Hepato-thoracic cystic echinococcosis transit. Clinical features, postoperative complications and hospital mortality. A systematic review.

Background: Hepato-thoracic hydatid transit (HTT) is an evolutionary complication of hepatic cystic echinococcosis. This study aimed to report the available evidence regarding postoperative complications (POC) and hospital mortality (HM).

Methods: Systematic review.

Differential Protein-Coding Gene Expression Profile in Patients with Prostate Cancer.

Background: Prostate cancer is the second most common neoplasm in men, with projections estimating over one million new cases by 2045. Differentially expressed genes can significantly enhance the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and prognosis of this disease.

Purpose: to systematically review and analyze validated differentially expressed mRNAs in prostate cancer patients to propose a robust molecular profile for clinical diagnostics.

Impact of COVID-19 on the prevalence of dyslipidemia in Ecuador: A cross-sectional study between 2017 and 2022.

Objective: To determine changes in the prevalence of dyslipidemias during the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 years in three regions of Ecuador.

Design: Cross-sectional study. SITE: Quito, Guayaquil, and El Coca.

Downstream Processing of Crude Ultrasound-Extracted Pectin From Saba Banana ( x (BBB Group) "Saba") Peel.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of pectin from Saba banana ( x (BBB Group) "Saba") peels produced crude pectin that requires further purification. Two downstream processes (alcohol washing (AW) and acid demethylation (AD)) were compared. AW involved gelatinous precipitate washing with 85% alcohol and pressing to squeeze out liquids, while AD involved a sequential AW of the dried pectin with 60% acidified alcohol, and 60% and 95% alcohol solutions.

Characterization of clinical trials in Ecuador and their association with disease burden: Are there research gaps?

This study offers a detailed analysis of clinical trials conducted in Ecuador from 2010 to 2022 to assess alignment with the country's disease burden as indicated by the Global Burden of Disease study. Utilizing data from five registries, including ARCSA and Clinicaltrials.gov, we analyzed characteristics and coverage of 75 CTs after removing duplicates and ineligible studies.

Cholangiohydatidosis. Clinical features, postoperative complications and hospital mortality. A systematic review.

Background: Cholangiohydatidosis (CH) is an evolutionary complication of hepatic cystic echinococcosis, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the available evidence regarding clinical characteristics of CH, postoperative complications and hospital mortality.

Methodology/principal Findings: Systematic review.

Prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in relatives of patients undergoing surgery for hepatic cystic echinococcosis in an endemic region.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an endemic disease in southern Chile. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of CE among relatives of patients who underwent surgical intervention for this disease in Cautín, a province of southern Chile.

Methodology/principal Findings: Cross-sectional study.

Survey for Major Grapevine Viruses in Commercial Vineyards of Northwestern Argentina.

This study aimed to survey the occurrence of eight grapevine viruses in commercial vineyards located in the Calchaquíes Valleys in the northwest region of Argentina. A total of 103 samples of mature canes of vines showing either none or some viral-like symptoms were randomly collected. The samples were tested by RT-PCR/PCR-based assays for the screening of the following viruses: (GFLV), (GLRaV-1, -2, -3, -4), (GVA), (GRSPaV), and (GRBV).

NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES: A dataset of occurrence and abundance of freshwater fishes in the Neotropics.

The Neotropical region hosts 4225 freshwater fish species, ranking first among the world's most diverse regions for freshwater fishes. Our NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set is the first to produce a large-scale Neotropical freshwater fish inventory, covering the entire Neotropical region from Mexico and the Caribbean in the north to the southern limits in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. We compiled 185,787 distribution records, with unique georeferenced coordinates, for the 4225 species, represented by occurrence and abundance data.

Conservation threats and future prospects for the freshwater fishes of Ecuador: A hotspot of Neotropical fish diversity.

Freshwater fish communities in Ecuador exhibit some of the highest levels of diversity and endemism in the Neotropics. Unfortunately, aquatic ecosystems in the country are under serious threat and conditions are deteriorating. In 2018-19, the government of Ecuador sponsored a series of workshops to examine the conservation status of Ecuador's freshwater fishes.

Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Pectin from "Saba" Banana Peel Waste: Optimization, Characterization, and Rheology Study.

One way to valorize "Saba" banana peel waste is to extract high-value compounds, such as pectin, and use it for food applications. In this study, the parameters for the microwave-assisted extraction of pectin were screened and optimized using Response Surface Methodology. The pectin was purified and then subjected to characterization.

Films based on soy protein-agar blends for wound dressing: Effect of different biopolymer proportions on the drug release rate and the physical and antibacterial properties of the films.

No single material can provide all requirements for wound dressings. Here, we evaluated the influence of different soy protein isolate and agar proportions (3:1, 1:1, and 1:3) in blend films on some of their physical-chemical and antibacterial properties to elucidate their potential as wound dressings. The films were synthesized by the gel casting method and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride was incorporated into the films.

Fragmentation of Andes-to-Amazon connectivity by hydropower dams.

Andes-to-Amazon river connectivity controls numerous natural and human systems in the greater Amazon. However, it is being rapidly altered by a wave of new hydropower development, the impacts of which have been previously underestimated. We document 142 dams existing or under construction and 160 proposed dams for rivers draining the Andean headwaters of the Amazon.

Minority Veterans Are More Willing to Participate in Complex Studies Compared to Non-minorities.

Background: Minorities are an underrepresented population in clinical trials. A potential explanation for this underrepresentation could be lack of willingness to participate. The aim of our study was to evaluate willingness to participate in different hypothetical clinical research scenarios and to evaluate the role that predictors (e.

Bioactive glasses as delivery systems for antimicrobial agents.

Most biomaterial-associated infections are caused by opportunistic pathogens and bacteria that are regularly found within the microflora of the implant site. In addition, a biomaterial implant or device remains at risk of infection by hematogenous spread of bacteria disseminated from infections elsewhere in the body or from infected peri-implant tissue in revision surgery. The resulting infections are frequently accompanied by patient morbidity and discomfort and can lead to surgical replacement of the implant after lengthy, unsuccessful attempts to mitigate infections with antibiotic treatments.

Evaluation of the antibacterial effects of vancomycin hydrochloride released from agar-gelatin-bioactive glass composites.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the perfomance of agar-gelatin (AG) composites and AG-containing 45S5 bioactive glass (BG) microparticles (AGBG) in relation to their water uptake capacity, sustained release of a drug over time, and antibacterial effects. The composites were fabricated by the gel-casting method. To impart the local drug release capacity, vancomycin hydrochloride (VC) was loaded in the composites in concentrations of 0.

Evaluation of antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of nano-sized bioactive glass/collagen composites releasing tetracycline hydrochloride.

Aims: To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of silicate bioactive glass nanoparticles/collagen composites functionalized with tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH).

Methods And Results: Different concentrations of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) were incorporated on silicate bioactive glass nanoparticles/collagen composites by dipping these biomaterials for 48 h at 37°C in a solution of simulated body fluid (SBF) plus 0·05, 0·20 or 0·35 mg ml(-1) of the antibiotic. TCH release was assessed in double-distilled water at 37°C up to 72 h.

Influence of cadmium on the symbiotic interaction established between peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and sensitive or tolerant bradyrhizobial strains.

Heavy metals in soil are known to affect rhizobia-legume interaction reducing not only rhizobia viability, but also nitrogen fixation. In this work, we have compared the response of the symbiotic interaction established between the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and a sensitive (Bradyrhizobium sp.

The EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire: validation study for Spanish bone metastases patients.

Purpose: Quality of life (QL) is a key outcome for advanced disease cancer patients. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) has developed the QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire, a short version of the QLQ-C30 for palliative care. The aim of the present study is to validate the QLQ-C15-PAL for use with Spanish patients with bone metastasis.

In vitro antistaphylococcal effects of a novel 45S5 bioglass/agar-gelatin biocomposite films.

Aims: To assess the antibacterial efficacy of new composite materials developed from microparticles of 45S5 bioactive glass (BG) and agar-gelatin films.

Methods And Results: In vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus spp. because of the importance of this pathogen in damaged tissues and in failures associated with biomaterial implants.

Cyto- and genotoxicity of a vanadyl(IV) complex with oxodiacetate in human colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells: potential use in cancer therapy.

The complex of vanadyl(IV) cation with oxodiacetate, VO(oda) caused an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2 in the range of 25-100 μM (P < 0.001). This inhibition was partially reversed by scavengers of free radicals.

Cytotoxicity of a vanadyl(IV) complex with a multidentate oxygen donor in osteoblast cell lines in culture.

Strong chelating ligands as oxodiacetate (oda) are model systems to study the process of metal trapping by living organisms. Vanadium compounds display interesting biological and pharmacological actions. In vertebrates, vanadium is stored mainly in bones.

Spectroscopic behavior and biological activity of K3[VO(O2)2CO3]∙H2O.

The potassium salt of the carbonato oxodiperoxovanadate(V) complex, obtained by a known synthetic procedure, was thoroughly characterized by infrared, Raman, and electronic spectroscopy. The bioactivity of the complex on the cell proliferation was tested on osteoblast-like cells (MC3T3E1 osteoblastic mouse calvaria-derived cells and UMR106 rat osteosarcoma-derived cells) in culture. At low doses, the complex is more toxic for the nontransformed osteoblasts than for the tumoral ones, whereas at higher doses the deleterious effects are similar for both cell lines.

Biological effects of a complex of vanadium(V) with salicylaldehyde semicarbazone in osteoblasts in culture: mechanism of action.

Vanadium compounds display important pharmacological actions in vivo and in vitro systems. Semicarbazones are versatile ligands with therapeutic effects. Herein, we report the effects of V(V)O(2)(salicylaldehydesemicarbazone) (V(V)-Salsem) on two osteoblast cell lines in culture (MC3T3-E1 and UMR106).