showed significant differences in the physical functioning and social functioning dimensions. The lowest score was recorded in those with FM, except in physical functioning, where MS had the lowest mean. No differences were found in the mean scores on general conception of the state of health in each condition analysed. Conclusions. Different neurological functions deteriorate progressively in MS, which has repercussions on the musculoskeletal system; this leads to a poorer quality of life, mainly in the physical and social functions. The disability generated is not only defined by deficit but also by the degrees of functional limitation within the context of personal health. Quality of life thus becomes a global biopsychosocial phenomenon. © 2009, REVISTA DE NEUROLOGÍA

Macrophage Biocompatibility of CoCr Wear Particles Produced under Polarization in Hyaluronic Acid Aqueous Solution

Macrophages are the main cells involved in inflammatory processes and in the primary response to debris derived from wear of implanted CoCr alloys. The biocompatibility of wear particles from a high carbon CoCr alloy produced under polarization in hyaluronic acid (HA) aqueous solution was evaluated in J774A.1 mouse macrophages cultures. Polarization was applied to mimic the electrical interactions observed in living tissues. Wear tests were performed in a pin-on-disk tribometer integrating an electrochemical cell in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and in PBS supplemented with 3 g/L HA, an average concentration that is generally found in synovial fluid, used as lubricant solution. Wear particles produced in 3 g/L HA solution showed a higher biocompatibility in J774A.1 macrophages in comparison to those elicited by particles obtained in PBS. A considerable enhancement in macrophages biocompatibility in the presence of 3 g/L of HA was further observed by the application of polarization at potentials having current densities typical of injured tissues suggesting that polarization produces an effect on the surface of the metallic material that leads to the production of wear particles that seem to be macrophage-biocompatible and less cytotoxic. The results showed the convenience of considering the influence of the electric interactions in the chemical composition of debris detached from metallic surfaces under wear corrosion to get a better understanding of the biological effects caused by the wear products.Funding: Financial support received through the MAT2015-67750-C3-2-R, MAT2015-67750-C3-1-R, MAT2011-29152-C02-01 and the MAT2011-29152-C02-02 projects from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO/FEDER) from Spain