The 21 cm Signature of Shock Heated and Diffuse Cosmic String Wakes

The analysis of the 21 cm signature of cosmic string wakes is extended in several ways. First we consider the constraints on $G\mu$ from the absorption signal of shock heated wakes laid down much later than matter radiation equality. Secondly we analyze the signal of diffuse wake, that is those wakes in which there is a baryon overdensity but which have not shock heated. Finally we compare the size of these signals compared to the expected thermal noise per pixel which dominates over the background cosmic gas brightness temperature and find that the cosmic string signal will exceed the thermal noise of an individual pixel in the Square Kilometre Array for string tensions $G\mu > 2.5 \times 10^{-8}$.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, Appendix added, version published in JCA

FREQUENCY OF PATHOGENS ISOLATED IN CLINICAL CASES OF CANINE PIODERMA AND ITS ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY

La dermatitis bacteriana canina, comúnmente conocida como piodermia, es una de las principales enfermedades dermatológicas observadas en la clínica veterinaria. El presente estudio retrospectivo tuvo como objetivo determinar la frecuencia de los diferentes agentes bacterianos involucrados con esta enfermedad y los antibióticos que presentan mejor actividad inhibidora frente a los principales microorganismos patógenos. Para tal fin, se analizaron los registros de resultados de aislamiento bacteriano y antibiograma del Laboratorio de Bacteriología de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, durante el periodo 2000-2006. El Staphlococcus intermedius fue la especie más aislada (70.6%). Los antibióticos más efectivos fueron de la familia de las cefalosporinas como el ceftiofur y la cefalexina, mientras que la penicilina fue la que presentó mayor índice de resistencia.The canine bacterial dermatitis, commonly known as pyoderma is one of the main skin diseases in the veterinary practice. The present retrospective study had the objective to determine the frequency of the bacteriological agents involved with the disease and the antibiotics that show better antimicrobiobial susceptibility. Laboratory records of bacterial isolation and antibiogram of the Laboratory of Bacteriology of the Veterinary Medicine Faculty, San Marcos University, Lima, were analyzed. Staphlococcus intermedius was the most commonly isolated species (70.6%). The most effective antibiotics were from the Cephalosporin family, especially the ceftiofur and cefalexin, and penicillin was the antibiotic with higher resistance index

Caracterización biológica de Paz de Ariporo. Identificación de especies claves para establecer límites de humedales.

Se exponen los resultados y evaluaciones en campo de la ventana piloto de humedales de Paz de Ariporo- Hato Corozal en el marco del convenio 005 (13-014) entre el Instituto Humboldt y el Fondo Adaptación.BogotáSubdirección de Servicios Científicos y Proyectos Especiale

The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binds and modulates estrogen receptors

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein binds angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 as its primary infection mechanism. Interactions between S and endogenous proteins occur after infection but are not well understood. We profiled binding of S against >9000 human proteins and found an interaction between S and human estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha). Using bioinformatics, supercomputing, and experimental assays, we identified a highly conserved and functional nuclear receptor coregulator (NRC) LXD-like motif on the S2 sub-unit. In cultured cells, S DNA transfection increased ER alpha cytoplasmic accumulation, and S treatment induced ER-dependent biological effects. Non-invasive imaging in SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters localized lung pathology with increased ER alpha lung levels. Postmortem lung experiments from infected hamsters and humans confirmed an increase in cytoplasmic ER alpha and its colocalization with S in alveolar macrophages. These findings describe the discovery of a S-ER alpha interaction, imply a role for S as an NRC, and advance knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 biology and coronavirus disease 2019 pathology

EFECTO DE LOS FOSFOLÍPIDOS MARINOS SOBRE BIOMARCADORES NUTRICIONALES Y DE ESTRÉS FISIOLÓGICO DE LAS PARALARVAS DEL PULPO COMÚN (OCTOPUS VULGARIS) BAJO CONDICIONES DE CULTIVO ESTANDARIZADAS EN TRES CENTROS

El efecto del enriquecimiento de la Artemia con fosfolípidos marinos (LC60), sobre el crecimiento, la supervivencia y los biomarcadores de condición nutricional (ARN/ADN) y de estrés fisiológico (proteínas de estrés (HSP70), enzimas antioxidantes y peroxidación lipídica) en paralarvas cultivadas de pulpo común (Octopus vulgaris) se evaluó bajo un protocolo estandarizado en tres centros. Las paralarvas recién eclosionadas mostraron diferencias significativas entre centros en peso seco y en la mayor parte de los biomarcadores analizados. Por el contario, en paralarvas cultivadas de 15 días, se encontraron diferencias significativas debidas a la dieta, presentando un incremento en la tasa de crecimiento específica (TCE) en el grupo alimentado con Artemia enriquecida con LC60 y mayores niveles de actividad GPX T y GR. Sin embargo, la dieta no tuvo efecto en la supervivencia de las paralarvas. Los biomarcadores de condición nutricional y de estrés fisiológicos presentaron diferencias entre los centros. Los resultados indican que el uso de fosfolípidos marinos como enriquecimiento de Artemia mejora el crecimiento de las paralarvas, si bien no se observa un efecto positivo de dicho tratamiento sobre la supervivencia de las mismas

Key Factors Associated With Pulmonary Sequelae in the Follow-Up of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Introduction: Critical COVID-19 survivors have a high risk of respiratory sequelae. Therefore, we aimed to identify key factors associated with altered lung function and CT scan abnormalities at a follow-up visit in a cohort of critical COVID-19 survivors. Methods: Multicenter ambispective observational study in 52 Spanish intensive care units. Up to 1327 PCR-confirmed critical COVID-19 patients had sociodemographic, anthropometric, comorbidity and lifestyle characteristics collected at hospital admission; clinical and biological parameters throughout hospital stay; and, lung function and CT scan at a follow-up visit. Results: The median [p25–p75] time from discharge to follow-up was 3.57 [2.77–4.92] months. Median age was 60 [53–67] years, 27.8% women. The mean (SD) percentage of predicted diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) at follow-up was 72.02 (18.33)% predicted, with 66% of patients having DLCO < 80% and 24% having DLCO < 60%. CT scan showed persistent pulmonary infiltrates, fibrotic lesions, and emphysema in 33%, 25% and 6% of patients, respectively. Key variables associated with DLCO < 60% were chronic lung disease (CLD) (OR: 1.86 (1.18–2.92)), duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) (OR: 1.56 (1.37–1.77)), age (OR [per-1-SD] (95%CI): 1.39 (1.18–1.63)), urea (OR: 1.16 (0.97–1.39)) and estimated glomerular filtration rate at ICU admission (OR: 0.88 (0.73–1.06)). Bacterial pneumonia (1.62 (1.11–2.35)) and duration of ventilation (NIMV (1.23 (1.06–1.42), IMV (1.21 (1.01–1.45)) and prone positioning (1.17 (0.98–1.39)) were associated with fibrotic lesions. Conclusion: Age and CLD, reflecting patients’ baseline vulnerability, and markers of COVID-19 severity, such as duration of IMV and renal failure, were key factors associated with impaired DLCO and CT abnormalities

Impact of treatment and clinical characteristics on the survival of children with medulloblastoma in Mexico

IntroductionData on medulloblastoma outcomes and experiences in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Latin America, is limited. This study examines challenges in Mexico’s healthcare system, focusing on assessing outcomes for children with medulloblastoma in a tertiary care setting.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted, involving 284 patients treated at 21 pediatric oncology centers in Mexico.ResultsHigh-risk patients exhibited markedly lower event-free survival than standard-risk patients (43.5% vs. 78.3%, p&lt;0.001). Influential factors on survival included anaplastic subtype (HR 2.4, p=0.003), metastatic disease (HR 1.9, p=0.001); residual tumor &gt;1.5cm², and lower radiotherapy doses significantly impacted event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). Platinum-based chemotherapy showed better results compared to the ICE protocol in terms of OS and EFS, which was associated with higher toxicity. Patients under 3 years old displayed notably lower OS and EFS compared to older children (36.1% vs. 55.9%, p=0.01)

New insights into the genetic etiology of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Characterization of the genetic landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADD) provides a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the associated pathophysiological processes. We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study totaling 111,326 clinically diagnosed/'proxy' AD cases and 677,663 controls. We found 75 risk loci, of which 42 were new at the time of analysis. Pathway enrichment analyses confirmed the involvement of amyloid/tau pathways and highlighted microglia implication. Gene prioritization in the new loci identified 31 genes that were suggestive of new genetically associated processes, including the tumor necrosis factor alpha pathway through the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex. We also built a new genetic risk score associated with the risk of future AD/dementia or progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD/dementia. The improvement in prediction led to a 1.6- to 1.9-fold increase in AD risk from the lowest to the highest decile, in addition to effects of age and the APOE ε4 allele

National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic

Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated self-reported factors associated with public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national samples. Study 2 (N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic (r = −0.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics.publishedVersio