The aim is to determine the prevalence of active infection by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV‐2) among Mexican women with high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) cervical infection, recruited from ...public gynecology and colposcopy services. In a cross‐sectional study, HSV‐2 antibodies, HSV‐2 DNA, and HR‐HPV DNA were quantified. Significant differences in HSV‐2 seroprevalence and HSV‐2 active infection rates were found between negative and positive HR‐HPV cases. HSV‐2 seroprevalence was 28.15% and 16.1% (P = .0001), while HSV‐2 active infection rates were 6.83% and 0.62% (P = .001) for positive and negative HR‐HPV groups, respectively. The risk of HSV‐2 seropositivity was 1.7 times greater for HR‐HPV‐positive cases (P = .02). Similarly, HR‐HPV‐positive cases were nine times more likely to have an HSV‐2 active infection than HR‐HPV‐negative cases (P = .03). High HSV‐2/h‐HPV coinfection rates were observed among women recruited from public gynecology and colposcopy services. The main factors related to an HSV‐2 active infection are a history of risky sexual behavior and HR‐HPV infection. The prevalence of HSV‐2 active infection among positive HR‐HPV subjects indicate that these infections constitute an important group of STIs in Mexico.
Research Highlights
The current study included data from seroprevalence of HSV‐2 infection and the rate of HSV‐2 active infection among women recruited from public gynecology and colposcopy services and determined the demographic, clinical, and sexual behavior characteristics associated to HSV‐2 seroprevalence and active infection.
This study provides information about High HSV‐2/HR‐HPV coinfection rates are observed among women recruited from public gynecology and colposcopy services indicating that these infections constitute an important group of sexually‐transmitted infections in Mexico.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Benznidazole is recommended for treatment of Chagas infection. Effects of combination therapy with benznidazole and posaconazole have not been tested in Trypanosoma cruzi carriers.
The purpose of ...this study was to determine whether posaconazole alone or combined with benznidazole were superior to benznidazole monotherapy in eliminating T. cruzi parasites measured by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in asymptomatic Chagas carriers.
A prospective, multicenter randomized placebo-controlled study was conducted in 120 subjects from Latin America and Spain who were randomized to 4 groups: posaconazole 400 mg twice a day (b.i.d.); benznidazole 200 mg + placebo b.i.d.; benznidazole 200 mg b.i.d. + posaconazole 400 mg b.i.d.; or placebo 10 mg b.i.d. T. cruzi deoxyribonucleic acid was detected by RT-PCR at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 360 days. The primary efficacy outcome is the proportion of subjects with persistent negative RT-PCR by day 180; the secondary outcome was negative RT-PCR at 360 days.
Only 13.3% of those receiving posaconazole and 10% receiving placebo achieved the primary outcome, compared with 80% receiving benznidazole + posaconazole and 86.7% receiving benznidazole monotherapy (p < 0.0001 vs. posaconazole/placebo). Posaconazole monotherapy or posaconazole combined with benznidazole achieved high RT-PCR conversion rates during treatment (30 days; 93.3% and 88.9% and 60 days; 90%, and 92.3%) that were similar to benznidazole (89.7% and 89.3%); all were superior to placebo or posaconazole (10% and 16.7%, p < 0.0001). This was not observed at 360 days; benznidazole + posaconazole and benznidazole monotherapy (both 96%) versus placebo (17%) and posaconazole (16%, p < 0.0001). Serious adverse events were rare (6 patients) and were observed in the benznidazole-treated patients. Permanent discontinuation was reported in 19 patients (31.7%) receiving either benznidazole monotherapy or combined with posaconazole.
Posaconazole demonstrated trypanostatic activity during treatment, but it is ineffective long-term in asymptomatic T. cruzi carriers. Benznidazole monotherapy is superior to posaconazole, with high RT-PCR conversion rates sustained at 1 year. Side effects lead to therapy discontinuation in 32%. No advantages were observed with combined therapy versus benznidazole monotherapy. (A Study of the Use of Oral Posaconazole POS in the Treatment of Asymptomatic Chronic Chagas Disease P05267 STOP CHAGAS: NCT01377480).
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
•Pulsed photoacoustic technique allowed to determine the production rate of NPs.•Pulsed photoacoustic technique allows to determine the Ag concentration in colloids.•The nanoparticles production rate ...drops quickly during the first laser pulses.•Nanoparticles production rate is almost constant after few hundreds of laser shots.•Photoacoustic signal amplitude was proportional to fluence on the target surface.
The pulsed photoacoustic (PA) technique was used to study the synthesis by laser ablation of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in ethanol. PA technique allowed to determine the production rate per laser pulse and concentration of synthesized Ag-NPs. The samples were produced by using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser with 1064nm of wavelength and 7ns of pulse duration. The laser pulse energy varied from 10 to 100mJ. Transmission electron microscopy micrographs demonstrated that the obtained nanoparticles were spherical with an average size close to 10nm. The absorption spectra of the colloids showed a plasmon absorption peak around 400nm. The PA analyses showed a significant reduction of the production rate of Ag-NPs during the first hundreds of laser pulses. For a higher number of pulses this rate was kept almost constant. Finally, we found that the root mean square (RMS) value of the PA signal was proportional to the laser pulse fluence on the target surface. Thus PA technique was useful to monitor the ablation process.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The main limitations of lipidomics analysis are the chemical complexity of the lipids, the range of concentrations at which they exist, and the variety of samples usually analyzed. These limitations ...particularly affect the characterization of polar lipids owing to the interference of neutral lipids, essentially acylglycerides, which are at high concentration and suppress ionization of low concentrated lipids in mass spectrometry detection. The influence of sample preparation on lipidomics analysis of polar lipids in adipose tissue by LC–MS/MS was the aim of this research. Two common extractants used for lipids isolation, methanol:chloroform (MeOH:CHCl3) and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), were qualitatively and quantitatively compared for the extraction of the main families of lipids. The obtained results showed that each family of lipids is influenced differently by the extractant used. However, as a general trend, the use of MTBE as extractant led to higher extraction efficiency for unsaturated fatty acids, glycerophospholipids and ceramides, while MeOH:CHCl3 favored the isolation of saturated fatty acids and plasmalogens. The implementation of a solid-phase extraction (SPE) step for selective isolation of glycerophospholipids prior to LC–MS/MS analysis was assayed to evaluate its influence on lipids detection coverage as compared to direct analysis. This step was critical to enhance the detection coverage of glycerophospholipids by removal of ionization suppression effects caused by acylglycerides.
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•Sample preparation has been studied in the analysis of polar lipids in adipose tissue.•The matrix used in this research was human visceral adipose tissue.•The study was performed by an untargeted LC–QTOF MS/MS approach.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
This pilot, randomized controlled trial analyzed the effects of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT, n = 20) for insomnia vs a sleep hygiene (SH, n = 20) program on the three attentional networks ...(alertness, orienting, and executive function) and other additional outcome measures (sleep, pain, depression, anxiety, and daily functioning) of fibromyalgia patients. The CBT group showed significant improvement in alertness (F(1, 28) = 11.84, p = .0018), executive functioning (F(1, 28) = 15.76, p = .00059), sleep quality ( F(1, 38) = 6.33, p = .016), and a trend to improvement in daily functioning (p > .06), as compared with the SH group. The improvement in executive functioning was significantly related to the changes in sleep (r = 0.40, p = .026). A CBT for insomnia represents a useful intervention in fibromyalgia patients not only regarding sleep disturbance but also attentional dysfunction and probably daily functioning.
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NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
•Dietary fibers fabrication from SCB and SCTs in alkaline media assisted by microwave.•MW process in alkaline treatments help to deconstruct the lignocellosic structure.•Lignin elimination depends on ...the chemical concentration and biomass source.•8 wt.% of SCB or SCTs fibers are adequate to be added as ingredient in human food.•Elaboration of human food with SCB or SCTs fibers improved its nutritional value.
Sugar industries generate a big amount of residues during the harvest and milling of sugarcane. Both sugarcane bagasse and tops are two of the main biomass sources that potentially become part of the environmental pollution. These fibers can be theoretically used to obtain added value products, but require effective methods to separate lignin from biomass. The present paper intends to evaluate the effects of a microwave process (600 W, 5 min) applied during alkaline treatments of sugarcane bagasse (SBC) and sugarcane tops (SCTs) to separate lignocellulosic compounds and use them as nutraceutical ingredients of human food such as chapatti-type fermented bread and noodle-type pasta. Two alkaline treatments using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with concentrations of 15, 22.5, 30, 37.5 mmol were analyzed. The study found that the alkaline treatments assisted with microwave heating could remove lignin more efficiently than the traditional method (immersion). The assistance of the microwave process during alkaline treatments is an alternative to deconstruct the lignocellulosic structure. From the evaluated concentrations, the highest lignin removal was observed with NaOH (37.5 mmol) for both kinds of fibers. Hedonic responses suggest that the addition of 8 wt.% of treated fibers during the production of chapatti-type fermented bread (with SCB) or noodle-type pasta (with SCTs) is suitable for human consumption; additionally, dietary trends for lower digestibility were observed in the fortified food.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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•The cockroaches Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana fed larvated eggs of Toxocara canis are able to eliminate them in their feces.•Feces or whole cockroaches from both ...species are capable of transmitting toxocariasis to rats.•Rats fed feces or whole cockroaches inoculated with T. canis developed tipical lesions and specific antibody response corresponding to toxocariosis.
The present study assessed the capacity of Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana to disseminate and transmit infective phases of T. canis to rats, which were used as a model paratenic host. P. americana and B. germanica inoculated orally with T. canis larvated eggs shed eggs and larvae in their fecal matter during the first 6days post-inoculation. Larvae were recovered from the brain, lungs, kidneys and liver of rats that had been inoculated with either infected cockroaches or their feces. ELISAs of serum detected an increase of antibodies anti-T. canis excretion-secretion antigens, whereas Western Blot (WB) showed 4 bands (120, 50, 35 and 28kDa) that were similar to those found in positive control rats. Macroscopically, the liver and kidneys of infected rats had hemorrhagic areas with milk-spot-like lesions. The lungs showed diffuse grey protuberances. Histologically, hemorrhagic areas with leucocytic infiltrate were observed in the liver, lungs and kidneys. Some larvae were found within a granuloma that was surrounded by eosinophils and other leucocytic infiltrates. Larvae were found in the brain, but without inflammatory infiltrate. Both cockroach species that ingested larvated eggs of T. canis may shed viable larvae or eggs in their fecal matter. The induction of specific serum antibodies, presence of larvae in tissues and characteristic lesions associated with larval migration in the organs of rats that had ingested either whole adults or feces of B. germanica or P. americana demonstrate the capacity of these cockroaches to transmit toxocariosis to paratenic hosts.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
In the industrial and military sector, work activities are required transporting or supporting heavy loads manually, affecting this the human spinal column due to the weight of the loads or the ...repetition of this labor. In this regard, the use of force-enhancing exoskeletons is a potential solution to this issue. Therefore, this article summarizes the state of the art in relevant contributions to structural design, control systems, actuators, and performance metrics to evaluate the proper functioning of exoskeletons used for load support and transfer. This is essential to address current and new open problems in these applications, and this includes reducing the metabolic cost and enhancing the loading force in exoskeletons, in which challenges such as structural design and kinetic interactions between the human and the robot are presented. The systematic review of the strategies found in the literature helps addressing these challenges in an orderly way. The proposal of some alternative solutions could help to solving some of the challenges mentioned above, as well as further research to improve the design of these devices is necessary.
•Multiple sclerosis: the second cause of neurological disability in young adults.•Depression is present in up to 50% of people with multiple sclerosis.•Physical limitations and mood disorders ...influence perception on quality of life.•Quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis must worries health personnel.
The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis and its association with depressive symptoms and physical health.
A total of 117 patients clinically diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) were studied. The MSQOL-54 scale was applied. The depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), while degree of physical disability was evaluated with the EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale). The results of these last two instruments were associated with MSQOL-54 to determine its influence on the perception of quality of life.
We evaluated 65 women (56%) and 52 men (44%), with a mean age of 35 years, a mean age of 27 years at the time of diagnosis, and a mean evolution of 8 years. 88% of the patients showed the relapsing-remitting subtype; 42% had paid employment; 29% of the studied patients required help to perform daily activities; 75% took disease-modifying medications. They obtained on average a score of 3.62 ± 2.30 on the EDSS and 11.5 ± 9.21 on the BDI. The general average in MSQOL-54 was 64.67 ± 17.52.
Quality of life, in patients with multiple sclerosis is an issue that worries health personnel, it is essential to implement strategies for reducing the impact of the disease on patients' lives, mainly through the application of programs aimed to decrees depression and improve social support.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Oxidative stress causes biochemical changes in lipids and proteins; these changes can induce damage to the vascular endothelium and create maternal complications that are characteristic of ...preeclampsia. In this study, we evaluated the oxidative profile of lipoproteins isolated from women with preeclampsia.
Thirty women diagnosed with preeclampsia and thirty women without preeclampsia were included in the study. Lipid-damage biomarkers, including conjugated dienes, lipohydroperoxides and malondialdehyde, were measured. The reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium, the formation of dityrosines, and the carbonylation of proteins were assessed as indicators of protein damage. The protective activity of HDL-c was evaluated by the paraoxonase-I activity present on the HDL-c particles. Serum lipid profiles were also quantified in both groups. Data were analysed using Student's t test and the Pearson correlation coefficient.
Our results demonstrated in PE women evident oxidative changes in the lipids and proteins in HDL-c and LDL-c particles and the activity of the antioxidant enzyme PON-I decreased 59.9%. HDL-c exhibited self-defence, as demonstrated by the negative correlation between paraoxonase-I activity and the formation of lipohydroperoxides in HDL-c (r = -0.3755, p < 0.005).
LDL-c and HDL-c isolated from women with preeclampsia show oxidative damage to lipids and proteins. We propose an oxidative profile based on the oxidation levels indicated by each of the markers used. We also found that paraoxonase-I is inactivated in the presence of lipohydroperoxides. Antioxidant support might be helpful to reduce oxidative stress in patients with preeclampsia. Further investigations are necessary to define the association between antioxidant activities and preeclampsia.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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