Targeted Enrichment Sequencing Utilizing a Respiratory Pathogen Panel for Genomic Wastewater-Based Viral Epidemiology in Uruguay.

Human respiratory and enteric viruses are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Wastewater-based epidemiology utilizing next-generation sequencing serves as an effective tool for monitoring viral circulation dynamics at the community level. However, these complex environmental samples are often laden with other microorganisms and host genomic material, which can hinder the sensitivity of viral detection.

Genomics-based timely detection of dengue virus type I genotypes I and V in Uruguay.

This study details a genomics-based approach for the early detection of mosquito-borne pathogens, marked by Uruguay's first ever complete genomic sequencing of Dengue Virus type I genotypes I and V. This pioneering effort has facilitated the prompt identification of these genotypes within the country, enabling Uruguayan public health authorities to develop timely and effective response strategies. Further integrated into this approach is a climate-driven suitability measure, closely associated with Dengue case reports and indicative of the local climate's role in the virus's transmission in the country within the changing climate context.

Equine Encephalomyelitis Outbreak, Uruguay, 2023-2024.

We report the genomic analysis from early equine cases of the Western equine encephalitis virus outbreak during 2023-2024 in Uruguay. Sequences are related to a viral isolate from an outbreak in 1958 in Argentina. A viral origin from South America or continuous enzootic circulation with infrequent spillover is possible.

Genomics-based timely detection of Dengue Virus type I genotypes I and V in Uruguay.

We report the first whole-genome sequences of Dengue Virus type I genotypes I and V from Uruguay, including the first cases ever reported in the country. Through timely genomic analysis, identification of these genotypes was possible, aiding in timely public health responses and intervention strategies to mitigate the impact of dengue outbreaks.

Emergence and spreading of the largest SARS-CoV-2 deletion in the Delta AY.20 lineage from Uruguay.

The genetic variability of SARS-CoV-2 (genus , family ) has been scrutinized since its first detection in December 2019. Although the role of structural variants, particularly deletions, in virus evolution is little explored, these genome changes are extremely frequent. They are associated with relevant processes, including immune escape and attenuation.

Consecutive deletions in a unique Uruguayan SARS-CoV-2 lineage evidence the genetic variability potential of accessory genes.

Deletions frequently occur in the six accessory genes of SARS-CoV-2, but most genomes with deletions are sporadic and have limited spreading capability. Here, we analyze deletions in the ORF7a of the N.7 lineage, a unique Uruguayan clade from the Brazilian B.

A grounded theory approach to understanding in-game goods purchase.

Video game companies are increasingly diversifying their profit models. Rather than relying exclusively on the sale of video game titles or the subscription model, video game companies are maximising the revenues and extending the lifecycle of their games by means of a strategy based on the sale of in-game goods. This study contributes to the theory on in-game goods purchases by explaining why and how video game players purchase different types of in-game goods.

Quantitative factors proposed to influence the prevalence of canine tick-borne disease agents in the United States.

The Companion Animal Parasite Council hosted a meeting to identify quantifiable factors that can influence the prevalence of tick-borne disease agents among dogs in North America. This report summarizes the approach used and the factors identified for further analysis with mathematical models of canine exposure to tick-borne pathogens.

Impaired preparatory re-mapping of stimulus-response associations and rule-implementation in schizophrenic patients--the role for differences in early processing.

An accurate representation of task-set information is needed for successful goal directed behavior. Recent studies point to disturbances in the early processing stages as plausible causes for task-switching deficits in schizophrenia. A task-cueing protocol was administered to a group of schizophrenic patients and compared with a sample of age-matched healthy controls.

[Oral ketamine-midazolam premedication of uncooperative patients in major outpatient surgery].

Background: Currently, ketamine is not often used as an anesthetic. Its clinical characteristics and mechanism of action largely depend on antagonism of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of oral ketamine as a preanesthetic agent to lower surgical stress for patients with mental disability.

Development and characterization of polymorphic markers for the sap-stain fungus Ophiostoma quercus.

Eight polymorphic markers were developed from South African isolates of Ophiostoma quercus. The genome was screened for repeat regions using the fast isolation by amplified fragment length polymorphism of sequences containing repeats protocol and 20 de novo primer pairs flanking putative microsatellite regions were designed. Eight loci were optimized and their polymorphisms evaluated by sequencing.

Microsatellite markers for the red band needle blight pathogen, Dothistroma septosporum.

Twelve microsatellite markers were developed for population analyses of the fungal pathogen, Dothistroma septosporum. Intersimple sequence repeat polymerase chain reaction (ISSR-PCR) and an enrichment protocol (fast isolation by amplified fragment length polymorphism of sequences containing repeats [FIASCO]) were both used to identify 28 unique microsatellite regions in the genome. From 22 primer pairs designed, 12 were polymorphic.

Multi-gene phylogenies and phenotypic characters distinguish two species within the Colletogloeopsis zuluensis complex associated with Eucalyptus stem cankers.

Colletogloeopsis zuluensis, previously known as Coniothyrium zuluense, causes a serious stem canker disease on Eucalyptus spp. grown as non-natives in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. This stem canker disease was first reported from South Africa and it has subsequently been found on various species and hybrids of Eucalyptus in other African countries as well as in countries of South America and South-East Asia.

Reduced novelty-P3 associated with increased behavioral distractibility in schizophrenia.

Behavioral and electrophysiological brain responses were used to examine the relationship between the vulnerability to distraction and the orienting response in schizophrenia. Nineteen schizophrenics and nineteen matched healthy controls were instructed to ignore task-irrelevant auditory stimuli while they classified capital letters and digits. The auditory sequences contained repetitive standard tones occasionally replaced by complex novel sounds.

Microsatellite markers for the Eucalyptus stem canker fungal pathogen Kirramyces gauchensis.

Ten microsatellite markers were developed for the fungus Kirramyces gauchensis, which causes an important stem canker disease of Eucalyptus trees in plantations. Primers for 21 microsatellite regions were designed from cloned fragments. Fourteen of the primer pairs provided single amplicons and 10 of these were polymorphic for K.

Multiple gene genealogies reveal important relationships between species of Phaeophleospora infecting Eucalyptus leaves.

The majority of Eucalyptus species are native to Australia, but worldwide there are over 3 million ha of exotic plantations, especially in the tropics and subtropics. Of the numerous known leaf diseases, three species of Phaeophleospora can cause severe defoliation of young Eucalyptus; Phaeophleospora destructans, Phaeophleospora eucalypti and Phaeophleospora epicoccoides. Phaeophleospora destructans has a major impact on seedling survival in Asia and has not, as yet, been found in Australia where it is considered a serious threat to the biosecurity of native eucalypts.

[Results of an outpatient major surgery program in ophthalmology].

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes in our hospital of an ambulatory major surgery program in patients with a variety of different ocular pathologies.

Method: This retrospective study includes 13,878 patients who underwent programmed surgery by the Department of Ophthalmology between September 1998 and December 2004. Different ophthalmological surgical procedures were performed as outpatient surgery in 11,187 patients, with cataract surgery (phacoemulsification) being the most frequent operation performed (8,155 cases).

County-level surveillance of white-tailed deer infestation by Ixodes scapularis and Dermacentor albipictus (Acari: Ixodidae) along the Illinois River.

From 1998 to 2003, 4,935 hunter-killed deer in northern and central Illinois were examined for ticks; 4,066 blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis Say, and 6,530 winter ticks, Dermacentor albipictus (Packard) (Acari: Ixodidae), were collected. I. scapularis was the predominant tick species in the northern portion of the study area, with a decreasing north-to-south prevalence gradient.

Spatiotemporal patterns of host-seeking Ixodes scapularis nymphs (Acari: Ixodidae) in the United States.

The risk of Lyme disease for humans in the eastern United States is dependent on the density of host-seeking Ixodes scapularis Say nymphal stage ticks infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. Although many local and regional studies have estimated Lyme disease risk using these parameters, this is the first large-scale study using a standardized methodology. Density of host-seeking I.

Problem size effect and processing strategies in mental arithmetic.

We investigated the event-related brain potentials elicited by arithmetical operations whose solution requires direct memory retrieval or non-retrieval strategies. The problem size effect--the increment in reaction time for arithmetical problems with large operands--appears to be due to the selective use of non-retrieval procedures, and studies with event-related potentials have demonstrated an amplitude modulation of a late positive slow wave (range between 400-800 ms) related to the problem size effect. Two arithmetic operations (additions and subtractions) and three levels of problem size (adding or subtracting 2, 4 or 6) were used.