Correction: Emerging pollutants in the Esmeraldas watershed in Ecuador: discharge and attenuation of emerging organic pollutants along the San Pedro-Guayllabamba-Esmeraldas rivers.

Correction for 'Emerging pollutants in the Esmeraldas watershed in Ecuador: discharge and attenuation of emerging organic pollutants along the San Pedro-Guayllabamba-Esmeraldas rivers' by A. Voloshenko-Rossin et al., Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2015, 17, 41-53, https://doi.org/10.1039/C4EM00394B.

Maintenance of permanent sexual activity throughout the year in seasonal bucks using short photoperiodic cycles in open barns.

Seasonality of reproductive activity in rams and bucks is the major constraint in temperate and subtropical zones. Rapid alternation between 1 month of short days and 1 month of long days (LD) over three years in lightproof buildings eliminates this seasonality. We examined if this would also work in open barns, using only supplementary light. Over two years, one group of bucks (n = 7) was subjected to alternate 1 month of LD and 1 month of permanent light (LD-LL) and another group (n = 7) to alternate 1 month of LD and 1 month of natural light (LD-NL). A simultaneous control group, used for both experiments (CG1, n = 6; CG2, n = 6), remained under natural photoperiod. BW, testis weight (TW), plasma testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) were evaluated in all bucks. CG1 and CG2 bucks showed identical dramatic seasonal variations in BW (stable or decreasing in summer), TW (from 85 ± 12 g in February to 127 ± 7 g in July) and T (from 2.7 ± 1.2 ng/mL in January-April to 24.3 ± 3.2 ng/mL in June-October). By contrast, BW of LD-LL and LD-NL bucks increased regularly during the experiment. From 5 and 9 months after the experiment onset, LD-LL and LD-NL bucks, respectively, maintained constant TW of 115 ± 5 g until the experiment end. After the first 3 months <5 ng/mL, T of LD-LL bucks remained constant (5-10 ng/mL) until the experiment end. By contrast, T of LD-NL bucks showed four periods of low (<5 ng/mL) and two periods of high concentrations (18.1 ± 2.6 and 11.9 ± 3.4 ng/mL). Plasma C remained low (5-8 ng/mL) and did not change with group or light treatment. These results show for the first time in any seasonal photoperiodic species that it is possible to maintain the sexual activity of males all year round in open buildings using alternating periods of LD and LL. By contrast, return to NL instead of LL every other month does not prevent seasonality in T concentration. These results raise interesting questions about the photoperiodic control of neuroendocrine regulation of seasonal sexual activity and suggest that these treatments can be used to manage males in open barns in farms and in artificial insemination centres. (Spanish and French versions of the full text are available as Supplementary Materials S1 and S2).

Near-Complete Genome Sequence of a SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 Strain in Peru.

A near-complete genome sequence was obtained for a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant of concern (VOC) 202012/01 strain obtained from an oropharyngeal swab sample from a Peruvian patient with coronavirus syndrome who had contact with an individual who had recently returned from England.

Male effect using photostimulated bucks and nutritional supplementation advance puberty in goats under semi-extensive management.

Well-nourished spring-born female goats reach puberty in the autumn of the same year. Contrastingly, undernourished spring-born females reach puberty in the autumn of the following year. Therefore, in this study, we reared female goats (undernourished) under semi-extensive management and determined whether the introduction of photostimulated, sexually active males, advances puberty in these females, and whether nutritional supplementation increases the proportion of kidding females. Goats were born on March 30 and weaned at 2 months of age. Then, they grazed natural vegetation from 10:00 to 18:00 each day. Starting in December, two groups did not receive feed supplementation after grazing, whereas two other groups received 600 g daily supplements of a commercial concentrate. In April, one non-supplemented (n = 10) and other supplemented groups (n = 11) were moved indoors and kept in separate pens, where they were joined with sexually active bucks (n = 1 per group). Males were rotated daily between groups for 7 days. Other non-supplemented (n = 8) and supplemented groups (n = 11) were not joined with males. Most of the female goats under study reached puberty (70-100%). However, in supplemented and non-supplemented groups joined with males, puberty commenced much earlier (April) than in those non-exposed to males (September) (P < 0.001). The proportion of pregnant goats did not differ between groups joined with males (P > 0.05), but the proportion of goats that kidded was higher in supplemented (7/11) than in non-supplemented goats (2/10) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, in spring-born goats, the male effect using sexually active males advanced puberty, and nutritional supplementation increased the proportion of kidding goats in females reared under semi-extensive management.

Morfogênese de braquiárias sob estresse hídrico / Morphogenesis of Brachiarias species under water stress

Objetivou-se avaliar Urochloa spp. submetida a duas situações de estresse hídrico: déficit e alagamento. As forrageiras estudadas foram: U. humidicola cv. Tully, U. humidicola cv. Llanero, U. brizantha cv. BRS Piatã, U. brizantha cv. Xaraés, U. decumbens cv. Basilisk e U. ruziziensis cv. Kenedy, e os parâmetros avaliados foram relacionados às características estruturais e morfogênicas. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetação pertencente à Unidade Universitária de Aquidauana. Os tratamentos consistiram em diferentes condições de umidade do solo: 50 e 80% da capacidade de retenção de umidade do solo, e lâminas de 0cm, 1cm e 5cm de água acima do solo, com quatro repetições, em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. O modelo considerou o efeito de umidade do solo para cada espécie forrageira a 5% de significância. As características estruturais e morfogênicas do capim-tully não foram afetadas pelas diferentes condições hídricas aqui avaliadas. O capim-llanero não reagiu ao alagamento. O capim-piatã foi tolerante às condições de déficit hídrico e apresentou mecanismos de adaptação ao alagamento. A U. decumbens cv. Basilisk apresentou respostas adaptativas que melhoram sua tolerância ao alagamento. A U. ruziziensis cv. Kenedy apresentou-se inapta às condições de alagamento e de déficit hídrico.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate braquiarias submitted to two situations of water stress: deficit and flood. The studied forages were: U. humidicola cv. Tully, U. humidicola cv. Llanero, U. brizantha cv. BRS Piatã, U. brizantha cv. Xaraés, U. decumbens cv. Basilisk and U. ruziziensis cv. Kenedy, and the parameters evaluated were related to the structural and morphogenic characteristics. The work was carried out in a greenhouse at the University Unit of Aquidauana. The treatments consisted of different soil moisture conditions: 50 and 80% of the moisture retention capacity of the soil, and slides of 0cm, 1cm and 5cm of water above the soil, with four replications, in a completely randomized design. The model considered the effect of soil moisture for each forage species at 5% of significance. The structural and morphogenic characteristics of grass-tully were not affected by the different water conditions evaluated here. The grass-llanero did not react to flooding. The grass-piatã was tolerant to water deficit conditions and presented adaptation to flooding. The U. decumbens cv. Basilisk presented adaptive responses that improved its tolerance to flooding. The U. ruziziensis cv. Kenedy was unfit for flood and water deficit conditions.(AU)

Morfogênese de braquiárias sob estresse hídrico / Morphogenesis of Brachiarias species under water stress

Objetivou-se avaliar Urochloa spp. submetida a duas situações de estresse hídrico: déficit e alagamento. As forrageiras estudadas foram: U. humidicola cv. Tully, U. humidicola cv. Llanero, U. brizantha cv. BRS Piatã, U. brizantha cv. Xaraés, U. decumbens cv. Basilisk e U. ruziziensis cv. Kenedy, e os parâmetros avaliados foram relacionados às características estruturais e morfogênicas. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetação pertencente à Unidade Universitária de Aquidauana. Os tratamentos consistiram em diferentes condições de umidade do solo: 50 e 80% da capacidade de retenção de umidade do solo, e lâminas de 0cm, 1cm e 5cm de água acima do solo, com quatro repetições, em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. O modelo considerou o efeito de umidade do solo para cada espécie forrageira a 5% de significância. As características estruturais e morfogênicas do capim-tully não foram afetadas pelas diferentes condições hídricas aqui avaliadas. O capim-llanero não reagiu ao alagamento. O capim-piatã foi tolerante às condições de déficit hídrico e apresentou mecanismos de adaptação ao alagamento. A U. decumbens cv. Basilisk apresentou respostas adaptativas que melhoram sua tolerância ao alagamento. A U. ruziziensis cv. Kenedy apresentou-se inapta às condições de alagamento e de déficit hídrico.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate braquiarias submitted to two situations of water stress: deficit and flood. The studied forages were: U. humidicola cv. Tully, U. humidicola cv. Llanero, U. brizantha cv. BRS Piatã, U. brizantha cv. Xaraés, U. decumbens cv. Basilisk and U. ruziziensis cv. Kenedy, and the parameters evaluated were related to the structural and morphogenic characteristics. The work was carried out in a greenhouse at the University Unit of Aquidauana. The treatments consisted of different soil moisture conditions: 50 and 80% of the moisture retention capacity of the soil, and slides of 0cm, 1cm and 5cm of water above the soil, with four replications, in a completely randomized design. The model considered the effect of soil moisture for each forage species at 5% of significance. The structural and morphogenic characteristics of grass-tully were not affected by the different water conditions evaluated here. The grass-llanero did not react to flooding. The grass-piatã was tolerant to water deficit conditions and presented adaptation to flooding. The U. decumbens cv. Basilisk presented adaptive responses that improved its tolerance to flooding. The U. ruziziensis cv. Kenedy was unfit for flood and water deficit conditions.(AU)

Macrocystis pyrifera source of nutrients for the production of carotenoids by a marine yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa.

AIMS: To evaluate an aqueous extract of Macrocystis pyrifera as a nutrient source for the production of carotenoids by a marine Rhodotorula mucilaginosa isolated from seaweed samples. MATERIALS AND RESULTS: The effect of different culture conditions on the concentration of biomass and total pigments was evaluated using a Box-Behnken experimental design. The seaweed extract contained 15% w w-1 of protein and 20% w w-1 of carbohydrate; the main sugar in this fraction was trehalose (78%). The culture conditions that maximize the total pigment concentration (1·84 ± 0·03 mg l-1 ) were initial pH equal to 7, yeast extract as nitrogen source at a concentration of 4 g l-1 , seaweed extract concentration at 25% v v-1 , incubation performed at 25°C and 150 rev min-1 during 6 days. Under optimal growth conditions, three carotenoids were identified among the pigments produced by R. mucilaginosa, lycopene (38·4 ± 9·4%), ß-carotene (21·8 ± 1·5%) and astaxanthin (1·8 ± 0·3%). CONCLUSIONS: Carotenoids of commercial interest (lycopene, ß-carotene and astaxanthin) can be produced using a marine R. mucilaginosa cultivated with an aqueous extract of M. pyrifera as nutrient source. The total pigment concentration in the culture ranged between 0·82 and 1·84 mg l-1 , and was significantly affected by the concentration of the seaweed extract, and yeast extract. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work demonstrates that M. pyrifera can be used as a nutrient source for the production of carotenoids by the marine yeast.

Effects of islet neogenesis associated protein depend on vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression modulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacology has provided efficient tools to improve insulin effect/secretion but the decrease in ß-cell mass remains elusive. INGAP-PP could provide a therapeutic alternative to meet that challenge. AIM: To further understand the mechanism that links INGAP-PP effects upon ß-cell mass and function with islet angiogenesis. METHODOLOGY: Normal male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups and injected with a single dose of 100 mg/Kg suramin or saline. Both groups were divided into 2 subgroups that received daily doses of 2 mg/kg INGAP-PP or saline for ten days. Plasma glucose, triacylglycerol, TBARS, and insulin levels were measured. Pancreas immunomorphometric analyses were also performed. Pancreatic islets were isolated to measure glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Specific islet mRNA levels were studied by qRT-PCR. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA. RESULTS: No differences were recorded in body weight, food intake, or any other plasma parameter measured in all groups. Islets from INGAP-PP-treated rats significantly increased GSIS, ß-cell mass, and mRNA levels of Bcl-2, Ngn-3, VEGF-A, VEGF-R2, CD31, Ang1 and Ang2, Laminin ß-1, and Integrin ß-1, and decreased mRNA levels of Caspase-8, Bad, and Bax. Islets from suramin-treated rats showed significant opposite effects, but INGAPP-PP administration rescued most of the suramin effects in animals treated with both compounds. CONCLUSION: Our results reinforce the concept that INGAP-PP enhances insulin secretion and ß-cell mass, acting through PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways and simultaneously activating angiogenesis through HIF-1α-mediated VEGF-A secretion. Therefore, INGAP-PP might be a suitable antidiabetic agent able to overcome two major alterations present in T2D.

Signal-Processing tools for core-collection selection from genetic-resource collection / Herramienta de procesamiento de señales para la selección de "Core-Collection" desde colección de recursos genéticos

Abstract Selecting a representative core collection (CC) is a proven and effective strategy for overcoming the expenses and difficulties of managing genetic resources in gene banks around the globe. Because of the diverse applications available for these sub-collections, several algorithms have been successfully implemented to construct them based on genotypic, phenotypic, passport or geographic data (either by individual datasets or by consensus). However, to the best of our knowledge, no single comprehensive datasets has been properly explored to date. Thus, researchers evaluate multiple datasets in order to construct representative CCs; this can be quite difficult, but one feasible solution for such an evaluation is to manage all available data as one discrete signal, which allows signal processing tools (SPTs) to be implemented during data analysis. In this research, we present a proof- of-concept study that shows the possibility of mapping to a discrete signal any type of data available from genetic resource collections in order to take advantage of SPTs for the construction of CCs that adequately represent the diversity of two crops. This method is referred to as 'SPT selection.' All available information for each element of the tested collections was analysed under this perspective and compared when possible, with one of the most used algorithms for CC selection. Genotype-only SPT selection did not prove as effective as standard CC selection did not prove as effective as standard CC selection algorithms; however, the SPT approach can consider genotype alongside other types of information, which results in well-represented Ccs that consider both the genotype and agromorphological diversities present in original collections. Furthermore, SPT-based analysis can evaluate all available data both in a comprehensive manner and under different perspective, and despite its limitations, the analysis renders satisfactory results. Thus, SPT-based algorithms for CC selection can be valuable in the field of genetic resources research, management and exploitation.

Resumen La selección de una colección núcleo (core-collection) representativa (CC) es una estrategia comprobada y eficaz para superar los gastos y las dificultades de la gestión de los recursos genéticos en los bancos de germoplasma de todo el mundo. Debido a las diversas aplicaciones disponibles para estas subcolecciones, se han implementado con éxito varios algoritmos para construirlos en base a datos genotípicos, fenotípicos, de pasaporte o geográficos (ya sea por conjuntos de datos individuales o por consenso). Sin embargo, hasta donde tenemos conocimiento, no se han explorado adecuadamente conjuntos de datos integrales hasta la fecha. Por lo tanto, los investigadores evalúan conjuntos de datos múltiples para construir CCs representativos; esto puede ser bastante difícil, pero una solución factible para tal evaluación es administrar todos los datos disponibles como una señal discreta, que permite implementar herramientas de procesamiento de señal (SPT) durante el análisis de datos. En esta investigación, presentamos un estudio de prueba de concepto que muestra la posibilidad de asignar a una señal discreta cualquier tipo de datos disponibles de colecciones de recursos genéticos para aprovechar los SPT para la construcción de CC que representen adecuadamente la diversidad de dos cultivos. Este método se conoce como "selección de SPT." Toda la información disponible para cada elemento de las colecciones analizadas se analizó bajo esta perspectiva y se comparó cuando fue posible, con uno de los algoritmos más utilizados para la selección de CC. La selección de SPT de solo genotipo no resultó tan efectiva como los algoritmos de selección de CC estándar; sin embargo, el enfoque SPT puede considerar el genotipo junto con otros tipos de información, lo que da como resultado CCs bien representados que consideran tanto el genotipo como las diversidades agromorfológicas presentes en las colecciones originales. Además, el análisis basado en SPT puede evaluar todos los datos disponibles, tanto de manera integral y bajo diferentes perspectivas, y a pesar de sus limitaciones, el análisis arroja resultados satisfactorios. Por lo tanto, los algoritmos basados en SPT para la selección de CC pueden ser valiosos en el campo de la investigación, gestión y explotación de recursos genéticos.

Progesterone doses of 5, 3 or 1 mg do not prevent short ovulatory cycles in goats exposed to photo-stimulated bucks.

The aim of this study was to determine whether lower doses than 25 mg of progesterone reduce the frequency of short ovulatory cycles in seasonal anestrous goats exposed to sexually active bucks. Females from the control group were given an im dose of 2 mL olive oil (n = 9). Females from the experimental groups were given an im dose of 1 mg (n = 15), 3 mg (n = 16), 5 mg (n = 15) or 25 mg (n = 16) of progesterone diluted in 2 mL olive oil, 48 h prior exposition to bucks (n = 1 per group). Males were daily switched among groups, and they remained with goats during 21 days. The proportion of goats that ovulated was high (≥87%), and was not different among groups (P > 0.05). In contrast, the proportion of goats that displayed short ovulatory cycles differed among groups (P < 0.05). Indeed, the proportion of goats displaying short ovulatory cycles was lower in those treated with 25 mg (12%) than in those from the control (78%), 1 mg (85%), 3 mg (50%), or 5 mg (71%) groups (P < 0.05), but there were no differences among these last four groups (P > 0.05). Finally, the percentage of kidding females (≥40%) and the number of kids born per female (≥1.4) did not differ among groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, an im dose of 25 mg of progesterone was more effective than 5, 3 or 1 mg to avoid the short ovulatory cycles in seasonal anestrous goats exposed to the male effect.

Extensive management conditions do not modify the frequency of short ovulatory cycles in progesterone-treated does exposed to sexually active males.

Most goats exposed to males in confined conditions have short ovulatory cycles. The frequency of these cycles can be reduced with a progesterone treatment prior to the introduction of males. The objective of this study was to determine whether extensive management conditions modify the frequency of short ovulatory cycles in progesterone-treated does exposed to photostimulated males. One group of does remained in extensive management conditions and grazed daily from 10:00 to 18:00 h; two other groups were confined separately in shaded pens, and fed alfalfa hay. In March, females from the grazing group (n = 45; grazing-P4 group) and those from one confined group (n = 45; confined-P4 group) were treated with 25 mg of progesterone by intra-muscular injections 48 h before joining with photostimulated males (n = 3 per group). The other confined group did not receive the progesterone treatment and was exposed to two photostimulated males (n = 25; confined-control group). Does were exposed to males for 45 consecutive days. Determination of whether ovulations occurre were made by quantifying plasma progesterone concentrations after introduction of males. The proportion of does that had ovulations at least once was not different between groups (≥98%; P > 0.05). The proportion of does that had short ovulatory cycles differed between groups (P < 0.001), and this proportion was greater in the confined-control group (76%) than in confined-P4 (27%) and grazing-P4 groups (25%; P < 0.001). It is concluded that extensive management conditions do not modify the frequency of short ovulatory cycles in progesterone-treated does exposed to the photostimulated males.

[Rate of readmissions of patients with heart failure: effects of multifactorial educational interventions]. / Efectividad de las intervenciones educativas con enfoque multifactorial y seguimiento vía telefónica sobre la rehospitalización en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca: revisión sistemática y meta-análisis.

We performed a systematic review of the literature to analyze the effect on readmission rates of multifactorial educational interventions at the moment of discharge from the hospital and telephone follow up for patients with heart failure. The quality of reports was analyzed using the CONSORT verification list and the GRADE guide. Using Rev Manager 5.3, the relative risk heterogeneity (RR) of readmission was assessed using I2 and Q statistics, and those considered as homogeneous were combined into a single RR as the confidence interval. We included four reports in the review and three were meta-analyzed. The RR for readmission was 1.01 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.73-1.40; p = 0.96) with educational interventions and telephone follow-up among patients who visited an emergency room (ER). When studies that included readmission (without ER visit) were combined, the RR was 0.83 (95% CI:0.58-1.17). When studies with visits to ER and readmissions were combined, the RR was 0.91 (95% CI:0.73-1.14). We conclude that educational interventions did not have a significant effect on the rate of readmissions of patients with heart failure.

Políticas y Programas que reducen los gastos catastróficos de salud en países de bajos y medianos ingresos / Policies and programs that reduce catastrophic health expenditures in low and middle income countries

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar las políticas y programas que han logrado reducir el gasto catastrófico de salud, en los países de bajos y medianos ingresos. Métodos: Revisión sistemática de publicaciones entre enero de 2013 y diciembre de 2017 mediante una estrategia de búsqueda secuencial con palabras claves y selección mediante criterios de inclusión PICO. Incluimos estudios experimentales, casi experimentales y otros diseños de comparación controlados. Resultados: Identificamos 5.668 publicaciones que evalúan gastos catastróficos, de los cuales 4.678 se relacionaban con distintas intervenciones sanitarias frecuentes que actúan sobre el modelo de financiamiento, 860 utilizaron metodologías rigurosas y 443 correspondían a países de bajos y medianos ingresos. Revisamos títulos y resúmenes y preseleccionamos 44 publicaciones que fueron revisadas exhaustivamente. Incluimos 8 publicaciones para el análisis: 3 realizadas en China, 2 en India, 1 en Lao, 1 en Indonesia y 1 en México. En la evaluación de impacto, 4 no demostraron variaciones estadísticamente significativas. Otros 4 demostraron reducción del gasto catastrófico, mediante distintos modelos de seguros de gestión pública. Conclusiones: Es posible ampliar la protección financiera de la población y evitar gastos catastróficos ante enfermedades, bajo ciertas condiciones y mediante intervenciones específicas como esquemas de aseguramiento público. El acervo de evidencias rigurosas en escaso y se necesitan más estudios sobre otros modelos de intervenciones. Palabras claves: protección financiera en salud, financiamiento de salud, gasto de bolsillo de salud, gasto catastrófico de salud, cobertura universal de salud.

ABSTRACT Objective: Identify the policies and programs that have managed to reduce catastrophic health spending in low and middle-income countries. Methods: A systematic review of publications between January 2013 and December 2017 through a strategy of sequential search with keywords and selection using PICO inclusion criteria. We included experimental, quasi-experimental and other controlled comparison designs. Results: We identified 5,668 publications that assess catastrophic expenditures, of which 4,678 were related to different frequent health interventions that act on the financing model, 860 used rigorous methodologies and 443 corresponded to low and middle-income countries. We reviewed titles and abstracts, and 44 publications were pre-selected and extensively revised. We included 8 publications for the analysis: 3 carried out in China, 2 in India, 1 in Lao, 1 in Indonesia and 1 in Mexico. In the impact evaluation, 4 did not show statistically significant variations. Another 4 showed a reduction in catastrophic spending, through different models of public management insurance. Conclusions: It is possible to expand the financial protection of the population and avoid catastrophic expenses in the face of diseases, under certain conditions and through specific interventions such as public insurance schemes. The collection of rigorous evidence in scarce and more studies are needed on other models of interventions. Key words: financial protection in health, health financing, out of pocket payments, catastrophic health expenditure, universal health coverage.

Efectividad de las intervenciones educativas con enfoque multifactorial y seguimiento vía telefónica sobre la rehospitalización en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca: revisión sistemática y meta-análisis / Rate of readmissions of patients with heart failure: effects of multifactorial educational interventions

We performed a systematic review of the literature to analyze the effect on readmission rates of multifactorial educational interventions at the moment of discharge from the hospital and telephone follow up for patients with heart failure. The quality of reports was analyzed using the CONSORT verification list and the GRADE guide. Using Rev Manager 5.3, the relative risk heterogeneity (RR) of readmission was assessed using I2 and Q statistics, and those considered as homogeneous were combined into a single RR as the confidence interval. We included four reports in the review and three were meta-analyzed. The RR for readmission was 1.01 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.73-1.40; p = 0.96) with educational interventions and telephone follow-up among patients who visited an emergency room (ER). When studies that included readmission (without ER visit) were combined, the RR was 0.83 (95% CI:0.58-1.17). When studies with visits to ER and readmissions were combined, the RR was 0.91 (95% CI:0.73-1.14). We conclude that educational interventions did not have a significant effect on the rate of readmissions of patients with heart failure.

Brownian motion in non-equilibrium systems and the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck stochastic process.

The Ornstein-Uhlenbeck stochastic process is an exact mathematical model providing accurate representations of many real dynamic processes in systems in a stationary state. When applied to the description of random motion of particles such as that of Brownian particles, it provides exact predictions coinciding with those of the Langevin equation but not restricted to systems in thermal equilibrium but only conditioned to be stationary. Here, we investigate experimentally single particle motion in a two-dimensional granular system in a stationary state, consisting of 1 mm stainless balls on a plane circular surface. The motion of the particles is produced by an alternating magnetic field applied perpendicular to the surface of the container. The mean square displacement of the particles is measured for a range of low concentrations and it is found that following an appropriate scaling of length and time, the short-time experimental curves conform a master curve covering the range of particle motion from ballistic to diffusive in accordance with the description of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model.

Combined antibacterial/tissue regeneration response in thermal burns promoted by functional chitosan/silver nanocomposites.

We report the combined antibacterial/tissue regeneration responses to thermal burns promoted by functional chitosan/silver nanocomposites (CS/nAg) with ultralow silver content (0.018wt.%, 7-30nm). Our approach allows one to produce CS/nAg nanocomposites without silver nanoparticles (nAg) agglomeration, with bactericide potency higher than 1wt.% of nAg (ca. 10nm) content and, promoting the healing process in controlled thermal burns. CS/nAg films exhibit high antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa after 1.5h of incubation, demonstrating the bacterial penetration into hydrated films and their interaction with nAg. Additionally, exceptional healing of induced thermal burns was obtained by increasing myofibroblasts, collagen remodeling, and blood vessel neoformation. These factors are associated with epiderma regeneration after 7days of treatment with no nAg release. Our results corroborate the controlled synthesis of nAg embedded in CS matrix with combined antibacterial/biocompatibility properties aiming to produce functional nanocomposites with potential use in wound dressing and health care applications.

Características clínicas de la epidemia de Dengue en el Servicio de urgencias del Hospital de clínicas / Clinical features of the Dengue epidemic in the emergency Department of the Hospital de clínicas

Introducción: El Dengue es una enfermedad infecciosa, sistémica y dinámica. Es una sola enfermedad, con diferentes presentaciones clínicas y evolución impredecible. Se hizo endémica en Paraguay desde el año 2002; el objetivo de este trabajo es determinar las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la epidemia de diciembre de 2012 a febrero de 2013. Materiales y Métodos: Diseño descriptivo, retrospectivo, transversal. Fueron incluidos pacientes que desarrollaron criterios de casos probables de Dengue que consultaron al Servicio de Urgencias del Hospital de Clínicas. 1037 pacientes cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Resultados: La frecuencia de casos de Dengue fue del 14%. La edad promedio fue de 37,7 ± 16,3. El 56% era del sexo femenino. El 87% de los pacientes provenían del departamento Central. El mes de mayor número de casos con 48% fue febrero. El 83% de los pacientes fue tratado de forma ambulatoria. El promedio de días de internación fue de 2,39 ± 1,65. Sólo el 20% de los pacientes presentó algún tipo de comorbilidad. La fiebre estuvo presente en el 99,3% de los pacientes. El 20% de los pacientes tenía signos de alarma al momento de la consulta. La presión de pulso promedio fue 40,4 ± 12,1 La frecuencia cardiaca media fue de 93,8 ± 17,3. Promedio de hematocrito fue 42,2 ± 5,07. Promedio de plaquetas fue 111.500 ± 79972,1. Promedio de leucocitos 4561 ± 3717. Se registró un óbito. Conclusión: Este trabajo muestra las diferentes aristas de una de las epidemias más importantes desarrollada a nivel país. Palabras clave: dengue, características clínicas, hospital de clínicas

Background: Dengue is an infectious disease, systemic and dynamic. It presents several clinical manifestations and unpredictable outcome. It is endemic in Paraguay since year 2002; the aim of this research is to determine clinical and epidemiologic characters of the epidemic from December 2012 to February 2013. Methods: It was designed an cross sectional study, observational and retrospective. They were included patients that developed criteria of dengue cases that consulted in Emergencies Service of Clinics Hospital. Results: Frequency of Cases dengue were 14%. Age mean was 37, 7 ± 16,3. 56% were women. 87% of the patients came from Central Department. February was the month with mostly cases with 48%. 83% patients did not require internment. The average days of hospitalization were 2.39 ± 1.65. 20% of patient had some comorbidity. Fever was detected in 99,3% of patients. 20% had signs alarms at the moment of the consult. The average pulse pressure was 40,4 ± 12,1. The average cardiac frecuency was 93,8 ± 17,3. The average hematocrit was 42,2 ± 5,07. The average of platelets was 111.500 ± 79.972,1. The Average of leukocytes was 4561 ± 3717. One death was recorded. Conclusion: This paper shows the different aspects of one of the most important epidemics developed in our country. Keywords: dengue, clinical, hospital clinics.