Bacterias con la capacidad de unir metales pesados y su empleo en la detoxificación de medios contaminados con metales pesados

Referencia OEPM: P200001387.-- Fecha de solicitud: 31/05/2000.-- Titulares: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de BarcelonaLa bacteria con capacidad de unir metales pesados es una bacteria adaptada al suelo y resistente a metales pesados, bien de forma natural o mediante manipulación genética, y ha sido modificada para expresar en su superficie, al menos, una proteína o una secuencia peptídica con la capacidad de unir uno o más metales pesados. En una realización particular, la bacteria adaptada al suelo y resistente, de forma natural, a metales pesados es Ralstonia eutropha, y la proteína capaz de unir uno o más metales pesados es una metalotioneína de un medio, sólido o líquido, contaminado con metales pesados.Peer reviewe

Factores de riesgo para sepsis neonatal temprana en el Hospital Hermilio Valdizán Medrano. Huánuco, Perú. 2016

Objetivo: Determinar los principales factores de riesgo asociados a sepsis neonatal probable temprana. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio de tipo observacional, analítico, retrospectivo de casos y controles. Los casos fueron 71 recién nacidos diagnosticados con sepsis probable temprana asociado a uno o más de los factores en estudio; y el grupo de controles: 71 neonatos sin sepsis neonatal probable temprana con uno o más de los factores en estudio, los datos fueron recogidos de las historias clínicas. El análisis bivariado de los factores de riesgo evaluados, el bajo peso al nacer, infección del tracto urinario materno en el tercer trimestre y rotura prematura de membrana, se realizó a través de la prueba de Chi-2, Odds ratio con un nivel de confianza al 95%. Para el análisis comparativo de las variables cuantitativas se utilizó la prueba U de man whitney. Resultados: En el análisis bivariado se identificaron como factores de riesgo a la infección del tracto urinario materno (OR = 2,515, 95% IC = 1,246 – 5,075, p=0,00), bajo peso al nacer (OR=3,5, 95% IC= 1,65-7,84, p=0.01), la ruptura prematura de membranas no resultó estadísticamente significativa (OR=0,7, 95%IC=0,31-1,7) Conclusiones: La infección del tracto urinario y el bajo peso al nacer fueron los factores de riesgo más importantes en este estudio para el desarrollo de sepsis neonatal probable temprana

Inducción y su relación con el compromiso laboral de los colaboradores del Hotel San Eduardo E.I.R.L. Chiclayo

La investigación titulada “Inducción y su relación con el Compromiso Laboral de los Colaboradores del Hotel San Eduardo E.I.R.L. Chiclayo” tuvo como objetivo Determinar la relación entre la inducción y el compromiso laboral en el Hotel San Eduardo E.I.R.L – Chiclayo. El presente estudio muestra una metodología con diseño no experimental y de corte transversal, de tipo descriptivo - correlacional, con enfoque cuantitativo y un alcance exploratorio. Los sujetos de estudio fueron los colaboradores del Hotel, teniendo como muestra 10 colaboradores a quiénes se les aplicó un cuestionario por variable, diseñado en la escala de Likert. Los resultados revelan que mediante el coeficiente de Spearman se obtuvo la prueba de hipótesis que se realizó, donde (R = 0,227; P- Valor =0,126); lo que indica que no hay una relación estadísticamente entre la variable inducción y compromiso laboral, por lo que no se rechaza la H0 y tampoco se afirma que sea verdadera. Se concluye, que en esta investigación el Hotel aún no cuenta con un proceso adecuado de inducción para que los colaboradores realicen de manera correcta sus labores; asimismo, la productividad dentro de la empresa no es positiva a causa de la falta de compromiso laboral

DNA profiling, telomere analysis and antioxidant properties as tools for monitoring ex situ seed longevity

Background and Aims The germination test currently represents the most used method to assess seed viability in germplasm banks, despite the difficulties caused by the occurrence of seed dormancy. Furthermore, seed longevity can vary considerably across species and populations from different environments and studies related to the eco-physiological processes underlying such variations are still limited in their depth. The aim of the present work was the identification of reliable molecular markers that might help monitoring seed deterioration. Methods Dry seeds were subjected to artificial aging and collected at different time points for molecular/biochemical analyses. DNA damage was measured using the RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) approach while the seed antioxidant profile was obtained using both the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl, 2-picrylhydrazyl) assay and the Folin Ciocalteu reagent method. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) provided profiles of free radicals. Quantitative RealTime-Polymerase Chain Reaction (QRT-PCR) was used to assess the expression profiles of the antioxidant genes MT2 (Type 2 Metallothionein) and SOD (Superoxide Dismutase). A modified QRT-PCR protocol was used to determine telomere length. Key Results The RAPD profiles highlighted different capacities of the two Silene species to overcome DNA damage induced by artificial aging. The antioxidant profiles of dry and rehydrated seeds revealed that the high-altitude taxon Silene acaulis was characterised by a lower antioxidant specific activity. Significant up-regulation of the MT2 and SOD genes was observed only in the rehydrated seeds of the low-altitude species. Rehydration resulted in telomere lengthening in both Silene species. Conclusions Different seed viability markers have been selected for plant species showing inherent variation of seed longevity. RAPD analysis, quantification of redox activity of non enzymatic antioxidant compounds and gene expression profiling provide deeper insights to study seed viability during storage. Telomere lengthening is a promising tool to discriminate between short- and long-lived species

The efficacy of anakinra in an adolescent with colchicine-resistant familial Mediterranean fever

Colchicine is the treatment of choice in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) for the prevention of both attacks and secondary amyloidosis. The overall nonresponder rate is about 5–10%. Anakinra is known to have good effectiveness in a severe autoinflammatory syndrome [chronic infantile neurological cutaneous and articular (CINCA) syndrome] and other recurrent hereditary periodic fevers. Pyrin—the protein involved in FMF—has a role in activating the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β. We report the effectiveness of the addition of an IL-1-receptor inhibitor (anakinra) to colchicine in controlling the febrile attacks and acute phase response in an adolescent with FMF resistant to colchicine

HERC ubiquitin ligases in cancer

HERC proteins are ubiquitin E3 ligases of the HECT family. The HERC subfamily is composed of six members classified by size into large (HERC1 and HERC2) and small (HERC3-HERC6). HERC family ubiquitin ligases regulate important cellular processes, such as neurodevelopment, DNA damage response, cell proliferation, cell migration, and immune responses. Accumulating evidence also shows that this family plays critical roles in cancer. In this review, we provide an integrated view of the role of these ligases in cancer, highlighting their bivalent functions as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors, depending on the tumor type. We include a discussion of both the molecular mechanisms involved and the potential therapeutic strategies

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide is associated with a future diagnosis of cancer in patients with coronary artery disease

Objective Several papers have reported elevated plasma levels of natriuretic peptides in patients with a previous diagnosis of cancer. We have explored whether N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) plasma levels predict a future diagnosis of cancer in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods We studied 699 patients with CAD free of cancer. At baseline, NT-proBNP, galectin-3, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I plasma levels were assessed. The primary outcome was new cancer diagnosis. The secondary outcome was cancer diagnosis, heart failure requiring hospitalization, or death. Results After 2.15±0.98 years of follow-up, 24 patients developed cancer. They were older (68.5 [61.5, 75.8] vs 60.0 [52.0, 72.0] years; p=0.011), had higher NT-proBNP (302.0 [134.8, 919.8] vs 165.5 [87.4, 407.5] pg/ml; p=0.040) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (3.27 [1.33, 5.94] vs 1.92 [0.83, 4.00] mg/L; p=0.030), and lower triglyceride (92.5 [70.5, 132.8] vs 112.0 [82.0, 157.0] mg/dl; p=0.044) plasma levels than those without cancer. NT-proBNP (Hazard Ratio [HR]=1.030; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.008-1.053; p=0.007) and triglyceride levels (HR=0.987; 95%CI=0.975-0.998; p=0.024) were independent predictors of a new cancer diagnosis (multivariate Cox regression analysis). When patients in whom the suspicion of cancer appeared in the first one-hundred days after blood extraction were excluded, NT-proBNP was the only predictor of cancer (HR=1.061; 95% CI=1.034-1.088; p<0.001). NT-proBNP was an independent predictor of cancer, heart failure, or death (HR=1.038; 95%CI=1.023-1.052; p<0.001) along with age, and use of insulin and acenocumarol. Conclusions NT-proBNP is an independent predictor of malignancies in patients with CAD. New studies in large populations are needed to confirm these findingsThis work was supported by grants from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (PI05/0451, PI05/1497,PI05/2475, PI05/1043, PS09/01405, PI10/ 00072, and PI10/0234, PI14/1567, Programa de Estabilización to LBC); Spanish Society of Cardiology and Spanish Heart Foundation; Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis; RECAVA (RD06/0014/0035, www. recava.com); Fundación Lilly; and Instituto de Salud Carlos III FEDER (FJD biobank: RD09/0076/00101)

Mcp-1 predicts recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with persistent inflammation

Clinical data indicate that patients with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels higher than 2 mg per liter suffer from persistent inflammation, which is associated with high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We determined whether a panel of biomarkers associated with CVD could predict recurrent events in patients with low or persistent inflammation and coronary artery disease (CAD). We followed 917 patients with CAD (median 4.59 ± 2.39 years), assessing CRP, galectin-3, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin-I plasma levels. The primary outcome was the combination of cardiovascular events (acute coronary syndrome, stroke or transient ischemic event, heart failure or death). Patients with persistent inflammation (n = 343) showed higher NT-proBNP and MCP-1 plasma levels compared to patients with CRP &lt; 2 mg/L. Neither MCP-1 nor NT-proBNP was associated with primary outcome in patients with CRP &lt; 2 mg/L. However, NT-proBNP and MCP-1 plasma levels were associated with increased risk of the primary outcome in patients with persistent inflammation. When patients were divided by type of event, MCP-1 was associated with an increased risk of acute ischemic events. A significant interaction between MCP-1 and persistent inflammation was found (synergy index: 6.17 (4.39–7.95)). In conclusion, MCP-1 plasma concentration is associated with recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with persistent inflammation.This research was funded by grants from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (PI14/1567, PI05/0451, PI16/01419, PI17/01615, PI17/01495, PI19/00128); RETOS-Colaboración (RTC2019-006826-1); Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis; and Instituto de Salud Carlos III FEDER (FJD biobank: RD09/0076/00101

A focal plane detector design for a wide-band Laue-lens telescope

The energy range above 60 keV is important for the study of many open problems in high energy astrophysics such as the role of Inverse Compton with respect to synchrotron or thermal processes in GRBs, non thermal mechanisms in SNR, the study of the high energy cut-offs in AGN spectra, and the detection of nuclear and annihilation lines. Recently the development of high energy Laue lenses with broad energy bandpasses from 60 to 600 keV have been proposed for a Hard X ray focusing Telescope (HAXTEL) in order to study the X-ray continuum of celestial sources. The required focal plane detector should have high detection efficiency over the entire operative range, a spatial resolution of about 1 mm, an energy resolution of a few keV at 500 keV and a sensitivity to linear polarization. We describe a possible configuration of the focal plane detector based on several CdTe/CZT pixelated layers stacked together to achieve the required detection efficiency at high energy. Each layer can operate both as a separate position sensitive detector and polarimeter or work with other layers to increase the overall photopeak efficiency. Each layer has a hexagonal shape in order to minimize the detector surface required to cover the lens field of view. The pixels would have the same geometry so as to provide the best coupling with the lens point spread function and to increase the symmetry for polarimetric studies.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figure