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La parálisis supranuclear progresiva (PSP) es un parkinsonismo atípico poco común, caracterizado por la presencia de agregados de la proteína tau y determinado por un amplio espectro de características clínicas. El diagnóstico definitivo es post mortem y se identifica a través de la presencia de muerte neuronal, gliosis y agregados de la proteína tau presentados en forma de marañas neurofibrilares con apariencia globosa en regiones como el núcleo subtalámico, la sustancia nigra y el globo pálido. Los hallazgos en los estudios de imagen y los biomarcadores en fluidos no son suficientes para el diagnóstico certero, pero son usados para descartar patologías similares debido a que aún no existen biomarcadores específicos para esta enfermedad. El tratamiento actual se centra en la disminución de la sintomatología, aunque las terapias emergentes buscan contrarrestar los mecanismos fisiopatológicos. Los modelos celulares constituyen una buena herramienta para determinar los mecanismos moleculares subyacentes a la PSP. En México, la PSP ha sido poco estudiada y a menudo su diagnóstico se confunde con la enfermedad de Parkinson; por su gran impacto socioeconómico y en la salud de los pacientes, sus familiares y cuidadores, se requiere más investigación básica y clínica.

Background Uptake of mobile phone surveys (MPS) is increasing in many low- and middle-income countries, particularly within the context of data collection on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) behavioural risk factors. One barrier to collecting representative data through MPS is capturing data from older participants. Respondent driven sampling (RDS) consists of chain-referral strategies where existing study subjects recruit follow-up participants purposively based on predefined eligibility criteria. Adapting RDS strategies to MPS efforts could, theoretically, yield higher rates of participation for that age group. Objective To investigate factors that influence the perceived acceptability of a RDS recruitment method for MPS involving people over 45 years of age living in Colombia. Methods An MPS recruitment strategy deploying RDS techniques was piloted to increase participation of older populations. We conducted a qualitative study that drew from surveys with open and closed-ended items, semi-structured interviews for feedback, and focus group discussions to explore perceptions of the strategy and barriers to its application amongst MPS participants. Results The strategy’s success is affected by factors such as cultural adaptation, institutional credibility and public trust, data protection, and challenges with mobile phone technology. These factors are relevant to individuals’ willingness to facilitate RDS efforts targeting hard-to-reach people. Recruitment strategies are valuable in part because hard-to-reach populations are often most accessible through their contacts within their social network who can serve as trust liaisons and drive engagement. Conclusions These findings may inform future studies where similar interventions are being considered to improve access to mobile phone-based data collection amongst hard-to-reach groups.

Abstract Background Integrated vaccine delivery – the linkage of routine vaccination with provision of other essential health services – is a hallmark of robust primary care systems that has been linked to equitable improvements in population health outcomes. Methods We gathered longitudinal data relating to routine immunization coverage and vaccination equity in 78 low- and middle-income countries that have ever received support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, using multiple imputation to handle missing values. We then estimated several group-based trajectory models to describe the relationship between integrated vaccine delivery and vaccination equity in these countries. Finally, we used multinomial logistic regression to identify predictors of group membership. Results We identified five distinct trajectories of geographic vaccination equity across both the imputed and non-imputed datasets, along with two and four trajectories of socioeconomic vaccination equity in the imputed and non-imputed datasets, respectively. Integration was associated with reductions in the slope index of inequality of measles vaccination in the countries analyzed. Integration was also associated with an increase in the percentage of districts reporting high measles vaccination coverage. Conclusions Integrated vaccine delivery is most strongly associated with improvements in vaccination equity in settings with high baseline levels of inequity. Continued scholarship is needed to further characterize the relationship between integration and health equity, as well as to improve measurement of vaccination coverage and integration.

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot; Bunion Introduction/Purpose: In Hallux Valgus (HV) surgery, the open technique has traditionally been used, which implies aggressive and extensive approaches, not without complications. The goal of surgical treatment of HV is to correct the anatomical deformity and achieve a satisfactory long-term result, without interrupting the biomechanics and weight-bearing function of the first metatarsophalangeal joint complex. In recent years, the use of minimally invasive techniques (MIS) has been a valid alternative due to less soft tissue trauma. The purpose of this study is to compare short-medium term clinical results of the MIBA technique versus the traditional open technique in patients with mild-moderate HV. Methods: A randomized, multicenter clinical trial of patients with HV, operated between January 2019 - January 2022, with a minimum of 1-year follow-up. A total of 39 patients were included; 20 MIBA and 19 with the open technique (Chevron osteotomy). It was evaluated if there were statistically significant differences between: demographic variables; radiologic measurements: Intermetatarsal Angle (IMA); Metatarsal Length (ML); visual analog scale (VAS); Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) metatarsophalangeal- interphalangeal (MTP-IP) and operative wound healing through Photographic Wound Assessment Tool (PWAT) and ASEPSIS score were analyzed. The radiologic measurements and functional scores were collected preoperatively, at 2-6 weeks and 1-year follow-up, while wound scores were at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 1-year follow-up. Results: There were no significant differences concerning age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or smoking between both groups. The average follow-up time of the MIBA group was 14 months and the open technique group 12.9 months. In relation of postoperative soft tissue, MIBA group showed significant differences at 6 weeks in PWAT score (0.06 ± 0.24) but no statistically significant differences at 3 weeks and 1 year of follow-up. There were no significant differences in IMA and ML values at 6 months (p=0.57 vs 0.40) and 1 year (p=0.35 vs 0.11). Regarding functional scores, no significant differences were found preoperatively, at 6 months, and 1-year follow-up. Complications in both groups did not have significant differences either. Conclusion: The MIBA technique is a reliable alternative to the classical technique, with significant differences at 6 weeks in a better evolution of postoperative soft tissue according to the PWAT score, but correcting in the medium term. Concerning radiological, functional outcomes and complications, no significant differences were found at 1-year follow-up. Further follow-up and casuistry are necessary to obtain definitive results.

Fungal plant diseases are a major threat to food security worldwide. Current efforts to identify and list loci involved in different biological processes are more complicated than originally thought, even when complete genome assemblies are available. Despite numerous experimental and computational efforts to characterize gene functions in plants, about ~40% of protein-coding genes in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana L. are still not categorized in the Gene Ontology (GO) Biological Process (BP) annotation. In non-model organisms, such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), the number of BP term annotations is far fewer, ~22%. In the current study, we performed gene co-expression network analysis using eight terabytes of public transcriptome datasets and expression-based functional prediction to categorize and identify loci involved in the response to fungal pathogens. We were able to construct a reference gene network of healthy green tissue (GreenGCN) and a gene network of healthy and stressed root tissues (RootGCN). Both networks achieved robust, high-quality scores on the metrics of guilt-by-association and selective constraints versus gene connectivity. We were able to identify eight modules enriched in defense functions, of which two out of the three modules in the RootGCN were also conserved in the GreenGCN, suggesting similar defense-related expression patterns. We identified 16 WRKY genes involved in defense related functions and 65 previously uncharacterized loci now linked to defense response. In addition, we identified and classified 122 loci previously identified within QTLs or near candidate loci reported in GWAS studies of disease resistance in sunflower linked to defense response. All in all, we have implemented a valuable strategy to better describe genes within specific biological processes.

Introducción: El prolapso de órganos pélvico (POP) es una patología frecuente que afecta hasta el 60% de las mujeres. La fijación alta al ligamento uterosacro (FAUS) transvaginal es una alternativa para el tratamiento del prolapso apical con buenos resultados, tiempos operatorios y de recuperación acotados, además de bajas tasas de complicaciones. Objetivo: Evaluar la tasa de éxito anatómico y subjetivo en pacientes portadoras de un prolapso apical sometidas a FAUS en el Hospital de Quilpué a 24 meses de seguimiento. Materiales y método: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo observacional descriptivo, seleccionando a todas las pacientes sintomáticas con un prolapso apical ≥ 2 de la clasificación de POP-Q, sometidas a una FAUS entre septiembre de 2014 y octubre de 2019. Los datos fueron obtenidos desde la base de datos de la unidad de uroginecología del Hospital de Quilpué, previa aprobación del comité de ética. El éxito objetivo se definió como un punto C a 1 centímetro sobre el himen y el éxito subjetivo con una escala de impresión de mejora global del paciente (PGI-I) mejor o mucho mejor y/o una escala visual analógica (EVA) mayor al 80%, a 24 meses de seguimiento. Resultados: Se incluyeron 46 pacientes. La tasa de éxito objetivo fue del 84% y de éxito subjetivo del 70%. Conclusiones: La FAUS transvaginal con suturas permanentes es una excelente alternativa para el tratamiento del prolapso apical con una tasa de éxito similar al gold standard a 24 meses de seguimiento.

A functional food as a matrix based on a blend of carbohydrate polymers (25% maltodextrin and 75% inulin) with quercetin and Bacillus claussi to supply antioxidant and probiotic properties was prepared by spray drying. The powders were characterized physiochemically, including by moisture adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). The type III adsorption isotherm developed at 35 °C presented a monolayer content of 2.79 g of water for every 100 g of dry sample. The microstructure determined by XRD presented three regions identified as amorphous, semicrystalline, and crystalline-rubbery states. SEM micrographs showed variations in the morphology according to the microstructural regions as (i) spherical particles with smooth surfaces, (ii) a mixture of spherical particles and irregular particles with heterogeneous surfaces, and (iii) agglomerated irregular-shape particles. The blend’s functional performance demonstrated antioxidant activities of approximately 50% of DPPH scavenging capacity and viability values of 6.5 Log10 CFU/g. These results demonstrated that the blend displayed functional food behavior over the complete interval of water activities. The equilibrium state diagram was significant for identifying the storage conditions that promote the preservation of functional food properties and those where the collapse of the microstructure occurs.