Visual filtering in time and space among persons with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) appear to perform at a level that is commensurate with developmental expectations on simple tasks of selective attention. In this study, we examine how their selective attention is impacted by target changes that unfold over both time and space. This increased complexity reflects an attempt at greater ecological validity in an experimental task, as a steppingstone for better understanding attention among persons with DS in real-world environments. METHODS: A modified flanker task was used to assess visual temporal and spatial filtering among persons with DS (n = 14) and typically developing individuals (n = 14) matched on non-verbal mental age (mental age = 8.5 years). Experimental conditions included varying the stimulus onset asynchronies between the onset of the target and flankers, the distances between the target and flankers, and the similarity of the target and flankers. RESULTS: Both the participants with DS and the typically developing participants showed slower reaction times and lower accuracy rates when the flankers appeared closer in time and/or space to the target. CONCLUSION: No group differences were found on a broad level, but the findings suggest that dynamic stimuli may be processed differently by those with DS. Implications of the findings are discussed in relation to the developmental approach to intellectual disability originally articulated by Ed Zigler.

Interprofessional training for the delivery of community health services in Mexico: the experience of Partners in Health.

Interprofessional training in health is scarce in Mexico. Partners in Health (CES in Spanish), is the branch of an international civil society organization that provides health services to poor and rural populations. CES runs a set of ten health centers in Chiapas, Mexico, in partnership with the local Ministry of Health. A key component of the provision strategy is to train healthcare providers, mainly medical and nursing students in their final year of training, to create healthcare teams that work together while fostering their individual capacities. CES offers a diploma on Global Health and Social Medicine, where medical and nursing students -also called pasantes- interact to discuss jointly the effects of global and social determinants of health in local communities, as well as specific clinical topics. A qualitative study including interviews and nonparticipant observations was undertaken to identify initial achievements and challenges of the experience. CES has achieved important benefits related to teamwork as well as clinical capacities of individuals as healthcare providers. However, challenges have emerged: differences in social origin, personal development expectations, professional identity and institutional roles hinder team cohesion. Consequently, CES has introduced adjustments to reduce the negative impact of these differences. Although the training model needs further development, the possibility of transferring some of its good practices to non-CES scenarios should be seriously considered by health authorities.

Polluted water from an urban reservoir (Madín dam, México) induces toxicity and oxidative stress in Cyprinus carpio embryos.

The Madín Dam is a reservoir located in the municipalities of Naucalpan and Atizapán, in the metropolitan area adjacent to Mexico City. The reservoir supplies drinking water to nearby communities and provides an area for various recreational activities, including kayaking, sailing and carp fishing. Over time, the number of specimens of common carp has notably diminished in the reservoir, which receives direct domestic drainage from two towns as well as numerous neighborhoods along the Tlalnepantla River. Diverse studies have demonstrated that the pollutants in the water of the reservoir produce oxidative stress, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in juvenile Cyprinus carpio, possibly explaining the reduction in the population of this species; however, it is necessary to assess whether these effects may also be occurring directly in the embryos. Hence, surface water samples were taken at five sites and pharmaceutical drugs, personal care products (especially sunscreens), organophosphate and organochlorine pesticides, and other persistent organic pollutants (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) were identified. Embryos of C. carpio were exposed to the water samples to evaluate embryolethality, modifications in embryonic development, lipoperoxidation, the quantity of hydroperoxide and oxidized proteins, and antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase). It was found that the polluted water of the Madín Dam gave rise to embryolethality, embryotoxicity, congenital abnormalities, and oxidative stress on the common carp embryos.

Fracture incidence of instruments from a single-file reciprocating system by students in an endodontic graduate programme: a cross-sectional retrospective study.

AIM: To assess the fracture incidence of instruments from single-file reciprocating systems when used by students in an endodontic graduate programme. METHODOLOGY: Dental records and periapical radiographs of patients treated by students on an endodontic graduate programme using reciprocating systems were assessed. Data on tooth type, number of treated root canals, number of fractured instruments, fragment size, angle, radius, arc length and position of root canal curvature where fractures occurred were tabulated for analysis. The risk of fracture was calculated for each group of teeth, root canal and root thirds, whilst the incidence of fractures reported for the reciprocating systems was compared using the chi-squared test at 5% significance level. RESULTS: Overall, 2056 root canals (826 teeth) from 810 patients were included. The incidence of fractured files from single-file reciprocating systems in relation to a number of instrumented canals was 0.92%. Fracture rates of 0.84% and 0.93% were found in 830 and 1226 root canals instrumented with WaveOne and Reciproc systems, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the systems. The highest fracture rate was 52.6% in the mesiobuccal root of mandibular molars. The central angle, radius and arc length of the curvature of root canals where the instruments fractured ranged from 58° to 84°, from 1.7 to 7.2 mm and from 2.4 to 7.6 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of WaveOne and Reciproc single-file reciprocating systems in an endodontic graduate programme was associated with a low incidence of instrument fractures.

Screening of hydrogel-based scaffolds for dental pulp regeneration-A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the most appropriate hydrogel scaffold type (natural, synthetic or hybrid) to be applied with stem cells for dental pulp regeneration. The findings should help clinicians make an informed choice about the appropriate scaffold to be applied for this approach. DESIGN: Three electronic databases were searched (Medline, Web of Science and Scopus). The review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). RESULTS: From 4990 potentially relevant studies initially identified, 18 papers fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were considered for this review. Natural scaffolds were applied in most studies. Collagen was the most studied scaffold. In 5 of 10 studies, only growth factors were added to the constructs. Even without growth factors, these scaffolds containing stem cells were able to support the formation of dentin. The synthetic scaffolds were the least studied. Only 4 studies were selected, and in 3 of them, the same scaffold (Puramatrix) was evaluated. Puramatrix by itself was unable to form dental pulp when dental pulp stem cells were not present. Synthetic and hybrid hydrogels were unable to attract stem cells from the host. The presence of growth factors in these constructs seems to be of relevance since dental pulp tissue formation was achieved only when the hybrid scaffold was applied with growth factors. CONCLUSION: All types of hydrogel-based scaffolds, when containing mesenchymal stem cells, are able to form connective tissue with different degrees of similarity to dental pulp. However, current data is too heterogeneous to compare and identify the advantages of any specific scaffold.

DNA damage and cytotoxicity induced on common carp by pollutants in water from an urban reservoir. Madín reservoir, a case study.

Madín Reservoir provides a substantial amount of drinking water to two municipalities close to Mexico City metropolitan area. However, it receives untreated wastewater discharges from domestic sources in the towns of Nuevo Madín and others, as well as diverse pollutants which are hauled by the Río Tlalnepantla from its upper reaches, so that the xenobiotics in the reservoir are highly diverse in terms of type and quantity. Previous studies showed that MR is contaminated with xenobiotics such as Al, Hg and Fe, as well as NSAIDs, at concentrations exceeding the limits established for aquatic life protection. These pollutants have been shown to induce oxidative stress on Cyprinus carpio and may therefore also damage the genetic material of exposed organisms, eliciting cytotoxicity as well. The present study aimed to determine the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity induced on blood, liver and gill of C. carpio by the pollutants present in MR water. Specimens were exposed to water from five sampling sites and the following biomarkers were evaluated: DNA damage by comet assay, frequency of micronuclei, apoptosis by TUNEL assay and caspase-3 activity. Significant increases relative to the control group (P < 0.05) were found with all biomarkers in all tissues evaluated, with the level of damage differing between sampling sites. In conclusion, pollutants present in MR water are genotoxic and cytotoxic to C. carpio, and this sentinel species, coupled with the biomarkers evaluated herein, is a reliable tool for assessing the health risk to wildlife posed by exposure to pollutants in freshwater bodies.

Vendaje neuromuscular en músculo tibial anterior durante la marcha en niños con parálisis cerebral tipo hemiparesia espástica: estudio de casos / Kinesiotape in tibialis anterior muscle during gait in children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy: case reports

Introduction: Kinesiotape (Kt) is a therapeutic technique producing somatosensory stimulation when placed on the skin, and has shown improvement in dynamic activities in neuropediatric field; however, there are limited studies on its effect during gait. Objective: To assess the effect of KT in children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP) during gait, when applied on tibialis anterior muscle of the affected side. Method: Study carried out with 9 children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I & II, between 4 and 10 years old, male and female, at Instituto teletón Antofagasta. Gait was recorded in video in 3 instances: before Kt, immediately after application of Kt, and 5 days post application. Recordings were assessed using the Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS) and range of motion (RoM) of the ankle during gait. Results: None of the subjects showed significant improvement in RoM of the ankle during gait or in the EVGS. Conclusion: Kt did not change ROM of the ankle during gait in the studied cases, nor as an immediate effect or 5 days after application. only 2 out of 9 children showed a 1 point improvement during the swing phase during EVGS. It is suggested to consider other exclusion criteria and extend the duration of Kt therapy.

El vendaje neuromuscular (VN) es una herramienta terapéutica que estimula el nivel somatosensitivo al ubicarlo sobre la piel, que ha demostrado mejoras en actividades dinámicas en el ámbito neuroinfantil; sin embargo, existen escasos estudios sobre su efecto durante la marcha. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto del VN sobre la marcha de niños con parálisis cerebral (PC) hemiparética espástica, aplicado en músculo tibial anterior del lado afectado. Método: Estudio de 9 niños con PC y Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I y II tipo hemiparesia espástica entre 4 y 10 años de edad, de ambos sexos en el Instituto Teletón Antofagasta. Se filmó marcha en 3 instancias: antes del VN, inmediato con VN y a los 5 días post aplicación. Las grabaciones fueron valoradas con la Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS) y rango de movimiento (RoM) de tobillo durante la marcha. Resultados: Ninguno de los 9 niños presentó mejoría significativa en su ROM del tobillo durante la marcha ni en la EVGS. Conclusión: El vendaje neuromuscular no produjo cambios del RoM del tobillo durante la marcha en los casos presentados, ni como efecto inmediato ni a los 5 días post aplicación. Sólo 2 de 9 mejoraron en 1 punto durante la fase de balanceo en la EVGS. Se sugiere considerar otros criterios de exclusión y ampliar el tiempo de aplicación del VN.

Evaluación cuantitativa de la satisfacción laboral en personal directivo y operativo de empresas de calzado y cuero usuarios del IMSS, como modelo de atención / Quantitative evaluation of job satisfaction in leather and footwear workers affiliated to the IMSS as model attention

INTRODUCCIÓN: La satisfacción laboral está determinada por factores propios del trabajador en conjunto con variables del trabajo, esto es, por elementos intrínsecos y extrínsecos; la ausencia de uso no necesariamente determina la presencia de otros. OBJETIVO: La finalidad de este estudio fue evaluar la satisfacción laboral del personal con giros distintos. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: El diseño del estudio fue transversal comparativo, teniendo como unidad de muestreo a los trabajadores de dos empresas: una de calzado y otra de cuero, ambas ubicadas en la ciudad de León, Guanajuato, México, y cuyos trabajadores están adscritos al IMSS como proceso de atención. Para identificar el grado y tipo de satisfacción laboral en los trabajadores y directivos de dos empresas manufactureras, una de calzado (n = 51) y otra de curtiduría (n = 24), se aplicó una Escala de Satisfacción Laboral. Estos trabajadores pertenecen al Subsistema de salud adheridos al IMSS. RESULTADOS: Se compararon los resultados entre las submuestras y con los valores estandarizados. La mayoría de los factores de satisfacción identificados en este estudio estuvieron relacionados con el contenido del trabajo y se corresponden con características de las tareas (identidad, interés, variedad, significatividad). Así, atendiendo a la teoría bifactorial de Herzberg. CONCLUSIÓN Y DISCUSIÓN: En cuanto a los factores de contexto de trabajo, llamados higiénicos, únicamente el factor "ambiente social" o relaciones interpersonales destacaron entre los más mencionados. Los grupos mencionados arriba no sienten insatisfacción en el proceso de atención en los servicios de salud, de hecho ven el subsistema al que pertenecen como una ventaja en caso de un accidente en lo personal y familiar. Al evaluarse la satisfacción laboral general (de los dos grupos) se observa que existe una satisfacción general buena de acuerdo con el puntaje estandarizado. Específicamente la satisfacción intrínseca se mostró más elevada (p ≤ 0.001) en la empresa de cuero (puntaje promedio de 35.45 ± 2.87) que en la de calzado (34.67 ± 2.49).

INTRODUCTION: Job satisfaction is determinated by own worker's factors related to different variables either intrinsinc and extrinsic elements that belong to their own job. The absence of one of them not necessarily determines the presence of other. OBJECTIVE: To assess job satisfaction in two different companies: leather products and footwear. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A comparative cross-sectional study was realized with sampling units including workers of two companies: leather products and footwear, in León, Guanajuato, México. All workers were affiliated to the IMSS for health care. Job satisfaction scale was applied to identify the level and type of job satisfaction among workers and managers: leather products (n = 24) and footwear (n = 51). RESULTS: The results of subsamples and standardized values were compared. Most satisfaction factors were related to job contents and features to corresponding tasks (identity, interest, variety, meaningfulness). Thus, based on the two-factor theory of Herzberg. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: About the work context factors, called hygienic factors only "social environment" or related highlighted more among the most frequently mentioned. The groups mentioned did not feel dissatisfaction in the process of care in health services in fact the feeling is like an advantage in case of accident to themselves or their families. When evaluating the general job satisfaction in both groups, we observed a good overall satisfaction according to the standardized score. Specifically, the intrinsic satisfaction was higher (p ≤ 0.001) in leather workers (average score 35.45 ± 2.87) than in the footwear workers (34.67 ± 2.49).

Hybrid technique for removal of eroded adjustable gastric band.

BACKGROUND: Intragastric migration is a late and rare postsurgical complication in patients with gastric band placement. Gastric band erosion rate has previously been described to be 1.46%. In this report, we present the case of a 43-y-old male with gastric band erosion undergoing a laparoendoscopic retrieval of the gastric band, due to intragastric migration. METHOD: A hybrid procedure was performed to retrieve the gastric band. A laparoscopic approach was initially used to extract the connecting tube. Endoscopy was then performed to cut the gastric band with a specific cutter system and was subsequently extracted transorally. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful. Clear liquids were started on day 1, and the patient was discharged on day 2. DISCUSSION: The purpose of this study was to describe a hybrid technique for the removal of an eroded gastric band, as a safe and feasible option in patients with band erosions. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach enables safe extraction of the connecting tube, while endoscopy allows extraction of the band without creating a large incision in the stomach.

Identification of A*29:47, previously typed as A*29:19, in a Mexican bone marrow donor from the state of Hidalgo, Mexico.

The A*29:47 allele was identified in a Mexican Mestizo unrelated bone marrow donor from the state of Hidalgo.

Oil oxidation in corn flour from grains processed with alkaline cooking by use of peroxide value, UV and FTIR.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of alkaline cooking on the oxidative stability of oil in corn flour. A central composite design was used to study the combined effect of lime concentration (%) and steep time (h) on peroxide value (PV); specific extinction coefficients at 232 and 270 nm (K232 and K270); and FTIR absorbance at 3009 cm(-1), 3444 cm(-1), and 3530 cm(-1) in oils from corn flour obtained by alkaline cooking. The results indicate that lime concentration and steep time affected the PV, K232, and K270. A decrease of 2.56 % was observed in the IR absorption bands, corresponding to the polyunsaturated fatty acids. The FTIR spectra also showed absorption bands related to the secondary oil oxidation products.

Cerebral blood flow responses to dorsal and ventral STN DBS correlate with gait and balance responses in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) on gait and balance vary and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. DBS location may alter motor benefit due to anatomical heterogeneity in STN. The purposes of this study were to (1) compare the effects of DBS of dorsal (D-STN) versus ventral (V-STN) regions on gait, balance and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and (2) examine the relationships between changes in rCBF and changes in gait and balance induced by D-STN or V-STN DBS. METHODS: We used a validated atlas registration to locate and stimulate through electrode contacts in D-STN and V-STN regions of 37 people with Parkinson's disease. In a within-subjects, double-blind and counterbalanced design controlled for DBS settings, we measured PET rCBF responses in a priori regions of interest and quantified gait and balance during DBS Off, unilateral D-STN DBS and unilateral V-STN DBS. RESULTS: DBS of either site increased stride length without producing significant group-level changes in gait velocity, cadence or balance. Both sites increased rCBF in subcortical regions and produced variable changes in cortical and cerebellar regions. DBS-induced changes in gait velocity are related to premotor cortex rCBF changes during V-STN DBS (r=-0.40, p=0.03) and to rCBF changes in the cerebellum anterior lobe during D-STN DBS (r=-0.43, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: DBS-induced changes in gait corresponded to rCBF responses in selected cortical and cerebellar regions. These relationships differed during D-STN versus V-STN DBS, suggesting DBS acts through distinct neuronal pathways dependent on DBS location.

Identification of A*02:336 in a Mexican Mestizo acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient from the state of Veracruz.

A*02:336 was identified in a Mexican Mestizo ALL patient, born in the State of Veracruz.

Reproductive biology of Zearaja chilensis (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae) in the south-east Pacific Ocean.

Between 2000 and 2002, three artisanal landing sites were sampled in southern Chile, with data on population structure and reproductive development collected from 5477 yellownose skates Zearaja chilensis. Total length (L(T) ) ranged from 33 to 158 cm for females and 34 to 155 cm for males. No sexual dimorphism was evident in disc size (length or width) or in L(T)-mass relationships. The smallest mature female was 95 cm L(T) and the size at which 50% were mature (L(T50) ) was 109 cm. Males matured between 80 and 90 cm L(T) with a L(T50) of 88 cm. Although the largest Z. chilensis captured by the artisanal fishery was 155 cm L(T) , 89% of landings comprised relatively small, immature fish. This situation may compromise the stock integrity if intrinsic vulnerability and probable long-life span of Z. chilensis are considered. Consequences for the survival of the species and possible signs of a fishery collapse must be reviewed by management authorities by consideration of both artisanal and industrial landings in Chile.

[Effect of dietary fiber in the quantitative expression of butyrate receptor GPR43 in rats colon]. / Efecto del consumo de la fibra dietética en la expresión cuantitativa del receptor de butirato GPR43 en colon de ratas.

INTRODUCTION: Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) acetate, propionate and butyrate are the major anions produced by the bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber (DF) in colon. Recently, butyrate has been recently studied because is important to maintain colonic functions and because it has been related with a protective effect in colorectal cancer, which is mainly, explained by its potential to regulate gene expression by inhibiting enzyme histonedeacetylase (HDAC). Several investigationsshown that SCFAreceptor GPR43 is involved insignal transduction mechanisms once they bind to ligands such as butyrate to generate different physiological effects in colonocytes. OBJECTIVE: Determine if dietary fiber consumption from nopal (Opuntia ficus I.) containing a ratio of soluble-insoluble fiber 40/60, has a direct influence on the quantitative expression of butyrate-specific receptor GPR43. METHODS: Wistar rats were fed with four different diets formulated at different concentrations of dietary fiber of 0, 5, 15 and 25% of dietary fiber from opuntia, respectively. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results shown an increase in the expression of GPR43 (93.1%) when rats was fed with a 5% fiber diet, using ß-actin as a reference gene. The results of this investigation will contribute to determinate the relation of diet with intestinal health for the purpose of expanding the knowledge of butyric acid on colonic functions.

Reduced uptake of [¹8F]FDOPA PET in asymptomatic welders with occupational manganese exposure.

BACKGROUND: Welding exposes workers to manganese (Mn) fumes, but it is unclear if this exposure damages dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia and predisposes individuals to develop parkinsonism. PET imaging with 6-[(18)F]fluoro-l-dopa (FDOPA) is a noninvasive measure of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron integrity. The purpose of this study is to determine whether welding exposure is associated with damage to nigrostriatal neurons in asymptomatic workers. METHODS: We imaged 20 asymptomatic welders exposed to Mn fumes, 20 subjects with idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD), and 20 normal controls using FDOPA PET. All subjects were examined by a movement disorders specialist. Basal ganglia volumes of interest were identified for each subject. The specific uptake of FDOPA, K(i), was generated for each region using graphical analysis method. RESULTS: Repeated measures general linear model (GLM) analysis demonstrated a strong interaction between diagnostic group and region (F(4,112) = 15.36, p < 0.001). Caudate K(i)s were lower in asymptomatic welders (0.0098 + 0.0013 minutes(-1)) compared to control subjects (0.0111 + 0.0012 minutes(-1), p = 0.002). The regional pattern of uptake in welders was most affected in the caudate > anterior putamen > posterior putamen. This uptake pattern was anatomically reversed from the pattern found in subjects with IPD. CONCLUSIONS: Active, asymptomatic welders with Mn exposure demonstrate reduced FDOPA PET uptake indicating dysfunction in the nigrostriatal dopamine system. The caudate K(i) reduction in welders may represent an early (asymptomatic) marker of Mn neurotoxicity and appears to be distinct from the pattern of dysfunction found in symptomatic IPD.

Enfermedad renal crónica: epidemiología y factores de riesgo / Chronic kidney disease: epidemiology and risk factors

Chile se encuentra en una fase tardía de la transición demográfico epidemiológica, caracterizada por envejecimiento de la población y un enorme aumento de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. Dentro de éstas, se encuentra la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC), y sus factores de riesgo, diabetes e hipertensión. ERC, cuya prevalencia se estima en 10 por ciento, se asocia a un alto riesgo de mortalidad cardiovascular y progresión renal; su evolución es habitualmente silenciosa, y puede pasar inadvertida para los pacientes, médicos y autoridades de salud. Sólo recientemente ha aumentado la conciencia de ERC, como un problema de salud pública, considerando su amplia distribución, complicaciones y costo. Una nueva definición y clasificación de ERC ha contribuido a establecer programas de detección e intervención precoz, que deben hacerse en el nivel de atención primaria. Los gobiernos deben implementar con urgencia programas de tamizaje y vigilancia de ERC, para establecer su magnitud, epidemiología, morbimortalidad y tendencias.

Chile has experienced a demographic and epidemiologic transition, characterized by an age increase in population and an enormous increase of chronic non-communicable diseases. Among these, we can find chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its risk factors, diabetes and hypertension. CKD, whose estimated prevalence is around 10 percent, is associated to a high cardiovascular mortality and renal progression; its clinical course is usually silent, and may be unaware for patients, doctors, health authorities and policy makers. CKD is increasingly recognized as a global public health problem, considering its wide distribution, complications and cost. A new CKD definition and classification has contributed to raise early detection and intervention programs, which must be implemented at the primary health level. Governments should support programs for screening and surveillance of CKD, to document its magnitude, epidemiology, morbimortality, and trends.