Lost life expectancy following a hypothetical urban radiological incident.

The consequences of mass radiological events, particularly those involving the activation of a radiological dispersion device (RDD), have been extensively studied by scientific groups. However, the critical initial period of such an event, usually spanning the first 100 h, can be characterized by a scarcity of information, potentially leading to delays in mitigating strategies. In response, a research group utilized computer simulations to generate solid, conservative analytical details that can aid decision-making and guide the prioritization of initial care based on variables such as age, sex, location, and local atmospheric stability conditions. The study estimates the Lost Life Expectancy (LLE) and provides relevant information to increase support for decision-making and allow evaluation of data closer to the lay public. The research team behind the study has been granted funding by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and further simulations will be conducted utilizing codes that implement numerical models, specifically in atmospheric data forecasting. The methodology used to evaluate the LLE can be applied to any location, provided that the relevant variables are updated accordingly. Overall, this study offers critical insights into the impact of mass radiological events and enhances simulations' predictive capacity and precision.

Rock n' Seeds: A database of seed functional traits and germination experiments from Brazilian rock outcrop vegetation.

Advancing functional ecology depends fundamentally on the availability of data on reproductive traits, including those from tropical plants, which have been historically underrepresented in global trait databases. Although some valuable databases have been created recently, they are mainly restricted to temperate areas and vegetative traits such as leaf and wood traits. Here, we present Rock n' Seeds, a database of seed functional traits and germination experiments from Brazilian rock outcrop vegetation, recognized as outstanding centers of diversity and endemism. Data were compiled through a systematic literature search, resulting in 103 publications from which seed functional traits were extracted. The database includes information on 16 functional traits for 383 taxa from 148 genera, 50 families, and 25 orders. These 16 traits include two dispersal, six production, four morphological, two biophysical, and two germination traits-the major axes of the seed ecological spectrum. The database also provides raw data for 48 germination experiments, for a total of 10,187 records for 281 taxa. Germination experiments in the database assessed the effect of a wide range of abiotic and biotic factors on germination and different dormancy-breaking treatments. Notably, 8255 of these records include daily germination counts. This input will facilitate synthesizing germination data and using this database for a myriad of ecological questions. Given the variety of seed traits and the extensive germination information made available by this database, we expect it to be a valuable resource advancing comparative functional ecology and guiding seed-based restoration and biodiversity conservation in tropical megadiverse ecosystems. There are no copyright restrictions on the data; please cite this paper when using the current data in publications; also the authors would appreciate notification of how the data are used in publications.

O avanço da ecologia funcional depende fundamentalmente da disponibilidade de dados sobre traços reprodutivos, incluindo dados de plantas tropicais, que têm sido historicamente subrepresentados em bancos de dados de traços funcionais globais. Embora alguns bancos de dados valiosos tenham sido criados recentemente, eles são restritos principalmente a áreas temperadas e a traços vegetativos, como traços de folhas e madeira. Neste artigo apresentamos Rock n' Seeds, um banco de dados de traços funcionais de sementes e experimentos de germinação de vegetações associadas a afloramentos rochosos do Brasil, os quais são reconhecidos como centros notáveis de diversidade e endemismo. Os dados foram compilados através de uma revisão sistemática na literatura, resultando em 103 publicações das quais foram extraídos os traços funcionais das sementes. O banco de dados inclui informações de 16 traços funcionais para 383 taxa de 148 gêneros, 50 famílias e 25 ordens. Estes dezesseis traços incluem dois traços de dispersão, seis de produção, quatro morfológicos, dois biofísicos e dois germinativos; os eixos principais do espectro ecológico da semente. O banco de dados também fornece os dados brutos para 48 experimentos de germinação para um total de 10.187 registros para 281 taxa. Os experimentos de germinação no banco de dados avaliaram o efeito de uma ampla gama de fatores abióticos e bióticos sobre a germinação e diferentes tratamentos de quebra de dormência. Particularmente, 8.255 desses registros incluem a contagem diária da germinação. Estas informações facilitarão a síntese de dados de germinação e a utilização deste banco de dados para uma grande variedade de questões ecológicas. Dada a variedade de traços das sementes e as amplas informações sobre germinação disponibilizadas por este banco de dados, esperamos que ele seja um recurso valioso para o avanço da ecologia funcional comparativa e para orientar a restauração baseada em sementes e a conservação da biodiversidade em ecossistemas tropicais megadiversos. Não há restrições de direitos autorais sobre os dados; favor citar este artigo ao utilizar os dados nas publicações e os autores agradeceriam uma notificação de como os dados são utilizados nas publicações.

El avance de la ecología funcional depende fundamentalmente de la disponibilidad de datos sobre rasgos reproductivos-incluyendo los de las plantas tropicales-los cuales han estado poco representados en las bases de datos globales de rasgos. Aunque recientemente se han creado algunas bases de datos valiosas, estas se encuentran restringidas principalmente a las zonas templadas y a los rasgos vegetativos, como los de las hojas y la madera. En este artículo presentamos Rock n' Seeds, una base de datos de rasgos funcionales de semillas y experimentos de germinación de la vegetación asociada a afloramientos rocosos de Brasil, los cuales son destacados centros de diversidad y endemismo. Los datos se recopilaron mediante una búsqueda bibliográfica sistemática, que dio como resultado 103 publicaciones de las que se extrajeron los rasgos funcionales de las semillas. La base de datos incluye información de dieciséis rasgos funcionales para 383 taxones de 148 géneros, 50 familias y 25 órdenes. Estos rasgos incluyen dos rasgos de dispersión, seis de producción, cuatro morfológicos, dos biofísicos y dos de germinación; siendo estos los principales ejes del espectro ecológico de las semillas. La base de datos también proporciona los datos brutos de 48 experimentos de germinación, para un total de 10.187 registros de 281 taxones. Dichos experimentos de germinación evaluaron el efecto de una amplia gama de factores abióticos y bióticos sobre la germinación y de diferentes tratamientos para romper la dormancia. En particular, 8.255 de estos registros cuentan con conteos diarios de germinación. Esto facilitará la síntesis de los datos de germinación y el uso de esta base de datos para una gran diversidad de preguntas ecológicas. Dada la variedad de rasgos de las semillas y la amplia información sobre germinación que ofrece esta base de datos, esperamos que sea un recurso valioso para el avance de la ecología funcional comparativa y para orientar la restauración basada en semillas y la conservación de la biodiversidad en ecosistemas tropicales megadiversos. No hay restricciones de derechos de autor sobre los datos; se solicita citar este documento cuando se utilicen los datos en publicaciones y los autores agradecerán ser notificados sobre cómo se utilizan los datos en las publicaciones.

First report and risk of infection of Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1761) in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis - Linnaeus, 1758) in Mexico.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk of Fasciola hepatica infection in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during peripartum in southeastern Mexico. An observational study was designed, in which 94 pregnant buffalo cows near calving and naturally exposed to F. hepatica were included. Farm visits were made on days 60, 30, 15 prepartum, at calving, and on days 15 and 30 postpartum. Feces were obtained from all animals to confirm the presence of F. hepatica eggs. A group of 49 animals was randomly treated twice at day 60 prepartum and at calving with nitroxynil and the other group (n = 45) was kept untreated. Buffaloes would be treated once presenting a positive coproparasitological diagnosis up to 30 days postpartum. F. hepatica was detected in 5.3% of the buffaloes (5/94) with a prevalence between 1.7 and 12%. It was observed that treated buffaloes had a lower risk (4.08%) of being positive than untreated buffaloes (6.67%) (P > 0.05). It was also found that untreated animals had 1.6 times more risk of being positive than treated buffaloes. This paper presents the first report of F. hepatica in water buffaloes in Mexico, demonstrating that the two preventive treatments reduced F. hepatica egg shedding during parturition. These findings highlight the need for monitoring for F. hepatica even in unreported/silent potential disease areas.

Presence of incomplete superficial axillary arch and pectoralis quartus muscle in one male body / Presencia en un individuo de un arco axilar superficial incompleto y de un músculo pectoral cuarto

SUMMARY: The anatomical variations of the pectoralis major muscle (PMM) and latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) range from agenesis to the presence of supernumerary fascicles with a variety of insertions and relationships with the muscles, fascia, vessels, nerves and skeletal components of the shoulder girdle and the axilla. Many of these variations are clinically irrelevant, but extremely interesting and revealing from the perspective of comparative anatomy, ontogeny, and phylogeny. In this report, we present two different supernumerary muscles in the chest of one adult male body, identified during dissection practice of undergraduate medical students at Universidad Surcolombiana. These supernumerary fascicles in the axillary region were caudal to the lower edge of the PMM on the right side of the chest, and in contact with the anterior edge of the LDM on the left side of the chest; each fascicle was inserted in the ipsilateral coracoid process. These observations are congruent with the pectoralis quartus muscle and an incomplete and superficial axillary arch, respectively.

RESUMEN: Las variaciones anatómicas del músculo pectoral mayor (MPM) y del músculo latísimo del dorso (MLD) van desde la agenesia hasta la presencia de fascículos supernumerarios con una variedad de inserciones y relaciones con los músculos, fascias, vasos, nervios y componentes esqueléticos de la cintura escapular y la axila. Clínicamente, muchas de las variaciones son irrelevantes, pero extremadamente interesantes y reveladoras desde la perspectiva de la anatomía comparada, la ontogenia y la filogenia. En este estudio, presentamos dos músculos supernumerarios diferentes en la pared torácica de un hombre adulto, identificados durante la práctica de disección de estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad Surcolombiana. Estos fascículos supernumerarios en la región axilar estaban caudales al margen inferior del MPM en el lado derecho del tórax y en contacto con el margen anterior del MLD en el lado izquierdo del tórax; cada fascículo se insertaba en el proceso coracoides ipsilateral. Estas observaciones son congruentes con el músculo pectoral cuarto y un arco axilar incompleto y superficial, respectivamente.

Making Sense of Chagas Disease among Mexican Immigrants in California.

Mexican immigrants are affected by Chagas disease (CD) in California. It is through the representation of Chagas as a rare disease that participants make sense of the disease. A positive diagnosis has meant the disruption of patients' sense of normality and self-image, as well as their memories of homeland both reproducing and challenging hegemonic and stigmatized ideas of the disease associated with rurality and poverty. Access to treatment and medical care was the major coping mechanism. Health programs on CD should consider the emotional and social impact of the disease on people's self-perceptions to develop better medical care and prevention.

Potentially probiotic or postbiotic pre-converted nitrite from celery produced by an axenic culture system with probiotic lacticaseibacilli strain.

The present study evaluated the use of the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DTA-83 as a nitrite-reducing agent to produce potentially probiotic or postbiotic pre-converted nitrite from celery. The results obtained were compared to those achieved by direct addition of sodium nitrite for the typical reddish color formation in cooked pork sausages and the inhibitory potential against the growth of target microorganisms, including the clostridia group. Regarding the sausages color, similar findings were observed when comparing the use of pre-converted nitrite from celery produced by L. paracasei DTA-83 and the direct addition of sodium nitrite. Additionally, it presented an inhibitory effect against Salmonella spp., which was not observed with the direct addition of nitrite, revealing a potential strategy to control salmonellosis in the matrix. However, a non-equivalent preservative effect against Clostridium perfringens (INCQS 215) was determined. The results highlight a promising alternative to produce probiotic or postbiotic meat ingredients; however, further studies should be conducted to investigate doses that achieve microbial control.

Age determination in subadults using histological analysis of bones / Determinación de la edad en subadultos usando análisis histológico de los huesos

Abstract Introduction: According to the literature, the amount of osteons has been suggested as a good proxy to determine the age of death in adults. However in subadults research has not been carried out yet. Objective: To determine the accuracy of the histomorphometric technique predicting the age at death in subadults using bone remains. Methodology: The information of static histomorphometric parameters from about 120 iliac bones retrieved from the exhumed remains of subadults whose age at death was known was taken from the Granada collection. In order to predict the age at death we performed a step by step linear regression to estimate the fittest model. Results: The most closely and significantly associated biopsy findings with age were: the osteon count, the internal cortical width, and the trabecular bone volume. Pearson's correlation index indicated a weak linear association among these variables. To assess the accuracy of the model we used a coefficient of determination with a 0.32 value. 32% of the age variation in the subadults was explained by the three variables. Conclusion: This regression model explains a percentage of the total age variation in the subadult population. However this model is not enough to determine the age at death.

Resumen Introducción: La capacidad de predicción de las osteonas para determinar la edad de muerte de los individuos ha sido descrito en la literatura científica. No obstante, no se ha determinado dicha capacidad en individuos subadultos. Objetivo: Determinar la eficacia de lo parámetros histomorfometricos en población subadulta. Metodología: Se realizaron biopsias de hueso ilíaco en los restos de 120 subadultos, de la Colección Osteológica de Granada, con edad conocida en el momento de la muerte. Para establecer la capacidad de predicción se utilizó el R2 obtenido a partir de regresión lineal múltiple. Resultados: Las variables con mayor nivel predictivo y significativo para la estimación de la edad fueron: recuento de osteonas tipo 2 de la cortical interna y externa, y el volumen óseo trabecular; En la evaluación del modelo, se obtuvo un coeficiente de determinación de 0.32, es decir, el 32% de la variación en la edad de los subadultos se explica por el modelo. Sin embargo, se evidenció diferencias en la capacidad de predicción por sexo. Conclusión: Este modelo de regresión explica un porcentaje sustancial de la varianza de la edad de los individuos en la muestra. No obstante, no es suficiente para garantizar una adecuada predicción de la edad al momento de muerte de los individuos subdultos.

Earthworms to improve glyphosate degradation in biobeds.

In this work, earthworm effect on the efficiency of biobeds for glyphosate degradation was studied. Three biomixtures with and without the addition of earthworms (Eisenia fetida species) were evaluated. The initial concentration of glyphosate was 1000 mg/kg biomixture. Glyphosate and biological parameters were measured as a function of time. Earthworm survival, biomass, and reproduction were evaluated as well. All biomixtures that contain earthworms reached 90% of glyphosate degradation at 90 days in comparison with the biomixtures without earthworms that reached 80% approximately at the same time. Also, within the biomixtures that contained earthworms, glyphosate degradation rate was significantly higher in the one made up with soil and wheat stubble (Ws-E) showing excellent capacity for aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) degradation, the main metabolite of glyphosate degradation. In addition, a study performed after the vermiremediation process showed that E. fetida can tolerate high glyphosate concentration without modifications in its life traits. It can be concluded that the use of E. fetida within the biobeds is an excellent combination to improve glyphosate and AMPA removal.

Assessing the effectiveness of an online dental pharmacology course.

OBJECTIVES: Undergraduate dentistry students in their final year often lack the knowledge and confidence required to prescribe oral health medications. Online courses could help to solve this problem through augmenting traditional teaching methods. This study assessed the effectiveness of a non-curricular, online, clinical case-based dental pharmacology course designed to improve medication management in senior dentistry students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study developed and implemented an online dental pharmacotherapy course for 287 dentistry students in Mexico. Pre- and post-course tests evaluated knowledge acquisition, and a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was administered to 238 participants to evaluate the course's content and educational strategies. RESULTS: Mean knowledge scores significantly increased from pre- (5.5 ± 1.6) to post-test (9.1 ± 1.3, P < 0.001). Participants reported a high satisfaction level (70.2%) with the course content and materials, educational techniques, and instructors. CONCLUSION: These findings support the use of online, clinically based dental pharmacotherapy courses, in conjunction with traditional teaching methods, as a viable strategy for effectively educating dentistry students.

Comparison of Team-Based Learning versus Traditional Lectures in Neuroanatomy: Medical Student Knowledge and Satisfaction.

Neuroanatomy is often considered a difficult subject to teach, due to its broad scope, multitude of terms, and high degree of complexity. Thus, newer educational strategies that facilitate learning while also stimulating students by allowing increased student autonomy and group discussions should be carefully considered. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of introducing team-based learning (TBL) in the traditional discipline of neuroanatomy and to measure student knowledge acquisition and perception relative to traditional lectures (TL). A quasi-experimental, nonrandomized study was performed using two consecutive TBL classes (intervention group, n = 157 students, 25% content using TBL) with a TL class (control group, n = 76). Team-based learning sessions included all stages according to the classic description of the method. Student knowledge acquisition was assessed in regularly scheduled tests during the discipline, and their perception regarding TBL was evaluated using a questionnaire (developed by the authors). The groups presented a similar sociodemographic profile (sex and age) and the same performance in another anatomy discipline before the study. Team-based learning was significantly associated with greater acceptance, higher motivation, better student perception, and feelings that the methodology was able to integrate clinical and basic sciences. Nevertheless, according to tests, knowledge acquisition was similar between the TBL and lectures. In conclusion, since TBL is comparable to TL for knowledge acquisition, TBL seems to be a promising strategy to improve the teaching of neuroanatomy in medical schools. It fosters group discussions and increases satisfaction and the perception of integration between clinical and basic sciences.

Common mental disorder is associated with periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: This research evaluated the association between exposure to common mental disorder (CMD) and the presence of periodontitis. BACKGROUND: Common mental disorder is characterized by the presence of irritation, fatigue, insomnia, forgetfulness, decreased ability to concentrate, anxiety, and depression. It has been associated with several diseases; however, there are few studies that have associated it with periodontitis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 621 individuals. Data collection involved the application of a general questionnaire and the self-reporting questionnaire for diagnosis of CMD. The diagnosis of periodontitis involved a full mouth periodontal examination using: clinical attachment level, probing depth, and bleeding on probing. Prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals between CMD (exposure) and periodontitis (outcome) were obtained. RESULTS: In the final sample, 38.16% (237) of the individuals were classified with CMD. Among these, 28.27% (67) had periodontitis. Association measurements showed that the occurrence of periodontitis among those exposed to CMD is approximately 50% higher than in those without this mental condition, with statistical significance, after adjustment for age, sex, family income, current smoking habit, alcohol beverage consumption, and cardiovascular disease (PRadjusted  = 1.54, 95% CI: [1.13 to 2.10]). CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed a positive association between exposure to CMD and periodontitis, revealing the importance of broadening public actions targeting mental health, which seems to be related to oral health, mainly due to the high frequency of the diseases in the studied sample.

Silver nanoparticles enhance survival of white spot syndrome virus infected Penaeus vannamei shrimps by activation of its immunological system.

The global aquaculture has shown an impressive growth in the last decades contributing with a major part of total food fish supply. However, it also helps in the spread of diseases that in turn, causes great economic losses. The White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) is one of the major viral pathogen for the shrimp aquaculture industry. Several attempts to eliminate the virus in the shrimp have been addressed without achieving a long-term effectiveness. In this work, we determine the capacity of the commercial non-toxic PVP-coated silver nanoparticles to promote the response of the immune system of WSSV-infected shrimps with or without an excess of iron ions. Our results showed that a single dose of metallic silver in the nanomolar range (111 nmol/shrimp), which is equivalent to 12 ng/mL of silver nanoparticles, produces 20% survival of treated infected shrimps. The same concentration administered in healthy shrimps do not show histological evidence of damage. The observed survival rate could be associated with the increase of almost 2-fold of LGBP expression levels compared with non-treated infected shrimps. LGBP is a key gene of shrimp immunological response and its up-regulation is most probably induced by the recognition of silver nanoparticles coating by specific pathogen-associated molecular pattern recognition proteins (PAMPs) of shrimp. Increased LGBP expression levels was observed even with a 10-fold lower dose of silver nanoparticles (1.2 ng/shrimp, 0.011 nmol of metallic silver/shrimp). The increase in LGBP expression levels was also observed even in the presence of iron ion excess, a condition that favors virus proliferation. Those results showed that a single dose of a slight amount of silver nanoparticles were capable to enhance the response of shrimp immune system without toxic effects in healthy shrimps. This response could be enhanced by administration of other doses and might represent an important alternative for the treatment of a disease that has still no cure, white spot syndrome virus.

Earthworms to assess the innocuousness of spent biomixtures employed for glyphosate degradation.

In this study, the innocuousness of different biomixtures employed for glyphosate degradation was tested through Eisenia fetida earthworms. Eight biomixtures were prepared with local materials: alfalfa straw (AS), wheat stubble (WS), river waste (RW) and two different soils (A and B). Each biomixture was divided into two equal portions: one without glyphosate application (control substrate) and the other was sprayed with a commercial glyphosate formulation of 1,000 mg glyphosate a.i. kg-1 biomixture (applied substrate). The bioassay started when all sprayed biomixtures reached high percentages of glyphosate degradation (spent biomixtures). Three parameters were studied: survival, adults and juveniles biomass and reproduction. The results allowed the identification of three biomixtures (AWS, BWS and BWSRW) for good maintenance and development of E. fetida. In addition, at the end of the bioassay two of the viable biomixtures (AWS and BWS) showed the highest performance of juvenile earthworms compared to a reference soil. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that the biomixtures containing high silt and clay percentages and minor density renders higher values of earthworm growth and reproduction. Therefore, these innocuous biomixtures can be used as organic amendments or recycled materials for new treatments on biobeds.

Safflower oil: an integrated assessment of phytochemistry, antiulcerogenic activity, and rodent and environmental toxicity

Gastric ulcers are a significant medical problem and the development of complications lead to significant mortality rates worldwide. In Brazil, Carthamus tinctorius L., Asteraceae, seeds essential oil, the safflower oil, is currently used as a thermogenic compound and as treatment for problems related to the cardiovascular system. In this study, by Raman spectroscopy, it was shown that oleic and linoleic acids are the compounds present in higher concentrations in the safflower oil. We demonstrated that safflower oil (750 mg/kg, p.o.) decrease the ulcerogenic lesions in mice after the administration of hydrochloric acid-ethanol. The gastric ulcers induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in mice treated with cholinomimetics were treated with four different doses of safflower oil, of which, the dose of 187.5 mg/kg (p.o.) showed significant antiulcerogenic properties (**p < 0.01). Moreover, the safflower oil at doses of 187.5 mg/kg (i.d.) increased the pH levels, gastric volume (**p < 0.01) and gastric mucus production (***p < 0.001), and decreased the total gastric acid secretion (***p < 0.001). The acute toxicity tests showed that safflower oil (5.000 mg/kg, p.o.) had no effect on mortality or any other physiological parameter. Ecotoxicological tests performed using Daphnia similis showed an EC50 at 223.17 mg/l, and therefore safflower oil can be considered “non-toxic” based on the directive 93/67/EEC on risk assessment for new notified substances by European legislation. These results indicate that the antiulcer activity of Safflower oil may be due to cytoprotective effects, which serve as support for new scientific studies related to this pathology.

Seroprevalence and modifiable risk factors for Toxocara spp. in Brazilian schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Toxocariasis is a worldwide helminthic zoonosis caused by infection with the larvae of the ascarid worms that comprise the Toxocara spp. Children are particularly prone to infection because they are exposed to the eggs in sandboxes and playgrounds contaminated with dog and cat feces. Certain behaviors, such as a geophagy habit, poor personal hygiene, a lack of parental supervision, close contact with young dogs, and ingestion of raw meat, as well as gender, age, and socioeconomic status, affect the prevalence of the disease. However, previous studies of the risk factors for toxocariasis have generally produced inconsistent results. An epidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence of IgG anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies and associated factors in schoolchildren from a region in the southeast of Brazil. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A total of 252 schoolchildren aged 1 to 12 years (120 males and 132 females) were assessed. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on Toxocara canis larval excretory-secretory antigens was used to determine outcomes. A questionnaire was used to collect information on children, family, and home characteristics. Clinical and laboratory data completed the dataset investigated in this study. Seroprevalence was 15.5% (95%CI 11.5-19.8). Geophagy (aPR 2.38 [95%CI 1.36-4.18], p-value 0.029) and the habit of hand washing before meals (aPR 0.04 [95%CI 0.01-0.11], p-value ≤ 0.001) were factors associated with increased and decreased seroprevalence, respectively. The income factor and its related variables lost statistical significance after adjustment with a multiple Poisson regression model. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The current study confirms that toxocariasis is a public health problem in the evaluated area; modifiable factors such as soil contact and personal hygiene appear to have a greater influence on the acquisition of infection than sociodemographic attributes, thus representing direct targets for disease prevention and control.

The effect of a minor constituent of essential oil from Citrus aurantium: the role of ß-myrcene in preventing peptic ulcer disease.

The monoterpene ß-myrcene has been widely used in cosmetics, food and beverages, and it is normally found in essential oil from citrus fruit. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-ulcer effects of ß-myrcene on experimental models of ulcers that are induced by ethanol, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), stress, Helicobacter pylori, ischaemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) and cysteamine in order to compare with the essential oil of Citrus aurantium and its major compound limonene. The results indicate that the oral administration of ß-myrcene at a dose of 7.50mg/kg has important anti-ulcer activity with significantly decreased gastric and duodenal lesions as well as increased gastric mucus production. The results showed treatment with ß-myrcene caused a significant increase in mucosal malondialdehyde level (MDA), an important index of oxidative tissue damage. The ß-myrcene was also endowed with marked enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activity from GR system as evidenced by the decreased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and increased levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and total glutathione in gastric tissue. Our results also shown that treatment with ß-myrcene is not involved with thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity. Our results reveal, for the first time, the importance of ß-myrcene as an inhibitor of gastric and duodenal ulcers and demonstrate that an increase in the levels of gastric mucosa defence factors is involved in the anti-ulcer activity of ß-myrcene.

Mortalidad evitable, Medellín 2004 a 2009 / Avoidable mortality, Medellín 2004 to 2009

Objetivo: determinar la estructura de la mortalidad evitable en Medellín entre 2004 y 2009 y de los Años Potenciales de Vida Perdidos (apvp). Metodología: en un estudio descriptivo con información del dane, se utilizó el Inventario de Causas de Mortalidad Evitable (icme) propuesto por Gómez 2006. Se calcularon las tasas medianas ajustadas de mortalidad evitable por edad, sexo y año, cuyo denominador utilizado fue el de la población de Medellín correspondiente al periodo indicado. Se calcularon los apvp para cada causa evitable sumando para todas muertes el resultado obtenido de diferenciar la esperanza de vida, la de Colombia en el 2009 y la edad de la muerte. Estos apvp se ajustaron por el método directo, con población estándar la de Colombia. Resultados: en el sexenio, el 48,9% de las defunciones (35.046) se consideraron evitables, con predominio de las relacionadas con las medidas mixtas, 875,1 por cada cien mil habitantes, preferiblemente en los hombres y a los 36 años o menos en el 50% de los casos. En este grupo, las causas violentas constituyeron el 58% de las defunciones en una relación de 7 a 1 a favor de los hombres. Los apvp para 2009 se incrementaron con respecto a los años anteriores en un 22,9%. Conclusión: se observó un gradiente positivo de la mortalidad evitable, esto es, a años más recientes mayor es el indicador de la misma. En el período de estudio las tasas de mortalidad evitable para los hombres, en general y en cada año fueron mayores que las de las mujeres...

Objective: to determine the structure of avoidable mortality and Years of Potential Life Lost (ypll) in Medellín in the period 2004-2009). Methodology: in a descriptive study using data from the dane, the inventory of Causes of Avoidable Mortality (icme) proposed by Gómez in 2006 was used. The median rates of avoidable mortality adjusted for age, sex and year were calculated, and the population of Medellin between 2004 and 2009 was used as denominator. The ypll were calculated for each cause of Avoidable death by summing the difference between the life expectancy of Colombia in 2009 and the age of death. These ypll were adjusted using the direct method and the standard population of Colombia. Results: in the six years of the study, 48.9% of the deaths (35,046) were considered avoidable. Deaths related to mixed measures were predominant (875.1 per hundred thousand inhabitants); these deaths were higher for men, and the median age was 36 years old or younger in 50% of the cases. In this group, violent causes accounted for 58% of the deaths, showing a ratio of 7:1 in favor of men. In 2009, the amount of ypll increased in 22.9% compared to the previous year. Conclusion: in this study, a positive gradient of avoidable mortality was observed, that is to say, the value of the avoidable mortality indicator is higher for more recent years. Similarly, the rates of avoidable mortality were higher for men than for women during the studied period, both for each year and in general...

Brief communication: the Granada osteological collection of identified infants and young children.

The objective of this study is to present the characteristics of a collection of identified infants and young children housed in the Laboratory of Anthropology of the University of Granada, Spain. The sample, which is still being enlarged, is currently composed of 230 complete skeletons aged from 5 months of gestation to 8 years, with a majority below 1 year. It mainly dates from the mid-20th century. The state of preservation is very good, and antemortem information is available from burial and death certificates, among other documents. Our sample makes an important contribution to the relatively few collections available in the world for investigating the osteological development of the skeletons of infants and young children from a physical anthropological perspective.

Anti-ulcerogenic mechanisms of the sesquiterpene lactone onopordopicrin-enriched fraction from Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae): role of somatostatin, gastrin, and endogenous sulfhydryls and nitric oxide.

Arctium lappa L. has been used in folk medicine as a diuretic, depurative, and digestive stimulant and in dermatological conditions. The mechanisms involved in the anti-ulcerogenic activity of the sesquiterpene onopordopicrin (ONP)-enriched fraction (termed the ONP fraction), obtained from A. lappa leaves, were studied. The gastroprotective mechanism of the ONP fraction was evaluated in experimental in vivo models in rodents, mimicking this disease in humans. ONP fraction (50 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited the mucosal injury induced by ethanol/HCl solution (75%), indomethacin/bethanecol (68.9%), and stress (58.3%). When the ONP fraction was investigated in pylorus ligature, it did not induce alteration in the gastric volume but did modify the pH and total acid concentration of gastric juice. ONP fraction significantly increased serum somatostatin levels (82.1±4.1 vs. control group 12.7±4 pmol/L) and decreased serum gastrin levels (62.6±6.04 vs. control group 361.5±8.2 µU/mL). Mucus production was not significantly altered by the ONP fraction. Gastroprotection by the ONP fraction was completely inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide treatment and did not modify the effect in the animals pretreated with l-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester. These results suggest an antisecretory mechanism involved with the antiulcerogenic effect of the ONP fraction. However, only endogenous sulfhydryls play an important role in gastroprotection of the ONP fraction.