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Objetivo. Evaluar la efectividad de las vacunas contra SARS-CoV-2 para evitar muerte e intubación en pacientes hospitalizados con Covid-19. Material y métodos. Se presentó un análisis de 3 565 hospitalizaciones por SARS-CoV-2 de personas mayores de 20 años de edad, reportadas con fines de salud pública por 10 hospitales de especialidad. Se comparó a los egresados por mejoría (2 094) con los fallecidos (1 471) en modelos mixtos de regresión logística ajustados por edad, sexo, número de comorbilidades y el hospital como variable aleatoria. Resultados. Un esquema completo de vacunación, con cinco tipos de vacunas disponi­bles, tuvo un efecto protector para muerte o intubación (RM: 0.67, IC95%: 0.54,0.83, 33% de protección); y para muerte (RM: 0.80, IC95%: 0.64,0.99, 20% de protección) estos datos se compararon con los que no habían sido vacunados. Todas las vacunas aplicadas mostraron un efecto protector con un RM

Background Few studies have evaluated the prevalence of post‐extubation dysphagia and associated factors in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) . Our study assessed the prevalence of post‐extubation dysphagia and body composition in patients with COVID‐19 discharged from an intensive care unit (ICU). Methods A prospective cohort study was performed in post‐ICU extubated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome related to COVID‐19 in two referral hospitals. A total of 112 patients were evaluated and included; swallowing assessment and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were performed after extubation and discharge from the ICU. To identify associations between dysphagia, lower phase angle (PhA) (

Background Malnutrition status, body composition indicators, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters have been associated with increased risk of death in several pathologies. The aim of this study was to describe the associations between phase angle (PhA) indicators obtained by BIA with length of hospital stay, days on mechanical ventilation, and 60‐day mortality in critically ill patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Methods This is a prospective cohort of mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). We assessed nutrition risk and body composition with BIA within 48 h from intensive care unit admission. Logistic and linear regression models were used to analyze the association between variables and clinical outcomes. Survival analysis by PhA value was performed using Kaplan‐Meier curves. Results Sixty‐seven patients were included. PhA (odds ratio [OR], 0.36; P = .002), standardized PhA (SPA) (OR, 0.45; P = .001), and extracellular water/total body water ratio (OR, 3.25; P = .002) were significant predictors of 60‐day mortality. PhA

Interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) proteins mediate protection against enveloped viruses by blocking membrane fusion at endosomes. IFITM1 and IFITM3 are crucial for protection against influenza, and various single nucleotide polymorphisms altering their function have been linked to disease susceptibility. However, bulk

Interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) proteins mediate protection against enveloped viruses by blocking membrane fusion at endosomes. IFITM1 and IFITM3 are crucial for protection against influenza, and various single nucleotide polymorphisms altering their function have been linked to disease susceptibility. However, bulk IFITM1 and IFITM3 mRNA expression dynamics and their correlation with clinical outcomes have not been extensively addressed in patients with respiratory infections. In this study, we evaluated the expression of IFITM1 and IFITM3 in peripheral leukocytes from healthy controls and individuals with severe pandemic influenza A(H1N1) or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Comparisons between participants grouped according to their clinical characteristics, underlying disease, and outcomes showed that the downregulation of IFITM1 was a distinctive characteristic of severe pandemic influenza A(H1N1) that correlated with outcomes, including mortality. Conversely, increased IFITM3 expression was a common feature of severe pandemic influenza A(H1N1) and COVID-19. Using a high-dose murine model of infection, we confirmed not only the downregulation of IFITM1 but also of IFITM3 in the lungs of mice with severe influenza, as opposed to humans. Analyses in the comparative cohort also indicate the possible participation of IFITM3 in COVID-19. Our results add to the evidence supporting a protective function of IFITM proteins against viral respiratory infections in humans. Introduction Methods - Human samples - IFITM expression in humans - Influenza infection in mice - IFITM expression in mice - Cytokine levels in mouse lungs - Study approval - Statistical analysis Results - Participant characteristics - IFITM1 and IFITM3 in patients with severe pandemic influenza A(H1N1) - High-dose influenza A (H1N1) virus infection downregulates IFITM expression in mice - IFITM1 and IFITM3 in severe COVID-19 Discussion

Glycaspis brimblecombei is an invasive insect species that specifically feeds on Eucalyptus leaves. Native from Australia, this species has spread to several countries becoming a major Eucalyptus pest. Even though its specific endoparasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus has been present in Argentina since 2005, little is known about its ecology in the region. In this work we assess P. bliteus population development on Eucalypus camaldulensis and identify the meteorological variables associated with changes in its abundance. Furthermore, we study the level of natural parasitism in the field, and the density dependence relationship between P. bliteus and G. brimblecombei. We find that P. bliteus is present throughout the year with a maximum abundance at the end of spring-beginning of summer. Changes in its abundance are associated with temperature and relative humidity although it cannot be ruled out that this is due to an effect of climate on the density of its host. The highest levels of parasitism were registered when psyllid population was minimal, while density dependence analysis detected an inverse relationship between P. bliteus and its host.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDT) and influenza vaccines’ effectiveness (VE) during an outbreak setting. Methods: We compared the performance of a RIDT with RT-PCR for influenza virus detection in influenza-like illness (ILI) patients enrolled during the 2016/17 season in Mexico City. Using the test-negative design, we estimated influenza VE in all participants and stratified by age, virus subtype, and vaccine type (trivalent vs quadrivalent inactivated vaccines). The protective value of some clinical variables was evaluated by regression analyses. Results: We enrolled 592 patients. RT-PCR detected 93 cases of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 55 of AH3N2, 141 of B, and 13 A/B virus infections. RIDT showed 90.7% sensitivity and 95.7% specificity for influenza A virus detection, and 91.5% sensitivity and 95.3% specificity for influenza B virus detection. Overall VE was 33.2% (95% CI: 3.0–54.0; p = 0.02) against any laboratory-confirmed influenza infection. VE estimates against influenza B were higher for the quadrivalent vaccine. Immunization and occupational exposure were protective factors against influenza. Conclusions: The RIDT was useful to detect influenza cases during an outbreak setting. Effectiveness of 2016/17 influenza vaccines administered in Mexico was low but significant. Our data should be considered for future local epidemiological policies. Keywords: Influenza virus infection, Rapid influenza diagnostic test, Influenza vaccines, Vaccine effectiveness

© 2020 The Author(s)., [Purpose]: The DIANA study aimed to evaluate how often antimicrobial de-escalation (ADE) of empirical treatment is performed in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to estimate the effect of ADE on clinical cure on day 7 following treatment initiation., [Methods]: Adult ICU patients receiving empirical antimicrobial therapy for bacterial infection were studied in a prospective observational study from October 2016 until May 2018. ADE was defined as (1) discontinuation of an antimicrobial in case of empirical combination therapy or (2) replacement of an antimicrobial with the intention to narrow the antimicrobial spectrum, within the first 3 days of therapy. Inverse probability (IP) weighting was used to account for time-varying confounding when estimating the effect of ADE on clinical cure., [Results]: Overall, 1495 patients from 152 ICUs in 28 countries were studied. Combination therapy was prescribed in 50%, and carbapenems were prescribed in 26% of patients. Empirical therapy underwent ADE, no change and change other than ADE within the first 3 days in 16%, 63% and 22%, respectively. Unadjusted mortality at day 28 was 15.8% in the ADE cohort and 19.4% in patients with no change [p = 0.27; RR 0.83 (95% CI 0.60–1.14)]. The IP-weighted relative risk estimate for clinical cure comparing ADE with no-ADE patients (no change or change other than ADE) was 1.37 (95% CI 1.14–1.64)., [Conclusion]: ADE was infrequently applied in critically ill-infected patients. The observational effect estimate on clinical cure suggested no deleterious impact of ADE compared to no-ADE. However, residual confounding is likely.

The green lacewing Chrysoperla externa is a widespread species in the Neotropical region that occurs in different habitats. Its presence in Eucalyptus plantations infested with Glycaspis br...

Substantial COVID-19 research investment has been allocated to randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine, which currently face recruitment challenges or early discontinuation. We aim to estimate the effects of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine on survival in COVID-19 from all currently available RCT evidence, published and unpublished. We present a rapid meta-analysis of ongoing, completed, or discontinued RCTs on hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine treatment for any COVID-19 patients (protocol: https://osf.io/QESV4/ ). We systematically identified unpublished RCTs (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Cochrane COVID-registry up to June 11, 2020), and published RCTs (PubMed, medRxiv and bioRxiv up to October 16, 2020). All-cause mortality has been extracted (publications/preprints) or requested from investigators and combined in random-effects meta-analyses, calculating odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), separately for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine. Prespecified subgroup analyses include patient setting, diagnostic confirmation, control type, and publication status. Sixty-three trials were potentially eligible. We included 14 unpublished trials (1308 patients) and 14 publications/preprints (9011 patients). Results for hydroxychloroquine are dominated by RECOVERY and WHO SOLIDARITY, two highly pragmatic trials, which employed relatively high doses and included 4716 and 1853 patients, respectively (67% of the total sample size). The combined OR on all-cause mortality for hydroxychloroquine is 1.11 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.20; I² = 0%; 26 trials; 10,012 patients) and for chloroquine 1.77 (95%CI: 0.15, 21.13, I² = 0%; 4 trials; 307 patients). We identified no subgroup effects. We found that treatment with hydroxychloroquine is associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 patients, and there is no benefit of chloroquine. Findings have unclear generalizability to outpatients, children, pregnant women, and people with comorbidities.

The differentiation between influenza and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could constitute a diagnostic challenge during the ongoing winter owing to their clinical similitude. Thus, novel biomarkers are required to enable making this distinction. Here, we evaluated whether the surfactant protein D (SP-D), a collectin produced at the alveolar epithelium with known immune properties, was useful to differentiate pandemic influenza A(H1N1) from COVID-19 in critically ill patients. Our results revealed high serum SP-D levels in patients with severe pandemic influenza but not those with COVID-19. This finding was validated in a separate cohort of mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 who also showed low plasma SP-D levels. However, plasma SP-D levels did not distinguish seasonal influenza from COVID-19 in mild-to-moderate disease. Finally, we found that high serum SP-D levels were associated with death and renal failure among severe pandemic influenza cases. Thus, our studies have identified SP-D as a unique biomarker expressed during severe pandemic influenza but not COVID-19.

BackgroundCXCL17 is chemotactic for myeloid cells, exhibits broad-spectrum bactericidal activity, and is expressed in mucosal tissues. This chemokine is constitutively expressed in the respiratory tract, suggesting a role for CXCL17 in lung defenses. However, little is known about the possible participation of CXCL17 during respiratory infections in humans. Here, we evaluated the role of CXCL17 as a biomarker in patients with severe pandemic influenza A(H1N1) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study in hospitalized patients with severe influenza A(H1N1) and COVID-19 admitted to two national reference centers in Mexico City. Peripheral blood samples were obtained on admission for determinations of the serum levels of CXCL17 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of CXCL17 in lung autopsy specimens from patients that succumbed to both diseases was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHQ). Serum CXCL17 levels were compared between patients grouped according to their disease and clinical outcome. The diagnostic and predictive value of serum CXCL17 levels was evaluated using machine-learning algorithms and regression analyses. ResultsA total of 92 patients were enrolled in the study, from which 68 were infected with influenza and 24 had COVID-19. Their clinical characteristics were similar, although dyspnea, rhinorrhea, and sputum production were more common during influenza, whereas dry cough and vomit were more frequent among COVID-19 patients. Both diseases induced the local expression of CXCL17 in the lung. However, serum levels of CXCL17 were increased only in patients with influenza but not COVID-19. CXCL17 not only differentiates influenza from COVID-19 but serves as a prognostic biomarker associated with mortality and renal failure in influenza patients. Using cell culture assays, we also identified that human alveolar A549 cells and peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages produce CXCL17 after influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 virus infection. ConclusionsOur results suggest a possible role for CXCL17 in the pathogenesis of influenza A(H1N1), supporting the use of this molecule as a prognostic biomarker. Future studies on the role of CXCL17 in COVID-19 are warranted.

BackgroundLittle literature exists about the experience with critically ill COVID-19 patients from Latin America, despite this is the current epicenter of the pandemic. Here, we aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality in mechanically-ventilated COVID-19 patients from Mexico. MethodsClinical data from sixty-seven consecutive, mechanically-ventilated COVID-19 patients were analyzed. Patients were grouped according to their clinical outcome (survival vs. death). Clinical risk factors for mortality were identified by machine-learning algorithms and traditional regression analyses. ResultsThe median age of study participants was 42 years and 65% were men. The most common comorbidity observed in our study was obesity (49.2%). Fever was the most frequent symptom of illness (88%), followed by dyspnea (84%), and cough (62%). Multilobe ground-glass opacities were observed in 76% of patients by thoracic CT scan. Fifty-two percent of study participants were ventilated in prone position, and 59% required cardiovascular support with norepinephrine. Furthermore, 49% of participants had a coinfection with a second pathogen. Two-thirds of COVID-19 patients developed acute kidney injury (AKIN). Thirty deaths occurred during the study (44.7%). Levels of uric acid, creatinine, bilirubin, and SOFA score, were significantly higher among deceased patients, whereas survivors showed higher PaO2/FiO2 values at admission. AKIN, uric acid, LDH, and a longitudinal increase in ventilatory ratio were associated with mortality. Baseline PaO2/FiO2 values and a longitudinal recovery of lymphocytes were protective factors against mortality.ConclusionsOur study provides reference data about the clinical phenotype and risk factors for COVID-19-assocaited mortality among mechanically-ventilated Mexican patients.

BackgroundSubstantial COVID-19 research investment has been allocated to randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine, which currently face recruitment challenges or early discontinuation. We aimed to estimate the effects of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine on survival in COVID-19 from all currently available RCT evidence, published and unpublished. Methods: Rapid meta-analysis of ongoing, completed, or discontinued RCTs on hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine treatment for any COVID-19 patients (protocol: https://osf.io/QESV4/). We systematically identified published and unpublished RCTs by September 14, 2020 (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, PubMed, Cochrane COVID-19 registry). All-cause mortality was extracted (publications/preprints) or requested from investigators and combined in random-effects meta-analyses, calculating odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), separately for hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine. Prespecified subgroup analyses included patient setting, diagnostic confirmation, control type, and publication status.ResultsSixty-two trials were potentially eligible. We included 16 unpublished trials (1596 patients) and 10 publications/preprints (6317 patients). The combined summary OR on all-cause mortality for hydroxychloroquine was 1.08 (95%CI: 0.99, 1.18; I2=0%; 24 trials; 7659 patients) and for chloroquine 1.77 (95%CI: 0.15, 21.13, I2=0%; 4 trials; 307 patients). We identified no subgroup effects.ConclusionsWe found no benefit of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine on the survival of COVID-19 patients. For hydroxychloroquine, the confidence interval is compatible with increased mortality (OR 1.18) or negligibly reduced mortality (OR 0.99). Findings have unclear generalizability to outpatients, children, pregnant women, and people with comorbidities.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is a global health threat with the potential to cause severe disease manifestations in the lungs. Although clinical descriptions of COVID-19 are currently available, the factors distinguishing SARS-CoV-2 from other respiratory viruses are unknown. Here, we compared the clinical, histopathological, and immunological characteristics of patients with COVID-19 and pandemic influenza A(H1N1). We observed a higher frequency of respiratory symptoms, increased tissue injury markers, a histological pattern of alveolar pneumonia, and higher levels of IL-1RA, TNF-α, CCL3, G-CSF, APRIL, sTNF-R1, sTNF-R2, sCD30, and sCD163 in influenza patients. Conversely, dry cough, gastrointestinal symptoms, interstitial lung pathology, increased Th1 (IL-12, IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13) cytokine levels, along with IL-1β, IL-6, CCL11, VEGF, TWEAK, TSLP, MMP-1, and MMP-3, were observed in COVID-19 cases. We demonstrated the diagnostic potential of some clinical and immune factors to differentiate COVID-19 from pandemic influenza A(H1N1). Our data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 induces a dysbalanced polyfunctional inflammatory response that is different from the immune response against influenza. These findings might be relevant for the upcoming 2020-2021 influenza season, which is projected to be historically unique due to its convergence with COVID-19.

espanolEl entrenamiento sistematizado de las habilidades comunicativas es un procedimiento efi-caz para adquirirlas. Este trabajo trata de comprobar la mejora en la percepcion de estas habilidades en estudiantes universitarios de carreras de apoyo, tras realizar un programa de entrenamiento. Participaron 274 estudiantes universitarios. Se utilizo un diseno Split-plot. Los resultados indican que los estudiantes entrenados mejoran en sus habilidades comunicativas frente a los no entrenados. Se concluye que este programa es un buen ins-trumento para mejorar las habilidades de comunicacion en los estudiantes universitarios, lo cual va en la linea de diferentes estudios sobre la bondad de estos programas. EnglishThe systematic training is the most efficient process to acquire appropriate communication skills. This paper aims to test the effectiveness of a training program in communication skills applied to university students. 274 students participated. The study used a Split-plot design. The results indicate that trained students perceive themselves with more commu-nication skills. This communication skills training is a good tool to improve, in a short-term, these skills in university students. These results are in line with several studies on the effectiveness of systematic training programs in communication skills.

1 The red gum lerp psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei is an invasive insect species, native from Australia, that specifcally feeds on Eucalyptus trees. It has invaded several countries throughout the world. In Argentina, it was frst recorded in 2005, although little is known about its ecology in the region. 2 We assessed G. brimblecombei population development on Eucalypus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus dunnii using samples of branches for the immature stages and yellow sticky traps for the adults. We also identifed the meteorological variables associated with changes in the red gum lerp psyllid abundance. 3 The abundance of eggs, nymphs and adults stages of G. brimblecombei was signifcantly greater on E. camaldulensis than on E. dunnii in the 2 years of the survey. 4 Glycaspis brimblecombei development was complete on E. camaldulensis where all instars were present, even in the unfavourable seasons. The full development of the psyllid population was not observed in E. dunnii where a high mortality of the frst and second nymphal instars was detected. 5 Temperature and relative humidity were the variables that mostly affected red gum lerp psyllid abundance, whereas no effect of rainfall was detected. Inst. de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola IMyZA Fil: Lopez, Silvia Noemi. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola. Insectario de Investigaciones Lucha Biológica; Argentina Fil: Andorno, Andrea Veronica. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola. Insectario de Investigaciones Lucha Biológica; Argentina Fil: Hernandez, Carmen Marcela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola. Insectario de Investigaciones Lucha Biológica; Argentina Fil: Botto, Eduardo Norberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola. Insectario de Investigaciones Lucha Biológica; Argentina Fil: Cuello, Eliana Marina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola. Insectario de Investigaciones Lucha Biológica; Argentina

espanolAntecedentes: la insuficiencia respiratoria hipoxemica severa (SHRF) debido a la neumonia por Pneumocystis jiroveci (PJP) en pacientes con SIDA representa la principal causa de ingreso y mortalidad en las unidades de cuidados intensivos respiratorios (UCI) en paises de bajos y medianos ingresos. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar un sistema de puntuacion predictivo para estimar el riesgo de mortalidad en pacientes con VIH / SIDA con PJP y SHRF. Metodos: Analizamos datos de pacientes ingresados en la UCIN entre enero de 2013 y enero de 2018 con un diagnostico de infeccion por VIH y PJP. La regresion logistica multivariada y el metodo de Kaplan-Meier se utilizaron en el analisis de datos. La UICC y la mortalidad hospitalaria fueron del 25% y 26%, respectivamente. El analisis multivariado identifico cuatro predictores independientes: indice de masa corporal, albumina, tiempo hasta el ingreso a la UCI y dias de soporte vasopresor. Un sistema de puntuacion predictivo fue derivado y validado internamente. La discriminacion fue de 0.869 (intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0.821-0.917) y la intercepcion de calibracion (α) y la pendiente (β) fueron 0.03 y 0.99, respectivamente. La sensibilidad fue del 47,2%, la especificidad fue del 84,6%, el valor predictivo positivo fue del 89,2% y el valor predictivo negativo fue del 82,6%. Conclusiones: este sistema de puntuacion es una herramienta potencialmente util para ayudar a los medicos, en paises de bajos y medianos ingresos, a estimar la UICC y el riesgo de mortalidad hospitalaria en pacientes con VIH / SIDA y SHRF causados por PJP. EnglishBackground: Severe hypoxemic respiratory failure (SHRF) due to Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) in AIDS patients represents the main cause of admission and mortality in respiratory intensive care units (RICUs) in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a predictive scoring system to estimate the risk of mortality in HIV/ AIDS patients with PJP and SHRF. Methods: We analyzed data of patients admitted to the RICU between January 2013 and January 2018 with a diagnosis of HIV infection and PJP. Multivariate logistic regression and Kaplan–Meier method were used in data analysis. The RICU and inhospital mortality were 25% and 26%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified four independent predictors: body mass index, albumin, time to ICU admission, and days of vasopressor support. A predictive scoring system was derived and validated internally. The discrimination was 0.869 (95% confidence interval: 0.821-0.917) and calibration intercept (α) and slope (β) were 0.03 and 0.99, respectively. The sensitivity was 47.2%, specificity was 84.6%, positive predictive value was 89.2%, and negative predictive value was 82.6%. Conclusions: This scoring system is a potentially useful tool to assist clinicians, in low- and medium-income countries, in estimating the RICU and inhospital mortality risk in patients with HIV/ AIDS and SHRF caused by PJP. (REV INVEST CLIN. 2019;71:311-20)

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most devastating pests of tomato crops. We studied the acceptability and suitability of eggs laid by irradiated T. absoluta pairs to parasitism by the parasitoids Trichogramma nerudai and Trichogramma pretiosum. Trichogramma absoluta pupae were irradiated with X-radiation (20834 R) and the emerged adults were separated into couples according to the crosses: ♂U × ♀U, ♂I × ♀U, ♂U × ♀I (where ‘U’ is untreated and ‘I’ is irradiated). In a no-choice experiment, 40 eggs from each cross were exposed to a female parasitoid for 24 h. All T. absoluta eggs were accepted for oviposition by T. nerudai and were suitable for its development. However, eggs from irradiated females were significantly less parasitized than those from untreated females. Trichogramma pretiosum showed low parasitism on eggs from all crosses. In a choice experiment, both T. nerudai and T. pretiosum showed no differences in the parasitism of eggs from irradiated (n = 40) and non-irradiated female moths (n = 40). These results indicate that eggs laid by irradiated parents were acceptable for oviposition and suitable for the development of these parasitoids, and also support the idea that the inherited sterility technique could be used in an integrated approach with egg parasitoids to control T. absoluta.

This article presents the results of an exploratory study on the relationships between the emotional competencies and attitudes towards creativity in a sample of primary school students. This study is part of a wider project on the implementation of the curricular area &ldquo, Emotional Education and Creativity,&rdquo, a far-reaching innovation in the educational system of the Canary Islands, Spain. A validated questionnaire for the evaluation of emotional and creative variables from the teachers&rsquo, perspectives was used. The questionnaire was given to 230 primary school teachers, who used it to assess the emotional and creative competencies of 2540 schoolchildren. A bivariate correlation was carried out to establish the relationship between these competencies, and a multiple regression analysis was used to understand the influence of emotional skills on creativity. The results obtained confirmed the close relationship between the emotional dimension and the creative construct. Specifically, it was observed that emotional awareness was the competence with the closest relationship, together with the responsibility for one&rsquo, s own emotions, and the one that had the greatest weight in explaining creative competences. This result emphasizes that emotional and creative competencies complement each other and highlights the importance of working on these competencies together. We are committed to continuing with this line of research that supports an emotional conception of creativity.

Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé (Hemiptera:Thaumastocoridae) is a small sap-sucking insect that feeds on Eucalyptus L?Hér. leaves. Although it is native to Australia, it currently has a global distribution and it is considered as one of the big five pests of eucalypts around the world. We described the development of T. peregrinus population on four Eucalyptus species under the environmental conditions in Argentina. We also analyzed the use of yellow sticky traps as a monitoring method for this pest. The four Eucalyptus species were suitable for T. peregrinus. A cyclic pattern was observed in the development of the bronze bug population with an annual seasonal peak followed by a decrease in the abundance, reaching a minimum value during the unfavorable seasons. During the fall and winter seasons, epizootic events were registered in all the Eucalyptus species, caused by an entomopathogenic fungus. None of the meteorological variables had a clear influence neither on the bronze bug population nor with the occurrence of fungal infection. We found a significant relationship between the number of nymphs and adults of T. peregrinusin branches and the number of individuals caught in traps, suggesting that traps give actual information about the bronze bug abundance in the tree canopy. Fil: Cuello, Eliana Marina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Andorno, Andrea Verónica. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina Fil: Hernández Guzmán, Claudia Marcela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina Fil: López, Silvia Noemí. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Las bronquiectasias como causa de insuficiencia respiratoria y choque septico se asocian con una alta mortalidad. Nosotros reportamos el caso de una paciente con una exacerbacion aguda por P. aeruginosa que le produjo insuficiencia respiratoria severa y choque septico que requirio manejo en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Respiratorios (UCIR). Curso con falla multiorganica y sindrome de debilidad muscular del paciente critico, requiriendo ventilacion prolongada y rehabilitacion intensiva. Despues de un mes en la UCIR se dio de alta, sin embargo, reingreso una semana despues por insuficiencia respiratoria y choque septico, falleciendo 48 horas despues de choque irreversible. Este caso ilustra las alteraciones fisiopatologicas, asi como la alta mortalidad a corto plazo en pacientes con bronquiectasias que requieren cuidados intensivos

Poseer altas capacidades intelectuales no resulta una garantía de éxito académico. De hecho, se suele informar en la literatura especializada de problemas de retraso escolar, así como de hiperactividad y problemas atencionales en el alumnado de altas capacidades. Ello hace que sea relevante diseñar programas que ayuden a la obtención de éxito académico. Se presenta aquí un programa virtual, Navegando en el aprendizaje, basado en estrategias de aprendizaje y aprendizaje autorregulado, dirigido a alumnado superdotado, con la finalidad de prevenir problemas académicos, contribuyendo a mejorar sus destrezas para el estudio y el rendimiento.

The 2009–2010 influenza A (H1N1pdm09) pandemic caused substantial morbidity and mortality among young patients; however, mortality estimates have been confounded by regional differences in eligibility criteria and inclusion of selected populations. In 2013–2014, H1N1pdm09 became North America’s dominant seasonal influenza strain. Our objective was to compare the baseline characteristics, resources, and treatments with outcomes among critically ill patients with influenza A (H1N1pdm09) in Mexican and Canadian hospitals in 2014 using consistent eligibility criteria. Observational study and a survey of available healthcare setting resources. Twenty-one hospitals, 13 in Mexico and eight in Canada. Critically ill patients with confirmed H1N1pdm09 during 2013–2014 influenza season. None. The main outcome measures were 90-day mortality and independent predictors of mortality. Among 165 adult patients with H1N1pdm09-related critical illness between September 2013 and March 2014, mean age was 48.3 years, 64% were males, and nearly all influenza was community acquired. Patients were severely hypoxic (median PaO2-to-FIO2 ratio, 83 mm Hg), 97% received mechanical ventilation, with mean positive end-expiratory pressure of 14 cm H2O at the onset of critical illness and 26.7% received rescue oxygenation therapy with prone ventilation, extracorporeal life support, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, or inhaled nitric oxide. At 90 days, mortality was 34.6% (13.9% in Canada vs 50.5% in Mexico, p < 0.0001). Independent predictors of mortality included lower presenting PaO2-to-FIO2 ratio (odds ratio, 0.89 per 10-point increase [95% CI, 0.80–0.99]), age (odds ratio, 1.49 per 10 yr increment [95% CI, 1.10–2.02]), and requiring critical care in Mexico (odds ratio, 7.76 [95% CI, 2.02–27.35]). ICUs in Canada generally had more beds, ventilators, healthcare personnel, and rescue oxygenation therapies. Influenza A (H1N1pdm09)-related critical illness still predominantly affects relatively young to middle-aged patients and is associated with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure. The local critical care system and available resources may be influential determinants of patient outcome.

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most devastating pests of tomato. We studied whether partially sterile T. absoluta males and fully sterile females were capable of suppressing wild populations of this moth in semi-controlled conditions. After irradiating T. absoluta pupae with 200 Gy, emerged males and females were released at 10:1 (treated:untreated) and 15:1 over-flooding ratios inside field cages containing tomato plants. The number of eggs and larvae produced was recorded once per wk during 3 mo. An over-flooding ratio of 10:1 caused a decline in larvae production compared with the untreated control cages, but these differences were not statistically significant. Using an over-flooding ratio of 15:1, the moth population in the cages with irradiated insects decreased significantly compared with those in the untreated control cages. In addition, the possibility of combining inherited sterility and a natural enemy as a strategy to manage this pest was investigated. We studied in no choice and choice tests the predation behavior of females of the egg predator Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus (Hemiptera: Miridae) on eggs derived from the following parental T. absoluta crosses: U × U (control), U × I and I × U (where U = untreated, I = irradiated). In the no choice test, females of the T. cucurbitaceus readily consumed T. absoluta eggs regardless of their origin. In the choice test, T. cucurbitaceus females consumed similar numbers of eggs of untreated parents and eggs oviposited from crosses in which the male had been irradiated. However, the mirid females preyed on significantly more eggs—roughly 20% more—from irradiated females than on eggs from untreated females. We conclude that it is possible to achieve a certain level of suppression of a T. absoluta wild population through the release of irradiated insects, and that it is technically feasible to combine the use of the predator T. cucurbitaceus with inherited sterility to control this moth pest. Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) es una de las plagas más devastadoras de los cultivos de tomate. Se estudió si machos parcialmente estériles y hembras totalmente estériles de T. absoluta son capaces de suprimir poblaciones salvajes de esta polilla en condiciones semicontroladas. Después de la irradiación de pupas de T. absoluta a 200 Gy, machos y hembras emergidos fueron liberados con una relación de 10:1 (tratados:no tratados) en el interior de jaulas que contenían plantas de tomate. El número de huevos y larvas producido fue registrado una vez a la semana durante tres meses. El experimento se repitió con una relación de 15:1. El uso de una relación de 10:1 causó una disminución de la población de larvas en comparación con las jaulas control, pero estas diferencias no fueron estadísticamente significativas. Cuando la relación fue 15:1, la población de la polilla en las jaulas con los insectos irradiados disminuyó significativamente en comparación con las jaulas control. Además, se analizó la posible compatibilidad de la esterilidad heredada y el control biológico como estrategia para el control de esta plaga. Se estudió en pruebas sin elección y con elección si los huevos provenientes de los siguientes cruzamientos parentales de T. absoluta: ♀U × ♂U (control), ♀U × ♂I y ♀I × ♂U (donde U = no irradiado, I = irradiado) son igualmente aceptados para el consumo por hembras de Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus (Hemiptera: Miridae). En la prueba sin elección, las hembras de T. cucurbitaceus consumieron un elevado número de huevos de T. absoluta, independientemente de su origen. En la prueba de elección, las hembras de T. cucurbitaceus consumieron tanto huevos provenientes de parentales no tratados como huevos de parentales con el macho irradiado. Sin embargo, las hembras del mírido predaron significativamente más huevos de hembras irradiadas que huevos de hembras no tratadas. Se concluyó que es posible alcanzar un cierto nivel de supresión de una población salvaje de T. absoluta mediante la liberación de insectos irradiados y que es factible combinar el uso del predador T. cucurbitaceus con IS para controlar esta polilla plaga. Inst. de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola IMyZA Fil: Cagnotti, Cynthia Lorena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola. Insectario de Investigaciones para Lucha Biológica; Argentina Fil: Andorno, Andrea Veronica. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola. Insectario de Investigaciones para Lucha Biológica; Argentina Fil: Hernández, Carmen Marcela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola. Insectario de Investigaciones para Lucha Biológica; Argentina Fil: Carabajal Paladino, Leonale Suzel. Biology Centre CAS. Institute of Entomology; República Checa. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Genética; Argentina Fil: Botto, Eduardo Norberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola. Insectario de Investigaciones para Lucha Biológica; Argentina Fil: López, Silvia Noemi. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola. Insectario de Investigaciones para Lucha Biológica; Argentina

In this study several factors that influence academic achievement are going to be presented. 492 students, 190 men and 302 women, with ages from 12 to 18 years old, and from the first and third year of compulsory secondary school and the first year of voluntary secondary school have participated, completing four questionnaires about IQ, motivation, learning strategies, adjustment and study habits. The academic marks selected to be related with the questionnaires we have mentioned before were the Mathematic, Spanish Language and Grammar, English language and Physical Education. We applied the structural equation analysis, by LISREL procedure, to find the best explanatory model about the academic achievement predictors. The results show that the learning strategies and the personal adjustment do not predict the academic performance as much as the intelligence, the motivation and the study habits. Therefore, it is very important to consider these variables as predictors in the works and research, of adolescents’ achievement.

Heterotopic pancreas is defined as ectopic pancreatic tissue without vascular or anatomic continuity with the normal pancreas. The spleen is a rare site of origin. This case report describes a patient with a malignant insulinoma which originated from an intrasplenic heterotopic pancreas.A 46-year-old man with three previous episodes of neuroglucopenic and adrenergic symptoms was referred to our hospital. A fasting test was performed and discontinued due to hypoglycemic symptoms. Preoperative studies failed to demonstrate any pancreatic lesions. However, a heterogeneous encapsulated tumor in the spleen was found on MRI. During surgery, only the splenic tumor was found, with neither vascular nor anatomical connections to the normal pancreas. Pathology reported a malignant insulinoma. Insulin and proinsulin were documented by immunohistochemistry. After one year of follow up, the patient is free of symptoms and no recurrent disease has been documented.Only seven cases of splenic heterotopic pancreas have been reported, six with cystic mucinous neoplasms. In addition, only one case of a malignant insulinoma arising from heterotopic pancreas has previously been described. This is the second case reported of an insulinoma arising from heterotopic pancreas and the first to originate from intrasplenic heterotopia.