Radiographic evaluation of radial flexion osteotomy effect on static scapholunate instability: a preliminary cadaveric study.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal treatment of chronic scapholunate instability has yet to be established. Scapholunate ligament grafts are still far from being the ideal solution. We conducted an experimental study to evaluate whether flexion-opening wedge osteotomy of the distal radius improves misalignment and avoids rotatory subluxation of the scaphoid in a cadaveric model of static scapholunate dissociative instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiographic studies were performed on 15 cryopreserved specimens after recreating a model of scapholunate instability by division of the scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) and secondary stabilizers, taking radiographs at baseline, after the instability model, and after distal radius osteotomy. Static and dynamic (under controlled tendon traction) anteroposterior and lateral views were obtained to measure the length (in mm) of the carpal scaphoid and scapholunate interval, scapholunate angle, radio-lunate angle, and palmar tilt of the distal joint surface of the radius and to measure the dorsal scaphoid translation by the concentric circles method. The Wilcoxon test was used for statistical comparisons. RESULTS: The scapholunate interval was significantly decreased after osteotomy in all static anteroposterior views and in all lateral views under tendon traction. Dorsal scaphoid translation was significantly reduced in static lateral view in extension and in dynamic lateral view under 5-pound flexor carpi radialis tendon tension controlled by a digital dynamometer. CONCLUSIONS: Flexion-addition osteotomy of the distal radius appears to improve carpal alignment parameters in a cadaveric model of static scapholunate instability, achieving similar values to those obtained before instability.

Optimization of universal allogeneic CAR-T cells combining CRISPR and transposon-based technologies for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Despite the potential of CAR-T therapies for hematological malignancies, their efficacy in patients with relapse and refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia has been limited. The aim of our study has been to develop and manufacture a CAR-T cell product that addresses some of the current limitations. We initially compared the phenotype of T cells from AML patients and healthy young and elderly controls. This analysis showed that T cells from AML patients displayed a predominantly effector phenotype, with increased expression of activation (CD69 and HLA-DR) and exhaustion markers (PD1 and LAG3), in contrast to the enriched memory phenotype observed in healthy donors. This differentiated and more exhausted phenotype was also observed, and corroborated by transcriptomic analyses, in CAR-T cells from AML patients engineered with an optimized CAR construct targeting CD33, resulting in a decreased in vivo antitumoral efficacy evaluated in xenograft AML models. To overcome some of these limitations we have combined CRISPR-based genome editing technologies with virus-free gene-transfer strategies using Sleeping Beauty transposons, to generate CAR-T cells depleted of HLA-I and TCR complexes (HLA-IKO/TCRKO CAR-T cells) for allogeneic approaches. Our optimized protocol allows one-step generation of edited CAR-T cells that show a similar phenotypic profile to non-edited CAR-T cells, with equivalent in vitro and in vivo antitumoral efficacy. Moreover, genomic analysis of edited CAR-T cells revealed a safe integration profile of the vector, with no preferences for specific genomic regions, with highly specific editing of the HLA-I and TCR, without significant off-target sites. Finally, the production of edited CAR-T cells at a larger scale allowed the generation and selection of enough HLA-IKO/TCRKO CAR-T cells that would be compatible with clinical applications. In summary, our results demonstrate that CAR-T cells from AML patients, although functional, present phenotypic and functional features that could compromise their antitumoral efficacy, compared to CAR-T cells from healthy donors. The combination of CRISPR technologies with transposon-based delivery strategies allows the generation of HLA-IKO/TCRKO CAR-T cells, compatible with allogeneic approaches, that would represent a promising option for AML treatment.

First report of Pectobacterium polaris causing aerial stem rot of potato in Mexico.

In Mexico, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops for local consumption and industry. More than 1.8 million tons of potatoes are produced annually, of which the state of Sinaloa contributes with 21.5% (SIAP. 2022). In January 2020, potato plants (cv. FL1867) showing aerial stem rot symptoms were observed in a commercial field from the Santa Rosa Valley, in Northern Sinaloa with an incidence of 36%. Putative pectolytic bacteria showing pitting on crystal violet pectate (CVP) plates were restreaked and purified onto Nutritive Agar (NA) medium at 28°C. Four independent isolates were obtained (L25F-83, L25F-105, L25F-115, and L25F-125) from four symptomatic stems with biochemical and morphological characteristics related to Pectobacterium, such as catalase positive, oxidase negative, pectinolytic activity, Gram-negative and non-fluorescent in B-King medium. Bacterial gDNA was used for amplification and sequencing of two housekeeping genes (dnaX and leuS) (Portier et al. 2019). The nucleotide sequence identity between our isolates was 100% with both housekeeping genes (dnaX, OP376536-OP376539 and leuS, OP376540-OP376543). The BLASTn analysis of dnaX gene shared 98.98% and 99.19% identity with two soft-rot-causing bacterial strains NIBIO1006T (CP017481) and NIBIO1392 (CP017482) of Pectobacterium polaris, respectively; and with leuS gene shared 99.56% identity with P. polaris type strain NIBIO1006T. To further validate the identification, two strains, S5 (isolate L25F-105) and S6 (L25F-125), were selected for whole genome sequencing (WGS). The ANI values for closely related species were calculated using the Orthologous Average Nucleotide Identity (Ortho-ANI) Software Tool (OAT) (Lee et al. 2016). The Type (Strain) Genome Server (TYGS) was used for accurate genome-based taxonomy (https://tygs.dsmz.de) (Meier-Kolthoff et al. 2019). The genomes of P. polaris strains S5 (4811345 pb, GC=52%, AULSZ000000000) and S6 (4809754 pb, GC=52%, JAULTA000000000) revealed 96.86% and 96.07% Ortho-ANI and 73.6% and 66.5% dDDH with P. polaris type strain NIBIO1006T and P. parvum strain CFBP8630, respectively. The MLSA was performed on concatenated complete sequences of dnaX (OR470476, OR470477), leuS (OR470484, OR470485), recA (OR470488, OR470488), acnA (OR470474, OR470475), gapA (OR470478, OR470479), gyrA (OR470480, OR470481), icdA (OR470482, OR470483), proA (OR470486, OR470487), and rpoA genes (OR470490, OR470491). The consensus tree, constructed using the maximum likelihood method (MEGA 7.0), clustered strains S5 and S6 with P. polaris strains NIBIO1006T and NIBIO1392. The four isolates resulted pathogenic in tuber slices and potato seedlings (cv. Fianna) 24 and 72 h, respectively, after being inoculated with 30 µL bacterial suspension (1 X 108 CFU/ml) and incubated at 28 °C and 85% relative humidity. Bacterial colonies were reisolated from the affected tissue and identified with the same PCR primers as described above. Accordingly, P. polaris isolates S5 and S6, fulfill Koch's postulates for aerial stem rot of potato. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. polaris causing aerial stem rot of potato in Mexico. This bacterium could be a significant threat to the local potato producers; therefore, an accurate and sensitive method of detection and epidemiological studies are needed to support an effective disease diagnosis and management program.

Evaluación de la humanización del cuidado enfermero percibido por mujeres hospitalizadas en un hospital materno-infantil del centro de México / Evaluation of human care behavieors from the perspective of women cared by nurses at a maternity hospital in central Mexico

Introducción: Las enfermeras buscan encontrar el equilibrio entre la fragmentación y despersonalización de los sistemas de salud y el desarrollo de un cuidado humano. Objetivo: Conocer la evaluación del cuidado humano brindado por enfermeras en un hospital materno infantil del centro de México. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, transversal. Las conductas del cuidado enfermero fueron evaluadas por mujeres hospitalizadas que contestaron la versión en español del Caring Behaviors Assesment basado en los procesos caritas de Jean Watson. Resultados: Sesenta y ocho mujeres evaluaron la humanización del cuidado recibido por las enfermeras con puntaje promedio de 4.29±0.5. Refirieron que “casi siempre o siempre”: saben usar los equipos, dan tratamientos/medicamentos a tiempo, dejan la habitación limpia y ordenada, explican las precauciones de seguridad. En contraste, “casi nunca o algunas veces”: preguntaron cómo le gusta que se hagan las cosas, las tocaron cuando necesitaban consuelo o ánimo, no se alejaron y abandonaron si el paciente está difícil, dijeron lo que ocurrirá con el paciente diariamente, consideraron sus necesidades espirituales, permitieron que la familia lo visitara por más tiempo. Conclusiones: En general las mujeres evaluaron positivamente las conductas del cuidado humano de las enfermeras que las cuidaron. Las conductas de cuidado humano con menor puntaje están relacionadas con los procesos caritas 4 “Desarrollo de la relación de cuidado humano, de ayuda y confianza” y 5 “Promoción y aceptación de la expresión de sentimientos positivos y negativos”. Desarrollar las conductas de cuidado humano es una tarea, un reto, y una responsabilidad vigente de la enfermera profesional. (AU)

Introduction: Nurses seek to find a balance between the fragmentation and depersonalization of health systems and the development of humanized care. Objective: To know the evaluation of the human care provided by nurses in a maternal and child hospital in central Mexico. Methods: Descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional study. Nursing care behaviors were evaluated by hospitalized women who answered the Spanish version of the Caring Behaviors Assessment based on Jean Watson’s caritas processes. Results: Sixty-eight women evaluated the humanization of the care received by the nurses with an average score of 4.29 ± 0.5. They stated that “almost always or always”: they know how to use the equipment, they give treatments / medicines on time, they leave the room clean and tidy, they explain the safety precautions. In contrast, “almost never or sometimes”: they asked how they like things to be done, they touched them when they needed comfort or encouragement, they did not walk away and abandon if the patient is difficult, they said what will happen to the patient daily, they considered their spiritual needs, allowed the family to visit them longer. Conclusions: In general, the women positively evaluated the human care behaviors of the nurses who cared for them. The human care behaviors with the lowest scores are related to the caritas processes 4 “Development of the relationship of human care, help and trust” and 5 “Promotion and acceptance of the expression of positive and negative feelings”. Developing human care behaviors is a task, a challenge, and a current responsibility of the professional nurse. (AU)

Access to cancer pain management in Ecuador from health workers' perspective: a qualitative study.

Background: Ecuador is facing increasing health-related suffering due to cancer; however, the distributed opioid analgesic in the country is below the global average. Aim: This study explores the access to cancer pain management (CPM) from the healthcare professionals' perspective in a middle-income country. Methods: Thirty problem-centered interviews with healthcare providers were conducted in six cancer facilities and were analyzed thematically. Results: Limited and unequal access to opioid analgesics was reported. Structural weaknesses of the healthcare system restrain access for the poorest, at the primary care level, and for people living in remote areas. The lack of education among the healthcare personnel, patients, and society was identified as the main barrier. Conclusion: Access barriers were interrelated; therefore multisectoral strategies must be considered to improve access to CPM.

The number of patients with cancer in Ecuador is growing. It is known that people with a cancer diagnosis often experience severe pain, which requires opioid analgesics. In this study, we explore the opinion of healthcare providers regarding access to opioid analgesics to alleviate cancer pain in Ecuador. We interviewed 30 healthcare professionals working at six cancer centers in different cities, who deal daily with patients with a cancer diagnosis. We found that it is difficult for cancer patients in the country to access adequate pain therapy and this generates avoidable severe health-related suffering. The structure of the healthcare system makes it difficult to be supplied with the medication they need. That is worst for the country's poor and people in rural areas. The main problem is the lack of knowledge on the subject among health workers, patients and society. We conclude that the obstacles in providing patients access to cancer pain relief lie in different areas, including the healthcare system, the healthcare professionals and the patients and society, all of which are interrelated. All areas must work together to improve the situation.

Differential Expression of miRNAs Involved in Response to Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus Infection in Mexican Lime at Early and Late Stages of Huanglongbing Disease.

Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of the most destructive diseases threatening citriculture worldwide. This disease has been associated with α-proteobacteria species, namely Candidatus Liberibacter. Due to the unculturable nature of the causal agent, it has been difficult to mitigate the disease, and nowadays a cure is not available. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression, playing an essential role in abiotic and biotic stress in plants including antibacterial responses. However, knowledge derived from non-model systems including Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas)-citrus pathosystem remains largely unknown. In this study, small RNA profiles from Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia) plants infected with CLas at asymptomatic and symptomatic stages were generated by sRNA-Seq, and miRNAs were obtained with ShortStack software. A total of 46 miRNAs, including 29 known miRNAs and 17 novel miRNAs, were identified in Mexican lime. Among them, six miRNAs were deregulated in the asymptomatic stage, highlighting the up regulation of two new miRNAs. Meanwhile, eight miRNAs were differentially expressed in the symptomatic stage of the disease. The target genes of miRNAs were related to protein modification, transcription factors, and enzyme-coding genes. Our results provide new insights into miRNA-mediated regulation in C. aurantifolia in response to CLas infection. This information will be useful to understand molecular mechanisms behind the defense and pathogenesis of HLB.

Stability Study of Graphene Oxide-Bovine Serum Albumin Dispersions.

In this work, a stability study of dispersions of graphene oxide and graphene oxide functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the presence of bovine serum albumin is carried out. First, a structural characterization of these nanomaterials is performed by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, comparing the starting nanomaterials with the nanomaterials in contact with the biological material, i.e., bovine fetal serum. The different experiments were performed at different concentrations of nanomaterial (0.125-0.5 mg/mL) and BSA (0.01-0.04 mg/mL), at different incubation times (5-360 min), with and without PEG, and at different temperatures (25-40 °C). The SEM results show that BSA is adsorbed on the surface of the graphene oxide nanomaterial. Using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, the characteristic absorption peaks of BSA are observed at 210 and 280 nm, corroborating that the protein has been adsorbed. When the time increases, the BSA protein can be detached from the nanomaterial due to a desorption process. The stability of the dispersions is reached at a pH between 7 and 9. The dispersions behave like a Newtonian fluid with viscosity values between 1.1 and 1.5 mPa·s at a temperature range of 25 to 40 °C. The viscosity values decrease as the temperature increases.

Highlights of the 'I Congress ecancer Choosing Wisely' March 30 and 31, 2022 Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

The ecancer 'Choosing Wisely' conference was held for the first time in Latin America in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The event had more than 150 registered attendees in addition to 22 speakers from different countries and different specialities in the field of oncology, who presented topics on prevention, oncological surgery, clinical oncology and palliative care, in order to demonstrate the current evidence of how to approach a patient in daily clinical practice based on the human resources, materials and drugs available, trying to offer the maximum benefit to the patient based on current scientific evidence. In addition to addressing issues of vital importance in breast cancer, during the 2 days of the event, updated information generated in recent years was presented, the results of which will change clinical practice. All the experts were in favour of developing strategies and methods that help us to properly select treatments to optimise resources and reduce the economic toxicity of the most modern and current treatments. This conference was an event of vital importance because it was the first face-to-face event for ecancer and the physicians after difficult years due to COVID-19.

CAR density influences antitumoral efficacy of BCMA CAR T cells and correlates with clinical outcome.

Identification of new markers associated with long-term efficacy in patients treated with CAR T cells is a current medical need, particularly in diseases such as multiple myeloma. In this study, we address the impact of CAR density on the functionality of BCMA CAR T cells. Functional and transcriptional studies demonstrate that CAR T cells with high expression of the CAR construct show an increased tonic signaling with up-regulation of exhaustion markers and increased in vitro cytotoxicity but a decrease in in vivo BM infiltration. Characterization of gene regulatory networks using scRNA-seq identified regulons associated to activation and exhaustion up-regulated in CARHigh T cells, providing mechanistic insights behind differential functionality of these cells. Last, we demonstrate that patients treated with CAR T cell products enriched in CARHigh T cells show a significantly worse clinical response in several hematological malignancies. In summary, our work demonstrates that CAR density plays an important role in CAR T activity with notable impact on clinical response.

Rheological Properties of Different Graphene Nanomaterials in Biological Media.

Carbon nanomaterials have received increased attention in the last few years due to their potential applications in several areas. In medicine, for example, these nanomaterials could be used as contrast agents, drug transporters, and tissue regenerators or in gene therapy. This makes it necessary to know the behavior of carbon nanomaterials in biological media to assure good fluidity and the absence of deleterious effects on human health. In this work, the rheological characterization of different graphene nanomaterials in fetal bovine serum and other fluids, such as bovine serum albumin and water, is studied using rotational and microfluidic chip rheometry. Graphene oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, and expanded graphene oxide at concentrations between 1 and 3 mg/mL and temperatures in the 25-40 °C range were used. The suspensions were also characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, and the results show a high tendency to aggregation and reveals that there is a protein-nanomaterial interaction. Although rotational rheometry is customarily used, it cannot provide reliable measurements in low viscosity samples, showing an apparent shear thickening, whereas capillary viscometers need transparent samples; therefore, microfluidic technology appears to be a suitable method to measure low viscosity, non-transparent Newtonian fluids, as it is able to determine small variations in viscosity. No significant changes in viscosity are found within the solid concentration range studied but it decreases between 1.1 and 0.6 mPa·s when the temperature raises from 25 to 40 °C.

In vivo CRISPR-Cas9 inhibition of hepatic LDH as treatment of primary hyperoxaluria.

Genome-editing strategies, especially CRISPR-Cas9 systems, have substantially increased the efficiency of innovative therapeutic approaches for monogenic diseases such as primary hyperoxalurias (PHs). We have previously demonstrated that inhibition of glycolate oxidase using CRISPR-Cas9 systems represents a promising therapeutic option for PH type I (PH1). Here, we extended our work evaluating the efficacy of liver-specific inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a key enzyme responsible for converting glyoxylate to oxalate; this strategy would not be limited to PH1, being applicable to other PH subtypes. In this work, we demonstrate a liver-specific inhibition of LDH that resulted in a drastic reduction of LDH levels in the liver of PH1 and PH3 mice after a single-dose delivery of AAV8 vectors expressing the CRISPR-Cas9 system, resulting in reduced urine oxalate levels and kidney damage without signs of toxicity. Deep sequencing analysis revealed that this approach was safe and specific, with no off-targets detected in the liver of treated animals and no on-target/off-tissue events. Altogether, our data provide evidence that in vivo genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9 systems would represent a valuable tool for improved therapeutic approaches for PH.

SimiC enables the inference of complex gene regulatory dynamics across cell phenotypes.

Single-cell RNA-Sequencing has the potential to provide deep biological insights by revealing complex regulatory interactions across diverse cell phenotypes at single-cell resolution. However, current single-cell gene regulatory network inference methods produce a single regulatory network per input dataset, limiting their capability to uncover complex regulatory relationships across related cell phenotypes. We present SimiC, a single-cell gene regulatory inference framework that overcomes this limitation by jointly inferring distinct, but related, gene regulatory dynamics per phenotype. We show that SimiC uncovers key regulatory dynamics missed by previously proposed methods across a range of systems, both model and non-model alike. In particular, SimiC was able to uncover CAR T cell dynamics after tumor recognition and key regulatory patterns on a regenerating liver, and was able to implicate glial cells in the generation of distinct behavioral states in honeybees. SimiC hence establishes a new approach to quantitating regulatory architectures between distinct cellular phenotypes, with far-reaching implications for systems biology.

Amino-Functionalized Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes as Efficient Basic Catalysts for the Formation of γ-Lactams: Synthesis of N-1-Heptenyl-2-pyrrolidinone.

In this work, we prepared a series of N-functionalized carbon nanotubes by means of a process of acylation-amidation of commercial multiwall carbon nanotubes that were previously pre-oxidized with nitric acid. Three different amines, butylamine, N,N-dimethyl ethylenediamine, and ethylenediamine, were used in the process. The characterization of samples by several techniques probed the incorporation of nitrogen atoms to the carbon nanotubes, especially in the case of ethylenediamine. The solids were tested as catalysts in the synthesis of N-1-heptenyl-2-pyrrolidinone, included in the group of a γ-lactams, compounds that show important biological properties. The most active catalyst was that prepared with butylamine, which exhibited the highest SBET and Vpore values and contained an amount of nitrogen that was intermediate between that of the other two catalysts. A yield of 60% to N-1-heptenyl-2-pyrrolidinone was achieved after 3 h at 120 °C under free-solvent conditions. This catalyst could be used in four consecutive cycles without significant activity loss.

Estrategias y políticas en atención al sobrepeso y obesidad en preescolares y escolares / Strategies and policies in attention to overweight and obesity in preschool and schoolchildren

Resumen Objetivo: Exponer algunas de las estrategias y políticas que se han implementado en relación a la atención al sobrepeso y obesidad en preescolares y escolares. Material y métodos: En el artículo se muestra la recopilación de las distintas estrategias establecidas a nivel Nacional e Internacional para la atención del sobrepeso y obesidad publicadas en las bases de datos PudMed, SciELO, Infomed y PAHO los motores de búsqueda Google Scholar colocando palabras claves para la búsqueda de artículos originales, tesis, otros artículos de revisión bibliográfica y revistas de elevado índice de citación publicados desde 1994 a 2019 en español o inglés. Para la revisión de los artículos se consideró el título, autores, objetivo, abordaje metodológico y resultados obtenidos. Resultados: Se realizó la selección de 32 artículos y publicaciones de la OMS, FAO, Secretaría de Salud, INSP entre otros; de estos, se revisaron los programas y políticas que se han establecido a nivel nacional e internacional, para la prevención y atención de la problemática relacionada con el sobrepeso y obesidad, revisando las acciones implementadas en cada uno, así como los alcances e impacto que han tenido en la población. Conclusión: Es conocido que la problemática de sobrepeso y obesidad, ocupa los primeros lugares en la mortalidad y morbilidad a nivel nacional e internacional. En México si no se atiende e implantan programas y políticas que contribuyan a disminuir esta problemática de salud en la población, el incremento del sobrepeso y obesidad generará comorbilidades relacionadas con enfermedades crónicas degenerativas, o bien muertes a edades más tempranas y costos elevados en materia de salud.

Abstract Objective: To present some of the strategies and policies that have been implemented regarding the attention to overweight and obesity in pre- school and school children. Materials and methods: The article shows the compilation of the different strategies established at the National and International level for the care of overweight and obesity published in the databases PudMed, SciELO, Infomed and PAHO the search engines Google Scholar placing keywords for the search of original articles, theses, other bibliographic review articles and journals with a high citation index published from 1994 to 2019 in Spanish or English. For the review of the articles, the title, authors, objective, methodological approach and results obtained were considered. Results: A selection was made of 32 articles and publications of the WHO, FAO, Secretary of Health and INSP among others. Of these, the programs and policies that have been established at a national and international level were reviewed for the prevention and attention to the problems related to overweight and obesity, reviewing the actions implemented in each one, as well as the scope and impact that they have had in the population. Conclusion: It is known that the problem of overweight and obesity occupies the first places in mortality and morbidity at a national and international level. In Mexico, if programs and policies that contribute to reducing this health problem in the population are not attended to and implemented, the increase in overweight and obesity will generate comorbidities related to chronic degenerative diseases, or deaths at younger ages and higher costs in terms of health.

Arboles de Decisión como Metodología para Determinar el Rendimiento Académico en Educación Superior / Decision Trees as a Methodology to Determine Academic Performance in Higher Education / Árvores de Decisão como Metodologia para Determinar o Desempenho Acadêmico no Ensino Superior

Resumen Introducción. En este artículo se presentan los resultados finales de la investigación Árboles de decisión como metodología para determinar el rendimiento académico en educación superior. Objetivo. Explicar el rendimiento académico de los alumnos que cursan asignaturas relacionadas con la programación en una institución de nivel superior ubicada en la zona urbana de Pánuco, Veracruz, México. El rendimiento académico presenta una situación que no solamente preocupa a las instituciones educativas, sino también a los estudiantes, padres de familia, profesores y directores. Puede mencionarse que este presenta también una situación mundial y que es investigado en diferentes áreas de conocimiento. Materiales y Métodos. Se aplicó un cuestionario a 341 estudiantes repartidos en el segundo, cuarto y sexto semestre. Se utilizaron dos técnicas de modelado estadístico: árbol de decisión y regresión lineal múltiple, para definir qué variables independientes están asociadas al rendimiento académico. Resultados. Se ubica que las variables de aprendizaje en el aula y las tutorías externas están relacionadas con la variable de rendimiento académico y que el 48.1 % de los alumnos necesitan algún apoyo académico o capacitación externa para el reforzamiento de la programación. Conclusiones. Se recomienda implementar estrategias de mejora para reducir la sobrecarga de trabajo de los alumnos. También realizar una sensibilización antes de aplicar la encuesta y que los cuestionarios sean aplicados en fechas de exámenes ya que los alumnos se encuentran en niveles altos de estrés. En trabajos posteriores se tiene contemplado poder evaluar los efectos sobre el rendimiento académico, económico, social y cultural.

Abstract Introduction. This article presents the results of the Decision Trees research as a methodology to determine academic performance in higher education. Objective. Explain the academic performance of students taking subjects related to programming at a higher-level institution located in the urban area of Pánuco, Veracruz, Mexico. Academic performance presents a situation that not only concerns educational institutions, but also students, parents, teachers, and principals. It can be mentioned that this also presents a world situation and that it is investigated in different areas of knowledge. Materials and methods. A questionnaire was applied to 341 students distributed in the second, fourth and sixth semester. Two statistical modeling techniques were used: decision tree and multiple linear regression, to define which independent variables are associated with academic performance. Results. It is located that the learning variables in the classroom and the external tutorials are related to the academic performance variable and that 48.1 % of the students need some academic support or external training to reinforce the programming. Conclusions. It is recommended to implement improvement strategies to reduce the work overload of the students. Also make an awareness before applying the survey and that the questionnaires are applied on test dates since the students are at high levels of stress. Future research could evaluate the effect on academic, economic and cultural performance.

Resumo Introdução. Este artigo apresenta os resultados da pesquisa Árvores de Decisão como uma metodologia para determinar o desempenho acadêmico no ensino superior. Objetivo. Explique o desempenho acadêmico dos estudantes que cursam matérias relacionadas à programação em uma instituição de nível superior localizada na área urbana de Pánuco, Veracruz, México. O desempenho acadêmico apresenta uma situação que diz respeito não apenas às instituições de ensino, mas também a estudantes, pais, professores e diretores. Pode-se mencionar que isso também apresenta uma situação mundial e é investigada em diferentes áreas do conhecimento. Materiais e métodos. Foi aplicado um questionário a 341 alunos distribuídos no segundo, quarto e sexto semestre. Foram utilizadas duas técnicas de modelagem estatística: árvore de decisão e regressão linear múltipla, para definir quais variáveis independentes estão associadas ao desempenho acadêmico. Resultados. Fica localizado que as variáveis de aprendizagem em sala de aula e os tutoriais externos estão relacionados à variável desempenho acadêmico e que 48,1 % dos alunos precisam de algum apoio acadêmico ou treinamento externo para reforçar a programação. Conclusões. Recomenda-se implementar estratégias de melhoria para reduzir a sobrecarga de trabalho dos alunos. Lembre-se também antes de aplicar a pesquisa e que os questionários sejam aplicados nas datas dos testes, uma vez que os alunos estão em altos níveis de estresse.

Consumo de drogas en niños de escuelas primarias al norte de la ciudad de Chihuahua / Consumption of drugs in primary school children in the north of thecity of Chihuahua / Uso de drogas em crianças do ensino fundamental ao norte da cidade de Chihuahua

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar el nivel de riesgo de consumo de sustancias en estudiantes de quinto y sexto de primaria. Método:estudio descriptivo transversal en 138 estudiantes de quinto y sexto de primaria del norte de la ciudad de Chihuahua. Se aplicó una cédula de datos personalesy el Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test.Resultados: el 56.1% de los participantes perteneció al sexo femenino, la media de edad fue de 10.5 años (DE= .9) y en cuanto a la escolaridad el 47.6% cursaba el quinto grado de primaria y el 52.4% el sexto grado y en relación con consumo de sustancias la edad de inicio de consumo fue de 10 años (DE= .7). En relación con el objetivo del estudio que el 13.2% de los estudiantes tuvo riesgo moderado de consumir alcohol, así mismo el 10.3% riesgo moderado de consumir tabaco y el 5.8%riesgo moderado de consumir cannabis. Conclusión: el consumo de sustancias es un fenómeno presenten en la población per-adolescente y las drogas más consumidas fueron el alcohol, el tabaco y el cannabis.

ABSTRACT Objective:to identify the level of risk of substance use in students of fifth and sixth grade of primary school.Method: descriptive cross-sectional study in 138 elementary school students from the north of the city of Chihuahua. A personal data record and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test were applied. Results:56.1% of the participants were females, the mean age was 10.5 years (SD = .9) and in terms of schooling, 52.4% the sixth grade and in relation with substance use, the age of onset was 10 years (SD = .7). In relation to the objective of the study that 13.2% of the students had moderate risk of consuming alcohol, likewise 10.3% moderate risk of consuming tobacco, 5.8% moderate risk of consuming cannabis. Conclusion: substance use is a phenomenon present in the per-adolescent population and the most consumed drugs were alcohol, tobacco and cannabis.

RESUMO Objetivo:Identifique o nível de risco do uso de substâncias em alunos do quinto e sexto ano. Método:estudo descritivo e transversal, com 138 alunos de escolas primárias do norte da cidade de Chihuahua, México. Um questionário de dados pessoais e o Teste de Triagem do Envolvimento com Álcool, Tabaco e Substâncias, foram aplicados. Resultados: 56,1% dos participantes pertenciam ao sexo feminino, a média de idade foi de 10,5 anos (DE= 0,9) e quanto à escolaridade, 52,4% na sexta série e em relação ao uso de substâncias, a idade de início foi de 10 anos (DE= 0,7). Em relação ao objetivo do estudo, 13,2% dos alunos apresentavam risco moderado de consumir álcool, da mesma forma 10,3% risco moderado de consumo detabaco e 5,8% risco moderado de consumo de cannabis Conclusão: ouso de substâncias é um fenômeno presente na população por adolescente e as drogas mais consumidas foram álcool, tabaco e maconha.

Influence of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of ELOVL on Biomarkers of Metabolic Alterations in the Mexican Population.

The elongation of very long chain fatty acids (ELOVL) is a family of seven enzymes that have specific functions in the synthesis of fatty acids. Some have been shown to be related to insulin secretion (ELOVL2), and in the lipid profile (ELOVL6) and patients with various pathologies. The present work focused on the study of ELOVL polymorphs with clinical markers of non-communicable chronic diseases in the Mexican population. A sample of 1075 participants was obtained, who underwent clinical, biochemical, and nutritional evaluation, and a genetic evaluation of 91 genetic variants of ELOVL was considered (2-7). The results indicate a 33.16% prevalence of obesity by body mass index, 13.84% prevalence of insulin resistance by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index, 7.85% prevalence of high cholesterol, and 20.37% prevalence of hypercholesterolemia. The deprived alleles showed that there is no association between them and clinical disease risk markers, and the notable finding of the association studies is that the ELOVL2 variants are exclusive in men and ELVOL7 in women. There is also a strong association of ELOVL6 with various markers. The present study shows, for the first time, the association between the different ELOVLs and clinical markers of chronic non-communicable diseases.

Epigenetic loss of the transfer RNA-modifying enzyme TYW2 induces ribosome frameshifts in colon cancer.

Transfer RNA (tRNA) activity is tightly regulated to provide a physiological protein translation, and tRNA chemical modifications control its function in a complex with ribosomes and messenger RNAs (mRNAs). In this regard, the correct hypermodification of position G37 of phenylalanine-tRNA, adjacent to the anticodon, is critical to prevent ribosome frameshifting events. Here we report that the tRNA-yW Synthesizing Protein 2 (TYW2) undergoes promoter hypermethylation-associated transcriptional silencing in human cancer, particularly in colorectal tumors. The epigenetic loss of TYW2 induces guanosine hypomodification in phenylalanine-tRNA, an increase in -1 ribosome frameshift events, and down-regulation of transcripts by mRNA decay, such as of the key cancer gene ROBO1. Importantly, TYW2 epigenetic inactivation is linked to poor overall survival in patients with early-stage colorectal cancer, a finding that could be related to the observed acquisition of enhanced migration properties and epithelial-to-mesenchymal features in the colon cancer cells that harbor TYW2 DNA methylation-associated loss. These findings provide an illustrative example of how epigenetic changes can modify the epitranscriptome and further support a role for tRNA modifications in cancer biology.

CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19 IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN MEXICO CITY: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY.

BACKGROUND: Regional information regarding the characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 is needed for a better understanding of the pandemic. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study to describe the clinical features of COVID-19 patients diagnosed in a tertiary-care center in Mexico City and to assess differences according to the treatment setting (ambulatory vs. hospital) and to the need of intensive care (IC). METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort, including consecutive patients with COVID-19 from February 26, 2020 to April 11, 2020. RESULTS: We identified 309 patients (140 inpatients and 169 outpatients). The median age was 43 years (interquartile range, 33-54), 59.2% men, and 18.6% healthcare workers (12.3% from our center). The median body mass index (BMI) was 29.00 kg/m2 and 39.6% had obesity. Compared to outpatients, inpatients were older, had comorbidities, cough, and dyspnea more frequently. Twenty-nine (20.7%) inpatients required treatment in the IC unit (ICU). History of diabetes (type 1 or 2) and abdominal pain were more common in ICU patients compared to non-ICU patients. ICU patients had higher BMIs, higher respiratory rates, and lower room-air capillary oxygen saturations. ICU patients showed a more severe inflammatory response as assessed by white blood cell count, neutrophil and platelet count, C-reactive protein, ferritin, procalcitonin, and albumin levels. By the end of the study period, 65 inpatients had been discharged because of improvement, 70 continued hospitalized, and five had died. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with comorbidities, either middle-age obese or elderly complaining of fever, cough, or dyspnea, were more likely to be admitted. At admission, patients with diabetes, high BMI, and clinical or laboratory findings consistent with a severe inflammatory state were more likely to require IC.