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

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide

The perception of construction professionals on sustainable building issues in México and Chile

El crecimiento poblacional se encuentra directamente ligado a la edificación; por tal motivo, resulta fundamental ser eficientes con los recursos, pues todo en un marco de desarrollo sustentable y su adopción dentro de los procesos constructivos es un tema de investigación importante. Mientras que investigaciones basadas en encuestas postocupación (POE) son una forma común de abordar el tema, poco se conoce de la forma como los actores de la construcción perciben e incorporan las prácticas de uso eficiente de los recursos para con sus actividades. En el presente trabajo se muestran los resultados de una encuesta pre-ocupación (EPO) diseñada a partir de las certificaciones LEED y BREEAM, la norma mexicana NMX-AA-164-SCFI-2013, el Programa de Construcción de Edificaciones Sustentables (PCES), la Certificación de Edificaciones Sustentables (CES) y la Certificación de Estándares de Construcción Sustentable en Chile (ECSC). La encuesta estuvo dirigida a profesionales de la construcción en México y Chile, y a raíz de ella se encontró que hay bajo conocimiento y poco empleo de tácticas de edificación sustentable entre la población objeto de estudio; cabe concluir que las técnicas que utilizan están orientadas a la optimización de costo.Population growth is directly linked to construction, for this reason it is essential to be efficient with resources, all within a framework of sustainable development, and its adoption within construction processes is an important research topic. While research based on Post-Occupancy Surveys (POE) is a common way to address the issue, little is known about the way in which construction stakeholders perceive and incorporate efficient resource use practices into their activities. This paper shows the results of a Pre-Occupancy Survey (EPO) designed based on the LEED and BREEAM certifications, the Mexican standard NMX-AA-164-SCFI-2013, the Sustainable Building Construction Program (PCES), the Certification of Sustainable Buildings (CES) and Sustainable Construction Standards in Chile (ECSC). The survey was aimed at construction professionals in Mexico and Chile, finding that there is low knowledge and use of sustainable building tactics and it is concluded that the techniques they use are oriented to cost optimization

Role of Ape1 in Impaired DNA Repair Capacity in Battery Recycling Plant Workers Exposed to Lead

Exposure to lead in environmental and occupational settings continues to be a serious public health problem. At environmentally relevant doses, two mechanisms may underlie lead exposition-induced genotoxicity, disruption of the redox balance and an interference with DNA repair systems. The aim of the study was to evaluate the ability of lead exposition to induce impaired function of Ape1 and its impact on DNA repair capacity of workers chronically exposed to lead in a battery recycling plant. Our study included 53 participants, 37 lead exposed workers and 16 non-lead exposed workers. Lead intoxication was characterized by high blood lead concentration, high lipid peroxidation and low activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (&delta;-ALAD). Relevantly, we found a loss of DNA repair capacity related with down-regulation of a set of specific DNA repair genes, showing specifically, for the first time, the role of Ape1 down regulation at transcriptional and protein levels in workers exposed to lead. Additionally, using a functional assay we found an impaired function of Ape1 that correlates with high blood lead concentration and lipid peroxidation. Taken together, these data suggest that occupational exposure to lead could decrease DNA repair capacity, inhibiting the function of Ape1, as well other repair genes through the regulation of the ZF-transcription factor, promoting the genomic instability

Binding and Endocytosis of Bovine Hololactoferrin by the Parasite Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica is a human parasite that requires iron (Fe) for its metabolic function and virulence. Bovine lactoferrin (B-Lf) and its peptides can be found in the digestive tract after dairy products are ingested. The aim of this study was to compare virulent trophozoites recently isolated from hamster liver abscesses with nonvirulent trophozoites maintained for more than 30 years in cultures in vitro regarding their interaction with iron-charged B-Lf (B-holo-Lf). We performed growth kinetics analyses of trophozoites in B-holo-Lf and throughout several consecutive transfers. The virulent parasites showed higher growth and tolerance to iron than nonvirulent parasites. Both amoeba variants specifically bound B-holo-Lf with a similar Kd. However, averages of 9.45 × 105 and 6.65 × 106 binding sites/cell were found for B-holo-Lf in nonvirulent and virulent amoebae, respectively. Virulent amoebae bound more efficiently to human and bovine holo-Lf, human holo-transferrin, and human and bovine hemoglobin than nonvirulent amoebae. Virulent amoebae showed two types of B-holo-Lf binding proteins. Although both amoebae endocytosed this glycoprotein through clathrin-coated vesicles, the virulent amoebae also endocytosed B-holo-Lf through a cholesterol-dependent mechanism. Both amoeba variants secreted cysteine proteases cleaving B-holo-Lf. These data demonstrate that the B-Lf endocytosis is more efficient in virulent amoebae

Number of publications in health biotechnology per million inhabitants, 2001–2015.

<p>Source: WOS data and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs data [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0191267#pone.0191267.ref052" target="_blank">52</a>,<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0191267#pone.0191267.ref071" target="_blank">71</a>].</p

Successful cases of Latin American health biotechnology investment.

<p>The expectation of HBT in Latin American countries is not only to generate economic benefits but also to solve local health problems.</p

Number of papers in health biotechnology by selected countries, 2001–2015.

<p>Source: WOS data [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0191267#pone.0191267.ref052" target="_blank">52</a>].</p

Top 55 publishers in health biotechnology, 2001–2015.

<p>Logarithm scale. Source: WOS data [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0191267#pone.0191267.ref052" target="_blank">52</a>].</p