Real-world outcomes of two different sensor-augmented insulin pumps with predictive low glucose suspend function in type 1 diabetes patients.

AIM: To analyse the real-life outcomes of two sensor-augmented pumps (SAP) with predictive low glucose suspend (PLGS) function, Medtronic Minimed 640G™ with SmartGuard (MM640G) and Tandem T Slim X2™ with Basal-IQ™ (TTSX2), in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) patients. METHODS: Observational cross-sectional study using data obtained from computerized clinical records. All T1DM patients on TTSX2 therapy were compared (1:1) with MM640G treated patients selected through stratified sampling. Primary efficacy outcome was to describe time in rage (TIR, 70-180 mg/dL, 3.9-10 mmol/L) interstitial glucose differences according to a non-inferiority hypothesis with TTSX2 compared to MM640G. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were analyzed (female 66%). Mean age was 38.9 yrs. (range 23-59 yrs.) and mean diabetes duration was 23.4 ± 9.2 yrs. Patients treated with TTSX2 showed a numerically slightly lower, but non-statistically significantly different, TIR from the MM640G pump group (64.9 ± 16.4% vs. 72.4 ± 17.0%, P = 0.108). Similarly, we did no find differences in HbA1c between T1D patients treated with TTSX2 and MM640G (6.8 ± 1.0% vs. 7.0 ± 0.9%, 51 ± 11 mmol/mol vs. 53 ± 10 mmol/mol, P = 0.312). Moreover, rest of evaluated glycemic outcomes were similar between both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients using two different SAP with PLGS automatic function showed similar glycaemic control in a real-world scenario. NCT04741685.

Genomic signatures of adaptation to natural settings in non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica Serovars Saintpaul, Thompson and Weltevreden.

Salmonella enterica is a pathogenic bacterium responsible for intestinal illness and systemic diseases such as typhoid and paratyphoid fevers. Among clinical manifestation classification, non-typhoidal Salmonella is mainly known as foodborne pathogen associated with the consumption of fecal contaminated food and water. Even though Salmonella hosts include humans and warm-blooded animals, it has been found in non-host environments as river water where the bacteria use different strategies to fitness the environment persisting and establishment. Now with the availability of WGS and bioinformatics tools, we can explore bacterial genomes with higher resolution to increase our understanding of specific genetic signatures among environmental and clinical isolates, being the goal of this work. Pangenome construction allowed the detection of specific environmental and clinical gene clusters related to metabolism and secretion systems as the main signature respectively. Specifically, D-galactonate degradation pathway was observed mainly in environmental genomes while T3SS and flagellum genes were detected for all clinical but not for all environmental isolates. Gene duplication and pseudogenes accumulation were detected as the main adaptation strategy for environmental isolates; thus, isolation source may play an important role in genome plasticity, conferring a selective advantage to survive and persist for environmental Salmonella isolates. Intact prophage sequences with cargo genes were observable for both isolation sources playing an important role in virulence contribution.

Progression to colectomy in the era of biologics: A single center experience with pediatric ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Clinical outcomes in pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) in the era of biologic agents are poorly defined. We aimed to describe risk factors for colectomy in pediatric UC in the era of infliximab therapy. METHODS: We reviewed 217 pediatric patients at Texas Children's Hospital with newly diagnosed UC between 2003 and 2015; 117 had a minimum of 5 years of follow-up. Extent of disease at diagnosis, medication exposure, the presence of extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs), and need for surgery were noted. RESULTS: Average length of follow up was 5.02 ±â€¯2.27 years. Forty-two percent presented with pancolitis. Infliximab was used in 39%, immunomodulators in 65%, and steroids in 89% of patients. EIMs occurred in 24.9% of patients. The cumulative rate of colectomy was 12.9% at 5 years. Children presenting as E2 (Paris Classification) and children prescribed oral steroid monotherapy at diagnosis progressed to surgery faster than any other group. Of the children who received infliximab, females and children less than 5 years old were less likely to respond to therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The natural course of pediatric UC remains aggressive despite the addition of infliximab to the standard of care and suggests a need for early aggressive clinical intervention. LEVEL-OF-EVIDENCE RATING: Level IV.

[Development of animal experimental model for bacterial peritonitis]. / Desarrollo de modelo experimental animal de peritonitis bacteriana.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to develop a model of abdominal sepsis in the experimental animal. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley male rats of 5 weeks (N=39) were used. Initially, a pilot study (N = 9) was performed and distributed in 3 groups with 1cc inoculum of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 intraperitoneally at concentrations of 10E8, 10E9 and 10E10 CFU. Subsequently, concentrations of 10E10 CFU are used in two groups of 3 rats with dilutions of 10 cc and 15 cc of distilled water respectively. Finally, a randomized trial of 24 rats was started in three treatment groups after intraperitoneal infection: Group I with physiological serum (N = 6), Group II with ceftriaxone (N = 9), Group III with ceftriaxone plus allicin (N = 9). Microbiological samples of blood and peritoneal fluid were made, as well as histopathological study of intraperitoneal organs (liver, diaphragm and peritoneum). RESULTS: Death of 100% of the rats infected with 10E10 E. coli UFC concentration with the dilution of 15 ml of distilled water and without antibiotic was oberved. The blood culture and peritoneal fluid culture was positive for the same strain in all of them. The formation of abscesses on the liver surface and polymorphonuclear infiltration in tissues were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The lethal dose of E. coli is 10E10 CFU diluted in 15 cc distilled water by intraperitoneal injection.

Closed Genome Sequences of Three Salmonella enterica Strains Belonging to Serovars Saintpaul, Weltevreden, and Thompson, Isolated from Mexico.

Here, we report the genome sequences of three Salmonella enterica strains belonging to serovars Weltevreden (CFSAN047349), Saintpaul (CFSAN047351), and Thompson (CFSAN047352), isolated from river water in Sinaloa, Mexico. The genomes were closed by a combination of long-read and short-read sequencing. The strain sequence types (STs) are ST365, ST50, and ST26, respectively.

Obesity in Patients with Endometrial Cancer: May It Affect the Surgical Outcomes of Laparoscopic Approach?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of obesity on surgical outcomes for women with endometrial cancer (EC) managed by laparoscopic surgery. Minimal invasive surgery has been incorporated in the surgical management of EC, improving perioperative outcomes. However, this approach may become more challenging in case of obesity. So it is important to accurately evaluate and establish the most appropriate surgical approach for these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2008 through April 2016, we conducted a prospective observational study, including all consecutive patients with a histological diagnosis of EC undergoing surgical staging by laparoscopy at our institution. Patients were classified in two groups (obese vs non-obese) according to their body mass index. Information about short- and long-term outcomes were recorded and analyzed during an outpatient follow-up. RESULTS: Between January 2008 and April 2016, 83 women underwent laparoscopic surgery for EC at our institution. Forty-six (56.6%) of them were classified as obese. Surgical outcomes were similar in both groups. No significant difference was reported in surgical time, number of lymph nodes removed, blood loss, length of hospital stay, and incidence of intra- or postoperative complications. Also, long-term outcomes did not show any statistical significant difference: recurrence rate was 6.4% (3/47) among obese patients and 13.9% (5/36) among non-obese (p = 0.251). No difference was reported even in time to recurrence (log-rank p = 0.280) and in survival time (log-tank p = 0.132) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that obesity did not impair the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for EC. This surgical approach may be offered to obese patients with the same level of safety, radicality, and efficiency as for the normal-weight population.

A Quantitative Study on the Distribution of Mitochondria in the Neuropil of the Juvenile Rat Somatosensory Cortex.

Mitochondria play a key role in energy production and calcium buffering, among many other functions. They provide most of the energy required by neurons, and they are transported along axons and dendrites to the regions of higher energy demands. We have used focused ion beam milling and scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) to obtain stacks of serial sections from the somatosensory cortex of the juvenile rat. We have estimated the volume fraction occupied by mitochondria and their distribution between dendritic, axonal, and nonsynaptic processes. The volume fraction of mitochondria increased from layer I (4.59%) to reach its maximum in layer IV (7.74%) and decreased to its minimum in layer VI (4.03%). On average, 44% of mitochondrial volume was located in dendrites, 15% in axons and 41% in nonsynaptic elements. Given that dendrites, axons, and nonsynaptic elements occupied 38%, 23%, and 39% of the neuropil, respectively, it can be concluded that dendrites are proportionally richer in mitochondria with respect to axons, supporting the notion that most energy consumption takes place at the postsynaptic side. We also found a positive correlation between the volume fraction of mitochondria located in neuronal processes and the density of synapses.

Usefulness of the Trabecular Bone Score for assessing the risk of osteoporotic fracture. / Utilidad del Trabecular Bone Score en la valoración del riesgo de fractura osteoporótica.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The trabecular bone score (TBS) is an imaging technique that assesses the condition of the trabecular microarchitecture. Preliminary results suggest that TBS, along with the bone mineral density assessment, could improve the calculation of the osteoporotic fracture risk. The aim of this study was to analyse TBS values and their relationship with the clinical characteristics, bone mineral density and history of fractures of a cohort of posmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed 2,257 posmenopausal women from the FRODOS cohort, which was created to determine the risk factors for osteoporotic fracture through a clinical survey and bone densitometry with vertebral morphometry. TBS was applied to the densitometry images. TBS values ≤1230 were considered indicative of degraded microarchitecture. We performed a simple and multiple linear regression to determine the factors associated with this index. RESULTS: The mean TBS value in L1-L4 was 1.203±0.121. Some 55.3% of the women showed values indicating degraded microarchitecture. In the multiple linear regression analysis, the factors associated with low TBS values were age, weight, height, spinal T-score, glucocorticoid treatment, presence of type 2 diabetes and a history of fractures due to frailty. CONCLUSIONS: TBS showed microarchitecture degradation values in the participants of the FRODOS cohort and was associated with anthropometric factors, low bone mineral density values, the presence of fractures, a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the use of glucocorticoids.

Volume electron microscopy of the distribution of synapses in the neuropil of the juvenile rat somatosensory cortex.

Knowing the proportions of asymmetric (excitatory) and symmetric (inhibitory) synapses in the neuropil is critical for understanding the design of cortical circuits. We used focused ion beam milling and scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) to obtain stacks of serial sections from the six layers of the juvenile rat (postnatal day 14) somatosensory cortex (hindlimb representation). We segmented in three-dimensions 6184 synaptic junctions and determined whether they were established on dendritic spines or dendritic shafts. Of all these synapses, 87-94% were asymmetric and 6-13% were symmetric. Asymmetric synapses were preferentially located on dendritic spines in all layers (80-91%) while symmetric synapses were mainly located on dendritic shafts (62-86%). Furthermore, we found that less than 6% of the dendritic spines establish more than one synapse. The vast majority of axospinous synapses were established on the spine head. Synapses on the spine neck were scarce, although they were more common when the dendritic spine established multiple synapses. This study provides a new large quantitative dataset that may contribute not only to the knowledge of the ultrastructure of the cortex, but also towards defining the connectivity patterns through all cortical layers.

Is effective a prior multiparametric magnetic resonance scan in patients candidates to prostate biopsy? CAT Study. / ¿Es efectiva la realización previa de resonancia magnética multiparamétrica en pacientes candidatos a biopsia prostática? Estudio CAT.

We carried out a critically appraised topic (CAT)-type study to determine whether the relevant scientific evidence supports the recommendation of doing a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging study of the prostate in all patients who are candidates for prostate biopsy with the aim of improving the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer and stratifying patients to receive active surveillance or treatment. After a formal literature search and an analysis of the two most relevant articles it found, we reached the conclusion that, despite promising results that point to the potential usefulness of this approach, there is still not enough clear scientific evidence to endorse it categorically. Before this approach can be endorsed, we need evidence from well-designed prospective randomized trials using widely agreed upon criteria and including large numbers of patients at multiple centers.

Insulating Carbon Nanotubes by Atomic Layer Deposition for Electrical Wiring Purposes.

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are coated by an insulator (Al2O3) shell using the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. This is achieved in large quantities (tens of milligrams per batch) for electrical wiring purposes. Here we present a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization together with a detailed high resolution elemental analysis by in-column energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). An excellent conformality of the insulator around the CNTs is obtained. Moreover, the elemental maps show the composition of the shell while the line scan analyses demonstrate an abrupt shell-CNT interface achieved by our ALD approach.

Comparison of the Allometry Coefficient of the Length-Weight and Length-Length Relationship between Selene brownii, S. vomer and S. setapinnis Caught in the Gulf of Mexico / Comparación del Coeficiente de Alometría de la Relación Talla-Peso y Longitud-Longitud entre Selene brownii, S. vomer y S. setapinnis Capturados en el Golfo de México

This work presents a comparison of the length-weight and length-length allometric relationships between six measurements: length pattern (LP), cephalic length (CL), maximum depth (MA), caudal peduncle depth (CPD) ocular diameter (OD) and weight (W) of three species of the genus Selene (S. brownii, S. vomer and S. setapinnis) caught in the port of Veracruz, Mexico, using a beach seine of 800 m. The results show certain relationships between all measurements of S. brownii (an isometric relationship and four negative allometric relationships); S. vomer showed only four relationships (two isometric and two negative allometric); and S. setapinnis showed three relationships (all negative allometric); the results of S. vomer and S. setapinnis are consistent with those reported by Muto et al. (2010). The comparison of the coefficients of allometry between the three species allowed us to determine that S. brownii and S. vomer differed significantly in two of the four allometric coefficients of length-weight relationships common to them, and in three of the four allometric coefficients of length-length relationships common to them. S. brownii and S. setapinnis differed significantly in two of the three allometric coefficients of length-weight relationships common to them and in the only allometric coefficient of length-length relationships common to them. Finally, S. vomer and S. setapinnis differed significantly in the three common allometric coefficients of length-weight relationships, and in the only common allometric coefficient of length-length relationship.

En este trabajo se presentan las comparaciones de las relaciones alométricas de longitud- peso y longitud-longitud de seis medidas (longitud patrón (LP), longitud cefálica (LC), amplitud máxima (AM), amplitud del pedúnculo (AP), diámetro ocular (DO) y Peso (W) de tres especies del género Selene (S. brownii, S. vomer y S. setapinnis) capturados en el puerto de Veracruz México, mediante el uso de un chinchorro playero de 800 m. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que S. brownii posee relaciones entre todas sus medidas (una isométrica y cuatro alométricas negativas), S. vomer posee solo cuatro relaciones (dos isométricas y dos alométricas negativas) y S. setapinnis posee tres relaciones (todas alométricas negativas), los resultados de S. vomer y S. setapinnis concuerdan con los reportados por Muto et al. (2010). Al comparar los coeficientes de alometría entre las tres especies se pudo determinar que S. brownii y S. vomer difieren significativamente en dos de los cuatro coeficientes alométricos comunes en las relaciones longitud-peso, y tres de los cuatro coeficientes alométricos comunes en las relaciones longitud-longitud; S. brownii y S. setapinnis difieren significativamente en dos de los tres coeficientes alométricos comunes en las relaciones longitud-peso y en el único coeficiente alométricos común en las relaciones longitud-longitud; por último S. vomer y S. setapinnis difieren significativamente en los tres coeficientes alométricos comunes en la relaciones longitud-peso, y en el único coeficiente alométrico común en las relaciones longitud-longitud.

Occurrence of eight UV filters in beaches of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). An approach to environmental risk assessment.

Due to the growing concern about human health effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the use of UV filters has increased in recent decades. Unfortunately, some common UV filters are bioaccumulated in aquatic organisms and show a potential for estrogenic activity. The aim of the present study is to determine the presence of some UV filters in the coastal waters of six beaches around Gran Canaria Island as consequence of recreational seaside activities. Eight commonly used UV filters: benzophenone-3 (BP-3), octocrylene (OC), octyl-dimethyl-PABA (OD-PABA), ethylhexyl methoxy cinnamate (EHMC), homosalate (HMS), butyl methoxydibenzoyl methane (BMDBM), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) and diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB), were monitored and, with the exception of OD-PABA, all were detected in the samples collected. 99% of the samples showed some UV filters and concentration levels reached up to 3316.7 ng/L for BP-3. Environmental risk assessment (ERA) approach showed risk quotients (RQ) higher than 10, which means that there is a significant potential for adverse effects, for 4-MBC and EHMC for those samples with highest levels of UV filters.