Topological data analysis of the synchronization of a network of Rössler chaotic electronic oscillators.

Synchronization study allows a better understanding of the exchange of information among systems. In this work, we study experimental data recorded from a set of Rössler-like chaotic electronic oscillators arranged in a complex network, where the interactions between the oscillators are given in terms of a connectivity matrix, and their intensity is controlled by a global coupling parameter. We use the zero and one persistent homology groups to characterize the point clouds obtained from the signals recorded in pairs of oscillators. We show that the normalized persistent entropy (NPE) allows us to characterize the effective coupling between pairs of oscillators because it tends to increase with the coupling strength and to decrease with the distance between the oscillators. We also observed that pairs of oscillators that have similar degrees and are nearest neighbors tend to have higher NPE values than pairs with different degrees. However, large variability is found in the NPE values. Comparing the NPE behavior with that of the phase-locking value (PLV, commonly used to evaluate the synchronization of phase oscillators), we find that for large enough coupling, PLV only displays a monotonic increase, while NPE shows a richer behavior that captures variations in the behavior of the oscillators. This is due to the fact that PLV only captures coupling-induced phase changes, while NPE also captures amplitude changes. Moreover, when we consider the same network but with Kuramoto phase oscillators, we also find that NPE captures the transition to synchronization (as it increases with the coupling strength), and it also decreases with the distance between the oscillators. Therefore, we propose NPE as a data analysis technique to try to differentiate pairs of oscillators that have strong effective coupling because they are first or near neighbors, from those that have weaker coupling because they are distant neighbors.

Genome transfer technique for bovine embryo production using the metaphase plate and polar body.

Despite many studies in humans and mice using genome transfer (GT), there are few reports using this technique in oocytes of wild or domestic animals. Therefore, we aimed to establish a GT technique in bovine oocytes using the metaphase plate (MP) and polar body (PB) as the sources of genetic material. In the first experiment, GT was established using MP (GT-MP), and a sperm concentration of 1 × 106 or 0.5 × 106 spermatozoa/ml gave similar fertilization rates. The cleavage rate (50%) and blastocyst rate (13.6%) in the GT-MP group was lower than that of the in vitro production control group (80.2% and 32.6%, respectively). The second experiment evaluated the same parameters using PB instead of MP; the GT-PB group had lower fertilization (82.3% vs. 96.2%) and blastocyst (7.7% vs. 36.8%) rates than the control group. No differences in the amount of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were observed between groups. Finally, GT-MP was performed using vitrified oocytes (GT-MPV) as a source of genetic material. The cleavage rate of the GT-MPV group (68.4%) was similar to that of the vitrified oocytes (VIT) control group (70.0%) and to that of the control IVP group (81.25%, P < 0.05). The blastocyst rate of GT-MPV (15.7) did not differ neither from the VIT control group (5.0%) nor from the IVP control group (35.7%). The results suggested that the structures reconstructed by the GT-MPV and GT-PB technique develop in embryos even if vitrified oocytes are used.

Family participation in the care of the critical patient: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the level of readiness of the healthcare team regarding family participation in the care of the critically ill adult and their relationship with the individual characteristics of the participants in a medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) in Santiago de Chile. METHOD: A cross-sectional correlational study using a quantitative method and including a focus group to explore the perception of healthcare staff of family participation in the care of the critically ill patient. RESULTS: The level of readiness of the healthcare team for family participation in the care of the critically ill patient is medium, at 13.81 out of a total 20. The greater the readiness, the lower the age (r = -0.215; P = 0.019), the higher the rating of previous experience working with families (r = 0.304; P = 0.006), and the higher the perception of being comfortable with different activities in the care of the critical patient (r = 0.495: P < 0.001). The participants also state that the work environment of the unit, the patient's condition, the relatives' characteristics, personal judgement, and the preparedness of relatives affect their readiness. CONCLUSIONS: The results contribute towards determining the healthcare team's level of readiness in a setting where the subject of the study has not been implemented. The readiness of the healthcare team is medium, and is related to individual characteristics of the healthcare staff, and to organizational and family aspects. Therefore, strategies are required to address these aspects that might increase readiness.

Composition of feathers and pulp of two broiler genotypes.

1. Cobb and Ross broilers (200 of each sex and breed) were fed four phases of diets ad libitum formulated with balanced protein to match their amino acid requirements throughout growth. Ten birds per genotype were sampled and euthanised at two-weekly intervals from 14 to 112 d of age. All feathers were dry-plucked from each of the seven tracts (specific skin areas) and pulp (the centre of the feather filament) was removed from primary and secondary remiges.2. Daily losses of feathers were collected from an additional 20 individually-caged broilers of each breed. These feathers were separated into natal down, contour feathers, remiges and rectrices and then pooled by type, sex and genotype to quantify water and protein contents. Only those feathers collected from male Cobb 500 MX broilers were analysed for amino acid content.3. Amino acid contents of feathers from the seven tracts were measured only in Cobb males on days 1, 28 and 70; for pulp on days 28 and 70; and for the four types of moulted feathers.4. Protein content on a dry matter basis remained relatively constant over all ages and tracts during growth. Water content decreased with age in both sexes and genotype. Lysine and methionine content in feathers decreased with age while cystine, valine, leucine and serine increased. Lysine, methionine and histidine levels were higher in pulp than in mature feathers whereas cystine and valine were higher in mature feathers than in pulp.5. These results, together with information about moulting patterns in broilers, enabled the effects of age of the bird and of the type of feather, to be taken into account when determining the rate of deposition of amino acids in feathers.

Water quality assessment of the Demetrio stream: an affluent of the Gravataí River in the South of Brazil / Qualidade da água do arroio Demetrio: um afluente do rio Gravataí no sul do Brasil

The Gravataí River basin, one of the main water sources of the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, is among the ten most polluted rivers in Brazil. Water quality is monitored only through physico-chemical and microbiological parameters in Brazil, and in this context, considering the importance of the use of biomarkers in complementing the analysis of water, the present study aimed to evaluate the environmental quality of the main affluent of the Gravataí River, Demetrio stream, through physico-chemical, microbiological, and cytogenotoxic criteria, at the stream source (P1), whereas samples P2 and P3 were obtained from the upstream near the area with the highest urban density and the downstream near the meeting point with the Gravataí River, respectively. The results for copper concentration and color classified the Demetrio stream as Class 4 in general, that is, the water is suitable only for navigation and to landscape harmony. The main genotoxic alterations (micronuclei and nuclear buds) were observed in P2, in which were obtained the highest levels of copper, in addition to iron and manganese. Anthropic interventions were observed in P1 and P2; however, due to its low metal concentration, P3, near the Gravataí River, manifested an improvement in environmental quality.(AU)

A bacia do rio Gravataí, uma das principais fontes de água da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre, está entre os dez rios mais poluídos do Brasil. No Brasil a qualidade da água é monitorada apenas através de parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos e, nesse contexto, considerando a importância do uso de biomarcadores para complementar a análise da água, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade ambiental do principal afluente do Rio Gravataí, o arroio Demétrio, através de critérios físico-químicos, microbiológicos e citogenotóxicos, na nascente do arroio (P1), a montante e próximo à área com maior densidade urbana (P2) e a jusante e próximo ao ponto de encontro com o rio Gravataí (P3). Os resultados para a cor da água e para a concentração de cobre classificaram o arroio Demétrio como Classe 4 em geral, ou seja, esta água é adequada apenas para navegação e harmonia da paisagem. As principais alterações genotóxicas (micronúcleos e brotos nucleares) foram observadas no P2, no qual foram obtidos os maiores teores de cobre, além de ferro e manganês. Intervenções antrópicas foram observadas em P1 e P2; no entanto, devido à sua baixa concentração de metais, o P3, próximo ao rio Gravataí, manifestou uma melhoria na qualidade ambiental.(AU)

Water quality assessment of the Demetrio stream: an affluent of the Gravataí River in the South of Brazil / Qualidade da água do arroio Demetrio: um afluente do rio Gravataí no sul do Brasil

The Gravataí River basin, one of the main water sources of the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, is among the ten most polluted rivers in Brazil. Water quality is monitored only through physico-chemical and microbiological parameters in Brazil, and in this context, considering the importance of the use of biomarkers in complementing the analysis of water, the present study aimed to evaluate the environmental quality of the main affluent of the Gravataí River, Demetrio stream, through physico-chemical, microbiological, and cytogenotoxic criteria, at the stream source (P1), whereas samples P2 and P3 were obtained from the upstream near the area with the highest urban density and the downstream near the meeting point with the Gravataí River, respectively. The results for copper concentration and color classified the Demetrio stream as Class 4 in general, that is, the water is suitable only for navigation and to landscape harmony. The main genotoxic alterations (micronuclei and nuclear buds) were observed in P2, in which were obtained the highest levels of copper, in addition to iron and manganese. Anthropic interventions were observed in P1 and P2; however, due to its low metal concentration, P3, near the Gravataí River, manifested an improvement in environmental quality.

A bacia do rio Gravataí, uma das principais fontes de água da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre, está entre os dez rios mais poluídos do Brasil. No Brasil a qualidade da água é monitorada apenas através de parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos e, nesse contexto, considerando a importância do uso de biomarcadores para complementar a análise da água, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade ambiental do principal afluente do Rio Gravataí, o arroio Demétrio, através de critérios físico-químicos, microbiológicos e citogenotóxicos, na nascente do arroio (P1), a montante e próximo à área com maior densidade urbana (P2) e a jusante e próximo ao ponto de encontro com o rio Gravataí (P3). Os resultados para a cor da água e para a concentração de cobre classificaram o arroio Demétrio como Classe 4 em geral, ou seja, esta água é adequada apenas para navegação e harmonia da paisagem. As principais alterações genotóxicas (micronúcleos e brotos nucleares) foram observadas no P2, no qual foram obtidos os maiores teores de cobre, além de ferro e manganês. Intervenções antrópicas foram observadas em P1 e P2; no entanto, devido à sua baixa concentração de metais, o P3, próximo ao rio Gravataí, manifestou uma melhoria na qualidade ambiental.

Water quality assessment of the Demetrio stream: an affluent of the Gravataí River in the South of Brazil

Abstract The Gravataí River basin, one of the main water sources of the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, is among the ten most polluted rivers in Brazil. Water quality is monitored only through physico-chemical and microbiological parameters in Brazil, and in this context, considering the importance of the use of biomarkers in complementing the analysis of water, the present study aimed to evaluate the environmental quality of the main affluent of the Gravataí River, Demetrio stream, through physico-chemical, microbiological, and cytogenotoxic criteria, at the stream source (P1), whereas samples P2 and P3 were obtained from the upstream near the area with the highest urban density and the downstream near the meeting point with the Gravataí River, respectively. The results for copper concentration and color classified the Demetrio stream as Class 4 in general, that is, the water is suitable only for navigation and to landscape harmony. The main genotoxic alterations (micronuclei and nuclear buds) were observed in P2, in which were obtained the highest levels of copper, in addition to iron and manganese. Anthropic interventions were observed in P1 and P2; however, due to its low metal concentration, P3, near the Gravataí River, manifested an improvement in environmental quality.

Resumo A bacia do rio Gravataí, uma das principais fontes de água da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre, está entre os dez rios mais poluídos do Brasil. No Brasil a qualidade da água é monitorada apenas através de parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos e, nesse contexto, considerando a importância do uso de biomarcadores para complementar a análise da água, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade ambiental do principal afluente do Rio Gravataí, o arroio Demétrio, através de critérios físico-químicos, microbiológicos e citogenotóxicos, na nascente do arroio (P1), a montante e próximo à área com maior densidade urbana (P2) e a jusante e próximo ao ponto de encontro com o rio Gravataí (P3). Os resultados para a cor da água e para a concentração de cobre classificaram o arroio Demétrio como Classe 4 em geral, ou seja, esta água é adequada apenas para navegação e harmonia da paisagem. As principais alterações genotóxicas (micronúcleos e brotos nucleares) foram observadas no P2, no qual foram obtidos os maiores teores de cobre, além de ferro e manganês. Intervenções antrópicas foram observadas em P1 e P2; no entanto, devido à sua baixa concentração de metais, o P3, próximo ao rio Gravataí, manifestou uma melhoria na qualidade ambiental.

Water quality assessment of the Demetrio stream: an affluent of the Gravataí River in the South of Brazil / Qualidade da água do arroio Demetrio: um afluente do rio Gravataí no sul do Brasil

The Gravataí River basin, one of the main water sources of the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, is among the ten most polluted rivers in Brazil. Water quality is monitored only through physico-chemical and microbiological parameters in Brazil, and in this context, considering the importance of the use of biomarkers in complementing the analysis of water, the present study aimed to evaluate the environmental quality of the main affluent of the Gravataí River, Demetrio stream, through physico-chemical, microbiological, and cytogenotoxic criteria, at the stream source (P1), whereas samples P2 and P3 were obtained from the upstream near the area with the highest urban density and the downstream near the meeting point with the Gravataí River, respectively. The results for copper concentration and color classified the Demetrio stream as Class 4 in general, that is, the water is suitable only for navigation and to landscape harmony. The main genotoxic alterations (micronuclei and nuclear buds) were observed in P2, in which were obtained the highest levels of copper, in addition to iron and manganese. Anthropic interventions were observed in P1 and P2; however, due to its low metal concentration, P3, near the Gravataí River, manifested an improvement in environmental quality.

A bacia do rio Gravataí, uma das principais fontes de água da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre, está entre os dez rios mais poluídos do Brasil. No Brasil a qualidade da água é monitorada apenas através de parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos e, nesse contexto, considerando a importância do uso de biomarcadores para complementar a análise da água, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade ambiental do principal afluente do Rio Gravataí, o arroio Demétrio, através de critérios físico-químicos, microbiológicos e citogenotóxicos, na nascente do arroio (P1), a montante e próximo à área com maior densidade urbana (P2) e a jusante e próximo ao ponto de encontro com o rio Gravataí (P3). Os resultados para a cor da água e para a concentração de cobre classificaram o arroio Demétrio como Classe 4 em geral, ou seja, esta água é adequada apenas para navegação e harmonia da paisagem. As principais alterações genotóxicas (micronúcleos e brotos nucleares) foram observadas no P2, no qual foram obtidos os maiores teores de cobre, além de ferro e manganês. Intervenções antrópicas foram observadas em P1 e P2; no entanto, devido à sua baixa concentração de metais, o P3, próximo ao rio Gravataí, manifestou uma melhoria na qualidade ambiental.

Water quality assessment of the Demetrio stream: an affluent of the Gravataí River in the South of Brazil.

The Gravataí River basin, one of the main water sources of the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, is among the ten most polluted rivers in Brazil. Water quality is monitored only through physico-chemical and microbiological parameters in Brazil, and in this context, considering the importance of the use of biomarkers in complementing the analysis of water, the present study aimed to evaluate the environmental quality of the main affluent of the Gravataí River, Demetrio stream, through physico-chemical, microbiological, and cytogenotoxic criteria, at the stream source (P1), whereas samples P2 and P3 were obtained from the upstream near the area with the highest urban density and the downstream near the meeting point with the Gravataí River, respectively. The results for copper concentration and color classified the Demetrio stream as Class 4 in general, that is, the water is suitable only for navigation and to landscape harmony. The main genotoxic alterations (micronuclei and nuclear buds) were observed in P2, in which were obtained the highest levels of copper, in addition to iron and manganese. Anthropic interventions were observed in P1 and P2; however, due to its low metal concentration, P3, near the Gravataí River, manifested an improvement in environmental quality.

Characterization of inflammatory bowel disease in Colombia: Results of a national register. / Caracterización de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en Colombia: resultados de un registro nacional.

AIM: To determine the clinical, sociodemographic, and treatment characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a Colombian population register. METHODS: A descriptive, analytic, observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study on patients with IBD from 17 hospital centers in 9 Colombian cities was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 2,291 patients with IBD were documented, 1,813 (79.1%) of whom presented with ulcerative colitis (UC), 456 (19.9%) with Crohn's disease (CD), and 22 with IBD unclassified (0.9%). The UC/CD ratio was 3.9:1. A total of 18.5% of the patients with UC and 47.3% with CD received biologic therapy. Patients with extensive UC had greater biologic therapy use (OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 2.10-3.65, p = 0.000), a higher surgery rate (OR = 5.4, 95% CI: 3.5-8.3, p = 0.000), and greater frequency of hospitalization (OR = 4.34, 95% CI: 3.47-5.44, p = 0.000). Patients with severe UC had greater biologic therapy use (OR = 5.04, 95% CI: 3.75-6.78, p = 0.000), a higher surgery rate (OR = 8.64, 95% CI: 5.4-13.78, p = 0.000), and greater frequency of hospitalization (OR = 28.45, 95% CI: 19.9-40.7, p = 0.000). CD patients with inflammatory disease behavior (B1) presented with a lower frequency of hospitalization (OR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.07-0.19, p = 0.000), a lower surgery rate (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.043-0.15, p = 0.000), and less biologic therapy use (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.17-0.41, p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: In Colombia, there is a predominance of UC over CD (3.9:1), as occurs in other Latin American countries. Patients with extensive UC, severe UC, or CD with noninflammatory disease behavior (B2, B3) have a worse prognosis.

Antifungal susceptibility of oral isolates of Candida species from chronic kidney disease patients on chronic dialysis.

Chronic renal disease patients under chronic dialysis (CRDD) have a multifactorial immunological deterioration with an increased risk of Candida infections. Incidence of Candida infections is increasing. Choice of suitable antifungal agents is limited due to the resistance of some species to several antifungals. Aim of the present study was to identify the distribution and antifungal susceptibility patterns of oral isolated Candida species from infected and colonized patients, as well as to investigate the risk factors for oral infection in patients on dialysis. Cross-sectional study, approved by the institutional bioethics committees was performed in CRDD patients. Demographic, clinic data, and oral mucosa samples were obtained. Infection diagnosis was established clinically and confirmed with exfoliative cytology, each sample was plated on CHROMagar Candida and incubated at 36°C for 2 days. Yeast species were identified by carbohydrate assimilation ID 32C AUX system and the apiweb database. For the antifungal susceptibility test, the M44 A-3 method (CLSI) using fluconazole (FCZ), miconazole (MCZ), nystatin (NYS), and voriconazole (VCZ). Study included 119 participants, the main cause of CRD was nephropathy due to DM2 (58%), and three-fourths of the patients were under hemodialysis. Candida prevalence was 56.3% of 67 colonized or infected patients, 88 isolates were obtained. Principal identified species were C. albicans (51.1%), C. glabrata (25%), and C. tropicalis (14.8%). C. glabrata showed a reduced response to FCZ in 50% of isolates and C. albicans had a reduced response in 16% of the isolates. Antifungal agent with the least efficacious response or with the lowest susceptibility in the isolates of these patients was MCZ, followed by VCZ and FCZ, whereas NYS induced the best antifungal response.

A description of the growth and moulting of feathers in commercial broilers.

1. Changes in feather length and weight and daily losses of down, contour feathers, remiges and retrices were studied in two commercial broiler strains to determine feather growth and moult in broilers up to 112 d of age. 2. Ten pens of 20 chicks for each sex x strain were fed adequate amounts of dietary protein in a four-phase feeding programme. Ten birds were sampled per genotype at 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98 and 112 d. Feather loss was determined for individual birds caged within a nylon net. 3. All feathers were dry-plucked from each of seven tracts, with representative feathers from the capital-cervical, dorsopelvic and interscapular, pectoral and femoral tracts being randomly selected. Three rectrices of the dorsocaudal tract and three primaries and secondaries of the humeral-alar tract of the right wing were evaluated. 4. The length of the selected feathers was measured, and the feathers from each tract and from the whole bird were weighed. 5. A wide range of rates of maturing (0.0250-0.0907/d) and mature weights (9.62-52.9 g) were evident between sampled tracts. 6. Feather weight failed to predict some moults which were detected by the measurement of feather losses. From the weight data, moulting was evident only in the humeral-alar and dorsocaudal tracts, whereas, when daily losses were measured, contour feathers accounted for over 0.7 proportion of feather losses. Logistic equations adequately described the cumulative losses of down, contour feathers and remiges. 7. Feather loss needs to be considered when feather growth is determined from feather weight at different ages. 8. The rate of maturing (B) of feathers was numerically higher in Ross males and females than in the Cobb strain. In females, B was higher than in males (0.0483 vs. 0335/d) but the mature weight was lower (162 vs. 230 g).

A description of the potential growth and body composition of two commercial broiler strains.

1. The potential growth of feathers and feather-free body and their chemical components was measured in two commercial broiler strains. 2. A total of 200 chicks of each sex x strain were fed adequate amounts of dietary protein using a four-phase feeding programme. Ten birds per genotype were sampled at 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98 and 112 d of age. They were weighed before and after being dry-plucked to determine the weight of feathers, and the feather-free body was then minced and analysed for water, protein and lipid. 3. Body weights and chemical composition of males of the two strains were similar throughout the trial. Females of the two strains differed only in their body lipid contents, with mature Cobb females being higher than Ross (1371 vs. 1210 g). 4. Mature body weights of males and females from both strains averaged 8420 g and 6650 g; mature body protein weights averaged 1555 g and 1030 g; and mature body lipid contents averaged 908 and 1290 g, respectively. 5. Rates of maturing per day of body weights of males and females of both strains averaged 0.0385 and 0.0368; feather-free body protein was 0.0316 and 0.0348 and body lipid was 0.0503 and 0.0375, respectively. The rates for body lipid differed between Cobb and Ross females (0.0352 vs. 0.0397/d). Separate equations were required for males and females to describe the allometric relationship between lipid and protein in the feather-free body. 6. The rate of maturing of feathers in females was higher than in males (0.0526 vs. 0398/d) and the mature weight was lower (205 vs. 266 g), respectively. Mature body weights of broilers in this trial were considerably higher than those measured using the same protocol 24 years ago, whereas rates of maturing remained the same.

Botryosphaeriaceae Fungi as Causal Agents of Dieback and Corky Bark in Rambutan and Longan.

Fungi in the Botryosphaeriaceae family cause dieback, fruit rots, and stem cankers in many tropical fruit trees. To identify which species of Botryosphaeriaceae were present in tropical fruit in Puerto Rico and the symptoms they cause in rambutan and longan, a disease survey was conducted throughout the island from 2008 to 2016. Diseased organs of rambutan, longan, mango, and tangerine were collected and 39 isolates belonging to the Botryosphaeriaceae family were isolated and identified. Phylogenetic analysis of three nuclear genes identified nine species: six Lasiodiplodia spp. and three Neofusicoccum spp. All 39 isolates were inoculated on healthy 1-year-old rambutan and longan seedlings to confirm their pathogenicity. Dieback on both rambutan and longan was observed at 14 days after inoculation (DAI). Fourteen isolates from seven Botryosphaeriaceae species (Lasiodiplodia brasiliensis, L. hormozganensis, L. iraniensis, L. pseudotheobromae, L. theobromae, Neofusicoccum batangarum, and N. parvum) caused dieback in rambutan. Five of these pathogenic isolates were collected from rambutan, four from longan, two from mango, and three from tangerine. Ten isolates of four Lasiodiplodia spp. caused dieback in longan: L. hormozganensis, L. iraniensis, L. pseudotheobromae and L. theobromae,. Of these, three were collected from rambutan, three from longan, one from mango, and three from tangerine. Abundant development of pycnidia on branches, called corky bark, were observed on both rambutan and longan 60 DAI. Cross-inoculations showed that pathogenicity is wide in spectrum, indicating that different planting alternatives should be considered for better crop management.

Sobre peso en conductores del Sindicato de Micros Sucre en la ciudad de Sucre / On driver weight of the Sucre Micros Sindicate in the city of Sucre

La OMS (Organización Mundial de la Salud) define como obesidad, cuando el IMC es igual o superior a 30 Kg/m2. El sobrepeso y la obesidad son el quinto factor de riesgo de defunción humana en el mundo, una de las poblaciones más vulnerables son los choferes, por las características particulares del trabajo que desempeñan, lo que conlleva a sufrir diferentes enfermedades. El estudio realizado fue de tipo transversal, con una muestra de 77 personas a los cuales se les realizó la medición de talla y peso con la aplicación de encuestas para la recolección de datos. Entre los resultados se obtuvo que un 25,98% presenta obesidad, un 41,56% sobrepeso y el 32,47% de los chóferes tiene el peso normal. Se concluye que la mayoría de los choferes encuestados presentan sobrepeso

The WHO (World Health Organization) defines obesity as when the BMI is equal to or greater than 30 Kg / m2. Overweight and obesity are the fifth risk factor for human death in the world, one of the most vulnerable populations is drivers, due to the particular characteristics of the work they perform, which leads to suffering from different diseases. The study carried out was cross-sectional, with a sample of 77 people who were measured in height and weight with the application of surveys to collect data. Among the results, it was obtained that 25.98% are obese, 41.56% are overweight and 32.47% of the drivers have normal weight. It is concluded that the majority of the surveyed drivers are overweight.

Toxoplasmosis hemorrágica en paciente VIH / Hemorrhagic toxoplasmosis in hiv patient

La Toxoplasmosis Cerebral es una neuroinfección oportunista frecuente en el paciente VIH, sin embargo, hay escasos reportes en el mundo en relación con la presentación hemorrágica de esta entidad por lo que se presenta el caso de un paciente varón de 44 años, cuya evolución clínica llevó a sospechar Toxoplasmosis Cerebral Hemorrágica precozmente, pero, pese al tratamiento oportuno finalmente fallece.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a frequent opportunistic neuro-infection in HIV patients. However, there are few reports worldwide of its hemorrhagic presentation, so we present the case of a 44 year old male patient whose clinical progress led to early suspicion of cerebral hemorrhagic toxoplasmosis. Despite timely treatment the case resulted in death.

On entropy research analysis: cross-disciplinary knowledge transfer.

Our aim is to illustrate how the thermodynamics-based concept of entropy has spread across different areas of knowledge by analyzing the distribution of papers, citations and the use of words related to entropy in the predefined Scopus categories. To achieve this, we analyze the Scopus papers database related to entropy research during the last 20 years, collecting 750 K research papers which directly contain or mention the word entropy. First, some well-recognized works which introduced novel entropy-related definitions are monitored. Then we compare the hierarchical structure which emerges for the different cases of association, which can be in terms of citations among papers, classification of papers in categories or key words in abstracts and titles. Our study allowed us to evaluate, to some extent, the utility and versatility of concepts such as entropy to permeate in different areas of science. Furthermore, the use of specific terms (key words) in titles and abstracts provided a useful way to account for the interaction between areas in the category research space.

Amyloid-ß oligomers synaptotoxicity: The emerging role of EphA4/c-Abl signaling in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive memory loss and dementia. The strong correlation between cognitive decline and the loss of synapses supports the idea that synaptic damage is a relevant pathogenic mechanism underlying AD progression. It has been shown that amyloid beta oligomers (AßOs) induce synaptotoxicity ultimately leading to the reduction of dendritic spine density, which underlies cognitive damage. However, the signaling pathways connecting AßOs to synaptic dysfunction have not been completely elucidated. In this review, we have gathered evidence on AßOs receptors and the signaling pathways involved in synaptic damage. We make special emphasis on a new AßOs induced axis that involves the tyrosine kinase ephrin receptor A4 (EphA4) and c-Abl tyrosine kinase activation. EphA4 is a key player in homeostatic plasticity, mediating dendritic spine remodeling and retraction. AßOs aberrantly activate EphA4 leading to dendritic spine elimination. c-Abl is activated in AßOs exposed neurons and in AD patient's brain, and the inhibition of activated c-Abl ameliorates cognitive deficits in AD mouse model. The EphA4 receptor activates c-Abl intracellular signaling. Therefore EphA4 is an emerging AßOs receptor and the activation of the EphA4/c-Abl axis would explain the synaptic spine alterations found in AD.