Disparities in Metabolic Syndrome and Neurocognitive Function Among Older Hispanics/Latinos with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Neurocognitive impairment and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are prevalent in persons with HIV (PWH). We examined disparities in HIV-associated neurocognitive function between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White older PWH, and the role of MetS in explaining these disparities. Participants included 116 community-dwelling PWH aged 50-75 years enrolled in a cohort study in southern California [58 Hispanic (53% Spanish speaking) and 58 age-comparable non-Hispanic White; overall group: age: M = 57.9, standard deviation (SD) = 5.7; education (years): M = 13, SD = 3.4; 83% male, 58% AIDS, 94% on antiretroviral therapy]. Global neurocognition was derived from T-scores adjusted for demographics (age, education, sex, ethnicity, language) on a battery of 10 cognitive tests. MetS was ascertained via standard criteria that considered central obesity, and fasting elevated triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevated glucose, or medical treatment for these conditions. Covariates examined included sociodemographic, psychiatric, substance use and HIV disease characteristics. Compared with non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics showed worse global neurocognitive function (Cohen's d = 0.56, p < 0.05) and had higher rates of MetS (38% vs. 56%, p < 0.05). A stepwise regression model including ethnicity and significant covariates showed Hispanic ethnicity was the sole significant predictor of worse global neurocognition (B = -3.82, SE = 1.27, p < 0.01). A model also including MetS showed that both Hispanic ethnicity (B = -3.39, SE = 1.31, p = 0.01) and MetS (B = -2.73, SE = 1.31, p = 0.04) were independently associated with worse neurocognition. In conclusion, findings indicate that increased MetS is associated with worse neurocognitive function in both Hispanic and non-Hispanic White older PWH, but does not explain neurocognitive disparities. MetS remains an important target for intervention efforts to ameliorate neurocognitive dysfunction among diverse older PWH.

The Precision Toxicology Initiative

The goal of PrecisionTox is to overcome conceptual barriers to replacing traditional mammalian chemical safety testing by accelerating the discovery of evolutionarily conserved toxicity pathways that are shared by descent among humans and more distantly related animals. An international consortium is systematically testing the toxicological effects of a diverse set of chemicals on a suite of five model species comprising fruit flies, nematodes, water fleas, and embryos of clawed frogs and zebrafish along with human cell lines. Multiple forms of omics and comparative toxicology data are integrated to map the evolutionary origins of biomolecular interactions, which are predictive of adverse health effects, to major branches of the animal phylogeny. These conserved elements of adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) and their biomarkers are expect to provide mechanistic insight useful for regulating groups of chemicals based on their shared modes of action. PrecisionTox also aims to quantify risk variation within populations by recognizing susceptibility as a heritable trait that varies with genetic diversity. This initiative incorporates legal experts and collaborates with risk managers to address specific needs within European chemicals legislation, including the uptake of new approach methodologies (NAMs) for setting precise regulatory limits on toxic chemicals.

Comparative toxicological assessment of three soils polluted with different levels of hydrocarbons and heavy metals using in vitro and in vivo approaches

The biological effects induced by the pollutants present in soils, together with the chemical and physical characterizations, are good indicators to provide a general overview of their quality. However, the existence of studies where the toxicity associated to soils contaminated with mixtures of pollutants applying both in vitro and in vivo models are scarce. In this work, three soils (namely, Soil 001, Soil 002 and Soil 013) polluted with different concentrations of hydrocarbons and heavy metals were evaluated using different organisms representative of human (HepG2 human cell line) and environmental exposure (the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas putida and, for the in vivo evaluation, the annelid Enchytraeus crypticus). In vitro assays showed that the soluble fraction of the Soil 001, which presented the highest levels of heavy metals, represented a great impact in the viability of the HepG2 cells and S. cerevisiae, while organic extracts from Soils 002 and 013 caused a slight decrease in the viability of HepG2 cells. In addition, in vivo experiments showed that Soils 001 and 013 affected the survival and the reproduction of E. crypticus. Altogether, these results provide a general overview of the potential hazards associated to three specific contaminated sites in a variety of organisms, showing how different concentrations of similar pollutants affect them, and highlights the relevance of testing both organic and soluble extracts when in vitro safety assays of soils are performed.

Evidence of Partial Seniority Conservation in the πg_{9/2} Shell for the N=50 Isotones

The reduced transition probabilities for the 4_{1}^{+}→2_{1}^{+} and 2_{1}^{+}→0_{1}^{+} transitions in ^{92}Mo and ^{94}Ru and for the 4_{1}^{+}→2_{1}^{+} and 6_{1}^{+}→4_{1}^{+} transitions in ^{90}Zr have been determined in this experiment making use of a multinucleon transfer reaction. These results have been interpreted on the basis of realistic shell-model calculations in the f_{5/2}, p_{3/2}, p_{1/2}, and g_{9/2} proton valence space. Only the combination of extensive lifetime information and large scale shell-model calculations allowed the extent of the seniority conservation in the N=50 g_{9/2} orbital to be understood. The conclusion is that seniority is largely conserved in the first πg_{9/2} orbital.

Development of low-cost cage-like particles to formulate veterinary vaccines

Low-cost adjuvants are urgently needed for the development of veterinary vaccines able to trigger strong immune responses. In this work, we describe a method to obtain a low-cost cage-like particles (ISCOMATRIX-like) adjuvant useful to formulate veterinary vaccines candidates. The main components to form the particles are lipids and saponins, which were obtained from egg yolk by ethanolic extraction and by dialyzing a non-refined saponins extract, respectively. Lipids were fully characterized by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas-chromatography (GC) and enzymatic methods, and saponins were characterized by TLC, HPLC and MALDI-TOF. Cage-like particles were prepared with these components or with commercial inputs. Both particles and the traditional Alum used in veterinary vaccines were compared by immunizing mice with Ovalbumin (OVA) formulated with these adjuvants and assessing IgG1, IgG2a anti OVA antibodies and specific Delayed-type Hypersensitivity (DTH). In the yolk extract, a mixture of phospholipids, cholesterol and minor components of the extract (e.g. lyso-phospholipids) with suitable proportions to generate cage-like particles was obtained. Also, semi-purified saponins with similar features to those of the QuilA® were obtained. Cage-like particles prepared with these components have 40-50 nm and triggers similar levels of Anti-OVA IgG1 and DTH than with commercial inputs but higher specific-IgG2a. Both adjuvants largely increased the levels of IgG1, IgG2a and DTH in relation to the formulation with Alum. The methods described to extract lipids from egg yolk and saponins from non-refined extract allowed us to obtain an inexpensive and highly effective adjuvant.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of lanthanides for Vicia faba L. are mediated by their chemical speciation in different exposure media

A comprehensive study of the toxicity of lanthanides (LN) in relation to the media composition will enhance the prediction of their potential adverse effects for living organisms. Here we examined the effect of different media on the V. faba root elongation and on the cytotoxic (mitotic index) and the genotoxic (micronucleated cell number) effects from toxicity tests with Ce, Gd and Lu (100, 800 and 6400 μg L^-1). Three different exposure media were selected: the standard Hoagland media (SH); an alternative SH, without phosphates (SH-P); and distilled water (DW). In the SH no cyto-genotoxic effects were observed and even, for low LN content, potential root elongation stimulation was reported. The absence of toxic effects was explained by a drastic decrease of the total dissolved LN concentration due to the presence of phosphates causing LN precipitation. In SH-P, LN remained largely soluble and inhibition of root elongation was observed mainly for the highest treatments. While in the tests done in DW, toxic effects were obtained for all treatments. Our results showed that in absence of phosphorous, LN appear mainly as free form and complexed in carbonates and sulphates, and can cause toxic effects, whereas toxicity is not expected when phosphorous is available in aquatic media. The highest LN root contents were observed for the tests using distilled water, possibly due to the absence of competition by Ca²⁺ for uptake. The present work demonstrated that media composition has a great impact in assessing the ecotoxicology of lanthanides.

Evaluation of paternal lymphocyte immunotherapy and potential biomarker mixed lymphocyte reaction-blocking factor in an Argentinian cohort of women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion and unexplained infertility

PROBLEM

Analyze the effect of paternal immunotherapy treatment (PIT) in primary and secondary unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) and unexplained infertility (UI).

METHODS OF STUDY

A retrospective study analyzed a two-year follow-up between the generation of MLR-Bfs after PIT treatment (or controls first consultation) and a live birth. Recruited patients included primary URSA with two or more miscarriages at <12 weeks gestation, secondary URSA with previous live birth before two or more miscarriages, and UI with inability to conceive after 2 years of regular unprotected intercourse or in vitro fertilizations (IVF). PIT treated were compared with untreated controls.

RESULTS

Primary URSA: live birth was 241/416 (58%) versus 64/282 (23%) controls (p < .0001). Up to age 35, success was 158/217 (73%) and 37/144 (26%) controls (p < .0001). With 3 or more previous URSA, success was 90/135 (67%) versus 17/79 (22%) controls (p < .0001). Between ages 36 and 40, success was 69/147(47%) versus 22/98 (22%) controls (p < .0003), with 3 or more previous URSA live birth was 45/95 (47%) versus 6/46 (13%) controls (p < .0001). In UI, live birth was 99/298 (33%) versus 54/263 (21%) in controls (p < .0009) that increased under age 35 to 53/116 (46%) in treated versus 26/101 (26%) controls (p < .0056). In PIT treated, IVF success required a median of 1 (1.37 ± 0.67) versus a median of 3 IVF procedures (2.75 ± 0.84) in controls.

CONCLUSION

PIT is a successful treatment for primary and secondary URSA, and UI. PIT reduced the number of IVF required for achieving pregnancy.

High incidence of MDR and XDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates obtained from patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia in Greece, Italy and Spain as part of the MagicBullet clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the antimicrobial susceptibility, molecular epidemiology and carbapenem resistance mechanisms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates recovered from respiratory tract samples from patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia enrolled in the MagicBullet clinical trial.

METHODS

Isolates were collected from 53 patients from 12 hospitals in Spain, Italy and Greece. Susceptibility was determined using broth microdilution and Etest. MALDI-TOF MS was used to detect carbapenemase activity and carbapenemases were identified by PCR and sequencing. Molecular epidemiology was investigated using PFGE and MLST.

RESULTS

Of the 53 isolates, 2 (3.8%) were considered pandrug resistant (PDR), 19 (35.8%) were XDR and 16 (30.2%) were MDR. Most (88.9%) of the isolates from Greece were MDR, XDR or PDR, whereas fewer of the isolates from Spain (33.3%) and Italy (43.5%) showed antibiotic resistance. Three Greek isolates were resistant to colistin. Overall, the rates of resistance of P. aeruginosa isolates to imipenem, ciprofloxacin, ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam were 64.1%, 54.7%, 22.6% and 24.5%, respectively. All isolates resistant to ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam (Greece, n = 10; and Italy, n = 2) carried blaVIM-2. Spanish isolates were susceptible to the new drug combinations. Forty-eight restriction patterns and 27 STs were documented. Sixty percent of isolates belonged to six STs, including the high-risk clones ST-111, ST-175 and ST-235.

CONCLUSIONS

MDR/XDR isolates were highly prevalent, particularly in Greece. The most effective antibiotic against P. aeruginosa was colistin, followed by ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam. blaVIM-2 is associated with resistance to ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam, and related to highly resistant phenotypes. ST-111 was the most frequent and disseminated clone and the clonal diversity was lower in XDR and PDR strains.

Ways to perform an endoscopic tattoo. Prospective and randomized study in patients with colorectal neoplasm

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

intraoperative identification of colonic lesions previously detected via colonoscopy may be difficult. Endoscopic tattooing facilitates identification, but there is no evidence regarding which is the best tattoo technique. The goal of the study was to describe the efficacy and safety of endoscopic tattooing and to detect technical and clinical factors associated with its efficacy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

a prospective and randomized study was performed. All tattoo candidate patients were included prior to surgery and randomized into four groups; tattoo at two or three injection points and with a volume of 1 or 1.5 ml of labeling. Multiple variables were registered.

RESULTS

one hundred and ninety-five patients were included with an endoscopic tattoo and who subsequently underwent a surgical intervention, the mean age was 70.1 years and 67.2 % were male. The laparoscopic approach was applied in 57.9 % of cases. The intraoperative visibility of the endoscopic tattoo was 89.7 % and 30 % of rectal lesions were not visible. Excluding the rectum, the marking was visible intraoperatively in 92 % of patients, without significant differences according to the surgical approach, the type of marking or any of the variables collected. The tattoo was safe in 92.3 % of the cases. The adverse effect rate was 7.7 % and none of the complications were clinically significant. There were no significant differences between any variables collected in relation to adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

endoscopic colon tattoo is safe and effective regardless of the technique used. We recommend the technique of two injection points and 1 ml of marking volume for its simplicity, efficiency and safety.

Recent trends in sexually transmitted infections among adolescents, Catalonia, Spain, 2012-2017

Monitoring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adolescents is essential to inform STI prevention strategies at primary and secondary levels in this key population. We aim to describe recent trends in STIs among adolescents and to analyse their socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics in Catalonia, Spain between 2012 and 2017. Data on Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection, gonorrhoea and syphilis cases aged from 13 to 19 years reported to the Catalan Mandatory Notifiable System from 2012 to 2017 were analysed. Diagnosis rates were calculated and a descriptive analysis was performed. Between 2012 and 2017, CT infection, gonorrhoea and syphilis cases reported among adolescents aged 13-19 years accounted for more than one-eleventh of all reported cases in Catalonia. The rate of the three nationally-notifiable STIs increased dramatically among adolescents. CT infection rates rose from 13 to 144.1 per 100,000 adolescents between 2012 and 2017, an increase of 1007%; gonorrhoea cases increased by 246% (from 13.4 to 45.4/100,000) and syphilis cases increased by 247% (from 1.7 to 5.9/100,000). Gonorrhoea and syphilis cases affected mainly males while CT infection cases were mostly in females (84%). Adolescents are being increasingly affected by CT infection, gonorrhoea and syphilis. A broader array of intervention strategies aimed at adolescents should be reinforced through strong prevention campaigns, improved sexual health information, as well as encouragement of regular offers of STI screening by healthcare providers.

COVID-19: hypofractionation in the Radiation Oncology Department during the 'state of alarm': first 100 patients in a private hospital in Spain

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Spain declared a ‘state of alarm’ on 14 March 2020. In our Radiation Oncology Department, experienced in administering hypofractionated treatments (partial irradiation in breast cancer, moderate hypofractionation in localized prostate cancer, etc), we have increased the hypofractionated treatment indications. We are only deferring the start of non-urgent treatments such as prostate tumours under androgen deprivation or benign brain tumours which are candidates for radiosurgery such as meningiomas or acoustic neuroma.

In this hypofractionation era we find that we have decreased the number of sessions per patient and that we can evaluate the last years with the fractionation index (FI) (calculated by dividing the total number of fractions administered in the department by the total number of patients treated). We have gone from 14.4 in 2018 to 13.78 in 2019, excluding brachytherapy.

We report the results of the first 100 patients who have experienced radiotherapy treatment since the state of alarm (66 women and 34 men). In these patients, the FI is 12.12—lower than previous years.

Isospin Properties of Nuclear Pair Correlations from the Level Structure of the Self-Conjugate Nucleus ^{88}Ru

The low-lying energy spectrum of the extremely neutron-deficient self-conjugate (N=Z) nuclide _{44}^{88}Ru_{44} has been measured using the combination of the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array (AGATA) spectrometer, the NEDA and Neutron Wall neutron detector arrays, and the DIAMANT charged particle detector array. Excited states in ^{88}Ru were populated via the ^{54}Fe(^{36}Ar,2nγ)^{88}Ru^{*} fusion-evaporation reaction at the Grand Accélérateur National d'Ions Lourds (GANIL) accelerator complex. The observed γ-ray cascade is assigned to ^{88}Ru using clean prompt γ-γ-2-neutron coincidences in anticoincidence with the detection of charged particles, confirming and extending the previously assigned sequence of low-lying excited states. It is consistent with a moderately deformed rotating system exhibiting a band crossing at a rotational frequency that is significantly higher than standard theoretical predictions with isovector pairing, as well as observations in neighboring N>Z nuclides. The direct observation of such a "delayed" rotational alignment in a deformed N=Z nucleus is in agreement with theoretical predictions related to the presence of strong isoscalar neutron-proton pair correlations.

P03.10 Analyzing the role of reoperation in high grade gliomas: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Primary treatment of high grade glioma consists in a standard therapeutic regimen that involves maximal surgical safe resection followed by chemoradiotherapy. Unfortunately, due to its aggressive behavior, relapse is the rule in all patients. When this situation arises, treatment strategy is less clear and reintervention in selected cases is controversial and still a reason for debate.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed (n=393) patients affected with high grade glioma in our institution during a period of 14 years (from January 2005 to March 2019). Treatment modality at diagnosis and recurrence, overall and progression-free survival were reviewed.

RESULTS

There were 320 grade IV and 73 grade III gliomas. Regarding to the modality of treatment, more procedures with radical intention (n=227) than biopsies (n=166) were performed. At progression, glioblastoma patients were treated in (n=118) cases. We decided to reoperate (n=30) cases who also received second-line chemotherapies.The other group (n=88) received only systemic treatment. Median overall survival assessed from initial diagnosis was 23 months(95% CI 17–28.9) versus 17 months (95% CI 15.7–18.2) in patients with surgery at recurrence comparing to those who did not undergo second surgery, (p< 0.05). In addition, clinical condition of most patients did not worsen after the second surgery.

CONCLUSION

Second surgery for recurrent glioblastoma was associated with a survival advantage. Reoperation should be considered in patients with tumours located in low eloquence areas and good clinical condition.

Non-nutritive sweeteners: children and adolescent consumption and food sources

The availability of food and beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) has increased in recent years.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate NNSs consumption among children and adolescents in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, the prevalence of a daily intake higher than acceptable, and the main food and beverages contributing to it.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Descriptive study about the information collected in the First Food and Nutritional/Nutrition Survey of Buenos Aires City, which was conducted in 2011 and included 2664 children and adolescents aged 2-18 years. Consumption was assessed by means of a 24- hour recall. NNSs content in food and beverages was obtained from nutrition facts labels. The total dietary intake for each NNSs and the adequacy to the acceptable daily intake (ADI) established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO).

RESULTS

Forty four percent of preschoolers, 53% of school children, and 51% of adolescents have had food with NNSs. No child was exposed to a consumption of aspartame, acesulfameK, and sucralose higher than the ADI. Saccharin consumption was higher than the ADI in 0.3% of preschoolers while cyclamate consumption was higher than the ADI in 0.9% of school children and 0.1% of adolescents, due to the consumption of concentrated juice, to be diluted with water. Beverages provided 67% of cyclamate, 91% of acesulfameK, and 96% of aspartame. Table-top sweeteners provided 30% of cyclamate and 32% of saccharin.

CONCLUSION

Consumption of food and beverages with NNSs is usual among children and adolescents, mainly from beverages. Less than 1% of children are exposed to a consumption of cyclamate and saccharin higher than the ADI.

Single-stage approach for the management of choledocolithiasis with concomitant cholelithiasis. Implementation of a protocol in a secondary hospital

BACKGROUND

Current evidence shows that single-stage treatment of concomitant choledocholithiasis and cholelithiasis is as effective and safe as two-stage treatment. However, several studies suggest that single-stage approach requires shorter hospitalization time and is more cost-effective than the two-stage approach, even though it requires considerable training. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a protocol for managing concomitant choledocholithiasis and cholelithiasis using single-stage treatment.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis who were treated with the single-stage treatment - transcystic instrumentation, choledocotomy or intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - between September 2010 and June 2017 was assessed. The primary outcomes were complications, hospital stay, operative time and recurrence rate.

RESULTS

164 patients were enrolled. 141 (86%) were operated laparoscopically. Preoperatively diagnosed stones were not found by intraoperative imaging or disappeared after "flushing" in 38 patients (23.2%). Surgical approach was transcystic in 45 patients (27.41%), choledochotomy in 74 (45.1%), intraoperative ERCP in 4 (2.4%), and bilioenteric derivation in 3 (1.8%). Mean hospitalization stay was 4.4 days. Mean operative time was 166 min 27 patients (16.5%) had complications and 1 patient was exitus (0.6%). Recurrence rate was 1.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

Single-stage approach is a safe and effective management option for concomitant cholelithiasis and choledocolithiasis. Furthermore, a significant number of common bile duct stones pass spontaneously to duodenum or can benefit from a transcystic approach, with presumable low morbidity and cost-efficiency.

Advances in the knowledge of the Inocybe mixtilis group (Inocybaceae, Agaricomycetes), through molecular and morphological studies

Inocybe mixtilis constitutes a complex of species characterized by nodulose-angulose spores, absence of cortina and a more or less bulbous marginate stipe that is not darkening when desiccated. In order to elucidate species limits within the I. mixtilis complex, an ITS-RPB2 phylogeny was performed and interpreted using morphological and ecological characters. Six supported clades were obtained in our analyses that correspond to I. mixtilis, I. subtrivialis, and four new species to science: I. ceskae, I. johannis-stanglii, I. nothomixtilis and I. occulta. Species within this complex can be morphologically recognized through a unique combination of morphological characters, such as the spore shape, cystidial length and shape, presence and development of the velipellis and pileus colour and viscidity. Nevertheless, those characters overlap, especially among I. mixtilis, I. ceskae and I. occulta, and intermediate collections are therefore more reliably identified through ITS-sequencing. Two species, I. ceskae and I. occulta are present in both North America and Europe, while the rest are so far only known in Europe, or Europe and Asia (I. mixtilis). All species, except I. johannis-stanglii, seem to be able to establish ectomycorrhizal association both with conifers and angiosperms. Descriptions, colour illustrations and a key to all known species in the I. mixtilis group are provided.

Pseudospin Symmetry and Microscopic Origin of Shape Coexistence in the ^{78}Ni Region: A Hint from Lifetime Measurements

Lifetime measurements of excited states of the light N=52 isotones ^{88}Kr, ^{86}Se, and ^{84}Ge have been performed, using the recoil distance Doppler shift method and VAMOS and AGATA spectrometers for particle identification and gamma spectroscopy, respectively. The reduced electric quadrupole transition probabilities B(E2;2^{+}→0^{+}) and B(E2;4^{+}→2^{+}) were obtained for the first time for the hard-to-reach ^{84}Ge. While the B(E2;2^{+}→0^{+}) values of ^{88}Kr, ^{86}Se saturate the maximum quadrupole collectivity offered by the natural valence (3s, 2d, 1g_{7/2}, 1h_{11/2}) space of an inert ^{78}Ni core, the value obtained for ^{84}Ge largely exceeds it, suggesting that shape coexistence phenomena, previously reported at N≲49, extend beyond N=50. The onset of collectivity at Z=32 is understood as due to a pseudo-SU(3) organization of the proton single-particle sequence reflecting a clear manifestation of pseudospin symmetry. It is realized that the latter provides actually reliable guidance for understanding the observed proton and neutron single particle structure in the whole medium-mass region, from Ni to Sn, pointing towards the important role of the isovector-vector ρ field in shell-structure evolution.

Abstract P3-17-01: Geographic variation in adverse event reporting patterns in breast cancer clinical trials

Introduction: Adverse event (AE) reporting in clinical trials (CT) informs the safety of investigational products. Once approved, safety information in the monograph and prescribing information mainly derive from CT data. Some studies have shown geographic variations in the AE reporting patterns in multinational CT; none of them assessed this variation in cancer CT. We conducted a study to analyze the geographic AE reporting patterns in two breast cancer (BC) CT conducted by Translational Research in Oncology (TRIO).

Objective: To perform a quantitative and qualitative comparison of non-serious AE (NSAE) and serious AE (SAE) reporting patterns between several geographic regions, in breast cancer CT conducted by TRIO.

Methodology: We retrospectively analyzed aggregated NSAE/SAE data (as reported by investigators) from all patients randomized in two completed phase 3, multinational CT of anticancer therapies in advanced BC. Participating countries were grouped in 7 regions according to their geographic location (East Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, Middle East and Africa, Non-Eastern Europe, North America, Oceania). Regions were kept masked and numbered from 1 thru 7. AE data were extracted from the clinical data bases. For each region we calculated the mean number of NSAE and SAE per patient (pt), the mean number of NSAE and SAE per cycle/per pt, and the percentage (%) of pt experiencing selected AE (fatigue, febrile neutropenia and emesis). Comparisons between regions were done using unequal variance t-test and Fisher´s exact test.

Results: 1,863 patients from 35 countries and 310 sites were included. Mean number of pt per region was 331. We found significant variation in the number of NSAE/SAE reported across several regions. Two regions (1 and 6) reported the highest mean number of AE while region 4 the lowest rates. The mean number of NSAE reported in region 4 is approximately 3-fold lower than regions 1 and 6 (mean NSAE 22.8 [region 1] vs. 7.9 [region 4]; p &lt;.0001; mean NSAE cycle/pt 9.7 [region 1] vs. 3.2 [region 4]; p &lt;.0001). Region 4 reported 8-fold lower rates of SAE than region 1 (mean number SAE 0.1 vs. 0.8, p&lt;.0001) (Table 1). % of pt experiencing AE fatigue, febrile neutropenia and nausea/vomiting also varied significantly across regions, especially between regions 1 and 4 (Table 2).

NSAE and SAE reporting in selected regions (regions 1 and 4) Region 1 (mean)Region 4 (mean)p-valueNSAE per pt22.87.9&lt;.0001SAE per pt0.80.1&lt;.0001NSAE per cycle/per pt9.73.2&lt;.0001SAE per cycle/per pt0.10.03&lt;.0001

_{36}^{96}Kr_{60}-Low-Z Boundary of the Island of Deformation at N=60

Prompt γ-ray spectroscopy of the neutron-rich ^{96}Kr, produced in transfer- and fusion-induced fission reactions, has been performed using the combination of the Advanced Gamma Tracking Array and the VAMOS++ spectrometer. A second excited state, assigned to J^{π}=4^{+}, is observed for the first time, and a previously reported level energy of the first 2^{+} excited state is confirmed. The measured energy ratio R_{4/2}=E(4^{+})/E(2^{+})=2.12(1) indicates that this nucleus does not show a well-developed collectivity contrary to that seen in heavier N=60 isotones. This new measurement highlights an abrupt transition of the degree of collectivity as a function of the proton number at Z=36, of similar amplitude to that observed at N=60 at higher Z values. A possible reason for this abrupt transition could be related to the insufficient proton excitations in the g_{9/2}, d_{5/2}, and s_{1/2} orbitals to generate strong quadrupole correlations or to the coexistence of competing different shapes. An unexpected continuous decrease of R_{4/2} as a function of the neutron number up to N=60 is also evidenced. This measurement establishes the Kr isotopic chain as the low-Z boundary of the island of deformation for N=60 isotones. A comparison with available theoretical predictions using different beyond mean-field approaches shows that these models fail to reproduce the abrupt transitions at N=60 and Z=36.

Improved detection of mixed P. falciparum-P. vivax infection at a rural health centre in Ethiopia using PCR

This study aims to this study is to compare the co-infection Plasmodium falciparum + Plasmodium vivax and compare the detection of cases of mixed-species malaria using light microscopy versus semi-nested multiplex PCR (sPCR). Investigators collected 3060 samples at a rural health centre in Ethiopia from December 2010 to October 2011. Two capillary blood specimens were taken from each patient, one for diagnosis of Plasmodium infection by light microscopy and the other for sPCR-based diagnosis. LM detected 627 positive cases; these samples, together with 582 negatives by LM, were also subjected to sPCR testing. Of the 627 positive samples by LM, 68.4% were positive for P. vivax, 30.5% for P. falciparum, and 1.1% for P. falciparum + P. vivax co-infection. Using the sPCR technique, we identified 788 samples positive for Plasmodium: 33.0% for P. vivax, 26.5% for P. falciparum, 3.7% for P. falciparum + P. vivax co-infection, 2.0% for P. ovale and 0.8% for P. vivax + P. ovale co-infection. In the case of P. falciparum + P. vivax co-infection, light microscopy diagnosis showed a sensitivity of 11.1%, a specificity of 99.8%, a positive predictive value of 71.4% and a negative predictive value of 96.6%. The concordance rate for identifying P. falciparum + P. vivax co-infection (kappa statistic) with microscopy and sPCR was 0.184. The LM approach has low sensitivity for the detection of mixed-species infections, while sPCR is more useful.

Pharmacological Potential of Phylogenetically Diverse Actinobacteria Isolated from Deep-Sea Coral Ecosystems of the Submarine Avilés Canyon in the Cantabrian Sea

Marine Actinobacteria are emerging as an unexplored source for natural product discovery. Eighty-seven deep-sea coral reef invertebrates were collected during an oceanographic expedition at the submarine Avilés Canyon (Asturias, Spain) in a range of 1500 to 4700 m depth. From these, 18 cultivable bioactive Actinobacteria were isolated, mainly from corals, phylum Cnidaria, and some specimens of phyla Echinodermata, Porifera, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca and Sipuncula. As determined by 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, all isolates belong to the phylum Actinobacteria, mainly to the Streptomyces genus and also to Micromonospora, Pseudonocardia and Myceligenerans. Production of bioactive compounds of pharmacological interest was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques and subsequent database comparison. Results reveal that deep-sea isolated Actinobacteria display a wide repertoire of secondary metabolite production with a high chemical diversity. Most identified products (both diffusible and volatiles) are known by their contrasted antibiotic or antitumor activities. Bioassays with ethyl acetate extracts from isolates displayed strong antibiotic activities against a panel of important resistant clinical pathogens, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi, all of them isolated at two main hospitals (HUCA and Cabueñes) from the same geographical region. The identity of the active extracts components of these producing Actinobacteria is currently being investigated, given its potential for the discovery of pharmaceuticals and other products of biotechnological interest.

Role of the Δ Resonance in the Population of a Four-Nucleon State in the ^{56}Fe→^{54}Fe Reaction at Relativistic Energies

The ^{54}Fe nucleus was populated from a ^{56}Fe beam impinging on a Be target with an energy of E/A=500  MeV. The internal decay via γ-ray emission of the 10^{+} metastable state was observed. As the structure of this isomeric state has to involve at least four unpaired nucleons, it cannot be populated in a simple two-neutron removal reaction from the ^{56}Fe ground state. The isomeric state was produced in the low-momentum (-energy) tail of the parallel momentum (energy) distribution of ^{54}Fe, suggesting that it was populated via the decay of the Δ^{0} resonance into a proton. This process allows the population of four-nucleon states, such as the observed isomer. Therefore, it is concluded that the observation of this 10^{+} metastable state in ^{54}Fe is a consequence of the quark structure of the nucleons.

Mechanism of Germacradien-4-ol Synthase-Controlled Water Capture

The sesquiterpene synthase germacradiene-4-ol synthase (GdolS) from Streptomyces citricolor is one of only a few known high-fidelity terpene synthases that convert farnesyl diphosphate (FDP) into a single hydroxylated product. Crystals of unliganded GdolS-E248A diffracted to 1.50 Å and revealed a typical class 1 sesquiterpene synthase fold with the active site in an open conformation. The metal binding motifs were identified as D(80)DQFD and N(218)DVRSFAQE. Some bound water molecules were evident in the X-ray crystal structure, but none were obviously positioned to quench a putative final carbocation intermediate. Incubations in H2(18)O generated labeled product, confirming that the alcohol functionality arises from nucleophilic capture of the final carbocation by water originating from solution. Site-directed mutagenesis of amino acid residues from both within the metal binding motifs and without identified by sequence alignment with aristolochene synthase from Aspergillus terreus generated mostly functional germacradien-4-ol synthases. Only GdolS-N218Q generated radically different products (∼50% germacrene A), but no direct evidence of the mechanism of incorporation of water into the active site was obtained. Fluorinated FDP analogues 2F-FDP and 15,15,15-F3-FDP were potent noncompetitive inhibitors of GdolS. 12,13-DiF-FDP generated 12,13-(E)-β-farnesene upon being incubated with GdolS, suggesting stepwise formation of the germacryl cation during the catalytic cycle. Incubation of GdolS with [1-(2)H2]FDP and (R)-[1-(2)H]FDP demonstrated that following germacryl cation formation a [1,3]-hydride shift generates the final carbocation prior to nucleophilic capture. The stereochemistry of this shift is not defined, and the deuteron in the final product was scrambled. Because no clear candidate residue for binding of a nucleophilic water molecule in the active site and no significant perturbation of product distribution from the replacement of active site residues were observed, the final carbocation may be captured by a water molecule from bulk solvent.

The amino-terminal segment in the β-domain of δ-cadinene synthase is essential for catalysis

The β-domain of δ-cadinene synthase (DCS) directs desolvation of the active site.

Insulin/NFκB protects against ischemia-induced necrotic cardiomyocyte death

In the heart, insulin controls key functions such as metabolism, muscle contraction and cell death. However, all studies have been focused on insulin action during reperfusion. Here we explore the cardioprotective action of this hormone during ischemia. Rat hearts were perfused ex vivo with an ischemia/reperfusion Langendorff model in absence or presence of insulin. Additionally, cultured rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to simulated ischemia in the absence or presence of insulin. Cytoprotective effects were measured by myocardial infarct size, trypan blue exclusion, released LDH and DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry. We found that insulin protected against cardiac ischemia ex vivo and in vitro. Moreover, insulin protected cardiomyocytes from simulated ischemia by reducing necrotic cell death. Protective effects of insulin were dependent of Akt and NFκB. These novel results show that insulin reduces ischemia-induced cardiomyocyte necrosis through an Akt/NF-κB dependent mechanism. These novel findings clarify the role of insulin during ischemia and further support its use in early GIK perfusion to treat myocardial infarction.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of toxocariasis in preschool children in Aragua state, Venezuela

BACKGROUND

Toxocariasis is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by the nematode Toxocara canis. In Venezuela, the magnitude of the disease is unknown and seroepidemiological studies have not been previously carried out in Aragua state.

METHODS

A cross-sectional field study was conducted in eight preschools in three municipalities from Aragua state in Venezuela. A total of 224 children aged between 1 and 6 years were studied (43.8% [98/224] male and 56.2% [126/224] female). Blood samples were obtained for detection of IgG antibodies against Toxocara spp. using ELISA. Participating families were given a questionnaire and children included in the study were clinically evaluated by paediatricians, and signs and symptoms observed were included in the questionnaires.

RESULTS

Anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies were detected in 29.0% (65/224) of children. The seroprevalence in the different preschools studied ranged between 4.2% and 60.6%. Leucocytosis and eosinophilia were also detected. Analysis of questionnaires indicated that boys were more at risk than girls. Younger children were also more at risk. Other significant risk factors were socio-economic strata (IV and V), inadequate improvised housing, earthen flooring indoors and outdoors and the presence of dogs in preschools.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from this work show the presence of infection and a high prevalence of antibodies against Toxocara spp. in the studied municipalities and indicate that toxocariasis poses a serious health problem to preschool children in Aragua state.

Effect of grain size and heavy metals on As immobilization by marble particles

The effect of grain size and the interaction of heavy metals on As sorption by marble waste with different particle sizes was investigated. Acidic solutions containing only arsenic and a mixture of arsenic, lead, zinc, and cadmium were put in contact with the marble waste. The amount of metal(loid)s that were immobilized was calculated using the difference between the concentration in the acidic solution and in the liquid phase of the suspensions. Approximately 420 μg As m(-2) was sorbed onto the marble grains, both nonspecifically and specifically, where ≥ 80 % of the total arsenic in the acidic solution remained soluble, which suggests that this amendment is not effective to immobilize arsenic. However, in mixed contamination, relatively stable Pb-Ca arsenates were formed on the surface of the marble particles, and the soluble arsenic was reduced by 95 %, which indicates that marble particles can effectively immobilize arsenic and lead when both appear together.

Two Streptomyces species producing antibiotic, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory compounds are widespread among intertidal macroalgae and deep-sea coral reef invertebrates from the central Cantabrian Sea

Streptomycetes are widely distributed in the marine environment, although only a few studies on their associations to algae and coral ecosystems have been reported. Using a culture-dependent approach, we have isolated antibiotic-active Streptomyces species associated to diverse intertidal marine macroalgae (Phyllum Heterokontophyta, Rhodophyta, and Chlorophyta), from the central Cantabrian Sea. Two strains, with diverse antibiotic and cytotoxic activities, were found to inhabit these coastal environments, being widespread and persistent over a 3-year observation time frame. Based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the strains were identified as Streptomyces cyaneofuscatus M-27 and Streptomyces carnosus M-40. Similar isolates to these two strains were also associated to corals and other invertebrates from deep-sea coral reef ecosystem (Phyllum Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Arthropoda, Sipuncula, and Anelida) living up to 4.700-m depth in the submarine Avilés Canyon, thus revealing their barotolerant feature. These two strains were also found to colonize terrestrial lichens and have been repeatedly isolated from precipitations from tropospheric clouds. Compounds with antibiotic and cytotoxic activities produced by these strains were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and database comparison. Antitumor compounds with antibacterial activities and members of the anthracycline family (daunomycin, cosmomycin B, galtamycin B), antifungals (maltophilins), anti-inflamatory molecules also with antituberculosis properties (lobophorins) were identified in this work. Many other compounds produced by the studied strains still remain unidentified, suggesting that Streptomyces associated to algae and coral ecosystems might represent an underexplored promising source for pharmaceutical drug discovery.

Lanthanide ecotoxicity: first attempt to measure environmental risk for aquatic organisms

The geochemical cycles of lanthanides are being disrupted by increasing global production and human use, but their ecotoxicity is not fully characterized. In this study, the sensitivity of Aliivibrio fischeri and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata to lanthanides increased with atomic number, while Daphnia magna, Heterocypris incongruens, Brachionus calyciflorus and Hydra attenuata were equally sensitive to the tested elements. In some cases, a marked decrease in exposure concentrations was observed over test duration and duly considered in calculating effect concentrations and predicted no effect concentrations (PNEC) for hazard and risk assessment. Comparison of PNEC with measured environmental concentrations indicate that, for the present, environmental risks deriving from lanthanides should be limited to some hotspots (e.g., downstream of wastewater treatment plants). However, considering the increasing environmental concentrations of lanthanides, the associated risks could become higher in the future. Ecotoxicological and risk assessment studies, along with monitoring, are required for properly managing these emerging contaminants.

Myceligenerans cantabricum sp. nov., a barotolerant actinobacterium isolated from a deep cold-water coral

An actinobacterium strain (M-201(T)) was isolated from a deep-sea scleractinian coral (Fam. Caryophillidae) collected at 1500 m depth in the Avilés Canyon in the Cantabrian Sea, Asturias, Spain. Strain M-201(T) grew at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0), between 4 and 37 °C (optimum 28 °C) and at salinities of 0.5-10.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0.5-3.0%). The peptidoglycan contained the amino acids Lys, Ala, Thr, Glu and one unknown amino acid component, and belonged to type A4α, and the cell-wall sugars are glucose, mannose and galactose. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unknown phosphoglycolipid and seven unknown glycolipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6). Major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0). The genomic DNA G+C content was 72.4 mol%. The chemotaxonomic properties supported the affiliation of strain M-201(T) to the genus Myceligenerans . Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the organism was most closely related to Myceligenerans crystallogenes CD12E2-27(T) (98.2% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). However, it had a relatively low DNA-DNA relatedness value with the above strain (48%). The isolate showed antibiotic activity against Escherichia coli , Micrococcus luteus ATCC 14452 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. carlsbergensis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of antibiotic production in the genus Myceligenerans . The differences in phenotypic, metabolic, ecological and phylogenetic characteristics justify the proposal of a novel species of the genus Myceligenerans , Myceligenerans cantabricum sp. nov., with M-201(T) ( = CECT 8512(T) = DSM 28392(T)) as the type strain.

A Study of the Sugarcane Yellow Leaf Disease in Argentina

Yellow leaf disease, caused by Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV), is widespread around the world but very little information is available on this viral disease in Argentina. Therefore, the aims of the study were to assess the presence of SCYLV, analyze its distribution in the main sugarcane production areas of Argentina, characterize the virus, and determine histological alterations caused by its presence. For this purpose, 148 sugarcane samples with and without symptoms were collected in 2011 and 2012 from the province of Tucumán. One additional sample was collected in Salta, a different geographical, agroecological, and producing region. Results showed that SCYLV is widely distributed in commercial varieties of sugarcane throughout Tucumán in both symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves. A low but statistically significant positive correlation with virus detection and disease symptoms was found. BRA-PER was the only genotype detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of the SCYLV capsid protein gene. SCYLV-positive samples showed high starch levels in bundle sheath cells, whereas the asymptomatic ones, probably in an early stage of infection, were found to contain more chloroplasts. Symptomatic noninfected samples presented crystal formation probably associated with phytoplasma infection.