X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Fine Atmospheric Aerosols from a Site in Mexico City

A study was performed in the Winter of the year 2015 in a Southwestern site in the MAMC (Ciudad Universitaria), collecting PM2.5 samples with a Mini Vol. As a part of wider study focused to fully characterize aerosols at this site, an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer (based on an Rh X-ray tube) built to analyze environmental samples, was used to characterize the sample set. A total of 16 elements (Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) were detected in most samples and mean concentrations were calculated. Cluster analysis was also applied to the elemental concentrations to find possible correlations among the elements

Lifestyle and cardiovascular mortality in menopausal women: a population-based cohort study

Introduction and objectives: There are models for cardiovascular risk prediction in the general population, but the prediction of risk in postmenopausal women has not been specifically studied. This study aimed to determine the association of lifestyle habits and chronic diseases with cardiovascular risk in menopausal women, as well as to build a risk scale. Methods: Retrospective population-based cohort study using data from the 2011 National Health Survey of Spain as a data source, Women 50 years were included. The characteristics that best defined the life habits of the study women were collected, as well as their health status and self-reported medical history at the time of the survey. Follow-up data on all-cause mortality were obtained from participants from 2011 to 2017. Results: A total of 5953 women 50 years of age were included, with a mean age of 66.4 11.4 years. The incidence of cardiovascular mortality in the follow-up period was 4%. Vegetable consumption less than 1 time/week (HR, 1.758), smoking (HR, 1.816) or excess hours of sleep ( 9 h/day, HR, 1.809), or o have main daily activity sitting most of the time (HR, 2.757) were related to cardiovascular mortality. The predictive model presents an honest C-index in test sample of 0.8407 (95%CI, 0.8025-0.8789). Conclusions: Life habits such as the consumption of vegetables, daily main activity, sleeping hours or smoking are risk factors for cardiovascular mortality of great relevance among menopausal women. A simple 6-year self-reported risk scale with high predictive capacity is provide

Dynamic risk control by human nucleus accumbens

Real-world decisions about reward often involve a complex counterbalance of risk and value. Although the nucleus accumbens has been implicated in the underlying neural substrate, its criticality to human behaviour remains an open question, best addressed with interventional methodology that probes the behavioural consequences of focal neural modulation. Combining a psychometric index of risky decision-making with transient electrical modulation of the nucleus accumbens, here we reveal profound, highly dynamic alteration of the relation between probability of reward and choice during therapeutic deep brain stimulation in four patients with treatment-resistant psychiatric disease. Short-lived phasic electrical stimulation of the region of the nucleus accumbens dynamically altered risk behaviour, transiently shifting the psychometric function towards more risky decisions only for the duration of stimulation. A critical, on-line role of human nucleus accumbens in dynamic risk control is thereby established

Improvements to the X-ray Spectrometer at the Aerosol Laboratory, Instituto de Física, UNAM

Due to the demands of better (accurate and precise) analytical results using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) at the Aerosol Laboratory, Instituto de Física, UNAM, it was necessary to carry out improvements in instrumentation and analytical procedures in the x-ray spectrometer located in this facility. A new turbomolecular vacuum system was installed, which allows reaching the working pressure in a shorter time. Characteristic x-rays are registered with a Silicon Drift Detector, or SDD, (8 mm thick Be window, 140 eV at 5.9 keV resolution), working directly in a high-vacuum, permitting the detection of x-rays with energies as low as 1 keV (Na Ka) and higher counting rates than in the past. Due to the interference produced by the Rh L x-rays emitted by the tube normally used for atmospheric and food analysis with Cl K x-rays, another tube with a W anode was mounted in the spectrometer to avoid this interference, with the possibility to select operation with any of these tubes. Examples of applications in atmospheric aerosols and other samples are presented, to demonstrate the enhanced function of the spectrometer. Other future modifications are also explained

BCI-Based Navigation in Virtual and Real Environments

A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a system that enables people to control an external device with their brain activity, without the need of any muscular activity. Researchers in the BCI field aim to develop applications to improve the quality of life of severely disabled patients, for whom a BCI can be a useful channel for interaction with their environment. Some of these systems are intended to control a mobile device (e. g. a wheelchair). Virtual Reality is a powerful tool that can provide the subjects with an opportunity to train and to test different applications in a safe environment. This technical review will focus on systems aimed at navigation, both in virtual and real environments.This work was partially supported by the Innovation, Science and Enterprise Council of the Junta de Andalucía (Spain), project P07-TIC-03310, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, project TEC 2011-26395 and by the European fund ERDF

Gene Silencing of \u3ci\u3eArgonaute5\u3c/i\u3e Negatively Affects the Establishment of the Legume-Rhizobia Symbiosis

The establishment of the symbiosis between legumes and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia is finely regulated at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional and posttranslational levels. Argonaute5 (AGO5), a protein involved in RNA silencing, can bind both viral RNAs and microRNAs to control plant-microbe interactions and plant physiology. For instance, AGO5 regulates the systemic resistance of Arabidopsis against Potato Virus X as well as the pigmentation of soybean (Glycine max) seeds. Here, we show that AGO5 is also playing a central role in legume nodulation based on its preferential expression in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and soybean roots and nodules. We also report that the expression of AGO5 is induced after 1 h of inoculation with rhizobia. Down-regulation of AGO5 gene in P. vulgaris and G. max causes diminished root hair curling, reduces nodule formation and interferes with the induction of three critical symbiotic genes: Nuclear Factor Y-B (NF-YB), Nodule Inception (NIN) and Flotillin2 (FLOT2). Our findings provide evidence that the common bean and soybean AGO5 genes play an essential role in the establishment of the symbiosis with rhizobia

Análisis genético y molecular de propiedades fisicoquímicas del almidón y su asociación con la modificación del endospermo en maíz de calidad proteínica

Quality protein maize (QPM) was created converting the soft opaque-2 endosperm into a vitreous phenotype, but the mechanisms involved in this modification are not completely understood. Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from K0326Y QPM and W64Ao2 were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with starch physicochemical properties. RILs contrasting in vitreousness were also used to evaluate the expression of starch biosynthesis genes. Mapping identified 5-6 QTLs for each trait that explained 66 % of the phenotypic variation. Three QTLs on bins 4.05, 5.04, and 9.03 were found close to the starch biosynthesis genes Brittle-2 (Bt2), Amylose extender-1 (Ae1), and Waxy-1 (Wx1), respectively. The expression of Wx1 was three-fold greater in K0326Y QPM than W64Ao2 and eight-fold higher in vitreous than opaque RILs, which corresponded with the greater accumulation of granule bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) and the higher amylose content observed in the vitreous lines. The increased synthesis of amylose may result in starch granules with more amorphous regions that favor their compaction. These results suggest that endosperm modification in QPM is associated with the synthesis of starch containing more amylose during kernel development, which may facilitate the packing of the starch granules resulting in the vitreous phenotype.El maíz de calidad proteínica (QPM) fue creado convirtiendo el endospermo suave opaco-2 en un fenotipo vítreo, pero los mecanismos involucrados en esta modificación no se conocen por completo. Se utilizaron líneas recombinantes puras derivadas de las líneas K0326Y QPM y W64Ao2 para identificar loci de características cuantitativas (QTL) asociados con propiedades fisicoquímicas del almidón. También se usaron RILs contrastantes en vitrosidad para evaluar la expresión de genes de biosíntesis de almidón. El mapeo identificó 5 o 6 QTL para cada característica que explicaron en promedio el 66 % de la variación fenotípica. Tres de los QTLs en los bins 4.05, 5.04 y 9.03 se encontraron cerca de los genes de síntesis de almidón Brittle 2 (Bt2), Amylose extender 1 (Ae1), y Waxy 1 (Wx1), respectivamente. La expresión de Wx1 fue tres veces mayor en K0326Y QPM que en W64Ao2 y ocho veces mayor en líneas vítreas en comparación con las opacas, lo que correspondió con la mayor acumulación de la enzima almidón sintasa unida al gránulo I (GBSSI) y el mayor contenido de amilosa observado en las líneas vítreas. El incremento en la síntesis de amilosa podría resultar en gránulos de almidón con más regiones amorfas que favorecen su compactación. Estos resultados sugieren que la modificación del endospermo en QPM está asociada con la síntesis de almidón conteniendo más amilosa durante el desarrollo del grano, lo cual podría facilitar el empaquetamiento de los gránulos de almidón resultando en el fenotipo vítreo

Preventing and addressing the stress reactions of health care workers caring for patients with COVID-19: Development of a digital platform (Be + against COVID)

Background: COVID-19 became a major public health concern in March 2020. Due to the high rate of hospitalizations for COVID-19 in a short time, health care workers and other involved staff are subjected to a large workload and high emotional distress. Objective: The objective of this study is to develop a digital tool to provide support resources that might prevent and consider acute stress reactions in health care workers and other support staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The contents of the digital platform were created through an evidence-based review and consensus conference. The website was built using the Google Blogger tool. The Android version of the app was developed in the Java and XML languages using Android Studio version 3.6, and the iOS version was developed in the Swift language using Xcode version 11.5. The app was evaluated externally by the Andalusian Agency for Healthcare Quality. Results: We detected the needs and pressing situations of frontline health care workers, and then, we proposed a serial of recommendations and support resources to address them. These resources were redesigned using the feedback received. A website in three different languages (Spanish, English, and Portuguese) and a mobile app were developed with these contents, and the AppSaludable Quality Seal was granted to the app. A specific self-report scale to measure acute stress and additional tools were included to support the health care workforce. This instrument has been used in several Latin American countries and has been adapted considering cultural differences. The resources section of the website was the most visited with 18, 516 out of 68, 913 (26.9%) visits, and the “Self-Report Acute Stress Scale” was the most visited resource with 6468 out of 18, 516 (34.9%) visits. Conclusions: The Be + against COVID platform (website and app) was developed and launched to offer a pool of recommendations and support resources, which were specifically designed to protect the psychological well-being and the work morale of health care workers. This is an original initiative different from the usual psychological assistance hotlines

Incidence of and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among people living with HIV in Southern Spain after one year of pandemic

Whether people living with HIV (PLWH) are at greater risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection is currently unknown. Prospective serologic studies may allow seroincidence analyses, where all infections are accurately identified. Because of this, we evaluated the incidence of associated factors with and the clinical outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in PLWH in Southern Spain. This prospective cohort study included PLWH from a Tertiary University Hospital in Southern Spain. Patients were enrolled in the study if (1) they had attended as outpatients our Unit from 1 August 2019 to 8 February 2020 and (2) had two subsequent evaluations from 9 February 2020 to 4 March 2021. SARS-CoV-2 infections were diagnosed by PCR, antigen detection or serology. Seven hundred and nine PLWH were included in the study. Of them, 55 [7.8%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 5.9%-9.9%] patients developed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Between 18 May and 29 November 2020, the rate of seroconversion was 5.3% (95% CI: 3.1%-9.0%) for the general population in the area of Seville and 2.3% (95% CI: 1.3%-2.6%) for PLWH in this study (p = .001). After multivariable analysis, adjusted by age, sex, and risk factors for HIV infection, active tobacco use and CDC stage, active tobacco smoking was the only factor independently associated with lower risk of SARS-Cov-2 infection [Incidence rate ratio: 0.29 (95% CI 0.16-0.55) p < .001]. In conclusion, the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among PLWH in Southern Spain during the ongoing pandemic was lower than that reported for the general population in the same area.This work was supported in part by the Instituto de Salud CarlosIII (Project ‘PI16/01443’), integrated in the national I+D+i 2013–2016andco-fundedbytheEuropeanUnion(ERDF/ESF,‘Investinginyour future’), by the Spanish Network for AIDS investigation (RIS)(www.red.es/redes/inicio)(RD16/0025/0010,RD16/0025/0040),asapartoftheNacionalI+D+I,ISCIIISubdirecciónGeneraldeEvaluaciónand the European Fund for Development of Regions (FEDER). JuanA.PinedareceivedaresearchextensiongrantfromtheProgramadeIntensificacióndelaActividaddeInvestigacióndelServicioNacionaldeSaludCarlosIII(I3SNS).FedericoGarciareceivedaresearchextensiongrantfromtheProgramadeIntensificacióndelaActividaddeInves-tigacióndelServicioAndaluzdeSalud.AnaïsCorma-GomezreceivedaRíoHortegagrantfromtheInstitutodeSaludCarlosIII(grantnum-ber CM19/00251). Funding for open access charge: Universidad deMálaga/CBU

Taxonomic variations in the gut microbiome of gout patients with and without tophi might have a functional impact on urate metabolism

Objective: To evaluate the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiome in gout patients with and without tophi formation, and predict bacterial functions that might have an impact on urate metabolism. Methods: Hypervariable V3–V4 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene from fecal samples of gout patients with and without tophi (n=33 and n=25, respectively) were sequenced and compared to fecal samples from 53 healthy controls. We explored predictive functional profles using bioinformatics in order to identify diferences in taxonomy and metabolic pathways. Results: We identifed a microbiome characterized by the lowest richness and a higher abundance of Phascolarctobacterium, Bacteroides, Akkermansia, and Ruminococcus_gnavus_group genera in patients with gout without tophi when compared to controls. The Proteobacteria phylum and the Escherichia-Shigella genus were more abundant in patients with tophaceous gout than in controls. Fold change analysis detected nine genera enriched in healthy controls compared to gout groups (Bifdobacterium, Butyricicoccus, Oscillobacter, Ruminococcaceae_UCG_010, Lachnospiraceae_ND2007_group, Haemophilus, Ruminococcus_1, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Ruminococcaceae_ UGC_013). We found that the core microbiota of both gout groups shared Bacteroides caccae, Bacteroides stercoris ATCC 43183, and Bacteroides coprocola DSM 17136. These bacteria might perform functions linked to one-carbon metabo‑ lism, nucleotide binding, amino acid biosynthesis, and purine biosynthesis. Finally, we observed diferences in key bacterial enzymes involved in urate synthesis, degradation, and elimination. Conclusion: Our fndings revealed that taxonomic variations in the gut microbiome of gout patients with and with‑ out tophi might have a functional impact on urate metabolism. Keywords: Gout, Gut microbiota, Uric acid metabolis