Electrostatic potentials of atomic nanostructures at metal surfaces quantified by scanning quantum dot microscopy.

The discrete and charge-separated nature of matter - electrons and nuclei - results in local electrostatic fields that are ubiquitous in nanoscale structures and relevant in catalysis, nanoelectronics and quantum nanoscience. Surface-averaging techniques provide only limited experimental access to these potentials, which are determined by the shape, material, and environment of the nanostructure. Here, we image the potential over adatoms, chains, and clusters of Ag and Au atoms assembled on Ag(111) and quantify their surface dipole moments. By focusing on the total charge density, these data establish a benchmark for theory. Our density functional theory calculations show a very good agreement with experiment and allow a deeper analysis of the dipole formation mechanisms, their dependence on fundamental atomic properties and on the shape of the nanostructures. We formulate an intuitive picture of the basic mechanisms behind dipole formation, allowing better design choices for future nanoscale systems such as single-atom catalysts.

Effectiveness of antidepressants in improving the prognosis of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE, AND MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing the poor evolution of COVID-19 disease (a composite variable including death, hospitalization and need for mechanical ventilation), and mortality, according the guidelines for Systematic Reviews of Interventions published by the Cochrane library. SOURCE OF DATA: MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE LIBRARY were consulted up to February 25, 2022. Unpublished studies were searched on clinicaltrials.gov platform. SELECTION OF STUDIES: Seven masked and unmasked, observational and experimental studies evaluating death, hospitalization and need for mechanical ventilation were selected. A second subgroup analysis with mortality variable was performed. DATA EXTRACTION: A full risk of bias assessment was performed addressing issues such as information and confounding bias. ROB2 and Robins-I tools for randomized and no randomized studies were employed respectively. In the quantitative analysis, the risk of publication bias, heterogeneity, estimation of pooled measure and a sensitivity analysis was performed. The pooled final measure was calculated as odds ratio with its correspondent 95% confidence interval. A random effects model was used for this purpose due to the heterogeneity between included studies. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of final pooled measure. RESULTS: Seven studies were finally considered to calculate the final pooled measure. The effect of intervention was OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.56-0.94. CONCLUSIONS: The use of antidepressants, and specially SSRI could be effective for reducing the risk of poor progression of COVID-19 disease.

Trauma ocular pediátrico y repercusiones visuales. Revisión sistemática

Introducción: En 2016, aproximadamente 55 millones de pacientes en todo el mundo sufrieron lesiones oculares. La carga de sufrimiento tras las lesiones oculares es muy alta, sobre todo por las consecuencias de estas lesiones, que son en gran parte responsables de la ceguera monocular. Objetivo: Sistematizar los referentes teóricos sobre el trauma ocular pediátrico y su impacto en los resultados visuales. Método: Se realizó una revisión sistemática del trauma ocular pediátrico y su impacto en los resultados visuales, basada en la literatura publicada en PubMed, Trip Medical Database y British Medical Journal en el periodo 2018-2022. El nivel de evidencia se evaluó mediante la escala de Oxford y se determinó el sexo, la edad, el tipo de lesión ocular, lugar de ocurrencia del trauma ocular y secuelas postlesión reportadas. Resultados: La evidencia recolectada fue principalmente de estudios retrospectivos de corte transversal que corresponde a nivel de evidencia según escala de Oxford 2b. El trauma ocular fue más común en niños (77 %) que en niñas (23 %) y la edad promedio fue de 10,5±1,96 años. Hubo mayor incidencia de trauma ocular cerrado (56%). Los lugares fuera del domicilio fueron los más reportados (64%). En lo que refiere a las consecuencias de los traumatismos oculares en edades pediátricas se pudo observar que la mayor frecuencia reportada fue la no presencia de secuelas (52,16 %), contra el 48,47 % de los repostados con secuelas. Conclusiones: Existen consideraciones básicas que se pueden comunicar al paciente que pueden prevenir efectos graves o permanentes en la visión. El examen oftalmológico profesional permite una evaluación temprana y evita complicaciones por subestimar la lesión ocular aguda.

Introduction: In 2016, approximately 55 million patients worldwide suffered eye injuries. The burden of suffering after eye injuries is very high, especially due to the consequences of these injuries, which are largely responsible for monocular blindness. Objective: To systematize the theoretical references on pediatric ocular trauma and its impact on visual results. Method: A systematic review of pediatric ocular trauma and its impact on visual outcomes was carried out, based on the literature published in PubMed, Trip Medical Database and British Medical Journal in the period 2018-2022. The level of evidence found was evaluated using the Oxford scale and the sex, age, type of ocular injury, place of occurrence of the ocular trauma and reported post-injury sequelae were determined. Results: The evidence collected was mainly from retrospective cross-sectional studies that correspond to the level of evidence according to the Oxford 2b scale. Ocular trauma was more common in boys (77%) than in girls (23%) and the average age was 10.5±1.96 years. There was a higher incidence of blunt ocular trauma (56%). Places outside the home were the most reported (64%). Regarding the consequences of ocular trauma in pediatric ages, it could be observed that the highest frequency reported was the absence of sequelae (52.16%), compared to 48.47% of those refueled with sequelae. Conclusions: There are basic considerations that can be communicated to the patient that can prevent serious or permanent effects on vision. Professional ophthalmological examination allows early evaluation and avoids complications due to underestimation of acute eye injury.

Introdução: Em 2016, aproximadamente 55 milhões de pacientes em todo o mundo sofreram lesões oculares. A carga de sofrimento após lesões oculares é muito elevada, especialmente devido às consequências destas lesões, que são em grande parte responsáveis pela cegueira monocular. Objetivo: Sistematizar os referenciais teóricos sobre trauma ocular pediátrico e seu impacto nos resultados visuais. Método: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática sobre trauma ocular pediátrico e seu impacto nos resultados visuais, com base na literatura publicada no PubMed, Trip Medical Database e British Medical Journal no período 2018-2022. O nível de evidência encontrado foi avaliado pela escala de Oxford e foram determinados sexo, idade, tipo de lesão ocular, local de ocorrência do trauma ocular e sequelas pós-lesão relatadas. Resultados: As evidências coletadas foram principalmente provenientes de estudos transversais retrospectivos que correspondem ao nível de evidência da escala Oxford 2b. O trauma ocular foi mais comum em meninos (77%) do que em meninas (23%) e a idade média foi de 10,5±1,96 anos. Houve maior incidência de trauma ocular contuso (56%). Os locais fora de casa foram os mais relatados (64%). Quanto às consequências do trauma ocular em idade pediátrica, pôde-se observar que a maior frequência relatada foi a ausência de sequelas (52,16%), contra 48,47% dos reabastecidos com sequelas. Conclusões: Existem considerações básicas que podem ser comunicadas ao paciente e que podem prevenir efeitos graves ou permanentes na visão. O exame oftalmológico profissional permite avaliação precoce e evita complicações por subestimação da lesão ocular aguda.

Resistencia a los azoles en cepas de Aspergilus fumigatus sensu stricto aislados de muestras clínicas respiratorias

Introducción. La aspergilosis invasiva presenta alta mortalidad en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas e inmunocomprometidos. Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto (AFSS) es el principal agente etiológico y su tipificación requiere de métodos moleculares. La incidencia incrementada de AI resistentes a los antifúngicos demanda un diagnóstico certero y oportuno. Métodos. Se estudiaron 20 cepas de la micoteca del Instituto de Medicina Tropical - Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, aisladas de muestras respiratorias e identificadas como Aspergillus fumigatus sensu lato mediante el estudio macroscópico y microscópico. Las cepas fueron referidas a la Universidad Nacional del Litoral para su tipificación mediante una PCR screening para AFSS basada en secuencias del gen CYP51A y el estudio de sensibilidad antifúngica para voriconazol (VOR), itraconazol (ITC), posaconazol (POS), isavuconazol (ISA), anidulafungina (ANF), caspofungina (CSF) y anfotericina B (AMB) obteniendo la concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) mediante el protocolo de CLSI M38M51S-Ed3. Resultados. Las 20 cepas fueron identificadas como AFSS. Ninguna de las cepas tuvo una CIM por encima del punto de corte clínico (VOR), ni epidemiológico (ITC, ISA, AMB y CSF). POS fue la droga más potente frente a la colección de cepas evaluadas (media geométrica (GM) de CIM de 0,042 µg/ml). Conclusiones. Todos los aislamientos fueron tipificados como AFSS sensibles a los azoles según los puntos de corte clínico, posaconazol tuvo la mayor actividad antifúngica. Nuestros hallazgos aportan a incrementar la escasa información sobre la etiología y sensibilidad a los antifúngicos de uso clínico de las aspergilosis invasiva en nuestro país.

Introduction. Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) poses a significant threat to patients with chronic diseases and compromised immune systems, with Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto (AFSS) being the primary etiological agent. Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial, particularly given the rising incidence of IA strains resistant to antifungals, necessitating molecular methods for typing. Methods. Twenty strains from Instituto de Medicina Tropical - Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, mycological collection, previously identified as Aspergillus fumigatus sensu lato through macroscopic and microscopic analysis, were studied. These strains were forwarded to the Universidad Nacional del Litoral for AFSS typing using a PCR screening based on CYP51A gene sequences. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed for Voriconazole (VOR), Itraconazole (ITC), Posaconazole (POS), Isavuconazole (ISA), Anidulafungin (ANF), Caspofungin (CSF), and Amphotericin B (AMB), obtaining Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) according to CLSI M38M51S-Ed3. Results. All 20 strains were identified as AFSS. None of the strains exhibited MICs above the clinical breakpoint (VOR) or the epidemiological cutoffs (ITC, ISA, AMB, and CSF). POS demonstrated the highest potency against the strain collection, with a geometric mean MIC of 0,042 µg/ml. Conclusions. All isolates were classified as azole-sensitive Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto (AFSS) based on clinical cutoff points, particularly posaconazole, which exhibited superior antifungal activity. Our findings contribute to augmenting the limited information on the etiology and clinical antifungal sensitivity of IA in our country.

The Anterior Pelvic Index (API) in the Classification of the Female Pelvis and Prediction of Fetopelvic Disproportion / El Índice Pelviano Anterior (API) en la Clasificación de la Pelvis Femenina y Predicción de la Desproporción Fetopélvica

SUMMARY: Measurements of the upper strait of the pelvis can be calculated using the Anterior Pelvic Index. The objective of the study was to determine the external validity and cut-off point of the API, to classify narrow pelvises from normal ones. We selected 214 women from 15 to 55 years old, 171 had vaginal delivery and 43 by caesarean section by feto-pelvic disproportion (FPD) of maternal origin, in whom the API was calculated, of which its mean difference was established with an alpha error of <0.05. Maximum values of sensitivity and specificity, ROC curve and Youden index were determined. The student's t gave a p-value =0.000 of the mean difference between the women who had vaginal delivery and those who had cesarean section by FPD of maternal origin; the value of the area under the ROC curve was 0.758 (CI 95% 0.695 - 0.814) with a p-value=0.0001. Maximum sensitivity was 74.42 % (CI 95%: 58.8 % to 86.5 %) and maximum specificity was 73.10 % (CI 95%: 65.8 % to 79.6 %), produced a Youden index of 0.475 (CI 95% 0.283 - 0.590) which is associated with the 15.44 (CI 95% 14.19 - 15.83) of the API scale. The API is a good tool for predicting women with suspected narrow pelvis and allows its classification into three types of pelvises: an API value of more than 15.83 would indicate pelvis suitable for vaginal delivery; an API value between 14.19 and 15.83 would be suspected of pelvic narrowness; an API value less than 14.19 would confirm a narrow pelvis.

Las medidas del estrecho superior de la pelvis pueden calcularse mediante el Índice Pelviano Anterior. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la validez externa y el punto de corte del API, para clasificar pelvis estrechas de las normales. Seleccionamos 214 mujeres de 15 a 55 años, 171 tuvieron parto vaginal y 43 mediante cesárea por DFP de origen materno, en quienes se calculó el API, del cual se estableció su diferencia de medias con un error alfa de <0,05. Se determinaron valores máximos de sensibilidad y especificidad, curva ROC e índice de Youden. La t de Student dio un p-valor=0,000 de la diferencia de medias entre las mujeres de tuvieron parto vaginal y las que fueron sometidas a cesárea por DFP de origen materno; el valor del área bajo la curva ROC fue 0,758 (IC 95% 0,695 - 0,814) con un p- valor=0,0001. La máxima sensibilidad (74,42 %. IC 95%: 58,8 % a 86,5 %) y máxima especificidad (73,10 %. IC 95%: 65,8 % a 79,6 %), produjeron un índice de Youden de 0,475 (IC 95% 0,283 - 0,590) el cual está asociado al valor 15,44 (IC 95% 14,19 - 15,83) de la escala del API. El API es una buena herramienta de predicción de mujeres con sospecha de pelvis estrecha y permite su clasificación en tres tipos de pelvis: un valor de API de mas de 15,83 indicaría pelvis aptas para un parto vaginal; un valor de API entre 14,19 y 15,83 se sospecharía de estrechez pélvica; un valor de API menor a 14,19 confirmaría una pelvis estrecha.

Determinación de transgenicidad y verificación en el etiquetado de alimentos industrializados de maíz en centros de expendio de Lima metropolitana

Introducción. El consumo de alimentos transgénicos constituye un riesgo potencial para la salud. Sin embargo, en el Perú se carece de información actualizada y confiable sobre la presencia de transgénicos en los alimentos y sobre los datos pertinentes en su etiquetado; de igual manera sobre los alimentos que consumen los animales de abasto, cuyos productos van a ser ingeridos por el humano. Objetivo. Determinar la transgenicidad, mediante la detección del promotor 35S, en productos alimenticios industrializados de maíz para consumo humano y animal, que se comercializan en Lima y verificar sí en el etiquetado se menciona si contiene o no secuencias transgénicas. Métodos. Se analizaron 30 muestras de alimentos para consumo humano y 10 para consumo de animales de abasto; y se revisó el etiquetado. Para la extracción del ADN se utilizó el kit Dneasy Mericon Food, para la detección del P35S el método Real Time-PCR empleando el kit Mericon Screen 35S y para determinar la concentración de copias el kit Mericon Quant Mon 810. Resultados. Se detectó el P35S en el 66,66% de las muestras para consumo humano, y en el 90,00% de las muestras para consumo animal. En el etiquetado del 100% de las muestras para consumo humano y animal no se menciona si contiene o no componentes transgénicos. Conclusiones. La detección de contenido transgénico en la mayoría de los alimentos industrializados de maíz para humanos y animales evidencian la necesidad de su mención en el etiquetado y de la implementación de una política exigente en bioseguridad alimentaria.

Introduction. Consumption of transgenic foods constitutes a potential health risk. However, in Peru there is a lack of updated and reliable information on the presence of transgenics in food and on the relevant data on their labeling; in the same way about the food consumed by animals for supply, whose products are going to be ingested by humans. Objetive. To determine the transgenicity, through the detection of the 35S promoter, in industrialized corn food products for human and animal consumption, which are marketed in Lima and to verify if the labeling mentions whether or not it contains transgenic sequences. Methods. 30 food samples for human consumption and 10 for consumption by animals for production were analyzed; and the labeling was revised. The Dneasy Mericon Food kit was used for DNA extraction, the Real Time-PCR method for P35S detection using the Mericon Screen 35S kit, and the Mericon Quant Mon 810 kit to determine the copy concentration. Results. P35S was detected in 66,66% of the samples for human consumption, and in 90.00% of the samples for animal consumption. The labeling of 100% of the samples for human and animal consumption does not mention whether or not it contains transgenic components. Conclusions. The detection of transgenic content in the majority of industrialized corn foods for humans and animals demonstrates the need to mention them on the label and the implementation of a demanding policy on food biosafety.

Índice ROX, oxigenoterapia a alto flujo y neumonía por COVID-19 / ROX index, high-flow oxygen therapy and COVID-19 pneumonia

Resumen Introducción: El objetivo fue evaluar el valor predic tivo del índice ROX (Ratio of Oxygen Saturation) y describir la evolución de una población de pacientes ingresados en cuidados intensivos por neumonía por COVID-19 que requirieron oxigenoterapia a alto flujo. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo en paci entes mayores de 18 años con hisopado nasofaríngeo positivo para SARS-CoV-2 que ingresaron a cuidados intensivos con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda y requi rieron oxigenoterapia con alto flujo por > 2 h. Resultados: De un total de 97 pacientes 42 (43.3%) respondieron satisfactoriamente al tratamiento con cánula nasal de alto flujo (CNAF) y 55 (56.7%) fracasa ron al tratamiento requiriendo intubación orotraqueal y soporte ventilatorio invasivo. De los 55 pacientes que fracasaron, 11 (20%) sobrevivieron y 44 (80%) fallecier on durante su internación en cuidados intensivos (p < 0.001). Ningún paciente que respondió satisfac toriamente al tratamiento con CNAF falleció durante su internación. El análisis ROC identificó el índice de ROX de las 12 horas como el mejor predictor de fracaso con un área bajo la curva de 0.75 (0.64-0.85) y un punto de corte de 6.23 como mejor predictor de intubación [sensibilidad 0.85 (IC 95% 0.70-0.94), especificidad 0.55 (IC 95% 0.39-0.70)]. Discusión: En pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda secundaria a neumonía por COVID-19 tratados con oxigenoterapia a alto flujo, el índice de ROX resultó un buen predictor de éxito.

Abstract Introduction: The objective was to evaluate the pre dictive value of the ROX index and describe the evolu tion of a population of patients admitted to intensive care for COVID-19 pneumonia who required high-flow oxygen therapy. Methods: Retrospective cohort study in patients older than 18 years with a positive nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-COV-2 who were admitted to intensive care unit with acute respiratory failure and required high-flow oxygen therapy for > 2 hours. Results: Of a total of 97 patients, 42 (43.3%) responded satisfactorily to treatment with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and 55 (56.7%) failed treatment, requiring orotra cheal intubation and invasive ventilatory support. Of the 55 patients who failed, 11 (20%) survived and 44 (80%) died during intensive care admission (p < 0.001). No patient who responded satisfactorily to HFNC treatment died during hospitalization. The ROC analysis identified the 12-hour ROX index as the best predictor of failure with an area under the curve of 0.75 (0.64-0.85) and a cut-off point of 6.23 as the best predictor of intubation [Sensitivity 0.85 (95% CI 0.70-0.94), Specificity 0.55 (95% CI 0.39-0.70)]. Discussion: In patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia treated with high-flow oxygen therapy, the ROX index was a good predictor of success.

[ROX index, high-flow oxygen therapy and COVID-19 pneumonia]. / índice ROX, oxigenoterapia de alto flujo y neumonía por COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to evaluate the predictive value of the ROX index and describe the evolution of a population of patients admitted to intensive care for COVID-19 pneumonia who required high-flow oxygen therapy. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study in patients older than 18 years with a positive nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-COV-2 who were admitted to intensive care unit with acute respiratory failure and required high-flow oxygen therapy for > 2 hours. RESULTS: Of a total of 97 patients, 42 (43.3%) responded satisfactorily to treatment with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and 55 (56.7%) failed treatment, requiring orotracheal intubation and invasive ventilatory support. Of the 55 patients who failed, 11 (20%) survived and 44 (80%) died during intensive care admission (p < 0.001). No patient who responded satisfactorily to HFNC treatment died during hospitalization. The ROC analysis identified the 12-hour ROX index as the best predictor of failure with an area under the curve of 0.75 (0.64-0.85) and a cut-off point of 6.23 as the best predictor of intubation [Sensitivity 0.85 (95% CI 0.70-0.94), Specificity 0.55 (95% CI 0.39-0.70)]. DISCUSSION: In patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia treated with highflow oxygen therapy, the ROX index was a good predictor of success.

Introducción: El objetivo fue evaluar el valor predictivo del índice ROX (Ratio of Oxygen Saturation) y describir la evolución de una población de pacientes ingresados en cuidados intensivos por neumonía por COVID-19 que requirieron oxigenoterapia a alto flujo. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo en pacientes mayores de 18 años con hisopado nasofaríngeo positivo para SARS-CoV-2 que ingresaron a cuidados intensivos con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda y requirieron oxigenoterapia con alto flujo por > 2 h. Resultados: De un total de 97 pacientes 42 (43.3%) respondieron satisfactoriamente al tratamiento con cánula nasal de alto flujo (CNAF) y 55 (56.7%) fracasaron al tratamiento requiriendo intubación orotraqueal y soporte ventilatorio invasivo. De los 55 pacientes que fracasaron, 11 (20%) sobrevivieron y 44 (80%) fallecieron durante su internación en cuidados intensivos (p < 0.001). Ningún paciente que respondió satisfactoriamente al tratamiento con CNAF falleció durante su internación. El análisis ROC identificó el índice de ROX de las 12 horas como el mejor predictor de fracaso con un área bajo la curva de 0.75 (0.64-0.85) y un punto de corte de 6.23 como mejor predictor de intubación [sensibilidad 0.85 (IC 95% 0.70-0.94), especificidad 0.55 (IC 95% 0.39-0.70)]. Discusión: En pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda secundaria a neumonía por COVID-19 tratados con oxigenoterapia a alto flujo, el índice de ROX resultó un buen predictor de éxito.

Patient compliance and satisfaction with a new forehead device for positional obstructive sleep apnoea treatment: a post hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The influence of body position in obstructive sleep apnoea patients is well known. A positional therapy device placed at the forehead has proven to be effective in reducing the severity of positional obstructive sleep apnoea (POSA) symptoms. The aim of the study was to evaluate patients' therapy compliance and satisfaction in the short term and mid-term. METHODS: A post hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial was conducted using an inactive device (ID) or an active device (AD) for 3 months. The primary outcomes were device usage and the percentage of patients with good compliance (defined as device use for more than 4 hours per night and more than 70% of nights per week). Secondary outcomes included time spent with head in the supine position, patient satisfaction and side effects. RESULTS: The median duration of using the device was 6.9 hours in the ID group and 6.7 hours in the AD group (p=0.309), and the durations were similar throughout the follow-up period and from the first day of use. The percentage of patients with good compliance was similar and greater than 60% in both groups. The median time spent with head in the supine position was significantly lower in the AD group (2.9%) than in the ID group (12.4%) since the first day of treatment. Both groups showed satisfaction scores values above 8.5 (out of 10) in all items, while side effects were scarcely reported. CONCLUSION: High device compliance was achieved in POSA patients, both in terms of device usage time and percentage of days used. Patients were highly satisfied, and the device effectively reduced the time spent with the head in the supine position from the first day of use.

Interim safety and immunogenicity results from an NDV-based COVID-19 vaccine phase I trial in Mexico.

There is still a need for safe, efficient, and low-cost coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines that can stop transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here we evaluated a vaccine candidate based on a live recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) that expresses a stable version of the spike protein in infected cells as well as on the surface of the viral particle (AVX/COVID-12-HEXAPRO, also known as NDV-HXP-S). This vaccine candidate can be grown in embryonated eggs at a low cost, similar to influenza virus vaccines, and it can also be administered intranasally, potentially to induce mucosal immunity. We evaluated this vaccine candidate in prime-boost regimens via intramuscular, intranasal, or intranasal followed by intramuscular routes in an open-label non-randomized non-placebo-controlled phase I clinical trial in Mexico in 91 volunteers. The primary objective of the trial was to assess vaccine safety, and the secondary objective was to determine the immunogenicity of the different vaccine regimens. In the interim analysis reported here, the vaccine was found to be safe, and the higher doses tested were found to be immunogenic when given intramuscularly or intranasally followed by intramuscular administration, providing the basis for further clinical development of the vaccine candidate. The study is registered under ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04871737.

The Impact of Digital Health on Smoking Cessation.

BACKGROUND: Smartphones have become useful tools for medicine, with the use of specific apps making it possible to bring health care closer to inaccessible areas, continuously monitor a patient's pathology at any time and place, promote healthy habits, and ultimately improve patients' quality of life and the efficiency of the health care system. Since 2020, the use of smartphones has reached unprecedented levels. There are more than 350,000 health apps, according to a 2021 IQVIA Institute report, that address, among other things, the management of patient appointments; communication among different services or professionals; the promotion of lifestyle changes related to adopting healthy habits; and the monitoring of different pathologies and chronic conditions, including smoking cessation. The number of mobile apps for quitting smoking is high. As early as 2017, a total of 177 unique smoking cessation-relevant apps were identified in the iPhone App Store, 139 were identified in Google Play, 70 were identified in the BlackBerry app store, and 55 were identified in the Windows Phone Store, but very few have adequate scientific support. It seems clear that efforts are needed to assess the quality of these apps, as well as their effectiveness in different population groups, to have tools that offer added value to standard practices. OBJECTIVE: This viewpoint aims to highlight the benefits of mobile health (mHealth) and its potential as an adjuvant tool in health care. METHODS: A review of literature and other data sources was performed in order to show the current status of mobile apps that can offer support for smoking cessation. For this purpose, the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were explored between May and November 2022. RESULTS: In terms of smoking cessation, mHealth has become a powerful coadjuvant tool that allows health workers to perform exhaustive follow-ups for the process of quitting tobacco and provide support anytime and anywhere. mHealth tools are effective for different groups of smokers (eg, pregnant women, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, patients with mental illness, and the general population) and are cost-effective, generating savings for the health system. However, there are some patient characteristics that can predict the success of using mobile apps in the smoking cessation process, such as the lower age of patients, dependence on tobacco, the number of quit attempts, and the previous use of mobile apps, among others. Therefore, it is preferable to offer these tools to patients with a higher probability of quitting tobacco. CONCLUSIONS: mHealth is a promising tool for helping smokers in the smoking cessation process. There is a need for well-designed clinical studies and economic evaluations to jointly assess the effectiveness of new interventions in different population groups, as well as their impact on health care resources.

The genomics of linkage drag in inbred lines of sunflower.

Crop wild relatives represent valuable sources of alleles for crop improvement, including adaptation to climate change and emerging diseases. However, introgressions from wild relatives might have deleterious effects on desirable traits, including yield, due to linkage drag. Here, we analyzed the genomic and phenotypic impacts of wild introgressions in inbred lines of cultivated sunflower to estimate the impacts of linkage drag. First, we generated reference sequences for seven cultivated and one wild sunflower genotype, as well as improved assemblies for two additional cultivars. Next, relying on previously generated sequences from wild donor species, we identified introgressions in the cultivated reference sequences, as well as the sequence and structural variants they contain. We then used a ridge-regression best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) model to test the effects of the introgressions on phenotypic traits in the cultivated sunflower association mapping population. We found that introgression has introduced substantial sequence and structural variation into the cultivated sunflower gene pool, including >3,000 new genes. While introgressions reduced genetic load at protein-coding sequences, they mostly had negative impacts on yield and quality traits. Introgressions found at high frequency in the cultivated gene pool had larger effects than low-frequency introgressions, suggesting that the former likely were targeted by artificial selection. Also, introgressions from more distantly related species were more likely to be maladaptive than those from the wild progenitor of cultivated sunflower. Thus, breeding efforts should focus, as far as possible, on closely related and fully compatible wild relatives.

Mucosal Leishmaniasis of the lip: Report of an Exuberant case in a Young man.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis is a tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Mucosal leishmaniasis has been described as secondary to the cutaneous form; however, isolated mucosal involvement can also occur. Specifically, mucosal leishmaniasis of the lip is poorly described and its diagnosis challenges clinicians. METHODS: We herein report a case of mucosal leishmaniasis affecting the lower lip without cutaneous involvement in a 20-year-old Venezuelan man. The patient had no relevant past medical history. Clinically, a mass-like lesion with ulcerations and crusts was observed. RESULTS: Microscopically, the lesion was composed of granulomatous inflammation along with macrophages containing intracytoplasmic inclusions similar to round-shaped Leishmania. The species Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis was confirmed. Treatment with meglumine antimonate was effective. The lesion healed satisfactorily, and no side effects or recurrences were observed. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of isolated forms of mucosal leishmaniasis of the lip, even in cases where the cutaneous lesion is undetected or clinically manifests as self-limiting. Knowing the endemic areas in the scenario of the dynamics of the ecoepidemiology of leishmaniasis is also essential for surveillance and counselling of the population.

Identification of RP1 as the genetic cause of retinitis pigmentosa in a multi-generational pedigree using Extremely Low-Coverage Whole Genome Sequencing (XLC-WGS).

MOTIVATION: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are decisive for discovering disease-causing variants, although their cost limits their utility in a clinical setting. A cost-mitigating alternative is an extremely low coverage whole-genome sequencing (XLC-WGS). We investigated its use to identify causal variants within a multi-generational pedigree of individuals with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Causing progressive vision loss, RP is a group of genetically heterogeneous eye disorders with approximately 60 known causal genes. RESULTS: We performed XLC-WGS in seventeen members of this pedigree, including three individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of RP. Sequencing data were processed using Illumina's DRAGEN pipeline and filtered using Illumina's genotype quality score metric (GQX). The resulting variants were analyzed using Expert Variant Interpreter (eVai) from enGenome as a prioritization tool. A nonsense known mutation (c.1625C > G; p.Ser542*) in exon 4 of the RP1 gene emerged as the most likely causal variant. We identified two homozygous carriers of this variant among the three sequenced RP cases and three heterozygous individuals with sufficient coverage of the RP1 locus. Our data show the utility of combining pedigree information with XLC-WGS as a cost-effective approach to identify disease-causing variants.

Cryptococcus neoformans Causing Meningoencephalitis in Adults and a Child from Lima, Peru: Genotypic Diversity and Antifungal Susceptibility.

Cryptococcosis, caused predominantly by Cryptococcus neoformans, is a potentially fatal, opportunistic infection that commonly affects the central nervous system of immunocompromised patients. Globally, this mycosis is responsible for almost 20% of AIDS-related deaths, and in countries like Peru, its incidence remains high, mostly due to the annual increase in new cases of HIV infection. This study aimed to establish the genotypic diversity and antifungal susceptibility of C. neoformans isolates causing meningoencephalitis in 25 adults and a 9-year-old girl with HIV and other risk factors from Lima, Peru. To identify the genotype of the isolates, multilocus sequence typing was applied, and to establish the susceptibility of the isolates to six antifungals, a YeastOne® broth microdilution was used. From the isolates, 19 were identified as molecular type VNI, and seven as VNII, grouped in eight and three sequence types, respectively, which shows that the studied population was highly diverse. Most isolates were susceptible to all antifungals tested. However, VNI isolates were less susceptible to fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole than VNII isolates (p < 0.05). This study contributes data on the molecular epidemiology and the antifungal susceptibility profile of the most common etiological agent of cryptococcosis, highlighting a pediatric case, something which is rare among cryptococcal infection.

Comportamiento informativo en las bibliotecas de la Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, antes y durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2

Se estudia el comportamiento informativo de alumnos y docentes de la Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza (FESZ), de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), durante la pandemia ocasionada por el SARS-CoV-2, en la Biblioteca Digital UNAM ante el cierre total de las bibliotecas, lo que limitó la consulta presencial de libros y revistas impresas. Se llevó a cabo una investigación cuantitativa con la técnica de análisis de datos estadísticos a partir de las bitácoras de acceso a la Biblioteca Digital (BIDI UNAM) que en suma contempló 15,597 accesos, en comparación a dos periodos, antes y durante la pandemia, obteniendo como resultado un incremento en los accesos, sumado al impulso de estrategias de alfabetización informacional para el uso y aprovechamiento de los recursos de información, mismos que pueden ser integrados en los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje, fortaleciendo el modelo educativo de la FESZ.

The informational behavior of students and professors of the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza (FESZ) of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) during the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, is studied in the Biblioteca Digital UNAM (BIDI UNAM) before the total closure of libraries, which limited the consultation of printed books and journals. A quantitative research was carried out with the statistical data analysis technique from the access logs to the BIDI UNAM, wich in total included 15,597 accesses, compared to two periods, before and during the pandemic, obtaining as a result an increase in accesses, in addition to the promotion of information literacy strategies for the use and exploitation of information resources, which can be integrated into the teaching and learning processes, strengthening the educational model of the FESZ.

A dominant negative ADIPOQ mutation in a diabetic family with renal disease, hypoadiponectinemia, and hyperceramidemia.

Adiponectin, encoded by ADIPOQ, is an insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory, and renoprotective adipokine that activates receptors with intrinsic ceramidase activity. We identified a family harboring a 10-nucleotide deletion mutation in ADIPOQ that cosegregates with diabetes and end-stage renal disease. This mutation introduces a frameshift in exon 3, resulting in a premature termination codon that disrupts translation of adiponectin's globular domain. Subjects with the mutation had dramatically reduced circulating adiponectin and increased long-chain ceramides levels. Functional studies suggest that the mutated protein acts as a dominant negative through its interaction with non-mutated adiponectin, decreasing circulating adiponectin levels, and correlating with metabolic disease.

The genomic basis of the plant island syndrome in Darwin's giant daisies.

The repeated, rapid and often pronounced patterns of evolutionary divergence observed in insular plants, or the 'plant island syndrome', include changes in leaf phenotypes, growth, as well as the acquisition of a perennial lifestyle. Here, we sequence and describe the genome of the critically endangered, Galápagos-endemic species Scalesia atractyloides Arnot., obtaining a chromosome-resolved, 3.2-Gbp assembly containing 43,093 candidate gene models. Using a combination of fossil transposable elements, k-mer spectra analyses and orthologue assignment, we identify the two ancestral genomes, and date their divergence and the polyploidization event, concluding that the ancestor of all extant Scalesia species was an allotetraploid. There are a comparable number of genes and transposable elements across the two subgenomes, and while their synteny has been mostly conserved, we find multiple inversions that may have facilitated adaptation. We identify clear signatures of selection across genes associated with vascular development, growth, adaptation to salinity and flowering time, thus finding compelling evidence for a genomic basis of the island syndrome in one of Darwin's giant daisies.

Factors associated with the workload of health professionals in hospital at home: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the factors related to workload, could help hospital at home (HaH) managers to make decisions on the most appropriate and efficient use of the HaH services. Published studies on this topic are scarce, so we have conducted a systematic review to identify such factors according to published evidence. METHODS: Due to the heterogeneity of HaH models, HaH was defined as a care that provides a set of medical and nursing care and attention of hospital rank to patients at home, when they no longer require hospital infrastructure but still need active monitoring and complex care. The electronic data base literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), and Cinahl (EBSCOhost) from inception to December 2021, including grey literature. Search terms related to `hospital at home´, `workload´ and `care time´ were used. There was no restriction on language, type of study or year of publication. Quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist and certainty in the body of evidence was assessed using the GRADE Pro Tool. Results were summarised in a tabulated format. RESULTS: Eighteen studies with 56,706 patients were included. Workload was measured as time, number of visits or both. The predictive factors of the workload included variables related to patient characteristics and other valid and reliable patient classification systems, as well as characteristics of the institutions where the studies were conducted. The factors associated with higher workloads were: being older, male, living in a rural environment, presenting a higher number of diagnoses, having worse functional status and being unable to assume self-care. CONCLUSIONS: The identified predictors of workload are mostly associated with home nursing care. The results could be useful and applicable to different organisational models of HaH health systems. More studies that include physicians and proxy measures of workload are needed.