Effect of secochiliolide acid isolated from the Patagonian shrub Nardophyllum bryoides as active component in antifouling paints

Environmental concerns about the use of toxic antifoulants have led to an increased interest in the development of new alternatives. So far, most of the antifouling natural products have been obtained from marine organisms. However, some secondary metabolites from terrestrial plants could be promising antifoulant candidates. The antifouling performance of secochiliolide acid, the main component isolated from Nardophyllum bryoides ethanolic extract, was evaluated for inclusion in rosin-based coatings. Field testing was conducted during the summer months at Mar del Plata harbor, Argentina. The results indicated that secochiliolide acid-based paints completely inhibited the settlement of Bugula neritina colonies, Polydora sp., Hydroides elegans, Corophium sp. and solitary ascidians, and also reduced the attachment of some algae as Enteromorpha intestinalis and Ectocarpus sp. In addition, a lower density and diversity of microfouling species was registered. These results highlighted the importance of terrestrial plants as a sustainable source of potential environmentally friendly antifoulants.Facultad de IngenieríaComisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la provincia de Buenos Aire

Molecular origin of the two-step mechanism of gellan aggregation

Among hydrocolloids, gellan is one of the most studied polysaccharides due to its ability to form mechanically stable gels. Despite its long-standing use, the gellan aggregation mechanism is still not understood because of the lack of atomistic information. Here, we fill this gap by developing a new gellan force field. Our simulations offer the first microscopic overview of gellan aggregation, detecting the coil to single-helix transition at dilute conditions and the formation of higher-order aggregates at high concentration through a two-step process: first, the formation of double helices and then their assembly into superstructures. For both steps, we also assess the role of monovalent and divalent cations, complementing simulations with rheology and atomic force microscopy experiments and highlighting the leading role of divalent cations. These results pave the way for future use of gellan-based systems in a variety of applications, from food science to art restoration

Effect of secochiliolide acid isolated from the Patagonian shrub Nardophyllum bryoides as active component in antifouling paints

Environmental concerns about the use of toxic antifoulants have led to an increased interest in the development of new alternatives. So far, most of the antifouling natural products have been obtained from marine organisms. However, some secondary metabolites from terrestrial plants could be promising antifoulant candidates. The antifouling performance of secochiliolide acid, the main component isolated from Nardophyllum bryoides ethanolic extract, was evaluated for inclusion in rosin-based coatings. Field testing was conducted during the summer months at Mar del Plata harbor, Argentina. The results indicated that secochiliolide acid-based paints completely inhibited the settlement of Bugula neritina colonies, Polydora sp., Hydroides elegans, Corophium sp. and solitary ascidians, and also reduced the attachment of some algae as Enteromorpha intestinalis and Ectocarpus sp. In addition, a lower density and diversity of microfouling species was registered. These results highlighted the importance of terrestrial plants as a sustainable source of potential environmentally friendly antifoulants.Facultad de IngenieríaComisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la provincia de Buenos Aire

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization (DEB-TACE): Outcome Analysis Using a Model Based On Pre-Treatment CT Texture Features

(1) Introduction and Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic value, in terms of response and survival, of CT-based radiomics features for patients with HCC undergoing drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE). (2) Materials and Methods: Pre-treatment CT examinations of 50 patients with HCC, treated with DEB-TACE were manually segmented to obtain the tumor volumetric region of interest, extracting radiomics features with TexRAD. Response to therapy evaluation was performed basing on post-procedural CT examination compared to pre-procedural CT, using modified RECIST criteria for HCC. The prognostic value of texture analysis was evaluated, investigating the correlation between radiomics features, response to therapy and overall survival. Three models based on texture and clinical variables and a combination of them were finally built; (3) Results: Entropy, skewness, MPP and kurtosis showed a significant correlation with complete response (CR) to TACE (all p < 0.001). A predictive model to identify patients with a high and low probability of CR was evaluated with an ROC curve, with an AUC of 0.733 (p < 0.001). The three models built for survival prediction yielded an HR of 2.19 (95% CI: 2.03-2.35) using texture features, of 1.7 (95% CI: 1.54-1.9) using clinical data and of 4.61 (95% CI: 4.24-5.01) combining both radiomics and clinical data (all p < 0.0001). (4) Conclusion: Texture analysis based on pre-treatment CT examination is associated with response to therapy and survival in patients with HCC undergoing DEB-TACE, especially if combined with clinical data

Contenido de nutrientes de especies leñosas en la estepa patagónica, Argentina

Las plantas leñosas constituyen una reserva vital de alimentos para herbívoros que habitan la estepa patagónica. Estudios preliminares mostraron alto contenido en materia soluble en éter (FAT) en varias de ellas. Para conocer si la baja disponibilidad de nitrógeno de los suelos conduce a una baja calidad de forraje y si el alto contenido en FAT se corresponde con una alta cantidad de ácidos grasos (FA), se analizaron parámetros químicos de calidad del forraje de partes aéreas de trece especies nativas patagónicas. Las plantas mostraron un contenido en proteínas crudo (CP) moderado a bajo. Independientemente de su contenido en FAT, todas las muestras presentaron aproximadamente el mismo contenido en FA totales con un promedio del 1% en materia seca. El mayor contenido en CP fue en las partes aéreas de Atriplex lampa (13%), Atriplex sagittifolia (10%), Adesmia salamancensis (10%) y en las semillas de Retanilla patagonica (22%). Este parámetro y los valores de digestibilidad (DMD) definen a estas cuatro especies como las de mejor calidad forrajera. A excepción de A. lampa y Berberis microphylla, las cuales han sido previamente estudiadas en otras regiones de Argentina, éste constituye el primer reporte sobre calidad nutricional de partes aéreas de especies leñosas patagónicas.Woody plants constitute a vital food reserve for the herbivores inhabiting the Patagonian steppe. In a preliminary study, some of these plants showed a high content of ether extract (FAT). To determine whether the low availability of nitrogen in soils leads to low forage quality and whether a high FAT content correlates with a high amount of nutritive lipids, namely fatty acids (FA), chemical parameters of forage quality of aerial parts of thirteen woody plants from this steppe were analyzed. Plants showed moderate or low crude protein (CP) content, and, independently of the FAT content, all samples had approximately the same total content of FA (TFA), with an average of 1% of dry matter. The highest CP content was found in aerial parts of Atriplex lampa (13%), Atriplex sagittifolia (10%), Adesmia salamancensis (10%) and seeds of Retanilla patagonica (22%). This parameter and the values of digestibility (DMD) defined these four species as those with best forage quality. Except for A. lampa and Berberis microphylla, which have been previously studied in other regions of Argentina, this is the first report on the nutritional quality of woody species from the Patagonian steppe.Fil: Barría, Mabel Ester. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia ; ArgentinaFil: Cretton, Martina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia Golfo San Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia Golfo San Jorge. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia ; ArgentinaFil: Gurin, Maria Celeste. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia ; ArgentinaFil: Arce, Maria Elena. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Departamento de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Rost, Enrique Julian. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia ; ArgentinaFil: Mazzuca, Marcia. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia ; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia Golfo San Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia Golfo San Jorge. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia ; Argentin

Effect of secochiliolide acid isolated from the Patagonian shrub Nardophyllum bryoides as active component in antifouling paints

Environmental concerns about the use of toxic antifoulants have led to an increased interest in the development of new alternatives. So far, most of the antifouling natural products have been obtained from marine organisms. However, some secondary metabolites from terrestrial plants could be promising antifoulant candidates. The antifouling performance of secochiliolide acid, the main component isolated from Nardophyllum bryoides ethanolic extract, was evaluated for inclusion in rosin-based coatings. Field testing was conducted during the summer months at Mar del Plata harbor, Argentina. The results indicated that secochiliolide acid-based paints completely inhibited the settlement of Bugula neritina colonies, Polydora sp., Hydroides elegans, Corophium sp. and solitary ascidians, and also reduced the attachment of some algae as Enteromorpha intestinalis and Ectocarpus sp. In addition, a lower density and diversity of microfouling species was registered. These results highlighted the importance of terrestrial plants as a sustainable source of potential environmentally friendly antifoulants.Fil: Perez, Miriam Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo En Tecnología de Pinturas (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: García, Mónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo En Tecnología de Pinturas (i); ArgentinaFil: Sánchez, Marianela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos Aplicados A la Química Orgánica (i); ArgentinaFil: Stupak, Mirta Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo En Tecnología de Pinturas (i); ArgentinaFil: Mazzuca, Marcia. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "san Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Comodoro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Palermo, Jorge Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos Aplicados A la Química Orgánica (i); ArgentinaFil: Blustein, Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo En Tecnología de Pinturas (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales; Argentin

The several facets of Trichogin GA IV: High affinity Tb (III) binding properties. A spectroscopic and molecular dynamics simulation study

Trichogin GA IV (TrGA) is an antimicrobial peptide isolated from Trichoderma longibrachiatum. The amino acid sequence of TrGA is rather peculiar, because it is characterized by three Aib and four Gly residues, which confer unique dynamic and structural properties. In a previous study, we found that TrGA shows excellent binding properties to Ca(II) and lanthanide Gd(III) ions in acetonitrile solutions. Within the lanthanide ions, Tb(III) ions possess fascinating optical characteristics, such as luminescence which greatly improves after coordination. Here, we present the results of our spectroscopic and molecular dynamics investigations on the Tb(III) ion‐binding properties of an Nα‐Fmoc functionalized analog of Trichogin GA IV (F0TrOMe). The high Tb(III) ion‐F0TrOMe affinity, together with the proteolytic resistance and membrane affinity of the natural compound, confers to this system potentially promising applications in several fields, such as bioimaging and bioanalytical assays