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Hantavirus infection is an endemic zoonosis in Chile, with an average lethality of around 36%. The highest lethality (60%) was recorded in 1997. Prevention strategies have been applied since then. Early diagnosis and technologies, such as the use of ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) and Hantavirus immune plasma, have contributed to increasing the survival of people due to this disease at the national level. In the newly created Region of Ñuble in Chile, the incidence and lethality of Hantavirus cases are unknown; therefore, the objective of this research is to describe the epidemiological profile of Hantavirus cases in the Region of Ñuble, Chile from 2002 to 2018. This knowledge contributes to substantiating and justifies the need to invest in technology and reinforce interventions related to the early diagnosis and prevention of this disease in the region. Cases reported in the Ñuble region during the period 2002-2018, extracted from the Epidemiological Survey of Environmental Research of Hantavirus cases of the Ministry of Health of Chile, were analyzed retrospectively. The epidemiological profile of the Ñuble region is very similar to the national one in terms of characterizing the individual suffering from the disease. The most affected population is young men, residents in rural areas, and mainly from a low socioeconomic segment. The regional profile of Hantavirus cases makes it possible to identify three communes with the highest number of cases: El Carmen, Coihueco, and San Carlos. A political-administrative response is expected to focus on and optimize strategies and resources to reduce the incidence and lethality of this pathology in the Ñuble region.

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In recent years, Aedes albopictus has become the most important invasive mosquito species worldwide. In 2018, Ae. albopictus was found in a suburban area of Merida, one of the cities with the highest number of arbovirus cases in Mexico in the last 10 years. As Ae. albopictus continues its range expansion, there is a need to monitor its susceptibility to existing insecticide classes, since countries like Mexico currently do not consider Ae. albopictus in its insecticide management programs. In order to determine its susceptibility to the insecticides usually applied by the vector control program in Mexico, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention bottle bioassays were performed on individuals from established population of Ae. albopictus from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Results suggested that the population recently found in the suburban area of Merida is susceptible to permethrin, deltamethrin, chlorpyrifos, malathion, bendiocarb, and propoxur. Further studies of insecticide resistance using biochemical and molecular tools together with more knowledge of the biology and ecology of this species are necessary to generate specific and efficient control strategies in Mexico.

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Abstract Lake Laguna Santa Elena, a freshwater body, located in mid-south of Chile, is an environmental asset used as a water resource by the agricultural and touristic sector and is the habitat for a wide variety of endemic avifauna. The objective of this study was to assign a monetary value to this lacustrine body, using the methodology of AMUVAM (Multicriteria Analysis of Environmental Active Values). The information was collected through the application of surveys to a panel of experts involved in the use of the environmental resource. The result obtained with the AMUVAM method corresponds to the US $ 17,780,686, a figure that represents an estimated value of the TEV (Total Economic Value) of the environmental asset. This study, a pioneer in the Region, will support decision making, allowing an adequate management of this critical water resource.

Resumo A Laguna Santa Elena, um corpo de água doce localizado no centro-sul do Chile, é um ativo ambiental usado como recurso hídrico pelos setores agrícola e turístico e é o habitat de uma ampla variedade de avifauna endêmica. O objetivo deste estudo foi atribuir um valor monetário a esse corpo lacustre, utilizando a metodologia da AMUVAM (Análise Multicritério de Valores Ambientais Ativos). As informações foram coletadas por meio da aplicação de pesquisas a um painel de especialistas envolvidos no uso do recurso ambiental. O resultado obtido com o método AMUVAM corresponde a US$ 17.780.686, que representam um valor estimado do valor econômico total (VT) do ativo ambiental. Este estudo, pioneiro na região, apoiará a tomada de decisões, permitindo um gerenciamento adequado desse recurso hídrico crítico.

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Fluorescent carbon based-nanoparticles are one of the emerging nanomaterials. Their preparation is relatively simple, rapid and inexpensive, and they are less toxic compared with metal and semiconductor nanoparticles. Here, we report a simple and reliable method to prepare water-soluble fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (FC-NPs) from nanoparticles made from a protein, bovine serum albumin. The obtained mean size of our carbon nanoparticles is between 3.8 and 3.4 nm, and they exhibit its maximum fluorescence emission at 424 and 408 nm respectively (with a reasonable QY of 16.5%) due to the presence of functional groups (NH, NH2, COOH and OH) that contain O and N; the presence of these functional groups was confirmed by FTIR and XPS analysis. The photoluminescent decay lifetime was modeled by a two exponential fit which indicates a contribution from both core and surface states. Also, the preliminary results showed that FC-NPs had a good interaction with HeLa and normal oral epithelial cells; nanoparticles were permeable at the cell membrane and went to the cytosol, and even to the nucleus, in less than 30 min, the fluorescence images of our preliminary results did not show any apparent toxic damage in any of the cell lines.

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Lake Laguna Santa Elena, a freshwater body, located in mid-south of Chile, is an environmental asset used as a water resource by the agricultural and touristic sector and is the habitat for a wide variety of endemic avifauna. The objective of this study was to assign a monetary value to this lacustrine body, using the methodology of AMUVAM (Multicriteria Analysis of Environmental Active Values). The information was collected through the application of surveys to a panel of experts involved in the use of the environmental resource. The result obtained with the AMUVAM method corresponds to the US $ 17,780,686, a figure that represents an estimated value of the TEV (Total Economic Value) of the environmental asset. This study, a pioneer in the Region, will support decision making, allowing an adequate management of this critical water resource.

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BACKGROUND: Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) is a heart cyanotic condition characterised by elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and an intra-cardiac right-to-left shunting of blood through a systemic-to-pulmonary circulation connection. Affected children usually exhibit severe hypoxia, clubbing of fingers/toes, haemoptysis, anaemia, and organ damage. CASE REPORT: During autumn 2015, the patient and her parents arrived at the paediatric dentistry clinic. The patient presented with the main complaint of generalised inflamed gingival tissues, severely protruded upper incisors, and evident abnormal mouth breathing. TREATMENT: This was performed under local analgesia, rubber-dam isolation, and antimicrobial prophylaxis with amoxicillin (50 mg/kg). The patient's parents agreed to the treatment plan through a signed informed consent. This treatment consisted of the placement of pit and fissure sealants on the four permanent first molars (which included enamel preparation with fissurotomy burs), in-depth gingiva/dental frequent cleanings, local fluoride varnish applications, and an exhaustive programme of at-home oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, and chlorhexidine mouth rinses), including adequate nutrition. Gingivoplasty surgery to remove residual enlarged tissues was indicated for the near future. FOLLOW-UP: The child did not return to the clinic. When contacted, the parents reported that their daughter's systemic condition worsened significantly. She was confined to a bed at home under palliative care, with a life-span expectation of only a few months. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive dental care of children with ES requires careful consideration of their medical condition, and dental care delivery should be coordinated with the paediatric cardiologist. General analgesia should be considered only in strictly selected cases, due to the high peri-operative mortality reported.

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Introducción: El concepto de demencia mixta (DMix) se refiere a la demencia por enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) y la presencia de enfermedad vascular cerebral (EVC). El objetivo del estudio fue identificar los factores clínicos e imagenológicos asociados a la DMix en comparación con la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal que incluyó a 225 sujetos de 65 años y más, en la clínica de memoria de un hospital de tercer nivel de la Ciudad de México. A todos los pacientes se les realizó una evaluación clínica, neuropsicológica y una imagen cerebral. Se incluyó a pacientes con diagnóstico de DMix y EA. Se realizó un análisis multivariado para determinar factores de asociación a la DMix. Resultados: Se estudió a 137 sujetos con DMix. En comparación con los pacientes con EA, en los pacientes con DMix los factores asociados fueron mayor edad, diabetes, hipertensión y dislipidemia, así como antecedente de EVC, p < 0,05. El análisis multivariado mostró que la hipertensión (OR 1,92, IC: 1,.62-28.82, p < 0,05), la enfermedad de sustancia blanca (OR 3,61, IC: 8,55-159,80, p < 0,05) e infartos lacunares (OR 3,35, IC: 1,97-412,34, p < 0,05) estuvieron asociados a la DMix, mientras que la historia de depresión resuelta tuvo una asociación inversa (OR 0,11, IC: 0,02-0,47, p < 0,05). Conclusiones: La DMix podría ser más frecuente que la EA. Factores de riesgo como la edad avanzada y otros potencialmente modificables se relacionaron con esta forma de demencia. Es necesario conocer y definir a la DMix (AU)

Introduction: Mixed dementia (DMix) refers to dementia resulting from Alzheimer disease in addition to cerebrovascular disease. The study objectives were to determine the clinical and imaging factors associated with Dmix and compare them to those associated with Alzheimer disease. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study including 225 subjects aged 65 years and over from a memory clinic in a tertiary hospital in Mexico City. All patients underwent clinical, neuropsychological, and brain imaging studies. We included patients diagnosed with DMix or Alzheimer disease (AD). A multivariate analysis was used to determine factors associated with DMix. Results: We studied 137 subjects diagnosed with Dmix. Compared to patients with AD, Dmix patients were older and more likely to present diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and history of cerebrovascular disease (P < .05). The multivariate analysis showed that hypertension (OR 1.92, CI 1.62-28.82; P = .009), white matter disease (OR 3.61, CI 8.55-159.80; P<.001), and lacunar infarcts (OR 3.35, CI 1.97-412.34; P = .014) were associated with Dmix, whereas a history of successfully treated depression showed an inverse association (OR 0.11, CI 0.02-0-47; P = .004) Conclusions: DMix may be more frequent than AD. Risk factors such as advanced age and other potentially modifiable factors were associated with this type of dementia. Clinicians should understand and be able to define Dmix (AU)

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BACKGROUND: PAI-1 gain-of-function variants promote airway fibrosis and are associated with asthma and with worse lung function in subjects with asthma. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether the association of a gain-of-function polymorphism in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) with airway obstruction is modified by asthma status, and whether any genotype effect persists after accounting for common exposures that increase PAI-1 level. METHODS: We studied 2070 Latino children (8-21y) with genotypic and pulmonary function data from the GALA II cohort. We estimated the relationship of the PAI-1 risk allele with FEV1/FVC by multivariate linear regression, stratified by asthma status. We examined the association of the polymorphism with asthma and airway obstruction within asthmatics via multivariate logistic regression. We replicated associations in the SAPPHIRE cohort of African Americans (n=1056). Secondary analysis included the effect of the at-risk polymorphism on postbronchodilator lung function. RESULTS: There was an interaction between asthma status and the PAI-1 polymorphism on FEV1 /FVC (P=.03). The gain-of-function variants, genotypes (AA/AG), were associated with lower FEV1 /FVC in subjects with asthma (ß=-1.25, CI: -2.14,-0.35, P=.006), but not in controls. Subjects with asthma and the AA/AG genotypes had a 5% decrease in FEV1 /FVC (P<.001). In asthmatics, the risk genotype (AA/AG) was associated with a 39% increase in risk of clinically relevant airway obstruction (OR=1.39, CI: 1.01, 1.92, P=.04). These associations persisted after exclusion of factors that increase PAI-1 including tobacco exposure and obesity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The decrease in the FEV1 /FVC ratio associated with the risk genotype was modified by asthma status. The genotype increased the odds of airway obstruction by 75% within asthmatics only. As exposures known to increase PAI-1 levels did not mitigate this association, PAI-1 may contribute to airway obstruction in the context of chronic asthmatic airway inflammation.

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In this work, gold nanospheres functionalized with low weight organic molecules (4-aminothiphenol and cysteamine) were synthesized in a one-step method for their in vitro cytotoxic evaluation on HeLa cells. To enhance the biocompatibility of the cysteamine-capped GNPs, BSA was used due to its broad PH stability and high binding affinity to gold nanoparticles. Besides, the widely reported silica coated gold nanorods were tested here to contrast their toxic response against our nanoparticles coated with organic molecules. Our results shown, the viability measured at 1.9×10-5M did not show significant differences against negative controls for all the samples; however, the metabolic activity of HeLa cells dropped when they were exposed to silica gold nanorods in the range of concentrations from 2.9×10-7M to 3.0×10-4M, while in the cases of gold nanospheres, we found that only at concentrations below 1.9×10-5M metabolic activity was normal. Our preliminary results did not indicate any perceivable harmful toxicity to cell membrane, cytoskeleton or nucleus due to our nanospheres at 1.9×10-5M. Additional test should be conducted in order to ensure a safe use of them for biological applications, and to determine the extent of possible damage.

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INTRODUCTION: Mixed dementia (DMix) refers to dementia resulting from Alzheimer disease in addition to cerebrovascular disease. The study objectives were to determine the clinical and imaging factors associated with Dmix and compare them to those associated with Alzheimer disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 225 subjects aged 65 years and over from a memory clinic in a tertiary hospital in Mexico City. All patients underwent clinical, neuropsychological, and brain imaging studies. We included patients diagnosed with DMix or Alzheimer disease (AD). A multivariate analysis was used to determine factors associated with DMix. RESULTS: We studied 137 subjects diagnosed with Dmix. Compared to patients with AD, Dmix patients were older and more likely to present diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and history of cerebrovascular disease (P<.05). The multivariate analysis showed that hypertension (OR 1.92, CI 1.62-28.82; P=.009), white matter disease (OR 3.61, CI 8.55-159.80; P<.001), and lacunar infarcts (OR 3.35, CI 1.97-412.34; P=.014) were associated with Dmix, whereas a history of successfully treated depression showed an inverse association (OR 0.11, CI 0.02-0-47; P=.004) CONCLUSIONS: DMix may be more frequent than AD. Risk factors such as advanced age and other potentially modifiable factors were associated with this type of dementia. Clinicians should understand and be able to define Dmix.

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Abstract Lake Laguna Santa Elena, a freshwater body, located in mid-south of Chile, is an environmental asset used as a water resource by the agricultural and touristic sector and is the habitat for a wide variety of endemic avifauna. The objective of this study was to assign a monetary value to this lacustrine body, using the methodology of AMUVAM (Multicriteria Analysis of Environmental Active Values). The information was collected through the application of surveys to a panel of experts involved in the use of the environmental resource. The result obtained with the AMUVAM method corresponds to the US $ 17,780,686, a figure that represents an estimated value of the TEV (Total Economic Value) of the environmental asset. This study, a pioneer in the Region, will support decision making, allowing an adequate management of this critical water resource.

Resumo A Laguna Santa Elena, um corpo de água doce localizado no centro-sul do Chile, é um ativo ambiental usado como recurso hídrico pelos setores agrícola e turístico e é o habitat de uma ampla variedade de avifauna endêmica. O objetivo deste estudo foi atribuir um valor monetário a esse corpo lacustre, utilizando a metodologia da AMUVAM (Análise Multicritério de Valores Ambientais Ativos). As informações foram coletadas por meio da aplicação de pesquisas a um painel de especialistas envolvidos no uso do recurso ambiental. O resultado obtido com o método AMUVAM corresponde a US$ 17.780.686, que representam um valor estimado do valor econômico total (VT) do ativo ambiental. Este estudo, pioneiro na região, apoiará a tomada de decisões, permitindo um gerenciamento adequado desse recurso hídrico crítico.

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BACKGROUND: Younger maternal age at birth is associated with increased risk of asthma in offspring in European descent populations, but has not been studied in Latino populations. OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine the relationship between maternal age at birth and prevalence of asthma in a nationwide study of Latino children. METHODS: We included 3473 Latino children aged 8-21 years (1696 subjects with physician-diagnosed asthma and 1777 healthy controls) from five US centres and Puerto Rico recruited from July 2008 through November 2011. We used multiple logistic regression models to examine the effect of maternal age at birth on asthma in offspring overall and in analyses stratified by ethnic subgroup (Mexican American, Puerto Rican and other Latino). Secondary analyses evaluated the effects of siblings, acculturation and income on this relationship. RESULTS: Maternal age < 20 years was significantly associated with decreased odds of asthma in offspring, independent of other risk factors (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.57-0.93). In subgroup analyses, the protective effect of younger maternal age was observed only in Mexican Americans (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.79). In Puerto Ricans, older maternal age was associated with decreased odds of asthma (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44-0.97). In further stratified models, the protective effect of younger maternal age in Mexican Americans was seen only in children without older siblings (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.23-0.81). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In contrast to European descent populations, younger maternal age was associated with decreased odds of asthma in offspring in Mexican American women. Asthma is common in urban minority populations but the factors underlying the varying prevalence among different Latino ethnicities in the United States is not well understood. Maternal age represents one factor that may help to explain this variability.

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A hydrostatic pressure sensor based on morphology dependent resonances in a polymeric tube is presented. By internal pressurization, normal tensions will increase the device's size and shrink its wall thickness, inducing a shift in the resonant wavelengths of the resonator. Numerical simulations indicate that there are two modal regimes of sensitivity and a maximum achievable sensitivity, related to the device's geometry, constitutive material and analysed mode order. A sensitivity as high as 0.36 ± 0.01 nm/bar has been experimentally found for a 1.8mm diameter PMMA tube with wall thickness of 80µm.

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The proton detector (PD) measures 3 MeV proton yield distributions from deuterium-deuterium fusion reactions within the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST). The PD's compact four-channel system of collimated and individually oriented silicon detectors probes different regions of the plasma, detecting protons (with gyro radii large enough to be unconfined) leaving the plasma on curved trajectories during neutral beam injection. From first PD data obtained during plasma operation in 2013, proton production rates (up to several hundred kHz and 1 ms time resolution) during sawtooth events were compared to the corresponding MAST neutron camera data. Fitted proton emission profiles in the poloidal plane demonstrate the capabilities of this new system.

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El estudio, de carácter exploratorio, persigue obtener una aproximación al fenómeno del Femicidio en la provincia del Azuay, en base de las denuncias y procesos penales por homicidio de mujeres registrados en las Comisarías y Fiscalías del Azuay durante el período 2004-2008, y se trata de detectar casos de femicidio. De otra parte, se realiza un estudio en las fuentes de prensa de la localidad, en similar período, con los mismos objetivos. Se establecieron criterios de detección de femicidio, para poder distinguir estos casos de aquellas muertes por otras causas; habiéndose detectado 49 casos, siendo notorio que los datos de estas dos fuentes concuerdan, aunque en la prensa existen una serie de casos que no llegan a las comisarías. Un elevado porcentaje de estas muertes no han sido tramitadas judicialmente de manera adecuada, puesto que han sido archivados ante una evidente insuficiencia del sistema judicial para lograr investigar los casos. Esta investigación hizo notorio que las estrategias institucionales para la investigación son insuficientes, a lo que se agrega la falta de información y ausencia de denuncia por parte de personas que conocen de los casos.

The study, exploratory, seeks to obtain an approximation to the phenomenon of femicide in the province of Azuay, on the basis of complaints and prosecutions of homicide of women registered in the police stations and prosecutors in Azuay during the period 2004-2008, and try to detect cases of femicide. Moreover, a similar study was performed in news sources of the town, in the same period and goals. To this aim, femicide detection criteria were established, to distinguish these cases from deaths for various causes, 49 cases have been detected, although in the press there were another cases. A high percentage of these deaths have not been properly handled judicially. In this research was noticeable that institutional research strategies are insufficient, because of the lack of information and absence of complaints by people who know about the case.

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Severe aortic regurgitation due to paraprosthetic leak appears in 1-5% of patients with previous aortic valve replacement. Surgical management is the treatment of choice but has high morbidity and mortality and leak recurrence is not uncommon. Different approaches to percutaneous closure have been tried. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a key factor to measure and localize leakages. Performing TEE during the procedure implies general anesthesia and prolongs procedure and fluoroscopy times. We report the case of an aortic paraprosthetic leak percutaneous closure using intravascular ultrasound to guide the procedure.

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