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Abstract Biofilms are known to be critical for Legionella settlement in engineered water systems and are often associated with Legionnaire’s Disease events. One of the key features of biofilms is their heterogeneous three-dimensional structure which supports the establishment of microbial interactions and confers protection to microorganisms. This work addresses the impact of Legionella pneumophila colonization of a Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilm, as information about the interactions between Legionella and biofilm structures is scarce. It combines a set of meso- and microscale biofilm analyses (Optical Coherence Tomography, Episcopic Differential Interference Contrast coupled with Epifluorescence Microscopy and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy) with PNA-FISH labelled L. pneumophila to tackle the following questions: (a) does the biofilm structure change upon L. pneumophila biofilm colonization?; (b) what happens to L. pneumophila within the biofilm over time and (c) where is L. pneumophila preferentially located within the biofilm? Results showed that P. fluorescens structure did not significantly change upon L. pneumophila colonization, indicating the competitive advantage of the first colonizer. Imaging of PNA-labelled L. pneumophila showed that compared to standard culture recovery it colonized to a greater extent the 3-day-old P. fluorescens biofilms, presumably entering in VBNC state by the end of the experiment. L. pneumophila was mostly located in the bottom regions of the biofilm, which is consistent with the physiological requirements of both bacteria and confers enhanced Legionella protection against external aggressions. The present study provides an expedited methodological approach to address specific systematic laboratory studies concerning the interactions between L. pneumophila and biofilm structure that can provide, in the future, insights for public health Legionella management of water systems.

To date, there is no licensed vaccine against the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), the etiological agent of Chagas Disease. T. cruzi has evolved numerous mechanisms to evade and manipulate the host immune system. Among the subversive strategies employed by the parasite, marked increases in CD11b+ Gr-1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in several organs have been described. We have reported that CD11b+ Gr-1+ cells are involved not only during infection but also after immunization with a trans-sialidase fragment (TSf) adjuvanted with a cage-like particle adjuvant (ISPA). Thus, the aim of this work was to gain control over the involvement of MDSCs during immunization to potentiate a vaccine candidate with protective capacity in multiple mouse models of T. cruzi infection. Here, we show that the Gr-1+ cells that increase during TSf-ISPA immunization have suppressive capacity over bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and CD4+ lymphocytes. Protocols using one or two doses of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) were employed to deplete and control MDSC dynamics during immunization. The protocol based on two doses of 5FU (double 5FU TSf-ISPA) was more successful in controlling MDSCs during immunization and triggered a higher immune effector response, as evidenced by increased numbers of CD4+, CD4+CD44+, CD8+, CD8+CD44+, CD11c+, and CD11c+CD8α+ cells in the spleen and lymph nodes of double 5FU TSf-ISPA mice as compared to 5FU-TSf-ISPA mice. In line with these results, the protective capacity of the double 5FU TSf-ISPA protocol was higher compared to the 5FU-TSf-ISPA protocol against high lethal doses of intraperitoneal infection with the Tulahuen T. cruzi strain. When cross-protective capacity was analyzed, the optimized protocol based on double 5FU TSf-ISPA conferred protection in several preclinical models using different discrete typing units (DTU VI and DTU I), different mouse strains (BALB/c and C57BL/6), different parasite doses (1000 to 20000), and routes of administration (intraperitoneal and intradermal). Developing vaccines that are currently lacking may require new strategies to further potentiate vaccine candidates. Results reported herein provide evidence that rational control of cells from the regulatory arm of the immune system could enhance a vaccine candidate with cross-protective capacity in multiple mouse models of T. cruzi infection.

Protein misfolding fuels multiple neurodegenerative diseases, but existing techniques lack the resolution to pinpoint the location and physical properties of aggregates within living cells. Our protocol describes high-resolution confocal and fluorescent lifetime microscopy (Fast 3D FLIM) of an aggregation probing system. This system involves a metastable HaloTag protein (HT-aggr) labeled with P1 solvatochromic fluorophore, which can be targeted to subcellular compartments. This strategy allows to distinguish between aggregated and folded probe species, since P1 fluorophore changes its lifetime depending on the hydrophobicity of its microenvironment. The probe is not fluorescence intensity-dependent, overcoming issues related to intensity-based measurements of labeled proteins, such as control of probe quantity due to differences in expression or photobleaching of a proportion of the fluorophore population. Our approach reports on the performance of the machinery dealing with aggregation-prone substrates and thus opens doors to studying proteostasis and its role in neurodegenerative diseases.

ABSTRACT This paper aimed to analyse the role of the BNDES in promoting the ‘green economy’ in Brazil over the past decade. We defend that, as a development bank, BNDES is an essential player in encouraging investments that are low-emission, environmentally sustainable, and climate-change resilient. The paper is organized as follows. After the introduction, section 2 delves into the role to be played by development banks in promoting environmentally sustainable, low GHG emission economies. Section 3 analyses the BNDES’ disbursements in the green economy between 2010 and 2021. Section 4 highlights the mobilization of BNDES resources for the green economy, including the management of environmental and climate funds, as well as the issuance of green and sustainable bonds. Finally, concluding remarks are presented.

O presente artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre as apropriações recíprocas entre o religioso e o secular no mundo contemporâneo. Para tanto, considera as dinâmicas de apropriação cultural de técnicas terapêuticas por parte de alguns movimentos espiritualistas, que emprestam a conhecimentos e práticas oriundos da medicina uma conotação marcadamente religiosa, definindo um novo paradigma de saúde pública no mundo ocidental. Especificamente, aborda as chamadas práticas integrativas e complementares de saúde e as tensões e diálogos decorrentes de seu crescente uso em ambientes laicos e públicos. Nesse contexto, a Constelação familiar tem se adequado com sucesso ao mercado de saúde emocional, adequando de suas práticas a contextos corporativos, à saúde e à educação públicas, assim como ao sistema judiciário. Também, experimenta uma crescente instrumentalização por parte de movimentos espiritualistas, adquirindo formas ritualísticas e embasando novas institucionalizações de caráter espiritualista/religioso. Ao mesmo tempo que busca se afirmar como prática terapêutica com base cientifica. A partir da análise desta dinâmica entre o secular e o religioso e sua reconfiguração no Brasil nos dias de hoje, procura-se contribuir com um tema ainda pouco explorado pelos estudos acadêmicos e praticamente inédito nas Ciências da Religião.

Background: As a result of botanical explorations carried out for the project Bromeliaceae of Mexico, we collected plants of the genus Hechtia within the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve, in Xochipala, municipality of Tlaquiltenango, Morelos, Mexico. However, this plant does not resemble any known species. Question: Do the Hechtia populations in Xochipala correspond to an undescribed taxon? Studied species: Species of Hechtia previously reported from Morelos and all the taxa with greater morphological similarity to the new proposed taxon. Study site and date: Xochipala, municipality of Tlaquiltenango, Morelos, Mexico, 2023. Methods: Our research involved field work, review of herbarium specimens, protologues, and type material of all the species of Hechtia distributed in Morelos, in the neighboring states of Puebla and Guerrero, and of the most morphologically similar taxa. Results: After a careful and detailed review of the living material and herbarium specimens, we conclude that those plants belong to an undescribed taxon that we propose here. A morphological description, images, and a distribution map of Hechtia cerrostlatilpae are included, as well as an identification key and a list of examined specimens of all Hechtia species known from the state of Morelos. Conclusions: The discovery of a new species of Hechtia in Xochipala, Morelos, Mexico increases the plant diversity of Morelos, particularly at the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve. Hechtia cerrostlatilpae presents unique vegetative and floral characters that allow its recognition as a new species within the genus.

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effect of adding arginine at different concentrations to commercial and experimental orthodontic resins on shear bond strength (SBS), as well as on the antimicrobial activity of arginine against S. mutans. Metal brackets were bonded onto the surface of 120 bovine incisors using Transbond, OrthoCem, and an experimental resin (ER), adding 0, 2.5, 5, and 7 wt.% of arginine. The SBS test was performed in deionized water at 37 ºC for 24 h, at 0.5 mm/min. SBS test results were subjected to two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). CFU/mL data (antimicrobial assessment) were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s tests (α = 0.05). No statistical difference between the resins was observed in untreated groups (p > 0.05). The addition of arginine at 2.5% (27.7 MPa) and 5% (29.0 MPa) increased the SBS of Transbond when compared (p < 0.05) to OrthoCem (18.5 and 15.6 MPa, respectively) and ER (16.3 and 18.1 MPa, respectively). Arginine at 7% improved the SBS of Transbond (24.1 MPa) and ER (21.0 MPa), which was statistically higher (p < 0.05) than OrthoCem (12.6 MPa). OrthoCem did not show a statistically significant difference at the three concentrations of arginine (p > 0.05). The addition of arginine to resins reduced the count of S. mutans (p < 0.05). As for ER, all concentrations of arginine significantly decreased CFU/mL (p < 0.05). Among commercial resins, only 7% of arginine significantly reduced CFU/mL. The addition of arginine did not interfere with the bond strength and demonstrated antibacterial activity against S. mutans.

Abstract Internal social disparities in the Brazilian Amazon became more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this work was to examine the demographic, social and clinical factors associated with access to COVID-19 health care in Pará Province in the Brazilian Amazon. This was an observational, cross-sectional, analytical study using a quantitative method through an online survey conducted from May to August 2023. People were eligible to participate if they were current residents of Pará, 18-years-old or older, with self-reported diagnoses of COVID-19 through rapid or laboratory tests. Participants completed an electronic survey was developed using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) software—The adapted questionnaire “COVID-19 Global Clinical Platform: Case Report Form for Post-COVID Condition”. Questions focused on access to COVID-19 treatment, demographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccine and clinical characteristics. Respondent-driven sampling was applied to recruit participants. Multiple logistic regression was utilized to identify the associated factors. Overall, a total of 638 participants were included. The average age was 31.1 years. Access to COVID-19 health care was 68.65% (438/638). The participants most likely to access health care were those with moderate or severe COVID-19 (p = 0.000; OR: 19.8) and females (p = 0.001; OR: 1.99). Moreover, participants who used homemade tea or herbal medicines were less likely to receive health care for COVID-19 in health services (p = 0.002; OR: 0.54). Ensuring access to healthcare is important in a pandemic scenario.

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is an autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the ataxin-3 protein, which initiates a cascade of pathogenic events, including transcriptional dysregulation. Genotype-phenotype correlations in MJD are incomplete, suggesting an influence of additional factors, such as epigenetic modifications, underlying the MJD pathogenesis. DNA methylation is known to impact the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders through gene expression regulation and increased methylation has been reported for other SCAs. In this work we aimed to analyse global methylation in MJD carriers. Global 5-mC levels were quantified in blood samples of 33 MJD mutation carriers (patients and preclinical subjects) and 33 healthy controls, matched by age, sex, and smoking status. For a subset of 16 MJD subjects, a pilot follow-up analysis with two time points was also conducted. No differences were found in median global 5-mC levels between MJD mutation carriers and controls and no correlations between methylation levels and clinical or genetic variables were detected. Also, no alterations in global 5-mC levels were observed over time. Our findings do not support an increase in global blood methylation levels associated with MJD.

presente dossiê aborda um período complexo da história latino-americana, que compreende a segunda metade do século XX e adentra as primeiras duas décadas do XXI, durante o qual tiveram lugar transformações sociais, políticas, econômicas e culturais de grande impacto na vida dos indivíduos, das instituições e da sociedade civil, cujas ressonâncias se revelam-se atuais e operantes nestes países.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze the available evidence regarding the efficacy of iPDE5 in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted in March 2023 through the main scientific databases. Results A total of 53 articles were identified, out of which, 6 met the predefined inclusion criteria. All of these were randomized controlled trials. Among the included studies, 4 demonstrated the effectiveness of sildenafil in improving sexual response and addressing FSD, while 2 studies failed to establish its efficacy in this context. Conclusion Overall, the efficacy of sildenafil in the treatment of FSD remains controversial and inconclusive based on the available evidence. Further research is necessary to clarify the therapeutic potential of iPDE5 in addressing FSD and to better understand the factors that influence treatment outcomes.

Rathke’s cleft cysts (RCC) are a common type of lesion found in the sellar or suprasellar area. They are usually monitored clinically, but in some cases, surgery may be required. However, their natural progression is not yet well understood, and the outcomes of surgery are uncertain. The objective of this study is to evaluate the natural history of Rathke’s cleft cysts in patients who are clinically monitored without treatment, and to determine the outcomes of surgery and the incidence of recurrences over time.Design and patientsNational multicentric study of patients diagnosed of Rathke’s cleft cyst (RCC- Spain) from 2000 onwards and followed in 15 tertiary centers of Spain. A total of 177 patients diagnosed of RCC followed for 67.3 months (6–215) and 88 patients who underwent surgery, (81 patients underwent immediate surgery after diagnosis and 7 later for subsequent growth) followed for 68.8 months (3–235).ResultsThe cyst size remained stable or decreased in 73.5% (133) of the patients. Only 44 patients (24.3%) experienced a cyst increase and 9 of them (5.1%) experienced an increase greater than 3 mm. In most of the patients who underwent surgery headaches and visual alterations improved, recurrence was observed in 8 (9.1%) after a median time of 96 months, and no predictors of recurrence were discovered.ConclusionsRathke’s cleft cysts without initial compressive symptoms have a low probability of growth, so conservative management is recommended. Patients who undergo transsphenoidal surgery experience rapid clinical improvement, and recurrences are infrequent. However, they can occur after a long period of time, although no predictors of recurrence have been identified.

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder associated with stress that may occur in the academic context, given that students are exposed to high demands during their education process which can lead to the development of diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation and predictive value between the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with stress in dentistry students at a public university in Mexico, taking into account the gender variable. The design is cross-sectional with 740 dental students. Nowack’s Stress Profile was used as well as the ROMA III criteria to identify IBS. Multiple lineal regression models were built, in which the dependent variable was IBS and the independent ones were the stress profile variables and group data. Such models were built independently for each sex and their results were compared. The IBS model in males was significant in the following variables: IBS = – 1.454 (problem concentration) + .315 (negative valuation) – .390 (social support network) + .513 (type A behavior) – .464 (rest/sleep), with a strength of R2 = .685; F = 75.72; p < .01 which explains 68% of the variance; and for females it was: ISB = – .041 (positive valuation) – .082 (eating habits/nutri-tion) with a strength of R2 = .643; F = 42.69; p < .01, which explains 64% of the variance. The comparative analysis determined that male dental students are at a greater risk of developing IBS due to stress. Therefore, programs aimed at a timely identification of the stress risk variables would be recommended to prevent consequences to the health, inadequate academic performance and wellbeing of dental students in Mexico.

Backgrounds and aims – The genus Hechtia (sensu lato) is distributed from the southern United States to northern Central America and includes 95 species. Recent botanical explorations, carried out in the Colima and Jalisco states in search of H. reticulata, led to the discovery of two new species. The aims of this work were to complete the morphological description of H. reticulata and describe these two new species. Material and methods – This study was based on fieldwork and on the revision of literature, protologues, type material, and herbarium specimens. The specimens collected were prepared for storage in the herbarium, analysed, measured, and descriptions were made; measurements were taken from dried specimens. Due to their morphological similarities and the closeness of their populations, the proposed species are compared with H. reticulata. Key results – We propose two new species of Hechtia for Mexico (H. costalegrensis and H. pacifica); an epitype and a complete description of H. reticulata are also provided. The diagnostic characters and morphological affinities of the new species are discussed, including complete morphological descriptions and images; a comparative table is presented, showing the morphological differences between the new species and H. reticulata. A distribution map of the taxa described here and of H. reticulata is included, as well as an identification key and a list of examined specimens of all Hechtia species known to date from Colima and Jalisco.

Abstract Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is acknowledged to play a role in the defence of the mucosal barrier by coating microorganisms. Surprisingly, IgA-deficient humans exhibit few infection-related complications, raising the question if the more specific IgG may help IgM in compensating for the lack of IgA. Here we employ a cohort of IgA-deficient humans, each paired with IgA-sufficient household members, to investigate multi-Ig bacterial coating. In IgA-deficient humans, IgM alone, and together with IgG, recapitulate coating of most bacterial families, despite an overall 3.6-fold lower Ig-coating. Bacterial IgG coating is dominated by IgG1 and IgG4. Single-IgG2 bacterial coating is sparse and linked to enhanced Escherichia coli load and TNF-α. Although single-IgG2 coating is 1.6-fold more prevalent in IgA deficiency than in healthy controls, it is 2-fold less prevalent than in inflammatory bowel disease. Altogether we demonstrate that IgG assists IgM in coating of most bacterial families in the absence of IgA and identify single-IgG2 bacterial coating as an inflammatory marker.

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, leads to severe complications in 30% of infected individuals, including acute myocarditis and chronic fibrosing cardiomyopathy. Despite the significant burden of this disease, there is currently no licensed vaccine available to prevent it. This study aimed to evaluate the mucosal and systemic immunogenicity as well as the prophylactic efficacy of a mucosal vaccine candidate and its impact on both acute and chronic cardiomyopathy. The results showed that the nasal administration of trans-sialidase (TS) plus c-di-AMP (TS+A) vaccine elicited a NALT expression of IFN-γ, IL-17a and IL-4 mRNA as well as a nasal-specific production of IgA. An in vivo challenge with TS also triggered increased proliferation of lymphocytes from the NALT, sentinel cervical lymph node, and spleen. TS+A immunization increased the plasma levels of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines and elicited an evident cellular response by which to judge enhanced delayed-type hypersensitivity responses following a TS footpad challenge. After oral infection, TS+A-vaccinated mice showed significantly reduced parasitemia and parasite load in the heart, muscles and intestines, while markers of hepatic and muscle damage as well as clinical manifestations of acute infection were strongly diminished. TS+A also attenuated acute myocarditis and the expression of inflammatory markers in the heart. The protection conferred by TS+A extended into the chronic phase, where it resulted in a clear reduction in chronic myocarditis, fibrosis and functional electrocardiographic abnormalities, associated with a decreased expression of the pro-fibrotic TGF-β. These results revealed that it is possible to develop a mucosal vaccine against T. cruzi based on TS and c-di-AMP that is capable of reducing the development of Chagas cardiomyopathy, the hallmark of Chagas disease.

The importance of accurately predicting student performance in education, especially in the challenging curricular unit of Introductory Programming, cannot be overstated. As institutions struggle with high failure rates and look for solutions to improve the learning experience, the need for effective prediction methods becomes critical. This study aims to conduct a systematic review of the literature on methods for predicting student performance in higher education, specifically in Introductory Programming, focusing on machine learning algorithms. Through this study, we not only present different applicable algorithms but also evaluate their performance, using identified metrics and considering the applicability in the educational context, specifically in higher education and in Introductory Programming. The results obtained through this study allowed us to identify trends in the literature, such as which machine learning algorithms were most applied in the context of predicting students’ performance in Introductory Programming in higher education, as well as which evaluation metrics and datasets are usually used.

Breast cancer poses one of the largest threats to women’s health. Treatment continues to improve for all the subtypes of breast cancer, but some subtypes, such as triple negative breast cancer, still present a significant treatment challenge. Additionally, metastasis and local recurrence are two prevalent problems in breast cancer treatment. A newer type of therapy, immunotherapy, may offer alternatives to traditional treatments for difficult-to-treat subtypes. Immunotherapy engages the host’s immune system to eradicate disease, with the potential to induce long-lasting, durable responses. However, systemic immunotherapy is only approved in a limited number of indications, and it benefits only a minority of patients. Furthermore, immune related toxicities following systemic administration of potent immunomodulators limit dosing and, consequently, efficacy. To address these safety considerations and improve treatment efficacy, interest in local delivery at the site of the tumor has increased. Numerous intratumorally delivered immunotherapeutics have been and are being explored clinically and preclinically, including monoclonal antibodies, cellular therapies, viruses, nucleic acids, cytokines, innate immune agonists, and bacteria. This review summarizes the current and past intratumoral immunotherapy clinical landscape in breast cancer as well as current progress that has been made in preclinical studies, with a focus on delivery parameters and considerations.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3)/Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is a heritable proteinopathy disorder, whose causative gene, ATXN3, undergoes alternative splicing. Ataxin-3 protein isoforms differ in their toxicity, suggesting that certain ATXN3 splice variants may be crucial in driving the selective toxicity in SCA3. Using RNA-seq datasets we identified and determined the abundance of annotated ATXN3 transcripts in blood (n = 60) and cerebellum (n = 12) of SCA3 subjects and controls. The reference transcript (ATXN3–251), translating into an ataxin-3 isoform harbouring three ubiquitin-interacting motifs (UIMs), showed the highest abundance in blood, while the most abundant transcript in the cerebellum (ATXN3–208) was of unclear function. Noteworthy, two of the four transcripts that encode full-length ataxin-3 isoforms but differ in the C-terminus were strongly related with tissue expression specificity: ATXN3–251 (3UIM) was expressed in blood 50-fold more than in the cerebellum, whereas ATXN3–214 (2UIM) was expressed in the cerebellum 20-fold more than in the blood. These findings shed light on ATXN3 alternative splicing, aiding in the comprehension of SCA3 pathogenesis and providing guidance in the design of future ATXN3 mRNA-lowering therapies.

The increased fish consumption by the growing human population in the world translates into an increase in fish waste. The reintroduction of these fish by-products into food and feed chains presents economic benefits and contributes to counteracting their negative environmental impact. Under this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the dietary inclusion of fish hydrolysate and oil obtained from fish waste (experimental diet) in substitution of shrimp hydrolysate and salmon oil (control diet) mainly imported from third countries on palatability, apparent total tract digestibility, fecal characteristics and metabolites, blood fatty acid profile, flatulence, and coat quality of adult dogs. A two-bowl test was performed to evaluate palatability by the pairwise comparison between the two diets. A feeding trial was conducted according to a crossover design with two diets (control and experimental diets), six adult Beagle dogs per diet, and two periods of 6 weeks each. The replacement of shrimp hydrolysate and salmon oil with fish hydrolysate and oil did not affect the first diet approach and taste, as well as the intake ratio. Generally, the digestibility of dry matter, nutrients, and energy was not affected by diet, but the intake of digestible crude protein (CP) and ether extract was higher, respectively, with the control and the experimental diet. The higher intake of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid with the experimental diet was reflected in a higher content of these long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and the omega-3 index of red blood cells, but it did not affect coat quality. The significantly higher intake of digestible CP with the control diet might have contributed to the higher fecal ammonia-N and valerate concentrations. Daily fecal output and characteristics were similar between diets. Overall, results suggest that fish hydrolysate and oil from the agrifood industry might constitute sustainable functional ingredients for dog feeding while adding value for wild fisheries, aquaculture, and fish farming under a circular economy approach and reducing dependence on imports from third countries with a high carbon footprint.

This paper presents the results of the management of a didactic device formulated by a Mathematics male and Biology female teacher from a secondary school in which they sought a codisciplinary study. Based on the Anthropological Theory of the Didactic, the results of an exploratory study that sought to characterize the management of a didactic device for the study of plant growth in secondary school are reported; In particular, we analyze the relevance of mathematical knowledge in its development. The main results indicate that the study enabled the protagonists to be the students: they formulated and answered questions, achieving autonomy and responsibility for the search for information in various media; however, mathematical knowledge did not occupy a prominent place during the study.

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia e intensidad del síndrome genitourinario de la menopausia en las mujeres atendidas en la consulta de climaterio y menopausia del Policlínico Universitario “Dr. Cosme Ordoñez Carceller. Materiales y métodos: Investigación tipo observacional, descriptiva y transversal, realizada en el período comprendido entre enero 2018 y diciembre de 2022. El universo de trabajo quedó constituido por 2962 mujeres de edad mediana del policlínico universitario Dr. Cosme Ordoñez Carceller. La muestra fue de 353 mujeres seleccionada mediante un muestreo estratificado simple. Para la recogida de los datos se empleó un modelo de Historia Clínica, de la cual se extrajeron los aspectos referidos a los datos sociodemográficos, la edad de inicio de los síntomas climatéricos y de la menopausia, las alteraciones genitourinarias y su intensidad en relación a la etapa del síndrome climatérico. Resultados: La edad promedio de las mujeres estudiadas fue de 49,4 +/- 5,18 años. La mayor cantidad de ellas se encontraban en la perimenopausia (60,1%), mientras que el porcentaje en las posmenopáusicas alcanzaba el 39,9%. La edad promedio de inicio de los síntomas fue de 45,8 +/- 6,2 años, la mayor frecuencia ocurrió entre los 45 y 49 años (61,5%). La edad promedio de aparición de la menopausia de 48,4+/- 3,7 años, lo que representa que más de dos tercios (81,6%) de las mujeres tuvieron su última menstruación por encima de los 45 años. Las alteraciones genitourinarias predominaron en la perimenopausia y la intensidad leve. Conclusiones: El síndrome genitourinario de la menopausia constituye un grupo de manifestaciones clínicas frecuentes en la mujer en etapa climatérica y afecta a más de dos tercios de las mujeres del policlínico, aparecen con mayor periodicidad entre los 45 y 49 años, en la perimenopausia y con intensidad leve.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is among the strongest dopamine neuron function- and survival-promoting factors known. Due to this reason, it has clinical relevance in dopamine disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia. In the striatum, GDNF is exclusively expressed in interneurons, which make up only about 0.6% of striatal cells. Despite clinical significance, histological analysis of striatal GDNF system arborization and relevance to incoming dopamine axons, which bear its receptor RET, has remained enigmatic. This is mainly due to the lack of antibodies able to visualize GDNF- and RET-positive cellular processes; here, we overcome this problem by using knock-in marker alleles. We find that GDNF neurons chemoattract RET+ axons at least seven times farther in distance than medium spiny neurons (MSNs), which make up 95% of striatal neurons. Furthermore, we provide evidence that tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis, is enriched towards GDNF neurons in the dopamine axons. Finally, we find that GDNF neuron arborizations occupy approximately only twelve times less striatal volume than 135 times more abundant MSNs. Collectively, our results improve our understanding of how endogenous GDNF affects striatal dopamine system function.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is one of the leading causes of death that affect many patients around the world. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted our healthcare system in large that diagnosis and management of GI cancer have suffered with a reduction in cancer screening. This review will describe the current practices of cancer screening during COVID-19 pandemic and summarize how each GI cancer (esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and hepatocellular cancers) has been affected by COVID-19. World widely there has been a decreasing trend in screening, diagnosis, and management of GI cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many healthcare institutions are now observing the effect of this change and implementing practice variations to adapt to the pandemic.

Abstract Inhalation is the preferred route of delivery for anti‐asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) drugs. The use of this route has demonstrated efficacy in these and other conditions, it offers rapid onset of action, and is associated with minimal systemic exposure, thereby reducing the risk of adverse effects. Therefore, the current brief covers an interesting collection of inhaler action modes, shedding light on their molecular mechanisms and clinical applications for anti‐asthma, COPD and antibacterial inhalation therapy. Hence, not only enriches our understanding of inhalation therapy molecular intricacies but also provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape in clinical and antibacterial inhalation therapy. In doing so, it underscores the pivotal role of microbiology and biotechnology in advancing therapeutic approaches that harness the power of inhalation.

Enquadramento: Nas pessoas idosas institucionalizadas, a infeção urinária é a mais comum, envolvendo 12% a 30% desta população, com pelo menos um episódio por ano, onde diversos fatores de risco influenciam a sua ocorrência. Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência das infeções urinárias em pessoas institucionalizadas numa instituição particular de solidariedade social e identificar os fatores de risco. Metodologia: Estudo epidemiológico observacional transversal. Os participantes são pessoas institucionalizadas numa instituição particular de solidariedade social e que pertencem a três valências diferentes. Amostra por conveniência. A colheita de dados realizou-se durante 8 meses, com registo do número total de utentes das várias valências (n = 171). Resultados: A prevalência de infeção urinária na instituição foi de 18,1%. Ocorreram mais casos em mulheres (p = 0,641) e em pessoas com idade superior a 75 anos (p = 0,269), mas sem diferenças significativas. O local de internamento demonstrou ter influência no risco de desenvolvimento de infeção urinária (p = 0,024). Conclusão: Das 171 pessoas internadas, 31 desenvolveram infeção urinária. São necessárias atitudes educativas e preventivas.

IntroductionChagas disease causes a cardiac illness characterized by immunoinflammatory reactions leading to myocardial fibrosis and remodeling. The development of Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCC) in some patients while others remain asymptomatic is not fully understood, but dysregulated inflammatory responses are implicated. The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a crucial role in regulating inflammation. Certain tryptophan (Trp) metabolites have been identified as AhR ligands with regulatory functions.Methods, results, and discussionWe investigated AhR expression, agonist response, ligand production, and AhR-dependent responses, such as IDO activation and regulatory T (Treg) cells induction, in two T. cruzi-infected mouse strains (B6 and Balb/c) showing different polymorphisms in AhR. Furthermore, we assessed the metabolic profile of Trp catabolites and AhR agonistic activity levels in plasma samples from patients with chronic Chagas disease (CCD) and healthy donors (HD) using a luciferase reporter assay and liquid chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS) analysis. T. cruzi-infected B6 mice showed impaired AhR-dependent responses compared to Balb/c mice, including reduced IDO activity, kynurenine levels, Treg cell induction, CYP1A1 up-regulation, and AhR expression following agonist activation. Additionally, B6 mice exhibited no detectable AhR agonist activity in plasma and displayed lower CYP1A1 up-regulation and AhR expression upon agonist activation. Similarly, CCC patients had decreased AhR agonistic activity in plasma compared to HD patients and exhibited dysregulation in Trp metabolic pathways, resulting in altered plasma metabolite profiles. Notably, patients with severe CCC specifically showed increased N-acetylserotonin levels in their plasma. The methods and findings presented here contribute to a better understanding of CCC development mechanisms and may identify potential specific biomarkers for T. cruzi infection and the severity of associated heart disease. These insights could be valuable in designing new therapeutic strategies. Ultimately, this research aims to establish the AhR agonistic activity and Trp metabolic profile in plasma as an innovative, non-invasive predictor of prognosis for chronic Chagas disease.

IntroductionAdequate identification of the sexual acceptability of contraceptive methods is key for designing health promotion interventions, assessing their impacts, and increasing their effectiveness. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to explore the preferences of women depending on their epidemiological characteristics and their partner relationships—the Sexual Acceptability of Contraceptive Methods Questionnaire [in Spanish, Aceptabilidad Sexual de los Métodos Anticonceptivos (ASMA)].MethodsPsychometric validation was conducted using Exploratory Factorial Analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The reliability of the final version of the questionnaire was explored using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald omega to estimate internal consistency.ResultsA three-factor model was identified. Factor 1 (explaining 28.32% of the model) corresponds to questions concerning the use and placement of the contraceptive and includes 6 items; Factor 2 (explaining 24.23%) corresponds to other factors that affect the relationship such as bleeding and side effects of the contraceptive method and includes 10 items; and Factor 3 (explaining 18.94%) corresponds to the couple relationship and includes 8 items.Conclusion and implicationsThe ASMA questionnaire provides a valid and reliable tool for assessing the sexual acceptability of various contraceptive methods. This instrument gathers data that provide information on various aspects of women’s sexuality, health, education, and beliefs, all of which can determine the preference for one contraceptive method over another. Moreover, the tool can help to identify profiles of women who have different preferences when selecting a particular method.

El potasio es considerado uno de los fertilizantes más importantes puesto que incide directamente en funciones fisiológicas esenciales de los cultivos, la aplicación inadecuada de este elemento y el uso de semilla criolla suelen repercutir en la calidad y rendimientos de diversos cultivos. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar el efecto de dos dosis de fertilización potásica: Fertilización uno: 260N-60P-440K-40Ca-30Mg y Fertilización dos: 260N-60P-340K-40Ca-30Mg en la morfología, calidad de fruto y rendimiento en líneas mejoradas y material criollo de chile soledad bajo condiciones de temporal. Se establecieron seis tratamientos T1: Fertilización 1 P15, T2: Fertilización 2 P15, T3: Fertilización 1 P13 y T4: Fertilización 2 P13 y dos testigos: T5: Fertilización 1 Material criollo, y F6: Fertilización 2 Material criollo. El diseño experimental fue parcelas divididas completamente al azar, con cuatro repeticiones. La línea mejorada P15 (CHISER-522) con la fertilización dos, obtuvo los mejores resultados de rendimiento por planta y total con 489.43 g y 14.77 t ha-1, respectivamente, además, en la morfología: altura de planta 77.73 cm, diámetro de tallo 14.78 mm, ancho de copa 64.43 cm, excepto en el número de ramificaciones. Para la calidad de fruto en la clasificación frutos de tamaño grande, las plantas con el tratamiento Fert 1 P15 obtuvieron los mejores resultados de peso, longitud y diámetro con 8.60 g, 9.83 cm y 13.06 mm respectivamente. La línea mejorada P15 en combinación con la fertilización con dosis baja de potasio mostró efectos significativos en la morfología y rendimiento de este cultivo.

Considering the extensive and widespread impact on individuals, cancer can presently be categorized as a pandemic. In many instances, the development of tumors has been linked to endemic microbe infections. Among parasitic infections, Trypanosoma cruzi stands out as one of the most extensively discussed protozoans in the literature that explores the association between diseases of parasite origin and cancer. However, the effective association remains an unsolved paradox. Both the parasite, along with protozoan-derived molecules, and the associated antiparasitic immune response can induce alterations in various host cell pathways, leading to modifications in cell cycle, metabolism, glycosylation, DNA mutations, or changes in neuronal signaling. Furthermore, the presence of the parasite can trigger cell death or a senescent phenotype and modulate the immune system, the metastatic cascade, and the formation of new blood vessels. The interaction among the parasite (and its molecules), the host, and cancer undoubtedly encompasses various mechanisms that operate differentially depending on the context. Remarkably, contrary to expectations, the evidence tilts the balance toward inhibiting tumor growth or resisting tumor development. This effect is primarily observed in malignant cells, rather than normal cells, indicating a selective or specific component. Nevertheless, nonspecific bystander mechanisms, such as T. cruzi’s adjuvancy or the presence of proinflammatory cytokines, may also play a significant role in this phenomenon. This work aims to elucidate this complex scenario by synthesizing the main findings presented in the literature and by proposing new questions and answers, thereby adding pieces to this challenging puzzle.

This work aims to prepare and characterize the unburned carbon obtained from gasification residues and evaluate its application as an adsorbent for the removal of textile dye contaminants. The results of physical and chemical properties showed a specific mass of 2.05 g/cm3, surface area of 23.983 g/cm2, and diameter and pore volume of 0.844 nm and 2.262 cm3/g, respectively. These properties, along with the point of zero charge and chemical bonds present on the surface, favored the adsorption of cationic dyes. The adsorption results showed great potential for the removal of methylene blue, crystal violet, and basic fuchsin if compared with bromocresol green, and indigo carmine. The maximum removal values obtained for methylene blue were up to 99% and the kinetic adsorption was faster at the beginning of the process, reaching the equilibrium in less than 5 min. The results obtained through the adsorption isotherms showed a maximum adsorption capacity of 333.33 and 476.19 mg/g, at the temperature of 291 and 328 K, respectively. The satisfactory results showed that the use of unburned carbon is a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to reusing the residue from gasification and also contributes to the decontamination of watercourses.

The gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome remains an emerging topic of study and the characterization and impact on human health and disease continue to be an area of great interest. Similarly, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the healthcare system with active disease, lasting effects, and complications with the full impact yet to be determined. The most current evidence of the interaction between COVID-19 and the GI microbiome is reviewed, with a focus on key mediators and the microbiome changes associated with acute disease and post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS).

The use of organic sources presents itself as a viable alternative to mitigate the excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers in agricultural practices. However, in the realm of pineapple cultivation, research exploring the synergy between chemical and organic fertilizers remains scarce. In this context, the objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of the combination of chemical and organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of the MD-2 pineapple cultivar under two shade net conditions (installed 45 and 250 days after planting). The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design, with the main plot being the shade net conditions and the sub-plots the five fertilization treatments, which were applied 18 times via drip irrigation (control, 100% chemical fertilization, 50% reduced chemical fertilization, organic fertilization, and a combination of 50% chemical fertilization with organic fertilization). The results showed that the early installation of shade netting 45 days after planting decreases the growth and yield of pineapple; thus, the use of shade netting at this age is not recommended. Regarding fertilization, the combination of 50% chemical fertilization with organic fertilization showed similar growth and yield values compared to 100% conventional chemical fertilization under both shade net conditions. Furthermore, this combination presented similar nitrate and potassium values in the plant and did not negatively affect malic acid content. Therefore, the use of organic fertilizers in pineapple cultivation is a promising strategy to reduce the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, and it could also improve soil fertility.

Green mold caused by Penicillium digitatum (Pers.:Fr.) Sacc is the most prevalent postharvest rot concerning citrus fruits. Using the subtractive suppression hybridization (SSH) technique, different P. digitatum genes have been identified that could be involved in virulence during citrus infection in the early stages, a crucial moment that determines whether the infection progresses or not. To this end, a comparison of two P. digitatum strains with high and low virulence has been carried out. We conducted a study on the gene expression profile of the most relevant genes. The results indicate the importance of transcription and regulation processes as well as enzymes involved in the degradation of the plant cell wall. The most represented expressed sequence tag (EST) was identified as PDIP_11000, associated with the FluG domain, which is putatively involved in the activation of conidiation. It is also worth noting that PDIP_02280 encodes a pectin methyl esterase, a cell wall remodeling protein with a high expression level in the most virulent fungal strains, which is notably induced during citrus infection. Furthermore, within the group with the greatest representation and showing significant induction in the early stages of infection, regulatory proteins (PDIP_68700, PDIP_76160) and a chaperone (PDIP_38040) stand out. To a lesser extent, but not less relevant, it is worth distinguishing different regulatory proteins and transcription factors, such as PDIP_00580, PDIP_49640 and PDIP_78930.

In this study, the surface of aerosil OX50 was treated with γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane in order to evaluate its effect on light-cured dental composites. Four composites were prepared with Bis-GMA/tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate/γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, Bis-GMA/tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and a 45% treated or untreated aerosil OX50, using the camphorquinone/N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate pair as initiator. Evidence of filler silanization was provided by FTIR as a low-intensity absorption at 1707 cm−1 (carbonyl functional group) while thermogravimetric analysis showed a mass loss of approximately 2% associated with the decomposition of γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane. The experimental composites studied meet the requirements of the ISO 4049:2019 standard for depth of cure, water sorption, and solubility. The composites are shown to be thermally stable and presented a degree of conversion higher than 70%, being higher than that reported for many commercial composites. Based on the observed properties, the best formulations were those in which the silane is incorporated into the matrix and the filler was previously treated.

Background: Calcium nitrate is a widely used fertilizer in the preparation of nutrient solutions. However, there is still a need to determine the effects of different levels of calcium nitrate on the Persian cucumber crop to optimize fertilization practices and improve crop yield. Objective: To determine the effects of two levels of calcium nitrate in the nutrient solution on the growth, yield, and nutrient content of two Persian cucumber hybrids (Bereket and Cruz). Methodology: The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement (two hybrids and two nutrient solutions) under greenhouse conditions. Results: The nutrient solution with 11 meq L-1 of calcium nitrate increased the concentration of nitrate and calcium in the petiole sap of the Cruz hybrid in the flowering stage; however, the yield of both hybrids decreased. On the other hand, the nutrient solution with 9 meq L-1 of calcium nitrate increased the number of fruits of both hybrids and the yield per plant of the Cruz hybrid. Implications: The Cruz hybrid showed to be more efficient in calcium uptake than the Bereket hybrid, which is interesting since it could require less calcium application without affecting yield. However, other studies are necessary to expand this information. Conclusion: The nutrient solution containing 9 meq L-1 of calcium nitrate showed a significant increase in the number of fruits per plant for both the Cruz and Bereket hybrids. This highlights the importance of appropriate calcium nitrate supplementation in the nutrient solution, as it enhances the production of hydroponically grown Persian cucumbers.

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) is a relatively infrequent but often overlooked finding when testing for von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels in a patient with mucocutaneous bleeding. Known causes include cardiovascular disorders, hematologic and solid tumors, autoimmune disorders, hypothyroidism, and drugs. An incoercible oral bleeding after a two-teeth removal in a patient with a mechanical aortic valve eventually raised suspicion about an AVWS that was confirmed through laboratory testing. Substitution therapy with an exogenous VWF factor was required to control the bleeding. Known causes of AVWS, including Heyde’s syndrome, were ruled out. VWF levels finally normalized two days after suspension of allopurinol, which the patient received for symptomatic hyperuricemia, leading to his complete recovery and early discharge without any other complications. AVWS is an underdiagnosed entity due to a lack of testing. Allopurinol has never been postured before as a possible etiology and should be evaluated when reaching a diagnosis.

Objetivo: Conhecer a vivência da equipe de enfermagem na prática do método canguru na UTI neonatal e quais os fatores que interferem na sua aplicabilidade nesse ambiente. Método: Estudo descritivo exploratório, transversal com abordagem qualitativa. Participaram da pesquisa quinze profissionais da equipe de enfermagem, entre enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem, que desenvolvem suas atividades com os recém-nascidos internados na UTI neonatal. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que o Método Canguru é uma importante estratégia de cuidado dos recém-nascidos, sendo definida quatro categorias a partir das entrevistas. Considerações finais: O Método Canguru, é uma estratégia utilizada pelos profissionais de saúde na prestação do cuidado integral, humano e individualizado, sendo benéfico tanto para o recém-nascido, a sua família e equipe, promovendo o fortalecimento de vínculo.

This paper presents an ontology based on mutation techniques for the modelling of cybersecurity attacks and its application to 5G networks. Main concepts of network protocols, mutation operators, flow of network packets and network traffic are introduced. An ontology is designed based on different mutation operators that allow to design models that can be assimilated with known and unknown attacks. This approach has been implemented in our open source 5G network traffic fuzzer, 5Greplay, and has been applied to three use cases that are representative of attacks against 5G networks: NAS Replay attack, Denial of Service by Sending Malformed NGAP Packets and 5G encapsulation of IoT traffic.

The exploration of patterns of health beliefs about COVID-19 among nursing students may be beneficial to identify behaviors, attitudes and knowledge about contagion risk. We sought to analyze the variables of risk perception, perceived risk factors, coping style, sense of coherence and knowledge of preventive measures as possible predictors of having suffered from COVID-19. Participants were nursing students from 13 universities in Spain. Sociodemographic and health variables were collected. To test the independent variables, the Perception Risk Coping Knowledge (PRCK-COVID-19) scale was created and validated because there was no specific survey for young people adapted to the pandemic situation of COVID-19. It was validated with adequate psychometric properties. A total of 1562 students (87.5% female, mean age 21.5 ± 5.7 years) responded. The high perception of the risk of contagion, the high level of knowledge and a coping style focused on the situation were notable. Significant differences by gender were found in the coping styles, problem-focused, avoidance and knowledge scales, with women scoring higher in all categories. The multiple regression analysis was significant (F = 3.68; p < 0.001). The predictor variables were the coping styles subscale search for support and the intrinsic and extrinsic perceived risk factors. Our model predicts that nursing students with a social support-based coping style are at a higher risk of becoming infected with COVID-19, based on their own health belief model.

Este artigo pretende analisar a apropriação da obra El Protestantismo comparado con el Catolicismo en sus Relaciones con la Civilizacion Europea, do teólogo monarquista Jaime Luciano Balmes Uría (1810-1848), pelo principal jornal ultramontano brasileiro da segunda metade do século XIX: O Apóstolo, editado na província do Rio de Janeiro entre os anos de 1866 e 1901 na condição de um dos principais porta-vozes dos ideais e projetos ultramontanos, afinados com algumas das diretrizes da Santa Sé para o mundo católico da época, visando a barrar o avanço dos supostos “erros da modernidade”. Tendo como problemática de fundo o processo de circulação de ideias e apropriação cultural, visa a cotejar as apropriações pelo jornal de trechos e ideias presentes na obra de Balmes, escrita no contexto da reação legitimista às vicissitudes sociopolíticas e aos debates teológicos que marcaram a Espanha na década de 1840, identificando suas adaptações e ressignificações à luz da realidade brasileira da época, concomitante a dinâmica de circulação de impressos em perspectiva transnacional.