Psychosocial Morbidity and its Correlates in Cancer Patients of the Mediterranean Area: Findings from the Southern European Psycho-Oncology Study

BACKGROUND: A few and partial data are available on psychosocial morbidity among cancer patients in Mediterranean countries. As a part of a more general investigation (Southern European Psycho-Oncology Study-SEPOS), the rate of psychosocial morbidity and its correlation with clinical and cultural variables were examined in cancer patients in Italy, Portugal and Spain. METHODS: A convenience sample of cancer outpatients with good performance status and no cognitive impairment were approached. The Hospital Anxiety-Depression scale (HAD-S), the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale (Mini-MAC), and the Cancer Worries Inventory (CWI) were used to measure psychological morbidity, coping strategies and concerns about illness. RESULTS: Of 277 patients, 34% had pathological scores ("borderline cases" plus "true cases") on HAD-S Anxiety and 24.9% on HAD-S Depression. Total psychiatric "caseness" was 28.5% and 16.6%, according to different HAD cut-offs (14 and 19, respectively). Significant relationships of HAD-S Anxiety, HAD-S Depression, HAD-S Total score, with Mini-MAC Hopeless and Anxious Preoccupation, and CWI score were found. No differences emerged between countries on psychosocial morbidity, while some differences emerged between the countries on coping mechanisms. Furthermore, Fatalism, Avoidance and marginally Hopeless were higher compared to studies carried out in English-speaking countries. LIMITATIONS: The relatively small sample size and the good performance status prevent us to generalize data on patients with different cancer sites and advanced phase of illness. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of the patients presented anxiety and depressive morbidity, with significant differences in characteristics of coping in Mediterranean countries in comparison with English-speaking countries

Tratamiento de imágenes mediante algoritmos basados en el cáclulo de áreas.

Codificar una imagen básicamente consiste en obtener una representación de la misma que esté bien adaptada al problema que se maneje. Por ejemplo, comprimirla, eliminar el ruido o borrosidades que pueda presentar, detectar bordes o cambios de color, restaurar partes que est´en deterioradas, etc. Entre los algoritmos que suelen aplicarse con éxito en varios de los problemas mencionados, se encuentra un tipo de algoritmos multirresolución cuya definición es posible gracias al teorema fundamental del Cálculo. Este teorema constituye una valiosa joya del análisis infinitesimal y determina el hecho de que derivadas e integrales son procesos inversos. El objetivo del artículo en curso es presentar de manera gradual este algoritmo y realizar con él alguna aplicación propia del tratamiento de imágenes.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, MICINN-FEDER. Código: MTM2010-1750

Megapixel multi-elemental imaging by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, a technology with considerable potential for paleoclimate studies

Paleoclimate studies play a crucial role in understanding past and future climates and their environmental impacts. Current methodologies for performing highly sensitive elemental analysis at micrometre spatial resolutions are restricted to the use of complex and/or not easily applied techniques, such as synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence micro-analysis (μ-SRXRF), nano secondary ion mass spectrometry (nano-SIMS) or laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LAICP-MS). Moreover, the analysis of large samples (>few cm²) with any of these methods remains very challenging due to their relatively low acquisition speed (~1–10 Hz), and because they must be operated in vacuum or controlled atmosphere. In this work, we proposed an imaging methodology based on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, to perform fast multi-elemental scanning of large geological samples with high performance in terms of sensitivity (ppm-level), lateral resolution (up to 10 μm) and operating speed (100 Hz). This method was successfully applied to obtain the first megapixel images of large geological samples and yielded new information, not accessible using other techniques. These results open a new perspective into the use of laser spectroscopy in a variety of geochemical applications

Changing incidence and characteristics of non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections in Scotland and comparison with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex incidence (2011 to 2019)

BACKGROUND: An increase in infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been noted globally, and their incidence has overtaken that of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBc) in many countries. Using data from a national reference laboratory, we aimed to determine if this trend could be observed in Scotland. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective review of all NTM isolates received by the Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory (SMRL) over 9 years from 2011 to 2019 inclusive. Clinical episodes were defined as per 2017 British Thoracic Society and 2020 American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society/European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases/Infectious Diseases Society of America NTM guidelines. These rates were compared with Scottish tuberculosis rates over the same period. RESULTS: Of 8552 NTM isolates from 4586 patients in 2011 to 2019, 7739 (90.5%) were considered clinically relevant. These represented 2409 episodes of NTM infection, with M. avium, M. intracellulare, and M. abscessus complex being most common. A total of 1953 (81.1%) were pulmonary NTM infection episodes from 1470 patients and 456 extrapulmonary episodes from 370 patients. We estimated a rise in incidence from 3.4 to 6.5 per 100 000 person-years (2011–2019 inclusive), with an increase in NTM incidence over MTBc incidence in Scotland by 2017. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of NTM infection in Scotland has overtaken MTBc incidence. NTM infection leads to a costly health care burden, possibly as much as UK£1.47 million (US$ and €1.73 million) annually. We recommend standardization of isolate referral with clinical surveillance and implementation of agreed standards of care delivered through multidisciplinary teams. This would improve diagnosis and patient management as well as assessment of diagnostics and novel treatments through clinical trials

Detección de genes de toxinas pirogénicas y toxinas exfoliativas en aislamientos clínicos de Staphylococcusaureus en Colombia

Introducción: staphylococcus aureus está asociado con graves enfermedades sistémicas causadas por superantígenos (toxinas pirogénicas y exfoliativas). Métodos: 100 aislamientos clínicos de S. aureus se identificaron por método automatizado y PCR, la prevalencia de genes de superantígenos por PCR múltiple y las correlaciones mediante la prueba exacta de Fischer. Resultados: en 38 aislamientos se observó que la prevalencia de los genes de enterotoxinas, toxina del síndrome de choque tóxico y toxinas exfoliativas fue 44%, 7% y 4%, respectivamente. La única correlación significativa (p = 0,045) fue entre la presencia de los genes de superantígenos y los aislamientos hospitalarios. Conclusiones: existe una alta prevalencia de genes de enterotoxinas y una baja de genes de toxinas exfoliativas y del síndrome de choque tóxico en aislamientos de S. aureus en esta población. Esta es la primera investigación que presenta datos de prevalencia de superantígenos en Colombia, y proporciona nueva información para América Latina

Detección de genes de toxinas pirogénicas y toxinas exfoliativas en aislamientos clínicos de Staphylococcus Aureus en Colombia

Staphylococcus aureus está asociado con graves enfermedades sistémicas causadas por superantígenos (toxinas pirogénicas y exfoliativas). 100 aislamientos clínicos de S. aureus se identificaron por método automatizado y PCR, la prevalencia de genes de superantígenos por PCR múltiple y las correlaciones mediante la prueba exacta de Fischer

The costs of preventing and treating chagas disease in Colombia

Background: The objective of this study is to report the costs of Chagas disease in Colombia, in terms of vector disease control programmes and the costs of providing care to chronic Chagas disease patients with cardiomyopathy. Methods: Data were collected from Colombia in 2004. A retrospective review of costs for vector control programmes carried out in rural areas included 3,084 houses surveyed for infestation with triatomine bugs and 3,305 houses sprayed with insecticide. A total of 63 patient records from 3 different hospitals were selected for a retrospective review of resource use. Consensus methodology with local experts was used to estimate care seeking behaviour and to complement observed data on utilisation. Findings: The mean cost per house per entomological survey was $4.4 (in US$ of 2004), whereas the mean cost of spraying a house with insecticide was $27. The main cost driver of spraying was the price of the insecticide, which varied greatly. Treatment of a chronic Chagas disease patient costs between$46.4 and $7,981 per year in Colombia, depending on severity and the level of care used. Combining cost and utilisation estimates the expected cost of treatment per patient-year is$1,028, whereas lifetime costs averaged $11,619 per patient. Chronic Chagas disease patients have limited access to healthcare, with an estimated 22% of patients never seeking care. Conclusion: Chagas disease is a preventable condition that affects mostly poor populations living in rural areas. The mean costs of surveying houses for infestation and spraying infested houses were low in comparison to other studies and in line with treatment costs. Care seeking behaviour and the type of insurance affiliation seem to play a role in the facilities and type of care that patients use, thus raising concerns about equitable access to care. Preventing Chagas disease in Colombia would be cost-effective and could contribute to prevent inequalities in health and healthcare.Wellcome Trus

Entidad paleozoica en la faja Amotape-Tahuin y Cordilleras Occidental (Perú) y Real (Ecuador)

En el marco del Proyecto Multinacional Andino y el Convento INGEMMET - DINAGE, se viene desarrollando el Mapa Geológico Integrado Perú - Ecuador, escala 1:500000 comprendido entre los paralelos 2°00' 00" a 6° 00' 00" Latitud Sur. Con la finalidad de evitar confusiones entre el marco geológico estratigráfico, tectónico estructural y el contexto fisiográfico de las cordilleras que se proyectan entre Perú y Ecuador, se. ha establecido para este trabajo Unidades Litotectonicas tales como la Unidad Amot~pe-Tahuín, la Unidad Terreno Olmos-Loja. la Unidad Vole. Sedimentaria de Zamora y la Unidad Escudo Guyanes-Faja SubandinaForeland. En el presente trabajo se describe las unidades del Paleozoico que afloran al Sur del Ecuador y Norte del Perú; en los terrenos Amotape- Tahuín y Olmos-Loja, con la finalidad de dar mayores alcances en lo que respecta a sus correlaciones estratigráficas y su marco tectónico-estructural. Los Andes Centrales al ingresar al área de influencia de la Deflexión de Huancabamba cambian su rumbo de NO - SE a N-S y luego NE- SO marcando así el paso a los Andes septentrionales. En este contexto presentan un sistema de fallas longitudinales y transversales destacando entre estas, la falla Jubones, que delimitan al norte dicha deflexión y al sur las fallas de Huaypira y Portachuelo, que controlaron la sedimentación de la Cuenca Lancones-Alamor. Las fallas longitudinales que destacan en los terrenos Olmos-Loja se prolongan en el sur de Ecuador y Norte del Perú teniendo dentro de estas la "Falla Frente Baños" y "Falla Las Aradas" de extensión regional que delimitan a las unidades del Paleozoico con unidades del Cretáceo y Paleógeno - Neógeno con un frente de despegue hacia el occidente. Hacia el norte de la falla Jubones y Arenillas, los Andes Septentrionales sufren cambios en la arquitectura tectónica estructural al constituirse de bloques acrecionales (Peltetec-Romeral...), a partir del Jurásico, con una subducción oblicua ' mientras que los Andes Centrales al sur de la Deflexión de Huanbamba está constituido por un Ststema Cordtllerano, con subducción perpendicular. Constituye un hecho incuestionable, que el Paleozotco tanto sedimentario como ígneo forme una entidad tectónico-estructural de basamento de gran continuidad en el Norte del Perú y Sur de Ecuador, siendo en este basamento Paleozoico que se instalaron las cuencas mesozoicas y cenozoicas las cuales se desarrollaron en un régimen predominantemente extensional (Cuenca Lancones-Alamor, Cuenca Progreso, Cuenca, Talara, Cuenca Sechura ... ). Los cuerpos ígneos intrusivos gneisificados que forman parte de este basamento están datados como Permo - Triasico, sin excluir que existan cuerpos intrusivos del Devoniano. Cabe señalar que esta datación probablemente esté registrando la edad del metamorfismo que han afectado a estas rocas

Transición de los Andes Centrales a los Andes del Norte: nueva comprensión basada en el reconocimiento de campo y análisis geoquímicos

A escala de 1:500000 se verificó en campo el contexto lito-tectónico, morfo-estructural y la compilación estratigráfica de la región de frontera de Perú y Ecuador (situada entre los 2° y 6° latitud sur). Las actividades han sido realizadas por una comisión de geocientíficos de INGEMMET, Perú y de DINAGE-Ecuador, en el marco del Proyecto multinacional Andino (MAP-GAC), Convenio INGEMMET -DINAGE, asesorados por el Servicio Geológico de Canadá. El sistema de la Cordillera Andina se puede considerar en términos de tres regiones o bloques distintos; Meridional (Patagónico), Central, y Septentrional (Fig. 1). Los estudios de teledetección y las observaciones de campo indican que el área de estudio binacional se sitúa en la zona de transición de los Andes centrales a los del Norte, estando situados dentro de la región morfoestructural del bloque andino del Norte. Basado sobre fundamentos estratigráficos, consideraciones morfológicas y geo-tectónicas, la transición de los Andes Centrales a Los Andes del Norte se le pueden considerar en términos de seis dominios lito-tectónicos (Fig. 2), el contexto litoestratigráfico se puede correlacionar a lo largo de la frontera del Perú y de Ecuador. Estos dominios geológicos no coinciden siempre con la nomenclatura fisiográfica comúnmente usada para los Andes de Perú y de Ecuador (e.g. Cordillera Real, Cordillera Oriental, central. Occidental o de la Costa). El análisis litotectónico y morfoestructural de cada dominio asegura compatibilidad lito-estratigráfica interna (Fig.3) y destaca fundamentalmente las características y límites estructurales (las suturas y/o estructuras importantes) que indican cambios en el régimen tectónico vinculado a sus eventos geocronológicos

Risk Factors for Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections during the First 3 Years of Life in the Tropics; Findings from a Birth Cohort.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infect more than 2 billion humans worldwide, causing significant morbidity in children. There are few data on the epidemiology and risk factors for infection in pre-school children. To investigate risk factors for infection in early childhood, we analysed data prospectively collected in the ECUAVIDA birth cohort in Ecuador. Methods and Findings: Children were recruited at birth and followed up to 3 years of age with periodic collection of stool samples that were examined microscopically for STH parasites. Data on social, demographic, and environmental risk factors were collected from the mother at time of enrolment. Associations between exposures and detection of STH infections were analysed by multivariable logistic regression. Data were analysed from 1,697 children for whom a stool sample was obtained at 3 years. 42.3% had at least one STH infection in the first 3 years of life and the most common infections were caused by A. lumbricoides (33.2% of children) and T. trichiura (21.2%). Hookworm infection was detected in 0.9% of children. Risk of STH infection was associated with factors indicative of poverty in our study population such as Afro-Ecuadorian ethnicity and low maternal educational level. Maternal STH infections during pregnancy were strong risk factors for any childhood STH infection, infections with either A. lumbricoides or T. trichiura, and early age of first STH infection. Children of mothers with moderate to high infections intensities with A. lumbricoides were most at risk. Conclusions: Our data show high rates of infection with STH parasites during the first 3 years of life in an Ecuadorian birth cohort, an observation that was strongly associated with maternal STH infections during pregnancy. The targeted treatment of women of childbearing age, in particular before pregnancy, with anthelmintic drugs could offer a novel approach to the prevention of STH infections in pre-school children