Structural insights into the Smirnoff-Wheeler pathway for vitamin C production in the Amazon fruit camu-camu.

l-Ascorbic acid (AsA, vitamin C) is a pivotal dietary nutrient with multifaceted importance in living organisms. In plants, the Smirnoff-Wheeler pathway is the primary route for AsA biosynthesis, and understanding the mechanistic details behind its component enzymes has implications for plant biology, nutritional science, and biotechnology. As part of an initiative to determine the structures of all six core enzymes of the pathway, the present study focuses on three of them in the model species Myrciaria dubia (camu-camu): GDP-d-mannose 3',5'-epimerase (GME), l-galactose dehydrogenase (l-GalDH), and l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (l-GalLDH).

Management of periocular keratinocyte carcinomas with Mohs micrographic surgery and predictors of complex reconstruction: a retrospective study.

Background: Skin cancer is the most frequent cancer worldwide and the most frequent periocular tumor. Keratinocyte Carcinomas (KC) located in periorificial areas, such as periocular tumors, are considered high-risk tumors. Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) is considered the first line for the treatment of high-risk KC, providing a lower recurrence rate than conventional wide excision.

Healthcare personnel in 2016-2019 prospective cohort infrequently got vaccinated, worked while ill, and frequently used antibiotics rather than antivirals against viral influenza illnesses.

Background: Uncertainty about risk of illness and the value of influenza vaccines negatively affects vaccine uptake among persons targeted for influenza vaccination.

Methods: During 2016-2019, we followed a cohort of healthcare personnel (HCP) targeted for free-of-charge influenza vaccination in five Lima hospitals to quantify risk of influenza, workplace presenteeism (coming to work despite illness), and absenteeism (taking time off from work because of illness). The HCP who developed acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) (≥1 of acute cough, runny nose, body aches, or feverishness) were tested for influenza using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR).

Genetic and biochemical strategies for regulation of L-ascorbic acid biosynthesis in plants through the L-galactose pathway.

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid, AsA) is an essential compound with pleiotropic functions in many organisms. Since its isolation in the last century, AsA has attracted the attention of the scientific community, allowing the discovery of the L-galactose pathway, which is the main pathway for AsA biosynthesis in plants. Thus, the aim of this review is to analyze the genetic and biochemical strategies employed by plant cells for regulating AsA biosynthesis through the L-galactose pathway.

Biopsy type does not affect the number of stages during Mohs micrographic surgery: a retrospective study.

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the treatment of choice for high-risk basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, there are no evidence-based recommendations regarding which biopsy type is more appropriate to obtain tumour samples prior to MMS. Shave or punch biopsies are performed depending on the clinical characteristics of the tumour, surgeon experience and local protocols.

Dermoscopy of Linear Basal Cell Carcinomas, a Potential Mimicker of Linear Lesions: a Descriptive Case-series.

Introduction: Among the various widely recognized basal cell carcinoma (BCC) clinical patterns, linear basal cell carcinoma (LBCC) is an uncommon morphologic variant of BCC.

Objectives: Describe the clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of LBCC.

Methods: Retrospective study including LBCC cases from 5 dermatology centers in North and South America.

Genomic analysis and biochemical profiling of an unaxenic strain of sp. isolated from the Peruvian Amazon Basin region.

Cyanobacteria are diverse photosynthetic microorganisms able to produce a myriad of bioactive chemicals. To make possible the rational exploitation of these microorganisms, it is fundamental to know their metabolic capabilities and to have genomic resources. In this context, the main objective of this research was to determine the genome features and the biochemical profile of sp.

Structural Characterization of L-Galactose Dehydrogenase: An Essential Enzyme for Vitamin C Biosynthesis.

In plants, it is well-known that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can be synthesized via multiple metabolic pathways but there is still much to be learned concerning their integration and control mechanisms. Furthermore, the structural biology of the component enzymes has been poorly exploited. Here we describe the first crystal structure for an L-galactose dehydrogenase [Spinacia oleracea GDH (SoGDH) from spinach], from the D-mannose/L-galactose (Smirnoff-Wheeler) pathway which converts L-galactose into L-galactono-1,4-lactone.

Soil microbial diversity and functional profiling of a tropical rainforest of a highly dissected low hill from the upper Itaya river basin revealed by analysis of shotgun metagenomics sequencing data.

The tropical rainforest of a highly dissected low hill from the upper Itaya river basin belongs to the western Amazonia region. Some investigations on the biodiversity of these rainforests were more focused on animals and plants diversity. The soils of this region are composed of moderately fertile sediments deposited recently from the initiation of the Andean orogenesis in the Miocene until now.

Cycle length of nonsustanied ventricular tachycardias among ICD patients: implications on subsequent appropriate therapies.

Background: ICD patients with episodes of nonsustained ventricular tachycardias (NSVT) are at risk of appropriate therapies. However, the relationship between the cycle length (CL) of such NSVTs and the subsequent incidence of appropriate interventions is unknown.

Methods: 416 ICD patients with LVEF < 45% were studied.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the oleaginous microalgae strain UCP001 from the Peruvian Amazon.

strain UCP001 is a native oleaginous microalgae isolated from the Peruvian Amazon basin. In this study we sequenced, assembled, and functionally annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of the native oleaginous microalgae strain UCP001 (Accesion number MT701044). This mitogenome is a typical circular double stranded DNA molecule of 41,048 bp in total length with G + C content of 37.

Timing of Ablation and Prognosis of Patients With Electrical Storm and Scar-Related Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Although radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is indicated in electrical storm (ES) refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs, its most appropriate timing has not been determined. Our objective is to analyse the impact of the timing of RFCA on 30-day mortality in patients with ES and previous scar-related systolic dysfunction. In this multi-centre study, we analysed 104 patients (age: 72 ± 10, left ventricular ejection fraction: 30 ± 6%) attended consecutively due to an ES caused by monomorphic ventricular tachycardia.

Nutritional evaluation and human health-promoting potential of compounds biosynthesized by native microalgae from the Peruvian Amazon.

A plausible strategy to mitigate socioeconomic problems in the Peruvian Amazon is through the sustainable exploitation of biodiversity resources, such as native microalgae. Several studies worldwide affirm that these microorganisms are excellent sources of higher value products for human nutrition and possess health-promoting biochemicals, but these attributes are unknown for the native microalgae of Peru. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate the nutritional and human health-promoting potential of compounds biosynthesized by native microalgae from the Peruvian Amazon.

Dataset of de novo assembly and functional annotation of the transcriptomes of three native oleaginous microalgae from the Peruvian Amazon.

Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms with cosmopolitan distribution (i.e., marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats) and possess a great diversity of species [1] and consequently an immense variation in biochemical compositions [2].

Dataset of de novo assembly and functional annotation of the transcriptome during germination and initial growth of seedlings of "camu-camu".

"camu-camu" is a native shrub of the Amazon that is commonly found in areas that are flooded for three to four months during the annual hydrological cycle. This plant species is exceptional for its capacity to biosynthesize and accumulate important quantities of a variety of health-promoting phytochemicals, especially vitamin C [1], yet few genomic resources are available [2]. Here we provide the dataset of a de novo assembly and functional annotation of the transcriptome from a pool of samples obtained from seeds during the germination process and seedlings during the initial growth (until one month after germination).

Metagenomic 16S rDNA amplicon data on bacterial diversity profiling and its predicted metabolic functions of varillales in Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve.

The white-sands forests or varillales of the Peruvian Amazon are characterized by their distinct physical characteristics, patchy distribution, and endemism [1, 2]. Much research has been conducted on the specialized plant and animal communities that inhabit these ecosystems, yet their soil microbiomes have yet to be studied. Here we provide metagenomic 16S rDNA amplicon data of soil microbiomes from three types of varillales in Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve near Iquitos, Peru.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Patients who Receive Medical and Dental Care at an Urban Community Health Center.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates remain subpar, particularly among underserved populations. As the role of health care providers evolves, it has been suggested that dentists could play a larger role in preventive health. Building on this concept, dental visits could serve as an additional touchpoint for CRC screening outreach.

Personal and Neighborhood Attributes Associated with Cervical and Colorectal Cancer Screening in an Urban African American Population.

Introduction: Assessing individual social determinants of health in primary care might be complemented by consideration of population attributes in patients' neighborhoods. We studied associations between cervical and colorectal cancer screening and neighborhood attributes among an African American population in Philadelphia.

Methods: We abstracted demographic and cancer screening information from records of patients seen during 2006 at 3 federally qualified health centers and characterized patients' census tracts of residence by using census, survey, and other data to define population metrics for poverty, racial segregation, educational attainment, social capital, neighborhood safety, and violent crime.

Identifying neighborhood characteristics associated with diabetes and hypertension control in an urban African-American population using geo-linked electronic health records.

For health care providers, information on community-level social determinants of health is most valuable when it is specific to the populations and health outcomes for which they are responsible. Diabetes and hypertension are highly prevalent conditions whose management requires an interplay of clinical treatment and behavioral modifications that may be sensitive to community conditions. We used geo-linked electronic health records from 2016 of African American patients of a network of federally qualified health centers in Philadelphia, PA to examine cross-sectional associations between characteristics of patients' residential neighborhoods and hypertension and diabetes control ( = 1061 and  = 2633, respectively).

Simultaneous Metastasis from Cervical Cancer to the Kidney and Paraspinal Muscle: A Case Report.

Metastases of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix to atypical locations may occur in approximately 12% of patients diagnosed with distant metastases, with the kidney and paraspinal muscle as one of the rarest sites of spread. A 34-year-old woman with a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix stage IIIB, treated with chemotherapy and radiation, presented 21 months after completion of therapy, with two sites of simultaneous metastases (kidney and paraspinal muscle). No other evidence of disease was noted.

Gene regulatory networks on transfer entropy (GRNTE): a novel approach to reconstruct gene regulatory interactions applied to a case study for the plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans.

Background: The increasing amounts of genomics data have helped in the understanding of the molecular dynamics of complex systems such as plant and animal diseases. However, transcriptional regulation, although playing a central role in the decision-making process of cellular systems, is still poorly understood. In this study, we linked expression data with mathematical models to infer gene regulatory networks (GRN).

imGLAD: accurate detection and quantification of target organisms in metagenomes.

Accurate detection of target microbial species in metagenomic datasets from environmental samples remains limited because the limit of detection of current methods is typically inaccessible and the frequency of false-positives, resulting from inadequate identification of regions of the genome that are either too highly conserved to be diagnostic (e.g., rRNA genes) or prone to frequent horizontal genetic exchange (e.