Maintenance in relationships, satisfaction, jealousy, and violence in young couples: a network analysis.

BACKGROUND: The study explores the associations among Relationship Maintenance, Satisfaction, Jealousy, and Violence in young Peruvian couples, particularly in a post-pandemic context, using a network analysis. METHODS: Eight hundred thirty-two participants aged 18-30 (M = 20.94, SD = 2.29), with 645 females (77.50%) and 187 males (22.50%), were involved. The study aimed to discern relationships among network nodes, emphasizing the link between Relationship Maintenance dimensions and Jealousy and Violence. The research also sought the central node in the network and examined gender-specific node connections, using the SMOTE algorithm for gender data balance. RESULTS: Findings revealed a direct connection between Complementarity and Jealousy, implying intense shared interests can lead to unhealthy dependence. An inverse relationship was seen between Companionship and Violence. Satisfaction was pivotal, showcasing its importance in romantic relationship success. Additionally, the study shows men prioritize Companionship and Sharing, possibly due to cultural norms, while women focus on the Companionship-Complementarity bond, indicating mutual support. CONCLUSIONS: The research emphasizes the critical role of maintenance variables in determining Satisfaction, Jealousy, and Violence in relationships. The pandemic's influence on romantic dynamics is evident, emphasizing the importance of Satisfaction. Future studies should focus on gender equity and further explore these relationships.

The p,p'-DDE disturbs the M1 function without affecting the M2 phenotype nor unstimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages from BALB/c mice.

DDT, a persistent organic pollutant, remains affecting human health worldwide. DDT and its most persistent metabolite (p,p'-DDE) negatively affect the immune response regulation and mechanisms involved in protecting against pathogens Such metabolite decreases the capability to limit intracellular growth of Mycobacterium microti and yeast. However, the effect on unstimulated (M0) and anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2) has been evaluated scanty. Herein, we evaluated the impact of p,p'-DDE at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.125, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 µg/mL) on bone marrow-derived macrophages stimulated with IFNγ+LPS to M1 or with IL-4 +IL-13 to M2. Thus we study whether the p,p'-DDE induces M0 to a specific phenotype or modulates activation of the macrophage phenotypes and explains, at least partly, the reported effects of p,p'-DDE on the M1 function. The p,p'-DDE did not affect the cell viability of M0 or the macrophage phenotypes. In M1, the p,p'-DDE decreased NO•- production and IL-1ß secretion, but increasing cellular ROS and mitochondrial O2•-, but did not alter iNOS, TNF-α, MHCII, and CD86 protein expression nor affect M2 markers arginase activity, TGF-ß1, and CD206; p,p'-DDE, did not affect marker expression in M0 or M2, supporting that its effects on M1 parameters are not dependent on M0 nor M2 modulation. The decreasing of NO•- production by the p,p'-DDE without altering iNOS levels, Arginase activity, or TNF-α, but increasing cellular ROS and mitochondrial O2 suggests that p,p'-DDE interferes with the iNOS function but not with its transcription. The p,p'-DDE decreasing of IL-1ß secretion, without any effect on TNF-α, suggest that an alteration of specific targets involved in IL-1ß secretion may be affected and related to ROS induction. The p,p'-DDE effect on iNOS function and the IL-1ß secretion process, as the NLRP3 activation, deserves further study.

Low concentrations of lead disturb phenotypical markers of the inflammatory and the anti-inflammatory profile of bone marrow-derived macrophages from BALB/c mice.

Lead (Pb) is a ubiquitous toxic metal that decreases resistance to infections, in which the macrophages have an essential role. Pb adverse effects on nitric oxide (NO-) production and variable effects on inflammatory cytokines in activated macrophages have been reported, but no effects have been reported in anti-inflammatory macrophages. We studied Pb (0.03-6 µg/dL equivalent to 0.014-2.89 µM) effects on the function of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) induced to either inflammatory or anti-inflammatory phenotypes, with LPS + IFNγ or IL-4+IL-13, respectively, and whether these effects are related. Pb did not induce cytotoxicity at any concentration in both macrophage phenotypes. In inflammatory BMDM, Pb (6 µg/dL) inhibited NO- production without affecting inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels or basal arginase activity. At 3 and 6 µg/dL, Pb enhanced the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) membrane expression but did not modify CD86 expression, TNFα, or IL-1ß production and secretion. In anti-inflammatory BMDM, Pb did not alter arginase activity, but at 3 and 6 µg/dL, increased TGF-ß1 and mannose receptor expression. Results showed that environmentally relevant concentrations of Pb alter functional outcomes or phenotypic markers of anti-inflammatory for the first time. The Pb effects on the inflammatory macrophages are not dependent on negative feedback resulting from the Pb effect on the anti-inflammatory phenotype. The Pb affected only some molecules or specific pathways related to both phenotypes. These effects could be related to Pb effects on immune defense against intracellular pathogens and allergy susceptibility.

CYP1A1, GSTT1, IL-6 and IL-8 transcription and IL-6 secretion on umbilical endothelial cells from hypertensive pregnant women: Preliminary results.

The impact of pregnancy hypertension in the offspring endothelia remains unknown. We evaluated the transcriptional expression of four genes that participate in the process of endothelial dysfunction using umbilical vein endothelial cell cultures (HUVEC) from healthy pregnant women (PW) and those with hypertensive disorders (HD). The cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), gluthathione S-transferase subtype T1 (GSTT1), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8) mRNA and IL-6 protein levels were assessed. IL-6 and IL-8 transcripts were significantly reduced in HUVEC obtained from HD women. Our results suggest that a hypertensive environment in utero modifies the transcriptional expression of key inflammatory molecules in the newborn.

A glimpse into the genetic diversity of the Peruvian seafood sector: Unveiling species substitution, mislabeling and trade of threatened species.

Peru is one of the world's leading fishing nations and its seafood industry relies on the trade of a vast variety of aquatic resources, playing a key role in the country's socio-economic development. DNA barcoding has become of paramount importance for systematics, conservation, and seafood traceability, complementing or even surpassing conventional identification methods when target organisms show similar morphology during the early life stages, have recently diverged, or have undergone processing. Aiming to increase our knowledge of the species diversity available across the Peruvian supply chain (from fish landing sites to markets and restaurants), we applied full and mini-barcoding approaches targeting three mitochondrial genes (COI, 16S, and 12S) and the control region to identify samples purchased at retailers from six departments along the north-central Peruvian coast. DNA barcodes from 131 samples were assigned to 55 species (plus five genus-level taxa) comprising 47 families, 24 orders, and six classes including Actinopterygii (45.03%), Chondrichthyes (36.64%), Bivalvia (6.87%), Cephalopoda (6.11%), Malacostraca (3.82%), and Gastropoda (1.53%). The identified samples included commercially important pelagic (anchovy, bonito, dolphinfish) and demersal (hake, smooth-hound, Peruvian rock seabass, croaker) fish species. Our results unveiled the marketing of protected and threatened species such as whale shark, Atlantic white marlin, smooth hammerhead (some specimens collected during closed season), shortfin mako, and pelagic thresher sharks. A total of 35 samples (26.72%) were mislabeled, including tilapia labeled as wild marine fish, dolphinfish and hake labeled as grouper, and different shark species sold as "smooth-hounds". The present study highlights the necessity of implementing traceability and monitoring programs along the entire seafood supply chain using molecular tools to enhance sustainability efforts and ensure consumer choice.

Distention of the Immature Left Ventricle Triggers Development of Endocardial Fibroelastosis: An Animal Model of Endocardial Fibroelastosis Introducing Morphopathological Features of Evolving Fetal Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE), characterized by a diffuse endocardial thickening through collagen and elastin fibers, develops in the human fetal heart restricting growth of the left ventricle (LV). Recent advances in fetal imaging indicate that EFE development is directly associated with a distended, poorly contractile LV in evolving hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). In this study, we developed an animal model of EFE by introducing this human fetal LV morphopathology to an immature rat heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: A neonatal donor heart, in which aortic regurgitation (AR) was created, was heterotopically transplanted into a recipient adult rat. AR successfully induced the LV morphology of evolving HLHS in the transplanted donor hearts, which resulted in the development of significant EFE covering the entire LV cavity within two weeks postoperatively. In contrast, posttransplants with a competent aortic valve displayed unloaded LVs with a trace of EFE. CONCLUSIONS: We could show that distention of the immature LV in combination with stagnant flow triggers EFE development in this animal model. This model would serve as a robust tool to develop therapeutic strategies to treat EFE while providing insight into its pathogenesis.

[Surveillance cultures after high-level disinfection of flexible endoscopes in a general hospital]. / Evaluación microbiológica de la desinfección de alto nivel de los endoscopios flexibles en un hospital general.

INTRODUCTION: Flexible endoscopes are instruments with a complex structure which are used in invasive gastroenterological procedures, therefore high-level disinfection (HLD) is recommended as an appropriate reprocessing method. However, most hospitals do not perform a quality control to assess the compliance and results of the disinfection process. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of the flexible endoscopes’ decontamination after high-level disinfection by surveillance cultures and to assess the compliance with the reprocessing guidelines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study conducted in January 2013 in the Gastroenterological Unit of a tertiary hospital. 30 endoscopic procedures were randomly selected. Compliance with guidelines was evaluated and surveillance cultures for common bacteria were performed after the disinfection process. RESULTS: On the observational assessment, compliance with the guidelines was as follows: pre-cleaning 9 (30%), cleaning 5 (16.7%), rinse 3 (10%), first drying 30 (100%), disinfection 30 (100%), final rinse 0 (0%) and final drying 30 (100%), demonstrating that only 3 of 7 stages of the disinfection process were optimally performed. In the microbiological evaluation, 2 (6.7%) of the 30 procedures had a positive culture obtained from the surface of the endoscope. Furthermore, 1 (4.2%) of the 24 biopsy forcepsgave a positive culture. The organisms isolated were different Pseudomonas species. CONCLUSION: High-level disinfection procedures were not optimally performed, finding in 6.7% positive cultures of Pseudomonas species.

Evaluación microbiológica de la desinfección de alto nivel de los endoscopios flexibles en un hospital general / Surveillance cultures after high-level disinfection of flexible endoscopes in a general hospital

Introducción: Los endoscopios flexibles son instrumentos de estructura compleja utilizados en procedimientos invasivos de la vía digestiva por lo que se recomienda la desinfección de alto nivel como un método de reprocesamiento apropiado. Sin embargo, en la mayoría de hospitales no se ha realizado un control de calidad que evalúe el cumplimiento y resultado del proceso de desinfección. Objetivos: Comprobar la eficacia del proceso de descontaminación de los endoscopios a nivel microbiológico y evaluar el cumplimiento de las directrices de desinfección de alto nivel. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo realizado en enero del 2013 en el servicio de gastroenterología de un hospital de tercer nivel. Se seleccionaron 30 procedimientos endoscópicos aleatoriamente. Se observó el cumplimiento de las directrices y se realizaron cultivos para gérmenes comunes luego del proceso de desinfección. Resultados: En la evaluación observacional se determinó que el cumplimiento de las directrices fue: pre-limpieza 9 (30%), limpieza 5 (16,7%), enjuague 3 (10%), primer secado 30 (100%), desinfección 30 (100%), enjuague final 0 (0%) y secado final 30 (100%); cumpliéndose de manera óptima sólo 3 de las 7 etapas correspondientes al proceso de desinfección. En la evaluación microbiológica, 2 (6,7%) de los 30 procedimientos analizados tuvieron un cultivo positivo en la superficie del endoscopio. Además, 1 (4,2%) de las 24 pinzas evaluadas dio un cultivo positivo. Los microorganismos aislados fueron diferentes especies de Pseudomonas. Conclusión: Se determinó que los procedimientos de desinfección de alto nivel no se realizaron de manera óptima, hallando en un 6,7% cultivos positivos a Pseudomonas de diferentes especies.

Introduction: Flexible endoscopes are instruments with a complex structure which are used in invasive gastroenterological procedures, therefore high-level disinfection (HLD) is recommended as an appropriate reprocessing method. However, most hospitals do not perform a quality control to assess the compliance and results of the disinfection process. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the flexible endoscopes’ decontamination after high-level disinfection by surveillance cultures and to assess the compliance with the reprocessing guidelines. Material and methods: Descriptive study conducted in January 2013 in the Gastroenterological Unit of a tertiary hospital. 30 endoscopic procedures were randomly selected. Compliance with guidelines was evaluated and surveillance cultures for common bacteria were performed after the disinfection process. Results: On the observational assessment, compliance with the guidelines was as follows: pre-cleaning 9 (30%), cleaning 5 (16.7%), rinse 3 (10%), first drying 30 (100%), disinfection 30 (100%), final rinse 0 (0%) and final drying 30 (100%), demonstrating that only 3 of 7 stages of the disinfection process were optimally performed. In the microbiological evaluation, 2 (6.7%) of the 30 procedures had a positive culture obtained from the surface of the endoscope. Furthermore, 1 (4.2%) of the 24 biopsy forceps gave a positive culture. The organisms isolated were different Pseudomonas species. Conclusion: High-level disinfection procedures were not optimally performed, finding in 6.7% positive cultures of Pseudomonas species.