The Biology, Impact, and Management of Xyleborus Beetles: A Comprehensive Review.

Xyleborus beetles, a diverse group of ambrosia beetles, present challenges to forestry and agriculture due to their damaging burrowing behavior and symbiotic relationships with fungi. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the biology, ecology, and management of Xyleborus. We explore the beetles' life cycle, reproductive strategies, habitat preferences, and feeding habits, emphasizing their ecological and economic impacts. Control and management strategies, including preventive measures, chemical and biological control, and integrated pest management (IPM), are critically evaluated. Recent advances in molecular genetics and behavioral studies offer insights into genetic diversity, population structure, and host selection mechanisms. Despite progress, managing Xyleborus effectively remains challenging. This review identifies future research needs and highlights innovative control methods, such as biopesticides and pheromone-based trapping systems.

Changes in Skin Test Aeroallergen Sensitization in Mexico Over the Past 14 Years and According to Climate.

Introduction: Aeroallergen exposure has an intra- and extra-domiciliary component and varies according to climatological zones. Mexico is a large country with a great variety of climates. A previous study (2009) evaluated skin prick test results (SPT) in different regions. In this study, we compare previous sensitization patterns from 14y ago with current ones and compare them between different climatological zones. Methods: Mexican allergists were asked to share their last 100 SPT results in patients with respiratory allergy. Clinics were grouped in (semi)humid vs (semi)dry zones. Results were analyzed nationwide and compared to the 2009 results, calculating odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), with p <0.05 as cut-off. Similarly, we compared (semi)humid versus dry zones. Results: We collected 2915 SPT results from 28 clinics (19 cities). Dermatophagoides was the most frequently sensitizing allergen. There was a significant increase in SPT positivity from 2009 to 2023 in both in- and outdoor aeroallergens (OR 1.26-2.65, 95% CI from 1.06-1.50 to 1.99-3.52). Comparing dry-humid zones, sensitization to pollen from Oleaceae, Fagaceae (p < 0.0001 all) and most weeds is more frequent in humid zones, as are Dermatophagoides and cockroach (both p < 0.0001). Eucalyptus, mesquite, and all grass pollen sensitizations predominate in dry zones (p < 0.05-0.0001). There are no differences in sensitization to cat or dog between zones. Conclusion: We found a general increase in SPT sensitization over the past fourteen years, suggesting that this is probably not only due to climate change. The different sensitization profile throughout the country was mainly related to humidity. Repeating epidemiologic SPT studies over the years could help tracking changes in allergen sensitization over time.

Antifungal capabilities of gut microbial communities of three dung beetle species (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae).

Gut microbial communities are part of the regulatory array of various processes within their hosts, ranging from nutrition to pathogen control. Recent evidence shows that dung beetle's gut microbial communities release substances with antifungal activity. Because of the enormous diversity of gut microorganisms in dung beetles, there is a possibility of discovering novel compounds with antifungal properties. We tested the antifungal activity mediated by gut microbial communities of female dung beetles against nine phytopathogenic fungi strains (Colletotrichum asianum-339, C. asianum-340, C. asianum-1, C. kahawae-390, C. karstii-358, C. siamense-220, Fusarium oxysporum-ATCC338, Nectria pseudotrichia-232, Verticillium zaelandica-22). Our tests included the gut microbial communities of three species of dung beetles: Canthon cyanellus (roller beetle), Digitonthophagus gazella (burrower beetle), and Onthophagus batesi (burrower beetle), and we followed the dual confrontation protocol, i.e., we challenged each fungal strain with the microbial communities of each species of beetles in Petri dishes containing culture medium. Our results showed that gut microbial communities of the three dung beetle species exhibit antifungal activity against at least seven of the nine phytopathogenic fungal strains. The gut microbial communities of Onthophagus batesi significantly decreased the mycelial growth of the nine phytopathogenic fungi strains; the gut microbial communities of Canthon cyanellus and Digitonthophagus gazella significantly reduced the mycelial growth of seven strains. These results provide a basis for investigating novel antifungal substances within gut microbial communities of dung beetles.

Electroacupuncture efficacy in diabetic polyneuropathy: Study protocol for a double-blinded randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); its diagnosis and treatment are based on symptomatic improvement. However, as pharmacological therapy causes multiple adverse effects, the implementation of acupunctural techniques, such as electroacupuncture (EA) has been suggested as an alternative treatment. Nonetheless, there is a lack of scientific evidence, and its mechanisms are still unclear. We present the design and methodology of a new clinical randomized trial, that investigates the effectiveness of EA for the treatment of DPN. METHODS: This study is a four-armed, randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial (20-week intervention period, plus 12 weeks of follow-up after concluding intervention). A total of 48 T2DM patients with clinical signs and symptoms of DPN; and electrophysiological signs in the Nerve Conduction Study (NCS); will be treated by acupuncture specialists in outpatient units in Mexico City. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of the following four groups: (a) short fibre DPN with EA, (b) short fibre DPN with sham EA, (c) axonal DPN with EA and (d) axonal DPN with sham EA treatment. The intervention will consist of 32 sessions, 20 min each, per patient over two cycles of intervention of 8 weeks each and a mid-term rest period of 4 weeks. The primary outcome will be NCS parameters, and secondary outcomes will include DPN-related symptoms and pain by Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score (MDNS), Dolour Neuropatique Score (DN-4), Semmes-Westein monofilament, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain assessment, and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). To measure quality of life and improve oxidative stress, the inflammatory response; and genetic expression; will be analysed at the beginning and at the end of treatment. DISCUSSION: This study will be conducted to compare the efficacy of EA versus sham EA combined with conventional diabetic and neuropathic treatments if needed. EA may improve NCS, neuropathic pain and symptoms, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and genetic expression, and it could be considered a potential coadjutant treatment for the management of DPN with a possible remyelinating effect. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05521737 Registered on 30 August 2022. International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) ISRCTN97391213 Registered on 26 September 2022 [2b].

Prediction of physical realizations of the coordinated universal time with gated recurrent unit.

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), produced by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), is the official worldwide time reference. Given that there is no physical signal associated with UTC, physical realizations of the UTC, called UTC(k), are very important for demanding applications such as global navigation satellite systems, communication networks, and national defense and security, among others. Therefore, the prediction of the time differences UTC-UTC(k) is important to maintain the accuracy and stability of the UTC(k) timescales. In this paper, we report for the first time the use of a deep learning (DL) technique called Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) to predict a sequence of H futures values of the time differences UTC-UTC(k) for ten different UTC(k) timescales. UTC-UTC(k) time differences published on the monthly Circular T document of the BIPM are used as training samples. We utilize a multiple-input, multiple-output prediction strategy. After a training process where about 300 past values of the difference UTC-UTC(k) are used, H (H = 6) values of the Circular T can be predicted using p (typically p = 6) past values. The model has been tested with data from ten different UTC(k) timescales. When comparing GRU results with other standard DL algorithms, we found that the GRU approximation has a good performance in predicting UTC(k) timescales. According to our results, the GRU error in predicting UTC-UTC(k) values is typically 1 ns. The frequency instability of the UTC(k) timescale is the main limitation in reducing the GRU error in the time difference prediction.

Latin American Plants against Microorganisms.

The constant emergence of severe health threats, such as antibacterial resistance or highly transmissible viruses, necessitates the investigation of novel therapeutic approaches for discovering and developing new antimicrobials, which will be critical in combating resistance and ensuring available options. Due to the richness and structural variety of natural compounds, techniques centered on obtaining novel active principles from natural sources have yielded promising results. This review describes natural products and extracts from Latin America with antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant strains, as well as classes and subclasses of plant secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activity and the structures of promising compounds for combating drug-resistant pathogenic microbes. The main mechanisms of action of the plant antimicrobial compounds found in medicinal plants are discussed, and extracts of plants with activity against pathogenic fungi and antiviral properties and their possible mechanisms of action are also summarized. For example, the secondary metabolites obtained from Isatis indigotica that show activity against SARS-CoV are aloe-emodin, ß-sitosterol, hesperetin, indigo, and sinigrin. The structures of the plant antimicrobial compounds found in medicinal plants from Latin America are discussed. Most relevant studies, reviewed in the present work, have focused on evaluating different types of extracts with several classes and subclasses of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activity. More studies on structure-activity relationships are needed.

Association of the rs5186 polymorphism of the AGTR1 gene with decreased eGFR in patients with type 2 diabetes from Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: Early biomarkers search for Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), as genetic markers to identify vulnerable carriers of the disease even before Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) decline or microalbuminuria development, has been relevant during the last few years. The rs5186 (A116C) polymorphism of the Angiotensin II Receptor Type I gene (AGTR1), has been associated to multiple effects of renal injury risk, commonly detected in patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). It has been described that rs5186 could have an effect in stability proteins that assemble Angiotensin II Receptor Type I (AT1), modifying its action, which is why it should be considered as a risk factor for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), characterized by a GFR progressive reduction. Even though, the association between rs5186 AGTR1 gene polymorphism and DKD in patients with T2DM has been controversial, inconclusive, and even absent. This disputable issue might be as a result of association studies in which many and varied clinical phenotypes included are contemplated as CKD inductors and enhancers. Although, the sample sizes studied in patients with T2DM are undersized and did not have a strict inclusion criteria, lacking of biochemical markers or KDOQI classification, which have hindered its examination. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to establish an association between rs5186 AGTR1 gene polymorphism and GFR depletion, assessed as a risk factor to DKD development in patients with T2DM. METHODS: We analyzed 297 not related patients with T2DM, divided into 221 controls (KDOQI 1) and 76 cases (KDOQI 2). Arterial pressure, anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured. rs5186 of AGTR1 genotyping was performed by TaqMan assay real-time PCR method. Allele and genotype frequencies, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were measured. Normality test for data distribution was analyzed by Shapiro-Wilk test, variable comparison by Student's t-test for continuous variables, and Chi-squared test for categorical variables; ANOVA test was used for mean comparison of more than two groups. Effect of rs5186 to DKD was estimated by multiple heritability adjustment models for risk variables of DKD. Statistical significance was indicated by p<0.05. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package STATA v11 software. RESULTS: Dominant and Over-dominant models showed a likelihood ratio to GFR depletion of 1.89 (1.05-3.39, p=0.031) and 2.01 (1.08-3.73, p=0.023) in patients with T2DM. Risk factor increased to 2.54 (1.10-5.89) in women in Over-dominant model. CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, most of nephropathies progress at a slow pace into a total breakdown of renal function, even asymptomatic. This is the first study, reporting that rs5186 polymorphism of AGTR1 gene contribution to GFR depletion, and this could be evaluated as a predisposing factor for DKD in patients with T2DM.

Comparative outcomes of direct-acting antiviral treatment in patients with HIV-Hepatitis C co-infection: insights from a single center experience in Colombia.

Background: Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) were introduced to Latin America with the aim of eliminating hepatitis C (HCV) in the region. There are scarce data on the outcomes of people living with HIV and HCV treated with these medications in Colombia. This study compares the outcomes of patients with HIV-HCV co-infection and HCV mono-infection treated with DAAs. Methods: Retrospective observational study including patients ≥18 years old with HCV infection treated with DAAs from August 2017 to December 2019 in a comprehensive center in Colombia. The main outcome was sustained virologic response (SVR). Secondary outcomes included reinfection, relapse and adverse events. Results: We included 223 individuals with HCV treated with DAAs; 142 (63.6%) individuals were mono-infected and 81 (36.3%) co-infected. Genotypes 1b (49.7%) and 4 (33.9%) were the most common. Overall SVR after DAA treatment was 96.8%. Relapse rate was 2.24%, reinfection rate was 6.28% and adverse events occurred in 27.8% of cases. SVR was comparable in patients with co- and mono-infection (95% vs 97.8%, p=0.245). Conclusion: DAA were effective in mono-infected (HCV) and co-infected (HCV/HIV) patients and reinfection was high in this last group.

A propósito de una experiencia de gestión de la Sociedad Peruana de Obstetricia y Ginecología (SPOG)

Las sociedades médicas usualmente tienen como misión y visión la mejora de competencias de los asociados y por ello las actividades académicas suelen ser la finalidad más importante. La Sociedad Peruana de Obstetricia y Ginecología (SPOG) lo hace también, pero en el país se ha constituido referente de la salud de la mujer y es parte del grupo asesor del Ministerio de Salud; promueve y defiende políticas públicas en beneficio de la salud sexual y reproductiva, con impulso reciente de la vacunación de las gestantes contra el COVID-19 que permitió reducir las muertes maternas. En el año 2023, la SPOG defiende el derecho de las mujeres a la anticoncepción de emergencia ante el Tribunal Constitucional y del aborto terapéutico ante la Corte Suprema de Justicia. Además, se publica desde el año 1955 la Revista Peruana de Ginecología y Obstetricia (RPGO) que, con el apoyo de las diferentes directivas de la SPOG, ha logrado recientemente su indexación a Scopus. Al revisar el último Plan Estratégico 2022-2026, la SPOG puede ser considerada una sociedad académica moderna que busca ser autosostenible mediante la ejecución de proyectos con la cooperación externa y de organismos internacionales y con el apoyo de los asociados y una administración moderna transparente y eficiente. Las sociedades médicas actuales y del futuro no solo conducen la actividad académica científica de su especialidad, sino también participan en las políticas públicas de salud del área de su competencia.

Medical societies usually have as their mission and vision the improvement of their members' competencies and therefore academic activities are usually the most important objective. The Sociedad Peruana de Obstetricia y Ginecología (SPOG) is an academic institution, but it has become a reference for women's health and is part of the Advisory Group of the Ministry of Health; it promotes and defends public policies for the benefit of sexual and reproductive health, recently promoting the vaccination of pregnant women against COVID-19 and reducing maternal deaths. In 2023, SPOG defends women's right to emergency contraception before the Constitutional Court and therapeutic abortion before the Supreme Court of Justice. In addition, the Peruvian Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (RPGO, for its acronym in Spanish) has been published since 1955 and with the support of the different SPOG boards has recently been indexed in Scopus. In reviewing the latest Strategic Plan 2022-2026, SPOG can be considered a modern academic society that seeks to be self-sustainable through the implementation of projects with external cooperation and with the support of the associates and a modern transparent and efficient administration. Current and future medical societies not only conduct the scientific academic activity of their specialty but also participate in public health policies in the area of their competence.

Significado de la indexación de la Revista Peruana de Ginecología y Obstetricia a Scopus

La Revista Peruana de Ginecología y Obstetricia (RPGO) ha obtenido su inclusión en la importante base de datos Scopus. En una rápida recopilación de la publicación de la revista, se recuerda la dedicación editorial de sus seis editores, cuatro de los cuales acababan de presidir la Sociedad Peruana de Obstetricia y Ginecología (SPOG). Los momentos iniciales de trabajo editorial fueron realizados manualmente, en máquinas de escribir y visitando la imprenta continuamente, así como a los patrocinadores. El compromiso de los Comités Directivos de SPOG para financiar la publicación y distribución de los ejemplares permitió la gradual indexación a bases de datos locales, regionales e internacionales. Su internalización se amplió desde la publicación de la RPGO en el Open Journal Systems (OJS), sistema informático donde se publica los artículos con puntualidad, calidad, incluyendo sus características editoriales y la Información para los Autores. Ahora la publicación es solo virtual, en español e inglés, con visibilidad e impacto de los artículos desde el inicio de la RPGO en 1955. Con datos actualizados del OJS sobre la RPGO, el número de visitas mensuales a los resúmenes llegan hasta 10 mil y las descargas mensuales de artículos en formato PDF hasta más de 9 mil. Y, en el ámbito de revistas científicas de ginecoobstetricia de América Latina y España en Scopus, destaca el índice h de la RPGO por Google Scholar Metrics, como una de las mejores. Al presente, y frente a los desafíos futuros, la actividad de la RPGO ha sido fortalecida, estableciendo un equipo editorial y herramientas que permiten la ya iniciada profesionalización de los procesos de la actividad editorial.

The Peruvian Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (RPGO, for its acronym in Spanish) has obtained its inclusion in the important Scopus database. A quick review of the journal's publication recalls the editorial dedication of its six editors, four of whom had just recently chaired the Peruvian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SPOG, for its acronym in Spanish). The initial editorial work was carried out manually, on typewriters and continuously visiting the printing press, as well as the sponsors. The commitment of the SPOG Steering Committees to finance the publication and distribution of the issues allowed the gradual indexing to local, regional and international databases. Its internalization was expanded since the publication of the RPGO in the Open Journal Systems (OJS), a computer system where articles are published with punctuality, quality, including their editorial characteristics and the Information for Authors. Now the publication is only virtual, in English and Spanish, with visibility and impact of the articles since the beginning of the RPGO in 1955. With updated OJS data on the RPGO, the number of monthly visits to the abstracts reaches up to 10 thousand and monthly downloads of articles in PDF format reach more than 9 thousand. And, in the field of obstetrics and gynecology scientific journals in Latin America and Spain in Scopus, the h index of the RPGO by Google Scholar Metrics stands out as one of the best. At present, and facing future challenges, the activity of the RPGO has been strengthened, establishing an editorial team and tools that allow the already initiated professionalization of the processes of the editorial activity.

Antioxidants in Traditional Mexican Medicine and Their Applications as Antitumor Treatments.

Traditional medicine in Latin America and mainly in Mexico represents an essential alternative for treating different diseases. The use of plants as medicine is the product of a rich cultural tradition of the indigenous peoples, in which a great variety of species are used for the treatment of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and mental diseases and some other sicknesses; the therapeutic efficacy that they possess is due to the properties that derive from the active ingredients of plants principally antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenes, and tannins. An antioxidant is a substance that, at low concentrations, delays or prevents substrate oxidation through the exchange of electrons. Different methods are used to determine the antioxidant activity and the most commonly used are described in the review. Cancer is a disease in which some cells multiply uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis. These cells can lead to the formation of tumors, which are lumps of tissue that can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Generally, the treatment of this disease consists of surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy, which have side effects that decrease the quality of life of patients, so new treatments, focusing on natural resources such as plants, can be developed. This review aims to gather scientific evidence on the antioxidant compounds present in plants used in traditional Mexican medicine, specifically as antitumor treatment in the most common cancer types worldwide (e.g., breast, liver, and colorectal cancer).

El enigma del coronavirus - Consecuencias de la infección por el SARS-CoV-2 en el ser humano El cerebro - Gestante y recién nacido

El virus SARS-CoV-2 sigue replicándose. Sus nuevas variantes no estarían causando las muertes y hospitalizaciones graves de los años 2020 a 2022, por lo que la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) ha declarado el final del estado de emergencia sanitaria. Hasta el 24 de mayo de 2023, el tablero de coronavirus de la OMS señala más de 766 millones de casos confirmados, y cerca de 7 millones de muertes en el mundo, con mayor concentración en Europa, Pacífico Occidental y América (especialmente en los E.E. U.U. y Brasil). Europa y China se preparan para los nuevos avances del virus. Por ello se recomienda precaución sanitaria y cumplir con la vacunación y refuerzos, así como elaborar nuevas vacunas. Se comenta sobre la fragilidad de los ensayos aleatorios publicados en los primeros dos años de la pandemia, así como los recientes hallazgos de cuáles enfermos con COVID podrían desarrollar COVID prolongado. Es de importancia conocer los nuevos alcances sobre la afectación del coronavirus sobre la gestante, el feto y neonato y el seguimiento inicial de los últimos.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to replicate. Its new variants would not be causing the deaths and serious hospitalizations of the years 2020-2022, so the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the end of the state of health emergency. Until May 24, 2023, the WHO coronavirus dashboard shows more than 766 million confirmed cases, and about 7 million deaths in the world, with greater concentration in Europe, Western Pacific, and America (especially the U.S.A. and Brazil). Europe and China prepare for new virus breakthroughs. Therefore, health precaution is recommended, as well as compliance with vaccination and boosters, and the development of new vaccines. We comment on the fragility of randomized trials published in the first two years of the pandemic, as well as recent findings of which patients with COVID could develop long COVID. It is important to know the new scopes on the affectation of the coronavirus on the pregnant woman, the fetus and the neonate and the initial follow-up of the latter.

Rhino-orbital mucormycosis in a Mexican patient with COVID-19: Case report.

BACKGROUND: A variety of bacterial and fungal co-infections may be attributed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly in people who already have a medical condition such diabetes mellitus or those who received large dosages of steroids. CASE REPORT: We described a 52-year-old diabetic man who was receiving high doses of dexamethasone and antibiotics while receiving ambulatory care for COVID-19 pneumonia. His anterior rhinoscopy revealed a necrotic scab, and a sample confirmed Mucor spp. He underwent surgery and was given amphotericin as a result of the severity of the condition, palpebral ptosis, and right ocular palsy he was experiencing. The patien ́s progression was satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: pre-existing diabetes mellitus, previous steroid and antimicrobial use, as well as SARS-CoV-2 infection are some of the risk factors associated with Mucor spp. infection. Prompt detection of mucormycosis is important in the management of these affected patients.

ANTECEDENTES: A la enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19) se le han atribuido diversas coinfecciones bacterianas y fúngicas, especialmente en sujetos con enfermedades preexistentes (diabetes mellitus) o en quienes han recibido altas dosis de corticosteroides. REPORTE DE CASO: Paciente masculino de 52 años, con antecedente de diabetes mellitus, quien recibió altas dosis de dexametasona y antibióticos mientras recibía atención ambulatoria por neumonía secundaria a COVID-19. La rinoscopia anterior reveló una costra necrótica, y una muestra de exudado confirmó la coexistencia de Mucor spp. Debido a la complicación del cuadro clínico, ptosis palpebral y parálisis ocular derecha, se le administró anfotericina B y fue intervenido quirúrgicamente. La evolución del paciente fue satisfactoria. CONCLUSIONES: La diabetes mellitus preexistente, el consumo de corticosteroides y antimicrobianos, además de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 son factores de riesgo asociados con la infección por Mucor spp. Es importante la detección oportuna de mucormicosis en el tratamiento de estos pacientes.

Effectiveness of a Patient-Centered Assessment With a Solution-Focused Approach (DIALOG-A) in the Routine Care of Colombian Adolescents With Depression and Anxiety: Protocol for a Multicenter Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Colombia is a middle-income country in South America, which has historically had high rates of mental health problems, coupled with a scarcity of mental health care. There is growing concern for the mental health of the adolescent population within this region. There is a significant treatment gap for young people, especially those living in the most vulnerable areas. DIALOG+ is a low-cost patient-centered intervention that can potentially improve the delivery of care and quality of life for adolescents with mental health problems. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of an adapted version of the DIALOG+ intervention (DIALOG-A) in the community treatment of Colombian adolescents with depression and anxiety. METHODS: In total, 18 clinicians and 108 adolescents will be recruited from primary health care services in Bogota and Duitama, Colombia. Clinicians will be randomized 2:1 to either the intervention (12 clinicians:72 adolescents) or control group (6 clinicians:36 adolescents). In the intervention arm, clinicians will use DIALOG-A with adolescents once per month over 6 months. The control arm will continue to receive routine care. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 6 months, and 9 months following randomization. Semistructured interviews with all clinicians and a subset of adolescents in the intervention arm will be conducted at the end of the intervention period. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data will be conducted. RESULTS: Trial recruitment was completed toward the end of October 2022, and follow-up is anticipated to last through to October 2023. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to test an adapted resource-orientated intervention (DIALOG-A) in the treatment of adolescents with depression and anxiety attending primary care services. If the results are positive, DIALOG-A can be implemented in the routine care of adolescents with these mental health problems and provide valuable insight to other middle-income countries. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN13980767; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN13980767?q=ISRCTN13980767. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/43401.

In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion Affects the Bioaccessibility of Bioactive Compounds in Hibiscus sabdariffa Beverages.

Hibiscus sabdariffa possess great versatility to be used as an ingredient for a whole range of products with natural-based ingredients, which are growing in popularity due to the health benefits of bioactive compounds (BC). Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize the BC content in Hibiscus beverages and to evaluate their in vitro bioaccessibility. Results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the total contents of BC prior to the in vitro intestinal digestion. Hibiscus acid was the most abundant compound identified. Thirty-five compounds were identified in the Hibiscus beverage at the initial stage, while a maximum of 15 compounds were quantified in the different fractions of gastrointestinal digestion. After digestion, significant differences were found compared with the initial content of BC. That phenolic acids were the less bioaccessible group, while flavonoids were the most diverse. Principal components analysis showed different clusters and changes in the profiles of BC present at the initial stage and those bioaccessible, showing that intestinal digestion significantly affects the BC profile of the beverage.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Compounds from Edible Plants with Anti-Cancer Activity and Their Potential Use as Drugs.

Food is our daily companion, performing numerous beneficial functions for our bodies. Many of them can help to alleviate or prevent ailments and diseases. In this review, an extensive bibliographic search is conducted in various databases to update information on unprocessed foods with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can aid in treating diseases such as cancer. The current state of knowledge on inflammatory processes involving some interleukins and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is reviewed. As well as unprocessed foods, which may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are important factors in cancer development. Many studies are still needed to take full advantage of the food products we use daily.

Synthesis, insecticidal activity, and ensembled docking of nitroguanidines bearing S- and R-proline.

BACKGROUND: The amino acids R- and S-proline were used to synthesize novel neonicotinoid derivatives that, after being characterized by 1 H, DEPTQ 135, and HRMS-QTOF, were evaluated for use as insecticides against Galleria mellonella (caterpillar), Sitophilus zeamais, Xylosandrus morigerus, Xyleborus affinis, and Xyleborus ferrugineus. RESULTS: Comparisons of biological activity and absolute configuration showed that the R enantiomer had excellent and outstanding insecticidal activity against the insects tested, with up to 100% mortality after 12 h compared with dinotefuran at the same concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that compound R6 is an excellent lead enantiopure insecticide for future development in the field of crop protection. Furthermore, intermolecular interactions between nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and the R enantiomer displays a lower score which mean a higher affinity to the nAChR receptor and the π-π interactions are more stable than the S derivative. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

El enigma del coronavirus - De pandemia a endemia COVID-19 ¿Debemos seguir cuidándonos?

Pareciera que se están calmando las cosas con el SARS-Cov-2, pues ya no aparecen comunicaciones y notas diarias de hallazgos de nuevas variantes y subvariantes del virus, así como las modificaciones clínicas en sintomatología, hospitalizaciones, severidad y muertes por COVID-19. No conocemos cómo deberemos cuidarnos de sufrir la infección viral durante la inminente fase endémica de la enfermedad, conociendo los problemas de salud complejos del COVID prolongado si contraemos la virosis. En este artículo hacemos una descripción de las últimas mutaciones conocidas del coronavirus, cómo afectan ciertos órganos y sistemas, la ventaja de una mejor respuesta a la infección en personas con estilo de vida saludable, el rebote de la sintomatología, reinfecciones en la época de la vacuna, el COVID prolongado, el exceso de mortalidad de los médicos que atendieran las primeras olas sin vacuna, y algunas noticias y conocimientos sobre el COVID en la gestante y su feto y recién nacido, quedando la incógnita del futuro del neonato nacido de madre con COVID. En la endemia por COVID, ¿deberemos seguir protegiéndonos? ¿Cómo?

It seems that things are calming down with SARS-Cov-2, as there are no longer daily reports and notes of findings of new variants and subvariants of the virus, as well as clinical changes in symptomatology, hospitalizations, severity, and deaths due to COVID-19. We do not know how we should guard against viral infection during the impending endemic phase of the disease, knowing the complex health problems of prolonged COVID if we contract the virus. In this article we describe the latest known coronavirus mutations, how they affect certain organs and systems, the advantage of a better response to infection in people with healthy lifestyle, the rebound of symptomatology, reinfections at the time of the vaccine, prolonged COVID, excess mortality of physicians who attended the first waves without vaccine, and some news and knowledge about COVID in the pregnant woman and her fetus and newborn; the future of the newborn born to a mother with COVID remains unknown. In the COVID endemic, should we continue to protect ourselves? How?