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TwinsMX registry is a national research initiative in Mexico that aims to understand the complex interplay between genetics and environment in shaping physical and mental health traits among the country's population. With a multidisciplinary approach, TwinsMX aims to advance our knowledge of the genetic and environmental mechanisms underlying ethnic variations in complex traits and diseases, including behavioral, psychometric, anthropometric, metabolic, cardiovascular and mental disorders. With information gathered from over 2800 twins, this article updates the prevalence of several complex traits; and describes the advances and novel ideas we have implemented such as magnetic resonance imaging. The future expansion of the TwinsMX registry will enhance our comprehension of the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in shaping health and disease in the Mexican population. Overall, this report describes the progress in the building of a solid database that will allow the study of complex traits in the Mexican population, valuable not only for our consortium, but also for the worldwide scientific community, by providing new insights of understudied genetically admixed populations.

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OBJECTIVE: To characterize the distribution of macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, and blood vessels in peri-implantitis compared to healthy aged gingiva samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational study included eight gingival samples from peri-implantitis and eight from periodontally healthy individuals. By immunofluorescence were identified neutrophils, NK cells, macrophages, and their pro-inflammatory or pro-healing phenotypes, and blood vessels. Two ROIs were designated as zone 1, connective tissue closest to the epithelium and zone 2, connective tissue over 200 microns from the rete ridges. Immune cells and vascular structures were quantified and characterized according to their distribution in both zones. RESULTS: Two peri-implantitis zones were characterized by unique macrophage phenotypes and blood vessel architecture. Blood vessels were larger in zone 2 in peri-implantitis. A greater number of NK cells and macrophages were found in peri-implantitis compared to healthy aged samples. A higher presence of pro-inflammatory macrophages was found in zone 1 compared to zone 2. A similar proportion of pro-inflammatory and pro-healing macrophages were found in zone 2. CONCLUSION: A specific distribution for pro-inflammatory macrophages and vascular architecture is observed in peri-implantitis. TNF-α colocalizes with macrophages in the connective tissue near rete ridges. NK cells are more abundant in peri-implantitis than in healthy samples.

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Background: Post-COVID disabilities, encompassing physical, cognitive, and psychological aspects, constitute the primary health sequelae for survivors. While the rehabilitation needs post COVID-19 are now well understood, each country possesses unique characteristics in terms of populations, healthcare systems, social dynamics, and economic profiles, necessitating context-specific recommendations. This study aims to address two main objectives: (1) analyze the impact of an 8-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation program on the quality of life, functional capacity, cognition, and mental health adaptations in adults recovering from COVID-19 in northern Chile, and (2) propose a personalized model for predicting program dropouts and responses. Methods: A total of 44 subjects were enrolled, forming two groups during the study: a treatment group (n = 32) and a dropout group (n = 12). The treatment group participated in the 8-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. Results: The results indicate that (1) After 8 weeks, the quality of life of the patients in the treatment group exhibited significant improvements reflected in all aspects of the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF36, p < 0.005) and the total score (p < 0.001), with a concurrent decrease in dysfunctionality (p < 0.001). (2) Significant improvements were also observed in various physical performance tests, including the: 6-minute walk test, 1-min sit-to-stand, dynamometry, Tinetti balance, and Berg score (p < 0.001). Moreover, physical therapy led to a reduction in neuropathic symptoms and pain, psychological therapy reduced anxiety and depression, and language therapy enhanced memory and speech (all p < 0.05). (3) Demographic and clinical history characteristics did not predict responses to rehabilitation. (4) A regression model for predicting changes in SF-36 total score, based on physical function, physical role, general health, and mental health, was established based on the data from study (p < 0.01, adjusted R2 = 0.893). (5) Classification models for predicting dropouts achieved 68% accuracy, with key predictors of treatment adherence including diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, Tinetti balance, physical role, and vitality of SF36, and performance on the 6-minute walk test and 1-minute sit-to-stand. Conclusions: This study demonstrates significant enhancements in quality of life, improved functional performance, and reductions in mental and cognitive burdens within an 8-week rehabilitation program. Additionally, it is possible to identify patients at risk of dropping out using cost-effective, outpatient, and clinically applicable tests.

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Onchocerciasis has been declared eliminated in Ecuador and surveillance measures are of great interest. In this study, we examined the infectivity rates of Simulium exiguum by Onchocerca volvulus in previously hyperendemic areas in Esmeraldas province of Ecuador. These areas had previously undergone mass administration of ivermectin, which led to the interruption of transmission in 2009 and the certification of elimination in 2014. The study included three communities in Río Cayapas and one in Río Canandé, and a total of 2,950 adult S. exiguum were collected in 2018. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction with O. volvulus O-150 plasmid control DNA to analyze 59 pools. Our findings revealed that the infectivity rates were zero, indicating that the transmission of O. volvulus remained suspended in the area.

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Resumen La intoxicación por metanol puede ocurrir de forma inadvertida por la ingesta de bebidas alcohólicas adulteradas. Se trata una entidad poco frecuente, sin embargo, se ha reportado un aumento en la incidencia durante la pandemia de COVID-19. La intoxicación con metanol representa una urgencia médica, ya que puede provocar daño severo en el sistema nervioso central y periférico, además de acidosis metabólica, daño renal agudo e incluso la muerte. En este artículo se presenta el caso de un paciente que cursó con intoxicación por metanol de manera inadvertida al consumir bebidas alcohólicas presumiblemente adulteradas. En el encéfalo se demostró necrosis hemorrágica de ambos núcleos putamen, además de cursar con neuritis óptica bilateral y polineuropatía periférica. Fue manejado con pulsos de esteroides intravenosos, con lo cual, mejoró significativamente su función visual, sensitiva y motora. En el presente caso no existieron complicaciones fatales y presentó una buena respuesta al tratamiento, sin embargo, el caso pone de relieve la necesidad de una mejor regulación en la producción y comercialización de bebidas alcohólicas en nuestro país, y, por otro lado, permite hacer a un llamado a los consumidores a tomar más precauciones en el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas de dudosa calidad o procedencia.

Abstract Methanol poisoning can occur unnoticed, by the ingestion of adulterated alcoholic beverages. In general, it is a rare entity, however, an increase in incidence has been reported during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methanol poisoning represents a medical emergency as it can cause severe damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as metabolic acidosis, acute kidney injury, and even death. This article presents the case of a patient who inadvertently developed methanol intoxication after consuming presumably adulterated alcoholic beverages. In the brain, hemorrhagic necrosis of both putamen nuclei was demonstrated, in addition to presenting with bilateral optic neuritis and peripheral polyneuropathy. He was managed with intravenous steroid pulses, which significantly improved his visual, sensory, and motor function. In the present case there were no fatal complications and presented a good response to treatment, however, the case highlights the need for better regulation in the production and marketing of alcoholic beverages in our country, and on the other hand, to invite consumers to take more precautions in the consumption of alcoholic beverages of dubious quality or origin.

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Experimentally, the standard molar enthalpy of formation in the crystalline phase at 298.15 K, ΔfHm°(cr) for 7-methoxy-4-methylcoumarin (7M4MC) was calculated by traditional linear regression, which was obtained by combustion calorimetry. Similarly, the standard molar enthalpy of sublimation was determined through the standard molar enthalpy of fusion and by the standard molar enthalpy of vaporization, from differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry, respectively; lately using these results, the standard molar enthalpy of formation in the gas phase was calculated at 298.15 K, ΔfHm°(g). In addition ML was used to predict the standard molar enthalpy of formation in the gas phase for the 7M4MC, constructing an experimental data set containing three kinds of functional groups: esters, coumarins, and aromatic compounds. The procedure was performed by using multiple linear regression algorithms and stochastic gradient descent with a R2 of 0.99. The obtained models were used to compare those predicted values versus experimental for coumarins, resulting in an average error rate of 9.0%. Likewise, four homodesmic reactions were proposed and predicted with the multiple linear regression algorithm of ML obtaining good results.

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Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a promising method for biodiversity assessment, which allows for longer and less intrusive sampling when compared to traditional methods (e.g., collecting specimens), by using sound recordings as the primary data source. Insects have great potential as models for the study and monitoring of acoustic assemblages due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. Nevertheless, ecoacoustic studies focused on insects are still scarce when compared to more charismatic groups. Insects' acoustic activity patterns respond to environmental factors, like temperature, moonlight, and precipitation, but community acoustic perspectives have been barely explored. Here, we provide an example of the usefulness of PAM to track temporal patterns of acoustic activity for a nocturnal assemblage of insects (Orthoptera). We integrate satellite remote sensing and astronomically measured environmental factors at a local scale in an Andean Forest of Colombia and evaluate the acoustic response of orthopterans through automated model detections of their songs for nine weeks (March and April of 2020). We describe the acoustic frequency range and diel period for the calling song of each representative species. Three species overlapped in frequency and diel acoustics but inhabit different strata: canopy, understory, and ground surface level. Based on the acoustic frequency and activity, we identified three trends: (i) both sampled cricket species call at lower frequency for shorter periods of time (dusk); (ii) all sampled katydid species call at higher frequency for longer time periods, including later hours at night; and (iii) the diel acoustic activity span window seems to increase proportionally with dominant acoustic frequency, but further research is required. We also identified a dusk chorus in which all the species sing at the same time. To quantify the acoustic response to environmental factors, we calculated a beta regression with the singing activity as a response variable and moon phase, surface temperature and daily precipitation as explanatory variables. The response to the moon phase was significant for the katydids but not for the crickets, possibly due to differences in diel activity periods. Crickets are active during dusk, thus the effects of moonlight on acoustic activity are negligible. The response to precipitation was significant for the two crickets and not for the katydids, possibly because of higher likelihood of rain interrupting crickets' shorter diel activity period. Our study shows how the local survey of orthopteran acoustic assemblages, with a species taxonomic resolution coupled with remote-sensing environmental measurements can reveal responses to environmental factors. In addition, we demonstrate how satellite data might prove to be a useful alternative source of environmental data for community studies with geographical, financial, or other constraints.

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Purpose: Endothelial damage and angiogenesis are fundamental elements of neovascularisation and fibrosis observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we aimed to evaluate whether early endothelial and angiogenic biomarkers detection predicts mortality and major cardiovascular events in patients with COVID-19 requiring respiratory support. Methods: Changes in serum syndecan-1, thrombomodulin, and angiogenic factor concentrations were analysed during the first 24 h and 10 days after COVID-19 hospitalisation in patients with high-flow nasal oxygen or mechanical ventilation. Also, we performed an exploratory evaluation of the endothelial migration process induced by COVID-19 in the patients' serum using an endothelial cell culture model. Results: In 43 patients, mean syndecan-1 concentration was 40.96 ± 106.9 ng/mL with a 33.9% increase (49.96 ± 58.1 ng/mL) at day 10. Both increases were significant compared to healthy controls (Kruskal-Wallis p < 0.0001). We observed an increase in thrombomodulin, Angiopoietin-2, human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) concentrations during the first 24 h, with a decrease in human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) that remained after 10 days. An increase in human Interleukin-8 (IL-8) on the 10th day accompanied by high HGF was also noted. The incidence of myocardial injury and pulmonary thromboembolism was 55.8 and 20%, respectively. The incidence of in-hospital deaths was 16.3%. Biomarkers showed differences in severity of COVID-19. Syndecan-1, human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), VEGF, and Ang-2 predicted mortality. A multiple logistic regression model with TIMP-2 and PDGF had positive and negative predictive powers of 80.9 and 70%, respectively, for mortality. None of the biomarkers predicted myocardial injury or pulmonary thromboembolism. A proteome profiler array found changes in concentration in a large number of biomarkers of angiogenesis and chemoattractants. Finally, the serum samples from COVID-19 patients increased cell migration compared to that from healthy individuals. Conclusion: We observed that early endothelial and angiogenic biomarkers predicted mortality in patients with COVID-19. Chemoattractants from patients with COVID-19 increase the migration of endothelial cells. Trials are needed for confirmation, as this poses a therapeutic target for SARS-CoV-2.

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AIM: To determine which acoustic parameters may be associated with vocal fatigue among college professors in Bogotá-Colombia. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study including 27 voice samples of college professors. RESULTS: A gender analysis showed that mean fundamental frequency increased significantly among men and women who reported vocal fatigue compared with the those without fatigue (138.2Hz vs 122.3Hz for males; and 228.7Hz vs 188.9Hz for females; Mann-Whitney U test P value <0.01). Participants with vocal fatigue demonstrated a significantly decreased standard deviation of vocal sound pressure level compared to participants without vocal fatigue (8.7 dB vs 10.2 dB; Mann-Whitney U test P value <0.01). For the males in our sample, fundamental frequency had fair discriminatory value for vocal fatigue (area under the curve = 0.7). Sensitivity and specificity were moderate at a cut-off of 125 Hz (0.7 and 0.6 respectively). For females in this sample, the discriminatory value of fundamental frequency was slightly higher (area under the curve = 0.8). At a cut-off of 200 Hz, sensitivity was high (0.9) and specificity were moderate (0.7). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the fundamental frequencies and standard deviations of vocal sound pressure level are good indicators of and may be used to identify college professors with vocal fatigue. Clinically, voice clinicians may aim to train their clients to produce speech with a higher variation of "intensity" in order to avoid vocal fatigue.

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INTRODUCTION: Malaria is a vector-borne disease widely distributed in the Amazon region and the coastal area of northern Ecuador. Its epidemiology involves related factors such as human settlements, vector reproduction sites, mobility, productive activity, and the response capacity of health systems, among others. OBJECTIVE: To describe malaria transmission by Plasmodium vivax in a non-endemic area of Ecuador by analyzing the epidemiological and entomological factors involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted the epidemiological study of the cases reported in the Salinas canton and the characterization of vector breeding sites through captures of larvae and adult mosquitoes by human capture of resting mosquitoes. RESULTS: We detected 21 cases of malaria with local transmission related to the presence of initial cases in Venezuelan migrant patients and identified Anopheles albimanus as the predominant vector in natural breeding sites such as estuaries, wells, and water channels. CONCLUSIONS: We detected an outbreak of malaria triggered by imported cases from Venezuela. Climatic, social, environmental, and ecological conditions have favored the development of the vector maintaining the transmission cycle. Strategies to control imported malaria should be multiple including early case detection and control of productive breeding sites to avoid local transmission.

Introducción. La malaria o paludismo es una enfermedad transmitida por vectores, ampliamente distribuida en la región amazónica y en la zona costera del norte del Ecuador. Su epidemiología involucra factores relacionados, como asentamientos humanos, sitios de reproducción del vector, movilidad, actividad productiva y capacidad de respuesta de los sistemas de salud, entre otros. Objetivo. Describir la transmisión de malaria por Plasmodium vivax en un área no endémica de Ecuador, mediante el análisis de los factores epidemiológicos y entomológicos involucrados. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo el estudio epidemiológico de los casos reportados en el cantón de Salinas y la caracterización de criaderos del vector con capturas de larvas y adultos mediante la captura de mosquitos en reposo. Resultados. Se detectaron 21 casos de malaria con transmisión local relacionados con la presencia de casos iniciales importados de Venezuela. Se identificó Anopheles albimanus como el vector predominante en criaderos naturales como estuarios, pozos y canales de agua. Conclusiones. Se detectó un brote de malaria desencadenado por casos importados de Venezuela. Las condiciones climáticas, sociales, ambientales y ecológicas han favorecido el desarrollo del vector, manteniendo el ciclo de transmisión. Las estrategias para controlar la malaria importada deben ser multifacéticas, e incluir la detección temprana de casos y el control de criaderos productivos para evitar la transmisión local.

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