Numerical Modeling of Physical Cell Trapping in Microfluidic Chips.

Microfluidic methods have proven to be effective in separation and isolation of cells for a wide range of biomedical applications. Among these methods, physical trapping is a label-free isolation approach that relies on cell size as the selective phenotype to retain target cells on-chip for follow-up analysis and imaging. In silico models have been used to optimize the design of such hydrodynamic traps and to investigate cancer cell transmigration through narrow constrictions. While most studies focus on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of flow over cells and/or pillar traps, a quantitative analysis of mechanical interaction between cells and trapping units is missing. The existing literature centers on longitudinally extended geometries (e.g., micro-vessels) to understand the biological phenomenon rather than designing an effective cell trap. In this work, we aim to make an experimentally informed prediction of the critical pressure for a cell to pass through a trapping unit as a function of cell morphology and trapping unit geometry. Our findings show that a hyperelastic material model accurately captures the stress-related softening behavior observed in cancer cells passing through micro-constrictions. These findings are used to develop a model capable of predicting and extrapolating critical pressure values. The validity of the model is assessed with experimental data. Regression analysis is used to derive a mathematical framework for critical pressure. Coupled with CFD analysis, one can use this formulation to design efficient microfluidic devices for cell trapping and potentially perform downstream analysis of trapped cells.

Características clínicas y sociodemográficas de y sociodemográficas de pacientes fallecidos por pacientes fallecidos por COVID-19 en Colombia / Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of patients who died from COVID-19 in Colombia

Introducción: desde el 6 de marzo 2020 se confirmó el primer contagiado de la enfermedad coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) en Colombia, se extendió por todo su territorio con un compromiso clínico variable. Es de vital importancia conocer las Características de los pacientes afectados letalmente. Objetivos: describir las características clínicas y sociodemográficas de pacientes fallecidos por COVID-19 en Colombia hasta el 15 de mayo 2020. Materiales y métodos: estudio de corte transversal. Se tomaron datos de los pacientes fallecidos por COVID-19 en todo el territorio colombiano, registradas en las bases de datos reportadas por el Instituto Nacional de Salud desde el 6 de marzo a 15 de mayo 2020. Resultados: hasta el 15 de mayo 2020 se reportaron un total de 546 muertes, 60.8% de los fallecidos eran hombres. La edad mediana fue 69 años (RIC: 59-79) siendo 73.3% pacientes con 60 años o más, 86.8% tenían factores de riesgo conocidos, los más comunes fueron hipertensión arterial (37.9%), diabetes mellitus (18.7%), enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (17.3%) y antecedente de cardiopatía (15.2%), 3.3% eran casos provenientes del extranjero. Las principales zonas afectadas a nivel nacional fueron Bogotá (29.8%), Cali (12.2%), Cartagena (11.1%) y Leticia (6.2%). Conclusiones: la letalidad en Colombia por COVID-19 es de 3.8%. La mayoría de los pacientes tuvo una condición clínica asociada siendo la hipertensión arterial la más frecuente, pero enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica e hipotiroidismo son relevantes en nuestra población.

Introduction: the first case of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed in Colombia on March 6 2020, and spread through the country with diverse clinical presentations. It is critical to identify the characteristics of individuals with fatal outcomes. Objectives: to describe the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of patients who died from COVID-19 in Colombia up to May 15 2020. Material and Methods: a cross-sectional study. Data on patients who died from COVID-19 in Colombia recorded and reported by the National Health Institute from March 6 to May 15 2020 were used. Results: a total of 546 deaths were reported as of May 15 2020, of which 60.8% were males. The median age was 69 years (IQR: 59-79), 73.3% were patients aged 60 years or older and 86.8% had underlying risk factors, the most common being hypertension (37.9%), diabetes mellitus (18.7%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (17.3%) and a past history of heart disease (15.2%), 3.3% were cases that had arrived from abroad. Nationally, the most affected areas were Bogotá (29.8%), Cali (12.2%), Cartagena (11.1%) and Leticia (6.2%). Conclusions: the COVID-19 mortality rate in Colombia is 3.8%. Most patients had an associated clinical condition being hypertension the most frequent one, but chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypothyroidism are relevant in our population.

Pathological gambling: understanding relapses and dropouts.

There is little available information on the factors that influence relapses and dropouts during therapy for pathological gambling (PG). The aim of this study was to determine socio-demographic, clinical, personality, and psychopathological predictors of relapse and dropout in a sample of pathological gamblers seeking treatment. A total of 566 consecutive outpatients diagnosed with PG according to DSM-IV-TR criteria were included. All patients underwent an individualized cognitive-behavioral treatment program. We analyzed predictors of relapse during 6months of treatment and during the subsequent 6months of follow-up, and predictors of dropout over the entire therapeutic program. Eighty patients (14.1%) experienced at least one relapse during the entire follow-up of the study: 50 (8.8%) within the treatment period and 12 (2.1%) during the subsequent 6-month follow-up period. The main predictors of relapse were single marital status, spending less than 100euros/week on gambling, active gambling behavior at treatment inclusion, and high scores on the TCI-R Harm Avoidance personality dimension. One hundred fifty-seven patients (27.8%) missed 3 or more therapeutic sessions over the entire therapeutic program. The main predictors of dropout were single marital status, younger age, and high scores on the TCI-R Novelty Seeking personality dimension. The presence of these factors at inclusion should be taken into account by physicians dealing with PG patients.

Implementation of a PCR-based method for the diagnosis of Ehrlichia spp, in canine in Medellin (Colombia) / Implementación de un método basado en PCR, para el diagnóstico de Ehrlichia spp., en caninos de Medellín (Colombia) / Implementação de um método baseado em PCR, para o diagnóstico de Ehrlichia spp., em caninos de Medellín (Colômbia)

Ehrlichiosis is a worldwide illness, endemic in tropical and subtropical countries where seroprevalence can reach up to 33% as it is the case in México and Israel. However, the low sensitivity of the serological tests used for diagnosis, 67% in tests with IFI, has led to a required searching for new alternatives to diagnose the disease quickly and effectively. PCR is one of these techniques that could provide high sensitivity and specificity. The target of this study was to implement the PCR test for the diagnosis of Ehrlichia spp., on blood samples from animals with suspected illness from veterinary clinics in the city of Medellin. 90 samples were taken, 33 samples from animals suspected of having symptoms and 57 from healthy animals as probable negatives. DNA from the Madrid strain was used as a positive control. The PCR was performed using as an example the protocol suggested by Aguirre et al (2004). EEC and ECB primers reported by Dawson et al (2004) were used (aquí el propio texto en español no está claro). In this study the 500pb band was amplified, corresponding to the 16s rRNA of Ehrlichia spp., in 11 samples of the animals with suspected illness, obtaining a presentation rate of 33.3%, confirming the presence of bacteria in the animals of the environment, and achieving the implementation of PCR for Ehrlichia spp. as a diagnostic tool in the city.

La Ehrlichiosis es una enfermedad de distribución mundial, es endémica en los países tropicales y subtropicales en donde la seroprevalencia puede llegar a ser hasta del 33%, como en México e Israel. La baja sensibilidad de las pruebas utilizadas para el diagnóstico, 67% en las pruebas con IFI, han llevado a la necesidad de buscar nuevas alternativas que permitan diagnosticar la enfermedad de manera rápida y eficaz. La PCR es una de estas técnicas que podría ofrecer una alta sensibilidad y especificidad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue implementar la prueba de PCR, para el diagnóstico de Ehrlichia spp., en muestras de sangre de caninos sospechosos provenientes de consultorios veterinarios de la ciudad de Medellín. Se tomaron 90 muestras, 33 de animales sospechosos de ehrlichiosis por sintomatología, y 57 de animales sanos como probables negativos. Se utilizó como control positivo el ADN de la cepa Madrid. La PCR fue realizada utilizando como ejemplo el protocolo sugerido por Aguirre et al. (2004). Se utilizaron los primers EEC y ECB reportados por Dawson et al. (1994). En este estudio se logró amplificar la banda de 500 pb correspondientes al gen 16s ARNr de Ehrlichia spp., en 11 muestras de los animales sospechosos, obteniendo una frecuencia de presentación del 33,3%, confirmando la presencia de la bacteria en los animales de nuestro medio, y logrando la implementación de PCR para Ehrlichia spp. como herramienta diagnóstica en nuestra ciudad.

A ehrlichiose é uma doença em todo o mundo, é endêmica em países tropicais e subtropicais, onde a soroprevalência pode atingir até 33%, como no México e Israel. A baixa sensibilidade dos testes utilizados para o diagnóstico, 67% nos testes de IFI, levaram à necessidade de buscar novas formas de diagnosticar a doença de forma rápida e eficaz. PCR é uma técnica de tal forma que poderia fornecer alta sensibilidade e especificidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi implementar o teste de PCR para o diagnóstico de Ehrlichia spp., Em amostras de sangue de cães suspeitos de clínicas veterinárias da cidade de Medellín. Demorou 90 amostras, 33 amostras de suspeitos que apresentavam sintomas de erliquiose e 57 animais saudáveis como negativo provável. Foi utilizado como controle positivo de ADN a partir da estirpe de Madrid. A PCR foi padronizada utilizando o exemplo do protocolo proposto por Aguiar et al. (2004). Utilizou-se primers BCE CES e relatado por Dawson et al. (1994). Neste estudo foram amplificados de banda de 500 pb para o gene 16S rRNA do gênero Ehrlichia em 11 amostras de animais suspeitos, a obtenção de uma taxa de apresentação de 33,3%, o que confirma a presença de bactérias em animais nosso meio ambiente e obter a implementação de PCR por Ehrlichia spp. como uma ferramenta de diagnóstico em nossa cidade.

Desgaste psíquico y problemas de salud en estudiantes de psicologia / Psychological exhaustion and disorders of health in psychology students / Desgaste psíquico e problemas de saúde em estudantes de psicologia

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar los niveles de Desgaste psíquico y Desencanto en estudiantes de Psicología, la Sobrecarga y su relación con los Problemas de salud. Participaron 154 estudiantes universitarios de Psicología de 3º (48 por ciento) y 4º (52 por ciento) grado. Desgaste psíquico y Desencanto se evaluaron mediante el Cuestionario para la Evaluación del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo, Problemas de salud mediante una escala de once ítems y Sobrecarga mediante un ítem. Los estudiantes de cuarto percibían significativamente mayores niveles de Sobrecarga, Desgaste psíquico y Desencanto que los de tercero.(AU)

O objectivo deste estudo foi analisar os níveis de desgaste psíquico e desencanto em estudantes de Psicología, a sobrecarga e a sua relação com os problemas de saúde. Participaram 154 estudantes universitários de Psicologia do 3º (48 por cento) e 4º (52 por cento) anos. Desgaste psíquico e desencanto foram avaliados mediante o Questionario para la Evaluación del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo, problemas de saúde mediante uma escala de onze itens e sobrecarga mediante um item. Os estudantes do quarto ano sentiam de maneira significativa maiores níveis de sobrecarga, desgaste psíquico e desencanto que os de terceiro ano.(AU)

The aim of the study was to examine the levels of Psychological Exhaustion and Disillusionment in students of Psychology, the work overload and its relationship with Disorders of Health. The research participants were 154 university students of Psychology from junior (48 percent) and senior. (52 percent). Psychological Exhaustion and Disillusionment were analysed with the Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI), Disorders of Health with an eleven-item scale and Work overload with one item. The students from senior perceived higher Work overload, Psychological Exhaustion and Disillusionment than the students from junior.(AU)

Desgaste psíquico y problemas de salud en estudiantes de psicologia / Psychological exhaustion and disorders of health in psychology students / Desgaste psíquico e problemas de saúde em estudantes de psicologia

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar los niveles de Desgaste psíquico y Desencanto en estudiantes de Psicología, la Sobrecarga y su relación con los Problemas de salud. Participaron 154 estudiantes universitarios de Psicología de 3º (48 por ciento) y 4º (52 por ciento) grado. Desgaste psíquico y Desencanto se evaluaron mediante el Cuestionario para la Evaluación del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo, Problemas de salud mediante una escala de once ítems y Sobrecarga mediante un ítem. Los estudiantes de cuarto percibían significativamente mayores niveles de Sobrecarga, Desgaste psíquico y Desencanto que los de tercero.

O objectivo deste estudo foi analisar os níveis de desgaste psíquico e desencanto em estudantes de Psicología, a sobrecarga e a sua relação com os problemas de saúde. Participaram 154 estudantes universitários de Psicologia do 3º (48 por cento) e 4º (52 por cento) anos. Desgaste psíquico e desencanto foram avaliados mediante o Questionario para la Evaluación del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo, problemas de saúde mediante uma escala de onze itens e sobrecarga mediante um item. Os estudantes do quarto ano sentiam de maneira significativa maiores níveis de sobrecarga, desgaste psíquico e desencanto que os de terceiro ano.

The aim of the study was to examine the levels of Psychological Exhaustion and Disillusionment in students of Psychology, the work overload and its relationship with Disorders of Health. The research participants were 154 university students of Psychology from junior (48 percent) and senior. (52 percent). Psychological Exhaustion and Disillusionment were analysed with the Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI), Disorders of Health with an eleven-item scale and Work overload with one item. The students from senior perceived higher Work overload, Psychological Exhaustion and Disillusionment than the students from junior.