Climate determines transmission hotspots of Polycystic Echinococcosis, a life-threatening zoonotic disease, across Pan-Amazonia.

Polycystic Echinococcosis (PE), a neglected life-threatening zoonotic disease caused by the cestode Echinococcus vogeli, is endemic in the Amazon. Despite being treatable, PE reaches a case fatality rate of around 29% due to late or missed diagnosis. PE is sustained in Pan-Amazonia by a complex sylvatic cycle. The hunting of its infected intermediate hosts (especially the lowland paca Cuniculus paca) enables the disease to further transmit to humans, when their viscera are improperly handled. In this study, we compiled a unique dataset of host occurrences (~86000 records) and disease infections (~400 cases) covering the entire Pan-Amazonia and employed different modeling and statistical tools to unveil the spatial distribution of PE's key animal hosts. Subsequently, we derived a set of ecological, environmental, climatic, and hunting covariates that potentially act as transmission risk factors and used them as predictors of two independent Maximum Entropy models, one for animal infections and one for human infections. Our findings indicate that temperature stability promotes the sylvatic circulation of the disease. Additionally, we show how El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) extreme events disrupt hunting patterns throughout Pan-Amazonia, ultimately affecting the probability of spillover. In a scenario where climate extremes are projected to intensify, climate change at regional level appears to be indirectly driving the spillover of E. vogeli. These results hold substantial implications for a wide range of zoonoses acquired at the wildlife-human interface for which transmission is related to the manipulation and consumption of wild meat, underscoring the pressing need for enhanced awareness and intervention strategies.

Deregulated immune cell recruitment orchestrated by c-MET impairs pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) represents the pathologic end stage of several interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. However, current treatments can only delay disease progression rather than provide a cure. The role of inflammation in PF progression is well-established, but new insights into immune regulation are fundamental for developing more efficient therapies. c-MET signaling has been implicated in the migratory capacity and effector functions of immune cells. Nevertheless, the role of this signaling pathway in the context of PF-associated lung diseases remains unexplored. METHODS: To determine the influence of c-MET in immune cells in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, we used a conditional deletion of c-Met in immune cells. To induce pulmonary fibrosis mice were administered with bleomycin (BLM) intratracheally. Over the course of 21 days, mice were assessed for weight change, and after euthanasia at different timepoints, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells and lung tissue were assessed for inflammation and fibrosis. Furthermore, c-MET expression was assessed in cryobiopsy sections, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells samples and single cell RNA-sequencing dataset from human patients with distinct interstitial lung diseases. RESULTS: c-MET expression was induced in lung immune cells, specifically in T cells, interstitial macrophages, and neutrophils, during the inflammatory phase of BLM-induced PF mouse model. Deletion of c-Met in immune cells correlated with earlier weight recovery and improved survival of BLM-treated mice. Moreover, the deletion of c-Met in immune cells was associated with early recruitment of the immune cell populations, normally found to express c-MET, leading to a subsequent attenuation of the cytotoxic and proinflammatory environment. Consequently, the less extensive inflammatory response, possibly coupled with tissue repair, culminated in less exacerbated fibrotic lesions. Furthermore, c-MET expression was up-regulated in lung T cells from patients with fibrosing ILD, suggesting a potential involvement of c-MET in the development of fibrosing disease. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the critical contribution of c-MET signaling in immune cells to their enhanced uncontrolled recruitment and activation toward a proinflammatory and profibrotic phenotype, leading to the exacerbation of lung injury and consequent development of fibrosis.

The impact of using pain scales by untrained students on the decision to provide analgesia to multiple species.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if students without training assess pain similarly to an expert, and to compare indications for analgesic intervention based on student opinions versus scale scoring. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, blind, randomized, cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: Video recordings of a bull, horse, cat, pig and sheep. METHODS: First-year veterinary medicine students assessed one video of a horse (n = 44) and one video of a bull (n = 39). Third-year veterinary medicine students assessed one video of a cat (n = 23) and one video of a pig (n = 21). Fourth-year animal science students (n = 16) assessed one video of a sheep. The species assessed by different student classes were determined randomly. Students were unaware of animal history or existing pain assessment and decided whether they would provide analgesia according to their opinion. They then scored each video using species-specific validated pain scales. Scores were compared with those of a board-certified anesthesiologist (expert). Chi-square test was used to compare students and expert. RESULTS: Students underestimated the expert's score by 8-20%, except for the horse. There was no difference between the analgesic indication according to the assessment of the expert (143/143, 100%) and students (141/143, 98.6%) considering the defined analgesic intervention threshold for each scale (p = 0.478). The indication for analgesic intervention according to students' opinion (116/143, 81.1%) was lower than that according to their scale scores (141/143, 98.6%) (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Students tended to underestimate pain; however, they detected pain that requires analgesic intervention in animals similarly to an expert. The use of scales optimized the indication for providing analgesia when animals were experiencing pain that required analgesic intervention.

Higher frequency of legitimate pollinators and fruit set of autotetraploid trees of Libidibia ferrea (Leguminosae) compared to diploids in a mixed tropical urban population.

In mixed-ploidy populations, newly formed polyploids initially occur at low frequencies when compared to diploids. However, polyploidy may lead to morphological and phenological changes, which promote reproductive isolation and favor polyploid establishment and reproductive success. Additionally, previous studies have shown that polyploidy can confer some adaptive advantages to organisms in stressful environments. Here, we investigate variation in reproductive phenology, floral traits and reproductive success between diploid and autotetraploid trees of Libidibia ferrea (Mart. Ex Tul.) L.P. Queiroz (Leguminosae) in a mixed tropical urban population, a stressful environment. We assessed ploidy levels, flowering and fruiting phenology, flowering synchrony, floral and reproductive biology, pollination and fruit and seed set. We tested the hypothesis that autotetraploid individuals have a higher frequency of pollinators and higher fruit and seed set per inflorescence (as a proxy of reproductive success) than diploids in an urban green space. Libidibia ferrea is a good model to test our hypothesis because it is self-incompatible (i.e. relies on pollinators to set fruits). In the urban ecosystem studied, we found that diploids flowered for 6-7 months/year and autotetraploids for 3-5 months/year. Flowering synchrony was low between and within cytotypes and even though autotetraploids and diploids exhibited some overlap in flowering period, diploids flowered alone for 2-3 months. Autotetraploids had significantly more flowers per inflorescences, larger flowers and larger pollen grains (as expected for polyploids), but also a higher frequency of visits by legitimate pollinators including two exclusive ones, and higher fruit and seed set per inflorescence when compared to diploids, despite having a shorter flowering period. Our findings reveal some advantages for polyploids over their related diploids in a tropical urban green space. Also, our results highlight the need for more studies that seek to understand abiotic mechanisms affecting reproductive output of polyploids in urban ecosystems.

Effects of medicinal plants and natural compounds in models of prostate cancer related to sex steroids: A systematic review.

Prostate cancer remains a health problem for men. Targeting androgen (AR) and estrogen (ER) receptors improves the outcomes of the disease, and many medicinal plants exert their effects by modulating these pathways. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to identify medicinal plants and their natural compounds that may modulate the AR and/or ER pathways in cell and animal models. A search was conducted across EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with grey literature from Google SCHOLAR and ProQuest. Two authors independently selected eligible studies based on their titles and abstracts, and a third author resolved conflicts. Then, data from the full text of eligible studies were extracted and synthesized. In total, 75 studies were included. Results showed the effects of several different medicinal plants and natural compounds in reduction of AR and/or ER transcription and translation and AR secondary effects: cell growth reduction, induction of apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. In animal models, tumor size reduction, increase in apoptosis, and downregulation of AR expression in tumors were also observed. No single phytochemical group concentrating molecules with anti-AR and/or ER activity was identified. Nevertheless, several phytochemical compounds showed potential for future clinical studies in the management of the disease.

Impact of Infant Milk-Type and Childhood Eating Behaviors on Functional Constipation in Preschool Children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between functional constipation, infant feeding in early infancy and eating behavior in preschool children. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in public and private schools in the state of Sergipe (Northeast of Brazil). The sample calculation was based on a 25% estimate of constipation prevalence in Brazilian children, resulting in a sample size of 1051 children. Functional constipation was assessed using Rome IV criteria. Eating behavior was assessed using the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated using a multivariate model. RESULTS: The prevalence of functional constipation was 23%. After adjusting for water intake, children with food fussiness were >6 times likely to have constipation (odds ratio [OR] = 6.65; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.19-8.52). Children who were fed with cow's milk in the first 6 months of age were up to 15.2 times more likely to have functional constipation. Bottle feeding at 0-6 months of age increased the risk of functional constipation at preschool age (whole cow's milk: OR = 17.02; 95% CI 7.33-39.51, infant formula: OR = 6.35; 95% CI 3.42-11.79, mixed breastfeeding: OR = 10.83; 95% CI 4.57-25.69). CONCLUSION: Food fussiness and the use of cow's milk-based feeding bottles at 0-6 months of age were associated with functional constipation in preschool children.

Double ovarian tumour in the mare: Case report.

Ovarian tumours in mares represent 2.5% to 6% of the most frequent neoplasms found in the equine species, with a higher chance of benignity. This study aims to describe a case of two different tumours found in the same ovary of a mare that presented clinical signs of suppressed oestrous cycle during 5 years. After unilateral ovariectomy, the ovary was sent to the histopathology examination which determined a mixed tumour of granulosa cell and leiomyosarcoma. After treatment, the mare returned to oestrus and got pregnant in the next season.

HDL-C and non-HDL-C levels are associated with anthropometric and biochemical parameters.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemias are associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c) has emerged as a new target for assessment and prediction of risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is closely associated with atheroma plaque progression. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate associations between HDL-c and non-HDL-c levels and anthropometric and biochemical parameters and with the Castelli risk indexes I and II. METHODS: 300 randomly selected people were subdivided into two groups: patients with normal values for non-HDL-c and patients with altered values for non-HDL-c. These parameters were analyzed for associations with glycemia, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), Castelli Index I (CI-I), Castelli Index II (CI-II), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and presence of metabolic syndrome (MS). RESULTS: Glycemia, TC, TG, LDL-c, CI-I, CI-II, WC and BMI were all significantly different between subjects with normal and altered values of HDL-c and non-HDL-c. TC and WC both exhibited significantly higher values among patients with abnormal non-HDL-c when compared to patients with abnormal HDL-c. A significant difference was observed in occurrence of MS among patients with altered values of HDL-c and non-HDL-c. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that both HDL-c and non-HDL-c are associated with insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, atherogenic indices, and obesity. There is therefore a need for randomized clinical intervention trials examining the potential role of non-HDL-c as a possible primary therapeutic target.

CONTEXTO: A dislipidemia está associada à aterosclerose e às doenças cardiovasculares. Recentemente, a lipoproteína de não alta-densidade de colesterol (não HDL-c) emergiu como um novo alvo para avaliação da predição de risco de doença cardiovascular, intimamente associada à progressão da placa de ateroma. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar as associações de níveis de HDL-c e não HDL-c com parâmetros antropométricos e bioquímicos, bem como com índices de Castelli I e II (CI-I e CI-II). MÉTODOS: Trezentas pessoas selecionadas aleatoriamente foram divididas em dois grupos: pacientes com valores normais de não HDL-c e pacientes com valores alterados de não HDL-c. Esses parâmetros foram associados a glicemia, colesterol total (CT), triglicerídeos (TG), lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL-c), CI-I, CI-II, circunferência de cintura (CC), índice de massa corporal (IMC) e presença de síndrome metabólica (SM). RESULTADOS: Glicemia, CT, TG, LDL-c, CI-I, CI-II, CC e IMC exibiram valores significativamente maiores para o não HDL-c quando comparado ao HDL-c. Uma diferença significativa na ocorrência de SM foi encontrada em pacientes com valores alterados de HDL-c e não HDL-c. CONCLUSÕES: Nossos resultados mostram que tanto o HDL-c quanto o não HDL-c estão associados a resistência à insulina, dislipidemia, índices de aterogênese e obesidade. Assim, há uma necessidade de futuros ensaios randomizados de intervenção clínica examinando o papel potencial do não HDL-c como possível alvo terapêutico primário.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor-Dependent Pathway Drives Epicardial Adipose Tissue Formation After Myocardial Injury.

BACKGROUND: Epicardial adipose tissue volume and coronary artery disease are strongly associated, even after accounting for overall body mass. Despite its pathophysiological significance, the origin and paracrine signaling pathways that regulate epicardial adipose tissue's formation and expansion are unclear. METHODS: We used a novel modified mRNA-based screening approach to probe the effect of individual paracrine factors on epicardial progenitors in the adult heart. RESULTS: Using 2 independent lineage-tracing strategies in murine models, we show that cells originating from the Wt1+ mesothelial lineage, which includes epicardial cells, differentiate into epicardial adipose tissue after myocardial infarction. This differentiation process required Wt1 expression in this lineage and was stimulated by insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) activation. IGF1R inhibition within this lineage significantly reduced its adipogenic differentiation in the context of exogenous, IGF1-modified mRNA stimulation. Moreover, IGF1R inhibition significantly reduced Wt1 lineage cell differentiation into adipocytes after myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Our results establish IGF1R signaling as a key pathway that governs epicardial adipose tissue formation in the context of myocardial injury by redirecting the fate of Wt1+ lineage cells. Our study also demonstrates the power of modified mRNA -based paracrine factor library screening to dissect signaling pathways that govern progenitor cell activity in homeostasis and disease.

A review of recent developments on micro/nanostructured pharmaceutical systems for intravesical therapy of the bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common tumor type of genitourinary tract, which affects more men than women. The conventional treatment is through chemotherapy or immunotherapy, but the radiotherapy and surgery may be necessary in cases of invasive cancer. The search for less invasive, safe and effective therapies has attracted researchers to the development of new drug delivery systems to carry drugs to be administered by catheter into the bladder. The research on intravesical systems for the BC treatment continues at a rapid pace and a variety of micro or nanostructured systems have been used. Micro/nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, carbon nanotubes, hydrogels and nanogels can contribute to reduce the number of intravesical administrations due to the extended drug release as well as to reduce the adverse effects and to increase the patient adherence to the treatment. Thus, this article reviews relevant studies regarding these systems, which have shown promising perspectives for the treatment of BC. It is hoped that in a near future they can prove to be safe and efficient to benefit patients with BC.

Increased Atrial ß-Adrenergic Receptors and GRK-2 Gene Expression Can Play a Fundamental Role in Heart Failure After Repair of Congenital Heart Disease with Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Surgeries to correct congenital heart diseases are increasing in Brazil and worldwide. However, even with the advances in surgical techniques and perfusion, some cases, especially the more complex ones, can develop heart failure and death. A retrospective study of patients who underwent surgery for correction of congenital heart diseases with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in a university tertiary-care hospital that died, showed infarction in different stages of evolution and scattered microcalcifications in the myocardium, even without coronary obstruction. CPB is a process routinely used during cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease. However, CPB has been related to increased endogenous catecholamines that can lead to major injuries in cardiomyocytes. The mechanisms involved are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations induced in the ß-adrenergic receptors and GRK-2 present in atrial cardiomyocytes of infants with congenital heart disease undergoing surgical repair with CPB and correlate the alterations with functional and biochemical markers of ischemia/myocardial injury. The study consisted of right atrial biopsies of infants undergoing surgical correction in HC-FMRPUSP. Thirty-three cases were selected. Atrial biopsies were obtained at the beginning of CPB (group G1) and at the end of CPB (group G2). Real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence analysis were conducted to evaluate the expression of ß1, ß2-adrenergic receptors, and GRK-2 in atrial myocardium. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography and biochemical analysis (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), lactate, and cardiac troponin I). We observed an increase in serum lactate, NT-proBNP, and troponin I at the end of CPB indicating tissue hypoxia/ischemia. Even without major clinical consequences in cardiac function, these alterations were followed by a significant increase in gene expression of ß1 and ß2 receptors and GRK-2, suggesting that this is one of the mechanisms responsible for the exacerbated response of cardiomyocytes to circulating catecholamines. These alterations could explain the irreversible myocardial damage and lipid peroxidation of membranes classically attributed to catecholamine excess, observed in some infants who develop heart failure and postoperative death. Although other factors may be involved, this study confirms that CPB acts as a potent inducer of increased gene expression of ß- adrenergic receptors and GRK-2, making the myocardium of these infants more susceptible to the effects of circulating endogenous catecholamines, which may contribute to the development of irreversible myocardial damage and death.

Matching long-period grating modes and localized plasmon resonances: effect on the sensitivity of the grating to the surrounding refractive index.

The sensitivity and dynamical range of an optical-fiber transducer consisting of a long-period grating coated with gold nanoparticles is investigated. For a grating with an 80 µm spatial periodicity, the resonances close to the turning point lie within the 450-900 nm spectral range. Employing a bottom-up production route, the localized surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles is matched to the grating resonances; it is shown that this results in an increase in the refractive index sensitivity of the device. The device also shows increased dynamic range and enhanced refractive index sensitivity in water.

Plasmonic optical fiber sensors: enhanced sensitivity in water-based environments.

In this work, we demonstrate a refractometric fiber sensor with improved sensitivity for refractive indices ranging from 1.3629 to 1.4479. The device relies on the coupling between a long period grating (LPG) transducer and a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Sensor operation is based on the transference of energy from LPG cladding modes at the visible spectral range to the LSPR. The transducer consists of a long period grating 3.15-mm-long covered with 2-7 nm gold nanoparticles. The sensor is intensity coded at a 568 nm wavelength, presenting sensitivity of 208%/unit of refractive index for a refractive index of 1.39 and resolution better than 0.0003 for the dynamic range of refractive indices from 1.3629 to 1.4479.

Cytotoxic, acute oral toxicity, genotoxic and mutagenic assessment of the essential oil from fresh leaves of Croton argyrophyllus (Kunth.).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Croton argyrophyllus Kunth., commonly known as "marmeleiro" or "cassetinga," is widely distributed in the Brazilian Northeast region. Its leaves and flowers are used in traditional medicine as tranquilizers to treat flu and headaches. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition and toxicological safety of essential oil from C. argyrophyllus leaves using in vitro and in vivo models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical composition of the essential oil was determined using a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer. Cytotoxicity was tested in the HeLa, HT-29, and MCF-7 cell lines derived from human cells (Homo sapiens) and Vero cell lines derived from monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) using the MTT method. Acute toxicity, genotoxicity. Mutagenicity tests were performed in Swiss mice (Mus musculus), which were administered essential oil orally in a single dose of 2000 mg/kg by gavage. RESULTS: The main components of the essential oil were p-mentha-2-en-1-ol, α-terpineol, ß-caryophyllene, and ß-elemene. The essential oil exhibited more than 90% cytotoxicity in all cell lines tested. No deaths or behavioral, hematological, or biochemical changes were observed in mice, revealing no acute toxicity. In genotoxic and mutagenic analyses, there was no increase in micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes or in the damage and index in the comet assay. CONCLUSIONS: The essential oil was cytotoxic towards the tested cell lines but did not exert toxic effects or promote DNA damage when administered orally at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg in mice.

Central retinal artery occlusion with cilioretinal artery sparing secondary to COVID-19: Additional ocular complication.

We describe a 68-year-old female patient with unilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with cilioretinal artery sparing post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. The patient presented with acute vision loss in the left eye 11 days after discharge from a severe COVID-19 infection, with altered D-dimer, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen levels. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the left eye was 20/400; fundoscopic examination revealed diffuse pallor retina with a patent arterial branch from the optic disk to the fovea, confirmed by fluorescein angiography. CRAO with a cilioretinal artery sparing post-COVID-19 may be considered an additional ocular manifestation of the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome spectrum.

The Blood Concentration of Metallic Nanoparticles Is Related to Cognitive Performance in People with Multiple Sclerosis: An Exploratory Analysis.

The imbalance in the concentration of metallic nanoparticles has been demonstrated to play an important role in multiple sclerosis (MS), which may impact cognition. Biomarkers are needed to provide insights into the pathogenesis and diagnosis of MS. They can be used to gain a better understanding of cognitive decline in people with MS (pwMS). In this study, we investigated the relationship between the blood concentration of metallic nanoparticles (blood nanoparticles) and cognitive performance in pwMS. First, four mL blood samples, clinical characteristics, and cognitive performance were obtained from 21 pwMS. All participants had relapse-remitting MS, with a score of ≤4.5 points in the expanded disability status scale. They were relapse-free in the three previous months from the day of collection and had no orthopedic, muscular, cardiac, and cerebellar diseases. We quantified the following metallic nanoparticles: aluminum, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, nickel, zinc, and total concentration. Cognitive performance was measured by mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the symbol digit modalities test (SDMT). Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients and stepwise linear regression were calculated to assess the relationship between cognitive performance and blood nanoparticles. We found that better performance in SDMT and MMSE was related to higher total blood nanoparticles (r = 0.40; p < 0.05). Also, better performance in cognitive processing speed and attention (SDMT) and mental state (MMSE) were related to higher blood iron (r = 0.44; p < 0.03) and zinc concentrations (r = 0.41; p < 0.05), respectively. The other metallic nanoparticles (aluminum, chromium, copper, magnesium, and nickel) did not show a significant relationship with the cognitive parameters (p > 0.05). Linear regression estimated a significant association between blood iron concentration and SDMT performance. In conclusion, blood nanoparticles are related to cognitive performance in pwMS. Our findings suggest that the blood concentration of metallic nanoparticles, particularly the iron concentration, is a promising biomarker for monitoring cognitive impairment in pwMS.

Hunting practices in southwestern Amazonia: a comparative study of techniques, modalities, and baits among urban and rural hunters.

BACKGROUND: Hunting is a vital means of obtaining animal in various human populations. Hunters rely on their knowledge of species ecology and behavior to develop and employ hunting techniques and increase their chances of success. The comparison of the hunting practices of different human societies can shed light on the sustainability of hunting and the impact it has on species' populations. In this study, we examine and compare the techniques, modalities, and baits used by urban and rural hunters in Rondônia, a state in southwestern Amazonia, Brazil. We expected that rural hunters would use these elements and have greater knowledge when compared to urban hunters. We also expect that the use of specific hunting techniques and modalities will have greater selectivity and specificity of capture for rural hunters and that this knowledge will differ between groups. METHODS: We conducted 106 semi-structured interviews with rural and urban hunters from October 2018 to February 2020. We analyzed the data using PERMANOVA and Network analyses to compare and contrast the hunting practices of each group. RESULTS: We recorded four main hunting techniques divided into ten modalities with three techniques and seven modalities being the preferred choices among hunters. Waiting for at a Fruit Tree was cited as the primary technique employed by hunters living in urban and rural areas indicated. While the techniques and modalities were similar among hunters, the composition of species targeted and baits used differed between groups. Our network approach showed that modularity in urban areas was numerically lower than in rural areas. All species had one to more techniques associated with their capture. CONCLUSIONS: Hunters living in urban and rural environments showed high similarity in their practices, probably due to sharing similar environments to hunt containing similar species, as well as targeting preferably the same species.

Telangiectatic Capillaries in Retinal Vascular Occlusions: Multimodal Imaging in a Case Series.

Introduction: To report a cases series of retinal vascular occlusions with telangiectatic capillaries (TelCaps) seen on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and multimodal imaging. Methods: In this case series, a new finding (TelCaps) was seen on clinical examination, fundus evaluation, fluorescein angiography, ICGA, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results: This series comprised 3 patients with TelCaps findings on ICGA after retinal vascular occlusions. The patients' ages ranged from 52 years to 71 years and the best-corrected visual acuity in the affected eye, from 20/25 to 20/80. Fundus evaluation showed small, hard exudates in the vascular termination close to the macula with a reduction of the foveal reflex. The OCT images showed marginal hyperreflectivity and inner hyporeflectivity that were suggestive of a TelCaps lesion, which was confirmed by hyperfluorescence in the late phase of ICGA. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of performing multimodal imaging evaluation, including ICGA, in eyes with retinal vein occlusions for early identification and management of the associated lesions.

Feline calicivirus and natural killer cells: A study of its relationship in chronic gingivostomatitis.

Background and Aims: Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a frequent chronic inflammatory condition in the oral cavity with an etiopathogenesis not completely identified. This study aimed to contribute to the knowledge of FCGS by identifying the presence of feline calicivirus (FCV) antigens and natural killer (NK) cells and comparing them. Materials and Methods: Forty biopsies from the oral mucosa of cats diagnosed with chronic gingivostomatitis were subjected to immunohistochemical techniques to evaluate cells with FCV antigens and NK cells positive for CD56. Results: NK cells were identified in all samples, with an average of 725.3 ± 409.1 cells. Regarding FCV, it was identified in 18 out of 30 samples (60%), with a different number of cells with virus in between the analyzed cases. In all cases, the number of cells infected with FCV was lower than the number of NK cells present in the same samples, but there was no statistical association between them. Conclusion: This preliminary study shows that NK cells are present in gingivostomatitis lesions not exclusively caused by FCV-stimulus, as only 60% of all cases were positive for this virus, but other antigens should be considered in the etiology of FCGS.

Nanoarchitected graphene/copper oxide nanoparticles/MoS2 ternary thin films as highly efficient electrodes for aqueous sodium-ion batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) operating in aqueous electrolyte are an emerging technology that promises to be safer, cheaper, more sustainable and more efficient than their lithium-based counterparts. One of the great challenges associated with this technology is the development of advanced materials with high specific capacity to be used as electrodes. Herein, we describe an ingenious strategy to prepare unprecedented tri-component nanoarchitected thin films with superior performance when applied as anodes in aqueous SIBs. Taking advantage of the broadness and versatility of the liquid-liquid interfacial route, three transparent nanocomposite films comprising graphene, molybdenum sulphide and copper oxide nanoparticles have been prepared. The samples were characterized using several techniques, and the results demonstrated that depending on the specific experimental strategy, different nanoarchitectures are achieved, resulting in different and improved properties. An astonishing capacity of 1377 mA h g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 and a degree of recovery of 100% were observed for the film in which the interactions among the components were optimized. This is among the highest capacity values reported in the literature and demonstrates the potential of these tri-component materials to be used as anodes in aqueous sodium-ion batteries.