Impact of a multimodal effort re-education programme on functionality, physical performance, and functional capacity in cancer patients with dyspnoea: a randomised experimental study.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the survival rates of cancer patients. However, this has also led to an increase in side effects, such as dyspnoea, which can negatively impact of patients. We propose a programme for re-educating effort. The main objective is to test the effectiveness of this programme in improving respiratory symptoms and functionality in cancer patients. METHODOLOGY: Experimental, prospective, longitudinal, randomised study with a parallel fixed-assignment scheme (CG-IG). The patients were selected from the Medical Oncology Service of the University Hospital Complex of Salamanca (CAUSA), Spain. Two parallel intervention programmes were designed for the two study groups (Conventional Clinical Practice-Effort Re-education Programme). Primary variables: dyspnoea (MRC), functionality (Barthel); secondary variables: physical performance (SPPB) and functional capacity (ECOG) and the socio-demographic variables (age, sex, anatomopathological diagnosis, and number of treatment lines). RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 182 patients, with 12 excluded, resulting in a final sample size of n = 170. Sex distribution (CG: 52.9% male and 47.1% female; IG: 49.4% male and 50.6% female). The primary oncological diagnosis was lung cancer, and the most frequent tumour stages were III and IV. Statistically significant differences were found between the IG and CG scores (p < 0.001, d = 0.887, 95% CI) and between the IG and CG scores (p = 0.004, d = 0.358, 95% CI), indicating that the IG performed better. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the beneficial effects of an exercise re-education programme, carried out by an interdisciplinary team in improving the autonomy of oncology patients with dyspnoea. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04186754). (03 September 2019).

Nonfunctional Incomplete Infected Ureteral Duplication in a French Bulldog.

A 7 yr old female French bulldog exhibited recurrent purulent vulvar discharge following an episode of pyometra treated by ovariohysterectomy. The diagnosis of ureteral duplication was established through a combination of ultrasonography, computed tomography scanning, and cystoscopy/vaginoscopy. Despite initial medical intervention, the dog's clinical condition did not improve. Consequently, surgical treatment was pursued to remove the duplicated ureter while preserving the integrity of the urinary tract. Resection of the duplicated ureter was performed from the kidney to the bladder, and the blind ends left in place in the kidney and in the bladder wall were omentalized. Histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of the duplicated ureter. Postoperatively, the dog made a full recovery with no complications or urinary tract dysfunction. Long-term follow-up (11 mo) revealed complete resolution of all clinical signs. Ureteral duplication should be included in the differential diagnosis of vulvar purulent discharge in dogs. Removal of the abnormal ureter resulted in complete resolution of the clinical signs. This case underscores the importance of individualized treatment plans for ureteral duplications in dogs and the potential for successful surgical treatment in selected cases.

Development of biomaterial composite hydrogel as a passive sampler with potential application in wastewater-based surveillance.

Nowadays, the need to track fast-spreading infectious diseases has raised due to the recent COVID-19 disease pandemic. As a response, Wastewater-based Surveillance (WBS) has emerged as an early detection and disease tracking method for large populations that enables a comprehensive overview of public health allowing for a faster response from public health sector to prevent large outbreaks. The process to achieve WBS requires a highly intensive sampling strategy with either expensive equipment or trained personnel to continuously sample. The sampling problem can be addressed by passive sampler development. Chitosan-based hydrogels are recognized for their capability to sample and remove various contaminants from wastewater, including metals, dyes, pharmaceuticals, among others. However, chitosan-based hydrogels unique characteristics, can be exploited to develop passive samplers of genetic material that can be a very valuable tool for WBS. This study aimed to develop a novel chitosan hydrogel formulation with enhanced characteristics suitable for use as a passive sampler of genetic material and its application to detect disease-causing pathogens present in wastewater. The study evaluates the effect of the concentration of different components on the formulation of a Chitosan composite hydrogel (Chitosan, Glutaraldehyde, Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and Polyethylene glycol (PEG)) on the hydrogel properties using a Box Hunter & Hunter experimental matrix. Hydrogels' weight, thickness, swelling ratio, microscopic morphology (SEM), FTIR assay, and zeta potential were characterized. The resulting hydrogel formulations were shown to be highly porous, positively charged (Zeta potential up to 35.80 ± 1.44 mV at pH 3) and with high water swelling capacity (up to 703.89 ± 15.00 %). Based on the results, a formulation from experimental design was selected and then evaluated its capacity to adsorb genetic material from a control spiked water with Influenza A virus synthetic vector. The adsorption capacity of the selected formulation was 4157.04 ± 64.74 Gene Copies/mL of Influenza A virus synthetic vector. The developed hydrogel showed potential to be used as passive sampler for pathogen detection in wastewater. However, deeper research can be conducted to improve adsorption, desorption and extraction techniques of genetic material from chitosan-hydrogel matrices.

Treatment-Related Fluctuation in Guillain-Barre Syndrome With the Acute Motor-Sensory Axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN) Variant: A Case Report.

We present the case of a 60-year-old male patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) who experienced treatment-related fluctuations (TRF) with a history of ayahuasca consumption. The patient presented to the neurological emergency department without a history of infection (upper respiratory tract or diarrhea) or vaccination in the past four weeks, but 14 days prior, the patient had consumed ayahuasca. Upon admission, the patient exhibited progressive weakness in all four limbs, with no cranial nerve involvement, a muscle strength Medical Research Council (MRC) score of 36/60, and generalized areflexia. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed slightly elevated protein levels at 50 mg/dL and a cell count of 2 (lumbar puncture was performed three days after the onset of symptoms). Neurophysiological studies met the criteria for the acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) variant. A diagnosis of GBS was established, Brighton criteria grade 1. The patient received treatment with intravenous human immunoglobulin, resulting in improvement with an MRC score of 48/60 at discharge. However, on day 10, he returned with worsening muscle strength (MRC score of 20/60), necessitating ventilatory support. TRF was considered, and retreatment with human immunoglobulin was initiated.

Lipase activity of recombinant KmYJR107Wp and KmLIP3p enzymes expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4742 from Kluyveromyces marxianus L2029.

Lipases are used in many food, energy, and pharmaceutical processes. Thus, new systems have been sought to synthesize alternative lipases with potential biotechnological applications. Kluyveromyces marxianus is a yeast with recognized lipase activity; at least ten putative lipases/esterases in its genome have been detected, and two of them possess a signal peptide for extracellular secretion. The study of extracellular lipases becomes more relevant since they usually have higher activity rates than intracellular lipases and simpler purification mechanisms. For these reasons, this study aimed to characterize the production and lipase activity of the putative extracellular lipases of the K. marxianus L-2029 strain, encoded in the genes LIP3 and YJR107W. Both genes were heterologously expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4742 (yeast strain without extracellular lipase activity) using a pYES2.1/V5-His-TOPO® plasmid. Herein, we show evidence that the strain transformed with the LIP3 gene did not show lipase activity during flask galactose induction. On the other hand, the strain transformed with the YJR107W gene showed a specific activity of 0.397 U/mg, with an optimum temperature of 37 °C and pH 6. For maximum cell production, glucose and yeast extract concentrations were evaluated by a 22 factorial design, followed by the validation of the best concentrations predicted by a statistical model; a 22 factorial design was also carried out to evaluate the concentration of the inducer galactose on the transformed strains, and the intracellular and extracellular lipase specific activities were quantified. Finally, the biomass and lipase production were determined for each strain, which was grown in a stirred tank bioreactor with a working volume of 1.5 L. The specific activities of the transformed strains obtained in the bioreactor were 1.36 U/mg for the LIP3 transformant and 1.25 U/mg for the YJR107W transformant, respectively.

Endoscopic Characterization of Giant Choledocholithiasis and Its Correlation With Primary Choledocholithiasis.

INTRODUCTION: Gallstone disease is extremely prevalent in Western society, and the prevalence of common bile duct (CBD) stones with concomitant cholelithiasis increases significantly in the elderly. Different variants influence the treatment of this pathological entity, such as the origin of the stones, their location and quantity, comorbidities of the patient, impaction, and size of the lithos, the latter being an independent predictive factor. In most situations, choledocholithiasis can be resolved with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); however, in complex cases, such as giant choledocholithiasis (GC), advanced surgical, endoscopic, and percutaneous techniques are required to remove gallstones. The main objective was to determine if there is a correlation between GC and primary choledocholithiasis (PC). The secondary objective consisted of describing the endoscopic characterization of GC. METHODS:  The present study is a cross-sectional and single-center study. The study population consisted of patients of the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE by its acronym in Spanish) Regional Hospital, León, Guanajuato, belonging directly to this center or referred, who required medical attention by the General Surgery/Endoscopy Service with the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, during the period between January 2017 and December 2022. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used as the normality test. Quantitative variables were reported as mean and standard deviation if the data distribution was normal, in contrast with the expression of data in the median and interquartile range if an abnormal distribution was found. Moreover, the qualitative variables are reported in frequencies or percentages. The Chi-square test was performed as the independence test. The significance level was a 95% confidence interval (p-value 0.05). The effect size was calculated with the odds ratio (OR). RESULTS:  Out of a total of 177 patients, 33 corresponded to PC (18.6%), and 144 belonged to the secondary choledocholithiasis (SC) group (81.4%). Likewise, regarding the dimensions of the lithos, 59 patients (33.3%) presented GC and 118 (66.7%) presented non-GC. Among the 59 patients with GC, 36 were female (61%) and 23 were male (39%). Regarding age, the distribution was as follows: mean 62 ± 12 years, with a minimum value of 29 and a maximum of 88 years. The non-parametric test used to determine the existence or not of a correlation between the variables was Pearson's Chi-square, whose value was 60.509, with a p < 0.001, demonstrating the presence of a correlation between PC and GC. The effect size was corroborated and defined with the OR, whose value was 39.6 (confidence interval (CI) 11.308-139.069). CONCLUSIONS:  There is a significant correlation between GC and PC, and it was found that mechanical lithotripsy was the most performed initial extraction method for GC; furthermore, a higher rate of complete endoscopic resolution was found, as well as no complications related to the procedure, which contrasts with the literature. It would be interesting to use the information revealed in the present study as a landmark in future research in this regard.

Effect of bariatric surgery in the body burden of persistent and non-persistent pollutants: longitudinal study in a cohort of morbidly obese patients.

Introduction: Obesity is a pathological state that involves the dysregulation of different metabolic pathways and adipose tissue cells, constituting a risk factor for the development of other diseases. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment. The study of the behavior of pollutants in situations of extreme weight loss can provide biomonitoring information and tools to manage diseases of environmental etiology. Aim: To determine the prevalence of serum persistent and non-persistent pollutants in obese patients subjected to bariatric surgery and analyze the impact of sociodemographic variables on these changes. Methods: GC-MS/MS and UHPLC-MS/MS were utilized to determine the detection rates and concentrations of 353 compounds, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and rodenticide, in serum samples of 59 obese patients before and after undergoing bariatric surgery. Results: Detection rates of p,p'-DDE, HCB, ß-HCH, naphthalene, phenanthrene and PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 significantly increased due to surgery-induced weight loss. Serum levels of p,p'-DDE, PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-180 also increased after surgery. Correlations between naphthalene levels, weight loss, variation of total lipids and time after surgery were found. Additionally, correlations were observed between concentrations of PCB-138 and weight loss, and between phenanthrene levels and reduction of total lipids. No statistically significant differences were observed for other groups of contaminants, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals included in the quantification methods. Conclusions: Increment of POPs was observed after bariatric surgery. Serum concentrations of POPs after surgery were influenced by adiposity-related variables. Although biomonitoring studies show a decreasing tendency of exposure, rapid weight loss leads to an increase of circulating POPs. Further research on the interplay between adipose tissue, POPs and peripheral organs is required.

Basic Psychological Needs in the Face of Achievement Vulnerability: A Study in Young Team Athletes.

The susceptibility of athletes to experience of emotional and psychological difficulties arising from the pressure and expectations associated with achieving and maintaining high performance can become a vulnerability in the desire to achieve success in sport. This study aims to investigate the protective value in the perception of satisfaction in basic psychological needs against the vulnerability that perfectionism generates in the appearance of reactivity linked to fear of failure. A cross-sectional, relational, and semi-randomized research design was used, applying perfectionism, fear of failure, and basic psychological needs measures adapted to both the competitive sports context and the Spanish language in a sample of 372 young Spanish athletes, under descriptive analyses and predictive models. The results showed that as the age of the participants increased, the indicators of perfectionism and fear of failure decreased, with no gender differences. The results offer and confirm the positive relationships between the dimensions of perfectionism and fear of making mistakes (where processes such as self-devaluation and fear of failing the people that participants deemed as important to them are intertwined). The perception of satisfaction of the basic psychological needs of autonomy, social relationships, and competence emerges as protective factors that mediate the perfectionism-fear of failure relationship. On the other hand, discrepancies are shown between the perfectionist dimensions concerning the relationships with the BPNs, describing certain sources of vulnerability, although there are adjustments of mental effort and discomfort in the young athletes. The conclusions offer the opportunity to investigate the aspects that facilitate the emergence of fear of failure in young athletes, mainly the performance of coaches connected to the emergence of patterns in pursuit of perfection.

Understanding the Associations between Executive Function and Psychological Variables in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Network Analysis Approach.

The aim of this study was to quantify the multivariate relationships between clinical, cognitive performance, executive functioning, and psychological outcomes in women with fibromyalgia (FMS) using network analyses. Demographic (age, height, weight), clinical (pain history, pain intensity, and related disability), neurocognitive (D2 Attention test, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure for visual perception, "Digits D/R/I" tests of the WAIS-IV battery for working memory, the 5-Digit Test for mental inhibition, the Symbol Search for processing speed and the Zoo Test for planning/decision making) and psychological (depressive symptoms, anxiety levels, sleep quality, pain hypervigilance) variables were collected in 129 women with FMS and 111 healthy women. Network analyses were conducted separately for each group to quantify the adjusted correlations between the modeled variables and to assess their centrality indices (i.e., connectivity with other symptoms in the network and their importance in the network). The network identified 74 associations in FMS women and 46 associations in controls with small differences. The strongest correlations in both groups were found between different attention variables: d2_CON with d2_C, d2_O with d_2TR, and d2_CON with d2_TA. The most central variables were d2_TA, d2_C, and d2_CON (highest strength centrality in both groups) and anxiety levels and pain hypervigilance (highest harmonic centrality in FMS women). The strength centrality of the network was stable for women with FMS (CScor0.7: 0.68) but not for healthy women (CScor0.7: 0.28). This study found that attention variables are most relevant within a neurocognitive network and that psychological variables are most important for the treatment of women with FMS. The clinical implications of the current findings, such as the development of treatments targeting these variables, are discussed.

Influence of Maternal and Neonatal Factors on Transplacental Passive Immunity after Vaccination against COVID-19.

In the present study, we evaluated the influence of maternal and neonatal factors on the efficiency of the placental transfer of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Vaccination during pregnancy provides fetal and neonatal protection through the passive transplacental transfer of maternal neutralizing antibodies. To date, little information is available regarding the factors that affect the transfer of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. A retrospective, cross-sectional, observational, and analytical study was carried out. It was found that several biological factors could be altering transplacental passive immunity after vaccination against COVID-19. In our study population, type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic hypertension tended to decrease efficiency, while data from women with pre-eclampsia showed better indices compared to those from women with healthy pregnancies. Neonates born prematurely showed lower transfer rates when compared to healthy neonates. The premature rupture of membranes significantly decreased antibody transfer. Taken together, the data suggest that vaccination against COVID-19 during pregnancy is effective even under certain unfavorable clinical conditions for the mother, fetus, and neonate. It is important to create and disseminate immunization strategies in vulnerable populations to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with infections preventable by vaccination.

Osteoblastic Cell Sheet Engineering Using P(VCL-HEMA)-Based Thermosensitive Hydrogels Doped with pVCL@Icariin Nanoparticles Obtained with Supercritical CO2-SAS.

New clinical strategies for treating severe bone and cartilage injuries are required, especially for use in combination with implant procedures. For this purpose, p(VCL-co-HEMA) thermosensitive hydrogels have been activated with icariin-loaded nanoparticles to be used as bone-cell-harvesting platforms. Supercritical CO2-SAS technology has been applied to encapsulate icariin, a small molecule that is involved in osteoblastic differentiation. Thus, physical-chemical analysis, including swelling and transmittance, showed the impact of HEMA groups in hydrogel composition. Moreover, icariin (ICA) release from p(VCL-co-HEMA) platforms, including pVCL@ICA nanoparticles, has been studied to evaluate their efficacy in relevant conditions. Finally, the thermosensitive hydrogels' cell compatibility, transplant efficiency, and bone differentiation capacity were tested. This study identifies the optimal formulations for icariin-activated hydrogels for both control and HEMA formulations. Using this technique, osteoblastic sheets that were rich in collagen type I were successfully transplanted and recultivated, maintaining an optimal extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. These findings suggest a new cell-sheet-based therapy for bone regeneration purposes using customized and NP-activated pVCL-based cell platforms.

Integration of chromosome locations and functional aspects of enhancers and topologically associating domains in knowledge graphs enables versatile queries about gene regulation.

Knowledge about transcription factor binding and regulation, target genes, cis-regulatory modules and topologically associating domains is not only defined by functional associations like biological processes or diseases but also has a determinative genome location aspect. Here, we exploit these location and functional aspects together to develop new strategies to enable advanced data querying. Many databases have been developed to provide information about enhancers, but a schema that allows the standardized representation of data, securing interoperability between resources, has been lacking. In this work, we use knowledge graphs for the standardized representation of enhancers and topologically associating domains, together with data about their target genes, transcription factors, location on the human genome, and functional data about diseases and gene ontology annotations. We used this schema to integrate twenty-five enhancer datasets and two domain datasets, creating the most powerful integrative resource in this field to date. The knowledge graphs have been implemented using the Resource Description Framework and integrated within the open-access BioGateway knowledge network, generating a resource that contains an interoperable set of knowledge graphs (enhancers, TADs, genes, proteins, diseases, GO terms, and interactions between domains). We show how advanced queries, which combine functional and location restrictions, can be used to develop new hypotheses about functional aspects of gene expression regulation.

Survival at 3, 6 and 12 months in patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia in Colombia: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study is to assess the survival rates of individuals diagnosed with Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) post-hospitalization in Colombia. Additionally, explore potential risk factors associated with decreased long-term survival. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a hospital in Colombia, evaluating survival at 3, 6 and 12 months in CAP patients, using the Kaplan-Meier method. Stratifications were made by age, sex, comorbidity, and severity. The comparison of survival curves was performed using the Log-Rank test, a multivariate analysis with Cox regression was performed to study possible risk factors that affected 12-month survival in patients with CAP. RESULTS: 3688 subjects were admitted, with a mortality of 16.3 % per year. Survival at three, six, and twelve months was 92.9 % (95 % CI 92-93 %), 88.8 % (95 % CI 87-90 %), and 84.2 % (95 % CI 82-85 %), respectively. Analysis stratified by pneumonia severity index, 12-month survival was 98.7 % in Class I, 95.6 % in Class II, 87.41 % in Class III, 77.1 % in Class IV, and 65.8 % in class-V (p < 0.001). Cox-regression showed that being male (HR = 1.44; 95 % CI 1.22‒1.70; p < 0.001), an elevated pneumonia severity index (HR = 4.22; 95 % CI 1.89‒9.43; p < 0.001), a high comorbidity index (HR = 2.29; 95 % CI 1.89‒2.84; p < 0.001) and vasopressor requirement (HR = 2.22; 95 % CI < 0.001) were associated with a lower survival at twelve months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Survival in patients with CAP who require hospitalization decreases at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up, being lower in patients older than 65 years, men, high comorbidity, and in subjects with severe presentation of the disease.

Efficient electrochemical advanced degradation of Red CL and Red WB dyes from the tanning industry using a boron-doped diamond anode.

Electrochemical oxidation (EO), electro-Fenton (EF), and photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) with a BDD anode have been comparatively assessed to remediate solutions of Red CL and/or Red WB azo dyes from real raw water. For the EO process in 50 mM Na2SO4 at pH 3.0, the main oxidant was the heterogeneous •OH generated at the anode, whereas in EF and PEF, the cathodic production of H2O2 and the addition of 0.50 mM Fe2+ catalyst additionally originated homogeneous •OH that enhanced the oxidation of organics. In PEF, the solution was illuminated with a 6 W UVA light. An almost total discoloration was always found operating with a 1:1 mixture of 200 mg L-1 of both dyes in 60 min, whose efficiency increased in the order of EO < EF < PEF. The HPLC analysis of the dye mixture treated by PEF disclosed that its degradation process agreed with its discoloration. A high 74% of COD was reduced due to the oxidative action of hydroxyl radicals and the photolysis of final Fe(III)-carboxylate species with UVA irradiation. The process was accompanied by an energy consumption of 0.76 kWh (g COD)-1, a value similar to the energy consumed by the applied UVA light.

Factors related to mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Colombian population / Factores relacionados con la mortalidad en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en población colombiana

Introduction. Data in low- and middle-income countries on mortality and its related risk factors in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are limited. Objective. To identify the incidence of death and its relationship with variables in a Colombian population during 12 months of follow-up. Materials and methods. We carried out a retrospective study in subjects diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a third-level hospital in Colombia. Odds ratios were calculated using multivariable logistic regression analysis with the outcome variable "mortality at 12 months". Results. We included 524 patients, 18.1% (95 / 524) died. The average age was 69.7 (SD = 8.92), and 59.2% (310 / 524) were women. The variables associated with mortality were age (OR = 6.54; 95% CI = 3.65-11.36; p < 0.001), years of exposure to wood smoke (OR = 4.59; 95% CI = 1.64-2.82; p = 0.002), chronic heart failure (OR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.13-2.91; p = 0.014), cerebrovascular disease (OR = 3.35; 95% CI = 1.04-10.75; p = 0.032), and chronic kidney disease (OR = 6.96; 95% CI = 1.15-41.67; p=0.015). When adjusting the variables in the multivariate analysis, only an association was found for sex (OR = 1.55; 95% CI = 0.95-2.54; p = 0.008) and age (OR = 5.94; 95% CI = 3.3-10.69; p < 0.001). Conclusion. Age, years of exposure to wood smoke, chronic heart failure, and cerebrovascular and chronic kidney disease were the clinical variables associated with a fatal outcome. However, age and sex were the only variables related to mortality when adjusted for confounding factors.

Introducción. En los países de medianos y bajos ingresos, los datos sobre la mortalidad y los factores de riesgo en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica son limitados. Objetivo. Identificar la incidencia de muerte y sus variables relacionadas en una población colombiana durante 12 meses de seguimiento. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio retrospectivo de sujetos con diagnóstico de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en una clínica de tercer nivel en Colombia. Los cocientes de probabilidades se calcularon mediante un análisis de regresión logística multivariable con la variable de resultado "mortalidad a los 12 meses". Resultados. Ingresaron 524 pacientes, de los cuales el 18,1 % (95 / 524) murió. La edad promedio fue de 69,7 (DE = 8,92) y el 59,2 % (310 / 524) eran mujeres. Las variables asociadas con la mortalidad fueron la edad (OR = 6,54; IC95%: 3,65-11,36; p < 0,001), años de exposición al humo de leña (OR = 4,59; IC95%: 1,64-12,82; p = 0,002), insuficiencia cardiaca crónica (OR = 1,81; IC95%: 1,13-2,91; p = 0,014), enfermedad cerebrovascular (OR = 3,35; IC95%: 1,04-10,75; p = 0,032) y enfermedad renal crónica (OR=6,96; IC 95%:1,15-41,67; p = 0,015). Al ajustar las variables en el análisis multivariado únicamente se mostró asociación entre el sexo (OR = 1,55; IC95%: 0,95-2,54; p = 0,008) y la edad (OR = 5,94; IC95%: 3,3-10,69; p < 0,001). Conclusión. La edad, los años de exposición al humo de leña, la insuficiencia cardiaca crónica, la enfermedad cerebrovascular y la renal crónica fueron variables clínicas asociadas a un desenlace fatal. Sin embargo, la edad y el sexo fueron las únicas relacionadas con la mortalidad al ajustarlas por factores de confusión.

Assessment of the role of high-density lipoproteins and their immunomodulatory activity in systemic lupus erythematosus immunopathology.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential associations between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and inflammasome components in the context of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A group of 50 patients with SLE and 50 healthy controls matched by sex and similar age ranges were enrolled. Serum HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and C reactive protein (CRP) levels were quantified. Serum cytokine levels, including IL-1ß and IL-6, were determined by ELISA. The gene expression of inflammasome-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: HDL-C levels were lower in the patients with SLE (p<0.05), and on segregation according to disease activity, those with active SLE had the lowest HDL-C levels. Patients with SLE presented higher concentrations of the serum inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and IL-6 (p<0.0001) but similar levels of CRP to those in controls. A similar scenario was observed for the gene expression of inflammasome components, where all the evaluated markers were significantly upregulated in the SLE population. These results revealed significant negative correlations between HDL levels and disease activity, serum IL-6 and IL-1ß levels and the mRNA expression of NLRP3, IL-1ß and IL-18. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between disease activity and serum IL-1ß and between disease activity and the mRNA expression of IL-18, and interestingly, significant positive correlations were also observed between active SLE and serum IL-1ß and the mRNA expression of NLRP3. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HDL is essential for SLE beyond atherosclerosis and is related to inflammation regulation, possibly mediated by inflammasome immunomodulation.

Insecticide Efficacy of Green Synthesis Silver Nanoparticles on Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is a vector of Liberibacter asiaticus Jagoueix et al. and Liberibacter americanus Teixeira et al., causal agents of the critical yellow dragon disease or Huanglongbing (HLB), which affects citrus production worldwide. Recently, green synthetic nanoparticles have emerged as a potential alternative to control of agricultural insect pests. The insecticide effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on 2nd instar nymphs of D. citri under laboratory and greenhouse conditions was evaluated. Mortality was recorded 24, 48, and 72 h after application on D. citri nymphs under both laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The laboratory results showed that AgNPs caused 97.84 and 100% mortality at 32 and 64 ppm, respectively, 72 h after treatment. In the greenhouse, AgNPs caused 78.69 and 80.14% mortality using 64 and 128 ppm 72 h after application. This research is the first to evaluate the green synthesis AgNPs on D. citri and are a promising strategy to control the pest.