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Introduction and Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of supplementation with methyl donors of a diet rich in fat and sugars in a model of NAFLD. Material and methods: Male mice of the C57BL/6J strain with an initial weight of 20-25g were fed with a conventional diet (ND n=8) or a diet high in fats and sugars (HF n=8) for 18 weeks; or with a diet rich in fats and sugars for 10 weeks, plus eight weeks of HF diet + supplementation with methyl group donors (HFMS n=8). At 18 weeks, ITT was performed; it was collected at sacrifice: liver, fat, and serum. Histological and biochemical analyzes were performed and global hepatic DNA methylation was quantified. The trial was approved by the research ethics committee. Results: The supplemented animals (HFMS) showed a decrease in body weight, liver weight and epididymal and visceral fat (p

Introduction and Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of a mixture of Mexican functional foods: Optuna ficus indica, Theobroma cacao and edible crickets (MexMix) over a diet high in fat and fructose-sucrose in a mice model. Materials and methods: Eighteen male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups. Control group: Normal diet (ND). HF Group: High-fat diet and 42% fructose-sucrose water ad libitum. Therapeutic group (MexTHER): HF-diet up to week eight and switch to 8 additional weeks of HF-diet supplemented with 10% nopal, 10% cocoa and 10% cricket. The trial was approved by the research ethics committee. Results: MexTHER group reduced body weight, liver weight, visceral fat, and epididymal fat compared to HF; as well as; serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, insulin, glucose, GIP, leptin, PAI-1 and resistin. Through 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis, we found that MexMix consumption increased the abundance of Lachnospira, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group and Blautia. Besides, the genus Lachnospira showed significantly negative correlations with weight, epididymal fat, serum leptin, cholesterol and AUC-ITT, while Muribaculaceae and Akkermansia genus had a positive correlation with serum PAI-1, resistin, insulin and body weight; and Grammaproteobacteria class had a positive correlation with body weight and levels of cholesterol and LDL. Discussion: Supplementation with MexMix improves biochemical parameters and enriches beneficial bacterial genus in MAFLD models. Conclusion: MexMix supplementation is an attractive nutraceutical strategy for the treatment of diseases associated with excessive consumption of fat and sugar, such as MAFLD. Funding: The resources used in this study were from the hospital without any additional financing Declaration of interest: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Introduction and Objective: This study aimed to assess whether the expression of specific miRNAs and the percentage of DNA methylation of the Peroxisomal Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR) α, γ and δ genes in tissue and liquid biopsy from patients with advanced liver fibrosis (F3 and F4) is associated to the degree of severity. Materials and methods: Transjugular liver biopsy and liquid biopsy were collected from 23 patients with sustained viral response to the hepatitis C virus, with advanced residual fibrosis (F3 and F4). The percentage of methylation in CpG islands of the promoters of the PPARα, PPARγ and PPARδ genes and the expression levels of miRNAs were determined. Masson's trichrome hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed. DNA was extracted from tissues and plasma, and percent methylation was measured by pyrosequencing. Extraction and isolation of miRNAs from liver tissue were performed: miR-21, miR-34, miR-122, miR181b, miR192, miR-200a/b and their expression level compared to miR-16 was evaluated. The trial was approved by the research ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained. Results: Higher promoter methylation percentages were observed in patients with more severe degrees of fibrosis (F4), both in tissue and in liquid biopsy. In addition, overexpression of miRNAs was associated with the degree of fibrosis. Discussion: Epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation and microRNA expression) regulate the expression of multiple genes and their status may be a biomarker associated with the degree of fibrosis. Conclusion: Liquid biopsy is an effective and accessible method for evaluating the degree of fibrosis. Funding: The resources used in this study were from the hospital without any additional financing Declaration of interest: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Background: Acidemia, is associated with reduced cardiac function in animals, but no studies showing an effect of acidemia on cardiac function in humans are reported. In the present study, we examined the effect of acidemia on cardiac function assessed with transpulmonary thermodilution technique with integrated pulse contour analysis (Pulse Contour Cardiac Output, PiCCO™) in a large cohort of critically ill patients. Methods: This was a prospective multicenter observational cross-sectional study of 297 patients from 6 intensive care units in London, England selected from all patients admitted consecutively between May 2018 and March 2019. Measurements of lowest plasma pH and concurrent assessment of cardiac function were obtained. Findings: There was a significant difference between two pH categories (pH ≤ 7.28 vs. pH > 7.28) for the following variables of cardiac function: SVI (difference in means 32.7; 95% CI: 21 to 45 mL/m2; p

Culture of octopuses is still in an experimental stage due to a lack of knowledge about their digestive physiology. This study aimed to determine the temporality of nutrient digestion, absorption and assimilation in 2 species of octopus: the tropical Octopus maya (habitat temperature 22 to 26°C) and the subtropical-temperate O. mimus (15 to 21°C). In both species, the chyme volume displayed 2 peaks over time along the digestive tract: one at the beginning of digestion and a second at the end of the digestion process. These phases were observed in gastric juice (GJ) enzymes, in the flow of nutrients in the digestive gland (DG), in the appearance of metabolites in the hemolymph, and in muscle protein and glycogen levels. The soluble nutrient flow throughout the digestive tract into the DG was similar in both species. However, intracellular digestion was different in O. mimus compared to O. maya; lipids were mobilized faster than proteins in O. mimus, whereas proteins were mobilized faster than lipids in O. maya. This suggests that at low temperatures, the mobilization of lipids could be a biological priority due to their role in membrane protection. In addition, O. mimus displayed more digestive enzyme activity in the GJ and DG compared with O. maya, suggesting that adaptive differences may be related to environmental temperatures.

Zinc sulphide doped with nickel (Ni:ZnS) has many applications in different fields like materials science, electronics, optics, and other industrial applications. Experimentally, a large variety of methods have been developed for Ni:ZnS synthesizing, where the chemical synthesis with capping agent is most successful, but has disadvantages like purity and the low performance. In addition, since there is not also much theoretical information about its features, the electronic and optical response of Ni:ZnS were studied, both experimentally by x-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and theoretically by means of the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, giving an unified understanding of the electrooptical performance of this compound. In the same way, the importance of the inclusion of Ni impurities in the structure was studied and analyzed by the inclusion of a Hubbard potential in the calculations. We found that the optimal U value for Ni atoms is 4 eV in agreement with experimental results obtained by XPS. The dielectric function ( ε _2 ) for pure and doped systems showed that the influence of the Ni atom is mainly given in the range of low energy regions (E

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la Terapia Cognitivo Conductual (TCC) en el éxito de la pérdida de peso postoperatoria tras 2 años de CB. Metodología: Estudio observacional prospectivo en el que se incluyeron pacientes entre 18 y 59 años candidatos a CB, entre enero de 2007 y junio de 2010, realizando seguimiento postoperatorio hasta junio de 2012. Se compararon dos grupos de estudio de acuerdo a su participación en TCC o no. Se tomaron datos de peso corporal y estatura, a partir de las cuales se calculó el IMC y porcentaje de exceso de peso perdido (Peso perdido x 100)/(Peso inicial-Peso ideal), clasificando a los pacientes como exitosos (E) los que logaron un EPP > 50% y como no exitosos (NE) aquellos con EPP < 50%. Asimismo se examinaron psicopatología general (estrés, ansiedad, depresión y autoestima) y específica de la conducta alimentaria (trastorno por atracón y ansia por la comida) mediante test validados para población española. Resultados: De los 35 pacientes intervenidos, 30 respondieron a la valoración postcirugía. 16 de ellos pasaron por TCC antes de la CB y 14 fueron intervenidos sin recibir terapia psico-nutricional, (76% mujeres) con edad media de 41 ± 9,5 años. El IMC basal medio fue de 42 ± 10 y un 45% de los pacientes fueron clasificados como superobesos (IMC: 56 ± 6). La media de exceso de peso perdido (EPP) fue de 77%. Según el EPP se clasificaron como "exitosos" (E) a 17 pacientes (59%) y "no exitosos" a 13 (41%). De los pacientes catalogados como E, el 94% paso por TCC (15 individuos de los 17 totales) comparados con solo el 12% que no la recibió (2 individuos de los 17 totales) con diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0,05). Asimismo, se observo menor incidencia de trastornos psicológicos comparados con los NE. En concreto, resultaron estar significativamente menos ansiosos y estresados y tener mayor autoestima (P < 0,05). En cuanto a la psicopatología específica, por un lado, el ansia por la comida guiada por el hambre, la pérdida de control sobre la ingesta alimentaria y el sentimiento de culpa fue menor en los pacientes que lograron >50% de EPP (p < 0,04, p < 0,001, y p < 0,001, respectivamente). También se observó que este grupo de pacientes hacían menos planes para comer y comían menos por refuerzo positivo (p < 0,03 y p < 0,000, respectivamente) que el grupo de pacientes NE. Conclusiones: Los pacientes que lograron resultados exitosos en la evolución de la perdida de peso a los dos años de CB son en su mayoría (94%) aquellos que recibieron TCC, presentando menor comorbilidad psicológica que los NE. La TCC podría influir positivamente en los resultados postoperatorios.

En este artículo se muestra el desarrollo e implementación de la lógica difusa como herramienta de control de posición para cada una de las articulaciones de un robot tipo PUMA. Se hace una descripción general del robot y se muestra el cálculo del volumen de trabajo, el cual es usado para la fuzzificación en el desarrollo del controlador. Finalmente es mostrado el desarrollo y la simulación del controlador usando la toolbox fuzzy de Matlab, así como la descripción de una implementación realizada en un PLC.In this article, the development and implementation of a fuzzy logic system as position control tool of each one of the joints in a PUMA robot is shown. A general description, which include general descriptions about the robot as workspace and therefore the development of the strategy of control with the definition of the rules in the fuzzification process is also included. Finally are shown the development and simulation of the controller using the fuzzy control toolbox of Matlab and the description of a implementation in a PLC.

Ten 22 year old radiata pine trees growing in two stands in Chile, one in clay and the other in humid sand soils showing some lean, were assessed for chemical composition and wood density of compression wood. Significant differences in type of wood in density (33 kg/m³), lignin (1.944 %), alpha-cellulose (-2.634 %), ethanol toluene extractives (0.567 %) and pentose (0.742 %) were found between matched sample of compression and opposite woods. Differences in juvenile and mature wood were significant for both density (-4 kg/m³) and pentose (1.628 %), and site differences were found for wood density (28 kg/m³), extractives (0.978 %) and apparent for alpha cellulose (1.223%). In comparison with other studies, our results suggested that the compression wood formed from trees with light visible lean corresponded to a mild compression class.Se analizó la madera de compresión en diez árboles de 22 años de edad de Pinus radiata D Don creciendo en dos sitios en Chile, uno en suelo de arena húmeda y el otro en suelo arcilloso. Singularidades de la madera de compresión y madera opuesta se compararon en estos árboles con inclinaciones menores a 10º y excentricidades reducidas. Diferencias significativas se registraron entre madera de compresión y opuesta en los valores registrados para la densidad básica de 33 (kg/m³), en proporción de lignina de 1.944 (%), en alfa-celulosa de -2.634 (%), en pentosanos de 0.742 (%) y en extraíbles en etanol-tolueno de 0.978 (%) y aparentemente diferente en el caso de alfa celulosa en 1.223 (%). Las diferencias entre madera juvenil y madera madura fueron significativas en los casos de la densidad de -4 (kg/m³) y en pentosanos en 1.628 (%), y diferencias entre los dos sitios para los casos de la densidad con 28 (kg/m³), en extractivos con 0.978 (%) y diferencias moderadas en alfa celulosa con 1.223 (%). Las diferencias y coincidencias de estos resultados con los de otros autores se han considerado para estimar que la madera de compresión formada por estos árboles, con inclinaciones reducidas, correspondería al tipo de madera de compresión leve.

RESUMEN. Se presentan las prevalencias, magnitudes y factores determinantes de las anemias nutricionales de mujeres lactantes (ML). Las muestras fueron recolectadas durante la Encuesta Nacional de Nutrición de Costa Rica realizada en 1996. La anemia nutricional se valoró mediante las determinaciones de hemoglobina, ferritina, folatos, cianocobalamina y retinol plasmáticos, con representatividad en el ámbito nacional únicamente para este último micronutriente; las metodologías utilizadas fueron cianometahetamoglobina, ensayo radioinmunorradiométrico de fase sólida, técnica de radioinmunoensayo de fase sólida y cromatografía líquida de alta resolución, respectivamente. Los puntos de corte utilizados fueron los recomendados por la Organización Mundial para la Salud. El 22,1% de las ML presentaron anemia, el 48,7% mostraron deficiencia de hierro y el 84,2 % de folatos. La magnitud de la anemia fue leve y la deficiencia de la de hierro y de folatos severa. La prevalencia de la deficiencia de vitamina B12 y vitamina A fue de 5,3 y 4,9%, respectivamente, y no representaron un problema de salud pública en este grupo a riesgo. La deficiencia que prevaleció fue la mixta (hierro y folatos 46,6%) seguida de la exclusiva en folatos (32%). La anemia fue debida a una deficiencia conjunta de hierro y folatos (61,1%) y casi todas las anemias por deficiencia de hierro se acompañaron de la de folatos (92%). El análisis de regresión logístico mostró que el bajo nivel socioeconómico de las ML y sus familias fue el determinante fundamental en la aparición de las anemias nutricionales, donde intervenciones educativas dirigidas a la madre de familia posiblemente sean recomendadas. Se concluye que la anemia en ML es un problema de salud pública moderado y de tipo nutricional que se mantiene desde hace tres décadas cuya situación posiblemente ha mejorado debido a la medida de salud pública adoptada posterior a este estudio, la fortificación de alimentos con hierro y folatos, pues se ha documentado una reducción de la prevalencia de defectos del tubo neural en la población infantil.SUMMARY: It is reported the prevalence, magnitude and determinant factors of nutritional anaemia in a sample of nursing women (NW), collected during the National Nutrition Survey, of Costa Rica done in 1996. Nutritional anaemia was determinate through measurements of haemoglobin, and plasma ferritin, folates, cianocobalamin and retinol. Methodologies used were cianometahaemoglobin, solid phase inmunoradiometric assay, solid phase radioinmunoassay and high-pressure liquid chromatography. WHO cut-off points were used. Anaemia was present in 22,1% of the women. Iron and folate deficiency were found in 48,7 and 84,2% NW, respectively. The magnitude of anaemia was mild and iron and folate deficiencies were severe. Vitamin B12 and A deficiencies were 5,3 and 4,9%, respectively and did not represent a public health problem in this group. Prevalent deficiency was mixed (iron and folates, 46,6%) followed by exclusive folates deficiency (32%). Anaemia was caused by a combined deficiency of iron and folates (61,1%) and most iron deficiencies were accompanied by folates (92%). The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that low socio-economic level of NW and their families was the principal factor determining the appearance of nutritional anaemia, and educative interventions to the mother are possibly recommended. In conclusion anaemia in NW is a moderate health problem of nutritional type, that is more important when severe folates and iron deficiencies are present in Costa Rica. These problems have remained constant throughout the last three decades; although recently, possibly an improvement has occurred because the prevalence of neural tube defects in the infant population has reduced, maybe due to food iron and folates fortification public health policies implementation.

Objective. To define epidemiologic relationships to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors for nasopharyngeal colonization by antibiotic-resistant pneumococci, their serotypes and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in children attending a daycare center (DCC). Material and Methods. A prospective cohort study was conducted among children (n=53) attending the DCC at Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, which is staffed by 20 employees. Patients were enrolled in the study during a two-year period from September 1997 to September 1999. All the participants were followed prospectively, swabbing them every four months. The strains recovered were typed and screened for susceptibility to several antibiotics. The daycare records were reviewed also. Odds ratios and fisher's exact test: or chi square test of significance were computed from contingency tables as appropriate. Exact 95% confidence intervals were computed for odds ratios. Data analysis was performed using Epi statistics program version 6.04 a. Results. Pneumococci were recovered from 45/53 of the infants at one or more visits. A total of 178 isolates were carried. The carriage rate was 47%. Only 7 adults acquired pneumococci during the study. Types 6,14,19 and 23 were prevalent and represented 77% of the total. Antibiotic-resistant strains were higher to penicillin and erythromycin. Conclusions. Children were frequent carriers of pneumococci, the rate of carriage was high in infancy and tended to decrease with age. The types commonly carried by children were the same as those causing invasive disease. There is a high proportion of carriers with antibiotic-resistant S. pneumoniae strains. Children who have had frequent antimicrobial courses are at particular risk.

El río San Pedro es el principal cuerpo de agua superficial del Estado de Aguascalientes. Cruza la entidad en dirección norte-sur, cubriendo una distancia en línea recta de aproximadamente 90 km, hasta su confluencia con el río Santiago en el Estado de Jalisco. Con la finalidad de estudiar el nivel de contaminación del río y la probable infiltración de contaminantes al acuífero del Valle de Aguascalientes, se tomaron muestras de agua y sedimentos de 50 sitios seleccionados a lo largo del río. Se evaluaron además 17 pozos aledaños al río (a menos de 300 m). Se realizaron dos campañas de muestreo, una en temporada de sequía y otra posterior a las lluvias. Se determinó pH, oxígeno disuelto, DBO5, DQO, P-total, N-total, fenoles, anilinas, detergentes (SAAM), coliformes fecales y metales pesados (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb y Zn). El agua del río San Pedro presentó elevadas concentraciones de materia orgánica, P-total, N-total, detergentes y coliformes fecales. Algunos sitios mostraron contaminación moderada por Al y Fe. De acuerdo con los criterios de la Agencia de Protección al Ambiente de los Estados Unidos, todos los sedimentos presentaron contaminación por As; el 50% de los mismos por Pb y Zn, el 25% con Cu y aproximadamente el 13% con Mn y Cr. Tres sedimentos presentaron contaminación moderada por Fe y otros tres por Hg. Los resultados obtenidos en los pozos de agua no mostraron evidencia concluyente de contaminación del acuífero por aguas superficiales

The behavior of fungi species Sincephalastrum racemosam, Monoascus ruber and Trichophyton mentagmphytes on a substrate prepared with a mixture of Acacia glomerosa and Enterolobium cyclocarpum exudates was assessed. These native polymers are constituted by galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, uronic acid and proteins, presenting nitrogen, calcium and magnesium as trace elements. Colony morphology and laminate culture studies were made. Micromorphological characteristics of each of these fungi species were unmistakably observed in the gum substrate; these were comparable to those observed in the reference culture: dried leaves of Canna generalis. The growth and development of S. racemosum, M. ruber and T. mentagrophytes in the gum exudate mixture may be related to the enzymatic ability of these fungi to use the carbón source of the polymers. The results obtained confirm the benefits of the gum exudate substrate as an ideal culture medium for the identification of fungi. This fact may have economical implications since these substrates may begin to compete with traditional cultures

Objectives: To analyse the changes in stroke mortality trends in Spain by autonomous community and by sex during the period 1980-2016, using joinpoint regression models. Methods: Mortality data were obtained from the Spanish National Statistics Institute. Crude and standardised rates were calculated for each Spanish autonomous community, and for each sex. Joinpoint analysis was used to identify the best-fitting points showing a statistically significant change in the trend. Results: Joinpoint analysis enabled us to differentiate between communities in which mortality rates showed a continuous decline throughout the study period in both sexes (Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and Leon, Ceuta, and Melilla) or in men only (Extremadura). In men, in all those communities in which changes in the trend were observed (all but Aragon, the Balearic Islands, and Murcia, where rates remained stable), we observed an initial period of decline (ranging from –3.4% in Catalonia and Extremadura, to –6.0% in Madrid) and a final period where the trends diverged: mortality rates continued to fall in Andalusia, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, and Madrid, but began to stabilise in Castile-La Mancha and Murcia and to increase in the Canary Islands. In women, in those communities where changes were observed (all but Aragon, Murcia, and the Basque Country, where rates remained stable), we observed an initial period of decline (ranging from –3.1% in Catalonia to –6.4% in Navarre) and a final period where divergent trends were observed: rates continued to decline in Andalusia, Aragon, Catalonia, Galicia, Madrid, and the Basque Country, but began to stabilise in Extremadura and Murcia and to increase in the Canary Islands. Conclusions: Current data show that stroke mortality rates have decreased (in women in Andalusia), stabilised (in both sexes in Murcia, in men in Castile-La Mancha, and in women in Extremadura), and have even reversed (in both sexes in the Canary Islands). Further study is needed to identify the causes of these trends. Resumen: Objetivos: Analizar los cambios en las tendencias de la mortalidad por enfermedades cerebrovasculares según comunidad autónoma y sexo en España durante el período 1980-2016 utilizando modelos de regresión joinpoint. Métodos: Los datos de mortalidad se obtuvieron del Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Para cada comunidad autónoma y sexo, se calcularon las tasas brutas y estandarizadas. El análisis de regresión joinpoint se utilizó para identificar los puntos más adecuados donde se produjo un cambio estadísticamente significativo en la tendencia. Resultados: El análisis joinpoint permite diferenciar comunidades en las que las tasas muestran un descenso continuado a lo largo de todo el periodo en ambos sexos (Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y León, Ceuta y Melilla) o sólo en los hombres (Extremadura). En los hombres, en aquellas comunidades en las que se observan cambios en la tendencia se aprecia, en todas ellas (excepto en Aragón, Baleares, y Murcia donde las tasas permanecen estables), un primer periodo de descenso que oscila entre el −3,4% en Cataluña y Extremadura y el −6,0% en Madrid y un periodo final donde las tasas muestran tendencias divergentes: siguen descendiendo en Andalucía, Aragón, Baleares y Madrid, han comenzado a estabilizarse en Castilla-La Mancha y Murcia y aumentan en Canarias. En las mujeres, en aquellas comunidades en las que se observan cambios en la tendencia se aprecia, en todas ellas (excepto en Aragón, Murcia y País Vasco donde las tasas permanecen estables), un primer periodo de descenso que oscila entre el −3,1% en Cataluña y el −6,4% en Navarra y un periodo final donde las tasas muestran tendencias divergentes: siguen descendiendo en Andalucía, Aragón, Cataluña, Galicia, Madrid y País Vasco, han comenzado a estabilizarse en Extremadura y Murcia y aumentan en Canarias. Conclusiones: Los datos actuales muestran que las tasas de mortalidad por ECV se han desacelerado (en las mujeres de Andalucía), estancado (en ambos sexos en Murcia, en hombres en Castilla-La Mancha y en mujeres en Extremadura) e, incluso, se han revertido (en hombres y mujeres en Canarias). Las causas de estas tendencias requieren más estudios.

Background and ObjectivesIn preparation for the suspected influx of COVID-19 patients, many healthcare systems reduced or discontinued provision of “non-urgent” care. This decision had potential impact on stroke prevention and management. We conducted a large population survey to assess the effect of mandatory social isolation on routine health controls, emergency consultations and other stroke care-related behaviors of the population during the pandemic.MethodsWe distributed multiple-choice anonymous questionnaires through the institutional email database and through the email database of clients of a beverage delivery company. Most respondents resided in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires. This is the area where the infection rates were highest and restriction measures were hardest. The survey assessed demographic characteristics and actual and potential behaviors of people regarding medical checkups, risk factors control, medication provision and response to onset of symptoms consistent with stroke or TIA. Surveys were sent during May 2020, the strictest period of the quarantine in Argentina.ResultsA total of 10,303 questionnaires were completed. Thirty-seven percent of the respondents were older than 60 years, 74% were women and 16% lived alone. Vascular risk factors were present in 39% of the individuals. Seventy-six percent did not continue with their regular medical checkups during the mandatory social and preventive isolation, 21% had difficulty obtaining medical prescriptions and only 38% considered that health institutions had implemented reliable safety measures to avoid exposure to COVID-19. When asked about response in case of onset of stroke symptoms, 9% would not consult given the context of the pandemic. Six percent reported having had symptoms consistent with stroke or TIA but only 35% went to a hospital. The vast majority of the respondents said they were awaiting for the end of the quarantine to resume their usual medical care.ConclusionsThe implementation of a quarantine may have some serious adverse effects on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of stroke. These undesirable aspects should be taken into consideration in the planning, communication and implementation of health policies.

Summary Microorganisms strongly influence and are required to generate the selective substrate that provides nutrients and support for fungal growth, and ultimately to induce mushroom fructification under controlled environmental conditions. In this work, the fungal and bacterial microbiota living in the different substrates employed in a commercial crop (compost phase I, II and III, flush 1 and 2, and casing material on day 1, 6 and 8 after compost casing and during flush 1 and 2) have been characterized along the different stages of cultivation by metataxonomic analysis (16S rRNA and ITS2), analysis of phospholipid fatty acid content (PLFAs) and RT‐qPCR. Additionally, laccase activity and the content of lignin and complex carbohydrates in compost and casing have been quantified. The bacterial diversity in compost and casing increased throughout the crop cycle boosted by the connection of both substrates. As reflected by the PLFAs, the total living bacterial biomass appears to be negatively correlated with the mycelium of the crop. Agaricus bisporus was the dominant fungal species in colonized substrates, displacing the pre‐eminent Ascomycota, accompanied by a sustained increase in laccase activity, which is considered to be a major product of protein synthesis during the mycelial growth of champignon. From phase II onwards, the metabolic machinery of the fungal crop degrades lignin and carbohydrates in compost, while these components are hardly degraded in casing, which reflects the minor role of the casing for nourishing the crop. The techniques employed in this study provide a holistic and detailed characterization of the changing microbial composition in commercial champignon substrates. The knowledge generated will contribute to improve compost formulations (selection of base materials) and accelerate compost production, for instance, through biotechnological interventions in the form of tailored biostimulants and to design environmentally sustainable bio‐based casing materials.

La alergia al veneno de abejas provoca reacciones de leves a severas con compromiso para la vida. La inmunoterapia con veneno de himenópteros es un tratamiento eficaz y protege a los pacientes alérgicos de sufrir reacciones sistémicas ante nuevas picaduras. Nos propusimos caracterizar los pacientes alérgicos a picaduras de abeja que reciben inmunoterapia. Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte longitudinal en pacientes alérgicos a las picaduras de abeja tratados con inmunoterapia de extracto de abeja en el Hospital Universitario “General Calixto García” de La Habana, Cuba. La muestra fue de 17 pacientes que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Usamos técnicas de estadística descriptiva: promedio, probabilidad y puntaje estandarizado, así como técnicas de estadística inferencial tales como Chi cuadrado, verificando asociación significativa entre las variables; el nivel de significación empleado fue del 5% (p˂0,05). La tercera década de la vida fue la edad promedio de los pacientes. Se observó predominio del sexo masculino y residencia en zona urbana. Alrededor de la mitad de los pacientes tenían rinitis y antecedentes familiares de asma. Todos los pacientes tuvieron reacciones locales, la mayoría se re-expusieron a la picadura; de ellos, solo el 20% presentaron reacciones alérgicas sistémicas después de la inmunoterapia. Se concluye que la reactividad cutánea al extracto de abeja se redujo con el tratamiento de inmunoterapia.

Quorum sensing (QS) and type III secretion systems (T3SSs) are among the most attractive anti-virulence targets for combating multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Some halogenated furanones reduce QS-associated virulence, but their role in T3SS inhibition remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the inhibition of these two systems on Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence. The halogenated furanones (Z)-4-bromo-5-(bromomethylene)-2(5H) (C-30) and 5-(dibromomethylene)-2(5H) (named hereafter GBr) were synthesized, and their ability to inhibit the secretion of type III exoenzymes and QS-controlled virulence factors was analyzed in P. aeruginosa PA14 and two clinical isolates. Furthermore, their ability to prevent bacterial establishment was determined in a murine cutaneous abscess model. The GBr furanone reduced pyocyanin production, biofilm formation, and swarming motility in the same manner or more effectively than C-30. Moreover, both furanones inhibited the secretion of ExoS, ExoT, or ExoU effectors in all tested strains. The administration of GBr (25 and 50 µM) to CD1 mice infected with the PA14 strain significantly decreased necrosis formation in the inoculation zone and the systemic spread of bacteria more efficiently than C-30 (50 µM). Molecular docking analysis suggested that the gem position of bromine in GBr increases its affinity for the active site of the QS LasR regulator. Overall, our findings showed that the GBr furanone displayed efficient multi-target properties that may favor the development of more effective anti-virulence therapies.

Tick-borne diseases including rickettsial diseases are increasing in incidence worldwide. Many rickettsial pathogens can cause disease which is commonly underdiagnosed and underreported; Rickettsia pathogens in the spotted fever group (SFGR) are thus classified as neglected bacterial pathogens. The Central American region shoulders a large proportion of the global neglected disease burden; however, little is known regarding SFGR disease here. Although development varies, four of the seven countries in this region have both the highest poverty rates and SFGR disease burdens (El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua), compared to Belize, Panama, and Costa Rica. Utilizing the Human Development Index (HDI), we compared published articles related to SFGR Rickettsia prevalence in the lowest-HDI-scoring countries to the highest-HDI-scoring countries. Our analysis identified a distinct dichotomy in publication, and by proxy, potentially awareness and knowledge of SFGR tick-borne disease in Central America, where the least-developed countries are at the highest risk for, yet the most vulnerable to, SFGR disease.