Incidencia de cardiopatías congénitas en pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Neonatología del Hospital Infantil Robert Reid Cabral, 2016-2018 / Incidence of congenital heart diseases in patients admitted to the Neonatal Unit of the Robert Reid Cabral Children's Hospital, 2016-2018

Introducción: las cardiopatías congénitas son alteraciones estructurales del corazón y/o grandes vasos que se desarrollan durante la embriogénesis, existe un aumento aparente de la incidencia de las cardiopatías congénitas (CC) en las investigaciones recientes, especialmente de las cardiopatías acianógenas, como la comunicación interventricular (CIV) e interauricular (CIA), así como en menor grado otras cardiopatías, como transposición de grandes vasos (TGV) y el síndrome de corazón izquierdo hipoplásico (SCIH). Material y métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo sobre la incidencia de cardiopatías congénitas en pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Neonatología del Hospital Infantil Robert Reid Cabral durante el período 2016-2018 (hasta la semana epidemiológica #38). La muestra fue de 76 pacientes (n=76). Resultados: la incidencia de cardiopatías congénitas fue 4.97 %. El 59.2 % eran masculino. Mas de 65 % de pacientes procedían de la región este del país. La disnea representó más de 70 % de los motivos de consulta, seguida de cianosis. 35.5 % de las cardiopatías correspondieron a CIV, que fue la patología cardíaca congénita más frecuentemente presentada, seguida por CIA. Conclusión: observamos una incidencia global de cardiopatías congénitas de 4.97 % con predominio en sexo masculino. Los pacientes procedían de la región este en más de la mitad de los casos, y presentaron con mayor frecuencia disnea como motivo de consulta. La incidencia más elevada de cardiopatía congénita fue la CIV

Introduction: Congenital heart diseases are structural alterations of the heart and/or great vessels that develop during embryogenesis. There is an apparent increase in the incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) in recent research, especially acyanotic heart disease, such as communication interventricular (VSD) and interatrial (ASD), as well as to a lesser degree other heart diseases, such as transposition of the great vessels (TGV) and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Material and methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study on the incidence of congenital heart disease in patients admitted to the Neonatology Unit of the Robert Reid Cabral Children's Hospital during the period 2016-2018 (until epidemiological week #38). The sample was 76 patients (n=76). Results: The incidence of congenital heart disease was 4.97%. 59.2% were male. More than 65% of patients came from the eastern region of the country. Dyspnea represented more than 70% of the reasons for consultation, followed by cyanosis. 35.5% of the heart diseases corresponded to VSD, which was the most frequently presented congenital heart disease, followed by ASD. Conclusion: We observed a global incidence of congenital heart disease of 4.97% with a predominance in males. The patients came from the eastern region in more than half of the cases, and more frequently presented dyspnea as a reason for consultation. The highest incidence of congenital heart disease was VSD

Physicochemical, nutritional and microbial quality of pastes and data on their consumption in Mexican university students

ABSTRACT A paste is a food of English origin adopted in Hidalgo, Mexico, over a hundred years ago. It is consumed as a convenience food and is very popular among students. The aim of this research was to determine the physicochemical, nutritional, and microbial quality of pastes as well as to obtain data on their consumption in a population of Mexican university students. The proximal composition, calories, sodium content, pH, water activity, and microbiological quality of 15 types of pastes were analyzed. Five hundred students from the largest public university in the State of Hidalgo in Mexico were surveyed to determine paste consumption. Pastes varied in their content of fat (12-25.7 g/100 g), protein (2.29-12.6 g/100 g) and carbohydrates (23.5-52.7 g/100 g). The caloric content varied from 356 to 545 kcal/paste. The salty samples contained more sodium (216-693 mg Na/100 g) compared to the sweet ones (54.9-74.1 mg Na/100 g). Samples presented large variability in microbial quality and only one sample had coliform growth. Almost all respondents (96.2%) reported consuming pastes, 49.7% consumed 1 to 2 pieces per week, while 32% consumed 3 to 4. Participants considered that pastes were fast, convenient, and cheap and mentioned consuming them for their taste and practicality. Pastes represent an important source of calories and sodium in the diet. Labeling these types of foods will provide nutritional information and could prevent excessive consumption.

RESUMEN El paste es un alimento de origen inglés adoptado en Hidalgo, México, desde hace más de cien años. Se consume como comida de conveniencia y es muy popular entre estudiantes. El objetivo fue determinar la calidad fisicoquímica, nutricional y microbiana de pastes, así como conocer datos sobre su consumo en una población de estudiantes universitarios mexicanos. Se analizó la composición proximal, las calorías, el contenido de sodio, el pH, la actividad acuosa y la calidad microbiológica de 15 tipos de pastes mediante técnicas oficiales. Se encuestaron 500 estudiantes de la universidad pública más grande del estado de Hidalgo (México) para determinar su consumo de pastes. Los pastes variaron en su contenido de grasas (12-25,7 g/100 g), proteínas (2,29-12,6 g/100 g) y carbohidratos (23,5-52,7 g/100 g). El contenido calórico fue de 356 a 545 kcal/paste. Las muestras saladas contenían más sodio (216-693 mg Na/100 g) en comparación con las dulces (54,9-74,1 mg Na/100 g). Las muestras presentaron alta variabilidad en la calidad microbiológica y solo una muestra presentó crecimiento de coliformes. El 96,2% de los encuestados consume pastes, el 49,7% consume de 1 a 2 piezas por semana mientras que el 32% consume de 3 a 4. Los participantes consideraron que los pastes son rápidos, convenientes y baratos y mencionaron consumirlos por su sabor y practicidad. Los pastes representan una fuente importante de calorías y sodio en la dieta. Etiquetar este tipo de alimentos aportará información nutricional y podría evitar su consumo excesivo.

Adsorption Affinity of Linear and Aromatic Organic Anions Competing for Cationic Cement Surfaces.

Competitive adsorption of chemical admixtures onto cement is of critical importance in delivering bulk performance requirements of cement slurries employed in constructing high-performing structures, like oil wells. This challenge is complex to investigate, because of the many variables that include the heterogeneity, high pH, and ionic strength of cement fluids; the multiple crystalline phases present in unhydrated and set cement; and the high number of admixtures required to meet performance criteria in commercial operations. The purpose of this study is to relate chemical structures to relative adsorption behavior of admixtures onto cement when present together and classify such interactions as beneficial (synergistic) or detrimental (antagonistic). Adsorption characteristics of single admixtures were examined by total organic carbon analysis, FT infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, calorimetry, and UV/vis spectrophotometry. Results show that the adsorption of single chemical admixtures follows the order of monomeric hydroxycarboxylate molecule > sulfonated linear polymer > sulfonated aromatic polymer > carboxylated/sulfonated linear polymer > carboxylated branched polyether polymers. The observed adsorption behavior of polymers correlates extremely well with the order for cement hydration retardation, with carboxylated polymers being the most powerful retarders. Results correlate closely with the proposed mechanism that sulfonated polymers adsorb onto aluminate phases, presumably the tricalcium aluminate phase; and the carboxylate polymers onto silicate phases, particularly the predominant tricalcium oxysilicate phase. The hydroxycarboxylic monomeric molecule was the strongest retarder of all and has the highest adsorption level, presumably on tricalcium oxysilicate. The competitive adsorption behavior in binary mixtures was studied by monitoring the displacement of a signaling polymer by a second admixture. Results indicate that, for similar functional groups, shorter polymers are competitively more strongly adsorbed than longer chain molecules and that the shorter chain polymers were not desorbed significantly by longer chain polymer molecules. Rheological measurements correlated admixture adsorption behavior to the observed slurry fluidity.

Viennamycins: Lipopeptides Produced by a Streptomyces sp.

Extracts from Streptomyces sp. S4.7 isolated from the rhizosphere of edelweiss, an alpine medicinal plant, exhibited activity against Gram-positive bacteria. LC-HRMS analyses of the extracts resulted in the detection of two unknown, structurally related lipopeptides that were assumed to be responsible for the antibiotic activity. LC-MS guided isolation and structure elucidation of viennamycins A and B (1 and 2) by HR-MS/MS, 1D and 2D NMR, and Marfey's analyses revealed them to be novel compounds, with viennamycin A containing cysteic acid, a unique feature for lipopeptides. Tests for antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities of purified viennamycins, both with and without divalent cations, did not reveal any bioactivity, suggesting that their biological function, which could not be determined in the tests used, is atypical for lipopeptides. The genome of Streptomyces sp. S4.7 was sequenced and analyzed, revealing the viennamycin biosynthetic gene cluster. Detailed bioinformatics-based analysis of the viennamycin gene cluster allowed elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway for these lipopeptides.

Clinical Profile of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Pediatric Population from Northern Mexico.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition classified based on needs of support, in order to address impairments in the areas of social communication and restricted and repetitive behavior. The aim of this work is to describe the main clinical features of the ASD severity levels in a group of Mexican pediatric patients. The results show firstly that this condition was more frequent in males than females. Secondly, an inverse relationship was found between the intellectual coefficient and the level of severity of the disorder. Thirdly, deficits in social reciprocity and communication were more evident in Level 3, than in Levels 1 and 2, while the difference was less evident in restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior.

Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre vacunación e inmunización en el personal de los puestos de vacunas de Santo Domingo y el Distrito Nacional, República Dominicana, enero-diciembre 2010 / Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices about Vaccination and Immunization in the Vaccine Staff of Santo Domingo and the National District, Dominican Republic, January-December 2010

Introducción: las enfermedades prevenibles por vacunas y las inmunizaciones representan una prioridad para el Ministerio de Salud Pública de República Dominicana; de esto depende, en gran medida, la salud de la población. Por ello, es de gran interés determinar los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre vacunación e inmunización del personal de puestos de vacunas. Método: es un estudio descriptivo-transversal sobre conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de vacunación e inmunización en personal de puestos de vacunas de Santo Domingo y el Distrito Nacional en 2010. Se elaboró un cuestionario tomando como base las variables e indicadores de este estudio y se aplicó a 257 miembros de puestos de vacuna, de un universo de 415 integrantes. Resultados: más del 90 % confirmó que las vacunas evitan enfermedades, que en una sesión se pueden aplicar diferentes vacunas, que deben conservarse entre +2 y +8 °C. Más del 90 % tiene actitudes favorables en cuanto a la importancia de vacunar y su registro, orientación a las madres y el lavado de manos antes de vacunar. La actitud menos favorable fue en relación con la afirmación de que dar masajes es una acción a realizar después de aplicar cualquier vacuna. El 90 % utiliza caja de bioseguridad, nevera exclusiva de vacunas y con termómetros funcionales. El 33 % deposita jeringuillas en zafacón y 27% tapa nuevamente jeringuilla. Conclusiones: el personal tiene conocimientos adecuados sobre vacunación e inmunización, existe falta de correspondencia entre porcentajes de conocimientos adecuados y actitudes favorables con las prácticas de este personal frente a las acciones de inmunización

Introduction: The diseases preventable by vaccines and immunizations represent a priority for public health ministry, so it is of great interest to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices about vaccination and immunization in personnel of vaccine posts. Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitudes and practices in vaccination and immunization staff positions vaccines of Santo Domingo and the National District in 2010. A questionnaire with variables and indicators was applied to 257 staff in fixed vaccination places, from a universe of 415. Results: More than 90 % confirmed vaccines prevent disease, in one session can apply different vaccines, vaccines should be stored at temperature of +2 - +8 °C. Regarding attitudes found that over 90 % have favorable attitudes in the importance of vaccination, vaccines registration, orientation to mothers, hand washing before vaccination. The least favorable attitude was in relation to the affirmation of massages is an action to be performed after applying any vaccine. 90 % used personal biosecurity box, exclusive refrigerator. 33 % disposed syringes in the trash and 27 covered them. Conclusions: Staff vaccination have adequate knowledge about vaccination and immunization. There is in several ways a mismatch between the percentages of adequate knowledge and positive attitudes, practices with these personnel actions against immunization

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing percutaneous coronary intervention with aspiration thrombectomy Vs. Conventional percutaneous coronary intervention during ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the impact of aspiration thrombectomy (AT) during primary coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on clinical outcomes. BACKGROUND: AT during PCI for STEMI may improve microvascular reperfusion, but its impact on clinical outcomes has remained controversial. METHODS: We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, Medline, Scopus, CENTRAL, andClinicalTrials.gov databases on March 31, 2015 for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the use of AT with PCI compared with PCI alone for STEMI. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Secondary end points included major adverse cardiac events (MACE, consisting of death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization), recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), target-vessel revascularization (TVR), stent thrombosis and stroke. RESULTS: Eighteen randomized controlled trials (n = 21,501) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A total of 10,544 patients were treated with AT and PCI, compared to 10,957 control patients. The use of AT was not associated with a significant decrease in all-cause mortality (RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.78-1.01; P = 0.07), MACE (RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.86-1.00; P = 0.06), recurrent MI (RR 0.97: 95% CI 0.81-1.17; P = 0.77), TVR (RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.82-1.05; P = 0.23), stent thrombosis (RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.66-1.07; P = 0.17), or stroke (RR 1.35; 95% CI 0.86-2.11; P = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: Using the totality of evidence available through 2015, this meta-analysis failed to show that the routine use of aspiration thrombectomy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction significantly reduces all-cause mortality, MACE, recurrent MI, TVR, or stent thrombosis. The role of aspiration thrombectomy in selected patients with angiographic evidence of large thrombus burden requires further clinical investigation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Size-dependent impacts of silver nanoparticles on the lifespan, fertility, growth, and locomotion of Caenorhabditis elegans.

The increased bioavailability of nanoparticles engineered for good dispersion in water may have biological and environmental impacts. To examine this issue, the authors assessed the biological effects in nematodes as they relate to exposure to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of different sizes at low (1 mg/L Ag), medium (10 mg/L Ag), and high concentrations (100 mg/L Ag). Over multiple generations, the authors found that the smallest particle, at 2 nm, had a notable impact on nematode fertility. In contrast, the largest particle, at 10 nm, significantly reduced the lifespan of parent nematodes (P0 ) by 28.8% and over the span of 3 generations (F1 -F3). In addition, a computer vision system automatically measured the adverse effects in body length and motility, which were not size-dependent.

Toxicity of quantum dots and cadmium salt to Caenorhabditis elegans after multigenerational exposure.

To fully understand the biological and environmental impacts of nanomaterials requires studies that address both sublethal end points and multigenerational effects. Here, we use a nematode to examine these issues as they relate to exposure to two different types of quantum dots, core (CdSe) and core-shell (CdSe/ZnS), and to compare the effect to those observed after cadmium salt exposures. The strong fluorescence of the core-shell QDs allowed for the direct visualization of the materials in the digestive track within a few hours of exposure. Multiple end points, including both developmental and locomotive, were examined at QD exposures of low (10 mg/L Cd), medium (50 mg/L Cd), and high concentrations (100 mg/L Cd). While the core-shell QDs showed no effect on fitness (lifespan, fertility, growth, and three parameters of motility behavior), the core QDs caused acute effects similar to those found for cadmium salts, suggesting that biological effects may be attributed to cadmium leaching from the more soluble QDs. Over multiple generations, we commonly found that for lower life-cycle exposures to core QDs the parents response was generally a poor predictor of the effects on progeny. At the highest concentrations, however, biological effects found for the first generation were commonly similar in magnitude to those found in future generations.

Piloting a personal protection equipment distribution program among Chicago day laborers.

BACKGROUND: Occupational injury rates among day laborers have been estimated to be as high as 31%, where lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) use is repeatedly noted as a contributor to occupational injuries. METHODS: We distributed duffel bags containing nine pieces of PPE and provided training on their use to Chicago day laborers during six distribution sessions over two summers. Participants were contacted 4-8 weeks post-distribution and queried on PPE use. RESULTS: Of 117 participants who received the equipment, 42 completed the follow-up survey. Workers performed construction, demolition, and painting type tasks and most often used gloves, safety glasses, and respirators. Hardhats, coveralls, and earplugs were the least used. CONCLUSIONS: The PPE we provided was used during 94% of the jobs, and every one of the nine items was used. Hearing protection was underused. This project showed that providing PPE, along with training on its use, may increase PPE use among Chicago day laborers, likely preventing occupational injuries.

Identificación de polimorfismos en RXam2, un gen candidato de resistencia a la bacteriosis vascular de yuca / Identification of polymorphisms in RXam2 a cassava bacterial blight resistance gene candidate

La yuca se constituye en la base de la alimentación para más de mil millones de personas en el mundo. Una de las principales enfermedades de la yuca y que podría comprometer la seguridad alimentaria es la bacteriosis vascular ocasionada por la bacteria Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam). El gen candidato de resistencia RXam2 codifica para una proteína con dominios NBS (Nucleotide Binding Site) y LRR (Leucine Rich Repeats) y colocaliza con un QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci) que explica el 61.6% de la resistencia a la cepa CIO151 de Xam. En este trabajo se secuenció parcialmente el gen RXam2 en tres variedades de yuca: MCOL2246, TMS60444 y SG107-35 con el objetivo de tener una visión preliminar del grado de polimorfismos tipo SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) que se presenta en este gen. La región secuenciada incluye 507 pb de la región promotora y 1309 pb de la secuencia codificante. Se logró identificar 5 y 31 SNPs al interior de las variedades MCOL2246 y TMS60444, respectivamente. Al mismo tiempo el número de SNPs entre las variedades fue de 44, 34 y 23 para MCOL2246-TMS60444, TMS60444-SG107-35 y MCOL2246-SG107-35, respectivamente. El mayor número de SNPs estuvieron localizados en la región -500 a -300 pb que corresponden a un fragmento de la región promotora del gen, aunque también se identificó un importante número de polimorfismos en la región codificante. Este estudio permitirá identificar el número de polimorfismos en este gen en un mayor grupo de variedades de yuca con el fin de asociar estos polimorfismos con el fenotipo de resistencia/susceptibilidad.

Cassava is a staple food for more than a billion people. One of the major diseases of cassava which could compromise food security is known as cassava bacterial blight, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam). The RXam2 resistance gene candidate encodes a protein with Nucleotide Binding Site and Leucine Rich Repeats domains, and colocalizes with a QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci) that accounts for 61.6% of the resistance to the Xam strain CIO151. In this work we sequenced 1816 bp corresponding to a partial sequence of this gene in three cassava varieties with the aim of having a preliminary overview of the degree of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). The sequenced regions included 507 bp of the promotor and 1309 bp of the coding sequence. It was possible to identify five and 31 intravarietal SNPs in MCOL2246 and TMS60444, respectively. In addition, the number of SNPs between varieties was 44, 34 and 23 for MCOL2246-TMS60444, TMS60444-SG107-35 and MCOL2246-SG107-35, respectively. The largest number of SNPs was located in the promoter region -500 to -300 bp. This study may help to develop alternatives to identify SNPs in a more diverse group of cassava varieties, and possibly associate them with resistance/susceptible phenotypes.

t4 workshop report. Nanotoxicology: "the end of the beginning" - signs on the roadmap to a strategy for assuring the safe application and use of nanomaterials.

In October 2010, a group of experts met as part of the transatlantic think tank for toxicology (t4) to exchange ideas about the current status and future of safety testing of nanomaterials. At present, there is no widely accepted path forward to assure appropriate and effective hazard identification for engineered nanomaterials. The group discussed needs for characterization of nanomaterials and identified testing protocols that incorporate the use of innovative alternative whole models such as zebrafish or C. elegans, as well as in vitro or alternative methods to examine specific functional pathways and modes of action. The group proposed elements of a potential testing scheme for nanomaterials that works towards an integrated testing strategy, incorporating the goals of the NRC report Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy by focusing on pathways of toxic response, and utilizing an evidence-based strategy for developing the knowledge base for safety assessment. Finally, the group recommended that a reliable, open, curated database be developed that interfaces with existing databases to enable sharing of information.