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Carrion's disease, caused by Bartonella bacilliformis, is a neglected tropical disease prevalent in the Andean region of South America. Without antimicrobial treatment, this disease has a mortality rate of up to 88% in infected patients. The most common method for diagnosing B. bacilliformis infection is serological testing. However, the current serological assays are limited in sensitivity and specificity, underscoring the need for the development of novel and more accurate diagnostic tools. Recombinant proteins have emerged as promising candidates to improve the serological diagnosis of Carrion's disease. So, we focused on evaluating the conditions for producing two previously predicted proteins of B. bacilliformis using the baculovirus-insect cell expression system, mainly the flashBAC ULTRA technology. We assessed various parameters to identify the conditions that yield the highest protein production, including cell lines, temperature, and hours post-infection (hpi). The results showed that the expression conditions for achieving the highest yields of the Prot_689 and Prot_504 proteins were obtained using High Five™ cells at 21 °C and harvesting at 120 hpi. Subsequently, the seroreactivity of recombinant proteins was evaluated using positive sera from patients diagnosed with Carrion's disease. These findings offer valuable insights into the production conditions of B. bacilliformis recombinant proteins using the baculovirus system, which could significantly contribute to developing more precise diagnostic tools for Carrion's disease. Therefore, this research provides implications for improving diagnostics and potentially developing therapeutic strategies.

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CONTEXT: The pituitary gland is key for childhood growth, puberty, and metabolism. Pituitary dysfunction is associated with a spectrum of phenotypes, from mild to severe. Congenital Hypopituitarism (CH) is the most commonly reported pediatric endocrine dysfunction with an incidence of 1:4000, yet low rates of genetic diagnosis have been reported. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to unveil the genetic etiology of CH in a large cohort of patients from Argentina. METHODS: We performed whole exome sequencing of 137 unrelated cases of CH, the largest cohort examined with this method to date. RESULTS: Of the 137 cases, 19.1% and 16% carried pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in known and new genes, respectively, while 28.2% carried variants of uncertain significance. This high yield was achieved through the integration of broad gene panels (genes described in animal models and/or other disorders), an unbiased candidate gene screen with a new bioinformatics pipeline (including genes high loss of function intolerance), and analysis of copy number variants. Three novel findings emerged. First, the most prevalent affected gene encodes the cell adhesion factor ROBO1. Affected children had a spectrum of phenotypes, consistent with a role beyond pituitary stalk interruption syndrome. Second, we found that CHD7 mutations also produce a phenotypic spectrum, not always associated with full CHARGE syndrome. Third, we add new evidence of pathogenicity in the genes PIBF1 and TBC1D32, and report 13 novel candidate genes associated with CH (e.g. PTPN6, ARID5B). CONCLUSION: Overall, these results provide an unprecedented insight into the diverse genetic etiology of hypopituitarism.

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Introducción. La embolia paradójica es un evento trombótico originado en la circulación venosa, que se manifiesta como embolismo arterial por medio de un defecto anatómico a nivel cardíaco o pulmonar. Se asocia principalmente a eventos cerebrovasculares, aunque se han encontrado casos de infarto agudo de miocardio, infarto renal y otros eventos isquémicos. Caso clínico. Paciente de 47 años, quien consultó por cuadro de dolor abdominal, que requirió manejo quirúrgico de urgencia, donde identificaron isquemia intestinal importante. Los estudios adicionales hallaron déficit de proteína S y persistencia de foramen oval permeable. Resultados. La presencia de trombosis arterial se conoce como trombosis de sitios inusuales y requiere de estudios para descartar trombofilias asociadas u otros estados protrombóticos. El déficit de proteína S es una trombofilia infrecuente, la cual se asocia en la vida adulta a eventos trombóticos de origen venoso. En presencia de defectos anatómicos, como un foramen oval permeable, puede progresar a embolia arterial, configurando un cuadro de embolismo paradójico. La estratificación de estos pacientes requiere imágenes que demuestran el defecto mencionado, así como el posible origen de los émbolos. El manejo se basa en anticoagulación plena, manejo de soporte, resolver las manifestaciones trombóticas existentes y un cierre temprano del defecto anatómico. Conclusiones. El embolismo paradójico debe sospecharse en caso de trombosis de sitios inusuales. Requiere de un estudio exhaustivo con imágenes y su manejo debe basarse en anticoagulación y cierre del defecto.

Introduction. Paradoxical embolism is a thrombotic event originating in the venous circulation, which manifests as arterial embolism through an anatomical cardiac or pulmonary defect. It is mainly associated with stroke, also presenting as acute myocardial infarction, renal infarction, and other ischemic events. Clinical case. A 47-year-old patient was admitted due to abdominal pain, which required emergency surgical management, finding significant intestinal ischemia. Additional studies found protein S deficiency and evidence of a patent foramen ovale. Discussion. Arterial thrombosis is known as unusual thrombosis; this situation requires to rule out associated thrombophilia or other prothrombotic diseases. Protein S deficiency is a rare thrombophilia, which in adults causes venous thrombosis. In the presence of anatomical defects, such as a patent foramen ovale, it can progress to arterial embolism, presenting a picture of paradoxical embolism. The study work of these patients requires imaging that demonstrates the aforementioned defect, as well as the possible origin of the emboli. Management is based on full anticoagulation, treatment of existing thrombotic manifestations, and management of the anatomical defect. Conclusions. Paradoxical embolism should be suspected in case of unusual thrombosis. It requires exhaustive studies based on imaging, and management should consist of anticoagulation and closure of the defect.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors associated with poor medication adherence in patients with DM and HTN in Peru. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey from 2014 to 2019. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to determine the factors associated with poor medication adherence. RESULTS: We included 15,184 participants with a known diagnosis of DM and HTN. The frequency of poor medication adherence was 37.1%, with 36.7% among individuals with HTN and 29.2% among individuals with DM. Those belonging to age groups above 30 years (aPR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.74-0.80, for the group ≥ 60 years) had a lower frequency of poor medication adherence. Meanwhile, being male (aPR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), lacking health insurance (aPR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.05-1.10), belonging to lower wealth quintiles (aPR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.08-1.17, for the first quintile), and living in the mountain region (aPR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.06-1.12) were associated with a higher frequency of poor medication adherence. These findings were consistent when stratifying by the type of disease. CONCLUSION: This study showed that poor medication adherence is common in patients with HTN and DM in Peru and is associated with sociodemographic factors, highlighting the importance of public health approaches to improve adherence.

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Background: Leadless pacing has recently emerged as a promising therapy. The impact of frailty on the prognosis of these patients is currently unknown. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between frailty and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing leadless pacemaker implantation. Methods: We included adult patients who underwent leadless pacemaker implantation using the National Inpatient Sample from 2017 to 2019. Frailty was evaluated using the Hospital Frailty Risk Score and stratified into low, intermediate, and high risk. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and any complication (vascular, pericardial, pneumothorax, infectious, or device related), and secondary outcomes were the length of hospital stay and total charges. Results: A total of 16,825 patients were included in the final analysis, with 62% at intermediate or high risk of frailty. There was a higher risk of in-hospital mortality in patients at high (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 6.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.31-12.26) or intermediate (aRR 5.15, 95% CI 3.04-8.72) risk of frailty compared with those at low risk. Similarly, those at high or intermediate risk of frailty had higher total expenses and stayed in the hospital longer. Patients with a high (aRR 1.14, 95% CI 0.71-1.81) or intermediate (aRR 1.19, 95% CI 0.94-1.51) risk of frailty had a similar risk of any complication as patients with a low risk. Conclusion: Frailty was common in patients undergoing leadless pacemaker implantation. Higher levels of frailty were a strong predictor of in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay, and hospital charges, except for any complication.

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We provide a summary of the 4th ASTCT International Workshop with presentations from experts from Chile ("Setting Up a Transplantation Program in Chile," by Dr Pablo Ramirez), Saudi Arabia ("Developing Quality Programs in North Africa," by Dr Amal Alseraihy), and Japan ("The Japanese Transplant Registry Unified Management Program [TRUMP]: Current Issues and the Future," by Dr Yoshiko Atsuta). Workshop objectives included: (1) recognizing the benefits and importance for low- and middle-income countries of developing quality criteria and programs beyond existing accreditation programs, such as the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and the Joint Accreditation Committee ISCT-Europe and EBMT (JACIE); (2) describing the relationships among monitoring outcomes, including mortality, improvement of care, data reporting, and associated costs; and (3) reviewing how quality structures have been implemented and are improving care worldwide.

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Los transportadores de monocarboxilatos (MCT) permiten el ingreso celular de hormonas tiroideas, especialmente en el sistema nervioso central (SNC), donde son indispensables para el neurodesarrollo. La deficiencia de MCT8 produce la combinación de hipotiroidismo en SNC e hipertiroidismo periférico, caracterizada por T3 elevada. El único tratamiento actualmente disponible es el ácido 3,3',5-triyodotiroacético (TRIAC), un análogo de hormonas tiroideas que tiene como objetivo mejorar la tirotoxicosis periférica y prevenir la progresión del deterioro neurológico. En el presente artículo, se evalúan las características clínicas, imagenológicas, bioquímicas y genéticas de 4 pacientes con deficiencia de MCT8 tratados con TRIAC hasta la fecha, las dosis utilizadas y la respuesta al tratamiento.

Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) allow the cellular entry of thyroid hormones, especially into the central nervous system (CNS), where they are crucial for neurodevelopment. MCT8 deficiency results in the combination of hypothyroidism in the CNS and peripheral hyperthyroidism, characterized by elevated T3 levels. The only treatment currently available is 3,3',5-triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC), a thyroid hormone analogue aimed at improving peripheral thyrotoxicosis and preventing the progression of neurological impairment. Here we assess the clinical, imaging, biochemical, and genetic characteristics of 4 patients with MCT8 deficiency who have received TRIAC to date, the doses used, and the response to treatment.

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Antecedentes: El Shock Cardiogénico (SC) y las Angioplastías de Alto Riesgo (AAR) están asociadas con altas tasas de mortalidad. El uso del dispositivo Impella CP podría reducir el riesgo de muerte en estos escenarios. En Chile no existen reportes evaluando el uso del dispositivo Impella CP. Objetivo: Analizar los desenlaces clínicos en pacientes que fueron sometidos al uso del dispositivo Impella CP por SC o por AAR. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en 17 pacientes, los cuales representan el total de implantes realizados en el país, entre octubre 2021 y agosto 2023. Se describió las características, demográficas, procedimentales y después del implante. Se estimó la mortalidad general y se identificaron factores asociados. Resultados: La edad de los pacientes fue 69± 3,7 años y 88,2% fueron hombres. El 64,7% recibió el dispositivo por SC y 35,3% por AAR. Dentro de las comorbilidades estudiadas, la hipertensión arterial fue la más frecuente, 94,1%. Un 58,8% de los pacientes fueron revascularizados a través de la arteria radial. El 29,4% recibió el dispositivo previo a la angioplastía y 70,6% lo recibió después. El 47,1% de las angioplastías fue guiada por imágenes. En 11,8% de ellos se realizó litotricia intracoronaria y 5,9% por ablación intracoronaria. Los pacientes estuvieron 13 ±3,4 días con el soporte. La mortalidad global fue de 41,2%. Conclusiones: El uso del dispositivo Impella presentó pocas complicaciones vasculares. La mortalidad asociada con su colocación en Chile fue relativamente similar con la reportada en la literatura.

Background: Cardiogenic shock and high-risk Angioplasty are associated with a high mortality rate. Using the Impella CP device could reduce the risk of death in these scenarios. In Chile, there are no studies evaluating the use of the Impella CP device. Objective: To analyse the clinical outcomes in patients who have undergone placement of the Impella CP device for cardiogenic shock and high-risk angioplasties. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 17 patients, which represent the total number of implants performed in the country, between October 2021 and August 2023. The demographic, procedural and post-implant characteristics were described. Overall mortality and associated factors were identified. Results: The age was 69± 3.7 years, where 88.2% were men. 64.7% of patients received the device by SC and 35.3% by AAR. Among the comorbidities studied, arterial hypertension was the most frequent with 94.1%. 58.8% of patients were revascularized through the radial artery. 29.4% of patients received the device before angioplasty and 70.6% received it afterwards. 47.1% of angioplasties were image-guided, 11.8% had intracoronary lithotripsy, and 5.9% had intracoronary ablation. The patients spent 13 ±3.4 days with the support. Overall mortality was 41.2%. Conclusion: use of the Impella device was associated with few vascular complications. Mortality associated with use of the Impella device in Chile was similar to that previously reported in other studies.

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Background: We assessed the effects of exercise-based training programs (EBTP) in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We conducted a search in Pubmed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Virtual Health Library, and SciELO until January 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized intervention studies (NRIS) investigating the effects of EBTP in CCC patients were included. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the secondary outcomes were exercise capacity by peak VO2, heart failure-related hospital admissions (HFRHA), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Results: The search strategy yielded 3617 studies. After removing duplicates and screening, eight studies (3 RCTs and 5 NRIS) involving 222 patients were included. Seven studies were conducted in Brazil. The age range was from 30 to 71 years, and 47.1% were male. Data on mortality, HRQoL, LVEF, and HFRHA were scarcely reported. The meta-analysis pooling four studies showed that the peak VO2 was significantly higher (mean difference 4.45, 95% confidence interval 3.50 to 5.39 mL/kg/min, I2 = 0%) in the EBTP group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The evidence available was limited and heterogeneous. While EBTP has shown to improve HRQoL and exercise capacity, there is no conclusive information about the other proposed outcomes. These positive effects present an opportunity to provide treatment to CCC patients in low- and middle-income countries. Further studies are needed to ascertain the effects of EBTP on hard outcomes in this population.Registration number: CRD42022334060.

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Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is performed worldwide to treat blood cancer and other life-threatening blood disorders. As successful transplantation requires an HLA-compatible donor, unrelated donor centers and registries have been established worldwide to identify donors for patients without a family match. Ethnic minorities are underrepresented in large donor registries. Matching probabilities are higher when donors and patients share the same ethnic background, making it desirable to increase the diversity of the global donor pool by recruiting donors in new regions. Here, we report the establishment and the first 5 years of operation of the first unrelated stem cell donor center in Chile, a high-income country in South America with a population of over 19 million. Methods: We used online and in-person donor recruitment practices through patient appeals and donor drives in companies, universities, the armed forces, and public services. After confirmatory typing donors were subjected to medical work-up and cleared for donation. Results: We recruited almost 170,000 donors in 5 years. There were 1,488 requests received for confirmatory typing and donor availability checks, of which 333 resulted in medical work-up, leading to 194 stem cell collections. Products were shipped to Chile (48.5%) and abroad. Even when the COVID-19 pandemic challenged our activities, the number of donors recruited and shipped stem cell products remained steady. In Chile there was an almost 8-fold increase in unrelated donor transplantation activity from 16 procedures in 2016-2018 to 124 procedures in 2019-2021, mainly for pediatric patients following the center's establishment. We estimate that 49.6% of Chilean patients would find at least one matched unrelated donor in the global DKMS donor pool. Discussion: Establishing a DKMS donor center in Chile has significantly increased donor availability for Chilean patients and contributed to an increase of unrelated donor stem cell transplant activity.

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The encephalocele is a malformation that is manifested by the protrusion of brain tissue through a defect in the skull. The meningoencephalocele contains the meninges and brain tissue. Frontoethmoidal or nasal meningoencephalocele is rare; the frequency is approximately one in 40,000 live births. Three subtypes are currently known: nasoethmoid, nasofrontal, and nasoorbital. The authors report the clinical case of a 2-month-old girl with a very rare giant nasofrontal meningoencephalocele, which affected vision and breathing. The patient underwent surgery at an early age to avoid significant functional sequelae and promote the normal development and growth of the girl.

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The recent revision of the Acidithiobacillia class using genomic taxonomy methods has shown that, in addition to the existence of previously unrecognized genera and species, some species of the class harbor levels of divergence that are congruent with ongoing differentiation processes. In this study, we have performed a subspecies-level analysis of sequenced strains of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans to prove the existence of distinct sublineages and identify the discriminant genomic/genetic characteristics linked to these sublineages, and to shed light on the processes driving such differentiation. Differences in the genomic relatedness metrics, levels of synteny, gene content, and both integrated and episomal mobile genetic elements (MGE) repertoires support the existence of two subspecies-level taxa within A. ferrooxidans. While sublineage 2A harbors a small plasmid related to pTF5, this episomal MGE is absent in sublineage 2B strains. Likewise, clear differences in the occurrence, coverage and conservation of integrated MGEs are apparent between sublineages. Differential MGE-associated gene cargo pertained to the functional categories of energy metabolism, ion transport, cell surface modification, and defense mechanisms. Inferred functional differences have the potential to impact long-term adaptive processes and may underpin the basis of the subspecies-level differentiation uncovered within A. ferrooxidans. Genome resequencing of iron- and sulfur-adapted cultures of a selected 2A sublineage strain (CCM 4253) showed that both episomal and large integrated MGEs are conserved over twenty generations in either growth condition. In turn, active insertion sequences profoundly impact short-term adaptive processes. The ISAfe1 element was found to be highly active in sublineage 2A strain CCM 4253. Phenotypic mutations caused by the transposition of ISAfe1 into the pstC2 encoding phosphate-transport system permease protein were detected in sulfur-adapted cultures and shown to impair growth on ferrous iron upon the switch of electron donor. The phenotypic manifestation of the △pstC2 mutation, such as a loss of the ability to oxidize ferrous iron, is likely related to the inability of the mutant to secure the phosphorous availability for electron transport-linked phosphorylation coupled to iron oxidation. Depletion of the transpositional △pstC2 mutation occurred concomitantly with a shortening of the iron-oxidation lag phase at later transfers on a ferrous iron-containing medium. Therefore, the pstII operon appears to play an essential role in A. ferrooxidans when cells oxidize ferrous iron. Results highlight the influence of insertion sequences and both integrated and episomal mobile genetic elements in the short- and long-term adaptive processes of A. ferrooxidans strains under changing growth conditions.

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La biolixiviación, usando consorcios microbianos, es considera una alternativa ecoeficiente y de bajo costo para la recuperación de metales a partir de minerales de baja ley. En este estudio, se realizó la caracterización fisiológica y molecular de consorcios microbianos psicrotolerantes lixiviantes (CMPL), aislados de drenajes ácidos de minas de cuatro localidades mineras de las provincias de Pasco y Huarochirí, Perú, ubicados sobre los 4200 m de altitud. Se aislaron seis consorcios adaptados a medio 9K con ion ferroso y medio basal 9K con CuS al 0.5% p/v a 15 °C. Se evidenció la liberación de cobre en todos los consorcios. El CMPL con mejor crecimiento, presentó una recuperación de cobre de 12.47% en 30 días de evaluación. Los análisis de la secuenciación del gen ARNr 16S de la comunidad bacteriana, mostraron que los CMPL están dominados por el género Acidithiobacillus, seguido de Acidiphilium. En conclusión, se obtuvieron consorcios que pueden ser aplicados en biolixiviación de cobre en la minería altoandina.

Bioleaching, using microbial consortia, is regarded as an eco-efficient and cost-effective alternative for the recovery of metals from low-grade ores. In this study, we conducted physiological and molecular characterization of psychrotolerant leaching microbial consortia (PLMC) isolated from acid mine drainage in four mining sites within the Pasco and Huarochirí provinces of Peru, situated at altitudes above 4200 meters. Six consortia adapted to a medium containing ferrous ions (9K medium) and a basal medium with 0.5% w/v CuS at 15°C were isolated. All consortia exhibited copper release. The PLMC with the most robust growth achieved a copper recovery of 12.47% within 30 days of evaluation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of the bacterial community revealed that the PLMCs were predominantly dominated by the genus Acidithiobacillus, followed by Acidiphilium. In conclusion, consortia suitable for copper biolixiviation in high-altitude mining contexts were successfully obtained.

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Do informal and formal mechanisms of guardianship work together to reduce residential burglary? In this article we argue that informal guardianship moderates the relationship between formal mechanisms of guardianship and residential burglary. Formal guardianship requires some level of social cohesion and trust to be effective against residential burglary. We test this argument with the use of robust panel quantile methods controlling for time effects, spatial effects, and alternative explanations. Using Mexico City neighborhood crime and census data, we show evidence of a moderating weakening effect of informal guardianship on the previous relationship, particularly in deprived neighborhoods and only in the upper quantiles of the residential burglary distribution. In addition, the moderation effects seem to have weakened over time. In sum, the combination of guardianship mechanisms seems to have been more effective in high burglary risk deprived neighborhoods, although their combination seems to have become less relevant.

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Early T-cell precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) has a dismal prognosis. Nelarabine is a purine nucleoside analog that increases the apoptosis rate in T-cell lymphoblasts. We present a 30-year-old patient diagnosed with T-cell ALL. He was a high-risk patient because of an early precursor phenotype and a complex karyotype that had been refractory to three previous lines of treatment. He started a course of nelarabine (1500 mg/m for three days), pegylated-asparaginase, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (Nelarabine Peg-Asp AdmVP). He reached complete remission and received an allogeneic sibling hematopoietic stem cell transplant with fludarabine, total body irradiation, and cyclophosphamide as the conditioning regimen. He developed a pulmonary mycosis, which resolved, and grade-2 neurotoxicity in his upper and lower limbs. He was discharged after 40 days and to date remains with 23 months of complete remission. The Nelarabine Peg-Asp AdmVP regimen seems to be effective and safe. Further research is needed to establish it as an induction treatment in refractory early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leucemia.

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OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency of knowledge and attitudes towards dengue prevention among the Peruvian population, as well as the sociodemographic factors associated with reported knowledge and attitude outcomes. DESIGN/SETTING: A cross-sectional study was conducted, based on information from the National Survey of Budget Programs of Peru, 2019. PARTICIPANTS: We included 57 829 respondents with a mean age of 40.3±17.4 years, of whom 52.8% were women and 87.6% were from urban areas. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Knowledge about dengue infection (transmission, symptoms, importance of going to a health centre and not self-medicating) and preventive attitudes to avoid infection. RESULTS: Of all the respondents, 36.2% (n=23 247) presented good knowledge about dengue and 11.6% (n=7890) had a higher number of preventive attitudes (≥3 attitudes). In the multivariate regression analysis, we found that being female (for knowledge: aPR (adjusted prevalence ratio): 1.03; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.03; and for attitude: aPR: 1.02; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.02), being married/cohabiting (for knowledge: aPR: 1.02; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.03; and for attitude: aPR: 1.01; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.02) and residing in the jungle (for knowledge: aPR: 1.14; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.16; and for attitude: aPR: 1.09; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.11) were associated with better knowledge and more preventive attitudes. In addition, we found that being an adolescent (for knowledge: aPR: 0.97; 95% CI 0.96 to 0.99; and for attitude: aPR: 0.99; 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99), and belonging to the Quechua ethnic group (for knowledge: aPR: 0.93; 95% CI 0.91 to 0.94; and for attitude: aPR: 0.98; 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99) were associated with a lower proportion of adequate knowledge and fewer preventive attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found a high proportion of poor knowledge and few preventive attitudes towards dengue in the Peruvian population. That highlights the requirement to implement national strategies to educate people about dengue and promote preventive attitudes, considering the factors found.

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Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) allow the cellular entry of thyroid hormones, especially into the central nervous system (CNS), where they are crucial for neurodevelopment. MCT8 deficiency results in the combination of hypothyroidism in the CNS and peripheral hyperthyroidism, characterized by elevated T3 levels. The only treatment currently available is 3,3',5-triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC), a thyroid hormone analogue aimed at improving peripheral thyrotoxicosis and preventing the progression of neurological impairment. Here we assess the clinical, imaging, biochemical, and genetic characteristics of 4 patients with MCT8 deficiency who have received TRIAC to date, the doses used, and the response to treatment.

Los transportadores de monocarboxilatos (MCT) permiten el ingreso celular de hormonas tiroideas, especialmente en el sistema nervioso central (SNC), donde son indispensables para el neurodesarrollo. La deficiencia de MCT8 produce la combinación de hipotiroidismo en SNC e hipertiroidismo periférico, caracterizada por T3 elevada. El único tratamiento actualmente disponible es el ácido 3,3',5-triyodotiroacético (TRIAC), un análogo de hormonas tiroideas que tiene como objetivo mejorar la tirotoxicosis periférica y prevenir la progresión del deterioro neurológico. En el presente artículo, se evalúan las características clínicas, imagenológicas, bioquímicas y genéticas de 4 pacientes con deficiencia de MCT8 tratados con TRIAC hasta la fecha, las dosis utilizadas y la respuesta al tratamiento.

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BACKGROUND: Persistent müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS) is characterized by the persistence of müllerian duct derivatives in otherwise normally virilized 46,XY males. Biallelic mutations of the anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) and AMH receptor type 2 (AMHR2) genes lead to PMDS type 1 and 2, respectively. AIM: The aims of the study were to report the clinical, hormonal, and genetic findings in a patient with PMDS and discuss surgical strategies to achieve successful orchidopexy. RESULTS: A 4-year-old boy was evaluated after the incidental finding of müllerian derivates during laparoscopy for nonpalpable gonads. Karyotype was 46,XY and laboratory tests revealed normal serum gonadotropin and androgen levels but undetectable serum AMH levels. PMDS was suspected. Molecular analysis revealed a novel variant c.902_929del in exon 5 and a previously reported mutation (c.367C>T) in exon 1 of the AMH gene. Successful orchidopexy was performed in two sequential surgeries in which the müllerian duct structure was preserved and divided to protect the vascular supply to the gonads. Histological evaluation of the testicular biopsy showed mild signs of dysgenesis. Doppler ultrasound showed blood flow in both testes positioned in the scrotum 1.5 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: PMDS is a rare entity that requires a high index of suspicion (from surgeons) when evaluating a patient with bilateral cryptorchidism. Surgical treatment is challenging and long-term follow-up is essential. Histological evaluation of the testis deserves further investigation.

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Trehalose is a type of carbohydrate that protects against different types of stress and is also used as a source of carbon storage in prokaryotes. There are four different ways of synthesizing trehalose in Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans and two in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, but its purpose remains unknown. This study aimed to measure the production of trehalose under different conditions by quantifying it in three culture media at two different temperatures. The growth kinetics of both species were also assessed, and the trehalose concentration was analysed during the early stationary phase using an enzymatic method. The results showed that the modified 9K medium with ferrous iron at 28°C had the highest production of trehalose, with A. ferrivorans CF27 having a higher production of 0.34 µmol/mg protein compared to A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 at 0.31 µmol/mg protein. When using CuS, the production of trehalose was lower, with 0.02 and 0.03 µmol/mg protein for A. ferrivorans CF27 and A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270, respectively, while no trehalose was detected in the presence of zinc. At 15°C, the enzymatic method did not detect any trehalose in all three culture media, this would indicate that this carbohydrate does not protect against low temperatures in either species.

La trehalosa es un tipo de carbohidrato, que en procariotas protege contra diferentes tipos de estrés y también se utiliza como fuente de almacenamiento de carbono. Hay cuatro formas diferentes de sintetizar trehalosa en Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans y dos en Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, pero su propósito sigue siendo desconocido. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo medir la producción de trehalosa en diferentes condiciones mediante su cuantificación en tres medios de cultivo a dos temperaturas diferentes. También se evaluó la cinética de crecimiento de ambas especies y se analizó la concentración de trehalosa durante la fase estacionaria temprana mediante un método enzimático. Los resultados mostraron que el medio 9K modificado con hierro ferroso a 28 °C tuvo la mayor producción de trehalosa, con A. ferrivorans CF27 con una mayor producción de 0.34 µmol/mg de proteína en comparación con A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 a 0.31 µmol/mg de proteína. Al utilizar CuS, la producción de trehalosa fue menor, con 0.02 y 0.03 µmol/mg de proteína para A. ferrivorans CF27 y A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270, respectivamente, mientras que en presencia de zinc no se detectó trehalosa. A 15°C, el método enzimático no detectó trehalosa en los tres medios de cultivo, lo que indicaria que este carbohidrato no protege contra las bajas temperaturas en ninguna de las especies.

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BACKGROUND: The Cuban population residing in the state of Florida in the United States forms the largest population group of immigrants in that state. It has been described as a population with little awareness of organ donation. The objective is to analyze the factors that Cubans residing in the Florida refer to when expressing an unfavorable attitude toward organ donation and to determine the psychosocial factors associated with the attitude toward organ donation of this population group. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional observational study. From the Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante (International Donor Collaborative Project), a sample stratified by age and sex of Cubans residing in Florida (N = 1224) is obtained. The sample is analyzed using the validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO-RIOS). The reasons against organ donation were analyzed using a specific multiresponse item, with an open response option. For the analysis of the psychosocial variables, a logistic regression analysis is carried out. RESULTS: A total of 38.2% (n = 468) of the individuals under study declared themselves against organ donation. Of those who were against, the reasons stated were (1) leave the dead in peace (n = 440; 57.6%); (2) religious reasons (n = 192; 25.1%); (3) fear of mutilation (n = 160; 20.9%); (4) assertive refusal (n = 128; 16.8%); (5) apparent death (n = 16; 2.1%); and (6) other reasons (n = 764; 62.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The Cuban population residing in Florida who is against organ donation expresses various reasons. In addition, there are factors associated with the psychosocial profile toward organ donation of this important population group.

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