Acinetobacter Lwofii, an unusual cause of infectious pericarditis complicated with cardiac tamponade: a case report

Bacterial pericarditis can be considered a rare pathology, usually associated with cardiac procedures and, to a lesser extent, with immunosuppression and chronic diseases. The importance of its knowledge lies in the fact that mortality can reach up to 100% in untreated patients. Once diagnosed, pericardiocentesis and administration of intravenous antimicrobial therapy are mandatory for the prevention of its complications, which include cardiac tamponade and sepsis. Here we present an exceptional case of infectious pericarditis due to Acinetobacter Lwoffii in an older adult, which was complicated by pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade

Situación de vectores de CaLsol que infectan solanáceas en la región de las Américas. Implicaciones para Cuba. I: Elementos de su identificación, distribución y bioecología

Global food security could be threatened in the coming years by the emergence and spread of emerging pests in crops. Psyllids are considered as possible destructive pests due to their relationships with some important plant pathogens. Bactericera cockerelli Sulc (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is recognized as an efficient vector of the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CaLsol), an invasive pest according to the EPPO, which causes diseases in potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and other solanaceous and some apiaceous crops. Known the vector-bacteria complex to be present in different countries of the world belonging to the American continent , Europe and New Zealand, 61 scientific papers related to this topic were reviewed Changes in the climatic variables, the biological distribution of this insect-vector system, the high ecological plasticity that allows this insect to develop different biotypes, depending on the characteristics of the area where it develops, could complicate the control of the insect-pathogen system. These characteristics make necessary a maintained extreme surveillance in those countries where it is not yet present. So far, the bacterium and the vector are not present in Cuba; however, its proximity to countries where it is present, the existence of optimal climatic conditions host plants, and the increasing tourism and international trade, make necessary to offer updated information on this disease, the causal agents and their vectors as a contribution to the preparation of the scientific-technical-productive personnel and other decission makers.La seguridad alimentaria mundial estará amenazada en los próximos años por la aparición y propagación de plagas emergentes en los cultivos. Los psílidos se consideran posibles plagas destructivas, debido a la relación existente entre estos insectos y algunos importantes patógenos de plantas. Bactericera cockerelli Sulc (Hemiptera: Triozidae) es reconocido como vector eficiente de la bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CaLsol), una plaga invasiva según la EPPO, causante de enfermedades en papa, tomate, pimiento, otras solanáceas, y algunas especies de Apiaceae. Se revisaron 61 artículos científicos relacionados con el tema, conociendo que el complejo vector-bacteria está presente en diferentes países del mundo en el continente americano, Europa y Nueva Zelanda. El cambio en las variables climáticas, la distribución biológica de este sistema insecto-vector, la alta plasticidad ecológica, que le permite desarrollar diferentes biotipos dependiendo de las características del área donde se desarrolle, pudieran complejizar el control/manejo del sistema insecto-patógeno. Estas características hacen necesario mantener una vigilancia extrema en aquellos países donde aún no se encuentra presente. Hasta el momento, la bacteria y el vector no se encuentran presentes en Cuba; sin embargo, la cercanía a países en las que está presente, la existencia de condiciones climáticas optimas, de plantas hospedantes, así como el incremento del turismo y el comercio internacional, hacen necesario brindar información actualizada sobre esta enfermedad, los agentes causales y sus vectores, como una contribución a la preparación del personal científico-técnico-productivo y decisores

Excavaciones en el conjunto megalítico de la Peña Oviedo (Camaleño, Cantabria)

La excavación del conjunto megalítico de la Peña Oviedo, pretende ser el inicio de un estudio más amplio que aborde de manera global el fenómeno megalítico en las cue.ncas altas de los ríos Deva y Nansa. El total desconocimiento que se tenía hasta esta década, no ya del fenómeno megalítico, sino incluso de su existencia en estos valles montañosos del Occidente de Cantabria hace necesario un estudio que ponga de manifiesto sus características y las relaciones con las áreas vecinas.The excavation of the megalithic complex of the Peña Oviedo, pretends to be the beginning of a larger study that approaches the megalithic phenomenon in the global River basins of the Deva and Nansa rivers. The total lack of knowledge of the megalithic phenomenon, but not even of its existence in these mountain valleys of western Cantabria, requires a study that reveals its characteristics and relations with neighboring areas

Primera aproximación a las moscas blancas (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) sus plantas hospedantes y parasitoides asociados en Huánuco, Perú

Whiteflies are considered insects of great economic importance, because they cause direct and indirect damage that reduce the yields of various crops in some cases by 100%. Collections were made in the Huánuco valley (2013-2016), taking the leaves of various plants containing immature stages of the IV instar of whitefly, which were processed using the technique of Martin (1987) modified by Caballero (1996). For identification, the keys of Hodges and Evans (2005), Valencia (2000), Dooley (2006) and Nakahara (2002) were used; and for the identification of parasitoids, codes from Evans (2008) and Valencia (2000) were used. 10 species of whitefly distributed in the Huánuco valley were identified. The recovered parasitoids were Amitus sp., Encarsia sp., E. formosa and Cales sp. 30 host plants were recorded in 21 botanical families. Whitefly species, host plants, and associated parasitoids are recorded for the first time for Huánuco. Keywords: Aleyrodidae, whitefly, host plants, parasitoids, HuánucoLas moscas blancas son consideradas insectos de gran importancia económica, debido a que causan daños directos e indirectos que reducen los rendimientos de los diversos cultivos en algunos casos en un 100%. Se realizaron colectas en el valle de Huánuco (2013-2016), tomando las hojas de diversas plantas conteniendo estados inmaduros del IV instar de mosca blanca, los cuales fueron procesados mediante la técnica de Martin (1987) modificado por Caballero (1996). Para la identificación se emplearon las claves de Hodges y Evans (2005), Valencia (2000), Dooley (2006) y Nakahara (2002); y para la identificación de parasitoides se emplearon claves de Evans (2008) y Valencia (2000). Se identificaron 10 especies de mosca blanca distribuidos en el valle de Huánuco. Los parasitoides recuperados fueron Amitus sp., Encarsia sp., E. formosa y Cales sp. Se registraron 30 plantas hospedantes en 21 familias botánicas. Las especies de mosca blanca, las plantas hospedantes y los parasitoides asociados se registran por primera vez para Huánuco

Modelado espacial de la dispersión de Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) en Phaseolus vulgaris

With the objective of providing information for monitoring the bean flower thrip (Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall), a study of their spatial pattern was carried out using geo-statistical techniques. Nine samples were taken weekly from a 0,75 ha plot in San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque province, Cuba, during the October-December 2020 campaign. The population of nymphs and adults of thrips was counted in 25 sampling points placed equidistant 0,6 meters on each diagonal. To determine the spatial distribution, semivariograms were performed by sampling and extrapolating by kriging. Predictive maps were made to identify foci with the largest population and the best time to take control measures. The structural analysis showed that the spherical model offered the best fit and the spatial dependence of the points was high in almost all samples. The insect showed an aggregated distribution pattern and the population foci, identified as key points to carry out the application of natural control or other management measures, were concentrated in the center of the field.Con el objetivo de aportar información para el monitoreo del trips de las flores del frijol (Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall), se realizó un estudio de su disposición espacial mediante técnicas geoestadísticas. En la campaña octubre-diciembre de 2020, en una parcela de 0,75 hectáreas situada en San José de las Lajas, provincia Mayabeque, Cuba, se realizaron nueve muestreos con frecuencia semanal. Se situaron 25 puntos de muestreo en cada diagonal, de manera equidistante, a 0,6 metros, donde se contó la población de ninfas y adultos de trips. Para determinar la distribución espacial se realizaron semivariogramas por muestreo y extrapolación por kriging. Se realizaron mapas predictivos para identificar los focos de mayor población y el mejor momento para tomar medidas de control/manejo. El análisis estructural demostró que el modelo esférico ofreció el mejor ajuste y la dependencia espacial de los puntos fue alta en casi todos los muestreos. El patrón de distribución del insecto fue agregado; los focos poblaciones se concentraron en el centro del campo, identificados como puntos clave para realizar la aplicación de biorreguladores u otras medidas de manejo

Studying sporadic and familial Alzheimer's disease on iPSC-derived hippocampal and cortical neurons: effect of APOE and Presenilin1

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is pathologically characterised by the presence of amyloid-beta plaques, neurofibrillary tangles containing hyperphosphorylated Tau protein, neuroinflammation and neuronal death leading to progressive cognitive impairment. The ¿4 allele of the gene encoding apolipoprotein E (APOE), which is mainly expressed in glial cells, is the strongest genetic risk factor for sporadic AD. Increasing evidence has shown that APOE4 may disrupt normal astrocyte activity, potentially contributing to AD pathology, but the impact of different APOE alleles on astrocyte differentiation, maturation and function is not yet fully understood. To go in depth on these questions, we obtained induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from fibroblasts of AD patients carrying ¿3 and ¿4 alleles (in homozygosis) and from healthy patients. We also used gene-edited iPSC lines homozygous for the main APOE variants and an APOE knock-out line. iPSC-derived human astrocytes were generated by establishing a differentiation protocol through the consecutive addition of small molecules and growth factors, and the expression of typical markers (GFAP, GLT1, AQP4 and S100beta) and APOE was analysed. In addition, astrocytes exhibited functional features like glutamate uptake capacity and calcium waves production. They also responded to an inflammatory stimulus (IL-1beta and TNF-alpha) or to the presence of amyloid-beta 1-42 peptide by changing their morphology and increasing the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors and cytokines. Our results shed light on the potential dual role of APOE polymorphism and the individual¿s genetic background in favouring or perhaps preventing AD pathology

Enabling high-quality transparent conductive oxide on 3D printed ZrO2 architectures through atomic layer deposition

The conformal atomic layer deposition of a transparent conductive oxide composed of Al-doped ZnO (AZO) over three-dimensional (3D) shaped ZrO2 microarchitectures produced using two-photon lithography (TPL) is reported here for the first time. The effect of ZrO2 morphology, surface roughness, and crystallographic phase (tetragonal and monoclinic) on the quality and properties of the deposited ZnO and AZO thin films is investigated. No discontinuities, domains, or areas differing from the desired chemical composition have been found in films grown over the 3D structures. Three different Al dopant concentrations (4.0 %, 4-5 %, and 5.0 % Al doping cycles) are examined and compared to undoped ZnO. AZO and ZnO optical and electrical properties are studied using cathodoluminescence (CL) and Hall effect measurements. The CL study confirms that the observed emissions from the ZnO and AZO films are associated with the near band emission of ZnO and defects, i.e., zinc and oxygen vacancies and interstitial oxygen. The AZO films exhibit n-type semiconductor behavior, and a minimum resistivity of 1.2 x 10-3 Ω cm is achieved. From a broad perspective, AZO deposition on 3D microarchitectures opens a new route towards dimensionally refined optoelectronic devices in which the ZrO2/AZO can serve a key enabling role for the production of electrodes

Influencia de variables climáticas sobre la fluctuación poblacional de thrips (Megalurothrips usitatus Bagnall) en frijol

The bean thrips Megalurothrips usitatus Bagnall (Thripidae: Thysanoptera) recently became an important pest for legume crops in Cuba. The objective of the work was to determine the influence of the climate and crop phenology on the population density of M. usitatus. From September to December 2020, the common bean cv. Triunfo 70 was sampled weekly in a 0,70 ha area belonging to the National Center for Animal and Plant Health (CENSA), San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque province. The collected specimens were preserved in 70 % alcohol for later identification at the Entomology-Acarology laboratory; in addition, the thrips were counted per plant and recorded. With the data obtained and the climatic variable records, a correlation was made to know the influence of the climate on the insect populations. Thrips populations were present from the appearance of the first trifoliate leaves until the end of the crop cycle, with a population peak in the pod filling stage. This peak coincided with the lowest relative humidity values and the decrease of wind speed. Megalurothrips usitatus resulted the species of thrips with the highest presence in the common bean crop during the period studied.El trips del frijol Megalurothrips usitatus Bagnall (Thripidae: Thysanoptera) se convirtió, recientemente, en una plaga de importancia para los cultivos de leguminosas en Cuba. Con el objetivo de conocer la influencia del clima y la fenología del cultivo sobre la densidad de las poblaciones de M. usitatus, durante el periodo septiembre-diciembre de 2020, se realizaron muestreos semanales en 0,70 ha de frijol cv. Triunfo 70, perteneciente al área agrícola del Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA), ubicado en San José de las Lajas, provincia Mayabeque. Las muestras se conservaron para su posterior identificación en el laboratorio de Entomología-Acarología; además, se registró y contabilizó el número de trips presentes en cada planta. A partir de los datos obtenidos y los registros de variables climáticas, se realizó una correlación para conocer la influencia del clima sobre las poblaciones del insecto. Las poblaciones de trips estuvieron presentes desde la aparición de las primeras hojas trifoliadas y hasta el final del ciclo del cultivo, con un pico poblacional en la etapa de llenado de vainas. Este pico coincidió con los menores valores de humedad relativa y la disminución de la velocidad del viento. Megalurothrips usitatus resultó ser la especie de trips con mayor presencia en el cultivo del frijol durante el periodo estudiado