30 research outputs found

    Refugios, período reproductivo y composición social de las poblaciones de desmodus rotundus (geoffroy, 1810) (chiroptera: phyllostomidae), en zonas rurales del departamento de sucre, colombia

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    Esta investigación se realizó en la zona rural de los municipios Toluviejo, San Onofrey San Antonio de Palmito, pertenecientes al departamento de Sucre, Colombia, duranteel período comprendido entre noviembre de 2004 y noviembre de 2005 y tuvo comoobjetivo la determinación de los tipos de refugio utilizados por Desmodus rotundus enlas localidades mencionadas, así como conocer su composición social en esos sitiosy la época reproductiva. Se hicieron capturas mediante redes de niebla, en huecos detroncos de árboles, cuevas y construcciones humanas, que mostraban evidencia deheces sanguinolentas. Los animales eran obligados a salir mediante el humo y una vezcapturados eran conservados en alcohol al 70%. El número de animales en esos sitiosfluctúa entre 4 y 93. La proporción de machos activos sexualmente resultó siempremenor que la de hembras con diferentes estadios reproductivos (1:6, 1:7, 1:3, 1:2, 1:2)para los diferentes refugios. Además aparecen varios machos inactivos sexualmentey neonatos. Esta composición y número parece influir en la eficiencia reproductiva,la estabilidad del grupo y en el establecimiento de su conducta de cooperación parala alimentación. Esta especie es monótoca y la reproducción puede efectuarse encualquier época del año, lo cual garantiza la supervivencia de la misma, dadas lasconocidas dificultades que afrontan cuando no pueden alimentars

    Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

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    Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

    Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

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    The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

    Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Largest HIV-1 CRF02_AG Outbreak in Spain: Evidence for Onward Transmissions

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    Background and Aim: The circulating recombinant form 02_AG (CRF02_AG) is the predominant clade among the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) non-Bs with a prevalence of 5.97% (95% Confidence Interval-CI: 5.41–6.57%) across Spain. Our aim was to estimate the levels of regional clustering for CRF02_AG and the spatiotemporal characteristics of the largest CRF02_AG subepidemic in Spain.Methods: We studied 396 CRF02_AG sequences obtained from HIV-1 diagnosed patients during 2000–2014 from 10 autonomous communities of Spain. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the 391 CRF02_AG sequences along with all globally sampled CRF02_AG sequences (N = 3,302) as references. Phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis was performed to the largest CRF02_AG monophyletic cluster by a Bayesian method in BEAST v1.8.0 and by reconstructing ancestral states using the criterion of parsimony in Mesquite v3.4, respectively.Results: The HIV-1 CRF02_AG prevalence differed across Spanish autonomous communities we sampled from (p < 0.001). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 52.7% of the CRF02_AG sequences formed 56 monophyletic clusters, with a range of 2–79 sequences. The CRF02_AG regional dispersal differed across Spain (p = 0.003), as suggested by monophyletic clustering. For the largest monophyletic cluster (subepidemic) (N = 79), 49.4% of the clustered sequences originated from Madrid, while most sequences (51.9%) had been obtained from men having sex with men (MSM). Molecular clock analysis suggested that the origin (tMRCA) of the CRF02_AG subepidemic was in 2002 (median estimate; 95% Highest Posterior Density-HPD interval: 1999–2004). Additionally, we found significant clustering within the CRF02_AG subepidemic according to the ethnic origin.Conclusion: CRF02_AG has been introduced as a result of multiple introductions in Spain, following regional dispersal in several cases. We showed that CRF02_AG transmissions were mostly due to regional dispersal in Spain. The hot-spot for the largest CRF02_AG regional subepidemic in Spain was in Madrid associated with MSM transmission risk group. The existence of subepidemics suggest that several spillovers occurred from Madrid to other areas. CRF02_AG sequences from Hispanics were clustered in a separate subclade suggesting no linkage between the local and Hispanic subepidemics

    Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

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    Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

    Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

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    Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

    PRESENCIA DEL MURCIÉLAGO CASERO (MOLOSSUS MOLOSSUS PALLAS, 1776) EN LA CIUDAD DE SINCELEJO, DEPARTAMENTO DE SUCRE, COLOMBIA

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    Se efectuaron muestreos de Molossus molossus en el área urbana de Sincelejo, en el período comprendido entre abril de 2004 y diciembre de 2005, utilizando redes de niebla de 12 x 2. La abundancia relativa calculada a partir del número de individuos que cayeron en las redes y el número de redes utilizadas, fue de 65.4 %. Se visitaron 487 viviendas y otras edificaciones humanas y se anotó su localización y estado físico (buena, regular o mala) así como la presencia- ausencia de esta especie. La proporción de edificaciones con presencia de M. molossus fue de 42.3 %. Las casas más infestadas fueron las que se hallaban en regular y mal estado. El estado de los techos de muchas de esas edificaciones era deplorable, con presencia de excremento, orina y numerosos organismos como cucarachas, roedores y otros. También se determinó que M. molossus ingiere 1.5 g de insectos nocturnos en una noche como promedio, lo que, considerando su gran abundancia, implica una cantidad importante de insectos consumidos anualmente. Una encuesta realizada a la población cuyas viviendas fueron visitadas arrojó que la mayoría desconoce los daños y beneficios que puede ocasionar esta especie a la población humana. Las condiciones de clima cálido, relativamente estable todo el año y la abundancia de refugios y alimento, hace que M. molossus pueda reproducirse todo el año, lo que unido a que no tiene muchos depredadores, la convierte en una especie de mucho éxito ecológico. Se recomienda tomar las medidas pertinentes para reducir su convivencia con el hombre, pero sin dañar sus poblaciones, teniendo en cuenta los beneficios que aport

    NUEVOS REGISTROS DE ESPECIES DE MURCIÉLAGOS PARA EL DEPARTAMENTO DE SUCRE Y ALGUNOS DATOS SOBRE SU ECOLOGÍA EN ESTA REGIÓN COLOMBIANA

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    <div>Se realizaron 33 muestreos de murciélagos en diferentes localidades de la zona</div><div>urbana y rural del departamento de Sucre, entre los años 2004 y 2005. Se utilizaron</div><div>redes de niebla, tanto para campo abierto como para refugios, entre las 1800 hs y</div><div>las 0600 hs del día siguiente. Se registraron 22 especies, de las cuales seis resultan</div><div>nuevos registros para Sucre: Artibeus obscurus, Sturnira erythromus, Phyllostomus</div><div>elongatus, Lonchophylla mordax, Peropterix macrotis y Rhogeesa tumida. La familia</div><div>más numerosa fue Phyllostomidae. La mayor abundancia relativa (frecuencia de</div><div>captura) en la zona urbana la presentaron Molossus molossus (78.3%), Artibeus</div><div>obscurus (65.2%) y Loncophylla thomasi (56.5%). En la zona rural la más abundante</div><div>resultó Desmodus rotundus (100% de los muestreos), seguida por Noctilio albiventris</div><div>y Sacopterix bilineata (30%). Ambas comunidades de murciélagos (urbana y rural)</div><div>son similares en un 48%, ya que sólo siete de las especies resultaron comunes a las</div><div>dos. Los refugios más frecuentados en la zona rural son los árboles, sobre todo el</div><div>Caracolí (Anacardium excelsum) y la mayor riqueza de especies se encontró en los</div><div>refugios más grandes. La actividad nocturna es significativamente diferente entre las</div><div>especies (X2 = 323, p < 0.001 para 12 grados de libertad), lo que pudiera significar</div><div>mecanismos de reducción de la competencia por el alimento, sobre todo en las</div><div>especies vegetariana</div
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