Intrauterine Transmission of Zika and Vertical Transfer of Neutralizing Antibodies Detected Immediately at Birth in Oaxaca, Mexico: An Analysis in the Context of Microcephaly.

Zika virus (ZIKV) can cause neurological issues in infants. To provide protection, neutralizing antibodies should be transferred from the mother to the infant. We conducted a study at the Hospital General de Pochutla, Oaxaca, Mexico. Samples were collected from mothers (blood and breast milk) and infants (saliva and dried blood spots) within the first 12 postnatal hours (December 2017 to February 2018) and tested for ZIKV total and neutralizing antibodies as well as ZIKV-PCR. Microcephaly was evaluated according to INTERGROWTH-21st standards. Maternal IgG seroprevalence was 28.4% with 10.4% active infection, while infant IgG seroprevalence was 5.5% with 2.4% active infection. There were two cases of virolactia, and 6.3% of the infant saliva samples tested positive for ZIKV. Additionally, 18.3% of the infants were in a cephalic perimeter percentile lower than 10 and had an association between microcephaly and serology or a PCR between 8.6 and 60.9%. The infant blood samples had neutralizing antibodies, indicating intrauterine protection. Microcephaly was correlated with serology or PCR, but in our study population, non-ZIKV factors may be involved as well. Low ZIKV infection values in breast milk mean that breastfeeding is safe in most of the mothers and infants of the endemic area studied.

A library of electrophysiological responses in plants - a model of transversal education and open science.

Electrophysiology in plants is understudied, and, moreover, an ideal model for student inclusion at all levels of education. Here, we report on an investigation in open science, whereby scientists worked with high school students, faculty, and undergraduates from Chile, Germany, Serbia, South Korea, and the USA. The students recorded the electrophysiological signals of >15 plant species in response to a flame or tactile stimulus applied to the leaves. We observed that approximately 60% of the plants studied showed an electrophysiological response, with a delay of ~ 3-6 s after stimulus presentation. In preliminary conduction velocity experiments, we verified that observed signals are indeed biological in origin, with information transmission speeds of ~ 2-9 mm/s. Such easily replicable experiments can serve to include more investigators and students in contributing to our understanding of plant electrophysiology.

Evaluation of the Survival of Lactobacillus fermentum K73 during the Production of High-Oleic Palm Oil Macroemulsion Powders Using Rotor-Stator Homogenizer and Spray-Drying Technique.

This study aimed to evaluate the survival of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum when it is encapsulated in powdered macroemulsions to develop a probiotic product with low water activity. For this purpose, the effect of the rotational speed of the rotor-stator and the spray-drying process was assessed on the microorganism survival and physical properties of probiotic high-oleic palm oil (HOPO) emulsions and powders. Two Box-Behnken experimental designs were carried out: in the first one, for the effect of the macro emulsification process, the numerical factors were the amount of HOPO, the velocity of the rotor-stator, and time, while the factors for the second one, the drying process, were the amount of HOPO, inoculum, and the inlet temperature. It was found that the droplet size (ADS) and polydispersity index (PdI) were influenced by HOPO concentration and time, ζ-potential by HOPO concentration and velocity, and creaming index (CI) by speed and time of homogenization. Additionally, HOPO concentration affected bacterial survival; the viability was between 78-99% after emulsion preparation and 83-107% after seven days. The spray-drying process showed a similar viable cell count before and after the drying process, a reduction between 0.04 and 0.8 Log10 CFUg-1; the moisture varied between 2.4% and 3.7%, values highly acceptable for probiotic products. We concluded that encapsulation of L. fermentum in powdered macroemulsions at the conditions studied is effective in obtaining a functional food from HOPO with optimal physical and probiotic properties according to national legislation (>106 CFU mL-1 or g-1).

Motor development in premature infants: Study protocol for an interdisciplinary hospital-home intervention.

BACKGROUND: Deviations occur in the neuropsychomotor development of premature infants; early interventions minimize delay motor. This study aimed to determine the effect of an interdisciplinary hospital-home intervention addressing motor development adaptation in premature infants in Colombia in comparison with traditional interventions. METHODS: This study was based on a parallel design, with two groups, namely, experimental and control. The experimental group, hospital-home intervention (HHI) performed in two settings (i.e., hospital neonatal care units and homes), and the control group, traditional intervention, (TI) performed in institutions for premature infants. The sample will be composed of 130 randomly-allocated infants, 65 in the experimental group (HHI) and 65 in the control group (TI) of moderate to late preterm infants (gestational age between 34 and 37 weeks), weighing more than or equal to 1.800 g, who are hemodynamically stable and reside in the cities of Tunja and Bogotá-Colombia recruited between 2021 and 2022. For the pre- and post-intervention assessments, the TIMPSI and the CapDMP are the instruments used to assess motor development and the degree of parents' or caregivers' knowledge about motor development. The HHI is composed of 10 intervention strategies based on stimulation of motor development, performed twice a day for 10 min for two months, in combination with calls to a mobile device, using software (Baby Motor Skills) and an instant messaging system (WhatsApp). RESULTS: This hospital-home intervention program proposes an approach focused on the motor development of premature infants, based on sensory and motor stimulation strategies, in addition to follow-up performed at home with the use of a mobile application that improves the motor development of premature infants. Register Clinical Trial: NCT04563364. CONCLUSION: The HHI provides the opportunity to determine whether the individualized four-week from admission to follow up at home with parent training will improve the motor skills of premature infants.

Preliminary Effectiveness of a Strategy to Promote Healthy Lifestyle Habits in Schoolchildren.

PURPOSE: To measure the preliminary effectiveness of a strategy to promote healthy lifestyle habits in schoolchildren, aged 6 to 12 years, living in the Andean region of Colombia, 2018-2021. DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a Nursing Methodological Research, developed in phases: (1) Context and schoolchildren characterization; (2) Strategy design guided by the Whittemore and Grey criteria and the Bronfenbrenner ecological conceptual model; (3) Strategy validation with 11 experts; (4) Trial to evaluate preliminary effectiveness. We applied the strategy in seven different schools with the educational community including 955 schoolchildren between 6 and 12 years of age, 551 parents, 130 teachers and 7 members of the food staff. RESULTS: Our health promotion strategy "Prosalud" has five components: citizenship feeding and nutrition, physical activity, and rest; environment protection, and directing one's own life. It includes all the participants of the educational community. CONCLUSIONS: According to experts, the health promotion strategy "Prosalud" is valid to help promoting healthy lifestyle habits among schoolchildren. This strategy demonstrates its preliminary effectiveness in a group of school children from 6 to 12 years of age, their parents, teachers, and school food staff, in the Andean region of Colombia.

Effects of a Healthy Habit Promotion Strategy on Colombian Schoolchildren / Efectos de una estrategia de promoción de hábitos de vida saludable en niños colombianos en edad escolar / Efeitos de uma estratégia de promoção de hábitos de vida saudável em crianças colombianas em idade escolar

Chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) show an increasing tendency, especially in low- and medium-income countries. It is necessary to develop and evaluate strategies to strengthen healthy habits at an early age in these countries. Objective: To determine the effect of the health promotion strategy "United for Healthier Kids" (U4HK) on health lifestyle habits of a group of Colombian schoolchildren for the 2018-2020 period. Materials and methods: This quasi-experimental study features treatment and control groups and pre- and post-intervention measurements. The study involved 1,011 schoolchildren between six and twelve years old from seven rural and urban schools of the Sabana Centro region of Colombia. We used the Healthy Habits Measurement Tool, previously validated in Colombia. Results: When comparing within and between groups, the UHK strategy showed statistically significant differences in healthy habits (p < 0.05) related to nutrition and physical activity in schoolchildren. Conclusions: The U4HK strategy had a positive effect and impact on the schoolchildren' healthy habits, especially in the 'chooses to drink water' and 'moves more' components. There were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between groups in four out of the five categories: drinks more water, chooses nutritios and varied options, eats and cooks as a family, and moves more. The U4HK strategy responds to current and future health problems in schoolchildren and helps prevent chronic diseases. It could be replicated in similar populations.

Las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles (ECNT) muestran una tendencia creciente, en especial en los países de ingresos bajos y medios. Es necesario desarrollar y evaluar estrategias para fortalecer hábitos de vida saludable en edades tempranas en estos países. Objetivo: determinar el efecto de la estrategia de promoción de la salud "Unidos por niños más sanos" (U4HK, por sus siglas en inglés) en un grupo de estudiantes colombianos para el período 2018-2020. Materiales y métodos: este estudio cuasiexperimental cuenta con grupos de tratamiento y control y con mediciones previas y posteriores a la intervención. En el estudio participaron 1011 estudiantes de entre seis y doce años de siete instituciones educativas de Colombia. Se utilizó la Herramienta de medición de hábitos de vida saludable, previamente validada en Colombia. Resultados: al comparar dentro de los grupos y entre ellos, la estrategia U4HK mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los hábitos saludables relacionados con la nutrición y la actividad física en niños en edad escolar. Conclusiones: la estrategia U4HK tuvo un efecto y un impacto positivo en los hábitos saludables de los estudiantes, en particular en los componentes "beber más agua" y "moverse más". Hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0.05) entre los grupos en cuatro de las cinco categorías: beber más agua, variedad y nutrición, comer y cocinar en familia y moverse más. La estrategia U4HK responde a los problemas de salud actuales y futuros de los estudiantes y ayuda a prevenir enfermedades crónicas. Además, podría replicarse en poblaciones similares.

As doenças crônicas não transmissíveis mostram uma tendência crescente, em especial nos países de rendas baixa e média. É necessário desenvolver e avaliar estratégias para fortalecer hábitos de vida saudável de forma precoce nesses países. Objetivo: determinar o efeito da estratégia de promoção de saúde "Unidos por crianças mais saudáveis" (U4HK, por sua sigla em inglês) num grupo de estudantes colombianos para o período 2018-2020. Materiais e métodos: este estudo quase experimental conta com grupos de tratamento e controle, e com avaliações prévias e posteriores à intervenção. Do estudo, participaram 1 011 estudantes de entre 6 e 12 anos de sete instituições educacionais da Colômbia. Foi utilizada a Ferramenta de avaliação de hábitos de vida saudável, previamente validada na Colômbia. Resultados: ao comparar dentro dos grupos e entre eles, a estratégia U4HK mostrou diferenças estatisticamente significativas nos hábitos saudáveis relacionados com a nutrição e a atividade física em crianças em idade escolar. Conclusões: a estratégia U4HK teve efeito e impacto positivos nos hábitos saudáveis dos estudantes, em particular nos componentes "beber mais água" e "se movimentar mais". Houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p < 0,05) entre os grupos em quatro das cinco categorias: beber mais água, variedade e nutrição, comer e cozinhar em família, e se movimentar mais. A estratégia U4HK responde aos problemas de saúde atuais e futuros dos estudantes e ajuda a prevenir doenças crônicas. Além disso, poderia ser reproduzida em populações semelhantes.

Esfuerzos generados en la ATM en maloclusión clase II, tratada con exodoncias de premolares y ortodoncia: análisis mediante el método de elementos finitos / Strain generated in the TMJ with class II malocclusions, treated with extraction of premolars and orthodontics: analysis with the finite element method

RESUMEN Introducción: la exodoncia de premolares es una alternativa para el tratamiento de la maloclusión clase II. Un cambio en la biomecánica puede generar alteraciones en la Articulación Temporomandibular (ATM) lo que produce mayor desgaste dental y aparición de patologías articulares. El objetivo fue analizar mediante el método de elementos finitos la concentración de esfuerzos en la ATM, en maloclusión clase II, tratados con exodoncia de premolares y Ortodoncia. Métodos: dos modelos de simulación en 3D cada uno con estructuras óseas de los 2 maxilares, dentición completa y disco en la ATM. Uno corresponde al paciente sin recidiva (SR) tratado con exodoncia de primeros premolares y ortodoncia, donde se mantiene la estabilidad dental clase I. El otro modelo con recidiva (CR) tratada con exodoncia de primeros premolares y ortodoncia, aumento de overjet y overbite y clase II canina; la carga se aplicó sobre la rama mandibular. Resultados: con una carga de 900N los esfuerzos se triplicaron en todas las estructuras de los dos modelos al ser comparados con una carga de 300N; sin embargo, se dieron diferencias considerables en el modelo CR entre las cavidades glenoideas, a 300N de 19.9 MPa y a 900N de 59.3 MPa. La mayor concentración del disco se da en la parte lateral. Conclusiones: dada la asimetría en las estructuras de la ATM, los esfuerzos y la concentración de tensiones difieren entre el lado derecho e izquierdo en los dos modelos.

Abstract Introduction: premolar extraction is an alternative for the treatment of class II malocclusion. A change in biomechanics can generate alterations in the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), which produces greater dental wear and the appearance of joint dysfunctions. The objective was to assess the effort concentration in the TMJ by means of finite element analysis in class II malocclusions treated with premolar extraction and orthodontics. Method: two 3D simulation models each with bone structures of the 2 jaws, complete dentition and disc in the TMJ. One corresponds to the patient without recurrence (WR) treated with extraction of first premolars and orthodontics, where class I dental stability is maintained. The other model with recurrence (R) treated with extraction of first premolars and orthodontics, increased overjet and overbite and canine class II; the load was applied to the mandibular ramus. Results: loads of 900N triplicated on all structures compared to 300N in both models. However, there were considerable differences between the left and right glenoid cavities in the WR model, at 300N of 19.9 MPa and 900N at 59.3 MPa. Most tensions of the disc occur in the lateral part. Conclusions: due to the asymmetry in the TMJ structures, the stresses and stress concentration differ between the right and left sides in the two models.

High-throughput CRISPR-mediated 3D enrichment platform for functional interrogation of chemotherapeutic resistance.

Cancer is a disease of somatic mutations. These cellular mutations compete to dominate their microenvironment and dictate the disease outcome. While a therapeutic approach to target-specific oncogenic driver mutations helps to manage the disease, subsequent molecular evolution of tumor cells threatens to overtake therapeutic progress. There is a need for rapid, high-throughput, unbiased in vitro discovery screening platforms that capture the native complexities of the tumor and rapidly identify mutations that confer chemotherapeutic drug resistance. Taking the example of the CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) class of drugs, we show that the pooled in vitro CRISPR screening platform enables rapid discovery of drug resistance mutations in a three-dimensional (3D) setting. Gene-edited cancer cell clones assembled into an organotypic multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS), exposed to CDK4/6i caused selection and enrichment of the most drug-resistant phenotypes, detectable by next-gen sequencing after a span of 28 days. The platform was sufficiently sensitive to enrich for even a single drug-resistant cell within a large, drug-responsive complex 3D tumor spheroid. The genome-wide 3D CRISPR-mediated knockout screen (>18,000 genes) identified several genes whose disruptions conferred resistance to CDK4/6i. Furthermore, multiple novel candidate genes were identified as top hits only in the microphysiological 3D enrichment assay platform and not the conventional 2D assays. Taken together, these findings suggest that including phenotypic 3D resistance profiling in decision trees could improve discovery and reconfirmation of drug resistance mechanisms and afford a platform for exploring noncell autonomous interactions, selection pressures, and clonal competition.

A genome-wide microRNA screen identifies the microRNA-183/96/182 cluster as a modulator of circadian rhythms.

The regulatory mechanisms of circadian rhythms have been studied primarily at the level of the transcription-translation feedback loops of protein-coding genes. Regulatory modules involving noncoding RNAs are less thoroughly understood. In particular, emerging evidence has revealed the important role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in maintaining the robustness of the circadian system. To identify miRNAs that have the potential to modulate circadian rhythms, we conducted a genome-wide miRNA screen using U2OS luciferase reporter cells. Among 989 miRNAs in the library, 120 changed the period length in a dose-dependent manner. We further validated the circadian regulatory function of an miRNA cluster, miR-183/96/182, both in vitro and in vivo. We found that all three members of this miRNA cluster can modulate circadian rhythms. Particularly, miR-96 directly targeted a core circadian clock gene, PER2. The knockout of the miR-183/96/182 cluster in mice showed tissue-specific effects on circadian parameters and altered circadian rhythms at the behavioral level. This study identified a large number of miRNAs, including the miR-183/96/182 cluster, as circadian modulators. We provide a resource for further understanding the role of miRNAs in the circadian network and highlight the importance of miRNAs as a genome-wide layer of circadian clock regulation.

Knowledge, Motivations and Concerns about Participation in Breast Cancer Clinical Trials in Puerto Rico.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials (CT) in breast cancer have been crucial for new treatment discoveries. While participation in cancer CT is low, minorities are particularly underrepresented. This study aimed to identify factors influencing the participation in CTs based on the experiences of Latina breast cancer survivors in Puerto Rico (PR), especially their CT knowledge, motivations, and concerns. METHOD: Focus groups (FG) were conducted by two social workers and the University of Puerto Rico/MD Anderson Community Health Educator. Participants were stratified into two subgroups: a) women with CT experience and b) those without CT experience. Seven FG were completed among breast cancer survivors (n=34) at two hospitals located in Caguas and San Juan, PR. RESULTS: Our findings showed that participants expressed a basic knowledge and understanding of clinical trials. Motivations to participate included a desire to help others, non-monetary incentives to participation, self-benefits, readiness to participate based on the phases of illness, and enhanced relationships with the clinical trial recruitment team. Regardless of their previous experience with CTs, participants expressed concerns about participation including limited of knowledge about trial procedures and results, and lack of transportation, childcare, and support from family. RECOMMENDATIONS: The barriers and motivations identified for CT participation are modifiable and best targeted using a multidisciplinary approach. Social workers could play a potential role in participant recruitment and retention by clarifying research protocols to potential participants, as well as conducting CT. Our findings can help enhance capacity and training efforts for health professionals involved in CT recruitment and retention in culturally-relevant ways.

Lactancia materna y deserción escolar en estudiantes madres de una facultad de salud / Breastfeeding and school dropout among student-mothers of healthcare careers

La lactancia materna es una práctica trascendente para el desarrollo saludable del recién nacido, sin embargo pese a las recomendaciones de la OMS, la evidencia científica muestra una baja adherencia a la exclusividad de esta práctica en niños de 0-6 meses. El problema se extiende al ambiente laboral y se empeora en estudiantes madres por incompatibilidad con las jornadas académicas, llevándolas al uso de fórmulas lácteas, alimentación complementaria o la deserción escolar. Objetivo: valorar la práctica de la lactancia materna, el rendimiento académico y la deserción de las estudiantes madres de una facultad de salud. Materiales y métodos: estudio cualitativo, fenomenológico, de muestreo intencional en estudiantes madres de una facultad de salud, en el primer año de su única experiencia de maternidad y/o lactancia. Resultados: el conocimiento de los beneficios de la lactancia materna influyó en la decisión de practicarla pero las responsabilidades académicas obligan a ejercerla interrumpidamente; la formación como profesional de salud beneficia la comprensión del concepto de exclusividad y la apropiación de estrategias para su prolongación, cumplir el rol materno implica sacrificar el desempeño estudiantil, llevándolas a escoger entre ser madre y estudiar . Conclusiones: los compromisos académicos no posibilitan el cumplimiento de la exclusividad de la lactancia, ya que se percibe como sobrecarga y amenaza para el rendimiento académico de las estudiantes.

Breastfeeding is an essential practice for the healthy development of newborns, however, despite the WHO recommendation, scientific evidence shows low adherence to exclusive breastfeeding for infants 0-6 months old. The problem extends to the work environment and is worse in student nursing mothers due to incompatibility with academic demands, leading them to rely on milk formulas, complementary food or deciding to quit school. Objective: to evaluate the practice of breastfeeding, academic performance and student-nursing-mothers dropout rate from healthcare careers. Materials and Methods: a qualitative, phenomenological research using a purposive sampling procedure in student nursing mothers of healthcare careers in their first year of their only motherhood/breastfeeding experience. Results: knowing the benefits of breastfeeding influenced in the decision to practice it, but academic responsibilities obliged student mothers to nurse their baby in an interrupted manner; training as a healthcare professional benefit understanding the exclusivity concept and appropriating strategies to prolong breastfeeding, and complying with the role of mother implies having to sacrifice academic performance, leading her to choose between being a mother or a student. Conclusions: academic responsibilities do not facilitate exclusive breastfeeding, for it is perceived as a burden which negatively affects the academic performance of these students.

Stability and antimicrobial activity of eucalyptus essential oil emulsions.

We evaluated various formulations of oil-in-water emulsions prepared from eucalyptus essential oil, for their stability and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These formulations were developed using a response surface experimental design and analyzed with Design-Expert® 10 software. The emulsions were prepared in a colloid mill, and emulsion characterization was performed using the zeta ( ζ)-potential, droplet size distribution, and phase separation. The antimicrobial effects were assessed by death kinetics. The droplet size and ζ-potential of the 16 emulsions ranged from 1.071 to 1.865 µm (based on Feret's diameter) and -34.8 to -24 mV, respectively. Three formulations (14, 15, and 16) demonstrated the highest stability parameters (no phase separation) during the 28 days of evaluation. Eucalyptus essential oil emulsions exhibited antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa in less than 1 min.

Multimodal cortical and subcortical exercise compared with treadmill training for spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Spared fibers after spinal cord injury (SCI) tend to consist predominantly of subcortical circuits that are not under volitional (cortical) control. We aim to improve function after SCI by using targeted physical exercises designed to simultaneously stimulate cortical and spared subcortical neural circuits. METHODS: Participants with chronic motor-incomplete SCI enrolled in a single-center, prospective interventional crossover study. Participants underwent 48 sessions each of weight-supported robotic-assisted treadmill training and a novel combination of balance and fine hand exercises, in randomized order, with a 6-week washout period. Change post-intervention was measured for lower extremity motor score, soleus H-reflex facilitation; seated balance function; ambulation; spasticity; and pain. RESULTS: Only 9 of 21 enrolled participants completed both interventions. Thirteen participants completed at least one intervention. Although there were no statistically significant differences, multimodal training tended to increase short-interval H-reflex facilitation, whereas treadmill training tended to improve dynamic seated balance. DISCUSSION: The low number of participants who completed both phases of the crossover intervention limited the power of this study to detect significant effects. Other potential explanations for the lack of significant differences with multimodal training could include insufficient engagement of lower extremity motor cortex using skilled upper extremity exercises; and lack of skill transfer from upright postural stability during multimodal training to seated dynamic balance during testing. To our knowledge, this is the first published study to report seated posturography outcomes after rehabilitation interventions in individuals with SCI. CONCLUSION: In participants with chronic incomplete SCI, a novel mix of multimodal exercises incorporating balance exercises with skilled upper extremity exercises showed no benefit compared to an active control program of body weight-supported treadmill training. To improve participant retention in long-term rehabilitation studies, subsequent trials would benefit from a parallel group rather than crossover study design.

Physical, thermal and thermodynamical study of high oleic palm oil nanoemulsions.

Nanoemulsions are useful for encapsulating nutritionally compounds of the high oleic palm oil (HOPO) including ß-carotene and tocopherols. However, some nanoemulsions can be thermodynamically unstable. For this reason, it is important to understand the thermal and thermodynamic stability of nanoemulsions and to investigate both the parameters that cause, and the mechanisms associated with, the destabilization. In this sense, the DSC, TGA and destabilization analysis were used. In this work, the average droplet size (ADS) and zeta potential (ζ) had a significant influence over HOPO nanoemulsions stability. The range of ADS and ζ were between 162 and 839 nm and -9 to -40 mV, respectively. Furthermore, the HOPO nanoemulsions were establish until temperatures of 80 °C, showing lower loss of weight when the ADS was higher. Additionally, the destabilization of nanoemulsions occurred by the Ostwald ripening mechanism. The Ostwald ripening rate was provided as stability parameter which increased to nanoemulsions with ADS higher between 5 × 10-23 and 8 × 10-23 m3/s.

The microprotein Minion controls cell fusion and muscle formation.

Although recent evidence has pointed to the existence of small open reading frame (smORF)-encoded microproteins in mammals, their function remains to be determined. Skeletal muscle development requires fusion of mononuclear progenitors to form multinucleated myotubes, a critical but poorly understood process. Here we report the identification of Minion (microprotein inducer of fusion), a smORF encoding an essential skeletal muscle specific microprotein. Myogenic progenitors lacking Minion differentiate normally but fail to form syncytial myotubes, and Minion-deficient mice die perinatally and demonstrate a marked reduction in fused muscle fibres. The fusogenic activity of Minion is conserved in the human orthologue, and co-expression of Minion and the transmembrane protein Myomaker is sufficient to induce cellular fusion accompanied by rapid cytoskeletal rearrangement, even in non-muscle cells. These findings establish Minion as a novel microprotein required for muscle development, and define a two-component programme for the induction of mammalian cell fusion. Moreover, these data also significantly expand the known functions of smORF-encoded microproteins.

El futuro para la madre adolescente: reorganizando mi vida y mis expectativas / The future for the teenage mother: reorganizing my life and my expectations

Objetivos: Construir un planteamiento teórico que describa los procesos y significados que las madres adolescentes dan a su futuro. Describir el significado que las madres adolescentes dan a su futuro. Comprender el proceso que las madres adolescentes usan para dar significado a su futuro. Diseño: estudio cualitativo, en el que se utilizó en diseño de teoría fundamentada, con el enfoque propuesto por Corbin y Strauss. Se realizaron 49 entrevistas semiestructuradas en madres adolescentes que vivieran con su hijo, con edades entre los 16 y 19 años. Resultados: el análisis de los datos muestra cinco categorías generales: cambiando la vida al ser mamá, cambiando de pensamiento con la maternidad, sacando mi hijo adelante sin importar si lo esperaba, aterrizando mis expectativas sobre el padre del niño, asumiendo la planificación familiar en la búsqueda de un mejor futuro. También se identificó el proceso denominado "reorganizando mi vida y mis expectativas", que se reflejó en cuatro etapas: alejándose de las expectativas pasadas y aceptando los hechos, asumiendo una nueva vida: la maternidad, planeando y priorizando para un mejor futuro y sabiendo lo que quiero y puedo hacer con mi vida. Conclusiones: el planteamiento teórico emergente sugiere que las madres adolescentes "Cambian su vida, pero no la destruyen", lo que significa para ellas dejar atrás el pasado y avanzar hacia el futuro partiendo de su condición de madres. Se espera que esta propuesta teórica brinde una nueva visión a enfermería para abordar el cuidado a la madre adolescente desde las diferentes etapas o desde los distintos significados de la experiencia.

Objectives: To construct a theoretical approach that describes the processes and meanings that teenage mothers give to their future. Describe the meaning that teenage mothers give to their future. Understand the process that teenage mothers use to give meaning to their future. Methodology: qualitative study, with grounded theory design, directed by the guidelines established by Corbin and Strauss. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in adolescent mothers who lived with their son, aged between 16 and 19 years old. Results: the analysis of the data showed five general categories: changing my life as a mother, changing my thinking with motherhood, taking my child forward regardless of whether I expected it, landing my expectations on the father of the child, assuming family planning in the search for a better future. It also identified the process called "reorganizing my life and my expectations", which was reflected in four stages: moving away from past expectations and accepting the facts, assuming a new life: motherhood, planning and prioritizing for a better future and knowing what I want and can do with my life. Conclusions: the emerging theoretical approach suggests that adolescent mothers "change their lives, but do not destroy it," which means for them to leave behind the past and move towards the future based on their status as mothers. It is expected that this theoretical proposal will provide a new vision to nursing to address the care of the adolescent mother from different stages or from the different meanings of the experience.

Vulnerabilidad biopsicosocial y suicidio en adultos mayores colombianos / Biopsychosocial vulnerability and suicide in Colombianelderly population

Este es un artículo de revisión, el cual pretende describir la influencia de la vulnerabilidad psicosocial en el suicidio de adultos mayores colombianos, como población en crecimiento con altos índices de suicidio, fenómeno que es explicado desde el modelo estrés ­ diátesis, tomando en cuenta la interacción de factores predisponentes y desencadenantes a nivel biológico, psicológico y social. Se concluye que el adulto mayor es altamente vulnerable a conductas suicidógenas debido al deterioro físico, cognitivo y emocional que trae consigo el envejecer en un entorno de exclusión afectiva y social constante.

This is a review article, which aims to describe the influence of the psychosocial vulnerability in the suicide of Colombian elderly population, as a growing population with high suicide rates. This phenomenon is explained from the model stress - Diathesis, taking into account the interaction of predisposing and triggering factors at the biological, psychological, social level.It is concluded that the elderly population is highly vulnerable to suicidal conduct due to physical, cognitive, and emotional impairment that aging brings in an environment of constant affective and social exclusion.

Comparison of pharmacological treatment alone versus treatment combined with cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients over 75 years.

BACKGROUND: The role of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients aged ≥75 years is not well established. METHODS: We identified 607 patients aged ≥75 years with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤35 %, of whom 78 met the guidelines for indication of CRT. Based on the decision of the patients or attending cardiologists, 34 patients received a CRT defibrillator (CRT-D). RESULTS: The age of patients with a CRT indication was 80 ± 4 years, and 73 % were males. As compared with patients on medical therapy, CRT-D patients were younger (79 ± 3 vs. 83 ± 4, P < 0.001), had lower LVEF (23 ± 7 vs. 27 ± 7 %, P = 0.008) and higher rate of decompensated heart failure episodes (77 vs. 55 %, P = 0.04), were more frequently New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV (53 vs. 25 %, P = 0.01), and were more likely to be on beta-blockers (88 vs. 66 %, P = 0.023), anticoagulants (61 vs. 32 % P = 0.02), and anti-aldosterone drugs (82 vs. 50 %, P = 0.003). After a median follow-up of 26 months, seven patients in the CRT-D group (21 %) and 20 non-CRT patients (46 %) died (hazard ratio (HR) 0.16 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.06-0.46]). The end point of mortality or hospitalization was not reduced because of a similar rate of hospitalizations for heart failure of CRT-D patients. Four CRT-D patients (12 %) had received appropriate device therapy, and one had been inappropriately discharged. During follow-up, 44 % of CRT-D patients improved their LVEF by >40 %. CONCLUSION: CRT-D is potentially of benefit in terms of mortality in our population; this effect persists after correction for use of beta-blockers. In patients ≥75 years, CRT indications should be similar to those accepted for younger subjects.

Genome-Engineering Tools to Establish Accurate Reporter Cell Lines That Enable Identification of Therapeutic Strategies to Treat Friedreich's Ataxia.

Friedreich's ataxia is a neurodegenerative disease caused by deficiency of the mitochondrial protein frataxin. This deficiency results from expansion of a trinucleotide repeat in the first intron of the frataxin gene. Because this repeat expansion resides in an intron and hence does not alter the amino acid sequence of the frataxin protein, gene reactivation could be of therapeutic benefit. High-throughput screening for frataxin activators has so far met with limited success because current cellular models may not accurately assess endogenous frataxin gene regulation. Here we report the design and validation of genome-engineering tools that enable the generation of human cell lines that express the frataxin gene fused to a luciferase reporter gene from its endogenous locus. Performing a pilot high-throughput genomic screen in a newly established reporter cell line, we uncovered novel negative regulators of frataxin expression. Rational design of small-molecule inhibitors of the identified frataxin repressors and/or high-throughput screening of large siRNA or compound libraries with our system may yield treatments for Friedreich's ataxia.