Surveillance of coronavirus in wild mammals seized and rescued by the National Forest and Wildlife Service of Peru.

Coronaviruses are common around the world and infect a wide variety of animals, including domestic and wild ones. They are characterized by causing respiratory, enteric, hepatic, and neurological diseases of varying severity, from asymptomatic to severe. Wild animals play a crucial role in this group of viruses since they can act as hosts or reservoirs for pathogenic species of humans and domestic animals. The purpose of this study was to molecularly identify coronaviruses present in wild mammals seized and rescued by the National Forestry and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) of Peru. We molecularly analyzed tracheal and rectal swabs from 90 wild mammals seized and/or rescued by SERFOR, partially amplifying the coronavirus RdRp gene. Ten of the 90 animals studied (11.1%) were positive only for Alphacoronavirus. These were non-human primates (Aotus sp., Sapajus apella, and Saimiri sciureus), the crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus), and the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens). The partial sequence analysis of the RdRp gene revealed that nine sequences belonged to the Pedacovirus subgenus and shared 99.1% nucleotide identity with the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), and only one sequence belonged to the Tegacovirus subgenus and shared 95.6% identity with the Feline coronavirus (FCoV). The results show that various wild mammal species from Peru can act as hosts for coronaviruses capable of infecting domestic species. Due to this, it is necessary to implement measures that help us identify the genera and species of coronaviruses in these species to prevent and contain future epidemics or pandemics resulting from the high rate of recombination and mutation of this virus.

Northward migration past the nearctic biogeographical divide; neotropical Gyrodactylus spp. infecting Astyanax have crossed the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt.

The neotropical fish genus Astyanax (Characidae) and its associated helminths migrated northward from South America following the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI): ca. 150 Astyanax spp. are found throughout South and Central America, up to the Mexico-USA border. Most characids are distributed south of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB), which bisects the country and represents a major transition zone between the neotropical and nearctic realms. Here, we characterize parasites of the monogenean genus Gyrodactylus infecting Astyanax spp. in Mexico: Astyanax aeneus south of the TMBV, Astyanax mexicanus north of it. Based on morphological, phylogenetic (internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cytochrome oxidase subunit II (cox 2)) and statistical analyses of morphometric data, we confirmed the validity of Gyrodactylus pakan and Gyrodactylus teken, and erected two new species, Gyrodactylus aphaa n. sp. and Gyrodactylus ricardoi n. sp. These four gyrodactylids are part of a complex of morphologically cryptic species, which are phylogenetically closely related to each other, and sister species to Gyrodactylus carolinae and Gyrodactylus heteracanthus, parasites of characins in Brazil. Four gyrodactylid lineages (G. pakan, G. ricardoi n. sp., G. teken, Gyrodactylus sp. A) are distributed north of the TMVB; G. pakan is also widely distributed south of the TMVB, together with G. aphaa n. sp. Based on the ITS phylogeny, Brazilian parasites form a sister clade to all Mexican gyrodactylids, whose derived clades are distributed in progressively more northerly latitudes in Mexico - the three most-derived species north of the TMVB. This would suggest that gyrodactylid species diverged gradually, presumably as their characid fish hosts colonized and adapted to new environments north of the TMVB.

Transcriptome profiling of macrophages persistently infected with human respiratory syncytial virus and effect of recombinant Taenia solium calreticulin on immune-related genes.

Introduction: Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is a main cause of bronchiolitis in infants and its persistence has been described in immunocompromised subjects. However, limited evidence has been reported on the gene expression triggered by the hRSV and the effect of recombinant Taenia solium-derived calreticulin (rTsCRT). Methods: Using a comprehensive microarray approach, we analyzed the transcriptome profile of a macrophage cell line that has supported hRSV persistence for over 150 passages. We compared the gene expression of persistently infected and non-infected macrophages. We also evaluated the effect of rTsCRT on hRSV-infected macrophage gene transcription, as well as on cytokine production and number of copies of the persistent hRSV genome. Results: Our analysis showed that hRSV long-term virus infection significantly alters mRNA expression of antiviral, inflammatory, as well as arginine and lipid metabolism-associated genes, revealing a transcriptional signature that suggests a mixed M1/M2 phenotype. The resulting host-virus equilibrium allows for the regulation of viral replication, while evading the antiviral and proinflammatory responses. Interestingly, rTsCRT stimulus upregulated Tnfα, Il6 and Nos2 mRNA. We found increased levels of both proinflammatory cytokines and nitrite levels in the conditioned media of persistent macrophages treated with rTsCRT. This increase was associated with a significant reduction in viral genome copies. Discussion: hRSV persistently infected macrophages retain responsiveness to external stimuli and demonstrate that the profound changes induced by viral persistence are potentially reversible. Our observations contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms related to hRSV persistence in macrophages and have implications for the development of targeted therapies to eliminate persistent infections or reduce the negative effects related with chronic inflammatory diseases associated with hRSV infection.

Gene inactivation of lysyl oxidase in smooth muscle cells reduces atherosclerosis burden and plaque calcification in hyperlipidemic mice.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lysyl oxidase (LOX) catalyzes the crosslinking of collagen and elastin to maintain tensile strength and structural integrity of the vasculature. Excessive LOX activity increases vascular stiffness and the severity of occlusive diseases. Herein, we investigated the mechanisms by which LOX controls atherogenesis and osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in hyperlipidemic mice. METHODS: Gene inactivation of Lox in SMC was achieved in conditional knockout mice after tamoxifen injections. Atherosclerosis burden and vascular calcification were assessed in hyperlipidemic conditional [Loxf/fMyh11-CreERT2ApoE-/-] and sibling control mice [Loxwt/wtMyh11-CreERT2ApoE-/-]. Mechanistic studies were performed with primary aortic SMC from Lox mutant and wild type mice. RESULTS: Inactivation of Lox in SMCs decreased > 70 % its RNA expression and protein level in the aortic wall and significantly reduced LOX activity without compromising vascular structure and function. Moreover, LOX deficiency protected mice against atherosclerotic burden (13 ± 2 versus 23 ± 1 %, p < 0.01) and plaque calcification (5 ± 0.4 versus 11.8 ± 3 %, p < 0.05) compared to sibling controls. Interestingly, gene inactivation of Lox in SMCs preserved the contractile phenotype of vascular SMC under hyperlipidemic conditions as demonstrated by single-cell RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence. Mechanistically, the absence of LOX in SMC prevented excessive collagen crosslinking and the subsequent activation of the pro-osteogenic FAK/ß-catenin signaling axis. CONCLUSIONS: Lox inactivation in SMC protects mice against atherosclerosis and plaque calcification by reducing SMC modulation and FAK/ß-catenin signaling.

Unveiling the High Diversity of Clones and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Escherichia coli Originating from ST10 across Different Ecological Niches.

In this pioneering in silico study in Peru, we aimed to analyze Escherichia coli (E. coli) genomes for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) diversity and virulence and for its mobilome. For this purpose, 469 assemblies from human, domestic, and wild animal hosts were investigated. Of these genomes, three were E. coli strains (pv05, pv06, and sf25) isolated from chickens in our previous study, characterized for antimicrobial susceptibility profile, and sequenced in this study. Three other genomes were included in our repertoire for having rare cgMLSTs. The phenotypic analysis for antimicrobial resistance revealed that pv05, pv06, and sf25 strains presented multidrug resistance to antibiotics belonging to at least three classes. Our in silico analysis indicated that many Peruvian genomes included resistance genes, mainly to the aminoglycoside class, ESBL-producing E. coli, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines. In addition, through Multi-locus Sequence Typing, we found more than 180 different STs, with ST10 being the most prevalent among the genomes. Pan-genome mapping revealed that, with new lineages, the repertoire of accessory genes in E. coli increased, especially genes related to resistance and persistence, which may be carried by plasmids. The results also demonstrated several genes related to adhesion, virulence, and pathogenesis, especially genes belonging to the high pathogenicity island (HPI) from Yersinia pestis, with a prevalence of 42.2% among the genomes. The complexity of the genetic profiles of resistance and virulence in our study highlights the adaptability of the pathogen to different environments and hosts. Therefore, our in silico analysis through genome sequencing enables tracking the epidemiology of E. coli from Peru and the future development of strategies to mitigate its survival.

Different surface treatments on recently introduced CAD-CAM resin-modified ceramics: Implications on bond strength.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The diverse chemical composition of recently introduced resin-modified ceramics complicates the establishment of a universally accepted clinical bonding protocol. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of different surface treatments of resin-modified ceramics on the bond strength to a resin cement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen 10×12×3-mm resin-modified ceramic slices were obtained from each material (Cerasmart; GC, Shofu Block HC; Shofu, Vita Enamic; Vita, Evolux hybrid; BlueDent, Alium; Alium). Slices were assigned to 4 groups based on surface treatments: Control (no treatment), airborne-particle abrasion with Al2O3 (Al2O3), conditioning with 9% HF (HF), and Al2O3+HF. After treatments and silane coupling agent (Monobond N; Ivoclar) application, 7 resin cement cylinders (Choice 2 veneer; Bisco) were built on each slice and light polymerized for 20 seconds. Half of the specimens (n=14 cylinders) were stored for 24 hours, and the other half were thermocycled (20 000 cycles, 5 °C to 55 °C, 30-second dwell time). Microshear bond strength was tested and analyzed with 3-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test (α=.05), and failure patterns were classified. Surface morphology after treatments was observed with scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. RESULTS: After 24 hours, all treatments induced higher bond strength (P<.05) than in the control in Evolux. Al2O3+HF caused higher bond strength (P<.05) than in the control in Cerasmart and Shofu, and higher bond strength than Al2O3 in Cerasmart. However, it resulted in lower bond strength (P<.05) than Al2O3 in Alium. After thermocycling, irrespective of the resin-modified ceramic, all treatments induced higher bond strength (P<.05) than in the control. HF induced lower bond strength (P<.05) than Al2O3 in Alium. Al2O3+HF caused the highest bond strength (P<.05) in Evolux and higher bond strength (P<.05) than HF in Vita Enamic. Adhesive failures were prevalent under control conditions, and mixed failures were common after treatments. Al2O3 induced surface alterations in all resin-modified ceramics. HF notably altered Vita Enamic, while it had no noticeable impact on the other resin-modified ceramics. Al2O3+HF caused a considerable alteration in Vita Enamic and modified the other resin-modified ceramics. Vita Enamic had the characteristic vibrational bands of inorganic compounds, while the other resin-modified ceramics exhibited distinct bands associated with organic compounds. CONCLUSIONS: Airborne-particle abrasion with Al2O3 followed by HF yielded the highest bond strength, regardless of the resin-modified ceramic, except for Alium, which demonstrated better bond strength after airborne-particle abrasion with Al2O3. 9% HF for 30 seconds caused notable surface alterations in Vita Enamic, negatively impacting its bond strength. Vita Enamic was the only resin-modified ceramic displaying both organic and inorganic composition, while the other resin-modified ceramics showed predominantly organic composition.

Effects of Delaying the Storage of 'Hass' Avocados under a Controlled Atmosphere on Skin Color, Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity.

During ripening, 'Hass' avocado skin changes from green to purple/black. Low-temperature storage with a controlled atmosphere (CA) is the most widely used method for avocado storage; however, few studies have simulated this technology and considered the days of regular air (RA) storage prior to CA storage. Herein, the effect of delaying the storage of 'Hass' avocado (>30% dry matter) in a CA was examined. Long-term storage conditions (5 °C for 50 days) corresponded to (i) regular air storage (RA), (ii) CA (4 kPa O2 and 6 kPa CO2) and (iii) 10 days in RA + 40 days in a CA and (iv) 20 days in RA + 30 days in a CA. Evaluations were performed during storage and at the ready-to-eat (RTE) stage. Skin color remained unchanged during storage, but at the RTE stage, more color development was observed for fruits stored under CA conditions, as these fruits were purple/black (>50%). At the RTE stage, the anthocyanin content increased, and compared to fruit under RA, fruit under a CA contained a five-fold greater content. A 20-day delay between harvest and CA storage increased the fruit softening rate and skin color development after cold storage, reducing the effectiveness of CA as a postharvest technology for extending storage life.

Support Networks for Exclusive Breastfeeding (SNEB). A conceptual approach and characterization in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: This study focuses on the conceptualization and graphical characterization of Exclusive Breastfeeding Support Networks (EBSN) in Mexico. METHODS: Through a sample design stratified by federal entity with state significance at 95%, a questionnaire was administered online via Microsoft Forms to a representative sample of 2989 women whose primiparity occurred in Mexico. The questionnaire primarily focused on sociodemographic data of the mothers and the structure of their EBSNs during primiparity. RESULTS: In this work, EBSNs are defined as networks mainly composed of women, whose function is to share knowledge and experiences about breastfeeding, as well as to provide emotional and physical support to breastfeeding mothers, contributing to strengthening the emotional and caregiving bonds between mothers and their newborns. CONCLUSIONS: Sankey diagrams were employed for the characterization of EBSNs, revealing that the mother of the primipara is generally the main node, resulting in a network with greater flow and reach. Conversely, when the first node is not related to the primipara, the networks tend to be smaller and with less flow.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Este estudio se centra en la conceptualización y la caracterización gráfica de las Redes de Apoyo a la Lactancia Materna Exclusiva (RALME) en México. MÉTODOS: Mediante un diseño muestral estratificado por entidad federativa con significancia estatal al 95%, se aplicó un cuestionario en línea, a través de Microsoft Forms, a una muestra representativa de 2989 mujeres cuya primiparidad fue en México. El cuestionario se enfocó principalmente en datos sociodemográficos de las madres y en la estructura de sus RALME durante la primiparidad. RESULTADOS: En este trabajo se definen las RALME como redes compuestas mayormente por mujeres, cuya función es compartir conocimientos y experiencias sobre la lactancia, así como ofrecer apoyo emocional y físico a madres lactantes, contribuyendo a fortalecer los lazos afectivos y de cuidado entre las madres y sus recién nacidos. CONCLUSIONES: Para la caracterización de las RALME se utilizó el diagrama de Sankey, revelando que la madre de la primípara es generalmente el nodo principal, lo que resulta en una red con mayor flujo y alcance. Por el contrario, cuando el primer nodo no tiene parentesco con la primípara, las redes tienden a ser más reducidas y con menor flujo.

Single-Cell Analyses Offer Insights into the Different Remodeling Programs of Arteries and Veins.

Arteries and veins develop different types of occlusive diseases and respond differently to injury. The biological reasons for this discrepancy are not well understood, which is a limiting factor for the development of vein-targeted therapies. This study contrasts human peripheral arteries and veins at the single-cell level, with a focus on cell populations with remodeling potential. Upper arm arteries (brachial) and veins (basilic/cephalic) from 30 organ donors were compared using a combination of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing, proteomics, flow cytometry, and histology. The cellular atlases of six arteries and veins demonstrated a 7.8× higher proportion of contractile smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in arteries and a trend toward more modulated SMCs. In contrast, veins showed a higher abundance of endothelial cells, pericytes, and macrophages, as well as an increasing trend in fibroblasts. Activated fibroblasts had similar proportions in both types of vessels but with significant differences in gene expression. Modulated SMCs and activated fibroblasts were characterized by the upregulation of MYH10, FN1, COL8A1, and ITGA10. Activated fibroblasts also expressed F2R, POSTN, and COMP and were confirmed by F2R/CD90 flow cytometry. Activated fibroblasts from veins were the top producers of collagens among all fibroblast populations from both types of vessels. Venous fibroblasts were also highly angiogenic, proinflammatory, and hyper-responders to reactive oxygen species. Differences in wall structure further explain the significant contribution of fibroblast populations to remodeling in veins. Fibroblasts are almost exclusively located outside the external elastic lamina in arteries, while widely distributed throughout the venous wall. In line with the above, ECM-targeted proteomics confirmed a higher abundance of fibrillar collagens in veins vs. more basement ECM components in arteries. The distinct cellular compositions and transcriptional programs of reparative populations in arteries and veins may explain differences in acute and chronic wall remodeling between vessels. This information may be relevant for the development of antistenotic therapies.

Implications of environmental nanoparticles on neurodegeneration.

The ubiquity of nanoparticles, sourced from both natural environments and human activities, presents critical challenges for public health. While offering significant potential for innovative biomedical applications-especially in enhancing drug transport across the blood-brain barrier-these particles also introduce possible hazards due to inadvertent exposure. This concise review explores the paradoxical nature of nanoparticles, emphasizing their promising applications in healthcare juxtaposed with their potential neurotoxic consequences. Through a detailed examination, we delineate the pathways through which nanoparticles can reach the brain and the subsequent health implications. There is growing evidence of a disturbing association between nanoparticle exposure and the onset of neurodegenerative conditions, highlighting the imperative for comprehensive research and strategic interventions. Gaining a deep understanding of these mechanisms and enacting protective policies are crucial steps toward reducing the health threats of nanoparticles, thereby maximizing their therapeutic advantages.

Redes de Apoyo a la Lactancia Materna Exclusiva (RALME). Una aproximación conceptual y caracterización en México / Support Networks for Exclusive Breastfeeding (SNEB). A conceptual approach and characterization in Mexico

Resumen Introducción: Este estudio se centra en la conceptualización y la caracterización gráfica de las Redes de Apoyo a la Lactancia Materna Exclusiva (RALME) en México. Métodos: Mediante un diseño muestral estratificado por entidad federativa con significancia estatal al 95%, se aplicó un cuestionario en línea, a través de Microsoft Forms, a una muestra representativa de 2989 mujeres cuya primiparidad fue en México. El cuestionario se enfocó principalmente en datos sociodemográficos de las madres y en la estructura de sus RALME durante la primiparidad. Resultados: En este trabajo se definen las RALME como redes compuestas mayormente por mujeres, cuya función es compartir conocimientos y experiencias sobre la lactancia, así como ofrecer apoyo emocional y físico a madres lactantes, contribuyendo a fortalecer los lazos afectivos y de cuidado entre las madres y sus recién nacidos. Conclusiones: Para la caracterización de las RALME se utilizó el diagrama de Sankey, revelando que la madre de la primípara es generalmente el nodo principal, lo que resulta en una red con mayor flujo y alcance. Por el contrario, cuando el primer nodo no tiene parentesco con la primípara, las redes tienden a ser más reducidas y con menor flujo.

Abstract Background: This study focuses on the conceptualization and graphical characterization of Exclusive Breastfeeding Support Networks (EBSN) in Mexico. Methods: Through a sample design stratified by federal entity with state significance at 95%, a questionnaire was administered online via Microsoft Forms to a representative sample of 2989 women whose primiparity occurred in Mexico. The questionnaire primarily focused on sociodemographic data of the mothers and the structure of their EBSNs during primiparity. Results: In this work, EBSNs are defined as networks mainly composed of women, whose function is to share knowledge and experiences about breastfeeding, as well as to provide emotional and physical support to breastfeeding mothers, contributing to strengthening the emotional and caregiving bonds between mothers and their newborns. Conclusions: Sankey diagrams were employed for the characterization of EBSNs, revealing that the mother of the primipara is generally the main node, resulting in a network with greater flow and reach. Conversely, when the first node is not related to the primipara, the networks tend to be smaller and with less flow.

Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease: The HAKA Multicenter Retrospective Real-World Study.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic heart failure (HF) has high rates of mortality and hospitalization in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (aCKD). However, randomized clinical trials have systematically excluded aCKD population. We have investigated current HF therapy in patients receiving clinical care in specialized aCKD units. METHODS: The Heart And Kidney Audit (HAKA) was a cross-sectional and retrospective real-world study including outpatients with aCKD and HF from 29 Spanish centers. The objective was to evaluate how the treatment of HF in patients with aCKD complied with the recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of HF, especially regarding the foundational drugs: renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi), angiotensin receptor blocker/neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI), beta-blockers (BBs), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). RESULTS: Among 5,012 aCKD patients, 532 (13%) had a diagnosis of HF. Of them, 20% had reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), 13% mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF), and 67% preserved EF (HFpEF). Only 9.3% of patients with HFrEF were receiving quadruple therapy with RASi/ARNI, BB, MRA, and SGLT2i, but the majority were not on the maximum recommended doses. None of the patients with HFrEF and CKD G5 received quadruple therapy. Among HFmrEF patients, approximately half and two-thirds were receiving RASi and/or BB, respectively, while less than 15% received ARNI, MRA, or SGLT2i. Less than 10% of patients with HFpEF were receiving SGLT2i. CONCLUSIONS: Under real-world conditions, HF in aCKD patients is sub-optimally treated. Increased awareness of current guidelines and pragmatic trials specifically enrolling these patients represent unmet medical needs.

Dissecting the complex genetic basis of pre- and post-harvest traits in Vitis vinifera L. using genome-wide association studies.

Addressing the pressing challenges in agriculture necessitates swift advancements in breeding programs, particularly for perennial crops like grapevines. Moving beyond the traditional biparental quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) encompassing 588 Vitis vinifera L. cultivars from a Chilean breeding program, spanning three seasons and testing 13 key yield-related traits. A strong candidate gene, Vitvi11g000454, located on chromosome 11 and related to plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses through jasmonic acid signaling, was associated with berry width and holds potential for enhancing berry size in grape breeding. We also mapped novel QTL associated with post-harvest traits across chromosomes 2, 4, 9, 11, 15, 18, and 19, broadening our grasp on the genetic intricacies dictating fruit post-harvest behavior, including decay, shriveling, and weight loss. Leveraging gene ontology annotations, we drew parallels between traits and scrutinized candidate genes, laying a robust groundwork for future trait-feature identification endeavors in plant breeding. We also highlighted the importance of carefully considering the choice of the response variable in GWAS analyses, as the use of best linear unbiased estimators (BLUEs) corrections in our study may have led to the suppression of some common QTL in grapevine traits. Our results underscore the imperative of pioneering non-destructive evaluation techniques for long-term conservation traits, offering grape breeders and cultivators insights to improve post-harvest table grape quality and minimize waste.

A short treatment with resveratrol after a renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury prevents maladaptive repair and long-term chronic kidney disease in rats.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) often triggers physiological processes aimed at restoring renal function and architecture. However, this response can become maladaptive, leading to nephron loss and fibrosis. Although the therapeutic effects of resveratrol (RSV) are well established, its impact after AKI and for subsequent chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. This study assessed whether transient administration of RSV following ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) could prevent the progression to CKD. Forty-one male Wistar rats were assigned randomly to sham surgery, bilateral renal ischaemia for 30 min (IR) or IR+RSV. The RSV treatment commenced 24 h after IRI and continued for 10 days. The rats were studied for either 10 days or 5 months, after which kidney function and structure were evaluated. Mitochondrial homeostasis, oxidant defence and renal inflammation state were also evaluated. Despite having the same severity of AKI, rats receiving RSV for 10 days after IRI exhibited significant improvement in kidney histological injury and reduced inflammation, although renal haemodynamic recovery was less pronounced. Resveratrol effectively prevented the elevation of tubular injury-related molecules and profibrotic signalling with reduced myofibroblast proliferation. Furthermore, RSV substantially improved the antioxidant response and mitochondrial homeostasis. After 5 months, RSV prevented the transition to CKD, as evidenced by the prevention of progressive proteinuria, renal dysfunction and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. This study demonstrates that a brief treatment with RSV following IRI is enough to prevent maladaptive repair and the development of CKD. Our findings highlight the importance of the early days of reperfusion, indicating that maladaptive responses can be reduced effectively following severe AKI. KEY POINTS: Physiological processes activated after acute kidney injury (AKI) can lead to maladaptive responses, causing nephron loss and fibrosis. Prophylactic renoprotection with resveratrol (RSV) has been described in experimental AKI, but its impact after AKI and for subsequent chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. In this study, we found that histological tubular injury persists 10 days after ischaemia-reperfusion injury and contributes to a failed repair phenotype in proximal tubular cells. Short-term RSV intervention influenced the post-ischaemic repair response and accelerated tubular recovery by reducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage. Furthermore, RSV targeted inflammation and profibrotic signalling during the maladaptive response, normalizing both processes. Resveratrol effectively prevented AKI-to-CKD transition even 5 months after the intervention. The study serves as a proof of concept, proposing RSV as a valuable candidate for further translational clinical studies to mitigate AKI-to-CKD transition.

Transient inhibition of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 after ischemia/reperfusion injury ameliorates chronic kidney disease.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, dapagliflozin (Dapa), exhibited nephroprotective effects in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We assessed the efficacy of short-term Dapa administration following acute kidney injury (AKI) in preventing CKD. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to Sham surgery, bilateral ischemia for 30 minutes (abbreviated as IR), and IR + Dapa groups. Daily treatment with Dapa was initiated just 24 hours after IR and maintained for only 10 days. Initially, rats were euthanized at this point to study early renal repair. After severe AKI, Dapa promptly restored creatinine clearance (CrCl) and significantly reduced renal vascular resistance compared with the IR group. Furthermore, Dapa effectively reversed the mitochondrial abnormalities, including increased fission, altered mitophagy, metabolic dysfunction, and proapoptotic signaling. To study this earlier, another set of rats was studied just 5 days after AKI. Despite persistent renal dysfunction, our data reveal a degree of mitochondrial protection. Remarkably, a 10-day treatment with Dapa demonstrated effectiveness in preventing CKD transition in an independent cohort monitored for 5 months after AKI. This was evidenced by improvements in proteinuria, CrCl, glomerulosclerosis, and fibrosis. Our findings underscore the potential of Dapa in preventing maladaptive repair following AKI, emphasizing the crucial role of early intervention in mitigating AKI long-term consequences.

Artificial intelligence: ChatGPT as a disruptive didactic strategy in dental education.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of ChatGPT on academic tasks performed by undergraduate dental students. METHOD: Fifty-five participants completed scientific writing assignments. First, ChatGPT was utilized; subsequently, a conventional method involving the search of scientific articles was employed. Each task was preceded by a 30-min training session. The assignments were reviewed by professors, and an anonymous questionnaire was administered to the students regarding the usefulness of ChatGPT. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Final scores and scores for the criteria of utilization of evidence, evaluation of arguments, and generation of alternatives achieved higher values through the traditional method than with ChatGPT (p = 0.019, 0.042, 0.017, and <0.001, respectively). No differences were found between the two methods for the remaining criteria (p > 0.05). A total of 64.29% of the students found ChatGPT useful, 33.33% found it very useful, and 3.38% not very useful. Regarding its application in further academic activities, 54.76% considered it useful, 40.48% found it very useful, and 4.76% not very useful. A total of 61.90% of the participants indicated that ChatGPT contributed to over 25% of their productivity, while 11.9% perceived it contributed to less than 15%. Concerning the relevance of having known ChatGPT for academic tasks, 50% found it opportune, 45.24% found it very opportune, 2.38% were unsure, and the same percentage thought it is inopportune. All students provided positive feedback. CONCLUSION: Dental students highly valued the experience of using ChatGPT for academic tasks. Nonetheless, the traditional method of searching for scientific articles yield higher scores.

The intricate cellular ecosystem of human peripheral veins as revealed by single-cell transcriptomic analysis.

The venous system has been historically understudied despite its critical roles in blood distribution, heart function, and systemic immunity. This study dissects the microanatomy of upper arm veins at the single cell level, and how it relates to wall structure, remodeling processes, and inflammatory responses to injury. We applied single-cell RNA sequencing to 4 non-diseased human veins (3 basilic, 1 cephalic) obtained from organ donors, followed by bioinformatic and histological analyses. Unsupervised clustering of 20,006 cells revealed a complex ecosystem of endothelial cell (EC) types, smooth muscle cell (SMCs) and pericytes, various types of fibroblasts, and immune cell populations. The venous endothelium showed significant upregulation of cell adhesion genes, with arteriovenous zonation EC phenotypes highlighting the heterogeneity of vasa vasorum (VV) microvessels. Venous SMCs had atypical contractile phenotypes and showed widespread localization in the intima and media. MYH11+DESlo SMCs were transcriptionally associated with negative regulation of contraction and pro-inflammatory gene expression. MYH11+DEShi SMCs showed significant upregulation of extracellular matrix genes and pro-migratory mediators. Venous fibroblasts ranging from secretory to myofibroblastic phenotypes were 4X more abundant than SMCs and widely distributed throughout the wall. Fibroblast-derived angiopoietin-like factors were identified as versatile signaling hubs to regulate angiogenesis and SMC proliferation. An abundant monocyte/macrophage population was detected and confirmed by histology, including pro-inflammatory and homeostatic phenotypes, with cell counts positively correlated with age. Ligand-receptor interactome networks identified the venous endothelium in the main lumen and the VV as a niche for monocyte recruitment and infiltration. This study underscores the transcriptional uniqueness of venous cells and their relevance for vascular inflammation and remodeling processes. Findings from this study may be relevant for molecular investigations of upper arm veins used for vascular access creation, where single-cell analyses of cell composition and phenotypes are currently lacking.

Erythrocyte Vulnerability to Airborne Nanopollutants.

The toxicological impact of airborne polluting ultrafine particles (UFPs, also classified as nanoparticles with average sizes of less than 100 nm) is an emerging area of research pursuing a better understanding of the health hazards they pose to humans and other organisms. Hemolytic activity is a toxicity parameter that can be assessed quickly and easily to establish part of a nanoparticle's behavior once it reaches our circulatory system. However, it is exceedingly difficult to determine to what extent each of the nanoparticles present in the air is responsible for the detrimental effects exhibited. At the same time, current hemolytic assessment methodologies pose a series of limitations for the interpretation of results. An alternative is to synthesize nanoparticles that model selected typical types of UFPs in air pollution and evaluate their individual contributions to adverse health effects under a clinical assay of osmotic fragility. Here, we discuss evidence pointing out that the absence of hemolysis is not always a synonym for safety; exposure to model nanopollutants, even at low concentrations, is enough to increase erythrocyte susceptibility and dysfunction. A modified osmotic fragility assay in combination with a morphological inspection of the nanopollutant-erythrocyte interaction allows a richer interpretation of the exposure outcomes. Membrane-nanoparticle interplay has a leading role in the vulnerability observed. Therefore, future research in this line of work should pay special attention to the evaluation of the mechanisms that cause membrane damage.

Aula invertida o clase magistral: innovar o morir / Inverted classroom or master class: innovate or die / Sala de aula invertida ou sala de aula magistral: inovar ou morrer

RESUMEN Las estrategias para comunicar la información han experimentado muchos cambios, los cuales se han evidenciado en la pandemia. La idea es lograr que se pueda conectar con el estudiante y que la información la reciba de manera clara, oportuna y pertinente, de modo que tendrá los saberes previos para lograr integrar la información de la teoría y la práctica, con el fin de enfrentar con éxito la actividad simulada, así como cuando interactúe con el paciente. En ese contexto, el aula invertida es una estrategia didáctica que brinda videos, podcast, entre otros, para que sean revisados con anticipación, de tal forma que cuando el estudiante realice la actividad presencial o virtual se profundice y se hagan precisiones sobre los conceptos más importantes, usando metodologías activas de participación para lograr el siguiente propósito: El aprendizaje invertido busca un cambio en la dinámica del aprendizaje que apunte como eje del mismo al estudiante. El objetivo de la presente contribución docente es compartir las bondades de esta estrategia usada en estudiantes de la carrera de Odontología dentro del marco del curso de Clínica Estomatológica del Adulto I, dictado en 2023 y que pertenece al quinto ciclo de la carrera de Estomatología en la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.

ABSTRACT Strategies for communicating information have undergone many changes, which have been evidenced in the pandemic. The idea is to be able to connect with the student and that the information is received in a clear, timely and relevant manner, so that he/she will have the prior knowledge to integrate information from theory and practice, in order to successfully face the simulated activity, as well as when interacting with the patient. In this context, the inverted classroom is a didactic strategy that provides videos, podcasts, among others, to be reviewed in advance, so that when the student performs the face-to-face or virtual activity, the most important concepts are deepened and clarified, using active participation methodologies to achieve the following objective: flipped learning seeks a change in the dynamics of learning that points to the student as its axis. The objective of this teaching contribution is to share the benefits of this strategy used with students of the Dentistry degree program within the framework of the Adult Stomatology Clinic I course, taught in 2023 and which belongs to the fifth semester of the Stomatology degree program at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.

RESUMO As estratégias de comunicação de informação sofreram muitas alterações, que são evidentes na pandemia. A ideia é conseguir conectar-se com o aluno e que a informação seja recebida de forma clara, oportuna e relevante, para que ele tenha o conhecimento prévio para poder integrar informações da teoria e da prática, a fim de enfrentar com sucesso a atividade simulada, bem como ao interagir com o paciente. Neste contexto, a sala de aula invertida é uma estratégia didática que disponibiliza vídeos, podcasts, entre outros, para serem revistos previamente, de modo a que, quando o aluno realiza a atividade presencial ou virtual, os conceitos mais importantes sejam aprofundados e clarificados, utilizando metodologias de participação ativa para atingir o seguinte objetivo: A aprendizagem investida procura uma mudança na dinâmica da aprendizagem que aponta para o aluno como eixo da mesma. O objetivo desta contribuição didática é partilhar os benefícios desta estratégia utilizada com os alunos da disciplina de Medicina Dentária no âmbito do curso de Clínica de Estomatologia de Adultos I, ministrada em 2023 e que pertence ao quinto semestre da disciplina de Estomatologia da Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.