Biotransformation of indigo carmine to isatin sulfonic acid by lyophilized mycelia from Trametes versicolor

Indigo carmine (IC) was biotrasformed to 5-isatinsulfonic acid using intracellular and associated enzymes from Trametes versicolor lyophilized mycelia; even when extracellular enzymes were absent, in high concentration solutions of IC (4 000 mg L-1) and non-sterile condition. T. versicolor was grown in wheat strew and malt extract liquid medium and harvested during the stationary growth phase, it was lyophilized and made to react with indigo carmine. Experimental series were performed at different IC concentrations (from 100 to 4000 mg L-1). Color removal was 99.90, 98.75, 88.35, 79.47, 70.0 and 40.35% for 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 mg L-1 of IC, respectively after 120 h with exception for 100 mg L-1 of IC, which reached total color removal after 1 h. Reacted mixture byproducts were separated by column chromatography. IC biotransformation to 5-isatinsulfonic acid was confirmed by HPLC, UV-VIS, FT- IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Activity of laccase from lyophilized mycelia was conserved after one year at 4°C. Dehydrated biological material in colorant biodegradation is a new method which allows obtaining high discoloration efficiencies. Lyophilized mycelia could be more stable than traditionally used wet biomass or liquid culture for biodegradation of color dye.Key words: Biodegradation, indigo carmine, Trametes versicolor

Potential Role of Ultrafine Particles in Associations between Airborne Particle Mass and Cardiovascular Health

Numerous epidemiologic time-series studies have shown generally consistent associations of cardiovascular hospital admissions and mortality with outdoor air pollution, particularly mass concentrations of particulate matter (PM) ≤2.5 or ≤10 μm in diameter (PM(2.5), PM(10)). Panel studies with repeated measures have supported the time-series results showing associations between PM and risk of cardiac ischemia and arrhythmias, increased blood pressure, decreased heart rate variability, and increased circulating markers of inflammation and thrombosis. The causal components driving the PM associations remain to be identified. Epidemiologic data using pollutant gases and particle characteristics such as particle number concentration and elemental carbon have provided indirect evidence that products of fossil fuel combustion are important. Ultrafine particles < 0.1 μm (UFPs) dominate particle number concentrations and surface area and are therefore capable of carrying large concentrations of adsorbed or condensed toxic air pollutants. It is likely that redox-active components in UFPs from fossil fuel combustion reach cardiovascular target sites. High UFP exposures may lead to systemic inflammation through oxidative stress responses to reactive oxygen species and thereby promote the progression of atherosclerosis and precipitate acute cardiovascular responses ranging from increased blood pressure to myocardial infarction. The next steps in epidemiologic research are to identify more clearly the putative PM casual components and size fractions linked to their sources. To advance this, we discuss in a companion article (Sioutas C, Delfino RJ, Singh M. 2005. Environ Health Perspect 113:947–955) the need for and methods of UFP exposure assessment

Good practice in mental health care for socially marginalised groups in Europe: a qualitative study of expert views in 14 countries

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Pengaruh Pendapatan Asli Daerah, Dana Alokasi Umum, Dana Alokasi Khusus, Dana Bagi Hasil Dan Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Terhadap Pengalokasian Belanja Modal (Studi Empiris Pada Provinsi Jawa Tengah, tahun 2013-2015)

This research aimed to find out the effect of Local Revenue, General Allocation Funds,Special Allocation Funds and Profit Sharing Funds to capital expenditure distric on Province of Central Java from 2013 to 2015. The type of data in this research is secondary data which collected from the report document realization of Local Government Revenues and Expenditures (APBD) district or urban on Province of Central Java and variable of PDRB from Statistic Indonesia (BPS) of Central Java from 2013 to 2015. The population in this research is all the distric or urban on Province of Central Java and the research sample was determined by the method of purposive sampling. The result of this research shows that The Local Revenue, General Allocation Funds and Special Allocation Funds has influence to capital expenditure distric, but The Profit Sharing Funds and local economic growth has no influence to capital expenditure distric

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Abstract:&nbsp; The finding of melanoma metastasis in sentinel lymph node is an ominous prognostic sign and a strong predictor of overall survival. Current data have shown that patients with nevus cells in sentinel lymph nodes do not require additional therapy as their prognosis has been shown to be similar to that of patients with negative lymph nodes. Distinguishing between benign capsular nevi and metastatic melanoma is problematic from a diagnostic point of view. The use of an immunohistochemical panel for melanocytic lesions is usually of limited value in differentiating with metastatic melanoma and the diagnosis is usually based mainly on histomorphological findings. 53-year-old man, diagnosed with nodular variant of melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation in exon 15, located on the back and excised in November 2020; with surgical margin extension in February 2021 due to compromised surgical limit and with sentinel lymph node removal. Right and left axillary nodes were removed, the first measured 1.5 x 1 x 0.6 cm and the left ones were two: the largest measured 2 x 1.5 x 1 cm and the smallest 1 x 0.5 x 0.5 cm. Microscopy: reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and abundant black tattoo ink at sinus location were observed in the left nodes, while in the right one a proliferation of nevus-like cells arranged in nests was observed, at intracapsular location, and immunohistochemistry was Melan-A and HMB-45 positive, with a cell proliferation index (% Ki-67) of 1 - 5%. Consultation with local dermatopathologists was made and the diagnosis was intracapsular melanocytic nevus. The lack of standardized criteria to distinguish between nevus cells and melanoma poses a diagnostic problem. To avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary therapy, obtaining a second opinion from additional histopathologists would be beneficial. The use of tissue morphology in conjunction with immunohistochemical staining may be the best way to make the most accurate diagnosis. The use of molecular tests to determine characteristic somatic mutations of melanoma will probably help in the near future to facilitate the distinction between capsular nevi and metastatic melanoma.Resumen:&nbsp; El hallazgo de metástasis de melanoma en un ganglio linfático centinela es un signo de pronóstico ominoso y un fuerte predictor de supervivencia general.&nbsp;&nbsp;los datos actuales han demostrado que los pacientes con células névicas en&nbsp;ganglio&nbsp;centinela no requieren terapia adicional, ya que se ha demostrado que su pronóstico es similar al de los pacientes con ganglios linfáticos negativos. Distinguir entre nevos capsulares benignos y melanoma metastásico,&nbsp;resulta problemático desde el punto de vista diagnóstico. La utilización de un panel de inmunohistoquímica para lesiones melanocíticas suele ser de valor limitado en la diferenciación con melanoma metastásico y el diagnóstico suele basarse principalmente en los hallazgos histomorfológicos. &nbsp;Hombre de 53 años, con diagnóstico de melanoma variante nodular, BRAF mutado V600E en exón 15, localizado en espalda y extirpado en noviembre 2020; en febrero 2021 ampliación por límite quirúrgico comprometido y extirpación de ganglio centinela. Se realiza extirpación de ganglios axilares derecho e izquierdo, el primero de 1,5 x 1 x 0,6 cm y el izquierdo: 2 ganglios, el mayor de 2 x 1,5 x 1 cm y el menor de 1 x 0,5 x 0,5 cm. Microscopía: en ganglio izquierdo se observó hiperplasia linfoide reactiva y abundante tinta negra de tatuaje a nivel sinusal, mientras que en ganglio derecho se observó una proliferación de células de aspecto névico dispuestas en nidos, a nivel intracapsular, cuya inmunohistoquímica resultó Melan-A y HMB-4 positiva, con un índice de proliferación celular (%Ki-67)1- 5%. Se realizó interconsulta con dermatopatólogos locales y el&nbsp; diagnóstico fue de nevo melanocítico intracapsular. La falta de criterios estandarizados para distinguir entre células névicas y melanoma plantea un problema diagnóstico. Para evitar un diagnóstico erróneo y realizar una terapia innecesaria, sería beneficioso obtener una segunda opinión de histopatólogos adicionales. El uso de la morfología de los tejidos junto con la tinción inmunohistoquímica puede ser la mejor manera de hacer el diagnóstico más preciso. El empleo de test moleculares para determinación de mutaciones somáticas propias del melanoma, probablemente ayudarán en un futuro cercano a facilitar la distinción entre nevo capsular y melanoma metastásico.

Los desafíos en la continuidad de atención de personas viviendo con VIH en el Perú durante la pandemia de la COVID-19 [Challenges to the continuity of care of people living with HIV throughout the COVID-19 crisis in Peru]

The COVID-19 pandemic and societal response implemented may interact with the ongoing HIV epidemic in multiple ways. There are approximately 87000 people living with HIV (PLWH) who are at risk of developing COVID-19 in Peru and 67,000 of them are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and at risk of limitations in their access to ART, compromising their adherence and their health during the pandemic. Finally, the potential effect of the pandemic on the mental health of PLWH is not documented. This opinion aims to: describe the clinical implications of the HIV/SARS-CoV-2 coinfection; discuss the challenges to the continuity of care of PLWH in Peru during the COVID-19 crisis; and comment possible implications that the COVID-19 crisis may pose on the mental health of PLWH

Role of the employment status and education of mothers in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Mexican rural schoolchildren

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Background:&lt;/b&gt; Intestinal parasitic infections are a public health problem in developing countries such as Mexico. As a result, two governmental programmes have been implemented: a) "National Deworming Campaign" and b) "Opportunities" aimed at maternal care. However, both programmes are developed separately and their impact is still unknown. We independently investigated whether a variety of socio-economic factors, including maternal education and employment levels, were associated with intestinal parasite infection in rural school children.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Methods:&lt;/b&gt; This cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 rural communities in two Mexican states. The study sites and populations were selected on the basis of the following traits: a) presence of activities by the national administration of albendazole, b) high rates of intestinal parasitism, c) little access to medical examination, and d) a population having less than 2,500 inhabitants. A total of 507 schoolchildren (mean age 8.2 years) were recruited and 1,521 stool samples collected (3 per child). Socio-economic information was obtained by an oral questionnaire. Regression modelling was used to determine the association of socio-economic indicators and intestinal parasitism.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; More than half of the schoolchildren showed poliparasitism (52%) and protozoan infections (65%). The prevalence of helminth infections was higher in children from Oaxaca (53%) than in those from Sinaloa (33%) (p &#60; 0.0001). Giardia duodenalis and Hymenolepis nana showed a high prevalence in both states. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Entamoeba hystolitica/dispar showed low prevalence. Children from lower-income families and with unemployed and less educated mothers showed higher risk of intestinal parasitism (odds ratio (OR) 6.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–22.6; OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.5–8.2; OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.5–7.4 respectively). Defecation in open areas was also a high risk factor for infection (OR 2.4, 95% CI 2.0–3.0).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; Intestinal parasitism remains an important public health problem in Sinaloa (north-western Mexico) and Oaxaca (south-eastern Mexico). Lower income, defecation in open areas, employment status and a lower education level of mothers were the significant factors related to these infections. We conclude that mothers should be involved in health initiatives to control intestinal parasitism in Mexico.&lt;/p&gt

Bats Use Magnetite to Detect the Earth's Magnetic Field

While the role of magnetic cues for compass orientation has been confirmed in numerous animals, the mechanism of detection is still debated. Two hypotheses have been proposed, one based on a light dependent mechanism, apparently used by birds and another based on a “compass organelle” containing the iron oxide particles magnetite (Fe3O4). Bats have recently been shown to use magnetic cues for compass orientation but the method by which they detect the Earth's magnetic field remains unknown. Here we use the classic “Kalmijn-Blakemore” pulse re-magnetization experiment, whereby the polarity of cellular magnetite is reversed. The results demonstrate that the big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus uses single domain magnetite to detect the Earths magnetic field and the response indicates a polarity based receptor. Polarity detection is a prerequisite for the use of magnetite as a compass and suggests that big brown bats use magnetite to detect the magnetic field as a compass. Our results indicate the possibility that sensory cells in bats contain freely rotating magnetite particles, which appears not to be the case in birds. It is crucial that the ultrastructure of the magnetite containing magnetoreceptors is described for our understanding of magnetoreception in animals