Microbial community dynamics in two-chambered microbial fuel cells: effect of different ion exchange membranes

The utilization of different kinds of ion exchange membrane is a common practice in bioelectrochemical systems such as two-chambered microbial fuel cells (MFCs). However, little is known on the effect of the membrane materials on the anodic microbial community diversity.ResultsThe effect of two cationic and one anionic exchange membranes (Nafion N-117, Ultrex CMI-7000, and Ultrex AMI-7000) on the microbial community dynamics of Eubacteria and Archaea has been assessed in two-chambered MFCs. The experimental results indicated that the eubacterial community in the anodic chamber was not affected by the membrane materials, being predominant populations of Bacteroidetes (Porphyromonadaceae) and β-proteobacteria (Alcaligenaceae and Comamonadaceae). On the other hand, the archaeal counterpart appears to be highly dependent on the type of membrane used, as it was evidenced by the selective enrichment of Methanosarcina sp. in the MFC equipped with the membrane Nafion N-117 which was the MFC that showed the highest current production.Conclusions The results obtained in the present study suggest that membrane materials affect archaeal diversity whereas both anodofilic eubacteria and methanogenic archaea populations could play an important role on the overall MFC process performance

Neonatal Neurobehavior and Diffusion MRI Changes in Brain Reorganization Due to Intrauterine Growth Restriction in a Rabbit Model

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects 5–10 % of all newborns and is associated with a high risk of abnormal neurodevelopment. The timing and patterns of brain reorganization underlying IUGR are poorly documented. We developed a rabbit model of IUGR allowing neonatal neurobehavioral assessment and high resolution brain diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of the study was to describe the pattern and functional correlates of fetal brain reorganization induced by IUGR. Methodology/Principal Findings: IUGR was induced in 10 New Zealand fetal rabbits by ligation of 40–50 % of uteroplacental vessels in one horn at 25 days of gestation. Ten contralateral horn fetuses were used as controls. Cesarean section was performed at 30 days (term 31 days). At postnatal day +1, neonates were assessed by validated neurobehavioral tests including evaluation of tone, spontaneous locomotion, reflex motor activity, motor responses to olfactory stimuli, and coordination of suck and swallow. Subsequently, brains were collected and fixed and MRI was performed using a high resolution acquisition scheme. Global and regional (manual delineation and voxel based analysis) diffusion tensor imaging parameters were analyzed. IUGR was associated with significantly poorer neurobehavioral performance in most domains. Voxel based analysis revealed fractional anisotropy (FA) differences in multiple brain regions of gray and white matter, including frontal, insular, occipital and temporal cortex, hippocampus, putamen, thalamus, claustrum, medial septa

Non-invasive monitoring of pH and oxygen using miniaturized electrochemical sensors in an animal model of acute hypoxia

Background: One of the most prevalent causes of fetal hypoxia leading to stillbirth is placental insufficiency. Hemodynamic changes evaluated with Doppler ultrasound have been used as a surrogate marker of fetal hypoxia. However, Doppler evaluation cannot be performed continuously. As a first step, the present work aimed to evaluate the performance of miniaturized electrochemical sensors in the continuous monitoring of oxygen and pH changes in a model of acute hypoxia-acidosis. Methods: pH and oxygen electrochemical sensors were evaluated in a ventilatory hypoxia rabbit model. The ventilator hypoxia protocol included 3 differential phases: basal (100% FiO2), the hypoxia-acidosis period (10% FiO2) and recovery (100% FiO2). Sensors were tested in blood tissue (ex vivo sensing) and in muscular tissue (in vivo sensing). pH electrochemical and oxygen sensors were evaluated on the day of insertion (short-term evaluation) and pH electrochemical sensors were also tested after 5 days of insertion (long-term evaluation). pH and oxygen sensing were registered throughout the ventilatory hypoxia protocol (basal, hypoxia-acidosis, and recovery) and were compared with blood gas metabolites results from carotid artery catheterization (obtained with the EPOC blood analyzer). Finally, histological assessment was performed on the sensor insertion site. One-way ANOVA was used for the analysis of the evolution of acid-based metabolites and electrochemical sensor signaling results; a t-test was used for pre- and post-calibration analyses; and chi-square analyses for categorical variables. Results: At the short-term evaluation, both the pH and oxygen electrochemical sensors distinguished the basal and hypoxia-acidosis periods in both the in vivo and ex vivo sensing. However, only the ex vivo sensing detected the recovery period. In the long-term evaluation, the pH electrochemical sensor signal seemed to lose sensibility. Finally, histological assessment revealed no signs of alteration on the day of evaluation (short-term), whereas in the long-term evaluation a sub-acute inflammatory reaction adjacent to the implantation site was detected. Conclusions: Miniaturized electrochemical sensors represent a new generation of tools for the continuous monitoring of hypoxia-acidosis, which is especially indicated in high-risk pregnancies. Further studies including more tissue-compatible material would be required in order to improve long-term electrochemical sensing

Microbial community dynamics in two-chambered microbial fuel cells : effect of different ion exchange membranes

BACKGROUND: The utilization of different kinds of ion exchange membrane is a common practice in bioelectrochemical systems such as two-chambered microbial fuel cells (MFCs). However, little is known about the effect of membrane materials on the anodic microbial community diversity.; RESULTS: The effect of two cationic and one anionic exchange membranes (Nafion N-117, Ultrex CMI-7000, and Ultrex AMI-7000) on the microbial community dynamics of Eubacteria and Archaea has been assessed in two-chambered MFCs. The experimental results indicated that the eubacterial community in the anodic chamber was not affected by the membrane materials, being predominantly populations of Bacteroidetes (Porphyromonadaceae) and -proteobacteria (Alcaligenaceae and Comamonadaceae). On the other hand, the archaeal counterpart appears to be highly dependent on the type of membrane used, as was evidenced by the selective enrichment of Methanosarcina sp. in the MFC equipped with the membrane Nafion N-117 which was the MFC that showed the highest current production.; CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in the present study suggest that membrane materials affect archaeal diversity whereas both anodofilic eubacteria and methanogenic archaea populations could play an important role in the overall MFC process performance.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author’s final draft

Hybrid Cyclobutane/Proline-Containing Peptidomimetics: The Conformational Constraint Influences Their Cell-Penetration Ability

A new family of hybrid β,γ-peptidomimetics consisting of a repetitive unit formed by a chiral cyclobutane-containing trans-β-amino acid plus a Nα-functionalized trans-γ-amino-l-proline joined in alternation were synthesized and evaluated as cell penetrating peptides (CPP). They lack toxicity on the human tumoral cell line HeLa, with an almost negligible cell uptake. The dodecapeptide showed a substantial microbicidal activity on Leishmania parasites at 50 µM but with a modest intracellular accumulation. Their previously published γ,γ-homologues, with a cyclobutane γ-amino acid, showed a well-defined secondary structure with an average inter-guanidinium distance of 8-10 Å, a higher leishmanicidal activity as well as a significant intracellular accumulation. The presence of a very rigid cyclobutane β-amino acid in the peptide backbone precludes the acquisition of a defined conformation suitable for their cell uptake ability. Our results unveiled the preorganized charge-display as a relevant parameter, additional to the separation among the charged groups as previously described. The data herein reinforce the relevance of these descriptors in the design of CPPs with improved properties.The authors would like to thank the staff at the Servei de Microscòpia de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Peptide Synthesis Unit of the NANBIOSIS ICTS (U3, CIBER BBN-IQAC-CSIC) for technical assistance.Peer reviewe

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Minimal Symptom Expression' in Patients With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab

The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension

La actualidad de la inspección del trabajo y la irrupción de la tecnología: algunas propuestas normativas y de gestión para mejorar su proceso de modernización

En la presente investigación se analiza el impacto de la irrupción de la tecnología de la información en la inspección del trabajo, específicamente, en las actuaciones inspectivas, tanto en su fase de planificación como en su etapa de investigación. De esta manera, hemos podido observar que este fenómeno se ha acelerado por las circunstancias especiales relacionadas a la propagación del COVID-19. Esta situación ofrece oportunidades para mejorar la función y acción de la inspección del trabajo; sin embargo, también ha generado algunas dificultades en el desenvolvimiento de las actuaciones inspectivas y en la aplicación de la normativa, ya que esta ha sido concebida en virtud de una fiscalización presencial. Con el propósito de realizar un análisis holístico de este fenómeno, se desarrolló una investigación dogmática, y se empleó una metodología cualitativa a través de entrevistas a una muestra de inspectores de la Intendencia de Lima Metropolitana de la SUNAFIL. El resultado de ello nos ha permitido un acercamiento más preciso a la problemática de nuestra investigación con la finalidad de plantear propuestas realistas y eficientes para el Sistema de Inspección del Trabajo. Finalmente, consideramos que el fortalecimiento de la inspección del trabajo a través de la tecnología de la información y una adecuada gestión permitirá asegurar la vigencia de los derechos laborales, y sobre todo el acceso al trabajo en condiciones dignas.This research analyzes the impact of the emergence of information technology tools in labor inspection, specifically in the investigation stage, both in its planning and operational phases. In this way, we have been able to observe that this phenomenon, accelerated by the special circumstances caused by the spread of COVID-19, offering new opportunities to improve the distribution of resources in labor inspection; However, it has also generated some difficulties both in the development of the inspection proceedings and in their normative understanding because it was conceived in the understanding of an inspection on-site. To carry out a holistic analysis of this phenomenon, we developed a dogmatic investigation and, also, a qualitative methodology was included through interviews with a sample of inspectors from Metropolitan Lima, all of which has allowed us to have a better approach to the problem of our research and, thus, to be able to propose realistic and efficient proposals for the labor inspection system. Finally, we consider that the strengthening of labor inspection using information technology tools and a proper management will ensure the validity of labor rights, and especially the access to decent work

Preparation of building blocks for new cell-penetrating agents

Les membranes plasmàtiques protegeixen la cèl·lula d’invasions exògenes, fet que dificulta l’arribada de certs fàrmacs a les seves dianes terapèutiques intracel·lulars. En els últims anys, s’han desenvolupat diferents pèptids sintètics per internalitzar diferents molècules bioactives. Aquest article tracta de la síntesi en fase sòlida de dos pèptids tetradecamèrics híbrids mitjançant l’estratègia Fmoc/Boc. Aquests pèptids estan constituïts per un g-aminoàcid ciclobutànic i un residu de trans-g-amino-l-prolina funcionalitzat, enllaçats alternadament. Alguns d’aquests pèptids han donat bons resultats d’internalització en cèl·lules HeLa i en el paràsit leishmània, i es preveu realitzar un estudi en profunditat de les seves propietats de penetració.Plasma membranes protect the cell from exogenous invasions and this may impede the arrival of some drugs to their intracellular therapeutic target. In recent years, various synthetic cell-penetrating peptides have been developed which permit the internalization of different bioactive molecules. This paper deals with the solid-phase synthesis of two hybrid tetradecameric peptides using the Fmoc/Boc strategy. These peptides consist of a g-cyclobutane amino acid that is alternately linked with a functionalized residue of trans-g-amino-l-proline. Some of these peptides have provided good results in internalizing HeLa cells and Leishmania parasites, and their internalization properties will continue to be studied