Increase in Pneumococcal Immunization in Adults over 65 Years of Age in a Federally Qualified Health Center

Pneumococcal disease is a healthcare concern with increasing financial and societal burden for adults over the age of 65 years and their caretakers. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of pneumococcal vaccines in this population as a preventive measure helping minimize the mortality and morbidity. This project aimed at increasing the rate of pneumococcal vaccines in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The interventions implemented included the use of audit, feedback and provider educational intervention aimed at increasing the knowledge and the intent to change and improve their practice. The key results indicated an increase in aggregate pneumococcal vaccines in the organization as well as an increase in individual and historical vaccination rates for the organization and individual providers. The implications for practice include the improvement in vaccination rates significantly impacting the health of the community, as well as an increase in education provided regarding vaccination. The questionnaire provided positive feedback on the intervention. Further research to determine vaccination availability and re-vaccination should be considered

Clinical feasibility of quantitative ultrasound texture analysis: A robustness study using fetal lung ultrasound images

OBJECTIVES: To compare the robustness of several methods based on quantitative ultrasound (US) texture analysis to evaluate its feasibility for extracting features from US images to use as a clinical diagnostic tool. METHODS: We compared, ranked, and validated the robustness of 5 texture-based methods for extracting textural features from US images acquired under different conditions. For comparison and ranking purposes, we used 13,171 non-US images from widely known available databases (OUTEX [University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland] and PHOTEX [Texture Lab, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland]), which were specifically acquired under different controlled parameters (illumination, resolution, and rotation) from 103 textures. The robustness of those methods with better results from the non-US images was validated by using 666 fetal lung US images acquired from singleton pregnancies. In this study, 2 similarity measurements (correlation and Chebyshev distances) were used to evaluate the repeatability of the features extracted from the same tissue images. RESULTS: Three of the 5 methods (gray-level co-occurrence matrix, local binary patterns, and rotation-invariant local phase quantization) had favorably robust performance when using the non-US database. In fact, these methods showed similarity values close to 0 for the acquisition variations and delineations. Results from the US database confirmed robustness for all of the evaluated methods (gray-level co-occurrence matrix, local binary patterns, and rotation-invariant local phase quantization) when comparing the same texture obtained from different regions of the image (proximal/distal lungs and US machine brand stratification). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed that texture analysis can be robust (high similarity for different condition acquisitions) with potential to be included as a clinical tool

Identificación morfológica y molecular de Cysticercus fasciolaris aislado de un roedor (Rattus norvegicus) de la provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina).

En un estudio exploratorio de roedores de la especie Rattus norvegicus de la provincia de Buenos Aires, se observó que ciertos metacestodos de tenias se encontraban enquis- tados en el hígado del hospedador. Nuestro objetivo fue identificar esta forma larval, basándonos en estudios morfológicos y moleculares. Para la caracterización molecular del parásito, se amplificó y secuenció el ADN ribosomal (28S) y mitocondrial (COI). Sobre la base de los datos tanto morfológicos como moleculares, y utilizando herramientas bio- informáticas, el metacestodo se identificó como Cysticercus fasciolaris. La forma adulta (Taenia taeniaeformis) comúnmente infecta hospedadores mamíferos félidos y cánidos. Esta es la primera vez que se caracteriza molecularmente este helminto, aislado de roe- dores de la provincia de Buenos Aires.Fil: Martinez, Mara Leila. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Inv. Agropecuarias. Centro de Invest.de Cs.veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Patobiologia; Argentina;Fil: Dominguez, Mariana Gabriela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Inv. Agropecuarias. Centro de Invest.de Cs.veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Patobiologia; Argentina;Fil: Morici, Gabriel E.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Inv. Agropecuarias. Centro de Invest.de Cs.veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Patobiologia; Argentina;Fil: Cavia, Regino. Consejo Nacional de Invest. Científ.y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Bs. As; Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecologia, Genetica y Evolución; Argentina;Fil: Montes de Oca, Daniela Paula. INSTITUTO DE ECOLOGIA, GENETICA Y EVOLUCION DE BS. AS; ecologia;Fil: Lovera, Rosario. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecologia, Genetica y Evolución; Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Invest. Científ.y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Bs. As; Argentina;Fil: Schapiro, Javier Hernan. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Inv. Agropecuarias. Centro de Invest.de Cs.veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Patobiologia; Argentina;Fil: Caracostantogolo, Jorge Luis. Consejo Nacional de Invest.cientif.y Tecnicas. Ultraestructura, Microanalisis y Espectroscopia; Arggentina

Effects of Different Irrigation Solutions on Root Fracture Resistance: An in Vitro Study

Introduction: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), chlorhexidine (CHX) and hydroxyethylidene bisphosphonate (HEBP), also known as etidronate, on susceptibility to root fracture resistance (RFR) in human teeth subjected to endodontic preparation. Methods and Materials: Seventy extracted single-rooted human teeth were selected, endodontically prepared using the ProTaper Next rotary system (PTN, Dentsply, Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and then randomly divided according to the following irrigation regimes (n=10): G1, saline solution (0.9% NaCl); G2, 2.5% NaOCl + 17% EDTA; G3, 2% CHX gel + 17% EDTA; and G4, a mixture of 5% NaOCl + 18% HEBP. After this step, all samples received a final irrigation with distilled water. The samples were subjected to axial forces by mechanical compression testing in a universal testing machine (Dynamometers KRATOS, LTDA, SP, Brazil). Data analyses included the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) and a subsequent multiple comparison test (Tukey’s test). Results: The results indicated that G1 (0.9% NaCl) presented greater resistance to root fracture. No significant differences were observed in G2 (2.5% NaOCl + 17% EDTA) and G3 (2% CHX gel + 17% EDTA). A significant difference was identified in G4 (mixture of 5% NaOCl + 18% HEBP) (P<0.05). Conclusion: A mixture of 5% NaOCl + 18% HEBP resulted in a lower fracture resistance when used to irrigate canals during endodontic instrumentation.Keywords: Chlorhexidine; EDTA; Etidronic Acid; Root Canal Irrigant; Sodium Hypochlorit

CROP YIELD AND PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ACEROLA CLONES GROWN IN THE ALTA PAULISTA REGION, BRAZIL

This paper aimed to evaluate crop yield and physical and chemical characteristics of acerola (Malpighia emarginata Sessé & Mociño ex DC) clones grown in the Alta Paulista region, Brazil. The evaluation comprised 7 clones, namely: Olivier, BRS 238-Frutacor, BRS 236-Cereja, BRS 235-Apodi, BRS 237-Roxinha, Okinawa, and Waldy-CATI 30, studied from October 2018 to April 2019. Crop yield was analyzed based on the accumulated production of 12 harvests, with fresh mass expressed in kg fruit·plant-1. Considering the capacity of 30 harvests per plant within the complete cropping period, total fruit mass (in kg fruit·plant-1) and crop yield (in t ha-1) were estimated. Samples were collected from 4 of the 12 harvests in order to determine average fruit mass (g); average fruit size, fruit height/diameter ratio, and pulp yield (%). Regarding fruit pulp, the analysis consisted of quantifying the soluble solids, expressed in degrees Brix, and the technological index (i.e. pulp yield x °Brix/100). The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with 7 treatments and 4 repetitions. The obtained data were statistically processed by analysis of variance using the F test, and the means were compared using the Tukey’s test at the 0.05 significance level. The study concluded that, given the soil and weather conditions of the Alta Paulista region, Olivier, Apodi and Frutacor are the clones mainly recommended for the agro-industrial market, being the Olivier cultivar the first option among the three and appearing in a greater proportion in the area of the commercial orchard studied. Regarding the acerola production for fresh consumption, Olivier and Roxinha are the most suitable clones. Olivier stands out for its good fruit yield, adequate physical and chemical characteristics, and easy manual harvesting

Socioeconomic status impact on diet quality and body mass index in eight Latin American countries: ELANS study results

Poor health and diet quality are associated with living within a low socioeconomic status (SES). This study aimed to investigate the impact of SES on diet quality and body mass index in Latin America. Data from the “Latin American Health and Nutrition Study (ELANS)”, a multi-country, population-based study of 9218 participants, were used. Dietary intake was collected through two 24 h recalls from participants of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Diet quality was assessed using the dietary quality score (DQS), the dietary diversity score (DDS) and the nutrients adequacy ratio (NAR). Chi-squared and multivariate-variance analyses were used to estimate possible associations. We found that participants from the low SES consumed less fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fiber and fish and seafood and more legumes than those in the high SES. Also, the diet quality level, assessed by DQS, DDS and NAR mean, increased with SES. Women in the low SES also showed a larger prevalence of abdominal obesity and excess weight than those in the middle and high SES. Health policies and behavioral-change strategies should be addressed to reduce the impact of socioeconomic factors on diet quality and body weight, with gender as an additional level of vulnerability.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de Medicina::Escuela de MedicinaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Centro de Investigación en Neurociencias (CIN)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Sociales::Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas (IIP

Concise review: Clinical programs of stem cell therapies for liver and pancreas: Stem Cell Therapies for Liver and Pancreas

Regenerative medicine is transitioning into clinical programs using stem/progenitor cell therapies for repair of damaged organs. We summarize those for liver and pancreas, organs that share endodermal stem cell populations, biliary tree stem cells (hBTSCs), located in peribiliary glands. They are precursors to hepatic stem/progenitors in canals of Hering and to committed progenitors in pancreatic duct glands. They give rise to maturational lineages along a radial axis within bile duct walls and a proximal-to-distal axis starting at the duodenum and ending with mature cells in the liver or pancreas. Clinical trials have been ongoing for years assessing effects of determined stem cells (fetal-liver-derived hepatic stem/progenitors) transplanted into the hepatic artery of patients with various liver diseases. Immunosuppression was not required. Control subjects, those given standard of care for a given condition, all died within a year or deteriorated in their liver functions. Subjects transplanted with 100-150 million hepatic stem/progenitor cells had improved liver functions and survival extending for several years. Full evaluations of safety and efficacy of transplants are still in progress. Determined stem cell therapies for diabetes using hBTSCs remain to be explored but are likely to occur following ongoing preclinical studies. In addition, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are being used for patients with chronic liver conditions or with diabetes. MSCs have demonstrated significant effects through paracrine signaling of trophic and immunomodulatory factors, and there is limited evidence for inefficient lineage restriction into mature parenchymal or islet cells. HSCs' effects are primarily via modulation of immune mechanisms

The CANDELS/SHARDS multiwavelength catalog in GOODS-N : photometry, photometric redshifts, stellar masses, emission-line fluxes, and star formation rates

We present a WFC3 F160W (H-band) selected catalog in the CANDELS/GOODS-N field containing photometry from the ultraviolet (UV) to the far-infrared (IR), photometric redshifts, and stellar parameters derived from the analysis of the multiwavelength data. The catalog contains 35,445 sources over the 171 arcmin(2) of the CANDELS F160W mosaic. The 5 sigma detection limits (within an aperture of radius 0 ''.17) of the mosaic range between H = 27.8, 28.2, and 28.7 in the wide, intermediate, and deep regions, which span approximately 50%, 15%, and 35% of the total area. The multiwavelength photometry includes broadband data from the UV (U band from KPNO and LBC), optical (HST/ACS F435W, F606W, F775W, F814W, and F850LP), near-to-mid IR (HST/WFC3 F105W, F125W, F140W, and F160W; Subaru/MOIRCS Ks; CFHT/Megacam K; and Spitzer/IRAC 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8.0 mu m), and far-IR (Spitzer/MIPS 24 mu m, HERSCHEL/PACS 100 and 160 mu m, SPIRE 250, 350 and 500 mu m) observations. In addition, the catalog also includes optical medium-band data (R similar to 50) in 25 consecutive bands, lambda = 500-950 nm, from the SHARDS survey and WFC3 IR spectroscopic observations with the G102 and G141 grisms (R similar to 210 and 130). The use of higher spectral resolution data to estimate photometric redshifts provides very high, and nearly uniform, precision from z = 0-2.5. The comparison to 1485 good-quality spectroscopic redshifts up to z similar to 3 yields Delta z/(1 + z(spec)) = 0.0032 and an outlier fraction of eta = 4.3%. In addition to the multiband photometry, we release value-added catalogs with emission-line fluxes, stellar masses, dust attenuations, UV- and IR-based star formation rates, and rest-frame colors

Non-heat related impacts of climate change on working populations

Environmental and social changes associated with climate change are likely to have impacts on the well-being, health, and productivity of many working populations across the globe. The ramifications of climate change for working populations are not restricted to increases in heat exposure. Other significant risks to worker health (including physical hazards from extreme weather events, infectious diseases, under-nutrition, and mental stresses) may be amplified by future climate change, and these may have substantial impacts at all scales of economic activity. Some of these risks are difficult to quantify, but pose a substantial threat to the viability and sustainability of some working populations. These impacts may occur in both developed and developing countries, although the latter category is likely to bear the heaviest burden

SUMOylation of the Forkhead Transcription Factor FOXL2 Promotes Its Stabilization/Activation through Transient Recruitment to PML Bodies

International audienceBACKGROUND: FOXL2 is a transcription factor essential for ovarian development and maintenance. It is mutated in the genetic condition called Blepharophimosis Ptosis Epicantus inversus Syndrome (BPES) and in cases of isolated premature ovarian failure. We and others have previously shown that FOXL2 undergoes several post-translational modifications. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, using cells in culture, we show that interference with FOXL2 SUMOylation leads to a robust inhibition of its transactivation ability, which correlates with a decreased stability. Interestingly, FOXL2 SUMOylation promotes its transient recruitment to subnuclear structures that we demonstrate to be PML (Promyelocytic Leukemia) Nuclear Bodies. Since PML bodies are known to be sites where post-translational modifications of nuclear factors take place, we used tandem mass spectrometry to identify new post-translational modifications of FOXL2. Specifically, we detected four phosphorylated, one sulfated and three acetylated sites. CONCLUSIONS: By analogy with other transcription factors, we propose that PML Nuclear Bodies might transiently recruit FOXL2 to the vicinity of locally concentrated enzymes that could be involved in the post-translational maturation of FOXL2. FOXL2 acetylation, sulfation, phosphorylation as well as other modifications yet to be discovered might alter the transactivation capacity of FOXL2 and/or its stability, thus modulating its global intracellular activity