Spectroscopy of a mesospheric ghost reveals iron emissions.

Mesospheric Green emissions from excited Oxygen in Sprite Tops (ghosts) are infrequent and faint greenish transient luminous events that remain for hundreds of milliseconds on top of certain energetic sprites. The main hypothesis to explain this glow persistence is the long lifetime of excited atomic oxygen at 557.73 nm, a well-known emission line in aurora and airglow. However, due to the lack of spectroscopic campaigns to analyse such events to date, the species involved in the process can not yet be identified. Here we report observational results showing the temporal evolution of a ghost spectrum between 500 nm and 600 nm. Besides weak -but certain- traces of excited atomic oxygen, our results show four main contributors related to the slow decay of the glow: atomic iron and nickel, molecular nitrogen and ionic molecular oxygen. Additionally, we are able to identify traces of atomic sodium, and ionic silicon, these observations being consistent with previous direct measurements of density profiles of meteoric metals in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. This finding calls for an upgrade of current air plasma kinetic understanding under the influence of transient luminous events.

Microfilariae infection by Acanthocheilonema reconditum and Dirofilaria immitis and their molecular detection in a dog with lymphoma: Case report.

Objective: Microfilariae parasites are common in tropical regions, and some species are reported as potentially zoonotic. The diagnosis of filarial infection in dogs by cytology or hematologic techniques showed lower sensibility and specificity, which may result in misdiagnosis. Thus, molecular techniques seem to be an alternative to identifying and detecting microfilariae infections. On the other hand, lymphoma is one of the main tumors in domestic animals, with a high prevalence in domestic canines. This study aims to report a mixed infection with microfilariae in a dog with lymphoma, emphasizing its diagnosis and the possible role of this infection in the development of the neoplasia. Materials and Methods: An 8-year-old male mixed breed dog was referred to consultation due to the presence of lethargy, recumbency, skin ulceration lesions, nonspecific pain manifestations, emesis, myoclonus in the left temporalis muscle, and seizures. Routine blood and biochemistry tests were normal, and cytology of the skin evidenced a microfilariae infection. The dog died due to a cardiorespiratory arrest, and tissue sampling was done for histopathology and molecular analysis at the necropsy examination. Results: Skin lesions were related to a microfilarial pyogranuloma related to Acanthocheilonema reconditum. Histopathology of the spleen and liver revealed a diffuse lymphoma composed of blast cells and large lymphocytes, distributed diffusely in the parenchyma and surrounding the vasculature. In the skin, microfilariae were seen in some superficial capillaries. Conclusion: This study describes a microfilariae mixed infection with A. reconditum and Dirofilaria immitis in a dog with a lymphoma and its molecular detection. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first report of a mixed microfilariae infection in a tumor of a dog and highlights the use of molecular techniques, i.e., polymerase chain reaction, for an accurate diagnosis.

High sustained virologic response rates, regardless of race or socioeconomic class, in patients treated with chronic hepatitis C in community practice using a specialized pharmacy team.

Approved direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens against hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cure nearly all patients; however, socioeconomic disparities may impact access and outcome. This study assesses socioeconomic factors, differences in insurance coverage and the drug prior authorization process in HCV-infected patients managed in community practices partnered with a dedicated pharmacy team with expertise in liver disease. This Institutional Review Board-approved, ongoing study captures data on a cohort of 2480 patients from community practices. Patients had chronic hepatitis C and were treated with DAA regimens selected by their physician. The HCV Health Outcomes Centers Network provides comprehensive patient management including a dedicated pharmacy support team with expertise in the prior authorization process. In this cohort, 60.1% were male, 49% were Hispanic Whites (HW), 37% were Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), and 14% were Black/African American (BAA). Eighty-seven percent of patients were treatment-naïve, 74% were infected with genotype 1 virus and 63% had advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis (F3/F4 = 68.2% HW, 65.6% BAA, 55.4% NHW). Forty percent of patients were on disability with the highest percentage in the BAA group and less than one-third were employed full time, regardless of race/ethnicity. Medicare covered 42% of BAA patients versus 32% of HW and NHW. The vast majority of HW (80%) and BAA (75%) had a median income below the median income of Texas residents. Additionally, 75% of HW and 71% of BAA had median income below the poverty level in Texas. Despite the above socioeconomic factors, 92% of all prior authorizations were approved upon first submission and patients received DAAs an average of 17 days from prescription. DAA therapy resulted in cure in 95.3% of patients (sustained virologic response = 94.8% HW, 94.0% BAA, 96.5% NHW). Despite having more advanced diseases and more negative socioeconomic factors, >94% of HW and BAA patients were cured. Continued patient education and communication with the healthcare team can lead to high adherence and > 94% HCV cure rates regardless of race/ethnicity or underlying socioeconomic factors in the community setting.

Oxidative Stability and Genotoxic Activity of Vegetable Oils Subjected to Accelerated Oxidation and Cooking Conditions.

The oxidative stability and genotoxicity of coconut, rapeseed and grape seed oils were evaluated. Samples were submitted to different treatments: 10 days at 65 °C, 20 days at 65 °C (accelerated storage) and 90 min at 180 °C. Peroxide values and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values were altered as a function of storage time, but their greatest changes were recorded in samples subjected to 180 °C. Fatty acid profiles did not show significant changes from the nutritional point of view. Volatile compounds showed the highest increases at 180 °C for 90 min (18, 30 and 35 fold the amount in unheated samples in rapeseed, grape seed and coconut oils, respectively), particularly due to the increment in aldehydes. This family accounted for 60, 82 and 90% of the total area in coconut, rapeseed and grapeseed oil, respectively, with cooking. Mutagenicity was not detected in any case in a miniaturized version of the Ames test using TA97a and TA98 Salmonella typhimurium strains. Despite the increment in the presence of lipid oxidation compounds in the three oils, they were not compromised from the safety perspective.

First study on microscopic and molecular detection of Acanthocheilonema reconditum and Leishmania infantum coinfection in dogs in Southwest Colombia.

Background and Aim: Canine vector-borne diseases represent an important issue for the welfare and health of animals, but also have great zoonotic potential. These diseases are caused by bacteria, nematodes such as filariae, and other parasites such as Leishmania spp. Given the difficulty in differentiating common microfilariae in dogs by microscopy and serological methods, molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing should be valuable for reaching a reliable diagnosis. This study aimed to use microscopy and PCR to identify the microfilarial species in dogs from Valle del Cauca, Colombia, and a possible association with Leishmania infantum parasites. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 270 dogs from Pradera and Florida municipalities. Microfilariae were detected in dogs by optical microscopy and amplification with 5.8S-ITS2-28S. Species identification was achieved through the amplification of the gene cytochrome oxidase I (COX1). Results: Microscopic detection of microfilariae was possible in 4.81% (13/270) of the dogs. In addition, by PCR of COX1 and Sanger sequencing of ITS2, Acanthocheilonema reconditum was identified as the circulating microfilarial species in 12 dogs, coinfecting with the species L. infantum (Leishmania donovani complex). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on A. reconditum and L. infantum mixed infection in dogs in Colombia, particularly in the Valle del Cauca.

Green, HF-Free Synthesis of MXene Quantum Dots and their Photocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Evolution.

A general methodology to prepare MXene quantum dots (MxQDs) with yields over 20% by liquid-phase laser ablation of the MAX phase is reported. Mechanical and thermal shock by 532 nm laser pulses (7 ns fwhp, 50 mJ × pulse-1 , 1 Hz pulse frequency) produces MAX etching and exfoliation to form MXene QDs, avoiding the use of HF. The process can be followed by absorption and emission spectroscopy and by dynamic laser scattering and it appears to be general, being applied to Ti3 AlC2 , Ti2 AlC, Nb2 AlC, and V2 AlC MAX phases. Density functional theory calculations indicate that, depending on the surface terminal groups, the diminution of the MXene size to the nanometric scale makes it possible to control the band gap of the MXene. The photocatalytic activity of these MXene QDs for hydrogen evolution has been observed, reaching an H2 production for the most efficient Ti3 C2 QDs as high as 2.02 mmol × g-1 × h-1 .

Evaluation of Body Composition in CrossFit® Athletes and the Relation with Their Results in Official Training.

CrossFit® is a high-intensity sport that combines weightlifting, gymnastic skills, and cardiovascular exercises. To find the anthropometric references that define the optimal body composition, it is essential to first find an optimal body composition for one's physical preparation. The objective of this study is to describe the anthropometric characteristics of 27 Spanish CrossFit® athletes, 19 males aged 39 years old (24-44) and 8 females aged 28 years old (23-40), and how these characteristics influenced their performance. The athletes performed the Fran, Cindy, and Kelly workouts, establishing minimum marks, and the CrossFit Total workout to assess maximum strength. Significant differences were not found in time and repetitions between sexes in skill training, although there was a positive correlation r = 0.876 (p < 0.001) between muscle mass and the Total CrossFit result. We can conclude that the CrossFit® athlete has a low amount of fat mass and a small relative size, which is an advantage when training with bodyweight exercises, and a high muscle mass that provide benefits when strength training. In addition, despite executing movements from a multitude of disciplines, the physical demands for lifting heavy loads resulted in the anthropometric values of athletes being more similar to elite weightlifting athletes than in other sports.

Genetic parameters of agronomic traits and yield components of soybean genotypes in the Colombian Altillanura / Parámetros genéticos de rasgos agronómicos y componentes de rendimiento de genotipos de soja en la Altillanura colombiana

ABSTRACT Soybean cultivation expansion in Colombia has generated the need to seek varieties with high genetic merit. A soybean genetic breeding program seeks to generate varieties with competitive and sustainable yields, and high-quality grain adapted to the conditions of the low tropics. The aim was to determine the genetic parameters and expected gains in quantitative traits of interest in a soybean breeding process using biometric tools. Sixty lines and four commercial varieties were evaluated in an 8x8 alpha lattice design (genotypes x blocks) planted in oxisols from the Altillanura region of Colombia. The estimation of the parameters was performed by applying mixed models with a random-effects adjustment through the REML method. Wide genetic variability was observed for all the evaluated traits, except for plant height. High heritability values were registered for the characters at flowering and maturity. Heritability was high for yield components such as the number of pods and the weight of 100 grains. Overall, the environmental effect was low, with values close to or higher than 1, except for embryonic abortions, number of empty pods, and grain yield. The genetic gain as a mean percentage was high for plant height, moderate for grain yield, and low for the rest of the characters. Moderate heritability and grain yield gain indicate an additive action of the genes ideal for recurrent selection. The most discriminating characters in the evaluated conditions were the grain yield, weight of 100 grains, and number of pods.

RESUMEN La expansión del cultivo de soya en Colombia genera la necesidad de buscar variedades con alto mérito genético y su mejoramiento, la generación de variedades con rendimientos competitivos y con alta calidad de grano, adaptadas a las condiciones del trópico bajo. El objetivo fue determinar, mediante herramientas biométricas, los parámetros genéticos y las ganancias esperadas, en caracteres cuantitativos de interés, para el proceso de mejora de soya. Se evaluaron 60 líneas y 4 variedades comerciales, en un diseño alfa látice 8x8, en oxisoles de la Altillanura. La estimación de los parámetros, se realizó mediante la aplicación de modelos mixtos, con ajuste de efectos aleatorios, por el método REML. Se observó amplia variabilidad genética para todos los rasgos evaluados, exceptuando la altura de planta. Se registraron valores altos de heredabilidad, para los caracteres de floración y madurez. En los componentes de rendimiento, la heredabilidad fue alta para número de vainas y peso de 100 granos. El efecto ambiental fue bajo, con valores cercanos o superiores a 1, con excepción de abortos embrionarios, número de vainas vanas y rendimiento de grano. La ganancia genética, como porcentaje de la media fue alta, para altura de planta; moderada, para rendimiento de grano y baja, para el resto de los caracteres. La heredabilidad y la ganancia moderadas de rendimiento de grano indican una acción aditiva de los genes, ideal para la selección recurrente. Los caracteres más discriminantes en las condiciones evaluadas fueron rendimiento de grano, peso de 100 granos y número de vainas.

Range-wide persistence of the endangered arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) for 20+ years following a prolonged drought.

Prolonged drought due to climate change has negatively impacted amphibians in southern California, U.S.A. Due to the severity and length of the current drought, agencies and researchers had growing concern for the persistence of the arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus), an endangered endemic amphibian in this region. Range-wide surveys for this species had not been conducted for at least 20 years. In 2017-2020, we conducted collaborative surveys for arroyo toads at historical locations. We surveyed 88 of the 115 total sites having historical records and confirmed that the arroyo toad is currently extant in at least 61 of 88 sites and 20 of 25 historically occupied watersheds. We did not detect toads at almost a third of the surveyed sites but did detect toads at 18 of 19 specific sites delineated in the 1999 Recovery Plan to meet one of four downlisting criteria. Arroyo toads are estimated to live 7-8 years, making populations susceptible to prolonged drought. Drought is estimated to increase in frequency and duration with climate change. Mitigation strategies for drought impacts, invasive aquatic species, altered flow regimes, and other anthropogenic effects could be the most beneficial strategies for toad conservation and may also provide simultaneous benefits to several other native species that share the same habitat.

Aproximación a un sistema asociativo de comercialización para productos agrarios de pequeños y medianos productores / Approach to an Associative Marketing System for Agricultural Products of Small and Medium Producers / Abordagem a um Sistema de Marketing Associativo para Produtos Agrícolas de Pequenos e Médios Produtores

Resumen Introducción: en este artículo se presenta una propuesta sobre cómo mejorar el sistema de comercialización de los productos de los campesinos, derivada de resultados de investigación. Objetivo: establecer una aproximación a un sistema asociativo de comercialización para productores agrarios de pequeños y medianos productores. Materiales y métodos: a partir de la investigación realizada con productores del oriente Antioqueño (Acevedo y Palacio, 2012) y la experiencia con campesinos productores de otros municipios del departamento de Antioquia, se procede a la construcción de una propuesta de aproximación a un sistema asociativo de comercialización para productos agrarios de pequeños y medianos productores. Resultados: luego de todo el trabajo de campo y de la interacción con los productores, se puede evidenciar que existen unas malas prácticas de comercialización, ya que para la formación de los precios de los productos intervienen múltiples factores como intermediarios y transporte. Conclusiones: las dificultades que afrontan los pequeños y medianos productores agropecuarios y que ameritan este tipo de propuesta, parten de la forma como comercializan sus productos, evitando costosos desplazamientos y fletes, y tener que enfrentarse a mayoristas, que algunos consideran irrespetuosos, dominantes y abusadores. Esta circunstancia los lleva a vender a acopiadores veredales, o intermediarios en las plazas de los pueblos, donde negocian a precios muy bajos. Este sistema de ventas, centrado en plazas municipales y grandes centrales de abastos, donde el campesino tiene una gran desventaja competitiva, es el dominante en Colombia y muchos otros países. Acevedo y Palacio (2013), concluyen en su investigación, que, para superar las debilidades de los campesinos en la compra de insumos y comercialización de sus productos, es necesario desarrollar empresas asociativas especializadas en mercadeo de productos agropecuarios, que representen todas las líneas de productos, y que permitan la participación de todos los productores y de sus asociaciones, como asociados. El sistema de comercialización propuesto implica lo local y regional, y podría ayudar a grandes grupos de campesinos a lograr garantía de compra y precios justos para sus productos, a través de organizaciones con alto volumen de operaciones, que les permita ser competitivas y financieramente sostenibles en el tiempo.

Abstract Introduction: this article presents a proposal on how to improve the marketing system of peasant products, derived from research results. Objective: to establish an approximation to an associative marketing system for agricultural producers of small and medium producers. Materials and methods: based on the research carried out with producers from eastern Antioquia (Acevedo y Palacio, 2012) and the experience with peasant farmers from other municipalities in the department of Antioquia, a proposal was made to approach an associative marketing system for products of small and medium producers. Results: after all the field work and the interaction with the producers, it can be evidenced that there are bad marketing practices, since multiple factors such as intermediaries and transport intervene in the formation of the prices of the products. Conclusions: the difficulties that small and medium agricultural producers face and that merit this type of proposal, start from the way they market their products, avoiding costly displacements and freights, and having to face wholesalers, which some consider disrespectful, dominant and abusers. This circumstance leads them to sell to rural collectors, or to intermediaries in the squares of the towns, where they negotiate at very low prices. This sales system, centered in municipal squares and large supply centers, where the farmer has a great competitive disadvantage, is the dominant one in Colombia and many other countries. Acevedo and Palacio (2013), conclude in their research, that to overcome the weaknesses of the farmers in the purchase of inputs and marketing of their products, it is necessary to develop associative companies specialized in marketing of agricultural products, which represent all the product lines , and that allow the participation of all producers and their associations, as partners. The proposed marketing system involves the local and regional and could help large groups of farmers to achieve purchase guarantees and fair prices for their products, through organizations with high volume of operations, which allows them to be competitive and financially sustainable in the time.

Resumo Introdução: este artigo apresenta uma proposta sobre melhorar o sistema de comercialização de produtos camponeses, derivado de resultados de pesquisas. Objetivo: estabelecer uma aproximação a um sistema de marketing associativo para produtores agrícolas de pequenos e médios produtores. Materiais e métodos: com base na pesquisa realizada com produtores do leste de Antioquia (Acevedo y Palacio, 2012) e a experiência com camponeses de outros municípios do departamento de Antioquia, foi feita uma proposta para abordar um sistema associativo de comercialização de produtos de pequenos e médios produtores. Resultados: Após todo o trabalho de campo e interação com os produtores, pode-se constatar que existem más práticas de comercialização, uma vez que múltiplos fatores como intermediários e transporte interferem na formação dos preços dos produtos. Conclusões: as dificuldades enfrentadas pelos agricultores de pequena e média escala e garantindo este tipo de proposta, são baseadas em como comercializar os seus produtos, evitando viagens dispendiosas e frete, e ter que lidar com atacadistas, que alguns consideram desrespeitoso, dominante e abusadores. Esta circunstância leva-os a vender para colecionadores das veredas, ou para intermediários nas praças das cidades, onde negociam a preços muito baixos. Este sistema de vendas, centrado em praças municipais e grandes centros de abastecimento, onde o agricultor tem uma grande desvantagem competitiva, é o dominante na Colômbia e em muitos outros países. Acevedo e Palace (2013), concluir em suas pesquisas, para superar as fragilidades dos agricultores na compra de insumos e comercialização dos seus produtos, é necessário desenvolver especializado empresas cooperativas comercialização de produtos agrícolas, representando todas as linhas de produtos , e que permitem a participação de todos os produtores e suas associações, como parceiros. A comercialização do sistema proposto envolve local e regional, e poderia ajudar grandes grupos de agricultores para atingir garantia de compra e preços justos para os seus produtos, através de organizações com operações de alto volume, o que lhes permite ser competitivos e financeiramente sustentável no tempo.

Genomic diversity of prevalent Staphylococcus epidermidis multidrug-resistant strains isolated from a Children's Hospital in México City in an eight-years survey.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a human commensal and pathogen worldwide distributed. In this work, we surveyed for multi-resistant S. epidermidis strains in eight years at a children's health-care unit in México City. Multidrug-resistant S. epidermidis were present in all years of the study, including resistance to methicillin, beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides. To understand the genetic basis of antibiotic resistance and its association with virulence and gene exchange, we sequenced the genomes of 17 S. epidermidis isolates. Whole-genome nucleotide identities between all the pairs of S. epidermidis strains were about 97% to 99%. We inferred a clonal structure and eight Multilocus Sequence Types (MLSTs) in the S. epidermidis sequenced collection. The profile of virulence includes genes involved in biofilm formation and phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs). Half of the S. epidermidis analyzed lacked the ica operon for biofilm formation. Likely, they are commensal S. epidermidis strains but multi-antibiotic resistant. Uneven distribution of insertion sequences, phages, and CRISPR-Cas immunity phage systems suggest frequent horizontal gene transfer. Rates of recombination between S. epidermidis strains were more prevalent than the mutation rate and affected the whole genome. Therefore, the multidrug resistance, independently of the pathogenic traits, might explain the persistence of specific highly adapted S. epidermidis clonal lineages in nosocomial settings.

Real-world observational experience with direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C: baseline resistance, efficacy, and need for long-term surveillance.

The aim of this study was to obtain real-world, US, observational data on the effect of baseline resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) on achieving sustained virologic response (SVR) in hepatitis C (HCV) patients treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens; the need for long-term follow-up in post-SVR patients.It is uncertain if the presence of RASs limits efficacy to DAAs. Once SVR is achieved, society guidelines recommend long-term surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma in certain patients. Real-world data are limited on these topics.Adult patients treated with DAAs at community hepatitis clinics between January 2015 and April 2017 were included in this study. Baseline resistance testing was performed before treatment. Per guidelines, post-SVR long-term monitoring was required in patients with F3 to F4 fibrosis before treatment or with elevated ALT levels (>19 U/L females; >30 U/L males).A total of 875 chronic, mostly GT1a (60%) HCV patients were treated with an approved DAA regimen. Average baseline AST and ALT were 75 and 67 U/L, respectively, and 47% had F3 to F4 fibrosis at baseline. SVR was achieved in 863 (98.6%) patients despite a high presence of baseline RASs (61%). Long-term monitoring was required post-SVR in 539 patients (62%).In a real-life, US cohort of HCV-infected patients, nearly all patients achieved SVR with available DAA regimens regardless of baseline RASs. Approximately two-thirds of these patients required long-term follow-up, despite viral eradication.

Decisiones estratégicas de operaciones en la producción sostenible: análisis de tendencias en investigación / Strategic operations decisions on sustainable production: analysis of research trends / Decisões de operações estratégicas em produção sustentável: análise de tendências em pesquisa

Resumen Los cambios en normatividad y acceso a recursos naturales permiten repensar el proceso de toma de decisiones sobre métodos de producción sostenibles, sin alterar estabilidad y posición competitiva en las organizaciones. Como metodología se realizó un estudio bibliométrico para 576 documentos recuperados de la base de datos Scopus, a fin de comprender tendencias en investigación. A partir de Ley de Lotka y Ley de Pareto se desarrollaron indicadores de calidad, cantidad y estructura. Los resultados exhiben como tendencias de investigación futura: Life Cycle Assessment, plantas de producción sostenibles, análisis de riesgo en producción, green manufacturing y gestión sostenible en proveedores.

Abstract Changes in regulations and access to natural resources allow us to rethink the decision-making process regarding sustainable production methods without altering the stability and competitive advantage of organizations. As methodology, a bibliometric study was carried out for 576 documents retrieved from the Scopus database in order to understand trends in research. Lotka Law and Pareto Law were used to build quality, quantity and structure indicators. The results show as future research the following trends: Life Cycle Assessment, sustainable production plants, risk analysis in production, green manufacturing and sustainable management in suppliers.

Resumo As mudanças na normatividade e acesso aos recursos naturais permitem repensar o processo de toma de decisões sob métodos de produção sustentáveis, sem alterar a estabilidade e vantagem competitiva nas organizações. Como metodologia realizouse um estudo bibliométrico para 576 documentos recuperados da base de dados Scopus, com o fim de compreender tendências na pesquisa. A partir da Lei do Lotka e a Lei do Pareto desenvolveram-se indicadores de qualidade, quantidade e estrutura. Os resultados amostram como tendências da futura pesquisa: Life Cycle Assessment, usinas de produção sustentáveis, análises de risco em produção, green manufacturing e gestão sustentável em fornecedores.

Whole sequence of the mitochondrial DNA genome of Kearns Sayre Syndrome patients: Identification of deletions and variants.

Mitochondria both produce the energy of the cell as ATP via respiration and regulate cellular metabolism. Accordingly, any deletion or mutation in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) may result in a disease. One of these diseases is Kearns Sayre syndrome (KSS), described for the first time in 1958, where different large-scale deletions of different sizes and at different positions have been reported in the mitochondrial genome of patients with similar clinical symptoms. In this study, sequences of the mitochondrial genome of three patients with clinic features of KSS were analyzed. Our results revealed the position, heteroplasmy percentage, size of deletions, and their haplogroups. Two patients contained deletions reported previously and one patient showed a new deletion not reported previously. These results display for the first time a systematic analysis of mtDNA variants in the whole mtDNA genome of patients with KSS to help to understand their association with the disease.

Lyme Neuroborreliosis is a Severe and Frequent Neurological Disease in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical cases with neurological manifestations associated with Borrelia burgdorferi infection in a large cohort of children and adults from Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with neurological manifestation (cranial neuritis, radiculoneuritis, meningitis and encephalomyelitis) were recruited in one pediatric and two general hospitals, during January 2006-December 2015. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were drawn from each patient at inclusion. IgM and IgG antibodies against B. burgdorferi were detected using a commercial ELISA test, and confirmed by Western-Blot test (WB) using three different antigens from Borrelia burgdorferi complex. Following CDC criteria were considered true cases with both positive tests. RESULTS: Of 606 patients recruited, 403 (66.5%) were adults and 203 (33.4%) children, 50.5% were male. B. burgdorferi infection was diagnosed in 168 patients (27.7%), 97 adults, mean age 42 ± 14.7 years and 71 children, mean age 9.6 ± 5 years; early disseminated disease occurred in 130 cases (77.4 %) and chronic stage in 38 (22.6 %). A previous tick bite was reported by 21% cases, and 5% recalled an erythema migrans lesion. Polyradiculoneuropathy and encephalomyelitis were the most common manifestations, whereas 14.8% presented an initial Guillain-Barré Syndrome. B. burgdorferi sensu stricto was identified in 142 (84%) cases, B. garinii in 14 (8%), B. afzelii in three, and nine cases presented coinfection with two species. CONCLUSION: Lyme neuroborreliosis is a frequent condition in patients with neurological diseases in Mexico.

Persistent Taenia solium Cysticercosis In the State of Morelos, Mexico: Human and Porcine Seroprevalence.

Serological tests are needed to estimate the prevalence of Taenia solium cysticercosis in endemic rural areas. The predictive value of serum antibody levels to diagnose porcine cysticercosis and human neurocysticercosis (NC) was herein assessed by ELISA using serum samples from 247 backyard pigs (141 without cysticercosis and 106 with cysticercosis) and 183 human subjects (116 non-NC subjects and 67 NC patients) in central Mexico diagnosed by necropsy and computed tomography, respectively. A sensitivity of 77.3 and 92.5% and a specificity of 88.6 and 100% were found to diagnose porcine and human cysticercosis, respectively. The prevalence of porcine and human cysticercosis in the state of Morelos was estimated by ELISA. Anti-cysticercal antibodies were found in 8.4 and 19.02% of assayed sera from 1,811 humans and 804 pigs, respectively. Marginalization and living in the eastern region were risk factors for humans, whereas free-roaming, medium marginalization levels and living in Sierra de Huautla were risk factors for pigs. These results clearly evidence the persistence of cysticercosis transmission and neurocysticercosis in a region neighboring Mexico City, pointing out the need to apply effective measures already available for its control.

Successional convergence in experimentally disturbed intertidal communities.

Determining the causes of variation in community assembly is a central question in ecology. Analysis of ß-diversity can provide insight by relating the extent of regional to local variation in diversity, allowing inference of the relative importance of deterministic versus stochastic processes. We investigated the effects of disturbance timing on community assembly at three distinct regions with varying environmental conditions: Northern Portugal, Azores and Canaries. On the lower rocky intertidal, quadrats were experimentally cleared of biota at three distinct times of the year and community assembly followed for 1 year. Similar levels of α- and γ-diversity were found in all regions, which remained constant throughout succession. When Jaccard (incidence-based) and Bray-Curtis (abundance-based) metrics were used, ß-diversity (the mean dissimilarity among plots cleared at the different times) was larger during early stages of community assembly but decreased over time. The adaptation of the Raup-Crick's metric, which accounts for changes in species richness, showed that the structure of assemblages disturbed at different times of the year was similar to the null model of random community assembly during early stages of succession but became more similar than expected by chance. This pattern was observed in all regions despite differences in the regional species pool, suggesting that priority effects are likely weak and deterministic processes determine community structure despite stochasticity during early stages of community assembly.

Human Metapneumovirus Infection in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Impact of Glucocorticosteroids and Interferon.

Background: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection is implicated in exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Research into the pathogenesis of infection is restricted to animal models, and information about hMPV replication and inflammatory and immune responses in human disease is limited. Methods: Human primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) from healthy and asthmatic subjects and those with COPD were infected with hMPV, with or without glucocorticosteroid (GCS) exposure. Viral replication, inflammatory and immune responses, and apoptosis were analyzed. We also determined whether adjuvant interferon (IFN) can blunt hMPV infection in vitro and in a murine model. Results: hMPV infected human PBECs and viral replication was enhanced in cells from patients with COPD. The virus induced gene expression of IFN-stimulated gene 56 (ISG56) and IFN-ß, as well as IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and more so in cells from patients with COPD. GCS exposure enhanced hMPV replication despite increased IFN expression. Augmented virus replication associated with GCS was mediated by reduced apoptosis via induction of antiapoptotic genes. Adjuvant IFN treatment suppressed hMPV replication in PBECs and reduced hMPV viral titers and inflammation in vivo. Conclusions: hMPV infects human PBECs, eliciting innate and inflammatory responses. Replication is enhanced by GCS and adjuvant IFN is an effective treatment, restricting virus replication and proinflammatory consequences of hMPV infections.

Fractura de cadera en el adulto mayor: la epidemia ignorada en el Perú / Hip fracture in elderly: the epidemic ignored in Peru

Conocer el tiempo de espera para la instauración del tratamiento quirúrgico en pacientes de un hospital de tercer nivel de atención de Lima-Perú, para luego describir los factores médicos y/o administrativos que se encuentren vinculados al tiempo preoperatorio prolongado y describir las complicaciones más frecuentes durante ese tiempo. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio de tipo descriptivo û retrospectivo durante el primer semestre del 2013. Se midió los tiempos preoperatorios, complicaciones, seguro médico, antecedentes patológicos, características de la cirugía en pacientes hospitalizados con fractura de cadera. Resultados: El 71% de pacientes fue de sexo femenino. La mediana de edad fue de 66 años. El 70% de pacientes recibió tratamiento quirúrgico con una mediana del tiempo preoperatorio de 18 días. El 77% tuvo antecedentes patológicos al ingreso, la mayoría por anemia, hipertensión arterial o diabetes mellitus tipo 2. El 62% tuvo complicaciones médicas. Los pacientes con tratamiento quirúrgico tuvieron menos porcentaje de complicaciones (47%) que los que no recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico (94%), así como menos estancia hospitalaria. La mediana de estancia hospitalaria en los pacientes con tratamiento quirúrgico fue de 26 días y la de los que no recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico fue 41 días. Conclusiones: El tiempo preoperatorio fue mayor a las 2 semanas en la mayoría de los casos, especialmente en los pacientes de mayor edad y usuarios del Seguro Integral de Salud...

Know the waiting time for the establishment of surgical treatment in patients of a third level attention hospital in Lima-Peru for the later description of medical and/or administrative factors that are linked to a prolonged preoperative time and description of the most common complications during that time. Materials and Methods: Descriptive-retrospective study during first semester of 2013. Preoperative times, medical complications, medical assurance, pathological background, surgery characteristics in patients hospitalized for hip fracture were assessed. Results: 71% of the patients were women. The median of age was of 66 years old. 70% of the patients received surgical treatment with a preoperative time of 18 days. 76.9% had a pathological background at the admission, mostly anemia, arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. 62% had medical complications. Post-surgery patients had a smaller percentage of complications (47%) than the non-surgery patients (94%), as well as a smaller hospitalization rate. The median of hospitalization on surgery patients was of 26 days and on non-surgery patients was of 41 days. Conclusions: The preoperative time was higher than 2 weeks in most of cases, especially on elderly patients and SIS users...