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Using administrative data on the universe of eighth graders, we study learning losses in Italy between 2021 and 2019 to estimate the effect of schools' closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We find an average learning loss of 0.14 SD in math and 0.05 SD in reading. The pandemic widened preexisting gaps by socioeconomic status (SES): students in the bottom quintile of SES learned 0.21 SD less in math and 0.10 SD less in reading. Learning losses for immigrant students in math are larger than those for native ones. We do not find economically significant differences by gender.

Background The number of plastic surgery procedures have been rising in the last few years. The morbi-mortality due to illegal use of biopolymers is a public health problem. The autoimmune inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA, for its acronym in English) has been proposed since 2011, triggered within other exposures by the administration of substances used for aesthetic purposes, which acting as adjuvants can have a stimulatory action on the immune system, s are silicone, hyaluronic acid, methacrylate compounds and various oils. NOT only the application of these substances have been associated with the syndrome, but also the post-vaccination phenomenon and the Gulf War syndrome. Keywords: Biopolymers, Modelling Agents, ASIA syndrome.

Introduction:Crohn's disease is a chronic intestinal inflammation caused by genetic, immunological, microbiotic and environmental factors. The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in its pathogenesis, increasing the predisposition in genetically susceptible patients. Identification of changes in the gut microbiota is an important goal for predicting recurrence and remission of Crohn's disease. Methodology:The relationship between Crohn's disease, microbiota, and postoperative recurrence was investigated through keyword search on the ResearchRabbit search engine from 2008-2023. 834 results were obtained, of which 22 relevant articles were selected for the preparation of the article. Theoretical Framework: The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease. The alteration of the microbiota can increase the prevalence in genetically susceptible patients and affect the physiology of mammals. Intestinal surgery can alter the colonic microbiota in various ways, which can affect the composition and function of the microbiota. Understanding how these changes affect the colonic microbiota can help develop strategies to maintain or restore a healthy microbiota after surgery. The healthy microbiota is a protective factor for the host due to its resistance to colonization by harmful bacteria and its role in the immune system. Conclusions:The intestinal microbiota has the potential to predict the postoperative course and recurrence of Crohn's disease

In an experiment in Mali, we tested whether patients pressure providers to prescribe unnecessary medical treatment. We varied patients’ information about a discount for antimalarial tablets and measure demand for both tablets and costlier antimalarial injections. We find evidence of patient-driven demand: informing patients about the discount, instead of letting providers decide to share this information, increased discount use by 35 percent and overall malaria treatment by 10 percent. These marginal patients rarely had malaria, worsening the illness-treatment match. Providers did not use the information advantage to sell injections—their use fell in both information conditions. (JEL D83, I11, I12, O15)

Viruses have brought humanity many challenges: respiratory infection, cancer, neurological impairment and immunosuppression to name a few. Virology research over the last 60+ years has responded to reduce this disease burden with vaccines and antivirals.

The objective of this retrospective case series is to describe the clinical features of patients with primary glioblastoma multiforme and to identify the presence of the MGMT protein in the tissue. Seventeen patients were selected. Tissue samples were analyzed by the neuropathologist to confirm GBM diagnosis.

In the context of opportunistic cervical cancer screening settings of low-and-middle-income countries, little is known about the benefits of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing on high-grade cervical abnormality detection among women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cytology in routine clinical practice. We compared the effectiveness of immediate colposcopy (IC), conventional cytology at 6 and 12 months (colposcopy if ≥ASC-US) (RC), and hrHPV testing (colposcopy if hrHPV-positive) (HPV) to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more severe diagnoses (CIN2+) among women aged 20-69 years with ASC-US in routine care. Participants (n=2,661) were evenly randomized into three arms (n=882 IC, n=890 RC, n=889 HPV) to receive services by routine healthcare providers and invited to an exit visit 24 months after recruitment. Histopathology was blindly reviewed by a quality-control external panel (QC). The primary endpoint was the first QC-diagnosed CIN2+ or CIN3+ detected during three periods: enrolment (≤6 months for IC and HPV, ≤12 months for RC), follow-up (between enrolment and exit visit), and exit visit. The trial is completed. Colposcopy was done on 88%, 42%, and 52% of participants in IC, RC, and HPV. Overall, 212 CIN2+ and 52 CIN3+ cases were diagnosed. No differences were observed for CIN2+ detection (p=0.821). However, compared to IC, only HPV significantly reduced CIN3+ cases that providers were unable to detect during the 2-year routine follow-up (relative proportion 0.35, 95% CI 0.09-0.87). In this context, hrHPV testing was the most effective and efficient management strategy for women with ASC-US cytology.

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) act as carriers of bacterial products such as plasmids and resistance determinants, including metallo-β-lactamases. The lipidated, membrane-anchored metallo-β-lactamase NDM-1 can be detected in Gram-negative OMVs. The soluble domain of NDM-1 also forms electrostatic interactions with the membrane. Herein, we show that these interactions promote its packaging into OMVs produced by Escherichia coli. We report that favorable electrostatic protein-membrane interactions are also at work in the soluble enzyme IMP-1, while being absent in VIM-2. These interactions correlate with an enhanced incorporation of IMP-1 compared to VIM-2 into OMVs. Disruption of these interactions in NDM-1 and IMP-1 impairs their inclusion into vesicles, confirming their role in defining the protein cargo in OMVs. These results also indicate that packaging of metallo-β-lactamases into vesicles in their active form is a common phenomenon that involves cargo selection based on specific molecular interactions.

Background: An altered lipoprotein profile is often hidden in normolipidemic subjects with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Conceivably, its amelioration after glycemic control may be overlooked in controlled T1D subjects. In this regard, we investigated the influence of glycemic optimization on lipoprotein subfraction parameters in normolipidemic new-onset T1D subjects.Methods: Twelve subjects at onset of T1D (5 women and 7 men) were studied. Serum lipid and advanced lipoprotein profiles were determined by routine laboratory methods and 1H-NMR spectroscopy shortly after diabetes diagnosis (baseline), and after achieving optimal glycemic control (HbA1c

Little is known about the features and outcomes of Brazilian patients with pancreatic cancer. We sought to describe the socio-economic characteristics, patterns of health care access, and survival of patients diagnosed with malignant pancreatic tumors from 2000 to 2014 in São Paulo, Brazil. We included patients with malignant exocrine and non-classified pancreatic tumors according to the International Classifications of Disease (ICD)-O-2 and -O-3, diagnosed from 2000 to 2014, who were registered in the FOSP database. Prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in the subgroup of patients with ductal or non-specified (adeno)carcinoma were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard model. The study population consists of 6855 patients. Median time from the first visit to diagnosis and treatment were 13 (Interquartile range [IQR] 4–30) and 24 (IQR 8–55) days, respectively. Both intervals were longer for patients treated in the public setting. Median OS was 4.9 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 4.7–5.2). Increasing age, male gender, lower educational level, treatment in the public setting, absence of treatment, advanced stage, and treatment from 2000 to 2004 were associated with inferior OS. From 2000–2004 to 2010–2014, no improvement in OS was seen for patients treated in the public setting. Survival of patients with malignant pancreatic tumors remains dismal. Socioeconomical variables, especially health care funding, are major determinants of survival. Further work is necessary to decrease inequalities in access to medical care for patients with pancreatic cancer in Brazil.

A 4-year surveillance of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. isolates in Argentina identified 40 strains carrying bla NDM-1 . Genome sequencing revealed that most were Acinetobacter baumannii , whereas seven represented other Acinetobacter spp. The A. baumannii genomes were closely related, suggesting recent spread. bla NDM-1 was located in the chromosome of A. baumannii strains and on a plasmid in non- A. baumannii strains.

In the context of opportunistic cervical cancer screening settings of low-and-middle-income countries, little is known about the benefits of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing on high-grade cervical abnormality detection among women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cytology in routine clinical practice. We compared the effectiveness of immediate colposcopy (IC), conventional cytology at 6 and 12 months (colposcopy if ≥ASC-US) (RC), and hrHPV testing (colposcopy if hrHPV-positive) (HPV) to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more severe diagnoses (CIN2+) among women aged 20-69 years with ASC-US in routine care. Participants (n=2,661) were evenly randomized into three arms (n=882 IC, n=890 RC, n=889 HPV) to receive services by routine healthcare providers and invited to an exit visit 24 months after recruitment. Histopathology was blindly reviewed by a quality-control external panel (QC). The primary endpoint was the first QC-diagnosed CIN2+ or CIN3+ detected during three periods: enrolment (≤6 months for IC and HPV, ≤12 months for RC), follow-up (between enrolment and exit visit), and exit visit. The trial is completed. Colposcopy was done on 88%, 42%, and 52% of participants in IC, RC, and HPV. Overall, 212 CIN2+ and 52 CIN3+ cases were diagnosed. No differences were observed for CIN2+ detection (p=0.821). However, compared to IC, only HPV significantly reduced CIN3+ cases that providers were unable to detect during the 2-year routine follow-up (relative proportion 0.35, 95% CI 0.09-0.87). In this context, hrHPV testing was the most effective and efficient management strategy for women with ASC-US cytology.

A 4-year surveillance of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. isolates in Argentina identified 40 strains carrying bla(NDM-1). Genome sequencing revealed that most were Acinetobacter baumannii, whereas seven represented other Acinetobacter spp. The A. baumannii genomes were closely related, suggesting recent spread. bla(NDM-1) was located in the chromosome of A. baumannii strains and on a plasmid in non-A. baumannii strains. A resistance gene island carrying bla(PER-7) and other resistance determinants was found on a plasmid in some A. baumannii strains.

This study conducted an experiment in Mali to test whether patients pressure doctors to prescribe medical treatment they do not necessarily need. The experiment varied patients’ information about a discount for antimalarial tablets and measured demand for both tablets and costlier antimalarial injections. The study finds evidence of patient-driven demand: informing patients about the discount, instead of letting doctors decide to share this information, increased discount use by 35 percent and overall malaria treatment by 10 percent. These marginal patients rarely had malaria, worsening the illness-treatment match. Providers did not use the information advantage to sell injections -- their use fell in both information conditions.

The incorporation of an alternative technology for the fermentation process, and an improved cogeneration system in the first-generation ethanol production process were evaluated; and a heat integration analysis was performed as well. The hybrid membrane fermentation, the alternative technology, was considered as a non-conventional operation, and its impact on the overall energy consumption of the integrated process was estimated. The improved cogeneration system contemplated a supercritical cycle, and the increase in surplus electricity was also evaluated assuming a mixture of bagasse and sugarcane straw as fuel. The heat integration of the process streams was performed applying the Pinch Analysis in order to determine the targets for minimum external heating and cooling. Furthermore, the integration of the multiple-effect evaporator of sugarcane juice, to the process, was optimised based on the heat integration analysis results. Moreover, the results showed a possibility of generating a surplus electricity of 138 MW (275 kWh/t of cane) with the new technologies applied.

As the depth increases and the light fades in oceanic cold seeps, a variety of chemosynthetic-based benthic communities arise. Previous assessments reported polychaete annelids belonging to the family Siboglinidae as part of the fauna at cold seeps, with the 'Vestimentifera' clade containing specialists that depend on microbial chemosynthetic endosymbionts for nutrition. Little information exists concerning the microbiota of the external portion of the vestimentiferan trunk wall. We employed 16S rDNA-based metabarcoding to describe the external microbiota of the chitin tubes from the vestimentiferan Escarpia collected from a chemosynthetic community in a cold seep area at the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. The most abundant operational taxonomic unit (OTU) belonged to the family Pirellulaceae (phylum Planctomycetes), and the second most abundant OTU belonged to the order Methylococcales (phylum Proteobacteria), composing an average of 21.1 and 15.4% of the total reads on tubes, respectively. These frequencies contrasted with those from the surrounding environment (sediment and water), where they represent no more than 0.1% of the total reads each. Moreover, some taxa with lower abundances were detected only in Escarpia tube walls. These data constitute on the first report of an epibiont microbial community found in close association with external surface of a cold-seep metazoan, Escarpia sp., from a chemosynthetic community in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

Introduction: Malaria in pregnancy very often includes gestational (parasites in maternal peripheral blood) and placental (parasites in placental blood) infection, but the later condition can only be detected after delivery. High frequency of placental plasmodial infection has been confirmed in many countries and is associated with negative birth outcomes. With the hypothesis that placental infection is accompanied by hemozoin circulation in maternal peripheral blood, an exploratory study was conducted to evaluate the association between peripheral leukocytes with hemozoin and placental infection by Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium falciparum in parturient women. Methodology: A descriptive, transversal and exploratory (pilot type) study was carried out with women from two malaria-endemic localities of northwest Colombia. A total of 25 parturient women with confirmed placental infection and 25 without placental infection were included. Two independent readers measured the number of leukocytes with hemozoin in thick smears of maternal peripheral blood. Plasmodial infection in maternal peripheral blood and placental blood was detected by thick smear and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results: Four parturient women had leukocytes with hemozoin in peripheral blood; three of them had placental plasmodial infection and one was negative for placental infection. No statistically significant association between leukocytes with hemozoin in peripheral blood and placental infection was observed. Conclusions: With this limited sample size, detection of leukocytes with hemozoin by thick smear of maternal peripheral blood did not indicate presence of placental infection.

In the present work, a comparison of the "Levels of Attention" was made between a group of blind people and another of normovisuals based on EEG records during the reproduction of a video of scientific divulgation and a questionnaire related to the video as a learning environment. The data was acquired by the MindWave Mobile device, while the analysis of the data was made in Weka, using "InfoGain", a tool which evaluated the attribute by measuring the information gain with respect to the class. The class consists of a classification of attention: "Very good", "Good", "Fair", "Bad" and "Very bad", based on the percentages activated by the attribute "Attention". The results indicated in both groups obtained a similar average of attention in a range of "Good" to "Bad". While through the application of InfoGain it was obtained that the waves with the greatest weight in the classification "Level of Attention" were: Delta, Theta, Attention and Low Alpha in both groups. In addition to High Beta specifically in the group of normovisuals.

According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), trade in services has become the most dynamic segment of world trade, growing more quickly than trade in goods. While travel remains the most exported service both worldwide and in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), other services are becoming relevant for both developed and developing economies. Among them, financial services is one of the most important categories in terms of value. Worldwide, the value of financial services exports rose in real terms between 2008 and 2017. Nevertheless, this global trend of rising exports of financial services was not reflected in LAC, where they contracted between 2008 and 2016. The economies of Latin America and the Caribbean have significant potential to export financial services. To take advantage of this opportunity, governments in the region can work on a variety of fronts to raise their economies’ competitiveness in this area. Two specific challenges are the availability of human capital and electronic infrastructure. The former refers to the limited number of professionals that, in addition to Spanish, speak the language of the importing economies and are adequately educated and experienced in the areas associated with services exports. The latter refers to the electronic infrastructure and digital systems that facilitate the export of financial services, but also the high cost to develop communication schemes in the region. Consequently, LAC’s export dynamism in financial services will depend on long-term public policies and public-private strategies with clear objectives for promoting human capital and a competitive digital ecosystem.

The worldwide dissemination of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), mediating resistance to carbapenem antibiotics, is a major public health problem. The extent of dissemination of MBLs such as VIM-2, SPM-1 and NDM among Gram-negative pathogens cannot be explained solely based on the associated mobile genetic elements or the resistance phenotype. Here, we report that MBL host range is determined by the impact of MBL expression on bacterial fitness. The signal peptide sequence of MBLs dictates their adaptability to each host. In uncommon hosts, inefficient processing of MBLs leads to accumulation of toxic intermediates that compromises bacterial growth. This fitness cost explains the exclusion of VIM-2 and SPM-1 from Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii, and their confinement to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By contrast, NDMs are expressed without any apparent fitness cost in different bacteria, and are secreted into outer membrane vesicles. We propose that the successful dissemination and adaptation of MBLs to different bacterial hosts depend on protein determinants that enable host adaptability and carbapenem resistance., Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs, Award Number 1I01BX001974 to R.A.B. from the Biomedical Laboratory Research & Development Service of the VA Office of Research and Development and the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center VISN 10 to R.A.B. L.J.G. and A.J.V. are staff members of CONICET and C.L. is recipient of a postdoctoral fellowship from ANPCyT. Research from JAA lab was supported by grants BFU2009-09200 and IPT2011-0964-900000 from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, and DIVINOCELL FP7 HEALTH-F3-2009-223431 from the European Commission

Acinetobacter baumannii is a feared, drug-resistant pathogen, characterized by its ability to resist extreme environmental and nutrient-deprived conditions. Previously, we showed that human serum albumin (HSA) can increase foreign DNA acquisition specifically and alter the expression of genes associated with pathogenicity. Moreover, in a recent genome-wide transcriptomic study, we observed that pleural fluid (PF), an HSA-containing fluid, increases DNA acquisition, can modulate cytotoxicity, and control immune responses by eliciting changes in the A. baumannii metabolic profile. In the present work, using more stringent criteria and focusing on the analysis of genes related to pathogenicity and response to stress, we analyzed our previous RNA-seq data and performed phenotypic assays to further explore the impact of PF on A. baumannii’s microbial behavior and the strategies used to overcome environmental stress. We observed that PF triggered differential expression of genes associated with motility, efflux pumps, antimicrobial resistance, biofilm formation, two-component systems (TCSs), capsule synthesis, osmotic stress, and DNA-damage response, among other categories. Phenotypic assays of A. baumannii A118 and two other clinical A. baumannii strains, revealed differences in their responses to PF in motility, biofilm formation, antibiotic susceptibility, osmotic stress, and outer membrane vesicle (OMV) production, suggesting that these changes are strain specific. We conclude that A. baumannii’s pathoadaptive responses is induced by HSA-containing fluids and must be part of this bacterium armamentarium to persist in hostile environments.

ResumenEn los últimos años se ha presentado un notable incremento en la proporción de población mayor de 65 años de edad, de la mano con el incremento de las enfermedades cardiovasculares, específicamente la enfermedad coronaria. No obstante, los mecanismos fisiopatológicos del envejecimiento y su relación con la salud cardiovascular son un campo de reciente investigación. Resulta fundamental conocer aspectos como: la teoría del acortamiento de telómeros, el papel de la actividad física, el endotelio y los mecanismos moleculares que participan en este proceso, pues ofrecerá herramientas para hacer un manejo acertado de este grupo poblacional, sobre el cual son pocos los estudios y la mayoría de las conductas son extrapoladas de grupos etarios con condiciones fisiológicas completamente diferentes.AbstractIn recent years there has been a marked increase in the proportion of the population over 65 years of age, which has gone hand in hand with the escalation of cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary disease. However, pathophysiological mechanisms of aging and its relationship to cardiovascular health is a recent field of research. It is fundamental to know aspects such as the theory of telomere shortening, the role of physical activity, the endothelium and the molecular mechanisms involved in this process, as they will offer tools for a correct management of this population group, upon which few studies are carried out and most behaviours are extrapolated from age groups with completely different physiological conditions.

We study the effect of a job training program for low-income youth in Cordoba, Argentina. The program included life-skills and vocational training, as well as internships with private sector employers. Participants were allocated by means of a public lottery. We rely on administrative data on formal employment, employment spells, and earnings, to establish the effects of the program in the short term (18 months), but also—exceptionally for programs of this type in Latin America and in developing countries in general—in the medium term (33 months) and in the long term (48 months). The results indicate sizable gains of about 8 percentage points in formal employment in the short term (about 32% higher than the control group), although these effects dissipate in the medium and in the long term. Contrary to previous results for similar programs in the region, the effects are substantially larger for men, although they also seem to fade in the long run. Program participants also exhibit earnings about 40% higher than those in the control group, and an analysis of bounds indicates that these gains result from both higher employment levels and higher wages. The detailed administrative records also allow us to shed some light on the possible mechanisms underlying these effects. A dynamic analysis of employment transitions indicates that the program operated through an increase in the persistence of employment rather than from more frequent entries into employment. The earnings effect and the higher persistence of employment suggest that the program was successful in increasing the human capital of participants, although the transient nature of these results may also reflect better matches from a program-induced increase in informal contacts or formal intermediation. (JEL J08, J24, J68, O15)

Background: Though colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates have increased significantly over the past two decades, screening disparities persist among Latinos. To increase CRC screening rates among Latinos, a promotor-led intervention was implemented to provide educational workshops and link community members to screenings through a partnered Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Aims: To assess screening completion at 6-months follow-up. To identify barriers influencing adherence to CRC screening among participants who participated in a promotor-led intervention. Methods: The Juntos Contra el Cáncer/Together Against Cancer (JUNTOS) program was a promotor-led cancer prevention study that provided CRC prevention workshops to adults ages 50 to 75 in a primarily Latino community in San Diego, CA. Based on the Social Ecological Framework, the intervention targeted knowledge of CRC, screening attitudes, social support, screening barriers, and linked participants to community resources. Promotors assisted participants in scheduling appointments, which is the first step in CRC screening at the partnering FQHC. From December 2016 to July 2018, a total of 66 participants who were not up to date with CRC screening attended a 2.5-hour workshop, received follow-up calls from promotors, and completed a 6-month assessment. Demographics, health conditions, CRC knowledge, and attitudes changes towards screening were compared between participants who completed a CRC screening (adherent) and those who did not at 6 months (nonadherent). Chi-squared and t-tests were conducted to assess significant differences among adherent and nonadherent participants. For nonadherent participants, barriers to scheduling an appointment were evaluated. Results: The sample included 66 Latinos ages 50 to 75 (women=70%). Results from the 6-month follow-up show that 59% participants reported completing CRC screening. Findings show a statistically significant decrease in negative attitudes towards CRC screening from baseline to follow-up (M1=2.88 [SD=.81], M2=2.53 [SD=.85], p Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that the delivery of the promotor-led intervention improved attitudes of CRC screening and led to increases in self-reported screening rates among nonadherent adults. For uninsured participants, waiving the appointment or providing additional support to navigate the health system may help them complete CRC screening. Overall, these findings build the evidence on the preliminary efficacy of group-based CRC education and linkages to care for nonadherent adults. Citation Format: Carolina López de la Torre, Jill N. JoaDumbauld, Jessica Haughton, Anthony Barrios, Dalia Rojas, Mirna Díaz, José López, Maria Milla, Samir Gupta, Jesse Nodora, Christian Ramers, Felipe Garcia-Bigley, Jessica Marquez, Balambal Baharti, Elva M. Arredondo. Colorectal cancer screening completion rates and barriers to colorectal cancer screening 6 months following participation in CRC screening intervention [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2018 Nov 2-5; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl):Abstract nr B113.

Overuse of medical care is often attributed to an informed expert problem, whereby doctors induce patients to purchase unnecessary treatments. Alternatively, patients may drive overuse of medications by exerting pressure on doctors to overprescribe, undermining the doctor's gatekeeping function for prescription medications. We develop a theoretical framework and designed a randomized trial to identify the importance of patients in driving overuse of antimalarials in community health clinics in Mali. Holding doctors' financial incentives constant, we vary patients' information about the availability of a discount for standard malaria treatment. We find evidence of patient-driven demand: directly informing patients about the price reduction, instead of allowing doctors to choose whether to share this information, increases use of the discount by 35 percent and overall rates of antimalarial use by 11 percent. This increase is driven by patients least likely to have malaria, leading to a worse match between treatment and cause of illness. We find no evidence that doctors use their information advantage to sell more powerful malaria treatment or increase revenue.

Volume 86, no. 4, e00797-17, 2018, [https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00797-17][1]. Page 4, Table 1: In the “PCR positive ( n = 45)” column, value for “Primigravid,” “16 (35.6)” should read “18 (40).” In the “PCR positive ( n = 45)” column, value for “Multigravid,” “18 (40)”

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and it has been associated with various etiological factors. Whereas nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Helicobacter pylori infection have taken prominent roles in recent discussions, many peptic ulcers remain idiopathic and this suggests that other important factors may play a role in their pathogenesis. Behavioral and social factors are known to cause and prevent the healing of PUD. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the influence of psychological and behavioral factors on the development of gastroduodenal ulcers and how they predominately affect the progression of ulcers. We found that psychological stress increases the incidence of peptic ulcer in many ways. Psychiatric conditions and personality disorders have an adverse effect on the integrity of the stomach and duodenum. Health risk behaviors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, irregular meal times, and short sleep duration, impair mucosal defenses and increase acid secretion. The mechanisms in which psychological and behavioral factors interact with other organic elements are not well understood, and future research addressing these aspects will broaden our knowledge on the prevention and treatment of PUD.

This chapter treats countries of Middle East and of North Africa (MENA) as two similar but culturally distinct sub-regions of MENA. Using data collected by academics and international organisations (e.g. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, OECD, UNDP), Qatar, U.A.E., Jordan in the Middle East, and Morocco in North Africa, emerge as the countries most likely to have the potential to develop a strong cadre of successful entrepreneurs. All four countries have very high youth population percentages, but MENA also has the world’s highest unemployment rates. E.g. in Morocco 49% of youths aged 15–24 are not employed or in school (NEET); in Jordan, more than half the entire population is >25 years of age and 25% of these youths are unemployed. In Qatar and U.A.E., population demographics are similar, but there’s greater likelihood their governments and/or foreign direct investment will provide needed resources. While economic development contributes to overall success, the ineffective and outmoded public education systems that currently exist throughout MENA not only prevent the spread of entrepreneurism, but also increase overhead for existing employers. Policies and initiatives that address these deficiencies can increase the size and/or accelerate entrepreneurial impact while improving existing businesses in Jordan and Morocco.

Candida albicans is the most frequent yeast responsible for systemic infections in humans. These infections mainly originate from the gastrointestinal tract where C. albicans can invade the gut epithelial barrier to gain access to the bloodstream. Along the gut, pathogens can use Microfold (M) cells as a portal of entry to cross the epithelial barrier. M cells are specialized cells mainly located in the follicule-associated epithelium of Peyer patches. In this study, we used scanning electron and fluorescence microscopy, adhesion and invasion assays and fungal mutants to investigate the interactions of C. albicans with M cells obtained in an established in vitro model whereby enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells co-cultured with the Raji B cell line undergo a phenotypic switch to morphologically and functionally resembling M cells. Our data demonstrate that C. albicans co-localizes with and invades preferentially M cells, providing evidence that the fungus can use M cells as a portal of entry into the intestinal barrier. In addition to active penetration, F-actin dependent endocytosis contributes to internalization of the fungus into M cells through a mechanism involving hypha-associated invasins including Ssa1 and Als3.

Bicarbonate is often a major ionic constituent associated with produced waters from methane gas extraction and coal mining, yet few studies have determined its specific toxicity. Currently, the environmental risk of bicarbonate anion in water discharges is assessed based on the toxicity of sodium chloride or artificial seawater and is regulated via electrical conductivity. Increased NaHCO3 added to Ceriodaphnia dubia in synthetic or natural water gave similar 48-h 10% effective concentration (EC10) values of 1750 ± 125 mg NaHCO3/L (mean ± standard error) and 1670 ± 180 mg NaHCO3/L, respectively. Bicarbonate was toxic to C. dubia in both waters with conductivities above 1900 µS/cm. In contrast, when conductivity was elevated with NaCl, toxicity to C. dubia was observed only above 2800 µS/cm. Bicarbonate also impaired C. dubia reproduction with an EC10 of 340 mg NaHCO3/L. Major ion composition also influenced Zn bioavailability, a common co-occurring metal contaminant in coal mine waters, with sublethal concentrations of NaHCO3 and elevated pH increasing Zn toxicity. Higher pH was the dominant parameter determining a 10-fold increase in the 48-h 50% effective concentration (EC50) for Zn toxicity to C. dubia at pH 8.6 of 34 µg Zn/L (95% confidence limit = 32–37 µg Zn/L) compared with the Zn toxicity at approximately circumneutral pH. Exposure of the freshwater shrimp Paratya australiensis (Atyidae) in natural water to increasing bicarbonate gave a mean 10-d 10% lethal concentration (LC10) of 850 ± 115 mg NaHCO3/L, associated with a mean conductivity EC10 of 1145 µS/cm, which is considerably lower than toxicity of NaCl and artificial seawater to this species reported elsewhere. Because toxicity was influenced by salt composition, specific ions should be regulated rather than conductivity alone in mine wastewater discharges. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1179–1186. © 2014 SETAC

Estimar a prevalência de tipos do vírus de papiloma humano (HPV) em câncer de cabeça e pescoço (CCP) é relevante para se prever o impacto da vacina contra o HPV. OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência global, por gênero e idade, do vírus do HPV em CCP. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal, retrospectivo envolvendo quatro laboratórios de patologia de Medellín, Colômbia. O exame utilizado foi o PCR GP5+/6+ e hibridização reversa. Além disso, os HPV 16 e 18 foram identificados utilizando-se PCR específica para esses tipos. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 175 casos primários de CCP, consecutivamente diagnosticados entre 1999 e 2008, com diagnóstico confirmado e DNA amplificado. A prevalência de HPV foi de 18,9%. O HPV foi encontrado em 23,9%, 17,5% e 13,3% dos casos de cavidade oral, laringe e orofaringe, respectivamente. Entre os casos de VPH+, 82% foram HPV 16 e 18% HPV18. A maioria dos casos foi de pessoas do sexo masculino. Nos homens, a idade de diagnóstico foi menor do que nas mulheres, principalmente naqueles de acometimento na cavidade oral. CONCLUSÃO: Os HPV 16 e 18 foram encontrados em quase 20% desses casos de CCP. O impacto da vacinação contra o HPV para a prevenção desse câncer na população merece maiores estudos. Estimating the type-specific prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in head and neck cancer (HNSCC) is helpful in predicting the impact of HPV immunization. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the overall prevalence, and gender and age-specific prevalence of HPV in HNSCC. METHOD: This cross sectional retrospective study was carried out in four pathology laboratories of Medellin, Colombia. HPV testing was performed by GP5+/6+ PCR-based RLB and HPV 16 and 18 type-specific PCR. RESULTS: 175 primary HNSCC cases consecutively diagnosed between 1999 and 2008 with confirmed diagnosis and amplifiable DNA were included. Overall HPV prevalence was 18.9%. HPV was found in 23.9%, 17.5% and 13.3% of the oral cavity, larynx and oropharynx cases respectively. Among HPV positive cases, 82% were HPV 16 and 18% were HPV 18. No other HPV genotypes were identified. Most patients were males. Male patients were younger that their female counterparts, particularly in oral cavity cancer cases. CONCLUSION: HPV 16 and 18 genotypes were found in nearly 20% of HNSCC cases in Colombian patients. The impact of HPV vaccination for the prevention of HNSCC in this population deserves further evaluation.

By stating that the antecedents of customers´ intentions to use mobile services should be studied across service categories and gender differences, the purpose of this article is to investigate the validity and differential predictive power of a model that explain acceptance of several mobile services across male and female customers. This study contributes to the emerging but limited body of research on consumer adoption of advanced mobile services by addressing several critical issues. First, the present paper focuses on two mobile services, namely m-location and m-social media, as they are considered as the new age of advanced mobile services. Furthermore, we include gender as a moderator variable. A theoretical model is proposed and tested in a sample of 429 Dutch consumers. Results from structural modeling equations show that the factors explaining the acceptance of m-location and m-social media services differ. Second, gender moderating effect has been found significant as gender differences exist in the strength of various paths. In addition to its theoretical contributions, this research presents important practical contributions. In particular, practitioners can gain valuable insights into the driving forces of mobile services.

OBJETIVO: Traçar o perfil audiológico dos idosos atendidos em uma clínica escola da cidade de Belo Horizonte. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados todos os prontuários de pacientes que realizaram avaliação audiológica no período de Abril de 2004 a Agosto de 2007 em um Centro Clínico de Fonoaudiologia da cidade de Belo Horizonte. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 313 exames audiológicos de pacientes acima de 60 anos de idade. Os resultados das avaliações audiológicas quanto ao tipo da perda auditiva foram: limiares auditivos dentro dos padrões de normalidade - 22,28%; perda auditiva neurossensorial - 60,62%; perda auditiva mista - 14,70%, perda auditiva condutiva - 2,40%. O grau variou de normal a profundo. Quanto à timpanometria, prevaleceu com 83,22% a curva tipo A, sendo que os demais tipos de curvas obtiveram um total de 16,3%. A porcentagem dos indivíduos que não realizou o exame foi de 0,48%. Dos pacientes que apresentaram perda auditiva foram unilaterais 1,76% e 98,24% bilaterais. CONCLUSÕES: Foi constatada uma maior prevalência de perda auditiva do tipo neurossensorial, sendo que o grau de perda variou de leve a profundo, com maior prevalência do grau moderado. AIM: to analyze the audiological profile of elderly patients seen in a clinic from an audiology school clinic in the city of Belo Horizonte. METHODS: we studied all the charts from the patients who underwent audiologic assessment from April of 2004 and August of 2007 in an audiology clinic in the city of Belo Horizonte. RESULTS: We studied the 313 audiological tests from patients 60 years of age or over. The results from the audiological evaluations as to the type of hearing loss were: auditory thresholds within normal standards - 22.28%; sensorineural hearing loss - 60.62%; mixed hearing loss - 14.70%, conductive hearing loss - 2.40%. The level varied between normal and profound. As to the tympanometry, 83.22% had the type A curve, and the other types of curves obtained made up a total of 16.3%. The percentage of individuals who did not undergo the test was 0.48%. 1.76% of the patients who had unilateral hearing loss and 98.24% had bilateral hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: we found a greater prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss, and the degree of the loss varied from mild to profound, with a prevalence of the moderate degree.

Objective The aim of this study was to examine whether drug use (DU) is higher in people with eating disorders (EDs) compared to a healthy control group and to perform a meta-analysis on the literature related to DU in people with EDs. Method We searched electronic databases (Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science and CINAHL) and reviewed studies published from 1994 to August, 2007, in English, German or Spanish. A total of 16 papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included. Results The general meta-analysis revealed a negligible albeit significant effect size (0.119, p

Information processing in anorexia nervosa (AN) has been characterised as having a tendency to get trapped in detail, and having difficulties with set-shifting. These characteristics can be addressed in treatment through personalised interventions targeting thinking styles and their role in the development and maintenance of an eating disorder (ED). This paper outlines a three-session assessment and feedback module designed to identify and address these information processing biases. Two case reports are presented to illustrate the structure, content and outcome of the intervention. Both patients described the intervention as helpful in providing a structure and rationale for the steps required in recovery. The short nature and promising results of this intervention make it an attractive addition to current treatment programmes.