DiscoverPath: A Knowledge Refinement and Retrieval System for Interdisciplinarity on Biomedical Research.

The exponential growth in scholarly publications necessitates advanced tools for efficient article retrieval, especially in interdisciplinary fields where diverse terminologies are used to describe similar research. Traditional keyword-based search engines often fall short in assisting users who may not be familiar with specific terminologies. To address this, we present a knowledge graph based paper search engine for biomedical research to enhance the user experience in discovering relevant queries and articles. The system, dubbed DiscoverPath, employs Named Entity Recognition (NER) and part-of-speech (POS) tagging to extract terminologies and relationships from article abstracts to create a KG. To reduce information overload, DiscoverPath presents users with a focused subgraph containing the queried entity and its neighboring nodes and incorporates a query recommendation system enabling users to iteratively refine their queries. The system is equipped with an accessible Graphical User Interface that provides an intuitive visualization of the KG, query recommendations, and detailed article information, enabling efficient article retrieval, thus fostering interdisciplinary knowledge exploration. DiscoverPath is open-sourced at https://github.com/ynchuang/DiscoverPath with a demo video at Youtube.

Obesity enriches for tumor protective microbial metabolites and treatment refractory cells to confer therapy resistance in PDAC.

Obesity causes chronic inflammation and changes in gut microbiome. However, how this contributes to poor survival and therapy resistance in patients with pancreatic cancer remain undetermined. Our current study shows that high fat diet-fed obese pancreatic tumor bearing mice do not respond to standard of care therapy with gemcitabine and paclitaxel when compared to corresponding control diet-fed mice. C57BL6 mice were put on control and high fat diet for 1 month following with pancreatic tumors were implanted in both groups. Microbiome of lean (control) and obese (high fat diet fed) mice was analyzed. Fecal matter transplant from control mice to obese mice sensitized tumors to chemotherapy and demonstrated extensive cell death. Analysis of gut microbiome showed an enrichment of queuosine (Q) producing bacteria in obese mice and an enrichment of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) producing bacteria in control diet-fed mice. Further, supplementation of obese animals with SAM sensitized pancreatic tumors to chemotherapy. Treatment of pancreatic cancer cells with Q increased PRDX1 involved in oxidative stress protection. In parallel, tumors in obese mice showed increase in CD133+ treatment refractory tumor populations compared to control animals. These observations indicated that microbial metabolite Q accumulation in high fat diet-fed mice protected tumors from chemotherapy induced oxidative stress by upregulating PRDX1. This protection could be reversed by treatment with SAM. We conclude that relative concentration of SAM and queuosine in fecal samples of pancreatic cancer patients can be developed as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in chemotherapy refractory pancreatic cancer.

No molecular evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in companion animals from Veracruz, Mexico.

Active epidemiological surveillance of infectious agents represents a fundamental tool for understanding the transmission dynamics of pathogens and establishing public policies that can reduce or limit their expansion. Epidemiological surveillance of emerging agents, such as the recently recognized severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of COVID-19, is essential to establish the risk of transmission between species. Recent studies reveal that companion animals are organisms susceptible to being infected by this pathogen due to the close contact they have with their owners. For this reason, the aim of the present work was to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs and cats in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, where there is active transmission of this microorganism in human populations. Oral and nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from dogs and cats with a history of exposure to patients with COVID-19. Total RNA was extracted and detection of viral genes N1 and N2 was performed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). All 130 samples of companion animals tested by RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 were negative at the time they were collected. This study represents the second active surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in populations of domestic dogs and cats in Latin America and the first approach in Mexico. Given that coronaviruses have shown a high capacity to be transmitted between species, it is imperative to establish measures to prevent this agent from entering and establishing in populations of companion animals.

Traumatismo de genitales externos masculinos por proyectil de arma de fuego. Reporte de casos / External male genital trauma caused by firearm projectile. Case report

RESUMEN Los traumatismos de genitales externos son lesiones producidos por agentes mecánicos externos y se observa en el 68,1% de todos los casos de traumas genitourinarios. Los traumas producidos por un mecanismo penetrante por proyectil de arma de fuego están incrementando en sucesos delictivos que ocurren en centros urbanos; estas lesiones comprometen el escroto en 78% y el pene en 28%. El manejo consiste en la exploración escrotal y del pene con reparación de la túnica albugínea, incluso orquiectomía si el testículo no es recuperable. La cirugía se realiza para evitar complicaciones como la disfunción sexual y miccional. Presentamos dos casos con el objetivo de dar a conocer el manejo actual de las lesiones genitales en nuestro centro, ante la ausencia de reportes o estudios previos en nuestro medio relacionados al traumatismo de genitales externos por proyectil de arma de fuego.

SUMMARY External genital trauma is caused by external mechanical agents and account for 68.1% of all genitourinary trauma. Firearm projectile trauma are increasing as a result of escalating delinquency in urban settings, these traumas involve the scrotum and penis in 78% and 28%, respectively. Management of these traumas require evaluation of the scrotum and penis; orchiectomy is needed if the testes are not recuperable. Surgical procedures are aimed at avoiding complications such as sexual and urinary dysfunction. We present two cases aimed at reporting the management of external genital trauma at our centre in absence of local reports of firearm projectile trauma.

Carcinoma renal con cuadro clínico de infección urinaria recurrente en paciente joven / Renal carcinoma with recurrent urinary infection in a young patient

El cáncer renal es una neoplasia con una tasa de incidencia de 4,4% por 100 000 habitantes a nivel mundial; el carcinoma de células renales representa el 90% de los tumores renales malignos. Las infecciones urinarias recurrentes tienen una prevalencia del 19% y constituyen infecciones de al menos dos episodios en seis meses, o al menos tres episodios en un año. Presentamos el caso de una paciente mujer de 25 años que presentó cuadros de infecciones urinarias recurrentes y que en un estudio tomográfico se evidenció una tumoración renal izquierda. Se le realizó nefrectomía radical cuya pieza operatoria confirmó diagnóstico patológico de carcinoma renal de células clara. En pacientes jóvenes el carcinoma renal es una tumoración aún más rara, que representa 8,7% del total de pacientes diagnosticados de cáncer renal. Se debe promover en la consulta médica la sospecha clínica a mujeres jóvenes con infecciones urinarias recurrentes solicitando exámenes de imagen, con la finalidad de garantizar un temprano diagnóstico y tratamiento adecuado si se tratara de un tumor renal.

Renal cancer is a neoplasm with an incidence rate of 4,4% per 100 000 inhabitants worldwide; renal cell carcinoma accounts for 90% of malignant renal tumors. Recurrent urinary infections have a prevalence of 19% and constitute infections of at least two episodes in six months, or at least three episodes in a year. We present the case of a 25-year-old female patient who presented with recurrent urinary tract infections and who had a left renal tumor in a tomographic study. A radical nephrectomy was performed, whose surgical specimen confirmed pathological diagnosis of clear cell renal carcinoma. In young patients, renal carcinoma is an even more rare tumor, representing 8,7% of all patients diagnosed with renal cancer. Clinical suspicion of young women with infections should be promoted in the clinic recurrent urinary traumas requesting imaging tests, in order to guarantee an early diagnosis and adequate treatment if it were a renal tumor.

Pediatric cardiac surgery: a challenge and outcome analysis of the Guatemala effort.

A large underserved population of children with congenital cardiac malformation (CCM) exists in many developing countries. In recent years, several strategies have been implemented to supplement this need. These strategies include transferring children to first-world countries for surgical care or the creation of local pediatric cardiovascular surgical programs. In 1997, an effort was made to create a comprehensive pediatric cardiac care program in Guatemala. The objective of this study is to examine the outcome analysis of the Guatemala effort. The goals of our new and first pediatric cardiac care program were to: 1) provide diagnosis and treatment to all children with a CCM in Guatemala; 2) train of local staff surgeons, 3) established a foundation locally and in the United States in 1997 to serve as a fundraising instrument to acquire equipment and remodeling of the pediatric cardiac unit and also to raise funds to pay the hospital for the almost exclusively poor pediatric cardiac patients. The staff now includes 3 surgeons from Guatemala, trained by the senior surgeon (A.R.C.), seven pediatric cardiologists, 3 intensivists, and 2 anesthesiologists, as well as intensive care and ward nurses, respiratory therapists, echocardiography technicians, and support personnel. The cardiovascular program expanded in 2005 to 2 cardiac operating rooms, 1 cardiac catheterization laboratory, 1 cardiac echo lab, 4 outpatients clinics a 6-bed intensive care unit and a 4-bed stepdown unit, a 20 bed general ward (2 beds/room) and a genetics laboratory. Our center has become a referral center for children from Central America. A total of 2,630 surgical procedures were performed between February 1997 and December 2007, increasing the number of operations each year. Postoperative complication occurred in 523 of 2,630 procedures (20%). A late follow-up study was conducted of all the patients operated from 1997 to 2005. Late mortality was 2.7%. Development of a sustainable pediatric cardiac program in emerging countries presents many difficult challenges. Hard work, perseverance, adaptability, and tolerance are useful aptitudes to develop a viable PCP in an "emerging" country. We are not in favor of Medical-Surgical Safari efforts, unless these efforts include training of a local team and eventual unit independence. It helps if an experienced (+/- senior/retired!) surgeon leads this effort on a full-time, pro bono basis. Local and international fund raising is essential to complement vastly insufficient government subsidies.

Bioreactor coupled with electromagnetic field generator: effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The effect of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields on ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae using sugar cane molasses was studied during batch fermentation. The cellular suspension from the fermentor was externally recycled through a stainless steel tube inserted in two magnetic field generators, and consequently, the ethanol production was intensified. Two magnetic field generators were coupled to the bioreactor, which were operated conveniently in simple or combined ways. Therefore, the recycle velocity and intensity of the magnetic field varied in a range of 0.6-1.4 m s(-1) and 5-20 mT, respectively. However, under the best conditions with the magnetic field treatment (0.9-1.2 m s(-1) and 20 mT plus solenoid), the overall volumetric ethanol productivity was approximately 17% higher than in the control experiment. These results made it possible to verify the effectiveness of the dynamic magnetic treatment since the fermentations with magnetic treatment reached their final stage in less time, i.e., approximately 2 h earlier, when compared with the control experiment.

Efectos de la corriente eléctrica directa en el tumor murino subcutáneo de Ehrlich. I: Estudios de necrosis y volumen del tumor en estadíos avanzados / Direct eletric current effects on the Ehrlich subcutaneous murine tumor. I: Necrosis and volume of tumor studies in advanced stages

La electroterapia con corriente eléctrica direta se aplicó a un modelo de tumor murino subcutáneo (tumor de Ehrlich). La corriente fue suministrada a través de electrodos de Pt, donde el cátodo fue introducido directamente en los tumores y el ánodo subcutáneamente en la vencidad de éstos. Después de la electroterapia de un solo estímulo se observó que la disminución del volumen y el porcentaje de necrosis de los tumores fueron significativos y dependientes de la intensidad de corriente directa (1,8 y 4 mA). En la electroterapia repetitiva con 1,8 y 4 mA en diferentes días y zonas del tumor, también se observó disminución del volumen del tumor. Los grupos controles en ambos casos fueron sometidos a las mismas condiciones, pero no se les suministró corriente eléctrica. Estos resultados indican que la electroterapia en estadíos avanzados también puede ser una terapia antitumoral efectiva y que sus efectos son mejores a mayores intensidades de corriente. Se concluyó que la electroterapia para estos estadíos debe aplicarse mediante el empleo de un arreglo de electrodos dispuesto simétricamente en todo el tumor o en secciones de éste por separado, con el objetivo de disminuir los altos voltajes que se aplican entre los electrodos.

Sinovitis aguda de la cadera: estudio de los pacientes atendidos durante el semestre de enero a julio de 1981 / Acute synovitis of the hip: study of patients assisted from January to July 1981

Se realizó un estudio de 70 pacientes que padecían de sinovitis aguda de la cadera, diagnosticada en el cuerpo de guardia y consultas de Ortopedia del Hospital Pediátrico Docente Provincial "Eliseo (Noel) Caamaño", de Matanzas, durante el primer semestre de 1981. Se encontró que la incidencia mayor es en la edad comprendida de 1 a 3 años, disminuyendo directamente de forma proporcional al aumentar la edad; el sexo más afectado fue el masculino y sus síntomas fueron claudicación, dolor y limitación funcional, con mayor frecuencia unilateral. La evolución es satisfactoria con reposo solamente

Sinovitis aguda de la cadera. estudio de los pacientes atendidos durante el semestre de enero a julio de 1981 / Acute synovitis of the hip: study of patients assisted from January to July 1981

Se realizó un estudio de 70 pacientes que padecían de sinovitis aguda de la cadera, diagnosticada en el cuerpo de guardia y consultas de Ortopedia del Hospital Pediátrico Docente Provincial "Eliseo (Noel) Caamaño", de Matanzas, durante el primer semestre de 1981. Se encontró que la incidencia mayor es en la edad comprendida de 1 a 3 años, disminuyendo directamente de forma proporcional al aumentar la edad; el sexo más afectado fue el masculino y sus síntomas fueron claudicación, dolor y limitación funcional, con mayor frecuencia unilateral. La evolución es satisfactoria con reposo solamente (AU)