RESUMO

Primary oral and sinonasal mucosal melanomas (POSNMMs) are aggressive neoplasms with limited therapeutic alternatives. The aim of this review was to characterize the demographic, clinical, immunohistochemical, and molecular information regarding these tumors in the Latin American population. Articles published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese (1990-2022) retrieved from the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, CAS, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Google Academic databases were included. Thirty-three studies, with a total of 1212 cases, were identified. Clinicopathological data were available for 870 cases and immunohistochemical and/or molecular information for 342. Nineteen studies (57.6%) reported cases of oral melanoma, three (9.1%) sinonasal melanoma, and 11 (33.3%) oral and sinonasal melanoma. Fifteen studies (45.5%) provided only clinicopathological data, 12 (36.4%) reported only immunohistochemical data, two (6.1%) shared clinicopathological and immunohistochemical data, one (3.0%) offered clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular data, one (3.0%) provided immunohistochemical and molecular data, one (3.0%) clinicopathological and molecular data, and one (3.0%) only molecular data. The mean age of individuals with POSNMMs was 58 years, and slightly more were male (male 51.3%, female 48.7%). In Latin America, POSNMMs are a rare but aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Although molecular data and targeted therapy are still being researched, data from Latin America indicate the need for multicenter collaborative clinical trials to unite individual and isolated efforts.

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A great diversity of microorganisms in the soil plays an important role in the sustainability of agricultural production systems. Among these microorganisms are bacteria that have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen or mineralize phosphorus, thus making it easily assimilable for plants. Maize is the main crop in the highlands of Ecuador (above 2000 meters) and it is predominantly traditional, using native seeds and very little or no agrochemicals. The National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP) has a collection of bacteria collected from the rhizosphere of maize in the highlands of Ecuador that has not been taxonomically identified. This research aimed to carry out a biochemical and genetic characterization to establish the identity of the collected nitrogen-fixing and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria and to understand better the diversity of microorganisms present in the root biome of Andean maize. The hypothesis consisted of determining if there is a difference in the bacteria associated with the rhizosphere of maize in the Andean region of Ecuador compared with other regions. The bacteria underwent classical biochemical characterization based on catalase, oxidase, urease, sulfates, indole, sulfate-indole motility (SIM), and lactose, among others, and genetic identification by 16S rDNA ribosomal gene sequencing, PCR, and SANGER sequencing. A great diversity of microorganisms associated with the rhizosphere of the crop was found, including the genera Agrobacterium, Bacillus, Stenotrophomonas, Acinetobacter, Brevundimonas, Pseudomonas, and Pseudoxanthomonas. INIAP conserves these bacteria in a bank of microorganisms associated with crops of economic importance. They are useful for the development of biofertilizers that could contribute to a more sustainable agriculture in the region.

Assuntos

Nitrogênio , Rizosfera , Fósforo , Zea mays , Equador , Raízes de Plantas , Bactérias/genética , Solo/química , Produtos Agrícolas , Indóis , Microbiologia do Solo , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética

RESUMO

In this work, we report the experimental study of a Q-switched optical fiber laser based on graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) as saturable absorber (SA). GOQDs are fabricated by carbonization and exfoliation electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. The results of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) showed bands caused by the CHs and C[bond, double bond]O groups associated with the GOQDs. The Raman spectrum showed the typical G and D bands of GOQDs. The size of the GOQDs, calculated by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was 6 nm; additionally, by high resolution TEM (HRTEM), an interplanar distance of 0.19 nm corresponding to the (002) direction of the graphene oxide was calculated. The SA was achieved using the photodeposition technique of the GOQDs onto the core of a single-mode optical fiber. The nonlinear characterization (NLC) of the GOQDs was carried out using the P-scan technique with a high-gain erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The obtained results showed a saturable absorption behavior with a value of ß=-1.178x10-6(m/W) and a non-linear susceptibility of Im(χ(3))≈-1.573x10-7(esu). The experimental results of the SA, based on GOQDs as a switching device in a fiber laser, showed a typical behavior of a Q-switched laser by generating a pulsed emission at a wavelength of 1599 nm, a frequency from 2 to 16 kHz, and a maximum average output power of 1.3 mW.

RESUMO

This work reports the influence of terbium trivalent ions on growing kinetics and the phase in hafnium oxide nanoparticles, as well as response to radiation in the range from 256 to 286. The nanoparticles were obtained by the hydrothermal route maintaining the temperature constant and varying the reaction time and the terbium concentration. The results show a gradual change in the phase with the concentration of terbium trivalent ions, going from the monoclinic phase, present at low concentrations, to the tetragonal phase, which appears from dopant concentrations greater than 5% at., increasing in amount with concentration of dopant. These phases appear as two perfectly defined morphologies. Furthermore, there is a significant change in radiative lifetimes when the tetragonal phase appears.

RESUMO

The present work reports the study of the thermally coupled energy levels of the trivalent europium ion in the barium hafnate matrix, in the temperature range of 289.7-323.8 K, through the application of ultraviolet radiation. Barium hafnate doped with 1, 3, and 5 atomic % trivalent europium ion was synthesized by the hydrothermal route, using chlorides as precursor elements. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the material crystallized in the perovskite cubic phase of barium hafnate, according to diffraction card file number #24-0102. Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, it was observed that the obtained crystals have an average size of 10 nm. From the photoluminescent analysis at room temperature, it was found that the sample doped with 3.0% atomic of trivalent europium displayed with the highest luminescent emission, while the photoluminescent analysis as a function of temperature showed that the bands associated with the 5D0 → 7FJ (J = 1,2,3,4) transitions have a strong dependence on temperature in the physical range.

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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, which causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused a great impact on healthcare systems worldwide, including hepatitis B and C viruses screening and elimination programs. The high number of COVID-19 hospitalizations represent a great opportunity to screen patients for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which was the aim of this study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, retrospective study performed between April 2020 and 20201 at a referral center in Mexico dedicated to the care of adults with severe/critical COVID-19. We retrieved clinical, demographic, and laboratory results from each patient´s medical records, including antibodies against HCV (anti-HCV), HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies against the HBV core antigen (anti-HBcAg), and antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBsAg). RESULTS: Out of 3620 patients that were admitted to the hospital, 24 (0.66%), 4 (0.11%), and 72 (1.99%) tested positive for anti-HCV, HBsAg, and anti-HBcAg, respectively. Of all seronegative patients, 954 (27%) had undetectable anti-HBsAg and 401 (12%) had anti-HBsAg at protective levels. Blood transfusion was the most relevant risk factor. Only 9.7% of the anti-HBc positive, 25% of the HBsAg positive, and 52% of the anti-HCV positive were aware of their serological status. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we found a prevalence of anti-HCV of 0.66%, HBsAg in 0.11%, and isolated anti-HBcAg in 1.99%. We also found that HBV vaccination coverage has been suboptimal and needs to be reinforced. This study gave us a trustworthy insight of the actual seroprevalence in Mexico, which can help provide feedback to the Hepatitis National Elimination Plan.

Assuntos

COVID-19 , Hepatite B , Hepatite C , Adulto , COVID-19/diagnóstico , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Hepacivirus , Hepatite B/diagnóstico , Hepatite B/epidemiologia , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite B , Antígenos do Núcleo do Vírus da Hepatite B , Antígenos de Superfície da Hepatite B , Vírus da Hepatite B , Hepatite C/diagnóstico , Hepatite C/epidemiologia , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite C , Humanos , Pacientes Internados , México/epidemiologia , Encaminhamento e Consulta , Estudos Retrospectivos , SARS-CoV-2 , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos

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BACKGROUND: Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) in adults and children has been related to the metabolic syndrome and other cardiovascular risk factors; however, scarce studies have evaluated it in infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) in whom, alterations in the thickness of the interventricular septum have been reported. This study compares the EFT in IDM versus infants of non-diabetic mothers (INDM) and its association with others echocardiographic parameters. METHODS: We performed a cross sectional study in 93 infants (64 IDM and 29 INDM). To evaluate EFT dimensions, an echocardiogram was performed within the first 24h of extrauterine life in both groups. In diabetic mothers, HbA1c was also determined. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in birth weight between the groups although gestational age was lower in IDM. The EFT (3.6 vs. 2.5 mm, p < 0.0001), the interventricular septum thickness (IVST) (6.2 vs. 5.2 mm, p < 0.0001) and the IVST / left ventricle posterior wall (1.3 vs. 1.1, p = 0.001) were higher in the IDM; while the left ventricular expulsion fraction [LVFE] (71.1 vs. 77.8; p < 0.0001) was lower than in the INDM, respectively. We found a positive correlation between EFT with IVST (r = 0.577; p = 0.0001), LVPW (r = 0.262; p = 0.011), IVST/LVPW index (r = 0.353; p = 0.001), and mitral integral early velocity (r = 0.313; p = 0.002), while a negative correlation with LVFE was observed (r = -0.376; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The EFT is higher in IDM than in INDM. It was positively related with echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular thickness and negatively with left ventricular ejection function.

Assuntos

Diabetes Mellitus , Mães , Tecido Adiposo/diagnóstico por imagem , Adulto , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Pericárdio/diagnóstico por imagem

RESUMO

Fascioliasis is a worldwide emerging snail-borne zoonotic trematodiasis with a great spreading capacity linked to animal and human movements, climate change, and anthropogenic modifications of freshwater environments. South America is the continent with more human endemic areas caused by Fasciola hepatica, mainly in high altitude areas of Andean regions. The Peruvian Cajamarca area presents the highest human prevalences reported, only lower than those in the Bolivian Altiplano. Sequencing of the complete rDNA ITS-2 allowed for the specific and haplotype classification of lymnaeid snails collected in seasonal field surveys along a transect including 2007-3473 m altitudes. The species Galba truncatula (one haplotype preferentially in higher altitudes) and Pseudosuccinea columella (one haplotype in an isolated population), and the non-transmitting species Lymnaea schirazensis (two haplotypes mainly in lower altitudes) were found. Climatic seasonality proved to influence G. truncatula populations in temporarily dried habitats, whereas L. schirazensis appeared to be more climatologically independent due to its extreme amphibious ecology. Along the southeastern transect from Cajamarca city, G. truncatula and L. schirazensis shared the same site in 7 localities (46.7% of the water collections studied). The detection of G. truncatula in 11 new foci (73.3%), predominantly in northern localities closer to the city, demonstrate that the Cajamarca transmission risk area is markedly wider than previously considered. Lymnaea schirazensis progressively increases its presence when moving away from the city. Results highlight the usefulness of lymnaeid surveys to assess borders of the endemic area and inner distribution of transmission foci. Similar lymnaeid surveys are still in need to be performed in the wide northern and western zones of the Cajamarca city. The coexistence of more than one lymnaeid transmitting species, together with a morphologically indistinguishable non-transmitting species and livestock movements inside the area, conform a complex scenario which poses difficulties for the needed One Health control intervention.

RESUMO

In the present paper, we show the experimental measurement of the growth of a microbubble created on the tip of a single mode optical fiber, in which zinc nanoparticles were photodeposited on its core by using a single laser source to carry out both the generation of the microbubble by photothermal effect and the monitoring of the microbubble diameter. The photodeposition technique, as well as the formation of the microbubble, was carried out by using a single-mode pigtailed laser diode with emission at a wavelength of 658 nm. The microbubble's growth was analyzed in the time domain by the analysis of the Fabry-Perot cavity, whose diameter was calculated with the number of interference fringes visualized in an oscilloscope. The results obtained with this technique were compared with images obtained from a CCD camera, in order to verify the diameter of the microbubble. Therefore, by counting the interference fringes, it was possible to quantify the temporal evolution of the microbubble. As a practical demonstration, we proposed a vibrometer sensor using microbubbles with sizes of 83 and 175 µm as a Fabry-Perot cavity; through the time period of a full oscillation cycle of an interferogram observed in the oscilloscope, it was possible to know the frequency vibration (500 and 1500 Hz) for a cuvette where the microbubble was created.

RESUMO

Non-FDA approved foreign substances injected in areas such as the hips and buttocks for aesthetic purposes have resulted in significant complications including secondary lymphedema. We sought to demonstrate lymphoscintigraphic abnormalities in a group of patients with lower extremity edema following infiltration of foreign substances in but-tocks and hips to confirm secondary lymphedema. This retrospective and observational study examined 10 lower extremities for lymphoscintigraphic abnormalities from patients with history of infiltration of foreign substances and subsequent complaints about lower extremity edema. Clinical evaluation, lymphedema index, lymphoscintigraphy, and Transport Index (TI) were evaluated. The average lymphedema index documented in each limb was 236.45 categorizing most of our patients in a lower limb lymphedema stage I. The average TI was 15.7 points (8.6 - 22.8 points) demonstrating that all patients show abnormal lymphoscintigraphy (LSG) patterns. LSG findings confirm the diagnosis of lower extremity lymphedema secondary to injection of foreign substances in the buttocks and hips in the group of patients studied.

Assuntos

Linfedema , Humanos , Extremidade Inferior , Linfedema/diagnóstico por imagem , Linfedema/etiologia , Linfocintigrafia , Estudos Retrospectivos