An Economic Analysis of the Environmental Impact of PM2.5 Exposure on Health Status in Three Northwestern Mexican Cities

Introduction: This study provides an economic assessment of the health effects due to exposure to particulate matter PM2.5 in three medium-size cities of northwestern Mexico: Los Mochis, Culiacan and Mazatlán. People in these cities are exposed to high pollutant concentrations that exceed limits suggested in domestic and international guidelines. PM2.5 is an air contaminant negatively associated with people’s health when is highly concentrated in the atmosphere; its diameter is below 2.5 µm and causes the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated. To account for the economic impact of air pollution, a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) was used by the means of the European Aphekom Project. We figured the cost-savings of complying with current environmental standards and computed gains in life expectancy, total avoidable premature mortality, preventable cardiovascular disease, and the economic costs of air pollution related to PM2.5. A formal analysis of air pollution epidemiology is not pursued in this paper. Results: The cost of reducing PM2.5 pollution associated with negative health outcomes was based on two different scenarios: Official Mexican Standard (NOM, Spanish acronym) and World Health Organization (WHO) environmental standards. The mean PM2.5 concentrations in 2017 were 22.8, 22.4 and 14.1 µg/m3 for Los Mochis, Mazatlán and Culiacan, respectively. Conclusions: The mean avoidable mortality for all causes associated to PM2.5 exposure in these cities was 638 for the NOM scenario (i.e., with a reduction to 12 µg/m3) compared to 739 for the WHO scenario (reduction to 10 µg/m3). Complying with the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m3 in annual PM2.5 mean would add up to 15 months of life expectancy at age 30, depending on the city. The mean economic cost per year of the PM2.5 effects on human life in these three cities was USD 600 million (NOM scenario) and USD 695 million (WHO scenario). Thus, effective public health and industrial policy interventions to improve air quality are socially advantageous and cost-saving to promote better health.S

Interfaz humano-computador basada en gestos faciales y orientada a la aplicación WhatsApp para personas con limitación motriz de miembros superiores

People with reduced upper-limb mobility depend mainly on facial gestures to communicate with the world; nonetheless, current facial gesture-based interfaces do not take into account the reduction in mobility that most people with motor limitations experience during recovery periods. This study presents an alternative to overcome this limitation, a human-computer interface based on computer vision techniques over two types of images: images of the user’s face captured by a webcam and screenshots of a desktop application running on the foreground. The first type is used to detect, track, and estimate gestures, facial patterns in order to move and execute commands with the cursor, while the second one is used to ensure that the cursor moves to specific interaction areas of the desktop application. The interface was fully programmed in Python 3.6 using open source libraries and runs in the background in Windows operating systems. The performance of the interface was evaluated with videos of people using four interaction commands in WhatsApp Desktop. We conclude that the interface can operate with various types of lighting, backgrounds, camera distances, body postures, and movement speeds; and the location and size of the WhatsApp window does not affect its effectiveness. The interface operates at a speed of 1 Hz and uses 35 % of the capacity a desktop computer with an Intel Core i5 processor and 1.5 GB of RAM for its execution; therefore, this solution can be implemented in ordinary, low-end personal computers.En el caso de personas con limitación motriz de miembros superiores, los gestos faciales son la principal forma de comunicarse con el mundo. Sin embargo, las interfaces actuales basadas en gestos no tienen en cuenta la reducción de movilidad que la mayoría de las personas con limitación motriz experimentan durante sus periodos de recuperación. Como alternativa para superar esta limitación, se presenta una interfaz humana-computador basada en técnicas de visión por computador sobre dos tipos de imagen: la imagen del rostro capturada mediante webcam y la captura de pantalla de una aplicación de escritorio en primer plano. La primera imagen es utilizada para detectar, seguir y estimar la pose del rostro con el fin de desplazar y ejecutar comandos con el cursor; la segunda imagen es utilizada para lograr que los desplazamientos del cursor sean realizados a zonas específicas de interacción de la aplicación de escritorio. La interfaz es programada totalmente en Python 3.6 utilizando bibliotecas de código abierto y se ejecuta en segundo plano dentro del sistema operativo Windows. El desempeño de la interfaz se evalúa con videos de personas utilizando cuatro comandos de interacción con la aplicación WhatsApp versión de escritorio. Se encontró que la interfaz puede operar con varios tipos de iluminación, fondos, distancias a la cámara, posturas y velocidades de movimiento; la ubicación y el tamaño de la ventana de WhatsApp no afecta la efectividad de la interfaz. La interfaz opera a una velocidad de 1 Hz y utiliza el 35 % de la capacidad de un procesador Intel Core i5 y 1,5 GB de RAM para su ejecución lo que permite concebir esta solución en equipos de cómputo personales

Actividad cicatrizante del extracto hidroetanólico liofilizado de Piper angustifolium en cuyes con lesiones subcutáneas y dérmicas

Subcutaneous and dermal lesions in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are of clinical importance. However, their treatment has not been effective with traditional veterinary products. Therefore, the healing activity of the lyophilized hydroethanolic extract of Piper angustifolium at different concentrations was evaluated in guinea pigs with subcutaneous and dermal lesions, as well as the cost of treatment. Ninety-two six-month-old female guinea pigs of the Peruvian breed with subcutaneous and dermal lesions were used after clinical examination. The groups consisted of: G1-M 40 %, G2-M 70 %, G3 - CP and G4-CN. G1, G2 animals were treated with 40 % and 70 % concentration of ethanolic extract of matico and G3 gentian violet topically for 15 days. The G2 treatment showed effective healing at 10 days in relation to G1 and G3. Healing time and diameter showed significant differences (p<0.05), in G2 (0.04 ± 0.1c) at 10 days of study, being inferior to G3 (0.80 ± 0.1 a) and G1 (0.36± 0.4c). The lowest cost/treatment (US dollar) was for G2 ($/ 1.80) with respect to G1($/ 2.5) and G3 ($/ 3.2). The 70$1,80) con respecto a G1 ($2,5) y G3 ($3,2) y el extracto hidroetanólico liofilizado de 70 % de Piper angustifolium resultó ser un eficaz cicatrizante en lesiones subcutáneas y dérmicas en cuyes, a menor costo en relación con los tratamientos convencionales

Medios de comunicación y derecho a la información en Jalisco 2013

En el primer apartado, dedicado al sistema de medios en general, se presentan tres artículos: “Nuevos medios de comunicación en Jalisco”, “c7 ¿medio público o vocero del gobierno?” y “Réquiem por un ombudsman”. El segundo apartado está dedicado al tema de la libertad de expresión; se presentan aquí dos textos: “La vulnerabilidad en un ambiente de cambio. Los ataques a los medios de comunicación en Jalisco durante el año” y “Violaciones a la libertad de expresión de periodistas y trabajadores de medios en Jalisco, 1995-2013”. En el apartado “Derecho a la información, comunicación y política” se ofrecen cuatro textos de índole muy diversa: “La estrategia de comunicación del Gobierno del Estado”, “Diálogos públicos: la discusión de una nueva ley de transparencia para Jalisco”, “Cuando un niño desaparece, el peor enemigo es el tiempo…”, sobre la alerta Amber, y “2013: un año marcado por despidos en diversos periódicos de Guadalajara”. En la sección “Los que se fueron” se presenta la semblanza de Felipe Vicencio. Y en el apartado de “La investigación del observatorio de medios” se comparten los resultados de un trabajo sobre los columnistas de opinión jaliscienses que escriben en la prensa local.ITESO, A.C

Percepción del tamizaje de cáncer de próstata en Huánuco, Perú. 2018

Objective: To determine the association between the level of knowledge, attitude, perception and factors demographic with the screening of prostate cancer in users older than 45 years attended in external office of the Urology Service Hospital health II Huánuco during the 2018. Materials and methods: observational, analytical, transversal and retrospective study. Simple random sampling was used, obtaining 424 males that met the selection criteria. For the interview was used a questionnaire organized in five parts, data demographic eight questions, screening of prostate cancer four questions with two closed and two open, knowledge fifteen questions with two options, perception fourteen Questions with two options and attitude fourteen multiple choice questions based on the Likert scale. The statistical program used was the SPSS15. Results: The mean age was 67.03 years, 70.03% had higher education degree and 60.60% was performed screening. We found statistically significant relationship between knowledge level (P=0.00), perception (P=0.04) and degree of instruction (P=0.02) with screening. No association was found between attitude (P=0.18) and screening. Those with a positive perception and high knowledge have 1.84 and 1.38 times the possibility of screening respectively. We worked with a confidence level of 95%. Conclusions: The factors associated with the screening of prostate cancer are the level of knowledge, perception and degree of instruction; the attitude is not associated.Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre el nivel de conocimiento, actitud, percepción  y factores sociodemográficos con el tamizaje de cáncer de próstata en usuarios mayores de 45 años atendidos en consultorio externo del servicio de urología del hospital Essalud II Huánuco durante el 2018. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, analítico, transversal y retrospectivo. Se usó muestreo aleatorio simple obteniéndose 424 varones que cumplieron los criterios de selección. Para la entrevista se usó un cuestionario organizado en cinco partes, datos sociodemográficos ocho preguntas, tamizaje de cáncer de próstata cuatro preguntas con dos cerradas y dos abiertas, conocimiento quince preguntas con dos opciones, percepción catorce preguntas con dos opciones y actitud catorce preguntas de opción múltiple basada en la escala de Likert. El programa estadístico usado fue el Spss15. Resultados: La media de la edad fue 67,03 años, el 70,03% tuvo grado de instrucción superior y el 60,60% se realizó el tamizaje. Se encontró relación estadísticamente significativa entre nivel de conocimiento (p=0.003), percepción (p=0.043)  y el grado de instrucción (p=0.016) con el tamizaje. No se encontró asociación entre actitud (p=0.164)  y  tamizaje.  Aquellos con una percepción positiva y nivel de conocimiento alto tienen 1.84  y 1.38 veces más posibilidad de realizarse el tamizaje respectivamente. Se trabajó con un nivel de confianza del 95%. Conclusiones: Los factores asociados al tamizaje de cáncer de próstata son el nivel de conocimiento, percepción y el grado de instrucción; la actitud no está asociada

Interfaz humano-computador basada en gestos faciales y orientada a la aplicación WhatsApp para personas con limitación motriz de miembros superiores

People with reduced upper-limb mobility depend mainly on facial gestures to communicate with the world; nonetheless, current facial gesture-based interfaces do not take into account the reduction in mobility that most people with motor limitations experience during recovery periods. This study presents an alternative to overcome this limitation, a human-computer interface based on computer vision techniques over two types of images: images of the user’s face captured by a webcam and screenshots of a desktop application running on the foreground. The first type is used to detect, track, and estimate gestures, facial patterns in order to move and execute commands with the cursor, while the second one is used to ensure that the cursor moves to specific interaction areas of the desktop application. The interface was fully programmed in Python 3.6 using open source libraries and runs in the background in Windows operating systems. The performance of the interface was evaluated with videos of people using four interaction commands in WhatsApp Desktop. We conclude that the interface can operate with various types of lighting, backgrounds, camera distances, body postures, and movement speeds; and the location and size of the WhatsApp window does not affect its effectiveness. The interface operates at a speed of 1 Hz and uses 35 % of the capacity a desktop computer with an Intel Core i5 processor and 1.5 GB of RAM for its execution; therefore, this solution can be implemented in ordinary, low-end personal computers.En el caso de personas con limitación motriz de miembros superiores, los gestos faciales son la principal forma de comunicarse con el mundo. Sin embargo, las interfaces actuales basadas en gestos no tienen en cuenta la reducción de movilidad que la mayoría de las personas con limitación motriz experimentan durante sus periodos de recuperación. Como alternativa para superar esta limitación, se presenta una interfaz humana-computador basada en técnicas de visión por computador sobre dos tipos de imagen: la imagen del rostro capturada mediante webcam y la captura de pantalla de una aplicación de escritorio en primer plano. La primera imagen es utilizada para detectar, seguir y estimar la pose del rostro con el fin de desplazar y ejecutar comandos con el cursor; la segunda imagen es utilizada para lograr que los desplazamientos del cursor sean realizados a zonas específicas de interacción de la aplicación de escritorio. La interfaz es programada totalmente en Python 3.6 utilizando bibliotecas de código abierto y se ejecuta en segundo plano dentro del sistema operativo Windows. El desempeño de la interfaz se evalúa con videos de personas utilizando cuatro comandos de interacción con la aplicación WhatsApp versión de escritorio. Se encontró que la interfaz puede operar con varios tipos de iluminación, fondos, distancias a la cámara, posturas y velocidades de movimiento; la ubicación y el tamaño de la ventana de WhatsApp no afecta la efectividad de la interfaz. La interfaz opera a una velocidad de 1 Hz y utiliza el 35 % de la capacidad de un procesador Intel Core i5 y 1,5 GB de RAM para su ejecución lo que permite concebir esta solución en equipos de cómputo personales

Rapid sevoflurane induction compared with thiopental

To examine whether the speed of induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane/nitrous oxide (N 2O) utilizing a 10-second vital capacity rapid inhalation induction (VCRII) followed by tidal breathing was similar or faster than cautious intravenous (IV) thiopental induction with inhaled N 2O. Prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Veterans Affairs Medical Center. 50 male ASA physical status I, II, and III patients scheduled for general anesthesia. Patients were randomized to receive either 8% sevoflurane or IV thiopental. Patients were allocated to one of two groups of 25 patients each. In both groups, the breathing circuit was initially primed for 5 minutes with (4 L/min) and O 2 (2 L/min), while the Y-piece was occluded. In the sevoflurane group, the circuit was additionally primed with 8% sevoflurane. Patients were trained to perform a vital capacity breath. After maximal exhalation, the occluding plug was rapidly removed from the Y-piece and connected to the facemask. The patient then inspired to vital capacity, held his breath for 10 seconds, and then was allowed to breathe normally. At the end of the 10-second breathhold, and as the patient started normal breathing, either thiopental (thiopental group) or normal saline (sevoflurane group) was injected at a rate of 4 mL every 10 seconds. A study-blinded observer recorded the time to induction, as defined by the time to loss of eyelash reflex, and noted the occurrence of side effects. The speed of induction was the same for both groups ( p > 0.05). An average of eight breaths was required before loss of eyelash reflex. Side effects occurred in 36% of the patients in the thiopental group, and 32% in the sevoflurane group ( p > 0.05); these were minor and did not affect induction. Sevoflurane/N 2O VCRII as used in this investigation is an effective inhalation technique; it resulted in an induction time similar to that of slow IV thiopental with inhaled N 2O

24-h bronchodilation and inspiratory capacity improvements with glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate via co-suspension delivery technology in COPD

Abstract Background Symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may vary throughout the day and it is important that therapeutic approaches provide 24-h symptom control. We report the results of two phase IIIb crossover studies, PT003011 and PT003012, investigating the 24-h lung function profile of GFF MDI (glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate 18/9.6 μg delivered using innovative co-suspension delivery technology) administered twice daily. Methods Patients with moderate-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease received 4 weeks’ treatment with each of GFF MDI, placebo MDI, and open-label tiotropium (PT003011 only). Lung function was assessed over 24 h on day 29 of each treatment period. The primary outcome was forced expiratory volume in 1 second area under the curve from 0 to 24 h (FEV1AUC0–24). Other outcomes included change from baseline in average daily rescue medication use over the treatment period. In addition, we conducted a post-hoc analysis of data pooled from both studies to further characterize the effect of GFF MDI on inspiratory capacity. Results GFF MDI treatment significantly increased FEV1AUC0–24 versus placebo in studies PT003011 (n = 75) and PT003012 (n = 35) on day 29 (both studies p 15% increase from baseline in inspiratory capacity than patients treated with placebo or tiotropium (72.1%, 19.0% and 47.0% of patients, respectively after the evening dose on day 29). There were no significant safety/tolerability findings. Conclusions GFF MDI significantly improved 24-h lung function versus placebo in patients with moderate-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with similar benefits in the second 12-h period compared to the first, supporting twice-daily dosing of GFF MDI. Trial registration Pearl Therapeutics, Inc.; www.clinicaltrials.gov ; NCT02347072 and NCT02347085 . Registered 21 January 2015

Genes Involved in Immune Reinduction May Constitute Biomarkers of Response for Metastatic Melanoma Patients Treated with Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy in metastatic melanoma often achieves a major tumour regression response and significant long-term survival via the release of antigens that reinduce immunocompetence. The biomarkers thus activated may guide the prediction of response, but this association and its mechanism have yet to be established. Blood samples were collected from nineteen consecutive patients with metastatic melanoma before, during, and after treatment with targeted therapy. Differential gene expression analysis was performed, which identified the genes involved in the treatment, both in the first evaluation of response and during progression. Although clinical characteristics of the patients were poorer than those obtained in pivotal studies, radiological responses were similar to those reported previously (objective response rate: 73.7%). In the first tumour assessment, the expression of some genes increased (CXCL-10, SERPING1, PDL1, and PDL2), while that of others decreased (ARG1, IL18R1, IL18RAP, IL1R1, ILR2, FLT3, SLC11A1, CD163, and S100A12). The analysis of gene expression in blood shows that some are activated and others inhibited by targeted therapy. This response pattern may provide biomarkers of the immune reinduction response, which could be used to study potential combination treatments. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to validate these results

Onset of effect and impact on health-related quality of life, exacerbation rate, lung function, and nasal polyposis symptoms for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with benralizumab (ANDHI): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial

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