Passive accumulation of alkaloids in inconspicuously colored frogs refines the evolutionary paradigm of acquired chemical defenses.

Understanding the origins of novel, complex phenotypes is a major goal in evolutionary biology. Poison frogs of the family Dendrobatidae have evolved the novel ability to acquire alkaloids from their diet for chemical defense at least three times. However, taxon sampling for alkaloids has been biased towards colorful species, without similar attention paid to inconspicuous ones that are often assumed to be undefended.

Multidisciplinary Approach of a Male Case of Imported Malaria, HIV Chronic Infection, and Latent Syphilis.

Background: The current economic and social crisis in Latin America has caused migration to the USA, bringing with it Public Health challenges due to the importation of various infectious diseases. Migrants, particularly those with chronic conditions, such as HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STI), are at greater risk due to pharmacological interruption and access to medical care, so the timely detection of diseases acquired during their migration, such as malaria, is crucial to avoid health complications.

Objective: To outline by a multidisciplinary approach (Infectology, Parasitology, Epidemiology, molecular Biology, Venereology, and Public Health) the diagnosis and management of a male case with malaria imported to Mexican territory, HIV chronic infection, and latent syphilis.

Impact of social determinants of health on the outcomes of Latin American children with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C).

Importance: There is growing understanding that Social Determinants of Health (SDH) impact on the outcomes of different pediatric conditions. We aimed to determine whether SDH affect the severity of MIS-C.

Design: Retrospective cohort study, 2021-2023.

Catalyzing sustainable development: insights from the international workshop on STI policies and innovation systems in Central America.

This article examines the landscape of Science, Technology, and Innovation policies in Central America, focusing on Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. These nations face significant challenges in leveraging STI for sustainable development, including financial constraints and limited resources. Additionally, Central America struggles with systemic issues such as corruption, violence, and high levels of emigration, further complicating efforts to advance STI.

Integrated programs for common mental illnesses within primary care and community settings in Latin America: a scoping review of components and implementation strategies.

Integrated programs for common mental illnesses are evidence-informed practices yet to be routinely implemented in Latin America. It synthesizes the literature on integrated programs for common mental illnesses (anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder) in Latin American primary care and community settings. It maps program components (the 'what') to the collaborative care model core components and implementation strategies (the 'how') to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) taxonomy.

Morphological, molecular and pathogenicity characteristics of Fusarium verticillioides causing Fusarium ear rot of corn in Panama.

Zea mays is the second most popular cereal crop in Panama. Its production is intended for human and livestock consumption but is threatened by several diseases. We report the occurrence of Fusarium ear rot, a disease that has affected corn production in a specific region of Panama.

Frequency-dependent assembly processes determine the coexistence and relative abundance of tropical plant species.

Testing the extent to which ecological communities are structured by deterministic (niche-based) assembly processes, resulting in predictable species abundance and composition, is a fundamental goal of ecology. Here we use a 10-year dataset of 55,156 lianas comprising 86 species in an old-growth tropical forest in Panama to test whether community assembly is consistent with niche-based assembly processes. We find that species diversity and community composition was maintained because species conformed to four general requirements of coexistence theory: (1) species have negative conspecific frequency-dependent feedback that control their local population size; (2) species have a stronger negative effect on their own population than that of heterospecifics; (3) the equilibrium frequencies of species correspond to their relative abundance; and (4) species have positive invasibility.

COVID-19 highlights the need to improve resilience and equity in managing small-scale fisheries.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of global and domestic seafood markets. We examined the main impacts and responses of the small-scale fisheries (SSF) sector, and found that mitigation and preparedness strategies should be prioritised to boost resilience in SSF. We provide five policy options and considerations: (1) improving access to insurance and financial services; (2) strengthening local and regional markets and supporting infrastructure; (3) recognising fisheries as an essential service; (4) integrating disaster risk management into fisheries management systems; and (5) investing in Indigenous and locally-led fisheries management.

Evidence-based clinical standard for the diagnosis and treatment of candidemia in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit.

Candidemia is the predominant form of invasive candidiasis and the most frequently occurring serious fungal infection in critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU). Studies carried out in Latin America reveal a higher incidence of candidemia and higher mortality rates when compared to North America or Europe. This highlights the need to develop guidelines for correctly diagnosing and treating candidemia in critically ill patients in the ICU.

Dinuclear Rare-Earth β-Diketiminates with Bridging 3,5-Di-butyl-catecholates: Synthesis, Structure, and Single-Molecule Magnet Properties.

The dinuclear β-diketiminato complex [LClDy(μ-Cl)DyL(THF)] () (L = {2,6-PrCH-NC(Me)CHC(Me)N-2,6-PrCH}) was obtained by reaction of DyCl with KL in a molar ratio of 1:1 and used for the preparation of the mixed-ligand complex [LDy(μ-3,5-Cat)] () by salt metathesis reaction with 3,5-CatK (3,5-Cat -3,5-di--butyl-catecholate). Reactions of 3,5-CatNa with [LLnCl(THF)] (Ln = Dy, Y) ligated with the less bulky ligand L = {2,4,6-MeCH-NC(Me)CHC(Me)N-2,4,6-MeCH} afforded the mixed-ligand THF-containing complexes [LLn(μ-3,5-Cat)(THF)] (Ln = Dy (), Y ()). All new complexes were fully characterized, and the solid-state structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and Rhesus alloimmunization in Latin American countries: a scoping review.

Background: Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is a condition due to maternal blood group antibodies targeting antigens in fetal red blood cells, with significant prenatal/perinatal morbidity and mortality. Severe HDFN cases are often associated with alloimmunization against Rhesus D (RhD) or Kell antigens. Information about HDFN epidemiology and treatment in Latin American countries is limited.

Hormonal induction and seasonal variation in male reproductive viability of the Southern Rocky Mountain boreal toad.

The Southern Rocky Mountain boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) depends on both the rearing of wild-collected egg masses and a long-standing conservation breeding program (CBP), the latter of which heavily relies on assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to support wild populations. Achieving consistent reproductive success in the CBP, however, remains a significant challenge. Natural breeding has not led to a sustained increase in reproductive capacity, prompting the exploration of exogenous hormone treatments as an alternative strategy.

Biodistance Analysis via Dental Phenotypic Diversity in Early Collective Burials at Cerro Juan Díaz, Panamá (30-650 CE) [Análisis de Biodistancia Mediante la Diversidad Fenotípica Dental en los Entierros Colectivos Tempranos del Cerro Juan Díaz, Panamá (30-650 EC)].

Objectives: Burial space reuse and prolonged interaction with the dead were common practices in the Isthmo-Colombian Area, dating back to at least the Early Ceramic Period in the Greater Coclé region. However, biological and social relationships of individuals interred in collective burial contexts remain unclear. Here, we explore intra-cemetery biological variation through a biological distance analysis of individuals interred in large mortuary features from the first mortuary horizon at the site of Cerro Juan Díaz in Panamá.

Elevation of spectral components of electrodermal activity precedes central nervous system oxygen toxicity symptoms in divers.

Background: Oxygen-rich breathing mixtures up to 100% are used in some underwater diving operations for several reasons. Breathing elevated oxygen partial pressures (PO) increases the risk of developing central nervous system oxygen toxicity (CNS-OT) which could impair performance or result in a seizure and subsequent drowning. We aimed to study the dynamics of the electrodermal activity (EDA) and heart rate (HR) while breathing elevated PO in the hyperbaric environment (HBO) as a possible means to predict impending CNS-OT.

Pilot introduction of long-lasting insecticidal nets and hammock nets in the indigenous Comarca of Guna Yala, Panama.

Background: After almost 70 years of using indoor residual spraying (IRS) as the primary intervention for malaria vector control, the Republic of Panama wanted to evaluate the operational feasibility and acceptability of distributing long-lasting insecticidal hammock nets (LLIHNs) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in the country.

Methods: A pilot study conducted in 2019 distributed LLINs and LLIHNs to cover all sleeping spaces in 15 high burden localities of the indigenous Comarca of Guna Yala and measured retention, coverage, use and physical deterioration, washing and drying practices, as well as people's satisfaction with product characteristics post-distribution.

Results: Overall, 89.

Mitochondria-targeted oligomeric α-synuclein induces TOM40 degradation and mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism-dementia of Guam.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a central aspect of Parkinson's disease (PD) pathology, yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This study investigates the link between α-Synuclein (α-Syn) pathology and the loss of translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane 40 (TOM40), unraveling its implications for mitochondrial dysfunctions in neurons. We discovered that TOM40 protein depletion occurs in the brains of patients with Guam Parkinsonism-Dementia (Guam PD) and cultured neurons expressing α-Syn proteinopathy, notably, without corresponding changes in TOM40 mRNA levels.

Population trends of insect pollinators in a species-rich tropical rainforest: stable trends but contrasting patterns across taxa.

Recent reports of insect decline have raised concerns regarding population responses of ecologically important groups, such as insect pollinators. Additionally, how population trends vary across pollinator taxonomic groups and degree of specialization is unclear. Here, we analyse 14 years of abundance data (2009-2022) for 38 species of native insect pollinators, including a range of Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera specialists and generalists from the tropical rainforest of Barro Colorado Island, Panama.

Earlier diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in primary care in Latin America using a simple screening tool (ACT).

Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) can significantly impair quality of life, but often remains undiagnosed due to limited clinic time, lack of specialist expertise and lack of patient awareness. There are several validated questionnaires for diagnosing PN, but the time taken to administer them in busy primary care clinics limits their utilization. A new, simpler questionnaire was developed following an advisory board meeting in Southeast Asia and was further refined and translated to Portuguese and Spanish following a second advisory board meeting in Latin America.

Open-source Internet of Things (IoT)-based air pollution monitoring system with protective case for tropical environments.

In recent years, the escalation of industrial activities has significantly increased natural resource pollution, with air pollution becoming a major cause of diseases affecting living organisms. To address this critical environmental challenge, this study proposes a comprehensive air pollution monitoring system utilizing advanced technological instruments based on the Internet of Things (IoT). The system's primary objective is to provide precise, rapid, and efficient measurements, enabling detailed examinations of pollutant behaviors and facilitating data dissemination.

Pot-Pollen Volatiles, Bioactivity, Synergism with Antibiotics, and Bibliometrics Overview, Including Direct Injection in Food Flavor.

Stingless bees (Hymenoptera; Apidae; Meliponini), with a biodiversity of 605 species, harvest and transport corbicula pollen to the nest, like , but process and store the pollen in cerumen pots instead of beeswax combs. Therefore, the meliponine pollen processed in the nest was named pot-pollen instead of bee bread. Pot-pollen has nutraceutical properties for bees and humans; it is a natural medicinal food supplement with applications in health, food science, and technology, and pharmaceutical developments are promising.

Milking Reactivity in Primiparous Saanen Goats During Early Lactation: Effects on Milk Yield, Milk Quality and Plasma Cortisol Concentration.

The reactivity of primiparous goats during milking can significantly affect animal welfare and performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the progression of milking reactivity during lactation and its effects at early lactation on milk yield, milk quality, and plasma cortisol concentration in primiparous Saanen goats. The milking reactivity of 31 primiparous Saanen goats was evaluated on days 10, 30, and 60 of the lactation period by scoring step-kick behavior (SK) and head, ear, and tail movements (MOV).

Association between muscle strength and echogenicity using greyscale ultrasound software: a diagnostic accuracy study in kidney transplant candidates.

Background: Advanced chronic kidney disease disrupts the delicate equilibrium between protein anabolism and catabolism, leading to alterations in muscle quantity, quality, and function. Musculoskeletal ultrasound emerges as a promising assessment tool due to its widespread availability and high reliability.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of rectus femoris (RF) echogenicity, measured using greyscale software, in identifying diminished muscle quality and strength in candidates for kidney transplant.

Second-life lithium-ion battery aging dataset based on grid storage cycling.

This paper describes an experimental dataset of used lithium-ion battery cells cycled on grid storage synthetic duty cycles to study their feasibility for second-life applications. Data were collected at the Stanford Energy Control Laboratory at Stanford University, CA, USA. The ten INR21700-M50T battery cells with graphite/silicon anode and Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) cathode had been previously tested over a period of 23 months according to the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) discharge driving profile.