Activated carbons (ACs) from olive stone were prepared using CO2, steam, KOH, and H3PO4 as activating agents. The resultant activated carbons were characterized by proximate and ultimate analysis, N2 adsorption (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method), iodine number, Boehm titration, temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Ammonia (NH3) was used as a test molecule to be adsorbed. The BET surface areas of the ACs obtained ranged from 1000 to 1986 m2 g-1. Type I isotherms were obtained for all the samples, although steam and H3PO4 ACs showed a significant mesopore contribution. KOH activation resulted in carbon with a high microporosity (98%) and high iodine adsorption (1030 mg g-1). KOH AC prepared with a KOH/pyrolyzed char weight ratio of 2 and at 900 °C showed the highest NH3 adsorption (252 mg g-1), favored by the high microporosity and adequate acidity. Chemical activation (KOH and H3PO4) promotes higher NH3 adsorption than the physical ACs prepared (CO2 and steam). Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption equilibrium models were used to correlate the NH3 adsorption isotherms, obtaining the best fit for the Freundlich equation. The results indicated that olive stone-based activated carbon could be used for commercial AC to remove NH3 from gaseous streams.

Abstract Background The ligation of intersphincteric fistula fract (LIFT) technique avoids postoperative anal continence disturbances and preserves quality of life. Methods A total of 70 patients with anal fistula (AF) were treated in the Day Surgery Unit. The LIFT technique was the primary treatment in 63 patients. The other had previously undergone placement of a loose seton (two-step approach). The mean follow-up was 66.8 months. Statistical analysis was performed using contingency tables, the chi-square test, and the Student T-test. Results The use of LIFT was successful in 40 patients (57.1%). However, 6 patients (8.6%) presented persistence of postoperative intersphincteric fistula, being successfully treated by fistulotomy. There were no differences in this technique’s success rate between high and low AF (p = 0.45). The success rate of one-step LIFT, however, was significantly higher (p = 0.03). No disturbances of continence were observed. Conclusions The LIFT technique has a role in the treatment of AF, is suitable for ambulatory surgery, and has a low complications rate. A two-step approach is not always needed.

Abstract Objective: To study the impact of age and the interval between disease diagnosis and death on the organotropism of SARS-CoV-2. Method: Patients underwent post-mortem biopsies from lungs, Waldeyer ring, heart, liver, kidneys and bone marrow between 2020–2021. SARS-CoV-2 organotropism was mapped by using molecular RT-PCR analyses for SARS-CoV2 targeting the Envelope gene (E), the RNA Polymerase Gene (RdRp), and the Nucleocapsid gene (N). Statistical and linear regression analysis was performed to study the impact of age and illness duration in SARS-CoV-2 organotropism. Results: We performed 158 postmortem biopsies in 21 patients, with a mean age of 76 years old. The mean interval between the diagnosis of the infection to the death was 23 days. The RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 100% of lung biopsies, 76%–82% of Waldeyer’s ring biopsies, 55% of heart biopsies, 40% of kidney biopsies, 33% of liver and 25% of bone marrow biopsies. Patients who died before the day 9, presented extensive visceral dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Most of the patients older than 80 years (90%) presented visceral dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, while among younger patients, only 3/11 patients presented visceral dissemination of the virus. The relationship between “age” and “illness duration” and multitropism of the virus was statistically significant (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Disease interval and age were factors that were significantly associated with RT-PCR positive results in multiple organs. Critical COVID-19 patients have multiorganic viral dissemination in early stages. In the critical older patients, multiorganic viral dissemination is the rule. Level of evidence: 4. Case Series.

Resumen 18. La eficiencia de producción de carne y la duración de los ciclos productivos dependen principalmente del manejo nutricional de vacas y sus crías. Los terneros necesitan menos alimento para producir un kg de peso vivo (PV) con respecto a un novillito. Su potencial debe ser aprovechado para enviar a faena animales jóvenes con un adecuado nivel de engrasamiento. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la suplementación pre-parto y su relación con el nivel de oferta de una ración concentrada base maíz sobre el crecimiento, desempeño productivo y calidad de carne de novillitos livianos. Se utilizaron 48 terneros destetados precozmente provenientes de un rodeo con o sin suplementación y se distribuyeron en 4 tratamientos según un diseño factorial 2x2 para evaluar el efecto de la suplementación de las vacas y de una recría con o sin restricción nutricional durante la recría. Se evaluó el aumento diario de PV (ADPV), consumo, conversión, espesor de grasa dorsal (EGD) y área de ojo de bife (AOB). Los novillitos se faenaron con 380-390 kg PV a los 11-14 meses de edad y se evaluó rendimiento y calidad de la carne sobre muestras de longissimus dorsi. Los terneros recriados sin restricción consumieron el 2,5% PV y presentaron una ganancia de 1,2 kg/cab/día (cabeza), mientras que los animales con restricción en la oferta de alimento (1,8% PV) ganaron 0,9 kg/cab/d (día). La suplementación de las vacas durante el último tercio de gestación no afectó la producción ni la calidad de la carne. Sin embargo, se ob servó una interacción de los factores sobre el EGD, AOB y rendimiento de res. La experiencia tuvo una duración de 17 meses y se obtuvo información inédita de producción, rendimiento de res y calidad de carne de novillitos alimentados con una dieta sin fibra larga.

Abstract 22. Meat production efficiency and length of the productive cycles depend mainly on the nutritional management of cows and calves. Young calves need less feed to produce one kg of live weight (LW) compared to a steers. This potential should be take advantage to slaughter steers with the fatness degree demanded. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of prepartum supplement and level feed breeding effects on steer’s performance and meat quality. Average daily gain (ADG), intake, efficiency food, the rib fat thickness (RFT) and longissimus muscle area (LMA) were evaluated. Steers were slaughter at 380-390 kg LW with 11-14 month age. Yield and meat quality on longissimus dorsi were evaluated. Intake in calves without restriction was 2,5% LW and ADG of 1,2 kg, while the animals with restriction (1,8% LW) get 0,9 kg/cab/d prepartum supplement did not affect production or meat quality. The experience lasted 17 months and without precedents information was obtained on performance, yield and meat quality in steers feeding with a diet without fiber.

ABSTRACT Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most frequent cause of acute flaccid paralysis and if not diagnosed and treated timely, a significant cause of long-term disability. Incidence in Latin America ranges from 0.71 to 7.63 cases/100,000 person-years. Historically, GBS has been linked to infections (mainly gastrointestinal by Campylobacter jejuni) and vaccines (including those against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]); however, a trigger cannot be detected in most cases. Regarding SARS-CoV-2, epidemiological studies have found no association with its development. Acute motor axonal neuropathy is the most common electrophysiological variant in Mexico and Asian countries. Intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchanges are still the treatment cornerstones. Mortality in Mexico can be as high as 12%. Advances in understanding the drivers of nerve injury in GBS that may provide the basis for developing targeted therapies have been made during the past decade; despite them, accurate criteria for selecting patients requiring acute treatment, prognostic biomarkers, and novel therapies are still needed. The newly-developed vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have raised concerns regarding the potential risk for developing GBS. In the midst of coronavirus disease 2019 and vaccination campaigns against SARS-CoV-2, this review discusses the epidemiology, clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of GBS in Mexico.

Abstract Neomillspaughia and Podopterus are two woody genera that inhabit deciduous forests of Mesoamerica. Both genera are monophyletic and have been classified in the Coccolobeae tribe. Although each has three species, only N. emarginata, P. mexicanus and P. cordifolius has been used to stablish phylogenetic relationships. Palynological studies in Eriogonoideae mention that pollen presents little variation, however, taxonomic value at species level have not been explored, since there is a diverse organization of colpi, pores and ornamentation among them. The objectives of this study are to characterize the pollen of Neomillspaughia and Podopterus and to explore its taxonomic value within the subfamily Eriogonoideae. The characterization of the pollen was carried out by observations with optical and scanning electron microscopy of pollen from herbarium specimens. Neomillspaughia was characterized by the presence of prolate to subprolate grains and microreticulated ornamentation; only N. hondurensis presented a vestibular structure at the aperture. In Podopterus, the grain shape varies from subprolate to prolate spheroidal and the ornamentation from microreticulated to reticulated. P. cordifolius has reticulated exin with deep and well-defined lumens; P. guatemalensis, presents a vestibular structure at the apertures and P. mexicanus exhibits tri-tetracolporate grains, characteristic observed only in this species together with circular apertures. The palynological characterization of the six species revealed that the number of colpi and the patterns of ornamentation of exine are similar to those found in other genera of the Eriogonoideae subfamily. The variation in the shape, number of apertures, as well as in the ornamentation of the exine of the pollen grains allow the accurate identification of the species. In this study we include descriptions of the genera and species, as well as light and scanning microphotographs.

Resumen: Neomillspaughia y Podopterus son dos géneros de hábito arbóreo y arbustivo que habitan en las selvas caducifolias de Mesoamérica. Ambos géneros son monofiléticos y han sido clasificados en la tribu Coccolobeae. Aunque cada uno cuenta con tres especies, solo Neomillspaughia emarginata, Podopterus cordifolius y P. mexicanus han sido empleadas en estudios filogenéticos moleculares de tal manera que sus relaciones filogenéticas en la tribu aún son inciertas. Estudios palinológicos en Eriogonoideae mencionan que el polen presenta poca variación, sin embargo, entre los géneros de esta subfamilia existe una organización diversa de los colpos, poros y ornamentaciones, lo que confiere a estos elementos de interés taxonómico. Los objetivos de este estudio son caracterizar el polen de Neomillspaughia y Podopterus y explorar su valor taxonómico dentro de la subfamilia Eriogonoideae. La caracterización del polen se realizó mediante observaciones con microscopía óptica y electrónica de barrido de polen proveniente de ejemplares de herbario. Neomillspaughia se caracterizó por presentar granos de prolatos a subprolatos y una ornamentación microrreticulada; solo N. hondurensis presentó una estructura vestibular en la apertura. En Podopterus, la forma del grano varía de subprolato a prolato esferoidal y la ornamentación de microrreticulada a reticulada. P. cordifolius presenta exina reticulada con lúmenes profundos y bien definidos; P. guatemalensis, presenta una estructura vestibular en la apertura y P. mexicanus exhibe granos tri-tetracolporados, característica observada únicamente en esta especie junto a aperturas circulares. La caracterización palinológica de las seis especies reveló que el número de colpos y los patrones de ornamentación de la exina son similares a los encontrados en otros géneros de la subfamilia Eriogonoideae. La variación registrada en la forma, número de aperturas, así como también en la ornamentación de la exina de los granos de polen permiten la certera identificación de las especies. En este trabajo se incluyen descripciones de los géneros y las especies, así como también microfotografías de microscopio óptico y electrónico de barrido.

Abstract: Suicide is a major public health concern, making risk assessment essential for its prevention. Although there are multiple related factors, there are few psychometric tools for the joint measurement of both protective and risk factors, making a multidimensional understanding of suicidal behaviour difficult. On this basis, the present study aims to develop a quickly applicable, multidimensional assessment approach to evaluate both risk and protective factors. A cross-sectional, instrumental design was used, together with a non-probabilistic, availability sampling, with two samples of young adults over 18 years of age (n=405 and n=117). The final measure is composed by 25 items and 5 dimensions (i.e. suicidal ideation, emotion-focused coping strategies, self-esteem, perceived social support and expectations towards the future). Results show good model fit, using ESEM, adequate levels of reliability (ω> .8) (α > 0.7). In addition, there was evidence of validity based on the relationship with other variables and metric invariance between men and women. Results suggest that the scores are reliable and present evidence of validity for their interpretation in equivalent populations.

Resumen: El Suicidio es un grave problema de salud pública, por lo que evaluar su riesgo es fundamental para su prevención. Si bien existen múltiples factores relacionados, se cuentan con pocos instrumentos psicométricos para la medición conjunta de factores protectores y de riesgo, dificultando una comprensión multidimensional del comportamiento suicida. Sobre esta base, el presente estudio tiene como objetivo desarrollar una propuesta de evaluación multidimensional, de rápida aplicación, que permita evaluar tanto factores de riesgo como protectores. Se utilizó un diseño transversal, de tipo instrumental, junto a un muestreo no probabilístico, por disponibilidad, con dos muestras, de adultos jóvenes mayores de 18 años (n= 405 y n=117). El instrumento final se compone de 25 ítems y 5 dimensiones (i.e. ideación suicida, estrategias de afrontamiento enfocadas en la emoción, autoestima, apoyo social percibido y expectativas hacia el futuro). Los resultados indican buen ajuste del modelo, utilizando ESEM , adecuados niveles de fiabilidad (ω> .8) (α > 0.7). Además, se contó con evidencia de validez basada en la relación con otras variables e invarianza métrica entre hombres y mujeres. Los resultados obtenidos, sugieren que las puntuaciones son fiables y presentan evidencias de validez para su interpretación en población equivalente.

Abstract Dieulafoy's lesion is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Produced by the erosion of aberrant vessels in the submucosa, usually at the gastric level. The jejunal location is unusual. Its diagnosis is complicated by the intermittent characteristic of bleeding, initially recommending the endoscopic approach. It is an unusual entity that must be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding. Massive bleeding can occur, compromising the life of the patient. Initial endoscopic/radiological management is recommended, reserving the surgical approach for refractory bleeding for less invasive treatments.

Resumen La lesión de Dieulafoy es una causa infrecuente de hemorragia digestiva, producida por la erosión de vasos aberrantes en la submucosa, habitualmente gástrica. La localización yeyunal es inusual. Su diagnóstico es complicado por la característica intermitente del sangrado, recomendándose inicialmente el abordaje endoscópico. Se trata de una situación excepcional que debe tenerse en cuenta en el diagnóstico diferencial de la hemorragia digestiva. Puede producirse una hemorragia masiva que comprometa la vida del paciente. Es recomendable un manejo endoscópico/radiológico inicial; el abordaje quirúrgico se reserva para hemorragias refractarias a los tratamientos menos invasivos.

El cáncer de vesícula biliar es una enfermedad poco frecuente en el mundo y altamente letal. Objetivo: caracterizar histopatológicamente el cáncer de vesícula biliar en el Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Docente “Joaquín Albarrán” de La Habana-Cuba, en el periodo 2010 al 2019. Método: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo y observacional, en el cual se revisaron los registros de biopsias y necropsias para identificar los casos con diagnóstico histológico de cáncer de vesícula biliar, se revisaron además tejidos fijados en parafina del archivo. Resultados: fueron diagnosticados 10 casos de cáncer de vesícula, 9 femenino y 1 masculino, todos mayores de 60 años. Histológicamente la variedad predominante fue el adenocarcinoma moderadamente diferenciado, siendo 2 de ellos mucoproductores, de los cuales 1 infiltrante y con permeación linfática. Conclusión: el cáncer de vesícula biliar es una enfermedad con muy baja frecuencia y su diagnóstico, continua siendo un hecho incidental, es decir, que el diagnóstico se establece en el examen histopatológico luego de la colecistectomía o en la necropsia. La variedad más frecuente es el adenocarcinoma moderadamente diferenciado.

Gallbladder cancer is a rare and highly lethal disease in the world. Objective: To characterize histopathologically gallbladder cancer at the “Joaquín Albarrán” Clinical Teaching Surgical Hospital of Havana-Cuba, in the period 2010 to 2019. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive and observational study was conducted, in which biopsy and necropsy records were reviewed to identify cases with a histological diagnosis of gallbladder cancer. Paraffin-embedded tissues from the archive were also reviewed. Results: Ten cases of gallbladder cancer were diagnosed, nine female and one male, all over 60 years old. Histologically the predominant variety was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, being 2 of them mucoproducers, of which 1 was infiltrating and with lymphatic permeation. Conclusion: Gallbladder cancer is a very low frequency disease and its diagnosis continues to be an incidental fact, that is, the diagnosis is established in the histopathological examination after cholecystectomy or in the necropsy. The most frequent variety is moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.

Abstract This paper analyzes the representations of good university teachers prepared by professors at public universities in Mexico, and discusses the implications for management, training, and identity. A literature review allowed us to contrast instructional and student-centered focuses, while defining ethical, pedagogical, and multifunctional dimensions. We employed quantitative methodology based on a representative sample's responses to a Likert scale survey. The resulting representations were inferred by analyzing linear trends and differences by age group, type of contract, seniority, gender, and area of knowledge. The findings show that the teachers' shift toward student-centered learning requires explanation and self-criticism of their representations, as well as ethical displacement; also necessary are adequate conditions and coherent institutional discourse.

Resumen Este trabajo analiza representaciones de profesores de una universidad pública mexicana sobre el buen docente y discute sus implicaciones en la gestión, formación e identidad. La revisión de literatura permitió contrastar los enfoques transmisivo y centrado en el aprendiente, así como delimitar las dimensiones ética, pedagógica y multifuncional. La metodología cuantitativa consistió en la aplicación de un cuestionario Likert a una muestra representativa. Las representaciones resultantes se infirieron a partir de los análisis de tendencias lineales y de las diferencias por grupos de edad, forma de contratación, antigüedad laboral, género y área de conocimiento. Entre los hallazgos destaca que el tránsito de los profesores al enfoque centrado en el aprendiente requiere la explicitación y autocrítica de sus representaciones, así como un descentramiento ético; también precisa de un discurso institucional coherente y condiciones adecuadas.

Summary: Agrochemical use in horticultural cultivations generates negative effects, thus the need for searching to decrease or eliminate its use by means of other less toxic techniques. Agricultural homeopathy represents an alternative for ecological agriculture, impacting positively in cultivation development. The effect of four homeopathic medicines for human use were assessed in two centesimal dynamizations (7CH and 13CH) [(Silicea Terra (SiT), Natrum muriaticum (NaM), Zincum phosphoricum (ZiP) and Phosphoricum acidum (PhA)], and a control treatment (distilled water) on tomato plant germination, emergence, and initial development. The treatments were established under a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Germination and emergence rate and percentage and morphometric variables (plant height, radicle length, dry and wet weight) were assessed, including the variables in stem diameter and wet and dry leaf weight, number of branches, leaves, and buds in the vegetative development stage. Significant differences were observed in all the morphometric variables assessed in function of the different development stages, homeopathic medicines, and their different dynamizations. During germination, greater growth in stem length was observed with ZiP-7CH (5.5 ± 0.98 cm) compared to the control group (4.3 ± 1.10 cm). During the emergence stage, the treatments SiT-7CH (6.6 ± 1.11 cm) and ZiP-7CH (5.9 ± 1.41 cm) increased stem length significantly whereas with PhA-7CH, the best effects were obtained in the variables assessed during the vegetative development stage, LT (94 ± 8.31 cm), leaf number (No hojas) (131 ± 27.71), fresh stem biomass (BFT) (17.20 ± 2.45 g), wet leaf biomass (BFH) (30 ± 7.72 g), dry leaf biomass (BSH) (2 ± 0.61 g), fresh root biomass (BFR) (10 ± 6.26 g), dry root biomass (BSR) (1 ± 0.43 g), and number of flower buds (No H) (6 ± 7.10). The homeopathic medicines applied impacted positively during the initial and vegetative development stages of tomato under controlled conditions. This research study represents and advance in the sustainable management of tomato cultivation.

Resumen: El uso de agroquímicos en los cultivos hortícolas generan efectos negativos, por lo que se busca disminuir o eliminar su uso mediante otras técnicas menos toxicas. La homeopatía agrícola representa una alternativa para la agricultura ecológica, incidiendo de manera positiva en el desarrollo de los cultivos. Se evaluó el efecto de cuatro medicamentos homeopáticos para uso humano en dos dinamizaciones centesimales (7CH y 13CH) [(Silicea Terra (SiT), Natrum muriaticum (NaM), Zincum phosphoricum (ZiP) y Phosphoricum acidum (PhA)] y un tratamiento control (Agua destilada), sobre la germinación, emergencia y desarrollo vegetativo inicial del tomate. Los tratamientos se establecieron bajo un diseño completamente al azar con tres repeticiones. Se evaluó el porcentaje y tasa de germinación y emergencia, y variables morfométricas (altura de planta, longitud radicular, peso húmedo y seco). Además, en la etapa de desarrollo vegetativo se incluyeron las variables diámetro de tallo, peso húmedo y seco de hojas, número de ramas, hojas y brotes florales. Se observaron diferencias significativas en todas las variables morfométricas evaluadas, en función de las diferentes etapas de desarrollo, los medicamentos homeopáticos y sus diferentes dinamizaciones. Durante la germinación, se observó mayor crecimiento en longitud de tallo con ZiP-7CH (5.5±0.98 cm) en relación al grupo control (4.3±1.10 cm). Durante la etapa de emergencia, los tratamientos SiT-7CH (6.6±1.11 cm) y ZiP-7CH (5.9±1.41 cm) incrementaron significativamente la longitud del tallo, mientras que con PhA-7CH se obtuvieron los mejores efectos en la variables evaluadas durante la etapa de desarrollo vegetativo (LT (94±8.31 cm), N° hojas (131±27.71 hojas), BFT (17.20±2.45 g), BFH (30±7.72 g), BSH (2±0.61 g), BFR (10±6.26 g), BSR (1±0.43 g) y N° brotes florales (6±7.10 brotes)). Los medicamentos homeopáticos aplicados incidieron positivamente durante la etapa inicial y el desarrollo vegetativo del tomate, bajo condiciones controladas. Esta investigación representa un avance en el manejo sustentable del cultivo de tomate.

ABSTRACT General anesthesia provide the patient states of unconsciousness, amnesia and analgesia, however, cases of intraoperative awareness are reported. Due to the incidence of this phenomenon and the psychosomatic effects it causes, the Neuroscience Studies Center, Images and Signals Processing at the University of Oriente, and the General Hospital "Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" both in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, implement a methodology that allows the automatic detection of anesthetic sedation states applying Artificial Intelligence. For this, the signals recorded by the electroencephalographic channel F4, nine spectral parameters, the Support Vector Machines and the Neuro-Fuzzy Systems were used. In the automatic recognition of the Sedation States: Profound, Moderate and Mild an Accuracy of 96.12%, 90.06% and 90.24% respectively was achieved with the Support Vector Machines, so the use of the electroencephalographic channel F4 is proposed in the detection of anesthetic states.

RESUMEN La anestesia general proporciona al paciente estados de inconciencia, amnesia y analgesia, sin embargo, se reportan casos de despertar intraoperatorio. Debido a la incidencia de este fenómeno y sus efectos psicosomáticos, el Centro de Estudios de Neurociencias, Procesamiento de Imágenes y Señales en la Universidad de Oriente, y el Hospital General “Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso” ambos en Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, implementan una metodología que permita detectar automáticamente estados de sedación anestésica aplicando Inteligencia Artificial. Para esto se emplearon las señales registradas por el canal electroencefalográfico F4, nueve parámetros espectrales, las Máquinas de Soporte Vectorial y los Sistemas Neuro-Difusos. En el reconocimiento automático de los estados de Sedación Profunda, Moderada y Ligera se logró una Exactitud de 96.12%, 90.06% y 90.24% respectivamente con las Máquinas de Soporte Vectorial, por lo que se propone el uso del canal electroencefalográfico F4 en la detección de estados anestésicos.