Cerebrospinal fluid biomarker candidates associated with human WNV neuroinvasive disease

During the last decade, the epidemiology of WNV in humans has changed in the southern regions of Europe, with high incidence of West Nile fever (WNF) cases, but also of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND). The lack of human vaccine or specific treatment against WNV infection imparts a pressing need to characterize indicators associated with neurological involvement. By its intimacy with central nervous system (CNS) structures, modifications in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition could accurately reflect CNS pathological process. Until now, few studies investigated the association between imbalance of CSF elements and severity of WNV infection. The aim of the present study was to apply the iTRAQ technology in order to identify the CSF proteins whose abundances are modified in patients with WNND. Forty-seven proteins were found modified in the CSF of WNND patients as compared to control groups, and most of them are reported for the first time in the context of WNND. On the basis of their known biological functions, several of these proteins were associated with inflammatory response. Among them, Defensin-1 alpha (DEFA1), a protein reported with anti-viral effects, presente

A comprehensive review on monitoring and purification of water through tunable 2D nanomaterials

Abstract Instead of typical household trash, the heavy metal complexes, organic chemicals, and other poisons produced by huge enterprises threaten water systems across the world. In order to protect our drinking water from pollution, we must keep a close eye on the situation. Nanotechnology, specifically two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, is used in certain wastewater treatment systems. Graphene, g-C3N4, MoS2, and MXene are just a few examples of emerging 2D nanomaterials that exhibit an extraordinary ratio of surface (m3), providing material consumption, time consumption, and treatment technique for cleaning and observing water. In this post, we'll talk about the ways in which 2D nanomaterials may be tuned to perform certain functions, namely how they can be used for water management. The following is a quick overview of nanostructured materials and its possible use in water management: Also discussed in length are the applications of 2D nanomaterials in water purification, including pollutant adsorption, filtration, disinfection, and photocatalysis. Fluorescence sensors, colorimetric, electrochemical, and field-effect transistors are only some of the devices being studied for their potential use in monitoring water quality using 2D nanomaterials. Utilizing 2D content has its benefits and pitfalls when used to water management. New developments in this fast-expanding business will boost water treatment quality and accessibility in response to rising awareness of the need of clean, fresh water among future generations

Declaraciones previas de testigos y peritos en juicio anulado y el derecho a confrontar en el proceso penal peruano

It was investigated why the use in the new oral trial of the previous statements of witnesses, experts and defendants, made in an annulled trial, and those provided before the Prosecutor's Office or the Judge during the investigations, favors the right to confront in Peru. The hypothesis was that, if they favor the aforementioned right of the procedural parties, because they allow to refresh the memory and show contradictions and inconsistencies that reduce the credibility of the deponents, which must necessarily be weighed when issuing the new sentence. As a data source, a sample of doctrinal positions of 05 authors was considered, as well as a survey of 120 criminal lawyers, in order to verify the hypothesis and propose a solution proposal. The results were presented in tables of statistical frequency and the analysis, inductive, deductive, and hermeneutical-dialectical methods were used for their discussion, which allowed to positively validate the hypothesis raised in relation to the previous statements of witnesses and experts, but not in what concerns the accused, considering that it affects their right not to incriminate themselves. Concluding in the need for express regulation in the Criminal Procedure Code.Se investigó por qué la utilización en el nuevo juicio oral de las declaraciones previas de testigos, peritos e imputados, vertidas en un juicio anulado, y aquellas aportadas ante la Fiscalía o el Juez durante las investigaciones, favorece el derecho a confrontar en el Perú. La hipótesis favorece el referido derecho de las partes procesales, porque permiten refrescar la memoria y evidenciar contradicciones e inconsistencias que merman la credibilidad de los deponentes, que necesariamente deben ponderarse al emitir la nueva sentencia. Como fuente de datos se consideró una muestra de posiciones doctrinales de 05 autores, así como una encuesta a 120 abogados penalistas, con la finalidad de verificar la hipótesis y plantear una propuesta de solución. Los resultados fueron presentados en tablas de frecuencia estadística y para su discusión se utilizaron los métodos análisis, inductivo, deductivo, y hermenéutico – dialéctico, que permitieron validar positivamente la hipótesis planteada en lo referido a las declaraciones previas de testigos y peritos, pero no en lo concerniente a los imputados, por considerar que afecta su derecho a no incriminarse. Concluyendo en la necesidad de regulación expresa en el Código Procesal Penal

Anemia and malnutrition in indigenous children and adolescents of the Peruvian Amazon in a context of lead exposure : a cross-sectional study

Background: Indigenous children and adolescents of the Peruvian Amazon live in precarious conditions that could increase the risk of malnutrition. A particular problem in the Corrientes river communities is the high exposure to lead among children and adolescents. Objective: This study aimed to determine the nutritional status of children and adolescents in indigenous communities in the Corrientes river basin and examine risk factors for anemia, stunting, underweight, and wasting. Design: This was a cross-sectional assessment in children and adolescents aged 0-17 years from six communities (n = 330). Data collection included measurement of hemoglobin levels, anthropometrics, blood lead levels (BLLs); a parental questionnaire including demographic and dwelling information; parents' occupation; and the child's duration of breastfeeding and food consumption. Analysis included univariate, bivariate, and logistic regression. Results: Overall, anemia prevalence was 51.0%, stunting (proxy for chronic malnutrition) 50.0%, and underweight 20.0%. Bivariate analysis showed that anemia and underweight prevalence was higher in the 0-4 years group (p<0.05). No association was found between anemia, stunting, or underweight with gender, community exposure to oil activity, or consumption of river water. Stunting prevalence was higher in the group whose BLLs were >5 mu g/dL (p<0.05). In the logistic regression analysis, no variable was associated with anemia or underweight. The group 5-11 years and >12 years had 1.9 and 3.1 times higher risk of stunting than the group under five years, respectively. Children and adolescents with BLLs >5 mu g/dL had twice the risk of stunting compared to those with lower BLLs. Conclusions: Half of the study population was found with anemia and stunting. Anemia was more prevalent in the 0- to 5-year age group and stunting in the 12- to 17-year group. The association between stunting and BLLs might be attributed to a direct effect of lead on human growth. Also, poor nutrition and other socioeconomic-related factors may contribute to the simultaneous existence of stunting and elevated BLLs

Health effects of non-occupational exposure to oil extraction.

Oil extraction may cause extensive environmental impact that can affect health of populations living in surrounding areas. Large populations are potentially exposed to oil extraction related contamination through residence in areas where oil extraction is conducted, especially in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Health effects among people residentially exposed to upstream oil industry contaminants have been poorly studied. Health effects of exposure to oil related contamination have been mainly studied among cleanup workers after oil spills from tankers or offshore platforms.In this paper we aim to identify the type and extension of residential exposures related to oil extraction activities and to comment on the few health studies available. We estimated that 638 million persons in LMICs inhabit rural areas close to conventional oil reservoirs. It is relevant to specifically study people residentially exposed to upstream oil industry for the following reasons: First, persons are exposed during long periods of time to oil related contamination. Second, routes of exposure differ between workers and people living close to oil fields, who can be exposed by ingestion of contaminated waters/foods and by dermal contact with contaminated water and/or land during daily activities (e.g. bathing, agricultural activities, etc.). Third, individuals potentially more susceptible to the effect of oil related contamination and not normally occupationally exposed, such as infants, children, pregnant women, elderly or people with previous health conditions, are also exposed.There are few papers studying the potential health effects of residential exposure to oil related contamination, and most of them share important limitations. There is a need for more research through the conduct of methodologically robust studies in exposed populations worldwide. Despite the difficulties in the conduct of studies in remote areas, novel approaches, such as measurement of individual exposure using biomarkers of exposure and effect, should be used. These studies should be promoted to understand the health risks associated to residential exposure to oil related contamination, support effective control policies to avoid such contamination and to sustain public health recommendations and policies to avoid exposure in already contaminated areas.C.O.G holds a Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship awarded from the Carlos III National Institute of Health (CD13/00072). M.O.M. benefited from the financial support of the ‘Conflict and Cooperation over Natural Resources in Developing Countries’ program of The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) - www.iss.nl/nebe- and the ‘International Initiative for Impact Evaluation’ (3ie)

SCUT sampling and classification algorithms to identify levels of child malnutrition

Child malnutrition results in millions of deaths every year. This condition is a potential problem in Peruvian society, especially in the rural parts of the country. The consequences of malnutrition range from physical limitations to declining mental performance and productivity for the individual. Government initiatives contribute to decreasing the causes of this disorder; however, these efforts are focused on long term solutions. The need for a fast and reliable way to detect these cases early on still exists. This paper compares classification techniques to determine which one is the most appropriate to classify cases of malnutrition. Neural networks and decision trees are used in combination with different sampling techniques, such as SCUT, SMOTE, random oversampling, random undersampling, and Tomek links. The models produced using oversampling techniques achieved high accuracies. Further, the models produced by the SCUT algorithm achieved high accuracies, preserved the behavior of the data and allowed for better representations of minority classes. The multilayer perceptron model that used the SCUT sampling techniques was chosen as the best model