Regulation of cellular and molecular markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition by Brazilin in breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer is the most common invasive neoplasm and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. The main cause of mortality in cancer patients is invasion and metastasis, where the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial player in these processes. Pharmacological therapy has plants as its primary source, including isoflavonoids. Brazilin is an isoflavonoid isolated from Haematoxilum brasiletto that has shown antiproliferative activity in several cancer cell lines. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Brazilin on canonical markers of EMT such as E-cadherin, vimentin, Twist, and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). By Western blot, we evaluated E-cadherin, vimentin, and Twist expression and the subcellular localization by immunofluorescence. Using gelatin zymography, we determined the levels of secretion of MMPs. We used Transwell chambers coated with matrigel to determine the in vitro invasion of breast cancer cells treated with Brazilin. Interestingly, our results show that Brazilin increases 50% in E-cadherin expression and decreases 50% in vimentin and Twist expression, MMPs, and cell invasion in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 and to a lesser extend in MCF7 ER+ breast cancer cells. Together, these findings position Brazilin as a new molecule with great potential for use as complementary or alternative treatment in breast cancer therapy in the future.

Características antropométricas y condición física de adultos mayores físicamente activos del municipio de Armenia, Colombia 2022 / Anthropometric characteristics and physical condition of active older adults from the municipality of Armenia, Colombia 2022 / Características antropométricas e condição física de idosos fisicamente ativos no município de Armênia, Colômbia 2022

Introducción: En el envejecimiento los cambios en la composición corporal se asocian con la salud y la funcionalidad. Objetivo: Determinar las características antropométricas y condición física de adultos mayores físicamente activos de la ciudad de Armenia. Materiales y método: Estudio descriptivo transversal, la valoración de la composición corporal se realizó siguiendo las indicaciones de la Sociedad Internacional de Avances en Cineantropometría, y la condición física se determinó a través de la batería Senior Fitness Test (SFT). Resultados: Se evaluaron 468 adultos mayores. En las mujeres la estatura y masa promedio fue de 1,56 m y 69,46 kg respectivamente, mientras que en los hombres el promedio fue de 1,67 m para la estatura y de 78, 29 kg para la masa. Las mujeres presentaron mayores porcentajes a nivel adiposo con respecto al muscular, ocurriendo lo contrario en los hombres, finalmente la condición física estuvo por debajo del rango normal de referencia de la batería SFT. Conclusión: En general, los adultos mayores presentaron sobrepeso, además, los diferentes indicadores evaluados tales como índice cintura cadera, índice de masa muscular, perímetro abdominal, entre otros, ponen en manifiesto que están en riesgo de moderado a altos, según la OMS, de padecer enfermedades crónicas no trasmisibles.

Introduction: Changes in body composition in aging populations are associated with their health and functionality. Objective: To determine the anthropometric characteristics and physical condition of physically active older adults from the city of Armenia. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study. The assessment of the body composition was conducted following the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement in Kinanthropometry. The Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery was used to evaluate physical condition. Results: 468 older adults were evaluated. The mean height and body mass were 1.57 m and 69.46 kg for women, respectively, while the mean values for male participants were 1.67 m and 78.29 kg. Female older adults had higher percentages of adipose tissue respect to muscle tissue, whereas male participants showed the opposite pattern. Finally, physical condition was below the normal reference range of the SFT battery. Conclusion: In general terms, older adults were overweight. Based on the WHO guidelines and the various analyzed indicators (waist-hip ratio, muscle mass index, abdominal circumference, among others), older adults are at a moderate-high risk to suffer chronic non-communicable diseases.

Introdução: No envelhecimento, as alterações na composição corporal estão associadas à saúde e à funcionalidade. Objetivo: determinar as características antropométricas e a condição física de idosos fisicamente ativos na cidade da Armênia. Materiais e método: Estudo descritivo transversal, a avaliação da composição corporal foi realizada seguindo as indicações da Sociedade Internacional para Avanços em Cineantropometria, e a condição física foi determinada através da bateria Senior Fitness Test (SFT). Resultados: Foram avaliados 468 idosos. Nas mulheres, a média de altura e massa foi de 1,56 m e 69,46 kg respectivamente, enquanto nos homens a média foi de 1,67 m para altura e 78,29 kg para massa. As mulheres apresentaram maiores percentuais de nível adiposo em relação ao músculo, o oposto ocorreu nos homens; por fim, a condição física ficou abaixo da faixa de referência normal da bateria SFT. Conclusão: Em geral, os idosos apresentaram excesso de peso; além disso, os diferentes indicadores avaliados como relação cintura-quadril, índice de massa muscular, circunferência abdominal, entre outros, mostram que eles estão em risco moderado a alto, segundo a OMS de sofrem de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis.

Phenolic Compounds of Therapeutic Interest in Neuroprotection.

The number of elderly people is projected to double in the next 50 years worldwide, resulting in an increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases. Aging causes changes in brain tissue homeostasis, thus contributing to the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Current treatments are not entirely effective, so alternative treatments or adjuvant agents are being actively sought. Antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds are of particular interest for neurodegenerative diseases whose psychopathological mechanisms strongly rely on oxidative stress at the brain level. Moreover, phenolic compounds display other advantages such as the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the interesting molecular mechanisms that we reviewed in this work. We began by briefly outlining the physiopathology of neurodegenerative diseases to understand the mechanisms that result in irreversible brain damage, then we provided an overall classification of the phenolic compounds that would be addressed later. We reviewed in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as some clinical trials in which neuroprotective mechanisms were demonstrated in models of different neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), ischemia, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Evaluation of sample pooling for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a resource-limited setting, Dominican Republic.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is a worldwide public health threat. Diagnosis by RT-PCR has been employed as the standard method to confirm viral infection. Sample pooling testing can optimize the resources by reducing the workload and reagents shortage, and be useful in laboratories and countries with limited resources. This study aims to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 detection by sample pooling testing in comparison with individual sample testing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We created 210 pools out of 245 samples, varying from 4 to 10 samples per pool, each containing a positive sample. We conducted detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific RdRp/E target sites. RESULTS: Pooling of three samples for SARS-CoV-2 detection might be an efficient strategy to perform without losing RT-PCR sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the positivity rate in Dominican Republic and that larger sample pools have higher probabilities of obtaining false negative results, the optimal sample size to perform a pooling strategy shall be three samples.

Evaluation of sample pooling for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a resource-limited setting, Dominican Republic.

Introduction: COVID-19 is a worldwide public health threat. Diagnosis by RT-PCR has been employed as the standard method to confirm viral infection. Sample pooling testing can optimize the resources by reducing the workload and reagents shortage, and be useful in laboratories and countries with limited resources. This study aims to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 detection by sample pooling testing in comparison with individual sample testing. Materials and methods: We created 210 pools out of 245 samples, varying from 4 to 10 samples per pool, each containing a positive sample. We conducted detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific RdRp/E target sites. Results: Pooling of three samples for SARS-CoV-2 detection might be an efficient strategy to perform without losing RT-PCR sensitivity. Conclusions: Considering the positivity rate in Dominican Republic and that larger sample pools have higher probabilities of obtaining false negative results, the optimal sample size to perform a pooling strategy shall be three samples.

Introducción: La COVID-19 es una amenaza de salud pública mundial. La RT-PCR es el método estándar para confirmar la infección. La estrategia de pruebas de muestras agrupadas puede reducir la carga de trabajo y la escasez de reactivos, y ser útil en países con escasos recursos. Evaluamos la detección del SARS-CoV-2 mediante esta estrategia en comparación con pruebas individuales. Materiales y métodos: Creamos 210 grupos de 245 muestras, de 4 a 10 muestras por grupo, cada uno con una muestra positiva. Realizamos extracción de ARN y qRT-PCR para detectar la presencia de la diana RdRp/E. Resultados: La combinación de hasta 3 muestras para la detección del SARS-CoV-2 podría ser una estrategia eficaz sin perder la sensibilidad. Conclusiones: Considerando la tasa de positividad en República Dominicana y que los grupos con más muestras tienen mayor probabilidad de obtener resultados falsos negativos, el tamaño óptimo para realizar esta estrategia es de 3 muestras.

In Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Helicobacter pylori Induces the Secretion of Soluble and Exosomal Cytokines Related to Carcinogenesis.

Helicobacter pylori promotes the secretion of cytokines that regulate inflammation and carcinogenesis. Immune cells secrete cytokines into the extracellular medium or packaged in exosomes. The objective of this study was to analyze the profile of soluble and exosomal cytokines that were secreted by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that were infected with H. pylori and to build a network of interaction between cytokines and cellular proteins. PBMCs were obtained by density gradient centrifugation and infected with H. pylori for 24 h. The infection was verified by immunofluorescence and Western blot for CagA. The exosomes were obtained from culture supernatant by ultracentrifugation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, particle size analysis, and Western blot for CD9 and CD81. Cytokines were quantified using a multiplex immunoassay in the culture supernatant, intact exosomes, and lysed exosomes. H. pylori adheres to lymphocytes and translocates CagA. In PBMCs, H. pylori induces an increase in the soluble and exosomal IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-22. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network shows that soluble and exosomal cytokines interact with proteins that participate in signaling pathways such as NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K-Akt, Jak-STAT, FoxO, and mTOR, that are related to carcinogenesis; moreover, TNF-α had the highest number of interactions. Cytokine-loaded exosomes represent another means of intercellular communication that is activated by H. pylori to stimulate inflammation, carcinogenesis, or cancer progression. Cytokine-loaded exosomes are likely to be associated with extragastrointestinal diseases of inflammatory origin.

Cat Coat Color, Personality Traits and the Cat-Owner Relationship Scale: A Study with Cat Owners in Mexico.

Studies regarding the cat-owner bond are quite rare, and several aspects merit more research, including personality trait differences in cats related to coat color and the cat-owner relationship. The objectives of the study were to describe, from the perspective of their owners, the personality traits of cats based on their coat colors and to evaluate the relationships among the Cat Owner Relationship Scale (CORS), its subscales and the traits of cats. Therefore, the CORS was translated into Spanish, and its psychometric properties were assessed. For the personality traits of cats, participants answered a 7-point Likert scale indicating the extent to which they agreed with the following characteristics in describing their cats: active, aloof, bold, calm, friendly, intolerant, shy, stubborn, tolerant and trainable. 211 cat owners living in Mexico participated. Owners perceived their cats as being bold and friendly. Gray cats had the highest score for being as shy, aloof and intolerant, while orange cats had the highest scores for being trainable, friendly and calm. Tabbies the highest for bold and active, tricolor cats for stubborn, and bicolor cats for tolerant. The 3 CORS subscales had adequate psychometric properties when evaluated separately. Cat-owner interaction was positively correlated with an active and friendly personality and negatively correlated with aloofness. Emotional closeness was positively correlated with an active, bold and friendly personality, and perceived cost was negatively correlated with boldness.

Symptom attribution in patients with medically unexplained symptoms. A scale development and validation study.

INTRODUCTION: In the care of patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) it is important what they think about their symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To validate the psychometric properties of a symptom attribution scale in patients with MUPS and to verify its reliability. METHODS: A non-probabilistic sample of 400 male and female adult patients were interviewed in the outpatient services of a family medicine hospital, 200 with MUPS and 200 with a defined organic pathology. Each group was diagnosed with defined criteria, and a scale with content and construct validity was applied by means of principal component analysis with varimax rotation. RESULTS: The scale was made up of 12 items with two factors, one of symptom psychosocial attribution and other with organic attribution. The psychosocial-origin factor showed a variance of 49.7%. The goodness-of-fit test demonstrated that the correlation matrix was adequate, and Bartlett's sphericity test indicated statistical significance (p < 0.0001); Cronbach's alpha was 0.841. CONCLUSION: The scale showed acceptable construct validity and good reliability and stability. The implications of these results for future measurement research are discussed.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En la atención de pacientes con síntomas físicos médicamente no explicables (SFMNE) es importante lo que el paciente piensa de sus síntomas. OBJETIVO: Validar propiedades psicométricas de una escala de atribución del síntoma en pacientes con SFMNE y verificar su confiabilidad. MÉTODOS: Se entrevistó a una muestra no probabilística de 400 pacientes adultos, hombres y mujeres, en la consulta de un hospital con medicina familiar, 200 con SFMNE y 200 con patología orgánica concreta. Se diagnosticó a cada grupo con criterios definidos y se aplicó una escala con validez de contenido y de constructo por medio de análisis de componentes principales con rotación varimax. RESULTADOS: La escala quedó integrada por 12 reactivos con dos factores, uno de atribución psicosocial y otro de atribución orgánica del síntoma. El factor de origen psicosocial tuvo una varianza de 49.7 %. La prueba de bondad de ajuste mostró que la matriz de correlaciones fue adecuada y la prueba de esfericidad de Bartlett indicó significación estadística (p < 0.0001); el alfa de Cronbach fue de 0.841. CONCLUSIÓN: La escala mostró una validez de constructo aceptable y buena confiabilidad y estabilidad. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados para la investigación de mediciones futuras.

Atribución de síntomas en pacientes con síntomas médicamente inexplicables. Un estudio de validación y desarrollo de la escala / Symptom attribution in patients with medically unexplained symptoms. A scale development and validation study

Resumen Introducción: En la atención de pacientes con síntomas físicos médicamente no explicables (SFMNE) es importante lo que el paciente piensa de sus síntomas. Objetivo: Validar propiedades psicométricas de una escala de atribución del síntoma en pacientes con SFMNE y verificar su confiabilidad. Métodos: Se entrevistó a una muestra no probabilística de 400 pacientes adultos, hombres y mujeres, en la consulta de un hospital con medicina familiar, 200 con SFMNE y 200 con patología orgánica concreta. Se diagnosticó a cada grupo con criterios definidos y se aplicó una escala con validez de contenido y de constructo por medio de análisis de componentes principales con rotación varimax. Resultados: La escala quedó integrada por 12 reactivos con dos factores, uno de atribución psicosocial y otro de atribución orgánica del síntoma. El factor de origen psicosocial tuvo una varianza de 49.7 %. La prueba de bondad de ajuste mostró que la matriz de correlaciones fue adecuada y la prueba de esfericidad de Bartlett indicó significación estadística (p < 0.0001); el alfa de Cronbach fue de 0.841. Conclusión.: La escala mostró una validez de constructo aceptable y buena confiabilidad y estabilidad. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados para la investigación de mediciones futuras.

Abstract Introduction: In the care of patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) it is important what they think about their symptoms. Objective: To validate the psychometric properties of a symptom attribution scale in patients with MUPS and to verify its reliability. Methods: A non-probabilistic sample of 400 male and female adult patients were interviewed in the outpatient services of a family medicine hospital, 200 with MUPS and 200 with a defined organic pathology. Each group was diagnosed with defined criteria, and a scale with content and construct validity was applied by means of principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Results: The scale was made up of 12 items with two factors, one of symptom psychosocial attribution and others with organic attribution. The psychosocial-origin factor showed a variance of 49.7%. The goodness-of-fit test demostrated that the correlation matrix was adequate, and Bartlett's sphericity test indicated statistical significance (p < 0.0001); Cronbach's alpha was 0.841. Conclusion: The scale showed acceptable construct validity and good reliability and stability. The implications of these results for future measurement research are discussed.

Artrocentesis en el tratamiento de artritis séptica en articulación temporomandibular: reporte de un caso / Arthrocentesis in the treatment of septic arthritis in the temporomandibular joint: a case report

Objetivo: El objetivo de este reporte de caso es presen- tar a la artrocentesis como una alternativa quirúrgica mínima- mente invasiva en el tratamiento de la artritis séptica tempo- romandibular. Caso clínico: Un paciente hombre de 26 años con an- tecedente de flegmón perimandibular derecho tratado, acude a la Unidad Hospitalaria de Cirugía Maxilofacial por dolor articular temporomandibular, impotencia funcional y trismus, a un mes de haber sido dado de alta de un primer cuadro infec- cioso. Luego de los exámenes clínicos y complementarios, se diagnostica artritis séptica de articulación temporomandibular derecha, la cual fue tratada quirúrgicamente mediante dos ar- trocentesis acompañadas de terapia farmacológica (AU)

Aim: The aim of this case report is to present arthrocen- tesis as a minimally invasive surgical alternative in the treat- ment of temporomandibular septic arthritis. Clinical case: A 26-year-old male patient, with a his- tory of treated right perimandibular phlegmon, came to the Maxillofacial Surgery Hospital Unit due to temporomandibu- lar joint pain, functional impairment and trismus, one month after having recovered from his first infectious process. After clinical and complementary examinations, septic arthritis of the right temporomandibular joint was diagnosed, which was treated surgically by means of two arthrocenteses and phar- macological therapy (AU)

Pet-Human Relationships: Dogs versus Cats.

The study of human-animal interactions has increased, focusing on the dog-owner relationship, leaving a lag in research on the cat-owner relationship and practically a total absence of studies that compare the dog-owner relationship with the cat-owner relationship. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to make this comparison based on the perception of people living with both dogs and cats, considering interaction, emotional closeness, and perceived cost of the relationship. A total of 132 residents in Mexico participated. To evaluate the pet-human relationship, the dog and cat versions of the Monash dog owner relationship scale were used, thus obtaining comparable scores for the relationship with dogs and cats. Based on what the owners reported, significant differences were found. Relationships with cats were better than relationships with dogs, a finding that was confirmed when comparing male dogs and cats and when comparing female dogs and cats. It was concluded that relationships with cats are better because the perceived cost of such a relationship is lower. However, emotional closeness is greater with dogs than with cats.

Protocolo de ayuno peritransfusional en enterocolitis necrotizante, en recién nacidos colombianos / Implementation of a peri-transfusion fasting protocol in necrotizing enterocolitis, in Colombian newborns

Objetivo: Determinar la diferencia de incidencia de enterocolitis necrotizante asociada a transfusión en recién nacidos pretérmino con y sin implementación de un protocolo de ayuno peritransfusional. Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo. Se incluyeron todos los recién nacidos pretérmino que fueron transfundidos con unidad de glóbulos rojos entre julio 2015 y octubre 2016 en la unidad de recién nacidos un centro de tercer nivel de Colombia. El protocolo de ayuno peritransfusional se inició a partir de abril 2016. La enterocolitis necrotizante asociada a transfusión se definió como enterocolitis necrotizante presentada dentro de las 48 horas posteriores a la transfusión. Se analizaron variables demográficas, alimentación, número de transfusiones y variables asociadas a enterocolitis necrotizante. Resultados: Durante el tiempo de estudio, 148 recién nacidos prematuros necesitaron al menos una transfusión de glóbulos rojos que representaron 385 eventos de transfusión. Se informaron siete casos de enterocolitis necrotizante asociada a transfusión. La incidencia acumulada global fue 4,7 por ciento (3,6 por ciento con protocolo de ayuno peritransfusional y 6,3 por ciento sin protocolo), la tasa de incidencia global de enterocolitis necrotizante asociada a transfusión fue 18/1000 personas-transfusión (IC95 por ciento 7-37/1000 personas-transfusión), mayor en el grupo sin protocolo (28/1000 personas-transfusión) que en el grupo con protocolo (12/1000 personas-transfusión), pero sin significación estadística. Conclusiones: La implementación del protocolo de ayuno peritransfusional podría disminuir la incidencia y gravedad de la enterocolitis necrotizante asociada a transfusión. Se requieren estudios prospectivos para establecer la relación entre la alimentación enteral durante la transfusión y la enterocolitis necrotizante(AU)

Objective: Determine the difference in incidence of transfusion-associated necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm newborns with and without implementation of a peri-transfusion fasting protocol. Methods: Retrospective observational study. All preterm newborns that were transfused with red blood cell units during the period from July 2015 to October 2016 in the newborns´ unit at a third level of care center in Colombia were included. The peri-transfusion fasting protocol started on April 2016. Transfusion-associated necrotizing enterocolitis was defined as necrotizing enterocolitis presented within 48 hours after the transfusion. Demographic variables, feeding, number of transfusions and variables associated with necrotizing enterocolitis were analyzed. Results: During the study time, 148 premature newborns needed at least one transfusion of red blood cells that accounted for 385 transfusion events. Seven cases of transfusion-associated necrotizing enterocolitis were reported. The overall cumulative incidence was 4.7 percent (3.6 percent with peri-transfusion fasting protocol and 6.3 percent without protocol), the overall incidence rate of transfusion-associated necrotizing enterocolitis was 18/1000 people-transfusion (IC 95 percent 7-37/1000 people-transfusion); it was higher in the group without protocol (28/1000 people-transfusion) than in the group with protocol (12/1000 people-transfusion), but without statistical significance. Conclusions: Implementation of the peri-transfusion fasting protocol may decrease the incidence and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis associated with transfusion. Prospective studies are required to establish the relationship between enteral feeding during transfusion and necrotizing enterocolitis(AU)

Reconstrucción de Fracturas Orbitarias Utilizando Tecnología Digital Tridimensional: Una forma de Optimizar Resultados / Orbital Fracture Reconstruction Using Digital Three-Dimensional Technology: A Way to Optimize Results

La reconstrucción de las paredes orbitarias fracturadas es compleja debido a la gran cantidad de parámetros volumétricos que posee. Una restitución inadecuada de ellas habitualmente está asociada a secuelas postquirúrgicas en el paciente. El contar con herramientas que optimicen la restitución de la forma anatómica de la órbita en su reconstrucción es de vital importancia, y la utilización de nuevas tecnologías ha permitido mejorar los resultados quirúrgicos, tanto anatómicos como funcionales. El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar dos herramientas quirúrgicas que permiten optimizar los resultados terapéuticos en pacientes con fractura de órbita, que son el modelo estereolitográfico con imagen en espejo y la tomografía computada intraoperatoria. Se presentan las características de estas herramientas, su utilización en tres casos de pacientes con fractura orbitaria y los resultados obtenidos en el post operatorio.

The reconstruction of fractured orbital walls is complex due to the many volumetric parameters involved. An inadequate restitution of these walls may be associated with postsurgical sequelae in the patient. Is vitally important to count with tools that optimize the restitution of the orbit's anatomic shape during its reconstruction, and the use of new technologies has allowed the improvement of the surgical results, both anatomical and functional. The aim of this article is to show two surgical tools that allow to optimize the therapeutic results in patients with orbital fracture, which are stereolithographic models with mirror image technique, and intraoperative computed tomography. Their characteristics, their use in three cases of patients with orbital fractures, and the postoperative results are shown.

PADI2 Polymorphisms Are Significantly Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Autoantibodies Serologic Status and Joint Damage in Women from Southern Mexico.

The enzymes of the family peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) have an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to their association with the anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) production. To evaluate the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PADI2 gene and RA susceptibility, related clinical parameters, and the serologic status of autoantibodies in a women population with RA from southern Mexico, a case-control study was conducted (case n=229; control n=333). Sociodemographic characteristics were evaluated, along with clinical parameters, inflammation markers, the levels of ACPAs as anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCPs), anti-modified citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV), and rheumatoid factor (RF). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and three SNPs of the PADI2 gene (rs1005753, rs2057094, and rs2235926) were performed by qPCR using TaqMan probes. The data analysis reveals that the carriers of the T allele for rs2057094 and rs2235926 presented an earlier onset of the disease (ß= -3.26; p = 0.03 and ß = -4.13; p = 0.015, respectively) while the carriers of the T allele for rs1005753 presented higher levels of anti-CCPs (ß= 68.3; p = 0.015). Additionally, the T allele of rs2235926 was associated with a positive RF (OR = 2.90; p = 0.04), anti-MCV (OR = 2.92; p = 0.05), and with the serologic status anti-CCP+/anti-MCV+ (OR = 3.02; p = 0.03), and anti-CCP+/anti-MCV+/RF+ (OR = 3.79; p = 0.004). The haplotypes GTT (OR =1.52; p = 0.027) and TTT (OR = 1.32; p = 0.025) were associated with the presence of RA. In addition, in this study the haplotype TTT is linked to the presence of radiographic joint damage defined by a Sharp-van der Heijde score (SHS) ≥2 (OR = 1.97; p = 0.0021) and SHS ≥3 (OR = 1.94; p = 0.011). The haplotype TTT of SNPs rs1005753, rs2057094, and rs2235926 of the PADI2 gene confers genetic susceptibility to RA and radiographic joint damage in women from southern Mexico. The evidence reveals that SNPs of the PADI2 gene favors the presence of a positive serologic status in multiple autoantibodies and the clinical manifestations of RA at an early onset age.

Evaluation of sample pooling for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a resource-limited setting, Dominican Republic.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is a worldwide public health threat. Diagnosis by RT-PCR has been employed as the standard method to confirm viral infection. Sample pooling testing can optimize the resources by reducing the workload and reagents shortage, and be useful in laboratories and countries with limited resources. This study aims to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 detection by sample pooling testing in comparison with individual sample testing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We created 210 pools out of 245 samples, varying from 4 to 10 samples per pool, each containing a positive sample. We conducted detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific RdRp/E target sites. RESULTS: Pooling of three samples for SARS-CoV-2 detection might be an efficient strategy to perform without losing RT-PCR sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the positivity rate in Dominican Republic and that larger sample pools have higher probabilities of obtaining false negative results, the optimal sample size to perform a pooling strategy shall be three samples.

Manifestación de impétigo y herpes zóster relacionado con el uso de mascarilla durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Informe de caso / Mask-related manifestation of impetigo and herpes zoster during the COVID-19 pandemic. Case report

Objetivo: Presentar un caso clínico en el que el paciente cursa impétigo que podría estar relacionado con el uso de mascarillas faciales por un tiempo prolongado. Caso clínico: Se reporta el tratamiento y la evolución de un caso clínico en un paciente adulto que consultó en un centro clínico privado por la presencia de lesiones vesiculares en la región labial superior con aumento de volumen generalizado en ambos labios. El cuadro clínico es compatible con infección por impétigo y herpes zóster asociado al uso prolongado de una mascarilla de tela. Se describe la importancia del empleo correcto de estas mascarillas que se están usando como medida de protección personal en el contexto de la pandemia por COVID-19, ya que las mismas pueden contribuir a generar infecciones faciales si no se mantiene una higiene apropiada (AU)

Aim: To present a clinical case in which the patient has impetigo that could be related to the use of facial masks for a long time. Clinical case: The treatment and evolution of a clinical case of an adult patient who attended a private clinical centre due to the presence of vesicular lesions in the upper labial region with generalized increase volume in both lips is reported. The clinical presentation is compatible with impetigo and herpes zoster infection associated with prolonged use of a cloth mask. The importance of the correct use of cloth masks that are being used as a personal protection measure in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is described, since they can contribute to facial infections if proper hygiene is not observed (AU))