Can primary health care mitigate the effects of economic crises on child health in Latin America? An integrated multicountry evaluation and forecasting analysis.

Background: Latin American and Caribbean countries are dealing with the combined challenges of pandemic-induced socicoeconomic stress and increasing public debt, potentially leading to reductions in welfare and health-care services, including primary care. We aimed to evaluate the impact of primary health-care coverage on child mortality in Latin America over the past two decades and to forecast the potential effects of primary health-care mitigation during the current economic crisis.

Methods: This multicountry study integrated retrospective impact evaluations in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico from 2000 to 2019 with forecasting models covering up to 2030.

New morphological and biological contributions to adults and immature forms of (Fulgoromorpha, Delphacidae) in wetlands of Argentina.

In the search for insects as biological control agents for the water primrose, the delphacid (Delphacidae) was found on Ludwigiagrandiflorasubsp.hexapetala (Onagraceae) in a wetland of Central East Argentina. The morphology of the unknown females (brachypterous and macropterous) and immature stages are described and illustrated.

Hierarchical metacommunity structure of fungal endophytes.

The ecological and evolutionary processes shaping community structure and functions of microbial symbionts are known to be scale-dependent. Nonetheless, understanding how the relative importance of these processes changes across spatial scales, and deciphering the hierarchical metacommunity structure of fungal endophytes has proven challenging. We investigated metacommunities of endophytic fungi within leaves of an invasive plant (Alternanthera philoxeroides) across wide latitudinal transects both in its native (Argentina) and introduced (China) ranges to test whether metacommunities of fungal endophytes were structured by different drivers at different spatial scales.

Citizen Science Improves the Known and Potential Distribution of a Strong Wetland Invader: Implications for Niche Modeling and Invasion Management.

Invasive alien species are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss and ecosystem alteration. Obtaining up-to-date occurrence records and accurate invasion risk maps has become crucial to develop timely and effective management strategies. Unfortunately, gathering and validating distribution data can be labor-intensive and time-consuming, with different data sources unavoidably leading to biases in the results.

The educational community and its knowledge and perceptions of native and invasive alien species.

Environmental education seeks to foster an appreciation for nature and the impact of humans on it while introducing citizens to scientific thinking. Biological invasions affect different aspects of life on earth and mandate urgent management actions. Education and public awareness are strongly recommended for successful prevention and management of invasive alien species (IAS).

Plant invasion alters latitudinal pattern of plant-defense syndromes.

The relationship between herbivory and latitude may differ between native and introduced populations of invasive plants, which can generate latitudinal heterogeneity in the strength of enemy release. However, still little is known about how latitudinal heterogeneity in herbivore pressure influences latitudinal variation in defense phenotypes of invasive plants. We tested how latitudinal patterns in multi-variate defense syndromes differed between native (Argentinian) and introduced (Chinese) populations of the invasive herb Alternanthera philoxeroides.

Rapid evolution of latitudinal clines in growth and defence of an invasive weed.

Re-establishment of heritable latitudinal clines in growth-related traits has been recognised as evidence for adaptive evolution in invasive plants. However, less information is known about latitudinal clines in defence and joint clinal evolution of growth and defence in invasive plants. We planted 14 native Argentinean populations and 14 introduced Chinese populations of Alternanthera philoxeroides in replicate common gardens in China.

Challenges and Reinterpretation of Antibody-Based Research on Phosphorylation of Tyr on PP2Ac.

Aberrant hyperphosphorylation of the protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit (PP2Ac) at Tyr has been associated with aggressive disease and poor clinical outcome in multiple cancers. However, the study of reversible phosphorylation at this site has relied entirely upon the use of antibodies-most prominently, the clone E155. Here, we provide evidence that the E155 and F-8 phospho-Tyr antibodies cannot differentiate between phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of PP2Ac.

Importance of native vegetation for detection and management of rice stink bug ().

Tibraca limbativentris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a major pest in Neotropical rice agroecosystems. In autumn-winter, this pest takes refuge in rice stubble and in native vegetation, which allows it to re-colonize the crop during the rice growing season. However, it is still unknown whether this vegetation is a pest sink or is actually a natural trap that contributes to pest population biocontrol.

Prediabetes is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease following renal transplantation.

Prediabetes and post-transplant diabetes mellitus affect about 20-30% of renal transplant patients. The latter is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, no clear evidence linking prediabetes and cardiovascular disease is available.

EEG findings and outcomes of continuous video-EEG monitoring started prior to initiation of seizure treatment in the perinatal stroke.

Background: To analyze the findings in the background EEG activity of infants who suffered perinatal stroke.

Methods: Eleven neonates born 2009-2014 diagnosed of ischemic stroke by MRI (three of them with multistroke) underwent continuous video-EEG monitoring. Visual and spectral (power spectrum and coherence) analyses of the background EEG was performed in three moments: 1) Onset of EEG recording (prior to initiate seizure treatment), 2) Post-ictal epoch (1-2 h after the last seizure), and 3) one-two days after seizure control.

Visual and Quantitative Electroencephalographic Analysis in Healthy Term Neonates Within the First Six Hours and the Third Day of Life.

Background: What constitutes a "normal" background electroencephalography (EEG) rhythm immediately after birth is not well understood. We performed video-electroencephalography recordings in the first six hours (first measure) and the third day of life (second measure) for evidence of transient changes in brain function.

Methods: We performed a cohort study of an incidental sample of healthy term neonates in a single-center nursery.

Morphology of juvenile stages of Kuschelina bergi (Harold) with biological information (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Alticini).

Kuschelina bergi (Harold, 1881) is being studied to be evaluated as a natural enemy of Phyla nodiflora var. minor (Hook.) N.

The Relative Importance of Genetic Diversity and Phenotypic Plasticity in Determining Invasion Success of a Clonal Weed in the USA and China.

Phenotypic plasticity has been proposed as an important adaptive strategy for clonal plants in heterogeneous habitats. Increased phenotypic plasticity can be especially beneficial for invasive clonal plants, allowing them to colonize new environments even when genetic diversity is low. However, the relative importance of genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity for invasion success remains largely unknown.

Impact of selective neck dissection on chronic dysphagia after chemo-intensity-modulated radiotherapy for oropharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Conflicting results are reported regarding the impact of neck dissection on radiation-associated dysphagia. The purpose of this study was to reexamine this question specific to oropharyngeal intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods: Three hundred forty-nine patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated with bilateral IMRT with systemic therapy (induction and/or concurrent) were reviewed.

An update on the management of hepatitis C: guidelines for protease inhibitor-based triple therapy from the Latin American Association for the Study of the Liver.

Hepatitis C is a common cause of end-stage liver disease, and the main indication for liver transplantation in Latin America. Treatment of hepatitis C infected patients improves important long-term outcomes as mortality. Sustained viral response is reached in near 50% of patients with the previous management based in pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

Comparison of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology results with and without the stylet in 3364 cases.

Background And Aim: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (EUS-FNA) is traditionally carried out with the stylet, as it is believed to prevent blockage or contamination of the needle by tissue coming from the gastrointestinal wall. However, this recommendation has not been demonstrated on an empirical basis. The aim of the present study was to compare the yield of EUS-FNA in a very large series of patients with (S+) and without (S-) the stylet.

A winter distribution model for Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli), a conservation tool for a threatened migratory songbird.

Conservation planning and implementation require identifying pertinent habitats and locations where protection and management may improve viability of targeted species. The winter range of Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli), a threatened Nearctic-Neotropical migratory songbird, is restricted to the Greater Antilles. We analyzed winter records from the mid-1970s to 2009 to quantitatively evaluate winter distribution and habitat selection.

Phenrica littoralis (Bechyné, 1955) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) a potential candidate for the biological control of alligator weed, Alternantheraphiloxeroides (Martius) Grisebach (Amaranthaceae): redescription of the adult, first description of immature stages, and biological notes.

Flea beetles of alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Martius) Grisebach (Amaranthaceae), were collected in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. Species in the genera Disonycha Chevrolat, Agasicles Jacoby, Systena Chevrolat and Phenrica Bechyné were frequently found on this weed. Phenrica littoralis (Bechyn6) was the most abundant within this genus.

Incidence and predictors of postpolypectomy bleeding in colorectal polyps larger than 10 mm.

Background: It is well-established that the risk of postpolypectomy bleeding (PPB) increases with polyp size, but little is known about the factors that predict PPB in polyps larger than 10 mm.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the incidence and risk factors for PPB in colorectal polyps larger than 10 mm.

Methods: A historical cohort study was carried out in an open access endoscopy unit from January 2007 to December 2008.

Nocturnal home pulse oximetry: variability and clinical implications in home mechanical ventilation.

Background: Nocturnal home pulse oximetry (NHPO) provides information by measuring a series of variables: time spent with SaO(2) <90% expressed as percentage (T90) or in minutes (Tm90), mean SaO(2) (MnS), and lowest SaO(2) (LwS.) The presence of significant nocturnal desaturation has been proposed as a parameter in decision making with regard to initiating home mechanical ventilation (HMV) or monitoring HMV effectiveness. However, there is limited information on the possible variability of the test, and this could influence the interpretation of results.

Reproducibility measuring the angle of proximal junctional kyphosis using the first or the second vertebra above the upper instrumented vertebrae in patients surgically treated for scoliosis.

Study Design: A historical cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the reproducibility of this measure in proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and to determine whether differences exist between first and second vertebrae angles.

Summary Of Background Data: There are no previous studies on the precision and accuracy of selecting the first or the second vertebra above the upper instrumented vertebrae to determine the degree of spinal angulation after surgery.

Evaluation of toxicity of commercial ophthalmic fluoroquinolone antibiotics as assessed on immortalized corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells.

Purpose: To evaluate the toxicity of a variety of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics on the ocular surface by using tissue culture models of corneal epithelial cells and conjunctival epithelial cells.

Methods: Immortalized conjunctival (CCC) and human corneal (HCE) epithelial cells were grown and when confluent the cells allowed to air dry for 1 hour. Medium was then replaced with 100 microL of one of the following: 1) Vigamox [moxifloxacin (0.