Publications by authors named "Ayala D"

Background: The global setback in tuberculosis (TB) prevalence and mortality in the post-COVID-19 era has been partially attributed to pandemic-related disruptions in healthcare systems. The additional biological contribution of COVID-19 to TB is less clear. The goal of this study was to determine if there is an association between COVID-19 in the past 18 months and a new TB episode, and the role played by type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) comorbidity in this relationship.

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We present a genome assembly from an individual female (the malaria mosquito; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Culicidae) from Lopé, Gabon. The genome sequence is 225.7 megabases in span.

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We present genome assembly from individual female (African malaria mosquito; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Culicidae) from Lopé, Gabon. The genome sequence is 270 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into three chromosomal pseudomolecules with the X sex chromosome assembled for both species.

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Accurate species identification of the mosquitoes in the genus is of crucial importance to implement malaria control measures and monitor their effectiveness. We use a previously developed amplicon panel (ANOSPP) that retrieves sequence data from multiple short nuclear loci for any species in the genus. Species assignment is based on comparison of samples to a reference index using -mer distance.

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Probiotics are commonly incorporated into equine diets to impart health and performance benefits; however, peer-reviewed evidence supporting their efficacy in horses is limited. Interestingly, bacteria from the genus are gaining interest for their unique ability to impact metabolic, immune, and inflammatory pathways. The objective of this trial was to evaluate a selection of for their role in altering the inflammatory response in horses to exercise.

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Detecting and screening clouds is the first step in most optical remote sensing analyses. Cloud formation is diverse, presenting many shapes, thicknesses, and altitudes. This variety poses a significant challenge to the development of effective cloud detection algorithms, as most datasets lack an unbiased representation.

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Summary: The proliferation of biological sequence data, due to developments in molecular biology techniques, has led to the creation of numerous open access databases on gene and protein sequencing. However, the lack of direct equivalence between identifiers across these databases difficults data integration. To address this challenge, we introduce , an integrated R package facilitating the translation of gene and protein identifiers between databases.

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Astrocytes display context-specific diversity in their functions and respond to noxious stimuli between brain regions. Astrocytic mitochondria have emerged as key players in governing astrocytic functional heterogeneity, given their ability to dynamically adapt their morphology to regional demands on ATP generation and Ca buffering functions. Although there is reciprocal regulation between mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial Ca signaling in astrocytes, the extent of this regulation in astrocytes from different brain regions remains unexplored.

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Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate morbidity and mortality in patients taken to conversion to open procedure (CO) and subtotal laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC) as bailout procedures when performing difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Method: This observational cohort study retrospectively analyzed patients taken to SLC or CO as bailout surgery during difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy between 2014 and 2022. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors for morbimortality.

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  • The study investigates the link between cumulative tobacco consumption and atherosclerosis in patients with type 1 diabetes, focusing on its potential to enhance the Steno T1 Risk Engine (ST1RE) for identifying arterial plaques.
  • A total of 584 type 1 diabetes patients were examined, revealing a 40.9% prevalence of plaques, with cumulative tobacco use correlating with higher plaque counts even after adjusting for various health factors.
  • Although adding cumulative tobacco consumption to the ST1RE didn't significantly improve plaque identification overall, it did enhance detection specifically in active smokers, suggesting further research is necessary to understand its implications for atherosclerosis risk in type 1 diabetes.
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The mosquito is a prominent vector for arboviruses, but the breadth of mosquito viruses that infects this specie is not fully understood. In the broadest global survey to date of over 200 small RNA samples, we detected viral small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and Piwi interacting RNAs (piRNAs) arising from mosquito viruses. We confirmed that most academic laboratory colonies of lack persisting viruses, yet two commercial strains were infected by a novel tombus-like virus.

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Astrocytes use Ca signals to regulate multiple aspects of normal and pathological brain function. Astrocytes display context-specific diversity in their functions, and in their response to noxious stimuli between brain regions. Indeed, astrocytic mitochondria have emerged as key players in governing astrocytic functional heterogeneity, given their ability to dynamically adapt their morphology to regional demands on their ATP generation and Ca buffering functions.

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The adaptation of malaria vectors to domestic settings is directly linked to their ability to feed on humans. The strength of this species-habitat association is unequal across the species within the genus, with the major vectors being particularly dependent on humans. However, our understanding of how blood-feeding behavior interacts with and adapts to environmental settings, including the presence of humans, remains limited.

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Unlabelled: Species distributed across heterogeneous environments often evolve locally adapted populations, but understanding how these persist in the presence of homogenizing gene flow remains puzzling. In Gabon, a major African malaria mosquito is found along an ecological gradient, including a sylvatic population, away of any human presence. This study identifies into the genomic signatures of local adaptation in populations from distinct environments including the urban area of Libreville, and two proximate sites 10km apart in the La Lopé National Park (LLP), a village and its sylvatic neighborhood.

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Background/purpose: Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB), a rare genetic skin disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in , the gene encoding type VII collagen (COL7), is characterized by skin blistering, scarring, and extracutaneous manifestations that markedly reduce patient quality-of-life. Beremagene geperpavec-svdt ('B-VEC') is a gene therapy employing a non-integrating, replication-defective herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-based vector encoding two copies of full-length human to restore COL7 protein after topical administration to DEB wounds. B-VEC was approved in the United States in 2023 as the first topical gene therapy and the first approved treatment for DEB.

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Background: The mesh fixation method is one of the multiple factors associated with chronic postoperative pain in inguinal hernia surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate postoperative pain associated with the two available fixation strategies (staple fixation versus self-fixating mesh) used in our field.

Methods: We designed an observational study with retrospective cohorts to analyze postoperative pain in patients who underwent a laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair with a self-fixating mesh or staple fixation, which are the two available techniques in our field.

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  • Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a common issue following pancreatoduodenectomy, prompting this study to look for related risk factors in a Colombian patient population.
  • The research included 205 patients, finding that 25.85% suffered from DGE, with significant associations linked to smoking, high doses of hydromorphone, elevated bilirubin levels, and type B pancreatic fistulas.
  • Key risk factors identified for developing DGE include a history of smoking, opioid use greater than 0.6 mg daily, bilirubin levels over 6 mg/dL, and the presence of a type B pancreatic fistula.
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  • - The study investigates the potential link between past COVID-19 infection and the occurrence of tuberculosis (TB), particularly focusing on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
  • - Findings indicate that individuals with a history of COVID-19 had a higher likelihood of developing new TB, especially in those with DM, where the risk was significantly amplified.
  • - The conclusion emphasizes the need for screening and proactive treatment for latent TB in individuals who have had COVID-19 and have DM, highlighting their increased vulnerability.
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African populations of the mosquito Aedes aegypti are usually considered less susceptible to infection by human-pathogenic flaviviruses than globally invasive populations found outside Africa. Although this contrast has been well documented for Zika virus (ZIKV), it is unclear to what extent it is true for dengue virus (DENV), the most prevalent flavivirus of humans. Addressing this question is complicated by substantial genetic diversity among DENV strains, most notably in the form of four genetic types (DENV1 to DENV4), that can lead to genetically specific interactions with mosquito populations.

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  • African mosquito populations are generally less susceptible to dengue virus (DENV) than invasive populations from outside Africa, but this isn't a clear-cut difference as seen with Zika virus (ZIKV).
  • A study surveyed DENV susceptibility in various African mosquito populations alongside one from Guadeloupe, revealing significant variations in their ability to acquire and replicate different DENV strains.
  • The findings suggest that DENV susceptibility in African populations is complex and varies depending on the specific mosquito and DENV strain interactions, challenging the notion of a straightforward susceptibility difference between African and non-African populations.
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Since the discovery of natural malaria vector populations infected by the endosymbiont bacterium , a renewed interest has arisen for using this bacterium as an alternative for malaria control. Among naturally infected mosquitoes, , a major malaria mosquito in Central Africa, exhibits one of the highest prevalences of infection. To better understand whether this maternally inherited bacterium could be used for malaria control, we investigated influence in populations naturally infected by the malaria parasite .

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We present a genome assembly from an individual male (the malaria mosquito; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Culicidae), from a wild population in Cameroon. The genome sequence is 271 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly is scaffolded into three chromosomal pseudomolecules with the X sex chromosome assembled.

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Biological invasions have increased significantly with the tremendous growth of international trade and transport. Hematophagous arthropods can be vectors of infectious and potentially lethal pathogens and parasites, thus constituting a growing threat to humans-especially when associated with biological invasions. Today, several major vector-borne diseases, currently described as emerging or re-emerging, are expanding in a world dominated by climate change, land-use change and intensive transportation of humans and goods.

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  • - The invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus, first noted in Central Africa during the 2000s, is causing outbreaks of diseases like dengue and chikungunya by spreading into wildlife areas and interacting with local animals.
  • - The study conducted from 2014 to 2018 monitored the mosquito's colonization in La Lopé National Park, using various trapping methods along areas influenced by human activity.
  • - Findings revealed Ae. albopictus was more prevalent near human-altered environments and that its populations decreased further into the forest, highlighting its potential role in spreading zoonotic diseases between wildlife and human communities.
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