Parallel phase shifting radial shear interferometry with complex fringes and unknown phase shift.

We present an interferometric method to analyze transparent samples using complex fringes generated by a parallel phase shifting radial shear interferometer using two coupled interferometers. Parallel interferograms are generated using two interferometers: the first one generates the polarized base pattern, and the second system is used to generate parallel interferograms allowing the adjustment of the x-y positions of the parallel interferograms. To obtain the optical phase map, parallel phase shift is generated by collocating polarizing filters at the output of the system; the polarizers are placed at arbitrary angles since they do not require adjustment because of the phase-recovery algorithm. The optical phase was processed using a two-step algorithm based on a modified Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization method. Such an algorithm has the advantage of not being iterative and is robust to amplitude modulation. The proposed method reduces the number of captures needed in phase-shifting interferometry. We applied the developed system to examine static and dynamics phase objects.

Specific excitatory connectivity for feature integration in mouse primary visual cortex.

Local excitatory connections in mouse primary visual cortex (V1) are stronger and more prevalent between neurons that share similar functional response features. However, the details of how functional rules for local connectivity shape neuronal responses in V1 remain unknown. We hypothesised that complex responses to visual stimuli may arise as a consequence of rules for selective excitatory connectivity within the local network in the superficial layers of mouse V1. In mouse V1 many neurons respond to overlapping grating stimuli (plaid stimuli) with highly selective and facilitatory responses, which are not simply predicted by responses to single gratings presented alone. This complexity is surprising, since excitatory neurons in V1 are considered to be mainly tuned to single preferred orientations. Here we examined the consequences for visual processing of two alternative connectivity schemes: in the first case, local connections are aligned with visual properties inherited from feedforward input (a 'like-to-like' scheme specifically connecting neurons that share similar preferred orientations); in the second case, local connections group neurons into excitatory subnetworks that combine and amplify multiple feedforward visual properties (a 'feature binding' scheme). By comparing predictions from large scale computational models with in vivo recordings of visual representations in mouse V1, we found that responses to plaid stimuli were best explained by assuming feature binding connectivity. Unlike under the like-to-like scheme, selective amplification within feature-binding excitatory subnetworks replicated experimentally observed facilitatory responses to plaid stimuli; explained selective plaid responses not predicted by grating selectivity; and was consistent with broad anatomical selectivity observed in mouse V1. Our results show that visual feature binding can occur through local recurrent mechanisms without requiring feedforward convergence, and that such a mechanism is consistent with visual responses and cortical anatomy in mouse V1.

[Effectiveness of a structured educative program in Chilean diabetic patients]. / Eficacia de un programa educativo estructurado en población diabética chilena.

BACKGROUND: Structured educative programs have demonstrated their usefulness as a strategy to improve metabolic control in diabetic patients. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured educative program for Chilean diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial in diabetic patients with glycosylated hemoglobin over 7.5%. One hundred fifteen patients were studied, 59 patients participated in the structured educative program (experimental group) and 56 patients received no structured education (control group). Patients were followed for 12 months. RESULTS: Between baseline and 12 months of follow-up, glycosylated hemoglobin changed from 10.05 to 9.11% in experimental patients and from 9.86 to 9.25% in controls. No significant differences between experimental and control groups in other clinical and metabolic parameters were observed. In the experimental group, glycosylated hemoglobin reductions differed among the different educators who carried out the program. CONCLUSIONS: A structured educative program resulted in a 35% greater reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin levels, compared with a control group. Metabolic control improvement differed between the educators who carried out the program.

[Optimization of registry of deaths from chronic kidney disease in agricultural communities in Central America]. / Optimización del registro de muerte por enfermedad renal crónica en las comunidades agrícolas de América Central.

Several Central American countries are seeing continued growth in the number of deaths from chronic kidney disease of nontraditional causes (CKDnT) among farm workers and there is underreporting. This report presents the results of a consensus process coordinated by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Latin American Society of Nephrology and Hypertension (SLANH). This consensus seeks to increase the probability of detecting and recording deaths from these causes. There has been recognition of the negative impact of the lack of a standardized instrument and the lack of training in the medical profession for adequate registration of the cause or causes of death. As a result of the consensus, the following has been proposed: temporarily use a code from the Codes for Special Purposes in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10); continue to promote use of the WHO international standardized instrument for recording causes and preceding events related to death; increase training of physicians responsible for filling out death certificates; take action to increase the coverage and quality of information on mortality; and create a decision tree to facilitate selection of CKDnT as a specific cause of death, while presenting the role that different regional and subregional mechanisms in the Region of the Americas should play in order to improve CKD and CKDnT mortality records.

Potential of Angiotensin-(1-7) in COVID-19 Treatment.

The new coronavirus currently named SARS-CoV-2 was announced by the World Health Organization as the virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic. The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 initiates upon contact of a structural spike protein with the angiotensin II-converting enzyme receptor, leading to the induction of inflammatory mechanisms and progression to severe disease in some cases. Currently, studies have emerged linking COVID-19 with angiotensin-(1-7), demonstrating the potential of angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas Receptor axis induction to control disease severity due to its antiinflammatory, vasodilator, antioxidant, antiproliferative, anticoagulant, antiangiogenic and fibrosis inhibitory effects. The renin angiotensin-system peptide Angiotensin-(1-7) shows a high therapeutic potential for COVID-19 mainly because of its ability to counteract the adverse effects caused in various organs due to angiotensin II-converting enzyme blockade. In light of these factors, the use of convalescent plasma conjugated therapy and Ang (1-7) agonists for the treatment of COVID-19 patients could be recommended. The differential expression of ACE2 and the varied response to SARSCoV- 2 are thought to be connected. According to several investigations, ACE2 antibodies and pharmacological inhibitors might be used to prevent viral entry. Given its capacity to eliminate the virus while ensuring lung and cardiovascular protection by regulating the inflammatory response, angiotensin-( 1-7) is expected to be a safe choice. However, more clinical evidence is required to clarify the therapeutic usage of this peptide. The aim of this review article is to present an update of scientific data and clinical trials on the therapeutic potential of angiotensin-(1-7) in patients with COVID-19.

Neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular trap components: Emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets for age-related eye diseases.

Age-related eye diseases, including dry eye, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, represent a major global health issue based on their increasing prevalence and disabling action. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases will provide novel opportunities to reduce the burden of age-related eye diseases and improve eye health, contributing to sustainable development goals achievement. The impairment of neutrophil extracellular traps formation/degradation processes seems to be one of these mechanisms. These traps formed by a meshwork of DNA and neutrophil cytosolic granule proteins may exacerbate the inflammatory response promoting chronic inflammation, a pivotal cause of age-related diseases. In this review, we describe current findings that suggest the role of neutrophils and their traps in the pathogenesis of the above-mentioned age-related eye diseases. Furthermore, we discuss why these cells and their constituents could be biomarkers and therapeutic targets for dry eye, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. We also examine the therapeutic potential of some neutrophil function modulators and provide several recommendations for future research in age-related eye diseases.

Presence of genes encoding enterotoxins in Staphylococcus aureus isolates recovered from food, food establishment surfaces and cases of foodborne diseases.

The aim of this study was to describe the microbiological characteristics and profile of genes encoding enterotoxins in 95 Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained between April 2011 and December 2014 from foodstuffs, persons and surfaces of retail food stores. After microbiological identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed, targeting sea, seb, sec, sed and see genes that code for classical enterotoxins (ET) A-E, and three additional genes: seg , seh and sei , coding for so-called "new enterotoxins" G, H and I. The isolates were characterized by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), and five selected isolates were further analyzed through Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST). It is noteworthy that 54.7% of the examined isolates harbored one or more of the investigated ET gene types. Most positive isolates carried more than one ET gene up to five types; seg was the most frequent ET gene, followed by sei. Five enterotoxin-coding isolates also coded for some antimicrobial resistance genes. Two of them, and four additional non-enterotoxic isolates carried erm genes expressing inducible clindamycin resistance. PFGE-types were numerous and diverse, even among enterotoxin-coding strains, because most isolates did not belong to known foodborne outbreaks and the sampling period was long. MLST profiles were also varied, and a new ST 3840 was described within this species. ST 88 and ST 72 enterotoxin-coding isolates have been identified in other regions in association with foodborne outbreaks. This manuscript reports the first systematic investigation of enterotoxin genes in S. aureus isolates obtained from foodstuffs and infected people in Uruguay.

Eficacia de un programa educativo estructurado en población diabética chilena / Effectiveness of a structured educative program in Chilean diabetic patients

Background: Structured educative programs have demonstrated their usefulness as a strategy to improve metabolic control in diabetic patients. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured educative program for Chilean diabetic patients. Material and Methods: A randomized clinical trial in diabetic patients with glycosylated hemoglobin over 7.5%. One hundred fifteen patients were studied, 59 patients participated in the structured educative program (experimental group) and 56 patients received no structured education (control group). Patients were followed for 12 months. Results: Between baseline and 12 months of follow-up, glycosylated hemoglobin changed from 10.05 to 9.11% in experimental patients and from 9.86 to 9.25% in controls. No significant differences between experimental and control groups in other clinical and metabolic parameters were observed. In the experimental group, glycosylated hemoglobin reductions differed among the different educators who carried out the program. Conclusions: A structured educative program resulted in a 35% greater reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin levels, compared with a control group. Metabolic control improvement differed between the educators who carried out the program.

Assistência de enfermagem a idosos com incontinência urinária / Ursing care to the elderly with urinary incontinence

Objetivo: descrever como é prestada a assistência de enfermagem ao idoso com incontinência urinلria. Método: estudo descritivo-exploratَrio, de abordagem qualitativa, com enfermeiros da Estratégia Saْde da Famيlia (ESF). Os dados foram produzidos a partir de um roteiro semiestruturado e para anلlise foi utilizada a técnica de Anلlise de Conteْdo na modalidade Anلlise Temلtica ancorado pelo referencial do Interacionismo Simbَlico. Resultados: da anلlise emergiram quatro categorias: 1. Compreensمo dos enfermeiros das ESF sobre Sيndrome Geriلtrica; 2. Concepçمo dos enfermeiros das ESF sobre IU; 3. Condutas adotadas no manejo da IU pelos enfermeiros da ESF, 4. Fatores facilitadores e dificultadores para a realizaçمo da assistência de enfermagem a idosos com IU. Conclusمo: a assistência de enfermagem a idosos com IU apresenta fragilidades, tanto no nيvel macro, como no micro. Hل necessidade de os profissionais entrevistados saberem diferenciar senescência de senilidade, no que se refere à assistência de enfermagem aos idosos com IU.

Optimización del registro de muerte por enfermedad renal crónica en las comunidades agrícolas de América Central / Optimization of registry of deaths from chronic kidney disease in agricultural communities in Central America

En varios países centroamericanos se observa que el número de muertes por enfermedad renal crónica asociada a causas no tradicionales (ERCnt) entre trabajadores del campo continúa creciendo y existe un subregistro. Se presenta el resultado de un proceso de consenso coordinado por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud/Organización Mundial de la Salud (OPS/OMS), el Centro para el Control de Enfermedades de los Estados Unidos (CDC) y la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nefrología e Hipertensión Arterial (SLANH). Este consenso busca aumentar la probabilidad de detectar y registrar las muertes por estas causas. Se reconoció el impacto negativo que tiene la falta de un instrumento estandarizado y la baja capacitación que se tiene en la profesión médica para un registro adecuado de la o las causas de muerte. Como resultado del consenso, se propone el uso de un código de la Lista para Propósitos Especiales (de manera temporaria) dentro de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (CIE-10), continuar con la promoción del uso del instrumento internacional estandarizado de la OMS para el registro de causas y eventos antecedentes relacionados con la muerte, aumentar el entrenamiento de los médicos responsables por el llenado del certificado de defunción, la realización de acciones para aumentar la completitud y calidad de la información de mortalidad, un algoritmo de decisión para facilitar la selección de la ERCnt como causa específica de muerte, presentando el papel que debieran tener los diferentes mecanismos regionales y subregionales en la región de las Américas para mejorar la situación del registro de mortalidad por ERC y ERCnt.

Several Central American countries are seeing continued growth in the number of deaths from chronic kidney disease of nontraditional causes (CKDnT) among farm workers and there is underreporting. This report presents the results of a consensus process coordinated by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Latin American Society of Nephrology and Hypertension (SLANH). This consensus seeks to increase the probability of detecting and recording deaths from these causes. There has been recognition of the negative impact of the lack of a standardized instrument and the lack of training in the medical profession for adequate registration of the cause or causes of death. As a result of the consensus, the following has been proposed: temporarily use a code from the Codes for Special Purposes in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10); continue to promote use of the WHO international standardized instrument for recording causes and preceding events related to death; increase training of physicians responsible for filling out death certificates; take action to increase the coverage and quality of information on mortality; and create a decision tree to facilitate selection of CKDnT as a specific cause of death, while presenting the role that different regional and subregional mechanisms in the Region of the Americas should play in order to improve CKD and CKDnT mortality records.

El consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en la violencia de género: investigación en una Ong. en Maschwitz partido de Escobar Pcia. Bs. As / The use of psychoactive substances in domestic violence: a research Ong. Maschwitz match in Buenos Aires Escobar Pcia

En el presente trabajo se investigo el consumo de psicofármacos, sustancias psicoactivas ilícitas y abuso de alcohol entre los consultantes y familiares que fueron asistidos en la ONG, institución dedicada a brindar contención, tratamiento psicoterapéutico y orientación jurídica cuando existe violencia de género. Para ello se revisaron los registros de 72 consultantes que ingresaron durante los años 2009/2010, haciendo hincapié en la composición del grupo familiar y sus características socio ambientales, existencia de enfermedad psiquiátrica concomitante e incidencia de alcoholismo y otras drogodependencias.

ABSTRACT: In this paper we investigate the use of psychotropic drugs, illicit psychoactive substances and alcohol abuse among the consultants and family who were assisted in the ONG, institution dedicated to provide counseling, psychotherapy and legal counsel when there is gender violence. To do this we reviewed the records of 72 consultants who were admitted during 2009/2010, making emphasis on household composition and socio-environmental characteristics, existence of concomitant psychiatric disease and incidence of alcoholism and other addictions.

Intoxicaciones agudas pediátricas en el área Metropolitana de Caracas 1999 / Acute intoxications pediatrics in zone Metropolitan of Caracas 1999

Con el intéres de conocer el comportamiento de las intoxicaciones agudas pediátricas ocurridas en Caracas, se realizó un estudio de revisión, de tipo descriptivo, en los archivos de registro en los centro asistenciales de referencia en el área metropolitana (CIATO-UCV., Hospital de Coche y Hospital de Niños J.M de Los Ríos) durante el período de enero-diciembre de 1997. Se atendieron 975 pacientes pediátricos, siendo CIATO el centro que atendió la mayoría de los casos (78,87 por ciento). En relación con la distribución por edades, los escolares comprendieron el grupo más afectado con 516 casos (52,92 por ciento); siguiendo los preescolares (26,87 por ciento). Estas cifras están relacionadas con intoxicaciones alimentarias masivas ocurridas en unidades educativas. Los agentes causales más importantes fueron: los alimentos (51,18 por ciento) y los medicamentos (23,43 por ciento)

Modelo informático para investigación clínica (Ej.: Registro de cáncer pediátrico) / Informatic pattern for clinical investigation (I.E. pediatric cancer records)

La tecnología pone al alcance del médico la computadora, que le permite evaluar y difundir resultados. El desafio es el uso correcto de la información. El objeto: Establecer la metodología correcta para plantear un sistema de información orientado a la Investigación Clínica. Se toma como ejemplo el Registro de Cáncer Pediátrico (RCAP) que fue elaborado siguiendo la metodología propuesta para la IIIa. Reunión de CA (Bs.As. 20/5/92). Desarrollo: se siguen los siguientes pasos cuyo resultado final es el RCAP. Definición de un sistema de información 1 y 2) Delimitación del área de trabajo: limites. 3) Revisión bibliográfica del tema. 4) transformar lo recopilado en información a Obtener del Sistema: Salidas. 5) Detección de variables de Entrada de acuerdo a 4. 7) Subsistemas Estadístico (Tasas de incidencia, Mortalidad, Epidemiología, Sobrevida). Se muestran salidas del sistema sobre 312 niños de 0-14 años de Tucumán con CA que entran en RCAP de 1980/1991. Se establece una metodología sencilla para elaborar un Sistema de Información que permite al investigador actuar como usuario competente

Sistematización de la experiencia de sitios centinelas a través de las mediciones realizadas sobre diarrea y sus determinantes, Managua 1986-1991

Estudio comparativo de corte transversal en el que se analiza el comportamiento de la enfermedad diarréica aguda según resultados de los procesos de medición ciclíca de los años 1986, 1989 y 1991, los cuales se trabajaron en tres niveles de análisis: departamental, por Sistemas Locales de Atención Integral en Salud (SILAIS) y una muestra reducida de Sitios, utilizando para ello, la prueba estadística de Mantel-Hanszel que incluye la estimación de riesgo, la prueba de significancia y la estratificación. La prevalencia lápsica de diarrea (15 dias) en tres mediciones no pudo compararse por efectuarse en diferentes meses: la cobertura de agua potable por tubería intradomiciliar se incrementó de 65//en 1989 a 77 por ciento en 1991, instalación de letrinas en lugares donde no existían. Se hace necesario reactivar el proceso de monitoreo y evaluación a través de los Sitios Centinelas, considerar que la letrinificación reduce el riesgo de padercer diarrea y que la cobertura de agua potable amerita un abordaje departamental e interinstitucional