ENTRAPMENT OF FLUORESCENT E. COLI CELLS IN ALGINATE GEL

By this experiment we will demonstrate the possibility to obtain genetically modifiedmicrobial strains that can be used as markers in different studies. The traittransferred in this study is the fluorescence in UV light expressed by a gene isolatedfrom jellyfish. This gene was insered into a plasmid carrying ampiciline resistanceand in the operon for arabinose fermentation. The plasmid was called pGLO. E coliHB101 K-12, ampicillin resistant colonies has been obtained. The colonies on theLB/amp/ara plate fluoresce green under UV light and the transformed colonies cangrow on ampicillin. Transformation efficiency = 362 transformed colonies/ μg DNA.The cells where immobilized by entrapment in alginate gel to study the phenomenoninvolved in cells immobilization. After immobilization in alginate gel, 5x104 cells ofE. coli pGLO / capsule and 1,4 x 105 cells of E. coli HB101/capsule has been found.Fluorescent microscopy revealed the presence of pGLO carrying cells into thecapsules. After cultivation of alginate capsules containing E. coli in LB broth, andfluorescent microscopy of the capsule sections, several observations of thephenomenon involved in continuous fermentation using biocatalysts in has beenmade. These cells grow and migrate to the cortical part of the matrix where they areimmobilized

ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS OF AGRICULTURAL LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS

The yield, productivity and cost for the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose to glucoseare crucial for the production of second generation ethanol. In the first study wehave evaluated the activity of several commercial cellulolytic enzymes and a crudeextract of a local strain of Trichoderma viride. The load used was 15 U ofcellulase/gram cellulose and 90 U of cellobiase/gram cellulose. The hydrolysis wascarried out at 50oC and pH 4,8 for 96 hours. The best cellulose hydrolysis yield of58% was obtained with the cocktail formed of crude cellulases from T. virideCMIT3.5 combined with Novozyme 188. This cocktail was used in the second study,when alkaline-steam pretreated wheat straw and corn stover where hydrolyzed at pH4,8 for 96 hours. The temperature was set at 50oC and 40oC. The hydrolysis at lowertemperature was tested for a future experiment of simultaneous hydrolysis andfermentation. An enzymatic assay using glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase wasused to determine exclusively glucose, instead of wide-range sugar DNS assay.Reporting to 100 grams of wet pretreated biomass, the following results wereobtained: 14.4 g% glucose for corn stover at 50oC and 13,0 g% at 40oC; 13,1 g%glucose for wheat straw at 50oC and 10.3 g% at 40oC. Considering that wheat strawcontain 36.6% glucose-based carbohydrates, the hydrolysis yields are between39.3% and 28.1%. Further studies, concerning the optimal parameters for cellulasecocktail will be made

Classic and modern in the therapy of hepatic hidatid cysts – experience of a general surgery center

Clinica II Chirurgie, Spitalul Județean de Urgențe ”Sf. Spiridon”, Iași UMF ”Gr.T. Popa” Iași, Al XI-lea Congres al Asociației Chirurgilor „Nicolae Anestiadi” din Republica Moldova și cea de-a XXXIII-a Reuniune a Chirurgilor din Moldova „Iacomi-Răzeșu” 27-30 septembrie 2011INTRODUCERE. În ultimii 20 de ani, asistăm la o tendință de afirmare a terapiilor mai puțin invazive pentru pacienții cu chist hidatic hepatic (radiologie intervențională, endoscopie intervențională, puncții eco sau CT-ghidate, tehnici chirurgicale laparoscopice precum şi asocieri ale acestora). SCOP. Ne-am propus o comparație între rezultatele după abordul clasic şi cel minim-invaziv pentru tratamentul echinococozei hepatice. MATERIAL ŞI METODĂ. Au fost analizate retrospectiv 180 cazuri de chist hidatic hepatic operate în Clinica I Chirurgie Iaşi, România în perioada 2004-2010. Au fost selectate pentru analiză următoarele variabile: localizarea chistului, tipul acestuia (conform clasificării propuse de Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis), calea de abord, tehnica chirurgicală, durata evoluției postoperatorii, complicațiile survenite, recidivele şi asocierea chimioterapiei antiparazitare. Pentru analiza statistică s-au folosit testele neparametrice Mann-Whitney U şi Spearman cu pragul de semnificație p<0.05. REZULTATE. Leziunile s-au tratat prin puncție echoghidată (n=6;3.3%); pe cale laparoscopică (n= 48;26.6%) şi abord clasic (n=126;70.1%). Pe cale laparoscopică s-au efectuat: inactivare-aspirație-drenaj şi inactivare-aspirație-perichistectomie parțială. Pe cale clasică s-au practicat: inactivare-aspirație-drenaj, inactivare-aspirație-perichistectomie parțială, perichistectomie ideală, hepatectomie reglată, hepatectomie atipică. Abordul minim-invaziv se corelează semnificativ cu tipul I-II al chisturilor (p=0.016) şi cu localizarea acestora în segmentele II, III şi VI (p=0.001). Durata evoluției postoperatorii a fost semnificativ mai redusă după abordul laparoscopic (p=0.003) comparativ cu cea după intervențiile clasice „minimale” (inactivare-aspirație-drenaj şi inactivare-aspirație-perichistectomie parțială) practicate pentru leziunile tip I-III, dar diferența dintre numărul de zile de îngrijiri după abordul laproscopic vs. chirurgie radicală (perichistectomie ideală, hepatectomie) este nesemnificativă. Nu am întâlnit corelații semnificative între apariția recidivelor/complicațiilor şi tipul de abord. Chimioterapia antiparazitară, instituită în 118 de cazuri (65.5%), se corelează semnificativ cu o rată redusă a recidivelor survenite în 9 cazuri (5%). CONCLUZII. Boala hidatică beneficiază astăzi de o terapie multimodală în care chimioterapia, PAIR-ul, videochirurgia şi chirurgia clasică trebuie să se completeze cât mai fericit şi nu să se excludă. Chiar dacă „pierde din indicații”, chirurgia clasică rămâne „rezerva strategică” în terapia chistului hidatic.INTRODUCTION. In the last 20 years, we noticed an outstanding of less invasive therapy for the patients with hidatid disease (interventional radiology, interventional endoscopy, eco- or CT punctions, laparoscopy and association between these). AIM. We intend to compare the results after classic and laparoscopic approach as treatment for hepatic echinococcosis. METHODS. We analysed 180 cases operated in 1st Surgical Clinic, Iasi, Romania, between 2004-200. We recorded the fallowing parameters: location, type (classification approved by Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis), approaching type, surgical technique, postoperative evolution, complications, recurrences and chemotherapy. We used Mann-Whitney U and Spearman tests (p<0.05).RESULTS. The cases were solved by eco guidance punction (n=6; 3.3%); laparoscopic (n= 48; 26.6%) and classic approach (n=126; 70.1%). Minim invasive approach we did inactivation-suction-drainage and partial perichistectomy. Using open approach we did inactivation-suction-drainage, partial perichistectomy, total perichistectomy and hepatectomy. Laparoscopic treatment has significant correlation with type I-II (p=0.016) located in segments II, III and IV (p=0.001). Postoperative evolution is significant lower for laparoscopic methods (p=0.003) comparing with the „minimal” open techniques used for lesions type I-III. There is no significant differentiation between laparoscopic procedures and open radical surgery (total perichistectomy and hepatectomy). We did not register significant correlations about recurrences and complications. Chemotherapy used in 8 cases is correlated with a low rate of recurrence 9 cases (5%).CONCLUSIONS. Hidatid disease has the benefits of a multimodal therapy. Chemotherapy, PAIR, video surgery and open approach are completing themselves and not excluding each other. Even if classic methods are less frequent used, it remains as a „back up solution” in the therapy of hidatid cyst disease

Mitochondrial sulfide promotes life span and health span through distinct mechanisms in developing versus adult treated Caenorhabditis elegans

This is the final version. Available on open access from the National Academy of Sciences via the DOI in this recordData, Materials, and Software Availability: All study data are included in the article and/or supporting information. The raw RNA sequencing data can be found within the NCBI BioProject database (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/) under the Sequence Read Archive (SRA) accession PRJNA996496 (93).Living longer without simultaneously extending years spent in good health ("health span") is an increasing societal burden, demanding new therapeutic strategies. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can correct disease-related mitochondrial metabolic deficiencies, and supraphysiological H2S concentrations can pro health span. However, the efficacy and mechanisms of mitochondrion-targeted sulfide delivery molecules (mtH2S) administered across the adult life course are unknown. Using a Caenorhabditis elegans aging model, we compared untargeted H2S (NaGYY4137, 100 µM and 100 nM) and mtH2S (AP39, 100 nM) donor effects on life span, neuromuscular health span, and mitochondrial integrity. H2S donors were administered from birth or in young/middle-aged animals (day 0, 2, or 4 postadulthood). RNAi pharmacogenetic interventions and transcriptomics/network analysis explored molecular events governing mtH2S donor-mediated health span. Developmentally administered mtH2S (100 nM) improved life/health span vs. equivalent untargeted H2S doses. mtH2S preserved aging mitochondrial structure, content (citrate synthase activity) and neuromuscular strength. Knockdown of H2S metabolism enzymes and FoxO/daf-16 prevented the positive health span effects of mtH2S, whereas DCAF11/wdr-23 - Nrf2/skn-1 oxidative stress protection pathways were dispensable. Health span, but not life span, increased with all adult-onset mtH2S treatments. Adult mtH2S treatment also rejuvenated aging transcriptomes by minimizing expression declines of mitochondria and cytoskeletal components, and peroxisome metabolism hub components, under mechanistic control by the elt-6/elt-3 transcription factor circuit. H2S health span extension likely acts at the mitochondrial level, the mechanisms of which dissociate from life span across adult vs. developmental treatment timings. The small mtH2S doses required for health span extension, combined with efficacy in adult animals, suggest mtH2S is a potential healthy aging therapeutic.US Army Research OfficeUnited Mitochondrial Disease FoundationUniversity of ExeterUK Space AgencyBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)NASAOsteopathic Heritage Foundatio

Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD

Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood that often persists into adulthood and old age. Yet ADHD is currently underdiagnosed and undertreated in many European countries, leading to chronicity of symptoms and impairment, due to lack of, or ineffective treatment, and higher costs of illness. Methods The European Network Adult ADHD and the Section for Neurodevelopmental Disorders Across the Lifespan (NDAL) of the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), aim to increase awareness and knowledge of adult ADHD in and outside Europe. This Updated European Consensus Statement aims to support clinicians with research evidence and clinical experience from 63 experts of European and other countries in which ADHD in adults is recognized and treated. Results Besides reviewing the latest research on prevalence, persistence, genetics and neurobiology of ADHD, three major questions are addressed: (1) What is the clinical picture of ADHD in adults? (2) How should ADHD be properly diagnosed in adults? (3) How should adult ADHDbe effectively treated? Conclusions ADHD often presents as a lifelong impairing condition. The stigma surrounding ADHD, mainly due to lack of knowledge, increases the suffering of patients. Education on the lifespan perspective, diagnostic assessment, and treatment of ADHD must increase for students of general and mental health, and for psychiatry professionals. Instruments for screening and diagnosis of ADHD in adults are available, as are effective evidence-based treatments for ADHD and its negative outcomes. More research is needed on gender differences, and in older adults with ADHD. (c) 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.Peer reviewe

Predictors of enhancing human physical attractiveness: Data from 93 countries

People across the world and throughout history have gone to great lengths to enhance their physical appearance. Evolutionary psychologists and ethologists have largely attempted to explain this phenomenon via mating preferences and strategies. Here, we test one of the most popular evolutionary hypotheses for beauty-enhancing behaviors, drawn from mating market and parasite stress perspectives, in a large cross-cultural sample. We also test hypotheses drawn from other influential and non-mutually exclusive theoretical frameworks, from biosocial role theory to a cultural media perspective. Survey data from 93,158 human participants across 93 countries provide evidence that behaviors such as applying makeup or using other cosmetics, hair grooming, clothing style, caring for body hygiene, and exercising or following a specific diet for the specific purpose of improving ones physical attractiveness, are universal. Indeed, 99% of participants reported spending &gt;10 min a day performing beauty-enhancing behaviors. The results largely support evolutionary hypotheses: more time was spent enhancing beauty by women (almost 4 h a day, on average) than by men (3.6 h a day), by the youngest participants (and contrary to predictions, also the oldest), by those with a relatively more severe history of infectious diseases, and by participants currently dating compared to those in established relationships. The strongest predictor of attractiveness-enhancing behaviors was social media usage. Other predictors, in order of effect size, included adhering to traditional gender roles, residing in countries with less gender equality, considering oneself as highly attractive or, conversely, highly unattractive, TV watching time, higher socioeconomic status, right-wing political beliefs, a lower level of education, and personal individualistic attitudes. This study provides novel insight into universal beauty-enhancing behaviors by unifying evolutionary theory with several other complementary perspectives

Impact of renal impairment on atrial fibrillation: ESC-EHRA EORP-AF Long-Term General Registry

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and renal impairment share a bidirectional relationship with important pathophysiological interactions. We evaluated the impact of renal impairment in a contemporary cohort of patients with AF. Methods: We utilised the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF Long-Term General Registry. Outcomes were analysed according to renal function by CKD-EPI equation. The primary endpoint was a composite of thromboembolism, major bleeding, acute coronary syndrome and all-cause death. Secondary endpoints were each of these separately including ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic event, intracranial haemorrhage, cardiovascular death and hospital admission. Results: A total of 9306 patients were included. The distribution of patients with no, mild, moderate and severe renal impairment at baseline were 16.9%, 49.3%, 30% and 3.8%, respectively. AF patients with impaired renal function were older, more likely to be females, had worse cardiac imaging parameters and multiple comorbidities. Among patients with an indication for anticoagulation, prescription of these agents was reduced in those with severe renal impairment, p&nbsp;&lt;.001. Over 24&nbsp;months, impaired renal function was associated with significantly greater incidence of the primary composite outcome and all secondary outcomes. Multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated an inverse relationship between eGFR and the primary outcome (HR 1.07 [95% CI, 1.01–1.14] per 10&nbsp;ml/min/1.73&nbsp;m2 decrease), that was most notable in patients with eGFR &lt;30&nbsp;ml/min/1.73&nbsp;m2 (HR 2.21 [95% CI, 1.23–3.99] compared to eGFR ≥90&nbsp;ml/min/1.73&nbsp;m2). Conclusion: A significant proportion of patients with AF suffer from concomitant renal impairment which impacts their overall management. Furthermore, renal impairment is an independent predictor of major adverse events including thromboembolism, major bleeding, acute coronary syndrome and all-cause death in patients with AF