Evaluating the performance and membrane fouling of a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) treating plywood industry wastewater.

This study evaluates the performance of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for treating wastewater from the laminated plywood industry. To this end, a pilot-scale MBR was operated for 60 days with a hydraulic retention time of 20 h and a solid retention time of 20 days. The reactor's performance was assessed based on the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), phenol, turbidity, and apparent color. Furthermore, we monitored the solids content, dissolved oxygen concentration, and pH of the mixed liquor, as well as the progression of the transmembrane pressure (TMP). The wastewater exhibited a COD/biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) ratio of 5.5, suggesting low biodegradability, usually when this ratio is higher than 4.0. Nevertheless, it was observed that the MBR's performance was stable and satisfactory, with average removal efficiencies of 98% for COD, 70% for phenol, 99% for turbidity, and 93% for true color. The evolution of TMP indicated gradual membrane fouling; however, the operational limit of 0.6 bar was not reached during the study period. In conclusion, the utilization of MBR presents a promising approach to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with wastewater from the laminated plywood industry.

Effects of ciprofloxacin on biogas production and microbial community composition in anaerobic digestion of swine wastewater in ASBR type reactor.

In swine farming, antibiotics are often used to reduce disease and promote animal growth. Part of these compounds is not absorbed by the swine body, being excreted and later reaching the treatment systems, soil, and nearby waterbodies. This research sought to investigate the influence of adding ciprofloxacin (CIP) on the anaerobic digestion of swine wastewater. For that, a bench-scale anaerobic sequential batch reactor (ASBR) was used, with 5 L of working volume in six different phases, with volumetric organic loading rate (VOLR) and CIP dosage variation. According to the results, the optimal VOLR for the reactor was 0.60 ± 0.11 gSV L-1 d-1, resulting in biogas productivity of 0.51 ± 0.03 Lbiogas L-1 d-1. After initial stability, adding substrate with 0.5 mgCIP L-1 resulted in an abrupt drop of 82% in the productivity from the 7th to 11th day of addition, coinciding with volatile acids accumulation. Afterward, the reactor recovered and reached apparent stability, with productivity similar to the previous step without the drug. For 2.5 mgCIP L-1 in the substrate, the biogas productivity at equilibrium was 11.8% lower than in the phases with the same VOLR and 0.0 and 0.5 mgCIP L-1. Organic matter removals near 80% were achieved for both dosages. The 16S rRNA metagenomic analyses showed an increase in the relative abundance of most of the phyla found, indicating that the dosages used allowed the acclimatization of microorganisms and possibly the compound biodegradation.

Modified Polysulfone Nanofibers for the Extraction and Preconcentration of Lead from Aqueous Solutions.

Since lead is a highly toxic metal, it is necessary to detect its presence in different samples; unfortunately, analysis can be complicated if the samples contain concentrations below the detection limit of conventional analytical techniques. Solid phase extraction is a technique that allows the carrying out of a pre-concentration process and thus makes it easy to quantify analytes. This work studied the efficiency of sorption and preconcentration of lead utilizing polysulfone (PSf) fibers grafted with acrylic acid (AA). The best conditions for Pb(II) extraction were: pH 5, 0.1 mol L-1 of ionic strength, and 40 mg of sorbent (70% of removal). The sorbed Pb(II) was pre-concentrated by using an HNO3 solution and quantified using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The described procedure was used to obtain a correlation curve between initial concentrations and those obtained after the preconcentration process. This curve and the developed methodology were applied to the determination of Pb(II) concentration in a water sample contained in a handmade glazed clay vessel. With the implementation of the developed method, it was possible to pre-concentrate and determine a leached Pb(II) concentration of 258 µg L-1.

Effects of solid retention time and exposure mode to electric current on Remazol Brilliant Violet removal in an electro-membrane bioreactor.

The performance of an electrochemically assisted anoxic-oxic membrane bioreactor (A/O-eMBR) was assessed as an alternative for azo dye (Remazol Brilhant Violet (RBV)) removal from simulated textile wastewater. The A/O-eMBR was operated under three experimental conditions (runs I, II, and III), in which different solids retention time (SRT) (45 and 20 d) and exposure mode to electric current (6'ON/30'OFF and 6'ON/12'OFF) were assessed. The reactor exhibited excellent decolorization performance for all runs, with average dye removal efficiency ranging from 94.3 to 98.2%. Activity batch assays showed that the dye removal rate (DRR) decreased from 16.8 to 10.2 mg RBV L-1 h-1 when the SRT was reduced from 45 to 20 d, likely attributed to the lower biomass content under lower sludge age. At the electric current exposure mode of 6' ON/12'OFF, a more substantial decrease of DRR to 1.5 mg RBV L-1 h-1 was noticed, suggesting a possible inhibitory effect on dye removal via biodegradation. By reducing the SRT to 20 d, a worse mixed liquor filterability condition was observed, with a membrane fouling rate (MFR) of 0.979 kPa d-1. In contrast, using the electric current exposure mode of 6'ON/12'OFF resulted in lower membrane fouling propensity, with an MFR of 0.333 kPa d-1. A more attractive cost-benefit ratio for dye removal was obtained using the exposure mode of 6'ON/30'OFF, for which the energy demand was estimated at 21.9-22.6 kWh kg dye-1 removed, almost two times lower than that observed for the mode of 6'ON/12'OFF.

HOXA5 is a key regulator of class 3 semaphorins expression in the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Class 3 semaphorins are reduced in the synovial tissue of RA patients and these proteins are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of this study was to identify the transcription factors involved in the expression of class 3 semaphorins in the synovium of RA patients. METHODS: Protein and mRNA expression in synovial tissue from RA and individuals at risk (IAR) patients, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) was determined by ELISA, immunoblotting and quantitative PCR. TCF-3, EBF-1 and HOXA5 expression was knocked down using siRNA. Cell viability, migration and invasion were determined using MTT, calcein, wound closure and invasion assays, respectively. RESULTS: mRNA expression of all class 3 semaphorins was significantly lower in the synovium of RA compared with IAR patients. In silico analysis suggested TCF-3, EBF-1 and HOXA5 as transcription factors involved in the expression of these semaphorins. TCF-3, EBF-1 and HOXA5 silencing significantly reduced the expression of several class 3 semaphorin members in FLS and HUVEC. Importantly, HOXA5 expression was significantly reduced in the synovium of RA compared with IAR patients and was negatively correlated with clinical disease parameters. Additionally, TNF-α down-regulated the HOXA5 expression in FLS and HUVEC. Finally, HOXA5 silencing enhanced the migratory and invasive capacities of FLS and the viability of HUVEC. CONCLUSION: HOXA5 expression is reduced during the progression of RA and could be a novel therapeutic strategy for modulating the hyperplasia of the synovium, through the regulation of class 3 semaphorins expression.

Saúde mental na atenção básica: percepção dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde / Mental health in primary care: perception of Community Health Workers

Resumo Introdução Os fluxos de encaminhamento dos pacientes portadores de transtornos mentais e o seu devido acolhimento representam um grande desafio na área da saúde mental. Objetivo Conhecer a percepção dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde em relação aos usuários da saúde mental e suas atividades nesse campo. Método Estudo de ordem qualitativa utilizando a técnica de grupo focal. Os dados coletados foram transcritos e submetidos à Técnica de Análise Qualitativa de Conteúdo. Participaram do estudo 15 agentes de saúde. Resultados Os dados foram organizados utilizando os temas que se destacaram nos depoimentos dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde e agrupados em três categorias selecionadas previamente: Conhecimento sobre Transtornos Mentais, Ações em Saúde Mental, Entraves dos Serviços. Conclusão Os agentes demonstraram interesse pelo trabalho com os pacientes, mas apontaram dificuldades envolvendo os diversos pontos da rede de atenção à saúde. Melhor preparação técnica e teórica dos agentes resultaria em ganhos para a equipe de saúde e para os pacientes. Apesar de contemplar a realidade de um município de médio porte, este estudo pode fornecer subsídios para a discussão sobre a assistência em saúde mental na atenção básica de saúde.

Abstract Background The referral flows of patients with mental disorders and their proper reception represent a major challenge in the mental health area. Objective To know the perception of Community Health Agents concerning mental health patients and their activities in this field. Method This is a qualitative study using the focus group technique. The collected data were transcribed and submitted to the Qualitative Content Analysis Technique. Fifteen health agents participated in the study. Results The data were organized using the themes that stood out in the testimonies of the Community Health Agents and grouped into three previously selected categories: Knowledge about Mental Disorders, Mental Health Actions, and Service Barriers. Conclusion The agents showed interest in working with patients but pointed out difficulties involving the different points of the healthcare network. Better technical and theoretical preparation of agents would result in gains for the health team and for patients. Despite considering the reality of a medium-sized municipality, this study can provide support for the discussion on mental health care in primary health care.

Semaphorin3B promotes an anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving phenotype in macrophages from rheumatoid arthritis patients in a MerTK-dependent manner.

Previous works from our group show that Semaphorin3B (Sema3B) is reduced in RA and plays a protective role in a mouse arthritis model. In turn, MerTK plays a protective function in murine arthritis models, is expressed by synovial tissue macrophages and is linked to remission in patients with RA. In this study, we examined the role of Sema3B in the phenotypic characteristics of RA macrophages and the implication of MerTK. Peripheral blood monocytes from RA patients were differentiated into IFN-γ (RA MØIFN-γ) or M-CSF (RA MØM-CSF) macrophages and stimulated with LPS, Sema3B or their combination. Alternatively, RA fibroblast like synoviocytes (FLS) were stimulated with RA MØIFN-γ and RA MØM-CSF supernatants. Gene expression was determined by qPCR and protein expression and activation by flow cytometry, ELISA and western blot. Sema3B down-regulated the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, in both RA MØIFN-γ and RA MØM-CSF. We observed a similar reduction in RA FLS stimulated with the supernatant of Sema3B-treated RA MØIFN-γ and RA MØM-CSF. Sema3B also modulated cell surface markers in macrophages towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Besides, MerTK expression and activation was up-regulated by Sema3B, just as GAS6 expression, Resolvin D1 secretion and the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Importantly, the inhibition of MerTK and neuropilins 1 and 2 abrogated the anti-inflammatory effect of Sema3B. Our data demonstrate that Sema3B modulates the macrophage characteristics in RA, inducing a skewing towards an anti-inflammatory/pro-resolving phenotype in a MerTK-dependant manner. Therefore, here we identify a new mechanism supporting the protective role of Sema3B in RA pathogenesis.

Type I Interferons induce endothelial destabilization in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Tie2-dependent manner.

Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is a hallmark of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Tie2 is a receptor essential for vascular stability. Inflammatory processes promote inhibition of Tie2 homeostatic activation, driving vascular dysfunction. In this work we determined whether type I Interferons (IFN) induce Tie2 signalling-mediated endothelial dysfunction in patients with SLE. Serum levels of Angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2 and soluble (s)Tie1 in patients with SLE and healthy controls were measured by ELISA. Monocytes from patients with SLE and Human Umbilical Vein EC (HUVEC) were stimulated with IFN-α, IFN-ß (1000 I.U.) or SLE serum (20%). mRNA and protein expression, phosphorylation and translocation were determined by quantitative PCR, ELISA, Western Blot, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Viability and angiogenic capacity were determined by calcein and tube formation assays. We found that sTie1 and Ang-2 serum levels were increased and Ang-1 decreased in patients with SLE and were associated with clinical characteristics. Type I IFN significantly decreased Ang-1 and increased Ang-2 in monocytes from patients with SLE. Type I IFN increased sTie1 and Ang-2 secretion and reduced Tie2 activation in HUVEC. Functionally, type I IFN significantly reduced EC viability and impaired angiogenesis in a Tie2 signalling-dependent manner. Finally, SLE serum increased Ang-2 and sTie1 secretion and significantly decreased tube formation. Importantly, Tie1 and IFNAR1 knockdown reversed these effects in tube formation. Overall, type I IFN play an important role in the stability of EC by inhibiting Tie2 signalling, suggesting that these processes may be implicated in the cardiovascular events observed in patients with SLE.

Adaptação transcultural de uma escala de satisfação dos moradores com os serviços das residências terapêuticas / Transcultural adaptation of a satisfaction scale for the residents of therapeutic residences / Adaptación transcultural de una escala de satisfacción de residentes en cuanto a los servicios de residencias terapéuticas

A satisfação dos usuários constitui um dos critérios da qualidade dos serviços de saúde mental. Entretanto, há uma carência de estudos avaliando a satisfação dos moradores de residências terapêuticas (RTs) e ausência de instrumento de medida específico para este fim, no Brasil. Neste estudo, foi feita a adaptação transcultural do Questionnaire sur la Satisfaction de la Clientèle en Résidence D'Accueil (QSHS-21), para avaliar a satisfação dos moradores das RTs. O procedimento incluiu: tradução da escala original, retradução, revisão por Comitê de Especialistas e Estudo Piloto com 30 moradores de RTs do município de Barbacena/MG. Os resultados incluíram correções a partir das traduções e retraduções e adaptação da escala pelo Comitê de Especialistas, assim como modificações na redação de algumas questões, no Estudo Piloto. A versão final possui equivalência semântica e conceitual com a escala original e está adaptada ao contexto brasileiro, sendo de fácil compreensão para a população-alvo.

Users' satisfaction is a measure of mental health services quality. However, few studies evaluated residents' satisfaction regarding the Therapeutic Residences (TR) and there is no specific instrument in brazilian context for this evaluation. In this study, we made the transcultural adaptation of the Questionnaire sur la Satisfaction de la Clientèle en Résidence D'Accueil (QSHS-21), to evaluate the residents' satisfaction in the TR. The procedure included: translation of the original scale, re-translation, analyses by an Expert Commitee and a Pilot Study with 30 TR residents in the city of Barbacena-MG. Results showed corrections of the translations and retranslations and adaptation of the scale by the Expert Commitee and modifications in the questions wording during the Pilot Study. The final version of the scale has semantic and conceptual equivalence with the original scale, is adapted to the brazilian context and is easy to understand by the target population.

La satisfacción de los usuarios es un criterio de calidad de los servicios de salud mental. Sin embargo, faltan estudios que evalúen la satisfacción de los residentes de residencias terapéuticas (RTs) y en Brasil hay ausencia de un instrumento de medición específico para este fin. Este estudio adaptó el Questionnaire sur la Satisfaction de la Clientèle en Résidence D'Accueil (QSHS-21), para evaluar la satisfacción de los residentes de las RTs. El procedimiento incluyó: traducción de la escala original, retraducción, revisión por el Comité de Especialistas y Estudio Piloto con 30 residentes en Barbacena-MG. Los resultados mostraron correcciones de traducciones y retraducciones, y adaptación de la escala por parte del Comité de Especialistas, y cambios en la redacción de las preguntas, en el Estudio Piloto. La versión final tiene equivalencia semántica y conceptual con la escala original y está adaptada al contexto brasileño, siendo de fácil comprensión para el público de RTs.

Cerebellious abscesses caused by Nocardia farcinica in an immunocompromised patient

No disponible

Optimization and validation of ultrasound application with a low-temperature method to analyze organochlorine pesticides in smuggled cigarette tobacco.

This work presents the optimization and validation of a method to quantify organochlorine pesticides in tobacco samples from smuggled cigarettes using ultrasound application and low-temperature extraction. The combined approach was validated for 20 organochlorine pesticides, achieving recoveries between 73% and 116%, and a relative standard deviation of less than 20%. The method minimized the matrix effect in 65% of the organochlorine pesticides. The limits of detection and quantification varied from 2 to 60 ng g-1 and 120 to 190 ng g-1, respectively. The method was applied to the analysis of 18 brands of smuggled cigarettes. The organochlorine pesticides found in the samples were cis-chlordane (89%), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDD) and methoxychlor (78%), endosulfan sulfate (67%), heptachlor epoxide, and endosulfan II (61%). The concentrations of the organochlorine pesticides in this study were higher than those in a similar survey on cigarettes marketed in China. The ultrasound application and low-temperature extraction may be an efficient alternative to analyzing tobacco samples since it uses only one extraction solvent, requires low-cost equipment, does not require an additional clean-up step, reduces the environmental impact through minimal waste generation, and can detect low analyte concentrations.

Frecuencia elevada de casos de dengue grave durante la epidemia por el linaje II del DENV-2 americano/asiático en el Perú / High frequency of severe dengue cases during the American/Asian DENV-2 lineage II epidemic in Peru

RESUMEN Introducción. El ingreso del linaje II del DENV-2 americano/asiático en la región Loreto de la Amazonia Peruana, coincidió con un incremento súbito de los casos de dengue con necesidad de hospitalización. Sin embargo, las estadísticas oficiales reportaron pocos casos graves. Se postula, que existió una subnotificación de los casos graves en los reportes oficiales del Ministerio de Salud. Objetivos. Conocer la frecuencia de pacientes con signos de gravedad entre los pacientes hospitalizados por dengue probable durante el brote del 2011 en el Hospital Iquitos, Perú. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio longitudinal, aplicando una lista de chequeo diaria, sobre la presencia de signos de gravedad durante la estancia hospitalaria, a un grupo de pacientes hospitalizados en la unidad de dengue del Hospital Iquitos. Resultados. De 178 pacientes evaluados 66 (37%, IC: 29,9 - 44,6%) presentaron algún signo de gravedad, la mayor parte por shock (75,7%). Este resultado contrasta con el número de pacientes con dengue grave reportado por el Ministerio de Salud durante el año 2011 en la región Loreto. Conclusión. Aproximadamente un tercio de los pacientes que fueron hospitalizados con el diagnostico de dengue, durante el brote por el linaje II del DENV-2 americano/asiático, desarrollaron signos de gravedad durante su hospitalización.

ABSTRACT Introduction. The entry of American/Asian DENV-2 lineage II in the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon coincided with a sudden increase in dengue cases requiring hospitalization. However, official statistics reported few severe cases. It is postulated that there was an underreporting of severe cases in the official reports of the Ministry of Health. Objectives. To determine the frequency of patients with signs of severity among patients hospitalized for probable dengue fever during the 2011 outbreak at the Iquitos Hospital, Peru. Methods. A longitudinal study was carried out applying a daily checklist on the presence of signs of severity during hospital stay to a group of patients hospitalized in the dengue unit of the Iquitos hospital. Results. Of 178 patients evaluated, 66 (37%, CI: 29.9-44.6%) presented some sign of severity, mostly due to shock (75,7%). This result contrasts with the number of patients with severe dengue reported by the Ministry of Health during 2011 in the Loreto region. Conclusion. Approximately one third of the patients who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of dengue during the outbreak of American/Asian DENV-2 lineage II developed signs of severity during their hospitalization.

Monocytes and Macrophages in Spondyloarthritis: Functional Roles and Effects of Current Therapies.

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a family of chronic inflammatory diseases, being the most prevalent ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). These diseases share genetic, clinical and immunological features, such as the implication of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecule 27 (HLA-B27), the inflammation of peripheral, spine and sacroiliac joints and the presence of extra-articular manifestations (psoriasis, anterior uveitis, enthesitis and inflammatory bowel disease). Monocytes and macrophages are essential cells of the innate immune system and are the first line of defence against external agents. In rheumatic diseases including SpA, the frequency and phenotypic and functional characteristics of both cell types are deregulated and are involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. In fact, monocytes and macrophages play key roles in the inflammatory processes characteristics of SpA. The aim of this review is analysing the characteristics and functional roles of monocytes and macrophages in these diseases, as well as the impact of different current therapies on these cell types.

Central Role of Semaphorin 3B in a Serum-Induced Arthritis Model and Reduced Levels in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Semaphorin 3B (Sema3B) decreases the migratory and invasive capacities of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and suppresses expression of matrix metalloproteinases. We undertook this study to examine the role of Sema3B in a mouse model of arthritis and its expression in RA patients. METHODS: Clinical responses, histologic features, and FLS function were examined in wild-type (WT) and Sema3B-/- mice in a K/BxN serum transfer model of arthritis. Protein and messenger RNA expression of Sema3B in mouse joints and murine FLS, as well as in serum and synovial tissue from patients with arthralgia and patients with RA, was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and RNA sequencing. FLS migration was determined using a wound closure assay. RESULTS: The clinical severity of serum-induced arthritis was significantly higher in Sema3B-/- mice compared to WT mice. This was associated with increased expression of inflammatory mediators and increased migratory capacity of murine FLS. Administration of recombinant mouse Sema3B reduced the clinical severity of serum-induced arthritis and the expression of inflammatory mediators. Sema3B expression was significantly lower in the synovial tissue and serum of patients with established RA compared to patients with arthralgia. Serum Sema3B levels were elevated in patients with arthralgia that later progressed to RA, but not in those who did not develop RA; however, these levels drastically decreased 1 and 2 years after RA development. CONCLUSION: Sema3B expression plays a protective role in a mouse model of arthritis. In RA patients, expression levels of Sema3B in the serum depend on the disease stage, suggesting different regulatory roles in disease onset and progression.

Establishment of triple-negative breast cancer cells based on BMI: A novel model in the correlation between obesity and breast cancer.

Introduction: Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of biologically aggressive variants in breast cancer. Women with obesity often have tumors diagnosed at later stages of the disease, associated with a poorer prognosis and a different response to treatment. Human cell lines have been derived from specific subtypes of breast cancer and have served to define the cell physiology of corresponding breast cancer subtypes. However, there are no current cell lines for breast cancer specifically derived from patients with different BMIs. The availability of those breast cancer cell lines should allow to describe and unravel functional alterations linked to these comorbidities. Methods: Cell cultures were established from tumor explants. Once generated, the triple negative subtype in a patient with obesity and a patient with a normal BMI were chosen for comparison. For cellular characterization, the following assays were conducted: proliferation assays, chemo - sensitivity assays for doxorubicin and paclitaxel, wound healing motility assays, matrix invasion assays, breast cancer cell growth to estradiol by chronic exposure to leptin, induction of endothelial permeability and tumorigenic potential in athymic mice with normo - versus hypercaloric diets with an evaluation of the epithelium - mesenchymal transformation proteins. Results: Two different cell lines, were established from patients with breast cancer: DSG-BC1, with a BMI of 21.9 kg/m2 and DSG-BC2, with a BMI of 31.5 kg/m2. In vitro, these two cell lines show differential growth rates, motility, chemosensitivity, vascular permeability, response to leptin with an activation of the JAK2/STAT3/AKT signaling pathway. In vivo, they displayed distinct tumorigenic potential. In particular, DSG-BC2, presented higher tumorigenicity when implanted in mice fed with a hypercaloric diet. Discussion: To our knowledge, these primary cultures are the first in vitro representation of both breast cancer and obesity. DSG - BC2 presented a more aggressive in vivo and in vitro phenotype. These results support the hypothesis that breast cancer generated in an obese metabolic state may represent a contrasting variant within the same disease. This new model will allow both further comprehension, functional studies and the analysis of altered molecular mechanisms under the comorbidity of obesity and breast cancer.

Distinctive CD26 Expression on CD4 T-Cell Subsets.

Immune system CD4 T-cells with high cell-surface CD26 expression show anti-tumoral properties. When engineered with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), they incite strong responses against solid cancers. This subset was originally associated to human CD4 T helper cells bearing the CD45R0 effector/memory phenotype and later to Th17 cells. CD26 is also found in soluble form (sCD26) in several biological fluids, and its serum levels correlate with specific T cell subsets. However, the relationship between glycoprotein sCD26 and its dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) enzymatic activity, and cell-surface CD26 expression is not well understood. We have studied ex vivo cell-surface CD26 and in vitro surface and intracellular CD26 expression and secretome's sCD26 in cultured CD4 T cells under different polarization conditions. We show that most human CD26negative CD4 T cells in circulating lymphocytes are central memory (TCM) cells while CD26high expression is present in effector Th1, Th2, Th17, and TEM (effector memory) cells. However, there are significant percentages of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Th22 CD26 negative cells. This information may help to refine the research on CAR-Ts. The cell surface CD45R0 and CD26 levels in the different T helper subsets after in vitro polarization resemble those found ex vivo. In the secretomes of these cultures there was a significant amount of sCD26. However, in all polarizations, including Th1, the levels of sCD26 were lower (although not significantly) compared to the Th0 condition (activation without polarization). These differences could have an impact on the various physiological functions proposed for sCD26/DPP4.

[Are we underutilizing suprapubic catheter as a valid option for patients requiring a permanent catheter unsuitable for clean intermittent self-catheterization?] / ¿Estamos infrautilizando el catéter suprapúbico como una opción válida en pacientes que requieren cateterismo permanente y que no son candidatos a cateterismo intermitente limpio?

Sr Director: Es sobradamente conocido que los pacientes que requieren cateterismos crónicos sufren, como complicaciones a largo plazo, infecciones del tracto urinario de repetición, formación de litiasis, restricción de su independencia y empeoramiento de la calidad de vida, e incluso aumento de incidencia de cáncer urotelial (1). El cateterismo intermitente limpio (SIL) es considerado por las principales guías clínicas (AEU, EAU) como el gold estándar para estos pacientes, aunque con fuerza débil de recomendación. Esta práctica está basada en la hipótesis de reducir el tiempo de exposición del urotelio a cuerpos extraños, además de aproximarse de una manera más fisiológica al ciclo de llenado-vaciado vesical normal. Sin embargo, desde su propuesta de introducción en 1966 (2), la evidencia disponible se apoya principalmente en estudios retrospectivos, asociando el cateterismo crónico con mayor incidencia de proteinuria y reflujo vesicoureteral (3).

Sr Director:Es sobradamente conocido que los pacientes que requieren cateterismos crónicos sufren, como complicaciones a largo plazo, infecciones del tracto urinario de repetición, formación de litiasis, restricción de su independencia y empeoramiento de la calidad de vida, e incluso aumento de incidencia de cáncer urotelial (1). El cateterismo intermitente limpio (SIL) es considerado por las principales guías clínicas (AEU, EAU) como el gold estándar para estos pacientes, aunque con fuerza débil de recomendación. Esta práctica está basada en la hipótesis de reducir el tiempo de exposición del urotelio a cuerpos extraños, además de aproximarse de una manera más fisiológica al ciclo de llenado-vaciado vesical normal. Sin embargo, desde su propuesta de introducción en 1966 (2), la evidencia disponible se apoya principalmente en estudios retrospectivos, asociando el cateterismo crónico con mayor incidencia de proteinuria y reflujo vesicoureteral (3).

Ternary Quantum Dots in Chemical Analysis. Synthesis and Detection Mechanisms.

Ternary quantum dots (QDs) are novel nanomaterials that can be used in chemical analysis due their unique physicochemical and spectroscopic properties. These properties are size-dependent and can be adjusted in the synthetic protocol modifying the reaction medium, time, source of heat, and the ligand used for stabilization. In the last decade, several spectroscopic methods have been developed for the analysis of organic and inorganic analytes in biological, drug, environmental, and food samples, in which different sensing schemes have been applied using ternary quantum dots. This review addresses the different synthetic approaches of ternary quantum dots, the sensing mechanisms involved in the analyte detection, and the predominant areas in which these nanomaterials are used.

Neurologic adverse events among 704,003 first-dose recipients of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in Mexico: A nationwide descriptive study.

mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are remarkably effective. Limited information exists about the incidence of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with their use. We conducted a prospective observational study including data from 704,003 first-doses recipients; 6536 AEFI were reported, of whom 65.1% had at least one neurologic AEFI (non-serious 99.6%). Thirty-three serious events were reported; 17 (51.5%) were neurologic (observed frequency, 2.4/100,000 doses). At the time of writing this report, 16/17 cases had been discharged without deaths. Our data suggest that the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is safe; its individual and societal benefits outweigh the low percentage of serious neurologic AEFI. This information should help to dissipate hesitancy towards this new vaccine platform.