Role of SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism and neuroinvasion in COVID-19 patients disease severity.

The disease caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) spread rapidly from China to the entire world. Approximately one third of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients have neurological disorders, especially those classified as severe cases and that require mechanical ventilation. On the other hand, almost nine out of 10 patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit could not breathe spontaneously, thus requiring invasive and non-invasive ventilatory support. So far, whether early neurological disorders such as hyposmia or anosmia, dysgeusia or ageusia, headache and vertigo are significant in the progression to the severe form of the disease or whether they are related to entry to the central nervous system via peripheral nerves has not been determined. Considering the great similarity between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, and that the severity of the condition that leads to death cannot be explained solely by lung involvement, it is important to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 potential invasion to the central nervous system is partially responsible for the severe respiratory component observed in patients with COVID-19.

La enfermedad (COVID-19) producida por el nuevo coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 se extendió rápidamente desde China a todo el mundo. Aproximadamente una tercera parte de los pacientes infectados de SARS-CoV-2 presenta alteraciones neurológicas, con mayor frecuencia los clasificados como graves que requirieron ventilación mecánica. Por otro lado, casi nueve de cada 10 pacientes admitidos en una unidad de cuidados intensivos no podían respirar espontáneamente, por lo que ameritaron apoyo ventilatorio invasivo y no invasivo. Hasta el momento no se ha determinado si las alteraciones neurológicas tempranas como la hiposmia o anosmia, disgeusia o ageusia, cefalea y vértigo son significativas en la progresión a la forma grave de la enfermedad y se relacionan con la entrada al sistema nervioso central a través de los nervios periféricos. Considerando la gran similitud entre SARS-CoV y SARS-CoV-2 y que la severidad del cuadro que conduce a la muerte no puede ser explicado únicamente por la afección pulmonar, es importante determinar si la invasión potencial del SARS-CoV-2 al sistema nervioso central es parcialmente responsable del componente respiratorio severo que presentan los pacientes con COVID-19.

Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (sICAM-1) as a Biomarker of Vascular Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction and subsequent inflammation contribute to the development of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) is upregulated in endothelial dysfunction and promotes an inflammatory response; however, the relationship between sICAM-1 and VCI remains equivocal. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sICAM-1 contributes to the prediction of VCI. METHODS: Community-dwelling older adults (n = 172) from the "Cohort of Obesity, Sarcopenia and Frailty of Older Mexican Adults" (COSFOMA) study were identified as VCI or controls using standard neuropsychological evaluations and neuroimaging. sICAM-1 was quantified using ELISA, and multivariate logistic regression determined the association between sICAM-1 and VCI. RESULTS: A total of 31 VCI cases were identified. sICAM-1 was higher in VCI (VCI: 450.7 [241.6] ng/mL vs. controls: 296.9 [140.9] ng/mL). sICAM-1 concentrations above the 90th percentile (464.1 ng/mL) were associated with VCI group membership in all models (OR: 6.9, 95% CI: 1.1-42.2). The final saturated model explained 64% of the variance in VCI group membership. CONCLUSION: High concentrations of sICAM-1 are independently associated with VCI group membership. Efforts to further characterize the relationship between indices of endothelial dysfunction and pathological changes to the aging brain should be further pursued.

Traumatic Human Spinal Cord Injury: Are Single Treatments Enough to Solve the Problem?

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) results in partial or complete motor deficits, such as paraplegia, tetraplegia, and sphincter control, as well as sensory disturbances and autonomic dysregulation such as arterial hypotension, lack of sweating, and alterations in skin lability. All this has a strong psychological impact on the affected person and his/her family, as well as costs to healthcare institutions with an economic burden in the short, medium, and long terms. Despite at least forty years of experimental animal studies and several clinical trials with different therapeutic strategies, effective therapy is not universally accepted. Most of the published works on acute and chronic injury use a single treatment, such as medication, trophic factor, transplant of a cell type, and so on, to block some secondary injury mechanisms or promote some mechanisms of structural/functional restoration. However, despite significant results in experimental models, the outcome is a moderate improvement in muscle strength, sensation, or eventually in sphincter control, which has been considered non-significant in human clinical trials. Here we present a brief compilation of successful individual treatments that have been applied to secondary mechanisms of action. These studies show limited neuroprotective or neurorestorative approaches in animal models and clinical trials. Thus, the few benefits achieved so far represent a rationale to further explore other strategies that seek better structural and functional restoration of the injured spinal cord.

Study of genetic variants and their clinical significance in Mexican pediatric patients with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: The use of novel and accurate techniques to identify genetic variants (with or without a record in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database) improves diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics for patients with epilepsy, especially in populations for whom such techniques exist. The aim of this study was to find a genetic profile in Mexican pediatric epilepsy patients by focusing on ten genes associated with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). METHODS: This was a prospective, analytical, cross-sectional study of pediatric patients with epilepsy. Informed consent was granted by the patients' guardians or parents. Genomic DNA from the patients was sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS). For statistical analysis, Fisher's exact, Chi-square or Mann-Whitney U, and OR (95% CI) tests were performed, with significance values of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients met the inclusion criteria (female 58.2%, ages 1-16 years); 32 patients had controlled epilepsy (CTR), and 23 had DRE. Four hundred twenty-two genetic variants were identified (71.3% with a known SNP registered in the NCBI database). A dominant genetic profile consisting of four haplotypes of the SCN1A, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 genes was identified in most of the patients studied. When comparing the results between patients with DRE and CTR, the prevalence of polymorphisms in the SCN1A (rs10497275, rs10198801, and rs67636132), CYP2D6 (rs1065852), and CYP3A4 (rs2242480) genes showed statistical significance (p = 0.021). Finally, the number of missense genetic variants in patients in the nonstructural subgroup was significantly higher in DRE than in CTR (1 [0-2] vs. 3 [2-4]; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The Mexican pediatric epilepsy patients included in this cohort presented a characteristic genetic profile infrequent in the Mexican population. SNP rs1065852 (CYP2D6*10) is associated with DRE, especially with nonstructural damage. The presence of three genetic alterations affecting the CYP2B6, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6 cytochrome genes is associated with nonstructural DRE.

Predict the incidence of Guillain Barré Syndrome and arbovirus infection in Mexico, 2014-2019.

The Dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and Chikungunya (CHIKV) virus infections have been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). GBS has an estimated lethality of 4% to 8%, even with effective treatment. Mexico is considered a hyperendemic country for DENV due to the circulation of four serotypes, and the ZIKV and CHIKV viruses have also been circulating in the country. The objective of this study was to predict the number of GBS cases in relation to the cumulative incidence of ZIKV / DENV / CHIKV in Mexico from 2014 to 2019. A six-year time series ecological study was carried out from GBS cases registered in the Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) Epidemiological Surveillance System (ESS), and DENV, ZIKV and CHIKV estimated cases from cases registered in the epidemiological vector-borne diseases surveillance system. The results shows that the incidence of GBS in Mexico is positively correlated with DENV and ZIKV. For every 1,000 estimated DENV cases, 1.45 GBS cases occurred on average, and for every 1,000 estimated ZIKV cases, 1.93 GBS cases occurred on average. A negative correlation between GBS and CHIKV estimated cases was found. The increase in the incidence of GBS cases in Mexico can be predicted by observing DENV and ZIKV cases through the epidemiological surveillance systems. These results can be useful in public health by providing the opportunity to improve capacities for the prevention of arbovirus diseases and for the timely procurement of supplies for the treatment of GBS.

[Fingerprints: origin, uses and challenges in the face of its verification failure]. / Huellas dactilares: origen, usos y desafíos que genera la incapacidad para su registro.

Considering that fingerprints are impressions of the epidermal ridges of the fingers with a unique, unrepeatable, and permanent pattern, they are the basis of the biometric identification method most used today. Among its various uses stand out identification for multiple activities such as authentication to access work and cell phones, operation of bank accounts, criminal investigations, etc. The absence or deterioration of the epidermal ridges, called adermatoglyphia, prevents identification by finger biometrics. Adermatoglyphia originates from multiple causes, including several skin diseases, traumatic injuries of the fingers, denervation, aging, chemotherapy, among others. The origin, uses, and systems for fingerprints verification are briefly addressed here. The main objective is to emphasize the existence of people with fingerprint verification failure, a relevant condition due to the potential risk of discrimination, especially when fingerprint verification is mandatory.

Considerando que las huellas dactilares son impresiones de las crestas epidérmicas de los dedos con un patrón único, irrepetible y permanente, estas son la base del método biométrico más empleado en la actualidad. Entre sus diversos usos destaca la identificación para múltiples actividades como acceder al trabajo o a teléfonos celulares, la operación de cuentas bancarias, las investigaciones criminales, etcétera. La ausencia o deterioro de las crestas epidérmicas, denominada adermatoglifia, impide la identificación por biometría dactilar. La adermatoglifia se origina por múltiples causas, incluyendo las enfermedades dermatológicas, lesiones traumáticas de los dedos, denervación, envejecimiento, quimioterapia, entre otras. Abordamos brevemente el origen, usos y sistemas para el registro de las huellas dactilares. El objetivo principal es enfatizar la existencia de personas con incapacidad para registrar sus huellas, una condición relevante por el riesgo potencial de discriminación, especialmente cuando el registro de las huellas es obligatorio.

Double-task exercise programmes to strengthen cognitive and vascular health in older adults at risk of cognitive decline: protocol for a randomised clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive and physical declines are frequent causes of disability among older adults (OAs) in Mexico that imposes significant burden on the health system and OAs' families. Programmes to prevent or delay OAs' cognitive and physical decline are scarce. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A double-blind randomised clinical trial will be conducted. The study will aim to evaluate two 24-week double-task (aerobic and cognitive) square-stepping exercise programmes for OAs at risk of cognitive decline-one programme with and another without caregiver participation-and to compare these with an aerobic-balance-stretching exercise programme (control group). 300 OAs (100 per group) affiliated with the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) between 60 and 65 years of age with self-reported cognitive concerns will participate. They will be stratified by education level and randomly allocated to the groups. The intervention will last 24 weeks, and the effect of each programme will be evaluated 12, 24 and 52 weeks after the intervention. Participants' demographic and clinical characteristics will be collected at baseline. The outcomes will include: (1) general cognitive function; (2) specific cognitive functions; (3) dual-task gait; (4) blood pressure; (5) carotid intima-media thickness; (6) OAs' health-related quality of life; and (7) caregiver burden. The effects of the interventions on each outcome variable will be examined using a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), with study groups as the between-subjects variable and time as the within-subject variable. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the IMSS Ethics and Research Committees (registration number: 2018-785-095). All participants will sign a consent form prior to their participation. The study results will be disseminated to the IMSS authorities, healthcare providers and the research community. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04068376).

[Basic guidelines of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social scientific research networks]. / Redes de investigación científica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Lineamientos básicos.

Scientific Research Networks of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social were proposed as a strategy to promote collaboration between health personnel, following basic guidelines to include the priority health problems of the Institute, the multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and multicentric cooperation between researchers and health care personnel leaders in each field and discipline of knowledge, as well as the generation of confidence among the group of participants through the signing of confidentiality agreements, and avoiding the predominance of leadership. To achieve this, the Coordination of Health Research accompanies the personnel in the conduction of logistic and administrative aspects.

En el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, las Redes de Investigación Científica se propusieron como una estrategia para favorecer la colaboración entre el personal de salud, siguiendo directrices básicas al incluir los problemas prioritarios de salud del Instituto, la cooperación multidisciplinaria, interdisciplinaria y multicéntrica entre investigadores y personal de salud líderes en cada campo y disciplina del conocimiento, evitando el predominio de liderazgos, y generando confianza entre los integrantes del grupo mediante la firma de documentos de confidencialidad, contando con el acompañamiento en la conducción y en los aspectos administrativos del personal de la Coordinación de Investigación en Salud.

Huellas dactilares: origen, usos y desafíos que genera la incapacidad para su registro / Fingerprints: origin, uses and challenges in the face of its verification failure

Considerando que las huellas dactilares son impresiones de las crestas epidérmicas de los dedos con un patrón único, irrepetible y permanente, estas son la base del método biométrico más empleado en la actualidad. Entre sus diversos usos destaca la identificación para múltiples actividades como acceder al trabajo o a teléfonos celulares, la operación de cuentas bancarias, las investigaciones criminales, etcétera. La ausencia o deterioro de las crestas epidérmicas, denominada adermatoglifia, impide la identificación por biometría dactilar. La adermatoglifia se origina por múltiples causas, incluyendo las enfermedades dermatológicas, lesiones traumáticas de los dedos, denervación, envejecimiento, quimioterapia, entre otras. Abordamos brevemente el origen, usos y sistemas para el registro de las huellas dactilares. El objetivo principal es enfatizar la existencia de personas con incapacidad para registrar sus huellas, una condición relevante por el riesgo potencial de discriminación, especialmente cuando el registro de las huellas es obligatorio.

Considering that fingerprints are impressions of the epidermal ridges of the fingers with a unique, unrepeatable, and permanent pattern, they are the basis of the biometric identification method most used today. Among its various uses stand out identification for multiple activities such as authentication to access work and cell phones, operation of bank accounts, criminal investigations, etc. The absence or deterioration of the epidermal ridges, called adermatoglyphia, prevents identification by finger biometrics. Adermatoglyphia originates from multiple causes, including several skin diseases, traumatic injuries of the fingers, denervation, aging, chemotherapy, among others. The origin, uses, and systems for fingerprints verification are briefly addressed here. The main objective is to emphasize the existence of people with fingerprint verification failure, a relevant condition due to the potential risk of discrimination, especially when fingerprint verification is mandatory.

Role of SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism and neuroinvasion in COVID-19 patients disease severity / Papel del neurotropismo y neuroinvasión de SARS-CoV-2 en la gravedad de los pacientes con COVID-19

Abstract The disease caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) spread rapidly from China to the entire world. Approximately one third of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients have neurological disorders, especially those classified as severe cases and that require mechanical ventilation. On the other hand, almost nine out of 10 patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit could not breathe spontaneously, thus requiring invasive and non-invasive ventilatory support. So far, whether early neurological disorders such as hyposmia or anosmia, dysgeusia or ageusia, headache and vertigo are significant in the progression to the severe form of the disease or whether they are related to entry to the central nervous system via peripheral nerves has not been determined. Considering the great similarity between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, and that the severity of the condition that leads to death cannot be explained solely by lung involvement, it is important to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 potential invasion to the central nervous system is partially responsible for the severe respiratory component observed in patients with COVID-19.

Resumen La enfermedad (COVID-19) producida por el nuevo coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 se extendió rápidamente desde China a todo el mundo. Aproximadamente una tercera parte de los pacientes infectados de SARS-CoV-2 presenta alteraciones neurológicas, con mayor frecuencia los clasificados como graves que requirieron ventilación mecánica. Por otro lado, casi nueve de cada 10 pacientes admitidos en una unidad de cuidados intensivos no podían respirar espontáneamente, por lo que ameritaron apoyo ventilatorio invasivo y no invasivo. Hasta el momento no se ha determinado si las alteraciones neurológicas tempranas como la hiposmia o anosmia, disgeusia o ageusia, cefalea y vértigo son significativas en la progresión a la forma grave de la enfermedad y se relacionan con la entrada al sistema nervioso central a través de los nervios periféricos. Considerando la gran similitud entre SARS-CoV y SARS-CoV-2 y que la severidad del cuadro que conduce a la muerte no puede ser explicado únicamente por la afección pulmonar, es importante determinar si la invasión potencial del SARS-CoV-2 al sistema nervioso central es parcialmente responsable del componente respiratorio severo que presentan los pacientes con COVID-19.

Quantifying the mortality caused by the H1N1 influenza virus during the 2009 pandemic in Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: The frequency and mortality of the pandemic caused by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 might have been underestimated, especially in developing countries. This study was designed to quantify the possible underestimation of pandemic influenza mortality and evaluate the concordance between the data reported for A(H1N1)pdm09 mortality and the causes of death reported during the pandemic period of April 2009 to February 2010. METHODOLOGY: The death certificates of 754 confirmed cases of A(H1N1)pdm09 infection were included in the study. Data was analyzed using the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's statistical model accounts for the variability in the proportion at each step using the Monte Carlo probabilistic model sampled from a uniform probability distribution. RESULTS: A total of 1,969 deaths were estimated, with an estimated lethality of 5.53 per 100,000 (range, 3.5-8.76 per 100,000) in contrast with the 754 deaths and a lethality of 1.98 per 100,000 infected patients officially reported. In 631 of 754 (83.7%) death certificates from A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza-positive patients, influenza was not mentioned as a cause of death. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible that the mortality of the pandemic was three times higher than officially reported in Mexico. One source of error that could explain this underestimation is in the completion of death certificates, because in > 80% of confirmed cases of infection with influenza virus, it was not reported as the cause of death.

MDR-1 and MRP2 Gene Polymorphisms in Mexican Epileptic Pediatric Patients with Complex Partial Seizures.

Although the Pgp efflux transport protein is overexpressed in resected tissue of patients with epilepsy, the presence of polymorphisms in MDR1/ABCB1 and MRP2/ABCC2 in patients with antiepileptic-drugs resistant epilepsy (ADR) is controversial. The aim of this study was to perform an exploratory study to identify nucleotide changes and search new and reported mutations in patients with ADR and patients with good response (CTR) to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in a rigorously selected population. We analyzed 22 samples In Material and Methods, from drug-resistant patients with epilepsy and 7 samples from patients with good response to AEDs. Genomic DNA was obtained from leukocytes. Eleven exons in both genes were genotyped. The concentration of drugs in saliva and plasma was determined. The concentration of valproic acid in saliva was lower in ADR than in CRT. In ABCB1, five reported SNPs and five unreported nucleotide changes were identified; rs2229109 (GA) and rs2032582 (AT and AG) were found only in the ADR. Of six SNPs associated with the ABCC2 that were found in the study population, rs3740066 (TT) and 66744T > A (TG) were found only in the ADR. The strongest risk factor in the ABCB1 gene was identified as the TA genotype of rs2032582, whereas for the ABCC2 gene the strongest risk factor was the T allele of rs3740066. The screening of SNPs in ACBC1 and ABCC2 indicates that the Mexican patients with epilepsy in this study display frequently reported ABCC1 polymorphisms; however, in the study subjects with a higher risk factor for drug resistance, new nucleotide changes were found in the ABCC2 gene. Thus, the population of Mexican patients with AED-resistant epilepsy (ADR) used in this study exhibits genetic variability with respect to those reported in other study populations; however, it is necessary to explore this polymorphism in a larger population of patients with ADR.

[Guideline for the assessment of clinical research proposals. Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social]. / Guía para evaluar protocolos de investigación clínica.

BACKGROUND: Medical research is a fundamental tool to achieve the advancement of science, through the improvement of strategies aimed to protect, promote and restore an individual's and society's health. Three characteristics are required to obtain approval of the research proposal: scientific relevance, technical quality and the accomplishment of ethical issues. OBJECTIVES: The present review aimed at the determination of the specific criteria to perform a critical review of research proposals. METHODS: A research was carried out in the PubMed, Medline, Ovid and Google Scholar databases, using the terms: peer review, research proposals, review and protocols, and reviewers. A total of 3546 related articles were reviewed, without finding a guide to critically assess research proposals. The guides to assess research articles consider that the quality criteria of the study should have been present since the study's conception; many of the issues described to review articles are incorporated in the review of the research proposals. RESULTS: The specific criteria were integrated to allow the reviewer to critically assess research proposals of different areas with scientific basis. CONCLUSIONS: The reviewer of research proposals should be considered as a professional that contributes to the promotion of knowledge advancement through his/her comments, which allow researchers to improve the quality of research proposals.

Antecedentes: la investigación médica es una herramienta fundamental para lograr el avance de la ciencia al mejorar las acciones encaminadas a proteger, promover y restaurar la salud del individuo y de la sociedad en general. Las tres características imprescindibles para que un protocolo de investigación sea autorizado son: relevancia científica, calidad técnica y el cumplimiento de los aspectos éticos. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo efectuado con base en la búsqueda específica en Pubmed, Medline, Ovid y Google Scholar con los términos: peer review, research proposals, review and protocols and reviewers. Debido a que no se identificó ningún artículo que refiriera específicamente los criterios para evaluar protocolos de investigación clínica, se hizo un consenso entre los vocales de la Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, que está integrada por investigadores titulares de la institución, todos pertenecientes al Sistema Nacional de Investigadores. Se discutieron los criterios que debieran componer una revisión adecuada y cuáles debieran ser los rubros que deben incluirse en el análisis. Resultados: se integraron los criterios específicos que le permitirán al revisor de un protocolo de investigación realizar una crítica con bases metodológicas aceptadas por un consenso de investigadores. Conclusiones: un revisor debe ser considerado como un promotor del avance del conocimiento científico que, mediante sus comentarios y su dictamen, permite que los investigadores incrementen la calidad de sus protocolos de investigación.

Factors associated with nosocomial surgical-site infections for craniotomy in Mexico City hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial surgical-site infection (NSSI) after craniotomy is responsible for an increase in deaths and/or disabilities that affect quality of life. It is necessary to identify factors to be included in an index for their control. The aim of this study was to a) identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with NSSI after craniotomy and b) obtain the infection risk attributed to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors as well as to compare their predictive capability with the NNISS (National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System) index. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted during a 2-year period in patients who underwent craniotomy in hospitals affiliated with the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Patients were selected according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for NSSI. RESULTS: During the study period 737 craniotomies were performed, 41 of which presented with NSSI. Intrinsic factors associated with NSSI were the presence of chronic diseases (OR = 2.18) and craniotomy due to nontraumatic causes (OR = 1.87), whereas extrinsic factors were procedures performed during the late shift (OR = 2.6) and another surgery at the same surgical site (OR = 5.2). These factors comprised the index with intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Extrinsic factors were 1.7 times higher than intrinsic factors, in addition to having a larger area under the ROC curve (0.731). The risk obtained with the NNISS index for patients who had one factor was 1.5, whereas that for patients who had two or three factors was 4.7. CONCLUSIONS: In the studied population, patients who underwent a craniotomy with extrinsic factors showed a higher association with NSSI.

[Incidence of nosocomial surgical-site infections. Application of National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System (NNIS) index and description of clinical and biochemical features from patients undergoing first-time ventriculoperitoneal shunt]. / Incidencia de infección nosocomial en sitio quirúrgico (índice del NNIS y características clínicas y bioquímicas prequirúrgicas de pacientes sometidos por primera vez a derivación ventrículo-peritoneal).

OBJECTIVE: We undertook this study to determine the incidence of nosocomial surgical-site infections, apply the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) index, and describe the clinical and biochemical characteristics of patients prior to a first-time ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). METHODS: We conducted a cohort study for 1 year with patients aged 18 years or older who underwent VPS. Patients were followed up for 30 days to identify the presence of an infection. Infection diagnosis was made according to the criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control (Atlanta, GA). A questionnaire was developed to obtain the data regarding the factors contained in the NNIS and the clinical and biochemical characteristics prior to surgery. RESULTS: The annual incidence of nosocomial surgical-site infections was 12.3% (9/73). Distribution of factors according to the NNIS index was as follows: 55% without any factor, 38% with one factor, 7% with two factors, and no patients with three factors. ASA RR = 2.0, 95% CI 0.4-11.4, wound type RR = 5.1, 95% CI 0.5-48.9 and surgical time RR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.1-4.2. No differences were found in the frequency of concomitant diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the clinical and biochemical characteristics of patients who underwent first-time VPS were normal and no associated NNIS factors were identified, 12.3% of the patients developed a nosocomial surgical-site infection. These results suggest the existence of factors other than those contained in the NNIS, which are possibly extrinsic to the individual and may influence the development of infections.

Critical analysis of deaths due to atypical pneumonia during the onset of the influenza A (H1N1) virus epidemic.

BACKGROUND: The ongoing influenza A (H1N1) pandemic stroked Mexico and posed a huge challenge to the medical care and public health systems. This report analyzes the clinical course and process of care of patients who died due to atypical pneumonia and fulfilled the clinical criteria of suspected case of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a series of 38 patients who died between April 7 and April 28, 2009 at Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) hospitals due to severe pneumonia and respiratory distress. These cases coincided with the beginning of the outbreak, so patients did not undergo laboratory testing to diagnose influenza. According to IMSS and CDC criteria, post-hoc analysis allowed considering the presumptive diagnosis of S-OIV infection. A multidisciplinary group analyzed the information from the clinical charts, laboratory tests, radiographic studies and death certificates, using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Most cases were middle-aged (mean 33 years, range: 4-62 years) and previously healthy; 18.4% had an underlying chronic disease, 23.7% were obese and 7.9% were current smokers. None had received the seasonal influenza vaccine; they had cough (92%), fever (86.8%), and malaise (73.7%). The median time from disease onset to hospital admission was 6 days (range 0-8 days). All were admitted to the intensive care unit with pneumonia and/or respiratory distress. Average time from disease onset to death was 8 days (range 4-18 days). CONCLUSIONS: An increased number of severe cases of atypical pneumonia in previously healthy adults highlight the importance of the availability of a timely surveillance system able to identify sudden increases in the number of cases or presentation of apparently known diseases.

Mecanismos de neurodegeneración en la epilepsia del lóbulo temporal / Mechanisms of neurodegeneration in temporal lobe epilepsy

Epilepsy affects 1 and 2 percent of the worldwide population, while temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) covers 40 percent of all epilepsy cases. Controversy in defining epilepsy as a neurodegenerative disease exists because, no there is enough evidence to show seizures and status epilepticus (SE) as cause for irreversible neuronal damage. Epileptogenic insult at the beginning of the disease produces an acute and delayed neuronal death, resulting in gliosis, but also triggers compensatory processes such as angiogenesis, cell proliferation and reorganization of extracellular matrix as receptors, channels and drug transporter proteins. In neurogenesis and axonal regrowth, the age of onset is crucial for the formation of abnormal neurons and aberrant circuits as a result of seizures; approximately 30 percent begin in the temporal lobe. These disturbances continue in parallel or sequentially during the course of epilepsy, which implies a great challenge in the search of new treatments...

La epilepsia es una enfermedad que afecta entre el 1 al 2 por ciento de la población mundial, siendo la epilepsia del lóbulo temporal (ELT) la que abarca el 40 por ciento de todos los casos de epilepsia. La controversia en definir a la epilepsia como una enfermedad neurodegenerativa, se debe a que no hay pruebas suficientes que demuestren como las convulsiones y el estado de mal epiléptico (SE) provocan un daño neuronal irreversible. El insulto epileptógenico presente al inicio de la enfermedad genera la muerte neuronal aguda y tardía, para dar lugar a la gliosis; pero también se desencadenan procesos compensatorios como la angiogénesis, la proliferación celular y una reorganización tanto de la matriz extracelular como de los receptores, canales y proteínas transportadoras de fármacos. En el caso de la neurogénesis y recrecimiento axonal, la edad de inicio es determinante para la formación de neuronas anormales y circuitos aberrantes como consecuencia de las convulsiones, dónde aproximadamente un 30 por ciento comienzan en el lóbulo temporal. Estas alteraciones se continúan en paralelo o de forma secuencia! durante la evolución de la epilepsia, lo que implica un gran desafío en la búsqueda de nuevos tratamientos...

Factores asociados a infecciones nosocomiales en sitio quirúrgico para craneotomía / Factors associated with nosocomial surgical-site infections for craniotomy in Mexico City hospitals

Introducción: La infección nosocomial en sitio quirúrgico (INSQ) en craneotomía puede ocasionar la muerte o discapacidad que modifica la calidad de vida, por lo que se requiere encontrar factores que puedan ser utilizados para incluir en los índices de control. Por ello es necesario identificar factores asociados a esta infección y obtener el riesgo de infección atribuible y comparar su capacidad predictiva con el índice del NNISS (Sistema de Vigilancia Nacional de Infecciones Nosocomiales de Estados Unidos). Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles durante dos años, en pacientes con craneotomía en hospitales del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Los pacientes cumplieron los criterios de los Centros de Control de Enfermedades de Atlanta para INSQ. Resultados: Se practicaron 737 craneotomías durante el estudio, 41 pacientes presentaron INSQ. Factores intrínsecos asociados: presencia de enfermedades crónicas (OR = 2.18) y craneotomía debida a causas no traumáticas (OR = 1.87); factores extrínsecos: turno vespertino (OR = 2.6) y la práctica de otra cirugía en el mismo sitio quirúrgico (OR = 5.2). Estos factores conformaron los índices de factores intrínsecos y extrínsecos. Con factores extrínseco se presentó 1.7 veces más riesgo en comparación con los factores intrínsecos, así como mayor área bajo la curva ROC (0.731). El riesgo con el índice NNISS con un factor fue de 1.5 y con dos a tres factores, de 4.7. Conclusiones: En esta población en estudio, los pacientes sometidos a una craneotomía tuvieron mayor asociación a INSQ con los factores extrínsecos.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial surgical-site infection (NSSI) after craniotomy is responsible for an increase in deaths and/or disabilities that affect quality of life. It is necessary to identify factors to be included in an index for their control. The aim of this study was to a) identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with NSSI after craniotomy and b) obtain the infection risk attributed to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors as well as to compare their predictive capability with the NNISS (National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System) index. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted during a 2-year period in patients who underwent craniotomy in hospitals affiliated with the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Patients were selected according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for NSSI. RESULTS: During the study period 737 craniotomies were performed, 41 of which presented with NSSI. Intrinsic factors associated with NSSI were the presence of chronic diseases (OR = 2.18) and craniotomy due to nontraumatic causes (OR = 1.87), whereas extrinsic factors were procedures performed during the late shift (OR = 2.6) and another surgery at the same surgical site (OR = 5.2). These factors comprised the index with intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Extrinsic factors were 1.7 times higher than intrinsic factors, in addition to having a larger area under the ROC curve (0.731). The risk obtained with the NNISS index for patients who had one factor was 1.5, whereas that for patients who had two or three factors was 4.7. CONCLUSIONS: In the studied population, patients who underwent a craniotomy with extrinsic factors showed a higher association with NSSI.

From single to combinatorial therapies in spinal cord injuries for structural and functional restoration.

Spinal cord injury results in paralysis, sensory disturbances, sphincter dysfunction, and multiple systemic secondary conditions, most arising from autonomic dysregulation. All this produces profound negative psychosocial implications for affected people, their families, and their communities; the financial costs can be challenging for their families and health institutions. Treatments aimed at restoring the spinal cord after spinal cord injury, which have been tested in animal models or clinical trials, generally seek to counteract one or more of the secondary mechanisms of injury to limit the extent of the initial damage. Most published works on structural/functional restoration in acute and chronic spinal cord injury stages use a single type of treatment: a drug or trophic factor, transplant of a cell type, and implantation of a biomaterial. Despite the significant benefits reported in animal models, when translating these successful therapeutic strategies to humans, the result in clinical trials has been considered of little relevance because the improvement, when present, is usually insufficient. Until now, most studies designed to promote neuroprotection or regeneration at different stages after spinal cord injury have used single treatments. Considering the occurrence of various secondary mechanisms of injury in the acute and sub-acute phases of spinal cord injury, it is reasonable to speculate that more than one therapeutic agent could be required to promote structural and functional restoration of the damaged spinal cord. Treatments that combine several therapeutic agents, targeting different mechanisms of injury, which, when used as a single therapy, have shown some benefits, allow us to assume that they will have synergistic beneficial effects. Thus, this narrative review article aims to summarize current trends in the use of strategies that combine therapeutic agents administered simultaneously or sequentially, seeking structural and functional restoration of the injured spinal cord.