Candida albicans the main opportunistic pathogenic fungus in humans / Candida albicans el principal hongo patógeno oportunista en humanos

Abstract Candida albicans is a commensal of the mammalian microbiome and the primarypathogenic fungus of humans. It becomes a severe health problem in immunocompromisedpatients and can cause a wide variety of mucosal and systemic infections. The interactionbetween C. albicans and host cells is characterized by the expression of virulence factors suchas adhesins and invasins, the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, a transition from yeast to fil-amentous hyphae form, and the ability to form biofilms; these features collectively result in cell adhesion, invasion, and damage. This review describes complex commensal interactions of C. albicans with host cells and the cellular events that it triggers in a pathogenic environment. We also review the host immune response induced by C. albicans antigens and the mechanisms developed by this fungus to avoid the action of antifungal agents.

Resumen Candida albicans es un comensal del microbioma de mamíferos y el principal hongopatógeno de humanos. En pacientes inmunocomprometidos se convierte en un grave problemade salud por causar una amplia variedad de infecciones en mucosas y sistémicas. La interacciónentre C. albicans y las células del huésped lleva a la expresión de factores de virulencia, comoadhesinas e invasinas, a la secreción de enzimas hidrolíticas y a la transición de levadura a hifa filamentosa, capaz de para formar biopelículas, lo que genera adherencia, invasión y dano celular. En esta revisión describimos la compleja interacción comensal de C. albicans con la célula huésped y los eventos celulares que ejecuta en un ambiente patogénico. También se revisa la respuesta inmunitaria del huésped inducida por antígenos de C. albicans y los mecanismos desarrollados por este hongo para evitar la acción de agentes antifúngicos.

Joubert syndrome: a case report of neonatal presentation and early diagnosis / Síndrome de Joubert: reporte de caso de presentación neonatal y diagnóstico temprano

Abstract Background: Joubert syndrome is a rare genetic condition with a prevalence of 1:80,000-1:100,000. In most cases, it shows an autosomal autosomal recessive hereditary pattern, although X-linked and autosomal dominant cases have been described. The distinctive characteristic of this syndrome is the malformation at cerebral and cerebellar levels, known as the "molar tooth sign," hypotonia, and delayed neurodevelopment. Case report: We describe the case of a newborn with transient tachypnea. However, during hospital stay, he showed other clinical signs not corresponding to the admission diagnosis, such as bradycardia, apneas, hypotonia, and alteration in swallowing mechanics. To rule out etiologies of central origin, we conducted a magnetic resonance of the brain and identified the "molar tooth sign," where the pathognomonic sign of Joubert syndrome. Conclusions: Rare genetic diseases may manifest as early as the neonatal period with non-specific signs. The early diagnosis of Joubert syndrome is reflected in better pediatric follow-up, which impacts its prognosis and the possibility of improving the patient's quality of life with a multidisciplinary management and genetic counseling.

Resumen Introducción: El síndrome de Joubert es una rara condición genética con una prevalencia de 1:80,000 a 1:100,000. En la mayoría de los casos se presenta con un patrón de herencia autosómica recesiva, aunque se han reporatdo casos ligados al cromosoma X y autosómicos dominantes. La característica distintiva de este síndrome es la malformación a nivel cerebral y del cerebelo conocido como el "signo del molar", hipotonía y retraso en el neurodesarrollo. Caso clínico: Se describe el caso de un recién nacido con taquipnea transitoria del recién nacido; sin embargo, durante su estancia manifestó otros signos que no correspondían con el diagnóstico de ingreso, como bradicardia, apneas, hipotonía y alteración en la mecánica de la deglución. Para descartar etiologías de origen central, se realizó una resonancia magnética cerebral en la que se detectó el "signo del molar", patognomónico del síndrome de Joubert. Conclusiones: Las enfermedades genéticas raras pueden manifestarse desde el periodo neonatal con signos muy inespecíficos. El diagnóstico precoz del Síndrome de Joubert permite un mejor seguimiento pediátrico que impacta en su pronóstico y en la posibilidad de mejorar la calidad de vida del paciente con un manejo multidisciplinario, así como brindar asesoramiento genético.

Caracterización clínica, psicológica y sociofamiliar de la conducta suicida en adolescentes chilenos: análisis de correspondencias múltiples / Clinical, psychological, social, and family characterization of suicidal behavior in Chilean adolescents: a multiple correspondence analysis

Introducción El suicidio es la segunda causa de muerte prematura en personas entre 15 y 29 años, y la tercera en jóvenes entre 15 y 19 años. La adolescencia es un periodo crítico, dado que existe mayor vulnerabilidad para conductas suicidas. La situación en América Latina es crítica, siendo Chile uno de los dos países donde las tasas de suicidio de niños y adolescentes aumentan año tras año. En este estudio se analizan factores de riesgo clínicos, psicológicos y sociofamiliares asociados con la conducta suicida, en una muestra clínica de adolescentes atendidos en el sistema de salud público de la región del Maule. Método El diseño del presente estudio es transversal. En él se utilizó una muestra de 388 adolescentes de 10 a 21 años ingresados al sistema de salud de la Región del Maule. Durante la recogida de información se aplicaron cinco instrumentos de medición (escalas de impulsividad de Barrat, de dificultades de regulación emocional, de depresión, ansiedad y estrés, cuestionario general de búsqueda de ayuda para problemas de salud mental en adolescentes y escala de clasificación de gravedad del suicidio de Columbia). Además se recabó información sociofamiliar y antecedentes relevantes desde las fichas clínicas. Resultados El análisis realizado permitió identificar características distintivas de la conducta suicida adolescente, mediante la descripción de factores clínicos, psicológicos y sociofamiliares evaluados. Conclusión Los adolescentes con historial de intentos de suicidio se caracterizan por presentar ideación suicida, sintomatología ansiosa- depresiva, estrés, insomnio e impulsividad. Asimismo, reportan no tener creencias religiosas, pertenecer a minorías sexuales y haber sido víctima de acoso y/o abuso sexual.

Introduction Suicide is the second leading cause of premature death in people between 15 and 29 years old and the third in young people between 15 and 19 years old. Adolescence is a critical period concerning mental health disorders since there is greater vulnerability to suicidal behaviors. The situation in Latin America is worrying, with Chile being one of the two countries where suicide rates of children and adolescents increase yearly. This study aims to analyze clinical, psychological, family, and social risk factors associated with suicidal behavior in a clinical sample of adolescents treated in the public health system of the Maule region. Methods The study design is cross- sectional. We used a sample of 388 adolescents between 10 and 21 years old admitted to the health system of the Maule Region. The participants were evaluated by applying five measuring instruments (The Barrat Impulsivity Scale, The Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale, The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, The General Help-Seeking Questionnaire for mental health problems in adolescents, and The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale) in addition to collecting social and family information and relevant clinical history from the medical records. Results The analysis allowed us to identify distinctive characteristics of adolescent suicidal behavior by describing clinical, psychological, and family social factors. Conclusions Adolescents with a history of suicide attempts are characterized by having suicidal ideation, anxious-depressive symptoms, stress, insomnia, and impulsiveness. Likewise, they report being non-religious, belonging to sexual minorities, and victims of sexual harassment and/or abuse.

Impact of harmful algal blooms on wild and cultured animals in the Gulf of California.

Historical documents and classic works together with recent specialized literature have described Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in the Gulf of California. This is a review of HABs impact (qualitative and quantitative) during the last decades in the Gulf of California on wild (mammals, birds, fishes, and invertebrates) and cultured animals (shrimps and fishes). Microalgal species responsible of noxious effects are Noctiluca scintillans, Cochlodinium polykrikoides, Gymnodinium catenatum, Prorocentrum minimum, Akashiwo sanguinea, Chattonella subsalsa Ch. marina, Chattonella sp., Heterocapsa sp., Dinophysis sp., Fibrocapsa japonica, Heterosigma akashiwo, Thalassiosira sp., Chaetoceros spp., Pseudo-nitzschia australis, P. fraudulenta, Pseudo-nitzschia sp., Trichodesmium erythraeum and Schizotrix calcicola. Emphasis is given to the necessity to continue with interdisciplinary studies in oceanography, ecology, toxicology and toxinology interrelated with biomedical sciences such as physiology, pathology, epidemiology and animal health.

Freeze survival of the cyanobacteria Microcoleus chthonoplastes without cryoprotector.

A Microcoleus chthonoplastes strain SC7B9002-1 isolated from microbial mats in tidal channels from San Carlos, Baja California Sur, Mexico was subjected to short- (15 days) and long-term (2 years) conservation assays in liquid nitrogen (–196oC) using cryoprotective agents, such as 5% DMSO, 20% PVP-40, and 20% glycerol. Survival rate, chlorophyll a, protein, and nucleic acids content were observed in each case. Interesting growth and a significant increase in protein content was observed when no cryoprotectant was used during liquid nitrogen immersion. In the absence of a cryoprotectant, M. chthonoplastes lost their typical shape resembled spheroplasts, and recovery cultivation times after freezing were 5 and 25 days (short and long-term, respectively). Recovery from long-term preservation with 5% DMSO took 15 days. PVP and glycerol did not allow recovery of viable cells. The survival of M. chthonoplastes to freezing without cryoprotectant and the adaptive mechanisms that allow surviving under freezing conditions are discussed.