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Trypanorhynch cestode larvae were found parasitizing specimens of dusky flounder Syacium papillosum (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Southeastern Gulf of Mexico (s-GoM). Plerocercoids were recovered from a total of 194 flatfish, embedded in the intestine and stomach wall. Trypanorhynch were identified using morphology and a molecular phylogeny using newly sequenced partial 28S (region D1-D3) ribosomal DNA in combination with data derived from other species of trypanorhynchs available from GenBank. Larvae representing three genera of trypanorhynch cestodes, Nybelinia Poche, 1926; Kotorella Euzet & Radujkovic, 1989 and Oncomegas Dollfus, 1929 were found in dusky flounder specimens in the s-GoM. These plerocercoids represent six species: Nybelinia sp. 1, Nybelinia sp. 2, Nybelinia sp. 3, Nybelinia sp. 4, Kotorella pronosoma (Stossich, 1901) and Oncomegas wageneri (Linton, 1890) Dollfus, 1929. All cestode specimens in this study represent new locality records for their respective species.

Introduction: Ureterocele is a congenital malformation of the urinary tract, characterized by the cystic dilation of the terminal ureter. Its treatment is indicated in symptomatic patients. Over the years, surgical treatment has evolved from open surgeries to minimally invasive procedures. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of a case series involving pediatric patients with ureterocele, who were treated using an endoscopic puncture. Material and methods: A retrospective review was performed of ureterocele patients treated by endoscopic puncture from 2002 to 2021. The primary outcome of the study was relief of the obstruction with a single endoscopic puncture. Results: From 2002 to 2021, a total of 34 patients with 39 ureteroceles underwent treatment using this technique. The mean age at diagnosis was 16 months. Diagnoses was made prenatally through an ultrasound revealing a dilated urinary tract in 17/34 (50 %) of patients and during the assessment of a urinary tract infection in 15/34 (44 %) of patients. A duplex collecting system was observed in 28/34 (82 %) of patients, while bilateral ureteroceles were found in 5/34 (15 %) of patients. A single endoscopic puncture of the ureterocele proved to be successful in 27/34 (79 %) of patients. A second endoscopic puncture was needed in 4/34 (12 %). Only 3/34 (9 %) patients required a surgical intervention. The mean follow-up period was 4 years. Conclusion: The results of our study show that endoscopic puncture of obstructive ureterocele is a procedure with excellent long-term results.

The hookworm Ancylostoma caninum is a common nematode of wild and domestic canids worldwide. In Mexico, there are few records of helminths in wild canids, especially in the southeastern region. The aim of the present study was to examine the helminths from a gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus in southeastern Mexico. A road-killed female gray fox found in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, was examined for helminths. Only nematodes were found in the intestine of the gray fox and identified using morphological studies and molecular analysis of 28S rRNA gene fragments. The characteristics exhibited by the nematode specimens were in accordance with descriptions of A. caninum: e. g. oral opening with a pair of prominent chitinous plates bearing three pairs of ventral teeth, lateral rays with a common trunk, dorsal ray divided into two branches with each branch terminating in three digitations. BLAST analysis of the 28S sequence showed similarity and coverage values of 99.8 % and 100 %, respectively, with a sequence of A. caninum from the domestic dog Canis familiaris in Australia. The genetic distance between the Australian specimen and the Yucatan specimen of A. caninum was 0.1 %, that is, they were only different in a single nucleotide. The gray fox examined in this study was found close to a rural community where A. caninum has been recorded from domestic dogs, which could be the source of infection. Our study increases the distribution of this nematode parasitizing the gray fox in Mexico and provides the first nucleotide sequence of A. caninum from the gray fox.

The tayra Eira barbara is a Neotropical mustelid considered as an endangered species by Mexican environmental authorities. Despite the considerable information available on the biology and ecology of E. barbara, little is known about its helminth fauna. Here, we provided new records of nematodes from a road-killed tayra in Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico. The species identification of nematodes was based on morphological studies and molecular analysis of fragments of the 28S gene. The tayra specimen was infected by three nematodes: Molineus sp., Physalopterinae gen. sp. and Angiostrongylus vasosum. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report the natural infection of E. barbara with Molineus sp. and Physalopterinae gen. sp. Our study provides the first nucleotide sequences of nematodes parasitizing E. barbara providing a starting point against which future studies may be compared.

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PurposeTo determine the primary success and recurrence rate of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for the treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defects (PEDs) in eyes after penetrating keratoplasty (PK).DesignRetrospective, non-randomized, observational case series.MethodAMT was performed in 24 eyes of 24 patients with erosions (n=6) or ulcers (n=18), which were resistant to medical therapy. All eyes had undergone one (42%) or more PKs before AMT. After the removal of epithelium and pannus (if present), one or more layers of AM (‘graft’ (n=3), ‘patch’ (n=5), ‘sandwich’=combination of graft/patch (n=16)) were transplanted. Main outcome measures included ‘surgical success’ (epithelium closed within 4 weeks after AMT), and ‘recurrence’ (new epithelial defect developing during follow-up after surgical success).ResultsThe rate of surgical success was 70% and was found to be inversely proportional to the number of previous PKs. Defects limited only to the centre of the graft had a higher success rate (central: 100%, non-central: 61%). A total of 44% successful eyes (erosions: 75% vs ulcers: 33%) had a recurrence after a mean follow-up of 16±13 months. The rate of surgical success was highest (81 vs 67 vs 25%) and the rate of recurrence was lowest (38 vs 90 vs 100%) with the sandwich technique in contrast to the graft or patch techniques used alone.ConclusionsAMT may be beneficial in the treatment of PEDs after PK, especially when applying the sandwich technique. Recurrences seem to be more frequent, if PK preceded AMT.Eye (2009) 23, 840–848; doi:10.1038/eye.2008.140; published online 6 June 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to describe a new genus and species of microphalloid digenean parasite of two species of bats of the genus Peropteryx from the Mexican Neotropics (in the states of Chiapas and Yucatán). Morphological and molecular data (28s rDNA ribosomal gene sequences) were used to study Digeneans. Sagittatrema zutzi gen. nov. sp., nov., is diagnosed morphologically by having a sagittiform body, a genital pore in the midline of the body, posterior to the ventral sucker, and a cirrus sac running through much of the diameter of the ventral sucker. The nine sequences generated from the 28S rDNA gene were used to examine the phylogenetic affinities of this new taxon within the superfamily Microphalloidea Ward, 1901, using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses. Both analyses resulted in trees with similar topologies and formed a well-supported clade (Bt = 100; pp = 1) with the Sagittatrema sequences. Because of the new genus's phylogenetic position and that some sister families to the proposed taxa, like Pleurogenidae and Prosthogonimidae, are polyphyletic, we prefer to consider Sagittatrema as a genus incertae sedis within Microphalloidea. A full systematic review of microphalloids is needed to confirm their phylogenetic position.

Prostate sarcoma is extremely rare, comprising less than 0.1 % of prostate cancers. A 61-year-old male presented to the emergency department with urinary retention and hematuria. Upon resolution of urinary retention, abdominal computed tomography showed a giant prostatic tumor, of approximately 1700 cubic centimeters, causing bilateral ureteric obstruction, and invasion of rectum and sigmoid colon. Laparotomy due to bowel obstruction showed peritoneal carcinomatosis. Palliative chemotherapy was initiated; however, he died due to hematological toxicity related to doxorubicin. Radical surgery is the ideal treatment; in cases of advanced or metastatic disease, adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy or radiotherapy withholds little or no benefit., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in physiological and pathological processes. Mitochondria, particularly in skeletal and cardiac myocytes, are recognized as the primary site of ROS generation. Detecting oxidative modifications of intracellular or circulating molecules, such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, is commonly employed to indicate ROS formation. However, this approach is indirect and provides limited insights into the spatiotemporal aspects of ROS generation. Understanding these aspects is crucial for comprehending the role of ROS in various pathophysiological conditions. To address this, fluorescent probes can be employed to measure ROS formation, offering a means to investigate ROS generation in both isolated mitochondria and intact cells. This chapter outlines three prominent examples for the use of fluorescent sensors to evaluate mitochondrial ROS formation in either isolated organelles or intact cells. The methods are explained in detail, and an analysis of the limitations of each technique is provided, underscoring potential sources of errors during the assay and the subsequent interpretation of results., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Centrolenidae is a Neotropical family widely distributed in Central and South America, with its species richness concentrated in the tropical Andes. Several taxonomic problems have been identified within this family, mostly related to species with broad geographic distributions. In this study, we assessed and redefined the species boundaries of the Centrolene buckleyi species complex, and formally described two new species from the Andes of Ecuador. These new taxa are recognized by a combination of morphometric, osteological, acoustic, and genetic data. Following IUCN criteria, we propose that the two new species should to be considered as Endangered (EN), mainly because of their small distributions and habitat loss. The C. buckleyi complex provides insights into the biogeography of closely related Andean species. As in other glassfrogs, speciation in Centrolene seems to be mediated by the linearity of the Andes, where gene flow can be restricted by topography and, also, local extinctions., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2024 Franco-Mena et al.)

Neurodegenerative diseases involve progressive neuronal death. Traditional treatments often struggle due to solubility, bioavailability, and crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). Nanoparticles (NPs) in biomedical field are garnering growing attention as neurodegenerative disease drugs (NDDs) carrier to the central nervous system. Here, we introduced computational and experimental analysis. In the computational study, a specific IFPTML technique was used, which combined Information Fusion (IF) + Perturbation Theory (PT) + Machine Learning (ML) to select the most promising Nanoparticle Neuronal Disease Drug Delivery (N2D3) systems. For the application of IFPTML model in the nanoscience, NANO.PTML is used. IF-process was carried out between 4403 NDDs assays and 260 cytotoxicity NP assays conducting a dataset of 500,000 cases. The optimal IFPTML was the Decision Tree (DT) algorithm which shown satisfactory performance with specificity values of 96.4% and 96.2%, and sensitivity values of 79.3% and 75.7% in the training (375k/75%) and validation (125k/25%) set. Moreover, the DT model obtained Area Under Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) scores of 0.97 and 0.96 in the training and validation series, highlighting its effectiveness in classification tasks. In the experimental part, two samples of NPs (Fe 3 O 4 _A and Fe 3 O 4 _B) were synthesized by thermal decomposition of an iron(III) oleate (FeOl) precursor and structurally characterized by different methods. Additionally, in order to make the as-synthesized hydrophobic NPs (Fe 3 O 4 _A and Fe 3 O 4 _B) soluble in water the amphiphilic CTAB (Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide) molecule was employed. Therefore, to conduct a study with a wider range of NP system variants, an experimental illustrative simulation experiment was performed using the IFPTML-DT model. For this, a set of 500,000 prediction dataset was created. The outcome of this experiment highlighted certain NANO.PTML systems as promising candidates for further investigation. The NANO.PTML approach holds potential to accelerate experimental investigations and offer initial insights into various NP and NDDs compounds, serving as an efficient alternative to time-consuming trial-and-error procedures., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The Jambato Harlequin toad ( Atelopus ignescens ), a formerly abundant species in the Andes of Ecuador, faced a dramatic population decline in the 1980s, with its last recorded sighting in 1988. The species was considered Extinct by the IUCN until 2016, when a fortuitous discovery of one Jambato by a local boy reignited hope. In this study, we present findings from an investigation conducted in the Angamarca parish, focusing on distribution, abundance, habitat preferences, ecology, disease susceptibility, and dietary habits of the species. In one year we identified 71 individuals at different stages of development in various habitats, with a significant presence in agricultural mosaic areas and locations near water sources used for crop irrigation, demonstrating the persistence of the species in a complex landscape, with considerable human intervention. The dietary analysis based on fecal samples indicated a diverse prey selection, primarily comprising arthropods such as Acari, Coleoptera, and ants. Amphibian declines have been associated with diseases and climate change; notably, our study confirmed the presence of the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ), but, surprisingly, none of the infected Jambatos displayed visible signs of illness. When analyzing climatic patterns, we found that there are climatic differences between historical localities and Angamarca; the temporal analysis also exposes a generalized warming trend. Finally, in collaboration with the local community, we developed a series of management recommendations for terrestrial and aquatic environments occupied by the Jambato., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2024 Vega-Yánez et al.)

(1) Background: The diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy involves anamnesis, an assessment of sensitivity and strength, diagnostic imaging-usually magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-and electrodiagnostic testing (EDX), typically electromyography (EMG), and electroneurography (ENG). MRI evaluates the structures supporting the spinal cord, while EDX evaluates root functionality. The present study aimed to analyze the concordance of MRI and EDX findings in patients with clinically suspected radiculopathy. Additionally, we investigated the comparison between these two reference tests and various clinical variables and questionnaires. (2) Methods: We designed a prospective epidemiological study of consecutive cases with an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and double-blind nature following the STROBE guidelines, encompassing 142 patients with clinical suspicion of lumbosacral radiculopathy. (3) Results: Of the sample, 58.5% tested positive for radiculopathy using EDX as the reference test, while 45.8% tested positive using MRI. The comparison between MRI and EDX in the diagnosis of radiculopathy in patients with clinical suspicion was not significant; the overall agreement was 40.8%. Only the years with symptoms were comparatively significant between the positive and negative radiculopathy groups as determined by EDX. (4) Conclusion: The comparison between lumbar radiculopathy diagnoses in patients with clinically suspected pathology using MRI and EDX as diagnostic modalities did not yield statistically significant findings. MRI and EDX are complementary tests assessing different aspects in patients with suspected radiculopathy; degeneration of the structures supporting the spinal cord does not necessarily imply root dysfunction.

Background: Small, randomized trials of patients with cervical artery dissection showed conflicting results regarding optimal stroke prevention strategies. We aimed to compare outcomes in patients with cervical artery dissection treated with antiplatelets versus anticoagulation., Methods: This is a multicenter observational retrospective international study (16 countries, 63 sites) that included patients with cervical artery dissection without major trauma. The exposure was antithrombotic treatment type (anticoagulation versus antiplatelets), and outcomes were subsequent ischemic stroke and major hemorrhage (intracranial or extracranial hemorrhage). We used adjusted Cox regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting to determine associations between anticoagulation and study outcomes within 30 and 180 days. The main analysis used an as-treated crossover approach and only included outcomes occurring with the above treatments., Results: The study included 3636 patients (402 [11.1%] received exclusively anticoagulation and 2453 [67.5%] received exclusively antiplatelets). By day 180, there were 162 new ischemic strokes (4.4%) and 28 major hemorrhages (0.8%); 87.0% of ischemic strokes occurred by day 30. In adjusted Cox regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting, compared with antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation was associated with a nonsignificantly lower risk of subsequent ischemic stroke by day 30 (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.71 [95% CI, 0.45-1.12]; P =0.145) and by day 180 (adjusted HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.28-2.24]; P =0.670). Anticoagulation therapy was not associated with a higher risk of major hemorrhage by day 30 (adjusted HR, 1.39 [95% CI, 0.35-5.45]; P =0.637) but was by day 180 (adjusted HR, 5.56 [95% CI, 1.53-20.13]; P =0.009). In interaction analyses, patients with occlusive dissection had significantly lower ischemic stroke risk with anticoagulation (adjusted HR, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.18-0.88]; P interaction =0.009)., Conclusions: Our study does not rule out the benefit of anticoagulation in reducing ischemic stroke risk, particularly in patients with occlusive dissection. If anticoagulation is chosen, it seems reasonable to switch to antiplatelet therapy before 180 days to lower the risk of major bleeding. Large prospective studies are needed to validate our findings., Competing Interests: Disclosures Disclosures provided by Dr Nguyen in compliance with American Heart Association annual Journal Editor Disclosure Questionnaire are available at https://www.ahajournals.org/editor-coi-disclosures. Dr Arnold reports compensation from Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Covidien, Daiichi Sankyo, Novartis, Sanofi, Pfizer, Medtronic, Novo Nordisk, and Amgen for consultant services. Dr Lester reports a provisional patent for Methods and compositions for disrupting tau aggregates. Dr Touze reports compensation from Elsevier for other services and employment by Caen. J.E. Kaufman reports grants from Goldschmidt Jacobson-Stiftung. Dr Traenka reports travel support from Bayer Healthcare. Dr Aguiar de Sousa reports compensation from Daiichi Sankyo, Bayer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Fundação Bial for other services; compensation from the University of British Columbia for data and safety monitoring services; compensation from Organon & Co for consultant services. Dr Rosa reports grants from Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation. Dr Field reports compensation from HLS Therapeutics, AstraZeneca Canada, and Roche for consultant services; service as a board member for Destine Health; and compensation from the Canadian Medical Protective Association for expert witness services; and grants from Bayer. Dr Leker reports compensation from Medtronic, Ischemaview, Bayer, Abbott Diabetes Care, Biogen, Janssen Biotech, and Boehringer Ingelheim for other services. Dr Nolte reports compensation from Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Alexion Pharmaceuticals for consultant services; and compensation from AstraZeneca, Abbott Canada, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, Novartis, Portola Pharmaceuticals, Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislaufforschung, and Novartis for other services. Dr Poppe reports grants from Foundation Brain Canada, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and Stryker; and compensation from Roche for other services. Dr Liebeskind reports compensation from Medtronic, Genentech, Cerenovus, Stryker, and Rapid Medical Ltd, for consultant services. B. Mac Grory reports grants from the National Institutes of Health; employment by Duke University Medical Center; compensation from Bayer for other services; grants from the American Heart Association, Duke Bass Connections, and the Duke Office of Physician Scientist Development. Dr Al Kasab reports compensation from Stryker for other services and employment by Medical University of South Carolina. Dr Kicielinski reports compensation from Stryker, Penumbra Inc, Medtronic, and MicroVention Inc, for other services; travel support from MicroVention Inc; and employment by Medical University of South Carolina and Elsevier. Dr de Havenon reports stock options in TitinKM and Certus; grants from the National Institutes of Health; and compensation from Novo Nordisk for consultant services. Dr Siegler reports grants from Philips and employment by the University of Chicago. Dr Willey reports compensation from Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and Abbott Fund for end point review committee services; compensation from Uptodate for other services; and compensation from the Abbott Laboratories for consultant services. Dr Sharma reports a provisional patent for a stroke etiology classifier algorithm and grants from the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. Dr Martins reports compensation from Pfizer, Medtronic, Servier Affaires Medicales, Daiichi Sankyo, Bayer, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Penumbra Inc, and Boehringer Ingelheim for other services. Dr Simpkins reports grants from the National Institutes of Health. Dr Stretz reports grants from Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr Furie reports compensation from Janssen Biotech for consultant services. The other authors report no conflicts