Understanding the role of carboxylic acid surfactants in the growth inhibition effect during area-selective atomic layer deposition: the case of ZnO growth on Cu and Cu2O.

Herein, we report a detailed adsorption process of acetic acid (AA) as a model for the head group of carboxylic acid self-assembled monolayers on Cu and Cu2O (111) surfaces and the effect of diethyl zinc (DEZ) on its adsorption geometry on Cu2O (111) using quantum chemical calculations. The most stable adsorption configurations were obtained considering electrostatic potential compatibility from the molecule and surface. Overall, the adsorption behavior revealed bidentate binding as the most stable configuration. Weak van der Waals interactions are key in AA adsorption on Cu (111), while in Cu2O (111), coordination and hydrogen bonds dominated the interaction. AA adsorption geometry on Cu2O revealed that DEZ has no significative impact on the carbonyl-chemisorbed AA and bidentate adsorption modes. These results highlight the significance of the different adsorption modes for achieving area-selective deposition using atomic layer deposition and soft removal SAM molecules.

Circum-Mediterranean influence in the Y-chromosome lineages associated with prostate cancer in Mexican men: A Converso heritage founder effect?

Prostate cancer is the second most common neoplasia amongst men worldwide. Hereditary susceptibility and ancestral heritage are well-established risk factors that explain the disparity trends across different ethnicities, populations, and regions even within the same country. The Y-chromosome has been considered a prototype biomarker for male health. African, European, Middle Eastern, and Hispanic ancestries exhibit the highest incidences of such neoplasia; Asians have the lowest rates. Nonetheless, the contribution of ancestry patterns has been scarcely explored among Latino males. The Mexican population has an extremely diverse genetic architecture where all the aforementioned ancestral backgrounds converge. Trans-ethnic research could illuminate the aetiology of prostate cancer, involving the migratory patterns, founder effects, and the ethnic contributions to its disparate incidence rates. The contribution of the ancestral heritage to prostate cancer risk were explored through a case-control study (152 cases and 372 controls) study in Mexican Mestizo males. Seventeen microsatellites were used to trace back the ancestral heritage using two Bayesian predictor methods. The lineage R1a seems to contribute to prostate cancer (ORadjusted:8.04, 95%CI:1.41-45.80) development, whereas E1b1a/E1b1b and GHIJ contributed to well-differentiated (Gleason ≤ 7), and late-onset prostate cancer. Meta-analyses reinforced our findings. The mentioned lineages exhibited a connection with the Middle Eastern and North African populations that enriched the patrilineal diversity to the southeast region of the Iberian Peninsula. This ancestral legacy arrived at the New World with the Spanish and Sephardim migrations. Our findings reinforced the contribution of family history and ethnic background to prostate cancer risk, although should be confirmed using a large sample size. Nonetheless, given its complex aetiology, in addition to the genetic component, the lifestyle and xenobiotic exposition could also influence the obtained results.

Association between bone age maturity and childhood adiposity.

BACKGROUND: Evidence shows that overweight and obesity are associated with advanced bone age (BA). OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effect of adiposity on BA among Mexican children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 902 children (5-18 years old). Anthropometric measurements, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and automated hand X-ray-based BA measurements were obtained. BA curves of children stratified by sex and age were created based on nutritional status. We also calculated odds ratios for advanced BA associated with the body mass index (BMI), waist/height ratio and adiposity estimated using DXA (total and truncal fat mass). RESULTS: Participants with overweight/obesity by BMI (SDS ≥1) advanced earlier in BA than did normal weight participants (6.0 vs. 12.0 years in boys and 6.0 vs. 10.3 in girls, p < 0.01); similarly, participants with a greater body fat percentage (SDS ≥1) exhibited earlier advanced BA (7.5 vs. 10.0 years in boys and 6.0 vs. 9.6 in girls, p < 0.01). Differences were also observed according to the waist/height ratio and truncal fat. Children with a BMI or DXA SDS ≥1 had greater odds of presenting an advanced BA of more than 1 year (OR 1.79-3.55, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased adiposity in children, mainly in boys, is associated with advanced BA at earlier ages.

Modification of eating habits and lifestyle during COVID-19 in university students from Mexico and Peru.

Objective: It was to evaluate changes in lifestyle habits and health behavior among university students in Peru and Mexico during periods of confinement associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify possible relationships between these changes and sociodemographic variables, health status, and technology consumption. Methods: It was a quantitative, observational, and cross-sectional study conducted among a population of 739 Mexican students and 305 Peruvian students, most of whom were women (n =778, 74.5%) and non-graduates (n =921, 88.2%). The questionnaire scale for changes in lifestyles during the quarantine period has been previously validated. Results: The association between sociodemographic factors and dimensions of change in healthy lifestyles was evaluated, and it was shown that gender and country of residence were significant for all dimensions of healthy lifestyle (p < 0.05), except for the level of education, which did not show significance about the change in the dimensions of media consumption (p = 0.875) and physical activity (p = 0.239). Within the dimensions mentioned, it can be stated that women are more likely than men to change their eating habits (adjusted prevalences (aPR) = 1.08, p < 0.001), media consumption (aPR = 1.04, p < 0.001), and physical activity (aPR = 1.02, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, participants from Peru are more likely than participants from Mexico to change physical activity (aPR = 1.14, p < 0.001) and media consumption (aPR = 1.22, p < 0.001). Finally, graduate students were more likely than undergraduate students to change eating habits (aPR = 1.09, p = 0.005) and unhealthy habits (aPR = 1.06, p = 0.030). Conclusion: It was concluded that there were lifestyle changes in Mexican and Peruvian university students in their eating habits, physical activity, internet consumption, and food delivery.

Long-term outcomes of patients affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome in Colombia after the Zika virus epidemic.

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) can lead to significant functional impairments, yet little is understood about the recovery phase and long-term consequences for patients in low- and medium-income countries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional status and identify factors influencing outcomes among patients with GBS in Colombia. METHODS: Telephone interviews were conducted with GBS patients enrolled in the Neuroviruses Emerging in the Americas Study between 2016 and 2020. The investigation encompassed access to health services and functional status assessments, utilizing the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), GBS Disability Score (GDS), Barthel Index (BI), and International Classification of Functioning (ICF). Univariate analysis, principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis, and linear regression were employed to explore factors influencing functional status. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (mean age = 50[±22] years) with a median time from diagnosis of 28 months (IQR = 9-34) were included. Notably, 22% and 16% of patients did not receive rehabilitation services during the acute episode and post-discharge, respectively. Most patients demonstrated independence in basic daily activities (median BI = 100, IQR = 77.5-100), improvement in disability as the median mRS at follow-up was lower than at onset (1 [IQR = 0-3] vs. 4.5 [IQR = 4-5], p < 0.001), and most were able to walk without assistance (median GDS = 2, IQR = 0-2). A shorter period from disease onset to interview was associated with worse mRS (p = 0.015) and ICF (p = 0.019). Negative outcomes on GDS and ICF were linked to low socioeconomic status, ICF to the severity of weakness at onset, and BI to an older age. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores that the functional recovery of GBS patients in Colombia is influenced not only by the natural course of the disease but also by socioeconomic factors, emphasizing the crucial role of social determinants of health.

Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Early Alterations Associated with Intrinsic Resistance to Targeted Therapy in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines.

Lung adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent form of lung cancer, and drug resistance poses a significant obstacle in its treatment. This study aimed to investigate the overexpression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as a mechanism that promotes intrinsic resistance in tumor cells from the onset of treatment. Drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells are a subset of cancer cells that survive and proliferate after exposure to therapeutic drugs, making them an essential object of study in cancer treatment. The molecular mechanisms underlying DTP cell survival are not fully understood; however, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proposed to play a crucial role. DTP cells from lung adenocarcinoma cell lines were obtained after single exposure to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs; erlotinib or osimertinib). After establishing DTP cells, RNA sequencing was performed to investigate the differential expression of the lncRNAs. Some lncRNAs and one mRNA were overexpressed in DTP cells. The clinical relevance of lncRNAs was evaluated in a cohort of patients with lung adenocarcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). RT-qPCR validated the overexpression of lncRNAs and mRNA in the residual DTP cells and LUAD biopsies. Knockdown of these lncRNAs increases the sensitivity of DTP cells to therapeutic drugs. This study provides an opportunity to investigate the involvement of lncRNAs in the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that underlie intrinsic resistance. The identified lncRNAs and CD74 mRNA may serve as potential prognostic markers or therapeutic targets to improve the overall survival (OS) of patients with lung cancer.

Antifungal Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized from Eichhornia crassipes Extract for Construction Applications.

Fungal growth on construction materials in tropical climates can degrade aesthetics and manifestations on modern and historical sick buildings, affecting the health of their inhabitants. This study synthesized ZnO nanoparticles with enhanced antifungal properties using a precipitation method. Different concentrations (25%, 50%, and 100%) of Eichhornia crassipes aqueous extract were used with Zn(NO3)2·6H2O as the precursor to evaluate their spectroscopic, morphological, textural, and antifungal properties. X-ray diffraction confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO with crystallite sizes up to 20 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy identified absorption bands at 426, 503, and 567 cm-1 for ZnO-100, ZnO-50, and ZnO-25, respectively. Nitrogen physisorption indicated a type II isotherm with macropores and a fractal dimension coefficient near 2 across all concentrations. Polydispersity index analysis showed that ZnO-50 had a higher PDI, indicating a broader size distribution, while ZnO-25 and ZnO-100 exhibited lower PDI values, reflecting uniform and monodisperse particle sizes. FESEM observations revealed semi-spherical ZnO morphologies prone to agglomeration, particularly in ZnO-25. Antifungal tests highlighted ZnO-25 as the most effective, especially against Phoma sp. with an MFC/MIC ratio of 78 µg/mL. Poisoned plate assays demonstrated over 50% inhibition at 312 µg/mL for all tested fungi, outperforming commercial antifungals. The results indicate that ZnO NPs synthesized using E. crassipes extract effectively inhibit fungal growth on construction materials. This procedure offers a practical approach to improving the durability of building aesthetics and may contribute to reducing the health risks associated with exposure to fungal compounds.

Adenosine-assisted embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are complex lesions that can cause hemorrhagic stroke and significant neurological disability. Adenosine induces cardiac standstill and hypotension, which are thought to be useful during cerebral AVM embolization. Herein, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the technique's safety. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, four databases were queried for studies describing the use of adenosine-assisted embolization of cerebral AVMs. Adenosine-related intraoperative complications, permanent neurological outcomes, morbidity, and mortality assessed the technique's safety. Single proportion analysis under a random-effects model was performed. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics, and publication bias was evaluated through funnel plot analysis and Egger's regression test. RESULTS: Ten studies were included, involving 79 patients (55.7% male) with 79 AVMs (54.4% unruptured and 70.9% Spetzler-Martin grade III-V) who underwent 123 embolizations (80.4% and 5.9% under transarterial and transvenous approaches, respectively) with n-butyl cyanoacrylate (80.4%), ethylene vinyl alcohol (14.4%), or both (5.2%). The incidence of transient adenosine-related intraoperative complications was 0% (95% CI 0% to 3%, I2=24%). Besides, the incidence of adenosine-related morbidity, mortality, and permanent outcomes was 0% (95% CI 0% to 3%, I2=0%). During follow-up, good functional outcomes were reported for 64 patients (81%). CONCLUSIONS: Adenosine's effects on blood flow control can facilitate embolization and mitigate the risk of AVM rupture and embolic agent migration. Although current evidence stems from observational studies, the results of this meta-analysis suggest a safe drug profile due to minimal associated morbidity and mortality. Further research from larger randomized and controlled studies is warranted to attain a higher level of evidence. PROSPERO REGISTRY NUMBER: CRD42023494116.

Prospective study on stereotactic body radiotherapy for small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: tolerance and effectiveness analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is the standard treatment for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs), obtaining favorable results but associating high morbidity and mortality rates. This study assesses stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a radical approach for small (< 2 cm) nonfunctioning pNETs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2017 to June 2023, 20 patients with small pNETs underwent SBRT in an IRB-approved study. Endpoints included local control, tolerance, progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS). Diagnostic assessments comprised endoscopy, CT scans, OctreScan or PET-Dotatoc, abdominal MRI, and histological confirmatory samples. RESULTS: In a 30-month follow-up of 20 patients (median age 55.5 years), SBRT was well-tolerated with no grade > 2 toxicity. 40% showed morphological response, 55% remained stable. Metabolically, 50% achieved significant improvement. With a median OS of 41.5 months, all patients were alive without local or distant progression or need for surgical resection. CONCLUSION: SBRT is a feasible and well-tolerated approach for small neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors, demonstrating effective local control. Further investigations are vital for validation and extension of these findings.

Dairy goat performance in two grazing regimes: silvopastoral rangeland or abandoned agricultural land, and two supplementation treatments in central Mexico.

Twenty Saanen third parturition dairy goats were used in an on-farm 2 × 2 factorial arrangement that ran for 12 weeks, with two grazing regimes and two concentrate types. The grazing regimes evaluated were an extensive silvopastoral native rangeland (SPR) and grazing in an abandoned agricultural land (AAL). Grazing happened between 9:00 and 17:00 h. The two types of concentrate supplement were a high protein concentrate (HP = 180 g CP/kg DM and 13 MJ ME/kg DM) or high energy concentrate (HE = 110  g CP/kg DM and 14.3 MJ ME/kg DM). Goats were milked once a day, providing 250 g of concentrate supplement per goat and day. Animal variables were fat and protein corrected milk yield recorded every day, and milk composition determined for two consecutive days at the end of each experimental week. Flora in the experimental paddocks was characerised and sampled, including grasses, shrubs, trees, legumes and cacti. The data was analysed with the R software using a mixed model with day nested in period as random effect and goat as repeated measure. The SPR had greater (P = 0.002) fat and protein corrected milk yield than AAL, with no differences between concentrate type and no interaction (P > 0.05). There was an interaction (P < 0.01) between grazing regime and concentrate type for fat content in milk, where a reduction in fat content was notorious in the SPR regime. Protein content of milk was greater (P < 0.01) in SPR with no significant effects of concentrate type or the interaction. The number of plant species in SPR was greater. The native silvopastoral system supplemented with the high energy concentrate was the strategy with higher milk yield, and protein and milk fat content, although the interaction between grazing regime and supplement was significant only for milk fat content.

Real-world effectiveness of the heterologous SOBERANA-02 and SOBERANA-Plus vaccine scheme in 2-11 years-old children during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron wave in Cuba: a longitudinal case-population study.

Background: Increased pediatric COVID-19 occurrence due to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing vaccines. The protection provided by the SOBERANA-02-Plus vaccination scheme against this variant has not yet been studied. We aimed to evaluate the scheme's effectiveness against symptomatic Omicron infection and severe disease in children. Methods: In September 2021, Cuba implemented a mass pediatric immunization with the heterologous SOBERANA-02-Plus scheme: 2 doses of conjugated SOBERANA-02 followed by a heterologous SOBERANA-Plus dose. By December, before the Omicron outbreak, 95.4% of 2-18 years-old had been fully immunized. During the entire Omicron wave, we conducted a nationwide longitudinal post-vaccination case-population study to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of the SOBERANA-02-Plus scheme against symptomatic infection and severe disease in children without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The identification of COVID-19 cases relied on surveillance through first line services, which refer clinical suspects to pediatric hospitals where they are diagnosed based on a positive RT-PCR test. We defined the Incidence Rate ratio (IRR) as IRvaccinated age group/IRunvaccinated 1-year-old and calculated vaccine effectiveness as VE = (1-IRR)∗100%. 24 months of age being the 'eligible for vaccination' cut-off, we used a regression discontinuity approach to estimate effectiveness by contrasting incidence in all unvaccinated 1-year-old versus vaccinated 2-years-old. Estimates in the vaccinated 3-11 years-old are reported from a descriptive perspective. Findings: We included 1,098,817 fully vaccinated 2-11 years-old and 98,342 not vaccinated 1-year-old children. During the 24-week Omicron wave, there were 7003/26,241,176 person-weeks symptomatic COVID-19 infections in the vaccinated group (38.2 per 105 person-weeks in 2-years-old and 25.5 per 105 person-weeks in 3-11 years-old) against 3577/2,312,273 (154.7 per 105 person-weeks) in the unvaccinated group. The observed overall vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection was 75.3% (95% CI, 73.5-77.0%) in 2-years-old children, and 83.5% (95% CI, 82.8-84.2%) in 3-11 years-old. It was somewhat lower during Omicron BA.1 then during Omicron BA.2 variant circulation, which took place 1-3 and 4-6 months after the end of the vaccination campaign. The effectiveness against severe symptomatic disease was 100.0% (95% CI not estimated) and 94.6% (95% CI, 82.0-98.6%) in the respective age groups. No child death from COVID-19 was observed. Interpretation: Immunization of 2-11 years-old with the SOBERANA-02-Plus scheme provided strong protection against symptomatic and severe disease caused by the Omicron variant, which was sustained during the six months post-vaccination follow-up. Our results contrast with the observations in previous real-world vaccine effectiveness studies in children, which might be explained by the type of immunity a conjugated protein-based vaccine induces and the vaccination strategy used. Funding: National Fund for Science and Technology (FONCI-CITMA-Cuba).

Caracterización de lesiones orales premalignas diagnosticadas en un servicio de Estomatología en Pinar del Río

Fundamento: las lesiones premalignas son aquellas que presentan alteraciones celulares, generan células sanguíneas anormales y pueden afectar los tejidos bucales del paciente. Suelen manifestarse inicialmente en la cavidad bucal, o luego de la diseminación desde otras partes del cuerpo por medio de sistemas linfáticos y sanguíneos. Objetivo: caracterizar las lesiones orales premalignas presentes en pacientes adultos. Métodos estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, en pacientes pertenecientes al Policlínico Docente Universitario Luis Augusto Turcios Lima, del municipio de Pinar del Río, en el período enero-diciembre de 2022. Del universo integrado por 5259 pacientes atendidos en consulta de Servicios Básicos Estomatológicos, se tomó una muestra de 53, seleccionada mediante un muestreo simple aleatorio. Los resultados fueron representados en tablas de frecuencias absolutas y porcentajes, como medidas de resumen. Resultados la mayoría de los pacientes con lesiones orales premalignas pertenecieron al sexo masculino (78,5 %) y al grupo de 60 y más años (58,5 %). El factor de riesgo más frecuente fue el hábito de fumar (86,8 %). Prevaleció la leucoplasia (69,8 %), con mayor frecuencia de localización en los labios (43,4 %). El tratamiento más empleado fue el medicamentoso-quirúrgico (58,5 %). Conclusiones las lesiones premalignas de la cavidad bucal en la serie de pacientes en estudio, se caracterizaron por su predominio en el sexo masculino, mayores de 60 años, y fumadores. La leucoplasia resultó la lesión más frecuente, y los labios el sitio más afectado. El tratamiento medicamentoso-quirúrgico fue el más empleado.

Foundation premalignant lesions are those that present cellular alterations, generate abnormal blood cells and can affect the patient's oral tissues. They usually manifest initially in the oral cavity, or after spreading from other parts of the body through lymphatic and blood systems. Objective to characterize premalignant oral lesions present in adult patients. Methods descriptive, cross-sectional study, in patients belonging to the Luis Augusto Turcios Lima University Teaching Polyclinic, in the Pinar del Río municipality, from January to December 2022. From the universe made up of 5,259 patients treated in the Basic Stomatological Services consultation, a sample of 53 was taken, selected through simple random sampling. The results were represented in absolute frequencies and percentages charts, as summary measures. Results the majority of patients with premalignant oral lesions belonged to the male sex (78.5%) and to the group aged 60 and over (58.5%). The most frequent risk factor was smoking (86.8%). Leukoplakia prevailed (69.8%), with a greater frequency of location on the lips (43.4%). The most used treatment was medication-surgical (58.5%). Conclusions premalignant lesions of the oral cavity in the series of patients under study were characterized by their predominance in males, over 60 years of age, and smokers. Leukoplakia was the most common lesion, and the lips were the most affected site. Medication-surgical treatment was the most used.

SARS-CoV-2's brain impact: revealing cortical and cerebellar differences via cluster analysis in COVID-19 recovered patients.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a disease known for its neurological involvement. SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers neuroinflammation, which could significantly contribute to the development of long-term neurological symptoms and structural alterations in the gray matter. However, the existence of a consistent pattern of cerebral atrophy remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to identify patterns of brain involvement in recovered COVID-19 patients and explore potential relationships with clinical variables during hospitalization. METHODOLOGY: In this study, we included 39 recovered patients and 39 controls from a pre-pandemic database to ensure their non-exposure to the virus. We obtained clinical data of the patients during hospitalization, and 3 months later; in addition we obtained T1-weighted magnetic resonance images and performed standard screening cognitive tests. RESULTS: We identified two groups of recovered patients based on a cluster analysis of the significant cortical thickness differences between patients and controls. Group 1 displayed significant cortical thickness differences in specific cerebral regions, while Group 2 exhibited significant differences in the cerebellum, though neither group showed cognitive deterioration at the group level. Notably, Group 1 showed a tendency of higher D-dimer values during hospitalization compared to Group 2, prior to p-value correction. CONCLUSION: This data-driven division into two groups based on the brain structural differences, and the possible link to D-dimer values may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of SARS-COV-2 neurological disruption and its impact on the brain during and after recovery from the disease.

Internet of Things and citizen science as alternative water quality monitoring approaches and the importance of effective water quality communication.

The increasing demand for water and worsening climate change place significant pressure on this vital resource, making its preservation a global priority. Water quality monitoring programs are essential for effectively managing this resource. Current programs rely on traditional monitoring approaches, leading to limitations such as low spatiotemporal resolution and high operational costs. Despite the adoption of novel monitoring approaches that enable better data resolution, the public's comprehension of water quality matters remains low, primarily due to communication process deficiencies. This study explores the advantages and challenges of using Internet of Things (IoT) and citizen science as alternative monitoring approaches, emphasizing the need for enhancing public communication of water quality data. Through a systematic review of studies implemented on-field, we identify and propose strategies to address five key challenges that IoT and citizen science monitoring approaches must overcome to mature into robust sources of water quality information. Additionally, we highlight three fundamental problems affecting the water quality communication process and outline strategies to convey this topic effectively to the public.

Evaluation of height prediction models: from traditional methods to artificial intelligence.

BACKGROUND: Traditional methods for predicting adult height (AHP) rely on manual readings of bone age (BA). However, the incorporation of artificial intelligence has recently improved the accuracy of BA readings and their incorporation into AHP models. METHODS: This study aimed to identify the AHP model that fits the current average height for adults in Mexico. Using a cross-sectional design, the study included 1173 participants (5-18 yr). BA readings were done by two experts (manually) and with an automated method (BoneXpert®). AHP was carried out using both traditional and automated methods. The best AHP model was the one that was closest to the population mean. RESULTS: All models overestimated the population mean (males: 0.7-6.7 cm, females: 0.9-3.7 cm). The AHP models with the smallest difference were BoneXpert for males and Bayley & Pinneau for females. However, the manual readings of BA showed significant interobserver variability (up to 43% of predictions between observers exceeded 5 cm using the Bayley & Pinneau method). CONCLUSION: Traditional AHP models relying on manual BA readings have high interobserver variability. Therefore, BoneXpert is the most reliable option, reducing such variability and providing AHP models that remain close to the mean population height. IMPACT: Traditional models for predicting adult height often result in overestimated height predictions. The manual reading of bone age is prone to interobserver variability, which can introduce significant biases in the prediction of adult height. The BoneXpert method minimizes the variability associated with traditional methods and demonstrates consistent results in relation to the average height of the population. This study is the first to assess adult height prediction models specifically in the current generations of Mexican children.

Predictores del estado de salud funcional posingreso en cuidados intensivos en pacientes sépticos / Predictors of Post-Admission Functional Health Status in Intensive Care in Septic Patients

Introducción: Los pacientes críticos pediátricos son susceptibles de presentar alteraciones del flujo sanguíneo cerebral que impliquen un deterioro de su estado de salud funcional. Objetivo: Identificar factores predictores de mayor riesgo de mala evolución funcional en pacientes pediátricos críticos con sepsis. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de cohortes retrospectivo con menores de 18 años de edad con sepsis, ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos. Se recogieron variables epidemiológicas, clínicas y del estado de salud funcional previas al ingreso, al alta y a los 6 meses. El estado de salud funcional se evaluó mediante la escala de categorías de estado global y cerebral pediátrico. Se evaluó el cambio del estado funcional entre el ingreso y a los 6 meses del alta. Se realizó un análisis univariante para comparar grupos considerando el mal pronóstico y el cambio del estado funcional y su relación con las variables. Resultados: Se incluyeron 46 pacientes. A los 6 meses del alta, cuatro (8,7 por ciento) presentaron mal pronóstico funcional y ocho (17,4 por ciento) empeoramiento funcional respecto al ingreso. No se encontraron asociaciones entre las variables predictoras y la morbilidad, aunque se observó cierta tendencia en algunas como mayor soporte inotrópico (VIS > 20: 12,5 por ciento vs. 50 por ciento, p= 0,075), extracorpóreo y de reemplazo renal (25 por ciento vs. 2,6 por ciento, p= 0,074) y estancia hospitalaria más prolongada (50 por ciento vs. 15,8 por ciento , p= 0,055). Conclusiones: El soporte en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos no fue un predictor de morbilidad funcional en la muestra(AU)

Introduction: Critically ill pediatric patients are susceptible to cerebral blood flow alterations that imply a deterioration of their functional health status. Objective: To identify predictors of a higher risk of poor functional outcome in critically ill pediatric patients with sepsis. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with children under 18 years of age with sepsis, who were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Epidemiological, clinical, and functional health status variables were collected prior to admission, discharge, and after 6 months. Functional health status was assessed using the Pediatric Global State and Brain Status Category Scale. The change in performance status between admission and 6 months after discharge was assessed. A univariate analysis was performed to compare groups considering poor prognosis and change in functional status and their relationship with the variables. Results: A total of 46 patients were included. At 6 months after discharge, four (8.7 percent) had a poor functional prognosis and eight (17.4 percent) had functional worsening at admission. No associations were found between the predictor variables and morbidity, although some trends were observed in some variables, such as greater inotropic support (SIV > 20: 12.5 percent vs. 50 percent, p = 0.075), extracorporeal and renal replacement (25 percent vs. 2.6 , percent p = 0.074), and longer hospital stay (50 percent vs. 15.8 percent , p = 0.055). Conclusions: Support in the pediatric intensive care unit was not a predictor of functional morbidity in the sample(AU)

Unraveling the diversity of Trypanosoma species from Central Mexico: Molecular confirmation on the presence of Trypanosoma dionisii and novel Neobat linages.

Bats are one of the groups of mammals with the highest number of associated Trypanosoma taxa. There are 50 Trypanosoma species and genotypes infecting more than 75 species of bats across five continents. However, in Mexico, the inventory of species of the genus Trypanosoma associated with bats is limited to only two species (Trypanosoma vespertilionis and Trypanosoma cruzi) even though 140 species of bats inhabit this country. Specifically, 91 bat species have been recorded in the state of Veracruz, but records of trypanosomatids associated with this mammalian group are absent. Due to the complex Trypanosoma-bat relationship, the high diversity of bat species in Veracruz, as well as the lack of records of trypanosomatids associated with bats for this state, the aim of this work was to analyze the diversity of species of the genus Trypanosoma and their presence from a bat community in the central area of the state of Veracruz, Mexico. During the period of January to August 2022 in the Tequecholapa Environmental Management Unit where bats were collected using mist nets and blood samples were obtained from their thumbs. We extracted genetic material and amplified a fragment of 800 bp of the 18S ribosomal gene of the genus Trypanosoma by conventional PCR. The positive amplicons were sequenced, and phylogenetic reconstruction was performed to identify the parasite species. A total of 285 bats (149♀, 136♂) belonging to 13 species from 10 genera and a single family (Phyllostomidae) were collected. Twenty-three specimens from six species tested positive for the presence of Trypanosoma dionisii, Trypanosoma sp. Neobat 4, and a potential novelty species provisionally named as Trypanosoma sp. Neobat 6. The results of the present work increase the number of species of the genus Trypanosoma infecting bats in Mexico and in the Neotropical region.

Dimensión comunicacional de las habilidades de aprender a aprender en estudiantes de Medicina

Fundamento: la comunicación es esencial en el proceso de formación y desarrollo de las habilidades de aprender a aprender en estudiantes de Medicina. Objetivo: caracterizar la dimensión comunicacional de las habilidades de aprender a aprender en estudiantes de Medicina. Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva con un diseño mixto del tipo explicativo secuencial, en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos en enero-marzo de 2022. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos: análisis-síntesis e histórico-lógico; empíricos: cuestionario, observaciones a actividades docentes y grupos focales; y matemático-estadísticos para el análisis de los datos, y el software Atla.ti para el análisis cualitativo de la información. Resultados: se constató que el 65,5 % de los estudiantes afirman que utilizan la comunicación asertiva, mientras que el 43,9 % expresan los mensajes verbales y extraverbales de forma asequible a las otras personas. En los grupos focales los estudiantes aceptaron tener insuficiencias en la formación de las habilidades y presentar limitaciones en sus indicadores, lo que se corresponde con la información obtenida en las observaciones a las actividades docentes. Conclusiones: se caracterizó la dimensión comunicacional de las habilidades de aprender a aprender en estudiantes de Medicina con un nivel medio de comunicación asertiva e insuficiencias en la expresión de mensajes verbales y extraverbales de forma asequible a las otras personas.

Background: communication is essential in the process of training and development of learning-to-learn skills in medical students. Objective: to characterize the communication dimension of the skills of learning to learn in medical students. Methods: a descriptive research with a mixed design of the sequential explanatory type was carried out at Cienfuegos University of Medical Sciences from January to March 2022. Theoretical methods were used: analysis-synthesis and historical-logical; empirical ones: questionnaire, observations of teaching activities and focal groups; and mathematical-statistical for the analysis of the data, and the Atla.ti software for the qualitative analysis of the information. Results: it was found that 65.5% of the students affirm that they use assertive communication, while 43.9% express verbal and extraverbal messages in a way that is accessible to other people. In the focal groups, the students accepted that they had deficiencies in the training of skills and had limitations in their indicators, which corresponds to the information obtained in the observations of teaching activities. Conclusions: the communication dimension of skills learning-to-learn was characterized in medical students with a medium level of assertive communication and insufficiencies in the expression of verbal and extraverbal messages in a way that is accessible to other people.

Response of water yield to silvicultural treatments in a temperate forest in northern Mexico.

Forest management modifies tree cover, directly influencing various ecosystem services, such as water regulation. Evapotranspiration, water interception, surface runoff, stemflow, and throughfall are among those processes that depend on tree cover. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in water yield, defined as the difference between precipitation and evapotranspiration, after the application of silvicultural treatments in a temperate forest ecosystem in northern Mexico. Fifteen experimental plots were established in which the following treatments were applied: intensive management (clearcutting), semi-intensive management (selection, tree cutting of 59-61% of basal area), conservative management (selection, tree cutting of 29-31% of basal area), and no treatment (control group). Incident precipitation, throughfall, stemflow, net precipitation, interception, and surface runoff were analyzed. Results show that conservative management treatments increase water yield between 2 to 3.6 mm per m-2 ha-1 of tree basal area removed. Water flow distribution, in relation to the incident precipitation, ranged from 72.3 to 91.8% for throughfall, 0.2 to 0.4% for stemflow, 72.7 to 91.8% for net precipitation, 8.19 to 27.42% for interception or evaporation, and 0.54 to 1.93% for surface runoff. The conservative management treatment was the most viable alternative for increasing water yield without compromising timber harvesting and loss of soil due to hydric erosion.

Chronic Bi-Maxillary Osteomyelitis Caused by Actinomycetes in a Patient with Severe COVID-19 / Osteomyelitis bi-maxilar crónica causada por Actinomycetes en un paciente con COVID-19 severo

Abstract Osteomyelitis is defined as the inflammation of the either medullary, cortical, or cancellous bone, including nerves and blood vessels, causing necrosis and bone sequestrum formation; this condition has become a rare pathology, and odontogenic infections are considered the most frequent causal factor. This case shows a patient with bi-maxillary osteomyelitis caused by Actinomyces spp, which was worsened for severe COVID-19 infection. Patient was submitted at surgery as, amplified total bilateral maxillectomy through the surgical technique Weber-Fergusson, and prolonged use of combination of antibiotics, achieved a good recovery. Two years later follow- up, the patient no show imaging or clinical evidence of the infection of osteomyelitis. The present case shows an interesting relationship between a rare infection and its association with COVID-19.

Resumen La osteomielitis se define como la inflamación del hueso medular, cortical o esponjoso, incluyendo nervios y vasos sanguíneos, causando necrosis y formación de secuestro óseo; esta condición es una patología rara, y las infecciones odontogénicas son consideradas como el factor causal más frecuente. En este caso, se muestra un paciente con osteomielitis bi-maxilar causada por Actinomyces spp, la cual empeoró por la infección de COVID-19 severo. El paciente fue sometido a una cirugía, maxilectomía bilateral total amplificada, a través de la técnica quirúrgica de Weber- Fergusson, y el uso prolongado de una combinación de antibióticos, logrando una buena recuperación. A los 2 años de seguimiento, el paciente no mostró evidencia clínica o imagenológica de la infección de osteomielitis. El presente caso muestra una interesante relación entre una infección rara y su asociación con COVID-19.