Revisão taxonômica de Psalidodon eigenmanniorum (Cope) com base em análises morfométrica, merística e padrão de colorido (Characiformes: Characidae) / Taxonomic review of Psalidodon eigenmanniorum (Cope) based on morphometric and meristic analysis and color pattern (Characiformes: Characidae)

A identidade de Psalidodon eigenmanniorum (Cope, 1894) e a possibilidade de se constituir em mais de uma espécie é testada através de análises da morfometria (19 medidas), dos caracteres merísticos (14 contagens) e do padrão de colorido de 705 exemplares provenientes dos sistemas dos rios Tramandaí/Mampituba, da laguna dos Patos e drenagem do baixo rio Uruguai. Foram diafanizados e corados 40 exemplares. Os dados morfométricos foram utilizados na Análise de Componentes Principais, Análise Discriminante, Morfometria Geométrica e Função Discriminante. As análises foram feitas considerando os sexos em separado dentro de cada sistema hidrográfico, bem como comparando as populações entre os sistemas hidrográficos e finalmente no conjunto de sistemas representando a área de ocorrência da espécie. A partir dos dados analisados não foram encontradas diferenças entre os sexos. Os resultados mostraram variação morfológica que não sustenta o reconhecimento de possíveis espécies crípticas. A variação encontrada nos dados merísticos, morfométricos e no padrão de colorido justifica a redescrição da espécie. Os resultados das comparações entre as populações indicaram variações nesses caracteres indicando que a espécie possui considerável plasticidade fenotípica.(AU)

The identity of Psalidodon eigenmanniorum (Cope, 1894) and the possibility of constituting more than one species is tested through analyzes of morphometry (19 measurements), meristic characters (14 counts) and the color pattern of 705 specimens from the Tramandaí/Mampituba, from the Patos lagoon and from the lower Uruguay River drainage. Forty specimens were cleared and stained. Morphometric data were used in Principal Component Analysis, Discriminant Analysis, Geometric Morphometry and Discriminant Function. The analysis was carried out considering the sexes separately within each hydrographic system, as well as comparing the populations between the hydrographic systems and finally in the set of systems representing the area of occurrence of the species. No differences were found between the sexes in the analyzed data. The results showed morphological variation that does not support the recognition of possible cryptic species. The variation found in meristic, morphometric and color pattern data justifies the redescription of the species. The species is described to the aforementioned drainages, and the results demonstrate its phenotypic plasticity.(AU)

Componentes principales en el agrupamiento de variables clínicas de la COVID-19 en Santiago de Cuba / Principal component analysis in COVID-19 clinical variable clustering in Santiago de Cuba

Introducción: Desde marzo de 2020 Cuba está siendo afectada por el SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus altamente infeccioso y causante de la COVID-19. La COVID-19 presenta un conjunto de síntomas asociados y la evolución de los pacientes puede estar influenciada por la presencia de ciertos antecedentes patológicos personales en el hospedero. Objetivo: Identificar mediante componentes principales el agrupamiento de variables clínicas en los pacientes con COVID-19 en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. La población de estudio se conformó por los 49 casos confirmados con COVID-19 en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba desde el 20 de marzo hasta el 30 de abril del 2020. Se seleccionaron diez variables clínicas: nueve relacionadas con los síntomas y los antecedentes patológicos personales, y una con el estado fallecido. Se aplicó como técnica estadística el análisis de componentes principales. Resultados: Se obtuvo la representación de las variables en el plano de los dos primeros componentes principales. El primer componente estuvo asociado a los síntomas y el segundo componente a los antecedentes patológicos personales no asociados al aparato respiratorio. Esta representación reveló que en el primer y cuarto cuadrantes del plano se ubicaron las variables que llevaron a una evolución desfavorable de los casos, siendo notable para los que se ubican en el cuarto cuadrante. El segundo y tercer cuadrantes fueron indicadores de la evolución favorable, marcada en el segundo cuadrante. Conclusiones: El análisis de componentes principales agrupa las variables clínicas y corrobora que los antecedentes patológicos personales tienen el rol esencial en la evolución desfavorable de los pacientes con COVID-19(AU)

Introduction: Since March 2020, Cuba has been affected by SARS-CoV-2, a highly infectious coronavirus that causes COVID-19. In COVID-19 a set of associated symptoms is presented and its evolution can be influenced by the presence of certain personal pathological antecedents in the host. Objective: To identify through principal components the grouping of clinical variables in cases with COVID-19 in Santiago de Cuba province, Cuba. Methods: We conducted an observational, descriptive and transversal study. The study population consisted of the 49 confirmed cases with COVID-19 in the province of Santiago de Cuba. Ten clinical variables were selected: nine related to symptoms and personal pathological history, and one to the state "deceased". Principal component analysis was applied as a statistical technique. Results: Variables were represented at the level of the first two principal components. The first component was associated to symptoms and the second component to personal pathological antecedents not associated to the respiratory system. This representation revealed that variables leading to an unfavorable evolution of cases were located in the first and fourth quadrants of the plane, being remarkable for those located in the fourth quadrant. The second and third quadrants were indicators of the favorable evolution, being marked in the second quadrant. Conclusions: The principal component analysis groups the clinical variables and corroborates that personal pathological antecedents have an essential role in the unfavorable evolution of patients with COVID-19(AU)

Ortogonalización de derivaciones de electrocardiograma / Orthogonalization of electrocardiographic derivations

Introducción: El delineador de señales electrocardiográficas (ECG) multiderivación basado en la transformada wavelet posee alta resolución espacial y permite eliminar las diferencias interderivación que aparecen tradicionalmente en los métodos uniderivación. Para esto necesita de derivaciones de señales electrocardiográficas ortogonales entre sí para la obtención de un bucle espacial. Objetivo: Desarrollar métodos de ortogonalización de dos o tres derivaciones de señales electrocardiográficas que permitan la generalización del delineador multiderivación basado en la transformada wavelet en cualquier base de datos señales electrocardiográficas con más de una derivación. Métodos: Se implementaron tres métodos de ortogonalización de derivaciones de señales electrocardiográficas: ortogonalización de dos derivaciones a partir de la proyección de vectores, ortogonalización a partir de componentes principales y ortogonalización a partir del método clásico de Gram-Schmidt. Resultados: Se comparó el funcionamiento del delineador multiderivación de ECG cuando es usado cada método de ortogonalización, mediante el cálculo de la media aritmética y la desviación estándar teniendo en cuenta diferentes combinaciones de derivaciones de ambas bases de datos para cada una de las marcas analizadas. Los mejores resultados se obtuvieron con el método análisis de componentes principales y el peor comportamiento con el método de ortogonalización de dos derivaciones. Conclusiones: Los algoritmos de ortogonalización que obtuvieron los mejores resultados fueron los basados en tres derivaciones ortogonales, en la que fue ligeramente superior la descomposición en componentes principales y, por tanto, se considera el método más adecuado para la generalización del delineador multiderivación(AU)

Introduction: The wavelet transform-based multiderivation electrocardiographic (ECG) signal delineator has high spatial resolution and makes it possible to eliminate interderivation differences traditionally appearing in uniderivation methods. But this requires electrocardiographic signal derivations orthogonal to one another to obtain a spatial loop. Objective: Develop orthogonalization methods of two or three electrographic signal derivations allowing generalization of the wavelet transform-based multiderivation delineator in any electrographic signal database with more than one derivation. Methods: Three orthogonalization methods were implemented for electrocardiographic signal derivations: vector projection-based two-derivation orthogonalization, principal component-based orthogonalization, and orthogonalization based on the Gram-Schmidt classic method. Results: A comparison was performed between the operation of the ECG multiderivation delineator when used with each orthogonalization method. The comparison was based on estimation of the arithmetic mean and standard deviation bearing in mind different combinations of derivations from both databases for each of the marks analyzed. The best results were obtained with the principal component analysis method and the worst ones with the two-derivation orthogonalization method. Conclusions: The orthogonalization algorithms obtaining the best results were those based on three orthogonal derivations, in which decomposition into principal components was slightly higher. This is therefore considered to be the most appropriate method for generalization of the multiderivation delineator(AU)

Identification of dietary patterns by principal component analysis in schoolchildren in the South of Brazil and associated factors / Identificação de padrões alimentares por análise de componentes principais em escolares do sul do Brasil e fatores associados

Abstract Objectives: to identify dietary patterns (DP) and associated factors in first grade school-children in elementary schools in the South of Brazil. Methods: school-based cross-sectional study, with a non-probabilistic sample of 782 schoolchildren aged 6 to 8. Food intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. DP were identified using the principal component analysis and the prevalence ratios were obtained by Poisson regression with a robust variance. Results: four DP were identified and accounted for 25.3% of the total variance: "fruit, vegetables and fish" (8.5%), "sweets and salty snacks" (7.0%), "dairy, ham and biscuits" (5.0%) and "common Brazilian food" (4.8%). After the adjustment, breakfast habit and lower frequency of meals in front of a screen increased the probability of adherence to a high consumption of DP of "fruit, vegetables and fish". The maternal schooling level was linearly and inversely associated with DP of "sweets and salty snacks" and "common Brazilian food", and positively related to the DP of "dairy, ham and biscuits". Schoolchildren with food inse-curity and sufficiently active had higher probability of adherence to DP of "common Brazilian food". Conclusions: four DP were identified and associated with food insecurity, maternal socioeconomic characteristics and schoolchildren's behavioral characteristics.

Resumo Objetivos: identificar padrões alimentares (PA) e fatores associados em escolares do primeiro ano do ensino fundamental de escolas municipais do sul do Brasil. Métodos: estudo transversal, de base escolar, com uma amostra não-probabilística de 782 escolares, de 6 a 8 anos. A ingestão alimentar foi avaliada por questionário de frequência alimentar. Os PA foram identificados através da análise de componentes princi-pais e razões de prevalência foram obtidas por regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. Resultados: foram identificados quatro PA que explicaram 25.3% da variância total: "frutas, verduras e peixe" (8,5%), "doces e salgadinhos" (7.0%); "laticínios, presunto e biscoitos" (5.0%) e "comum brasileiro" (4.8%). Após ajuste, hábito de realizar desjejum e baixa frequência de refeições em frente à tela aumentaram a probabilidade de adesão ao consumo elevado do PA "frutas, verduras e peixe". Escolaridade materna associou-se linear-mente e inversamente com o PA "doces e salgadinhos" e "comum brasileiro", e positiva-mente com o PA "laticínios, presunto e biscoitos". Escolares com insegurança alimentar e suficientemente ativos apresentaram maior probabilidade de adesão ao PA "comum brasileiro". Conclusões: identificaram-se quatro PA e foram observadas associações com insegu-rança alimentar, características socioeconômicas maternas e características comportamen-tais dos escolares.

Aplicación del Análisis de Componentes Principales en el proceso de purificación de un biofármaco / Application of Principal Component Analysis in the purification process of a biopharmaceutical

En este trabajo se presenta la aplicación del Análisis de Componentes Principales, mediante el programa THE UNSCRAMBLER versión 8.0, a los datos registrados en un período de 2 años en la etapa de purificación de una planta de producción de Eritropoyetina Humana Recombinante que está basada en varios pasos cromatográficos, de forma similar a los procesos de purificación de proteínas recombinantes que se utilizan como vacunas preventivas o terapéuticas. Se logró reducir dimensionalidad al obtenerse dos componentes principales que explican el 81 por ciento de la varianza de 18 variables originales relacionadas con cuatro pasos cromatográficos. Como resultado se llegó a definir cuáles son las variables que mayor aporte tienen a la variabilidad del proceso en la etapa de purificación, permitiendo extraer información útil para lograr un mayor entendimiento del proceso y enriquecer las estrategias de control en la planta. Dichos resultados corroboraron experiencias prácticas de especialistas de la planta y permitieron dar recomendaciones a considerar en el plan de verificación continuada del proceso como proponer cinco variables como controles de proceso y tener en cuenta que el rendimiento del segundo paso cromatográfico es el más influyente de los rendimientos considerados en la variabilidad(AU)

This paper presents the application of the Principal Component Analysis, using the program THE UNSCRAMBLER version 8.0, to the data recorded during two years in the purification stage of a Recombinant Human Erythropoietin plant that is based on several chromatographic steps, similar to the purification process of recombinant proteins that are used as preventive or therapeutic vaccines. Dimensionality was reduced by obtaining two main components that explain 81 percent of the variance of 18 original variables related to four chromatographic steps. As a result, it was possible to define which variables have the greatest contribution to the variability of the process in the purification stage, allowing to extract useful information to achieve a greater understanding of the process and enrich the control strategies in the plant. These results corroborated practical experiences of plant specialists and allowed for recommendations to be considered in the continuous verification plan of the process, such as proposing three variables as process controls and taking into account that the performance of the second step is the most influential of the performances considered in the variability(AU)

Análisis de componentes principales para obtener indicadores reducidos de medición en la búsqueda de información / Principal component analysis to obtain reduced indicators of measurement in information search

Se presenta una investigación, cuyo objetivo fue comprobar la aplicabilidad de la técnica de análisis de componentes principales, para medir la competencia en la búsqueda de información. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo-correlacional y cuantitativo utilizando los ocho indicadores concernientes a la competencia para la búsqueda de información declarados en el cuestionario IL HUMASS (que ofrece un diagnóstico centrado en el usuario sobre sus percepciones y el nivel de logro adquirido en las competencias informacionales), los que fueron ubicados en una encuesta que se administró a 300 estudiantes de los cuatro primeros niveles de estudio quienes cursan carreras de Ciencias de la Salud en la Universidad Técnica de Manabí. El procesamiento de los datos, con el uso del software estadístico SPSS, permitió obtener tres componentes principales: el primero reunió cuatro indicadores referidos a la búsqueda avanzada en las bases de datos usando términos de la especialidad; el segundo agrupó dos indicadores pertenecientes al uso de catálogos automatizados y fuentes impresas de información; y el tercero concentró dos indicadores relacionados con fuentes electrónicas de información (primarias e informales). Estos componentes determinaron, mediante una prueba Anova, que existían diferencias estadísticamente significativas para las diferentes carreras en cada componente. La prueba post hoc con diferencia mínima significativa facilitó conocer cuáles eran los grupos estadísticamente diferentes en cada componente. Como conclusiones se observa la factibilidad de aplicar esta técnica multivariante para efectuar estudios similares con muchas variables y numerosas muestras(AU)

The purpose of the research was to verify the applicability of principal component analysis to measure information search competence. A correlational-descriptive quantitative study was conducted based on the eight indicators of information search competence contained in the IL-HUMASS questionnaire, all of which were included in a survey applied to 300 students attending the first four academic levels of Health Sciences majors at the Technical University of Manabí. Data processing with the statistical software SPSS yielded three principal components: the first one comprised four indicators related to advanced search in databases using terms from the specialty, the second grouped two indicators concerning the use of automated catalogs and printed sources of information, and the third included two indicators regarding electronic sources of information (primary and informal). Eventual ANOVA testing of these components revealed statistically significant differences in each component for the various majors. Post-hoc analysis with the least significant difference method facilitated identification of the statistically different groups in each component. Conclusions point to the feasibility of using this multivariant technique to conduct similar studies with many variables and a large number of samples(AU)

Phenotypic Characterization and Genetic Diversity of Sugarcane Varieties Cultivated in Northern Karnataka of India based on Principal Component and Cluster Analyses

Abstract: Sugarcane is a major commercial crop grown in India and across the world. Hence, several elite varieties have been developed now-a-days to overcome many obstacles including abiotic stresses and diseases. The present study was undertaken to screen genetic variation among twenty four sugarcane varieties that are commonly cultivated across Northern Karnataka, India with reference to physicochemical characters. Experiment was conducted in triplicate following randomized complete block design (RCBD) at S. Nijalingappa Sugar Institute, Belagavi, Karnataka, India during February 2016-17. Physiological parameters such as internode length, stalk height, plant height, stalk girth, number of internodes, single cane weight, single cane volume of juice, cane yield and recovery were investigated. Further, statistical techniques such as principal component analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering were performed to characterize the twenty four varieties. Among twenty four sugarcane varieties studied, Co 86032 and CoC 671 were found to be elite varieties with respect to sugar recovery and cane yield, whereas varieties such as Co 86032 and Com 0265 were found to be best with respect to cane yield only. Based on the results obtained, eight varieties, viz., Co SNK 09232, Com 0265, Co 86032, Co SNK 09293, Co SNK 07680, CoC 671, Co 13006 and Co 2001-15 were found to be good with respect to overall qualities. Further studies need to be involved with molecular marker that would help in identification of elite varieties which could substantially contribute to construction of genetic resources library that may in turn find maximum use in molecular breeding.

Perfil de morbidade e gastos hospitalares com idosos no Paraná, Brasil, entre 2008 e 2012 / Morbidity profile and hospital expenses with elderly patients in Paraná State, Brazil, 2008-2012 / Perfil de morbilidad y gastos hospitalarios con ancianos en Paraná, Brasil, entre 2008 y 2012

Resumo: O aumento da população idosa leva a uma crescente demanda por serviços de saúde e expansão dos gastos, com consequências relevantes sobre a estabilidade econômica. Nesse contexto, o objetivo do estudo foi analisar o perfil das morbidades e gastos hospitalares com idosos em relação às condições socioeconômicas e demográficas do Paraná, Brasil, no período de 2008 a 2012, aplicando-se a análise fatorial em componentes principais e de agrupamentos. As regiões com maior e menor desenvolvimento econômico e humano apresentaram alta prevalência das internações e dos custos relativos às doenças do aparelho circulatório, respiratório e do coração para os sexos masculino e feminino. Já nas regiões com nível de desenvolvimento intermediário, as doenças do sistema nervoso em homens e do aparelho circulatório em mulheres se destacaram com relação às morbidades e gastos hospitalares. Assim, ações de prevenção e promoção de saúde a essa população idosa podem ser direcionadas para investigações regionais.

Abstract: Growth in the elderly population has increased both the demand for health services and healthcare expenses, with relevant consequences for economic stability. The current study aimed to analyze the morbidity profile and hospital expenses with elderly patients in relation to socioeconomic and demographic conditions in Paraná State, Brazil, from 2008 to 2012, applying principal components analysis and groupings. Regions with higher and lower economic and human development showed high prevalence of hospitalizations and costs pertaining to the circulatory and respiratory systems and cardiac diseases for males and females. In regions with intermediary development, diseases of the nervous system in men and of the circulatory system in women had the highest morbidity and hospital expenses. Thus, measures for prevention and health promotion in this elderly population should be targeted to regional investigations.

Resumen: El aumento de la población anciana conlleva una creciente demanda de servicios de salud y expansión de gastos, con consecuencias relevantes sobre la estabilidad económica. En este contexto, el objetivo del estudio fue analizar el perfil de las morbilidades y gastos hospitalarios con ancianos en relación con las condiciones socioeconómicas y demográficas de Paraná, Brasil, durante el período de 2008 a 2012, aplicándose el análisis factorial en componentes principales y de agrupamientos. Las regiones con mayor y menor desarrollo económico y humano presentaron una alta prevalencia de los internamientos y de los costes relativos a las enfermedades del aparato circulatorio, respiratorio y del corazón para el sexo masculino y femenino. Ya en las regiones con un nivel de desarrollo intermedio, las enfermedades del sistema nervioso en hombres y del aparato circulatorio en mujeres se destacaron respecto a las morbilidades y gastos hospitalarios. Así, acciones de prevención y promoción de salud para esa población anciana pueden ser dirigidas hacia investigaciones regionales.

Adaptación del inventario de resiliencia ante el suicidio (SRI-25) en adolescentes y jóvenes de Colombia / Adapting the suicide resilience inventory (SRI-25) for adolescents and young adults in Colombia

OBJETIVO: Describir las propiedades psicométricas del Suicide Resilience Inventory (SRI-25), adaptado al español, en una muestra de adolescentes y jóvenes escolarizados de San Juan de Pasto, Colombia. MÉTODOS: Se adaptó el SRI-25 al idioma español por medio de una traducción simple. Se contó con 573 participantes, estudiantes de colegios y universidades, de 10 a 25 años de edad. RESULTADOS: En un análisis factorial exploratorio por componentes principales se encontró una estructura de tres factores que explican el 52,83 por ciento de la varianza. Se realizaron análisis factoriales según el sexo, el nivel educativo y la etapa evolutiva, a partir de los cuales se confirmó que en todos los grupos, los ítems cargan en los mismos factores de la prueba original, a saber: protección interna, estabilidad emocional y protección externa. Se obtuvo un coeficiente alfa de Cronbach de 0,922 para la prueba total. En cuanto a la validez de constructo, el SRI-25 presentó correlaciones significativas con medidas de autoestima, apoyo social, solución de problemas, razones para vivir, depresión, desesperanza e ideas suicidas. CONCLUSIÓN: Se comprobó que el SRI-25 es un instrumento útil para medir la resiliencia ante el suicidio en adolescentes y jóvenes escolarizados de San Juan de Pasto, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the psychometric properties of the Suicide Resilience Inventory (SRI-25), adapted to Spanish, in a student sample of adolescents and young adults from San Juan de Pasto, Colombia. METHODS: The SRI-25 was adapted to the Spanish language by means of a simple translation. This involved the participation of 573 schoolchildren and college/ university students between 10 and 25 years of age. RESULTS: In an exploratory factorial analysis by principal components, a structure of three factors was found to explain 52.83 percent of the variance. Factorial analysis was carried out by sex, educational level, and developmental stage. On this basis, it was confirmed that in all the groups, the items are weighted on the same factors as in the original test: namely, internal protection, emotional stability, and external protection. A Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.922 was obtained for the total test. Concerning the validity of the construct, the SRI-25 presented significant correlations with measurements of self-esteem, social support, problem-solving skills, reasons for living, depression, despair, and suicidal ideas. CONCLUSIONS: It was proved that the SRI-25 is a useful instrument for measuring resilience to suicide among adolescents and young people pursuing their education in San Juan de Pasto, Colombia.

Aplicación de componentes alimentarios en problemas de salud asociados a estrés oxidativo: selección de compuestos con propiedades antiradicalarias a partir de almentos o productos alimenticios regionales / Application of food components on health problems associated with oxidative stress: selection of compounds with properties Antiradical from almentos or regional food

El Síndrome Urémico Hemolítico (SUH) mediado por Escherichia coli productora de Verotoxinas es la causa más común de falla renal aguda en niños menores de 5 años y Argentina es el país con mayor incidencia de este síndrome. El serotipo O157:H7 es el que se asocia con mayor frecuencia y gravedad a infecciones humanas. Esta bacteria secreta diferentes factores de virulencia (FV) dentro del los cuales Verotoxina (VT) es el más importante. VT llega al torrente circulatorio y además de ejercer su efecto citotóxico por inhibición de la síntesis proteica con la consiguiente apoptosis de las células blanco, actúa estimulando los leucocitos polimorfonucleares y promoviendo la producción de Especies Reactivas del Oxígeno (ERO) por un mecanismo que aún no se encuentra esclarecido, sin embargo se ha postulado que el estrés oxidativo (EO) está involucrado en la acción de las principales toxinas de E.coli verotoxigénico. Por este motivo fue objeto de esta tesis doctoral evaluar el efecto de los factores de virulencia de E.coli O157:H7 sobre: promotores de EO (ERO y Especies Reactivas del Nitrógeno- ERN), marcadores de oxidación de moléculas lipídicas y proteicas y la capacidad antioxidante total (CA) en sangre de personas sanas y pacientes con SUH, como así también la obtención de antioxidantes exógenos de origen vegetal que permitan contrarrestar los efectos dañinos del EO, neutralizar la acción citotóxica de VT y/ó disminuir su producción- liberación por parte de la bacteria

SUMMARY: Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) mediated by Escherichia coli producing shigatoxins (Stxs) is denominated E. coli STEC, and is the most common cause of acute renal failure in children under 5 years old and Argentina has the highest incidence of this syndrome. The serotype O157: H7 is the one associated with more frequent and severe human infections. This bacterium secretes several virulence factors within which Stx or verotoxin is the most important. Stx reached the general circulation and also to exert its cytotoxic effect by inhibiting protein synthesis with subsequent apoptosis of target cells, like leukocytes. This toxin works by stimulating and promoting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by a mechanism not yet clarified, however it has been postulated that oxidative stress is involved in the action of this major toxin of E. coli STEC. For this reason was the objective of this thesis to evaluate the effect of the virulence factors of E. coli serotype O157: H7 on the promoters of oxidative stress (ROS and reactive nitrogen species RNS), markers of lipid and protein oxidation. Total antioxidant capacity assayed by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method was investigated in blood of healthy individuals and patients with HUS. Plant extracts were studied as antioxidants to counteract the harmful effects of oxidative stress. The extracts were obtained from carob flour (Prosopis alba) and mistol (Ziziphus mistol) by maceration with different solvents (acetone, hexane, alcohol and water) which underwent a characterization of their chemical composition by spectrophotometric analysis and thin layer chromatography (TLC). From these trials were selected alcoholic and acetone extracts of both fruit because presented the best relation dissolved solids/functional groups

Principal components’ analysis of multifocal electroretinogram in retinitis pigmentosa.

Aims: To determine waveforms of multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) contributing significantly to the overall retinal response by using principal components’ analysis. Settings and Design: Prospective, non-randomized, single-visit, observational, case-control study from a single tertiary ophthalmic center. Materials and Methods: Patients with various forms of RP underwent mfERG testing for a period of one year. The first-order kernel responses of RP cases were compared with concurrently recruited healthy controls. Statistical Analysis Used: Parametric data was analyzed using the unpaired t test for differences between the implicit time and amplitudes of cases and controls. Principal components’ analysis was done for each implicit time and amplitude in cases with RP using the Varimax rotation method. Results: From March 2006 to March 2007, 24 cases with typical RP (56%, 47 eyes) were included in the final analysis. Their mean age was 33.7 years (19-69 ± 15.5 years). Comparison of latencies and amplitudes among RP cases with log MAR acuity ≤ 0.18 and those > 0.18, revealed significant difference in the implicit time (P1) in Ring 2 only (P=0.028). Two components (predominently from Ring 1 and 2) each contributing 66.8% and 88.8% of the total variance in the data for latencies and amplitudes respectively, were seen. Conclusions: The first two rings of the mfERG contributed to the variance of waveforms in RP, irrespective of the visual acuity and poor visual field results.

Mapping co-variates of mortality up to age of five years for Indian states.

The study was conducted to obtain an index and a map with natural clusters by simultaneously considering sereral covariates of mortality and its indicators upto the age of five years for Indian states, Survey reports on various co-variates of infant mortality and their indicators for the year 1998-99 from National Family Health Survey Reports (NFHS II) were studied. Data on ninetten covariates of infant and child mortality for twenty major Indian states were used for the analysis. The covariates were based on socio-economic, demographic and mother's health care variables, morbidity and mortality indicators. An index for each state was obtained using statistical technique of factor analysis. Thie index measure health care needs of a state relative to the difference between the best and the worst states. Mapping of twenty states was done using cluster analysis. Eleven states had an inded of above 50, which shows greater care should be emphasized on health care variables to reduce mortality. Mapping using cluster analysis revealed a picture of natural clusters. The map with the index could help the health managers, social scientists and policy makers to identify areas that require more interventions. It could also help to comapre the various health intervention schemes that have been followed in the states, to devise more effective strategies for control of mortality and improvement of survival of young children.