Independent contribution of gonads and sex chromosomes to sex differences in bone mass and strength in the four-Core genotypes mouse model.

Vertebrate sexual dimorphism is ascribed to the presence of testes or ovaries, and, hence, to the secretion of gonad-specific hormones. However, mounting evidence indicates that sex differences in tissues and organs also stem from the presence of sex chromosomes (XX or XY). To tease out the contribution of gonads from sex chromosomes to the musculoskeletal system, we used the Four-Core Genotypes (FCG) mouse model, in which the Sry gene, which dictates testis formation, was either deleted in the Y chromosome, resulting in XY mice with ovaries (XY-SryO), or overexpressed in XX mice, resulting in XX mice with testes (XXT), together with gonadal males XY-SryT (Sry deletion and overexpression of the Sry transgene in chromosome 3) and females XXO. The FCG mice are generated by crossing XXO with XY-SryT mice, all of C57BL/6 J background. We now show that the musculoskeletal phenotype of 2- to 4-month-old FCG mice varies based on both gonads and sex chromosomes, depending on the age and the organ/tissue/cell analyzed. The effect of sex chromosomes on body weight, fat and lean/skeletal muscle mass, and bone mass and structure is minor in 2-/3-month-old mice, soon after sexual maturation. The contribution of sex chromosomes (XX versus XY-Sry in mice with the same gonads and sex hormones) in several of our measurements becomes apparent in adult 4-month-old mice. Contribution of 1X and 1Y-Sry versus 2X chromosomes varies among different measurements in gonadal males or females, and mice with XY-Sry chromosomes might have higher or lower values that XX mice. Our study shows XX versus XY-Sry chromosome contribution to the musculoskeletal phenotype, which becomes more evident as the animals reach peak bone mass, suggesting that while gonadal sex has a major role, sex chromosomes are a so far unrecognized contributor to musculoskeletal mass and bone strength.

Sexual dimorphism, or the morphological differences between males and females, is often attributed to the hormones produced by the testes or ovaries. However, evidence suggests that sex chromosomes (XX or XY) also play a significant role. To separate the effects of these two factors on bone health, this work used a unique mouse model known as the Four-Core Genotypes (FCG). The FCG model allows us to manipulate the expression of the Sry gene, which determines testis development, resulting in four groups: XX mice with ovaries (XXO), XX mice with testes (XXT), XY mice with ovaries (XY-SryO), and XY mice with testes (XY-SryT). The results presented in this study revealed that the influence of sex chromosomes on the development of body weight, fat and lean/skeletal muscle mass, and bone mass becomes evident in an age-dependent manner, specifically after sexual maturity. Our evidence suggests that there are distinct differences in musculoskeletal development between mice with XX or XY chromosomes. We conclude that our findings uncovered sex chromosomes as a previously unacknowledged factor contributing to the sexual differences observed in musculoskeletal health.

Feeding and Nutrition for People with Dementia in Gerontological Services: A Focus Group Study.

Purpose: This work sought to describe the experience of managers and caregivers with feeding and nutrition for older adults with dementia, in Colombian gerontological services. Participants and Methods: This is a qualitative focus group study with fourteen gerontological care centers for people with dementia. Results: The study reveals that care related to food and nutrition for people with dementia is organized based on the comprehensive assessment of the resident. Although there are basic support strategies, each caregiver requires specific knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and institutional support, to generate a context that favors the health and quality of life of those involved. Conclusion: The experience of caring for people with dementia in aspects related to their food and nutrition, seen from the perspective of managers and caregivers of gerontological services in a developing country, strengthens specific strategies and public policies. This, in turn, reduces the burden on caregivers.

[BIRADS 0 patient reclassification in a first-level of care unit]. / Reclasificación de pacientes BIRADS 0 en una unidad de primer nivel de atención.

Background: In Mexico and the world, breast cancer is the cancer type with the highest incidence and mortality for women. Its incidence has increased due to a higher life expectancy and a higher exposure to risk factors. Screening is done by mammography using the BIRADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) system, the standard for mammography screening report which classifies lesions assigning recommendations for patient follow-up. The system goes from 0 (not conclusive) to 6 (demonstrated malignancy), being of interest for this study the BIRADS 0 category. Objective: To describe patients classified as BIRADS 0 by mammography and their reclassification in a first-level hospital during 2021. Material and methods: Retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study. Women over 40 years with a BIRADS 0 result were studied. The following databases were used: Institutional Cancer Registry, Family Medicine Information System, Electronic Clinical File, and the mammography and patient list from preventive medicine. Results: Reclassification by ultrasound (US) was achieved in 100% of patients, in all of the BIRADS US categories. In 3.8% of BIRADS 0 patients, ductal adenocarcinoma was found and confirmed by histological testing. Conclusion: All of the reassessed lesions with US were adequately reclassified.

Introducción: en México y el mundo, el cáncer de mama causa la mayor mortalidad por cáncer en mujeres. Su incidencia ha incrementado por una mayor esperanza de vida y exposición a factores de riesgo. El tamizaje de esta enfermedad se hace mediante mastografía, y para la estratificación de las lesiones se utiliza el sistema BIRADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System), que estandariza el informe, categoriza las lesiones según el grado de sospecha y asigna recomendaciones a seguir. Dicho sistema va desde 0 (no concluyente) hasta 6 (lesión con malignidad demostrada) y es de interés para este estudio la categoría 0. Objetivo: describir la reclasificación de pacientes con reporte BIRADS 0 por mastografía durante 2021 en una unidad de primer nivel de atención. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, transversal, observacional. Se estudiaron mujeres mayores de 40 años con resultado BIRADS 0. Se utilizaron las siguientes bases de datos: Registro Institucional de Cáncer, Sistema de Información de Medicina Familiar, Expediente Clínico Electrónico y lista nominal de mastografías y censo de pacientes sospechosos de medicina preventiva. Resultados: la reclasificación con ultrasonido (US) se logró en el 100% de pacientes, en todas las categorías de BIRADS US. En el 3.8% se confirmó carcinoma ductal por histología en las pacientes inicialmente categorizadas como BIRADS 0. Conclusiones: la totalidad de lesiones reevaluadas con US fueron reclasificadas satisfactoriamente.

Carotid artery penetrating trauma: Report of 4 cases and literature revision.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: In penetrating neck trauma, carotid artery penetrating trauma is considered one of the most complicated injuries to treat. Active bleeding, large hematomas, and rapid occlusion of the airways make the surgical approach to controlling bleeding and repairing the vessel much more complex, constituting an essential clinical challenge to every surgeon. CASE PRESENTATION: We present 4 cases of patients with carotid artery penetrating trauma. Two patients were treated with endovascular therapy, one with surgery, and the fourth one treated conservatively. None of the patients had posterior neurological impairment. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Carotid artery penetrating trauma is uncommon yet is associated with high rates of mortality and neurological impairment. The common carotid artery is the most frequently injured, and gunshot wounds (GSW) are the most frequent trauma mechanism. Angiotomography (CTA) is the first-line exam for diagnosing these injuries. Treatment should be prompt and individualized and may include conservative techniques, endovascular therapy, and traditional surgical repair. CONCLUSION: Carotid artery penetrating trauma is an uncommon but complex injury that requires a timely diagnosis and treatment to avoid potentially devastating consequences, particularly in hemodynamically unstable patients. Traditionally, the treatment strategies for these injuries used to be limited to vascular repair or ligation. However, endovascular therapy and conservative management are viable alternatives, which have become more and more useful in selected patients, allowing less invasive approaches with fewer morbidity and acceptable results.

Formamide denaturation of double-stranded DNA for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) distorts nanoscale chromatin structure.

As imaging techniques rapidly evolve to probe nanoscale genome organization at higher resolution, it is critical to consider how the reagents and procedures involved in sample preparation affect chromatin at the relevant length scales. Here, we investigate the effects of fluorescent labeling of DNA sequences within chromatin using the gold standard technique of three-dimensional fluorescence in situ hybridization (3D FISH). The chemical reagents involved in the 3D FISH protocol, specifically formamide, cause significant alterations to the sub-200 nm (sub-Mbp) chromatin structure. Alternatively, two labeling methods that do not rely on formamide denaturation, resolution after single-strand exonuclease resection (RASER)-FISH and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Sirius, had minimal impact on the three-dimensional organization of chromatin. We present a polymer physics-based analysis of these protocols with guidelines for their interpretation when assessing chromatin structure using currently available techniques.

Associations between the social environment and early childhood developmental outcomes of Puerto Rican children with prenatal Zika virus exposure: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal exposure to the Zika virus can lead to microcephaly and adverse developmental outcomes, even in children without evident birth defects. The social environment plays a crucial role in infant health and developmental trajectories, especially during periods of heightened brain plasticity. The study aimed to assess socioenvironmental factors as predictors of developmental outcomes of 36-month-old children exposed to Zika virus prenatally. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study included 53 mothers and 55 children enrolled in the Pediatric Outcomes of Prenatal Zika Exposure cohort study in Puerto Rico. The study performs follow-up developmental assessments of children born to mothers with confirmed and probable Zika virus infection during pregnancy. Mothers completed socioenvironmental questionnaires (e.g., Perceived Neighborhood Scale and US Household Food Insecurity Survey). Children's developmental outcomes were assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development: Third Edition, the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Third Edition, the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Socioemotional: Second Edition, and the Child Adjustment and Parent Efficacy Scale. RESULTS: Linear regression models, adjusting for a child's sex and age and maternal education, revealed that early life exposure to food insecurity and maternal pregnancy stressors were significantly associated with poorer developmental outcomes in Zika virus-exposed children at 36 months of age. Maternal resilience representation of adaptive ability was associated with the preservation of adequate developmental outcomes in children. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy and early childhood are critical life periods for ensuring optimal brain development in children. While the mechanisms in the interaction of children with their environment are complex, the risk and protective factors identified in the study are modifiable through public policy and preventive initiatives. Implementation of comprehensive strategies that improve access to social support programs, educational and nutritional interventions, and mental health services during pregnancy and early childhood can enhance the developmental potential of vulnerable children.

Schoenoplectus americanus as a potential phytoremediator: in vitro assessment of its ability to remove contaminants in domestic and tannery wastewater.

Growing industrialization and urbanization have led to increased water pollution due to the inadequate treatment and disposal of domestic wastewater (DW) and wastewater produced by industries such as tanneries (TW). These wastewaters are characterized by high concentrations of organic matter, nutrients, sulphates, chlorides and high microbial load. TW also contains phenols and chromium, which disturb and harm the ecosystem the local. The decontamination of wastewater prior to their discharge through biological tools, especially the use of species that are native to the site in need of treatment, has been described as effective and advantageous. This study evaluated the ability of Schoenoplectus americanus, a native plant species from Cordoba (Argentina), to phytoremediate local DW and TW samples at a laboratory scale. The aim was to ascertain whether this system could potentially be considered for the remediation of wastewater in real-world scenarios. S. americanus was able to tolerate pure DW and a 1/20 (v/v) dilution of TW for 30 days under hydroponic conditions. Removal rates ranging from 50% to 89% were obtained for residual organic matter (determined as chemical oxygen demand or COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). Significant removal of total chromium (TCr) and total phenols (TPhs) was also observed in TW (85% and 98%). The number of total coliforms (TC), was reduced by about 96% and 99%. These results indicate that S. americanus is a good candidate for the phytoremediation of regional DW and TW. For this reason, it may be considered for full-scale applications in the future.

Exploring the Use of Persuasive System Design Principles to Enhance Medication Incident Reporting and Learning Systems: Scoping Reviews and Persuasive Design Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Medication incidents (MIs) causing harm to patients have far-reaching consequences for patients, pharmacists, public health, business practice, and governance policy. Medication Incident Reporting and Learning Systems (MIRLS) have been implemented to mitigate such incidents and promote continuous quality improvement in community pharmacies in Canada. They aim to collect and analyze MIs for the implementation of incident preventive strategies to increase safety in community pharmacy practice. However, this goal remains inhibited owing to the persistent barriers that pharmacies face when using these systems. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the harms caused by medication incidents and technological barriers to reporting and identify opportunities to incorporate persuasive design strategies in MIRLS to motivate reporting. METHODS: We conducted 2 scoping reviews to provide insights on the relationship between medication errors and patient harm and the information system-based barriers militating against reporting. Seven databases were searched in each scoping review, including PubMed, Public Health Database, ProQuest, Scopus, ACM Library, Global Health, and Google Scholar. Next, we analyzed one of the most widely used MIRLS in Canada using the Persuasive System Design (PSD) taxonomy-a framework for analyzing, designing, and evaluating persuasive systems. This framework applies behavioral theories from social psychology in the design of technology-based systems to motivate behavior change. Independent assessors familiar with MIRLS reported the degree of persuasion built into the system using the 4 categories of PSD strategies: primary task, dialogue, social, and credibility support. RESULTS: Overall, 17 articles were included in the first scoping review, and 1 article was included in the second scoping review. In the first review, significant or serious harm was the most frequent harm (11/17, 65%), followed by death or fatal harm (7/17, 41%). In the second review, the authors found that iterative design could improve the usability of an MIRLS; however, data security and validation of reports remained an issue to be addressed. Regarding the MIRLS that we assessed, participants considered most of the primary task, dialogue, and credibility support strategies in the PSD taxonomy as important and useful; however, they were not comfortable with some of the social strategies such as cooperation. We found that the assessed system supported a number of persuasive strategies from the PSD taxonomy; however, we identified additional strategies such as tunneling, simulation, suggestion, praise, reward, reminder, authority, and verifiability that could further enhance the perceived persuasiveness and value of the system. CONCLUSIONS: MIRLS, equipped with persuasive features, can become powerful motivational tools to promote safer medication practices in community pharmacies. They have the potential to highlight the value of MI reporting and increase the readiness of pharmacists to report incidents. The proposed persuasive design guidelines can help system developers and community pharmacy managers realize more effective MIRLS.

Mycorrhizal C/N ratio determines plant-derived carbon and nitrogen allocation to symbiosis.

Carbon allocation of trees to ectomycorrhizas is thought to shape forest nutrient cycling, but the sink activities of different fungal taxa for host resources are unknown. Here, we investigate fungal taxon-specific differences in naturally composed ectomycorrhizal (EM) communities for plant-derived carbon and nitrogen. After aboveground dual labeling of young beech with 15N and 13C, ectomycorrhizas formed with different fungal taxa exhibit strong differences in label enrichment. Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) imaging of nitrogen in cross sections of ectomycorrhizas demonstrates plant-derived 15N in both root and fungal structures. Isotope enrichment in ectomycorrhizas correlates with that in the corresponding ectomycorrhiza-attached lateral root, supporting fungal taxon-specific N and C fluxes in ectomycorrhizas. The enrichments with 13C and 15N in the symbiosis decrease with increasing C/N ratio of ectomycorrhizas, converging to zero at high C/N. The relative abundances of EM fungal species on roots are positively correlated with 13C enrichment, demonstrating higher fitness of stronger than of less C-demanding symbioses. Overall, our results support that differences among the C/N ratios in ectomycorrhizas formed with different fungal species regulate the supply of the symbioses with host-derived carbon and provide insights on functional traits of ectomycorrhizas, which are important for major ecosystem processes.

Exploring Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of E. coli Isolates in Dairy Cattle: A Baseline Study across Dairy Farms with Varied Husbandry Practices in Puerto Rico.

Antimicrobial treatment in livestock can contribute to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) microorganisms. Despite substantial surveillance of AMR bacteria in the continental United States, the prevalence of these AMR organisms in U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, remains understudied. The goals of this research included obtaining baseline data on the antimicrobial profile of E. coli isolates from Puerto Rico dairy farms with different husbandry practices. Seventy-nine fecal samples were collected from two types of conventional dairy farms: those that fed calves with tank milk and those that fed calves with waste milk. These samples were collected from the animals' rectums, culture, and subsequently confirmed through biochemical tests. Out of these samples, 32 isolates were analyzed phenotypically and genotypically to elucidate their AMR profiles. The results underscore a discrepancy in the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance genes between calves and adult cattle. Notably, waste milk-fed calves exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli when compared to their tank milk-fed counterparts. These disparities emphasize the need for more comprehensive investigations to determine causative factors. These results underscore the urgency of comprehensive strategies to raise awareness about how management practices influence antimicrobial resistance, shifting the focus from treatment to prevention.

Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the occurrence of medication incidents in Canadian community pharmacies.

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, community pharmacies adapted rapidly to broaden and adjust the services they were providing to patients, while coping with severe pressure on supply chains and constrained social interactions. This study investigates whether these events had an impact on the medication incidents reported by pharmacists. Results indicate that Canadian pharmacies were able to sustain such stress while maintaining comparable safety levels. At the same time, it appears that some risk factors that were either ignored or not meaningful in the past started to be reported, suggesting that community pharmacists are now aware of a larger set of contributing factors that can lead to medication incidents, notably for medication incidents that can lead to harm.

Estimación de Distensibilidad Dinámica Toraco-pulmonar en Modelos Neonatales de Ventilación Mecánica de Alta Frecuencia / Estimation of dynamic thoracopulmonary compliance in neonatal high-frequency mechanical ventilation models

Introducción. La ventilación de alta frecuencia (VAF) es utilizada en pacientes graves neonatales con un uso cercano al 10% del total de usuarios en ventilación mecánica (VM). Actualmente estos equipos miden volumen corriente de manera precisa, continua y rutinaria, sin embargo no hay estimaciones del comportamiento mecánico del sistema respiratorio del usuario, como lo es la distensibilidad toracopulmonar, durante el ciclo ventilatorio que sean reportadas por las pantallas de los equipos. Objetivo. Estimar distensibilidad dinámica toracopulmonar en modelos neonatales de VAF. Métodos. Estudio cuantitativo, observacional, descriptivo, y "wench work", donde se midió distensibilidad en VM convencional y volumen corriente (Vt) en VAF con equipo Acutronics Fabian® por 4 evaluadores independientes, en 5 tipos de pulmón de ensayo y bajo diferentes escenarios de parámetros de VAF con ajustes de presión media de la vía aérea (PMVA), amplitud, frecuencia respiratoria, tiempo inspiratorio, volumen garantizado, y tipo de circuito. Mediante suavización de regresiones locales por estimación mínima cuadrática (LOWESS) y análisis de regresión multivariada se obtuvieron los valores asociados a distensibilidad, con los que se construyeron ecuaciones de estimación de distensibilidad en VAF. Resultados. Se realizaron en total 46080 mediciones, con correlación intra e interevaluador > 0.99. La distensibilidad mediana (percentil 25; 75) de los 5 modelos pulmonares fue de 0.455 (0.3; 0.98). Se asociaron a distensibilidad, mediante modelos de regresión lineal múltiple de manera significativa, todas las variables evaluadas, salvo PMVA. Se establecieron asociaciones multivariantes crudas (R2=.311), de distensibilidad predicha por LOWESS (R2=.744) y distensibilidad predicha y variables independientes predichas por regresión lineal simple (R2=.973). Conclusiones. La distensibilidad en VAF esta determinada en pulmones de ensayos por los parámetros programados de: tipo de circuito, uso de volumen garantizado, tiempo inspiratorio, frecuencia respiratoria y amplitud, además del Vt medido. Se reporta ecuación explicativa de distensibilidad en VAF.

Background. Background: High frequency mechanical ventilation (HFV) is used in severe neonatal subjects nearly 10% of total mechanically ventilated (MV) users. Currently, this MV's mode allow to measure tidal volumen in an accurately, continuous and routinarie way in HFV, however there are non estimation to assess mechanical behavior of respiratory system during ventilatory cycle, like thoraco-pulmonary compliance, who be report in the equipment display. Objetive. To estimate thoraco-pulmonary compliance in artificial neonatal lung models in HFV. Methods. Quantitative, observational, descriptive, and wench work study, where distensibility was measured in conventional MV and tidal volume (TV) in HFV with Acutronics Fabian® equipment by 4 independent evaluators, in 5 types of test lung and under different scenarios of HFV parameters with adjustments of mean airway pressure (MAP), amplitude, respiratory rate, inspiratory time, guaranteed volume, and type of circuit. By smoothing local regressions by least quadratic estimation (LOWESS) and multivariate regression analysis, the values associated with distensibility were obtained, with this measures, equations for estimating compliance in VAF were constructed. Results. A total of 46080 measurements were made, with intra and inter-evaluator correlation coefficent > 0.99. The median compliance (25th percentile; 75) of the 5 lung models was 0.455 (0.3; 0.98). All variables evaluated, except MAP, were associated with compliance, by means of multiple linear regression models. Crude multivariate associations (R2 = .311), predicted compliance by LOWESS (R2 = .744) and predicted compliance and independent variables predicted by simple linear regression (R2 = .973) were established to estimate thoraco-pulmonary compliance. Conclusions. Compliance in VAF is determined in test lungs by the programmed parameters of: type of circuit, use of guaranteed volume, inspiratory time, respiratory frequency and amplitude, in addition to the measured Vt. An explanatory equation for distensibility in VAF is reported.

Age-dependent structural reorganization of utricular ribbon synapses.

In mammals, spatial orientation is synaptically-encoded by sensory hair cells of the vestibular labyrinth. Vestibular hair cells (VHCs) harbor synaptic ribbons at their presynaptic active zones (AZs), which play a critical role in molecular scaffolding and facilitate synaptic release and vesicular replenishment. With advancing age, the prevalence of vestibular deficits increases; yet, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood and the possible accompanying morphological changes in the VHC synapses have not yet been systematically examined. We investigated the effects of maturation and aging on the ultrastructure of the ribbon-type AZs in murine utricles using various electron microscopic techniques and combined them with confocal and super-resolution light microscopy as well as metabolic imaging up to 1 year of age. In older animals, we detected predominantly in type I VHCs the formation of floating ribbon clusters, mostly consisting of newly synthesized ribbon material. Our findings suggest that VHC ribbon-type AZs undergo dramatic structural alterations upon aging.

Functional response of Acinetobacter guillouiae SFC 500-1A to tannery wastewater as revealed by a complementary proteomic approach.

Acinetobacter guillouiae SFC 500-1 A is a promising candidate for the bioremediation of tannery wastewater. In this study, we applied shotgun proteomic technology in conjunction with a gel-based assay (Gel-LC) to explore the strain's intracellular protein profile when grown in tannery wastewater as opposed to normal culture conditions. A total of 1775 proteins were identified, 52 of which were unique to the tannery wastewater treatment. Many of them were connected to the degradation of aromatic compounds and siderophore biosynthesis. On the other hand, 1598 proteins overlapped both conditions but were differentially expressed in each. Those that were upregulated in wastewater (109) were involved in the processes mentioned above, as well as in oxidative stress mitigation and intracellular redox state regulation. Particularly interesting were the downregulated proteins under the same treatment (318), which were diverse but mainly linked to the regulation of basic cellular functions (replication, transcription, translation, cell cycle, and wall biogenesis); metabolism (amino acids, lipids, sulphate, energetic processes); and other more complex responses (cell motility, exopolysaccharide production, biofilm formation, and quorum sensing). The findings suggest that SFC 500-1 A engages in survival and stress management strategies to cope with the toxic effects of tannery wastewater, and that such strategies may be mostly oriented at keeping metabolic processes to a minimum. Altogether, the results might be useful in the near future to improve the strain's effectiveness if it will be applied for bioremediation.

Education Level Modulates the Presence of Poststroke Depression and Anxiety, But It Depends on Age.

ABSTRACT: Depression and anxiety are common complications after stroke and little is known about the modulatory roles of education and age. Our study aimed to evaluate the modulatory effects of education level on anxiety and depression after stroke and their effect on each age group. Adults with first stroke took part in this cross-sectional observational clinical study. We used the following instruments: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Montreal Cognitive Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Barthel index, and Functional Independence Measure. There were 89 patients. The mean (SD) age was 58.01 (13) years, mean (SD) years of education was 9.91 (5.22), 55.1% presented depression symptoms and 47.2% anxiety symptoms, 56.2% were young adults and 43.8% were older adults. We identified a negative association between education and anxiety score ( r = -0. 269, p = 0.011) and depression score ( r = -0.252, p = 0.017). In the linear regression analysis, we found that education is negatively associated with HADS, but this influence was more consistent in young adults. In conclusion, a higher education level reduces the risk of depression and anxiety, but their effect is less consistent in older adults.

Sequential application of activated sludge and phytoremediation with aquatic macrophytes on tannery effluents: in search of a complete treatment.

Tannery effluents with a high organic matter load (indicated by their COD level) have to be treated before they are discharged, so as to minimize their negative impact on the environment. Using field mesocosm systems, this study evaluated the feasibility of treating such effluents through bioaugmentation with activated sludge, followed by phytoremediation with aquatic macrophytes (Lemnoideae subfamily). Regardless of its quality, the activated sludge was able to remove approximately 77% of the COD from effluents with a low initial organic load (up to 1500 mg/L). The macrophytes then enhanced removal (up to 86%), so the final COD values were permissible under the current legislation for effluent discharge. When the initial organic load in the undiluted effluents was higher (around 3000 mg/L), the COD values obtained after consecutive bioaugmentation and phytoremediation were close to the legally allowed limits (583 mg/L), which highlights the potential of phytoremediation as a tertiary treatment. This treatment also brought total coliform counts down to legally acceptable values, without plant biomass decreasing over time. Moreover, the plant biomass remained viable and capable of high COD removal efficiency (around 75%) throughout two additional reuse cycles. These findings indicate that the efficiency of the biological treatments assayed here depends largely on the initial organic load in the tannery effluents. In any case, the sequential application of activated sludge and aquatic macrophytes proved to be a successful alternative for remediation.

[Epidemiological Panorama of Cervical Dysplasia in a First-Level Care Unit]. / Panorama epidemiológico de las displasias cervicales en una unidad de primer nivel de atención.

Background: Cervical cancer (CaCU) is the second cancer-related cause of death for women in Mexico. Early diagnosis and monitoring of patients by cervical cytology and colposcopy are currently the preferred screening methods for identification and prevention of this disease. Objective: To describe the epidemiological panorama of cervical dysplasia diagnosed in a first-level care hospital. Methods: The study was observational, retrospective, unicentric, homodemic, transversal. Records from 6,207 women who attended the General Subzone Hospital with Familiar Medicine #8 (HGSZ/UMF 8), in Tlaxcala, Mexico were analyzed. First-time cervical cytologies were analyzed from 2019 to 2021. Results: Cervical dysplasia was found in 2.6% of the patients being the most frequent type of dysplasia NIC 1. Most of the clinical characteristics of patients with dysplasia were in agreement with those of the Mexican population. Important differences were found (comorbilities, mass index, number of sexual partners, births, positivity to changes related to HPV and vaccination) between two population sets defined by age (younger and older than 40 years). Conclusions: The only factor where a tendency to be associated to type 2 and 3 dysplasia in the population younger than 40 years was the sexually active onset of life younger than 18 years, so this possible association should be evaluated in a bigger population. Our data suggests that risks factors should be evaluated separately for these age groups due to important differences regarding their clinic and epidemiological characteristics as well as changes in risk factor exposure.

Introducción: en México, el cáncer cervicouterino (CaCU) es la segunda causa de mortalidad por cáncer en mujeres. El diagnóstico temprano y monitoreo mediante la citología cervicovaginal y la colposcopía son actualmente los métodos de tamizaje de elección para identificar y prevenir esta enfermedad. Objetivo: describir el panorama epidemiológico de displasias cervicales en un hospital de primer nivel de atención. Métodos: estudio observacional, retrospectivo, unicéntrico, homodémico, transversal. Se analizaron los expedientes de 6207 mujeres atendidas en el HGSZ/UMF No. 8, en Tlaxcala, con citologías vaginales de primera vez, durante 2019-2021. Resultados: se encontró displasia en el 2.6% de las pacientes. El tipo de displasia más frecuente fue NIC 1. Las características clínicas de las pacientes con displasia corresponden a las reportadas en población mexicana, pero se encontraron diferencias importantes (comorbilidades, IMC, NPS, gestas, positividad para cambios asociados al VPH y vacunación) entre dos tipos de población etaria (menores y mayores de 40 años). Conclusiones: el único factor donde hubo una tendencia de asociación al desarrollo de displasia tipo 2 y 3 en la población de más de 40 años fue el inicio de la vida sexual activa antes de los 18 años, por lo que se recomienda buscar una asociación en una población de mayor tamaño y evaluar factores de riesgo en los grupos etarios de manera separada por sus diferencias clínicas, epidemiológicas y factores de riesgo a los que están expuestas.

Proteomic analysis to unravel the biochemical mechanisms triggered by Bacillus toyonensis SFC 500-1E under chromium(VI) and phenol stress.

Bacillus toyonensis SFC 500-1E is a member of the consortium SFC 500-1 able to remove Cr(VI) and simultaneously tolerate high phenol concentrations. In order to elucidate mechanisms utilized by this strain during the bioremediation process, the differential expression pattern of proteins was analyzed when it grew with or without Cr(VI) (10 mg/L) and Cr(VI) + phenol (10 and 300 mg/L), through two complementary proteomic approaches: gel-based (Gel-LC) and gel-free (shotgun) nanoUHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. A total of 400 differentially expressed proteins were identified, out of which 152 proteins were down-regulated under Cr(VI) and 205 up-regulated in the presence of Cr(VI) + phenol, suggesting the extra effort made by the strain to adapt itself and keep growing when phenol was also added. The major metabolic pathways affected include carbohydrate and energetic metabolism, followed by lipid and amino acid metabolism. Particularly interesting were also ABC transporters and the iron-siderophore transporter as well as transcriptional regulators that can bind metals. Stress-associated global response involving the expression of thioredoxins, SOS response, and chaperones appears to be crucial for the survival of this strain under treatment with both contaminants. This research not only provided a deeper understanding of B. toyonensis SFC 500-1E metabolic role in Cr(VI) and phenol bioremediation process but also allowed us to complete an overview of the consortium SFC 500-1 behavior. This may contribute to an improvement in its use as a bioremediation strategy and also provides a baseline for further research.

Interactions between breeding gulls and monofilament lines at one of the main recreational fishing sites in Argentina.

Monofilament fishing lines lost or discarded during recreational fishing activities often result in negative impacts on marine organisms. We assessed the interactions between Kelp and Olrog's gulls (Larus dominicanus and L. atlanticus, respectively) and recreational fishing at Bahía San Blas, Argentina. Monofilament lines constituted 61 and 29 % of total debris items recorded along beaches in the low and high fishing seasons, respectively. A total of 61 balls of tangled lines were also found within Kelp and Olrog's gull colonies. No Olrog's Gulls but nine Kelp Gulls were found tangled with monofilament lines within colony boundaries, seven of which were caught in vegetation. No Kelp or Olrog's gulls foraging in recreational fishing areas were observed tangled with lines. Monofilament lines did not negatively affect gull populations during the study period, but actions are needed to correctly manage their disposal given the relevance of Bahía San Blas as a recreational fishing area in the region.

Partisanship and anti-elite worldviews as correlates of science and health beliefs in the multi-party system of Spain.

In a national sample of 5087 Spaniards, we examine the prevalence of 10 specific misperceptions over five separate science and health domains (climate change, 5G technology, genetically modified foods, vaccines, and homeopathy). We find that misperceptions about genetically modified foods and general health risks of 5G technology are particularly widespread. While we find that partisan affiliation is not strongly associated with any of the misperceptions aside from climate change, we find that two distinct dimensions of an anti-elite worldview-anti-expert and conspiratorial mindsets-are better overall predictors of having science and health misperceptions in the Spanish context. These findings help extend our understanding of polarization around science beyond the most common contexts (e.g. the United States) and support recent work suggesting anti-elite sentiments are among the most important predictors of factual misperceptions.