Mutations in the VP2 gene of rotavirus associated with benzimidazole sensitivity.

Rotavirus species A (RVA) is the etiological agent of acute gastroenteritis in young individuals of various animal species, including humans. Vaccination has helped to reduce the impact of these viruses on humans and some species of domestic mammals, but they do not confer complete immunity, so antirotavirus agents are another important control option. In this study, millimolar concentrations of benzimidazole inhibited the replication of the Rhesus rotavirus (RRV) strain of RVA. Two mutants partially resistant to the inhibitory effect of benzimidazole were independently selected, and their genomes and those of their parental strains were fully sequenced. Most (7/11) mutations occurred in the gene that encodes the VP2 protein, and similarly most of the missense mutations (5/9), including the only one shared by the two mutants (G2,414 → R[G/A], D800 N), occurred in the VP2 gene. Our results identify the VP2 gene as the primary target affected by benzimidazole.

Hepatitis B and C virus infection among HIV patients within the public and private healthcare systems in Chile: A cross-sectional serosurvey.

BACKGROUND: Coinfections of HIV patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are mayor public health problems, contributing to the emerging burden of HIV-associated hepatic mortality. Coinfection rates vary geographically, depending on various factors such as predominant transmission modes, HBV vaccination rates, and prevalence of HBV and HCV in the general population. In South America, the epidemiology of coinfections is uncertain, since systematic studies are scarce. Our study aimed to analyze rates of HBV and HCV infection in people living with HIV attending centers of the public and private health system in Chile. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study including a public university hospital and a private health center in Santiago, Metropolitan Region in Chile. Serum samples were used to determine serological markers of hepatitis B (HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc total, HBeAg, anti-HBe) and anti-HCV. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: 399 patients were included (353 from public, 46 from private health center). Most (92.8%) were male, with a median age of 38.3 years; 99.4% acquired HIV through sexual contact (75.0% MSM); 25.7% had AIDS and 90.4% were on ART. In 78.9%, viral loads were <40 cps/mL; the median CD4 cell count was 468 cells/mm3. According to their serological status, 37.6% of patients were HBV naïve (susceptible), 6.5% were vaccinated, 43.6% had resolved HBV infection, and 5.8% were chronically infected. The rate of vaccination was 4.5% in the public and 21.7% in the private system. HCV coinfection was found in 1.0% of all patients. CONCLUSION: HBV coinfection rate was within the range of other South American countries, but lower than in non-industrialized regions in Asia and Africa. A low percentage of patients were HBV vaccinated, especially within the public system. HCV coinfection rate was very low, most probably due to the rareness of injecting drug use.

Periodontal condition is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and premature rupture of membranes in low-income pregnant women in Bogota, Colombia: a case-control study.

Objectives: To assess the periodontal condition as a factor associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, premature rupture of membranes (PRM), and preeclampsia in low-income pregnant women treated at public hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia.Methods: Pregnant women with preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) or both conditions (n = 107/428), or only PTB (n = 73/292) or LBW (n = 74/296) or with PRM (n = 98/392) or preeclampsia (n = 76/304) in a ratio of four controls for each case, coming from three hospitals of the public Northern Network of Bogotá, Colombia were studied. Sociodemographic, perinatal adverse outcome history, antenatal care, chronic infections, periodontal condition, threatened abortion, bleeding in the second half of pregnancy, oligohydramnios, diabetes, gestational diabetes, alcohol consumption, hypertension, smoking, alcohol during pregnancy were determined. Logistic regression was conducted to establish factors associated to perinatal adverse outcomes. Multiple correspondence analysis was conducted as secondary analysis.Results: Threatened abortion, absence of antenatal care, hypertension, chronic infections, and periodontal condition were the most important factors associated with perinatal adverse outcomes. The presence of periodontal pockets was associated with LBW OR 2.52 (IC95% 1.36-4.70), PTB OR 2.04 (IC95% 1.10-3.64), PTB-LBW or both OR 2.08 (IC95% 1.18-3.31), PRM OR 2.04 (IC95% 1.17-3.56). Periodontal pockets presence was not associated with preeclampsia. Multiple correspondence analyses showed high correlation between PRM with chronic infection and presence of periodontal pockets.Conclusions: Periodontal condition is a factor independent of other important risk factors for a perinatal adverse outcome and PRM. Prevention of periodontal disease should be included in preconception and prenatal care programs.

Impact of antibiotic prophylaxis on the incidence, nature, magnitude, and duration of bacteremia associated with dental procedures: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) is used routinely in high-risk groups of patients to reduce bacteremia and the risk of developing infective endocarditis (IE). In this systematic review, the authors evaluated the efficacy of AP on the incidence, nature, magnitude, and duration of post-dental procedure bacteremia. METHODS: The authors conducted a systematic search of the literature using MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to and including May 2019. They included randomized clinical trials in which researchers compared antibiotics with a placebo or no treatment (as the control). They undertook random-effects meta-analyses to evaluate the incidence of bacteremia after dental procedures. RESULTS: The authors included 12 studies in the review. The studies evaluated the incidence of bacteremia after AP with American Heart Association (AHA) protocol antibiotics (amoxicillin, clindamycin, cephalosporin, and azithromycin) or non-AHA protocol antibiotics (moxifloxacin and intravenous [IV] amoxicillin-clavulanic acid). The pooled analysis revealed that antibiotics significantly reduced the bacteremia incidence, but their effectiveness was moderate (risk ratio, 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.38 to 0.67). IV amoxicillin-clavulanic acid promoted a considerable reduction in bacteremia. However, in patients with penicillin allergies, antibiotics (that is, clindamycin and cephalosporin) had lower efficacy. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Oral amoxicillin is still the antibiotic of choice to reduce bacteremia. IV amoxicillin-clavulanic acid could be used for patients at high risk of developing IE who require invasive dental procedures, have high levels of dental infection, and are to be treated under general anesthesia. In patients with penicillin allergies, oral azithromycin showed a higher efficacy for the reduction of bacteremia and the use of clindamycin should be reviewed. Antibiotic premedication should be limited to patients at high risk of developing IE, according to the indications of the AHA guide.

Visión empresarial como nuevo aporte a la teoría beckeriana del crimen en el Perú / The entrepreneurial vision is a new contribution to the Becker's crime theory in Perú / Visão empresarial como novo aporte à teoria beckeriana do crime no Peru

Resumen El presente documento pretende abordar el crimen de motivación económica como un modelo de negocio equivocado. El objetivo es considerar el crimen como una actividad con propósitos similares a los de una empresa y, por tanto, objeto de estudio también de la administración: maximización de utilidades a través de la minimización de costos asociada a la realización y mantenimiento de sus operaciones; competitividad e influencia de un clima propicio para la expansión de sus operaciones, para generar utilidades de manera ilegal, teniendo como colateral el crimen. La metodología usada aborda una revisión histórica, tomando como base la Teoría del Crimen Racional (Becker, 1968) y otras, que explican los beneficios e incentivos que hacen sustentable el negocio criminal, y el resultado pone de relieve la introducción de herramientas de la ciencia administrativa para la comprensión del fenómeno criminal de motivación económica.

Abstract This paper aims to approach crime of economic motivation as a wrong business model. The objective is to consider crime as an activity with the same goals of an enterprise. Therefore, this is a matter of study of business management, too: profit maximization through the cost minimization connected to the completion and maintenance of its operations; competiveness and influence of an appropriate climate for increasing its operations, for producing incomes illegally and having crime as collateral. The methodology conducted a historical review based on the Theory of the Rational Crime (Becker, 1968) and other theories that explain the benefits and incentives that make criminal business sustainable. The result underscores the tolos introduction of the business administration sciences for understanding the criminal matter of economic motivation.

Resumo O presente documento pretende abordar o crime de motivação econômica como um modelo de negócio errado. O objetivo é considerar o crime como uma atividade com propósitos similares aos de uma empresa e, portanto, também objeto de estudo da administração: maximização do lucro por meio da minimização de custos associada à realização e manutenção de suas operações; competitividade e influência de um clima propício para a expansão de suas operações, para gerar lucro de maneira ilegal, tendo o crime como colateral. A metodologia usada aborda uma revisão histórica com base na Teoria do Crime Racional (Becker, 1968) e outras, que explicam os benefícios e incentivos que fazem sustentável o negócio criminal, e o resultado salienta a introdução de ferramentas da ciencia administrativa para a compreensão do fenómeno criminal de motivação econômica.

[Evaluation of the characteristics of aortic dissection by computed angio-tomography in the Mexican population]. / Evaluación de las características de la disección aórtica en la población mexicana mediante angiotomografía computarizada.

OBJECTIVE: To review aortic dissection (AD) in the Mexican population. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted using 434 medical records of patients with aortic angio-tomography between November 2014 and October 2015. A sample was obtained of 32 patients with a first time diagnosis of AD. An analysis was performed of the dissections according to gender, age group, Stanford/De Bakey classification, and mortality rate 6 months after diagnosis. Statistical analysis was performed by obtaining the Chi squared index for the independent variables of gender, Marfan syndrome, systemic arterial hypertension, as well as calcified atheromatous disease in association with dissection subtypes, re-entry sites, and hypo-perfusion signs. RESULTS: The patients included 65.6% males with a mean age of 54.5 years, and 34.4% females with mean age of 42.5 years. The most common dissection subtype was B/3. Mortality rate at 6 months was 18.7%. There was a significant association, with a marginal P in patients with Marfan syndrome and Stanford subtypes of AD (P=.0506). There was a significant association in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm, when compared with Stanford subtypes of AD (P=.047104). CONCLUSIONS: AD is an emergency in which diagnosis and timely management are essential to improve prognosis. In the sample presented here, a significant association was found in patients with a history of Marfan syndrome and abdominal aneurysms with dissections according to the Stanford classification. The rest of the independent variables did not show any significant association, probably related to the size of the sample.

Formación de especialistas en Latinoamérica. Rol de las universidades chilenas / Training of specialists in Latin America: role of Chilean universities

Chile tiene una tasa de médicos de 1,7/1.000 habitantes, menor al promedio de los países de la OCDE (3,2/1.000). Considerando el número de facultades de medicina (22) y de egresados por año (se proyectan para el quinquenio 2015-2020 10.883 nuevos médicos), esta falencia se podrá solucionar en un plazo razonable. Hay en el país facultades de medicina públicas y privadas, con un sistema único de admisión en el que se considera el rendimiento de la etapa escolar, pruebas específicas de selección universitaria y ajustes de acuerdo con el origen del estudiante, con el objeto de mejorar la equidad en el acceso. La acreditación de la carrera de Medicina es obligatoria para todas las universidades y los criterios de titulación son dependientes de cada centro. Hay un examen de habilitación que mide competencias teóricas para los egresados de universidades chilenas y además uno práctico para quienes estudian en el extranjero. El Ministerio de Salud de Chile ha estimado que existe en el país un déficit de especialistas, además de un problema de distribución geográfica de los mismos. Para superar progresivamente esta situación, el Estado ha desarrollado un plan expansivo de programas de especialización, bajo un estricto sistema de acreditación de calidad, tomando en cuenta que los programas de especialización en Chile son universitarios. El Estado financia la mayor parte de los programas de formación de especialistas, exigiendo a los graduados un tiempo de trabajo en la red pública de salud al finalizar sus programas. Cada centro universitario puede a su vez financiar programas propios con períodos de devolución en la misma institución. La acreditación y reacreditación de especialistas dependen de estructuras reguladas por el Estado

Chile has a physician rate of 1.7/1,000 inhabitants, lower than the average of the OECD countries (3.2/1,000). The country currently has 22 medical schools and more than 10,000 new doctors are expected by 2020. There are public and private medical schools in the country, with a unique system of admission that considers the qualifications of secondary education, specific tests of university selection and adjustments according to the origin of the students, in order to improve equity in access. Accreditation of a medical degree is a requirement for all universities. At the end of the course, there is an habilitation exam that measures theoretical competences for graduates of Chilean universities and also a practical one for those studying abroad. The Ministry of Health of Chile has estimated that there is a shortage of specialists in the country, as well as a problem of geographical distribution. To progressively overcome this situation, the state has developed an expansive plan of specialization programs, under a strict system of quality accreditation, taking into account that the specialization programs in Chile are all dependent on universities. The state supports most specialist training programs, requiring graduates to work in the public health network at the end of their programs. Each university can finance its own programs with repayment periods in the same institution. The accreditation of specialists depends on structures regulated by the state

Evaluación de las características de la disección aórtica en la población mexicana mediante angiotomografía computarizada / Evaluation of the characteristics of aortic dissection by computed angio-tomography in the Mexican population

Resumen Objetivo: Revisión y análisis de la disección aórtica (DA) en la población mexicana. Método: Revisión retrospectiva de 434 expedientes electrónicos de pacientes con angiotomografía de aorta entre noviembre de 2014 y octubre de 2015. Se obtuvo una muestra de 32 pacientes con diagnóstico de DA de primera vez. Se realizó un análisis de las DA según género, grupo etario, clasificación de Stanford/De Bakey y mortalidad a 6 meses del diagnóstico. Se realizó análisis de significación estadística mediante la Chi-cuadrada para las variables independientes de género, síndrome de Marfan, hipertensión arterial sistémica y enfermedad ateromatosa calcificada en asociación con subtipos, sitios de reentrada y datos de hipoperfusión. Resultados: El 65.6% de los pacientes fueron masculinos, con un promedio de edad de 54.5 años, y el 34.4% fueron femeninos, con un promedio de edad de 42.5 años. El subtipo B/3 fue el más frecuentemente diagnosticado. La tasa de mortalidad a 6 meses fue del 18.7%. Se halló asociación significativa con p marginal en pacientes con síndrome de Marfan y subtipos de DA según Stanford (p = 0.0506), así como asociación significativa en pacientes con aneurisma de aorta abdominal y subtipos de DA según Stanford (p = 0.047104). Conclusiones: La DA es una emergencia en la cual el diagnóstico por imagen y el manejo oportuno son fundamentales para mejorar el pronóstico. En nuestra muestra encontramos asociación significativa de pacientes con antecedente de síndrome de Marfan y aneurisma aórtico abdominal con disecciones según la categoría de Stanford. El resto de las variables independientes no mostraron asociación significativa, en probable relación con el tamaño de la muestra.

Abstract Objective: To review aortic dissection (AD) in the Mexican population. Method: A retrospective study was conducted using 434 medical records of patients with aortic angio-tomography between November 2014 and October 2015. A sample was obtained of 32 patients with a first time diagnosis of AD. An analysis was performed of the dissections according to gender, age group, Stanford/De Bakey classification, and mortality rate 6 months after diagnosis. Statistical analysis was performed by obtaining the Chi squared index for the independent variables of gender, Marfan syndrome, systemic arterial hypertension, as well as calcified atheromatous disease in association with dissection subtypes, re-entry sites, and hypo-perfusion signs. Results: The patients included 65.6% males with a mean age of 54.5 years, and 34.4% females with mean age of 42.5 years. The most common dissection subtype was B/3. Mortality rate at 6 months was 18.7%. There was a significant association, with a marginal P in patients with Marfan syndrome and Stanford subtypes of AD (P = .0506). There was a significant association in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm, when compared with Stanford subtypes of AD (P = .047104). Conclusions: AD is an emergency in which diagnosis and timely management are essential to improve prognosis. In the sample presented here, a significant association was found in patients with a history of Marfan syndrome and abdominal aneurysms with dissections according to the Stanford classification. The rest of the independent variables did not show any significant association, probably related to the size of the sample.

Enveloped and non-enveloped viral-like particles in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes.

Electron microscopy is routinely used to identify viral infections in protozoan parasites. These viruses have been described as non-enveloped and icosahedral structures with a diameter of 30-60 nm. Most of them are classified within the non-segmented dsRNA Totiviridae family. We observed virus-like particles (VLPs) through transmission electron microscopy in the cytoplasm of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes grown in cultures. Clusters of electrodense enveloped VLPs having a diameter of 48 nm were also observed. These clusters appear to have been released from distended Golgi cisternae. Furthermore, a paracrystalline array of electrodense, non-enveloped VLPs (with a diameter of 32 nm) were found in distended Golgi cisternae or as smaller clusters at a distance from the RE or Golgi. We cannot rule out that the 48 nm enveloped VLPs belong to the ssRNA Flaviviridae family because they are within its size range. The localization of enveloped VLPs is consistent with the replication strategy of these viruses that transit through the Golgi to be released at the cell surface. Due to the size and shape of the 32 nm non-enveloped VLPs, we propose that they belong to the dsRNA Totiviridae family. This is the first description of cytoplasmic enveloped and non-enveloped VLPs in T. cruzi epimastigotes.

Species A rotavirus NSP3 acquires its translation inhibitory function prior to stable dimer formation.

Species A rotavirus non-structural protein 3 (NSP3) is a translational regulator that inhibits or, under some conditions, enhances host cell translation. NSP3 binds to the translation initiation factor eIF4G1 and evicts poly-(A) binding protein (PABP) from eIF4G1, thus inhibiting translation of polyadenylated mRNAs, presumably by disrupting the effect of PABP bound to their 3'-ends. NSP3 has a long coiled-coil region involved in dimerization that includes a chaperone Hsp90-binding domain (HS90BD). We aimed to study the role in NSP3 dimerization of a segment of the coiled-coil region adjoining the HS90BD. We used a vaccinia virus system to express NSP3 with point mutations in conserved amino acids in the coiled-coil region and determined the effects of these mutations on translation by metabolic labeling of proteins as well as on accumulation of stable NSP3 dimers by non-dissociating Western blot, a method that separates stable NSP3 dimers from the monomer/dimerization intermediate forms of the protein. Four of five mutations reduced the total yield of NSP3 and the formation of stable dimers (W170A, K171E, R173E and R187E:K191E), whereas one mutation had the opposite effects (Y192A). Treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 revealed that stable NSP3 dimers and monomers/dimerization intermediates are susceptible to proteasome degradation. Surprisingly, mutants severely impaired in the formation of stable dimers were still able to inhibit host cell translation, suggesting that NSP3 dimerization intermediates are functional. Our results demonstrate that rotavirus NSP3 acquires its function prior to stable dimer formation and remain as a proteasome target throughout dimerization.

Amazon River dissolved load: temporal dynamics and annual budget from the Andes to the ocean.

The aim of the present study is to estimate the export fluxes of major dissolved species at the scale of the Amazon basin, to identify the main parameters controlling their spatial distribution and to identify the role of discharge variability in the variability of the total dissolved solid (TDS) flux through the hydrological cycle. Data are compiled from the monthly hydrochemistry and daily discharge database of the "Programa Climatologico y Hidrologico de la Cuenca Amazonica de Bolivia" (PHICAB) and the HYBAM observatories from 34 stations distributed over the Amazon basin (for the 1983-1992 and 2000-2012 periods, respectively). This paper consists of a first global observation of the fluxes and temporal dynamics of each geomorphological domain of the Amazon basin. Based on mean interannual monthly flux calculations, we estimated that the Amazon basin delivered approximately 272 × 10(6) t year(-1) (263-278) of TDS during the 2003-2012 period, which represents approximately 7 % of the continental inputs to the oceans. This flux is mainly made up by HCO3, Ca and SiO2, reflecting the preferential contributions of carbonate and silicate chemical weathering to the Amazon River Basin. The main tributaries contributing to the TDS flux are the Marañon and Ucayali Rivers (approximately 50 % of the TDS production over 14 % of the Amazon basin area) due to the weathering of carbonates and evaporites drained by their Andean tributaries. An Andes-sedimentary area-shield TDS flux (and specific flux) gradient is observed throughout the basin and is first explained by the TDS concentration contrast between these domains, rather than variability in runoff. This observation highlights that, under tropical context, the weathering flux repartition is primarily controlled by the geomorphological/geological setting and confirms that sedimentary areas are currently active in terms of the production of dissolved load. The log relationships of concentration vs discharge have been characterized over all the studied stations and for all elements. The analysis of the slope of the relationship within the selected contexts reveals that the variability in TDS flux is mainly controlled by the discharge variability throughout the hydrological year. At the outlet of the basin, a clockwise hysteresis is observed for TDS concentration and is mainly controlled by Ca and HCO3 hysteresis, highlighting the need for a sampling strategy with a monthly frequency to accurately determine the TDS fluxes of the basin. The evaporite dissolution flux tends to be constant, whereas dissolved load fluxes released from other sources (silicate weathering, carbonate weathering, biological and/or atmospheric inputs) are mainly driven by variability in discharge. These results suggest that past and further climate variability had or will have a direct impact on the variability of dissolved fluxes in the Amazon. Further studies need to be performed to better understand the processes controlling the dynamics of weathering fluxes and their applicability to present-day concentration-discharge relationships at longer timescales.

High-Throughput Profiling of Caenorhabditis elegans Starvation-Responsive microRNAs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs of ~22 nucleotides in length that regulate gene expression by interfering with the stability and translation of mRNAs. Their expression is regulated during development, under a wide variety of stress conditions and in several pathological processes. In nature, animals often face feast or famine conditions. We observed that subjecting early L4 larvae from Caenorhabditis elegans to a 12-hr starvation period produced worms that are thinner and shorter than well-fed animals, with a decreased lipid accumulation, diminished progeny, reduced gonad size, and an increased lifespan. Our objective was to identify which of the 302 known miRNAs of C. elegans changed their expression under starvation conditions as compared to well-fed worms by means of deep sequencing in early L4 larvae. Our results indicate that 13 miRNAs (miR-34-3p, the family of miR-35-3p to miR-41-3p, miR-39-5p, miR-41-5p, miR-240-5p, miR-246-3p and miR-4813-5p) were upregulated, while 2 miRNAs (let-7-3p and miR-85-5p) were downregulated in 12-hr starved vs. well-fed early L4 larvae. Some of the predicted targets of the miRNAs that changed their expression in starvation conditions are involved in metabolic or developmental process. In particular, miRNAs of the miR-35 family were upregulated 6-20 fold upon starvation. Additionally, we showed that the expression of gld-1, important in oogenesis, a validated target of miR-35-3p, was downregulated when the expression of miR-35-3p was upregulated. The expression of another reported target, the cell cycle regulator lin-23, was unchanged during starvation. This study represents a starting point for a more comprehensive understanding of the role of miRNAs during starvation in C. elegans.

Circulating levels of miR-150 are associated with poorer outcomes of A/H1N1 infection.

BACKGROUND: Overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines is frequently associated with severe clinical manifestations in patients infected with influenza A/H1N1 virus. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved small non-coding RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression and are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in different inflammatory conditions. METHODS: We studied the circulating and miRNA profiles in critically ill A/H1N1 patients, A/H1N1 patients with milder disease, asymptomatic housemates and healthy controls. Cytokine, chemokine and growth factors that were potential targets of differentially expressed miRNAs were assessed. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment and interactome analysis of these miRNAs were also performed. RESULTS: Critically ill patients exhibited a significant over-expression of circulating miR-150 (p<0.005) when compared to patients with milder disease. miR-29c, miR-145 and miR-22 were differentially expressed in patients with severe A/H1N1 disease whereas miR-210, miR-126 and miR-222 were downregulated in individuals exposed to the A/H1N1 virus. Significant correlations (p<0.05) between circulating levels of miR-150 with IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-6, CXCL8, IFN-γ, CXCL10 and G-CSF were detected, particularly in critically ill patients. CONCLUSION: The up-regulation of miR-150 is associated with poorer outcomes of A/H1N1 infection. The differential expression of miRNAs related with immune processes in severe A/H1N1 disease supports the potential role of these miRNAs as biomarkers of disease progression.

[Respiratory infections and bacteremia caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W]. / Infecciones respiratorias bacteriémicas por Neisseria meningitidis serogrupo W.

N. meningitidis serogroup W has recently been introduced into Chile. This serogroup has been associated with hypervirulent strains capable of causing outbreaks. Furthermore, there is data suggesting that the spectrum of clinical manifestations varies among different serogroups. Here we describe three cases of community acquired respiratory infections caused by N. meningitidis W, which were diagnosed by blood culture during 2013 in our hospital.

Síndrome de Boreout: Diseño, confiabilidad y validación preliminar de un instrumento para su medición / Boreout syndrome: design, reliability and preliminary validation of an instrument for measuring

Introducción: El síndrome de boreout es una condición relacionada con el aburrimiento, el desinterés y la infraexigencia, lo cual genera trastornos a la población trabajadora así como pérdidas cuantiosas a las empresas. Objetivo: El presente estudio tiene el propósito de diseñar un instrumento que permita recabar información sobre el síndrome de boreout. Material y métodos:: Partiendo de la revisión teórica se diseñó un instrumento que se aplicó a 150 trabajadores ofimáticos de una empresa privada de la ciudad de Valencia (Carabobo, Venezuela), el cual abarca los tres componentes reconocidos del síndrome de boreout, y consta de tres partes. Parte 1: datos sociodemográficos; Parte 2: 18 ítems con una escala tipo Likert para frecuencia (seis para cada componente); Parte 3: estrategias pro-boreout. Resultados: Para la Confiabilidad se utilizó el alfa de Cronbach (0,868), para la validez de criterio el juicio de expertos, validez de contenido y validez de constructo (análisis factorial). Conclusiones: Se puede concluir que el instrumento es apto para su propósito.

Introduction: Boreout syndrome is a condition related to boredom, disinterest and low requirent, which causes disruption to the working population and huge losses to companies. Objectives: This study aims to design a tool to gather information on the Boreout syndrome. Material and methods: Based on the theoretical review an instrument was applied to 150 office workers of a private company in the city of Valencia (Carabobo, Venezuela), which encompasses the three recognized components boreout syndrome, and consists of three parts design. Part 1: sociodemographic data; Part 2: 18 items with a Likert scale for frequency (six for each component); Part 3: strategies pro-boreout. Results: Cronbach's alpha (0.868) was used for reliability, expert judgment for the criterion validity, and content validity and construct validity (factor analysis). Conclusions: It can be concluded that the instrument fit for its purpose.

The shift from low to high non-structural protein 1 expression in rotavirus-infected MA-104 cells.

A hallmark of group/species A rotavirus (RVA) replication in MA-104 cells is the logarithmic increase in viral mRNAs that occurs four-12 h post-infection. Viral protein synthesis typically lags closely behind mRNA synthesis but continues after mRNA levels plateau. However, RVA non-structural protein 1 (NSP1) is present at very low levels throughout viral replication despite showing robust protein synthesis. NSP1 has the contrasting properties of being susceptible to proteasomal degradation, but being stabilised against proteasomal degradation by viral proteins and/or viral mRNAs. We aimed to determine the kinetics of the accumulation and intracellular distribution of NSP1 in MA-104 cells infected with rhesus rotavirus (RRV). NSP1 preferentially localises to the perinuclear region of the cytoplasm of infected cells, forming abundant granules that are heterogeneous in size. Late in infection, large NSP1 granules predominate, coincident with a shift from low to high NSP1 expression levels. Our results indicate that rotavirus NSP1 is a late viral protein in MA-104 cells infected with RRV, presumably as a result of altered protein turnover.

Prolonged excretion of a low-pathogenicity H5N2 avian influenza virus strain in the Pekin duck.

H5N2 strains of low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV) have been circulating for at least 17 years in some Mexican chicken farms. We measured the rate and duration of viral excretion from Pekin ducks that were experimentally inoculated with an H5N2 LPAIV that causes death in embryonated chicken eggs (A/chicken/Mexico/2007). Leghorn chickens were used as susceptible host controls. The degree of viral excretion was evaluated with real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) using samples from oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs. We observed prolonged excretion from both species of birds lasting for at least 21 days. Prolonged excretion of LPAIV A/chicken/ Mexico/2007 is atypical.

Breakthrough bacteremia due to Clostridium tertium in a patient with neutropenic fever, and identification by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Clostridium tertium is rare in a human clinical specimen and its pathogenicity is often uncertain. However, the organism has been increasingly recognized as a cause of bacteremia and other infections in immunocompromised patients, especially those with hematologic malignancies. The diagnosis and treatment of C. tertium are difficult due to its growth pattern, micromorphology, and antibiotic resistance. The organism can easily be misidentified as Gram-positive aerobic rods such as Bacillus species, usually considered as a contaminant. Furthermore, it is not covered by empirical treatment with many broad-spectrum antibiotics. Here we report a case of breakthrough bacteremia due to C. tertium that occurred in a patient with acute leukemia and neutropenic fever, who was treated with an empirical regimen of ceftazidime and amikacin. The bacterium was rapidly identified by new mass spectrometry technology (MALDI-TOF MS) and the patient recovered under meropenem and vancomycin treatment, without complications.

The shift from low to high non-structural protein 1 expression in rotavirus-infected MA-104 cells

A hallmark of group/species A rotavirus (RVA) replication in MA-104 cells is the logarithmic increase in viral mRNAs that occurs four-12 h post-infection. Viral protein synthesis typically lags closely behind mRNA synthesis but continues after mRNA levels plateau. However, RVA non-structural protein 1 (NSP1) is present at very low levels throughout viral replication despite showing robust protein synthesis. NSP1 has the contrasting properties of being susceptible to proteasomal degradation, but being stabilised against proteasomal degradation by viral proteins and/or viral mRNAs. We aimed to determine the kinetics of the accumulation and intracellular distribution of NSP1 in MA-104 cells infected with rhesus rotavirus (RRV). NSP1 preferentially localises to the perinuclear region of the cytoplasm of infected cells, forming abundant granules that are heterogeneous in size. Late in infection, large NSP1 granules predominate, coincident with a shift from low to high NSP1 expression levels. Our results indicate that rotavirus NSP1 is a late viral protein in MA-104 cells infected with RRV, presumably as a result of altered protein turnover.

Diagnóstico genético preimplantacional: análisis de aneuploidías únicas / Preimplantational genetic diagnosis: single aneuploidies analysis

Introducción: De las causas más conocidas en cuanto a la falta del éxito en el embarazo con tratamientos de reproducción asistida son aquellas relacionadas a las aneuploidías cromosómicas presentes en los embriones. El diagnóstico genético preimplantacional (PGD) es una técnica empleada en reproducción asistida para detectar estas anomalías, seleccionando aquellos que sean cromosómicamente normales, para luego transferirlos al útero de la paciente. Los embriones con aneuploidías únicas podrían tener la capacidad de sobrevivir y lograr la implantación, y por lo tanto, sin diagnóstico previo, estas podrían pasar desapercibidas. Objetivos: Determinar la incidencia de aneuploidías únicas en embriones de buena calidad embrionaria en el día 3 de desarrollo hasta blastocisto. Diseño: Estadístico y experimental. Instituciones: Reprogenetics Latinoamérica y Centro de Reproducción asistida, de la Clínica Concebir. Material Biológico: Muestras de biopsia embrionaria. Metodología: Análisis comparativo de resultados a partir de la evaluación de cada muestra obtenida por biopsia en el día tercero y día quinto de desarrollo embrionario, realizando el PGD por hibridación in situ (FISH) y genómica comparada (aCGH), respectivamente. Resultados: El 62,9% de embriones que presentaron monosomías únicas al tercer día de desarrollo embrionario resultaron ser de 8 células. Pero cuando se evaluó por aCGH en día cinco, 42,3% resultó anormal, y de estos 37,5% perteneció al estadio de 8 células. El índice de monosomías únicas en blastocisto resultó ser 57,9% de un total de 84,2% de aneuploidías únicas. Conclusiones: Los embriones de 8 células en el tercer día de desarrollo embrionario son los más probables de llegar al estadio de blastocisto, así como presentar aneuploidías únicas.

Background: Known causes of unsuccessful pregnancy in couples undergoing assisted reproduction treatment include embryo aneuploidies. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a technique used in assisted reproduction in order to detect these abnormalities, select embryos chromosomally normal and subsequently transfer to the patients’ uterus. Embryos with single aneuploidies may have the ability to survive and achieve unnoticed implantation. Objectives: To determine incidence of single aneuploidies in good quality embryos in third day of development to blastocyst. Design: Statistical and experimental study. Setting: Reprogenetics Latin-America and Assisted Reproduction Center - Concebir. Biologic material: Samples of embryo biopsies. Methods: Comparative analysis of results from evaluation of each sample obtained by embryo biopsy on the third and fifth days of embryonic development, performing PGD by respectively in situ hybridization (FISH) and comparative genomics (aCGH). Results: On third day of embryonic development 62.9% of embryos with single monosomy had 8-cell morphology. Though when evaluated by aCGH in the blastocyst stage 42.3% were abnormal and 37.5% of these belonged to the 8-cell stage. Single monosomies index in the blastocyst stage was 57.9% in 84.2% of single aneuploidies. Conclusions: Eight-cell embryos on the third day of embryonic development are most likely to reach blastocyst stage and have single aneuploidies.