Corrigendum: Implementing a provisional overarching intervention for COVID-19 monitoring and control in the Brazil-Colombia-Peru frontier.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1330347.].

First case of Oropouche fever detected in the international border region of the Colombian Amazon: clinical characteristics and molecular diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: We report the first case of Oropouche fever detected in the border region of Colombia. METHODS: Using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), genetic sequencing and clinical characteristics during the dengue epidemic in 2019, a total of 175 samples were analysed, from cases notified to the system epidemiological surveillance such as dengue. FINDINGS: The Oropouche virus (OROV) isolate from Leticia belongs to lineage 2 according to both M and S genome segments maximum likelihood (ML) analysis, shares a common ancestor with samples obtained in Esmeraldas, Ecuador and Turbaco, Colombia. The patient: a woman resident in the border neighbourhood of the municipality of Leticia had the following symptoms: fever, headache, retro-orbital pain and myalgias. MAIN CONCLUSION: This cross-border surveillance can be useful to give an alert about the entry or exit of arboviruses circulation in the region, which are often underreported in public health surveillance systems.

Deciphering the inhibitory mechanisms of betanin and phyllocactin from Hylocereus polyrhizus peel on protein glycation, with insights into their application in bread.

Protein glycation closely intertwines with the pathogenesis of various diseases, sparking a growing interest in exploring natural antiglycation agents. Herein, high-purity betacyanins (betanin and phyllocactin) derived from Hylocereus polyrhizus peel were studied for their antiglycation potential using an in vitro bovine serum albumin (BSA)-glucose model. Notably, betacyanins outperformed aminoguanidine, a recognized antiglycation agent, in inhibiting glycation product formation across different stages, especially advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Interestingly, phyllocactin displayed stronger antiglycation activity than betanin. Subsequent mechanistic studies employing molecular docking analysis and fluorescence quenching assay unveiled that betacyanins interact with BSA endothermically and spontaneously, with hydrophobic forces playing a dominant role. Remarkably, phyllocactin demonstrated higher binding affinity and stability to BSA than betanin. Furthermore, the incorporation of betacyanins into bread dose-dependently suppressed AGEs formation during baking and shows promise for inhibiting in vivo glycation process post-consumption. Overall, this study highlights the substantial potential of betacyanins as natural antiglycation agents.

First case of Oropouche fever detected in the international border region of the Colombian Amazon: clinical characteristics and molecular diagnosis

OBJECTIVES We report the first case of Oropouche fever detected in the border region of Colombia. METHODS Using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), genetic sequencing and clinical characteristics during the dengue epidemic in 2019, a total of 175 samples were analysed, from cases notified to the system epidemiological surveillance such as dengue. FINDINGS The Oropouche virus (OROV) isolate from Leticia belongs to lineage 2 according to both M and S genome segments maximum likelihood (ML) analysis, shares a common ancestor with samples obtained in Esmeraldas, Ecuador and Turbaco, Colombia. The patient: a woman resident in the border neighbourhood of the municipality of Leticia had the following symptoms: fever, headache, retro-orbital pain and myalgias. MAIN CONCLUSION This cross-border surveillance can be useful to give an alert about the entry or exit of arboviruses circulation in the region, which are often underreported in public health surveillance systems.

Evaluation of virulence factors in clinical isolates of pathogenic E. coli in avian samples in Caloto, Colombia

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), produces an extraintestinal infection in chickens, turkeys, and other types of birds, called colibacillosis, which is considered one of the main causes of economic losses due to morbidity, mortality, and discard of poultry carcasses. The objective of the present study was to characterize the genetic profile of the virulence factors of different isolates of avian E. coli in Caloto, Cauca, Colombia. Materials and methods: E. coli was isolated and identified by biochemical tests, from 47 clinical isolates. Subsequently, the DNA was extracted using Chelex. Three multiplex PCRs were designed to amplify 13 virulence factors (iroN, hlyF, iss, iutA, frz, vat, sitA, KpsM, sitD, fimH, pstB, sopB, and uvrY), using primers previously reported for each. At the end, the amplification products were verified on agarose gels. Each isolate was classified according to the number of virulence factors: group A (between 10 and 13), group B (between 5 and 9), and group C (4 or less). Discussion and Conclusions: we were able to identify the presence of a group of virulence factors in clinical isolates of APEC, which allows us to demonstrate that both the frequency and the profile of virulence factors in the isolated strains showed a different profile than the reported by other authors. The virulence genes pstB and fimH were detected in all our samples, and the iss gene was the one with the lowest frequency. Finally, according to the number of virulence factors, the group A was the most frequent.

La E. coli patógena aviar (APEC), produce una infección extraintestinal en pollos, pavos y otros tipos de aves, denominada colibacilosis, la cual es considerada una de las principales causas de pérdidas económicas por morbilidad, mortalidad y descarte de canales de aves. El objetivo del presente estudio fue caracterizar el perfil genético de los factores de virulencia de diferentes aislamientos de E. coli aviar en Caloto, Cauca, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: E. coli se aisló e identificó mediante pruebas bioquímicas, a partir de 47 aislamientos clínicos. Posteriormente, el ADN se extrajo utilizando Chelex. Se diseñaron tres PCR multiplex para amplificar 13 factores de virulencia (iroN, hlyF, iss, iutA, frz, vat, sitA, KpsM, sitD, fimH, pstB, sopB y uvrY), utilizando primers informados previamente para cada uno. Al final, los productos de amplificación fueron verificados en geles de agarosa. Cada aislamiento se clasificó según el número de factores de virulencia: grupo A (entre 10 y 13), grupo B (entre 5 y 9) y grupo C (4 o menos). Discusión y Conclusiones: pudimos identificar la presencia de un grupo de factores de virulencia en los aislados clínicos de APEC, lo que nos permite demostrar que tanto la frecuencia como el perfil de los factores de virulencia en las cepas aisladas presentaron un perfil diferente al reportado por otros autores. Los genes de virulencia pstB y fimH se detectaron en todas nuestras muestras, siendo el gen iss el de menor frecuencia. Finalmente, según el número de factores de virulencia, el grupo A fue el más frecuente.

Australian children with cerebral visual impairment: using what we know now to improve future approaches.

PURPOSE: Little has been reported on Australian children with Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI). This paper aims to present the outcome of an audit focussed on children with the primary diagnosis of CVI, using findings from the Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register (ACVIR). METHODS: Records on 132 children (49% girls, 51% boys) from ACVIR data gathered from both the child's parent/guardian and their eye health professional were reviewed. The child's demographics, level of vision impairment, birth history, diagnostic journey, secondary ocular diagnoses, comorbidities and low vision support were analyzed. Several correlations were investigated using a Kendall's tau-b analysis including the relationship between vision and age of diagnosis; level of vision and developmental delay; and age of suspicion of visual impairment and age of diagnosis. RESULTS: The most common level of visual impairment was blindness (39%), and most children were suspected and diagnosed of visual impairment in the first 6 months of life. The majority of children were born full term (72%), weighing >2000gms (84%). Nearly half of the cohort of children (48%) had a secondary ocular diagnosis with 44% having nystagmus. The majority of children (80%) had additional health problems, and 85% of children had additional disabilities, with 79% having developmental delay. CONCLUSION: While the findings of this audit cannot be generalized to a wider population of Australian children with CVI, the outcome encourages continued discussion on CVI, to explore comprehensive assessment approaches which facilitate timely and accurate diagnosis.

Effectiveness of visual and acoustic biofeedback eccentric viewing training in conjunction with home exercises on visual function: a retrospective observational review.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an eccentric viewing training program that combines biofeedback training using micro-perimetry with home exercises on multiple visual function parameters and to explore potential relationships between post-treatment visual function parameters. A retrospective observational review of 27 participants who underwent the training program was performed. Eligible participants were diagnosed with bilateral central scotomas secondary to age-related macular degeneration. All participants undertook up to 15 visual and acoustic biofeedback training sessions and were required to partake in traditional home exercises between sessions. The biofeedback training was conducted in the better eye using the Macular Integrity Assessment microperimeter (MAIA). Distance and near acuity, contrast sensitivity and fixation stability quantified by the P1 and P2 values and the 63% and 95% bivariate contour ellipse area (BCEA) before and after the rehabilitation program were recorded. Significant improvement was noted post-training for distance visual acuity (t(26) = 4938 p = .000), near visual acuity (Z = -4.461 p = .000), contrast sensitivity (Z = -3.647 p = .000) and fixation stability for all measures, including P1 (t(26) = -9.490 p = .000), P2 (t(26) = -7.338 p = 0.000), 63% BCEA (Z = 3.569 p = .000) and 95% BCEA (t(26) = 4.687 p = .000). Significant medium-to-large correlations were also found between most visual function variables. Visual and acoustic biofeedback in conjunction with home exercises has the potential to improve visual function parameters in patients with age-related macular degeneration and irreversible central vision loss.

Implementing a provisional overarching intervention for COVID-19 monitoring and control in the Brazil-Colombia-Peru frontier.

Introduction: he challenge was to provide comprehensive health resources to a remote and underserved population living in the Brazil-Colombia-Peru border, amid the most disruptive global crisis of the century. Methods: In August 2021, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Amazonia (FIOCRUZ Amazônia) and partner collaborators implemented an overarching provisional program for SARS-CoV-2 detection and lineages characterization, training of laboratory personnel and healthcare providers, donation of diagnostic supplies and personal protective equipment, and COVID-19 vaccination. The expedition was conducted at the Port of Tabatinga, a busy terminal with an intense flux of people arriving and departing in boats of all sizes, located in the Amazon River basin. Local government, non-profit organizations, private companies, and other stakeholders supported the intervention. Results: The expedition was accomplished in a convergence point, where migrant workers, traders, army personnel, people living in urban areas, and people from small villages living in riversides and indigenous territories are in close and frequent contact, with widespread cross-border movement. Using a boat as a provisional lab and storage facility, the intervention provided clinical and laboratory monitoring for 891 participants; vaccination for 536 individuals; personal protective equipment for 200 healthcare providers; diagnostic supplies for 1,000 COVID-19 rapid tests; training for 42 community health agents on personal protection, rapid test execution, and pulse oximeter management; and hands-on training for four lab technicians on molecular diagnosis. Discussion: Our experience demonstrates that multilateral initiatives can counterweigh the scarcity of health resources in underserved regions. Moreover, provisional programs can have a long-lasting effect if investments are also provided for local capacity building.

Crystal structures of AztD provide mechanistic insights into direct zinc transfer between proteins.

Zinc acquisition from limited environments is critical for bacterial survival and pathogenesis. AztD has been identified as a periplasmic or cell surface zinc-binding protein in numerous bacterial species. In Paracoccus denitrificans, AztD can transfer zinc directly to AztC, the solute binding protein for a zinc-specific ATP-binding cassette transporter system, suggesting a role in zinc acquisition and homeostasis. Here, we present the first cry stal structures of AztD from P. denitrificans and tbe human pathogen Citrobacter koseri, revealing a beta-propeller fold and two high-affinity zinc-binding sites that are highly conserved among AztD homologs. These structures combined with transfer assays using WT and mutant proteins provide rare insight into the mechanism of direct zinc transfer from one protein to another. Given the importance of zinc import to bacterial pathogenesis, these insights may prove valuable to the development of zinc transfer inhibitors as antibiotics.