Genomics-based timely detection of dengue virus type I genotypes I and V in Uruguay.

This study details a genomics-based approach for the early detection of mosquito-borne pathogens, marked by Uruguay's first ever complete genomic sequencing of Dengue Virus type I genotypes I and V. This pioneering effort has facilitated the prompt identification of these genotypes within the country, enabling Uruguayan public health authorities to develop timely and effective response strategies. Further integrated into this approach is a climate-driven suitability measure, closely associated with Dengue case reports and indicative of the local climate's role in the virus's transmission in the country within the changing climate context.

Untargeted metabolomics to relate changes produced by biocontrol agents against Aspergillus westerdijkiae and Penicillium nordicum in vitro on dry-cured ham.

Dry-cured ham is a highly appreciated meat product. During the ripening, moulds grow on its surface such as Penicillium nordicum and Aspergillus westerdijkiae producers of ochratoxin A (OTA). This mycotoxin poses a risk to consumers that must be controlled.

Exploring the Gastrointestinal Microbiome of Eurasian Griffon Vultures () Under Rehabilitation in Portugal and Their Potential Role as Reservoirs of Human and Animal Pathogens.

The Eurasian griffon vulture (), a widely distributed scavenger, plays a crucial role in ecosystem health by consuming decomposing carcasses. Scavengers have adapted to avoid disease from the rotting carrion they feed on, probably through a specialized gut microbiome. This study aimed to characterize the gut microbiome of (n = 8) present in two rehabilitation centers in mainland Portugal and evaluate their potential as reservoirs of pathogens.

Dynamics and ecology of a multi-stage expansion of Oropouche virus in Brazil.

In March 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert in response to a rapid increase in Oropouche fever cases across South America. Brazil has been particularly affected, reporting a novel reassortant lineage of the Oropouche virus (OROV) and expansion to previously non-endemic areas beyond the Amazon Basin. Utilising phylogeographic approaches, we reveal a multi-scale expansion process with both short and long-distance dispersal events, and diffusion velocities in line with human-mediated jumps.

Assessing Dengue Virus Importation Risks in Africa: A Climate and Travel-Based Model.

Background: Dengue is a significant global public health concern that poses a threat to Africa. Particularly, African countries are at risk of viral introductions through air travel connectivity with areas of South America and Asia that experience frequent explosive outbreaks. Limited reporting and diagnostic capacity hinder a comprehensive assessment of continent-wide transmission dynamics and deployment of surveillance strategies in Africa.

Pathogenicity potential of enterococci isolated from a Veterinary Biological Isolation and Containment Unit.

Introduction: are considered an important genus in terms of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs), which means that their characterization regarding resistance and virulence profiles in the hospital environment is of extreme importance. This article addresses this issue through the characterization of enterococci collected from a Veterinary Biological Isolation and Containment Unit (BICU).

Methods: A total of 73 isolates, collected from different surfaces of a Veterinary BICU, were identified as through PCR at species level, after which 34 isolates were selected as representatives using (GTG) fingerprinting.

Morphological and Biophysical Study of S100A9 Protein Fibrils by Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Nanomechanical Analysis.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging enables the visualization of protein molecules with high resolution, providing insights into their shape, size, and surface topography. Here, we use AFM to study the aggregation process of protein S100A9 in physiological conditions, in the presence of calcium at a molar ratio 4Ca:S100A9. We find that S100A9 readily assembles into a worm-like fibril, with a period dimension along the fibril axis of 11.

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Tagus Estuary Salt Marshes: Patterns of Contamination and Plant Uptake.

The presence of anthropogenic compounds, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), was studied in three salt marshes within the Tagus estuary, Portugal, along an anthropogenic pressure gradient. Results revealed differences in OCPs and PCBs among the marshes, with differing concentration levels. Specifically, one marsh, with surrounding agricultural activity, showed the highest OCP concentrations, while another, with a historical industrial past, exhibited elevated PCB levels.

Exploring wine yeast natural biodiversity to select strains with enological traits adapted to climate change.

Wine is widely consumed throughout the world and represents a significant financial market, but production faces increasing challenges. While consumers progressively value more complex flavor profiles, regional authenticity, and decreased use of additives, winemakers strive for consistency among climate change, characterized by rising environmental temperatures and sun burn events. This often leads to grapes reaching phenolic maturity with higher sugar levels, and increased microbial spoilage risk.

Electrooxidative C(sp)-H Cyanation of Sparteine and Lupanine in Undivided Batch and Continuous-Flow Cells.

Sparteine is widely used as a chiral ligand in asymmetric synthesis, but methods for providing efficient access to functionalized sparteine derivatives are still limited. Herein, we describe an electrochemical α-cyanation of sparteine-type bis-quinolizidine alkaloids. This method features commercially available setups for batch and single-pass continuous flow conditions, enabling easy gram scale synthesis of valuable racemic and enantiopure products.

Helicobacter pylori in oral cavity: current knowledge.

The oral cavity may play a role as a reservoir and in the transmission and colonization of Helicobacter pylori. The route of transmission for H. pylori is not fully understood.

Insights into macrolide resistance in Arcobacter butzleri: potential resistance mechanisms and impact on bacterial fitness and virulence.

Background: Macrolides are recommended for treating the emerging enteropathogen Arcobacter butzleri; nonetheless, this bacterium often exhibits highly variable resistance rates, and the mechanisms behind this resistance phenotype remain largely unexplored.

Objectives: To understand the phenotypic and genotypic consequences associated with the acquisition of erythromycin resistance in A. butzleri, as well as the effects on the fitness of this species.

Wound healing potential and anti-inflammatory action of extracts and compounds of Myrciaria plinioides D. Legrand leaves.

Wounds or chronic injuries are associated with high medical costs so, develop healing-oriented drugs is a challenge for modern medicine. The identification of new therapeutic alternatives focuses on the use of natural products. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to evaluate the healing potential and anti-inflammatory mechanism of action of extracts and the main compounds derived from Myrciaria plinioides D.

RNase R Affects the Level of Fatty Acid Biosynthesis Transcripts Leading to Changes in membrane Fluidity.

Previous studies on RNase R have highlighted significant effects of this ribonuclease in several processes of Streptococcus pneumoniae biology. In this work we show that elimination of RNase R results in overexpression of most of genes encoding the components of type II fatty acid biosynthesis (FASII) cluster. We demonstrate that RNase R is implicated in the turnover of most of transcripts from this pathway, affecting the outcome of the whole FASII cluster, and ultimately leading to changes in the membrane fatty acid composition.

The importance of "one health approach" to the AMR study and surveillance in Angola and other African countries.

The dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial isolates in low- and middle-income countries, including several African countries, is a major concern. The poor sanitary conditions of rural and urban families observed in certain regions may favor the transmission of bacterial infections between animals and humans, including those promoted by strains resistant to practically all available antibiotics. In Angola, in particular, the presence of these strains in human hospitals has already been described.

Essential dynamics of ubiquitin in water and in a natural deep eutectic solvent.

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) comprised of osmolytes are of interest as potential biomolecular (cryo)protectants. However, the way these solvents influence the structure and dynamics of biomolecules as well as the role of water remains poorly understood. We carried out principal component analysis of various secondary structure elements of ubiquitin in water and a betaine : glycerol : water (1 : 2 : ; = 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 45) NADES, from molecular dynamics trajectories, to gain insight into the protein dynamics as it undergoes a transition from a highly viscous anhydrous to an aqueous environment.

First Insights on Resistance and Virulence Potential of from Captive Birds of Prey in Portugal.

Captive birds of prey are often used for pest control in urban areas, while also participating in falconry exhibitions. Traveling across the country, these birds may represent a public health concern as they can host pathogenic and zoonotic agents and share the same environment as humans and synanthropic species. In this work, from the cloacal samples of 27 captive birds of prey were characterized to determine their pathogenic potential.

Cell type-specific regulation of CFTR trafficking-on the verge of progress.

Trafficking of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein is a complex process that starts with its biosynthesis and folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. Exit from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is coupled with the acquisition of a compact structure that can be processed and traffic through the secretory pathway. Once reaching its final destination-the plasma membrane, CFTR stability is regulated through interaction with multiple protein partners that are involved in its post-translation modification, connecting the channel to several signaling pathways.

Protein stability in a natural deep eutectic solvent: Preferential hydration or solvent slaving?

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) emerged as potential alternative solvent media in multiple areas, including biomolecular (cryo)preservation. Herein, we studied the stability of a small protein (ubiquitin) in water and a betaine-glycerol-water (B:G:W) (1:2:ζ; ζ = 0, 1, 2, 5, 10) DES, through molecular dynamics. An AMBER-based model that accurately describes the density and shear viscosity of the DES is proposed.

Network of GRAS transcription factors in plant development, fruit ripening and stress responses.

The plant-specific family of GRAS transcription factors has been wide implicated in the regulation of transcriptional reprogramming associated with a diversity of biological functions ranging from plant development processes to stress responses. Functional analyses of GRAS transcription factors supported by o structural and comparative analyses are emerging and clarifying the regulatory networks associated with their biological roles. In this review, a detailed analysis of GRAS proteins' structure and biochemical features as revealed by recent discoveries indicated how these characteristics may impact subcellular location, molecular mechanisms, and function.