High-throughput sequencing yields the complete plastid genome of the endemic species Phragmipedium kovachii (Orchidaceae) from northeastern Peru.

Phragmipedium kovachii is a species of orchid endemic to the Amazonas and San Martín regions. Unfortunately, its excessive extraction has made it a critically endangered species. In this study, we performed next-generation sequencing of P. kovachii (GenBank accession number OR348669) and assembled its complete chloroplast genome. The complete chloroplast genome of P. kovachii is A + T-rich (64.3%), measuring 152,918 bp in length. This plastid genome contains a total of 124 genes (77 protein-coding genes, 39 tRNAs, and eight rRNAs) and five pseudogenes, including a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) 25,116 bp in size and separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region of 89,216 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 13,470 bp. This genome has a typical quadripartite organization following the structure of other Orchidaceae plastomes. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the close relationship between P. kovachii and P. besseae. This study contributes to the understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of the monophyletic group Cypripedioideae.

Spatio-temporal evaluation of metals and metalloids in the water of high Andean livestock micro-watersheds, Amazonas, Peru.

Cattle ranching is a fundamental economic activity in northern Peru, where proper management of water resources is crucial. This study, a pioneer in the region, evaluated water quality and its suitability for human consumption, vegetable irrigation, and livestock production. It is also the first study to document the presence of metals and metalloids in vulnerable areas because they are located at the headwaters of river watersheds. The spatiotemporal evaluation of physicochemical parameters, metals, and metalloids was performed in five micro-watersheds (Cabildo, Timbambo, Pomacochas, Atuen, and Ventilla) from water samples collected in the dry season (October 2017) and wet season (March 2018). The parameters were analyzed using microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The results were contrasted with international and Peruvian quality standards related to dairy cow production. The highest values of pH, total dissolved solids, and electrical conductivity were reported during the dry season, and the highest turbidity during the wet season. Of the metals evaluated, arsenic (As) was omnipresent in all the micro-watersheds, followed by lead (Pb). In contrast to World Health Organization regulations, concentrations of As, cadmium (Cd), Pb, and iron represent a risk; according to Peruvian regulations, As and Pb exceed the concentrations established for use in animal drinking water and vegetable irrigation, and according to water guidelines for dairy cattle, concentrations of As, Pb, Cd, and Al exceed the permitted limits. The high concentrations of these metals in the study area are attributable to a synergy between natural factors, such as Andean geology and livestock activity. The data reported will allow for proper water resource management, pollution prevention, and the design and adoption of mitigation measures.

Atrial septal defect and platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome: usefulness of the balloon occlusion test.

A 37-year-old man was referred to our medical center with a diagnosis of Eisenmenger syndrome due to an atrial septal defect (ASD). At admission he had central cyanosis, acrocyanosis, and progressive effort dyspnea; his symptoms improved during lying position.

Activation of Shh/Smo is sufficient to maintain oligodendrocyte precursor cells in an undifferentiated state and is not necessary for myelin formation and (re)myelination.

Myelination is the terminal step in a complex and precisely timed program that orchestrates the proliferation, migration and differentiation of oligodendroglial cells. It is thought that Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) acting on Smoothened (Smo) participates in regulating this process, but that these effects are highly context dependent. Here, we investigate oligodendroglial development and remyelination from three specific transgenic lines: NG2-CreERT2 (control), Smofl/fl/NG2-CreERT2 (loss of function), and SmoM2/NG2-CreERT2 (gain of function), as well as pharmacological manipulation that enhance or inhibit the Smo pathway (Smoothened Agonist (SAG) or cyclopamine treatment, respectively). To explore the effects of Shh/Smo on differentiation and myelination in vivo, we developed a highly quantifiable model by transplanting oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in the retina. We find that myelination is greatly enhanced upon cyclopamine treatment and hypothesize that Shh/Smo could promote OPC proliferation to subsequently inhibit differentiation. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that the genetic activation of Smo significantly increased numbers of OPCs and decreased oligodendrocyte differentiation when we examined the corpus callosum during development and after cuprizone demyelination and remyelination. However, upon loss of function with the conditional ablation of Smo, myelination in the same scenarios are unchanged. Taken together, our present findings suggest that the Shh pathway is sufficient to maintain OPCs in an undifferentiated state, but is not necessary for myelination and remyelination.

The Caribbean and Mesoamerica Biogeochemical Isotope Overview (CAMBIO).

The Caribbean & Mesoamerica Biogeochemical Isotope Overview (CAMBIO) is an archaeological data community designed to integrate published biogeochemical data from the Caribbean, Mesoamerica, and southern Central America to address questions about dynamic interactions among humans, animals, and the environment in the region over the past 10,000 years. Here we present the CAMBIO human dataset, which consists of more than 16,000 isotopic measurements from human skeletal tissue samples (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S, δ18O, 87Sr/86Sr, 206/204Pb, 207/204Pb, 208/204Pb, 207/206Pb) from 290 archaeological sites dating between 7000 BC to modern times. The open-access dataset also includes detailed chronological, contextual, and laboratory/sample preparation information for each measurement. The collated data are deposited on the open-access CAMBIO data community via the Pandora Initiative data platform ( https://pandoradata.earth/organization/cambio ).

Case report: Buschke-Lowenstein tumor, a giant anal condyloma acuminata.

24-year-old man with positive HIV, with a giant exofitic anal condyloma, with a clinical presentation of a painfull suppurative anal condyloma with a pathology report of an in situ squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of the investigation is a case report and the procedure was observational. The finding was a Buschke-Lowenstein tumor.

Varón de 24 años, con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana, que presenta una tumoración exofítica, dolorosa y supurativa, con reporte positivo de virus de papiloma humano y reporte histopatológico de carcinoma espinocelular sin evidencia de diseminación (in situ). El propósito de la investigación es un reporte de caso y el procedimientos fue observacional. El hallazgo fue un tumor de Buschke-Lowenstein.

[Atherogenic index and its association with acute coronary ischemic syndrome mortality]. / Índice aterogénico y su relación con la mortalidad del síndrome isquémico coronario agudo.

Background: Several indexes have been developed to define the risk attributable to lipid metabolism with a single value. The total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (TC/HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein (LDL-C/HDL-C) ratios are the most used. The higher the value of these ratios, the greater the probability of cardiovascular events. Objective: To identify whether the TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios are early prognostic markers of mortality and major cardiovascular events in patients with ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome. Material and methods: 265 patients with ST-segment elevation acute coronary ischemic syndrome were included, divided into 4 groups according to the values of the atherogenic indices. Mortality and major cardiovascular events at 30-day follow-up were analyzed. Comparison of the groups was performed using the chi-squared test or ANOVA, depending on the case (p < 0.05). Results: The cut-off point for the TC/HDL-C index was 6.9 and for the LDL-C/HDL-C it was 2.7. The comparative analysis of groups showed that cardiovascular death and arrhythmia were higher in group 3 (p = 0.006 and p = 0.003, respectively). Conclusions: TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C indexes can be used as prognostic markers of cardiovascular mortality in the first 30 days of follow-up.

Introducción: se han elaborado diferentes índices para definir el riesgo atribuible al metabolismo lipídico con un solo valor. Los coeficientes colesterol total/lipoproteínas de alta densidad (CT/C-HDL) y lipoproteínas de baja densidad/lipoproteínas de alta densidad (C-LDL/C-HDL) son los más utilizados. A mayor valor de estos cocientes, la probabilidad de eventos cardiovasculares es mayor. Objetivo: identificar si los índices CT/C-HDL y C-LDL/C-HDL son marcadores pronósticos tempranos de mortalidad y evento cardiovascular mayor en pacientes con síndrome isquémico coronario agudo con elevación del ST. Material y métodos: se incluyeron 265 pacientes con síndrome isquémico coronario agudo con elevación del segmento ST, divididos en 4 grupos según los valores de los índices aterogénicos. Se analizó la mortalidad y el evento cardiovascular mayor en los 30 días de seguimiento. Se identificó el punto de corte de cada índice mediante un análisis de curva ROC. La comparación de los grupos se hizo con chi cuadrada o ANOVA, según fuera el caso (p < 0.05). Resultados: el punto de corte para el índice CT/C-HDL fue de 6.9 y para el C-LDL/C-HDL de 2.7. El análisis comparativo de los grupos demostró que la muerte cardiovascular y arritmia fue mayor en el grupo 3 (p = 0.006 y p = 0.003, respectivamente). Conclusiones: los índices CT/C-HDL y C-LDL/C-HDL pueden ser utilizados como marcadores pronósticos de mortalidad cardiovascular en los primeros 30 días de seguimiento.

Distress symptoms and alcohol consumption: anxiety differentially mediates drinking across gender.

Introduction: The consumption of alcohol remains a significant health concern and represents a prevalent form of substance use worldwide. Previous research has identified sex differences in the consumption of alcohol. This study explores the relationship between drinking and the presence of distress symptoms across gender. Based on previous research, it was hypothesized that presence of distress symptoms, defined as increases in anxiety and depression, would be prominent features associated with alcohol consumption among women compared to men. Methods: A sample of undergraduate students (N = 448) participated in an online-based questionnaire (71% female; M age = 22.1; 42.9% Hispanic/Latino). The questionnaire contained assessments related to demographic information and alcohol consumption over the past 30 days. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Gender differences were observed with men consuming more alcoholic drinks than women. However, women who consumed alcohol reported having more distress symptoms relative to their male counterparts. A logistic regression revealed that this gender difference was moderated by anxiety, such that greater anxiety scores associates with whether women consumed alcohol. However, an ordinary least squares regression revealed that for men, anxiety scores significantly related to the amount of drinks consumed. Gender differences were not detected in relation to alcohol consumption and depression. Conclusion: Our findings contribute to the literature by indicating that the mere presence of distress symptoms reveals distinctive gender-specific differences in relation to alcohol consumption in a non-clinical population. Identifying the distinct associations linked with alcohol use for men and women can aid in reducing drinking disparities among young adults.

Exposure to Stress Alters Cardiac Gene Expression and Exacerbates Myocardial Ischemic Injury in the Female Murine Heart.

Mental stress is a risk factor for myocardial infarction in women. The central hypothesis of this study is that restraint stress induces sex-specific changes in gene expression in the heart, which leads to an intensified response to ischemia/reperfusion injury due to the development of a pro-oxidative environment in female hearts. We challenged male and female C57BL/6 mice in a restraint stress model to mimic the effects of mental stress. Exposure to restraint stress led to sex differences in the expression of genes involved in cardiac hypertrophy, inflammation, and iron-dependent cell death (ferroptosis). Among those genes, we identified tumor protein p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21), which have established controversial roles in ferroptosis. The exacerbated response to I/R injury in restraint-stressed females correlated with downregulation of p53 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2, a master regulator of the antioxidant response system-ARE). S-female hearts also showed increased superoxide levels, lipid peroxidation, and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2) expression (a hallmark of ferroptosis) compared with those of their male counterparts. Our study is the first to test the sex-specific impact of restraint stress on the heart in the setting of I/R and its outcome.

Primary percutaneous closure of a traumatic ventricular septal defect after stab wound to the chest: a case report.

Background: Traumatic ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are life-threatening complications of blunt or stab chest trauma. The standard of care is surgical closure or secondary percutaneous closure due to high surgical risk because of recent sternotomy. Case summary: We present a 22-year-old male with an ice pick-related VSD. It was successfully closed by primary percutaneous approach. After 6 months, the echo Doppler shows no residual shunt, normal pulmonary artery pressure, and normal biventricular function. Discussion: To our knowledge, this is one of the first primary percutaneous closures for knife-related VSD. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent heart failure and long-term complications. Less necrotic tissue surrounding the VSD compared with post-infarction (PI) VSD allows for early and secure treatment. Percutaneous closure is a feasible and effective choice even in patients who had no prior sternotomy or who reject surgery as a primary treatment strategy.

A Liquid Chromatography High-Resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method to Quantify QS-21 Adjuvant and Its Degradation Products in Liposomal Drug Formulations.

Identification and quantification of an active adjuvant and its degradation product/s in drug formulations are important to ensure drug product safety and efficacy. QS-21 is a potent adjuvant that is currently involved in several clinical vaccine trials and a constituent of licensed vaccines against malaria and shingles. In an aqueous milieu, QS-21 undergoes pH- and temperature-dependent hydrolytic degradation to form a QS-21 HP derivative that may occur during manufacturing and/or long-term storage. Intact QS-21 and deacylated QS-21 HP elicit different immune response profiles; thus, it is imperative to monitor QS-21 degradation in vaccine adjuvant formulation. To date, a suitable quantitative analytical method for QS-21 and its degradation product in drug formulations is not available in the literature. In view of this, a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and qualified to accurately quantify the active adjuvant QS-21 and its degradation product (QS-21 HP) in liposomal drug formulations. The method was qualified according to the FDA Guidance for Industry: Q2(R1). Study results showed that the described method presents good specificity for QS-21 and QS-21 HP detection in a liposomal matrix, good sensitivity characterized by the limit of detection (LOD)/limit of quantitation (LOQ) in the nanomolar range, linear regressions with correlation coefficients, R2 > 0.999, recoveries in the range of 80-120%, and precise detection and quantification with % relative standard deviation (RSD) < 6% for QS-21 and < 9% for the QS-21 HP impurity assay. The described method was successfully used to accurately evaluate in-process and product release samples of the Army Liposome Formulation containing QS-21 (ALFQ).

Case report: Surgical removal of an intradural and intramedullary brainstem foreign body in a young German Shepherd.

A young, female German Shepherd was presented for evaluation of a progressive, mildly ambulatory tetraparesis with severe neck pain. All segmental reflexes were intact, and the paresis was more severe on the right thoracic and pelvic limbs. Diagnostic imaging (radiographs and computed tomography) revealed 2 metallic linear foreign bodies lodged at the right side of the cervicomedullary junction. A modification of the previously described ventral craniectomy approach was performed and after removal of a portion of the basioccipital bone using a nitrogen powered drill, the foreign bodies were removed. Over a period of 3 months, the patient made a full recovery.

Giant Cell Tumor of the Thoracic Spine in a Young Female Patient in a México City Spine Center: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Giant cell tumors of the bone (GCTB) are rare, locally aggressive benign neoplasms that primarily occur in the metaphyses of long bones. In less than 2% of cases, GCTBs arise in the spine, predominantly below the sacrum. We report the clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, and successful surgical treatment of a patient with a GCTB of the thoracic spine. CASE REPORT A 21-year-old female patient presented to the Emergency Department with back pain and upper motor neuron syndrome. A thorough clinical and imaging examination revealed a tumor and pathological fracture of the T7 vertebra. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a GCTB. The tumor was successfully excised surgically via a posterior thoracic approach, including bilateral decompressive laminectomy, lateral costotransversectomy, and posterior corpectomy, followed by transpedicular instrumentation of the T5-T6 and T8-T9 vertebrae, and anterior arthrodesis with an autologous graft. The patient also received adjuvant radiotherapy. One year later, the patient had no signs of recurrence or physical limitations. CONCLUSIONS GCTBs located in the thoracic spine are uncommon and pose a significant challenge for healthcare professionals due to their non-specific clinical manifestations and the need for a multidisciplinary approach to their management. This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of a GCTB of the thoracic spine and describes a successful surgical strategy resulting in complete recovery. The presented case adds to the limited published literature on GCTBs in this unusual location and further elaborates on their presentation and management.

Clinical Benefits of the Utrecht Questionnaire for Aesthetic Outcome Assessment in Rhinoplasty: An Update.

Presently, there is no consensus on which patient-reported outcome measurement (PROM) instrument is best suited to assess the aesthetic outcomes of rhinoplasty. In this regard, at least seven different validated PROMs are available from the literature, each one with advantages and disadvantages.In this article, we review the development, validation, international translation, and clinical application of the Utrecht Questionnaire (UQ). The UQ was developed in 2009 with the idea to be a short and practical tool for the rhinoplasty surgeon to assess the aesthetic outcomes of rhinoplasty. The questionnaire was then validated in 2013. Body image in relation to nasal appearance is quantified with five simple questions on a 5-point Likert scale and a Visual Analogue Scale score. We discuss how the UQ can easily be incorporated and become an important asset in a rhinoplasty practice. Practical benefits, such as its role in the shared decision-making process, patient expectations management, identification of unsuitable patients, avoiding revision surgery, and the evaluation of the surgeon's personal performance curve, are exemplified. Currently, the UQ has been translated and validated in four languages, providing scientific opportunities to generate and compare international data for advances in rhinoplasty. We describe some of the significant scientific contributions of leaders in the field of rhinoplasty that used the UQ.

Olive oil and wine as source of multi-target agents in the prevention of Alzheimer disease.

Olive oil and wine are consumed daily worldwide, and they constitute the fundamental pillars of the healthy Mediterranean diet. Polyphenolic compounds, naturally present in both olive oil and wine, are responsible for their beneficial properties. Current studies have shown the neuroprotective effects of polyphenols independently of their well-known antioxidant action. In this work, we have focused on reviewing the protective effect of polyphenols from extra virgin olive oil and wine in Alzheimer´s disease (AD), to emphasise that both foods could be a possible therapeutic tool. Beneficial effects have been described in ß-aggregation, neurofibrillary tangles, autophagy and mitochondrial function, as well as in cerebral insulin resistance. Furthermore, to date, a harmful dose has not been described. Both pre-clinical and clinical works demonstrate that polyphenols act on neuropathological and cognitive disorders of AD, preventing or stopping the onset of this devastating disease. However, there are certain limitations in these studies, since it is very difficult to research diseases that lead to cognitive impairment. Although all the findings obtained are very encouraging, more studies should be carried out investigating the use of the polyphenols from olive oil and wine as therapeutic agents in the progression of AD. Therefore, more longitudinal studies in humans with a homogeneous cohort of patients are necessary to corroborate the efficacy of these nutraceuticals, as well as determine the most appropriate dose for this purpose.

Sjögren's syndrome: Epidemiology and clinical manifestations

Sjögren's syndrome is an entity of rheumatic origin, with complex autoimmune characteristics, in which the salivary and lacrimal glands are mainly compromised. It has two forms of presentation, one primary and the other secondary, and in both forms there is evidence of exocrine glands involvement. The clinical spectrum of Sjögren's syndrome is very heterogeneous and is classified into glandular and extra-glandular manifestations, but not mutually exclusive. It is recommended that all patients with parotid inflammation, purpura, hypergammaglobulinaemia, anti-SSa, and anti-SSb should be seen to have a greater risk of presenting with a severe systemic presentation, and it is recommended to carry out a more strict medical control. Population studies that have attempted to describe the incidence and prevalence of Sjögren's syndrome in various countries throughout the world are to some extent discordant between one registry and another. Although Sjögren's syndrome is more common in women, ocular involvement predominates in men, and it can occur in all ages, mainly between the third and fifth decades of life. In children it is rare. It is also considered as a common connective tissue disease, where the data on the global incidence rate and prevalence are underestimated.

El síndrome de Sjögren es una entidad de origen reumático, con características autoinmune complejas, en la que se ven comprometidas principalmente las glándulas salivales y las lagrimales. Tiene 2 formas de presentación, una primaria y otra secundaria, y en ambas se observa una afección de las glándulas exocrinas. El espectro clínico del síndrome de Sjögren es muy heterogéneo y se clasifica en manifestaciones glandulares y extraglandulares, no excluyentes entre sí. Se recomienda que se haga un control médico más estricto a todo paciente que curse con una inflamación parotídea, púrpura, hipergammaglobulinemia y anticuerpos anti-SSa, anti-SSb, puesto que presenta mayor riesgo de cursar con una presentación sistémica grave. Los estudios poblacionales que han intentado describir la incidencia y la prevalencia del síndrome de Sjögren en diferentes países son hasta cierto punto discordantes entre un registro y otro. El síndrome de Sjögren es más frecuente en mujeres, pero en hombres predomina más la afectación ocular; puede presentarse en todas las edades, principalmente entre la tercera y la quinta décadas de la vida; en niños es raro. Se considera además como una conectivopatía frecuente, en la cual los datos de la tasa de incidencia global y de prevalencia se encuentran subestimados.

Computer-assisted image analysis of agonist-mediated microvascular constriction response in mouse cremaster muscle.

In this work, we implemented an automated method using a correlation coefficient to select a time interval with a minimum movement or rest interval, together with analysis of variance for measurement of blood vessel diameter in the cremaster muscle. Video images binarization using analysis of variance resulted in an enhanced and a clearly defined vessel wall. Histamine (1 mM) induced a marked reduction in vascular diameter (vasoconstriction) in the cremaster muscle from mice fed with standard (SD) and high fat diet (HFD). However, the effect of histamine was reduced in HFD mice compared to SD mice. Thus, the change in vascular diameter was 87.14% ± 7.44% and 52.63% ± 16.27% in SD and HFD mice, respectively. In conclusion, determination of a rest interval with minimal movement and the use of analysis of variance resulted useful to evaluate vascular diameter in small arteries. We suggest this method to streamline experiments facilitating cardiovascular research.

Understanding the Influence of Socioeconomic Variables on Medicinal Plant Knowledge in the Peruvian Andes.

In this study, we analyze the impact of 18 socioeconomic factors at individual, family, and locality levels to understand their influence on medicinal plant knowledge (MPK) in four provinces and 12 localities of the northern Andes of Peru. We interviewed 50 participants per locality (totaling 600 people) from lowlands and highlands ecoregions. The participants were balanced in terms of generations and gender. We performed multivariate statistical analyses-generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordinations-that showed the influence of each socioeconomic variable on the medicinal plant knowledge of people in the different sites. At the individual level, we found that most participants with higher MPK were women, elders, people with lower levels of education and job qualifications, non-migrants, and participants who have lived for a long period in the same region. At the family level, we found that participants living in low economic conditions with few material goods, including their means of transport, tools possession, access to technology, farm size, number of farm animals, and house quality, had higher MPK. At the locality level, we found that people living in more isolated areas with scarce regional services, such as access to paved roads, hospitals, big markets, tourist development, and chlorination of drinking water, had higher MPK. In short, people with less access to modern services and with low economic resources are the main depositaries of MPK. Policy makers and decision makers should consider the significance of MPK in alleviating health problems and diseases in Andean regions, especially for people with rural livelihoods. This local botanical knowledge of medicinal plants should be preserved in the area as a great natural heritage for humanity.