Differences in the expression of the phosphatase PTP-1B in patients with localized prostate cancer with and without adverse pathological features.

Introduction: Patients with adverse pathological features (APF) at radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer (PC) are candidates for adjuvant treatment. Clinicians lack reliable markers to predict these APF preoperatively. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) is involved in migration and invasion of PC, and its expression could predict presence of APF. Our aim was to compare PTP-1B expression in patients with and without APF, and to explore PTP-1B expression as an independent prognostic factor. Methods: Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were constructed using RP archival specimens for immunohistochemical staining of PTP-1B; expression was reported with a standardized score (0-9). We compared median PTP-1B score between cases with and without APF. We constructed two logistic regression models, one to identify the independence of PTP-1B score from biologically associated variables (metformin use and type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM]) and the second to seek independence of known risk factors (Gleason score and prostate specific antigen [PSA]). Results: A total of 73 specimens were suitable for TMA construction. Forty-four (60%) patients had APF. The median PTP-1B score was higher in those with APF: 8 (5-9) vs 5 (3-8) (p=0.026). In the logistic regression model including T2DM and metformin use, the PTP-1B score maintained statistical significance (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.01-1.45, p=0.037). In the model including PSA and Gleason score; the PTP-1B score showed no independence (OR 1.68, 95% CI 0.97-1.41, p=0.11). The area under the curve to predict APF for the PTP-1B score was 0.65 (95% CI 0.52-0.78, p=0.03), for PSA+Gleason 0.71 (95% CI 0.59-0.82, p=0.03), and for PSA+Gleason+PTP-1B score 0.73 (95% CI 0.61-0.84, p=0.001). Discussion: Patients with APF after RP have a higher expression of PTP-1B than those without APF, even after adjusting for T2DM and metformin exposure. PTP-1B has a good accuracy for predicting APF but does not add to known prognostic factors.

Who Provides Outpatient Clinical Care for Adults With ADHD? Analysis of Healthcare Claims by Types of Providers Among Private Insurance and Medicaid Enrollees, 2021.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize provider types delivering outpatient care overall and through telehealth to U.S. adults with ADHD. METHOD: Using employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) and Medicaid claims, we identified enrollees aged 18 to 64 years who received outpatient care for ADHD in 2021. Billing provider codes were used to tabulate the percentage of enrollees receiving ADHD care from 10 provider types overall and through telehealth. RESULTS: Family practice physicians, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners/psychiatric nurses were the most common providers for adults with ESI, although the distribution of provider types varied across states. Lower percentages of adults with Medicaid received ADHD care from physicians. Approximately half of adults receiving outpatient ADHD care received ADHD care by telehealth. CONCLUSION: Results may inform the development of clinical guidelines for adult ADHD and identify audiences for guideline dissemination and education planning.

Variation in identifying children and adolescents with disability and developmental disability in population-based public health surveys.

BACKGROUND: The term "developmental disability" (DD) is inconsistently defined and applied depending on purpose and across sources, including in legislation. OBJECTIVE: This project aimed to identify existing definitions of disability and DD and to determine the extent to which each definition could be operationalized to produce prevalence estimates using data from U.S. national surveys. METHODS: Using data among children <18 years from the 2016-2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH), we estimated the prevalence of two definitions of disability (Washington Group Short Set on Functioning, American Community Survey) and seven definitions of DD [Health and Human Services (ever/current), Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (1+, 2+, or 3+ components), and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed (ever/current)]. Complex sample design variables and weights were used to calculate nationally representative prevalence. RESULTS: Disability (NHIS: 5.2-6.3%; NSCH: 9.2-11.9%) and DD prevalence (NHIS: 0.6-18.0% and NSCH: 0.2-22.2%) varied depending on the definition and data source. For the same definition, NSCH prevalence estimates tended to be higher than NHIS estimates. CONCLUSIONS: The substantial variability in estimated prevalence of disability and DD among children in the United States may be in part due to the surveys not representing all components of each definition. Different or additional questions in national surveys may better capture existing definitions of disability and DD. Considering the data collection goals may help determine the optimal definition to provide useful information for public health action.

Innovative non-targeted liquid chromatography fingerprinting approach for authenticating tigernuts under Protected Designation of Origin quality seal.

BACKGROUND: Tigernut is a typical foodstuff from a specific region of Valencia (Spain) called 'L'Horta Nord', where it is commercialized under a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) as Chufa de Valencia ('Valencia's tigernut'). PDO-recognized tigernuts present unique characteristics associated with their particular production region. Increasing demand and the associated expansion of its cultivation area has made necessary an exhaustive quality control to check the geographical origin and quality seal. RESULTS: In this work, a new multivariate analytical method capable of authenticating the PDO quality seal of tigernut samples was developed. Tigernut fat fraction was extracted under optimal conditions, applying the methodology of design of experiments. The analytical method combined fingerprinting methodology and chemometric tools to observe the natural grouping of samples using the exploratory analysis method and to develop classification models (partial least squares-discriminatory analysis; PLS-DA) to discriminate between two sample categories: (i) PDO tigernuts; and (ii) NON-PDO tigernuts. CONCLUSION: The built PLS-DA model demonstrated 100% accuracy, high sensitivity and specificity, revealing that the tigernut fat fraction can be applied to authenticate the PDO quality seal. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Mechanism of Morphology Development in HDGEBA/PAMS Hybrid Thermosets: Monte Carlo Simulation and LSCM Study.

Reactive combinations of aliphatic epoxy resins and functional polysiloxanes form a class of hybrid thermosetting materials with properties that may come from both the organic and the inorganic phases. The two typically immiscible phases form a suspension whose morphology, composition, and thermal properties vary with curing time. The aim of this research was to elucidate the mechanism by which morphology changed with time and to simulate it through Metropolis-Monte Carlo. The selected system was hydrogenated epoxy (HDGEBA) and a synthetic polyaminosiloxane (PAMS). It was studied by DSC, FTnIR, gel point, viscometry, and in-situ laser scanning confocal microscopy. A mechanism for morphology generation was proposed and simulated, exploring a wide range of values of the "a priori" relevant variables. The essential features were captured by simulations with a reasonable agreement with experimental data. However, the complete process was more complex than the geometrical approach of the simulation. The main deviations that were found and qualitatively explained are: (i) the induction period on the rate of coalescence, and (ii) PAMS-rich domain average size increases faster than predictions.

Autochthonous transmission of the Indomalayan parasite, Transversotrema patialense, in the Caribbean: Molecular, morphological, and experimental evidence.

The Asian freshwater snail Melanoides tuberculata has been established since the 1960s in the Americas, where it transmits cercariae of a small number of digenetic trematode species from its native range. In 2021-2022, 24 M. tuberculata were discovered shedding transversotrematid cercariae in Puerto Rico, where parasites of this snail have not been previously studied. Adult transversotrematids (in some cases, gravid) were found on field-caught fish and on fish exposed to shedding snails, including on fish species native to Puerto Rico. Adults and cercariae were identified as Transversotrema patialense (Soparkar, 1924), a species native to the Indomalayan region. Morphological identification was supported with 28S rDNA sequences closely matching that from unidentified transversotrematid cercariae in Thailand. The absence of T. patialense in snails collected prior to 2021, increasing prevalence of infection in snails collected thereafter, and lack of variation in parasite DNA sequences (28S, internal transcribed spacer 2, cytochrome c oxidase I) from three isolates are consistent with a recently introduced and possibly expanding parasite population. Transversotrema patialense has been recorded outside its native range before, but most studies (including a prior record in the Americas) reported the parasite from captive hosts from commercial sources such as pet shops. The present results thus provide the first demonstration of natural transmission of T. patialense in the Americas. Phylogenetic analysis of 28S but not of ITS2 show the transversotrematid genus Transversotrema Witenberg, 1944 is paraphyletic, with Crusziella Cribb, Bray and Barker 1992 nested within it.

Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir for Treatment of Recurrent Hepatitis C Virus Infection After Liver Transplantation.

There are limited data on direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment options for previously treated patients with recurrent genotype 3 (GT3) hepatitis C virus (HCV) after liver transplantation. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) is currently approved for treatment of HCV in patients with prior treatment with DAAs. We report the first published experience using SOF/VEL/VOX after liver transplantation for a DAA-experienced patient with severe hepatitis due to early recurrent GT3 HCV. The patient was treated with SOF/VEL/VOX that was extended to a total duration of 16 weeks and was intensified with ribavirin (RBV) starting at week 8 due to persistent viremia during treatment. Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12) after treatment completion was achieved. SOF/VEL/VOX was well tolerated, and immediate drug-drug interaction (DDI) with tacrolimus (TAC) was not evident. Due to improvement in liver metabolic function with increasing TAC clearance, TAC dose adjustment was required throughout the treatment course. Conclusion: SOF/VEL/VOX can be considered for treatment of recurrent HCV after transplantation. Further study is needed to establish safety and efficacy and define treatment duration in difficult-to-treat populations.

Microbiological quality of Argentinian paprika / Calidad microbiológica del pimentón argentino

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of paprika produced in Catamarca, Argentina. Microbiological analyses were carried out for the enumeration of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, yeasts and molds, and the detection of Salmonella in samples obtained from different local producers during three consecutive years. The mycobiota was identified paying special attention to the mycotoxigenic molds. Standard plate counts of aerobic mesophilic bacteria ranged from 2.7 x 10(5) to 3.7 x 10(7)CFU/g. Coliform counts ranged from <10 to 8.1 x 10(4) CFU/g. Salmonella was not detected in any of the samples tested. Fungal counts (including yeasts and molds) ranged between 2 x 10² and 1.9 x 10(5) CFU/g. These results showed a high level of microbial contamination, exceeding in several samples the maximum limits set in international food regulations. The study of the mycobiota demonstrated that Aspergillus was the predominant genus and Aspergillus niger (potential producer of ochratoxin A) the most frequently isolated species, followed by Aspergillus flavus (potential producer of aflatoxins). Other species of potential toxigenic fungi such as Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus westerdijkiae, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium commune, Penicillium expansum and Alternaria tenuissima species group were encountered as part of the mycobiota of the paprika samples indicating a risk of mycotoxin contamination. A. westerdijkiae was isolated for the first time in Argentina.

El pimentón es considerado una de las especias más proclives a contaminarse con diversos tipos de microorganismos, incluyendo patógenos como Salmonella y hongos capaces de producir micotoxinas. Existen muy pocos datos acerca de la contaminación microbiana del pimentón producido en nuestro país. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la calidad microbiológica del pimentón (Capsicum annum L.) producido en la provincia de Catamarca, una de las principales zonas productoras del norte argentino. Se realizó el recuento de bacterias aerobias mesófilas, coliformes totales y mohos y levaduras, y la búsqueda de Salmonella en muestras obtenidas de diferentes establecimientos productores locales durante 3 años consecutivos. Se identificaron todas las cepas fúngicas (1.622 aislamientos) a nivel de género y se determinaron las especies pertenecientes a los géneros potencialmente toxinógenos. Los recuentos totales de bacterias aerobias mesófilas variaron entre 2,7 x 10(5)y3,7 x 10(7)UFC/g. Los coliformes totales estuvieron en el rango de < 10 a 8,1 x 10(4) UFC/g. Salmonella no fue detectada en ninguna de las muestras analizadas. Los resultados obtenidos muestran un alto nivel de contaminación, que excede en varias de las muestras los límites máximos establecidos en las regulaciones alimentarias internacionales. El estudio de la micobiota demostró que Aspergillus fue el género predominante. Otros géneros encontrados fueron Cladosporium, Rhizopus, Alternaría y Penicillium. Aspergillus niger (potencial productor de ocratoxina A) fue la especie aislada con mayor frecuencia, seguida de Aspergillus flavus (potencial productor de aflatoxinas). También se encontraron otras especies toxinógenas, lo que indica un riesgo potencial de contaminación con micotoxinas. Aspergillus westerdijkiae fue aislado por primera vez en Argentina.

Microbiological quality of Argentinian paprika.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of paprika produced in Catamarca, Argentina. Microbiological analyses were carried out for the enumeration of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, yeasts and molds, and the detection of Salmonella in samples obtained from different local producers during three consecutive years. The mycobiota was identified paying special attention to the mycotoxigenic molds. Standard plate counts of aerobic mesophilic bacteria ranged from 2.7×105 to 3.7×107CFU/g. Coliform counts ranged from <10 to 8.1×104CFU/g. Salmonella was not detected in any of the samples tested. Fungal counts (including yeasts and molds) ranged between 2×102 and 1.9×105CFU/g. These results showed a high level of microbial contamination, exceeding in several samples the maximum limits set in international food regulations. The study of the mycobiota demonstrated that Aspergillus was the predominant genus and Aspergillus niger (potential producer of ochratoxin A) the most frequently isolated species, followed by Aspergillus flavus (potential producer of aflatoxins). Other species of potential toxigenic fungi such as Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus westerdijkiae, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium commune, Penicillium expansum and Alternaria tenuissima species group were encountered as part of the mycobiota of the paprika samples indicating a risk of mycotoxin contamination. A. westerdijkiae was isolated for the first time in Argentina.

Meta- and Orthogonal Integration of Influenza "OMICs" Data Defines a Role for UBR4 in Virus Budding.

Several systems-level datasets designed to dissect host-pathogen interactions during influenza A infection have been reported. However, apparent discordance among these data has hampered their full utility toward advancing mechanistic and therapeutic knowledge. To collectively reconcile these datasets, we performed a meta-analysis of data from eight published RNAi screens and integrated these data with three protein interaction datasets, including one generated within the context of this study. Further integration of these data with global virus-host interaction analyses revealed a functionally validated biochemical landscape of the influenza-host interface, which can be queried through a simplified and customizable web portal (http://www.metascape.org/IAV). Follow-up studies revealed that the putative ubiquitin ligase UBR4 associates with the viral M2 protein and promotes apical transport of viral proteins. Taken together, the integrative analysis of influenza OMICs datasets illuminates a viral-host network of high-confidence human proteins that are essential for influenza A virus replication.

Unexpected Regulatory Role of CCR9 in Regulatory T Cell Development.

T cells reactive to microbiota regulate the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As T cell trafficking to intestines is regulated through interactions between highly specific chemokine-chemokine receptors, efforts have been made to develop intestine-specific immunosuppression based on blocking these key processes. CCR9, a gut-trophic chemokine receptor expressed by lymphocytes and dendritic cells, has been implicated in the regulation of IBD through mediating recruitment of T cells to inflamed sites. However, the role of CCR9 in inducing and sustaining inflammation in the context of IBD is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that CCR9 deficiency in effector T cells and Tregs does not affect the development of colitis in a microbiota antigen-specific, T cell-mediated model. However, Treg cells express higher levels of CCR9 compared to those in effector T cells. Interestingly, CCR9 inhibits Treg cell development, in that CCR9-/- mice demonstrate a high level of Foxp3+ Tregs, and ligation of CCR9 by its ligand CCL25 inhibits Treg cell differentiation in vitro. Collectively, our data indicate that in addition to acting as a gut-homing molecule, CCR9 signaling shapes immune responses by inhibiting Treg cell development.

Accuracy of self-reported smoking cessation during pregnancy.

Evidence of bias of self-reported smoking cessation during pregnancy is reported in high-income countries but not elsewhere. We sought to evaluate self-reported smoking cessation during pregnancy using biochemical verification and to compare characteristics of women with and without biochemically confirmed cessation in Argentina and Uruguay. In a cross-sectional study from October 2011 to May 2012, women who attended one of 21 prenatal clinics and delivered at selected hospitals in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay, were surveyed about their smoking cessation during pregnancy. We tested saliva collected from women <12 h after delivery for cotinine to evaluate self-reported smoking cessation during pregnancy. Overall, 10.0% (44/441) of women who self-reported smoking cessation during pregnancy had biochemical evidence of continued smoking. Women who reported quitting later in pregnancy had a higher percentage of nondisclosure (17.2%) than women who reported quitting when learning of their pregnancy (6.4%).

Pregnant women's secondhand smoke exposure and receipt of screening and brief advice by prenatal care providers in Argentina and Uruguay.

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure has negative effects on maternal and infant health. SHS exposure among pregnant women in Argentina and Uruguay has not been previously described, nor has the proportion of those who have received screening and advice to avoid SHS during prenatal care. Women who attended one of 21 clusters of publicly-funded prenatal care clinics were interviewed regarding SHS exposure during pregnancy at their delivery hospitalization during 2011-2012. Analyses were conducted using SURVEYFREQ procedure in SAS version 9.3 to account for prenatal clinic clusters. Of 3,427 pregnant women, 43.4 % had a partner who smoked, 52.3 % lived with household members who smoked cigarettes, and 34.4 % had no or partial smoke-free home rule. Of 528 pregnant women who worked outside of the home, 21.6 % reported past month SHS exposure at work and 38.1 % reported no or partial smoke-free work policy. Overall, 35.9 % of women were exposed to SHS at home or work. In at least one prenatal care visit, 67.2 % of women were screened for SHS exposure, and 56.6 % received advice to avoid SHS. Also, 52.6 % of women always avoided SHS for their unborn baby's health. In summary, a third of pregnant women attending publicly-funded prenatal clinics were exposed to SHS, and only half of pregnant women always avoided SHS for their unborn baby's health. Provider screening and advice rates can be improved in these prenatal care settings, as all pregnant women should be screened and advised of the harms of SHS and how to avoid it.

Armand Trousseau (1801-1867), su historia y los signos de hipocalcemia / Armand Trousseau (1801-1867), his history and the signs of hypocalcemia

Armand Trousseau (1801-1867) was born in Tours, France on October 14, 1801. He graduated as a physician in the same city under the direction of Pierre Bretonneau and received his doctorate in 1825 in Paris. He was the first physician to practice tracheotomy in diphtheria and perform thoracenteses to remove air or fluid from the pleural space. He recommended tracheal intubation in different scenarios. He described the first cases of laryngeal tuberculosis and the presence of carpopedal spasm in hypocalcemia, a sign that has his name. He also described the association between migratory thrombophlebitis and neoplasia, which is known as Trousseau’s syndrome. Ironically, on January 1, 1867 he diagnosed in himself a deep vein thrombosis of the left upper limb and told one of his disciples “I am lost; I have no doubt about the nature of my disease”. He died of gastric cancer at the age of 66 years on June 23, 1867. He carried out an educational and medical work. He instructed his students about the rather instantaneous thought process in clinical medicine. He always conducted his clinical work with the certainty of a sound scientific background. Contemporary physicians should take advantage of the example and lessons of Armand Trousseau.

[Armand Trousseau (1801-1867), his history and the signs of hypocalcemia]. / Armand Trousseau (1801-1867), su historia y los signos de hipocalcemia.

Armand Trousseau (1801-1867) was born in Tours, France on October 14, 1801. He graduated as a physician in the same city under the direction of Pierre Bretonneau and received his doctorate in 1825 in Paris. He was the first physician to practice tracheotomy in diphtheria and perform thoracenteses to remove air or fluid from the pleural space. He recommended tracheal intubation in different scenarios. He described the first cases of laryngeal tuberculosis and the presence of carpopedal spasm in hypocalcemia, a sign that has his name. He also described the association between migratory thrombophlebitis and neoplasia, which is known as Trousseau's syndrome. Ironically, on January 1, 1867 he diagnosed in himself a deep vein thrombosis of the left upper limb and told one of his disciples "I am lost; I have no doubt about the nature of my disease". He died of gastric cancer at the age of 66 years on June 23, 1867. He carried out an educational and medical work. He instructed his students about the rather instantaneous thought process in clinical medicine. He always conducted his clinical work with the certainty of a sound scientific background. Contemporary physicians should take advantage of the example and lessons of Armand Trousseau.

Tobacco cessation intervention for pregnant women in Argentina and Uruguay: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Argentina and Uruguay are among the countries with the highest proportion of pregnant women who smoke. The implementation of an effective smoking cessation intervention would have a significant impact on the health of mothers and infants. The "5 A's" (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) is a strategy consisting of a brief cessation counseling session of 5-15 minutes delivered by a trained provider. The "5 A's" is considered the standard of care worldwide; however, it is under used in Argentina and Uruguay. METHODS: We will conduct a two-arm, parallel cluster randomized controlled trial of an implementation intervention in 20 prenatal care settings in Argentina and Uruguay. Prenatal care settings will be randomly allocated to either an intervention or a control group after a baseline data collection period. Midwives' facilitators in the 10 intervention prenatal clinics (clusters) will be identified and trained to deliver the "5 A's" to pregnant women and will then disseminate and implement the program. The 10 clusters in the control group will continue with their standard in-service activities. The intervention will be tailored by formative research to be readily applicable to local prenatal care services at maternity hospitals and acceptable to local pregnant women and health providers. Our primary hypothesis is that the intervention is feasible in prenatal clinics in Argentina and Uruguay and will increase the frequency of women receiving tobacco use cessation counseling during pregnancy in the intervention clinics compared to the control clinics. Our secondary hypotheses are that the intervention will decrease the frequency of women who smoke by the end of pregnancy, and that the intervention will increase the attitudes and readiness of midwives towards providing counseling to women in the intervention clinics compared to the control clinics.

Prevalencia de enfermedades hepáticas en una población rural de alta montaña: estudio clínico, bioquímico y ecográfico / Prevalence of liver diseases in a small rural community isolated in tne mountain heights: clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic study

En este estudio clínico, bioquímico y ecográfico se evaluó la prevalencia de hepatopatías en Lara, una comunidad rural aislada de alta montaña en Tucumán, provincia con la máxima prevalencia de infección por HAV en niños de Argentina. Lara carece de agua potable, electricidad y cloacas. Se estudiaron 102 habitantes, lo que representa el 41% de la población. El anti-HBc y anti-HCV fueron negativos en todos los casos. Ningún niño presentó anormalidades hepáticas. El 41% de los adultos refirió ingesta alcohólica y el 12% transfusiones. Se observó incremento leve de ALT en 3 casos (6%). La ecografía demostró esteatosis en 8 individuos (16%), litiasis vesicular en 7 (14%), microcalcificaciones en 5 (10%) y quistes de aspecto parasitario en 4 (8%). La prevalencia de infección por HAV en Lara fue de 89% en adultos y 35% en niños, siendo significativamente menor que la de los niños de la ciudad de Tucumán con nivel socioeconómico medio / alto (53%, p = 0.05) o bajo (74%, p = 0.0006). La diferencia fue más evidente en niños menores de 5 años (0%, 53% y 75% respectivamente). La serología para hidatidosis fue positiva en 3/4 individuos con quistes, 2/5 con microcalcificaciones y 17/85 (20%) con ecografía normal, lo que sugiere que la técnica de Elisa utilizada se asocia a frecuentes resultados falsos positivos. El estudio poblacional de Lara demostró una elevada prevalencia de esteatosis, litiasis vesicular e hidatidosis en adultos, ausencia de infección por HBV y HCV, y una baja exposición al HAV en niños, especialmente en menores de 5 años.

The goal of this population-based clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic study was to assess the prevalence of liver diseases in Lara, a small rural community isolated in the mountain heights of Tucumán, a Province of Argentina with the highest reported rates of HAV infection in children. Inhabitants of Lara lack electricity, potable water and a sewer system. The study included 102 individuals representing 41% of the total population. Anti-HBc and anti-HCV were negative in all cases. No children showed clinical, biochemical or ecographic abnormalities. Among adults, 41% referred alcohol consumption and 12% blood transfusions. Only 3 adults (6%) had mildly elevated ALT. Ultrasound showed steatosis in 8 individuals (16%), gallstones in 7 (14%), parenchymal micro-calcifications in 5 (10%) and parasitic cysts in 4 (8%). Prevalence of HAV infection in Lara was 89% in adults and 35% in children, being significantly lower than that of children of medium/high (53%, p=0.05) and low (74%, p=0.0006) socioeconomic level from the city of Tucumán (control groups). These differences were more marked in children aged <5 years (anti-HAV in 0%, 53% y 75% respectively). Serologic tests for echinoccocal disease were positive in 3/4 individuals with parasitic cysts, 2/5 with micro-calcifications and 17/85 (20%) with normal ultrasound, thus suggesting a high rate of false-positive results of the Elisa test utilized. This study showed that in Lara there is a high prevalence of steatosis, gallstones and equinoccocal disease in adults, absenceof HBV and HCV infection and low exposure to HAV in children especially in those aged <5 years.

Prevalencia de enfermedades hepáticas en una población rural de alta montaña: estudio clínico, bioquímico y ecográfico / Prevalence of liver diseases in a small rural community isolated in tne mountain heights: clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic study

En este estudio clínico, bioquímico y ecográfico se evaluó la prevalencia de hepatopatías en Lara, una comunidad rural aislada de alta montaña en Tucumán, provincia con la máxima prevalencia de infección por HAV en niños de Argentina. Lara carece de agua potable, electricidad y cloacas. Se estudiaron 102 habitantes, lo que representa el 41% de la población. El anti-HBc y anti-HCV fueron negativos en todos los casos. Ningún niño presentó anormalidades hepáticas. El 41% de los adultos refirió ingesta alcohólica y el 12% transfusiones. Se observó incremento leve de ALT en 3 casos (6%). La ecografía demostró esteatosis en 8 individuos (16%), litiasis vesicular en 7 (14%), microcalcificaciones en 5 (10%) y quistes de aspecto parasitario en 4 (8%). La prevalencia de infección por HAV en Lara fue de 89% en adultos y 35% en niños, siendo significativamente menor que la de los niños de la ciudad de Tucumán con nivel socioeconómico medio / alto (53%, p = 0.05) o bajo (74%, p = 0.0006). La diferencia fue más evidente en niños menores de 5 años (0%, 53% y 75% respectivamente). La serología para hidatidosis fue positiva en 3/4 individuos con quistes, 2/5 con microcalcificaciones y 17/85 (20%) con ecografía normal, lo que sugiere que la técnica de Elisa utilizada se asocia a frecuentes resultados falsos positivos. El estudio poblacional de Lara demostró una elevada prevalencia de esteatosis, litiasis vesicular e hidatidosis en adultos, ausencia de infección por HBV y HCV, y una baja exposición al HAV en niños, especialmente en menores de 5 años.(AU)

The goal of this population-based clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic study was to assess the prevalence of liver diseases in Lara, a small rural community isolated in the mountain heights of Tucumán, a Province of Argentina with the highest reported rates of HAV infection in children. Inhabitants of Lara lack electricity, potable water and a sewer system. The study included 102 individuals representing 41% of the total population. Anti-HBc and anti-HCV were negative in all cases. No children showed clinical, biochemical or ecographic abnormalities. Among adults, 41% referred alcohol consumption and 12% blood transfusions. Only 3 adults (6%) had mildly elevated ALT. Ultrasound showed steatosis in 8 individuals (16%), gallstones in 7 (14%), parenchymal micro-calcifications in 5 (10%) and parasitic cysts in 4 (8%). Prevalence of HAV infection in Lara was 89% in adults and 35% in children, being significantly lower than that of children of medium/high (53%, p=0.05) and low (74%, p=0.0006) socioeconomic level from the city of Tucumán (control groups). These differences were more marked in children aged <5 years (anti-HAV in 0%, 53% y 75% respectively). Serologic tests for echinoccocal disease were positive in 3/4 individuals with parasitic cysts, 2/5 with micro-calcifications and 17/85 (20%) with normal ultrasound, thus suggesting a high rate of false-positive results of the Elisa test utilized. This study showed that in Lara there is a high prevalence of steatosis, gallstones and equinoccocal disease in adults, absenceof HBV and HCV infection and low exposure to HAV in children especially in those aged <5 years. (AU)

CE as orthogonal technique to HPLC for alprazolam degradation product identification.

The control of degradation products is currently a critical issue to the pharmaceutical industry. A degradation product that appeared in alprazolam tablets during their stability assay, 7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinolin-4-amine, also named triazolaminoquinoline, was tested as possible candidate in the HPLC method employed for the study. The impurity showed the same retention time and spectra as the degradation product; but as all these compounds are very closely related, a confirmation with an independent technique was necessary, and CE was chosen for that purpose. Problems related to the adsorption of the analytes to the negatively charged silica surface were solved by employing a new polymeric capillary coating consisting of poly(3-aminopropylmethylsiloxane). The polymer provided EOF towards the anode, and the two compounds were separated in less than 8 min in a 60 cm total-length capillary, 75 microm id capillary with a BGE containing 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 2.0 with 20% ACN. When the sample containing the degradation product was injected, the presence of triazolaminoquinoline was confirmed.

[Prevalence of liver diseases in a small rural community isolated in the mountain heights: clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic study]. / Prevalencia de enfermedades hepáticas en una población rural de alta montaña: estudio clínico, bioquímico y ecográfico.

The goal of this population-based clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic study was to assess the prevalence of liver diseases in Lara, a small rural community isolated in the mountain heights of Tucumán, a Province of Argentina with the highest reported rates of HAV infection in children. Inhabitants of Lara lack electricity, potable water and a sewer system. The study included 102 individuals representing 41% of the total population. Anti-HBc and anti-HCV were negative in all cases. No children showed clinical, biochemical or ecographic abnormalities. Among adults, 41% referred alcohol consumption and 12% blood transfusions. Only 3 adults (6%) had mildly elevated ALT. Ultrasound showed steatosis in 8 individuals (16%), gallstones in 7 (14%), parenchymal micro-calcifications in 5 (10%) and parasitic cysts in 4 (8%). Prevalence of HAV infection in Lara was 89% in adults and 35% in children, being significantly lower than that of children of medium/high (53%, p = 0.05) and low (74%, p = 0.0006) socioeconomic level from the city of Tucumán (control groups). These differences were more marked in children aged < 5 years (anti-HAV in 0%, 53% and 75% respectively). Serologic tests for echinoccocal disease were positive in 3/4 individuals with parasitic cysts, 2/5 with micro-calcifications and 17/85 (20%) with normal ultrasound, thus suggesting a high rate of false-positive results of the Elisa test utilized. This study showed that in Lara there is a high prevalence of steatosis, gallstones and equinoccocal disease in adults, absence of HBVand HCV infection and low exposure to HAV in children especially in those aged < 5 years.