Internal Validity and Reliability of the GAD-7 Test in Latin America.

Generalized anxiety has significantly increased in the general population during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for rapid screening tools. In this context, the present study analyzed the psychometric properties and internal consistency of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) in healthcare workers and the general population in Latin America. A cross-sectional e-health study was conducted, surveying 11,279 Latin Americans online using snowball sampling.

 and -two additional new species from the Neotropics (Peltigerales, Peltigeraceae).

Two additional species of are described as new to science based on material from Bolivia and Peru and supported by phylogenetic analysis of the fungal ITS barcoding marker. The two new species represent lineages within clade I on the global phylogeny. Ossowska, B.

Organocatalytic kinetic resolution of 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds through a retro-Michael reaction.

The pharmaceutical chemical industry has long used kinetic resolution to obtain high-value compounds. Organocatalysis has recently been added to this strategy, allowing for the resolution of racemic mixtures with low catalyst loadings and mild reaction conditions. This research focuses on the kinetic resolution of 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds using a retro-Michael reaction, co-catalyzed at room temperature with 20 mol % of the Jørgensen-Hayashi catalyst and PNBA.

The extinct marine megafauna of the Phanerozoic.

The modern marine megafauna is known to play important ecological roles and includes many charismatic species that have drawn the attention of both the scientific community and the public. However, the marine megafauna has never been assessed as a whole, nor has it been defined in deep time. Here, we review the literature to define and list the species that constitute the marine megafauna, and to explore biological and ecological patterns throughout the Phanerozoic.

Multiple Sclerosis Care in Latin America.

Latin America (LATAM) is a diverse region with more than 30 countries, each varying in cultural, economic, and social aspects. While multiple sclerosis (MS) care in LATAM has improved, there are still challenges to address. Epidemiologic studies have shown varying incidence rates of MS in the region, influenced by factors such as genetics, environmental conditions, and regional diversity.

Design and validation of a cross-cultural virtual exchange experience among bilingual medical students.

Exposure to cross-cultural medical education is essential for professionals aiming to work in global health or serve diverse communities. However, traditional in-person exchange programs can be complex, costly, and restricted, particularly during times when travel is limited, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges prompted us to explore novel approaches to support cross-cultural exchange programs.

 (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Cerro Golondrinas in the northern Andes of Ecuador.

Exploratory field expeditions to the Chocó forests in the northern Andes of Ecuador resulted in the discovery of a new species of (Gesneriaceae). J.L.

Number needed to treat (NNT) with pembrolizumab as an adjuvant therapy in resected patients with high-risk stage II (IIB and IIC) melanoma and its application to cost of preventing an event (COPE) in Mexico.

Introduction: Melanoma, responsible for most skin cancer deaths globally, has mortality rates expected to double by 2040. Pembrolizumab is a highly selective antibody approved for melanoma treatment and other cancers. Despite new treatments for melanoma, high treatment costs and long approval times limit patient access to new therapies.

Hemoglobin and Cholesterol Affect Apparent Tacrolimus Clearance in Pediatric Transplant Recipients-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Tacrolimus has a narrow therapeutic index with substantial inter- and intra-patient variability, requiring therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Influences beyond genetic and developmental factors need to be better understood. Recent studies among adult patients suggest that hemoglobin affects the apparent clearance (CL/F) of tacrolimus, whereas this and other potential factors in children are under-investigated.

Impact of Vegan and Vegetarian Diets on Neurological Health: A Critical Review.

Background/objectives: The global shift towards vegan and vegetarian diets has garnered attention for their ethical, environmental, and potential health benefits. These diets are often rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, which have been associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), suggesting a potential protective effect against systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. However, despite these benefits, concerns remain regarding their impact on neurological health due to the possible deficiencies of critical nutrients such as vitamin B12, DHA, EPA, and iron.

Improving Temperature Adaptation for Food Safety: Colorimetric Nanoparticle-Based Time-Temperature Indicators (TTIs) to Detect Cumulative Temperature Disturbances.

The global commitment to ending hunger by 2030 has driven Colombia to align its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) toward reducing food waste and ensuring access to safe, nutritious food. A critical need is monitoring cumulative temperatures across food supply networks, prioritizing products over transport or storage infrastructure. This study introduces a Functional Time-Temperature Indicator (TTI) using nanodispersions of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles housed in 3D-printed plant-based resin containers.

Unravelling Cocoa Drying Technology: A Comprehensive Review of the Influence on Flavor Formation and Quality.

Cocoa quality serves as a differentiating factor that provides monetary and non-monetary benefits to farmers, defined by the genotype, agroecological conditions of cultivation, and the post-harvest processes involved in transforming seeds into cocoa beans, including harvesting, pre-conditioning, fermentation, and drying. Drying plays a crucial role in ensuring the sensory, chemical, and microbiological quality of the beans, as simultaneous mass and heat transfer phenomena occur during this process, along with chemical reactions (both enzymatic and non-enzymatic) that influence the concentration and dynamics of phenolic compounds, organic acids, methylxanthines, and the formation of volatiles, directly impacting flavor development in cocoa beans. This paper comprehensively reviews cocoa drying methods, variables, and equipment and analyzes their impact on these flavor-determining compounds.

Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Psoriasis: A Comprehensive Analysis Combining Bibliometrics, Latent Dirichlet Allocation, and HJ-Biplot.

Patients with psoriasis often experience psychiatric comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety. These comorbidities can lead to poorer adherence to treatment regimens, reduced effectiveness of therapies, and a heightened disease burden. This study aims to explore the scientific output related to psoriasis, depression, and anxiety using a comprehensive analysis combining bibliometric statistical methods.

Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications-A Narrative Review.

Vitamin D has been widely studied for its implications on type 2 diabetes mellitus, a chronic condition characterized by insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. This review explores the molecular mechanisms underpinning vitamin D's effects on glucose metabolism, inflammation, and adipogenesis, while assessing its potential clinical applications in type 2 diabetes. In its 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 form, vitamin D modulates various metabolic processes, affecting proinflammatory cytokines and activating the AMPK pathway, inhibiting mTOR signaling, and promoting adipocyte differentiation.

Characterization of the Temporal Dynamics of the Endothelial-Mesenchymal-like Transition Induced by Soluble Factors from Dengue Virus Infection in Microvascular Endothelial Cells.

Dengue virus (DV) infection poses a severe life-threatening risk in certain cases. This is mainly due to endothelial dysregulation, which causes plasma leakage and hemorrhage. However, the etiology of DV-induced endothelial dysregulation remains incompletely understood.

Structural, Magnetic, Optical and Photocatalytic Properties of Co-Doped ZnO Nanocrystals.

Energy levels associated with several crystalline defects, such as zinc (V) and oxygen (V) vacancies, Zn and O interstitials (Zn and O respectively), Zn and O antisite defects, and charged oxygen vacancies Vo-, among others, are generated by the introduction of cobalt (Co) into the structure. The effective introduction of Co into the Zn occupancy site was evaluated by XRD and electron paramagnetic resonance. The EPR spectra remain consistent across all doping concentrations of Co ions and revealed intriguing features linked to four distinct Co paramagnetic centers; among them, a pair of Co ions exhibited ferromagnetic coupling.

Special Issue "Adipose Tissue Diseases: Physiopathology, Molecular Mechanism, Diagnosis, and Treatment".

Adipose tissue (AT) is now considered an organ in all respects; therefore, it is customary to refer to it as an adipose organ [...

Pyridoxal and Salicylaldehyde Derivatives: Synthesis, Characterization, and Antifungal Potential Against Opportunistic Yeast Pathogens.

This study reports the synthesis, characterization, and antifungal evaluation of a series of pyridoxal and salicylaldehyde derivatives, using synthetic methodologies such as radical cyclizations and click chemistry. Compounds and , featuring a fused dihydrobenzoxepine-pyridine scaffold, demonstrated effective fungicidal activity with MIC values of 19 µg/mL against 2807. Similarly, compound exhibited notable activity with a MIC of 75 µg/mL against PUJ-HUSI 537.

The Influence of Mixed Powder Ageing on the Structural, Chemical, and Crystalline Morphological Properties of the PA12 Used to Manufacture Laser Sintering.

This study investigated the effects of multiple laser sintering (LS) cycles on a polyamide 12 powder mixture of 70% recycled material and 30% virgin polymer. This research aimed to understand how repeated LS processing influences this specific powder mixture's thermal and structural properties, which is crucial for optimising its performance in additive manufacturing applications. A thermal analysis revealed significant changes in the thermal behaviour of the powder over successive build cycles.

Classification of FAMACHA© Scores with Support Vector Machine Algorithm from Body Condition Score and Hematological Parameters in Pelibuey Sheep.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the model performance in the classification of FAMACHA© scores using Support Vector Machines (SVMs) with a focus on the estimation of the FAMACHA© scoring system used for early diagnosis and treatment management of parasitic infections. FAMACHA© scores are a color-based visual assessment system used to determine parasite load in animals, and in this study, the accuracy of the model was investigated. The model's accuracy rate was analyzed in detail with metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, and positive/negative predictive values.

Natural Savannah Systems Within the "One Welfare" Approach: Part 1-Good Farmers' Perspectives, Environmental Challenges and Opportunities.

The Colombian Orinoquia is considered one of the eight most important ecosystems in the world. Savannah ecosystems play an essential role in providing ecosystem services. The objectives were (a) to explore and identify the perceptions of traditional farmers and institutional representatives regarding human well-being, animal welfare and the environment, and (b) to identify environmental challenges and opportunities for improvement based on the "One Welfare" concept.

Development and Validation of a Combined RT-LAMP Assay for the Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Dengue Virus in Clinical Samples from Colombia.

: Dengue virus (DENV) infection is a significant public health concern in several tropical and subtropical regions, where early and rapid detection is crucial for effective patient management and controlling the spread of the disease. Particularly in resource-limited, rural healthcare settings where dengue is endemic, there exists a need for diagnostic methods that are both easy to perform and highly sensitive. : This study focuses on the development and validation of a single-tube reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification termed TURN-RT-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the detection of DENV.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Radiomics in the Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Assessment Using the Methodological Radiomics Score (METRICS).

Background/objectives: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive and lethal malignancy with increasing incidence and low survival rate, primarily due to the late detection of the disease. Radiomics has demonstrated its utility in recognizing patterns and anomalies not perceptible to the human eye. This systematic literature review aims to assess the application of radiomics in the analysis of pancreatic parenchyma images to identify early indicators predictive of PDAC.

Longitudinal study on immunologic, lipoproteomic, and inflammatory responses indicates the safety of sequential COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 vaccines are crucial in reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission and severe health outcomes. Despite widespread administration, their long-term systemic effects on human metabolism remain inadequately understood. This longitudinal study aims to evaluate IgG responses, 34 cytokines, 112 lipoproteins, and 21 low-molecular-weight metabolites in 33 individuals receiving two to four COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Assessment of in-house reference materials for multi-pesticide residue analysis in three food matrices by LC-MS/MS: development, homogeneity, and stability.

In-house reference materials (ihRM) are an alternative to the limited supply of reference materials for method validation and assurance of the validity of pesticide residue results. Currently, limited information exists on producing ihRM of pesticide residues in food for laboratory testing purposes for the desired matrix/analyte/concentration combination. This study aimed to develop in-house reference materials for three food matrices: banana, rice, and green coffee spiked with a total of 22 pesticides, which were selected for their relevance in food matrices, with pK values ranging from -0.