Impact of the 'Seguro Médico Siglo XXI'medical insurance programme on neonatal and infant mortality in Mexico, 2006-14: an ecological approach to estimation

The ‘Seguro Medico Siglo XXI’ (SMSXXI), a universal coveragemedical insurance programme for children under 5 years of age, started in 2006 to help avoid catastrophic health expenditures in poor families without social security in Mexico. The study used information from the National Health Information System for the 2006–14 period. An ecological approach was followed with a panel of the 2457 municipalities of Mexico as the units of analysis. The outcome variables were the municipality-level neonatal mortality and infant mortality rates in population without access to social security. The programme variable was the coverage of the SMSXXI programme at the municipality level, expressed as a proportion. Demographic and economic variables defined at the municipality level were included as covariates. Impact was estimated by fitting a fixed-effects negative binomial regression model. Results reveal that the SMSXXI significantly reduced both infant and neonatSal mortality in the target population, although in a non-linear fashion, with minimum mortality levels found around the 70% coverage range. The effect is mostly given by the transition from the first quintile to the fourth quintile of coverage (<13% vs 70.5–93.7% coverage), and it is attenuated significantly at coverage levels very close to or at 100%. The observed risk reduction amounted to an estimated total of 11 358 infant deaths being avoided due to the SMSXXI during the 2006–14 period, of which 48% were neonatal. In conclusion, we found a significant impact of the SMSXXI programme on both infant mortality and neonatal mortality. An attenuation of the effect of the insurance on mortality rates at levels close to 100% coverage may reflect the saturation of health units in detriment of the quality of care

Association between childhood trauma and mental health disorders in adolescents during the second pandemic wave of COVID-19, Chiclayo-Peru

"Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected mental health, with children and adolescents being particularly vulnerable. Evidence on the association between childhood trauma and mental health outcomes in schoolchildren during the pandemic is limited. This study aimed to evaluate this relationship in Chiclayo city, northern Peru, during the second wave of COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional secondary data study was conducted, measuring childhood trauma using the Marshall’s Trauma Scale, depressive symptomatology (PHQ-9), and anxiety symptomatology (GAD-7). Additional variables assessed were alcohol use (AUDIT), resilience (abbreviated CD-RISC), and socio-educational data. Prevalence ratios were estimated using generalized linear models. Results: Among 456 participants, 88.2% were female, with a mean age of 14.5 years (SD: 1.33). Depressive symptomatology prevalence was 76.3% (95%CI: 72.14– 80.15) and increased by 23% in schoolchildren with childhood trauma (PR: 1.23; 95%CI: 1.10–1.37). Factors positively associated with depressive symptomatology included increasing age, seeking mental health help during the pandemic, and severe family dysfunction. Anxiety symptomatology prevalence was 62.3% (95%CI: 57.65–66.75) and increased by 55% in schoolchildren with childhood trauma (PR: 1.55; 95%CI: 1.31–1.85). Anxiety symptomatology was positively associated with mild, moderate, and severe family dysfunction. Conclusion: Schoolchildren exposed to childhood trauma are at increased risk for depressive and anxiety symptoms. Monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent mental health is vital. These findings can assist schools in establishing effective measures to prevent mental health outcomes

Photoprotective responses of three intertidal Antarctic macroalgae to short-term temperature stress

The Antarctic Peninsula is experiencing one of the highest warming rates globally. In polar regions, macroalgae thrive under extreme environmental conditions, which could worsen because of future climate change scenarios, including increased ultraviolet exposure, extremely low light availability, and fluctuating temperatures, particularly in the intertidal zones. To investigate the potential role of photoprotective and antioxidant mechanisms in response to future increases in sea surface temperatures caused by climate change, we conducted laboratory experiments using three intertidal macroalgae model species: Adenocystis utricularis (Ochrophyta, Phaeophyceae), Pyropia endiviifolia (Rhodophyta, Bangiophyceae), and Monostroma hariotii (Chlorophyta, Ulvophyceae). These algae were collected in Punta Artigas (King George Island, Antarctica) and acclimated at 2°C for 48 h. They were then assessed in laboratory experiments for up to 5 days under two treatments: (1) control conditions at 2°C and (2) elevated tem.perature conditions at 8°C, representing the most negative increment in SSTs estimated by the end of the 21st century. Carbon, nitrogen, pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids), mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), and phenolic compounds were quantified after 3 and 5 days of exposure. For M. hariotii, elevated temperatures led to an increase in the C/N ratio, total antioxidant capacity, and levels of nitrogen, total carotenoids, chlorophyll-a, pigments (chlorophyll-b and violaxanthin), and phenolic compounds. For A. utricularis, elevated temperatures led to elevated C/N ratio and levels of chlorophyll-a and carotenoids (fucoxanthin and β-carotene). For P. endiviifolia, elevated temperatures resulted in elevated levels of carotenoids (lutein and β-carotene), phenolic compounds, and MAAs (porphyra-334, shinorine, and palythine). Thus, our study suggests that increasing water temperatures due to global warming can enhance the photoprotective abilities of three Antarctic intertidal macroalgae (M. hariotii, A. utricularis, and P. endiviifolia), with each species showing specific responses.Financial and logistical support were granted by the Projects INACH N° RG_10_18 and RT_09_16 granted to PC-P and CS, respectively

Viability and Burden of Leishmania in Extralesional Sites during Human Dermal Leishmaniasis

Understanding of the dynamics and distribution of Leishmania in the human host is fundamental to the targeting of control measures and their evaluation. Amplification of parasite gene sequences in clinical samples from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients has provided evidence of Leishmania in blood, other tissues and sites distinct from the lesion and of persistence of infection after clinical resolution of disease. However, there is uncertainty about the interpretation of the presence of Leishmania DNA as indicative of viable parasites. Because RNA is short-lived and labile, its presence provides an indicator of viability. We amplified Leishmania 7SLRNA, a molecule involved in intracellular protein translocation, to establish viability and estimate parasite load in blood monocytes, tonsil swab samples, and tissue fluid from healthy skin of patients with dermal leishmaniasis. Results showed that during active dermal leishmaniasis, viable Leishmania are present in blood monocytes, tonsils and normal skin in quantities similar to that in lesions, demonstrating widespread dissemination of infection and subclinical involvement of tissues beyond the lesion site. Leishmania 7SLRNA will be useful in deciphering the role of human infection in transmission

VOLUMEN 24, NÚMERO 39 (2002)

ESTUDIO DEL PROCESO DE REHIDRATACIÓN DE LAS ROCAS METAMÓRFICAS DE LA FORMACIÓN SILGARÁ A PARTIR DEL ANÁLISIS COMPOSICIONAL DE LA CLORITA, REGIÓN SUROCCIDENTAL DEL MACIZO DE SANTANDER. Mantilla Figueroa, L. C.; Ríos Reyes, C. A.; Castellanos Alarcón, O. M.DETERMINACIÓN DE PALEOTEMPERATURAS EN LA CUENCA CRETÁCICA DE CAMEROS (LA RIOJA, ESPAÑA), A PARTIR DEL ESTUDIO DE CLORITAS. Mantilla Figueroa, L. C.FALLAS LONGITUDINALES Y TRANSVERSALES EN LA SABANA DE BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA. Velandia Patiño, F. A.; De Bermoudes, O.ESTUDIO GEOQUÍMICO DE ELEMENTOS DE TIERRAS RARAS (REE) EN LAS FLUORITAS DE LAS MINAS PALESTINA (MUNICIPIO DE CEPITÁ) Y EL LLANITO (MUNICIPIO DE LOS SANTOS) EN EL DEPARTAMENTO DE SANTANDER: APORTE AL CONOCIMIENTODEL MODELO GENÉTICO. Mantilla Figueroa, L. C.; Mesa, A.CONDICIONES GEOLÓGICAS FAVORABLES DE LAS SEDIMENTITAS CRETÁCICAS DE LA CORDILLERA ORIENTAL DE COLOMBIA PARA LA EXISTENCIA DE DEPÓSITOS EXHALATIVOS SUBMARINOS DE PLOMO Y ZINC. Sarmiento Rojas, L. F.VISUALIZACIÓN EN TRES DIMENSIONES, LOS MAPAS DE AMENAZA VOLCÁNICA EDUCAN AL CIUDADANO COMÚN. Villegas, H.CÁLCULO DE LA PROBABILIDAD ABSOLUTA DE UNA NUEVA ERUPCIÓN EN LA ISLA DE ISCHIA (ITALIA). Mattera, M.EVALUACIÓN DEL RIESGO VOLCÁNICO EN LA ISLA DE ISCHIA (ITALIA). Mattera, M.METODOLOGÍA PARA LA DEFINICIÓN, EVALUACIÓN Y VALORACIÓN DEL PATRIMONIO GEOLOGICO Y SU APLICACIÓN EN LA GEOMORFOLOGÍA GLACIAR DE SANTANDER (MUNICIPIO DE VETAS). Colegial, J. D.; Pisciotti, G.; Uribe, E

VOLUMEN 24, NÚMERO 39 (2002)

ESTUDIO DEL PROCESO DE REHIDRATACIÓN DE LAS ROCAS METAMÓRFICAS DE LA FORMACIÓN SILGARÁ A PARTIR DEL ANÁLISIS COMPOSICIONAL DE LA CLORITA, REGIÓN SUROCCIDENTAL DEL MACIZO DE SANTANDER. Mantilla Figueroa, L. C.; Ríos Reyes, C. A.; Castellanos Alarcón, O. M.DETERMINACIÓN DE PALEOTEMPERATURAS EN LA CUENCA CRETÁCICA DE CAMEROS (LA RIOJA, ESPAÑA), A PARTIR DEL ESTUDIO DE CLORITAS. Mantilla Figueroa, L. C.FALLAS LONGITUDINALES Y TRANSVERSALES EN LA SABANA DE BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA. Velandia Patiño, F. A.; De Bermoudes, O.ESTUDIO GEOQUÍMICO DE ELEMENTOS DE TIERRAS RARAS (REE) EN LAS FLUORITAS DE LAS MINAS PALESTINA (MUNICIPIO DE CEPITÁ) Y EL LLANITO (MUNICIPIO DE LOS SANTOS) EN EL DEPARTAMENTO DE SANTANDER: APORTE AL CONOCIMIENTODEL MODELO GENÉTICO. Mantilla Figueroa, L. C.; Mesa, A.CONDICIONES GEOLÓGICAS FAVORABLES DE LAS SEDIMENTITAS CRETÁCICAS DE LA CORDILLERA ORIENTAL DE COLOMBIA PARA LA EXISTENCIA DE DEPÓSITOS EXHALATIVOS SUBMARINOS DE PLOMO Y ZINC. Sarmiento Rojas, L. F.VISUALIZACIÓN EN TRES DIMENSIONES, LOS MAPAS DE AMENAZA VOLCÁNICA EDUCAN AL CIUDADANO COMÚN. Villegas, H.CÁLCULO DE LA PROBABILIDAD ABSOLUTA DE UNA NUEVA ERUPCIÓN EN LA ISLA DE ISCHIA (ITALIA). Mattera, M.EVALUACIÓN DEL RIESGO VOLCÁNICO EN LA ISLA DE ISCHIA (ITALIA). Mattera, M.METODOLOGÍA PARA LA DEFINICIÓN, EVALUACIÓN Y VALORACIÓN DEL PATRIMONIO GEOLOGICO Y SU APLICACIÓN EN LA GEOMORFOLOGÍA GLACIAR DE SANTANDER (MUNICIPIO DE VETAS). Colegial, J. D.; Pisciotti, G.; Uribe, E

Age at menopause in Latin America

OBJECTIVE: To assess the age at menopause (AM) in Latin America urban areas. DESIGN: A total of 17,150 healthy women, aged 40 to 59 years, accompanying patients to healthcare centers in 47 cities of 15 Latin American countries, were surveyed regarding their age, educational level, healthcare coverage, history of gynecological surgery, smoking habit, presence of menses, and the use of contraception or hormone therapy at menopause. The AM was calculated using logit analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the entire sample was 49.4 ± 5.5 years. Mean educational level was 9.9 ± 4.5 years, and the use of hormone therapy and oral contraception was 22.1% and 7.9%, respectively. The median AM of women in all centers was 48.6 years, ranging from 43.8 years in Asuncion (Paraguay) to 53 years in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia). Logistic regression analysis determined that women aged 49 living in cities at 2,000 meters or more above sea level (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4-2.9, P less than 0.001) and those with lower educational level (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3-2.8, P less than 0.001) or living in countries with low gross national product (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.5-2.9, P less than 0.001) were more prone to an earlier onset of menopause. CONCLUSIONS: The AM varies widely in Latin America. Lower income and related poverty conditions influence the onset of menopause. © 2006 by The North American Menopause Society

Use of ICT for autonomous learning in Food Science and Technology and Veterinary degrees in the University of Cordoba pilot plan

Con la finalidad de dotar a los estudiantes de los últimos cursos de los grados de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos y Veterinaria de las herramientas necesarias para fomentar el aprendizaje autónomo en instalaciones como la Planta Piloto de la Universidad de Córdoba (PPTA) se programaron diferentes actividades encaminadas a la recopilación de información sobre las instalaciones y equipos, realización de experimentos y desarrollo de trabajo fin de grado, de forma que se integrara en una página web propia, con información suficiente para que los estudiantes puedan formarse autónomamente mediante la consulta y el manejo de documentación generada a partir del uso de diferentes equipos o de las diferentes líneas de procesado, integrando materiales preparados a partir de la experiencia propia en la misma instalación tales como manuales, videos, fotografía de maquinaria y protocolos de experimentos.With the purpose of equipping the students of the last courses of Food Science and Technology and Veterinary degrees with the necessary tools to promote autonomous learning in facilities such as the Pilot Plant of the University of Córdoba, different activities were planned aimed at the collection of information on facilities and equipment, conducting experiments and developing end-of-degree work, so that it can be integrated into a web page of its own, with sufficient information so that students can be formed autonomously through consultation and documentation management generated from the use of different equipment or different processing lines, integrating materials prepared from their own experience in the same installation such as manuals, videos, machinery photography and experimental protocols

Intravitreal bevacizumab in diabetic retinopathy. Recommendations from the Pan-American Collaborative Retina Study Group (PACORES): The 2016 knobloch lecture

The advent of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications has revolutionized the treatment of diabetic eye diseases. Herein, we report the outcomes of clinical studies carried out by the Pan-American Collaborative Retina Study Group (PACORES), with a specific focus on the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab in the management of diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. We will also discuss the use of intravitreal bevaci-zumab as a preoperative, adjuvant therapy before vitrectomy for prolif-erative diabetic retinopathy. Copyright © 2017 by Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology

Tissue culture of ornamental cacti

Cacti species are plants that are well adapted to growing in arid and semiarid regions where the main problem is water availability. Cacti have developed a series of adaptations to cope with water scarcity, such as reduced leaf surface via morphological modifications including spines, cereous cuticles, extended root systems and stem tissue modifications to increase water storage, and crassulacean acid metabolism to reduce transpiration and water loss. Furthermore, seeds of these plants very often exhibit dormancy, a phenomenon that helps to prevent germination when the availability of water is reduced. In general, cactus species exhibit a low growth rate that makes their rapid propagation difficult. Cacti are much appreciated as ornamental plants due to their great variety and diversity of forms and their beautiful short-life flowers; however, due to difficulties in propagating them rapidly to meet market demand, they are very often over-collected in their natural habitats, which leads to numerous species being threatened, endangered or becoming extinct. Therefore, plant tissue culture techniques may facilitate their propagation over a shorter time period than conventional techniques used for commercial purposes; or may help to recover populations of endangered or threatened species for their re-introduction in the wild; or may also be of value to the preservation and conservation of the genetic resources of this important family. Herein we present the state-of-the-art of tissue culture techniques used for ornamental cacti and selected suggestions for solving a number of the problems faced by members of the Cactaceae family