Spatial patterns of prematurity and its determinants in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil, 2010-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze spatial distribution of preterm births and their association with maternal, social, and health services indicators in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil, 2010-2019. METHODS: Ecological study using data on preterm newborns from 39 municipalities in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. Univariate global Moran's index (Im) was used to evaluate spatial association of prematurity, and univariate local Moran's index by using the cluster map (LISA) to identify spatial patterns and clusters. Bivariate global Moran's index was also used to analyze spatial autocorrelation with maternal, social, and health services indicators. RESULTS: A total of 3,103,898 live births were registered in period 2010-2019, of which 331,174 (10.7%) were preterm. The global Moran's index showed spatial independence (Im=0.05; p-value=0.233) of the proportion of preterm births between municipalities. However, in the local spatial analysis it was possible to identify a statistically significant spatial cluster between the municipalities of Biritiba Mirim, Guararema and Salesópolis, with high proportions of preterm births. In the bivariate analysis, a significant positive spatial association was identified with proportions of mothers under 20 years old (Im=0.17; p-value=0.024) and mothers with low schooling (Im=0.17; p-value=0.020), and a significant negative spatial association with HDI (Im=-0.14; p-value=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: The local spatial approach identified a spatial cluster located in the far east of the metropolitan region of São Paulo, where actions by health managers are needed to minimize occurrence of preterm births.

Spatial patterns of prematurity and its determinants in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil, 2010-2019 / Padrões espaciais da prematuridade e seus determinantes na região metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil, 2010-2019

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze spatial distribution of preterm births and their association with maternal, social, and health services indicators in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil, 2010-2019. Methods: Ecological study using data on preterm newborns from 39 municipalities in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. Univariate global Moran's index (Im) was used to evaluate spatial association of prematurity, and univariate local Moran's index by using the cluster map (LISA) to identify spatial patterns and clusters. Bivariate global Moran's index was also used to analyze spatial autocorrelation with maternal, social, and health services indicators. Results: A total of 3,103,898 live births were registered in period 2010-2019, of which 331,174 (10.7%) were preterm. The global Moran's index showed spatial independence (Im=0.05; p-value=0.233) of the proportion of preterm births between municipalities. However, in the local spatial analysis it was possible to identify a statistically significant spatial cluster between the municipalities of Biritiba Mirim, Guararema and Salesópolis, with high proportions of preterm births. In the bivariate analysis, a significant positive spatial association was identified with proportions of mothers under 20 years old (Im=0.17; p-value=0.024) and mothers with low schooling (Im=0.17; p-value=0.020), and a significant negative spatial association with HDI (Im=-0.14; p-value=0.039). Conclusions: The local spatial approach identified a spatial cluster located in the far east of the metropolitan region of São Paulo, where actions by health managers are needed to minimize occurrence of preterm births.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a distribuição espacial dos nascimentos prematuros e sua associação com indicadores maternos, sociais e de serviços de saúde na região metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil, 2010-2019. Métodos: Estudo ecológico utilizando dados sobre recém-nascidos pré-termo dos 39 municípios da região metropolitana de São Paulo. Utilizou-se o índice de Moran (Im) global univariado para avaliar a associação espacial da prematuridade, e o índice de Moran local univariado por meio do mapa de clusters (LISA) para a identificação de padrões e aglomerados espaciais. Também foi utilizado o índice de Moran global bivariado para analisar a autocorrelação espacial com os indicadores maternos, sociais e de serviços de saúde. Resultados: Foram registrados 3.103.898 nascidos vivos no período 2010-2019, dos quais 331.174 (10,7%) foram prematuros. O índice de Moran global mostrou independência espacial (Im=0,05; p-valor=0,233) da proporção dos nascimentos prematuros entre municípios. No entanto, na análise espacial local foi possível identificar aglomerado espacial estatisticamente significativo entre os municípios de Biritiba Mirim, Guararema e Salesópolis, com proporções altas de nascimentos pré-termo. Na análise bivariada, identificou-se associação espacial significativa positiva com proporções de mães menores de 20 anos (Im=0,17; p-valor=0,024) e mães com baixa escolaridade (Im=0,17; p-valor=0,020), e associação espacial significativa negativa com IDH (Im=-0,14; p-valor=0,039). Conclusão: A abordagem espacial local identificou agrupamento espacial situado no extremo leste da região metropolitana de São Paulo, onde ações dos gestores de saúde são necessárias para minimizar a ocorrência de partos prematuros.

Spatial patterns of mortality in low birth weight infants at term and its determinants in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight (LBW) is a public health problem strongly associated with infant mortality. This study aimed to identify the spatial distribution of infant mortality in newborns with LBW (750-2,500 g) at term (≥37 weeks of gestation), due to their being small for gestational age, analyzing its association with mother-related determinants, as well as to identify priority areas of mortality in the State of São Paulo, 2010-2019. METHODS: Infant mortality rate was analyzed in the division of neonatal mortality and postneonatal mortality of newborns with LBW at term. The empirical Bayesian method smoothed the rates, the univariate Moran index was used to measure the degree of spatial association between the municipalities, and the bivariate Moran index was employed to identify the existence of a spatial association between the rates and the selected determinants. Thematic maps of excess risk and local Moran were prepared to identify spatial clusters, adopting 5% as a significance level. RESULTS: The excess risk map showed that more than 30% of the municipalities had rates above the state rate. High-risk clusters were identified in the southwest, southeast, and east regions, mainly among more developed municipalities. The determinants of adolescent mothers, mothers over 34 years of age, low education, human development index, social vulnerability index, gross domestic product, physicians, and pediatric beds showed a significant association with the rates evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Priority areas and significant determinants associated with reduced mortality in newborns with LBW were identified, suggesting the need for intervention measures to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal.

Spatial patterns of mortality in low birth weight infants at term and its determinants in the State of São Paulo, Brazil / Padrões espaciais de mortalidade em recém-nascidos de baixo peso a termo e seus determinantes no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: Low birth weight (LBW) is a public health problem strongly associated with infant mortality. This study aimed to identify the spatial distribution of infant mortality in newborns with LBW (750-2,500 g) at term (≥37 weeks of gestation), due to their being small for gestational age, analyzing its association with mother-related determinants, as well as to identify priority areas of mortality in the State of São Paulo, 2010-2019. Methods: Infant mortality rate was analyzed in the division of neonatal mortality and postneonatal mortality of newborns with LBW at term. The empirical Bayesian method smoothed the rates, the univariate Moran index was used to measure the degree of spatial association between the municipalities, and the bivariate Moran index was employed to identify the existence of a spatial association between the rates and the selected determinants. Thematic maps of excess risk and local Moran were prepared to identify spatial clusters, adopting 5% as a significance level. Results: The excess risk map showed that more than 30% of the municipalities had rates above the state rate. High-risk clusters were identified in the southwest, southeast, and east regions, mainly among more developed municipalities. The determinants of adolescent mothers, mothers over 34 years of age, low education, human development index, social vulnerability index, gross domestic product, physicians, and pediatric beds showed a significant association with the rates evaluated. Conclusions: Priority areas and significant determinants associated with reduced mortality in newborns with LBW were identified, suggesting the need for intervention measures to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal.

RESUMO Objetivo: O baixo peso ao nascer (BPN) é um problema de saúde pública e está fortemente associado à mortalidade infantil. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar a distribuição espacial da mortalidade infantil em recém-nascidos com BPN (750-2.500 g) a termo (≥37 semanas de gestação), por serem pequenos para a idade gestacional, analisando sua associação com determinantes relacionados à mãe, bem como identificar áreas prioritárias de mortalidade no Estado de São Paulo, 2010-2019. Métodos: A taxa de mortalidade infantil foi analisada na divisão da mortalidade neonatal e mortalidade pós-neonatal de recém-nascidos com BPN a termo. O método bayesiano empírico alisou as taxas, o índice de Moran univariado foi utilizado para medir o grau de associação espacial entre os municípios e o índice de Moran bivariado foi empregado para identificar a existência de associação espacial entre as taxas e os determinantes selecionados. Mapas temáticos de excesso de risco e Moran local foram elaborados para identificar aglomerados espaciais, adotando-se 5% como nível de significância. Resultados: O mapa de excesso de risco mostrou que mais de 30% dos municípios apresentaram taxas acima da taxa estadual. Aglomerados de alto risco foram identificados nas regiões sudoeste, sudeste e leste, principalmente entre os municípios mais desenvolvidos. Os determinantes mães adolescentes, mães acima de 34 anos, baixa escolaridade, índice de desenvolvimento humano, índice de vulnerabilidade social, produto interno bruto, médicos e leitos pediátricos apresentaram associação significativa com as taxas avaliadas. Conclusões: Foram identificadas áreas prioritárias e determinantes significativos associados à redução da mortalidade em recém-nascidos com BPN, sugerindo a necessidade de medidas de intervenção para atingir o Objetivo de Desenvolvimento Sustentável.

Análisis bibliométrico de las publicaciones relacionadas con los investigadores del Municipio Yara. 2009-2019

Introducción: los retos de la contemporaneidad reconocen a la investigación científica, como motor impulsor para el desarrollo económico social de las poblaciones humanas. Objetivo: caracterizar la productividad de los artículos científicos a través de un análisis bibliométricos de las publicaciones relacionadas con los investigadores del Municipio Yara. 2009-2019. Métodos: se tomó como fuente primaria el Registro de publicaciones dentro el período 2009-2019 en materia de investigaciones de artículos científicos. Se analizó un total de 62 artículos publicados que tuvieron relación con la investigación durante esta etapa. Para el análisis, se incluyeron solo los artículos científicos y se excluyeron las editoriales y las reseñas. Se estudiaron las siguientes variables: número de publicaciones por año, número de publicaciones por revistas, tipología de artículos de revistas y número de autores. Resultados: se observó una tendencia al incremento de las publicaciones lideradas por los investigadores. Predominó la distribución en el año 2016 y 2019 así como la revista Multimed con un 56.3 %, la tipología de los artículos originales con un 99.4 % y la distribución con más de cinco autores por publicaciones. Conclusiones: predominó de distribución en el año 2016 y 2019, con gran impacto la revista Multimed, la tipología de los artículos originales y la distribución con más de cinco autores por publicaciones.

Introduction: the challenges of the contemporaneidad recognize to the scientific investigation, as impeller motor for the social economic development of the human populations. Objective: to characterize the productivity of the scientific articles through an analysis bibliométrics of the publications related with the investigators of the Municipality Yara. 2009-2019. Methods: The period took like primary source the Record of publications inside 2009-2019 on the subject of investigations of scientific goods. A total of 62 published goods that had to do with the investigation during this stage was examined. For analysis, they included only the scientific goods and they excluded editorials and reviews. They studied the following variables: Number of publications per year, number of publications for magazines, typology of goods of magazines and authors' number. Results: a tendency was observed to the increment of the publications liderations by the investigators. The distribution prevailed in the year 2016 and 2019 as well as the magazine Multimed with 56.3%, the tipology of the original articles with 99.4% and the distribution with more than five authors for publications. Conclusions: it prevailed of distribution in the year 2016 and 2019, with great impact the magazine Multimed, the tipology of the original articles and the distribution with more than five authors for publications.

Introdução: os desafios da contemporaneidade reconhecem a pesquisa científica como força motriz para o desenvolvimento socioeconômico das populações humanas. Objetivo: caracterizar a produtividade de artigos científicos por meio de uma análise bibliométrica de publicações relacionadas a pesquisadores do Município de Yara. 2009-2019. Métodos: o Registro de publicações no período 2009-2019 no campo da pesquisa de artigos científicos foi tomado como fonte primária. Foram analisados 62 artigos publicados relacionados à pesquisa nessa etapa. Para a análise, apenas artigos científicos foram incluídos e editoriais e revisões foram excluídos. Foram estudadas as seguintes variáveis: número de publicações por ano, número de publicações por periódico, tipo de artigos de periódicos e número de autores. Resultados: houve uma tendência de aumento nas publicações lideradas por pesquisadores. A distribuição prevaleceu em 2016 e 2019, assim como a revista Multimed com 56,3%, a tipologia dos artigos originais com 99,4% e a distribuição com mais de cinco autores por publicação. Conclusões: a distribuição predominou em 2016 e 2019, com grande impacto na revista Multimed, na tipologia dos artigos originais e na distribuição com mais de cinco autores por publicação.

Lipidomic and Metabolomic Signature of Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Severe Obesity.

Severe obesity is a major risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Early detection and careful monitoring of renal function are critical for the prevention of CKD during obesity, since biopsies are not performed in patients with CKD and diagnosis is dependent on the assessment of clinical parameters. To explore whether distinct lipid and metabolic signatures in obesity may signify early stages of pathogenesis toward CKD, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-high resolution accurate mass-mass spectrometry (GC-HRAM-MS) analyses were performed in the serum and the urine of severely obese patients with and without CKD. Moreover, the impact of bariatric surgery (BS) in lipid and metabolic signature was also studied, through LC-MS and GC-HRAM-MS analyses in the serum and urine of patients with severe obesity and CKD before and after undergoing BS. Regarding patients with severe obesity and CKD compared to severely obese patients without CKD, serum lipidome analysis revealed significant differences in lipid signature. Furthermore, serum metabolomics profile revealed significant changes in specific amino acids, with isoleucine and tyrosine, increased in CKD patients compared with patients without CKD. LC-MS and GC-HRAM-MS analysis in serum of patients with severe obesity and CKD after BS showed downregulation of levels of triglycerides (TGs) and diglycerides (DGs) as well as a decrease in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), lysine, threonine, proline, and serine. In addition, BS removed most of the correlations in CKD patients against biochemical parameters related to kidney dysfunction. Concerning urine analysis, hippuric acid, valine and glutamine were significantly decreased in urine from CKD patients after surgery. Interestingly, bariatric surgery did not restore all the lipid species, some of them decreased, hence drawing attention to them as potential targets for early diagnosis or therapeutic intervention. Results obtained in this study would justify the use of comprehensive mass spectrometry-based lipidomics to measure other lipids aside from conventional lipid profiles and to validate possible early markers of risk of CKD in patients with severe obesity.

Renoprotective role of bariatric surgery in patients with established chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery (BS) has been postulated as the most effective measure for weight reduction. Weight loss improves metabolic parameters and exerts changes in renal function that lead to the amelioration of absolute or relative glomerular hyperfiltration, a condition that may be renoprotective in the long term. However, few studies have demonstrated the influence of BS in patients with severe obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our objective was to analyse the evolution of renal function, adipose tissue-derived molecules and inflammatory parameters in patients with CKD after BS. METHODS: This is an observational and prospective study. Thirty patients were screened and 12 were included between January 2016 and January 2018 with a 24-month follow-up. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was determined by plasma iohexol clearance. Adipokines, cytokines, circulating hormones and fibrotic parameters were evaluated before and 12 months after BS using the Bioplex system. RESULTS: The mean age was 50.6 years and 58.3% were males. Seven patients had a body mass index >40 kg/m2 and 66.7% were diabetic. Twenty-four months following BS there was a significant decrease in body weight (36.4%). Proteinuria decreased by 63.7 ± 28.2%. Measured GFR significantly diminished from before surgery to Month 24 after surgery (94 ± 44 to 79 ± 44 mL/min, P = 0.03). There was a significant decrease in adipocyte-derived molecules (leptin and vifastin) as well as in pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumour necrosis factor α, IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1] and other circulating factors (vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor ß isoforms). CONCLUSIONS: BS is an effective option to prevent kidney damage in obese subjects with CKD due to the improvement of glomerular hyperfiltration, adipocyte cytokines metabolic and inflammatory parameters.

Effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on left ventricular remodelling and longitudinal strain: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) lower cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, although the mechanisms underlying these benefits are not clearly understood. Our aim was to study the effects of SGLT2i on left ventricular remodelling and longitudinal strain. METHODS: Between November 2019 and April 2020, we included 52 patients with T2DM ≥ 18 years old, with HbA1c between 6.5 and 10.0%, and estimated glomerular filtration ≥ 45 ml/min/1.73 m2. Patients were classified into SGLT2i group and control group, according to prescribed treatment by their referring physician. Conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography were performed by blinded sonographers, at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. RESULTS: Among the 52 included patients (44% females, mean age 66.8 ± 8.6 years, mean HbA1c was 7.40 ± 0.7%), 30 patients were prescribed SGLT2i and 22 patients were classified as control group. Mean change in indexed left ventricular mass (LVM) was - 0.85 ± 3.31 g/m2 (p = 0.003) in the SGLT2i group, and + 2.34 ± 4.13 g/m2 (p = 0.58) in the control group. Absolute value of Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) increased by a mean of 1.29 ± 0.47 (p = 0.011) in the SGLT2i group, and 0.40 ± 0.62 (p = 0.34) in the control group. We did not find correlations between changes in LVM and GLS, and other variables like change in HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with T2DM, SGLT2i were associated with a significant reduction in indexed LVM and a significant increment in longitudinal strain measured by speckle tracking echocardiography, which may explain in part the clinical benefits found in clinical trials.

An Analytics Environment Architecture for Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems Big Data Solutions.

The architecture design of industrial data analytics system addresses industrial process challenges and the design phase of the industrial Big Data management drivers that consider the novel paradigm in integrating Big Data technologies into industrial cyber-physical systems (iCPS). The goal of this paper is to support the design of analytics Big Data solutions for iCPS for the modeling of data elements, predictive analysis, inference of the key performance indicators, and real-time analytics, through the proposal of an architecture that will support the integration from IIoT environment, communications, and the cloud in the iCPS. An attribute driven design (ADD) approach has been adopted for architectural design gathering requirements from smart production planning, manufacturing process monitoring, and active preventive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) scenarios. Data management drivers presented consider new Big Data modeling analytics techniques that show data is an invaluable asset in iCPS. An architectural design reference for a Big Data analytics architecture is proposed. The before-mentioned architecture supports the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) environment, communications, and the cloud in the iCPS context. A fault diagnosis case study illustrates how the reference architecture is applied to meet the functional and quality requirements for Big Data analytics in iCPS.

Síndrome de Wiskott-Aldrich asociado a absceso de la glándula tiroides. Informe de caso / Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome associated with thyroid gland abscess. Case report

RESUMEN El Síndrome de Wiskott-Aldrich es una inmunodeficiencia hereditaria poco frecuente, acompañada de trombocitopenia. Así mismo, el absceso de tiroides se presenta raras veces, dados los niveles de iodo, irrigación linfática y lo encapsulado del órgano. El objetivo del presente trabajo es presentar el caso de un paciente con absceso de la glándula tiroides, que además era portador de Síndrome de Wiskott-Aldrich. De sexo masculino y 21 años de edad, fue atendido en el Hospital León Cuervo Rubio, de Pinar del Río. Una semana antes había sufrido un ántrax en la espalda, seguido del aumento de volumen del cuello y signos de compresión, aunque sin indicios de sepsis. Durante la intervención quirúrgica se encontró absceso de la glándula tiroides. El tratamiento oportuno del absceso de tiroides evita consecuencias fatales en enfermos inmunodeprimidos, como el paciente presentado.

ABSTRACT Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome is a rare inherited immunodeficiency, accompanied by thrombocytopenia. In addition, thyroid abscess occurs rarely, given the levels of iodine, lymphatic irrigation and the encapsulation of the organ. The objective of this work is to present the case of a patient with an abscess of the thyroid gland, who was also a carrier of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. A 21 years old male was treated at the León Cuervo Rubio Hospital, in Pinar del Río. A week earlier, he had suffered a anthrax on his back, followed by swelling in his neck and signs of compression, but with no signs of sepsis. During the surgical intervention, an abscess of the thyroid gland was found. Timely treatment of thyroid abscess avoids fatal consequences in immunodeficient patients, such as the patient presented.

Targeting the hydrophilic regions of recombinant proteins by MS via in-solution buffer-free trypsin digestion.

A desalting step using reversed phase chromatography is a common practice prior to mass spectrometry analysis of proteolytic digests in spite of the detrimental exclusion of the hydrophilic peptides. The detection of such peptides is also important for the complete coverage of protein sequences and the analysis of posttranslational modifications as inquired by regulatory agencies for the commercialization of biotechnological products. The procedure described here, named in-solution buffer-free digestion, simplifies the sample processing and circumvents the above-mentioned limitations by allowing the detection of tryptic hydrophilic peptides via direct ESI-MS analysis. Two DNA recombinant proteins such as HBcAg (hepatitis B core antigen) and fusion VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) were analyzed with the proposed in-solution buffer-free digestion allowing the detection of extremely hydrophilic di-, tri- and tetra-peptides, C-terminal His-tail peptide, as well as disulfide-containing peptides. All these molecular species are hardly seen in mass spectrometric analysis using a standard digestion that includes a C18-desalting step. The procedure was also successfully tried on hydrophilic tetra- and hexa-peptides of Ribonuclease B carrying an N-glycosylation site occupied with "high-mannose" N-glycan chains. The in-solution buffer-free digestion constitutes a simple and straightforward approach to analyse the hydrophilic proteolytic peptides which are commonly elusive to the detection by conventional mass spectrometric analysis.

Movement Disorders After Exposure to Antipsychotic Drugs in Patients With Depressive Disorders.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to explore the frequency of movement disorders (MDs) in depressive patients exposed to antipsychotic drugs (APDs) and to compare it with nonexposed depressive patients and APDs-treated schizophrenic patients. METHODS: Four hundred fifty-two depressive patients not exposed to APDs (group A), 156 depressives exposed to APDs (group B), and 75 patients with schizophrenia on APDs (group C) were recruited. Presence of MDs was explored by the Simpson-Angus and UKU scales (Registration: NCT02409823). RESULTS: Movement disorders were observed in 5%, 9%, and 13% of patients in groups A to C, respectively (P < 0.001, χ for linear trend). A logistic multivariate analysis revealed that male sex (odds ratio = 2.26, 95% confidence interval = 1.13-4.49, P < 0.01), exposure to first-generation (vs second-generation) APDs (odds ratio = 5.71, 95% confidence interval = 2.08-15.66, P < 0.01), and exposure to lithium (odds ratio = 3.99, 95% confidence interval = 1.74-9.14, P < 0.01) were independently and significantly associated with MDs. CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, use first-generation APDs, and exposure to lithium were associated with MDs in depression. Therefore, caution is advised with the use of these drugs in depressive patients. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.

The voltage-sensitive cardiac M2 muscarinic receptor modulates the inward rectification of the G protein-coupled, ACh-gated K+ current.

The acetylcholine (ACh)-gated inwardly rectifying K+ current (IKACh) plays a vital role in cardiac excitability by regulating heart rate variability and vulnerability to atrial arrhythmias. These crucial physiological contributions are determined principally by the inwardly rectifying nature of IKACh. Here, we investigated the relative contribution of two distinct mechanisms of IKACh inward rectification measured in atrial myocytes: a rapid component due to KACh channel block by intracellular Mg2+ and polyamines; and a time- and concentration-dependent mechanism. The time- and ACh concentration-dependent inward rectification component was eliminated when IKACh was activated by GTPγS, a compound that bypasses the muscarinic-2 receptor (M2R) and directly stimulates trimeric G proteins to open KACh channels. Moreover, the time-dependent component of IKACh inward rectification was also eliminated at ACh concentrations that saturate the receptor. These observations indicate that the time- and concentration-dependent rectification mechanism is an intrinsic property of the receptor, M2R; consistent with our previous work demonstrating that voltage-dependent conformational changes in the M2R alter the receptor affinity for ACh. Our analysis of the initial and time-dependent components of IKACh indicate that rapid Mg2+-polyamine block accounts for 60-70% of inward rectification, with M2R voltage sensitivity contributing 30-40% at sub-saturating ACh concentrations. Thus, while both inward rectification mechanisms are extrinsic to the KACh channel, to our knowledge, this is the first description of extrinsic inward rectification of ionic current attributable to an intrinsic voltage-sensitive property of a G protein-coupled receptor.

[Genetics and genomics in rheumatoid arthritis (RA): An update]. / Genética y genómica en artritis reumatoide (AR): una actualización.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects approximately 0.5-1% of the general population and leads to chronic synovial inflammation, destruction of cartilage and bone, and disability. The heritability of rheumatoid arthritis has been estimated to be about 60%, while the contribution of HLA to heritability has been estimated to be 11-37%. Other genes, such as PTPN22, STAT4, CTLA4, TRAF1, PADI4, IRF5, FCRL3, TNFIP3, TNF-α, miRNAs, CD28, CD40, TYK2, etc., have been associated with susceptibility, severity, activity, and treatment response of rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this review is to describe the role of gene variants located in immune system genes associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis.

MHC2TA and FCRL3 genes are not associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Mexican patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial disease. A combination of genetic and environmental risk factors contributes to its etiology. Several genes have been reported to be associated with susceptibility to the development of RA. The MHC2TA and FCRL3 genes have been associated previously with RA in Swedish and Japanese populations, respectively. In two recent reports, we show an association between FCRL3 and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), and MHC2TA and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Mexican population. We assessed the association between three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the MHC2TA (-168G/A; rs3087456, and +16G/C; rs4774) and FCRL3 (-169T/C; rs7528684) genes and rheumatoid arthritis in Mexican population through a genotyping method using allelic discrimination assays with TaqMan probes. Our case-control study included 249 patients with RA and 314 controls. We found no evidence of an association between the MHC2TA -168G/A and +1614G/C or FCRL3 -169T/C polymorphisms and RA in this Mexican population. In this cohort of Mexican patients with RA, we observed no association between the MHC2TA or FCRL3 genes and this autoimmune disease.

The principal conductance in Giardia lamblia trophozoites possesses functional properties similar to the mammalian ClC-2 current.

The human intestinal pathogen Giardia lamblia is a flagellated unicellular protozoan with pronounced medical and biological relevance. However, the basic physiology of Giardia trophozoites has been sparsely studied, especially the electrical and ionic properties of their cellular membrane which are virtually unknown. In this study, we were able to record and characterize the macroscopic ionic currents of Giardia trophozoite membrane by electrophysiological methods of the patch clamp technique. Giardia trophozoites showed a high current density (∼600 pA/pF at -140 mV) that was activated upon hyperpolarization. This current was carried by a chloride-selective channel (I Cl-G) and it was the most important determinant of the membrane potential in Giardia trophozoites. Moreover, this conductance was able to carry other halide anions and the sequence of permeability was Br(-) > Cl(-) ≈ I(-) ≫ F(-). Besides the voltage-dependent inward-rectifying nature of I Cl-G, its activation and deactivation kinetics were comparable to those observed in ClC-2 channels. Extracellular pH modified the voltage-dependent properties of I Cl-G, shifting the activation curve from a V 1/2 = -79 ± 1 mV (pH 7.4) to -93 ± 2 mV (pH 8.4) and -112 ± 2 mV (pH 5.4). Furthermore, the maximal amplitude of I Cl-G measured at -100 mV showed dependence to external pH in a bell-shaped fashion reported only for ClC-2 channels. Therefore, our results suggest that I Cl-G possesses several functional properties similar to the mammalian ClC-2 channels.

Mexican-American children's perspectives: neighborhood characteristics and physical activity in Texas-Mexico border colonias.

The qualitative study described in this article investigated perceptions about environmental factors influencing physical activity (PA) among children from underserved neighborhoods known as colonias in the U.S.-Mexico border. Ten focus groups were conducted with 67 Mexican-American colonia children ages 8 to 13 living in one of the poorest border counties in the U.S. Analyses indicated that PA among children was influenced by neighborhood characteristics, including litter, speeding cars, unleashed dogs, and dark streets. The children also underlined intrapersonal and social environmental factors. Findings may inform policy makers and public health professionals about ways to promote PA among underserved children through urban planning and programs focusing on PA-supportive infrastructure, neighborhood safety, and family- and home-based physical activities.

Utilización de drenaje postoperatorio en cirugía artroscópica ambulatoria del ligamento cruzado anterior: un estudio prospectivo randomizado / Postoperative use of intraarticular closed-suction drainage after ACL reconstruction. prospective randomized study

Introducción: la utilización de drenajes en los postoperatorios de reconstrucción artroscópica de ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) es una práctica común en nuestro medio. Existe poca evidencia sólida en la literatura que avale el beneficio de la utilización sistemática de drenaje postoperatorio. Hipótesis: la utilización de drenaje, en pacientes sometidos a cirugía artroscópica ambulatoria de reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA), no aportaría beneficios significativos. Materiales y Métodos: se evaluaron 100 pacientes consecutivos sometidos a una reconstrucción artroscópica del LCA utilizando injerto cuádruple de semitendinoso y recto interno. Se aleatorizó la muestra en dos grupos, grupo de estudio al cuál no se le colocó drenaje y grupo control al cuál se le colocó un drenaje aspirativo. Se evaluó el rango de movilidad (RDM), dolor según escala analógica visual (de 1 al 10), hemartrosis según diámetro supra-patelar, y valoración subjetiva del paciente; comparándose los parámetros en la 1°, 2° y 4° semana del postoperatorio. Resultados: no se encontró ninguna diferencia significativa (P <0.05) en términos RDM, dolor o hemartrosis entre el grupo de estudio y el grupo control en la 1°, 2° y 4° semana postoperatorias. Subjetivamente todos los pacientes estaban satisfechos o muy satisfechos y volverían a realizarse el procedimiento. El estudio presentaba suficiente poder estadístico para detectar diferencias entre los dos grupos en el caso que las hubiera. Conclusión: no existe beneficio evidente en la utilización sistemática de un drenaje aspirativo luego de una cirugía ambulatoria del LCA, por lo que ha dejado de ser una práctica corriente en nuestro servicio. Tipo de Estudio: Prospectivo Randomizado. Nivel de evidencia: I-II.

Introduction: postoperative use of intrarticular closed-suction drainage after ACL reconstructive surgery is common practice. There is no strong evidence in the literature supporting it. Material and Methods: prospective evaluation of two groups of patients undergoing primary arthroscopic ambulatory ACL reconstruction, using hamstrings autografts. Group 1: 50 patients using postoperative suction drains. Group 2: 50 patients not using postop drains. We evaluated ROM, pain (withw VAS), intraarticular swelling (hemarthrosis) and subjective scoring at 1, 2 and 4 weeks postop.Results: there were no statistically significant differences (p< 0,05) between groups, in any evaluated variable, at any time point of the study. Conclusion: the present study shows no clear benefit in the systematic use of close-suction drains after arthroscopic ambulatory ACL surgery, therefore we do not recommend this practice anymore. Study Design: Prospective Randomized. Level of evidence: I-II.