The rediscovery of a relict unlocks the first global phylogeny of whip spiders (Amblypygi).

Asymmetrical rates of cladogenesis and extinction abound in the Tree of Life, resulting in numerous minute clades that are dwarfed by larger sister groups. Such taxa are commonly regarded as phylogenetic relicts or "living fossils" when they exhibit an ancient first appearance in the fossil record and prolonged external morphological stasis, particularly in comparison to their more diversified sister groups. Due to their special status, various phylogenetic relicts tend to be well-studied and prioritized for conservation. A notable exception to this trend is found within Amblypygi ("whip spiders"), a visually striking order of functionally hexapodous arachnids that are notable for their antenniform first walking leg pair (the eponymous "whips"). Paleoamblypygi, the putative sister group to the remaining Amblypygi, is known from Late Carboniferous and Eocene deposits, but is survived by a single living species, Paracharon caecus Hansen, 1921, that was last collected in 1899. Due to the absence of genomic sequence-grade tissue for this vital taxon, there is no global molecular phylogeny for Amblypygi to date, nor a fossil-calibrated estimation of divergences within the group. Here, we report a previously unknown species of Paleoamblypygi from a cave site in Colombia. Capitalizing upon this discovery, we generated the first molecular phylogeny of Amblypygi, integrating ultraconserved element sequencing with legacy Sanger datasets and including described extant genera. To quantify the impact of sampling Paleoamblypygi on divergence time estimation, we performed in silico experiments with pruning of Paracharon. We demonstrate that the omission of relicts has a significant impact on the accuracy of node dating approaches that outweighs the impact of excluding ingroup fossils, which bears upon the ancestral range reconstruction for the group. Our results underscore the imperative for biodiversity discovery efforts in elucidating the phylogenetic relationships of "dark taxa", and especially phylogenetic relicts in tropical and subtropical habitats. The lack of reciprocal monophyly for Charontidae and Charinidae leads us to subsume them into one family, Charontidae, new synonymy.

Laser auriculotherapy associated with cupping therapy in chronic spinal pain: Randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal spine disorders are common causes of chronic pain and impair functionality. Laser auriculotherapy and cupping has played a significant role in the treatment of chronic pain. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of laser auriculotherapy associated with cupping at systemic acupuncture points on chronic spinal pain. METHODS: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Volunteers underwent three evaluations: an initial evaluation, a final evaluation immediately after the last intervention session, and a 15-day follow-up. The pain was identified using the numeric pain scale. The pain threshold was also evaluated against mechanical stimulation using a Digital Dynamometer at specific points in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. Fifty individuals with chronic spinal pain, randomized into groups: experimental (n = 25), submitted to 10 sessions of auriculotherapy with laser and cupping therapy and control (n = 25). RESULTS: The experimental group achieved pain intensity reduction between pre and post and follow-up moments (p < 0.0001), of greatest pain in the last seven days among all moments (p < 0.0001), of least pain in the pre with post moment (p = 0.006) and follow-up (p = 0.002), and an increased pain threshold between pre and post (p = 0.023). The control group achieved a reduction in the nociceptive threshold between pre and post (p = 0.001) and follow-up (p < 0.0001). The experimental group showed reduced pain intensity (p = 0.027) and greater pain (p = 0.005) after intervention and in pain intensity (p = 0.018), greater (p < 0.0001) and less pain (p = 0.025) at follow-up, compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Auriculotherapy with laser associated with cupping therapy may effectively reduce pain intensity and increase the nociceptive threshold.

Two new species of Fernandezina Birabn, 1951 (Araneae, Palpimanidae) from cave and epigean habitats in Brazil.

The South American palpimanid genus Fernandezina Birabn currently comprises 15 described species, all known from epigean environments. Representatives of Fernandezina are easily recognized by the unexpanded femora I in both sexes and by the dorsally extended opisthosomal scutum in males. Herein, F. fernandoi sp. nov. is described based on males and females from hypogean environments and F. angeloi sp. nov. is described based on a single male from a nearby epigean environment, both in Brazil. Additionally, we provide an identification key for the species of the genus.

Thriving in dry conditions: on the Neotropical spider genus Galapa (Araneae: Pholcidae).

The genus Galapa Huber, 2000 includes tiny spiders (body length <1.5 mm) restricted to semi-arid habitats. It has long been thought to be endemic to the Galapagos Islands until G. spiniphila Huber, 2020 was described from the Venezuelan Paraguan Peninsula. Here, we support this generic assignment with molecular (CO1) data and describe two new species from Colombia (G. gabito Huber sp. n.) and Costa Rica (G. murphyi Huber sp. n.), showing that the genus is actually widely distributed. Distribution modelling identifies several high suitability areas for Galapa, all of which are poorly sampled with respect to Pholcidae (ranging from Nicaragua to northern Peru and Guiana). Our results suggest a strong sampling bias against spiders restricted to dry tropical regions and habitats.

Remote intensive management to improve antiplatelet adherence in acute myocardial infarction: a secondary analysis of the randomized controlled IMMACULATE trial.

This study aim to investigate if remote intensive coaching for the first 6 months post-AMI will improve adherence to the twice-a-day antiplatelet medication, ticagrelor. Between July 8, 2015, to March 29, 2019, AMI patients were randomly assigned to remote intensive management (RIM) or standard care (SC). RIM participants underwent 6 months of weekly then two-weekly consultations to review medication side effects and medication adherence coaching by a centralized nurse practitioner team, whereas SC participants received usual cardiologist face-to-face consultations. Adherence to ticagrelor were determined using pill counting and serial platelet reactivity measurements for 12 months. A total of 149 (49.5%) of participants were randomized to RIM and 152 (50.5%) to SC. Adherence to ticagrelor was similar between RIM and SC group at 1 month (94.4 ± 0.7% vs. 93.6±14.7%, p = 0.537), 6 months (91.0±14.6% vs. 90.6±14.8%, p = 0.832) and 12 months (87.4±17.0% vs. 89.8±12.5%, p = 0.688). There was also no significant difference in platelet reactivity between the RIM and SC groups at 1 month (251AU*min [212-328] vs. 267AU*min [208-351], p = 0.399), 6 months (239AU*min [165-308] vs. 235AU*min [171-346], p = 0.610) and 12 months (249AU*min [177-432] vs. 259AU*min [182-360], p = 0.678). Sensitivity analysis did not demonstrate any association of ticagrelor adherence with bleeding events and major adverse cardiovascular events. RIM, comprising 6 months of intensive coaching by nurse practitioners, did not improve adherence to the twice-a-day medication ticagrelor compared with SC among patients with AMI. A gradual decline in ticagrelor adherence over 12 months was observed despite 6 months of intensive coaching.

Analysis of the effectiveness of remote intervention of patients affected by chronic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to verify the effectiveness of telemedicine in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in terms of its influence on physical conditioning, quality of life, and health conditions in adults/elderly people affected by chronic diseases. Design: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: The search covered RCTs published from 2011 to 2021 and was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, PEDro, Lilacs, and Cochrane Library databases, on volunteers of both sexes, that were rehabilitated, and/or monitored, and/or evaluated, specifically, via remote care. The extraction, quality of studies, and risk of bias were assessed using the RoB2 (risk of bias) tool, for analysis of the strength of evidence, the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Developing, and Evaluation) method was used, and for the preparation of meta-analysis was used at RevMan 5.4 (Review Manager) was used. Results: The database search identified 3949 potential articles for screening, 13 of which were eligible for the present systematic review, involving 1469 participants with chronic diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and fibromyalgia). Through the meta-analysis, an advantage was identified for the remote intervention on physical conditioning (p = 0.001), with an estimated effect of 0.29 (0.11, 0.46) and on health conditions (p = 0.0004), -0.30 (-0.47, -0.14), while for quality of life, no significant difference was identified (p = 0.90), 0.01 (-0.13, 0.14). Conclusion: Telemedicine has clinical effectiveness for the outcome of physical conditioning and general health conditions in adults with chronic diseases when compared to usual care without face-to-face intervention.

Changes in oxygen delivery during experimental models of cerebral malaria.

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe manifestation of malaria that commonly occurs in children and is hallmarked by neurologic symptoms and significant Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia. It is currently hypothesized that cerebral hypoperfusion from impaired microvascular oxygen transport secondary to parasitic occlusion of the microvasculature is responsible for cerebral ischemia and thus disease severity. Animal models to study CM, are known as experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), and include the C57BL/6J infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA), which is ECM-susceptible, and BALB/c infected with PbA, which is ECM-resistant. Here we sought to investigate whether changes in oxygen (O2) delivery, O2 flux, and O2 utilization are altered in both these models of ECM using phosphorescence quenching microscopy (PQM) and direct measurement of microvascular hemodynamics using the cranial window preparation. Animal groups used for investigation consisted of ECM-susceptible C57BL/6 (Infected, n = 14) and ECM-resistant BALB/c (Infected, n = 9) mice. Uninfected C57BL/6 (n = 6) and BALB/c (n = 6) mice were included as uninfected controls. Control animals were manipulated in the exact same way as the infected mice (except for the infection itself). C57BL/6 ECM animals at day 6 of infection were divided into two cohorts: Early-stage ECM, presenting mild to moderate drops in body temperature (>34 < 36 °C) and Late-stage ECM, showing marked drops in body temperature (<33 °C). Data taken from new experiments conducted with these animal models were analyzed using a general linear mixed model. We constructed three general linear mixed models, one for total O2 content, another for total O2 delivery, and the third for total O2 content as a function of convective flow. We found that in both the ECM-susceptible C57BL/6J model and ECM-resistant BALB/c model of CM, convective and diffusive O2 flux along with pial hemodynamics are impaired. We further show that concomitant changes in p50 (oxygen partial pressure for 50% hemoglobin saturation), only 5 mmHg in the case of late-stage CM C57BL/6J mice, and O2 diffusion result in insufficient O2 transport by the pial microcirculation, and that both these changes are required for late-stage disease. In summary, we found impaired O2 transport and O2 affinity in late-stage ECM, but only the former in either early-stage ECM and ECM-resistant strains.

Perillyl alcohol modulates activation, permeability and integrity of human brain endothelial cells induced by Plasmodium falciparum.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe immunovasculopathy caused for Plasmodium falciparum infection, which is characterised by the sequestration of parasitised red blood cells (pRBCs) in brain microvessels. Previous studies have shown that some terpenes, such as perillyl alcohol (POH), exhibit a marked efficacy in preventing cerebrovascular inflammation, breakdown of the brain-blood barrier (BBB) and brain leucocyte accumulation in experimental CM models. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effects of POH on the endothelium using human brain endothelial cell (HBEC) monolayers co-cultured with pRBCs. METHODOLOGY: The loss of tight junction proteins (TJPs) and features of endothelial activation, such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression were evaluated by quantitative immunofluorescence. Microvesicle (MV) release by HBEC upon stimulation by P. falciparum was evaluated by flow cytometry. Finally, the capacity of POH to revert P. falciparum-induced HBEC monolayer permeability was examined by monitoring trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER). FINDINGS: POH significantly prevented pRBCs-induced endothelial adhesion molecule (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) upregulation and MV release by HBEC, improved their trans-endothelial resistance, and restored their distribution of TJPs such as VE-cadherin, Occludin, and JAM-A. CONCLUSIONS: POH is a potent monoterpene that is efficient in preventing P. falciparum-pRBCs-induced changes in HBEC, namely their activation, increased permeability and alterations of integrity, all parameters of relevance to CM pathogenesis.

Increased Neutrophil Percentage and Neutrophil-T Cell Ratio Precedes Clinical Onset of Experimental Cerebral Malaria.

Newly emerging data suggest that several neutrophil defense mechanisms may play a role in both aggravating and protecting against malaria. These exciting findings suggest that the balance of these cells in the host body may have an impact on the pathogenesis of malaria. To fully understand the role of neutrophils in severe forms of malaria, such as cerebral malaria (CM), it is critical to gain a comprehensive understanding of their behavior and functions. This study investigated the dynamics of neutrophil and T cell responses in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA, murine models of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) and non-cerebral experimental malaria, respectively. The results demonstrated an increase in neutrophil percentage and neutrophil-T cell ratios in the spleen and blood before the development of clinical signs of ECM, which is a phenomenon not observed in the non-susceptible model of cerebral malaria. Furthermore, despite the development of distinct forms of malaria in the two strains of infected animals, parasitemia levels showed equivalent increases throughout the infection period evaluated. These findings suggest that the neutrophil percentage and neutrophil-T cell ratios may be valuable predictive tools for assessing the dynamics and composition of immune responses involved in the determinism of ECM development, thus contributing to the advancing of our understanding of its pathogenesis.

Effect of kinesio-taping on the acute phase of the post-operative reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the Kinesio taping (KT) effects on reducing pain and edema on postoperative (PO) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. DESIGN: Controlled and randomized clinical study. SETTINGS: Individuals of both sexes, aged 18-45, underwent ACL reconstruction were randomized into intervention (IG; n = 19) and control (CG; n = 19) groups. METHODS: Intervention consisted of KT bandage applications at hospital discharge for seven days, and on the 7th PO day, which was removed on the 14th PO. CG received specific instructions from the physiotherapy service. All volunteers were evaluations before and immediately after surgery, on the 7th and 14th PO day. Pain threshold (KgF), evaluated by algometer; edema (cm), evaluated by the perimetry measurements and volume of the lower limbs and the truncated cone test (ml) were the evaluated variables. The Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to evaluate intergroup, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Dunnett's test to evaluate intragroup. RESULTS: Edema reduction and increased nociceptive threshold were significant in the 7th (p < 0.001; p = 0.003) and 14th (p < 0.001; p = 0.006) PO day in IG when compared to CG patients. IG perimetry levels, on the 7th and 14th PO were similar to preoperative period (p = 0.229; p = 1.000). IG nociceptive threshold value was similar on the 14th PO to before the surgery (p = 0.987). The same pattern did not occur in CG. CONCLUSION: KT treatment reduced edema and increased nociceptive threshold in the 7th and 14th PO ACL reconstruction.

Effect of Exergaming on Quality of Life, Fatigue, and Strength and Endurance Muscle in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Objective: To analyze the influence of exergaming (EXE) quality of life, cancer-related fatigue (CRF), electromyography, and strength and endurance muscle in a randomized crossover trial. Methods: We conducted a single-blinded, randomized, and crossover trial, which included 38 cancer volunteers undergoing chemotherapy (Age = 60.07 ± 12.10 years; body mass index = 26.79 ± 5.33 kg/m2). All volunteers were randomized into two intervention moments: EXE and without intervention (WI) and after 1-month washout period of crossing of the evaluated moments. The intervention was performed on an EXE protocol using Xbox 360 Kinect®, with the game "Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012" two to three times per week for 20 sessions. All volunteers were assessed the CRF and quality-of-life levels through the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) questionnaire, the median frequency (MDF) by surface electromyography, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), and the muscle endurance time at 80% MVIC of the dorsiflexors and plantar flexors using dynamometer. Results: In the comparison between EXE and WI moments, were observed increase in the scores for quality of life (P < 0.001), subscale fatigue (P < 0.001), in the MDF values of right lateral gastrocnemius muscles: P = 0.017, muscle endurance time (left dorsiflexion [LDF]: P < 0.001; right dorsiflexion [RDF]: P < 0.001; left plantar flexion [LPF]: P < 0.001; RPF: P = 0.039), and muscle strength (LDF: P < 0.001; RDF: P < 0.001; LPF: P = 0.002). Conclusion: The crossover study, the EXE protocol promoted improvement in cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and quality of life, increased MVIC, endurance time, and MDF values of the dorsiflexor and plantar flexor muscles of cancer volunteers undergoing chemotherapy.

Maternal prepregnancy obesity and gestational diabetes influence on adverse perinatal outcomes.

Objective: Evaluate the influence of isolated and associated prepregnancy obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on adverse perinatal outcomes. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional observational study with women who delivered at a Brazilian Maternity Hospital, between August and December 2020. Data were collected by interview with application form, and medical records. Sample was stratified by body mass index (BMI) and GDM screening in four groups: no obesity (BMI < 30 kg/m2) no GDM - reference; isolated GDM; isolated obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2); and obesity with GDM. Preeclampsia (PE), cesarean section (CS), large-for-gestational-age (LGA) newborn and admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were analyzed by odds ratio (OR) adjusted for confounding factors, adopting 95% confidence interval (CI) and P < 0.05 statistically significant. Results: From 1,618 participants, isolated obesity group (233/14.40%) had high chance of PE (OR = 2.16; CI: 1.364-3.426; P = 0.001), isolated GDM group (190/11.74%) had high chance of CS (OR = 1.736; CI: 1.136-2.652; P = 0.011) and NICU admission (OR = 2.32; CI: 1.265-4.261; P = 0.007), and obesity with GDM group (121/7.48%) had high chance of PE (OR = 1.93; CI: 1.074-3.484; P = 0.028), CS (OR = 1.925; CI: 1.124-3.298; P = 0.017) and LGA newborn (OR = 1.81; CI: 1.027-3.204; P = 0.040), compared with reference (1,074/66.38%). Conclusion: Obesity and GDM enhances the chance of different negative outcomes, worsening this prognosis when associated.

Chromosome diversity in Buthidae and Chactidae scorpions from Brazilian fauna: Diploid number and distribution of repetitive DNA sequences.

In this work, we analyzed cytogenetically eight Chactidae and Buthidae, including the localization of repetitive DNA sequences. The chactids possess monocentric chromosomes and the highest diploid numbers (2n=50 in Brotheas amazonicus, 2n=36 in Chactopsis amazonica, 2n=30 in Neochactas sp.) when compared with buthids (2n=10 in Tityus bahiensis, 2n=14 in Tityus apiacas and Tityus metuendus, 2n=18 in Tityus aba, 2n=26 in Ischnotelson peruassu). The localization of rDNA genes and (TTAGG)n sequences exhibited a conserved pattern of two terminal/subterminal ribosomal cistrons and terminal telomere signals. However, the comparison between the data of C-banding, DAPI after FISH and Cot-DNA fraction indicated a variable quantity and distribution of these regions, as follow: (i) positive heterochromatin and Cot-DNA signals (B. amazonicus and I. peruassu), (ii) small blocks of heterochromatin with large Cot-DNA signals (T. metuendus), (iii) positive heterochromatic regions and absence of Cot-DNA signals (T. aba and T. apiacas), and (iv) negative heterochromatin and Cot-DNA signals (T. bahiensis). Therefore, our results revealed that there still is not a clear relation between quantity of heterochromatin and presence of monocentric or holocentric chromosomes and occurrence of chromosomal rearrangements, indicating that repetitive regions in scorpions must be analyzed using different cytogenetic approaches.

Virulence Profiles of Wild-Type, P.1 and Delta SARS-CoV-2 Variants in K18-hACE2 Transgenic Mice.

Since December 2019, the world has been experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and we now face the emergence of several variants. We aimed to assess the differences between the wild-type (Wt) (Wuhan) strain and the P.1 (Gamma) and Delta variants using infected K18-hACE2 mice. The clinical manifestations, behavior, virus load, pulmonary capacity, and histopathological alterations were analyzed. The P.1-infected mice showed weight loss and more severe clinical manifestations of COVID-19 than the Wt and Delta-infected mice. The respiratory capacity was reduced in the P.1-infected mice compared to the other groups. Pulmonary histological findings demonstrated that a more aggressive disease was generated by the P.1 and Delta variants compared to the Wt strain of the virus. The quantification of the SARS-CoV-2 viral copies varied greatly among the infected mice although it was higher in P.1-infected mice on the day of death. Our data revealed that K18-hACE2 mice infected with the P.1 variant develop a more severe infectious disease than those infected with the other variants, despite the significant heterogeneity among the mice.

Additional improvement in regional myocardial ischemia after intracardiac injection of bone marrow cells during CABG surgery.

Background: Post-procedure residual ischemia is associated with worse prognosis in patients with coronary artery diasease (CAD). Objective: We evaluated whether autologous bone marrow-derived cells (BMC) contribute to additional reduction in regional stress-induced myocardial ischemia (SIMI) in patients undergoing incomplete coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we enrolled 143 patients (82% men, 58 ± 11 years) with stable CAD and not candidates for complete CABG. They received 100 million BMC (n = 77) or placebo (n = 66) injected into ischemic non-revascularized segments during CABG. The primary outcome was improvement on SIMI quantified as the area at risk in injected segments assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) 1, 6, and 12 months after CABG. Results: The reduction in global SIMI after CABG was comparable (p = 0.491) in both groups indicating sustained beneficial effects of the surgical procedure over 12 month period. In contrast, we observed additional improvement in regional SIMI in BMC treated group (p = 0.047). Baseline regional SIMI values were comparable [18.5 (16.2-21.0) vs. 18.5 (16.5-20.7)] and reached the lowest values at 1 month [9.74 (8.25; 11.49) vs. 12.69 (10.84; 14.85)] for BMC and placebo groups, respectively. The ischemia's improvement from baseline represented a 50% difference in regional SIMI in favor of the BMC transplanted group at 30 days. We found no differences in clinical and LVEF% between groups during the 12 month follow-up period. The 1 month rate of major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events (MACCE) (p = 0.34) and all-cause mortality (p = 0.08) did not differ between groups 1 month post intervention. Conclusion: We provided evidence that BMC leads to additional reduction in regional SIMI in chronic ischemic patients when injected in segments not subjected to direct surgical revascularization. This adjuvant therapy deserves further assessment in patients with advanced CAD especially in those with microcirculation dysfunction. Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT01727063.

Chemical management of aquatic macrophytes under simulated floodplain condition in mesocosms.

Floating natives (Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes) and emergent exotic invasives (Hedychium coronarium and Urochloa arrecta) macrophytes grow as aquatic weeds in both natural and artificial floodplain areas in Brazil, where the chemical control should be researched. The herbicides glyphosate and saflufenacil, alone or mixed, were tested for weed control under simulated floodplain condition in mesocosms. Glyphosate (1,440 g ha-1), saflufenacil (120 g ha-1), or glyphosate (1,440 g ha-1) + saflufenacil (42, 84, and 168 g ha-1) were applied firstly; and 75 days after treatment (DAT), glyphosate (1,680 g ha-1) was applied as a follow-up treatment to control plant regrowth. An herbicide-free check was also used. Echhinornia crassipes was the species most susceptible to the different herbicides. Saflufenacil alone presented the lowest control on the macrophytes (≤45%) from 7 to 75 DAT, and in most cases they presented high regrowth rates, i.e., this herbicide was the least effective treatment in reducing the dry mass production of the macrophyte community. Glyphosate alone presented low efficacy to control H. coronarium (30-65%), but for the other macrophytes, it presented control peaks ≥90%, maintaining control levels ≥50% until 75 DAT. Glyphosate + saflufenacil, regardless rate of saflufenacil, caused similar damage to glyphosate in E. crassipes and P. stratiotes; however, in U. arrecta it caused 20-30% less injury. In contrast, these treatments provided the best control of H. coronarium. The complementary application of glyphosate was essential to improve the level of control of the first application, after plant regrowth.

The complete plastome of Glandora prostrata subsp. lusitanica (Samp.) D.C.Thomas (Boraginaceae), the first chloroplast genome belonging to the Glandora genus.

Glandora prostrata (Loisel.) D.C.Thomas (Thomas et al., 2008), besides being a common plant of western and south-western Europe and north-western Africa, is a species with a wealth of reported uses in traditional and folk medicine. The chloroplast genome of Glandora prostrata subsp. lusitanica (Samp.) D.C.Thomas (Thomas et al., 2008) isolate BPTPS049 described in this study is the first publicly available complete plastome belonging to the Glandora genus. The chloroplast genome (GenBank accession number: ON641304) is 150,041 bp in length with 37.5% GC content, displaying a quadripartite structure that contains a pair of inverted repeat regions (25,833 bp each), separated by a large (81,222 bp) and small (17,153 bp) single-copy regions. It has 131 annotated genes including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis performed confirms that G. prostrata subsp. lusitanica is placed under the Boraginaceae family, which belongs to the Boraginales order. This study will contribute to conservation, phylogenetic, and evolutionary studies that comprise this traditional species relevant to the landscape of aromatic, medicinal, and condiment plants from Portugal.

The complete plastome of Centaurium erythraea subsp. majus (Hoffmanns. & Link) M.Laínz (Gentianaceae), the first chloroplast genome belonging to the Centaurium genus.

Despite having many historically reported ethnomedicinal uses, Centaurium erythraea Rafn (Rafn and Buchs, 1800; common centaury) also produces cytotoxic secondary metabolites, and its presence should be carefully monitored. In this study, the complete chloroplast of Centaurium erythraea subsp. majus (Hoffmanns. & Link) M.Laínz (Laínz, 1971) isolate BPTPS121 is described, being the first available plastome belonging to the Centaurium genus. The chloroplast genome (GenBank accession number: ON641347) is 153,107 bp in length with 37.9% GC content, displaying a quadripartite structure that contains a pair of inverted repeat regions (25,166 bp each), separated by a large single-copy (84,388 bp) and small single-copy (18,387 bp) regions. A total of 129 genes were predicted, including 37 tRNA genes, eight rRNA genes, and 84 protein-coding genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed that isolate BPTPS121 is placed under the Gentianaceae family, belonging to the Gentianales order. The maximum-likelihood tree supports the already described lineage divergence in the Gentianaceae family, with C. erythraea subsp. majus belonging to the Chironieae tribe positioned below the Exaceae tribe and above the Potalieae and the entire Gentianeae tribes. This study will contribute to conservation, phylogenetic, and evolutionary studies, as well as DNA barcoding applications for food, feed, and supplements safety purposes.

Immunomodulation through vaccination as a promising therapeutic strategy to mitigate malaria-related neurocognitive sequelae.

Malaria, an ancient infectious parasitic disease, is caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, whose erythrocytic cycle is accompanied by fever, headache, sweating and chills and a systemic inflammation that can progress to severe forms of disease, including cerebral malaria. Approximately 25% of survivors of this syndrome develop sequelae that may include neurological, neurocognitive, behavioral alterations and poor school performance. Furthermore, some outcomes have also been recorded following episodes of non-severe malaria, which correspond to the most common clinical form of the disease worldwide. There is a body of evidence that neuroinflammation, due to systemic inflammation, plays an important role in the neuropathogenesis of malaria culminating in these cognitive dysfunctions. Preclinical studies suggest that vaccination with type 2 immune response elicitors, such as the tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine, may exert a beneficial immunomodulatory effect by alleviating neuroinflammation. In this viewpoint article, vaccination is proposed as a therapy approach to revert or mitigate neurocognitive deficits associated with malaria.

Intravenous whole blood transfusion results in faster recovery of vascular integrity and increased survival in experimental cerebral malaria.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral malaria is a lethal complication of Plasmodium falciparum infections in need of better therapies. Previous work in murine experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) indicated that the combination of artemether plus intraperitoneal whole blood improved vascular integrity and increased survival compared to artemether alone. However, the effects of blood or plasma transfusion administered via the intravenous route have not previously been evaluated in ECM. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of intravenous whole blood compared to intravenous plasma on hematological parameters, vascular integrity, and survival in artemether-treated ECM. METHODS: Mice with late-stage ECM received artemether alone or in combination with whole blood or plasma administered via the jugular vein. The outcome measures were hematocrit and platelets; plasma angiopoietin 1, angiopoietin 2, and haptoglobin; blood-brain barrier permeability; and survival. FINDINGS: Survival increased from 54% with artemether alone to 90% with the combination of artemether and intravenous whole blood. Intravenous plasma lowered survival to 18%. Intravenous transfusion provided fast and pronounced recoveries of hematocrit, platelets, angiopoietins levels and blood brain barrier integrity. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of artemether-treated ECM was improved by intravenous whole blood but worsened by intravenous plasma. Compared to prior studies of transfusion via the intraperitoneal route, intravenous administration was more efficacious.