Application of an ELISA test using Schistosoma bovis adult worm antigens in travellers and immigrants from a schistosomiasis endemic area and its correlation with clinical findings

[EN] We have recently evaluated an ELISA for the diagnosis of human schistosomiasis using S. bovis adult worm antigens (AWA Sb), showing a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 97% for patients diagnosed by egg detection. Nevertheless, the comparison of this AWA Sb ELISA with direct parasitological findings as the gold standard could introduce a Selection bias, due to the well-known lack of sensitivity of direct methods in the detection of acute schistosomiasis and of low burden infections. The objective of the present work is to compare it with parasitological methods and commercial indirect haemagglutination test using S. mansoni antigens (WA Sm IHA) in 254 immigrants and travellers with different clinical settings; in addition, to find specific bands in the EITB of different phases of schistosomiasis. The AWA Sb ELISA showed 72% of seropositivity in patients with Katayama fever, while patients with eosinophilia and genito-urinary complaints showed 27% and 93%, respectively. The diagnosis yield was globally higher than direct egg detection or WA Sm IHA test with regard to the clinical setting. Finally, the utilization of EITB with S. bovis AWA permits the confirmation of diagnosis in chronic and acute phases of the disease

Magnetite Mineralization inside Cross-Linked Protein Crystals

Crystallization in confined spaces is a widespread process in nature that also has important implications for the stability and durability of many man-made materials. It has been reported that confinement can alter essential crystallization events, such as nucleation and growth and, thus, have an impact on crystal size, polymorphism, morphology, and stability. Therefore, the study of nucleation in confined spaces can help us understand similar events that occur in nature, such as biomineralization, design new methods to control crystallization, and expand our knowledge in the field of crystallography. Although the fundamental interest is clear, basic models at the laboratory scale are scarce mainly due to the difficulty in obtaining well-defined confined spaces allowing a simultaneous study of the mineralization process outside and inside the cavities. Herein, we have studied magnetite precipitation in the channels of cross-linked protein crystals (CLPCs) with different channel pore sizes, as a model of crystallization in confined spaces. Our results show that nucleation of an Fe-rich phase occurs inside the protein channels in all cases, but, by a combination of chemical and physical effects, the channel diameter of CLPCs exerted a precise control on the size and stability of those Fe-rich nanoparticles. The small diameters of protein channels restrain the growth of metastable intermediates to around 2 nm and stabilize them over time. At larger pore diameters, recrystallization of the Fe-rich precursors into more stable phases was observed. This study highlights the impact that crystallization in confined spaces can have on the physicochemical properties of the resulting crystals and shows that CLPCs can be interesting substrates to study this process.Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (MICINN) PID2020-116261GB-I00 PID2020-118498GB-I00 PDC2021-121135.100FEDER/Junta de Andalucia-Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades (Spain) A-FQM-340-UGR20 UCE-PP2016-0

Effect of fibrin-rich plasma and collagen sponge on healing of the palatal mucosa

The purpose was to evaluate the variation in thickness and early healing of the donor area of the palate with the placement of a collagen sponge and the use of fibrin-rich plasma (L-PRF).Thirty patients who required mucogingival surgery treatment were selected and distributed into 2 groups. After obtaining the free palate graft, L-PRF was placed in Group A, and a collagen sponge was placed in Group B. The healing process of the palate was evaluated at 24 hours and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days postsurgery. The thickness of the donor area (palate) was evaluated using an acrylic splint. These measurements were made before and 4 months after surgery.In the collagen sponge group, less gain of the palatal mucosa was observed, with a mean difference of 0.1 ± 0.8 mm (CI: −0.341–0.518) (p=0.691), whereas in the fibrin-rich plasma group, a mean difference of 0.0 ± 0.5 mm (CI: −0.229–0.229) (p=0.934) was found; however, when comparing the gain of the palatal mucosa in both groups, no significant difference was observed (p=0.932). The healing index at 24 hours indicated the presence of clots, on Day 28 vascularisation and total epithelialisation (100.0%), and finally, the collagen sponge group on Day 14 presented 93.3% partial vascularisation of connective tissue and 33.3% L-PRF (p=0.001).There was no statistically significant difference in the thickness of the palatal mucosa after the use of L-PRF and the collagen sponge

Nuclear astrophysics with radioactive ions at FAIR

The nucleosynthesis of elements beyond iron is dominated by neutron captures in the s and r processes. However, 32 stable, proton-rich isotopes cannot be formed during those processes, because they are shielded from the s-process flow and r-process beta-decay chains. These nuclei are attributed to the p and rp process. For all those processes, current research in nuclear astrophysics addresses the need for more precise reaction data involving radioactive isotopes. Depending on the particular reaction, direct or inverse kinematics, forward or time-reversed direction are investigated to determine or at least to constrain the desired reaction cross sections. The Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) will offer unique, unprecedented opportunities to investigate many of the important reactions. The high yield of radioactive isotopes, even far away from the valley of stability, allows the investigation of isotopes involved in processes as exotic as the r or rp processes

La Parcialidad de las Medidas de Actualización de Balances Analizada Mediante Un Estudio de las Ausencias más Significativas en la Normativa de 1996: The Partiality of the Balance Sheet Updating Measures, Via a Study of the Most lmportant Absences in the 1996 Law

We think that the balance sheet updating of 1996, adjusted nearly exclusively to the revaluation of the material fixed assets, means, from an accounting point of view, a partial solution to the inflation problem. To give credit to such a hypothesis, we choose the main balance sheet items which, being affected equally by price variations, stay away from their scope -intangible fixed assets, stocks, securities, reversion Fund, and we analyze them having as an aim to determine whether it is justifiable or not, from an economical point of view, the rectification of their values. We can find reasoning behind all of them; although we find out likewise that the solution to inflation effects, in particular certain cases, in the future they will probably have to undergo a deep revision of the criteria in the valuation that they adopt nowadays.La actualización de balances de 1996, por ceñirse casi en exclusiva a la revalorización del inmovilizado material entendemos que contablemente supone una solución parcial al problema de la inflación. Para acreditar dicha hipótesis escogemos las principales partidas del balance que, estando afectadas igualmente por las variaciones de precios, quedan fuera de su ámbito -inmovilizado inmaterial, existencias, valores mobiliarios, Fondo de reversión-, y las analizamos con el fin de determinar si desde un punto de vista económico es justificable o no la rectificación de sus valores. En todas hallamos argumentos para su revaluación, aunque descubrimos asimismo que la solución a los efectos inflacionistas, en particular respecto a ciertos casos, posiblemente tenga que pasar en adelante por una revisión profunda de los criterios de valoración aplicados hoy día

The HERC1 ubiquitin ligase regulates presynaptic membrane dynamics of central synapses

HERC1 is a ubiquitin ligase protein, which, when mutated, induces several malformations and intellectual disability in humans. The animal model of HERC1 mutation is the mouse tambaleante characterized by: (1) overproduction of the protein; (2) cerebellar Purkinje cells death by autophagy; (3) dysregulation of autophagy in spinal cord motor neurons, and CA3 and neocortical pyramidal neurons; (4) impairment of associative learning, linked to altered spinogenesis and absence of LTP in the lateral amygdala; and, (5) motor impairment due to delayed action potential transmission, decrease synaptic transmission efficiency and altered myelination in the peripheral nervous system. To investigate the putative role of HERC1 in the presynaptic dynamics we have performed a series of experiments in cultured tambaleante hippocampal neurons by using transmission electron microscopy, FM1-43 destaining and immunocytochemistry. Our results show: (1) a decrease in the number of synaptic vesicles; (2) reduced active zones; (3) less clathrin immunoreactivity and less presynaptic endings over the hippocampal main dendritic trees; which contrast with (4) a greater number of endosomes and autophagosomes in the presynaptic endings of the tambaleante neurons relative to control ones. Altogether these results show an important role of HERC1 in the regulation of presynaptic membrane dynamics

Inter-rater reliability assessment for the new-born screening quality assurance

IntroductionTo ensure the quality of the new-born screening (NBS), our laboratory reviewed the analytical procedure to detect subjective steps that may represent a risk to the patient. Two subjective activities were identified in the extra-analytical phases: the classification of dried blood spots (DBS) according to their quality and the assignment of haemoglobin patterns. To keep these activities under control, inter-rater studies were implemented. This study aimed to evaluate the inter-rater reliability and the effectiveness of the measures taken to improve the agreement between observers, to assure NBS results’ quality. Materials and methodsDried blood spots specimens were used for the inter-rater studies. Ten studies were performed to assess DBS quality classification, and four to assess the assignment of haemoglobin patterns. Krippendorff’s alpha test was used to estimate inter-rater reliability. Causes were investigated when alpha values were below 0.80. ResultsFor both activities, the reliability obtained in the first studies was inadequate. After investigation, we detected that the criterion to classify a DBS as scant was not consolidated, and also a lack of consensus on whether or not to report Bart’s haemoglobin depending on its percentage. Alpha estimates became higher once the training was reinforced and a consensus about the appropriate criteria to be applied was reached. ConclusionInter-rater reliability assessment helped us to ensure the quality of subjective activities that could add variability to NBS results. Furthermore, the evolution of the alpha value over time allowed us to verify the effectiveness of the measures adopted

Periglacial activity in the Central and Southern Andes

The Andes Mountain range runs along the western margin of South America for ~7500 km, from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, next to the Caribbean Sea, to Cape Horn, at the southern tip of the continent. Based on structural differences, the Northern Andes (11ºN-1ºS), Central Andes (1º-47ºS) and Southern Andes (47º-68ºS) have been differentiated. In the Central Andes the mountain range is divided into Western and Eastern Andes, between which the Altiplano, a plateau of 300x500 km and 3800- 4900 m surrounded by peaks that reach 6000 m in altitude. Only the Himalayas and Tibet are higher and larger than Andes-Altiplano. Glaciers are preserved on many peaks of the Andes, and on their slopes, there are moraines revealing a much larger glacial extent in the past. Today, in the deglaciated areas there are extensive periglacial landscapes. However, the extent to which altitude and latitude modify periglacial forms and processes has not yet been investigated. Our team aims to make a first approach to the problem by analyzing three representative Study areas of a north- south transect of the Central and Southern Andes: Nevado Coropuna volcanic complex (16ºS, 73ºW, 6377 m), in the Arequipa region (Peru); Cerro Aconcagua (33ºS, 70ºW, 6960 m), in Mendoza (Argentina) and Cerro Alvear (54ºS, 68ºW, 1490 m), in the Argentinean side of Tierra del Fuego. In the last 20 years we have identified different periglacial processes linked to permafrost, such as: rock glaciers, protalus ramparts, debris lobes, patterned grounds including tundra polygons associated with active ice wedges, cryo-ejected clast, tors, nivation hollows or boulder (clast) pavements. This periglacial activity probably records aspects of current interests, as climate change, interhemispheric teleconnections, or ENSO phenomenon, which modify snow cover. Understanding this record is an interesting geomorphological challenge that we begin to address by presenting this work

Detection of Schistosoma mansoni-derived DNA in human urine samples by loopmediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)

[EN]Background Schistosoma mansoni is the main species causing hepatic and intestinal schistosomiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa, and it is the only species in South America. Adult stages of the parasite reside in the mesenteric venous plexus of infected hosts, and eggs are shed in feces. Collecting patient stool samples for S. mansoni diagnostic purposes is difficult in large-scale field trials. Urine samples would be an alternative approach for molecular S. mansoni detection since they have several advantages over stool samples, including better handling, management and storage. Additionally, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology is a powerful molecular diagnostic tool for infectious diseases, particularly under field conditions in developing countries. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of our previously developed LAMP assay (SmMIT-LAMP) for S. mansoni-specific detection in clinical urine samples. Methodology/Principal findings The sensitivity of SmMIT-LAMP in urine was established in simulated fresh human urine samples artificially spiked with genomic DNA from S. mansoni. LAMP for 120 min instead of 60 min improved the sensitivity, reaching values of 0.01 fg/μL. A set of well-defined frozen stored human urine samples collected from Sub-Saharan immigrant patients was selected from a biobank to evaluate the diagnostic validity of SmMIT-LAMP. The set included urine samples from patients with microscopy-confirmed infections with S. mansoni, S. haematobium and other nonschistosome parasites, as well as urine samples from patients with microscopy-negative eosinophilia without a confirmed diagnosis. The SmMIT-LAMP was incubated for 60 and 120 min. A longer incubation time was shown to increase the LAMPpositive results in patient urine samples. We also tested urine samples from mice experimentally infected with S. mansoni, and LAMP-positive results were obtained from the third week after infection. A real-time LAMP assay was also performed with three individual urine samples. Conclusions/Significance The SmMIT-LAMP could effectively detect S. mansoni DNA in mouse urine samples and produced promising results for human clinical samples. The detection of S. mansoni DNA in mouse urine samples from the third week after infection indicates that early diagnosis of active S. mansoni infection is possible using urine as a source of DNA. Further studies are still needed, but our method could be used as a promising molecular tool applicable to urine samples to diagnose human intestinal schistosomiasis caused by S. mansoni