The Puerto Rico Young Adults' Stress, Contextual, Behavioral & Cardiometabolic Risk (PR-OUTLOOK) Study: Design and Methods.

The Puerto Rico (PR) Young Adults' Stress, Contextual, Behavioral & Cardiometabolic Risk Study (PR-OUTLOOK) is investigating overall and component-specific cardiovascular health (CVH) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a sample of young (age 18-29) Puerto Rican adults in PR (target n=3,000) and examining relationships between individual-, family/social- and neighborhood-level stress and resilience factors and CVH and CVD risk factors. The study is conducting standardized measurements of CVH and CVD risk factors and demographic, behavioral, psychosocial, neighborhood, and contextual variables and establishing a biorepository of blood, saliva, urine, stool, and hair samples. The assessment methods are aligned with other National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute funded studies: the Puerto Rico Observational Study of Psychosocial, Environmental, and Chronic Disease Trends (PROSPECT) of adults 30-75 years, the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS), and the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA). PR-OUTLOOK data and its biorepository will facilitate future longitudinal studies of the temporality of associations between stress and resilient factors and CVH and CVD risk factors among young Puerto Ricans, with remarkable potential for advancing the scientific understanding of these conditions in a high-risk but understudied young population.

Contact lenses and ocular dysbiosis, from the transitory to the pathological.

Normal ocular microbiota is composed of different Gram-negative and positive bacterial communities that act as commensals on the ocular surface. An imbalance in the homeostasis of the native species or dysbiosis triggers functional alterations that can eventually lead to ocular conditions, indicating the use of contact lenses as the most relevant predisposing factor. Through a bibliographic review that added scientific articles published between 2018 and 2022, the relationship between healthy ocular microbiota and dysbiosis associated with the use of contact lenses that trigger ocular conditions was analyzed. The ocular microbiota in healthy individuals is mainly composed of bacteria from the phyla: Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. These bacterial communities associated with the use of contact lenses develop dysbiosis, observing an increase in certain genera such as Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp., which under normal conditions are commensals of the ocular surface, but as their abundance is increased, they condition the appearance of various ocular conditions such as corneal infiltrative events, bacterial keratitis and corneal ulcer. These pathologies tend to evolve rapidly, which, added to late detection and treatment, can lead to a poor visual prognosis. It is suggested that professionals in the ophthalmology area learn about the composition of the communities of microorganisms that make up this ocular microbiota, in order to correctly distinguish and identify the causative agent, thereby providing a adequate and effective treatment to the user.

Glycemia and associated factors in a pediatric population in Mexico.

Aims: In this study, we evaluated the association of sociodemographic, lifestyle and cardiometabolic factors with blood glucose levels in children and adolescents in Mexico. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study of 642 children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years from different educational centers located in municipalities of the state of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, was carried out. Pearson χ2 and Spearman correlation tests and multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the associations of the variables with glycemia. Results: The prevalence of prediabetes was 8.0% in both sexes. Male participants were more likely to develop hyperglycemia than female participants (OR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.5-5.0). The variables associated with glucose levels were male sex, high socioeconomic status, inadequate diet, high blood pressure, and increased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, which also explained up to 15.6% (p < 0.05) of the variability in glucose concentrations. Conclusion: The detection of sociodemographic, lifestyle and cardiometabolic factors in children and adolescents will contribute to the implementation of prevention strategies for cardiometabolic diseases, among which prediabetes is common.

Uricaemia and associated health determinants in a paediatric population in Mexico.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Uric acid (UA) is a product of the catabolism of purines, and its increase in blood may be related to the development of cardiometabolic diseases. Whether UA is the result or causal determinant of the appearance of risk factors for cardiometabolic disease is not yet known. UA levels among the young student population in San Luis Potosi have increased in recent years, which may be indicative of a serious future public health concern. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the association of sociodemographic, lifestyle and cardiometabolic determinants with UA levels in children and adolescents in San Luis Potosí. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 730 students (54.1% female and 45.9% male, 6-19 years old) participated in the study. The subjects attended one of five public schools located in San Luis Potosí. Venous blood samples were collected, blood serum was separated by centrifugation, and UA concentrations were measured with an automated analytical platform. UA was associated with most of the independent variables studied. It presented a positive correlation with body mass index (r = 0.363, p < 0.01). Male sex, socioeconomic status, total screen time, exercise, adequate sleep, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol explained 23%-39% (p < 0.001) of the variability of plasma concentrations of UA in children and adolescents. CONCLUSION: Early detection of these determinants will prevent future diseases. Moreover, it will help with the implementation of preventive strategies that could improve the health of this population.

Indicaciones de rehabilitación respiratoria en niños y adolescentes con enfermedades respiratorias crónicas / Indications for respiratory rehabilitation in children and adolescents with chronic respiratory diseases

Resumen El aumento de la expectativa de vida de niños y adolescentes con enfermedades respiratorias crónicas ha llevado a implementar estrategias como la rehabilitación respiratoria (RR). El presente artículo profundiza en las distintas indicaciones de la RR en distintos niveles de atención médica, distinto grado de dependencias tecnológicas y diversas patologías como: Fibrosis Quística, Bronquiolitis Obliterante, Enfermedades Neuromusculares, anomalías de caja torácica y escoliosis.

The increase in the life expectancy of children and adolescents with chronic respiratory diseases has led to implement strategies such as respiratory rehabilitation (RR). This article delves into the different indications of RR at different levels of medical care, different level of technological dependencies and different pathologies such as: Cystic Fibrosis, Bronchiolitis Obliterans, Neuromuscular Diseases, Rib cage abnormalities and Scoliosis.

Bacterial eye infections associated with sexual transmission infections: A review.

The objective of this work was to collect updated information on Treponema pallidum, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, causing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and etiological agents of eye infections, to provide relevant information on this public health problem. For this, a bibliographic review was carried out using different electronic databases such as: PubMed central, google academic, Lilacs, Scopus, Science Direct and Scielo, between March 2009 and August 2019. According to the WHO, more than a million people a day contract a sexually transmitted infection. For T. pallidum, a global prevalence of 0.5% is estimated for both men and women. It is a causative agent of syphilis and ocular syphilis, which manifests as uveitis. Overall, a prevalence of 2.8% in men and 3.8% in women for C. trachomatis is estimated. It is associated with oculo-genital disease, which includes STIs, inclusion conjunctivitis in adults and neonatal ophthalmia. Among its complications is trachoma, which is the leading cause of infectious blindness worldwide. Regarding N. gonorrhoeae, it has a global selection of 0.9% and 0.7% in women and men, respectively. It manifests with gonococcal conjunctivitis and neonatal ophthalmia. We can conclude that the information that relates T. pallidum, C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae with their ocular compromise problems is insufficient, and even more so if we seek to find them related to each other, which makes it difficult to access data of clinical utility for visual health.

Uso de concentrados de fibrinógeno para el tratamiento de la hipofibrinogenemia adquirida / Use of Fibrinogen Concentrates for the Treatment of Acquired Hypofibrinogenemia

Resumen Introducción: Un adecuado manejo del sangrado debe incluir la correcta valoración y eventual reposición de fibrinógeno. Las fuentes tradicionales de este elemento hemostático incluyen el plasma fresco congelado y los crioprecipitados. Los concentrados liofilizados de fibrinógeno humano (CFH) son una alternativa terapéutica novedosa en el mercado chileno. Objetivo: Este estudio describe el curso clínico de los primeros pacientes en nuestra institución requirentes de CFH, dentro de un algoritmo de reposición hemostática por metas. Materiales y Método: Serie de pacientes con hipofibrinogenemia secundaria a sangrado perioperatorio severo, en los que se utilizó CFH como método de reposición de fibrinógeno. Se utilizó tromboelastometría para definir dosis. Se registraron variables demográficas, operatorias, complicaciones y seguimiento hasta los 3 meses. Resultados: Se utilizaron CFH en 18 pacientes. La mediana de edad fue 40,7 (56,5-63) años y dos tercios de los pacientes fueron de sexo masculino. Fallecieron 5 pacientes de la serie. Todos los pacientes requirieron manejo posoperatorio en una unidad de cuidados intensivos. Ocho pacientes fueron sometidos a cirugía cardiaca. El uso de hemocomponentes y concentrados liofilizados fue heterogéneo, pero en todos los casos su uso fue determinado por tromboelastometría. Ningún paciente fue reintervenido a causa de sangrado posoperatorio. Conclusión: El uso de concentrados de fibrinógeno humano dentro de un algoritmo de manejo de sangrado guiado por tromboelastometría, es un recurso hemostático factible en la realidad nacional. El impacto clínico de esta intervención requiere una subsiguiente evaluación basada en la evidencia.

Introduction: An adequate bleeding management should include a proper assessment of fibrinogen values and consequent replacement. Traditional sources for this hemostatic element include fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitates. Lyophilized human fibrinogen concentrates are a novel therapeutic alternative for the chilean market. Aim: This study aims to describe the clinical course of the first patients in our institution receiving fibrinogen concentrates, included in a goal directed hemostatic management algorithm. Materials and Method: Case series of patients with hypofibrinogenemia secondary to severe perioperative bleeding, in which fibrinogen concentrate was used for fibrinogen replacement. Thromboelastometry was used to define dose regimens. Demographic and surgical variables, complications and follow-up up to 3 months were registered. Results: Fibrinogen concentrate was used in 18 patients. Median age was 40.7 (56.5-63) years, and two thirds of the patients were male. Five patients died. All of the cases required postoperative intensive care. Eight patients underwent cardiac surgery. There was a heterogenic use of blood derived products and lyophilized concentrates, but in all cases its use was guided by thromboelastometry. No patients needed a secondary exploration due to bleeding. Conclusion: The use of human fibrinogen concentrate included in a bleeding management algorithm is a feasible hemostatic resource in the chilean current situation. The clinical impact of this intervention requires further evidence-based evaluation.

Fricke gel xylenol orange dosimeter layers for stereotactic radiosurgery: A preliminary approach.

Investigations regarding the feasibility, reliability, and accuracy of Fricke gel dosimeter layers for stereotactic radiosurgery are presented. A representative radiosurgery plan consisting of two targets has been investigated. Absorbed dose distributions measured using radiochromic films and gelatin Fricke Gel dosimetry in layers have been compared with dose distributions calculated by using a treatment planning system and Monte Carlo simulations. The different dose distributions have been compared by means of the gamma index demonstrating that gelatin Fricke gel dosimeter layers showed agreements of 100%, 100%, and 93%, with dose and distance tolerances of 2% and 2 mm, with respect to film dosimetry, treatment planning system and Monte Carlo simulations, respectively. The capability of the developed system for three-dimensional dose mapping was shown, obtaining promising results when compared with well-established dosimetry methods. The obtained results support the viability of Fricke gel dosimeter layers analyzed by optical methods for stereotactic radiosurgery.

EEG-Based BCI Emotion Recognition: A Survey.

Affecting computing is an artificial intelligence area of study that recognizes, interprets, processes, and simulates human affects. The user's emotional states can be sensed through electroencephalography (EEG)-based Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) devices. Research in emotion recognition using these tools is a rapidly growing field with multiple inter-disciplinary applications. This article performs a survey of the pertinent scientific literature from 2015 to 2020. It presents trends and a comparative analysis of algorithm applications in new implementations from a computer science perspective. Our survey gives an overview of datasets, emotion elicitation methods, feature extraction and selection, classification algorithms, and performance evaluation. Lastly, we provide insights for future developments.

Injuria miocárdica luego de cirugía no cardíaca / Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery

Resumen Las complicaciones cardiovasculares mayores en el postoperatorio son frecuentes y el principal factor contribuyente es la injuria miocárdica o infarto (MINS, Myocardial Injury after Noncardiac Surgery) asociado a cirugía no cardíaca. El riesgo de mortalidad a 30 días de los pacientes con injuria miocárdica es 4-5 veces mayor que los pacientes que no lo presentan. Se estima que 85% de los pacientes con MINS no presentan síntomas, por lo que la única manera de detectarlos es mediante screening sistemático de troponinas. Si bien no existen intervenciones de aplicación sistemática que permitan prevenir esta complicación, existen alternativas de tratamiento y manejo, por lo que la pesquisa activa es costo-efectiva y relevante desde el punto de visto clínico.

Major cardiovascular complications in the postoperative period are frequent and the main contributing factor is myocardial injury or infarction (MINS, Myocardial Injury after Noncardiac Surgery) associated with non-cardiac surgery. The 30-day mortality risk in patients with myocardial injury is 4-5 times higher than in patients without this complication. It is estimated that 85% of patients with MINS/infarction are asymptomatic, hence the only way to detect them is through systematic screening of troponins. Although there are no systematic interventions to prevent this complication, there are treatment and management alternatives, so the active early diagnosis is cost effective and relevant from a clinical point of view.

Lost in Translation: Sesgos y la información en la pandemia de COVID-19 / Lost in Translation: Biases and information in the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has produced an endless stream of information in relation to data, analysis and projections of all aspects of this disease. One of the characteristics of scientific information is that it is full of uncertainties, which are not correctly disclosed to the general population. In this essay, we describe the main cognitive biases that cause people to modify their perception of risk, where the most important are memory, novelty, and emotionality or affection. In addition, we review frequent errors that have been made in terms of collection, dissemination and analysis of information by scientific communicators, experts in other areas and the media in general. Ideally, these biases and confounders should be known to all who participate in the flow of information on the health problems of this pandemic, in order to integrate the uncertainty inherent in the data and the critical analysis of the information received.

La pandemia COVID-19 ha producido un caudal interminable de información en relación a datos, análisis y proyecciones de todos los aspectos de esta enfermedad. Una de las características de la información científica es que está llena de incertidumbres, las que no se divulgan correctamente a la población general. En este ensayo, hacemos una descripción de los principales sesgos cognitivos que hacen que las personas modifiquen su percepción de riesgo donde los más importantes son el de memoria, de novedad y emocionalidad o afecto. Además, revisamos errores frecuentes que se pueden cometer en términos de recolección, difusión y análisis de la información de parte de comunicadores científicos, expertos en otras áreas y medios de comunicación en general. Idealmente, estos sesgos y confundentes deben ser conocidos por todos los que participan en el flujo de información de los problemas de salud de esta pandemia, de manera de poder integrar la incertidumbre inherente a los datos y el análisis crítico de la información que se recibe.

Morphometric characteristics of the optical disc and thickness of retinal nerve fibre layer using Cirrus 5000 optical coherence tomography in healthy patients attending the National Institute of Ophthalmology. / Características morfométricas de disco óptico y espesor de capa de fibras nerviosas de la retina mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica Cirrus 5000 en pacientes sanos atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Oftalmología.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the morphometric characteristics and thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer (CFNR) in healthy patients using optical coherence tomography. METHODS: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted on a total of 184 eyes of 184 people of mestizo origin enrolled after a complete ophthalmological evaluation at the National Institute of Ophthalmology, Lima-Peru. The morphometric parameters of the optic disc and thickness of the CFNR were measured by optical coherence tomography ZEISS CIRRUS™ HD-OCT Model 5000 (Carl Zeiss Inc., Dublin, CA, EE.UU). Megalopapilla was defined as: area of the optical disc greater than 2.5 mm2 and area greater than the mean plus 2 standard deviations. RESULTS: The areas obtained were: optical disc of 2.21±0.43mm2, neuroretinal ring of 1.37±0.25mm2, 0.84±0.48mm2 cup; mean cup/disc ratio of 0.58±0.16, vertical cup/disc ratio of 0.55±0.15, and a CFNR thickness of 100.30±8.54µm. The prevalence of megalopapilla, being considered as a disc area greater than 2.5mm2 and 3.07, was 24% and 4%, respectively. When comparing megalopapilla with normal discs, the area of the ring (P=.08) and thickness of CFNR (P=.73) did not show statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: The mean disc area was 2.21±0.43mm2 with a CFNR thickness of 100.30±8.54µm. The prevalence of megalopapilla was 24% and 4%, considering a disc area greater than 2.5 mm2 and 3.07 mm2, respectively. These results show that the megalopapilla and normal discs are similar in terms of ring area and CFNR thickness.

Ocular demodicosis: A review. / Demodicosis ocular: una revisión.

Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis are ectoparasites that inhabit the skin of humans. They have been related to alterations in the ocular surface, such as, dysfunction of Meibomian glands, blepharitis, chalazion, etc. Ocular demodicosis is characterised by the pathognomonic presence of cylindrical dandruff at the base of the eyelashes, and various symptoms including, among others, itching, lacrimation, and hyperaemia. A bibliographic review was carried out on the role of Demodex spp. in ocular disease, including publications made by the scientific society between 2005 and 2018. A significant relationship was found between prevalence and incidence of Demodex spp. in eye diseases. D. folliculorum is usually found more frequently than D. brevis in ocular infestation, with the prevalence or incidence of infestation by both species increasing with the age of the patient. In patients with blepharitis or other infectious diseases of the ocular surface, unresolved with antibacterial treatment, the search for Demodex spp. should be considered.

The role of intragestational ghrelin on postnatal development and reproductive programming in mice

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intragestational role of ghrelin in offspring development and reproductive programming in a mouse model of ghrelin imbalance during pregnancy. Female mice were injected with ghrelin (supraphysiological levels: 4 nmol/animal/day), antagonist (endogenous ghrelin inhibition with (D-Lys3)GHRP-6, 6 nmol/animal/day) or vehicle (control = normal ghrelin levels) throughout the pregnancy. Parameters evaluated in litters were growth, physical, neurobiological and sexual development and, at adulthood, reproductive function. Litter size and initial weight did not vary between treatments. Male pups from dams treated with ghrelin showed higher body weight increase until adulthood (31.7 ± 0.8 vs control = 29.7 ± 0.7, n = 11­14 litters/treatment; P < 0.05). Postnatal physical and neurobiological development was not modified by treatments. The antagonist accelerated male puberty onset, evidenced as earlier testis descent and increased relative testicular weight (antagonist = 0.5 ± 0.0% vs ghrelin = 0.4 ± 0.0% and control = 0.4 ± 0.0%, n = 5­10 litters/treatment; P < 0.05). At adulthood, these males exhibited lower relative testicular weight and reduced sperm motility (63.9 ± 3.6% vs control = 70.9 ± 3.3 and ghrelin = 75.6 ± 3.0, n = 13­15 animals; P < 0.05), without changes in plasma testosterone or fertility. Female pups intragestationally exposed to the antagonist showed earlier vaginal opening (statistically significant only at Day 25) and higher ovarian volume (antagonist = 1085.7 ± 64.0 mm3 vs ghrelin = 663.3 ± 102.8 mm3 and control = 512.3 ± 116.4 mm3; n = 4­6 animals/treatment; P < 0.05), indicating earlier sexual maturation. At adulthood, these females and those exposed to ghrelin showed a tendency to higher percentages of embryo loss and/or foetal atrophy. In conclusion, ghrelin participates in reproductive foetal programming: alterations in ghrelin activity during pregnancy modified body weight increase and anticipated puberty onset, exerting (or tending to) negative effects on adult reproductive function.

PAHs contamination in edible gastropods from north Patagonian harbor areas.

PAHs are persistent pollutants released into the environment by fossil fuels burning and leak during petroleum operations. Associated with suspended particles upon entering marine ecosystem are accumulated by benthic fauna. Human exposure occurs mainly from ingestion such as gastropods consumption. The objective was to determine PAHs in sediments and in the marine gastropod Buccinanops globulosus in sites with different maritime and urban influences. In sampling sites located 20 km from the harbor, PAHs were non-detected; while in harbor gastropods, the level of PAH4 was exceeded according to international normative. Level of dibenzo[a,h]anthracene in sediments was between the ISQG and PEL. Since these are the first results of PAHs in edible gastropods in South America, we concluded that PAHs can be dangerous for consumers according to ingestion frequency. Integrative studies are necessary to evaluate the interaction among pollutants in maritime areas and the incidence in human health due to shellfish consumption.

Histatins, wound healing, and cell migration.

Wounds in the oral mucosa heal faster and more efficiently than those in the skin, although the mechanisms underlying these differences are not completely clear. In the last 10 years, a group of salivary peptides, the histatins, has gained attention on behalf of their ability to improve several phases of the wound-healing process. In addition to their roles as anti-microbial agents and in enamel maintenance, histatins elicit other biological effects, namely by promoting the migration of different cell types contained in the oral mucosa and in non-oral tissues. Histatins, and specifically histatin-1, promote cell adhesion and migration in oral keratinocytes, gingival and dermal fibroblasts, non-oral epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. This is particularly relevant, as histatin-1 promotes the re-epithelialization phase and the angiogenic responses by increasing epithelial and endothelial cell migration. Although the molecular mechanisms associated with histatin-dependent cell migration remain poorly understood, recent studies have pointed to the control of signaling endosomes and the balance of small GTPases. This review aimed to update the literature on the effects of histatins in cell migration, with a focus on wound healing. We will also discuss the consequences that this increasing field will have in disease and therapy design.

DETECCIÓN DE Leptospira spp. PATÓGENAS EN TEJIDO RENAL DE RATÓN CASERO (Mus musculus) EN SINCELEJO, COLOMBIA / DETECTION OF PATHOGENIC Leptospira spp IN HOUSE MOUSE (Mus musculus) KIDNEY TISSUE IN SINCELEJO, COLOMBIA

La leptospirosis es una enfermedad zoonótica de distribución mundial, con mayor frecuencia en los países tropicales. Algunos roedores, y entre ellos Mus musculus o ratón casero, son portadores crónicos asintomáticos de Leptospira spp. patógenas, debido a que alojan la bacteria en sus riñones y la diseminan al ambiente a través de la orina. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo detectar molecularmente Leptospira spp. patógenas en riñones extraídos de M. musculus en el municipio de Sincelejo (Sucre, Colombia). La captura de los roedores se realizó en el área urbana del municipio; se instalaron trampas tipo Sherman® intra y peridomicilio en el segundo periodo de 2010 y el primero de 2011 por un lapso de 14 y 15 horas. Durante la necropsia se retiró los riñones de los individuos para la extracción de ADN y análisis de PCR para la amplificación del segmento génico de 423pb entre las posiciones 270 y 692 de la región codificante LipL32. Se capturaron 154 individuos, de los cuales 5 fueron positivos para Leptospira spp. patógenas. El análisis de correspondencias mostró que los ratones positivos se encuentran mayoritariamente en la comuna 2, seguido por la comuna 4 del municipio. El estudio sugiere que el saneamiento básico establece ambientes propicios para que se presente el proceso epidemiológico de la bacteria, y se demuestra la circulación de Leptospira spp. patógenas en M. musculus en el municipio de Sincelejo. Por lo que se infiere que la infestación de roedores en la zona de estudio es fuente potencial de transmisión de Leptospiras patógenas para el ser humano, que es susceptible a todas las especies patógenas del género.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution with more frequency in tropical countries. Some rodents and among them the Mus musculus or house mouse are asymptomatic chronic carriers of pathogenic Leptospira spp because they have them in their kidneys and spread it to the environment through the urine. This study aimed to detect Leptospira spp molecularly in kidneys removed from M. musculus in the municipality of Sincelejo (Sucre, Colombia). The capture of rodents was conducted in the urban area of the city: intra and peridomiciliar Sherman® traps were installed in the second quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 for 14 to 15 hours. During the necropsy the kidneys of individuals were removed for DNA extraction and PCR analysis for the amplification of the 423 pb gene segment between positions 270 and 692 of the coding region LipL32. A total of 154 individuals were captured, of which five were positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. The correlation analysis showed that mice are mostly positive in commune 2, followed by commune 4 in the municipality. The study suggests that basic sanitation establishes favorable environments for the epidemiological process of the bacteria and the circulation of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in M. musculus is demonstrated in the municipality of Sincelejo. It is inferred that rodent infestation in the studied area is a potential source for the transmission of pathogenic Leptospira spp. to human beings, which is susceptible to all pathogenic species of the genus.

Fertilization defects in sperm from Cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (Crisp2) knockout mice: implications for fertility disorders.

STUDY HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesize that fertility disorders in patients with aberrant expression of Cysteine-RIch Secretory Protein 2 (CRISP2) could be linked to the proposed functional role of this protein in fertilization. STUDY FINDING: Our in vivo and in vitro observations reveal that Crisp2-knockout mice exhibit significant defects in fertility-associated parameters under demanding conditions, as well as deficiencies in sperm fertilizing ability, hyperactivation development and intracellular Ca(2+) regulation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Testicular CRISP2 is present in mature sperm and has been proposed to participate in gamete fusion in both humans and rodents. Interestingly, evidence in humans shows that aberrant expression of CRISP2 is associated with male infertility. STUDY DESIGN, SAMPLES/MATERIALS, METHODS: A mouse line carrying a deletion in the sixth exon of the Crisp2 gene was generated. The analyses of the reproductive phenotype of Crisp2(-/-) adult males included the evaluation of their fertility before and after being subjected to unilateral vasectomy, in vivo fertilization rates obtained after mating with either estrus or superovulated females, in vitro sperm fertilizing ability and different sperm functional parameters associated with capacitation such as tyrosine phosphorylation (by western blot), acrosome reaction (by Coomassie Blue staining), hyperactivation (by computer-assisted sperm analysis) and intracellular Ca(2+) levels (by flow cytometry). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Crisp2(-/-) males presented normal fertility and in vivo fertilization rates when mated with estrus females. However, the mutant mice showed clear defects in those reproductive parameters compared with controls under more demanding conditions, i.e. when subjected to unilateral vasectomy to reduce the number of ejaculated sperm (n = 5; P< 0.05), or when mated with hormone-treated females containing a high number of eggs in the ampulla (n ≥ 5; P< 0.01). In vitro fertilization studies revealed that Crisp2(-/-) sperm exhibited deficiencies to penetrate the egg vestments (i.e. cumulus oophorus and zona pellucida) and to fuse with the egg (n ≥ 6; P< 0.01). Consistent with this, Crisp2-null sperm showed lower levels of hyperactivation (n = 7; P< 0.05), a vigorous motility required for penetration of the egg coats, as well as a dysregulation in intracellular Ca(2+) levels associated with capacitation (n = 5; P< 0.001). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The analysis of the possible mechanisms involved in fertility disorders in men with abnormal expression of CRISP2 was carried out in Crisp2 knockout mice due to the ethical and technical problems inherent to the use of human gametes for fertilization studies. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our findings in mice showing that Crisp2(-/-) males exhibit fertility and fertilization defects under demanding conditions support fertilization defects in sperm as a mechanism underlying infertility in men with aberrant expression of CRISP2. Moreover, our observations in mice resemble the situation in humans where fertility disorders can or cannot be detected depending on the accumulation of own individual defects or the fertility status of the partner. Finally, the fact that reproductive defects in mice are masked by conventional mating highlights the need of using different experimental approaches to analyze male fertility. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS: This study was supported by the World Health Organization (H9/TSA/037), the National Research Council of Argentina (PIP 2009-290), the National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion of Argentina (PICT 2011, 2023) and the Rene Baron Foundation to P.S.C. and by the MEXT of Japan to M.I. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Detection and phylogenetic analysis of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in Chile.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) is the etiological agent of a highly contagious disease that is endemic to salmon farming in Chile and causes great economic losses to the industry. Here we compared different diagnostic methods to detect IPNV in field samples, including 3 real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assays, cell culture isolation, and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Additionally, we performed a phylogenetic analysis to investigate the genogroups prevailing in Chile, as well as their geographic distribution and virulence. The 3 qRT-PCR assays used primers that targeted regions of the VP2 and VP1 genes of the virus and were tested in 46 samples, presenting a fair agreement within their results. All samples were positive for at least 2 of the qRT-PCR assays, 29 were positive for cell culture, and 23 for IFAT, showing less sensitivity for these latter 2 methods. For the phylogenetic analysis, portions of 1180 and 523 bp of the VP2 region of segment A were amplified by RT-PCR, sequenced and compared with sequences from reference strains and from isolates reported by previous studies carried out in Chile. Most of the sequenced isolates belonged to genogroup 5 (European origin), and 5 were classified within genogroup 1 (American origin). Chilean isolates formed clusters within each of the genogroups found, evidencing a clear differentiation from the reference strains. To our knowledge, this is the most extensive study completed for IPNV in Chile, covering isolates from sea- and freshwater salmon farms and showing a high prevalence of this virus in the country.