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Objectives: Limited evidence exists for strategic actions in improving the youth population-level mental health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigates the health and economic impacts of inter-sectoral mental health programs to inform the optimal suite of interventions for young people in Bogotá, Colombia, where many are at risk of mental disorders and lack access to appropriate health services., Methods: This study examined nine interventions compared to business-as-usual over a projected 10-year time horizon using a system dynamics model developed through a participatory process involving diverse local stakeholders. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for uncertainties from a healthcare payer perspective., Results: Anti-bullying, community-based rehabilitation, and online mental health programs were dominant. GP mental health training and gatekeeper suicide prevention training could significantly improve mental health outcomes at an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) below the threshold of 4,890 USD/QALY. However, simultaneously implementing all nine strategies could produce a synergistic effect, yielding the greatest benefit relative to business-as-usual with an incremental net monetary benefit of USD 465 million and an ICER of USD 586 per QALY gained., Conclusions: Combined intersectoral mental health strategies were synergistic and resulted in optimum health outcomes relative to business-as-usual. System dynamics approach offers additional attributes to economic evaluation in mental health settings by considering capacity constraints, unintended consequences, and interactions between multiple interventions. It is a valuable approach for decision-makers to effectively and efficiently prioritise and allocate scarce resources in complex public health systems., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Rationale: Patients with epilepsy face different barriers based on ignorance and fear of themselves and others while exercising, this situation complicates attempts at exercise and promotes discrimination against patients. Physical activity has been associated with favorable results in the health of this population and can be used as a non-pharmacological treatment seeking to increase the health and improve living conditions of patients. Our study aims to explore how physical activity impacts quality-of-life perception in these patients., Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, survey-based study conducted at the outpatient Epilepsy Clinic in the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery "Manuel Velasco Suárez". Patients between 17 and 65 years of age and with an established diagnosis of epilepsy were considered for participation. A 31-item questionnaire was administered to all participants face-to-face or by telephone. The questions included in the survey were selected from the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory to assess the level of exercise and perceived quality of life of participants. Descriptive and inferential Mann-Whitney U test statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0 software., Results: Participants' mean age was 35.69 ± 11.93 years, 45 % were male and 55 % female. Significant differences were found in the domain of perceived quality of life in the self-reported physically active participants ( p  = 0.0256; 95 % IC: 1.00-15.22), with a mean score of 75.78 ± 16.64 in the active group vs. 67.66 ± 15.86 in the sedentary group. In those who complied with the exercise recommendations according to the WHO, there was significant evidence of improvement in the general quality of life ( p  = 0.0032; 95 % IC:4.9-23.9), with a mean score of 75.22 ± 15.92 in the active group vs. 60.76 ± 17.836 in the sedentary group., Conclusions: Physical activity is associated with a significant impact on how patients with epilepsy perceive their quality of life. In addition, it improves memory and concentration in the tasks they perform in their daily lives., Competing Interests: None., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Microbial gene expression measurements derived from infected organs are invaluable to understand pathogenesis. However, current methods are limited to "bulk" analyses that neglect microbial cell heterogeneity and the lesion's spatial architecture. Here, we report the use of hybridization chain reaction RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (HCR RNA-FISH) to visualize and quantify Candida albicans transcripts at single-cell resolution in tongues of infected mice. The method is compatible with fixed-frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. We document cell-to-cell variation and intriguing spatiotemporal expression patterns for C. albicans mRNAs that encode products implicated in oral candidiasis. The approach provides a spatial dimension to gene expression analyses of host- Candida interactions., Importance: Candida albicans is a fungal pathobiont inhabiting multiple mucosal surfaces of the human body. Immunosuppression, antibiotic-induced microbial dysbiosis, or implanted medical devices can impair mucosal integrity enabling C. albicans to overgrow and disseminate, causing either mucosal diseases such as oropharyngeal candidiasis or life-threatening systemic infections. Profiling fungal genes that are expressed in the infected mucosa or in any other infected organ is paramount to understand pathogenesis. Ideally, these transcript profiling measurements should reveal the expression of any gene at the single-cell level. The resolution typically achieved with current approaches, however, limits most gene expression measurements to cell population averages. The approach described in this report provides a means to dissect fungal gene expression in infected tissues at single-cell resolution., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Adhesion to mucosal surfaces is a critical step in many bacterial and fungal infections. Here, using a mouse model of oral infection by the human fungal pathobiont Candida albicans, we report the identification of a novel regulator of C. albicans adhesion to the oral mucosa. The regulator is a member of the regulatory factor X (RFX) family of transcription factors, which control cellular processes ranging from genome integrity in model yeasts to tissue differentiation in vertebrates. Mice infected with the C. albicans rfx1 deletion mutant displayed increased fungal burden in tongues compared to animals infected with the reference strain. High-resolution imaging revealed RFX1 transcripts being expressed by C. albicans cells during infection. Concomitant with the increase in fungal burden, the rfx1 mutant elicited an enhanced innate immune response. Transcriptome analyses uncovered HWP1, a gene encoding an adhesion protein that mediates covalent attachment to buccal cells, as a major RFX1-regulated locus. Consistent with this result, we establish that C. albicans adhesion to oral cells is modulated by RFX1 in an HWP1-dependent manner. Our findings expand the repertoire of biological processes controlled by the RFX family and illustrate a mechanism whereby C. albicans can adjust adhesion to the oral epithelium., (© 2024 The Authors. Molecular Microbiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Systems modeling offers a valuable tool to support strategic decision-making for complex problems because it considers the causal inter-relationships that drive population health outcomes. This tool can be used to simulate policies and initiatives to determine which combinations are likely to deliver the greatest impacts and returns on investment. Systems modeling benefits from participatory approaches where a multidisciplinary stakeholder group actively engages in mapping and contextualizing causal mechanisms driving complex system behaviors. Such approaches can have significant advantages, including that they may improve connection and coordination of the network of stakeholders operating across the system; however, these are often observed in practice as colloquial anecdotes and seldom formally assessed. We used a basic social network analysis to explore the impact on the configuration of the network of mental health providers, decision-makers, and other stakeholders in Bogota, Colombia active in a series of three workshops throughout 2021 and 2022. Overall, our analysis suggests that the participatory process of the systems dynamics exercise impacts the social network's structure, relationships, and dynamics., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Camacho, Hilber, Ospina-Pinillos, Sánchez-Nítola, Shambo-Rodríguez, Lee and Occhipinti.)

The interaction of plants with bacteria and the long-term success of their adaptation to challenging environments depend upon critical traits that include nutrient solubilization, remodeling of root architecture, and modulation of host hormonal status. To examine whether bacterial promotion of phosphate solubilization, root branching and the host auxin response may account for plant growth, we isolated and characterized ten bacterial strains based on their high capability to solubilize calcium phosphate. All strains could be grouped into six Pseudomonas species, namely P. brassicae, P. baetica, P. laurylsulfatiphila, P. chlororaphis, P. lurida, and P. extremorientalis via 16S rRNA molecular analyses. A Solibacillus isronensis strain was also identified, which remained neutral when interacting with Arabidopsis roots, and thus could be used as inoculation control. The interaction of Arabidopsis seedlings with bacterial streaks from pure cultures in vitro indicated that their phytostimulation properties largely differ, since P. brassicae and P. laurylsulfatiphila strongly increased shoot and root biomass, whereas the other species did not. Most bacterial isolates, except P. chlororaphis promoted lateral root formation, and P. lurida and P. chlororaphis strongly enhanced expression of the auxin-inducible gene construct DR5:GUS in roots, but the most bioactive probiotic bacterium P. brassicae could not enhance the auxin response. Inoculation with P. brassicae and P. lurida improved shoot and root growth in medium supplemented with calcium phosphate as the sole Pi source. Collectively, our data indicate the differential responses of Arabidopsis seedlings to inoculation with several Pseudomonas species and highlight the potential of P. brassicae to manage phosphate nutrition and plant growth in a more eco-friendly manner., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Most studies on stroke have been designed to examine one deficit in isolation; yet, survivors often have multiple deficits in different domains. While the mechanisms underlying multiple-domain deficits remain poorly understood, network-theoretical methods may open new avenues of understanding., Methods: Fifty subacute stroke patients (7±3days poststroke) underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and a battery of clinical tests of motor and cognitive functions. We defined indices of impairment in strength, dexterity, and attention. We also computed imaging-based probabilistic tractography and whole-brain connectomes. To efficiently integrate inputs from different sources, brain networks rely on a rich-club of a few hub nodes. Lesions harm efficiency, particularly when they target the rich-club. Overlaying individual lesion masks onto the tractograms enabled us to split the connectomes into their affected and unaffected parts and associate them to impairment., Results: We computed efficiency of the unaffected connectome and found it was more strongly correlated to impairment in strength, dexterity, and attention than efficiency of the total connectome. The magnitude of the correlation between efficiency and impairment followed the order attention>dexterity ≈ strength (strength: | r |=.03, P =0.02, dexterity: | r |=.30, P =0.05, attention: | r |=.55, P <0.001). Network weights associated with the rich-club were more strongly correlated to efficiency than non-rich-club weights., Conclusions: Attentional impairment is more sensitive to disruption of coordinated networks between brain regions than motor impairment, which is sensitive to disruption of localized networks. Providing more accurate reflections of actually functioning parts of the network enables the incorporation of information about the impact of brain lesions on connectomics contributing to a better understanding of underlying stroke mechanisms.

Background: Mexican immigrants in the United States face mental health challenges, disparities, and limited access to healthcare; however, mental health promotion efforts specifically targeting this population have been insufficient. The objective of this study was to develop and test a mental health promotion intervention based on protective mental health factors and coping strategies for Mexican immigrants recruited through a free, consulate-based program in Atlanta., Material and Methods: Working with the Ventanilla de Salud program, we conducted a longitudinal study in three phases: formative research and design, pre-intervention assessment and post-implementation evaluation. The intervention was designed based on the health promotion model and interviews with stakeholders. Qualitative information was collected by semi-structured interviews with participants before and after the intervention. Quantitative outcomes were knowledge about protective factors and coping mechanisms, and psychosocial distress. Differences were assessed using the Wilcoxon non-parametrical test. Intent-to-treat analysis was conducted with all participants who signed the informed consent (carrying last observation forward), and a complete case analysis was conducted with those who attended at least 70% of the sessions and completed the post- implementation evaluation., Results: Twenty-five participants were enrolled in the intervention. Mean age was 38 years, and the majority were women. Only nine participants attended at least 70% of the sessions and completed the final evaluation. Men, those who did not complete high school, and workers in service or construction jobs were more likely to drop out. Knowledge about protective factors [pre- vs. post-intervention median (inter-quartile range) = 111 (100, 120) vs. 115 (100, 124)] and coping mechanisms [96 (85, 104) vs. 99 (90, 110)], as well as psychosocial distress [3 (2, 3) vs. 2 (2, 3)] improved after the intervention in both intent-to treat and complete case analyses ( p < 0.05). Qualitative results also support improvements in targeted protective factors., Discussion: The intervention was successful in improving psychological distress among Mexican immigrants. These results support the implementation of evidence-based mental health promotion interventions among Mexican immigrants via free and familiar programs. A limitation was the high attrition; future studies should explore approaches to improve retention in this population., Competing Interests: IG served as Emory University's director of the Ventanilla de Salud Atlanta program at the time of the implementation of the study. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Martínez Rodríguez, González Vázquez, Márquez Serrano, Groot, Fernandez and Gonzalez Casanova.)

Plants interact with a great variety of microorganisms that inhabit the rhizosphere or the epiphytic and endophytic phyllosphere and that play critical roles in plant growth as well as the biocontrol of phytopathogens and insect pests. Avocado fruit damage caused by the thrips species Scirtothrips perseae leads to economic losses of 12-51% in many countries. In this study, a screening of bacteria associated with the rhizosphere or endophytic phyllosphere of avocado roots was performed to identify bacterial isolates with plant growth-promoting activity in vitro assays with Arabidopsis seedlings and to assess the biocontrol activity of the isolates against Scirtothrips perseae. The isolates with beneficial, pathogenic and/or neutral effects on Arabidopsis seedlings were identified. The plant growth-promoting bacteria were clustered in two different groups (G1 and G3B) based on their effects on root architecture and auxin responses, particularly bacteria of the Pseudomonas genus (MRf4-2, MRf4-4 and TRf2-7) and one Serratia sp. (TS3-6). Twenty strains were selected based on their plant growth promotion characteristics to evaluate their potential as thrips biocontrol agents. Analyzing the biocontrol activity of S. perseae, it was identified that Chryseobacterium sp. shows an entomopathogenic effect on avocado thrips survival. Through the metabolic profiling of compounds produced by bacteria with plant growth promotion activity, bioactive cyclodipeptides (CDPs) that could be responsible for the plant growth-promoting activity in Arabidopsis were identified in Pseudomonas, Serratia and Stenotrophomonas. This study unravels the diversity of bacteria from the avocado rhizosphere and highlights the potential of a unique isolate to achieve the biocontrol of S. perseae., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy without apparent cardiac justification. Sudden cardiac death may be the first manifestation of the disease. It occurs mainly in adulthood and can be seen in childhood and adolescence where genetic origin predominates. Primary HCM ("familial") is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern in the 25 subtypes informed in Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man. The proteins encoded by the mutated genes are part of the sarcomere in the cardiac cells, being the thick filament the most frequently affected, with the worst prognosis. In the present article, we describe the Mendelian inheritance of the disease and the two most associated genes with sudden death: MYBPC3 and MYH7., (Copyright: © 2019 Permanyer.)

Introducción: La histiocitosis de células de Langerhans (HCL) es un trastorno histiocítico raro y su incidencia exacta se mantiene desconocida; se ha diagnosticado en todos los grupos de edad, pero es más común en los primeros 3 años de vida. Se caracteriza por lesiones únicas o múltiples de tipo osteolítico causadas por proliferación clonal de células histológicamente similares a las células de Langerhans; su presentación clínica es heterogénea., Caso Clínico: Presentamos el caso de una paciente de sexo femenino de 7 años, con dificultad para la marcha y debilidad progresiva en los miembros inferiores de 5 días de evolución. A la exploración física presenta hallazgos concordantes con síndrome piramidal e hipoestesias de miembros inferiores. Se realizó resonancia magnética (RM) de columna y tomografía computarizada de cráneo simple, que descartó patología intracraneal. En la RM de columna se detectó vertebra plana con extensión epidural y paravertebral, por lo que se inició manejo con esteroides y se indicó descompresión quirúrgica. Se realizó resección parcial y biopsia de la lesión. Debido a los hallazgos histológicos y la presencia de marcadores positivos para CD1a y CD207, se confirmó el diagnóstico de HCL., Conclusiones: La HCL es una enfermedad poco frecuente y de difícil diagnóstico por su presentación heterogénea. El granuloma eosinofílico y la vértebra plana como hallazgos imagenológicos pueden orientar el diagnóstico, aunque siempre se debe confirmar histológicamente., Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease, more common in the first three years of life. It is characterized by single or multiple osteolytic lesions due to clonal proliferation of cells histologically similar to Langerhans cells; its clinical presentation is heterogeneous., Case Report: 7-year-old female patient with 5 days of progressive lower extremity weakness and difficulty to walk. Physical exam findings were consistent with pyramidal syndrome and lower extremities hypoesthesia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of spine and cranial computed tomography (CT) were performed. Intracranial pathology was ruled out. The MRI findings showed vertebra plana with epidural and paravertebral involvement, so treatment with steroids and surgical decompression initiated. Partial resection and biopsy of the lesion was performed. Due to histological findings and positive CD1a and CD207 markers, diagnosis of LCH was confirmed., Conclusions: LCH is an uncommon disease with a challenging diagnosis due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation. Eosinophilic granuloma and vertebra plana as imaging findings may guide the diagnosis. However, it should always be confirmed with histological evidence., (Copyright: © 2018 SecretarÍa de Salud.)

Copyright of Revista Medica del IMSS is the property of Direccion de Prestaciones Medicas - IMSS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Despite suicide's public health significance and global mental health awareness, current suicide prevention efforts show limited impact, posing a challenge for low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to develop a dynamic simulation model that could be used to examine the potential effectiveness of alternative interventions for reducing youth mental health problems and suicidal behavior in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods: A system dynamics model was designed using a participatory approach involving three workshops conducted in 2021 and 2022. These workshops engaged 78 stakeholders from various health and social sectors to map key mental health outcomes and influential factors affecting them. A model was subsequently developed, tested, and presented to the participants for interactive feedback, guided by a moderator. Simulation analyses were conducted to compare projected mental health outcomes for a range of intervention scenarios with projections for a reference scenario corresponding to business-as-usual. Results: A total of 6670 suicide attempts and 347 suicides are projected among 7 − 17-year-olds from January 1, 2023, to early 2031 under the business-as-usual scenario. Mental health issues among 12 − 17-year-olds are projected to increase from 18.9% (2023) to 27.8% (2031), and substance use issues from 2.29 to 2.49% over the same period. School-based suicide prevention and gatekeeper training are the most effective strategies, reducing total numbers of suicide attempts and suicides by more than 20% (i.e., compared to business-as-usual). However, discontinuous funding significantly hinders these effective suicide prevention efforts. Conclusions: Systems modelling is an important tool for understanding where the best strategic financial and political investments lie for improving youth mental health in resource-constrained settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In this work, we study whether aqueous extracts from the roots of Mimosa albida Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd, a plant known in the Highlands of Chiapas, Mexico as "Lotóm chíx" are endowed with both antinociceptive and anxiolytic effects., Materials and Methods: ICR mice were systemically treated with aqueous extracts from Mimosa albida and the reference compounds (diazepam, dipyrone and/or fentanyl) and their behavior was evaluated in several behavioral tests., Results: Administration of aqueous extracts from the roots of Mimosa albida resulted in a reduction of the nociception elicited in mice by both the hot plate (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg; i.p.) and the acetic acid-induced writhing (25 and 50 mg/kg; i.p.) tests. No effects were however observed both in the elevated plus-maze and hole board test (3.2, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg; i.p.). In contrast, both locomotion (open field test) and motor coordination (rotarod test) were affected at doses (50, 100 y 200 mg/kg; i.p.) higher than those having antinociceptive effects., Conclusion: These data suggest that in mice the systemic administration of low doses of aqueous extracts from the roots of Mimosa albida results in antinociceptive effects in several models of pain through mechanisms that do not involve the opioid system pathway. These results support the ethnopharmacological use of Mimosa albida in popular medicine., (© 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Sepsis is a fairly common disease process in our population. Even with aggressive treatment, morbidity and mortality remain high. The initial evaluation of these patients with sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock may increase survival. Understanding the pathophysiological process is an integral part of improving outcomes. Recent studies have shown that with the systematic use of aggressive fluid expansion, broad-spectrum antibiotics as well as inotropes and vasopressors a decrease in mortality may be achieved. Our efforts must be geared towards a structured early diagnosis and treatment. With the right tools and approach we will be able to keep ourselves ahead of this condition in order to improve the health of our fellow patients in Puerto Rico and the rest of the world.

Resource storage is a critical component of plant life history. While the storage of nonstructural carbohydrates in wood has been studied extensively, the multiple functions of mineral nutrient storage have received much less attention. Here, we highlight the size of wood nutrient pools, a primary determinant of whole-plant nutrient use efficiency, and a substantial fraction of ecosystem nutrient budgets, particularly tropical forests. Wood nutrient concentrations also show exceptional interspecific variation, even among co-occurring plant species, yet how they align with other plant functional traits and fit into existing trait economic spectra is unclear. We review the chemical forms and location of nutrient pools in bark and sapwood, and the evidence that nutrient remobilization from sapwood is associated with mast reproduction, seasonal leaf flush, and the capacity to resprout following damage. We also emphasize the role wood nutrients are likely to play in determining decomposition rates. Given the magnitude of wood nutrient stocks, and the importance of tissue stoichiometry to forest productivity, a key unresolved question is whether investment in wood nutrients is a relatively fixed trait, or conversely whether under global change plants will adjust nutrient allocation to wood depending on carbon gain and nutrient supply., (© 2024 The Author(s). New Phytologist © 2024 New Phytologist Foundation.)

To determine the risk factors associated with the development of chronic kidney disease in adults with arterial hypertension. Material and Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 455 patients with hypertension treated in a primary health care hospital. Medical records and laboratory information were reviewed for the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and its staging. Patients aged 40 years and older, of both sexes and evaluated between the years 2015 − 2017 were included. Logistic regression analysis allowed the identification of risk factors associated with the development of chronic kidney disease. Results: 63.7% were female and 36.3% male. The average age for 2015 was 69.79 ± 9.03, more than half of participants had diabetes mellitus and controlled hypertension and the predominant nephroprotection was with Losartan (53%) that year. Male sex (OR 1.68, CI 1.03– 2,76), age: 60 years or older (OR 6.38, CI 2.65– 15,37) and anemia (OR 1.71, CI 1.03– 2,85), were risk factors for the development of chronic kidney disease (p < 0.05), whereas nephroprotection (OR 0.39, CI 0.18– 0,88) and controlled diabetes mellitus (OR: 0.18, CI 0.07– 0,47) were shown to be protective factors (p < 0.05). The prevalence of chronic kidney disease between 2015 and 2017 was 19% and 45%, respectively, with predominance of category G2. The comparison group is the same cohort analyzed in each year under study. Conclusion: Male sex, age over 60 years, and anemia are risk factors for chronic kidney disease. Nephroprotection, controlled diabetes mellitus, and patient follow-up are factors that prevent its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: In P. aeruginosa, mutation of the gene encoding N-acyl-L-homoserine lactone synthase LasI drives defense and plant growth promotion, and this latter trait requires adequate nitrate nutrition. Cross-kingdom communication with bacteria is crucial for plant growth and productivity. Here, we show a strong induction of genes for nitrate uptake and assimilation in Arabidopsis seedlings co-cultivated with P. aeruginosa WT (PAO1) or ΔlasI mutants defective on the synthesis of the quorum-sensing signaling molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone. Along with differential induction of defense-related genes, the change from plant growth repression to growth promotion upon bacterial QS disruption, correlated with upregulation of the dual-affinity nitrate transceptor CHL1/AtNRT1/NPF6.3 and the nitrate reductases NIA1 and NIA2. CHL1-GUS was induced in Arabidopsis primary root tips after transfer onto P. aeruginosa ΔlasI streaks at low and high N availability, whereas this bacterium required high concentrations of nitrogen to potentiate root and shoot biomass production and to improve root branching. Arabidopsis chl1-5 and chl1-12 mutants and double mutants in NIA1 and NIA2 nitrate reductases showed compromised growth under low nitrogen availability and failed to mount an effective growth promotion and root branching response even at high NH4NO3. WT P. aeruginosa PAO1 and P. aeruginosa ΔlasI mutant promoted the accumulation of nitric oxide (NO) in roots of both the WT and nia1nia2 double mutants, whereas NO donors SNP or SNAP did not improve growth or root branching in nia1nia2 double mutants with or without bacterial cocultivation. Thus, inoculation of Arabidopsis roots with P. aeruginosa drives gene expression for improved nitrogen acquisition and this macronutrient is critical for the plant growth-promoting effects upon disruption of the LasI quorum-sensing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia (MEH), or focal epithelial hypertension (FEH), or Heck's disease, is an uncommon, benign oral mucosal disease associated with human papillomavirus infection. It is mostly observed in indigenous populations of the world, and has been rarely reported in China. However, previous research suggested there might be a greater prevalence of MEH in the Chinese population. While predominantly involves the lips, buccal mucosa and tongue, MEH was occasionally reported to affect the hard palate and gingiva as well. Case presentation: This paper reports a case of extensive MEH lesions that confined to the interdental papilla of a Chinese male without detection of HPV, and summarizes the published gingiva-involved MEH reports from 1966 until present. The lesions were excised with an Er: YAG laser after scaling and root planning, no recurrence was observed after 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: The present report illustrates the need for clinicians to be aware of rare presentations of MEH to facilitate a prompt diagnosis and proper management. More reports are encouraged to determine a correct prevalence rate of MEH in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auricular fistula is a common congenital auricular malformation, characterized as a small opening in the skin and a subcutaneous cyst. It can be classified in different ways according to positions of pits and directions of fistula tracts. The term preauricular fistula and variant type of preauricular fistula (postauricular fistula) are used. Auricular fistula prevalence varies in countries and populations, and its actual prevalence is presently unknown. The most accepted and widely cited theory of auricular fistula etiopathogenesis is an incorrect or incomplete fusion of six auricular hillocks that are mesenchymal proliferations. Auricular fistula can occur either sporadically or genetically. The pattern in inherited cases is thought to be incomplete autosomal dominant, with variable expressions, reduced penetrance, and inapparent gender differences. Auricular fistula has several forms and is reported as being a component of many syndromes. In the field of genetics, currently, there is no related review to comprehensively summarize the genetic basis of auricular fistula and related disorders. This article provides a comprehensive review of auricular fistula, especially congenital preauricular fistula, which accounts for the majority of auricular fistula, by summarizing the clinical manifestations, histological and embryological development, genetics, examinations, and treatments, as well as syndromes with auricular fistula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ginecología y Obstetricia de México is the property of Federacion Mexicana de Ginecologia y Obstetricia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Aysén-Río Mayo Basin was a back-arc/marginal basin developed in southwestern South America (43°–47°S) between the Tithonian–Aptian. Its sedimentary fill corresponds to the Coyhaique Group, which represents a transgressive–regressive succession. Six lithofacies and five microfacies were defined for three outcrops exposed south of Coyhaique (45°40'S). The outcrops have a mixed calcareous–volcaniclastic composition and were assigned to the early transgressive Toqui Formation, i.e., lowermost part of the Coyhaique Group. These mixed rocks comprise bioclastic–volcaniclastic conglomerate, gravelly allochemic sandstone, and gravelly–sandy allochem limestone. Bedding is sharp to amalgamated, sometimes rippled, depicting a wave- and storm-influenced, mixed inner- to mid-ramp. The ramp developed over a Valanginian, active volcanic terrain (Foitzick Volcanic Complex), source of the volcaniclastic sediments. Limestones are rich in reworked bioclasts, and controlled by calcitic organisms including gryphaeid oysters, non-geniculate red algae, and echinoid fragments, defining a heterozoan association ("maerl"-like sediments); less frequent are ahermatypic corals, serpulids, and carbonized wood. Based on their inferred paleolatitude (south of 45°–50°S), fossil assemblage (heterozoan), and kind of carbonate platform (ramp-type), these calcareous rocks of the Toqui Formation depict a "cool-water" (sensu lato), non-tropical setting. The fossil assemblage includes oysters (Aetostreon spp.), and abundant calcareous red algae attributed to Archamphiroa jurassica Steinmann (1930), a taxon previously known from the upper Tithonian Cotidiano Formation of Argentina. A. jurassica is here reported for the first time for the Lower Cretaceous of Chile, suggesting a broader upper Tithonian—Valanginian-Hauterivian? range for the species. The facies model presented here contrasts with the depositional environments depicted for correlative reefal rocks in Argentina (Tres Lagunas Formation), which reflect a "warm-water" setting. In the Aysén-Río Mayo Basin, the influence of sea-water key physical variables in the carbonate sedimentation, as well as the position and hydraulic regime of the carbonate platforms within the basin, and their interaction with the volcanism are still unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics is the property of Xiangya Medical Periodical Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Alerta (San Salvador) - Revista Cientifica del Instituto Nacional de Salud is the property of Instituto Nacional de Salud and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Context: Hurricanes are major threats to coastal mangrove ecosystems. Inundation has been implicitly reported to associate with mangrove damages and mortality. However, there have been no spatial statistical analyses of the impact of inundation on mangrove recovery at landscape scales. Objectives: Our objectives are to detect spatiotemporal patterns of inundation after major hurricanes and to explore explicitly the role of inundation in mangrove recovery at landscape scale. Methods: Using C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar images, we detected the spatiotemporal pattern of surface flood and derived the spatial distribution of inundation depth under mangrove canopies based on surrounding surface flood and elevation along northern Puerto Rico coasts after major hurricanes in 2017. Based on the Enhanced Vegetation Index, we derived the short-term hurricane impact and the recovery ratio from 2018 to 2021, and analyzed the impact and the recovery of mangrove greenness by means of spatial error models. Results: The identification of surface flood reached very high accuracy. The severe impact is significantly explained by greater gust windspeed during the hurricane and lower elevation. More importantly, retarded mangrove greenness recovery is significantly explained by severer impacts, longer and deeper inundation, and heavier hurricane rainfall. Conclusions: Spatiotemporal heterogeneity in flood depth plays a significant and essential role in mangrove recovery and delayed mortality after major hurricanes. The derived flood depth turns out to be a better explanator of mangrove recovery than elevation, which highlights importance of landscape hydrology and topography with respect to mangrove response and restoration after major hurricanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Enfermería Nefrológica is the property of Sociedad Espanola de Enfermeria Nefrologica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Investigación y Desarrollo (1390-5546) is the property of Direccion de Investigacion y Desarrollo (DIDE) de la Universidad Tecnica de Ambato and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

High-intensity hurricane disturbances have severe consequences on forest structure and functioning. Through wind force and heavy rainfall, they cause extensive canopy removal and an input of fine litter and woody debris well above normal levels. We examined litterfall N and P concentrations and fluxes before and after Hurricane Patricia (category 4) landfall in October 2015 in the seasonally dry tropical forest of the Chamela region, Jalisco, Mexico. Additionally, we compared the forest response to Patricia with those to Hurricane Jova (2011), from the Eastern North Pacific basin and to Hurricane Dean (2007) from the Atlantic basin. Nutrient concentrations in hurricane-induced litterfall in October 2015 were 2.2 times higher in leaf litter than in the woody fraction. Both litterfall N and P concentrations during the period November–February following the hurricane were generally higher than in similar periods in years previous to and after Patricia. Nutrient fluxes in October 2015 (75.9 kgN/ha and 3.6 kgP/ha) represented 55% (N) and 52% (P) of the total fluxes that year, which were much higher than those in any of the three years following the hurricane. These results suggest that forest biogeochemical resilience has changed in the short term. The annual litterfall N and P fluxes during the year of Hurricane Dean were lower than in 2011 and 2015, but similar to non-hurricane years. After Patricia, the annual N flux was higher, but the annual P flux lower than after Jova, and the former represents the largest annual N flux in our more than 25 years record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Investigación en Salud VIVE is the property of Revista de Investigacion en Salud VIVE and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The interaction of plant roots with bacteria is influenced by chemical signaling, where auxins play a critical role. Auxins exert positive or negative influences on the plant traits responsible of root architecture configuration such as root elongation and branching and root hair formation, but how bacteria that modify the plant auxin response promote or repress growth, as well as root structure, remains unknown. Here, we isolated and identified via molecular and electronic microscopy analysis a Micrococcus luteus LS570 strain as a plant growth promoter that halts primary root elongation in Arabidopsis seedlings and strongly triggers root branching and absorptive potential. The root biomass was exacerbated following root contact with bacterial streaks, and this correlated with inducible expression of auxin-related gene markers DR5:GUS and DR5:GFP. Cellular and structural analyses of root growth zones indicated that the bacterium inhibits both cell division and elongation within primary root tips, disrupting apical dominance, and as a consequence differentiation programs at the pericycle and epidermis, respectively, triggers the formation of longer and denser lateral roots and root hairs. Using Arabidopsis mutants defective on auxin signaling elements, our study uncovers a critical role of the auxin response factors ARF7 and ARF19, and canonical auxin receptors in mediating both the primary root and lateral root response to M. luteus LS570. Our report provides very basic information into how actinobacteria interact with plants and direct evidence that the bacterial genus Micrococcus influences the cellular and physiological plant programs ultimately responsible of biomass partitioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed leaf functional traits, chemical defenses and their effects on herbivory in three plant species that occur at two contrasting successional stages: mature and secondary forests in Mexico. In each successional stage, 15 individuals of Cordia elaeagnoides, C. alliodora and Achatocarpus gracilis were selected to analyze physical and chemical defenses and herbivory. Chlorophyll content, leaf thickness, leaf water content and leaf fresh mass were higher in mature forests, whereas SLA was higher in secondary forests, partially supporting the prediction that leaf traits vary from conservative to acquisitive along the leaf economics spectrum during succession. Content of secondary compounds did not show a consistent pattern among successional stages, but a relatively consistent trend was observed for C. elaeagnoides and A. gracilis, which exhibited higher levels of phenols and flavonoids in mature forests. Herbivory was higher in secondary than in mature forests for Cordia species, but the opposite pattern was found for A. gracilis. These results contradict the predictions of the resource availability hypothesis for tropical dry plant species, which state that resource-conservative plants in secondary forests invest more in chemical defenses and have less herbivore damage than resource-acquisitive plants in mature forests. Such idiosyncratic responses make it difficult to use a single hypothesis to predict plant defense and herbivory variations along environmental gradients at both intra- and interspecific levels. Considering the current intensity of human disturbance in forests, further studies are necessary to evaluate the impacts of changes in leaf functional traits on plant fitness during succession in the tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 can be transmitted through droplets and direct contact. The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern. Breastfeeding mothers who are infected with COVID-19 have a risk of transmitting it to their babies. Effective support for breastfeeding or formula milk for babies need to remain a priority so that the nutritional needs of babies can be met. The aim of this study was to explore breastfeeding among mothers infected with COVID-19. A literature review was used. 10 articles were found by manual screening. The variables examined were breastfeeding mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic, transmission of COVID-19 through breast milk, and breastfeeding management in mothers with unconfirmed and confirmed COVID-19 infections. Eight of the articles discussed the transmission of COVID-19 through breast milk, two discussed the management of breastfeeding in mothers without confirmed COVID-19, and eight in mothers with confirmed COVID-19. This study found that the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk has not been proven to date. We can conclude that the management of breastfeeding in mothers with unconfirmed and confirmed COVID-19 supports mothers to continue breastfeeding their babies while taking infection prevention measures. Mothers who are infected with COVID-19 with serious symptoms and who cannot breastfeed directly are advised to express their milk to be given to their babies or to use formula milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focal epithelial hyperplasia (FEH), also known as Heck's disease, is an uncommon oral mucosal benign proliferation that, although rare in the worldwide population, may be quite common in some ethnic groups of the Americas and Eskimos.1 The diagnosis of FEH can be determined by the characteristic presence of multifocal papillomatous proliferation in oral mucosa in association with ethnic origin and/or social history, though biopsy may be required to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other conditions.1,2 Surgical treatment recommended in cases of secondary masticatory trauma and for esthetical purposes.1 CASE 1 An 8 years old Brazilian indigenous boy was referred to a Stomatology outpatient clinic with the presence of several nodules in the mouth. Given the clinical characteristics of the lesions and ethnic origin of the patient, the clinical diagnosis of FEH was determined. Presence of multiple normochromic nodules bilaterally in lower lip mucosa, varying in size and format gl CASE 2 An 11 years old Brazilian indigenous girl was referred to a Stomatology outpatient clinic to diagnosis of multiple nodules in the mouth. [Extracted from the article]

Several beds hosting corals are found within the marine members of the Agrio Formation (Lower Cretaceous, Neuquén Basin). In one of them, free-living, soft-bottom pedunculate colonies of Stylomaeandra sp. occur commonly; their palaeoecology and sclerobiont community were surveyed. The best-preserved coral specimens were statistically analysed; their upper and lower surfaces were mapped. Stylomaeandra sp. morphology suggests that it lacked automobility. Sclerobionts were dominated by thecideid brachiopods followed by oysters; other sclerobiont taxa comprise tubicolous polychaetes, cyclostome bryozoans, calcareous sponges and encrusting corals. Sclerobionts are more speciose and abundant in the coral's lower surfaces, the upper ones being scarcely colonized, indicating likely in vivo encrustation. Serpulid tubes were often embedded within the coral's skeleton, an example of in vivo interaction by bioimmuration. On most undersurfaces sclerobionts were clustered, half or more of such surfaces remaining unoccupied. This suggests part of the colony undersurface rested on the seafloor, agreeing with the small pedicle and lack of automobility of Stylomaeandra sp. In the coral meadows, Stylomaeandra sp. dwelled among larger massive and ramose corals and in their vicinity; but unlike the latter, that coped better with sedimentation, the umbrella-shaped Stylomaeandra sp. were eventually smothered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caudal regression syndrome (CRS) is a rare neural tube defect that affects the terminal spinal segment, manifesting as neurological deficits and structural anomalies in the lower body. We report a case of a 31-month-old boy presenting with constipation who had long been considered to have functional constipation but was finally confirmed to have CRS. Small, flat buttocks with bilateral buttock dimples and a short intergluteal cleft were identified on close examination. Plain radiographs of the abdomen, retrospectively reviewed, revealed the absence of the distal sacrum and the coccyx. During the 5-year follow-up period, we could find his long-term clinical course showing bowel and bladder dysfunction without progressive neurologic deficits. We present this case to highlight the fact that a precise physical examination, along with a close evaluation of plain radiographs encompassing the sacrum, is necessary with a strong suspicion of spinal dysraphism when confronting a child with chronic constipation despite the absence of neurologic deficits or gross structural anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río is the property of Editorial Ciencias Medicas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Key message: This paper shows the intraspecific plant responses in leaf morphology, herbivory and FA between mature and successional tropical dry forests, as well as the difficulty associated with understanding the relationship between FA and herbivory Understanding the processes that affect biotic interactions during secondary succession has implications for the maintenance of species diversity in the tropics. We studied the changes in leaf morphology, fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and herbivory in three dominant tropical dry forest plant species that occur in mature and secondary forests. We selected eight study sites: four in mature and four in successional forests. At each site, a plot of 20 × 50 m was established to characterize the vegetation structure and soil fertility. Subsequently, leaf morphology, FA and herbivory were measured in all individuals of Cordia elaeagnoides, C. alliodora and Achatocarpus gracilis with DBH ≥ 2.5 cm found in the plots. Plant abundance and plant height decreased in secondary forest, while the content of nitrates and phosphates increased in soil of secondary forests. Differences in leaf morphology between forest conditions were found for the three species. Total leaf area was higher in mature than in secondary forests for C. elaeagnoides and A. gracilis. An opposite pattern was found for C. alliodora. In both Cordia species, herbivory was higher in secondary than in mature forests. The opposite pattern was found for A. gracilis in secondary forests. For all the cases, FA was higher in mature forests than in secondary forests. Herbivory was positively correlated with FA in secondary forests in C. elaeganoides and in A. gracilis, whereas in C. alliodora herbivory was positively related with FA in mature forests. Overall, we detected changes in foliar morphology, fluctuating asymmetry and herbivory between mature and secondary forests, with a general pattern of higher FA levels in mature forests. Our findings illustrate the difficulty associated with understanding the relationship between FA and herbivory throughout the regeneration process in tropical dry forests due to the complexity of abiotic and biotic factors that can affect plant–herbivore interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of MEDISAN is the property of Centro Provincial de Informacion en Ciencias Medicas de Santiago de Cuba and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Extreme disturbance events denote another aspect of global environmental changes archetypal of the Anthropocene. These events of climatic or anthropic origin are challenging our perceived understanding about how forests respond to disturbance. I present a general framework of tropical forest responses to extreme disturbance events with specific examples from tropical dry forests. The linkage between level of disturbance severity and dominant mechanism of vegetation recovery is reflected on a variety of initial trajectories of forest succession. Accordingly, more realistic and cost‐effective restoration goals in many tropical forests likely consist in maintaining a mosaic of different successional trajectories while promoting landscape connectivity, rather than encouraging full‐ecosystem recovery to pre‐disturbance conditions. Incorporating extreme disturbance events into the global restoration ecology agenda will be essential to design well‐informed ecosystem management strategies in the coming decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Grazing is an important land use in northern China. In general, different grazing intensities had a different impact on the morphological and physiological traits of plants, and especially their photosynthetic capacity. We investigated the responses of Leymus chinensis to light, medium, and heavy grazing intensities in comparison with a grazing exclusion control. Results: With light grazing, L. chinensis showed decreased photosynthetic capacity. The low chlorophyll and carotenoid contents constrained light energy transformation and dissipation, and Rubisco activity was also low, restricting the carboxylation efficiency. In addition, the damaged photosynthetic apparatus accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS). With medium grazing, more energy was used for thermal dissipation, with high carotene content and high non-photochemical quenching, whereas photosynthetic electron transport was lowest. Significantly decreased photosynthesis decreased leaf C contents. Plants decreased the risk caused by ROS through increased energy dissipation. With high grazing intensity, plants changed their strategy to improve survival through photosynthetic compensation. More energy was allocated to photosynthetic electron transport. Though heavy grazing damaged the chloroplast ultrastructure, adjustment of internal mechanisms increased compensatory photosynthesis, and an increased tiller number facilitated regrowth after grazing. Conclusions: Overall, the plants adopted different strategies by adjusting their metabolism and growth in response to their changing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ginecología y Obstetricia de México is the property of Federacion Mexicana de Ginecologia y Obstetricia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Biológico Agropecuaria Tuxpan is the property of Revista Biologico Agropecuaria Tuxpan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)