High repetition-rate foam targetry for laser-plasma interaction experiments: Concept and preliminary results.

Foam targets have gained considerable importance over the last decade in laser-matter interaction. They find widespread applications such as in inertial confinement fusion and secondary sources for particles and radiation. At the same time, the advent of high repetition-rate laser systems, be they short-pulse in the tens of femtosecond regime or in the kilo-Joule nanosecond regime, calls for equally high repetition rate targetry systems. A well-established repetition-rate targetry system is the tape target. In this article, we present the successful marriage of a tape target delivery system with 3D-printed foam targets produced by two photon polymerization.

Photocatalytic activity enhancement of two-step and one-pot synthesis of Pd/ZnO nanocomposites: an experimental and DFT study.

Pd/ZnO nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by means of one and two pot synthesis and applied in the photodegradation of Rh6G. The nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR and micro-Raman spectroscopies. It was found the presence of PdZn2, PdO and agglomerated particles in the support surface for the Palladium-based nanocomposites fabricated by one-pot route; the two-step method allowed the formation of spherical Pd nanoparticles, with homogeneous distribution in the nanocomposite matrix, with an average size of 2.16 nm. The results show higher photocatalytic efficiency for the samples fabricated under the two-step approach compared to the one-pot synthesis. Based on experimental results, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to understand the enhancement photocatalytic of Pd/ZnO nanocomposites. To achieve it, the ZnO (001) and (101) surfaces were built and decorated by different Pd coverages. The theoretical results indicated two different photocatalytic mechanisms. In ZnO (001) case, the electrons flowed from surface to Pd, generating the superoxide radical anion (⋅O2-). Furthermore, the density of states of the ZnO (001) surface was modified by impurity Pd-d states at proximity to the conduction states, which may work as electron acceptors states. On the other hand, we found that the electrons flow from Pd to ZnO (101) surface, inducing the formation of ⋅OH and ⋅O2- for the degradation of Rh6G. The density of states of the ZnO (101) revealed a reduction in its bandgap, due to Pd-d states localized above valence states. Hence, our theoretical results suggest that the Pd-d states may facilitate the mobility of electrons and holes in (001) and (101) surfaces, respectively, reducing the rate of charge recombination.

Carbon capture from biomass flue gases for CO2 enrichment in greenhouses.

Heating and CO2 enrichment systems can improve yields in intensive greenhouse agriculture Combining both techniques, which are currently applied commercially, can potentially enhance their effect. The CO2 must be separated from the other noxious gases present (such as CO, NOX, and SO2) to avoid them becoming part of the supply. The CO2 is then provided to the greenhouse on demand in the same way as the heating. In this work, we show that an improved food productivity of a pilot-scale greenhouse system combined with CO2 capture by adsorption using activated carbon and heating with alternative fuel. The proposed system's overall performance was evaluated and optimized. The best values were 46.7 g/kg of CO2 storage capacity on the adsorbent bed, 99.99 % removal rate harmful gases from the gas supplied to the greenhouse, CO2 levels of 1851.0 ± 262.8 mg/Nm3 of the CO2 levels in the greenhouse, and an enrichment time of 2.18 ± 0.92 h/day. The system's effective performance over extended periods (November-February) was confirmed and the productivity of a crop species (tomato) was compared to a control, showing an increment of 18 %. The results indicate that this is a valuable option for increasing the crop yield. By integrating this combined system with advanced climate control strategies, it is possible to maximize the CO2 provided per day, leading to higher yields. The system proved to be stable under real pilot-scale conditions over winter periods (four months).

Prevalence of flukes (Fasciola hepatica and paramphistomids) in cattle in south-eastern Mexico.

The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors and prevalence of trematodes in south-eastern Mexico. The prevalence of trematodes was determined in 1010 bovines. The study was carried out from October 2018 (n=291) to December 2019 (n=719). Only in 2019 rumen and liver fluke eggs were differentiated. Faecal samples (n=311) were obtained from farms in southeast Mexico located in Tabasco, Chiapas and Campeche. In addition, the presence of flukes in liver and rumen from slaughtered cattle in abattoirs was recorded with a total of 408 samples. A logistic procedure was used to obtain the prevalence and the effect of main risk factors such as land physiography (flooded areas and hills), year, sex, animals' age and type of sample obtained (eggs in faeces and flukes). The general prevalence of flukes in cattle was 32.3 % in 2018 and 41.7 % in 2019. Prevalence of F. hepatica (liver fluke) was 18.6 % (134/719) and that of paramphistomids (rumen fluke) was 33.4 % (240/719). The infected cattle from the slaughterhouse indicated a lower prevalence of F. hepatica (1 %) and rumen fluke (26.7 %) than in farms detected by egg in faeces (41.8 % and 42.1 %, respectively). The physiographic zone was decisive in the presence of F. hepatica and rumen fluke, while sex did not represent a risk factor (P > 0.05). The environmental conditions of the Mexican southeast favour the presence of both liver and rumen fluke.

Multipartite Entanglement in a Microwave Frequency Comb.

Significant progress has been made with multipartite entanglement of discrete qubits, but continuous variable systems may provide a more scalable path toward entanglement of large ensembles. We demonstrate multipartite entanglement in a microwave frequency comb generated by a Josephson parametric amplifier subject to a bichromatic pump. We find 64 correlated modes in the transmission line using a multifrequency digital signal processing platform. Full inseparability is verified in a subset of seven modes. Our method can be expanded to generate even more entangled modes in the near future.

Changes in sugar-sweetened beverage purchases across the price distribution after the implementation of a tax in Mexico: a before-and-after analysis.

BACKGROUND: A tax of one-Mexican peso per liter of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) came into effect in January 2014 in Mexico as a national health policy to tackle the high overweight and obesity prevalence. Previous studies have shown an overall reduction in SSB purchases after the tax implementation. However, it remains unknown whether and to what extent SSB consumers switched to cheaper taxed beverages, attenuating the potential effect of the policy. Our study's objective was to estimate changes in household purchases of taxed SSBs by tertiles of SSB prices (low, middle, and high) in urban areas after the SSB tax implementation in 2014. METHODS: Based on purchase data for 2012-2015 from households living in 54 Mexican cities with a population > 50,000 inhabitants, we calculated unit-value SSB prices for the full period and sorted them on a monthly basis to create monthly price tertiles. We merged these price tertiles to household purchases and created average monthly ml/capita/day SSB purchases by price tertile at the city level. We assessed SSB purchase switching patterns before and after the tax implementation through price-tertile stratified linear models. The main variable in the models was a dummy indicator that allowed us to identify the pre-tax period (2012-13) and post-tax period (2014-15). We controlled our models for time trends and contextual economic variables. RESULTS: In the regression adjusted models, we found a statistically significant purchase reduction ranging between 10.80 and 13.79 ml/capita/day (p-value < 0.001) across taxed beverages from the middle-price SSB after the tax implementation. We observed no statistically significant reductions in purchases of low-price SSBs and high-price SSBs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show purchase reductions in the middle-price SSBs, which represents ≈30% of the overall SSB purchases in urban Mexico. Future studies should be conducted to test if the redesign of the current the tax, by either doubling the tax amount or taxing sugar content, might reduce more effectively purchases across all SSBs.

Patrones clínicos y neurofisiológicos de presentación temprana en la polirradiculoneuropatía inflamatoria desmielinizante crónica de inicio agudo / Clinical and neurophysiological patterns of early presenting symptoms in acute onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Introducción: Dentro de los fenotipos de polineuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica (CIDP) existe uno cuyo tiempo de evolución es menor de ocho semanas desde el inicio de los síntomas, denominado de inicio agudo (A-CIDP). Esta entidad puede confundirse con el síndrome de Guillain-Barré, variedad desmielinizante inflamatoria aguda (AIDP), lo que retrasa el inicio del tratamiento. Objetivo: Analizar las diferencias clínicas y electrofisiológicas entre A-CIDP, CIDP clásica y AIDP, con el fin de identificar factores que auxilien al diagnóstico diferencial de forma temprana. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal con pacientes atendidos en la clínica de enfermedades neuromusculares del Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía con diagnóstico de CIDP según criterios de la European Federation of Neurological Societies and Peripheral Nerve Society. Los pacientes con CIDP <8 semanas se catalogaron como A-CIDP y fueron comparados con pacientes diagnosticados con CIDP clásica y AIDP. Se obtuvieron y analizaron variables clínicas, paraclínicas y electrofisiológicas. Resultados: Se observaron diferencias significativas en antecedente de infección, afección de nervios del cráneo y disautonomías entre la A-CIDP y la AIDP. Los registros electrofisiológicos describieron diferencias significativas en velocidad de conducción de los nervios motores y en los registros del nervio sural, que fueron menores en el grupo de A-CIDP. Conclusión: El antecedente de infección, la afección de nervios del cráneo y las disautonomías son parámetros importantes que se debe tener en cuenta para el diagnóstico diferencial de estas entidades. El análisis electrofisiológico es similar entre la A-CIDP y la CIDP. El diagnóstico diferencial entre estos tipos de polineuropatía desmielinizante debe basarse en el juicio clínico.(AU)

Introduction: The phenotypes of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) include an acute-onset phenotype (A-CIDP) with an evolution time of less than eight weeks from the onset of symptoms. This entity can be confused with Guillain-Barré syndrome of the acute inflammatory demyelinating variety (AIDP), delaying the start of treatment. Objective: To analyze the clinical and electrophysiological differences between A-CIDP, classic CIDP and AIDP, in order to identify factors that may help in the early differential diagnosis. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with patients seen at the neuromuscular disease clinic of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery with a diagnosis of CIDP according to the criteria of the European Federation of Neurological Societies and Peripheral Nerve Society. Patients with CIDP <8 weeks were categorized as A-CIDP and were compared with patients diagnosed with classic CIDP and AIDP. Clinical, paraclinical and electrophysiological variables were obtained and analyzed. Results: Significant differences in history of infection, cranial nerve involvement and dysautonomia were observed between A-CIDP and AIDP. Electrophysiological recordings reported significant differences in motor nerve conduction velocity and sural nerve recordings, being lower in the A-CIDP group. Conclusion: A history of infection, cranial nerve involvement and dysautonomia are important parameters to take into account for the differential diagnosis of these entities. Electrophysiological analysis is similar between A-CIDP and CIDP. The differential diagnosis between these types of demyelinating polyneuropathy must be based on clinical assessment.(AU)

[Clinical and neurophysiological patterns of early presenting symptoms in acute onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy]. / Patrones clínicos y neurofisiológicos de presentación temprana en la polirradiculoneuropatía inflamatoria desmielinizante crónica de inicio agudo.

INTRODUCTION: The phenotypes of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) include an acute-onset phenotype (A-CIDP) with an evolution time of less than eight weeks from the onset of symptoms. This entity can be confused with Guillain-Barre syndrome of the acute inflammatory demyelinating variety (AIDP), delaying the start of treatment. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and electrophysiological differences between A-CIDP, classic CIDP and AIDP, in order to identify factors that may help in the early differential diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with patients seen at the neuromuscular disease clinic of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery with a diagnosis of CIDP according to the criteria of the European Federation of Neurological Societies and Peripheral Nerve Society. Patients with CIDP <8 weeks were categorized as A-CIDP and were compared with patients diagnosed with classic CIDP and AIDP. Clinical, paraclinical and electrophysiological variables were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: Significant differences in history of infection, cranial nerve involvement and dysautonomia were observed between A-CIDP and AIDP. Electrophysiological recordings reported significant differences in motor nerve conduction velocity and sural nerve recordings, being lower in the A-CIDP group. CONCLUSION: A history of infection, cranial nerve involvement and dysautonomia are important parameters to take into account for the differential diagnosis of these entities. Electrophysiological analysis is similar between A-CIDP and CIDP. The differential diagnosis between these types of demyelinating polyneuropathy must be based on clinical assessment.

TITLE: Patrones clínicos y neurofisiológicos de presentación temprana en la polirradiculoneuropatía inflamatoria desmielinizante crónica de inicio agudo.Introducción. Dentro de los fenotipos de polineuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica (CIDP) existe uno cuyo tiempo de evolución es menor de ocho semanas desde el inicio de los síntomas, denominado de inicio agudo (A-CIDP). Esta entidad puede confundirse con el síndrome de Guillain-Barré, variedad desmielinizante inflamatoria aguda (AIDP), lo que retrasa el inicio del tratamiento. Objetivo. Analizar las diferencias clínicas y electrofisiológicas entre A-CIDP, CIDP clásica y AIDP, con el fin de identificar factores que auxilien al diagnóstico diferencial de forma temprana. Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal con pacientes atendidos en la clínica de enfermedades neuromusculares del Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía con diagnóstico de CIDP según criterios de la European Federation of Neurological Societies and Peripheral Nerve Society. Los pacientes con CIDP inferior a 8 semanas se catalogaron como A-CIDP y fueron comparados con pacientes diagnosticados con CIDP clásica y AIDP. Se obtuvieron y analizaron variables clínicas, paraclínicas y electrofisiológicas. Resultados. Se observaron diferencias significativas en antecedente de infección, afección de nervios del cráneo y disautonomías entre la A-CIDP y la AIDP. Los registros electrofisiológicos describieron diferencias significativas en velocidad de conducción de los nervios motores y en los registros del nervio sural, que fueron menores en el grupo de A-CIDP. Conclusión. El antecedente de infección, la afección de nervios del cráneo y las disautonomías son parámetros importantes que se debe tener en cuenta para el diagnóstico diferencial de estas entidades. El análisis electrofisiológico es similar entre la A-CIDP y la CIDP. El diagnóstico diferencial entre estos tipos de polineuropatía desmielinizante debe basarse en el juicio clínico.

Estimation of milk yield based on udder measures of Pelibuey sheep using artificial neural networks.

Udder measures have been used to assess milk yield of sheep through classical methods of estimation. Artificial neural networks (ANN) can deal with complex non-linear relationships between input and output variables. In the current study, ANN were applied to udder measures from Pelibuey ewes to estimate their milk yield and this was compared with linear regression. A total of 357 milk yield records with its corresponding udder measures were used. A supervised learning was used to train and teach the network using a two-layer ANN with seven hidden structures. The globally convergent algorithm based on the resilient backpropagation was used to calculate ANN. Goodness of fit was evaluated using the mean square prediction error (MSPE), root MSPE (RMSPE), correlation coefficient (r), Bayesian's Information Criterion (BIC), Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) and accuracy. The 15-15 ANN architecture showed that the best predictive milk yield performance achieved an accuracy of 97.9% and the highest values of r2 (0.93), and the lowest values of MSPE (0.0023), RMSPE (0.04), AIC (- 2088.81) and BIC (- 2069.56). The study revealed that ANN is a powerful tool to estimate milk yield when udder measures are used as input variables and showed better goodness of fit in comparison with classical regression methods.

Guillain-Barre syndrome in Mexico: clinical features and validation of Brighton Collaboration Group criteria. / Síndrome de Guillain-Barré en México: características clínicas y validación de los criterios de Brighton.

INTRODUCTION: As SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is ongoing in Mexico and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) cases have been reported, validation of Brighton criteria in Mexico is necessary. Moreover, epidemiology of GBS in Mexico differs from European and North American countries. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical, cerebrospinal and electrodiagnostic features in Mexican patients diagnosed with GBS and classify them according to the Brighton Collaboration Group diagnostic criteria. Patrients and methods. An ambispective cohort study was conducted. We included patients that fulfilled the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) diagnostic criteria for Guillain-Barre syndrome. Patients in this study were classified according to Brighton collaboration group levels of certainty for Guillain-Barre syndrome. RESULTS: Sixty eight percent of patients were male. Of the 248 patients included, 58.4% had history of a precedent infection, mean time from symptom onset to admission was 5 (1-30) days. Mean Medical Research Council sum score 30.3 ± 15.5. Almost 98% of patients had a monophasic course. Level 1 of certainty according to Brighton collaboration group criteria was fulfilled by 54.6% of patients, level 2 by 45% and level 4 by 0.6%. Patients meeting level 2 of certainty were mostly because normal cerebrospinal fluid findings or findings in nerve conduction studies not consistent with any GBS variants. CONCLUSION: GBS is a frequent autoimmune neuropathy that has been associated with preceding infections and with vaccination campaigns. For SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign in Mexico, validation of Brighton Criteria is necessary. Although Mexico's GBS epidemiology has been changing throughout recent years, this study provides similar data compared to other countries.

TITLE: Síndrome de Guillain-Barré en México: características clínicas y validación de los criterios de Brighton.Introducción. Dado que la vacunación contra el SARS-CoV-2 está en curso en México y se han notificado casos de Guillain-Barré, es necesaria la validación de los criterios de Brighton en México. La epidemiología de Guillain-Barré en México difiere de la de los países europeos y norteamericanos. Objetivo. Describir las características clínicas, cerebroespinales y electrodiagnósticas en pacientes mexicanos con diagnóstico de Guillain-Barré y clasificarlos según los criterios diagnósticos del Brighton Collaboration Group. Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó un estudio de cohorte ambispectivo. Se incluyó a pacientes que cumplen con los criterios del National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke para el síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB). Se clasificó a los pacientes según los niveles de certeza del Brighton Collaboration Group para el SGB. Resultados. El 68% de los pacientes eran hombres. De los 248 pacientes incluidos, el 58,4% tenía antecedentes de infección previa. La media desde el inicio de los síntomas hasta el ingreso fue de 5 (1-30) días, y la puntuación media de la suma del Medical Research Council, de 30,3 ± 15,5. El nivel 1 de certeza según los criterios del Brighton Collaboration Group se cumplió en el 54,6% de los pacientes; el nivel 2, en el 45%; y el nivel 4, en el 0,6%. Los pacientes que alcanzaron el nivel 2 de certeza se debieron principalmente a hallazgos normales en el líquido cefalorraquídeo o a hallazgos en estudios de neuroconducción que no cumplen los criterios de ninguna variante de SGB. Conclusión. El SGB es una neuropatía autoinmune frecuente que se ha asociado con infecciones previas y con campañas de vacunación. Para la campaña de vacunación contra el SARS-CoV-2 en México es necesaria la validación de los criterios de Brighton. Aunque la epidemiología del SGB en México ha ido cambiando a lo largo de los últimos años, este estudio proporciona datos similares en comparación con otros países.

Síndrome de Guillain-Barré en México: características clínicas y validación de los criterios de Brighton / Guillain-Barré syndrome in Mexico: clinical features and validation of Brighton Collaboration Group criteria

Introducción: Dado que la vacunación contra el SARS-CoV-2 está en curso en México y se han notificado casos de Guillain-Barré, es necesaria la validación de los criterios de Brighton en México. La epidemiología de Guillain-Barré en México difiere de la de los países europeos y norteamericanos. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas, cerebroespinales y electrodiagnósticas en pacientes mexicanos con diagnóstico de Guillain-Barré y clasificarlos según los criterios diagnósticos del Brighton Collaboration Group. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte ambispectivo. Se incluyó a pacientes que cumplen con los criterios del National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke para el síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB). Se clasificó a los pacientes según los niveles de certeza del Brighton Collaboration Group para el SGB. Resultados: El 68% de los pacientes eran hombres. De los 248 pacientes incluidos, el 58,4% tenía antecedentes de infección previa. La media desde el inicio de los síntomas hasta el ingreso fue de 5 (1-30) días, y la puntuación media de la suma del Medical Research Council, de 30,3 ± 15,5. El nivel 1 de certeza según los criterios del Brighton Collaboration Group se cumplió en el 54,6% de los pacientes; el nivel 2, en el 45%; y el nivel 4, en el 0,6%. Los pacientes que alcanzaron el nivel 2 de certeza se debieron principalmente a hallazgos normales en el líquido cefalorraquídeo o a hallazgos en estudios de neuroconducción que no cumplen los criterios de ninguna variante de SGB. Conclusión: El SGB es una neuropatía autoinmune frecuente que se ha asociado con infecciones previas y con campañas de vacunación. Para la campaña de vacunación contra el SARS-CoV-2 en México es necesaria la validación de los criterios de Brighton. Aunque la epidemiología del SGB en México ha ido cambiando a lo largo de los últimos años, este estudio proporciona datos similares en comparación con otros países.(AU)

Introduction: As SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is ongoing in Mexico and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases have been reported, validation of Brighton criteria in Mexico is necessary. Moreover, epidemiology of GBS in Mexico differs from European and North American countries. Objective: To describe the clinical, cerebrospinal and electrodiagnostic features in Mexican patients diagnosed with GBS and classify them according to the Brighton Collaboration Group diagnostic criteria. Patrients and methods: An ambispective cohort study was conducted. We included patients that fulfilled the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) diagnostic criteria for Guillain-Barré syndrome. Patients in this study were classified according to Brighton collaboration group levels of certainty for Guillain-Barré syndrome. Results: Sixty eight percent of patients were male. Of the 248 patients included, 58.4% had history of a precedent infection, mean time from symptom onset to admission was 5 (1-30) days. Mean Medical Research Council sum score 30.3 ± 15.5. Almost 98% of patients had a monophasic course. Level 1 of certainty according to Brighton collaboration group criteria was fulfilled by 54.6% of patients, level 2 by 45% and level 4 by 0.6%. Patients meeting level 2 of certainty were mostly because normal cerebrospinal fluid findings or findings in nerve conduction studies not consistent with any GBS variants. Conclusion: GBS is a frequent autoimmune neuropathy that has been associated with preceding infections and with vaccination campaigns. For SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign in Mexico, validation of Brighton Criteria is necessary. Although Mexico’s GBS epidemiology has been changing throughout recent years, this study provides similar data compared to other countries.(AU)

Herbarium macroalgae specimens reveal a rapid reduction of thallus size and reproductive effort related with climate change.

Understanding and forecasting the effects of climate changes on vulnerable species are leading concerns for ecologists and conservation biologists. Herbaria are invaluable for use in long-term data series, and one of the few available methods for quantifying biodiversity changes over large periods of time. Gelidium canariense is an endemic and habitat-forming macroalga of the Canary Islands that coexists with two other habitat-forming Gelidiales: G. arbuscula and Pterocladiella capillacea. This study assesses long-term changes in thallus size and reproductive effort of all specimens deposited in the Herbarium of Universidad de La Laguna of these three Gelidiales species. Also assessed were the effects of seawater temperature and increased incident light on net primary production (NPP), and the effects of extreme desiccation conditions on the relative water content and NPP of the three Gelidiales species. The length of the thallus of the endemic species G. canariense was halved during the past 40 years. The shortening of the thallus coincided with a significant decrease in the number of reproductive structures in both Gelidium species. These morphological changes coincide with a significant increase of the sea surface temperature, air temperature above sea surface and ultraviolet radiation in the studied area. The experiments have revealed the deleterious effects of extreme desiccation and extreme irradiance on all three species. Hence, these results suggest that air temperature and irradiance are related with these morphological changes over time in the habitat-forming Gelidium species and that are most likely compromising the survival of their populations which are already declining.

Chemical interactions among caseins during rennet coagulation of milk.

Rennet milk curds were prepared under 4 different temperature and acidity conditions. The development of different types of inter-protein chemical bonds (disulfide, hydrophobic, electrostatic, hydrogen, and calcium bridges) was monitored for 60 min after curd cutting. Hydrophobic inter-protein interactions originally present in casein micelles in milk were substituted by electrostatic, hydrogen, and calcium bonds throughout the curd curing period. Disulfide bonds were not disturbed by the experimental conditions employed in the study, remaining at a constant level in all studied treatments. Acidification of curds increased the availability of soluble ionic calcium, increasing the relative proportion of calcium bridges at the expense of electrostatic-hydrogen bonds. Although pH defined the nature of the interactions established among proteins in curd, temperature modified the rate at which such bonds were formed.

Effect of tannins from tropical plants on methane production from ruminants: A systematic review.

Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas generated during the feed fermentation processes in the rumen. However, numerous studies have been conducted to determine the capacity of plant secondary metabolites to enhance ruminal fermentation and decrease CH4 production, especially those plants rich in tannins. This review conducted a descriptive analysis and meta-analysis of the use of tannin-rich plants in tropical regions to mitigate CH4 production from livestock. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of tannins supplementation in tropical plants on CH4 production in ruminants using a meta-analytic approach and the effect on microbial population. Sources of heterogeneity were explored using a meta-regression analysis. Final database was integrated by a total of 14 trials. The 'meta' package in R statistical software was used to conduct the meta-analyses. The covariates defined a priori in the current meta-regression were inclusion level, species (sheep, beef cattle, dairy cattle, and cross-bred heifers) and plant. Results showed that supplementation with tropical plants with tannin contents have the greatest effects on CH4 mitigation . A negative relationship was observed between the level of inclusion and CH4 emission (-0.09), which means that the effect of CH4 mitigation is increasing as the level of tannin inclusion is higher. Therefore, less CH4 production will be obtained when supplementing tropical plants in the diet with a high dose of tannins.

Síndrome de Guillain-Barré durante la pandemia de COVID-19: experiencia de un centro de referencia en México / Guillain-Barré syndrome during COVID-19 pandemic: experience from a referral healthcare center in Mexico

Introducción: Se trata de describir las características clínicas y variantes electrofisiológicas de los casos de síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) durante la pandemia. Llevamos a cabo un análisis comparativo entre pacientes con SGB relacionado con el SARS-CoV-2 y sin antecedente del virus, y posteriormente realizamos una comparación con los casos de 2019. Pacientes y métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal de los pacientes con diagnóstico de SGB según los criterios de Asbury y Cornblath. Se recolectaron información clínica y variables paraclínicas. Definimos el SGB relacionado con el SARS-CoV-2 conforme a la descripción de Ellul et al. Se utilizaron los criterios de Hadden para la clasificación de las variantes electrofisiológicas. Por último, realizamos un análisis comparativo entre grupos. Resultados: Se diagnosticó a 42 pacientes con SGB en 2020, un 64,2% hombres, con una edad de 46 ± 17,4 años, un 42,8% con obesidad/sobrepeso, un 31% con historia de diarrea previa y un 14,2% con infección respiratoria previa. El 71,4% tuvo una puntuación en la Guillain-Barré Disability Score igual o mayor que 3 puntos y el 69% tenía afectados los nervios del cráneo. La variante electrofisiológica más común fue la polirradiculoneuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria aguda (PDIA; 53,5%). Siete (16,6%) casos tuvieron relación con el SARS-CoV-2, cuatro hombres, con edad de 43,4 ± 13,4 años. Al realizar la comparación entre pacientes con SGB de 2020 frente a los de 2019, observamos un decremento en el antecedente de infección previa en 2020 (45,2 frente a 73,3%; p = 0,005) y un decremento específico en la historia de infección respiratoria (14,2 frente a 33,3%; p = 0,045), así como una mayor frecuencia de afectación de los nervios del cráneo y de disociación albuminocitológica. Conclusiones: Las maniobras preventivas para la infección por el SARS-CoV-2 impactan directamente en la presentación de enfermedades postinfecciosas como el SGB...(AU)

Introduction: To describe clinical characteristics and electrophysiological variants of GBS cases during the pandemic, we carried out a comparative analysis between SARS-CoV2 related GBS and non-SARS-CoV2 patients and then compared to the 2019 cases. Patients and methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study of GBS patients diagnosed according to Asbury and Cornblath criteria. We collected information on clinical and paraclinical variables. We defined a SARS-CoV-2 related GBS case according to the description of Ellul et al. We used Hadden criteria to classify the electrophysiological variants. We performed a comparative analysis between groups. Results: Fourty-two patients were diagnosed with GBS in 2020, men 64.2%, age 46 ± 17.4 years, patients with obesity/overweight 42.8%, previous diarrhea 31%, history of respiratory tract infection 14.2%. Guillain Barre Disability Scale ≥ 3 points 71.4% and, cranial nerve involvement 69%. The most frequent electrophysiological variant was acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) 53.5%. Seven (16.6%) cases were SARS-CoV2 related, four men, age 43.4 ± 13.4 years. When comparing patients with GBS in 2020 vs patients in 2019, we observed a decrease in the previous infection history during 2020 (45.2% vs 73.3%, p-value = 0.005) and a decrease in previous respiratory infection (14.2% vs 33.3%, p = 0.045), as well as a higher frequency of cranial nerve involvement, and albuminocytologic dissociation. Conclusions: SARS-CoV2 virus infection preventive measures may be impacting the presentation of post-infectious diseases such as GBS. We did not observe an increase in GBS cases during 2020. Also, the AIDP variant were more frequent in our population in the COVID-19 pandemic.(AU)

Guillain-Barre syndrome during COVID-19 pandemic: experience from a referral healthcare center in Mexico. / Síndrome de Guillain-Barré durante la pandemia de COVID-19: experiencia de un centro de referencia en México.

INTRODUCTION: To describe clinical characteristics and electrophysiological variants of GBS cases during the pandemic, we carried out a comparative analysis between SARS-CoV2 related GBS and non-SARS-CoV2 patients and then compared to the 2019 cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study of GBS patients diagnosed according to Asbury and Cornblath criteria. We collected information on clinical and paraclinical variables. We defined a SARS-CoV-2 related GBS case according to the description of Ellul et al. We used Hadden criteria to classify the electrophysiological variants. We performed a comparative analysis between groups. RESULTS: Fourty-two patients were diagnosed with GBS in 2020, men 64.2%, age 46 ± 17.4 years, patients with obesity/overweight 42.8%, previous diarrhea 31%, history of respiratory tract infection 14.2%. Guillain Barre Disability Scale = 3 points 71.4% and, cranial nerve involvement 69%. The most frequent electrophysiological variant was acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) 53.5%. Seven (16.6%) cases were SARS-CoV2 related, four men, age 43.4 ± 13.4 years. When comparing patients with GBS in 2020 vs patients in 2019, we observed a decrease in the previous infection history during 2020 (45.2% vs 73.3%, p-value = 0.005) and a decrease in previous respiratory infection (14.2% vs 33.3%, p = 0.045), as well as a higher frequency of cranial nerve involvement, and albuminocytologic dissociation. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV2 virus infection preventive measures may be impacting the presentation of post-infectious diseases such as GBS. We did not observe an increase in GBS cases during 2020. Also, the AIDP variant were more frequent in our population in the COVID-19 pandemic.

TITLE: Síndrome de Guillain-Barré durante la pandemia de COVID-19: experiencia de un centro de referencia en México.Introducción. Se trata de describir las características clínicas y variantes electrofisiológicas de los casos de síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) durante la pandemia. Llevamos a cabo un análisis comparativo entre pacientes con SGB relacionado con el SARS-CoV-2 y sin antecedente del virus, y posteriormente realizamos una comparación con los casos de 2019. Pacientes y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal de los pacientes con diagnóstico de SGB según los criterios de Asbury y Cornblath. Se recolectaron información clínica y variables paraclínicas. Definimos el SGB relacionado con el SARS-CoV-2 conforme a la descripción de Ellul et al. Se utilizaron los criterios de Hadden para la clasificación de las variantes electrofisiológicas. Por último, realizamos un análisis comparativo entre grupos. Resultados. Se diagnosticó a 42 pacientes con SGB en 2020, un 64,2% hombres, con una edad de 46 ± 17,4 años, un 42,8% con obesidad/sobrepeso, un 31% con historia de diarrea previa y un 14,2% con infección respiratoria previa. El 71,4% tuvo una puntuación en la Guillain-Barré Disability Score igual o mayor que 3 puntos y el 69% tenía afectados los nervios del cráneo. La variante electrofisiológica más común fue la polirradiculoneuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria aguda (PDIA; 53,5%). Siete (16,6%) casos tuvieron relación con el SARS-CoV-2, cuatro hombres, con edad de 43,4 ± 13,4 años. Al realizar la comparación entre pacientes con SGB de 2020 frente a los de 2019, observamos un decremento en el antecedente de infección previa en 2020 (45,2 frente a 73,3%; p = 0,005) y un decremento específico en la historia de infección respiratoria (14,2 frente a 33,3%; p = 0,045), así como una mayor frecuencia de afectación de los nervios del cráneo y de disociación albuminocitológica. Conclusiones. Las maniobras preventivas para la infección por el SARS-CoV-2 impactan directamente en la presentación de enfermedades postinfecciosas como el SGB. No observamos un incremento en los casos de SGB durante 2020. Asimismo, la variante de PDIA fue la más frecuente en nuestra población durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

Efficacy of long-term prednisone therapy in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP): a retrospective cohort study. / Eficacia del uso de prednisona como terapia a largo plazo en pacientes con polineuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica (PDIC): una cohorte retrospectiva.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with CIDP respond adequately to steroid therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). However, few patients have access to IVIG in developing countries. Little information exists about the clinical response to steroid therapy in Latin American countries. OBJECTIVE: to describe the long-term functional clinical response (24 months) to prednisone therapy in CIDP patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort was conducted. Selection included patients with definitive CIDP diagnosis according to European criteria from the Neuromuscular Diseases clinic of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery between January 2016 and December 2020. Good response to steroid therapy was defined as with improvement in at least one point on the GBS disability score. Poor response to steroid therapy was defined as patients who did not show improvement in at least one point on the GBS disability score. Patients were evaluated at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients with CIDP were included. Half of them were male and mean age was 46±15 years. Mean time since symptom onset to diagnosis was 6 (IQR 2-12) months. The most common clinical variant was sensory-motor 57.4%, followed by acute-onset CIDP 21.3% and atypical variants 21.2%. At diagnosis our patients presented: mean GBS disability score of 3 (2.25-4) points, MRC score 39.5 ± 12 points, independent gait in 17%, mean prednisone dose of 50 mg (32.5-50). Twenty-four months after prednisone therapy, a less mean GBS disability score -1(0-2) points-, mean MRC score 56.3 ± 5.1 points, independent gait 93% and prednisone dose 1 (0-5) mg. Patients with poor three-month functional clinical response had a delay in diagnosis > 6 months (64.7% vs 27.5%) and atypical clinical variants (47% vs 6.8%). CONCLUSION: CIDP patients treated with prednisone have good long-term functional clinical response. Delay in diagnosis and atypical variant are common clinical characteristics for poor functional clinical response in treatment with prednisone.

TITLE: Eficacia del uso de prednisona como terapia a largo plazo en pacientes con polineuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica (PDIC): una cohorte retrospectiva.Introducción. Los pacientes con polineuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica (PDIC) responden adecuadamente a la terapia con esteroides y a la inmunoglobulina intravenosa (IgIV). Sin embargo, pocos pacientes tienen acceso a la IgIV en los países en desarrollo. Existe poca información sobre la respuesta clínica a la terapia con esteroides en los países de Latinoamérica. Objetivo. Describir la respuesta clínica funcional a largo plazo (24 meses) a la terapia con prednisona en pacientes con PDIC. Material y métodos. Se realizó una cohorte retrospectiva. La selección incluyó a pacientes con diagnóstico definitivo de PDIC según los criterios europeos de la Clínica de Enfermedades Neuromusculares del Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía entre enero de 2016 y diciembre de 2020. La buena respuesta a la terapia con esteroides se definió como una mejoría al menos en un punto de la Guillain-Barre Disability Score (GBS). La mala respuesta a la terapia con esteroides se definió como pacientes que no mostraron mejoría al menos en un punto en la GBS. Los pacientes fueron evaluados a los 3, 6, 12, 18 y 24 meses. Resultados. Se incluyó a 47 pacientes con PDIC. La mitad de ellos eran varones y la edad media fue de 46 ± 15 años. El tiempo medio desde el inicio de los síntomas hasta el diagnóstico fue de 6 (rango intercuartílico: 2-12) meses. La variante clínica más común fue la sensomotora (57,4%), seguida de la PDIC de inicio agudo (21,3%) y de variantes atípicas (21,2%). En el momento del diagnóstico, nuestros pacientes presentaban: GBS media de 3 (2,25-4) puntos, puntuación de la escala del Medical Research Council (MRC) de 39,5 ± 12 puntos, marcha independiente en el 17% y dosis media de prednisona de 50 mg (32,5-50). Veinticuatro meses después de la terapia con prednisona, la GBS media era menor ­1 (0-2) puntos­, la puntuación media del MRC era de 56,3 ± 5,1 puntos, había marcha independiente en el 93% y la dosis de prednisona era de 1 mg (0-5). Los pacientes con mala respuesta clínica funcional a los tres meses tuvieron un retraso en el diagnóstico > 6 meses (64,7% frente a 27,5%) y variantes clínicas atípicas (47% frente a 6,8%). Conclusión. Los pacientes con PDIC tratados con prednisona tienen una buena respuesta clínica funcional a largo plazo. El retraso en el diagnóstico y la variante atípica son características clínicas frecuentes de la respuesta clínica funcional deficiente en el tratamiento con prednisona.

Eficacia del uso de prednisona como terapia a largo plazo en pacientes con polineuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica (PDIC): una cohorte retrospectiva / Efficacy of long-term prednisone therapy in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP): a retrospective cohort study

Introducción: Los pacientes con polineuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica (PDIC) responden adecuadamente a la terapia con esteroides y a la inmunoglobulina intravenosa (IgIV). Sin embargo, pocos pacientes tienen acceso a la IgIV en los países en desarrollo. Existe poca información sobre la respuesta clínica a la terapia con esteroides en los países de Latinoamérica. Objetivo: Describir la respuesta clínica funcional a largo plazo (24 meses) a la terapia con prednisona en pacientes con PDIC. Material y métodos. Se realizó una cohorte retrospectiva. La selección incluyó a pacientes con diagnóstico definitivo de PDIC según los criterios europeos de la Clínica de Enfermedades Neuromusculares del Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía entre enero de 2016 y diciembre de 2020. La buena respuesta a la terapia con esteroides se definió como una mejoría al menos en un punto de la Guillain-Barre Disability Score (GBS). La mala respuesta a la terapia con esteroides se definió como pacientes que no mostraron mejoría al menos en un punto en la GBS. Los pacientes fueron evaluados a los 3, 6, 12, 18 y 24 meses. Resultados: Se incluyó a 47 pacientes con PDIC. La mitad de ellos eran varones y la edad media fue de 46 ± 15 años. El tiempo medio desde el inicio de los síntomas hasta el diagnóstico fue de 6 (rango intercuartílico: 2-12) meses. La variante clínica más común fue la sensomotora (57,4%), seguida de la PDIC de inicio agudo (21,3%) y de variantes atípicas (21,2%). En el momento del diagnóstico, nuestros pacientes presentaban: GBS media de 3 (2,25-4) puntos, puntuación de la escala del Medical Research Council (MRC) de 39,5 ± 12 puntos, marcha independiente en el 17% y dosis media de prednisona de 50 mg (32,5-50). Veinticuatro meses después de la terapia con prednisona, la GBS media era menor –1 (0-2) puntos–, la puntuación media del MRC era de 56,3 ± 5,1 puntos, había marcha independiente en el 93% y la dosis de prednisona era de 1 mg (0-5)...(AU)

Introduction: Patients with CIDP respond adequately to steroid therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). However, few patients have access to IVIG in developing countries. Little information exists about the clinical response to steroid therapy in Latin American countries. Objective: to describe the long-term functional clinical response (24 months) to prednisone therapy in CIDP patients. Material and methods. A retrospective cohort was conducted. Selection included patients with definitive CIDP diagnosis according to European criteria from the Neuromuscular Diseases clinic of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery between January 2016 and December 2020. Good response to steroid therapy was defined as with improvement in at least one point on the GBS disability score. Poor response to steroid therapy was defined as patients who did not show improvement in at least one point on the GBS disability score. Patients were evaluated at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Results: Forty-seven patients with CIDP were included. Half of them were male and mean age was 46±15 years. Mean time since symptom onset to diagnosis was 6 (IQR 2-12) months. The most common clinical variant was sensory-motor 57.4%, followed by acute-onset CIDP 21.3% and atypical variants 21.2%. At diagnosis our patients presented: mean GBS disability score of 3 (2.25-4) points, MRC score 39.5 ± 12 points, independent gait in 17%, mean prednisone dose of 50 mg (32.5-50). Twenty-four months after prednisone therapy, a less mean GBS disability score –1(0-2) points–, mean MRC score 56.3 ± 5.1 points, independent gait 93% and prednisone dose 1 (0-5) mg. Patients with poor three-month functional clinical response had a delay in diagnosis > 6 months (64.7% vs 27.5%) and atypical clinical variants (47% vs 6.8%)...(AU)

Global parental leave in surgical careers: differences according to gender, geographical regions and surgical career stages.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of information regarding the provision of parental leave for surgical careers. This survey study aims to evaluate the experience of maternity/paternity leave and views on work-life balance globally. METHODS: A 55-item online survey in 24 languages was distributed via social media as per CHERRIES guideline from February to March 2020. It explored parental leave entitlements, attitude towards leave taking, financial impact, time spent with children and compatibility of parenthood with surgical career. RESULTS: Of the 1393 (male : female, 514 : 829) respondents from 65 countries, there were 479 medical students, 349 surgical trainees and 513 consultants. Consultants had less than the recommended duration of maternity leave (43.8 versus 29.1 per cent), no paid maternity (8.3 versus 3.2 per cent) or paternity leave (19.3 versus 11.0 per cent) compared with trainees. Females were less likely to have children than males (36.8 versus 45.6 per cent, P = 0.010) and were more often told surgery is incompatible with parenthood (80.2 versus 59.5 per cent, P < 0.001). Males spent less than 20 per cent of their salary on childcare and fewer than 30 hours/week with their children. More than half (59.2 per cent) of medical students did not believe a surgical career allowed work-life balance. CONCLUSION: Surgeons across the globe had inadequate parental leave. Significant gender disparity was seen in multiple aspects.