Ecologic Niche Modeling and Potential Reservoirs for Chagas Disease, Mexico.

Ecologic niche modeling may improve our understanding of epidemiologically relevant vector and parasite-reservoir distributions. We used this tool to identify host relationships of Triatoma species implicated in transmission of Chagas disease. Associations have been documented between the protracta complex (Triatoma: Triatominae: Reduviidae) with packrat species (Neotoma spp.), providing an excellent case study for the broader challenge of developing hypotheses of association. Species pairs that were identified coincided exactly with those in previous studies, suggesting that local interactions between Triatoma and Neotoma species and subspecies have implications at a geographic level. Nothing is known about sylvatic associates of T. barberi, which are considered the primary Chagas vector in Mexico; its geographic distribution coincided closely with that of N. mexicana, suggesting interaction. The presence of the species was confirmed in two regions where it had been predicted but not previously collected. This approach may help in identifying Chagas disease risk areas, planning vector-control strategies, and exploring parasite-reservoir associations for other emerging diseases

Nitrogen-carbon graphite-like semiconductor synthesized from uric acid

A new carbon-nitrogen organic semiconductor has been synthesized by pyrolysis of uric acid. This layered carbon-nitrogen material contains imidazole-, pyridine (naphthyridine)- and graphitic-like nitrogen, as evinced by infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. Quantum chemistry calculations support that it would consist of a 2D polymeric material held together by hydrogen bonds. Layers are stacked with an interplanar distance between 3.30 and 3.36 Å, as in graphite and coke. Terahertz spectroscopy shows a behavior similar to that of amorphous carbons, such as coke, with non-interacting layers. This material features substantial differences from polymeric carbon nitride, with some characteristics closer to those of nitrogen-doped graphene, in spite of its higher nitrogen content. The direct optical band gap, dependent on the polycondensation temperature, ranges from 2.10 to 2.32 eV. Although in general the degree of crystallinity is low, in the material synthesized at 600 °C some spots with a certain degree of crystallinity can be found

Effectiveness and Safety of the Switch from Remicade® to CT-P13 in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

[Background and Aims] To evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients with IBD after switching from Remicade® to CT-P13 in comparison with patients who maintain Remicade®.[Methods] Patients under Remicade® who were in clinical remission with standard dosage at study entry were included. The ‘switch cohort’ [SC] comprised patients who made the switch from Remicade® to CT-P13, and the ‘non-switch’ cohort [NC] patients remained under Remicade®.[Results] A total of 476 patients were included: 199 [42%] in the SC and 277 [58%] in the NC. The median follow-up was 18 months in the SC and 23 months in the NC [p < 0.01]. Twenty-four out of 277 patients relapsed in the NC; the incidence of relapse was 5% per patient-year. The cumulative incidence of relapse was 2% at 6 months and 10% at 24 months in this group. Thirty-eight out of 199 patients relapsed in the SC; the incidence rate of relapse was 14% per patient-year. The cumulative incidence of relapse was 5% at 6 months and 28% at 24 months. In the multivariate analysis, the switch to CT-P13 was associated with a higher risk of relapse (HR = 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2–6). Thirteen percent of patients had adverse events in the NC, compared with 6% in the SC [p < 0.05].[Conclusions] Switching from Remicade® to CT-P13 might be associated with a higher risk of clinical relapse, although this fact was not supported in our study by an increase in objective markers of inflammation. The nocebo effect might have influenced this result. Switching from Remicade® to CT-P13 was safe.This research has been funded by grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III [PI13/00041 and FI17/00143]

Effectiveness and Safety of the Switch from Remicade® to CT-P13 in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients with IBD after switching from Remicade® to CT-P13 in comparison with patients who maintain Remicade®. METHODS: Patients under Remicade® who were in clinical remission with standard dosage at study entry were included. The ''switch cohort'' [SC] comprised patients who made the switch from Remicade® to CT-P13, and the ''non-switch'' cohort [NC] patients remained under Remicade®. RESULTS: A total of 476 patients were included: 199 [42%] in the SC and 277 [58%] in the NC. The median follow-up was 18 months in the SC and 23 months in the NC [p < 0.01]. Twenty-four out of 277 patients relapsed in the NC; the incidence of relapse was 5% per patient-year. The cumulative incidence of relapse was 2% at 6 months and 10% at 24 months in this group. Thirty-eight out of 199 patients relapsed in the SC; the incidence rate of relapse was 14% per patient-year. The cumulative incidence of relapse was 5% at 6 months and 28% at 24 months. In the multivariate analysis, the switch to CT-P13 was associated with a higher risk of relapse (HR = 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2-6). Thirteen percent of patients had adverse events in the NC, compared with 6% in the SC [p < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Switching from Remicade® to CT-P13 might be associated with a higher risk of clinical relapse, although this fact was not supported in our study by an increase in objective markers of inflammation. The nocebo effect might have influenced this result. Switching from Remicade® to CT-P13 was safe

Evolution after Anti-TNF Discontinuation in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicenter Long-Term Follow-Up Study

OBJECTIVES:The aims of this study were to assess the risk of relapse after discontinuation of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), to identify the factors associated with relapse, and to evaluate the overcome after retreatment with the same anti-TNF in those who relapsed.METHODS:This was a retrospective, observational, multicenter study. IBD patients who had been treated with anti-TNFs and in whom these drugs were discontinued after clinical remission was achieved were included.RESULTS:A total of 1, 055 patients were included. The incidence rate of relapse was 19% and 17% per patient-year in Crohn''s disease and ulcerative colitis patients, respectively. In both Crohn''s disease and ulcerative colitis patients in deep remission, the incidence rate of relapse was 19% per patient-year. The treatment with adalimumab vs. infliximab (hazard ratio (HR)=1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.01-1.66), elective discontinuation of anti-TNFs (HR=1.90; 95% CI=1.07-3.37) or discontinuation because of adverse events (HR=2.33; 95% CI=1.27-2.02) vs. a top-down strategy, colonic localization (HR=1.51; 95% CI=1.13-2.02) vs. ileal, and stricturing behavior (HR=1.5; 95% CI=1.09-2.05) vs. inflammatory were associated with a higher risk of relapse in Crohn''s disease patients, whereas treatment with immunomodulators after discontinuation (HR=0.67; 95% CI=0.51-0.87) and age (HR=0.98; 95% CI=0.97-0.99) were protective factors. None of the factors were predictive in ulcerative colitis patients. Retreatment of relapse with the same anti-TNF was effective (80% responded) and safe.CONCLUSIONS:The incidence rate of inflammatory bowel disease relapse after anti-TNF discontinuation is relevant. Some predictive factors of relapse after anti-TNF withdrawal have been identified. Retreatment with the same anti-TNF drug was effective and safe

Using Nano Zero-Valent Iron Supported on Diatomite to Remove Acid Blue Dye: Synthesis, Characterization, and Toxicology Test

This work aimed to synthesize and characterize nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), supported on diatomaceous earth (DE) at two different molar concentrations, 3 and 4 M (nZVI-DE-1 nZVI-DE-2), to test the decolorization treatment of acid blue dye (AB) and perform a toxicological test using zebrafish. The synthesis of the nanoparticles was obtained using the chemical reduction method. The material was fully characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy and specific surface area (BET). The results showed spherical forms in clusters between 20 and 40 nm of zero-valent iron supported on diatomaceous earth. The removal of 1 g/L of AB from water treated with nZVI-DE-1 and nZVI-DE-2 reached the decolorization of 90% and 98% of all dye. By contrast, controls such as nZVI and DE-1 and DE-2 removed 40%, 37%, and 24% of the dye. Toxicological analysis using zebrafish showed that AB causes a severe defect in development, and embryos die after exposure. However, the water samples treated with nZVI-DE-1 and nZVI-DE-2 are not harmful to the zebrafish embryos during the first 24 h. However, all embryos exposed to the new material for more than 48 hpf had cardiac edema, smaller eyes, and curved and smaller bodies with less pigmentation

Estudio del cambio climático y su efecto en las aves en México: enfoques actuales y perspectivas futuras

El cambio climático está impactando la biodiversidad en el planeta. En México diferentes líneas de investigación se han desarrollado para estudiar los efectos del cambio climático en la distribución de su avifauna. Entender qué enfoques se usan en el país para estudiar este fenómeno puede ayudar a planear mejor los esfuerzos de conservación, determinar qué especies y sitios serían los más afectados, ubicar qué lugares y qué proyectos deberían recibir más atención para asignar los pocos recursos económicos existentes de manera más eficiente. En este documento describimos los enfoques usados por ocho grupos de investigación que estudian los efectos del cambio climático en la avifauna mexicana. El 87.5% usó tres escenarios de cambio climático: A1B, A2 y B2. Todos los gupos, salvo uno, usaron las variables de WorldClim. El 62.5% usó los modelos de circulación general canadiense (CCCMA) y australiano (CSIRO) y el 87.5% usó GARP o MaxEnt para modelar la distribución de especies. Se requiere avanzar en cuatro áreas: (1) elaborar mapas climáticos con mayor resolución, (2) incrementar la colaboración entre grupos de investigación, (3) realizar estudios de identificación de especies y áreas en mayor riesgo, y (4) aplicar los conocimientos que se tienen a la fecha. Proponemos 17 recomendaciones que, de seguirse, podrían determinar que el desarrollo futuro de estas cuatro áreas influya en la conservación de las aves habitando en México. Los resultados de este trabajo podrían ayudar a los científicos, tomadores de decisiones y manejadores de recursos naturales a planear estrategias de conservación apropiadas para el futuro