Postoperative Corynebacterium macginleyi endophthalmitis

A 72-year-old man with chronic endophthalmitis who received steroid treatment for 3 months came to our center. Sterile endophthalmitis after cataract extraction had been diagnosed. Aqueous samples including smears, classic cultures, and polymerase chain reaction were taken for microbiological study. Amplified DNA was sequenced to identify the pathogen. Polymerase chain reaction amplification was positive for bacteria. Sequence analysis showed Corynebacterium macginleyi as the causal agent in 48 hours. The culture and smear stains from the ocular samples were negative. The patient was successfully treated with vancomycin. Polymerase chain reaction and subsequent DNA-typing were useful in detecting the microorganisms that caused the chronic endophthalmitis

A Deep Learning-Based Multimodal Architecture to predict Signs of Dementia

This paper proposes a multimodal deep learning architecture combining text and audio information to predict dementia, a disease which affects around 55 million people all over the world and makes them in some cases dependent people. The system was evaluated on the DementiaBank Pitt Corpus dataset, which includes audio recordings as well as their transcriptions for healthy people and people with dementia. Different models have been used and tested, including Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for audio classification, Transformers for text classification, and a combination of both in a multimodal ensemble. These models have been evaluated on a test set, obtaining the best results by using the text modality, achieving 90.36% accuracy on the task of detecting dementia. Additionally, an analysis of the corpus has been conducted for the sake of explainability, aiming to obtain more information about how the models generate their predictions and identify patterns in the data.We would like to thank “A way of making Europe” European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 for supporting this work under the MoDeaAS project (grant PID2019-104818RB-I00) and AICARE project (grant SPID202200X139779IV0). Furthermore, we would like to thank Nvidia for their generous hardware donation that made these experiments possible

Rapid Molecular Diagnosis of Posttraumatic Keratitis and Endophthalmitis Caused by Alternaria infectoria

The first case of Alternaria infectoria ocular infection is reported. Keratitis and endophthalmitis developed after eye-perforating trauma from a lemon tree branch. Two months after surgery and empirical steroid and antibiotic treatment, diagnosis by molecular methods was performed. PCR amplification was positive for a fungus after 4 h. Antifungal treatment with amphotericin B and fluconazole was initiated immediately. DNA sequence analysis showed Alternaria infectoria to be the causal agent. After topical and systemic administration of antifungal treatment, ocular inflammation disappeared and visual acuity improved. DNA typing was found to be a useful tool to achieve early identification of the causal agen

Below Ground Benefits of Cactus \u3ci\u3eOpuntia stricta\u3c/i\u3e Under Rangeland Conditions in Laikipia, Kenya

Cactus Opuntia stricta primarily invades arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), which form more than 80% of Kenya’s landmass. The ability of the plant to tolerate poor soils and accumulate biomass under low precipitation has resulted in studies into its potential use by pastoral communities for biofuel and livestock feed. However, few studies have assessed the below-ground benefits associated with cactus under rangeland conditions. In this study, we evaluated the root contributions of the invasives cactus Opuntia stricta under rangeland conditions in Laikipia, Kenya. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with ten (10) replicates, each measuring 30 × 30 m. Each block was further subdivided into three plots of 10 x 30m Three clusters were randomly selected from each plot for roots and soil samples starting from the center of the cluster (C) to the outside in a gradient of three radii, R1, R2 and R3. Data was collected for root (dry root biomass, % carbon and % nitrogen) and soil (pH, bulk density, % moisture and % nitrogen) characteristics. Significant differences in total root mass, root carbon, and root nitrogen were observed under varying cluster gradients. Root mass ranged from 4527.0 to 9242.0 kg/ha for the outermost radius (R3) and the cluster’s center, respectively. Similarly, except for the soil nitrogen, statistical differences were observed for soil bulk density, percent soil moisture and percent nitrogen along the different cluster gradients. The soil bulk density ranged from 1.2±0.02 (center) to 1.5±0.01 g cm3 (radius 2). Findings from this study demonstrate the important contribution of the invasive cactus species in sustaining the ecological functions of rangeland soils such as those found in Laikipia, Kenya

Immunoanalytical Approach for Detecting and Identifying Ancestral Peptide Biomarkers in Early Earth Analogue Environments

Several mass spectrometry and spectroscopic techniques have been used in the search for molecular biomarkers on Mars. A major constraint is their capability to detect and identify large and complex compounds such as peptides or other biopolymers. Multiplex immunoassays can detect these com-pounds, but antibodies must be produced for a large number of sequence-dependent molecular targets. Ancestral Sequence Re-construction (ASR) followed by protein "resurrection" in the lab can help to narrow the selection of targets. Herein, we propose an immunoanalytical method to identify ancient and universally conserved protein/peptide sequences as targets for identifying ancestral biomarkers in nature. We have developed, tested, and validated this approach by producing antibodies to eight previously described ancestral resurrected proteins (three beta-lactamases, three thioredoxins, one Elongation Factor Tu, and one RuBisCO, all of them theoretically dated as Precambrian), and used them as a proxy to search for any potential feature of them that could be present in current natural environments. By fluorescent sandwich microarray immunoassays (FSMI), we have detected positive immunoreactions with antibodies to the oldest beta-lactamase and thioredoxin proteins (ca. 4 Ga) in samples from a hydrothermal environment. Fine epitope mapping and inhibitory immunoassays allowed the identification of well-conserved epitope peptide sequences that resulted from ASR and were present in the sample. We corroborated these results by metagenomic sequencing and found several genes encoding analogue proteins with significant matches to the peptide epitopes identified with the antibodies. The results demonstrated that peptides inferred from ASR studies have true counterpart analogues in Nature, which validates and strengthens the well-known ASR/protein resurrection technique and our immunoanalytical approach for investigating ancient environments and metabolisms on Earth and elsewhere

Comparative Analysis of Primary and Secondary Metabolites in the Peel of Eight Blood Orange Varieties

The global cultivation of blood oranges is experiencing an increase due to their remarkable nutritional properties. Blood orange by-products, especially the peel, have a high concentration of bioactive compounds with exceptional antioxidant potential, making them an ideal choice for incorporation into various food products. This study aimed to determine the morphological parameters and primary and secondary metabolite content of peel of eight blood orange varieties using 1H NMR and HPLC-ESI-DAD-MSn. “Tarocco Meli” had the highest weight (367.83 g), caliber (94.13 mm and 88.87 mm), peel thickness (6.73 mm), and peel weight (155.0 g). “Tarocco Rosso”, “Sanguinelli”, and “Tarocco Gallo” had the highest levels of total amino acids (25.57 g kg−1 DW), total organic acids (29.99 g kg−1 DW), and total sugars (68.56 g 100 g−1 DW), respectively. The peel of “Moro” had significantly higher concentrations of total anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavones (650.67, 263.33, and 449.85 mg kg−1, respectively) compared to the other varieties. In conclusion, “Tarocco Meli” had the most interesting values for morphological parameters, “Tarocco Rosso”, “Sanguinelli”, and “Tarocco Gallo” for primary metabolites, and “Moro” for secondary metabolites. With the increasing interest in utilizing co-products, these findings could be useful in developing functional food products that meet consumer demands for healthier and more sustainable food choice

A Luminescent MOF Based on Pyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylate Ligand and Lead(II) with Unprecedented Topology

In the present work, we report on a 3D MOF of {[Pb5(μ3-OH)(μ3-NO3)3(μ6-pmdc)3]·H2O}n formula (pmdc = pyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylate) synthesized by an oven-heated, solvent-free procedure. The large connectivity afforded by the three ligands in their coordination to lead(II) ions grows cubic building units characterized by a central Pb atom with an unusual coordination index of 12 and 6 pmdc ligands occupying the faces. These cubic units are linked to one another giving rise to a quite condensed structure that represents an unprecedented topology showing the (4·62)6(43)2(45·610)3(45·68·82)6(46·69)6(612·83) point symbol. The crystalline material has been characterized by routine physico-chemical techniques to confirm its purity, and its thermal behaviour has been also studied by thermogravimetric and thermodiffractometric analyses. The solid presents a greenish blue photoluminescent emission based on pmdc ligands, as revealed by time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) calculations, which is substantially more intense than in the free H2pmdc ligand according to its improved quantum yield. The emissive capacity of the material is further analysed according to decreasing temperature of the polycrystalline sample, finding that sizeable, long-lasting phosphorescence is present.This research was funded by Gobierno Vasco/Eusko Jaurlaritza (IT1755-22, IT1722-22 and IT1500-22) and Junta de Andalucía (ProyExcel_00386 and FQM-394). This publication is also part of the I+D+i projects of PGC2018-102052-A-C22 and PGC2018-102052-B-C21 codes, funded by MCIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ and “FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa”

MiRNA Expression Profile of Human Subcutaneous Adipose and during Adipocyte Differentiation

BACKGROUND: Potential regulators of adipogenesis include microRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs that have been recently shown related to adiposity and differentially expressed in fat depots. However, to date no study is available, to our knowledge, regarding miRNAs expression profile during human adipogenesis. Thereby, the aim of this study was to investigate whether miRNA pattern in human fat cells and subcutaneous adipose tissue is associated to obesity and co-morbidities and whether miRNA expression profile in adipocytes is linked to adipogenesis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We performed a global miRNA expression microarray of 723 human and 76 viral mature miRNAs in human adipocytes during differentiation and in subcutaneous fat samples from non-obese (n = 6) and obese with (n = 9) and without (n = 13) Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM-2) women. Changes in adipogenesis-related miRNAs were then validated by RT-PCR. Fifty of 799 miRNAs (6.2%) significantly differed between fat cells from lean and obese subjects. Seventy miRNAs (8.8%) were highly and significantly up or down-regulated in mature adipocytes as compared to pre-adipocytes. Otherwise, 17 of these 799 miRNAs (2.1%) were correlated with anthropometrical (BMI) and/or metabolic (fasting glucose and/or triglycerides) parameters. We identified 11 miRNAs (1.4%) significantly deregulated in subcutaneous fat from obese subjects with and without DM-2. Interestingly, most of these changes were associated with miRNAs also significantly deregulated during adipocyte differentiation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The remarkable inverse miRNA profile revealed for human pre-adipocytes and mature adipocytes hints at a closely crosstalk between miRNAs and adipogenesis. Such candidates may represent biomarkers and therapeutic targets for obesity and obesity-related complications

Previous fire occurrence, but not fire recurrence, modulates the effect of charcoal and ash on soil C and N dynamics in Pinus pinaster Aiton forests

Understanding the effects of fire history on soil processes is key to characterise their resistance and resilience under future fire events. Wildfires produce pyrogenic carbonaceous material (PCM) that is incorporated into the soil, playing a critical role in the global carbon (C) cycle, but its interactions with soil processes are poorly un derstood. We evaluated if the previous occurrence of wildfires modulates the dynamic of soil C and nitrogen (N) and microbial community by soil ester linked fatty acids, after a new simulated low-medium intensity fire. Soils with a different fire history (none, one, two or three fires) were heat-shocked and amended with charcoal and/or ash derived from Pinus pinaster. Soil C and N mineralization rates were measured under controlled condi tions, with burned soils showing lower values than unburned (without fire for more than sixty years). In general, no effects of fire recurrence were observed for any of the studied variables. Microbial biomass was lower in burned, with a clear dominance of Gram-positive bacteria in these soils. PCM amendments increased cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) production only in previously burned soils, especially when ash was added. This contrasted response to PCM between burned and unburned soils in CO2 production could be related to the effect of the previous wildfire history on soil microorganisms. In burned soils some microorganisms might have been adapted to the resulting conditions after a new fire event. Burned soils showed a significant positive priming effect after PCM amendment, mainly ash, probably due to an increased pH and phosphorous availability. Our results reveal the role of different PCMs as drivers of C and N mineralization processes in burned soils when a new fire occurs. This is relevant for improving models that evaluate the net impact of fire in C cycling and to reduce uncertainties under future changing fire regimes scenarios