Clinical-epidemiological characterization of patients with long COVID in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Long COVID is defined as the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms four weeks after having undergone acute infection, according to the most recent CDC definition. It is estimated that there are 65 million people affected by this entity, although other figures speak of 200 million. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the population affected by long COVID in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients older than 18 years who agreed to answer an online survey and who met the criteria for long COVID were included. RESULTS: Data from 203 subjects were included, with 138 (68.0%) being found to be females, and average age to be 41.8 years; 29.6% had severe disease, and 70.4%, mild to moderate disease; 89.7% had received prior COVID-19 vaccination: 6.9% had received one dose; 31.5%, two doses; and 51.2%, three or more doses. The main risk factors were diabetes, overweight or obesity, and hypertension. The most commonly reported symptom was fatigue, followed by other neuropsychiatric manifestations. CONCLUSION: It is important for the population affected by long COVID to be characterized in order to generate diagnostic and treatment protocols.

ANTECEDENTES: El COVID persistente se define como la persistencia de síntomas de COVID-19 después de cuatro semanas de cursar con un cuadro agudo, según la definición más reciente de los Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Se estima que existen 65 millones de personas afectadas por esta entidad, aunque algunos reportes indican 200 millones. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar a la población afectada por COVID persistente en México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años que consintieron responder a una encuesta en línea y que cumplían los criterios de COVID persistente. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron los datos de 203 sujetos. Se identificó que 138 (68.0 %) contestaron ser del sexo femenino, con una media de edad de 41.8 años; 29.6 % presentó enfermedad grave y 70.4 %, enfermedad leve a moderada; 89.7 % había recibido vacunas previas para COVID-19: 6.9 %, una dosis; 31.5 %, dos dosis; y 51.2 %, tres o más dosis. Los principales factores de riesgo fueron diabetes, sobrepeso u obesidad e hipertensión arterial sistémica. El principal síntoma reportado fue fatiga, seguido de otras manifestaciones neuropsiquiátricas. CONCLUSIÓN: Es importante caracterizar a la población para generar protocolos de diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Changes in the Dentate Gyrus Gene Expression Profile Induced by Levetiracetam Treatment in Rats with Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common forms of focal epilepsy. Levetiracetam (LEV) is an antiepileptic drug whose mechanism of action at the genetic level has not been fully described. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the relevant gene expression changes in the dentate gyrus (DG) of LEV-treated rats with pilocarpine-induced TLE. Whole-transcriptome microarrays were used to obtain the differential genetic profiles of control (CTRL), epileptic (EPI), and EPI rats treated for one week with LEV (EPI + LEV). Quantitative RT-qPCR was used to evaluate the RNA levels of the genes of interest. According to the results of the EPI vs. CTRL analysis, 685 genes were differentially expressed, 355 of which were underexpressed and 330 of which were overexpressed. According to the analysis of the EPI + LEV vs. EPI groups, 675 genes were differentially expressed, 477 of which were downregulated and 198 of which were upregulated. A total of 94 genes whose expression was altered by epilepsy and modified by LEV were identified. The RT-qPCR confirmed that LEV treatment reversed the increased expression of Hgf mRNA and decreased the expression of the Efcab1, Adam8, Slc24a1, and Serpinb1a genes in the DG. These results indicate that LEV could be involved in nonclassical mechanisms involved in Ca2+ homeostasis and the regulation of the mTOR pathway through Efcab1, Hgf, SLC24a1, Adam8, and Serpinb1a, contributing to reduced hyperexcitability in TLE patients.

Efectos de un programa de ejercicio físico con enfoque sanológico en universitarios / Effects of a physical exercise program with a sanological approach in university students / Efeitos de um programa de exercícios físicos com abordagem saudável em estudantes universitários

Objetivo: identificar el efecto del programa de ejercicio físico del proyecto institucionalUSCO saludable con enfoque sanológico en 40 jóvenes universitarios con sobrepeso. Metodología: se plantea un estudio mixto el cual utiliza metodología cuantitativa y cualitativa. En específico, se desarrolló un estudio cuasiexperimental de un solo grupo con valoración antes y después, los datos se tomaron de la revisión de historias clínicosanológicas del programa de ejercicio físico, de la dimensión actividad física. Del proyecto USCO Saludable, se seleccionaron 40 estudiantes con un índice de masa muscular (IMC) entre los rangos de 25 a 30 kg/m2. Se utilizó un instrumento denominado historia clínico-sanológica, esta fue diseñada, ajustada y estandarizada por los investigadores Pedro Reyes Gaspar y Dolly Arias Torres. Los datos se trabajaron a través de entrevista semiestructurada, mediante la creación de códigos y categorías con el programa ATLAS. ti 6.0. Para la comparación del IMC se empleó la prueba de Wilcoxon y el tamaño del efecto por medio de la g de Hedges en el programa SPSS versión 24. Resultados: después de la intervención, en el grupo de estudiantes universitarios con sobrepeso se observaron cambios importantes en la comprensión del concepto de salud, salud actual y del ejercicio físico como herramienta de cuidado de la salud y la vejez. Además, se identificó un cambio significativo en el IMC de la población. Conclusiones: la estrategia de ejercicio físico desde un enfoque sanológico es factible y eficaz, debido a los cambios significativos en el pensamiento y comportamiento en la salud de estudiantes universitarios con sobrepeso.

Objective: to identify the effect of the physical exercise program, of the healthy USCO institutional project with a sanological approach, on 40 overweight university students. Methodolgy: a mixed study is proposed using quantitative and qualitative methodology. Specifically, a quasiexperimental study of a single group was developed with evaluation before and after, the data was taken from the review of clinical-sanological histories of the physical exercise program, of the physical activity dimension, of the Healthy USCO project, 40 students with BMI (body mass index) between the ranges of 25 to 30 kg/ m2 were selected. An instrument called clinical-sanological history was used, it was designed, adjusted, and standardized by researchers Pedro Reyes Gaspar and Dolly Arias Torres. The data was processed through a semi-structured interview through the creation of codes, and categories with the ATLAS.ti 6.0 software, for the comparison of the BMI the Wilcoxon test was used and the effect size through Hedges' G in the SPSS program version 24. Results: after the intervention, important changes were observed in the understanding of the concept of health, current health, and physical exercise as a tool for health care and old age in a group of overweight university students. Furthermore, a significant change in the BMI of the population was identified. Conclusions: the strategy of physical exercise from a sanological approach is feasible and effective due to the significant changes in the thinking and behavior in the health of overweight university students.

Objetivo: identificar o efeito do programa de exercícios físicos do projeto institucional USCO saudável com enfoque saudável em 40 universitários com excesso de peso. Metodologia: propõe-se um estudo misto que utiliza metodologia quantitativa e qualitativa. Especificamente, foi desenvolvido um estudo quase-experimental de grupo único com avaliação antes e depois, os dados foram retirados da revisão dos registros clínico-saúde do programa de exercício físico, da dimensão atividade física. Do projeto USCO Healthy, foram selecionados 40 alunos com índice de massa muscular (IMC) entre 25 e 30 kg/m2. Foi utilizado um instrumento denominado histórico clínico-saúde, desenhado, ajustado e padronizado pelos pesquisadores Pedro Reyes Gaspar e Dolly Arias Torres. Os dados foram trabalhados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, mediante criação de códigos e categorias com o programa ATLAS.ti 6.0. Para a comparação do IMC foi utilizado o teste de Wilcoxon e o tamanho do efeito por meio do g de Hedges no programa SPSS versão 24. Resultados: após a intervenção, no grupo de universitários com excesso de peso, foram observadas mudanças importantes na compreensão do conceito de saúde, saúde atual e exercício físico como ferramenta de cuidado à saúde e à velhice. Além disso, foi identificada uma alteração significativa no IMC da população. Conclusões: a estratégia de exercício físico sob uma abordagem de saúde é viável e eficaz, devido às mudanças significativas no pensamento e no comportamento de saúde de estudantes universitários com excesso de peso

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome in Mexico. Literature review.

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a rare entity, approximately 600 cases have been reported around the world, and the prevalence in Mexico is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the estimated prevalence of CAPS in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search of isolated clinical cases or case series was conducted in diverse search engines, using the terms: "Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome" and "Mexico" in May 2022. RESULTS: We found a series of retrospective cases in autopsies that included 12 cases, two reports that included 2 cases each, and reports of 11 isolated clinical cases; these publications were generated between 2003 and 2020. In total, we collected data on 27 cases of CAPS, of which 16 correspond to primary antiphospholipid syndrome, 10 are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, and 1 case corresponds to systemic sclerosis. The estimated prevalence rate in the Mexican population in 2022 is 2 cases per 10,000,000 inhabitants. The estimated mortality was 68% in this case series. CONCLUSION: Cases of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome in Mexico are underreported; identifying them will help improve current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies used in the country, encouraging the implementation of triple therapy and, in refractory cases, the use of eculizumab, to reduce current mortality.

Validación de un instrumento para medir experiencias infantiles adversas en estudiantes universitarios colombianos / Validation of an instrument to measure adverse child experiences in Colombian university students / Validação de um instrumento para medir as experiências adversas de crianças em universitários colombianos

El objetivo del presente estudio fue adaptar culturalmente y desarrollar la versión colombiana del test Adverse Childhood Experiences y explorar sus propiedades psicométricas. Metodología: participaron cinco jueces expertos para validar el contenido de la versión adaptada y 100 estudiantes universitarios para realizar la confiabilidad y validez del constructo. Resultados: El instrumento Adverse Childhood Experiences versión Colombia es autoaplicable de 16 ítems y mide cuatro factores o Subsescalas: violencia sociopolítica y desastres naturales, abusos, desafíos domésticos, y negligencia física y emocional. Esta versión mostro una muy buena validez de contenido (k=0,83-1,00), una consistencia interna fuerte y perfecta (0,95) y una validez de constructo que muestra un contenido discriminante importante de las cuatro Subsescalas o factores con el 57% de la varianza. Conclusiones: el Adverse Childhood Experiences versión colombiana es confiable para medir experiencias traumáticas en la infancia y eventos traumáticos por violencia sociopolítica y desastres naturales en población universitaria colombiana.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to culturally adapt and develop the colombi-an version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences test and explore its psychometric properties. Methodology: five expert judges participated to validate the content of the adapted version and 100 university students to perform the reliability and validity of the construct. Results: The Adverse Childhood Experiences instrument, colombia version, is self-applied with 16 items and measures four factors or Subscales: sociopolitical violence and natural disasters, abuse, domestic challenges, and physical and emotional neglect. This version showed a very good content validity (k = 0.83-1.00), a strong and perfect internal consistency (0.95) and a construct validity that shows an important discriminant content of the four subscales or factors with 57% of the variance. Conclusions: The Adverse Childhood Experiences Colombian version is reli-able to measure traumatic experiences in childhood and traumatic events due to socio-political violence and natural disasters in Colombian university population

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi adaptar culturalmente e desenvolver a versão colombiana do teste Adverse Childhood Experiences e explorar suas propriedades psicométricas. Metodolo-gia: participaram cinco juízes especialistas para validar o conteúdo da versão adaptada e 100 uni-versitários para realizar a confiabilidade e validade do construto. Resultados: A versão colombi-ana do instrumento Adverse Childhood Experiences é autoaplicável com 16 itens e mede quatro fatores ou subescalas: violência sociopolítica e desastres naturais, abuso, desafios domésticos e negligência física e emocional. Esta versão apresentou uma validade de conteúdo muito boa (k=0,83-1,00), uma consistência interna forte e perfeita (0,95) e uma validade de construto que mostra um conteúdo discriminante importante das quatro subescalas ou fatores com 57% da variância. Conclusões: a versão colombiana das Experiências Adversas da Infância é confiável para medir experiências traumáticas na infância e eventos traumáticos devido à violência socio-política e desastres naturais na população universitária colombiana

Perfil del estilo de vida en docentes y administrativos de una universidad / Profile of the lifestyle in professors and administrators of a university / Perfil do estilo de vida em professores e administradores de uma universidade

Objetivo: Determinar los comportamientos del estilo de vida en docentes y administrativos de una universidad pública de Colombia. Materiales y métodos: Investigación cuantitativa descriptiva de corte trasversal. El tamaño de la muestra fue de 178 docentes y administrativos, mediante un muestreo aleatorio simple. Se aplicó un cuestionario auto diligenciado compuesto por una ficha sociodemográfica y el instrumento fantástico, diseñado por el Departamento de Medicina Familiar de la Universidad McMaster de Canadá, ajustado por el investigador Pedro Reyes Gaspar, obteniendo un Alfa de Cronbach, de 0,706, y un coeficiente de Spearman Brown r=0,616 y la correlación dos mitades de Guttman r=0,615. Los datos se trabajaron a través del programa SPSS versión 24, mediante análisis estadístico descriptivo univariado de frecuencias y tablas de contingencia. Resultados: El 40% de la población no es activa físicamente, más de la mitad de los docentes y administrativos aseguran que no ingieren una dieta adecuada, el 26% casi nunca duermen bien y se sienten descansados, el 29% algunas veces duerme bien y descansa. El 50% algunas veces es capaz de hacer frente al estrés en sus vidas y 10% casi nunca puede manejar el estrés. Se identificó riesgo en salud en los docentes en las dimensiones de actividad física, nutrición, sueño y estrés (p.000) en comparación con los administrativos. Conclusiones: Se halló que el perfil de estilo de vida en docentes y administrativos de una universidad pública de Colombia se caracteriza por la inactividad física, una mala alimentación, un mal manejo del estrés y trastornos del sueño.

Objective: To determine the behaviors of the lifestyle in teachers and administrators of a public university in Colombia. Materials and methods: cross-sectional descriptive quantitative research. The sample size was 178 teachers and administrators, using simple random sampling. A self-completed questionnaire was applied, consisting of a sociodemographic record and the fantastic instrument, designed by the Department of Family Medicine of the McMaster University of Canada, adjusted by the researcher Pedro Reyes Gaspar, obtaining a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.706, and a coefficient Spearman Brown r=0.616 and Guttman's twohalf correlation r=0.615. The data was worked through the SPSS version 24 program, through univariate descriptive statistical analysis of frequencies and contingency tables. Results: 40% of the population is not physically active, more than half of teachers and administrators say they do not eat a proper diet, 26% almost never sleep well and feel rested, 29% sometimes sleep well and rest. 50% are sometimes able to cope with stress in their lives and 10% can hardly ever handle stress. Health risk was identified in teachers in the dimensions of physical activity, nutrition, sleep and stress (p.000) compared to administrative staff. Conclusions:it was found that the lifestyle profile of teachers and administrators at a public university in Colombia is characterized by physical inactivity, poor nutrition, poor stress management and sleep disorders.

The Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) Transcript Variants as Potential Relapse Markers in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Leukemia is the most common childhood malignancy in Mexico, representing more than 50% of all childhood cancers. Although treatment leads to a survival of up to 90% in developing countries, in our country, it is less than 65%. Additionally, ~30% of patients relapse with poor prognosis. Alternative splicing plays an important role in transcriptome diversity and cellular biology. This mechanism promotes an increase in the assortment of proteins with potentially distinct functions from a single gene. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) gene encodes two transcripts for the same protein of 261 amino acids, which is associated with several important cellular processes and with several types of cancer. However, the diversity of the transcript variants expressed in this condition is not clear. Then, we used microarray gene expression to identify changes in the exon expression level of PCNA. The data were validated using RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing, and three additional transcripts (PCNA_V3, PCNA_V4, and PCNA_V5) were identified. Computational analyses were used to determine the potential proteins resulting, their structure, and interactions with PCNA native protein and themselves. Additionally, the PCNA transcript variants were inhibited using specific siRNA, determining that their inhibition contributes to the malignant characteristics in vitro. Finally, we quantified the PCNA transcript variants in acute lymphoblastic leukemia samples and identified their expression in this disease. Based on the clinical characteristics, we determined that PCNA_V2 and PCNA_V4 are expressed at significantly low levels in relapsed B-ALL patients. We conclude that the low expression of PCNA_V2 and PCNA_V4 could be a potential molecular marker of relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients.

Transcriptional Regulation of Yin-Yang 1 Expression through the Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Yin-Yang transcription factor 1 (YY1) is involved in tumor progression, metastasis and has been shown to be elevated in different cancers, including leukemia. The regulatory mechanism underlying YY1 expression in leukemia is still not understood. Bioinformatics analysis reveal three Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) putative binding sites in the YY1 promoter region. The regulation of YY1 by HIF-1α in leukemia was analyzed. Mutation of the putative YY1 binding sites in a reporter system containing the HIF-1α promoter region and CHIP analysis confirmed that these sites are important for YY1 regulation. Leukemia cell lines showed that both proteins HIF-1α and YY1 are co-expressed under hypoxia. In addition, the expression of mRNA of YY1 was increased after 3 h of hypoxia conditions and affect several target genes expression. In contrast, chemical inhibition of HIF-1α induces downregulation of YY1 and sensitizes cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. The clinical implications of HIF-1α in the regulation of YY1 were investigated by evaluation of expression of HIF-1α and YY1 in 108 peripheral blood samples and by RT-PCR in 46 bone marrow samples of patients with pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We found that the expression of HIF-1α positively correlates with YY1 expression in those patients. This is consistent with bioinformatic analyses of several databases. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that YY1 can be transcriptionally regulated by HIF-1α, and a correlation between HIF-1α expression and YY1 was found in ALL clinical samples. Hence, HIF-1α and YY1 may be possible therapeutic target and/or biomarkers of ALL.

Arbovirus vectors in municipalities with a high risk of dengue in Cauca, Southwestern Colombia.

The Culicidae family has two of the most important disease vector genus: Aedes spp. and Culex spp. Both of these are involved in the transmission of arboviruses. Here, we provide novel data for the geographical distribution of 2,383 specimens in the Culicidae family. We also report the percentage of houses infested with these vectors, and Shannon and Simpson diversity indices in three municipalities located in Cauca, Colombia. This dataset is relevant for research on vector-borne diseases because Aedes spp. can transmit arboviruses such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya, and Culex spp. is a well-known vector of West Nile virus and Venezuelan equine encephalitis.

Análisis de concordancia inter-jueces para medir factores protectores en salud en universitarios / Análise de concordância entre jurados para mensurar os fatores protetores em saúde de universitários / Analysis of inter-judge agreement to measure protective factors in health in university students

Objetivo: Realizar el análisis de concordancia mediante el juicio de expertos de un instrumento de medición para detectar factores protectores de enfermedades no transmisibles en jóvenes universitarios. Materiales y método: Estudio psicométrico de validez de contenido, en el que participaron cuatro expertos que evaluaron cada ítem, se determinó el nivel de concordancia entre jueces con el coeficiente Kappa de Fleiss. Resultados: se observa fuerza de concordancia para el total de los ítems del instrumento, como muy buena, en cuanto a los criterios para todos la significancia estadísticas fue de p: 0,000, se ajustaron algunos ítems en redacción, contenido y se incorporaron algunos teniendo en cuenta las observaciones cualitativas de los expertos. Conclusión: El instrumento representa un avance en la medición del autocuidado de la salud en estudiantes Universitarios, que permitirá definir acciones para mejorar el estilo de vida en esta población.

Objetivo: realizar a analise de concordância entre expertos de um instrumento de medição para detectar fatores protetores de doenças no transmissíveis em jovens universitários. Materiais e métodos: estudo psicométrico de validez de conteúdo com a participação de quatro expertos que avaliaram cada item. Determinou-se o nível de concordância entre expertos empregando o Kappa de Fleiss. Resultados: houve força de concordância para o total dos itens do instrumento como muito boa. Os critérios para significância estatística foi de p=0,000. Foram ajustados itens em redação e conteúdo, posteriormente se incorporaram alguns tendo em consideração as observações qualitativas dos expertos. Conclusão: o instrumento representa o avanço na medição do autocuidado da saúde de jovens estudantes universitários, que permitirá definir ações para o melhoramento do estilo de vida dessa população.

Evaluación del desempeño diagnóstico del Índice de Riesgo de Malignidad II en mujeres con diagnóstico de masa anexial en un hospital de tercer nivel.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la exactitud diagnóstica del Índice de Riesgo de Malignidad II (IRM II) en 100 pacientes con diagnóstico de masa anexial. MÉTODO: En una muestra de 100 pacientes con diagnóstico de masa anexial se cuantificaron variables demográficas y se aplicó el IRM II. Mediante una tabla 2 × 2 se obtuvieron la sensibilidad, la especificidad, el valor predictivo positivo, el valor predictivo negativo y la exactitud diagnóstica, y se compararon con el resultado histopatológico. RESULTADOS: El IRM II con resultado positivo se presentó en el 73.1% (52 pacientes) de los casos con resultado histopatológico maligno y en el 26.9% de aquellos con resultado histopatológico benigno. Presenta una sensibilidad en la prueba del 73.1%, una especificidad del 70.8%, un valor predictivo positivo del 73.2% y un valor predictivo negativo del 70.8%. La exactitud diagnóstica es del 72%. CONCLUSIONES: El IRM II es una herramienta de cribaje con aceptable desempeño diagnóstico para normar la conducta, como referir a un centro especializado o solicitar estudios más específicos en pacientes con diagnóstico de masa anexial por sospecha de malignidad. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the usefulness of the Malignancy Risk Index II (MRI II) using diagnostic accuracy variables in 100 patients diagnosed with adnexal mass. METHOD: In a sample of 100 patients with a diagnosis of adnexal mass, demographic variables were quantified and MRI II was applied. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were obtained using a 2 × 2 table and compared with the histopathological result. RESULTS: MRI II with positive result was presented in 73.1% (52 patients) with malignant histopathological result and in 26.9% of patients with benign histopathological result. It presents a sensitivity in the test of 73.1%, a specificity of 70.8%, positive and negative predictive value of 73.2 and 70.8%, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of 72%. CONCLUSIONS: MRI II is a screening tool with acceptable diagnostic performance to regulate behavior, such as referring to a specialized center or requesting more specific studies in patients diagnosed with adnexal mass due to suspected malignancy.

Expression of YY1 in pro-B and T phenotypes correlation with poor survival in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer, constituting 80% of all acute leukemias in minors. Despite the increase in the success of therapies, disease-free survival is over 80% in most cases. For the remaining 20% of patients, new strategies are needed to allow us to know and select those at greatest risk of relapse. We evaluated by immunohistochemistry the expression of the transcription factor YY1 and found that it is overexpressed in peripheral blood leukemia cells of pediatric patients with ALL with Pro-B and T phenotype compared to control samples. Over expression of YY1 was associated with a significantly lower chance of survival. We also evaluated by RT-PCR in bone marrow samples from ALL pediatric patients the association of YY1 expression with the percentage of blasts. High levels of YY1 were present in samples with higher percent of blasts in these patients. In addition, ALL pediatric patients with a poor response to therapy had higher levels at the nuclear level of YY1 than those who responded well to chemotherapy. In conclusion, our data suggest that YY1 could serve in pediatric ALL as markers of evolution and response for this disease, mainly in patients with pro-B and T immunophenotype. It is also suggested that YY1 is implicated in the expanse of blast in these patients.

v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog expression is a potential molecular diagnostic marker for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most commonly diagnosed childhood malignancy worldwide and is especially common in Mexico. Additionally, the number of cases has increased in recent years. Thus, it is very important to develop molecular strategies to diagnose leukemia. The aim of this study was to investigate MYB expression and to determine its impact on the diagnosis of B-ALL. METHODS: We analyzed the B-ALL gene expression profile by microarray data mining. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify the genes that are overexpressed in leukemia. We determined that MYB was highly expressed in leukemia. Then, we validated MYB expression in 70 patients with B-ALL and in 16 healthy controls (HCs) using qRT-PCR. The results were statistically analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Z test, Mann-Whitney U test, receiver operating characteristic curves, and the Youden index. RESULTS: The microarrays showed that MYB was overexpressed in B-ALL patients with a fold change of 57.8728 and a P value of 2.56-195 . MYB expression showed great variability among the patients analyzed. However, compared to the HCs, the B-ALL patients had a P value < .0001, an area under the curve of 0.813, and a Youden index of 1.46, indicating the statistical significance. CONCLUSION: MYB expression in B-ALL cells could be a potential molecular marker for childhood leukemia.

Hypoxia as a modulator of cytochromes P450: Overexpression of the cytochromes CYP2S1 and CYP24A1 in human liver cancer cells in hypoxia.

Low levels of oxygen (hypoxia) have been reported in solid tumours. This hypoxic microenvironment modulates the expression of genes linked to a more aggressive disease. However, it is unclear if the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes as cytochromes P450 (CYPs) is affected by hypoxia in cancer. We aimed to define which cytochromes are affected by hypoxia using a liver cancer model in vitro. For this purpose, we assessed whole-genome expression microarrays of HepG2 liver cancer cell line from free repository databases, looking for gene expression hypoxia-associated profiles and selected those cytochromes with significant differences. Then, we corroborated their mRNA expression and protein levels by RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively, as well as immunofluorescence. Based on microarray analysis, we found that the expression of CYP2S1 and CYP24A1 were up-regulated with at least twice fold change compared with normoxia. The levels of mRNA and protein of CYP2S1 and CYP24A1 were increased significantly in hypoxic conditions (P < .05), and this tendency was also observed by immunofluorescence assays. Our data show that the expression of cytochromes CYP2S1 and CYP24A1 are induced in hypoxia, being the first time that CYP24A1 expression is associated with tumour hypoxia; which might have consequences in cancer progression and drug resistance. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: Hypoxia is among the most important factors for cellular adaptation to stress. Especially in cancer, a major public health issue, hypoxia plays a substantial role in angiogenesis, metastasis and resistance to therapy. Tumoral hypoxia has been described at least in the brain, breast, cervical, liver, renal, lung, pancreatic and renal cancer. However, the understanding of how hypoxia drives cancer progression is still a major challenge. One emerging question is the role of hypoxia over the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes, with a significant impact on drug treatment. In this context, our paper focus on the effect of hypoxia on CYPs, which is an essential group of drug-metabolizing enzymes. We show that hypoxia induces the expression of two members of the CYPs family: CYP2S1 and CYP24A1. Importantly, CYP2S1 is a major metabolizer of carcinogenic substances being relevant that hypoxia could promote this function. Interestingly, CYP24A1 limits the action of the active form of vitamin D, which is an anti-proliferative factor in cancer. Our evidence shows for the first time that hypoxia can induce CYP24A1 expression, with a potential effect on cancer progression. Our contribution clarifies a particular effect of tumoral hypoxia and the implications will be useful in the understanding of the progression of cancer, the resistance to treatment and the development of alternative therapies.

Perfil del estilo de vida en estudiantes de una Universidad Pública / Lifestyle profile of students of a Public University / Perfil do estilo de vida em estudantes de uma Universidade Pública

Objetivo: Determinar los comportamientos del estilo de vida de los estudiantes de primer semestre de una Universidad Pública. Materiales y método: Investigación cuantitativa, de-scriptiva de corte trasversal. El tamaño de la muestra fue de 113 estudiantes matriculados para el periodo académico 2020-1. Se utilizó un instrumento tipo encuesta estructurada elab-orado por el proyecto Institucional Universidad Saludable. Los datos se trabajaron a través de Excel y el programa SPSS versión 22, mediante análisis estadístico descriptivo univariado de frecuencias y tablas de contingencia. Resultados: la mayoría estudiantes no realiza ejercicio físico 70%, el 51% no realiza ningún tipo de actividad física, El consumo de tabaco es alto y más de la mitad son consumidores habituales de alcohol, más de la mitad presenta angustia y casi la mitad ansiedad. La calidad de la dieta la mitad la consideran mala y hay bajo con-sumo de frutas. El consumo de sal añadida a los alimentos es referido por la mayoría 82% de los estudiantes. El 28% presenta sobrepeso y obesidad. La mayoría desconoce sus niveles de colesterol y triglicéridos. No existe en casi la mitad redes de apoyo entre compañeros y familiares. Conclusiones: Se encontró que el perfil de estilo de vida de los estudiantes de primer semestre de una universidad pública se caracteriza por el sedentarismo, el consumo habitual de cerveza y cigarrillo, la mala alimentación, el sobrepeso y la obesidad, la ansiedad y angustia.

Objective: Determine the lifestyle behaviors of first semester Public University Students. Materials and method: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional research. The size of the sample consisted of 113 enrolled students for the 2020-1 semester. The instrument of struc-tured interview made by the Institutional Project Universidad Saludable was used. The data were worked using Excel and SPSS version 22, through an univariate descriptive statistical analysis of frequencies and contingency tables. Results: Most of the students do not do phys-ical exercise 70%, 51% do not do any physical activity, there is a high consumption of tobac-co and more than half are frequent consumers of alcohol, more than half show anguish and almost half show anxiety. Half of the students consider that the quality of their diet is bad and there is a low consumption of fruits. The consumption of added salt to food is mentioned by most students 82%. 28% are overweight or obese. Most do not know their levels of cholester-ol and triglycerides. There are no support networks of schoolmates and family in almost half of the students. Conclusions: It was found that the lifestyle profile of first semester students in a public university is characterized by sedentary lifestyle, frequent consumption of beer and cigarettes, bad nutrition, overweight and obesity, anguish, and anxiety.

Objetivo: Determinar o comportamento do estilo de vida dos alunos de primeiro semestre de uma Universidade Pública. Materiais e métodos: Pesquisa quantitativa, descritiva, trans-versal. O tamanho da amostra foi de 113 alunos matriculados no período acadêmico 2020-1. Utilizou-se um formulário estruturado criado pelo projeto institucional Universidade saudáv-el. Os dados foram processados no Excel e no programa SPSS versão 22, realizando-se uma analise univariada de frequência e tabelas de contingência. Resultados: A maioria dos alunos não faz exercício físico (70%), o 51% não realiza nenhum tipo de atividade física. O consumo de tabaco é alto e mais da metade são consumidores regulares de álcool, mais da metade pre-senta angustia e quase a metade ansiedade. A qualidade da dieta, a metade a consideram ruim com baixo consumo de frutas. O consumo de sal adicionada aos alimentos é referida pelo 82% dos alunos. 28% presenta sobrepeso e obesidade. A maioria desconhece os seus níveis de colesterol e triglicerídeos. Em quase a metade deles não existe rede de apoio entre colegas ou familiares. Conclusões: Encontrou-se que o perfil do estilo de vida dos alunos de primeiro período de uma Universidade Pública caracteriza-se pelo sedentarismo, o consumo regular de cerveja e cigarro, a má alimentação, o sobrepeso e obesidade, a ansiedade e angustia.

Índices neutrófilo/linfocito, plaqueta/linfocito e inmunidad/inflamación sistémica en pacientes con neumonía por COVID-19 / Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and systemic immune-inflammation index in patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia

Resumen Introducción: Existen índices hematológicos que correlacionan la severidad y predicen la mortalidad, principalmente en estados sépticos y de inflamación. Objetivo: Correlacionar los índices neutrófilo/linfocito (INL), plaqueta/linfocito (IPL) e inmunidad/inflamación sistémica (IIIS) con la severidad de COVID-19. Método: Estudio descriptivo, analítico y retrospectivo de pacientes con neumonía por COVID-19, en quienes se analizaron INL, IPL e IIIS. Resultados: Se incluyeron 100 pacientes, 54 hombres y 46 mujeres, con una media de 49.4 ± 19.3 años. Las medias de INL, IPL e IIIS fueron 10.7 ± 10.9, 290.1 ± 229.2 y 2.6 ± 3.4 × 109, respectivamente. En 54 %, la neumonía fue leve y en 46 %, grave. En cuanto a los desenlaces hospitalarios, 75 % egresó por mejoría y 25 % falleció. Las medias de INL, IPL e IIIS de los pacientes que fallecieron versus las de los pacientes que mejoraron fueron 20.4 ± 16.9 versus 7.5 ± 4.9 (p = 0.001), 417.1 ± 379.7 versus 247.7 ± 127.4 (p = 0.038) y 4.8 ± 6.1 versus 1.9 ± 1.2 × 109 (p = 0.030), respectivamente. Conclusión: Los índices hematológicos en pacientes con neumonía por COVID-19 pueden ser empleados como predictores de severidad y pronóstico.

Abstract Introduction: There are hematological parameters that correlate severity and predict mortality mainly in septic and inflammatory states. Objective: To correlate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) with COVID-19 severity. Method: Descriptive, analytical, retrospective study of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, in which NLR, PLR and SII were analyzed. Results: One-hundred patients were included, 54 men and 46 women, with a mean age of 49.4 ± 19.3 years. NLR, PLR and SII means were 10.7 ± 10.9, 290.1 ± 229.2, and 2.6 ± 3.4 × 109, respectively. In 54 %, pneumonia was mild, and in 46 %, severe. Regarding hospital outcomes, 75 % were discharged due to improvement and 25 % died. NLR, PLR and SII means of the patients who died versus the patients who improved were 20.4 ± 16.9 versus 7.5 ± 4.9 (p = 0.001), 417.1 ± 379.7 versus 247.7 ± 127.4 (p = 0.038) and 4.8 ± 6.1 versus 1.9 ± 1.2 × 109 (p = 0.030), respectively. Conclusion: Hematological parameters can be used in patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia as predictors of severity and prognosis.