Detection of anti-HCV antibodies and risk factors in a population with access to public healthcare in Mexico.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Timely detection and diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) involves identifying the population that is predisposed to treatment and prevention, thus limiting complications and preventing infection. The aim of this study was to analyze and describe risk factors associated with anti-HCV antibody detection in a population with access to public healthcare that participated in a national screening program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted that utilized data related to rapid tests carried out between September 2021 and October 2022 in 26 of the 32 states of Mexico. Anti-HCV reactive tests were selected, according to age and sex, for analyzing and comparing possible risk factors through descriptive and inferential statistics. The geographic distribution and density of the screening program at the state and municipal levels was analyzed. RESULTS: There were 75,185 anti-HCV antibody detections, 2,052 reactive tests, and mean participant age was 44.3 years (±15.1). Occupation: 32.3% were employees, 19% were housewives, and 18.2% were healthcare workers. Five out of every 10 cases had no indication of risk factors, but there was a 1.4 and 5-times greater likelihood of anti-HCV detection in men with a history of sharps injury or intravenous psychoactive substance use, compared with women. Regarding place of residence, 80% of the reactive tests were concentrated in the State of Mexico, Mexico City, and Guanajuato. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence herein helps determine the population and risk factors that should be focused on in carrying out the HCV microelimination strategy of continuous screening, diagnosis, medical treatment access, and epidemiologic surveillance.

Evaluation of sulfate rhizofiltration by Carpobrotus chilensis for treating mining waters.

Chile, the world's leading copper producer, generates significant volumes of mining waters, some of which cannot be recirculated into the production process. These mining waters are characterized by elevated sulfate (SO42-) concentrations, requiring sustainable management strategies for potential reuse. This study aims to evaluate the rhizofiltration technique using Carpobrotus chilensis for treating mining waters with a high SO42- concentration. Initially, the mining waters exhibited a pH of 7.97 ± 0.16 and a SO42- concentration of 2,743 ± 137 mg L-1, while the control water had a pH of 7.88 ± 0.08 and a SO42- concentration of 775 ± 19.0 mg L-1. The plants were hydroponically cultivated in 40 L containers with mining waters and drinking water as a control. Over an 8-week period, the pH of the mining water decreased to 3.12 ± 0.01, and the SO42- concentration declined to 2,200 ± 110 mg L-1. Notably, the fresh weight of roots was significantly higher in plants grown in mining water (22.2 ± 6.66 g) compared to those in the control treatment (14.3 ± 4.28 g). However, an undesirable increase in the acidity was observed in the mining waters after rhizofiltration, which was attributed to hydrogen sulfate (HSO4-) and/or root exudates. Despite the unexpected increase in acidity, C. chilensis effectively reduced the concentration of SO42- in mining waters by 20%. Additionally, the C. chilensis roots accumulated 4.84 ± 1.40% of sulfur (S), a level comparable to thiophore plants. This study provides evidence that this non-aquatic plant can be used in sulfate rhizofiltration.

Caprobrotus chilensis is a good candidate for sulfate rhizolfiltration in mining waters.The accumulation of sulfur by the roots of Carpobrotus chilensis reached 4.84%Mining waters with a high concentration of sulfates require control of the redox potential.

[Impact of the "daily huddle" on the safety of pediatric hospitalized patients]. / Impacto de los «daily huddle¼ en la seguridad del paciente pediátrico hospitalizado.

INTRODUCTION: In 2017, the Joint Commission proposed daily meetings called "huddle" as an indicator of quality of care. They are brief daily meetings of the multidisciplinary team, where security problems of the last 24h are shared and risks are anticipated. The objectives were to describe the most frequent safety events in Pediatric wards, implement improvements in patient safety, improve team communication, implement international safety protocols, and measure the satisfaction of the staff involved. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, longitudinal and analytical design (June 2020-February 2022), with previous educational intervention. Safety incidents, data related to unequivocal identification, allergy and pain records, data from the Scale for the Early Detection of Deficiencies (SAPI) and the Scale for the Secure Transmission of Information (SBAR) were collected. The degree of satisfaction of the professionals was evaluated. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-eight security incidents were recorded. Medication prescription or administration errors stood out (n=103). Drug prescription or administration errors stood out (n=103), especially those related to high-risk medication: acetaminophen (n=14) (×10 doses of acetaminophen; n=6), insulin (n=6), potassium (n=5) and morphic (n=5). An improvement was observed in the pain record; 5% versus 80% (P<.01), in the SAPI registry 5% versus 70% (P<.01), in SBAER scale 40% vs 100% (P<.01), in unequivocal identification of the patient 80% versus 100%; (P<.01) and in the application of analgesic techniques 60% versus 85% (P=.01). In the survey of professionals, a degree of satisfaction of 8 (7-9.5)/10 was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Huddles made it possible to learn about security events in our environment and increase the safety of hospitalized patients, and improved communication and the relationship of the multidisciplinary team.

[Haemorrhagic posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and COVID-19]. / Síndrome de encefalopatía posterior reversible hemorrágica y COVID-19.

TITLE: Síndrome de encefalopatía posterior reversible hemorrágica y COVID-19.

The rs1800795 single nucleotide polymorphism in the IL6 gene is not associated with primary open angle glaucoma in Mexican population.

PURPOSE: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine with pleiotropic effects which has been related to primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) due to its particular effect of protecting the retinal ganglion cells (RGc) from the apoptosis. Different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) have been associated with POAG. The aim of this study was to determine whether an association between IL-6 rs1800795 (-174 G>C) SNP and a higher risk for POAG is present in western Mexican population. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-five unrelated Mexican mestizo patients with POAG and 108 control subjects were included. Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes and purified, followed by genotyping and amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with Taqman Biosystem probes. Allelic and genotypic diversity was evaluated between cases and control subjects. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant association between allele and genotype frequencies, neither with dominant nor recessive genetic association models (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Even though there is a role of IL6 in the pathophysiology of POAG, our results ruled out the association between IL-6 and the rs1800795 SNP showing not to be an index of higher risk for POAG in Mexican population.

Evaluación de la efectividad del Triclabendazol como fasciolicida en caprinos de la provincia de Neuquén, Argentina / Evaluation of the efficacy of Triclabendazol to treat liver worm in goats in Nequen province, Argentina

Resumen Debido al uso frecuente del triclabendazol (TCBZ) por parte de los productores, sumado al reporte reciente de resistencia de Fasciolahepatica al fármaco detectada en rodeos y majadas de Neuquén, se llevó a cabo el presente trabajo con el objetivo de evaluar la eficacia del TCBZ como fasciolicida en caprinos bajo un sistema de producción trashumante del norte de la provincia de Neuquén, Argentina. La eficacia se evaluó mediante un test de reducción de conteo de huevos de F. hepatica en caprinos Criollo Neuquino parasitados naturalmente. Se utilizaron dos grupos de animales: un Grupo Control (n: 10) que no recibió tratamiento y un Grupo Tratado (n: 10) al que se le administró TCBZ al 10% (Biofasiolex T10-Biogénesis Bagó ®) vía oral a dosis de 10 mg/kg PV. Al día 0 y 21 post tratamiento, se tomaron muestras de materia fecal para análisis coproparasitológicos. Se evidenció una reducción del conteo de huevos de F. hepatica del 100%, indicando el mantenimiento de la eficacia del fasciolicida en los caprinos evaluados. Se discuten los alcances del uso del test de reducción de conteo de huevos en zonas con producción trashumante del ganado.

Abstract Because of the frequent use of triclabendazole TCBZ by farmers and the recent reports of Fasciola hepatica resistance to this drug in herds and flocks from Neuquén, we carried out this study with the aim to evaluate the efficacy of TCBZ as fasciolicide in goats under a transhumance system from northern of Neuquén, Argentina. A fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was performed on Creale Neuquino goats naturally parasitized with F. hepatica. Twenty goats were divided into two groups: A control group (n: 10) which was left untreated, and a treatment group (n: 10) that was dosed orally with TCBZ 10% (Biofasiolex T10-Biogénesis Bagó ®). On Day 0 and Day 21 post-treatment, fecal samples were taken and analyzed by coproscopical examination. According to the FECRT, drug efficacy was 100 % and confirms that TCBZ maintains its efficacy against F. hepatica on goats. The usefulness of the FECRT in these zones under transhumance livestock production is discussed.

Monocyte Locomotion Inhibitory Factor confers neuroprotection and prevents the development of murine cerebral malaria.

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a neurological complication derived from the Plasmodium falciparum infection in humans. The mechanisms involved in the disease progression are still not fully understood, but both the sequestration of infected red blood cells (iRBC) and leukocytes and an exacerbated host inflammatory immune response are significant factors. In this study, we investigated the effect of Monocyte Locomotion Inhibitory Factor (MLIF), an anti-inflammatory peptide, in a well-characterized murine model of CM. Our data showed that the administration of MLIF increased the survival and avoided the neurological signs of CM in Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infected C57BL/6 mice. MLIF administration down-regulated systemic inflammatory mediators such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, CXCL2, and CCL2, as well as the in situ expression of TNF-α in the brain. In the same way, MLIF reduced the expression of CD31, CD36, CD54, and CD106 in the cerebral endothelium of infected animals and prevented the sequestration of iRBC and leucocytes in the brain microvasculature. Furthermore, MLIF inhibited the activation of astrocytes and microglia and preserved the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the administration of MLIF increased survival and conferred neuroprotection by decreasing neuroinflammation in murine CM.

[Sudden paralysis of upward gaze in a 9-year-old girl]. / Parálisis súbita de la supraversión de la mirada en una niña de 9 años.

TITLE: Parálisis súbita de la supraversión de la mirada en una niña de 9 años.

El Niño resilience farming on the north coast of Peru.

El Niño-Southern Oscillation has been treated as a disruptor of environmental and socioeconomic equilibrium both in ancient times and in modern-day Peru. Recent work in the coastal desert plain, known as the Pampa de Mocan, challenges this view by demonstrating that prehispanic irrigation systems were designed to incorporate floods and convert them into productive waters. Archaeological investigations in this landscape reveal a 2,000-y history of floodwater farming embedded in conventional canal systems. Together with a pollen record recovered from a prehispanic well, these data suggest that the Pampa de Mocan was a flexible landscape, capable of taking advantage of El Niño floodwaters as well as river water. In sharp contrast to modern-day flood mitigation efforts, ancient farmers used floodwaters to develop otherwise marginal landscapes, such as the Pampa de Mocan, which in turn mitigated risk during El Niño years. These archaeological data speak to contemporary policy debates in the face of increasingly intense and frequent natural disasters and question whether El Niño Southern Oscillation events should be approached as a form of temporary disorder or as a form of periodic abundance.

Availability of copper in mine tailings with humic substance addition and uptake by Atriplex halimus.

The chemical characteristics of mine tailings, organic amendments (doses), and plants are the critical factors that must be evaluated and monitored to ensure the sustainability of phytostabilization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mobility of copper (Cu) in mine tailings (MT) of the Zone Central of Chile to which commercial humic substances were added, examining their effect on the uptake of Atriplex halimus. Two commercial humic substances (HS1 and HS2) extracted from leonardite (highly oxidized lignite), of different pH and total organic carbon, were evaluated by adsorption curve for Cu. In columns, soluble Cu, pH, and electrical conductivity in leachates were evaluated for MT, MT + HS1, and MT + HS2, and HS1 and HS2 in doses of 120 mg kg-1. In pot assay, seeds were germinated directly in MT and cultivated for 140 days with the addition of HS2 in 120 and 240 mg kg-1. Mine tailing presents high concentration of Cu (2016 ± 223 mg kg-1, pH 6.3 ± 0.1). The results of sequential extraction indicate that Cu is associated with the sulfide fraction of low risk of mobility. The amount of Cu sorbed by HS1 was higher than that sorbed by HS2, and both humic substances showing better fit to the Freundlich than Langmuir model. Lixiviation of Cu was significantly lower in MT + HS1 (0.166 ± 0.043 mg kg-1) and MT + HS2 (0.157 ± 0.018 mg kg-1) than in MT (0.251 ± 0.052 mg kg-1). Copper concentration in plants reached 185.8 ± 37.8 mg kg-1 in the roots and 32.6 ± 7.4 mg kg-1 in the aerial parts cultivated in MT without effect of the humic substance addition in Cu uptake nor growth. Copper concentrations in the aerial parts were adjusted to sufficient or normal levels in plant. A good management of mine tailings through phytostabilization could consider an adequate mixture of humic substances (to avoid leaching of metals) and an organic amendment that provides essential nutrients and increases biomass generation.

Contaminación por mohos y aislamiento de cladosporium spp. y thamnidium spp. en cámaras frigoríficas de plantas procesadoras de alimentos marinos y empresas frigoríficas del sur de Chile / Mould contamination and isolation of cladosporium spp. and thamnidium spp. in frigorific chambers of sea-food processing plants and frigorific enterprises from South of Chile

La apertura de nuevos mercados para los productos hidrobiológicos chilenos ha impuesto el análisis del estatus sanitario de cámaras frigoríficas donde estos productos son almacenados. Para medir el estatus sanitario, la Unión Econó- mica Euroasiática (UEE) exige un recuento total de mohos e identificación de los géneros Cladosporium y Thamnidium en paredes y ambiente de las cámaras frigoríficas. Poco se sabe sobre los niveles de contaminación de mohos en cámaras frigoríficas de productos de exportación en Chile. Aquí, los resultados de 88 análisis de mohos en paredes y aire, realizados a 24 empresas diferentes que poseen cámaras frigoríficas conteniendo productos hidrobiológicos, son mostrados. El recuento total de mohos y el número de colonias de Cladosporium spp. y Thamnidium spp. fueron determinados. Además, los niveles de contaminación por mohos fueron comparados entre plantas procesadoras de alimentos y empresas frigoríficas. Thamnidium spp. no fue encontrado en ninguno de los análisis realizados. Los resultados indican que los niveles de contaminación por mohos son aceptables para la UEE. Este es el primer reporte de niveles de contaminación de mohos en cámaras frigoríficas de productos hidrobiológicos en el sur de Chile.

The opening of new markets for Chilean hydrobiological products had imposed the analysis of the sanitary status of frigorific chambers where those products are kept. To measure the sanitary status, the Euroasiatic Economical Union (EEU) requires a total mould count and identification of Cladosporium and Thamnidium in walls and air of the frigorific chambers. Little is known about contamination levels of moulds in frigorific chambers of export products in Chile. Here, the results of 88 mould analyses in walls and air, performed to 24 different enterprises that possess frigorific chambers containing hydrobiological products, are shown. Total mould count and Cladosporium spp. and Thamnidium spp. colony number were determined. Additionally the levels of moulds contamination were compared between food-processing plants and frigorific enterprises. Thamnidium spp. was not found in any of the analyses performed. The results indicate that levels of moulds contamination are acceptable to the EEU. This is the first report of mould contamination levels in frigorific chambers of hydrobiological products from south of Chile.

Source investigation of two outbreaks of skin and soft tissue infection by Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. abscessus in Venezuela.

Outbreaks of soft tissue or skin infection due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria are reported frequently in scientific journals but in general the infection source in these outbreaks remains unknown. In Venezuela, in two distinct outbreaks, one after breast augmentation surgery and another after hydrolipoclasy therapy, 16 patients contracted a soft tissue infection due to Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. abscessus. Searching for the possible environmental infection sources in these outbreaks, initially the tap water (in the hydrolipoclasy therapy outbreak) and a surgical skin marker (in the breast implant surgery outbreak), were identified as the infection sources. Molecular typing of the strains with a variable number tandem repeat typing assay confirmed the tap water as the infection source but the molecular typing technique excluded the skin marker. We discuss the results and make a call for the implementation of stringent hygiene and disinfection guidelines for cosmetic procedures in Venezuela.

[Association between moderate-severe bronchiolitis and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion in emergency departments]. / Asociación entre bronquiolitis moderada-grave y síndrome de secreción inadecuada de hormona antidiurética en urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical characteristics that may lead to the early recognition of patients admitted to the hospital for moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis with urine results associated with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted, spanning the bronchiolitis epidemic season (October 2012-March 2013), including all children who were admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis. The following criteria were used to establish a diagnosis of SIADH: urine sodium level of 40 mmol/L or greater, urine osmolarity above 500 mosm/Kg, and urine density of 1020 g/L or greater. Demographic characteristics, ventilation mode and clinical outcome were also analyzed. A comparison was made between those patients that met urine SIADH criteria and those who did not. RESULTS: A total of 126 children were included, and 23 (18.6%) of them had urine SIADH criteria. Patients in this group had a higher incidence of pneumonia and/or atelectasis on chest X-Ray (21.7% vs. 1.9%, P=.002), worse response to bronchodilator treatment with nebulized adrenaline (69,5% vs. 28,1%, P=.016), more need for respiratory assistance (high flow oxygen therapy (17.4% vs. 7.7%, p=.016), or non-invasive mechanical ventilation (13% vs. 5.8%, P=.034), and more admissions to the PICU (26.1% vs. 6.8%, P=.007). CONCLUSIONS: Patients older than one month with acute moderate bronchiolitis and urine SIADH criteria have worse clinical courses and more need for non-invasive mechanical ventilation, PICU admission, and have a higher incidence of pneumonia on chest X-ray. For that reason, it is recommended to collect a urine sample from these patients to allow an early diagnosis of SIADH, and thus early treatment of fluid and electrolyte abnormalities.

[Evolution of non-invasive ventilation in acute bronchiolitis]. / Evolución de la ventilación mecánica no invasiva en la bronquiolitis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyse the evolution, over a12-year period, of the use of non-invasive (NIV) and invasive ventilation (IV) in children admitted to a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) due to acute bronchiolitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed including all children who were admitted to the PICU requiring NIV or IV between 2001 and 2012. Demographic characteristics, ventilation assistance and clinical outcome were analysed. A comparison was made between the first six years and the last 6 years of the study. RESULTS: A total of 196 children were included; 30.1% of the subjects required IV and 93.3% required NIV. The median duration of IV was 9.5 days and NIV duration was 3 days. The median PICU length of stay was 7 days, and 2% of the patients died. The use of NIV increased from 79.4% in first period to 100% in the second period (P<.0001) and IV use decreased from 46% in first period to 22.6% in the last 6 years (P<.0001). Continuous positive airway pressure and nasopharyngeal tube were the most frequently used modality and interface, although the use of bi-level non-invasive ventilation (P<.001) and of nasal cannulas significantly increased (P<.0001) in the second period, and the PICU length of stay was shorter (P=.011). CONCLUSION: The increasing use of NIV in bronchiolitis in our PICU during the last 12 years was associated with a decrease in the use of IV and length of stay in the PICU.

Relación entre los Niveles de Fibrinógeno e Insulina con los Parámetros que Definen al Síndrome Metabólico / Relationship between Insulin levels with Fibrinogen and parameters defining the Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of risk factors that increase an individual's chance of developing ischemic cardiovascular diseases which are the leading cause of death worldwide. In a number of metabolic syndrome abnormalities such as impaired secretion of acute phase reactants and certain hormones, such as the case of fibrinogen and insulin respectively. In this research fibrinogen levels were correlated with insulin and the factors that define the metabolic syndrome according to NCEP- ATP III in a population from the Municipality Francisco Linares Alcántara aged 35 and 60, the sample consisted of 30 patients and 29 controls. Was made comparison of means of anthropometric parameters and biochemical testing using the Wilcoxon signed ranks with a statistical significance (p < 0.05) and Spearman correlation analysis between insulin and fibrinogen levels with anthropometric and biochemical parameters studied was made it was found that patients had higher BMI, glucose , triglycerides, VLDL-C , insulin and fibrinogen compared to controls. Furthermore, the latter showed the highest HDL-C value compared with patients . On the other hand there was a positive association between insulin levels with BMI and glycemic variables . There was a negative association between levels of fibrinogen and LDL cholesterol variables in patients. No association between insulin levels and fibrinogen was found.

El síndrome metabólico es la conjunción de factores de riesgo en un individuo que aumentan su probabilidad de padecer enfermedades cardiovasculares isquémicas las cuales constituyen la primera causa de muerte a nivel mundial. En el síndrome metabólico se desencadenan una serie de anomalías como ejemplo alteración en la secreción de reactantes de fase aguda y de ciertas hormonas, como el caso del fibrinógeno y la insulina respectivamente. En esta investigación se correlacionaron los niveles de fibrinógeno y la insulina con los factores que definen al síndrome metabólico según la NCEP-ATP III en una población procedente del Municipio Francisco Linares Alcántara en edades comprendidas entre 35 y 60 años. La muestra estaba conformada entre 30 pacientes y 29 controles. Se hizo comparación de medias de los parámetros antropométricos y bioquímicos utilizando la prueba de los rangos con signo de Wilcoxon con una significancia estadística de (p<0,05). De igual modo se realizó análisis de correlación de Spearman entre los niveles de Insulina y fibrinógeno con los parámetros antropométricos y bioquímicos estudiados se encontró que los pacientes tenían más elevado el IMC, glicemia, triglicéridos, VLDLc, insulina y fibrinógeno con respecto a los controles. Además, estos últimos presentaron el valor de HDLc más elevado comparado con el de los pacientes. Por otro lado hubo asociación positiva entre los niveles de insulina con las variables IMC y glicemia. Hubo asociación negativa entre los niveles de fibrinógeno con las variables colesterol y LDLc en los pacientes. No se encontró asociación entre los niveles de insulina y fibrinógeno.