Areas of Interest and Social Consideration of Antidepressants on English Tweets: A Natural Language Processing Classification Study.

BACKGROUND: Antidepressants are the foundation of the treatment of major depressive disorders. Despite the scientific evidence, there is still a sustained debate and concern about the efficacy of antidepressants, with widely differing opinions among the population about their positive and negative effects, which may condition people's attitudes towards such treatments. Our aim is to investigate Twitter posts about antidepressants in order to have a better understanding of the social consideration of antidepressants. METHODS: We gathered public tweets mentioning antidepressants written in English, published throughout a 22-month period, between 1 January 2019 and 31 October 2020. We analysed the content of each tweet, determining in the first place whether they included medical aspects or not. Those with medical content were classified into four categories: general aspects, such as quality of life or mood, sleep-related conditions, appetite/weight issues and aspects around somatic alterations. In non-medical tweets, we distinguished three categories: commercial nature (including all economic activity, drug promotion, education or outreach), help request/offer, and drug trivialization. In addition, users were arranged into three categories according to their nature: patients and relatives, caregivers, and interactions between Twitter users. Finally, we identified the most mentioned antidepressants, including the number of retweets and likes, which allowed us to measure the impact among Twitter users. RESULTS: The activity in Twitter concerning antidepressants is mainly focused on the effects these drugs may have on certain health-related areas, specifically sleep (20.87%) and appetite/weight (8.95%). Patients and relatives are the type of user that most frequently posts tweets with medical content (65.2%, specifically 80% when referencing sleep and 78.6% in the case of appetite/weight), whereas they are responsible for only 2.9% of tweets with non-medical content. Among tweets classified as non-medical in this study, the most common subject was drug trivialization (66.86%). Caregivers barely have any presence in conversations in Twitter about antidepressants (3.5%). However, their tweets rose more interest among other users, with a ratio 11.93 times higher than those posted by patients and their friends and family. Mirtazapine is the most mentioned antidepressant in Twitter (45.43%), with a significant difference with the rest, agomelatine (11.11%). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that Twitter users that take antidepressants, or their friends and family, use social media to share medical information about antidepressants. However, other users that do not talk about antidepressants from a personal or close experience, frequently do so in a stigmatizing manner, by trivializing them. Our study also brings to light the scarce presence of caregivers in Twitter.

Prevalence and associated characteristics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Mexico 5 months after pandemic arrival.

BACKGROUND: Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is now available in several world regions to better estimate transmission dynamics. However, to date, there is no epidemiological data regarding anti-SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in Mexico. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and define the clinical and demographic characteristics associated with seroprevalence. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional serological survey in Ciudad Guadalupe, NL, Mexico. City government employees voluntarily participated during July 2020. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at the time of blood sampling to analyze the associated characteristics. IgM/IgG antibodies were determined using a qualitative chemiluminescent immunoassay. Descriptive statistics were used for categorical and continuous variables. Statistical significance was tested using the Chi-squared test, Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney. Logistic regression models and the odds ratios (adjusted and unadjusted) were used to estimate the association of demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 3,268 participants included, 193 (5.9%, 95% CI 5.1-6.8) tested positive for IgM/IgG against SARS-CoV-2. Sex, city of residence, and comorbidities did not show any association with having IgM/IgG antibodies. A total of 114 out of 193 (59.1%) subjects with a positive test were asymptomatic, and the odds of being positive were higher in those who reported symptoms of COVID-19 in the previous four weeks to the survey (OR 4.1, 95% CI 2.9-5.5). CONCLUSIONS: There is a low rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection among government employees that have continuously been working during the pandemic. Six in ten infections were asymptomatic, and seroprevalence is low and still far from herd immunity. Epidemiological surveillance and preventive measures should be mandatory.

Sesgo Cognitivo de Optimismo y Percepción de Bienestar en una Muestra de Universitarios Ecuatorianos / Cognitive Bias of Optimism and Perception of Wellbeing in a Sample of Ecuadorian University Students / Viés Cognitivo de Otimismo e Percepção de Bem-Estar em uma Amostra de Universitários Equatorianos

Resumen El propósito de esta investigación fue determinar la relación del sesgo cognitivo de optimismo en el bienestar subjetivo y psicológico en una muestra de universitarios del Ecuador. Para ello, se implementó un estudio descriptivo, correlacional y de corte transversal, a través de la aplicación de cuestionarios de satisfacción con la vida, afectos positivos y negativos, bienestar psicológico, orientación de vida y visión del futuro, en una muestra de 400 participantes (67% mujeres y 33% hombres), con edad media de 21,3 años, estudiantes de una universidad pública (66.5%) y una cofinanciada (37.5%) de la ciudad de Ambato, Ecuador. Según los resultados, el optimismo disposicional se correlaciona con la satisfacción con la vida (r=.378), los afectos positivos (r =.357) y los negativos (r =-.413), y el bienestar psicológico (r=.616), mientras que los sesgos de optimismo ilusorio (r=.221) e ilusión de invulnerabilidad (r=-.235) lo hacen únicamente con el bienestar psicológico. Como conclusión se adelanta que existe evidencia de racionalidad limitada a través de los sesgos que estimulan el bienestar.

Abstract The purpose of our research was to determine the relation between the cognitive bias of optimism and subjective and psychological wellbeing in a sample of Ecuadorian university students. To that effect, a cross-cutting, correlational, descriptive study was implemented. Questionnaires regarding life satisfaction, positive and negative affects, psychological wellbeing, life orientation, and vision for the future were applied in sample of 400 participants (67% women and 33% men), average age 21.3, studying in a public university (66.5%) and a co-financed university (37.5%) in the city of Ambato, Ecuador. According to the results, dispositional optimism is correlated with life satisfaction (r=.378), positive affects (r=.357) and negative affects (r=-.413), and psychological wellbeing (r=.616), while the illusory optimism (r=.221) and the illusion of invulnerability biases (r=-.235) are correlated only with psychological wellbeing. We conclude that there is evidence of bounded rationality as a result of biases that promote wellbeing.

Resumo Esta pesquisa tem o objetivo de determinar a relação do viés cognitivo de otimismo no bem-estar subjetivo e psicológico em uma amostra de universitários do Equador. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo descritivo, correlacional e de corte transversal, por meio da aplicação de questionários de satisfação com a vida, afetos positivos e negativos, bem-estar psicológico, orientação de vida e visão do futuro, em uma amostra de 400 participantes (67% mulheres e 33% homens), com idade média de 21,3 anos, estudantes de uma universidade pública (66.5%) e uma cofinanciada (37.5%) da cidade de Ambato, Equador. Segundo os resultados, o otimismo disposicional se correlaciona com a satisfação com a vida (r=.378), com os afetos positivos (r=.357) e os negativos (r=-.413), e com o bem-estar psicológico (r=.616), enquanto os vieses de otimismo ilusório (r=.221) e ilusão de invulnerabilidade (r=-.235) acontecem unicamente com o bem-estar psicológico. Como conclusão, existe evidência de racionalidade limitada por meio dos vieses que estimulam o bem-estar.

Chemical Profiling and Cholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Five Phaedranassa Herb. (Amaryllidaceae) Species from Ecuador.

It is estimated that 50 million people in the world live with dementia, 60-70% of whom suffer from Alzheimer's disease (AD). Different factors are involved in the development of AD, including a reduction in the cholinergic neurotransmission level. The Amaryllidaceae plant family contains an exclusive, large, and still understudied alkaloid group characterized by a singular skeleton arrangement and a broad spectrum of biological activities. The chemistry and biodiversity of Ecuadorian representatives of the Phaedranassa genus (Amaryllidaceae) have not been widely studied. In this work, five Ecuadorian Phaedranassa species were examined in vitro for their activity towards the enzymes acetyl- (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and the alkaloid profile of bulb extracts was analyzed by GC-MS. The species Phaedranassa cuencana and Phaedranassa dubia showed the most AChE and BuChE inhibitory activity, respectively. To obtain insight into the potential role of the identified alkaloids in these inhibitory effects, docking experiments were carried out, and cantabricine showed in silico inhibitory activity against both cholinesterase structures. Our results show that Amaryllidaceae species from Ecuador are a potential source of new drugs for the palliative treatment of AD.

Absorbed doses in salivary and thyroid glands from panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography

Abstract Introduction: Panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) are very important in the diagnosis of oral diseases, however patients are exposed to the risk of ionizing radiation. This paper describes our study aimed at comparing absorbed doses in the salivary glands and thyroid due to panoramic radiography and CBCT and estimating radiation induced cancer risk associated with those methods. Methods Absorbed doses of two CBCT equipment (i-CAT® Next Generation and SCANORA® 3D) and a digital panoramic device (ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH® OP200D) were measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters loaded in an anthropomorphic phantom on sublingual, submandibular, parotid and thyroid glands. Results Absorbed doses in the i-CAT® device ranged between 0.02 (+/-0.01) and 2.23 mGy (+/-0.03), in the SCANORA™ device ranged from 0.01 (+/-0.01) to 2.96 mGy (+/-0.29) and in the ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH® OP200D ranged between 0.04 mGy and 0.78 mGy. The radiation induced cancer risk was highlighted in the salivary glands, which received higher doses. The protocols that offer the highest risk of cancer are the high resolution protocols of CBCT equipment. Conclusion CBCT exposes patients to higher levels of radiation than panoramic radiography, so the risks and benefits of each method should be considered. The doses in CBCT were dependent on equipment and exposure parameters, therefore adequate selection minimizes the radiation dose.

Fibroma osificante periférico de establecimiento precoz: reporte de un caso / Early onset peripheral ossifying fibroma: Presentation of a case

RESUMEN: El fibroma osificante periférico (FOP) es una hipertrofia benigna de los tejidos. Se localiza en la región de la papila interdental, proveniente de células que derivan del ligamento periodontal. Generalmente mide menos de 1,5cm de diámetro, siendo muy raro en recién nacidos. El objetivo de la presentación de este caso clínico es describir un caso de FOP en un bebé de 6 meses de edad. La niña presentaba una lesión nodular localizada en la mucosa gingival, en el área de incisivos inferiores, de aproximadamente 1,5cm diámetro, de consistencia firme, lisa, y coloración igual a la de la mucosa subyacente. Un diente neonatal había sido removido a los 2 meses de nacida. El FOP es una lesión poco común y que raramente puede encontrarse en bebés menores de un año de edad; por este motivo es importante realizar el diagnóstico adecuado, para evitar cualquier complicación debido a su establecimiento precoz y rápido crecimiento.

ABSTRACT: The peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) is a rare, reactive and inflammatory gingival overgrowth, arising on the interdental papilla, from cells derived of the periodontal ligament. Usually its diameter is less than 1.5 cm. It's uncommon in newborns, frequently occurring in teenagers and young adult. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of FOP in a six months old baby. She had a nodular lesion, located on the gingival mucosa of the lower incisor area, of approximately 1.5 cm; it was firm, smooth, pedunculated, with an equal color of the underlying mucosa. A neonatal tooth had been removed four months back. Although FOP is a rare injury, it can be found in infants with less than one year of age, which is why it is important to make the right diagnosis, and an opportune treatment, to avoid further complications due to its early establishment and rapid growth.