Thielaviopsis paradoxa and cultivable mycobiota associated with carapace of Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.

Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a significant agricultural pest in palm plantations across tropical America, playing a critical role as a vector of the fungus Thielaviopsis paradoxa, which is the causative agent of stem bleeding disease in coconut palms. This disease has raised concerns due to its rapid spread and subsequent reduction in coconut production in northeastern Brazil. Additionally, this insect can establish mutualistic interactions with various fungi, including saprophytic, phytopathogenic, and entomopathogenic fungi, underscoring the importance of identifying its external mycobiota. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of T. paradoxa in the digestive tract and identify the cultivable mycobiota associated with the carapace of R. palmarum. To achieve this, a mycological study was conducted by culturing the external surface and digestive tract of field-caught adult insects (10 males and 10 females) on potato dextrose agar (PDA) in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil. Fungal identification was performed by correlating microscopic features with the macroscopic characteristics of the obtained colonies. The results showed that T. paradoxa was detected in 15.0% of carapace isolates but was not found in the insects' intestinal tract. Additionally, nine fungal genera frequently associated with saprophytic or phytopathogenic behaviors were identified on the carapace. Eight of these genera belong to the Ascomycota phylum, while one is classified in the Basidiomycota phylum. The ubiquitous presence of Paecilomyces spp. and the occurrence of Trichosporon spp. in 95% of the assessed insects stand out. Furthermore, other potentially phytopathogenic fungi such as Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., and Aspergillus spp., as well as fungi with entomopathogenic potential like Paecilomyces spp., Trichoderma spp., Metarhizium spp., and Beauveria bassiana, were detected. These findings enhance the understanding of the complex interactions between R. palmarum and its fungal hosts, providing insights for integrated pest management strategies.

Cell Therapy for Critical Limb Ischemia: Advantages, Limitations, and New Perspectives for Treatment of Patients with Critical Diabetic Vasculopathy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide a highlight of the current state of cell therapy for the treatment of critical limb ischemia in patients with diabetes. RECENT FINDINGS: The global incidence of diabetes is constantly growing with consequent challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. In the UK only, NHS costs attributed to diabetic complications, such as peripheral vascular disease, amputation, blindness, renal failure, and stroke, average £10 billion each year, with cost pressure being estimated to get worse. Although giant leaps forward have been registered in the scope of early diagnosis and optimal glycaemic control, an effective treatment for critical limb ischemia is still lacking. The present review aims to provide an update of the ongoing work in the field of regenerative medicine. Recent advancements but also limitations imposed by diabetes on the potential of the approach are addressed. In particular, the review focuses on the perturbation of non-coding RNA networks in progenitor cells and the possibility of using emerging knowledge on molecular mechanisms to design refined protocols for personalized therapy. The field of cell therapy showed rapid progress but has limitations. Significant advances are foreseen in the upcoming years thanks to a better understanding of molecular bottlenecks associated with the metabolic disorders.

Meloquina en el tratamiento de la leishmaniasis en un área endémica de leishmania braziliensis / Meloquina in the processing of the leishmaniasis in an endemic area of leishmania braziliensis

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la eficacia de la mefloquina en una región endémica de leismaniasis cutánea por Leishmania (viannia) braziliensis, considerando que esta droga, de administración oral en el tratamiento de la malaria, con vida media prolongada y efectos colaterales poco frecuentes podría ser menos tóxica y de administración más fácil al ser comparada con los antimoniales pentavalentes. En Corte de Pedra, poblado ubicado en el litoral sur del Estado de Bahia en Brasil, se administró tratamiento aleatoriamente a diez pacientes portadores de lesiones leishmaniásicas. Ellos fueron subdivididos en dos grupos. El primer grupo recibió mefloquina por vía oral a la dosis de 250 mg/día, durante seis días. Luego de un intervalo de tres semanas se repitió el mismo esquema. El segundo grupo recibió antimoniato de meglumina (glucantime), diariamente, por vía endovenosa, en la dosis de 20 mg/kg por 20 días. En el grupo tratado con mefloquina solo en un paciente la lesión cicatrizó inclusive después del segundo ciclo. En este grupo, un paciente con cuatro lesiones presentó una nueva lesión durante el primer ciclo de tratamiento. La evolución de los otros tres fue lenta y luego de nueve semanas ninguno de ellos había presentado cicatrización de la lesión en tanto que permanecían con gran inflitración y signos evidentes de actividad. El otro grupo, tratado con glucantime, presentó evidente mejoría en el mismo período de tiempo.