Evaluation of Morphological Properties of Solanum chrysotrichum Cell Cultures in a Shake Flask and Fermentor and Rheological Properties of Broths

Solanum chrysotrichum cells were grown in a shake flask and a stirred tank bioreactor. Their growth kinetics and rheological and morphological behaviors were evaluated. The specific growth rate obtained in both systems was similar (0.09 day–1), but biomass yield achieved in shake flasks was 60 % higher than that in the fermentor. Culture broths exhibited non-Newtonian and shear-thinning characteristics, which can be simulated by the Ostwald de Waele model (power law). Results show that the pseudoplasticity of culture broths was determined by the biomass concentration and aggregate size distribution, while the aggregate roundness, measured as the elliptical form factor, was similar in both systems.Morphological analysis indicated that 100 % of the cell aggregates from the fermentor were <0.25 mm2, and their size distribution remained constant during cultivation. The cultures grown in shake flasks presented a tendency to increase their aggregate size as a consequence of cell growth. The reduction of the size of S. chrysotrichum aggregates during the scale-up had an important influence on flow index behavior and consistency coefficient values

A trait-based approach reveals the feeding selectivity of a small endangered Mediterranean fish

Functional traits are growing in popularity in modern ecology, but feeding studies remain primarily rooted in a taxonomic-based perspective. However, consumers do not have any reason to select their prey using a taxonomic criterion, and prey assemblages are variable in space and time, which makes taxon-based studies assemblage-specific. To illustrate the benefits of the trait-based approach to assessing food choice, we studied the feeding ecology of the endangered freshwater fish Barbus meridionalis. We hypothesized that B. meridionalis is a selective predator which food choice depends on several prey morphological and behavioral traits, and thus, its top-down pressure may lead to changes in the functional composition of in-stream macroinvertebrate communities. Feeding selectivity was inferred by comparing taxonomic and functional composition (13 traits) between ingested and free-living potential prey using the Jacob's electivity index. Our results showed that the fish diet was influenced by 10 of the 13 traits tested. Barbus meridionalis preferred prey with a potential size of 5-10 mm, with a medium-high drift tendency, and that drift during daylight. Potential prey with no body flexibility, conical shape, concealment traits (presence of nets and/or cases, or patterned coloration), and high aggregation tendency had a low predation risk. Similarly, surface swimmers and interstitial taxa were low vulnerable to predation. Feeding selectivity altered the functional composition of the macroinvertebrate communities. Fish absence favored taxa with weak aggregation tendency, weak flexibility, and a relatively large size (10-20 mm of potential size). Besides, predatory invertebrates may increase in fish absence. In conclusion, our study shows that the incorporation of the trait-based approach in diet studies is a promising avenue to improve our mechanistic understanding of predator-prey interactions and to help predict the ecological outcomes of predator invasions and extinctions

Teaching bioreactors operation and scale-up of bioprocesses: Multidisciplinary training in a theoretical-practical course of one week

La biotecnología es un área emergente y prioritaria para países en vías de desarrollo. Los biorreactores son un equipo fundamental y se convierten en un elemento clave para el desarrollo e innovación en bioprocesos. El conocimiento de estos equipos es fundamental para lograr el crecimiento y desarrollo de microorganismos, células animales y vegetales, e inclusive la micropropagación de plantas. En una iniciativa conjunta por parte de los autores de este artículo y con el apoyo de las respectivas instituciones académicas, desde 2012 el Curso Internacional “Escalado de Bioprocesos y Entrenamiento en Operación de Biorreactores” se ha realizado por siete ocasiones. El objetivo del curso es ofrecer a la comunidad científica de Iberoamérica un entrenamiento Teórico - Práctico en bioprocesos. Producto de este curso, se ha capacitado a más de 1400 personas a través de conferencias y a 216 personas con las habilidades prácticas en el laboratorio. El curso ha permitido fomentar una red de contactos que operan en la consultoría y en la movilidad de personas. Además, uno de los productos destacados es la integración de un libro, que contribuye como una obra de consulta en el tema.Biotechnology is an emerging and priority area for developing countries. Bioreactors are essential equipment and a key element for development and innovation in bioprocesses. The knowledge of this equipment is essential to achieve the growth of microorganisms, animal and plant cells, and even the micropropagation of plants. In a joint initiative by the authors of this article, and with the support of the respective academic institutions, the International Course “Bioprocess Scaling and Training in Bioreactor Operation” has been held seven times since 2012. The objective of this course is to offer to the Latin American scientific community a theoretical and practical training in bioprocesses. As a result of this course, more than 1400 people have been trained through lectures and 216 people with practical skills in the laboratory. The course has promoted a network of contacts that operate in consulting and people mobility. In addition to the fact that one of the outstanding products is the integration of a book.Fil: Trujillo Roldán, Mauricio A.. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Orozco Sánchez, Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Sede Medellín; ColombiaFil: Valdez Cruz, Norma A.. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Rodríguez Monroy, Mario. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos; MéxicoFil: Busto, Víctor Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Nanobiotecnología. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Nanobiotecnología; Argentin

Cation Exchange Capacity in Grazing Systems and a Case Study for Quantification by Hyperspectral Imaging

This chapter provides an overview of cation exchange capacity (CEC) and its importance as an indicator of soil fertility, particularly in the assessment of grassland quality. The limitations of traditional methods are highlighted, and the need to explore more agile approaches to grassland quality assessment is emphasized. The increasing use of hyperspectral information (HSI) as an accurate tool for measuring soil properties, which promotes more effective and sustainable rangeland management, is further explored. This provides data on soil fertility and forage quality, enabling more accurate decisions. The benefits and challenges of using HSI data to estimate CEC and its potential to improve pasture and forage production will also be examined. HSI technology allows information to be collected and analyzed from reflected light at different wavelengths, providing a clear understanding of soil physical and chemical properties. In addition, a case study illustrating the estimation of CIC using hyperspectral cameras in the department of Antioquia, Colombia, is presented. The chapter emphasizes the relevance of this topic in the rangeland context and concludes with a future outlook that anticipates a change in the management and understanding of grazing systems

A Calpain-Like Protein Is Involved in the Execution Phase of Programmed Cell Death of Entamoeba histolytica

Oxygen or nitrogen oxidative species and chemical stress induce the programmed cell death (PCD) of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites. PCD caused by the aminoglycoside G418 is reduced by incubation with the cysteine protease inhibitor E-64; however, no typical caspases or metacaspases have been detected in this parasite. Calpain, a cysteine protease activated by calcium, has been suggested to be part of a specific PCD pathway in this parasite because the specific calpain inhibitor Z-Leu-Leu-Leu-al diminishes the PCD of trophozoites. Here, we predicted the hypothetical 3D structure of a calpain-like protein of E. histolytica and produced specific antibodies against it. We detected the protein in the cytoplasm and near the nucleus. Its expression gradually increased during incubation with G418, with the highest level after 9 h of treatment. In addition, a specific calpain-like siRNA sequence reduced the cell death rate by 65%. All these results support the hypothesis that the calpain-like protein is one of the proteases involved in the execution phase of PCD in E. histolytica. The hypothetical interactome of the calpain-like protein suggests that it may activate or regulate other proteins that probably participate in PCD, including those with EF-hand domains or other calcium-binding sites

Effectiveness of Fosfomycin for the Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Bacteremic Urinary Tract Infections

IMPORTANCE The consumption of broad-spectrum drugs has increased as a consequence of the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli. Finding alternatives for these infections is critical, for which some neglected drugs may be an option. OBJECTIVE To determine whether fosfomycin is noninferior to ceftriaxone or meropenem in the targeted treatment of bacteremic urinary tract infections (bUTIs) due to MDR E coli. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This multicenter, randomized, pragmatic, open clinical trial was conducted at 22 Spanish hospitals from June 2014 to December 2018. Eligible participants were adult patients with bacteremic urinary tract infections due to MDR E coli; 161 of 1578 screened patients were randomized and followed up for 60 days. Data were analyzed in May 2021. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized 1 to 1 to receive intravenous fosfomycin disodium at 4 g every 6 hours (70 participants) or a comparator (ceftriaxone or meropenem if resistant; 73 participants) with the option to switch to oral fosfomycin trometamol for the fosfomycin group or an active oral drug or pa renteral ertapenem for the comparator group after 4 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was clinical and microbiological cure (CMC) 5 to 7 days after finalization of treatment; a noninferiority margin of 7% was considered. RESULTS Among 143 patients in the modified intention-to-treat population (median [IQR] age, 72 [62-81] years; 73 [51.0%] women), 48 of 70 patients (68.6%) treated with fosfomycin and 57 of 73 patients (78.1%) treated with comparators reached CMC (risk difference, -9.4 percentage points; 1-sided 95% CI, -21.5 to infinity percentage points; P = .10). While clinical or microbiological failure occurred among 10 patients (14.3%) treated with fosfomycin and 14 patients (19.7%) treated with comparators (risk difference, -5.4 percentage points; 1-sided 95% CI. -infinity to 4.9; percentage points; P = .19), an increased rate of adverse event-related discontinuations occurred with fosfomycin vs comparators (6 discontinuations [8.5%] vs 0 discontinuations; P = .006). In an exploratory analysis among a subset of 38 patients who underwent rectal colonization studies, patients treated with fosfomycin acquired a new ceftriaxone-resistant or meropenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria at a decreased rate compared with patients treated with comparators (0 of 21 patients vs 4 of 17 patients [23.5%]; 1-sided P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study found that fosfomycin did not demonstrate noninferiority to comparators as targeted treatment of bUTI from MDR E coli; this was due to an increased rate of adverse event-related discontinuations. This finding suggests that fosfomycin may be considered for selected patients with these infections

CHICKEN COOPS, Triatoma dimidiata INFESTATION AND ITS INFECTION WITH Trypanosoma cruzi IN A RURAL VILLAGE OF YUCATAN, MEXICO

This study longitudinally investigated the association between Triatoma dimidiata infestation, triatomine infection with Trypanosoma cruzi and household/backyard environmental characteristics in 101 homesteads in Molas and Yucatan, Mexico, between November 2009 (rainy season) and May 2010 (dry season). Logistic regression models tested the associations between insect infestation/infection and potential household-level risk factors. A total of 200 T. dimidiata were collected from 35.6% of the homesteads, mostly (73%) from the peridomicile. Of all the insects collected, 48% were infected with T. cruzi. Infected insects were collected in 31.6% of the homesteads (54.1% and 45.9% intra- and peridomiciliary, respectively). Approximately 30% of all triatomines collected were found in chicken coops. The presence of a chicken coop in the backyard of a homestead was significantly associated with both the odds of finding T. dimidiata (OR = 4.10, CI 95% = 1.61-10.43, p = 0.003) and the presence of triatomines infected with T. cruzi (OR = 3.37, CI 95% = 1.36-8.33, p = 0.006). The results of this study emphasize the relevance of chicken coops as a putative source of T. dimidiata populations and a potential risk for T. cruzi transmission

STOP ODIO. Instagram como punto de encuentro ético para la detección y análisis de delitos de odio en redes sociales

Este proyecto de innovación docente busca crear un espacio en las asignaturas y en redes sociales, donde el alumnado pudiera detectar, analizar y denunciar delitos de odio, producidos y publicados en esas mismas redes sociales. El alumnado de Grado sería de Periodismo, Publicidad y Relaciones Públicas, y Comunicación Audiovisual, tanto de asignaturas obligatorias (Teoría de la Información, Ética y Deontología Profesional), como de asignaturas optativas (Comunicación Política, Comunicación y Género)