pH-Dependent Effects in Nanofluidic Memristors.

Multipore membranes with nanofluidic diodes show memristive and current rectifying effects that can be controlled by the nanostructure asymmetry and ionic solution characteristics in addition to the frequency and amplitude of the electrical driving signal. Here, we show that the electrical conduction phenomena, which are modulated by the interaction between the pore surface charges and the solution mobile ions, allow for a pH-dependent neuromorphic-like potentiation of the membrane conductance by voltage pulses. Also, we demonstrate that arrangements of memristors can be employed in the design of electrochemical circuits for implementing logic functions and information processing in iontronics.

Unexpected Behavior of Streaming Potential in Ion-Exchange Membranes.

Streaming potential is one of the numerous electrokinetic phenomena created when an electrolyte flows along a charged surface. In membranes, applying the charged cylindrical pore model, streaming potential can be used to estimate, e.g., the pore size and the charge density of such pores. In this study, we are extending streaming potential experiments to ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) and trying to verify the existing models with the measurements. According to the Donnan equilibrium between an electrolyte solution and an IEM, the solution concentration should not affect the streaming potential if the membrane charge is even moderately low. Yet, the streaming potential varied substantially with the solution concentration, as in the case of nearly neutral porous membranes. In addition, the existing theory does not include the membrane thickness, but we found that thinner membranes showed larger streaming potentials. These dilemmas are discussed in this paper.

Ultra-processed food consumption and semen quality parameters in the Led-Fertyl study.

STUDY QUESTION: Is ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption associated with semen quality parameters? SUMMARY ANSWER: Higher UPF consumption was inversely associated with total sperm count, sperm concentration, and total motility in men of reproductive age. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The consumption of UPF, which has been rising during the last decades, has been demonstrated to be positively associated with several chronic diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. However, the scientific evidence on its potential impact on semen quality remains notably limited. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 200 healthy men (mean age 28.4 ± 5.5 years) enrolled in the Led-Fertyl (Lifestyle and Environmental Determinants of Seminogram and Other Male Fertility-Related Parameters) study between February 2021 and April 2023. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS: UPF consumption (% of energy from UPF) was estimated according to the NOVA classification system using a validated 143-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Total sperm count, sperm concentration, sperm vitality, total motility, progressive motility, and normal sperm forms were set as the main outcomes. Microscopic parameters were analyzed using a phase-contrast microscope and a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. Semen samples were collected and tested according to World Health Organization 2010 standards. Multivariable linear regression models were fitted to estimate the associations between UPF tertile and semen quality parameters. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Sperm concentration (ß: -1.42 × 106 spz./ml; 95% CI: -2.72 to -0.12) and motility (ß: -7.83%; 95% CI: -15.16 to -0.51) were lower in participants in the highest tertile of UPF compared to the lowest. A similar association was observed for sperm count when UPF was analyzed per 10% increment of energy from UPF consumption (ß: -1.50 × 106 spz.; 95% CI: -2.83 to -0.17). Theoretically replacing 10% of energy from UPF consumption with 10% of energy from unprocessed or minimally processed food consumption was associated with a higher total sperm count, sperm concentration, total motility, progressive motility, and normal sperm forms. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: Cross-sectional studies do not permit the drawing of causal inferences. Measurement errors and reporting bias cannot be entirely ruled out. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This work suggests that consumption of UPF may have an impact on certain semen quality parameters. Furthermore, opting for unprocessed or minimally processed foods instead of UPFs could potentially benefit semen quality. If these results are replicated in future epidemiological studies with different long-term designs, these novel findings could provide valuable insights for updating or even designing preventive and interventional programs to address infertility among men of reproductive age. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This study was supported by the Spanish government's official funding agency for biomedical research, ISCIII, through the Fondo de Investigación para la Salud (FIS), the European Union ERDF/ESF, 'A way to make Europe'/'Investing in your future' [PI21/01447], and the Diputació de Tarragona (2021/11-No.Exp. 8004330008-2021-0022642). J.S.-S. gratefully acknowledges the financial support of ICREA under the ICREA Academia program. C.V.-H. received a predoctoral grant from the Generalitat de Catalunya (2022 FI_B100108). M.Á.M. was supported by the Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship (CD21/00045-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)). M.F.d.l.P. was supported by a predoctoral grant from the Rovira i Virgili University and Diputació de Tarragona (2020-PMF-PIPF-8). All authors have no conflict of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Assessment of dyspneic sensation in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) should be considered a susceptible group for pulmonary dysfunction. So, we aimed to evaluate the sensation of breathlessness in this population by administering two well-validated questionnaires. Methods: This is a crosssectional study with 592 people without known respiratory disease (353 with T2D) who answered the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) questionnaire. In addition, 47% also responded to the St George Respiratory Questionnaire, a specific instrument designed to be applied to patients with obstructive airway disease. Results: Patients with T2D showed a higher mMRC score in comparison to the control group [1.0 (0.0 - 4.0) vs. 0.0 (0.0 - 4.0), p<0.001]. A higher prevalence of subjects with mMRC ≥2 was observed in T2D that in the control group (20.2% vs. 11.6%, p=0.004). Participants with T2D and mMRC ≥2 showed a higher HbA1c (8.2 ± 1.6% vs. 7.8 ± 1.6%, p=0.048), longer T2D evolution and higher prevalence of nephropathy. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of T2D [OR=1.95 (1.19 to 3.22), p=0.008] in all the population, and HbA1c [OR=1.19 (1.01 to 1.41), p=0.034] and the presence of diabetic nephropathy [OR=2.00 (1.14 to 3.52), p=0.015] in patients with T2D, predicted a mMRC ≥2. Finally, no differences were observed regarding the SGRQ score among groups. Conclusions: Patients with T2D showed a greater sensation of dyspnea than subjects with normal carbohydrate metabolism. Risk factors included poor metabolic control and the presence of renal disease.

Potential-Modulated Ion Distributions in the Back-to-Back Electrical Double Layers at a Polarised Liquid|Liquid Interface Regulate the Kinetics of Interfacial Electron Transfer.

Biphasic interfacial electron transfer (IET) reactions at polarisable liquid|liquid (L|L) interfaces underpin new approaches to electrosynthesis, redox electrocatalysis, bioelectrochemistry and artificial photosynthesis. Herein, using cyclic and alternating current voltammetry, we demonstrate that under certain experimental conditions, the biphasic 2-electron O2 reduction reaction can proceed by single-step IET between a reductant in the organic phase, decamethylferrocene, and interfacial protons in the presence of O2. Using this biphasic system, we demonstrate that the applied interfacial Galvani potential difference Δ o w φ provides no direct driving force to realise a thermodynamically uphill biphasic IET reaction in the mixed solvent region. We show that the onset potential for a biphasic single-step IET reaction does not correlate with the thermodynamically predicted standard Galvani IET potential and is instead closely correlated with the potential of zero charge at a polarised L|L interface. We outline that the applied Δ o w φ required to modulate the interfacial ion distributions, and thus kinetics of IET, must be optimised to ensure that the aqueous and organic redox species are present in substantial concentrations at the L|L interface simultaneously in order to react.

Innovative temporary edge protection system in trench works for the construction industry and rescue operations.

This study assessed an innovative temporary edge protection system (TEPS) designed and developed to improve the ergonomics, health and safety at trench works in the construction industry, which ranks as one of the most hazardous worldwide. A wooden prototype of this innovative TEPS was built, and its mechanical resistance was compared to a conventional one. Thereafter, field tests were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of this pioneering TEPS. Both in analytical studies and field tests, the mechanical resistance to static loads of the TEPS complied with EU standards, and outperformed the conventional TEPS. The novel TEPS is effective as fall protection for different trench shoring systems and in buildings without edge protection systems. Moreover, this novel lightweight TEPS is easy to transport, with simple and safe on-site installation.

Obtener un mejor tratamiento para el paciente con hipotiroidismo

Introducción: El hipotiroidismo es una entidad de visita frecuente al endocrinólogo, establecer el mejor tratamiento es un desafío, a pesar del manejo adecuado y de un control hormonal óptimo, en ocasiones los pacientes continúan con los síntomas que afectan su calidad de vida, por lo que el tratamiento debe ser individualizado, basado en la mejor evidencia. Objetivo: Establecer las mejores opciones terapéuticas en las diferentes formas de presentación del hipotiroidismo. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica no sistemática en las bases de datos de PubMed, Medline, LILACS, EMBASE, Redalyc y guías internacionales. Los criterios de inclusión fueron publicaciones en inglés y español, en las que el título, palabras clave o resumen incluyen información pertinente al objetivo de estudio, periodicidad no mayor a los 5 años a excepción de las guías que son las últimas revisiones. En la búsqueda se obtuvieron 30 artículos de los cuales fueron 14 seleccionados. Conclusiones: Se establecieron las opciones terapéuticas con el fin de obtener un mejor tratamiento para el paciente hipotiroideo que debe ser individualizado y basado en la mejor evidencia, para alcanzar un control adecuado de su enfermedad, mejorar la calidad de vida y evitar complicaciones relacionadas con esta patología.

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is an entity that is frequently seen at the endocrinologist´s. establishing the best treatment is a challenge, despite proper management and optimal hormonal control, sometimes patients continue with symptoms which affect their quality of life, therefore that treatment should be individualized, based on the best evidence. Objective: To establish the best therapeutic options in hypothyroidism different forms of presentation. Methods: A non-systematic bibliographic search was carried out in PubMed, Medline, LILACS, EMBASE, Redalyc databases and in the international guidelines. The inclusion criteria were publications in English and Spanish, in which the title, keywords or abstract include relevant information to the objective of the study, with a periodicity of no more than 5 years, except for the guidelines that the latest revisions were used. In the search, 30 articles were retrieved, 14 which were selected. Conclusions: The therapeutic options were established in order to find better treatment for hypothyroid patients, which must be individualized and based on the best evidence, to achieve adequate control of the disease, to improve the quality of life and to avoid related complications.

Vaccination and mortality from COVID-19: a comparative study between hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and non-dialysis adult population in Panama.

PURPOSE: Dialysis patients have a different response than the non-dialysis population to infection with COVID-19. This study evaluates the prevalence of infection and lethality in patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in Panama, compared to non-dialysis adult population, and reports of adverse events of vaccination. METHODS: This is a prospective, multi-center cohort study of spatients aged 18 years or older and receiving in-center hemodialysis or ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in 13 centers in Panama from March 2021 to 2022. For comparison with general population, the study used an extended period of two years. RESULTS: A total of 1531 patients receiving dialysis treatment accepted to participate. PD patients represented an 18% of study patients. Lethality was higher in peritoneal dialysis patients with COVID-19 infection than in hemodialysis in the study group (p 0.02). Total deaths in dialysis patients for 2020 were 156 patients, before vaccination; 79 in 2021; and 25 for the first trimester of 2022. Lethality for the period of 2020-2022 was 9.3% for dialysis patients and 0.2% for non-dialysis population. There was no difference in symptoms in first dose, but with second dose, hemodialysis patients reported fewer symptoms than peritoneal dialysis patients (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Ninety one percent of people in the country received BNT162b2 Pfizer BionTech vaccine. Lethality decreased from 30 to 5% once vaccination was available. There were no severe adverse effects and symptoms reported were less frequent than in general population, probably due to low reactogenicity in dialysis patients, or better tolerance to pain.

Transplantation of fragments from different planaria: A bioelectrical model for head regeneration.

Head-tail planaria morphologies are influenced by the electric potential differences across the animal's primary axis, as evidenced e.g. by voltage-sensitive dyes and functional experiments that create permanent lines of 2-headed but genetically wild-type animals. However, bioelectrical and biochemical models that make predictions on what would happen in the case of spatial chimeras made by tissue transplantation from different planaria (different species and head shapes) are lacking. Here, we use a bioelectrical model to qualitatively describe the effects of tissue transplantation on the shape of the regenerated head. To this end, we assume that the cells may have distinct sets of ion channels and ascribe the system outcome to the axial distributions of average cell potentials over morphologically relevant regions. Our rationale is that the distributions of signaling ions and molecules are spatially coupled with multicellular electric potentials. Thus, long-time downstream transcriptional events should be triggered by short-time bioelectrical processes. We show that relatively small differences between the ion channel characteristics of the cells could eventually give noticeable changes in the electric potential profiles and the expected morphological deviations, which suggests that small but timely bioelectrical actions may have significant morphological effects. Our approach is based on the observed relationships between bioelectrical regionalization and biochemical gradients in body-plan studies. Such models are relevant to regenerative, developmental, and cancer biology in which cells with distinct properties and morphogenetic target states confront each other in the same tissue.

Electrical conductance of conical nanopores: Symmetric and asymmetric salts and their mixtures.

We have studied experimentally the electrical conductance-voltage curves of negatively and positively charged conical nanopores bathed in ionic solutions with monovalent, divalent, and trivalent cations at electrochemically and biologically relevant ionic concentrations. To better understand the interaction between the pore surface charge and the mobile ions, both single salts and salt mixtures have been considered. We have paid attention to the effects on the conductance of the cation valency, the pore charge asymmetry, and the pore charge inversion phenomena due to trivalent ions, both in single salts and salt mixtures. In addition, we have described how small concentrations of multivalent ions can tune the nanopore conductance due to monovalent majority ions, together with the effect of these charges on the additivity of ionic conductance and fluoride-induced negative differential conductance phenomena. This compilation and discussion of previously presented experimental data offers significant insights on the interaction between fixed and mobile charges confined in nanoscale volumes and should be useful in establishing and checking new models for describing ionic transport in the vicinity of charged surfaces.

Polyphenol intake and cardiovascular risk in the PREDIMED-Plus trial. A comparison of different risk equations.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Quantification of cardiovascular risk has been based on scores such as Framingham, Framingham-REGICOR, SCORE or Life's Simple 7 (LS7). In vitro, animal, and randomized clinical studies have shown that polyphenols may provide benefits to the vascular system and reduce the inflammatory response. However, some clinical-epidemiological studies have yielded inconsistent results. Our aim was to assess the possible association between intake of the various polyphenol classes and established cardiovascular scores. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis involved 6633 PREDIMED-Plus study participants. Food polyphenol content was estimated by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, adjusted for total energy intake according to the residual method. The association between polyphenol intake and cardiovascular risk was tested using linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Total polyphenol and flavonoid intake were directly and significantly associated only with the LS7 scale. Intake of lignans was directly and significantly associated with SCORE and LS7 scales, stilbene intake with SCORE, and phenolic acid intake with Framingham and Framingham-REGICOR scores. Other polyphenol classes were associated in a protective and significant manner in Framingham, SCORE and LS7 scores. In women, intake of all the polyphenol classes, except phenolic acids, showed a protective trend in the results of the Framingham, Framingham-REGICOR scores and LS7 scale. CONCLUSIONS: An inverse association was found between consumption of the 'other polyphenols' class and, especially among women, with estimated cardiovascular risk. The results were similar to those of Framingham, Framingham-REGICOR and LS7 (after eliminating the diet component) and differed from those of SCORE, but the predictors included were limited in the latter case.

Infección por COVID-19 en pacientes en Hemodiálisis en Panamá 2020

Antecedentes y objetivo: Los pacientes con Enfermedad Renal Crónica (ERC) en Hemodiálisis son pacientes que tienen condiciones que los hacen pacientes de riesgo para la infección por COVID-19. Los pacientes en hemodiálisis han sido un grupo muy afectado, debido a que no pueden suspender sus tratamientos para mantener el aislamiento domiciliario, lo que aumenta su exposición y riesgo a infección por COVID-19. Para evaluar el comportamiento de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en los pacientes en hemodiálisis crónica en Panamá, realizamos un estudio prospectivo de los pacientes infectados por COVID-19 en las Unidades de Hemodiálisis de la CSS de todo el país, para determinar las características de los pacientes afectados, los síntomas que presentaron, su evolución clínica y el desenlace de los pacientes infectados. Materiales y Médodos: Realizamos un estudio longitudinal descriptivo prospectivo multicéntrico de los casos positivos que se diagnosticaron desde el 15 de julio hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2020 en las 14 Unidades de Hemodiálisis de la CSS del país.  Resultados y conclusiones: Fueron incluidos un total de 333 pacientes en hemodiálisis con diagnóstico positivo para  infección  por SARS-CoV-2, de un total de 2194 pacientes que realizan hemodiálisis en las Unidades de la Caja de Seguro Social.  El 59.5% de los afectados fueron de sexo masculino.  La edad promedio fue de 56.75 años (DS 15.1 años).  La Tasa de Mortalidad encontrada en nuestro estudio fue de 26%. La incidencia acumulada de COVID-19 en pacientes en Hemodiálisis fue de 16% para el período de estudio del 2020. (provisto por Infomedic International)

Background and objective: Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) on Hemodialysis are patients who have conditions that make them patients at risk for COVID-19 infection. Hemodialysis patients have been a highly affected group because they cannot stop their treatments to maintain home isolation, which increases their exposure and risk of COVID-19 infection. To evaluate the behavior of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients on chronic hemodialysis in Panama, we conducted a prospective study of patients infected by COVID-19 in hemodialysis units throughout the country, to determine the characteristics of the affected patients, the symptoms they presented, their clinical evolution and the outcome of the infected patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a multicenter prospective descriptive longitudinal study of the positive cases that were diagnosed from July 15, 2020 to December 31, 2020 in the 14 Hemodialysis Units of the Social Security Fund of the country. Results and conclusions: A total of 333 hemodialysis patients with a positive diagnosis for SARS-CoV-2 infection were included, out of a total of 2194 patients undergoing hemodialysis in the Units of the Social Security Fund. Fifty nine percet of those affected were male.  The mean age was 56.75 years (DS 15.1 years).  The Mortality Rate found in our study was 26%. The cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients was 16% for the 2020 study period. (provided by Infomedic International)

Synchronization of Bioelectric Oscillations in Networks of Nonexcitable Cells: From Single-Cell to Multicellular States.

Biological networks use collective oscillations for information processing tasks. In particular, oscillatory membrane potentials have been observed in nonexcitable cells and bacterial communities where specific ion channel proteins contribute to the bioelectric coordination of large populations. We aim at describing theoretically the oscillatory spatiotemporal patterns that emerge at the multicellular level from the single-cell bioelectric dynamics. To this end, we focus on two key questions: (i) What single-cell properties are relevant to multicellular behavior? (ii) What properties defined at the multicellular level can allow an external control of the bioelectric dynamics? In particular, we explore the interplay between transcriptional and translational dynamics and membrane potential dynamics in a model multicellular ensemble, describe the spatiotemporal patterns that arise when the average electric potential allows groups of cells to act as a coordinated multicellular patch, and characterize the resulting synchronization phenomena. The simulations concern bioelectric networks and collective communication across different scales based on oscillatory and synchronization phenomena, thus shedding light on the physiological dynamics of a wide range of endogenous contexts across embryogenesis and regeneration.

Manifestaciones de salud asociadas a elementos medio ambientales: el caso de la ocurrencia de coccidioidomicosis en México 2004-2015 / Manifestations of health associated with environmental elements: the case of the occurrence of coccidioidemycosis in Mexico 2004-2015

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar la dinámica temporal de la coccidioido micosis en México, durante el periodo comprendido entre 2004-2015, en el contexto de sus determinantes socio ambientales e identificar su distribución actual en el territorio nacional mediante la construcción de indicadores de concentración geográfica. Métodos: Se conduce análisis exploratorio de datos a partir de microdatos sobre egresos hospitalarios en el periodo 2004-2015. En términos teóricos, la presente investigación se ubica en el paradigma sobre determinantes sociales y ambientales de las condiciones de salud pública. Resultados: La evolución temporal durante 11 años de información analizada permite identificar un patrón persistente en la concentración de casos, que afecta principalmente a cuatro estados en el país, con una clara carga para la población masculina. Se identifica al estado de Sonora como la entidad de mayor incidencia en México, una entidad cuyos determinantes ambientales analizados sugieren la necesidad de implementar políticas públicas preventivas. Conclusiones: Dada la evolución temporal de egresos hospitalarios por coccidiodomicosis en México y el vínculo ambiental de la enfermedad, la evidencia obtenida representa un área de oportunidad para intervenir mediante estrategias de control focalizadas en territorios específicos, siendo el estado de Sonora un sitio prioritario de atención.

Abstract Objective: To analyze the temporal dynamics of coccidioide mycosis in Mexico, during the period between 2004-2015 in the context of its socio-environmental determinants and to identify its actual distribution in the national territory by means of the construction of geographical concentration indicators. Methods: An exploratory analysis of data was made from micro data on hospital discharges in the period 2004-2015. In theoretical terms, this research is located in the paradigm on social and environmental determinants of public health conditions. Results: The time evolution during 11 years of analyzed information allows to identify a persistent pattern in the concentration of cases, which mainly affects four states in the country, with a clear burden for the male population. The state of Sonora was identified as the entity with the highest incidence in Mexico, an entity that determines the environmental factors analyzed and the need to implement preventive public policies. Conclusions: Given the temporal evolution of hospital discharges due to coccidioid mycosis in Mexico and the environmental link of the disease, the evidence obtained represents an opportunity to intervene through control strategies focused on specific territories, with the State of Sonora being a priority site of attention.

Cell-cell bioelectrical interactions and local heterogeneities in genetic networks: a model for the stabilization of single-cell states and multicellular oscillations.

Genetic networks operate in the presence of local heterogeneities in single-cell transcription and translation rates. Bioelectrical networks and spatio-temporal maps of cell electric potentials can influence multicellular ensembles. Could cell-cell bioelectrical interactions mediated by intercellular gap junctions contribute to the stabilization of multicellular states against local genetic heterogeneities? We theoretically analyze this question on the basis of two well-established experimental facts: (i) the membrane potential is a reliable read-out of the single-cell electrical state and (ii) when the cells are coupled together, their individual cell potentials can be influenced by ensemble-averaged electrical potentials. We propose a minimal biophysical model for the coupling between genetic and bioelectrical networks that associates the local changes occurring in the transcription and translation rates of an ion channel protein with abnormally low (depolarized) cell potentials. We then analyze the conditions under which the depolarization of a small region (patch) in a multicellular ensemble can be reverted by its bioelectrical coupling with the (normally polarized) neighboring cells. We show also that the coupling between genetic and bioelectric networks of non-excitable cells, modulated by average electric potentials at the multicellular ensemble level, can produce oscillatory phenomena. The simulations show the importance of single-cell potentials characteristic of polarized and depolarized states, the relative sizes of the abnormally polarized patch and the rest of the normally polarized ensemble, and intercellular coupling.

[Spatial distribution of hospital discharges of cases of viral infection from mosquito bites in Mexico in the period 2004-2014]. / Distribución espacial de egresos hospitalarios de casos por infección vírica por picadura de mosquito en México entre 2004 y 2014.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the spatial distribution of hospital discharges of viral fever caused by mosquito bites in Mexico and characterize its historical trend in the period 2004-2014. METHODS: An exploratory cross-sectional inferential analysis was performed. The primary data were obtained from the hospital discharge registries of the National Health Information System (SINAIS) for the period 2004-2014. In order to identify clusters of reported cases, indicators of geographical association were estimated and risk areas established on the basis of environmental determinants validated with estimated relative concentration measurements. In order to determine the temporal trend and age structure of the cases, growth rates were estimated and density curves constructed. RESULTS: The geographic distribution of these hospital discharges in Mexico follows a focalized pattern. In total, a high concentration was detected in clusters made up of 20 municipalities, 9 of which were located in the state of Sinaloa. In 37% of states in the country, the concentrations of hospital discharges of viral fever cases were higher than those for the country as a whole, and their localization indices ranged from 5.79 in Sinaloa to 1.17 in Campeche. CONCLUSION: Geographic information, information on the link found between areas at high risk for transmission of infection due to the presence of the transmitting vector, and information on social conditions such as poverty are useful for designing strategies for the prevention and control of emerging arthropod-borne viral infections, such as the Zika virus, in Mexico.

Variation of the Fermi level and the electrostatic force of a metallic nanoparticle upon colliding with an electrode.

When a metallic nanoparticle (NP) comes in close contact with an electrode, its Fermi level equilibrates with that of the electrode if their separation is less than the cut-off distance for electron tunnelling. In the absence of chemical reactions in solution, the charge on the metallic nanoparticle is constant outside this range before or after the collision. However, the double layer capacitances of both the electrode and the NP are influenced by each other, varying as the function of distance. Because the charge on the nanoparticle is constant, the outer potential of the metallic NP and hence its Fermi level varies as the capacitance changes. This effect is more pronounced for small particles (<10 nm) in diluted supporting electrolyte solutions, especially if the metallic nanoparticle and the electrode have different potentials of zero charge. Nanoparticles were found to be more electrochemically active in the vicinity of the electrode. For example, the outer potential of a positively-polarized 2 nm radius NP was predicted to decrease by 35 mV or 100 mV (depending on the electrostatic model used to describe the electric double layer), when the NP moved from an electrode at 1 V (vs. its pzc) to the bulk. The force between the equilibrated NP and the electrode is always repulsive when they have the same pzc. Otherwise there can be an attraction even when the NP and the electrode carry charges of the same sign, due to the redistibution of surface charge density at both the NP and electrode surface.

Weakly coupled map lattice models for multicellular patterning and collective normalization of abnormal single-cell states.

We present a weakly coupled map lattice model for patterning that explores the effects exerted by weakening the local dynamic rules on model biological and artificial networks composed of two-state building blocks (cells). To this end, we use two cellular automata models based on (i) a smooth majority rule (model I) and (ii) a set of rules similar to those of Conway's Game of Life (model II). The normal and abnormal cell states evolve according to local rules that are modulated by a parameter κ. This parameter quantifies the effective weakening of the prescribed rules due to the limited coupling of each cell to its neighborhood and can be experimentally controlled by appropriate external agents. The emergent spatiotemporal maps of single-cell states should be of significance for positional information processes as well as for intercellular communication in tumorigenesis, where the collective normalization of abnormal single-cell states by a predominantly normal neighborhood may be crucial.

Correction: Variation of the Fermi level and the electrostatic force of a metallic nanoparticle upon colliding with an electrode.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C7SC00848A.].

Distribución espacial de egresos hospitalarios de casos por infección vírica por picadura de mosquito en México entre 2004 y 2014 / Spatial distribution of hospital discharges of cases of viral infection from mosquito bites in Mexico in the period 2004-2014 / Distribuição espacial de egressos hospitalares de casos de infecção viral por picada de mosquitos no México entre 2004 e 2014

RESUMEN Objetivo Conocer la distribución espacial de los egresos hospitalarios por fiebre vírica por picadura de mosquito (FVPM) en México y caracterizar su evolución histórica en el periodo 2004-2014. Métodos Se realizo un análisis exploratorio e inferencial de corte transversal. Los datos primarios se obtuvieron de los registros de egresos hospitalarios del Sistema Nacional de Información en Salud (SINAIS) del periodo 2004-2014. Para identificar clusters de los casos notificados, se estimaron indicadores de asociación geográfica y establecieron zonas de riesgo sobre la base de determinantes ambientales que se validaron con medidas estimadas de concentración relativa. Para conocer la evolución temporal y determinar la estructura de edad de los casos, se estimaron tasas de crecimiento y se construyeron curvas de densidad. Resultados La distribución geográfica de estos egresos hospitalarios en México sigue un patrón focalizado. En total se detectó alta concentración en clusters integrados por 20 municipios de los cuales 9 se localizaron en el estado de Sinaloa. En 37% de los estados del país las concentraciones de egresos hospitalarios por FVPM fueron mayores que las del país en conjunto y sus índices de localización oscilaron entre 5,79 en Sinaloa y 1,17 en Campeche. Conclusión La información geográfica obtenida, la referente al vínculo encontrado entre las zonas de alto riesgo de transmisión de la infección por la presencia del vector transmisor y la relativa a las condiciones sociales como la pobreza son útiles para diseñar estrategias de prevención y control de las infecciones víricas emergentes transmitidas por artrópodos en México, como la del virus del Zika.

ABSTRACT Objective Determine the spatial distribution of hospital discharges of viral fever caused by mosquito bites in Mexico and characterize its historical trend in the period 2004-2014. Methods An exploratory cross-sectional inferential analysis was performed. The primary data were obtained from the hospital discharge registries of the National Health Information System (SINAIS) for the period 2004-2014. In order to identify clusters of reported cases, indicators of geographical association were estimated and risk areas established on the basis of environmental determinants validated with estimated relative concentration measurements. In order to determine the temporal trend and age structure of the cases, growth rates were estimated and density curves constructed. Results The geographic distribution of these hospital discharges in Mexico follows a focalized pattern. In total, a high concentration was detected in clusters made up of 20 municipalities, 9 of which were located in the state of Sinaloa. In 37% of states in the country, the concentrations of hospital discharges of viral fever cases were higher than those for the country as a whole, and their localization indices ranged from 5.79 in Sinaloa to 1.17 in Campeche. Conclusion Geographic information, information on the link found between areas at high risk for transmission of infection due to the presence of the transmitting vector, and information on social conditions such as poverty are useful for designing strategies for the prevention and control of emerging arthropod-borne viral infections, such as the Zika virus, in Mexico.

RESUMO Objetivo Conhecer a distribuição espacial dos egressos hospitalares de febre viral por picada de mosquitos (FVPM) no México e caracterizar sua evolução histórica no período 2004-2014. Métodos Foi realizado um estudo exploratório e inferencial de corte transversal. Os dados primários foram obtidos dos registros de egressos hospitalares do Sistema Nacional de Informação em Saúde (SINAIS) para o período 2004-2014. Para identificar clusters dos casos notificados, foram estimados indicadores de associação geográfica e estabelecidas as áreas de risco com base em determinantes ambientais que foram validados com medidas estimadas de concentração relativa. Para se conhecer a evolução temporal e determinar a estrutura etária dos casos, foram estimadas taxas de crescimento e construídas curvas de densidade. Resultados A distribuição geográfica dos egressos hospitalares no México segue um padrão focalizado. No todo, verificou-se alta concentração em clusters formados por 20 municípios, dos quais 9 estavam situados no Estado de Sinaloa. Em 37% dos Estados do país, a concentração de egressos hospitalares por FVPM foi maior que a do país como um todo e os índices de localização variaram de 5,79 em Sinaloa a 1,17 em Campeche. Conclusão Os dados geográficos obtidos, relativos à associação verificada entre as áreas de alto risco de transmissão de infecção pela presença dos vetores transmissores e condições sociais como pobreza, são úteis para o planejamento de estratégias de prevenção e controle de infecções virais emergentes transmitidas por artrópodes no México, como a do vírus zika.