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Sensory development is a complex process that can influence physiological and pathological factors. In laterally-eyed mammals, monocular enucleation (ME) during development and the subsequent lack of external sensory stimuli can result in permanent morphological and physiological changes. Malnutrition, especially in early life, also can cause permanent morphofunctional changes due to inadequate nutrient intake in both hemispheres. This study investigated the effects of early (postnatal day 7) ME and malnutrition during the suckling period on cortical excitability in adulthood (110-140 days of life). For this, we compared the speed propagation of cortical spreading depression in the occipital and parietal cortex of malnourished and well-nourished adult rats, previously suckled small-sized litters with three pups (L3/dam) medium-sized litters with six pups (L6/dam), and large-sized litters with twelve pups (L12/dam). The CSD velocity was augmented by the ME in the contralateral side of the removed eye in the parietal and occipital cortex. These findings suggest that visual sensory input deprivation is associated with permanent functional changes in the visual pathways, which can alter cortical excitability and lead to modifications in CSD propagation.
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Depresión de Propagación Cortical , Enucleación del Ojo , Desnutrición , Ratas Wistar , Animales , Depresión de Propagación Cortical/fisiología , Desnutrición/fisiopatología , Desnutrición/complicaciones , Ratas , Masculino , Femenino , Animales Recién Nacidos , Lóbulo Occipital/fisiopatología , Lóbulo Parietal/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Spreading depression (SD) is an intriguing phenomenon characterized by massive slow brain depolarizations that affect neurons and glial cells. This phenomenon is repetitive and produces a metabolic overload that increases secondary damage. However, the mechanisms associated with the initiation and propagation of SD are unknown. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that persistent and uncontrolled opening of hemichannels could participate in the pathogenesis and progression of several neurological disorders including acute brain injuries. Here, we explored the contribution of astroglial hemichannels composed of connexin-43 (Cx43) or pannexin-1 (Panx1) to SD evoked by high-K+ stimulation in brain slices. RESULTS: Focal high-K+ stimulation rapidly evoked a wave of SD linked to increased activity of the Cx43 and Panx1 hemichannels in the brain cortex, as measured by light transmittance and dye uptake analysis, respectively. The activation of these channels occurs mainly in astrocytes but also in neurons. More importantly, the inhibition of both the Cx43 and Panx1 hemichannels completely prevented high K+-induced SD in the brain cortex. Electrophysiological recordings also revealed that Cx43 and Panx1 hemichannels critically contribute to the SD-induced decrease in synaptic transmission in the brain cortex and hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting Cx43 and Panx1 hemichannels could serve as a new therapeutic strategy to prevent the initiation and propagation of SD in several acute brain injuries.
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Astrocitos , Conexina 43 , Conexinas , Depresión de Propagación Cortical , Transmisión Sináptica , Animales , Astrocitos/fisiología , Conexinas/metabolismo , Depresión de Propagación Cortical/fisiología , Depresión de Propagación Cortical/efectos de los fármacos , Transmisión Sináptica/fisiología , Transmisión Sináptica/efectos de los fármacos , Conexina 43/metabolismo , Masculino , Proteínas del Tejido Nervioso/metabolismo , Corteza Cerebral , Neuronas/fisiología , Hipocampo , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Ratas , Potasio/metabolismoRESUMEN
Computational Fluid Dynamics has become a very powerful tool for developing engineering combustion devices, such as burners and furnaces. However, there are a wide variety of turbulence models, and some of them have proven to be more effective for some turbulent flow configurations than others. A reacting turbulent jet is a common flow configuration found in combustion engineering devices like burners. The present work assesses Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes turbulence models, being tested on a CH4/H2/N2-Air reacting jet. Eight two-equation eddy-viscosity and three five-equation turbulence models were tested in the studied turbulent flow. Computational results were compared against experimental measurements in terms of flow field variables, mean mixture fraction, temperature, and species mass fraction. The findings suggest a strong influence of the turbulence model perforce on the mean mixture fraction as well as on the turbulence-chemistry interaction model. The modified version of the standard k-ε model proves to be the more reliable choice for this reactive flow configurations. Specially, where the flow patterns of the jet dictate the general flow physics. Near the fuel nozzle, both the Reynolds stress model with stress baseline k-ω (RSM-SBSL) and the standard k-ω model exhibit better agreement with experimental data than the conventional modified k-ε model. Moreover, findings from the standard modified k-ε model indicate a significant underestimation of spreading rates for radial samples in regions where jet spreading intensifies.
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Objectives: Maternal physical activity may impact behavioral and electrophysiological aspects of brain function, with short- and long-term effects on pre- and postnatal neurodevelopment of the offspring. This study evaluated in the rat the effects of maternal voluntary physical activity (MVPA) on food intake and weight gain in the dams, as well as anxiety-like behavior, short-term memory and the brain excitability-related phenomenon known as cortical spreading depression (CSD) on the mother-pup dyad.Methods: Female Wistar rats (n=33) were individually housed in cages containing a running wheel for a 30-days adaptation period before mating. Rats were classified as inactive (I); active (A) or very active (VA) according to the distance spontaneously travelled daily. During gestation, the dams continued to have access to the running wheel. Mothers and their respective pups (1 pup per mother) were evaluated in the open field test (OFT), object recognition test (ORT), elevated plus maze test (EPMT) and the CSD propagation features.Results: MVPA was directly associated with increased food intake and weight gain during gestation, and maternal anxiolytic-like behavioral responses in the OFT. Pups from VA mothers showed a high discrimination index for shape recognition memory (ORT) and decreased propagation velocities of CSD, when compared with the inactive group.Discussion: The data suggest that MVPA during the gestational period induces neuroplasticity and may modulate the brain functions in the mother-infant dyad in the rat.
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Condicionamiento Físico Animal , Humanos , Ratas , Animales , Femenino , Ratas Wistar , Condicionamiento Físico Animal/fisiología , Encéfalo , Ingestión de Alimentos , Aumento de PesoRESUMEN
Introduction: Melatonin (MLT) reportedly has beneficial effects in neurological disorders involving brain excitability (e.g., Epilepsy and Migraine) and behavioral patterns (e.g., Anxiety and Depression). This study was performed to investigate, in the developing rat brain, the effect of early-in-life administration of two different doses of exogenous MLT on behavioral (anxiety and memory) and electrophysiological (CSD analysis) aspects of brain function. Additionally, brain levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), both cellular indicators of redox balance status, were evaluated. We hypothesize that MLT differentially affects the behavioral and CSD parameters as a function of the MLT dose. Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats received, from the 7th to the 27th postnatal day (PND), on alternate days, vehicle solution, or 10 mg/kg/or 40 mg/kg MLT (MLT-10 and MLT-40 groups), or no treatment (intact group). To perform behavioral and cognition analysis, from PND30 to PND32, they were tested in the open field apparatus, first for anxiety (PND30) and then for object recognition memory tasks: spatial position recognition (PND31) and shape recognition (PND32). On PND34, they were tested in the elevated plus maze. From PND36 to 42, the excitability-related phenomenon known as cortical spreading depression (CSD) was recorded, and its features were analyzed. Results: Treatment with MLT did not change the animals' body weight or blood glucose levels. The MLT-10 treatment, but not the MLT-40 treatment, was associated with behaviors that suggest less anxiety and improved memory. MLT-10 and MLT-40 treatments, respectively, decelerated and accelerated CSD propagation (speed of 2.86 ± 0.14 mm/min and 3.96 ± 0.16 mm/min), compared with the control groups (3.3 ± 0.10 mm/min and 3.25 ± 0.11 mm/min, for the intact and vehicle groups, respectively; p < 0.01). Cerebral cortex levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase were, respectively, lower and higher in the MLT-10 group but not in the MLT40 group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that MLT intraperitoneal administration during brain development may differentially act as an antioxidant agent when administered at a low dose but not at a high dose, according to behavioral, electrophysiological, and biochemical parameters.
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We present an analysis of an epidemic spreading process on an Apollonian network that can describe an epidemic spreading in a non-sedentary population. We studied the modified diffusive epidemic process using the Monte Carlo method by computational analysis. Our model may be helpful for modeling systems closer to reality consisting of two classes of individuals: susceptible (A) and infected (B). The individuals can diffuse in a network according to constant diffusion rates [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], for the classes A and B, respectively, and obeying three diffusive regimes, i.e., [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]. Into the same site i, the reaction occurs according to the dynamical rule based on Gillespie's algorithm. Finite-size scaling analysis has shown that our model exhibits continuous phase transition to an absorbing state with a set of critical exponents given by [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] familiar to every investigated regime. In summary, the continuous phase transition, characterized by this set of critical exponents, does not have the same exponents of the mean-field universality class in both regular lattices and complex networks.
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Algoritmos , Epidemias , Humanos , Simulación por Computador , Modelos Biológicos , DifusiónRESUMEN
Background: A recent outbreak of the monkey pox virus disease (MPVD) started to spread over the world before the second half of the 2022 year. This outbreak of the monkey pox virus disease is known as the 2022 outbreak of the monkey pox virus disease. The monkey pox virus disease is a type of the pox disease similar to the human one. This disease is an endemic in some African countries; however, a new spreading of this disease started to appear in other countries, such as the Spain, brazil, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Portugal, Australia, and the USA. As of the end of September 2022, the MPVD spread over than 107 countries over the world. Results: This study focuses on the employing of the simplest model of the diseases forecasting which is SIRD model for the finding of the basic reproductive ratio of the monkey pox virus disease in multiple countries over the world where the disease spreads. The model takes into accounts the number of the susceptible people, the number of the infectious people, the number of the recovered people, and the number of the deceased people. Based on the results of the SIRD model coefficients, we find that the basic reproductive ratio values of the recent spreading of the monkey pox virus disease are 1.3274 for the United Kingdom where the first case of the disease was recorded, 1.0714 for the United Arab Emirates, 1.0866 for Nigeria, 1.5589 for Brazil, and 1.3610 for Canada. Conclusions: We find that the average value of the basic reproductive ratio of the 2022 outbreak of the monkey pox virus disease is about 1.2809. This important result of our calculations predicts that the 2022 outbreak of the monkey pox virus disease is turned into pandemic over the world. The things which confirm this result, based on our calculations, are the values of the basic reproductive ratio of the 2022 outbreak of the disease in the considered countries from multiple continents where all the values of the basic reproductive ratio are bigger than one. From this point, the counties over the world must apply multiple procedures for limiting the spreading of the monkey pox virus disease.
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Every cell of an organism shares the same genome; even so, each cellular lineage owns a different transcriptome and proteome. The Polycomb group proteins (PcG) are essential regulators of gene repression patterning during development and homeostasis. However, it is unknown how the repressive complexes, PRC1 and PRC2, identify their targets and elicit new Polycomb domains during cell differentiation. Classical recruitment models consider the pre-existence of repressive histone marks; still, de novo target binding overcomes the absence of both H3K27me3 and H2AK119ub. The CpG islands (CGIs), non-core proteins, and RNA molecules are involved in Polycomb recruitment. Nonetheless, it is unclear how de novo targets are identified depending on the physiological context and developmental stage and which are the leading players stabilizing Polycomb complexes at domain nucleation sites. Here, we examine the features of de novo sites and the accessory elements bridging its recruitment and discuss the first steps of Polycomb domain formation and transcriptional regulation, comprehended by the experimental reconstruction of the repressive domains through time-resolved genomic analyses in mammals.
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Nowcasting and forecasting of epidemic spreading rely on incidence series of reported cases to derive the fundamental epidemiological parameters for a given pathogen. Two relevant drawbacks for predictions are the unknown fractions of undocumented cases and levels of nonpharmacological interventions, which span highly heterogeneously across different places and times. We describe a simple data-driven approach using a compartmental model including asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic contagions that allows to estimate both the level of undocumented infections and the value of effective reproductive number R t from time series of reported cases, deaths, and epidemiological parameters. The method was applied to epidemic series for COVID-19 across different municipalities in Brazil allowing to estimate the heterogeneity level of under-reporting across different places. The reproductive number derived within the current framework is little sensitive to both diagnosis and infection rates during the asymptomatic states. The methods described here can be extended to more general cases if data is available and adapted to other epidemiological approaches and surveillance data.
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The nonlinear fractional stochastic differential equation approach with Hurst parameter H within interval H∈(0,1) to study the time evolution of the number of those infected by the coronavirus in countries where the number of cases is large as Brazil is studied. The rises and falls of novel cases daily or the fluctuations in the official data are treated as a random term in the stochastic differential equation for the fractional Brownian motion. The projection of novel cases in the future is treated as quadratic mean deviation in the official data of novel cases daily since the beginning of the pandemic up to the present. Moreover, the rescaled range analysis (RS) is employed to determine the Hurst index for the time series of novel cases and some statistical tests are performed with the aim to determine the shape of the probability density of novel cases in the future.
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Histoplasmosis is a mycotic infection principally affecting pulmonary tissue; sometimes, histoplasmosis can progress into a systemic disease. This infection involves immunocompetent and immunosuppressed human and other mammalian hosts, depending on particular circumstances. Histoplasmosis infection has been documented worldwide. The infection is acquired by inhaling infective mycelial propagules of the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. New reports of clinical cases of histoplasmosis in extreme latitudes could be related to human social adaptations and climate changes in the world, which are creating new favorable environments for this fungus and for bats, its major natural reservoirs and dispersers. Histoplasma has been isolated from most continents, and it is considered a complex of cryptic species, consisting of various groups of isolates that differ genetically and correlate with a particular geographic distribution. Based on updated studies, Histoplasma taxonomy is adjusting to new genetic data. Here, we have suggested that Histoplasma has at least 14 phylogenetic species distributed worldwide and new genotypes that could be under deliberation. Histoplasma's geographic radiation began in South America millions of years ago when the continents were joined and the climate was favorable. For fungal spreading, the role of bats and some birds is crucial, although other natural factors could also participate.
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Quirópteros , Histoplasmosis , Animales , Quirópteros/microbiología , Histoplasma/genética , Histoplasmosis/epidemiología , Histoplasmosis/microbiología , Histoplasmosis/veterinaria , Humanos , Pulmón/microbiología , FilogeniaRESUMEN
Meteorology is a critical factor affecting respiratory infectious diseases such as MERS, SARS, and influenza, but its effect on the spread of the COVID-19 disease remains controversial. Nevertheless, since the infected people cough-jets produce plumes of droplets and aerosols that can travel for several meters in the atmosphere, the possible influence of wind circulation and atmospheric turbulence on the infectious plume's fate cannot be ignored. This paper applied cluster analysis for identifying the near surface wind circulation patterns and associated temperature and humidity distributions in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA), then their influence on the spread of the COVID-19 disease during the 2020 pandemic was discussed. Meteorology data and daily numbers of confirmed COVID-19 infections were obtained from public sources. An intense infection activity occurred from October to December 2020, and notable spreading of the disease toward the southwest and south MCMA was observed. In the same period, temperature and humidity conditions that could favor the virus stability and replication were detected in the same sectors, besides 60% of the wind observations revealed considerable northerly components. These findings suggested the existence of correlations between both phenomena. For assessing the possible relationship, the Pearson coefficients between the daily confirmed infections and the temperature and inward flux were estimated, and values from -0.32 to -0.55 and 0.62 to 0.70 were obtained. Correlation was negligible for relative humidity. Multilinear regression for the daily infections in response to the meteorological variables produced coefficients of determination from 0.3839 to 0.6138. Because of its implications for public health, this topic deserves a more in-depth investigation.
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Argentina is a home to millions of beef and dairy cattle and is one of the world's major exporters of meat. In the present study, Trypanosoma vivax was prevalent (2016-2018) in two major livestock farming regions, the Gran Chaco and the Pampas. In the Gran Chaco, 29% and 51% of animals (n = 72, taurine x zebuine crossbreed) were, respectively, positive by TviCATL-PCR and the more sensitive fluorescent fragment length barcoding (FFLB) method. While 18.4/38.8% of breeding cows (n = 49) tested positive by PCR/FFLB, infection increased to 52.2/78.3% in an outbreak of acute infection in steers (n = 23, taurine breed) brought from a non-endemic area. In the Pampas, overall infection rates in dairy cows (n = 54, taurine breed) were comparable (p > .01) between PCR (66.7%) and FFLB (62.9%) and showed a remarkable increase (PCR / FFLB) from 48.3/44.8% in 2017 to 88/84% in 2018. Infected dairy cattle exhibited anaemia, fever, anorexia, enlarged lymph nodes, emaciation and neurological signs. In contrast, beef cows (taurine x zebuine crossbreed) from the Pampas (n = 30) were asymptomatic despite exhibiting 16.7% (PCR) and 53.3% (FFLB) infection rates. Microsatellite genotyping revealed a remarkable microheterogeneity, seven genotypes in the Gran Chaco, nine in the Pampas and five shared between both regions, consistent with regular movement of T. vivax infected livestock. Data gathered in our study support the Gran Chaco being an endemic area for T. vivax, whereas the Pampas emerged as an outbreak area of acute infection in dairy cattle with critical negative impact in milk production. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first molecular study of T. vivax in Argentina, and results indicated the need for preventive measures to control T. vivax spread from the Gran Chaco to vast livestock farming areas across Argentina.
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Bovinos , Brotes de Enfermedades , Trypanosoma vivax , Tripanosomiasis Africana , Animales , Argentina/epidemiología , Bovinos/parasitología , Brotes de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Femenino , Genotipo , Ganado , Trypanosoma vivax/genética , Tripanosomiasis Africana/veterinariaRESUMEN
Objectives: Unfavorable lactation influences brain excitability and behavioral reactions in adults. Administration early in life of the cholinergic agonist, pilocarpine, even at non-convulsive doses, alters the brain excitability-related phenomenon known as cortical spreading depression (CSD), and produce anxiogenic-like behavior. However, the influence of unfavorable lactation on the CSD- and memory-effects of pilocarpine administration late in life has not been investigated. Herein, we analyzed the ponderal, electrophysiological (CSD), and behavioral effects of chronic treatment with a non-convulsive dose of pilocarpine, in adult rats suckled under favorable and unfavorable conditions.Methods: Wistar rats were suckled in litters with 9 or 15 pups (groups L9 and L15, respectively). A very low dose of pilocarpine (45/mg/kg/day) was chronically administered in mature rats from postnatal day (PND) 69-90. Behavioral tests occurred at PND91 [elevated plus maze (EPM)], PND93 [open field (OF)], and PND94-95 [object recognition memory (ORM)]. CSD was recorded between PND96-120.Results: Pilocarpine-treated rats performed worse in the anxiety and memory tests, and displayed lower CSD propagation velocity when compared with saline-treated controls. In addition, L15 rats showed an increase in the distance traveled and a decrease in the immobility time in the EPM, impaired ORM, and accelerated CSD propagation when compared with L9 rats (p ≤ 0.05).Discussion: These data suggest that sub-convulsive pilocarpine treatment in adult rats can affect behavioral and excitability-related reactions. In addition, unfavorable lactation increases the ambulatory effects of pilocarpine. Further studies should investigate the possible cholinergic molecular mechanisms involved in these effects.
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Depresión de Propagación Cortical , Pilocarpina , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos , Ansiedad/tratamiento farmacológico , Depresión , Femenino , Lactancia , Masculino , Pilocarpina/farmacología , Ratas , Ratas WistarRESUMEN
The COVID-19 outbreak has generated, in addition to the dramatic sanitary consequences, severe psychological repercussions for the populations affected by the pandemic. Simultaneously, these consequences can have related effects on the spread of the virus. Pandemic fatigue occurs when stress rises beyond a threshold, leading a person to feel demotivated to follow recommended behaviours to protect themselves and others. In the present paper, we introduce a new susceptible-infected-quarantined-recovered-dead (SIQRD) model in terms of a system of ordinary differential equations (ODE). The model considers the countermeasures taken by sanitary authorities and the effect of pandemic fatigue. The latter can be mitigated by fear of the disease's consequences modelled with the death rate in mind. The mathematical well-posedness of the model is proved. We show the numerical results to be consistent with the transmission dynamics data characterising the epidemic of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy in 2020. We provide a measure of the possible pandemic fatigue impact. The model can be used to evaluate the public health interventions and prevent with specific actions the possible damages resulting from the social phenomenon of relaxation concerning the observance of the preventive rules imposed.
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We report clinical, serologic, and immunogenetic studies of a set of monozygotic male twin patients who develop autoimmune thyroiditis and vitiligo associated with the HLA-DRB1*04-DQB1*03:02 and HLA-DRB1*03-DQB1*0201 haplotypes. The patients had detectable anti-thyroid and anti-melanocyte autoantibodies. A critical review is presented regarding the role of MHC II molecules linked to clinical manifestations of various autoimmune diseases displayed in a single patient, as is the case in the twin patients reported here.
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Video 1Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of large rectal lateral spreading tumors (LSTs) that extend to the dentate line with internal hemorrhoids is a challenging procedure because of the increased risk of bleeding from penetrating and hemorrhoidal vessels and the reduced visual field caused by the dilated venous packages and the narrow anal lumen.This video describes novel technical approaches to minimize the risk of intraoperative bleeding.The described approaches are indicated in large rectal LSTs that extend to the dentate line with large internal hemorrhoids. The described selective-vessel approach is also indicated in any vascularized superficial lesion amenable to endoscopic treatment.ESD was performed in the retroflex view using an Evis Exera II video processor, an H180 gastroscope, an ERBE ICC 200, and CO2 insufflation. As tools, IT-nano, needle knife, hook knife, hemostatic forceps, and a distal cap were used. The lifting solution was a mixture of normal saline, hyaluronic acid, epinephrine, and indigo carmine.A hemicircumferential superficial granular lateral spreading tumor was observed in the lower rectum. Indigo carmine dye spray facilitated the identification of the lesion's margin and demonstrated no ulcer, converging folds, or large nodules. After the submucosal (SM) injection, a shallow mucosal incision was made in the retroflex view using a conventional needle knife, followed by the circumferential incision at the proximal side using an IT-nano. The SM layer was dissected at a superficial level to avoid large SM vessels, thus preventing intraoperative bleeding and maintaining a clean surgical field. Small vessels were selectively coagulated mainly by using the small disc located at the back of the insulated tip as the SM later was superficially dissected. To facilitate precise coagulation, a stepwise dissection technique was used for larger vessels. After identification, the vessel was first exposed by dissecting the surrounding SM layer at the left and right sides using the long blade of IT-nano, with blunt dissection of the surrounding tissue at the vessels' posterior aspect using a Hook knife. Double-vessel sealing using a hemostatic forceps was performed both at the rectal and tumor sides. Lastly, the vessel was transected between sealed segments using the IT-nano, without major bleeding. The circumferential incision was completed at the left side and distally extended to the anal canal where large hemorrhoidal bundles were seen. A needle knife was used to complete the SM dissection and, here, the final cut. En bloc resection was successfully achieved without intraoperative bleeding.The en bloc resected specimen was 85 mm in size, and squamous epithelium of the anal canal was observed at the distal margin. Colonoscopy 5 months post-ESD revealed adequate healing, no stenosis and no hemorrhoids.Coagulation and hemostasia should be promptly carried out whenever inadvertent injury to large vessels and subsequent bleeding occurs during lateral exposure, posterior blunt dissection, double coagulation, and transection of vessels.Curative ESD can be achieved in large rectal LSTs that extend to the dentate line with large internal hemorrhoids. Strategies to minimize intraoperative bleeding during ESD should be considered and include the following:â¢An SM dissection from the proximal tumor margin in the retroflex view to circumvent contact with hemorrhoids.â¢A differential level of dissection to prevent inadvertent vessel injury-shallow first to avoid large SM vessels and deeper above the muscular layer closer to the dentate line to shut off blood supply by penetrating hemorrhoidal vessels.â¢Last but not least, a selective approach to vessels to reduce the risk of bleeding, with direct coagulation for small vessels and with lateral exposure, posterior blunt dissection, double-vessel sealing, and transection between sealed segments for larger vessels.
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In this work, we analyze the spreading of Covid-19 in Mexico using the spatial SEIRD epidemiologic model. We use the information of the 32 regions (States) that conform the country, such as population density, verified infected cases, and deaths in each State. We extend the SEIRD compartmental epidemiologic with diffusion mechanisms in the exposed and susceptible populations. We use the Fickian law with the diffusion coefficient proportional to the population density to encompass the diffusion effects. The numerical results suggest that the epidemiologic model demands time-dependent parameters to incorporate non-monotonous behavior in the actual data in the global dynamic. The diffusional model proposed in this work has great potential in predicting the virus spreading on different scales, i.e., local, national, and between countries, since the complete reduction in people mobility is impossible.
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The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has altered entire nations and their health systems. The greatest impact of the pandemic has been seen among vulnerable populations, such as those with comorbidities like heart diseases, kidney failure, obesity, or those with worse health determinants such as unemployment and poverty. In the current study, we are proposing previous exposure to fine-grained volcanic ashes as a risk factor for developing COVID-19. Based on several previous studies it has been known since the mid 1980s of the past century that volcanic ash is most likely an accelerating factor to suffer from different types of cancer, including lung or thyroid cancer. Our study postulates, that people who are most likely to be infected during a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) widespread wave will be those with comorbidities that are related to previous exposure to volcanic ashes. We have explored 8703 satellite images from the past 21 y of available data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) database and correlated them with the data from the national institute of health statistics in Ecuador. Additionally, we provide more realistic numbers of fatalities due to the virus based on excess mortality data of 2020-2021, when compared with previous years. This study would be a very first of its kind combining social and spatial distribution of COVID-19 infections and volcanic ash distribution. The results and implications of our study will also help countries to identify such aforementioned vulnerable parts of the society, if the given geodynamic and volcanic settings are similar.
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Mediated priming refers to the activation of a target word by a prime word through an intermediate word. This type of priming provides behavioral evidence of between- and within-level spreading activation in the lexical system. Studies of toddlers show phonosemantic between-level mediated priming that supports a cascade of activation between different levels of processing. However, it is not clear whether the activation can spread freely within the same level. This study explored whether 24-month-old toddlers show mediated priming effects at the semantic level (e.g., cat [prime] - mouse [mediator] - cheese [target]) with a preferential looking task using an eye tracker. The results show a smaller proportion of target looking and greater pupil size in the related condition than in the unrelated condition; these effects were greater in the second half of the analysis window. We interpret these data as a spreading activation that is partially free but modulated during infancy. We also provide evidence of pupil dilation as a neurophysiological marker in a preferential looking task with priming. We discuss the results in light of the cognitive control, inhibition, and general cognitive skills of toddlers.