Development of an artificial neural network (ANN) for the prediction of a pilot scale mobile wastewater treatment plant performance.

Productive activities such as pig farming are a fundamental part of the economy in Mexico. Unfortunately, because of this activity, large quantities of wastewater are generated that have a negative impact in the environment. This work shows an alternative for treating piggery wastewater based on advanced oxidation processes (Fenton and solar photo Fenton, SPF) that have been probed successfully in previous works. In the first stage, Fenton and SPF were carried out on a laboratory scale using a Taguchi L9-type experimental design. From the statistical analysis of this design, the operating parameters: pH, time, hydrogen peroxide concentration [H2O2], and iron ferrous concentration [Fe2+] that maximize the response variables: Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), and color were chosen. From these, a cascade forward neural network was implemented to establish a correlation between data from the variables to the physicochemical parameters to be measure being that a great fit of the data was obtained having a correlation coefficient of 0.99 which permits to optimize the pollutant degradation and predict the removal efficiencies at pilot scale but with a projection to a future industrial scale. A relevant result, it was found that the optimal values for maximizing the removal of physicochemical parameters were pH = 3, time = 60 min, H2O2/COD = 1.5 mg L-1, and H2O2/Fe2+ = 2.5 mg L-1. With these conditions degradation percentages of 91.44%, 47.14%, and 97.89% for COD, TOC, and color were obtained from the Fenton process, while for SPF the degradation percentage increased moderately. From the ANN analysis, the possibility to establish an intelligent system that permits to predict multiple results from operational conditions has been achieved.

Structural features of thyroglobulin linked to protein trafficking.

Thyroglobulin must pass endoplasmic reticulum (ER) quality control to become secreted for thyroid hormone synthesis. Defective thyroglobulin, blocked in trafficking, can cause hypothyroidism. Thyroglobulin is a large protein (~2750 residues) spanning regions I-II-III plus a C-terminal cholinesterase-like domain. The cholinesterase-like domain functions as an intramolecular chaperone for regions I-II-III, but the folding pathway leading to successful thyroglobulin trafficking remains largely unknown. Here, informed by the recent three-dimensional structure of thyroglobulin as determined by cryo-electron microscopy, we have bioengineered three novel classes of mutants yielding three entirely distinct quality control phenotypes. Specifically, upon expressing recombinant thyroglobulin, we find that first, mutations eliminating a disulfide bond enclosing a 200-amino acid loop in region I have surprisingly little impact on the ability of thyroglobulin to fold to a secretion-competent state. Next, we have identified a mutation on the surface of the cholinesterase-like domain that has no discernible effect on regional folding yet affects contact between distinct regions and thereby triggers impairment in the trafficking of full-length thyroglobulin. Finally, we have probed a conserved disulfide in the cholinesterase-like domain that interferes dramatically with local folding, and this defect then impacts on global folding, blocking the entire thyroglobulin in the ER. These data highlight variants with distinct effects on ER quality control, inhibiting domain-specific folding; folding via regional contact; neither; or both.

Atypical Small Bowel Obstruction Caused by Perforated Cecum: A Case Report.

Acute onset of abdominal pain with emesis and lack of stool or flatus is an alarming presentation for possible small bowel obstruction (SBO). SBO should be high on the differential diagnosis due to concomitant signs and symptoms that are highly sensitive in diagnosing SBO. These include diffuse tenderness on palpation of the abdomen, abdominal distention, hypotension, vomiting, and lack of flatus or stool. In this report, we present a 67-year-old African American male, who presented to the emergency department with the above-mentioned signs and symptoms and decreased oral intake for four days, ultimately undergoing surgical exploration to relieve the SBO caused by an idiopathic cecal perforation. This case report calls attention to the decision-making, standard protocol, and surgical intervention of a patient with SBO.

Educación participativa comunitaria en adultos mayores para el manejo de Diabetes Mellitus e Hipertensión Arterial / Participative communitary education on the elderly for the manegement of Diabetes Mellitus and Arterial Hipertension

El presente artículo describe una intervención educativa que fomenta la participación activa de la comunidad como protagonista de su aprendizaje, con el propósito de empoderarla en el manejo de su salud en relación a crisis hipertensiva y diabética. MÉTODOS: se utilizó el Proceso de Enfermería y el modelo de Comunidad como Socio de Anderson y McFarlane, con los cuales se realizó la valoración, levantamiento de necesidades y análisis. Además, se utilizaron metodologías participativas, establecidas en el modelo de educación descrito por Jane Vella, para las intervenciones. En la valoración, se empleó un instrumento diseñado para recolectar datos del núcleo y los subsistemas educación y recreación. La población estuvo conformada por un grupo de diez mujeres, nueve de ellas adultos mayores, pertenecientes a la comuna de Puente Alto, seleccionadas por el programa de adultos mayores de la Municipalidad de dicha comuna. Los encuentros con la comunidad se iniciaron el día jueves 12 de marzo de 2015 y finalizaron el día martes 31 de marzo del mismo año, completando un total de cinco sesiones. RESULTADOS: en el primer encuentro, se identificó la necesidad de aprender acerca del manejo de enfermedades crónicas en situaciones de crisis, tales como Diabetes Mellitus tipo II e Hipertensión Arterial. Conjuntamente, resultó que toda la comunidad fue capaz de reconocer el manejo correcto de una emergencia diabética e hipertensiva. CONCLUSIÓN: las metodologías participativas logran el empoderamiento de la comunidad para actuar frente a situaciones de descompensación de diabéticos tipo II e hipertensos.

OBJECTIVE: The present arcticle describes an educational intervention that encourages active communitary participation, ensuring to make them the main character of their learning, with the purpose of empowering their health management regarding hypertensive and diabetic crisis. METHODS: the method used was based on the Nursing process, and the Community-as-partner model by Anderson and McFarlane, with this approach a valuation, a list of needs, and an analysis were carried out. Furthermore, Jane Vella's participative methodology was used for the development of the interventions. For the assessment, an instrument was designed to collect the data. The data consisted of the core, the education subsistem and the recreation subsistem. The community consisted of a ten women group; nine of them were elderly, and all of them lived in the area of Puente Alto. They were selected by the Municipality's elderly program. The communitary meetings began on Thursday March 12, 2015, and ended on Tuesday March 31, of the same year. There were a total of five sessions. RESULTS: on the first meeting, the need to learn about the management of crisis situations in chronic diseases, such as Diabetes and Hypertension, was identified. All the community's members were able to recognize by themselves the right diabetic and hypertensive crisis management. CONCLUSION: the participative methodology achieves the community's empowering to face the diabetic and hypertensive decompensations.

Risk factors associated with the development of hyperamylasemia and post-ERCP pancreatitis in the Cuban National Institute.

CONTEXT: Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication in ERCP, and some risk factors were associated with the development of hyperamylasemia and post-ERCP pancreatitis. OBJECTIVES: identifying new factors associated with the development of hyperamylasemia or post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients attended at our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A (retrospective) cohort study was carried out in 170 patients on which a diagnostic-therapeutic ERCP was done due to biliopancreatic disease. 67 patients developed hyperamylasemia (39.4%) and 6 post-ERCP pancreatitis (3.5%). The following diagnostic criteria were applied: Hyperamylasemia: increase in the serum amylase level above the normal value (90 I/U). Acute post-ERCP pancreatitis: clinical: continuous abdominal pain for over 24 hours and biochemical: elevation of amylase3 times above normal value (90 U/I). RESULTS: The number of cannulations more than 4 (19 patients), (p=0.006; RR= 3.00) was associated significantly with the development of hyperamylasemia and the placing of biliary stent (14 patients), (p=0.00; RR= 0.39) was a protective factor. The factors associated with the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis were related with the patient (peridiverticular location of the papilla (p=0.00; RR= 2.00) and the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (p=0.000; RR=1.20). CONCLUSION: Technical factors were associated with the development of hyperamylasemia, however, the factors associated with the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis in our universe of study were related mainly with the patient.

Risk factors associated with the development of hyperamylasemia and post-ERCP pancreatitis in the Cuban National Institute / Factores de riesgo con el desarrollo de la hiperamilasemia y pancreatitis post PCRE en el Cuban National Institute

Contexto: La pancreatitis aguda es la complicación más frecuente de la PCRE y algunos factores de riesgo son asociados con el desarrollo de hiperamilasemia y pancreatitis post PCRE. Objetivos: Identificar factores nuevos asociados con hiperamilasemia y pancreatitis post PCRE en pacientes que acudieron a nuestro centro. Material y métodos: Un estudio retrospectivo de cohorte se llevó a cabo en 170 pacientes en quienes se realizó una CPRE diagnóstico-terapéutica por enfermedad biliopancreática. 67 pacientes desarrollaron hiperamilasemia (39,4%) y 6 pancreatitis post PCRE (3,5%). Se aplicaron los siguientes criterios diagnósticos: Hiperamilasemia: elevación de la amilasa sérica por encima del valor normal (90IU).Pancreatitis aguda post PCRE: dolor abdominal continuo por más de 24 horas y elevación de la amilasa tres veces por encima del valor normal. Resultados: El número de canulaciones, más de 4 (19 pacientes), (p=0,006; RR= 3,00) se asoció significativamente con el desarrollo de la hiperamilasemia y la puesta de stents biliares (14 pacientes) se asoció como un factor protector (p=0,00; RR= 0,39). Los factores asociados con el desarrollo de la pancreatitis post PCRE se relacionaron con el paciente (localización peridiverticular de la papila (p=0,00; RR= 2,00) y disfunción del Esfinter de Oddi (p=0,000; RR=1,20). Conclusiones: Factores técnicos fueron asociados con el desarrollo de la hiperamilasemia, sin embargo, los relacionados con el desarrollo de la pancreatitis post PCRE fueron mayoritariamente relacionados al paciente.

Context: Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication in ERCP, and some risk factors were associated with the development of hyperamylasemia and post-ERCP pancreatitis. Objectives: identifying new factors associated with the development of hyperamylasemia or post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients attended at our center. Material and methods: A (retrospective) cohort study was carried out in 170 patients on which a diagnostic-therapeutic ERCP was done due to biliopancreatic disease. 67 patients developed hyperamylasemia (39.4%) and 6 post-ERCP pancreatitis (3.5%). The following diagnostic criteria were applied: Hyperamylasemia: increase in the serum amylase level above the normal value (90I/U). Acute post-ERCP pancreatitis: clinical: continuous abdominal pain for over 24 hours and biochemical: elevation of amylase 3 times above normal value (90U/I). Results: The number of cannulations more than 4 (19 patients), (p=0.006; RR= 3.00) was associated significantly with the development of hyperamylasemia and the placing of biliary stent (14 patients), (p=0.00; RR= 0.39) was a protective factor. The factors associated with the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis were related with the patient (peridiverticular location of the papilla (p=0.00; RR= 2.00) and the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (p=0.000; RR=1.20). Conclusion: Technical factors were associated with the development of hyperamylasemia, however, the factors associated with the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis in our universe of study were related mainly with the patient.

Chromoendoscopy with red phenol in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

An analytic study to validate a diagnostic test was carried out at the Institute of Gastroenterology in Havana, Cuba in adult patients of both sexes in whom chromoendoscopy was carried out with red phenol at 0.1% over the gastric mucosa for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection between November 2008 and December 2010. The staining with red phenol at 0.1% is included in the invasive tests for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection and of the reactive techniques. The sensibility of red phenol dye in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in the patients studied was of 72.6% with a confidence interval (C.I.) of 95% (64.9 to 79.2%) and a specificity of 75.5% C.I. 95% (61.9 to 85.4%). The positive predictive value was of 89.8% C.I. 95% (83.1 to 94.1%) and the negative predictive value of 48.1% C.I. 95% (37.3 to 59.0%). The proportion of false positives was of 24.5% C.I. 95% (14.6 to 38.1%)and the proportion of false negatives was of 27.4% C.I. 95% (20.8 to 35.1%). The diagnostic accuracy of the dye on the patients studied was 73.3% C.I. 95% (66.7 to 79.0%). The diagnostic odds ratio was 8.17 C.I. 95% (3.88 to 17.23), the J Youden ratio of 0.5 and the Kappa coefficient of 0.40 C.I. 95% (0.27 to 0.54). The staining dye with red phenol at 0.1% resulted in a useful method in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in the gastric mucosa, it can be applied in our environment and has multiple advantages (topographic localization, avoids contamination and fast and immediate reading).

Cromoendoscopia con rojo fenol en el diagnóstico de la infección por Helicobacter pylori / Chromoendoscopy with red phenol in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection

Se realizó un estudio analítico de validación de prueba diagnóstica a pacientes adultos de ambos sexos, en el Instituto de Gastroenterología de La Habana. Cuba, a los cuales se les realizó cromoendoscopia con rojo fenol al 0,1% sobre la mucosa gástrica para la detección de infección por Helicobacter pylori, entre noviembre de 2008 y diciembre de 2010. La tinción con rojo fenol al 0,1% se encuentra dentro de las pruebas invasivas para la detección de la infección por H. pylori y de las llamadas técnicas reactivas. La sensibilidad de la tinción con rojo fenol en el diagnóstico de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en los pacientes estudiados fue del 72,6%. IC 95% (64,9 a 79,2%) y la especificidad del 75,5%. IC 95% (61,9 a 85.4%). El valor predictivo positivo fue del 89,8%. IC 95% (83,1 a 94,1%) y el valor predictivo negativo del 48,1%. IC 95% (37,3 a 59,0%). La proporción de falsos positivos fue de 24,5%. IC 95% (14,6 a 38,1%) y la proporción de falsos negativos de 27,4%. IC 95% (20,8 a 35,1%). La exactitud diagnóstica de la tinción en los pacientes estudiados fue del 73,3%. IC 95% (66,7 a 79.0%). La odds ratio diagnóstica fue de 8,17 IC 95% (3,88 a 17,23), el índice J de Youden de 0,5 y el índice de Kappa de 0,40 IC 95% (0,27 a 0,54). La tinción con rojo fenol al 0,1% resultó un método útil en el diagnóstico de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en la mucosa gástrica, aplicable en nuestro medio al contar además con múltiples ventajas (localización topográfica, evita contaminación y lectura rápida e inmediata)(AU)

An analytic study to validate a diagnostic test was carried out at the Institute of Gastroenterology in Havana, Cuba in adult patients of both sexes in whom chromoendoscopy was carried out with red phenol at 0.1% over the gastric mucosa for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection between November 2008 and December 2010. The staining with red phenol at 0.1% is included in the invasive tests for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection and of the reactive techniques. The sensibility of red phenol dye in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in the patients studied was of 72.6% with a confidence interval (C.I.) of 95% (64.9 to 79.2%) and a specificity of 75.5% C.I. 95% (61.9 to 85.4%). The positive predictive value was of 89.8% C.I. 95% (83.1 to 94.1%) and the negative predictive value of 48.1% C.I. 95% (37.3 to 59.0%). The proportion of false positives was of 24.5% C.I. 95% (14.6 to 38.1%) and the proportion of false negatives was of 27.4% C.I. 95% (20.8 to 35.1%). The diagnostic accuracy of the dye on the patients studied was 73.3% C.I. 95% (66.7 to 79.0%). The diagnostic odds ratio was 8.17 C.I. 95% (3.88 to 17.23), the J Youden ratio of 0.5 and the Kappa coefficient of 0.40 C.I. 95% (0.27 to 0.54). The staining dye with red phenol at 0.1% resulted in a useful method in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in the gastric mucosa,it can be applied in our environment and has multiple advantages (topographic localization, avoids contamination and fast and immediate reading)(AU)