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Heliyon 2021 Jun 5;7(6):e07047. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

Ph.D. University of Cauca, Department of Biology, Research Group on Environmental Studies, 3 Nº 3N-100, Popayán, 190002, Colombia.

Gold mining is one of the major problems of contamination of hydric resources in Colombia, this practice generates a high impact on water quality due to the accumulation of waste during its process. In this study water quality was evaluated in five natural stream beds corresponding to four streams with gold mining operations and one in the Cauca River, taking samples before the water inlet and after the outlet in each operation in the streams of Dios Te Dé, Tamboral, Piedra Imán, and Lorenzo affected by artisanal gold mining labor, which drain into the Salvajina Reservoir on the Cauca River in the municipality of Suárez Cauca, Colombia. Characterization of water bodies in the streams was carried out applying contamination indices of Colombia. Read More

Vaccine 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1100 North Lindsay Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Electronic address:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major viral respiratory pathogen for human infants and children. Despite a severe global burden incurred by annual RSV epidemics, there is no licensed RSV vaccine. We have developed an RSV vaccine from a human RSV strain from which the gene for the viral M protein has been deleted ("Mnull RSV"). Read More

Nat Commun 2021 06 14;12(1):3601. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is not only the leading cause of hospitalization in U.S. infants, but also a major risk factor for asthma development. Read More

Int J Food Sci 2021 22;2021:9142412. Epub 2021 May 22.

Grupo de Investigación en Tecnologías de las Comunicaciones e Informática (GIMATICA), Universidad de Cartagena, Campus Piedra de Bolívar, Av. Consulado, # 48-152, 130015 Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the kinetics of moisture and oil uptake during chorizo deep-fat frying as compared to atmospheric and vacuum conditions. The conditions in the process were 90, 120, and 150°C for vacuum frying and 160, 170, and 180°C for atmospheric frying. The kinetics of moisture loss during atmospheric and vacuum frying was studied from the analytical solution of Fick's second law for cylinder geometry. Read More

ScientificWorldJournal 2021 25;2021:5562315. Epub 2021 May 25.

Grupo de Investigación en Innovación y Desarrollo Agropecuario y Agroindustrial (IDAA), Universidad de Cartagena, Campus Piedra de Bolívar, Cartagena de Indias 130015, Colombia.

Knowledge of drug composition consumed on the streets and the identification and quantification of their adulterants is essential for understanding unexpected side effects, tracking routes, and drug profiling. Therefore, this work aimed to determine the purity and to identify and quantify the main adulterants found in personal doses of cocaine (perico) and coca paste (bazuco) in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia). The data collected in this study describe a first attempt to introduce the qualitative and quantitative analyses of adulterants present in street drugs in Cartagena de Indias to improve surveillance. Read More

Crit Rev Microbiol 2021 Jun 11:1-20. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Species of and related genera are widely used in biotechnology and, hence, many species have their genome sequenced. Importantly, yeasts of the genus have been increasingly identified as a cause of life-threatening invasive trichosporonosis (IT) in humans and are associated with an exceptionally high mortality rate. spp. Read More

Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2021 Jun 4. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it has been difficult to differentiate between SARS-CoV-2 re-infection and prolonged RNA shedding. In this report, we identified patients with positive RT-PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 ≥70 days apart. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and criteria were applied to discern whether the presentation was consistent with SARS-CoV-2 re-infection or prolonged viral RNA shedding. Read More

Viruses 2021 May 26;13(6). Epub 2021 May 26.

Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. RSV antibodies play a role in preventing reinfection and in clearance of RSV, but data regarding the levels of viral protein-specific antibodies elicited and their contribution to patient recovery from RSV-induced disease are limited. We prospectively enrolled a cohort of RSV-infected adult hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients ( = 40). Read More

Animals (Basel) 2021 May 10;11(5). Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Functional Anatomy and Cytobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 19 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland.

The current study investigated the effects of the inclusion of modern hybrid rye (Brasetto variety) to a corn-wheat-based diet, with or without xylanase, on the absorptive surface of the small intestine of broilers. A total of 224 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into four experimental groups with seven replicate cages of eight birds/replicate. A 2 × 2 factorial study design was used, with rye inclusion (0% or 20%) and xylanase supplementation (0 or 200 mg/kg of feed) as factors. Read More

J Infect Dis 2021 May 25. Epub 2021 May 25.

Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.

We conducted a cross-sectional study of pregnant women with acute respiratory illness during delivery hospitalizations in influenza season to describe clinical testing for respiratory viruses and infection prevention practices. Women had nasal swabs tested for influenza and other respiratory viruses. Among 91 enrolled women, 22 (24%) had clinical testing for influenza. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2021 Jun;27(6):1-9

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the leading viral cause of serious pediatric respiratory disease, and lifelong reinfections are common. Its 2 major subgroups, A and B, exhibit some antigenic variability, enabling HRSV to circulate annually. Globally, research has increased the number of HRSV genomic sequences available. Read More

Bioresour Technol 2021 Sep 7;335:125256. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain; Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid. Spain. Electronic address:

Photobioreactors for wastewater treatment coupled with nutrient recovery from the biomass is a promising biorefinery platform but requires working with microalgae-bacteria consortia. This work compares the effect that hydrolysis time and different enzymes have on the solubilization and recovery of components from microalgae-bacteria grown in piggery wastewater and microalgae grown in synthetic media by enzymatic hydrolysis. Higher carbohydrate solubilizations were obtained from microalgae-bacteria than from pure microalgae (38. Read More

Int J Food Sci 2021 24;2021:5526912. Epub 2021 Apr 24.

Grupo de Investigación en Innovación y Desarrollo Agropecuario y Agroindustrial (IDAA), Universidad de Cartagena, Campus Piedra de Bolívar, Av. Consulado, # 48-152, 130015 Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

Wheat is one of the most widely used cereals in the world. However, studies consider wheat flour doughs to be of low nutritional quality, as there is now greater public awareness of celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Therefore, consumers are demanding healthier and more varied food products. Read More

Molecules 2021 Apr 14;26(8). Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Grupo de Investigación en Innovación y Desarrollo Agropecuario y Agroindustrial (IDAA), Universidad de Cartagena, Campus Piedra de Bolívar, 130015 Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

Colombian mango production, which exceeded 261,000 t in 2020, generates about 40% of the whole fruit as solid waste, of which more than 50% are seed kernels (over 52,000 t solid by-product); though none is currently used for commercial purposes. This study reports the results of the supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO) extraction of an oil rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs) from revalorized mango seed kernels and the optimization of the process by the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). In pilot-scale scCO experiments, pressure (23-37 MPa) and temperature (52-73 °C) were varied, using 4. Read More

J Infect Dis 2021 Apr 29. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Houston Health Department, Houston, TX, USA.

Background: In contrast to studies that relied on volunteers or convenience sampling, there are few population-based SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence investigations and most were conducted early in the pandemic. The health department of the fourth largest city in the U.S. Read More

Aten Primaria 2021 May 23;53(5):102021. Epub 2021 Feb 23.

Universidad Central del Ecuador, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Quito, Ecuador.

Objective: The present study seeks to analyse sociodemographic determinants related to severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and calculate the priorization index in the cantons of Ecuador to identify areas probably most vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission.

Design: This descriptive ecological observational study.

Setting: 224 cantons (geographical area) of Ecuador with secondary data sources of hospital information. Read More

Rev Iberoam Micol 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, Ixtapaluca, Edo. Méx., Mexico. Electronic address:

Background: The molecular reclassification of the order Trichosporonales placed the medically relevant Trichosporon species into three genera of the family Trichosporonaceae: Cutaneotrichosporon, Trichosporon, and Apiotrichum. From the clinical and epidemiological standpoint, it is important to identify any species of the family Trichosporonaceae because they present different antifungal susceptibility profiles. In Mexico, little is known about trichosporonosis etiology because the fungi are identified through phenotypic methods. Read More

Water Res 2021 Jun 15;197:117043. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street MS 519, Houston, TX 77005, USA. Electronic address:

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect communities across the globe, the need to contain the spread of the outbreaks is of paramount importance. Wastewater monitoring of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent responsible for COVID-19, has emerged as a promising tool for health officials to anticipate outbreaks. As interest in wastewater monitoring continues to grow and municipalities begin to implement this approach, there is a need to further identify and evaluate methods used to concentrate SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA from wastewater samples. Read More

Drugs 2021 Apr 29;81(6):685-695. Epub 2021 Mar 29.

Internal Medicine Department, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga (IBIMA), University of Málaga (UMA), Málaga, Spain.

Background: The impact of statins on COVID-19 outcomes is important given the high prevalence of their use among individuals at risk for severe COVID-19. Our aim is to assess whether patients receiving chronic statin treatment who are hospitalized with COVID-19 have reduced in-hospital mortality if statin therapy is maintained during hospitalization.

Methods: This work is a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective multicenter study that analyzed 2921 patients who required hospital admission at 150 Spanish centers included in the nationwide SEMI-COVID-19 Network. Read More

Chemosphere 2021 May 19;270:128640. Epub 2020 Oct 19.

Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain; Instituto Del Agua, Universidad de Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain. Electronic address:

This study assessed the convenience of using magnetic particles (MPs) to reduce phosphorus (P) concentration in treated wastewater. The working hypothesis is that MP addition increases P removal in artificial wastewater treatment ponds. Water samples were collected at the inlet and outlet of a semi-natural pond receiving secondary municipal effluent that is discharged in a Ramsar site (Fuente de Piedra, Málaga, Spain). Read More

Expert Rev Vaccines 2021 May 2:1-14. Epub 2021 May 2.

Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA.

Introduction: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections worldwide. The RSV fusion (F) glycoprotein is a major focus of vaccine development. Despite over 60 years of research, there is no licensed vaccine for RSV. Read More

Ann Hepatol 2021 Feb 26;24:100338. Epub 2021 Feb 26.

Liver Research Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation and Faculty of Medicine. National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico; National Autonomous University of Mexico. Mexico City, Mexico, 14050, Mexico. Electronic address:

Introduction And Objectives: As of January 2021, over 88 million people have been infected with COVID-19. Almost two million people have died of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A high SOFA score and a D-Dimer >1 µg/mL identifies patients with high risk of mortality. Read More

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2021 02 25;21(2):13. Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Infantil de Mexico Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico.

Purpose Of Review: At the juncture of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is currently in an early phase of collecting clinical data and reports of its skin manifestations, and its pathophysiology is still highly conjectural. We reviewed cutaneous manifestations associated with COVID-19 in the pediatric age group.

Recent Findings: Children infected by SARS-CoV-2 usually develop milder respiratory symptoms, but cutaneous manifestations seem a little more prevalent than in adults. Read More

J Infect Dis 2021 05;223(9):1528-1537

Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Houston, Texas, USA.

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, a minority of index cases are associated with a majority of secondary cases suggesting that superspreaders could drive the pandemic. We identified a phenotype in individuals with extremely high viral load who could act as superspreaders.

Methods: Data were analyzed from individuals tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from 18 March through 15 August 2020. Read More

Ann Hepatol 2021 May-Jun;22:100326. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Transplants and Hepatology Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Puente de Piedra 150 Toriello Guerra, Tlalpan, ZC 14050 Mexico City, Mexico.

Clin Microbiol Rev 2021 Mar 10;34(2). Epub 2021 Feb 10.

Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.

SUMMARYInfluenza poses a significant burden on society and health care systems. Although antivirals are an integral tool in effective influenza management, the potential for the emergence of antiviral-resistant viruses can lead to uncertainty and hesitation among front-line prescribers and policy makers. Here, we provide an overview of influenza antiviral resistance in context, exploring the key concepts underlying its development and clinical impact. Read More

Ann Hepatol 2021 Feb 4;24:100320. Epub 2021 Feb 4.

Traslational Research Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Puente de Piedra 150, Toriello Guerra Tlalpan, C.P. 14050, Mexico City, Mexico. Electronic address:

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is defined as hepatic fat accumulation in more than 5% of hepatocytes, without other liver steatosis causes. It comprises a broad spectrum that can range from benign steatosis and progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma. Non-alcoholic fatty liver is considered a multisystemic disease since it is related to multiple disorders, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, chronic kidney disease, psoriasis, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, cardiovascular diseases, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; it is becoming increasingly clear that it is also a risk factor for developing certain respiratory diseases. Read More

Vaccine 2021 02 26;39(8):1248-1256. Epub 2021 Jan 26.

Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, United States. Electronic address:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-specific serum antibody has been correlated to protection of infection and reduction of severe disease, but reinfection is still frequent. In this study, we evaluated RSV-specific serum antibody activity following natural RSV re-infection to examine the longevity of the humoral immune response in adults. Nineteen healthy adult volunteers under sixty-five years of age were enrolled during the 2018-2019 RSV season in Houston, TX. Read More

Pract Lab Med 2021 Mar 1;24:e00200. Epub 2021 Jan 1.

Hospital Médica Sur, Puente de Piedra 150, Toriello Guerra, 14050, Ciudad de México, Mexico.

Here we described a case of an asymptomatic 73 years-old female patient in geriatric routine consultation, whose laboratory testing showed hyperproteinemia with accompanying hyperglobulinemia. A diagnosis of BGUS was made only after a correlation among SPEP, densitometry tracing and IFE results was established, evidencing a second peak, that was less evident and not reported at first. These biclonal conditions are of very low incidence in the clinical laboratory, requiring the laboratory professional to have particular skills for their identification. Read More

Int J Emerg Med 2021 Jan 20;14(1). Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Medica Sur, Puente de Piedra 150 Toriello Guerra, 14050, Mexico City, Mexico.

The WHO defines a possible case of COVID-19 as a person experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, and neurological signs including anosmia, ageusia, or dysgeusia. However, experiences from hospitals all over the world have shown that presentations vary widely. Some atypical presentations include cardiac, gastrointestinal, neurological, and cutaneous and while some are driven by the inflammatory response, others are a consequence of the hypercoagulable state. Read More