Isolation, Characterization, and Biotechnological Potential of Native Microalgae From the Peruvian Amazon

The objective of this chapter is to provide scientific information on basic aspects to be taken into account to achieve the successful isolation, biochemical, and molecular characterization and then to evaluate the biotechnological potential of native microalgae of the Peruvian Amazon. Recent investigations reported by our research team has demonstrated that the isolated native microalgae from the Peruvian Amazon have a great potential for the biotechnological production of biodiesel and nutraceuticals. This biotechnological potential was identified thanks to the application of various protocols that were standardized by the authors over the last 5 years. In conclusion, the native microalgae of the Peruvian Amazon have biotechnological potential and are therefore promising for the production of both biodiesel and nutraceuticals. Various species of microalgae were identified, isolated, cultured, and characterized using biochemical, nutraceutical, and molecular techniques, the isolation stage being the starting point to achieve various biotechnological applications. Ankistrodesmus sp. is one of the microalgae with potential for the production of biodiesel and microalgae such as Haematococcus pluvialis, Scenedesmus sp., and Chlorella sp., among others demonstrated a high potential for nutraceutical production. The stress conditions to which microalgae are subjected are being a determining factor for the production of biodiesel and nutraceuticals

Prevalencia de secuelas en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 sobrevivientes al COVID-19

Objective: To assess whether there is an association between the prevalence of sequelae due to COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Material and methods: Cross-sectional analytical design. A structured questionnaire, validated by experts, was applied by telephone to patients who had been discharged for at least three months, and clinical data was obtained from their medical records. An informed consent was applied. Results: 52% were male (p=0,5); the median age was 57 years (IQR: 21), and the time between discharge and interview was 9 months. The severity of COVID-19 was: moderate 51%, severe 38%, critical 9%; diabetics 23,75% (p<0,05). An association was found between general sequelae and diabetes (OR=3,04, CI95%: 1,51-6,13, p: 0,001, RPa: 2,4), followed by cardiovascular sequelae (OR=2,91, CI95%: 1,57-5,38, p: 0,000, RPa: 2,1). Of the 57 diabetics, 85,9% had sequelae due to COVID-19; and of the 183 non-diabetics, 68,3% (p: 0,009, OR: 2,84, 95% CI: 1,26-6,38, PRc: 2,32). Conclusions: The prevalence of sequelae due to COVID-19 was higher in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients; the most frequent type of sequelae was fatigue.Objetivo: Evaluar si existe asociación entre la prevalencia de secuelas por COVID-19 y diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Material y métodos: Diseño analítico trasversal. Se aplicó por teléfono un cuestionario estructurado, validado por expertos, a pacientes con al menos tres meses de alta y se obtuvieron datos clínicos de sus historias clínicas. Se aplicó un consentimiento informado. Resultados: El 52% fueron varones (p=0,5); la mediana de edad 57 años(RIC:21), y el tiempo entre alta y entrevista fue 9 meses. La severidad de COVID-19 fue: moderado 51%, grave 38%, critico 9%; diabéticos 23,75% (p<0,05). Se halló asociación entre secuelas generales y diabetes (OR=3,04, IC95%: 1,51-6,13, p:0,001, RPa:2,4), seguida por secuelas cardiovasculares (OR=2,91, IC95%: 1,57-5,38, p:0,000, RPa:2,1). De los 57 diabéticos, 85,9% hicieron secuelas por COVID-19; y de los 183 no diabéticos, el 68,3% (p: 0,009, OR:2,84, IC95%:1,26-6,38, RPc:2,32). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de secuelas por COVID-19 fue mayor en pacientes diabéticos que en los no diabéticos; el tipo de secuelas más frecuente fue fatiga

Potential of Native Microalgae from the Peruvian Amazon on the Removal of Pollutants

Environmental pollution is a severe and common problem in all the countries worldwide. Various physicochemical technologies and organisms (e.g., plants, microorganisms, etc.) are used to address these environmental issues, but low-cost, practical, efficient, and effective approaches have not been available yet. Microalgae offer an attractive, novel, and little-explored bioremediation alternative because these photosynthetic organisms can eliminate pathogenic microorganisms and remove heavy metals and toxic organic compounds through processes still under study. Our research team has conducted some experiments to determine the bioremediation potential of native microalgae on some pollutant sources (i.e., leachate and wastewater) and its ability to remove hazardous chemical compounds. Therefore, in this chapter, we provide the results of our research and updated information about this exciting topic. Experiments were conducted under controlled culture conditions using several native microalgae species, variable time periods, different pollutant sources, and hazardous chemicals such as ethidium bromide. The results indicated that native microalgae can remove pollutants (i.e., phosphorus, ammonia, etc.) of wastewater, leachate, and some hazardous chemical compounds such as ethidium bromide. In conclusion, native microalgae have an excellent potential for removing several pollutants and, consequently, could be used to develop bioremediation technologies based on native microalgae from the Peruvian Amazon

CONTROL BIOLÓGICO DEL “cogollero del maíz” Spodoptera frugiperda, (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) CON EL BACULOVIRUS SfVPN, EN IQUITOS-PERU

Con el propósito de encontrar una alternativa al control químico del “cogollero del maíz” Spodoptera frugiperda, principal plaga para el cultivo del maíz (Zea mays), se estudió la posibilidad de utilizar como controlador biológico de esta plaga, al baculovirus SfVPN (Virus de Poliedrosis Nuclear de Spodoptera frugiperda). Utilizando larvas del 3er estadío se comprobó que es un eficiente controlador biológico, determinándose que la dosis letal media fue de 49,653 cuerpos de inclusión (CI)/ larva, con un promedio de tiempo letal medio (TL50) de 6.5 ± 0.5 días. Asímismo, el número de CI del SfVPN producidos por una larva de 5to estadío fue de 5.4X108 CI/larva, y de 6to estadío fue de 7.3X108 CI/larva, constituyéndose estos estadíos enbuenas productoras de virus para formulaciones de insecticidas biológicos. Se propone, por tanto, el empleo del SfVPN como una buena alternativa para el control de Spodoptera frugiperda

Soporte nutricional y mortalidad en prematuros de la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales de un hospital público de Perú: Cohorte retrospectiva

Introduction: The nutrition in Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants plays an important role in their recovery and overall development. Thus, an inadequate nutritional support can result in lower growth and higher incidence of diseases, which may affect the morbidity and mortality of these infants. Objective: Determine the association between the mortality at 28 days and the nutritional support given to VLBW infants hospitalized during 2011 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a public referral hospital in Lima, Peru. Patients and method. This retrospective cohort included 60 medical records from VLBW Infants, born and hospitalized during 2011 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a public referral hospital in Lima, Peru. The evolution of the nutritional support and weight was evaluated, and was associated with the mortality. Results: 7 (11.7%) VLBW infants died during the study. Those VLBW infants who received less than 30 kcal/kg on the third day, were 5 times more likely to die (CI 95% 1,1-23,5), with a statistically significant difference. This risk increases to 9,69 (CI 95% 1,48-63,63) at adjusting with other important variables like gender, percentage of weight loss, presence of sepsis, gestational age and caloric density. Conclusions: Receive lower nutritional intake on the third day is associated with an increased risk of mortality in these infants.Introducción: La nutrición en el Recién Nacido Pretérmino (RNPT) de Muy Bajo Peso al Nacer (MBPN) juega un rol importante en su recuperación y evolución general. Así, un soporte nutricional insuficiente puede resultar en un menor crecimiento y mayor incidencia de patologías, lo que perjudicaría la morbimortalidad de estos neonatos. Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre el soporte nutricional y la mortalidad a los 28 días en RNPT de MBPN hospitalizados durante el año 2011 en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales de un hospital público de referencia en Lima, Perú. Pacientes y método: Se realizó una cohorte retrospectiva con 60 historias clínicas de los RNPT de MBPN, nacidos y hospitalizados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales de un hospital de referencia durante el año 2011 en Lima, Perú. Se evaluó la evolución del soporte nutricional y del peso, y se asoció con la mortalidad. Resultados: 7 (11,7%) RNPT de MBPN fallecieron durante el estudio. Aquellos RNPT de MBPN que recibieron menos de 30 kcal/kg al tercer día, tuvieron 5 veces más riesgo de morir (IC 95% 1,1-23,5) con una diferencia estadísticamente significativa. Este riesgo asciende a 9,69 (IC 95% 1,48- 63,63) si se ajusta a otras variables importantes como género, edad gestacional, presencia de sepsis, porcentaje de pérdida de peso y densidad calórica. Conclusiones: Recibir menores aportes nutricionales al tercer día está asociado con un mayor riesgo de mortalidad en estos neonatos

THERMOTOLERANT Campylobacter SPECIES ISOLATED FROM PSITTACIFORMES IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON REGION

<abstract language="por">Foi determinada a freqüência de isolamento de campylobacters termotolerantes em Psittaciformes silvestres capturados na região amazônica do Peru. Campylobacters foram isolados em 10/142 (7.0%) dos animais estudados, sendo C. jejuni subsp. jejuni biovar I (6/10) o mais freqüente, seguido de C. coli biovar II (2/10), C. lari não foi isolado. Os resultados sugerem que estas aves podem ser importantes reservatórios destas bactérias