Del Giorgio Aurispa de D'Annunzio a Michele de Moravia

El punto de partida de este trabajo es el estudio de dos novelas de muy diferente índole: "Trionfo della morte" de Grabriele d'Annunzio, publicada en 1984 y "Gli indifferenti" de Alberto Moravia de 1929. Resulta un tanto arriesgado buscar algún rasgo común entre la decadencia de D'Annunzio y el neorrealismo de Moravia, aunque ambos comparten aspectos como es un elemento trágico innegable.The starting point of this work is the study of two novels of very different nature: "Trionfo della Morte" by Gabriel D'Annunzio, published in 1984 and "Gli indifferenti" by Alberto Moravia 1929. It is somewhat risky to search for some common feature between the decline of D'Annunzio and Moravia's neorealism, although both share aspects as is a tragic element undeniable

NEW BUTYROLACTONE FROM A MARINE-DERIVED FUNGUS ASPERGILLUS SP

Indexación: Web of Science; ScieloFour compounds that belong to two structure types, namely dibenzylbutyrolactone and sesterterpenoids, were obtained from the extract of the strain Aspergillus sp. (2P-22), isolated from a marine sponge, Cliona chilensis. Among them, compound 1 was identified as new, namely butylrolactone-VI. The structures of these compounds were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic data. Biological activities of these fungal metabolites, are described.http://ref.scielo.org/kbf7v

Effects of the right carotid sinus compression technique on blood pressure and heart rate in medicated patients with hypertension

Objectives: To identify the immediate and middle-term effects of the right carotid sinus compression technique on blood pressure and heart rate in hypertensive patients. Design: Randomized blinded experimental study. Settings: Primary health centers of Cáceres (Spain). Subjects: Sixty-four medicated patients with hypertension were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 33) or to a control group (n = 31). Intervention: In the intervention group a compression of the right carotid sinus was applied for 20 sec. In the control group, a placebo technique of placing hands on the radial styloid processes was performed. Outcome measures: Blood pressure and heart rate were measured in both groups before the intervention (preintervention), immediately after the intervention, 5 min after the intervention, and 60 min after the intervention. Results: The intervention group significantly decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate immediately after the intervention, with a large clinical effect; systolic blood pressure remained reduced 5 min after the intervention, and heart rate remained reduced 60 min after the intervention. No significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusions: Right carotid sinus compression could be clinically useful for regulating acute hypertension

Molecular characterization of a fungal gene paralogue of the penicillin penDE gene of Penicillium chrysogenum

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Penicillium chrysogenum </it>converts isopenicillin N (IPN) into hydrophobic penicillins by means of the peroxisomal IPN acyltransferase (IAT), which is encoded by the <it>penDE </it>gene. <it>In silico </it>analysis of the <it>P. chrysogenum </it>genome revealed the presence of a gene, Pc13g09140, initially described as paralogue of the IAT-encoding <it>penDE </it>gene. We have termed this gene <it>ial </it>because it encodes a protein with high similarity to IAT (IAL for IAT-Like). We have conducted an investigation to characterize the <it>ial </it>gene and to determine the role of the IAL protein in the penicillin biosynthetic pathway.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The IAL contains motifs characteristic of the IAT such as the processing site, but lacks the peroxisomal targeting sequence ARL. Null <it>ial </it>mutants and overexpressing strains indicated that IAL lacks acyltransferase (penicillin biosynthetic) and amidohydrolase (6-APA forming) activities <it>in vivo</it>. When the canonical ARL motif (leading to peroxisomal targeting) was added to the C-terminus of the IAL protein (IAL^ARL) by site-directed mutagenesis, no penicillin biosynthetic activity was detected. Since the IAT is only active after an accurate self-processing of the preprotein into α and β subunits, self-processing of the IAL was tested in <it>Escherichia coli</it>. Overexpression experiments and SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that IAL is also self-processed in two subunits, but despite the correct processing, the enzyme remained inactive <it>in vitro</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>No activity related to the penicillin biosynthesis was detected for the IAL. Sequence comparison among the <it>P. chrysogenum </it>IAL, the <it>A. nidulans </it>IAL homologue and the IAT, revealed that the lack of enzyme activity seems to be due to an alteration of the essential Ser309 in the thioesterase active site. Homologues of the <it>ial </it>gene have been found in many other ascomycetes, including non-penicillin producers. Our data suggest that like in <it>A. nidulans</it>, the <it>ial </it>and <it>penDE </it>genes might have been formed from a single ancestral gene that became duplicated during evolution, although a separate evolutive origin for the <it>ial </it>and <it>penDE </it>genes, is also discussed.</p

Effects of the Fourth Ventricle Compression in the Regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System: A Randomized Control Trial

Introduction. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system is an important factor in the development of chronic pain. Fourth ventricle compression (CV-4) has been shown to influence autonomic activity. Nevertheless, the physiological mechanisms behind these effects remain unclear. Objectives. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of fourth ventricle compression on the autonomic nervous system. Methods. Forty healthy adults were randomly assigned to an intervention group, on whom CV-4 was performed, or to a control group, who received a placebo intervention (nontherapeutic touch on the occipital bone). In both groups, plasmatic catecholamine levels, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured before and immediately after the intervention. Results. No effects related to the intervention were found. Although a reduction of norepinephrine, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate was found after the intervention, it was not exclusive to the intervention group. In fact, only the control group showed an increment of dopamine levels after intervention. Conclusion. Fourth ventricle compression seems not to have any effect in plasmatic catecholamine levels, blood pressure, or heart rate. Further studies are needed to clarify the CV-4 physiologic mechanisms and clinical efficacy in autonomic regulation and pain treatment

Effects of the Fourth Ventricle Compression in the Regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System: A Randomized Control Trial

Introduction. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system is an important factor in the development of chronic pain. Fourth ventricle compression (CV-4) has been shown to influence autonomic activity. Nevertheless, the physiological mechanisms behind these effects remain unclear. Objectives. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of fourth ventricle compression on the autonomic nervous system. Methods. Forty healthy adults were randomly assigned to an intervention group, on whom CV-4 was performed, or to a control group, who received a placebo intervention (nontherapeutic touch on the occipital bone). In both groups, plasmatic catecholamine levels, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured before and immediately after the intervention. Results. No effects related to the intervention were found. Although a reduction of norepinephrine, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate was found after the intervention, it was not exclusive to the intervention group. In fact, only the control group showed an increment of dopamine levels after intervention. Conclusion. Fourth ventricle compression seems not to have any effect in plasmatic catecholamine levels, blood pressure, or heart rate. Further studies are needed to clarify the CV-4 physiologic mechanisms and clinical efficacy in autonomic regulation and pain treatment

IMA genome - F14 : Draft genome sequences of Penicillium roqueforti, Fusarium sororula, Chrysoporthe puriensis, and Chalaropsis populi

Draft genomes of Penicillium roqueforti, Fusarium sororula, Chalaropsis populi, and Chrysoporthe puriensis are presented. Penicillium roqueforti is a model fungus for genetics, physiological and metabolic studies, as well as for biotechnological applications. Fusarium sororula and Chrysoporthe puriensis are important tree pathogens, and Chalaropsis populi is a soilborne root-pathogen. The genome sequences presented here thus contribute towards a better understanding of both the pathogenicity and biotechnological potential of these species.The University of Pretoria, the Department of Science and Technology (DST)/National Research Foundation (NRF) Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology (CTHB), South Africa, the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP), the National Research Foundation and the DST-NRF SARChI chair in Fungal Genomics.http://www.imafungus.orgam2022BiochemistryForestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)GeneticsMicrobiology and Plant Patholog

Key Factors Associated With Pulmonary Sequelae in the Follow-Up of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Introduction: Critical COVID-19 survivors have a high risk of respiratory sequelae. Therefore, we aimed to identify key factors associated with altered lung function and CT scan abnormalities at a follow-up visit in a cohort of critical COVID-19 survivors. Methods: Multicenter ambispective observational study in 52 Spanish intensive care units. Up to 1327 PCR-confirmed critical COVID-19 patients had sociodemographic, anthropometric, comorbidity and lifestyle characteristics collected at hospital admission; clinical and biological parameters throughout hospital stay; and, lung function and CT scan at a follow-up visit. Results: The median [p25–p75] time from discharge to follow-up was 3.57 [2.77–4.92] months. Median age was 60 [53–67] years, 27.8% women. The mean (SD) percentage of predicted diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) at follow-up was 72.02 (18.33)% predicted, with 66% of patients having DLCO < 80% and 24% having DLCO < 60%. CT scan showed persistent pulmonary infiltrates, fibrotic lesions, and emphysema in 33%, 25% and 6% of patients, respectively. Key variables associated with DLCO < 60% were chronic lung disease (CLD) (OR: 1.86 (1.18–2.92)), duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) (OR: 1.56 (1.37–1.77)), age (OR [per-1-SD] (95%CI): 1.39 (1.18–1.63)), urea (OR: 1.16 (0.97–1.39)) and estimated glomerular filtration rate at ICU admission (OR: 0.88 (0.73–1.06)). Bacterial pneumonia (1.62 (1.11–2.35)) and duration of ventilation (NIMV (1.23 (1.06–1.42), IMV (1.21 (1.01–1.45)) and prone positioning (1.17 (0.98–1.39)) were associated with fibrotic lesions. Conclusion: Age and CLD, reflecting patients’ baseline vulnerability, and markers of COVID-19 severity, such as duration of IMV and renal failure, were key factors associated with impaired DLCO and CT abnormalities