[LDH-neutrophil-lymphocyte index as a predictor of 28-day mortality in patients with COVID-19]. / Índice DHL-neutrófilos-linfocitos como predictor de mortalidad a 28 días en pacientes con COVID-19.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents the greatest health crisis of our times; it was declared by WHO a pandemic in March 2020. The risk of presenting a severe disease is inter-individual, since it varies according to age, comorbidities, and immunological status, in addition to the type of SARS-CoV-2 variant. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) are widely used markers to assess the severity and predict the course of the disease in patients with COVID-19, with a direct relationship of higher value-worse prognosis. Objective: To verify if the LDH-neutrophil-lymphocyte index calculated from laboratory tests taken within the first 24 hours of admission is useful as a predictor of 28-day mortality in adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Material and methods: Retrospective and analytical cohort study. All consecutive patients over 16 years of any gender, admitted to a tertiary care center from March 2020 to March 2021, who had a diagnosis of COVID-19 with a positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2, were included. Results: Higher levels of the LDHNL index were associated with higher mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 (Q2 vs. Q1: RR 1.52 [1.24-1.87], p < 0.05; Q3 vs. Q1: RR 1.87 [1.55-2.25], p < 0.05; and Q4 vs. Q1: RR 2.74 [2.22-3-39], p < 0.05). Conclusions: The serum LDHNL index taken in the first 24 hours of admission can help to predict early the risk of mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Introducción: la enfermedad por coronavirus del 2019 (COVID-19) es la mayor crisis sanitaria de nuestros tiempos; fue declarada pandemia por la OMS en marzo de 2020. El riesgo de presentar enfermedad grave es interindividual y varía según la edad, las comorbilidades, el estado inmunológico y la variante del virus. La relación neutrófilos/linfocitos (RNL) y la deshidrogenasa láctica (DHL) son marcadores muy utilizados para evaluar la gravedad y predecir el curso de la enfermedad en pacientes con COVID-19, con una relación directa de mayor valor-peor pronóstico. Objetivo: comprobar si el índice DHL-neutrófilos-linfocitos calculado con estudios de laboratorio tomados en las primeras 24 horas de ingreso a hospital es útil como predictor de mortalidad a 28 días en pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de COVID-19. Material y métodos: estudio de tipo cohorte retrospectivo y analítico. Se incluyeron consecutivamente todos los pacientes mayores de 16 años de cualquier género, ingresados en un hospital de tercer nivel de marzo de 2020 a marzo de 2021, los cuales presentaron diagnóstico de COVID-19 con PCR positiva de SARS-CoV-2. Resultados: los niveles más altos del índice DHLNL se asociaron con una mayor mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 (Q2 frente a Q1: RR 1.52 [1.24-1.87], p < 0.05; Q3 frente a Q1: RR 1.87 [1.55-2.25], p < 0.05; y Q4 frente a Q1: RR 2.74 [2.22-3-39], p < 0.05). Conclusiones: el índice DHLNL en suero tomado en las primeras 24 horas del ingreso puede ayudar a identificar de manera temprana entre los pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 a aquellos con mayor riesgo de mortalidad.

[Hipersensibility to red tattoo ink, review of a case]. / Hipersensibilidad a tinta roja de tatuaje, revisión a propósito de un caso.

Introduction: The hypersensitivity reaction associated with tattoo ink and its management represent a growing challenge, despite having precedents in diagnostic and treatment experience in other reports or case series in recent decades, no one has been found homogeneous offer that is effective and safe. Therefore, a review is presented with what has been described in pathophysiological theories, as well as therapeutic proposals and the response found in related cases that have been reported to date. Clinical case: 30-year-old male, with dermatosis located on the right upper extremity, affecting the inner side of the forearm and the outer side of the arm, unilateral, asymmetric, monomorphic in appearance, made up of an artificial macula, caused by red ink (tattoo), with development of papular-like lesions in original trace, pruritic, referred evolution time of one month. Tattoo completion time of 5 and 2 years on the outer side of the right arm and inner side of the ipsilateral forearm, respectively. Conclusions: According to antecedents in other reports and case series, including the experience of our patient, there is no proven efficacy with the use of topical immunomodulators, in turn, patients who shows complete improvement until the elimination of the allergen, either from excisional or laser.

Introducción: la reacción de hipersensibilidad asociada a tinta de tatuaje y su manejo representan un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico, ya que no se ha realizado una guía de manejo homogénea, eficaz y segura. Por lo que se presenta una revisión con lo que se ha descrito en teorías fisiopatológicas, así como las propuestas terapéuticas y la respuesta encontrada en los casos relacionados que se han reportado. Caso clínico: paciente hombre de 30 años que inicia con dermatosis localizada en extremidad superior derecha, unilateral, asimétrica, de aspecto monomorfo, constituida por mácula artificial, provocada por tinta roja (tatuaje), con desarrollo de lesiones de aspecto papular en trazo original, pruriginosa, tiempo de evolución referido de un mes. El hallazgo histopatológico corresponde a reacción de cuerpo extraño con respuesta parcial a esteroide tópico de baja potencia. Conclusiones: según antecedentes en otros reportes y series de casos, incluyendo la experiencia con nuestro paciente, no existe una eficacia aplicable para la mayoría de los pacientes con el uso de inmunomodulares tópicos, ya que muestran mejoría completa hasta la eliminación del hapteno, ya sea de forma escicional o con láser.

Enhanced optimization-based method for the generation of patient-specific models of Purkinje networks.

Cardiac Purkinje networks are a fundamental part of the conduction system and are known to initiate a variety of cardiac arrhythmias. However, patient-specific modeling of Purkinje networks remains a challenge due to their high morphological complexity. This work presents a novel method based on optimization principles for the generation of Purkinje networks that combines geometric and activation accuracy in branch size, bifurcation angles, and Purkinje-ventricular-junction activation times. Three biventricular meshes with increasing levels of complexity are used to evaluate the performance of our approach. Purkinje-tissue coupled monodomain simulations are executed to evaluate the generated networks in a realistic scenario using the most recent Purkinje/ventricular human cellular models and physiological values for the Purkinje-ventricular-junction characteristic delay. The results demonstrate that the new method can generate patient-specific Purkinje networks with controlled morphological metrics and specified local activation times at the Purkinje-ventricular junctions.

[Sodium-chlorine difference as a prognostic predictor in adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19]. / Diferencia sodio-cloro como predictor pronóstico en pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de COVID-19.

Background: Hyperchloremia has been associated with a greater presence of morbidity and mortality, mainly described in critically ill patients, this may be relative and absolute, which could be reflected in the sodium-chloride difference. Objective: The primary objective was to determine whether the sodium-chloride difference <31 mEq/L measured 24-48 hours after admission is a predictor of 28-day mortality in patients with COVID-19, and as secondary objectives to identify whether it is associated with higher requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation, presence of acute kidney injury and longer hospital stay. Material and methods: Retrospective, descriptive and analytical longitudinal cohort study, was done including all consecutive patients older than 16 years of any gender, admitted to the UMAE from March 1, 2020 to March 2021, which present a diagnosis of COVID-19 with RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 positive. Results: A total of 722 patients were included, the difference sodium-chloride < 31 mEq/L is not associated with an increased risk of death at 28 days (p = 1.172, OR: 1.35; 95%CI, 0.87-2.08) or requirement of mechanical ventilation (p = 0.47, OR: 1.19; 95%CI, 0.76-1.86), but is associated with a higher risk of AKI (p < 0.05, OR: 2.04; 95%CI, 1.33- 3.14) and longer hospital stay (p < 0.05). Conclusions: the sodium-chloride difference < 31 mEq/L in the first hours of admission is associated with a higher risk of presenting acute kidney injury during hospital stay in patients with COVID-19, as well as a longer hospital stay.

Introducción: la hipercloremia se ha asociado a mayor presencia de morbimortalidad principalmente en pacientes críticos, pudiendo esta ser relativa y absoluta, la cual se puede reflejar por medio de la diferencia sodio menos cloro. Objetivo: el objetivo primario fue determinar si la diferencia sodio menos cloro < 31 mEq/L medida a las 24-48 horas de ingreso es predictor de mortalidad a 28 días en pacientes con COVID-19, y como objetivos secundarios identificar si se asocia a mayor requerimiento de ventilación mecánica invasiva, presencia de lesión renal aguda y mayor estancia hospitalaria. Material y métodos: estudio de tipo cohorte longitudinal retrospectivo, descriptivo y analítico, se incluyeron todos los pacientes blanco de manera consecutiva mayores de 16 años de cualquier género, ingresados en la UMAE No. 1 del Bajío de marzo del 2020 a marzo 2021, los cuales presentan diagnóstico de COVID-19 con PCR para el ARN de Sars-Cov2 positiva. Resultados: se incluyeron en total 722 pacientes, la diferencia sodio menos cloro < 31 mEq/L no se asocia a incremento del riesgo de muerte a 28 días (p = 1.172, OR: 1.35; IC95%: 0.87-2.08) ni requerimiento de ventilación mecánica (p = 0.47, OR: 1.19; IC95%: 0.76-1.86), pero sí a mayor riesgo de presentación de LRA (p < 0.05, OR: 2.04; IC95%: 1.33- 3.14) y mayor estancia hospitalaria (p < 0.05). Conclusiones: la diferencia sodio menos cloro < 31 mEq/L en las primeras horas del ingreso se asocia a mayor riesgo de presentar lesión renal aguda durante la estancia hospitalaria en pacientes con la COVID-19, así como mayor tiempo de estancia hospitalaria.

In vitro Anticancer Activity of the Polar Fraction From the Lophocereus schottii Ethanolic Extract.

Cancer is an increasingly common disease and is considered one of the main causes of death in the world. Lophocereus schottii (L. schottii) is a cactus used in Mexico in traditional medicine for cancer treatment. This study aimed to determine the effect of the ethanolic extract and the polar and nonpolar fractions of L. schottii in murine L5178Y lymphoma cells in vitro, analyzing their effect on the proliferative activity of splenocytes, and establishing the effective concentration 50 (EC50) of the polar fraction. In addition, the secondary metabolites present in the extracts were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). The study establishes that the three extracts of L. schottii have a cytotoxic effect on L5178Y cells and on the splenocytes stimulated with ConA. Additionally, the polar fraction has a significantly greater effect being three times more effective than cyclophosphamide on inhibiting the viability of L5178Y cells. Secondary metabolites present are mainly flavonoids and alkaloids, but there are also some terpenoids and sterols. Ultimately, polar fraction can be considered an anticancer substance, since its EC50 of 15 µg/mL is within the parameters established by the National Cancer Institute.

Patrones clínicos e histopatológicos de dermatosis en pacientes con infección por COVID-19 en la Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad del Bajío, IMSS-T1, de León, Guanajuato / Clinical and histopathological patterns of dermatosis in COVID-19 positive patients treated in the Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad del Bajío, IMSS-T1, de León, Guanajuato

INTRODUCCIÓN: La enfermedad COVID-19, además de presentar síntomas respiratorios, puede afectar otros órganos como la piel. Al momento, se han descrito cinco variantes clínicas de manifestaciones cutáneas por COVID-19. Pocos reportes abordan el tema de la gravedad de las dermatosis cutáneas de COVID-19 y el pronóstico. OBJETIVO: Describir patrones clínicos e histológicos de dermatosis en pacientes con COVID-19. Pacientes y MÉTODOS: Es una cohorte para pacientes del IMSS-T1 en León, Guanajuato, México, entre septiembre 2020 y enero 2021. Identificamos pacientes con dermatosis asociada a COVID-19 desde su ingreso hospitalario y aquellos que la desarrollaron durante su estancia. Se les invitó a participar para evaluación clínica y toma de biopsia que fueron descritas por un patólogo experto. RESULTADOS: La frecuencia de las dermatosis por COVID-19 fue de 15,7%. Los que desarrollaron las lesiones durante su estancia hospitalaria presentaron mayor morbi-mortalidad (p = 0,001). Las lesiones vaso-oclusivas fueron las más diagnosticadas y asociadas con mayor mortalidad (p = 0,003). Histológicamente el hallazgo más común fue trombosis superficial y profunda (58%). CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes que desarrollaron las lesiones durante su hospitalización y aquellos con lesiones vaso-oclusivas tuvieron la mayor morbi-mortalidad. Las lesiones vaso-oclusivas pueden ser un factor de mal pronóstico en pacientes con COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 disease, besides presenting respiratory manifestations, can affect other organs such as kidneys, gastrointestinal system, heart, and skin. So far, five clinical variants of dermatoses have been described. Few reports discuss the severity associated with the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 and the prognosis. AIM: To describe the clinical and histopathological patterns of dermatoses in patients with COVID-19 infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study conducted in patients admitted to "IMSS T1" in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico from September 2020 to January 2021. We identified those with COVID-19 dermatosis from the moment they were admitted; and those who developed them during hospitalization. Patients were invited to participate for a clinical evaluation and biopsy. The biopsies were described by an expert pathologist. RESULTS: The frequency of dermatological lesions was 15.7%. Those who developed dermatosis during their hospital stay presented higher mortality (p = 0.001) and severity of COVID-19 (p = 0.001) Vasoocclusive lesions were the most frequent in the hospital setting, and were associated to higher mortality (p = 0.003). The most frequent histopathological feature was superficial and deep thrombosis (58%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who developed dermatologic lesions during hospitalization and those with vaso-occlusive dermatoses had higher morbi-mortality. Vaso-occlusive lesions could be considered as a poor prognostic factor.

Clinical and neurodevelopmental outcomes based on brain imaging studies in a Colombian cohort of children with probable antenatal Zika virus exposure.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to describe the neuroimaging and clinical evaluations of children with antenatal Zika-virus (ZIKV) exposure. METHODS: The Colombian National Institute of Health performed serial clinical evaluations of children with probable antenatal ZIKV exposure (i.e., born to ZIKV symptomatic mothers or born with birth defects compatible with ZIKV infection, regardless of laboratory results) over 2 years that included head circumference (HC), eye examination, and neurodevelopmental assessments. Clinical neuroimaging studies (head computed tomography and/or brain magnetic resonance imaging) were analyzed for abnormalities, two-dimensional measurements were made of the right and left frontal and occipital cortical thickness. Two abnormal patterns were defined: Pattern 1 (sum of four areas of cortex <6 cm) and Pattern 2 (sum of four areas of cortex ≥6 cm and < 10 cm). RESULTS: Thirty-one children had a neuroimaging study; in 24, cortical thickness was measured. The median age at the first visit was 8 (range: 6-9) months and 22 (range: 19-42) months at the last evaluation. In the 24 cases with cortical measurements, three were normal, 12 were in Pattern 1, and nine were in Pattern 2. Children within Pattern 1 had lower mean HC at birth and in follow-up (both p < .05) and a higher frequency of structural eye abnormalities (p < .01). A trend towards poorer neuromotor development was seen in Pattern 1, although not statistically significant (p = .06). CONCLUSION: Brain imaging classification based on cortical measurements correlate with ophthalmologic abnormalities and HC. Cortical thickness may be a marker for clinical outcomes in children with congenital ZIKV infection.

[Clinical and histopathological patterns of dermatosis in COVID-19 positive patients treated in the Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad del Bajío, IMSS-T1, de León, Guanajuato]. / Patrones clínicos e histopatológicos de dermatosis en pacientes con infección por COVID-19 en la Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad del Bajío, IMSS-T1, de León, Guanajuato.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 disease, besides presenting respiratory manifestations, can affect other organs such as kidneys, gastrointestinal system, heart, and skin. So far, five clinical variants of dermatoses have been described. Few reports discuss the severity associated with the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 and the prognosis. AIM: To describe the clinical and histopathological patterns of dermatoses in patients with COVID-19 infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study conducted in patients admitted to "IMSS T1" in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico from September 2020 to January 2021. We identified those with COVID-19 dermatosis from the moment they were admitted; and those who developed them during hospitalization. Patients were invited to participate for a clinical evaluation and biopsy. The biopsies were described by an expert pathologist. RESULTS: The frequency of dermatological lesions was 15.7%. Those who developed dermatosis during their hospital stay presented higher mortality (p = 0.001) and severity of COVID-19 (p = 0.001) Vasoocclusive lesions were the most frequent in the hospital setting, and were associated to higher mortality (p = 0.003). The most frequent histopathological feature was superficial and deep thrombosis (58%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who developed dermatologic lesions during hospitalization and those with vaso-occlusive dermatoses had higher morbi-mortality. Vaso-occlusive lesions could be considered as a poor prognostic factor.

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy for disentangling structural and motional features of lyophilized ripened cheese water-soluble extracts related to antimicrobial activity.

Present work comprises the use of different solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance strategies for characterizing structural and motional aspects of the peptide matrix that compose a set of four lyophilized Mexican cheese aqueous soluble extracts, each with a controlled ripening. Heteronuclear dipolar coupling modulation schemes allowed to characterize local mobility and structural homogeneity of cheeses' peptide segments in the solid-state as a function of ripening. Results suggest that ripened samples with certain local flexibility but important structural homogeneity present efficient microbial inhibition against tested bacterial strains, whilst high local rigidity of peptides within ripened cheese soluble fractions could partially explain the observed lack of antimicrobial activity. The present study attempts to propose novel observables for lyophilized cheese water soluble extracts that could be partially associated to their ripening-dependent antimicrobial activities, whereas said observables shall contribute to the better targeting, design and optimization of solid-state natural food bio-preservatives.

Erythropoiesis and Red Cell Indices Undergo Adjustments during Pregnancy in Response to Maternal Body Size but not Inflammation.

During human pregnancy, iron requirements gradually increase, leading to higher amounts of erythropoietin (EPO) and reticulocytes, and changes in erythrocyte size and density. Women with pregestational obesity experience "obesity hypoferremia" during pregnancy, which alters iron homeostasis. In this study we aimed to describe the relationship between EPO and iron nutrition status during nonanemic pregnancy, and to explore whether obesity and inflammation influence erythropoiesis and red cell indices. We conducted a secondary analysis of a cohort followed throughout pregnancy. Participants were nonanemic women assigned to two study groups based on pregestational body mass index (pgBMI): adequate weight (AW, n = 53) or obesity (Ob, n = 40). All received a multivitamin supplement. At gestational ages (GA) 13, 21, 28 and 34, we measured hemoglobin and red cell indices with an ACT-5DIFF hematology counter, and reticulocyte percentage by manual cell counting. EPO, interleukin (IL-6) and markers of iron status, i.e., hepcidin, serum transferrin receptor (sTfr) and ferritin, were measured by ELISA. Bivariate correlations showed that EPO was positively associated with pgBMI, GA, sTfr and IL-6, but negatively associated with hepcidin, ferritin and hemoglobin, and unrelated to iron intake. Generalized linear models adjusted for confounding factors showed that EPO and erythrocyte concentrations were significantly higher in women in the Ob group, while mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and red cell distribution width (RDW) were lower; reticulocytes and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were not different. Differences were not altered when controlling for inflammation (IL-6). These changes suggest that, in addition to altering iron metabolism, a larger maternal body size during pregnancy results in higher erythropoiesis without increasing hemoglobin, which is exhibited in the latter being distributed among more and smaller erythrocytes.

An ultrasensitive Cystatin C renal failure immunosensor based on a PPy/CNT electrochemical capacitor grafted on interdigitated electrode.

An interdigitated immunosensor for Cystatin C detection based on polypyrrole/carbon nanotube electrochemical capacitor is described. Cystatin C (CysC) is powerful biomarker for early acute renal failure and one predictive for cardiovascular risk, sepsis, cancer and death. Recently, electrochemical immunosensors based on interdigitated electrodes (IDE) have been successfully focused on development of point-of-care testing, due to their miniaturization facilities and higher sensitivity as compared with the screen-printed electrochemical sensing. Herein, a polypyrrole/carbon nanotube nanoyhibrid film was grafted on two gold fingers by electropolymerization obtaining a supercapacitor. Anti-CysC antibodies were immobilized on the IDE by covalent entrapment via ethylenediamine bifunctional agent, followed by glycine blocking in acid and alkaline medium. Under low frequency, capacitive effect of antigen-antibody interaction were observed by double layer capacitance, and analytical responses of this IDE immunosensor to CysC serum were obtained by changes on phase angle a linear range up to 300 ng/mL. The cutoff was calculated for serum samples showing a total reducing of non-specific binding at approximately 28 ng/mL CysC. This immunosensor based on interdigitated electrode (IDE) is a potential tools as portable device,with possibility to use as a practical and rapid test for CysC diagnostic in samples of serum.

High intensity ultrasound treatment of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) protein: Effect on surface properties, foaming ability and structural changes.

Response surface methodology was used for establishing the amplitude (72.67%) and time (17.29 min) high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) conditions leading to an optimized faba bean protein isolate (OFPI) with lower interfacial tension, zeta potential and viscosity, and higher solubility than native faba bean protein isolate (NFPI). OFPI showed significantly higher adsorption dynamics at the air-water interface, and produced foam with significant smaller bubble diameter, higher overrun, stability and yield stress, and lower liquid drainage than NFPI. Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed that the secondary structure of OFPI deferred from NFPI in terms of increases in ß conformations (6.61% ß-sheet, 19.6% ß-turn, 0.8% anti-parallel ß-sheet) and decreases in inter-molecular aggregates (43.54%). Multienzyme study pinpointed that the structural changes could have induced a decrease on the relative protein digestibility of OFPI respect that of NFPI. The results of this work demonstrate that HIUS technology improves the surface and foaming properties of faba bean protein isolate, which may favour the revalorisation of this crop.

Estimating Contraceptive Needs and Increasing Access to Contraception in Response to the Zika Virus Disease Outbreak--Puerto Rico, 2016.

Zika virus is a flavivirus transmitted primarily by Aedes species mosquitoes. Increasing evidence links Zika virus infection during pregnancy to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, including pregnancy loss, intrauterine growth restriction, eye defects, congenital brain abnormalities, and other fetal abnormalities. The virus has also been determined to be sexually transmitted. Because of the potential risks associated with Zika virus infection during pregnancy, CDC has recommended that health care providers discuss prevention of unintended pregnancy with women and couples who reside in areas of active Zika virus transmission and do not want to become pregnant. However, limitations in access to contraception in some of these areas might affect the ability to prevent an unintended pregnancy. As of March 16, 2016, the highest number of Zika virus disease cases in the United States and U.S. territories were reported from Puerto Rico. The number of cases will likely rise with increasing mosquito activity in affected areas, resulting in increased risk for transmission to pregnant women. High rates of unintended and adolescent pregnancies in Puerto Rico suggest that, in the context of this outbreak, access to contraception might need to be improved. CDC estimates that 138,000 women of reproductive age (aged 15-44 years) in Puerto Rico do not desire pregnancy and are not using one of the most effective or moderately effective contraceptive methods, and therefore might experience an unintended pregnancy. CDC and other federal and local partners are seeking to expand access to contraception for these persons. Such efforts have the potential to increase contraceptive access and use, reduce unintended pregnancies, and lead to fewer adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes associated with Zika virus infection during pregnancy. The assessment of challenges and resources related to contraceptive access in Puerto Rico might be a useful model for other areas with active transmission of Zika virus.

An ultrasensitive human cardiac troponin T graphene screen-printed electrode based on electropolymerized-molecularly imprinted conducting polymer.

A nano-molecularly imprinted polymer (N-MIP) assembled on a screen-printed electrode for the cardiac troponin T (cTnT) was developed. The biomimetic surface was obtained by a co-polymer matrix assembled on the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) electrode surface. The cTnT active sites were engineered using pyrrole and carboxylated pyrrole that was one-step electropolymerized jointly with cTnT by cyclic voltammetry. The stepwise preparation of the biomimetic surface was characterized by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetries using the ferrocyanide/ferricyanide as redox probe. Structural and morphological characterization was also performed. The optimal relation of pyrrole and pyrrole-3-acid carboxylic to perform the cTnT biomimetic nanosurface was obtained at 1:5 ratio. The analytical performance of cTnT N-MIP performed by differential pulse voltammetry showed a linear range from 0.01 to 0.1 ngmL(-1) (r=0.995, p«0.01), with a very low limit of detection (0.006 ngmL(-1)). The synergic effect of conductive polymer and graphene forming 3D structures of reactive sites resulted in a N-MIP with excellent affinity to cTnT binding (KD=7.3 10(-13) molL(-1)). The N-MIP proposed is based on a simple method of antibody obtaining with a large potential for point-of-care testing applications.

Tuberculosis vertebral / Spinal tuberculosis

Introducción: la tuberculosis es una enfermedad infecciosa. Es una importante causa de incapacidad y muerte en muchas zonas del mundo. Además de la localización pulmonar, que es la más frecuente, puede ocurrir una diseminación del bacilo hacia otros órganos, dando lugar a la llamada tuberculosis extrapulmonar, que puede afectar cualquier órgano o tejido, incluyendo la columna vertebral. Caso clínico: se presenta un caso con tuberculosis vertebral en un paciente de una institución cerrada de la ciudad de Pinar del Río; este debutó inicialmente con síntomas respiratorios y toma del estado general. Se le realizó una tomografía axial computarizada de mediastino que mostró lesiones óseas a nivel vertebral. El tratamiento actual resultó favorable. Conclusiones: la forma clínica extrapulmonar es de presentación menos frecuente, sin embargo, su diagnóstico es de mucha importancia en este grupo poblacional muy vulnerable.

Introduction: tuberculosis is an infectious disease. It is a major cause of disability and death in many parts of the world. Pulmonary location is the most common, where a dissemination of the bacillus may occur and infect other organs and tissues, leading to extrapulmonary tuberculosis, including the spine. Clinical case: the case of a patient admitted in a closed-treatment unit in Pinar del Río city presented vertebral extrapulmonary tuberculosis, who initially presented respiratory symptoms and poor general status. A computed tomography [CT] of the mediastinum showed osseous lesions at vertebral level. Current treatment provided a favorable improvement. Conclusions: extrapulmonary clinical presentation is less common; however, its diagnosis is very important for this very vulnerable population group.

Evaluación del Programa de Tuberculosis en instituciones cerradas / Evaluation of the Tuberculosis Program in closed institutions

Introducción: las evaluaciones son vitales para el éxito de cualquier programa al medir y analizar el cumplimiento de los objetivos trazados. La más utilizada se basa en la evaluación de los tres componentes: estructura, proceso y resultados. Objetivo: evaluar el programa nacional de control de la tuberculosis en instituciones cerradas de Pinar del Río. Material y método: se realizó una investigación evaluativa, con un diseño de estudio descriptivo retrospectivo. Se definieron criterios y variables, escala de clasificación, descripción operacional con indicadores y estándares en los tres componentes del programa. La información se obtuvo de registros estadísticos, historias y cuadro epidemiológico. Se realizó la evaluación de los indicadores, comparando el resultado obtenido con los estándares establecidos en el programa nacional de control de la tuberculosis del Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba y otros fijados por las instituciones cerradas de salud, otorgándoles las categorías de bien, regular o mal. Resultados: se identificó la adecuada cobertura, capacitación de recursos humanos, materiales y el control de calidad en el componente de estructura, interrupciones en el tratamiento de quimioprofilaxis de los contactos, diagnósticos tardíos y realizados en la atención secundaria de salud en el componente de proceso, media de edad de 36 años, incremento en la incidencia y predominio en la institución cerrada provincial como los principales del componente de resultados. Conclusiones: el programa se evaluó de regular. La investigación permitió identificar brechas existentes en las acciones de prevención y control realizadas, aportando evidencias objetivas y científicas del funcionamiento del mismo, útiles en la toma de decisiones.

Introduction: assessments are vital to the success of any program to measure and analyze the fulfillment of the objectives. The most commonly used is based on the evaluation of three components: structure, process and results. Objective: to evaluate the national program for tuberculosis control in closed institutions of Pinar del Río. Material and method: an evaluative research was conducted with a retrospective study design. Criteria and variables, rating scale, operational description indicators and standards in the three components of the program were defined. The information was obtained from statistical records, histories and epidemiological picture. The evaluation of indicators was conducted by comparing the results obtained with the standards established in the national program for tuberculosis control of the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba and other closed institutions set by health, giving the categories of good, fair or wrong. Results: adequate coverage, training of human resources, materials and quality control in the component structure, treatment interruptions chemoprophylaxis of contacts made in late diagnosis and secondary health care in the process component identified , average age 36, increased incidence and prevalence in the provincial closed institution as the main component results. Conclusions: the program is evaluated regularly. The research identified gaps in the prevention and control actions carried out by providing objective and scientific operation thereof, useful in decision making evidence.

Efectividad y seguridad de la cefotaxima para el tratamiento de niños con meningitis bacteriana aguda / Effectiveness and safety of cefotaxime for the treatment of children with acute bacterial meningitis

Introducción: la cefotaxima es una opción para el tratamiento de la meningitis bacteriana aguda asociada a la comunidad. Esta evaluación tecnológica se desarrolló en el marco de la actualización integral del Plan Obligatorio de Salud para el año 2015. Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad y seguridad de la cefotaxima como terapia empírica de primera línea en monoterapia y en combinación con ampicilina o vancomicina, comparada con ceftriaxona, ampicilina más cefepime, ampicilina más cloranfenicol, ampicilina más gentamicina y ceftriaxona más vancomicina, para meningitis bacteriana aguda asociada a la comunidad en niños. Metodología: la evaluación fue realizada de acuerdo con un protocolo definido a priori por el grupo desarrollador. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects y LILACS, sin restricciones de idioma y limitada a revisiones sistemáticas publicadas en los últimos cinco años. Las búsquedas en bases de datos fueron hechas en noviembre de 2014 y se complementaron mediante búsqueda manual en bola de nieve y una consulta con expertos temáticos. La tamización de referencias se realizó por dos revisores de forma independiente y los desacuerdos fueron resueltos por consenso. La selección de estudios fue realizada mediante la revisión en texto completo de las referencias preseleccionadas, verificando los criterios de elegibilidad. Se incluyeron revisiones sistemáticas de ensayos clínicos, su calidad fue valorada con la herramienta AMSTAR. Las características de las revisiones fueron extraídas a partir de las publicaciones originales. Se realizó una síntesis narrativa de las estimaciones del efecto para las comparaciones y desenlaces de interés a partir de los estudios de mejor calidad con AMSTAR. Los meta-análisis se realizaron con el método de Mantel-Haenszel y un modelo de efectos fijos, en el programa RevMan 5.2. Resultados: se seleccionó una revisión sistemática que incluyó 19 ensayos clínicos (1496 pacientes), cuatro de estos ensayos (266 pacientes) fueron relevantes para la pregunta abordada por la presente evaluación. La cefotaxima como monoterapia comparada con ceftriaxona presentó una mayor positividad del cultivo del líquido cefalorraquídeo, para esta misma comparación, la evidencia sobre la mortalidad fue escasa. La cefotaxima en monoterapia comparada con ampicilina-cloranfenicol no presentó una diferencia estadísticamente significativa sobre la mortalidad y se asoció con una reducción estadísticamente significativa de la positividad del cultivo de líquido cefalorraquídeo. La cefotaxima en monoterapia no presentó diferencias estadísticamente significativas frente a la combinación de ampicilina más cloranfenicol o gentamicina para los desenlaces mortalidad, sordera y positividad del cultivo de líquido cefalorraquídeo. La cefotaxima en monoterapia comparada con ceftriaxona se asoció con una reducción estadísticamente significativa en la frecuencia de diarrea, para esta misma comparación, no se presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas respecto a otros eventos adversos. No se presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto a la incidencia de eventos adversos (diarrea, neutropenia y rash en piel) de cefotaxima en monoterapia comparada con ampicilina más cloranfenicol o gentamicina. Conclusiones: el desempeño global de la cefotaxima como monoterapia empírica de primera línea para niños con meningitis bacteriana aguda asociada a la comunidad, muestra que en la mayoría de los desenlaces de efectividad y seguridad los efectos con la cefotaxima son similares frente a sus comparadores. Estas conclusiones se basan en los hallazgos de una revisión sistemática de alta calidad.(AU)

Efectividad y seguridad de Risperidona comparada con Haloperidol, Olanzapina, Clozapina, Quetiapina, Aripiprazol, Clonidina, Placebo en personas con diagnóstico de trastorno del espectro autista - TEA / Effectiveness and Safety of Risperidone compared to Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Clozapine, Quetiapine, Aripiprazole, Clonidine, Placebo in People with Autism Spectrum Disorder - ASD

Introducción: Los trastornos del espectro autista (TEA) son un grupo de discapacidades del desarrollo, de características crónicas y que afectan de manera distinta a cada paciente. Los TEA se definen como una disfunción neurológica crónica con fuerte base genética que desde edades tempranas se manifiesta en una serie de síntomas basados en la tríada de Wing que incluye: la comunicación, flexibilidad e imaginación e interacción social. No existe tratamiento curativo para el TEA, las terapias están dirigidas al control de los síntomas. Debido a la heterogeneidad de los síntomas, las terapias deben adaptarse al caso individual del paciente. Las intervenciones para los pacientes con diagnóstico de TEA pueden incluir educación, terapia conductual, o manejo farmacológico. Objetivo: realizar una revisión, apreciación crítica y síntesis de la evidencia disponible sobre la efectividad y seguridad de la risperidona para el tratamiento de personas con diagnóstico de trastorno del espectro autista. Metodología: la evaluación fue realizada de acuerdo con un protocolo definido a priori por el grupo desarrollador. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, LILACS y Google, sin restricciones de idioma, fecha de publicación y tipo de estudio. Las búsquedas electrónicas fueron hechas en octubre de 2014 y se complementaron mediante búsqueda manual en bola de nieve y una consulta con expertos temáticos. La tamización de referencias se realizó por dos revisores de forma independiente y los desacuerdos fueron resueltos por consenso. La selección de estudios fue realizada mediante la revisión en texto completo de las referencias preseleccionadas, verificando los criterios de elegibilidad predefinidos. Las características y hallazgos de los estudios fueron extraídos a partir de las publicaciones originales. Resultados: Se identificó evidencia proveniente de 4 revisiones sistemáticas de moderada y alta calidad, que compraban risperidona con placebo, se encontró que risperidona fue superior a placebo en los desenlaces de impresión global de salud, irritabilidad, hiperactividad, estereotipias. Conclusiones: La risperidona comparada con placebo sugiere efectividad en relación a mejoría de síntomas como irritabilidad, hiperactividad y estereotipias, así como, de la impresión clínica global. No se puede establecer con la evidencia actual el perfil de seguridad de la risperidona, solo se evidenció que los pacientes que reciben risperidona tienen mayor riesgo de aumento de peso y de presentar síndrome de extrapiramidalismo.

Síndrome ictiosiforme: hiperqueratosis lineal en escolar / Ichthyosiform syndrome: linear hyperkeratosis in schooler

Se presenta el caso clínico de una escolar de 8 años de edad, femenina, con hiperqueratosis lineal. La paciente acude a la consulta de Dermatología por presentar lesiones en la piel de las manos, desde el nacimiento, en forma de pliegues engrosada, bilateral, áspera, de forma lineal, de color normal y hace 1 año se oscurecen y modifica por el ejercicio físico violento. El caso se presenta por ser esta genodermatosis poco frecuente en la especialidad de Pediatría y Dermatología (AU)

It is reported the case of an 8-year-old female schooler with linear hyperkeratosis. The patient went to the Dermatology Consultation because she presented lesions in the skin of the hands, from birth, in the form of thickened folds, bilateral, rough, in a linear form, normal color and since 1 year ago they darken and modify by violent physical exercise. The case is presented for being this genodermatosis unusual in the specialty of Pediatrics and Dermatology (AU)

Purification and partial biochemical characterization of a membrane-bound type II-like α-glucosidase from the yeast morphotype of Sporothrix schenckii.

The early steps of glycoprotein biosynthesis involve processing of the N-glycan core by endoplasmic reticulum α-glucosidases I and II which sequentially trim the outermost α1,2-linked and the two more internal α1,3-linked glucose units, respectively. We have demonstrated the presence of some components of the enzymic machinery required for glycoprotein synthesis in Sporothrix schenckii, the etiological agent of human and animal sporotrichosis. However, information on this process is still very limited. Here, a distribution analysis of α-glucosidase revealed that 38 and 50% of total enzyme activity were present in a soluble and in a mixed membrane fraction, respectively. From the latter, the enzyme was solubilized, purified to apparent homogeneity and biochemically characterized. Analysis of the enzyme by denaturing electrophoresis and size exclusion chromatography revealed molecular masses of 75.4 and 152.7 kDa, respectively, suggesting a homodimeric structure. Purified α-glucosidase cleaved the fluorogenic substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-α-D: -glucopyranoside with high affinity as judged from K(m) and V(max) values of 0.3 µM and 250 nmol of MU/min/mg protein, respectively. Analysis of linkage specificity using a number of glucose α-disaccharides as substrates demonstrated a clear preference of the enzyme for nigerose, an α1,3-linked disaccharide, over other substrates such as kojibiose (α1,2), trehalose (α1,1) and isomaltose (α1,6). Use of selective inhibitors of processing α-glucosidases such as 1-deoxynojirimycin, castanospermine and australine provided further evidence of the possible type of α-glucosidase. Accordingly, 1-deoxynojirimycin, a more specific inhibitor of α-glucosidase II than I, was a stronger inhibitor of hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl-α-D: -glucopyranoside and nigerose than castanospermine, a preferential inhibitor of α-glucosidase I. Inhibition of hydrolysis of kojibiose and maltose by 1-deoxynojirimycin and castanoespermine was significantly lower than that of nigerose. Taken together, these properties are consistent with a type II-like α-glucosidase probably involved in N-glycan processing. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such an activity in a truly dimorphic fungus.