Dog-Assisted Therapy vs Relaxation for Children and Adolescents with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Study.

The rationale of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Dog-assisted Therapy (DAT) in children and adolescents with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). We conducted a randomized controlled trial in a cohort of 71 children and adolescents with FASD. Participants were randomly assigned either to DAT group (n = 38) or Relaxation Group (control group) (n = 33). Results revealed that participants who were assigned to the DAT group experienced significantly reduced externalizing symptoms (CBCL Externalizing Inattention: t (69) = 2.81, p = .007; d = 0.7); CBCL Opposition: t (69) = 2.54, p = .013; d = 0.6), reduced internalizing symptoms (CBCL Social problems: t (69) = 3.21, p = .002; d = 0.8) as well as improvements on social skills (SSIS-P Problem behavior: t (68) = 2.55, p = .013; d = 0.6), and quality of life (KidScreen Autonomy and Parents: t (51) = - 2.03, p = .047; d = 0.5) compared to the relaxation control group. The relaxation control group obtained significant differences between the pre- and post-treatment evaluation, diminishing withdraw symptoms (t (32) = 3.03, p = .005; d = 0.2). Results suggest that DAT and relaxation may be promising adjunctive treatments for children and adolescents with FASD.Clinical trial registration information: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ ; NCT04038164.

Effect of pH and Carbon Source on Phosphate Solubilization by Bacterial Strains in Pikovskaya Medium.

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) transform precipitated inorganic phosphorus into soluble orthophosphates. This study evaluated the efficiency of tricalcium and iron phosphate solubilization in Pikovskaya medium using five bacterial strains (A1, A2, A3, A5, and A6) cultured in acidic and alkaline pH levels. The bacterial strain that proved to be more efficient for P solubilization and was tolerant to pH variations was selected for assessing bacterial growth and P solubilization with glucose and sucrose in the culture medium. The bacterial strains were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Pseudomonas libanensis A1, Pseudomonas libanensis (A2), Bacillus pumilus (A3), Pseudomonas libanensis (A5), and Bacillus siamensis (A6). These five bacterial strains grew, tolerated pH changes, and solubilized inorganic phosphorus. The bacterial strain A3 solubilized FePO4 (4 mg L-1) and Ca3(PO4)2 (50 mg L-1). P solubilization was assayed with glucose and sucrose as carbon sources for A3 (Bacillus pumilus MN100586). After four culture days, Ca3(PO4)2 was solubilized, reaching 246 mg L-1 with sucrose in culture media. Using glucose as a carbon source, FePO4 was solubilized and reached 282 mg L-1 in six culture days. Our findings were: Pseudomonas libanensis, and Bacillus siamensis, as new bacteria, can be reported as P solubilizers with tolerance to acidic or alkaline pH levels. The bacterial strain B. pumilus grew using two sources of inorganic phosphorus and carbon, and it tolerated pH changes. For that reason, it is an ideal candidate for inorganic phosphorus solubilization and future production as a biofertilizer.

Sleep in adults with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sleep-related problems have been frequently reported in neurodevelopmental disorders, with special emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The aim of the present study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on sleep disturbances in adults with ASD and/or ADHD (PROSPERO's CRD42019132916). PubMed and PsycINFO were searched for studies reporting data on sleep objective/subjective measures, as well as prevalence data of sleep disorders, in adults with ASD and/or ADHD. A manual search was conducted throughout reference lists of eligible studies. A total of 1126 studies and 66 references were identified by electronic and manual searches, respectively. Of these, 42 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results showed that both disorders share a similar sleep-impaired profile with higher sleep onset latency, poorer sleep efficiency, greater number of awakenings during sleep, and a general lower self-perceived sleep quality compared with healthy controls. A higher proportion of N1 sleep was found in ASD participants, while a greater Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep is specific in ADHD adults. More studies are needed, especially those directly comparing ASD and ADHD participants. Controlling for medication, intellectual disability, and concurrent psychiatric disorders is mandatory.

Isolated Phosphate-Solubilizing Soil Bacteria Promotes In vitro Growth of Solanum tuberosum L.

The capacity of four bacterial strains isolated from productive soil potato fields to solubilize tricalcium phosphate on Pikovskaya agar or in a liquid medium was evaluated. A bacterial strain was selected to evaluate in vitro capacity of plant-growth promotion on Solanum tuberosum L. culture. Bacterial strain A3 showed the highest value of phosphate solubilization, reaching a 20 mm-diameter halo and a concentration of 350 mg/l on agar and in a liquid medium, respectively. Bacterial strain A3 was identified by 16S rDNA analysis as Bacillus pumilus with 98% identity; therefore, it is the first report for Bacillus pumilus as phosphate solubilizer. Plant-growth promotion assayed by in vitro culture of potato microplants showed that the addition of bacterial strain A3 increased root and stems length after 28 days. It significantly increased stem length by 79.3%, and duplicated the fresh weight of control microplants. In this paper, results reported regarding phosphorus solubilization and growth promotion under in vitro conditions represent a step forward in the use of innocuous bacterial strain biofertilizer on potato field cultures.

A bacterial strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa B0406 pathogen opportunistic, produce a biosurfactant with tolerance to changes of pH, salinity and temperature.

A bacterial strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa B0406 catalogued as pathogen opportunistic was capable to grow with waste cooking oil as only carbon source and produce a biosurfactant. Stability to pH (from 2 to 12), salinity (% NaCl from 0 to 20%) and temperature (from -20 °C up to 120 °C), of biosurfactants was evaluated using a response surface methodology. Biosurfactants reduced surface tension from 50 to 29 ± 1.0 mN/m. Pseudomonas aeruginosa B0406 showed a high biosurfactant yield 4.17 g/L ± 0.38. Biosurfactants stability applying a response surface methodology was observed with combining effect of pH, salinity and temperature. The three factors combined do not affect surface tension of biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa B0406. Therefore, this biosurfactants are of interest for medical, cosmetic even environmental applications.

Bactericidal effect of silver nanoparticles against propagation of Clavibacter michiganensis infection in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

This study explored the use of silver nanoparticle as a bactericidal against the propagation of Clavibacter michiganensis onto tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). In Mexico, tomato production covers about 73% of the total vegetable production but it is affected by outbreak of bacteria canker caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subspecies michiganensis (Cmm). Silver ions possess inhibitor properties, bactericides and high specter antimicrobials. In this study, 6 groups of culture were prepared using 6 different petri dishes where silver nanoparticles of varying concentrations (120, 84, 48, 24, 12 and 0 µg) were added. Furthermore, each group was observed for 20 min, 1, 2, 12 and 24 h. The optimum concentration is 84 µg, which shows an average of 2 Cmm colonies after 20 min. Further increase to 120 µg shows no significant change. However, the average colonies was observed for 48 µg after 1, 2, 12, and 24 h. The obtained results indicate that silver nanoparticles are a promising inhibitor, bactericide and high a specter antimicrobial for treatment or prevention of Cmm.

El diagnóstico de la psicosis en adultos con trastornos del espectro autista / Diagnosing psychosis in adults with autism spectrum disorders

Existe cierta controversia en el diagnóstico diferencial de dos entidades aparentemente bien delimitadas como son la psicosis y el autismo, especialmente cuando se trata de población adulta. Se presentan tres casos de pacientes en edad adulta que fueron atendidos en una unidad de internamiento breve y en los que se evidenció la presencia de un posible trastorno del espectro autista de base. En la evaluación de la presencia de un trastorno psicótico en el autismo se debe atender a las características particulares de cada diagnóstico. El pensamiento rígido y el discurso idiosincrásico del paciente con autismo pueden confundirse respectivamente con la convicción delirante y la desorganización típicas de la esquizofrenia. Un análisis exhaustivo de la historia evolutiva del paciente es imprescindible para el diagnóstico diferencial. Se hace necesaria una mayor investigación sobre la comorbilidad entre ambos trastornos (AU)

There is some controversy in the differential diagnosis of two apparently distinct entities such as psychosis and autism, especially when it comes to adult population. We present three cases of adult patients who were seen in a brief hospitalization unit and where the presence of a possible autism spectrum disorder was evident. In assessing the presence of a psychotic disorder in autism must be addressed the particular characteristics of each diagnosis. Rigid thinking and idiosyncratic speech in the autistic patient may respectively be confused with the typical delusional conviction and disorganization of schizophrenia. An exhaustive analysis of the developmental history of the patient is essential for differential diagnosis. More research on the comorbidity between the two disorders is necessary (AU)

N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propylpentanamide, a valproic acid aryl derivative designed in silico with improved anti-proliferative activity in HeLa, rhabdomyosarcoma and breast cancer cells.

Epigenetic alterations are associated with cancer and their targeting is a promising approach for treatment of this disease. Among current epigenetic drugs, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors induce changes in gene expression that can lead to cell death in tumors. Valproic acid (VPA) is a HDAC inhibitor that has antitumor activity at mM range. However, it is known that VPA is a hepatotoxic drug. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design a set of VPA derivatives adding the arylamine core of the suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) with different substituents at its carboxyl group. These derivatives were submitted to docking simulations to select the most promising compound. The compound 2 (N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propylpentanamide) was the best candidate to be synthesized and evaluated in vitro as an anti-cancer agent against HeLa, rhabdomyosarcoma and breast cancer cell lines. Compound 2 showed a better IC50 (µM range) than VPA (mM range) on these cancer cells. And also, 2 was particularly effective on triple negative breast cancer cells. In conclusion, 2 is an example of drugs designed in silico that show biological properties against human cancer difficult to treat as triple negative breast cancer.

Can monocytosis act as an independent variable for predicting deep vein thrombosis?

INTRODUCTION: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a manifestation of venous thromboembolism (VTE). It has been estimated that there are 900,000 cases of pulmonary emboli (PE) and DVT per year resulting in 60,000 to 300,000 deaths. About two-thirds of VTE cases are associated with prolonged hospitalizations, emphasizing the importance of major surgery or immobilization as risk factors. METHODS: Retrospective study conducted in a Metropolitan Hospital. A total of 46 records were obtained from the hospital database following the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. For the control group a total of 42 records were selected. Patients included in this study were admitted with the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis identified either by lower leg Doppler. RESULTS: Monocytosis with DVT, p-value was <0.001, with an Odd Ratio (OR) 9.35 and Interval Confidence (IC) 95% (3.2-27.3). The p-value for eosinophilia with DVT was 0.092, for males with DVT the p-value was 0.35 and age related groups with DVT value was 0.720. Sensitivity of monocytosis was 67.3%, specificity 80%, positive predictive value (PPV) 79.49% and negative predictive value (NPV) 63.9%. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the association between monocytosis and DVT, thus patients with monocytosis are more likely to develop DVT. This evidence is consistent with previous studies establishing that monocytes could have an important role with the coagulation cascade activation and the formation of DVT. The association of monocyte count and DVT can be used in the future as a significant tool in those patients with suspected DVT to increase diagnostic yield.

Exploration of the valproic acid binding site on histone deacetylase 8 using docking and molecular dynamic simulations.

Epigenetic therapy is an important focus of research for drug development in the treatment of cancer. Valproic acid (VPA) is an HDAC inhibitor that has been evaluated in clinical studies. Despite its success in treating cancer, the mechanism of inhibition of VPA in HDAC is unknown. To this end, we have used docking and molecular dynamic simulations to investigate VPA binding to HDAC, employing both native and rebuilt 3-D structures. The results showed that VPA, via its carboxyl group, coordinates the Zn atom and other local residues (H141-142 and Y360) located at the catalytic site (CS) of HDAC. This causes electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions while having little interaction with the hydrophobic side chains, resulting in a low affinity. However, after several docking studies on different native HDAC 3-D structures and after using several snapshots from MD simulations, it became apparent that VPA bound with highest affinity at a site located at the acetyl-releasing channel, termed the hydrophobic active site channel (HASC). The affinity of VPA for HASC was due to its highly hydrophobic properties that allow VPA to take part in van der Waals interactions with Y18, I19, Y20, V25, R37, A38, V41, H42, I135 and W137, while VPA's carboxylate group has several hydrogen bonding interactions with the backbones of S138, I19, N136 and W137. MD simulations showed that the HASC door continuously opened and closed, which affected the affinity of VPA to the HASC, but the affinity toward the HASC was consistently higher than that obtained for the CS, suggesting that the HASC could be involved in the mechanism of inhibition.

Enfermedad de Caroli / Caroliïs disease

La enfermedad de Caroli es una causa poco común de colangitis recurrente secundaria a obstrucción ductal segmentaria. Dicha entidad, cuya transmisión es de carácter autosómico recesivo, se caracteriza por la dilatación sacular de los conductos biliares intrahepáticos, que predispone a la estasis de bilis, y precipitación de cristales que contribuyen a la obstrucción del árbol biliar con la formación de cálculos intraductales. El diagnóstico se apoya en imágenes tomográficas y ultrasonográficas; sin embargo, el estudio de elección para estudiar el árbol biliar es la colangio-pancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica. El tratamiento consiste en la administración de antibióticos y en la remoción de los litos de la vía biliar. Cuando la enfermedad se limita a un solo lóbulo hepático, debe de efectuarse lobactomía. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de 42 años de edad, con cuadro de colangitis, en el que posteriormente se demostró dilatación quística de los conductos biliares intrahepáticos. Se expone la metodología diagnóstica seguida y el tratamiento adoptado

Readmission in unstable angina

To determine the characteristics of patients re-admitted after unstable angina (UA) pectoris, 120 consecutive patients hospitalized due to primary UA pectoris were prospectively studied 22 +/- 3 months after discharge. The patients were grouped based on the readmission rate. Those in group A (50) had recurrent admissions (mean 2.6, range 2 to 5). Seventy patients (group B) did not have readmissions during the follow-up period. All patients underwent coronary angiogram and symptoms-limited exercise stress test before discharge. The univariate characteristics for readmission were: age over 70 years (p = 0.02), nondiagnostic exercise stress testing (p = 0.03), angiographically diffuse coronary artery disease (p = 0.004), and non-interventional management (P < 0.001). Patients readmitted had increased incidence of myocardial infarction (p = 0.004) but similar survival at 2 years. By regression analysis, important variables for readmission were non-interventional management (Chi-Square = 7.6, p = 0.01), non diagnostic treadmill test (Chi-Square = 6.9, p = 0.03) and diffuse coronary artery disease (Chi-Square = 6.2, p = 0.04). It is concluded that in the interventional era the most important factor for readmission after primary UA pectoris is non-interventional management. Coronary revascularization should not be denied solely on the basis of age

La presencia de Aedes (Gymnometopa) mediovittatus en Cuba: Nuevo factor que debe considerarse en la campaña nacional contra el dengue / Presence of Aedes (Gymnometopa) mediovittatus in Cuba : A new factor to be considered in the national campaign to erradicate dengue

Con objeto de evaluar la presencia de A. mediovittatus-vector potencial del dengue-comparada con la de otras especies de mosquitos, se examinaron los datos de 44 199 larvitrampas colocadas entre enero de 1984 y diciembre de 1987 en el pueblo de Mariel, Cuba. De 1 068 larvitrampas con mosquitos, 626 (56,8) mostraron la especie A. mediovittatus. La proporción de esta especie aumentó cada año salvo en 1986, y se encontró en 37,9 de las trampas positivas en 1984 y en 70,2 en 1987. Un mayor número de larvitrampas mostró la presencia de A. mediovittatus que de Culex quinquefasciatus, cuya presencia predominaba en los criaderos al cabo de la fase más intensa de la campaña nacional contra A. aegypti a comienzos de los años ochenta. Los resultados parecen indicar que A. mediovittatus se está infiltrando paulatinamente en las zonas protegidas por la campaña, lo cual debe tenerse en cuenta en los esfuerzos por controlar el dengue en las Américas.

La presencia de Aedes (Gymnometopa) mediovittatus en Cuba : Nuevo factor que debe considerarse en la campaña nacional contra el dengue / Presence of Aedes (Gymnometopa) mediovittatus in Cuba : A new factor to be considered in the national campaign to erradicate dengue

Con objeto de evaluar la presencia de A. mediovittatus-vector potencial del dengue-comparada con la de otras especies de mosquitos, se examinaron los datos de 44 199 larvitrampas colocadas entre enero de 1984 y diciembre de 1987 en el pueblo de Mariel, Cuba. De 1 068 larvitrampas con mosquitos, 626(56,8

) mostraron la especie A. mediovittatus. La proporción de esta especie aumentó cada año salvo en 1986, y se encontró en 37,9

de las trampas positivas en 1984 y en 70,2

en 1987. Un mayor número de larvitrampas mostró la presencia de A. mediovittatus que de Culex quinquefasciatus, cuya presencia predominaba en los criaderos al cabo de la fase más intensa de la campaña nacional contra A.aegypti a comienzos de los años ochenta. Los resultados parecen indicar que A.mediovittatus se está infiltrando paulatinamente en las zonas protegidas por la campaña, lo cual debe tenerse en cuenta en los esfuerzos por controlar el dengue en las Américas

La presencia de Aedes (Gymnometopa) mediovittatus en Cuba: Nuevo factor que debe considerarse en la campana nacional contra el dengue / Presence of Aedes (Gymnometopa) mediovittatus in Cuba: A new factor to be considered in the national campaign to erradicate dengue

Con objeto de evaluar la presencia de A. mediovittatus-vector potencial del dengue-comparada con la de otras especies de mosquitos, se examinaron los datos de 44 199 larvitrampas colocadas entre enero de 1984 y diciembre de 1987 en el pueblo de Mariel, Cuba. De 1 068 larvitrampas con mosquitos, 626(56,8. ) mostraron la especie A. mediovittatus. La proporcion de esta especie aumento cada ano salvo en 1986, y se encontro en 37,9. de las trampas positivas en 1984 y en 70,2. en 1987. Un mayor numero de larvitrampas mostro la presencia de A. mediovittatus que de Culex quinquefasciatus, cuya presencia predominaba en los criaderos al cabo de la fase mas intensa de la campana nacional contra A. Aegypti a comienzos de los anos ochenta. Los resultados parecen indicar que A. mediovittatus se esta infiltrando paulatinamente en las zonas protegidas por la campana, lo cual debe tenerse en cuenta en los esfuerzos por controlar el dengue en las Américas

Nimesulide en el tratamiento de la dismenorrea primaria: evaluación clínica comparativa con acido mefenamico y fentiazac / Nimesulide in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: comparative clínical evaluation with mefanimic acid and fentiazac

Sesenta pacientes con dismenorrrea primaria grave fueron tratadas: 20 con nimesulide, 20 con fentiazac y 20 con ácido mefenámico durante tres ciclos consecutivos bajo diseño doble a ciegas. Las dosis empleadas en cada grupo fueron: nimesulide o fentiazac, 100 mg. cada 12 horas; ácido mefenámico, 500 mg. cada 8 horas; en todos los casos durante cinco días, empezando el día anterior al inicio de la menstruación. La evolución del dolor y los síntomas fueron valorados tres veces al día empleando una escala de 0 a 10 para medir su intensidad. Se concluye que nimesulide es útil en el tratamiento del dolor asociado a la dismenorrea primaria, respondiendo con ligera ventaja estadística sobre el fentiazac y con mayor ventaja estadística sobre el ácido mefenámico. La tolerancia fue excelente con los tres fármacos estudiados