Accidente vascular encefálico isquémico como manifestación de mixoma auricular. Presentación de un caso

La enfermedad cerebrovascular constituye una de las principales causas de muerte a nivel mundial. Múltiples factores desencadenan los accidentes vasculares encefálicos isquémicos, entre ellas los tumores cardiacos, como el mixoma auricular. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 32 años, que al examen físico mostró afasia motora, hemiplejia fascio-braquio-crural derecha y discreta paresia de la mirada vertical con nistagmos. Se realizaron estudios de imagen (tomografía de cráneo, ecocardiograma transtorácico y angiotomografía de vasos de cuello) sugerentes de embolización sistémica en el territorio de la carótida izquierda, secundarios a la fragmentación de un tumor cardiaco. Se decide derivar a la paciente a cirugía cardiovascular para endarectomía carotídea con exéresis del tumor cardiaco, el cual evolucionó satisfactoriamente. Persistió el daño neurológico debido al tiempo transcurrido entre el diagnóstico y el tratamiento. Teniendo en cuenta la baja frecuencia del mixoma cardiaco y la posibilidad de asociarse con ictus isquémico se decide presentar este caso.

Cerebrovascular disease is one of the main causes of death worldwide. Multiple factors trigger ischemic strokes, including cardiac tumors such as atrial myxoma. A 32-years-old female patient, who on physical examination showed motor aphasia, right fascio-brachio-crural hemiplegia and discrete vertical gaze paresis with nystagmus is presented. Imaging studies were performed (skull tomography, transthoracic echocardiogram and angiotomography of neck vessels) suggestive of systemic embolization in the left carotid territory, secondary to the fragmentation of a cardiac tumor. It was decided to refer the patient to cardiovascular surgery for carotid endarectomy with excision of the cardiac tumor, which progressed satisfactorily. Neurological damage persisted due to the time elapsed between diagnosis and treatment. Taking into account the low frequency of cardiac myxoma and the possibility of being associated with ischemic stroke, it was decided to present this case.

Neoplasia endocrina múltiple tipo 1 en paciente con diagnóstico de nesidioblastosis. Presentación de un caso

Las neoplasias endocrinas múltiples engloban una serie de síndromes caracterizados por su origen genético y la afectación de una o más glándulas. Se describe el caso de un paciente masculino, de 23 años, con antecedentes de salud de nesidioblastosis diagnosticado a los 16 años de edad, quien acudió al Hospital General Docente Ambato por presentar convulsiones tónico clónicas, e hipoglucemia severa con posterior estatus epiléptico. Los estudios de laboratorio mostraron hiperparatiroidismo primario, y los de imagen identificaron lesiones sugerentes de adenoma paratiroideo e insulinoma de cabeza de páncreas. Después de analizar el caso, se identificaron dos criterios para plantear una neoplasia endocrina múltiple tipo 1: presencia de insulinoma e hiperparatiroidismo primario. Además de tratamiento con bifosfonato, se planificó interconsulta con el servicio de Genética, para estudio del paciente y familiares; y con Cirugía General, para programación de resolución quirúrgica. Debido a la poca frecuencia de esta enfermedad, resulta de interés describir el caso, con el objetivo de exponer las principales manifestaciones clínicas y conducta a seguir. Constituye una prioridad el diagnóstico de su causa en cada paciente.

Multiple endocrine neoplasias encompass a series of syndromes characterized by their genetic origin and the involvement of one or more glands. A 23-years-old male patient with a health history of nesidioblastosis diagnosed at 16 years of age, who attended the Ambato General Teaching Hospital with tonic-clonic seizures and severe hypoglycemia with subsequent epileptic status, is described. Laboratory studies showed primary hyperparathyroidism, and imaging identified lesions suggestive of parathyroid adenoma and insulinoma of the head of the pancreas. After analyzing the case, two criteria were identified to suggest multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: presence of insulinoma and primary hyperparathyroidism. In addition to treatment with bisphosphonate, consultation with the Genetics service was planned for study of the patient and family members; and with General Surgery, for scheduling surgical resolution. Due to the infrequency of this disease, it is of interest to describe the case, with the aim of exposing the main clinical manifestations and conduct to follow. Diagnosing its cause in each patient is a priority.

Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in Mexican Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

INTRODUCTION: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis, and even more so if they receive biological agents. In Mexico, the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in RA diagnosed by interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) is largely unknown. The objective was to determine LTBI prevalence and the associated risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed comprising 82 patients with RA who attended the rheumatology service at a second-level hospital. Demographic characteristics, comorbidity, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination and smoking history, type of treatment, disease activity and functional capacity were investigated. The Disease Activity Score 28 and the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index were applied for the estimate of RA activity and functional capacity. Further information was compiled from the electronic medical records and personal interviews. LTBI was determined by QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus (QIAGEN, Germantown, USA). RESULTS: Prevalence of LTBI was 14% (95% confidence interval (CI): 8.6% to 23.9%). Factors associated with LTBI were history of smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 6.63 95% CI 1.01 to 43.3) and disability score (OR = 7.19 95%CI 1.41 to 36.6). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LTBI in Mexican patients with RA was 14%. Our results suggest prevention of smoking and functional incapacity could reduce the risk of LTBI. Further research could endorse our results.

Diseño y validez de contenido del cuestionario continuidad del cuidado entre niveles asistenciales / Design and content validity of the Continuity of Care Across Levels of Care Questionnaire

Introducción: La falta de continuidad del cuidado puede ocasionar omisiones o duplicaciones en las acciones dirigidas al cuidado de usuarios con Enfermedades Crónicas No Transmisibles (ECNT), generando un posible deterioro de su salud. Particularmente, en México y Colombia no existe un instrumento que evalúe la continuidad del cuidado que incluya sus tres elementos esenciales. Objetivos: Diseñar un instrumento que evalúe la continuidad del cuidado entre niveles asistenciales en usuarios con ECNT en México y Colombia; y validar el contenido del cuestionario por medio de un juicio de expertos en versiones adaptadas al contexto mexicano y colombiano. Materiales y Métodos: Se diseñó el cuestionario Continuidad del Cuidado entre Niveles Asistenciales. Se realizó el proceso de validación de contenido por expertos usando el método Delphi. Se seleccionaron 16 jueces expertos (8 por país). Los ítems del cuestionario fueron evaluados bajo cuatro categorías: suficiencia, claridad, coherencia y relevancia. Se realizaron dos rondas de evaluación para determinar el grado de concordancia entre jueces. Resultados: El cuestionario obtuvo un Coeficiente de Validez de Contenido General "Excelente" para ambos países (0,97). La versión final quedó conformada por 85 ítems divididos en tres secciones. Discusión: Este instrumento, a diferencia de otros, evalúa desde la experiencia de los usuarios con ECNT la continuidad del cuidado de forma multidisciplinaria en los tres niveles de atención. Conclusión: El cuestionario alcanzó una validez de contenido esperada usando el método Delphi, para evaluar la continuidad del cuidado entre niveles asistenciales en usuarios con ECNT según el contexto mexicano y colombiano.

Introduction: In the absence of continuity of care, actions aimed at the care of users with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) may be omitted or duplicated, which can potentially worsen users' health. In Mexico and Colombia, in particular, there is no instrument for assessing continuity of care that includes its three essential elements. Objective: To develop an instrument to assess care continuity across levels of care for users with NCDs in Mexico and Colombia and validate the content of the questionnaire through expert judgment of versions adapted to the Mexican and Colombian contexts. Materials and Methods: The Continuity of Care across Levels of Care Questionnaire was designed. The content validation process was carried out by experts using the Delphi technique. Sixteen experts were selected (8 per country). Questionnaire items were assessed in four categories: sufficiency, clarity, coherence, and relevance. Two assessment rounds were conducted to determine the level of experts' agreement. Results: The questionnaire obtained an 'Excellent' overall Content Validity Coefficient in both countries (0.97). Discussion: This instrument, unlike others, assesses the continuity of care in a multidisciplinary manner across the three levels of care from the experience of users with NCDs. Conclusion: The questionnaire achieved the expected content validity using the Delphi technique to assess care continuity across levels of care for users with NCDs, according to the Mexican and Colombian contexts.

Introdução: A falta de continuidade do cuidado pode ocasionar omissões ou duplicidades nas ações voltadas para o atendimento aos usuários com Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis (DCNT), gerando um possível agravamento de sua saúde. Particularmente, no México e na Colômbia não existe um instrumento que avalie a continuidade do cuidado que inclua seus três elementos essenciais. Objetivo: Desenhar um instrumento que avalie a continuidade do cuidado entre os níveis de atenção em usuários com DCNT no México e na Colômbia; e validar o conteúdo do questionário por meio de julgamento de especialistas em versões adaptadas ao contexto mexicano e colombiano. Materiais e Métodos: Foi elaborado o questionário de Continuidade de Cuidados entre os Níveis de Cuidados. O processo de validação de conteúdo foi realizado por especialistas por meio do método Delphi. Foram selecionados 16 juízes especialistas (8 por país). Os itens do questionário foram avaliados em quatro categorias: suficiência, clareza, coerência e relevância. Duas rodadas de avaliação foram realizadas para determinar o grau de concordância entre os juízes. Resultados: O questionário obteve um Coeficiente de Validade de Conteúdo Geral "Excelente" para ambos os países (0,97). A versão final foi composta por 85 itens divididos em três seções. Discussão: Este instrumento, diferente de outros, avalia a partir da experiência dos usuários com DCNT a continuidade do cuidado de forma multidisciplinar nos três níveis de atenção. Conclusão: O questionário atingiu a validade de conteúdo esperada usando o método Delphi, para avaliar a continuidade do cuidado entre níveis de atenção em usuários com DCNT de acordo com o contexto mexicano e colombiano.

High sensitivity and specificity rates of cobas® HPV test as a primary screening test for cervical intraepithelial lesions in a real-world setting.

Cervical carcinoma (CC) is the fourth most common malignancy among women. Screening with Papanicolau smear is linked to a reduction in CC incidence rates when screening programs have been developed. However, this technique has several limitations, including moderate sensitivity rates for detection of cervical preneoplastic HPV-related lesions. In this real-world study, we proposed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity rates of cobas® test, which amplifies target DNA fragments by polymerase chain reaction and hybridization of nucleic acids for the detection of 14 HR-HPV types in a single analysis) used as primary screening test for CC and preneoplastic lesions in women aged 25-65 years in a large University Hospital in Buenos Aires. A total of 1044 patients were included in the sample (median age: 46 years); sensitivity and specificity rates for the HR-HPV test used as primary screening test were 98.66% (95% confidence interval [95CI]: 97.67-99.3%) and 87.15% (95CI: 84.93-89.15%), respectively. The positive predictive value was 88.47% (95CI: 86.54%-90.42%) and the negative predictive value was 98.48% (95CI: 97.75%-99.23%). The cobas® HR-HPV testing was highly sensitive and specific for the detection of CC and preneoplastic lesions in real practice.

Impact of 10-Min Daily Yoga Exercises on Physical and Mental Discomfort of Home-Office Workers During COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of 10 min/day of yoga for 1 month on musculoskeletal discomfort and mood disturbance of home-office workers. BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to switch to teleworking. The abrupt change from an office setting to an improvised home-office may negatively affect the musculoskeletal and emotional health of workers. By providing mental and physical exercises, yoga may be effective in reducing adverse effects. METHOD: Fifty-four participants (42 women, 12 men) followed a 1-month yoga program, while 40 participants (26 women, 14 men) continued with their common work routine. The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire was used to evaluate severity, interference with work and frequency of pain, and to obtain a total discomfort score for 25 body areas. Mood disturbance was evaluated with the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. Both groups completed both questionnaires, before and after the experimentation period. RESULTS: After 1 month, for the yoga group only, significant reductions were observed in the discomfort of eyes, head, neck, upper and lower back, right wrist, and hips/buttocks, as well as reductions in discomfort severity, frequency and interference for the neck, upper and lower back. Total mood disturbance was also significantly reduced for the yoga group only. No favorable changes occurred for the control group. CONCLUSION: The yoga intervention program appears to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort and mood disturbance of home-office workers. APPLICATION: Sedentary workers may benefit from 10 min/day of yoga during the workday to attenuate potential physical and emotional discomfort during the current pandemic and beyond.

Comparison of Physiological Effects Induced by Two Compression Stockings and Regular Socks During Prolonged Standing Work.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare lower-leg muscle fatigue, edema, and discomfort induced by the prolonged standing of security guards wearing regular socks and those wearing 15-20 or 20-30 mmHg compression stockings as intervention. BACKGROUND: Compression stockings are sometimes used by individuals standing all day at work. However, quantitative evidence showing their potential benefits for lower-leg health issues in healthy individuals during real working conditions is lacking. METHOD: Forty male security employees participated in the study. All were randomly assigned to the control or one of the two intervention groups (I15-20 or I20-30). Lower-leg muscle twitch force, volume, and discomfort ratings were measured before and after their regular 12-hr standing work shift. RESULTS: Significant evidence of lower-leg long-lasting muscle fatigue, edema, and discomfort was observed after standing work for guards wearing regular socks. However, no significant changes were found for guards wearing either compression stockings. CONCLUSION: In healthy individuals, compression stockings seem to attenuate efficiently the tested outcomes in the lower leg resulting from prolonged standing. APPLICATION: Occupational activities requiring prolonged standing may benefit from 15-20 or 20-30 mmHg compression stockings. As similar benefits were observed for both levels of compression, the lower level may be sufficient.

Hipoacusia súbita asociada a depresión: síntoma inusual en adultos mayores infectados por Sars-CoV-2 / Sudden hearing loss associated with depression: an unusual symptom in older adults infected with Sars-CoV-2

Se comienza acumular información sobre las alteraciones en pacientes positivos a Covid-19, donde relacionan el virus con el daño del oído medio y oído interno, tanto en la porción vestibular como la auditiva en adultos mayores, generando episodios depresivos. Por tal razón, se propuso como objetivo evaluar la relación hipoacusia súbita asociada a depresión en adultos mayores infectados por Sars-CoV-2 atendidos en el Hospital Básico Pillaros, perteneciente al sector Ciudadela Ciudad Nueva, Ecuador 2020-2021. El estudio fue cuantitavo, descriptivo correlacional de corte transversal con una muestra de 87 pacientes >65 años positivos para Sars-CoV-2. Para la recolección de datos se aplicó el Test audiométrico y la escala de depresión geriátrica de Yesavage. El análisis de los datos fue con estadística descriptiva en base a frecuencias, porcentajes, IC 95% y X2 a través de SPSS. Como resultado 73,6% eran fememnino y 26,4% masculino, 54,0% tenían de 65-75 años, el tipo de presbiacusia más existente fue neural (31,2%) y coclear (31,0%). Así mismo, 81,6% presentaron signos de depresión, mientras que 18,4% no. En el test Vasayage 88,5% expresó no sentirse lleno de energía y 59,8% sienten temor a que algo malo suceda. Como conclusión, la presencia de trastornos auditivos constituye un problema para la comunicación de los adultos mayores que pudiese conllevar a estados depresivos, por ello, incentivar el desarrollo de investigaciones pudieran orientar hacia el desarrollo de alternativas de intervención temprana que favorezcan el mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de este grupo poblacional(AU)

Information is beginning to accumulate on the alterations in patients positive for Covid -19, where they relate the virus to damage to the middle ear and inner ear, both in the vestibular and auditory portions in older adults, generating depressive episodes. For this reason, the objective was to evaluate the relationship between sudden hearing loss associated with depression in older adults infected with Sars-CoV- treated at the Pillaros Basic Hospital, belonging to the Ciudadela Ciudad Nueva sector, Ecuador 2020-2021. The study was quantitative, descriptive correlational cross-sectional with a sample of 87 patients >65 years positive for Sars-CoV-2. For data collection, the audiometric test and the Yesavage geriatric depression scale were applied. The analysis of the data was with descriptive statistics based on frequencies, percentages, CI 95% and X2 through SPSS. As a result, 73.6% were female and 26.4% male, 54.0% were 65-75 years old, the most common type of presbycusis was neural (31.2%) and cochlear (31.0%). Likewise, 81.6% presented signs of depression, while 18.4% did not. In the Vasayage test, 88.5% expressed not feeling full of energy and 59.8% were afraid that something bad would happen. In conclusion, the presence of hearing disorders constitutes a problem for the communication of older adults that could lead to depressive states, therefore, encouraging the development of research could guide the development of early intervention alternatives that favor quality improvement. life of this population group(AU)

Spine and lower body symmetry during treadmill walking in healthy individuals-In-vivo 3-dimensional kinematic analysis.

Although it is relevant to understand spine and lower body motions in healthy individuals for a variety of applications, such as clinical diagnosis, implant design, and the analysis of treatment outcomes, proper assessment and characterization of normative gait symmetry in healthy individuals remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vivo 3-dimensional (3D) spine and lower body gait symmetry kinematics during treadmill walking in healthy individuals. Sixty healthy young adults (30 males and 30 females) were evaluated during normal and fast treadmill walking using a motion capture system approach. Statistical parametric mapping and the normalized symmetry index approaches were used to determine spine, pelvis, and lower body asymmetries during treadmill walking. The spine and pelvis angular motions associated with the left and right lower limb motions, as well as the left and right lower extremity joint angles were compared for normal and fast treadmill walking. The lower lumbar left-right rotation (5.74±0.04°) and hip internal rotation (5.33±0.18°) presented the largest degrees of asymmetry during normal treadmill. Upper lumbar left-right lateral flexion (1.48±0.14°) and knee flexion (2.98±0.13°) indicated the largest asymmetries and during fast treadmill walking. Few asymmetry patterns were similar between normal and fast treadmill walking, whereas others appeared either only during normal or fast treadmill walking in this cohort of participants. These findings could provide insights into better understanding gait asymmetry in healthy individuals, and use them as reference indicators in diagnosing and evaluating abnormal gait function.

Perceived Physical Discomfort and Its Associations With Home Office Characteristics During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and change in perception of physical discomfort, including musculoskeletal discomfort, during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine associations of demographic factors, telework activity, and home office characteristics with the highest prevalence of discomfort. BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic forced a substantial increase in telework in many countries. The sudden change from a regular workplace to an improvised "home office" may have an impact on working conditions and physical symptoms of office workers. However, investigations in this area remain limited. METHOD: A cross-sectional study design was used to compare self-reported complaints of physical discomfort perceived from before with those during the pandemic. Associations between complaints and home office characteristics were investigated from 150 faculty and 51 administrative staff of an academic institution with an age range of 41.16 ± 10.20 (59% female). RESULTS: A significant increase of physical discomfort was found during the pandemic period for head, eyes, hand, and upper back for both staff and faculty and neck, shoulders, elbows, and lower back for faculty only. Logistic regression analyses point to associations with the lack of a laptop stand, uncomfortable desk, poor lighting, and sitting time, among others. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of physical discomfort was reported by teleworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some home office characteristics were associated with these discomforts. APPLICATION: Some telework characteristics seem to be risk factors for physical discomfort. Consideration should be given to teaching best practices for workstation setup and/or conducting other preventive interventions in the work environment.

Detection of Oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its Clinical Importance.

Statement of the Problem: Human papillomavirus (HPV) has a tropism for the squamous epithelium and cause a wide range of diseases, from benign lesions to invasive tumors that can affect the oral cavity. Purpose: This study aimed to estimate HPV infection in compatible stomatological lesions. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out from March 2017 to August 2019, which included patients who attended the Oral Medicine Department of the School of Dentistry of the University of Buenos Aires who presented oral manifestations compatible with HPV infection that accepted to be studied by histopathology and determination of viral genotype by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The study was carried out from the biopsy fixed in formalin and included in paraffin, for histopathological study and the genotypification of HPV by genotype-specific PCR and/or sequencing of the L1 fragment. To confirm the negative cases hybrid capture method was also used. The 95% OR-IC was estimated. Results: 108 patients, 76 women and 32 men were studied, who underwent a clinical stomatological examination and genotyping of HPV (PCR-specific genotype), being positive for 60 patients and negative for 48. Among the positive cases (n= 60) 46.7% (n= 28) corresponded to elevated lesions infected with high-risk HPV genotypes, 43.3% (n= 26) to elevated lesions with low-risk HPV genotypes, regarding flat lesions it was found that 5% (n=3) corresponded with high-risk HPV genotypes and another 5% (n=3) with low-risk genotypes, with OR 1,076 95% CI (0.1993-5.818). The HPV genotypes found were 2, 6, 11, 13, 16, 18, 26, 31, 32, 33, 35, 51, 58, 64 and 72. Conclusion: Our results estimated an association between white, bright, and elevated oral lesions and the presence of high-risk HPV.

New technologies applied to canine limb prostheses: A review.

Although only a few studies have investigated about the development of animal prosthesis, currently, there is an increasing interest in canine limb prosthesis design and its clinical application since they offer an alternative to killing the animal in extreme situations where amputating the limb is the only option. Restoring normal function of amputated canine limbs with the use of a prosthesis is challenging. However, recent advances in surgical procedures and prosthesis design technology appear promising in developing devices that closely recreate normal canine limb function. Surgical advances such as evolution of osseointegration (bone-anchored) prostheses present great promise. Likewise, modern computer-aided design and manufacturing technology, as well as novel motion analysis systems are now providing improved prosthesis designs. Advances in patient-customized prostheses have the potential to reduce the risk of implant failure. The objective of this investigation is to present a general review of the existing literature on modern surgical approaches, design and manufacturing methods, as well as biomechanical analyses so that veterinarians can make more and better-informed decisions on the development and selection of proper canine limb prosthesis. Isolated research efforts have made possible an improvement in stability, comfort, and performance of canine limb prosthesis. However, continued multidisciplinary research collaboration and teamwork among veterinarians, engineers, designers, and industry, with supporting scientific evidence, is required to better understand the development of canine limb prosthesis designs that closely replicate the normal limb function.

Does treadmill workstation use affect user's kinematic gait symmetry?

The effects of treadmill workstation use on kinematic gait symmetry and computer work performance remain unclear. The purpose of this pilot study was to analyze the effects of treadmill workstation use on lower body motion symmetry while performing a typing task when compared to overground and treadmill walking. The lower body motion of ten healthy adults (6 males and 4 females) was recorded by a motion capture system. Hip, knee, and ankle joint rotations were computed and compared for each condition. Despite comparable lower body kinematic gait asymmetries across conditions, asymmetric knee flexion motions at early gait cycle were only found in treadmill workstation users (left knee significantly more flexed than the right one). This demonstrates that the interaction between walking and another task is dependent on the task cognitive content. Our findings suggest that lower body kinematic gait symmetry may be influenced by the use of treadmill workstations.

Paternal and maternal mutations in X-STRs: A GHEP-ISFG collaborative study.

The GHEP-ISFG organized a collaborative study to estimate mutation rates for the markers included in the Investigator Argus X-12 QS kit Qiagen. A total of 16 laboratories gathered data from 1,612 father/mother/daughter trios, which were used to estimate both maternal and paternal mutation rates, when pooled together with other already published data. Data on fathers and mothers' age at the time of birth of the daughter were also available for ∼93 % of the cases. Population analyses were computed considering the genetic information of a subset of 1,327 unrelated daughters, corresponding to 2,654 haplotypes from residents in several regions of five countries: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Portugal and Spain. Genetic differentiation analyses between the population samples from the same country did not reveal signs of significant stratification, although results from Hardy-Weinberg and linkage disequilibrium tests indicated the need of larger studies for Ecuador and Brazilian populations. The high genetic diversity of the markers resulted in a large number of haplotype combinations, showing the need of huge databases for reliable estimates of their frequencies. It should also be noted the high number of new alleles found, many of them not included in the allelic ladders provided with the kit, as very diverse populations were analyzed. The overall estimates for locus specific average mutation rates varied between 7.5E-04 (for DXS7423) and 1.1E-02 (for DXS10135), the latter being a troublesome figure for kinship analyses. Most of the found mutations (∼92 %) are compatible with the gain or loss of a single repeat. Paternal mutation rates showed to be 5.2 times higher than maternal ones. We also found that older fathers were more prone to transmit mutated alleles, having this trend not been observed in the case of the mothers.

Physiological and neuromotor changes induced by two different stand-walk-sit work rotations.

The potential of rotating postures to alleviate the effects of prolonged standing and sitting postures has been advocated to attenuate the accumulation of muscle fatigue, considered a precursor to musculoskeletal disorders. We aimed to evaluate the effects of two posture rotations, both including standing, walking, sitting, on physiological and neuromotor measures. Twenty-two participants followed two posture rotations, with different rest-break distributions, for 5.25 h. Lower-leg muscle twitch force, volume, force control and discomfort perception were evaluated during and after work exposure on two non-consecutive days. Significant changes in all measures indicate a detrimental effect in lower-leg long-lasting muscle fatigue, oedema, performance and discomfort after 5 h for both exposures. However, for both exposures recovery was significant 1 h and 15 h post-workday. Differences between the two rotation schedules were not significant. Hence, stand-walk-sit posture rotation promotes recovery of the tested measures and is likely to better prevent muscle fatigue accumulation. Practitioner summary: Lower-leg muscle twitch force, volume, force control, and discomfort were quantified during and after 5 h of stand-walk-sit work rotations with two different rest-break distributions. Measures revealed similar significant effects of work exposures regardless of rotation; which did not persist post-work. This beneficial recovery contrasts with the standing only situations. Abbreviations: MSDs: musculoskeletal disorders; MTF: muscle twitch force; RMSE: root mean square error; MVC: maximum voluntary contraction; M: mean; SE: standard error.

Muscular and Vascular Issues Induced by Prolonged Standing With Different Work-Rest Cycles With Active or Passive Breaks.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-lasting motor, behavioral, physiological, and perceptual effects of prolonged standing work in three work-rest cycle conditions including passive or active rest breaks. BACKGROUND: Muscle fatigue has been evidenced after prolonged standing work through physiological and neuromotor measures. It has been postulated that muscle fatigue induced by prolonged work could be attenuated by appropriate scheduling of work and rest periods. However, investigations in this domain remain limited. METHOD: Thirty participants simulated standing work for 5 hr with work-rest cycles of short, medium, or long standing periods including passive or active breaks. Lower-leg muscle twitch force (MTF), muscle oxygenation, lower-leg volume, postural stability, force control, and discomfort perception were quantified on 2 days. RESULTS: Prolonged standing induced significant changes in all measures immediately after 5 hr of work, indicating a detrimental effect in long-lasting muscle fatigue, performance, discomfort, and vascular aspects. Differences in the measures were not significant between work cycles and/or break type. CONCLUSION: Similar physiological and motor alterations were induced by prolonged standing. The absence of difference in the effects induced by the tested work-rest cycles suggests that simply altering the work-rest cycle may not be sufficient to counteract the effects of mainly static standing work. Finally, standing for 3 hr or more shows clear detrimental effects. APPLICATION: Prolonged standing is likely to contribute to musculoskeletal and vascular symptoms. A limitation to less than 3 hr of mostly static standing in occupational activities could avoid alterations leading to these symptoms.

Circulación de virus de influenza A y cepas resistentes a oseltamivir en el período invernal del año 2013 / Circulation of Influenza A Viruses and Oseltamivir-Resistant Strains during the 2013 Winter

Inicialmente el virus de influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 fue susceptible a los inhibidores de neuraminidasa oseltamivir y zanamivir. Las cepas virales resistentes presentan una sustitución que produce un cambio del aminoácido histidina (H) por una tirosina (Y) en el codón 274 del gen de la neuroaminidasa. El objetivo del trabajo fue realizar un análisis retrospectivo de los resultados obtenidos en muestras estudiadas para influenza A durante el periodo junio - agosto de 2013 y en las muestras positivas determinar la presencia de la mutación H274Y. Se estudiaron 1783 muestras de pacientes con diagnóstico presuntivo de influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 171 (9.6%) resultaron positivas, a estas se les estudió la presencia de la mutación H274Y. Únicamente dos muestras presentaron la mutación de resistencia. Los métodos para detectar cepas de infuenza A(H1N1)pdm09 resistentes son necesarios para ayudar a los médicos en la selección de la terapia antiviral apropiada de la influenza.

Initially the circulating influenza virus A(H1N1)pdm09 was susceptible to neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir. Virtually all resistant viruses possess a substitution at codon 274 of the neuraminidase gene which produces a change of the amino acid histidine (H) to a tyrosine (Y). The aims of the study were to perform a retrospective analysis of samples studied in the Laboratory of Genomic Medicine - MANLAB for influenza A during the period June to August 2013 in Buenos Aires, and to determine the presence of the H274Y mutation. 1783 samples from patients with a presumptive diagnosis of influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 were studied, the virus was detected in 171 samples (9.6%). Then, we studied the presence of the mutation H274Y. Only two samples showed the characteristic resistance mutation. Methods for detecting oseltamivir-resistant A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza strains are needed to assist physicians in the selection of appropriate antiviral therapy for influenza treatment.

Use of AFLP markers to estimate molecular diversity of Phakopsora pachyrhizi

Background Asian soybean rust (SBR) caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. & Syd., is one of the main diseases affecting soybean and has been reported as one of the most economically important fungal pathogens worldwide. Knowledge of the genetic diversity of this fungus should be considered when developing resistance breeding strategies. We aimed to analyze the genetic diversity of P. pachyrhizi combining simple sampling with a powerful and reproducible molecular technique. Results We employed Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) technique for the amplification of P. pachyrhizi DNA extracted from naturally SBR-infected plants from 23 production fields. From a total of 1919 markers obtained, 77% were polymorphic. The high percentage of polymorphism and the Nei's genetic diversity coefficient (0.22) indicated high pathogen diversity. Analysis of molecular variance showed higher genetic variation within countries than among them. Temporal analysis showed a higher genetic variation within a year than between years. Cluster, phylogenetic and principal co-ordinate analysis showed that samples group by year of collection and then by country sampled. Conclusions The study proposed combining a simple collection of urediniospore with a subsequent analysis by AFLP was useful to examine the molecular polymorphism of samples of P. pachyrhizi collected and might have a significant contribution to the knowledge of its genetic diversity. Also, AFLP analysis is an important and potent molecular tool for the study of genetic diversity and could be useful to carry out wider genetic diversity studies.

Distribución de genotipos del virus de hepatitis C en la población Argentina / Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in an Argentine population / Distribuição dos genótipos do vírus da hepatite C na população Argentina

Mundialmente se han identificado 6 genotipos (1 al 6) del virus de la hepa­titis C (HCV). Dichos genotipos se subdividen en diferentes subtipos (a, b, c y otros). La respuesta al tratamiento instaurado depende del genotipo del virus infectante. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la frecuencia de los diferentes genotipos del HCV en la población de Argentina. Se estudiaron 510 pacientes infectados con HCV; la genotipificación del virus se realizó utilizando el equipo Versant HCV genotype assay 2.0 (LiPA). Los resultados obtenidos indican que el genotipo predominante del HCV en Argentina es el 1 (67,6%), con una prevalencia similar de subtipos 1a y 1b (33,3% y 34,5%, respectivamente). Se observó también una frecuencia similar de los genotipos 2 y 3 (14,5% cada uno). Con este estudio se actualizan los datos de las frecuencias de los diferentes genotipos de HCV que circulan en Argentina utilizando la nueva versión del reactivo para diagnóstico, el cual permitió una correcta subtipificación de las muestras.

Six hepatitis C virus genotypes have been identified worldwide so far. The­se genotypes have been subclassified into different subtypes (a, b, c and others). It is known that the response to treatment is highly dependent on the genotype involved. The aim of this work was to assess the frequency of occurrence of the different HCV genotypes in the population of Argentina. To this end, 510 infected patients were subjected to HCV genotyping using the commercial kit Versant HCV genotype assay 2.0. Results indicated that the genotype 1 was the most frequent (67.6%), and that subtypes 1a and 1b showed a similar prevalence (33.3% and 34.5%, respectively). Genotypes 2 and 3 also displayed a similar frequency (14.5% and 14.5% respectively). This study provides an update regarding the frequency of all HCV genotypes circulating in Argentina. The results were obtained by the novel version of the genotyping kit, which enabled a correct subtyping of samples.

Globalmente foram identificados 6 genótipos (1 ao 6) do vírus da hepatite C (HCV). Estes genótipos são subdivididos em vários subtipos (a, b, c, etc.). A resposta ao tratamento depende do genótipo do vírus infectante. O objetivo do estudo foi determinar a freqüência dos diferentes genótipos do HCV na população Argentina. Foram estudados 510 pacientes infectados com o HCV, a genotipagem do vírus foi realizada utilizando o kit Versant HCV genotype assay 2.0 (LiPA). Os resultados obtidos indicam que o genótipo predominante na Argentina é o tipo 1 (67,6%), observando-se uma prevalência dos subtipos 1a e 1b (33,3% e 34,5% respectivamente). Observou-se também uma freqüência semelhante do genótipos 2 e 3 (14,5% e 14,5% respectivamente). Este estudo atualiza os dados das freqüências dos diferentes genótipos do HCV em circulação na Argentina usando a nova versão do kit, o que permitiu uma correta subtipagem das amostras.

Distribución de genotipos del virus de hepatitis C en la población Argentina / Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in an Argentine population / DistribuiþÒo dos genótipos do vírus da hepatite C na populaþÒo Argentina

Mundialmente se han identificado 6 genotipos (1 al 6) del virus de la hepa¡titis C (HCV). Dichos genotipos se subdividen en diferentes subtipos (a, b, c y otros). La respuesta al tratamiento instaurado depende del genotipo del virus infectante. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la frecuencia de los diferentes genotipos del HCV en la población de Argentina. Se estudiaron 510 pacientes infectados con HCV; la genotipificación del virus se realizó utilizando el equipo Versant HCV genotype assay 2.0 (LiPA). Los resultados obtenidos indican que el genotipo predominante del HCV en Argentina es el 1 (67,6%), con una prevalencia similar de subtipos 1a y 1b (33,3% y 34,5%, respectivamente). Se observó también una frecuencia similar de los genotipos 2 y 3 (14,5% cada uno). Con este estudio se actualizan los datos de las frecuencias de los diferentes genotipos de HCV que circulan en Argentina utilizando la nueva versión del reactivo para diagnóstico, el cual permitió una correcta subtipificación de las muestras.(AU)

Six hepatitis C virus genotypes have been identified worldwide so far. The¡se genotypes have been subclassified into different subtypes (a, b, c and others). It is known that the response to treatment is highly dependent on the genotype involved. The aim of this work was to assess the frequency of occurrence of the different HCV genotypes in the population of Argentina. To this end, 510 infected patients were subjected to HCV genotyping using the commercial kit Versant HCV genotype assay 2.0. Results indicated that the genotype 1 was the most frequent (67.6%), and that subtypes 1a and 1b showed a similar prevalence (33.3% and 34.5%, respectively). Genotypes 2 and 3 also displayed a similar frequency (14.5% and 14.5% respectively). This study provides an update regarding the frequency of all HCV genotypes circulating in Argentina. The results were obtained by the novel version of the genotyping kit, which enabled a correct subtyping of samples.(AU)

Globalmente foram identificados 6 genótipos (1 ao 6) do vírus da hepatite C (HCV). Estes genótipos sÒo subdivididos em vários subtipos (a, b, c, etc.). A resposta ao tratamento depende do genótipo do vírus infectante. O objetivo do estudo foi determinar a freq³Ûncia dos diferentes genótipos do HCV na populaþÒo Argentina. Foram estudados 510 pacientes infectados com o HCV, a genotipagem do vírus foi realizada utilizando o kit Versant HCV genotype assay 2.0 (LiPA). Os resultados obtidos indicam que o genótipo predominante na Argentina é o tipo 1 (67,6%), observando-se uma prevalÛncia dos subtipos 1a e 1b (33,3% e 34,5% respectivamente). Observou-se também uma freq³Ûncia semelhante do genótipos 2 e 3 (14,5% e 14,5% respectivamente). Este estudo atualiza os dados das freq³Ûncias dos diferentes genótipos do HCV em circulaþÒo na Argentina usando a nova versÒo do kit, o que permitiu uma correta subtipagem das amostras.(AU)