ABSTRACT • The possible production of fructo-oligosaccharides from sucrose was evaluated in the Base Business Unit (UEB) “Ignacio Agramonte'”, which currently produces sorbitol, with low exploitation of the installed capacity, due to lack of glucose. There was an opportunity in infrastructure, time and labor to convert the entity into a multipurpose plant. A simulation model of the technology for the production of fructo-oligosaccharide syrup from sucrose was developed, based on the enzymatic transformation of sucrose into fructo-oligosaccharides, using the recombinant enzyme 1-SST (1-sucrose: sucrose fructosyltransferase) expressed in Pichia pastoris, obtained at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at Sancti Spiritus. Model validation yielded relative errors lesser than 5 %. Two improvement alternatives were evaluated based on increasing the production of FOS by using the actual installed capacity in the sorbitol factory (alternative 1) and also increasing the initial concentration of the sucrose solution (alternative 2). Feasibility of the alternatives was evaluated by comparing the annual net cash income (Anci) and expenses. Alternative 2 was the best, producing 841,5 t of fructo-oligosaccharides in 90 working days, with a benefit/cost ratio of 1,2.

RESUMEN • Se evaluó la posibilidad de incorporar la produccón de fructo-oligosacáridos a partir de sacarosa en la Unidad Empresarial de Base (UEB) “Ignacio Agramonte” que produce actualmente sorbitol, con un bajo aprovechamiento de la capacidad instalada por falta de glucosa, existiendo oportunidad en infraestructura, tiempo y mano de obra para convertir la entidad en una planta multipropósito. Se desarrolló un modelo de simulación de la tecnología de producción de sirope de fructo-oligosacáridos a partir de sacarosa, basada en la transformación enzimática de la sacarosa en fructo-oligosacáridos, utiizando la enzima recombinante 1-SST (1-sacarosa: sacarosa fructosiltransferasa) expresada en Pichia pastoris, obtenida en el Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología de Sancti Spiritus. La validación del modelo arrojó errores relativos menores que el 5 %. Se evaluaron dos alternativas de mejoras a partir de aumentar la producción de FOS al utilizar la capacidad real instalada en la fábrica de sorbitol (alternativa 1) y además aumentar la concentración inicial de la solución de sacarosa (alternativa 2). Se evaluó la factibilidad de las alternativas al comparar la ganancia anual después de impuestos (Anci) y los egresos. La alternativa 2 resultó la mejor, produciéndose con ella 841,5 t de fructo-oligosacáridos en 90 días de trabajo, con una relacion beneficio / costo de 1,2.

Resumen El soporte nutricional (SN) en pacientes adultos que reciben terapia de oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea (ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) es controvertido. Si bien existen guías para el SN en pacientes pediátricos con ECMO, en adultos no se cuenta con estos lineamientos para el uso, tipo, ruta y momento de la terapia nutricional. En pacientes críticamente enfermos es bien sabido que la nutrición enteral (NE) temprana es beneficiosa, no obstante existe la posibilidad de que en pacientes con ECMO la NE temprana condicione complicaciones gastrointestinales. Asimismo, no se han establecido metas calóricas, proteicas y dosis o tipos de micronutrimentos que usar para esta población en específico, siendo un reto para el clínico encargado de brindar el SN. Aunado a esto los pacientes con ECMO son algunos de los más gravemente enfermos en las unidades de cuidados intensivos, donde la desnutrición se asocia con una mayor morbilidad y mortalidad. En cuanto al uso de nutrición parenteral (NP), no se tiene descrito si implica riesgo de falla en el circuito al momento de introducir lípidos al oxigenador. Por lo anterior es imperativa una correcta evaluación e intervención nutricional específica, realizada por expertos en el tema para mejorar el pronóstico y la calidad de vida en esta población, siendo un objetivo primordial en los cuidados de los pacientes adultos que reciben terapia de ECMO.

Abstract Nutritional support in adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy is controversial. Although there are guidelines for the NS (Nutritional support) in pediatric patients with ECMO, in adults these guidelines are not available for the use, type, route and timing of nutritional therapy. In critically ill patients it is well known that early enteral nutrition is beneficial, however there is the possibility that in patients with ECMO early enteral nutrition leads to gastrointestinal complications. Likewise, there have not been established caloric targets, proteins and doses or types of micronutrients to use for this specific population being a challenge for the clinician. In addition, patients with ECMO are some of the most seriously ill in intensive care units, where malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Regarding the use of parenteral nutrition (NP) it has not been described if it implies a risk of circuit failure at the time of introducing lipids to the oxygenator. Therefore, a correct evaluation and specific nutritional intervention by experts in the field is imperative to improve the prognosis and quality of life in this population, which is a primary goal in the care of adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygen.

Resumen Antecedentes: Se evalúa la influencia de la heterogeneidad ambiental en la comunidad de palmas a escala del paisaje en el límite norte de la distribución de la selva tropical húmeda en América. Preguntas: ¿Cómo la heterogeneidad a nivel de paisaje (edáfica, topográfica, así como la densidad, diversidad y biomasa arbórea) influye en la distribución de las especies de palma en una reserva forestal afectada por la defaunación? Sitio y años de estudio: El estudio se realizó en la Estación de Biológica Tropical Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, México, en 2020. Métodos: Se delinearon unidades de paisaje (UP) basadas en suelo y geomorfología, se obtuvieron datos de la riqueza y abundancia de los árboles para caracterizar la heterogeneidad ambiental. Se analizó como influye la heterogeneidad ambiental en la composición, riqueza y abundancia de las especies de palma. Resultados: La abundancia y composición de las especies de palmas difirió entre las UP, en ambos casos fueron influenciadas por la presencia de fragmentos gruesos del suelo, altitud, inclinación de la pendiente y precipitación anual. La riqueza y densidad de árboles afectaron significativamente a la comunidad de palmas, pero sólo cuando se analizaron en combinación con variables edáficas y topográficas. Conclusiones: Los resultados revelan que existe una marcada heterogeneidad edáfica y topográfica que influye en la distribución de las especies de palmas a escala de paisaje, por lo que el enfoque de la heterogeneidad ambiental permite asociar la variación abiótica con los patrones de distribución de las especies y su coexistencia en comunidades tropicales altamente diversas.

Abstract Background: Our study presents the first assessment of the relationships between environmental heterogeneity and the palm community at the landscape scale at the northern boundary of tropical rainforest distribution in America. Question: How does landscape-level heterogeneity (edaphic, topographic as well as the density, diversity, and tree biomass) shapes the palm community in a protected reserve affected by defaunation? Study site and date: The study was carried out in Los Tuxtlas Tropical Biology Station, Veracruz, Mexico (2020). Methods: We delineated landscape units (LUs) based on soil and geomorphology to characterize the biophysical mosaic. We built rank-abundance curves to compare the palm richness and their abundance among LUs. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) were applied to detect shifts in the palm community across LUs. Results: Integrating abiotic and biotic components by delimiting LUs allowed us to evaluate the multifactorial effect of environmental heterogeneity on the palm community. The density and composition of the palms changed significantly among the LUs, influenced by soil coarse fragments, elevation, slope inclination, and annual precipitation. Tree richness and density had a significant effect on the palm community only when analyzed in combination with the soil-topography variables. Conclusions: The results reveal that there is high edaphic and topographic heterogeneity that influences palm species distribution at the landscape scale. The environmental heterogeneity approach allows capturing novel abiotic variation to explain the distribution patterns of palm species and their coexistence in highly diverse tropical communities.

Abstract Barlow syndrome is one of the most common valvulopathies in the general population, with a high risk of sudden cardiac death. The clinical finding of a systolic click accompanied by a mesosystolic murmur is usually sufficient for the suspicion of mitral valve prolapse; however, its diagnostic accuracy decreases between cardiologists and non-cardiologists. The objective of the article is to analyze the diagnosis of the clinical case with a high degree of difficulty, the treatment strategies throughout the disease, as well as a bibliographic review about this pathology and the importance of recognizing it in time.

Resumen. El loro barranquero (Cyanoliseus patagonus) se distribuye en zonas de sabana, estepa y pastizales de Chile y Argentina. En esta nota documentamos por primera vez el registro de esta especie para la ciudad de Tijuana, Baja California, México. El 14 de septiembre de 2018 tuvimos avistamientos de alrededor de 60 individuos buscando alimento en el suelo en un área comercial de la ciudad. Adicionalmente, entre febrero y octubre del 2021 registramos individuos de C. patagonus perchando sobre troncos de palma de taco (Washingtonia robusta) y ocupando oquedades excavadas en los troncos. De acuerdo con la literatura, C. patagonus naturalmente anida en acantilados, pero es capaz de incursionar en el uso de sustratos vegetales y antropogénicos para su nidificación. Recomendamos implementar un programa de monitoreo para conocer la dinámica de la población dentro de la zona urbana, ya que se trata de una especie exótica altamente gregaria y con un alto potencial de fungir como reservorio de Herpesvirus y Chlamydia psittaci, lo cual podría traer serias repercusiones a la salud pública.

Abstract. The natural distribution of the Burrowing Parrot (Cyanoliseus patagonus) includes savanna, steppe and grassland areas in Chile and Argentina. Here we report the first record of this species in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. On 14 September 2018, we observed around 60 individuals foraging on the ground in a commercial area of the city. Additionally, between February and October 2021 we recorded individuals of C. patagonus perched on trunks of the Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta) and occupying cavities excavated in the trunks. According to the literature, C. patagonus naturally nests in cliffs, but is also able to use other plant and anthropogenic substrates for nesting. We recommend implementing a monitoring program to determine population dynamics of this species within the Tijuana urban area, as C. patagonus is a highly gregarious exotic species with strong potential to act as a reservoir for Herpesvirus and Chlamydia psittaci, which could have serious repercussions on public health.

Resumen El paciente politraumatizado se define como aquel que tiene múltiples lesiones que involucran diferentes órganos y sistemas, suelen ser graves y conllevan una disfunción respiratoria o circulatoria que pone en riesgo la vida. El estrés traumático en el paciente politraumatizado da lugar a muchos cambios metabólicos que son evidentes desde los primeros días, pero suelen persistir durante semanas y exigen un adecuado soporte nutricional, ya que influyen en los desenlaces. El tratamiento nutricional debe ser una prioridad en el tratamiento integral de los pacientes politraumatizados, porque atenúa la respuesta metabólica al trauma y evita el deterioro de las reservas corporales (cabe mencionar que algunos pacientes presentan riesgo nutricional previo). La intervención nutricional debe considerarse al mismo nivel que cualquier otra terapia que apoye las funciones orgánicas, sobre todo en pacientes en la unidad de terapia intensiva. La intervención nutricional en pacientes politraumatizados es un pilar en el tratamiento que tiene múltiples beneficios y puede mejorar el pronóstico. Todo esfuerzo debe ir encaminado a la detección temprana de pacientes desnutridos o en riesgo nutricional, y proporcionar de manera oportuna terapias que mejores los desenlaces clínicos.

Abstract A polytraumatized patient is defined as one who has multiple lesions involving different organs and systems, which are usually serious and lead to life-threatening respiratory or circulatory dysfunction. Traumatic stress in the polytraumatized patient results in many metabolic changes that are evident from the first days, but usually persist for weeks, requiring adequate nutritional support as they influence outcomes. Nutritional treatment should be a priority in the comprehensive treatment of polytraumatized patients since it attenuates the metabolic response to trauma and prevents the deterioration of body reserves. It should be noted that some patients present previous nutritional risk. Nutritional intervention should be considered at the same level as any other therapy that supports organic functions, especially in patients in the intensive care unit. Nutritional intervention in polytraumatized patients is a pillar of treatment that has multiple benefits and can improve prognosis. All efforts must be aimed at the early detection of malnourished patients at nutritional risk and providing timely therapies that improve clinical outcomes.

Abstract Lactic acid bacteria have been studied for their ability to accumulate inorganic selenium, which is reduced to its elemental form or could be integrated into selenoproteins in the form of selenocysteine. This ability to produce bioavailable organic selenium for humans is an advantage that could be exploited in the production of functional foods. In this work, Enterococcus faecium ABMC-05 isolated from a traditional Mexican beverage (tepache) and with NCBI entry number OL413240 was used. Microorganism selenization was performed after the determination of minimal inhibitory concentration of Na2SeO3 (184 mg/L), which was calculated using the graphical method of Talmadge and Fitch. The selenium concentration of accumulated selenium was calculated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The concentration of selenium at 48 h of fermentation was 39.92 mg/L, which represented 23.8% of selenium at medium. This value was consistent with those reported for other lactic acid bacteria. Finally, it was determined the selenocysteine presence in biomass recovery after fermentation using RP-HPLC technique. With these results it was confirmed the biogenic production of selenocysteine by Enterococcus faecium ABMC-05 using an inorganic source.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the pressure pain threshold and the thickness of the cervical muscles in patients with tension-type headache versus healthy participants. METHODS: An observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Universidad Europea de Madrid between May and June 2022. Adults aged 18–65 years with tension-type headache diagnosed for more than 6 months were compared to healthy controls. B-mode ultrasound imaging was employed to measure the thickness of the neck stabilizing muscles, longus colli, and multifidus at the C5 and C6 levels, respectively. pressure pain threshold measurements were assessed bilaterally in the following regions: upper trapezius, masseter, temporalis, anterior tibialis, and median nerve. RESULTS: A total of 40 participants (90% females; 36.3±12.9 years, BMI 24.2±3.7 kg/m2) participated in the study. Compared with the control group (n=20), participants in the tension-type headache group (n=20) presented statistically significant lower values in all pressure pain threshold measures. Additionally, the tension-type headache group presented statistically significant lower values in the thickness of the following muscles: right multifidus at rest (1.0±0.2 cm versus 1.3±0.2 cm; p<0.001), left multifidus at rest (1.1±0.1 cm versus 1.3±0.1 cm; p<0.001) and during contraction (1.2±0.1 cm versus 1.5±0.2 cm; p<0.001), left longus colli at rest (1.0±0.2 cm versus 1.2±0.1 cm; p=0.01) and during contraction (1.2±0.2 cm versus 1.4±0.1 cm; p<0.001), and right longus colli during contraction (1.2±0.2 cm versus 1.4±0.2 cm; p=0.02). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that patients with tension-type headache showed lower thickness and lower pressure pain threshold of cervical muscles compared to healthy controls.

Abstract One of the most demanded services nowadays is the public transportation, and it is known that it is the second most fearful place for the user after an ATM on the street. Therefore, in this study, possible variables are determined in relation to the user's perception of the efficiency of the operation of a government concessioned public transportation system that vary the number of trips in a south of Mexico City’s corridor. Multiple linear regression models were used, and it was found that some days of the week are highly significant, that the demand is inelastic to the price of the service, that the variation of the demand is quantified according to the day of the week and how it is affected by insecurity and accidents issues.

Resumen Uno de los servicios más requeridos en la actualidad es el transporte público y se sabe que es el segundo sitio que más miedo produce al usuario después de un cajero automático en la vía pública. Es por ello, que en este estudio se determinan las posibles variables relacionadas con la percepción del usuario en cuanto a la eficiencia en la operación de un sistema de transporte público concesionado que hacen variar el número de viajes en un corredor al sur de la Ciudad de México. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión lineal múltiple y se encontró que algunos días de la semana son altamente significativos, que la demanda es inelástica al precio del servicio, se cuantifica la variación de esta según el día de la semana y cómo es afectada por los temas de inseguridad y accidentes.