Impact of layered non-pharmacological interventions on COVID-19 transmission dynamics in Yucatan, Mexico.

Background: The pandemic propagation of SARS-CoV-2 led to the adoption of a myriad of non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs, e.g., social distancing, mobility restrictions, gathering restrictions) in the Americas. Using national epidemiological data, here we report the impact of the layered adoption of multiple NPIs aimed at curving SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Yucatan State, Mexico. Methods: Data from suspected and laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases during 2020 were analyzed by age groups and sex, clinical signs, and symptoms as well as outcome. The impact of NPIs was quantified using time-varying reproduction numbers (R t) estimated as a time-series and by sectors of the city. Findings: A total of 69,602 suspected cases were reported, 39.3% were laboratory-confirmed. Men were hospitalized (60.2%), more severely ill (3% vs 1.9%) and more likely to die (62%) than women. Early in the outbreak, all sectors in Merida had R t estimates above unity. Once all NPÍs were in place, R t values were dramatically reduced below one, and in the last interval transmission estimates of R t remained below one in all sectors. Interpretation: In the absence of a COVID-19 vaccination program, the combination and wide adherence of NPÍs led to a low and stable trend in SARS-CoV-2 transmission that did not overwhelm the health sector. Our study reflects that a controlled and planned ease of restrictions to balance health, social and economic recovery resulted in a single wave of transmission that prolonged at low and stable levels. Funding: GVP received funding from Emory University via the MP3 Initiative.

Effects of bee products on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in the rat.

Bee products (BP) have been used for centuries as a diet complement with claimed curative properties. The aim of this study was to determine whether oral administration of BP prevented behavioral, histological, and biochemical alterations, caused by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling in rats. Male Wistar rats were employed to evaluate seizure latency, number and duration, performance in the open field test, histological alterations and mortality following BP administration. Oral administration of BP at two doses, 30 and 60 mg/kg/day, significantly lengthened latency of both clonic and tonic PTZ-induced seizures, decreased the duration and frequency of seizures and reduced mortality. In the Open Field test, BP treated groups showed increases in the number of crossed squares and rearing counts, and on optimal dose, decreases in fecal boli. Histological analysis showed in PTZ (50 and 80 mg/kg) kindling rats, lungs with inflammatory peribronchiolar, and perialveolar infiltrates. In the liver, mild losses of trabeculae, multi-vesiculated hepatocytes (steatosis) and inflammatory infiltrates in hepatic parenchyma were observed. Interestingly, in the heart, fibers were markedly separated. In testis, stratified epithelium of seminal tubules lost its normal structure, tubules had epithelium loss, spermatids were absent, and spermatogonia and Leydig cells diminished. In PTZ kindling rats treated with BP, the lungs had no inflammatory infiltrates, although the heart showed some inflammatory infiltrates. Remaining structures had normal characteristics. These results, suggest that BP can protect rats from effects of PTZ-induced kindling.

Improving dengue virus diagnosis in rural areas of Mexico.

Evaluation of an “in-house system” for the diagnosis of dengue infection by detection of specific IgM and IgG antibodies showed that 25 out of 34 (73.53%) serum samples were positive for IgM antibodies; 6 (17.64%) were positive for IgG and 3 (8.8%) were negative for both IgM and IgG anti-DENV antibodies. Ten samples from “non-symptomatic” people were all negative. In order to evaluate the anti-DENV ELISA, 20 serum samples obtained from healthy individuals from a non-endemic region (Mexico City) and 20 serum samples previously classified as positive were tested. All 20 samples from healthy individuals proved to be negative for both IgM and IgG anti-DENV antibodies, whereas not all positive samples resulted as positive in our assay.

Effects of early use of atenolol or captopril on infarct size and ventricular volume: A double-blind comparison in patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: beta-Blockers and ACE inhibitors reduce early mortality when either one is started in the first hours after myocardial infarction (MI). Considering the close correlation between morphological changes and prognosis, we aimed to investigate whether the benefit of both beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors might reside in a similar protective effect on infarct size or ventricular volume. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a randomized, double-blind comparison between early treatment with captopril or atenolol in 121 patients with acute anterior MI, both drugs showed a similar reduction in mean blood pressure. However, only the atenolol-treated patients showed a significant early reduction in heart rate. Infarct size, obtained from the perfusion defect in resting single photon emission imaging, was higher in captopril-treated patients than in atenolol-treated patients: 29.8+/-12% versus 20.8+/-12% (P:<0.01) by polar map and 28.3+/-13% versus 20.0+/-13% (P:<0.01) by tomography. Changes from baseline to 1 week and to 3 months in ventricular end-diastolic volume, assessed by echocardiography, were as follows: 58+/-14 versus 64+/-19 (P<0.05) and 65+/-21 mL/m(2) (P<0.05), respectively, with captopril, and 58+/-18 versus 64+/-18 (P<0.05) and 69+/-30 mL/m(2) (P<0.05), respectively, with atenolol. Neither group showed significant changes in end-systolic volume. Among patients with perfusion defect >18% (n=51), those treated with atenolol showed a significant increase of end-systolic and end-diastolic ventricular volumes, whereas captopril-treated patients did not. CONCLUSIONS: Although early treatment with atenolol or captopril results in similar overall short- and medium-term preservation of ventricular function and volumes, in patients with larger infarctions, a beta-blocker alone does not adequately protect myocardium from ventricular dilatation.

[Auditory screening in public schools in Bilbao]. / Screening auditivo en colegios públicos de Bilbao.

In this work we present a hearing screening practised to 2802 six years children, attending to Public Schools in Bilbao area, during 1988, 1989 and 1990. We used the screening audiometry as method, placing the normality level in 30 dB H1 ISO. We obtained a prevalence of 6.6% and a 7.6% of false positives. Transmission hearing losses represent almost 70% and levels of low and moderate hearing loss were the most frequent, reading 88.6%. We also confirmed as parameters that contribute to hearing loss detection, the level and bilaterality of hearing loss, being language delay one of the most frequent reasons of suspicion. We also discovered that the vast majority of hearing losses that cause invalidation, deep and severe, have a perinatal origin, so early screenings would enable and early diagnostic and many benefits. In spite of all the screenings mant hearing losses are not detected, but they are moderate and can never cause incapacitation, being of little hearing relevance.

[Pediculosis capitis: epidemiologic study of 23,624 schoolchildren in Bilbao]. / Pediculosis capitis: estudio epidemiológico de 23.624 escolares de Bilbao.

Head lice infestation have become a great problem in school children, reaching epidemic proportions in some countries. An open study was conducted to determinate how widespread head lice infestation were among preschool and elementary school children in Bilbao (North of Spain). We studied 23,624 children from whole public school of the city, aged 3 years to 14 years. The results of head lice control were: total prevalence 9.39% (between 1.8% and 31.6%). We found more girls than boys become infested (1.7% 1.0). Higher infestation levels were found between third and fifth grades (9 years to 11 years). At the same time, whole social-economic levels (low, middle and upper) resulted infesting by head louse, so there is not immunity against this parasite, although higher infestations degrees were found in low levels. At last we realized that head louse infestation is usually a family condition, so that treatment should not be confined only to the school children, and it is necessary besides health-school, whole the social-help.