Analysis of the Population Dynamics of Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci [Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae]) Under Greenhouse Conditions.

Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) represent an insect pest in horticulture. It serves as a vector for transmitting phytopathogens that inhibit the correct development of plants, affecting crop performance. In this research, whitefly population model was proposed to provide a tool that predicts the pest spread within a crop under greenhouse conditions. The analysis, calibration, and validation of the models, based on logistic functions, were implemented for the three stages (egg, nymph, and adult) of the life cycle of this organism. Temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), initial population (number/cm2), and Growing Degree-Day (GDD) were considered as input variables to describe each development stage. The statistical analysis for the model validation included the coefficient of determination (R2), the percentage standard error of prediction (%SEP), the average relative variance (AVR), and the efficiency coefficient (E). The first period for calibration consisted of 43 d (204.3 GDD), and the second period for validation consisted of 36 d (171.1 GDD). The model efficiently predicts the population growth for the egg, nymph, and adult stages since the values of R2 were 0.9856, 0.9918, and 0.9436, and the values of %SEP were 12.4, 11.9, and 75.1% for the egg, nymph, and adult stages, respectively. Moreover, the validation model obtained an R2 of 0.9287 for the egg stage, 0.9645 for the nymph stage, and 0.9884 for the adult stage. Meanwhile, the values of %SEP were 10.38, 16.89, and 32.59% for the egg, nymph, and adult stages, respectively. In both cases, the values suggest an adequate fit for the model.

The BDNF rs7934165 polymorphism is a biomarker of central obesity and cardiometabolic risk in Mexican women.

OBJECTIVE: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a cornerstone in the hypothalamic regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. Polymorphisms in the BDNF gene may thus contribute to obesity traits. The aim of this investigation was to analyze the association of rs6265 and rs7934165 BDNF polymorphisms in women from Northeast Mexico classified as obese or overweight using their BMI and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 296 women were enrolled and further divided into normal weight and obese overweight groups according to their BMI status and WHtR classifications, which were low and high at < 0.50 and ≥ 0.50, respectively. Genotyping of BDNF rs6265 and rs7934165 polymorphisms was performed using a TaqMan assay. Distinct anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary parameters were obtained and used as covariates in the statistical analyses. RESULTS: The rs6265-G allele and its homozygote state (GG) were the most prominent without statistically significant differences between groups (p = 0.412). The study of rs7934165 with BMI showed marginal associations. Moreover, the rs7934165-AA genotype was more frequent among individuals with a high WHtR than those with a low WHtR (43.4 vs. 25.2%, p = 0.01). This association was maintained after adjustments for age and caloric intake through logistic regression analysis (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.15-4.18, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that the BDNF-rs7934165-AA genotype is associated with a higher WHtR which is related to central obesity and its comorbidities. This suggests that this SNP could act as a potential biomarker for central obesity and cardiometabolic risk.

Ocular Emergencies in Children: Demographics, Origin, Symptoms, and Most Frequent Diagnoses.

PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiology of ocular emergencies in children in a hospital-based emergency room (ER). METHODS: The medical reports of all children, 14 years of age and younger, who attended La Paz University Hospital (Madrid, Spain) ER from September 2015 to August 2016 were prospectively collected. Demographic data, origin, symptom for consultation, diagnostic tests, final diagnosis, and final referral of patients were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 774 children were attended: 57% boys and 43% girls. Mean age was 5 years (SD 4.10 years, range 0-14 years) without significant differences between sexes. Most children went to the ER because parents or teachers took the decision (75%), 24% were referred from the paediatric ER for evaluation, and 0.78% were referred from another hospital or by an out-clinic ophthalmologist. The reasons for consultation were red eyes (61%), traumatism (17%), referred from the paediatrician to have the fundus explored in children with headache (7%), eyelids problems (7%), and visual loss (7%). The most frequent diagnoses were infectious conjunctivitis (29%), corneal erosion (17%), normal examination (15%), and allergic conjunctivitis (13%). The most severe cases (visual loss, acute strabismus, and leucocoria) were referred by the paediatricians and represented 4.65% of the total patients. Visits occurred more frequently during the third trimester of the year (July-September), with a higher incidence of eye trauma in summer. CONCLUSIONS: Infectious conjunctivitis was the most frequent pathology. It is necessary to increase public awareness about the symptoms, the way of transmission, and treatment. Ocular trauma was also a common cause of presentation and the majority were contusional and mild. There is also a need for education of parents, teachers, and coaches regarding the potential for eye injuries. Ophthalmologists and paediatricians must take an active role in educating people about the prophylactic measures to prevent eye injuries in children.

Macular ganglion cell complex thinning in children with visual field defects due to central nervous system pathology.

PURPOSE: To study the relationship between macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness and visual field defects (VFD) caused by central nervous system (CNS) lesions in children and evaluate the possibility of predicting VFD according to GCC maps. METHODS: The GCC maps of a group of children with VFD due to CNS lesions with respect of the vertical meridian in at least one eye (study group), as well as of children with other neuro-ophthalmological problems and healthy children were presented to two masked evaluators, who were asked to predict the patients' VFD on the basis of GCC damage: the evaluators classified VFD as normal, hemianopia (homonymous or heteronymous) or diffuse. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were included in the study group, with a median age of 12 years. Fifteen had brain tumours and two epilepsy. The mean MD of the affected hemifields was -26.00 dB (SD 7.89 dB) versus -5.51 dB (SD 3.52 dB) for the nonaffected hemifields, p < 0.001. The mean GCC thickness was of 56.04 µm (SD 11.95 µm) in the affected hemiretinas versus 74.31 µm (SD 10.64 µm) for the non-affected, p < 0.001. Kappa coefficients between VFD and those estimated by the evaluators were 0.705 and 0.658 (p < 0.001) for evaluators 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: GCC thickness can reflect damage to the visual pathway and GCC maps may be useful to identify chiasmal and retrochiasmal lesions, since GCC atrophy in most of these cases respects the vertical meridian. GCC maps might be used as a surrogate marker for visual damage in patients unable to perform perimetry.

Multi-Sensor Spectral Imaging of Geological Samples: A Data Fusion Approach Using Spatio-Spectral Feature Extraction.

Rapid, efficient and reproducible drillcore logging is fundamental in mineral exploration. Drillcore mapping has evolved rapidly in the recent decade, especially with the advances in hyperspectral spectral imaging. A wide range of imaging sensors is now available, providing rapidly increasing spectral as well as spatial resolution and coverage. However, the fusion of data acquired with multiple sensors is challenging and usually not conducted operationally. We propose an innovative solution based on the recent developments made in machine learning to integrate such multi-sensor datasets. Image feature extraction using orthogonal total variation component analysis enables a strong reduction in dimensionality and memory size of each input dataset, while maintaining the majority of its spatial and spectral information. This is in particular advantageous for sensors with very high spatial and/or spectral resolution, which are otherwise difficult to jointly process due to their large data memory requirements during classification. The extracted features are not only bound to absorption features but recognize specific and relevant spatial or spectral patterns. We exemplify the workflow with data acquired with five commercially available hyperspectral sensors and a pair of RGB cameras. The robust and efficient spectral-spatial procedure is evaluated on a representative set of geological samples. We validate the process with independent and detailed mineralogical and spectral data. The suggested workflow provides a versatile solution for the integration of multi-source hyperspectral data in a diversity of geological applications. In this study, we show a straight-forward integration of visible/near-infrared (VNIR), short-wave infrared (SWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) data for sensors with highly different spatial and spectral resolution that greatly improves drillcore mapping.

Treatment, outcomes and costs of asthma exacerbations in Chilean children: a prospective multicenter observational study

Objective: To describe potential regional variations in therapies for severe asthma exacerbations in Chilean children and estimate the associated health expenditures. Methods: Observational prospective cohort study in 14 hospitals over a one-year period. Children five years of age or older were eligible for inclusion. Days with oxygen supply and pharmacological treatments received were recorded from the clinical chart. A basic asthma hospitalization basket was defined in order to estimate the average hospitalization cost for a single patient. Six months after discharge, new visits to the Emergency Room (ER), use of systemic corticosteroids and adherence to the controller treatment were evaluated. Results: 396 patients were enrolled. Patients from the public health system and from the north zone received significantly more days of oxygen, systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics. Great heterogeneity in antibiotic use among the participating hospitals was found, from 0 to 92.3% (ICC 0.34, 95% CI 0.16-0.52). The use of aminophylline, magnesium sulfate and ketamine varied from 0 to 36.4% between the different Pediatric Intensive Care Units (ICC 0.353, 95% CI 0.010-0.608). The average cost per inpatient was of $1910 USD. 290 patients (73.2%) completed the follow-up six months after discharge. 76 patients (26.2%) were not receiving any controller treatment and nearly a fourth had new ER visits and use of systemic corticosteroids due to new asthma exacerbations. Conclusions: Considerable practice variation in asthma exacerbations treatment was found among the participating hospitals, highlighting the poor outcome of many patients after hospital discharge, with an important health cost

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Treatment, outcomes and costs of asthma exacerbations in Chilean children: a prospective multicenter observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe potential regional variations in therapies for severe asthma exacerbations in Chilean children and estimate the associated health expenditures. METHODS: Observational prospective cohort study in 14 hospitals over a one-year period. Children five years of age or older were eligible for inclusion. Days with oxygen supply and pharmacological treatments received were recorded from the clinical chart. A basic asthma hospitalization basket was defined in order to estimate the average hospitalization cost for a single patient. Six months after discharge, new visits to the Emergency Room (ER), use of systemic corticosteroids and adherence to the controller treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: 396 patients were enrolled. Patients from the public health system and from the north zone received significantly more days of oxygen, systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics. Great heterogeneity in antibiotic use among the participating hospitals was found, from 0 to 92.3% (ICC 0.34, 95% CI 0.16-0.52). The use of aminophylline, magnesium sulfate and ketamine varied from 0 to 36.4% between the different Pediatric Intensive Care Units (ICC 0.353, 95% CI 0.010-0.608). The average cost per inpatient was of $1910 USD. 290 patients (73.2%) completed the follow-up six months after discharge. 76 patients (26.2%) were not receiving any controller treatment and nearly a fourth had new ER visits and use of systemic corticosteroids due to new asthma exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable practice variation in asthma exacerbations treatment was found among the participating hospitals, highlighting the poor outcome of many patients after hospital discharge, with an important health cost.

Implementación de un programa de reciclaje en pabellón / Performance of a recycling program in the operating room

INTRODUCTION: The waste management of a hospital center affects people both those who receive health care and the environment that receives them. The impact on the environment of the task of peri-operative care has not yet been properly studied. It is known that of the 105 tons of garbage monthly from the health center understudy go to the landfills of the municipality. However, there are different elements, such as low-density plastics (LDP), which can be recycled. OBJECTIVE: implement a clean low-density plastics recycling program in the central Operating Room of the UC-Christus Clinical Hospital. METHODOLOGY: In this report, a prospective longitudinal study was conducted with a sample for convenience, in which an intervention was scheduled in series repeated over time from 2017 to 2018. Residents of anesthesia, anesthesiologists, nurses, nurse technicians, and hospital support personnel participated. RESULTS: In total 200 employees participated. During the pilot phase, 30 kg of plastics were quantified, later increasing to 100 kg of LDP in the subsequent phases. It began with the transfer phase to other pavilions within the healthcare center and to other centers in the metropolitan region. Finally, an alternative was started with the municipalities. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to quantify the amount of clean LPD for recycling. It was possible to involve the collaborators of the institution. This is the first program reported that involves an intervention for LPD.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El manejo de los desechos de un centro hospitalario afecta a las personas tanto a los que reciben atención de salud como también al medioambiente que recibe éstos. El impacto en el ambiente del quehacer de la atención perioperatoria aún no ha sido estudiado apropiadamente. Se sabe que 105 toneladas de basura mensuales del centro asistencial en estudio van a los vertederos de la municipalidad. Sin embargo, existen distintos elementos, como los plásticos de baja densidad (PBD), limpios los cuales pueden ser reciclados. OBJETIVO: Implementar de un programa de reciclaje de plásticos de baja de densidad limpios en el Servicio de Pabellón Central del Hospital Clínico UC-Christus. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: En este reporte se realizó un estudio prospectivo longitudinal con una muestra por conveniencia, en la cual se programó una intervención en series repetidas en el tiempo durante 2017 al 2018. Participaron residentes de anestesia, anestesiólogos, enfermeras, TENS, personal de apoyo del hospital entre otros. RESULTADOS: En total 200 colaboradores participaron. Durante la fase piloto se cuantificó 30 kg de plásticos, posteriormente, se incrementó a 100 kg de PBD en las fases posteriores. Se comenzó con la fase de transferencia hacia otros pabellones dentro del centro asistencial y hacia otros centros de la Región Metropolitana. Finalmente, se comenzó a buscar alternativa con las municipalidades. CONCLUSIONES: Se logró cuantificar la cantidad de PBD limpios para reciclar. Se logró involucrar a los colaboradores de la institución. Este es el primer programa reportado que involucra una intervención para el PBD.

Hospitalizations for asthma exacerbation in Chilean children: A multicenter observational study

BACKGROUND: Asthma hospitalization rates in Chilean children have increased in the last 14 years, but little is known about the factors associated with this. OBJECTIVE: Describe clinical characteristics of children hospitalized for asthma exacerbation. METHODS: Observational prospective cohort study in 14 hospitals. Over a one-year period, children five years of age or older hospitalized with asthma exacerbation were eligible for inclusion. Parents completed an online questionnaire with questions on demographic information, about asthma, indoor environmental contaminant exposure, comorbidities and beliefs about disease and treatment. Disease control was assessed by the Asthma Control Test. Inhalation technique was observed using a checklist. RESULTS: 396 patients were enrolled. 168 children did not have an established diagnosis of asthma. Only 188 used at least one controller treatment at the time of hospitalization. 208 parents said they believed their child had asthma only when they had an exacerbation and 97 correctly identified inhaled corticosteroids as anti-inflammatory treatment. 342 patients used the wrong spacer and 73 correctly performed all steps of the checklist. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the patients were not diagnosed with asthma at the time of hospitalization despite having a medical history suggestive of the disease. In the remaining patients with an established diagnosis of asthma potentially modifiable factors like bad adherence to treatment and poor inhalation technique were found. Implementing a nationwide asthma program including continued medical education for the correct diagnosis and follow up of these patients and asthma education for patients and caregivers is needed to reduce asthma hospitalization rates in Chilean children

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Faco-esclerectomía profunda no perforante como tratamiento de la hipertensión ocular secundaria al implante intravítreo de dexametasona / Phaco-non-penetrating deep sclerectomy in ocular hypertension secondary to dexamethasone intravitreal implant

OBJETIVO: Evaluar las características y la evolución de los pacientes que requirieron cirugía filtrante de glaucoma (esclerectomía profunda no perforante) para controlar la hipertensión ocular (HTO) secundaria al implante intravítreo de 0,7 mg de dexametasona (Ozurdex(R)). MÉTODOS: Serie de casos observacional retrospectiva de pacientes tratados mediante Ozurdex(R) en un hospital terciario universitario entre mayo 2011 y abril 2016. RESULTADOS: El 1,10% (4/363) de los pacientes tratados con Ozurdex(R) requirieron faco-esclerectomía profunda no perforante (FEPNP) para controlar la HTO secundaria refractaria a tratamiento médico hipotensor. Los 4 casos comenzaron el tratamiento tópico hipotensor o aumentaron su tratamiento hipotensor previo desde el primer implante intravítreo de Ozurdex(R). Todos los casos habían recibido 3 o más inyecciones de Ozurdex(R) antes de que se requiriera la realización de la FEPNP para el control de la PIO. Tras el tratamiento quirúrgico, en todos los casos se alcanzó una PIO óptima sin necesidad de tratamiento tópico adicional. Dos pacientes requirieron retratamiento con nuevas inyecciones de Ozurdex(R) después de la FEPNP, manteniéndose la PIO dentro de los límites normales sin necesidad de tratamiento. CONCLUSIONES: Esta es la primera serie de casos que aporta información acerca de los favorables resultados de la FEPNP como tratamiento de la HTO secundaria a implante intravítreo de Ozurdex(R). Los 4 casos presentan una PIO controlada sin tratamiento tras la cirugía. El retratamiento con Ozurdex(R) en aquellos pacientes que se han sometido a FEPNP es posible, manteniéndose un buen control de la PIO

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristics and progression of patients treated with a 0.7 mg dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex(R)) and required glaucoma filtering surgery (phaco-non-penetrating deep sclerectomy) to control ocular hypertension (OHT). METHODS: A retrospective observational study including patients treated with Ozurdex(R) in a tertiary-care university hospital from May 2011 to April 2016. RESULTS: In five years of follow-up, 1.10% (4/363) of patients treated with 0.7 mg dexamethasone intravitreal implant required phaco-non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (PNPDS) to control OHT refractory to topical treatment. All four patients started or increased previous antihypertensive topical treatment since the first dexamethasone intravitreal implant. Three or more dexamethasone intravitreal implants were injected in the four cases before intraocular pressure (IOP) became uncontrolled and PNPDS was performed. All four patients have a successfully controlled IOP without treatment after PNPDS. Two patients required additional treatment with dexamethasone intravitreal implants after PNPDS, maintaining IOP under control without treatment. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study describing the successful results of PNPDS in OHT secondary to dexamethasone intravitreal implant. All four patients have achieved controlled IOP without treatment. Re-treatment with dexamethasone intravitreal implant in those patients who underwent PNPDS is also possible, and IOP remains controlled

Phaco-non-penetrating deep sclerectomy in ocular hypertension secondary to dexamethasone intravitreal implant. / Faco-esclerectomía profunda no perforante como tratamiento de la hipertensión ocular secundaria al implante intravítreo de dexametasona.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristics and progression of patients treated with a 0.7mg dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex®) and required glaucoma filtering surgery (phaco-non-penetrating deep sclerectomy) to control ocular hypertension (OHT). METHODS: A retrospective observational study including patients treated with Ozurdex® in a tertiary-care university hospital from May 2011 to April 2016. RESULTS: In five years of follow-up, 1.10% (4/363) of patients treated with 0.7mg dexamethasone intravitreal implant required phaco-non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (PNPDS) to control OHT refractory to topical treatment. All four patients started or increased previous antihypertensive topical treatment since the first dexamethasone intravitreal implant. Three or more dexamethasone intravitreal implants were injected in the four cases before intraocular pressure (IOP) became uncontrolled and PNPDS was performed. All four patients have a successfully controlled IOP without treatment after PNPDS. Two patients required additional treatment with dexamethasone intravitreal implants after PNPDS, maintaining IOP under control without treatment. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study describing the successful results of PNPDS in OHT secondary to dexamethasone intravitreal implant. All four patients have achieved controlled IOP without treatment. Re-treatment with dexamethasone intravitreal implant in those patients who underwent PNPDS is also possible, and IOP remains controlled.

Hospitalizations for asthma exacerbation in Chilean children: A multicenter observational study.

BACKGROUND: Asthma hospitalization rates in Chilean children have increased in the last 14 years, but little is known about the factors associated with this. OBJECTIVE: Describe clinical characteristics of children hospitalized for asthma exacerbation. METHODS: Observational prospective cohort study in 14 hospitals. Over a one-year period, children five years of age or older hospitalized with asthma exacerbation were eligible for inclusion. Parents completed an online questionnaire with questions on demographic information, about asthma, indoor environmental contaminant exposure, comorbidities and beliefs about disease and treatment. Disease control was assessed by the Asthma Control Test. Inhalation technique was observed using a checklist. RESULTS: 396 patients were enrolled. 168 children did not have an established diagnosis of asthma. Only 188 used at least one controller treatment at the time of hospitalization. 208 parents said they believed their child had asthma only when they had an exacerbation and 97 correctly identified inhaled corticosteroids as anti-inflammatory treatment. 342 patients used the wrong spacer and 73 correctly performed all steps of the checklist. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the patients were not diagnosed with asthma at the time of hospitalization despite having a medical history suggestive of the disease. In the remaining patients with an established diagnosis of asthma potentially modifiable factors like bad adherence to treatment and poor inhalation technique were found. Implementing a nationwide asthma program including continued medical education for the correct diagnosis and follow up of these patients and asthma education for patients and caregivers is needed to reduce asthma hospitalization rates in Chilean children.

Apoptosis inhibition of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) peritoneal macrophages by Piscirickettsia salmonis.

To improve the understanding of the piscirickettsiosis pathogenesis, the in vivo apoptosis modulation of peritoneal macrophages and lymphocytes was studied in juvenile Salmo salar intraperitoneally injected with Piscirickettsia salmonis. Five fish were sampled at post-exposure days 1, 5, 8 (preclinical), 20 (clinical) and 40 (post-clinical period of the disease), and the leucocytes of their coelomic washings were analysed by flow cytometry (using the JC-1 cationic dye), TUNEL and cytology to detect apoptotic cells. A selective and temporal pattern of apoptosis modulation by P. salmonis infection was observed. Apoptosis in lymphocytes was not affected, whereas it was inhibited in macrophages but only during the preclinical stage of the induced piscirickettsiosis. Hence, it is postulated that P. salmonis inhibits macrophage apoptosis at the beginning of the disease development to survive, multiply and probably be transported inside these phagocytes; once this process is complete, macrophage apoptosis is no longer inhibited, thus facilitating the exit of the bacteria from the infected cells for continuing their life cycle.

Obesity during pregnancy affects sex steroid concentrations depending on fetal gender.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: It is not clear whether maternal obesity along with fetal gender affect sex steroid metabolism during pregnancy. Therefore, we compared sex steroid concentrations and placental expression of steroidogenic enzymes between non-obese and obese pregnant women with non-pathological pregnancies, and investigated the influence of fetal gender on these parameters. METHODS: In 35 normal weight (body mass index (BMI) 20-24.9 kg m-2) (controls) and 36 obese women (BMI 30-36 kg m-2) (obese), a fasting blood sample was obtained at first and at third trimester of gestation to measure progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate, androstenedione, testosterone and estradiol by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and estrone by radioimmunoassay. In a subset of women, placental mRNA and protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes was measured by quantitative PCR and western blot, respectively. The comparisons were primarily made between controls and obese, and then separately according to fetal gender. RESULTS: At first and third trimesters of gestation serum progesterone was lower whereas testosterone was higher in obese women (P<0.05, respectively). Upon analyzing according to fetal gender, lower progesterone levels were present in obese pregnant women with male fetuses at first trimester and with female fetuses at third trimester (P<0.05, respectively). Testosterone was higher in obese women with male fetuses compared to control women with male fetuses (P<0.05). The placental protein expression of P450scc was higher in obese women compared to controls (P<0.05). P450 aromatase was higher in obese women with female fetuses (P=0.009), whereas in obese women with male fetuses P450 aromatase was lower compared to control women (P=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity in non-pathological pregnancies alters the maternal serum progesterone and testosterone concentrations depending on fetal gender. These changes can be attributed to gender-related placental adaptations, as the expression of P450 aromatase is different in placentas from females compared to males.

Mucosal immunization of BALB/c mice with DNA vaccines encoding the SEN1002 and SEN1395 open reading frames of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis induces protective immunity.

Salmonella Enteritidis is the main cause of foodborne salmonellosis worldwide. The limited effectiveness of current interventions against this pathogen has been the main incentive to develop new methods for the efficient control of this infection. To investigate the use of DNA vaccines against S. Enteritidis in humans, immune responses stimulated by two plasmids containing the genes designated SEN1002, located in the pathogenicity island SPI-19 and encoding a Hcp protein involved in transport mechanisms, and SEN1395, located in the genomic island ΦSE14 and encoding a protein of a new superfamily of lysozymes, were evaluated. Humoral and cellular responses following intranasal immunization of two groups of BALB/c mice with the plasmids pV1002 and pV1395 plus adjuvant were evaluated and it was observed that the IgG2a/IgG1 ratios were sixfold higher than control groups. Both plasmids stimulated specific secretory IgA production. Increased proliferation of lymphocytes and IFN-γ production were detected in both experimental groups. DNA-vaccinated mice developed protective immunity against a virulent strain of S. Enteritidis, with nearly 2 logs of protection level compared to the negative control values in the spleen. Therefore, DNA vaccines are efficient at stimulating cellular and humoral immune responses at systemic and mucosal levels.

Socioeconomic status and organ damage in Mexican systemic lupus erythematosus women.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine relationships between socioeconomic status and organ damage in Mexican systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Demographic and clinical variables were assessed. Socioeconomic status was evaluated using the Graffar method and monthly household income. Lupus activity and organ damage were measured using the SLE disease activity scale, validated for the Mexican population (Mex-SLEDAI), and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) scale. The 143 Mexican female SLE patients included (mean age 40.1 ± 8.9 years, mean disease duration 8.9 ± 6.3 years) had a mean monthly household income of $ 407.2 ± 326.5. According to the Graffar index, 18.9%, 52.5%, and 28.7% had high/medium-high, medium, and medium-low/low socioeconomic status, respectively. Organ damage was observed in 61 patients (42.7%). Patients with organ damage had lower monthly household incomes ($241.4 ± 152.4 vs. $354.8 ± 288.3) and were more frequently unemployed (57.3% vs. 35.3%; p = 0.01) than those without. Low monthly income was not associated with lupus activity or self-reported health status. In the adjusted multivariate analysis, low monthly income ( < $300) was associated with organ damage. In conclusion, low income may be associated with organ damage in Mexican SLE patients.

Clima, ambiente y satisfacción laboral: un desafío para la enfermería / Job climate, work environment and job satisfaction: challenge for nursing

Introducción: las condiciones del ambiente de trabajo, tienen una incidencia directa en la calidad del cuidado de enfermería que se brinda. Objetivo: sistematizar los conceptos clima, ambiente y satisfacción laboral en el área de enfermería. Método: revisión integradora de 40 artículos del año 2002 al 2012. La búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos de acceso gratuito: CINAHL, PubMed, LILACS, ProQuest Nursing & Allied HealthSource, Scielo (Google Scholar). Las palabras clave de búsqueda fueron: enfermera, satisfacción laboral, ambiente laboral y clima laboral. Conclusiones: existen herramientas válidas y confiables para medir los términos estudiados, las cuales pueden ser complementadas con estudios en profundidad de las necesidades de los grupos evaluados, para así generar propuestas de mejoras en la calidad del empleo o trabajo de los grupos de enfermería en Latinoamérica(AU)

Introduction: The conditions of the work environment have a direct impact onthe qualityof nursing carethatis provided. Objetive: Deliveran integrative reviewofliteratureconceptsclimate, environmentandjob satisfaction inthenursingarena. Method: An integrative reviewof 40 articlesfrom 2002to 2012. Conclusions: There arevalid and reliable toolsto measurethe termsstudied, whichcan be supplementedwithin-depth studiesofthe needsof the groups evaluatedin order togenerate proposals forimprovementsinthe quality of employmentor work ofnursinggroupsin Latin America(AU)

Efecto de la deficiencia de hierro sobre la expresión de factor de crecimiento de insulina tipo II y su receptor en células neuronales y gliales / ect of iron deficiency on the expression of insulin-like growth factor-II and its receptor in neuronal and glial cells

Introducción: Muchos estudios han demostrado que la deficiencia de hierro modifica el funcionamiento normal del sistema nervioso central, alterando las habilidades cognitivas. Ante una situación de daño celular en el sistema nervioso central existen mecanismos neuroprotectores, como la producción de factores neurotróficos, los cuales son esenciales para un funcionamiento adecuado del tejido nervioso. El factor de crecimiento de insulina tipo II (IGF-II) es un factor neurotrófico que recientemente se ha involucrado en el funcionamiento normal de los procesos cognitivos en modelos animales; sin embargo, el impacto de la deficiencia de hierro sobre la expresión y funcionamiento de esta molécula aún no ha sido determinado. Métodos: Se emplearon cultivos primarios mixtos de células del sistema nervioso central, enlos que se simuló la deficiencia de hierro empleando deferoxamina y se determinó la expresión de IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-IR e IGF-IIR por medio de western-blot. Resultados: Se observó un incremento en la expresión de IGF-II y una disminución en la expresión de IGF-IIR en cultivos primarios mixtos deficientes en hierro. No se observaron cambios en la expresión de dichas proteínas en cultivos individuales de microglía o neuronas en las mismas condiciones. No se encontraron diferencias en la expresión de IGF-I e IGF-IR en condiciones de deficiencia de hierro. Conclusiones: La deficiencia de hierro in vitro induce un incremento en la expresión de IGF-II en cultivos mixtos de células gliales, lo que puede favorecer la homeostasis del tejido cerebral en situaciones de disminución en la disponibilidad de hierro

Introduction: Many studies have demonstrated that iron deficiency modifies the normal function of the central nervous system and alters cognitive abilities. When cellular damage occurs in the central nervous system, neuroprotective mechanisms, such as the production of neurotrophic factors, are essential in order for nervous tissue to function correctly. Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF- II) is a neurotrophic factor that was recently shown to be involved in the normal functioning of cognitive processes in animal models. However, the impact of iron deficiency on the expression and function of this molecule has not yet been clarified. Methods: Mixed primary cell cultures from the central nervous system were collected to simulate iron deficiency using deferoxamine. The expression of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-IR, and IGF-IIR was determined with the western blot test. Results: We observed increased expression of IGF-II, along with a corresponding decrease in the expression of IGF-IIR, in iron-deficient mixed primary cell cultures. We did not observe alterations in the expression of these proteins in isolated microglia or neuronal cultures under the same conditions. We did not detect differences in the expression of IGF-I and IGF-IR in iron-deficient cultures.Conclusions: In vitro iron deficiency increases the expression of IGF-II in mixed glial cell cultures, which may have a beneficial effect on brain tissue homeostasis in a situation in which iron availability is decreased

Valores de referencia del hemograma completo en escolares de 8 a 12 años de edad residentes a 2.760 m sobre el nivel del mar / Full blood count reference values in children of 8 to 12 years old residing at 2.760 m above sea level

OBJETIVOS: Determinar los valores de referencia del hemograma completo para una población de niños de 8 a 12 años de edad que viven a una altitud de 2.760 m sobre el nivel del mar. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se analizó una muestra de 102 individuos, a los cuales se les realizó un hemograma completo. Los parámetros analizados incluyeron: cuenta total de eritrocitos, plaquetas y leucocitos, incluyendo conteo diferencial (millones/μl y %) de linfocitos, neutrófilos, eosinófilos, basófilos y monocitos. Adicionalmente, se obtuvieron los valores de hemoglobina, hematocrito, volumen corpuscular medio, hemoglobina corpuscular media, concentración de hemoglobina corpuscular y amplitud de distribución eritrocitaria. Los resultados obtenidos se analizaron por medio de estadísticas no paramétricas para dividir la muestra en cuartiles y obtener los límites inferiores y superiores. Adicionalmente, se comprobaron los valores obtenidos analizando límites de 2 desviaciones estándar hacia arriba y hacia debajo de la media para cada valor. RESULTADOS: Los resultados mostraron diferencias entre los valores de los intervalos obtenidos para nuestra población y los valores de referencia reportados para la población mexicana en general, en la mayoría de los parámetros analizados. CONCLUSIONES: La biometría hemática es uno de los exámenes de laboratorio empleados rutinariamente para la valoración inicial del paciente. Los valores de la biometría hemática en pacientes sanos varían según el género, la edad y la ubicación geográfica; por lo tanto, cada población debe tener valores de referencia propios

OBJECTIVE: To determine reference values for full blood count parameters in a population of children 8 to 12 years old, living at an altitude of 2760 m above sea level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our sample consisted of 102 individuals on whom a full blood count was performed. The parameters included: total number of red blood cells, platelets, white cells, and a differential count (millions/ l and %) of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. Additionally, we obtained values for hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, concentration of corpuscular hemoglobin and red blood cell distribution width. The results were statistically analyzed with a nonparametric test, to divide the sample in quartiles and obtain the lower and upper limits for our intervals. Moreover, the values for the intervals obtained from this analysis were compared to intervals obtained estimating + - 2 standard deviations above and below from our mean values. RESULTS: Our results showed significant differences compared to normal interval values reported for the adult Mexican population in most of the parameters studied. CONCLUSIONS: The full blood count is an important laboratory test used routinely for the initial assessment of a patient. Values of full blood counts in healthy individuals vary according to gender, age and geographic location; therefore, each population should have its own reference values

Effect of iron deficiency on the expression of insulin-like growth factor-II and its receptor in neuronal and glial cells.

INTRODUCTION: Many studies have demonstrated that iron deficiency modifies the normal function of the central nervous system and alters cognitive abilities. When cellular damage occurs in the central nervous system, neuroprotective mechanisms, such as the production of neurotrophic factors, are essential in order for nervous tissue to function correctly. Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF- II) is a neurotrophic factor that was recently shown to be involved in the normal functioning of cognitive processes in animal models. However, the impact of iron deficiency on the expression and function of this molecule has not yet been clarified. METHODS: Mixed primary cell cultures from the central nervous system were collected to simulate iron deficiency using deferoxamine. The expression of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-IR, and IGF-IIR was determined with the western blot test. RESULTS: We observed increased expression of IGF-II, along with a corresponding decrease in the expression of IGF-IIR, in iron-deficient mixed primary cell cultures. We did not observe alterations in the expression of these proteins in isolated microglia or neuronal cultures under the same conditions. We did not detect differences in the expression of IGF-I and IGF-IR in iron-deficient cultures. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro iron deficiency increases the expression of IGF-II in mixed glial cell cultures, which may have a beneficial effect on brain tissue homeostasis in a situation in which iron availability is decreased.