Pathogenesis of an experimental mycobacteriosis in an apple snail

In this work, we aimed at investigating cell and tissue responses of the apple snail Pomacea canaliculata, following the inoculation of the zoonotic pathogen Mycobacterium marinum. Different doses were tested (10, 20, 65, and 100 M CFU) and the mortality rate was negligible. The histopathogenesis was followed at 4, 9, and 28 days after inoculation. Overt histopathological lesions were consistently observed after the two largest doses only. In the lung, marked hemocyte aggregations, including intravascular nodule formation, were observed within the large blood veins that run along the floor and roof of this organ. Hemocyte aggregations were found occluding many of the radial sinuses supplying the respiratory lamina. Acid-fast bacilli were contained in the different hemocyte aggregations. In addition, hemocytes were observed infiltrating the storage tissue, which makes up most of the lung wall, and the connective tissue of the mantle edge. Additionally, signs of degradation in the storage tissue were observed in the lung wall on day 28. In the kidney, nodules were formed associated with the constitutive hemocyte islets and with the subpallial hemocoelic space, in whose hemocytes the acid-fast structures were found. Electron microscopy analysis revealed the presence of bacteria-containing phagosomes within hemocytes located in the surface zone of the islets. Additionally, electron-dense spheroidal structures, which are likely remnants of digested mycobacteria, were observed in close proximity to the hemocytes’ nuclei. The size attained by the hemocyte nodules varied during the observation period, but there was no clear dependence on dose or time after inoculation. Nodules were also formed subpallially. Some of these nodules showed 2–3 layers with different cellular composition, suggesting they may also form through successive waves of circulating cells reaching them. Nodular cores, including those formed intravascularly in the lung, would exhibit signs of hemocyte dedifferentiation, possibly proliferation, and death. Hemocyte congestion was observed in the hemocoelic spaces surrounding the pallial ends of the renal crypts, and the renal crypts themselves showed de-epithelization, particularly on day 28. The diverse cellular responses of P. canaliculata to M. marinum inoculation and the high resilience of this snail to the pathogen make it a suitable species for studying mycobacterial infections and their effects on cellular and physiological processes

Chaotic image encryption using hopfield and hindmarsh–rose neurons implemented on FPGA

Chaotic systems implemented by artificial neural networks are good candidates for data encryption. In this manner, this paper introduces the cryptographic application of the Hopfield and the Hindmarsh–Rose neurons. The contribution is focused on finding suitable coefficient values of the neurons to generate robust random binary sequences that can be used in image encryption. This task is performed by evaluating the bifurcation diagrams from which one chooses appropriate coefficient values of the mathematical models that produce high positive Lyapunov exponent and Kaplan–Yorke dimension values, which are computed using TISEAN. The randomness of both the Hopfield and the Hindmarsh–Rose neurons is evaluated from chaotic time series data by performing National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) tests. The implementation of both neurons is done using field-programmable gate arrays whose architectures are used to develop an encryption system for RGB images. The success of the encryption system is confirmed by performing correlation, histogram, variance, entropy, and Number of Pixel Change Rate (NPCR) tests

Perspectiva universitaria Una visión multidisciplinaria sobre la ética y la realidad

La presente obra muestra a la población lectora, desde una perspectiva universitaria multidisciplinaria, un conjunto de siete investigaciones de corte teórico, que motivan la reflexión sobre las realidades sociales, donde las diferentes éticas analizadas aportan elementos teóricos y posibles estrategias para acompañar en la solución de los conflictos que encara la vida actual en el planeta.Ante los retos que enfrenta la humanidad, algunas veces consecuencia de comportamientos acumulados de baja prosocialidad y civilidad, donde el egoísmo, los abusos y la irresponsabilidad han cobrado protagonismo, son las instituciones educativas, y especialmente las universidades quienes tienen el compromiso de preparar y actualizar profesionistas cuyo perfil de egreso sea capaz de atender las necesidades apremiantes demandas por la colectividad, mismas que muchas veces no generan el reconocimiento público y, por lo tanto, no llegan a provocar una respuesta comprometida desde las políticas públicas, como puede ser el trato en los servicios a las personas más vulneradas, otras veces desde el abuso de la desinformación que termina por dar fuerza al rumor y con ello, desencadenar problemas de pánico, violencia, o incapacidad de atención, como ha sido el caso de la pandemia por el virus SARS CoV2, analizado ampliamente en este libro

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Tax obligations and their relationship with the available and enforceable resources of the company Creak Edificaciones Integrales E.I.R.L. in the district of Lince, Lima - 2018

La presente investigación se desarrolló con el objetivo de establecer la relación entre las obligaciones tributarias y su relación con los recursos disponibles y exigibles, debido al incumplimiento del pago de las deudas tributarias en situación de cobranza coactiva de la empresa Creark Edificaciones Integrales E.I.R.L., ya que este incumplimiento de los pagos por concepto de tributos generan mayores desembolsos de recursos disponibles, resta la imagen y seriedad financiera de la empresa sujeta a investigación. La presente investigación es de tipo correlacional y presenta un diseño no experimental. Su población está constituida por 32 trabajadores de la empresa Creark Edificaciones Integrales E.I.R.L., los cuales se tomó una muestra de 15 trabajadores a quienes se les aplicó dos cuestionarios para obtener información de las dos variables de estudio, además de ello se empleó el análisis documental. Se llegó a la conclusión que las obligaciones tributarias se relacionan de manera relevante con los recursos disponibles y exigibles de la empresa Creark Edificaciones Integrales E.I.R.L., esto debido a que se rechazó la hipótesis nula y se aceptó la hipótesis alterna, esto se explica debido a que la empresa no presta la debida atención al pago de sus obligaciones tributarias lo que genera que esté pagando multas e intereses que perjudican a la empresa ya que muchas de estas deudas llegan a cobranza coactivaTesi

On the Optimization of Machine Learning Techniques for Chaotic Time Series Prediction

Interest in chaotic time series prediction has grown in recent years due to its multiple applications in fields such as climate and health. In this work, we summarize the contribution of multiple works that use different machine learning (ML) methods to predict chaotic time series. It is highlighted that the challenge is predicting the larger horizon with low error, and for this task, the majority of authors use datasets generated by chaotic systems such as Lorenz, Rössler and Mackey–Glass. Among the classification and description of different machine learning methods, this work takes as a case study the Echo State Network (ESN) to show that its optimization can lead to enhance the prediction horizon of chaotic time series. Different optimization methods applied to different machine learning ones are given to appreciate that metaheuristics are a good option to optimize an ESN. In this manner, an ESN in closed-loop mode is optimized herein by applying Particle Swarm Optimization. The prediction results of the optimized ESN show an increase of about twice the number of steps ahead, thus highlighting the usefulness of performing an optimization to the hyperparameters of an ML method to increase the prediction horizon

Nuclear Cataract Database for Biomedical and Machine Learning Applications

A cataract is a medical condition causing an opacity in the ocular nucleus due to various factors such as age and diseases. Starting from traditional image processing techniques for processing and extracting relevant features, using computational intelligence methods is essential to help experts in the medical pre-diagnosis for automatic classification and grading of the disease. However, the learning capabilities of such automated processes rely considerably upon the availability of adequately-labeled databases approved by medical experts. Considering the shortage of available public databases for implementing potential algorithms such as Deep Learning, this work presents a new nuclear cataract database composed of 1437 labeled images for multi-level classification according to the LOCS III system. The images were obtained and correctly classified by experts from an ophthalmologic medical center in Mexico City. Also, our research compares relevant Machine Learning algorithms employed for medical images like Support Vector Machines, Deep Learning structures like GoogLeNet, and our proposed Deep Learning Structure with the highest classification rates for the two and multiple cataract levels according to LOCS III