Impact of a rapid systemic guide on pediatric patients with suspicion of epilepsy

Increase the percentage of etiological diagnosis of epilepsy (according to the classification by the 2010 ILAE) using a systematic quick guide for pediatric patients with suspected epilepsy. Methods: Ambispective cohort study. Patients under 16 years old with suspected epilepsy were studied, and a systematic quick guide was applied to the prospective group, and later the two groups were compared. It was a convenience sample, with a study period of one year for both groups. Results: The prospective group was 120 patients and the retrospective group 71 patients. Comparing the epileptic diagnosis by etiology groups, in the prospective group (only outpatient patients), 3.3% had epilepsy of an unknown cause, 55% had epilepsy of a genetic cause, 36.7% had epilepsy of a structural/metabolic cause, and 5% had conditions that are not epilepsy itself. Meanwhile in the retrospective group, 52.1% had epilepsy of an unknown cause, 11.3% had epilepsy of a genetic cause, and 36.6% had epilepsy of a structural/metabolic cause (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Compared to other similar studies, the etiological percentages of epilepsy increased. Using the systematic quick guide proposed, the percentage of etiological definitions of epilepsy was increased in pediatric patients

New insights into Escherichia coli metabolism: carbon scavenging, acetate metabolism and carbon recycling responses during growth on glycerol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Glycerol has enhanced its biotechnological importance since it is a byproduct of biodiesel synthesis. A study of <it>Escherichia coli</it> physiology during growth on glycerol was performed combining transcriptional-proteomic analysis as well as kinetic and stoichiometric evaluations in the strain JM101 and certain derivatives with important inactivated genes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Transcriptional and proteomic analysis of metabolic central genes of strain JM101 growing on glycerol, revealed important changes not only in the synthesis of MglB, LamB and MalE proteins, but also in the overexpression of carbon scavenging genes: <it>lamB</it>, <it>malE</it>, <it>mglB</it>, <it>mglC</it>, <it>galP</it> and <it>glk</it> and some members of the RpoS regulon (<it>pfkA</it>, <it>pfkB</it>, <it>fbaA</it>, <it>fbaB</it>, <it>pgi, poxB</it>, <it>acs</it>, <it>actP</it> and <it>acnA</it>). Inactivation of <it>rpoS</it> had an important effect on stoichiometric parameters and growth adaptation on glycerol. The observed overexpression of <it>poxB</it>, <it>pta</it>, <it>acs</it> genes, glyoxylate shunt genes (<it>aceA, aceB</it>, <it>glcB</it> and <it>glcC</it>) and <it>actP</it>, suggested a possible carbon flux deviation into the PoxB, Acs and glyoxylate shunt. In this scenario acetate synthesized from pyruvate with PoxB was apparently reutilized via Acs and the glyoxylate shunt enzymes. In agreement, no acetate was detected when growing on glycerol, this strain was also capable of glycerol and acetate coutilization when growing in mineral media and derivatives carrying inactivated <it>poxB</it> or <it>pckA</it> genes, accumulated acetate. Tryptophanase A (TnaA) was synthesized at high levels and indole was produced by this enzyme, in strain JM101 growing on glycerol. Additionally, in the isogenic derivative with the inactivated <it>tnaA</it> gene, no indole was detected and acetate and lactate were accumulated. A high efficiency aromatic compounds production capability was detected in JM101 carrying pJLB<it>aroG</it>^<it>fbr</it><it>tktA</it>, when growing on glycerol, as compared to glucose.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The overexpression of several carbon scavenging, acetate metabolism genes and the absence of acetate accumulation occurred in JM101 cultures growing on glycerol. To explain these results it is proposed that in addition to the glycolytic metabolism, a gluconeogenic carbon recycling process that involves acetate is occurring simultaneously in this strain when growing on glycerol. Carbon flux from glycerol can be efficiently redirected in JM101 strain into the aromatic pathway using appropriate tools.</p

Sistema de monitoreo satelital para el seguimiento y desarrollo de cultivos del Distrito de Riego 038

Espinosa-Espinosa, J. L., Palacios-Vélez, E., Tijerina-Chávez, L., Flores-Magdaleno, H., & Abel Quevedo-Nolasco (enerofebrero, 2017). Sistema de monitoreo satelital para el seguimiento y desarrollo de cultivos del Distrito de Riego 038. Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua, 8(1), 95-104. La tarea de los sistemas de asesoramiento de riego suele ser costosa en cuanto a recursos humanos y materiales por la necesidad de hacer un seguimiento intensivo en campo en áreas extensas, además de enfrentar el reto de transferir la información al usuario, agricultor o técnico por la vía adecuada y en el momento oportuno. Asimismo, las nuevas tecnologías de observación de la tierra han contribuido a que millones de hectáreas sean monitoreadas mediante sensores satelitales, haciendo más eficaz el seguimiento en campo. De igual forma, las tecnologías de la información, el Internet y la telefonía móvil permiten que la información generada por las imágenes satelitales pueda llegar al agricultor como usuario final de forma más rápida, fluida y personalizada, garantizando un seguimiento detallado y preciso de los cultivos haciendo más eficaz el trabajo de campo. La Unión Europea ha apoyado un proyecto para asesoramiento en riego a productores agrícolas denominado DEMETER (Demonstration of Earth Observation Technologies in Routine Irrigation Advisory Services), el cual ha sido exitosamente utilizado en España para el programa denominado Servicio de Asistencia en Riego Asistido por Satélite (e-SARAS), que maneja el Grupo de Teledetección y SIG de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; también México participó en un proyecto que es extensión del DEMETR, denominado Pleiades (Participatory Low-Cost Earth-ObservationAssisted Irrigation Advisory: An Element Of Sustainable Water Management), con personal de la Universidad de Sonora, el Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora y el Colegio de Postgraduados en el periodo 2006-2009. El propósito de este trabajo es que los productores del Distrito de Riego 038 Río Mayo tengan disponible desde Internet un sistema de monitoreo satelital que contiene el seguimiento y desarrollo de los cultivos por medio del NDVI (Índice de Vegetación de Diferencias Normalizadas) por parcela; esto permitirá al productor comparar los rendimientos de ciclos pasados y permitirá que puedan tener una evaluación del desarrollo de sus cultivos para tomar decisiones necesarias y oportunas para obtener un mejor rendimiento en el actual ciclo

Factors associated to depression symptomatology in sex workers

Introducción: Las condiciones de trabajo y la violencia ejercida contra las trabajadoras sexuales han sido relacionadas con el incremento de las tasas de infecciones de transmisión sexual. Sin embargo, también se encuentran enfermedades que afectan su salud mental. Objetivos: Determinar la magnitud de síntomas depresivos y factores asociados en trabajadoras sexuales. Diseño: Estudio transversal-analítico. Lugar: Centro de salud referencial para la prevención y control de infecciones de transmisión sexual. Participantes: Trabajadoras sexuales. Intervenciones: A 117 trabajadoras sexuales, que fueron atendidas durante los meses de mayo y junio del 2010, se aplicó el test de Beck para medir la sintomatología depresiva y una encuesta para medir los siguientes factores: socio-demográficos, sociales (antecedentes de maltrato físico, psicológico y sexual en el trabajo y hábitos nocivos: alcohol y drogas), conductas sexuales de riesgo y características del trabajo (edad de inicio, años de trabajo, satisfacción con el trabajo). Principales medidas de resultados: Porcentaje de síntomas depresivos y fuerza de asociación entre los factores y la presencia de síntomas depresivos. Resultados: El 56,4% de las trabajadoras sexuales presentó algún nivel de sintomatología depresiva. El nivel de síntomas depresivos graves estuvo presente en 23,9%. Los factores que se encontraron asociados a depresión, independiente del nivel, fue el antecedente de maltrato físico frecuente, con OR=9,46, IC95% 1,05 a 85,07; p=0,045. Los factores asociados a nivel de síntomas depresivos graves fueron: ingreso económico menor a S/. 1 000.00, tener hijos, haberse iniciado en el trabajo sexual antes de los 18 años y consumo de drogas (p&lt;0,05). Conclusiones: Más de 50% de trabajadoras presentó algún nivel de síntomas depresivos, que estuvieron asociados al antecedente de maltrato físico. Para el nivel síntomas depresivos graves, los factores asociados fueron: ingreso económico menor a S/. 1 000.00, tener hijos, haberse iniciado en el trabajo sexual antes de los 18 años y consumir drogas.Introduction: The working conditions and violence against sex workers has been linked to increasing rates of sexual transmitted diseases. But there are also other diseases that affect their mental health. Objectives: To determine the magnitude of depressive symptoms and associated factors in sex workers. Design: Crossanalytic study. Setting: Health Centre of reference for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections. Participants: Sex workers. Interventions: Beck test was applied to 117 sex workers attended between May and June 2010 in order to measure depressive symptoms as well as a survey to determine socio-demographic and social (physical abuse, psychological and sexual labor and harmful habits: alcohol and drug abuse) factors, risky sexual behavior and job characteristics (age at onset, years of work, job satisfaction). Main outcome measures: Percentage of depressive symptoms and weight of association between factors and presence of depressive symptoms. Results: Some level of depressive symptoms was found in 56,4% of sex workers. Severe depressive symptoms were present in 23,9%. Main factor associated with depression was background of frequent physical abuse (OR = 9,46, CI95%: 1,05 to 85,07; p = 0,045). Factors associated with severe depressive symptoms were income less than S/. 1 000.00, having children, having started sex work before age 18, and drug abuse (p &lt;0,05). Conclusions: Over 50% of sex workers had some level of depressive symptoms generally associated with history of physical abuse. Severe depressive symptoms were associated to income less than S/. 1 000.00, having children, having started sex work before age 18, and drug abuse

Maternal Immune Response During Pregnancy and Vertical Transmission in Human Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonosis distributed worldwide, caused by the ingestion of contaminated water/food with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. If a pregnant woman is infected with this parasite, it may be transmitted to the fetus and produce ocular, neurological, or systemic damage with variable severity. The strength and profile of mother's immune response have been suggested as important factors involved in vertical transmission rate and severity of clinical outcome in the congenitally infected fetus. The aim of this work was to evaluate a possible relation between the mother's immune response during pregnancy and congenital transmission to the fetus. We obtained peripheral blood from T. gondii infected pregnant woman and tested it for anti T. gondii (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, and IgA) in serum. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated to analyze the in vitro effect of soluble T. gondii antigens on proliferation and production of cytokines. We found that IgG2-4 and IgA antibodies and lymphocytes proliferation, especially CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ were positive in a higher proportion of cases in transmitter than in non-transmitter women. Furthermore, IgG2-3 and IgA anti-Toxoplasma antibody levels were higher in those mothers who transmitted the infection than in those who did not. Interestingly, a higher proportion of positive cases to IFN-γ and negatives to the immunoregulatory cytokine TGF-β, were related to T. gondii vertical transmission. Our descriptive results are consistent with the paradoxical previous observations in murine models of congenital toxoplasmosis, which suggest that an increased immune response that protects the mothers from a disseminated or severe disease, and should protect the fetus from infection, is positively related to parasite transmission

Características clínicas e histopatológicas de niños peruanos con craneofaringioma

Introduction: Craniopharyngiomas are benign tumors, of which up to 50% occur in children. However, there are no studies in Peruvian children. Objective: to describe the clinical and histopathological characteristics of children with craniopharyngioma hospitalized at the Edgardo Rebagliati Martins National Hospital between August 2019 and May 2021. The study: The design is cross-sectional and the data source were medical records. Information on sex, age, surgeries and characteristics related to the first tumor resection surgery were collected. Findings: We included 12 patients. 83.3% were male, at the time of diagnosis the median age was 6 years and visual symptoms predominated, all had hormonal deficiencies after the first resection surgery. Conclusions: three received radiotherapy, one developed malignant transformation and one died. Future prospective studies are necessary.Introducción: Los craneofaringiomas son tumores benignos, de los cuales hasta el 50% ocurren en niños. Sin embargo, no hay estudios en niños peruanos. Objetivo: describir las características clínicas e histopatológicas de niños con craneofaringioma hospitalizados en el Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins entre agosto de 2019 y mayo de 2021. El estudio: El diseño es transversal y la fuente de los datos fueron las historias clínicas. Se recolectó información sobre el sexo, edad, cirugías y características relacionadas a la primera cirugía de resección tumoral. Hallazgos: Incluimos 12 pacientes. El 83.3% fueron varones, al momento del diagnóstico la mediana de edad fue de 6 años y predominaron los síntomas visuales, todos tuvieron deficiencias hormonales luego de la primera cirugía de resección. Conclusión: tres recibieron radioterapia, uno desarrolló transformación maligna y otro falleció. Es necesario realizar a futuro estudios prospectivos

Ecofisiología de Sarcocornia neei (Amaranthaceae) proveniente de dos humedales de la costa central de Lima, Perú

Background and Aims: The wetlands of the central coast of Lima, Peru, are being negatively impacted by anthropic activity, because human settlements have been established in the vicinity of these fragile ecosystems. Sarcocornia neei is a halophytic Amaranthaceae, which inhabits these wetlands and with potential to be used as food. However, it is being displaced by this human activities, while basic aspects of its biology remain unknown. Hence, our goal was to investigate the ecophysiology of this species, under greenhouse and laboratory conditions, looking at the possibility of being grown outside its natural environment.Methods: Plants of S. neei were collected in both Ventanilla and Paraíso Wetlands, Lima, Peru. For the germination test, 600 seeds were subjected to different concentrations of NaCl (0 M, 0.1 M, 0.3 M and 0.58 M), with three repetitions for 15 days. Cuttings were also planted in organic substrate and adding the same concentrations of salt, with three repetitions for four months. At the end of this period histological sections were made and protein extracts were also realized.Key results: A better germination was obtained in 0.3 M of NaCl. There were no significant differences in the growth of cuttings. Histological variations were found in the stems depending on the treatments and there were no significant differences in the total protein concentration, although overexpression of low molecular weight proteins was found in the treatment of 0.58 M NaCl.Conclusions: The results show that this species could be cultivated in saline lands and used in human or animal feed, or as a promising species in the decontamination of lead-contaminated saline soils.Antecedentes y Objetivos: Los humedales de la costa central de Lima, Perú, están siendo fuertemente impactados de forma negativa por actividad antrópica, debido a que se han establecido asentamientos humanos en las cercanías de estos frágiles ecosistemas. Sarcocornia neei es una Amarantácea halófita, que habita estos humedales, con potencial de ser usada como alimento; está siendo desplazada por la actividad humana y aún se desconocen aspectos básicos de su biología. Por lo tanto, nuestro objetivo fue conocer la ecofisiología de esta especie bajo condiciones de invernadero y de laboratorio, viendo la posibilidad de ser cultivada fuera de su ambiente natural.Métodos: Las plantas de S. neei fueron colectadas tanto en el Humedal de Ventanilla como en el de Paraíso, Lima, Perú. Para la prueba de germinación se usaron 600 semillas sometidas a diferentes concentraciones de NaCl (0 M, 0.1 M, 0.3 M y 0.58 M), con tres repeticiones por 15 días. También se plantaron esquejes en sustrato orgánico y adicionando las mismas concentraciones de sal, con tres repeticiones por cuatro meses. Al final de este periodo se realizaron cortes histológicos y también se hicieron extractos de proteínas.Resultados clave: Se obtuvo una mejor germinación en 0.3 M de NaCl. No hubo diferencias significativas en el crecimiento de los esquejes. Se encontraron variaciones histológicas en los tallos dependiendo de los tratamientos y no hubo diferencias significativas en la concentración total de proteínas, aunque sí se encontró una sobreexpresión de proteínas de bajo peso molecular en el tratamiento de 0.58 M de NaCl.Conclusiones: Los resultados muestran que esta especie podría ser cultivada en terrenos salinos y usada en la alimentación humana o de animales, o como especie promisoria en la descontaminación de suelos salinos contaminados con plomo