Infección natural de Lutzomyia cruciata (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) con Wolbachia en cafetales de Chiapas, México

Using PCR-based tools, we show the results of screening for Leishmania and Wolbachia in a phlebotomine sand flies collected during 2011 (February-march) in coffee plantations of four localities along an altitudinal transect in the Soconusco region, Chiapas, Mexico. The species Lutzomyia texana and Lu. carpenteri are documented for the first time for the state of Chiapas. Wolbachia was detected in a female of Lutzomyia cruciata captured in the Guadalupe Saju farm. All samples were negative to Leishmania.Se muestran los resultados de la búsqueda de Leishmania y Wolbachia mediante PCR, en flebotominos recolectados durante 2011 (febrero-marzo) en cafetales de cuatro localidades ubicadas dentro de un transecto altitudinal en la región del Soconusco, Chiapas, México. Las especies Lutzomyia texana y Lu. carpenteri son documentadas por primera vez para el estado de Chiapas. Wolbachia fue detectada en una hembra de Lutzomyia cruciata capturada en la Finca Guadalupe Sajú. Todas las muestras fueron negativas a Leishmania

Sistema informático de análisis del perfil polifásico de microorganismos en microbiología de alimentos para su aplicación en biotecnología

El presente trabajo de graduación responde al título Sistema informático de análisis del perfil polifásico de microorganismos en microbiología de alimentos para su aplicación en biotecnología, desarrollado para el Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Salud (CENSALUD) de la Universidad de El Salvador. Dicho trabajo de grado se desarrolla para optar al grado de Ingeniero de Sistemas Informáticos. CENSALUD es una entidad de la Universidad de El Salvador, cuya misión es contribuir al desarrollo de la salud en El Salvador, mediante la investigación científica y tecnológica, la enseñanza, la oferta de consultoría y servicios de laboratorio especializados. Entre sus servicios de laboratorio especializado se encuentra el análisis del perfil polifásico de microorganismos. Está formado por al menos cuatro fases: aislamiento del alimento, identificación taxonómica de la levadura, pruebas para evaluación de aplicaciones potenciales y aplicaciones en biotecnología. Dicho proceso conlleva un volumen de datos que son imposibles de procesar sin algún tipo de herramienta que mediante procedimientos y captura de datos, proporcione información útil para los investigadores. Por lo planteado anteriormente representa una oportunidad para desarrollar un sistema informático que automatice los procedimientos que implica los estudios de perfil polifásic

Caracterización clínico-epidemiológica de pacientes hipertensos de un consultorio médico de Santa Clara

Introduction: arterial hypertension is a chronic disease with high morbidity in the world population. Its approach represents a challenge for the health system at its different levels of care, but especially for the primary level, since it is here where the diagnosis and follow-up of most cases are carried out. Objective:to clinically and epidemiologically characterize patients diagnosed with high blood pressure belonging to the 17-4 medical office in the municipality of Santa Clara.Method: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in the period from February to May 2021. The universe consisted of 193 hypertensive patients. The variables studied were: age, sex, skin color, risk factors, symptoms at the time of diagnosis, family history and drugs used for treatment.Results: the age group from 40 to 59 years (48.7%), the female sex (58%) and the black skin patients (36.8%) prevailed. Smoking stood out as a risk factor (71.3%) and headache was the most frequent symptom at the time of diagnosis (43.3%). Patients with a family history of first-degree arterial hypertension represented 35.2% of the cases. Of the total number of patients, 69 received treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.Conclusions: the most affected patients are female with a family history of high blood pressure. Smoking was the predominant risk factor in the population and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors were the most used drugs.Introducción: la hipertensión arterial es una enfermedad crónica de elevada morbilidad en la población mundial. Su abordaje supone un reto para el sistema de salud en sus diferentes niveles de atención, pero sobre todo para el nivel primario, pues es aquí donde se realiza el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la mayoría de los casos. Objetivo: caracterizar clínica y epidemiológicamente a los pacientes con diagnóstico de hipertensión arterial pertenecientes al consultorio médico 17-4 del municipio de Santa Clara.Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal en el período comprendido de febrero a mayo de 2021. El universo estuvo constituido por 193 pacientes hipertensos. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, sexo, color de la piel, factores de riesgo, síntomas en el momento del diagnóstico, antecedentes familiares y fármacos empleados para el tratamiento.Resultados: predominó el grupo de edad de 40 a 59 años (48,7%), el sexo femenino (58%) y los pacientes de piel negra (36.8%). El tabaquismo sobresalió como factor de riesgo (71,3%) y la cefalea fue el síntoma más frecuente al momento del diagnóstico (43,3%). Los pacientes con antecedentes familiares de hipertensión arterial de primer grado representaron el 35.2% de los casos. Del total de pacientes 69 reciben tratamiento con inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina.Conclusiones: los pacientes más afectados son los del sexo femenino con antecedentes familiares de hipertensión arterial. El tabaquismo fue el factor de riesgo predominante en la población y los inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina fueron los fármacos más empleados.

PrevengHo-Vir®, pharmacovigilance study in five communities of Santa Clara

Introduction: in the face of the health emergency, Cuban science undertook a series of protocols with the aim of achieving an effective treatment against COVID-19, thus giving rise to a homeopathic preparation called PrevengHo®-Vir. The trial has not yet finished and there remains a gap of doubts regarding the possible adverse reactions that the preparation could cause. Objective: to characterize clinically and epidemiologically five towns´ populations that consumed the homeopathic preparation and to identify the main adverse reactions reported by the patients under study. Method: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in five towns in the municipality of Santa Clara, with the total of patients who used the preparation; with the sample being N=505. Results: a ratio of men and women of 1:1 is presented, with an average of 44.3 years of age, 63.7% have a high school degree (above 12th grade), only 4.8% used the preparation incorrectly, of which 3.2% had a low educational level. A total of 13 subjects presented reactions. Conclusions: Most of the adverse reactions are mild and do not require urgent medical attention. The homeopathic preparation PrevengHo®-Vir is safe and without risk to the lives of consumers

PrevengHo-Vir®, estudio de farmacovigilancia en cinco comunidades de Santa Clara

Introduction: in the face of the health emergency, Cuban science undertook a series of protocols with the aim of achieving an effective treatment against COVID-19, thus giving rise to a homeopathic preparation called PrevengHo®-Vir. The trial has not yet finished and there remains a gap of doubts regarding the possible adverse reactions that the preparation could cause. Objective: to characterize clinically and epidemiologically five towns´ populations that consumed the homeopathic preparation and to identify the main adverse reactions reported by the patients under study. Method: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in five towns in the municipality of Santa Clara, with the total of patients who used the preparation; with the sample being N=505. Results: a ratio of men and women of 1:1 is presented, with an average of 44.3 years of age, 63.7% have a high school degree (above 12th grade), only 4.8% used the preparation incorrectly, of which 3.2% had a low educational level. A total of 13 subjects presented reactions. Conclusions: Most of the adverse reactions are mild and do not require urgent medical attention. The homeopathic preparation PrevengHo®-Vir is safe and without risk to the lives of consumers.Introducción: ante la emergencia sanitaria, la ciencia cubana emprendió una serie de protocolos con el objetivo de conseguir un tratamiento efectivo contra la COVID-19, emerge así un preparado homeopático denominado PrevengHo®-Vir. El ensayo aún no ha terminado y queda una brecha de dudas ante las posibles reacciones adversas que podría ocasionar el preparado. Objetivo: caracterizar clínica y epidemiológicamente a cinco poblaciones que consumieron el preparado homeopático e identificar las principales reacciones adversas referidas por los pacientes en estudio.Método: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo-transversal en cinco poblaciones del municipio de Santa Clara, utilizando el total de pacientes pesquisados que usaron el preparado siendo la muestra N=505. Resultados: se presenta una razón de hombres y mujeres de 1:1, con una media de 44,3 años, el 63,7 % tiene un alto nivel escolar (superior a 12 grado), sólo el 4,8 % mantuvo una conducta errónea en el uso de estos de los cuales el 3,2 % presentaron un bajo nivel educacional. Presentaron reacciones un total de 13 pacientes, 53,8 % del sexo femenino, el 92,3 % de piel blanca, no se evidenciaron reacciones adversas en mayores de 80 años, el 38 % de los pacientes refieren haber presentado tos, el 23 % un cuadro gripal, otro 23 % cefalea, 23 % rinorrea, un 7,7 % astenia para una tasa de incidencia de 2,57 x 100 pacientes. Conclusiones: las reacciones adversas en su mayoría son leves y no necesitan de atención médica urgente.  El preparado homeopático PrevengHo®-Vir es seguro y sin riesgo para la vida de los consumidores

Improvement of Mueller-Kauffman Tetrathionate-Novobiocin (MKTTn) enrichment medium for the detection of Salmonella enterica by the addition of wx situ-generated tetrathionate

The detection of Salmonella in food is based on the use of a selective enrichment broth such as Muller-Kauffman Tetrathionate-Novobiocin (MKTTn), in which tetrathionate plays a key role by providing Salmonella with a growth advantage. As sodium tetrathionate is unstable, it is generated in situ by the addition of iodine (Lugol's solution) before seeding. This step is cumbersome as the solution is easily spilled, compromising the performance of the medium and hindering the work of technicians. The aim of this study was to optimize MKTTn broth by generating tetrathionate ex situ through an external reaction between iodine and thiosulphate followed by lyophilization. Quality control procedures were performed to compare the modified and original media, testing pure productivity (enrichment with 50-120 CFU of Salmonella Thyphimurim ATCC 14028 and Salmonella Enteritidis ATCC 13076 and plating on Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar, XLD), mixed productivity (50-120 CFU of Salmonella strains and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli at ≥104 CFU and XLD plating) and selectivity (≥104 CFU of P. aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis and plating on Tryptone Casein Soy agar, TSA). The modified MKTTn medium (S/L) performed comparably with the original medium in terms of growth of both Salmonella strains (>300 colonies in XLD), alone or with P. aeruginosa and E. coli. Quantitative assays showed no statistically significant differences in the number of colonies grown on XLD after 10-5 dilution (p=0.7015 with S. Thyphimurim ATCC 14028 and p=0.2387 with S. Enteritidis ATCC 13076; ANOVA test). MKTTn medium (S/L) was also selective against E. coli (≤100 colonies) and E. faecalis (<10 colonies). These results suggest that adding tetrathionate as a lyophilisate (S/L) is a feasible alternative to the use of Lugol's solution for the preparation of MKTTn enrichment broth and does not affect the properties of the mediu

Liderazgo en estudiantes de nuevo ingreso a las ciencias médicas

Introduction: The union to the University Student Federation is made when all Cuban students enter the universities. Given the current health problem in which distance education arises, as a new form of teaching it is practically impossible to carry out activities in which to determine possible cadre policies for student management.Objective: Identify the leadership capacity of new students to encourage them to be part of the organization's cadre policy.Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in January 2021, with 25 new medical science students belonging to the ¨Capitán Roberto Fleites¨ polyclinic in Santa Clara, Villa Clara. The variables were studied: sex, faculty, attitude of the students to the situations of the instrument, by means of the application of a survey. The data were processed in the statistical software package SPSS, and the results expressed in tables and graphs.Results: The students who showed greater acceptance of the responsibility of being student leaders are female and only 24% male, with a ratio of one man for every three women. With a higher representation are medical students (52%). 84% of the students show a certain capacity for command.Conclusions: The leadership characteristics of new students are not optimal, but it is the task of current leaders to work to promote leadership and improve their attitude.Introducción: la unión a la Federación Estudiantil Universitaria se hace al entrar todo estudiante cubano a las universidades. Ante la problemática sanitaria actual en la cual surge la educación a distancia como nueva forma de enseñanza, se dificulta la identificación de posibles políticas de cuadro.Objetivo: caracterizar la capacidad de liderazgo de estudiantes de nuevo ingreso para incentivarlos a formar parte de la política de cuadro de la organización.Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo de corte transversal en el mes de enero de 2021, el universo estuvo constituido por 83 estudiantes de nuevo ingreso, la muestra quedó constituida por 25 estudiantes que fueron seleccionados utilizando un muestreo aleatorio simple. Se estudiaron las variables: sexo, facultad, actitud de los estudiantes ante las situaciones del instrumento, mediante la aplicación de una encuesta. Los datos fueron procesados en el paquete de programas estadísticos SPSS, y los resultados expresados en tablas y gráficos.Resultados: los estudiantes que presentaron mayor aceptación ante la responsabilidad de ser dirigentes estudiantiles son del sexo femenino (76%) y tan solo el 24 % del masculino, con una razón de un hombre por cada tres mujeres. Con una mayor representación se encuentran los estudiantes de Medicina (52 %). El 84 % de los estudiantes presentan una cierta capacidad de mando.Conclusiones: las características de liderazgo de los estudiantes de nuevo ingreso no son las óptimas, pero es tarea de los actuales dirigentes trabajar para fomentar el liderazgo y perfeccionar su actitud.

MYH10 activation rescues contractile defects in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM).

The most prevalent genetic form of inherited arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is caused by mutations in desmosomal plakophilin-2 (PKP2). By studying pathogenic deletion mutations in the desmosomal protein PKP2, here we identify a general mechanism by which PKP2 delocalization restricts actomyosin network organization and cardiac sarcomeric contraction in this untreatable disease. Computational modeling of PKP2 variants reveals that the carboxy-terminal (CT) domain is required for N-terminal domain stabilization, which determines PKP2 cortical localization and function. In mutant PKP2 cells the expression of the interacting protein MYH10 rescues actomyosin disorganization. Conversely, dominant-negative MYH10 mutant expression mimics the pathogenic CT-deletion PKP2 mutant causing actin network abnormalities and right ventricle systolic dysfunction. A chemical activator of non-muscle myosins, 4-hydroxyacetophenone (4-HAP), also restores normal contractility. Our findings demonstrate that activation of MYH10 corrects the deleterious effect of PKP2 mutant over systolic cardiac contraction, with potential implications for ACM therapy.This study was supported by MCIU grant BFU2016-75144-R and PID2020- 116935RB-I00, and by a “la Caixa” Banking Foundation grant under the project code HR18-00304” to J.A.B.; The study was also supported by the “Ayudas a la Investigación Cátedra Real Madrid-Universidad Europea” (2017/RM01). C.M.-L. and S.S. hold MCIU predoctoral contracts BES-2017-079715, and BES-2017-079707 respectively. R.G. acknowledges funding from the European Research Council under grant ERCAG-340177 (3DNanoMech) and from the MCIU under grant MAT2016- 76507-R. The CNIC is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MCIN) and the Pro CNIC Foundation and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence, grant CEX2020-001041-S funded by MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. The microscopy experiments were carried out at the Dynamic Microscopy and Image Unit, CNIC, ICTS-ReDib, co-financed by MCIN/AEI /10.13039/ 501100011033 and FEDER “A way of making Europe” (#ICTS-2018-04- CNIC-16). Imaris full analysis were carried out at the Microscopy & Dynamic Imaging, CNIC, ICTS-ReDib, co-funded by MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033. Biomedical Imaging has been conducted at the Advanced Imaging Unit of the CNIC (Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III), Madrid, Spain. This project used the ReDIB ICTS infrastructure TRIMA@CNIC, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MCIN).S

RICORS2040 : The need for collaborative research in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a silent and poorly known killer. The current concept of CKD is relatively young and uptake by the public, physicians and health authorities is not widespread. Physicians still confuse CKD with chronic kidney insufficiency or failure. For the wider public and health authorities, CKD evokes kidney replacement therapy (KRT). In Spain, the prevalence of KRT is 0.13%. Thus health authorities may consider CKD a non-issue: very few persons eventually need KRT and, for those in whom kidneys fail, the problem is 'solved' by dialysis or kidney transplantation. However, KRT is the tip of the iceberg in the burden of CKD. The main burden of CKD is accelerated ageing and premature death. The cut-off points for kidney function and kidney damage indexes that define CKD also mark an increased risk for all-cause premature death. CKD is the most prevalent risk factor for lethal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the factor that most increases the risk of death in COVID-19, after old age. Men and women undergoing KRT still have an annual mortality that is 10- to 100-fold higher than similar-age peers, and life expectancy is shortened by ~40 years for young persons on dialysis and by 15 years for young persons with a functioning kidney graft. CKD is expected to become the fifth greatest global cause of death by 2040 and the second greatest cause of death in Spain before the end of the century, a time when one in four Spaniards will have CKD. However, by 2022, CKD will become the only top-15 global predicted cause of death that is not supported by a dedicated well-funded Centres for Biomedical Research (CIBER) network structure in Spain. Realizing the underestimation of the CKD burden of disease by health authorities, the Decade of the Kidney initiative for 2020-2030 was launched by the American Association of Kidney Patients and the European Kidney Health Alliance. Leading Spanish kidney researchers grouped in the kidney collaborative research network Red de Investigación Renal have now applied for the Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientadas a Resultados en Salud (RICORS) call for collaborative research in Spain with the support of the Spanish Society of Nephrology, Federación Nacional de Asociaciones para la Lucha Contra las Enfermedades del Riñón and ONT: RICORS2040 aims to prevent the dire predictions for the global 2040 burden of CKD from becoming true

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries