El género Hypoxylon (Xylariales, Ascomycota) en el bosque tropical caducifolio de cuatro Áreas Naturales Protegidas de México.

Background and Aims: The genus Hypoxylon has perithecia immersed in stromata, shiny to dark coloured, effuse to pulvinate or glomerulate; asci cylindrical with apical amyloid pore with ellipsoid, equilateral o inequilateral ascospores, brown to dark brown with germinal line right or sigmoid and perispore dehiscent with KOH 10%. The genus has a worldwide distribution and 115 species have been described with highest diversity in tropical regions. In Mexico, 36 species have been registered, of which 20 occur in the tropical dry forest. The objective of the present study is to expand the distribution of and describe the Hypoxylon species that grow in tropical dry forest of four Natural Protected Areas (ANPs) from Mexico.Methods: Six explorations were made to the following Mexican Natural Protected Areas: Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve (Jalisco), Isla Cozumel Biosphere Reserve (Quintana Roo), Sierra de Álamos-Río Cuchujaqui Biosphere Reserve (Sonora) and El Cielo Biosphere Reserve (Tamaulipas). The specimens collected were studied, described and determined according to the traditional techniques in mycology. The material is deposited in the ENCB herbarium.Key results: Eleven species of Hypoxylon were identified, and Hypoxylon jaklitschii is decribed for the first time to Mexico from Jalisco, Quintana Roo and Tamaulipas. Additionally, the distribution of Hypoxylon anthochroum, H. cinnabarinum, H. erythrostroma, H. haematostroma, H. investiens, H. lividipigmentum, H. perforatum, H. rickii and Hypoxylon subgilvum is expanded to other states. Conclusions: Hypoxylon is well represented in Mexico, being one of the best studied of the order Xylariales. Hypoxylon cinnabarinum, H. haematostroma and H. lenormandii were found in all the ANPs of this study. El Cielo Biosphere Reserve is with nine the Natural Protected Area with the largest number of species.Antecedentes y Objetivos: El género Hypoxylon (Hypoxylaceae) tiene peritecios embebidos en un estroma oscuro o de colores brillantes, efuso-aplanado, efuso-pulvinado o glomerulado, ascas cilíndricas con poro apical amiloide, ascosporas elipsoides, equiláteras o inequiláteras, marrón claro a marrón oscuro, línea germinal recta o sigmoide y perisporio generalmente dehiscente con KOH al 10%. El género tiene una distribución mundial; se han descrito 115 especies con mayor diversidad en las regiones tropicales. En México se tenían registrados 36 taxones, de los cuales 20 se citan del bosque tropical caducifolio. El objetivo del presente estudio es ampliar la distribución conocida y describir las especies de Hypoxylon que crecen en el bosque tropical caducifolio de cuatro Áreas Naturales Protegidas (ANPs) de México.Métodos: Se realizaron seis exploraciones en las siguientes ANPs de México: Reserva de la Biosfera Chamela-Cuixmala (Jalisco), Reserva de la Biosfera Isla Cozumel (Quintana Roo), Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra de Álamos-Río Cuchujaqui (Sonora) y Reserva de la Biosfera El Cielo (Tamaulipas). Los ejemplares recolectados fueron estudiados, descritos y determinados de acuerdo con las técnicas tradicionales en micología. El material está depositado en el herbario ENCB.Resultados clave: Se determinaron 11 especies de Hypoxylon, y se describe por primera vez para México Hypoxylon jaklitschii de Jalisco, Quintana Roo y Tamaulipas. Además, se amplía la distribución conocida de H. anthochroum, H. cinnabarinum, H. erythrostroma, H. haematostroma, H. investiens, H. lividipigmentum, H. perforatum, H. rickii e Hypoxylon subgilvum a otros estados.Conclusiones: Hypoxylon está bien representado en México, siendo uno de los mejor estudiados del orden Xylariales. Hypoxylon cinnabarinum, H. haematostroma e H. lenormandii se encontraron en todas las ANPs del presente estudio. La Reserva de la Biosfera el Cielo es el ANP con mayor número de especies con nueve

Self-collected saliva for SARS-CoV-2 detection: A prospective study in the emergency room

Current diagnostic standards involve severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection in nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS), but saliva is an attractive and noninvasive option for diagnosis. The objectives were to determine the performance of saliva in comparison with NPS for detecting SARS-CoV-2 and to compare the optimized home brew reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with a commercial RT-PCR. Paired NPS and saliva specimens were prospectively collected and tested by RT-PCR from patients presenting at an emergency room with signs and symptoms compatible with coronavirus disease-2019. A total of 348 samples from 174 patients were tested by RT-PCR assays. Among 174 patients with symptoms, 63 (36%) were SARS-CoV-2 positive in NPS using the optimized home-brew PCR. Of these 63 patients, 61 (98%) were also positive in saliva. An additional positive SARS-CoV-2 saliva was detected in a patient with pneumonia. Kappa Cohen´s coefficient agreement between NPS and saliva was 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90?0.99). Median Ct values in NPS versus saliva were 18.88 (interquartile range [IQR], 15.60?23.58; range, 11.97?38.10) versus 26.10 (IQR, 22.75?30.06; range, 13.78?39.22), respectively (p <.0001). The optimized home-brew RT-PCR demonstrated higher analytical and clinical sensitivity compared with the commercial RT-PCR assay. A high sensitivity (98%) and agreement (kappa 0.96) in saliva samples compared to NPS was demonstrated when using an optimized home-brew PCR even when the viral load in saliva was lower than in NPS. This noninvasive sample is easy to collect, requires less consumable and avoids discomfort to patients. Importantly, self-collection of saliva can diminish exposure to healthcare personnel.Fil: Echavarría, Marcela Silvia. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Reyes, Noelia Soledad. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Pamela Elizabeth. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ypas, Martin. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Ricarte, Joaquina Carmen. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, María P.. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Pérez, Matías Gastón. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Seoane, Alejandro. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Alfredo. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Videla, Cristina Mónica. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Stryjewski, Martin E.. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Carballal, Guadalupe. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Ascomicetes of the Cozumel Island Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Los ascomicetos son el grupo más diverso del reino Fungi; han sido descritos como saprobios, necrótrofos, biótrofos y endófitos. En la Isla de Cozumel, Quintana Roo, México, aunque recientemente se han citado 29 especies, no existe un estudio exclusivo de este grupo de hongos. El objetivo del presente estudio es hacer una lista de las especies de ascomicetos de tres Áreas Naturales Protegidas (ANPs) de la Reserva de la Biosfera Isla Cozumel, México.Métodos: Se realizaron cuatro exploraciones en las Áreas Naturales Protegidas de la Reserva de la Biosfera Isla Cozumel: Centro de Conservación y Educación Ambiental, Parque Ecológico Punta Sur y Zona Arqueológica de San Gervasio Chen-tuk, todas administradas por la Fundación Parques y Museos de Cozumel. Los ejemplares recolectados fueron estudiados, descritos y determinados de acuerdo con las técnicas tradicionales en micología. El material está depositado en el Herbario ENCB.Resultados clave: Se determinaron 40 especies de ascomicetos; de éstos, 15 se citan por primera vez para Quintana Roo y ocho se registran para la Isla de Cozumel. Bertia tropicalis se cita por primera vez para México y Platystomum mexicanum se describe como especie nueva para la ciencia. Conclusiones: La clase Sordariomycetes es la mejor estudiada con 28 especies, mientras que el orden Xylariales, con 25, tiene 62.5% del total de las 40 registradas. La familia Hypoxylaceae, con 40% de los taxa determinados, es la familia más representada. Hypoxylon lenormandii, Rhytidhysteron neorufulum y R. rufulum fueron encontradas en todas las ANPs estudiadas.Background and Aims: Ascomycetes are the most diverse group of the kingdom Fungi; they have been described as saprobes, necrotrophs, biotrophs and endophytes. On the Island Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico, 29 species have recently been cited; however, there is no exclusive study of this group. The objective of this study is to present a list of ascomycetes species from three Protected Natural Areas in the Cozumel Island Biosphere Reserve, Mexico.Methods: Four explorations were carried out in the Natural Protected Areas of the Cozumel Island Biosphere Reserve: Centro de Conservación y Educación Ambiental, Parque Ecológico Punta Sur and Zona Arqueológica de San Gervasio, Chen-tuk; all are administrated by the Fundación Parques y Museos of Cozumel. The collected specimens were studied, described and determined according to the traditional mycological techniques. The material is deposited in the ENCB Herbarium.Key results: Forty species of ascomycetes are determinated, of these 15 are cited for the first time for Quintana Roo, and eight are recorded for Cozumel Island. Bertia tropicalis is a new record from Mexico and Platystomum mexicanum is described as a species new to science.Conclusions: The class Sordariomycetes is the best represented with 28 species, while the order Xylariales with 25 species has 62.5% of the total of 40 registered. The family Hypoxylaceae, with 40% of the determinated taxa, is the best represented family. Hypoxylon lenormandii, Rhytidhysteron neorufulum and R. rufulum were found in all Natural Protected Areas studied

Case report: A combination of nitroglycerin and adenosine proves effective in repairing a cerebral arteriovenous malformation

Hemorrhage secondary to rupture of a brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM) is one of the initial manifestations, and the main cause of, morbidity and mortality in patients with this condition. Current treatment strategies include endovascular embolization with the goal of AVM obliteration and neurological preservation. In the transvenous endovascular embolization procedure, adenosine is the preferred agent to induce temporary hypotension and allow adequate AVM embolization. We describe the intraoperative management of an adenosine-resistant 38 year-old male who underwent a successful intracranial AVM embolization after concomitant administration of gradually increasing doses of nitroglycerin. This report suggests that nitroglycerin infusion can be combined with adenosine boluses to create a pronounced and dose-dependent hypotension in patients partially unresponsive to adenosine alone

Respiratory viruses detected in Mexican children younger than 5 years old with community-acquired pneumonia: a national multicenter study

Background: Acute respiratory infections are the leading cause of mortality in children worldwide, especially in developing countries. Pneumonia accounts for 16% of all deaths of children under 5 years of age and was the cause of death of 935 000 children in 2015. Despite its frequency and severity, information regarding its etiology is limited. The aim of this study was to identify respiratory viruses associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children younger than 5 years old. Methods: One thousand four hundred and four children younger than 5 years of age with a clinical and/or radiological diagnosis of CAP in 11 hospitals in Mexico were included. Nasal washes were collected, placed in viral medium, and frozen at �70 C until processing. The first 832 samples were processed using the multiplex Bio-Plex/Luminex system and the remaining 572 samples using the Anyplex multiplex RT-PCR. Clinical data regarding diagnosis, clinical signs and symptoms, radiographic pattern, and risk factors were obtained and recorded. Results: Of the samples tested, 81.6% were positive for viruses. Respiratory syncytial virus (types A and B) was found in 23.7%, human enterovirus/rhinovirus in 16.6%, metapneumovirus in 5.7%, parainfluenza virus (types 1–4) in 5.5%, influenza virus (types A and B) in 3.6%, adenovirus in 2.2%, coronavirus (NL63, OC43, 229E, and HKU1) in 2.2%, and bocavirus in 0.4%. Co-infection with two or more viruses was present in 22.1%; 18.4% of the samples were negative. Using biomass for cooking, daycare attendance, absence of breastfeeding, and co-infections were found to be statistically significant risk factors for the presence of severe pneumonia. Conclusions: Respiratory syncytial virus (types A and B), human enterovirus/rhinovirus, and metapneumovirus were the respiratory viruses identified most frequently in children younger than 5 years old with CAP. Co-infection was present in an important proportion of the children

Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Third Vaccine in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Who Had No Seroconversion After Primary 2-Dose Regimen With Inactivated or Vector-Based Vaccines

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the immune response after a third dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with undetectable antibody titers after the primary regimen of 2 doses. Methods. Patients with RA with no seroconversion after 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and who received a third dose of either an mRNA or vector-based vaccine were included. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, neutralizing activity, and T cell responses were assessed after the third dose. Results. A total of 21 nonresponder patients were included. At the time of vaccination, 29% were receiving glucocorticoids and 85% biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (including 6 taking abatacept [ABA] and 4 taking rituximab [RTX]). The majority (95%) received the BNT162b2 vaccine and only one of them received the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. After the third dose, 91% of the patients presented detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and 76% showed neutralizing activity. Compared to other treatments, ABA and RTX were associated with the absence of neutralizing activity in 4 out of 5 (80%) patients and lower titers of neutralizing antibodies (median 3, IQR 0-20 vs 8, IQR 4-128; P = 0.20). Specific T cell response was detected in 41% of all patients after the second dose, increasing to 71% after the third dose. The use of ABA was associated with a lower frequency of T cell response (33% vs 87%, P = 0.03). Conclusion. In this RA cohort, 91% of patients who failed to seroconvert after 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine presented detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG after a third dose. The use of ABA was associated with a lower frequency of specific T cell response.Fil: Isnardi, Carolina A.. No especifíca;Fil: Cerda, Osvaldo L.. No especifíca;Fil: Landi, Margarita. Austral University Hospital; LiberiaFil: Cruces, Leonel Hernán. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Schneeberger, Emilce E.. No especifíca;Fil: Montoro, Claudia Calle. Austral University Hospital; LiberiaFil: Alfaro, María Agustina. No especifíca;Fil: Roldán, Brian M.. No especifíca;Fil: Gómez Vara, Andrea B.. No especifíca;Fil: Giorgis, Pamela. No especifíca;Fil: Ezquer, Roberto Alejandro. No especifíca;Fil: Crespo Rocha, María G. No especifíca;Fil: Reyes Gómez, Camila R.. No especifíca;Fil: de Los Ángeles Correa, Mária. No especifíca;Fil: Rosemffet, Marcos G.. No especifíca;Fil: Abarza, Virginia Carrizo. No especifíca;Fil: Pellet, Santiago Catalan. Austral University Hospital; LiberiaFil: Perandones, Miguel. No especifíca;Fil: Reimundes, Cecilia. Austral University Hospital; LiberiaFil: Longueira, Yesica Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Turk, Gabriela Julia Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Quiroga, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Laufer, Natalia Lorna. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Quintana, Rosana Maris. No especifíca;Fil: de la Vega, María Celina. No especifíca;Fil: Kreplak, Nicolás. No especifíca;Fil: Pifano, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Maid, Pablo. Austral University Hospital; LiberiaFil: Pons Estel, Guillermo J.. No especifíca;Fil: Citera, Gustavo. No especifíca

The L 98-59 System: Three Transiting, Terrestrial-size Planets Orbiting a Nearby M Dwarf

We report the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) discovery of three terrestrial-size planets transiting L 98-59 (TOI-175, TIC 307210830)—a bright M dwarf at a distance of 10.6 pc. Using the Gaia-measured distance and broadband photometry, we find that the host star is an M3 dwarf. Combined with the TESS transits from three sectors, the corresponding stellar parameters yield planet radii ranging from 0.8 R ⊕ to 1.6 R ⊕. All three planets have short orbital periods, ranging from 2.25 to 7.45 days with the outer pair just wide of a 2:1 period resonance. Diagnostic tests produced by the TESS Data Validation Report and the vetting package DAVE rule out common false-positive sources. These analyses, along with dedicated follow-up and the multiplicity of the system, lend confidence that the observed signals are caused by planets transiting L 98-59 and are not associated with other sources in the field. The L 98-59 system is interesting for a number of reasons: the host star is bright (V = 11.7 mag, K = 7.1 mag) and the planets are prime targets for further follow-up observations including precision radial-velocity mass measurements and future transit spectroscopy with the James Webb Space Telescope; the near-resonant configuration makes the system a laboratory to study planetary system dynamical evolution; and three planets of relatively similar size in the same system present an opportunity to study terrestrial planets where other variables (age, metallicity, etc.) can be held constant. L 98-59 will be observed in four more TESS sectors, which will provide a wealth of information on the three currently known planets and have the potential to reveal additional planets in the system

Modelling of the effect of ELMs on fuel retention at the bulk W divertor of JET

Effect of ELMs on fuel retention at the bulk W target of JET ITER-Like Wall was studied with multi-scale calculations. Plasma input parameters were taken from ELMy H-mode plasma experiment. The energetic intra-ELM fuel particles get implanted and create near-surface defects up to depths of few tens of nm, which act as the main fuel trapping sites during ELMs. Clustering of implantation-induced vacancies were found to take place. The incoming flux of inter-ELM plasma particles increases the different filling levels of trapped fuel in defects. The temperature increase of the W target during the pulse increases the fuel detrapping rate. The inter-ELM fuel particle flux refills the partially emptied trapping sites and fills new sites. This leads to a competing effect on the retention and release rates of the implanted particles. At high temperatures the main retention appeared in larger vacancy clusters due to increased clustering rate

Federated learning enables big data for rare cancer boundary detection.

Although machine learning (ML) has shown promise across disciplines, out-of-sample generalizability is concerning. This is currently addressed by sharing multi-site data, but such centralization is challenging/infeasible to scale due to various limitations. Federated ML (FL) provides an alternative paradigm for accurate and generalizable ML, by only sharing numerical model updates. Here we present the largest FL study to-date, involving data from 71 sites across 6 continents, to generate an automatic tumor boundary detector for the rare disease of glioblastoma, reporting the largest such dataset in the literature (n = 6, 314). We demonstrate a 33% delineation improvement for the surgically targetable tumor, and 23% for the complete tumor extent, over a publicly trained model. We anticipate our study to: 1) enable more healthcare studies informed by large diverse data, ensuring meaningful results for rare diseases and underrepresented populations, 2) facilitate further analyses for glioblastoma by releasing our consensus model, and 3) demonstrate the FL effectiveness at such scale and task-complexity as a paradigm shift for multi-site collaborations, alleviating the need for data-sharing