Applying a cytochrome c oxidase I barcode for Leishmania species typing.

Species delimitation has always been a challenge for taxonomists and for Leishmania studies there is no exception. Herein we attempt to display the usefulness of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase I-coI in classical and barcode-based approaches for Leishmania characterization. A total of 228 samples were analyzed, comprising 28 Leishmania related taxa, mainly from cultures of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation`s Leishmania Collection.

Synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles (CSNP): effect of CH-CH-TPP ratio on size and stability of NPs.

In the face of a pressing global issue-the escalating threat of antibiotic resistance-the development of new antimicrobial agents is urgent. Nanotechnology, with its innovative approach, emerges as a promising solution to enhance the efficacy of these agents and combat the challenge of microbial resistance. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) stand out in biomedical applications, particularly in the controlled release of antibiotics, with their unique properties such as biocompatibility, stability, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and simple synthesis processes suitable for sensitive molecules.

Treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms with parent artery flow diverter devices: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Surgical clipping and endovascular coiling are well-established treatments for acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms leading to acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). However, these modalities have limitations, particularly in cases involving wide-necked, bifurcating, or dissecting aneurysms. Flow diverter (FD) devices, initially used for unruptured aneurysms, have emerged as an alternative treatment for ruptured aneurysms despite concerns about hemorrhagic complications.

Myelomeningocele repair in Latin America: a systematic review.

Objective: Myelomeningocele (MMC) carries high morbidity and mortality. The Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) showed improved outcomes after prenatal compared to postnatal repair. However, it is unclear how the MOMS trial affected practice and outcomes in the Latin American region.

High temperatures are associated with decreased immune system performance in a wild primate.

Rising temperatures due to climate change are predicted to threaten the persistence of wild animals, but there is little evidence that climate change has pushed species beyond their thermal tolerance. The immune system is an ideal avenue to assess the effects of climate change because immune performance is sensitive to changes in temperature and immune competency can affect reproductive success. We investigate the effect of rising temperatures on a biomarker of nonspecific immune performance in a wild population of capuchin monkeys and provide compelling evidence that immune performance is associated with ambient temperature.

The relationship between anxiety and levels of Alzheimer's disease plasma biomarkers.

Anxiety is highly prevalent in Alzheimer's disease (AD), correlating with cerebrospinal fluid/positron emission tomography biomarkers and disease progression. Relationships to plasma biomarkers are unclear. Herein, we compare levels of plasma biomarkers in research participants with and without anxiety at cognitively normal, mild cognitive impairment, and AD dementia stages.

Integrated Compression Screw Versus Unicortical Locking Screw for Fixing the Dorsal Critical Corner in Distal Radius Fractures: A Biomechanical Study.

Purpose: Although studies have demonstrated that locked screws with a length of 75% of the radius width are sufficient for the treatment of extra-articular fractures of the distal radius, the application of this principle to intra-articular fractures is less well-understood. This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical properties of different types of volar plate fixation constructs for the treatment of distal radius fractures in the presence of a dorsal critical corner fragment.

Methods: A dorsal critical corner fracture was created in 18 synthetic distal radius models.

Update in Asthma Management in Low-Middle Income Countries.

Asthma represents a significant global health burden, particularly in low and middle income countries (LMICs), where its impact is disproportionately severe. In these regions, asthma management is characterized by poorer control and greater mortality rates compared to wealthier nations. The prevalence of asthma is on the rise and demographic trends indicate that there would be a greater burden on children given that they represent a larger proportion of the population pyramid in LMICs.

Consequences of Indoor Pollution in Children in Latin America.

Introduction: Indoor air pollution represents a major health problem in developing countries. Common sources of contaminants include biomass fuels, dust mites, mold, and insecticides, which are frequently found in Latin American households due to cultural, geographical, and socioeconomic conditions. Additionally, tobacco consumption and e-cigarette use are both frequent in the region and represent another source of air pollution.

The neurotoxic effect of Naja nubiae (Serpentes: Elapidae) venom from Sudan.

Background: Neurotoxicity is a common feature of elapid snake envenomation. There are limited studies on the toxicity of Naja nubiae venom, the Nubian spitting cobra, from north-east Africa.

Methods: We used the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation to demonstrate the neurotoxic effect of N.

Factors associated with loneliness in Latin-American family care partners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: COVID-19-related restrictions led to an increase in overall loneliness and social isolation. Before the pandemic, care partners reported higher levels of loneliness and higher loneliness prevalence compared to non-care partners. Because of the spread and severity of the infections, and the access to support spread, we expect a different impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on LATAM care partners.

Contributions of Fat and Fatty Acids Intake to the Latin American Diet: Results of ELANS Study.

Background/objectives: Fats, although essential for the proper functioning of the body, have been linked to an increased risk of developing chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intake of total fat and its components (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and trans fats) in men and women aged 15 to 65 years of the urban population in eight Latin American countries.

Methods: Survey data were collected from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS, by its acronym in Spanish), an epidemiological study, including 9218 subjects from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

A Historical Review of the Artificial Pollination of : The Importance of Collaborative Research in a Changing World.

The natural fertilization of has long been a matter of speculation. Stingless (tribe Meliponini) and orchid bees (tribe Euglossini) are often cited as effective pollinators, but direct evidence is notoriously lacking. As with other food-deceptive orchids, the natural fruit-set in is low and does not occur spontaneously outside its native range in Middle America.

Dark Anaerobic Conditions Induce a Fast Induction of the Xanthophyll Cycle in When Exposed to High Light.

Background: Dark anaerobiosis promotes the acidification of the thylakoid lumen and a reduction in the plastoquinone (PQ) pool. The relationship between the reduction in the PQ pool in the dark and the induction of the xanthophyll cycle under high light stress was investigated in .

Methods: To achieve a comprehensive oxidative/reductive (aerobic/anaerobic conditions) state of the PQ pool, cultures were bubbled with air or nitrogen for 4 h.

Unraveling the Immune Web: Advances in SMI Capsular Fibrosis from Molecular Insights to Preclinical Breakthroughs.

Breast implant surgery has evolved significantly, yet challenges such as capsular contracture remain a persistent concern. This review presents an in-depth analysis of recent advancements in understanding the immune mechanisms and clinical implications associated with silicone mammary implants (SMIs). The article systematically examines the complex interplay between immune responses and capsular fibrosis, emphasizing the pathophysiological mechanisms of inflammation in the etiology of this fibrotic response.

Muscle strength as a marker of metabolic health in kidney transplant recipients: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Muscle strength is often used as an indirect indicator of metabolic health across different age groups in healthy individuals. However, in kidney transplant recipients, this measure may be less accurate due to metabolic changes induced by immunosuppressive medications.

Aim: To compare muscle strength between kidney transplant recipients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and those without this condition.

Unlocking Fungal Potential: The CRISPR-Cas System as a Strategy for Secondary Metabolite Discovery.

Natural products (NPs) are crucial for the development of novel antibiotics, anticancer agents, and immunosuppressants. To highlight the ability of fungi to produce structurally diverse NPs, this article focuses on the impact of genome mining and CRISPR-Cas9 technology in uncovering and manipulating the biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) responsible for NP synthesis. The CRISPR-Cas9 system, originally identified as a bacterial adaptive immune mechanism, has been adapted for precise genome editing in fungi, enabling targeted modifications, such as gene deletions, insertions, and transcription modulation, without altering the genomic sequence.

The Natural Products Atlas 3.0: extending the database of microbially derived natural products.

The Natural Products Atlas is a database of microbially derived natural products that contains structures, producing organism taxonomy, biosynthetic and chemical ontology classifications, grouping by compound classes and cross-links to a suite of other natural product-related data resources. The database is supported by a web server that includes functionality to browse the collection, search the database using both chemical structures and text/numerical terms and visualize the chemical diversity it contains using interactive dashboards. In the current database release, we have curated 1347 papers, increasing the number of compounds to 36 545.

Analysis of Current Evidence in the Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: A Systematic Review and Proposal for a Reporting Guideline to Enhance Reproducibility and Comparability of Surgical and Clinical Outcomes.

Background And Objectives: Endovascular therapy (EVT) has recently become the most widely used treatment method for intracranial aneurysms (IAs). However, the literature on this topic is heterogeneous, with studies assessing and reporting surgical and clinical outcomes in different ways, lacking standardization. We aimed to evaluate the quality of these studies and propose a reporting guideline focusing on essential elements to ensure reproducibility and comparability.