Obtaining of Mg-Zn Co-Doped GaN Powders via Nitridation of the Ga-Mg-Zn Metallic Solution and Their Structural and Optical Properties.

Mg-Zn co-dopedGaN powders via the nitridation of a Ga-Mg-Zn metallic solution at 1000 °C for 2 h in ammonia flow were obtained. XRD patterns for the Mg-Zn co-dopedGaN powders showed a crystal size average of 46.88 nm. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs had an irregular shape, with a ribbon-like structure and a length of 8.63 µm. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy showed the incorporation of Zn (Lα 1.012 eV) and Mg (Kα 1.253 eV), while XPS measurements showed the elemental contributions of magnesium and zinc as co-dopant elements quantified in 49.31 eV and 1019.49 eV, respectively. The photoluminescence spectrum showed a fundamental emission located at 3.40 eV(364.70 nm), which was related to band-to-band transition, besides a second emission found in a range from 2.80 eV to 2.90 eV (442.85-427.58 nm), which was related to a characteristic of Mg-doped GaN and Zn-doped GaN powders. Furthermore, Raman scattering demonstrated a shoulder at 648.05 cm-1, which could indicate the incorporation of the Mg and Zn co-dopants atoms into the GaN structure. It is expected that one of the main applications of Mg-Zn co-doped GaN powders is in obtaining thin films for SARS-CoV-2 biosensors.

Dengue and COVID-19 Co-Circulation in the Peruvian Amazon: A Population-Based Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the main Amazon cities dramatically, with Iquitos City reporting the highest seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies during the first COVID-19 wave worldwide. This phenomenon raised many questions about the possibility of a co-circulation of dengue and COVID-19 and its consequences. We carried out a population-based cohort study in Iquitos, Peru. We obtained a venous blood sample from a subset of 326 adults from the Iquitos COVID-19 cohort (August 13-18, 2020) to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-dengue virus (DENV) and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We tested each serum sample for anti-DENV IgG (serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4) and SARS-CoV-2 antibodies anti-spike IgG and IgM by ELISA. We estimated an anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 78.0% (95% CI, 73.0-82.0) and an anti-DENV seroprevalence of 88.0% (95% CI, 84.0-91.6), signifying a high seroprevalence of both diseases during the first wave of COVID-19 transmission in the city. The San Juan District had a lower anti-DENV antibody seroprevalence than the Belen District (prevalence ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.98). However, we did not observe these differences in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence. Iquitos City presented one of the highest seroprevalence rates of anti-DENV and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies worldwide, but with no correlation between their antibody levels.

Zonulin, a marker of gut permeability, is associated with mortality in a cohort of hospitalised peruvian COVID-19 patients.

Zonulin has previously been related to intestinal permeability in various inflammatory diseases, and more recently to the physiopathology of severe COVID-19 infections. We analysed serum samples from a previous study of a Peruvian cohort of hospitalised COVID-19 patients, for the quantification of zonulin by sandwich ELISA. Comparisons with clinical data, haematological and biochemical parameters and cytokine/chemokine levels were made. We found higher baseline zonulin levels in deceased patients, and zonulin was associated with fatal outcome in multivariable analyses, even after adjustment for age, gender, and obesity. There were also positive correlations between zonulin, creatinine, D-dimer values and prothrombin time, while inverse correlations were found for Sa/FiO2 ratio and CCL5 (RANTES). Further longitudinal studies are recommended to analyse the variation of zonulin levels over time as well as their relationship with long-COVID.

Corrigendum: Zonulin, a marker of gut permeability, is associated with mortality in a cohort of hospitalised peruvian COVID-19 patients.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1000291.].

Cytokine Profiles Associated With Worse Prognosis in a Hospitalized Peruvian COVID-19 Cohort.

Cytokines, chemokines and growth factors present different expression profiles related to the prognosis of COVID-19. We analyzed clinical parameters and assessed the expression of these biomarkers in patients with different disease severity in a hospitalized Peruvian cohort to determine those associated with worse prognosis. We measured anti-spike IgG antibodies by ELISA and 30 cytokines by quantitative suspension array technology in 123 sera samples. We analyzed differences between patients with moderate, severe and fatal COVID-19 by logistic regression at baseline and in longitudinal samples. Significant differences were found among the clinical parameters: hemoglobin, neutrophils, lymphocytes and C-reactive protein (CRP), creatinine and D-dimer levels. Higher anti-spike IgG antibody concentrations were associated to fatal patient outcomes. At hospitalization, IL-10, IL-6, MIP-1α, GM-CSF, MCP-1, IL-15, IL-5, IL1RA, TNFα and IL-8 levels were already increased in fatal patients´ group. Meanwhile, multivariable analysis revealed that increased GM-CSF, MCP-1, IL-15, and IL-8 values were associated with fatal outcomes. Moreover, longitudinal analysis identified IL-6 and MCP-1 as the main risk factors related to mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In this Peruvian cohort we identified and validated biomarkers related to COVID-19 outcomes. Further studies are needed to identify novel criteria for stratification of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients at hospital entry. Background: In the most severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, large numbers of innate and adaptive immune cells become activated and begin to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, establishing an exacerbated feedback loop of inflammation. Methods: A total of 55 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen in Lima, Peru were enrolled during August-October 2020. Of these, 21 had moderate disease, 24 severe diseases and 10 died. We measured 30 cytokines and chemokines by quantitative suspension array technology and anti-spike IgG antibodies using a commercial ELISA. We evaluated these parameters in peripheral blood every 2-5 days until patient discharge or death. Patient information and clinical parameters related were obtained from the respective clinical histories. Results: The frequency of obesity differed among the 3 groups, being most frequent in patients who died. There were also significant differences in clinical parameters: hemoglobin, segmented neutrophils, lymphocytes,C-reactive protein, creatinine and D-dimer levels. Greater anti-spike IgG antibody concentrations were associated to fatal outcomes. In univariate analyses, higher baseline concentrations of IL-6, MIP-1α, GM-CSF, MCP-1, IL-15, IL-5, IL1RA, TNFα, IL-8 and IL-12p70 correlated with severity, while multivariable analysis showed that increased concentrations in 4 biomarkers (GM-CSF, MCP-1, IL-15, IL-8) were associated with fatal outcomes. Longitudinal analysis showed IL-6 (hazard ratio [HR] 6.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-28.7) and MCP-1 (HR 4.61, 95%CI 1.1-19.1) to be related to mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: Cytokine, chemokine and growth factor profiles were identified and validated related to severity and outcomes of COVID-19. Our findings may be useful to identify novel criteria for COVID-19 patient stratification at hospital entry.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in a high-altitude setting in Peru: adult population-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There are several ecological studies, but few studies of the prevalence of SARS-COV-2 at high altitude. We aimed to estimate the population-based seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2 in three settings of Cusco at the end of the first wave among adults. METHODS: A population-based survey was conducted in September 2020, in three settings in the region of Cusco: (1) Cusco city at 3,300 meters above the sea level (m.a.s.l.), (2) the periphery of Cusco (Santiago, San Jerónimo, San Sebastián, and Wanchaq) at 3,300 m.a.s.l., and (3) Quillabamba city, located at 1,050 m.a.s.l. People aged ≥ 18 years within a family unit were included. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was based on identifying anti- SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies (IgM and IgG) in serum using the Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 chemiluminescence test. RESULTS: We enrolled 1924 participants from 712 families. Of the total, 637 participants were anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositive. Seroprevalence was 38.8% (95% CI [33.4%-44.9%]) in Cusco city, 34.9% (95% CI [30.4%-40.1%]) in the periphery of Cusco, and 20.3% (95% CI [16.2%-25.6%]) in Quillabamba. In 141 families (19.8%; 95% CI [17.0%-22.8%]) the whole members were positive to the test. Living with more than three persons in the same house, a positive COVID-19 case at home, and a member who died in the last five months were factors associated with SARS-COV-2 seropositivity. Dysgeusia/dysosmia was the symptom most associated with seropositivity (aPR = 2.74, 95% CI [2.41-3.12]); whereas always wearing a face shield (aPR = 0. 73; 95% CI [0.60-0.89]) or a facial mask (aPR = 0.76, 95% CI [0.63-0. 92) reduced that probability. CONCLUSIONS: A great proportion of Cusco's city inhabitants presented anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at the end of the first wave, with significant differences between settings. Wearing masks and face shields were associated with lower rate of seropositivity; however, efforts must be made to sustain them over time since there is still a high proportion of susceptible people.

Validating the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale in a Colombian sample.

The present instrumental study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale with 421 Colombian adults in full lockdown of coronavirus. The reliability was excellent, obtained through the Cronbach's Alpha coefficient (α = 0.83). The results of the confirmatory factor analysis identified satisfactory indicators for the scale's one-dimensional model. The correlations obtained in the discriminant analysis of the items have a moderate level of correlation with values between 0.74 and 0.81. These findings demonstrate that the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate dysfunctional anxiety related to coronavirus in Colombian population.

" we have to think first what we are going to feed our children before we have them ": Rwandan women use family planning to provide a better life for their children.

Use of modern contraception in Rwanda has risen dramatically over a short time period. To better understand contraceptive users' motivations for family planning services in Rwanda, 32 in-depth interviews with contraceptive users and eight focus groups with 88 family planning providers were conducted in Rwanda's Musanze and Nyamasheke districts. Study participants noted how family planning is critical for providing a better life for children. Family planning gives mothers independence from childcare to work in order to provide for their children's wellbeing. Family planning presented an opportunity for generational upward mobility and was perceived as a way to contribute positively to society.

Método para la reconstrucción del ligamento patelofemoral medial utilizando el tendón del cuádriceps: descripción de la técnica y resultados

Introducción La inestabilidad rotuliana y la luxación recurrente es un trastorno prevalente en niños y adolescentes que requiere la reparación quirúrgica del ligamento patelofemoral medial (LPFM), con especial atención en la preservación de las placas de crecimiento en esta población. Materiales y métodos Se describe un método modificado para la reconstrucción del ligamento patelofemoral medial utilizando un autoinjerto del tendón del cuádriceps, que se une con suturas de anclaje al punto isométrico epifisario de la inserción de LPFM. Desde el año 2012 se ha usado esta técnica en pacientes pediátricos en nuestra institución;aquí se presentan los resultados del seguimiento de esta cohorte de pacientes. Resultados Se ha utilizado esta técnica en 5 pacientes con inestabilidad patelofemoral con luxación rotuliana recidivante con una mediana de tiempo de seguimiento posquirúrgico de cuatro años (rango 2-5 años). La mediana del índice Insall­Salvati prequirúrgico fue 1.41. La mediana de puntuación de Kujala antes y después de la cirugía durante la última evaluación fue 76.5 (rango 34-100) y 98.5 (rango 75-100), respectivamente. No hubo casos de reluxación o episodios de subluxación durante el seguimiento. Un paciente presentaba como antecedente síndrome de West que dificultó las mediciones objetivas pre y postquirúrgicas;sin embargo, sus resultados fueron satisfactorios. Discusión Este método modificado constituye una técnica alternativa de fijación del injerto, que, en nuestra experiencia, proporciona resultados satisfactorios, con estabilidad rotuliana causada por la tensión fija del injerto. En los pacientes intervenidos no se han presentado recurrencias ni complicaciones. Background Patellar instability and recurrent dislocation is a prevalent disorder in children and adolescents that require surgical repair of the medial patellar femoral ligament (MPFL), paying particular attention in preserving the open growth plates in this population. Methods We describe a modified method for reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament using an autograft from the quadriceps tendon, which is attached with anchor sutures to the epiphysial isometric point of the MPFL insertion. Since 2012, this technique has been used in pediatric patients in our institution;here, we present the long-term results of this cohort. Results We have used this technique in 5 patients with patellar instability with recurrent patellar dislocation with a median postsurgical follow-up time of four years (range 2-5 years). The median preoperative Insall­Salvati ratio was 1.41. The median Kujala score before and after surgery during the last evaluation was 76.5 (range 34-100) and 98.5 (range 75-100), respectively. No cases of redislocation or episodes of subluxation were present during the follow-up. One patient presented West syndrome which made difficult pre and postoperative objective assessment;however, his results were satisfactory. Discussion This modified method constitutes an alternative technique of graft fixation, that in our experience, provides satisfactory results, with patellar stability caused by fixed graft tension. In the operated patients, no recurrences nor complications have been present.

Fracturas inestables de radio distal intra y extraarticulares: análisis comparativo de resultados a mediano plazo del tratamiento quirúrgico con placas volares

Introducción Comparar los resultados radiológicos y recuperación postoperatoria de la función de la muñeca a mediano plazo en las fracturas inestables extra e intra articulares de radio distal, después de la reducción abierta con abordaje palmar y osteosíntesis con placa volar. Materiales y métodos Estudio de casos y controles en 52 pacientes divididos en los grupos de fracturas extra o intra articulares de acuerdo a la clasificación AO. Las radiografías preoperatorias y postoperatorias fueron evaluadas para determinar la restauración anatómica de la longitud radial, ángulo radial e inclinación palmar del radio. Se evaluó además el resultado, seis meses después de la cirugía, del rango activo de movimiento y la fuerza de agarre, a la vez, que se hizo evaluación del puntaje de QuickDASH. Resultados La edad promedio fue 53,7±16,8 (DE) años;el 63% mujeres. Las fracturas extra articulares fueron más frecuentes en las mujeres, pero las intra articulares presentaron distribución similar por sexo (p=0.023). La fuerza de agarre de la mano operada fue 73.7% y 67.5% de la mano opuesta en las fracturas extra e intra articulares, respectivamente. El puntaje QuickDASH promedio fue 2.36 (DE 2.01) y 4.16 (DE 3.82) en fracturas extra e intra articulares respectivamente (p=0.111). Discusión Para fracturas de radio distal la reducción abierta con abordaje palmar y estabilización con placa volar ofrece resultados funcionales satisfactorios tanto para las fracturas extra articulares como para las intra articulares, con una leve, aunque esperada, ventaja en las primeras debido a su menor complejidad. Background To examine and compare the radiological results and postoperative recovery of the medium-term wrist function in unstable extra- and intra-articular fractures of distal radius, after open reduction with a palmar approach and osteosynthesis with a volar plate. Materials and methods Retrospective case control study in 52 patients, divided into groups according to the Orthopaedic Association (AO) classification as extra- or intra-articular fractures. The pre-operative and post-operative radiographs were evaluated to determine the anatomical restoration of the radial length, radial angle, and palmar inclination of the radius. The medium-term results of the active range of motion and the grip strength, as well as the Quick DASH score, were evaluated six months after surgery. Results The mean age was 53.7±16.8 (SD) years and 63% were women. Extra-articular fractures were more frequent in women, but intra-articular fractures had a similar distribution by gender (P=.023). The grip strength of the operated hand was 73.7% and 67.5% of the opposite hand in the extra- and intra-articular fractures, respectively. The mean Quick DASH score was 2.36 (SD 2.01) and 4.16 (SD 3.82) in extra- and intra-articular fractures, respectively (P=.111). Discussion For unstable distal radius fractures, open reduction with palmar approach and volar plate stabilisation offers satisfactory functional results for both extra-articular and intra-articular fractures, with a slight, but expected, advantage in the former due to its lesser complexity.