Improvement of the optical, photocatalytic and antibacterial properties of ZnO semiconductor nanoparticles using different pepper aqueous extracts.

Peppers are fruits that grow on plants of the genus Capsicum and are popular for their use in gastronomy as a condiment and for their anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties due to their phytocompounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, or alkaloids. Semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a green approach employing natural aqueous extracts of several varieties of peppers (jalapeño, morita, and ghost). The obtained NPs were characterized by different techniques, and their photocatalytic and antibacterial activity was studied. The signal at 620 cm-1 in the FTIR spectra belonging to the Zn-O bond, the appearance of the main peaks of a hexagonal wurtzite structure in the XRD pattern, and the characteristic signals in the UV-Vis spectra confirm the correct formation of ZnO NPs. The photocatalytic activity was analyzed against Methylene Blue (MB), Rhodamine B (RB), and Methyl Orange (MO) under UV and sunlight. All syntheses were able to degrade more than 93% of the pollutants under UV light. Antibacterial assays were performed against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. All syntheses exhibited antibacterial activity against all bacteria and maximum growth inhibition against Bacillus subtilis. The prominent results demonstrate that natural aqueous extracts obtained from peppers can be used to synthesize ZnO NPs with photocatalytic and biomedical applications.

Super-resolution and apodization with discrete adaptive optics.

High-resolution imaging is of great importance in various fields. The use of pupil phase-only filters (PPF) exceeds the diffraction limit of the imaging system in a simple way. When dealing with distorted wavefronts, however, PPF require that aberrations be compensated for. In this paper, we introduce a novel technique consisting of the use of discrete adaptive optics with PPFs so that the compensating device implements the PPF at the same time. Analysis of the theory for point spread function reshaping using PPFs has enabled us to develop a new approach to characterizing apodizing filters. A validation experiment has been carried out, the first of its kind to our knowledge, in which a number of PPFs were combined with two levels of compensation. Our experimental results are discussed.

Ameloblastic carcinoma of the mandible: A case report.

Ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) is a rare, primary epithelial odontogenic malignant neoplasm. It is the malignant counterpart of ameloblastoma. It comprises 1% of all cysts and tumours occurring in the jaws, arising from tissues associated with odontogenic epithelium. The objective of the present study was to describe a clinical case of a 63-year-old male with an enlargement in the mandible on the left side. Panoramic radiography revealed a radiolucent area with poorly defined borders, and an incisional biopsy was performed for the histopathological study using immunomarkers such as SOX2 and Ki-67. Ki-67 is considered a marker of cell proliferation, and SOX2 reportedly participates in the development of the ameloblastic epithelium lineage and is associated with a more aggressive clinical course. A final histopathological diagnosis of AC was given. Unfortunately, the patient died one week before surgical resection (the surgical treatment of choice for AC).

Effectiveness of a Mobile App to Increase Risk Perception of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Marijuana Use in Mexican High School Students: Quantitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Young people have the highest rate of drug use worldwide. Recent data from Mexico in this population show that the prevalence of illicit drug use doubled between 2011 and 2016 (2.9%-6.2%), with marijuana being the one with the highest increase (2.4%-5.3%), but also point out that alcohol and tobacco use have remained steady or decreased. Mexican adolescents are at high risk for drug use owing to a low perception of risk and the availability of drugs. Adolescence is an ideal period to reduce or prevent risky behaviors using evidence-based strategies. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to test the short-term effectiveness of a mobile intervention app ("What Happens if you Go Too Far?" ["¿Qué pasa si te pasas?"]) that seeks to increase risk perception of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use in a sample of Mexican high school students. METHODS: A nonexperimental evaluation based on pretest-posttest design was used to measure the effectiveness of a preventive intervention using a mobile app, "What Happens If You Go Too Far?" The dimensions analyzed were knowledge of drugs and their effects, life skills, self-esteem, and risk perception. The intervention was conducted on a high school campus with 356 first-year students. RESULTS: The sample included 359 first-year high school students (mean 15, SD 0.588 years; women: 224/359, 62.4% men: 135/359, 37.6%). The intervention increased the overall risk perception of tobacco (χ24=21.6; P<.001) and alcohol use (χ24=15.3; P<.001). There was no significant difference in the perception that it is dangerous to smoke 5 cigarettes, and there was a marginal difference in the perception that it is very dangerous to smoke 1 cigarette or to use alcohol or marijuana. We used a generalized estimating equation method to determine the impact of the variables on risk perception. The results showed that knowledge about smoking increased the risk perception of smoking 1 cigarette (odds ratio [OR] 1.1065, 95% CI 1.013-1.120; P=.01), and that knowledge about marijuana use (OR 1.109, 95% CI 1.138-1.185; P=.002) and self-esteem (OR 1.102, 95% CI 1.007-1.206; P=.04) produced significant increases in the risk perception of consuming 5 cigarettes. Resistance to peer pressure and assertiveness also increased the perceived risk of using tobacco and alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention has the potential to increase the perception of risk toward drug use in high school students by providing knowledge about the effects and psychosocial risks of drug use and by strengthening life skills that are associated with increased risk perception. The use of mobile technologies in intervention processes may broaden the scope of preventive work for adolescents.

Does fatigue affect the kinematics of endurance running? / ¿Afecta la fatiga a la cinemática de la carrera de resistencia?

The purpose of this study was to determine the foot strike pattern (FSP), inversion (INV) and spatial-temporal variables in a large sample of recreational runners during a long-distance competition, according to sex and changes in the classification race. A total of 368 men and 67 women, who participated in the XVII International Half Marathon of Cordoba (Spain) were analysed. It was recorded at km 5 and km 15, where high-speed camcorder and 2D-photogrammetric techniques were used to measure FSP, INV, contact time (CT) and flight time (FT). The group that worsened their classification at km 15 increase RFS prevalence and INV asymmetry. A Pearson analysis indicates that variation of the classification in the race between the marks km 5 and km 15 is related with CT (r=0.429, p<0.001) and FT (r=-0.360, p<0.001). RFS prevalence and spatial-temporal parameters showed different patterns depending on whether the runners improved or worsened their ranking. (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el patrón de pisada, inversión y variables espaciotemporales para una amplia muestra de corredores amateurs, durante una carrera de larga distancia, según sexo y posición de clasificación. Se analizaron 368 hombres y 67 mujeres, que participaron en la XVII Media Maratón Internacional de Córdoba (España). Se registró el km 5 y km 15, utilizando técnicas de fotogrametría 2D de alta velocidad para medir la pisada, la inversión, el tiempo de contacto (TC) y el tiempo de vuelo (TV). El grupo que empeoró su clasificación en el km 15 aumentó la prevalencia de FSP y la asimetría del INV. Un análisis de Pearson indica que la variación de la clasificación en la carrera está relacionada con TC (r=0,429, p<0,001) y TV (r=-0,360, p<0,001). La prevalencia de retropié y los parámetros espaciotemporales mostraron diferentes patrones dependiendo de si los corredores mejoraron o empeoraron su clasificación. (AU)

Identification of new variants and candidate genes in women with familial premature ovarian insufficiency using whole-exome sequencing.

PURPOSE: To identify candidate variants in genes possibly associated with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). METHODS: Fourteen women, from 7 families, affected by idiopathic POI were included. Additionally, 98 oocyte donors of the same ethnicity were enrolled as a control group. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed in 14 women with POI to identify possibly pathogenic variants in genes potentially associated with the ovarian function. The candidate genes selected in POI patients were analysed within the exome results of oocyte donors. RESULTS: After the variant filtering in the WES analysis of 7 POI families, 23 possibly damaging genetic variants were identified in 22 genes related to POI or linked to ovarian physiology. All variants were heterozygous and five of the seven families carried two or more variants in different genes. We have described genes that have never been associated to POI pathology; however, they are involved in important biological processes for ovarian function. In the 98 oocyte donors of the control group, we found no potentially pathogenic variants among the 22 candidate genes. CONCLUSION: WES has previously shown as an efficient tool to identify causative genes for ovarian failure. Although some studies have focused on it, and many genes are identified, this study proposes new candidate genes and variants, having potentially moderate/strong functional effects, associated with POI, and argues for a polygenic etiology of POI in some cases.

Rehabilitación neuromotora en unidades de tratamiento del ataque cerebrovascular / Neuromotor rehabilitation in stroke treatment units

RESUMEN: Introducción: El Ataque Cerebro Vascular (ACV) es la segunda causa de muerte a nivel mundial y primera causa de discapacidad en el adulto. Su complejidad requiere de una atención integral a través de un equipo multiprofesional, implementado en las denominadas Unidades de Tratamiento del Ataque Cerebrovascular (UTAC). Considerando su relevancia e impacto en el pronóstico, es fundamental conocer las acciones desarrolladas en el ámbito de la rehabilitación neuromotora en estas unidades, información que actualmente es limitada. Método: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, la muestra fue por conveniencia, participaron 5 kinesiólogos de establecimientos públicos de salud. La recolección de información se realizó con una encuesta en línea enfocada a las acciones que se realiza en la UTAC. El análisis de datos se realizó con STATA 15 y ATLAS TI 8.0. Resultados: El inicio y frecuencia de la rehabilitación neuromotora es variable, ocurre entre las 24 y 48 horas posterior al diagnóstico. Diariamente se realizan entre una a tres sesiones por usuario, su duración varía desde 25 a 90 minutos. Las acciones neuromotoras son de carácter integral y multiprofesional, el abordaje incluye el componente neuromotor, respiratorio y estado cognitivo. Las acciones neuromotoras incorporan técnicas de facilitación de la postura más alta lograda por el usuario y estimulación sensorial, entre otras. Conclusiones: La rehabilitación neuromotora en las UTAC de Chile muestra realidades diferentes en cuanto a la identificación, funcionamiento y la intervención neuromotora.

ABSTRACT Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world and the first cause of disability in adults. Its complexity requires comprehensive care provided by a multiprofessional team, implemented in the so-called Stroke Treatment Units (STUs). In view of their relevance and impact on the prognosis, identifying activities developed in the framework of neuromotor rehabilitation is of fundamental importance, information which, at present, is not readily available. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study, convenience sampling with the participation of 5 kinesiologists from public health centers in Chile. Information was collected by means of an online survey focused on the work being carried out in the STUs. Data analysis was performed using STATA 15 and ATLAS TI 8.0 software. Results: Initiation and frequency of neuromotor rehabilitation is variable and occurs between 24 and 48 hours after diagnosis. Between one and three daily sessions per user are performed and their duration varies from 25 to 90 minutes. Neuromotor activities are integral and multiprofessional; the approach includes neuromotor, respiratory and cognitive components. Neuromotor activities incorporate facilitation techniques for the most advanced user posture achieved and sensory stimulation, among others. Conclusions: Neuromotor rehabilitation in Chile´s STUs shows different realities in terms of identification, functioning and neurokinetic intervention.

Advances in Citrus Flowering: A Review.

Citrus are polycarpic and evergreen species that flower once in spring or several times a year depending on the genotype and the climatic conditions. Floral induction is triggered by low temperature and water-deficit stress and occurs 2-3 months before bud sprouting, whereas differentiation takes place at the same time as sprouting. The induced buds develop single flowers or determinate inflorescences, so that vegetative growth is required at the axillary buds to renew the polycarpic habit. The presence of fruits inhibits sprouting and flower induction from nearby axillary buds in the current season. In some species and cultivars, this results in low flowering intensity the following spring, thus giving rise to alternate bearing. A number of key flowering genes act in the leaf (CiFT3, CcMADS19, etc.) or in the bud (CsLFY, CsTFL1, etc.) to promote or inhibit both flowering time and reproductive meristem identity in response to these climatic factors, the fruit dominance, or the age of the plant (juvenility). The expression of some of these genes can be modified by gibberellin treatments, which reduce bud sprouting and flowering in adult trees, and constitute the main horticultural technique to control flowering in citrus. This review presents a comprehensive view of all aspects of the flowering process in citrus, converging the research published during the past half century, which focused on plant growth regulators and the nutritional source-sink relationships and guided research toward the study of gene transcription and plant transformation, and the advances made with the development of the tools of molecular biology published during the current century.

Identification of vaginal microbiome associated with IVF pregnancy.

The factors that cause a preterm birth (PTB) are not completely understood up to date. Moreover, PTB is more common in pregnancies achieved by in-vitro fertilization (IVF) than in spontaneous pregnancies. Our aim was to compare the composition of vaginal microbiome at 12 weeks of gestation between women who conceived naturally or through IVF in order to study whether IVF PTB-risk could be related to vaginal microbiome composition. We performed an observational, prospective and multicentre study among two public hospitals and a fertility private clinic in Spain. Vaginal swabs from 64 pregnant women at 12 weeks of gestation were collected to analyse the microbiome composition by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA. Our results showed that the vaginal microbiome signature at 12 weeks of pregnancy was different from women who conceived naturally or through IVF. The beta diversity and the genus composition were different between both cohorts. Gardnerella, Neisseria, Prevotella, and Staphylococcus genus were enriched genus in the vaginal microbiome from the IVF group, allowing us to create a balance model to predict both cohorts. Moreover, at species level the L. iners abundance was higher and L. gasseri was lower in the IVF group. As a conclusion, our findings were consistent with a proposed framework in which IVF pregnancy are related to risk for preterm birth (PTB) suggesting vaginal microbiome could be the reason to the relation between IVF pregnancy and risk for PTB.

Spatially variable pesticide application in olive groves: Evaluation of potential pesticide-savings through stochastic spatial simulation algorithms.

Site-specific management using spatial crown volume characterization can greatly reduce the amount of pesticides applied in agricultural treatments performed with air-assisted sprayers, while helping farmers achieve the European legislation on safe use of pesticides. Nevertheless, variable rate treatments in olive groves have received little attention. Thus, field research was conducted in a 20.6-ha traditional olive grove. Two attributes of the trees - tree crown volume (V) and tree projected area - were determined, using 67 samples for V and all trees of the field (1433) for tree projected area. Spatial continuity of both attributes was modelled with exponential variograms. To gain a measure of local uncertainty, stochastic simulation algorithms were applied. One hundred simulated images were obtained for tree projected area using direct sequential simulation. Tree projected area simulations were used to improve spatial prediction of V, more difficult and more expensive to obtain, taking advantage of the high linear correlation between both variables (rxy = 0.72,p < 0.001). Thus, direct sequential cosimulation was employed to predict the spatial distribution of V, obtaining 100 geostatistical realizations of V. In order to estimate the potential reduction of pesticide use in the farm with variable rate treatments, two cut-off values of V were considered (50 and 100 m3crown volume). Local uncertainty, understood as the probability of each tree belonging to a given crown volume interval was determined. Probability maps were further transformed to morphological maps and finally to variable prescription maps. Two scenarios with 2 and 3 management zones (MZs) were obtained. In comparison with a conventional phytosanitary application, the variable rate treatments could reduce the pesticide amounts by 21.3% with 2 MZs, and by 38% with 3 MZs. The joint use of V and tree projected area in stochastic sequential simulation algorithms has shown to be useful to determine MZs in olive groves.

A 3-Case Series of Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia and COVID-19: Is Plasma Exchange an Alternative?

COVID-19 has rarely been associated with immune-mediated phenomena such as autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). Both cold hemolysis with cold agglutinin detection and warm haemolysis have been described with variable prognoses. Current treatment regimens are based on experience with other case series and case reports, which still represent a clinical challenge. Corticosteroids, red cell transfusions and rituximab have been successfully employed. We present 3 cases of AIHA in the context of COVID-19 disease, the first case successfully treated with plasma exchange and long-term follow-up of the 3 cases showing complete remission of anaemia.

An analytical strategy for designer benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics determination in plasma samples using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry after microextraction by packed sorbent.

The illicit market for new psychoactive substances (NPS) is continuously growing. Designer benzodiazepines (DBZD) and Z-hypnotics are increasingly being used for self-medication or recreational purposes. The limited regulation and little biological information available about NPS have raised the need for analytical methods capable of extracting and quantifying them in human biological fluids. In this work, a procedure based on microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) in combination with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) has been developed to determine the designer benzodiazepines (clonazolam, deschloroetizolam, nifoxipam, flubromazolam and meclonazepam), and the Z-hypnotics (zolpidem, zaleplon and zopiclone) in plasma. A 3342//16 asymmetric screening design was used to study extraction variables such as the type and volume of eluent, pH, number of extraction cycles, volume of washing solvent and type of sorbent. The ensuing analytical method was validated in terms of linearity by standard addition calibration curves at eight different analyte concentration levels from 0.5-500 ng mL-1. R2 values, limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) fell in the ranges 0.9900-0.9988, 0.5-5 ng mL-1 and 1-10 ng mL-1. Intra and interday precision expressed as relative standard deviations, were < 10.6 % and process efficiency ranged from 63 to 117 % for the quality control samples. The proposed method detected zolpidem and various other benzodiazepines in plasma samples from overdoses cases.

Cómo leer y generar publicaciones científicas: exploración gráfica de datos cuantitativos: la importancia de mirar la información / How to read and generate scientific publications: in this issue: graphical exploration of quantitative data: the importance of looking at the information

Once the collection of data from a study has been completed and the respective database is available, the researcher is often impatient to answer the research question and ventures into the final steps of the analysis. However, a key stage, prior to a more complex or sophisticated statistical analysis, is data exploration and descriptive statistics. Unfortunately, the exploratory analysis of the data is often performed without much dedication, or is simply "skipped", which can have important consequences on the results obtained and lead to the report of erroneous conclusions. On the one hand, exploration allows to detect errors in the data and, if possible, to correct them from the source of origin or take them into account to make decisions about what to do with them. On the other hand, exploration allows to know the behavior of the variables evaluated in terms of their distribution (key concept in Statistics) and possible relationships among them, which is essential for subsequent descriptive and inferential analysis. The objective of this article is to show graphic tools for the exploration of quantitative data, in order to visualize its distribution and compare groups according to categories of qualitative variables.

Una vez finalizada la recolección de datos de un estudio y contado con la respectiva base de datos, es frecuente que el investigador esté impaciente por responder a la pregunta de investigación y se aventure a realizar los pasos finales del análisis. No obstante, una etapa clave, previa a un análisis estadístico más complejo o sofisticado, es la exploración de datos y la estadística descriptiva. Lamentablemente, el análisis exploratorio de los datos muchas veces es realizado sin mucha dedicación, o simplemente es "saltado", lo que puede tener consecuencias importantes en los resultados obtenidos y conducir al reporte de conclusiones erróneas. Por un lado, la exploración permite detectar errores en los datos y, si es posible, corregirlos desde la fuente de origen o tenerlos en cuenta para tomar decisiones respecto a qué hacer con ellos. Por otra parte, la exploración permite conocer el comportamiento de las variables evaluadas en términos de su distribución (concepto clave en Estadística) y posibles relaciones entre ellas, lo cual es fundamental para los análisis descriptivo e inferencial posteriores. El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar herramientas gráficas para la exploración de datos cuantitativos, con el fin de visualizar su distribución y comparar grupos según categorías de variables cualitativas.

Exceptional continental record of biotic recovery after the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction.

We report a time-calibrated stratigraphic section in Colorado that contains unusually complete fossils of mammals, reptiles, and plants and elucidates the drivers and tempo of biotic recovery during the poorly known first million years after the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction (KPgE). Within ~100 thousand years (ka) post-KPgE, mammalian taxonomic richness doubled, and maximum mammalian body mass increased to near pre-KPgE levels. A threefold increase in maximum mammalian body mass and dietary niche specialization occurred at ~300 ka post-KPgE, concomitant with increased megafloral standing species richness. The appearance of additional large mammals occurred by ~700 ka post-KPgE, coincident with the first appearance of Leguminosae (the bean family). These concurrent plant and mammal originations and body-mass shifts coincide with warming intervals, suggesting that climate influenced post-KPgE biotic recovery.

Nocardiosis cutánea primaria en un paciente en tratamiento con certolizumab / Primary Cutaneous Nocardiosis in a Man Treated With Certolizumab

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