Inertia suppresses signatures of activity of active Brownian particles in a harmonic potential.

A harmonically trapped active Brownian particle exhibits two types of positional distributions-one has a single peak and the other has a single well-that signify steady-state dynamics with low and high activity, respectively. Adding inertia to the translational motion preserves this strict classification of either single-peak or single-well densities but shifts the dividing boundary between the states in the parameter space. We characterize this shift for the dynamics in one spatial dimension using the static Fokker-Planck equation for the full joint distribution of the state space. We derive local results analytically with a perturbation method for a small rotational velocity and then extend them globally with a numerical approach.

Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing study of subgingival microbiota of healthy subjects and patients with periodontitis from four different countries.

AIM: To investigate the differences between the subgingival microbiota of healthy subjects (HS) and periodontitis patients (PP) from four different countries through a metagenomic approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subgingival samples were obtained from subjects from four different countries. Microbial composition was analysed through high-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The country of origin, diagnosis and clinical and demographic variables of the subjects were used to analyse the microbial profiles. RESULTS: In total, 506 subgingival samples were analysed: 196 from HS and 310 from patients with periodontitis. Differences in richness, diversity and microbial composition were observed when comparing samples pertaining to different countries of origin and different subject diagnoses. Clinical variables, such as bleeding on probing, did not significantly affect the bacterial composition of the samples. A highly conserved core of microbiota associated with periodontitis was detected, while the microbiota associated with periodontally HS was much more diverse. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal diagnosis of the subjects was the main variable explaining the composition of the microbiota in the subgingival niche. Nevertheless, the country of origin also had a significant impact on the microbiota and is therefore an important factor to consider when describing subgingival bacterial communities.

Personal experience, posttraumatic symptomatology, and meaning in life during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The traumatic subjective distress and personal meaning in life were examined in the context of the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic sanitary crisis and home lockdown. METHOD: A total of 543 participants answered an online survey that included questions about the individual characteristics of the pandemic experience, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and the Personal Meaning Profile-Brief. RESULTS: Nearly all of life impaired areas, having the suspicion of being ill with COVID-19, having lost a close person to this virus, and having been accompanied during the lockdown were experiences associated with higher PTSD symptoms. Posttraumatic symptomatology was inversely correlated with areas of meaning in life. Lastly, a higher number of affected areas and a negative subjective lockdown circumstance explained greater total PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSION: Specific pandemic experiences and lockdown circumstances affected the presence of posttraumatic symptoms. The personal meaning of life seems to be involved in the process of less adverse traumatic consequences.

Porous Lattice Structure of Femoral Stem for Total Hip Arthroplasty / Estructura de Diseño Poroso por Latice de Vástago Femoral para Artroplastia Total de Cadera

Abstract Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is one of the surgical procedures carried out satisfactorily in procedures for osteoarthritis and trauma lesions. ATC surgery reduces pain and improves the quality of life of young patients. Therefore, it is of great importance to improve the properties of hip implants, since current implants do not match their lifespan with the life expectancy of a young patient. This is because the solid prostheses that currently exist have a higher Young's modulus, and therefore are too rigid compared to the bone tissue. On the other hand, the cyclic and continuous loads to which the hip joint is subjected in daily activities, can cause loosening and consequent implant loss The present work proposes an implant manufactured with a porous lattice structure, which aims to reduce stiffness, allow bone growth and a more effective mechanical load transfer. Three computational models subjected to static charges were evaluated and compared: 1) healthy femur, 2) implanted femur with a commercial prosthesis, and 3) implanted femur with a prosthesis with lattice structure. For the computational analysis it was decided to perform a static analysis of a person standing on the left foot; a load equivalent to the body weight was applied on the head of the femur, balancing the reaction forces in the system of forces (contact force, body weight, and abductor muscle).. The results were shown in terms of displacement, compression and deformation. The model implanted with a prosthesis with a lattice design presented a slight decrease in displacement, and a decrease in compression and deformation values, which indicated that the proposed design has a better distribution and transport of the loads through its structure.

Resumen La artroplastia total de cadera (ATC) es uno de los tratamientos quirúrgicos llevados a cabo de manera satisfactoria en procedimientos para la osteoartritis y lesiones de trauma. La ATC reduce el dolor y mejora la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Por lo tanto, es de gran importancia mejorar las propiedades de los implantes de cadera, ya que los implantes actuales tienen un tiempo de vida útil y deben cumplir con las expectativas de rehabilitación para los pacientes. Esto se debe a que las prótesis sólidas que existen actualmente tienen un módulo de Young más elevado, y por lo tanto son demasiado rígidas a comparación del tejido óseo. Por otro lado, las cargas cíclicas y continuas a las que se ve sometida la articulación de la cadera en actividades diarias, pueden ser causa del aflojamiento y consecuente pérdida del implante. El presente trabajo propone un implante fabricado con una estructura porosa tipo látice, el cual tiene como objetivos reducir la rigidez, permitir crecimiento óseo y una transferencia de cargas mecánicas más efectiva. Se evaluaron y compararon tres modelos computacionales sometidos a cargas estáticas: 1) fémur sano, 2) fémur implantado con una prótesis comercial, y 3) fémur implantado con una prótesis con estructura látice. Para el modelo computacional se optó por hacer un análisis estático de una persona parada sobre el pie izquierdo; donde se aplicó una carga equivalente del peso corporal sobre la cabeza del fémur, equilibrando las fuerzas de reacción en el sistema de fuerzas (fuerza de contacto, peso corporal, y músculo abductor). Los resultados fueron mostrados en términos de desplazamiento, compresión y deformación. El modelo implantado con una prótesis con un diseño tipo látice presentó una ligera disminución de desplazamiento, y disminución en los valores de compresión y deformación, lo que indicó que el diseño propuesto posee una mejor distribución y transporte de las cargas a través de su estructura.

Estimación en la Intención de Agarres: Cilíndrico, Esférico y Gancho Utilizando Redes Neuronales Profundas / Estimation of Hand-Grip Intention: Cylindrical, Spherical and Hook Using Deep Neural Networks

Resumen Las amputaciones de extremidades superiores pueden producir diversos grados de incapacidad en la persona afectada, esto es exacerbado aún más, si se presenta durante un periodo de su vida laboral activa, por esta razón es de importancia social el estudio de las prótesis y algoritmos que ayuden a un mejor control de estas por parte del usuario. En esta investigación, se propone una arquitectura basada en redes neuronales recurrentes del tipo Long Short-Term Memory y redes convolucionales para la clasificación de señales electromiográficas, con aplicaciones para control de prótesis de mano. La red propuesta clasifica tres tipos de agarres realizados con la mano: cilíndrico, esférico y de gancho. El modelo propuesto al ser evaluado mostró una eficiencia (accuracy) del 89 %, en contraste con una red neuronal artificial basada en capas completamente conectadas que solo obtuvo una eficiencia del 80% en la predicción de los agarres. El presente trabajo se limita solamente a evaluar la red ante una entrada de electromiograma y no se implementó un sistema de control para la prótesis de la mano. Así, una arquitectura de redes convolucionales para el control de prótesis de mano que pueden ser entrenadas con las señales del sujeto.

Abstract Upper extremities amputations can produce different disability degrees in the amputated person, this is acerbated even more, when it happens during active working life. So, for this reason, it is of social importance the study of prostheses and algorithms that help a better control of these by the user. In this research, we propose an architecture based on recurrent neural networks, called Long Short-Term Memory, and convolutional neural networks for classification of electromyographic signals, with applications for hand prosthesis control. The proposed network classifies three types of movements made by the hand: cylindrical, spherical and hook grips. The proposed model showed an efficiency (accuracy) of 89%, in contrast to an artificial neural network based on completely connected layers that only obtained an efficiency of 80% in the prediction of the hand movements. The present work is limited to evaluate the network with an electromyogram input, the control system for hand prosthesis was not implemented. Thus, an architecture of convolutional networks for the control of hand prostheses that can be trained with the signals of the subject.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis and its implications in Mexico: notions of men who have sex with men.

Background The aim of this study was to analyse ideas regarding pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the prevention of HIV among groups of men who have sex with men in Mexico for future implementation in health services. METHODS: During 2015, 54 people participated in four focus groups in three Mexican cities. Issues related to challenges for uses and limitations of PrEP were explored. RESULTS: In contrast with other qualitative studies, which emphasised problems with relationships with other people for PrEP use or access to key populations, Mexican participants focused their concerns around the public health services organisation: PrEP is too expensive and the health services have no resources, which will affect services and result in discrimination. Participants identified possible stigmatisation related to prejudices of medical providers who do not approve the decreased use of condoms. As a potential solution, participants suggested that the Mexican Government could negotiate a lower cost for PrEP and public health services could provide the medication, with periodical review of the arrangements by civil organisations. CONCLUSION: In the current context of the new Mexican government, it is necessary to propose public politics focused on negotiating with pharmaceutical companies on the costs of the PrEP, coordinating public services with groups within civil society and strengthening policies and actions to reduce stigma and discrimination.

Qualitative analysis of governance trends after health system reforms in Latin America: lessons from Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: Health policies in Latin America are centered on the democratization of health. Since 2003, during the last generation of reforms, health systems in this region have promoted governance strategies for better agreements between governments, institutions, and civil society. In this context, we develop an evaluative research to identify trends and evidence of governance after health care reforms in six regions of Mexico. METHODS: Evaluative research was developed with a retrospective design based on qualitative analysis. Primary data were obtained from 189 semi-structured interviews with purposively selected health care professionals and key informants. Secondary data were extracted from a selection of 95 official documents on results of the reform project at the national level, national health policies, and lines of action for good governance. Data processing and analysis were performed using ATLAS.ti and PolicyMaker. RESULTS: A list of main strengths and weaknesses is presented as evidence of health system governance. Accountability at the federal level remains prescriptive; in the regions, a system of accountability and transparency in the allocation of resources and in terms of health democratization strategies is still absent. CONCLUSION: Social protection and decentralization schemes are strategies that have allowed for improvements with a proactive role of users and civil society. Regarding challenges, there are still low levels of governance and difficulties in the effective conduct of programs and reform strategies together with a lack of precision in the rules and roles of the different actors of the health system.

Cost-effectiveness of therapeutic interventions in schizophrenia

Background: Various studies have reported that a decision-tree analysis is useful to evaluate different treatment strategies in real clinical practice. Objective: The main aim of this study was to research the clinical decisions regarding the treatment of patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Method: Cost-effectiveness study of three different interventions to treat patients with schizophrenia were studied. Interventions were divided into the following categories: a) day hospital (psycho-educational treatment+psychiatric consultation+psychopharmacological treatment); b) therapy adherence clinic (psychopharmacological treatment with depot antipsychotic medication+psychiatric consultation); c) outpatient psychiatric care (psychopharmacological treatment+psychiatric consultation). For this purpose decision tree model was designed and three outcomes were measured (therapeutic compliance, non-compliance and rehospitalization). TreeAge software was used in order to estimate outcome probabilities and sensitivity analysis, distribution Beta for probabilities and Gamma for cost of interventions. Results: The probability of therapeutic compliance and average semestral cost of therapy adherence clinic, outpatient psychiatric care and day hospital are 0.594, 0.284, 2.393, and mean cost intervention US$ 2145.6, US$ 700.2 and US$ 1412.1 respectively (IC95%), according to Montecarlo analysis. Conclusions: According to the results, the clinical decision to treat patients in therapy adherence clinic improved therapeutic compliance, but the cost of treatment was higher. There were extra costs and risks to society and patient that are associated with therapeutic non-compliance. It is less expensive for the health care system to provide the patients outpatient psychiatric care, but perhaps in the long-term outpatient psychiatric care is more costly for the patient, their family, and society. According to the many important limitations of this study, further studies are needed to reject/confirm these strategies to be included in real clinical practice

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Structure of nematocysts isolated from the fire corals Millepora alcicornis and Millepora complanata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

Structural characteristics of discharged and undischarged nematocysts from the hydrozoans Millepora alcicornis and Millepora complanata, two fire corals collected in the Mexican Caribbean, were examined using transmission electron, scanning and light microscopy. In this study, we report for the first time images of the nematocysts found in these Mexican Caribbean venomous species. Two types of nematocysts were observed in both species, the more abundant identified as macrobasic mastigophore and the other a stenotele type. Macrobasic mastigophores were present in medium and large size classes while stenoteles appeared in only one size.

The presence of precursors of benign pre-B lymphoblasts (hematogones) in the bone marrow of a paediatric patient with cytomegalovirus infection.

Hematogones are normal B-lymphoid precursors that multiply in the bone marrow of small children and of adults with ferropenic anaemia, neuroblastoma or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. They are not normally found in peripheral blood, and the immunophenotype is virtually indistinguishable from that of B lymphoblasts. We discuss the case of a 3-month infant with an active cytomegalovirus infection, with hepatitis and pancytopenia associated with 13% hematogones in the bone marrow.

Escoliosis idiopática y lesiones cutáneas congénitas pigmentadas: estudio preliminar / Idiopathic scoliosis and pigmented cutaneous congenital lesions: preliminary study

Introducción. En la literatura científica encontramos varias asociaciones entre distintas lesiones cutáneas y anomalías musculoesqueléticas. El objetivo de este trabajo es establecer si existe una relación más allá de lo meramente casual entre la escoliosis idiopática y distintas alteraciones cutáneas pigmentadas de origen congénito. Material y métodos. Estudio preliminar donde se valoraron 14 pacientes con lesiones cutáneas congénitas, de origen melanocítico (nevus melanocítico congénito, nevus spilus) y no melanocítico (nevus epidérmico, nevus sebáceo de Jadassohn y nevus de Becker). Se les realizó una exploración física tanto desde el punto de vista dermatológico como musculoesquelético, además de una radiografía de raquis. Se utilizó el método de Cobb para la medición de las curvas. Resultados. Se encontraron 5 pacientes con criterios clínicos y radiológicos de escoliosis idiopática, que representan una frecuencia de escoliosis asociada a lesiones cutáneas pigmentadas congénitas del 35,7 %. Se trataba de curvas de escasa magnitud, con un valor medio del ángulo de Cobb de 12°. Se asociaron a las siguientes enfermedades cutáneas: nevus melanocítico congénito (2 casos), nevus spilus (1), nevus epidérmico (1) y nevus de Becker (1). Discusión. Tras este estudio piloto en el que se confirma una asociación superior a la esperada (la frecuencia de escoliosis en la población general es del 2 %), se abre una vía de investigación clínica para vincular las características clínicas y topográficas de ambas enfermedades

Introduction. Some links between cutaneous disorders and musculoskeletal diseases have been described in medical journals. This study aimed to discover if there is a relationship between idiopathic scoliosis and a group of pigmented, cutaneous, congenital abnormalities. Material and methods. Preliminary study that evaluated 14 patients with cutaneous congenital abnormalities, melanocytic (congenital melanocytic nevus, nevus spilus) and no-melanocytic (epidermal nevi, Jadassohn nevi and Melanosis naeviformis of Becker). Dermatological and musculoskeletal physical examinations and spine X-ray were performed. Cobb method was used to measure curves. Results. We found 5 patients with clinical and radiological criteria of idiopathic scoliosis. The association between scoliosis and pigmented cutaneous abnormalities reach 35.7 %. The curve scoliosis size was mild and mean Cobb angle was 12°. It was associated specifically with melanocytic nevi (2 patients), nevus spilus (1), epidermal nevus (1) and Melanosis naeviformis of Becker (1). Discussion. This pilot study describes the association frequency and size, between two pathological conditions, in a preliminary report. We have shown a higher association than expected (scoliosis prevalence in general population is 2 %). This finding suggests a new research line to link clinical and topographic trends of both disorders

Tratamiento de un tumor desmoide mediante inyección percutánea de ácido acético 50 por ciento / No disponible

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Estudio comparativo de dos técnicas de infiltración miofascial en puntos gatillo: punción seca e inyección de anestésico local / A comparative study of two myofascial infiltration techniques in trigger points: dry needling and local anaesthetic injections

Introducción. En el tratamiento del dolor miofascial (DMF) se han recomendado diversos tipos de infiltración de puntos gatillo (PG). El propósito de este trabajo es comparar la eficacia y los efectos evolutivos de dos modalidades: punción seca (PS) e infiltración de anestésico local (IAL). Material y método. Se presenta un estudio observacional de casos y controles, en el que se incluyeron de forma consecutiva 24 pacientes con DMF, 15 tratados con PS y 9 con IAL. Se estudiaron las siguientes variables: dolor, mediante la escala analógica visual (EAV), en reposo y en esfuerzo, y el umbral doloroso mediante el algómetro de presión. Se valoró también la EAV durante la técnica y a los 20 minutos. Resultados. Se estudiaron 22 mujeres y dos varones con una edad media de 48 años. Todos los pacientes tratados mejoraron sus parámetros de dolor en reposo y al esfuerzo (p < 0,01). No hubo diferencias significativas entre ambas técnicas en cuanto a la mejora de la EAV. La EAV en reposo mejoró un porcentaje medio del 35 %, y un 33 % el de esfuerzo. La mejora del umbral de dolor fue mayor en los pacientes tratados con PS (p = 0,04). No hubo diferencia en las molestias sentidas durante la terapia, ni en el efecto inmediato del tratamiento. Discusión. Tanto la PS como la IAL son efectivas en la inactivación del PG, con efecto analgésico semejante. Sin embargo hay una cierta tendencia de la PS a mejorar más el umbral doloroso, hecho que sugiere mayor capacidad de inactivación del PG. Se concluye así que ambas técnicas pueden utilizarse para el alivio del dolor en aquellos pacientes diagnosticados de DMF

Introduction. Several kinds of trigger point injection have been recommended for myofascial pain syndrome. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and evolutive effects of two types of myofascial treatment: dry needling and local anaesthetic injection (LAI). Patients and methods. We included 24 myofascial pain patients, 15 treated by dry needling and 9 treated by anaesthetic local injection. The following variables were studied: resting and active pain by Visual Analogical Scale (VAS); pain threshold was measured by pressure algometer; discomfort during technique and immediate effect, at 20 minutes (VAS). Results. Twenty two females and 2 males with a mean age of 48 years, were treated. Patients improved resting and active pain level (p < 0.01). Pain threshold improved more in dry needling group (p = 0.04). Percentage transformed VAS improved 35 % resting and 33 % in activities. No differences were observed between groups in discomfort during therapy or in immediate effect of the treatment. Discussion. Dry needling and anaesthetic injection were effective for trigger point release. We observed more improvement on pain threshold in dry needling group, which suggests that technique is better to release trigger point. We concluded both techniques were useful to alleviate pain in myofascial syndrome patients

Roncópatas versus roncópatas con apneas: ¿pueden diferenciarse clínicamente? / Snorers versus snorers with apnea: can they be clinically differenciated?

El diagnóstico del síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño (SAOS) se realiza con el polisomnograma de sueño, examen de considerable costo económico para el paciente. Se han diseñado algunas herramientas, como el score de Epworth, con el fin de predecir si un paciente tiene o no un SAOS. Se pretende investigar si existen diferencias entre pacientes roncadores y pacientes con SAOS que permitan al clínico establecer el diagnóstico y severidad del SAOS con mayor certeza previo al polisomnograma de sueño. Además, evaluar el valor predictivo del score de Epworth. Para ello se efectuó un estudio retrospectivo de fichas clínicas y polisomnogramas de sueño en 220 pacientes roncadores. El presente estudio encontró que la edad fue el único parámetro distinto estadísticamente significativo entre roncadores y SAOS, siendo estos últimos poseedores de una mayor edad. No hubo diferencias en patologías asociadas, consumo de medicamentos, score de Epworth, examen otorrinolaringológico e índice de masa corporal (IMC). En pacientes con SAOS se observó que, a mayor IMC existía un mayor nivel de desaturación de oxígeno nocturno. El score de Epworth tuvo un valor predictivo positivo (VPP) de 88,4 por ciento, y un valor predictivo negativo (VPN) de 20 por ciento. Se concluye que no es posible predecir clínicamente si un paciente es portador de un SAOS.

Health care costs and financial consequences of epidemiological changes in chronic diseases in Latin America: evidence from Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the costs of health services and the financial consequences of changes in the epidemiological profile of chronic diseases in Latin America. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted longitudinal analyses of costs and of the economic impact of the epidemiological transition in healthcare services for diabetes and hypertension in the Mexican health system. The study population included both the insured and uninsured populations. METHODS: The cost-evaluation method was based on the instrumentation and consensus techniques. To estimate the epidemiological changes and financial consequences for 2004-2006, six models were constructed according to the Box-Jenkins technique, using confidence intervals of 95% and the Box-Pierce test. FINDINGS: Costs ranged from US$613 to US$887 for diabetes, and from US$485 to US$622 for hypertension. Regarding epidemiological changes for 2004 compared with 2006, an increase is expected in both cases, although results predict a greater increase for diabetes, 10-15% in all three institutions (P<0.05). Comparing the financial consequences of health services required by insured and uninsured populations, the greater increase (17%) will be for the insured population (P<0.05). The financial requirements for both diseases will amount to 9.5% of the total budget for the uninsured population and 13.5% for the insured population. CONCLUSIONS: If the risk factors and the different healthcare models remain as they are at present, the economic impact of expected epidemiological changes on the social security system will be particularly strong. Another relevant financial factor is the appearance of internal competition in the use and allocation of financial resources among the main providers in the health services; this factor becomes even more complicated within each provider. In effect, within each institution, hypertension and diabetes programmes must compete for resources with other programmes for chronic and infectious diseases.