Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic: knowledge and preventive actions among a mexican population sample / Lecciones de la pandemia de COVID-19: conocimiento y acciones preventivas de una muestra de población mexicana

Objective: to evaluate the knowledge of the general population about the COVID-19 pandemic, including the disease and the preventive measures to reduce spreading of the virus undertaken by participants. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional study on a Mexican population sample was conducted during the period of March 20th to March 27th in Mexico, via a computer-based survey. General knowledge about COVID-19 and the adherence to recommendations were evaluated. Results: a total of 2,577 participants completed the survey. The results revealed an overall proper knowledge about the disease, with 76.2% having the proper knowledge about the disease, which was significantly correlated with age (r=0.15, p<0.001), socioeconomic status (r=0.06, p<0.003) and maximum academic level achieved by the study subjects (r=0.12, p<0.001). Conclusions: overall, people have good knowledge of COVID-19 and know about the specific public health recommendations, but a large proportion of people do not strictly follow these recommendations..Au

Objetivo: evaluar el conocimiento de la población general acerca de la pandemia de COVID-19, incluyendo datos sobre la enfermedad y las medidas preventivas para reducir la propagación del virus. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal en una muestra de la población mexicana durante el periodo del 20 al 27 de marzo del 2020 por medio de una encuesta electrónica. Se evaluó el conocimiento general sobre COVID-19 y el apego a las recomendaciones de salud pública Resultados: 2,577 participantes completaron la encuesta. Los resultados muestran un adecuado conocimiento sobre la enfermedad en la población general (76.2% de la muestra), el cual está levemente correlacionado con la edad (r=0.15, p<0.001), estado socioeconómico (r=0.06, p<0.003) y grado académico (r=0.12, p<0.001). Conclusiones: en general, la población conoce la información acerca del COVID-19 y conoce las recomendaciones de salud pública, pero una gran proporción de la gente no sigue estrictamente estas recomendaciones..Au

The Role of Gram Staining in Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome.

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is a severe blistering disease common in children. The diagnosis of SSSS is often difficult to distinguish from other blistering diseases in children. Here, we report a case of SSSS with a particular diagnostic step to elucidate the disease, which is the Gram stain. We propose the use of the Gram stain as a cost-effective diagnostic step in SSSS to shorten the time from presentation to treatment, especially in resource-limited areas.

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death: Review and Analysis of Adherence to Recommendations.

Introduction Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) is a term that englobes the sudden and unexpected death of an infant less than 12 months, which can be explained by organic or traumatic causes, or that can't be explained such as cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Although many risk factors have been associated with this syndrome, one of the most widely associated and studied are incorrect sleeping techniques and practices. In 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their safe-sleeping guidelines and sleeping environment recommendations and strategies to prevent SIDS. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study to analyze the sleeping environments in infants that attended both the inpatient and outpatient services at a public pediatric hospital in Mexico City. A 6-item questionnaire was applied to the parent or guardian to assess the sleeping habits of infants in their homes. Results A total of 184 infants were included in the study, with a mean age of 5.87 months. Overall, the number of parents that follow safe sleeping practices was very low, with no parents following all the AAP recommendations, and over 10% not following any. Although there is uncertainty about the pathogenesis of this syndrome, the focus has shifted to prevention, especially regarding the modifiable risk factors. Conclusions It was demonstrated that our population did not know about the proper and safe sleeping techniques. In the nearby future, our goal is for health authorities in our country to implement a strategy to make the AAP recommendations part of government health campaigns.

Possible Mechanisms Involved in the Vasorelaxant Effect Produced by Anorexigenic Drugs in Rat Aortic Rings.

Anorexigenics are compounds capable of reducing or suppressing appetite. Their three main types act on different neurotransmitters, either norepinephrine, serotonin or a combination of both. Among the drugs that act on norepinephrine are fenproporex, amfepramone and clobenzorex. Derivatives of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine have also been associated with weight loss and used as a controversial treatment for obesity, despite their known cardiovascular side effects. Recent data suggest a possible vasodilating effect for these four substances that might be beneficial in a subset of patients. Herein we performed a systematic review of the literature (with emphasis on recent reports) to determine the implications and mechanisms of the vasodilating effects of some anorectics, specifically fenproporex, clobenzorex, amfepramone and triiodothyronine. Data analysis showed these four drugs to be vasodilating agents for rat aortic rings. The different mechanisms of action include endothelium-dependent vasodilation via activation of the NO-cGMP-PKG pathway and the opening of calcium-activated potassium channels. The finding of vasodilating activity indicates a potential role for some anorexigenic drugs in the treatment of obesity in hypertensive patients. Further in vivo studies are needed to test the clinical benefits of these four drugs.

Educación caligráfica durante la infancia y su efecto a largo plazo en la escritura en la vida adulta / Calligraphic education during childhood and its long-term effect on the adult handwriting

Antecedentes:La escritura es una parte esencial de la comunicación. Uno de los componentes más importantes es la prehensión fina, es decir el agarre de la pluma, de la cual existen cinco variantes. Reconociendo que la educación tiene un rol importante en la generación de buenos hábitos de escritura para un mejor producto: la legibilidad. Metodología:Se realizó un estudio transversal de correlación. Se usaron dos métodos de recolección de información: cuestionario electrónico y prueba caligráfica. Resultados:Se reclutaron 120 sujetos, con edades entre 18 y 30 años. No se encontró relación significativa entre la legibilidad del texto con la duración de la educación caligráfica, el sexo, la edad, la mano preferente, el promedio ni tipo de letra. Se encontró relación significativa entre la comparación de los agarres estandarizados con el agarre alterno respecto a su legibilidad (p=0.01). Discusión:El 77.5% de la muestra obtuvo un promedio alto en la prueba caligráfica; sin embargo, no se encontró relación estadísticamente significativa con la duración de la educación caligráfica en la infancia, la legibilidad según sexo y edad, mano preferente, instrumento, tipo de letra y promedio académico. La única asociación significativa (p=0.01) fue entre legibilidad en agarre estandarizado con el alterno. Conclusión:La legibilidad de la caligrafía es multifactorial, con peso principal en la educación caligráfica infantil. Sin embargo, se comprobó que la duración de esta educación no es significativa para la legibilidad. Igualmente, el uso de un agarre alterno a las cinco variantes se asocia con peores resultados en la prueba caligráfica.

Background:Handwriting is an essential part of human communication. Its successful development is decisive for its personal and academic future. One of the most important components is the grip of the pen, which there are 5 standard variants. Calligraphic education has a very important role in the generation of writing habits and a better legibility. Methods:In a cross-sectional study of correlation between variables, the aim was to correlate calligraphic education with many variables. The data was collected with an electronic questionnaire and a calligraphic test.Results:The sample consisted of 120 subjects between the ages of 18-30. No statistically significant correlation was found between legibility and years of calligraphic education, gender, age, dominant hand, GPA and preferred font. The only significant correlation was found between legibility and the use of one standard grips of the pen and an alternative (p=0.01). Discussion:77.5% of the subjects had a high average in the calligraphic test and no correlation was found between legibility and length of calligraphic education in childhood, gender, age, dominant hand, writing tool, font and GPA. However, a significant association between legibility and the use of the standard grips was found, in comparison with people that do not use one of those grips (p=0.01).Conclusions:Handwriting legibility is a multi-factor influenced skill, and calligraphic education during childhood is decisive to develop it properly. Nevertheless, the study showed no association between the length of the education and legibility, and a correlation was found between the use of an alternative pen grip and a worse result in the calligraphic test.