Selective Determination of Glutathione Using a Highly Emissive Fluorescent Probe Based on a Pyrrolidine-Fused Chlorin.

We report the use of a carboxylated pyrrolidine-fused chlorin (TCPC) as a fluorescent probe for the determination of glutathione (GSH) in 7.4 pH phosphate buffer. TCPC is a very stable, highly emissive molecule that has been easily obtained from meso-tetrakis(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) through a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition approach.

Chagas disease and SARS-CoV-2 coinfection does not lead to worse in-hospital outcomes.

Chagas disease (CD) continues to be a major public health burden in Latina America. Information on the interplay between COVID-19 and CD is lacking. Our aim was to assess clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients with CD and COVID-19, and to compare it to non-CD patients.

Hospitalization and death among patients with influenza, Guatemala, 2008-2012.

Background: Influenza is a major cause of respiratory illness resulting in 3-5 million severe cases and 291,243-645,832 deaths annually. Substantial health and financial burden may be averted by annual influenza vaccine application, especially for high risk groups.

Methods: We used an active facility-based surveillance platform for acute respiratory diseases in three hospitals in Guatemala, Central America, to estimate the incidence of laboratory-confirmed hospitalized influenza cases and identify risk factors associated with severe disease (defined as admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) or death).

The COPHELA (Cooperation in Quality Assurance for Pharmacy Education and Training between Europe and Latin America) Project.

COPHELA (Cooperation in Quality Assurance for Pharmacy Education and Training between Europe and Latin America), a collaborative project between the European Union (EU) and Latin America, will produce on-line courses for the master degree in pharmacy. The program runs from 2019 through 2021. It is funded by the Erasmus+ program of the Education, Audio-visual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Commission.

Subppm Amine Detection via Absorption and Luminescence Turn-On Caused by Ligand Exchange in Metal Organic Frameworks.

Luminescent metal-organic frameworks (LMOFs) are promising materials for lighting and sensing applications. Herein, exposure of the highly luminescent Zn(bpdc)(bpee) MOF (Hbpdc = 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic acid and bpee = 1,2-bipyridylethene) to subppm amine contents turns on a new absorption band unambiguously ascribed to free bpee molecules concomitant with the gradual appearance of a new photoluminescence band at shorter wavelengths. These findings combined with Fourier-transform infrared spectra, powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis of exposed LMOF powders confirm that bpee ligands are exchanged by amines and released inside the LMOF, triggering absorption and luminescence features which can be exploited for highly sensitive amine recognition.

Biogeographical origin and timing of the founder ichthyosis TGM1 c.1187G > A mutation in an isolated Ecuadorian population.

An unusually high frequency of the lamellar ichthyosis TGM1 mutation, c.1187G > A, has been observed in the Ecuadorian province of Manabí. Recently, the same mutation has been detected in a Galician patient (Northwest of Spain).

A novel ABCA12 pathologic variant identified in an Ecuadorian harlequin ichthyosis patient: A step forward in genotype-phenotype correlations.

Background: Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyoses (ARCI) have been associated with different phenotypes including: harlequin ichthyosis (HI), congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (CIE), and lamellar ichthyosis (LI). While pathogenic variants in all ARCI genes are associated with LI and CIE phenotypes, the unique gene associated with HI is ABCA12. In HI, the most severe ARCI form, pathogenic variants in both ABCA12 gene alleles usually have a severe impact on protein function.

The geographic mosaic of Ecuadorian Y-chromosome ancestry.

Ecuadorians originated from a complex mixture of Native American indigenous people with Europeans and Africans. We analyzed Y-chromosome STRs (Y-STRs) in a sample of 415 Ecuadorians (145 using the AmpFlSTR Yfiler™ system [Life Technologies, USA] and 270 using the PowerPlexY23 system [Promega Corp., USA]; hereafter Yfiler and PPY23, respectively) representing three main ecological continental regions of the country, namely Amazon rainforest, Andes, and Pacific coast.

Preparation of Luminescent Metal-Organic Framework Films by Soft-Imprinting for 2,4-Dinitrotoluene Sensing.

A novel technique for the creation of metal-organic framework (MOF) films based on soft-imprinting and their use as gas sensors was developed. The microporous MOF material [Zn₂(bpdc)₂(bpee)] (bpdc = 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylate; bpee = 1,2-bipyridylethene) was synthesized solvothermally and activated by removing the occluded solvent molecules from its inner channels. MOF particles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and fluorescence spectroscopy, showing high crystallinity and intense photoluminescence.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Everolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold.

Background:: Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) were developed to improve the long-term results of percutaneous coronary intervention, restoring vasomotion.

Objectives:: To report very late follow-up of everolimus-eluting Absorb BVS (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, USA) in our center.

Methods:: Observational retrospective study, in a single Brazilian center, from August 2011 to October 2013, including 49 patients submitted to Absorb BVS implantation.

Paravalvular Regurgitation: Clinical Outcomes in Surgical and Percutaneous Treatments.

Background: Paravalvular regurgitation (paravalvular leak) is a serious and rare complication associated with valve replacement surgery. Studies have shown a 3% to 6% incidence of paravalvular regurgitation with hemodynamic repercussion. Few studies have compared surgical and percutaneous approaches for repair.

Incidence of Hospitalized Pneumococcal Pneumonia among Adults in Guatemala, 2008-2012.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of pneumonia worldwide. However, the burden of pneumococcal pneumonia among adults in low- and middle-income countries is not well described.

Methods: Data from 2008-2012 was analyzed from two surveillance sites in Guatemala to describe the incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia in adults.

Using Standardized Interpretation of Chest Radiographs to Identify Adults with Bacterial Pneumonia--Guatemala, 2007-2012.

Background: Bacterial pneumonia is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide, but quantifying its burden is difficult due to insensitive diagnostics. Although World Health Organization (WHO) protocol standardizes pediatric chest radiograph (CXR) interpretation for epidemiologic studies of bacterial pneumonia, its validity in adults is unknown.

Methods: Patients (age ≥ 15 years) admitted with respiratory infections to two Guatemalan hospitals between November 2007 and March 2012 had urine and nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal (NP/OP) swabs collected; blood cultures and CXR were also performed at physician clinical discretion.

[Fecal microbiota transplantation in recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. Report of one case].

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has an incomparable efficacy to treat recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, with near 90% of success. We report a 57 years old woman who developed an antibiotic associated diarrhea with a positive polymerase chain reaction test for Clostridium Difficile toxin. She was successfully treated with Vancomycin trice but diarrhea recurred.

Hybrid sequential treatment of aromatic hydrocarbon-polluted effluents using non-ionic surfactants as solubilizers and extractants.

A treatment train combining a biological and a physical approach was investigated for the first time in order to remediate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-polluted effluents. Given the hydrophobic nature of these contaminants, the presence of non-ionic surfactants is compulsory to allow their bioavailability. The presence of these surfactants also entails an advantage in order to ease contaminant removal by the formation of aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS).

Surveillance for hospitalized acute respiratory infection in Guatemala.

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are an important cause of illness and death worldwide, yet data on the etiology of ARI and the population-level burden in developing countries are limited. Surveillance for ARI was conducted at two hospitals in Guatemala. Patients admitted with at least one sign of acute infection and one sign or symptom of respiratory illness met the criteria for a case of hospitalized ARI.

Pesticide removal from aqueous solutions by adding salting out agents.

Phase segregation in aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) composed of four hydrophilic ionic liquids (ILs): 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate (C(n)C₁im C₁SO₄, n = 2 and 4), tributylmethyl phosphonium methylsulfate (P₄₄₄₁ C₁SO₄) and methylpyridinium methylsulfate (C₁Py C₁SO₄) and two high charge density potassium inorganic salts (K₂CO₃ and K₂HPO₄) were determined by the cloud point method at 298.15 K. The influence of the addition of the selected inorganic salts to aqueous mixtures of ILs was discussed in the light of the Hofmeister series and in terms of molar Gibbs free energy of hydration.

Novel physico-biological treatment for the remediation of textile dyes-containing industrial effluents.

In this work, a novel remediation strategy consisting of a sequential biological and physical process is proposed to remove dyes from a textile polluted effluent. The decolorization ability of Anoxybacillus flavithermus in an aqueous effluent containing two representative textile finishing dyes (Reactive Black 5 and Acid Black 48, as di-azo and antraquinone class, respectively) was proved. The decolorization efficiency for a mixture of both dyes reached almost 60% in less than 12h, which points out the suitability of the selected microorganism.

The epidemiology and clinical characteristics of young children hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus infections in Guatemala (2007-2010).

Background: There have been few population-based studies from Central America on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in young children. We report population-based incidence rates and describe epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children <5 years old hospitalized with RSV infections in Guatemala.

Methods: Prospective, active hospital-based surveillance for acute respiratory infections in children <5 years old was conducted at 3 hospitals in Guatemala from November 2007 through July 2010.

Approaching chlorpyrifos bioelimination at bench scale bioreactor.

Chlorpyrifos (CP) is one of the most commonly applied insecticides for control of pests and insects. The inappropriate use of this kind of chemicals has caused heavy contamination of many terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems thus representing a great environmental and health risk. The main purpose of this work is to investigate novel microbial agents (Pseudomonas stutzeri and the previously obtained consortium LB2) with the ability to degrade CP from polluted effluents.

Efficient PAHs biodegradation by a bacterial consortium at flask and bioreactor scale.

In this work, the biodegradation of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as Phenanthrene (PHE), Pyrene (PYR) and Benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) has been investigated. A bacterial consortium consisting of two strains was used for the first time based on preliminary promising biodegradation data. They were tentatively identified as Staphylococcus warneri and Bacillus pumilus.

Viability of phenanthrene biodegradation by an isolated bacterial consortium: optimization and scale-up.

In the present work, biodegradation of phenanthrene by a bacterial consortium (LB2), isolated from lab-polluted soils has been investigated. The 16S rRNA gene-based molecular analysis revealed that the bacterial consortium LB2 consisted of two strains showing a very high homology with Staphylococcus warneri and Bacillus pumilus. The optimization of phenanthrene degradation by the consortium LB2, using a central composite face-centered design was carried out taking into account three important parameters such as temperature, pH, and phenanthrene concentration.

Technoeconomic assessment of phenanthrene degradation by Pseudomonas stutzeri CECT 930 in a batch bioreactor.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most persistent pollutants that accumulate in natural environment mainly as a result of anthropogenic activities. Therefore, the improvement of the available bank of microbial resources and information is crucial to the proper management of PAHs-polluted sites and effluents. In this work, Pseudomonas stutzeri CECT 930 was selected for aerobically degrading an aqueous effluent containing phenanthrene (PHE).

Assessment of a process to degrade metal working fluids using Pseudomonas stutzeri CECT 930 and indigenous microbial consortia.

The development of a novel biological process to treat metal working fluids (MWFs)-containing effluents at bioreactor scale was pursued in this work. The bacteria Pseudomonas stutzeri CECT 930 was investigated for the first time as an alternative agent for MWF degradation. An adequate medium design and mixing and aeration system, as well as an appropriate microorganism proved to be crucial for reaching high levels of degradation by P.

A comparison of the epidemiology and clinical presentation of seasonal influenza A and 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Guatemala.

Background: A new influenza A (H1N1) virus was first found in April 2009 and proceeded to cause a global pandemic. We compare the epidemiology and clinical presentation of seasonal influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2) and 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1) using a prospective surveillance system for acute respiratory disease in Guatemala.

Methodology/findings: Patients admitted to two public hospitals in Guatemala in 2008-2009 who met a pneumonia case definition, and ambulatory patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) at 10 ambulatory clinics were invited to participate.