ABSTRACT
Rapid population growth and coastal development has led to increased fecal contamination of coastal surface waters worldwide, enhancing the potential risk of waterborne human pathogens in bathing areas. More frequent heavy rainfall events, attributed to global warming, have further exacerbated the problem by causing sometimes sewer overflows into recreational waters. As traditional bacterial indicators have limited accuracy for predicting health risks associated with waterborne viruses, the additional use of viral indicators such as coliphages is recommended. In this study, we compared the behavior of bacterial and viral indicators of water quality at 10 Barcelona beaches during three bathing seasons, in dry conditions, and after four rainstorms that caused specific pollution events due to rain runoff with combined sewer overflows (CSO). Levels of all target indicators increased after the rainstorms, but compared to Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci, somatic coliphages exhibited a slower decline and higher environmental persistence following a rain event. Daily continuous sampling carried out during the days following a rainstorm allowed not only the determination of the decay kinetics of each target indicator but also the day when the water quality recovered the values established in the current European regulation in approximately 2 -3 days after each CSO. These observations indicate that the combined use of bacterial and viral indicators can enhance the surveillance of microbial quality of bathing waters. Moreover, coliphages can swiftly provide insights into transient fecal pollution linked to rainfall episodes, thanks to available analytical techniques that enable same-day recommendations. The management of urban wastewater and recreational water regulations should consistently employ microbial indicators to address rainwater runoff or sewer overflows resulting from heavy rainfall.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Water Quality , Humans , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Enterococcus , Bacteria , Coliphages , Rain , Escherichia coli , Feces/microbiology , Water MicrobiologyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Severe epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS sev) is a rare genodermatosis characterized by congenital generalized blistering and mucosal involvement. Increased needs and decreased intake quickly lead to nutritional imbalance. Enteral nutrition support is proposed, but classical nasogastric tubes are not well tolerated in these patients and gastrostomy is preferred. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: To report the experience with EBS sev in neonatal units of French reference centers for gastrostomy. In this retrospective multicentric study, we included all patients with EBS sev who had gastrostomy placement before age 9 months during neonatal care hospitalization. RESULTS: Nine infants (5 males/4 females) with severe skin and mucosal involvement were included. A gastrostomy was decided, at an early age (mean 3.7 months, range 1.4 to 8 months) in infants with mean weight 4426 g (range 3500 to 6000 g). Techniques used were endoscopy with the pull technique for 5 infants and surgery under general anesthesia for 4. Main complications were local but resolved after treatment. All infants gained weight after gastrostomy. The mean withdrawal time (n = 7) for the gastrostomy was 35.8 months (range 10.5 months to 6.5 years). Seven children had persistent oral disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrostomy in infants with EBS sev can be necessary in neonatal intensive care units. Both surgical and endoscopic pull techniques seem efficient, with good tolerance.
Subject(s)
Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex , Epidermolysis Bullosa , Child , Enteral Nutrition , Female , Gastrostomy , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Intensive Care, Neonatal , Male , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
INTRODUCCIÓN las personas con DM conforman un grupo de alto riesgo de enfermedad y muerte por COVID-19. Objetivos valorar el impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en la atención de las personas con DM, focalizando en el control metabólico, internación y sus percepciones respecto del proceso de atención, en población con y sin cobertura de salud del PGP, Bs As, Argentina. MÉTODOS se apeló a la triangulación metodológica. El enfoque cuantitativo utilizó un diseño cuasi-experimental que comparó dos períodos de 12 meses de duración cada uno, delimitados por el 3 de marzo de 2020; el cualitativo recurrió a entrevistas en profundidad en base a ejes temáticos, se utilizó análisis temático. Se incluyeron personas de 18 años y más del PGP con diagnóstico de DM; se conformaron dos grupos según su situación de cobertura de salud. Los criterios de valoración principal fueron la HbA1c y el control metabólico; las diferencias con valor de p < 0,05 se consideraron estadísticamente significativas. Se ajustaron modelos multivariados. RESULTADOS se incluyeron 327 participantes [158 con cobertura de salud (48,3%), 169 sin cobertura (51,7%)]. La mediana de HbA1c aumentó de 8,1% (RIC 2,7) a 8,8% (RIC 2,8); los participantes sin cobertura de salud partieron de valores más altos en la prepandemia [Me 9.0 % (RIC 2,4) vs. Me 7,2 % (RIC 1,48)]. La pandemia, la falta de cobertura de salud y el tratamiento incompleto de la DM fueron predictores independientes del aumento de la HbA1c; el tratamiento con insulina fue predictor del deterioro del control glucémico. El trabajo doméstico y de enseñanza recayó en las mujeres. Angustia, estrés y tristeza fueron los sentimientos que caracterizaron la salud mental de las personas con DM en pandemia; el proceso de atención fue percibido con miedo e incertidumbre, acentuado en el grupo sin cobertura de salud. DISCUSIÓN la pandemia COVID-19 impactó en múltiples dimensiones de la vida de las personas con DM, resaltando diferenciales de género y clase.
Subject(s)
Health Services Coverage , Diabetes Mellitus , COVID-19ABSTRACT
This paper explains how to screen tooth wear in general practice using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index. It explains how stakeholders in the UK acknowledged the convenience of the BEWE and that it could be recorded at the same time as the Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE). The article contains examples of anterior and posterior tooth wear for each BEWE score to help dentists in their evaluation.
Subject(s)
General Practice , Tooth Attrition , Tooth Erosion , Tooth Wear , Dentists , Humans , PrevalenceABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to identify spatial-temporal clusters of high and low diabetes-related mortality from 1990 to 2012 in Argentina. This was a spatial-temporal retrospective ecological study in the population older than 34 years living in Argentina, according to sex, from 1990 to 2012. The spatial units of analysis consisted of the country's departments (subdivisions of the provinces) plus the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Spatial-temporal exploration technique was used to detect clusters with high and low mortality. Areas with high mortality from diabetes mellitus were found in the Central-West of the country, and areas with low mortality were found in the coastal region of the province of Buenos Aires and Patagonia. Clusters with high mortality occupied a period from 1995 to 2008; clusters with low mortality shifted towards the years 2002 to 2012. The recent drop in mortality from diabetes was not geographically homogeneous, but displayed a marked decrease in the eastern area of the Province of Buenos Aires and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus/mortality , Spatio-Temporal Analysis , Adult , Argentina/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Resumen: El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar conglomerados espacio-temporales de alta y baja mortalidad por diabetes mellitus durante el período 1990-2012 en Argentina. Se realizó un estudio ecológico retrospectivo espacio-temporal. Se consideró la población mayor de 34 años residente en Argentina, según sexo, durante el período 1990-2012. Las unidades espaciales de análisis estuvieron conformadas por departamentos más la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Se empleó la técnica de exploración espacio-temporal para la detección de conglomerados de alta y baja mortalidad. Se encontraron áreas de elevada mortalidad por diabetes mellitus en el centro-oeste del país, y zonas de baja mortalidad en la región costera de la provincia de Buenos Aires y Patagonia. Los conglomerados de alta mortalidad ocuparon un período comprendido entre 1995 y 2008; los de baja mortalidad se desplazaron hacia los años 2002-2012. El descenso reciente en la mortalidad por diabetes mellitus no fue geográficamente homogéneo, con una disminución marcada en el este de la Provincia de Buenos Aires y la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to identify spatial-temporal clusters of high and low diabetes-related mortality from 1990 to 2012 in Argentina. This was a spatial-temporal retrospective ecological study in the population older than 34 years living in Argentina, according to sex, from 1990 to 2012. The spatial units of analysis consisted of the country's departments (subdivisions of the provinces) plus the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Spatial-temporal exploration technique was used to detect clusters with high and low mortality. Areas with high mortality from diabetes mellitus were found in the Central-West of the country, and areas with low mortality were found in the coastal region of the province of Buenos Aires and Patagonia. Clusters with high mortality occupied a period from 1995 to 2008; clusters with low mortality shifted towards the years 2002 to 2012. The recent drop in mortality from diabetes was not geographically homogeneous, but displayed a marked decrease in the eastern area of the Province of Buenos Aires and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.
Resumo: O objetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar conglomerados espaço-temporais de alta e baixa mortalidade por diabetes mellitus durante o período 1990-2012 na Argentina. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico retrospectivo espaço-temporal, considerando a população maior de 34 anos, residente na Argentina, segundo o sexo, durante o período de 1990-2012. As unidades espaciais de análises foram constituídas pelos departamentos, junto com a Cidade Autônoma de Buenos Aires. Foi empregada a técnica de exploração espaço-temporal para a detecção de conglomerados de alta e baixa mortalidade. Foram encontradas áreas de elevada mortalidade por diabetes mellitus no Centro-oeste do país, e zonas de baixa mortalidade na região costeira da província de Buenos Aires e Patagônia. Os conglomerados de alta mortalidade ocuparam um período compreendido entre 1995 e 2008; os de baixa mortalidade foram no período de 2002-2012. A diminuição recente na mortalidade por diabetes mellitus não foi geograficamente homogênea, com destaque para o leste da província de Buenos Aires e a Cidade Autônoma de Buenos Aires.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Diabetes Mellitus/mortality , Spatio-Temporal Analysis , Argentina/epidemiology , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to compare milk supplemented with probiotic lactobacilli with standard milk for the increment of caries in preschool children after 10 mo of intervention. The study was a triple-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Participants were children aged 2 and 3 y (n = 261) attending 16 nursery schools in a metropolitan region in Chile. Nursery schools were randomly assigned to 2 parallel groups: children in the intervention group were given 150 mL of milk supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1 (10(7) CFU/mL), while children in the control group were given standard milk. Interventions took place on weekdays for 10 mo. Data were collected through a clinical examination of participants. The primary outcome measure was the increment of caries in preschool children. This was assessed using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). The dropout rate was 21%. No differences in caries prevalence were detected between the groups at baseline (P = 0.68). After 10 mo of probiotic intake, the caries prevalence was 54.4% in the probiotic group and 65.8% in the control group. The percentage of new individuals who developed cavitated lesions (ICDAS 5-6) in the control group (24.3%) was significantly higher than that in the probiotic group (9.7%). The increment of dental caries showed an odds ratio of 0.35 (P < 0.05) in favor of the probiotic group. At the cavitated lesion level, the increment of new caries lesions within the groups showed 1.13 new lesions per child in the probiotic group compared with 1.75 lesions in the control group (P < 0.05). The probiotic group showed an increment of 0.58 ± 1.17 new lesions compared with 1.08 ± 1.70 new lesions observed in the control group. The difference in caries increment was significant at the cavitated lesion level (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the regular long-term intake of probiotic-supplemented milk may reduce caries development in high-caries preschool children (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01648075).
Subject(s)
Dental Caries/epidemiology , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus , Milk/microbiology , Probiotics/administration & dosage , Animals , Child, Preschool , Chile/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , PrevalenceABSTRACT
In breast cancer the presence of cells undergoing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is indicative of metastasis progression. Since metabolic features of breast tumour cells are critical in cancer progression and drug resistance, we hypothesized that the lipid content of malignant cells might be a useful indirect measure of cancer progression. In this study Multivariate Curve Resolution was applied to cellular Raman spectra to assess the metabolic composition of breast cancer cells undergoing the epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Multivariate Curve Resolution analysis led to the conclusion that this transition affects the lipid profile of cells, increasing tryptophan but maintaining a low fatty acid content in comparison with highly metastatic cells. Supporting those results, a Partial Least Square-Discriminant analysis was performed to test the ability of Raman spectroscopy to discriminate the initial steps of epithelial to mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells. We achieved a high level of sensitivity and specificity, 94% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, Raman microspectroscopy coupled with Multivariate Curve Resolution enables deconvolution and tracking of the molecular content of cancer cells during a biochemical process, being a powerful, rapid, reagent-free and non-invasive tool for identifying metabolic features of breast cancer cell aggressiveness at first stages of malignancy.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods , Algorithms , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Discriminant Analysis , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics , Female , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Humans , Least-Squares Analysis , PhenotypeABSTRACT
Combined factors V (FV) and VIII (FVIII) deficiency is a rarely seen hereditary coagulation disease. Experience of its management in surgery with a high-risk of bleeding is rare. The interest of this case report is to propose a strategy of perioperative management for such a deficit, but also to recall that a careful preoperative anesthetic evaluation with questioning and physical examination permits to detect unsuspected coagulation disorders and to schedule the preventive treatment. The protocol for the perioperative period consisted of the administration of desmopressin and fresh frozen plasma one hour before surgery. The administration of desmopressin was continued for 48hours. Fresh frozen plasma and tranexamic acid were administered during the first 9 postoperative days. A local bleeding occurred at 8 days (scab coming off) and required systematically a surgical hemostasis and an intensification of the therapeutic protocol. Recombinant plasmatic factor VIII was administered for 7 days together with a daily perfusion of fresh frozen plasma for a total treatment period of 14 days.
Subject(s)
Factor V Deficiency/therapy , Hemophilia A/therapy , Perioperative Care , Tonsillectomy/methods , Child, Preschool , Circumcision, Male , Factor V Deficiency/complications , Hemophilia A/complications , Hemostasis , Humans , Intraoperative Care , Male , Postoperative Hemorrhage/therapyABSTRACT
Little is known about metastatic pathways that are specific to the lung rather than other organs. We previously showed that antioxidant proteins such as peroxiredoxins were specifically upregulated in lung metastatic breast cancer cells. We hypothesize that cancer cells that live under aerobic conditions, as might be the case in lungs, protect themselves against the damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). To examine this hypothesis, we studied the role of peroxiredoxin-2 (PRDX2) in lung vs bone metastasis formation. A metastatic variant of MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells that specifically metastasize to lungs (435-L3) was transduced with short hairpin RNAs to specifically silence PRDX2. Conversely, a bone metastatic variant of MDA-MB-231 cells (BO2) was stably transfected to overexpress PRDX2. The 435-L3 cells silenced for PRDX2 were significantly more sensitive to H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress than the parental and scrambled transfected cells. BO2/PRDX2 cells produced less ROS than BO2/green fluorescent protein control cells under oxidative stress. Moreover, PRDX2 knockdown inhibited the growth of 435-L3 cells in the lungs, whereas lymph node metastasis remained unaffected. In contrast, PRDX2 overexpression in bone metastatic BO2 breast cancer cells led to drastic inhibition of the skeletal tumor burden and reduction of bone destruction. Furthermore, PRDX2 expression in breast cancer cells was associated with a glucose-dependent phenotype, different from bone metastatic cells. Overall, our results strongly suggest that PRDX2 is a targetable 'metabolic adaptor' driver protein implicated in the selective growth of metastatic cells in the lungs by protecting them against oxidative stress.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/metabolism , Lung Neoplasms/secondary , Oxidative Stress/genetics , Peroxiredoxins/physiology , Stress, Physiological/genetics , Bone Neoplasms/secondary , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Female , Humans , Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lymphatic Metastasis , TransfectionABSTRACT
No disponible
Subject(s)
Immunohistochemistry/classification , Immunohistochemistry/methods , Immunohistochemistry/standards , Immunohistochemistry/trends , Epitopes , Antigens/analysis , Antigens , Antigens, Differentiation/analysis , Antigens, Differentiation , Antibodies/analysis , Antibodies , Hot Temperature , Citric Acid/analysis , Citric Acid , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , CD4 Immunoadhesins/analysis , CD4 Immunoadhesins , Leukocyte Common Antigens/analysis , Leukocyte Common Antigens , Culture Techniques , Culture Techniques/methods , Culture Techniques/classificationABSTRACT
Polymorphic variants of the cytoskeletal protein adducin have been associated with hypertension in humans and rats. However, the direct role of this protein in modulating arterial blood pressure has never been demonstrated. To assess the effect of beta-adducin on blood pressure, a beta-adducin-deficient mouse strain (-/-) was studied and compared with wild-type controls (+/+). Aortic blood pressure was measured in nonanesthetized, freely moving animals with the use of telemetry implants. It is important to note that these mice have at least 98% of C57Bl/6 genetic background, with the only difference from wild-type animals being the beta-adducin mutation. We found statistically significant higher levels of systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) (mean+/-SE values: -/-: 126.94+/-1.14, n=5; +/+: 108.06+/-2. 34, n=6; P:
Subject(s)
Calmodulin-Binding Proteins/deficiency , Cytoskeletal Proteins/deficiency , Hypertension/genetics , Animals , Blood Pressure/genetics , Calmodulin-Binding Proteins/genetics , Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics , Electrocardiography , Heart Rate/genetics , Heart Rate/physiology , Heart Ventricles/pathology , Hypertension/pathology , Hypertension/physiopathology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Myocardium/pathologyABSTRACT
The membrane skeleton, a dynamic network of proteins associated with the plasma membrane, determines the shape and mechanical properties of erythrocytes. Deficiencies or defects in membrane skeletal proteins are associated with inherited disorders of erythrocyte morphology and function. Adducin is one of the proteins localized at the spectrin-actin junction of the membrane skeleton. In this work we show that deficiency of beta-adducin produces an 80% decrease of alpha-adducin and a fourfold up-regulation of gamma-adducin in erythrocytes. beta-Adducin or any other isoform generated by translation of abnormally spliced messenger RNAs could not be detected by our antibodies either in ghosts or in cytoplasm of -/- erythrocytes. Actin levels were diminished in mutant mice, suggesting alterations in the actin-spectrin junctional complexes due to the absence of adducin. Elliptocytes, ovalocytes, and occasionally spherocytes were found in the blood film of -/- mice. Hematological values showed an increase in reticulocyte counts and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, decreased mean corpuscular volume and hematocrit, and normal erythrocyte counts that, associated to splenomegaly, indicate that the mice suffer from mild anemia with compensated hemolysis. These modifications are due to a loss of membrane surface and dehydration that result in an increase in the osmotic fragility of red blood cells. The marked alteration in osmotic fragility together with the predominant presence of elliptocytes is reminiscent of the human disorder called spherocytic hereditary elliptocytosis. Our results suggest that the amount of adducin remaining in the mutant animals (presumably alphagamma adducin) could be functional and might account for the mild phenotype. (Blood. 2000;95:3978-3985)
Subject(s)
Calmodulin-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Elliptocytosis, Hereditary/blood , Elliptocytosis, Hereditary/genetics , Erythrocytes/physiology , Animals , Calmodulin-Binding Proteins/deficiency , Calmodulin-Binding Proteins/genetics , Chimera , Crosses, Genetic , Cytoskeletal Proteins/metabolism , Female , Hematocrit , Hemoglobins/analysis , Heterozygote , Humans , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Osmotic Fragility , Reticulocyte CountABSTRACT
The hundred and sixteen brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) which were examined for helminth parasites were captured in the River Tirino, (L'Acquila - Italy). Six parasite species (Phyllodistomum simile, Crowcrocaecum testiobliquum, Crepidostomum metoecus, Cyathocephalus truncatus, Truttaedacnitis truttae and Dentitruncus truttae) were recovered. Ecological studies on each helminth species recovered have been carried out analysing the following aspects; the preference of each parasite species for certain microhabitats in the host; the incidence and intensity of each parasitic infection according to sex, age and season.