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ABSTRACT: Spermatozoa experience oxidative, osmotic, chemical, and thermal stresses when cooled, which degrade the quality and fertilizing capacity of the cells. Adding antioxidants to the sperm extender mitigates these alterations. This study evaluated the effect of isoespintanol (ISO) on boar semen subjected to cooling. Fifteen ejaculates from five boars (Susscrofadomestica) were extended in Beltsville thawing solution (BTS) supplemented with 0 µM (control), 5 µM (ISO5), 10 µM (ISO10), 15 µM (ISO15), 20 µM (ISO20), 25 µM (ISO25), and 30 µM (ISO30) of ISO, which were then cooled for five days at 16 °C. Sperm kinetics, total motility (TM), and progressive motility (PM) were evaluated every 24 h using an IVOS computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. On day 1 and day 5 of cooling, a hypoosmotic test, spectrofluorometry, and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate the following: membrane functionality, measured as a function of hypoosmotic swelling (HOS); total antioxidant capacity (TAC); reactive oxygen species (ROS); and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δ¥M). Regression analysis and comparison of means using the Duncan test were performed. The ISO added had a slight impact on sperm motility, as evidenced by a reduction in TM at 24 h of cooling (but not prior) with the addition of 20 µM of ISO. Similarly, no effect of the ISO on the kinetics and functional integrity of the sperm membrane was observed at 96 h of cooling; however, the regression coefficients indicated that the ISO lowered the rate of decrease in sperm motility and the proportion of rapid spermatozoa relative to the concentration of ISO used. The ISO did not affect the TAC of the cooled semen; however, different concentrations of ISO lowered ROS production in the semen after 96 h of cooling. ISO also impacted the Δ¥M of the spermatozoa at 0 h of cooling, increasing the proportion of low Δ¥M cells and decreasing the proportion of high Δ¥M cells. In conclusion, ISO can reduce the loss of quality and oxidative stress occurring in boar semen during cooling and can modulate the mitochondrial activity of sperm.

The study site, a major teaching hospital in Dublin, Ireland, addressed significant challenges within its dermatology service through a comprehensive improvement initiative using a person-centred Lean Six Sigma methodology. Initially, the hospital's dermatology department faced excessive outpatient waiting times, with 3736 patients awaiting appointments, and 1615 waiting over 12 months. The person-centred Lean Six Sigma approach, which combines Lean techniques to reduce non-value add and Six Sigma methods to eliminate variation through a person-centred lens, was applied to overhaul the referral, triage, and scheduling processes. Key interventions included standardising triage categories, centralising the triage process, and redistributing referrals equitably among consultants. A new centralised triage system was established, leading to a more efficient allocation of appointments and better management of urgent cases. Post-implementation data showed a 40% reduction in the overall waiting list and a 60% reduction in the number of patients waiting over 12 months. The initiative significantly decreased the wait times across all urgency categories, with the most notable improvements in soon and urgent referrals. These changes were also the impetus for a follow-up design-led innovation phase, where the team worked with partners across the educational and healthcare system to enable disruptive change. The success of this project provides a scalable model for improvements in similar healthcare settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El presente trabajo tiene la finalidad de evidenciar la epidemiología del COVID-19, en la zona sur de Manabí, dado que se desconoce hasta el momento el impacto que esta enfermedad ha causado en esta localidad. Se analiza la incidencia en Ecuador, en específico Guayas y Manabí, para comparar su epidemiología. Se realizó un estudio documental de tipo descriptivo, utilizando artículos recuperados de bases de datos científicas, se realizó la búsqueda de información en los boletines epidemiológicos del MSP del país. Se evidenció que la epidemiología del COVID-19, en la zona sur de Manabí, Jipijapa ha sido el cantón más afectado, con 324 (61,25%). El resto de los casos estuvieron distribuidos en Paján 130 (24,57%) y Puerto López 75 (14,18%). El género masculino resultó con una frecuencia de 54,10% de los casos confirmados, y el rango de edad que predominó fue de 29 a 49 años (59%). La afectación por COVID-19 en Manabí ha sido continua desde el inicio de la pandemia, pero significativamente más baja. Guayas y Pichincha ocupan actualmente las dos primeras posiciones. En el Sur de Manabí, Jipijapa ocupa el primer lugar en afectación, llegando a triplicar la casuística de casos confirmados del resto del sur de Manabí

En el presente artículo se propone una metodología de planeación y control de la producción a mediano plazo para una industria del sector textil en un ambiente make to order. La metodología se basa en dos fases. En la primera fase se desarrolla un modelo de planeación agregada, que permite calcular las cantidades a producir en el taller de confección y la cantidad de prendas a maquilar, de tal forma que se maximice el beneficio total para la industria en el horizonte de planeación. En la segunda fase se plantea un modelo de programación de operaciones cuyo objetivo es secuenciar las cantidades a fabricar en el taller, de tal forma que se minimice el make span. Las dos fases propuestas constituyen una importante herramienta para apoyar la toma de decisiones sobre la gestión de la producción en industrias del sector textil.

Introdução: A enfermagem pediátrica deve estar atenta aos subsídios da assistência que tornem possível um melhor manejo da dor e da ansiedade oriundas da hospitalização infantil, geralmente, causadas pela realização de procedimentos invasivos como a punção venosa. O uso do Brinquedo Terapêutico Instrucional (BTI) pode representar uma intervenção eficaz para lidar com os efeitos negativos da hospitalização. Objetivo: Comparar as reações manifestadas pela criança frente ao preparo para punção venosa antes e após o uso do BTI. Materiais e Métodos: A pesquisa é analítica, exploratória e de abordagem quantitativa. Para análise dos dados foi utilizado o teste de McNemar. A amostra consistiu de 21 crianças hospitalizadas, pré-escolares e escolares, a coleta deu-se entre junho e agosto de 2012, em unidade de internação pediátrica do Crato, CE (Brasil). Resultados e Discussão: Após o uso do BTI, observou-se uma redução na frequência de variáveis comportamentais que indicam menor adaptação ao procedimento, com significância estatística em especial para: “Solicita a presença Materna” e “Evita olhar para o Profissional” (p

El estudio de la circulación monetaria durante la llamada era de “banca libre” en Colombia (1865-1885) muestra patrones diferentes según las regiones. Este trabajo estudia la complementariedad y sustitución entre la moneda metálica acuñada legalmente y los billetes de bancos privados. Se pone en evidencia la existencia de mecanismos de sustitución entre monedas de oro y billetes bancarios para el caso de Antioquia, mientras que en el caso de Bogotá no se puede afirmar que la evidencia sea concluyente. El patrón de comportamiento de la acuñación de monedas de plata, por el contrario, muestra complementariedad con el billete de banco en ambas regiones. Este trabajo concluye que en Colombia se presentó una forma de Ley de Gresham particular. Se muestra evidencia que permitiría concluir que las diferenciasregionales en el funcionamiento de este mecanismo se deben a la especialización de la región de Medellín (estado de Antioquia) como mayor productor y exportador de oro, de donde se puede inferir un mayor costo de oportunidad de la circulación de este metal y una tendencia a adoptar más fácilmente formas de moneda fiduciaria. Esto no es completamente cierto para Bogotá, cuya economía se especializa en agricultura, servicios comerciales y artesanado.

Background: Identification of lymph nodes (LNs) draining a specific site or in obese macaques can be challenging. Methods: Indocyanine Green (ICG) was administered intradermal (ID), intramuscular, in the oral mucosa, or subserosal in the colon followed by Near Infrared (NIR) imaging. Results: After optimization to maximize LN identification, intradermal ICG was successful in identifying 50–100% of the axillary/inguinal LN at a site. Using NIR, collection of peripheral and mesenteric LNs in obese macaques was 100% successful after traditional methods failed. Additionally, guided collection of LNs draining the site of intraepithelial or intramuscular immunization demonstrated significantly increased numbers of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in germinal centers of draining compared to nondraining LNs. Conclusion: These imaging techniques optimize our ability to evaluate immune changes within LNs over time, even in obese macaques. This approach allows for targeted serial biopsies that permit confidence that draining LNs are being harvested throughout the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We examined whether providing active outreach and assistance to crime victims as part of comprehensive psychosocial services reduced disparities in access to state compensation funds. Methods. We analyzed data from a randomized trial of injured crime victims (N = 541) and compared outcomes from comprehensive psychosocial services with usual community care. We examined the impact of outreach and assistance on disparities in applying for victim compensation by testing for interactions between victim characteristics and treatment condition in logistic regression analyses. Results. Victims receiving comprehensive services were much more likely to apply for victim compensation than were victims receiving usual care. Comprehensive services decreased disparities associated with younger age, lower levels of education, and homelessness. Conclusions. State-level victim compensation funds are available to help individuals recover physically, psychologically, and financially from crime victimization. However, few crime victims apply for victim compensation, and there are particularly low application rates among young, male, ethnic minority, and physical assault victims. Active outreach and assistance can address disparities in access to victim compensation funds for disadvantaged populations and should be offered more widely to victims of violent crime. (doi:10.2105/AJPH.2007.113639)

Background: Asthma exacerbations cause lung hyperinflation, elevation in load to inspiratory muscles, and decreased breathing capacity that, in severe cases, may lead to inspiratory muscle fatigue and respiratory failure. Hyperinflation has been attributed to a passive mechanical origin; a respiratory system time-constant too long for full exhalation. However, because the increase in volume is also concurrent with activation of inspiratory muscles during exhalation it is unclear whether hyperinflation in broncho-constriction is a passive phenomenon or is actively controlled to avoid airway closure. Methods: Using CT scanning, we measured the distensibility of individual segmental airways relative to that of their surrounding parenchyma in seven subjects with asthma and nine healthy controls. With this data we tested whether the elevation of lung volume measured after methacholine (MCh) provocation was associated with airway narrowing, or to the volume required to preventing airway closure. We also tested whether the reduction in FVC post-MCh could be attributed to gas trapped behind closed segmental airways. Findings: The changes in lung volume by MCh in subjects with and without asthma were inversely associated with their reduction in average airway lumen. This finding would be inconsistent with hyperinflation by passive elevation of airway resistance. In contrast, the change in volume of each subject was associated with the lung volume estimated to cause the closure of the least stable segmental airway of his/her lungs. In addition, the measured drop in FVC post MCh was associated with the estimated volume of gas trapped behind closed segmental airways at RV. Conclusions: Our data supports the concept that hyperinflation caused by MCh-induced bronchoconstriction is the result of an actively controlled process where parenchymal distending forces on airways are increased to counteract their closure. To our knowledge, this is the first imaging-based study that associates inter-subject differences in whole lung behavior with the interdependence between individual airways and their surrounding parenchyma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, classical and Bayesian inference methods are introduced to analyze lifetime data sets in the presence of left censoring considering two generalizations of the Lindley distribution: a first generalization proposed by Ghitany et al. [Power Lindley distribution and associated inference, Comput. Statist. Data Anal. 64 (2013), pp. 20-33], denoted as a power Lindley distribution and a second generalization proposed by Sharma et al. [The inverse Lindley distribution: A stress-strength reliability model with application to head and neck cancer data, J. Ind. Prod. Eng. 32 (2015), pp. 162-173], denoted as an inverse Lindley distribution. In our approach, we have used a distribution obtained from these two generalizations denoted as an inverse power Lindley distribution. A numerical illustration is presented considering a dataset of thyroglobulin levels present in a group of individuals with differentiated cancer of thyroid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several probability distributions have been proposed in the literature, especially with the aim of obtaining models that are more flexible relative to the behaviors of the density and hazard rate functions. Recently, two generalizations of the Lindley distribution were proposed in the literature: the power Lindley distribution and the inverse Lindley distribution. In this article, a distribution is obtained fromthese two generalizations and named as inverse power Lindley distribution. Some properties of this distribution and study of the behavior of maximum likelihood estimators are presented and discussed. It is also applied considering two real datasets and compared with the fits obtained for alreadyknown distributions. When applied, the inverse power Lindley distribution was found to be a good alternative for modeling survival data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Allergic non-asthmatic (ANA) adults experience upper airway symptoms of allergic disease such as rhinorrhea, congestion and sneezing without symptoms of asthma. The aim of this study was to utilize PET-CT functional imaging to determine whether allergen challenge elicits a pulmonary response in ANA subjects or whether their allergic disease is truly isolated to the upper airways. Methods: In 6 ANA subjects, bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) were performed at baseline and 24h after instillation of an allergen and a diluent in separate lung lobes. After instillation (10h), functional imaging was performed to quantify and compare regional perfusion, ventilation, fractional gas content (Fgas), and glucose uptake rate (Ki) between the baseline, diluent and allergen lobes. BAL cell counts were also compared. Results: In ANA subjects, compared to the baseline and diluent lobes, perfusion and ventilation were significantly lower in the allergen lobe (median [inter-quartile range], baseline vs. diluent vs. allergen: Mean-normalized perfusion; 0.87 [0.85–0.97] vs. 0.90 [0.86–0.98] vs. 0.59 [0.55–0.67]; p<0.05. Mean-normalized ventilation 0.89 [0.88–0.98] vs. 0.95 [0.89–1.02] vs. 0.63 [0.52–0.67], p<0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were found in Fgas between baseline, diluent and allergen lobes or in Ki. Total cell counts, eosinophil and neutrophil cell counts (cells/ml BAL) were significantly greater in the allergen lobe compared to the baseline lobe (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Despite having no clinical symptoms of a lower airway allergic response (cough and wheeze) allergic non-asthmatic subjects have a pulmonary response to allergen exposure which manifests as reduced ventilation and perfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms underlying not well-controlled (NWC) asthma remain poorly understood, but accumulating evidence points to peripheral airway dysfunction as a key contributor. The present study tests whether our recently described respiratory system reactance (Xrs) assessment of peripheral airway dysfunction reveals insight into poor asthma control. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of Xrs to asthma control. In 22 subjects with asthma, we measured Xrs (forced oscillation technique), spirometry, lung volumes, and ventilation heterogeneity (inert-gas washout), before and after bronchodilator administration. The relationship between Xrs and lung volume during a deflation maneuver yielded two parameters: the volume at which Xrs abruptly decreased (closing volume) and Xrs at this volume (Xrscrit). Lowered (more negative) Xrscrit reflects reduced apparent lung compliance at high lung volumes due, for example, to heterogeneous airway narrowing and unresolved airway closure or near closure above the critical lung volume. Asthma control was assessed via the 6-point Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ6). NWC asthma was defined as ACQ6 > 1.0. In 10 NWC and 12 well-controlled subjects, ACQ6 was strongly associated with postbronchodilator (post-BD) Xrscrit (R² = 0.43, P < 0.001), independent of all measured variables, and was a strong predictor of NWC asthma (receiver operator characteristic area = 0.94, P < 0.001). By contrast, Xrs measures at lower lung volumes were not associated with ACQ6. Xrscrit itself was significantly associated with measures of gas trapping and ventilation heterogeneity, thus confirming the link between Xrs and airway closure and heterogeneity. Residual airway dysfunction at high lung volumes assessed via Xrscrit is an independent contributor to asthma control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid arterial O2 desaturation during apnea in the preterm infant has obvious clinical implications but to date no adequate explanation for why it exists. Understanding the factors influencing the rate of arterial O2 desaturation during apnea (ṠaO2 ) is complicated by the non-linear O2 dissociation curve, falling pulmonary O2 uptake, and by the fact that O2 desaturation is biphasic, exhibiting a rapid phase (stage 1) followed by a slower phase when severe desaturation develops (stage 2). Using a mathematical model incorporating pulmonary uptake dynamics, we found that elevated metabolic O2 consumption accelerates ṠaO2 throughout the entire desaturation process. By contrast, the remaining factors have a restricted temporal influence: low pre-apneic alveolar PO2 causes an early onset of desaturation, but thereafter has little impact; reduced lung volume, hemoglobin content or cardiac output, accelerates ṠaO2 during stage 1, and finally, total blood O2 capacity (blood volume and hemoglobin content) alone determines ṠaO2 during stage 2. Preterm infants with elevated metabolic rate, respiratory depression, low lung volume, impaired cardiac reserve, anemia, or hypovolemia, are at risk for rapid and profound apneic hypoxemia. Our insights provide a basic physiological framework that may guide clinical interpretation and design of interventions for preventing sudden apneic hypoxemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from a randomized trial (N = 329), this study examines which low-income urban crime victims initiate case management and/or trauma-focused psychotherapy offered following emergency medical treatment. More hyperarousal symptoms, fewer avoidance symptoms, and interest in discussing one's injuries predicted case management initiation. Being stably housed, employed, and having fewer avoidance symptoms predicted psychotherapy initiation, while being a weekly drug user was associated with decreased odds of initiating psychotherapy. Results suggest that active outreach to urban crime victims may diminish gender and ethnic disparities typically seen in treatment settings, but that certain subgroups of victims with high service needs may require additional engagement efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examines gender differences in victim and crime characteristics in an effort to determine the extent to which sexual assault is a similar experience for men and for women. Data from a routine structured interview was obtained from medical charts of 842 women and 128 men seen at an urban hospital-based rape treatment center Demographic characteristics were similar, although males were more like to identify as gay or bisexual, and women were more likely to be of minority ethnicity. Men were more likely to report acute psychiatric symptoms, a history of psychiatric disorder, and a history of psychiatric hospitalization. Women were more likely to experience vaginal or anal penetration, to sustain injuries, and to make a police report. Implications for services for both men and women are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent literature on prostitution, there has been a focus on HIV which has tended to exclude discussion of the physical and sexual violence which precedes and which is intrinsic to prostitution. The literature of two time periods (1980-84 and 1992-1996) is critically reviewed in order to describe this trend. The normalization of prostitution in the medical and social sciences literature, the tendency to blame the victim of sexual exploitation, and the ways in which racism and poverty are an inextricable part of prostitution are discussed here. The social invisibility of prostitution, needs of women escaping prostitution, and an overview of recent criminal justice responses to prostitution are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: TNBC is an aggressive phenotype that is responsible for a majority of breast cancer related deaths. Chemotherapy is the current mainstay treatment for TNBC but sideffects remain an issue. Tumor associated mucin 1 (tMUC1), an aberrantly glycosylated transmembrane glycoprotein, is overexpressed in >90% of TNBCs. hTAB004, a tMUC1-specific antibody, was radiolabeled to develop targeted TNBC treatment. Methods: hTAB004 was conjugated to DOTA-NHS, purified, formulated in a metal free buffer and radiolabeled with Indium-111 or Actinium-225. In vivo and ex vivo biodistribution studies of 111In-DOTA-hTAB004 were performed in HCC70 xenograft tumor-bearing female NSG mice using SPECT/CT imaging. Therapeutic efficacy of 225Ac-DOTA-hTAB004 was determined in HCC70 xenograft tumor-bearing female nude mice. Results In vivo biodistribution data revealed increased accumulation of 111In-DOTA-hTAB004 in the tumor over 120 hrs. Ex vivo biodistribution data showed 46% ID/g uptake of 111In-DOTA-hTAB004 in the tumor, >3-fold higher than in the next highest uptake organ, the spleen. Tumor volumes decreased by > 89% in mice treated with 225Ac-DOTAhTAB004 (18kBq), but continued to grow in the control group that received DOTA-hTAB004 alone. 100% of treated mice survived until the end of the study while all mice in control group died by day 35. Conclusions: Radiolabeled hTAB004 is a promising targeted treatment for TNBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common noninfectious pulmonary disease among people living with HIV, independent of smoking. However, the cause for this enhanced susceptibility remains unclear, and the effects of HIV on pulmonary perfusion and ventilation are unknown. Methods: We used PET/CT in 46 smokers and nonsmokers, 23 of whom had documented HIV infection. Emphysema was assessed by CT and perfusion by 13 N ( 13 NN) PET scans. After removal of image noise, vertical and axial gradients in perfusion were calculated. We tested for differences in the total spatial heterogeneity of perfusion (CV 2 Qtotal ) and its components (CV 2 Qtotal = CV 2 Qvgrad [vertical gradient] + CV 2 Qzgrad [axial gradient] + CV 2 Qr [residual heterogeneity]) among groups. Results: There were no significant differences in demographic parameters among groups, and all subjects had minimal radiographic evidence of emphysema. Compared with controls, nonsmokers living with HIV had a significantly greater CV 2 Qr /CV 2 Qtotal (0.48 vs. 0.36, P = 0.05) and reduced CV 2 Qvgrad /CV 2 Qtotal (0.46 vs. 0.65, P = 0.038). Smokers also had a reduced CV 2 Qvgrad /CV 2 Qtotal , however, there was no significant difference in CV 2 Qvgrad /CV 2 Qtotal between smokers living with and without HIV (0.39 vs. 0.34, P = 0.58), despite a decreased vertical perfusion gradient (Qv grad ) in smokers living with HIV. Conclusion: In nonsmokers living with well-controlled HIV and minimal radiographic emphysema, HIV infection contributes to pulmonary perfusion abnormalities similar to smokers. These data indicate the onset of subclinical pulmonary perfusion abnormalities that could herald the development of significant lung disease in these susceptible individuals., (© 2021 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.)

Objectives: To evaluate the in vitro photodynamic activity of aluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate chloride (AlPcClS4) on promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania (Viannia) peruviana and Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis., Materials and Methods: The activity of photodynamic therapy using AlPcClS4 on Leishmania promastigote and amastigotes was determined by the Methyl Thiazole Tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric method and quantitative PCR, respectively., Results: Photodynamic treatment showed an inhibitory effect on promastigotes, particularly on Leishmania (V.) peruviana, to a lesser extent on Leishmania (V.) braziliensis and also on intracellular forms of both species. At 24 hours post-radiation, using concentrations of 200 μM and 350 μM, the inhibitory effect on Leishmania (V.) peruviana was 72.9% and 73.9% respectively; at 96 hours the inhibitory effect was of 78.8% and 80.6%, respectively. Regarding intracellular forms, the inhibitory effect on Leishmania (V.) peruviana amastigotes was 57.8% at 72 hours post-treatment, using a concentration of 200 μM. The IC50 was 56.5, 50, 44 and 39.7 μM, at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours post-radiation, respectively., Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy using AlPcClS4 against Leishmania species showed encouraging results, mainly on Leishmania (V.) peruviana, suggesting a potential use as an alternative or complement to the usual treatment of tegumentary leishmaniasis. However, new trials are still required to determine the selectivity index for the intracellular form of the parasite, and to develop methods to facilitate the efficient entry of the molecule into the host cell and the parasite.