Sympathovagal quotient and resting-state functional connectivity of control networks are related to gut Ruminococcaceae abundance in healthy men.

INTRODUCTION: Heart rate variability (HRV), brain resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), and gut microbiota (GM) are three recognized indicators of health status, whose relationship has not been characterized. We aimed to identify the GM genera and families related to HRV and rsFC, the interaction effect of HRV and rsFC on GM taxa abundance, and the mediation effect of diet on these relationships. METHODS: Eighty-eight healthy, young Colombian men were included in this cross-sectional study. HRV metrics were extracted from 24-hour Holter monitoring data and the resting functional connectivity strength (FCS) of 15 networks were derived from functional magnetic resonance imaging. Gut microbiota composition was assessed using the sequences of the V3-V4 regions of the 16 S rRNA gene, and diet was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the correlations between the independent variables (HRV metrics and FCS) and the dependent variables (GM taxa abundance or alpha diversity indexes). Mediation analyses were used to test the role of diet in the relationship between HRV and GM. RESULTS: The sympathovagal quotient (SQ) and the FCS of control networks were positively correlated with the abundance of the gut Ruminococcaceae family and an unclassified Ruminococcaceae genus (Ruminococcaceae_unc). Additionally, the interaction between the FCS of the control network and SQ reduced the individual main effects on the Ruminococcaceae_unc abundance. Finally, reduced habitual fiber intake partially mediated the relationship between SQ and this genus. CONCLUSION: Two indicators of self-regulation, HRV and the rsFC of control networks, are related to the abundance of gut microbiota taxa in healthy men. However, only HRV is related to habitual dietary intake; thus, HRV could serve as a marker of food choice and GM composition in the future.

Injection-based hairy root induction and plant regeneration techniques in Brassicaceae.

BACKGROUND: Hairy roots constitute a valuable tissue culture system for species that are difficult to propagate through conventional seed-based methods. Moreover, the generation of transgenic plants derived from hairy roots can be facilitated by employing carefully designed hormone-containing media. RESULTS: We initiated hairy root formation in the rare crucifer species Asperuginoides axillaris via an injection-based protocol using the Agrobacterium strain C58C1 harboring a hairy root-inducing (Ri) plasmid and successfully regenerated plants from established hairy root lines. Our study confirms the genetic stability of both hairy roots and their derived regenerants and highlights their utility as a permanent source of mitotic chromosomes for cytogenetic investigations. Additionally, we have developed an effective embryo rescue protocol to circumvent seed dormancy issues in A. axillaris seeds. By using inflorescence primary stems of Arabidopsis thaliana and Cardamine hirsuta as starting material, we also established hairy root lines that were subsequently used for regeneration studies. CONCLUSION: We developed efficient hairy root transformation and regeneration protocols for various crucifers, namely A. axillaris, A. thaliana, and C. hirsuta. Hairy roots and derived regenerants can serve as a continuous source of plant material for molecular and cytogenetic analyses.

Synthesis and Characterization of Multilayered CrAlN/Al2O3 Tandem Coating Using HiPIMS for Solar Selective Applications at High Temperature.

The effect of applying a negative bias during deposition of a previously designed multilayer solar selective absorber coating was studied on two types of substrates (316L stainless steel and Inconel 625). The solar selective coating is composed of different chromium aluminum nitride layers deposited using a combination of radiofrequency (RF), direct current (DC), and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) technologies. The chemical composition is varied to generate an infrared reflective/absorber layer (with low Al addition and N vacancies) and two CrAlN intermediate layers with medium and high aluminum content (Al/Cr = 0.6 and 1.2). A top aluminum oxide layer (Al2O3) is deposited as an antireflective layer. In this work, a simultaneous DC-pulsed bias (-100 V, 250 kHz) was applied to the substrates in order to increase the film density. The optical performance, thermal stability, and oxidation resistance was evaluated and compared with the performance obtained with similar unbiased coating and a commercial Pyromark paint reference at 600, 700, and 800 °C. The coating remained stable after 200 h of annealing at 600 °C, with solar absorptance (α) values of 93% and 92% for samples deposited on stainless steel and Inconel, respectively, and a thermal emittance ε25°C of 18%. The introduction of additional ion bombardment during film growth through bias assistance resulted in increased durability, thermal stability, and working temperature limits compared with unbiased coatings. The solar-to-mechanical energy conversion efficiency at 800 °C was found to be up to 2 times higher than Pyromark at C = 100 and comparable at C = 1000.

Application of C5.0 Algorithm for the Assessment of Perceived Stress in Healthcare Professionals Attending COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) represents one of the greatest challenges to public health in modern history. As the disease continues to spread globally, medical and allied healthcare professionals have become one of the most affected sectors. Stress and anxiety are indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is paramount to understand and categorize their perceived levels of stress, as it can be a detonating factor leading to mental illness. Here, we propose a computer-based method to better understand stress in healthcare workers facing COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic. We based our study on a representative sample of healthcare professionals attending to COVID-19 patients in the northeast region of Mexico, at the beginning of the pandemic. We used a machine learning classification algorithm to obtain a visualization model to analyze perceived stress. The C5.0 decision tree algorithm was used to study datasets. We carried out an initial preprocessing statistical analysis for a group of 101 participants. We performed chi-square tests for all questions, individually, in order to validate stress level calculation (p < 0.05) and a calculated Cronbach's alpha of 0.94 and McDonald's omega of 0.95, demonstrating good internal consistency in the dataset. The obtained model failed to classify only 6 out of the 101, missing two cases for mild, three for moderate and one for severe (accuracy of 94.1%). We performed statistical correlation analysis to ensure integrity of the method. In addition, based on the decision tree model, we concluded that severe stress cases can be related mostly to high levels of xenophobia and compulsive stress. Thus, showing that applied machine learning algorithms represent valuable tools in the assessment of perceived stress, which can potentially be adapted to other areas of the medical field.

Comparing the efficiency of six clearing methods in developing seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana.

KEY MESSAGE: ClearSee alpha and FAST9 were optimized for imaging Arabidopsis seeds up to the torpedo stages. The methods preserve the fluorescence of reporter proteins and seed shape, allowing phenotyping embryos in intact seeds. Tissue clearing methods eliminate the need for sectioning, thereby helping better understand the 3D organization of tissues and organs. In the past fifteen years, clearing methods have been developed to preserve endogenous fluorescent protein tags. Some of these methods (ClearSee, TDE, PEA-Clarity, etc.) were adapted to clear various plant species, with the focus on roots, leaves, shoot apical meristems, and floral parts. However, these methods have not been used in developing seeds beyond the early globular stage. Tissue clearing is problematic in post-globular seeds due to various apoplastic barriers and secondary metabolites. In this study, we compared six methods for their efficiency in clearing Arabidopsis thaliana seeds at post-globular embryonic stages. Three methods (TDE, ClearSee, and ClearSee alpha) have already been reported in plants, whereas the others (fsDISCO, FAST9, and CHAPS clear) are used in this context for the first time. These methods were assessed for seed morphological changes, clearing capacity, removal of tannins, and spectral properties. We tested each method in seeds from globular to mature stages. The pros and cons of each method are listed herein. ClearSee alpha appears to be the method of choice as it preserves seed morphology and prevents tannin oxidation. However, FAST9 with 60% iohexol as a mounting medium is faster, clears better, and appears suitable for embryonic shape imaging. Our results may guide plant researchers to choose a suitable method for imaging fluorescent protein-labeled embryos in intact Arabidopsis seeds.

Topological Data Analysis for Eye Fundus Image Quality Assessment.

The objective of this work is to perform image quality assessment (IQA) of eye fundus images in the context of digital fundoscopy with topological data analysis (TDA) and machine learning methods. Eye health remains inaccessible for a large amount of the global population. Digital tools that automize the eye exam could be used to address this issue. IQA is a fundamental step in digital fundoscopy for clinical applications; it is one of the first steps in the preprocessing stages of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems using eye fundus images. Images from the EyePACS dataset were used, and quality labels from previous works in the literature were selected. Cubical complexes were used to represent the images; the grayscale version was, then, used to calculate a persistent homology on the simplex and represented with persistence diagrams. Then, 30 vectorized topological descriptors were calculated from each image and used as input to a classification algorithm. Six different algorithms were tested for this study (SVM, decision tree, k-NN, random forest, logistic regression (LoGit), MLP). LoGit was selected and used for the classification of all images, given the low computational cost it carries. Performance results on the validation subset showed a global accuracy of 0.932, precision of 0.912 for label "quality" and 0.952 for label "no quality", recall of 0.932 for label "quality" and 0.912 for label "no quality", AUC of 0.980, F1 score of 0.932, and a Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.864. This work offers evidence for the use of topological methods for the process of quality assessment of eye fundus images, where a relatively small vector of characteristics (30 in this case) can enclose enough information for an algorithm to yield classification results useful in the clinical settings of a digital fundoscopy pipeline for CAD.

Dyslipidemia and its relationship with thyroid disease in farmers in the coffee-growing zone / Dislipidemia y relación con enfermedad tiroidea en agricultores de la zona cafetera

Abstract Introduction: Free thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine thyroid (T3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) are recognized as regulators of lipid synthesis, mobilization and degradation. Objective: To find a relationship between dyslipidemia and thyroid disease in an adult population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 819 individuals. TSH, free T4, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) were measured. Results: The general population showed normal TC, normal LDL-C, low HDL-C, and elevated TG. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was as follows: elevated TC 31.9%, HDL-C <40 mg/dL 57.9%, elevated LDL-C 24.3% and TG ≥200 mg/dL 26%. The prevalence of TSH ≥4.6 mIU/L was 8.1%. The prevalence of overt hypothyroidism was 1.2%, and that of subclinical hypothyroidism was 6.7%. The prevalences of elevated TC in individuals with overt hypothyroidism and normal thyroid levels were 50.0% and 31.6%, respectively. However, in those with subclinical hypothyroidism, the prevalences were 43.6% and 31.0% (p=0.04) for elevated TC and 40.0% and 23.2% (p=0.006) for elevated LDL-C. A significant relationship was found between TSH ≥4.6 mIU/L and elevated TC (OR=1.9, p=0.01) and elevated LDL-C (OR=2.5, p=0.001); the frequency of elevated LDL-C was 2.2 times greater in people with subclinical hypothyroidism than in people with normal TSH levels. Conclusion: Given agricultural workers' particular socioeconomic conditions and access to the health system, it is important to design screening programs for biomarkers that allow early detection of changes in thyroid hormones, TSH and lipid profiles to provide this population with preventive interventions to reduce morbimortality due to cardiovascular events (Acta Med Colomb 2019; 44. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2019.1094).

Resumen Introducción: tiroxina libre (T4L), triyodo tironina libre (T3L) y hormona estimulante del tiroides (TSH), se reconocen como reguladoras de síntesis, movilización y degradación de lípidos. Objetivo: encontrar una relación entre dislipidemias y enfermedad tiroidea en una población adulta. Métodos: este fue un estudio de corte transversal, en 819 individuos. Se midieron TSH, T4L, colesterol total (CT), colesterol en lipoproteínas de baja densidad (C-LDL), colesterol en lipopro-teínas de alta densidad (C-HDL) y triglicéridos (TG). Resultados: la población general mostró CT, C-LDL normales, C-HDL bajo y TG elevados. La prevalencia de dislipidemia fue: CT elevado 31.9%, C-HDL < 40 mg/dL 57.9%. C-LDL alto 24.3% y TG ≥200 mg/dL, 26%. La frecuencia de TSH ≥ 4.6 mIU/L fue 8.1%. La prevalencia de hipotiroidismo manifiesto fue de 1.2% y la de hipotiroidismo subclínico de 6.7%. La prevalencia de CT elevado en individuos con hipotiroidismo manifiesto y en normales fue de 50.0% y 31.6% respectivamente. Mientras en hipotiroidismo subclínico fue de 43.6% y 31.0% p: 0.04 para CT (elevado); 40.0% y 23.2% p: 0.006 para C-LDL elevado. Se encontró relación significativa entre TSH ≥4.6 mIU/L con CT elevado (OR 1.9 p 0.01) y C-LDL elevada (OR 2.5 p: 0.001); la frecuencia de C-LDL elevado fue de 2.2 veces en personas con hipotiroidismo subclínico con relación a personas con niveles normales de TSH. Conclusión: en los trabajadores del agro, por sus particulares condiciones socioeconómicas y de acceso al sistema de salud, es importante diseñar programas de tamizaje de biomarcadores que permitan avizorar de manera precoz cambios en las hormonas tiroideas, TSH y perfil lipídico, para realizar intervenciones de prevención secundaria que contribuyan a la disminución de la morbimortalidad por eventos cardiovasculares. (Acta Med Colomb 2019; 44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2019.1094).

[Quality of Clinical Practice Guidelines for COPD.] / Calidad de las guías de práctica clínica para la EPOC.

OBJECTIVE: World Health Organization deem Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as the fourth leading cause of death in the world. Because of its impact on Public Health, it represents a great burden from an international economic point of view, despite it is an avoidable and treatable disease. Hence it is suitable to use Clinical Practice Guidelines which are recommendations systematically developed to aid decision making about health care to improve quality, and they must be subject to a review and update of an enriching methodological rigor. There is currently many Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease but there is insufficient evidence to determine if they have the degree of methological quality for been used in clinical practice. For which, we have evaluated the quality of these Clinical Practice Guidelines in Spanish using the AGREE II instrument. METHODS: We carried out a systematic search to find the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease published in Spanish between 2010-2017 and put a quality evaluation into effect by means of AGREE II instrument. RESULTS: We got six guidelines wich achieved inclusion criteria of the study and we draw the compliance of the domains in these guidelines by means of AGREE II instrument: Scope and purpose (55.56-92.59%), Stakeholder involvement (37.04-79.63%), Rigour of development (29.86-84.72%), Clarity of presentation (90.74-100%), Applicability (5.56-63.89%) and Editorial independence (5.56-94.44%). CONCLUSIONS: Only one guideline got the score to classify as Very Good Fulfilling/Very Hight Score; another four got Good Fulfilling/Hight Score; and last one got Low Fulfilling/Low Score.

OBJETIVO: La Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica es considerada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud como la cuarta causa de muerte en el mundo. Dado su impacto en la Salud Pública supone una gran carga desde un punto de vista económico a nivel internacional, pese a ser una enfermedad evitable y tratable. De ahí que resulte conveniente el empleo de Guías de Práctica Clínica, las cuales son recomendaciones elaboradas sistemáticamente para ayudar a la toma de decisiones respecto a los cuidados de salud para la mejora de la calidad asistencial, debiendo estar sujetas a revisión y actualización, a fin de enriquecer su rigor metodológico. Actualmente existen numerosas Guías de Práctica Clínica para la Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica, pero no tenemos evidencia suficiente para determinar su grado de calidad metodológica para ser utilizadas en la práctica clínica. Por tanto, nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la calidad de las Guías de Práctica Clínica en español para la Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica mediante el instrumento AGREE II. METODOS: Realizamos una búsqueda sistemática para localizar las Guías de Práctica Clínica para la Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica publicadas en español entre 2010-2017 y ejecutamos una evaluación de la calidad mediante el instrumento AGREE II. RESULTADOS: Obtuvimos seis guías que cumplían los criterios de inclusión en el estudio y de la aplicación del instrumento AGREE II extrajimos el cumplimiento de los dominios en las distintas guías: Alcance y Objetivo (55,56-92,59%), Participación de los implicados (37,04-79,63%), Rigor en la elaboración (29,86-84,72%), Claridad en la presentación (90,74-100%), Aplicabilidad (5,56-63,89%) y Independencia editorial (5,56-94,44%). CONCLUSIONES: Podemos decir que solo una de las guías obtuvo puntuación para clasificarla como Muy Buen Cumplimiento/Muy Alta puntuación; otras cuatro obtuvieron Buen Cumplimiento/Alta Puntuación; y, finalmente, la última Bajo Cumplimiento/Baja Puntuación.

Congo Red affects the growth, morphology and activity of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase in the human pathogenic fungus Sporothrix schenckii.

Sporothrix schenckii is the etiological agent of sporotrichosis, a mycosis of humans and other mammals. Little is known about the responses of this thermodimorphic pathogen to perturbations in the cell wall (CW) by different stress conditions. Here we describe the effect of Congo Red (CR) on the fungal growth, morphogenesis and activity of glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN-6-P) synthase. Under conditions of yeast development, 15 µM CR abolished conidia (CN) germination, but when yeast cells were first obtained in the absence of the dye and then post-incubated in its presence, yeasts rapidly differentiated into mycelial cells. On the other hand, under conditions of mycelium development, 150 µM CR did not affect CN germination, but filamentous cells underwent structural changes characterized by a distorted CW contour, the loss of polarity and the formation of red-pigmented, hyphal globose structures. Under these conditions, CR also induced a significant and transient increase in the activity of GlcN-6-P synthase, an essential enzyme in CW biogenesis.

Calidad de las guías de práctica clínica para la EPOC / Quality of clinical practice guidelines for COPD

OBJETIVO: La Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica es considerada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud como la cuarta causa de muerte en el mundo. Dado su impacto en la Salud Pública supone una gran carga desde un punto de vista económico a nivel internacional, pese a ser una enfermedad evitable y tratable. De ahí que resulte conveniente el empleo de Guías de Práctica Clínica, las cuales son recomendaciones elaboradas sistemáticamente para ayudar a la toma de decisiones respecto a los cuidados de salud para la mejora de la calidad asistencial, debiendo estar sujetas a revisión y actualización, a fin de enriquecer su rigor metodológico. Actualmente existen numerosas Guías de Práctica Clínica para la Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica, pero no tenemos evidencia suficiente para determinar su grado de calidad metodológica para ser utilizadas en la práctica clínica. Por tanto, nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la calidad de las Guías de Práctica Clínica en español para la Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica mediante el instrumento AGREE II. MÉTODOS: Realizamos una búsqueda sistemática para localizar las Guías de Práctica Clínica para la Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica publicadas en español entre 2010-2017 y ejecutamos una evaluación de la calidad mediante el instrumento AGREE II. RESULTADOS: Obtuvimos seis guías que cumplían los criterios de inclusión en el estudio y de la aplicación del instrumento AGREE II extrajimos el cumplimiento de los dominios en las distintas guías: Alcance y Objetivo (55,56-92,59%), Participación de los implicados (37,04-79,63%), Rigor en la elaboración (29,86-84,72%), Claridad en la presentación (90,74-100%), Aplicabilidad (5,56-63,89%) y Independencia editorial (5,56-94,44%). CONCLUSIONES: Podemos decir que solo una de las guías obtuvo puntuación para clasificarla como Muy Buen Cumplimiento/Muy Alta puntuación; otras cuatro obtuvieron Buen Cumplimiento/Alta Puntuación; y, finalmente, la última Bajo Cumplimiento/Baja Puntuación

OBJECTIVE: World Health Organization deem Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as the fourth leading cause of death in the world. Because of its impact on Public Health, it represents a great burden from an international economic point of view, despite it is an avoidable and treatable disease. Hence it is suitable to use Clinical Practice Guidelines which are recommendations systematically developed to aid decision making about health care to improve quality, and they must be subject to a review and update of an enriching methodological rigor. There is currently many Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease but there is insufficient evidence to determine if they have the degree of methological quality for been used in clinical practice. For which, we have evaluated the quality of these Clinical Practice Guidelines in Spanish using the AGREE II instrument. METHODS: We carried out a systematic search to find the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease published in Spanish between 2010-2017 and put a quality evaluation into effect by means of AGREE II instrument. RESULTS: We got six guidelines wich achieved inclusion criteria of the study and we draw the compliance of the domains in these guidelines by means of AGREE II instrument: Scope and purpose (55.56-92.59%), Stakeholder involvement (37.04-79.63%), Rigour of development (29.86-84.72%), Clarity of presentation (90.74-100%), Applicability (5.56-63.89%) and Editorial independence (5.56-94.44%). CONCLUSIONS: Only one guideline got the score to classify as Very Good Fulfilling/Very Hight Score; another four got Good Fulfilling/Hight Score; and last one got Low Fulfilling/Low Score

[Factors related to the use of pediatric emergency services: results from the Spanish National Health Survey]. / Factores relacionados con la utilización de los servicios de urgencias en la población pediátrica española. Resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of use of Spanish pediatric emergency services, and to describe user profiles and geographic variations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study based on data from the Spanish National Health Survey. We calculated descriptive statistics and analyzed crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs). RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of the 5495 respondents had come to an emergency department in the past year, and 88.1% of them had used the services of a Spanish national health service hospital. Factors associated with higher use of emergency services were male sex of the patient, (OR, 1.202; 95% CI, 1.047-1.381), a higher educational level of parents (OR, 1.255; 95% CI, 0.983-1.603), and younger age of the child (OR, 0.909; 95% CI, 0.894-0.924). Emergency department use varied widely from one Spanish community to another. There was a positive correlation between use and the presence of a foreign-born population (ρ=0.495, P=.031). CONCLUSION: The rate of emergency department use is high in Spain. Variability between geographic areas is considerable, and some variation is explained by population characteristics.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la frecuencia de utilización de los servicios de urgencias (SU) en la población pediátrica española, describir el perfil de los usuarios y la variabilidad geográfica. METODO: Estudio descriptivo a partir de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud. Se calcularon estadísticos descriptivos, odds ratio (OR) crudas y ajustadas. RESULTADOS: De los 5.495 encuestados, el 35% acudió al SU en el último año, utilizando el 88,1% los servicios del Sistema Sanitario Público. El sexo varón [OR: 1,202 (IC 95%: 1,047-1,381)] y el nivel de estudios superiores [OR: 1,255 (IC 95%: 0,983-1,603)] se asociaron de forma significativa, y directa a la frecuentación, mientras que la edad lo hizo de forma inversa [OR: 0,909 (IC 95%: 0,894-0,924)]. La utilización de los SU es muy variable entre comunidades autónomas, encontrándose una correlación positiva con la población extranjera (ρ = 0,495, p = 0,031). CONCLUSIONES: La tasa de utilización de los SU en España es elevada. Existe una variabilidad considerable entre zonas geográficas, en parte explicada por las características de la población.

Solid lubricant behavior of MoS2 and WSe2-based nanocomposite coatings.

Tribological coatings made of MoS2 and WSe2 phases and their corresponding combinations with tungsten carbide (WC) were prepared by non-reactive magnetron sputtering of individual targets of similar composition. A comparative tribological analysis of these multiphase coatings was done in both ambient air (30-40% relative humidity, RH) and dry nitrogen (RH<7%) environments using the same tribometer and testing conditions. A nanostructural study using advanced transmission electron microscopy of the initial coatings and examination of the counterfaces after the friction test using different analytical tools helped to elucidate what governs the tribological behavior for each type of environment. This allowed conclusions to be made about the influence of the coating microstructure and composition on the tribological response. The best performance obtained with a WSex film (specific wear rate of 2 × 10-8 mm3 N-1m-1 and a friction coefficient of 0.03-0.05) was compared with that of the well-established MoS2 lubricant material.

Valores de colinesterasa plasmática y eritrocitaria con ácido 6-6'-ditiodinicotínico (DTNA) como indicador / Plasma and eritrocitary cholinesterase values with 6-6'-dithiodinicotinic acid (DTNA) as indicator / Valores da colinesterase plasmática e eritrocitária utilizando o ácido 6-6-ditiodinicotínico (DTNA) como indicador

Resumen Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal empleando ácido 6-6'-ditiodinicotinico (DTNA) como indicador para calcular los valores de la actividad de colinesterasa plasmática (AchP) y eritrocitaria (AchE) humana y estandarizarlos para ser utilizados como indicadores de riesgo laboral por exposición a organofosforados y carbamates en la población de la zona cafetera de Colombia. Se eligió esta técnica pues es una alternativa precisa, sencilla y económica: con pocos interferentes permite analizar AchP y AchE, no se tiene que corregir con hemoglobina; el DTNA es estable congelado o refrigerado y permite analizar muchas muestras en poco tiempo. Se evaluaron 819 muestras de agricultores. La AchE fue significativamente mayor en las personas menores de 45 años y en personas no fumigadoras, la AchP fue mayor en los fumigadores; esto es un indicador de que la población fumigadora se encuentra expuesta a organofosforados y carbamatos de forma prolongada. Se sugiere utilizar como valores máximos de referencia de la AchE y AchP 11378 U/L y 10354 U/L, respectivamente como indicadores de intervención ocupacional.

Abstract A cross-sectional descriptive study using 6-6'-dithiodinicotinic acid (DTNA) as an indicator was performed to calculate the values of plasma cholinesterase (AchP) and erythrocyte (AchE) activity and to standardize them to be used as indicators of occupational risk by exposure to organophosphates and carbamates in the population of the Colombian Coffee Growing Area. This method was chosen because it is an accurate, simple, and nonexpensive alternative: with few interferents it allows measuring both AchP and AchE, it does not have to be corrected with hemoglobin; The DTNA is stable frozen or refrigerated and allows to analyze many samples in a short time. A number of 819 samples from farmers were evaluated. While AchE was significantly higher in people under 45 years and in non-fumigating people, AchP was higher in fumigators; this result is an indicator that the fumigant population is exposed to organophosphates and carbamates on a long-term basis. It is suggested to use as maximum reference values of AchE and AchP 11378 U / L and 10354 U / L, respectively as indicators of occupational intervention.

Resumo Foi realizado um estudo descritivo transversal usando ácido 6-6'-ditiodinicotinico (DTNA) como indicador a fim de calcular os valores de atividade da colinesterase plasmática (AchP) e eritrocitária (AchE) humana e padronizar estes valores para ser utilizados na região cafeteira da Colômbia. Esta técnica foi elegida porque e uma alternativa precisa, simples e econômica: tem poucos interferentes e permite analisar AchP e AchE, não deve corrigir-se com hemoglobina; o DNTA e estável congelado ou refrigerado e permite analisar muitas amostras em pouco tempo. Foram avaliadas 819 amostras de agricultores. A AchE foi significativamente maior nas pessoas com menos de 45 anos e em pessoas não pulverizadoras, a AchP foi maior nas pessoas pulverizadoras; isso e um indicador de que a população pulverizadora encontra-se exposta a organofosforados e carbamatos de maneira prolongada. Sugere-se utilizar como valores máximos de referência da AchE e AchP 11378 U/L y 10354 U/L, respectivamente como indicadores de intervenção ocupacional.

Factores relacionados con la utilización de los servicios de urgencias en la población pediátrica española. Resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud / Factors related to the use of pediatric emergency services: results from the Spanish National Health Survey

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de utilización de los servicios de urgencias (SU) en la población pediátrica española, describir el perfil de los usuarios y la variabilidad geográfica. Método: Estudio descriptivo a partir de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud. Se calcularon estadísticos descriptivos, odds ratio (OR) crudas y ajustadas. Resultados: De los 5.495 encuestados, el 35% acudió al SU en el último año, utilizando el 88,1% los servicios del Sistema Sanitario Público. El sexo varón [OR: 1,202 (IC 95%: 1,047-1,381)] y el nivel de estudios superiores [OR: 1,255 (IC 95%: 0,983-1,603)] se asociaron de forma significativa, y directa a la frecuentación, mientras que la edad lo hizo de forma inversa [OR: 0,909 (IC 95%: 0,894-0,924)]. La utilización de los SU es muy variable entre comunidades autónomas, encontrándose una correlación positiva con la población extranjera (ρ= 0,495, p = 0,031). Conclusiones: La tasa de utilización de los SU en España es elevada. Existe una variabilidad considerable entre zonas geográficas, en parte explicada por las características de la población (AU)

Objectives: To determine the frequency of use of Spanish pediatric emergency services, and to describe user profiles and geographic variations. Methods: Descriptive study based on data from the Spanish National Health Survey. We calculated descriptive statistics and analyzed crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs). Results: Thirty-five percent of the 5495 respondents had come to an emergency department in the past year, and 88.1% of them had used the services of a Spanish national health service hospital. Factors associated with higher use of emergency services were male sex of the patient, (OR, 1.202; 95% CI, 1.047-1.381), a higher educational level of parents (OR, 1.255; 95% CI, 0.983-1.603), and younger age of the child (OR, 0.909; 95% CI, 0.894-0.924). Emergency department use varied widely from one Spanish community to another. There was a positive correlation between use and the presence of a foreign-born population (ρ=0.495, P=.031). Conclusions: The rate of emergency department use is high in Spain. Variability between geographic areas is considerable, and some variation is explained by population characteristics (AU)

Isolation of the GFA1 gene encoding glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase of Sporothrix schenckii and its expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase (GlcN-6-P synthase) is an essential enzyme involved in cell wall biogenesis that has been proposed as a strategic target for antifungal chemotherapy. Here we describe the cloning and functional characterization of Sporothrix schenckii GFA1 gene which was isolated from a genomic library of the fungus. The gene encodes a predicted protein of 708 amino acids that is homologous to GlcN-6-P synthases from other sources. The recombinant enzyme restored glucosamine prototrophy of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gfa1 null mutant. Purification and biochemical analysis of the recombinant enzyme revealed some differences from the wild type enzyme, such as improved stability and less sensitivity to UDP-GlcNAc. The sensitivity of the recombinant enzyme to the selective inhibitor FMDP [N(3)-(4-methoxyfumaroyl)-l-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid] and other properties were similar to those previously reported for the wild type enzyme.

A nanoscale characterization with electron microscopy of multilayered CrAlYN coatings: a singular functional nanostructure.

A combination of transmission electron microscopy techniques and spatially resolved microanalysis is used to investigate the nanostructure, constituting phases, and chemical elemental distribution in CrAlYN multilayered coatings. The location of the metallic elements and their chemical state are needed to understand their functional properties. Samples were prepared with variable Al (4-12 at%) and Y (2-5 at%) contents by direct current reactive magnetron sputtering on silicon substrates using metallic targets and Ar/N2 mixtures under different deposition parameters (power applied to the target and rotation speed of the sample holder). The changes produced in the nanostructure and chemical distribution were investigated. Nanoscale resolution electron microscopy analysis has shown that these coatings present a singular nanostructure formed by multilayers containing at a certain periodicity nanovoids filled with molecular nitrogen. Spatially resolved energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron energy loss elemental mappings and profiles showed that the chromium, aluminum, and yttrium atoms are distributed in a sequential way following the position of the targets inside the deposition chamber. Analysis of the different atomic distribution and phases formed at the nanoscale is discussed depending on the deposition parameters.

Nb2O5 "pathway effect" on hydrogen sorption in Mg.

In the present work we investigate the hydrogen sorption mechanism in a MgH(2)/Nb(2)O(5) composite and analyze why Nb(2)O(5) could strongly improve hydrogen sorption kinetics in magnesium. Hereby we make use of the fact that Nb(2)O(5) nanoparticles are able to reduce the milling time significantly with the achievement of excellent sorption kinetics, and can so exclude effects occurring at long-term milling that make difficult the study of the mechanism. On the basis of extensive chemical, crystalline, and microstructural characterization of the MgH(2)/Nb(2)O(5) nanopowder system, a "pathway model" is proposed, which explains the kinetic hydrogen sorption improvement by a formation of pathways of niobium oxide species with lower oxidation state that facilitate the hydrogen transport into the sample. This mechanism is shown to be supported by additional oxidation experiments, which indicate increased oxygen diffusion through these pathways.

[Assessment of a modified Hospital Emergency Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol]. / Propuesta y validación del Protocolo de Adecuación de Urgencias Hospitalarias modificado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hospital Emergency inappropriate attendances need to be evaluated, including emergencies that can be solved in primary care. The study aim was to validate a Hospital Emergency Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (HEAEP) having into account patient health care setting. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An HEAEP with explicit criteria was developed. We randomly chose 100 emergency medical records among all patients attended at the Granada Hospital Ruiz de Alda in the first quarter of 2000. Records were evaluated by six emergency specialists to compare results provided by the HEAEP. RESULTS: The HEAEP identified as appropriate all attendances so classified by experts. As inappropriate, HEAEP only pointed out 69% of the emergency visits considered as inappropriate by experts. CONCLUSIONS: The modified HEAEP shown a good internal validity and high reproducibility. The main advantage is to point out as inappropriate emergency attendances that can be solved in primary care.

Propuesta y validación del Protocolo de Adecuación de Urgencias Hospitalarias modificado / Assessment of a modified Hospital Emergency Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol

FUNDAMENTO Y OBJETIVO: Identificar y cuantificar la utilización inadecuada de los servicios de urgencia hospitalarios, incluidas las urgencias generadas por procesos que pueden resolverse en el ámbito de la atención primaria, permitirá aumentar la eficacia de estos servicios. El objetivo de este trabajo es el desarrollo y la validación de un protocolo de adecuación de urgencias hospitalarias (PAUH) que contemple el entorno asistencial del paciente. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: A partir de una serie de protocolos de evaluación de urgencias adecuadas basados en criterios objetivos se elaboró el PAUH modificado, con un total de 27 ítems. Se eligieron aleatoriamente 100 historias entre las urgencias atendidas en el primer trimestre de 2000 en el Servicio de Urgencias del Hospital Ruiz de Alda de Granada. Las historias las evaluaron 6 expertos, cuya opinión consensuada sirvió como referencia para analizar la validez del PAUH modificado. RESULTADOS: El PAUH modificado identificó como adecuadas todas las historias catalogadas así por los expertos y como inadecuadas el 69 por ciento de las identificadas por los expertos. La concordancia global obtenida entre los 6 expertos fue de 0,71. La reproducibilidad inter e intraobservador fue excelente. CONCLUSIONES: El PAUH modificado que se propone muestra una elevada validez interna y alta reproducibilidad. Su principal ventaja es que clasifica como inadecuadas las urgencias que pueden atenderse en el ámbito de la atención primaria (AU)