Effects of coffee processing residues on anaerobic microorganisms and corresponding digestion performance.

The objective of this study was to delineate the effects of different coffee processing residues on the anaerobic microbes and corresponding digestion performance. The results elucidated that mucilage-rich feed enhanced the accumulation of methanogens, which consequently led to better digestion performance of biogas production. Fifty percent more methane and up to 3 times more net energy (heat and electricity) output were achieved by the digestion of the mucilage-rich feed (M3).

The Mkk2 MAPKK Regulates Cell Wall Biogenesis in Cooperation with the Cek1-Pathway in Candida albicans.

The cell wall integrity pathway (CWI) plays an important role in the biogenesis of the cell wall in Candida albicans and other fungi. In the present work, the C. albicans MKK2 gene that encodes the putative MAPKK of this pathway was deleted in different backgrounds and the phenotypes of the resultant mutants were characterised.

Transcriptome profiling of liver of non-genetic low birth weight and long term health consequences.

Background: It is believed that the main factors of low prenatal growth in mammals are genetic and environmental. We used isogenic mice maintained in standard conditions to analyze how natural non-genetic microsomia (low birth weight) is produced in inbred mice and its long term effect on health. To better understand the molecular basis of non-genetic microsomia, we undertook transcriptome profiling of both male and female livers from small and normal size mice at birth.

Role of the goat K222-PrP(C) polymorphic variant in prion infection resistance.

Unlabelled: The prion protein-encoding gene (prnp) strongly influences the susceptibility of small ruminants to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Hence, selective breeding programs have been implemented to increase sheep resistance to scrapie. For goats, epidemiological and experimental studies have provided some association between certain polymorphisms of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) and resistance to TSEs.

Male mice produced by in vitro culture have reduced fertility and transmit organomegaly and glucose intolerance to their male offspring.

It has been reported that suboptimal in vitro culture (IVC) of mouse embryos can affect the postnatal expression of epigenetically sensitive alleles, resulting in altered postnatal growth, organ dimensions, health, and behavior in the offspring. Although these detrimental impacts on the offspring are well described, the relative contribution of the IVC-produced fathers is unclear. In this work, we have analyzed if suboptimal IVC (achieved by altering the culture medium by the addition of FCS) can affect male fertility and if organ size and glucose clearance, two of the adverse effects produced by suboptimal IVC conditions, were transmitted to the next two generations.

Calf tissue oxygenation during exercise in men with and without risk factors for developing peripheral arterial disease.

Objective: This study aimed to compare calf tissue oxygenation responses to calf exercise in men without diagnosed peripheral arterial disease but with selected risk factors for peripheral arterial disease with those without risk factors.

Design: A cross-sectional quasi-experimental design was used. The no-risk group (n = 20) had none of the risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, current or 10 pack-yr smoking history, or age ≥65 yrs).

Comparison of four methods to evaluate sperm DNA integrity between mouse caput and cauda epididymidis.

It is well known that transit through the epididymis involves an increase in the compaction of sperm chromatin, which acquires fully condensed status at the caput epididymidis. The purpose of this study was to compare the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling (TUNEL) assay, the comet assay, the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test by analysing spermatozoa from the caput and cauda epididymidis in order to demonstrate the ability of each technique to discriminate between different degrees of sperm maturity related to chromatin compaction and DNA fragmentation. Our results suggest that some populations of DNA-fragmented spermatozoa associated with immature sperm can only be identified using the comet assay and the SCSA but not with the SCD test or the TUNEL assay.

Prion protein in ESC regulation.

A large number of studies have analysed the putative functions of the prion protein (PrP(C)) in mammals. Although its sequence conservation over a wide range of different animals may indicate that this protein could have a key role in prion diseases, an absolutely accepted involvement has not been found so far. We have recently reported that PrP(C) regulates Nanog mRNA expression, the first non-redundant function of PrP(C) in embryonic stem cells (ESC), which translates into control of pluripotency and early differentiation.

Prion protein expression regulates embryonic stem cell pluripotency and differentiation.

Cellular prion protein (PRNP) is a glycoprotein involved in the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Although the physiological function of PRNP is largely unknown, its key role in prion infection has been extensively documented. This study examines the functionality of PRNP during the course of embryoid body (EB) differentiation in mouse Prnp-null (KO) and WT embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines.

[The quality of radiology services in five Latin American countries].

Objective: To determine the correlation between certain quality indicators for imaging services and the accurate interpretation of radiological exams for four frequent complaints: breast lumps, gastrointestinal discomfort, back pain, and symptoms of tuberculosis.

Methods: Twenty-six radiology services in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico were assessed. The mammography and conventional radiographic/fluoroscopic equipment used in selected services were evaluated utilizing common protocols, data sheets, testing instruments, phantoms, and calibrated dosimetry systems.

[Two cases of leprosy in Valladolid].

Leprosy is still a major health problem on a worldwide level, and although it does not reach endemic levels on our continent, it seems that there is an upward trend due to the number of imported cases diagnosed each year. We present two cases of lepromatous leprosy diagnosed in Valladolid within a five-month period. The last reported case of this disease in our community was over 20 years ago.

[Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia from chemotherapy extravasation].

Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia is a rare entity that occurs in patients who have received chemotherapy treatment. It also occurs in association with chronic ulcers, skin tumors, and after the ingestion of drugs, exposure to toxic agents and inflammatory processes. We present the case of a 47-year-old male diagnosed with microcytic lung carcinoma and superior vena cava syndrome.

Occupational immunologic contact urticaria from pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa): experience in 30 cases.

Cutaneous lesions caused by the pine processionary caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa (TP) are frequent in pinewood areas. In the present study, 30 patients diagnosed with occupational immunologic urticaria from this caterpillar were included. Immediate hypersensitivity was demonstrated by performing prick and IgE-immunoblotting tests.