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Biological translation is a universal process taking place in the ribosome. It involves the synthesis of a protein with a particular sequence from the information encoded in a messenger RNA and the amino acids carried by transfer RNAs with the assistance of specific enzymes. However, the origin of translation in the prebiotic world and, thus, in the absence of enzymes is difficult to envisage. Past and recent studies proposed different prebiotic models, following top‐down and bottom‐up approaches, for the origin and evolution of a primitive ribosome. The bottom‐up models made use of distinct covalent linkages to connect RNA strands with amino acids and peptides. In this review, I focus on the covalent linkages used in these prebiotic models: acyl phosphate mixed anhydrides, phosphoramidates and ureas. I describe their syntheses under prebiotically plausible reaction conditions, as well as include their main conventional preparation methods. I also comment on their properties and chemical stabilities in aqueous solution. Finally, I examine the functions of the described covalent linkages in prebiotic processes involving RNA‐templated amino acid transfer and peptide synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Global agriculture faces increasing pressure to produce more food with fewer resources. Drought, exacerbated by climate change, is a major agricultural constraint costing the industry an estimated US$80 billion per year in lost production. Wild relatives of domesticated crops, including wheat (Triticum spp.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), are an underutilized source of drought tolerance genes. However, managing their undesirable characteristics, assessing drought responses, and selecting lines with heritable traits remains a significant challenge. Here, we propose a novel strategy of using multi‐trait selection criteria based on high‐throughput spectral images to facilitate the assessment and selection challenge. The importance of measuring plant capacity for sustained carbon fixation under drought stress is explored, and an image‐based transpiration efficiency (iTE) index obtained via a combination of hyperspectral and thermal imaging, is proposed. Incorporating iTE along with other drought‐related variables in selection criteria will allow the identification of accessions with diverse tolerance mechanisms. A comprehensive approach that merges high‐throughput phenotyping and de novo domestication is proposed for developing drought‐tolerant prebreeding material and providing breeders with access to gene pools containing unexplored drought tolerance mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article follows the career of the Spanish bookseller Laudelino Ruiz in two moments in particular: the first, when he settled in the city of Rosario. There, at the beginning of the 1930s, he opened his own bookstore and publishing house, and soon became a cultural mediator of the region, an aspect that is verified in the relationship he forged with some of the professors at the National University of the Litoral and its area of influence. The second moment begins with the intervention at the University after the coup d'état of 1943. Several professors, exonerated from their positions, undertook, together with Ruiz, an editorial project called Rosario SA. This experience was set up as a response to the abrupt changes in the conditions and spaces of production and circulation of the subjects, who were forced to rearrange their social relationships of meaning, and to reorient networks to reinvent themselves in the sphere of the publishing world as mediating agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) maintains a diverse, sanguivorous diet, utilizing a broad range of prey taxa. As anthropogenic change alters the distribution of this species, shifts in predator–prey interactions are expected. Understanding prey richness and patterns of prey selection is, thus, increasingly informative from ecological, epidemiological, and economic perspectives. We reviewed D. rotundus diet and assessed the geographical, taxonomical, and behavioral features to find 63 vertebrate species within 21 orders and 45 families constitute prey, including suitable host species in regions of invasion outside D. rotundus' range. Rodentia contained the largest number of species utilized by D. rotundus, though cattle were the most commonly reported prey source, likely linked to the high availability of livestock and visibility of bite wounds compared to wildlife. Additionally, there was tendency to predate upon species with diurnal activity and social behavior, potentially facilitating convenient and nocturnal predation. Our review highlights the dietary heterogeneity of D. rotundus across its distribution. We define D. rotundus as a generalist predator, or parasite, depending on the ecological definition of its symbiont roles in an ecosystem (i.e., lethal vs. non-lethal blood consumption). In view of the eminent role of D. rotundus in rabies virus transmission and its range expansion, an understanding of its ecology would benefit public health, wildlife management, and agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies carried out on Manihot esculenta (i.e. cassava), are basically focused on nutritional aspects, crop fertilization, pest and disease management, among others. Leaving aside innovative technologies to stimulate germination such as bioelectrostimulation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the application of electrochemistry stimulation treatments in asexual seeds of Manihot esculenta Crantz on biomass gain. The bioelectrostimulation was carried out by applying a series of alternating current voltages, varying the electrolyte concentration (potassium nitrate) and the exposure times, and the biomass gain was evaluated after 14 days of germination. Prior to the application of the bioelectrostimulation treatments, the characterization of the cell was carried out to establish the temperatures reached during the treatments. The results allowed the establishment of maximum relative biomass gains in stems, leaves, and roots of 100.54, 96.74, and 94.40 %, respectively. The bioelectrostimulation treatments allowed increasing biomass gain during germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are important contributors to the global burden of infectious diseases due to their epidemic potential, which can result in significant population and economic impacts. Oropouche fever, caused by Oropouche virus (OROV), is an understudied zoonotic VBD febrile illness reported in Central and South America. The epidemic potential and areas of likely OROV spread remain unexplored, limiting capacities to improve epidemiological surveillance. Methods: To better understand the capacity for spread of OROV, we developed spatial epidemiology models using human outbreaks as OROV transmission-locality data, coupled with high-resolution satellite-derived vegetation phenology. Data were integrated using hypervolume modeling to infer likely areas of OROV transmission and emergence across the Americas. Results: Models based on one-support vector machine hypervolumes consistently predicted risk areas for OROV transmission across the tropics of Latin America despite the inclusion of different parameters such as different study areas and environmental predictors. Models estimate that up to 5 million people are at risk of exposure to OROV. Nevertheless, the limited epidemiological data available generates uncertainty in projections. For example, some outbreaks have occurred under climatic conditions outside those where most transmission events occur. The distribution models also revealed that landscape variation, expressed as vegetation loss, is linked to OROV outbreaks. Conclusions: Hotspots of OROV transmission risk were detected along the tropics of South America. Vegetation loss might be a driver of Oropouche fever emergence. Modeling based on hypervolumes in spatial epidemiology might be considered an exploratory tool for analyzing data-limited emerging infectious diseases for which little understanding exists on their sylvatic cycles. OROV transmission risk maps can be used to improve surveillance, investigate OROV ecology and epidemiology, and inform early detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The term virus 'spillover' embodies a highly complex phenomenon and is often used to refer to viral transmission from a primary reservoir host to a new, naïve yet susceptible and permissive host species. Spillover transmission can result in a virus becoming pathogenic, causing disease and death to the new host if successful infection and transmission takes place. Main text: The scientific literature across diverse disciplines has used the terms virus spillover, spillover transmission, cross-species transmission, and host shift almost indistinctly to imply the complex process of establishment of a virus from an original host (source/donor) to a naïve host (recipient), which have close or distant taxonomic or evolutionary ties. Spillover transmission may result in unsuccessful onward transmission, if the virus dies off before propagation. Alternatively, successful viral establishment in the new host can occur if subsequent secondary transmission among individuals of the same novel species and among other sympatric susceptible species occurred. As such, virus spillover transmission is a common yet highly complex phenomenon that encompasses multiple subtle stages that can be deconstructed to be studied separately to better understand the drivers of disease emergence. Rabies virus (RABV) is a well-documented viral pathogen which still inflicts heavy impact on humans, companion animals, wildlife, and livestock throughout Latin America due substantial spatial temporal and ecological—natural and expansional—overlap with several virus reservoir hosts. Thereby, the rabies disease system represents a robust avenue through which the drivers and uncertainties surrounding spillover transmission can be unravel at its different subtle stages to better understand how they may be affected by coarse, medium, and fine scale variables. Conclusions: The continued study of viral spillover transmission necessitates the elucidation of its complexities to better assess the cross-scale impacts of ecological forces linked to the propensity of spillover success. Improving capacities to reconstruct and predict spillover transmission would prevent public health impacts on those most at risk populations across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview is presented with a historian José Carlos Chiaramonte. Topics discussed include his idea of studying history; the kind of historiographical approach adopted by him in his cultural history studies; and the point of bibliographic materials, and the circulation of books and magazines in cities of Paraná, Rosario and Santa Fe.

A super aryl‐extended calix[4]pyrrole equipped with four oxazolo[4,5‐b]pyrazinyl units at its upper rim is reported. Its PtII/PdII‐metallobridged cavitand counterparts were obtained by treatment with 2 equiv of cis‐protected metal corners, [M(dppp)(OTf)2] (dppp=1,3‐(bis‐diphenylphosphino)propane). The metal corners arranged their axial phenyl substituents near the aromatic walls of the cavitand leading to the formation of inclusion complexes as single conformers. We characterized the inclusion complexes in solution using NMR spectroscopy. Selected complexes were also characterized in the gas‐phase and in the solid‐state using mass spectrometry and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The dimensions of the open portals of the dinuclear complexes were found to be dependent on the included guest. The results of DFT calculations served to explain the dissimilar complexation‐induced shifts observed in the dinuclear inclusion complexes with mono‐ and bis‐formamide guests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A super aryl‐extended calix[4]pyrrole equipped with four oxazolo[4,5‐b]pyrazinyl units at its upper rim is reported. Its PtII/PdII‐metallobridged cavitand counterparts were obtained by treatment with 2 equiv of cis‐protected metal corners, [M(dppp)(OTf)2] (dppp=1,3‐(bis‐diphenylphosphino)propane). The metal corners arranged their axial phenyl substituents near the aromatic walls of the cavitand leading to the formation of inclusion complexes as single conformers. We characterized the inclusion complexes in solution using NMR spectroscopy. Selected complexes were also characterized in the gas‐phase and in the solid‐state using mass spectrometry and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The dimensions of the open portals of the dinuclear complexes were found to be dependent on the included guest. The results of DFT calculations served to explain the dissimilar complexation‐induced shifts observed in the dinuclear inclusion complexes with mono‐ and bis‐formamide guests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcoptic mange, a skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, is an emerging disease for some species of wildlife, potentially jeopardizing their welfare and conservation. Sarcoptes scabiei has a near-global distribution facilitated by its forms of transmission and use of a large diversity of host species (many of those with broad geographic distribution). In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge concerning the geographic and host taxonomic distribution of mange in wildlife, the epidemiological connections between species, and the potential threat of sarcoptic mange for wildlife conservation. Recent sarcoptic mange outbreaks in wildlife appear to demonstrate ongoing geographic spread, increase in the number of hosts and increased virulence. Sarcoptic mange has been reported in at least 12 orders, 39 families and 148 species of domestic and wild mammals, making it one of the most generalist ectoparasites of mammals. Taxonomically, the orders with most species found infested so far include Perissodactyla (67% species from the entire order), Artiodactyla (47%), and Diprotodontia (67% from this order). This suggests that new species from these mammal orders are likely to suffer cross-species transmission and be reported positive to sarcoptic mange as surveillance improves. We propose a new agenda for the study of sarcoptic mange in wildlife, including the study of the global phylogeography of S. scabiei, linkages between ecological host traits and sarcoptic mange susceptibility, immunology of individuals and species, development of control strategies in wildlife outbreaks and the effects of global environmental change in the sarcoptic mange system. The ongoing transmission globally and sustained spread among areas and wildlife species make sarcoptic mange an emerging panzootic in wildlife. A better understanding of sarcoptic mange could illuminate the aspects of ecological and evolutionary drivers in cross-species transmission for many emerging diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension, age, and gender are relevant factors associated to cerebrovascular disease. In Paraguay, cerebrovascular disease is the fourth cause of mortality; however, information about demographics and baseline characteristics is not widely knowledge. Our aim was determinate the prevalence of hypertension, age, and gender in the setting of acute-phase stroke in our population. Methods: This is a descriptive, single-center study. Data were collected from a prospective registry of stroke patients admitted in the stroke unit of our center, from April 2015 to December 2016. Results: From 996 stroke patients, 252 (25.3%) presented intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Three hundred ninety (39.1%) were female. The hypertension rate was 74% and 78% in ischemic stroke and ICH, respectively, being hypertensive hemorrhagic etiology 79.5% of the ICH and lacunar infarct 11.6% of ischemic strokes. In ICH patients, mean age differences between genders were remarkable (mean years 55.41 [SD ± 14.8] vs. 62.48 [SD ± 15.2] p = 0.001). In the multivariant analysis, lower age than 60 years old (OR: 4.893; CI 95%: 1.772-13.509 p = 0.029) and higher systolic blood pressure at admission (OR: 1.098; CI 95% 1.044-1.155, p = 0.009) were independent factors associated to ICH. Conclusion: In our population, ICH rates are similar to regional findings, occurring at an early age than other series, being remarkable in males. Hypertension rates in ischemic stroke and ICH are higher than other series, and the variability of presumed hypertensive microangiopathy phenotype could be in relation to age (hypertensive hemorrhage vs. lacunar). These findings would be related to ethnics, social, environment, and geographies factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence has shown that Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) severity is driven by a dysregulated immunologic response. We aimed to assess the differences in inflammatory cytokines in COVID-19 patients compared to contemporaneously hospitalized controls and then analyze the relationship between these cytokines and the development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and mortality. In this cohort study of hospitalized patients, done between March third, 2020 and April first, 2020 at a quaternary referral center in New York City we included adult hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and negative controls. Serum specimens were obtained on the first, second, and third hospital day and cytokines were measured by Luminex. Autopsies of nine cohort patients were examined. We identified 90 COVID-19 patients and 51 controls. Analysis of 48 inflammatory cytokines revealed upregulation of macrophage induced chemokines, T-cell related interleukines and stromal cell producing cytokines in COVID-19 patients compared to the controls. Moreover, distinctive cytokine signatures predicted the development of ARDS, AKI and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Specifically, macrophage-associated cytokines predicted ARDS, T cell immunity related cytokines predicted AKI and mortality was associated with cytokines of activated immune pathways, of which IL-13 was universally correlated with ARDS, AKI and mortality. Histopathological examination of the autopsies showed diffuse alveolar damage with significant mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration. Additionally, the kidneys demonstrated glomerular sclerosis, tubulointerstitial lymphocyte infiltration and cortical and medullary atrophy. These patterns of cytokine expression offer insight into the pathogenesis of COVID-19 disease, its severity, and subsequent lung and kidney injury suggesting more targeted treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report binding studies of an octa‐pyridinium super aryl‐extended calix[4]pyrrole receptor with neutral difunctional aliphatic guests in water. The guests have terminal isonitrile and formamide groups, and the complexes display an inclusion binding geometry and 1:1 stoichiometry. Using 1H NMR titrations and ITC experiments, we characterized the dissimilar thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the complexes. The bis‐isonitriles possess independent reacting groups, however, in the presence of 1 equiv of the receptor the hydrolysis reaction produces mixtures of non‐statistical composition and a significant decrease in reaction rates. The selectivity for the mono‐formamide product is specially enhanced in the case of the bis‐isonitrile having a spacer with five methylene groups. The analysis of the kinetic data suggests that the observed modifications in reaction rates and selectivity are related to the formation of highly stable inclusion complexes in which the isonitrile is hidden from bulk water molecules. The concentration of the reacting substrates in the bulk solution is substantially reduced by binding to the receptor. In turn, the hydrolysis rates of the isonitrile groups for the bound substrates are slower than in the bulk solution. The receptor acts as both a sequestering and supramolecular protecting group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report binding studies of an octa‐pyridinium super aryl‐extended calix[4]pyrrole receptor with neutral difunctional aliphatic guests in water. The guests have terminal isonitrile and formamide groups, and the complexes display an inclusion binding geometry and 1:1 stoichiometry. Using 1H NMR titrations and ITC experiments, we characterized the dissimilar thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the complexes. The bis‐isonitriles possess independent reacting groups, however, in the presence of 1 equiv of the receptor the hydrolysis reaction produces mixtures of non‐statistical composition and a significant decrease in reaction rates. The selectivity for the mono‐formamide product is specially enhanced in the case of the bis‐isonitrile having a spacer with five methylene groups. The analysis of the kinetic data suggests that the observed modifications in reaction rates and selectivity are related to the formation of highly stable inclusion complexes in which the isonitrile is hidden from bulk water molecules. The concentration of the reacting substrates in the bulk solution is substantially reduced by binding to the receptor. In turn, the hydrolysis rates of the isonitrile groups for the bound substrates are slower than in the bulk solution. The receptor acts as both a sequestering and supramolecular protecting group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sepsis is the leading cause of death in burns. Despite its importance, sepsis lacks a proper definition. An established definition will lead to early and accurate diagnosis, prompt treatment, and a reduced mortality rate. The aim of this work is to discuss current definitions and to look ahead at novel definitions with clinical implications. Method: A review of the current understanding of sepsis definitions in burns. Results: Adaptation of sepsis definitions in the general population and specific burn definitions have gotten better but still need improvements and, potentially, incorporation of molecular, laboratory, patient-specific, and clinical factors. This work includes the history, evolution, and predictive value of current definitions of sepsis in burns. A review of current and future markers of sepsis and potentially useful definitions are presented. Conclusions: Sepsis definitions have evolved over the last decades and will continue to do so. We believe the best definition in burn patients is the Sepsis-3 that was developed originally for critically ill patients. However, there are several studies investigating more specific definitions with better sensitivity and specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife are important reservoirs for many pathogens, yet the role that different species play in pathogen maintenance frequently remains unknown. This is the case for rabies, a viral disease of mammals. While Carnivora (carnivores) and Chiroptera (bats) are the canonical mammalian orders known to be responsible for the maintenance and onward transmission of Rabies lyssavirus (RABV), the role of most species within these orders remains unknown and is continually changing as a result of contemporary host shifting. We combined a trait-based analytical approach with gradient boosting machine learning models (GBM models) to identify physiological and ecological host features associated with being a reservoir for RABV. We then used a cooperative game theory approach to determine species-specific traits associated with known RABV reservoirs. Being a carnivore reservoir for RABV was associated with phylogenetic similarity to known RABV reservoirs, along with other traits such as having larger litters and earlier sexual maturity. For bats, location in the Americas and geographic range were the most important predictors of RABV reservoir status, along with having a large litter. Our models identified 44 carnivore and 34 bat species that are currently not recognized as RABV reservoirs, but have trait profiles suggesting their capacity to be or become reservoirs. Further, our findings suggest that potential reservoir species among bats and carnivores occur both within and outside of areas with current rabies circulation. These results show the ability of a trait-based approach to detect potential reservoirs of infection and could inform rabies control programs and surveillance efforts by identifying the types of species and traits that facilitate RABV maintenance and transmission. Author summary: Rabies, a fatal viral disease transmitted via the bite of an infected animal, causes over 59,000 human deaths each year. While domestic dogs are responsible for most human cases, wild animals, particularly carnivores and bats, play an essential role in rabies persistence. Several carnivore and bat species have been identified in the field and laboratory as important rabies reservoirs that can maintain different rabies variants. However, the role of many other carnivore and bat species remains unknown and additional insights are hampered by logistical and funding limitations of field and laboratory research. Using machine learning, we used information on known rabies reservoirs to forecast previously unidentified rabies reservoirs. Our models predicted 44 carnivore and 34 bat species that could already be serving as unrecognized rabies reservoirs or that have trait profiles suggesting their capacity to become reservoirs via future host shifting. In many cases, the distribution of these predicted reservoirs overlaps geographically with known reservoir ranges. Our findings can help understand rabies circulation in wildlife and is a first step to guide future epidemiological surveillance in neglected species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of epidemiological explorations has suggested a negative association between national bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination policy and the prevalence and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, these comparisons are difficult to validate due to broad differences between countries such as socioeconomic status, demographic structure, rural vs. urban settings, time of arrival of the pandemic, number of diagnostic tests and criteria for testing, and national control strategies to limit the spread of COVID-19. We review evidence for a potential biological basis of BCG cross-protection from severe COVID-19, and refine the epidemiological analysis to mitigate effects of potentially confounding factors (e.g., stage of the COVID-19 epidemic, development, rurality, population density, and age structure). A strong correlation between the BCG index, an estimation of the degree of universal BCG vaccination deployment in a country, and COVID- 19 mortality in different socially similar European countries was observed (r² = 0.88; P = 8 × 10-7), indicating that every 10% increase in the BCG index was associated with a 10.4% reduction in COVID-19 mortality. Results fail to confirm the null hypothesis of no association between BCG vaccination and COVID-19 mortality, and suggest that BCG could have a protective effect. Nevertheless, the analyses are restricted to coarse-scale signals and should be considered with caution. BCG vaccination clinical trials are required to corroborate the patterns detected here, and to establish causality between BCG vaccination and protection from severe COVID- 19. Public health implications of a plausible BCG cross-protection from severe COVID-19 are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of epidemiological explorations has suggested a negative association between national bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination policy and the prevalence and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, these comparisons are difficult to validate due to broad differences between countries such as socioeconomic status, demographic structure, rural vs. urban settings, time of arrival of the pandemic, number of diagnostic tests and criteria for testing, and national control strategies to limit the spread of COVID-19. We review evidence for a potential biological basis of BCG cross-protection from severe COVID-19, and refine the epidemiological analysis to mitigate effects of potentially confounding factors (e.g., stage of the COVID-19 epidemic, development, rurality, population density, and age structure). A strong correlation between the BCG index, an estimation of the degree of universal BCG vaccination deployment in a country, and COVID- 19 mortality in different socially similar European countries was observed (r 2 = 0.88; P = 8 × 10-7), indicating that every 10% increase in the BCG index was associated with a 10.4% reduction in COVID-19 mortality. Results fail to confirm the null hypothesis of no association between BCG vaccination and COVID-19 mortality, and suggest that BCG could have a protective effect. Nevertheless, the analyses are restricted to coarse-scale signals and should be considered with caution. BCG vaccination clinical trials are required to corroborate the patterns detected here, and to establish causality between BCG vaccination and protection from severe COVID- 19. Public health implications of a plausible BCG cross-protection from severe COVID-19 are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A deep cavitand binds long‐chain trans,trans‐ and trans,cis‐bis‐formamide isomers in water solution giving a pair of caviplexes in a ca. 60:40 ratio. Both caviplexes display in/out guest exchange dynamics that are slow on the 1H NMR chemical shift timescale, but fast on the EXSY timescale. We apply diffusion‐ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) to characterize the caviplexes. On the diffusion timescale, the guest in/out exchange processes feature intermediate dynamics allowing the assessment of their kinetic stabilities. We found that the trans,cis‐bis‐formamide isomers form kinetically more stable caviplexes than the trans,trans‐counterparts. We also show that the kinetic stabilities of the bis‐formamide caviplexes relate well with their relative thermodynamic stabilities. Fortunately, the tuning of the DOSY parameters allowed the observation of the exchange dynamics as slow processes on the experiment timescale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prions are misfolded infectious proteins responsible for a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases termed transmissible spongiform encephalopathy or prion diseases. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is the prion disease with the highest spillover potential, affecting at least seven Cervidae (deer) species. The zoonotic potential of CWD is inconclusive and cannot be ruled out. A risk of infection for other domestic and wildlife species is also plausible. Here, we review the current status of the knowledge with respect to CWD ecology in wildlife. Our current understanding of the geographic distribution of CWD lacks spatial and temporal detail, does not consider the biogeography of infectious diseases, and is largely biased by sampling based on hunters' cooperation and funding available for each region. Limitations of the methods used for data collection suggest that the extent and prevalence of CWD in wildlife is underestimated. If the zoonotic potential of CWD is confirmed in the short term, as suggested by recent results obtained in experimental animal models, there will be limited accurate epidemiological data to inform public health. Research gaps in CWD prion ecology include the need to identify specific biological characteristics of potential CWD reservoir species that better explain susceptibility to spillover, landscape and climate configurations that are suitable for CWD transmission, and the magnitude of sampling bias in our current understanding of CWD distribution and risk. Addressing these research gaps will help anticipate novel areas and species where CWD spillover is expected, which will inform control strategies. From an ecological perspective, control strategies could include assessing restoration of natural predators of CWD reservoirs, ultrasensitive CWD detection in biotic and abiotic reservoirs, and deer density and landscape modification to reduce CWD spread and prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rabies virus (RABV) is the etiologic agent of rabies, a fatal brain disease in mammals. Rabies circulation has historically involved the dog has the main source of human rabies worldwide. Nevertheless, in Colombia, cats (Felis catus) have become a relevant species in the epidemiology of rabies. Aims: To characterize rabies cases in humans in Colombia in the last three decades in the context of the epidemiology of the aggressor animal. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal epidemiological study of human rabies caused by cats' aggression, collecting primary and secondary information. Variables considered included the demography of the patient, symptoms, information about the aggressor animal as the source of infection and the viral variant identified. Results: We found that the distribution of rabies incidence over the years has been constant in Colombia. Nevertheless, between 2003 and 2012 a peak of cases occurred in rural Colombia where cats were the most frequent aggressor animal reported. Most cats involved in aggression were unvaccinated against rabies. Cat's clinical signs at the time of the report of the human cases included hypersalivation and changes in behaviour. Human patients were mostly children and female and the exposure primarily corresponded to bite and puncture lacerations in hands. The RABV lineage detected in most cases corresponded to variant 3, linked to the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus). The geographical presentation of cat borne RABV in humans occurred along the Andes mountains, epidemiologically known as the rabies red Andean corridor. Discussion: By finding cats as the primary source of rabies spillover transmission in Colombia, this report highlights the importance of revising national rabies control and prevention protocol in countries in the Andes region. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that rabies vaccination for outdoor cats needs to prioritize to reduce the number of rabies‐related human deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cache Valley virus (CVV) is an understudied Orthobunyavirus with a high spillover transmission potential due to its wide geographical distribution and large number of associated hosts and vectors. Although CVV is known to be widely distributed throughout North America, no studies have explored its geography or employed computational methods to explore the mammal and mosquito species likely participating in the CVV sylvatic cycle. Methods: We used a literature review and online databases to compile locality data for CVV and its potential vectors and hosts. We linked location data points with climatic data via ecological niche modeling to estimate the geographical range of CVV and hotspots of transmission risk. We used background similarity tests to identify likely CVV mosquito vectors and mammal hosts to detect ecological signals from CVV sylvatic transmission. Results: CVV distribution maps revealed a widespread potential viral occurrence throughout North America. Ecological niche models identified areas with climate, vectors, and hosts suitable to maintain CVV transmission. Our background similarity tests identified Aedes vexans, Culiseta inornata, and Culex tarsalis as the most likely vectors and Odocoileus virginianus (white-tailed deer) as the most likely host sustaining sylvatic transmission. Conclusions: CVV has a continental-level, widespread transmission potential. Large areas of North America have suitable climate, vectors, and hosts for CVV emergence, establishment, and spread. We identified geographical hotspots that have no confirmed CVV reports to date and, in view of CVV misdiagnosis or underreporting, can guide future surveillance to specific localities and species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogen spillover corresponds to the transmission of a pathogen or parasite from an original host species to a novel host species, preluding disease emergence. Understanding the interacting factors that lead to pathogen transmission in a zoonotic cycle could help identify novel hosts of pathogens and the patterns that lead to disease emergence. We hypothesize that ecological and biogeographic factors drive host encounters, infection susceptibility, and cross‐species spillover transmission. Using a rodent–ectoparasite system in the Neotropics, with shared ectoparasite associations as a proxy for ecological interaction between rodent species, we assessed relationships between rodents using geographic range, phylogenetic relatedness, and ectoparasite associations to determine the roles of generalist and specialist hosts in the transmission cycle of hantavirus. A total of 50 rodent species were ranked on their centrality in a network model based on ectoparasites sharing. Geographic proximity and phylogenetic relatedness were predictors for rodents to share ectoparasite species and were associated with shorter network path distance between rodents through shared ectoparasites. The rodent–ectoparasite network model successfully predicted independent data of seven known hantavirus hosts. The model predicted five novel rodent species as potential, unrecognized hantavirus hosts in South America. Findings suggest that ectoparasite data, geographic range, and phylogenetic relatedness of wildlife species could help predict novel hosts susceptible to infection and possible transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Hantavirus is a high‐consequence zoonotic pathogen with documented animal‐to‐animal, animal‐to‐human, and human‐to‐human transmission. Predictions of new rodent hosts can guide active epidemiological surveillance in specific areas and wildlife species to mitigate hantavirus spillover transmission risk from rodents to humans. This study supports the idea that ectoparasite relationships among rodents are a proxy of host species interactions and can inform transmission cycles of diverse pathogens circulating in wildlife disease systems, including wildlife viruses with epidemic potential, such as hantavirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogen spillover corresponds to the transmission of a pathogen or parasite from an original host species to a novel host species, preluding disease emergence. Understanding the interacting factors that lead to pathogen transmission in a zoonotic cycle could help identify novel hosts of pathogens and the patterns that lead to disease emergence. We hypothesize that ecological and biogeographic factors drive host encounters, infection susceptibility, and cross‐species spillover transmission. Using a rodent–ectoparasite system in the Neotropics, with shared ectoparasite associations as a proxy for ecological interaction between rodent species, we assessed relationships between rodents using geographic range, phylogenetic relatedness, and ectoparasite associations to determine the roles of generalist and specialist hosts in the transmission cycle of hantavirus. A total of 50 rodent species were ranked on their centrality in a network model based on ectoparasites sharing. Geographic proximity and phylogenetic relatedness were predictors for rodents to share ectoparasite species and were associated with shorter network path distance between rodents through shared ectoparasites. The rodent–ectoparasite network model successfully predicted independent data of seven known hantavirus hosts. The model predicted five novel rodent species as potential, unrecognized hantavirus hosts in South America. Findings suggest that ectoparasite data, geographic range, and phylogenetic relatedness of wildlife species could help predict novel hosts susceptible to infection and possible transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Hantavirus is a high‐consequence zoonotic pathogen with documented animal‐to‐animal, animal‐to‐human, and human‐to‐human transmission. Predictions of new rodent hosts can guide active epidemiological surveillance in specific areas and wildlife species to mitigate hantavirus spillover transmission risk from rodents to humans. This study supports the idea that ectoparasite relationships among rodents are a proxy of host species interactions and can inform transmission cycles of diverse pathogens circulating in wildlife disease systems, including wildlife viruses with epidemic potential, such as hantavirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planar pyridyl N‐oxides are encapsulated in mono‐metallic PdII/PtII‐cages based on a tetra‐pyridyl calix[4]pyrrole ligand. The exchange dynamics of the cage complexes are slow on both the NMR chemical shift and EXSY timescales, but encapsulation of the guests by the cages is fast on the human timescale. A "French doors" mechanism, involving the rotation of the meso‐phenyl walls of the cages, allows the passage of the planar guests. The encapsulation of quinuclidine N‐oxide, a sterically more demanding guest, is slower than pyridyl N‐oxides in the PdII‐cage, and does not take place in the PtII counterpart. A modification of the encapsulation mechanism for the quinuclidine N‐oxide is postulated that requires the partial dissociation of the PdII‐cage. The substrate binding selectivity featured by the cages is related to their different guest uptake/release mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planar pyridyl N‐oxides are encapsulated in mono‐metallic PdII/PtII‐cages based on a tetra‐pyridyl calix[4]pyrrole ligand. The exchange dynamics of the cage complexes are slow on both the NMR chemical shift and EXSY timescales, but encapsulation of the guests by the cages is fast on the human timescale. A "French doors" mechanism, involving the rotation of the meso‐phenyl walls of the cages, allows the passage of the planar guests. The encapsulation of quinuclidine N‐oxide, a sterically more demanding guest, is slower than pyridyl N‐oxides in the PdII‐cage, and does not take place in the PtII counterpart. A modification of the encapsulation mechanism for the quinuclidine N‐oxide is postulated that requires the partial dissociation of the PdII‐cage. The substrate binding selectivity featured by the cages is related to their different guest uptake/release mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that represents a major problem in animal and public health due to its high prevalence and widespread distribution. This zoonotic disease is most prevalent in tropical environments where conditions favour pathogen survival. The ecological preferences of Leptospira serovars are poorly understood, limiting our knowledge of where and when outbreaks can occur, which may result in misinformed prevention and control plans. While the disease can occur consistently in time and space in tropical regions, research on the ecology of leptospirosis remains limited in subtropical regions. This research gap regarding Leptospira ecology brings public and veterinary health problems, impacting local economies. To fill this gap of knowledge, we suggest to assess geographic and ecological features among Leptospira serovars in a subtropical area of Brazil where leptospirosis is endemic to (a) highlight environmental conditions that facilitate or limit Leptospira spread and survival and (b) reconstruct its geographic distribution. An ecological niche modelling framework was used to characterize and compare Leptospira serovars in both geographic and environmental space. Our results show that despite the geographic overlap exhibited by the different serovars assessed, we found ecological divergence among their occupied ecological niches. Ecological divergences were expressed as ranges of potential distributions and environmental conditions found suitably by serovar, Sejroe being the most asymmetric (<0.15). Most important predictors for the potential distribution of most serovars were soil pH (31.7%) and landscape temperature (24.2%). Identification of environmental preferences will allow epidemiologists to better infer the presence of a serovar based on the environmental characteristics of regions rather than inferences based solely on historical epidemiological records. Including geographic and ecological ranges of serovars also may help to forecast transmission potential of Leptospira in public health and the food animal practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planar pyridyl N‐oxides are encapsulated in mono‐metallic PdII/PtII‐cages based on a tetra‐pyridyl calix[4]pyrrole ligand. The exchange dynamics of the cage complexes are slow on both the NMR chemical shift and EXSY timescales, but encapsulation of the guests by the cages is fast on the human timescale. A "French doors" mechanism, involving the rotation of the meso‐phenyl walls of the cages, allows the passage of the planar guests. The encapsulation of quinuclidine N‐oxide, a sterically more demanding guest, is slower than pyridyl N‐oxides in the PdII‐cage, and does not take place in the PtII counterpart. A modification of the encapsulation mechanism for the quinuclidine N‐oxide is postulated that requires the partial dissociation of the PdII‐cage. The substrate binding selectivity featured by the cages is related to their different guest uptake/release mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary formamides are widely encountered in biology and exist as mixtures of both cis and trans isomers. Here, we assess hydrophilicity differences between isomeric formamides through direct competition experiments. Formamides bearing long aliphatic chains were sequestered in a water-soluble molecular container having a hydrophobic cavity with an end open to the aqueous medium. NMR spectroscopic experiments reveal a modest preference (<1 kcal/mol) for aqueous solvation of the trans formamide terminals over the cis isomers. With diformamides, the supramolecular approach allows staging of intramolecular competition between short-lived species with subtle differences in hydrophobic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological niche modeling (ENM) is widely employed in ecology to predict species' potential geographic distributions in relation to their environmental constraints and is rapidly becoming the gold-standard method for disease risk mapping. However, given the biological complexity of disease systems, the traditional ENM framework requires reevaluation. We provide an overview of the application of ENM to disease systems and propose a theoretical framework based on the biological properties of both hosts and parasites to produce reliable outputs resembling disease system distributions. Additionally, we discuss the differences between biological considerations when implementing ENM for distributional ecology and epidemiology. This new framework will help the field of disease ecology and applications of biogeography in the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Infectious diseases greatly impact human health, biodiversity, and global economies, highlighting the need to understand and predict their distributions. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) was not originally designed to explicitly reconstruct complex biological phenomena such as diseases or parasitism, requiring a reevaluation of the traditional framework. We provide an integrative ENM framework for disease systems that considers suitable host availability, parasite ecologies, and different scales of modeling. Disease transmission is driven by factors related to parasite availability and host exposure and susceptibility, which can be incorporated in ENM frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension, age, and gender are relevant factors associated to cerebrovascular disease. In Paraguay, cerebrovascular disease is the fourth cause of mortality; however, information about demographic and baseline characteristics are not widely knowledge. Our aim was to determinate the prevalence of hypertension, age, and gender in the setting of acute phase stroke in our population. Methods: This is a descriptive, single-center study. Data were collected from a prospective registry of stroke patients admitted in the stroke unit of our center, from April 2015 to December 2016. Results: From 996 stroke patients, 252 (25.3%) presented intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). 390 (39.1%) were female. The hypertension rate was 74% and 78% in ischemic stroke and ICH, respectively, being hypertensive hemorrhagic etiology, 79.5% of the ICH and lacunar infarct 11.6% of ischemic strokes. In ICH patients, mean age differences between genders were remarkable (mean years 55.41 [standard deviation (SD) ± 14.8] vs. 62.48 [SD ± 15.2], p ≤ 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, lower age than 60 years old (odds ratio [OR]: 4.893; confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.772-13.509, p = 0.029) and higher systolic blood pressure at admission (OR: 1.098; CI 95% 1.044-1.155, p = 0.009) were independent factors associated to ICH. Conclusion: In our population, ICH rates are similar to regional findings, occurring an early age than other series, being remarkable in males. Hypertension rates in ischemic stroke and ICH are higher than other series and the variability of presumed hypertensive microangiopathy phenotype could be in relation to age (hypertensive hemorrhage vs. lacunar). These findings would be related to ethnic, social, environment, and geographic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Often facilitated by human-mediated pathways, aquatic invasive species are a threat to the health and biodiversity of global ecosystems. We present a novel approach incorporating survey data of watercraft movement in a social network analysis to reconstruct potential pathways of aquatic invasive species spread between lakes. As an example, we use the green alga Nitellopsis obtusa, also known as starry stonewort, an aquatic invasive species affecting the Great Lakes region in the United States and Canada. The movement of algal fragments via human-mediated pathways (i.e., watercraft) has been hypothesized as the primary driver of starry stonewort invasion. We used survey data collected at boat ramps during the 2013 and 2014 open-water seasons to describe the flow of watercraft from Lake Koronis, where N. obtusa was first detected in Minnesota, to other lakes in the state. Our results suggest that the risk of N. obtusa expansion is not highly constrained by geographic proximity and management efforts should consider highly connected lakes. Estimating human movement via network analysis may help to explain past and future routes of aquatic invasive species infestation between lakes and can improve evidence-based prevention and control efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]