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The bacterium strain Cetobacterium sp. C33 was isolated from the intestinal microbial content of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) under anaerobic conditions. Given that Cetobacterium species are recognized as primary constituents of the intestinal microbiota in cultured Nile tilapia by culture-independent techniques, the adaptability of the C33 strain to the host gastrointestinal conditions, its antibacterial activity against aquaculture bacterial and its antibiotic susceptibility were assessed. The genome of C33 was sequenced, assembled, annotated, and subjected to functional inference, particularly regarding pinpointed probiotic activities. Furthermore, phylogenomic comparative analyses were performed including closely reported strains/species relatives. Comparative genomics with closely related species disclosed that the isolate is not phylogenetically identical to other Cetobacterium species, displaying an approximately 5% sequence divergence from C. somerae and a 13% sequence divergence from Cetobacterium ceti. It can be distinguished from other species through physiological and biochemical criteria. Whole-genome annotation highlighted that Cetobacterium sp. nov. C33 possesses a set of genes that may contribute to antagonism against competing bacteria and has specific symbiotic adaptations in fish. Additional in vivo experiments should be carried out to verify favorable features, reinforcing its potential as a probiotic bacterium.

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BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) reduces the need for intubation in adult subject with acute respiratory failure. Changes in hypobaric hypoxemia have not been studied for subject with an HFNC in ICUs at altitudes > 2,600 m above sea level. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of HFNC treatment in subjects with COVID-19 at high altitudes. We hypothesized that progressive hypoxemia and the increase in breathing frequency associated with COVID-19 in high altitudes affect the success of HFNC therapy and may also influence the performance of the traditionally used predictors of success and failure. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of subjects >18 y with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19-induced ARDS requiring HFNC who were admitted to the ICU. Subjects were followed up during the 28 d of HFNC treatment or until failure. RESULTS: One hundred and eight subjects were enrolled. At admission to the ICU, FIO2 delivery between 0.5-0.8 (odds ratio 0.38 [95% CI 0.17-0.84]) was associated with a better response to HFNC therapy than oxygen delivery on admission between 0.8-1.0 (odds ratio 3.58 [95% CI 1.56-8.22]). This relationship continued during follow-ups at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h, with a progressive increase in the risk of failure (odds ratio 24 h 13.99 [95% CI 4.32-45.26]). A new cutoff for the ratio of oxygen saturation (ROX) index (ROX ≥ 4.88) after 24 h of HFNC administration was demonstrated to be the best predictor of success (odds ratio 11.0 [95% CI 3.3-47.0]). CONCLUSIONS: High-altitude subjects treated with HFNC for COVID-19 showed a high risk of respiratory failure and progressive hypoxemia when FIO2 requirements were > 0.8 after 24 h of treatment. In these subjects, personalized management should include continuous monitoring of individual clinical conditions (such as oxygenation indices, with cutoffs adapted to those corresponding to high-altitude cities).

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Today, shape memory alloys (SMAs) have important applications in several fields of science and engineering. This work reports the thermomechanical behavior of NiTi SMA coil springs. The thermomechanical characterization is approached starting from mechanical loading-unloading tests under different electric current intensities, from 0 to 2.5 A. In addition, the material is studied using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), which is used to evaluate the complex elastic modulus E* = E' - iE″, obtaining a viscoelastic response under isochronal conditions. This work further evaluates the damping capacity of NiTi SMA using tan δ, showing a maximum around 70 °C. These results are interpreted under the framework of fractional calculus, using the Fractional Zener Model (FZM). The fractional orders, between 0 and 1, reflect the atomic mobility of the NiTi SMA in the martensite (low-temperature) and austenite (high-temperature) phases. The present work compares the results obtained from using the FZM with a proposed phenomenological model, which requires few parameters for the description of the temperature-dependent storage modulus E'.

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BACKGROUND: Childhood overweight and obesity levels are rising and becoming a concern globally. In Costa Rica, the prevalence of these conditions has reached alarming values. Spatial analyses can identify risk factors and geographical patterns to develop tailored and effective public health actions in this context. METHODS: A Bayesian spatial mixed model was built to understand the geographic patterns of childhood overweight and obesity prevalence in Costa Rica and their association with some socioeconomic factors. Data was obtained from the 2016 Weight and Size Census (6 - 12 years old children) and 2011 National Census. RESULTS: Average years of schooling increase the levels of overweight and obesity until reaching an approximate value of 8 years, then they start to decrease. Moreover, for every 10-point increment in the percentage of homes with difficulties to cover their basic needs and in the percentage of population under 14 years old, there is a decrease of 7.7 and 14.0 points, respectively, in the odds of obesity. Spatial patterns show higher values of prevalence in the center area of the country, touristic destinations, head of province districts and in the borders with Panama. CONCLUSIONS: Especially for childhood obesity, the average years of schooling is a non-linear factor, describing a U-inverted curve. Lower percentages of households in poverty and population under 14 years old are slightly associated with higher levels of obesity. Districts with high commercial and touristic activity present higher prevalence risk.

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Introduction: we present a series of patients with neurological problems and SARS-CoV-2 infection, and review the respective evidence. Patients and methods: a retrospective descriptive study of consecutive RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2-positive patients in a neurology department from August 1 to December 31, 2020. Results: we recorded 30 patients: 16 men (53%), with a mean age of 65±17.3. In 53%, the neu rological problem preceded the respiratory symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosis. At the syndromic level, the following were found: CVAs 43% (13), seizures 10% (3), posterior reversible encephalopathy 10% (3), encephalopathy 7% (2), brief psychotic disorder 7% (2), myelopathy 3% (1), Guillain-Barré syndrome 3% (1), headache 3% (1), vasculitis 3% (1), intracerebral hemorrhage 3% (1), myasthenic crisis 3% (1) and recurrent optic neuritis 3% (1). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 induced neurological problems produce a wide variety of symptoms and may be the first manifestation, even without the development of respiratory symptoms from this infection. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2233).

Introducción: se presenta una serie de pacientes con compromiso neurológico e infección por SARS-CoV-2 y se revisa la evidencia al respecto. Pacientes y métodos: estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo de pacientes consecutivos RT-PCR positivos para SARS-CoV-2 del servicio de neurología desde el 1° de agosto hasta 31 de diciembre de 2020. Resultados: registramos 30 pacientes, 16 hombres (53%), edad media: 65±17.3. En el 53% el compromiso neurológico antecedió los síntomas respiratorios y el diagnóstico de infección por SARS-CoV-2. A nivel sindromático se observó: ACV 43% (13), crisis convulsivas 10% (3), encefalopatía posterior reversible 10% (3), encefalopatía 7% (2), trastorno psicótico breve 7% (2), mielopatía 3% (1), síndrome de Guillain-Barré 3% (1), cefalea 3% (1), vasculitis 3% (1), hemorragia intracerebral 3% (1), crisis miasténica 3% (1) y neuritis óptica recurrente 3% (1). Conclusiones: el compromiso neurológico por el SARS-CoV-2 produce una gran variedad de síntomas y puede ser la primera manifestación incluso sin el desarrollo de síntomas respiratorios por esta infección. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2233).

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Resumen Ante un dolor torácico agudo y evidencia de elevación del segmento ST, se debe instaurar un tratamiento de reperfusión urgente, con el objetivo de abrir la arteria ocluida y minimizar el daño miocárdico y, así, mejorar el pronóstico del paciente. Por ello, es necesario conocer aquellos patrones eléctricos de alto riesgo equivalentes a una elevación del segmento ST e indicativos de una oclusión coronaria aguda, para evitar que se produzca una demora inadmisible en los tiempos de actuación, tal y como ocurrió en el caso que se presenta.

Abstract In light of an acute chest pain and evidence of ST-segment elevation, an emergent reperfusion treatment should be started with the objective of opening the occluded artery and reducing myocardial damage, thus, improving the patients´s prognosis. Therefore, it is mandatory to keep in mind those high-risk electrical patterns equivalent to a ST-segment elevation and indicative of an acute coronary occlusion to avoid an unacceptable delay in the times of action, such was the case that is reported.

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The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused a pandemic with > 550 millions of cases and > 6 millions of deaths worldwide. Medical management of COVID-19 relies on supportive care as no specific targeted therapies are available yet. Given its devastating effects on the economy and mental health, it is imperative to develop novel antivirals. An ideal candidate will be an agent that blocks the early events of viral attachment and cell entry, thereby preventing viral infection and spread. This work reports functionalized titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based nanoparticles adsorbed with flavonoids that block SARS-CoV-2 entry and fusion. Using molecular docking analysis, two flavonoids were chosen for their specific binding to critical regions of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein that interacts with the host cell angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor. These flavonoids were adsorbed onto TiO2 functionalized nanoparticles (FTNP). This new nanoparticulate compound was assayed in vitro against two different coronaviruses; HCoV 229E and SARS-CoV-2, in both cases a clear antiviral effect was observed. Furthermore, using a reporter-based cell culture model, a potent antiviral activity is demonstrated. The adsorption of flavonoids to functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles induces a ~ threefold increase of that activity. These studies also indicate that FTNP interferes with the SARS-CoV-2 spike, impairing the cell fusion mechanism. KEY POINTS/HIGHLIGHTS: • Unique TiO2 nanoparticles displaying flavonoid showed potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. • The nanoparticles precisely targeting SARS-CoV-2 were quantitatively verified by cell infectivity in vitro. • Flavonoids on nanoparticles impair the interactions between the spike glycoprotein and ACE-2 receptor.

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Introduction. Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia is a rare inherited calcium metabolism disorder in which an alteration of the parathyroid hormone secretion set-point causes hypercalcemia with relative hypocalciuria. Some data suggest that its prevalence is around 74.1 per 100,000 inhabitants. Often, patients are asymptomatic. However, they can develop mild symptoms and an overactive parathyroid adenoma, its main differential diagnosis. The objective was to describe a patient's case and highlight the importance of clinical suspicion and diagnosis to avoid unnecessary surgical neck explorations for parathyroid adenomas. Case report. This is the case of a 40-year-old man with a biochemical profile compatible with primary hyperparathyroidism with anatomical and functional images negative for adenoma and a calcium/creatinine clearance ratio below 0.001, considering familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia. Genetic studies evidence a mutation in the calcium sensor receptor gene and confirm the diagnosis. Discussion. Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia's main differential diagnosis is an overactive parathyroid adenoma. For both, mild or no symptoms may be present; serum calcium exceeds the upper limit, and parathormone is more than 25pg/ml. The calcium/creatinine clearance ratio should be used to differentiate one from the other and avoid unnecessary surgical neck explorations. Besides the lack of information on this topic, evidence supports the use of calcimimetics to treat symptomatic hypercalcemia. Conclusions. Patients with mild hypercalcemia with parathyroid hormone readings above 25pg/ml and a calcium/creatinine clearance ratio below 0.001, or patients with primary hyperparathyroidism with negative imaging, should not undergo surgical neck explorations. In these cases, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia is a reliable diagnosis; Cinacalcet may be administered in cases of symptomatic hypercalcemia.

Introducción. La hipercalcemia hipocalciúrica familiar es un trastorno hereditario poco común del metabolismo del calcio en donde una alteración del punto de ajuste de la secreción de hormona paratiroidea ocasiona hipercalcemia con hipocalciuria relativa. Algunos datos sugieren que su prevalencia es de alrededor de 74.1 por 100,000 habitantes. Los pacientes muchas veces son asintomáticos. Sin embargo, pueden desarrollar síntomas leves y un adenoma paratiroideo hiperactivo, que representa su principal diagnóstico diferencial. El objetivo fue describir el caso de un paciente y resaltar la importancia de la sospecha y el diagnóstico clínico para evitar exploraciones quirúrgicas cervicales innecesarias en búsqueda de adenomas paratiroideos. Reporte de caso. Este es el caso de un hombre de 40 años con un perfil bioquímico compatible con hiperparatiroidismo primario, con imágenes anatómicas y funcionales negativas para adenoma, además de una relación de depuración de calcio/creatinina menor a 0.001, con consideración de hipercalcemia hipocalciúrica familiar. Los estudios genéticos evidencian una mutación en el gen del receptor sensor del calcio y confirman el diagnóstico. Discusión. El principal diagnóstico diferencial de la hipercalcemia hipocalciúrica familiar es un adenoma paratiroideo hiperactivo. En ambos casos, es posible que no haya síntomas o que estos sean leves; el calcio sérico excede al límite superior, y la paratohormona es mayor de 25pg/ml. Se debe usar la relación de depuración de calcio/creatinina para diferenciar entre estas patologías y evitar exploraciones quirúrgicas cervicales innecesarias. Aparte de la falta de información sobre este tema, la evidencia apoya el uso de calciomiméticos para tratar la hipercalcemia sintomática. Conclusiones. Los pacientes con hipercalcemia leve, con valores de hormona paratiroidea mayores de 25pg/ml y con una relación de depuración de calcio/creatinina menor de 0.001, o los pacientes con hiperparatiroidismo primario con imágenes negativas, no deben ser sometidos a exploraciones quirúrgicas cervicales. En estos casos, la hipercalcemia hipocalciúrica familiar representa un diagnóstico confiable; se puede administrar Cinacalcet en casos de hipercalcemia sintomática.

Introdução. A hipercalcemia hipocalciúrica familiar é um distúrbio hereditário raro do metabolismo do cálcio, no qual uma alteração no ponto de ajuste da secreção do hormônio da paratireóide causa hipercalcemia com hipocalciúria relativa. Alguns dados sugerem que sua prevalência gira em torno de 74.1 por 100,000 habitantes. Os pacientes geralmente são assintomáticos. No entanto, eles podem desenvolver sintomas leves e um adenoma de paratireoide hiperativo, que representa seu principal diagnóstico diferencial. O objetivo foi descrever o caso de um paciente e destacar a importância da suspeita clínica e do diagnóstico para evitar exploração cirúrgica cervical desnecessária em busca de adenomas de paratireoide. Relato de caso. É o caso de um homem de 40 anos com perfil bioquímico compatível com hiperparatireoidismo primário, com imagens anatômicas e funcionais negativas para adenoma, além de relação depuração de cálcio/creatinina menor que 0.001, considerando hipercalcemia hipocalciúrica familiar. Estudos genéticos revelam uma mutação no gene receptor da sensibilidade ao cálcio e confirmam o diagnóstico. Discussão. O principal diagnóstico diferencial da hipercalcemia hipocalciúrica familiar é um adenoma de paratireoide hiperativo. Em ambos os casos, os sintomas podem estar ausentes ou leves; o cálcio sérico excede o limite superior e o hormônio da paratireóide é superior a 25pg/ml. A relação depuração de cálcio/creatinina deve ser usada para diferenciar entre essas patologias e evitar exploração cirúrgica cervical desnecessária. Além da falta de informações sobre esta questão, as evidências apoiam o uso de calcimiméticos para tratar a hipercalcemia sintomática. Conclusões. Pacientes com hipercalcemia leve, com valores de hormônio da paratireóide maiores que 25pg/ml e uma relação de depuração de cálcio/creatinina menor que 0.001, ou pacientes com hiperparatireoidismo primário com imagens negativas, não devem ser submetidos a exploração cirúrgica cervical. Nesses casos, a hipercalcemia hipocalciúrica familiar representa um diagnóstico confiável; Cinacalcet pode ser administrado em casos de hipercalcemia sintomática.

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Con la aparición de la COVID-19, la edad pediátrica parecía menos vulnerable, hasta cierto momento donde se empezó a describir casi de forma simultánea en distintos países; primero en Italia, luego España e Inglaterra y por último en Estados Unidos brotes de una nueva enfermedad que en principio se pensó que era una presentación atípica de Enfermedad de Kawasaki, con el denominador común de la infección previa de SARS-COV-2, por lo cual pasó a denominarse como una patología nueva; su causa aun es desconocida, la hipótesis más aceptada es que se trata de una respuesta inadecuada del sistema inmunitario; en vista del aumento de pacientes con esta sintomatología las principales organizaciones de salud a nivel mundial como la Organización Mundial para la Salud (OMS) y los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades de Estados Unidos (CDC) se vieron en la necesidad de proponer protocolos de manejo; manteniendo un patrón similar al usado en la Enfermedad de Kawasaki, los cuales lastimosamente no se han actualizado con el paso de tiempo; partiendo de estos y bajo sus propias experiencias distintos colegios médicos a nivel mundial han desarrollado consensos de diagnóstico y manejo los cuales valen la pena ser revisados y tener en cuentan ya que muchos han probado ser de utilidad en distintos ensayos clínicos y los cuales tienen potencial para ser estudiados y seguirse desarrollando ya que pueden orientar al médico de forma mas rápida y eficaz a un diagnóstico

With the appearance of COVID-19, the pediatric age seemed less vulnerable, until a certain moment when it began to be described almost simultaneously in different countries; first in Italy, then Spain and England, and finally in the United States outbreaks of a new disease that at first was thought to be an atypical presentation of Kawasaki disease, with the common denominator of the previous infection of SARS-COV-2, for which happened to be denominated like a new pathology; its cause is still unknown, the most widely accepted hypothesis is that it is an inadequate response of the immune system; In view of the increase in patients with this symptomatology, the main global health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were in need to propose management protocols; maintaining a pattern similar to that used in Kawasaki disease, which unfortunately has not been updated over time; based on these and under their own experiences, different medical schools worldwide have developed diagnostic and management consensus which are worth reviewing and taking into account since many have proven to be useful in different clinical trials and which have the potential to be studied and continue to develop as they can guide the doctor more quickly and effectively to a diagnosis