Efectividad del entrenamiento muscular pélvico temprano en la fuerza de suelo pélvico, síntomas de incontinencia urinaria, función sexual y calidad de vida en pacientes posprostatectomía radical: revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados / Effectiveness of early pelvic muscle training on pelvic floor strength, urinary incontinence symptoms, sexual function, and quality of life in post-radical prostatectomy patients: Systematic review of randomized clinical trials

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la efectividad del entrenamiento muscular pélvico temprano para reducir los síntomas de incontinencia urinaria, mejorar la calidad de vida, función sexual y aumentar la fuerza de suelo pélvico en pacientes posprostatectomía radical. Se realizó una búsqueda en 8 bases de datos hasta el 26 de octubre de 2022, se evaluó la calidad metodológica y el riesgo de sesgo de 14 estudios incluidos (n=1236), se calculó la evidencia y el metaanálisis. El entrenamiento redujo significativamente los síntomas de incontinencia urinaria en comparación con un grupo control (DME=−2,80; IC 95%=−5,21 a −0,39; p=0,02), con heterogeneidad significativa (I2=83%; p=<0,0001) y evidencia moderada. Además, presentó evidencia moderada para mejorar la calidad de vida, y muy baja para mejorar la función sexual y fuerza de suelo pélvico. Estos resultados deben ser observados con precaución debido a la heterogeneidad significativa de los estudios analizados. (AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early pelvic muscle training in reducing urinary incontinence symptoms, improving quality of life, sexual function, and increasing pelvic floor strength in post-radical prostatectomy patients. A search was carried out in 8 databases until October 26, 2022, the methodological quality and the risk of bias of 14 included studies (n=1236) were evaluated, moreover, the evidence and the meta-analysis were calculated. The intervention significantly reduced urinary incontinence symptoms compared to a control group (SMD=−2.80, 95% CI=−5.21 to −0.39, P=.02), with significant heterogeneity (I2=83%; P=<.0001) and moderate evidence. In addition, it presented moderate evidence to improve quality of life, and very low evidence to improve sexual function and pelvic floor strength. These results should be viewed with caution due to the significant heterogeneity of the studies analysed. (AU)

[Effectiveness of early pelvic muscle training on pelvic floor strength, urinary incontinence symptoms, sexual function, and quality of life in post-radical prostatectomy patients: Systematic review of randomized clinical trials]. / Efectividad del entrenamiento muscular pélvico temprano en la fuerza de suelo pélvico, síntomas de incontinencia urinaria, función sexual y calidad de vida en pacientes posprostatectomía radical: revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early pelvic muscle training in reducing urinary incontinence symptoms, improving quality of life, sexual function, and increasing pelvic floor strength in post-radical prostatectomy patients. A search was carried out in 8 databases until October 26, 2022, the methodological quality and the risk of bias of 14 included studies (n=1236) were evaluated, moreover, the evidence and the meta-analysis were calculated. The intervention significantly reduced urinary incontinence symptoms compared to a control group (SMD=-2.80, 95% CI=-5.21 to -0.39, P=.02), with significant heterogeneity (I2=83%; P=<.0001) and moderate evidence. In addition, it presented moderate evidence to improve quality of life, and very low evidence to improve sexual function and pelvic floor strength. These results should be viewed with caution due to the significant heterogeneity of the studies analysed.

Oncological monitoring after transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) for rectal neoplasia.

BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of choice for rectal neoplasia is total mesorectal excision (TME). The transanal approach enables a better approach in male and obese patients and/or those with a narrow pelvis and in patients with small tumors. Short-term results are comparable with those for laparoscopy or the open approach, but the medium- and long-term oncological data are sparse. The aim of the present study was to evaluate our early experience with transanal TME (TaTME). METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted on patients who underwent TaTME at our center between August 2013 and April 2017 with a follow-up ≥ 3 years. Histopathology, complications, mortality, neoplastic recurrence and disease-free survival were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred patients (68 men and 32 women,, median age 66.8 years [range 29.6-91.2 years]) were included. There were 67 T3 cases (67%) with 74 N0 cases (74%), the mesorectal quality was graded optimal for 87.6% and only 2 cases of radial margin involvement were detected (2%). The median follow-up period was 47.6 months (range 11.8-78.9 months). Eighteen cases of recurrence were diagnosed, of which 3 (3%) recurred locally with an average disease-free period of 43.1 months. Overall survival was 80% and mortality due to progression of disease was 13%. CONCLUSIONS: TaTME is a safe surgical procedure with surgical, anatomopathological and oncological results at 3 years (medium-term) comparable with those for the laparoscopic and open approaches. Better monitoring is required with studies of the long-term functional and quality of life outcomes, i.e., at 5 or 10 years.

Substance use disorder and homelessness among American Indians and Alaska Natives in California.

American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities have higher rates of substance use than other racial and ethnic groups. Substance use disorder (SUD) is tied to the increased risk of experiencing homelessness. National policies have also led to the disproportionate rates of homelessness among AIAN communities. However, specific experiences related to the occurrence of SUD and homelessness among AIAN in California, as well as seeking and accessing SUD treatment, are not well understood. This study explored potential SUD risk and resilience factors for AIANs experiencing homelessness and their experiences when seeking services for SUD. Nineteen interviews were conducted in northern, central, and southern California. Thematic analysis was used for these data. The five primary codes were: (1) risk factors for SUD, (2) resilience related to SUD service seeking, (3) services available, (4) barriers accessing services, and (5) services needed. Based on the results, themes for risk were trauma, mental health, and community conditions. Themes for resilience were identified at individual and community levels and included personal motivation and community support and inclusiveness. Themes for services available were limited knowledge about service types and services' location. The themes for barriers accessing services were identified at internal and external levels, and included lack of readiness and transportation challenges, respectively. Themes for services needed included continuum of care, integrated care, and culturally sensitive services. Findings highlight the importance of addressing the potential risk factors and service needs of AIANs experiencing homelessness to provide comprehensive and culturally sensitive services to reduce substance use.

Evaluación de maduración de sutura palatina mediana con el método de Angelieri et al. Revisión narrativa / Evaluation of the maturation of midpalatal suture with the Angelieri's method. Narrative review

Introducción: Evaluar la maduración de la sutura palatina mediana (SPM) es importante en ortodoncia y ortopedia dentofacial, para decidir el tipo de tratamiento para expansión palatina, en pacientes con compresión maxilar. Angelieri et al. el 2013, proponen un método de evaluación de maduración de la SPM con tomografía computarizada de haz cónico. No se encontraron publicaciones que analicen artículos que describen y aplican el método de Angelieri. El propósito de esta revisión es analizar el método de Angelieri, describiendo usos, ventajas y desventajas. Revisión: El método de Angelieri clasifica la maduración de la SPM en 5 etapas (A-E). Su uso complementa a estudios con radiografías convencionales cuando éstas indican que el paciente está en etapas circumpuberales y post peak puberal. La identificación de la etapa de maduración de la SPM permite determinar las alternativas de tratamiento -ortopédico o con enfoque quirúrgico-, de acuerdo a si la SPM está sin osificación o con osificación parcial/total, respectivamente. Algunas ventajas del método de Angelieri son ser un método no invasivo, y reproducible tras una adecuada formación. Una de sus desventajas es la falta de un gold standard que compruebe que la morfología imagenológica de la SPM propuesta por los autores no es solo teórica. Conclusiones: El método de Angelieri es útil para evaluar la maduración de la SPM, previa calibración. No existe acuerdo en que el método de Angelieri sea predictor de éxito del tratamiento para expansión palatina. Se requiere mayor investigación acerca de la contribución de este método para su uso clínico. (AU)

Introduction: Assessing the maturity of the midpalatal suture (MPS) is important in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, to decide the type of treatment for palatal expansion, in patients with maxillary compression. Angelieri et al. in 2013, proposed a method for evaluating the maturation of MPS with cone-beam computed tomography. No publications were found which analyze articles describing and applying the Angelieri's method. The purpose of this review is to analyze the Angelieri's method, describing its uses, advantages and disadvantages.Review: Angelieri's method classifies MPS maturation into 5 stages (A-E). Its use complements studies with conventional bi-dimensional radiographs, when they indicate the patient is in circumpubertal and post-peak pubertal stages. The identification of the stage of maturation of MPS allows to determine the treatment alternatives -orthopedic or with a surgical approach-according to whether MPS is without ossification or with partial/total ossification, respectively. Some advantages of the Angelieri's method are being a non-invasive method, and reproducible after adequate training. One of its disadvantages is the lack of a gold standard that proves the imaging morphology of MPS proposed by the authors is not only theoretical.Conclusions: Angelieri's method is useful to evaluate the maturation of MPS, after calibration. There is no agreement that Angelieri's method is a predictor of treatment success for palatal expansion. Further research is required on the contribution of this method to its clinical use. (AU)

Beam particle identification and tagging of incompletely stripped heavy beams with HEIST.

A challenge preventing successful inverse kinematics measurements with heavy nuclei that are not fully stripped is identifying and tagging the beam particles. For this purpose, the HEavy ISotope Tagger (HEIST) has been developed. HEIST utilizes two micro-channel plate timing detectors to measure the time-of-flight, a multi-sampling ion chamber to measure energy loss, and a high-purity germanium detector to identify isomer decays and calibrate the isotope identification system. HEIST has successfully identified 198Pb and other nearby nuclei at energies of about 75 MeV/A. In the experiment discussed, a typical cut containing 89% of all 198Pb80+ in the beam had a purity of 86%. We examine the issues of charge state contamination. The observed charge state populations of these ions are presented and, using an adjusted beam energy, are well described by the charge state model GLOBAL.

Determination of caffeine in dietary supplements by miniaturized portable liquid chromatography.

In this study three miniaturized liquid chromatography (LC) instruments have been evaluated and compared for the analysis of caffeine in dietary supplements, namely a benchtop capillary LC (capLC) system, a benchtop nano LC (nanoLC)system and a portable LC system. Commercial products derived from different sources of caffeine have been analyzed. Under optimized conditions, the methods based on benchtop systems were superior in terms of sensitivity. The limits of detection (LODs) found with the capLC and nanoLC systems were 0.01 and 0.003 µg mL-1, respectively, whereas the LOD obtained with the portable LC instrument was of 1 µg mL-1. The portable LC-based method was superior in terms of simplicity and throughput (total analysis time < 15 min). On the basis of the results obtained, a new method for the rapid measurement of caffeine in dietary supplements by portable miniaturized LC is presented. This method provided good linearity within the 1-20 µg mL-1 interval, and it allowed the quantification of caffeine even in products derived from decaffeinated green coffee extracts. The contents of caffeine found with the proposed portable LC method in the real samples analyzed ranged from 1.38 to 7 mg per gram of product, which were values statistically equivalent to those found with the benchtop capLC and nanoLC methods, being the precision, expressed as relative standard deviation (RDS), of 2 -14% (n = 3). The proposed portable LC based method can be used as a simple and rapid alternative to estimate the quality, effectiveness and safety of dietary supplements, regarding their caffeine content.

Síndrome del túnel del tarso: análisis clínico-imagenológico de una serie de casos / Tarsal tunnel syndrome: Clinical-imaging analysis of a case series

Antecedentes: Revisión retrospectiva de pacientes con diagnóstico de síndrome del túnel del tarso (STT) tratados quirúrgicamente. Método: Serie retrospectiva de pacientes con diagnóstico de STT operados entre los años 2005 y 2020 en un mismo centro. Se analizan variables como edad, género, lado, nervio o rama afectada, clasificación, tipo de estudio imagenológico, resultado biopsia, tasa de infección, tasa recurrencia, secuelas, entre otras. Resultados: Se incluyen ocho hombres y dos mujeres con edad promedio de 47 años (rango 34-67) y seguimiento promedio de 62,2 meses (rango 2-149). Todos los casos se relacionan con una compresión intrínseca. La causa más frecuente fue la presencia de quiste (40%), seguida de adherencias perineurales (20%). El nervio tibial posterior fue el más afectado (50%) y 30% la rama plantar medial. La ecografía (70%) y resonancia magnética (50%) fueron los estudios más solicitados. No hubo casos de infección postoperatoria. Hubo tres pacientes que presentaron recurrencia de la lesión requiriendo una nueva cirugía. Conclusiones: El STT es una neuropatía que compromete al nervio tibial posterior o a algunas de sus ramas. En general su causa es la compresión del nervio por distintas estructuras como músculos accesorios, gangliones, entre otras. El diagnóstico es eminentemente clínico apoyándose en estudio por imágenes. El tratamiento quirúrgico presenta mejores resultados cuando la causa es una compresión intrínseca, aunque se describen tasas variables de recurrencia.(AU)

Background: Retrospective review of patients with a diagnosis of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS) treated surgically. Methods: Retrospective series of patients with diagnosis of TTS operated between 2005 and 2020 in the same center. Variables such as age, sex, side, affected nerve or branch, classification, type of imaging study, biopsy result, infection rate, recurrence rate, sequelae, among others, were analyzed. Results: We included 8 men and 2 women with an average age of 47 years (range 34-67) and an average follow-up of 62.2 months (range 2-149). All cases were related to intrinsic compression. The most frequent cause was the presence of cyst (40%) followed by perineural adhesions (20%). The Posterior Tibial Nerve was the most affected (50%) and 30% the Medial Plantar Branch. Ultrasound (70%) and MRI (50%) were the most requested studies. There were no cases of postoperative infection. There were 3 patients who presented recurrence of the lesion requiring a new surgery. Conclusions: TTS is a neuropathy involving the posterior tibial nerve or some of its branches. In general, it is caused by compression of the nerve by different structures such as accessory muscles and ganglions, among others. The diagnosis is eminently clinical, supported by imaging studies. Surgical treatment presents better results when the cause is an intrinsic compression, although variable recurrence rates are described.(AU)

Tarsal tunnel syndrome: Clinical-imaging analysis of a case series / Síndrome del túnel del tarso: análisis clínico-imagenológico de una serie de casos

Background: Retrospective review of patients with a diagnosis of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS) treated surgically. Methods: Retrospective series of patients with diagnosis of TTS operated between 2005 and 2020 in the same center. Variables such as age, sex, side, affected nerve or branch, classification, type of imaging study, biopsy result, infection rate, recurrence rate, sequelae, among others, were analyzed. Results We included 8 men and 2 women with an average age of 47 years (range 34-67) and an average follow-up of 62.2 months (range 2-149). All cases were related to intrinsic compression. The most frequent cause was the presence of cyst (40%) followed by perineural adhesions (20%). The Posterior Tibial Nerve was the most affected (50%) and 30% the Medial Plantar Branch. Ultrasound (70%) and MRI (50%) were the most requested studies. There were no cases of postoperative infection. There were 3 patients who presented recurrence of the lesion requiring a new surgery. Conclusions: TTS is a neuropathy involving the posterior tibial nerve or some of its branches. In general, it is caused by compression of the nerve by different structures such as accessory muscles and ganglions, among others. The diagnosis is eminently clinical, supported by imaging studies. Surgical treatment presents better results when the cause is an intrinsic compression, although variable recurrence rates are described.(AU)

Antecedentes: Revisión retrospectiva de pacientes con diagnóstico de síndrome del túnel del tarso (STT) tratados quirúrgicamente. Método: Serie retrospectiva de pacientes con diagnóstico de STT operados entre los años 2005 y 2020 en un mismo centro. Se analizan variables como edad, género, lado, nervio o rama afectada, clasificación, tipo de estudio imagenológico, resultado biopsia, tasa de infección, tasa recurrencia, secuelas, entre otras. Resultados: Se incluyen ocho hombres y dos mujeres con edad promedio de 47 años (rango 34-67) y seguimiento promedio de 62,2 meses (rango 2-149). Todos los casos se relacionan con una compresión intrínseca. La causa más frecuente fue la presencia de quiste (40%), seguida de adherencias perineurales (20%). El nervio tibial posterior fue el más afectado (50%) y 30% la rama plantar medial. La ecografía (70%) y resonancia magnética (50%) fueron los estudios más solicitados. No hubo casos de infección postoperatoria. Hubo tres pacientes que presentaron recurrencia de la lesión requiriendo una nueva cirugía. Conclusiones: El STT es una neuropatía que compromete al nervio tibial posterior o a algunas de sus ramas. En general su causa es la compresión del nervio por distintas estructuras como músculos accesorios, gangliones, entre otras. El diagnóstico es eminentemente clínico apoyándose en estudio por imágenes. El tratamiento quirúrgico presenta mejores resultados cuando la causa es una compresión intrínseca, aunque se describen tasas variables de recurrencia.(AU)

On the effects of the modularity of gene regulatory networks on phenotypic variability and its association with robustness.

Biological adaptations depend on natural selection sorting out those individuals that exhibit characters fit to their environment. Selection, in turn, depends on the phenotypic variation present in a population. Thus, evolutionary outcomes depend, to a certain extent, on the kind of variation that organisms can produce through random genetic perturbation, that is, their phenotypic variability. Moreover, the properties of developmental mechanisms that produce the organisms affect their phenotypic variability. Two of these properties are modularity and robustness. Modularity is the degree to which interactions occur mostly within groups of the system's elements and scarcely between elements in different groups. Robustness is the propensity of a system to endure perturbations while preserving its phenotype. In this paper, we used a model of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) to study the relationship between modularity and robustness in developmental processes and how modularity affects the variation that random genetic mutations produce in the expression patterns of GRNs. Our results show that modularity and robustness are correlated in multifunctional GRNs and that selection for one of these properties affects the other as well. We contend that these observations may help to understand why modularity and robustness are widespread in biological systems. Additionally, we found that modular networks tend to produce new expression patterns with subtle changes localized in the expression of a few groups of genes. This effect in the phenotypic variability of modular GRNs may bear important consequences for adaptive evolution: it may help to adjust the expression of one group of genes at a time, with few alterations on other previously evolved expression patterns.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome: Clinical-imaging analysis of a case series. / Síndrome del túnel del tarso: análisis clínico-imagenológico de una serie de casos.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective review of patients with a diagnosis of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS) treated surgically. METHODS: Retrospective series of patients with diagnosis of TTS operated between 2005 and 2020 in the same center. Variables such as age, sex, side, affected nerve or branch, classification, type of imaging study, biopsy result, infection rate, recurrence rate, sequelae, among others, were analyzed. RESULTS: We included 8 men and 2 women with an average age of 47 years (range 34-67) and an average follow-up of 62.2 months (range 2-149). All cases were related to intrinsic compression. The most frequent cause was the presence of cyst (40%) followed by perineural adhesions (20%). The Posterior Tibial Nerve was the most affected (50%) and 30% the Medial Plantar Branch. Ultrasound (70%) and MRI (50%) were the most requested studies. There were no cases of postoperative infection. There were 3 patients who presented recurrence of the lesion requiring a new surgery. CONCLUSIONS: TTS is a neuropathy involving the posterior tibial nerve or some of its branches. In general, it is caused by compression of the nerve by different structures such as accessory muscles and ganglions, among others. The diagnosis is eminently clinical, supported by imaging studies. Surgical treatment presents better results when the cause is an intrinsic compression, although variable recurrence rates are described.

Síndrome de Miller Fisher, un desafío diagnóstico de oftalmoplejía: reporte de un caso / Miller Fisher syndrome, a diagnostic challenge of ophthalmoplegia: a case report

El síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB), y sus derivados, entre ellos el síndrome de Miller Fisher (SMF); junto a otras patologías de origen neurológico como la Polineuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica (CIDP), las polineuropatías de causa metabólica, miastenia gravis, esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA), síndrome de Lambert-Eaton, encefalopatía de Wernicke entre otras; presentan signos y síntomas neurológicos de presentación común. De este modo, la importancia del examen neurológico acabado; y los exámenes de apoyo diagnóstico como: laboratorio -destacando el líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR)-, electromiografía, y toma de imágenes, son cruciales para esclarecer el diagnóstico. Así, es posible ofrecer un tratamiento de forma precoz, basado en la evidencia, y con el objetivo de disminuir la letalidad de la enfermedad. En el presente texto se plasma un subgrupo de patología de SGB, el SMF, el cual posee una incidencia significativamente baja, una clínica característica, y un pronóstico bastante ominoso sin un tratamiento adecuado. En el presente texto se plasma el reporte de un caso abordado en el Hospital San Pablo de Coquimbo, Chile.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and its derivatives, including Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), along others pathologies of neurological origin such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), metabolic polyneuropathies, myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lambert-Eaton syndrome, Wernicke's encephalopathy and well as others, have common neurological signs and symptoms. In this way, the importance of a thorough neurological examination, and supporting diagnostic tests such as: laboratory, -cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-electromyography, and imaging, are crucial to clarify the diagnosis. Thus, it is possible to offer early, evidence-based treatment with an aim of reducing the disease's lethality. In the text below we present a subgroup of GBS pathology, MFS, which has a significantly low incidence, a characteristic clinical picture, and a rather ominous prognosis without adequate treatment. In the following text/paper is shown the report of a case approached in San Pablo Hospital, from Coquimbo, Chile.

[Risk assessment of glucoamylase and xylanase complex from Aspergillus awamori Xyl T-15].

The introduction of methods for food production using microbial synthesis, including those obtained with the help of genetically modified (GM) microorganisms, at the present stage, allows to increase production volumes and reduce the cost of food. At the same time, such products in accordance with TR CU 021/2011 "On food safety" are classified as a "novel food"¼ and can be placed on the market only after its risk estimation for health. The emergence of new data and research methods in the last years has made it necessary to improve the risk assessment system for this category of food. The aim of the research is to develope risk assessment approaches of food obtained by microbial synthesis on the example of the GM strain Aspergillus awamori Xyl T-15 and the enzyme preparation (EP) (a complex of glucoamylase and xylanase) produced by it. Material and methods. Outbred ICR mice (CD-1) and Wistar rats (males and females) were used in the experimental studies. Investigations of GM strain A. awamori Xyl T-15 virulence and its ability to disseminate internal organs have been carried out. Acute and subacute (during 80 days) toxicity of EP (a complex of glucoamylase and xylanase) have been studied. Results. The presented experimental data allow us to make a conclusion about the avirulence of the A. awamori Xyl T-15 strain, the lack of ability to disseminate internal organs (invasiveness). At the same time, the strain is characterized by the ability to produce mycotoxins (ochratoxin, fumonisin B2, T-2 and HT-2 toxins). The EP, a complex of glucoamylase and xylanase from A. awamori Xyl T-15, has a low oral acute toxicity for rats (LD50>5000 mg/kg). I ntragastric EP administration at doses of 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg of body weight during 80 days had not revealed adversely affect on the rate of weight gain in animals, indicators of anxiety and cognitive function, and some studied biochemical indicators. At a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. or more, there were changes in the relative mass of organs (lungs, kidneys, adrenal glands), small shifts in the parameters of erythropoiesis and leukocyte formula, at a dose of 1000 mg/kg b.w. - an increase in oxidative DNA destruction. T he most pronounced and dose-dependent was the effect of the EP on hepatocyte apoptosis. According to this indicator, the not observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for EP is not more than 100 mg/kg b.w. in terms of protein. The main target organ for the toxic effect of EP is the liver. Conclusion. The data obtained demonstrate the necessity to conduct an additional analysis of the risks of possible negative effects of EP, namely, to study its impact on the gut microbiocenosis and the immune status of experimental animals, to analyze the presence of determinants of pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance, DNA of selective marker genes of A. awamori Xyl T-15 strain by PCR analysis and DNA sequencing methods.

Supercomputer-Based Ensemble Docking Drug Discovery Pipeline with Application to Covid-19.

We present a supercomputer-driven pipeline for in silico drug discovery using enhanced sampling molecular dynamics (MD) and ensemble docking. Ensemble docking makes use of MD results by docking compound databases into representative protein binding-site conformations, thus taking into account the dynamic properties of the binding sites. We also describe preliminary results obtained for 24 systems involving eight proteins of the proteome of SARS-CoV-2. The MD involves temperature replica exchange enhanced sampling, making use of massively parallel supercomputing to quickly sample the configurational space of protein drug targets. Using the Summit supercomputer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, more than 1 ms of enhanced sampling MD can be generated per day. We have ensemble docked repurposing databases to 10 configurations of each of the 24 SARS-CoV-2 systems using AutoDock Vina. Comparison to experiment demonstrates remarkably high hit rates for the top scoring tranches of compounds identified by our ensemble approach. We also demonstrate that, using Autodock-GPU on Summit, it is possible to perform exhaustive docking of one billion compounds in under 24 h. Finally, we discuss preliminary results and planned improvements to the pipeline, including the use of quantum mechanical (QM), machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) methods to cluster MD trajectories and rescore docking poses.

Relación entre el nivel de ansiedad y rendimiento académico en estudiantes de enfermería / Relationship between anxiety level and academic performance among nursing students / Relação entre o nível de ansiedade e desempenho acadêmico em estudantes de enfermagem

Resumen Introducción: La ansiedad ante exámenes es un tipo de ansiedad de ejecución y puede afectar el rendimiento académico, en especial en los estudiantes de enfermería que sufren altos niveles de estrés. Objetivo: Establecer la relación entre el nivel de ansiedad, el rendimiento académico y variables sociodemográficas en estudiantes de enfermería de la Universidad Católica del Maule. Metodología: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y de corte transversal. La muestra fue censal, de 94 estudiantes. Para la recolección de los datos se utilizaron dos instrumentos: de antecedentes sociodemográficos (edad, género, colegio de procedencia, lugar de origen y ocupación del estudiante); y el Cuestionario de Ansiedad frente a los Exámenes (CAEX). El rendimiento académico se obtuvo del Examen Clínico Objetivo Estructurado (OSCE por sus siglas en inglés). Para el análisis de los datos se usó T-Student y Anova. Resultados: Se observó una relación significativa entre el rendimiento académico y el semestre que cursaban los estudiantes. Los estudiantes de los semestres más avanzados tuvieron mejor rendimiento (p= 0.015). El alumno que trabaja y estudia presentó mejor rendimiento en el examen OSCE con respecto al que sólo estudia (p= 0.027). El sexo femenino presentó diferencias significativas con el nivel ansiedad (p= 0.038). Conclusión: Los niveles de ansiedad se encontraron entre los rangos bajos y medios, se sugiere mantenerlos para promover aprendizajes significativos. Resulta necesario analizar la planificación curricular para reestructurar las mallas curriculares y así apoyar a los estudiantes trabajadores al hacer compatible el trabajo con el estudio, con la finalidad de mejorar su calidad de vida.

Abstract Introduction: Anxiety towards tests can impact academic performance, especially among nursing students with high levels of stress. Objective: To confirm the relationship between the level of anxiety, the academic performance, and some social and demographic variables among nursing students in the Universidad Católica del Maule. Methodology: This is a quantitative, descriptive, and transversal study. The sample was constituted by 94 students. Data were collected through 3 instruments: (a) a social and demographic data questionnaire (age, gender, school of precedence, place of origin, and occupation); (b) a Questionnaire of Anxiety Towards Exams (QAEX); c) the Objective School Clinical Exam (OSCE). Student´s t and ANOVA were calculated. Results: A significant relationship was observed between academic performance and the school semester, with students in their last semesters (senior) demonstrating better performances (p= 0.015). Students working and studying showed better results in the OSCE in comparison to those only studying (p= 0.027). Female students showed significant differences in terms of their levels of anxiety (p= 0.038). Conclusion: Anxiety was found to be in the low and middle levels. From the findings, it is suggested to avoid high levels of anxiety among students and to adjust, when necessary, the curriculum in order to support students who work and study at the same time.

Resumo Introdução: A ansiedade causada pelos testes é um tipo de ansiedade de execução e pode afetar o desempenho acadêmico, em especial nos estudantes de enfermagem que sofrem altos níveis de estresse. Objetivo: Estabelecer a relação entre o nível de ansiedade, o desempenho acadêmico e variáveis sociodemográficas em estudantes de enfermagem da "Universidad Católica del Maule". Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo, descritivo e de corte transversal. A amostra foi censo, de 94 estudantes. Para a coleta dos dados utilizaram-se dois instrumentos: de antecedentes sociodemográficos (idade, género, escola de procedência, local de origem e ocupação do estudante); e o Questionário de Ansiedade causada pelos testes (CAEX). O desempenho acadêmico foi obtido do Exame Clínico Objetivo Estruturado (OSCE por suas siglas em inglês). Para a análise dos dados foram usados T-Student e Anova. Resultados: Observou-se uma relação significativa entre o desempenho acadêmico e o semestre que cursavam os estudantes. Os estudantes dos semestres mais avançados tiveram melhor desempenho (p= 0.015). O aluno que trabalha e estuda apresentou melhor desempenho no exame OSCE em relação ao aluno que apenas estuda (p= 0.027). O sexo feminino apresentou diferenças significativas com o nível de ansiedade (p= 0.038). Conclusão: Os níveis de ansiedade encontraram-se entre as faixas baixas e médias, sugere-se mantê-los para promover aprendizagens significativas. Resulta necessário analisar o planejamento curricular para reestruturar as redes curriculares e assim apoiar os estudantes trabalhadores e fazer compatível o trabalho com o estudo, com a finalidade de melhorar sua qualidade de vida.

Supercomputer-Based Ensemble Docking Drug Discovery Pipeline with Application to Covid-19.

We present a supercomputer-driven pipeline for in-silico drug discovery using enhanced sampling molecular dynamics (MD) and ensemble docking. We also describe preliminary results obtained for 23 systems involving eight protein targets of the proteome of SARS CoV-2. THe MD performed is temperature replica-exchange enhanced sampling, making use of the massively parallel supercomputing on the SUMMIT supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, with which more than 1ms of enhanced sampling MD can be generated per day. We have ensemble docked repurposing databases to ten configurations of each of the 23 SARS CoV-2 systems using AutoDock Vina. We also demonstrate that using Autodock-GPU on SUMMIT, it is possible to perform exhaustive docking of one billion compounds in under 24 hours. Finally, we discuss preliminary results and planned improvements to the pipeline, including the use of quantum mechanical (QM), machine learning, and AI methods to cluster MD trajectories and rescore docking poses.

Working conditions and emotional impact in healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic / Condiciones de trabajo versus daño emocional en trabajadores de la salud que enfrentan COVID-19

No disponible

[Effect of quercetin on the expression of the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism genes in the liver of rats with genetic].

Quercetin (Q; 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) is considered as a promising component of specialized products for the correction of metabolic disorders in obesity and metabolic syndrome. At the same time, the results of evaluating the clinical efficacy of Q are ambiguous, and the mechanisms of its influence on lipid and carbohydrate-energy metabolism are not well understood. The aim of the work was to study the effect of quercetin (Q 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) on the expression of key glycolysis and lipogenesis enzymes' genes in Zucker-Leprfa (Z) rats characterized by hereditary obesity, compared to «wild-type¼ Wistar (W) rats. Material and methods. 24 male Z rats and 32 male W rats aged 8-10 weeks were used. Animals of each line were divided into 4 groups of equal numbers. For 62 days the animals of the first groups (controls) received a balanced diet according to AIN93M, the seconds - the same diet with Q added in a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. Animals of the third groups received a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet (HFCD) with fat 30% by weight and with the replacement of drinking water with a 20% solution of fructose, the fourths groups - the same diet and supplementation with Q. After removing animals from the experiment, expression levels of liver carbohydrate and lipid metabolism genes Khk, Gck, Pklr, Acaca, Fasn, Scd, Srebf1, Mlxipl, Ppara and Pparg were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with reverse transcription using Actb and Gapdh as reference genes. The levels of triglycerides, total and HDL cholesterol, lipolytic activity and immunoreactive leptin were determined in plasma. Results and discussion. When comparing two animal lines, a significantly higher level of expression of Ppara, Pparg, Mlxipl, Acaca, Fasn, Scd was shown in Z rats compared to W rats, which is consistent with the development of dyslipidemia in the first ones and elevated levels of leptin under both types of diets used. The addition of Q caused in W rats a decrease in the expression of Scd, Mlxipl, Khk and Gck, more pronounced on the background of HFCD whereas in Z rats there were no similar effects, or they had the opposite direction. In addition, in Z rats, consumption of Q led to increased expression of Pklr, which was not observed in W rats. Conclusion. The modulating effect of Q on the expression of key genes of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism enzymes significantly differs in wild-type W rats and mutant Z rats with hereditary obesity, and this difference appears to be potentiated by the consumption of excess fat and fructose.

Diseños de investigación y pruebas estadísticas utilizadas en revistas odontológicas de la red SciELO / Research Designs and Statistical Tests Used in Dental Journals of the SciELO Network

Introducción: Los principios y metodologías de la medicina basada en evidencia, constituye un importante campo de atención, mediante el cual se incorpora, de manera reflexiva toda la información disponible, con la finalidad de brindar al paciente las mejores opciones para los problemas de salud de la población. Conocer el tipo de evidencia y los análisis estadísticos utilizados mejoran las aptitudes del clínico para tomar cualquier decisión. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los diseños de investigación y pruebas estadísticas utilizadas en revistas de odontología indexadas en la red SciELO entre el año 2000 y 2016. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio bibliométrico descriptivo de corte transversal. La búsqueda incluyó todas las revistas del área odontológica indexadas en la base SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), entre los años 2000 y 2016, con disponibilidad en idioma español. Se excluyeron revistas que no presentaran información online disponible, sin acceso o que fueran eliminadas de la base de datos. La búsqueda se realizó desde el portal web de SciELO (http://www.scielo.org/php/index.php), a fin de obtener acceso a toda la red, a través de la sección "colecciones de revistas", donde se encontraron los links de acceso para cada país. Resultados: Se analizaron 634 artículos desde el primer semestre del 2000 al segundo semestre del 2016. Los Diseños de estudio más utilizados fueron el estudio corte transversal (244) in vitro (107). De las pruebas estadísticas paramétricas ANOVA (121) y t-test para muestras independientes (96) fueron las más frecuentemente utilizadas y de las pruebas no paramétricas, fue Chi cuadrado de Pearson (113) y U-Mann Whitney (70). Discusión: Las diferencias observadas entre los diferentes diseños de estudios se mantiene similar a lo que se había reportado anteriormente, siendo diseño de corte transversal el más utilizado. Comprender e interpretar los de métodos estadísticos permitirán identificar resultados relevantes y aplicables para la toma de decisión clínica

Introduction: The principles and methodologies of evidence-based medicine constitute an important field of attention, by means of which all the available information is incorporated in a reflexive manner, in order to provide the patient with the best options for health problems. The population. Knowing the type of evidence and the statistical analyzes used improve the clinician's abilities to make any decision. The objective of this study was to identify the research designs and statistical tests used in dentistry journals indexed in the SciELO network between 2000 and 2016. Material and method: A cross-sectional descriptive bibliometric study was carried out. The search included all the dental journals indexed in the SciELO database (Scientific Electronic Library Online), between 2000 and 2016, with availability in Spanish. We excluded journals that did not present online information available, without access or that were eliminated from the database. The search was made from the SciELO web portal (http://www.scielo.org/php/index.php), in order to obtain access to the entire network, through the section "magazine collections", where the access links for each country were found. Results: 634 articles were analyzed from the first semester of 2000 to the second semester of 2016. The study designs most used were the cross section study (244) and thein vitro study (107). Of the parametric statistical tests ANOVA (121) and t-test for independent samples (96) were the most frequently used and non-parametric tests, it was Pearson's Chi Square (113) and U-Mann Whitney (70). Discussion: The differences observed between the different study designs remains similar to what had been previously reported, with the cross-sectional design being the most used. Understanding and interpreting the statistical methods will allow to identify relevant and applicable results for clinical decision making