Landscape features influencing gene flow and connectivity of an endangered passerine.

Dispersal of individuals and gene flow are crucial aspects to maintain genetic diversity and viability of populations, especially in the case of threatened species. Landscape composition and structure may facilitate or limit individual movement within and among populations. We used a landscape genetics approach to assess the connectivity patterns of the threatened Dupont's lark (Chersophilus duponti subsp. duponti), considering their genetic patterns and the landscape features associated with its gene flow in Spain. We analysed the genetic relatedness based on 11 species-specific polymorphic microsatellites on 416 Dupont's lark individuals sampled across peninsular Spain between 2017 and 2019, covering most of the European distribution of the species. To assess the relationship between the landscape composition and the species gene flow, we estimated genetic distance at the individual level (Dps). Next, we built a set of environmental surfaces from two time periods (years 1990 and 2018), based on factors such as land use and topography, influencing individuals' movement. We then obtained resistance surfaces from an optimization process on landscape variables. Landscape genetics analyses were done for single and composite surface models for each year separately. Our findings from both time points show that scatter or mosaic-structured vegetation composed by low agricultural and tree cover and high presence of sclerophyllous shrubs favoured Dupont's lark dispersal, while dense and continuous tree cover, as well as areas of intensive agriculture, were limiting factors. Our results suggest the importance of steppe habitat patches for the species' establishment and dispersal. In addition, our results provide key information to develop conservation measures, including conserving and restoring steppe habitats as scattered and/or mosaic-structured vegetation that could warrant the connectivity and persistence of Dupont's lark populations.

Prevalence of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy in patients admitted for acute heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is an underdiagnosed cause of AHF that benefits from a specific approach. The aim was to determine the prevalence of ATTR-CM among patients hospitalized for AHF. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on consecutive patients aged 60 or older admitted for acute AHF without cardiogenic shock. RESULTS: The study included 103 patients, a total of 16 patients (15.5 %) were compatible with ATTR-CM. The ATTR-CM group showed a higher septal wall thickness (18.1 mm vs. 11.8 mm; P = 0.001), lower systolic excursion of the tricuspid annular plane (15 mm vs. 18.3 mm, P = 0.014), and S wave of the right ventricle (8 cm/s vs. 9.2 cm/s P=0.032). CONCLUSION: ATTR-CM is an underdiagnosed condition, there are some variables associated with its diagnosis. The coexistence with other comorbidities causing AHF, highlights the importance of considering screening for this cardiomyopathy in adults hospitalized for AHF.

Phytoremediation of Cu-contaminated vineyard soils in Brazil: A compendium of Brazilian pot studies.

Vineyard soils can be contaminated by copper (Cu) due to successive applications of fungicides and organic fertilizers. Soil remediation can be addressed by altering soil properties or selecting efficient Cu-extracting cover crops tolerant to Cu toxicity. Our objectives were to synthesize the Cu-extracting efficiency by plant species tested in Brazil, classify them according to Cu resistance to toxicity, and assess the effect of soil properties on attenuating Cu toxicity. We retrieved results from 41 species and cultivars, totaling 565 observations. Freshly added Cu varied between 50 and 600 mg Cu kg-1 of soil across studies. The partition of Cu removal between the above- and below-ground portions was scaled as a logistic variable to facilitate data synthesis. The data were analyzed using the Adaboost machine learning model. Model accuracy (predicted vs. actual values) reached R2  = 0.862 after relating species, cultivar, Cu addition, clay, SOM, pH, soil test P, and Cu as features to predict the logistic target variable. Tissue Cu concentration varied between 7 and 105 mg Cu kg-1 in the shoot and between 73 and 1340 mg Cu kg-1 in the roots. Among soil properties, organic matter and soil test Cu most influenced the accuracy of the model. Phaseolus vulgaris, Brassica juncea, Ricinus communis, Hordeum vulgare, Sorghum vulgare, Cajanus cajan, Solanum lycopersicum, and Crotolaria spectabilis were the most efficient Cu-extracting cover crops, as shown by positive values of the logistic variable (shoot removal > root removal). Those Cu-tolerant plants showed differential capacity to extract Cu in the long run.

Post-partum depression: From clinical understanding to preclinical assessments.

Post-partum depression (PPD) with varying clinical manifestations affecting new parents remains underdiagnosed and poorly treated. This minireview revisits the pharmacotherapy, and relevant etiological basis, capable of advancing preclinical research frameworks. Maternal tasks accompanied by numerous behavioral readouts demand modeling different paradigms that reflect the complex and heterogenous nature of PPD. Hence, effective PPD-like characterization in animals towards the discovery of pharmacological intervention demands research that deepens our understanding of the roles of hormonal and non-hormonal components and mediators of this psychiatric disorder.

Guidance for Handling the Increasing Prevalence of Drugs Adulterated or Laced With Fentanyl.

The use of fentanyl and its analogs is the primary driver of deaths related to the opioid overdose crisis. In fall 2021, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued its first public safety alert in 6 years to raise awareness of the escalating prevalence of fentanyl in counterfeit pills and in other opioids, such as heroin, and nonopioids, such as methamphetamine. In addition to increased public awareness, specific actions are needed to remediate the risk for fentanyl overdose. The authors endorse four principles to address the opioid overdose crisis and provide guidance for remediating its impacts: an incremental approach to behavior change or harm reduction; engagement strategies for individuals with substance use disorder; an integrated care approach to ensure better access to treatment programs and effective interventions; and vigilance among clinicians, program staff, and patients to the threat of fentanyl-adulterated drugs. The authors offer specific recommendations on how to apply these principles effectively within health care systems, communities, and law enforcement agencies across the United States.

Dielectric Strength of Nanofluid-Impregnated Transformer Solid Insulation.

The interest in developing new fluids that can be used as dielectric liquids for transformers has driven the research on dielectric nanofluids in the last years. A number of authors have reported promising results on the electrical and thermal properties of dielectric nanofluids. Less attention has been paid to the interaction of these fluids with the cellulose materials that constitute the solid insulation of the transformers. In the present study, the dielectric strength of cellulose insulation is investigated, comparing its behavior when it is impregnated with transformer mineral oil and when it is impregnated with a dielectric nanofluid. The study includes the analysis of the AC breakdown voltage and the impulse breakdown voltage of the samples. Large improvements were observed on the AC breakdown voltages of the specimens impregnated with nanofluids, while the enhancements were lower in the case of the impulse tests. The reasons for the increase in AC breakdown voltage were investigated, considering the dielectric properties of the nanofluids used to impregnate the samples of cellulose. The analysis was completed with a finite element study that revealed the effect of the nanoparticles on the electric field distribution within the test cell, and its role in the observed enhancement.

First genetic characterization of human cystic echinococcosis in Uruguay.

Cystic echinococcosis is endemic and hyperendemic in Uruguay. The objective of this study was to determine the species and genotype of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in symptomatic patients with cystic echinococcosis who underwent surgery, together with the location and stage of the cysts. The study included 13 patients aged between 6 and 57 years old. Samples of cysts from these cases were analyzed using DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing. The results revealed the presence of E. granulosus sensu stricto in all cases, with 12 samples belonging to the G1 genotype and 1 to the G3 genotype, suggesting that disease persistence might be related to the dog-sheep cycle. However, other intermediate hosts, such as cattle, could also be involved. Cysts were most frequently found in the liver, followed by muscle and other sites (e.g. pulmonary, vertebral, pelvic and cardiac); and stage CE1 was most frequently found, followed by CE2 and CE3b. Three cases occurred in children or adolescents, suggesting an active parasite cycle in at least some areas of the country. Since there is considerable diversity of E. granulosus sensu lato species and genotypes in South America, it is important to continue the present study in order to draw stronger epidemiological conclusions.

La equinococosis quística es endémica e hiperendémica en Uruguay. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la especie y el genotipo de Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato en pacientes sintomáticos con equinococosis quística que fueron sometidos a cirugía, además de la localización y estadio de los quistes. En el estudio participaron 13 pacientes de entre 6 y 57 años. Las muestras de quistes de estos casos se analizaron mediante la extracción de ADN, la amplificación de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y la secuenciación. Los resultados revelaron la presencia de E. granulosus sensu stricto en todos los casos, con 12 muestras pertenecientes al genotipo G1 y 1 muestra de genotipo G3, lo que sugiere que la persistencia de la enfermedad podría estar relacionada con el ciclo perro/ovinos. Sin embargo, otros huéspedes intermedios, como el ganado, también podrían estar involucrados. Los quistes se encontraron con mayor frecuencia en el hígado, seguido por los músculos y otros sitios (por ejemplo, quistes pulmonares, vertebrales, pélvicos y cardíacos); y el estadio más frecuente fue CE1, seguido por CE2 y CE3b. Tres de los casos ocurrieron en niños o adolescentes, lo que sugiere un ciclo activo de parásitos al menos en algunas áreas del país. Dado que existe una considerable diversidad de especies y genotipos de E. granulosus sensu lato en América del Sur, es importante continuar con este estudio para extraer conclusiones epidemiológicas más sólidas.

A equinococose cística é endêmica e hiperendêmica no Uruguai. O objetivo do estudo foi determinar a espécie e o genótipo do Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato em pacientes sintomáticos com equinococose cística que foram submetidos a cirurgia, juntamente com a localização e o estágio dos cistos. O estudo incluiu 13 pacientes entre 6 e 57 anos de idade. As amostras de cistos foram analisadas utilizando extração do DNA, amplificação pela reação em cadeia da polimerase e sequenciamento. Os resultados revelaram a presença de E. granulosus sensu stricto em todos os casos, com 12 amostras pertencentes ao genótipo G1 e uma ao genótipo G3, sugerindo que a persistência da doença pode estar relacionada ao ciclo cão-ovelha. Entretanto, outros hospedeiros intermediários como gado também poderiam estar envolvidos. Os cistos foram mais frequentemente encontrados no fígado, seguido por músculos e outros locais (por exemplo, pulmão, vértebras, pelve e coração), e o estágio mais frequentemente encontrado foi o CE1, seguido por CE2 e CE3b. Três casos ocorreram em crianças ou adolescentes, o que sugere um ciclo parasitário ativo em pelo menos algumas áreas do país. Devido à considerável diversidade de espécies e genótipos de E. granulosus sensu lato na América do Sul, é importante dar continuidade do presente estudo a fim de se chegar a conclusões epidemiológicas mais sólidas.

First genetic characterization of human cystic echinococcosis in Uruguay

[ABSTRACT]. Cystic echinococcosis is endemic and hyperendemic in Uruguay. The objective of this study was to deter- mine the species and genotype of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in symptomatic patients with cystic echinococcosis who underwent surgery, together with the location and stage of the cysts. The study included 13 patients aged between 6 and 57 years old. Samples of cysts from these cases were analyzed using DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing. The results revealed the presence of E. granulosus sensu stricto in all cases, with 12 samples belonging to the G1 genotype and 1 to the G3 genotype, suggesting that disease persistence might be related to the dog–sheep cycle. However, other inter- mediate hosts, such as cattle, could also be involved. Cysts were most frequently found in the liver, followed by muscle and other sites (e.g. pulmonary, vertebral, pelvic and cardiac); and stage CE1 was most frequently found, followed by CE2 and CE3b. Three cases occurred in children or adolescents, suggesting an active par- asite cycle in at least some areas of the country. Since there is considerable diversity of E. granulosus sensu lato species and genotypes in South America, it is important to continue the present study in order to draw stronger epidemiological conclusions.

[RESUMEN]. La equinococosis quística es endémica e hiperendémica en Uruguay. El objetivo de este estudio fue deter- minar la especie y el genotipo de Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato en pacientes sintomáticos con equinococosis quística que fueron sometidos a cirugía, además de la localización y estadio de los quistes. En el estudio participaron 13 pacientes de entre 6 y 57 años. Las muestras de quistes de estos casos se analizaron mediante la extracción de ADN, la amplificación de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y la secuenciación. Los resultados revelaron la presencia de E. granulosus sensu stricto en todos los casos, con 12 muestras pertenecientes al genotipo G1 y 1 muestra de genotipo G3, lo que sugiere que la persistencia de la enfermedad podría estar relacionada con el ciclo perro/ovinos. Sin embargo, otros huéspedes intermedios, como el ganado, también podrían estar involucrados. Los quistes se encontraron con mayor frecuencia en el hígado, seguido por los músculos y otros sitios (por ejemplo, quistes pulmonares, vertebrales, pélvicos y cardíacos); y el estadio más frecuente fue CE1, seguido por CE2 y CE3b. Tres de los casos ocurrieron en niños o adolescentes, lo que sugiere un ciclo activo de parásitos al menos en algunas áreas del país. Dado que existe una considerable diversidad de especies y genotipos de E. granulosus sensu lato en América del Sur, es importante continuar con este estudio para extraer conclusiones epidemiológicas más sólidas.

[RESUMO]. A equinococose cística é endêmica e hiperendêmica no Uruguai. O objetivo do estudo foi determinar a espécie e o genótipo do Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato em pacientes sintomáticos com equinococose cística que foram submetidos a cirurgia, juntamente com a localização e o estágio dos cistos. O estudo incluiu 13 pacientes entre 6 e 57 anos de idade. As amostras de cistos foram analisadas utilizando extração do DNA, amplificação pela reação em cadeia da polimerase e sequenciamento. Os resultados revelaram a presença de E. granulosus sensu stricto em todos os casos, com 12 amostras pertencentes ao genótipo G1 e uma ao genótipo G3, sugerindo que a persistência da doença pode estar relacionada ao ciclo cão-ovelha. Entretanto, outros hospedeiros intermediários como gado também poderiam estar envolvidos. Os cistos foram mais frequentemente encontrados no fígado, seguido por músculos e outros locais (por exemplo, pulmão, vértebras, pelve e coração), e o estágio mais frequentemente encontrado foi o CE1, seguido por CE2 e CE3b. Três casos ocorreram em crianças ou adolescentes, o que sugere um ciclo parasitário ativo em pelo menos algumas áreas do país. Devido à considerável diversidade de espécies e genótipos de E. granulosus sensu lato na América do Sul, é importante dar continuidade do presente estudo a fim de se chegar a conclusões epidemiológicas mais sólidas.

INOCA: Evaluación no invasiva de los mecanismos fisiopatológicos mediante CZT-SPECT / INOCA: Non-Invasive Assessment of the Pathophysological Mechanisms Using CZT-SPECT

RESUMEN Introducción: Una de las causas propuestas del síndrome INOCA (por sus siglas en inglés: Ischemia with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries) es la disfunción microvascular (DMV), la cual puede evaluarse en forma no invasiva, mediante la cuantificación del flujo sanguíneo miocárdico (FSM) y la reserva de flujo miocárdica (RFM). Las imágenes de perfusión miocárdica (IPM) y dinámicas con CZT-SPECT en reposo - dipiridamol - y prueba de frio (PF), permiten establecer la presencia de DMV evaluando diferentes mecanismos fisiopatológicos: endotelio independiente o dependiente, respectivamente. Objetivos: Evaluar la utilidad de CZT-SPECT en el diagnóstico de DMV y los diferentes mecanismos patológicos involucrados, en pacientes con diagnóstico de INOCA. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron en forma prospectiva 93 pacientes consecutivos con diagnóstico de INOCA, a los que se les realizó IPM e imágenes dinámicas con CZT-SPECT en reposo-dipiridamol-PF. El FSM se cuantificó con el software 4DM. Se consideró respuesta anormal al dipiridamol una RFM menor a 2 y a la variación del FSM (∆FSM) menor a 1,5 con PF. Se definió DMV a la presencia de una o ambas respuestas anormales. Resultados: El CZT-SPECT detectó DMV en un 85% (n=79) de los pacientes con INOCA. El 42% tuvo respuesta anormal con ambos apremios mientras que el 43% restante, mostró una respuesta alterada del FSM sólo con PF. Conclusiones: El uso de CZT-SPECT empleando ambos apremios, permitió evaluar diferentes mecanismos fisiopatológicos que causan DMV presente en la mayoría de los pacientes con INOCA.

ABSTRACT Background: One of the causes of INOCA (Ischemia with Non- Obstructive Coronary Arteries) is microvascular dysfunction (MVD), which can be noninvasively assessed through the quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR). Dynamic myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) by CZT-SPECT at rest, with dipyridamole stress test and cold pressor test (CPT) can establish the presence of two different pathophysiological mechanisms of MVD: endothelium-independent or endothelium-dependent, respectively. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of CZT-SPECT for the diagnosis of MVD and the different mechanisms involved in patients with INOCA. Materials and Methods : A total of 93 consecutive INOCA patients were prospectively included and underwent dynamic MPI with CZT-SPECT at rest and with dipyridamole stress test and CPT. THe MBF was quantified using 4DM® software. A MFR response to dipyridamole <2, and changes in MBF (∆MBF) <1.5 with CPT were considered abnormal responses. MVD was defined in the presence of one abnormal response or both. Results: CZT-SPECT detected MVD in 85% (n=79) of the patients with INOCA. Forty-two percent had an abnormal response to both stressors while 43% presented an abnormal response of MBF only with CPT. Conclusion: The use of CZT-SPECT with both stress tests allowed the evaluation of different possible pathophysiological mechanisms of MVD present in most patients with INOCA.

Associação entre nível de priorização na admissão da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e desfecho hospitalar / Association between prioritization level at intensive care unit admission and hospital outcome

Objetivo: avaliar a associação entre os níveis de priorização para admissão na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) e o prognóstico dos pacientes. Material e Método: estudo longitudinal retrospectivo que incluiu adultos internados na UTI de hospital universitário, ano de 2020. As variáveis, coletadas nos prontuários e banco de dados eletrônicos do hospital contemplam: identificação, data de entrada no hospital e de admissão na UTI, diagnósticos, antecedentes, data de alta, desfecho, cálculo do Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3) e nível de priorização da admissão. Resultados: o estudo avaliou 274 pacientes. As patologias respiratórias totalizaram 41,25% das admissões, sendo COVID-19 o diagnóstico mais frequente (65 casos confirmados e 2 suspeitos). Dentre as comorbidades, destacam-se hipertensão arterial sistêmica (64,32%), diabetes mellitus (25,82%) e tabagismo (18,78%). O SAPS 3 médio foi de 59,29 pontos, representando uma probabilidade de óbito de 39,00%. A respeito dos níveis de priorizações, 174 (63,50%) pacientes foram classificados como prioridade 1 (P1); 94 (34,31%) pacientes como prioridade 2 (P2); e 6 (2,19%) pacientes como prioridade 3 (P3). Comparando os grupos P1 e P2, a probabilidade de óbito foi, respectivamente, 51,95% e 13,75%. E o número de óbitos observado foi de 90 (60,81%) no grupo P1 e 19 no grupo P2 (25,30%; p<0,001)). Conclusão: os pacientes classificados como P1 foram mais frequentes na amostra de estudo. A classificação de prioridades identificou os pacientes mais graves e com maior taxa de mortalidade na primeira categoria, apesar de não haver diferença na idade, comorbidade e fragilidade.

Objective: to assess the association between levels of prioritization for admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and patients' prognosis. Material and Method: longitudinal retrospective study that included adult patients admitted to the ICU of a University Hospital during 2020. The data were collected from paper and electronic medical records, including identification, date of admission to the hospital, date of admission to ICU, diagnosis, medical history, date of hospital discharge, outcome, the Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS-3) and prioritization level. Results: the study evaluated 274 patients during 2020. Respiratory diseases represented 41.25% of admissions, COVID-19 being the most frequent diagnosis (totaling 65 confirmed and 2 suspected cases). Among the comorbidities, the following were highlighted: arterial hypertension (64.32%), diabetes mellitus (25.82%), and smoking (18.78%). The mean SAPS 3 score was 59.29 points, representing a probability of death of 39.00%. About prioritization levels, 174 (63.50%) patients were categorized as Priority 1 (P1); 94 (34.31%) patients as Priority 2 (P2) and 6 (2.19%) patients as Priority 3 (P3), which was not considered due to insufficient sample for testing. Comparing groups P1 and P2, the probability of death of each category was, respectively, 51.95% and 13.75%. During the study period, the number of deaths in each category was 90 (60.81%) for P1 and 19 (25.30%; p<0,001) for P2. Conclusion: the prioritization classification identified patients with more severity and with greater mortality rates in category P1 of prioritization to ICU admission, even though there was no difference on age, comorbidity and frailty.

Community Assembly and Stability in the Root Microbiota During Early Plant Development.

Little is known about how community composition in the plant microbiome is affected by events in the life of a plant. For example, when the plant is exposed to soil, microbial communities may be an important factor in root community assembly. We conducted two experiments asking whether the composition of the root microbiota in mature plants could be determined by either the timing of root exposure to microbial communities or priority effects by early colonizing microbes. Timing of microbial exposure was manipulated through an inoculation experiment, where plants of different ages were exposed to a common soil inoculum. Priority effects were manipulated by challenging roots with established microbiota with an exogenous microbial community. Results show that even plants with existing microbial root communities were able to acquire new microbial associates, but that timing of soil exposure affected root microbiota composition for both bacterial and fungal communities in mature plants. Plants already colonized were only receptive to colonizers at 1 week post-germination. Our study shows that the timing of soil exposure in the early life stages of a plant is important for the development of the root microbiota in mature plants.

First genetic characterization of human cystic echinococcosis in Uruguay / Primera caracterización genética de la equinococosis quística humana en Uruguay / Primeira caracterização genética da equinococose cística humana no Uruguai

ABSTRACT Cystic echinococcosis is endemic and hyperendemic in Uruguay. The objective of this study was to determine the species and genotype of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in symptomatic patients with cystic echinococcosis who underwent surgery, together with the location and stage of the cysts. The study included 13 patients aged between 6 and 57 years old. Samples of cysts from these cases were analyzed using DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing. The results revealed the presence of E. granulosus sensu stricto in all cases, with 12 samples belonging to the G1 genotype and 1 to the G3 genotype, suggesting that disease persistence might be related to the dog-sheep cycle. However, other intermediate hosts, such as cattle, could also be involved. Cysts were most frequently found in the liver, followed by muscle and other sites (e.g. pulmonary, vertebral, pelvic and cardiac); and stage CE1 was most frequently found, followed by CE2 and CE3b. Three cases occurred in children or adolescents, suggesting an active parasite cycle in at least some areas of the country. Since there is considerable diversity of E. granulosus sensu lato species and genotypes in South America, it is important to continue the present study in order to draw stronger epidemiological conclusions.

RESUMEN La equinococosis quística es endémica e hiperendémica en Uruguay. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la especie y el genotipo de Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato en pacientes sintomáticos con equinococosis quística que fueron sometidos a cirugía, además de la localización y estadio de los quistes. En el estudio participaron 13 pacientes de entre 6 y 57 años. Las muestras de quistes de estos casos se analizaron mediante la extracción de ADN, la amplificación de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y la secuenciación. Los resultados revelaron la presencia de E. granulosus sensu stricto en todos los casos, con 12 muestras pertenecientes al genotipo G1 y 1 muestra de genotipo G3, lo que sugiere que la persistencia de la enfermedad podría estar relacionada con el ciclo perro/ovinos. Sin embargo, otros huéspedes intermedios, como el ganado, también podrían estar involucrados. Los quistes se encontraron con mayor frecuencia en el hígado, seguido por los músculos y otros sitios (por ejemplo, quistes pulmonares, vertebrales, pélvicos y cardíacos); y el estadio más frecuente fue CE1, seguido por CE2 y CE3b. Tres de los casos ocurrieron en niños o adolescentes, lo que sugiere un ciclo activo de parásitos al menos en algunas áreas del país. Dado que existe una considerable diversidad de especies y genotipos de E. granulosus sensu lato en América del Sur, es importante continuar con este estudio para extraer conclusiones epidemiológicas más sólidas.

RESUMO A equinococose cística é endêmica e hiperendêmica no Uruguai. O objetivo do estudo foi determinar a espécie e o genótipo do Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato em pacientes sintomáticos com equinococose cística que foram submetidos a cirurgia, juntamente com a localização e o estágio dos cistos. O estudo incluiu 13 pacientes entre 6 e 57 anos de idade. As amostras de cistos foram analisadas utilizando extração do DNA, amplificação pela reação em cadeia da polimerase e sequenciamento. Os resultados revelaram a presença de E. granulosus sensu stricto em todos os casos, com 12 amostras pertencentes ao genótipo G1 e uma ao genótipo G3, sugerindo que a persistência da doença pode estar relacionada ao ciclo cão-ovelha. Entretanto, outros hospedeiros intermediários como gado também poderiam estar envolvidos. Os cistos foram mais frequentemente encontrados no fígado, seguido por músculos e outros locais (por exemplo, pulmão, vértebras, pelve e coração), e o estágio mais frequentemente encontrado foi o CE1, seguido por CE2 e CE3b. Três casos ocorreram em crianças ou adolescentes, o que sugere um ciclo parasitário ativo em pelo menos algumas áreas do país. Devido à considerável diversidade de espécies e genótipos de E. granulosus sensu lato na América do Sul, é importante dar continuidade do presente estudo a fim de se chegar a conclusões epidemiológicas mais sólidas.

Co-inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi differing in carbon sink strength induces a synergistic effect in plant growth.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play a key role in determining ecosystem functionality. Understanding how diversity in the fungal community affects plant productivity is therefore an important question in ecology. Current research has focused on understanding the role of functional complementarity in the fungal community when the host plant faces multiple stress factors. Fewer studies, however, have investigated how variation in traits affecting nutrient exchange can impact the plant growth dynamics, even in the absence of environmental stressors. Combining experimental data and a mathematical model based on ordinary differential equations, we investigate the role played by carbon sink strength on plant productivity. We simulate and measure plant growth over time when the plant is associated with two fungal isolates with different carbon sink strength, and when the plant is in pairwise association with each of the isolates alone. Overall, our theoretical as well as our experimental results show that co-inoculation with fungi with different carbon sink strength can induce positive non-additive effects (or synergistic effects) in plant productivity. Fungi with high carbon sink strength are able to quickly establish a fungal community and increase the nutrient supply to the plant, with a consequent positive impact on plant growth rate. On the other side, fungi with low carbon sink strength inflict lower carbon costs to the host plant, and support maximal plant productivity once plant biomass is large. As AM fungi are widely used as organic fertilizers worldwide, our findings have important implications for restoration ecology and agricultural management.

Aluminium-Catalyzed C(sp)-H Borylation of Alkynes.

Historically used in stoichiometric hydroalumination chemistry, recent advances have transformed aluminium hydrides into versatile catalysts for the hydroboration of unsaturated multiple bonds. This catalytic ability is founded on the defining reactivity of aluminium hydrides with alkynes and alkenes: 1,2-hydroalumination of the unsaturated π-system. This manuscript reports the aluminium hydride catalyzed dehydroborylation of terminal alkynes. A tethered intramolecular amine ligand controls reactivity at the aluminium hydride centre, switching off hydroalumination and instead enabling selective reactions at the alkyne C-H σ-bond. Chemoselective C-H borylation was observed across a series of aryl- and alkyl-substituted alkynes (21 examples). On the basis of kinetic and density functional theory studies, a mechanism in which C-H borylation proceeds by σ-bond metathesis between pinacolborane (HBpin) and alkynyl aluminium intermediates is proposed.

Sensitivity assessment and SDHC-I86F mutation frequency of Phakopsora pachyrhizi populations to benzovindiflupyr and fluxapyroxad fungicides from 2015 to 2019 in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Fungicides of the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs) group have been used in soybean to control Asian soybean rust (ASR) caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi. Fungal populations with less sensitivity to SDHI fungicides have been reported since 2015. RESULTS: In this study, fungal sensitivity to benzovindiflupyr (BZV) and fluxapyroxad (FXD) was assessed using a total of 770 P. pachyrhizi populations sampled over four soybean growing seasons. Cross-resistance, intrinsic activity, and frequency of SDHC-I86F mutation were also analyzed. The average effective concentration to inhibit 50% (EC50 ) and SDHC-I86F frequency increased over the 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 soybean-seasons. Fourteen P. pachyrhizi populations had the EC50 value above 10 mg L-1 for both carboxamides. No difference was found in intrinsic active to BZV and FXD fungicides for sensitive P. pachyrhizi populations. For P. pachyrhizi classified as less sensitive BZV showed the highest fungitoxicity effect. High frequency of the C-I86F mutation was observed in samples collected in volunteer soybean plants. The maximum frequency of SDHC-I86F mutation in the population was 50% and resulting in ASR populations with low sensitivity to SDHIs. A low correlation between bioassay and SDHC-I86F mutation was observed possible due to the dikaryotic nature of rust fungi or other mutations in the other succinate dehydrogenase subunits. CONCLUSION: The present work provides an overview of a large sampling size of P. pachyrhizi populations and their performance over the four crop seasons. The high frequency of SDHC-I86F mutation and low sensitivity to SDHIs are widely distributed in the main soybean growing regions in Brazil and present in volunteer plants in the soybean-free period. Further detailed studies are needed to identify novel point mutations affecting the effectiveness of SDHIs. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen parameters, growth rate, carcase characteristics and cannabinoid residues of sheep fed pelleted rations containing hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) stubble.

The feeding value and impact of hemp stubble in the diet of ruminants is unknown. Fifteen Merino castrated male sheep were maintained in individual pens and fed one of three pelletized experimental inclusion diets, as a 0% (Control), 28% (Hemp 1), and 56% (Hemp 2) pellet that delivered a diet meeting the nutrient requirements of the animals. Inclusion of hemp stubble had no effect (P > 0.05) on either DM intake, live weight gain or the feed to gain ratio but positively impacted (P < 0.05) on nutrient digestibility. Hemp stubble inclusion increased the concentration (but not molar proportions) of acetic and butyric acids and increased both the concentrations and molar proportions of iso-butyric, iso-valeric, hexanoic and heptanoic acids, possibly due to increased protein digestibility and/or changes in the composition of rumen cellulolytic bacteria. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) was the only cannabinoid found in plasma in the sheep fed the hemp-containing diets, and this was found at very low concentrations (<16 µg/L). The psychoactive cannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9-THC) was not detected in any plasma samples. THCA was detected in the liver of two sheep fed the Hemp 1 pellets and two sheep fed the Hemp 2 pellets. Cannabidiol (CBD) was detected in the liver of one sheep fed the Hemp 2 pellets (but no liver THCA was detected in this sheep). Δ 9-THC was detected in both the kidney fat and subcutaneous fat of all sheep fed hemp stubble, with the concentrations being higher (P < 0.05) in the sheep fed the Hemp 1 pellets. THCA was also detected in the subcutaneous fat of one of the sheep fed the Hemp 1 pellets. Four of the five sheep fed the Hemp 1 pellet and one of the five sheep fed Hemp 2 pellet had detectable levels of Δ 9-THC in the meat (loin). No other cannabinoids were detected in the meat. Current food standards regulations in Australia prohibit presence of any cannabinoid residues in commercial meat products; thus, determination of a withholding period is required to enable the safe feeding of hemp-stubble to sheep. Further research is also required to gain a greater understanding of the rumen metabolism of cannabinoids.

Insights into the Mechanisms of Action of MDA-7/IL-24: A Ubiquitous Cancer-Suppressing Protein.

Melanoma differentiation associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (MDA-7/IL-24), a secreted protein of the IL-10 family, was first identified more than two decades ago as a novel gene differentially expressed in terminally differentiating human metastatic melanoma cells. MDA-7/IL-24 functions as a potent tumor suppressor exerting a diverse array of functions including the inhibition of tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis, and induction of potent "bystander" antitumor activity and synergy with conventional cancer therapeutics. MDA-7/IL-24 induces cancer-specific cell death through apoptosis or toxic autophagy, which was initially established in vitro and in preclinical animal models in vivo and later in a Phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced cancers. This review summarizes the history and our current understanding of the molecular/biological mechanisms of MDA-7/IL-24 action rendering it a potent cancer suppressor.

Sellado dentinario inmediato en la práctica de la prostodoncia

Pascal Magne introduce en 2005 una técnica que denominó Sellado Dentinario Inmediato (SDI). Este es un procedimiento clínico en el que su fundamento es lograr una película de resina adherida a la dentina, para tanto evitar la sensibilidad postoperatoria en la colocación de los provisionales, como así también lograr una futura integración diente-restauración en la adhesión de la restauración definitiva. Se propone, con esta técnica, la obtención de una capa híbrida, íntimamente adherida a la dentina, desde el primer momento en que el tallado dentario expone dicho tejido. Esto produce una disminución de la permeabilidad de la dentina expuesta. Las características principales que la literatura atribuye al sellado dentinario inmediato son lograr una mayor resistencia de adhesión, una menor formación de brechas, una disminución de la contaminación bacteriana de la dentina, una preservación de la interfase orgánica y húmeda de la dentina y, consecuentemente, una reducción de la sensibilidad postfijación. Esto es diferente del método del sellado dentinario tardío, donde la capa híbrida, producto del procedimiento adhesivo se obtiene en la última visita del paciente "después de la fase de provisionalización y pruebas", puede producir una alteración de la dentina expuesta a los cementos o el medio oral, influyendo negativamente en la calidad de la adhesión con una interfase de menor calidad y con una menor fuerza de unión y posible sensibilidad posoperatoria.

Febrile young infants with abnormal urine dipstick at low risk of invasive bacterial infection.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a prediction rule to identify well-appearing febrile infants aged ≤90 days with an abnormal urine dipstick at low risk of invasive bacterial infections (IBIs, bacteraemia or bacterial meningitis). DESIGN: Ambispective, multicentre study. SETTING: The derivation set in a single paediatric emergency department (ED) between 2003 and 2017. The validation set in 21 European EDs between December 2017 and November 2019. PATIENTS: Two sets of well-appearing febrile infants aged ≤90 days with an abnormal urine dipstick (either leucocyte esterase and/or nitrite positive test). MAIN OUTCOME: Prevalence of IBI in low-risk infants according to the RISeuP score. RESULTS: We included 662 infants in the derivation set (IBI rate:5.2%). After logistic regression, we developed a score (RISeuP score) including age (≤15 days old), serum procalcitonin (≥0.6 ng/mL) and C reactive protein (≥20 mg/L) as risk factors. The absence of any risk factor had a sensitivity of 96.0% (95% CI 80.5% to 99.3%), a negative predictive value of 99.4% (95% CI 96.4% to 99.9%) and a specificity of 32.9% (95% CI 28.8% to 37.3%) for ruling out an IBI. Applying it in the 449 infants of the validation set (IBI rate 4.9%), sensitivity, negative predictive value and specificity were 100% (95% CI 87.1% to 100%), 100% (95% CI 97.3% to 100%) and 29.7% (95% CI 25.8% to 33.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION: This prediction rule accurately identified well-appearing febrile infants aged ≤90 days with an abnormal urine dipstick at low risk of IBI. This score can be used to guide initial clinical decision-making in these patients, selecting infants suitable for an outpatient management.