Analysis of activity and motor coordination in rats undergoing stereotactic surgery and implantation of a cannula into the dorsal hippocampus. / Análisis de la actividad y coordinación motora en ratas con cirugía estereotáxica e implante de cánula en el hipocampo dorsal.

INTRODUCTION: Stereotactic surgery is used to place electrodes or cannulas in the brain in order to study the function of several brain structures in preclinical research. The hippocampus has been extensively studied with this methodology due to its involvement in a wide range of neurological, cognitive, emotional, and affective disorders. However, the effects of stereotactic surgery on coordination and motor activity should be evaluated in order to determine whether this surgical procedure causes any neurological alterations that may bias the results of studies incorporating this technique. METHODS: We evaluated the effects of stereotactic surgery and implantation of a cannula into the hippocampus of female Wistar rats on the motor activity, forced swim, and rotarod tests. The stage of the oestrous cycle was included in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Stereotactic surgery had no impact on any of the motor activity variables assessed in the open field (squares crossed, time spent in grooming, and rearing), forced swim (turning behaviour, lateral swimming, latency to first immobility, and time spent immobile), and rotarod (latency to fall) tests, compared with intact rats. Regardless of surgical manipulation, rats in the metestrus and diestrus stages crossed a greater number of squares and displayed longer immobility times than those in the proestrus and estrus stages. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic surgery for cannula placement in the dorsal hippocampus does not affect coordination and motor activity in rats. We can therefore conclude that this procedure has no neurological complications that may interfere in the interpretation of results of studies applying this technique.

[Stress in parents of hospitalized newborns in a neonatal intensive care unit]. / Estrés en padres de recién nacidos hospitalizados en una unidad de paciente crítico neonatal.

The birth of a child that requires hospitalization in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can be very stressful for parents. OBJECTIVE: To determine the stress level of parents of newborns (NB) hospitalized in a level III NICU in Santiago, and its association with clinical and sociodemographic variables. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Descriptive cross-sectional study. 373 admissions were evaluated. The sampling was non-probabilistic and included parents of RN admitted to the UPCN between 7 and 21 days of hospitalization. Only parents which have visited the RN at least three times were included. INSTRUMENTS: i) Questionnaire to obtain data which could not be obtained from the medical record; ii) Parental Stress Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS:NICU) which measures the perception of parents about stressors from the physical and psychological environment of the UPCN. RESULTS: 100 parents of 59 hospitalized NB participated in the study. The average parental stress was 2.87±0.69. The subscale scores got higher was “Relationship with the baby and parental role”. Complications in pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis or prenatal hospitalization, did not affect the stress level or the presence of prematurity, respiratory diseases, congenital malformations, genopathies or requirement of mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Stress levels presented in parents are unrelated to gender and to the studied clinical variables.

[Association between handgrip strength and functional performance in Chilean older people]. / Fuerza de prensión manual según edad, género y condición funcional en adultos mayores Chilenos entre 60 y 91 años.

BACKGROUND: Handgrip strength is an important predictor of functional performance among older adults. AIM: To measure handgrip strength in older adults and relate its values to their clinical functional assessment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Handgrip strength was measured in 1047 older adults living in the community and aged 71.9 ± 7 years (740 and 307 females). The values obtained were grouped by age, gender and functional condition. The latter was assessed using a score validated in Chile (Functional Assessment of Older Adults or EFAM), that classifies participants as autonomous without risk, autonomous in risk and in risk of becoming non-autonomous. RESULTS: In women, hand grip strength values were 17.4 ± 5.6 and 18.7 ± 5.7 kg for left and right hand; figures for men were 30.6 ± 7.8 and 31.8 ± 8.3 kg, respectively. According the functional assessment, the figures for autonomous without risk, autonomous with risk and with risk of becoming non-autonomous participants, were 23.5 ± 9.7, 21.8 ± 9.1 and 19.3 ± 8.2 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between the degrees of functional performance of older people and handgrip strength.

Evaluation of a commercially available organic acid product on body weight loss, carcass yield, and meat quality during preslaughter feed withdrawal in broiler chickens: a poultry welfare and economic perspective.

The effect of a commercial organic acid (OA) product on BW loss (BWL) during feed withdrawal and transportation, carcass yield, and meat quality was evaluated in broiler chickens. Two experiments were conducted in Brazil. Commercial houses were paired as control groups receiving regular water and treated groups receiving OA in the water. Treated birds had a reduction in BWL of 37 g in experiment 1 and 32.2 g in experiment 2. In experiment 2, no differences were observed in carcass yield between groups. Estimation of the cost benefit suggested a 1:16 ratio by using the OA. In experiment 3, conducted in Mexico, significant differences on water consumption, BWL, and meat quality characteristics were observed in chickens that were treated with the OA (P < 0.05). These data suggest this OA product may improve animal welfare and economic concerns in the poultry industry by reducing BWL and improving meat quality attributes.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes decorated by platinum catalyst nanoparticles--examination and microanalysis using scanning and transmission electron microscopies.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) decorated with platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) have been characterized using a cold field-emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a high resolution field-emission transmission electron microscope (TEM). With this particular composite material, the complementary nature of the two instruments was demonstrated. Although the long CNTs were found to be mostly bent and defective in some parts, the nucleation of Pt occurred randomly and uniformly covered the CNTs. The NPs displayed a large variation in size, were sometimes defective with twins and stacking faults, and were found to be faceted with the presence of surface steps. The shape and size of the NPs and the presence of defects may have significant consequences on the activity of the Pt catalyst material. Also, thin layers of platinum oxide were identified on the surface of some NPs.

Microbial biofilms on the sandstone monuments of the Angkor Wat Complex, Cambodia.

Discoloring biofilms from Cambodian temples Angkor Wat, Preah Khan, and the Bayon and West Prasat in Angkor Thom contained a microbial community dominated by coccoid cyanobacteria. Molecular analysis identified Chroococcidiopsis as major colonizer, but low similarity values (<95%) suggested a similar genus or species not present in the databases. In only two of the six sites sampled were filamentous cyanobacteria, Microcoleus, Leptolyngbya, and Scytonema, found; the first two detected by sequencing of 16S rRNA gene library clones from samples of a moist green biofilm on internal walls in Preah Khan, where Lyngbya (possibly synonymous with Microcoleus) was seen by direct microscopy as major colonizer. Scytonema was detected also by microscopy on an internal wall in the Bayon. This suggests that filamentous cyanobacteria are more prevalent in internal (high moisture) areas. Heterotrophic bacteria were found in all samples. DNA sequencing of bands from DGGE gels identified Proteobacteria (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Methylobacterium radiotolerans) and Firmicutes (Bacillus sp., Bacillus niacini, Bacillus sporothermodurans, Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Paenibacillus sp., Paenibacillus panacisoli, and Paenibacillus zanthoxyli). Some of these bacteria produce organic acids, potentially degrading stone. Actinobacteria, mainly streptomycetes, were present in most samples; algae and fungi were rare. A dark-pigmented filamentous fungus was detected in internal and external Preah Khan samples, while the alga Trentepohlia was found only in samples taken from external, pink-stained stone at Preah Khan. Results show that these microbial biofilms are mature communities whose major constituents are resistant to dehydration and high levels of irradiation and can be involved in deterioration of sandstone. Such analyses are important prerequisites to the application of control strategies.

The feasibility of masks and face shields designed by 3D printing makers; some considerations of their use against the COVID-19.

The use of mask and face shield has been established as one of the main preventive measures for the control of COVID 19 spread. In Mexico, as well as in other regions of the world, 3D printing has been employed for the design and production of masks and face shields as personal protective equipment (PPE). These models have been fabricated mainly by the makers, industries, and university communities; therefore, it is necessary to analyze the feasibility of the 3D printed PPE to understand its advantages and limitations. In this work, some characteristics of masks and face shields fabricated by additive manufacturing were studied to explore their viability as protection against flow fluids similar to human sneeze. In the present paper, the PPE was designed, and 3D printed utilizing three types of polylactic acid (PLA) as base material. The morphology and the surface elemental analyses of sectioned samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Showing spacing between printed layers, porous areas, and dispersed copper particles. On the other hand, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was carried out, the results demonstrated the importance of using PPE for protection of a possible exposure to a "contaminated" aerosol and human sneeze. Based on the abovementioned results, it is possible to consider the commercial PLA as suitable material for the manufacturing of PPE due to its capability to be disinfected employing isopropanol, ethanol, or commercial disinfectants.

Depressive symptoms in climacteric women are related to menopausal symptom intensity and partner factors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated risk factors among climacteric women. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, women aged 40-59 years, visiting inpatients at the Enrique C. Sotomayor Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Guayaquil, Ecuador, were surveyed with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and a questionnaire seeking personal and partner data. RESULTS: A total of 404 women filled out the HDRS and the MRS. The mean age was 48.2 +/- 5.7 years; 85.1% had 12 or less years of schooling and 44.8% were postmenopausal. None were on hormonal therapy for the menopause or on psychotropic drugs. The mean total HDRS score was 13.7 +/- 7 (median 13); this was higher among perimenopausal women. Of all the respondents, 78.7% had some degree of depressive symptoms (HDRS total score > or =8), which was mild in 32.2% and ranged from moderate to very severe in 46.5%. Logistic regression analysis determined that the severity of the menopausal symptoms related to the somatic and psychological domains of the MRS and the partner profile (low education and alcohol abuse) were the main determinants for women having higher depressive scores (total HDRS > or =8). CONCLUSION: In this specific climacteric population, depressive symptoms were very prevalent and were associated with the severity of menopausal symptoms (somatic and psychological) and partner's problems.

Characterization of sulfate-reducing bacteria dominated surface communities during start-up of a down-flow fluidized bed reactor.

An anaerobic down-flow fluidized bed reactor was inoculated with granular sludge and started-up with sulfate containing synthetic wastewater to promote the formation of a biofilm enriched in sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), to produce biogenic sulfide. The start-up was done in two stages operating the reactor in batch for 45 days followed by 85 days of continuous operation. Low-density polyethylene was used as support. The biofilm formation was followed up by biochemical and electron microscopy analyses and the composition of the community was examined by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Maximum immobilized volatile solids (1.2 g IVS/L(support)) were obtained after 14 days in batch regime. During the 85 days of continuous operation, the reactor removed up to 80% of chemical oxygen demand (COD), up to 28% of the supplied sulfate and acetate was present in the effluent. Sulfate-reducing activity determined in the biofilm with ethanol or lactate as substrate was 11.7 and 15.3 g COD/g IVS per day, respectively. These results suggested the immobilization of sulfate reducers that incompletely oxidize the substrate to acetate; the phylogenetic analysis of the cloned 16S rDNA gene sequences showed high identity to the genus Desulfovibrio that oxidizes the substrates incompletely. In contrast, in the granular sludge used as inoculum a considerable number of clones showed homology to Methanobacterium and just few clones were close to SRB. The starting-up approach allowed the enrichment of SRB within the diverse community developed over the polyethylene support.

[Study into the use of cetuximab in metastatic colorectal cancer in a third level hospital]. / Estudio de utilización de cetuximab en cáncer colorrectal metastásico en un hospital de tercer nivel.

OBJECTIVES: In this study we will analyse the use of cetuximab in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (MCC) in a third level hospital. We will establish the usage conditions in our centre in keeping with those approved in current technical records. We will also record the treatment duration under the different usage conditions and use the information available in material that has been published to date. METHODS: An indication-prescription study of cetuximab in MCC was carried out on all patients treated with cetuximab for colorectal cancer in the period between 2004 and 2007 in our hospital. The number of prescriptions that do not fit the approved recommendations for cetuximab in MCC treatment (and why they do not fit) is determined. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out for the different variables collected, and a Kaplan-Meier analysis was carried out for the treatment duration variable, so as to determine whether there is a difference in effectiveness for the common uses in our hospital. RESULTS: Data was recorded for 74 patients treated with cetuximab. The average cost per patient was 14,399 Euro and on average, 15.3 dosages were administered per patient. The average initial dosage was 710 mg with an average dosage of 446 mg after that. The average duration of the treatments was 15.4 weeks. cetuximab was administered to 7 patients as first-line treatment and to 32 patients who had not used Irinotecan previously. Irinotecan was not associated with cetuximab treatment in 9 patients, and it was used in 14 patients resulting in a negative outcome for the EFGR test. Treatment duration was longer in the case of its use as first-line treatment (27.7 weeks), if Irinotecan had not been used before (23.3 weeks), if Irinotecan was used (20.5 weeks) and in patients with positive EFGR results (19.6 weeks.) The median treatment duration, under the different conditions, was less than the average but with no major differences between them. 70.3 % of prescriptions did not fit with the data sheet. CONCLUSIONS: The use of cetuximab under different conditions to those approved on the technical data sheet creates an increase in the number of patients treated and a longer duration of the treatments which implies an increase in intake. The average and the mean treatment times for the usage conditions found did not present any significant statistical differences. There are a small number of patients who benefit from this treatment which can be seen by the large average, in comparison with the mean, without any of the conditions in which the analysis was carried out seeming to determine a higher response. The treatment duration in our study was similar to the durations recorded in relevant literature for these usage conditions.

Sleep quality in a family with hereditary parkinsonism (PARK6).

OBJECTIVES: The autosomal recessive disorder PARK6 manifests as early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD) with a particularly mild progression. PARK6 is of particular scientific interest, since it is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the mitochondrial protein kinase PINK1 and may thus serve as a model for oxidative damage in PD and in other basal ganglia disorders. Sleep disturbances are very common in PD but have not yet been reported for PARK6 patients. The present study reports on sleep of a Spanish family with PARK6. Of the 5 siblings, 3 were homozygous and severely affected, and 2 were heterozygous and clinically asymptomatic. Research questions concerned possible differences in sleep recordings between homozygote and heterozygote siblings and similarities between PARK6 and sporadic PD sleep profiles. METHOD: The data from detailed clinical interviews of the patients and their bedpartners are reported and compared with polysomnographic data from second-night recordings. CONCLUSIONS: All siblings had good subjective and objective sleep quality. Restless legs syndrome and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) were not observed, suggesting that sleep disturbances are not commonly found in PARK6 patients. Good sleep quality and the absence of RBD might be a useful diagnostic guide in the differential diagnosis of sporadic PD versus PARK6.

Association between heroin dependence and 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphisms.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between four polymorphisms of the 5-HT(2A) receptor and 5-HT transporter genes and heroin dependence. METHODS: 113 heroin- dependent patients (DSM-IV criteria) and 420 unrelated healthy controls from Asturias (Northern Spain) were genotyped using standard methods. RESULTS: There was an apparent difference in the distribution of genotypes for A-1438G polymorphisms (p = 0.024, not significant after Bonferroni correction). The 5-HT(2A) -1438A allele was significantly more common in patients than controls [0.55 and 0.45, respectively; corrected p = 0.042, OR = 1.51 (95% CI = 1.13-2.03)]. An interaction was observed between A-1438G of 5-HT(2A) and 5-HTT polymorphisms. The association between the -1438AA vs. AG/GG genotypes and heroin dependence was enhanced in the presence of 12-repeat 5-HTT VNTR and short 5-HTTLPR alleles [24.8% in heroin-dependent patients vs. 12.6% in controls; corrected p = 0.045, OR = 2.28 (95% CI = 1.36-3.82)]. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support a contribution of the 5-HT(2A) gene to susceptibility to heroin dependence, as well as a possible synergistic effect of 5-HT(2A) and 5-HTT genes on susceptibility to heroin dependence.

Validation of a serum immunoassay to measure progesterone and diagnose pregnancy in the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus).

The objective was to validate a high-sensitivity chemiluminescent assay of serum progesterone concentrations for pregnancy diagnosis in manatees. Assay analytical sensitivity was 0.1 ng/mL, with mean intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation of 9.7 and 9.2%, respectively, and accuracy had a mean adjusted R(2) of 0.98. Methods comparison (relative to Siemen's Coat-A-Count RIA) demonstrated r=0.98, Deming regression slope of 0.95, and an intercept of 0.01. Based on ROC analysis, a progesterone concentration >or=0.4 ng/mL was indicative of pregnancy. Assay results were not significantly altered by two freeze-thaw cycles of samples. Characteristic progesterone concentrations during pregnancy were Months 1-4 (1.7-4.7 ng/mL), 5-8 ( approximately 1.0 ng/mL), and 10 and 11 (0.3-0.5 ng/mL), whereas two late-pregnant females with impending abortion had progesterone concentrations of 0.1 ng/mL. Among pregnant females, maximum progesterone concentrations occurred in autumn (3.9+/-1.8 ng/mL), and were greater during all seasons than concentrations in non-pregnant females (0.1-0.2 ng/mL). Progesterone concentrations were also significantly higher in pregnant females than in non-pregnant females and males. This highly sensitive, specific, and diagnostic assay will be valuable for monitoring pregnancy and abortion in manatees.

Antileishmanial properties of tropical marine algae extracts.

Aqueous and organic extracts of twenty-seven species of marine algae (14 species of Rhodophyta, 5 species of Phaeophyta and 8 species of Chlorophyta) collected from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) were evaluated for their antileishmanial in vitro activity against Leishmania mexicana promastigote forms. The cytotoxicity of these extracts was also assessed using brine shrimp. Organic extracts from Laurencia microcladia (Rhodophyta), Dictyota caribaea, Turbinaria turbinata and Lobophora variegata (Phaeophyta) possessed promising in vitro activity against L. mexicana promastigotes (LC(50) values ranging from 10.9 to 49.9 microg/ml). No toxicity of algal extracts against Artemia salina was observed with LC50 ranging from 119 to >or=1000 microg/ml. Further studies on bio-guided fractionation, isolation and characterization of pure compounds from these species as well as in vivo experiments are needed and are already in progress.

[Differentiated perception of transgenic tomato sauce in the southern Chile]. / Percepción diferenciada de salsa de tomate transgénica en el sur de Chile.

The present study considers the debate generated in developed countries by genetically modified foods, the importance of this variable to consumers in Temuco (Araucanía Region, Chile) when purchasing tomato sauce and different market segments were studied through a personal survey administered to 400 people. Using conjoint analysis, it was determined that the presence of genetic modification in food was generally more important than the brand and purchase price. Using cluster analysis, three segments were distinguished, with the most numerous (49.3%) placing the greatest importance on the presence of genetic modification (GM) in food and rejecting the transgenic product. The second group (39.4%) gave the greatest importance to the brand and preferred tomato sauce with genetically modified ingredients. The smallest segment (11.3%) placed the greatest value on price and preferred transgenic tomato sauce. The three segments prefer the national brand, reject the store brand and react positively to lower prices. The segment sensitive to the presence of GM in food comprised mainly those younger than 35 years of age, single and with no children. The absence of GM in food of vegetable origin is desirable for young consumers in the Araucanía Region, but a significant proportion accepts genetic modification in food (50.7%).

Sofosbuvir and daclatasvir therapy in patients with hepatitis C-related advanced decompensated liver disease (MELD ≥ 15).

BACKGROUND: Antiviral therapy for hepatitis C has the potential to improve liver function in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. AIMS: To examine the virological response and effect of viral clearance in patients with decompensated hepatitis C cirrhosis all with MELD scores ≥15 following sofosbuvir/daclatasvir ± ribavirin. METHODS: We prospectively collected data on patients who commenced sofosbuvir/daclatasvir for 24-weeks under the Australian patient supply program (TOSCAR) and analysed outcomes including sustained viral response at 12 weeks (SVR12), death and transplant. RESULTS: 108 patients (M/F, 79/29; median age 56years; Child-Pugh 10; MELD 16; genotype 1/3, 55/47) received sofosbuvir/daclatasvir and two also received ribavirin. On intention-to-treat, the SVR12 rate was 70% (76/108). Seventy-eight patients completed 24-weeks therapy. SVR12 was achieved in 56 of these patients on per-protocol-analysis (76%). SVR12 was 80% in genotype 1 compared to 69% in genotype 3. Thirty patients failed to complete therapy. In patients achieving SVR12, median MELD and Child-Pugh fell from 16(IQR15-17) to 14(12-17) and 10(9-11) to 8(7-9), respectively (P<.001). In those who died, MELD increased from 16 to 23 at death (P=.036). Patients who required transplantation had a significantly higher baseline MELD (20) compared to those patients completing treatment (16) (P=.0010). The odds ratio for transplant in patients with baseline MELD ≥20 was 13.8(95%CI 2.78-69.04). CONCLUSIONS: SVR12 rates with sofosbuvir/daclatasvir in advanced liver disease are lower than in compensated disease. Although treatment improves MELD and Child-Pugh in most patients, a significant proportion will die or require transplantation. In those with MELD ≥20, it may be better to delay treatment until post-transplant.

Negative evidences in association between apolipoprotein E polymorphism and panic disorder.

The aim is to investigate the association between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and panic disorder (PD). Genotyping 92 PD patients [Diagnostic Statistic Manual IV (DSM IV) criteria] and 174 controls no differences were found between both groups. Variation in the ApoE-gene was not associated with the development of PD.

Comparison of two tourniquet application times for regional intravenous limb perfusions with amikacin in sedated or anesthetized horses.

Regional limb perfusion (RLP) in horses has proven to be a simple and effective technique for the treatment of synovial and musculoskeletal infections in the distal portion of the limbs. The ideal tourniquet time needed to achieve therapeutic synovial concentrations remains unknown. The pharmacokinetic effects of general anesthesia (GA) versus standing sedation (SS) RLP on synovial amikacin concentrations are not completely understood. This study investigated the pharmacokinetic effects of RLP under general anesthesia (GA) versus standing sedation (SS) on synovial amikacin concentration following 20 or 30 min tourniquet time. Using 1 g of amikacin RLP was performed in two groups of six horses (GA and SS). A pneumatic tourniquet was applied proximal to the carpus and maintained for 20 or 30 min. Two weeks later, the opposite treatment (20 or 30 min) was randomly performed in the opposite limb of horses in each group (GA and SS). Synovial fluid samples were collected from the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and radiocarpal (RC) joints. Amikacin was quantified by a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Regardless of the group, no significant difference in the synovial amikacin concentrations was noted between 20 and 30 min RLP. Mean synovial concentrations of amikacin in the standing sedated horses were significantly higher in the MCP joint at 30 min (P = 0.003) compared to horses under general anesthesia. No significant difference was noted for the RC joint.

Developmental inhibitory gate controls the relay of activity to the superficial layers of the visual cortex.

A developmental reduction in the radial transmission of synaptic activity has been proposed to underlie the end of the critical period for experience-dependent modification in layers II/III of the visual cortex. Using paired-pulse stimulation, we investigated in visual cortical slices how the propagation of synaptic activity to the superficial layers changes during development and how this process is affected by sensory experience. The results can be summarized as follows. (1) Layers II/III responses to repetitive stimulation of the white matter become increasingly depressed between the third and sixth week of postnatal development, a time course that parallels the end of the critical period. (2) Paired-pulse depression is reduced after dark rearing and also by blocking inhibitory synaptic transmission. (3) Paired-pulse depression and its regulation by age and sensory experience is more pronounced when stimulation is applied to the white matter than when applied to layer IV. Together, these results are consistent with the idea that the maturation of intracortical inhibition reduces the capability of the cortex to relay incoming high-frequency patterns of activity to the supragranular layers.