Ozone as an alternative decontamination process for N95 facemask and biosafety gowns.

COVID-19 pandemic created a global shortage of medical protective equipment. Here, we considered ozone (O3) a disinfectant alternative due to its potent oxidative activity against biological macromolecules. The O3 decontamination assays were done using SARS-CoV-2 obtained from patients to produce artificial contamination of N95 masks and biosecurity gowns. The quantification of SARS-CoV-2 was performed before and after exposing the samples to different ozone gas concentrations for times between 5 and 30 min. Viral loads as a function of the O3 exposure time were estimated from the data obtained by the RT-PCR technique. The genetic material of the virus was no longer detected for any tested concentrations after 15 min of O3 exposure, which means a disinfection Concentration-Time above 144 ppm min. Vibrational spectroscopies were used to follow the modifications of the polymeric fibers after the O3 treatment. The results indicate that the N95 masks could be safely reused after decontamination with treatments of 15 min at the established O3 doses for a maximum of 6 cycles.

Epidemiological behavior and current forecast of syphilis in Mexico: increase in male population.

OBJECTIVES: Even when new cases of syphilis are notifiable since 1944, the Mexican National Epidemiological Surveillance System lacks information on the changes of the rate of case reports considering the geographic and demographic variables. Therefore, it is necessary to have evidence, with particular attention to the study of the epidemiological behavior by the identification of risk factors and groups. The objective of this study was to analyze the epidemiology, geographical distribution, and forecast of syphilis in Mexico. STUDY DESIGN: The design of the study was a secondary research of epidemiological databases. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the national surveillance data (2007-2017) of acquired and congenital syphilis (CS) issued by the General Directorate of Epidemiology was performed. RESULTS: Of all cases, 34,998 and 1030 cases were reported for acquired syphilis (AS) and CS , respectively, reflecting an increasing trend in the whole country for both diseases. Cases and incidence of AS per year showed that, male gender presented an increase in reproductive age. Distribution of the rate of case reports is mostly commanded by the states in the extreme north (Gulf of California and northern Gulf of Mexico) and south (Gulf of southern Mexico and the Caribbean Sea). Likewise, the Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average model was selected as the best-fit model for the forecast analysis. This model was used to forecast AS cases during 2018-2019. AS may have a slight fluctuation (on the rise) during the following 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the importance of intensifying, as well as expanding screening and treatment in adult population, including men, who are not routinely benefiting from maternal and reproductive service-based syphilis screening and treatment.

[The use of biological markers in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with multiple sclerosis. Test of five fluids]. / Utilidad de los marcadores biológicos en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de los pacientes con esclerosis múltiple. Test de los cinco humores.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied five biological fluids which were easily accessible to immunological examination (cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, tears, saliva and urine) in 25 patients with multiple sclerosis, clinically definite according to the criteria of Cleveland, Ohio (1991) and tabulated according to the Kurztke's expanded disability status scale. The samples were obtained simultaneously during a clinical bout of the disease before any pharmacological or immunosuppressive treatment had been given. RESULTS: The soluble interleukin-2 levels were significantly raised in at least three of these fluids--always absent from the urine--when compared with normal controls. The sensitivity and specificity of this determination for diagnosis of the condition was greater than that of other immunochemical parameters--oligoclonal distribution of immunoglobulins (specifically of IgG), imbalance of the light Kappa and Lambda chains--and physiological studies (evoked potentials). The dosification and quantification of basic myelin protein of the central nervous system, rich in citruline in the urine, may be a parameter of progressiveness. CONCLUSION: This methodology (five humours test) may be used to establish an earlier, more certain diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and also monitor its biological activity together with nuclear magnetic resonance with intravenous contrast.

Test de los cinco humores / The use of biological markers in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with multiple sclerosis. Test of the five humours

Pacientes y métodos. Se estudiaron cinco fluidos biológicos de fácil acceso a la exploración inmune (líquido cefalorraquídeo, suero, lágrimas, saliva y orina) en 25 pacientes con esclerosis múltiple clínicamente definida, de acuerdo con los criterios de Cleveland, Ohio (1991), y tabulados según la escala del estado de incapacidad ampliada de Kurtzke. Las muestras se obtuvieron simultáneamente durante un brote de la enfermedad y previo a todo tratamiento farmacológico e inmunosupresor. Resultados. El nivel de receptor soluble de interleucina-2 se encontró significativamente aumentado en, por lo menos, tres de estos fluidos -ausente siempre en la orina- en comparación con el de los controles normales. La sensibilidad y especificidad de su determinación para el diagnóstico de la afección fue mayor que la de otros parámetros inmunoquímicos -distribución oligoclonal de inmunoglobulinas (específicamente de IgG), desequilibrio de cadenas livianas kappa y lambda- y estudios electrofisiológicos (potenciales evocados). La dosificación y cuantificación de proteína básica de mielina del sistema nervioso central, rica en citrulina en orina, puede ser un parámetro de progresividad. Conclusión. Esta metodología (test de los cinco humores) podría utilizarse para establecer un diagnóstico más certero y precoz de la esclerosis múltiple así como también para monitorizar su actividad biológica junto con la resonancia magnética nuclear con contraste intravenoso (AU)