Compromiso cardíaco y su relación con la gravedad del cuadro agudo y los síntomas persistentes en la convalecencia de infección por COVID-19 / Cardiovascular Involvement and its Relationship with the Severity of the Acute Phase and Persistent Symptoms during Recovery from COVID-19 Infection

RESUMEN Introducción: La infección por COVID-19 se asocia a compromiso cardiovascular en su etapa aguda. La información sobre el compromiso cardíaco en la etapa de convalecencia de la enfermedad tanto en pacientes con y sin síntomas persistentes es limitada. Objetivos: 1. Analizar el compromiso cardíaco mediante ecocardiograma en la etapa de convalecencia de la enfermedad por COVID-19; 2. Explorar su asociación con: a) gravedad del cuadro agudo y b) persistencia de síntomas. Métodos: Estudio analítico, observacional, prospectivo y unicéntrico. Se incluyeron pacientes consecutivos que consultaron al centro para realizar evaluación post-COVID. Se realizó ecocardiograma Doppler color transtorácico en busca de hallazgos patológicos. Resultados: Se incluyeron 600 pacientes desde el 01/09/2020 al 01/05/2021. Veintinueve (4,8%) presentaron hallazgos patológicos en el ecocardiograma. Los pacientes con cuadros iniciales moderados o graves presentaron mayor prevalencia de trastornos de motilidad parietal (4,3% versus 0,5%, p = 0,02) y derrame pericárdico (4,3% versus 0,24%, p = 0,01) en comparación con aquellos con cuadros asintomáticos o leves. En el ajuste multivariado esta asociación no alcanzó significación estadística. El 28,6% de los pacientes referían síntomas persistentes, no observándose una asociación entre la presencia de los mismos y los hallazgos ecocardiográficos patológicos. Conclusión: La prevalencia de compromiso cardíaco evaluado mediante ecocardiograma en la etapa de convalecencia de la enfermedad por COVID-19 fue de 4,8%. Los pacientes con cuadros iniciales más graves presentaron más hallazgos patológicos. La significancia no se sostuvo en el análisis multivariado. Los síntomas persistentes no se asociaron a mayor compromiso cardíaco.

ABSTRACT Background: The acute phase of COVID-19 infection is associated with cardiovascular involvement, but there is limited information regarding this relationship in the recovery phase from this disease both in patients with or without persistent symptoms. Objectives: The aims of this study were: 1. To analyze cardiovascular involvement by echocardiography in the recovery phase from COVID-19 disease, and 2. To explore its association with: a) the severity of the acute phase and b) the presence of persistent symptoms. Methods: An analytical, observational, prospective and single-center study was carried out, including consecutive patients attending the center for post-COVID-19 evaluation who underwent a transthoracic color Doppler echocardiogram looking for pathological outcomes. Results: A total of 600 patients were included from September 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021, and 29 of these patients (4.8%) presented pathological findings in the echocardiogram. Patients with moderate or severe acute phase COVID-19 infection had a higher prevalence of wall motion disorders (4.3% vs. 0.5%, p=0.02) and pericardial effusion (4.3% vs. 0.24%, p=0.01) compared with those with asymptomatic or mild symptoms; however, after multivariate adjustment, this association did not reach statistical significance. In 28.6% of cases, patients reported persistent symptoms, with no evident association between their presence and pathological echocardiographic results. Conclusion: The prevalence of cardiovascular involvement evaluated by echocardiography was 4.8% in the recovery phase from COVID-19 disease. Patients with more severe initial clinical presentation exhibited more pathological findings, but the significance was not sustained in the multivariate analysis. Persistent symptoms were not associated with greater cardiovascular involvement.

Genetic mapping and QTL analysis for peanut smut resistance.

BACKGROUND: Peanut smut is a disease caused by the fungus Thecaphora frezii Carranza & Lindquist to which most commercial cultivars in South America are highly susceptible. It is responsible for severely decreased yield and no effective chemical treatment is available to date. However, smut resistance has been identified in wild Arachis species and further transferred to peanut elite cultivars. To identify the genome regions conferring smut resistance within a tetraploid genetic background, this study evaluated a RIL population {susceptible Arachis hypogaea subsp. hypogaea (JS17304-7-B) × resistant synthetic amphidiploid (JS1806) [A. correntina (K 11905) × A. cardenasii (KSSc 36015)] × A. batizocoi (K 9484)4×} segregating for the trait. RESULTS: A SNP based genetic map arranged into 21 linkage groups belonging to the 20 peanut chromosomes was constructed with 1819 markers, spanning a genetic distance of 2531.81 cM. Two consistent quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified qSmIA08 and qSmIA02/B02, located on chromosome A08 and A02/B02, respectively. The QTL qSmIA08 at 15.20 cM/5.03 Mbp explained 17.53% of the phenotypic variance, while qSmIA02/B02 at 4.0 cM/3.56 Mbp explained 9.06% of the phenotypic variance. The combined genotypic effects of both QTLs reduced smut incidence by 57% and were stable over the 3 years of evaluation. The genome regions containing the QTLs are rich in genes encoding proteins involved in plant defense, providing new insights into the genetic architecture of peanut smut resistance. CONCLUSIONS: A major QTL and a minor QTL identified in this study provide new insights into the genetic architecture of peanut smut resistance that may aid in breeding new varieties resistant to peanut smut.

Effect of soil chemical fertilization on the diversity and composition of the tomato endophytic diazotrophic community at different stages of growth.

The aim of this work was to gain a more comprehensive and perspicacious view of the endophytic diazotrophic community (EDC) of tomato plant bacteria and assess the effects of chemical fertilization and the plant phenologic stage on the status of those microbes. When the EDC of stem and roots from tomato plants grown in a greenhouse with and without exogenous chemical fertilization was examined by pyrosequencing the nifH gene during the growth cycle, a high taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity was observed. The abundant taxa were related to ubiquitous endophytes such as Rhizobium or Burkholderia but also involved anaerobic members usually restricted to flooded plant tissues, such as Clostridium, Geobacter, and Desulfovibrio. The EDC composition appeared to be dynamic during the growth phase of the tomato, with the structure of the community at the early stages of growth displaying major differences from the late stages. Inorganic fertilization negatively affected the diversity and modified the profile of the predominant components of the EDC in the different growth stages. Populations such as Burkholderia and Geobacter plus the Cyanobacteria appeared particularly affected by fertilization.Our work demonstrates an extensive endophytic diazotrophic diversity, suggesting a high potential for nitrogen fixation. The effect of the phenologic stage and inorganic-chemical soil fertilization on the community structure indicated a dynamic community that responded to environmental changes. These findings contribute to a better understanding of endophytic associations that could be helpful in assisting to shape the endomicrobiome that provides essential benefits to crops.

Programa de Salud Bucodental en escolares de la Comunidad del Bajo Boulogne / Oral Health Program in children from Bajo Boulogne Community

Las afecciones bucodentales constituyen un problema de salud pública por su alta prevalencia y su fuerte impacto individual y colectivo en términos de dolor, malestar y discapacidad social y funcional. El Centro de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria San Pantaleón, ubicado en la provincia de Buenos Aires, brinda asistencia sanitaria gratuita a la comunidad. Un relevamiento documentó que el 97% de los concurrentes presentaba caries y no se lavaban los dientes por falta de cepillo y pasta dental. Se decidió llevar adelante un programa de promoción de la salud bucodental. El objetivo fue evaluar su implementación; que incluyó: a) rastreo de caries y problemas odontológicos; b) coordinación interinstitucional; c) entrega de cepillos y pasta dental; d) intervención educativa; e) extensión comunitaria. Participaron en forma irregular 120 niñas, niños y adolescentes entre 5 y 18 años del Centro de Apoyo Escolar Fundación Bajo Boulogne. Se realizaron dos encuentros educativos y entrega de cepillos y pasta dental. En la revisión odontológica inicial sobre 60 participantes se detectaron caries en 43 (71,6%), que fueron derivados para tratamiento odontológico, pero concurrieron solo 26 (60,4%). El conocimiento sobre salud bucodental mostró cambios entre los más pequeños luego de las intervenciones educativas. Se logró implementar el programa, cumplimentando las actividades propuestas. Pero surgieron barreras que dificultaron la cobertura. En cuanto a la eficacia de la intervención educativa, no se logró mostrar cambios en el conocimiento. Se consiguió la detección oportuna, la incorporación de hábitos como el cepillado dentro de la institución educativa, la articulación para mejorar el acceso a la atención y la vinculación entre los diferentes actores comunitarios. (AU)

Oral disorders are a public health problem due to their high prevalence and their strong individual and collective impact in terms of pain, discomfort, and social and functional disability. The San Pantaleón Family and Community Medicine Center, located in the province of Buenos Aires, provides free healthcare to the community. A survey documented that 97% of those present had cavities and did not brush their teeth due to a lack of brush and toothpaste. It was decided to carry out an oral health promotion program. The objective was to evaluate its implementation; which included: a) tracking of caries and dental problems; b) inter-institutional coordination; c) delivery of brushes and toothpaste; d) educational intervention; e) community extension. 120 girls and boys and adolescents between 5 and 18 years of age from the Bajo Boulogne Foundation School Support Center irregularly participated. Two educational meetings were held, handing out brushes and toothpaste. In the initial dental review of 60 participants, caries was detected in 43 (71.6%), who were referred for dental treatment, with only 26 (60.4%) concurring. Oral health knowledge showed changes among the youngest after educational interventions. It was possible to implement the program, completing the proposed activities. Barriers arose that made coverage difficult. Regarding the effectiveness of the educational intervention, it was not possible to show changes in knowledge. Timely detection was achieved, the incorporation of habits such as brushing within the educational institution, articulation to improve access to care and the link between the different community actors. (AU)

"The next mouthful will be the best": influence of prevision of the pleasure on the decision of having a second helping of a just eaten food.

PURPOSE: Firstly, to see if the decision to have a second helping of food is related to the current evaluation of its palatability or to the predicted pleasure of a second helping of the same food. Secondly, to see if there is any relationship between subjects' BMI, their current or predicted evaluation of food palatability and their decision to have a second helping. METHODS: 128 guests attended a village festival with the specific purpose of eating a traditional, local soup made of beans and bacon. Subjects were asked to indicate the pleasure they felt eating the soup and the pleasure they predicted they would feel by having a second helping of the same food. Subjects were then offered a second identical portion of the above described soup. RESULTS: 72 subjects accepted a second helping of the soup. We discovered a significant correlation between predicted pleasure and the decision to have a second helping of the same food. There was also a significant correlation between BMI and the level of predicted pleasure of a second helping. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to have a second helping of food was related to predicted pleasure and not to the pleasure that was experienced during the first helping.

The DSM-5 effect: psychological characteristics of new patients affected by Binge Eating Disorder following the criteria of the DSM-5 in a sample of severe obese patients.

PURPOSE: The current study evaluated whether or not there were significant differences in psychopathological traits between three groups of individuals. The first was a group of patients seeking bariatric surgery diagnosed as being affected by Binge Eating Disorder (BED), according to the new criteria of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This group (NEW BED group) did not meet BED diagnosis following the previous criteria listed in the DSM-IV-TR. The second group of individuals was composed of severely obese patients seeking bariatric surgery not affected by an eating disorder, according to the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5 (OB group). The third group was composed of individuals within a healthy weight range (Control group). METHODS: 94 severely obese patients (33 in the NEW BED group and 61 in the OB group) were compared to the Control group including 41 participants on depression, anxiety and eating habits. RESULTS: The NEW BED scored significantly higher than the OB group on the Beck Depression Inventory, both the subscales of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory, on disinhibition and hunger subscales of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire and on many subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory. CONCLUSIONS: The new, less restrictive diagnostic criteria for BED of the DSM-5 are useful in identifying obese patients affected by severe psychopathology and dysfunctional eating habits.

Alexithymia is not related to severity of night eating behavior: a useful distinction from other eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Patients affected by Night Eating Syndrome (NES) complain of insomnia, mood, anxiety and overeating, which have all been linked to difficulties in dealing with emotions, but no research has examined the levels of alexithymia among NES patients. We compared the levels of alexithymia among samples of: NES patients, insomniac patients who do not eat at night, and a control group. METHOD: The study included 153 participants: 34 with NES, 47 with insomnia, and 72 in the control group. Half of the NES group was recruited in a weight and eating disorders center in Philadelphia and the other in a sleep disorders center in Bologna, Italy. Alexithymia was evaluated through the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). RESULTS: All groups scored in the normal range of the TAS. There was no relationship between alexithymia and the severity of NES. The insomnia participants reported the highest levels of alexithymia and NES patients the lowest. All NES patients' scores were under the clinical cut-off for alexithymia. DISCUSSION: These data differ from the high levels of alexithymia reported by the literature among patients affected by Binge Eating Disorder (BED), suggesting that abnormal diurnal and nocturnal eating patterns, even though they may share several symptoms, are distinct syndromes having different psychopathological pathways.

Psychopathological characteristics of patients seeking for bariatric surgery, either affected or not by binge eating disorder following the criteria of the DSM IV TR and of the DSM 5.

UNLABELLED: We evaluate whether there are any significant differences in psychopathology between severe obese patients affected by Binge Eating Disorder diagnosed following both the DSM IV TR and the DSM5 criteria, and severe obese patients not having an eating disorder. METHOD: 118 severe obese patients seeking treatment at a center for bariatric surgery in northern Italy were asked to take part in the current study for a period of six months. Average participant age was 44.27 years, SD 12.42. Age ranged from 18 to 67 years. Average patient BMI was 45.03, SD 7.11, ranging from 32.14 to 66.16 kg/m(2). Seventy seven of the patients (65.3%) were females and 41 (34.7%) were males. BED diagnosis was determined following the diagnostic criteria of both the DSM IV TR and the DSM 5. The presence of other eating disorders was excluded through a clinical screening using the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI). Patient eating habits and the presence of emotional eating were appraised using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. Levels of depression and anxiety were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. RESULTS: 57 out of 118 patients were found to be affected by BED following the DSM 5 criteria; among them 24 followed those of the DSM IV TR. BED patients scored higher on four subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory: Drive for thinness (DT), Bulimia (B), Body dissatisfaction (BD) and Interoceptive awareness (IA) on the STAI and on the Disinhibition and Hunger subscales of the TFEQ. DISCUSSION: The results confirm the presence of high levels of psychopathology among patients diagnosed with BED, even if they have been diagnosed following the criteria of the DSM 5. There is a great overlap in psychopathology between BED patients diagnosed following the DSM IV TR and the DSM 5 criteria.

Comparison of algorithms to infer genetic population structure from unlinked molecular markers.

Identifying population genetic structure (PGS) is crucial for breeding and conservation. Several clustering algorithms are available to identify the underlying PGS to be used with genetic data of maize genotypes. In this work, six methods to identify PGS from unlinked molecular marker data were compared using simulated and experimental data consisting of multilocus-biallelic genotypes. Datasets were delineated under different biological scenarios characterized by three levels of genetic divergence among populations (low, medium, and high FST) and two numbers of sub-populations (K=3 and K=5). The relative performance of hierarchical and non-hierarchical clustering, as well as model-based clustering (STRUCTURE) and clustering from neural networks (SOM-RP-Q). We use the clustering error rate of genotypes into discrete sub-populations as comparison criterion. In scenarios with great level of divergence among genotype groups all methods performed well. With moderate level of genetic divergence (FST=0.2), the algorithms SOM-RP-Q and STRUCTURE performed better than hierarchical and non-hierarchical clustering. In all simulated scenarios with low genetic divergence and in the experimental SNP maize panel (largely unlinked), SOM-RP-Q achieved the lowest clustering error rate. The SOM algorithm used here is more effective than other evaluated methods for sparse unlinked genetic data.

Arboles de expansión mínimos: ayudas para una mejor interpretación de ordenaciones en bancos de germoplasma / Minimun spanning trees: aids for understanding of ordinations in germplasm bank

En colecciones de germoplasma, el material genético de interés es caracterizado a través de múltiples descriptores (variables). Cada accesión de la colección es representada por un vector de datos que pertenece a un espacio multidimensional. Las configuraciones multidimensionales son difíciles de interpretar al no ser fácilmente visualizadas. Un objetivo del análisis de matrices de datos de accesiones x descriptores es el ordenamiento del material genético en un espacio bi-dimensional, el cual comúnmente es óptimo por representar la máxima variabilidad. Métodos de análisis vectorial, como el Análisis de Componentes Principales (ACP), permiten reducir la dimensión bajo ese criterio de optimalidad. Los resultados del ACP se visualizan representando las accesiones a ordenar como puntos de un gráfico de dispersión según el valor que éstas asumen sobre los dos ejes principales (de mayor varianza) de ordenación. Por la pérdida de información al ordenar en un espacio de dos dimensiones, las distancias en el plano suelen no ser las distancias en el espacio original, conduciendo a errores de interpretación de relaciones entre accesiones. En este trabajo se cuantifica el error de interpretación en las relaciones inferidas del plano generado por los dos primeros componentes principales (CP), bajo escenarios simulados que involucran distintos tamaños de colecciones de germoplasma para un rango amplio de variabilidad explicada por los dos primeros CP (medida indirecta de la calidad de la representación). Los resultados sugieren que aunque estos componentes expliquen >70 por ciento de la variabilidad total mayor, el error de interpretación es estadísticamente > 0 y depende del número de objetos ordenados. Los Arboles de Expansión Mínimos, como complemento de ordenaciones producidas por análisis vectoriales, representan una herramienta eficiente para entender mejor las ordenaciones. Se ilustra la utilización de esta técnica en la interpretación de las ordenaciones producidas a partir del ACP