Academic psychological capital questionnaire 12 (APCQ-12): psychometric validity and measurement invariance in a Chilean sample of high school students.

The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Academic Psychological Capital Questionnaire 12 (APCQ-12) in a sample of 2,196 Chilean high school students (51% girls) aged 12 to 17 years (mean 14.83 years). Results showed that: (1) the APCQ-12 produces adequate scores in terms of reliability, (2) the internal structure of the questionnaire obtains adequate fit indices, for a second order model, which is consistent with previous research, and (3) the APCQ-12 proved to be sex and age invariant. Overall, the APCQ-12 proved to be an adequate questionnaire for measuring academic psychological capital in Chilean high school students, producing valid and reliable scores.

Scientific venturing for early-stage professionals (ESPs), a key concept in the innovation ecosystem.

Early-stage professionals (ESPs) and senior scientists who want to transition from academia to the industry need support to develop new skills and know-how to endeavor this challenge. However, this topic is significantly underserved in the field of cell and gene therapy, slowing down ESPs' potential to make this step. The authors of this article, members of the ESPs in the South and Central America Subcommittee at the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy, propose the concept of "scientific venturing," which stands for the process by which scientists become entrepreneurs or part of a company. In our article, we provide key aspects to understand this concept, considering key personality traits that need to be developed and a discussion about the "innovation ecosystem." Later, we consider how scientific venturing may result in an increase in difficulty in nascent innovation ecosystems such as Latin America, in comparison with those more advanced and mature in high-income countries. Finally, we provide key information for the ESPs and other professionals about the stages of private and public investment, including information about the resources needed for the sustainability of companies and startups. Understanding what scientific venturing involves for ESPs is key to taking advantage of the maturity of an innovation ecosystem, its network, and available opportunities.

Evidence for the coupling of refill liquids content and new particle formation in electronic cigarette vapors.

The size and chemical content of particles in electronic cigarette vapors (e-vapors) dictate their fate in the human body. Understanding how particles in e-vapors are formed and their size is critical to identifying and mitigating the adverse consequences of vaping. Thermal decomposition and reactions of the refill liquid (e-liquid) components play a key role in new particles formation. Here we report the evolution of particle number concentration in e-vapors over time for variable mixtures of refill e-liquids and operating conditions. Particle with aerodynamic diameter < 300 nm accounted for up to 17% (or 780 µg/m3) of e-vapors particles. Two events of increasing particle number concentration were observed, 2-3 s after puff completion and a second 4-5 s later. The intensity of each event varied by the abundance of propylene glycol, glycerol, and flavorings in e-liquids. Propylene glycol and glycerol were associated with the first event. Flavorings containing aromatic and aliphatic unsaturated functional groups were strongly associated with the second event and to a lesser extent with the first one. The results indicate that particles in e-vapors may be formed through the heteromolecular condensation of propylene glycol, glycerol, and flavorings, including both parent chemicals and/or their thermal decomposition products.

A new hope: Mitochondria, a critical factor in the war against prions.

Prion diseases encompass a group of incurable neurodegenerative disorders that occur due to the misfolding and aggregation of infectious proteins. The most well-known prion diseases are Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), bovine spongiform encephalopathy (also known as mad cow disease), and kuru. It is estimated that around 1-2 persons per million worldwide are affected annually by prion disorders. Infectious prion proteins propagate in the brain, clustering in the cells and rapidly inducing tissue degeneration and death. Prion disease alters cell metabolism and energy production damaging mitochondrial function and dynamics leading to a fast accumulation of damage. Dysfunction of mitochondria could be considered as an early precursor and central element in the pathogenesis of prion diseases such as in sporadic CJD. Preserving mitochondria function may help to resist the rapid spread and damage of prion proteins and even clearance. In the war against prions and other degenerative diseases, studying how to preserve the function of mitochondria by using antioxidants and even replacing them with artificial mitochondrial transfer/transplant (AMT/T) may bring a new hope and lead to an increase in patients' survival. In this perspective review, we provide key insights about the relationship between the progression of prion disease and mitochondria, in which understanding how protecting mitochondria function and viability by using antioxidants or AMT/T may help to develop novel therapeutic interventions.

The war against Alzheimer, the mitochondrion strikes back!

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading neurodegenerative pathology associated with aging worldwide. It is estimated that AD prevalence will increase from 5.8 million people today to 13.8 million by 2050 in the United States alone. AD effects in the brain are well known; however, there is still a lack of knowledge about the cellular mechanisms behind the origin of AD. It is known that AD induces cellular stress affecting the energy metabolism in brain cells. During the pathophysiological advancement of AD, damaged mitochondria enter a vicious cycle, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), harming mitochondrial DNA and proteins, leading to more ROS and cellular death. Additionally, mitochondria are interconnected with the plaques formed by amyloid-ß in AD and have underlying roles in the progression of the disease and severity. For years, the biomedical field struggled to develop new therapeutic options for AD without a significant advancement. However, mitochondria are striking back existing outside cells in a new mechanism of intercellular communication. Extracellular mitochondria are exchanged from healthy to damaged cells to rescue those with a perturbed metabolism in a process that could be applied as a new therapeutic option to repair those brain cells affected by AD. In this review we highlight key aspects of mitochondria's role in CNS' physiology and neurodegenerative disorders, focusing on AD. We also suggest how mitochondria strikes back as a therapeutic target and as a potential agent to be transplanted to repair neurons affected by AD.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices toward the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tabasco, México.

Objectives: In this study, we identify knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of the people of the State of Tabasco (Mexico) as they influence transmission and mitigation of COVID-19. Methods: We used an Internet-based survey (N=1848) from March to July 2021, with a probabilistic sampling stratified by municipalities. Results: Most respondents demonstrated knowledge about the etiology and symptoms of COVID-19 - they assume that anyone can contract the disease, and at least 53.5% knew that the cause is a virus. They believed that it constitutes a problem for their community due to its easy transmission; however, they consider themselves to be only at medium risk. They have adopted preventive measures such as handwashing, staying home, and social distancing; however, when analyzing protecting the community, they refer to other people as having responsibility for preventing disease spread. Conclusions: Interventions focused on social and cultural contexts are required. Sociodemographic and ideological factors influence disinformation, limited interventions, and cognitive dissonance. This type of research contributes to discovering areas of opportunity for government and public health organizations to prioritize practical actions and reduce eventual outbreaks.

Long-acting reversible contraceptives effects in abnormal uterine bleeding, a review of the physiology and management.

Around two-thirds of women who are of reproductive age use some type of contraception. Two of the most effective long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) are the intrauterine device (IUD) and the subdermal contraceptive implant (SCI). Despite their effectiveness, women often report abnormal uterine bleeding as the reason for discontinuation. In this review, we analyze key aspects regarding the mechanisms of action of IUDs (both copper-containing and levonorgestrel-releasing) and SCIs, as well as how they change the intrauterine environment in order to provide effective contraception at a physiological level. Additionally, we introduce the pathophysiology of different types of abnormal intrauterine bleeding provoked by the mentioned LARCs. These three contraceptive methods work in diverse ways, thus, the etiology of abnormal uterine bleeding is different and multifactorial according to each LARC. This review intends to provide information in order to better our understanding of bleeding induced by these contraceptive methods, as well as introduce current and potential new therapies. Furthermore, this review intends to provide updated and concise information that could be available firsthand not only to health care providers but scientists who are innovating and revolutionizing this field. In 2013, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published a management of abnormal uterine bleeding, however, there is limited updated data regarding the physiology and pathophysiology of abnormal uterine bleeding and its treatment based on different LARCs (hormonal and non-hormonal).

Fighting Parkinson's disease: The return of the mitochondria.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, worldwide. PD neuro-energetically affects the extrapyramidal system, by the progressive loss of striatal dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to motor impairment. During the progression of PD, there will be an increase in mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen species (ROS), stress and accumulation of α-synuclein in neurons. This results in mitochondrial mutations altering their function and fission-fusion mechanisms and central nervous system (CNS) degeneration. Intracellular mitochondrial dysfunction has been studied for a long time in PD due to the decline of mitochondrial dynamics inside neurons. Mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) have been known to contribute to several CNS pathologies especially PD pathogenesis. New and exciting evidence regarding the exchange of mitochondria between healthy to damaged cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and the therapeutic use of the artificial mitochondrial transfer/transplant (AMT) marked a return of this organelle to develop innovative therapeutic procedures for PD. The focus of this review aims to shed light on the role of mitochondria, both intra and extracellularly in PD, and how AMT could be used to generate new potential therapies in the fight against PD. Moreover, we suggest that mitochondrial therapy could work as a preventative measure, motivating the field to move towards this goal.

In Situ Growth of Silver Nanoparticles on Chitosan Matrix for the Synthesis of Hybrid Electrospun Fibers: Analysis of Microstructural and Mechanical Properties.

A viable alternative for the next generation of wound dressings is the preparation of electrospun fibers from biodegradable polymers in combination with inorganic nanoparticles. A poly(vinyl alcohol)-chitosan-silver nanoparticles (PVA-CTS-Ag NPs) system has been developed for antimicrobial and wound healing applications. Here, the preparation of PVA-CTS-Ag electrospun fibers using a two-step process is reported in order to analyze changes in the microstructural, mechanical, and antibacterial properties and confirm their potential application in the biomedical field. The Ag nanoparticles were well-dispersed into the chitosan matrix and their cubic structure after the electrospinning process was also retained. The Ag NPs displayed an average diameter of ~33 nm into the CTS matrix, while the size increased up to 213 nm in the PVA-CTS-Ag(NPs) fibers. It was observed that strong chemical interactions exist between organic (CTS) and inorganic phases through nitrogenous groups and the oxygen of the glycosidic bonds. A defect-free morphology was obtained in the PVA-CTS-Ag NPs final fibers with an important enhancement of the mechanical properties as well as of the antibacterial activity compared with pure PVA-CTS electrospun fibers. The results of antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus confirmed that PVA-CTS-Ag(NPs) fibers can be potentially used as a material for biomedical applications.

Efficacy of clindamycin compared with amoxicillin-metronidazole after a 7-day regimen in the treatment of periodontitis in patients with diabetes: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of clindamycin compared with amoxicillin-metronidazole after a 7-day regimen during nonsurgical treatment of periodontitis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, a total of 42 patients with chronic periodontitis and type 2 diabetes were included. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either clindamycin or amoxicillin-metronidazole three times a day during 7 days. Clinical determinations (probing depth, bleeding on probe, and plaque index) were performed to determine the extent and severity of periodontitis before and after the pharmacological treatment. RESULTS: After 7 days of administration of clindamycin or amoxicillin-metronidazole, no differences were observed between the clinical determinations, probing depth (0.44 vs 0.50 mm, p=0.624), plaque index (17.62 vs 15.88%, p=0.910), and bleeding on probing (16.12 vs 22.17%, p=0.163), respectively. There were no adverse events in either group. CONCLUSION: The administration during 7 days of clindamycin or amoxicillin/metronidazole showed the same efficacy for the reduction of probing depth, plaque index, and bleeding on probing in patients with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes.

Measles Outbreak in a Highly Vaccinated Population - Israel, July-August 2017.

On August 6, 2017, the Israeli Defense Force Public Heath Branch (IDFPHB) was notified of two suspected measles cases. IDFPHB conducted an epidemiologic investigation, which identified nine measles cases in a population with high measles vaccination coverage. All measles patients had signs and symptoms consistent with modified measles (i.e., less severe disease with milder rash, fever, or both, with or without other mild typical measles symptoms). A total of 1,392 contacts were identified, and 162 received postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine; the remaining contacts were followed for 21 days (one incubation period). No tertiary cases were identified.

Poly(ADP-ribosylation) is present in murine sciatic nerve fibers and is altered in a Charcot-Marie-Tooth-1E neurodegenerative model.

BACKGROUND: Poly-ADP-ribose (PAR) is a polymer synthesized by poly-ADP-ribose polymerases (PARPs) as a postranslational protein modification and catabolized mainly by poly-ADP-ribose glycohydrolase (PARG). In spite of the existence of cytoplasmic PARPs and PARG, research has been focused on nuclear PARPs and PAR, demonstrating roles in the maintenance of chromatin architecture and the participation in DNA damage responses and transcriptional regulation. We have recently detected non-nuclear PAR structurally and functionally associated to the E-cadherin rich zonula adherens and the actin cytoskeleton of VERO epithelial cells. Myelinating Schwann cells (SC) are stabilized by E-cadherin rich autotypic adherens junctions (AJ). We wondered whether PAR would map to these regions. Besides, we have demonstrated an altered microfilament pattern in peripheral nerves of Trembler-J (Tr-J) model of CMT1-E. We hypothesized that cytoplasmic PAR would accompany such modified F-actin pattern. METHODS: Wild-type (WT) and Tr-J mice sciatic nerves cryosections were subjected to immunohistofluorescence with anti-PAR antibodies (including antibody validation), F-actin detection with a phalloidin probe and DAPI/DNA counterstaining. Confocal image stacks were subjected to a colocalization highlighter and to semi-quantitative image analysis. RESULTS: We have shown for the first time the presence of PAR in sciatic nerves. Cytoplasmic PAR colocalized with F-actin at non-compact myelin regions in WT nerves. Moreover, in Tr-J, cytoplasmic PAR was augmented in close correlation with actin. In addition, nuclear PAR was detected in WT SC and was moderately increased in Tr-J SC. DISCUSSION: The presence of PAR associated to non-compact myelin regions (which constitute E-cadherin rich autotypic AJ/actin anchorage regions) and the co-alterations experienced by PAR and the actin cytoskeleton in epithelium and nerves, suggest that PAR may be a constitutive component of AJ/actin anchorage regions. Is PAR stabilizing the AJ-actin complexes? This question has strong implications in structural cell biology and cell signaling networks. Moreover, if PAR played a stabilizing role, such stabilization could participate in the physiological control of axonal branching. PARP and PAR alterations exist in several neurodegenerative pathologies including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Hungtington's diseases. Conversely, PARP inhibition decreases PAR and promotes neurite outgrowth in cortical neurons in vitro. Coherently, the PARP inhibitor XAV939 improves myelination in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Until now such results have been interpreted in terms of nuclear PARP activity. Our results indicate for the first time the presence of PARylation in peripheral nerve fibers, in a healthy environment. Besides, we have evidenced a PARylation increase in Tr-J, suggesting that the involvement of cytoplasmic PARPs and PARylation in normal and neurodegenerative conditions should be re-evaluated.

The Effect of Agave tequilana Weber Inulin on Postprandial Ghrelin Concentration in Obese Patients.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of Agave tequilana Weber inulin on postprandial ghrelin levels in obese patients. A randomized, double-blind, cross-over design was performed. A total of 14 patients were allocated into two groups: one group received a drink that contained 500 mL lemon water, 24 g of A. tequilana Weber inulin, and 75 g glucose and the other group received a placebo drink with 500 mL lemon drink and 75 g of glucose. After a 7-day washout period, the groups were crossed. The primary outcome measure was postprandial ghrelin levels between minute 240 and minute 270. A. tequilana Weber inulin did not change postprandial ghrelin concentration in obese patients.

Validez concurrente del examen clínico objetivo estructurado con el portafolio electrónico, examen teórico y promedio ponderado en estudiantes de cirugía de la Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego / Concurrent validity of the objective structured clinical examination with electronic portfolio, theoretical exam and weighted average in students of surgery at the Antenor Orrego Private University

Sujetos y métodos: Este estudio correlacional descriptivo tuvo como objetivo demostrar la validez concurrente del examen clínico objetivo estructurado (ECOE) con el promedio ponderado, la nota teórica y el portafolio electrónico en 123 estudiantes de medicina del curso de Cirugía I del IX ciclo, durante el semestre académico 2014-I, de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego (Trujillo, Perú). Resultados: Hubo correlación bivariada aceptable (r = 0,65) entre la nota teórica y el ECOE; correlación moderada (r = 0,52) entre el promedio ponderado y el ECOE; y correlación alta (r = 0,77) entre la nota del portafolio electrónico y el ECOE. Hubo correlación lineal múltiple entre el portafolio, el ECOE y el examen teórico (coeficiente de determinación múltiple R2 = 0,55). Conclusión: Este estudio demuestra que el ECOE, el portafolio electrónico y la nota teórica utilizados para evaluar a los estudiantes de un curso de cirugía de pregrado tuvieron validez concurrente en el rango de aceptable a alta, y esta información constituye la base para mejorar los estándares de evaluación

Subjects and methods: This descriptive correlational study aimed to demonstrate the concurrent validity of the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) with the weighted average, theoretical note and the electronic portfolio of 123 medical students of the I Course of Surgery of the ninth cycle during the academic semester 2014-I, at the Faculty of Medicine of the Antenor Orrego Private University (Trujillo, Peru). Results: There was an acceptable bivariate correlation (r = 0.65) between the theoretical note and OSCE; moderate correlation (r = 0.52) between the weighted average and OSCE; and high correlation (r = 0.77) between the notes of the electronic portfolio and OSCE. There was a multiple linear correlation among the portfolio, OSCE and theoretical note (multiple determination coefficient R2 = 0.55). Conclusion: This study showed that the OSCE, electronic portfolio and theoretical note used to evaluate students in an undergraduate course of surgery had concurrent validity in the range of acceptable and high and this information forms the basis in order to improve the standards of evaluation

Genetic structure of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) in the Old World reveals a strong differentiation between eastern and western populations.

Since the publication of this paper, it has become apparent that an error was made in the legend to Fig. 3 and the colours referring to occidental and oriental are the wrong way round. The authors apologise for this error, and a correct version of the legend to Fig. 3 is given below.

Genetic structure of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) in the Old World reveals a strong differentiation between eastern and western populations.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera, Arecaceae) are of great economic and ecological value to the oasis agriculture of arid and semi-arid areas. However, despite the availability of a large date palm germplasm spreading from the Atlantic shores to Southern Asia, improvement of the species is being hampered by a lack of information on global genetic diversity and population structure. In order to contribute to the varietal improvement of date palms and to provide new insights on the influence of geographic origins and human activity on the genetic structure of the date palm, this study analysed the diversity of the species. METHODS: Genetic diversity levels and population genetic structure were investigated through the genotyping of a collection of 295 date palm accessions ranging from Mauritania to Pakistan using a set of 18 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and a plastid minisatellite. KEY RESULTS: Using a Bayesian clustering approach, the date palm genotypes can be structured into two different gene pools: the first, termed the Eastern pool, consists of accessions from Asia and Djibouti, whilst the second, termed the Western pool, consists of accessions from Africa. These results confirm the existence of two ancient gene pools that have contributed to the current date palm diversity. The presence of admixed genotypes is also noted, which points at gene flows between eastern and western origins, mostly from east to west, following a human-mediated diffusion of the species. CONCLUSIONS: This study assesses the distribution and level of genetic diversity of accessible date palm resources, provides new insights on the geographic origins and genetic history of the cultivated component of this species, and confirms the existence of at least two domestication origins. Furthermore, the strong genetic structure clearly established here is a prerequisite for any breeding programme exploiting the effective polymorphism related to each gene pool.

Enfermedad de chagas: realidad de una patología frecuente en Santander, Colombia / Chagas disease: reality of a frequent pathology in Santander, Colombia

La tripanosomiasis americana o enfermedad de Chagas es una de las parasitosis transmitidas por insectos hematófagos de mayor importancia epidemiológica en América Latina y es producida por el protozoo Trypanosoma cruzi, se presentan dos fases clínicas importantes: aguda y crónica. Objetivo: presentar una actualización de la enfermedad de Chagas de forma integral, especificando contenidos claves como su definición, etiología, ciclo de vida, epidemiología, diagnóstico, manifestaciones clínicas y tratamiento. Metodología de búsqueda: se llevó a cabo una revisión bibliográfica en bases de datos y bibliotecas virtuales como OvidSP, Medline, EBSCO host, Pubmed, Uptodate, New England Journal of Medicine, Cochrane y SciELO, usando palabras clave como cardiomiopatía chagásica, enfermedad de Chagas, Trypanosoma cruzi e insectos. Resultados: el tipo de lesión cardíaca más frecuente en la enfermedad de Chagas crónica es la cardiomiopatía, cuyo diagnóstico y pronóstico clínico está ligado a una continua monitorización del electrocardiograma y la ecocardiografía. Para una detección por laboratorio es necesario identificar clínicamente la fase de la enfermedad para escoger la prueba diagnóstica que tenga mayor sensibilidad. Desde el punto de vista terapéutico se tienen pocas alternativas farmacológicas para la erradicación del parásito, por lo cual se requieren modelos de prevención y promoción acordes a la población colombiana en general. Conclusión: la compresión de la enfermedad en todos sus aspectos es una herramienta fundamental en la creación de nuevas alternativas preventivas y de tratamiento, para controlar este tipo infección que en la actualidad agobia a la población de zonas urbanas y rurales principalmente de América Latina, mejorando de esta manera la calidad de vida de los pacientes...

The American Trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease is one of the parasitic diseases that has most epidemiological importance in Latin America and is transmitted by blood-sucking insects and it is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. This disease presents itself in two important clinical phases: acute and chronic. Objective: submit an update on the Chagas disease, specifying key information like its definition, etiology, life cycle, epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical manifestations and treatment. Methodology: we reviewed a great amount of literature found in databases and virtual libraries such as: OvidSP, Medline, EBSCO host, Pubmed, Uptodate, New England Journal of Medicine, Cochrane and SciELO, using words like Chagas cardiomyopathy, Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, Insects. Discussion: the most common type of cardiac damage in chronic Chagas is the cardiomyopathy, whose clinical diagnosis and prognosis is linked to a continuous variety of monitoring methods such as echocardiography and electrocardiograms, for laboratory detection clinically necessary to identify the phase of the disease to select the diagnostic test be more sensitive. Now from a therapeutic point of view, there is a low amount of pharmacological alternatives for the eradication of the parasite, reason for which it is important to have prevention models for the Colombian population in general. Conclusion: understanding and knowing the disease in all its aspects is a fundamental tool in the Artículo recibido el 10 de septiembre de 2014 y aceptado para publicación el 21 de diciembre de 2014. MéD. UIS. 2015;28(1):81-90 82 Palmezano JM, Plazas LK, Rivera KE, Rueda VP creation of new prevention options and treatments to control this type of disease, which currently affects a big amount of the population found in urban areas all over the world but most importantly in Latin America, and this way helping improve the quality of life of each patient...

In silico mining of microsatellites in coding sequences of the date palm (Arecaceae) genome, characterization, and transferability.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: To complement existing sets of primarily dinucleotide microsatellite loci from noncoding sequences of date palm, we developed primers for tri- and hexanucleotide microsatellite loci identified within genes. Due to their conserved genomic locations, the primers should be useful in other palm taxa, and their utility was tested in seven other Phoenix species and in Chamaerops, Livistona, and Hyphaene. • METHODS AND RESULTS: Tandem repeat motifs of 3-6 bp were searched using a simple sequence repeat (SSR)-pipeline package in coding portions of the date palm draft genome sequence. Fifteen loci produced highly consistent amplification, intraspecific polymorphisms, and stepwise mutation patterns. • CONCLUSIONS: These microsatellite loci showed sufficient levels of variability and transferability to make them useful for population genetic, selection signature, and interspecific gene flow studies in Phoenix and other Coryphoideae genera.

Factores relacionados a la morbilidad materna extrema en las pacientes ingresadas a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Maternos del Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal durante el periodo Enero - Diciembre 2012 / Factors related with extreme maternal morbidity in patients admitted in the Maternal Intensive Care Unit at the National Institute Materno Perinatal during the period January - December 2012

Determinar los factores relacionados a la morbilidad materna extrema (MME) en las pacientes ingresadas a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Matemos (UCIM) del Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal (INMP) durante el periodo enero-diciembre 2012. Metodología: estudio observacional, retrospectivo, de corte transversal. Se revisó las historias clínicas de todas las pacientes obstétricas que ingresaron a la UCIM durante el periodo enero-diciembre 2012 y que cumplieron alguno de los criterios de inclusión para MME relacionados con la enfermedad específica, falla orgánica o manejo. Se analizó las variables sociodemográficas y obstétricas siguiendo el protocolo establecido en la metodología para la vigilancia de la FLASOG. Resultados: en el periodo estudiado se analizó 263 historias clínicas de pacientes con MME, hallándose una razón de 16.3 x 1000 NV, razón de muerte materna (MM) 55.92 x 100000 NV, índice de MM 3.3 por ciento, relación MME/MM 29.2, relación criterios/caso 4, MME con >=3 criterios de inclusión 62.7 por ciento. Estuvo relacionado con pacientes jóvenes cuya edad promedio fue 28 años, nivel educativo intermedio, uniones estables, multigrávidas, periodo intergenésico entre 18-60 meses, >=4 controles prenatales, gestaciones a término, productos vivos, parto por cesárea, estancia promedio en UCIM de 3.6 días y un promedio de hospitalización de 8 días, con un promedio de 3.4 unidades de hemoderivados transfundidos a la mitad de las pacientes, la histerectomía fue la intervención quirúrgica más frecuente. La principal causa de MME fueron los trastornos hipertensivos: PES/sd HELLP (48.6 por ciento). La falla orgánica fue el criterio de inclusión más frecuente (52.5 por ciento) y de ellos los trastornos de la coagulación, seguido de la falla hepática y respiratoria, seguido por criterios de manejo (34.4 por ciento) dado por el ingreso a UCI y por los criterios de enfermedad (13.1 por ciento) dado por el shock hipovolémico. El mayor porcentaje...

To determine the factors related to extreme maternal morbidity (MME) in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit Maternal (MICU) National Perinatal Maternal Institute (INMP) during the period January to December 2012. Methodology: An observational, retrospective, cross-sectional. We reviewed the medical records of a11 obstetric patients admitted to the MICU during the period January to December 2012 and met one of the inclusion criteria for MME related to the specific disease or organ failure handling. We analyzed sociodemographic and obstetric fo11owing the protocol established in the methodology for monitoring the FLASOG. Results: During the study period was analyzed medical records of 263 patients with MME, being a ratio of 16.3 per 1.000 live births, maternal mortality ratio (MM) 55.92 x 100.000 NV, MM index 3.3 per cent, relative MME/MM 29.2, relationship criteria/case 4, MME with >=3 inclusion criteria 62.7 per cent. Was associated with younger patients whose average age was 28 years, intermediate educational level, stable unions, multigravidae, intergenesic between 18-60 months, >=4 antenatal, term gestations, live products, cesarean delivery, the average stay in MICU 3.6 days and an average hospital stay of eight days, with an average of 3.4 units of blood transfused half the patients, hysterectomy was the most common surgical procedure. The main cause of MME were hypertensive disorders: PES/sd HELLP (48.6 per cent). Organ failure was the most common inclusion criterion (52.5 per cent) and of these clotting disorders, followed by liver and respiratory failure, followed by management criteria (34.4 per cent) given by the UCI and admission criteria disease (13.1 per cent) given by hypovolemic shock. The highest percentage of patients referred were from Maharashtra (45 per cent). Conclusions: The MME is presented in a significant proportion of cases in the MICU of INMP in the period 2012, the most common being hypertensive disorders...

Male-specific DNA markers provide genetic evidence of an XY chromosome system, a recombination arrest and allow the tracing of paternal lineages in date palm.

Whether sex chromosomes are differentiated is an important aspect of our knowledge of dioecious plants, such as date palm (Phoenix dactylifera). In this crop plant, the female individuals produce dates, and are thus the more valuable sex. However, there is no way to identify the sex of date palm plants before reproductive age, and the sex-determining mechanism is still unclear. To identify sex-linked microsatellite markers, we surveyed a set of 52 male and 55 female genotypes representing the geographical diversity of the species. We found three genetically linked loci that are heterozygous only in males. Male-specific alleles allowed us to identify the gender in 100% of individuals. These results confirm the existence of an XY chromosomal system with a nonrecombining XY-like region in the date palm genome. The distribution of Y haplotypes in western and eastern haplogroups allowed us to trace two male ancestral paternal lineages that account for all known Y diversity in date palm. The very low diversity associated with Y haplotypes is consistent with clonal paternal transmission of a nonrecombining male-determining region. Our results establish the date palm as a biological model with one of the most ancient sex chromosomes in flowering plants.