Efficiency Analysis of Healthcare Systems in Latin American and Caribbean Countries: An Application Based on Data Envelopment Analysis.

Objectives: Despite the increasing investments in Latin American healthcare, the corresponding improvement in population health is not proportional. This discrepancy may be attributed to the efficiency of resource utilization. This study used the data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology to assess the efficiency of healthcare systems in 23 Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Population pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol and the impact of food and formulation on systemic exposure in children with drug-resistant developmental and epileptic encephalopathies.

Objective: Identifying factors influencing cannabidiol (CBD) exposure can optimize treatment efficacy and safety. We aimed to describe the population pharmacokinetics of CBD in children with drug-resistant developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) and assess the influence of environmental, pharmacological, and clinical characteristics on CBD systemic exposure.

Methods: Data from two pharmacokinetic studies of patients aged 2-18 years with DEEs were included (N = 48 patients).

Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry.

Background And Aims: Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population, but their prevalence in individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and whether they confer additional risk of ASCVD independent of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) remains unclear.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 35 540 patients with HeFH across 50 countries, in the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry. Prevalence of World Health Organization-defined body mass index categories was investigated in adults (n = 29 265) and children/adolescents (n = 6275); and their association with prevalent ASCVD.

Unusual Co-Occurrence of Multiple Myeloma and AML in a Patient With Germline CEBPA Variant. Expanding the Spectrum of Hereditary Hematologic Malignancies.

Timeline and genetic analysis of a 55-year-old female with a family history of gastric cancer and multiple myeloma, who was diagnosed with AML and a germline CEBPA variant.

Cowden Syndrome and Oral Lesions: A Case Report Using MLPA.

BACKGROUND Cowden syndrome is a genetic disorder that predisposes individuals to cancer and is characterized by hamartomas derived from 3 germ layers. Although the clinical signs can be pathognomonic, diagnosis is often aided by biopsies, histopathological examination of oral and cutaneous lesions, and genetic studies, including multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). CASE REPORT We report a case of a 35-year-old woman who manifested with multiple lesions in the buccal mucosa, dorsum of the tongue, and gums, along with papillomatous papules on her facial skin and the dorsal surfaces of her hands.

Novel genomic features in entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana ILB308: accessory genomic regions and putative virulence genes involved in the infection process of soybean pest Piezodorus guildinii.

Background: Biological control methods involving entomopathogenic fungi like Beauveria bassiana have been shown to be a valuable approach in integrated pest management as an environmentally friendly alternative to control pests and pathogens. Identifying genetic determinants of pathogenicity in B. bassiana is instrumental for enhancing its virulence against insects like the resistant soybean pest Piezodorus guildinii.

Seasonal Land Use and Land Cover Mapping in South American Agricultural Watersheds Using Multisource Remote Sensing: The Case of Cuenca Laguna Merín, Uruguay.

Recent advancements in Earth Observation sensors, improved accessibility to imagery and the development of corresponding processing tools have significantly empowered researchers to extract insights from Multisource Remote Sensing. This study aims to use these technologies for mapping summer and winter Land Use/Land Cover features in Cuenca de la Laguna Merín, Uruguay, while comparing the performance of Random Forests, Support Vector Machines, and Gradient-Boosting Tree classifiers. The materials include Sentinel-2, Sentinel-1 and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission imagery, Google Earth Engine, training and validation datasets and quoted classifiers.

Biorefinery of Lignocellulosic and Marine Resources for Obtaining Active PVA/Chitosan/Phenol Films for Application in Intelligent Food Packaging.

This study focuses on the extraction of phenolic compounds from the fermentation of and . The main goal was to synthesize phenol/chitosan microspheres and PVA films and characterized using FTIR, TGA, DSC, SEM, and mechanical tests to evaluate their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties for antimicrobial packaging applications. Homogeneous chitosan microspheres loaded with lignin-derived phenols were obtained, showing controlled release of antimicrobial compounds.

Risk Factors for Extraocular Relapse in Retinoblastoma.

Background: Metastatic retinoblastoma remains a significant challenge in pediatric oncology, with stark disparities in survival outcomes between high-income countries (HICs) and low-income countries (LICs). Delayed diagnosis and treatment, driven by socioeconomic factors and limitations in healthcare systems, contribute to poorer outcomes in LICs. Histopathological characteristics, including high-risk pathology factors (HRPFs) and the extent of ocular tumor invasion, are critical for predicting metastatic risk and guiding treatment strategies.

Mitochondria and astrocyte reactivity: Key mechanism behind neuronal injury.

In this special issue to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Uruguayan Society for Neuroscience (SNU), we find it pertinent to highlight that research on glial cells in Uruguay began almost alongside the history of SNU and contributed to the understanding of neuron-glia interactions within the international scientific community. Glial cells, particularly astrocytes, traditionally regarded as supportive components in the central nervous system (CNS), undergo notable morphological and functional alterations in response to neuronal damage, a phenomenon referred to as glial reactivity. Among the myriad functions of astrocytes, metabolic support holds significant relevance for neuronal function, given the high energy demand of the nervous system.

α-Ketoisocaproic Acid Disrupts Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in the Brain of Neonate Rats: Molecular Modeling Studies of α-ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Subunits Inhibition.

Brain accumulation of the branched-chain α-keto acids α-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC), α-keto-β-methylvaleric acid (KMV), and α-ketoisovaleric acid (KIV) occurs in maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), an inherited intoxicating metabolic disorder caused by defects of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. Patients commonly suffer life-threatening acute encephalopathy in the newborn period and develop chronic neurological sequelae of still undefined pathogenesis. Therefore, this work investigated the in vitro influence of pathological concentrations of KIC (5 mM), KMV (1 mM), and KIV (1 mM) on mitochondrial bioenergetics in the cerebral cortex of neonate (one-day-old) rats.

Targeted Enrichment Sequencing Utilizing a Respiratory Pathogen Panel for Genomic Wastewater-Based Viral Epidemiology in Uruguay.

Human respiratory and enteric viruses are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Wastewater-based epidemiology utilizing next-generation sequencing serves as an effective tool for monitoring viral circulation dynamics at the community level. However, these complex environmental samples are often laden with other microorganisms and host genomic material, which can hinder the sensitivity of viral detection.

No free entry: stomatal state as decision maker in defining stress response strategies.

This article comments on: . 2024. Stomata: gatekeepers of uptake and defense signaling by green leaf volatiles in maize.

A Global Collaborative Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Antigenicity Across 15 Laboratories.

Setting up a global SARS-CoV-2 surveillance system requires an understanding of how virus isolation and propagation practices, use of animal or human sera, and different neutralisation assay platforms influence assessment of SARS-CoV-2 antigenicity. In this study, with the contribution of 15 independent laboratories across all WHO regions, we carried out a controlled analysis of neutralisation assay platforms using the first WHO International Standard for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (source: NIBSC). Live virus isolates (source: WHO BioHub or individual labs) or spike plasmids (individual labs) for pseudovirus production were used to perform neutralisation assays using the same serum panels.

Exploring the Linkage Between Ruminal Microbial Communities on Postweaning and Finishing Diets and Their Relation to Residual Feed Intake in Beef Cattle.

Feed efficiency significantly impacts the economics of beef production and is influenced by biological and environmental factors. The rumen microbiota plays a crucial role in efficiency, with studies increasingly focused on its relationship with different rearing systems. This study analyzed 324 rumen samples from bulls and steers categorized as high and low efficiency based on residual feed intake.

Catalytic Oxidation of Acetone over MnO-SiO Catalysts: An Effective Approach to Valorize Rice Husk Waste.

Rice husk, a byproduct of rice production, poses significant environmental challenges due to disposal issues, while the emission of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere further exacerbates these concerns. This study addresses both problems by exploring the potential of texturally enhanced SiO, derived from Uruguayan rice husk, as a catalytic support for manganese oxides in the combustion of volatile organic compounds. SiO was synthesized from rice husk ash using a sustainable, acid-free pretreatment method, yielding a notably high silica purity of 96.

Association Between Temperature, Sunlight Hours, and Daily Steps in School-Aged Children over a 35-Week Period.

: To examine the associations between gradients of average daily temperature and sunlight hours with daily steps over a 35-week period in school-aged children and to evaluate whether there were differences by sex. : We conducted a follow-up study involving 655 children (50.8% girls, mean age 10.

The St. Jude Global Academy: A Multifaceted Education Program to Expand Pediatric Oncology Workforce Capacity.

There is currently a global shortage of healthcare professionals equipped to handle the rising burden of childhood cancer. St. Jude Global is an initiative to improve survival rates of children with cancer worldwide while improving access to quality care.

The Trail of Axonal Protein Synthesis: Origins and Current Functional Landscapes.

Local protein synthesis (LPS) in axons is now recognized as a physiological process, participating both in the maintenance of axonal function and diverse plastic phenomena. In the last decades of the 20th century, the existence and function of axonal LPS were topics of significant debate. Very early, axonal LPS was thought not to occur at all and was later accepted to play roles only during development or in response to specific conditions.

Differential cell architecture and microenvironmental responses of pretumoral and tumoral cellular models exposed to coverslip-induced hypoxia.

The tumor microenvironment is an altered milieu that imposes multiple selective pressures leading to the survival and dissemination of aggressive and fit tumor cell subpopulations. How pre-tumoral and tumoral cells respond to changes in their microenvironment will determine the subsequent evolution of the tumor. In this study, we have subjected pre-tumoral and tumoral cells to coverslip-induced hypoxia, which recapitulates the intracellular hypoxia and extracellular acidification characteristic of the early tumor microenvironment, and we have used a combination of quantitative phase microscopy and epifluorescence to analyze diverse cellular responses to this altered environment.

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.

Spatial variability of nitrous oxide emissions from croplands and unmanaged natural ecosystems across a large environmental gradient.

Atmospheric nitrous oxide (NO) is a potent greenhouse gas, with long atmospheric residence time and a global warming potential 273 times higher than CO. NO emissions are mainly produced from soils and are influenced by biotic and abiotic factors that can be substantially altered by anthropogenic activities, such as land uses, especially when unmanaged natural ecosystems are replaced by croplands or other uses. In this study, we evaluated the spatial variability of NO emissions from croplands (maize, soybean, wheat, and sugar cane crops), paired with the natural grasslands or forests that they replaced across a wide environmental gradient in Argentina, and identified the key drivers governing the spatial variability of NO emissions using structural equation modeling.