A simplified molecular tool for detecting the Chagas etiological agent using a vector feces sample in field conditions.

Triatomine bugs are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease in the American continent. Here, we have tested a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test for a direct detection of T. cruzi in feces of Triatoma infestans, the main vector of this parasite in the Southern Cone of America.

Correction: Urban vectors of Chagas disease in the American continent: A systematic review of epidemiological surveys.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.

Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Ragusa Area: Next Generation Sequencing and Serological Analysis.

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) post pandemic evolution is correlated to the development of new variants. Viral genomic and immune response monitoring are fundamental to the surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Since 1 January to 31 July 2022, we monitored the SARS-CoV-2 variants trend in Ragusa area sequencing n.

Environmental spp. presence in crowded squares and public parks from San Juan Province, Argentina: A call for a "One Health" approach.

Introduction: Canine soil-transmitted helminth (cSTH) parasites need specific environmental conditions to complete their life cycle. and are the most important zoonotic cSTH, since they are the causal agents of human toxocariasis. Canine STHs are dispersed in feces from infected domestic and wildlife canines.

Urban vectors of Chagas disease in the American continent: A systematic review of epidemiological surveys.

Background: Chagas is a complex and multidimensional socio-environmental health phenomenon, in which different components converge and interact. Historically, this disease was associated with insect vectors found in the rural environment. However, in the Americas, we are currently facing a new paradigm, in which different scenarios allow maintaining the vectorial transmission of the parasite through triatomine populations that either occasionally enter the dwellings or colonize urban environments.

Frozen overnight: Acute orbital apex syndrome caused by aspergillosis.

Purpose: to describe a rare case of orbital apex syndrome caused by aspergillosis with acute presentation.

Case Description: retrospective case report of a 70-year-old man who developed unilateral ophthalmoplegia overnight. He was initially given the diagnosis of suspect Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, but biopsy of the involved tissue showed aspergillosis.

Implementing a robotic liver resection program does not always require prior laparoscopic experience.

Background: Preliminary experience in laparoscopic liver surgery is usually suggested prior to implementation of a robotic liver resection program.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing robotic (RLR) versus laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma at a center with concomitant initiation of robotic and laparoscopic programs RESULTS: A total of 92 consecutive patients operated on between May 2014 and February 2019 were included: 40 RLR versus 52 LLR. Median age (69 vs.

Urban infestation by Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), an overlooked phenomena for Chagas disease in Argentina.

Vector-borne transmission of Chagas disease in urban areas of Argentina has been an overlooked phenomena. We conducted the first comprehensive cross-sectional study of domestic infestation with Triatoma infestans and vector infection with Trypanosoma cruzi in a metropolitan area of San Juan, Argentina. Our results document the occurrence of T.

Development and Validation of a Comprehensive Model to Estimate Early Allograft Failure Among Patients Requiring Early Liver Retransplant.

Importance: Expansion of donor acceptance criteria for liver transplant increased the risk for early allograft failure (EAF), and although EAF prediction is pivotal to optimize transplant outcomes, there is no consensus on specific EAF indicators or timing to evaluate EAF. Recently, the Liver Graft Assessment Following Transplantation (L-GrAFT) algorithm, based on aspartate transaminase, bilirubin, platelet, and international normalized ratio kinetics, was developed from a single-center database gathered from 2002 to 2015.

Objective: To develop and validate a simplified comprehensive model estimating at day 10 after liver transplant the EAF risk at day 90 (the Early Allograft Failure Simplified Estimation [EASE] score) and, secondarily, to identify early those patients with unsustainable EAF risk who are suitable for retransplant.

Screening and brief intervention for lower-risk drug use in primary care: A pilot randomized trial.

Aims: The efficacy of screening and brief intervention for lower-risk drug use is unknown. This pilot study tested the efficacy of two brief interventions (BIs) for drug use compared to no BI in primary care patients with lower-risk drug use identified by screening.

Methods: We randomly assigned participants identified by screening with Alcohol Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) drug specific scores of 2 or 3 to: no BI, a brief negotiated interview (BNI), or an adaptation of motivational interviewing (MOTIV).

Dual aortic and portal perfusion at procurement prevents ischaemic-type biliary lesions in liver transplantation when using octogenarian donors: a retrospective cohort study.

Several risk factors for ischaemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL) after liver transplantation (LT) have been identified, but the role of portal vein perfusion at graft procurement is still unclear. This was a prospective study on double aortic and portal perfusion (DP) of liver grafts stratified by donor's decade (<60 yo; 60-69 yo; 70-79 yo and ≥80 yo) versus similar historical cohorts of primary, adult grafts procured with single aortic perfusion (SP) only. The primary study aim was to assess the role of DP on the incidence of ITBL.

Alcohol Consumption and Bone Mineral Density in People with HIV and Substance Use Disorder: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) commonly have low bone mineral density (BMD) (low bone mass and osteoporosis) and are at high risk for fractures. Fractures and low BMD are significant causes of morbidity and mortality, increasingly relevant as PLWH age. Alcohol use is common among PLWH and known to affect bone health.

A comparative study using thrombin generation and three different INR methods in patients on Vitamin K antagonist treatment.

Introduction: Vitamin K antagonist (VKA) treatment requires routine monitoring using the international normalized ratio (INR). However, different INR assays may vary in their results. The aim of this study was to assess the agreement of three different INR methods, compared with thrombin generation, in patients on VKA treatment.

Lifetime and recent alcohol use and bone mineral density in adults with HIV infection and substance dependence.

Low bone mineral density (BMD) is common in people living with HIV infection (PLWH), increasing fracture risk. Alcohol use is also common in PLWH and is a modifiable risk factor for both HIV disease progression and low BMD. In PLWH, alcohol's effect on BMD is not well understood.

Screening and brief intervention for drug use in primary care: the ASPIRE randomized clinical trial.

Importance: The United States has invested substantially in screening and brief intervention for illicit drug use and prescription drug misuse, based in part on evidence of efficacy for unhealthy alcohol use. However, it is not a recommended universal preventive service in primary care because of lack of evidence of efficacy.

Objective: To test the efficacy of 2 brief counseling interventions for unhealthy drug use (any illicit drug use or prescription drug misuse)-a brief negotiated interview (BNI) and an adaptation of motivational interviewing (MOTIV)-compared with no brief intervention.

Endoscopic holmium laser management of tension-free vaginal tape eroded into the bladder.

Introduction: Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure is not free from intra- and postoperative complications. Diagnosis of mesh erosion is often underestimated by clinicians due to its unspecific symptoms. Urinary symptoms not responding to medical therapy should be investigated by cystoscopy to exclude mesh erosion.

Chronic care management for dependence on alcohol and other drugs: the AHEAD randomized trial.

Importance: People with substance dependence have health consequences, high health care utilization, and frequent comorbidity but often receive poor-quality care. Chronic care management (CCM) has been proposed as an approach to improve care and outcomes.

Objective: To determine whether CCM for alcohol and other drug dependence improves substance use outcomes compared with usual primary care.

[Thrombosed aneurysm of a segmental renal artery branch. Diagnostic and therapeutic approach].

Introduction: We present the case of a 37-year-old man with a thrombosed aneurysm of a segmental branch of the left renal artery, which was diagnosed after a radiological investigation for colic-like pain, and treated conservatively with endovascular approach.

Materials And Methods: After repeated episodes of colic-like pain in his left side with normal ultrasound of the urinary tract, A.R.

Lichen sclerosus: a review of literature and a case of an atypic surgical treatment.

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic immuno-mediated skin disease of the genital region in men and women. The treatment may be pharmacological or surgical, the choice depending on the extension of the involved area, the histological pattern and the level of functional disease complained by the patient. If the biopsy is negative for neoplastic degeneration the treatment may be pharmacological only.

Binge drinking and unsafe sex: a study of narcology hospital patients from St. Petersburg, Russia.

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between binge alcohol use and unprotected sex in Russian substance users. Participants (N = 181) were narcology hospital patients assessed on demographics, alcohol use, risky sex, and sexually transmitted disease/human immunodeficiency virus (STD/HIV) diagnoses. Adjusted generalized estimating equations (GEEs) logistic regression analysis examined the association between binge drinking and same-day unprotected sex across each of the past 30 days, per participant (N = 5430 observations).

Red light facilitates the sensed presence elicited by application of weak, burst-firing magnetic fields over the temporal lobes.

To test the hypothesis that the wavelength (color) of ambient lightning should modulate experiences of a sensed presence when the right hemisphere was stimulated by weak, burst-firing magnetic fields, volunteers were exposed for 30 min to this condition or to a sham field while they sat (eyes opened) in either dim red, green, or white light. Subjects exposed to the magnetic field reported significantly more visual sensations along the left side in red light and along the right side in green light. The significant interaction between ambient color and the field treatment was due to the marked increase in experiences of dizziness, sensed presence, "ego-alien" thoughts, and detachment from the body and "being somewhere else" for subjects exposed to the magnetic field while sitting in red light.