Influence of polymorphisms on the phenotype of TLR1, TLR4 and TLR9 genes and their association with cervical cancer: Bioinformatics prediction analysis and a case-control study.

Susceptibility to cervical cancer has been associated with Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which is an important component of innate immunity. According to previous studies, polymorphisms in TLRs genes can affect immune response pathways and lead to the development of cervical cancer. The present study aims to evaluate the functionality of polymorphisms in TLR1, TLR4 and TLR9 genes and their associations with cervical cancer. To identify the functionality of polymorphisms, we used the following tools: MUpro, ChimeraX, SNP2TFBS and GTEx. A case-control study including 57 cases (11 High-grade Intraepithelial Lesion - HSIL and 46 cervical cancer) and 67 clinically healthy controls was conducted in the Brazilian population. Polymorphisms genotyping was performed by real-time PCR, using TaqMan probes, using the allelic discrimination method. Bioinformatics prediction showed that the TLR1 rs4833095 [NM_003263.4 (TLR1):c.743T>C (p.Asn248Ser)] and TLR4 rs4986790 [NM_138554.5 (TLR4):c.896A>G (p.Asp299Gly)] polymorphisms alter the structure and stability of their respective proteins. TLR9 rs187084 [NM_017442.3(TLR9):c.-1486A>G] polymorphism seems to affect the THAP1 binding site and modify gene expression. In the case-control study, the c.743TC heterozygous genotype of the rs4833095 SNP in the TLR1 gene was associated with an increased risk for HSIL/cervical cancer. No association of TLR4 rs4986790 and TLR9 rs187084 SNPs with HSIL/cervical cancer was found in the studied population. Allelic combination CAG (rs4833095/ rs4986790/ rs187084) increased the risk of cervical cancer. In conclusion, the present study identified that polymorphisms in TLRs genes can affect the phenotype of their respective genes and contribute to the development of HSIL or cervical cancer.

Dual PPAR-a/g enhances beta cell identity, preserving islet structure in HF-fed mice.

The pancreas suffers from lipotoxicity, which threatens the survival of pancreatic islets. Dual PPAR-alpha(a)/gamma(g) agonism is a promising method for treating type 2 diabetes. This study evaluated the effects of single PPAR-a and PPAR-g or their combined activation on pancreatic islet remodeling, beta-cell proliferation, identity, and maintenance in an experimental obesity model. Fifty three-month-old mice, randomly divided to receive the control (C) or high-fat (HF) diet for ten weeks, were then redivided for a four-week treatment: C, HF, HF-a (received the PPAR-a agonist), HF-g (PPAR-g agonist pioglitazone), and HF-d (PPAR-a/g agonists). The HF group was overweight, had oral glucose intolerance, showed a proinflammatory adipokine profile, exhibited increased alpha and beta cell masses, and islet gene expression compatible with compromised beta cell proliferation and favored dedifferentiation. All treatments reduced body weight, mitigated oral glucose intolerance, and produced an anti-inflammatory adipokine profile, which rescued islet cytoarchitecture, and beta cell function. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a shift in the antiapoptotic gene Bcl2 and beta cell proliferation genes (Pax4 and Neurog3) in HF-a. Conversely, HF-g and HF-d benefited from the upregulation of genes related to beta cell function (Fgf21, Glut2, and Glp1r), identity, and maintenance (Pdx1, Neurod1, Mafa, and Nkx6.1). The HF mice were glucose intolerant, showing islet hypertrophy and low beta cell identity-related genes. In contrast, PPAR activation rescued islet structure, and PCA showed that the PPAR-a/g combination was the most effective treatment because it favored beta cell function, identity, and maintenance-related genes, halting the T2DM spectrum in diet-induced obese mice.

New Drugs and Promising Drug Combinations in the Treatment of Chagas Disease in Brazil: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Chagas disease (CD) is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae). Benznidazole (Bz) has a limited ability to interfere with the pathogenicity of the parasite, which manages to overcome host defenses. This study aimed to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to understand and describe the drugs and their combinations, as well as new promising compounds used in the treatment of CD in Brazil. This study was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) and the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were performed in the electronic scientific databases PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, and BVS. Searches were conducted using descriptors cataloged in the Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Of the 26 articles included in this systematic review and meta-analysis, 16 were related to drug combinations, and nine described new inhibitors of parasitic molecules. Despite high heterogeneity (I² = 92%), studies that evaluated the combination of Bz with other treatments for CD had an overall grouped cure rate of 74% (95% CI 54-94%). Only one study presented drug repositioning by monotherapy. Thus, drug combinations offer quick and accessible solutions for CD treatment, acting against resistant strains of T. cruzi. Certainly, the introduction of these promising compounds into the pharmaceutical market is distant, and the adoption of prophylactic measures is recommended as a barrier to the increasing number of CD cases.

LDT409 (pan-PPAR partial agonist) mitigates metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in high-fructose-fed mice.

AIM: This study sought to evaluate the effects of LDT409, a pan-PPAR partial agonist obtained from the main industrial waste from cashew nut processing, on hepatic remodeling, highlighting energy metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in high-fructose-fed mice. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice received a control diet (C) or a high-fructose diet (HFRU) for ten weeks. Then, a five-week treatment started: C, C-LDT409, HFRU, and HFRU-LDT409. The LDT409 (40 mg/kg of body weight) was mixed with the diets. RESULTS: The HFRU diet caused insulin resistance and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. High Pparg and decreased Ppara expression increased steatosis and pro-fibrogenic gene expression in livers of HFRU-fed mice. Suppressed lipogenic factors, orchestrated by PPAR-gamma, and mitigated ER stress concomitant with the increase in beta-oxidation driven by PPAR-alpha mediated the LDT409 beneficial effects. CONCLUSIONS: LDT409 may represent a potential low-cost approach to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, which does not currently have a specific treatment.

The Influence of Nutritional Status on Brain Development: Benefits of Exclusive Breastfeeding.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to conduct a narrative review approaching the effects of exclusive breastfeeding on neuropsychomotor development. The goal was to provide evidence-based knowledge to inform healthcare practices and policies and promote optimized infant feeding strategies. METHODS: Our study reviewed the relevant literature from May and June 2024, covering the publication period between 2013 and 2024. The PubMed database was utilized and searched for articles using keywords such as "Brain", "Growth", "Development", and "Breastfeeding", employing Boolean operators such as "AND", "OR", and "NOT." RESULTS: Our search initially screened 15,412 studies, resulting in 600 articles. Eleven studies met our inclusion criteria and provided relevant information on the topic. Several studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding and its duration are beneficial for neural development. Research suggests that breastfeeding improves brain architecture, white matter development, and cognitive performance. Additionally, studies indicate that the mother's intake of omega-3 fatty acids can enhance infant brain development, and specific micronutrients in breast milk, such as myo-inositol, may contribute to neural connectivity. Some findings also suggest that the child's sex may play a role in how breast milk benefits the brain. Furthermore, there is evidence of the strong influence of epigenetic compounds on the neurodevelopmental benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: This narrative review revealed findings that indicate breast milk has a positive impact on brain development. This emphasizes that breast milk has a positive impact on brain development. It underscores the importance of conducting additional research to understand how breastfeeding specifically influences neurodevelopment.

Comparative Evaluation of Supplementary Cleaning Techniques for Removal of Bio-C Sealer and AH-Plus from Oval Root Canals: A Micro-CT Analysis.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two endodontic cleaning techniques, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and the XP-endo Finisher R (XPR) system, in removing residual filling material during endodontic retreatment procedures. Materials and Methods: Forty mandibular premolars with oval canals were divided into four groups based on the sealer used (AH-Plus or Bio-C Sealer) and the cleaning technique employed (PUI or XPR). To ensure uniformity of canal volume among groups, initial micro-CT scans were conducted. The canals were instrumented, filled, and then re-instrumented before undergoing either PUI or XPR cleaning techniques. Residual filling material volumes were assessed through micro-CT scans, and statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Following instrumentation, there was no significant difference in residual filling material volumes between AH-Plus and Bio-C Sealer groups (1.35 mm3and 1.02 mm3, respectively; P>0.05). However, after supplementary cleaning techniques, XPR-cleaned specimens exhibited significantly less residual material compared to PUI-cleaned specimens (0.01 mm3 and 0.29 mm3 for Bio-C Sealer, and 0.07 mm3 and. 0.30 mm3 for AH-Plus, P<0.05). Conclusion: The XPR system was found to be more effective than PUI in removing residual filling material from Bio-C Sealer-filled root canals. This highlights its potential as a useful supplementary cleaning technique in endodontic retreatment procedures.

Biosafety assessment of novel organoselenium zidovudine derivatives in the Caenorhabditis elegans model.

Antiretrovirals have improved considerably since the introduction of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (zidovudine or AZT), a molecule with also anticancer effects. Subsequently, a variety of other nucleosides have been synthesized. However, these medications are often associated with serious adverse events and the onset or exacerbation of degenerative processes, diseases, and syndromes, affecting mainly the mitochondria. In this study, we used Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate the toxicity potential of AZT and three new organoselenium derivatives with modifications in the 5' position of the sugar ring in place of the 5'-OH group, with the insertion of a neutral, an electron-withdrawing and an electron-donating group attached to the aryl selenol moiety: 5'-seleno-(4-chloro-phenyl)-3-(amino)-thymidine (ASAT-4-Cl), 5'-seleno-(phenyl)-3-(amino)-thymidine (ASAT-Ph), and 5'-seleno-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(amino)- thymidine (ASAT-4-OMe). Analyzes included worm survival, behavior parameters, high-resolution respirometry, citrate synthase activity, and ATP levels. Although all compounds negatively affected C. elegans, ASAT-4-Cl and ASAT-Ph showed lower toxicity compared to AZT, especially in mitochondrial viability and ATP production. Therefore, more studies must be carried out on the use of these new compounds as pharmacological interventions.

Risk assessment of 2ß,3ß-19α-trihydroxyursolic acid from Rubus imperialis (Rosaceae) in HepG2/C3A cells via genotoxicity, metabolism, and cell growth.

Rubus imperialis (Rosaceae) is a Brazilian medicinal plant that already exhibited therapeutical perspectives. However, previous studies revealed cellular and/or genetic toxicity of extracts from aerial parts of this plant, as well as other species of the Rubus genus. Being 2ß,3ß-19α-trihydroxyursolic acid (2B) one of the major compounds of this plant, with proven pharmacological effect, it is important to investigate the biosafety of this isolated compound. Therefore, in the present study, (2B) was tested by several cytogenotoxic endpoints up to 20 µg/ml in human hepatoma HepG2/C3A cells. The test compound did not produce any decreased cell viability, DNA damage, chromosomal mutations, cell cycle changes, or apoptotic effects in the tested cells. Additionally, RT-qPCR analysis revealed the downregulation of CYP3A4 (metabolism), M-TOR (cell death), and CDKN1A (cell cycle) genes. Under the experimental conditions used, the 2B compound did not show cytogenotoxic activity after a single exposure to HepG2/C3A human cells.

Impact of gastrointestinal inoculation and benznidazole treatment on infection by Trypanosoma cruzi (Y strain, DTU TcII) in Swiss mice.

In Brazil, where Chagas disease is endemic, the most frequent form of transmission of the parasite is the oral route, associated with greater severity and worse response to benznidazole (BZ), the drug used in its treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of gastrointestinal infection (GI) and BZ treatment on the parasitological and histopathological parameters in mice inoculated with a strain of T. cruzi II. Swiss mice were inoculated by GI and intraperitoneal (IP) routes with 2x106 culture-derived metacyclic trypomastigotes of the Y strain (TcII) of T. cruzi and were treated with BZ in the acute phase of the infection. Fresh blood examination, qPCR, histopathological and biochemical evaluations (enzymatic dosages and oxidative stress-OS) were performed. BZ treatment of uninfected animals caused changes in the liver, increased the activity of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzymes and OS, showing that the drug alone affects this organ. Inflammation and necrosis in the cardiac tissue were less intense and deaths occurred later in animals inoculated via the GI route than the animals inoculated via the IP route. BZ reduced the intensity of tissue lesions and avoided lethality in animals inoculated via the GI route, and decreased parasitemia and OS in those inoculated via both routes. Although BZ alone caused liver damage, it was less intense than that caused by both routes of inoculation. Infection with the Y strain of T. cruzi II via the GI route proved to be less virulent and pathogenic and responded better to treatment than the infection acquired via the IP route.

Factors associated with the indication of neonatal echocardiography in the investigation of congenital heart diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with the indication of echocardiography for the investigation of congenital heart disease among newborns. METHOD: Retrospective sectional study through the collection of 848 medical records of patients admitted to maternity hospitals in Rio de Janeiro-Brazil, respecting the time frame from September to December 2022. RESULTS: The average age of mothers was 26.5±6.3 years; 52.7% were classified as brown. The average age of the newborns was 3.5±5.6 days. Maternal variables: gestational age (OR=6.93, CI:3.76-12.80), number of gestational risk factors (1.90: 1.47-2.45) and number of medications (1. 97: 1.40-2.77); and neonatal variables: age (1.07: 1.03-1.02), prematurity (10.55: 5.29-21.03) and number of risk factors (2.62: 2.03-3 .38) were significantly associated with the indication for echocardiography (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the different maternal and neonatal variables, gestational age, number of gestational risk factors, number of medications, age, prematurity and number of risk factors, respectively, showed a significant association for the indication of echocardiography. Therefore, the identification of these factors will enable the investigation of congenital heart disease at an opportune time among newborns.

A Comparative Study of Dairy and Non-Dairy Milk Types: Development and Characterization of Customized Plant-Based Milk Options.

Plant-based milk has gained considerable attention; however, its high nutritional variation highlights the need for improved formulation designs to enhance its quality. This study aimed to nutritionally compare cow milk with plant-based milk produced from hazelnuts (H), Brazil nuts (BN), cashew nuts (CN), soybeans (S), and sunflower seeds (SS), and to perform physicochemical and technological characterization. The plant-based milk produced with isolated grains showed a nutritional composition inferior to that of cow milk in almost all evaluated parameters, protein content (up to 1.1 g 100 g-1), lipids (up to 2.7 g 100 g-1), color parameters, minerals, and especially calcium (up to 62.4 mg L-1), which were originally high in cow milk (up to 1030 mg L-1). However, the plant-based milk designed using a blend composition was able to promote nutritional enhancement in terms of minerals, especially iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg), high-quality lipids (up to 3.6 g 100 g-1), and carbohydrates (3.4 g 100 g-1 using CN, BN, and S). The protein content was 1.3% compared to 5.7 in cow milk, and the caloric value of plant-based milk remained 32.8 at 52.1 kcal, similar to cow milk. Satisfactory aspects were observed regarding the shelf life, especially related to microbiological stability during the 11 d of storage at 4 °C. For the designed plant-based milk to be equivalent to cow milk, further exploration for optimizing the blends used to achieve better combinations is required. Furthermore, analyzing possible fortification and preservation methods to increase shelf life and meet the nutritional and sensory needs of the public would be interesting.

Characteristics of surveillance systems for suicide and self-harm: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a complex public health issue. Surveillance systems play a vital role in identifying trends and epidemiologic needs, informing public health strategies, and tailoring effective context-based suicide prevention interventions. AIM: To identify and summarise the characteristics of specific surveillance systems and general health behaviour that include data onsuicide and self-harm. METHOD: A scoping review following the JBI recommendations and PRISMA-ScR guidelines identified 29 relevant studies on suicide and self-harm surveillance systems. A systematic search was performed on Cinahl, Embase, Lilacs-Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, PubMed-US National Library of Medicine, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The eligibility criteria include papers that use qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods with no restrictions on time or language. The following papers were excluded regarding euthanasia and assisted suicide, as well as papers that did not explicitly describe suicide, self-harm, and surveillance systems. Two researchers independently screened the materials for eligibility and extracted data from the included studies. Data analysis was conducted using content analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-nine references were included, and 30 surveillance systems were identified and classified into general health behaviour surveillance (n = 15) and specific systems for suicide and self-harm (n = 15). General health behaviour systems often operate at national data collection level, collecting non-fatal data in healthcare settings, mainly emergency departments. The specific systems exhibited greater variability in terms of context, involved actors, data collection level, data collection procedures, and case classification. Limitations found by the studies pointed mostly to case definitions and data quality. Co-production, intersectoral collaboration, clear case definition criteria and data standardisation are essential to improve surveillance systems for suicide and self-harm. CONCLUSIONS: This review identified the characteristics of surveillance systems for suicide and self-harm. Monitoring and evaluation are crucial for ongoing relevance and impact on prevention efforts.

Plasma itraconazole concentrations during treatment of feline sporotrichosis.

Itraconazole (ITZ) is the most used drug to treat feline sporotrichosis; however, little is known about its pharmacokinetics in cats with this mycosis. The aim of this study was to determine plasma ITZ concentrations in cats with sporotrichosis treated with ITZ as monotherapy or in combination with potassium iodide (KI). Cats diagnosed with sporotrichosis received orally ITZ (100 mg/cat/day) or combination therapy with ITZ (100 mg/cat/day) and KI (2.5-5 mg/kg/day) in the case of worsening or stagnation of the clinical condition. At each monthly visit, blood samples were collected at an interval of 4 h for analysis of trough and peak plasma ITZ concentrations by HPLC. Clinical features and laboratory parameters were evaluated during follow-up. Sixteen cats were included in the study. The median plasma ITZ concentration of all cats was 0.75 µg/mL. The median plasma ITZ concentration was 0.5 µg/mL in cats that received ITZ monotherapy (n = 12) and 1.0 µg/mL in those treated with ITZ + KI (n = 4). The clinical cure rate was 56.3% (n = 9) and the median treatment duration was 8 weeks. Nine cats (56.3%) developed adverse clinical reactions, and hyporexia was the most frequent (n = 8; 88.9%). Serum alanine aminotransferase was elevated in four cats (25%). The median plasma ITZ concentration detected in cats was considered to be therapeutic (>0.5 µg/mL) and was reached after 4 weeks of treatment. Plasma ITZ concentrations were higher in cats that received ITZ + KI compared to those treated only with ITZ, suggesting pharmacokinetic synergism between these drugs.

Itraconazole is the most common therapy for feline sporotrichosis, and combination therapy with potassium iodide is used in nonresponsive cases. Our study showed that all cats achieved a therapeutic plasma concentration of itraconazole, with higher levels in cats treated with the combination therapy.

Child COVID-19 vaccine uptake among participants of the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze COVID-19 vaccine uptake in children and to investigate factors associated with two outcomes variables: (a) not even beginning; (b) not completing the COVID-19 vaccine series. METHODS: We used data of children aged 6-7 years from the 2015 Pelotas c Birth Cohort Study. COVID-19 vaccination status was collected from immunization cards and National Immunization Program Information System. Adjusted analyses were performed using a hierarchical model to identify factors associated with the two study outcomes. RESULTS: Among 3867 children, 20.7 % (95 % CI, 19.5 %-22.0 %) did not even begin the 2-dose primary COVID-19 vaccine series, and 28.2 % (95 % CI, 26.6 %-29.8 %) did not complete the series with the second dose. Children not even beginning the COVID-19 vaccine series were more likely to have a White mother, not to have obesity, to have a history of COVID-19 infection, to have received non-recommended drugs for COVID-19, to be afraid of needles, and to have an incomplete diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) and poliovirus immunization schedule. Not completing the 2-dose series was associated with lower maternal age and education, mother's self-identification as White or Brown, lower household income, lack of access to health services, not having completed the DTP and poliovirus immunization schedule and living with a person with a history of infection with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The results highlight a vaccine-hesitant parents' group who chose not beginning the COVID-19 vaccine series of their children and, another group of parents who failure to complete the child's series due to difficulty accessing health services.

Enfermagem em UTI: cuidados essenciais na assistência direta ao paciente / ICU nursing: essential care in direct patient care

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e descrever os cuidados essenciais que os enfermeiros devem ter ao atuar em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). Métodos: Realizou-se uma revisão bibliográfica da literatura, com uma abordagem qualitativa, descritiva e exploratória. As buscas foram realizadas PubMed, SciELO, LILACS e BIREME. Resultados: Os cuidados de enfermagem desempenham um papel crucial na recuperação e bem-estar dos pacientes em estado crítico na UTI. As intervenções dos enfermeiros devem ser embasadas em conhecimento científico, empatia e habilidades técnicas avançadas. Discute-se a importância da monitorização rigorosa, controle de infecções, prevenção de complicações da imobilidade, abordagem holística ao paciente e comunicação efetiva na UTI. Conclusão: Conclui-se que os enfermeiros devem basear suas intervenções em conhecimento científico, empatia e habilidades técnicas avançadas, destacando-se a importância da monitorização, controle de infecções, prevenção de complicações da imobilidade, abordagem holística ao paciente e comunicação efetiva na UTI.(AU)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify and describe the essential care that nurses must take when working in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Methods: A bibliographical review of the literature was carried out, with a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory approach. The searches were carried out in PubMed, SciELO, LILACS and BIREME. Results: Nursing care plays a crucial role in the recovery and well-being of critically ill patients in the ICU. Nurses' interventions must be based on scientifi c knowledge, empathy and advanced technical skills. The importance of rigorous monitoring, infection control, prevention of immobility complications, a holistic approach to the patient and effective communication in the ICU are discussed. Conclusion: It is concluded that nurses must base their interventions on scientifi c knowledge, empathy and advanced technical skills, highlighting the importance of monitoring, infection control, prevention of immobility complications, a holistic approach to the patient and effective communication in the ICU.(AU)

Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue identifi car y describir los cuidados esenciales que deben tener las enfermeras cuando trabajan en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI). Métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfi ca de la literatura, con un enfoque cualitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio. Las búsquedas se realizaron en PubMed, SciELO, LILACS y BIREME. Resultados: Los cuidados de enfermería juegan un papel crucial en la recuperación y el bienestar de los pacientes críticos en la UCI. Las intervenciones de las enfermeras deben basarse en el conocimiento científi co, la empatía y las habilidades técnicas avanzadas. Se discute la importancia de un seguimiento riguroso, el control de infecciones, la prevención de complicaciones de la inmovilidad, un enfoque holístico del paciente y una comunicación efi caz en la UCI. Conclusión: Se concluye que los enfermeros deben basar sus intervenciones en el conocimiento científi co, la empatía y las habilidades técnicas avanzadas, resaltando la importancia del seguimiento, control de infecciones, prevención de complicaciones de la inmovilidad, abordaje holístico del paciente y comunicación efectiva en la UCI.(AU)

Bacillus cereus containing nheA, hblC and cytk enterotoxin genes is associated with acute childhood gastroenteritis in Nigeria.

Bacillus cereus is rarely implicated when diarrheal cases in children are diagnosed in developing countries due to the lack of molecular methods to identify its enterotoxigenic genes. We report that out of 62 enterobacteria isolated from 70 stool samples collected from children hospitalized at the Mile 4 Hospital, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, 24 isolates were identified as B. cereus based on 16SrRNA gene sequence. The enterotoxins genes nheA and cytK2 were detected in 23 out of the 24 isolates, while hblC was detected in 19 isolates. B. cereus may be responsible for greater number of yearly incidences of acute childhood gastroenteritis in Nigeria.

Innovating Leishmaniasis Treatment: A Critical Chemist's Review of Inorganic Nanomaterials.

Leishmaniasis, a critical Neglected Tropical Disease caused by Leishmania protozoa, represents a significant global health risk, particularly in resource-limited regions. Conventional treatments are effective but suffer from serious limitations, such as toxicity, prolonged treatment courses, and rising drug resistance. Herein, we highlight the potential of inorganic nanomaterials as an innovative approach to enhance Leishmaniasis therapy, aligning with the One Health concept by considering these treatments' environmental, veterinary, and public health impacts. By leveraging the adjustable properties of these nanomaterials─including size, shape, and surface charge, tailored treatments for various diseases can be developed that are less harmful to the environment and nontarget species. We review recent advances in metal-, oxide-, and carbon-based nanomaterials for combating Leishmaniasis, examining their mechanisms of action and their dual use as standalone treatments or drug delivery systems. Our analysis highlights a promising yet underexplored frontier in employing these materials for more holistic and effective disease management.

ToxoNet: A high confidence map of protein-protein interactions in Toxoplasma gondii.

The apicomplexan intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii is a major food borne pathogen that is highly prevalent in the global population. The majority of the T. gondii proteome remains uncharacterized and the organization of proteins into complexes is unclear. To overcome this knowledge gap, we used a biochemical fractionation strategy to predict interactions by correlation profiling. To overcome the deficit of high-quality training data in non-model organisms, we complemented a supervised machine learning strategy, with an unsupervised approach, based on similarity network fusion. The resulting combined high confidence network, ToxoNet, comprises 2,063 interactions connecting 652 proteins. Clustering identifies 93 protein complexes. We identified clusters enriched in mitochondrial machinery that include previously uncharacterized proteins that likely represent novel adaptations to oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, complexes enriched in proteins localized to secretory organelles and the inner membrane complex, predict additional novel components representing novel targets for detailed functional characterization. We present ToxoNet as a publicly available resource with the expectation that it will help drive future hypotheses within the research community.

Giardia intestinalis reshapes mucosal immunity toward a Type 2 response that attenuates inflammatory bowel-like diseases.

Diarrheal diseases are the second leading cause of death in children worldwide. Epidemiological studies show that co-infection with Giardia intestinalis decreases the severity of diarrhea. Here, we show that Giardia is highly prevalent in the stools of asymptomatic school-aged children. It orchestrates a Th2 mucosal immune response, characterized by increased antigen-specific Th2 cells, IL-25, Type 2-associated cytokines, and goblet cell hyperplasia. Giardia infection expanded IL-10-producing Th2 and GATA3+ Treg cells that promoted chronic carriage, parasite transmission, and conferred protection against Toxoplasma gondii-induced lethal ileitis and DSS-driven colitis by downregulating proinflammatory cytokines, decreasing Th1/Th17 cell frequency, and preventing collateral tissue damage. Protection was dependent on STAT6 signaling, as Giardia-infected STAT6-/- mice no longer regulated intestinal bystander inflammation. Our findings demonstrate that Giardia infection reshapes mucosal immunity toward a Type 2 response, which confers a mutualistic protection against inflammatory disease processes and identifies a critical role for protists in regulating mucosal defenses.

Case Report of 11 Years of Severe Malabsorption, Muscular Atrophy, Seizures, and Immunodeficiency Resolved After Proximal Intercessory Prayer.

We present the case of 11 years of severe malabsorption, muscular atrophy, seizures, and immunodeficiency resolved after proximal intercessory prayer (PIP). A male infant suffered from severe abdominal pain and impaired development with the introduction of solid food at age five months. The patient had previously appeared healthy, having been born to term and breastfed. Neocate and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were prescribed, and the former was removed due to abdominal pain and diarrhea. Ultimately, the patient became completely dependent on TPN. It was concluded that he suffered from chronic, idiopathic, severe malabsorption. Development of neutropenia, hypogamma-globulinemia, and hypotonia was recorded. Medical records document atrophy and progressive deterioration of muscular symptoms. At five years of age, frontal lobe epilepsy was detected. Over the course of the disease, several genetic tests were performed. Doctors tried unsuccessfully to diagnose an underlying condition, with various mitochondriopathies and Shwachman-Diamond syndrome suggested as possible causes, but no prognosis of recovery was given. Eleven years following the initial presentation of symptoms, proximal intercessory prayer (PIP) was administered in a single session. The patient reported no unusual sensations during prayer. However, oral feedings were immediately tolerated without discomfort from that time onward. Post-PIP medical records indicate discontinuation of TPN, seizures, and seizure medications. Progressive improvement in the hematological disorders, BMI, and muscular symptoms was also observed. The present case report describes a novel association between PIP and the lasting resolution of multiple symptoms likely related to a genetic disorder. The results inform ongoing discussions about faith-based practices in health care and suggest the need for additional studies of PIP on health outcomes.