Differential diagnosis of suspected multiple sclerosis: global health considerations.

The differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis can present specific challenges in patients from Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, eastern Europe, southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific. In these areas, environmental factors, genetic background, and access to medical care can differ substantially from those in North America and western Europe, where multiple sclerosis is most common. Furthermore, multiple sclerosis diagnostic criteria have been developed primarily using data from North America and western Europe.

Multiple sclerosis in Central America and Caribbean countries: frequency and clinical characterization of an emergent disease.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disease among white populations of European origin. Frequencies among Latin Americans continue to be studied, however, epidemiologic, and clinical characterization studies lack from Central American and Caribbean countries. Ethnicity in these countries is uniformly similar with a prevalent Mestizo population.

[Core data set for real world data in multiple sclerosis: customization for latin america from a global task force recommendation].

Introduction: The primary objective of the core data set is to reduce heterogeneity and promote harmonization among data sources in EM, thereby reducing the time needed to execute real life data collection efforts. Recently, a group led by the Multiple Sclerosis Data Alliance has developed a core data set for collecting real-world data on multiple sclerosis (MS) globally. Our objective was to adapt this global data set to the needs of Latin America, so that it can be implemented by the registries already developed and in the process of development in the region.

Effects of global and climate change on the freshwater-seawater interface movement in a Mediterranean karst aquifer of Mallorca Island.

Karst aquifers are globally prized freshwater sources, posing a significant preservation challenge. These aquifers typically exhibit dual or even triple porosities, encompassing matrix, fractures-fissures and conduits, rendering them highly responsive to variations in chemical characteristics and hydraulic head. In coastal regions, these aquifers often possess extensive subsurface conduit networks intricately linked to the rock matrix, facilitating groundwater discharge into the sea.

Harvesting visible light for enhanced catalytic degradation of wastewater using TiO@FeO embedded on two dimensional reduced graphene oxide nanosheets.

Carbon-integrated binary metal oxide semiconductors have gained prominence in the last decade as a better material for photocatalytic wastewater treatment technology. In this regard, this research describes the investigation of the binary metal oxide TiO@FeO embedded on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets synthesized through a combination of sol-gel, chemical precipitation, and Hummer's processes. Besides, the catalyst is applied for the photocatalytic degradation of organic chlorophenol pollutants.

Mesoporous NiO/NiO nanoflowers for favorable visible light photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol.

The present study highlights the treatment of industrial effluent, which is one of the most life-threatening factors. Herein, for the first time, two types of NiO (green and black) photocatalysts were prepared by facile chemical precipitation and thermal decomposition methods separately. The synthesized NiO materials were demonstrated with various instrumental techniques for finding their characteristics.

Microenvironmental Snail1-induced immunosuppression promotes melanoma growth.

Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer due to its high metastatic abilities and resistance to therapies. Melanoma cells reside in a heterogeneous tumour microenvironment that acts as a crucial regulator of its progression. Snail1 is an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition transcription factor expressed during development and reactivated in pathological situations including fibrosis and cancer.

Latin American consensus recommendations on the risk of infections in people with multiple sclerosis treated with disease modifying drugs.

Introduction: The emergence of several therapeutic options in multiple sclerosis (MS), which significantly modify the immune system functioning, has led to the need for the consideration of additional factors, such as risk of infections, in the decision-making process. The aim of these consensus recommendations was to discuss and perform a practical guide to Latin American neurologists on the risk of infections at diagnosis, follow-up and prior to initiation of DMDs.

Methods: A panel of Latin American neurologists, experts in demyelinating diseases and dedicated to management and care of MS patients, gathered during 2021 and 2022 to make consensus recommendations on the risk of infections in PwMS treated with DMDs in Latin America.

Hantavirus in Panama: Twenty Years of Epidemiological Surveillance Experience.

Twenty years have passed since the emergence of hantavirus zoonosis in Panama at the beginning of this millennium. We provide an overview of epidemiological surveillance of hantavirus disease (hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and hantavirus fever) during the period 1999-2019 by including all reported and confirmed cases according to the case definition established by the health authority. Our findings reveal that hantavirus disease is a low-frequency disease, affecting primarily young people, with a relatively low case-fatality rate compared to other hantaviruses in the Americas (e.

Selective NO Detection of CaCuTiO Ceramic Prepared by the Sol-Gel Technique and DRIFT Measurements to Elucidate the Gas Sensing Mechanism.

NO is one of the main greenhouse gases, which is mainly generated by the combustion of fossil fuels. In addition to its contribution to global warming, this gas is also directly dangerous to humans. The present work reports the structural and gas sensing properties of the CaCuTiO compound prepared by the sol-gel technique.

Therapeutic strategies in NMOSD and MOGAD patients: A multicenter cohort study in Latin America.

Purpose: This study describes the therapeutic strategies in NMOSD and MOGAD adopted by neurologists to treat both conditions in Latin America (LATAM) with main focus on rituximab (RTX) and the disease outcome.

Methods: retrospective study in a cohort of NMOSD and MOGAD patients followed in specialized MS/NMOSD centers from eight countries and 14 LATAM reference centers. Demographics and clinical characteristics were collected.

A mechanothermal approach for the synthesis of FeO nanoparticles as dopant on mesoporous TiO for electrochemical determination of catechol.

The subject of water contamination and how it gets defiled to the society and humans is confabulating from the past decades. Phenolic compounds widely exist in the water sources and it is emergent to determine the toxicity in natural and drinking water, because it is hazardous to the humans. Among these compounds, catechol has sought a strong concern because of its rapid occurrence in nature and its potential toxicity to humans.

Frequency of NMOSD misdiagnosis in a cohort from Latin America: Impact and evaluation of different contributors.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) misdiagnosis (i.e. the incorrect diagnosis of patients who truly have NMOSD) remains an issue in clinical practice.

Improving the sensitivity for hydrogen peroxide determination with active VO nanocubes incorporated on mesoporous TiO.

The capacity to generate a constant signal response from an enzyme on an electrode surface has been a fascinating topic of research from the past three decades. To nourish the enzymatic activity during electrochemical reactions, the immobilization of dual enzymes on the electrode surface could prevent the enzymatic loss without denaturation and thus long-term stability can be achieved. For effective immobilization of dual enzymes, mesoporous materials are the ideal choice because of its numerous advantages such as 1.

Mesoporogen free synthesis of CuO/TiO heterojunction for ultra-trace detection of catechol in water samples.

Creating mesoporous architecture on the surface of metal oxides without using pore creating agent is significant interest in electrochemical sensors because these materials act as an efficient electron transfer process between the electrode interface and the analytes. Recent advances in mesoporous titanium dioxide (TiO)-based materials have acquired extraordinary opportunities because of their interconnected porous structure could act as a host for doping with various transition metals or heteroatoms to form a new type of heterojunction. Herein, a simple method is developed to synthesize mesoporous copper oxide (CuO) decorated on TiO nanostructures in which homogenous shaped CuO nanocrystals act as dopants decorated on the mesoporous structure of TiO, resulting in p-n heterojunction nanocomposite.

Diagnosis and classification of optic neuritis.

There is no consensus regarding the classification of optic neuritis, and precise diagnostic criteria are not available. This reality means that the diagnosis of disorders that have optic neuritis as the first manifestation can be challenging. Accurate diagnosis of optic neuritis at presentation can facilitate the timely treatment of individuals with multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease.

Characteristics of migraine in patients with headache disorders: A clinic-based study from Central American and Caribbean countries.

Objective: The objective of the study was to measure the proportion of patients who consulted for headache and of those who had a final diagnosis of migraine. We also assessed the proportion and characteristics of patients with migraine and the impact of migraine on the daily activities and the professional and social lives of patients visiting private/public medical centers in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.

Background: Underdiagnosis of migraine is high in Central America and Caribbean urban communities.

Bidirectional genome-wide CRISPR screens reveal host factors regulating SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and seasonal HCoVs.

CRISPR knockout (KO) screens have identified host factors regulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of these screens, which showed a high level of cell-type specificity of the identified hits, highlighting the necessity of additional models to uncover the full landscape of host factors. Thus, we performed genome-wide KO and activation screens in Calu-3 lung cells and KO screens in Caco-2 colorectal cells, followed by secondary screens in four human cell lines.

Salt marsh fragmentation in a mesotidal estuary: Implications for medium to long-term management.

During the last decades many salt marshes worldwide have suffered important losses in their extent and associated ecosystem services. The salt marshes of San Vicente de la Barquera estuary (N Spain) are a clear example of this, with a drastic reduction in vegetation surface over the last 60 years. This paper provides insights into the main factors controlling salt marsh functioning in sheltered estuarine areas.

Tailoring the heterojunction of TiO with multivalence CeO nanocrystals - for detection of toxic 2-aminophenol.

Enhancing the current signal response for semiconductors is the key factor for designing and fabrication of efficient electrode in electrochemical sensors. By the aid of doping with binary metal oxides, the conductivity of the resultant titanium oxide (TiO) based nanocomposite will deliver fast electron transfer rate at the heterojunction interface. Herein, by taking advantage of mesoporous structure in TiO, cubic shaped multivalent cerium oxide (CeO) was incorporated into the porous cavity by simple ground assisted solvothermal process, which resulted in enormous enhancement in the current response towards detection of 2-aminophenol.

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder in Central America and the Caribbean: A Multinational Clinical Characterization Study.

Here, a study of NMOSD in Central America and the Caribbean with a multinational collaborative, multicentric and descriptive approach involving 25 institutions from 9 countries is presented. Demographics, clinical manifestations, expanded disability scale status (EDSS), brain and spinal cord MRI, serological anti-AQP4-IgG and anti-MOG-IgG antibodies, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal bands were included. A central serological repository utilized the cell-based assay.

Orange peel extract influenced partial transformation of SnO to SnO in green 3D-ZnO/SnO system for chlorophenol degradation.

In recent times, visible light enhancement has become much more considered due to the enlightening properties of nanocomposite systems. This has potential applications for wastewater treatment due to the blemish of toxic organic chemicals from industrial sectors. Therefore, this work is focused on novel 3D ZnO/SnO nanocomposites synthesized by the green method (orange peel extracts supported combined chemical processes) utilized for the removal of chlorophenol effluent.

Multiple sclerosis care units in Latin America: Consensus recommendations about its objectives and functioning implementation.

Objective: Currently, there are several reasons to promote worldwide the concept of multiple sclerosis care units (MSCU) for a better management of affected patients. Ideally, the MSCU should have some human and technical resources that distinguish and improve the care of affected patients; however, local, and regional aspects should be considered when recommending how these units should operate. The objective of these consensus recommendations was to review how MSCU should work in Latin America to improve long-term outcomes in MS patients.

Multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder testing and treatment availability in Latin America.

Background: The objective of our study was to describe the availability of diagnostic tests and treatment for MS and NMOSD in Latin America (LATAM).

Methods: A survey instrument was used in a sample of physicians from LATAM countries. The goal of the survey was to understand availability of: 1) imaging tests for diagnosing MS and NMOSD and its barriers; 2) diagnostic laboratory tests for diagnosing MS and NMOSD and its barriers; and 3) treatments for MS and NMOSD in the acute and chronic phases of the disease.

Status of the neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in Latin America.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is an increasing diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in Latin America (LATAM). Despite the heterogeneity of this population, ethnic and socioeconomic commonalities exist, and epidemiologic studies from the region have had a limited geographic and population outreach. Identification of some aspects from the entire region are lacking.