Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genes associated with the vitamin D pathway related to clinical and therapeutic outcomes of American tegumentary leishmaniasis.

Background: The vitamin D pathway contributes to the microbicidal activity of macrophages against infection. In addition to induction of this pathway, interferon-gamma (IFNγ), interleukin (IL)-15, and IL32γ are part of a network of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the components of the vitamin D pathway and associated cytokine genes that could be related to resistance or susceptibility to American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL).

Simplifying traditional approaches for accessible analysis of snake venom enzymes.

Snake venoms enzymes affect diverse physiological mechanisms leading to effects such as inflammation, edema, hemolysis, and blood clotting disorders. In this report, we describe modifications to classical assays for assessing the enzymatic activity of snake venom phospholipase A (PLA) and phosphodiesterase (PDE), including the adaptation of the PDE assay to an agar plate. A final staining step, using Stains-all®, was added to the PLA activity assay on an egg yolk-containing agar plate.

Soilscapes from Byers Peninsula, Maritime Antarctic: landform-lithology controls in soil formation.

The Byers Peninsula, the largest ice-free area in Maritime Antarctica, is vital for studying landscape-scale natural processes due to its diverse periglacial landforms. This study aim to characterize the soils and environments of its southern sector, focusing on soil-landform-lithology interactions. Thirty-seven soil profiles were classified, collected, and chemically and physically analyzed.

Molecular analysis of zoonotic pathogens in free-ranging six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus) from the Brazilian semiarid region.

This study investigated infection by Leishmania spp., Leptospira spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Trypanosoma cruzi in six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus) from the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil.

Nurses' practical contributions to improving healthy and sustainable public spaces: an integrative review.

Objective: to identify knowledge production about nurses' contributions to improving healthy and sustainable public spaces.

Methods: an integrative review carried out in February 2023 in electronic databases. Studies that answered the research question and that were available in full, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, were included.