The Role of Alkalis in Orchestrating Uranyl-Peroxide Reactivity Leading to Direct Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide.

Spectator ions have known and emerging roles in aqueous metal-cation chemistry, respectively directing solubility, speciation, and reactivity. Here, we isolate and structurally characterize the last two metastable members of the alkali uranyl triperoxide series, the Rb+ and Cs+ salts (Cs-U1 and Rb-U1). We document their rapid solution polymerization via small-angle X-ray scattering, which is compared to the more stable Li+, Na+ and K+ analogues. To understand the role of the alkalis, we also quantify alkali-hydroxide promoted peroxide deprotonation and decomposition, which generally exhibits increasing reactivity with increasing alkali size. Cs-U1, the most unstable of the uranyl triperoxide monomers, undergoes ambient direct air capture of CO2 in the solid-state, converting to Cs4[UVIO2(CO3)3], evidenced by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. We have attempted to benchmark the evolution of Cs-U1 to uranyl tricarbonate, which involves a transient, unstable hygroscopic solid that contains predominantly pentavalent uranium, quantified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Powder X-ray diffraction suggests this intermediate state contains a hydrous derivative of CsUVO3, where the parent phase has been computationally predicted, but not yet synthesized.

Structural characterization of a new samarium-sodium heterometallic coordination polymer.

Lanthanide-containing materials are of inter-est in the field of crystal engin-eering because of their unique properties and distinct structure types. In this context, a new samarium-sodium heterometallic coordination polymer, poly[tetra-kis-(µ2-2-formyl-6-meth-oxy-phenolato)samarium(III)sodium(I)], {[SmNa(C8H7O3)4]·solvent}n (Sm-1), was synthesized and crystallized via slow evaporation from a mixture of ethanol and aceto-nitrile. The compound features alternating SmIII and NaI ions, which are linked by ortho-vanillin (o-vanillin) ligands to form a mono-periodic chain-like coordination polymer. The chains propagate along the [001] direction. Residual electron density of disordered solvent mol-ecules in the void space could not be reasonably modeled, thus the SQUEEZE function was applied. The structural, vibrational, and optical properties are reported.

Expanding the Transuranic Metal-Organic Framework Portfolio: The Optical Properties of Americium(III) MOF-76.

Reported is the synthesis, crystal structure, and solid-state characterization of a new americium containing metal-organic framework (MOF), [Am(C9H3O6)(H2O)], MOF-76(Am). This material is constructed from Am3+ metal centers and 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (BTC) ligands, forming a porous three-dimensional framework that is isostructural with several known trivalent lanthanide (Ln) analogs (e.g., Ce, Nd, and Sm-Lu). The Am3+ ions have seven coordinates and assume a distorted, capped trigonal prismatic geometry with C1 symmetry. The Am3+-O bonds were studied via infrared spectroscopy and compared to several MOF-76(Ln) analogs, where Ln = Nd3+, Eu3+, Tb3+, and Ho3+. The results show that the strength of the ligand carboxylate stretching and bending modes increase with Nd3+ < Eu3+ < Am3+ < Tb3+ < Ho3+, suggesting the metal-oxygen bonds are predominantly ionic. Optical absorbance spectroscopy measurements reveal strong f-f transitions; some exhibit pronounced crystal field splitting. The photoluminescence spectrum contains weak Am3+-based emission that is achieved through direct and indirect metal center excitation. The weak emissive behavior is somewhat surprising given that ligand-to-metal resonance energy transfer is efficient in the isoelectronic Eu3+ (4f6) and related Tb3+ (4f8) analogs. The optical properties were explored further within a series of heterometallic MOF-76(Tb1-xAmx) (x = 0.8, 0.2, and 0.1) samples, and the results reveal enhanced Am3+ photoluminescence.

Insight into the Structural and Emissive Behavior of a Three-Dimensional Americium(III) Formate Coordination Polymer.

We report the structural, vibrational, and optical properties of americium formate (Am(CHO2 )3 ) crystals synthesized via the in situ hydrolysis of dimethylformamide (DMF). The coordination polymer features Am3+ ions linked by formate ligands into a three-dimensional network that is isomorphous to several lanthanide analogs, (e. g., Eu3+ , Nd3+ , Tb3+ ). Structure determination revealed a nine-coordinate Am3+ metal center that features a unique local C3v symmetry. The metal-ligand bonding interactions were investigated by vibrational spectroscopy, natural localized molecular orbital calculations, and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules. The results paint a predominantly ionic bond picture and suggest the metal-oxygen bonds increase in strength from Nd-O

Americium Oxalate: An Experimental and Computational Investigation of Metal-Ligand Bonding.

A novel actinide-containing coordination polymer, [Am(C2O4)(H2O)3Cl] (Am-1), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The crystallographic analysis reveals that the structure is two-dimensional and comprised of pseudo-dimeric Am3+ nodes that are bridged by oxalate ligands to form sheets. Each metal center is nine-coordinate, forming a distorted capped square antiprism geometry with a C1 symmetry, and features bound oxalate, aqua, and chloro ligands. The Am3+-ligand bonds were probed computationally using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules nd natural localized molecular orbital approaches to investigate the underlying mechanisms and hybrid atomic orbital contributions therein. The analyses indicate that the bonds within Am-1 are predominantly ionic and the 5f shell of the Am3+ metal centers does not add a significant covalent contribution to the bonds. Our bonding assessment is supported by measurements on the optical properties of Am-1 using diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The position of the principal absorption band at 507 nm (5L6' ← 7F0') is notable because it is consistent with previously reported americium oxalate complexes in solution, indicating similarities in the electronic structure and ionic bonding. Compound Am-1 is an active phosphor, featuring strong bright-blue oxalate-based luminescence with no evidence of metal-centered emission.

Newborn Screening Program for Cystic Fibrosis in Cuba: Three Years' Experience

ABSTRACT In Cuba, newborn screening (NBS) for cystic fibrosis (CF) was introduced in January 2019. The results from the first three years of the CF NBS program are presented. An IRT/IRT protocol was followed using a cut-off value of 50 ng/mL. In this period 281,717 neonates were screened, 2,197 samples had increased IRT values, and a second sample was necessary (recall rate=0.78%). In 686 (0.24%) neonates, IRT was still elevated, and they were referred for clinical evaluation. Twenty-one children were confirmed by sweat test and molecular biology. Eighteen newborns presented variant F508del. A false negative case was reported. Demographic data of 32,764 neonates were collected. The average age of sampling was six days with results available at 11 days of life, but 1.7% of the samples were collected 20 days after birth. The mean IRT value was 12.7±11.7 ng/mL (ranging 0-283 ng/mL) with a calculated 98.5 percentile value of 42.4 ng/mL. On average, the samples were processed five days after collection and two days after they were received at the laboratory. Although CF NBS program in Cuba is just beginning, it can be predicted that CF will be one of the most frequent inherited-metabolic diseases in the Cuban population.

Gamma-Ray-Induced Formation of Uranyl Peroxide Cage Clusters.

Aqueous solutions of lithium uranyl triperoxide, Li4[UO2(O2)3] (LiUT), were irradiated with gamma rays at room temperature and found to form the uranyl peroxide cage cluster, Li24[(UO2)(O2)(OH)]24 (Li-U24). Raman spectroscopy and 18O labeling were used to identify the Raman-active vibrations of LiUT. With these assignments, the concentration of LiUT was tracked as a function of radiation dose. A discrepancy between monomer removal and cluster formation suggests that the reaction proceeds by the assembly of an intermediate. Non-negative matrix factorization was used to separate Raman spectra into components and resulted in the identification of a unique intermediate species. Much of the conversion appears to be driven by water radiolysis products, particularly the hydroxyl radical. This differs from the 18O-labeled copper-catalyzed formation of U24, which progresses at a steady rate with no observation of intermediates. Li-U24 in solution decomposes at high radiation doses resulting in a solid insoluble product similar to Na-compreignacite, Na2(UO2)6O4(OH)6·7H2O, which contains uranyl oxyhydroxy sheets.

Caracterización de los cuidadores de pacientes terminales / Characterization of Caregivers of Terminally ill Patients

Introducción: Resultan alarmantes las cifras de pacientes terminales tanto a nivel mundial como en Cuba, por lo que es necesario estudiar la preparación de los cuidadores de estos pacientes. Objetivo: Caracterizar al cuidador del paciente con enfermedad terminal, su preparación, experiencia, conocimientos sobre los cuidados y sobrecarga emocional en el municipio de San Luis. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal en el periodo 2017-2019, en un universo de 47 cuidadores, a los que se les aplicó un muestreo no probabilístico. La muestra quedó conformada por 20 cuidadores que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión establecidos y dieron su consentimiento informado. Los instrumentos usados fueron la entrevista individual y la escala de carga del cuidador de Zarit. Se utilizó el método empírico y el estadístico y los textos se procesaron con Word XP, las tablas y gráficos se realizaron con Excel XP. Resultados: Prevaleció el nivel de escolaridad preuniversitaria y el estado civil casado. El grado de parentesco más frecuente en la muestra fue los hijos que no poseían experiencia previa de cuidado. Las causas más frecuentes de las enfermedades terminales fueron las demencias. Conclusiones: Predominaron los mayores de 60 años, el sexo femenino con escasos conocimientos sobre los cuidados, lo que influyó en la alta sobrecarga emocional presente en ellos(AU)

Introduction: The figures corresponding to terminally ill patients, both worldwide and in Cuba, are alarming, a reason why it is necessary to study the preparation of the caregivers of these patients. Objective: To characterize the caregiver of the terminally ill patient, their preparation, experience, knowledge about care and emotional overload in San Luis Municipality. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in the period 2017-2019, with a universe of 47 caregivers, to whom a nonprobabilistic sampling was applied. The sample was made up of twenty caregivers who met the established inclusion criteria and gave their informed consent. The instruments used were the individual interview and the Zarit Caregiver Load Scale. Empirical and statistical methods were used. The texts were processed with Word XP. The tables and graphs were made with Excel XP. Results: There was a prevalence of pre-university education level and married as marital status. The most frequent degree of kinship in the sample was made up of children who had no previous caregiving experience. The most frequent causes of terminal illnesses were dementias. Conclusions: Those over sixty years of age predominated, as well as the female sex with little knowledge about care, which influenced the high emotional overload present in them(AU)

Pilot study for cystic fibrosis neonatal screening: the Cuban experience.

Background In Cuba, no screening program for cystic fibrosis (CF) has been implemented yet. The ultramicro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (UMELISA)® TIR NEONATAL has been developed for the measurement of immunoreactive trypsin (IRT) in dried blood spots on filter paper. The analytical performance of the kit was evaluated in the national network of laboratories. Methods Newborn dried blood samples (DBS) were evaluated in 16 laboratories. An IRT/IRT/DNA protocol was followed using a cut-off value of 50 ng/mL. The mean, median and percentiles of the distribution were calculated and a two-sample t-test with unequal variance was used for statistical analysis. Influence of perinatal factors on IRT levels was analyzed. Results From January to June 2018, 6470 newborns were studied, obtaining a mean IRT value of 12.09 ng/mL (ranging 0-358 ng/mL) and a median of 8.99 ng/mL. Fifty-two samples (0.78%) were above the cut-off level and 16 samples (0.24%) were elevated in the re-screening process. One of them was confirmed positive by molecular biology (phe508del/c.3120 + 1G > A), constituting the first newborn screened and diagnosed early in Cuba. Second DBS samples were collected on average at 14 days and processed in the laboratory at 16 days of birth. Significant differences were observed (p < 0.05) when evaluating the influence of gender, birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA) on the IRT values. Lower IRT concentrations were found in samples processed after 10 days of collection. Conclusions The performance of UMELISA® TIR NEONATAL in the laboratories has been satisfactory; hence CF newborn screening (NBS) was extended throughout the country from January 2019.

Intento suicida en la adolescencia: un abordaje desde la Atención Primaria Salud / Suicide attempt in the adolescence: an approach from primary health care

RESUMEN Introducción: el intento suicida es una manifestación extrema de violencia, por ser violencia contra sí mismo, situación que, tanto en el mundo como en Cuba, se encuentra en ascenso; por ello el objetivo del presente trabajo es caracterizar el intento suicida en la adolescencia, a partir de los aspectos sociodemográficos, los factores de riesgo asociados al intento y por la existencia de antecedentes personales y familiares de intento suicida previos. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal, donde el universo fueron 81 adolescentes con intento suicida y la muestra no probabilística, de sujetos tipos de 46 adolescentes. Se aplicaron la encuesta para el control y la tipificación de la conducta suicida, entrevista individual y entrevista familiar. Resultados: Se constató el predominio de los individuos comprendidos entre los 15 y los 19 años con vínculo escolar, el nivel de escolaridad preuniversitario, el estado civil soltero. La presencia de alcoholismo y patrones imitativos fueron los factores de riesgos comunitarios más frecuentes y como factores de riesgo individuales la ruptura de pareja, la depresión y las características personológicas. Discusión: Se constató que la coincidencia de criterios con otros estudios en los que se también se corroboró que las personas que planearon el intento de suicidio y usaron un método duro tenían el deseo de morir; en tanto que aquellos que emplearon métodos blandos, los movía la intención de llamar la atención, de ahí la relación entre los medios y la intención.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Suicide attempt is an extreme demonstration of violence, for being against oneself, it is in expansion around the world and in Cuba. Objective: To characterize suicide attempt in adolescence, socio-demographic aspects, risk factors associated to attempt, personals and family antecedent of precedent suicide attempt. Methods: It was descriptive and cross sectional study, the target group was comprised by 81 adolescents, the sample was not probabilistic and consisted of 46 adolescents. The tests used were inquiry for the control and type of the suicide behavior, individual interview and family interview. Apply empiric and statistic method and data was process with Word XP, table and graph make with Excel XP. Results: Among the main results were that the most frequent ages were between 15 and 19 years, school level high school, marital status single and they weren't working. Alcoholism and imitation were the community risk factors and the individual risk factors were couple breaking, depression and self-characteristic. Discussion: Criteria coincidences with other studies related to the way of committing suicide and its purpose were found.

The Role of the Organic Solvent Polarity in Isolating Uranyl Peroxide Capsule Fragments.

Uranyl peroxide capsules are a fascinating class of polyoxometalates (POMs), discovered only in the 21st century. Understanding the reactivity between peroxide, alkali cations, and uranyl in alkaline solutions is important in nuclear science disciplines including mineralogy, nuclear energy, and legacy nuclear wastes. Here, we have developed a general procedure to isolate different fragments of the uranyl-peroxide POM capsules, using organic solvents to partially remove K+ salts from crude solids of the monomer building block UO2(O2)34- (K-U1), leading to stabilization of these reactive fragments. Higher polarity organic solvents remove more K+ salts from the crude solid, owed to higher solubility, resulting in more extensive linking of uranyl peroxide building units. By this strategy we have isolated and structurally characterized a dimer K6[(UO2)2(O2)4(OH)2]·7H2O (K-U2) and a hexamer face frequently observed in the capsules, K12[(UO2)6(O2)9(OH)6]·xH2O (K-U6). Comparing experimental and computed Raman spectra shows that these intermediates crystallize by a solid-to-solid transformation, via polymerization of the monomer building block. By small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), we track the conversion of the fragments to POM capsules; the reaction rate increases from K-U1 (days) < K-U2 (hours) < K-U6 (instantaneous). This study provides a general synthetic procedure to isolate metastable uranyl peroxide oligomers and control the oligomerization, which will be later applied to systems with the heavier alkalis that are even less stable.

Strategic Capture of the {Nb7 } Polyoxometalate.

Group V Nb-polyoxometalate (Nb-POM) chemistry generally lacks the elegant pH-controlled speciation exhibited by group VI (Mo, W) POM chemistry. Here three Nb-POM clusters were isolated and structurally characterized; [Nb14 O40 (O2 )2 H3 ]14- , [((UO2 )(H2 O))3 Nb46 (UO2 )2 O136 H8 (H2 O)4 ]24- , and [(Nb7 O22 H2 )4 (UO2 )7 (H2 O)6 ]22- , that effectively capture the aqueous Nb-POM species from pH 7 to pH 10. These Nb-POMs illustrate a reaction pathway for control over speciation that is driven by counter-cations (Li+ ) rather than pH. The two reported heterometallic POMs (with UO2 2+ moieties) are stabilized by replacing labile H2 O/HO-Nb=O with very stable O=U=O. The third isolated Nb-POM features cis-yl-oxos, prior observed only in group VI POM chemistry. Moreover, with these actinide-heterometal contributions to the burgeoning Nb-POM family, it now transects all major metal groups of the periodic table.

Uranyl-Peroxide Capsule Self-Assembly in Slow Motion.

Uranyl-peroxide capsules are the newest family of polyoxometalates. Although discovered 13 years previously with over 70 topologies reported, there is a lack in the fundamental understanding of assembly mechanisms, particularly the role of the alkali counterions. Herein, the reaction pathway and assembly of uranyl peroxide capsules is reported by tracking the conversion from K+ uranyl triperoxide monomer to the K+ uranyl-peroxide U28 capsule by means of small-angle X-ray scattering and Raman spectroscopy. For the first time, the K+ uranyl-peroxide pentamer face is isolated and structurally characterized, giving credence to the long-held belief that these geometric faces serve as building blocks to the fully formed capsules. Once isolated and re-dissolved, the pentamer face undergoes rapid conversion to capsule forms, underlining its high reactivity that challenges its isolation. Calorimetric measurements of the studied species confirms the pentamer lies on the energy landscape between the monomer and capsule.

Energetic Trends in Monomer Building Blocks for Uranyl Peroxide Clusters.

The uranyl triperoxide anionic monomer is a fundamental building block for uranyl peroxide polyoxometalate capsules. The reaction pathway from the monomer to the capsule can be greatly altered by the counterion: both the reaction rate and the resulting capsule structure. We synthesized and characterized uranyl triperoxides Mg2UO2(O2)3·13H2O (MgUT), Ca2UO2(O2)3·9H2O (CaUT), Sr2UO2(O2)3·9H2O (SrUT), and K4UO2(O2)3·3H2O (KUT) and compared their thermodynamic stabilities. The enthalpies of formation from oxides and elements of these compounds were calculated by thermochemical cycles from measurements by high temperature oxide melt drop solution calorimetry. Their formation enthalpies from oxides become more negative linearly as a function of the increasing basicity of the respective oxides on the Smith scale. This relationship holds for previously Li and Na analogues. Further affirming the trend, Δ Hf,ox of MgUT departs from linearity, due to the distinct bonding environment of Mg2+, as compared to the other alkalis and alkaline earths in the series.

SUMA Technology and Newborn Screening Tests for Inherited Metabolic Diseases in Cuba: An Overview of the First 30 Years

Abstract The ultramicroanalytic system (SUMA), created in the 1980s, is a complete system of reagents and instrumentation to perform ultramicroassays combining the sensitivity of the micro-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests with the use of ultramicrovolumes. This technology permitted establishing large-scale newborn screening programs (NSPs) for metabolic and endocrine disorders in Cuba. This article summarizes the main results of the implementation during the 30 years of SUMA technology in NSP for 5 inherited metabolic diseases, using ultramicroassays developed at the Department of Newborn Screening at the Immunoassay Center. Since 1986, SUMA technology has been used in the Cuban NSP for congenital hypothyroidism, initially studying thyroid hormone in cord serum samples. In 2000, a decentralized program for the detection of hyperphenylalaninemias using heel dried blood samples was initiated. These successful experiences permitted including protocols for screening congenital adrenal hyperplasia, galactosemia, and biotinidase deficiency in 2005. A program for the newborn screening of CH using the thyroid-stimulating hormone Neonatal ultramicro-ELISA was fully implemented in 2010. Nowadays, the NSP is supported by a network of 175 SUMA laboratories. After 30 years, more than 3.8 million Cuban newborns have been screened, and 1002 affected children have been detected. Moreover, SUMA technology has been presented in Latin America for over 2 decades and has contributed to screen around 17 million newborns. These results prove that developing countries can develop appropriate diagnostic technologies for making health care accessible to all.

A Combined Experimental and Computational Study of an Aluminum Triflate/Diglyme Electrolyte.

The physicochemical properties of aluminum trifluoromethanesulfonate in diglyme have been investigated. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties have been examined to determine speciation, conductivity, and electrochemical stability. Gaussian calculations provide optimized molecular geometries and offer insight into the electrochemical behavior of the solutions. The ions in solution appear to exhibit very straightforward behavior, with contact ion pairs forming at very low concentrations. In addition, the electrochemical window of the electrolyte initially decreases with increasing salt concentration to a minimum value of approximately 5.5 V around 1 M and then steadily rises to a maximum value above 8 V.

Risk factors associated with prevalence of antibodies to Leptospira interrogans in a metapopulation of black-tailed prairie dogs in Mexico.

Interest in the study of infectious diseases of wildlife has grown in recent decades and now focuses on understanding host-parasite dynamics and factors involved in disease occurrence. The black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is a useful species for this type of investigation because it lives in heterogeneous landscapes where human activities take place, and its populations are structured as a metapopulation. Our goal was to determine if colony area, density, and proximity to human settlements are associated with prevalence of antibodies to Leptospira interrogans in black-tailed prairie dogs of northwestern Chihuahua State, Mexico. We captured 266 prairie dogs in 11 colonies in 2009 and analyzed 248 serum samples with the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for antibody to any of the 12 pathogenic serovars of L. interrogans. Serologically positive test results for only serovars Bratislava, Canicola, Celledoni, and Tarassovi were considered for statistical analysis. Almost 80% of sera were positive for at least one pathogenic serovar (MAT titer ≥1∶80). The highest recorded antibody prevalences were to serovars Bratislava and Canicola. Correlation analysis showed a negative relationship between L. interrogans antibody prevalence and colony area (r = -0.125, P<0.005), suggesting that animals living in larger colonies were at a lower risk than those in smaller colonies. The correlation between the serovar Canicola and distance was negative (r = -0.171, P<0.007), and this relationship may be explained by the presence of domestic dogs associated with human dwellings. This is the first study of Leptospira spp. antibody prevalence in prairie dogs, and it provides valuable insights into the dynamics of leptospirosis in threatened wildlife species. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of Leptospira serovars in metapopulations of prairie dogs and other domestic and wild mammals in grassland communities.

Afrontamiento y autoestima en embarazadas con riesgo de parto prematuro / Attitude and Self-esteem in Pregnant Women with Risk of Preterm Delivery

La condición psicológica de la mujer durante su embarazo y las formas enque se ve a sí misma, a su bebé y los que la rodean puede facilitar información acerca de lanaturaleza y gravedad de los problemas físicos y psiquiátricos probables durante y ulteriores al parto. El objetivo fue describir el afrontamiento y la autoestima en embarazadas con riesgo de parto prematuro ingresadas en el Hogar Materno Justo León Padilla entre septiembre de 2012 a febrero de 2013. Se realizó una investigación observacional, descriptiva, de corte trasversal, en el período comprendido entre septiembre de 2012 a febrero de 2013 en el Hogar Materno Justo León Padilla, se empleó un universo de 62 embarazadas con riesgo de partoprematuro, estudiándose en su totalidad. Se utilizó la estadística descriptiva para el procesamiento de los datos encontrados, se respetó la identidad de las pacientes, se obtuvo el consentimiento informado. La mayor cantidad de gestantes con riesgo de parto prematuro son adolescentes entre 16 y 20 años de edad. Predominan las amas de casa, y el nivel profesional secundaria. La condición psicológica de la mujer cuando está en período de gestación suele modificarse por aspectos relativos a su autovaloración y la imagen que proyecta de símisma, determinantes estos que pueden influir en el parto y su posterior recuperación, siendo el bienestar psicológico potenciador de salud para la madre y el bebé(AU)

The womans psychological condition in pregnancy and how she perceivesherself, her offspring, and everyone around her may provide information about the nature and seriousness of the physical and psychiatric problems during delivery and after it. The objective was to describe attitude and self-esteem in pregnant women with risks of preterm delivery and admitted into Justo León Padilla Pregnant Womens Home. An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional research was carried out in the period between September 2012 and February 2013, on a target group of 62 pregnantwomen with risk of preterm delivery, comprehensively studied. Descriptive statistics was used to process the found data, the patients identity was protected, and the informedconsent was obtained. Most of the pregnant women with risk of preterm delivery are adolescents at agesbetween 16 and 20 years. House women and junior high schooling constitutes predominating aspects. The womans psychological condition in pregnancy may change upon aspectsrelated with her self-evaluation and her own image, which may have an effect on delivery and further recovery, the psychological welfare being a potentiator of the mothers and thechilds health(AU)

The relationship between sexual trauma, peritraumatic dissociation, posttraumatic stress disorder, and HIV-related health in HIV-positive men.

This study tested a novel extension of P. P. Schnurr and B. L. Green's (2004) model of the relationships between trauma symptoms and health outcomes with specific application to HIV-positive men. A diverse sample of 167 HIV-positive men recruited from San Francisco Bay Area HIV clinics completed demographic, medical, trauma history, and symptom questionnaires. Mediation analyses were conducted using the method proposed by R. Baron and D. Kenny (1986). Regression analyses found that sexual revictimization (SR) significantly mediated the relationship between child sexual abuse and peritraumatic dissociation (PD), and PD mediated the relationship between SR and current posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptom severity. PTS symptoms partially mediated the relationship between SR and current HIV symptom severity. The findings indicate that among HIV-positive men, sexually revictimized men constitute a vulnerable group that is prone to PD, which places them at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and worsened HIV-related health. Furthermore, traumatic stress symptoms were associated with worse HIV-related symptoms, suggesting that PTS symptoms mediate the link between trauma and health outcomes. This study highlights the need for future research to identify the biobehavioral mediators of the PTSD-health relationship in HIV-positive individuals.

Newborn screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia in Cuba: six years of experience.

BACKGROUND: Since 2005, a newborn screening program for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) by measuring 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) in dried blood spots was introduced in Cuba. METHODS: The hormone was measured by the 17OHP Neonatal UMELISA method, in samples collected on the 5th day as average. Confirmatory test was performed to those neonates with 17OHP values above 55 nmol/l. Some perinatal factors that can influence on 17OHP levels were studied. RESULTS: From January 2005 to December 2010, 621,303 newborns were screened and 39 CAH cases were detected. Coverage of the program reached 98%. The incidence of CAH in Cuba was 1:15,931, similar to that reported by other programs. A recall for suspected CAH was performed in 10,799 cases (1.74%). Therapy in classical CAH patients was started at the mean age of 22 days. 17OHP levels were significantly higher in newborns with lower birth-weight (BW) and/or gestational age (GA). In addition, 17OHP values were affected by the gender, twin status or mode of delivery. CONCLUSIONS: In Cuba, the nationwide newborn screening program has allowed the early detection of CAH. The use of an optimized cut-off level for BW or GA could lead to a reduction in the percentage of recalled babies.