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Introduction: Articles published in the literature report neurological manifestations or “complications” of SARS-CoV-2 infection and conclude that the different neurological manifestations are relatively similar, but with different frequencies. This study aimed to determine the frequency of neurological manifestations of COVID-19 and to identify which are associated with mortality. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of all patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR at Hospital 1° de Octubre, in Mexico, from the beginning of the pandemic to 22 December 2020. A total of 561 patients were identified, 370 of whom presented neurological manifestations. Results: The global mortality rate was 37.8% (140/370), increasing to 92.4% among intubated patients (135/146). Of the 370 patients included, approximately 20% of neurological symptoms (headache, neurological impairment, anosmia, ageusia) accounted for 80% of cases of neurological manifestations. Conclusions: At our hospital, 80% of the patients with neurological manifestations of COVID-19 presented headache, neurological impairment, ageusia, and/or anosmia. Neurological impairment at admission or before arriving at hospital was identified as a risk factor for mortality. Resumen: Introducción: Los artículos se han referido a manifestaciones neurológicas o «complicaciones» producidas por el SARS-CoV-2, concluyendo que las diferentes manifestaciones neurológicas han sido relativamente similares, pero con diferentes proporciones. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio es cuantificar las manifestaciones neurológicas en COVID-19, e identificar cuál está asociada a la muerte. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo con todos los pacientes del Hospital «1.° de Octubre» infectados por COVID-19, y detectados mediante RT-PCR, desde el inicio de la pandemia hasta el 22 de diciembre de 2020, donde se obtuvieron un total de 561 casos. Resultados: La tasa de mortalidad global fue del 37,8% (140/370), mientras que para los pacientes intubados fue del 92,4% (135/146). De los 370 pacientes obtenidos, aproximadamente el 20% de las manifestaciones (cefalea, deterioro neurológico, anosmia, ageusia) ocurrieron con una frecuencia del 80% de manifestaciones neurológicas. Conclusiones: Cefalea, afección neurológica, ageusia y anosmia representaron el 80% de las manifestaciones neurológicas en el Hospital «1.° de Octubre». El deterioro neurológico al ingreso al hospital o antes de llegar fue un factor de riesgo de muerte.

Objective: To evaluate the response of sowing densities on agronomic parameters in the native mejen corn. Design/Methodology/Approach: A randomized complete block design with four repetitions was used for the treatments: T1 (0.25 m between plants and two seeds per hole (80,000 plants ha-1)), T2 (0.50 m between plants and three seeds per hole (60,000 plants ha-1)), T3 (0.75 m between plants and four seeds per hole (53,333 plants ha-1)), and T4 (1 m between plants and five seeds per hole (50,000 plants ha-1)). The following variables were determined: plant height without male flower (PHWMF, cm), ear size (ES, cm), plant, bracts, and rachis dry biomass (t ha-1); number of bracts, rows per ear, grain per row, grains per ear, and grain yield (GY, t ha-1). Results: Sowing densities influence the morphological response of plants, ears, and GY. The treatment with 80,000 plants ha-1 recorded a GY of 4.75 t ha-1 in traditional systems in Tabasco --greater than the regional average of 1.94 t ha-1. Study Limitations/Implications: The architecture of native corn allows an increase in productivity, as a result of the use of high densities. Findings/Conclusions: Although treatments with greater sowing distances obtained a lower number of grains per ear, this phenomenon is compensated by the greater number of plants per row that leads to higher grain yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To procure and characterize cellulose nanocrystals from cassava bagasse. Design/methodology/approach: Cellulose nanocrystals were obtained from cassava bagasse by acid hydrolysis (HCI), ultrasonication, centrifugation, dialysis, deep freezing and lyophilization. The cassava bagasse and the cellulose nanocrystals obtained were physicochemically characterized by Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Coupled Elemental Analysis (SEM-EDS). As an additional technique, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used. Results: The analyses performed show that the cellulose obtained was type Iß. This study reports a percentage of crystallinity of the cassava bagasse cellulose of 37.1%, increasing the percentage to 48% crystallinity in cellulose nanocrystals. The diameters of the cassava bagasse fibers were reported to be 2 μm and their elemental composition (SEM-EDS) mainly constituted by carbon (C), oxygen (O) and traces of nitrogen (N). The morphology observed through AFM of the nanocrystals of cassava bagasse (Manihot esculenta) was rodshaped, with helicoidal appearance without residual charge, with diameters between 8.7 and 9.3 nm. Limitations on study/implications: The acid hydrolysis process showed a low percentage of crystallinity, although higher than other works reported for cassava bagasse. Findings/conclusions: The results obtained confirm the possibility of obtaining cellulose nanocrystals from cassava bagasse (Manihot esculenta). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: A study was carried out in the Ingenio Santa Rosalía sugar mill supply area with the aim of identifying the soil subunits cultivated with sugar cane and to quantify the degree of mycorrhization of Saccharum officinarum. Design/Methodology/Approach: Rhizosphere samples were collected at a depth of 0-30 cm and root segments with diameters of ≤1 mm and 1-2.0 mm were studied. The intersect method and the fungal structures method were comparatively analyzed to determine the mycotrophic state of the roots. The study also quantified the number of spores in the soils and classified the morpho-species of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM). Results: The results show that seven soil subunits exist in the area, but the intersect method did not detect differences in colonization by root diameter or by root colonization (X=68.5%). For its part, the fungal structures method showed differences in colonization between soil subunits (X=69.5%), being higher in thin roots, and statistical differences wer found for vesicles and spores. At the sites, an average of 696 spores was quantified per 100 g of soil, which indicates a high presence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the study area. Finally, six species of mycorrhizae were identified, of which four are present in various soil subunits: Glomus aff. deserticola, Glomus etunicatum, Glomus viscosum, and Paraglomus occultum. Study Limitations/Implications: This was an exploratory study that indicates the potential of VAM on sugarcane. Findings/Conclusions: The presence of hyphae, vesicles, arbuscules, and spores indicates that there is an active mycotrophic process between VAM and sugarcane cultivation in the soils of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate if there is an increase in the concentration of sugars in sugarcane grinding stalks as a result of controlled water stress. Design/Methodology/Approach: An experimental plot on cultivar MEX 69-290 was established in 2nd ratoon cycle, on a mollic Gleysol soil in the supply area of the Pujiltic sugar mill. Five treatments in irrigation suspension were established: T1=15 days; T2=30 days; T3=45 days; T4=60 days, and T5=75 days of suspension. The treatments were distributed in the field in a gradient plot design, following the slope of the land, with four repetitions within each irrigation strip. Results: The results show that suspending irrigation between 45 and 60 days before harvest increases the quality of the juices as well as the yields of the grinding stalks. In addition, natural precipitation plus irrigation water do not satisfy the water needs of the crop in the area under the scheme followed by the farmers. Study Limitations/Implications: Irrigation rotation. Findings/Conclusions: The authors recommend providing the necessary amount of auxiliary irrigation to satisfy the water demand of the crop during the growth cycle but suspending irrigation at the beginning of the ripening and maturity stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To prepare the fertility classification for the sugarcane-cultivated soils in the Pujiltic Sugarcane Mill (PSM) supply area in order to improve decision-making. Design/methodology/approach. The soils were classified according to their fertility (FCC), using a system based on the quantifiable parameters of the upper soil layer and some characteristics of the subsoil directly linked to the growth of sugarcane. Results. Six factors limited the agricultural potential of the PSM soils: alkalinity, water excess or deficit, clay content, erosion, nutritional deficiencies, and low CEC, which alone or in groups act in detriment of soil fertility. Limitations/implications. Solving these problems requires a comprehensive analysis that considers crop type, planting season, and technology availability. Findings/conclusions. The soil fertility classification system enabled the classification of 11 soil subunits of the PSM area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the cellulose content and characteristics of sugarcane straw from the cultivars MEX 69-290, MEX 68-P-23, CO-997, SP 70-1284 and CP 72-2086. Design/methodology/approach: A completely random experimental design with six replicates was conducted; the study factor was the sugarcane straw from the five evaluated cultivars. For cellulose extraction, the sodium hydroxide (soda) method was used on dried sugarcane straw of 2 mm. The crystallinity and crystal size were determined with x-ray diffraction (XRD); the fiber length had achieved a measurement with a DMRE optical microscope. Results: Among the results, it can be noted that the cultivars MEX 69-290 and SP 70-1284, which presented less cellulose content (8.4 g and 8.5 g) and lower yields (42.1% and 42.6%), while the cultivar CO-997, presented higher cellulose content and yield which ranged from 9.8 g to 49.8%. The crystallinity of cellulose was higher in the sugarcane straw from the cultivars SP 70-1284 and MEX 68-P23. The crystal size of cellulose was 2.3 nm. The length of cellulose fibers was small (<945.7 μm). Study limitations/implications: The collection of samples in the field, as well as selected materials for digestion. Findings/conclusions: The sugarcane straw is a potential source of cellulose for the paper industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Obtaining films from a vegetable biopolymer from the peel (a by-product) of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) (BPM) and contribute to reduce the environmental pollution generated by the consumption of petroleum-derived plastics. Design/methodology/approach: By acid hydrolysis at four concentrations of citric acid (0, 1, 2, and 3%), pectin was extracted of passion fruit peels, making a paste mixture with glycerol. The obtained biofilms with an approximate 1 mm thickness were characterized by transformed Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with coupled elemental analyzer (EDS). Results: XRD diffractograms revealed that passion fruit bioplastic had a semi-crystalline structure and a calculated crystallinity index of 74.6%. Its value reduced by the half as the citric acid increased concentration, the samples with lower concentration with greater flexibility (1%). FTIR analysis suggested alterations in the BMP structures and a decrease of methoxyl groups in the polymeric chains with the increasing in citric acid content. Limitations/implications: SEM micrographs showed homogeneity in the films, although with some granular irregularities and folding. Findings/conclusions: The increase in citric acid concentration decreased the degree of gelation in the writing of the obtained biofilms, suggested by EDS and FTIR results, with a consequent reduced flexibility of the GMP films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)