[Outbreak of monkeypox in the Canary Islands from may 15 to june 6, 2022]. / Estudio descriptivo del brote de viruela del simio en las Islas Canarias, mayo a octubre de 2022.

OBJECTIVE: Since May 2022, non-endemic countries reported the appearance of non-imported cases of monkeypox (Mpox). Spain was one of the most affected countries. The objective of the study was to describe the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of the first confirmed cases of Mpox in the Canary Islands and the main difficulties in contact tracing. METHODS: Retrospective observational descriptive study with confirmed cases of Mpox and their close contacts in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. We conducted a descriptive analysis, using frequencies and percentages for qualitative variables, and median (interquartile range) for quantitative variables. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-seven cases of Mpox were reported in the Canary Islands, with a median age of 39 years (32.8-48.3); 46.6% were HIV seropositive, and 6.8% were foreign. The most frequent clinical symptom was anogenital rash (68.8%), and at pustules stage (61.4%). One hundred and three declared risky sexual behaviors. Only fifty-three (30%) collaborated in the identification of close contacts. There were difficulties in: establishing communication with the cases, communicating the isolation measures, requesting tests, and due to delayed sample processing. CONCLUSIONS: Most common clinical symptom at diagnosis is anogenital rash in pustule stage. Most of the cases report risky sexual relations. The main barriers in contact tracing are the difficulty in contacting cases, the lack of identification data and the lack of experience of health professionals regarding Mpox.

OBJETIVO: Desde mayo de 2022, países no endémicos notificaron la aparición de casos no importados de viruela del simio (Mpox), siendo España uno de los más afectados. El objetivo del estudio fue describir las características clínico-epidemiológicas de los casos confirmados de Mpox en las Islas Canarias y las principales dificultades en el rastreo de contactos. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo observacional descriptivo con casos confirmados de Mpox y sus contactos estrechos en la Comunidad Autónoma de Canarias. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, indicando frecuencias y porcentajes para variables cualitativas y mediana (rango intercuartílico) para cuantitativas. RESULTADOS: Se notificaron ciento setenta y siete casos de Mpox en las Islas Canarias, con una mediana de edad de 39 años (32,8-48,3), un 46,6% de seropositivos por VIH, y un 6,8% de extranjeros. La manifestación clínica más frecuente fue exantema anogenital (68,8 %), y en estadio de pústulas (61,4%). Ciento tres declararon conductas sexuales de riesgo. Solo cincuenta y tres (30%) colaboraron en la identificación de contactos estrechos. Se produjeron dificultades al establecer comunicación con los casos, al comunicar las medidas de aislamiento, en la solicitud de pruebas y, finalmente, debido al procesamiento de muestras con retraso. CONCLUSIONES: La manifestación clínica más frecuente al diagnóstico es el exantema anogenital en estadio de pústulas. La mayoría de los casos reportan relaciones sexuales de riesgo. Las principales barreras en el rastreo de contactos resultan la dificultad para contactar con los casos, la falta de datos de identificación y la inexperiencia de los profesionales sanitarios en relación con Mpox.

Atypical presentation of sexually-transmitted monkeypox lesions.

BACKGROUND: Typically, skin lesions caused by monkeypox (MPX) begin as a monomorphic exanthema with centrifugal distribution, and can be found at different sequential stages in different regions of the body. The aim of this study is to present an atypical case of MPX infection that simultaneously presented exanthema at three stages of evolution in the same location. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of a confirmed case of MPX by detection of the virus genome in clinical sample by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: We describe a 40-year-old male patient with an unusual clinical presentation. One week after having multiple risky MSM sexual intercourses, the patient developed skin eruption on the penis. During the following 10 days, he progressively developed new lesions on the same area. These lesions simultaneously showed different stages of evolution (vesicles, pustules and crust). CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to expected clinical presentation of the disease, the patient developed lesions at different stages in the same location. Attending physicians must be aware of atypical initial presentation and evolution of the lesions, and conduct a comprehensive epidemiological survey.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles for Preparation of Gelatin Films with Antimicrobial Activity.

Silver nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using Thuja orientalis aqueous extract and AgNO3 as a precursor. UV-Vis showed a distinct absorption peak at 424 nm attributed to silver nanoparticles due to their surface plasmon resonance. Atomic absorption analysis reflected an increase in the concentration of nanoparticles in relation to the progress of the synthesis, obtaining a peak concentration value of 15.7 mg/L at 50 min. The FTIR spectra revealed the characteristic functional groups of phytomolecules involved in the silver-ion binding process, such as R-O-H (3335 cm-1) O=C-OH (2314 cm-1) and C-C=C (1450 cm-1). At 50 min, zeta potential showed the stability of the nanoparticles with the value of -21.73 mV. TEM micrographs revealed the formation of spherical nanoparticles with an average size of about 85.77 nm. Furthermore, films incorporated with nanoparticles exhibited a Tg from 66.42 °C to 73.71 °C and Tm at 103.31 °C. Films from the G22 formulation presented excellent antibacterial properties inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Thuja orientalis aqueous extract could be a low-cost, eco-friendly, and efficient reducing and capping agent for the synthesis of nanometric-sized Ag particles. Gelatin films with nanoparticles are expected to have high potential as an active food packaging system.

An imported case of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, Spain in the context of the ongoing polio Public Health Emergency of International Concern, September 2021.

The monthly retrospective search for unreported acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases conducted as a complementary component of the Spanish AFP surveillance system identified a case of AFP in a child admitted in Spain from Senegal during August 2021. Vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 was identified in the stool in September 2021. We present public health implications and response undertaken within the framework of the National Action Plan for Polio Eradication and the Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The p38 MAPK Components and Modulators as Biomarkers and Molecular Targets in Cancer.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family is an important bridge in the transduction of extracellular and intracellular signals in different responses at the cellular level. Within this MAPK family, the p38 kinases can be found altered in various diseases, including cancer, where these kinases play a fundamental role, sometimes with antagonistic mechanisms of action, depending on several factors. In fact, this family has an immense number of functionalities, many of them yet to be discovered in terms of regulation and action in different types of cancer, being directly involved in the response to cancer therapies. To date, three main groups of MAPKs have been identified in mammals: the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and the different isoforms of p38 (α, ß, γ, δ). In this review, we highlight the mechanism of action of these kinases, taking into account their extensive regulation at the cellular level through various modifications and modulations, including a wide variety of microRNAs. We also analyze the importance of the different isoforms expressed in the different tissues and their possible role as biomarkers and molecular targets. In addition, we include the latest preclinical and clinical trials with different p38-related drugs that are ongoing with hopeful expectations in the present/future of developing precision medicine in cancer.

Manifestaciones neurológicas periféricas en la infección por Sars-CoV-2: enfoque desde la Medicina Física y la Rehabilitación / Peripheral neurological manifestations in Sars-CoV-2 infection Approach from Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Desde su notificación a finales del 2019, la infección secundaria a coronavirus se ha difundido a nivel global hasta ser calificada como una pandemia. La respuesta inflamatoria generalizada que produce la infección por Sars-CoV-2, compromete múltiples órganos y sistemas, siendo el sistema respiratorio uno de los más afectados y con desenlace fatal, sin embargo, la afectación del sistema nervioso periférico puede implicar el desarrollo de déficits permanentes, con limitaciones en las actividades de la vida diaria y restricción en la participación, llevando a la pérdida de independencia y reducción de la calidad de vida. El médico rehabilitador debe estar enfocado al reconocimiento y detección temprana de la patología nerviosa periférica, así como a determinar la intervención de la cual se beneficia más el paciente, liderar el equipo interdisciplinario de salud y mantener un trabajo fluido con otras especialidades médicas.

Since its notification at the end of 2019, the infection secondary to coronavirus has spread globally to the point of being qualified as a pandemic. The generalized inflammatory response produced by Sars-CoV-2 infection involves multiple organs and systems, being the respiratory system one of the most affected and with fatal outcome, however, the involvement of the peripheral nervous system may involve the development of permanent deficits, with limitations in activities of daily living and restriction in participation, leading to loss of independence and reduced quality of life. The rehabilitation physician should be focused on the early recognition and detection of peripheral nerve pathology, as well as to determine the intervention from which the patient will benefit the most, lead the interdisciplinary health team and maintain a fluid work with other medical specialties.

Compromiso, secuelas y rehabilitación del Sistema Nervioso Central debido a infección por Coronavirus, Sars-CoV-2 (Covid-19 / Compromise, sequelae and rehabilitation of the Central Nervous System due to infectionby Coronavirus, Sars - Co V - 2 (Covid-19)

La infección por coronavirus Sars-CoV-2 desde su aparición en 2019, se ha manifestado con el compromiso multiorgánico y con la consecuente necesidad de un abordaje multidisciplinario que incluye a varios profesionales de la salud para la intervención aguda, la estabilización del paciente, la exploración neurológica y el proceso de rehabilitación. En conjunto las manifestaciones neurológicas, respiratorias y cardiovasculares son causa de discapacidad, alteración en la funcionalidad, de la participación y del entorno social en los pacientes con infección por Sars-CoV-2, por lo que requieren de una rehabilitación temprana como también de programas diseñados en torno a la pandemia y al compromiso neurológico, con el fin de prevenir complicaciones tempranas. Estas son razones por las que la presente revisión narrativa tiene como fin describir los principales compromisos del sistema nervioso central así como las secuelas neurológicas, basados en la búsqueda y referencia de diferentes tipos de artículos publicados hasta la fecha.

Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus infection since its emergence in 2019, has manifested with multiorgan involvement and the consequent need for a multidisciplinary approach that includes several health professionals for acute intervention, patient stabilization, neurological examination and rehabilitation process. As a whole, neurological, respiratory and cardiovascular manifestations are the cause of disability, alteration in functionality, participation and social environment in patients with Sars-CoV-2 infection, thus requiring early rehabilitation as well as programs designed around the pandemic and neurological involvement, in order to prevent early complications. These are the reasons why the present narrative review aims to describe the main central nervous system compromises as well as neurological sequelae, based on the search and reference of different types of articles published to date.

The role of interdisciplinary research team in the impact of health apps in health and computer science publications: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have estimated the potential economic and social impact of the mHealth development. Considering the latest study by Institute for Healthcare Informatics, more than 165.000 apps of health and medicine are offered including all the stores from different platforms. Thus, the global mHealth market was an estimated $10.5 billion in 2014 and is expected to grow 33.5 percent annually between 2015 and 2020s. In fact, apps of Health have become the third-fastest growing category, only after games and utilities. METHODS: This study aims to identify, study and evaluate the role of interdisciplinary research teams in the development of articles and applications in the field of mHealth. It also aims to evaluate the impact that the development of mHealth has had on the health and computer science field, through the study of publications in specific databases for each area which have been published until nowadays. RESULTS: Interdisciplinary nature is strongly connected to the scientific quality of the journal in which the work is published. This way, there are significant differences in those works that are made up by an interdisciplinary research team because of they achieve to publish in journals with higher quartiles. There are already studies that warn of methodological deficits in some studies in mHealth, low accuracy and no reproducibility. Studies of low precision and poor reproducibility, coupled with the low evidence, provide low degrees of recommendation of the interventions targeted and therefore low applicability. CONCLUSIONS: From the evidence of this study, working in interdisciplinary groups from different areas greatly enhances the quality of research work as well as the quality of the publications derived from its results.