Thermodynamics of noncommutative quantum Kerr black holes

Thermodynamic formalism for rotating black holes, characterized by noncommutative and quantum corrections, is constructed. From a fundamental thermodynamic relation, equations of state and thermodynamic response functions are explicitly given and the effect of noncommutativity and quantum correction is discussed. It is shown that the well known divergence exhibited in specific heat is not removed by any of these corrections. However, regions of thermodynamic stability are affected by noncommutativity, increasing the available states for which some thermodynamic stability conditions are satisfied.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figure

Molecular identification of isolates of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex

Background: The Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex is the second most common causal agent of dermatophytosis. It comprises five species-T. mentagrophytes, T. interdigitale, T. erinacei, T quinckeanum, and T. benhamie, as well as nine different genotypes of T. mentagrophytes / T. interdigitale-which are morphologically similar; however, their susceptibility to antifungal agents may differ. For targeted therapy and better prognosis, it is important to identify these species at a molecular level. However, since many hospitals lack molecular methods, the actual aetiology of dermatophytosis caused by this complex remains unknown. Objective: To characterize 55 anthropophilic isolates of the T. mentagrophytes complex recovered from a dermatological centre in Yucatan, Mexico. Material and methods: Fifty-five isolates of the T. mentagrophytes complex were obtained from patients with tinea capitis, tinea pedis, tinea corporis, tinea barbae, and tinea unguium. They were characterized by their colonial and microscopic morphology on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and through the sequencing of a fragment from the region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2. Results: All colonies grown on SDA were white. Forty-six isolates formed colonies with a powdery texture, while nine isolates formed colonies with a velvety texture. The micromorphological features were typical of the T. mentagrophytes complex. The molecular analysis revealed that 55 isolates were microorganisms that belonged to the T. mentagrophytes complex, that 46 formed powdery colonies representing T. mentagrophytes, and that the other nine isolates that formed velvety colonies represented T. interdigitale. The latter nine isolates were obtained from patients with tinea pedis, tinea corporis, and tinea unguium. Conclusions: The colony morphology on SDA led to the identification of 46 isolates as T. mentagrophytes and nine isolates as T. interdigitale. At a molecular level, the species identified by their morphology were identified only as T. mentagrophytes complex

Brucellosis remains a neglected disease inthe developing world: a call forinterdisciplinary action

Brucellosis places significant burdens on the human healthcare system and limits the economic growth of individuals, communities, and nations where such development is especially important to diminish the prevalence of poverty. The implementation of public policy focused on mitigating the socioeconomic effects of brucellosis in human and animal populations is desperately needed. When developing a plan to mitigate the associated consequences, it is vital to consider both the abstract and quantifiable effects. This requires an interdisciplinary and collaborative, or One Health, approach that consists of public education, the development of an infrastructure for disease surveillance and reporting in both veterinary and medical fields, and campaigns for control in livestock and wildlife species

Robust fabrication of electrospun-like polymer mats to direct cell behaviour

Currently, cell culture systems that include nanoscale topography are widely used in order to provide cells additional cues closer to the in vivo environment, seeking to mimic the natural extracellular matrix. Electrospinning is one of the most common techniques to produce nanofiber mats. However, since many sensitive parameters play an important role in the process, a lack of reproducibility is a major drawback. Here we present a simple and robust methodology to prepare reproducible electrospun-like samples. It consists of a polydimethylsiloxane mold reproducing the fiber pattern to solvent-cast a polymer solution and obtain the final sample. To validate this methodology, poly( L-lactic) acid ( PLLA) samples were obtained and, after characterisation, bioactivity and ability to direct cell response were assessed. C2C12 myoblasts developed focal adhesions on the electrospun-like fibers and, when cultured under myogenic differentiation conditions, similar differentiation levels to electrospun PLLA fibers were obtained.The support of ERC through HealInSynergy (306990) and FPU program AP2009-3626 is acknowledged.Ballester Beltrán, J.; Lebourg., MM.; Capella Monsonís, H.; Díaz Lantada, A.; Salmerón Sánchez, M. (2014). Robust fabrication of electrospun-like polymer mats to direct cell behaviour. Biofabrication. 6(3). https://doi.org/10.1088/1758-5082/6/3/035009S6

¿Es prioritario vacunar a niños de 3-11 años contra COVID-19 en Colombia?

En octubre 31 del 2021, Colombia inició la vacunación contra COVID-19 para niños de 3 a 11 años de edad, conla vacuna CoronaVac (Sinovac). Esta estrategia se implementó en ausencia de un informe técnico sobre la eficaciay seguridad de CoronaVac en niños, y sin una evaluación del costo-beneficio de esta, en comparación con otrasestrategias. En este comentario se consideran aspectos fundamentales que debieron tomarse en cuenta al ponderar silos beneficios de esta estrategia eran mayores que sus riesgos. Específicamente, la eficacia y seguridad de CoronaVacen niños de 3 a 11 años, la relación riesgo/beneficio de la estrategia, el rol de los niños en la transmisión comunitariade SARS-CoV-2, y las implicaciones éticas de la estrategia.En octubre 31 del 2021, Colombia inició la vacunación contra COVID-19 para niños de 3 a 11 años de edad, conla vacuna CoronaVac (Sinovac). Esta estrategia se implementó en ausencia de un informe técnico sobre la eficaciay seguridad de CoronaVac en niños, y sin una evaluación del costo-beneficio de esta, en comparación con otrasestrategias. En este comentario se consideran aspectos fundamentales que debieron tomarse en cuenta al ponderar silos beneficios de esta estrategia eran mayores que sus riesgos. Específicamente, la eficacia y seguridad de CoronaVacen niños de 3 a 11 años, la relación riesgo/beneficio de la estrategia, el rol de los niños en la transmisión comunitariade SARS-CoV-2, y las implicaciones éticas de la estrategia.En octubre 31 del 2021, Colombia inició la vacunación contra COVID-19 para niños de 3 a 11 años de edad, conla vacuna CoronaVac (Sinovac). Esta estrategia se implementó en ausencia de un informe técnico sobre la eficaciay seguridad de CoronaVac en niños, y sin una evaluación del costo-beneficio de esta, en comparación con otrasestrategias. En este comentario se consideran aspectos fundamentales que debieron tomarse en cuenta al ponderar silos beneficios de esta estrategia eran mayores que sus riesgos. Específicamente, la eficacia y seguridad de CoronaVacen niños de 3 a 11 años, la relación riesgo/beneficio de la estrategia, el rol de los niños en la transmisión comunitariade SARS-CoV-2, y las implicaciones éticas de la estrategia

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially