Sex differences in the global burden of multidrug- resistant tuberculosis without extensive drug resistance in the general population and people living with HIV/AIDS, 1990-2019.

OBJECTIVE: Currently, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) without extensive drug resistance (XDR) are significant challenges in terms of the global burden of disease. This study aimed to evaluate the trends of the global burden of MDR-TB without XDR and HIV/AIDS-MDR-TB without XDR, focusing on differences in socioeconomic status and sex for 204 countries and territories across periods from 1990 to 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study were obtained to construct a separate index measuring the burden of MDR-TB without XDR and HIV/AIDS-MDR-TB without XDR. Incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated for each case and group. A population-attributable fraction approach was used to assess mortality and incidence of HIV/AIDS and MDR-TB coinfection. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were presented for all measures. RESULTS: Our global estimates suggest that there were approximately 450,000 (95% UI 247,000-785,000) incident cases of MDR-TB without XDR and 109,000 (43,000-210,000) deaths caused by MDR-TB without XDR among individuals who were HIV-negative in 2019. For HIV-positive individuals, the corresponding figures were approximately 47,000 (33,000-67,000) incident cases of MDR-TB and 19,000 (8,000-36,000) deaths due to MDR-TB in the same year. In 2019, higher numbers of incident cases and deaths were observed in males compared to females among individuals who were HIV-negative. Conversely, for HIV-positive individuals, females had higher numbers of incident cases and deaths compared to males. Specifically, the estimated numbers for incident cases were 23,000 (15,000-33,000) for females and 24,000 (17,000-35,000) for males, while the estimated numbers for deaths were 9,600 (4,000-17,900) for females and 9,800 (4,100-18,500) for males. Male-to-female ratios have remained above 1.0 from 1990 to 2019 in both incident cases and number of deaths for HIV-negative individuals. However, for HIV and MDR-TB coinfection, both ratios were below 1.0 in most of the time series. CONCLUSIONS: Males had more cases and deaths due to MDR-TB without XDR than females in HIV-negative patients, while females faced a higher incidence and mortality in HIV/AIDS-MDR-TB without XDR. Interventions are needed to deal with such factors, which increase the burden of coinfection among females across the world.

Metabolic control level and glucose variability in adolescents with type 1 diabetes during low and high-intensity exercise.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study was to characterize the determinants of metabolic changes in young type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and to determine glycemic variability during low and high-intensity exercise. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 20 young male T1DM patients were divided into two subgroups characterized by levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c): HbA1c<7.3% (better HbA1c subgroup, n=10) and with levels HbA1c>7.3% (worse HbA1c subgroup, n=10). All participants performed a maximal oxygen uptake test and two efforts of various intensities (45 minutes of aerobic exercise and 30 minutes of mixed aerobic-anaerobic intensity exercise). Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) were used to control the glucose concentration. RESULTS: Changes in biomarkers describing the metabolic response were similar in both groups. A comparison of applied efforts exhibited that maximal capacity effort resulted in the highest values of blood glucose (BG) at the end (150.9-160.6 mg/dl) and 1 hour after the exercise (140.2-161.3 mg/dl). BG concentration before, during, 1 hour, and 24 hours after each exercise was insignificantly higher in the worse Hb1Ac group. CONCLUSIONS: HbA1c levels are insufficient to confirm whether the applied effort is performed in acceptable glycemic values. The CGM monitors allow for precise control of BG variations and accurate planning of physical activity by adjusting the insulin and carbohydrate consumption dose.

Chitosan Coatings Modified with Nanostructured ZnO for the Preservation of Strawberries.

Strawberries are highly consumed around the world; however, the post-harvest shelf life is a market challenge to mitigate. It is necessary to guarantee the taste, color, and nutritional value of the fruit for a prolonged period of time. In this work, a nanocoating based on chitosan and ZnO nanoparticles for the preservation of strawberries was developed and examined. The chitosan was obtained from residual shrimp skeletons using the chemical method, and the ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by the close-spaced sublimation method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersion analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the hybrid coating. The spaghetti-like ZnO nanoparticles presented the typical wurtzite structure, which was uniformly distributed into the chitosan matrix, as observed by the elemental mapping. Measurements of color, texture, pH, titratable acidity, humidity content, and microbiological tests were performed for the strawberries coated with the Chitosan/ZnO hybrid coating, which was uniformly impregnated on the strawberries' surface. After eight days of storage, the fruit maintained a fresh appearance. The microbial load was reduced because of the synergistic effect between chitosan and ZnO nanoparticles. Global results confirm that coated strawberries are suitable for human consumption.

Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Non-Communicable Diseases among Adults Aged ≥50 Years in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between consuming ≥2 servings of fruits and ≥3 servings of vegetables a day, which has been identified as optimal for health (i.e., adequate fruit/vegetable consumption), and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is largely unknown. Therefore, using data from six LMICs, we investigated the independent association between inadequate fruit/vegetable consumption and 12 NCDs, and estimated the prevalence of inadequate fruit/vegetable consumption among people with NCDs. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional, nationally representative data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) were analyzed. PARTICIPANTS: Data on 34129 individuals aged ≥50 years were analyzed [mean (SD) age 62.4 (16.0); maximum age 114 years; 52.1% females]. MEASUREMENTS: Information on the number of servings of fruits and vegetables consumed on a typical day was self-reported. Twelve NCDs were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Overall, 67.2% had inadequate fruit/vegetable consumption. Inadequate fruit/vegetable consumption was independently associated with significantly higher odds for chronic lung disease (OR=1.25), diabetes (OR=1.45), hearing problems (OR=1.75), and visual impairment (OR=2.50). The prevalence of inadequate fruit/vegetable consumption was particularly high among people with visual impairment (92.5%), depression (90.5%), asthma (79.8%), and hearing problems (78.4%). CONCLUSION: Promotion of fruit and vegetable consumption (≥2 servings of fruits and ≥3 servings of vegetables a day) in LMICs may lead to prevention of some NCDs (e.g., diabetes, chronic lung disease). Furthermore, people with certain NCDs (e.g., visual impairment, depression) had particularly high prevalence of inadequate fruit/vegetable consumption, and it is thus important to target this population to increase fruit/vegetable consumption.

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and cannabis use in 15,822 US adults: cross-sectional analyses from NHANES.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to analyse the overall and sex-specific associations between cannabis use and physical activity and sedentary behaviour. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analyses from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). METHODS: Data on cannabis use and leisure time physical activity and sedentary behaviour from NHANES cycles 2007-2008 to 2015-2016 were analysed. Multivariable regression models were carried out. RESULTS: About 15,822 participants were analysed (mean age ± standard error = 37.5 ± 0.19 years, range 20-59 years). Significantly higher odds were found for being active and ever used cannabis in the overall sample (odds ratio [OR] = 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-1.4) and in males (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.5) and females (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0-1.4), respectively. In respective of sedentary behaviour, ever used cannabis was associated with higher odds of TV viewing ≥2 h/day in the overall sample (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0-1.4). However, this association was observed in males only (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.6). Ever used cannabis was associated with total sitting time (beta-coefficient = 0.3, 95%CI: 0.1-0.4), which was more evident in females (beta-coefficient = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.1-0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis consumption was associated with higher levels of physical activity and sitting time. When intervening to reduce cannabis consumption in the US populations, it may be appropriate to promote physical activity and ensure physical activity is maintained once cannabis consumption is stopped.

Chronic skin disease and levels of physical activity in 17 777 Spanish adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To date there is limited literature on the prevalence of chronic skin conditions and its association with levels of physical activity (PA) in Spain. AIM: To determine the prevalence of chronic skin disease and to compare levels of PA between people with and without chronic skin disease in a large representative sample of Spanish adults aged 15-69 years. METHODS: Data from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017 were analysed. Chronic skin disease was assessed using a yes/no question. PA was measured using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Total PA metabolic equivalent of task min/week were calculated, and PA was included in the analyses as a continuous and a five-category variable. RESULTS: This cross-sectional study included 17 777 adult participants (52.0% women; mean ± SD age 45.8 ± 14.1 years), of whom 940 (5.3%) had chronic skin disease. After adjusting for several potential confounders, there was a negative association between chronic skin disease and PA (OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-1.00, P = 0.05), which was significant for men (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.62-0.93, P = 0.01) but not for women (OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.81-1.16, P = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: In this large representative sample of Spanish adults, the prevalence of chronic skin disease was low. Levels of PA were lower in men with than in men without chronic skin conditions, but this association was not seen in women.

Association between physical activity and sickness absenteeism in university workers.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary occupations have increased by more than 10% in Western countries over the last two decades, and the yearly global cost of physical inactivity has been estimated to be $53.8 billion. As workers tend to move less in the workplace, they are more likely to develop a sedentarism-related chronic condition and to be absent from work due to illness, although research evidence on the issue remains unclear. AIMS: To investigate associations between physical activity (PA) and sickness absenteeism in the workplace among Spanish university workers. METHODS: We conducted cross-sectional research with data from 1025 workers aged 18-65 years (43% women) from a Spanish university. Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short versions were used to evaluate levels of PA. Workplace absenteeism was self-reported by participants. Written questionnaires distributed during medical checks included PAVS, IPAQ and the question about absenteeism among other information. The association between PA and sickness absenteeism was examined using adjusted multiple linear regression. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, sex, job function, chronic conditions, sedentarism and smoking, each weekly hour of PA reduced sickness absence by -1.20 (95% confidence interval: -2.40-0.00) days per year. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of PA promotion strategies aimed at university employees may lead to a reduction of days off work due to illness.

Study of the Thermal Annealing on Structural and Morphological Properties of High-Porosity A-WO3 Films Synthesized by HFCVD.

High-porosity nanostructured amorphous tungsten OXIDE (a-WO3) films were synthesized by a Hot Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition technique (HFCVD) and then transformed into a crystalline WO3 by simple thermal annealing. The a-WO3 films were annealed at 100, 300, and 500 °C for 10 min in an air environment. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), micro-Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and UV-vis spectroscopy. Results revealed that the a-WO3 films were highly porous, composed of cauliflower-like structures made of nanoparticles with average sizes of 12 nm. It was shown that the effect of annealing on the morphology of the a-WO3 films leads to a sintering process. However, the morphology is conserved. It was found that at annealing temperatures of 100 °C, the a-WO3 films are of an amorphous nature, while at 300 °C, the films crystallize in the monoclinic phase of WO3. The calculated bandgap for the a-WO3 was 3.09 eV, and 2.53 eV for the film annealed at 500 °C. Finally, the results show that porous WO3 films preserve the morphology and maintain the porosity, even after the annealing at 500 °C.

Syndemic effects of HIV risk behaviours: results from the NHANES study.

The aim of the present study is to use the syndemic framework to investigate the risk of contracting HIV in the US population. Cross-sectional analyses are from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We extracted and aggregated data on HIV antibody test, socio-demographic characteristics, alcohol use, drug use, depression, sexual behaviours and sexually transmitted diseases from cycle 2009-2010 to 2015-2016. We carried out weighted regression among young adults (20-39 years) and adults (40-59 years) separately. In total, 5230 men and 5794 women aged 20-59 years were included in the present analyses. In total, 0.8% men and 0.2% women were tested HIV-positive. Each increasing HIV risk behaviour was associated with elevated odds of being tested HIV-positive (1.15, 95% CI 1.15-1.15) among young adults and adults (1.61, 95% CI 1.61-1.61). Multi-faceted, community-based interventions are urgently required to reduce the incidence of HIV in the USA.

Neospora caninum in free-range chickens of Central Mexico.

The objective of this study was to identify the presence of Neospora caninum by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in brain, myocardium and liver (150 organs) obtained from 50 free-range chickens (Gallus domesticus) that coexisted with bovines and dogs in Central Mexico. N. caninum DNA was detected in two brains out of 150 organs (1.3%) from two out of 50 birds (4%). Results from the present study suggest that free-range chickens (Gallus domesticus) of Central Mexico are infected of N. caninum. Further, although these parasites were detected in only a small percentage of birds (4%), they may represent a potential risk factor for dogs that feed on them and eventually excrete oocysts, thereby contaminating the water and food of other intermediate hosts. This finding is of particular importance for cases of horizontal transmission in cattle.

Saturable and two-photon absorption in zinc nanoparticles photodeposited onto the core of an optical fiber.

In this work, the simultaneous presence of saturable (SA) and two-photon absorption (TPA) in zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) photodeposited onto the core of an optical fiber was studied in the nanosecond regime with the P-scan method using a high gain pulsed erbium-doped fiber amplifier. An analysis based on Mie theory was carried out to demonstrate the influence of the absorption coefficient with the particles sizes in the proximity of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The shift from TPA to SA has been observed as the irradiance is increased. It was found that for irradiances lower than 5 MW/cm², TPA is dominant, whereas for irradiances higher than 5 MW/cm², the SA becomes dominant. Furthermore, the values of the nonlinear absorption coefficient and the imaginary part of third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility were calculated numerically from the transmittance measured. Such TPA makes ZnNPs a candidate for optical limiting applications, and SA makes them a candidate for applications in pulsed fiber laser systems.

Selective photodeposition of zinc nanoparticles on the core of a single-mode optical fiber.

An experimental and theoretical study about selective photodeposition of metallic zinc nanoparticles onto an optical fiber end is presented. It is well known that metallic nanoparticles possess a high absorption coefficient and therefore trapping and manipulation is more challenging than dielectric particles. Here, we demonstrate a novel trapping mechanism that involves laser-induced convection flow (due to heat transfer from the zinc particles) that partially compensates both absorption and scattering forces in the vicinity of the fiber end. The gradient force is too small and plays no role on the deposition process. The interplay of these forces produces selective deposition of particles whose size is directly controlled by the laser power. In addition, a novel trapping mechanism termed convective-optical trapping is demonstrated.

Comparison between immunohistochemistry and two PCR methods for detection of Neospora caninum in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded brain tissue of bovine fetuses.

The objective of this study was to identify the presence of the parasite by comparing immunohistochemistry (IHC) with two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for the detection of the pNc5 gene and the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of N. caninum in brain tissue of bovine fetuses that had previously been fixed in formalin and paraffin-embedded. In 29 out of 48 brains (60.4%), microscopic lesions consistent with Neospora infection were observed, and 21 of the 29 cases (72.41%) were positive for IHC. Fifteen of the 29 cases positive for IHC (51.72%) were also positive on the ITS1 PCR, and 12 cases were also positive on the pNc5 PCR (41.37%). The sensitivity of the PCR assays was 71.42% and 57.14%, respectively, and the specificity was 100% for both. The concordance between histopathology and IHC and the ITS1 PCR was 85%, and in the case of the pNc5 PCR it was 77.5%. When the number of fetuses positive by IHC and both PCR tests was compared, no statistically significant difference was found (P>0.05). It is concluded that the use of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded bovine fetal tissues allows the detection of N. caninum by IHC or PCR. Nevertheless, it is recommended that more than one technique is used to increase the diagnostic sensitivity, and preferably tests that show better performance in the individual laboratory should be selected.

Adenomatosis erosiva del pezón / Erosive adenomatosis of the nipple

Comunicamos un caso de adenomatosis erosiva del pezón con correlación clínico-patológica, patología infrecuente y que debemos conocer para evitar cirugías agresivas innecesarias, dado que se presta al diagnóstico diferencial con la enfermedad de Paget y el carcinoma de mama intraductal.

A case of erosive adenomatosis of the nipple is reported with a clinicopathologic correlation, an unusual disease that we, as dermatologists, should know since the differential diagnosis with the Paget's disease and the intraductal breast carcinoma can lead to unnecessary surgery.

Enfermedad de Crohn con compromiso cutáneo mucoso / Crohn disease with cutaneous mucosal involvement

Comunicamos dos casos de enfermedad de Crohn con compromiso cutáneo-mucoso; el primer paciente con lesiones del denominado "Crohn metastásico" en las piernas y el segundo con importante compromiso en áreas perineo-genital, osteomal y de mucosa bucal, que luego de la remisión de las mismas sufrió una vasculitis leucocitoclásica en miembros inferiores. Los granulomas característicos de la enfermedad de Crohn se hallaron en la pared intestinal y la piel de ambos pacientes.

Two cases of Crohn disease are reported, both with cutaneous-mucosal involvement. The first patient showed lesions of the so called "Metastatic Crohn disease" in the legs, whereas the second one presented severe compromise in the perinealgenital, osteomal and oral mucosae. After the remission of the above mentioned, the patient suffered from leucocytoclastic vasculitis in the lower limbs. In both cases, the typical granulomatous lesions of the Crohn disease were found both in the skin and intestinal wall.

Foliculitis pustulosa eosinofílica: Enfermedad de Ofuji / Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis: Ofuji's disease

Presentamos un caso de la denominada foliculitis pustulosa eosinofílica o enfermedad de Ofuji, sin eosinofilia periférica ni inmunosupresión asociada. El cuadro respondió inicialmente bien a la dapsona, pero debido a un aumento de enzimas hepáticas y bilirrubina se rotó a terapia tópica con clobetasol y pimecrolimus, con buena respuesta. Efectuamos una revisión del cuadro enfatizando que el mismo constituye una inflamación del epitelio infundibular y no folicular constituyendo un patrón de respuesta a múltiples causas, algunas o la mayoría no bien conocidas.

A case of the so called eosinophilic pustular folliculitis or Ofuji´s disease, without blood eosinophilia nor immunosuppression is reported. The patient responded at first well to Dapsone, but an increase of the hepatic enzymes and bilirubin was detected and only topical therapy with clobetazol and pimecrolimus was carried out with a good response. A revision of the disease with emphasis in the concept of infundibulitis rather than folliculitis was made. The eosinophilic pustular folliculitis is a pattern of response to multifactorial, mostly unknown, causes and not a single disease.