Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a link between therapy resistance-driven epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness in colorectal cancer.

The high plasticity of cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promotes increased tumor heterogeneity, and its interaction with tumor-associated stromal cells appears to contribute to developing a stemness phenotype. Cells with these characteristics exhibit increased resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, leading to disease relapse and metastasis. Here, we discuss the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in promoting EMT and stemness within the context of cellular resistance to these therapies.

Melatonin-Supplemented Obese Female Mice Show Less Inflammation in Ovarian Adipocytes and Browning in Subcutaneous Adipocytes.

We hypothesized that melatonin (Mel) supplementation may offer therapeutic benefits for obesity, particularly in women. Therefore, the study evaluated Mel's effects on white adipose tissue (WAT) in diet-induced obese female mice. Four-week-old C57BL/6 females were assigned to either a control diet (C group) or a high-fat diet (HF group) for 6 weeks (n = 20/group).

Structural Heart Disease in the Tropics: A Comprehensive Review.

Structural heart disease (SHD) remains a significant global health challenge, disproportionately impacting populations in tropical regions where the burden of infectious diseases, limited healthcare infrastructure, and socio-economic disparities exacerbate the issue. The tropics are uniquely affected by conditions such as rheumatic heart disease (RHD), endomyocardial fibrosis, tropical cardiomyopathies, and pericardial diseases, often resulting from or complicated by endemic infections like malaria, dengue, tuberculosis, and parasitic diseases. Moreover, Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Cardiac Disease (HIVAC) represents an emerging concern in regions with high HIV prevalence, adding complexity to the interplay between infectious and structural cardiac conditions.

Systemic vasoconstriction and mortality in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: A cohort of patients who underwent non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring.

Advanced heart failure primarily manifests during and after hospitalization for decompensation. Identifying prognostic factors is crucial for distinguishing patients who may benefit from drug therapy from those with end-stage disease. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of systemic vasoconstriction in patients with decompensated heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction.

Characteristics and outcomes of in-hospital patients with Covid-19 and history of tuberculosis: a matched case-control from the Brazilian Covid-19 Registry.

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic caused a negative impact on other infectious diseases control, prevention, and treatment. Consequently, low and middle-income countries suffer from other endemic diseases, such as tuberculosis. This study was designed to compare Covid-19 manifestations and outcomes between patients with previously treated tuberculosis and controls without this condition.

Barriers and facilitators for preventing mother-to-child transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi and hepatitis B in the Gran Chaco region: a qualitative analysis using the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR).

Background: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of Trypanosoma cruzi and hepatitis B virus (HBV) increases morbidity and disability in Latin America and the Caribbean. The tailormade comprehensive antenatal care based on the Framework for the elimination of MTCT of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and Chagas disease (EMTCT Plus) has been implemented in the region since 2018 through a private-public partnership. This study aimed to estimate the effectiveness of the intervention in preparing MTCT of T.

Panstrongylus guentheri Berg, 1879 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae): first record in Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Background: This paper reports the occurrence of Panstrongylus guentheri Berg, 1879 in the State of Mato Grosso (MT).

Methods: Triatomines were captured in rural environments in municipalities of MT. Specimens were identified, and Trypanosoma cruzi infection was investigated.

Seroprevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis, human T-lymphotropic virus, and Chagas disease in the Peruvian Amazon: a cross-sectional study.

Strongyloides stercoralis infections, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infections, and Chagas diseases occur throughout many regions of Central and South America, including Peru. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of S. stercoralis, HTLV, and Chagas disease in Iquitos (Peruvian Amazon) and the associated epidemiological conditions for S.

Evaluation of the public health laboratory network for tegumentary leishmaniasis in an endemic area of Brazil.

Diagnostic networks ensure efficiency in disease diagnosis. A descriptive study evaluated the network of public health laboratories (NPHL) in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, using diagnostic results for tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) from the laboratory management system in 2017-2020. Out of 1,369 individuals analyzed, 704 (51.

Health literacy assessment of individuals with and without Chagas disease: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Chagas disease (CD) is neglected that affects vulnerable individuals, whose majority has low ability to understand health information.

Objectives: To assess health literacy and its association with sociodemographic, clinical, and quality of life (QoL) characteristics.

Design And Setting: A cross-sectional study the participants with Chagas disease (ChD) were identified through serological diagnosis during blood donation, while those without the disease were seronegative blood donors.

Bridging the critical gap between infectious disease blood donation screening and connection to healthcare services: the American Chagas disease example.

Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi infection) affects ~ 290,000 USA residents and is included in routine blood donation screening panels. Donors are notified of positive T. cruzi-screening results, deferred from donation, and given limited information for next steps.

Immunopeptidomic MHC-I profiling and immunogenicity testing identifies Tcj2 as a new Chagas disease mRNA vaccine candidate.

Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease. Globally 6 to 7 million people are infected by this parasite of which 20-30% will progress to develop Chronic Chagasic Cardiomyopathy (CCC). Despite its high disease burden, no clinically approved vaccine exists for the prevention or treatment of CCC.

Genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in vampire bats and associated Streblidae bat flies in the Brazilian Amazon.

Among mammals, bats stand out as important reservoirs for Bartonella spp., second only to rodents. In Brazil, out of the 182 species of bats described, three are hematophagous: Desmodus rotundus, Diphylla ecaudata and Diaemus youngii.

Exploring Binding Sites in Chagas Disease Protein TcP21 Using Integrated Mixed Solvent Molecular Dynamics Approaches.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a significant global health burden, particularly in Latin America, where millions are at risk. This disease predominantly affects socioeconomically vulnerable populations, aggravating economic inequality, marginalization, and low political visibility. Despite extensive research, effective treatments are still lacking, partly due to the complex biology of the parasite and its infection mechanisms.

Immune Profile and MRI-Detected Cardiac Fibrosis and Edema in Hypertensive and Non-Hypertensive Patients with COVID-19.

Cardiac involvement in 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) survivors has been reported frequently. An exacerbated immune response may be the main mechanism of myocardial injury and late cardiac sequelae in this population. We investigated the immune profile in hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients with COVID-19 who developed late cardiac fibrosis and edema, as detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Frequencies of an Variant in an Admixed Population from Amazonia and Its Influence on Hepatitis C Infection.

The rs12979860 polymorphism, related to the gene, is suggested as a factor that impacts fibrosis progression in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and exhibits a wide distribution pattern across global populations. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of this variant in an Amazonian population from Brazil, as well as its association with liver fibrosis development and its staging in HCV carriers. Our results show a significant association of the TT genotype in the sample of patients with HCV (OR = 2.

Laboratory validation of a simplified DNA extraction protocol followed by a portable qPCR detection of M. tuberculosis DNA suitable for point of care settings.

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a treatable and curable disease, and yet remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Diagnosis is essential to reducing the number of cases and starting treatment, but costly tests and equipments that require complex infrastructure hamper their widespread use as a tool to contain the disease in vulnerable populations as well countries lacking resources. Therefore, it becomes necessary to develop new technological approaches to molecular methods as well as screening tests that can be rapidly conducted among people presenting to a health facility to differentiate those who should have further diagnostic evaluation for TB from those who should undergo further investigation for non-TB diagnoses.

Higher Intraocular Levels of Inflammatory Factors are Related to Retinal Vascular and Neurodegeneration in Myopic Retinopathy.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the intraocular levels of inflammatory factors and myopia-related retinal vascular and neuronal degeneration.

Patients And Methods: One hundred and forty-seven patients with Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) implantation were enrolled and all participants received comprehensive ophthalmic examination. About 100~150 ul of aqueous humor was collected immediately before ICL surgery.

Inhibition of L-Threonine Dehydrogenase from Trypanosoma cruzi reduces glycine and acetate production and interferes with parasite growth and viability.

Trypanosoma cruzi is a flagellated protozoan and the etiological agent of Chagas Disease, a neglected tropical disease described by Carlos Chagas in 1909 that remains without appropriate diagnostics and treatment. Throughout its life cycle, T. cruzi undergoes through many different environments, requiring adaptation of its metabolism to different nutrition sources.

Changes in population genetic structure of serotype 19A Streptococcus pneumoniae after universal childhood use of the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Brazil.

Background: The introduction of the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) for nationwide childhood immunization in 2010 led to a significant reduction in colonization and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) by vaccine serotypes in young. However, non-vaccine serotypes have emerged, and serotype 19A is now the leading cause of IPD in Brazil.

Methods: We analyzed 32 serotype 19A isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae recovered from children and adults who attended different health facilities in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 2010 and 2023.

Homologous acetylenic acetogenins from Porcelia macrocarpa R.E. (Fries) displayed potent activity against amastigotes from Trypanosoma cruzi.

As part of our continuous study on the Annonaceae species Porcelia macrocarpa, in the present work, eight chemically related 2-alkyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-γ-lactones (1-8) were isolated. Their structures were characterised by NMR, MS, and VCD. Their antitrypanosomal activity was evaluated in vitro against intracellular amastigotes with EC values ranged from 13.

Automated identification of Chagas disease vectors using AlexNet pre-trained convolutional neural networks.

The 158 bug species that make up the subfamily Triatominae are the potential vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Despite recent progress in developing a picture-based automated system for identification of triatomines, an extensive and diverse image database is required for a broadly useful automated application for identifying these vectors. We evaluated performance of a deep-learning network (AlexNet) for identifying triatomine species from a database of dorsal images of adult insects.

Infliximab monitoring in Crohn's disease: a neural network approach for evaluating disease activity and immunogenicity.

Background: The treatment for Crohn's disease (CD) has increasingly required the use of biological agents. Safe and affordable tests have led to the active implementation of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in clinical practice, which, although not yet widely available across all health services, has been proven effective.

Objective: To analyze serum infliximab (IFX) and antidrug antibody (ADA) levels in CD patients, compare two tests, as well as construct a prediction of neural network using a combination of clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory variables.