When the Earth trembles in the americas: the experience of haiti and chile 2010.

The response of the nephrological community to the Haiti and Chile earthquakes which occurred in the first months of 2010 is described. In Haiti, renal support was organized by the Renal Disaster Relief Task Force (RDRTF) of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) in close collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and covered both patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The majority of AKI patients (19/27) suffered from crush syndrome and recovered their kidney function. The remaining 8 patients with AKI showed acute-to-chronic renal failure with very low recovery rates. The intervention of the RDRTF-ISN involved 25 volunteers of 9 nationalities, lasted exactly 2 months, and was characterized by major organizational difficulties and problems to create awareness among other rescue teams regarding the availability of dialysis possibilities. Part of the Haitian patients with AKI reached the Dominican Republic (DR) and received their therapy there. The nephrological community in the DR was able to cope with this extra patient load. In both Haiti and the DR, dialysis treatment was able to be prevented in at least 40 patients by screening and adequate fluid administration. Since laboratory facilities were destroyed in Port-au-Prince and were thus lacking during the first weeks of the intervention, the use from the very beginning on of a point-of-care device (i-STAT®) was very efficient for the detection of aberrant kidney function and electrolyte parameters. In Chile, nephrological problems were essentially related to difficulties delivering dialysis treatment to CKD patients, due to the damage to several units. This necessitated the reallocation of patients and the adaptation of their schedules. The problems could be handled by the local nephrologists. These observations illustrate that local and international preparedness might be life-saving if renal problems occur in earthquake circumstances

Left Ventricular Mass in Healthy Subjects of the City of Buenos Aires and its Correlation with Anthropometric Measurements

La hipertrofia ventricular izquierda es un predictor de riesgo para eventos cardiovasculares. Los objetivos de nuestro trabajo fueron establecer los valores de referencia para la masa ventricular izquierda en una población aparentemente sana de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires; analizar su correlación con la edad y variables antropométricas; y definir la mejor manera de expresar esos datos. Para el cálculo de la masa ventricular izquierda se utilizó metodología ecocardiográfica avalada internacionalmente (American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Echocardiography), y la fórmula de Devereux ajustada. Luego de aplicar estrictos criterios de exclusión, se incluyeron 1898 pacientes, 48.89 % hombres y 51.1 % mujeres (edad 38±11 años). El valor de masa ventricular izquierda fue para hombres de 155±30 g (percentilo95 206 g), con distribución normal; y de 112±24 g (percentilo95 153 g), con distribución no normal para mujeres (p<0.001 entre géneros). Los valores son comparables a los reportados en estudios con similar metodología. Los índices de masa ventricular izquierda calculados mostraron una moderada correlación para superficie corporal y peso; y diferencias significativas entre géneros. Las distintas variables calculadas exhibieron heterogeneidad en el tipo de distribución (normal o no normal) de sus datos, por lo que consideramos que el percentilo95 es la mejor manera de expresar los valores de referencia. En conclusión, hemos estimado los valores de referencia para masa ventricular izquierda en nuestra población sana, y observamos una moderada correlación con superficie corporal y peso. Proponemos la utilización de percentilo95 para expresar el valor superior de referencia para los datos obtenidos.Left ventricular hypertrophy is a risk predictor of cardiovascular events. The objectivesof this study were to establish reference values for left ventricular mass in anapparently healthy population of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, to analyzeits correlation with age and anthropometric variables and to define the best way toexpress the assessed data. Left ventricular mass was estimated using internationallysupported echocardiographic methods (American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Echocardiography) and the adjusted Devereux equation.After applying strict exclusion criteria, 1898 subjects with mean age of 38 ± 11 years,48.89% of whom were male and 51.1% were female, were included in the study. Leftventricular mass was 155 ± 30 g for men (95th percentile 206 g) with normal distribution,and 112 ± 24 g for women (95th percentile 153 g) with non-normal distribution(p < 0.001 between genders). Values were comparable to those reported instudies using a similar methodology. Left ventricular mass index showed a moderatecorrelation with body surface area and weight, and significant differences betweengenders. As calculated variables exhibited heterogeneity in data distribution (normalor non-normal), the 95th percentile was assumed as the best way of expressingreference values. In conclusion, estimated reference values of left ventricular massin a healthy population correlated moderately with body surface area and weight.We propose the use of the 95th percentile to express the upper reference value of theassessed data.Fil: Segovia, Araceli. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Brandani, Laura. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Killinger, Gisela M.. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Zonis, Leandro. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Risk, Marcelo. Universidad Favaloro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Paolini, Julieta. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Santos, Maximo. Universidad Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Correa, Carlos. Universidad Favaloro; Argentin

Qualidade de silagens de híbridos de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) de portes baixo, médio e alto com diferentes proporções de colmo+folhas/panicula. 2. Avaliação do valor nutritivo.

O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar a qualidade nutricional de silagens de sorgo de portes alto, médio e baixo, com diferentes combinações de colmo+folhas/panícula (100:00, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80 e 00:100), por meio de análises laboratoriais. A planta inteira foi utilizada como controle. Os híbridos foram cultivados e ensilados aos 104 dias de idade em silos de laboratório de PVC, com 10 cm de diâmetro e 40 cm de comprimento (três repetições por tratamento). Os silos foram abertos aos 56 dias após a ensilagem. Os teores de proteína bruta e a digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca, dos fenóis totais e dos constituintes da parede celular pelo método seqüencial foram determinados. As diferenças foram verificadas por intermédio do teste SNK para fenóis totais, sendo realizada análise de regressão para os demais resultados. Os valores de carboidratos solúveis do material original foram baixos para a maioria dos tratamentos, porém isto não prejudicou a fermentação, pois houve utilização de carboidratos adicionais, como hemicelulose e celulose, durante a ensilagem, sendo a queda destes maior na panícula e em colmo+folhas, respectivamente. Os valores de fenóis totais aumentaram com a ensilagem, apesar de não ter ocorrido redução concomitante na DIVMS. A inclusão de panícula na planta reduziu os teores dos constituintes da parede celular e aumentou os valores de DIVM, indicando que uma planta de sorgo para produzir silagem de boa qualidade deve ter, no mínimo, 40% de panícula e baixos teores de lignina, fenóis totais e constituintes da fibra

Análisis de las clases de errores que cometen los alumnos y propuesta de andamiaje para aquellos errores que requieren cambio conceptual

Considerar el uso de los errores que cometen los alumnos como una herramienta poderosa para acceder a un aprendizaje comprensivo y a una enseñanza de calidad, es el tema central de este artículo. Normalmente, lo que los profesores desean es encontrar en sus alumnos respuestas acertadas y sustituir cualquier error por información correcta, utilizando para ello estrategias que no suelen reparar en la naturaleza de la equivocación del alumno. Este trabajo intenta mostrar que, poner atención en el tipo de error que comete el alumno, ofrece una oportunidad de proveer andamios diferenciados. De este modo, es posible permitir el acceso a un aprendizaje de calidad, tanto en aquellos alumnos cuyas equivocaciones requieren enriquecimiento conceptual como en aquellos que requieren cambio conceptual. En el segundo caso, los errores que cometen los alumnos resultan claves para organizar una enseñanza para la comprensión. A partir de un trabajo con profesores de aula, en el marco de un proyecto de investigación financiado por FONDECYT, las autoras presentan una propuesta para el andamiaje de los errores que requieren cambio conceptual

Campbell Penetration Depth of a Superconductor in the Critical State

The magnetic penetration depth $\lambda(T,H,j)$ was measured in the presence of a slowly relaxing supercurrent, $j$. In single crystal $\mathrm{Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_8}$ below approximately 25 K, $\lambda(T,H,j)$ is strongly hysteretic. We propose that the irreversibility arises from a shift of the vortex position within its pinning well as $j$ changes. The Campbell length depends upon the ratio $j/j_{c}$ where $j_{c}$ is the critical current defined through the Labusch parameter. Similar effects were observed in other cuprates and in an organic superconductor

Development of COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins as reagents for biomedical research and diagnostic test

Since SARS-COV-2 virus spread worldwide and COVID-19 turned rapidly into a pandemic illness, the necessity for vaccines and diagnostic tests became crucial. The viral surface is decorated with Spike, the major antigenic determinant and main target for vaccine development. Within Spike, the receptor binding domain (RBD), constitutes the main target of highly neutralizing antibodies found in COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Besides vaccination, another important aspect of Spike (and RBD) is their use as immunogen for the development of poli- and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Here we report the development and preliminary biochemical characterization of a set of monoclonal antibodies against the Spike RBD domain along with the recombinant expression of two mayor COVID-19 protein reagents: the viral Spike RBD domain and the extracellular domain of the human receptor ACE2. RBD and the extracellular domain of ACE2 (aa 1-740) were obtained through transient gene transfection (TGE) in two different mammalian cell culture systems: HEK293T adherent monolayers and Expi293 suspension cultures. Due to its low cost and ease scale-up, all transfections were carried with polyethyleneimine (PEI). Expressed proteins were purified from culture supernatants by immobilized metal affinity chromatography. Anti-RBD mAbs were developed from two different immunization schemes: one aimed to elicit antibodies with viral neutralizing potential, and the other with the ability to recognize denatured RBD for routinary lab immunoassays. To achieve this, the first group of mice was immunized with RBD in aluminium salts (RBD/Al) and the other with RBD emulsified in Freunds adyuvant (RBD/FA). Polyclonal and monoclonal antibody reactivities against native or denatured RBD forms were then assessed by ELISA. Complete RBD denaturation was followed by intrinsic fluorescence spectral changes upon different physicochemical stress treatments. As expected, RBD/Al immunized mice developed an antibody response shifted to native RBD while those immunized with RBD/FA showed a high response against both forms of the protein. In accordance with the observed polyclonal response, RBD/FA derived mAbs recognize both, native and denatured RBD. On the contrary, hybridomas generated from the RBD/Al protocol mostly recognize RBD in its native state. Further ELISA binding assays revealed that all RBD/FA derived mAbs can form a trimeric complex with ACE2 and RBD, denoting they would not have viral neutralizing activity. ELISA competition assays with the RBD/ACE2 complex aimed to determine the neutralization potential of the RBD/Al derived mAbs are under way. Overall, the anti-Spike RBD mAbs and the recombinant RBD and ACE2 proteins presented here constitute valuable tools for diverse COVID-19 academic research projects and local immunity surveillance testing.Fil: Acuña Intrieri, M. E. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Centro de Rediseño E Ingenieria de Proteinas.; ArgentinaFil: Deriane, M.A. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Centro de Rediseño E Ingenieria de Proteinas.; ArgentinaFil: Miller, C.. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Centro de Rediseño E Ingenieria de Proteinas.; ArgentinaFil: Czibener, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Correa, E.. No especifíca;Fil: Cragnaz, L.. No especifíca;Fil: Guerra, L.. No especifíca;Fil: Rodriguez, S.. No especifíca;Fil: Goldbaum, F.A.. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Centro de Rediseño E Ingenieria de Proteinas.; ArgentinaFil: Seigelchifer, M.. No especifíca;Fil: Comerci, Diego José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Montagna, Georgina Nuri. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Cerutti, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Centro de Rediseño E Ingenieria de Proteinas.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaLVII Annual Meeting of the Argentine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research y XVI Annual Meeting of the Argentinean Society for General MicrobiologyVirtualArgentinaSociedad Argentina de Investigación Bioquímica y Biología MolecularAsociación Civil de Microbiología Genera

Nivel de satisfacción de los usuarios externos hospitalizados en un hospital nacional de policías: Level of satisfaction of external users hospitalized in a national police hospital

Objective: To identify the level of satisfaction of the external users hospitalized in the general surgery and internal medicine services of a National Police Hospital. Methods: Observational, descriptive, comparative cross-sectional study. Independent variables: dimensions of quality, dependent variable: level of satisfaction and intervening variables: sex, age, level of education, hospitalization services (internal medicine and general surgery). Out of 377 hospitalized patients, 363 met the selection criteria, the modified SERVQUAL survey was applied. Inferential statistics and measures of descriptive frequency were used. Results: The external users that predominated were: adults and older adults, with educational level between secondary and higher; a minimum percentage were illiterate and young adults. The female sex predominated in the internal medicine service and the male sex in the general surgery service. The perception of satisfaction was higher in female patients, older adults and higher university level of education. The dimensions with greater satisfaction in both services were reliability, responsiveness, security and empathy. The level of satisfaction of external users was greater than 70% in the general surgery service and greater than 90% in the internal medicine service. Conclusion: The external users of both hospitalization services were satisfied, covering their needs and demands, exceeding their expectations. Key words: Quality; Satisfaction; External user; Hospitalization. (source: MeSH NLM) &nbsp; DOI: 10.25176/RFMH.v18.n2.1285Objetivos: Identificar el nivel de satisfacción de los usuarios externos hospitalizados en los servicios de cirugía general y medicina interna de un Hospital Nacional de Policías. Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, comparativo de tipo transversal. Variables independientes: dimensiones de la calidad, variable dependiente: nivel de satisfacción y variables intervinientes: sexo, edad, nivel de instrucción, servicios de hospitalización (medicina interna y cirugía general). De 377 hospitalizados, 363 cumplieron con los criterios de selección, se les aplicó la encuesta SERVQUAL modificada. Se utilizó estadística inferencial y medidas de frecuencia descriptiva. Resultados: Los usuarios externos que predominaron fueron: adultos y adultos mayores, con nivel de instrucción entre secundaria y superior; un porcentaje mínimo fueron analfabetos y adultos jóvenes. El sexo femenino predominó en el servicio de medicina interna y el sexo masculino en el servicio de cirugía general. La percepción de la satisfacción, fue mayor en pacientes de sexo femenino, adultos mayores y de nivel de instrucción superior universitario. Las dimensiones con mayor satisfacción en ambos servicios fueron la fiabilidad, capacidad de respuesta, seguridad y empatía. El nivel de satisfacción de los usuarios externos fue mayor al 70% en el servicio de cirugía general y mayor al 90% en el servicio de medicina interna. Conclusión: Los usuarios externos de ambos servicios de hospitalización estuvieron satisfechos, cubriendo sus necesidades y demandas, superando sus expectativas. Palabras clave: Calidad; Satisfacción; Usuario de externo; Hospitalización. (fuente: DeCS BIREME) &nbsp; DOI: 10.25176/RFMH.v18.n2.128

Comparative analysis of the fecal microbiota from different species of domesticated and wild suids

This study was supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) from the Spanish Government (grant number AGL2016-78160-C2-1-R). The authors are also grateful to the Centres de Recerca de Catalunya (CERCA) Programme and Global Alliance for Research on African swine fever (GARA). The authors thank Frederic Paboeuf and Audrey Fougeroux for providing SPF and domestic pig samples.Most of the microorganisms living in a symbiotic relationship in different animal body sites (microbiota) reside in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Several studies have shown that the microbiota is involved in host susceptibilities to pathogens. The fecal microbiota of domestic and wild suids was analyzed. Bacterial communities were determined from feces obtained from domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) raised under different conditions: specific-pathogen-free (SPF) pigs and domestic pigs from the same bred, and indigenous domestic pigs from a backyard farm in Kenya. Secondly, the fecal microbiota composition of the African swine fever (ASF) resistant warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) from Africa and a European zoo was determined. African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating disease for domestic pigs. African animals showed the highest microbial diversity while the SPF pigs the lowest. Analysis of the core microbiota from warthogs (resistant to ASF) and pigs (susceptible to ASF) showed 45 shared OTUs, while 6 OTUs were exclusively present in resistant animals. These six OTUs were members of the Moraxellaceae family, Pseudomonadales order and Paludibacter, Anaeroplasma, Petrimonas, and Moraxella genera. Further characterization of these microbial communities should be performed to determine the potential involvement in ASF resistance

Quantum manipulation via atomic-scale magnetoelectric effects

Magnetoelectric effects at the atomic scale are demonstrated to afford unique functionality. This is shown explicitly for a quantum corral defined by a wall of magnetic atoms deposited on a metal surface where spin-orbit coupling is observable. We show these magnetoelectric effects allow one to control the properties of systems placed inside the corral as well as their electronic signatures; they provide alternative tools for probing electronic properties at the atomic scale