Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Previously Infected and Non-Infected Cohorts of Health Workers at High Risk of Exposure.

The objective of this study is to assess the risk of newly acquired RNA detection-proven SARS-CoV-2 infection after previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is a prospective study conducted from March to September 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. Healthcare workers caring for SARS-CoV-2 infected patients were divided in two cohorts: (a) previously RNA-proven SARS-CoV-2 infected cohort with mild symptoms (IC) and (b) healthy cohort (HC). Weekly SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection assays from nasopharyngeal swabs were performed. Serology status was assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. Twenty participants were included in each group. The median age was 30 (IQR 27-34.75) years, and 55% were female. The median time of follow up was 49 (IQR 49-51) days. Fifteen out of 246 (6%) nasopharyngeal swab samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2, all in the IC. The percentage of participants in the IC with a probable newly acquired SARS-CoV-2 RNA-proven infection was 20% (95% IC 5.7-43.6%) at the end of the 7-week follow up period. The incidence reinfection rate was 28.6 (95% IC 7.8-73.2) cases per 1000 person-week. Despite detectable IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 participants highly exposed to SARS-CoV-2 may develop a newly acquired SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection episode during the first months after the initial infection.

Utility of the Cobas® Plasma Separation Card as a Sample Collection Device for Serological and Virological Diagnosis of Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Diagnosis and clinical management of people infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) relies on results from a combination of serological and virological tests. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of dried plasma spots (DPS), prepared using the cobas® Plasma Separation Card (PSC), to plasma and serum from venipuncture, for HCV diagnosis. We carried out a prospective study using DPS and paired plasma or serum samples. Serum and DPS samples were analyzed by immunoassay using Elecsys® Anti-HCV II (Roche). Plasma and DPS samples were analyzed using the cobas® HCV viral load and cobas® HCV genotyping tests (Roche). All DPS samples that had high anti-HCV antibody titers in serum were also antibody-positive, as were five of eight samples with moderate titers. Eight samples with low titers in serum were negative with DPS. Among 80 samples with plasma HCV viral loads between 61.5 and 2.2 × 108 IU/mL, 74 were RNA-positive in DPS. The mean viral load difference between plasma and DPS was 2.65 log10 IU/mL. The performance of DPS for detection of serological and virological markers of hepatitis C virus infection was comparable to that of the conventional specimen types. However, the limits of detection were higher for DPS.

Enhancing the energy spectrum of graphene quantum dot with external magnetic and Aharonov-Bohm flux fields.

In this paper, we have to apply the Dirac-Weyl equation to find the analytical energy eigenvalues of the graphene quantum dot interacting in the presence of AB-flux field and external magnetic field. We find that the energy eigenvalue of the graphene quantum dot decreases with both magnetic and AB-flux field but the effect of AB-flux field is more dominant. By ameliorating the intensity of the AB-flux field and keeping the magnetic field constant, the quantum-dot states entangled to produce Landau Levels. We show that besides using the graphene sheet and external magnetic field, the Aharonov-Bohm AB-flux field could as well be used to manipulate the carriers state energies in graphene.

The Casper carotid artery stent: a unique all metal micromesh stent designed to prevent embolic release.

BACKGROUND: Stroke due to the release of embolic debris during the placement of a stent to correct carotid artery stenosis is a constant procedural and peri-procedural threat. The new all metal Casper stent has been created with two layers of nitinol, the inner layer of which has pores diminutive enough to prevent embolic release. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and utility of the double layer nitinol Casper carotid artery stent in the treatment of patients with severe carotid artery stenosis. METHODS: 19 patients with severe internal carotid artery stenosis, 14 symptomatic and 5 asymptomatic, were treated with the Casper stent. After stent placement, angiographic and cone beam CT images were recorded in all patients. RESULTS: The unique low profile delivery system allowed for easy stent placement, re-sheathing, and repositioning of the stent. The large cell external layer produced excellent apposition to the artery wall. The inner layer prevented prolapse of atherosclerotic debris through the device. Plaque coverage was achieved; residual stenosis ranged from 0% to 20%. Long term angiographic follow-up in 5 patients showed wall apposition of the device covering the lesion and no restenosis. There were no procedure related complications. Two patients experienced a delayed ischemic stroke, likely related to inconsistent medical management. CONCLUSIONS: The Casper has been an excellent stent for the treatment of internal carotid artery stenosis and its internal micromesh layer has been effective in preventing plaque prolapse. It provides the flexibility of large cell stents and the inner layer provides maximum protection against plaque prolapse.

Aneurismas cirsoideos, las fístulas arteriovenosas del cuero cabelludo: serie de casos y revisión de la literatura / Cirsoid Aneurysms, the Arteriovenous Fistulae of the Scalp: Case Series and Literature Review

Los aneurismas cirsoideos del cuero cabelludo son malformaciones raras, con alteraciones cosméticas graves y posibles hemorragias potencialmente mortales. Históricamente han sido un reto para el diagnóstico y el manejo, pero la tecnología de las imágenes diagnósticas en la actualidad nos ha aportado datos suficientes para facilitar el diagnóstico y la adecuada planeación del manejo. A propósito de cuatro casos presentados en nuestra unidad de servicio se hará una revisión sistemática respecto a este tipo de malformaciones con su respectiva correlación.

Cirsoid Aneurysms of the scalp are rare malformations with severe cosmetic deformities and possible potentially lethal hemorrhages. Diagnosis and therapy have been a challenge throughout history, but nowadays imaging technologies give us enough data to facilitate diagnosis and proper therapy plan. From four cases featured in our service unit we will do a systematic review about this type of malformations with their respective correlation.

Treatment of 14 intracranial aneurysms with the FRED system.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms via flow diversion has become increasingly popular over the past several years. The flow redirection endoluminal device (FRED; Microvention, Tustin, California, USA) system is a next generation closed cell paired stent flow diversion device. OBJECTIVE: Our initial clinical experience with the FRED system is described. We believe this series to be the first use of the FRED system in the western hemisphere. METHODS: 14 aneurysms were treated utilizing the FRED system in 13 patients. Post-deployment angiography and fluoro CTs were obtained in all cases. RESULTS: Immediate post-treatment angiography demonstrated reduced flow into all aneurysms although no long term angiographic data are yet available. The device proved technically easy to deploy and recapture after partial deployment if needed. No complications, technical or otherwise, were encountered. Radiographic visibility and ability to maintain its internal cylindrical shape in tortuous arteries, as demonstrated by fluoro CT, was at least as good as the pipeline embolization device. CONCLUSIONS: The FRED system was technically easy to deploy with no procedural complications occurring in this first reported series of 14 aneurysms. The ability of the FRED system to be recaptured after partial deployment and to maintain its internal shape in tortuous vessels was demonstrated well. Long term clinical and angiographic follow-up along with prospective studies are now needed to ascertain the role of the FRED in intracranial aneurysm treatment.

Perfil psicosocial del viudo y huérfano afectados por la muerte materna familiar / Psychosocial profile of the widower and orphans affected by maternal death family

Objetivo: Describir el perfil psicosocial del viudo y huérfanos afectados por la muerte materna familiar en el departamento de Alta Verapaz durante el año 2009. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo en el cual se entrevistó a miembros, viudos y huérfanos, de 64 de 72 (89%) familias afectadas por muerte materna que ocurrieron en 2009. Resultados: Las familias estudiadas estaban conformadas por 62 viudos (en dos casos la fallecida no tenía pareja) y 286 huérfanos...

“Depressive co-morbidity in medical in-patients at the time of hospital discharge and outcome in a Primary Care follow-up. I. Rational and design of the project”

Objectives: In a context of a “continuity of care” model in Psychosomatic and Liaison Psychiatry, this study is intended to test, in patients to be discharged from Medicine wards, hypotheses related to a high prevalence of depression and, in particular, its negative outcome at six-months follow-up in Primary Care (PC), especially among the elderly. Methods: Sample. Consecutive patients aged 18 years or more, hospitalized in Medicine wards were randomly selected for screening at the time of admission. On the bases of a previous study and the expected sampling errors, sample size was estimated in 700patients (approximately 60% in geriatric age) for the initial screening, to recruit 75 or more cases of depression and enough number of control, non-cases without psychiatric morbidity..Instruments. Standardized, Spanish versions of screening/case-finding instruments COMPRI/INTERMED, Mini-Mental, CAGE and drug screening, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Standardized Polyvalent Psychiatric Interview (SPPI). Diagnostic criteria ICD-10 research, medical patients version and DSM-IV-TR (psychiatric);and ICD-9-M; ICHPPC, WONCA (medical). Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS)(severity of physical condition); SF36 and EuroQol (quality of life); Client Service Receipt Interview (CSRI) (costs).Procedure. Part I, hospital study: Two-phase screening (lay interviewers: COMPRI/INTERMED at admission; Mini-Mental, CAGE, HADS at the time of discharge; and standardized clinicians: SPPI). CIRS was used to control severity of physical conditions. Part II, follow-up study in PC (six months): Standardized clinicians, blind to the previous phases (HADS and SPPI to both cases and controls). Outcome study: Euro-Quol, SF36, CSRI and data on morbidity and mortality, were collected. Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first study using modern epidemiological methods in medical patients to be discharged with co-morbid depression and followed in PC with a “continuity of care” strategy. The final analysis of data should support the design of an evidence-based, intervention study on co-morbid depression (AU)

Age determination of Anisotremus interruptus (Perciformes: Haemulidae) by scale reading, in the coast of Colima, Mexico

This paper deals with the age determination in Anisotremus interruptus by reading of scales that allowed the identification of 9 age groups. The width of the growth rings diminishes as the age increases. The growth of the scales is proportional to the fish growth. The period of highest growth rate happens during the first year of life. During the first year A. interruptus grows 12.52 cm, the second year 4.95 cm and the third, 4.60 cm. The strategy of the quick growth during the first year of life allows A. interruptus to diminish the natural mortality.

Age determination of Anisotremus interruptus (Perciformes: Haemulidae) by scale reading, in the coast of Colima, Mexico.

This paper deals with the age determination in Anisotremus interruptus by reading of scales that allowed the identification of 9 age groups. The width of the growth rings diminishes as the age increases. The growth of the scales is proportional to the fish growth. The period of highest growth rate happens during the first year of life. During the first year A. interruptus grows 12.52 cm, the second year 4.95 cm and the third, 4.60 cm. The strategy of the quick growth during the first year of life allows A. interruptus to diminish the natural mortality.

Análisis de la mortalidad perinatal (1993-1997): I mortalidad fetal / Analisis of perinatal mortality (1993-1997): I fetal mortality

Conocer la incidencia de la mortalidad fetal, las características maternas, condiciones obstétricas y factores relacionados. Estudio descriptivo análitico de 421 muertes fetales sucedidas entre 1993-1997. Hospital "Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara", Puerto Cabello, Estado Carabobo, Venezuela. La mortalidad perinatal para el período fue de 45,46 por mil nacidos vivos, y la fetal 22,28. Las muertes predominaron en edades de 24 años y menos (47,27 por ciento), con antecedentes familiares hipertensión arterial y diabetes (52,49 por ciento), antecedentes personales hipertensional arterial y diabetes (24,9 por ciento), la patología de ingreso determinante fue la hipertensión arterial 25,41 por ciento seguida de la hemorrágica placentaria 13,06 por ciento. No realizaron control prenatal el 48,22 por ciento, hubo III-VII gestantes (62,47 por ciento), la edad de gestación menor a 37 semanas 62,9 por ciento. El 77,43 por ciento fueron partos vaginales. Predominó el sexo masculino 50,36 por ciento con peso menor de 2500 g. (65,09 por ciento) y talla menor de 50 cm. (65,32 por ciento). El factor de muerte directo conocido en 265 casos fue la insuficiencia placentaria 45,28 por ciento, desencadenada especialmente por hipertensión arterial, seguida por patología hemorrágica placentaria 38,87 por ciento. Los resultados señalan hacer un mejor manejo de las patalogías hipertensivas, diabetes y hemorrágicas placentaria a fin de disminuir la mortalidad fetal