A morphological and molecular approach to investigating infectious disease in early medieval Iberia: The necropolis of La Olmeda (Palencia, Spain).

OBJECTIVE: Here we investigate infectious diseases that potentially contribute to osteological lesions in individuals from the early medieval necropolis of La Olmeda (6th-11th c. CE) in North Iberia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied a minimum number of 268 individuals (33 adult females; 38 adult males, 77 unknown/indeterminate sex; and 120 non-adults), including articulated and commingled remains. Individuals with differential diagnoses suggesting chronic systemic infectious diseases were sampled and bioinformatically screened for ancient pathogen DNA. RESULTS: Five non-adults (and no adults) presented skeletal evidence of chronic systemic infectious disease (1.87% of the population; 4.67% of non-adults). The preferred diagnoses for these individuals included tuberculosis, brucellosis, and malaria. Ancient DNA fragments assigned to the malaria-causing pathogen, Plasmodium spp., were identified in three of the five individuals. Observed pathology includes lesions generally consistent with malaria; however, additional lesions in two of the individuals may represent hitherto unknown variation in the skeletal manifestation of this disease or co-infection with tuberculosis or brucellosis. Additionally, spondylolysis was observed in one individual with skeletal lesions suggestive of infectious disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study sheds light on the pathological landscape in Iberia during a time of great social, demographic, and environmental change. Genetic evidence challenges the hypothesis that malaria was absent from early medieval Iberia and demonstrates the value of combining osteological and archaeogenetic methods. Additionally, all of the preferred infectious diagnoses for the individuals included in this study (malaria, tuberculosis, and brucellosis) could have contributed to the febrile cases described in historical sources from this time.

Polimorfismos de los genes CCR5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10 en pacientes cubanos con VIH/sida / Polymorphisms of CCR5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes in Cuban HIV/AIDS patients

Introducción Los estudios genéticos han demostrado asociaciones de varios polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido (SNP) con diferentes tasas de progresión y variación en la susceptibilidad a la infección por VIH. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar la frecuencia de los polimorfismos ccr5Δ32, IL-6-174G/C, IFN-γ+874T/A e IL-10-1082A/G en pacientes cubanos infectados por VIH y un grupo de parejas serodiscordantes para evaluar su influencia sobre el riesgo y la progresión de la enfermedad. Métodos Se realizó un estudio transversal en 120 sujetos atendidos en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical «Pedro Kour» (IPK) y el Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras entre junio de 2018 y diciembre de 2019. La amplificación de los fragmentos de los genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10 se realizó mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa seguida por el análisis del polimorfismo de fragmentos de restricción utilizando la enzima NlaIII para la IL-6. El sistema de mutación refractario a la amplificación por PCR se utilizó en el caso de los genes IFN-γ e IL-10. Resultados Las distribuciones alélicas y genotípicas de los genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10 no difirieron significativamente entre los dos grupos. Los recuentos celulares y los valores de carga viral en plasma no difirieron significativamente entre los genotipos de los genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10. Solo el genotipo IL-6 GC se asoció con valores más altos de carga viral. La combinación de alelos de los cuatro SNP considerados mostró un aumento muy significativo del riesgo de infección por VIH para uno de ellos, pero con una frecuencia muy baja (<1%). Conclusión Este estudio contribuye a evaluar la frecuencia de estos polimorfismos y su influencia en los biomarcadores de la progresión de la infección por VIH en la población cubana con infección por el VIH. (AU)

Introduction Genetic studies have shown associations of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with different rates of progression and variation in susceptibility to HIV infection. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of ccr5Δ32, IL-6-174G/C, IFN-γ+874T/A and IL-10-1082A/G polymorphisms in Cuban HIV-infected patients and a group of sero-discordant couples to assess their influence on risk and disease progression. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 subjects registered at the Institute of Tropical Medicine «Pedro Kour» (IPK) and the Ameijeiras Hospital from June 2018 until December 2019. The amplification of fragments of the ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by identification of polymorphisms using the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for IL-6 with the restriction enzymes Nla III. Amplification refractory mutation system was used for IFN-γ and IL-10 genes. Results The allelic and genotypic distributions of the genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 did not differ significantly between the two groups. Cell counts and plasma viral load values did not differ significantly between genotypes of the ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes. Only the IL-6 GC genotype was associated with higher viral load values. The combination of alleles of the four considered SNPs showed a highly significant increase in the risk of HIV infection for one of them, but with a very low frequency (<1%). Conclusion This study contributes to evaluating the frequency of these polymorphisms and their influence on biomarkers of the progression of HIV infection in the Cuban HIV-population. (AU)

Polimorfismos de los genes CCR5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10 en pacientes cubanos con VIH/sida / Polymorphisms of CCR5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes in Cuban HIV/AIDS patients

Introducción Los estudios genéticos han demostrado asociaciones de varios polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido (SNP) con diferentes tasas de progresión y variación en la susceptibilidad a la infección por VIH. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar la frecuencia de los polimorfismos ccr5Δ32, IL-6-174G/C, IFN-γ+874T/A e IL-10-1082A/G en pacientes cubanos infectados por VIH y un grupo de parejas serodiscordantes para evaluar su influencia sobre el riesgo y la progresión de la enfermedad. Métodos Se realizó un estudio transversal en 120 sujetos atendidos en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical «Pedro Kour» (IPK) y el Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras entre junio de 2018 y diciembre de 2019. La amplificación de los fragmentos de los genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10 se realizó mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa seguida por el análisis del polimorfismo de fragmentos de restricción utilizando la enzima NlaIII para la IL-6. El sistema de mutación refractario a la amplificación por PCR se utilizó en el caso de los genes IFN-γ e IL-10. Resultados Las distribuciones alélicas y genotípicas de los genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10 no difirieron significativamente entre los dos grupos. Los recuentos celulares y los valores de carga viral en plasma no difirieron significativamente entre los genotipos de los genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ e IL-10. Solo el genotipo IL-6 GC se asoció con valores más altos de carga viral. La combinación de alelos de los cuatro SNP considerados mostró un aumento muy significativo del riesgo de infección por VIH para uno de ellos, pero con una frecuencia muy baja (<1%). Conclusión Este estudio contribuye a evaluar la frecuencia de estos polimorfismos y su influencia en los biomarcadores de la progresión de la infección por VIH en la población cubana con infección por el VIH. (AU)

Introduction Genetic studies have shown associations of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with different rates of progression and variation in susceptibility to HIV infection. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of ccr5Δ32, IL-6-174G/C, IFN-γ+874T/A and IL-10-1082A/G polymorphisms in Cuban HIV-infected patients and a group of sero-discordant couples to assess their influence on risk and disease progression. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 subjects registered at the Institute of Tropical Medicine «Pedro Kour» (IPK) and the Ameijeiras Hospital from June 2018 until December 2019. The amplification of fragments of the ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by identification of polymorphisms using the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for IL-6 with the restriction enzymes Nla III. Amplification refractory mutation system was used for IFN-γ and IL-10 genes. Results The allelic and genotypic distributions of the genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 did not differ significantly between the two groups. Cell counts and plasma viral load values did not differ significantly between genotypes of the ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes. Only the IL-6 GC genotype was associated with higher viral load values. The combination of alleles of the four considered SNPs showed a highly significant increase in the risk of HIV infection for one of them, but with a very low frequency (<1%). Conclusion This study contributes to evaluating the frequency of these polymorphisms and their influence on biomarkers of the progression of HIV infection in the Cuban HIV-population. (AU)

Polymorphisms of CCR5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes in Cuban HIV/AIDS patients.

INTRODUCTION: Genetic studies have shown associations of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with different rates of progression and variation in susceptibility to HIV infection. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of ccr5Δ32, IL-6-174G/C, IFN-γ+874T/A and IL-10-1082A/G polymorphisms in Cuban HIV-infected patients and a group of sero-discordant couples to assess their influence on risk and disease progression. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 subjects registered at the Institute of Tropical Medicine «Pedro Kour¼ (IPK) and the Ameijeiras Hospital from June 2018 until December 2019. The amplification of fragments of the ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by identification of polymorphisms using the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for IL-6 with the restriction enzymes Nla III. Amplification Refractory Mutation System was used for IFN-γ and IL-10 genes. RESULTS: The allelic and genotypic distributions of the genes ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 did not differ significantly between the two groups. Cell counts and plasma viral load values did not differ significantly between genotypes of the ccr5, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 genes. Only the IL-6 GC genotype was associated with higher viral load values. The combination of alleles of the four considered SNPs showed a highly significant increase in the risk of HIV infection for one of them, but with a very low frequency (<1%). CONCLUSION: This study contributes to evaluating the frequency of these polymorphisms and their influence on biomarkers of the progression of HIV infection in the Cuban HIV-population.

In vitro activity of cefiderocol and other newly approved antimicrobials against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative pathogens recovered in intensive care units in Spain and Portugal.

OBJECTIVE: The antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health threat, particularly for healthcare-associated infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens which are increasingly reported worldwide. The aim of this study was to provide data on the in vitro antimicrobial activity of cefiderocol and that of commercially available comparator antibiotics against a defined collection of recent clinical multi-drug resistant (MDR) microorganisms, including carbapenem resistant Gram-negative bacteria collected from different regions in Spain and Portugal. METHODS: A total of 477 clinical isolates of Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were prospectively (n=265) and retrospectively (n=212) included (2016-2019). Susceptibility testing was performed using standard broad microdilution and results were interpreted using CLSI-2021 and EUCAST-2021 criteria. RESULTS: Overall, cefiderocol showed a good activity against Enterobacterales isolates, being 99.5% susceptible by CLSI and 94.5% by EUCAST criteria. It also demonstrated excellent activity against P. aeruginosa and S. maltophilia isolates, all being susceptible to this compound considering CLSI breakpoints. Regarding A. baumannii (n=64), only one isolate was resistant to cefiderocol. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are in agreement with other studies performed outside Spain and Portugal highlighting its excellent activity against MDR gram-negative bacteria. Cefiderocol is a therapeutic alternative to those available for the treatment of infections caused by these MDR bacteria.

Chronic diarrhea secondary to canine leishmaniosis: Case series.

Chronic diarrhea is a clinical sign associated with canine leishmaniosis, varying from 3 % to 30 % of prevalence. However, its occurrence in dogs has been mostly associated with chronic kidney or liver disease. Leishmania organisms can cause inflammation of the digestive tract with chronic diarrhea as the only clinical manifestation, although it has been poorly documented in dogs. The aim of this retrospective observational study was to describe dogs with chronic diarrhea as the main clinical sign associated with leishmaniosis. All cases had a complete blood count, biochemistry, urinalyses, and diagnostic tests for leishmaniosis. Exclusion criteria included renal or hepatic disease and/or previous diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease. Twenty-three dogs were included. Small bowel diarrhea was present in 7/23 (30.4 %), large bowel diarrhea in 9/23 (39.2 %) and mixed diarrhea in 7/23 (30.4 %). Gastrointestinal biopsies were performed in 8/23 dogs and Leishmania amastigotes were found in all of them. In the others, leishmaniosis was diagnosed by serology in 10/15 dogs (66.7 %), serology plus blood PCR in 3/15 (20.0 %), lymph node cytology in 1/15 (6.7 %), and blood PCR in 1/15 (6.7 %). All dogs treated had a complete resolution of diarrhea with specific treatment for leishmaniosis alone, based on meglumine antimoniate (75-100 mg/kg SID SC for 1 month) plus allopurinol (10 mg/kg BID PO ≥ 6 months). This study suggests that leishmaniosis should be also included in the differential diagnosis of dogs from endemic areas presenting with the primary problem of large-bowel, small-bowel, or mixed-bowel chronic diarrhea.

Nutritive Value of Wheat Bran Diets Supplemented With Fresh Carrots and Wet Brewers' Grains in Yellow Mealworm.

We evaluated the effect of supplementation of a wheat bran (WB) diet with fresh carrots (FC) or wet brewer's grains (WBG) on the growth performance and chemical composition of Tenebrio molitor larvae. Additionally, a digestibility trial was performed to determine the nutritional value of the raw materials used. The control diet was based on WB-only. Two other diets were formulated in which WB was supplemented with FC (FC diet) or with WBG (WBG diet). The experiment was conducted in trays (12 per treatment) and lasted 90 d. Larval weight, feed intake, and excreted feces were controlled in each tray the experiment. The digestibility trial was performed from 48 to 62 d post-hatch. Results showed digestibility coefficients of ashes, crude protein, and gross energy were significantly higher in FC diet compared with the other diets. Consequently, both digestible energy (DE) and digestible protein (DP) contents of FC were also significantly higher than those obtained for WB and WBG diets (on av. +1.12 megajoule [MJ] DE and +9.15 g DP per kg dry matter [DM]; P < 0.003). Mealworms fed FC diet showed significantly higher final weight and average daily gain than those fed the WBG diet (+12.4%), being higher in WBG than in WB diet (+3.5%). Dietary treatment did not affect DM, ashes, ether extract, and crude protein content of mealworms obtained. Some dietary effects on amino acid and fatty acid composition were observed. This study provides novel data and a unique experimental approach to assess the nutritional value of raw materials in mealworms.

Trastorno de acumulación: las urracas también maltratan a sus crías / Hoarding disorder: magpies also mistreat their young

Se presenta el caso clínico de una niña de 7 años que consulta por impétigo contagioso y tras un abordaje integral biopsicosocial desde la consulta de Pediatría se diagnostica de maltrato por negligencia en relación con un trastorno de acumulación en la progenitora. La atención longitudinal e integral que realizan los pediatras de Atención Primaria sobre la salud del niño y el adolescente monitoreando la dinámica familiar resulta clave en la detección precoz de muchos trastornos mentales de inicio en la edad pediátrica, así como de situaciones de maltrato infantil en todas sus variantes (AU)

We present the clinical case of a 7-year-old girl who consulted for contagious impetigo and after a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach from the Pediatric consultation, she was diagnosed with negligent abuse in relation to an accumulation disorder in the mother. The longitudinal and comprehensive care performed by Primary Care pediatricians on the health of children and adolescents, monitoring family dynamics, is key in the early detection of many mental disorders of onset in the pediatric age, as well as situations of child abuse in all its variants. (AU)

Numerical Estimation and Mathematical Learning Methodology in Preschoolers.

One of the means for representing quantities/magnitudes is the mental number line. It is still a nonsolved question as to whether the method of learning mathematics in the early years could improve this type of estimating. A total of 233 students, aged four and five years, who learned mathematics with a new method called Open Algorithm Based on Number or the more traditional Closed Based on Ciphers approach, were evaluated with a reliable estimation on the number line test. Results revealed significant differences in participants' estimation functions based on the learning method used. Students who learned mathematics through the Open Algorithm Based on Number method used a linear representation more efficiently than those who were taught with the Closed Based on Ciphers methodology. This group exhibited a logarithmic function in their approach. We discussed whether these differences can be attributed to a recurrent practice in estimation tasks at school, characterized by the Open Algorithm Based on Number methodology.

Characterization of kidney complications in patients with sickle cell anemia. / Caracterización de las complicaciones renales en pacientes con anemia de células falciformes.

INTRODUCTION: Sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) is a poorly studied complication of pediatric patients. It appears in different forms, including glomerulopathy, and tubulopathies. OBJECTIVE: To describe acute and chronic renal complications in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Re trospective study. Pediatric patients with confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell disease were included who had a nephro-urology study. Hemoglobin electrophoresis pattern, presence and type of renal involvement, and presence of cardiac involvement were recorded. Bivariate analysis was perfor med to compare patients with and without SCN. RESULTS: 79 patients were included, 59.5% of them were men, and the most frequent electrophoresis pattern was Hb-SS (60.9%). The SCN oc curred in 70% of patients with an average age of 114 months (RIQ 65-157). The most frequently observed alterations were glomerular hyperfiltration, microalbuminuria, acute kidney injury, ar terial hypertension, and hyposthenuria. In the bivariate analysis, an abnormal echocardiogram result was presented more frequently in patients with SCN (84.8% vs. 54.3% p = 0.01), as well as more frequent use of nephrotoxic drugs (74.5% vs. 54.2% p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that sickle cell nephropathy may occur at an early age, where glomerular hyperfiltration is very common. Cardiopulmonary complications in patients with SCA may be related to the presence of SCN.