Biodegradation of herbicide diuron by streptomycetes isolated from soil

The diuron degrading activity of 17 streptomycete strains, obtained from agricultural and non-agricultural soils, was determined in the laboratory. All strains were identified as Streptomyces sp. by phenotypic characteristics and PCR-based assays. The strains were cultivated in liquid medium with diuron (4mgL(-1)) at 25 degrees C for 15 days. Biodegradation activity was deter-mined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results indicated that all strains were able to degrade diuron, but to different amounts. Twelve strains degraded the herbicide by up to 50% and four of them by up to 70%. Strain A7-9, belonging to S. albidoflavus cluster, was the most efficient organism in the degradation of diuron, achieving 95% degradation after five days of incubation and no herbicide remained after 10 days. Overall, the strains isolated from agricultural soils exhibited higher degradation percentages and rates than those isolated from non-agricultural soils. Given the high degradation activity observed here, the streptomycete strains show a good potential for bioremediation of soils contaminated with diuron. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Castillo López, MÁ.; Felis Reig, N.; Aragón Revuelta, P.; Cuesta Amat, G.; Sabater Marco, C. (2006). Biodegradation of herbicide diuron by streptomycetes isolated from soil. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation. 58(3-4):196-202. doi:10.1016/j.ibiod.2006.06.020S196202583-

Gastric point-of-care ultrasound in acutely and critically ill children (POCUS-ped): a scoping review

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use is increasing in pediatric clinical settings. However, gastric POCUS is rarely used, despite its potential value in optimizing the diagnosis and management in several clinical scenarios (i.e., assessing gastric emptying and gastric volume/content, gastric foreign bodies, confirming nasogastric tube placement, and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis). This review aimed to assess how gastric POCUS may be used in acute and critically ill children. An international expert group was established, composed of pediatricians, pediatric intensivists, anesthesiologists, radiologists, nurses, and a methodologist. A scoping review was conducted with an aim to describe the use of gastric POCUS in pediatrics in acute and critical care settings. A literature search was conducted in three databases, to identify studies published between 1998 and 2022. Abstracts and relevant full texts were screened for eligibility, and data were extracted, according to the JBI methodology (Johanna Briggs Institute). A total of 70 studies were included. Most studies ( = 47; 67%) were conducted to assess gastric emptying and gastric volume/contents. The studies assessed gastric volume, the impact of different feed types (breast milk, fortifiers, and thickeners) and feed administration modes on gastric emptying, and gastric volume/content prior to sedation or anesthesia or during surgery. Other studies described the use of gastric POCUS in foreign body ingestion ( = 6), nasogastric tube placement ( = 5), hypertrophic pyloric stenosis ( = 8), and gastric insufflation during mechanical ventilatory support ( = 4). POCUS was performed by neonatologists, anesthesiologists, emergency department physicians, and surgeons. Their learning curve was rapid, and the accuracy was high when compared to that of the ultrasound performed by radiologists (RADUS) or other gold standards (e.g., endoscopy, radiography, and MRI). No study conducted in critically ill children was found apart from that in neonatal intensive care in preterms. Gastric POCUS appears useful and reliable in a variety of pediatric clinical settings. It may help optimize induction in emergency sedation/anesthesia, diagnose foreign bodies and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, and assist in confirming nasogastric tube placement, avoiding delays in obtaining confirmatory examinations (RADUS, x-rays, etc.) and reducing radiation exposure. It may be useful in pediatric intensive care but requires further investigation. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2022 Valla, Tume, Jotterand Chaparro, Arnold, Alrayashi, Morice, Nabialek, Rouchaud, Cercueil and Bouvet.

Intracranial Aneurysm Classifier Using Phenotypic Factors: An International Pooled Analysis

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are usually asymptomatic with a low risk of rupture, but consequences of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are severe. Identifying IAs at risk of rupture has important clinical and socio-economic consequences. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of patient and IA characteristics on the likelihood of IA being diagnosed incidentally versus ruptured. Patients were recruited at 21 international centers. Seven phenotypic patient characteristics and three IA characteristics were recorded. The analyzed cohort included 7992 patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that: (1) IA location is the strongest factor associated with IA rupture status at diagnosis; (2) Risk factor awareness (hypertension, smoking) increases the likelihood of being diagnosed with unruptured IA; (3) Patients with ruptured IAs in high-risk locations tend to be older, and their IAs are smaller; (4) Smokers with ruptured IAs tend to be younger, and their IAs are larger; (5) Female patients with ruptured IAs tend to be older, and their IAs are smaller; (6) IA size and age at rupture correlate. The assessment of associations regarding patient and IA characteristics with IA rupture allows us to refine IA disease models and provide data to develop risk instruments for clinicians to support personalized decision-making

The scaffold-forming steps of plant alkaloid biosynthesis

Alkaloids from plants are characterised by structural diversity and bioactivity, and maintain a privileged position in both modern and traditional medicines. In recent years, there have been significant advances in elucidating the biosynthetic origins of plant alkaloids. In this review, I will describe the progress made in determining the metabolic origins of the so-called true alkaloids, specialised metabolites derived from amino acids containing a nitrogen heterocycle. By identifying key biosynthetic steps that feature in the majority of pathways, I highlight the key roles played by modifications to primary metabolism, iminium reactivity and spontaneous reactions in the molecular and evolutionary origins of these pathways