Parallel ensemble of a randomization-based online sequential neural network for classification problems using a frequency criterion.

Randomization-based neural networks have gained wide acceptance in the scientific community owing to the simplicity of their algorithm and generalization capabilities. Random vector functional link (RVFL) networks and their variants are a class of randomization-based neural networks. RVFL networks have shown promising results in classification, regression, and clustering problems. For real-world applications, learning algorithms that can train with new samples over previous results are necessary because of to the constant generation of problems related to large-scale datasets. Various online sequential algorithms, commonly involving an initial learning phase followed by a sequential learning phase, have been proposed to address this issue. This paper presents a training algorithm based on multiple online sequential random vector functional link (OS-RVFL) networks for large-scale databases using a shared memory architecture. The training dataset is distributed among p OS-RVFL networks, which are trained in parallel using p threads. Subsequently, the test dataset samples are classified using each trained OS-RVFL network. Finally, a frequency criterion is applied to the results obtained from each OS-RVFL network to determine the final classification. Additionally, an equation was derived to reasonably predict the total training time of the proposed algorithm based on the learning time in the initial phase and the time scaling factor compared to the sequential learning phase. The results demonstrate a drastic reduction in training time because of data distribution and an improvement in accuracy because of the adoption of the frequency criterion.

Modeling the Impact of Agricultural Mitigation Measures on the Spread of Sharka Disease in Sweet Cherry Orchards.

Sharka is a disease affecting stone fruit trees. It is caused by the Plum pox virus (PPV), with Myzus persicae being one of the most efficient aphid species in transmitting it within and among Prunus orchards. Other agricultural management strategies are also responsible for the spread of disease among trees, such as grafting and pruning. We present a mathematical model of impulsive differential equations to represent the dynamics of Sharka disease in the tree and vector population. We consider three transmission routes: grafting, pruning, and through aphid vectors. Grafting, pruning, and vector control occur as pulses at specific instants. Within the model, human risk perception towards disease influences these agricultural management strategies. Model results show that grafting with infected biological material has a significant impact on the spread of the disease. In addition, detecting infectious symptomatic and asymptomatic trees in the short term is critical to reduce disease spread. Furthermore, vector control to prevent aphid movement between trees is crucial for disease mitigation, as well as implementing awareness campaigns for Sharka disease in agricultural communities that provide a long-term impact on responsible pruning, grafting, and vector control.

Fermentation Patterns, Methane Production and Microbial Population under In Vitro Conditions from Two Unconventional Feed Resources Incorporated in Ruminant Diets.

In this study, four experimental treatments were evaluated: (T1) alfalfa hay + concentrate, (50:50%, DM); (T2) alfalfa hay + Leucaena leucocephala + concentrate, (30:20:50%, DM); (T3) alfalfa hay + prickly pear + concentrate, (30:20:50%, DM); and (T4) alfalfa hay + Leucaena leucocephala + prickly pear + concentrate, (30:10:10:50%, DM). NH3-N concentrations in T2 and T4 decreased when replaced with alfalfa hay in 20 and 10%, respectively. Treatments did not affect the concentration of total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) between T3 and T4 (p > 0.05), while the concentrations among T1 and T2 were different (p < 0.05). T2 showed a reduction of 25.5% in the methane production when compared to T1 (p < 0.05). The lowest concentrations of protozoa were observed in T2 and T4, which contained Leucaena leucocephala (T2) and Leucaena leucocephala + prickly pear (T4) (p < 0.05). The highest concentration of total methanogens was recorded in T1 and was different in T2, T3, and T4 (p < 0.05). Leucaena leucocephala, at an inclusion percentage of 20%, decreased the methane when compared to T1, whereas prickly pear increased methane production in relation to T1.

Longitudinal exposure to pyrethroids (3-PBA and trans-DCCA) and 2,4-D herbicide in rural schoolchildren of Maule region, Chile.

BACKGROUND: Several studies showed that early exposure to pesticides affects the development and health of children. In Maule, there is previous evidence of the high exposure to organophosphate pesticides (OP) of schoolchildren. However, to date, there are no studies assessing exposure to pyrethroids and the herbicide 2,4-D. Objetive. To evaluate children's exposure to pyrethroids insecticides 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), trans 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (trans-DCCA) and 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicides. METHOD: Longitudinal study with 48 schoolchildren from two rural schools in the Maule region, Chile. Urinary metabolites of pyrethroids 3-PBA, Trans-DCCA and 2,4-D herbicides were evaluated in 2016 and 2017. Mann-Whitney U for repeated measurements and Spearman's rho correlation tests were used for data analysis. Also, we used a system of impulsive differential equations for mathematical modeling. RESULTS: All the schoolchildren assessed had more than two pesticide urinary metabolites in both years, with the 3-PBA metabolite being the most frequent. There was an increase in concentrations of urinary 3-PBA in November 2017, compared to 2016 (from 0.69 µg/L to 1.90 µg/L). In 2016, the specific metabolites of 3-PBA were correlated with Trans-DCCA, 2,4-D, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and para-nitrophenol. In 2017, 3-PBA was correlated with 2,4-D, and Trans-DCCA. The concentrations of 3-PBA of Chilean children were higher than studies conducted in the USA that found an association of prenatal exposure to these metabolites with cognitive difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: We found high concentrations of pyrethroid metabolites among all the schoolchildren assessed, which may impact on their health and development. These insecticides had received no attention from the scientific community in Chile, and neither from the government agencies, despite the increased use of these chemicals in recent years. This is the first study in South America that confirms the exposure to pyrethroids and herbicides through biomarkers in human population living near farm fields.

Dose-Dependent Behavioral and Antioxidant Effects of Quercetin and Methanolic and Acetonic Extracts from Heterotheca inuloides on Several Rat Tissues following Kainic Acid-Induced Status Epilepticus.

Kainic acid (KA) has been used to study the neurotoxicity induced after status epilepticus (SE) due to activation of excitatory amino acids with neuronal damage. Medicinal plants can protect against damage caused by KA-induced SE; in particular, organic extracts of Heterotheca inuloides and its metabolite quercetin display antioxidant activity and act as hepatoprotective agents. However, it is unknown whether these properties can protect against the hyperexcitability underlying the damage caused by KA-induced SE. Our aim was to study the protective effects (with regard to behavior and antioxidant activity) of administration of natural products methanolic (ME) and acetonic (AE) extracts and quercetin (Q) from H. inuloides at doses of 30 mg/kg (ME30, AE30, and Q30 groups), 100 mg/kg (ME100, AE100, and Q100 groups), and 300 mg/kg (ME300, AE300, and Q300 groups) against damage in brain regions of male Wistar rats treated with KA. We found dose-dependent effects on behavioral and biochemical studies in the all-natural product groups vs. the control group, with decreases in seizure severity (Racine's scale) and increases in seizure latency (p < 0.05 in the ME100, AE100, Q100, and Q300 groups and p < 0.01 in the AE300 and ME300 groups); on lipid peroxidation and carbonylated proteins in all brain tissues (p < 0.0001); and on GPx, GR, CAT, and SOD activities with all the treatments vs. KA (p ≤ 0.001). In addition, there were strong negative correlations between carbonyl levels and latency in the group treated with KA and in the group treated with methanolic extract in the presence of KA (r = -0.9919, p = 0.0084). This evidence suggests that organic extracts and quercetin from H. inuloides exert anticonvulsant effects via direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulation of antioxidant enzyme activity.

Plesiomonas shigelloides infection, Ecuador, 2004-2008.

Diarrheal risk associated with Plesiomonas shigelloides infection was assessed in rural communities in northwestern Ecuador during 2004-2008. We found little evidence that single infection with P. shigelloides is associated with diarrhea but stronger evidence that co-infection with rotavirus causes diarrhea.

In-roads to the spread of antibiotic resistance: regional patterns of microbial transmission in northern coastal Ecuador.

The evolution of antibiotic resistance (AR) increases treatment cost and probability of failure, threatening human health worldwide. The relative importance of individual antibiotic use, environmental transmission and rates of introduction of resistant bacteria in explaining community AR patterns is poorly understood. Evaluating their relative importance requires studying a region where they vary. The construction of a new road in a previously roadless area of northern coastal Ecuador provides a valuable natural experiment to study how changes in the social and natural environment affect the epidemiology of resistant Escherichia coli. We conducted seven bi-annual 15 day surveys of AR between 2003 and 2008 in 21 villages. Resistance to both ampicillin and sulphamethoxazole was the most frequently observed profile, based on antibiogram tests of seven antibiotics from 2210 samples. The prevalence of enteric bacteria with this resistance pair in the less remote communities was 80 per cent higher than in more remote communities (OR = 1.8 [1.3, 2.3]). This pattern could not be explained with data on individual antibiotic use. We used a transmission model to help explain this observed discrepancy. The model analysis suggests that both transmission and the rate of introduction of resistant bacteria into communities may contribute to the observed regional scale AR patterns, and that village-level antibiotic use rate determines which of these two factors predominate. While usually conceived as a main effect on individual risk, antibiotic use rate is revealed in this analysis as an effect modifier with regard to community-level risk of resistance.

Rapid changes in rotaviral genotypes in Ecuador.

Previous studies suggest that the emerging G9P[8] genotype was the most prevalent rotavirus genotype in Ecuador during 2005. This present study provides a temporal analysis of the distribution of rotavirus genotypes in two locations within Ecuador by adding additional years (2006 - early 2008) to the originally reported 2005 data. Data were collected in a rural (northern coastal Ecuador) and urban (Quito) area. In the rural area, a community sample of cases (those presenting diarrhea) and controls (those not presenting diarrhea) were collected between August 2003 and March 2008 resulting in a total of 3,300 stool samples (876 cases and 2,424 controls). Of these samples, 260 were positive for rotavirus by an immunochromatographic test (196 cases and 64 controls). In Quito, 59 fecal samples were collected from children presenting diarrhea and diagnosed with rotavirus. An RT-PCR analysis of samples collected between 2005 and 2007 suggested that G9 was replaced by G1 and G2 in the rural and urban settings. During this period G9 decreased from 79% to 9% while G2 increased from 0% to 43% in the rural communities, and G9 decreased from 79% to 37% while G2 increased from 3% to 57% in the urban area of Quito. This rapid replacement of G9 by G1 and G2 reinforces the necessity of surveillance to inform vaccination programs.

Reparación de vena iliaca primitiva con segmento de ligamento falciforme / Repair of the common iliac vein with a segment of falciform ligament

Reportar cómo, en el manejo de un paciente con lesión de vena iliaca primitiva, brindó buenos resultados el realizar autoplastia con ligamento falciforme. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 26 años sin antecedentes personales de importancia. Ingresó al servicio de urgencias del Hospital San Vicente de Paúl, Medellín, Colombia, con múltiples heridas por arma de fuego, hemodinámicamente estable. En laparotomía demostró perforaciones en intestino delgado y meso, desgarro en unión ileocecal y vena iliaca primitiva en un 50 de su circunferencia. Se realiza anastomosis término-lateral en unión ileocecal y reparación de vena iliaca con autoplastia del ligamento falciforme. El paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente, no presentó complicaciones inmediatas post-quirúrgicas como tromboembolismos, estenosis u obstrucción en el sitio de sutura. Las lesiones vasculares abdominales presentan una alta mortalidad y morbilidad. El conocimiento anatómico del retroperitóneo, las vías de abordaje de los vasos, así como la exploración clínica adecuada, ayudará a disminuir las complicaciones y la mortalidad de estos pacientes. La reparación de heridas de grandes vasos venosos abdominales con parche de peritóneo es una buena alternativa para este tipo de traumas vasculares.

Objective: To report on how, handling a patinet with an injury in the common iliac vein, autoplasty with falciform ligament provided good results. This is the case of a male, 26 years old with no significant medical history. He was admitted in the ER of the San Vicente de Paul Hospital in Medellín, Colombia with multiple firearm wounds, in a stable condition regarding his hemodynamics. In laparotomy showed perforations in the small intestine and the mesocolon and tears in ileocecal joint and common iliac vein in 50 of its circumference. End-to-side anastomosis in ileosecal joint and repair of iliac vein with autoplasty from falciform ligament were made. Patient evolution was satisfactory, there were no post-operative complications such as thromboembolism, stenosis, or obstruction in the suture level. Abdominal vascular injuries have a high mortality and morbidity rate. Anatomic knowledge of retroperitoneum, ways of approach of vessels as well as na appropriate clinical exploration will be helpful in reducing complications and mortality in these patients. Repair of wounds of big abdominal venous vessels with peritoneum patch is a good choice for this type of vascular trauma.

Symptomatic and subclinical infection with rotavirus P[8]G9, rural Ecuador.

During the past decade, rotavirus genotype G9 has spread throughout the world, adding to and sometimes supplanting the common genotypes G1-G4. We report evidence of this spread in a population sample within rural Ecuador. A total of 1,656 stool samples were collected from both patients with diarrhea and from asymptomatic residents in 22 remote communities in northwestern Ecuador from August 2003 through February 2006. Rotavirus was detected in 23.4% of case-patients and 3.2% of controls. From these 136 rotavirus-positive samples, a subset of 47 were genotyped; 72% were of genotype G9, and 62% were genotype P[8]G9. As a comparison, 29 rotavirus-positive stool samples were collected from a hospital in Quito during March 2006 and genotyped; 86% were of genotype P[8]G9. Few countries have reported P[8]G9 rotavirus detection rates as high as those of the current study. This growing prevalence may require changes to current vaccination programs to include coverage for this genotype.

High prevalence of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli isolated in a remote region of northern coastal Ecuador.

Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) causes dysentery; however, it is less widely reported than other etiological agents in studies of diarrhea worldwide. Between August 2003 and July 2005, stool samples were collected in case-control studies in 22 rural communities in northwestern Ecuador. Infection was assessed by PCR specific for LT and STa genes of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), the bfp gene of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and the ipaH gene of both enteroinvasive E. coli and Shigellae. The pathogenic E. coli most frequently identified were EIEC (3.2 cases/100 persons) and Shigellae (1.5 cases/100 persons), followed by ETEC (1.3 cases/100 persons), and EPEC (0.9 case/100 persons). EIEC exhibited similar risk-factor relationships with other pathotypes analyzed but different age-specific infection rates. EIEC was the predominant diarrheagenic bacteria isolated in our community-based study, a unique observation compared with other regions of the world.

Environmental change and infectious disease: how new roads affect the transmission of diarrheal pathogens in rural Ecuador.

Environmental change plays a large role in the emergence of infectious disease. The construction of a new road in a previously roadless area of northern coastal Ecuador provides a valuable natural experiment to examine how changes in the social and natural environment, mediated by road construction, affect the epidemiology of diarrheal diseases. Twenty-one villages were randomly selected to capture the full distribution of village population size and distance from a main road (remoteness), and these were compared with the major population center of the region, Borbón, that lies on the road. Estimates of enteric pathogen infection rates were obtained from case-control studies at the village level. Higher rates of infection were found in nonremote vs. remote villages [pathogenic Escherichia coli: odds ratio (OR) = 8.4, confidence interval (CI) 1.6, 43.5; rotavirus: OR = 4.0, CI 1.3, 12.1; and Giardia: OR = 1.9, CI 1.3, 2.7]. Higher rates of all-cause diarrhea were found in Borbón compared with the 21 villages (RR = 2.0, CI 1.5, 2.8), as well as when comparing nonremote and remote villages (OR = 2.7, CI 1.5, 4.8). Social network data collected in parallel offered a causal link between remoteness and disease. The significant and consistent trends across viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens suggest the importance of considering a broad range of pathogens with differing epidemiological patterns when assessing the environmental impact of new roads. This study provides insight into the initial health impacts that roads have on communities and into the social and environmental processes that create these impacts.

Síndrome de Ogilvie poscesárea: a propósito de un caso y revisión bibliográfica / Ogilvie’s syndrome pos c-section: case report and bibliographical review

El Síndrome de Ogilvie o pseudo-obstrucción colónica aguda, es una entidad clínica rara, caracterizada por dilatación del intestino grueso, de instalación rápida y progresiva, sin evidencia de obstrucción mecánica, que generalmente acompaña a otras condiciones clínicas o quirúrgicas. Su fisiopatología aún se desconoce. El diagnóstico se establece por el cuadro clínico y los hallazgos en la radiografía simple y contrastada del abdomen. Dentro de las formas de tratamiento se han incluido: clínico, endoscópico, bloqueo epidural, quirúrgico y terapia farmacológica.Se reporta el caso de una paciente de 34 años edad, transferida de un hospital cantonal al hospital Gineco-obstétrico “Enrique C. Sotomayor”, quien 5 días posteriores a intervención cesárea presentó distensión abdominal progresiva, fascie séptica, inestabilidad hemodinámica. A la Rx simple se observa asas intestinales distendidas acompañadas de gran nivel hidroaéreo bilateral; en la laparotomía exploradora se encuentra gran neumoperitóneo no cuantificable, además de una perforación a nivel de la cara anterior del ciego, de 1.5cms de diámetro; se practica colectomía derecha con ileotransverso anastomosis, término lateral en dos planos. La paciente evoluciona sin novedad.

The Ogilvie’s Syndrome, or acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, is a strange clinical entity characterized by dilation of the colon, of quick and progressive installation, without evidence of mechanical obstruction, which generally accompanies other clinical or surgical conditions. It’s physiopathology is still unknown. Diagnosis is made clinically and by the discoveries in the simple and contrasted x-ray of the abdomen. In regards to the treatment options, it has been included: clinical, endoscopic, epidural blockage and surgical therapy.The case of a 34 year-old patient is reported, who was transferred from a cantonal hospital to the “Enrique Sotomayor” maternal hospital, who 5 days after C-section presented progressive abdominal distension, fever, pale-septic aspect, hemodynamic inestability. In the simple X-ray intestinal distension is observed accompanied by great bilateral hydro-air levels; in the exploratory laparotomy, main and unmeasurable pneumoperitoneo was found, besides a perforation of the anterior view of the colon, 1,5cms diameter, right colectomy was performed, along with ileal-transverse anastomosis, end-lateral in two planes. The patient evolves without novelty.

Autotransfusión de salvamento: revisión bibliográfica / Cell Salvaging autotransfusion: update review

La autotransfusión o transfusión autóloga es el procedimiento para colectar y reinfundir cualquier componente sanguíneo al mismo paciente-donador. Es la utilización de la sangre perdida en el III espacio peritoneal o pleural con fines de salvamento. Considerada como una opción importante en pacientes cuya mortalidad se encuentra elevada, por choque hipovolémico, debido a lesiones traumáticas (Tipo abiertas y/o cerradas) en las cuales la alotransfusión junto con los problemas que este acarrea (demora en la entrega, transmisión de enfermedades VIH, Hepatitis etc.), no se encuentran de manera inmediata.Existen tres modalidades: predepósito, hemodilución normovolémica aguda y rescate celular. En el adulto los procedimientos de donación autóloga han adquirido gran auge en cirugía electiva debido a que los riesgos de tipo infeccioso secundarios a la transfusión sanguínea homóloga prácticamente se anulan.Conclusión: La técnica de la autotransfusión de salvamento se la debería considerar como una opción importante dentro del campo médico- quirúrgico ya que en cierta medida, con su utilización pronta, efectiva y con el debido entrenamiento que con esta técnica conlleva y al personal que lo ejecute, lograríamos reducir en cierta medida nuestro índice de mortalidad que se vive en el servicio de urgencias de nuestros hospitales.

The autology transfusion is a procedure to collect and reinstate any blood component to the same patient-donor. It is the use of the blood lost in the third peritoneal space or pleural.. Considered as an important option in patient whose mortality is high when hipoovolemic shock is present due to traumatic lesions. Three reasons are pre-deposit, acute normovolemic hemodilution and cellular rescue. In adults the procedures of autology donation has acquired great high in elective surgery because the secondary risks of infection due to blood transfusion practically are none. Conclusions: The technique autotransfusion should consider an important option inside in the medical field because we able to reduce the mortality rate in our emergency room.