Mortality and hospitalization trends for aortic aneurysms and dissections in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: In Mexico, there is a paucity of evidence on mortality and hospitalization patterns associated with aortic aneurysms and dissections. OBJECTIVE: To analyze national databases and describe the epidemiological characteristics of different aortic pathologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study, in which mortality and hospitalization attributed to aortic aneurysms and dissections were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed on Stata 16. RESULTS: A total of 6,049 deaths were documented in the general population, which included 2,367 hospitalizations and 476 (20.1%) in-hospital deaths. In addition, a statistically significant age difference was found between mean age at death in the general population (69.5 years) and the in-hospital death group (64.1 years, p < 0.001). As for hospitalizations secondary to ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms, 149 cases were identified, with a mean age of 65.6 years, out of whom 53 (35.5%) were under 65 years of age, with a mean age of 47.8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiological reports of aortic pathology in Mexico are scarce; therefore, implementation of screening and detection programs for aortic pathologies is necessary in order to address the disparities identified in this analysis.

ANTECEDENTES: Existe evidencia escasa en México respecto a la mortalidad y patrones del ingreso hospitalario asociados a aneurismas y disecciones aórticos. OBJETIVO: Analizar las bases de datos nacionales y describir las características epidemiológicas de diferentes patologías aórticas agudas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal y observacional de una base de datos retrospectiva, en el que se analizó la mortalidad y hospitalización atribuidas a aneurismas y disecciones aórticos. El análisis estadístico se realizó en Stata 16. RESULTADOS: Se documentaron 6049 muertes en la población general, 2367 hospitalizaciones y 476 muertes intrahospitalarias. Adicionalmente, se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre las medias de edad de fallecimiento de la población general (65.5 años) y de los pacientes que murieron en el hospital (64.1 años), p < 0.001. En cuanto a las hospitalizaciones secundarias a aneurisma de aorta abdominal roto, 149 casos fueron evidenciados con una media de edad de 65.6 años; 53 (35.5 %) de estos tenía menos de 65 años, con una media de edad de 47.8 años. CONCLUSIONES: Los reportes epidemiológicos de patología aórtica en México son escasos, por ello la implementación de programas de tamizaje y la detección de patologías aórticas son necesarias para mejorar las disparidades encontradas en este análisis.

Ischemic Complication of a Rare Traumatic True Brachial Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report.

True brachial artery aneurysms are rare. We present the case of a 47-year-old male who was referred to our clinic for the evaluation of progressive right arm claudication. He had suffered a gunshot wound in the right elbow 16 years before his symptoms. Computed tomography angiography revealed a thrombosed true brachial artery aneurysm. The patient was placed in the operating room, and aneurysm resection and reconstruction were performed using an interposition saphenous vein graft. His postoperative period was uneventful, and 1 year after the procedure, he remained asymptomatic. True brachial artery aneurysms associated with remote traumas are rare. This case illustrates the clinical presentation and successful management of arterial reconstruction using an autologous vein graft.

Mortality in patients with unresectable gastric cancer complicated with tumor bleeding.

BACKGROUND: gastric cancer (GC) is a gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasia which often complicates with GI bleeding. It is uncertain if bleeding worsens mortality in this group of patients. AIMS: to compare 30- and 90-day mortality in patients with unresectable GC (uGC) and tumor bleeding versus patients with the same neoplasia without bleeding. METHODS: a retrospective analysis of patients with uGC, with and without tumor bleeding was performed. Survival analysis for 30- and 90-days mortality was performed using Cox regression. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with mortality and first bleeding episode. RESULTS: 202 patients were included in the analysis (105 cases). Mortality at 90 days was 37.14 % for cases and 20.62 % for controls (p = 0.04). There was a significant difference in hazard ratio (HR) at 90 days for cases compared to controls (HR 1.95, 95 % CI 1.14-3.34, p = 0.02). Cases without palliative chemotherapy had the highest 90-days mortality (HR 5.43, 95 % CI 2.12-13.87, p < 0.01), compared to controls treated with chemotherapy. Predictors for first tumor bleeding were clinical stage IV (OR 2.93, 95 % CI 1.04-8.26, p = 0.04), Helicobacter pylori infection (OR 2.80, 95 % CI 1.35-5.80, p < 0.01) and histologic intestinal-subtype (OR 2.14, 95 % CI 1.07-4.30, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: tumor bleeding increases 90-days mortality in patients with uGC. Prevention of the first bleeding episode might improve outcome in these patients and the recognition of high-risk patients might help decision-making.

Mortality in patients with unresectable gastric cancer complicated with tumor bleeding

Background: gastric cancer (GC) is a gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasia which often complicates with GI bleeding. It is uncertain if bleeding worsens mortality in this group of patients. Aims: to compare 30- and 90-day mortality in patients with unresectable GC (uGC) and tumor bleeding versus patients with the same neoplasia without bleeding. Methods: a retrospective analysis of patients with uGC, with and without tumor bleeding was performed. Survival analysis for 30- and 90-days mortality was performed using Cox regression. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with mortality and first bleeding episode. Results: 202 patients were included in the analysis (105 cases). Mortality at 90 days was 37.14 % for cases and 20.62 % for controls (p = 0.04). There was a significant difference in hazard ratio (HR) at 90 days for cases compared to controls (HR 1.95, 95 % CI 1.14-3.34, p = 0.02). Cases without palliative chemotherapy had the highest 90-days mortality (HR 5.43, 95 % CI 2.12-13.87, p < 0.01), compared to controls treated with chemotherapy. Predictors for first tumor bleeding were clinical stage IV (OR 2.93, 95 % CI 1.04-8.26, p = 0.04), Helicobacter pylori infection (OR 2.80, 95 % CI 1.35-5.80, p < 0.01) and histologic intestinal-subtype (OR 2.14, 95 % CI 1.07-4.30, p = 0.03). Conclusions: tumor bleeding increases 90-days mortality in patients with uGC. Prevention of the first bleeding episode might improve outcome in these patients and the recognition of high-risk patients might help decision-making. (AU)

Review of surgical treatment of iatrogenic iliofemoral artery injury in the pediatric population after catheterization.

Trauma is the leading cause of death in the pediatric population. Although vascular trauma has an incidence of 6% in civilian population, iatrogenic injuries are the leading cause, and the most frequent injured vessel is the iliofemoral sector. However, little information is available and there are no guidelines about its treatment. Therefore, this review aimed to describe the information available concerning pediatric iatrogenic arterial trauma, focusing on the iliofemoral segment and present 3 cases. We described 11 articles with 171 patients, of whom 61% underwent surgery to treat iatrogenic trauma. Mean age was 3.28 years (standard deviation of 3.5 years), and 54% were female. Most iliofemoral injuries occurred after arterial catheterization for hemodynamic monitorization and therapeutic or diagnostic cardiac catheterization (due to congenital heart diseases, including septal defects, tetralogy of Fallot, aortic coarctation, and patent ductus arteriosus). For acute complications, arterial thrombosis was the leading injury, followed by pseudoaneurysm, hematoma, dissection, transection, avulsion, eversion, and combined lesions.

One high quality genome and two transcriptome datasets for new species of Mantamonas, a deep-branching eukaryote clade.

Mantamonads were long considered to represent an "orphan" lineage in the tree of eukaryotes, likely branching near the most frequently assumed position for the root of eukaryotes. Recent phylogenomic analyses have placed them as part of the "CRuMs" supergroup, along with collodictyonids and rigifilids. This supergroup appears to branch at the base of Amorphea, making it of special importance for understanding the deep evolutionary history of eukaryotes. However, the lack of representative species and complete genomic data associated with them has hampered the investigation of their biology and evolution. Here, we isolated and described two new species of mantamonads, Mantamonas vickermani sp. nov. and Mantamonas sphyraenae sp. nov., for each of which we generated transcriptomic sequence data, as well as a high-quality genome for the latter. The estimated size of the M. sphyraenae genome is 25 Mb; our de novo assembly appears to be highly contiguous and complete with 9,416 predicted protein-coding genes. This near-chromosome-scale genome assembly is the first described for the CRuMs supergroup.

Efforts for detection of aortic aneurysms and human resources training for the optimization of their treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To review admissions, interventions and in-hospital mortality associated to Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA), and to analyze the impact of the introduction of a training program and imaging screening at our institution. METHODS: Retrospective study where hospitalizations, procedures and mortality secondary to AAA were recorded. The national databases (ND) from the Secretariat of Health were utilized from 2010 to 2020. In-hospital lethality was calculated and compared with the experience at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ). The statistical analysis was completed with the STATA version 17. RESULTS: According to the ND, 899 (91%) hospital admissions secondary to AAA occurred, while in the INCMNSZ 85 (9%). Most of them belonged to the male gender (68%); 811 (82%) patients underwent open surgical repair, and 173 (18%) to an endovascular exclusion (EVAR), the latter approach was significantly more frequently performed at our institution (p = 0.007). The 30-day hospital mortality was 22.5%; in the ND was 23.9 vs. a 16.4% in the INCMNSZ without significant difference (p = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: AAA remain unrecognized in our country. The introduction of University programs and imaging screening might impact in the early detection, and to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated to emergency procedures.

OBJETIVO: Revisar los ingresos, procedimientos y defunciones intrahospitalarias asociadas a aneurismas aórticos abdominales (AAA) y analizar el impacto de la introducción de programas de formación de recursos humanos y tamizaje ultrasonográfico. MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo, se analizaron las bases de datos nacionales obtenidas del portal datos abiertos de la Dirección General de Información en Salud (DGIS) del año 2010 al 2020. Se calculó la letalidad intrahospitalaria anual y comparamos la experiencia del Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ). El análisis estadístico se realizó en el programa STATA versión 17. RESULTADOS: De acuerdo con la base nacional (BN), se registraron 899 (91%) ingresos, mientras que en el INCMNSZ 85 (9%). La mayoría pertenecía al sexo masculino (68%), un total de 811 (82%) pacientes fueron sometidos a cirugía abierta, mientras que 173 (18%) a terapia endovascular (EVAR), siendo este abordaje más frecuente en nuestra institución (p = 0.007). La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue del 22.5%, en la BN fue del 23.9%, mientras que en el INCMNSZ fue del 16.4%, sin que encontráramos diferencia significativa (p = 0.1). CONCLUSIONES: Los AAA continúan siendo poco reconocidos en nuestro país. La introducción de programas universitarios de especialidad y el tamizaje podría impactar en la reducción de la morbimortalidad.

Risk factors associated to argon plasma coagulation treatment failure in patients with chronic radiation proctopathy

Background: argon plasma coagulation (APC) is the current endoscopic treatment of choice for patients who develop chronic radiation proctopathy. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with treatment failure. Methods: one hundred and ninety-nine patients treated with argon plasma coagulation in a single center were retrospectively analyzed. Results: twenty-four (12.06 %) patients were classified as APC treatment failures. Requirement of red blood cells transfusion and/or hemoglobin < 7 g/dl (OR 12.19, 95 % CI: 2.78-53.45, p < 0.001) and severe bleeding frequency (OR 2.76, 95 % CI: 1.13-6.72, p = 0.03) at diagnosis and prior to endoscopic therapy were associated with argon plasma coagulation treatment failure. Nineteen patients of the successful therapy group developed bleeding recurrence; no risk factors were associated with a shorter recurrence-free time. More than four APC sessions were associated to a higher risk of surgical intervention for bleeding control (OR 87.00, 95 % CI: 10.23-740.18, p < 0.001). Conclusion: requirement of red blood cells transfusion and/or hemoglobin < 7 g/dl and a severe bleeding frequency (more than five days per week) were identified as the most important risk factors for treatment failure in patients with chronic radiation proctopathy. (AU)

Molecular and morphological characterization of four new ancyromonad genera and proposal for an updated taxonomy of the Ancyromonadida.

Ancyromonads are small biflagellated protists with a bean-shaped morphology. They are cosmopolitan in marine, freshwater, and soil environments, where they attach to surfaces while feeding on bacteria. These poorly known grazers stand out by their uncertain phylogenetic position in the tree of eukaryotes, forming a deep-branching "orphan" lineage that is considered key to a better understanding of the early evolution of eukaryotes. Despite their ecological and evolutionary interest, only limited knowledge exists about their true diversity. Here, we aimed to characterize ancyromonads better by integrating environmental surveys with behavioral observation and description of cell morphology, for which sample isolation and culturing are indispensable. We studied 18 ancyromonad strains, including 14 new isolates and seven new species. We described three new and genetically divergent genera: Caraotamonas, Nyramonas, and Olneymonas, together encompassing four species. The remaining three new species belong to the already-known genera Fabomonas and Ancyromonas. We also raised Striomonas, formerly a subgenus of Nutomonas, to full genus status, on morphological and phylogenetic grounds. We studied the morphology of diverse ancyromonads under light and electron microscopy and carried out molecular phylogenetic analyses, also including 18S rRNA gene sequences from several environmental surveys. Based on these analyses, we have updated the taxonomy of Ancyromonadida.

Maturases and Group II Introns in the Mitochondrial Genomes of the Deepest Jakobid Branch.

Ophirinina is a recently described suborder of jakobid protists (Excavata) with only one described species to date, Ophirina amphinema. Despite the acquisition and analysis of massive transcriptomic and mitogenomic sequence data from O. amphinema, its phylogenetic position among excavates remained inconclusive, branching as sister group either to all Jakobida or to all Discoba. From a morphological perspective, it has not only several typical jakobid features but also unusual traits for this group, including the morphology of mitochondrial cristae (sac-shaped to flattened-curved cristae) and the presence of two flagellar vanes. In this study, we have isolated, morphologically characterized, and sequenced genome and transcriptome data of two new Ophirinina species: Ophirina chinija sp. nov. and Agogonia voluta gen. et sp. nov. Ophirina chinija differs from O. amphinema in having rounded cell ends, subapically emerging flagella and a posterior cell protrusion. The much more distantly related A. voluta has several unique ultrastructural characteristics, including sac-shaped mitochondrial cristae and a complex "B" fiber. Phylogenomic analyses with a large conserved-marker dataset supported the monophyly of Ophirina and Agogonia within the Ophirinina and, more importantly, resolved the conflicting position of ophirinids as the sister clade to all other jakobids. The characterization of the mitochondrial genomes showed that Agogonia differs from all known gene-rich jakobid mitogenomes by the presence of two group II introns and their corresponding maturase protein genes. A phylogenetic analysis of the diversity of known maturases confirmed that the Agogonia proteins are highly divergent from each other and define distant families among the prokaryotic and eukaryotic maturases. This opens the intriguing possibility that, compared to other jakobids, Ophirinina may have retained additional mitochondrial elements that may help to understand the early diversification of eukaryotes and the evolution of mitochondria.

Transporter Proteins as Ecological Assets and Features of Microbial Eukaryotic Pangenomes.

Here we review two connected themes in evolutionary microbiology: (a) the nature of gene repertoire variation within species groups (pangenomes) and (b) the concept of metabolite transporters as accessory proteins capable of providing niche-defining "bolt-on" phenotypes. We discuss the need for improved sampling and understanding of pangenome variation in eukaryotic microbes. We then review the factors that shape the repertoire of accessory genes within pangenomes. As part of this discussion, we outline how gene duplication is a key factor in both eukaryotic pangenome variation and transporter gene family evolution. We go on to outline how, through functional characterization of transporter-encoding genes, in combination with analyses of how transporter genes are gained and lost from accessory genomes, we can reveal much about the niche range, the ecology, and the evolution of virulence of microbes. We advocate for the coordinated systematic study of eukaryotic pangenomes through genome sequencing and the functional analysis of genes found within the accessory gene repertoire.

Risk factors associated to argon plasma coagulation treatment failure in patients with chronic radiation proctopathy.

BACKGROUND: argon plasma coagulation (APC) is the current endoscopic treatment of choice for patients who develop chronic radiation proctopathy. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with treatment failure. METHODS: one hundred and ninety-nine patients treated with argon plasma coagulation in a single center were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: twenty-four (12.06 %) patients were classified as APC treatment failures. Requirement of red blood cells transfusion and/or hemoglobin < 7 g/dl (OR 12.19, 95 % CI: 2.78-53.45, p < 0.001) and severe bleeding frequency (OR 2.76, 95 % CI: 1.13-6.72, p = 0.03) at diagnosis and prior to endoscopic therapy were associated with argon plasma coagulation treatment failure. Nineteen patients of the successful therapy group developed bleeding recurrence; no risk factors were associated with a shorter recurrence-free time. More than four APC sessions were associated to a higher risk of surgical intervention for bleeding control (OR 87.00, 95 % CI: 10.23-740.18, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: requirement of red blood cells transfusion and/or hemoglobin < 7 g/dl and a severe bleeding frequency (more than five days per week) were identified as the most important risk factors for treatment failure in patients with chronic radiation proctopathy.

Expanding the molecular and morphological diversity of Apusomonadida, a deep-branching group of gliding bacterivorous protists.

Apusomonads are cosmopolitan bacterivorous biflagellate protists usually gliding on freshwater and marine sediment or wet soils. These nanoflagellates form a sister lineage to opisthokonts and may have retained ancestral features helpful to understanding the early evolution of this large supergroup. Although molecular environmental analyses indicate that apusomonads are genetically diverse, few species have been described. Here, we morphologically characterize 11 new apusomonad strains. Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of the rRNA gene operon, we describe four new strains of the known species Multimonas media, Podomonas capensis, Apusomonas proboscidea, and Apusomonas australiensis, and rename Thecamonas oxoniensis as Mylnikovia oxoniensis n. gen., n. comb. Additionally, we describe four new genera and six new species: Catacumbia lutetiensis n. gen. n. sp., Cavaliersmithia chaoae n. gen. n. sp., Singekia montserratensis n. gen. n. sp., Singekia franciliensis n. gen. n. sp., Karpovia croatica n. gen. n. sp., and Chelonemonas dolani n. sp. Our comparative analysis suggests that apusomonad ancestor was a fusiform biflagellate with a dorsal pellicle, a plastic ventral surface, and a sleeve covering the anterior flagellum, that thrived in marine, possibly oxygen-poor, environments. It likely had a complex cell cycle with dormant and multiple fission stages, and sex. Our results extend known apusomonad diversity, allow updating their taxonomy, and provide elements to understand early eukaryotic evolution.

Values and vendettas: Populist science governance in Mexico.

This article aims to diversify STS perspectives on populism by addressing a sequence of episodes of Mexican science policy in terms of clashes between populism and scientific communities. The article describes a reorientation of Mexican science policy that has destabilized the academic system during the present administration. Specifically, it looks at the legislative project initiated by Mexico's National Science and Technology Council (Conacyt) to overhaul the national regulatory framework on science, technology and innovation, and controversial political actions taken by Conacyt against the scientific community. Contextualizing these grievances, the article concludes that at stake is a form of 'trickle-down populism' that, through systematic authoritarianism, seeks to impose on the academic community a model of 'populist science governance'.

Phylogenomics Supports the Monophyly of Aphelids and Fungi and Identifies New Molecular Synapomorphies.

The supergroup Holomycota, composed of Fungi and several related lineages of unicellular organisms (Nucleariida, Rozellida, Microsporidia, and Aphelida), represents one of the major branches in the phylogeny of eukaryotes. Nevertheless, except for the well-established position of Nucleariida as the first holomycotan branch to diverge, the relationships among the other lineages have so far remained unresolved largely owing to the lack of molecular data for some groups. This was notably the case aphelids, a poorly known group of endobiotic phagotrophic protists that feed on algae with cellulose walls. The first molecular phylogenies including aphelids supported their sister relationship with Rozellida and Microsporidia which, collectively, formed a new group called Opisthosporidia (the "Opisthosporidia hypothesis"). However, recent phylogenomic analyses including massive sequence data from two aphelid genera, Paraphelidium and Amoeboaphelidium, suggested that the aphelids are sister to fungi (the "Aphelida $+$ Fungi hypothesis"). Should this position be confirmed, aphelids would be key to understanding the early evolution of Holomycota and the origin of Fungi. Here, we carry out phylogenomic analyses with an expanded taxonomic sampling for aphelids after sequencing the transcriptomes of two species of the genus Aphelidium (Aphelidium insulamus and Aphelidium tribonematis) in order to test these competing hypotheses. Our new phylogenomic analyses including species from the three known aphelid genera strongly rejected the Opisthosporidia hypothesis. Furthermore, comparative genomic analyses further supported the Aphelida $+$ Fungi hypothesis via the identification of 19 orthologous genes exclusively shared by these two lineages. Seven of them originated from ancient horizontal gene transfer events predating the aphelid-fungal split and the remaining 12 likely evolved de novo, constituting additional molecular synapomorphies for this clade. Ancestral trait reconstruction based on our well-resolved phylogeny of Holomycota suggests that the progenitor of both fungi and rozellids, was aphelid-like, having an amoeboflagellate state and likely preying endobiotically on cellulose-containing, cell-walled organisms. Two lineages, which we propose to call Phytophagea and Opisthophagea, evolved from this ancestor. Phytophagea, grouping aphelids and classical fungi, mainly specialized in endobiotic predation of algal cells. Fungi emerged from this lineage after losing phagotrophy in favor of osmotrophy. Opisthophagea, grouping rozellids and Microsporidia, became parasites, mostly of chitin-containing hosts. This lineage entered a progressive reductive process that resulted in a unique lifestyle, especially in the highly derived Microsporidia. [Aphelida, fungi, Holomycota, horizontal gene transfer, phylogenomics, synapomorphy.].

Coinfección por helmintos y Mycobacteriumtuberculosis

Introducción: Las infecciones por helmintos y Mycobacterium tuberculosis se superponen geográficamente, en particular en los países de ingresos económicos bajos y medianos, donde son altamente endémicas. En estos, la mayoría de las personas se infectan crónicamente por uno o ambos tipos de patógenos en etapas tempranas de sus vidas. Objetivo: Incursionar en los principales aspectos inmunológicos de la coinfección helmintos-M. tuberculosis y sus consecuencias para la progresión de la infección por M. tuberculosis y la vacunación contra la tuberculosis. Métodos: Revisión de artículos sobre inmunología, diagnóstico, tratamiento y control de las infecciones por helmintos y M. tuberculosis publicados entre 2010-2022 en las bases de datos PubMed, Medline y Google Scholar. Se consultaron, además, algunas monografías y artículos originales fechados con anterioridad. Análisis y síntesis de la información: Durante la infección crónica por helmintos, la modulación de las respuestas inmunitarias Th2 y Tregs por parte de esos parásitos podría inhibir las respuestas inmunitarias Th1 y Th17 contra la infección por M. tuberculosis y conducir a su progresión desde la fase latente, de escasa expresión clínica, hasta la fase activa de la tuberculosis. La modulación inmune de los helmintos podría dar lugar a una respuesta deficiente a la vacunación con BCG. Resultados epidemiológicos demuestran que la inmunomodulación podría revertirse mediante tratamientos antihelmínticos. Conclusiones: En la infección crónica por helmintos, es importante considerar que la modulación de sus respuestas inmunitarias activa circuitos inmunorreguladores complejos que pueden conducir a formas graves de la tuberculosis en el hospedero y a respuesta deficiente a la vacunación con BCG.

Introduction: Helminth and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections overlap geographically, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where they are highly endemic. There, most people are chronically infected by one or both types of pathogens early in their lives. Objective: To explore the main immunological aspects of helminth-M tuberculosis coinfection and its consequences for the progression of M. tuberculosis infection and vaccination against tuberculosis. Methods: A review of articles on immunology, diagnosis, treatment, and control of helminth and M. tuberculosis infections was conducted on those published between 2010-2022 in PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases. In addition, some previously dated original monographs and articles were consulted. Analysis and synthesis of information: During chronic helminth infection, modulation of Th2 and Treg immune responses by these parasites could inhibit Th1 and Th17 immune responses against M. tuberculosis infection and lead to its progression from the latent phase, with little clinical expression, to the active phase of tuberculosis. Immune modulation of helminths could lead to poor response to BCG vaccination. Epidemiological results show that immunomodulation could be reversed by anthelmintic treatments. Conclusions: In chronic helminth infection, it is important to consider that the modulation of their immune responses activates complex immunoregulatory circuits that can lead to severe forms of tuberculosis in the host and poor response to BCG vaccination.

Infección por Toxoplasma gondii y accidentes de tránsito. Evidencias epidemiológicas de una asociación poco conocida

Recientes pesquisas en las que se utilizó la detección de anticuerpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii como herramienta diagnóstica de toxoplasmosis latente, demostraron asociación entre la infección crónica por el parásito y la disminución de funciones cognitivas, las enfermedades psiquiátricas (esquizofrenia, bipolar, trastornos obsesivo-compulsivos), las enfermedades degenerativas (enfermedad de Alzheimer, múltiples esclerosis, enfermedad de Huntington), y cambios de comportamiento (mayor frecuencia de conductas suicidas y, sobre todo, de accidentes de tránsito). En la literatura revisada, varios estudios demostraron seroprevalencias de anticuerpos anti-T. gondii significativamente mayores en grupos de personas involucradas en accidentes de tránsito que las de sus correspondientes grupos control. La no disponibilidad de fármacos adecuados contra los bradizoítos de T. gondii y de vacunas efectivas contra el parásito, además de no posibilitarse la demostración de una posible relación causal, se obstaculizaba la que podría resultar una vía complementaria para el control de los accidentes de tránsito, un problema de la cotidianidad universal de muy adversas consecuencias humanas y sociales. En perspectivas, la superación de estas limitaciones debe recibir una adecuada atención, tanto de las autoridades sanitarias como de la Academia. En esa dirección, el propósito de este documento es contribuir a ganar conciencia sobre la existencia de esa asociación.

Recent investigations, in which the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies has been used as a diagnostic tool for latent toxoplasmosis, have shown an association between chronic infection by the parasite and decreased cognitive functions, psychiatric illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive - compulsive disorders), degenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease) and behavioral changes (greater frequency of suicidal behaviors and, above all, traffic accidents). In the reviewed literature, several studies demonstrated significantly higher seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii in groups of people involved in traffic accidents than in their corresponding control groups. The unavailability of adequate drugs against T. gondii bradyzoites and effective vaccines against the parasite, in addition to not allowing the demonstration of a possible causal relationship, hinders what could be a complementary way to control traffic accidents, a problem of universal daily life with very adverse human and social consequences. In perspective, overcoming these limitations should receive adequate attention, both from the health authorities and from academia. In this direction, the purpose of this document is to contribute to raising awareness of the existence of this association.

A Genome Sequence Assembly of the Phototactic and Optogenetic Model Fungus Blastocladiella emersonii Reveals a Diversified Nucleotide-Cyclase Repertoire.

The chytrid fungus Blastocladiella emersonii produces spores with swimming tails (zoospores); these cells can sense and swim toward light. Interest in this species stems from ongoing efforts to develop B. emersonii as a model for understanding the evolution of phototaxis and the molecular cell biology of the associated optogenetic circuits. Here, we report a highly contiguous genome assembly and gene annotation of the B. emersonii American Type Culture Collection 22665 strain. We integrate a PacBio long-read library with an Illumina paired-end genomic sequence survey leading to an assembly of 21 contigs totaling 34.27 Mb. Using these data, we assess the diversity of sensory system encoding genes. These analyses identify a rich complement of G-protein-coupled receptors, ion transporters, and nucleotide cyclases, all of which have been diversified by domain recombination and tandem duplication. In many cases, these domain combinations have led to the fusion of a protein domain to a transmembrane domain, tying a putative signaling function to the cell membrane. This pattern is consistent with the diversification of the B. emersonii sensory-signaling systems, which likely plays a varied role in the complex life cycle of this fungus.

High mortality at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in a referral center in the metropolitan area of Mexico City.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited information about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease in Latin-American countries. Our objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients in Mexico. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with 333 consecutive patients who were admitted to Hospital de Especialidades "Dr. Antonio Fraga Mouret" in Mexico City with COVID-19 between April 1, 2020, and June 30, 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory data, treatment details and 30-day outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The patients studied included 52% men (172/233) and the median age was 45 years. Up to 75% (250/333) of patients were classified as overweight or obese. There were 185 (56%) inpatients; 85% (158/185) were hospitalized in the general ward, and 15% (27/185) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Laboratory measurements showed significant differences between inpatients and outpatients such as lymphocyte-count (median 0.8 vs 1.2×109/L, p < 0.001), LDH (median 650 vs 294 U/L, p < 0.001), CRP (median 147 vs 5 mg/L, p = 0.007), CK-MB (median, 15 vs 10 U/L, p = 0.008), ferritin (median, 860 vs 392 ng/mL, p = 0.02), and D-dimer (median, 780 vs 600 ng/mL, p = 0.15). These differences were seen between survivor and non-survivor patients as well. The rate of death in mechanically ventilated patients was 94% (67/71). Mortality at 30-day follow-up was 57% (105/185). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that majority of the non-survivors were obese and young. Complications leading to death was observed in majority of the cases.

First Molecular Characterization of the Elusive Marine Protist Meteora sporadica.

Meteora sporadica is a protist species first described by Hausmann et al. (2002) in deep-sea sediments from the Sporades Basin, Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Due to its unusual morphology and locomotion, very different from those of other high-rank eukaryotic taxa, it was classified as an incertae sedis species. Unfortunately, its morphological characterization was not accompanied by the generation of molecular data, preventing its placement in molecular phylogenetic trees including other protist lineages. Here, we report the observation of protist cells in sediments from a shallow marine lagoon in the Mediterranean Sea with morphological characteristics indistinguishable from those of Meteora sporadica. Given this similarity and the geographical proximity to the type location, we consider that the organism that we observed likely corresponded to the type species, M. sporadica, which seems to be a benthic predator spanning from shallow to deep-sea habitats. We determined the 18S rRNA gene sequence of M. sporadica from micromanipulated cells. Searches in sequence databases did not yield closely related hits, suggesting that Meteora is a rare organism. Phylogenetic analyses did not show any close affinity with other eukaryotic groups, supporting its initial incertae sedis status and suggesting that it may define a new high-rank level eukaryotic lineage.