ABSTRACT
X-ray spectroscopy is a valuable technique for the study of many materials systems. Characterizing reactions in situ and operando can reveal complex reaction kinetics, which is crucial to understanding active site composition and reaction mechanisms. In this project, the design, fabrication and testing of an open-source and easy-to-fabricate electrochemical cell for in situ electrochemistry compatible with X-ray absorption spectroscopy in both transmission and fluorescence modes are accomplished via windows with large opening angles on both the upstream and downstream sides of the cell. Using a hobbyist computer numerical control machine and free 3D CAD software, anyone can make a reliable electrochemical cell using this design. Onion-like carbon nanoparticles, with a 1:3 iron-to-cobalt ratio, were drop-coated onto carbon paper for testing in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry of the carbon paper showed the expected behavior, with no increased ohmic drop, even in sandwiched cells. Chronoamperometry was used to apply 0.4â V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, with and without 15â min of oxygen purging to ensure that the electrochemical cell does not provide any artefacts due to gas purging. The XANES and EXAFS spectra showed no differences with and without oxygen, as expected at 0.4â V, without any artefacts due to gas purging. The development of this open-source electrochemical cell design allows for improved collection of in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy data and enables researchers to perform both transmission and fluorescence simultaneously. It additionally addresses key practical considerations including gas purging, reduced ionic resistance and leak prevention.
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OBJECTIVE: Occupational exposure to pesticides is a known risk for disrupting cellular immune response in flower workers due to their use of multiple chemical products, poor work conditions, and inadequate protection. Recently, the analysis of pesticide use patterns has emerged as an alternative to studying exposure to mixtures of these products. This study aimed to evaluate the association between exposure to different patterns of pesticide use and the cytokine profile of flower workers in the State of Mexico and Morelos, Mexico. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a population of 108 flower workers. Serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 cytokines were analyzed by means of multiplex analysis, and TNF-α and IFN-γ using an ELISA test. Pesticide use patterns were generated by principal components analysis. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that certain patterns of pesticide use, combining insecticides and fungicides, were associated with higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6 and IFN-γ. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that pesticides may possess immunotoxic properties, contributing to increased inflammatory response. However, further comprehensive epidemiological studies are needed to establish a causal relationship.
Subject(s)
Occupational Exposure , Pesticides , Humans , Pesticides/toxicity , Cytokines , Cross-Sectional Studies , Mexico/epidemiology , Interleukin-6 , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Occupational Exposure/analysis , Flowers/chemistryABSTRACT
The emerging contaminant 4-nonylphenol is an active ingredient in many surfactants. Though 4-nonylphenol has been reported in Mexican waterbodies, no stringent law is available to establish its permissible limits. Most ecotoxicological assays using zooplankton species are based on previously unexposed populations, and multigenerational experiments are rare. Plationus patulus and Brachionus havanaensis are widely distributed species in Mexico and have been used in ecotoxicological assessments. In this work, the median lethal concentration of 4-nonylphenol (LC50, 24 h) for both rotifer species was derived. Based on our acute toxicity data (24 h LC50 of 4-nonylphenol for P. patulus and B. havanaensis were 500 and 250 µg L-1, respectively), three sublethal concentrations (µg L-1) (7.81, 15.82 and 31.25 for B. havanaensis and 15.62, 31.25 and 62.5 for P. patulus) were used in the life table demography tests for two successive generations (F0 and F1) of either rotifer species. Regardless of the concentrations used, 4-nonylphenol had an adverse effect on both rotifer species over two successive generations. P. patulus was more sensitive than B. havanaensis in chronic toxicity tests. F1 generation of both rotifer species was far more adversely affected than the F0 in all toxicant treatments.
Subject(s)
Endocrine Disruptors , Rotifera , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Animals , Demography , Endocrine Disruptors/toxicity , Phenols , Toxicity Tests, Chronic , Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicityABSTRACT
This review aims to elucidate the state of the art of microalgae-based biostimulants as a tool in agriculture by summarizing the biologically active compounds factors that influence the use of microalgae biostimulants and their application methods in the field. Additionally, we examined the factors that support the use of microalgal biostimulants to face abiotic and biotic stress in crop plants. The use of microalgae in crop production and the benefits of seed preparation, foliar application, soil drenching, and hydroponic treatments were discussed. Furthermore, the use of these biostimulants in crop plants and their multiple benefits such as, better rooting, higher crop, fruit yields, drought and salinity tolerance, photosynthetic activity and pathogen resistance was thoroughly presented. The present situation of microalgal biostimulants and their difficulties in the market was analyzed, as well as the perspectives of their use. However, data shows that microalgal derived biostimulants can be used as an alternative for the protection of crops and plant growth regulators and play a significant key role in increasing the levels of production, yield and health of crops. Special interest needs to focus on investigating more microalgae species and their biological active compound factors, due to the largely untapped field. Perspectives regarding future research lines and development priorities were included.
Subject(s)
Biological Factors/pharmacology , Crops, Agricultural/growth & development , Microalgae/physiology , Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology , Crop Production , Crops, Agricultural/drug effects , Soil , Stress, PhysiologicalABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Health beliefs are relevant to consider in patients with type 2 diabetes since disease control depends mainly on the patient's behaviour. The aim of this study was to assess the association between health beliefs and glycated hemoglobin levels in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted, and 336 patients were included. Fasting blood levels of glycated hemoglobin, glucose, cholesterol; triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) were measured. Body fat percentage, weight, height; waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also obtained. A previously validated self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the health beliefs with regards to non-pharmacological treatment. Health beliefs were classified as positive, neutral, and negative. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 54.7 ± 8.5 years, with a higher proportion of females (69%). The questionnaire had a good internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha score of 0.83. More than 90% of patients attributed a health benefit to diet and exercise, 30 to 40% experienced barriers, and more than 80% had a perception of complications associated to uncontrolled diabetes. Patients with positive health beliefs had lower HbA1c levels (8.2 ± 1.7%) compared to those with neutral (9.0 ± 2.3%), or negative (8.8 ± 1.8%; p = 0.042). The LDL-c levels were lower (p = 0.03), and HDL-c levels were higher (0.002) in patients with positive heath beliefs. CONCLUSIONS: Positive health beliefs are associated with better metabolic control indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Subject(s)
Blood Glucose/analysis , Cholesterol, HDL/blood , Cholesterol, LDL/blood , Cholesterol/blood , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism , Glycated Hemoglobin/analysis , Lipoproteins, LDL/blood , Triglycerides/blood , Blood Pressure , Body Mass Index , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diet , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Mexico , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Triclosan is a personal care product widely used in North America, Europe and Asia as antimicrobial ingredient in many consumer chemical products. In Mexico concentrations of triclosan have been reported in aquatic systems. However, there is no law regulating the presence of chemicals such as triclosan, in aquatic systems. The scarce data about this chemical has increased concern among ecotoxicologists regarding possible effects on aquatic organisms. Moreover, multigenerational studies are rarely studied and the results vary depending on the contaminant. Rotifers, are a dominant group of zooplankton, and have been used in aquatic risk assessments of personal care products due to their sensitivity and high reproductive rates. Plationus patulus and Brachionus havanaensis are common rotifers distributed in aquatic ecosystems of Mexico and have been used in ecotoxicological bioassays. In this study, the median lethal concentration (LC50, 24h) of P. patulus and B. havanaensis exposed to triclosan was determined. Based on the LC50, we tested three sublethal concentrations of triclosan to quantify the demographic responses of both rotifers for two successive generations (F0, and F1). The 24h LC50 of triclosan for P. patulus and B. havanaensis were 300 and 500µgL-1 respectively. Despite the concentration, triclosan had an adverse effect on both Plationus patulus and Brachionus havanaensis in both generations exposed. Experiments show that P. patulus was more sensitive than B. havanaensis when exposed to triclosan. When exposed to triclosan the parental generation (F0) of P. patulus was far more affected than F1.
Subject(s)
Rotifera/drug effects , Triclosan/toxicity , Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity , Zooplankton/drug effects , Animals , Lethal Dose 50 , Mexico , Population Dynamics/trends , Reproduction/drug effects , Rotifera/growth & development , Species Specificity , Toxicity Tests, Acute , Toxicity Tests, ChronicABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) occurs in 2-4% of adults, increasing by 2.5 times the risk of sudden death. OBJECTIVE: Establish the concordance of the clinical diagnostic and electrical diagnosis in an adult series that underwent polysomnography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with sleep disorders that underwent consecutively polysomnography recording. RESULTS: In this study, 51 subjects from 24 to 77 years old (54.1±12.12) were included in the study; 23 males and 28 females; 78.43% were overweight or obese; 35.29% were smokers; 31.37% alcohol consumers; 47.05% hypertensive; 21% diabetics; 35.29% with airway alterations; 29.41% with depression; 13.72% dyslipidaemic and 7.84% with ischemic heart disease. Only 22 of the subjects qualified for OSA and the concordance between the clinical diagnostic and polysomnographic recording was 54% (Ko=0.60, Ke 0.50, Ka=0.20) with a 0.55 sensibility, 0.66 specificity, PPV 0.54, NPV 0.65, PLR 1.2, RVN 0.69 and PPP 0.47. The neck circumference in OSA was 40.68±5 vs. 37.7±3.5 cm. (p<0.02) and BMI was 36.48±13.16 vs 29.37±6.58 (p<0.008); male/female proportion was 1.8:1 (p<0.01), BMI was higher in OSA (p<0.002). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale did not discriminate between OSA and other sleep alteration (p<0.29). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: We observed a poor agreement between clinical diagnosis and polysomnography. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale did not discern between OSA and other sleep disorders and finally there was no association with a systemic process.
Subject(s)
Polysomnography , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosis , Sleep/physiology , Adult , Aged , Body Mass Index , Female , Humans , Male , Mexico , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Sensitivity and Specificity , Sex Factors , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/physiopathology , Young AdultABSTRACT
Two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory commonly used in Mexico are paracetamol and diclofenac. These drugs reach natural waterbodies transport through the hydrological areas of agriculture and effluent treatment plants and can affect plankton. In this study, we quantified the chronic effects of paracetamol and sodium diclofenac on the population dynamics of the rotifer Plationus patulus and the cladoceran Moina macrocopa under laboratory conditions. Both these species of zooplankton are common in freshwaters and are sensitive to chemicals in the medium. Our results showed that densities of both P. patulus and M. macrocopa decreased with increasing levels of both the analgesic drugs. Both zooplankton species did not survive beyond when paracetamol was applied at 32 mg I(-1) in the medium. Diclofenac in general had more adverse effect than paracetamol for either zooplankton species. P. patulus was more sensitive than M. macrocopa to both analgesic drugs. When diclofenac was present in the medium at > or = 12.5 mg I(-1), rotifer reproduction was inhibited, while the tested cladocerans continued to grow but to lower densities compared to control. The rate of population increase (r) per day of P. patulus and M. macrocopa was significantly and inversely related to the concentration of paracetamol and diclofenac in the medium. However, the relationship between r and drug concentration differed depending on the zooplankton species and drug. In controls, the r of P. patulus was 0.18 d(-1), for M. macrocopa under similar conditions, it was slightly lower (0.16 d(-1)). The rvalues of both zooplankton populations became negative (-0.10 to -0.15 d(-1)) when exposed to paracetamol at 32 mg l(-1) or diclofenac at 25 mg I(-1).
Subject(s)
Acetaminophen/toxicity , Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/toxicity , Diclofenac/toxicity , Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity , Zooplankton/drug effects , Animals , Cladocera , Population Growth , Rotifera , Toxicity TestsABSTRACT
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Its exact cause is unknown, but it's thought to result from a dysregulated immune response influenced by various factors, including changes in the intestinal microbiota, diet, lifestyle, and genetics. The gut microbiome, consisting of diverse microorganisms, plays a crucial role in maintaining physiological balance, with its disruption leading to inflammatory responses typical of IBD. Treatments primarily aim at symptom control, employing immunomodulators, corticosteroids, and newer approaches like probiotics, prebiotics, fecal transplants, and dietary modifications, all focusing on leveraging the microbiota's potential in disease management. These strategies aim to restore the delicate balance of the gut microbiome, typically altered in IBD, marked by a decrease in beneficial bacteria and an increase in harmful pathogens. This review underscores the importance of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis and treatment of IBD, highlighting the shift towards personalized medicine and the necessity for further research in understanding the complex interactions between the gut microbiota, immune system, and genetics in IBD. It points to the potential of emerging treatments and the importance of a multifaceted approach in managing this complex and challenging disease.
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BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated health inequities, as demonstrated by the disproportionate rates of infection, hospitalization, and death in marginalized racial and ethnic communities. Although non-English speaking (NES) patients have substantially higher rates of COVID-19 positivity than other groups, research has not yet examined primary language, as determined by the use of interpreter services, and hospital outcomes for patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Data were collected from 1,770 patients with COVID-19 admitted to an urban academic health medical center in the Chicago, Illinois area from March 2020 to April 2021. Patients were categorized as non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, NES Hispanic, and English-speaking (ES) Hispanic using NES as a proxy for English language proficiency. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare the predicted probability for each outcome (i.e., ICU admission, intubation, and in-hospital death) by race/ethnicity. RESULTS: After adjusting for possible confounders, NES Hispanic patients had the highest predicted probability of ICU admission (p-value < 0.05). Regarding intubation and in-hospital death, NES Hispanic patients had the highest probability, although statistical significance was inconclusive, compared to White, Black, and ES Hispanic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and language have demonstrated disparities in health outcomes. This study provides evidence for heterogeneity within the Hispanic population based on language proficiency that may potentially further contribute to disparities in COVID-19-related health outcomes within marginalized communities.
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In this review, research on the use of microalgae as an option for bioremediation purposes of pharmaceutical compounds is reported and discussed thoroughly. Pharmaceuticals have been detected in water bodies around the world, attracting attention towards the increasing potential risks to humans and aquatic biota. Unfortunately, pharmaceuticals have no regulatory standards for safe disposal in many countries. Despite the advances in new analytical techniques, the current wastewater treatment facilities in many countries are ineffective to remove the whole presence of pharmaceutical compounds and their metabolites. Though new methods are substantially effective, removal rates of drugs from wastewater make the cost-effectiveness ratio a not viable option. Therefore, the necessity for investigating and developing more adequate removal treatments with a higher efficiency rate and at a lower cost is mandatory. The present review highlights the algae-based removal strategies for bioremediation purposes, considering their pathway as well as the removal rate and efficiency of the microalgae species used in assays. We have critically reviewed both application of living and non-living microalgae biomass for bioremediation purposes considering the most commonly used microalgae species. In addition, the use of modified and immobilized microalgae biomass for the removal of pharmaceutical compounds from water was discussed. Furthermore, research considering various microalgal species and their potential use to detoxify organic and inorganic toxic compounds were well evaluated in the review. Further research is required to exploit the potential use of microalgae species as an option for the bioremediation of pharmaceuticals in water.
Subject(s)
Microalgae , Humans , Microalgae/metabolism , Biodegradation, Environmental , Wastewater , Biomass , Pharmaceutical Preparations/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A 30-second aerosol measles vaccination successfully primes children 12 months of age and older but is poorly immunogenic when given to 9-month-old children. We examined the immune responses when increasing the duration to aerosol exposure in 9-month-olds. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen healthy 9-month-old children from Mexico City were enrolled; 58 received aerosol EZ measles vaccine for 2.5 minutes and 55 subcutaneously. Measles-specific neutralizing antibodies and cellular responses were measured before and at 3 and 6 months postimmunization. RESULTS: Adaptive immunity was induced in 97% after aerosol and 98% after subcutaneous administration. Seroconversion rates and GMCs were 95% and 373 mIU/mL (95% confidence interval [CI], 441-843) following aerosol vaccination and 91% and 306 mIU/mL (95% CI, 367-597) after subcutaneous administration at 3 months. The percentage of children with a measles-specific stimulation index ≥3 was 45% and 60% in the aerosol versus 55% and 59% in the subcutaneous group at 3 and 6 months, respectively. CD8 memory cell frequencies were higher in the aerosol group at 3 months compared with the subcutaneous group. Adverse reactions were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing exposure time to aerosol measles vaccine elicits immune responses that are comparable to those seen when an equivalent dose is administered by the subcutaneous route in 9-month-old infants.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/blood , Measles Vaccine/administration & dosage , Vaccination , Adaptive Immunity , Aerosols , Female , Humans , Infant , Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis , Lymphocyte Activation , Male , Measles Vaccine/immunology , Mexico , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Onion-like carbon nanoparticles were synthesized from diamond nanoparticles to be used as the precursor for graphene oxide quantum dots. Onion-like carbon nanoparticles were exfoliated to produce two types of nanoparticles, graphene oxide quantum dots that showed size-dependent fluorescence and highly stable inner cores. Multicolor fluorescent quantum dots were obtained and characterized using different techniques. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a range of emission wavelengths spanning from red to blue with the highest intensity shown by green fluorescence. Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, we calculated a unit cell size of 2.47 Å in a highly oxidized and defected structure of graphene oxide. A diameter of ca. 4 nm and radius of gyration of ca. 11 Å were calculated using small-angle X-ray scattering. Finally, the change in fluorescence of the quantum dots was studied when single-stranded DNA that is recognized by telomerase was attached to the quantum dots. Their interaction with the telomerase present in cancer cells was observed and a change was seen after six days, providing an important application of these modified graphene oxide quantum dots for cancer sensing.
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Emergent-literacy skills are frequently taught within social interactions in preschool classrooms such as shared book reading. Children with impaired language and/or social engagement may have difficulty accessing these learning opportunities. Therefore, we sought to investigate the relationship between book-reading orientation during a teacher-led shared book reading activity and emergent-literacy skill development across three groups of preschool children; autism (n = 22), developmental language disorder (DLD; n = 23), and typical development (TD; n = 58). The children with autism demonstrated less book-reading orientation than their DLD and TD peers. Book-reading orientation was a significant predictor of residualized gains in print-concept knowledge and phonological awareness. Thus, book-reading orientation appears to play a critical role in preschooler's emergent-literacy skill development.
Subject(s)
Autistic Disorder/therapy , Early Intervention, Educational/methods , Language Development Disorders/therapy , Literacy , Reading , Autistic Disorder/complications , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Language Development Disorders/complications , MaleABSTRACT
Night-workers, transcontinental travelers and individuals that regularly shift their sleep timing, suffer from circadian desynchrony and are at risk to develop metabolic disease, cancer, and mood disorders, among others. Experimental and clinical studies provide evidence that food intake restricted to the normal activity phase is a potent synchronizer for the circadian system and can prevent the detrimental metabolic effects associated with circadian disruption. As an alternative, we hypothesized that a timed piece of chocolate scheduled to the onset of the activity phase may be sufficient stimulus to synchronize circadian rhythms under conditions of shift-work or jet-lag. In Wistar rats, a daily piece of chocolate coupled to the onset of the active phase (breakfast) accelerated re-entrainment in a jet-lag model by setting the activity of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) to the new cycle. Furthermore, in a rat model of shift-work, a piece of chocolate for breakfast prevented circadian desynchrony, by increasing the amplitude of the day-night c-Fos activation in the SCN. Contrasting, chocolate for dinner prevented re-entrainment in the jet-lag condition and favored circadian desynchrony in the shift-work models. Moreover, chocolate for breakfast resulted in low body weight gain while chocolate for dinner boosted up body weight. Present data evidence the relevance of the timing of a highly caloric and palatable meal for circadian synchrony and metabolic function.
Subject(s)
Breakfast/physiology , Chocolate , Jet Lag Syndrome/prevention & control , Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm/prevention & control , Animals , Body Weight/physiology , Circadian Clocks/physiology , Circadian Rhythm/physiology , Disease Models, Animal , Humans , Jet Lag Syndrome/physiopathology , Meals/physiology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism , Rats , Shift Work Schedule/adverse effects , Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm/etiology , Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm/physiopathology , Suprachiasmatic Nucleus/metabolism , Weight Gain/physiologyABSTRACT
Prokaryotic secretion relies on proteins that are widely conserved, including NTPases and secretins, and on proteins that are system specific. The Tad secretion system in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is dedicated to the assembly and export of Flp pili, which are needed for tight adherence. Consistent with predictions that RcpA forms the multimeric outer membrane secretion channel (secretin) of the Flp pilus biogenesis apparatus, we observed the RcpA protein in multimers that were stable in the presence of detergent and found that rcpA and its closely related homologs form a novel and distinct subfamily within a well-supported gene phylogeny of the entire secretin gene superfamily. We also found that rcpA-like genes were always linked to Aggregatibacter rcpB- or Caulobacter cpaD-like genes. Using antisera, we determined the localization and gross abundances of conserved (RcpA and TadC) and unique (RcpB, RcpC, and TadD) Tad proteins. The three Rcp proteins (RcpA, RcpB, and RcpC) and TadD, a putative lipoprotein, localized to the bacterial outer membrane. RcpA, RcpC, and TadD were also found in the inner membrane, while TadC localized exclusively to the inner membrane. The RcpA secretin was necessary for wild-type abundances of RcpB and RcpC, and TadC was required for normal levels of all three Rcp proteins. TadC abundance defects were observed in rcpA and rcpC mutants. TadD production was essential for wild-type RcpA and RcpB abundances, and RcpA did not multimerize or localize to the outer membrane without the expression of TadD. These data indicate that membrane proteins TadC and TadD may influence the assembly, transport, and/or function of individual outer membrane Rcp proteins.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Cell Membrane/metabolism , Pasteurellaceae/metabolism , Bacterial Adhesion , Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/chemistry , Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/chemistry , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Dimerization , Fimbriae, Bacterial/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial , Humans , Membrane Proteins/chemistry , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , PhylogenyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The role of intraoperative electrocorticography (iECoG) and of its patterns in epilepsy surgery have shown contradictory results. Our aim was to describe iECoG patterns and their association with outcome in epilepsy surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 104 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery (2009-2015) with pre- and postresection iECoG. We described clinical findings, type of surgery, preresection iECoG patterns according to Palmini et al., 1995 (sporadic, continuous, burst, and recruiting interictal epileptiform discharges-IEDs) and postresection iECoG outcome (de novo, residual, and without IEDs). The Engel scale was used to evaluate the outcome. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier, the logistic regression model, and analysis of variance tests were used. RESULTS: We included 60.6% (63/104) females, with a mean age of 35 (±10.2) years at the time of epilepsy surgery. The etiologies were hippocampal sclerosis (63.5%), cavernomas (14.4%), cortical dysplasia (11.5%), and low-grade tumors (10.6%). The most common preresection iECoG pattern was sporadic IEDs (47%). Postresection iECoG patterns were de novo (55.7%), residual (27.8%), and without IEDs (16.3%). Mean follow-up was 19.2 months. Engel scale was as follows: Engel I (91 patients, 87.5%), Engel II (10 patients, 9.6%), and Engel III (three patients, 2.9%). Analysis by mixed-design analysis of variance showed a significant difference between etiology groups with a strong size effect (P = 0.021, η = 0.513) and also between preresection iECoG patterns (P = 0.008, η = 0.661). CONCLUSIONS: Preresection iECoG patterns and etiology influence Engel scale outcome in lesional epilepsy surgery.
Subject(s)
Brain/surgery , Drug Resistant Epilepsy/diagnosis , Drug Resistant Epilepsy/surgery , Electrocorticography , Adult , Analysis of Variance , Brain/physiopathology , Drug Resistant Epilepsy/etiology , Drug Resistant Epilepsy/physiopathology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Logistic Models , Male , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Abstract Impact of invasive species on native biota may be due to predation, competition for space or food, or indirect effects. Lionfish (Pterois volitans), invasive in the western Atlantic, is a voracious generalist predator, so it is expected to have a significant trophic overlap with native fishes of comparable size and habits. The goal of this study was to determine the diets of potential competitors of the lionfish, in particular a grouper, Cephalopholis cruentata (Graysby), and a snapper, Lutjanus apodus (Schoolmaster), and to compare them to the diet of lionfish in Xcalak, southern Mexican Caribbean. Stomach contents were analyzed and electivity and diet overlap were estimated. The trophic overlap between the lionfish and the two putative competitors, especially the grouper, was high, including prey that was consumed by the predators in higher proportion than the relative abundance of the prey in the environment, and probably at the same time of day. Lionfish and grouper shared as important diet items Stegastes sp., Halichoeres sp., Brachyura, and Palaemonidae, and most full stomachs were found during the early morning. The hypothesis of competition between them for particular prey is supported, so we advise to continue the culling programs of lionfish and also to monitor the abundance of the possible native competitors.
Resumo El impacto de las especies invasoras sobre la biota nativa puede deberse a depredación, competencia por espacio o alimento, o efectos indirectos. El pez león (Pterois volitans), invasor en el Atlántico occidental, es un voraz depredador generalista, de modo que se espera que tenga un notable sobrelape trófico con peces nativos de tamaño y hábitos comparables. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las dietas de competidores potenciales del pez león, en particular un mero, Cephalopholis cruentata (payaso), y un pargo, Lutjanus apodus (canchix), y compararlas con la dieta del pez león en Xcalak, sur del Caribe mexicano. Se analizaron los contenidos estomacales y se estimó la selectividad y el traslape de dietas. El traslape trófico entre el pez león y los dos posibles competidores, sobre todo el mero, fue amplio, incluidas presas consumidas por los depredadores en proporción mayor a la abundancia relativa de éstas en el ambiente, y probablemente a la misma hora del día. El león y el mero compartieron como presas importantes Stegastes sp., Halichoeres sp., Brachyura, y Palaemonidae, y la mayoría de los estómagos llenos se encontraron en horas tempranas de la mañana. Se apoya entonces la hipótesis de competencia entre ellos por presas específicas, de modo que recomendamos continuar el programa de extracción de pez león y también el monitoreo de la abundancia de los posibles competidores nativos.
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Introducción: la comunicación es trascendental para la vida en sociedad. El éxito de cualquier entrevista clínica depende de la calidad de la comunicación entre el médico y el paciente. Distintos factores pueden interferir en esta, como el ambiente, el tiempo y las interrupciones. Objetivo: Evaluar el grado de comprensión del mensaje transmitido por el médico hacia el paciente. Material y método: Trabajo multicéntrico, cualitativo cuantitativo. Componente cuantitativo: descriptivo de corte transversal de abril a julio de 2014. Se incluyeron 1200 adultos de ambos sexos, que asistieron a los Ce.M.A.P y 40 médicos de familia. Componente cualitativo: Muestreo no probabilístico, intencional, hasta saturación de datos. Triangulación y convergencia de datos. Resultados y discusión: Respecto al componente cuantitativo, se encontró que nuestras hipótesis acerca de la falta de comprensión del mensaje (indicaciones y problema de salud) no pudieron comprobarse. Ya que las indicaciones realizadas por el médico tuvieron una adecuación total del 60% y comprendieron el problema de salud un 77% de los pacientes entrevistados. Para el componente cualitativo luego del análisis temático se obtuvieron barreras (tiempo, paciente polidemandante, ideas previas, omisión de indicaciones no farmacológicas) y facilitadores (conocimiento previo del problema de salud, longitudinalidad, paciente acompañado) para la comprensión del mensaje. Conclusiones: Los pacientes entienden el mensaje de sus médicos de familia, ya que contamos con herramientas concretas como la escucha empática, el proceso clínico centrado en la persona y la longitudinalidad en la atención (AU)
Introduction: communication is important for life in a society. Success in any clinical interview depends on the quality of patient-doctor communication. Different factors may interfere, like the environment, time and interruptions. Objective: Asses the level of understanding of the message given to the patient by the doctor. Material and method: Multicenter research trial, qualitative and quantitative. Quantitative component: cross sectional descriptive from April to June 2014. 1200 adults of both sexes who assisted to the primary health care center: "Ce.M.A.P." in the City of Buenos Aires, Rosario and Tucumán and 40 family practitioners. Qualitative component: nonprobability, intentional sampling upon data saturation. Data triangulation and convergence. Results and discussion: as regards the quantitative component, we found out that our hypothesis in relation to the lack of understanding in the message (indications and health problem) could not be proven. Since 60% of the practitioner's indications were followed and 77% of the interviewed patients understood the health problem. Considering the qualitative component after the thematic analysis, barriers (time, highly demanding patient, previous knowledge, omission of non-pharmacological indications) and facilitators were obtained (previous knowledge of health problem, longitudinality, accompanied patient) to understand the message. Conclusion: patients understand their family practitioner's message since we have specific tools like empathic listening, patient centered healthcare and longitudinality in attention (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Physician-Patient Relations , Health Communication , InterviewABSTRACT
Measles virus (MeV) represents one of the main causes of death among young children, particularly in developing countries. Upon infection, MeV controls both interferon induction (IFN) and the interferon signaling pathway which results in a severe host immunosuppression that can persists for up to 6 mo after infection. Despite the global biology of MeV infection is well studied, the role of the plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) during the host innate immune response after measles vaccination remains largely uncharacterized. Here we investigated the role of pDCs, the major producers of interferon in response to viral infections, in the development of adaptive immune response against MeV vaccine. We report that there is a strong correlation between pDCs population and the humoral immune response to Edmonston Zagreb (EZ) measles vaccination in 9-month-old mexican infants. Five infants were further evaluated after vaccination, showing a clear increase in pDCs at baseline, one week and 3 months after immunization. Three months postvaccination they showed increase in memory T-cells and pDCs populations, high induction of adaptive immunity and also observed a correlation between pDCs number and the humoral immune response. These findings suggest that the development and magnitude of the adaptive immune response following measles immunization is directly dependent on the number of pDCs of the innate immune response.