Serology survey of Ascaris suum and Trichinella spiralis in rural pigs in Southwestern Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Parasitic diseases of pigs are a public and veterinary health problem. Helminths influence pork production, whereas backyard pigs can transmit these parasites. OBJECTIVES: This work aimed to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against Ascaris suum and Trichinella spiralis in backyard pigs from Jamiltepec, Region de la Costa, Oaxaca, in Southwestern Mexico. METHODS: Six hundred sixty-four serum samples were obtained from backyard pigs from 23 rural villages distributed in 5 municipalities; samples were taken in a non-probabilistic manner with the owner's consent. The presence of serum antibodies against a total extract of A. suum adult worm was determined by ELISA. In contrast, antibodies to the excretion-secretion products of the T. spiralis muscle larva were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The global seroprevalence for A. suum was 5.12% and 2.41% for T. spiralis; however, antibodies were only found in 8 villages and distributed in 3 municipalities. The highest frequency of positivity for Ascaris was found in the municipality of Santa Catarina Mechoacán (13.01%), whereas, in Santa María Huazalotitlán, the highest frequency of positivity for Trichinella was found (5.75%). In San Andrés, frequencies were 7.23% and 4.82%, respectively. No statistical differences were observed between populations. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that helminth transmission is restricted by locality. However, further studies must be conducted to understand the factors limiting this transmission to promote pork meat production in parasite-free zones.

Manejo interdisciplinario de la obesidad y el sobrepeso en rehabilitación cardiaca: revisión de la Sociedad Mexicana para el Cuidado del Corazón / Interdisciplinary management of obesity and overweight in cardiac rehabilitation: review of the Mexican Society for Heart Care (Sociedad Mexicana para el Cuidado del Corazón, SOMECCOR)

Resumen Antecedentes: La obesidad es un trastorno multifactorial caracterizado por un aumento en la adiposidad corporal, de amplia prevalencia en nuestro país, a cualquier edad y ligada a grandes consecuencias adversas, incluyendo el desarrollo de cardiopatías. Los programas de rehabilitación cardiaca (RC) son intervenciones interdisciplinarias encaminadas no solo a restaurar la funcionalidad perdida de los pacientes que han sufrido un desenlace cardiovascular, sino también a corregir aquellos factores de riesgo que lo propiciaron y que interfieren en los resultados adaptativos del mismo. La obesidad contribuye a perpetuar el riesgo de cardiopatía y suele ser resistente a las modificaciones del estilo de vida de manera convencional. Objetivo: Establecer pautas en el reconocimiento de la obesidad con directrices de atención al paciente con cardiopatía dentro de los programas de RC y su abordaje interdisciplinario. Método: A través de una extensiva revisión bibliográfica y después de una discusión interdisciplinaria, se elaboró el presente documento para fijar una postura sobre el abordaje de la obesidad en el contexto de los programas de RC en pacientes con cardiopatía. Resultados y conclusiones: Nuestra Sociedad reconoce el abordaje interdisciplinario de los pacientes con obesidad y cardiopatía en su prevención primaria y secundaria, insta a la precisión en su diagnóstico y valoración, y recomienda que su eje primario debe estar basado en primera instancia en las modificaciones del estilo de vida (entrenamiento físico, atención nutricional e intervención psicoemocional), en tanto que la terapia farmacológica y la cirugía bariátrica pudieran ser coadyuvantes en la optimización de los resultados en pacientes selectos.

Abstract Background: Obesity is a multifactorial disorder characterized by increased body adiposity with a wide prevalence in our country, at any age, and linked to major adverse consequences, including the development of heart disease. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are interdisciplinary interventions aimed not only at restoring the lost functionality of patients who have suffered a cardiovascular outcome, but also at correcting those risk factors that led to it and that interfere with its adaptive results. Obesity contributes to perpetuating heart disease risk and is often resistant to conventional lifestyle modifications. Objective: Establish guidelines in the recognition of obesity with care guidelines for patients with heart disease within CR programs and their interdisciplinary approach. Method: Through an extensive bibliographical review and after an interdisciplinary discussion, this document was prepared to establish a position on the approach to obesity in the context of CR programs in patients with heart disease. Results and conclusions: Our Society recognizes the interdisciplinary approach of our patients with obesity and heart disease in its primary and secondary prevention, urges precision in its diagnosis and assessment, recommends that its primary axis must be based in the first instance on lifestyle modifications (physical training, nutritional care and psycho-emotional intervention), while pharmacological therapy and bariatric surgery could be coadjuvants in optimizing the results in selected patients.

miRNAs signature as potential biomarkers for cervical precancerous lesions in human papillomavirus positive women.

Biomarkers to identify women at risk of cervical cancer among those with high-risk HPV infection (hrHPV+) are needed. Deregulated expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) contributes to hrHPV-induced cervical carcinogenesis. We aimed at identifying miRNAs with the capacity to distinguish high (CIN2+) and low (≤ CIN1) grade cervical lesions. We sequenced miRNA libraries from Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) tissues from women with CIN2+ (n = 10) and age-matched women with ≤ CIN1 (n = 10), randomly and retrospectively selected from a trial that followed women for 24 months after a hrHPV+ test at the screening visit. Five miRNAs differentially expressed were validated by RT-qPCR in an independent set of FFPE tissues with a reviewed diagnosis of CIN2+ (n = 105) and ≤ CIN1 (n = 105). The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was conducted to identify mRNAs inversely correlated with the top 25 differentially expressed miRNAs. Inverse correlations with 401 unique mRNA targets were identified for fourteen of the top 25 differentially expressed miRNAs. Eleven of these miRNAs targeted 26 proteins of pathways deregulated by HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins and two of them, miR-143-5p and miR-29a-3p, predicted CIN2+ and CIN3+ in the independent validation by RT-qPCR of FFPE tissues from hrHPV-positive women.

[Interdisciplinary management of obesity and overweight in cardiac rehabilitation: review of the Mexican Society for Heart Care (Sociedad Mexicana para el Cuidado del Corazón, SOMECCOR)]. / Manejo interdisciplinario de la obesidad y el sobrepeso en rehabilitación cardiaca: revisión de la Sociedad Mexicana para el Cuidado del Corazón.

Background: Obesity is a multifactorial disorder characterized by increased body adiposity with a wide prevalence in our country, at any age, and linked to major adverse consequences, including the development of heart disease. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are interdisciplinary interventions aimed not only at restoring the lost functionality of patients who have suffered a cardiovascular outcome, but also at correcting those risk factors that led to it and that interfere with its adaptive results. Obesity contributes to perpetuating heart disease risk and is often resistant to conventional lifestyle modifications. Objective: Establish guidelines in the recognition of obesity with care guidelines for patients with heart disease within CR programs and their interdisciplinary approach. Method: Through an extensive bibliographical review and after an interdisciplinary discussion, this document was prepared to establish a position on the approach to obesity in the context of CR programs in patients with heart disease. Results and conclusions: Our Society recognizes the interdisciplinary approach of our patients with obesity and heart disease in its primary and secondary prevention, urges precision in its diagnosis and assessment, recommends that its primary axis must be based in the first instance on lifestyle modifications (physical training, nutritional care and psycho-emotional intervention), while pharmacological therapy and bariatric surgery could be coadjuvants in optimizing the results in selected patients.

Antecedentes: La obesidad es un trastorno multifactorial caracterizado por un aumento en la adiposidad corporal, de amplia prevalencia en nuestro país, a cualquier edad y ligada a grandes consecuencias adversas, incluyendo el desarrollo de cardiopatías. Los programas de rehabilitación cardiaca (RC) son intervenciones interdisciplinarias encaminadas no solo a restaurar la funcionalidad perdida de los pacientes que han sufrido un desenlace cardiovascular, sino también a corregir aquellos factores de riesgo que lo propiciaron y que interfieren en los resultados adaptativos del mismo. La obesidad contribuye a perpetuar el riesgo de cardiopatía y suele ser resistente a las modificaciones del estilo de vida de manera convencional. Objetivo: Establecer pautas en el reconocimiento de la obesidad con directrices de atención al paciente con cardiopatía dentro de los programas de RC y su abordaje interdisciplinario. Método: A través de una extensiva revisión bibliográfica y después de una discusión interdisciplinaria, se elaboró el presente documento para fijar una postura sobre el abordaje de la obesidad en el contexto de los programas de RC en pacientes con cardiopatía. Resultados y conclusiones: Nuestra Sociedad reconoce el abordaje interdisciplinario de los pacientes con obesidad y cardiopatía en su prevención primaria y secundaria, insta a la precisión en su diagnóstico y valoración, y recomienda que su eje primario debe estar basado en primera instancia en las modificaciones del estilo de vida (entrenamiento físico, atención nutricional e intervención psicoemocional), en tanto que la terapia farmacológica y la cirugía bariátrica pudieran ser coadyuvantes en la optimización de los resultados en pacientes selectos.

The effect of bariatric surgery on metabolic syndrome: A retrospective cohort study in Colombia.

Introduction and Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a group of metabolic abnormalities. It is currently a pandemic, and its prevalence is on the rise. MetS has a direct relationship with obesity, for this reason, bariatric and metabolic surgery has been proposed as a method to simultaneously control obesity and MetS. However, in Colombia the results of this intervention are unknown. This study aims to compare metabolic syndrome before and after bariatric surgery in a Colombian population. Methods: Retrospective cohort study conducted in a highly complex institution in Colombia, where comparing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients who underwent bariatric surgery during a 1-year follow-up period, between January 2015 and December 2019. Of these patients, 48 underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and 32 underwent sleeve gastrectomy by laparoscopic technique. Results: A total of 80 patients were included, of which 67.5% were women and the mean age was 42.8 ± 12.9 years. The most frequent preprocedure comorbidities were arterial hypertension (36.2%), dyslipidemia (32.4%), and sleep apnea (20%). After bariatric surgery, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome decreased from 66.2% to 3.7% (p < 0.05). In addition, a reduction in the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance score from 77.5% to 22.5% was observed during the follow-up period. HbA1c, creatinine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone, were the only parameters without significant changes. Conclusions: Metabolic and bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for weight reduction, with a high impact in reducing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in the short and medium term in the Colombian population.

Measurement of Protein Kinetics Using a Liquid Phase-Based Biosensing Platform.

Macromolecular association is crucial to many fields in biomedical sciences, including drug development, gene editing, and diagnostics. In particular, protein-protein association and dissociation rate constants are typically determined using surface plasmon resonance systems, which require costly instrumentation and cumbersome procedures (e.g., blocking, washing, and separation). Herein, we demonstrate that protein-binding constants can be readily determined using a real-time biosensing platform facilitated by graphene oxide-modified microwell plates and fluorophore-labeled proteins, where the fluorescent probes remain highly fluorescent during protein association, whereas fluorescent bioprobes that are not associated with their counterparts are quenched by graphene oxide. Binding data of three pairs of proteins were systematically determined employing this single-step platform and compared with those data reported by the suppliers or the literature, suggesting that this approach is comparable and consistent with the existing ones. Such pairs include (i) human immunoglobulin G (H-IgG)-fluorophore-labeled anti-H-IgG, (ii) prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-quantum dot-labeled anti-PSA, and (iii) anti-RBD-fluorophore-labeled SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain recombinant protein. We also offer an open-source software that automatically determines the binding kinetics constants of proteins. This Technical Note introduces a simple, yet effective, platform to determine relevant information on protein kinetics, which can be performed using a microwell plate reader and economical materials like graphene oxide. We foresee a new generation of diagnostics based on our affordable protein kinetics analysis.

Barriers to Quality Perioperative Care Delivery in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Qualitative Rapid Appraisal Study.

BACKGROUND: Provision of timely, safe, and affordable surgical care is an essential component of any high-quality health system. Increasingly, it is recognized that poor quality of care in the perioperative period (before, during, and after surgery) may contribute to significant excess mortality and morbidity. Therefore, improving access to surgical procedures alone will not address the disparities in surgical outcomes globally until the quality of perioperative care is addressed. We aimed to identify key barriers to quality perioperative care delivery for 3 "Bellwether" procedures (cesarean delivery, emergency laparotomy, and long-bone fracture fixation) in 5 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: Ten hospitals representing secondary and tertiary facilities from 5 LMICs were purposefully selected: 2 upper-middle income (Colombia and South Africa); 2 lower-middle income (Sri Lanka and Tanzania); and 1 lower income (Uganda). We used a rapid appraisal design (pathway mapping, ethnography, and interviews) to map out and explore the complexities of the perioperative pathway and care delivery for the Bellwether procedures. The framework approach was used for data analysis, with triangulation across different data sources to identify barriers in the country and pattern matching to identify common barriers across the 5 LMICs. RESULTS: We developed 25 pathway maps, undertook >30 periods of observation, and held >40 interviews with patients and clinical staff. Although the extent and impact of the barriers varied across the LMIC settings, 4 key common barriers to safe and effective perioperative care were identified: (1) the fragmented nature of the care pathways, (2) the limited human and structural resources available for the provision of care, (3) the direct and indirect costs of care for patients (even in health systems for which care is ostensibly free of charge), and (4) patients' low expectations of care. CONCLUSIONS: We identified key barriers to effective perioperative care in LMICs. Addressing these barriers is important if LMIC health systems are to provide safe, timely, and affordable provision of the Bellwether procedures.

Nanomaterials-Based Combinatorial Therapy as a Strategy to Combat Antibiotic Resistance.

Since the discovery of antibiotics, humanity has been able to cope with the battle against bacterial infections. However, the inappropriate use of antibiotics, the lack of innovation in therapeutic agents, and other factors have allowed the emergence of new bacterial strains resistant to multiple antibiotic treatments, causing a crisis in the health sector. Furthermore, the World Health Organization has listed a series of pathogens (ESKAPE group) that have acquired new and varied resistance to different antibiotics families. Therefore, the scientific community has prioritized designing and developing novel treatments to combat these ESKAPE pathogens and other emergent multidrug-resistant bacteria. One of the solutions is the use of combinatorial therapies. Combinatorial therapies seek to enhance the effects of individual treatments at lower doses, bringing the advantage of being, in most cases, much less harmful to patients. Among the new developments in combinatorial therapies, nanomaterials have gained significant interest. Some of the most promising nanotherapeutics include polymers, inorganic nanoparticles, and antimicrobial peptides due to their bactericidal and nanocarrier properties. Therefore, this review focuses on discussing the state-of-the-art of the most significant advances and concludes with a perspective on the future developments of nanotherapeutic combinatorial treatments that target bacterial infections.

Identificación oportuna del sangrado anormal postparto: método gravimétrico para cuantificar sangrado. Proyecto de mejora / Timely detection of abnormal postpartum bleeding: use of the gravimetric method to quantify bleeding. Improvement project

Resumen: Introducción: La hemorragia postparto es una entidad que no se detecta oportunamente con la estimación visual del sangrado. Material y métodos: Se implementó un protocolo estandarizado de cuantificación gravimétrica del sangrado postparto en pacientes sometidas a cesárea. Un estudio prospectivo, comparativo, no aleatorizado determinó el cumplimiento del protocolo, frecuencia proporcional del sangrado postparto anormal, basal y postintervención de mejora; y asociación entre metodologías de evaluación del sangrado y clasificación del sangrado. Pruebas z, Fisher, p < 0.05 significativa. Resultados: El cumplimiento del protocolo estandarizado fue 53% (± 0.18). En el grupo postintervención de mejora, la frecuencia del sangrado anormal postparto se incrementó en 30% con respecto al grupo basal (p < 0.05). Se demostró asociación significativa entre la cuantificación gravimétrica del sangrado postparto, y el sangrado postparto anormal. Conclusión: La implementación del protocolo de cuantificación gravimétrica del sangrado postparto fue posible, permitió mejorar la capacidad de identificación del sangrado postparto anormal en pacientes sometidas a cesárea.

Abstract: Introduction: Postpartum hemorrhage is a complication, that is not timely detected with the visual estimation of bleeding. Material and methods: A standardized protocol for the gravimetric quantification of postpartum bleeding was implemented to improve the ability to identify abnormal bleeding in patients undergoing caesarean section. A prospective, comparative, non-randomized study evaluated the improvement intervention. Compliance with the protocol, classification of postpartum bleeding before and after intervention; and the association between methodologies for assessing bleeding and postpartum bleeding classification were determined. Fisher z tests, p < 0.05 significant. Results: Compliance with the standardized protocol was 53% (± 0.18). In the post-intervention group, the frequency of abnormal postpartum bleeding increased by 30% with respect to the baseline group (p < 0.05). A significant association was demonstrated between gravimetric quantification of postpartum bleeding and abnormal postpartum bleeding. Conclusion: The implementation of the protocol for the gravimetric quantification of postpartum bleeding was possible. It improved the ability to identify abnormal postpartum bleeding in patients undergoing cesarean section.

Adiponectin Influences FGF2 in the Developing Porcine Corpus Luteum.

Luteal angiogenesis is regulated by pro-angiogenic hormones including fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and angiopoietin 1 (Ang1), which are regulated by the adipokine leptin during development. Another adipokine, adiponectin, exhibits an inverse relationship with leptin and has been identified in the CL. Therefore, it is hypothesized that adiponectin will influence pro-angiogenic hormones in the developing porcine CL. Crossbred sows were randomly allocated to one of two days of the estrous cycle, day 5 (D5; n = 4) or day 7 (D7; n = 5) for CL collection. Tissue was processed for immunohistochemical localization of adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2), gene expression of FGF2, Ang1, leptin, AdipoR2, and cell culture for adiponectin treatment. The expression of AdipoR2 tended (p = 0.09) to be higher in D7 lutea and was more prevalently localized to the cell surface of large and small luteal cells than in D5 tissue. Adiponectin influenced (p ≤ 0.05) FGF2, leptin, and AdipoR2 gene expression relative to the dose and day (D5 or D7). Collectively, the evidence supports the supposition that adiponectin influences angiogenic factors in the developing CL.

Latin American surgical outcomes study: study protocol for a multicentre international observational cohort study of patient outcomes after surgery in Latin American countries.

Background: Reported data suggest that 4.2 million deaths will occur within 30 days of surgery worldwide each year, half of which are in low- and middle-income countries. Postoperative complications are a leading cause of long-term morbidity and mortality. Patients who survive and leave the hospital after surgical complications regularly experience reductions in long-term survival and functional independence, resulting in increased costs. With a high volume of surgery performed, there is a growing perception of the substantial impact of even minor enhancements in perioperative care. The Latin American Surgical Outcomes Study (LASOS) is an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study of adults submitted to in-patient surgery in Latin America aiming to provide detailed data describing postoperative complications and surgical mortality. Methods: LASOS is a 7 day cohort study of adults undergoing surgery in Latin America. Details of preoperative risk factors, intraoperative care, and postoperative outcomes will be collected. The primary outcome will be in-hospital postoperative complications of any cause. Secondary outcomes include in-hospital all-cause mortality, duration of hospital stay after surgery, and admission to a critical care unit within 30 days after surgery during the index hospitalisation. Results: The LASOS results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, reported and presented at international meetings, and widely disseminated to patients and public in participating countries via mainstream and social media. Conclusions: The LASOS may augment our understanding of postoperative complications and surgial mortality in Latin America. Clinical trial registration: NCT05169164.

Optimization of phospholipid chemistry for improved lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery of messenger RNA (mRNA).

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been established as an essential platform for nucleic acid delivery. Efforts have led to the development of vaccines that protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection using LNPs to deliver messenger RNA (mRNA) coding for the viral spike protein. Out of the four essential components that comprise LNPs, phospholipids represent an underappreciated opportunity for fundamental and translational study. We investigated this avenue by systematically modulating the identity of the phospholipid in LNPs with the goal of identifying specific moieties that directly enhance or hinder delivery efficacy. Results indicate that phospholipid chemistry can enhance mRNA delivery by increasing membrane fusion and enhancing endosomal escape. Phospholipids containing phosphoethanolamine (PE) head groups likely increase endosomal escape due to their fusogenic properties. Additionally, it was found that zwitterionic phospholipids mainly aided liver delivery, whereas negatively charged phospholipids changed the tropism of the LNPs from liver to spleen. These results demonstrate that the choice of phospholipid plays a role intracellularly by enhancing endosomal escape, while also driving organ tropism in vivo. These findings were then applied to Selective Organ Targeting (SORT) LNPs to manipulate and control spleen-specific delivery. Overall, selection of the phospholipid in LNPs provides an important handle to design and optimize LNPs for improved mRNA delivery and more effective therapeutics.

Autoidentificación de la cintura-útil en la ubicación del sitio de punción en anestesia neuroaxial de paciente obstétrica con obesidad clase III / Self-identification of the waist - useful in the location of the puncture site in neuroaxial anesthesia of obstetric patient with class III obesity

Resumen: La técnica anestésica neuroaxial en la paciente embarazada obesa clase III puede representar un reto para el anestesiólogo, debido a la dificultad para reconocer las referencias anatómicas. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la dificultad y la calidad de la anestesia combinada espinal/epidural, en 14 pacientes embarazadas con índice de masa corporal ≥ 40 kg/m2, programadas para cesárea. Para la localización del sitio de punción, se utilizó la autoidentificación de cintura, metodología no reportada previamente. Las pacientes se sentaron a horcajadas en la mesa quirúrgica, señalaron el lugar de su cintura con sus manos. Se trazaron dos rectas en la espalda, una recta horizontal en la cintura señalada por la paciente, y una recta vertical correspondiente a la línea media. La intersección de las dos rectas fue la coordenada para la punción neuroaxial. La media ± DE del índice de masa corporal fue 47.5 ± 3.7 kg/m2. Se determinó una tasa de éxito del primer nivel del 92.8%, un promedio de punciones de 1.5 y 57.1% de las pacientes recibió una punción. La anestesia espinal/epidural falló en dos casos, se realizó cambio de técnica anestésica a epidural, y complementación con infiltración local, con adecuada analgesia. No fue necesario convertir a anestesia general en ningún caso. La autoidentificación de la cintura puede ser una ayuda clínica para la identificación del sitio de la punción lumbar durante la instalación de la anestesia neuroaxial, en pacientes obstétricas con obesidad clase III programadas para cesárea.

Abstract: The neuraxial anesthetic technique in the obese class III, pregnant patient, can represent a challenge for the anesthesiologist, due to the difficulty in recognizing the anatomical landmarks. The objective of the study was to determine the difficulty and quality of combined spinal/epidural anesthesia, in 14 pregnant patients with a body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m2 scheduled for cesarean section. For the location of the puncture site, self-identification of the waist was used, a methodology that has not been previously reported. The patients straddled the surgical Table, pointing to her waist with both hands. Two lines were drawn on the back. A horizontal line at the waist, indicated by the patient, and a vertical line corresponding to the midline. The intersection of the two lines was the coordinate for the neuraxial puncture. The mean ± SD of the body mass index was 47.5 ± 3.7 kg/m2. A first level success rate of 92.8% was determined, 57.1% of the patients received one puncture, and the average of punctures was 1.5. Spinal/epidural anesthesia failed in two cases, a change from anesthetic technique to epidural and supplementation with infiltration was performed, with adequate analgesia. It was not necessary to convert to general anesthesia in any case. Self-identification of the waist and coordinate marking can be a clinical aid for the identification of the lumbar puncture site, during the installation of neuraxial anesthesia, in obstetric patients with class III obesity, scheduled for cesarean section.

Dopaminergic denervation of the globus pallidus produces short-memory impairment in rats.

Rats with low-level globus pallidus (GP) dopaminergic denervation can develop anxiety without any motor alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level 6-OHDA-induced unilateral and bilateral GP lesions in male Wistar rats (n = 8/group) on recognition memory, motor activity, and the number of TH+ neurons in the SNc. For unilateral- and bilateral-lesioned animals, there was a significant decrease in the number of TH+ neurons (27% and 42%, respectively) and in the object, location, and temporal order discrimination indexes of recognition memory tests. Motor activity was unaffected. Thus, GP dopamine denervation was detrimental to short-memory.

An exploration of the variability of physiological responses to soil drying in relation with C/N balance across three species of the under-utilized genus Vigna.

The genus Vigna (Fabaceae) is an agriculturally important taxon, which includes several crop species such as cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), mung bean (Vigna radiata) and azuki bean (Vigna angularis). Most studies have focused on cowpea (V. unguiculata (L.) as a drought-resistant crop, although insights on the mechanisms that confer this species the ability to grow in dry environment are still not fully resolved. The diversity of this rich genus has been overlooked in many physiological studies. This study explores the physiological mechanisms of response to soil drying (N2 fixation, transpiration rate and changes in C and N allocation) across three species of the Vigna genus: V. radiata, V. unguiculata, V. vexillata (tuber cowpea). A significant variability among the studied Vigna accessions was found for the threshold in decline of N2 fixation with soil drying. Less variability was observed in the transpiration threshold. Through the analysis of leaf traits variation under well-watered and water-deficit conditions, we were able to relate the variability in N2 fixation and transpiration response to C/N metabolism modifications resulting in different allocation of carbon and nitrogen to leaves under water deficit.

Complicaciones maternas durante la cesárea en pacientes con preeclampsia severa / Maternal complications during cesarean section in patients with severe preeclampsia

Resumen OBJETIVO: Identificar las complicaciones maternas durante la cesárea en pacientes con preeclampsia severa. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo, transversal y descriptivo efectuado en pacientes embarazadas con preeclampsia severa atendidas en la Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad del Hospital de Gineco-Obstetricia 3 del Centro Médico Nacional La Raza entre el 1 de septiembre de 2020 y el 31 de mayo del año 2021. Se registraron: la indicación de la cirugía (materna o feto-placentaria), las complicaciones y su desenlace, el tiempo de estancia en la unidad de cuidados intensivos y en hospitalización y la muerte materna. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva con el programa estadístico SPSS v 20. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 100 pacientes con media de edad de 30.5 ± 5.85 años (límites 17 y 43), mediana de la paridad 2 (límites 1 y 6), semanas de embarazo 33.08 ± 3.9 (límites 26 y 39.4), peso 77.98 ± 15.87 kg (límites 42 y 120), talla 1.57 ± 0.07 m (límites 1.36 y 1.73) e IMC 31.46 ± 5.54 (límites 22.15 y 48.44). 90 de ellas finalizaron el embarazo por cesárea indicada por: crisis hipertensiva (81%), síndrome HELLP (17%), eclampsia (2%) y feto-placentaria en 10% (estado fetal no confiable 5%, ruptura prematura de las membranas 2%, anhidramnios 2%, restricción del crecimiento 1%). Se registraron 12% de complicaciones (atonía uterina (6%), lesión de una arteria uterina (2%), desgarro de la comisura de la histerorrafia (1%), hematoma de la histerorrafia (1%), hematoma del ligamento ancho (1%) y sangrado en capa (1%). Todas las complicaciones se corrigieron en el mismo tiempo quirúrgico. La media del tiempo entre el ingreso a hospitalización hasta la finalización del embarazo fue de 6.26 ± 2.26 horas, estancia en cuidados intensivos 1.36 ± 0.69 días y muerte materna 0%. CONCLUSIÓN: La frecuencia de complicaciones fue baja, quizá por tratarse de pacientes intervenidas en un hospital de alta especialidad.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To identify maternal complications during cesarean section in patients with severe preeclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study carried out in pregnant patients with severe preeclampsia attended at the High Specialty Medical Unit of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital 3 of the National Medical Center La Raza between September 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. The following were recorded: indication for surgery (maternal or feto-placental), complications and their outcome, length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospitalization, and maternal death. Descriptive statistics were used with the statistical program SPSS v 20. RESULTS: 100 patients were studied with mean age 30.5 ± 5.85 years (limits 17 and 43), median parity 2 (limits 1 and 6), weeks of pregnancy 33.08 ± 3.9 (limits 26 and 39.4), weight 77.98 ± 15.87 kg (limits 42 and 120), height 1.57 ± 0.07 m (limits 1.36 and 1.73) and BMI 31.46 ± 5.54 (limits 22.15 and 48.44). Ninety of them terminated the pregnancy by cesarean section indicated by: hypertensive crisis (81%), HELLP syndrome (17%), eclampsia (2%) and feto-placental in 10% (unreliable fetal status 5%, premature rupture of membranes 2%, anhydramnios 2%, growth restriction 1%). There were 12% complications (uterine atony (6%), uterine artery injury (2%), hysterorrhaphy commissure tear (1%), hysterorrhaphy hematoma (1%), broad ligament hematoma (1%) and layer bleeding (1%). All complications were corrected within the same surgical time. The mean time from hospitalization to termination of pregnancy was 6.26 ± 2.26 hours, intensive care stay 1.36 ± 0.69 days and maternal death 0%. CONCLUSION: The frequency of complications was low, perhaps because these patients underwent surgery in a high specialty hospital.

Evaluation of nine serological rapid tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To evaluate the operative capacity of nine serological rapid tests to detect the IgM/IgG antibodies response in serum from patients with SARS-CoV-2 in different clinical stages. Methods. A cross-sectional study of serological rapid tests was designed to compare the performance of the evaluated immunochromatographic tests for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. A total of 293 samples was used, including negatives, asymptomatic, and symptomatic serum samples. Results. The sensitivity of the evaluated tests was low and moderate in the groups of asymptomatic serum samples and the group of serums coming from patients with less than 11 days since the onset of the symptoms. The specificity for the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies tests ranged between 86.5%-99% for IgM and 86.5%-99.5% for IgG. The sensitivity and the likelihood ratio were different according to the study groups. The usefulness of these tests is restricted to symptomatic patients and their sensitivity is greater than 85% after 11 days from the appearance of symptoms. Conclusions. Serological tests are not an adequate strategy for the identification of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic patients. Serological rapid tests for the detection of specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can be used as a diagnostic aid, but diagnosis must be confirmed by RT-PCR. Rapid tests should be reserved for patients with symptoms lasting more than 11 days.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Evaluar la capacidad operativa de nueve pruebas serológicas rápidas para detectar la respuesta de anticuerpos IgM/IgG en el suero de pacientes con SARS-CoV-2 en diferentes etapas clínicas. Métodos. Se diseñó un estudio transversal de las pruebas serológicas rápidas para comparar su rendimiento respecto del diagnóstico del SARS-CoV-2. Se utilizaron en total 293 muestras, inclusive muestras de suero de pacientes negativos, asintomáticos y sintomáticos. Resultados. La sensibilidad de las pruebas evaluadas fue baja y moderada en las muestras de suero del grupo de pacientes asintomáticos y en el grupo de pacientes con menos de 11 días desde el inicio de los síntomas. La especificidad de las pruebas de anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2 varió entre 86,5%-99% para la IgM y 86,5%-99,5% para la IgG. La sensibilidad y la razón de verosimilitud (likelihood ratio) fueron diferentes según los grupos de estudio. La utilidad de estas pruebas se limita a los pacientes sintomáticos y su sensibilidad es superior al 85% después de 11 días de la aparición de los síntomas. Conclusiones. Las pruebas serológicas no son una estrategia adecuada para la identificación de los pacientes asintomáticos y presintomáticos. Las pruebas serológicas rápidas para la detección de anticuerpos específicos anti-SARS-CoV-2 pueden ser utilizadas como ayuda diagnóstica, pero el diagnóstico debe ser confirmado por RT-PCR. Las pruebas rápidas deben reservarse para los pacientes con síntomas que duren más de 11 días.

Historical Perspectives on the Removal of Intraradicular Posts Prior to the Availability of Ultrasonic Applications.

For decades the dismantling of previous dental work to correct inferior root canal procedures or to address recurrent dental caries has provided a significant amount of work for the restorative dentist. When coupled with teeth that have been root treated and also have an intraradicular post or dowel, the clinician was often presented with the challenge of post removal, without fracturing the root, and revision (retreatment) of the root canal procedures. While today's contemporary dentistry has the wherewithal to use ultrasonic devices to loosen and remove the post, this was not always the case historically, and creativity in this process was the hallmark of many of our predecessors.