[Detection of Brachyspira pilosicoli and other Brachyspira species in Argentine poultry farms]. / Detección de Brachyspira pilosicoli y otras especies de Brachyspira en granjas avícolas argentinas.

Some species of the genus Brachyspira such as Brachyspira pilosicoli, Brachyspira intermedia and Brachyspira alvinipulli are pathogenic species capable of producing disease in laying hens. In our country, the presence of B. pilosicoli and other species of Brachyspira has been reported in pigs and dogs but there is no record of their presence in poultry. Fecal and cecal content samples from 34 laying hens of 4, 12 and 24 months of age from two farms were analyzed by isolation, biochemical tests and PCR. B. pilosicoli and Brachyspira spp. were identified in samples taken from laying hens of 12 and 24 months of age.

Focussed ion beam serial sectioning and imaging of monolithic materials for 3D reconstruction and morphological parameter evaluation.

A new characterisation method, based on the utilisation of focussed ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), has been employed for the evaluation of morphological parameters in porous monolithic materials. Sample FIB serial sectioning, SEM imaging and image processing techniques were used to extract the pore boundaries and reconstruct the 3D porous structure of carbon and silica-based monoliths. Since silica is a non-conducting material, a commercial silica monolith modified with activated carbon was employed instead to minimise the charge build-up during FIB sectioning. This work therefore presents a novel methodology that can be successfully employed for 3D reconstruction of porous monolithic materials which are or can be made conductive through surface or bulk modification. Furthermore, the 3D reconstructions were used for calculation of the monolith macroporosity, which was in good agreement with the porosity values obtained by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP).

A review of physical, chemical and biological synthesis methods of bimetallic nanoparticles and applications in sensing, water treatment, biomedicine, catalysis and hydrogen storage.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of various fabrication methods of bimetallic nanoparticles (BNP), including chemical, biological, and physical techniques. The review explores BNP's diverse uses, from well-known applications such as sensing water treatment and biomedical uses to less-studied areas like breath sensing for diabetes monitoring and hydrogen storage. It cites results from over 1000 researchers worldwide and >300 peer-reviewed articles. Additionally, the article discusses current trends, actionable recommendations, and the importance of synthetic analysis for industry players looking to optimize manufacturing techniques for specific applications. The article also evaluates the pros and cons of various fabrication methods, highlighting the potential of plant extract synthesis for mass production of capped BNPs. However, it warns that this method may not be suitable for certain applications requiring ligand-free surfaces. In contrast, physical methods like laser ablation offer better control and reactivity, especially for applications where ligand-free surfaces are critical. The report underscores the environmental benefits of plant extract synthesis compared to chemical methods that use hazardous chemicals and pose risks to extraction, production, and disposal. The article emphasizes the need for life cycle assessment (LCA) articles in the literature, given the growing volume of research on nanotechnology materials. This article caters to researchers at all stages and applies to various fields applying nanomaterials.

Disseminated Necrotic Suppurative Ulcers as a Manifestation of Cocaine Abuse.

Introduction/Aims/Background: Pyoderma gangrenosum is an immune-mediated illness that can be caused by several affections, such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and drug use. We present a rare case of pyoderma gangrenosum induced by levamisole-adulterated cocaine. There have been few cases of this disease reported in the world. Levamisole is an anthelmintic drug used to adulterate cocaine to boost its effect. It also has immune-modulating effects causing, among others, vasculitis and dermatological problems. Materials and Methods: Clinical case of a 46-year-old man admitted to the hospital University Marqués de Valdecilla in Santander, Spain, in August 2022. We diagnosed pyoderma gangrenosum based on clinical, analytical, and histological parameters. Results: We report a case of pyoderma gangrenosum induced by consumption of levamisole-adulterated cocaine. Discussion: This patient suffered from a rare and extensive immune-mediated affection with characteristic primary lesions in the form of suppurative ulcers that responded to immunosuppressive treatment. Behind pyoderma gangrenosum there may be underlying conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, or pyoderma gangrenosum may be secondary to identifiable causes such as cocaine use as in this patient. LEARNING POINTS: Pyoderma gangrenosum induced by levamisole-adulterated cocaine has the following features:History of cocaine use.Exaggerated skin injury occurring after minor trauma (pathergy).Characteristic histopathologic findings.

Primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8+ T cell lymphoma with a chronic and indolent course. Is this different from peripheral T cell lymphoma?

Cutaneous T cell lymphomas most commonly have a CD4+ memory T cell phenotype and exhibit a relatively indolent course, but may in rare cases present with a CD8+ cytotoxic phenotype with a strikingly more aggressive clinical behavior. Primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8+ T cell lymphoma is an extremely rare entity with distinct clinicopatological features. The clinical features and prognosis of the recently-described CD8+ peripheral lymphoma are very different from cytotoxic CD8+ epidermotropic lymphoma, but the histological and phenotypic characteristics are very similar. We report a new case of CD8+ epidermotropic lymphoma with a chronic course and suggest the possibility of an overlap between these two types of lymphoma.

Clostridium Septicum Endogenous Endophthalmitis as the Initial Manifestation of Colorectal Carcinoma: Clinical Case Report and Literature Review.

PURPOSE: To describe the presentation and clinical course of a case of endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Clostridium septicum, an anaerobic and gram positive bacteria. METHODS: Observational report of a clinical case presented in Spain. CLINICAL CASE: A 61-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of endophthalmitis of his left eye since ten days prior to presentation, and a history of poor response to medical treatment. Evisceration was performed, and C. septicum was isolated from a sample of the vitreous humor. Fourteen days after surgery, the patient returned with orbital cellulitis, and exenteration was performed. Forty-two days after initial presentation, colonoscopy revealed an adenocarcinoma of the proximal colon. Surgical resection of the tumor was performed, and clinical recovery was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: iSystemic C. septicum infection without a traumatic cause has been associated with malignancy, although an initial presentation of endophthalmitis has rarely been reported. In cases of clostridial endogenous endophthalmitis, investigation for colorectal carcinoma is indicated.

Short-Term Pilot Study to Evaluate the Impact of Salbi Educa Nutrition App in Macronutrients Intake and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Promoting a healthy diet is a relevant strategy for preventing non-communicable diseases. This study aims to evaluate the impact of an innovative tool, the SAlBi educa nutrition app, in primary healthcare dietary counseling to improve dietary profiles as well as adherence to the Mediterranean diet. A multi-center randomized control trial comprising 104 participants was performed. Both control (n = 49) and intervention (n = 55) groups attended four once-weekly sessions focusing on healthy eating habits and physical activity, over one month. As well as attending the meetings, the intervention group used the app, which provides self-monitoring and tailored dietary advice based on the Mediterranean diet model. In a second intervention (one arm trial), the potential of SAlBi educa was evaluated for three months during the COVID-19 pandemic. At 4 weeks, the intervention group had significantly increased their carbohydrate intake (7.7% (95% CI: 0.16 to 15.2)) and decreased their total fat intake (-5.7% (95% CI: -10.4 to -1.15)) compared to the control group. Significant differences were also found for carbohydrates (3.5% (95% CI: -1.0 to 5.8)), total fats (-5.9% (95% CI: -8.9 to -3.0)), fruits and vegetables (266.3 g/day (95% CI: 130.0 to 402.6)), legumes (7.7g/day (95% CI: 0.2 to 15.1)), starchy foods (36.4 g/day (95% CI: 1.1 to 71.7)), red meat (-17.5 g/day (95% CI: -34.0 to -1.1)), and processed meat (-6.6 g/day (95% CI: -13.1 to -0.1)) intakes during the COVID-19 pandemic. SAlBi educa is a useful tool to support nutrition counseling in primary healthcare, including in special situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Trial registration: ISRCTN57186362.

SAlBi educa (Tailored Nutrition App for Improving Dietary Habits): Initial Evaluation of Usability.

In recent years, the use of applications to improve dietary habits has increased. Although numerous nutrition apps are available on the market, only few have been developed by health and nutrition professionals based on scientific evidence and subsequently tested to prove their usability. The main objective of this study was to design, develop, and evaluate the usability of a tailored nutrition application to be used to promote healthy eating habits. In order to decide app design and content, three focus groups took place with fifteen professionals from primary healthcare, nutrition, and food science and computer science, as well as expert users. For the general and feedback message design, a reference model based on the scientific literature was developed. To address the multi-perspective approach of users' and external healthcare professionals' feedback, a one-day pilot testing with potential users and healthcare professionals was conducted with four focus groups. To evaluate the relevance and potential usability of the app a 1-month pilot test was conducted in a real-life environment. A total of 42 volunteers participated in the one-day pilot testing, and 39 potential users participated in the 1-month pilot test. The SAlBi educa app developed includes an online dietary record, a self-monitoring tool to evaluate dietary patterns, general and feedback messages, and examples of traditional Mediterranean recipes. The usability study showed that volunteers think that SAlBi educa is pleasant (59%) and easy to learn to use (94%). Over 84% of the volunteers declared that the nutritional messages were clear and useful. Volunteers stated that general and tailored recommendations, as well as self-monitoring, were SAlBi educa's most motivating and useful features. SAlBi educa is an innovative, user-friendly nutritional education tool with the potential to engage and help individuals to follow dietary habits based on the Mediterranean model.

Marked improvement in nail psoriasis during treatment with etanercept.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects approximately 3% of the population. Up to 50% of patients with psoriasis have concurrent nail psoriasis, up to 30% of patients with skin psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis and of these, approximately 80% have nail disease. The treatment of nail psoriasis is often challenging, and there is a need for new therapeutic options. Effective biological agents used in the treatment of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis may represent a new therapeutic modality for this disease. A case of rapid improvement is reported in nail psoriasis under etanercept monotherapy with maintained efficacy following the withdrawal of continued therapy.

All that glitters is not pemphigus: Pyodermatitis-pyostomatitis vegetans misdiagnosed as IgA pemphigus for 8 years.

Pyodermatitis-pyostomatitis vegetans is a rare mucocutaneous dermatosis often associated with gastrointestinal disorders, especially with inflammatory bowel disease. It is clinically characterized by erythematous lesions with multiple pustules and erosions affecting the mucosal surfaces. Cutaneous lesions are characterized by exudative and vegetating plaques affecting frequently the axillae and groins. The clinical diagnosis is supported by histologic findings, whereas immunofluorescence studies are useful to rule out other entities such as pemphigus3. Herein we report the case of a young man who was misdiagnosed as having IgA pemphigus for 8 years due to positive immunofluorescence findings. The clue for the final diagnosis was the diagnosis of a concomitant ulcerative colitis, which prompted us to reconsider his cutaneous disease.

Use of some cost-effective technologies for a routine clinical pathology laboratory.

Classically, the need for highly sophisticated instruments with important economic costs has been a major limiting factor for clinical pathology laboratories, especially in developing countries. With the aim of making clinical pathology more accessible, a wide variety of free or economical technologies have been developed worldwide in the last few years. 3D printing and Arduino approaches can provide up to 94% economical savings in hardware and instrumentation in comparison to commercial alternatives. The vast selection of point-of-care-tests (POCT) currently available also limits the need for specific instruments or personnel, as they can be used almost anywhere and by anyone. Lastly, there are dozens of free and libre digital tools available in health informatics. This review provides an overview of the state-of-the-art on cost-effective alternatives with applications in routine clinical pathology laboratories. In this context, a variety of technologies including 3D printing and Arduino, lateral flow assays, plasmonic biosensors, and microfluidics, as well as laboratory information systems, are discussed. This review aims to serve as an introduction to different technologies that can make clinical pathology more accessible and, therefore, contribute to achieve universal health coverage.

The use of scanning contactless conductivity detection for the characterisation of stationary phases in micro-fluidic chips.

The use of scanning capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection for the evaluation of the structural homogeneity and density of both packed and monolithic stationary phases in micro-fluidic chips is presented here for the first time.

Dual contactless conductivity and amperometric detection on hybrid PDMS/glass electrophoresis microchips.

A new approach for the integration of dual contactless conductivity and amperometric detection with an electrophoresis microchip system is presented. The PDMS layer with the embedded channels was reversibly sealed to a thin glass substrate (400 microm), on top of which a palladium electrode had been previously fabricated enabling end-channel amperometric detection. The thin glass substrate served also as a physical wall between the separation channel and the sensing copper electrodes for contactless conductivity detection. The latter were not integrated in the microfluidic device, but fabricated on an independent plastic substrate allowing a simpler and more cost-effective fabrication of the chip. PDMS/glass chips with merely contactless conductivity detection were first characterized in terms of sensitivity, efficiency and reproducibility. The separation efficiency of this system was found to be similar or slightly superior to other systems reported in the literature. The simultaneous determination of ionic and electroactive species was illustrated by the separation of peroxynitrite degradation products, i.e. NO(3)(-) (non-electroactive) and NO(2)(-) (electroactive), using hybrid PDMS/glass chips with dual contactless conductivity and amperometric detection. While both ions were detected by contactless conductivity detection with good efficiency, NO(2)(-) was also simultaneously detected amperometrically with a significant enhancement in sensitivity compared to contactless conductivity detection.

Portable low-cost open-source wireless spectrophotometer for fast and reliable measurements.

We demonstrate a low-cost standalone portable spectrophotometer for fast and reliable measurement execution. The data acquired can be both displayed via a dedicated smartphone application or a computer interface, allowing users either to gather and view data on the move or set up a continuous experiment. All design and software files are open-source and are intended for the device to be easily replicable and further customizable to suit specific applications. The assembled device can measure absorption in the wavelength range from 450 nm to 750 nm with a resolution of 15 nm and is housed in a 90 × 85 × 58 mm casing. Validation of the device was carried out by assessing wavelength accuracy, dynamic range and the signal-to-noise ratio of the system, followed by testing in three different applications where limit of quantification, limit of detection and relative standard deviations were determined. The results indicated better performance than low-cost spectrophotometers, on average being comparable to moderate to high-cost spectrophotometers.

TRPC6 mutational analysis in a large cohort of patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the TRPC6 gene have been reported in six families with adult-onset (17-57 years) autosomal dominant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Electrophysiology studies confirmed augmented calcium influx only in three of these six TRPC6 mutations. To date, the role of TRPC6 in childhood and adulthood non-familial forms is unknown. METHODS: TRPC6 mutation analysis was performed by direct sequencing in 130 Spanish patients from 115 unrelated families with FSGS. An in silico scoring matrix was developed to evaluate the pathogenicity of amino acid substitutions, by using the bio-physical and bio-chemical differences between wild-type and mutant amino acid, the evolutionary conservation of the amino acid residue in orthologues, homologues and defined domains, with the addition of contextual information. RESULTS: Three new missense substitutions were identified in two clinically non-familial cases and in one familial case. The analysis by means of this scoring system allowed us to classify these variants as likely pathogenic mutations. One of them was detected in a female patient with unusual clinical features: mesangial proliferative FSGS in childhood (7 years) and partial response to immunosupressive therapy (CsA + MMF). Asymptomatic carriers of this likely mutation were found within her family. CONCLUSIONS: We describe for the first time TRPC6 mutations in children and adults with non-familial FSGS. It seems that TRPC6 is a gene with a very variable penetrance that may contribute to glomerular diseases in a multi-hit setting.

[Visceral larva migrans syndrome and hepatic abscess: A case report]. / Síndrome de larva migrans visceral y absceso hepático: Reporte de un caso.

Toxocariasis canis or catis is a zoonotic infection disseminated in humans. Human beings can act as non-natural hosts in which the parasite can survive for long periods of time and they become infected by the ingestion of geohelminth eggs. These can be located on the ground, playgrounds and children's games, and are mostly eliminated by dogs or cats. There are different spectra in the clinical presentation of this infection, which can vary from an asymptomatic host to the production of serious organic lesions; some of them are ocular toxocariasis, visceral larva migrans, covert toxocariasis and neurotoxocariasis. In this case report a patient who presents with a history of respiratory problems, prolonged fever, and hepatomegaly. Laboratory analyses show hypereosinophilia, hypergammaglobulinemia and serodiagnosis is positive for toxocariasis. Preliminary diagnosis: Visceral Larva Migrans Syndrome.

La infección por T oxocara canis o catis es una zoonosis diseminada en el ser humano. La toxocariasis puede coexistir con otras parasitosis endémicas. El hombre actúa como huésped no natural y adquiere la infección a través de la ingesta de huevos del geohelminto. Estos pueden localizarse en la tierra, los patios y los juegos de los niños, y son eliminados, principalmente, por perros o gatos. Existen distintos espectros en la presentación clínica; algunos de ellos son toxocariasis ocular, larva migrans visceral, toxocariasis encubierta y neurotoxocariasis. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 2 años y 3 meses de edad, con antecedente de síntomas respiratorios, fiebre prolongada y hepatomegalia, con resultados de laboratorio que informa hipereosinofilia, hipergammaglobulinemia y serología positiva para toxocariasis (ensayo por inmunoabsorción ligado a enzimas). Se plantea el diagnóstico de síndrome de larva migrans visceral.

[Goldboom's syndrome: prolonged febrile syndrome with dysproteinemia. Case report]. / Síndrome de Goldbloom: síndrome febril prolongado con disproteinemia. Caso clínico.

Goldbloom syndrome is a rare clinical entity, of unknown etiology that happens almost exclusively in pediatric population. It is a prolonged febrile syndrome with periosteal hyperostosis and dysproteinemia, and often simulates an hematooncology or lymphoproliferative disease. The diagnosis is to rule out the different causes of bone pain associated with hypergammaglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and periostitis at the radiographies. Symptomatology, radiology and laboratory parameters refer in a variable time, usually from 3 to 12 months. We report the case of a six-year-old boy with diffuse bone pain, prolonged febrile syndrome (of 8 months of evolution), weight loss and elevated acute phase reactants with dysproteinemia (hypergammaglobulinemia and hypoalbuminemia). Goldbloom syndrome should be considered in patients with prolonged febrile syndrome and cortical hyperostosis after the exclusion of infectious, lymphoproliferative or inflammatory disease.

El síndrome de Goldbloom es una rara entidad clínica de etiología desconocida que ocurre casi exclusivamente en pediatría. Consiste en un síndrome febril prolongado con hiperostosis perióstica y disproteinemia, que, con frecuencia, simula una patología hematooncológica o linfoproliferativa. El diagnóstico se hace por exclusión de las diferentes causas de dolor de los huesos y se asocia a hipergammaglobulinemia, hipoalbuminemia, eritrosedimentación acelerada e imágenes radiológicas de periostitis. La sintomatología, la radiología y los parámetros de laboratorio remiten en un tiempo variable, que va, habitualmente, de los 3 a los 12 meses. Se presenta a un paciente de 6 años con dolores óseos difusos, hiperostosis perióstica, síndrome febril prolongado de 8 meses de evolución, pérdida de peso y reactantes de fase aguda elevados con disproteinemia (hipergammaglobulinemia e hipoalbuminemia). Debe considerarse el síndrome de Goldbloom en un paciente con las manifestaciones descritas luego de la exclusión de la patología infecciosa, hematooncológica e inflamatoria de otra causa.

[Standardized treatment plan to prevent circulatory complications]. / Prevenir complicaciones circulatorias. Plan de cuidados estandarizados.

The authors present the necessity to standardize basic treatment protocols for bedridden patients in order to avoid circulatory complications. If we set up protocols for nursing treatment when dealing with this type of patients and the activities derived from this care, we can act precociously to achieve our objective. The authors propose the following Standardized Treatment Plan bearing in mind that this is a protocol for a specific situation, appropriate for bedridden patients who suffer the risk of circulatory complications. One should not forget that standardized treatment plans serve as a model, but it is necessary for nurses to personalize each plan for each patient.

Percepción de los estudiantes de Kinesiología y Fisioterapia sobre la calidad del aula virtual

RESUMEN Introducción: la pandemia de COVID-19 ha hecho que la enseñanza en instituciones de educación superior de casi todo el mundo cambié drásticamente de la modalidad física presencial a la virtual. Objetivo: conocer la percepción que tienen los estudiantes de Kinesiología y Fisioterapia de Paraguay sobre la calidad del aula virtual en el contexto de la pandemia de COVID-19. Metodología: estudio observacional, exploratorio, descriptivo de corte transverso, prospectivo, con muestreo no probabilístico, de casos consecutivos. Un instrumento en línea fue compartido a través de las redes sociales y aplicaciones de mensajería, con el fin de estudiar características sociodemográficas y socioeconómicas, así como aquellas relacionadas a la calidad educativa. Para esto último se utilizó el "Cuestionario de Evaluación de la Calidad de los cursos virtuales de Educación Social, Calidad General del Entorno y de la Metodología Didáctica" de Santoveña Casal. Resultados: 331 estudiantes participaron de la investigación. El 74,62 % fue del sexo femenino con una edad media de 23,06±4,9. El 93,35 % utilizó por primera vez el aula virtual. Respecto a la calidad del aula virtual, el 45,62 % de los participantes manifestó que se presta "algo" de atención al proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje y el 47,43 % mencionó que es "algo" eficaz y eficiente. 32,63 % de los participantes respondió que "muy poco" se compensa la inversión económica con la calidad del curso. Conclusión: hoy en día existe un nuevo quehacer en las labores docentes, y donde elementos de la virtualidad han comenzado a utilizarse con el objetivo de no frenar los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Nuestra investigación pone de manifiesto que la mayoría de los participantes ha utilizado por primera vez un aula virtual durante esta pandemia y, además, nos permite tener una lectura preliminar sobre la calidad de la misma en estos tiempos tan complejos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused teaching in higher education institutions around the world to drastically change from physical to virtual mode. Objective: To know the perception of Kinesiology and Physiotherapy students in Paraguay about the quality of the virtual classroom in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: observational, exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional, prospective study, with non-probability sampling, of consecutive cases. An online instrument was shared through social networks and messaging applications, in order to study sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics, as well as those related to educational quality. For the latter, the "Cuestionario de Evaluación de la Calidad de los cursos virtuales de Educación Social, Calidad General del Entorno y de la Metodología Didáctica" by Santoveña Casal was used. Results: 331 students participated in the research. 74.62% were female with a mean age of 23.06±4.9. 93.35% used the virtual classroom for the first time. Regarding the quality of the virtual classroom, 45.62% of the participants stated that "some" attention is paid to the teaching-learning process and 47.43% mentioned that it is "somewhat" effective and efficient. 32.63% of the participants responded that "very little" is compensated for the economic investment with the quality of the course. Conclusion: Today there is a new task in the teaching work, and where elements of virtuality have begun to be used with the aim of not slowing down the teaching-learning processes. Our research shows that most of the participants have used a virtual classroom for the first time during this pandemic and, in addition, it allows us to have a preliminary reading on the quality of it in these complex times.